BOARD OF PORT COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY – January 24, 2007
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
8:00 A.M. Chairman Castle, presiding
Commissioners Present: Commissioner Larry R. Aikins; Secretary Richard A. Dodge; Vice Chairman, Lewis D. Miller; and, Chairman, John J. Castle
Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Ralph A. Garcia, Jr.
Staff Present: Executive Director Michael J. Giari; Special Counsel to Port, Francois X. Sorba; Director of Finance & Administration, Cynthia D. Hampton; Manager of Operations, Donald K. Snaman; Manager of Economic Development, Steven Wright; Assistant Manager of Operations, Eric Napralla; Executive Assistant, Rita Artist
Commissioner Miller led the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A Motion to Approve Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 10, 2007 was made by Commissioner Aikins and Seconded by Commissioner Miller. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioner Garcia was absent.
III. CLAIMS
Commissioner Aikins inquired about a payment made to Union Pacific Railroad in the amount of $1,500. Donald Snaman, Manager of Operations, explained that the Port recently signed a master agreement for rail access with UP Railroad and two joint use agreements between the Port, BCS, and UP; and, the Port, Romic, and UP. A $500.00 administrative fee for each agreement was assessed by UP. The Port was responsible for the $500.00 administrative fee for the master agreement; and, Romic and BCS will reimburse the Port $500.00 each for their respective agreement fees.
A Motion to Approve Claims was made by Commissioner Dodge and it was seconded by Commissioner Aikins. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioner Garcia was absent.
IV. ORDINANCE
A. ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF PORT COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY RE-APPROVING ORDINANCE AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USGS; Wharf Area) – 2nd Reading and Public Hearing
Executive Director Giari explained that the Ordinances on this Agenda, Items IV-A and IV-B, were approved by the Port Commission on November 22, 2006. Subsequently, the Port was notified that the Notices of Public Hearing for these Ordinances had, in fact, not been published due to a computer error on the part of the newspaper. The Notices have since been published in the January 12, 2007 issue of the Redwood City Daily News and are before the Board for re-approval at today’s meeting. Both Ordinances were published on November 18, 2006 and no changes have been made to either lease since that date.
A Motion to Open the Public Hearing for both Ordinance IV-A and Ordinance IV-B was made by Commissioner Miller and was seconded by Commissioner Aikins. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioner Garcia was absent. No comments were made by the public. A Motion to Close the Public Hearing for both Ordinance IV-A and Ordinance IV-B was made by Commissioner Aikins and was seconded by Commissioner Dodge. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioner Garcia was absent.
A Motion to Adopt this Ordinance was made by Commissioner Miller. It was seconded by Commissioner Aikins. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioner Garcia was absent.
B. ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF PORT COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY RE-APPROVING ORDINANCE AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USGS; Land Lease) – 2nd Reading and Public Hearing
This item was included in the discussion for Item IV-A.
A Motion to Adopt this Ordinance was made by Commissioner Dodge. It was seconded by Commissioner Aikins. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioner Garcia was absent.
V. MOTION
A. MOTION TO APPROVE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR FERRY TERMINAL STUDIES – (CHS CONSULTING CORPORATION)
Click here to view the staff agenda sheet and documents for this item.
Executive Director Giari explained that at the request of the Redwood City Council, the Port in 2006 agreed to take the lead in planning a ferry terminal and working with the Water Transit Authority (WTA) and other agencies to start ferry service in Redwood City. This motion is to approve a professional service agreement for ferry terminal studies with CHS Consulting Corp. Michael Fajans, principal of CHS, completed a Redwood City ferry terminal site analysis for the Port in 2000 and has reviewed studies and reports on other Port projects and the City’s Bayfront Visioning Study, which had been done since his initial terminal site analysis. CHS will submit a proposal that would complete the next phase of ferry terminal planning studies. The proposed study will include a terminal location analysis, environmental assessment, and preliminary design/cost for the new terminal.
Commissioner Dodge commented that the Port had performed a wake-wash study within the past five years and asked if this study has been utilized by CHS. Giari explained that the URS wake-wash study provided a base line starting point for examining wake and wave impacts. URS measured the wave impacts of storm and winds on the channel to establish a baseline for measuring the impacts of wakes from barges. Now, CHS will specifically look at wake impacts from high speed ferries.
Commissioner Miller asked if the Board would have any input in the ferry terminal design. Fajans commented that CHS would welcome any input or planning criteria that the Port would offer particularly in the conceptual layout of the landside facilities. CHS will start with the planning criteria that the WTA has in terms of the type of docks, loading capacity and speed, and how to accommodate potentially two vessels.
Fajans explained that when preliminary work was completed in 2000, Pacific Shores did not exist. Based upon our conclusions and the conclusions that the Task Force has had with WTA, we are focusing on a site in Westpoint Slough near the junction of CEMEX and Pacific Shores but we also will consider other sites. The Westpoint Slough site works best in terms of ferry speeds, travel time, and roadway access. We need to research further to determine if there are any environmental show stoppers that would prevent us from using that location. Commissioner Miller asked if they anticipate any traffic problems due to the proposed Westpoint Marina. Fajans responded that based on normal marina traffic, it should not present a problem.
