Thursday, August 29, 2013

BOMA San Francisco Members Meet With SFUSD Superintendent Richard Carranza


 L to R:SFUSD Superintendent Carranza and BOMA SF GAPAC Chair, Elaine Dell'Aquila



BOMA San Francisco Members:

The members of BOMA San Francisco's Government Affairs and Public Advisory Committee (GAPAC), were honored to welcome the San Francisco Unified School District Superintendent, Richard Carranza recently.  Mr. Carranza provided an update on the SFUSD's strategic plan, budget and voter initiatives.  More information can be found on the SFUSD website, here.

The Superintendent also discussed the following issues:
  • Review the return on investment from the public school system: If we can’t increase the amount of investment, how do we increase the return/success of our students?
  • His current emphasis on creating well-rounded students who are literate and able to work in teams. 
  • The need to increase scientific and technological training, and partnering with sf.citi to begin to bring technology into the classrooms. 
  • Funding per pupil needs to be increased - currently at $5800.00 per student annually.
  • He is proud that San Francisco is the highest performing public school district in the state of California.
  • One of our challenges in San Francisco: 80% of families do not have children. Of those who do, 30% go to private schools. 75% of San Francisco public school kids come from disadvantaged and backgrounds.
We thank Mr. Carranza for his time and look forward to partnering with him in the future on issues that help to keep the SFUSD competitive in the technology rich City of San Francisco.  

BOMA San Francisco Political Action Committee Update - November 5, 2013 Municipal Election



BOMA San Francisco Members:

The BOMA San Francisco Political Action Committee has been working diligently to promote good government in San Francisco.  The following is a brief update of the BOMA SF-PAC board members' efforts regarding the November 5, 2013 San Francisco Municipal Election:

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

EPA Kicks Off Fourth-Annual Energy Star National Building Competition with More Than 3,000 Buildings




BOMA San Francisco Members:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently launched the 2013 Energy Star National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings. Teams from more than 3,000 buildings across the country are competing to see who can most reduce their buildings’ energy use. In support of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, which calls for buildings to cut waste and become at least 20 percent more energy efficient by 2020, the competition specifically targets wasted energy in commercial buildings and motivates businesses to improve energy efficiency, reduce harmful carbon pollution, and save money.

The number of participants in the Battle of the Buildings has increased from 14 buildings in 2010—the competition’s first year—to more than 3,200 buildings in 2013. Altogether, last year’s competitors cut their energy costs by more than $50 million and reduced annual greenhouse gas emissions equal to the electricity used by more than 43,000 homes.

More than 25 different types of commercial buildings are facing off in this year’s Energy Star National Building Competition, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The diverse field of competitors includes the Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando, Fla., a Catholic cathedral and rectory in Seattle, New York City’s historic 100 Park Avenue building, and Busch Stadium—home of the St. Louis Cardinals.

EPA’s Energy Star program helps people across America make the best choices to save energy, save money, and fight climate change – at home, at work, in their businesses, and in their communities. Only products, homes, and buildings that meet strict standards of energy efficiency and performance can earn the Energy Star label. In 2012 alone, Americans saved $24 billion on their utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to those of 50 million vehicles with the help of Energy Star.

Learn more about America’s number one resource for energy efficiency: www.energystar.gov

Monday, August 26, 2013

Register Today for BOMA San Francisco's 2013 Emergency Preparedness Seminar - September 11, 2013



BOMA San Francisco Members and Partners:

Register today for the 2013 BOMA San Francisco Annual Emergency Preparedness Seminar on September 11, 2013 as seating is limited!  The BOMA San Francisco Emergency Preparedness Committee members are putting the final touches on the seminar program details now - you will not want to miss this event.

NOTE: You can also register in-person on the day of the event!






This information-packed emergency preparedness seminar is produced for property and facilities managers, tenants, building security staff, and public sector emergency responders.


Attendees will:
  • Learn lessons from BOMA San Francisco's July 2013 Fire Drills at Post Montgomery Center including: 1) incident management and 2) communication with relevant stakeholders, i.e., the Post Montgomery Center, Cushman & Wakefield Property Management Team, security team members, engineering staff, and the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD); 
  • Learn strategies for working with emergency responders; 
  • Gain resources to help YOU be better educated and prepared for such emergencies.
BOMA San Francisco Emergency Preparedness Committee Member Volunteers
The program is presented as part of BOMA’s Emergency Preparedness Committee’s commitment to educate members on the best emergency preparedness strategies and will show how simulated emergencies can strengthen your entire building teams’ response to a critical incident.

