San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Meeting – November 10, 2025

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) held a regular meeting on November 10, 2025, from approximately 9:30 AM to 2:36 PM. The meeting included approval of minutes, general public comment, a consent calendar, and several agenda items related to contract modifications for wastewater and power infrastructure projects. All votes were unanimous, with Vice President Leveroni absent. Commissioners also discussed future hearings on climate programs and the Citizens Advisory Committee's recommendations.

Consent Calendar

• Approved six items (6A through 6F) on the consent calendar unanimously. Commissioner Stacey clarified that item 6C is an extension and increase for construction staff augmentation services related to item 9, and item 6F is an interim improvement to extend pump and concrete structure lifespan by 15 years while a new booster station is planned.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General public comment (item 4) featured multiple speakers alleging retaliation, corruption, and wrongful termination of employees Joseph King, Conrad King, and Adolfo Badilla at the SFPUC Water Department. Speakers—including family members, community advocates, and union representatives—described the employees as hardworking and unfairly targeted after raising safety concerns. They demanded an investigation and restoration of their jobs. A remote caller (Peter Dreckmeyer, Policy Director for Yosemite Rivers Alliance) urged the commission to hold a workshop on the Tuolumne River Voluntary Agreement and to analyze whether SFPUC can meet Bay-Delta Plan flow requirements without risking water supply. He also expressed support for the earlier speakers.
• During item 6 (consent calendar), one speaker praised project manager Jagnesh and criticized management corruption, though did not comment on specific consent items.
• No public comments were made on items 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11.

Discussion Items

• Item 7: Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant Power Feed and Primary Switchgear Upgrades – Staff requested an increase of $1.5 million to cost contingency and 360 calendar days to duration contingency for contract WW-662R (Block of Construction Inc.) due to new PGE regulatory requirements for an interrupter mechanism. Construction is 90% complete. The commission approved the modification unanimously.
• Item 8: Oceanside Water Pollution Control Digester Gas Utilization Upgrades – Staff requested an increase of $8 million to cost contingency and 638 calendar days to duration contingency for contract WW-639 (Monterey Mechanical Co.) to comply with PGE wholesale distribution tariff requirements. The project is 90% complete; the original contract duration was corrected to 820 consecutive calendar days. The commission approved the modification unanimously.
• Item 9: West Side Reliability Improvements Project – Staff requested an increase of 602 calendar days to duration contingency for contract WW-645R (Anvil Builders Inc.) to complete underground electrical infrastructure work along Skyline Boulevard. Construction is 65% complete. The commission approved the modification unanimously.
• Item 10: North Shore Pump Station Wet Weather Improvements – Staff presented closeout of contract WW-685R (Western Water Constructors Inc.), approving modification No. 19 increasing duration by 249 calendar days and authorizing final payment. The project achieved redundancy for the 150 million gallons per day wet weather facility. The commission approved unanimously.
• Item 11: Communications – Commissioner Stacey requested a future hearing on the annual multi-enterprise climate program update, praising the report. Commissioner Jamdar echoed the request. President Arce noted he found compelling arguments from the PUC Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) against recommendations from the city's streamlining task force and against term limits for the CAC, expressing concern about loss of expertise.
• Item 12: Items Initiated by Commissioners – Commissioner Stacey reiterated the request for a hearing on the climate program update.

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes of October 28, 2025 (unanimous).
• Approved consent calendar (unanimous).
• Approved contract modifications for items 7, 8, 9, and 10 (all unanimous).
• Commissioner Stacey’s request for a hearing on the climate program update was acknowledged; staff indicated it could be scheduled after the turn of the year.
• President Arce’s individual reflections on the CAC letter were noted but no formal action taken.