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Port approves consent calendar; public commenters press local-hire, tenant and contamination concerns
Summary
The commission approved consent items including a $313,544 authorization for emergency power modifications and other contract items; public commenters urged stronger local-hire enforcement, recounted tenant lease disputes at Pier 45 and warned against burying contaminated soil at Pier 70.
The Port Commission voted to approve its consent calendar, which included three primary items: authorization to award construction contract 2756PR for emergency power modifications to Bay Area Systems and Solutions Inc. in an amount not to exceed $285,040 with a 10% contingency ($28,504) for a total authorization not to exceed $313,544; a contract modification to extend the Pier 35 North Apron repair contract (2752) by 39 days; and direction to add port reimbursement, not to exceed $350,000, for final construction drawings for New Pier 30/32 to the terms of the America's Cup lease/disposition agreement. Resolutions 12-24, 12-25 and 12-26 were approved after the commissioners moved, seconded and voted 'Aye.'
During public comment the commission heard multiple themes. Francisco de Costa urged the port to do more to prioritize local-hire on waterfront projects, saying San Franciscans who built the waterfront should benefit from jobs and that outreach on local-hire had been inadequate. A commissioner responded that the port has, in fact, exceeded its local-hire requirements but acknowledged the need to do a better job publicizing that achievement.
Dan Stazullo, a tenant at Pier 45 who operates a seafood distribution business, described a series of lease disputes and administrative actions: notices that his lease was not signed, demands to increase his security deposit to $7,000, and letters alleging an undocumented subtenant; he said he had to pay roughly $14,000 to cover backup charges and asked for staff assistance. The chair said Susan Reynolds would follow up with him.
Another commenter who described themselves as director of environmental justice advocacy urged the commission not to bury or cap heavily contaminated soils at Pier 70, called the land Ohlone land and said capping would repeat past mistakes; the commenter urged a holistic solution and warned of health risks from buried contamination.
Bruce Giran, a local business owner, asked the port to redouble efforts to ensure San Franciscans receive priority on port contracts and contracting opportunities.
The commission did not take additional policy action on the public comments during this meeting; staff follow-up was requested for tenant and contracting transparency issues.
