BCDCMINUTESNovember17,2016

November22,2016

TO: AllCommissionersandAlternates

FROM:LawrenceJ.Goldzband,ExecutiveDirector(415/352-3653;larry.goldzband@bcdc.ca.gov) SharonLouie,Director,Administrative&TechnologyServices(415/352-3638;sharon.louie@bcdc.ca.gov)

SUBJECT:ApprovedMinutesofNovember17,2016CommissionMeeting

1. CalltoOrder.ThemeetingwascalledtoorderbyChairWassermanattheFerryBuilding,PortofSanFranciscoBoardRoom,SecondFloor,SanFrancisco,Californiaat1:02p.m.

2. RollCall.Presentwere:ChairWasserman,ViceChairHalsted,CommissionersBates(arrivedat1:16p.m./departedat4:13p.m.),Cortese(representedbyAlternateScharff–departedat4:20p.m.),DeLaRosa(departedat4:17pm.),Gibbs(arrivedat1:20p.m./departedat4:14p.m.),Hicks(representedbyAlternateGalacatos–departedat4:17p.m.),Kim(representedbyAlternatePeskin–departedat4:12p.m.),Lucchesi(representedbyAlternatePemberton),McGrath(arrivedat1:07p.m.),Nelson,Randolph(arrivedat1:17p.m./departedat4:12p.m.),Sartipi(departedat4:12p.m.),Sears(departedat4:15p.m.),Spering(representedbyAlternateVasquez),Techel(departedat4:10p.m),Wagenknecht(departedat4:10p.m.)andZiegler(representedbyAlternateBrush).

ChairWassermanannouncedthataquorumwaspresent.

NotpresentwereCommissioners:AssociationofBayAreaGovernments(Addiego),AlamedaCounty(Chan),DepartmentofFinance(Finn),ContraCostaCounty(Gioia),SonomaCounty(Gorin),SanMateoCounty(Pine),Governor(Zwissler).

3. PublicCommentPeriod.ChairWassermancalledforpubliccommentonsubjectsthatwerenotontheagenda.

BrianneRileyfromtheBayPlanningCoalitionannouncedtheirupcomingannualluncheontobeheldFriday,December9thattheSaintFrancisYachtClub.Moreinformationcanbeaccessedattheirwebsite:bayplanningcoalition.org.

ChairWassermanmovedtoApprovaloftheMinutes.

4. ApprovalofMinutesoftheOctober6,2016Meeting.ChairWassermanaskedforamotionandasecondtoadopttheminutesofNovember3,2016.

MOTION:CommissionerWagenknechtmovedapprovaloftheMinutes,secondedbyCommissionerScharff.

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VOTE:Themotioncarriedwithavoteof17-0-1withCommissionersBates,DeLaRosa,Gibbs,Galacatos,Peskin,Pemberton,McGrath,Nelson,Randolph,Scharff,Sears,Vasquez,Techel,Wagenknecht,Brush,ViceChairHalstedandChairWassermanvoting,“YES”,no“NO”,votesandCommissionerSartipiabstaining.

5. ReportoftheChair.ChairWassermanreportedonthefollowing:

a. NewBusiness.Doesanyonehaveanynewbusinesstheywouldliketorequestweconsideratoneofournextmeetings?(Nocommentswerevoiced)

b. BayFillPoliciesWorkingGroup. IwouldnowaskCommissionerNelsontogiveusabriefaccountoftheBayFillPoliciesWorkingGroupthatwasheldearliertoday.

CommissionerNelsonreportedthefollowing:WehadaninterestingdiscussionaboutthechallengeposedaroundtheBaybylow-lyingareas,areasthateitherliebehindleveesandwouldbesubjecttofloodingasaresultofrisingsealevelsoroffluvialflooding,floodingfromourwatershedsoracombinationthereofandthechallengesthattheyposeforus.Andstaffpresentedusanumberofexamplesofplaceswherewearelikelytoseeinthenot-to-distantfuturesomeprettysoberingexamplesofsubstantialincreasedriskofflooding.

Andalsowewalkedthroughwhatwehadtalkedaboutastheislandeffect.Asshorelinedevelopersrecognizetheriskofsealevelriseandraisetheirbuildingpadsormodifytheirbuildingsinwaysthattheyaremorefloodresilientthatmayhelpthatbuildingbutitmaynothelpadjacentbuildingsandthosebuildingsmaybefloodresistantbutincreasinglyovertimesomeofthosebuildingsaregoingtosufferfromalackoftransportationandotherinfrastructureservingthem.

ItwasasoberingconversationthattiesinverynicelywiththeworkARTisdoingandraisedanumberofinterestingquestionsabouttheworkshopsthatwearegoingtobeplanningfornextyear.

ChairWassermancommented:ItcertainlyseemsthattheChineseblessing,wearecursedtoliveininterestingtimesistruerthaniteverhasbeen;andcursedtoliveinveryuncertaintimes.Aswehavetalkedaboutbeforeunfortunatelyinmanywaysneitherclimatechangenorrisingsealevelgotawholelotofattentioninthepoliticaldebatesthatwereconcludedearlierthismonth.Anditisunclearwhatthenationalpolicyonthosemaybe.Thatmakesitevenmoreimportantthatwefocuslocally,whichforusmeansregionally,ontheplansforourBayandwhatwecandotoaddressrisingsealevels.

Wearemakingsignificantstridesbasedontheplansthatwehaveadoptedandoverthenextmonthswearegoingtobebringingupasetofreportsandactionsbacktoallofus.Wereallyneedtodiginandmakesurewearedoingallthatwecan;makesureourstaffisdoingallwecan.Probablymoreimportantlyismakingsureallofourregional,local,stateandfederalpartnersaredoingalltheycanwhichisgoingtobeanever-broadeningcampaign.Myownmantraishunkerdown,stayfocusedlocallyandprepareforthefuture.

ItissaidthatifyouappearatDanielWebster’sgravesiteyouwillhearavoicecallingout,howstandstheUnion?Andyouarerequiredtoanswer,shestandsasshestoodrockbottomthencoppersheathedoneandindivisible.Ithinkitisastruetodayasitwasthen.

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c. NextBCDCMeeting.AtourDecember1stmeetingwewillholdaRisingSeaLevelWorkshoptoconsidernextstepstoimplementwhatweagreedupon.Thiswillbeourfirstmeetingattheregionalheadquarters,375Beale.Weexpectmostallofourmeetingswillbeheldtheregoingforward.IwanttoencourageallofyoutoattendandtoaskyourAlternatestoattend,aswell.

d. Ex-ParteCommunications.Thatcompletesmyreport.Ifanybodywishestomakeontherecordanex-partecommunicationreportnowisthetimetodoit.Youdoneedtosubmitthoseinwritingaswell.

ViceChairHalstedreported:IhavehadanemailcommunicationwiththePortofSanFranciscoonthemattercomingbeforeustoday.

ChairWassermanmovedtotheExecutiveDirector’sReport.

6. ReportoftheExecutiveDirector.ExecutiveDirectorGoldzbandreported:ThankyouverymuchChairWasserman.IamtemptedtotalkaboutwhatweallmighthavelearnedaboutallofusandallofourcolleaguesaftertheelectionbutIamnotsurewhatIhavelearnedsoIamjustgoingtokeepquiet.

ButIdidrecallaboutaweekagowhenIwasreadingabookthatIlovethatFrederickDouglassoncewrotethatthereisnoprogressifthereisnostruggle.Thatadmonitioncertainlyappliestotoday’sCommissionmeeting.Theissuesthatyouwillfacetodaywilltestyouinseveralways.Thequestionsthatstaffwillaskyoutodecidetodayaredifficultinmanyrespects.Youmaystruggletomakesomeharddecisions.Fortunately,youalwayshavedemonstratedthatabilityandweexpectthatyouwilldosoagaintoday.

IamverypleasedtoannouncethatLindyLowe,ourActingChiefPlanner,hasacceptedouroffertostopactingandbecomeourrealChiefPlanner.(Applause)LindyisnothererightnowbecausesheisoveratMTCbeingaChiefPlanner.DuringtheinterviewprocessLindywasplacedinthetoprankandIselectedherfromthefivecandidateswhointerviewedforthepositionlastmonth.WesoonshallfinalizeareorganizationofthePlanningUnitthatLindyled.We’llletyouknowofoursuccessindoingsoandmoveforwardwithLindyasatremendouslysuccessfulpartofseniorstaff.

IamalsopleasedtoletyouknowthattheMetropolitanTransportationCommissionyesterdayrequestedsuccessfullythattheBayAreaHeadquartersAuthority,whichisresponsiblefor375BealeStreet–soontobeournewofficebuilding–approvea$5,000,000budgettooutfitpartofthebuilding’sfifthfloorsothatBCDCcanoccupyitnextyear.Ican’tpromisethatwe’llmoveinbeforetheendofthesecondquarterbutthatismyhope.Sharon,Anna,andBradhavebeenworkingincrediblyhardtodesignagreatfloorplanandwearegoingtousealittlebitofgeneralfunddollarstohireamoveconsultanttohelp.Webelievethatwillrelieveallofusofsomeofthelogisticsandplanningwork.I’llkeepyouinformedasweprogress.

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Thatbeingsaid,asChairWassermanreported,ournextmeetingwillbeheldat375BealeStreet.Fornextyearweplantohavethefollowingschedule:WewillmeetasusualonthefirstandthirdThursdaysofthemonth.ThefirstThursdaygenerallywillbeyourregularBCDCCommissionmeeting;permits,consistencydeterminations,briefingsandalltheexcitingthingsthatwegenerallybringbeforeyou.ThesecondmeetingtobeheldthethirdThursdayofthemonth,ingeneral,willbeaworkshopforyouandthepublictohelpusallimplementtherecommendationsandactionsthatyouallapprovedlastOctoberaswellastherecommendationsandinterestingissuesthatwillbebroughtforthfromtheBayFillPoliciesWorkingGroup.

Planonbeingat375BealeonbothThursdays;knowthatwewillhavethefirstmeetingintheBoardRoomandthesecondmeetingacrossthehallinthebigroom.ItwillbeopentothepublicandwewillbeseatingyouaswehavebeforeattheoldMTCbuilding.

TheDecember15thmeetingwillnotbeheldat375Beale.ThismeetingwillbeheldupthestreetatthePortOfficesintheirBaysideConferenceRoom.

ThatcompletesmyreportChairWassermanandIamhappytoansweranyquestionsanybodymayhave.

ChairWassermanasked:AnyquestionsfortheExecutiveDirector?(Nocommentswerevoiced)

7. ConsiderationofAdministrativeMatters.ChairWassermanstated:Item7isConsiderationofAdministrativeMatters.WehavehadalistingmailedtousonNovember10th.JaimeMichaelsofourstaffisheretoansweranyquestionsanyofusmayhave.(Nocommentswerevoiced)

8. ClosedSessiononPendingLitigation:(1)PointBucklerClub,LLCandJohnDonnellySweeneyv.SanFranciscoBayConservationandDevelopmentCommission,SolanoCountySuperiorCourt,CaseNo.FCS047083;and(2)ProposedCeaseandDesistandCivilPenaltyOrderNo.CCD2016.002,PointBucklerClub,LLCandJohnD.Sweeney.ChairWassermanannounced:Item8isaclosedsessionregardingpotentiallitigationconcerningPointBuckler.AtthistimeIamaskingeveryonetoleavetheroomexceptforCommissionersandourAttorneyGeneral’sstaffonthismatter;thatincludesBCDCstaff.Wewillaskyoutorejoinusjustassoonaswearefinished.(Theroomwasvacatedbyallthoseneedingtodoso.)

ChairWassermanannounced:Wearebackinsessionafterourclosedsession.Wedidnottakeareportableaction.ThatbringsustoItem9.

9. ConsiderationofandPossibleVoteontheEnforcementCommittee’sRecommendedEnforcementDecisionInvolvingProposedCeaseandDesistandCivilPenaltyOrderNo.CCD2016.002;PointBucklerClub,LLCandJohnD.Sweeney.ChairWassermanstated:Item9isconsiderationandpossiblevoteontheEnforcementCommittee’srecommendedenforcementdecisionregardingaCeaseandDesistandCivilPenaltyOrderNo.CCD2016.002thatwouldbeissuedtoPointBucklerClub,LLCandJohnD.Sweeney.MarcZeppetellowillintroducethematterandthenCommissionerScharffwillpresenttheEnforcementsCommittee’srecommendationandthenwewillproceedtohearfromtherestofthespeakersincludingtherespondents.

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MarcZeppetello,ChiefCounseladdressedtheCommission:ThismatterinvolvesallegedviolationsoftheMcAteer-PetrisActandtheSuisunMarshPreservationActatPointBucklerIslandwhichislocatedinSuisunBayandintheprimarymanagementareaoftheSuisunMarsh.ThisenforcementactionwascommencedonApril22ndwhentheExecutiveDirectorissuedatemporaryceaseanddesistordertotherespondents.Thatorderwasgoodfor90days.Ithasbeencontinuedtwicebystipulationbetweenstaffandrespondentsbutwillexpiretoday.TheExecutiveDirectorthenissuedaviolationreportandcomplaintforadministrativepenaltiesonMay23rd.Thecomplaintproposedapenaltyof$952,000for35violationsoftheMcAteer-PetrisAct.

RespondentssubmittedtheirstatementofdefenseandaccompanyingdocumentsonSeptember12thandgenerallydeniedliability.

TheEnforcementCommitteeheldapublichearingonOctober6thandadoptedthestaff’srecommendedenforcementdecisionandproposedceaseanddesistorderwithonemodificationwhichwasthattheCommitteereducedtheproposedpenaltyby$180,000from$952,000to$772,000.Thiscompletesmyintroduction.

CommissionerScharffwasrecognized:OnOctober6ththeEnforcementCommitteeheldapublichearingonthismatter.Wetooksubstantialtestimony.Welistenedtostaff’spresentationofitsrecommendedenforcementdecisionwhichwastoadopttheproposedorder.Wealsolistenedtorespondents’presentationwhichincludedtestimonyunderoathbyrespondentJohnSweeney.

WealsoconsideredpubliccommentbyanumberofpartiesincludingtestimonyunderoathbyDr.StuartSiegel,anexpertretainedbytheSanFranciscoBayRegionalWaterQualityControlBoardinconnectionwithaseparateenforcementactionagainstrespondents.Dr.Siegelwastheauthorofthetechnicalassessmentreportconcerningthissite.

Wereadtherecord.Therewereasubstantialnumberofdocumentsprovidedtous.Wewentthroughallofthat.Welistenedtoallofthetestimony.Wethendeliberatedanddiscussedmanythings;oneofthosewas,therewassomediscussionwiththepartiesandtheywentoutoftheroomforawhiletodiscusssettlementoptionsandtotrytoresolvethismatteramongstthem.

Theywereunableatthathearingtoresolvethematter.Itwassuggestedtheycontinuetotryandworktogethertoresolvethismatter.AtthispointIunderstandtheyhavenotresolvedthematter.

TheCommitteeadoptedthestaff’senforcementdecisionwithonemodificationaswassuggested.TheCommitteedeterminedthattheplacementoffilltocloseeachoftheseventidalbreachesoftheremnantleveeatthesiteshouldbetreatedasasingleviolationratherthanthesevenviolationsimposedbystaff.OnthatbasistheCommitteereducedthepenaltyfrom$952,000to$772,000.Otherwisethestaffrecommendationwasadopted.

ChairWassermanasked:Doesstaffwishtomakeapresentationontherecommendations?

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Mr.Zeppetelloreplied:AdrienneKleinandIwillmakeapresentationandwouldestimate15minutestocompletethispresentation.

DeputyAttorneyGeneralJoelJacobsaddressedtheCommission:OnesuggestionthatIhaveisiftheCommissionisinclinedtosettimelimitsontestimonyitshouldprobablydothatbeforeeithersidehasbegunpresentingitsargument.

ChairWassermanresponded:IwilltakeMr.Zeppetelloathiswordandwewillset15minutesforeachsideandwewillgiveyouthreeminutewarning.Iwouldnotethatwearenottalkingabouttestimony.Thisisforthepresentation.

Mr.LarryBazelspoke:MypresentationisaboutahalfhourandIwouldlikethattime.

ChairWassermanresponded:Wouldyoukindlyshrinkitto15minutesplease?YouhadasubstantialamountoftimetopresenttotheEnforcementCommitteeforatleastanhour.Wearereallyonlyreviewingthatrecommendation.Fifteenminutes,sir.

Mr.Bazelreplied:Okay.Thankyou.

Mr.Zeppetellopresentedthefollowing:Thisfirstslideisasummaryofwhathasalreadybeensaid.TheEnforcementCommitteeheldahearingonthismatteranditwasathreeandahalfhourhearing.Thestaffmadeapresentationofapproximately45minutesfollowedbyapresentationbyrespondentsthatwasequallyaslong.Therewasaboutanhourandahalfofpubliccomment,discussion,andquestionsfromtheEnforcementCommittee.

ThisslideshowsamapofthelocationofPointBucklerIsland.ItisintheSuisunBayandalsointhePrimaryManagementareaoftheSuisunMarsh.

Mr.SweeneypurchasedtheIslandinAprilof2011andlaterconveyedthepropertytoalimitedliabilitycompany,PointBuckler,LLC.

Iwouldliketosummarizethetermsoftheproposedorder.Theproposedorderhastwocomponents;aceaseanddesistcomponentandacivilpenaltycomponent.TheceaseanddesistorderwouldrequiretherespondentstoceasefurtherviolationsoftheMcAteer-PetrisActandtheSuisunMarshPreservationActatthesite.

Secondly,byFebruary10,2017,tosubmitarestorationplantorestoretidalflowandcirculationtotheIslandandalsobyFebruary10,2017,submitamitigationmonitoringplantoproposecompensatorymitigationtocompensateforimpactstowatersofthestateatthesite.

ThesetworequirementstosubmittheseplansbyFebruary10thofnextyearareidenticaltoprovisionsinacleanupandabatementorderthatwasadoptedbytheSanFranciscoBayRegionalWaterQualityControlBoardonAugust10th.

TheorderfurtherrequiresthatbyMarchthethirdofnextyear,therespondentssubmitanapplicationtoBCDCforapermittorequestauthorizationforworkthatrespondentsperformedsince2011whenMr.Sweeneypurchasedtheproperty.Theorderwouldalsorequirerespondentstoapplyforapermitpriortoanyfuturedevelopmentworkatthesite.

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ThecivilpenaltycomponentwouldrequireapenaltyforviolationsoftheMcAteer-PetrisAct.InthecomplaintthattheExecutiveDirectorissuedtherewasatablesettingforththeviolationsandsettingforththeamountproposedwithinthepenaltyrangeforeachoftheviolations.Manybutnotalloftheviolationsmaxed-outat$30,000whichisthemaximumallowedbythestatute.

TheEnforcementCommitteereducedthepenaltyfromthatproposedbystaffto$772,000.

TheCommissionhasjurisdictionundertheMcAteer-PetrisActandtheSuisunMarshPreservationAct.JurisdictionistobedeterminedatthetimethatMr.SweeneypurchasedtheislandinAprilof2011,andnotatanearlierpointintimeornotasitexiststodayafterunlawfulmodifications.

JurisdictionextendsundertheMcAteer-PetrisActtoareassubjecttotidalactionandincludestidelandsandmarshlandswheremarshvegetationispresentuptoanelevationoffivefeetabovemeansealevel.

ThisisaphotographoftheislandasitappearedinAprilof2011andyoucanseethetidalchannelsandvariousbreachesandchannelsthroughoutlargeportionsoftheisland.

ThisisafigurethatwaspreparedbyanexpertretainedbytheRegionalBoard.Theareainblueistheareathat,accordingtotheexpert,issubjecttoyourjurisdictionundertheMcAteer-PetrisAct;approximately30acresoftidelands,7.7acresofmarshland.

Theareaontheeastsideistheareathatispossiblenon-jurisdictionalareas,uplands,ofapproximately0.54acres.

UndertheSuisunMarshPreservationAct,PointBucklerisinthePrimaryManagementareaoftheMarshandthereforeapermitfromtheCommissionisrequiredpriortoanydevelopmentasthattermisbroadlydefinedintheAct.

ThereisanexemptioninthePublicResourcesCode.NopermitisrequiredfordevelopmentthatisspecifiedintheSuisunResourceConservationDistrict’scomponentofthelocalprotectionprogram(LPP).SRCD’scomponentoftheLPPincludesindividualmanagementplansformanagedwetlands;managedwetlandsbeingdefinedasdikedareaswherethewaterinflowandoutflowisartificiallycontrolledorinwhichwaterfowlplantsarecultivatedorboth.

In1984theCommissionadoptedindividualmanagementplansforapproximately160to165managedwetlandsinSuisunMarshincludinganIMPforthissitethatiscalledtheAnnieMasonIMP.

TheislandwasnotmanagedinaccordancewiththeIMPforover20yearsbeforeMr.Sweeneypurchasedtheproperty.TheAnnieMasonIMPcalledforfrequentinspectionandmaintenanceoftheleveesandemphasizedtheimportanceofmaintainingtheleveesforwatercontrol.

ThereissubstantialevidenceintherecordthatthesitewasnotmanagedinaccordancewiththeIMPforover20years.

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TheSuisunResourceConservationDistrictmaintainsrecordsofworkdoneinaccordancewiththeCorpsofEngineersregionalpermitformanagedwetlandsintheMarshandatleastsince1994,whentherecordsareavailable,thereisnorecordofanyworkbeingdoneonPointBucklerIsland.

In1989theformerowneroftheislandappliedtoBCDCforapermittoplace50,000cubicyardsoffillatthissite.Staffwrotealetterandsaidtheapplicationwasincomplete,pleasesubmitmoreinformation.Theinformationwasneversubmitted.Thepermitwasneverissued.

Thesitewasexposedtotidescomingfromthewestfor20years,towavesandwinds,andasaresultofthattherewerebytheearly1990ssevenbreachesoftheformerremnantlevee.Thesiterevertedtotidalmarsh.Therewasnoeffectivewatercontrol.Infact,thetidesandtidalhydrologyprevailedandtidalmarshvegetationdominatedtheIsland.

Instaff’sviewwhenMr.SweeneypurchasedthesitetheIndividualManagementPlandidnotapplyandapermitwasrequiredfortheworkthathedid.

IwouldmentionbrieflythatthereisanotherprovisioninthePublicResourcesCodethatprovidesforanexemptionfrompermitrequirements.Itis29508(b);nopermitisrequiredforrepair,replacementorreconstructionthatdoesnotresultintheadditiontoorenlargementorexpansionoftheobjectbeingrepaired.Thatexemptiondoesnotapplybecauseinthiscase,theexemptionforanIndividualManagementPlan,whichisamorespecificapplicationofanexemptionformanagedwetlands,iswhatwouldgovern.Inanycase,heretheworkwasnotreconstruction;itwasanewlevee.

Accordingtothereportpreparedbytheexpertsapproximately83percentofthenewleveethatrespondentsconstructedwaslocatedoutsidethefootprintoftheformerremnantlevee.Also,totheextentthatthenewleveewashigherinelevationandlargerinvolumeandmassthantheoldlevee,itconstitutedanenlargementratherthanreconstructionandthereforetheexemptionwouldnotapply.

WiththatIwillturnitovertoAdrienne.

ChiefofEnforcementKleinaddressedtheCommission:Ihavethreeslideswiththetimelineofeventstoshowyou.Thepropertywaspurchasedin2011byrespondentsandunauthorizedworkbeganaboutoneyearlater.AndbetweenthatperiodtherewasapermitobtainedfromtheCorpsofEngineersindicatingknowledgeoftherequirementsofatleastoneregulatoryagency.

InJanuaryof2015BCDCstaff,followingasitevisit,sentaletteraskingforrespondentstoceaseunauthorizedworkandapplyforapermit.

In2015and2016respondentscontinuedthatwork.In2016BCDCissuedanExecutiveDirector’sceaseanddesistorderexpiringtoday.

TheRegionalBoardalsoissueditsowncleanupandabatementorder.

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TheJanuary15thBCDCenforcementletterstatedthattheworkthathadoccurredappearednottoberetroactivelyapprovable;thatsiterestorationwasaveryprobableoutcome.Anditidentifiedtheexistenceofworkwindowstoprotectspeciesbecauseitwasunclearthatworkhadnotoccurredduringthoseimportantperiodsoftime.

RespondentscontinuedworkafterreceivingtheBCDCstopworkletter.Theyplacedshippingcontainers,helicopterpads,builtcrescentpondsbyexcavatingtheinteriorofthetidalmarsh,mowedmarshvegetationandconstructedroadbridgesoveraditch.

Thisisoneofmanyimagesfromtheexpert’sreport.Thegreenisshowingyouthedailytidalactiondistinctfromthebluewhichisdailytidalinundation.

Theinundationisdirecttidalflowandtheactionisthroughsub-surfaceflowsandoccasionalovertoppingaswell.

Youcanseethelocationoftheoriginalsevenleveebreaches.Thisisaclose-uptogiveyouthesenseofthechanges.Youcanseeintheupperphotothepre-existingconditionsandinthelowerphotoyoucanseethenewlevee.Ifyoulookatthedifferenceinthecolorofthewaterinthebottomphototheabsenceoftidalactionisclear.Thebrownwateristidallyinfluencedandthewaterinthenewleveeisalgaegreenindicatingeutrophicationintheabsenceoftidalaction.

Thisimageshowsyoutheoriginal1985leveealignmentandyoucanseethatthemajorityofthenewleveeinyellowdoesnotoverlapatallwiththeoriginalleveealignment.

Thisimageshowstheditchadjacenttothelevee.Again,themajorityofthenewditchisinanewlocation.

Thisisaphotocomparingthepre-existingandnewconditionsatthesitewithcirclesindicatingthelocationsoftheformerleveebreaches.

Youcanseeintotalthenewleveesurroundingtheditchandthenewleveesurroundingtheisland.

Thisphotoshowsthenewleveebisectingtheformertidalchannel.Thisshowsthenewborrowditchandshippingcontainersinthebackgroundofthephotograph.

Thisisanaerialimageshowingmarshvegetationmowingandtheclubhouseareasandkitesurfinglayoutareas.Thisshowsoneofseveralhelicopterpads.ThisshowsoneofthefourcrescentpondsandintheforegroundyoucanseethatitconnectstotheinteriorendofoneofthetidalchannelsinthecenteroftheIsland.

Thisisanotherphotographshowingyoumarshvegetationmowingandalsoaroadbridgeacrossthenewinteriorleveeditch.Thesitesupportsmanyspecialstatusspecies,bothstateandfederal.Myfinalslideisshowingyouacombinationofimages;thepre-existingandcurrentconditions.

WiththatthestaffrecommendsthattheCommissionadopttheproposedorderandIwouldliketopointouttwominortypos.OnpagethreeoftheNovember4thstaffreportinthethirdparagraph,wehavetypedLLPinsteadofLocalProtectionProgram,“LPP.”Onthelastpageoftheceaseanddesistorder,theyearofissuanceisindicatedas2017anditshouldbecorrectedto2016.

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IwouldalsoliketodrawyourattentiontoaletterofpubliccommentfromtheMarinAudubonSociety.Thankyou.

Mr.JacobsaddressedtheCommission:BeforetherespondentbeginsitspresentationIdowanttodrawtheCommission’sattentiontoanevidentiaryquestion.

TherespondenthastwobindersofdocumentsthathaveinformationpertainingtothefinancialconditionofMr.SweeneythattherespondentshaveaskedtheCommissiontoconsiderinconnectionwiththisproceeding.TheywerenotpartoftherecordbeforetheEnforcementCommittee.Thereisaprohibitionintheregulationsagainsttheintroductionofnewevidenceatthisproceeding.Theprovisionconcerninglateevidence,evenwhenitapplies,saysthattheCommissionshallnotacceptintotherecordanyevidencenotfiledinatimelymannerunlesstheCommissionfindsthatthepersonseekingtointroducetheevidencemadeallreasonableeffortstoobtainandsubmittheevidenceinatimelymannerandwouldbesubstantiallyharmediftheevidencewerenotadmittedandthatnootherpartywouldsuffersubstantialprejudicebyitsadmission.

Therehasbeenthatrequestthatyouconsiderthisinformation.ThepartieshavealsorequestedtheopportunitytoaddresstheCommissiononthespecificevidentiaryquestions.ItiswithintheCommission’sdiscretionifyouwanttogivehimabriefopportunitytospeaktoit;youmaydothat.

OnewayoranothertheCommissionneedstodecidewhethertoconsiderthisevidence.ThisisagoodopportunitytodothatbecauseMr.Bazelmaywanttorefertoitinhispresentation.

ChairWassermanasked:Mr.BazelwouldyouliketoaddresstheissueoftheevidencedescribedbyMr.Jacobs?

Mr.Bazelspoke:ThankyouMr.Chair.WhatwesubmittedwasabriefthatwesubmittedtotheRegionalBoardthatwassenttotheRegionalBoardandwasdueaftertheevidentiaryhearinginthismatter.

Itisabriefalongwithsomedeclarationsandexhibits.ThebriefitselfisnotevidenceandmyfirstslidewastomakethepointthatIamsupposedtoargueatthishearing.AndthebriefthatwesubmittedtotheRegionalBoardisargument;itisnotevidence.Thebriefitselfshouldbeallowedupuntilnow.Wesentitafewweeksagosotherewasplentyoftime.

