Jose Morales, Candidate For District 11 Supervisor, Answers Reader Questions

The Ingleside Light gathered questions from the community and posed them to the District 7, District 11 and mayor candidates in advance of the Nov. 5 election.

Here are Jose Morales's answers. As the owner of Luna’s Mobile Detailing, Morales' campaign focused on small business revitalization, redirecting city funds toward vital community programs, public safety and tackling parking issues.

Morales is running against labor union organizer Chyanne Chen, political campaign staffer Adlah Chisti, DCCC member Michael Lai, SFMTA transit operator Roger Marenco and former District 11 supervisor legislative aide EJ Jones.

Responses have been lightly edited.

How do you plan to be consistently involved in the neighborhood once in office?

I will conduct ongoing public meetings in each neighborhood and instill neighborhood volunteer ambassadors who can report the issues they’re seeing directly to me. 

What will you do to eliminate drug dealing and other crime in the neighborhood's parks?

Right now as stated at every playground, no adults without kids are allowed in playgrounds. However, there is no enforcement. I will work with SFPD and the Parks Department as well as the Park Police to provide enforcement of our laws. Kids shouldn’t have to see drug users in our parks or run the risk of funding drug paraphernalia. 

What will you do to reduce crime against small business owners?

I will ensure that we fully fund our police department so that we can place more foot patrols on the streets. As of right now, anyone who promises to increase foot patrolling is only providing false hope because he doesn't have the numbers to make foot patrols be an efficient method of crime reduction. I will also host town halls for business owners to find new issues as they happen. We have to be dynamic and proactive in our approaches and not reactive. 

Do you support adding more protected bike infrastructure in D11 and the city, even if it means the loss of some (but not all) parking spots? 

As a major cyclist, I see the need of protected bike lanes in certain areas. Right now Mission Street between Cesar Chavez and upward toward Daly City is an extremely dangerous area for cyclists. Also, Ocean Avenue past Cayuga Avenue all the way towards 19th Avenue are incredibly dangerous areas for cyclists. I support protected bike lanes especially beside major corridors, not exactly on the major corridors themselves. I am willing to risk losing some parking spots because District 11 has some of the worst and most dangerous biking infrastructure in the city.

Historically, the M line has been neglected; however, it serves communities along Randolph Street and Broad Street, extending to Balboa Park. Since the M line provides access for community members, Randolph Street and Broad Street are ideal candidates for development into a new commercial corridor. Please provide your vision for this corridor and outline the actions you intend to take to bring that vision to fruition.

It all starts with building housing around these potential corridors. Here, we could increase density and height restrictions to build more units. These buildings should also have bottom floor space for retail locations to give local residents the ability to shop and dine around their major corridor.

What is one issue in the neighborhood that you see ignored? How would you tackle this issue?

Public dumping. I want to install public dumpsters in certain parks, for instance, one at Crocker, and perhaps one near Cayuga Park. As well as adding more public garbage cans along our major corridors.

Will you commit to fully funding the Dignity Fund in this and future years to meet the growing number and needs of older adults and people with Disabilities?

Yes, I support older adults and those with disabilities. I, myself, have a disability (hard of hearing and utilize hearing aids) and very often have to advocate for myself. I will advocate for those whose voice is not as strong.

In many ways, City College of San Francisco was the beating heart of the neighborhood, a source of jobs and customers for local businesses. But its troubles have led to a 60%+ decline in enrollment which has precipitated other issues. How will you work with the college community to turn it around?

We will use City College to create job pipelines in partnership with SFUSD. We’ll work with unions, the police department, the sheriff's department, hospitals and state employers to train and develop workers who are ready for the jobs that are available today.

The SFMTA has big plans to speed up the K Ingleside and M Ocean View light rail lines that include boarding island modernization and consolidation, red lanes and more. How will you increase ridership in the neighborhood?

The overall picture is to get more people on MUNI which starts with cleaning up our streets of drug addiction and crime. There have been many instances of hate crimes on Muni and we need to address so that people feel safe on public transportation. Additionally, I would like to have a free for anyone under 18 and 65 program for public transportation.

The tree canopy could be a lot better in this part of town — and citywide. What will you do to make it grow?

