1. EDUCATION
2. WORKING FAMILIES
3. SAFETY
4. QUALITY OF LIFE
5. ENVIRONMENT
6. GOOD GOVERNMENT
   

4. QUALITY OF LIFE

Urban ills are not inevitable, and Supervisor Church is working to enhance our quality of life by reducing traffic congestion, airplane noise, and the tragedy of homelessness, and improving health care. 

Advocate for Transportation Improvements

A member of the San Mateo County Transportation Authority from 2001 to 2008, Supervisor Church has helped study, fund and construct transportation improvements countywide. These projects include upgrades at eight CalTrain stations, a modernized signals system, new auxiliary lanes on Highway 101, new lanes on Highway 92, a new interchange at Oyster Point, and countless repairs and upgrades to local streets and roadways.

Guided Public Process for Spending Transportation Funds

As Chair of the San Mateo County Transportation Authority from 2003 to 2005, Supervisor Church helped lead the effort to create the Measure A Expenditure Plan, which sets priorities for projects to be funded by the county’s Measure A transportation tax. Gathering public input for the expenditure plan took more than a year, and included numerous public meetings, workshops and community presentations. Measure A will finance transportation infrastructure for 25 years, beginning in 2009, including improvements for transit, highways, local streets, grade separations for rail, bicycles, pedestrian access, and alternative congestion relief. Funds will be used to complete the Dumbarton Rail project, and to put in place new community shuttle buses, ferry service in South San Francisco and Redwood City, and bicycle projects.

Helped Create Long-Term Plan to Prevent, End Homelessness

As half of a two-member board subcommittee, Supervisor Church helped create the Housing Our People Effectively Committee (HOPE). Comprised of 150 community members dedicated to ending homelessness, the HOPE Committee developed a 10-year action plan aimed at preventing people from falling into homelessness, and helping those currently in shelters move into permanent housing. The plan targets institutions that discharge people onto the street; such as hospitals, jails, treatment programs, mental health facilities and foster care programs; to identify and support individuals who would otherwise have nowhere to go. The plan, the first of its kind in San Mateo County, also aims to connect those in shelters with permanent, affordable housing.

Reduced Aircraft Noise Pollution

Supervisor Church has served as chair of the San Francisco International/Community Roundtable since 2006, and has been a member of the group since 1995 (excluding 2000). Over the years, the Roundtable has reduced and mitigated airport noise pollution while still allowing San Francisco International Airport to thrive and expand. Successful programs initiated by the Roundtable include the Sound Insulation Program, which has insulated more than 15,000 local homes, and the Fly Quiet Program, which monitors and grades individual airlines’ performance. In addition, the Nighttime Preferential Runway Use Program encourages departures and landings over the Bay, and away from neighborhoods.

Medical Errors Ordinance

Mark Church was the first Supervisor to propose a Medical Errors Ordinance for San Mateo County.  His proposed ordinance was reconciled with a second proposal, resulting in a first-of-its-kind ordinance addressing medical errors. The ordinance mandates that medical errors be promptly reported and the patient notified, and it protects individuals reporting errors against retaliation. Finally, it requires that semi-annual reports detailing the types of errors made be submitted to the Board of Supervisors. This enforced transparency is aimed at protecting patients and encouraging reform in medical care.