For Immediate Release

January 29, 2007

Contact: Christine Falvey

Tel: (415) 554-6920

***PRESS ADVISORY***

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

CONSIDERS INCREASE IN MISSION DISTRICT MECHANICAL SWEEPING

THROUGH A SERIES OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

San Francisco, CA – The DPW Bureau of Street Environmental Services is considering increasing mechanical sweeping in the City's Mission District due to increased community complaints and calls for service. Calls to 28-CLEAN for street cleaning has increased 18% from 2,693 in 2005 to 3,196 in 2006. In many cases, the amount of litter quickly fills existing sweepers, and the Bureau must dispatch a second sweeper to complete the route.

In addition, the Mission District is a densely populated neighborhood and has numerous young and mature trees, which deposit leaf litter to the street. The leaves accumulate at catch basins, which can cause flooding. The Department will conduct hearings on Wednesday, January 31, 9 am and February 7, 9 am, to hear feedback from the community and will also schedule a third evening meeting. Community feedback will be assessed at this series of public hearings. No decisions will be made at the public hearings and DPW will propose a new street cleaning schedule after thorough public hearings have been made available to the community. An evening meeting will be held in March.

WHO: Department of Public Works, Bureau of Street Environmental Services

WHAT: Mechanical Sweeping in Mission District

WHY: To Consider Increased Mechanical Sweeping

WHEN: Wednesday, January 31 and February 7, 9 am

WHERE: City Hall, Room 400

--end--