Southeast Community Facility Commission - February 23, 2022 - Minutes
ADOPTED MINUTES
SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY FACILITY COMMISSION
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
6:00 P.M.
This meeting was held by Teleconference Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-
20 and the Twelfth Supplement to Mayoral Proclamation Declaring the Existence of a Local
Emergency Dated February 25, 2020
- Call to Order and Roll Call: Commissioner Amerika Sanchez, Vice-Chair called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M.
Present: , Sanchez, Chung, Murphy, Posey, Tran, Fromer, Satele
- Adoption of renewed findings under State Urgency Legislation to continue remote meetings during the COVID-19 Emergency and direct the Commission Secretary to agendize a similar resolution at a Commission meeting within the next 30 days.
Moved: Satele Second: Murphy
Public Comment: None
Ayes: Fromer, Sanchez, Chung, Murphy, Posey, Satele, Tran
- Adoption of Minutes: January 26, 2022
Moved: Satele Second: Posey
Public Comment: None
Ayes: Fromer, Sanchez, Chung, Murphy, Posey, Satele, Tran
- General Public Comment: None
- Communications: (discussion only)
Correspondence Log - None
Commission Staff
- Report of the Chair: (discussion only)
Chair Fromer reported the month was robust with Black History Month and Lunar New Year events throughout the City.
Chair Fromer reminded the Commissioners to complete their Form 700s for the Ethics Commission.
Staff advised Form 700 is due April 1st.
Executive Director Pharr provided information relative to the reporting process and encouraged the Commissioners to file on time and not be subjected to a late fine.
Chair Fromer said the Commissioners should remember to provide their vaccination status as requested by the Mayor’s Office. She also noted the new Center at 1550 Evans was looking beautiful and she thanked everyone who continue to support the project.
Public Comment: None
- Presentation: SFPUC Biosolids Digestor Facilities Project – Construction Air Monitoring Reports:
(Kimberly Liddell, SFPUC Environmental Construction Compliance Manager, M.S.)
Ms. Liddell reported her job is to ensure the project’s environmental requirements are adhered to during construction. She spoke specifically about the air monitoring reports that were previously provided. She reported on the
- Environmental Compliance Approach
- Dust Air Monitoring methods and results
- Naturally occurring asbestos monitoring and results
She said the same methods and measures were implemented during the construction of the Southeast Community Facility.
Ms. Liddell reported the Southeast Treatment Plant is in the middle of a major upgrade and when completed will smell, look, and work better. The biosolids project is subject to many environmental requirements that come from the SFPUCs own policies, as well as state and federal agencies. It should be noted that San Francisco has some of the most stringent requirements to protect air quality during construction and exceeds those of regional and state agencies. These requirements can stack up so the SFPUC has developed standard procedures for construction compliance that put the environmental requirements directly into the contractor specifications so that adhering to them is a part of their job and penalties can be applied if they do not adhere to them. Environmental training has been provided to 1315 people on biosolids alone. There is an environmental team on site full time that continuously inspect, document, and report on the contractor’s work. The biosolids contractor has their own air monitoring consultant.
Ms. Liddell provided an overview of the air monitoring reports and advised the team uses a proactive approach.
A graph of Dust Monitoring Locations was provided, and it was noted the quantitative actions set in place are meant to minimize dust and protect public health. There were no project related exceedances during the last quarter and after 2 years of monitoring there were only 8-days with project related exceedances and 7-days with poor ambient air quality. The exceedance causes were quickly identified and addressed, such as smog and a lot of fires in the summer. Heavy fog can also play a role in the monitoring experience.
When there are exceedances a Dust Exceedance Report and Regional Air Data are provided, and the cause is closely viewed, and corrective actions are taken.
A graph of Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA) Monitoring Locations was provided, and it was noted the small fibers can be inhaled which is why it’s important to minimize it and protect public health. Ms. Liddell reported the NOA comes from serpentine and other rocks that are ubiquitous throughout California.
Ms. Liddell said the construction sites are regulated by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and they have set an action level of 0.016 per cubic centimeter. This is a stringent threshold and when more dust control is needed it is provided. There are three monitors around the state with filters inside that capture fibers and analyze them. A report is provided showing the concentration of fibers present every day.
There were no exceedances last quarter and after two years of monitoring there has only been one day with exceedances. The cause was found quickly and immediately addressed.
In closing Ms. Liddell reported the major excavation has been completed and there will be less ground disturbance so compliance with the thresholds will remain.
