Mayor Edwin M. Lee today launched a centralized online database of City boards and commissions including vacancies and appointments to advisory bodies for the City and County of San Francisco.

“This one-of-a kind interactive tool makes San Francisco government more transparent, efficient and easier to engage in for the public” said Mayor Lee. “By creating an easy and efficient way to search commissions and board vacancies, we improve our ability to attract a diverse and talented pool of candidates.” Read more.

To search the centralized online database of City commissions and boards, go to www.sfgov.org/commissionsdatabase or call 3-1-1.

As the City prepares to commemorate the 105^th anniversary of the 1906 Great Earthquake and Fire, Mayor Edwin M. Lee who presided over his first Disaster Council meeting today highlighted earthquake and emergency preparedness.  In the wake of the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Mayor Lee, Department of Emergency Management Executive Director Anne Kronenberg and Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White emphasized the need for San Franciscans to be prepared for any type of disaster or emergency.

“Recent earthquakes in Northern Japan and New Zealand are all too clear reminders that we must continue to prepare for the next major earthquake,” said Mayor Lee. “It’s not a question of ‘if’ but ‘when’ the next major earthquake will hit this region, and as we commemorate the 1906 earthquake, we need to reaffirm our commitment to making emergency preparedness an everyday part of our lives.  Even with all the progress we are making to seismically upgrade our hospitals, our water system and our critical infrastructure, every single family needs to be prepared for the next major earthquake. We need to all be ready.” Read more.

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced an incubator style program for filmmakers in San Francisco through the San Francisco Film Commission. The program will offer affordable office space at 134A Golden Gate Avenue in the Mid-Market area in a communal setting for independent and documentary filmmakers as an incubator space for successful filmmaking.

“The incubator project will benefit both the San Francisco film community and the evergrowing Mid-Market Arts District,” said Mayor Lee. “Establishing programs such as this helps ensure the health of the Mid-Market area as it continues to grow and become a burgeoning arts community.”

Tenants will be selected by the San Francisco Film Commission and tenancies are scheduled to begin in May/June. Tenants of the incubator program will also have the opportunity to take advantage of the Scene in San Francisco rebate program, further bolstering the likelihood of independent productions basing in San Francisco. Through this incentive, qualifying productions receive a rebate of up to $600,000 for the cost of fees paid to the City. Films can also benefit from the newly established Vendor Discount Program, offering discounts from 10%– 30% at various businesses including hotels and rental cars. Read more.

Edwin M. Lee was sworn in today as the 43rd Mayor of the City and County of San Francisco. The former City Administrator, Lee was appointed unanimously as successor mayor by the Board of Supervisors to fill the remaining year of former Mayor Gavin Newsom's term, who was sworn in as California's Lieutenant Governor on Monday. Lee is the first Asian-American mayor in San Francisco history.

"I am profoundly humbled by the confidence placed in me today and energized by this historic opportunity to serve the people of our great City as mayor," said Mayor Lee. "Today, on behalf of all San Franciscans, let us come together as a City to bridge that which may divide us and meet the challenges of governing in these difficult times."

In 2010, Mayor Lee was appointed to a second term as City Administrator by Mayor Newsom and his appointment was confirmed unanimously by the Board of Supervisors. As City Administrator, Mayor Lee spearheaded government efficiency measures and reforms that reduced the size and cost of government, from reducing the vehicle fleet to consolidating departments and back office functions to save tax dollars.  He implemented the City's move to cleaner vehicles and an infrastructure to support electric vehicles and green City government.  Mayor Lee also developed and oversaw implementation of the City's first ever Ten Year Capital Plan to guide our capital priorities and infrastructure investment. Read more.

Mayor Gavin Newsom today joined the San Francisco VA Medical Center, Swords to Plowshares and other veterans’ service organizations for Veterans Connect to link San Francisco’s former members of the United States Armed Services with housing, education, jobs and other available social services. Veterans Connect is affiliated with the City’s successful Project Homeless Connect (PHC) efforts.

“We owe an incredible debt of gratitude to all those men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and sacrificed so much for our country,” said Mayor Newsom. “We must honor them not just in word but with action and support to help them transition out of military service and into a fulfilling civilian life here at home. Veterans Connect is one way we are renewing our commitment to our veterans by taking responsibility for reducing homelessness and poverty among them.” Read more.