SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES
COMMISSION
City and County of San Francisco
London N. Breed
Mayor
REGULAR MEETING DRAFT MINUTES
Tuesday, July 12, 2022
1:30 PM
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
City Hall, Room 400
San Francisco, CA 94102
Commissioners
Anson Moran, President
Newsha Ajami, Vice President
Sophie Maxwell
Tim Paulson
Dennis J. Herrera
General Manager
Donna Hood
Secretary
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1. Call to Order
President Moran called the meeting to order at 1:30 PM.
2. Roll Call
Present: Moran, Maxwell, and Paulson
Excused: Ajami
The Commission Secretary announced item 10 was removed from the agenda.
3. Adopt renewed findings under State Urgency Legislation to allow hybrid in-person meetings during the COVID-19 Emergency and direct the Commission Secretary to agendize a similar resolution at a Commission Meeting within the next 30 days. (Resolution 22-0128)
No public comment.
On Motion to approve item 3:
Ayes: Moran, Maxwell, and Paulson
4. Approval of the Minutes of June 28, 2022
No public comment.
On Motion to approve the Minutes of June 28, 2022:
Ayes: Moran, Maxwell, and Paulson
5. General Public Comment
• Dave Warner questioned why there are no longer updates on the Bay Delta Plan negotiations. He discussed the need for water storage, demand needs, and flows.
• Matt Parker, whitewater rafter, expressed appreciation for flows on the Tuolumne River and noted the mental health benefits of rafting. • Francisco DaCosta discussed Community Benefits and stated that women from Hunters Point are suffering. He discussed the fires in Yosemite. He stated the SFPUC has not done right by the First People. He requested to speak with the Deputy General Manager regarding Community Benefits. • Nathan Rangle, President, Outfitter Raft California
, thanked the Commission
for the continued flows on the Tuolumne River.
6. Communications
a) Advance Calendar
b) Contract Advertisement Report
c) Correspondence Log
d) CleanPowerSF Quarterly Report
e) Quarterly Report on Contracts Awarded by the General Manager Pursuant to Delegated Authority
f) Quarterly Status Report to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors per Resolution
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No. 227-18, Report on Connections to PG&E Grid and Related Disputes g) Water Enterprise and Finance Bureau Water Demand Projections
Public Comment
• Dave Warner discussed a letter he and Mr. Drekmeier sent to the Commission regarding item 6g requesting that the water supply needs chart be updated to include a third column based on Finance Bureau Sales Projects and that it be labeled “Lower Demand Projections”.
• Nicole Sandkulla, BAWSCA CEO, discussed item 6g and stated BAWSCA has been conducting population and demand projections since 2000 and that their population projections have tracked well with actuals in the service area. She indicated there is a difference between total demand and purchase projection in the BAWSCA service area.
7. Report of the General Manager
a) Drought Conditions Update
Steve Ritchie, AGM Water Enterprise reviewed (1) July 5, 2022 Reservoir Storage: Hetch Hetchy and Cherry are close to full. Water Bank is down 40% which demonstrates the effects of the drought; (2) Other California Reservoirs:
Shasta and Oroville Reservoirs are at 39% and 48% capacity, respectively; (3) California Drought Monitor: Depending on location the states is in severe, extreme, or exceptional drought; (4) Hetch Hetchy Precipitation is flat; (5) Upcountry 6-Station Precipitation Index: Year-to-date (YTD) total 23.62 inches; (6) Bay Area 7-Station Precipitation Index: YTD total 23.49 inches; (7) Upcountry Snowpack is gone and melt has occurred; (8) Water Available to the City is at 200,000 acre-feet; (9) Tuolumne River Water Available to the City; (10) National Precipitation Forecast: No storm activity anticipated; and (10) Total Deliveries:
current demand has dropped.
AGM Ritchie discussed the Upper Tuolumne River Ecosystem Program (Spring 2022) and reviewed (1) Expected Poopenaut Valley Pond Fill. The “Pond Fill” release inundates the pond and numerous other wetland areas and improves habitat in critical area. The time to maximize the impact and coincide with the Division of Safety of Dams (DOSD) and inspection; (2) Planned Hydrograph; (3) Actual Hydrograph; and (4) Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Fill.
In response to a question from Commissioner Maxwell, AGM Ritchie discussed the role of the DOSD which provides oversight to the design, construction and maintenance of over 1,200 jurisdictional sized dams in California.
