BOARD OF PORT COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY – February 13, 2008
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
8:00 A.M.: Vice Chairman Dodge, presiding
Commissioners Present: Commissioner Ralph A. Garcia, Jr.; Secretary Larry R. Aikins; and, Vice Chairman, Richard A. Dodge;
Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Richard S. Claire and Chairman 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 Operations, Donald K. Snaman; Assistant Manager of Operations, Eric Napralla; Accounting Clerk, Linda Hawkins; and, Executive Assistant, Rita F. Artist
Commissioner Aikins led the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
A Motion to Approve Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 29, 2008 was made by Commissioner Aikins and Seconded by Commissioner Garcia. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioners Claire and Miller were absent.
III. CLAIMS:
Commissioner Garcia inquired about a $250 payment made to Legacy Limousine. Ms. Hampton explained that it was a combined payment for two one-way fares and one round trip fare to and from SFO.
Commissioner Dodge inquired about payments for permits to the California Department of Fish & Game, BCDC, and Regional Water Quality Control Board. Executive Director Giari explained that they were permits to start construction of the new Launch Ramp Renovation and Replacement project. Don Snaman was not certain if additional permits would be required but said there may be additional fees after the work if completed.
A Motion to Approve Claims was made by Commissioner Garcia and it was seconded by Commissioner Aikins. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioners Claire and Miller were absent.
IV. RESOLUTION
A. RESOLUTION APPROVING FIRST AMENDMENT TO SUBLEASE AGREEMENT – (Portside Investors – Phase I Lease Agreement) – (REDWOOD PRODUCE)
A Motion to Adopt was made by Commissioner Aikins. It was seconded by Commissioner Garcia. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioners Claire and Miller were absent.
V. MOTION
A. MOTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATES AND THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY ACTING BY AND THROUGH ITS BOARD OF PORT COMMISSIONERS FOR THE INITIAL STUDY/CEQA ANALYSIS PREPARATION OF NEGATIVE DECLARATION OR MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PLAN OR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT – (Wharves 1 and 2 and Warehouse 1)
Executive Director Giari explained that this item is to approve an agreement with the environmental consulting firm of Environmental Science Associates (ESA) to perform the CEQA study for the Wharves 1 and 2 Replacement Project. The project requires a CEQA review. A marine terminal plan and preliminary design for Wharves 1&2 replacement was completed in 2006. It included a wharf redevelopment plan, demolition plan, and site development plan for the adjacent upland area including the removal of Warehouse 1. The next step is complete the CEQA study. Port staff issued a Request for Proposals to 14 environmental consulting firms to perform the CEQA study and three firms submitted proposals. The proposals were evaluated by a review team consisting of two members of the Port staff and a representative from Cemex, a major user of Wharves 1&2 and the current tenant of the adjacent area. ESA was selected based on the quality of its proposal, experience, and price. Staff recommends approval of the agreement with ESA for professional services on the Wharves 1&2 project.
Gary Oates, president and CEO of ESA, 225 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA 94104, commented that ESA has performed work for the Port in the past. Oates personally worked at the Port in the 1980s and looks forward to the opportunity to work at the Port again. Oates introduced the designated project manager, Tania Sheyner, who will be working closely with Oates on the environmental report.
In response to the RFP distributed by the Port, ESA prepared a detailed proposal and study plan to prepare the environmental document. The project, as proposed, is consistent with the Marine Terminal Plan. One of the first steps will be to meet with Port staff and representatives of the wharf users to review the project description. An Initial Study will be produced that identifies the environmental issues that need to be addressed and the kind of environmental document that needs to be prepared. After a review and analysis of the site, we will determine whether or not to prepare an EIR or a Mitigated Negative Declaration. Oates stated that ESA has extensive experience with environmental impact assessments with particular emphasis on port and waterfront projects.
Commissioner Aikins asked if there is a presence of PCBs at the site. Giari responded that the Port has performed maintenance dredging at the wharves and did encounter PCBs in the sediment along the face of Wharf 1. We estimate that most of that material, if not all of it, was removed. The source of the PCBs was never identified so that will be something that will be addressed with this environmental review.
