A study session over a proposed amendment to the joint operation agreement at Oyster Point Marina in South San Francisco dissolved into chaos following a dispute among local elected officials.
Sabrina Brennan
Two subcommittee members charged with reviewing the deal between South San Francisco officials and the county Harbor District abruptly excused themselves from a Wednesday, Aug. 2, meeting following an attempted public comment by San Mateo County Harbor Commissioner Sabrina Brennan, according to video.
Mark Addiego
South San Francisco Councilman Mark Addiego and Harbor Commissioner Virginia Chang Kiraly prematurely walked out after repeated efforts by Brennan to make a comment, which an attorney alleged amounted to a violation of state transparency law.
Virginia Chang Kiraly
“I think a more clever and resourceful commissioner might have found an underling to read your comments — they be so important — into the record, but apparently it has to be in your voice,” said Addiego. “I’m tired of the gamesmanship and I’m excusing myself from the meeting.”
Chang Kiraly, who also left from the liaison committee shortly afterward, directed more sharp words toward Brennan.
“If the commissioner wants to be selfish and play games, you are doing a disservice to the rest of the county, not just to the committee,” she said.
Brennan, a harbor commissioner not on the subcommittee, attempted repeatedly during the meeting to make a public comment as a resident on a proposed fuel line repair and replacement at the marina.
Attorneys though claimed Brennan making comment could be considered a violation of the Brown Act state public records law, and advised she should submit a written copy instead.
Brennan persistently requested an opportunity to speak and, when such a chance was not granted, heated exchanges broke out before the session dissolved.
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“I have the right as a member of the public to make a public comment verbally here … by denying me the right to make my public comment, this committee is violating the law,” said Brennan, who added her intent was not to be disruptive.
Liza Normandy, South San Francisco vice mayor and chair of the meeting, said she acknowledged Brennan’s attempt to speak as a private citizen, but did not believe that outweighed perception that she was speaking as an elected official.
An attorney for the commission supported Normandy’s argument that Brennan’s comments were inappropriate, citing an attorney general’s opinion that elected officials should not speak publicly in similar meetings, for fear of violating the Brown Act.
“On advice of counsel you’ve been asked not to, and because you want to, does not make it so,” said Harbor Commissioner Tom Mattusch, following Brennan’s repeated attempts to read a prepared statement.
Rather than read the statement, subcommittee members suggested Brennan submit her comments via email which would be attached to minutes of the meeting. Ultimately the offer was refused, and the meeting ended shortly after with no further action.
Subcommittee members stood to vote on a recommendation to their respective bodies approving an agreement solidifying terms of operations at the marina located on city property, but operated by the district.
Central to the most recent discussion was which organization should finance repair of the fuel line, as a massive biotechnology development is slated to break ground near the marina.
Under terms of the proposed deal, city officials offered to pay $90,000 for immediate fuel line work and Oyster Point Development, the builder proposing the office and residential project, is expected to contribute an additional $2.5 million for eventual replacement.
As the subcommittee meeting ended before action could be taken, Harbor District and city staff are expected to bring the issue back before their elected bodies for further consideration this fall.
Dear Mayor Gupta, President Mattusch, Mr. Futrell and Mr. McGrath,
I’m concerned about public safety and the safety of Harbor District employees at Oyster Point.
On Wednesday, Oyster Point Marina fuel system safety hazards were not discussed during a Special Meeting held at South San Francisco City Hall at 2:00pm. The meeting was specifically about a Draft Agreement that transfers liability for a hazardous fuel system from a developer (Oyster Point Development) to the public.
Link to Draft Agreement: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/510a0f9ae4b008f90f030a56/t/59837de66a49633397d66e22/1501789678714/Staff_Report_Attachment_B_Draft_Implementation_Agreement.pdf
The fuel system at Oyster Point is in extreme disrepair and as you are aware it's located in an area exposed to significant flooding.
I'm concerned that the public and the unidentified people currently operating the fuel system are unaware of the safety concerns raised in the May 26, 2017 Fuel Dock Condition Assessment.
Link to Fuel System Assessment: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/510a0f9ae4b008f90f030a56/t/59837be7e4fcb574b321e9b5/1501789206352/SSF_OPM+Fuel+Dock_Condition+Memo_Rev2017-0526.pdf
For years Drake Marine operated the fuel system at Oyster Point. Mr. Drake sub-leased from Oyster Point Development. On Wednesday, I learned from SSF City Manager Mike Futrell that the Drake Marine lease has been terminated. However some people are still operating the Fuel System at Oyster Point Marina. I’m not sure who these people are but they don’t appear to work for Oyster Point Development (the current lease holder), the City of South San Francisco, or the SMC Harbor District.
Who is providing oversight for the fuel system operation?
On Thursday, I learned that the City of South San Francisco has performed a number of Fuel System inspections at Oyster Point. It’s my understanding that the Harbor District requested the inspection reports some time ago and has some of them but not the most recent inspection report. I would like to read all fuel system inspection reports including the most recent report. Please provide them unredacted.
Steven Miller, general counsel for the Harbor District and Steve McGrath, general manager for the Harbor District each sent strongly worded letters regarding concerns about the fuel system at Oyster Point.
I'm concerned that the Agreement as written calls for the liability and responsibility for the maintenance and operation of a hazardous fuel system to be transferred from the developer (Oyster Point Development) to the Harbor District.
Link to related documents: http://sabrinabrennan.com/blog/2017/8/3/fuel-dock-at-oyster-point-marina
Dear Mayor Gupta, President Mattusch, Mr. Futrell and Mr. McGrath,
I’m concerned about public safety and the safety of Harbor District employees at Oyster Point.
