OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

San Francisco Port Commission Meeting - September 17, 2024

Port Commission — Tuesday, September 17, 2024
BodySan Francisco, California
SessionPort Commission
DateTuesday, September 17, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
⇩ GET FROM SOURCE

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Meeting of the San Francisco Commission for September seventeenth, twenty twenty-four.

0:04

Roll call, President Kimberly Brandon.

0:07

Vice President Gail Gilman.

0:09

Present.

0:10

Commissioner Willie Adams.

0:12

Commissioner Stephen Englam.

0:14

Here.

0:14

And Commissioner Stephen Lee.

0:16

Here.

0:17

Item two is the approval of minutes for the August thirteenth, twenty twenty-four port commission meeting.

0:22

So moved.

0:23

Second.

0:24

All in favor.

0:26

Aye.

0:26

Any opposed?

0:28

Motion passes unanimously.

0:30

The minutes of the August thirteenth, twenty twenty-four meetings are adopted.

0:35

Item three is public comment on executive session.

0:39

Is there any public comment on executive session?

0:44

Seeing none.

0:56

Others will wait on mute until their line is open.

0:59

Comments will limp be limited to three minutes per person.

1:02

The queue is now open.

1:03

Please dial star three if you wish to make public comments.

1:14

Next item, please.

1:16

Item four is executive session.

1:18

There are three executive session items.

1:20

One public employee performance evaluation, one conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation, and one conference with legal counsel and real property negotiator as agendized.

1:36

We have a motion and a second.

1:38

All in favor?

1:40

Any opposed?

1:41

The motion passes unanimously.

1:43

We are now in closed session.

1:59:34

SF gov cheesy.

1:59:37

San Francisco government television.

1:59:49

Thank you.

1:59:50

Meeting call to order.

1:59:52

Can I have a motion to not disclose any I I said move that we don't disclose anything that was discussed in closed session?

2:00:02

Second.

2:00:03

We have a motion and a second.

2:00:04

All in favor?

2:00:06

Aye.

2:00:06

Any opposed?

2:00:08

Motion passes unanimously.

2:00:09

We are now in open session.

2:00:11

Item six is the land acknowledgement.

2:00:14

The San Francisco Port Commission acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramatishaloni, who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula.

2:00:23

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.

2:00:38

We recognize that we benefit from living and working on their traditional homeland.

2:00:42

We wish to pay our respects by acknowledging the ancestors, elders, and relatives of the Ramatishalona community, and by affirming their sovereign rights as first peoples.

2:00:52

Item seven is the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:00:58

Congratulations to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, in a visible justice for all.

2:01:17

Item eight is announcements.

2:01:20

Please be advised that the ringing of and use of cell phones and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting.

2:01:28

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.

2:01:36

Public comment must be in respect to the current agenda item.

2:01:40

The commission will take in-person and remote public comment on each item, beginning with commenters in person.

2:01:47

For remote public comment, dial 1415, 655, 000 1, and enter access code 2663 15897, pound pound.

2:02:05

Then dial star three to raise your hand to comment on the item being discussed.

2:02:10

And audio prompts will signal when it is your turn to speak.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████54%
Public Comment███████████13%
Maritime Operations███████8%
Public Engagement██████7%
Port Management█████6%
Climate Adaptation███3%
Labor Relations██2%
Water Resource Management██2%
Land Acknowledgement█1%
Summary of Proceedings

San Francisco Port Commission Meeting - September 17, 2024

The San Francisco Port Commission convened on September 17, 2024, at 9:45 AM (UTC) to handle consent items, hear public comments, and receive informational updates on the waterfront resilience plan and maritime portfolio. The commission held a closed executive session (Item 4) and reconvened, voting unanimously not to disclose any of the executive sessions discussions. All formal votes during the meeting were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

  • Unanimously approved the minutes of the August 13, 2024 meeting.
  • Unanimously approved Resolution 2438 authorizing advertisement for competitive bids for Pier 80 Mooring and Berthing Improvements (Construction Contract No. 2871).
  • Unanimously approved Resolution 2439 consenting to transfer Port Leases L-12839 (Pier 92) and L-1302 (Pier 94) from HBMA Holdings, LLC to Martin Marietta Northern California Aggregates, LLC.
  • Unanimously approved Resolution 2440 amending the Exploratorium lease at Piers 15 and 17 to extend the date by an additional 10 years to commence rehabilitation of Pier 17.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Gary Bauer (Bowers Transportation) described the company's financial struggles during the pandemic, including loss of 40–50% of revenues and commuter service dropping from five days a week to zero. He stated the Port claims approximately $6.4 million is owed, but he believes the amount should be $2–2.5 million after credits, and he asked to be treated fairly. He also noted he has been working with the Port for over 50 months and needs a $2 million sprinkler system to support electric vehicle chargers.
  • Mark Gleason (Teamsters Local 665) expressed support for Bowers Transportation, saying the union represents over 200 workers (many San Francisco residents) and requesting pandemic-related relief similar to what other hospitality businesses received.
  • Evan McLaughlin (ILWU), Mike Mendez, and David Provost spoke on behalf of Alcatraz Cruises workers represented by the Inland Boatmen's Union (IBU). McLaughlin reported six unfair labor practice charges against the company, four strikes over the past months, and delayed bargaining sessions (the last was in July, with the next scheduled for October 2). They read a letter from former Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging the National Park Service to ensure Alcatroz Cruises (via Hornblower Group) negotiates in good faith with the IBU.
  • President Brandon and Vice President Gilman expressed solidarity with the workers and directed Executive Director Elaine Forbes to reach out to Hornblower to help resolve the dispute.

