BOARD OF PORT COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY – August 27, 2008
MINUTES
I. CALL TO ORDER
8:00 A.M.: Chairman Dodge, presiding
Commissioners Present: Commissioner Lorianna Kastrop; Commissioner Larry R. Aikins; Secretary Richard S. Claire; Vice Chairman, Ralph A. Garcia, Jr.; and, Chairman Richard A. Dodge;
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 Aikins led the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A Motion to Approve Minutes of Special Meeting of August 6, 2008 was made by Commissioner Kastrop and Seconded by Commissioner Aikins. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners.
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 of all Commissioners.
Commissioner Garcia inquired about a payment made to Sandul Company. Cynthia Hampton explained that the Port has a contract with Sandul, who issues press releases for local and national publications, writes and publishes the Port’s newsletter, Currents, monitors newspapers and national journals for articles of interest to the Port, and performs other public relations services. The payment that Garcia questioned included reimbursement for expenses incurred while Sandul attended the American Association of Port Authorities’ Public Relations Committee Meeting and Seminar.
Chairman Dodge inquired about a payment to West Suburban Bank for maintenance of a TWIC card. Ms. Hampton explained that this was to purchase two prepaid credit cards that were used for the purchase of two TWIC cards for Port employees.
At this time in the meeting Chairman Dodge moved to Item VI, PUBLIC COMMENT
Don Snaman introduced Eric Anderson, Peninsula Youth Sailing Foundation, which is affiliated with the Sequoia Yacht Club.
Eric Anderson thanked the Port Commission for providing facilities for the Peninsula Youth Sailing program. Anderson commented that three hundred 8-12 year old students completed a summer sailing program this past year, many of whom were on scholarships. Almost 1,000 high school students have participated in events, classes and regattas at the Port of Redwood City and two National events will be hosted at the Port in May. Anderson displayed tee shirts advertising the Port’s logo, which were given to all student participants. Anderson explained that every four years, the Junior Olympics, which are sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee, are held at the Port and he gave a Junior Olympics’ plaque, naming the Port of Redwood City, to the Port Commission. An album with many photos of the sailing program activities and students was also presented to the Commission. In closing, Anderson again thanked the Port Commission for everything it does for the community and the sailing opportunities that are presented to the local youth by providing access to the boat ramp facilities.
IV. RESOLUTION
A. RESOLUTION APPROVING SECOND AMENDMENT TO SUBLEASE AGREEMENT – (Portside Investors – Phase I Lease Agreement) – (IGROUP NETWORK, INC.)
B. RESOLUTION APPROVING FIRST AMENDMENT TO SUBLEASE AGREEMENT – (Portside Investors – Phase I Lease Agreement) – (CAREER RESOURCES)
Items IV-A and V-B were discussed and handled as one item. A Motion to Adopt was made by Commissioner Aikins. It was seconded by Commissioner Kastrop. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners.
C. RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE FORMER LBT DEMOLITION AND SITE REMEDIATION SUPPLEMENTAL OFF SITE WORK PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING RELEASE OF PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE BONDS ACCORDING TO THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT WITH FERMA CORPORATION
Click here to view the staff agenda sheet and documents for this item
Executive Director Giari explained that in January 2008, the Port Commission approved an agreement with Ferma Corporation for the above project. Ferma completed the project and demobilized from the site by May 2008. Don Snaman, Manager of Operations, gave a brief description of the scope of work and explained that the excavation resulted in a larger and deeper area than originally anticipated. Snaman referred to a memo in the documents for today’s item that describes in detail the costs related to the larger excavation.
Commissioner Claire requested that when the clean up of the LBT/former Gibson facility is completed that he be provided with a summary of the total costs.
A Motion to Adopt was made by Commissioner Claire and it was seconded by Commissioner Garcia. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners.
D. RESOLUTION APPROVING CONTRACT DOCUMENTS FOR THE HINMAN ROAD PAVEMENT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS THEREFOR
Click here to view the staff agenda sheet and documents for this item
Executive Director Giari explained that this item is for repaving an area of Hinman Road where it intersects a road along the waterfront between Wharves 1, 2, 3 & 4. The road in this area has deteriorated significantly due to truck traffic and poor drainage. Don Snaman, Manager of Operations gave a brief description of the scope of work and stated that BKF Engineers has prepared the public works contract bids and specifications for the project.
Commissioner Kastrop asked if the curbing was being driven over by trucks on a regular basis. Snaman explained that some areas would be driven over by trucks and that the design includes reinforced concrete for additional strength.
Commissioner Dodge questioned impacts on the Union Pacific Railway crossing. Snaman responded that he has left messages with UP about the crossings in general and will follow up with them to attempt repair of the crossing as soon as possible.
A Motion to Adopt was made by Commissioner Kastrop. It was seconded by Commissioner Aikins and the motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners.
E. RESOLUTION APPROVING CONTRACT DOCUMENTS FOR THE E-DOCK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS THEREFOR
Click here to view the staff agenda sheet and documents for this item
Executive Director Giari stated that in January 2008 the Port Commission approved an agreement with TranSystems Corporation to perform engineering services for improvements to E-Dock in the municipal marina including preparation of the public works contract documents.
A Motion to Adopt was made by Commissioner Garcia. It was seconded by Commissioner Kastrop and the motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote of all Commissioners.
