Active Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Meeting - May 22, 2019
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Active Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Meeting – May 22, 2019
The committee met on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at 10:00 AM. Chair Kirsey presided, with Vice Chair Ward, Councilmembers Kate and Moreno present. The meeting covered four major items: the FY2019 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) year-end budget report, community parking district plans, the development impact fee annual report, and a consultant agreement for a new fire/police training center. The committee approved all items unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- The meeting minutes from April 17, 2019, were approved unanimously after a motion by Councilmember Kate.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Kevin Swanson (Paradise Hills resident) spoke about Balboa Park, urging the city to use existing infrastructure for automated electric shuttles and to make Inspiration Point a transportation hub. He asked for a point person on park infrastructure.
- Renee Smith (retired naval officer, systems analyst) presented on behalf of the Restrooms and Roofs Coalition, asking the committee to retain $9.3 million in Balboa Park for capital repairs, particularly restrooms and roofs. She noted the coalition includes the Balboa Park Committee, Conservancy, Cultural Partnership, Friends of Balboa Park, and others.
- Jean Samuels (President, Spreckels Organ Society) supported retaining the $9.3 million, noting that visitor complaints about restroom conditions are embarrassing for a top tourist attraction.
- Tomas Herrera Michler (CEO, Balboa Park Conservancy) asked for support to retain the $9.3 million, stating cultural institutions have invested over $80 million in the last nine years and have $100 million more planned, but city investment is needed for basic infrastructure.
- John Bolthouse (Executive Director, Friends of Balboa Park) urged the committee to ensure the $9.3 million remains in Balboa Park, emphasizing the city's stewardship responsibility.
- Vicky Granowitz (Balboa Park Committee) expressed agreement with previous speakers, thanked the IBA and mayor's office, and urged careful planning for restroom locations and sizes.
- Tudie Thomas (public speaker) highlighted mid-city parking district projects, including adding 100+ parking spaces, a crosswalk at Kansas Street (where a journalist was killed), a pilot bus lane on El Cajon Boulevard, and bike lanes on 30th Street.
Discussion Items
- FY2019 CIP Year-End Budget Monitoring Report – Finance Director Tracy McCraner and staff presented the report, which consolidates over 100 actions, saving 500 staff hours and appropriating, reallocating, and transferring $62.7 million. Of $30.6 million in new appropriations, 79% came from developer fees, Fiesta Island Mitigation Fund, and grants. Notable allocations: $3 million grant for bridge rehabilitation, $11.5 million for park improvements (including Fiesta Island, Hickman Fields, Coral Gate, Bayer Parks), and $5.6 million for the Pacific Highlands Ranch Library. The report also requests transferring $10 million from street resurfacing to drainage improvements and $9.3 million from the Plaza de Panama project to Balboa Park improvements. The IBA noted progress on TransNet spend-down (from $55 million in 2016 to $27.5 million projected end of FY2019) and large balances in general fund, capital outlay, and infrastructure funds totaling about $50 million. Councilmember Moreno expressed concern about underfunded storm drain maintenance and suggested increasing stormwater fees. Councilmember Kate asked about design funding details; staff clarified that design phases include property acquisition, environmental permitting, and actual design. Vice Chair Ward supported retaining the $9.3 million in Balboa Park and asked for a timeline to specify projects. The motion to approve passed unanimously.
- Community Parking District FY20 Plans and Budgets – Elizabeth Studebaker (Neighborhood Investment Manager) and Tanner French (Senior Traffic Engineer) presented the annual plans for five districts: Uptown, Downtown, Mid-City, Old Town, and Pacific Beach. Downtown’s plan will come later due to transitions with Civic San Diego. The districts use 45% of net meter revenue for parking management and mobility projects. Performance measures showed over 70% productivity rates. Uptown allocated over $3 million toward the Fourth and Fifth Avenue Bikeways and Normal Street Promenade. Mid-City completed a parking study on El Cajon Boulevard. The city’s 55% portion goes to technology, mobility, and connectivity. Vice Chair Ward praised collaboration and asked about the timeline for downtown’s plan (expected summer). Councilmember Moreno asked about forming new parking districts; staff noted that funding is limited to areas with existing meters. The motion to approve passed unanimously.
