Maritime Commerce Advisory Committee (MCAC) - July 16, 2020

1. Welcome and Self-Introductions (All)

2. Maritime Update (Andre Coleman)

3. Pandemic Response and Pier 45 Fire Update (Joe Reilly, Security and Emergency Planning Manager)

4. Port Rent Relief Program (Crezia Tano-Lee)

5. Old and New Business; General Discussion; Agenda Topics for Future Meetings (All)

6. Forward Calendar

• Remaining MCAC meeting dates in 2020 (third Thursday, every other month):

September 17, November 19

MCAC meetings are held Virtually, unless otherwise noticed, and begin at 11:30am.

Due to the COVID-19 public health orders, this meeting will be held online and by teleconference.

• Port Commission meeting dates prior to next MCAC meeting:

August 11, September 8, September 22

PC meetings are held Virtually, unless otherwise noticed.

MCAC Virtual Meeting Protocols

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Port of San Francisco is conducting business remotely as we

1. Welcome
• Self-introductions by all present.

2. Maritime Update (Andre Coleman)
Cruise:
• The cruise industry has been severely impacted by COVID 19.
• Calendar year 2020 would have been our highest cruise year with 117 vessel calls.
• Due to COVID, the Carnival Miracle was not able to begin their embarkation in March with the Port of San Francisco as their homeport.
• To date, roughly 95 vessel calls have been cancelled.
• The CDC extended their no sail order to September 30, 2020 from July 24, 2020. (This news was updated one day after the meeting).
• Our next cruise call is on the calendar for October 3, 2020 contingent upon protocols being in place as guided by the CDC and local health experts.
Cargo:
• On the cargo side, we did not see a significant impact due to COVID.
• Dry-bulk operations remained fairly strong.
• Pier 80 operations remained strong even with the temporary closure of the Fremont plant. 
• For this fiscal year, we moved close to 119,000 autos as compared to 78,000 last year.
Other Maritime:
• The South Beach Harbor office has been closed since the Shelter in Place order.  Staff has been on-hand to make sure boats are kept afloat and to answer questions tenants may have during this time.
• Ferry operations have been operating on a reduced schedule.  Excursion operations have been suspended.  Smaller excursion operations were able to re-open with strict guidelines from DPH.  Andre is in ongoing communications with DPH on how to ensure a safe path for the reopening of the bigger excursion operations.
• Hyde Street Harbor/Fisherman’s Wharf remains active.  Port staff have been engaged with the commercial fishermen, retail fish sales, and day to day operations.

3. Pandemic Response and Pier 45 Fire Update (Joe Reilly)
• The Port and the City have been tracking COVID 19 since late January 2020. 
• Shelter in Place orders came out in March 2020, and the Port has responded by:
 SWL 337 has been converted to a food bank.
 SWL 344 has been converted to a temporary housing site.
 Pier 30-32 has been converted to a COVID 19 testing site, drive through and walk up.
 The Port is home to two navigation centers located at SWL 330 (across from Pier 30-32) and one in the Central Waterfront Dog Patch neighborhood.  Navigation centers were reduced by 33% capacity due to SIP.
 In support of our tenants, the Port has allowed outside dining on their sidewalk space or parking lot.  This is outside of their leasehold.
 Port staff is continually working with other agencies on strategizing how to resume activities in a safe manner in accordance with Public Health orders.
 Waterfront COVID signages are posted all along the Port property.
 To date, the Port has deployed over 65 staff members as Disaster Service Workers in support of COVID 19.
• On May 23 around 4:00 a.m., a 4-alarm fire was reported at Pier 45, Shed C. There were 150 firefighters on site. The SF fireboat did an amazing job in protecting the historic Jeremiah O’Brien. The Port notified tenants, provided security at the scene, and inspected the scene, and will remain an ongoing task.  Pier 45C was the primary storage location for the fishermen crab fleet, the home office of Red & White Fleet, one of the Port’s maintenance facility, and storage space for the Jeremiah O’Brien.  The Port is working with the Office of Workforce and Development to development a grant program for the fishers to buy new gear prior to the opening of the next dungeness crab season.  They are also looking for other sources of relief to help the tenants that were impacted by the fire.  The cause and origin of the fire is still being investigated.

4. Port Rent Relief Program (Crezia Tano-Lee)
• The Port has been providing rent deferral very broadly for the tenants. 
• We are now moving toward an “opt in” program.
• Currently there are about 200 tenants still paying rent.
• Please see the presentation on COVID Tenant Relief Programs:
https://sfport.com/media/6108/download

5. Other; Old and New Business; General Discussion; Agenda Topics for Future Meetings
• Michael Nerney, Assistant Maritime Director, is retiring from the Port after 21 years of service.  His last day will be on September 4, 2020.
• Tom Carter, Head of the Maintenance Division since 2004, retired from the Port on June 30, 2020.  Ellen wrote a letter on behalf of the MCAC commending Tom and it was presented at the last Port Commission meeting.
• Chris Christensen voiced concerns over another possible shut down of the Fremont plant, and pointed out there are cars other than Teslas at Pier 80.  Brendan explained Pasha set aside a small area of storage for rental vehicles that are Hawaii based.  Pasha is hoping if these vehicles get cycled to Hawaii, they will use their terminal to ship them out.
• Elaine Forbes was deployed to DPH as a Disaster Service Worker.  She is back at the Port full time but still supports the task force in coordinating efforts in response to COVID 19.
• Shawn Bennett with Baydelta advised the group that most tugs in the Bay Area have fire monitors and can help contain a fire from spreading.

6. Forward Calendar
• Remaining MCAC meeting dates in 2020 (third Thursday, every other month):
September 17, November 19
MCAC meetings are held Virtually, unless otherwise noticed, and begin at 11:30am.
Due to the COVID-19 public health orders, this meeting will be held online and by teleconference.
• Port Commission meeting dates prior to next MCAC meeting:
August 11, September 8, September 22