BOARD OF PORT COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY – March 12, 2008
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
8:00 A.M.: Chairman Miller, presiding
Commissioners Present: Commissioner Richard S. Claire; Commissioner Ralph A. Garcia, Jr.; Secretary Larry R. Aikins; Vice Chairman, Richard A. Dodge; and, Chairman, Lewis D. Miller
Commissioners Absent: None
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 Dodge led the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A Motion to Approve Minutes of Joint Meeting Between Port Commission and City Council of February 11, 2008 was made by Commissioner Dodge. Commissioner Garcia seconded the motion and Commissioner Miller abstained. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present at the February 11th meeting.
A Motion to Approve Minutes of Regular Meeting of February 13, 2008 was made by Commissioner Dodge. Commissioner Aikins seconded the motion and Commissioners Claire and Miller abstained. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present at the February 13th meeting.
III. CLAIMS
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.
IV. RESOLUTION
A. RESOLUTION APPROVING FIRST AMENDMENT TO SUBLEASE AGREEMENT – (Portside II Development) – (E-PLANET)
Executive Director Giari commented that the rents at Portside II are a little higher than those at Portside I, averaging between $2.25 per square foot and $2.90 per square foot. Commissioner Garcia asked the reason for this and Giari explained that Portside II is a newer building.
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.
V. MOTION
A. MOTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING SPONSORSHIP IN THE AMOUNT OF $_________ FOR THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE REDWOOD CITY EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Click here to view the staff agenda sheet and documents for this item
Executive Director Giari explained that the Redwood City Education Foundation is requesting that the Port support their enrichment programs for Redwood City schools by sponsoring their 2008 fund raising event, “Benefit for a Brighter Future.” Last year the Port was a $5,000 sponsor for the same event. Through its sponsorship, the Port benefits by receiving recognition at the event and throughout the year in the RCEF newsletter and other information provided to the community. Sponsorship of the RCEF is included in the Port’s FY2008 budget in the amount of $2,500.
Adam Borison, President, RCEF, thanked the Commission for its generous support in past years. Borison gave a brief overview on the schools and what the foundation does for the students. There are 8,000 K-8 students in 16 Redwood City schools. Redwood City has modest state funding and is termed a “revenue limited” district. Half of the students are “English learners” and half are low income. The revenue per student is inadequate, especially with the state budget crisis. Borison commented that the funding situation puts our local economy and our local students at a serious competitive disadvantage. Programs such as arts, P.E., and science are minimal or entirely absent and RCEF tries to support these types of programs.
Borison explained that RCEF raised $270,000 in 2006-07, which amounts to approximately $34 per student. Compared to other school districts on the peninsula, Redwood City has the lowest Area Education Foundation Revenue per student. RCEF has a target to raise $430,000 for 2007-08. If they succeed, they will be able to continue to fund Music for Learning, Outdoor Education, Health/Wellness Coordinator, and block grants to schools and teachers for arts, P.E., and science.
Commissioner Dodge asked what percentage of the $270,000 raised last year came from parents and Borison responded that at least $100,000 was from parents. Certain schools in Redwood City, such as North Star, Clifford, and Roy Cloud have sizable fund raising abilities but most schools do not.
Commissioner Miller asked if more funds were apportioned to the poorer schools than to schools that raise their own money. Borison explained that in order to appeal to everyone in the district, RCEF tries to balance the funding but it is quite a challenge. At this time, certain grants are only available to less wealthy schools.
Commissioner Aikins asked if schools on the federal improvement program were receiving any special funding. Borison said they received Title 1 funding but it does not compensate for the programs that RCEF is funding. There are some schools in Redwood City that do not even have a P.E. program.
