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PALM PRUNING ON NEWPORT AVENUE

West Coast Arborists will be starting the palm pruning on Newport Ave and its surrounding streets in the downtown area of Ocean Beach on Monday, 2-28-22.

They will be trimming the palms in this area for approximately 4 days. 

Did you know that SDG&E provides webinars for business owners and trade professionals, and most are at no cost? You or your employees can learn about the latest in green building practices, technology, and energy-saving solutions from industry experts. Some of December’s topics include:

• HVAC system testing
• Residential electrification retrofits
• Analysis-based lighting recommendations
• Central heat pump water heater systems for multifamily housing
• Photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage systems (ESS) for code compliance

Certifications and continuing education units are available for many of the classes. Check out the class listing at sdge.com/EIC.

Businesses enjoy lighting up their stores for the holidays to add a festive spirit but they don’t enjoy the increase in their electricity bill after all the holiday cheer and lights are gone.   

Here are some ways to be energy-efficient this holiday season:

1. Make smart lighting choices.  LED holiday lights are the way to go! They use up to 80% less energy and are brighter and safer since they are much cooler than incandescent lights. They’re easier to install—up to 24 strings of LEDs can be connected end-to-end without overloading a wall socket. They last 10x longer and have no filaments or glass to break.
    
2. Limit energy use.  Set timers for lights to automatically turn on when it gets dark and off in the middle of the night. You can save more by keeping light displays on only 8 hours of the evening.
    
3. Get reflective. Shiny ornaments, tinsel and mirrors can multiply the effects of your lighting without using more energy. Reflective ornaments and tinsel are just as bright at night, so getting creative with your lighting display can multiply your resources for shine. Don't forget the ribbons, wreaths, garland, and reflective menorahs for electricity- free, age-old traditions that bring holiday cheer.
    

Be sure to stay safe over the holidays. Here are some great tips to keep you, your customers and patrons safe.

1. Limit the connection of light strands. Avoid overloading extension cords and wall sockets by following the manufacturer’s limits for the number of light strings that can be safely connected.
    
2. Hang lighting safely. Make sure that no cords will be pinched by furniture or placed under rugs, furniture or other appliances. If covered, cords can overheat or become frayed, increasing the risk of fire. Replace faulty lights instead of trying to repair them.
    
3. Avoid electric hazards outdoors. Before climbing ladders to string outdoor lights, check for overhead power lines on your roof or attached to your storefront. Always keep at least 10 feet away from overhead lines. Never place yourself or any object, such as a string of lights, in a position that risks contact with a power line—the result can be fatal.
    
4. Use GFCI outlets. Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). How do you know if it’s a GFCI? Look for the “test” and “reset” buttons. If circuits are not GFCI-protected, portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased.
    
5. Check your environment outdoors. Before stringing lights on outdoor trees, make sure tree limbs haven’t grown into or near power lines. Branches, entire trees and even the ground adjacent to a tree can become energized when trees contact power lines.
    
6. Put your tree in a safe location. Keep your holiday tree away from heat sources such as heat vents. The heat will dry out the tree, making it more susceptible to fires caused by heat, flame or sparks.
    
7. Check the condition of the lights. Inspect light strands for cracked or broken plugs, frayed insulation or bare wires. Worn cords can cause fires, so discard damaged sets of lights.
    
8. Read the labels. Be sure to check each product label to see whether the lights are intended for indoor or outdoor use. Make sure lights have a tag indicating they have been evaluated by a recognized testing laboratory. 

 For more winter energy-saving and safety tips, visit sdge.com/business-winter.

This winter don’t let the cold sneak up on your energy bill. SDG&E can help with energy-saving programs and tips to help keep your business’s energy costs low – and that makes a difference for your bottom line.

1. Lower the temperature. Your business can keep comfortable without cranking up the heat. Adjust your thermostat by a few degrees to help reduce your energy bill. Don’t completely turn off your heat overnight though – you’ll use more energy to heat up the building again in the morning.
    
2. One of the easiest ways to save money is by controlling your thermostat. Smart thermostats can be adjusted remotely to run energy-efficient schedules. If you join SDG&E’s Smart Thermostat program, you’ll receive $50 per registered thermostat with a max of four thermostats for business and two for your home. Get details at sdge.com/MyBusiness.
    
3. Did you know ceiling fans help in the colder months too? Change the rotation of your fan blades to clockwise, which will pull warm air down and spread it throughout the room.
    
4. Open blinds and sunshades to allow sunlight to heat up the room, especially on south- or west-facing windows. Natural light can warm the space and reduce the need for lighting. When you need to turn on lights, save energy by using energy-efficient LED bulbs.
    
5. In work areas that get little use, like storage and conference rooms, install sensors so lights will automatically go off when employees are working elsewhere.
    
6. Make sure cold air isn’t drifting into your building by checking weather stripping on your doors and caulking on your windows and other areas that outside air can seep inside. This is especially important in older buildings. You can also put clear, inexpensive plastic sheeting on your windows to add more insulation and reduce cold drafts.
    
