San Francisco Port Commission Meeting - February 22, 2022
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San Francisco Port Commission Meeting - February 22, 2022
The Port Commission met on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at 11:15 AM to discuss the Executive Director’s report on the strategic plan update, the biennial budget and federal stimulus funds, a new write-off policy, and a proposal to sell land to the city for a fire training facility. The meeting was held virtually via teleconference.
Approval of Minutes
- The minutes of the February 8, 2022 meeting were adopted unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 6A (Executive Director’s Report): No public comments.
- Item 7A (Budget): No public comments.
- Item 8A (Write-Off Policy): No public comments.
- Item 8B (Fire Training Facility MOU): Four speakers commented in support: John Bucher (President, Fire Fighters Local 798), Army Morgan (San Francisco Fire Commissioner), Steven Nakajo (Vice President, San Francisco Fire Commission), and one caller opposed, citing concerns about contamination, liquefaction, and sea-level rise.
Discussion Items
- Executive Director’s Report & Strategic Plan Update: Director Elaine Forbes presented an update to the Port’s 2021–2025 Strategic Plan, focusing on economic recovery and growth. Goals include developing an economic recovery plan, closing an $8 million shortfall by 2025, implementing at least three strategies yielding $3 million in ongoing revenue/cost savings, and using federal stimulus (ARPA) to fund capital projects and restore cuts. Commissioners expressed support, emphasizing the need for long-term strategies and equity.
- Item 7A – Fiscal Year 2022‑23 and 2023‑24 Biennial Budget and ARPA Funds: Nathan Cruz presented the budget, highlighting a healthy fund balance due to $114.8 million in ARPA stimulus. The budget restores positions, funds capital projects, and includes a new “economic recovery czar” position. Commissioners raised no further questions and voted to approve Resolutions 22‑09 and 22‑10.
- Item 8A – Uncollectible Balances Write-Off Policy: Rebecca Benassini presented a policy to replace a 1984 resolution, detailing write-off procedures requiring confirmation of uncollectibility by staff, City Attorney, and Controller, with a 30‑day notice to the Commission. Commissioner Brandon expressed concerns about transparency and the lack of a centralized list to prevent future leases to bad actors. After discussion, Vice President Wuho moved to table the item for further review, including consultation with external auditors and development of enhanced reporting and tenant vetting measures. The motion passed unanimously.
- Item 8B – MOU for Fire Personnel Training Facility (Informational): Staff and partners presented plans to sell 2.6 acres of Port property at 1236 Carroll Avenue to the City for $5–$6 million (fair market value) to assemble a 7.5‑acre site for a new fire training facility. The site requires state legislation to lift public trust restrictions. Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson and Deputy Chief Thomas O’Connor outlined the need for training space, including props for fire, EMS, and community programs. An environmental review (Mitigated Negative Declaration) was completed and approved by the Board of Supervisors on February 8, 2022. Commissioners expressed support and requested details on contamination, liquefaction, traffic, and building heights. The item will return for action in April 2022.
- Item 9 – New Business: President Adams requested two future reports: (1) an inventory of Port properties south of Islais Creek, and (2) a review of leasing policies to strengthen financial protections.
Key Outcomes
- Adopted unanimously: Minutes of February 8, 2022.
- Adopted unanimously (Resolutions 22‑09 and 22‑10): Approval of the Fiscal Year 2022‑23 and 2023‑24 Biennial Operating and Capital Budget, and acceptance of federal stimulus funds (ARPA) for FY 2021‑22.
- Tabled unanimously (Resolution 22‑11): The 2022 Uncollectible Balances Write-Off Policy was tabled for further review of auditor input and transparency measures. A revised policy is expected at a future meeting.
- No vote on MOU: The informational presentation on the fire training facility MOU was well-received; staff will return with a final MOU for approval at the April 12, 2022 meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Here. Commissioner Kimberly Brandon. Here. Commissioner John Burton. Here. Commissioner Dale Gilman. Oh, I see her there. Thank you. The San Francisco Port Commission acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramatushalone, who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula as the indigenous stewards of this place and in accordance with their traditions. The Ramatushaloni have never ceded, lost, nor forgotten their responsibilities as caretakers, as well as for all peoples who reside in their traditional territory. As guests, we recognize that we benefit from living and working on their traditional homeland, and we wish to pay our respects by acknowledging the ancestors, elders, and relatives of the Ramatishalone community, and by affirming their sovereign rights as first peoples. That brings us to item number two, approval of minutes for the February 8th, 2022 Port Commission meeting. Commissioners, there are a motion and a second to approve the minutes. So moved. So moved. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Roll call vote, Carl, please. President Adams. Yes. Vice President Wuho. Yes. Commissioner Brandon. Yes. Commissioner Burton. Yeah. Commissioner Gilman. Commissioner Oh, I see Commissioner Gilman nodding there. A yes. Okay. Most is passed unanimously. The menace of the February 8, 2022 meetings are adopted. Item number three is the Pledge of Allegiance. A pledge of allegiance. So the flag of the state of America. And to review the republic. One more undergo. Under God with liberty. Item number four 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 of each item, the moderator will instruct dial in participants to use the touchstone phone to register their desire for public comment, and an audio input will signal or an audio prompt will signal the 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. Please note that if you're watching this meeting on SFGov TV, streaming on the internet, there is a short broadcasting delay. And so when the item you want to comment on is announced, dial 1415 65501, and then enter access code 2498074 3029 pound and then mute the volume on your computer or television and listen only through your telephone, which is a live broadcast with no delay. And then when public comment on the item is announced, dial star three to raise your hand to signal that you would like to comment and then listen for an audio prompt to tell you that it is your turn to comment. And for meeting presenters and participants, please mute your microphones and turn off your cameras when you are not presenting. That brings us to item five, public comment on items not listed on the agenda. We will open the phone lines to take public comment on items not listed on the agenda. Jenica will provide instructions now. Thank you, President Adams. At this time, we will open the queue for anyone on the phone who would like to make public comment on items not listed on the agenda.
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