San Francisco Port Commission Meeting - August 9, 2022
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San Francisco Port Commission Meeting - August 9, 2022
The Port Commission met on August 9, 2022, at 10:45 AM. The meeting included approval of minutes, executive session, public comments, an executive director's report, consent calendar items, informational presentations on a micro LBE credit capacity program and the PG&E sediment remediation project, and new business items.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of July 12, 2022, unanimously.
- Adopted resolutions 2240, 2241, 2242: (1) allowing remote attendance under state urgency legislation for COVID-19; (2) setting FY2022-2023 monthly rental and parking rates; (3) approving a lease amendment with Golden Gate Scenic Steamship (Red and White Fleet) for temporary rent reduction during two six-month periods (Nov-Apr) for FY2021-2022 and FY2022-2023.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Public comment on non-agenda items: Brian Burke, representing the Inlandboatmen's Union (IBU), announced unionization efforts by workers at Hornblower/Alcatraz City Cruises and requested recognition. Also submitted a letter. Evan Mobotlin, Northern California organizer for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), clarified that workers are organizing with IBU and seeking an NLRB election. Commissioners expressed interest and directed staff to obtain the letter and agendize the matter for future discussion.
- Public comment on Executive Director's Report: Elaine Ford (likely Director Elaine Forbes) praised Commissioner Brandon's 25 years of service and contributions to equity and resilience.
- Public comment on Item 11A (micro LBE credit program): Francisco DeCosta criticized the port's outreach to small businesses, stating that many businesses, including middle-sized ones, avoid the port due to perceived issues.
- Public comment on Item 12A (PG&E sediment remediation): Francisco DeCosta stated that community outreach has not been done, particularly to libraries, and expressed concerns about contamination and lack of public involvement.
Discussion Items
- Executive Director's Report (Item 9A): Assistant Port Director Michael Martin reported on:
- Welcome to new Commissioner Stephen Lee.
- Economic recovery: The historic ferry boat Klamath will return to Pier 9 later in August, serving as Bay Area Council headquarters and conference center.
- Port's 2022 summer internship program concluded, with interns working on projects including construction site mapping, signage database, dock maintenance, and outreach directory creation.
- Resilience milestones: $5 million federal funding for US Army Corps of Engineers waterfront flood study, living seawall pilot with Smithsonian, recognition at Flood and Coastal Excellence Awards.
- SFMTA Embarcadero Enhancement Program: Quick-build project includes new two-way bikeway from Folsom to Broadway, improved intersections, and education campaign. SFMTA will present full report in fall.
- Recognition of Commissioner Kimberly Brandon for 25 years of service; she was praised for her leadership, equity focus, and formation of the Southern Advisory Committee.
- Commissioners commented, thanking Director Forbes and staff, and expressed interest in further discussion on promenade conflicts with e-scooters and bikes.
- Micro LBE Credit Capacity Program (Item 11A): Stephanie Tang and Tajal Shaw (TTX) presented a pilot program to provide $50,000 lines of credit to certified Local Business Enterprises (LBEs) with port contracts, subcontracts, or tenancies. The port will provide a $1 million guarantee to a bank, and the bank will lend. The program aims to fill a gap in short-term working capital. Key details: 12-month term, requalification for up to three years, minimum credit score 640, borrowers must maintain zero balance for 30 days annually. The RFP will be issued to banks and credit unions. The program is a proof of concept for potential citywide expansion. Commissioners expressed strong support and suggested including credit unions in the RFP.
- PG&E Sediment Remediation Project (Item 12A): Catherine Purcell provided an update on the cleanup of PAH-contaminated sediments from a historic manufactured gas plant between Pier 39 and Pier 43½. The cleanup plan is required by the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board. Key milestones: Final feasibility study submitted, CEQA mitigated negative declaration adopted in February 2022, cleanup and abatement order issued. The project will be constructed in phases from 2023 to 2027, with in-water work from June to November. Estimated cost is $211 million. PG&E withdrew its lease application for Pier 96 and will use a facility in Antioch for material handling. Pre-construction coordination with tenants (Red and White Fleet, Blue and Gold Fleet, Pier 39) is ongoing. Commissioners asked about potential revenue loss for tenants and duration of dredging impact; staff noted that cost agreements are being negotiated and dredging in each area will last 4-8 weeks.
Key Outcomes
- Approved minutes and consent calendar items unanimously.
- Agendized future discussion of Hornblower/Alcatraz City Cruises unionization and SFMTA promenade deconfliction.
- Supported the micro LBE credit capacity program and directed staff to include credit unions in the RFP.
- Noted the PG&E sediment remediation project timeline and continuing tenant coordination.
- Directed staff to provide an informational presentation on leasing opportunities and port program outreach, and to revisit wayfinding and signage strategy.
- Adjourned at 4:50 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Is approval of minutes for the July twelfth, twenty twenty two for commission meeting. I sem I second. I need to abstain. That wasn't the commissioner here yet. So we have a motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes unanimously. The minutes of the July twelfth, twenty twenty-two minutes are adopted. Item number three is public comment on executive session. We will take public comment on executive session. Is there any public comment in the room? If not, Corey will provide instructions now for remote participants. Thank you, Vice President Brandon. At this time, we will open the queue for anyone on the phone who would like to make public comment on executive session. Please dial star three if you wish to make public comment. 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. And at this time, there are no members of the public on the phone wishing to make public comment on this item. Thank you, Corey. Item number four is executive session. There's one executive session item conference with real property negotiator as agendized. So move. Is there a second? Second. Aye. Any opposed. Motion passes unanimously. We are now in closed session. Okay. Advise that the ringing and use of cell phones and similar sound producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. Please be advised that a member of the public has up to three minutes to make public comments on each agenda item unless the court commission adopts a shorter period on any item. And public comment must be in respect to the current agenda item. Commission will take in-person public comment first and then remote public comment on each item. For public comment, please dial 1415 six five five zero zero zero one and enter access code two four nine oh four two three four one one eight pound. During each public comment period, our moderator will instruct you to dial star three to be added to the queue for that particular item, and an audio prompt will signal when it's your turn to comment. If you're watching this meeting streaming on SFGov TV, there's a short broadcasting delay. So when you would like to comment, please dial in when the item is announced and then mute your device and listen only through your telephone, which has no delay. And that brings us to item eight public comment on items not listed on the agenda. Thank you, Carl. We will now take public comment on items not listed on the agenda. Is there any public comment in the room? Seeing none. We'll provide instructions now for remote participants. Thank you, Vice President Brandon. 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. Please dial star three if you wish to make public comment.
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