BOARD OF PORT COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY – July 8, 2009
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
8:00 A.M.: Chairman Dodge, presiding
Commissioners Present: Commissioner Lorianna Kastrop; Secretary; Richard S. Claire; Vice Chairman, Ralph A. Garcia, Jr.; and, Chairman, Richard A. Dodge
Commissioners Absent: Larry R. Aikins
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 Garcia led the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A Motion to Approve Minutes of Regular Meeting of June 24, 2009 was made by Commissioner Claire and Seconded by Commissioner Kastrop. Commissioner Dodge abstained and Commissioner Aikins was absent. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
III. CLAIMS
A Motion to Approve Claims was made by Commissioner Kastrop and it was seconded by Commissioner Claire. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. Commissioner Aikins was absent.
IV. RESOLUTION
A. RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF PORT COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY AUTHORIZING THOSE OFFICIALS AND/OR EMPLOYEES LISTED ON THE RESOLUTION AS OUR REPRESENTATIVES TO ACQUIRE FEDERAL SURPLUS PROPERTY FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA STATE AGENCY FOR SURPLUS PROPERTY
Executive Director Giari explained that the State Department of General Services manages the Federal Surplus Personal Property program, which the Port is eligible to participate in. The Port’s eligibility has expired and must be renewed. The renewal is for three years. The renewal and names of individuals authorized to obtain surplus property on behalf of the Port must be approved by a resolution of the Port’s governing board. Following the renewal of eligibility, Port representatives will be able to access and view surplus equipment and the Port will have an opportunity to list any equipment it may wish to purchase.
Commissioner Garcia asked if the Port had ever purchased any equipment from this program. Giari replied that in the past the Port acquired a small switch engine, a small front end loader, a small, mobile crane, and other miscellaneous equipment.
A Motion to Adopt was made by Commissioner Garcia. It was seconded by Commissioner Claire. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Commissioner Aikins was absent.
V. MOTION
A. MOTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF MARINA MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT – (SPINNAKER ENTERPRISES, INC.)
Executive Director Giari explained that for more than 10 years Spinnaker has provided management services for the Marina in a very satisfactory and professional manner. Spinnaker also manages the assignment and utilization of the guest dock (F dock). Under Spinnaker’s management, permanent and transient berth assignments have maximized the efficient utilization of marina docking space.
The scope of services to be provided by Spinnaker under the proposed agreement is described in Exhibit A to the agreement. The scope of services has been expanded to include assistance with delinquent accounts, arrangement of lien sales, and disposition of vessels that are not sold or are abandoned.
The new agreement with Spinnaker would be for a two year period from July 1, 2009-June 30, 2011. During the first year, the monthly management fee would be $3,850, which would increase to $4,000 per month in the second year starting July 1, 2010.
Commissioner Kastrop asked if there were any issues that have been brought up by marina tenants. Rich Ferrari, president of Spinnaker Enterprises, explained that outside of normal issues such as ongoing maintenance, the major complaint would be that unauthorized people sometimes use the bathrooms. Otherwise, some of the tenants would like to have wireless internet service.
Commissioner Garcia asked if wireless internet service is an amenity that could be added in order to attract new berthing tenants to the Port’s marina. Ferrari responded that it could be added with a small additional expense for the broadband connection and network costs. Chairman Dodge suggested that a survey be sent out to marina tenants in the monthly billing in order to determine whether or not wireless internet service would be desired by the majority of berthing tenants.
A Motion to Approve was made by Commissioner Kastrop. It was seconded by Commissioner Garcia. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. Commissioner Aikins was absent.
VI. REPORT/PRESENTATION
By Donald Snaman, Manager of Operations
Annual Vessel and Tonnage Report for Fiscal Year 2009
Snaman reported that total tonnage for all commodities for FY09 was 986,727 MT. This was a decrease of 500,337 MT, or nearly 34%, over all of FY08. All commodities experienced a decrease over the previous fiscal year with the exception of exported scrap metal, which increased by 32,050 MT, or nearly ten percent.
Fiscal Year 2009 total tonnage was less than FY09 total budget by 556,273 MT, or nearly 36 percent. Again, all commodities except exported scrap metal (+36,646 MT, or +12%) were below budget expectations.
Forty-eight vessels (37 ships, 11 barges) made calls during all of FY09 compared to one hundred fifteen vessels (50 ships, 65 barges) during all of FY08. Ninety vessels (45 ships, 46 barges) were projected for budget purposes for FY09.