Commissioner Aikins commented on the proposed phased development of an initial facility that could be expanded as patronage develops and asked if there are any recent, local examples. Fajans said the Alameda Main Street Terminal was initially built with 250 parking spaces and now has expanded to include an additional 120 parking spaces. Vallejo has gone through several phases starting with a dirt parking lot, then a paved, larger parking lot; and, now they are designing a four story parking structure to consolidate parking since it is taking up too much of the Vallejo waterfront.
Chairman Castle asked if Fajans could foresee any circumstances that would prohibit completion of this study by July 2007. Fajans replied, “Not at this point.” Castle then asked if Port Commissioners could review all designs that Moffat & Nichols are putting together for the landside facilities. Fajans responded that he could make the designs available prior to finalizing a presentation to a joint meeting of the Port Commission and City Council.
Chairman Castle thanked Shirley Douglas, representative of WTA, for attending this meeting today in support of ferry service in Redwood City.
Jim Bigelow, representing the Redwood City, San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce, commented that it is a real pleasure to see the Port taking the first step to get things rolling for ferry service. In transportation planning, you need to select a site, and have a concept and plan to obtain funding. Now is time to solidify a site and make sure that it does not have any environmental flaws. Senator Perata is looking at moving ahead with additional funding in the State Legislature, and, there is the renewed Measure A of San Mateo County in 2009, which has $30 million dollars that potentially could be split between South San Francisco and Redwood City for ferry facilities, etc. The San Mateo County Transportation Agency realizes the importance of having a plan that can be presented when the State, the Federal Government, or the Transportation Authority has funds available. We are recommending that letters from the Port be sent to the City/County Association of Goverments of San Mateo County, the Transportation Authority, the WTA, and our local legislative representatives in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. Bigelow stated that the Port is to be commended and that he looks forward to supporting this project as it moves forward. Chairman Castle concurred with Mr. Bigelow’s statements.
Commissioner Dodge commented on a Port master plan, by Williams-Kuebelbeck in 1976, which said that one of the future elements of the Port plan should include ferry service.
A Motion to Approve was made by Commissioner Dodge. It was seconded by Commissioner Aikins. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioner Garcia was absent.
VI. REPORT/PRESENTATION
By: Donald K. Snaman, Manager of Operations
Click here to view the staff agenda sheet and documents for this item.
A. Mid-Year Tonnage and Vessel Report – (July 1, 2006-December 31, 2006)
Cargo tonnage for the second quarter of FY07 was 384,979 MT. This was 16% below the second quarter of FY06. Compared to the FY07 Port Budget, the second quarter tonnage was 80,521 MT less than budget.
Thirty vessels (13 ships; 17 barges) made calls during the second quarter of FY07 compared to 40 vessels (14 ships; 26 barges) during the second quarter of FY06. Thirty-nine vessels (14 ships; 25 barges) were projected in the FY07 Budget to call at the Port in the second quarter.
Total tonnage for all commodities during the first half of FY07 was 776,537 MT. This was a decrease of 202,658 MT; 21% less than the first half of FY05. Compared to the FY07 Budget, the first half tonnage was 178,463 MT, or about 19% less than Budget.
Commissioner Dodge asked if tonnage would increase sufficiently during the second half of fiscal year 2007 in order to make up for the decrease in tonnage during the first six months. Giari estimated that it would not; saying that building materials are predicted to remain lackluster throughout the first half of calendar year 2007. Aggregates are down due to the lack of demand in building materials. The same is true for cement. Even though scrap metal tonnage will probably set a banner year, it will not be enough to make up for the decrease in building materials.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENT
NONE
VIII. MATTERS OF BOARD INTEREST
Chairman Castle reported that he recently attended a recycled water meeting at the Seaport Conference Center and asked Don Snaman to report on the progress of recycled water in the community. Snaman reported that contracts have been executed for laying pipelines and installing new recycled water equipment at the sewer plant. The Redwood City Council has approved ordinances to promote recycled water and is offering incentives to residential and industrial users. Industrial customers, who provide their own hookups to the recycled water line, will receive a 40% reduction in their water costs. The next segment of recycled water line to be installed will be from Whipple Avenue to Blomquist and down Seaport Boulevard. Staff and Seaport Industrial Association members have met with City engineers to ensure them that there is enough demand in the Port area to bring the pipeline out Seaport Boulevard.
Commissioner Aikins inquired about hook up costs. Snaman replied that the City will supply all irrigation connections to the Port and other users. Industrial users will bear the cost for their recycled water connections.
Chairman Castle encouraged staff to submit the Port’s application immediately in order to support recycled water in Redwood City.
IX. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Executive Director Giari reminded the Commissioners and public that the Redwood City Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual dinner and awards ceremony tomorrow night at the Hotel Sofitel and encouraged all to attend.
X. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:45 a.m. Chairman Castle requested that the Commission adjourn to its next regularly scheduled Meeting of February 14, 2007. The Meeting was adjourned by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioner Garcia was absent.
City of Redwood City | Tide Chart | Contact Us |