San Francisco Port Commission Meeting - February 11, 2025
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San Francisco Port Commission Meeting - February 11, 2025
The meeting began at 10:15 a.m. and covered the Executive Director's report, acceptance of the Mission Rock Phase One infrastructure and management agreements, a public works code amendment to streamline permitting, and a presentation of the 10-year capital plan. Resolutions were adopted for three consent and real estate items, and new business included requests for future updates on Pier 45 development, broker leasing progress, and Ferry Building equity.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes – January 14, 2025 (Item 2): Moved, seconded, and unanimously approved.
- Item 11A – Pier 94/96 Seismic Improvements Design RFP (Resolution 25-04): Authorized staff to advertise a request for proposals for design services related to emergency response staging. Unanimously adopted.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 3 – Public Comment on Executive Session: No comments from the room or phone.
- Item 9 – Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items: No callers; a letter from Marina Saccatano (ILWU) was read thanking the Commission for supporting the Alcatraz ferry workers' labor agreement, ratified January 23, 2024, after 47 sessions, four strikes, and a year-long wage complaint.
- Item 10A – Executive Director's Report: One caller (Greg Champeau) withdrew their question; no other callers.
- Items 11A, 12A, 12B, 13A: No public callers.
Discussion Items
Executive Director's Report (Item 10A)
- Values and Federal Context: Director Elaine Forbes stated the Port will not abandon its values despite pressure from the new administration; it will instead focus on resilience, economic vitality, and equity. She noted the hiring freeze has been partially lifted with 16 positions approved, supporting key projects.
- Fisherman's Wharf Promenade: Presented a redesign (welcome plaza, dining area, play zones, lighting, Ferris wheel) that helped Fisherman's Wharf become San Francisco's most visited location in 2024 (80% of visitors from outside the area). The pop-up program and coordination with the Community Benefits District were highlighted.
- Dog Patch YMCA: Announced the opening of the first new YMCA in San Francisco in 30 years, located in Crane Cove Park, with a ribbon-cutting planned for May.
- Equity: February is Black History Month; the Port's REACH (Racial Equity Action) plan continues to address pay inequity and deepen leadership training.
- Resilience & Key Projects: Tour of Pier 94 wetlands for living shorelines; Seawall Lot 321 and 349 safety lighting projects.
- Commissioner Comments: Commissioners Englem, Lee, Gilman, and Brandon praised the report, emphasizing the importance of values, data-driven economic messaging, and the need to advocate federally for resilience funding (e.g., Army Corps seawall project).
Mission Rock – Acceptance and Management Agreements (Item 12A)
- Presentation: Wyatt Donnelly-Landall (Port Waterfront Development Manager) presented the acceptance of Phase One infrastructure (China Basin Park, Paseos, streets, utilities) and five related agreements: Park Lease & Loan, Paseos Management Agreement, PG&E gas/electric licenses, Mission Rock Utilities license, and a sponsorship for commemorative pavers (funded by SF Giants). The total Phase One budget is ~$218 million, on target; LBE participation stands at 18% ($170M awarded). A $300,000/year (up to $800,000) Rec Park loan will support early park operations.
- Discussion: Commissioner Lee asked about food truck opportunities and activation; staff noted planned events and retail progress (70% leased). Vice President Gilman inquired about the paver program; a Giants representative explained the first phase will reinstall legacy tiles, and later phases will market to the public with long-term maintenance commitment.
- Vote: Unanimously adopted Resolutions 25-05 and 25-06.
Public Works Code Amendment (Item 12B)
- Presentation: Paul Chazman (Port Engineering) proposed amending the Public Works Code to designate the Port as the sole permitting entity for minor encroachments (café tables, merchandise displays, creative sidewalk activations) on certain City‑accepted Port streets (Mission Rock, Pier 70, and a portion of 23rd Street in the Potrero Power Station district). This eliminates the need for applicants to obtain both a Public Works permit and a Port license, streamlining the process.
- Discussion: Commissioners Englem, Lee, Gilman, and Brandon supported the one-stop-shop approach. Commissioner Lee contrasted it with the burdensome COVID-era parklet process. Staff noted the pilot could later expand.
- Vote: Unanimously adopted Resolution 25-07.
10-Year Capital Plan (Item 13A)
- Presentation: Megan Wallace (Interim Deputy Director of Finance & Administration) presented the FY2026-2035 Capital Plan. Total needs: $6.1 billion ($2.6B state of good repair, $3.5B enhancements). Funding gaps: $1.9B for state of good repair, $680M for enhancements ($2.6B total shortfall). Internal sources include Port capital and tenant obligations ($354M); external sources include grants, regional measures, and financing tools ($3.2B). The waterfront resilience program (up to $3B with USACE) is not fully reflected in the 10-year window. Recent accomplishments: China Basin Park, Heron's Head Park, Pier 70 improvements.
- Discussion: Commissioner Englem urged framing the gap in terms of economic risk (tourism: $9B/year, 200M visitors). Commissioner Lee noted the need to prioritize critical assets. Vice President Gilman tied capital needs to public safety and economic vitality. President Brandon asked for follow-up meetings to discuss questions.
- Outcome: Informational item; no vote required.
New Business (Item 14)
- President Brandon requested an update on the "butterfly space."
- Commissioner Lee asked for updates on broker progress for leases (including litigation status) and a tour of fishing operations.
- Vice President Gilman requested an informational presentation from Ferry Building partners on equity programs for vendors, citing concerns about turnover of small/local operators.
- Commissioner Lee requested a progress report on Pier 45 development.
Key Outcomes
- Resolutions Adopted:
- Resolution 25-04 (Pier 94/96 Seismic Improvements RFP) – unanimous.
- Resolutions 25-05 & 25-06 (Mission Rock Phase One acceptance and agreements) – unanimous.
- Resolution 25-07 (Public Works Code amendment for streamlined encroachment permits) – unanimous.
- Informational Items: 10-Year Capital Plan received for review; commissioners to schedule follow-up.
- Future Actions: Staff to report back on: butterfly space update, lease broker progress, Ferry Building equity program, and Pier 45 developer progress.
Meeting Transcript
This is a meeting of the San Francisco Port Commissioner. Commission for February eleventh, twenty twenty-five. We'll call President Kimberly Ban Brandon. Here. Commissioner Stephen Englom. Present. Commissioner Stephen Lee. Approval of minutes for the January 14th, twenty twenty five port commission meeting. So moved. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? I motion passes unanimously. Public comment on executive session. Is there any public comment on executive session? Seeing that in the room. Others will wait on mute until their line is open. Comments will be limited to three minutes per person. Please dial start three if you wish to make public comments. And at this time, there are no callers for public comments. All in favor. Audiovisual is over there. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? We are now in open session. Thank you. The next item on the agenda is the Ramatusholone land acknowledgement. The San Francisco Port Commission acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramatushalone, who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula. As the indigenous stewards of this land and in accordance with their traditions, the Ramatushalone 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 Ramatushaalone community, and by affirming their sovereign rights as first peoples. Next item on the agenda is the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which you stand, one nation, under God, indivisible Liberty and Justice for All. Thank you. Item 8 on the agenda is announcements. Please be advised that the ringing of and the use of cell phones and similar sound producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. The member of the public has up to three minutes to make public comment 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 1 415 65501 and enter access code 2664 532 9616 pound pound. Then dial star three to raise your hand to comment on the item being discussed. An audio vis 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. Do 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 nine is public comment on items not listed on the agenda. Is there any public comment on items not listed on the agenda? See none. Do we have anyone on the phone?
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