Commissioner Aikins asked if the study will take the current conditions and activities as a base line and evaluate the project in terms of changes from that base line. Oates explained that the base line for an environmental review is what exists at the time of the Notice of Preparation.
Commissioner Dodge asked if there will be less coverage of the surface of the Bay in this project than what is currently on site, and if so, will the Port be able to bank or sell the mitigation. Giari explained that may be the case. Another alternative that will be considered is to leave the old, wooden deck in place thereby not incurring demolition costs for its removal.
Dodge asked for an explanation of NEPA documents. Oates explained that in 1969 the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which is similar to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) passed in 1970. NEPA governs projects that receive federal funds or require approval from federal agencies. This project will require approval from federal agencies such as the Corps of Engineers.
Dodge suggested that a baseline environmental study be included as a template for an EIR that may be requested for future projects. Oates explained that could be done by anticipating possible future uses of the wharves when they review the assumptions for future activity levels. The assumptions for the operational impact analysis should be within a reasonable range of possibilities.
A Motion to Approve was made by Commissioner Aikins. It was seconded by Commissioner Garcia. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioners Claire and Miller were absent.
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
VII. MATTERS OF BOARD INTEREST:
Commissioner Aikins commented that on February 11th a joint meeting was held between the Port Commission and the City Council to discuss matters of mutual interest relating to the Port. The end result is that there is a need to focus on communication between the City and the Port. Aikins said that a couple of comments made at that meeting should be clarified. One was a comment expressed by Mayor Foust that the Port should consider bonding for environmental protection in future leases. Aikins suggested that staff provide the City Council with a history of bonding and financial guarantees already in place at the Port and discuss Port and City liability overlaps. Secondly, at Council member Howard’s request, we should again provide Port documents explaining the Port’s Reserve’s calculation and policies to the Council members.
Aikins also suggested explaining what other ports do to generate revenue for their cities. As Commissioner Dodge explained on February 11th, the Port operates with its own revenues and receives no tax generated funds from the City. The Port gives money back to Redwood City whereas most other ports do not.
Commissioner Garcia commented on Council member Hartnett’s suggestion that the Port Director attend Head of Department meetings at the City and asked if that was a decision that should be made by the Port Commission or the City. Giari responded that it was his understanding that the City Manager and he would discuss whether or not having the Port Director attend the City Department Head meetings would be useful. If we determine that it would be useful in order to approve communications, then Giari would be invited to attend.
Commissioner Dodge said he would like to move forward quickly to establish a date for a meeting between the Mayor/Vice Mayor and the Port Commission’s Chair/Vice Chair to discuss issues of mutual importance. Dodge would like to have these meetings on a regular basis and have them scheduled ahead by a few months. He suggested that staff attend the meetings to take minutes and share the information with the full Council and Port Commission. Dodge said that the primary theme resulting from the February 11th meeting was cooperation and communication. The Port should do everything possible to improve both of these areas.
Commissioner Aikins complimented staff on the PowerPoint presentation made to the Council and the public on the Port and its operations.
Commissioner Garcia commented that he appreciated the Council acknowledging that the Port has a small staff, which is very efficient in its day to day operations.
VIII. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Executive Director Giari reported that an announcement was distributed to Marina tenants and to businesses in the Portside office complex that there will be a triathalon on Sunday, March 2nd, at the Port, which will occupy a significant portion of the parking lot. The announcement also advised the Marina tenants that there will be swimmers in the Bay. Approximately 500 athletes are expected to participate in this event.
Giari next reported that Arrivederci & Bella Restaurant will not be open during the triathalon due a closure caused by last December’s fire. A kitchen fire caused extensive damage to the kitchen, the roof, and smoke damage to the rest of the restaurant. Renovations are underway but the restaurant does not expect to reopen until this April.
Commissioner Dodge inquired about promotion for the triathalon and asked if the Port was publicizing the event. Giari responded that the Port has sent an announcement to the City to include in their newsletter. Stanford contacts other universities and invites athletes’ participation.
IX. ADJOURNMENT:
At 8:45 a.m. Vice Chairman Dodge requested that the Commission adjourn to its next regularly scheduled Meeting of February 27, 2008. The Meeting was adjourned by unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioners Claire and Miller were absent.
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