Neighborhood advocate urges city attorney review of firefighting water fund transfers to SFPUC

Eileen Volkin, speaking for the Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods, told the Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee that the city's dedicated emergency firefighting water system (referred to in testimony as AWOS) was transferred to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission in May 2010 and that the PUC has since shifted toward a model that uses the same pipework for potable water and for firefighting supply.

Volkin said some work on AWOS pump station No. 2 was later performed under PUC contract WD-2687R and that projects that originally required only modest repairs ended up with multiple contract revisions and significant cost overruns. “I would urge to have the city attorney issue an opinion if bond funds for potable water, AWOS, is consistent with Prop 218 or not, and if there are potential legal liabilities,” she said.

Volkin asked the committee to examine project records and potential irregularities, including her assertion that some uses of bond funds could be inconsistent with Proposition 218. The speaker urged review of contracts and reconciliation of project spending.

The committee took note of the comment and did not take formal action on the allegation during the meeting. No PUC representative offered a response during the public-comment period; committee members did not announce an immediate plan to request a city attorney opinion on the record.

Next steps: Volkin asked for a formal legal review and for staff to examine project documents; the committee did not adopt a motion during the meeting to direct that review.