Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Meeting Summary - February 24, 2021
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Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Meeting - February 24, 2021
The Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the San Diego City Council met virtually on February 24, 2021, at 10:00 AM via Zoom due to Executive Order 29-20 suspending certain Brown Act requirements. Chair von Wilpert presided, with Vice Chair Lacava and Committee Members Montgomery Stepp and Elo Rivera present (quorum). The meeting was televised and live-streamed. The committee considered two items: an amendment to the compensation agreement with Civic San Diego for Children's Park improvements and the committee's 2021 work plan.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of January 27, 2021 Committee Actions: Motion by Vice Chair Lacava, seconded by Councilmember Montgomery Stepp. Unanimously approved.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-Agenda Public Comment: Joy Sanyata (District 3) spoke about equity using an analogy of three people of different heights watching a baseball game; she expressed excitement for the committee's equity work.
- Item 1 – Children’s Park Improvements:
- Aubrey Carter (City Front Terrace resident, 5 years): Supported the renovation, describing the park as unsafe for children due to transient activity; favored an off-leash dog run.
- Bill James (City Front Terrace resident since 2016): Supported the project, noting the park is currently unusable; wanted a safe place for children and dogs.
- Ellen Meyer (Downtown resident since 1993): Supported the project, emphasizing the park's negative image for convention center visitors; called it a potential neighborhood jewel.
- Sherwin Wright (City Front Terrace resident, 15 years): Supported the funding, stating it would entice residents and retain homeowners.
- Barbara Daly (City Front Terrace resident, 25 years; Clean and Safe Board member for Marina District): Strongly supported the funding, framing the investment in terms of return on equity for the city.
- Joy Sanyata (District 3): Expressed personal struggle, noting the homeless population and equity concerns; she stated she had no decision yet and would listen to committee comments before deciding how to vote at City Council.
- Ulrika Migen (City Front Terrace resident since 2006): Urged approval, calling the current park not for children and agreeing with previous speakers about the need for renovation.
- Rebecca Ribzik (Economic Development Manager, Downtown San Diego Partnership): Supported the project, stating the amenities will activate the marina district and elevate the experience for residents, visitors, and businesses.
- Item 2 – 2021 Work Plan:
- Joy Sanyata (District 3): Commented on policies related to equity, specifically requesting that the Parks Master Plan be prioritized as an agenda item later in the year.
- Jesse O'Sullivan (Policy person, Circulate San Diego): Expressed excitement that committee priorities included Vision Zero and bike/pedestrian safety; urged these be reflected in the budget.
- Andy Hanshaw (San Diego County Bike Coalition; Chair of City’s Mobility Board): Supported the focus on equity, complete streets, Vision Zero, and climate action plan goals; recommended quick-build strategies and downtown mobility network improvements.
- Trin Lay (Organizing Director, Mid City CAN): Thanked the committee for including Youth Opportunity Pass (YOP) in the work plan; advocated for free transit passes for youth under 24, citing COVID-19 impacts and benefits for equity and emissions reduction.
- Noah Harris (Climate Action Campaign): Applauded the priorities, including climate action, complete streets, quick-build pilots, and YOP; urged prioritizing investments in historically underserved communities and a comprehensive roadmap for mode share targets.
Discussion Items
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Item 1 – Amendment to Compensation Agreement with Civic San Diego for Children’s Park Improvements:
- Staff (Brad Richter, Deputy Director Urban Division, and Daniel Kay from Civic San Diego) presented: The project fully renovates Children’s Park (built 1995) with a play area, dog run, restroom building, picnic area, exercise equipment, lawn, new walkway, trees, and public art. The original budget was $8 million; bids came in over budget, requiring an additional $1 million from the Downtown Development Impact Fee (DIF) fund (total now $9 million). The lowest three bidders were disqualified for failing to meet SLBE/ELBE requirements; the fourth bid was accepted. Construction could start in April/May 2021 with a 12-month timeline.
- Committee questions focused on bid rejection justification, source of funds, administrative costs, and equity. Members expressed disappointment that the original park was poorly designed but supported the project. Councilmember Montgomery Stepp asked about the SLBE process; Daniel Kay confirmed the bidders did not meet requirements and a protest was filed by the fourth bidder. Vice Chair Lacava asked about DIF fund balance (~$18-19 million). Councilmember Elo Rivera asked about equity and clarified that DIF funds must be spent in the downtown community. Chair von Wilpert questioned cost escalation (12% over estimate due to market conditions).
