BOARD OF PORT COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY – March 15, 2006
“DRAFT” MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
8:00 A.M. Vice Chairman Castle, presiding
Commissioners Present: Commissioner Richard (Dick) Dodge; Secretary Lewis (Lew) Miller; and, Vice Chairman John (Jack) Castle
Commissioners Absent: Chairman Larry Aikins; Commissioner Ralph A. Garcia, Jr. arrived at 8:04 a.m. after roll call;
Staff Present: Executive Director Michael J. Giari; Special Counsel to the Port, Francois X. Sorba; Director, Finance & Administration, Cynthia D. Hampton; Manager of Economic Development, Steve Wright; Manager of Operations, Donald K. Snaman; Executive Assistant, Rita F. Artist; Staff Account, Evelyn Lim.
Commissioner Miller led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Vice Chairman Castle moved to Item III, CLAIMS, at this time in the meeting. Agenda Items IV through V followed in sequence.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A Motion to Approve Minutes of Regular Meeting of February 8, 2006 was made by Commissioner Miller and was seconded by Commissioner Garcia. The Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners present at the February 8th meeting. Vice Chairman Castle abstained and Chairman Aikins was absent.
A Motion to Approve Minutes of Regular Meeting of February 22, 2006 was made by Commissioner Garcia and was seconded by Commissioner Miller. The Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners present at the February 22nd meeting. Commissioner Dodge abstained and Chairman Aikins was absent.
III. CLAIMS
A Motion to Approve Claims was made by Commissioner Dodge. The Motion was seconded by Commissioner Miller and the Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners present. Chairman Aikins was absent.
IV. RESOLUTION
A. RESOLUTION APPROVING CONTRACT DOCUMENTS FOR MOORING DOLPHIN REPLACEMENT TO WHARF 2 AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS THEREOF
Executive Director Giari explained the background for this item to the Port Commission. The Agenda sheet for this item may be viewed by clicking here.
Commissioner Miller asked that the monopole be topped with a 1” thick cover plate instead of a ½” cover plate. Curt Bolton, engineer from W.B. Clausen Structural Engineers, Inc. of Emeryville, CA agreed to substitute a 1” cover plate on top at no additional cost to the Port.
Commissioner Dodge asked how long the existing dolphin could be expected to last if it were not replaced at this time. Giari responded that the existing dolphin is not being used at all because of its condition. Lines for vessels on Wharf 3 are being tied to a bollard at the end of Wharf 2, which also is not in very satisfactory condition. The only other option to a new dolphin is to not have a place to tie spring lines for vessels, which would mean that when scrap ships had to shift to be under the loading conveyor, they would have to release lines and have tugs shift them up and down the dock. This would be very inefficient and expensive.
In response to Commissioner Dodge’s inquiry about the timeline for the project to rebuild Wharves 1 & 2, Giari said that the design engineers estimate three years to completion. Dodge asked if there was any way to hold off on the costs for replacement of the dolphin until after Wharves 1 & 2 were completed. Giari replied that replacement of the dolphin is needed much sooner and that any savings realized from mobilization and demobilization of equipment would not be worth the delay.
Vice Chairman Castle asked whether it is a normal process for the Port to require bid bonds and surety bonds on a job of this size. Special Counsel to the Port, Sorba replied that it is and that we hold the surety company to an A.M. Best standard.
A Motion to Approve was made by Commissioner Dodge and the Motion was seconded by Commissioner Garcia. The Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners present. Chairman Aikins was absent.
RESOLUTION
B. RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BID FOR THE REPAIRS TO DOCK F; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT FOR SAID WORK AND DIRECTING RETURN OF DEPOSITS
Executive Director Giari explained the background of this item to the Port Commissioners. The Agenda sheet for this item may be viewed by clicking here.
Vice Chairman Castle asked how the Port advertises for bids. Giari responded that an advertisement is published in various contractor publications and the local newspaper. At the Port’s request, the engineer, Concept Marine, provided a list of qualified firms to contact. We received 16 requests for plans and specifications and received two bids for the project. CS Marine Constructors, Inc. was low bidder at $328,600.
Commissioner Dodge asked if the new dock could withstand the same conditions that damaged Dock F. Don Snaman replied that the new dock would be substantially stronger with concrete piles instead of timber piles and a concrete floating dock.
In response to Commissioner Dodge’s question about the Port’s cost for the replacement of Dock F after insurance proceed, Giari explained that all of the information has been submitted to the insurance company but that we have not yet received a response from them. The Port’s insurance covers replacement cost but it is too soon to estimate the amount at this time.
A Motion to Approve was made by Commissioner Dodge. The Motion was accepted by Commissioner Miller. The Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners present. Chairman Akins was absent.