Discussion Items

  • Executive Director’s Report: Elaine Forbes reported on equity initiatives (Foodwise fall pop-ups at the Ferry Building on September 28), economic recovery updates (three bids received for Amador Street Infrastructure Improvement Project; Fisherman's Wharf J9 replacement project dredging nearly complete; Fleet Week scheduled October 7–14), resilience activities (living seawall monitoring with growth of native seaweeds, oysters, barnacles, snails, and sponges; architecture festival panel), and project updates (opening of Mission Verde, a 23-story building with 254 apartments including 59 below-market-rate units; offshore wind progress with a FEMA hazard mitigation grant; Crane Cove Park playground and dog park bids; Ocean Cleanup's return with over one million pounds of trash removed).
  • Item 12A — Portco, Inc. Lease Renewal (360 Jefferson Street): Senior Property Manager Don Kavanaugh presented a proposal to waive competitive bidding and directly negotiate a 5-year renewal with Portco, Inc. (dba Safe Harbor). Staff stated that the tenant has been in place 16.5 years, the current base rent is approximately $3 per square foot (noting the retail space pays $5.75 per square foot including storage), and the proposed percentage rent is 8.75%, above market. Staff concluded a competitive process would not likely produce better results and would risk vacancy. Commissioner Lee voiced full support for the renewal, and no questions or opposition were raised.
  • Item 13A — Draft 2025 Hazards and Climate Resilience Plan: Presented by Melissa Higby (Office of Resilience and Capital Planning). The plan is a citywide action plan addressing 13 natural hazards and contains 74 priority actions (down from 96). The Port is listed as lead agency on actions involving nature-based solutions, shoreline adaptation, and the Embarcadero early projects; it is a partner on many others. The plan carries an estimated $13.5 billion price tag, with hopes for a 65% federal contribution through the Army Corps, leaving a 35% local match. Next steps include public comment in September, submission to Cal OES/FEMA in October, and Board of Supervisors review in spring 2025. Commissioners asked about financial innovation and learning from other cities; staff cited ongoing collaboration through the Resilient Cities Network and with other ports.
  • Item 14A — Maritime Portfolio FY24: Deputy Director Andre Coleman presented highlights: maritime revenues increased 12% over FY23, with cruise and cargo accounting for over 50% of revenues. FY24 saw 95 cruise ship calls (just shy of the record 110), approximately 363,000 passengers (second highest ever), and $6.9 million in passenger revenue. Cargo at Pier 80 increased 2.3%. Ferry ridership rose 19% and water taxi ridership 23%, though still below pre-pandemic levels. Challenges include California Air Resources Board requirements starting January 1, 2025 requiring RORO vessels to plug in unless the facility is under 19 calls annually; Pier 80 currently qualifies as a low-activity facility. Dredging at Fisherman's Wharf occurred for the first time in over 20 years. South Beach Harbor revenues were approximately $5.4 million. The division has 26 full-time employees (about 10% of port staff, as corrected by Vice President Gilman).

Key Outcomes

  • Unanimously approved all consent calendar resolutions (2438, 2439, 2440).
  • Unanimously approved Resolution 2441 authorizing direct negotiations with Portco, Inc. for a 5-year lease renewal.
  • Directed Executive Director Forbes to provide a status update on negotiations with Gary Bauer/Bowers Transportation and to reach out to Hornblower regarding the Alcatraz Cruises labor dispute.
  • Commission agreed to explore a waterside pop-up challenge and to receive a future update on bar pilots.
  • Clarification: The FEMA hazard mitigation grant for offshore wind investigation is $2.7 million with a $900,000 match, totaling $3.6 million (correcting an earlier reference to $4 million).

Meeting Transcript

Meeting of the San Francisco Commission for September seventeenth, twenty twenty-four. Roll call, President Kimberly Brandon. Vice President Gail Gilman. Present. Commissioner Willie Adams. Commissioner Stephen Englam. Here. And Commissioner Stephen Lee. Here. Item two is the approval of minutes for the August thirteenth, twenty twenty-four port commission meeting. So moved. Second. All in favor. Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes unanimously. The minutes of the August thirteenth, twenty twenty-four meetings are adopted. Item three is public comment on executive session. Is there any public comment on executive session? Seeing none. Others will wait on mute until their line is open. Comments will limp be limited to three minutes per person. The queue is now open. Please dial star three if you wish to make public comments. Next item, please. Item four is executive session. There are three executive session items. One public employee performance evaluation, one conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation, and one conference with legal counsel and real property negotiator as agendized. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? Any opposed? The motion passes unanimously. We are now in closed session. SF gov cheesy. San Francisco government television. Thank you. Meeting call to order. Can I have a motion to not disclose any I I said move that we don't disclose anything that was discussed in closed session? Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes unanimously. We are now in open session. Item six is the land acknowledgement. The San Francisco Port Commission acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramatishaloni, 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. 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 Ramatishalona community, and by affirming their sovereign rights as first peoples.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com