Asfarastheexhibitsmostofthemwerethesamethatwerepreviouslysubmitted.Thatisnotnewevidence.TherewereafewthingsthatwerenewparticularlyrelatedtothefinancialconditionofMr.Sweeney.

ThereisnosurprisetoBCDCstaff.Ithinktheyactuallyinvitedtheinformation.TherewasacommentduringtheEnforcementCommitteemeetingaboutdisclosingfinancialinformation.

Ourbasicargumentisthatthebriefwesubmittedcouldnothavebeensubmittedatthetimebecauseitwasnotwrittenyetanditisallargument.AnyevidenceinthereiskindofbesidethepointexceptasBCDCstaffhasrequestedit.

ChairWassermanasked:Wouldstaffliketoaddresstheissue?

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Mr.Zeppetelloreplied:Themainissueherewiththeseadditionaldocumentsissomeinformationthatisclaimedtobeconfidential,personalfinancialinformationofMr.Sweeney’s.RespondentsclaimthattheycouldnothaverespondedsoonerbecausetheywererespondingtoadditionalpointsmadebytheRegionalBoardregardingtheRegionalBoard’sanalysisofMr.Sweeney’sabilitytopay.

ItistruethatthestaffreliedontheRegionalBoard’sanalysisofabilitytopay,butitistherespondentsthathavetheinformationthatcanestablishornotMr.Sweeneyandtheotherrespondents’,thelimitedliabilitycorporation’s,inabilityorabilitytopay.

Theycouldhavebutchosenottosubmitadditionalevidenceonthisissuewiththeirstatementofdefense.Infact,theyraisedtheinability-to-payargumentwiththeirstatementofdefense.

IwouldnotethattheEnforcementCommitteediddirectthepartiestotrytoattempttoreacharesolutionandtheynotedthatthefinancialinformationshouldbeprovided,butthecontextwasforsettlementdiscussionsbetweenthepartiesfollowingtheEnforcementCommittee;nottosupplementtherecord.

WhatstaffaskedforfollowingtheEnforcementCommitteewasMr.Sweeney’s,copiesofhisfederaltaxreturns,copiesoftheLLC’sfederaltaxreturns,afinancialstatementfromMr.SweeneyandafinancialstatementfromtheLLC.

RespondentshavedeclinedtoprovideanyofthatinformationandinsteadtheyhavesoughttosupplementtherecordherewiththefinancialinformationthatultimatelycomesdowntoafewstatementsbyMr.Sweeneyinasupplementaldeclarationregardinghisfinances.

Instaff’sviewthesupplementalinformationisnotfundamentallydifferentthantheevidenceandtheargumenttheypresentedtotheEnforcementCommittee.

Andfinally,iftheadditionaldocumentsareadmitted,instaff’sviewthismattermusteitherberemandedtotheEnforcementCommitteeortheCommissionmustholdadenovohearing.

Iamrelyingonourregulation11332(b)(4).IftheCommissiondecidestoholdadenovohearingitcannotbetodaybecausethematterundertheregulationshastobescheduledtoafuturemeetingandstaffneedstohaveanopportunitytoreviewandrespondtotheadditionalevidence.

Forallthosereasons,staffwouldurgetheCommissiontodenytherequesttosupplementtherecord.Staffwouldhavenoobjectiontothebriefasargumentbutwewouldobjecttoredactingtheparagraphortwothattheyidentifiedasclaimingtohaveconfidentialinformation.Thankyou.

ChairWassermanasked:DoesanyCommissionerhavequestionsontheevidentiaryissue?

CommissionerMcGrathwasrecognized:WhatwasthedateoftheRegionalBoardhearingwherethequestionofcapacitytopaywasfirstraised?

Mr.Zeppetelloanswered:Idonotbelievethathearinghasbeenheldyet.ThereisahearingonadministrativeliabilityscheduledbeforetheRegionalBoardinDecember.

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CommissionerMcGrathcontinued:SothiswasnotmaterialfromthefirstRegionalBoardhearing?Thisisfromtheprospectivehearing?

Mr.Zeppetelloreplied:Correct.

Mr.Bazeladded:Thatiscorrect.

ChairWassermancontinued:AsIunderstanditweneedtomakeadecisionwhethertoaccepttherespondent’sofferoftheadditionalevidence.Iwouldnotethatstaffhassaidthebrief,redactinganyreferencetotheevidenceitself,canbeconsideredbutthatleavesthequestionofwhetherthesupplementalevidenceconcerningfinancialabilitywhichwasnotbeforetheEnforcementCommittee,shouldbeconsideredornot.

MOTION:CommissionerScharffmovedtonotacceptanysupplementalevidence,secondedbyCommissionerVasquez.

ChairWassermanasked:Doyouwantustotakeahandvoteoravoicevote?

Mr.Jacobsreplied:Itprobablydoesnotmatterforthisparticularissue.Ontheactualenforcementdecisionthereshouldbearollcallvote.

ChairWassermancontinued:Allthoseinfavorofthemotionnottoaccepttheadditionalevidencesay,aye.

Anyopposed?Themotionpassesunanimously.

Themotioncarriedbyavoicevotewithnoabstentionsorobjections.

ChairWassermanasked:Arethereanyotherpreliminarymattersbeforewehearfromthe--

Mr.Jacobsinterjected:NotasfarasIamconcernedMr.Chair.

ChairWassermanrecognizedMr.Bazel:IamLarryBazel.IrepresentJohnSweeneyandPointBucklerClub.HereiswhatIwasintendingtotalkaboutbutIwillcutthisinhalf.

Iwillskipwhathappened,forthemostpart,andwhatshouldhappennowandtalkalittlebitabouttheproposedpenaltyastoohigh.ThatisthemainargumentthatIwanttomakeandmorespecificallytherearetoomanypenaltiesbecausethereare29penaltieshere.

Thestaffisfocusedononeortwoissues;theleveerepair,maybetheborrowditchassociatedwiththeleveerepair.

Andiftheleveerepairisaviolationthatisfinebutthatisone$30,000.00violation.Whathashappenedhereisanother28violationshavebeentackedonaboutthingsthatdonotwarrantpenaltiesatall.

Iwillalsotalkaboutthelegalissuesandthestatusofthesettlementproposal.

Thisphotographshowsthatasfarbackas1948inaerialphotographstherewasaleveearoundtheIslandandtherewerepondsontheIsland.

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Whatshouldhappennow?Therehasbeenachangeinposition.IntheJanuary2015letterweheardthatnoneofthiswaspermittablebutwearenowindiscussionswithstaffhereandwiththeRegionalBoardaboutrestoringtidalflowandhavingasmallpond.

HadMr.Sweeneyknown,hewouldnothaveneededtorestoretheleveeallthewayaroundtheIslandalthoughthatisthewayitwasandthatisthewayitwasgoingbacktothe40sandmaybeintothe1920s.Hecouldhavehadasmallduckpondandwhatthatwhiteovalisshowingisasmallduckpondwithaleveearoundit;therestoftheislandcanbetidallyopen.Itdoesnotneedtohavetheleveetomaintainthewaterlevelsthatyoudoinaduckpond.

Whatwearenowtalkingaboutisgettingpermittingforasmallduckpond,foralittlekiteboarding,foralittleclubhouseandforrestoringmostoftheislandtotidalconditions.

Ifapenaltyisimposedwerequestthatitshouldbepaidoutoverfiveyears.Mr.SweeneydoesnothavethemoneytopayanypenaltyofanysubstantialsizenowanditshouldbereducedformoneyspentonrestoringtheIsland.

Wearenotaskingthatitbereducedformoneyspentoncreatinganewduckpondbutcertainlyforrestorationbecausewhatmoneyisavailable,andthereisnotmuchmoneyavailable,itshouldbedevotedtorestoringtheisland.Thatseemstobethemainwaytoprotectandimprovetheenvironment.

TheEnforcementCommitteesuggesteda$450,000settlementandwehavebeentalkingalittlebitwithstaffaboutthat.Ithinkstaffisinterestedinyourdirectionaboutwhetherstaffshouldproceedalongthoselines.Werequestthatyougivestaffthatdirection.

Ontheproposedpenalties,thehighestadministrativepenaltyeverimposedbythisCommissionwas$220,000.Itwasrequiredtobepaidoverfiveyears.Thatiswherewegotthefiveyearsfrom.

Sixofthetoptenpenaltieswere$50,000orless.Infourofthosepenaltiestherewerewaivers.Intwocasesthepenaltywascompletelywaivedandtheothertwoitwaspartlywaivedandthatiswherewegetthewaiverfrom.

Wehaveheardthatthemaximumallowedis$30,000perviolation.Someofthepenaltieshereareforthingslikeremovalofabrokentidegate,forparkingtrailers,forexcavationofsmallponds.Bytheway,onthreeofthemwedisagree.Twooftheproposedpenaltiesareforfill-relatedtoroads.Buttherehasnotbeenfillonthoseroads.Ifthereareroadsthere,thedeadvegetationwasknockeddownbythedrivingbackandforth.Butthoseroadshavenotbeengradedorfilled.

Ononeofthem,asecondtidegate;theaccusationisthathereplacedthetidegate,Ithinkinstalledanewone,butinstead,whathedidwasherepairedtheflapsattheendofthetidegate.

Theproposedpenalty,theleveerepairisnow$210,000sothatissevenviolationsbuttheyareevenmorefortrailersandcontainers,fourcrescentpondsat$30,000apondforinterioruse,$120,000,andforthedock$60,000.

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ComparedwithotherpenaltiesintheSuisunMarsh,nopenaltyhaseverbeenimposedonaduckclub.NopenaltyhaseverbeenimposedfortrailersandcontainersinSuisunMarsh.

AndpreviouscounselforMr.Sweeneysubmitted67photographsshowinghugenumbersofcontainersandtrailersatmany,manyduckclubs.Inthisphotothereare20shippingcontainersand12trailers.Inthisonetherearesevenshippingcontainersandonetrailerandinthisonetherearebunkhousesandshippingcontainers.

Wesawthattheclubhouseareaconsistedofflatbeds,containersandtrailers.Thatisreallyonearea.Thatisonefacility.Itshouldbeonepenaltyatmost,noteight.

Thecrescentponds;theonlypurposeforthosepondswastocreateduckponds.Treeswereplanted,decoyswereinstalled.Thetreesdied.Theduckpondsweretoosmall.Mr.Sweeneyisanenthusiast.HelovestheMarshandhewantstorestoreaduckclubbutheisnotanexpertatit.

Theduckpondsareimportant.Theyareenvironmentallyimportant.TheSuisunMarshProtectionPlanandtheU.S.G.S.saythatwaterfowlpreferduckpondsovernaturalmarshandthatisbecausevegetationisgrownthatprovideduckfood.Mr.Sweeneybroughtadiscandaroller.Heintendedtodiscthesoilandplantduckfoodandthenrollit.Henevergotaroundtothat.TheAgencysteppedinandtoldhimtostop.Duckpondsarevital.ThisisalsofromtheSuisunMarshProtectionPlan.Theyarecriticalhabitatsandtheydeservespecialprotection.Diggingforsmallduckpondsshouldnotbea$120,000violation.Theharmcreatedbytheseduckponds;nonehasbeenidentifiedinthestaffreport.

Fortheinterioruse,wedisagreewiththeclaimthatfillwasplacedtomaketworoads.Wethink$60,000.00ofthepenaltyshouldbedropped.

Vegetation;therewasvegetationthatwascut.Mostofitgrewback;notallofit.Thereisapenaltyforthat.Thereisnocomparison.Wedonotknowofanyothercasewherepeoplehavebeenpenalizedforcuttingvegetation.

Kiteboarding;andthisisjustfortherecreationalact,a$30,000penalty.Wedonotthinkpeopleshouldbepenalizedforrecreation.Wehavenotfoundanycomparisonandthereisnoharmthathasbeenidentified.

Thedockthatreplacedanexistingdock;itwasonedockcuttoconformtothepiers.NoenforcementagainstdockselsewhereintheMarsh.

Thelegalissues;wethinktherearemanylegalissues.FirstofalltherearethepenaltyfactorsthatIthinkyouareawareof.TheCommissionisrequiredtolookintomanykindsofpenaltyfactors.Iamjustgoingtofocusontwo,thegravityofthesituation,oftheactivity,andtheabilitytopay.Thegravityoftheharmwasnotconsideredformostpenalties.Andtheyareobviouslynotgrave;kiteboarding,tidegates,parkingtrailers,thingslikethat.

Theabilitytopay;Mr.Sweeneyhaslittlecashandnoincome.Hehassomeotherassetsbuttheyarenotliquid;onethatwasidentifiedintheEnforcementCommitteeisalandingcraftlistedfor$895,000forthreeyears.Ithasnotsold.Thepricehasbeenreducedto$850,000butitisavaluableasset.Itisworthsomethingbutitishardtosaywhatitisworthbecausenooneisbuyingit.Itisnotveryliquid.

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Mr.Sweeneyneedsmoneytorestoretheisland.Heneedstobeabletoraisethemoneytoimplementtherestorationplan.Hedoesnothavethecashtopayapenaltynow.Forcinghimtopaymoneynowdoesnotdoanygood.Itjustinterfereswithhisabilitytorestoretheisland.Thatiswhyweareaskingforpenaltiestobepaidovertime.

Wethinkthereisnoliabilityhere,atleastonmanyoftheseforvariousreasons.Insomeofthemtherewassubstantialchangeinuseasserted.Wedonotthinkanychangesaresubstantial.

TherehasbeensometalkabouttheexemptionforworkspecifiedinanIMPoraclubplan.The29508Mr.Zeppetelloreferredto;nopermitrequiredforrepair,replacement,reconstructionormaintenance,wethinkthisfitsexactly.Itiscertainlyreplacementorreconstruction.Thereisnothingthatsaystheleveehastobeintheexactsamefootprint.Andthereasonitwasnotintheexactsamefootprintisbecausetheislanderodedaway.Wheretherewasnotabaseoftheleveetoaddto,Mr.Sweeneywentinland.

Butagain,herewearetalkingaboutwhatshouldbe,atmost,oneviolation.

Initially,thiswasnotseenasthemostegregioussituationthatevertookplacethatwouldrequirethelargestpenaltyever.StaffsawtheleveerepairinMarch2014whenitwasjustbeginning.Theydidnotcomment.TheyknewMr.Sweeney.Theyhadhisphonenumber.Theycouldhavecalledhimup.Theydidnot.

WhentheyfinallyvisitedtheislandathisinvitationinNovember,whentheleveerepairwasessentiallycomplete,thestaffsaidtherepairwasokayifitwasconsistentwiththeClubPlan.ItwasonlyinJanuary2015thatstafffirstsaid,youcannotdowhatyouaredoing.Sothisdidnotjumpoutearlyonasbeingamajorproblem.

