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Commissioners press DPW, question bond spending after delays on Station 35 and other projects
Summary
Commissioners pressed department leaders and asked whether Public Works management fees and spent liquidated-damages funds are reducing funds available for fire-station work; Station 35 remains delayed by at least six months over a missing electrical 'point of connection.'
SAN FRANCISCO — Commissioners used the April 28 Fire Commission meeting to press the department on project delays and the cost of outside project management, raising concerns that management fees and unreturned liquidated damages are reducing bond and department funds available for station work.
Commissioners noted 15 sewage backups at department facilities since Jan. 1 and asked whether bond or public-works funds could be used to replace sewer laterals; department staff said aging infrastructure, winter grease congealing and pandemic-era wipes have been contributors and that Public Works is assisting with lateral replacements in problem stations.
The discussion turned to capital projects and station rebuilds. Deputy Chief Jose Luis Velo told the commission that Station 35 at Pier 22½ has been delayed roughly six months. "The main delay ... was the point of connection," he said, describing a mismatch between the originally designed electrical connection and the station—s actual load; crews are digging a new connection and the contractor, DPW and PUC are negotiating responsibility.
Commissioners pressed whether liquidated damages collected from late contractors are retained by Public Works rather than returned to the fire department. Chief Janine Nicholson confirmed past liquidated damages were spent by DPW on management expenses and commissioners described that outcome as "unfair" and "appalling," asking staff to review charter language that requires DPW project management.
On procurement and equipment, staff said some apparatus deliveries (five engines) were scheduled for mid-May and that a low bidder for a host tender was approved but a protest is in process.
What happens next: commissioners asked staff to dig into bond-accounting and DPW management fees and to explore whether more projects can be managed inside the department to preserve bond dollars. The Station 35 connection work is underway with a new target for substantial completion later in the year, according to department remarks.
Sources: Deputy Chief Jose Luis Velo and Chief Janine Nicholson, San Francisco Fire Commission, April 28, 2021.
