John Cote

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included the presentation of the Quarterly Audit and Performance Review Report, which noted that all seven recommendations from the 2021 Social Impact Partnership Program Public Integrity Audit had been fulfilled. The Consent Calendar involved several contract awards and modifications, such as the award of contracts for the Moccasin Wastewater Treatment Plant Replacement and the San Joaquin Pipeline Valve and Safe Entry Improvements Phase 2A. Other items approved under the Consent Calendar included contract modifications for engineering and construction services across various counties and the novation of a security system maintenance contract. Further substantive items involved approving Amendment No. 5 to a contract for Recycled Projects engineering services, necessitated by equipment failure causing project delays. An MOU was approved with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department for the San Francisco Zoo Recycled Water Project to supply recycled water for zoo operations and irrigation. An amendment was approved for the Long-Term Operation and Maintenance of the Intertie with the Santa Clara Valley Water District. An Amended and Restated MOU was approved with the Treasure Island Development Authority to continue utility services for Naval Station Treasure Island. The Commission accepted and approved the expenditure of approximately $23.3 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act for water and wastewater arrearage assistance to customers. Finally, the Commission approved a credit facility for the Wastewater Enterprise Interim Funding Program and an amendment to the Credit Agreement for the CleanPowerSF Program. A discussion and vote were held regarding adopting a meeting procedure to allow remote public comment, which did not pass.

The agenda for the regular meeting includes several key items. The Consent Calendar involves approving modifications to Job Order Contract JOC-74 with Sierra Mountain Construction, Inc., which increases the contract amount and duration for ongoing facility improvements. It also includes approving duration contingency increases for Contract No. WW-639 (Oceanside Water Pollution Control Plant Digester Gas Upgrades) and Contract No. WW-695 (As-Needed Sewer Cleaning and Inspection). Under the Regular Calendar, the Commission will vote on approving Amendment No. 1 to the Base Resource Contract with the United States Department of Energy Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) to extend electricity provision to Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island, significantly increasing the total agreement amount and term. Additionally, approval is sought for the plans, specifications, and award of Contract No. WW-711 for the Wawona Area Stormwater Improvement and Vicente Street Water Main Replacement Project.

The meeting agenda included the approval of previous minutes from the Special Meeting of April 16, 2021, and the Regular Meeting of April 27, 2021. Discussions covered communications updates, including reports on the Contract Advertisement, Correspondence Log, Water Supply Agreement, and Water System Improvement Program status. The General Manager's report addressed the Power Enterprise Racial Equity Action Plan and various quarterly budget and capital improvement program reports. New business included discussion on the selection process for the SFPUC General Manager position, approval of a credit facility agreement up to $100 million to replace an expiring funding agreement, and approval of CEQA findings and implementation for the Southern Skyline Blvd. Ridge Trail Extension Project. Several contract actions were considered under the Consent Calendar, such as accepting work and approving modifications for reservoir fence installation, groundwater supply well stations, and sewer main installations, as well as awarding a contract for the New Montgomery, Jessie, Minna, and Mission Streets Brick Sewer Rehabilitation. The agenda also included a Closed Session to discuss anticipated litigation and existing litigation involving Pacific Gas & Electric Company.

The Regular Meeting Agenda for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) included several key items. The Consent Calendar covered actions such as approving the novation of a Technical Services contract, awarding contracts for As-Needed Wastewater and Stormwater Services, approving amendments for Project Scheduling and Cost Control Staff Augmentation Services, and awarding a Job Order Contract for General Engineering Construction with a marine emphasis. The Regular Calendar featured public hearings regarding the adoption of Rules and Regulations Governing Procedures for Submitting Written Objections to Proposed Water and Sewer Fees or Charges, adopting rate schedules for the CleanPowerSF power service, and approving tariff revisions for the CleanPowerSF Net Billing Tariff and Net Energy Metering Tariff. A discussion item included approving a duration contingency increase for the San Joaquin Pipeline Valve and Safe Entry Improvements Phase 3 contract. The agenda also included communications and a closed session to discuss anticipated litigation regarding a property damage claim settlement.

Key discussions during the meeting focused on two main presentations. The first involved an update on the SFWater.org Redesign Project, where members provided feedback regarding site designs, visual editorial style, and content, emphasizing themes such as family diversity, representation of the young workforce, water source diversity, and highlighting major projects like the one at Ocean Beach. The second presentation concerned the Southeast Treatment Plant Projects Air Emissions and Mitigation, covering goals, regulations, and compliance methods, with extensive discussion on emissions monitoring, data availability to the Committee, and addressing community concerns via hotlines. A third presentation covered the SFPUC's Citywide Green Infrastructure Strategy and the Joint Benefits Authority (JBA), focusing on stormwater management, grant programs, and establishing collaborative governance and financing mechanisms for multi-objective projects, with specific inquiries about environmental justice zones. Finally, the Committee conducted elections for the Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary.