OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

San Francisco Port Commission Regular Meeting – November 25, 2024

Port Commission — Monday, November 25, 2024
BodySan Francisco, California
SessionPort Commission
DateMonday, November 25, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

For November twenty fifth, twenty twenty-four.

0:02

Roll call, President Kimberly Brandon.

0:05

Vice President Gail Gilman.

0:07

Present.

0:08

Commissioner Willie Adams.

0:10

Here.

0:10

Commissioner Stephen English.

0:12

Here.

0:12

And Commissioner Stephen Lee.

0:15

Item two is the approval of minutes for the October eighth, twenty twenty-four court commission meeting.

0:20

So move.

0:21

Second.

0:22

We have a motion and a second.

0:24

All in favor.

0:26

Aye.

0:26

Any opposed?

0:28

Motion passes unanimously.

0:29

The minutes of the October eighth, two thousand twenty-four meeting are adopted.

0:34

Item three is public comment on executive session.

0:38

Is there any public comment on executive session?

0:46

Let me open the lines.

0:55

Others will wait on mute until their line is open.

0:58

Comments will 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 comment.

1:07

At this time, there are no callers for public comment.

1:14

Item four is executive session.

1:16

There is one executive session item.

1:25

Second.

1:00:22

SF Gov TV.

1:00:25

San Francisco Government Television.

1:01:27

S of Gouv Cheesy.

1:01:30

San Francisco Government Television.

1:05:04

Closed session.

1:05:05

Second.

1:05:06

We have a motion and a second.

1:05:08

All in favor?

1:05:08

Aye.

1:05:09

Motion passes unanimously.

1:05:11

We are now an open session.

1:05:13

Item six is the land acknowledgement.

1:05:16

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

1:05:26

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.

1:05:40

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

1:05:45

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

1:05:54

Item seven is the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:06:10

Under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:06:20

Item eight is announcements.

1:06:22

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

1:06:30

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.

1:06:38

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

1:06:42

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

1:06:48

For remote public comment, dial 1415 65501, and enter access code 2663 9801404 pound pound.

1:07:04

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

1:07:08

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

1:07:13

If you are watching this meeting on SFGov TV, there is a short broadcasting delay.

1:07:17

To not miss your chance to comment, please dial when the item you want to comment on is announced.

1:07:22

Mute your device and listen to the meeting from your telephone, which has no delay.

1:07:27

Item nine is public comment on items not listed on the agenda.

1:07:32

Is there any public comment on items not listed on the agenda?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████████████34%
Water Resource Management██████████████████18%
Procurement████████████12%
Public Works█████████9%
Public Comment█████████9%
Economic Development██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure███3%
Land Acknowledgement██2%
Public Education██2%
Summary of Proceedings

San Francisco Port Commission Regular Meeting – November 25, 2024

The Port Commission met on Monday, November 25, 2024, at 9:45 AM, convened by President Kimberly Brandon. The meeting spanned approximately 7 hours, concluding at 4:54 PM. Commissioners present: President Brandon, Vice President Gail Gilman, Willie Adams, Stephen English, and Stephen Lee. The agenda covered routine approvals, a major waterfront resilience contracting strategy, a bond issuance, maritime dredging industry analysis, and an economic recovery update. Public comment periods were held on each item but no members of the public spoke.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 11A (Resolution 2452): Retroactively approved travel for Commissioners to Boston, Massachusetts (October 27–30, 2024) to attend the American Association of Port Authorities Annual Convention. Approved unanimously.
  • Item 11B (Resolution 2453): Adopted the 2025 Port Commission calendar, setting meeting dates outside the regular second-Tuesday schedule (including fourth Tuesdays in February and April). Approved unanimously.

Executive Director’s Report

  • Elaine Forbes reported on equity (Native American Heritage Month, student programs), economic recovery (Welcome Center opening, $1.43 million grant for Fisherman’s Wharf beautification, Foodwise Black Holiday Market), resilience (World Economic Forum tour, King Tides partnership with Exploratorium), and key projects:
    • Bayfront Park (5.4 acres) opened near Chase Center.
    • EPA Clean Ports Grant of $55 million awarded for zero-emission ferry network (first electrified 400-passenger ferry, downtown terminal electrification, Mission Bay Ferry Landing, workforce development).
    • Joint project with Mayor Breed to redesign Embarcadero Plaza (Port owns a portion of the property).
    • Crane Cove Park dog park and play area expected completion September 2025.
    • Pier 23 and Pier 27 repairs underway.
  • Commissioners commended staff, particularly for the EPA grant and improved public spaces.

Discussion Items

12A – Waterfront Resilience Program Contracting Strategy (Informational)

  • Brad Benson presented a proposed shift from a single program management contract (Jacobs, since 2017) to multiple contracts:
    • A new Program Advisory Services Contract (5-year, $40 million, with a 5-year extension option) to manage program oversight, environmental clearance, cost estimating, and hazardous materials.
    • Three design contracts for early projects (e.g., Pier 15/9 seawall, South Beach).
    • Two large planning/design contracts for the Army Corps draft plan: Southern Waterfront (up to 10 years, $50 million) and Northern Waterfront (up to 10 years, $65 million), incorporating the Downtown Coastal Resilience Project.
  • Staff highlighted a funding gap of $742 million through FY2029–2030, to be filled by bonds, city contributions, Proposition 4 (California climate bond), and potential federal authorization in 2026.
  • Commissioners expressed support for the staged approach, collaboration with city agencies, and robust public engagement. Commissioner Adams urged bipartisan federal lobbying; Commissioner Lee questioned design lifespan (50+ years) and requested priority for northern waterfront infrastructure to help small businesses.