Inearly2015,theCorpsshowedupanditofferedanafter-the-factpermit.IthadMr.Sweeneysignsomeformsandittookitback.Thosewerenotprocessed.Butatthetimeinearly2015,theCorpsalsodidnotthinkthiswasamajorissue.

Thereisevidenceintherecordthatanotherduckclubhadleveesthathadbeenbreachedfor15years;staffsaying,noproblem,youhaveanothersixmonthstorepair.

TheonlytimeweheardofpenaltieswasafterwefiledthelawsuitagainsttheRegionalBoard.TheRegionalBoardstaffissuedacleanupandabatementorderinSeptember2015anditdidnotcomplywithdueprocessrequirements.Weletthatgoandtriedtonegotiateuntiltherewasarefusaltoextendtime.Andthentoavoidviolatingthecleanupandabatementorderwehadtofilesuitandgetastay.

SowefiledsuitandgotastaybecausetheCourtagreedwithus.ThestaywasissuedonDecember29th;onJanuary5ththeRegionalBoardstaffrescindedthecleanupandabatementorderandonJanuary7thaccordingtotheRegionalBoard’srecordstherewasathreehourmeetingandcallwithotheragenciesandwiththeconsultants,someofwhoseworkyouhaveheardheretoday;wethinkBCDCwasthere–wedonotknowbecausewehavenotseenanyofthedocumentation;butthat,asfaraswecantell,wastheinitiationoftheprocessthatledtothepenaltyproposalsinMayandthatgotusheretoday.

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ItsureseemstohavebeenmotivatedtobearesponsetooursuitagainsttheRegionalBoard.AndthatraisesissuesrelatedtoconstitutionalrightsandIwouldthinkthatitalsosendsthewrongmessage,thatifwefilesuittoprotectourconstitutionalrightsthereshouldnotbeanypenaltyforthat.

ThelegalissuesarecalledFirstAmendmentRetaliationorConstitutionalVindictivenessthatisrelatedtorespondingtothelawsuit.

ThereisalsotheproblemherebecauseMr.Sweeneyisaperson.Heisnotacorporation.Hedoesnothaveabigincomestreamthathecanpaythispenaltyoutjustbytakingalittlebitoffhisprofits.WhatyouaredoingalongwiththeRegionalBoardistryingtotakeawayeverythinghehasandthatraisesallkindsofconstitutionalprotectionsusuallyforcriminalpenalties.

AndtheyshouldapplyherebecauseoftheextremenatureofthepenaltyinconjunctionwiththeRegionalBoard’spenaltyonMr.Sweeney’sassets.AndneitherstaffherenortheRegionalBoardassertthathecanpaythetwopenalties.

Onthesettlementproposal,the$450,000,wecamebacktotheEnforcementCommitteeandsaidwewouldsettlefor$450,000withconditions–theconditionswerefiveyearsandcredit.Wehavebeentalkingwithstaffnowaboutworkingoutthedetails.ButasIsay,staffwantsyourdirectionandwethinkyoushouldaskthemtocontinuetodiscusssettlement.

ChairWassermancontinued:WedohavesomepublicspeakersandwewillhearthembeforewegointoquestionsandcommentsfromtheCommissioners.

Ms.NicoleSasakiwasrecognized:IamanassociateattorneywithSanFranciscoBaykeeper.BaykeeperhasmonitoredtheillegalfillactivitiesatPointBucklerIslandandtheenforcementactionsbyboththeRegionalWaterQualityControlBoardandBCDC.

Weappreciatetheagencieseffortstorestoretheisland’stidalmarshlands.WhileBaykeepersupportstheadoptionofBCDC’sceaseanddesistorderfortheallegedviolationsoftheMcAteer-PetrisActandtheSuisunMarshPreservationActattheIsland;wedisagreewiththeEnforcementCommittee’sdecisiontoreducestaff’soriginallyproposedcivilpenaltyof$952,000to$772,000.

BaykeeperbelievesthatstaffproperlycountedtheplacementoffilltoclosetheseventidalleveebreachesassevenseparateanddistinctviolationsoftheMcAteer-PetrisAct.Lumpingtogetherseveralsimilarviolationsandthencountingthemasasingleviolationinordertostrikeacompromisesendsthewrongmessagetorespondentsinthismatterandfuturemattersalike.

IllegallyfillingtheseventidalleveebreachesandcuttingofftidalactiontotheIslandwasarguablyrespondent’smostegregiousactioninthismatterandshouldnotbeimproperlydiscounted.

WetlandsandtidalmarshesarevitaltoahealthyBayecosystem.TheywillplayanessentialroleintheBayArea’sresiliencytosealevelrise.Wecannotsitidlybyandletexistingtidalmarshlandbeillegallyfilled.

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BCDCneedstomakeitcleartothepublicthatillegallyfillingwetlandsandtidalmarshlandsisunacceptableandsuchactionwillnotbetolerated.

Inclosing,BaykeeperappreciatesBCDC’sactiontoprotectandrestorePointBucklerIslandandweaskthattheCommissionersadopttheEnforcementCommittee’srecommendationsandconsideradoptingstaff’soriginallyproposedcivilpenalty.Thankyou.

Dr.StuartSiegeladdressedtheCommission:IwastheleadauthorforthetechnicalassessmentworkthathasbeendoneonbehalfoftheRegionalWaterBoard.

PrimarilyIwanttoletyouknowthatIamavailableheretodaytoanswerquestionsforyou.Idowanttomakeacommentaboutthisideaofchangeinuse.ThelasttimethetidalmarshesinSuisunweredikedforanyotherlandusewasabout100yearsago.Ithinkintermsoftheseverityofthischangeinuse,IwanttobringthattotheattentionoftheCommissioners.Thankyou.

DyanWhytecommented:IamwiththeSanFranciscoBayRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard.IamtheAssistantExecutiveOfficerandIserveastheprosecutionteamleadforthismatter.

InAugusttheWaterBoardadoptedacleanupandabatementorder.AndinadoptingthatordertheyfoundthatJohnSweeneyandPointBucklerClubviolatedstatewaterqualitydischargeprohibitionsandtheCleanWaterActbydischargingfillintoapproximatelythreeacresoftidalwetlandsandchannelsandcontributingtothedegradationof27acresoftidalmarshhabitat.

Iamheretoemphasizetoyoutheharmtowaterqualityandassociatedbeneficialuses.

AsyouknowSuisunBayisintheDelta.TheDeltaisrecognizedasoneofthemostsignificantestuariesinNorthandSouthAmerica,onthewesterncoastlines.

Andwhenyoublockoffthesetidalchannels,whatMr.Sweeneyisdoing,andthisactionhasblockedoffover10,000feetoftidalchannels,aboutfivepercentofthetidalchannelsinthearea;thesechannelsserveastheareawhensalmonareheadingouttotheGoldenGate,thisiswheretheystop,theyrest,theyfeed,theygettheirfoodreserves.Thisiswherethelongfinsmeltspawn.ThesearethechannelsthatexportfoodandnutrientsintotheBay,feedingtheDeltasmelt.

TheDeltarightnowisatareallyecologicallybalanceddelicatebalance,andweareheretodowhatwecantopreserveandprotectthat.Thankyouforyourtime.

ChairWassermancontinued:Questions,commentsfromCommissioners?

CommissionerMcGrathcommented:Justtoremindusthatwearedealingwiththerecordthatwehave.Ithasampleevidencebothabouttheimpact,andsecondIwanttotalkaboutafewofthefalseequivalenciesthathavebeenmadebytherepresentativeofthelandowner.

Thisisnotatallcomparabletotalkaboutinstallationofatraileroracontaineronasitewhichishighanddrytoasitethatisinamarsh.Whatwesawtodayandtheevidencebeforeuswasthattheentiretyoftheislandwassubjecttoourjurisdictionandwetlands.

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AndasDyanWhytesaid,thissystemhadsubstantialvalueforendangeredspecies,butthecirculationwithinthissystemwasalsovitaltothehealthofthosespeciesandalsothevegetation.

IwasstruckbyoneofthecommentsbyMr.Sweeney’srepresentative,thatMr.Sweeneyisnotanexpertatthis.TobegintodoconstructiononthisscalewithoutconsultationwithexpertswhenyouarealreadyalittlebitsidewayswiththeCorpsonyouractionsonanotherislandandwherethereisarequirement,ifyouaregoingtousetheargumentthatthereisaplaninplaceandthattheSuisunManagementAreaorwhatevertheparentorganizationthatismanagingthese;andtonotconsultwiththemisperhapsalittlemoreegregiousthanjustnotbeinganexpert.

Andthenfinally,thecommentaboutkiteboarders;manyofyouknowthatIamontheSanFranciscoBoardSailingAssociationandIrepresentwindsurfers,kiteboardersandstanduppaddlersintryingtosecureandimproveaccessandmaintainaccessaroundtheBay.IfthiswasamatterofsomebodyticketingawindsurferforwindsurfingsomewhereintheBay,evensomewherearguablysensitive,Iwouldbearguingagainstanypenaltiesforthat.ThereareargumentsundertheStateConstitutionaboutrightstousethenavigablewaters.Andwherethoserightshavebeenchanged,andIhavebeeninvolvedinanumberofoccasionswherethatusedoesresultinimpacts,theagenciesgothroughaprocess.Iamconfidentthatthisisnotamatterofsomeonebeingpunishedforwindsurfing.Thisisamatterofinstallationoffacilitiesinawetlandtoencouragekiteboardingandthatistheissue.

IamcomfortablewiththeactionsoftheEnforcementCommittee.WecouldgetintofinancialquestionsbutthereisnottherecordbeforeusandIthinktherecordthatisbeforeusiscertainlysufficienttojustifyasubstantialpenalty.

AsafinalpointIwouldnotethatconstructiondidnotstopwhenfirstnoticed.Andthatwouldmakebothresolutionoftheviolationsandthequestionofpenaltiessubstantiallylessonerous.

MOTION:CommissionerBatesmovedapprovaloftherecommendation,secondedbyCommissionerWagenknecht.

VOTE:Themotioncarriedwithavoteof16-0-2withCommissionersBates,Scharff,DeLaRosa,Gibbs,Peskin,Pemberton,McGrath,Nelson,Randolph,Sartipi,Sears,Vasquez,Techel,Wagenknecht,ViceChairHalstedandChairWassermanvoting,“YES”,no“NO”,votesandCommissionersGalacatosandBrushabstaining.CommissionersGalacatosandBrushrepresentFederalAgencies.

10. PublicHearingandPossibleVoteontheSanFranciscoBayAreaWaterEmergencyTransportationAuthority(WETA)andPortofSanFrancisco’sApplicationforPermitApplicationNo.2016.001.00forExpansionofWaterTransitandEmergencyEvacuationFacilitiesandPublicAccessAmenitieswithintheSanFranciscoFerryTerminal,intheCityandCountyofSanFranciscoChairWassermanannounced:Item10isapublichearingandvoteontheWETAandPortofSanFranciscoproposedexpansionofferryterminals,emergencyevacuationfacilitiesandpublicaccessattheSanFranciscoFerryTerminal.JhonArbelaez-NovakwillintroducetheprojectforBCDC.

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CoastalProgramAnalystArbelaez-Novakpresentedthefollowing:OnNovember4thyouweremailedastaffsummaryonBCDCpermitapplicationNo.2106.001.00fortheproposedexpansionoftheSanFranciscoFerryTerminallocatedatthesouthbasinadjacenttotheFerryBuildingonitssouthside.

TheprojectislocatedentirelyinyourBayjurisdiction.

Theco-applicants,theSanFranciscoBayAreaWaterEmergencyTransportationAuthorityorWETAandthePortofSanFranciscoproposetoaddtwoferrygates,realignanexistinggateandinstallfacilitiesforvesseldockingandpassengerboarding,cueingandcirculation.TheprojectwouldremovePier2ontopofwhichSinbad’sRestaurantusedtositandincludenewandexistingmaintenancedredgingwithdisposaltooccuratthefederaloceandisposalsitelocatedoutsideoftheCommission’sjurisdictionoratthepermittedMontezumaWetlandsBeneficialReuseRestorationsiteinSolanoCounty.A10,000footopen-waterlagoonwouldbefilledtocreatetheproposedEmbarcaderoPlaza.Thismapshowsthegeneraldetailsoftheproject.Itshowstheexistingareasthatwouldberetainedandimprovedandthenewareas.PublicaccessisrequiredandwouldbeimprovedunderadifferentBCDCpermit.Pier2wouldberemovedandtheeastBaysidePromenadewouldbeaddedalongwiththeEmbarcaderoPlaza.TheproposedfacilityisdesignedtowithstandamajorearthquakeandalsowouldserveasanemergencyevacuationareathereforeWETAandthePortdevelopedaplantoaccesstheterminaliftheseawallcollapsesduringanearthquake.

Inthestaffsummaryprovidedtoyouitwasmentionedthattheapplicantswouldnotinstallseismicinstrumentationintheproposedferryterminal.Thatissuehasnowbeenresolved.TheproposedprojectwillincludeseismicinstrumentationtoprovideinformationontheeffectsofearthquakesonallkindsofsoilstotheCaliforniaGeologicalSurvey.Theexpectedlifeoftheprojectis50yearsthereforetheprojectistobeconstructedatanelevationabovethe100yearfloodlevelandfuturesealevelriseestimatesfor2068.Theprojectwouldresultinapproximately28,000squarefeetofBayfill.TheapplicantsproposetoremoveanequalamountoffillataformerterminalinthecityofRichmond;aprojectmanagedbytheCoastalConservancy.Consequently,theprojectwouldresultinnonetincreaseoffillintheBay.Theprojectincludespublicaccessimprovementscreatedinpartbyfillinga10,000squarefootopen-waterlagoonjustsouthoftheFerryBuilding.ThenewEmbarcaderoPlazawouldhaveamphitheater-styleseating,lightinganddecorativepaving.Theadjacenteastsidepromenadewillbeestablishedprimarilyforcueingferrypassengersandwillhaveprotectivecanopies,seatingandtrashcans.AnewoverlooktoseetheBayBridge,YerbaBuenaIslandandTreasureIslandwouldalsobeconstructed.Intotal,theprojectwillresultinapproximately36,000squarefeetofnewandimprovedpublicaccess.TheapplicantshaveappliedtousethenewlyfilledareathatreplacesthelagoontoexpandtheFarmersMarket.

RegulatoryDirectorBradMcCreaaddressedtheCommission:Normallywewouldhavethestaffpresentationfollowedbytheapplicants’projectpresentationandthenpubliccommentandthenastaffrecommendation.Thereasonthatwearedoingitslightlyoutoforderisbecausetherehasbeensomelast-minutenegotiatingaroundtheconditionsofapprovalthatareinyourstaffrecommendation.WewillgivetheapplicantsamomenttospeakbuttheyaskedthatIclarifysomethingaheadofthemspeaking.Thematterthatwearediscussingistheuseofthe

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EmbarcaderoPlazafortheusesofaFarmersMarket.Intheoriginalrecommendationbeforeyouwethoughtthatawaitingperiodwouldbeprudent;an18monthwaitingperiodwherenouseofthePlazawouldtakeplace.Wewouldevaluatehowitworked,afterwhichwewouldrecommendthatyouentertainpossiblyanamendmenttothepermitfortheuseofthePlazaforaFarmersMarket.

