Maritime Commerce Advisory Committee (MCAC) - March 17, 2022

1. Welcome and Self-Introductions (All)
2. Maritime Update (Andre Coleman)
3. Briefing on the Waterfront Land Use Plan (WLUP) Draft EIR (Diane Oshima).
4. Pier 38/40 Project Update (Ellen Johnck)
5. Old and New Business; General Discussion; Agenda Topics for Future Meetings (All)
6. Forward Calendar
• MCAC meeting dates schedule in 2022 (third Thursday, every other month):
May 19, July 21, September 15, November 17
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:
April 12, April 26, May 10
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 comply with State of California directives and orders for social distancing and staying at home. The Port is committed to ensuring that our meetings are accessible to the public, including the opportunity to participate by providing oral and written comment. The instructions below outline how members of the public can access the virtual MCAC meeting and provide public comment. 1. How to Join a. Go to the first page of the notice/agenda and click on the Zoom Virtual Meeting Link. b. You can join the meeting from a desktop computer, mobile device, or telephone. You can learn more about Joining a Zoom Meeting. i. If you are calling in, but would like to access meeting materials, please use links provided in the agenda above or visit the MCAC meeting webpage and locate the specific meeting date. ii. We recommend that you test out your device, internet connection, and Zoom app compatibility well before attempting to join the meeting. c. When prompted, provide your name and email address to be placed in the meeting. You will automatically be muted when joining as an attendee. 2. Providing Public Comment a. Public comment for MCAC virtual meetings can be provided in multiple ways. i. Written Comments: 1. You are welcome to submit written comments to Port staff via email. Please send to dominic.moreno@sfport.com 2. In the subject line of your email, indicate the meeting date and the topic of your comment. For an item on the agenda, please include the meeting date and item number. ii. Oral Comments: 1. Following committee discussion of each agenda item, Port staff will provide an opportunity for public comment. 2. If you want to provide oral comments on a specific agenda item, you will need to “Raise your hand” during the Zoom meeting. *If calling into the meeting from a telephone, you can use “Star (*) 9” to raise/ lower your hand. 3. Once your hand is raised and it is your turn to speak, the MCAC meeting facilitator will unmute you, announce your name, and you will be able to make your comment. *Depending on how you have called in, you may also need to unmute yourself. 4. After your public comment, your hand will be lowered, and you will be placed back on mute.

	Attendees:
1	David	Beaupre	Port of San Francisco
2	Shawn	Bennett	Baydelta
3	Mike	Bishop	Martin Marietta
4	Andre	Coleman	Port of San Francisco
5	Charlie	Gondak	Tideline Marine
6	Ann	McIntyre	SF Bar Pilots
7	Dominic	Moreno	Port of San Francisco
8	Diane	Oshima	Port of San Francisco
9	Wendy	Proctore	Port of San Francisco
10	Steven	Reel	Port of San Francisco
11	Gerry	Roybal	Port of San Francisco

 

1. Welcome

• Self-introductions by all present.

 

2. Maritime Update (Andre Coleman)

• Maritime portfolio includes cargo, cruise, shipyard, commercial fishing, and water transportation.  Our goals to enhance the waterfront are:

• Maximize cargo opportunities at our deep-water cargo terminals
• Evaluate facilities to support the port’s expanding cruise business
• Identify maritime opportunities for revitalizing select parcels at the shipyard
• Preserve and enhance commercial fishing at Fisherman’s Wharf and Hyde Street Harbor
• Expand the Port’s water transit system and promote water transit along the waterfront

Fish:

• The Port’s Retail Fish Sales Program continues to be a success.
• Ten participants joined the program when it was expanded to selling retail crab.  And of those 10 participants, we expect 2 to 5 will continue with the program in selling retail fish.
• Salmon season will be opening in April.
• Last week, we executed an agreement with Pilot Thomas to provide fuel to the fleet. Back in 2020, several areas of seep were emanating from beneath the Hyde Street Pier which caused the temporary closure of the fuel dock.

Cruise:

• Since the resumption of cruise, things have been going extremely well with the Port agreements in place to address any type of outbreak, or a spike in COVID positive patients.  This was a collaboration with the cruise lines, terminal operators, and Public Health Department.
• We will be activating Piers 30/32 to accommodate the growth in cruise business.
• We are expecting approximately 116 calls for the calendar year.

Cargo:

• Cargo operations remain strong in the dry bulk business.
• Martin Marietta will be looking to extend their lease, expiring in 2024.
• At Pier 80, things have been slow.  Our terminal operator, Pasha, expects to see an uptick in Q2.  The uptick should carry over to Q3 and Q4 as well.
• On March 26, 2022, the Sail GP race will take place in the San Francisco Bay. The Port entered into a license agreement to hold Sail GP’s base camp at Pier 96 south.  This area was previously an inactivated parcel of the waterfront.

Other:

• Fleet Week 2022 initial planning started last week.  The Navy complimented and recognized Port staff for a great in-person event last year.
• There has been a strong collaboration with our wharfingers, maintenance and repair shop in bringing more research vessels to the Port and activating berths Piers 30/32.
• The Port is working diligently on submitting applications for grant funding available for infrastructure improvements.
• MARAD will be solicitating lay berth opportunities. We currently have 2 tenants with lay berth agreements. 
• Sea Change, formerly known as Merry-go-Round, will be the first ferry powered by hydrogen fuel and batteries.  The vessel, owned by Switch Marine, is scheduled to berth at the shipyard on a short-term agreement.  A press event will be held for the arrival of Sea Change on April 22, 2022.  This date is tied to Earth Day.
• The first floating fire station in the San Francisco Bay officially opened at Pier 26 on April 22, 2022.
• Please see the “Catch of the Day” video on Retail Crab Sales by copying and pasting this link:

https://ms-my.facebook.com/portofsanfrancisco/videos/catch-of-the-day-m…

 

3. Briefing on the Waterfront Land Use Plan (WLUP) Draft EIR (Diane Oshima)

• The updated Waterfront Land Use Plan gives priority to the maritime industry.
• The Port and the public are committed to support all the different maritime activities.
• The WLUP is now in Environmental review stage run by the San Francisco Planning Department.
• Last month, the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the WLUP was published for public comments.
• The public comment period runs from February 23 - April 25, 2022.
• Comments on whether the EIR is complete or missing anything regarding environmental effects can be sent to the Planning Department.
• The Planning commission will have a hearing next week and will take verbal comments as well.
• A walking tour of the southern waterfront’s dry bulk facilities and the construction materials concrete batch plants will be scheduled to engage the public and bring awareness to the maritime front.
• Information on Waterfront Land Use Plan can be found here:

https://sfport.com/projects-programs/waterfront-plan

 

4. Water Resilience Program (Wendy Proctor & Steven Reel)

• J-9 Project –  currently red tagged important to define the goals what a resilience shoreline can look like in the fw lagoon area  how we it better support the industries
• Ferry Building retro fit project ensure the ferry berths and staging area are functional post-earthquake
• Interim flood project from Pier 5 to Pier 22 ½ improve flood protection
• Working with other cities on sea level rise

 

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

• The Port Greeters will be starting up again after a 2-year hiatus to greet cruise guests on the transit calls.
• The parking lot at Pier 27 will be reactivated for public parking again.
• Tideline Marine has started late night service from Tiburon to San Francisco Port properties.
• The meeting was adjourned in memory of Catharine Hooper.  She was a maritime consultant involved with customs, cruises, and Fleet Week and a member of the MCAC for many years.

 

6. Forward Calendar:

• MCAC meeting dates schedule in 2022 (third Thursday, every other month):

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.