Steve Padilla Sworn in as New Port of San Diego Commissioner

Tuesday, 06 October 2009
Contact: John Gilmore (619) 341-5684, Dale Frost (619) 686-6222

Former Chula Vista Mayor Steve Padilla was sworn in October 6, 2009, to represent Chula Vista on the Board of Port Commissioners. He was appointed by the Chula Vista City Council as its representative on the seven-member board.

Padilla served as mayor from 2002 to 2006. Long active in governmental affairs, he served on the Chula Vista City Council from 1994 to 2002. He was also a member of the California Coastal Commission from 2005 to 2007.

Padilla is a public policy and land use consultant. He is President/CEO of Aquarius Group, Inc., a consulting group he began in 2007.

While mayor, Padilla was involved with the Port and a coalition of entities to launch an ambitious 500-acre development that would add public parks, hotels, restaurants, shops and new housing at the Chula Vista waterfront in South San Diego Bay.

Redevelopment of the Chula Vista bayfront is a priority of the Board of Port Commissioners.

In recent years, the Port has spent more than $25 million toward this goal, including $8 million to eliminate industrial blight by demolishing 63 abandoned industrial buildings on the Chula Vista bayfront property. Environmental impact reports were also prepared to allow development to move forward.

Padilla replaces Mike Najera, who resigned in May. Former Port Commissioner William Hall filled in for Najera until recently. The term expires in 2011.

The Port of San Diego is governed by the Board of Port Commissioners. Each member is appointed to a four-year term. One commissioner is appointed by each of the city councils of Chula Vista, Coronado, National City and Imperial Beach. Three commissioners are appointed by the San Diego City Council.

The Board establishes policies under which Port staff conducts its daily operations. The Port, under direction from the Board, manages San Diego harbor and administers the public lands along San Diego Bay.

Included in the Port's oversight is the operation of two marine cargo terminals, a cruise ship terminal, 17 public parks, various wildlife reserves and environmental initiatives, a Harbor Police department and the leases of more than 600 tenants and sub-tenants around San Diego Bay.

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