Port Commission Meeting Summary April 12, 2022
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Port Commission Meeting Summary - April 12, 2022
The San Francisco Port Commission met on April 12, 2022, at 11:15 AM (UTC) to address a range of items including consent calendar approvals, contract awards, and informational presentations on LBE contracting, the Waterfront Resilience Program, leasing strategies, and a Pier 70 amendment. The meeting included public comments from tenants concerned about rent increases and support for the proposed actions. Key decisions included unanimous approvals of consent items, a contract award to Hollins Construction Inc., and a directive to staff on maritime rent relief data.
Consent Calendar
- Remote Meeting Resolution (Resolution 2216): Approved unanimously, allowing certain members to attend meetings remotely during the COVID-19 emergency for the next 30 days, with a directive to agendize a similar resolution within 30 days.
- Crane Cove Park Contract Modification (Resolution 2217): Approved unanimously, increasing the contract amount by $565,000 for Contract No. 2814R.
- 2022 Uncollectable Balances Write-Off Policy (Resolution 2218): Adopted unanimously.
- Memorandum of Understanding for Fire Training Facility (Resolution 2219): Approved unanimously, authorizing the purchase of approximately 2.6 acres at 1236 Carroll Avenue by the City for a fire personnel training facility.
- Mutual Termination Agreement with Alioto Fish Company (Resolution 2220): Approved unanimously, terminating leases L-7491 (2829 Taylor Street) and L-9171 (360 Jefferson Street).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Liz Diaz (North Beach Marine Canvas): A tenant at Pier 40 for over 25 years, expressed concern over a 60% rent increase, which she characterized as an "invitation to leave." She emphasized that maritime businesses like hers are not storage, and requested the Commission work with staff to find a solution.
- Margaret Cromwell (CalMarine Electronics): Stated that CalMarine has been in San Francisco since 1952 and services essential clients such as the SF Fire Department, SF Police Department, and Golden Gate Ferries. She argued that the steep rent increase could force them out of San Francisco, which would harm necessary maritime services.
- Mark Bruno (Resident of North Beach): Spoke on behalf of North Beach Marine Canvas and other small businesses, asking the Commission to allow them to remain on the waterfront. He described the rent increase as an "existential crisis" and urged reconsideration.
Discussion Items
- Executive Director’s Report: Director Elaine Forbes reported on economic recovery signs, including the return of cruise operations (21 calls expected in April, including maiden call of Carnival Miracle), the off-the-boat fish sales program (crab season closed April 8 due to whale entanglements), and the submission of a $58.2 million funding application to the State Lands Commission. She also highlighted Mission Rock progress (topping off of Building A and start of Building F), and the success of the sixth annual contracts open house with 115 attendees.
- Contract Award to Hollins Construction Inc. (Item 8A): Stephanie Tang, Contracts and Procurement Manager, presented the recommendation to award a $3 million, five-year as-needed technical services contract for Pier 70 and Mission Rock. The proposal scored 102.66 points after a CMD rating bonus, with 100% LBE participation. The item was approved unanimously as Resolution 2221.
- LBE Contracting Activity (Item 8B): Stephanie Tang presented the first two quarters of FY 2021-22 LBE data: approximately $7.7 million in total payments, with 38% on as-needed contracts, and overall LBE participation just under 50%, exceeding aspirational goals. She also discussed recommended changes to the executive director’s delegated authority to align with new thresholds.
- Waterfront Resilience Program LBE Subcontracting (Item 9A): Brad Benson, Waterfront Resilience Director, reported on LBE subcontracting outcomes for the CH2M Hill contract: 23.9% LBE participation, with 6.7% to MBE and 17.4% to WBE firms. He highlighted the program's equity actions, including a new race equity action planning task.
- Living Seawall Pilot Project (Item 9B): Kelly Capone and Matt Bell presented the San Francisco Living Seawall Pilot Project, a partnership with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. The project will install textured tiles at three sites along the Embarcadero to study ecological enhancements provisional, with a total cost just over $1 million. The study aims to answer whether texturing benefits native species, and results will inform future seawall design.
- Leasing Strategy for Vacant Spaces (Item 10A): Rebecca Benassini and Ricky Tidani presented a proposed pilot strategy to lease two vacant spaces (Ferry Plaza East Building and Pier 33 ½ restaurant space) using brokers, as the traditional RFP has not yielded success. The Commission expressed general support but requested more details on broker compensation and criteria, especially for formula retail and inclusion of local/BIPOC businesses.
- Pier 70 Design for Development Amendment (Item 10B): Ryan Wassom presented the proposed amendment to clarify definitions of Retail Use and Office Use, allowing life science/lab uses on office-designated parcels without changing bulk or height. Kelly Pretzer (Brookfield) provided a project update, noting Brookfield continues to exceed LBE and local hire goals (29% LBE, exceeding 30% local hire requirement). The Commission was supportive of the amendment.
Key Outcomes
- Unanimous Approvals: All consent calendar items (Resolutions 2216-2220) and the contract award to Hollins Construction (Resolution 2221) were approved unanimously.
- Executive Director’s Report: Commission praised the report and requested a written report on maritime rent relief program data, including how many tenants have opted in and barriers to participation.
- LBE Delegated Authority: Staff will return with an action item to increase the Executive Director’s delegated authority to align with new thresholds effective July 1, 2022.
- Pier 70 Affordable Housing: Commissioner Gilman requested that MOCD be invited to provide an update on the affordable housing parcel (C2A) at Pier 70.
- Pier 70 Project Update: Commissioner Brandon requested an overall project update with new financial projections, to be scheduled for summer or fall 2022.
- Living Seawall: Commissioner Wuho asked for periodic updates on the living seawall project and educational opportunities.
Meeting Transcript
All right, President Willie Adams will be absent today. So Vice President Wuho here. Commissioner Kimberly Brandon. Here. Commissioner John Burton will be absent as well. Commissioner Gail Gilman. Present. The San Francisco Port Commission acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramatushaloni, who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula as the indigenous stewards of this place and in accordance with their traditions. The Ramatushalone have never ceded, lost, nor forgotten their responsibilities as caretakers of this place, 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 Ramatushaloni community, and by affirming their sovereign rights as first peoples. Item number two is approval of minutes for the March 8th, 2022 Port Commission meeting. Commissioner, is there a motion to approve? Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Motion passes unanimously. The minutes of March 8th are adopted. Item number four is three is the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And now item number four is announcements. A reminder that masks are required at all times in this hearing room, and failure to adhere may result in your removal from this room. Masks are available upon request here and on the table outside, and we appreciate your cooperation. Please be advised that the ringing and use of cell phones and similar sound producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. And 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. Public comment must be in respect to the current agenda item. And the commission will take in-person public comment first and then remote public comment on each item. For remote public comment, please dial 415 655 0001 and enter access code 2498 27565 pound. And during each public comment period, the moderator will instruct you to dial star three to be added to the public comment queue, and an audio prompt will signal when it's your turn to speak. If you're watching this meeting on SFGup TV, there's a short broadcasting delay, and so to not miss your chance to comment, please dial in when the item you want to comment on is announced. And then mute your device and listen to the meeting from your telephone, which has no delays. And that brings us to item number five public comment on items not listed on the agenda. We will take public comment on public comment on items not listed on the agenda. Is there any public comment? Is there a clock somewhere? Right here. It's not on. Ready? Go. Thank you. My name is Liz Diaz. I have the company North Beach Marine Canvas, which has been in business for over 30 years. I've been a tenant of the pier 40 for over 25 years. We have a lease out there. It was up in 2020. It did not get renewed during COVID. I um grateful that you all read the letter that I presented with you.
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