12B – Authorization to Advertise RFP for Program Advisory Services (Resolution 2454)

  • Staff requested approval to advertise a 5-year, $40 million contract (with extension option) for program advisory services. The contract will support management, Army Corps interface, environmental compliance, communications, funding advocacy, workforce development, and real estate coordination.
  • Commissioner Gilman asked about conflict-of-interest provisions for bidders; staff confirmed that consultants cannot review their own designs and that the City Attorney is consulted. The resolution was approved unanimously.

12C – Third Bond Issuance of $124 Million (Resolution 2455)

  • Carlos Cologne presented the request to issue $124 million of 2018 Proposition A (Embarcadero Seawall Earthquake Safety) bonds. Previous bond sales: first ($49.7 million, nearly exhausted), second (2023, $14.2 million spent, remaining $21 million for design contracts). This third sale funds program advisory services, early projects, and the Army Corps Flood Study over the next 2.5 years.
  • Commissioner Lee questioned the high planning cost ($124 million) with no construction until 2027; staff noted that all expenditures are for planning and design. Commissioner Adams inquired about port labor costs. The resolution was approved unanimously.

13A – Maritime Dredging & Construction RFI (Informational)

  • Elizabeth Alexander Toot presented results of a survey and Request for Interest (RFI) to assess LBE and other firm capabilities for dredging and marine construction.
  • Key findings:
    • Shallow dredging: 1 LBE has performed from barge; 2 LBEs from shoreline; 2 LBEs do professional services (e.g., hydrographic surveying).
    • Deep water dredging: only 3 non-LBE firms identified (2 with local equipment); all face staffing challenges due to short dredge windows (June 15 – November 30).
    • Marine construction: 2 LBEs have done pile driving; 5 other certified firms have related experience.
  • Barriers: small project sizes, jurisdictional certification requirements, lack of equipment and insurance for LBEs.
  • Staff recommended: (1) publish expected requirements and pathways, (2) advertise an “as-needed” general construction contract for shallow/deep dredging, (3) later establish an “as-needed” marine construction contract series (with task-order bidding) to create stepping stones for LBEs.
  • Commissioners discussed coordination with other Bay Area ports, equipment rentals as LBE credit, and using principal experience (not just firm) for qualifications. Vice President Gilman suggested exploring cooperative contracting with other ports.

14A – Economic Recovery Efforts (Informational)

  • Megan Wallace reported that Port revenues have exceeded pre-pandemic levels, but expenses continue to grow. Focus areas:
    • Waterfront Walk: Signage system RFP in early 2025; installation spring 2025.
    • Southern Waterfront: Pilot community-driven activation, demolition of Pier 90 grain silos and Pier 96 cranes, Amador Street improvements, new truck and two staff for maintenance.
    • Fisherman’s Wharf: Gateway transformation (pergolas, planters, seating) has improved illegal vending issues; two new leases expected at 300 and 340 Jefferson Street; Wharf J9 gangway/float for off-boat fish sales.
  • Commissioners praised the gateway makeover and suggested technology-enhanced wayfinding (citing New York examples). Commissioner Lee requested a future meeting with local fishermen and proposed pop-up leases for vacant spaces.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar: Resolutions 2452 and 2453 adopted unanimously.
  • Resolution 2454 (Advertise RFP for $40M contract): Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 2455 (Third bond issuance of $124M): Approved unanimously.
  • No votes on informational items (12A, 13A, 14A), but staff directed to proceed with planned next steps: present a detailed funding plan in early 2025, bring back contract awards for approval, and continue coordination with city departments and other ports.
  • New Business: Vice President Gilman requested updates on Wharf J9 project and Cal Maritime/Cal Poly merger opportunities. Commissioner Lee requested a site visit with fishermen (to be scheduled in early 2025 after Chinese New Year).
  • Meeting adjourned at 4:54 PM.

Meeting Transcript

For November twenty fifth, twenty twenty-four. Roll call, President Kimberly Brandon. Vice President Gail Gilman. Present. Commissioner Willie Adams. Here. Commissioner Stephen English. Here. And Commissioner Stephen Lee. Item two is the approval of minutes for the October eighth, twenty twenty-four court commission meeting. So move. Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor. Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes unanimously. The minutes of the October eighth, two thousand twenty-four meeting are adopted. Item three is public comment on executive session. Is there any public comment on executive session? Let me open the lines. 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 dial star three if you wish to make public comment. At this time, there are no callers for public comment. Item four is executive session. There is one executive session item. Second. SF Gov TV. San Francisco Government Television. S of Gouv Cheesy. San Francisco Government Television. Closed session. Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Motion passes unanimously. We are now an open session. Item six is the land acknowledgement. The San Francisco Port Commission acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramatushaloni, 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 Ramatushaloni community and by affirming their sovereign rights as first peoples. Item seven is the Pledge of Allegiance. Under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Item eight 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.

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