Speakers:

Jackson Talbot, Director of Security at the Pyramid Center, Cushman & Wakefield and BOMA San Francisco Emergency Preparedness Committee Chair;
Jose Guevara, Property Manager, Post Montgomery Center, Cushman & Wakefield Property Management Team;
Lee Yurman, Security and Fire Safety Director at Post Montgomery Center, ABM
Ed Perinoni, Chief Engineer, Able Engineering Services
San Francisco Fire Department Representatives, Assistant Deputy Chief Jose Velo & Battalion Chief Kirk Richardson
Ryan Rusler, Executive Account Manager, Har-Bro Restoration 
Lou Cuneo, Director, Facilities Management at American Academy of Ophthalmology

Location: The Ferry Building, Port Commission Hearing Room, Second Floor 

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 

Members: $85.00, Non-members: $105.00

Register for BOMA San Francisco's 2013 Annual Emergency Preparedness Seminar TODAY!


The BOMA San Francisco Emergency Preparedness Committee's 2013 Annual Emergency Preparedness Seminar is generously sponsored by (in alphabetical order):
















A Message from San Francisco Assessor Recorder Carmen Chu - Deadline to Appeal Property Tax Assessment



BOMA San Francisco Members:

On Monday, September 16, 2013, the City and County of San Francisco will close the filing period for a formal appeal of the 2013/2014 assessed property value. The period for appeals opened on Tuesday, July 2, 2013.
“Many property owners are not aware of this appeals deadline so we want to make every effort to ensure they are aware of their rights", said Assessor-Recorder Carmen Chu. Further, "We see the appeals process as an opportunity for property owners to bring additional information to the table."

In order to appeal, property owners must complete an Application for Changed Assessment (accessible by visiting www.sfgov.org/aab) and submit a non-refundable $60 administrative processing fee no later than 9/16/2013 to the Assessment Appeals Board (AAB), 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, City Hall, Room 405, San Francisco, CA 94102.

The Assessment Appeals Board is independently appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The role of the AAB is to equalize the valuation of the taxable property within the City and County of San Francisco.

Automated Demand Response - Free PG&E Workshop on August 29th


BOMA San Francisco Members:

Have you ever wondered how your facility could benefit from Automated Demand Response (ADR)? This workshop will teach you how to identify ADR opportunities in your facilities and participate in Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG and E) ADR Program. Learn the “what, when, why and how” of demand response (DR) and find out about program incentives and technical support available to install ADR-ready equipment controls hardware.

The workshop will cover eligibility and program requirements, and provide an overview of PG and E’s current DR Programs: Peak Day Pricing, Capacity Bidding, Aggregator Managed Portfolio, and Demand Bidding. We will also explain the steps for successful connection with the Demand Response Automation System (DRAS).

This workshop targets non-residential customers that receive electric service from PG&E
RSVP required.

Click here to register for this free workshop.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
9:00 am –2:30 pm
 Pipe Trades Training Center, 780 Commercial Street, San Jose, CA
Instructors: David Wylie, ASW Engineering Management Consultants
Kitty Wang, Energy Solutions



BOMA California Legislative Update - CEQA Reform



California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Reform

As a principle member of the CEQA Working Group, BOMA California continues to work with elected leaders in Sacramento on amendments to SB 731 in an attempt to agree on meaningful reform to the law in 2013.

Senator Darrell Steinberg (D - Sacramento) has indicated that he only wants to focus on narrow reforms that would impact certain types of infill development.  As such, it is unclear if any reform efforts will be significant enough to truly encourage economic growth.  BOMA California has worked with Mr. Steinberg on many issues in the past and hope that all stakeholders can agree on meaningful reform before the California Legislature adjourns for the year.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

BOMA International Advocacy Update - Department of Energy Seeks Comments on Energy Code Compliance Methodology





The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking public comments on their building energy code compliance methodology. The methodology was developed by DOE as a means of assessing compliance with building energy codes at the local, state and national levels. DOE developed and piloted a compliance methodology in nine U.S. states. While the pilot study provided valuable input to DOE, they are now seeking input from the public at large. This is an opportunity for BOMA members to have their voices heard regarding compliance with energy codes. One question DOE is asking: “Are there ways to encourage owners and developers of poorer performing buildings to participate in compliance evaluation studies?”

