San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Meeting - October 10, 2023

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) met on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at approximately 9:45 AM for a regular meeting. The commission elected new officers, approved a consent calendar, received reports on capital financing and voluntary agreements, and voted on two major items: the Ocean Beach Climate Change Adaptation Project and an expansion of California Water Service Company's service area. The meeting concluded with a closed session to discuss two proposed litigation settlements. Public comment was taken on multiple agenda items.

Annual Election of Officers

• Following public comment, the commission unanimously (5-0) elected Tim Paulson as President and Anthony Rivera as Vice President, each for a one-year term. Commissioner Jamy, outgoing President, was thanked for her leadership.

Consent Calendar

• Items 7a through 7f were approved on a 4-0 roll call vote (Commissioner Paulson absent from vote? Actually 4 votes recorded: President Paulson, VP Rivera, Maxwell, Stacy – 4 eyes. Commissioner Jamy? Wait, roll call: President Paulson aye, VP Rivera aye, Commissioner Maxwell aye, Commissioner Stacy aye. That's 4. So likely one commissioner absent or not voting. The transcript says "You have four eyes." So 4-0.) The consent calendar included three licenses for air quality monitors (7a), software maintenance contract (7b), USGS agreement (7c), technical services for renewable energy (7d), contract time extension for the West Side Recycled Water Project (7e), and acceptance of work by Precision Engineering (7f). Commissioners questioned 7e about corrosion of equipment at the oceanside wastewater treatment plant; staff noted a third-party review and lessons learned.

General Public Comment

• Several speakers expressed support for moving public comment to the beginning of the meeting and urged the commission to address low flows in the Tuolumne River to protect endangered salmon. One speaker cited that fall-run Chinook salmon returns were below 1,000 in recent years. Another speaker opposed making San Jose and Santa Clara permanent water customers, citing San Francisco's own housing requirements. Multiple commenters criticized the 8.5-year design drought plan as based on unrealistic projections and harmful to the environment. A speaker named Dave Warner alleged that staff presentations lack balanced analysis on topics such as the voluntary agreement, alternative water supply, and affordability. One speaker inquired about the timeline for development at Bayview-Hunters Point. No comments were made specific to the election or consent calendar during general comment.

Discussion Items

• Item 8 – Ocean Beach Climate Change Adaptation Project: The commission approved the project on a 4-0 vote. The project includes permanently closing the Great Highway between Sloat and Skyline Boulevards, constructing a buried wall to protect wastewater infrastructure, removing emergency rock, and building over a mile of multi-use trail, beach access stairs, new parking (45-50 spaces), and restrooms. It is designed to handle sea level rise through 2100. The EIR was certified by the Planning Commission on September 28, 2023. Commissioners discussed traffic impacts, coordination with SFMTA and the San Francisco Zoo, and cost-sharing among city agencies. The commission adopted a resolution to continue evaluating vehicle access to the zoo parking lot. The zoo director spoke in opposition, stating that the plan lacks specific remedies for traffic and parking concerns. Other public comment was mixed, with supporters citing climate adaptation and opponents raising evacuation route concerns.
• Item 9 – Approval of Cal Water Service Area Expansion: The commission approved on a 4-0 vote the expansion of California Water Service Company's Bear Gulch District to acquire Skylanda Mutual Water Company (158 customers) and a second amendment to the individual water sales contract. Staff noted that Skylanda has relied on Cal Water since 2019 due to inadequate local supplies. No public opposition was expressed during public comment.

Key Outcomes

• Elected Tim Paulson as President and Anthony Rivera as Vice President (5-0 each).
• Approved consent calendar items 7a-7f (4-0).
• Approved the Ocean Beach Climate Change Adaptation Project (4-0), including authorizing staff to proceed with implementation, signing a letter of agreement with Rec and Park, and urging the closure of the Great Highway.
• Approved Cal Water service area expansion and contract amendment (4-0).
• Asserted attorney-client privilege and moved into closed session to discuss two litigation settlements: Devon Galdoula ($175,000) and Joan Asserito ($44,000) for water main damage claims. The commission voted 4-0 not to disclose closed session discussions.