San Francisco Port Commission Meeting – December 8, 2020

The San Francisco Port Commission met on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. via video conference. President Kimberly Brandon called the meeting to order with a quorum present (Commissioners Brandon, Adams, Burton, Gilman, and Wuho). The meeting covered the Executive Director’s report, an informational presentation on the Port’s Racial Equity Action Plan, approval of two construction contracts, approval of a rent forgiveness and repayment program, approval of street names at Mission Rock, and an informational presentation on park dedication issues. Public comment was received on one item. The meeting adjourned at 6:13 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Item 10A: Accepted and expended a $90,500 grant from the California Department of Parks and Recreation for removal, storage, and disposal of abandoned vessels (Resolution 2051).
• Item 10B: Retroactively authorized modification of Construction Contract No. 2812, Crane Cove Park Improvements and 19th St. Parking Lot, to extend the substantial and final completion date (Resolution 2052).
• Both items were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 13A – Civic Impact Rent Forgiveness & Tenant Repayment Program: Braxton Cahill, Controller of Aquarium of the Bay (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit at Pier 39), requested that the aquarium be included in the rent forgiveness program. He noted that the aquarium had been closed for over seven months in 2020, faced $8+ million in revenue loss, and was not eligible due to the $3 million budget threshold. He also highlighted that the aquarium pays rent to both Pier 39 and the Port. Port staff committed to following up directly.
• No public comments were made on any other items.

Discussion Items

• Executive Director’s Report (Item 9A): Director Elaine Forbes reported on the Port’s economic recovery efforts amid the COVID-19 surge, noting that the strict stay-at-home order would impact tenants. Key updates included:

  • 88 Broadway: 100% affordable 120-unit project nearing completion, with applications starting by end of December.
  • Fireboat Station 35: Steel float delivered; landside connections to be completed over 4–5 months, with spring 2021 completion.
  • Embarcadero Enhancement Project: Three quick-build safety improvements (Pier 35, Ferry Building, Rincon Restaurant Zone) operational or near completion.
  • LBE & Crabber Loan Programs: Launched; applications being accepted.
  • Fisherman’s Wharf CBD: Port-side assessment district failed 45% to 55% at the Board of Supervisors on November 17, 2020; loss of funding for events like 4th of July and Fleet Week.

• Port’s Equity Program & Racial Equity Action Plan (Item 11A): Staff presented the draft plan, including internal (phase one) and external (phase two) actions. Key points:

  • Workforce demographics: Port is more racially diverse than the city workforce overall.
  • Employee survey (fall 2019): 40% response rate (129 of 278 employees); 43% agreed racial disparities exist at the Port.
  • Listening tours identified needs for transparency in hiring, career pathways, and bias elimination training.
  • Proposed actions include de-identified discipline, expanded recruitment outreach, and manager training.
  • Commissioners emphasized the need for measurable goals, ongoing feedback, and collaboration with the Office of Racial Equity.

• Contract Awards:

  • Item 12A (SFPD Marine Unit Dock Replacement): Awarded to Power Engineering Construction for $1,419,896 (plus $123,420 contingency, total $1,543,316). FEMA grant expires May 31, 2021; construction must start April 1, 2021.
  • Item 12B (Heron’s Head Park Path and Electrical Improvements): Awarded to CF Contracting, Inc. for $1,237,800 (plus $123,780 contingency, total $1,361,580). Nearly 100% LBE participation; funded by 2012 GO bonds.

• Parks & Public Way Declaration (Item 13C): Informational presentation on a temporary declaration of restrictions to allow building permits for Parcel K North at Pier 70, ensuring emergency egress and fire separation across a future plaza. The permanent solution will be park dedication once the plaza is built.

Key Outcomes

• Votes (all unanimous):
  • Consent Calendar (Resolutions 2051, 2052) approved.
  • Construction Contract 2831, SFPD Marine Unit Dock Replacement (Resolution 2053) approved.
  • Construction Contract 2795, Heron’s Head Park Path and Electrical Improvements (Resolution 2054) approved.
  • Civic Impact Rent Forgiveness Program (Resolution 2055) and Tenant Repayment Program (Resolution 2056) approved.
  • Street names Maya Angelou Lane and Toni Stone Crossing at Mission Rock (Resolution 2057) approved.
• No votes on informational items (9A, 11A, 13C).
• Next steps:
  • Staff will follow up with Aquarium of the Bay regarding rent relief.
  • Racial Equity Action Plan to be submitted to the Office of Racial Equity by December 31, 2020; staff will return semi-annually with updates.
  • Declaration of restrictions for Parcel K North will be brought to the commission for approval at the next meeting.
  • Street naming item to be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for approval in early 2021.