Indiscussionswiththepermitteeswehavecometoanewrecommendationthatwillincludea12monthevaluationoftheEmbarcaderoPlazaforFarmersMarketuseonTuesdaysonly.ThatwouldbefollowedbyanothersixmonthsofevaluatingtheEmbarcaderoPlazaforaFarmersMarketonSaturdaysonly.Followingthatwewillrecommendthatyouauthorizeasixmonthgraceperiodduringwhichthestudyresultswillbereviewedandapermitamendmentmaybeconsideredduringthatperiod.Soitwouldbea24monthreviewandgraceperiod.Youwillhearmoreaboutthisasthisunfolds.AtthispointIwouldliketohaveJhonfinishupwiththedetailsoftheprojectandthenhavetheapplicantpresentitsproject.Thankyou.

Mr.Arbelaez-Novakcontinued:SincemailingthestaffsummaryonNovember4thseveralminorerrorshavebeendiscoveredthatneedcorrecting.IhaveindicatedintheerratasheetprovidedtoyouthattheseincludetheremovalofarecommendationoftheNationalMarineFisheriesServiceregardingrestorationoflistedfishspecieshabitatwhichtheapplicantisnotproposingtoimplementaswellasgrammaticalandspellingerrors.

InconsideringtheproposedprojecttheCommissionshouldassesswhethertheprojectmeetsthedesignatedusesandpoliciesoftheSpecialAreaPlan,meetsthelawsofpoliciesoffillrequirementsincludingwhethertheproposedfillwouldbeconstructedinaccordancewithsoundsafetystandards,isconsistentwiththeBayPlanpoliciesontransportation,isconsistentwithBayPlanpoliciesonnaturalresourcesincludingwaterquality,fish,otheraquaticorganismsandwildlife,isconsistentwiththeBayPlanpoliciesondredgingandmaterialdisposal,providesmaximumfeasiblepublicaccessconsistentwiththeprojectandisdesignedandwouldbemanagedtoberesilientandadapttoimpactsofsealevelrise.IwouldliketointroduceMichaelGoughertywithWETAandDanHodappwiththePort.

Mr.GoughertyaddressedtheCommission:IwanttoacknowledgethatwehavemembersourprojectteamfromWETAandthePorthereaswell.IamtheProjectManagerwiththePortofSanFrancisco.

Ihavebeenonthisprojectsinceitsinceptionin2010.ThisprojecthasbeenaclosepartnershipbetweenWETAandthePortofSanFrancisco.TheSanFranciscoBayFerryisknownastheWaterEmergencyTransportationAuthority.ThelastpartofthepresentationwillbemadebyDanHodappwiththePortofSanFrancisco.

SanFranciscoBayFerryisoneoftwoagenciesthatoperatepublicferryserviceonSanFranciscoBayinadditiontotheGoldenGateFerryService.WeoperatefourroutesthreeofwhichservetheSanFranciscoFerryBuilding.Overthelastfouryearsourridershiphasincreased77percent.ThishasbeenagreatproblemforusbecausetheresourcesthatarelimitedattheFerryBuildinghavereallybeentaxedandaffectourabilitytoincreaseserviceandmeetdemandforthoseservices.

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Wehaveanambitiousexpansionplanwhichyouwillbeseeingmoreofoverthenextfewyears.WehaveourRichmondFerryTerminalprojectscheduledtoopenin2018andshouldbecomingbeforetheCommissioninthenextfewmonths.WealsohaveaprojectthatwearepartneringwiththecityofAlamedaon;theSeaplaneLagoon.Thisprojectisslatedtoopenin2020andhasalreadygonetoyourDesignandReviewBoard.ThereistheTreasureIslandprojectwhichisanewprojectisunderdevelopmentwhichisapartnershipbetweenandthePortofSanFranciscoandtheMissionBayFerryTerminalproject.ThestartdateofthisistobedeterminedandthePortwillbeinitiatingtheBCDCpermittingprocessinthenear-termfuture.

InadditiontoterminalexpansionprogramwealsohaveasuiteofcapitalimprovementprojectswhichwerefertoasourCoreSystemEnhancementProgram.Thisconsistsofthreeprojects;twoofthesehavealreadycomebeforetheCommissioninthelasttwoyears;ourNorthBayandCentralBayOperationsandMaintenancefacilities.Thesearecurrentlyunderconstruction.Thethirdprojectinthesuiteistheprojectbeforeyoutoday;itisourDowntownFerryTerminalexpansionproject.

Asawholethistrioofprojectsrepresentsourinitiativetoprovidetheinfrastructurethatweneedtomeetthedemandfortheexistingservices,accountfortheincreasedcapacityneededtoimplementtheexpansionservicesandrealizethemandateofthe“E”inourname;theEmergency.ItwillgiveusthecapacityweneedindowntownSanFranciscotofillouremergencyresponserequirementstoprovidetransitserviceintheeventoftheaftermathofamajorearthquake.

ThecurrentterminalconsistsoffacilitiesoperatedbyWETAthatwerebuiltin2003bythePortofSanFrancisco.Duetoourincreaseinridershipwehaveexpandedservice.Mostofourcommuteservicesnowoperateon30minuteheadwaysduringthepeakinsteadof60minutes.Thatistaxedatthelandsideexistingcapacitytosupportthewaitingandcueingofpassengersbutalsoonthewaterside.Wearerunningoutofberthspacetoaddtheadditionalvesselsthatweneedtomeetdemandfortheexistingservicesandcertainlytheplannedexpansionservices.AspartoftheworkthatthePortdidin2003thatworkincludedtheconstructionoftheexistingfacilitiesbutalsocontemplationofamasterplanfortheultimatebuild-outofthefacility.WETAastheagencythatsecuredfundingforthatphaseofworkhastakentheworkthatthePortdidin2003andadvancedthatintoamasterplanforthebuild-outofthefacility.Alotofconditionshavechangedsincethosefacilitieswerebuiltin2003andcertainlysincetheGoldenGatefacilitieswerebuiltinthe60s.Evensince2003theareahasbecomemuchmoretrafficked,muchmoreintenselyusedcreatinganewdesignchallengeforourprojectthatwasnotquiteessentialtothe2003improvements.

WeneedtobuildanddesignthisfacilitytonotonlymeettheneedsofferryusersbuttoaccommodatetheneedsofotherusersoftheFerryBuildingareamorethanever.MovingforwardwiththeMasterPlanwehavesecuredfundingtobuildthesouthbasincomponentsoftheprojectandthatistheprojectthatisincludedinthepermitbeforeyoutoday.TheothercomponentoftheMasterPlanforexpansionincludesGateEinthenorthbasin.ThisisaprojectthatWETAwouldpursueasdemandwarrantsinthefutureandwouldbepartofaseparatepermitapplication.TheDemolitionPlanincludestheremovalofPier2whichwasarequirementoftheoriginalDowntownFerryTerminalproject.Anotherkeypartofthepre-constructionphase

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oftheprojectwillbeprotectingthehistoricalresourcesinthearea.TheseincludetheAgricultureBuildingwhichisinaveryvulnerablecondition,theseawallwhichisinequallyvulnerableconditioninadditiontotheFerryBuildingandothercomponentsoftheHistoricDistrictinthearea.

TheConstructionPlancallsfortheconstructionoftwonewgates;wearecallingthesegatesFandG.Thiswilltripletheberthingcapacitywehaveavailableinthesouthbasin.WealsowillbeexpandingthedeckspacesavailablefortheFerryTerminalandtheseincludeanewpromenadeareaontheBaysideoftheAgricultureBuildingaswellaswhatwearecallingtheEmbarcaderoPlaza;anewdeckthatwouldcoverthelagoon.Thiswouldgiveusthelandsidecapacityweneedtosupportthewaitingandcueingoffutureferrypassengersofthefacility.

Alltheseimprovementswouldbedesignedandbuilttoessentialfacilitystandard,whichmeanswewouldexpectthemtobeoperationalinthelikelyaftermathofanearthquake.CanopiesareaneededcomponentintermsofweatherprotectionandweworkedcloselywiththeDRBinproposingourcurrentconceptforthese.Wefeelwehaveasolutionherethatworksforpassengersaswellastheaestheticsandviewqualitiesofthearea.

Thecanopieswillalsofeatureanarrayofsolarpanelsontop,whichwilloffsettheexpectedenergyconsumptiongeneratedbytheproject.WeraisedthenewplazaasameanstoaddresstheCommission’ssealevelriserequirements.Weputalotofeffortindoingthisinadelicateandartfulway.Wehavecreatedraisedseatinginanamphitheater-stylefashion.Thismeetsthesealevelriserequirementsandalsoprovidesanewandinterestingpublicseatingspace.OurarchitecthasdevelopedaneatdesignconceptforthePlazawhereitfeaturesanoutlineoftheSanFranciscoBayArea.Ithasaverypleasingdesignaesthetic.

OurinterestasWETAintheprojectwastodesignaprojectthatfirstandforemostmettheneedsofourferryusers;currentandfuture.Thisisaveryheavilytraffickedareawithamultitudeofusers.WehaveworkedcloselywiththePortofSanFranciscotoensurethatwhiletheneedsofferryusersaremetatthefacility,wecouldalsoincorporatedesignandprogrammingaspectsthatencouragemaximumpublicuseandeventprogrammingtotheextentpossible.

Mr.DanHodappaddressedtheCommission:IamwiththePortofSanFrancisco,thePlanningandDevelopmentDivision.Iamhonoredtobepartofthisveryexcitingproject.Ithasbeenalongtimecominganditisagreatthing.FromthePort’spointofviewthisprojectreallyaccomplishesthreethings.ThefirstthingitaccomplishesisithelpssolidifytheveryauthenticuseofferryserviceattheDowntownFerryTerminal.ThisreallyhelpsanchortheexistingFerryBuildingandweareveryproudtobepartofthat.Thesecondthingitdoesisitmakesridingtheferryapleasantexperiencewhetherwearegoodeconomictimesornotsogoodtimes.Thisprojectismeanttolastandisdesignedforsealevelrise.Thethirdthingitwilldoisprovidegreatpublicspacesandgreatpublicaccess.ThePortislookingattheentireFerryBuildingareainalargerviewthanjustthisproject.Thisisonenewplazaanditisanactivityarea.ThereisaFarmersMarketbehindthebuildingonSaturdaysandithas220deliveryvehiclesonadailybasis.Thereareplacesinfrontofthebuildingthathaverestaurantuses,theytransition,theychangeandtherearesomeprimarypedestriancirculationareas.

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TheEmbarcaderoPromenadeatthebottomofthescreenisaveryheavilyusedpedestrianarea.Thisprojectcreatesanotherpromenadethatextendsalongthebackofthebuilding.Wearetryingtofigureouthowthisplazafitsintothatmix.Mostofthepublicaccessinthisprojectwillbenewpublicaccessaddedtotheexistingpublicaccess.Theamphitheater-styleseatingwillaccommodate445people.Belowthepassengershelterstherewillbeanadditionalbenchseatingof120people.Thisprojectisbringing565newseatstothisarea.

TheMarketbringsanaverageofabout23,000peopletothewaterfrontonaSaturday.PeoplecomefortheMarketbuttheyalsocomefortheBay.Theycomebecausetherearebothofthemthereandthatisaverycompatiblebenefit.Weexpectmoreofthemtobecomingbyferryinthefuture.ItwillbeaneasydestinationfromacrosstheBayandfromotherparts.Someofthecomponentsofmakingagreatpublicspaceareadequateseating,sunlight,anidentityofwhatitisandacultureofactivitiesthathappenonit.

ThePorthasproblemswithsomeofitspublicspaceswhereoneusergroupoccupiesittothedetrimentofothers.Wearetalkingabouthowthisphenomenatakesplaceandwhatwearehopingtodowitharotatingmarketuseisprovidingapublicspacethatchangesduringtheweekandthatnoonegroupgetsownershipandthatisknownforacultureofactivities.WeareveryhappytohaveworkedwithBCDCstaffandcomingupwithacompromisethatwecanreallysupportandlivewith.

Wewillcomebacktoyouandinformyouastowhatwethinkisworkingandaskforyourinput.Thatiswhatsomeofthepermitconditionsareabout.ThePortthinksitisimportanttoestablishthiscultureofactivitiesonthespace.Wewantittobeonethatchanges.Webelievethischange-of-usestrategywillbemoreequitableforallusers.

ChairWassermanannounced:Wewillopenthepublichearing.Ihaveafewpublicspeakercards.

Mr.LeeKofflercommented:IamaBoardMemberforCUESAwhichistheCenterforUrbanEducationforSustainableAgriculture.WeruntheFarmersMarketthatyouheardaboutinthelastpresentation.InadditiontobeingaBoardMemberresponsibleforthegovernanceoftheorganizationanditsconstituentsandasacustomeroftheFarmersMarketsIamalsoafatherandamarathonrunner.IbelievetheproposalthatthestaffhaspresentedtoyoutodayisagooduseofthePlaza.ThecurrentplazaareathatisnotbeingutilizediscompletelydifferentwhenitisFarmersMarketday.Itissofulloflifeandsomanyeducationalactivitiesaretakingplacethatlivenuptheareaandmakeitveryenjoyable.IwasthrilledtohearaboutthepotentialexpansionoftheseactivitiestothenewplazaandIamhopefulthatyouwillapprovewhatthestaffhasproposed.

Ms.MarcyCoburnwasrecognized:IamtheExecutiveDirectorofCUESA.ThankyouforconsideringthestaffrecommendationforthistrialexpansionoftheFarmersMarketontothisplaza.CUESAisdifferentfromalotoffarmersmarketorganizations.Wearenotafor-profitorganizationthathasmarketsallovertheBayArea.Wehavethisoneandwemayhavejust

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begunoneinJackLondonSquare.Wehaveadifferentfocusandadifferentvisionthanotherfarmersmarketorganizations.Ourmissioniscultivateahealthyfoodsystemthroughtheoperationoffarmersmarketsbutalsothrougheducationalprogrammingwhichisquiteextensive.

Wehavea$2millionannualbudget.Weraisemoneythroughfundraising,grantsandprivatedonations.Thelion’sshareofthatmoneyisspentoneducationalprogrammingforelementaryschoolkids,forhighschoolkids,foradultswhowanttolearnaboutcookingandfarming,forfarmtours,forconnectingourfarmerstothelocalcommunity,educatingthemaboutwherefoodisgrown,howitisgrown,whereitcomesfromandtalkingaboutthehistoryofagricultureinthisarea.Wehaveoneofthebestfarmersmarketsintheworldandisregularlybroughtupinthepressandthemedia.

