SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
City and County of San Francisco
London N. Breed
Mayor
DRAFT MINUTES
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
1:30 PM
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
City Hall, Room 400
Commissioners
Tim Paulson, President
Anthony Rivera, Vice President
Sophie Maxwell
Newsha Ajami
Kate H. Stacy
Dennis J. Herrera
General Manager
Donna Hood
Commission Secretary
SFPUC MINUTES – OCTOBER 24, 2023 2
1. Call to Order
President Paulson called the meeting to order at 1:30 pm.
2. Roll Call
Present: Paulson, Rivera, Maxwell, Ajami, and Stacy
3. Approval of the Minutes of October 10, 2023
No public comment.
On motion to approve the Minutes of October 10, 2023:
Ayes: Paulson, Rivera, Maxwell, Ajami, and Stacy
4. General Public Comment
• Mary Butterwick asked that the eight-year Design Drought be revised to a seven and one- half year Design Drought. She discussed river flows and salmon levels and asked that the lawsuit be dropped.
• Peter Drekmeier, Policy Director, Tuolumne River Trust noted the correspondence he sent to the Commission. He discussed flow levels, the Annual Multi-Enterprise Climate Program Update, and the Design Drought.
5. Report of the General Manager
a) Report on Recent San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Activities, Events and Announcements
General Manager (GM) Herrera announced the passing of former SFPUC Deputy General Manager Tony Irons, and former Deputy City Attorney Donn Furman. He highlighted their distinguished careers and contributions to the City and County of San Francisco.
Commissioner Stacy discussed her working relationship with Mr. Furman and his important work at the City Attorney’s Office. She noted his love of the outdoors. She discussed Mr.
Iron’s commitment to public service and honored his contributions to the city.
No public comment.
6. Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency Update Nicole Sandkulla, Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWACA) CEO congratulated President Paulson and Vice President (VP) Rivera as the new Commission officers.
She discussed a letter
she sent to the Commission and discussed the first three findings and (BAWSCA’s recommendations): (1) There is a need for a Notice of Change given identified project and program schedule delays presented in the report. (The Commission should direct staff to identify its plan to adopt a Change given the project status of the Regional Groundwater Storage and Recovery Project (RGSRP) and the Alameda Creek Recapture Project (ACRP); (2) Anticipated project cost increases will result in overall increased program budget and require Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) approval. (The Commission should direct staff to provide updated budgets for the RGSRP and ACRP and the associated plan to secure approval of necessary funding); and (3) There is a potential need for additional WSIP project(s) to ensure
SFPUC MINUTES – OCTOBER 24, 2023 3
that the SFPUC’s adopted Level of Service Goals (LOS) are met. (The Commission should direct staff to identify the result of changes to the RGSRP and ACRP on Regional Water System yield, water supply reliability ,and the SFPUC’s ability to meet the water supply LOS).
No public comment.
7. Approve the Revised Water Supply Assessment for the proposed 3251 20th Avenue (Stonestown) Project, pursuant to the State of California Water Code Section 10910, et seq., California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 21151.9, and CEQA Guidelines Section 15155. (Resolution 23-0194)
Steve Ritchie, Assistant General Manager (AGM) Water Enterprise indicated the staff request is for approval of a revised Water Supply Assessment (WSA) for the 3251 20th Avenue (Stonestown) Project due to (1) a change in the project variance; and (2) updates to projected water demands associated with the housing element. He emphasized that the WSA is legally required for determination that water is available for the project and that Commission approval is for the WSA only. Project approval is done by the Planning Commission.
No public comment.
On motion to approve Item 7:
Ayes: Paulson, Rivera, Maxwell, Ajami, and Stacy
8. Communications (information only)
a) Advance Calendar
b) Contract Advertisement Report
c) Correspondence Log
d) Annual Multi-Enterprise Climate Program Update
e) O’Shaughnessy Dam Reservations Quarterly Report
f) Power Quarterly Report on Delegated Authority Contracts Pursuant to Administrative Code Section 21.43
g) Quarterly Report on Contracts Awarded by the General Manager Pursuant to Delegated Authority
h) Water Supply Conditions Update
9. Items initiated by Commissioners
President Paulson announced that given the action by the Board of Supervisors to limit remote public comment, the circumstances that lead to that action, and the subsequent direction of the Mayor to all San Francisco Boards and Commissions, he directed the Commission Secretary to adopt a procedure for limited remote public comment consistent with the procedure recently adopted by the Board of Supervisors. The information about the new procedure will be made part of the published instructions for public participation in our Commission meetings. Staff responded to questions regarding the process for requesting an accommodation and for noticing.
Commissioner Ajami requested updates be scheduled for the Annual Multi-Enterprise Climate Program Update, the Climate Bond Initiative, and capital planning.
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Public Comment
• Peter Drekmeier expressed disappointment with changing remote public comment.
10. Public Comment on the matter to be addressed during Closed Session • Peter Drekmeier discussed Commission Resolution 21-0170.
11. Motion on whether to assert the attorney-client privilege regarding the matter listed below as Conference with Legal Counsel.
On motion to assert the attorney client privilege regarding the matters listed as Conference with Legal Counsel:
Ayes: Paulson, Rivera, Maxwell, Ajami and Stacy
The Commission entered Closed Session at 2:07 pm.
Present in Closed Session: Commissioners Paulson, Rivera, Maxwell, Ajami, and Stacy; Sheryl Bregman, Deputy City Attorney; and Donna Hood, Commission Secretary.
12. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Government Code Section 54957.6 and Administrative Code Section 67.10(e)):
Designated representative: Commissioner Sophie Maxwell
Unrepresented Employee: General Manager
Anticipated issues under negotiation: Compensation
(discussion only)
The Commission exited Closed Session at 3:43 pm.
13. Announcement following Closed Session
President Paulson announced that no action was taken during Closed Session.
14. Motion regarding whether to disclose the discussions during Closed Session pursuant to San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.12(a)
On motion not to disclose the discussions during Closed Session:
Ayes: Paulson, Rivera, Maxwell, Ajami, and Stacy
15. Adjournment
President Paulson adjourned the meeting at 3:45 pm