Port Commission Meeting - May 25, 2021
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Port Commission Meeting - May 25, 2021
The San Francisco Port Commission met on May 25, 2021, at 10:30 AM to discuss economic recovery, equity initiatives, waterfront resilience, and several development and transportation projects. The meeting included a consent agenda, executive session, public comments, and informational presentations on the Embarcadero Enhancement Program, a proposed MOU with SFMTA, and the Islais Creek adaptation strategy. The commission also received an update on Local Business Enterprise (LBE) participation and heard tributes to a late colleague.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (April 27, 2021): The minutes were approved unanimously by roll call vote (Commissioners Brandon, Gilman, Wuho; Commissioner Adams absent initially but later present).
- Executive Session (Item 4): The commission convened in closed session and later reported a unanimous vote to approve a settlement agreement with the Cold Trust on terms described in the agenda. A motion to not disclose any other executive session discussions passed with Commissioner Wuho not voting due to a technical disconnection.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Items Not on Agenda (Item 8): Three callers spoke:
- Sgt. Keith Matthews (SFPD Marine Unit) paid tribute to Ken Tashin, the Port's Homeland Security Program Manager, who passed away suddenly on May 19, 2021. Matthews highlighted Tashin's role in securing grants and the SFPD Marine Unit dock project.
- Jeff Abraham and Dan Kerrigan (Cabrio Taxi/Petticab) requested rent forgiveness for their business, which has operated at the port for nearly a decade. They described operating at a loss for 14 months during COVID-19 and emphasized that hundreds of jobs are at stake.
- Deputy Chief David Lazar (SFPD) offered condolences on behalf of the department for Ken Tashin's passing.
- Executive Director's Report (Item 9A): One caller, Tom Cotter (retired port employee), spoke in memory of Ken Tashin, noting his mentoring, relationship-building, and work on FEMA grants and homeless outreach.
- Item 10A (Media Relations Contracts): Darylyn Davis, CEO of Davis & Associates, thanked the commission for the micro-LBE set-aside opportunity.
- Item 11A (Embarcadero Enhancement): Seven callers commented:
- Support from Paul Maldonato (bike lane advocate), Janice Lee (SF Bicycle Coalition), Brian Hogsman (Walk SF), Parker Day (District 3 resident), Alice Rogers (South Beach/RNBNA), and Linda Richardson (Bayview resident, on Item 13B).
- Concerns from Christine Farron (Ferry Plaza Farmers Market operator) about loading zones and bike lane conflicts, and from Robert Cartwright (downtown business owner) about traffic congestion.
- Katie Liddell (resident with disability) supported safety improvements.
- Diana Taylor and Alec Bash (Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association/Gateway Tenants Association) supported the project with caveats about traffic lane configuration.
- Item 13B (Islais Creek Adaptation): Linda Richardson spoke in support, praising interagency collaboration and the port's leadership.
Discussion Items
- Executive Director's Report (Item 9A): Director Forbes reported on:
- Economic Recovery: 77% of San Franciscans vaccinated; F-line streetcar service resumed May 15; $250 million from American Rescue Plan for California ports, which will backfill losses (port projected $60M loss this year, $100M over five years) and avoid layoffs.
- Equity: Launched small business drop-in hours; first Port Chat scheduled for May 27 featuring Cynthia Choi of Stop AAPI Hate.
- Pop-Up RFQ: Issued May 7 to activate waterfront parks; proposals due June 17; expects first activities in August.
- Tributes: Remembered Al Bacari (fishing industry advocate) and Ken Tashin (Homeland Security Program Manager). Staff shared personal reflections on Tashin.
- Item 10A: Media Relations Contracts (Resolution 2124) : Request to award contracts to Bonner Communications and Davis & Associates, each not to exceed $225,000 for three years. Discussion centered on the reduction from previous contracts ($300k each for four firms). President Brandon raised equity concerns, but the motion passed unanimously.
- Item 11A: Embarcadero Enhancement Program (Informational) : SFMTA presented plans for a quick-build protected bikeway and pedestrian safety improvements from Mission to Broadway on the Embarcadero. The project aims to reduce collisions (15 injuries per year on this segment) and separate bikes from pedestrians. Public outreach included a survey with ~1,400 responses. Commissioners requested more attention to loading for the farmers market, signage to keep motorized vehicles off the promenade, and evaluation of traffic impacts.