Thankyousomuchforthisopportunity.

Ms.JanetGriggscommented:IamapastpresidentofCUESA.Duringtheyearsofmytenureweworkedveryhardtocreateastrongorganizationwhosemissionwaseducation.Thisisanopportunitythatweallworkedfor.Wewholeheartedlysupportthestaffrecommendation.IamTreasurerofSSTravel.Theimportanceofthisproposaltoeducatingourtouristsandmakingthemawareofwhatisimportantwithrespecttoourfoodsystemshelpsthemtakethatmessagebackwiththemwhentheyreturnhome.

Mr.JonBallesteroswasrecognized:IrepresentSanFranciscoTravelAssociation.Wearehereinsupportoftheproposaltousetheraisedareaasaculinaryandfoodeducationalvenue.LastyearSanFranciscowelcomed24.6millionvisitorsandtheyspent$9.3billion.Thoseexpendituressupport75,500jobsandcontributemorethan$738milliontotheGeneralFundofSanFrancisco.

Weknowthatmorethan55percentofourvisitorsaredayvisitorsthatcomefromareas50milesorbeyondtheCitylimits.Forthesevisitorseducational,culturalandculinaryattractionsaremajordriversthatbringthemintotheCity.TheCUESAFarmersMarketisasignificantcontributortothisvisitorset.Weknowthat25percentoftheirpatronsarefromoutsideofSanFrancisco.

WebelievethattheproposaltousetheraisedplazatoexpandculinaryandfoodeducationopportunitieswillonlygreatlyenhancethevisitorexperienceofourCityoverall.ForthesereasonswehopethisCommissionwilllookfavorablyupontheproposal.Thankyou.

MarinaSecchitano,IamRegionalDirectoroftheInlandBoatmen’sUnion,wearetheMarineDivisionoftheILWUandwerepresentdeckhandsonferries.Wespeakinfavorofgrantingthispermit.Overthelastfouryearsourferryserviceshaveexpandedtremendously.Wehavedoubledourcrewsinthelastfewyears.Thesearegreatmiddleclassjobsforourmembers.Iamexcitedtoseeourvisioncomeintofruition.Wearehopefulthatwillmakethisagreatterminal.Thankyou.

ChairWassermancontinued:Thatconcludesthepublicspeakers.Iwouldentertainamotiontoclosethepublichearing.

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MOTION:CommissionerPeskinmovedtoclosethepublichearing,secondedbyCommissionerTechel.

VOTE:Themotioncarriedwithavoteof16-0-0withCommissionersBates,Scharff,DeLaRosa,Gibbs,Peskin,Pemberton,McGrath,Nelson,Randolph,Sartipi,Sears,Vasquez,Techel,Wagenknecht,Brush,ViceChairHalstedandChairWassermanvoting,“YES”,no“NO”,votesandnoabstentions.

CommissionerPeskinhadquestions:IhaveadesignquestionastothewherethePlazawillbe.IsthatatgradeattheeastsideorwhereistheADAaccessforthat?

Mr.Goughertyanswered:TherearetwoADAaccessramps.RaisingthePlazaforsealevelrisewhileconformingtothegradesoutsideoftheprojectwasachallenge.WehaveaccomplishedtheADAgradeaccessalongthedrivewayareabyGateE.

CommissionerPeskincontinued:SoattheeasternsideattheeastpromenadeatthebackofthePlazathosetwoareasarelevel?IsthatareaatthesamelevelasthePlazathere?

Mr.Goughertyreplied:Yes,correct.ThisspandownhereisatthesameelevationasthePlaza.

CommissionerPeskinasked:Relativetotheoff-sitefillremovalinRichmond;wasanyconsiderationgiventofillremovalwithintheSpecialAreaPlanarea?

Mr.Arbelaez-Novakexplained:TheSanFranciscoWaterfrontSpecialAreaPlanrequiresfillremovalwithinthegeneralnortheasternwaterfront.StaffaskedtheapplicantandthePorttosearchforopportunitiestodofillremovalintheareabuttheywerenotabletolocateanyopportunitiesorthefillwasalreadydesignatedforremovalforotherprojects.ThatiswhystaffacceptedfillremovaloftheTerminal4projectinRichmond.

CommissionerPeskinclarified:SoyouaresayingthatfromChinaBasintoFisherman’sWharfundertheSpecialAreaPlantherearenootherareasidentifiedforfillremoval?

Mr.Goughertyanswered:Thatiscorrect.WehadtheinitialproposaltoremovethefillthatwewereproposingtoremoveinRichmond.WetookittoBCDCstaffandtheystatedexactlywhatyouareasking,isn’ttheresomethinginSanFranciscoyoucanremove?WecoordinatedcloselywithseveraldepartmentsatthePortofSanFranciscoandthelikelyareasthatwerepotentialcandidatesforremovalhavealreadybeenspokenfor.

OnthescaleofwhatwewereproposingtoremoveasmitigationforthisprojectthePorthadnothingavailabletoofferandtheBCDCstaffconcurredwiththatfinding.

CommissionerPeskincontinued:CanwehearfromBCDCstaff?WhataboutPiers30,32?

ChiefofPermitsJaimeMichaelreplied:IwanttoreiteratewhatMikeGoughertysaidfromWETA.WedidaskthemiftheycouldremoveanythingfromthecityandthecountyofSanFranciscoandweheardbackthattherewasnothingavailable.TheproposalthatwegotwastoremovefillacrosstheBayinthecityofRichmondatTerminal4andweacceptedthatbecauseitwasafeasibleremovalalternative.Wedidnotexplore30/32.ThatwasnotpartoftheproposalfromWETA.

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CommissionerPeskinadded:IfwegobacktoearlyonintheWillTravisdaysandthetri-parttidebetweenSavetheBay,BCDCandthePortthatledtotheSpecialAreaPlancirca2000;IthinkthelasttimewereviewedwefoundthattheyhadbeenslowinmeetingcertaintermsoftheSpecialAreaPlanincludingbutnotlimitedtofillremovalwithinthePlanarea.ItseemsalittleoddtomethatBCDCstaffissaying,welltheysaidthattherewasnothingavailableandsoRichmondwasfine.

Haveyouindependentlyanalyzedwhetherornotyoubelievetobetrue?

Ms.Michaelanswered:Nowedidnot.IdowanttoaddthatapartoftheproposalistoremovePier2attheprojectsite;thepieronwhichSinbad’sRestaurantsits.

CommissionerPeskininterjected:IfIrecallcorrectlythatwaspartofaseparatepermitthatthisCommissionissued.Iamdelightedbythewholeproject.WealllovetheFerryBuilding.WealllovetheFarmersMarket.Thisisawater-orienteduse.AllofthatisgreatbutminusthefactthatthefillremovalwhichIbelieveshouldunderourPlanobjectivesbeinthePlanareaisontheothersideoftheBaymilesandmilesaway.

Ms.Michaelstated:OurpreferencewouldhavebeensomethinginthecityofSanFranciscoaswell.ThatiswhatthepoliciesrequirebutaccordingtobothoftheapplicantstherewasnothingintheCitytoremoveexceptforPier2whichisattheprojectsite.

CommissionerPeskinclarified:IusedtobeontheAdvisoryBoardofWETAorpre-WETA;WETAdoesnotcontrolsevenmilesofSanFrancisco’swaterfront,thePortofSanFranciscodoes.

Mr.Goughertycommented:BeyondjusthavingthesquarefootagebeavailablethisisarequirementnotonlyofBCDCbutalsooftheNationalMarineFisheriesServiceandweneedtoremovethefill.Sothishastobeaprojectthatcanbeaccomplishedwithinpriortothecompletionofconstruction.

Youmentioned30/32asapotentialoption.Ican’tknowforsurewhythatwasnotofferedtousasanoptionbutoneofthereasonsmayhavebeenitwasnotgoingtobefeasibletoremovepriortothecompletionofconstruction.

CommissionerPeskinhadmorequestions:WhataboutallofthederelictpilingsdownbyMissionBaysouthofMissionBay;allofthosedownbytheRampRestaurant?Havethosebeenremovedyet?

Mr.Goughertyreplied:Icannotanswer.MaybesomeonefromthePortcanspeakonthatone.

Mr.ByronRhettanswered:IamthePlanningandDevelopmentDirectorforthePort.Thosepilesinthatareathatyoujustreferredtoarebeingremovednowandarebeingremovedaspartofadifferentproject.

Wecanbeabletoprovidetostaffspecificallywhatfillisscheduledorplannedforremovalandunderwhatotherprojectswearedoingthatandbeclearwithstaffwhat,ifany,mightbeavailabletoaddressthis.

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Obviously,Piers30/32isalotlargerthantheamountoffillthatisrequiredtoberemovedforthisproject.Atthispointwedonothavetheresourcestoremove30/32;thatmighthavebeenwhyitwasnotconsideredbuttheremaybeotherfillthatmightbeavailableforthis.Thatissomethingwecouldprovidetoyourstaff.

ChairWassermanchimedin:Inthenatureofnewbusiness;outoforder,IwouldlikeforPortstaffandBCDCstafftoworktogetheranddoapresentationtousonpreciselythatissueincludingtheverydifficultissueofPiers30and32.

ViceChairHalstedcommented:IwouldliketosayhowpleasedIamthatthisprojectismovingaheadandIthinkitisgreatandsoistherightbalanceofpublicaccess.Ihopethattheexperimentwilldemonstrateagoodbalance.

IntheFerryBuildingweputinthatsignthatshowswhenferriesareleaving.Whatkindofsignageisbeingincorporatedintothisprojectthatwouldreflectthestyleandcontinuethatkindofthemeandinformationsothatpeopleknowwheretofindwhatferry?

Mr.Goughertyreplied:UnfortunatelyIamafraidasignlikethatwouldnotsurviveinthemarineconditions.WewereanearlyparticipantintheMTCHubSignageprogramandwefoundthattypologytoworkverywellforourterminals.Wewouldliketoexpandandcontinuethatsigntypology.

ViceChairHalstedstated:ThemajorthingIwasinvolvedwithwastryingtofindtherightlocationsforthemandwehadahardtimedoingthis.Iamconcernedthatwegetitdoneaswellaswecaninthesenewlocationsbeforewebuildit.

Mr.Goughertystated:Iwassomewhatinvolvedinthatprojectandthedifficultywaswewereplacingsignageintheleaseholdscontrolledbyothers.WeareworkingwiththePortforaninternalleasefortheproperties.WETAagreestoplacesignageonourownbehalfintheleasehold.

WeworkcloselywithMTC’sTransitandWayfindingCoordinatorthatadministerstheHUBSignageprogram.

ViceChairHalstedadded:ItisabigproblemintheBayAreaactually.ThislookslikeaninvitationtoskateboarderstomeandIdon’tthinkwearedesigningaskateboardpark.Iwonderhowyouarethinkingaboutthat.

Mr.Goughertyreplied:Thisisabsolutelyaconcern.YouseethishappenedveryclosetotheprojectareainthemedianoftheEmbarcadero.Oneofgoalsistoactivatethespacebeyondjustapublicaccessandpublicuseperspective.Weseehavingtrafficinthisspace,havingactivitiesplannedthereasanaturallow-impactdesignwaytopreventcertaingroupsfromtakingownershipofthefacility.Theskateboarders’ownershipofthisareawouldhaveadetrimenttothepublicatlarge.

Weseethisspacebeingthoroughlyactivatedduringitsusesforferryterminalpurposes.WehaveworkedcollaborativelywiththePorttoproposesomeusesthatwoulddisruptthespaceenoughtonotallowcertaingroupstoexpropriateit.

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ViceChairHalstedasked:Sothereisnophysicaldesignissue,whichwouldmakeitdifficultforskateboarderstodominateit?

Mr.Goughertyreplied:Wewillhavesomekindofskateboarderabatement;littlemetalnotches.Wewillhavesomehandrailsaswell.Ifthefacilityisnotoccupiedandactivatedasapublicspacetoprovidethekindofphysicaldesignobstaclesthatwouldeliminatethepotentialoftheskateboarduse;Iamnotsurethosewouldbecompatiblewithamulti-usepublicspace.

ViceChairHalstedadded:Iamnotsurewhattheansweris.Itisaconcernbecausetheycankeepotherpeopleawayandtheydodestroythings.

Mr.Goughertycommented:BCDCstaffandthePorthasmentionedthisevaluationperiodthatwearedoingwiththeFarmersMarket;oneofthethingswewillhaveanopportunitytolookatisthatitdoesnotjusthavetobeanevaluationoftheFarmersMarket,ourotherpublicusesofthespacebeingfunctioning,otherdesigntreatmentsthatwecandotomakeitabetterexperienceforeveryoneoneofwhichmaybesomedetrimenttoskateboarding.

ViceChairHalstedhadanotherquestion:WetalkabouttheMarketonTuesdaysandthenonSaturdays;theMarketisgenerallytherefrom9:00to2:00orso,isn’tit?

Mr.Goughertyanswered:Iamhearing10:00to2:00.

ViceChairHalstedcontinued:Soitisnotatthepeakrushhourfortheferriessoitnotasdisruptiveasthatperiodasitmightbe.

Mr.Goughertyadded:Onethingtoreinforcehere;WETAhasworkedverycloselywiththePortandthePortwasverycognizantthatthishastofunctionasaferriesfacilityfirstandforemost.WhiletheFarmersMarketisgoingtobeavailableonatrialbasis,thereareself-imposedparametersthatwehaveestablished.

ThereisaspatialparameterwheretheeventswillbelimitedtothePlazaarea.Therearetemporalrestrictionsaswell.Sotheyarenotgoingtobeabletooperatetheferryterminalduringthepeakhoursofcommute.

ViceChairhadadditionalcommentary:MyenthusiasmaboutthishastodoCUESA’sstrengthinprogramminganddoingagreatjobofpromotinglocalagriculture.IfitwereabunchofcoffeecartsandhotdogstandsIwouldnotfeelthesamewayaboutit.IaskCUESAnottoloseitsvaluesanditsconsistency.

CommissionerScharffspoke:Iamreallypleasedwiththenotionofactivatingthatspaceandhavinglotsofactivitythere.IdorunupanddowntheEmbarcaderoalotandIliketodothatandhavebreakfastattheFerryBuilding.Iwouldagreethatthisconcreteareabehindwhenitisnotbeingusedforanythingcanbealittledepressinglookingoutthereasopposedtowhenitisfullofactivity.

IhadsomerealconcernswithNo.5ontheSpecialConditions.IthoughtalotofthoseSpecialConditionswereunnecessaryandwoulddeactivatethePlazaanddeactivatethearearatherthanactivateit.