RESOLUTION
C. RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY 2006 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Executive Director Giari introduced Kay Watanabe, Chairperson of the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission. Ms. Watanabe expressed appreciation to the Port Commission for its past support of the Summer Concert Series at Stafford Park and invited the Commissioners to attend this year’s concerts. Ms. Watanabe explained that the cost for the concert series has increased during the past years and asked the Board members to consider making a $7,500 contribution to the 2006 concert series.
Commissioner Dodge commented that if the Board approved this request, the Port would be sponsoring 95% of the cost for the Summer Concert Series. One of the responsibilities of the Port Commission is to make sure that the citizens of Redwood City are aware of the Port and its contributions to the community. Dodge suggested that the concert series be named “Port of Redwood City Concert Series”. Ms. Watanabe agreed that this could be discussed and pointed out that the Port is named as a sponsor in all of the advertising for the concert series.
Commissioner Garcia commented that he belonged to a service club that had a hot dog cart at each of the concerts and that the Port was named as a sponsor on a banner that was displayed at each concert.
A Motion to Approve the 2006 Summer Concert Series in the amount of $7,500.00 was made by Commissioner Dodge with the stipulation that the Redwood City Cultural Commission and the Port Commissioners discuss renaming the concert series “Port of Redwood City Summer Concert Series”. Commissioner Miller seconded the Motion and it was passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners present. Chairman Aikins was absent.
RESOLUTION
D. RESOLUTION DECLARING CERTAIN PORT-OWNED PERSONAL PROPERTY SURPLUS, AND AUTHORIZING SALE THEREOF
Executive Director Giari explained that the Port has in its inventory a 1989 Ford pick-up truck that is no longer useful and/or would require expensive repairs to become serviceable. The value of the truck is under Five Thousand Dollars.
A Motion to Approve was made by Commissioner Dodge. Commissioner Garcia seconded the Motion and it was passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners present. Chairman Aikins
V. PUBLIC COMMENT
None
At this time in the Meeting, Vice Chairman Castle returned to Item II, APPROVAL OF MINUTES, and then returned to Items VI through VIII in sequence.
VI. MATTERS OF BOARD INTEREST
Vice Chairman Castle commented he had attended a City Council meeting with Chairman Aikins and Executive Director Giari at which the City Council was setting their priorities regarding ferry service for the City of Redwood City. Commissioner Castle asked Giari to report on this meeting.
VII. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Executive Director Giari said that the City Council met on March 13, 2006 for one of a series of meetings they have had in order to set priorities for the next two year cycle of the budget for the City. One of the items that has been discussed as a priority by the City Council, and at public meetings that were held to receive input from community members on these priorities, was the need for ferry service to help relieve traffic congestion. The Port offered to take the lead for the City in pursuing ferry service. The Port has been doing this in cooperation with the City for many years but the Council, while setting priorities for the City Budget, was interested in making it clear that the Port would take the lead on ferry service for Redwood City.
Giari also reported that Commissioners Garcia, Dodge and Director Giari participated in meetings with Congressional committee members and representatives in various agencies in Washington D.C. during the week of March 7-9. These meetings were particularly worthwhile in that progress was made on the pursuit of funding for Bair Island marsh restoration and maintenance dredging of the Redwood City channel. The Port Commissioners requested that $6 million be included in the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill for that project. There was a lot of interest in the project because it combines both commercial navigation use with an environmental benefit in reusing the dredged material to create a salt water marsh. As a result of the meetings, Congresswoman Eshoo’s and Congressman Lantos’ staff agreed to circulate a letter to other members of the Bay Area delegation supporting the appropriations request. So far, ten out of eleven members of the Bay Area delegation have agreed to sign on to that request.
Meetings with administrative agency staff regarding Short Sea Shipping also took place. Short Sea Shipping is still an important goal for transportation agencies to promote.
The Summary of Port of Redwood City Meetings, Washington Week 2006 can be viewed by clicking here.
Commissioner Dodge stated that these meetings were among the most productive meetings ever attended in Washington DC. He commended Mike Giari and the Port’s Washington DC consultant, Peter Friedmann, for organizing two full days of meetings that resulted in very positive feedback for this project to possibly be included in the Appropriations Bill.
Commissioner Garcia commented on how interesting his first time experience attending meetings in Washington DC was and how impressed he was with the abilities of Peter Friedmann to maneuver through the Washington DC system.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:44 a.m. Vice Chairman Castle requested that the Commission adjourn to its next regularly scheduled Meeting of March 22, 2006
A Motion to Adjourn was made by Commissioner Dodge. Commissioner Garcia seconded the Motion. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of the Commissioners present. Chairman Aikins was absent.
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