Public Comment
• Dave Warner thanked Mr. Ritchie for the presentation. • Francisco DaCosta asked for more information about the salmon in the Tuolumne River and noted their decline. He asked that any presentation include the First People.
In response to a question from Commissioner Maxwell as to the specific habitat
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that will be improved, AGM Ritchie stated that in particular the bat population will be improved. He indicated there are 17 bat species in the Valley due to the large insect population and noted the value of bats to the overall ecosystem.
b) California Public Utilities Commission Ruling on PG&E Electric Grid Valuation Barbara Hale, AGM Power Enterprise, noted the City has offered to purchase PG&E’s electric grid assets that are used to serve San Francisco. She indicted the City’s payments of approximately $19.8 million per year for use of the grid is becoming increasingly untenable as it delays City projects, increases the cost of City services, and impairs the City’s ability to implement grid-dependent innovations. She noted PG&E has rejected two previous offers stating the offer price was too low. She stated a petition was submitted by the City to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) asking them to value the assets, and that PG&E responded with a motion asking the CPUC to decline to entertain the petition. On June 24, 2022 the CPUC issued a scoping ruling and memorandum which was provided in the Commission’s meeting packet. She discussed the main issues identified by the CPUC in the document and anticipated actions.
Public Comment
• Francisco DaCosta stated a needs assessment should be conducted as to how newly acquired high power lines will be maintained. He requested a report on maintenance of high-risk lines near Hetch Hetchy and plans in the event of fire. He questioned if there are plans for placing high power lines underground.
c) Report on Recent San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Activities, Events and Announcements
None.
8. New Commission Business
None.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
a) Adopt a resolution extending the term limit of the SuperGreen Multi-Year Electricity Service Agreement to up to 10 years from the current limit of five years. The 10- year term allows CleanPowerSF SuperGreen customers to claim credit for 100% renewable energy under the new requirements of the U.S. Green Building Council. (Resolution 22-0129)
b) Approve the plans and specifications, and award Contract No. WD-2887, Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant – Filter Nos. 1 to 6 Underdrain Replacement, in the amount of $9,264,300, and with a duration of 425 consecutive calendar days, to the responsible bidder submitting the lowest responsive bid, Anvil Builders Inc. (Resolution 22-0130)
c) Accept work performed by L C General Engineering & Construction, Inc. for
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Contract No. WW-569, Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant & Bruce Flynn Pump Station Fire Alarm System Upgrades; and authorize final payment to the contractor. (Resolution 22-0131)
d) Accept work performed by Trinet Construction, Inc., under Contract No. WW-702R, Jackson, Griffith, and Pierce Streets Combined Sewer Discharge Rehabilitation and Backflow Prevention; approve Modification No. 1 (Final), increasing the contract amount by $81,517, for a total contract amount of $3,967,817, and increasing the contract duration by 135 consecutive calendar days, for a total contract duration of 595 consecutive calendar days; and authorize final payment to the contractor. (Resolution 22-0132)
e) Accept work performed by Trinet Construction, Inc. under Contract No. WW-706, Oceanside Water Pollution Control Plant Egg-Shaped Digester Interior Liner Rehabilitation; approve Modification No. 2 (Final), increasing the contract by $20,607 for a total contract amount of, $2,689,318, and decreasing the contract duration by 98 consecutive calendar days, for a total contract duration of 622 consecutive calendar days; and authorize final payment to the contractor. (Resolution 22-0133)
No public comment.
On Motion to approve Consent Calendar Items 9a through 9e:
Ayes: Moran, Maxwell, and Paulson
The Commission Secretary re-announced item 10 was removed from the agenda.
10. Approve a form revised Master License for Outdoor Distributed Antenna System Pole Installation (Revised Master License) for placement of pole-mounted wireless facilities on streetlight poles owned by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission; and delegate authority to the General Manager to execute the Revised Master License and Pole License agreements allowing wireless telecommunications companies to install wireless facilities on SFPUC poles; and authorize the General Manager to seek Board of Supervisors approval of the Revised Master License. The City has reached final agreements with five companies: ATT, Verizon, T-Mobile, ExteNet, and Mobilitie.