On Wednesday, Oyster Point Marina fuel system safety hazards were not discussed during a Special Meeting held at South San Francisco City Hall at 2:00pm. The meeting was specifically about a Draft Agreement that transfers liability for the hazardous fuel system from a developer (Oyster Point Development) to the public.
The fuel system at Oyster Point is in extreme disrepair and as you are aware it is exposed to significant flooding. I'm concerned that the public and the unidentified people currently operating the fuel system are unaware of the numerous safety concerns raised in the May 26, 2017 Fuel Dock Condition Assessment.
On Wednesday, I learned from SSF City Manager Mike Futrell that the Drake Marine lease has been terminated. However some people are still operating the Fuel System at Oyster Point Marina. I’m not sure who these people are but they don’t appear to work for Oyster Point Development (the current lease holder), the City of South San Francisco, or the SMC Harbor District.
Who is providing oversight for the fuel system operation?
The City of South San Francisco has performed a number of Fuel System inspections at Oyster Point. It’s my understanding that the Harbor District requested the inspection reports some time ago and has some of them but not the most recent inspection report. I would like to read all fuel system inspection reports including the most recent report. Please provide them unredacted.
Steven Miller, attorney for the Harbor District and Steve McGrath, general manager for the Harbor District each sent strongly worded letters regarding concerns about the fuel system at Oyster Point.
I'm concerned that the Agreement as written calls for the liability and responsibility for the maintenance and operation of a hazardous fuel system to be transferred from a developer (Oyster Point Development) to the Harbor District.
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(3) comments
Dear Mayor Gupta, President Mattusch, Mr. Futrell and Mr. McGrath,
I’m concerned about public safety and the safety of Harbor District employees at Oyster Point.
On Wednesday, Oyster Point Marina fuel system safety hazards were not discussed during a Special Meeting held at South San Francisco City Hall at 2:00pm. The meeting was specifically about a Draft Agreement that transfers liability for a hazardous fuel system from a developer (Oyster Point Development) to the public.
Link to Draft Agreement: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/510a0f9ae4b008f90f030a56/t/59837de66a49633397d66e22/1501789678714/Staff_Report_Attachment_B_Draft_Implementation_Agreement.pdf
The fuel system at Oyster Point is in extreme disrepair and as you are aware it's located in an area exposed to significant flooding.
I'm concerned that the public and the unidentified people currently operating the fuel system are unaware of the safety concerns raised in the May 26, 2017 Fuel Dock Condition Assessment.
Link to Fuel System Assessment: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/510a0f9ae4b008f90f030a56/t/59837be7e4fcb574b321e9b5/1501789206352/SSF_OPM+Fuel+Dock_Condition+Memo_Rev2017-0526.pdf
For years Drake Marine operated the fuel system at Oyster Point. Mr. Drake sub-leased from Oyster Point Development. On Wednesday, I learned from SSF City Manager Mike Futrell that the Drake Marine lease has been terminated. However some people are still operating the Fuel System at Oyster Point Marina. I’m not sure who these people are but they don’t appear to work for Oyster Point Development (the current lease holder), the City of South San Francisco, or the SMC Harbor District.
Who is providing oversight for the fuel system operation?
On Thursday, I learned that the City of South San Francisco has performed a number of Fuel System inspections at Oyster Point. It’s my understanding that the Harbor District requested the inspection reports some time ago and has some of them but not the most recent inspection report. I would like to read all fuel system inspection reports including the most recent report. Please provide them unredacted.
Steven Miller, general counsel for the Harbor District and Steve McGrath, general manager for the Harbor District each sent strongly worded letters regarding concerns about the fuel system at Oyster Point.
I'm concerned that the Agreement as written calls for the liability and responsibility for the maintenance and operation of a hazardous fuel system to be transferred from the developer (Oyster Point Development) to the Harbor District.
Link to related documents: http://sabrinabrennan.com/blog/2017/8/3/fuel-dock-at-oyster-point-marina
Sincerely,
Sabrina Brennan
Dear Mayor Gupta, President Mattusch, Mr. Futrell and Mr. McGrath,
I’m concerned about public safety and the safety of Harbor District employees at Oyster Point.
On Wednesday, Oyster Point Marina fuel system safety hazards were not discussed during a Special Meeting held at South San Francisco City Hall at 2:00pm. The meeting was specifically about a Draft Agreement that transfers liability for the hazardous fuel system from a developer (Oyster Point Development) to the public.
The fuel system at Oyster Point is in extreme disrepair and as you are aware it is exposed to significant flooding. I'm concerned that the public and the unidentified people currently operating the fuel system are unaware of the numerous safety concerns raised in the May 26, 2017 Fuel Dock Condition Assessment.
On Wednesday, I learned from SSF City Manager Mike Futrell that the Drake Marine lease has been terminated. However some people are still operating the Fuel System at Oyster Point Marina. I’m not sure who these people are but they don’t appear to work for Oyster Point Development (the current lease holder), the City of South San Francisco, or the SMC Harbor District.
Who is providing oversight for the fuel system operation?
The City of South San Francisco has performed a number of Fuel System inspections at Oyster Point. It’s my understanding that the Harbor District requested the inspection reports some time ago and has some of them but not the most recent inspection report. I would like to read all fuel system inspection reports including the most recent report. Please provide them unredacted.
Steven Miller, attorney for the Harbor District and Steve McGrath, general manager for the Harbor District each sent strongly worded letters regarding concerns about the fuel system at Oyster Point.
I'm concerned that the Agreement as written calls for the liability and responsibility for the maintenance and operation of a hazardous fuel system to be transferred from a developer (Oyster Point Development) to the Harbor District.
Sincerely,
Sabrina Brennan
...clearly Brennan has some problems with impulse control...
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.