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Iunderstandwhyyouwouldnotwanttohaveprivateeventsbecausethatisantitheticaltotheideaofpublicaccess.Idonotthinkcommercialeventsareantitheticaltotheideaofpublicaccess;theyoftenbringlargenumbersofpeopledown.

Ireallytookissuewiththenotionofwhywouldwelimitlargepublicevents?Largepubliceventsbringlotsofpeople.Formethatispurelyanissueofwedon’twanttointerferewiththeferryoperationsbutIdon’tknowwhythatwouldhavetobesostringentastorequireCommissionapproval30daysbeforehandorthedesignee.

Isortoffeltthesamewayabouttablesandchairs.IthoughtweshouldbemuchmoreflexibleandstaffshouldbeencouragedtoactivatethePlazaandencouragedtobringasmanypeopledownthereaspossibleaslongaswedonotinterferewithferryoperations.Tomethatiswhatpublicaccessisallabout.

IthinkaboutthisintermsofwhatitislikeinmycityofPaloAlto.Whenwehaveapublicplazawhereweallownothingtooccuronitbecausethepublicissupposedtobethere,nooneactuallyusesit.Whenwehavetablesandchairssetupandweallowfoodthereisitwellactivated.

IalsothinkaboutEurope;whenyougototheirpublicplazastheyaremorefunthanourpublicplazasinAmerica.Theyhavetheserestaurantsringingthem.Thereisalotofactivity.

IactuallywouldtakeissuewithCondition5aswediscussit.

Mr.McCreacommented:Thechallengethatthestaffoftenfindsishowtofindthatbalancebetweendevelopingtheseareasforcommercialpurposestoactivatethemandconservingthemforthepublicaccessareasfortheuseofeveryone.

Thisbalanceissomethingthatweundertakeeveryday.InthisFerryBuildingareabythePort’sownwebsite15millionpeopletravelalongthiswaterfront.Threemillionpeopleadaypassthisareajustinfrontofthebuilding.

Theferrieswillbring28,000additionalpeopleaday.TheFarmersMarkethas23,000peopleonSaturdays.

ThestaffbelievesthatthisPlazashouldbeconservedforopenspace;thatinthisareaitisimportanttohaveareliefvalve,haveaspacewherepeoplecanjustrelaxandthatitdoesnotallhavetobeactivated.

However,wearewillingtoexploretheuseofthisintensiveFarmersMarketonthisPlazawhen23,000peoplearehereandthreeadditionalferriesarerunning.Wewillseehowitworks.

Thatisindependentfromalloftheotherthingsthatyoumentionedthatwecompletelysupportwhichistablesandchairs,vendorsthatcomeandgo,smallmusicaleventsanddifferenttypesofincidentalactivationthatdoesbringthelifetotheCityasopposedtolarge-scaleprogrammedregulareventsthatmayormaynothaveanadverseimpactonthepublicaccess.Andwewillfindoutoverthenextcoupleofyears.

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Ms.Michaelscommented:IwanttoclarifyonepointontheSpecialCondition;thatSpecialConditionisnotwrittentomeanthatwehavetobringeveryspecialeventandeverytableandchairbacktoyouforyourapproval.Wecandothatatthestafflevelbutwemakethatapprovalonyourbehalf.

CommissionerScharffopined:Iwouldsaythatitiswritteninawaythatseemstoindicatethatyoushouldnotdoitasopposedtobeingmoreopentoit.Thewayitiswrittenseemstobeverynegativetowardsthosetypesofevents.

CommissionerNelsonhadquestionsforstaff:Thefirstquestionforstaffisifyoucanwalkusthroughexactlyhowthegraceperiodworksandwhatsortofevaluationwillhelpusduringthatperioddeterminewhetherourexperimentshavesucceededorfailedwithpublicaccess.

Mr.McCrearesponded:IamgoingtostarttheAuthorizationSectiononpage3;wewilladdanauthorizationthatallowstheFarmersMarket.ItwillbeAuthorizationLanditwillsaysomethinglike,consistentwithSpecialConditionOusefor24monthstheEmbarcaderoPlazawillaccommodateaFarmersMarket.Thenwewillchangeonpage14SpecialConditionO(5)thatwasjustbeingreferencedandwewillstrikemuchofthatlanguage.

Ihavesomenoteshereongenerallytheintentofanewspecialcondition.WhatwewouldrequestisthattheCommissiondirectthestafftofinalizethislanguageinamannerthatisconsistentwiththisintentthatIamabouttoread.

Iamgoingtostartwith,followingthecompletionanduseoftheferryterminalandthepublicaccessandtheuseofthepublicaccesswouldbereviewedbySanFranciscoEmergencyServicesofficialstomakesurethatthetablesandtentsofaFarmersMarketdon’timpedeevacuationoftheCityduringemergencies.

ChairWassermaninterjected:IamgoingtocutthisshortandIapologize.IamgoingtomakeaveryquicksuggestionwhichIthinkwilltakecareofmostoftheissuesandIamgoingtoaskforavoteotherwisewearenotgoingtobeabletovoteonthis.

Iamgoingtosuggestthatasamonitoringpiecethiscomesbacktousin12monthswithsomefairlydetailedreportonwhathasbeentakingplacetheresothatwehaveasenseofwhatactivationandwhatusewhenthereisnothingtherehasgoneon.

IfthatwasacceptableasanadditionIthinkweknowwhatthestaffrecommendationisasmodifiedbythedealthatwaspresentedandifIhaveamotionforthatandiftheapplicantaccepts.Thatisanaffirmativefromtheapplicantandweshallhavearollcallvote

MOTION:ViceChairHalstedmovedapprovalofthestaffrecommendation,secondedbyCommissionerPemberton.

VOTE:Themotioncarriedwithavoteof14-0-0withCommissionersBates,Scharff,DeLaRosa,Gibbs,Peskin,Pemberton,McGrath,Nelson,Randolph,Sartipi,Sears,Vasquez,ViceChairHalstedandChairWassermanvoting,“YES”,no“NO”,votesandnoabstentions.

CommissionerGibbswasrecognized:IjustwantedtopointoutthatthisisMayorTomBates’lastBCDCmeeting.

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CommissionerBatesadded:Thisistrueandnotonlyisthismylastmeeting,butIamnowleaving.(Laughter)IwantedtosayhowmuchIappreciatedbeinghereandhavetheopportunitytoserveonthisCommission.IthinkitisanamazingCommissionandalotofgreatstuffhashappened.IthinkwehaveafabulousstaffandIthinktheBoardisdoingagoodjob.Goodluckinthefuture.(Applause)

CommissionerGibbsadded:Healwaysgottothepointandhewasalwaysinagoodmoodandwewillmisshim.

ChairWassermanagreed:Wewillmisshimverymuch.WehavelostaquorumthereforedefactowehaveadjournedtheCommissionandwewillgointoacommitteemeeting.

13.Adjournment.TheCommissionmeetingwasadjournedat4:14p.m.andcontinuedasaCommittee.

11.BriefingontheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers’TransferofaPortionoftheOaklandInnerHarborTidalCanaltotheCityofAlameda.JhonArbelaez-NovakintroducedItem11:TodayyouarescheduledtoreceiveabriefingontheproposedtransferoflandsownedbytheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers.IwillprovideabriefintroductionandthenintroducethecityofAlamedastaff.

ThisisamapoftheOaklandInnerHarborTidalCanal.TheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersownsa1.8milelong400meterwidesectionoftheCanal.TheCorpsplanstotransferitsownershipofthisentireareaonbothsidesoftheCanalwhichisalsoknownastheOaklandEstuary.OnJuly19thofthisyearasrequiredbytheCoastalZoneManagementActtheCorpsrequestedthattheBCDCstaffconcurwiththeCorps’negativedeterminationregardingthesubdivisionandtransferoftheCorps-ownedsubmergedtidalandadjacentuplandareasoftheCanal.OntheOaklandsideoftheTidalCanaltheCorpsisplanningtotransferitspropertytotheEastBayRegionalParkDistrict.OntheAlamedasideoftheTidalCanaltheCorpsplanstotransferitspropertytothecityofAlamedawhichinturnwouldre-transferthepropertyto92separatepropertyownersalongtheBayshoreline.Themajorityoftheparcelsareinthewateralthoughsomeparcelscontainpartsoftheshoreline.Theprojectareaincludesresidentialandcommercialindustrialproperty.

BasedintheinformationinthenegativedeterminationthatwasprovidedbytheCorpsonSeptember19ththeCommissionstaffdeterminedthattheproposedpropertytransferbythecityofAlamedatoprivatepropertyownerswouldsignificantlyreduceifnoteliminatethepossibilityofpublicaccesstotheBayoversuchproperty.ThestaffstatedthattheCorps’negativedeterminationfailedtoshowthatthetransferwouldhavenoeffectonthecoastalzoneoritsresourcesforthepurposesoftheCZMA.TheCommissionstaffalsodetermineditwouldbenecessaryfortheCorpstosubmitafederalconsistencydeterminationtofullyevaluatethetransferprojectparticularlyitseffectsonfuturepublicaccesstotheshorelineandtheBay.

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TwoweekslateronOctober4,2016theCorpsresubmittedthenegativedeterminationandincludedchangestothesubdivisionoflandandtoownershiptransfersinanattempttoaddressthestaff’sconcernregardingpublicaccess.UnderthesechangesthecityofAlamedawillmaintainownershipofthreewaterparcelswhichwillbeconnectedtothreeexistingpublicwalkwaysthatcurrentlylinkFernsideBoulevardtotheshoreline.

However,theabilitytoaccessthewaterfromthesepublicwalkwaysremainsinquestionasthecityofAlamedadoesnotyethaveafirmplanforfuturepublicuseofthethreewaterparcels.Becausetheprojectinvolvestransferring1.8milesoffederalpublicpropertyintoprivateownershipwehavescheduledthismattertothefullCommissionforeducationanddiscussion.

NoCommissionactionisscheduledfortoday.AsrequiredbyfederallawthestaffmustactontheArmyCorps’submittalnolaterthanDecember2nd.

IwouldnowliketointroduceAndricoPenick,AndrewThomasandJillianBlanchardwiththecityofAlamedawhowillpresentadditionalinformationontheproject.

Ms.JillianBlanchardaddressedtheCommission:IamoutsidecounseltothecityofAlameda.IwantedtoprovideabriefoverviewontheexcitingthingshappeninginthecityofAlameda.AftermanypreviouseffortsbymanypeopleweareveryclosetoresolvingalongstandingissueontheAlamedawaterfront.Throughthispresentationwehopetoclarifyacoupleofthingsthathavebeenpresentedtoyou.

Iwilltalkaboutthehealth,safetyandpropertyconcernsthataregoingtobeaddressedbythistidalcanaltransfer.In1882theArmyCorpsofEngineersobtainedthispropertythroughacondemnationaction.Itwasalluplandsandtheyobtainedittodredgetheuplandstocreateatidalcanalfortidalaction.Forthenext10to15yearstheydredgedtheCanaloutofuplandstocreatethecanalthatyouseehere.TheCanalisabout85acresandapproximately400feetwide.

TheCorpshasowneditexclusivelyforthepast100yearsandduringthattimetheyhaveauthorizedtheconstructionofhouseboats,docksandalotofmaritime-relatedstructuresallalongtheCanal.Thereareabout100privatepropertyownersthatliveadjacenttotheCanal.

In1990CongressdirectedtheCorpstotransfertheTidalCanal.Theynolongerwantedtokeepthistypeofpropertyontheirbooks.IntheWaterResourcesDevelopmentActtheyauthorizedtheCorpstotransferhalfoftheTidalCanaltothecityofAlamedaandhalftothecityofOakland.ThroughsubsequentamendmentstoWRDAtheyalsoauthorizedthetransferoftheTidalCanaltoadjacentpropertyowners.TherewasnotthatmuchinterestbythecityofOaklandorAlamedatotakeownership.Notmuchhappenedafter1990.

Until2000theCorpsofEngineersinanefforttoenticethecitiestotakeacloserlookandconsideracceptingthepropertytheyinstitutedapermittingmoratorium.ThispreventedanyregulatoryapprovalsbytheCorpsofEngineersalongthat1.8milesofwaterfront.

Asaresultitpreventednewconstruction,maintenanceandrepairoftheexistingstructuresexceptinextremecircumstances.

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Whatthathasresultedinoverthepast16yearsisanongoinghealthandsafetyconcern.TheCityhasbeenunabletoeffectivelyregulatebecauseiftheyweretobringanenforcementactionforcodesafetyviolationstherewouldbenowayforthepropertyownertocompletetheimprovementsbecauseofthepermittingmoratorium.ResourcesagenciessuchasBCDCandtheRegionalBoardhavebeenunabletoeffectivelyregulatethewaterfront.

Thishasledtodeferredmaintenance,dilapidatedstructuresandtherearealsopropertyissuesattachedtoitbecausethesestructuresareimmediatelyadjacenttoprivateproperty.Eitherthepropertyownerortheirpredecessorhasconstructedthestructureandthereisthisassumptionthattheyownthestructure.Sowhentheytransferthepropertytosubsequentownersthereistitleconfusion.Realtorshavebeensuedoverthis.Ithasbeenabigproblem.

After2000thepropertyownersthatlivetheregotveryconcerned.TheywerehavinglotsofissuesasIhavedescribed.Theywereconcernedenoughthattheygottogetherandformedavoluntaryhomeowner’sassociationtoaddresstheproblem.TheyhavebeenlobbyingtheCityandinSeptemberof2014thisparticularCityCouncilofAlamedasaid,it’senough,wearegoingtoaddressthisproblem,let’sfigureitout.

TheyhadpublicmeetingsinMarchof2015andSeptemberof2015toworkshopwiththecommunityonwhatisthebestapproachfordealingwiththis.Thegoalsthattheyusedtodirectthestaffwere:Weneedtoliftthepermittingmoratorium,weneedtoalloweffectivelocal,stateandfederalregulationalongthewaterfront,weneedtoresolvetitleissuesbutatthesametimeweneedtolimittheCity’sliabilityasapotentialpropertyownerofexistingprivateproperty.

WiththatIwillturnitovertoMr.PenickwhowilldescribehowthecityofAlamedatooktheleadoncomingupwithasolution.