The Federal Register notice with more information can be viewed here. All comments should be e-mailed to STCodeCompliance2013BC0036@ee.doe.gov. Please make sure to include docket number EERE-2013-BT-BC-0036 in the subject line of the message. Comments also should identify the name and address of the commenter. Comments must be submitted on or before September 5.

Monday, August 19, 2013

BOMA California Legislative Update - AB 1103 Benchmarking Webinar on August 29, 2013



UPDATE - August 19, 2013

BOMA California will be hosting a webinar on August 29, 2013 to assist BOMA members comprehend the policy issues related to AB 1103 - The Mandatory Benchmarking and Disclosure Law.  A representative from the California Energy Commission will detail the requirements of the law, and a member from BOMA San Francisco's commercial real estate industry who is implementing the new policy.

Please pre-register for the webinar by following the link below – space is limited and due to high demand we expect this webinar to fill quickly.

AB 1103 - California Mandatory Benchmarking Implementation Webinar

Thursday, August 29, 3:00 p.m.

Presenters include:

Matthew Hargrove, Sr. VP Government Relations, CBPA;

Joe Loyer, Mechanical Engineer, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Division with the California Energy Commission;

Zach Brown, Sustainability Manager, CBRE | Asset Services Group

Click here to register.


The Energy Commission has released a FAQ to help with some queries regarding how to comply with the law. Click here to see the AB 1103 FAQ.

BOMA California thanks the Energy Commission members and staff for working with the commercial real estate industry to address issues raised and resolve our members' concerns throughout this process.
--------------------
UPDATE - August 14, 2013

Regarding AB 1103 (Mandatory Benchmarking), please review the notification, below, from the California Energy Commission stating that the regulations will not be enforced until January 1, 2014.

The California Energy Commission is suspending the enforcement of AB 1103 regulations from September 1, 2013 to January 1, 2014. The Nonresidential Building Energy Use Disclosure Program (AB 1103) regulations, under certain circumstances, require nonresidential building owners to disclose benchmarking data to potential buyers, lessees and financiers.

The Data Transfer interface on ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, which was updated during the month of July, and was expected to allow the regulation to be fully operational by September 1, continues to have technical issues that have prevented several Utilities from uploading energy use data to Portfolio Manager Accounts as required under Section 1684(b) of the regulations.

On January 1, 2014, all aspects of the regulations, including disclosure requirements for commercial buildings greater than or equal to 10,000 square feet, will be enforced.  

We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this additional delay may cause.

If you have questions, or would like additional information on the status of AB 1103 compliance, please email AB1103@energy.ca.gov, or contact Daniel Johnson at (916) 651-3746 or Daniel.Johnson@energy.ca.gov


--------------------
UPDATE - June 14, 2013

Regarding AB 1103 (Mandatory Benchmarking), please review the notification, below, from the California Energy Commission stating that the regulations will not be enforced until September 1, 2013, due to Energy Star system maintenance.


The ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager (Portfolio Manager) will be unavailable for public use during a planned upgrade to the system between June 24 and July 9, 2013.

Additionally, several California Investor Owned Utilities have indicated that they will not 
be able to upload energy use data to owners’ Portfolio Manager accounts under section 1684(b) of the regulations for an additional two weeks after Portfolio Manager is back online.

This coincides with the implementation date of Assembly Bill #1103, the Nonresidential 
Building Energy Use Disclosure regulations (California Code of Regulations, Title 20, §1680 et seq).

The California Energy Commission will suspend enforcement of these regulations until 
August 1, 2013 because of the unavailability of Portfolio Manager. In the interim, the Energy Commission encourages nonresidential building owners to disclose the required information to prospective buyers, lessees, and lenders to the extent feasible. For recommendations on how to comply with the regulations while Portfolio Manager is unavailable, please review the Frequently Asked Questions.

--------------------
Original Post - May 13, 2013

AB 1103 Benchmarking Resources

BOMA California has been working on the The Nonresidential Building Energy Use Disclosure Program (AB 1103) for over five years.  The mandatory Energy Star disclosure law commences this summer.

The effective date of the regulations is July 1, 2013 for large buildings (more than 50,000 square feet); January 1, 2014 for medium buildings (more than 10,000, and up to 50,000 square feet); and July 1, 2014 for small buildings (5,000 up to 10,000 square feet).