11. Adopt findings declaring as surplus to the utility needs of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission pursuant to Charter Section 8B.121 and as “surplus land” and “exempt surplus land” under the California Surplus Land Act approximately 21,651 square feet of underused, unimproved agricultural property designated as a portion of SFPUC Parcel No. 57 and also designated as portions of Assessor Parcel Nos. 507- 761-2-4 and 507-761-2-5, located in an unincorporated area of Alameda County owned by the City and County of San Francisco, under the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission; recommend to the Board of Supervisors the approval of the Agreement for Sale of Real Estate and Temporary Construction Easements with the State of California Department of Transportation (DOT) for the sale and purchase of approximately 21,651 square feet of unimproved land in fee and
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approximately 33,758 square feet of temporary construction easement interests in SFPUC Parcel No. 57 for a total purchase price of $24,528; authorize the City’s Director of Real Property and/or the SFPUC General Manager to execute deeds conveying fee and easement interests in the Property to Caltrans; and authorize the General Manager to execute the Agreement upon approval from the Board of Supervisors and Mayor. (Resolution 22-0134)
Tony Bardo, SFPUC Real Estate Division, discussed the property location and the California DOT’s work to be performed on the site, which focuses on upgrading Niles Canyon Road to expressway standards. He stated the appraisal is in the amount of $24,528.
Mr. Bardo responded to a question from Commissioner Paulson regarding what the benefit of the sale is to the SFPUC, stating the State of California has the power of eminent domain and the SFPUC is selling parcels in lieu of eminent domain.
In response to a question from Commissioner Maxwell as to where the funds received will be placed, Deputy General Manager Flynn stated that the funds will be placed into the Water Enterprise fund balance until appropriated by the Commission.
No public comment.
On Motion to approve item 11:
Ayes: Moran, Maxwell, and Paulson
12. Determine that, subject to environmental review and necessary governmental approvals, limited shoreline fishing by the public can occur without affecting the purity and safety for drinking and domestic purposes of the water collected in Calaveras Reservoir; and authorize the General Manager to (a) develop the terms and conditions of a proposed fishing program at Calaveras Reservoir; (b) obtain the City Planning Department’s review of that program under the California Environmental Quality Act; (c) request an amendment to the drinking water permit from the State’s Office of Drinking Water; and (d) present to this Commission proposed amendments to the 2000 Alameda Watershed Management Plan to allow limited public shoreline fishing. (Resolution 22-0135)
Tim Ramirez, Division Manager, Natural Resources and Lands Management, provided background information indicating a lawsuit was filed regarding fishing access at the Calaveras Reservoir. Subsequently, a court order was issued with a deadline for the SFPUC to make a preliminary determination that the SFPUC could provide access for public fishing at the Calaveras Reservoir without jeopardizing drinking water quality. He indicated the request before the Commission is for a preliminary determination conditional on (1) Amendment of the Watershed Management Plan (WMP); (2) Amendment of CEQA document that goes with WMP and analysis conducted with the City’s Planning Department to consider impact and implications of fishing access; and (3) Amendment of the Drinking Water Permit with the State which doesn’t allow for public access for public fishing in the Reservoir. He
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stated that none of these processes have begun and that after the forementioned was complete, staff would return to the Commission to plan and prepare a project to allow safe public access and to minimize impacts on the environment and water quality. He indicated staff proposes shoreline fishing only which will be restricted to reservations, no boats on the Reservoir, and adherence to state fishing regulations.
He noted current regulations indicate Calaveras Reservoir is open to fishing with barbless hooks, and the catch-and-release of trout. He discussed pertinent sections of the state regulations addressing fishing on reservoirs.
Division Manager Ramirez responded to a question from Commissioner Paulson as to whether Commission action precludes other inquiries as to the fragility of the system, stating a CEQA analysis would be conducted and eventually the item will be back to the Commission for final consideration.
Public Comment
• Francisco DaCosta stated drinking water must have the highest purity standards. He asked how “limited shoreline fishing” is defined; how the amendments will be provided to fishers; and how illegal dumping into the water be monitored. • Jeff Miller, Director, Alameda Creek Alliance, noted their work with the SFPUC and expressed concern with the land-locked trout in the Calaveras Reservoir. He stated evaluation by the California Fish and Game Commission will be needed and as well as action on a formal petition to change the state fishing regulations. He noted a letter sent to the Commission and reviewed specific requests outlined in their correspondence.
On Motion to approve item 12:
Ayes: Moran, Maxwell, and Paulson
13. Adjournment
President Moran announced that the meetings of July 26, 2022 and August 9, 2022 are cancelled.
President Moran adjourned the meeting at 2:35 PM.