BOARD OF PORT COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY – May 24, 2006
“DRAFT” MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
8:00 A.M. Chairman Aikins, presiding
Commissioners Present: Commissioner Ralph A. Garcia, Jr.; Commissioner Richard (Dick) Dodge; Vice Chairman, John (Jack) Castle; and, Chairman, Larry R. Aikins
Commissioners Absent: Secretary, Lewis D. Miller
Staff Present: Executive Director, Michael J. Giari; Special Counsel to Port, Francois X. Sorba; Director of Finance & Administration, Cynthia D. Hampton; Manager of Economic Development, Steven Wright; Manager of Operations, Donald K. Snaman; Executive Assistant, Rita F. Artist; Staff Accountant, Evelyn Lim
Commissioner Garcia led the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. CLAIMS
Commissioner Dodge requested that explanatory detail be added to the Disbursement Report for expense reimbursements made to Commissioners and staff. Commissioner Castle concurred.
A Motion to Approve Claims was made by Commissioner Dodge and was seconded by Commissioner Garcia. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of those present. Secretary Miller was absent.
III. ORDINANCE
A. ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING SALARY PLAN FOR THE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE PORT OF REDWOOD CITY, AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES, OR PORTIONS THEREOF, IN CONFLICT HEREWITH – PUBLIC HEARING
Executive Director Giari gave a brief explanation of this Ordinance, which establishes a revised salary range for each position for Fiscal Year 2007. The FY07 budgeted salaries will fall within the range established for each respective position. At the direction of the Commission, a range of $0-$148,500 for the Executive Director was included at introduction on April 12, 2006. No changes have been made to the Ordinance since introduction.
Chairman Aikins Opened the Public Hearing. No comments were made from the public, therefore, a Motion to Close the Public Hearing was made by Commissioner Castle. The Motion was Seconded by Commissioner Garcia. It was passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present. Secretary Miller was absent.
A Motion to Adopt the Ordinance and Waive the Reading Thereof was made by Commissioner Garcia. It was Seconded by Commissioner Castle. The Motion was passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners present. Secretary Miller was absent.
IV. RESOLUTION
A. RESOLUTION APPROVING SUBLEASE AGREEMENT – (Portside Investors – Phase I Lease Agreement –(KENDA SYSTEMS, INC.)
B. RESOLUTION APPROVING FIRST AMENDMENT TO SUBLEASE AGREEMENT – (Portside Investors – Phase I Standard Lease Agreement) – (ROBELO ASSOCIATES, INC.)
C. RESOLUTION APPROVING SECOND AMENDMENT TO SUBLEASE AGREEMENT – (Portside Investors – Phase I Standard Lease Agreement) – (FAT BOX, INC.)
Items IV-A & IV-C were handled as one item.
Commissioner Castle asked if there were any vacancies in the Portside Office Complex and how rental rates compared to similar units in Redwood City. Executive Director Giari replied that there were a few vacancies and that the rental rates compare favorably with other Class B rates. Commissioner Castle requested a summary of lease rates and occupancy. Commissioner Dodge suggested visiting the website, www.loopnet.com, to compare rental rates.
Chairman Aikins pointed out two typographical errors regarding the square footage on the background sheets for Item IV-B and Item IV-C and asked staff to make corrections.
A Motion to Adopt was made by Commissioner Dodge and it was Seconded by Commissioner Garcia. The Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners present. Secretary Miller was absent.
RESOLUTION
D. RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE IN RATES FOR DOCKAGE, WHARFAGE, FACILITY USAGE AND MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES – (TARIFF NO. 8)
AGENDA SHEET AND DOCUMENTS FOR THIS ITEM CAN BE VIEWED AT WWW.REDWOODCITYPORT.COM
UNDER THE TAB “COMMISSION MEETINGS”.
Executive Director Giari said that these are proposed changes in rates for Tariff No. 8, which applies to commercial wharves and shipping activities at the Port. Last year the Port of Redwood City and other ports in California took a general rate increase across the board within their individual tariffs. This year we are proposing selective changes within the Port’s tariff rates. Individual rate changes have been provided with the documents for this agenda item. The primary change is a 3% increase in dockage for all size vessels. There is a proposed rate change for bulk cargo NOS, which applies to any bulk cargo that does not have a specific commodity rate. Cement and Cement Clinker, in bulk, increase from $1.48 to $1.62, and Scrap Iron, Steel, in bulk increases from $2.55 to $2.65. Other changes include increases in the linesmen rates and the rates for handling railcars on the Port’s spur track. Giari stated that if approved, the rates would go into effect on July 1, 2006 and would be filed with the Federal Maritime Commission. The California Association of Port Authorities (CAPA) would be notified of these rate changes.