Anytime you finance, sell, or lease a whole building, you are required to run the Energy Star numbers and provide that information to the other party in the transaction as well as the California Energy Commission (CEC).

The Energy Commission staff is working to provide online resources to help you comply with this new law. Here are several items you can find already online:
The Energy Commission is also working on a FAQ document and requests BOMA member input. If, after reading through the materials, you are unclear on how to comply with the law, or if there are lingering questions, please email mhargrove@cbpa.com and your comments will be submitted to the CEC.

BOMA California thanks the staff at the CEC for working with our industry to address issues and resolve concerns throughout this process. They will continue to work with them as they move forward and are implemented. 

Thursday, August 15, 2013

NIMBYism Will Lead to Economic Stagnation



NIMBYism will lead to economic stagnation

By Steven RingPresident of BOMA San Francisco and Marc Intermaggio, Executive Vice President.  Published in the San Francisco Examiner on August 15, 2013

Here we go again. The numerous projects presently being built or planned for construction in San Francisco have prompted that narrow-minded "not in my back yard" refrain to arise like a mummy rising from the grave. That mummy should stay buried. We should embrace the housing, arts and entertainment facilities, hotels and office space on the drawing board or being built, as they offer increased opportunities to live, play, eat, stay and work in San Francisco. Such projects add to our city's vibrancy and diversity, bring new jobs and more tax revenue for city services.

The new development envisioned or underway will provide further stimulus to San Francisco's economic growth, opening up The City to better accommodate more artists, designers, creative thinkers and entrepreneurs. Why not create enough housing for the middle-class so that parents don't have to flee to the suburbs to afford enough space to raise a family? How long will it be before there are almost no children left in San Francisco, just an aging population of hard-core naysayers? Why not share our great natural and cultural bounty with those who simply want to work and live here without having to commute two-plus hours a day, adding to our Bay Area's air quality problems? We have plenty of space available without compromising our ecology.

Radical NIMBYism will lead to economic and social stagnation. It is a slippery slope that restricts revenues vital for public services, like transit, public safety, libraries and the welfare safety net. It will cause the continued escalation of prices for everything from restaurants to taxi rides to entertainment. Companies are already wary of locating in San Francisco, since they cannot assure their employees of affordable anything.

Small business is the lifeblood of our economy, and yet small tenants are discouraged from locating in a city that restricts supply. Small companies provide essential services and products that fuel the prosperity of larger companies. We must keep The City open for new business formation of all sizes, and especially for small businesses. We can't do this if we're constantly fighting new development.

Instead of fostering policies that discourage job formation, real estate development and economic growth, policymakers should be encouraging greater densities, and greater heights for new housing, especially along BART and Muni lines. If we are to get more people to live and work in San Francisco, then we must reject NIMBYism as a selfish luxury we cannot afford. The City badly needs an expanding tax base to fund financial promises it has made to public employees and to pay for its essential municipal services. New developments add mightily to the public's well-being through contributions to The City's funds for affordable housing, parks, transportation and the like. All of this comes from economic growth and a sensible balance between what we are now and what we need to be moving forward.

The commercial real estate sector contributes significantly to San Francisco's public revenue base, with secured commercial parcels representing 30.4 percent of The City's asset valuation. Office buildings alone represent an assessed value of $45 billion. More than 27,000 people go to work every day to operate and service commercial buildings, an economic enterprise that adds nearly $4 billion in value to the San Francisco metro area.

San Francisco is truly blessed with the amount of new investment currently being made in our city. All of us should embrace these changes and new developments as opportunities to keep our city affordable and welcoming for all.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

BOMA California Legislative Update - AB 1103 Benchmarking Enforcement Delayed Until January 1, 2014


UPDATE - August 14, 2013

Regarding AB 1103 (Mandatory Benchmarking), please review the notification, below, from the California Energy Commission stating that the regulations will not be enforced until January 1, 2014.

The California Energy Commission is suspending the enforcement of AB 1103 regulations from September 1, 2013 to January 1, 2014. The Nonresidential Building Energy Use Disclosure Program (AB 1103) regulations, under certain circumstances, require nonresidential building owners to disclose benchmarking data to potential buyers, lessees and financiers.

