San Francisco Port Commission Meeting - February 25, 2025
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San Francisco Port Commission Meeting - February 25, 2025
The San Francisco Port Commission held its regular meeting on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 11:15 AM. President Kimberly Brandon presided, with Vice President Gail Gilman, and Commissioners Willie Adams, Stephen Englum, and Stephen Lee present. The meeting began with a land acknowledgement recognizing the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone, followed by approval of the minutes from February 11, 2025, and procedural announcements. The agenda included the Executive Director's report, a consent calendar, a proposed lease for a Fisherman's Wharf restaurant, and new business items.
Executive Director's Report
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Economic Vitality: The Port successfully hosted the MBA All-Star Tournament and Lunar New Year celebrations, drawing thousands of visitors. Staff coordinated with security and SFPD to ensure a safe, clean, and vibrant waterfront. Forthcoming events include the 47th Lunar New Year Run (March 2) benefiting the Chinatown YMCA (serving 1,600 youth), and the Sail GP global sailing championship (March 22-23) featuring the Inspire Learning program (60 children per day) teaching sailing and STEM. Fisherman's Wharf progress was showcased during a February 18 tour with the Mayor's Office. The Port's 10-year capital plan was presented; Commissioner Englum provided refinements, and a final version will be brought for approval on March 11, 2025.
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Equity: The Black Digital Art Collection Collective, in partnership with Hudson Properties, opened an art exhibit on the second floor of the Ferry Building, aimed at connecting diverse small businesses with contracting opportunities.
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Offshore Wind: Assistant Port Director Michael Martin attended a conference in Long Beach with Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and California Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild, reaffirming the state's goal of 25 gigawatts of floating offshore wind energy. The Port expressed interest in pursuing investments and capital upgrades to prepare marine terminals for offshore wind development.
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Write-Off Policy: Pursuant to Resolution 22-11, a report summarizing three accounts recommended for write-off was provided for a 30-day review period.
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Staff Updates: Director Forbes reported the passing of former Commissioner Francis X. (FX) Crowley on February 11, 2025, who served on the Port Commission from 2010-2012 and contributed to the Maritime Preservation Policy.
Commissioners commented on the report: Commissioner Lee inquired about ferry connectivity to Chase Center; Commissioner Englum highlighted the $350 million economic impact of the MBA event and 10,000 attendees, urging staff to better communicate such metrics; Vice President Gilman praised equity initiatives and the Port's role as an enterprise department; President Brandon commended staff for event execution and noted the offshore wind opportunity; Commissioner Adams offered no comments.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution 2508 (7A): Authorization to issue a Request for Qualifications for as-needed environmental and planning services for up to three contracts, each not to exceed $6 million, with a 5-year term and creation of a 2-year pre-qualified pool.
- Resolution 2509 (7B): Authorization to issue a Request for Qualifications for as-needed engineering and related services for up to four contracts, each not to exceed $5 million, with a 5-year term and creation of a 2-year pre-qualified pool.
- Resolution 2510 (7C): Authorization to advertise competitive bids for Construction Contract No. 2878, Mission Bay Ferry Landing Phase 2A (marine demolition and mattress), with an anticipated contract amount of $8.5 million.
- All three resolutions were approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
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Greg Champot (remote caller, non-agenda public comment): Requested an update on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' draft San Francisco flood study and asked about the impact of sea-level horizon planning guidelines (RSAP) issued by BCDC and the California Coastal Commission. The Commission noted the item was not on the agenda but indicated a future update would be provided.
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Rebecca Groves (in-person, consent calendar public comment): A resident of Dog Patch, board member of the Green Benefit District, and active member of the Dog Patch Neighborhood Association, she expressed gratitude for the Port's new facilities (Crane Cove Park, public restrooms, YMCA, Dog Patch Paddle). However, she voiced serious concern about the planned location of the high-speed ferry terminal within 200 feet of the Agua Vista Public Fishing Pier and less than a quarter-mile from Crane Cove's on-water recreation area. She urged the Commission to consider relocation to Pier 54 (recently vacated) as a safer alternative that would avoid endangering paddlers, preserve fishing access, restore an existing Bayfill structure, and provide commercial opportunities. She requested a safety and feasibility assessment of the Pier 54 alternative before proceeding with construction. President Brandon offered to connect Ms. Groves with Planning Director David Beaupre for further discussion.