Initiative to plant way more trees. I love trees in the district and I am lucky to live in the Excelsior which has a lot of trees in our residential community. The Ingleside and Lakeview areas have yet to benefit and I would like to bring the resources over to these communities.

The Balboa Park Area Plan studied many major and minor projects, including decking the Interstate 280 freeway, realigning freeway ramps, etc. How will you advance portions yet to be done in the district?

My focus will be on securing funding and ensuring that these projects align with the community’s needs and vision. I'll advocate for the decking of the Interstate 280 freeway and realigning freeway ramps by working closely with transportation agencies to address safety concerns and improve accessibility. Additionally, I will push for these projects to be part of broader efforts to enhance infrastructure, reduce congestion and promote sustainable urban development within our district. By maintaining a transparent process and keeping the community informed, I aim to ensure that these projects are completed effectively and efficiently.

What will you do to breathe new life into the neighborhood's commercial corridors? Please list 10 concrete proposals.

1. Small Business Grants and Incentives: Establish a grant program for new and existing small businesses to help with start-up costs, renovations, and expansion. This would include tax incentives for businesses that hire locally and contribute to the community.

2. Facade Improvement Program: Offer financial assistance or matching grants to business owners to upgrade storefronts, signage, and lighting, making the commercial corridors more attractive and inviting.

3. Pop-Up Shops and Markets: Support temporary pop-up shops and markets in vacant storefronts to activate spaces, give local entrepreneurs a platform, and draw more foot traffic to the area.

4. Enhanced Safety Measures: Increase police presence, improve street lighting, and install security cameras in commercial areas to make them safer and more welcoming for shoppers and businesses alike.

5. Community Events and Festivals: Organize regular community events, street fairs, and festivals to draw people to the commercial corridors, boost local businesses, and strengthen neighborhood ties.

6. Streamlined Permitting Process: Simplify and speed up the permitting process for new businesses and renovations to reduce the time and cost barriers that discourage entrepreneurs from setting up shop.

7. Support for Minority-Owned Businesses: Create targeted support programs for minority-owned businesses, including mentorship, access to capital, and networking opportunities to ensure diverse representation in the commercial corridors.

8. Transit and Accessibility Improvements: Work with city planners to enhance public transportation options and improve pedestrian and bicycle access to make it easier for people to visit local businesses.

9. Green and Open Spaces: Develop pocket parks, green spaces, and outdoor seating areas within commercial corridors to create more pleasant and inviting environments for shoppers and visitors.

10. Digital Marketing and Training Programs: Provide local businesses with digital marketing resources and training to help them build an online presence, reach new customers and adapt to changing market conditions.

What does adequate community policing look like for the greater Ingleside neighborhood and its diverse communities?

Adequate community policing means setting up community watch programs in different neighborhoods that also work together to identify recurring trends that then relay that information to both the police department and the community as a whole. Safe communities are all about collaborating. 

Do you support the renewal and expansion of the Ocean Avenue Community Benefit District? If so, why and how will you work with its leadership to make sure it delivers the best results for all stakeholders?

Yes, I support the renewal and expansion of the Ocean Avenue Community Benefit District because it enhances safety, cleanliness and economic vitality. I will work closely with its leadership by maintaining regular communication, collaborating on strategic plans, advocating for additional resources and ensuring community feedback is integrated. My goal is to help the CBD deliver effective results that benefit all stakeholders in the neighborhood.

Will you support the Recreation and Parks Department in achieving the completion of Phase 2 of the Geneva Office Building? If so, how?

Yes, I will support the Recreation and Parks Department in completing Phase 2 of the Geneva Office Building. I will do this by advocating for necessary funding, ensuring timely project approvals and collaborating with stakeholders to address any challenges. I will also work to keep the community informed and involved throughout the process, ensuring the project meets the needs of the district.

How will you incentivize landlords to rent out long-vacant units and thus increase the housing stock?

To incentivize landlords to rent out long-vacant units, I will offer tax incentives and implement or increase vacancy taxes. Additionally, I will create programs that help landlords update their units in exchange for agreeing to lower rents for a set number of years. By streamlining permitting processes and providing financial support for renovations, we can increase the housing stock while ensuring affordability.

What's your position on Recology's monopoly on trash collection?

I am not a fan of any monopoly having control over a city service. It often leads to predatory pricing and behavior.