7. Get a tune-up on your heater to ensure your system is operating efficiently. New, clean air filters can improve airflow and heating. SDG&E has instant in-store rebates up to $500 on the purchase of new, qualifying energy-efficient electric heat pump water heaters and gas water heaters. Learn more at sdge.com/rebates.
    
8. Make sure your heating air intake and outlet grilles are not blocked by furniture or paper. Obstructed grilles put more of a burden on the system’s fans to move heated air through an office. Also, check your ductwork for air leaks or any damage to insulation.
    
9. Check your HVAC filters monthly and clean it or replace it if it’s dirty. Keeping your HVAC system properly maintained can help save on heating costs.
    
10. Check if a door provides good insulation by placing your hand against it from the inside. If it feels cooler than the inside walls, it might be time to install a door that's better insulated.

Visit sdge.com/MyBusiness for more helpful energy-saving tips.

Release Date: November 19, 2021  
Contact: [email protected]  www.sba.gov                    
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SBA Announces Updated Guidance Regarding Applicant Deadlines for COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program

Agency Strongly Encourages Submission of Supplemental Advance Applications by December 10;

All Applications Due by December 31

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced updated guidance for COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program applicants to better serve small business owners in need, while funding remains available. Since its inception, the COVID EIDL program, a federal disaster relief loan designed to better serve and support our small business communities still reeling from the pandemic, especially hard-hit sectors such as restaurants, gyms, and hotels, has approved nearly $300 billion in relief aid. Specifically, the following updated guidance is being provided:

EIDL loan and Targeted Advance applications will be accepted until December 31 and will continue to be processed after this date until funds are exhausted.

Supplemental Targeted Advance applications will be accepted until December 31; however, the SBA may be unable to process some Supplemental Targeted Advance applications submitted near the December 31 deadline due to legal requirements. The SBA cannot continue to process Supplemental Targeted Advance applications after December 31 and strongly encourages eligible small businesses to apply by December 10 to ensure adequate processing time.

Borrowers can request increases up to their maximum eligible loan amount for up to two years after their loan origination date, or until the funds are exhausted, whichever is soonest.

The SBA will accept and review reconsideration and appeal requests for COVID EIDL applications received on or before December 31 if the reconsideration/appeal is received within the timeframes in the regulation. This means six months from the date of decline for reconsiderations and 30 days from the date of reconsideration decline for appeals – unless funding is no longer available.

 “The COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance programs still have billions of dollars available to help small businesses hard hit by the pandemic. More than 3.8 million businesses employing more than 20 million people have found financial relief through SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans,” said Patrick Kelley, Associate Administrator for SBA’s Office of Capital Access. “Key enhancements have been made to the loan program that will help our nation’s businesses recover and get back on track.”

In September, Administrator Guzman announced major enhancements to the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Key changes announced included:

Increased COVID EIDL Cap. The SBA lifted the COVID EIDL cap from $500,000 to $2 million. Loan funds can be used for any normal operating expenses and working capital, including payroll, purchasing equipment, and paying off debt.

Implementation of a Deferred Payment Period. The SBA will ensure small business owners will not have to begin COVID EIDL repayment until two years after loan origination so that they can get through the pandemic without having to worry about making ends meet.

Establishment of a 30-Day Exclusivity Window. To ensure Main Street businesses have additional time to access these funds, the SBA implemented a 30-day exclusivity window of approving and disbursing funds for loans of $500,000 or less. Approval and disbursement of loans over $500,000 began after the 30-day period ended.

Expansion of Eligible Use of Funds. COVID EIDL funds are now eligible to prepay commercial debt and make payments on federal business debt.

Simplification of affiliation requirements. To ease the COVID EIDL application process for small businesses, the SBA established simplified affiliation requirements to model those of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

 How to apply

Eligible small businesses, nonprofits, and agricultural businesses in all U.S. states and territories can apply. Visit www.sba.gov/eidl to learn more about eligibility and application requirements. The last day that applications may be received is December 31, 2021. Applications received by December 10 for Supplemental Advance will be processed in the order received and the SBA cannot guarantee processing of all applications by December 31. All applicants should file their applications as soon as possible to allow for processing. For additional information on COVID EIDL and other recovery programs, please visit www.sba.gov/relief.

Small business owners may call SBA’s Customer Service Center 1-833-853-5638 (855-440-4960 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or email [email protected] for additional assistance. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. Abbreviated hours will be observed during the Thanksgiving holiday (closed on Thanksgiving Day; open Friday, November 26 – Sunday, November 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST). Multilingual representatives are available.

Small business owners may also contact SBA’s Resource Partners by visiting www.sba.gov/local-assistance.

Application Process and Fraud Control Enhancements

In addition to the policy enhancements, the SBA has invested in optimized processes and increased capacity to improve the customer service experience for applicants. Directed by Administrator Guzman to swiftly and drastically enhance COVID EIDL, the revamped management team implemented new processes and performance management such as prioritizing personnel for COVID EIDL and increasing the average number of application decisions made. The SBA accelerated daily processing of loan increases from close to 2,000 applications to more than 37,000 applications daily. Loan officer productivity also went from 1.86 applications per day to 15 applications per day. As a result of these increased loan review rates, the 600,000+ loan increase backlog has been cleared and new applications are processed immediately. At the same time, and to ensure taxpayer dollars are used to support businesses that need COVID EIDL funding most, the SBA increased fraud controls and is working in collaboration with the SBA Inspector General to closely monitor the program.

