Myrna Melgar (born March 17, 1968) is an American politician currently serving as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for District 7 since January 8, 2021.[1] Melgar is the first woman elected to represent District 7. Additionally, she is the first Jewish Latina to serve on the Board of Supervisors after the implementation of District elections in 2004.
District 7 includes over 30 separate neighborhoods West of Twin Peaks. These diverse regions include several college campuses, attractions, and other public facilities, such as San Francisco State University, San Francisco City Colleges’ main campus, UCSF Parnassus, the San Francisco Zoo. Melgar resides in the Ingleside Terraces neighborhood with her husband and three daughters.[2]
Early life and education
Melgar was born in El Salvador. Her family fled during the Salvadoran Civil War when she was 12 and settled in San Francisco. Later on, she attended San Francisco State University and graduated from Excelsior College, earning a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts and a master's degree in Urban Planning from Columbia University.[3]
Career
Melgar formerly worked as the executive director of the Jamestown Community Center, Deputy Director of the Mission Economic Development Agency, Director of Homeownership Programs at the Mayor's Office of Housing during the Newsom Administration, and served as President of the City Planning Commission and Vice President of the Building Inspection Commission. Melgar also served as a legislative aid to Eric Mar.[4]
San Francisco Board of Supervisors
Melgar was elected Supervisor for District 7 on November 3, 2020, with 18,561 total votes after ranked-choice allocations, garnering 53.1% of the vote.[5] She was sworn into office on January 8, 2021, replacing former Supervisor and President of the Board Norman Yee, who endorsed her as his successor.[6] She appeared to win re-election in 2024 against challenger Matt Boschetto, with 53% of the vote after applying ranked choice, as of a partial count on November 11, 2024.[7]
Melgar chairs the Land Use and Transportation Committee of the Board and serves on the Youth, Young Adult, and Families Committee, and the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee. Melgar is also a Commissioner for the County Transportation Authority, Bay Area Air Quality District, and the First Five Commission.[8]
Melgar has advocated for the expansion of the "Free Muni for Youth" program to all youth in August 2021.[9]
Housing
In 2022, Melgar co-sponsored a hearing on the San Francisco Housing Element to avoid relinquishing control of planning and housing development to the State of California. Melgar was also instrumental in the passage of the fourplex legislation that passed the full board in October 2022.[10] In 2021, Melgar was among the members of the Board of Supervisors who voted to block construction of a 495-unit apartment building (with 25% affordable housing) on the site of a valet parking lot. The controversial vote prompted an investigation of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors by California state officials which was settled in the City's favor, and a $32,000 settlement was entered into.[11][12]
In January 2023, Supervisor Melgar introduced the Family Housing Opportunity Act.This legislation will make it easier for families in high-opportunity zones to expand their homes to total 3 units, while keeping neighborhood design guidelines, which preserves neighborhood feel. In 2024, she voted against anti-housing legislation that would restrict housing supply in San Francisco's Northern Waterfront.[13]
Melgar was endorsed by YIMBY Action in her 2024 re-election campaign.
Transportation
Melgar frequently rides her electric bicycle to City Hall and has an established track record of advocating for public transit, active transportation, and pedestrian safety.
Melgar has supported multiple contentious transportation projects, including the Frida Kahlo QuickBuild and Lake Merced QuickBuild.
In 2022, Melgar established the Ocean Avenue Mobility Action Plan “to prioritize and identify funding for transportation, pedestrian safety, bike safety, and traffic circulation improvements for the Ocean Avenue corridor between Junipero Serra Boulevard and San Jose Avenue.”
In 2024, after a traffic incident that resulted in the death of four pedestrians in West Portal, Melgar convened the Welcoming West Portal Committee consisting of merchants, neighbors, and advocates to identify safety measures to be implemented in the area.
In 2024, Melgar voted in favor of a ballot initiative that would repurpose the Great Highway into a permanent park, stating that this is a once in a generation opportunity to reduce our impact on the climate and leave an everlasting gift of natural resources for the next generation.
Melgar also cosponsored legislation to create an e-bike incentive fund in order to encourage San Franciscans to convert car trips into bicycle trips
Environmental
Melgar introduced and passed the most wide ranging ban on two stroke small gas engines in the country.[10] Beginning July 1, 2024, the City will be prohibited from using gas-powered landscaping equipment for City function. Additionally, the legislation introduced a city-wide ban against gas-powered landscaping equipment starting January 1, 2026. In order to help the city transition together, the policy included a new “Buy-Back Program” to assist owners in transitioning away from such equipment. Consequently, Melgar received the Climate Hero Award from the Climate Action Coalition.