- Item 12A: MOU with SFMTA for Seawall Lot 354 (Informational) : Proposed 7-year MOU for SFMTA to continue using 3.2 acres at 1399 Marin St for bus storage, maintenance, and electric trolley conversion. Community benefits include interpretive signs and two-hour street parking. Rent increases 3% annually. Staff will present to the Southern Advisory Committee (June 23) before returning for approval.
- Item 13A: WRP LBE Subcontracting and Equity Actions (Informational) : Quarterly report on LBE participation in CH2M Hill and Civic Edge contracts. CH2M Hill LBE payments increased from 12.1% to 20.2% of total; in Q1 2021, 39.3% of payments went to LBEs. Civic Edge (LBE self-performed 40.1% of contract) had LBE participation of 87% overall. Commissioners praised progress and urged earlier engagement with MBEs and WBEs.
- Item 13B: Islais Creek Southeast Mobility Adaptation Strategy (Informational) : Two-year community-led planning effort to address combined flood risk (stormwater and sea level rise). Key strategies include raising piers, improving bridges, and creating nature-based solutions. Modeling shows 4.5 feet of sea level rise possible by 2080. The study will inform the Army Corps flood study. Commissioners commended the outreach and interagency coordination.
Key Outcomes
- Votes:
- Approved minutes of April 27, 2021 (unanimous).
- Approved settlement agreement with Cold Trust in closed session (unanimous).
- Adopted Resolution 2124 awarding media relations contracts to Bonner Communications and Davis & Associates (unanimous).
- Directives:
- Staff to follow up with Petticab tenants on rent forgiveness request.
- SFMTA to refine Embarcadero quick-build design, particularly loading for the farmers market and signage for bikeway use, and return for approval in two weeks.
- Port staff to bring MOU with SFMTA to a future meeting after community input from Southern Advisory Committee.
- WRP quarterly equity reports to continue.
- Port staff to provide an informational update on illegal vending along the waterfront (requested by Commissioner Gilman).
- Next Steps:
- Pop-up RFQ proposals due June 17; staff to report July 13.
- Embarcadero Enhancement project to seek SFMTA board approval next week and return to Port Commission for final action.
- Islais Creek Adaptation Strategy to be finalized by end of June; presentations to Planning Commission and Southeast Advisory Committee.
Meeting Transcript
We'll come back to him. Commissioner John Burton. Commissioner Gail Gilman. We'll come back. Commissioner Dor Dorian Wuho. Present. Thank you, Madam President. You do have a quorum, and I'll just double check. Is Commissioner Adams or Commissioner Dilman with us yet? All right. Item number two is approval of minutes for the April twenty-seventh, twenty twenty-one port commission meeting. So moved. We have a motion and a second. Carl, can we please have a roll call vote? Absolutely. And for the record, I do see Commissioner Gilman has joined us at two sixteen PM. On the motion to approve the minutes. Others will wait on mute until their line is open. Comments will be limited to three minutes per person. The queue is now open. Please dial star three if you wish to make public comment. President Brandon. Commissioner Gilman. Yes. Commissioner Wuho. Yes. The motion passes. We are now in closed session. Thank you. San Francisco. Make a motion not to disclose uh anything that we talked about and uh closed session and the port commission unanimously approved a settlement agreement with the cold trust on the terms described on the agenda. I moved to disclose nothing else discussed in closed session. Aye. Commissioner Wuho. Looks like we've lost Commissioner Wuho. Okay, the motion passed. We are now in open session. Item number six is the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Item number seven is announcements. Please be advised that a member of the public has up to three minutes to make pertinent public comments on each agenda item unless the port commission adopts a shorter period on any item. Please note that during the public comment period, the moderator will instruct dial-in participants to use a touchstone phone to register their desire for public comment. An audio prompt will signal to dial in participants when their audio input has been enabled for commenting. Please dial in when the item you wish to comment on is announced. And note that if you're watching this meeting streaming live on SFGov TV, there's a short broadcasting delay. So when the item you would like to comment on is announced, dial 415 655 0001 and enter access code 1871 eight zero seven two six pound. Then mute the volume on your computer and listen only through your telephone, which is a live broadcast with no delay. When public comment on the item is announced, dial star three to raise your hand to indicate that you would like to comment and then listen for an audio prompt when it is your turn to comment.
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