Commissioner Castle asked if Port of Redwood City rates are competitive with other CAPA member ports. Giari replied that they are and explained that by using dockage rates for a base comparison, the Port of Redwood City places at or near the top of most California ports for dockage. Castle asked if revenue in the Port’s FY07 budget reflects these proposed rates. Giari answered that there is a proposed increase in revenue in the upcoming budget that is not completely attributable to these rates, but that they are included.
Chairman Aikins asked if the Port has any leases that would not be subject to these rate increases. Giari explained that some leases have contract rates in the lease and some do not. As far as the proposed rate increases are concerned, scrap iron/steel in bulk is not subject to a contract rate. The rate for cement and cement clinker in the lease with CEMEX is a contract rate. The rate specified in their lease is tied into the tariff rate.
Commissioner Dodge questioned if security fee(s) are included in the tariff. Giari explained that there are two security fees in the tariff; one fee is for posting a guard at the restricted area when a ship is in berth; and, a per tonnage security fee is levied on cargo. These security fees are not included in the proposed rate increases for the current tariff changes but are being evaluated for possible future changes.
A Motion to Adopt was made by Commissioner Castle and it was Seconded by Commissioner Dodge. The Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners present. Secretary Miller was absent.
V. PUBLIC COMMENT
None
VI. MATTERS OF BOARD INTEREST
Vice Chairman Castle commented that he plans to attend the upcoming Water Transit Authority meeting to be held in San Francisco on June 21st, 2006.
Chairman Aikins stated that the Finance Committee would meet today at 12-noon to finalize the Port’s budget, which is planned to be introduced at the Regular Meeting of the Board of Port Commissioners on June 14, 2006.
VII. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Executive Director Giari reported on a recent international meeting of PIANC in Estoril, Portugal, which was attended by Commissioners Aikins, Dodge, Miller, and Director Giari. The conference provided opportunities for participants to exchange ideas, information, and make contacts related to planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation for ports, harbors, channels, and other navigational facilities. Giari stated that items of primary interest included new developments in Short Sea Shipping and inland navigation. There was much discussion about the navigation system along the Rhine River, which handles over 50% of the inland navigation by volume in Europe. We had several private meetings with a member of the Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine, whose commission is headquartered in Strasbourg. They are one of the key players in inland navigation in Europe in terms of planning and analysis of the impacts of inland navigation. The comparison of air emissions using inland navigation as opposed to trucking overland is a big issue in Europe as well as in California and the rest of the United States.
Chairman Aikins commented that he found it interesting to learn how much of an international issue traffic mitigation and shipping by truck has become. Commissioner Dodge stated that in Europe, Short Sea Shipping still has much room for growth. It is expected that between the years 2010-2012 the emissions impact will be almost neutral for cargo that is shipped either by barge or by truck. This should be a positive factor for Short Sea Shipping.
At the request of Commissioner Miller, who was absent from today’s meeting, Giari reported that the Sequoia Art Group held its annual Award Ceremony at the Redwood City Community Arts Center on May 20–21. The Port sponsors an award for art which depicts the waterfront or the Port area. Catherine Delfs, with her pastel painting titled “Seeing Double” won the first place Port sponsored award of $50 and the second place Port sponsored award of $25 went to Lilly Raga Abbott for her oil painting titled “Cargill, Inc.”
Giari commented that Anthony (Tony) Taormina, a native of San Francisco and well known to Port Commissioners, has been named to succeed William (Bill) Buenger as executive director of the Oxnard Harbor District (Port of Hueneme).
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:35 a.m. Chairman Aikins requested that the Commission adjourn to its next regularly scheduled Meeting of June 14, 2006
A Motion to Adjourn was made by Commissioner Castle. It was Seconded by Commissioner Garcia and the Motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioner Miller was absent.
City of Redwood City | Tide Chart | Contact Us |