Port Commission Regular Meeting: April 11, 2023
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Port Commission Regular Meeting: April 11, 2023
The San Francisco Port Commission met on April 11, 2023, to address routine approvals, receive updates on port operations and environmental initiatives, and take key actions including the adoption of the final Waterfront Plan. Highlights included the approval of a construction contract for the Roundhouse building, a contract for marsh revegetation and youth training, an informational presentation on the demobilization of a homeless shelter site, and a presentation on the Pier 50 Earthquake Improvement Project.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution 23-13: Approved License No. 17025 with Pacific Cruise Ship Terminals LLC for terminal operations parking at Pier 29 during cruise operations at Pier 27. Passed unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Waterfront Plan (Item 9A): Three members of the public spoke in strong support of the plan. Alice Rogers praised the collaborative process and the dedication of staff. Linda Richardson expressed full support, stating the plan positions the port to lead San Francisco's economic recovery. Rudy Nothenberg, co-chair of the working group, emphasized the importance of procedural safeguards to reduce contention in future projects and urged the commission to follow them.
- MOU with HSH (Item 10A): Alice Rogers spoke in support, commending the partnership between HSH and the port and noting the success of the shelter site.
Discussion Items
- Executive Director’s Report (Item 6A): Executive Director Elaine Forbes reported on the port's climate leadership, including removal of dilapidated piers, zero-emission hydropower for cruise ships, and a one-stop eco-industrial center reducing 35,000 truck trips annually. She noted the 2023 commercial salmon season cancellation due to low Chinook salmon numbers and a $450 million emergency proposal to support fishers. Deputy Director Rebecca Benissini provided an update on the port’s real estate portfolio, highlighting vacancies in shed and storage spaces, deferred maintenance issues, and efforts to improve leasing through competitive solicitations and marketing.
- Roundhouse Building Contract (Item 8A): Project manager Erica Peterson presented a request to award a $4,586,900 construction contract to Roebuck Construction (an LBE) for roof, solarium, and window replacement at Roundhouse 2. A bid protest from Ingadium Riley was denied after CMD confirmed Roebuck met LBE requirements. The project aims to address water intrusion issues and make the fourth floor leasable. Commissioner Lee raised concerns about contractor performance and on-time completion. The contract was approved unanimously.
- Waterfront Plan Adoption (Item 9A): Diane Oshima presented the final Waterfront Plan, summarizing revisions to transportation policies per commission and SFMTA comments. The Planning Commission certified the Final EIR on March 16, 2023. The plan contains 161 policy recommendations (160 unanimously endorsed) developed over three years with extensive public engagement. Commissioners and speakers lauded the process. Commissioner Gilman requested a future briefing on the plan’s procedural recommendations. The plan was adopted unanimously.
- Literacy for Environmental Justice Contract (Item 9B): Elizabeth Alexander Toots presented a request to award a $987,000 contract to Literacy for Environmental Justice (LEJ) for marsh revegetation and a transitional-age youth work training program. Only one bidder met minimum qualifications. The contract includes a DEI scoring element and aims to provide internships and employment readiness. Approved unanimously.
- MOU with HSH – Shelter Demobilization (Item 10A): Kim Deal (port) and Emily Cohen (HSH) presented an informational report on a proposed MOU to demobilize the shelter-in-place trailer site at Seawall Lot 344. The site opened in April 2020, served 303 guests, and currently houses 118. The MOU would run from March 1 to December 31, 2023, with no new placements after October 2 and full demobilization by December 1. Commissioners questioned the housing placement rate (11% to permanent housing so far) and expressed concern about displacement. Emily Cohen noted a 65% placement rate in similar wind-downs and committed to working with guests. The item will return for approval on April 25.
- Pier 50 Earthquake Improvement Project (Item 11A): Chris Foriucci (new project manager) presented an informational overview of an RFP for initial study and pre-design services. The project aims to retrofit Pier 50 (built 1920s-1940s) due to its importance for disaster response. The contract is not to exceed $2.7 million, funded by ARPA. The RFP will be issued to a pre-qualified pool of seven engineering firms, with a panel review in May and a request for award in June. Commissioners supported the approach.
Key Outcomes
- Resolutions Adopted: 23-13 (Cruise Terminal License), 23-14 (Roundhouse contract), 23-15 (Waterfront Plan and CEQA findings), 23-16 (Literacy for Environmental Justice contract) – all passed unanimously.
- New Business: President Brandon recorded items for future discussion: a tour of the living seawall, a report on contract closeout and performance metrics, and a briefing on real estate vacancies. Commissioner Gilman requested a mid‑six‑month check-in on demobilization of the shelter site, focusing on housing placements and equity. The meeting was adjourned in solidarity with the Tennessee Three.
Meeting Transcript
For April 11th, 2023. Roll call. President Kimberly Brandon. Here. Vice President Willie Adams. Here. Commissioner Gail Gilman. Present. And I believe Commissioner Stephen Lee is on his way. 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 Ramatishalone have never ceded, lost, nor forgotten their responsibilities as the 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. We wish to pay our respects by acknowledging the ancestors, elders, and relatives of the Ramatichalone community, and by affirming their sovereign rights as First Peoples. Item number two is the approval of minutes for the February 28th, 2023 Port Commission meeting. I still move. Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed. The minutes have been unanimously approved. Item number three is the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which stands one nation under God. In a visible with liberty and justice for item number four is announcements. Please note that our next meeting will be on April 25th, 2023. Please be advised that the ringing of and use of cell phones and similar sound producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. 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 655 0001 and enter access code 2593 214 3879 pound pound. Then dial star three to be added to the queue for that particular item. An audio prompts 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. Item number five is public comments on items not listed on the agenda. And I would like to remind callers to dial star three if you wish to make public comment. Thank you, Jenica. Is there any public comment on items not listed on the agenda? Seeing none, Corey will give us instructions for our remote participants. Okay, thank you. Public comment is closed. Jenica, next item, please. Item 6A is the executive director's report. Good afternoon, President Brandon, Vice President Adams, Commissioner Gilman, Port staff, and members of the public. I am Elaine Forbes, the Port's Executive Director. We have two recent events that sadly remind us why Earth at April is Earth Month. The winter storm and the very extreme weather and the cancellation of salmon season in California. This is the time to raise our awareness and activate change to protect the health of nature and to overcome our climate crisis. 2023 commercial salmon season has been canceled because of too low number of Chinook salmon offshore.
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