BOARD OF PORT COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY – July 11, 2007
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
8:00 A.M. Chairman Miller, presiding
Commissioners Present: John J. Castle; Secretary Larry R. Aikins; and, Chairman Lewis D. Miller
Commissioners Absent: Ralph A. Garcia, Jr.; Vice Chairman Richard A. Dodge
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 Snaman; Assistant Manager of Operations, Eric Napralla; Executive Assistant, Rita Artist
Commissioner Aikins led the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Due to a lack of quorum of Commissioners present at the June 27, 2007 meeting, Chairman Miller deferred approval of the minutes for that meeting to the next Port Commission meeting.
III. CLAIMS
A Motion to Approve Claims was made by Commissioner Castle and it was seconded by Commissioner Aikins. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioners Garcia and Dodge were absent.
IV. RESOLUTION
A. RESOLUTION APPROVING CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS PURSUANT TO SECTION 49b OF THE REDWOOD CITY CHARTER (RECYCLED WATER PROJECT)
Click here to view the staff agenda sheet and documents for this item
Executive Director Giari explained that in 2004 the City Council approved an agreement with SBSA for the production and delivery of recycled water. Construction has been completed for tankage and other infrastructure at the SBSA Plant and the laying of “purple pipes” for the distribution system is underway in Redwood Shores. The next phase of the Project will be pipeline installation along Seaport Boulevard. The Port was one of the first applicants for the use of recycled water in the Port area. Under the City Charter (Section 49b), public improvements in the Port area are subject to the approval of the Port Commission. The Resolution approving the Recycled Water Project is recommended for adoption by Port staff.
Peter Ingram, Community Development Director and Manager of the Recycled Water Project thanked the Commissioners and all of the Port businesses in the area for an amazing response to a call for applications for recycled water service. The result of their prompt response is that the $10+ million cost to build pipelines from the base of Whipple, and out to the end of Seaport Blvd made the City eligible to receive a 25% reimbursement grant from the State in the amount of $2.9 million, which was just announced last week. Construction will probably start along Seaport Blvd in late September and water is expected to be delivered to the Port area by the end of 2009.
Commissioner Aikins asked why the pipelines would be installed down the south side of Seaport Blvd. Ingram replied that it would have the least traffic impact on that side; and, it was also due to the location of underground utilities.
Chairman Miller commented that the City is talking about increases in housing and asked if having recycled water would bring Redwood City below its allocation from the Hetch Hetchy system. Ingram responded that the Urban Water Management Plan, taking into account savings from our conservation program and new water from our recycled project, projects that Redwood City will be positive with our water supply from Hetch Hetchy by 2010.
Commissioner Castle asked if future uses of recycled water would include toilets and fire suppression systems. Ingram answered that an ordinance would be brought before the City Council soon allowing the City to ask for dual plumbing for toilet flushing and cooling systems in new commercial buildings. The State Dept. of Health Services has not yet approved the use of recycled water in residential buildings.
Commissioner Aikins asked what the cost comparison was between recycled water and potable water. Ingram explained that a landscape irrigation account with the City that converts to recycled water will receive a 25% discount on every bill and a commercial user that has retrofitted their facility for the use of recycled water will receive a 40% discount on every bill. The commercial users will have to pay for their own facility retrofits, which are site specific, but the City will pay for retrofits for landscape users.
Commissioner Castle commented that the Port has worked with the Seaport Industrial Association and Port tenants to actively promote the use of recycled water for landscaping, and more importantly, for industrial uses. The tenants readily agreed, and in the interest of “Best Practices”, showed the willingness of Port tenants to cooperate with the interests of the community.
A Motion to Adopt was made by Commissioner Castle. It was seconded by Commissioner Aikins. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioners Garcia and Dodge were absent.
V. REPORT
by Donald K. Snaman, Manager of Operations
DOCUMENTS FOR THIS ITEM MAY BE VIEWED AT WWW.REDWOODCITYPORT.COM UNDER TAB “COMMISSION MEETINGS”.
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A. ANNUAL TONNAGE AND VESSEL REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007
Snaman reported that this is the fourth highest tonnage year in Port history. It is significantly lower than last year, however, by about 20-25%. The main contributor to the loss was the decline in cement imports through CEMEX. Gypsum was also slightly down. Both of these are directly related to the decline in the construction industry.
Executive Director Giari commented that some of the decline in tonnage is directly related to a decrease in demand for construction materials. Staff has talked to companies at the Port about their current market situation and what they project in the future. On a positive note, tonnage does cycle back and we expect that the demand for aggregates and gypsum will increase.
Steve Wright, Manager of Economic Development, explained that CEMEX has one other facility for importing cement in San Diego. They manufacture cement in Victorville and Davenport and with new rail distribution facilities in Richmond, CEMEX does not need to import as much as before.
Commissioner Aikins asked if there was a timeline on the State infrastructure projects and the impact they will have on the demand for construction materials. Giari answered that the demand for construction materials should start very soon. The first money from Infrastructure Bonds was allocated by the California Transportation Commission in April. Staff will be meeting with CEMEX and other construction companies to see what their outlook is.
Commissioner Castle commented that it is important for the Port to explain to the City Council that the Port goes through a business cycle like this on a fairly regular basis and how it can affect what is subvented to the City.
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT
None
VII. MATTERS OF BOARD INTEREST
None
VIII. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Executive Director Giari introduced a summer intern, Jonathan Morris, who has been working for the Port. Jon is a graduate of Aragon High School and has completed his freshman year at Cal Maritime Academy. He has been working primarily on projects with Don Snaman and Eric Napralla and is learning about the Port. Chairman Miller and the Commissioners welcomed Jon aboard.
Giari reminded everyone that on July 21 & 22 the Port will have its 70th Anniversary Celebration at the Port. The main feature will be a visit by the S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien, an historic World War II Liberty Ship, which will be open for public tours. We will have other displays along the waterfront by the San Mateo County History Museum, Save the Bay, the Water Transit Authority, Cañada College and other community organizations. The Marine Science Institute’s ship will give harbor tours to the public on Saturday and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will have a vessel at the Port along with information on safe boating and other programs.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:42 a.m. Chairman Miller requested that the Commission adjourn to its next regularly scheduled Meeting of July 25, 2007
A Motion to Adjourn was made by Commissioner Aikins. It was seconded by Commissioner Castle and the motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioners Garcia and Dodge were absent.
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