San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Meeting - June 10, 2025
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Meeting - June 10, 2025
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) held a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 9:30 AM. The Commission addressed a range of items including approval of previous meeting minutes, quarterly audit and capital improvement reports, a wildfire mitigation plan, a contract modification for the City Distribution Division campus project, and a time extension for a sewer replacement contract. All action items received unanimous approval, and the meeting included closed session discussions regarding a settlement.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes of the May 27, 2025 meeting unanimously (5-0).
- Approved the Consent Calendar (items 6A through 6C) unanimously (5-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- General Public Comment: One caller spoke on agenda item 4, criticizing the historical transfer of the Auxiliary Water Supply System (AWAS) from the Fire Department to the PUC, alleging it was done to balance the city's budget and that subsequent decisions have undermined the system's independence. The caller referenced a 2019 report that stated a single pipeline could meet goals, calling it the "beginning of the bastardization of AWAS."
- No public comments were made on other agenda items.
Discussion Items
- Quarterly Audit and Performance Review (Item 5a): Presented by Nancy Howham, Chief Financial Officer. The SFPUC had completed 19 audits as of March 31, 2025 (14 financial, 5 performance), with 9 audits in progress and 11 scheduled. Noteworthy was a City Services Auditor public integrity assessment regarding contracts with suspended vendor Rudolph Duane Jones (RDJ); no findings were attributed to the SFPUC. There are 16 open audit recommendations across four audits.
- Water Enterprise Capital Improvement Program & Water System Improvement Program (Items 5b & 5c): Presented by Katie Miller. The combined 52 projects have a $4.0 billion budget, with 34% spent to date. Key updates included the emergency firefighting water system pipeline alignment evaluation with the San Francisco Fire Department, and progress on the Sunol Valley Water Treatment Plant Ozone Project facing utility conflicts. The Water System Improvement Program (52 projects, $3.8 billion) is 99% complete. Commissioners asked about delays on the Westside Recycled Water Project and Bay Division pipeline lining repair.
- 2025 Wildfire Mitigation Plan (Item 7): Presented by Ethan Billigmeyer. The plan updates the 2024 version, covering assets in high fire threat districts (26% of transmission in Tier 2, 2% in Tier 3; 87% of distribution in Tier 2, 8% in Tier 3). Key accomplishments include a daily fire weather situational awareness app with live camera feeds, satellite vegetation monitoring (LIVEO), pole wrapping, and vegetation management. The plan emphasizes minimizing ignitions, grid resiliency, and continual improvement. Commissioners discussed inspection timing, the use of satellite data, and partnerships with Cal Fire and other agencies.
- Contract Modification for 2000 Marin Street Project (Item 8): Presented by Shelby Campbell. Requested approval of Modification No. 1 to increase the CMGC contract with Clark Construction Group from $260 million to $305 million. The increase includes $39 million for escalation (3.5% over four years) and $6 million for work performed on behalf of other projects (BCTD duct bank, water line, and solar PV system). The project is on schedule for relocation in 2028. Commissioners noted the modification was planned, and the project team will pursue cost-cutting measures for remaining trade packages.
- Duration Contingency Increase for Sewer Replacement Contract (Item 9): Presented by Aileen K. Requested and approved 365 additional calendar days for contract WW-709R (Various Locations Sewer Replacement No. 13) with M. Hernandez Construction, Inc., to allow time for completing lateral service replacements.
- Closed Session (Items 12-15): The Commission voted unanimously (4-0, with Commissioner Jamdar excused) to assert attorney-client privilege, held closed session, and subsequently announced approval of a settlement recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. The Commission voted unanimously not to disclose the closed session discussion.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Minutes of May 27, 2025 (5-0).
- Approved: Consent Calendar (5-0).
- Approved: 2025 Wildfire Mitigation Plan and authorization to file (5-0).
- Approved: Modification No. 1 to Contract WD-2879R with Clark Construction Group ($305 million revised contract, not to exceed $329 million) (5-0).
- Approved: 365-day duration contingency increase for Contract WW-709R with M. Hernandez Construction, Inc. (5-0).
- Approved: Motion to assert attorney-client privilege (4-0, Commissioner Jamdar excused).
- Approved: Motion not to disclose closed session discussion (4-0, Commissioner Jamdar excused).
- The Commission also received reports on quarterly audits, capital improvement programs, and communications without requiring action.
Meeting Transcript
Commissioner Jamdar. Here. Commissioner Lavarone. Here. Commissioner Thurlow. Here. You have a quorum. Thank you. Before calling the first item, I'd like to announce that the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission acknowledges that it owns and are stewards of the unceded lands located within the ethnohistoric territory of the Mawekma Alone tribe and 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 Great Greater Bay Area has and continues to benefit from the use and occupation of the Mawekma Aloney tribes or aboriginal lands 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 Mawekma Alonee people have established a working partnership with the SFPUC and our productive and flourishing members within the many greater San Francisco Bay Area communities today. Thank you. Call the first item, please. Item three, approval of the minutes of May 27, 2025. Commissioners, any comments or questions on the minutes. No. Should we call public comment? Remote callers, please raise your hand if you wish to provide comment on item three. Are there any members of the public present who wish to comment on this item? Seeing none, moderator, are there any callers who have their hand raised? Ms. Lanier, there are no callers that wish to be recognized. Thank you. Thank you. Could I have a motion and a second on the mission on the minutes, please? Motion to approve. Seconded. Thank you. President Stacy? Aye. Vice President Arce? Aye. Commissioner Jamdar. Aye. Commissioner Leveroni. Aye. Commissioner Zurlow. Aye. The item passes. Thank you. Item four. General public comment. Members of the public may address the Commission on matters that are within the Commission's jurisdiction and are not on today's agenda. The Commission values civic engagement and encourages respectful communication at the public meeting. We ask that all public comment be made in a civil and courteous manner, and that you refrain from the use of profanity. Thank you. Remote callers, please raise your hand if you wish to provide comment on item four. Are there any members of the public present who wish to comment on this item? Seeing none, moderator, are there any callers who have their hand raised? Ms.
openpublica.com