SFPUC Regular Meeting – July 12, 2022

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission held its regular meeting on July 12, 2022, at 1:30 PM in City Hall Room 400. The commission approved the consent calendar, heard a drought update from Assistant General Manager Steve Ritchie, received a report on the PG&E electric grid valuation petition, authorized the sale of a small surplus land parcel to Caltrans, and took a preliminary step toward allowing limited shoreline fishing at Calaveras Reservoir under a court order.

Consent Calendar

• Adopted Resolution extending the SuperGreen Multi-Year Electricity Service Agreement term limit to up to 10 years (Item 9a).
• Approved Contract No. WD‑2887, Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant Filter Underdrain Replacement, to Anvil Builders Inc. for $9,264,300 (Item 9b).
• Accepted work and authorized final payment for Contract WW‑569 (fire alarm upgrades) to L C General Engineering (Item 9c).
• Accepted work, approved Modification No. 1 (final), and authorized final payment for Contract WW‑702R (sewer discharge rehabilitation) to Trinet Construction, increasing the contract to $3,967,817 (Item 9d).
• Accepted work, approved Modification No. 2 (final), and authorized final payment for Contract WW‑706 (digester liner rehabilitation) to Trinet Construction, increasing the contract to $2,689,318 (Item 9e).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dave Warner (Palo Alto) urged the commission to resume regular updates on Bay‑Delta Plan negotiations, noting that demand projections have declined and expressed hope that the SFPUC would take the lead in finding creative solutions. Later, on Item 6G, he praised the General Manager’s letter on water demand projections and requested a third column in the water supply shortfall chart based on finance projections.
• Matt Parker (white‑water kayaker) thanked the commission for continued flows on the Tuolumne River, stating that white‑water exposure produces serotonin and helps mental health.
• Francisco DeCoston called for a hearing on community benefits, alleging corruption at SFPUC and neglect of Hunters Point residents. He also warned about fire risks at the SFPUC’s 70th‑day area and demanded inclusion of Native Americans in habitat restoration discussions.
• Nathan Ringel (President, California Outdoors) thanked the commission for Tuolumne River flows, emphasizing their economic and environmental value to riverside communities.
• Nicole Sandkulla (BAWSCA CEO) commented on water demand projections (Item 6G), noting that BAWSCA’s population projections have tracked well but demand and purchase projections have been affected by COVID and drought. She stated that the Urban Water Management Plan may serve as an outer envelope for San Francisco but differs for other agencies.
• Jeff Miller (Alameda Creek Alliance) opposed unrestricted fishing at Calaveras Reservoir, citing risks to the genetically valuable landlocked steelhead trout. He urged extremely limited access, a ban on fishing for trout, required presence of SFPUC staff, prohibition of toxic fishing weights, and suggested considering the upper Alameda Creek watershed as a wildlife refuge.
• Caller on Item 7B asked about a needs assessment for high‑power lines, maintenance near Hetch Hetchy, fire contingency plans, and undergrounding costs.
• Caller on Item 12 questioned the definition of “limited shoreline fishing,” raised security concerns about contamination, and called for an emergency management commander to assess risks.

Discussion Items

• Item 3 – Hybrid Meeting Findings: Unanimously adopted renewed findings under state urgency legislation to allow hybrid in‑person meetings during the COVID‑19 emergency and directed the Commission Secretary to agendize a similar resolution within 30 days. (3‑0 vote)
• Item 4 – Minutes of June 28, 2022: Approved without change. (3‑0)
• Item 5 – General Public Comment: Four callers spoke (detailed above).
• Item 6 – Communications: Included reports on Advance Calendar, Contracts, CleanPowerSF, quarterly status on PG&E disputes, and Water Demand Projections. Public comment heard.
• Item 7 – Report of the General Manager:
  • 7A – Drought Update: AGM Ritchie reported that Hetch Hetchi and Cherry reservoirs are near full, but the water bank is at ~40% of capacity. He noted the Upper Tuolumne River Ecosystem Program successfully used excess runoff to flood Pupina Valley ponds, providing habitat for bats and other species. Demand for the last week was 205 MGD, trending toward the target of 210 MGD. The reservoir filled on schedule with minimal spill.
  • 7B – CPUC Ruling on PG&E Grid Valuation: AGM Hale reported that on June 24, 2022, CPUC Commissioner Reynolds issued a scoping memo setting an 18‑month schedule to value PG&E’s San Francisco electric grid assets. The city’s petition to purchase the grid is moving forward; PG&E’s motion to dismiss is still under review.
• Item 8 – New Commission Business: None.
• Item 11 – Surplus Land Sale to Caltrans: The commission declared approximately 21,651 sq ft of underused agricultural land (Parcel 57, Alameda County) as surplus and authorized sale to Caltrans for $24,528 for the Alameda Creek Bridge replacement project. Staff noted Caltrans has eminent domain authority, making the sale preferable to litigation. Commissioners questioned the benefit and where proceeds go (they enter the water department fund). (3‑0)
• Item 12 – Preliminary Determination on Shoreline Fishing at Calaveras Reservoir: Staff recommended a preliminary finding that limited shoreline fishing (by reservation, no boats, barbless hooks, catch‑and‑release only) could be done without endangering drinking water quality, contingent on amending the Alameda Watershed Management Plan, CEQA review, and a state drinking water permit amendment. Commissioner Paulson asked about ability to add future protections; staff affirmed the process would return to the commission. The item was moved under a court order deadline of September 1, 2022. (3‑0)

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All items passed unanimously (3‑0, with Vice President Ajami excused).
• Directives: The Commission Secretary was directed to agendize a renewed hybrid meeting resolution within 30 days. The General Manager was authorized to develop details for the Calaveras fishing program and pursue CEQA and permit amendments.
• Referrals: Staff will return with amendments to the Alameda Watershed Management Plan and a proposed fishing program after environmental review and permit changes.
• Next Steps: The commission will not meet on July 26 or August 9, 2022. Item 10 (Master License for wireless pole installations) was removed and rescheduled to August 23, 2022.