S.F. BOARD WATCH: City Workers to Contribute to Health Care Premiums

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Thousands of San Francisco employees will be required to pay a portion of their health care premiums under a new agreement the Board of Supervisors is expected to approve today.

The changes will affect more than 6,000 workers who will begin paying 10 percent of their insurance premiums starting in January.

Beginning in 2015, employees will only be required to cover 7 percent of the premium, although families with two or more dependents will be required to cover 17 percent.

The contracts were modified to address the rising costs of health care, and all of the unions have already signed off on the changes. Even with the workers shouldering a portion of this cost, the growing health care expenses will cost the city $2.5 million over the next two years, according to a report by city Controller Ben Rosenfield.

The changes to the contract also include new language pertaining to the city’s existing drug testing policies for employees.

Final Decision Expected for Potrero Ave. Apartments

Residents opposed to the six-story apartment building planned for 480 Potrero Ave., just south of Mariposa Street, will soon find out if their appeal will block the 77-unit development from moving forward.

The board held a public hearing at the Oct. 8 meeting to consider whether the project should require a full environmental review before it is given a green light.

Restricted Formula Retail on Third Street

As development quickens along the Third Street corridor businesses are increasingly likely to face displacement in favor of chain stores that can pay greater rents than their independent competitors. In an effort to protect these businesses and the character of the neighborhood, the board is considering adopting restrictions on new chain stores on Third Street between Williams Avenue and Paul Street.

Unlike the outright ban that prohibits formula retail in the North Beach, Chinatown and on Mission Street, the proposed Third Street regulations would only require that chain stores obtain a conditional use permit from the city.

City Partners With Kiva

The city is exploring a partnership with Kiva, the international micro-lending platform, for its US-based Kiva Zip. Under the plan, the city would recommend local businesses for the Web site to feature on its front page.

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