Active Transportation Infrastructure Committee Meeting - December 11, 2019

On Wednesday, December 11, 2019, the Active Transportation Infrastructure Committee met to discuss sidewalk repair programs, the Mobility Action Plan, and the fiscal year 2019 Capital Improvement Program status. The meeting was chaired by Councilmember Kersey, with Vice Chair Ward and Councilmember Kate present; Councilmember Moreno was absent. The committee also recognized Lee Friedman's last meeting as mayoral representative.

Consent Calendar

• The committee adopted the minutes from the November 20, 2019 meeting unanimously.
• Two consent items were forwarded to the full City Council. For item 1, the staff noted that only two of three proposed actions required council action; the third (sequel determination) was previously resolved in August and was removed from the staff report.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Martha Welch spoke against the consent agenda and sidewalk consultant contracts, alleging corruption, lack of city employees, and failure to address potholes and road conditions. She also criticized the Point Loma wastewater treatment plant and claimed the city operates illegally.
• Nikayla Jefferson urged the committee to declare a climate emergency, citing the urgency of reducing carbon emissions within eight years and noting that 62 other U.S. local governments have already done so. She emphasized the threat to public health, coastlines, and forests.
• Sophie Wolfram and Andy Hanshaw (Mobility Board) presented a joint statement recommending that the Mobility Action Plan (MAP) clarify phase structure, include specific CAP mode share and VMT reduction targets, integrate the Bicycle Master Plan's strategic implementation plan, track mode share, commit to a Vision Zero action plan, define "communities of concern," prevent displacement, fund education programs, and remove "innovation and technology" as a standalone principle to avoid prioritizing innovation over equity and safety.

Discussion Items

• Sidewalk Program Update (Item 3): Staff presented the status of the citywide sidewalk repair program. Since the 2015 assessment, 27,000 repairs have been completed, with 11,000 more funded. An estimated 81,000 locations remain, with a total repair/replacement cost of $90–$100 million. Options to accelerate work include expanding the slicing contract (currently $625,000/year, covering 8,500 repairs), in-sourcing slicing work (potentially cost-saving but requiring new hires), increasing the 50/50 cost-share program (currently $300,000/year, serving 40–50 homeowners, with 230 on a waiting list), and reducing sidewalk permit fees (currently ~$2,000, with $800–$850 for inspection). Chair Kersey noted that the issue is primarily budgetary and committed to including sidewalk funding in his budget priority memo. Vice Chair Ward supported exploring property tax assessment options for homeowners and praised the comparison of in-house vs. contract costs. Councilmember Kate asked about the replacement cost breakdown ($95 million of the $100 million for replacement) and the timeline for the 230 waiting list homeowners (estimated 130 per year with a dedicated crew). No action was taken; the item was informational.
• Mobility Action Plan (MAP) Status Update (Item 4): Staff presented the MAP, which consolidates transportation policies (General Plan, Climate Action Plan, bicycle/pedestrian master plans, Vision Zero) into a vision document with 24 goals and 31 actions organized around four principles: connected communities, safety, health/climate, and innovation. The next phase (MAP 2.0) will focus on integrating priorities into asset management and CIP project selection. Vice Chair Ward asked about Vision Zero and Phase 2 timelines; staff stated a comprehensive Vision Zero strategic plan is expected in 2020 and Phase 2 will begin in FY21. Councilmember Kate raised concerns about prioritizing communities of concern over other areas with high potential for mode shift (e.g., Mira Mesa, Miramar), noting that such areas are often overlooked. Chair Kersey requested a list of CIP projects supporting the MAP. The item was informational.
• FY19 Year-End State of the CIP Report (Item 5): Staff presented the annual CIP report, covering fiscal year 2019 (July 2018–June 2019). The adopted CIP budget was $558 million, later increased to $706 million, with $582 million expended. Key highlights: 959 active projects, completion of the Miramar clear well (first of two) and West Mission Bay Bridge trestle, 31 of 50 parks completed under the mayor's pledge, and 1,300 miles of road repaving (exceeding the 1,000-mile goal). The committee noted a 17–19% vacancy rate, difficulty retaining engineers, and rising construction costs (e.g., building costs rose from $135 to $210 per square foot). Staff discussed regional competition for talent and a planned apprenticeship program. Vice Chair Ward asked about a customer service council policy, which staff said will be presented in January 2020. Councilmember Kate questioned the quality of consultant deliverables and the status of the Gold Coast Drive project (design to be completed by July 2020, with construction funding uncertain). The item was informational.

Key Outcomes

• The committee unanimously approved the November 20 meeting minutes.
• Consent agenda items 1 and 2 were forwarded to the full City Council (with the third action of item 1 removed).
• No formal votes were taken on informational items, but the committee provided direction to staff on sidewalk repair priorities, MAP refinements, and CIP staffing challenges.
• The committee's next meeting is scheduled for January 29, 2020.