All business owners that have received previous loans through the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), or Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) may still benefit from COVID EIDL. To learn more about the application process, visit www.sba.gov/eidl.

About Economic Injury Disaster Loans 

In response to COVID-19, small business owners, including agricultural businesses, and nonprofit organizations in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories can apply for the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). The purpose of EIDL is to provide financial assistance for small businesses to meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred 

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start and grow their businesses. It delivers services to people through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

 
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Hello OBMA Members,

The City of San Diego is committed to serving the public and improving how it provides information to you. You can now view the City Council Noticed Public Hearing - Public Notice for an upcoming meeting by clicking on the button below.

If you have questions regarding the City Council Public Hearing, the Spaces as Places proposed program, or general questions or concerns please contact the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association office at (619) 224-4906.

Read the notice

Best!
OBMA Team 
Denny, Tracy & Kristen

Did you know that SDG&E provides webinars for business owners and trade professionals, and most are at no cost? You or your employees can learn about the latest in green building practices, technology and energy-saving solutions from industry experts. Some of October’s topics include:

• Central heat pump water heater systems
• Irrigation scheduling
• Multifamily electrification
• Solar PV
• Project management for energy efficiency
• Commercial refrigeration
• Introduction to modeling
• Decarbonization
• Selling residential HVAC heat pumps
• Lighting controls
• Demand control ventilation (DCV) and variable speed fans

Certifications and continuing education units are available for many of the classes. Check out the class listing at sdge.com/EIC.

An estimated 25% of businesses don’t open again after a major disaster, according to the Institute for Business and Home Safety. Protect your business by identifying the risks relevant to your location, both natural and man-made. Then, keep your plan of action updated.  

Preserve your equipment and business records by referencing this IRS guide on how to protect your information before an emergency strikes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also offers an emergency preparedness checklist and toolkit online.   

Here are helpful preparedness tips to learn before an emergency strikes – not during.

• Train your employees in general fire safety, especially for tasks with a high-fire risk, like welding and cutting, fueling vehicles, working with flammable liquids, etc.
• If your office roof is accessible by ladder, prop it against the building so you and firefighters have access to the roof.
• Establish an evacuation plan and keep it current. Plan primary and secondary exits from your buildings. Consider how employees will escape if doors or windows are blocked by an exterior fire.
• Build a personal “go bag” for your cubicle or office that’s easily accessible if you need to evacuate your work location.
• Keep appropriate emergency supplies on hand, including flashlights, battery-powered portable radio, extra batteries, first-aid kit, manual can opener, non-perishable food and bottled water. 

For more information and tips on how to be prepared for an emergency, visit sdge.com/safety and sdge.com/emergency.

According to the EPA's ENERGY STAR® program, U.S. small businesses together spend a whopping $60 billion on energy each year. A survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) found that energy costs are a top three business expense for more than one-third of the nation's small businesses.

But small businesses also have significant energy savings potential. Depending on the building and business type, small businesses can reduce their energy without sacrificing service or comfort. Here are some ideas: 

• Conduct an energy audit. SDG&E’s Business Energy Solutions program provides an on-site no-cost energy audit. Learn more at sdge.com/BES.

• Get employees invested. Saving energy is a team sport, not the sole responsibility of the business owner. Encourage staff to share innovative ideas on how to cut down energy costs – creating an energy efficient work culture.

• Plant trees. Plant shady trees outside of your business to keep your building cool and help clean the air. Depending on your location, vegetation can help weather the summer heat and chilly winter winds. 

• Plug leaks with weather stripping and caulking. It's important to locate any leaks in your business to prevent costly heating and cooling loss. You can easily plug leaks with weather stripping and caulking to efficiently manage your ventilation.

• Install occupancy sensors. Install dimmers and occupancy sensors in proper locations to automatically turn off lighting. It's important to ensure that the sensors are properly installed. Even good equipment can be installed incorrectly, like being installed in an obstructed location (e.g., behind a coat rack, door, bookcase or other furniture).

• Turn off unused equipment. Office computer monitors are an easy way to save on your business's energy bill as they use a lot of energy. Ensure that monitors are set on automatic sleep mode during non-working hours or are manually turned off when not in use. Screen savers do not reduce energy use by monitors.

• Reduce paper usage. Paper and printing can be costly for your business. Print only when necessary and double-sided when you do. This will reduce paper waste and help cut the energy required to run your printer, which reduces your energy costs and may extend the life of your printer.

• Install hand dryers. Use hand dryers instead of paper towels. As paper towel dispensers need to be refilled, they are a constant, recurring cost and more expensive than automatic hand dryers in the long run. It’s also less mess and reduces waste.

• Insulate your water heater. If your business's water heater is older than seven years, be sure to wrap it in insulation to retain water heat.

• Examine your energy use online. You can track and monitor your business’s energy usage by signing up for My Account at sdge.com/MyAccount.