- Development Impact Fee (DIF) Annual Report for FY2018 – Scott Mercer (Supervising Management Analyst) presented the report required by state law. The report shows $98 million in DIF funds held for five years or longer, 99% appropriated to CIPs. The city collected $72 million in FY2018, ending with a $437 million balance. Fees collected in FY2019 through Q3 were $38.5 million, trending lower. An audit by the Office of the City Auditor found adequate controls. No public comment. The motion to approve passed unanimously.
- Consultant Agreement for Fire Rescue & Police Training Center – Elif Chittin (Deputy Director, Public Works) and staff presented the request to award a $950,000 feasibility study contract to CCBG Architects for a new regional training center on a 24-acre city-owned lot in Kearny Mesa (between I-805 and SR-52). The current center at Liberty Station must vacate for the Pure Water Phase II project. The new site will include administration, classrooms, a wellness center, training tower, firing range, and SWAT facilities. The study will assess fit, phasing, funding strategies, and community outreach (neighbors have expressed concerns). Councilmember Kate noted the need for early engagement with the mobile home park and businesses. Councilmember Moreno asked about site alternatives; the location was chosen for central location, city ownership, and industrial zoning. Vice Chair Ward asked about the timeline (2027 Pure Water deadline) and land acquisition (a swap with Public Utilities). The motion to approve passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- The committee unanimously approved the FY2019 CIP Year-End Budget Monitoring Report and revisions, including the $9.3 million reallocation to Balboa Park.
- The committee unanimously approved the FY2020 Community Parking District Plans and Budgets for Uptown, Mid-City, and Old Town (Downtown to come later).
- The committee unanimously accepted the FY2018 Development Impact Fee Annual Report.
- The committee unanimously authorized the consultant agreement with CCBG Architects for the Fire Rescue and Police Training Center feasibility study, with a budget of $950,000.
- All items will be forwarded to the full City Council with a recommendation for approval.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, everybody. We're going to go ahead and get started here. Thank you for joining us for today's meeting of the Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Today is Wednesday, the 22nd of May 2019. Let the record reflect that we have a full committee here today with Vice Chair Ward and Councilmembers Kate and Moreno. We also have our City Attorney Representative Mark Mercer, IBA Representative Gillian Cassie, Mayor Representative Lee Friedman, and our committee consultant Justin Garver. I want to thank everybody who's either watching us on TV or here in person with us today. We will start with non-agenda. We have uh one member of the public who would like to speak, and that is Kevin Swanson. You have two minutes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee. My name is Kevin Swanson. I live actually in Paradise Hills. And I'm talking to you today about Balboa Park, which I understand does come under the purview of your committee in some ways because there is a transportation management plan associated with Balboa Park. And there's also an RFP out to look at what to do with Inspiration Point. So my question is who within the City of San Diego is actually the point person on looking at how you can use the existing infrastructure in Balboa Park to best serve the park and to get people from the outside of the park into the park. I happen to know the head of the robotics department at UCSD met him recently, and he said, gee, we really would be interested in working with the city and connecting them in Sandeg and so on to look at getting a variety of automated electric shuttle systems implemented to serve Balboa Park. You have a couple of shuttle routes from the West Mesa, maybe one from the East Mesa, certainly from Inspiration Point. And to look at Inspiration Point as a transportation hub that could hold the municipal gym and rehearsal spaces associated with the youth of San Diego. And look at the existing building becoming something on a cultural basis and fit in with all of the other cultural items that are in Balboa Park. So it's just something for you to consider. Wouldn't it be nice to market Balboa Park as a prime example of sustainability for our region? Thank you. Thank you. That concludes non-agenda public comment. Turning to committee comment. Any committee members have a comment to make? Seeing none. How about City Attorney IBA mayoral staff comment? Seeing none. We have our adoption agenda. Our meeting minutes from our April 17th meeting have been distributed. I would accept a motion at this time to approve them. That was a motion by Councilmember Kate. All in favor, please say aye. And that carries unanimously. Thank you. We have a motion by Vice Chair Ward, seconded by uh Councilmember Kate. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. That carries unanimously. Thank you. First item on our discussion agenda is a presentation by the Department of Finance regarding the FY2019 Capital Improvement Program Year In Budget Monitoring Report and CIP budget revisions. How much time would you like for your presentation today? Just five minutes. Okay, please enter introduce yourself and proceed. Great. Thank you, Chair Kirsey. My name is Tracy McCraner.
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