San Francisco Port Commission Meeting - April 25, 2023
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San Francisco Port Commission Meeting - April 25, 2023
The Port Commission met on April 25, 2023, from 11:15 AM to 5:53 PM. The meeting included approval of consent items, public comments on Alcatraz Cruises labor issues, informational updates on offshore wind development and the Fisherman's Wharf unsolicited proposal, and a discussion on the future of competitive solicitations.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution 2317: Approved mutual termination agreement with D&G Company dba Lou’s Pier 47 (Lease L-14630 and License 14651) at 300 Jefferson Street.
- Resolution 2318: Approved mutual termination agreement with 340 Jefferson, LLC dba Pompei’s Grotto (Lease L-8986 and License E-13772) at 340 Jefferson Street.
- Resolution 2319: Approved second lease amendment with Andre-Boudin Bakeries, Inc. for the Chowder Hut Restaurant to extend construction deadlines and revise patio improvements.
- Resolution 2320: Approved a development and multi-use lease of Building 49 at 701 Illinois Street (Crane Cove Park) with the YMCA of San Francisco for an initial 10-year term plus options (total up to 34 years), including a fee waiver for a companion license. All consent items were approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Marina Saccatano (Inlandboatmen's Union): Stated that Alcatraz Cruises is not bargaining in good faith, citing 52 days between negotiation sessions. She asked the Commission to demand fair scheduling and good-faith bargaining. Mentioned a rally on May 1.
- Evan McLaughlin (ILWU): Supported the Alcatraz workers, emphasizing that consistent schedules, fair wages, and safe conditions are standard elsewhere. Asked for port support to bring Alcatraz Cruises to the table.
- Tristan Senift (Alcatraz Cruises deckhand): Described deteriorating management-worker relations, lack of on-site managers, and slow negotiations since January 2023. Asked for continued port assistance.
- Francisca DeCosta (Environmental Justice Advocacy): Criticized the port’s focus on development over public trust obligations, maritime users, and pollution remediation. Called for funding for the seawall and cleanup of coal tar contamination.
- Paul Kapuro (Alioto’s restaurant family): Expressed dire conditions at Fisherman’s Wharf (street crime, illegal vending, vacancies) and urged expediting the unsolicited proposal from the “dream team” (Lou Girado, Seth Hamilian, Chris McGarry), stating businesses are “bleeding to death.”
Discussion Items
- Executive Director’s Report (6A): Director Forbes welcomed Commissioner Ed Harrington. Reported on offshore wind opportunities at Piers 80-96, short-term activations for Fisherman’s Wharf (paint, flower baskets, pop-ups), and progress on Piers 30-32 legislation (SB 47). Josh Keene gave a development update: Mission Rock Phase 1 buildings near completion (40% affordable housing, 537 units), Pier 70 in down-market delay but with tenant interest, and pending term sheets for Piers 30-32 and 38-40. Mentioned closing the fire training facility relocation this fiscal year and a $2.8M grant from Speaker Pelosi for YMCA gap funding.
- License with GSW Arena (8A - Informational): Presentation on a proposed 10-year (plus two 5-year options) license for curb spaces and 80 metered parking spaces near Chase Center ($1.5M revenue over initial term, up to $3.5M total). Scheduled for approval on May 9.
- MOU with SF Environment (8B): Approved a 5-year MOU for a building material reuse facility at Seawall Lot 344 (27,502 sq ft paved, 5,766 sq ft unpaved, 3,615 sq ft shed). 6.5% of revenues (~$80,000) set aside for community benefits. Operator selection underway.
- Interagency Cooperation Agreement - TJPA (8C - Informational): Presentation on the Downtown Rail Extension Phase 2. The port will sign the ICA to be reimbursed for staff costs. Approval scheduled for May 9.
- Offshore Wind Update (9A - Informational): Report on AB 525 and California’s goal of 25 GW floating offshore wind by 2045. Port staff identified Pier 96 (25 acres), Pier 80, and Pier 68 as possible support sites. Early engagements with developers (Cadmus) underway.
- Fisherman’s Wharf Unsolicited Proposal (10A - Informational): Presentation on a proposal from Fisherman’s Wharf Revitalized (led by Lou Girado, Seth Hamilian, Chris McGarry) to lease Triangle Lot and Pier 45 Sheds A and C. Three community meetings were held (avg. 30 people each). Key public input: prioritize fishing industry, protect the valley, concerns about short-term residential (Prop H), and need for revitalization. Commission discussion centered on the sole-source process. Commissioner Harrington questioned the lack of a competitive process; Commissioners Gilman, Lee, and President Brandon expressed openness to the proposal given the wharf’s crisis and the team’s track record. Staff will present to the Board of Supervisors for a sole-source determination before any exclusive negotiation agreement (ENA).
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar Items (Resolutions 2317-2320): Unanimously adopted.
- Item 8B (Resolution 2322): Unanimously adopted; MOU with SF Environment approved.
- Items 8A, 8C, 9A, 10A: No action taken; informational items to return for future decisions (May 9 for 8A and 8C).
- New Business: Commission directed staff to return with an informational session after the building reuse operator selection and after the Board of Supervisors acts on the Fisherman’s Wharf sole-source request. Also discussed reviewing delegation authority for interdepartmental agreements and revenue thresholds.
Meeting Transcript
Brandon. Here. Commissioner Gail Gilman. Present. Commissioner Ed Harrington. Here. Commissioner Stephen Lee. Here. Vice President Adams is absent today. The San Francisco Port Commission acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homelands 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, or 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 Rama Tishalone community, and by affirming their sovereign rights as first peoples. Item two is the approval of minutes for the April 11th, 2023 Court Commission meeting. I Samov second. Any questions or comments? All in favor? Aye. Aye. The minutes of the April 11th, 2023 meeting have been approved. Item three is the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which stands one nation under God with liberty and justice for all item four is announcements. 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 comments must be in respect to the current agenda item. The commission will take in-person and remote public comments on each item, beginning with commenters in person. For remote public comment, dial 1415, 655 0001, and enter access code 2590 591749, pound pound. Then dial star three to raise your hand to comment on the item being discussed. 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. Item number five is public comment on items not listed on the agenda. And I'd like to remind callers to dial star three if you wish to make public comment. Thank you, Jenica. I have three speaker cards. Marina. Good afternoon, President Brandon and Commissioners. Marina Saccatano and Lomboatman Union. I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak. We're here today to update you on our negotiations with Alcatraz cruises. We won the election in October, and uh to date we've only had five meetings with the company. At our last meeting, April 3rd, we proposed 10 days in April. Eleven days later, they reported they could not meet until May 25th, which is 52 days between sessions. We don't believe that's bargaining in good faith. Our members are working without consistent schedules, only notified a week at a time. They don't get two consecutive days off. They work without overtime or double time for over nine days straight. And we believe this is an exploitation of the workers, and we're not going to tolerate this. You know, this is one of the most lucrative contracts in the nation.
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