Snaman commented that cement and dredged sand have decreased to nothing in FY09; imported sand, which had dramatically increased in the last few years has also decreased in FY09; gypsum, which had held steady at about 300,000 MT in recent years, has dropped off in FY09 due to the decline in the construction industry and the reconstruction of the wallboard plant in Newark. Imported aggregate and imported sand from British Columbia had picked up in recent years, but, again due to the lack in the construction industry, these commodities have also decreased. Snaman reported that scrap metal, which had been fairly strong and consistent in the past few years, dropped off a little this year but is staying pretty strong at about 350,000 MT.
Commissioner Kastrop asked if Sims Metal was predicting that exported scrap metal tonnage would continue to be fairly strong. Snaman responded that Sims has been bringing in imported scrap by rail and it seems that will continue since Sims has found a good market overseas.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENT:
NONE
VIII. MATTERS OF BOARD INTEREST
Vice Chairman Garcia commented that tonight is the third concert of the Port sponsored Music in the Park Series at Stafford Park. Garcia said the two previous concerts were a great success. Garcia encouraged all to attend.
Chairman Dodge sadly reported that Past Port Commissioner Guy Smith had passed away and read the following:
“ Long-time Port of Redwood City Commissioner Guy Smith died Sunday, July 5th, after a long illness. He was 76.
Smith stepped down from the Redwood City Port Commission after nearly 21 years of service in October 2005, citing increasing challenges from Parkinson's disease. In addition to 21 years on the Port Commission, Smith served six years on the Redwood City Planning Commission. He served as chairman of the Port Commission on six separate one-year terms and as chairman of the Planning Commission for one year.
Prior to moving to Redwood City, Smith served as mayor of Lynwood, California, where he was on the City Council for four years and on the Parks and Recreation Commission for six years.
Fellow long-time Port Commission colleague Jack Castle said, ‛Guy was instrumental in the growth and profitability of the Port during his tenure. He was very involved in the growth of the Redwood Shores community. His terms on the Planning Commission were during the dynamic growth of the Shores.’
During Smith’s tenure on the Port Commission, the Port has grown by 228 percent with revenue increasing from $1.6 million to $5.3 million.
Smith and his wife, Donna, lived in Redwood Shores. They have two adult daughters, Tia and Michelle. He was retired from Pacific Bell.
A memorial service is scheduled at Skylawn Memorial Park on Friday July 10, at 10:30 a.m. The cemetery is at Highway 92 at Skyline Boulevard on the road to Half Moon Bay.”
Chairman Dodge commented that it was very appropriate today for the Port Commission to approve the resolution to purchase from the State Agency for Federal surplus property since Guy Smith was the commissioner who originally brought the Federal Surplus Personal Property program to the attention of the Port Commission. That led to the Port’s purchase of several assets, including the locomotive switch engine. Dodge recommended that the Port Commission officially name the locomotive switch engine after Guy Smith.
Commissioner Dodge stated that Guy Smith loved the Port and certainly will be missed.
Commissioner Claire commented that he met Guy Smith in April, 1978 as a Planning Commissioner. Claire said that what always impressed him most about Guy Smith was the integrity that Smith brought to both the Planning Commission and the Port Commission. Claire extended his condolences to the family of Guy Smith.
Commissioner Kastrop commented that when she first became interested in becoming a Port Commissioner a few years ago, Commissioner Smith was most nice and welcoming, answering her questions and encouraging her to stay interested.
IX. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Executive Director Giari reported that the Port had an official visit earlier this week by the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port for the San Francisco Bay Region, Captain Paul Gugg. Captain Gugg toured the Port both on land and by water. Captain Gugg was following up on a meeting he recently attended with Eric Napralla and several members of the Redwood City Police Department about abandoned and derelict vessels and various programs that are available to help eliminate that problem. Captain Gugg had heard that Redwood City had been successful over the years in dealing with abandoned vessels and wanted to learn more about what had been done here.
Chairman Dodge inquired about U.P. Railway’s work at the Seaport Boulevard – Blomquist Street intersection. Giari explained that while U.P. Railway was working on the U.P. right-of-way and major maintenance of the rail track, asbestos contamination was encountered in the soil. That led to the relocation of the Disney Movie Train promotion event that was scheduled to be held at the Port. Recently, a large crew of workers in hazmat protection gear started removing the contaminated soil. Port staff is in regular contact with U.P. and we expect that once clean up is completed at the Seaport/Blomquist intersection, U.P. will proceed toward the Port with maintenance work of the track.
X. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:28 a.m. Chairman Dodge requested that the Commission adjourn in memory of Past Port Commissioner Guy Smith to its next regularly scheduled Meeting of July 22, 2009.
A Motion to Adjourn In Memory of Past Port Commissioner Guy Smith was made by Commissioner Garcia. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kastrop. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners present. Commissioner Aikins was absent.
City of Redwood City | Tide Chart | Contact Us |