Sml Biz Commission Recap, New Legacy Biz, Webinars

August 11, 2020

Dear Rhea,

We hope you're having a good week so far. Please see below for new announcements and updates. If you’ve missed any of our previous announcements you can find them on our website. Businesses are encouraged to check oewd.org/covid19 frequently for new information and resources. For questions, feel free to contact us at sfosb@sfgov.org.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Small Business Commission 8/10/20 Meeting Recap

The Small Business Commission (SBC) had a whirlwind meeting last night packed with presentations and discussion on programs and legislation impacting small business. We heard from SF Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragón on small business impact during COVID-19, SF Entertainment Commission Director Maggie Weiland on the city’s Community Education Response Team (CERT) and presentations on the Shared Spaces Program, proposed legislation - Public Right of Way Fee Waiver (File No. 200786) and COVID-Related Employment Protections (File No. 200765), and Legacy Business Registry applications.

Watch a recording of the meeting here.

The SBC’s recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on 200756 and 200786 will be posted here by 9/14.

You can find information about the Small Business Commission and future meetings here.

Four Businesses Added to the Legacy Business Registry

We are pleased to announce the first group of businesses approved by the Small Business Commission for the Legacy Business Registry since the Shelter in Place Health Order was issued in March. The previous round of businesses was approved January 27, 2020. The Legacy Business Program recognizes longstanding, community-serving businesses. We believe now more than ever the importance of supporting, preserving, and protecting small businesses that serve as valuable cultural assets to the city. There are currently 243 businesses on the Registry.

Businesses unanimously approved by the Small Business Commission on 8/10/20:

City Nights (715 Harrison Street) is the Bay Area’s only 18+ nightclub, a SoMa fixture founded in 1985 as and one of the nation’s longest-running large capacity nightclubs.

Korean Martial Arts Center (1414 Ocean Avenue) offers training and classes to all ages and skill levels since 1984 as one of the oldest family-run karate studios in San Francisco.

New Conservatory Theatre Center (25 Van Ness Avenue, Lower Lobby) is a premiere queer and allied theater at the forefront of LGBTQ+ activist theater and progressive arts education since 1981.

Royal Motor Sales (285 South Van Ness Avenue) is a family-owned business with 4 dealerships along Van Ness Ave. offering new and used car sales, service, and parts for over half a century.

WEBINARS

US Black Chambers Series – August 12, 19, 26 at 1PM

In partnership with the US Black Chambers, Facebook will host a 3-part webinar series in August providing a mix of training, small business panels and external speakership on topics like access to capital.

August 12: Build a Thriving Community Online. Experts discuss the importance of building a digital community for your business.
August 19: Adapting in Uncertain Times. Learn from Facebook experts and Black owned businesses on how to creatively engage your audience.
August 26: Bridging the Divide: Access to capital. Learn how Black business owners can bridge the opportunity gaps and grow business.

State Labor Law and Payroll Tax Seminar – Multiple Sessions

These interactive video seminars are presented online by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) in conjunction with the Employment Development Department (EDD). You will receive information from DLSE and EDD on:

Record keeping and reporting requirements
Wage payment requirements
Common wage and hour violations
Employer and employee rights and responsibilities
Paid Sick Leave & Covid-19
Employee vs. Independent contractor

There is no charge for these seminars. Next sessions are August 13 and August 20. Reservations are highly recommended as the seminars are often full to capacity. Click here for more information.

Legal Crisis Hotline – August 13, 2020 at 4PM

Join the California Small Enterprise Task Force every Thursday for virtual office hours led by experienced attorneys and business advisors of the Northern California Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network. These sessions address legal issues for CA businesses with 25 or fewer employees as well as nonprofits. You may submit your questions on government relief programs and other resources to be answered live. Register here.

US Bank San Francisco Bay Cash Flow Seminar 2020 – August 18, 2020 at 9AM

US Bank is hosting a FREE Cash Flow Seminar on Tuesday, August 18th. The seminar is designed to support startup businesses or those in need of a better understanding of cash flow and how it affects their business long term. Register here.

SF Labor Laws Under COVID-19 - August 19, 2020 at 10AM

By popular demand, the SF Office of Labor Standards Enforcement and Legal Aid at Work have added a second session of the SF Labor Laws Under COVID-19 webinar which includes recently adopted emergency ordinances such as the Public Health Emergency Leave Ordinance and Employee Protections Ordinance. The webinar will also review State and federal leave programs. Register here.

Negotiating Commercial Leases in a Troubled Real Estate Market – August 19, 2020 at 6PM

Before you sign that lease and move in, there are many parts of a commercial lease that you can and must negotiate with the landlord to increase the odds of success for your business. This webinar covers your rights as a tenant, understanding the fine print, lease terms and commercial real estate laws that can help during periods of financial difficulty, dealing with a non-performing landlord, and renewing, amending or modifying your lease during an economic down-cycle. Register here.

Considering Commercial Lease Agreements: COVID-19 and Beyond - August 20, 2020 at 1PM

This webinar will discuss the special vocabulary of commercial leases and the rights of a commercial tenants in CA, with a focus on office leases and on retail leases. Attorneys will be available to answer questions about breaking leases, negotiation options, access to space, and COVID-19 related concerns. Register here.

New HCAO Minimum Standards Live Webinar – August 26, 2020 at 10AM

The Health Care Accountability Ordinance (HCAO) applies to most City contractors and tenants (including those SFO and the Port of SF) and requires employers to offer a compliant health plan to covered employees, to make payments to the City for use by Department of Public Health (DPH), or, under limited circumstances, to make payments directly to their covered employees. Effective 1/1/21, there are new HCAO Minimum Standards. Join the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSE) and DPH on this live webinar on the new HCAO Minimum Standards. Register here.

Legal Essentials of Doing Business Online - August 27, 2020 at 1PM

A strong, active online presence will be key for most businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery period. This webinar covers legal protections for online business, including (1) website Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies; (2) how to avoid copyright infringement issues when adding text and photo content; and (3) social media considerations, including comments sections and employee privacy. Register here.

ON-GOING RESOURCES:

Get your personal protective equipment PPE from local providers. Any business that sells PPE to SF businesses and wishes to be added to this list may contact us at sfosb@sfgov.org.

As a reminder, please be alert about potential fraud schemes related to the economic stimulus programs. To report scams and frauds related to the SBA program, click here. The Office of Attorney General also has provided information and resources related to coronavirus scams here.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Orders from DPH can be found at: https://www.sfdph.org/dph/alerts/coronavirus-healthorders.asp.

Health Directives for business operations can be found at: https://www.sfdph.org/dph/alerts/coronavirus-health-directives.asp.

Health Order FAQs can be found at: https://www.sfdph.org/dph/alerts/coronavirus-FAQ.asp

All Mayoral declarations regarding COVID-19 can be found at:

https://sfmayor.org/mayoral-declarations-regarding-covid-19.

For more information, you can also call 311, and for official updates, sign up for the City’s alert service: text COVID19SF to 888-777.

To stay up to date on COVID-19 related announcements and resources, sign up for our e-news at https://sfosb.org/subscribe-small-business-e-news.

In solidarity,

Office of Small Business