San Francisco Port Commission Meeting - November 12, 2019

The Port Commission of the City and County of San Francisco met on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Commissioners Kimberly Brandon (President), Gail Gilman, Doreen Woo Ho, and Willie Adams (absent) were present. The meeting covered routine approvals, informational presentations on major development projects, contracting activity, building code updates, and a street name change.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 19-44: Retroactive approval of Commission President Kimberly Brandon’s travel to Washington, D.C. (October 28-30, 2019) to advocate for a technical change to the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Damien McLeod (Spin Out Fitness) requested guidance and support for permitting a water bike fitness and touring business at Port facilities.
• Jörg Schlegel (Cirque du Soleil) asked to be considered as a temporary tenant for five months per year at Pier 30-32, noting the need for structural reinforcement.
• Rick Dickerson (chair of the Embarcadero Navigation Center Advisory Group) urged that the RFP for Piers 30-32 and Seawall Lot 330 include a “reality check” on economic feasibility, and encouraged residential use with neighborhood-serving retail only if viable.
• Alice Rogers (South Beach Rincon Mission Bay Neighborhood Association) thanked staff for community outreach and expressed eagerness for development.
• Drew Becher (CEO, San Francisco Parks Alliance) expressed excitement to partner on the Crane Cove Park fundraising campaign, noting that $500,000 had already been raised for the dog run.
• Timothy Reif (Carpenters Local 22), Terry McGolabs (Swinerton Builders), Jesus Villalobos (Local 261), and James Halloran (Swinerton Builders) spoke in support of the street name change to Steuart Lane, citing union jobs and community engagement.

Discussion Items

• Item 11a: Informational Presentation on RFP for Piers 30-32 and Seawall Lot 330 – Staff presented a proposed competitive solicitation allowing combined or separate bids for the two sites. Community values were identified through summer 2019 outreach (Central Waterfront Advisory Group, Maritime Commerce Advisory Committee, South Beach Rincon Mission Bay neighbors). Key values included funding and economics, urban design, transportation, sustainability, and quality of life. For Pier 30-32, support for deep-water berthing, open space, museum/arts/cultural uses. For Seawall Lot 330, interest in housing and hotel (with transportation management caveat). The RFP process would include minimum qualifications (e.g., $40 million project experience, over-water construction experience), a scoring panel (100 points written + 30 oral), and staff recommendations to the Commission. Commissioner Gilman suggested reordering scoring criteria to prioritize team diversity, LBE experience, and community engagement. Commissioner Macris urged allowing the panel to bring more than one top-scoring proposal to the Commission, not just the top. Commissioner Woo Ho recommended odd-numbered panels and adding finance and architectural expertise. Commissioner Brandon stressed that funds from Seawall Lot 330 alone should be dedicated to a clear plan for Pier 30-32. Staff noted that the Commission would have two public meetings: one informational (with executive summaries and scores) and one for action on entering exclusive negotiations or terminating the RFP.

• Item 11b: MOU with San Francisco Parks Alliance for Crane Cove Park Fundraising – Authorized a memorandum of understanding to raise up to $6.4 million for a children’s playground, dog run, and historic crane restoration. The Parks Alliance would retain 11% of cash contributions for campaign costs. The MOU has a five-year term with three one-year options. Contributions over $100,000 require Commission approval. The fundraising campaign will launch in spring 2020 after the park opens. Unanimously approved (Resolution 19-45).

• Item 12a: Informational Presentation on Port’s Contracting Activity FY 2018-19 – Port Contract Administrator Boris Filipov reported that 16 new contracts worth over $40 million were awarded; 63% of contracts went to LBE prime contractors, and 42% of dollars went to LBE firms. Excluding the $19 million Crane Cove Park contract (non-LBE), LBE performance rose to 58%. Of LBE contracts, four went to other business enterprises (non-minority/non-women), three to minority-owned firms ($2.4 million to an African American firm, ~$1 million total to two Asian American firms), and three to women-owned firms ($6.75 million total). Commissioner Brandon expressed strong concern about low minority contracting and called for an action plan. Commissioner Gilman suggested examining barriers to access. Staff agreed to return with a strategic action plan.

• Item 13a: Informational Presentation on 2019 Building Code Updates – Chief Building Inspector Neil Friedman outlined proposed amendments to adopt the 2019 California codes with local amendments. Key changes: adoption of site permit process, allowance of high-strength plastic pipe (HDPE) for waste lines under piers (due to corrosion of cast iron), and fee increases (building permit review from $80/hr to $174/hr, inspection from $80/hr to $150.58/hr, administrative from $80/hr to $96/hr) to align with DBI. Green building code updates include electric vehicle charging stations and water/wastewater management. The amendment will be presented for final approval at the December 10, 2019 meeting, effective January 1, 2020.

• Item 13b: Informational Presentation on Street Name Change – 200 Block of Steuart Street to Steuart Lane – Rodney Ewashta (Chief Harbor Engineer) introduced the request from 75 Howard Owner LP to rename the cul-de-sac portion of Steuart Street (within Port jurisdiction) to Steuart Lane. The renaming is intended to distinguish the dead-end and align with the new building entrance of 75 Howard, a 20-story condominium project (120 units, targeting LEED Gold, completed 2021). The project pays $8.5 million in affordable housing fees plus $6 million voluntary contribution. The item will return for action in December 2019.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Resolution 19-44 (retroactive travel approval), Resolution 19-45 (Crane Cove Park MOU with Parks Alliance).
• Approved: Adjournment in memory of Buck Delventhal (October 26, 2019).
• Direction to Staff:
  • Return with a concept for third-party validation of the seawall program (as recommended by Senator Feinstein).
  • Calendar an item to develop an action plan to increase diversity in contracting.
  • For the Piers 30-32/Seawall Lot 330 RFP, refine scoring criteria to prioritize diversity and community engagement, consider odd-numbered panels with diverse expertise, and allow the Commission to consider multiple top-scoring proposals if recommended by the panel.
  • For the building code amendment, staff will present the final draft and fee schedule at the December 10, 2019 meeting for approval.
  • The street name change will return for a vote in December 2019.

Meeting Adjourned: 5:30 PM in memory of Buck Delventhal.