Questions and Comments from Commissioners:
Commissioners had questions regarding the danger of NOA and said many people grew up around the rocks and were never told it was Naturally Occurring Asbestos. They were also concerned about dust control with water since there is a drought.
- Ms. Liddell responded the rocks become a concern when they become viable or are kicked up into dust. She offered to consult the industrial hygienists on staff regarding the health issues.
- She said the construction sites are monitored to provide good dust control. She noted there was a time when recycled water was available from the plant, but now they are using city water because the recycled water is not available.
Kristen Asato-Webb said the timeline for completion of the biosolids project is 2028. The previous timeline was 2025 but due to supply chain issues and the pandemic a pause was taken to ensure the rate payer money was being used efficiently and that extended the timeline.
SECFC staff requested information regarding the local hiring targets and Ms. Asato-Webb advised she would return to an upcoming meeting with the information. She also suggested inviting Brian Thomas, Labor Relations Specialist, who could provide information regarding local hiring. It was also noted that City Build is a program that coordinates and trains workforce candidates.
Public Comment:
Ms. Emily Wade-Thompson had a question regarding the budget since the timeline had increased by three years. She also asked if the dust in the area could impact the schools that are in close proximity to the worksite noting the high levels of asthma in children living in the community? She said Charles Drew, Malcolm X Academy, Carver Elementary School could possibly be affected.
- Ms. Asato-Webb responded the budget was increased in anticipation of market conditions and
schedule impacts.
- Ms. Liddell said sometimes exceedances are created through human actions.
SECFC staff suggested looking into a three-mile radius that includes the schools that were mentioned and provide an assessment of the air quality.
- Ms. Liddell said she would work with the air consultants to check for wind patterns and distribution
levels.
Chair Fromer noted the historical environmental injustice within the Community and the trauma it caused. She invited Ms. Liddell to return with more information.
- SECF Director’s Report: (discussion only)
Emily Pharr, SECFC Executive Director
Director Pharr provided updates on the construction at 1550 Evans. The PG&E delay is ongoing, and the grand opening will be early summer.
The Tenant Solicitation RFP will be released next week and anyone with questions about the process should be referred to the Real Estate Services Division. Contact information will be provided.
Director Pharr reported 1800 Oakdale remains closed to the public with the exception of Five Keys and the Wu Yee Childcare Center.
The Department of Public Health is providing vaccinations and since our last report they were able to issue 207 vaccinations. 2,223 is the total number of vaccinations that have been provided.
Questions and Comments from Commissioners:
Chair Fromer asked if reservations are being accepted at this time?
- Director Pharr responded the Center remains closed to the public and anyone wishing to reserve
space for an event can reach out to staff and they will be placed on our mailing list and advised when the new Center is available.
The Commissioners requested talking points that would allow them to provide information to the community regarding the new Center.
- Staff responded the new reservation system will be completed soon and we anticipate booking
opportunities in May for August events.
Public Comment: None.
- Future Agenda Items: (discussion only)
Director Pharr announced an invitation had been extended to SFPUC General Manager Dennis Herrera.
Staff will provide a presentation of the Levels of Service for adoption.
Chair Fromer requested extending an invitation to the new City College Chancellor.
Commissioners requested a calendar of future City events to prioritize support throughout the year and specifically for the month of February when there are many events for Black History Month.
Questions and Comments from Commissioners:
Commissioner Murphy had a question regarding the possibility of having interns from the City College Broadcasting Department.
- Director Pharr said she would like to have more information and would be happy to look into it.
Public Comment: None.
Staff wished everyone a Happy Black History Month and Happy Lunar New Year.
Chair Fromer said she attend events through the YMCA and it’s great to see the cultures coming together.
Commissioner Murphy announced a Black History and Lunar New Year celebration sponsored by Board of Supervisor President Walton on Leland Avenue by the Greenway from 11 am to 2 pm. Vaccinations will also be available.
Public Comment:
Ms. Wade-Thompson announced the San Francisco Alliance of Black Educators will hold its 42nd Oratorical, Vocal, and Instrumental Contest. Students who participated in the Dr. Martin Luther King Essay, Art, and Video Contest will also be acknowledged. The event is held on the 4th Saturday of every February.
Commissioner Posey announced the availability of a Black History Month fundraiser calendar featuring Black Male Professionals. The sale of the calendars will benefit several non-profit organizations in the community. He will provide the website address to the main office.
- Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m.
The next meeting of the Southeast Community Facility Commission will be Wednesday, March 23, 2022.
Carla Vaughn, Commission Secretary