A Motion to Approve was made by Commissioner Dodge to contribute $2,500 to the RCEF. Commissioner Garcia seconded the motion. Commissioner Claire requested a discussion before final vote and commented that he would like the Port to fund $5,000 and follow up with a discussion with the City to deduct $5,000 from the Port’s subvention payment to the City. Commissioner Dodge said the Port has worked very hard to establish the subvention formula and that he would prefer to change his motion from $2,500 to $5,000 rather than change the subvention policy. Commissioner Garcia commented that he also would prefer the Port to contribute $5,000 to RCEF. Chairman Miller commented that if the motion is increased to approve $5,000, it should be with the condition that Staff review the budget to determine how the adjustment could be made within the marketing sponsorships category and report back to the Commissioners.
Commissioner Dodge dropped his motion to approve a contribution of $2,500 and made a new motion to approve $5,000 to the RCEF with the condition that Staff modify the Port’s budget. Commissioner Garcia seconded the motion. The motion was approved by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners.
MOTION
B. MOTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES – (STEVEN WRIGHT)
Executive Director Giari explained that Steve Wright retired from his position as Business Development Manager at the Port in January 2008. Although retired, Wright expressed his desire to continue working for the Port in the capacity of a consultant. Wright had several projects underway when he retired in January so he developed a scope of work (see Exhibit A to the Agreement). The term of this agreement would be from January 15, 2008 to July 15, 2008 and compensation would be at $80.00 per hour plus any expenses. Staff expects the number of hours that Wright will perform services for the Port will vary between 20-40 hours per month.
Commissioner Dodge commented that he would like language added to the agreement maximizing the dollar amount that Wright would receive per month. Dodge also suggested that Wright be given the ability to log into the Port’s computer from his home office.
Chairman Miller asked Attorney Sorba to explain Sections 18 and 19 of the agreement. Attorney Sorba commented that the City of Orinda provides a home occupation license in lieu of a business license, which the Port required Wright, as an independent contractor, to obtain. Section 19 refers to confidential information that the Port is providing to Wright. Information that Wright is providing to the Port would fall under the Public Records Act. Miller asked that language clarifying this be added to the agreement.
Commissioner Aikins commented that the estimate of 20-40 hours per month, which would amount to $1600-$3200 per month, would be well spent if Wright was able to secure a couple of leases. He also agreed with Dodge that a cap should be put on the dollar amount in the agreement.
A Motion to Approve was made by Commissioner Dodge with the caveat that a maximum dollar amount per month is added to the agreement and that clarifying language be added to Section 19 regarding confidential information. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Aikins and it was passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners.
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Clem Molony, Lyngso Garden Materials and Secretary of Seaport Industrial Association, acknowledged the successful job that the Commissioners and Port Staff did in preparation for the Charter Review Joint Session on February 11. Molony said the content and tone was excellent and that the Joint Session was very productive.
Molony thanked the Port Commission for the philanthropy that is included in the Port budget each year. It is very helpful to the non-profit community organizations that serve not only the general population but also the low income and newer citizens of Redwood City.
Molony also commented that the Port’s Maritime Strategic Assessment was a topic on yesterday’s agenda of the Seaport Industrial Association. Discussions centered on the need for growth of the Port’s industrial waterborne commerce; modernization of Wharves 1 & 2; the possibility of Short Sea Shipping in the future; Redwood City’s General Plan; and, a presentation was made by Save the Bay. It is Save the Bay’s position that Cargill’s 1430 acres should be returned to “mud flat”. Save the Bay has moved to have an initiative on the November ballot which would establish a barrier of 67% approval of any open space development on the Bay.
Commissioner Dodge asked what constitutes “open space”. Molony explained that under the General Plan Land Use Designation, the 1430 acres is urban reserve. Under the zoning regulations of the City, it is considered “Tidal Plain”.
Molony commented that if the voters do support housing development on part of the 1430 acres, SIA and the Port need to address the issue of an appropriate buffer. When SIA met with DMB in late January, DMB said they designed a 100-150 foot berm to mitigate the dust and noise. DMB said they would perform adequate mitigation studies in order to complete the CEQA process. Molony stated that design and distance of the buffer are important and suggested this issue be addressed by Port staff sooner rather than later.