The Data Transfer interface on ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, which was updated during the month of July, and was expected to allow the regulation to be fully operational by September 1, continues to have technical issues that have prevented several Utilities from uploading energy use data to Portfolio Manager Accounts as required under Section 1684(b) of the regulations.

On January 1, 2014, all aspects of the regulations, including disclosure requirements for commercial buildings greater than or equal to 10,000 square feet, will be enforced.  

We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this additional delay may cause.

If you have questions, or would like additional information on the status of AB 1103 compliance, please email AB1103@energy.ca.gov, or contact Daniel Johnson at (916) 651-3746 or Daniel.Johnson@energy.ca.gov


--------------------
UPDATE - June 14, 2013

Regarding AB 1103 (Mandatory Benchmarking), please review the notification, below, from the California Energy Commission stating that the regulations will not be enforced until September 1, 2013, due to Energy Star system maintenance.


The ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager (Portfolio Manager) will be unavailable for public use during a planned upgrade to the system between June 24 and July 9, 2013.

Additionally, several California Investor Owned Utilities have indicated that they will not 
be able to upload energy use data to owners’ Portfolio Manager accounts under section 1684(b) of the regulations for an additional two weeks after Portfolio Manager is back online.

This coincides with the implementation date of Assembly Bill #1103, the Nonresidential 
Building Energy Use Disclosure regulations (California Code of Regulations, Title 20, §1680 et seq).

The California Energy Commission will suspend enforcement of these regulations until 
August 1, 2013 because of the unavailability of Portfolio Manager. In the interim, the Energy Commission encourages nonresidential building owners to disclose the required information to prospective buyers, lessees, and lenders to the extent feasible. For recommendations on how to comply with the regulations while Portfolio Manager is unavailable, please review the Frequently Asked Questions.

--------------------
Original Post - May 13, 2013

AB 1103 Benchmarking Resources

BOMA California has been working on the The Nonresidential Building Energy Use Disclosure Program (AB 1103) for over five years.  The mandatory Energy Star disclosure law commences this summer.

The effective date of the regulations is July 1, 2013 for large buildings (more than 50,000 square feet); January 1, 2014 for medium buildings (more than 10,000, and up to 50,000 square feet); and July 1, 2014 for small buildings (5,000 up to 10,000 square feet).

Anytime you finance, sell, or lease a whole building, you are required to run the Energy Star numbers and provide that information to the other party in the transaction as well as the California Energy Commission (CEC).

The Energy Commission staff is working to provide online resources to help you comply with this new law. Here are several items you can find already online:
The Energy Commission is also working on a FAQ document and requests BOMA member input. If, after reading through the materials, you are unclear on how to comply with the law, or if there are lingering questions, please email mhargrove@cbpa.com and your comments will be submitted to the CEC.

BOMA California thanks the staff at the CEC for working with our industry to address issues and resolve concerns throughout this process. They will continue to work with them as they move forward and are implemented. 

Friday, August 2, 2013

Now Available - The San Francisco 2012 Downtown Plan Annual Monitoring Report



Planning Department Downtown Plan Annual Monitoring Report


BOMA San Francisco Members:

The department’s 2012 Downtown Plan Annual Monitoring Report is now available online.

The report summarizes business and development trends affecting downtown San Francisco as required by SF Administrative Code, Chapter 10E, and reviews data for 2012. It notes changes in the amount of commercial space, employment, housing production, parking supply, collection and use of fees and other revenues relative to the objectives of the Downtown Plan and mandated monitoring requirements.

In summary, the report found that Downtown San Francisco continued to be a resilient district for the City and the region in 2012, largely because of Downtown Plan polices. Adopted in 1985, these policies strengthened Downtown San Francisco’s physical qualities as a vibrant place and enhanced its functioning as a regional center. The annual changes in Downtown land use are summarized in the first four pages of the report in the section entitled, “2012 Summary & InfoGraphic.”

In addition, the report indicated that the downtown and citywide economy is recovering as evidenced by the rebound in development, declining vacancy rates, increasing rents, stabilizing employment, growing tax revenue and use fees, high transit use, and stable mode share. However, the addition of long term parking spaces, POPOS, and public art have temporarily slowed or stopped as a result of the lingering effects of the last economic downturn.

For more information about the 2012 Downtown Plan Annual Monitoring Report, please contact Scott Edmondson, Planner, at scott.edmondson@sfgov.org.

Apture