San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Meeting – August 8, 2023
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San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Meeting – August 8, 2023
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) met on August 8, 2023, at 9:45 a.m. to discuss nutrient reduction in the Bay, contract amendments, a community grant, and to hold a closed session on litigation settlements. All five commissioners were present. The meeting began with approval of the June 27, 2023 minutes (5-0) and the general manager's report.
Consent Calendar
- The commission approved the consent calendar (items 5a-5d) by a 5-0 roll call vote. Items included: (5a) Amendment of contract Nos. PRO.0167.A-D for as-needed engineering services, increasing each by $2.5 million; (5b) Approval of a 219-day contract duration contingency for Contract No. WW-704; (5c) Amendment of Contract No. PRO.0085.C for Hetch Hetchy Capital Improvement Program as-needed engineering services; (5d) Award of Job Order Contract No. JOC-98 for electrical construction, not-to-exceed $5,000,000.
- Commissioner Stacy questioned the necessity of the increases in 5a and the 50% potential increase language in 5d. Staff explained the increases were due to additional work and that the 50% option is standard per administrative code for job order contracts. Commissioner Stacy requested data on how often such increases are used. President Hami asked about the social impact partnership referenced in 5a; staff clarified that it was a requirement being added without additional cost.
General Manager’s Report
- Acting General Manager Ron Flynn provided an update on algal blooms in San Francisco Bay. He stated that SFPUC is in full compliance with current regulations and is proactively working to reduce nitrogen levels through: building a new treatment plant on Treasure Island (completion in 2026), piloting process changes, and repurposing existing tanks. He clarified that recycled water does not fix the nitrogen problem. The SFPUC has contributed over $14 million to regional research and is prepared for future regulatory requirements that could require billions in regional investments. Commissioner Maxwell requested periodic updates.
Regular Calendar Item 6: Sole-Source Grant to Miraloma Park Improvement Club
- The commission approved a $25,000 sole-source grant (CS-1245(G)) to the Miraloma Park Improvement Club for redesign of their Native Plant Garden at 350 O’Shaughnessy Blvd. The funds originate from District 7 participatory budgeting via Supervisor Melgar’s office. Staff noted the garden is on SFPUC land adjacent to Glen Canyon. Public comment was provided by Robert G. (board member) and Todd Seymours, who urged approval. The item passed 5-0. Commissioners requested final photos.
General Public Comment
- Gwendolyn Jackson Fagan, Marilyn Jackson, Toa Jones, and Robert Ball spoke about the legacy of Dr. Espinola Jackson. They raised concerns about unfulfilled promises for an educational facility at 1550 Evans Ave and rumors of demolition at 1880 Oakdale. They requested updates. Acting GM Flynn committed to reporting back.
- Dave Warner commented on population projections from the California Department of Finance (847,000 by 2040 vs. the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan’s projection of 1.25 million). He warned that lower demand could pressure rates higher than projected and requested staff present rate scenarios based on the DoF projections.
Items Initiated by Commissioners
- Commissioner Maxwell requested an update on the greenhouses on Evans Street, specifically regarding below-market rent, community hiring, and whether tenants are living up to agreements. Staff will look into the matters raised during public comment.
Closed Session
- The commission entered closed session to discuss three anticipated litigation settlements for property damage from ruptured water mains: (12) Bing SIT2 – $64,483.41; (13) Yalo Own Wong – $50,000; (14) Jessica Middleton – $32,439. All are subject to final Board of Supervisors approval. After closed session, the commission voted 5-0 not to disclose the discussions and to forward the settlements to the Board of Supervisors.
Key Outcomes
- Approval of minutes from June 27, 2023 (5-0).
- Approval of consent calendar items 5a-5d (5-0).
- Approval of sole-source grant to Miraloma Park Improvement Club (5-0).
- Direction to staff to provide updates on algal bloom mitigation, the educational facility/promises related to Dr. Jackson, greenhouse agreements, and rate impact analysis based on updated population projections.
- Approval of closed session settlements and motion not to disclose discussions (5-0).
Meeting Transcript
Okay. Hi everyone. Glad to be back. I hope your summer is going well. And some of you got to take some time off during our break. Okay. Um, call this meeting to order. Madam Secretary could peace call roll. President Hami. Here. Vice President Maxwell. Commissioner Paulson. Here. Commissioner Rivera. Here. Commissioner Stacy. Members of the public, we make up to two minutes of remote public comment on item on our item by dialing 1 415 655 0001. Meeting ID 25 2595 461 8679 pound followed by pound again. To raise your hand to speak, press star three. Speakers will hear a chime when there are 30 seconds remaining to speak and another chime when the two minutes have expired. Please note that you must limit your comment to the topic of the agenda item being discussed unless you are speaking under general public comment. And remind you if you do not stay on the topic, the chair can interrupt and ask you to limit your comment to the agenda item. We ask that public comment be made in a civil and respectful manner. And please address your remarks to the Commission as a whole, not to individual commissioners or staff. On behalf of this commission, I would like to extend our thanks to SFGTV staff and SFPUCIT staff for their assistance during this meeting. For those present in the room, if you have not already done so, please silence your electronic devices. Before calling the first item, I would like to announce that the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission acknowledges that it owns and are stewards of this unceded land located within the ethnohistoric territory of the Mockmaalone tribe and other other familial descendants of the historic federally recognized Mission San Jose Verona Band of Alameda County. The SFPUC also recognizes that every citizen residing within the Greater Bay Area has and continues to benefit from the use and occupation of the Moachma Alone land. Since before and after the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's founding in 1932. It is vitally important that we not only recognize the history of the tribal lands on which we reside, but also we acknowledge and honor the fact that the Moakma Alone people have established a working partnership with the SFPUC and are productive and flourishing members within the many greater San Francisco Bay Area communities today. Madam Secretary, could you please call the next first item? First item is item number three, approval of the minutes of June 27, 2023. Colleagues, um the minutes uh questions, edits. If not, could you please call uh public comment, please on this item? Members of the public who wish to make two minutes of remote public comment on item number three, the minutes of June 27th. Press star three to raise your hand to speak. Speakers will hear a chime when there are 30 seconds remaining to speak and another chime when two minutes have expired. Are there any members of the public present who wish to provide comment on item number three? See none, Mr. Moderator. Do you have any callers with your hands raised? Madam Secretary, there are no callers with their hands raised. Thank you. This is for the minutes. The minutes of June 27th. Do you have comments on the minutes that from the last meeting? Okay, okay. Okay, thank you. For the clarification. Okay.
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