Supervisors advance Port’s $70,000 Islais Creek interpretive program to full Board

Noel Aquino, project manager for the Port of San Francisco, told the Budget and Finance Committee on April 19 that the Port is seeking retroactive authorization to accept and expend a $70,000 grant from the California Coastal Conservancy to install an interpretive program at Islais Creek.

"I am here today requesting to accept and expend a $70,000 grant from the California Coastal Conservancy," Aquino said, describing an interpretive program that will highlight maritime and labor history, natural history, Native American and neighborhood culture. He said displays will include sculptural elements and panels at sites on the northern shore and at the Port’s Bayview Gateway Park and Islais Creek Landing.

Aquino said the Port previously received a larger Coastal Conservancy grant in 2013 for pier removal and design work, and that unspent funds and subsequent Conservancy support enabled the current program. ‘‘The Port respectfully requests your authorization to accept and expend the $70,000 grant provided by the California Coastal Conservancy for the Islais Creek Interpretive Program,’’ he said.

Chair Supervisor Connie Chan and Vice Chair Rafael Mandelmann offered no substantive questions. The committee moved the resolution to the Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation; the clerk recorded two ayes with one member absent.

The measure will next appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda; the Port’s presentation materials and any final grant terms will be included in the official file when the full Board considers the item.