San Francisco Port Commission Meeting: April 14, 2026
San Francisco Port Commission Meeting - April 14, 2026
The Port Commission met on April 14, 2026, at 11:15 AM. The meeting included approval of minutes, public comments, reports from the Acting Executive Director and Government Affairs Manager, and informational presentations on naming a plaza after Alioto's restaurant and installing additional temporary public art as part of the Big Art Loop. The commission also discussed new business items.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (March 10, 2026): Unanimously approved.
- Resolution 26-19 (Naming Policy): Adopted on consent, authorizing the naming of port facilities through recognition and commemoration of people, places, and events.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Items Not on Agenda: Reverend Charles Grace, a 70-year San Francisco native and vendor near the baseball park, reported being forced to move from Pier 48 on opening day despite having a permit. He alleged harassment by port security and the Giants, including an arrest on trademark charges that were dismissed. He requested the commission's support. Acting Director Martin directed staff to meet with Reverend Grace to review the port's permitting process.
- Item 8A (Alioto's Plaza): Public comment included Gina von Esmark (great-granddaughter of Nunzio Alioto) expressing pride and support for the naming. Mark Johnson, who submitted the nomination with 67 signatures, spoke in favor. A remote caller, Greg Champot, a 30-year North Beach resident, also supported the naming.
- Item 8B (Big Art Loop): No public comment offered.
Executive Director's Report (Michael Martin)
- Contract Open House: Ninth annual event held at Pier 27, aimed at connecting contractors (including LBEs) with port capital projects.
- Volunteer Cleanup Events: Maintenance division organized volunteer beautification at Crane Cove Park, aligning with Mayor Lurie's One City Day on July 11.
- SF Opera at Building 12: Bohem out of the Box event pivoted indoors to Pier 70 Building 12 due to weather, showcasing arts and culture.
- Giants Opening Day: Visitation at waterfront restaurants and South Beach Harbor managed smoothly.
- Fisherman's Wharf Update: Phase 1 improvements nearing completion (smokehouse, plaza, inner lagoon). Stakeholder engagement for long-term seismic and flood resilience project launched; public meeting scheduled for April 30 at Pier 1.
- SF Climate Week (April 21-24): Port co-hosting events, including an exhibit at Pier 1 and Port Powerhouse West with West Coast ports.
- Write-off Report: Two accounts recommended for write-off per Resolution 22-11; 30-day review period.
- Staff Departure: Deputy Director of Maritime Andre Coleman leaving; Dominic Moreno appointed acting deputy director.
Government Affairs Report (Boris Delapine)
- Washington, D.C. Advocacy (February & March): Trips with CMAC and AAPA to advance the Waterfront Flood Study, meet with congressional offices, and advocate for reauthorization of surface transportation bill (expires Sept 30), increased PIDP funding (seeking $10M for Pier 45 west apron), and inclusion of cruise operations in PIDP eligibility. Also tracking WERDA 2026 and President's Maritime Action Plan ($70B).
- Sacramento Advocacy (Ports Day, February): Met with State Senator Scott Weiner, Assemblymembers Stephanie and Haney. Advocated for $1 billion clean transportation infrastructure (long shot), submitted $10M CEC grant for Pier 80 charging infrastructure.
- Hosted Delegations: Army Corps of Engineers, EPA Clean Ports, Maritime Administration, and state freight infrastructure team.
- Commissioner Comments: Commissioners praised the reports, discussed water taxi signage, crab season scheduling, volunteer outreach, and the need for local attraction. Commissioner Adams emphasized unity among California ports. Vice President Englum highlighted the need for inspiration and perspiration across the organization.
Discussion Items
- Item 8A: Naming of Fisherman's Wharf Plaza as Alioto's Plaza
- Presentation by Deputy Director David Beaupre and nominator Mark Johnson. History of Alioto family: Nunzio Alioto immigrated from Sicily in 1897, founded Alioto's No. 9 fish stall in 1925, which became a landmark restaurant. Nomination received 67 signatures. Policy requires 90-day waiting period after commission approval. Commissioners expressed strong support, with comments on honoring immigrant history, preserving legacy, and potential for educational and philanthropic sustainability. President Gilman directed staff to conduct due diligence on any potential controversies.
