San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Meeting - October 14, 2025

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) held a regular meeting on October 14, 2025, at 9:30 AM. The meeting included the annual election of officers, approval of previous minutes, general public comment, a presentation on capital project delivery methods, approval of a consent calendar, and votes on two major items: a development agreement for the Gateway Project in Bayview and a revised easement agreement with Sunol Glen Unified School District.

Annual Election of Officers

• Commissioner Josh Arce was elected President by a unanimous vote (5-0).
• Commissioner Leveroni was elected Vice President by a unanimous vote (5-0).
• Outgoing President Stacy thanked the commission for her term.

Approval of Minutes (September 23, 2025)

• Commissioner Stacy moved to continue the minutes to the next meeting to allow for a more complete record of commissioner initiatives. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bob Hall (Keep Crocker Real.com) opposed the Crocker Amazon Baseball Field Renovation Project, stating it would destroy 124 mature trees, replace 17 acres of natural grass with artificial turf, and cut off community access. He argued the $45 million budget is enough to install natural grass drainage systems, and that artificial turf raises environmental justice issues for the southeast side of the city, which is home to working families and communities of color. He cited microplastics and PFAS as threats to the watershed.
• Susan Mullaney (Ingleside district resident) spoke on ethics, urging the commission to prevent toxins from leaching into water. She referenced a March 2025 California EPA synthetic turf study that detected chemicals from turf in biofluids and air, including a potential carcinogen (123-trimethyl benzene) and central nervous system effects.
• Demetrius Williams (President, San Francisco Hyperlocal Building Trades Contractors Collective) requested follow-up on questions about the biosolids sewer treatment plant, specifically regarding emergency plans for raw sewage in Bayview Hunters Point and community training for operator engineer opportunities.
• Oscar James (native resident of Bayview Hunters Point, 79 years) referenced a 1970s community benefit package for the sewer treatment plant that included funding for Bayview Hunters Point College and minority contractors. He urged the commission to honor the agreement.
• James (no last name given) congratulated new President Arce and emphasized the importance of the community benefit package, including training services for operating engineers.
• Peter Dreckmeyer (Policy Director, Tuolumne River Trust) called in to congratulate the new officers and to associate himself with comments opposing artificial turf. He encouraged the commission to hold a workshop on the scientific basis report for the Tuolumne River Voluntary Agreement, including the State Water Board.

Discussion Items

• Item 6A: SFPUC Capital Project Delivery Methods – Stephen Robinson, Assistant General Manager for Infrastructure, presented an overview of six contracting methods: Job Order Contracts (JOCs), As-Needed Construction Contracts, Design-Bid-Build, Construction Management General Contractor (CMGC), Design-Build, and Progressive Design-Build. He noted that SFPUC has outperformed industry averages: about two-thirds of projects came within 10% of budget (industry: one-third) and about 40% met original schedule (industry: 25%). Commissioners discussed how different methods affect cost control, inclusive procurement, and risk. The presentation was informational; no action taken.
• Item 8: Development Agreement with Prologis LP – Ron Flynn, Deputy General Manager, presented the Gateway Project, which will demolish existing PDR buildings and construct two new mixed commercial buildings near the Southeast Treatment Plant. The project includes installation of low-pressure water mains, upsized combined sewer lines, a feasibility study for electric service, and compliance with stormwater, non-potable water, and recycled water ordinances. The SFPUC will need to remove a fence encroaching into the public right-of-way from its CDD yard. The Commission approved the resolution authorizing the General Manager to consent to the development agreement and adopt CEQA findings (unanimous, 5-0).
• Item 9: Revised Easement Agreement with Sunol Glen Unified School District – Dina Brazil, Right-of-Way Manager, presented a revised purchase and sale agreement for a 4,008-square-foot perpetual pipeline easement and a 34,834-square-foot temporary construction easement for $35,000 (unchanged from original appraised value). The revision includes mutual indemnification provisions requested by the school district after a change in leadership. The Commission approved the revised terms (unanimous, 5-0).

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar (items under Item 7) was approved unanimously (5-0). It included routine approvals such as contract amendments and professional service agreements.

Key Outcomes

• Annual Election: Josh Arce elected President; Commissioner Leveroni elected Vice President (both 5-0).
• Minutes of September 23, 2025: Continued to the next meeting (5-0).
• Consent Calendar: Approved (5-0).
• Item 8 (Gateway Development Agreement): Approved (5-0).
• Item 9 (Sunol Glen Easement): Approved (5-0).
• Closed Session: The Commission voted to assert attorney-client privilege (5-0) and later not to disclose closed session discussion (5-0). The Commission recommended approval of a settlement in the matter of Zurich American Insurance Company versus City and County of San Francisco.
• Next Steps: Staff will continue to bring forward capital project delivery information and will present a workshop on the Tuolumne River Voluntary Agreement as requested.