V. REPORT:
Impacts of Measure W on the Port if the City Charter Amendment is Approved:
By Michael J. Giari, Executive Director
STAFF AGENDA SHEET AND DOCUMENTS FOR THIS ITEM MAY BE VIEWED AT WWW.REDWOODCITYPORT.COM UNDER TAB “COMMISSION MEETINGS”.
Executive Director Giari commented that the purpose of this report is to focus on the proposed amendments to the City Charter, Measures V and W, and the effects these changes to the City Charter could have on the business of the Port. We believe that the impacts on the business of the Port may not be positive and may actually have a negative impact. Although the measures do not impact the land use on the Port’s property, which is approximately 130 acres zoned general industrial (GI), many Port projects involve extending docks, wharves, and mooring dolphins into the Bay for which we obtain all the necessary permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and BCDC. There is language in Measure W, which classifies the waters of San Francisco Bay as Open Space. The main impacts on the Port is that it could call into question projects that the Port is proposing to undertake that would somehow involve San Francisco Bay waters.
The impacts of Measure V on the Port are more limited. Measure V applies only to the lands owned by Cargill that are located across Seaport Boulevard from the Port. If the Port should have any plans to expand on those lands, which are not zoned for general industrial use, the requirements of Measure V call for the Port’s project to be subject to a majority approval by voters.
Commissioner Garcia expressed concern about the lack of response to date against Measures V and W. Commissioner Kastrop commented that attorneys already have conflicting opinions on how Measures V and W would impact the City and the Port and the very fact that Bay waters could be affected by Port projects is reason to anticipate future litigation. Commissioner Claire asked when it would be appropriate for the Port Commission to take a position on Measures V and W. Executive Director Giari suggested that it would be appropriate for the Port Commissioners put a resolution on an upcoming agenda. Commissioner Garcia asked if the Port, like the City, is prohibited against spending money to campaign against Measures V and W and Special Counsel Sorba replied that it is.
Commissioner Dodge inquired about public access areas located on Port property that is designated as general industrial, and asked if those public access areas could be considered parks. Attorney Sorba explained that although in general terms it is based upon the zoning, the usage of the public access areas could come into question and could lead to litigation.
A. Discussion (No Action was taken on this item at today’s meeting.)
Dan Cruey, President of the San Mateo County Economic Development Association (SAMCEDA), commented that SAMCEDA has been following this issue for some time on behalf of business members who are located in Redwood City. Cruey read from a prepared statement saying that SAMCEDA and its member companies representing thousands of employees in San Mateo County, and specifically those in Redwood City, wish to express their opposition to Measure W. “As a member of the Water Transportation Advocates of San Mateo County, and on behalf of our member companies supporting the continuation of the Ferry Service Project to Redwood City, we are concerned with the negative impact that Measure W can have on public and private property owners, public facility improvements, public benefit projects that may fail because of the 2/3 voter approval requirement, and most importantly, the unnecessary cost to Redwood City taxpayers. We ask that the Port Commission oppose Measure W to insure the continued prosperity and the expansion of the Port and benefit to the business community.”
Jerry Pierce, member of Citizens to Protect Redwood City, expressed their opposition to the proposed amendments Measures V and W and said his goal today is to encourage the Port Commission to pass a resolution against these measures. The Port will be directly affected and Pierce also encouraged the Commissioners, as individuals, to actively work against Measures V and W. Pierce said it would be very expensive to the City, if the measures are passed and that the most effective messages against these measures so far are the ones from individuals that are directly affected by Measures V and W.
James Jonas, resident of Docktown, Redwood City, commented that he is a Redwood City resident that is impacted by these measures. Jonas is also very concerned that the proposed ferry terminal project, of which he is a strong supporter, could very well be negatively affected by Measure W. When reading through the staff report submitted at a recent City Council meeting, Jonas read that the Board of Port Commissioners shall not approve or authorize any non-open space uses on open space land within its jurisdiction unless such use has been approved by the voters in accordance with this section 6A. This means that the Port Commission has been specifically targeted by Measure W. Jonas encouraged the Port Commission to consider a resolution in opposition to Measure W.
Commissioner Aikins stated that he would like the Port Commission to move forward on a resolution against Measure W and thanked the speakers who voiced their opinions and presented information at today’s meeting. Aikins expressed his opinion that Measure W would be a huge blow to the City and to the Port of Redwood City.
VI. PUBLIC COMMENT:
This Item was moved to the beginning of the Agenda following Item III.
VII. MATTERS OF BOARD INTEREST:
Chairman Dodge commented that he had not heard from the Port Commissioners regarding committee assignments and wanted to confirm that they were all in agreement with their assignments. The Commissioners expressed their approval.
Commissioner Kastrop commented that she was very impressed by the annual conference of the Association of Pacific Ports. For future reference, she plans to access presentations given at the conference on the APP website at www.pacificports.org.
VIII. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Executive Director Giari followed up on the Association of Pacific Port’s meeting recently held in Stockton. The presentations given at the conference put much focus on smaller, niche ports similar to the Port of Redwood City. Topics discussed included commissioner/staff relationships, dredging, port security, and port financing.
IX. ADJOURNMENT:
At 8:59 a.m. Chairman Dodge requested that the Commission adjourn to its next regularly scheduled Meeting of September 10, 2008. A Motion to Adjourn was made by Commissioner Garcia and it was seconded by Commissioner Claire. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote of all Commissioners.
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