- Committee unanimously voted (4-0) to recommend City Council approval, contingent on receiving additional EOCP evaluation information before the council hearing.
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Item 2 – Active Transportation and Infrastructure 2021 Work Plan:
- Chair von Wilpert presented the work plan, developed from member priorities. No formal presentation; discussion followed.
- Committee members praised the plan’s focus on equity, climate action, Vision Zero, complete streets, quick-build projects, green infrastructure, EV infrastructure, Youth Opportunity Pass, and updating council policies (e.g., CIP prioritization policy 800-14).
- Councilmember Montgomery Stepp highlighted equity in street overlays, sidewalk construction in underdeveloped areas, and the need to reform the 50/50 sidewalk cost-sharing program. Councilmember Elo Rivera stressed that transportation infrastructure is a racial justice issue and called for reviewing policies that perpetuate inequities. Vice Chair Lacava emphasized climate action plan goals and equity. Chair von Wilpert noted the work plan is ambitious and critical for the city’s long-term direction.
- Committee voted unanimously (4-0) to adopt the 2021 work plan.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1: Motion by Vice Chair Lacava, seconded by Councilmember Montgomery Stepp. Unanimous vote (4-0) to recommend authorization for the First Amendment to the compensation agreement, increasing funding by $1 million (total $9 million) from the Downtown DIF fund, and to forward to City Council. Councilmember Montgomery Stepp requested additional EOCP evaluation information before the council hearing.
- Item 2: Motion by Councilmember Montgomery Stepp, seconded by Councilmember Elo Rivera. Unanimous vote (4-0) to adopt the committee’s 2021 work plan.
- Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at 2:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Chair, please proceed. Thank you. Good afternoon, everyone. Per executive order 29-20, which suspends certain requirements of the Brown Act. The committee members will be participating via Zoom, and no members of the public will be in attendance at the meeting in the interest of public and health and safety. In addition, meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website, and the committee liaison has made arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. We appreciate the public's cooperation. We'll go over the specifics of how to join the webinar and we'll give details on how the public can offer the public testimony. We'll now now call the active consultation and infrastructure committee meeting of February 14th, 2021 to order. We'll now call the roll. Vice Chair Lacava. Present. Committee member Montgomery Step. There. Committee member Elo Rivera. Present. And I am here too. So we have a quorum. Each committee member is attending virtually. Also with us on the virtual meeting is IBA Representative Gillian Cassie, City Attorney Representative Tina Ray, Mayoral Representative Brittany Bailey, and Committee Consultant Justin Garber. The public may view the meetings on public television on cable or channel 99 for ATT or view the meeting online by going to the City Council Committee's homepage at Sandiego.gov and selecting the City TV Live Webcast. Blue button on the right hand side of the page. The committee meetings will be held virtually using the Zoom webinar platform. Members of the public can offer public comment on items by accessing the Zoom webinar online using a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, or by calling into the meeting using a smartphone, sell your phone or landline. The link to join the committee meeting webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone is listed on the agenda. Join the Zoom webinar by telephone. Please dial 1669-254-5252. When prompted, input webinar ID 160-556-7518 sound sign. This information is also available on the agenda and will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each item. When I introduce the item you would like to comment on, raise your hand by either tapping the raise your hand button on your computer, tablet, or smartphone, or by pressing star nine on your phone. You will be taken in the order in which you raise your hand. You may only speak once on a particular item. When our committee consultant Justin indicates it is your turn to speak, he will call you by your name as it appears on the Zoom webinar attendee list, or he will read out the last four digits of your phone number if you have called into the meeting. That is how you will know it is your turn to speak. If you have joined the webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone, you will receive a pop-up notice to select to unmute your device. If you have called into the meeting by cell phone or within line, star six on your phone to unmute yourself. We will review these instructions briefly again when the public comment period on an item is open. Please wait until the item you wish to speak to has been called before raising your hand to speak. If you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered. When you are announced as the next speaker, please unmute yourself and offer your comments. Also, please mute volume on your TV or computer before you begin to speak. A quorum is now present. We will now dispense with approval of the committee actions of January 27th, 2021. Do I have a motion to approve the committee actions, please? I will second. I'll second. Wonderful. Thank you. We have a motion by member Locava and a second by member Montgomery Step. We will now take question or council member questions and comments and have each council member register their vote.
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