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Correspondence Log
August 25, 2024 through September 5, 2024
Date Received From Subject
August 25, 2024 Steve Lawrence 6b on agenda for 27 August August 25, 2024 Steve Lawrence Item 7 agenda for 27 August August 26, 2024 Dave Warner
Questions to ask re the extraordinary amount
of SFPUC debt 2024-08-26 (email and
attachment)
August 29, 2024 Steve Lawrence Agendas
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From: Steve Lawrence
To: Lennear, Tiffany
Cc: Commission
Subject: 6b on agenda for 27 August
Date: Sunday, August 25, 2024 12:41:20 PM
Reading the agenda, one would not know that a $2 million contract is (to be) given to four companies, not just Siemens. All four bidders earned contracts, even the one scoring lowest.
Too, I find it interesting that SFPUC requires help with its current power operations. It proposes to take over much, much more—PG&E SF electrical assets are to be acquired for billions of dollars. How much help will operating those assets take? Steve Lawrence
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From: Steve Lawrence
To: Commission
Subject: Item 7 agenda for 27 August
Date: Sunday, August 25, 2024 12:56:31 PM
The GM is to be relieved of the need to bring before the Commission design/build contracts, and grants (and amendment of them). Not a good idea.
The Commission exists to protect ratepayers. Rates have risen far above inflation.
Design/build contracts deserve at least as much scrutiny as the standard contract competitively bid to plans and specs. Grants, by their very nature, are gifts of public funds, and deserve elevated oversight—if gifts of public funds are even legal under California law.
Please do not punt your obligations.
Steve Lawrence
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From: Dave Warner
To: Espinoza II, Cirilo C
Cc: Commission; Herrera, Dennis J; Ritchie, Steve; Hom, Nancy; Busch, Laura; Corvinova, Erin E Subject: Questions to ask with respect to the SFPUC"s extraordinary debt load Date: Monday, August 26, 2024 12:48:43 PM
Attachments: Questions to ask re the extraordinary amount of SFPUC debt 2024-08-26.pdf Hi Cirilo,
Thank you for administering the commission meetings!
Would you forward the attached letter to the commissioners? Kind regards,
Dave Warner
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From: Steve Lawrence
To: Commission
Subject: Agendas
Date: Thursday, August 29, 2024 9:19:30 AM
Hon. Commissioners:
I object to last-minute changes to the agenda and its items. Actions by the Commission pursuant to such changes are null and void. Contracts pursuant to authority mis-granted are likewise null and void, and payments made thereunder are recoverable. Check with your City Attorney.
At the late August meeting, considering delegating some of your authority to the GM, changes were made last-minute. This gives no proper opportunity for the public to consider, and weigh in.
Also, the agenda should not mislead. It did so when it mentioned but one of four contractors, leading to the impression that a $2 million contract was on the table, when in fact four $2 million contracts were. (All four bidders were given contracts.) This Commission is about the only guardian of the public fisc (re water sewer power and rates and bills therefor). Rates have risen, and are projected to rise, at about triple inflation. Too much. Please exercise your authority and oversight, and please do not brush aside required process.
Thank you, Steve Lawrence, resident, ratepayer