In 2024, Melgar introduced a Resolution urging the City of San Francisco to settle their lawsuit with the Environmental Protection Agency in order to avoid sending the case to the Supreme Court of the United States and risk weakening the Clean Water Act.
Policy and Public Safety
In 2022, Melgar championed efforts to increase public safety in her district by advocating for additional funding for the ambassador program. Working with Mayor London Breed, Melgar successfully secured funding for additional community ambassadors in the West Portal, Inner Sunset, and Ocean Avenue neighborhoods.
In 2021, Melgar spoke out against the dominance of male colleagues at the Board of Supervisors,[14] publishing a report on the discrepancy between interruptions as well as length of comment for male and female members of the Board of Supervisors. Later that year, Melgar co-sponsored legislation to require sick leave for nannies, cleaners, and gardeners. She has also supported the ordinance that will amend the Police code to provide domestic workers’ with access to a portable Paid Sick Leave (PSL) system, which would also require hiring bodies that do not offer PSL to grant PSL payment to those with the portable system.[15] Additionally, in 2022, Melgar introduced legislation to include pregnancy status in nondiscrimination requirements for housing.[16]
In 2022, Melgar initiated the landmark designation of the Mothers Building at the Zoo.[17] The building was dedicated to serve as a resting place for mothers and young children. It is also the only structure in the West that prioritized the needs of mothers, offering resources such as water, milk, and medical advice for guests. For this, Melgar accepted the Historic Preservation Award for the San Francisco Heritage in 2022.
A report published in 2024 noted that Melgar was among the top donors to women running for local office in San Francisco.
Families & Youth
Melgar continues to be an advocate for San Francisco's youth and families, supporting several pieces of legislation that provide financial aid or developing programs, services, and planning strategies to strengthen the City’s services for children, youth, and families. Some of Melgar’s efforts can be noted through her support of the Charter Amendment to establish a Student Access Fund.[18]
Melgar has also moved to pass the ordinance establishing the Department of Early Childhood (EC) and an Early Childhood Community Oversight and Advisory Committee (EC COAC). This policy works to provide early care and education for children ages zero to five in San Francisco and other City departments involved in early care or education initiatives. Additionally, it institutes a transparent collaboration between the Children and Families Commission (the “First Five Commission”), and the EC COAC to provide input and recommendations to the Department regarding comprehensive strategies, procedures, and policies for the Department.[19]
In 2024, Melgar authored Proposition J to create greater oversight of funding programs for children, youth, and families. The San Francisco Chronicle endorsed Prop J stating, “During a budget deficit when everyone is competing for a piece of the pie, this protects important funding for children and youth who need it most.”
Participatory Budget
Melgar is the only member of the Board of Supervisors to conduct a Participatory Budgeting process. Participatory Budgeting is a democratic process in which community members propose projects and collectively decide how to spend part of a public budget. It began in 2013 by then-Supervisor Norman Yee. The following projects have received funding through Melgar’s Participatory Budgeting process:
Expand volunteer-based community litter pick-up and beautification program in West Portal ($1,600)
Improve traffic flow and safety at the intersection of Yerba Buena Avenue and Miraloma Drive ($37,500)
Install a pedestrian refuge island and analyze the crosswalk for feasibility of flashing beacons to improve pedestrian safety ($40,000)
Establish a workforce development program to prepare teens and young adults to grow professionally and develop fulfilling careers that uplift our community ($132,000)
Create community sports hub, including volleyball nets, a basketball hoop, a baseball diamond, and picnic tables at Sloat Elementary School ($25,000)
Install new string lights and new garbage cans along the Lakeside commercial corridor to encourage foot traffic and reduce litter ($44,000)
Fund murals, seating, and lighting along the Monterey Business District to elevate the corridor and provide additional community spaces ($50,000)
Expand the community building and disaster resilience through Neighborfests that will provide comprehensive training and strategies to help communities navigate a disaster ($50,000)
Create a community garden, emergency response hub, and gathering space for community disaster preparedness at Aptos Middle School ($45,000)
Traffic calming at Ulloa St, Laguna Honda, and Rockaway
Public parklet on Slow Hearst
Traffic calming on Monterey
Median planting on Marietta Drive
Picnic tables at Commodore Sloat Elementary
Playground improvements and seating at Sunnyside Elementary
Digital literacy courses for children and seniors
Repair fence at Edgehill Way
New playground at Jefferson Elementary
Renovation of Marview Way Trail
Personal life
Melgar resides in the Ingleside Terraces neighborhood with her partner, environmental lawyer Sean H. Donahue, and three daughters. She is of Jewish descent.[20]
