BOARD OF PORT COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY – May 9, 2007
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
8:00 A.M. Chairman Castle, presiding
Commissioners Present: Commissioner Ralph A. Garcia, Jr., Commissioner Larry R. Aikins, Vice Chairman Lewis D. Miller and Chairman John Castle,
Commissioners Absent: Secretary Richard Dodge
Staff Present: Michael J. Giari, Executive Director; Francois X. Sorba, Special Counsel to Port; Cynthia Hampton, Director of Finance & Administration; Steven Wright, Manager of Economic Development; Eric Napralla, Assistant Operations Manager; Rita F. Artist, Executive Assistant.
Commissioner Miller led the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A Motion to Approve Minutes of Regular Meeting of April 25, 2007 was made by Commissioner Aikins and was seconded by Commissioner Garcia. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioner Dodge was absent.
III. CLAIMS:
A Motion to Approve Claims was made by Commissioner Miller and it was seconded by Commissioner Aikins. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioner Dodge was absent.
IV. RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION APPROVING STANDARD SUBLEASE AGREEMENT – (Portside Investors – Phase I Lease Agreement – (MAIL FILTERS, INC.)
A Motion to Adopt was made by Commissioner Miller and was seconded by Commissioner Aikins. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioner Dodge was absent.
RESOLUTION
B. RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE IN RATES FOR DOCKAGE, WHARFAGE, FACILITY USAGE AND MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES – (TARIFF No. 8)
Executive Director Giari explained that as part of the budget review process, the Port reviews it’s tariffs and charges for the next year. After this year’s review, a general rate increase on all tariff items was proposed. The proposed rate increases were then submitted to California Association of Port Authority (CAPA) for approval.
Steve Wright stated that 11 members of CAPA voted unanimously to allow the Port of Redwood City to increase the tariff by 3%.
Commissioner Miller inquired as to how our security fee rate increase relates to the way other ports are handling security fees. Giari replied that, to our knowledge, there is no general rate increase being proposed by other CAPA ports. With our proposed rate increase, we will remain in a competitive range with other ports in California. The security fee is something that we instituted two years ago. Except for the Port of Stockton, other California Ports do not have a tariff fee that is specifically for security costs. They try to recover security costs in other ways. Currently there is talk that the large container ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Oakland are going to propose a $25-$30 per container fee in an attempt to recover infrastructure, environmental and security costs. That would be a significant tariff increase, and although it does not directly affect us, it does show a trend by the public ports to try to recover some of those increased costs.
Commissioner Aikins asked if we would see a significant increase in volume if our fees were more competitively priced. Wright replied that the Port is competitive in its rates, maybe five or ten cents above others. The commodities that are coming in to our port are driven by the local market. Commissioner Castle commented that the location of our port has a lot to do with this also.
A Motion to Adopt was made by Commissioner Miller and was seconded by Commissioner Garcia. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioner Dodge was absent.
V. PUBLIC COMMENT
None
VI. MATTERS OF BOARD INTEREST:
Chairman Castle reported that he, Commissioner Garcia, and Dick Claire were interviewed for the position of Port Commissioner by the City Council on April 30th. This presented an opportunity to mention how well the Port is performing and how it is recognized in the industry as being No. 1 in small ports. Castle introduced Lorianna Kastrop, Vice President and Controller of The Kastrop Group, Inc. and said she has expressed an interest in being on the Port Commission.
VII. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
A. Executive Director Giari reported that the Port sponsored the World Café on Climate Protection at City Hall on April 25, 2007. Chairman Castle, Vice Chairman Miller and Commissioner Garcia were in attendance.
Commissioner Miller stated that he found the topic of solar power for houses very interesting. Miller mentioned that Ed Everett is talking to PG&E about exchanging florescent for incandescent light bulbs.
Commissioner Garcia commented that households that are willing to conserve energy present one solution to the problem. Other topics covered included different ways to lessen the “carbon footprint” by walking more, using better insulation for homes, converting to solar power, recycling, and using less paper or plastic bags.
Commissioner Castle commented that the City Manager and other attendees expressed appreciation of the Port’s sponsorship of this event. The topic of reusable cloth bags, which could eliminate the use of plastic or paper bags at the supermarket, was also brought up. Other topics included SUV’s on the road and how we should start looking at the use of nuclear power again. An interesting comment was made about how industries that are green should receive recognition.
B. Giari next reported that May is National Historic Preservation Month and the City is sponsoring historic downtown Redwood City tours for school children. The Port contributed $500, which will provide lunches to the students participating in the tours. Charles Jany, City of Redwood City Planning Department, will include a presentation on the history of the Port and how the Port started near, what is today, downtown Redwood City. Commissioner Castle noted that the two story parking garage on Main Street is the location of the original docks used for loading redwood and other building materials.
VIII. CLOSED SESSION:
At 8:17a.m., the Board adjourned to Closed Session to conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation under Government Code Section 54956.9(b). Case name unspecified. One case.
At 9:17a.m., the Board reconvened. Chairman Castle announced that no action had been taken by the Board.
IX. ADJOURNMENT:
At 9:17 a.m. Chairman Castle requested that the Commission adjourn to its next regularly scheduled Meeting of May 23, 2007.
A Motion to Adjourn was made by Commissioner Miller and was seconded by Commissioner Aikins. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioner Dodge was absent.
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