- Item 8B: Big Art Loop Temporary Public Art Installations
- Presentation by Amy Cohen (Business Generation Manager), Meredith Winner (Building 180 CEO), and Julie Flynn (Street Plans Collaborative). Eleven pieces already installed since October 2025. Four new sites proposed: Pier 9 (Barnacle or Measure of Air), Pier 28 (hand gestures or red popsicle), South Beach Harbor (honey bear or Updraft), Bayview Gateway (Neural or another). Art is temporary (1-2 years), funded by Sebranti Foundation, produced by Building 180. Also presented waterfront walk branding and wayfinding initiatives. Commissioners asked about artist diversity, maintenance, and long-term vision. Noted positive impact on local businesses, and that artists include local and BIPOC creators. No action taken; informational only.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar Approved: Resolution 26-19 adopted.
- Alioto's Plaza Naming: Commission expressed support for the naming; staff to conduct due diligence and return with an action item in 90 days (July 2026).
- Big Art Loop: Informational only; no vote required. Staff and Building 180 to continue feasibility studies and permitting, aiming for installation June–August 2026.
- New Business: Commissioner Gilman requested an informational presentation on private fireworks shows at Pier 27 and public noticing. Other items included water taxi signage, port restaurant opportunities, crab season schedule, and waterfront resilience funding updates. Staff to return with reports in coming months.
- Meeting Adjourned: At 5:06 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Gilman. Present. Vice President Stephen Englam. Here. Commissioner Willie Adams. Here. Commissioner Stephen Lee. Here. And Commissioner Ken McNeely. Here. Item two is approval of minutes for the March 10, 2026 Port Commission meeting. Do I have a motion? So moved. Do I have a second? Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? The motion passed. Next item, please. Item three is the land acknowledgement. The San Francisco Port Commission acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Rama Tishaloonies, 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 seated, 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 Rama Tishalone community, and by affirming their sovereign rights as first peoples. Item four is announcements. Please silence all cell phones and sound producing devices. Each member of the public may speak for up to three minutes for agenda item, unless a shorter time is set by the port commission. Comments must relate to the current agenda item. Public comments will be taken in person first, then remotely. Then press star three to raise your hand. If watching on SFGup TV, note the broadcast delay. To avoid missing your turn, dial in when your item is announced. Mute your device and listen from your telephone. Item five is public comment on items not listed on the agenda. So this is an opportunity for public comment for items that are not listed on this agenda. Is there any public comment in the room? Sir, please make your way to the podium. How are you doing, Commissioners? My name is uh Reverend Charles Grace, and I'm a native of San Francisco over about 70 years. And I've been working down at the uh baseball park since it opened. I you know, I was selling hats and whatnot around the baseball park. And then uh over the the last two years they came and they told me that I had to move uh down on Pier 48 by the baseball park, and then uh I was like, you know, okay. So I moved down there, and then uh they came and I was arrested for trademark issue, which the judge threw it out. He said it wasn't criminal. Uh but long story short, I I'm I'm you know, they they that was last year when they arrested me, but this year they just came on opening day and they told me that I had to move from Pier 48 after they gave me a permit and all like that for this spot, particular spot, and I asked him why he told he told me safety reasons one time, but then last week they came back and they shook my wife up pretty bad and you know had a totally scared, and they told her that the giants want us out of there, you know. And so I don't know if it's the giants or if it's support security. Uh uh gentleman by the name of Kyle Thomas. He he uh you know he'd been uh coming and bringing a bunch of cops and stuff, and it's really it's disturbing is a you know it's like harassment, and then they crowd around my stand, and then when they leave all the people parking lot attendants and stuff, and and the giants uh employees, they ask me, what's going on, Reverend Grazer?
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