BOARD OF PORT COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY – May 27, 2009
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
8:00 A.M.: Vice Chairman Garcia, presiding
Commissioners Present: Commissioner Lorianna Kastrop, Secretary Richard Claire and Vice Chairman Ralph Garcia
Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Larry Aikins and Chairman Richard Dodge
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 Snaman; Assistant Manager of Operations, Eric Napralla; and, Administrative Assistant, Margaret Astesano
Commissioner Kastrop led the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. CLAIMS
A Motion to Approve Claims was made by Commissioner Claire and it was seconded by Commissioner Kastrop. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioners Dodge and Aikins were absent.
III. RESOLUTION
A. RESOLUTION APPROVING FIRST AMENDMENT TO SUBLEASE AGREEMENT – (Portside Investors – Phase I Lease Agreement) – (Scott Granet)
B. RESOLUTION APPROVING FIFTH AMENDMENT TO SUBLEASE AGREEMENT – (Portside Investors – Phase I Lease Agreement) – (WDM, Inc.)
Items III-A and III-B were discussed and handled as one item. A Motion to Adopt was made by Commissioner Kastrop. It was seconded by Commissioner Claire. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioners Dodge and Aikins were absent.
C. RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING AN INCREASE IN RATES FOR MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES, SECURITY FEES AND LINE HANDLING – (TERMINAL TARIFF
No. 8)
Executive Director Giari explained that Port Terminal Tariff No. 8 governs the rates and charges and rules and regulations for the use of the wharves and industrial areas of the Port. The Tariff is regularly reviewed and updated. In preparation of the FY10 Port Budget, Tariff No. 8 was reviewed which resulted in the recommendation of increases in several items. The most significant change is the rates for linesmen and line handling, which include all the categories of rates for the tie up and the let go of lines. The average increase is approximately 6% over the current rates. This is due to an increase that is part of the Longshoreman’s labor contract that goes into effect July. There is a proposed increase in the general security fee for all international cargo on a per metric ton basis. The current fee is at $.03 per metric ton and it would be increased to $.04 per metric ton to cover general overall port security costs. There is a security fee for cruise passengers and although currently no cruise passengers are expected in the next year, that fee would be increased from $1.03 to $1.30. There is also some language change to clarify how charges are applied for the use of the rail track.
A Motion to Approve was made by Commissioner Kastrop. It was seconded by Commissioner Claire. The motion was passed by unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioners Dodge and Aikins were absent.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
V. MATTERS OF BOARD INTEREST
Commissioner Kastrop reported that she and Commissioner Claire attended the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) Seminar for Governing Boards & Commissions in Boston last week. She found the information helpful but disappointing since the economic outlook is not projected to be positive for some time. As a fairly new Port Commissioner, Kastrop thinks the seminar was thorough in covering the issues that are before us for the coming year.
Commissioner Claire mentioned that Commissioner Kastrop, as well as many other commissioners at the seminar, brought up the issue of cost to travel, not only in terms of money but in time lost away from their business. Claire thought that he did benefit from this past trip, especially in the networking with other port commissioners. However, he will be limiting his attendance at future functions because of the time involved.
Commissioner Garcia commented that by reviewing the seminar or conference agendas beforehand it will show how they apply to and benefit the Port of Redwood City. It can help to determine how many Commissioners should attend.
VI. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Executive Director Giari reported that the AAPA Port Commissioners’ Seminar is a training and education seminar for port commissioners. New port commissioners and port commissioners who have never attended, or have attended and want to get caught up on various port industry issues, can benefit from this seminar. Obviously, the industry trends are currently down but the message was to hang in there. Take advantage of the current times to see if you can invest in your port to improve the infrastructure and management, and be ready for when marine cargo and the economy turns around. As far as commissioner training on rules and responsibilities, the most beneficial part of this Seminar is the discussion that occurs between the commissioners. Unfortunately, one of the things that uses commissioners’ time in order to attend this seminar is the travel time it takes when it is held on the East Coast.
Giari informed the Board that a videographer spent about 3½ hours at the Port yesterday taking video shots of the Port. The video, which will be shown on the Port’s website, will be approximately 3 to 4 minutes long and very informative. An update will be provided in a few weeks, but it should be ready by July.
Commissioner Kastrop inquired about the charge for the video services. Giari said it was a lump sum of $1,500 to $2,000 to do the shooting and the editing of the video. The videographer is a student that came favorably recommended and his rate is very economical.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:17a.m. Vice Chairman Garcia requested that the Commission adjourn to its next regularly scheduled Meeting of June 10, 2009. A Motion to Adjourn was made by Commissioner Claire and it was seconded by Commissioner Kastrop. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioners Dodge and Aikins were absent.
City of Redwood City | Tide Chart | Contact Us |