San Francisco Port Commission Meeting - May 9, 2023
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San Francisco Port Commission Meeting - May 9, 2023
Introductory Paragraph
The San Francisco Port Commission held a regular meeting on May 9, 2023, chaired by President Kimberly Brandon. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including the executive director's report, consent calendar approvals, a proposed sole-source grant to the Fisherman's Wharf Community Benefits District, strategies to address food and beverage and retail vacancies, the Port's 10-year capital plan, and a proposed public art program. Commissioners also discussed the departure of a key staff member, Rebecca Benissini.
Consent Calendar
- Item 7A: Approved Resolution 2323 authorizing an interagency cooperation agreement with the Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA) for port staff work and reimbursement related to Phase 2 of the Transbay Program. Unanimous.
- Item 7B: Approved Resolution 2324 granting License 17036 to GSW Arena LLC for 624 linear feet of white zone, 337 linear feet of yellow zone, and 80 metered parking spaces on game and special event dates around Chase Center for a 10-year term with two five-year options to extend, subject to Board of Supervisors approval. Unanimous.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 8A (Sole Source Grant): Tom Creedon, owner of Scoma's restaurant, expressed skepticism about the Fisherman's Wharf CBD as the grant administrator, noting that some port-side tenants voted out the CBD in 2020 due to dissatisfaction with services. He described the wharf as "a war zone" and said his business is "hanging on by our fingernails." No other public comments were made on any agenda items.
Discussion Items
- Executive Director's Report (Elaine Forbes): Forbes provided updates on the Fisherman's Wharf sole source proposal, noting that after the April 25 hearing, staff decided to issue a Request for Interest (RFI) for 30 days to gauge other interest before proceeding. She reported that SailGP attracted an estimated 15,000 spectators over the weekend and nearly 1,000 people daily at Pier 80. Building 12 at Pier 70 is being activated with new local businesses. Juneteenth on the Waterfront will expand this year with a parade down Market Street. The Port is a leader in resilience, having secured $425 million through Prop A for the seawall. The Pier 30-32 legislation is moving through the Senate, and the Port will delay action on the Pier 94 COVID emergency trailers to work with HSH on relocation. Forbes then acknowledged the departure of Rebecca Benissini, Deputy Director of Real Estate and Development, with numerous staff and commissioners expressing gratitude for her leadership. Commissioners Gilman and Harrington emphasized the need for nimble activation and cooperation on homelessness.
- Item 8A (Sole Source Grant to Fisherman's Wharf CBD): Megan Wallace (Economic Recovery Manager) and Amy Cohen (Business Generation Manager) presented a proposal to award a $2,188,446 sole-source grant to the Fisherman's Wharf Community Benefits District (CBD) for a two-year public space activation program using federal stimulus funds. The program includes cleaning, safety ambassadors, beautification, and pop-up events at vacant sites like the former Alioto's. The Port would waive license fees for related events. Commissioners expressed broad support but raised concerns about past tenant dissatisfaction, perception of safety, and the need to target local visitors. Commissioner Lee and Vice President Adams highlighted the importance of local marketing and younger audience engagement. Commissioner Harrington suggested flexibility in the budget. The item will return as an action item on June 13, 2023, with a six-month progress report requested.
- Item 8B (Strategies to Address Vacancies): Rebecca Benissini presented strategies to fill food & beverage and retail vacancies. The Port faces up to seven potential solicitations in 2023, compared to six during 2012-2021. Strategies include using brokers from a pre-qualified city pool, short-term activations through pop-ups, reducing barriers (e.g., Chapter 6 exemption), and adopting flexible criteria for tenant selection. Commissioners recommended short-term broker agreements, focusing on local equity criteria, and accelerating short-term activations. Commissioner Lee emphasized the need for speed and avoiding tenant displacement later due to infrastructure repairs. Commissioner Gilman urged giving more weight to equity in scoring.
- Item 9A (10-Year Capital Plan FY2024-2033): Nate Cruz (Acting Deputy Director of Finance) presented the capital plan. The total need over 10 years is $4.2 billion ($2.24 billion for state of good repair and $1.9 billion for enhancements). Identified funding totals $590 million for state of good repair and $1.2 billion for enhancements, leaving a combined gap of about $2.36 billion. Funding sources include port net revenue ($386 million), external grants, infrastructure financing districts (IFD), community facilities districts (CFD), and developer investments. The plan does not yet include the full cost of sea-level rise resilience. Commissioners noted the large funding gap and requested a future informational item on the city's approach to sea-level rise. Commissioner Lee questioned priorities regarding vacant restaurant spaces and underlying pier infrastructure.
- Item 10A (Public Art Program): Ryan Wassom presented a draft public art program to guide selection and placement of public art along the waterfront. The program establishes three selection processes: open call (for funded projects), direct selection (for projects under $129,000), and artist-sponsored proposals (unsolicited). Maintenance and ownership vary depending on funding source. The program aims to increase transparency and diversity. Commissioners Harrington and Adams emphasized prioritizing local artists. The program will be put on the Port website and reviewed after one year.
- New Business: President Brandon noted that a six-month progress report on the CBD grant will be brought to the commission, and a one-year informational item will be scheduled. Commissioner Lee requested updates on linking cruise ship passengers to Port tenants, an update on Pier 70 developments, and an update on illegal vending on the waterfront. Executive Director Forbes agreed to follow up.
Key Outcomes
- Unanimous approvals on Consent Calendar Items 7A and 7B.
- No formal votes on informational items (8A, 8B, 9A, 10A); decisions deferred to future meetings.
- Action expected June 13, 2023: Commission to vote on the sole-source grant to Fisherman's Wharf CBD (Item 8A).
- Next steps: Staff will issue an RFI for Fisherman's Wharf development, bring back findings in July; return with action on the grant in June; continue working with HSH on Pier 94 relocation; schedule a future informational item on sea-level rise with city partners; and provide updates on cruise ship connections, Pier 70, and vending issues.
Meeting Transcript
This is a meeting of the San Francisco Port Commission for May 9th, 2023. Roll call. President Kimberly Brandon. Here. Vice President Willie Adams. Commissioner Gail Gilman. Present. Commissioner Ed Harrington. Here. And Commissioner Stephen Lee. Here. 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 Ramatushaloni 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 Ramatushalone community, and by affirming their sovereign rights as first peoples. Item two is the approval of minutes for the April 25th, 2023 Port Commission meeting. So moved. Second. Thank you. Any comments or questions regarding the minutes? All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. The minutes have been approved. Next item, please, Jenica. Item three is the Pledge of Allegiance. A pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America 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 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 2592027424 pound pound. Then dial star three to raise your hand to comment on the item being discussed. 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 comment on items not listed on the agenda. Thank you, Jenica. I just want to note that our screens are not on. Are they supposed to be? Are they supposed to be working? Yes. Yes, they are. If you could hold, please. Oh. We have to turn them on. Just turn them on.
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