San Francisco Port Commission Meeting - December 10, 2024

The Port Commission met on December 10, 2024, at 11:15 AM to review the year-end report, approve consent items, discuss amendments to the General Plan and BCDC Special Area Plan, and authorize agreements with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Waterfront Coastal Flood Study. The meeting also included a retirement tribute and public comments on unpaid subcontractor work.

Consent Calendar

• 8A – Approved market rent structure for a new 5-year lease at 360 Jefferson Street with Portco Inc. DBA Safe Harbor (initial base rent $3/sq ft/month + 8.75% percentage rent). Resolution 2456.
• 8B – Awarded Construction Contract No. 2852R (Amador Street Infrastructure Improvements) to JMB Construction Inc. for $10,236,543, with a 10% contingency ($1,023,654), total not to exceed $11,260,197. Resolution 2457.
• 8C – Awarded Professional Service Contract 1000034740 (Herons Head Park Biological and Physical Monitoring) to Environmental Science Associates for $679,232. Resolution 2458.
• 8E – Approved retroactive no-fee license with Kayaks Unlimited for 3,467 sq ft of paved land and 8,395 sq ft of park open space at Islais Creek Landing, term 10 years from July 1, 2020, with two 5-year options. Resolution 2460.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tracy Zoo (Board President, Kayaks Unlimited) expressed support for the Kayaks Unlimited lease (8E), highlighting the club’s mission to provide affordable kayaking access and stewardship of Islais Creek Park, and noted diverse community groups served.
• Reva Murphy (RMA – Riva Murphy Associates, woman-owned LBE) spoke during public comment on non-agenda items, stating she was not paid $111,000 for completed work on Building A at Mission Rock Campus. She alleged that general contractors Swinerton and F.D. Thomas ignored requests and issued a deductive change order of $99,000, effectively wiping out her final payment. She requested the Commission’s help in resolving the dispute.

Discussion Items

• Executive Director’s Report (7A): Elaine Forbes presented the Port’s 2024 year-end report. Key statistics: 280 staff managing 7.5 miles of waterfront; 91 cruise calls with 365,000 passengers; 1.4 million visitors to Alcatraz; 10–12 million visitors to Pier 39; 400+ tenants; 33 new leases; $143 million in port revenue; $105 million in grant funding; $2 billion capital backlog. Highlights included the opening of Bayfront Park and China Basin Park, 357 homes at Mission Rock (30% affordable), and $55 million for ferry electrification. Forbes also announced the retirement of Phil Williamson after 28 years; multiple staff and commissioners praised his contributions.
• Item 8D (Travel to Paris): Forbes recommended pulling this item from consent due to the mayor’s travel ban. The item would authorize staff to deliver 48 pieces of lost art (Archie Lokakoff) to a Paris museum, engage with Port of Le Havre, and research placemaking. After discussion, commissioners tabled the item to a future meeting, with consensus to seek a waiver for one staff member and explore museum-funded travel for another.
• Item 9A (Waterfront Plan Amendments): Diane Oshima presented an informational update on interagency work with the San Francisco Planning Department and BCDC to align the General Plan, Planning Code, and Waterfront Special Area Plan with the Port’s 2023 Waterfront Plan. Key focus: amending the 50% rule in Fisherman’s Wharf to allow uses consistent with the Burton Act, and amending the Exploratorium’s fill removal requirement to instead provide a public education program on sea level rise. Next steps: BCDC Commission action expected in February/March 2025.
• Item 10A (Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement Amendment 3): Kelly Capone (Waterfront Resilience Program) requested authorization to amend the Army Corps of Engineers cost-sharing agreement, adding $3.2 million (total study cost $19.2 million, 50/50 cost share) and extending the study duration by 12 months (total 8 years 2 months). The amendment includes an accelerated funding clause. Resolution 2461.
• Item 10B (MOU with Army Corps of Engineers): Steven Real (Waterfront Resilience Program) presented a Section 221 in-kind MOU to allow the Port to advance design and construction of coastal flood defenses (Downtown and South Beach Coastal Resilience Projects) before congressional authorization, preserving eligibility for future federal credit. The MOU does not commit the Port to expenditures. Resolution 2462.
• Item 10C (Wharf J9 Replacement Project Contract Modification): Chris Horiuchi requested authorization to modify Construction Contract No. 2861 for Phase 1 (float and gangway) to extend the substantial completion date by 105 days (to February 14, 2025) and increase the contract value by $300,000 (to $4.2 million) for additional pile repairs at Wharf J8. The work is being performed by LBE Yerba Buena Engineering & Construction. Resolution 2463.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar (excluding 8D): Resolutions 2456, 2457, 2458, and 2460 adopted unanimously.
• Item 8D: Tabled to a future meeting; staff directed to seek a waiver for one traveler and explore alternative funding.
• Item 10A: Resolution 2461 adopted unanimously.
• Item 10B: Resolution 2462 adopted unanimously.
• Item 10C: Resolution 2463 adopted unanimously.
• Public Comment (non-agenda): President Brandon directed Executive Director Forbes to work with Reva Murphy to resolve the unpaid subcontractor issue and report back to the Commission.
• New Business: Commissioner Adams suggested arranging a photo with outgoing Mayor London Breed before her term ends; staff will attempt to coordinate.