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PUC approves Mountain Tunnel baseline and multiple consent items, moving WSIP and recycled-water project forward
Summary
The commission adopted a baseline and schedule that includes Mountain Tunnel access improvements, approved multiple consent items and financing authorizations, and adopted CEQA findings for the Westside recycled‑water project. Motions on the consent calendar and agenda items carried unanimously as recorded.
At the Sept. 8 meeting the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission approved its consent calendar and took a series of actions that together advance the Sewer System Improvement Program (SSIP), Mountain Tunnel inspection/repair work and the Westside Recycling Water Project.
Item 11: the commission adopted a refined baseline and schedule for SSIP and related projects. Staff emphasized that the baseline alignment matches the earlier approved 10‑year capital plan and highlighted three Mountain Tunnel subprojects: added access improvements (with bids planned to go out imminently), consultant support for inspection and repairs (RFPs completed), and a technical review of Tesla facility surge/valve scenarios. Commissioners discussed the Mountain Tunnel schedule specifically and then voted to adopt the schedule and associated baseline.
Consent votes: The commission approved the consent calendar (Item 10) and a set of subsequent items (11–17) including: extension of the revenue bond oversight committee sunset to Jan. 1, 2019 (Item 12); establishment of commercial paper/notes and credit facility authorizations for Power Enterprise financing not to exceed $90 million in principal (Item 13); an equipment lease/lease‑purchase and renewable bond authorization (Item 14, not to exceed $4.1 million); an MOU with the North San Mateo County Sanitation District (Item 15, not to exceed $2.4 million, plus $200,000 staff support); contract modifications (Item 16 increasing a contract by $1,098,897); and adoption of CEQA findings for the San Francisco Westside Recycling Water Project including a statement of overriding considerations (Item 17).
Votes on each item were carried on the record. During public comment several organizations including Bosco (Nicole Sankula, CEO) reiterated support for continuing key projects to maintain system reliability; one public speaker flagged a classification dispute on Lower Cherry Aqueduct between PUC and BOSCA that staff noted.
Next steps: staff will proceed with advertising bids for Mountain Tunnel access improvements, onboard consultant support for inspection and repairs in early 2016, and continue work on the Westside recycled‑water project and SSIP reporting and closeouts.
