San Francisco Port Commission Meeting – December 13, 2022
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San Francisco Port Commission Meeting – December 13, 2022
The San Francisco Port Commission met on December 13, 2022, to discuss and vote on a range of items including consent calendar approvals, amendments to the Harbor Traffic Code for Chase Center events, authorization for engineering services contracts, and informational updates on the Waterfront Resilience Program’s bond issuance and equity actions. The meeting also featured the Executive Director’s report, which highlighted achievements in 2022, introduced a new Economic Recovery Manager, and honored retiring staff and a former commissioner.
Consent Calendar
- Item 10A: Approved a resolution adopting findings under state urgency legislation to allow remote attendance during the COVID-19 emergency.
- Item 10B: Authorized advertising for competitive bids for Construction Contract No. 2848 (Roundhouse 2 Roof, Solarium, and Windows) via Resolution 2263.
- Item 10C: Approved an operating agreement with Aeroground, Inc. (dba Menzies Aviation) for a Foreign Trade Zone usage-driven site at 606 McDonald Road, with a five-year term and a four-year extension option (Resolution 2264).
- Item 10D: Authorized filing amendments to the California Building Standards Code and adoption of the 2022 Port of San Francisco Building Standards Code effective January 1, 2023 (Resolution 2265).
- Item 10E: Authorized advertising a Request for Proposals for Heron’s Head Park Marsh Revegetation and Transitional Age Work Training Program (Resolution 2266).
All consent items were approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
No public comments were made on any agenda item, including the Executive Director’s report, the consent calendar, and discussion items.
Discussion Items
- Executive Director’s Report (Item 9A): Elaine Forbes reported that the commercial Dungeness crab season is delayed to at least December 30 due to whale entanglement risks, a pattern since 2015. She thanked the commissioners for their stewardship and highlighted a $16 million profit for the year despite a projected loss, driven by strong maritime revenues and waterfront activation. Forbes introduced Megan Wallace as the new Economic Recovery Manager. Wallace presented the port’s economic recovery strategy focused on safety, equity, and vibrancy through phased activation, internal changes to lower barriers for small tenants, and improved engagement. Forbes also provided updates on equity initiatives, resilience projects (including $5 million from Speaker Pelosi for a flood study), and reminded the commission of the 30-day review period for write-off accounts.
- Harbor Traffic Code Amendment for Chase Center (Item 11A): Staff requested approval to amend the Port’s Harbor Traffic Code to relocate accessible shuttle parking, establish designated loading zones, and increase commercial loading time limits on streets around Chase Center (Terry Francois Boulevard, Illinois Street, 16th Street, and Warriors Way). The changes aim to improve traffic management on game/event days. Commissioner Lee expressed support but asked about impacts on small businesses like Mission Rock Resort; staff confirmed those areas are unaffected. The item was approved unanimously (Resolution 2267).
- Engineering Services Contracts (Item 12A): Staff presented a Request for Qualifications to award four contracts (each up to $4 million over five years) for as-needed engineering and related professional services to the highest-scoring firms: Coe and Telemon JV, GHD and Structus JV, Arcadis and Lotus Water, and a fourth team. A pre-qualified pool of seven additional firms was also created. The process included an initial rejection and rebid due to an unconventional proposal. Staff highlighted new equity measures, including a scored Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion plan (1 point) and caps on subcontracting credits for secondary/tertiary scopes to increase certainty for LBEs. Commissioner Gilman commended the outreach and suggested future plans could be shared publicly. Approved unanimously (Resolution 2268).
- Waterfront Resilience Program – Second Bond Issuance (Item 13A): An informational update on the proposed $42 million issuance of Proposition A bonds to fund early Embarcadero projects (six of 23 identified projects are advancing). Staff reported $64.5 million already appropriated; the new bond would bring total to $106.5 million. The funds will support planning and design, with construction expected by end of 2024. A third bond issuance is anticipated in 2024 depending on market conditions. Commissioners expressed support and noted urgency due to flooding risks.
- Waterfront Resilience Program – LBE and Equity Actions (Item 13B): Staff reported on LBE participation for the CH2M Hill contract, with actual LBE spending at 27.2% as of September 2022, exceeding the 21% goal. CH2M is on track to surpass its commitment. The presentation also covered workforce development plans (implementation plan due March 2023) and LBE support programs. Commissioner Gilman commended the progress and suggested aiming for 200% of the goal.
- New Business (Item 14): Commissioner Lee requested future reports on tourist access from cruise ships (e.g., hop-on/hop-off bus loading zones) and enforcement against illegal vendors. Commissioner Gilman requested an informational update on economic recovery for Fisherman’s Wharf (north of Pier 39) and an assessment of wayfinding signage along the waterfront. These items were referred for future staff action.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Resolutions 2262–2266 adopted unanimously.
- Harbor Traffic Code Amendment (Item 11A): Resolution 2267 adopted unanimously, updating parking and curb restrictions for Chase Center events.
- Engineering Contracts (Item 12A): Resolution 2268 adopted unanimously, awarding four contracts and establishing a pre-qualified pool of seven firms.
- Waterfront Resilience Program (Items 13A and 13B): Informational; no vote taken. Staff will return in January 2023 for approval of the second bond issuance and in 2023 for further updates on workforce development and LBE plans.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned in memory of former Commissioner Michael Hardeman, who served from 1994 to 2010.
Meeting Transcript
We do have a quorum. The San Francisco Port Commission acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramatishalone, who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula. As the indigenous stewards of this land and in accordance with their traditions, the Ramatish Alone have never ceded, lost, nor forgotten their responsibilities as the caretakers of this place, as well as for all people who reside in their traditional territory. As guests, we recognize that we benefit from living and working on their traditional homeland. We wish to pay our respects by acknowledging the ancestors, elders, and relatives of the Rama Tishalone community, and by affirming their sovereign rights as first peoples. Item number two is the approval of minutes for the November eighth, twenty twenty-two court commission meeting. Commissioners there a motion to approve the minutes. We have a motion and a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Motion passes unanimously the menace of the November eighth, twenty twenty-two meeting or adopted. Item number three is public comment on executive session. At this time we will take public comment on executive session. Is there any public comment in the room? Seeing none, Tamman will provide instructions now for remote participants. Please file star three if you wish to make a 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 style star three if you wish to make public comment. At this time there are no members of the public wishing to make uh public comment on executive session. Thanks, Timon. Uh public comment is closed. Jenica. Next item, please. Item number four is executive session. There are two executive session items. One conference with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation, and one conference with real property negotiator as agendized. Commissioners, may I have a motion to go into a closed session? I shall move. We have a motion and a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Oppose. Motion passes unanimously. We are now in closed session. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and the Republic for which it stands under God, in the visible, liberty and justice for all. Item number seven is announcements. Commissioner Burton has left the meeting, but we still have a quorum. Please be advised that the ringing of 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 port commission adopts a shorter period on any item. Public comment must be in respect to the current agenda item. The commission will take in-person and remote public comment on each item, beginning with commenters in person. For remote public comment, dial 1415 65501 and enter access code 2498 941 2998 pound. During each public comment period, the moderator will instruct you to dial star three to be added to the queue for that particular item. An audio prompt will signal when it is your turn to speak. If you are watching this meeting on SFGov TV, there is a short broadcasting delay to not miss your chance to comment. Please dial when the item you want to comment on is announced. Mute your device and listen to the meeting from your telephone, which has no delay. That brings us to item number eight.
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