VII. MATTERS OF BOARD INTEREST:
Commissioner Claire commented that he and Commissioner Garcia hosted the Port Poster Contest Awards Ceremony at City Hall on Friday, March 7th. On behalf of the Port Commission, Claire thanked staff members, Margaret Astesano and Rita Artist, for an outstanding job of putting together this successful event.
In reference to Clem Molony’s comments, Commissioner Dodge inquired as to whether or not the environmental study currently being performed on Wharves 1&2 will take into consideration the effects of any future development on the 1430 acres. Giari said the consulting team, ESA, considers adjacent projects that could impact or be impacted by the project under review. Dodge suggested that since they already are performing a comprehensive analysis, a secondary result from that study could be considerate of that impact. Giari explained that the Wharves 1&2 project will be completed way ahead of any development, if there is any development, on the Cargill land. The burden should fall on the developer to look at all possible impacts. Port staff is working with DMB on researching what impacts Port activities will have on any proposed development.
Dodge commented that the Joint Meeting with the City Council on February 11 raised issues that could easily be responded to and asked Staff for a status on the Port’s response to these issues. As an example, Council woman Howard asked about the Port’s reserve policy. Since the Port has a reserve policy that is tied very closely to our subvention payments, how do we provide Howard and the rest of the Council with information about that reserve policy.
Giari responded that yesterday he met with the interim City Manager, Peter Ingram, and discussed follow up to the February 11 Joint Meeting. A summary of Giari and Ingram’s meeting was sent to the Port Commissioners following the meeting. Giari suggested that since the first follow up item discussed was to schedule a meeting between the Mayor/Vice Mayor and the Chairman/Vice Chairman, the Port’s reserve policy should be discussed at that meeting.
Commissioner Aikins commented that at the last Commission meeting, he suggested that we provide to members of the City Council the history of financial assurances at the Port and how they are incorporated in our leases, and that an explanation on calculations of the Port’s reserve policy also be provided to the Council. Giari explained that those two items are not specifically addressed in yesterday’s follow up memo to the Port Commissioners and will be addressed separately.
Chairman Miller suggested that Staff have a meeting with Dodge and Miller as soon as possible to discuss future meetings with the Mayor/Vice Mayor. Miller also asked the Port Attorney to follow the proposed ballot measure on open space to see how it would affect the Port.
Commissioner Aikins mentioned that the Port has been a supporter of the Sequoia Awards for many years. Last week, several Port Commissioners attended their annual dinner and awards ceremony. About $140,000 in scholarships was awarded to local students, one of which was the son of Lorianna Kastrop, who is in the audience today. Aikins congratulated Mrs. Kastrop on her son’s achievement.
VIII. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Executive Director Giari also thanked Rita Artist and Margaret Astesano for their efforts on the Poster Contest. Many of the posters are on display in the lobby at City Hall and at the main Redwood City Library.
Don Snaman reported on the Port Administration Building’s roof replacement project. The roofing contract was awarded to Petersen-Dean Roofing for approximately $26,000. There was also a cost of about $2,000 for developing the plans and specifications for the job. The new roof should be completed by Friday, March 14.
Snaman also reported on a special event, the Stanford Treeathalon, which was a triathalon held at the Port on March 2nd. It included a 500 meter swim, a 20k bike race and a 5k run. There were 650 participants, mostly collegiate, but it was open to the public as well. The weather was windy and the water for swimmers was very choppy that day. There were a number of boats monitoring the swimmers at all times. All in all, it was a good day and a very successful event.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:05 a.m. Chairman Miller requested that the Commission adjourn to its next regularly scheduled Meeting of March 26, 2008
A Motion to Adjourn was made by Commissioner Dodge and it was seconded by Commissioner Garcia. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners.
City of Redwood City | Tide Chart | Contact Us |