Mr.AndricoPenickaddressedtheCommission:IamanassistantcityattorneywiththecityofAlameda.AsJillianhasstatedthisisalongstandingproblemwhosecreationwasevenlongerinthemaking.ThesolutioninvolvestheCityactingasanhonestbrokertofacilitateatransferoftheTidalCanalontheAlamedasidefromfederalownershipintopublicandprivateownership.Thisisasimultaneoustransferthatisfacilitatedbythetentative,finalmapprocess.WehavecreatedafinalmapwhiletheArmyCorpsisstillinownership.TheArmyCorpsisgoingtotransfer94parcelstotheCity.TheCityisgoingtoretaintwoparcels.Wecallthemtheopen-waterparcelsalongthecenteroftheCanal.Wearegoingtokeepthoseopenfornavigationandcommerce.Theremainingparcelsaregoingtobeofferedforprivateownership.Thissolutionwillliftthepermittingmoratoriumandwouldallowfortheeffectiveregulationofthewaterfrontbytheregulatoryagencies.Wehavethisdisconnectwherewehaveprivatepropertyownerswithprivateimprovementsonfederalland.TheCityandotherregulatorybodiescan’teffectivelygoafterthoseprivatepropertyownersbecausetheyareshieldedbythefederalgovernmentbecauseitisonfederalland.

TheArmyCorpshasbeenreluctantorresistanttoprovidingpermissionandfacilitatingtheenforcementoflocalregulationonitsproperty.ThissolutiontakesthefederalgovernmentouttheequationandnowwewouldbedealingwithprivatepropertyownerswithprivateimprovementsonprivatelandandboththeCityandotherregulatoryagencieslikeBCDCcanexercisetheirjurisdictiontocleanupthislongstandingproblem.

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Itwouldalsorectifythetitleissueswhereyouwouldn’thaveprivateimprovementsownedbyonepersononpublicpropertyownedbythefederalgovernment.ThisisfirstandforemostarealestatetransactionandIamgoingtospeaktothepublicaccessissueinamoment.Ican’temphasizeenoughthatwhatthisprojectdoesisitisaveryimportantfirststepingettingustoapositionwherewecanstartsolvingthoseproblems.Thereisnofill.Thereisnodevelopment.Thereisnoprojectandthistransactiondoesnotlegalize,legitimizeorgrandfatheranypriorillegalactivity.

IfyouhaveadockorpieroutthereanditispermittedthenGodblessyou.Ifyoudon’tyouaresubjecttothesameregulatoryauthorityandenforcementactionthatyouwouldhaveifyouhaddonethisanywhereelseinthecityofAlameda.Anunpermitteddockisanunpermitteddock.

Whatthisdoesdoistransferatitle.Onceweeliminatethepresenceofthefederalgovernmentasapropertyownerwecanthenuseourregulatoryauthorityinthewayitshouldhavebeendone.AndthisareawillbesubjecttothesameregulationsasanywhereelseintheCity.Thestructureofthetransactionistoprovidethissimultaneoustransfer.WewantedtodothisinordertoeliminatetheCity’spotentialliabilityforhazardousmaterialsorotherconditionsoftheproperty.Wealsocleanedupthezoning.ThezoningthatwecalltheEstuaryZoningDistrictisalreadylimitedtothemaritime-dependentusesbutwemadethatclearbymakingeveryuseadiscretionaryapproval.

CommissionerMcGrathhadaquestion:Thezoningordinanceseemstobecritical.TheCorpsofEngineershadindicatedapierheadline.Andmostofthestructuresarebehinditbutoneortwoextendseawardofit.Doesyourzoningordinancecapturetheideaofapierheadlineinsomesense;inotherwords,alimitationtohowfaroutintotheCanalstructurescango?

Mr.Penickreplied:Itdoesn’tinthatway.FirsttheEstuaryZoningDistrictgoesfromthehigh,highwatermarktothejurisdictionallimitline,basicallythecenteroftheTidalCanal.Itcoversallofthewater.Thereisadiscretionaryuseandthatwouldbeforprivateproperty.Sowehavecreatedanewpropertyline.Andwedrewtheboxesinthisway.Wehavetheuplands.Wehavehousesandtheyhavepropertylinesthatdividethosehouses.WetooktheexistingpropertylineandweextendeditoutintotheTidalCanal.Westoppedwherethedocksandpiershadalreadystopped.Inotherwords,wecreatedanewestuarypropertylinethatcreatesaboxthatcapturesthoseprivateimprovementsononeparcel.

CommissionerMcGrathposedahypothetical:Soifyouhadlegallyadockyoucouldnowpurchasethepropertythatcontainsyourdock.Andifyoudidn’torifthatdockextendedfurtherseawardthanwouldhavebeenauthorizedyoucouldnot.

Mr.Penickagreed:Thatiscorrect.Whatwehavedoneiswehavecreatedaboxwheretheprivateimprovementsownedbyonepersonarecontainedononeparcel.Wedidn’twanttocreatealinethatbisectedanexistingdockorpier.Sowheneverweranintoanobstructionwewoulddeviatethatlineslightlytotheleftorrightsowecouldcapturetheimprovementsallononeparcel.

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CommissionerMcGrathcontinued:Andsolookingatthatredlineiftherewereminorencroachmentsofthestructuralsupportforahousethathasbeentherefor40yearsthosewouldnotbealteredinanywayandtheycouldhavecleartitletothoseareas.

Mr.Penickadded:Thatiscorrectandourhopeisthatthepersonthathasthoseencroachmentsintowhatisnowfederalpropertywillbuytheirbackyard.Therewillbecommonownershipbetweenthetwo.

CommissionerMcGrathstated:Andthatwouldbeverysimilartorecognizinganexistingnon-conforminguse.

Mr.Penickconcurred:Ifitispermittedthatiscorrect.Alsotheyhavetheabilitytomergethoselotsatalaterdate.Publicaccessonthisprojectcomesintwoforms.Oneformisoutsideoftheprojectandonethatisinsideoftheproject.Iamgoingtotalkabouttheonethatisoutsideoftheprojectfirst.Thatisrepresentedbytheredareayouseeontheslide.Thepropertylineisthewater’sedge.ThesewerecreatedasviewcorridorsthatwouldallowthepublictolookoutontotheTidalCanalandacrosstoOakland.Theseareoutsideoftheprojectareaandarenotaffectedbytheprojectinanyway.ThisprojecthashighlightedthefactthatthecityofAlamedahasnotmaintainedthosepublicaccesspointstothelevelthatitshouldhave.Therehavebeensomeencroachmentsbyadjacentpropertyowners.WhattheCityisproposingtodoiscleanupthoseprivateencroachmentsonCityproperty.Theotherthingthatthisprojecthaswithregardstopublicaccesswasadesiretoincreasepublicaccessoutintothewater.TheCitynevertookanystepstorequestfromtheArmyCorpsaccessintothewater.Unfortunatelyalloftheotherpropertyownersdidandwehaveallthoseimprovementsthatwenowhavetodealwith.

AtthePlanningBoardlevelthisissuecametothefore.Thereareacoupleofschoolsofthoughtastowhatweshoulddo.Therewasaconcernthatbytransferringthepropertyintoprivateownershipwemaybeforeclosingtheopportunityforfuturepublicaccessintothewater.StaffandtheCityCouncilaresensitivetothisissueandacoupleofoptionswerediscussed.Oneoptionwasdisposingofthepropertywithan18footpublicaccesseasement.ThiswouldallowtheCitytobeabletocreatepublicaccessintothewaterintothefuture.Thatmetwithresistancebecausesincewehadnoplansonesaid,howcouldyouknowthat18feetwouldbeenough?Theothersolutionwouldbetodoa35footpublicaccesseasement.Thatposedanissueof,wellwhatifthatistoomuch?Wedidnotwanttobeputinapositiontomakeasnapjudgmentandfindoutlaterthatwesolvedoneproblemjusttocreateanother.BoththeArmyCorpsandtheCityhavetakenalloftheactionstheybelievenecessaryinordertoallowthisprojecttogoforward.WearehopingtoclosethefirstphaseofthisprojectbyDecember13thorshortlythereafter.

WedohavestrongsupportbytheRegionalBoard,bytheArmyCorpsofEngineerswhoistheselleroftheproperty,theRegionalWaterQualityControlBoard,StateLands,thecityofAlameda,thecommunitythataskedtheCitytodothisinthefirstplaceandalsooureffortshavefacilitatedthetransferontheothersidetoEastBayRegionalParks.

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CommissionerNelsonhadquestionsforstaff:Iamprettyfamiliarwiththewatersideandthelandsideinthisarea.Itisveryconstrainedfromtheperspectiveofgettingadditionalpublicaccesswiththeexceptionofthosesmallaccesscorridors.Iwantedtoaskifthestaffissatisfiedthatthecurrentproposalwon’tlimitourabilitytorequireappropriatepublicaccessdowntheroad.

ChairWassermanadded:TherewassomereferencetopublicaccesswithintheprojectandIthinkIhavetoldthatthereiswhatisperceivedtobepublicaccessnowthroughsomeoftheseareasasidefromthosethreeidentifiedareas.Ifthatiscorrecthowisthatbeingpreservedordealtwithinthistransfer?

Mr.Arbelaez-Novakanswered:ThereissomeexistingrequiredpublicaccessuponthenorthernsideoftheCanalinsomeofthecommercialproperties.Thestaff’sconcernisthatthereisnoguaranteethattheseareaswillremainpublic.ItmaybepossiblethatduringtheCityplanningprocesstheCitymaydecide,wedon’twanttodealwiththisanymoreandlet’sjusttransferittothepropertyownersaswehavefortherestoftheparcels. InthatcasethereisconcernthattheCommissionwouldloseaccesstoareasthatarepubliclyaccessible.

CommissionerNelsonopined:Butthatwouldbeasubsequentaction,subsequenttothisproject.

Mr.Arbelaez-Novakagreed:Right.WhenwelookateffectsfromthetransferandthesearesecondaryeffectsandweareallowedtolookatthatundertheCZMA.

CommissionerNelsoncontinued:Thesecondquestioniswhetherthisjurisdictionalconfusionhaslimitedourabilityonthegroundtopermitanddoenforcementandwhetherwearegoingtowakeupandfinditisallabunchofunpermittedstructuresherethatwehavetodealwithfromtheperspectiveoflookingforwardattheburdenonstaff.

ChiefDeputyDirectorGoldbeckcommented:AstheCitytoldus,thetransferofthiswon’taffectyourlegalabilitytoenforceanythingandtherearealotofstructuresoutthereandtheyaregoingtohavetocomeinandgetpermittedorwearegoingtohaveenforcementactions.WhatwearehopingtodoisworkwiththeCitygoingforwardbecausetheyhavetodealwiththesethingsaswellandhopefullywecancoordinateourworksothatwecanfigureoutwhatwecanallapproveandontheotherhandwhatwecan’tapproveandwhatwehavetoworkthrough.

CommissionerNelsoncontinued:Sothosearenotmostlygrandfatheredfacilitiesonthewater?

Mr.Goldbeckreplied:Thatstillneedstobecompletelypuzzledout.IbelievetheremaybeafewthatgotpermittedinthepastbutIwouldbetthatthevastmajorityofthemarenotpermittedbyBCDC.

Mr.Arbelaez-Novakadded:TheparticularstructuresthatarewithintheparcelsoftheCitywillkeepinthewater.Wehavecheckedintherecordsforthosesixdifferentpiersordocksandtheyarenotpermitted.

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CommissionerMcGrathcommented:Iamcertainlyawarethatthereareencroachmentsdownthere.ButthisisacomplicatedsituationinthatitisnotaregionallypartoftheBay.Thiswascreatedlandownedbyafederalagency.ItiscertainlyabletoberegulatedunderourActbutwearenevergoingtogetaccessalongthatbulkheadunlessthisareahastoberedevelopedaspartofprotectionforsealevelrisesometimeinthefuture.Frommyperspectiverecognizingalegalnon-conforminguseaslongasitwasoneisnotproblematic.Ialsothinkthatyouwanttomaintainaccesspointswheretheyexist;atleasttothewaterandhaveconsiderationgiventheWaterTraillegislationwhetherornottheyarealsoappropriate.Anditseemsthatthemoneygeneratedbysaleofthislandandtaxfromitshouldbeusedforsomepublicaccess.Iseeapathwaytoconsistencythatrecognizesthatwecan’tgobackinandfixwhathasbeenintherefor40or50yearsbutwecanmakesurethatwegetpreservationandimprovementofthepublicaccessareas.

ChairWassermanvoicedsomeobservations:One,thishasbeenaproblemforalongtimeanditdoeslooklikethisismovingtowardsasolution;that’sgood.Ithinkthereareawholelotofcomplicationsthathavenotyetbeenthoughtout.InrealityIamnotsurewehaveawholelotofcontrolexceptonthisissueofwhatwehavetherighttodoandwhatwechoosetodoonpropertythatwasnotinourjurisdictionbecauseitwasfederallycontrolledandnowwillbe.Thatisablessingandacursebecausethisisabloodyheadacheforourstaff.Itisaheadacheforthepropertyowners.IunderstanditisaheadachefortheCityalthoughIthinkyouaremovingtowardssomesolutions.Youtalkedaboutthepropertyownersbuyingthispropertythatwasfederallyowned.Haveyouestablishedapricingmechanismandwhathappensiftheydon’twanttopayit?

Mr.Penickreplied:Wewrestledwiththosequestions.Astopricing,wehadanindependentappraisal.Thereareeightcommercialparcelsandtherewere90butnowwiththeremovalofthesixthereare84.Whatwedidwasthateachofthecommercialparcelswereappraisedindependentofeachotherathighestandbestuse.Wehadeightdifferentvaluesfortheeightparcels.Ontheresidentialsidewetookthemintheaggregate.Wetooktheentireresidentialparcelguideofvalueandthendivideditbythe90sowehaveaperparcelpricing.

Theactualperparcelpricefortheresidentialis$10,000.00andtheCityiscappingtheclosingcostsat$1,000.00soyouare$11,000.00allin.

Giventhatpricepointandgiventhefactthatit’sintheirbackyardandwillhaveimmediateequitytotheirexistingpropertyweareanticipatinghighparticipationrates.Wearerequiring100percentparticipationandtheHOAhasagreedtobuyholdoutparcels.

Wewillnotmoveforwardwiththistransactionunlesswehavethat100percentbecauseotherwiseitwouldexposetheCitytoliabilityfortripfallsetcetera.

ChairWassermancontinued:ThereweresomeearliersuggestionsthatlookingtothisproblemwhichanumberofpeopleknewweregoingtocomeupthattheremightbeapossibilityofobtainingsomestatefundingforapilotprojecttofigureouthowtonavigatethroughtheregulatoryproblemforBCDCandpotentiallyfortheCityaswell.

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Itseemstomethatissueisstilltherebecauseifthisisdonepiece-by-pieceitisgoingtobeanightmareforeverybody.

12.BriefingonSandMiningPermitComplianceandProgressonStudies.Thisitemwaspostponed.

13.Adjournment.UponmotionbyCommissionerNelson,secondedbyCommissionerMcGrath,theCommissionmeetingasacommitteewasadjournedat4:53p.m.

Respectfullysubmitted,LAWRENCEJ.GOLDZBANDExecutiveDirector

Approved,withnocorrections,attheSanFranciscoBayConservationandDevelopmentCommissionMeetingofDecember1,2016

R.ZACHARYWASSERMAN,Chair