Committee forwards appointment to San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water System Financing Authority

The committee considered a resolution to appoint Dennis J. Herrera as the city's director to the San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water System Financing Authority for the remainder of a four‑year term ending June 30, 2023. The item was read by the clerk and the committee heard from a speaker who identified himself in the transcript as "Dennis" (surname transcribed as 'Ferreira') and who described the authority's origin under "SB 18 70" and the status of the Water System Improvement Program (WSIP).

The speaker said the SFPUC provides drinking water to approximately 2.6 million customers in the Bay Area and that the WSIP is about 95% complete. He told the committee the financing authority retains bonding authority created to collaborate with wholesale partners but that, to his knowledge, issuance of bonds through the authority is not currently contemplated. He said the authority meets annually in January.

Public commenters raised questions about the emergency firefighting water system (AWOS) transfer history, alleged PUC policy choices, cost overruns on WSIP and the Sewer System Improvement Project, and urged additional hearings to ensure transparency. Following public comment, the committee voted to forward the appointment to the full Board with a positive recommendation; the motion passed without objection. The item will be scheduled before the full Board for confirmation.