Real Estate & Development: Proposed Lease with Everett & Jones BBQ
Presentation: Senior Property Manager Don Kavanaugh described the competitive process for 300 Jefferson Street (formerly Lou's Crab Shack) — a two-story restaurant space of approximately 4,363 square feet. Maven Commercial issued over 2,000 email solicitations, conducted 35 tours, and received five viable letters of intent. An evaluation panel of two Port staff and an outside consultant unanimously selected Everett & Jones BBQ.
Business Profile: Everett & Jones is a well-known, Black-owned barbecue restaurant with locations in Oakland (Jack London Square) and Antioch, offering live music and a community-oriented atmosphere.
Lease Terms: 10 years with two 5-year renewal options; 180 days free rent; base rent of $13,000/month in year two, $14,005/month in year three, with 3% annual increases thereafter and during option periods; percentage rent of 6% of gross sales; a minimum gross sales threshold to ensure viability. Subject to Board of Supervisors approval.
Owner Testimony: Dorcia White, third-generation operator, shared her family's history: the business started in 1973, operated in San Francisco until the 1989 earthquake destroyed their 3rd Street location, and now she is eager to return the legacy to the city. She will be on-site daily.
Commission Support: Commissioner Adams celebrated the timing during Black History Month and praised the family legacy. Commissioner Lee stated the lease was an excellent opportunity and offered to assist with entertainment programming. Vice President Gilman highlighted the success of the Port's broker policy in attracting locally-owned businesses over chains. President Brandon noted this was the first restaurant lease on the waterfront since the pandemic and welcomed the new venture. Resolution 2511 was adopted unanimously.
New Business
- Flood Study Update: President Brandon noted that an update on the flood study, incorporating sea-level rise planning from BCDC, was recorded for new business but no further discussion was reported.
- Commissioner Requests: Commissioner Lee requested that future staff reports include a breakdown of scoring criteria (e.g., operational strength, equity considerations) for competing proposals, not just financial terms. Vice President Gilman requested a site tour of Fisherman's Wharf to observe fishing operations and waterfront revitalization, and reminded maritime staff to schedule the tour.
Key Outcomes
- Votes and Approvals:
- Approved the minutes of February 11, 2025.
- Adopted Resolution 2508 (environmental/planning RFQ), Resolution 2509 (engineering RFQ), and Resolution 2510 (Mission Bay Ferry Landing construction bid).
- Adopted Resolution 2511 (lease with Everett & Jones BBQ), forwarding it to the Board of Supervisors for final approval.
- Directives: President Brandon will connect Rebecca Groves with Planning Director David Beaupre to discuss the Pier 54 alternative for the ferry terminal. Staff will incorporate Commissioner Lee's request for scoring breakdowns in future reports. Staff will schedule a Fisherman's Wharf tour as requested by Vice President Gilman.
- Next Steps: The updated 10-year capital plan will be presented for final approval at the March 11, 2025 meeting. Write-off reports will be processed after the 30-day review.
- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned in memory of former Commissioner Francis X. Crowley.
Meeting Transcript
This is a meeting of the San Francisco Port Commission for February 25th, 2025. Roll call. President Kimberly Brandon. Here. Vice President Gail Gilman. Present. Commissioner Willie Adams. Here. Commissioner Stephen Englum. Here. Commissioner Stephen Lee. Here. Item two is the approval of minutes for the February 11th, 2025 Port Commission meeting. So moved. Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The motion passes. Item three is the land acknowledgement. The San Francisco Port Commission acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramatishaloone, who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula. As the indigenous stewards of this land, and in accordance with their traditions, the Ramatishaloone 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 Ramatushalone community and by affirming their sovereign rights as first peoples. 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 comments 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 26631 3414 pound pound. Then dial star three to raise your hand to comment on the item being discussed. And 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 five is public comment on items not listed on the agenda. Thank you. We will now take public comment on items not listed on the agenda. Is there any public comment in the room? If not, do we have anyone on the phone? Yes, there is one caller for public comment. Opening the first line now. Thank you. Hello, Commission. Uh, this is Greg Champot. I was hoping you could comment on the current status of the courts and the USACE's draft San Francisco flood study. There were two points. My understanding was it was to go to Congress in the fourth quarter of this year for approval and possible funding. And then since then, uh given SB 272, uh both BCBC and the California Coastal Commission issued the what they call RSAP, which is a sea level horizon planning guidelines, which might impact what was our flood study recommendations.
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