San Francisco Port Commission Meeting - December 10, 2019

The San Francisco Port Commission met on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. The Commission approved consent items, heard informational presentations on the Draft Waterfront Plan and PASHA operations at Pier 80, authorized an RFP for Piers 30-32 and Seawall Lot 330, adopted the 2019 Port Building Code, and adjourned in honor of the late Mayor Ed Lee. Public comment was heard on several items.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The Commission unanimously approved the minutes of the November 12, 2019 Port Commission meeting.
• Resolution 19-46: Authorized the street name change of the 200 block of Steuart Street to Steuart Lane.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Christopher Christiansen (ILWU Local 34) expressed gratitude to Diane Oshima and the waterfront plan working group, noting the plan contains “161 policies” (he also said “160 policies” in the same remarks). He voiced support for the plan’s completion.
• Dr. Matthew Ajaque (President, San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce) asked how stakeholders were defined for the Piers 30-32 RFP, urged inclusion of broader community voices beyond advisory groups, and asked how a museum/arts/cultural facility would address art migration and sustainability.
• Alan Johnk (Co-chair, Maritime Commerce Advisory Committee) praised PASHA’s operations at Pier 80, calling the growth “thrilling” and commending the company’s local hiring and community engagement.
• Christopher Christiansen also spoke on the PASHA item, noting that the local hires are now unionized with ILWU Local 6, and that ILWU fully supports PASHA.

Discussion Items

• Executive Director’s Report: Elaine Forbes reported that on November 25, 2019, Judge Shulman ruled in the city’s favor regarding the Navigation Center, determining that the Port did not need State Lands Commission approval. She announced that the city’s contracted provider had joined the advisory group. The Commission viewed a video about the Embarcadero Seawall Program’s Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment (MHRA), funded by a $425 million general obligation bond approved in November 2018.
• Draft Waterfront Plan (Item 11A): Diane Oshima presented public comments received from June through October 2019, including 18 public meetings, an online survey, and letters/emails. Proposed revisions include an executive summary, clarifications on revenue-generating uses within the Embarcadero Historic District, strengthened equity language, enhanced environmental sustainability policies, recognition of Ferry Building ground leases, and additional resilience language. Staff next steps include environmental review, coordination with BCDC and State Lands, and extending design review to the full 7.5-mile waterfront. Commissioners Gilman, Adams, and Macris asked questions about equity, sub-area consistency, and community benefits.
• Sea Lion Sculptures (Item 11B): Dan Hodak and Aquarium of the Bay staff presented a proposal to install 30 full-size sea lion sculptures, with 16 on Port property, for up to nine months. The fee waiver covers an approximately $1,500 license fee plus permit fees, totaling around $3,000. The project includes 3,000 mini sea lions for schoolchildren, a Guinness World Record attempt, and a STEAM education program. Commissioners expressed support; Commissioner Gilman requested community inreach to nearby neighborhoods.
• PASHA Operations at Pier 80 (Item 12A): Andre Coleman reported auto volumes grew from about 4,500 in 2016 to 24,000 in 2017 and continued growing. For 2019, he stated “146 autos moved through the facility” — as transcribed, though the context suggests this may be a transcription error for 146,000. PASHA currently employs 14 full-time employees; 50% of auto processors are District 10 residents (correcting a staff report that said 29% by including manager positions). Since 2016, 28% of District 10 hires remain active and 6% were promoted. Port net terminal revenues were approximately $600k (FY16-17), $1.7M (FY17-18), $2.1M (FY18-19), and a projected $2.3M (FY19-20). PASHA representatives noted a newly negotiated 40-hour work week guarantee, an apprenticeship program, and three new community partnerships. Commissioner Brandon raised concerns that only 10 permanent jobs exist versus the original vision of up to 150, and requested a follow-up strategy for value-added work.
• RFP for Piers 30-32 and Seawall Lot 330 (Item 13A): Peter Albert presented updates since the November 12, 2019 informational hearing. The RFP will allow proposals for either site or a combined project, with scoring based on a 100-point written submission plus 30 points for oral presentations. Commissioner Macris suggested keeping the oral presentation scores separate and unknown from the written scores to ensure objectivity. The timeline includes releasing the RFP in January 2020, proposals due in March 2020, scoring panel in April 2020, and Commission action in June 2020. Public comment from Dr. Ajaque asked for broader community engagement. Resolution 19-48 was approved.
• 2019 Port Building Code (Item 14A): Neil Friedman presented the code adoption package, including filing local findings with the California Building Standards Commission, repealing the 2016 code, and adopting the 2019 code effective January 1, 2020. Changes include incentivizing all-electric buildings, aligning seismic upgrade triggers with the state existing building code, and increasing permit fees (e.g., a $50,000 project would increase by about $500; hourly plan review from $80 to $173; inspection from $80 to $158). No public comments were received. Commissioner Adams asked whether the code would preclude natural gas in restaurants; staff clarified it does not, but noted a pending city ordinance on electrification could have future implications. Resolution 19-49 was approved.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Resolutions 19-46, 19-47, 19-48, and 19-49 by unanimous voice votes.
• Approved the minutes of the November 12, 2019 meeting.
• Authorized the executive director to proceed with the Piers 30-32/Seawall Lot 330 RFP process.
• Directed staff to:
  • Bring PASHA back to discuss strategies for increasing value-added auto processing work, local wage and retention data, and a full history of community outreach since 2016.
  • Provide an update on city legislation related to natural gas and building electrification.
  • Provide a report on the photography studio update (requested by Commissioner Gilman).
  • Invite the new SFMTA director to discuss waterfront transportation vision.
  • Work on clarifying sub-area geography definitions for consistency across planning and real estate.
• Adjourned in honor of Mayor Edwin M. Lee on the two-year anniversary of his death, following a motion by Commissioner Gilman.