San Diego Active Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Meeting – January 25, 2023

The Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (ATI) of the San Diego City Council met on January 25, 2023, at 10:00 AM. The meeting was conducted via hybrid format with in-person and virtual participation. The committee considered seven agenda items, including two consultant contracts for sewer infrastructure projects, an extension of the downtown circulator shuttle service, downtown park agreements, the committee's 2023 priorities, the five-year capital infrastructure outlook, and an update on a vendor's equal employment opportunity program. All formal votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Committee Actions of November 16, 2022 – The committee approved the minutes of the previous meeting by a unanimous vote after public testimony.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non-Agenda Public Comment – Multiple speakers addressed the committee:
  • Larry Pernich (Move Faster) advocated for solar photovoltaic canopies with energy storage and EV charging in large parking lots, citing grid stability, reduced transmission lines, and lower utility rates.
  • Michael Schmidt reported potholes on Rancho Penasquitos and Carmel Mountain Road.
  • Blair Beekman raised concerns about frequent towing of vehicles on downtown streets on weekend nights, urging better signage and policy changes.
  • Kathleen Lippett urged prioritization of water infrastructure, requiring emergency generators at cell towers, and criticized bike lane safety and marijuana businesses' impacts.
  • Nicole Burgess praised safe streets efforts and highlighted the need for better bike infrastructure on corridors like Genesee Avenue, noting that bike infrastructure increases ridership.
• Item 1 – Kearney Mesa Trunk Sewer – Blair Beekman commented on the need to address co-mingling of sewage and stormwater runoff due to climate change and noted the subcontractor participation percentages.
• Item 2 – Otay Second Pipeline – Sally Small (Emerald Hills Neighborhood Council) requested that the city coordinate with the streets division to repave 60th Street after pipeline work, citing future housing development.
• Item 3 – Downtown Circulator Shuttle – Josh Coyne (Downtown San Diego Partnership) expressed continued support for the Fred shuttle service, noting it served over 182,000 riders in 2022.
• Item 4 – Downtown Park Agreements – Josh Coyne supported North Central Square Park but raised concerns about using DIF funds for Amici Park (leased school district property, scope, and public input). Marco Lamandry (Little Italy Association) detailed the history of Amici Park, including the dog park built with no city funds, and urged support for both parks.
• Item 5 – Committee 2023 Priorities – Karina Contreras (Climate Action Campaign) urged regular updates to the Mobility Master Plan, Vision Zero focus, complete bus stops, and commuting connections. Will Radigan (San Diego County Bicycle Coalition) emphasized implementation strategies for the Mobility Master Plan and Complete Streets Policy, funding for a bicycle master plan update, and speed limit reductions via AB 43.
• Items 6 & 7 – No public comments.

Discussion Items

• Item 1: Award Consultant Agreement for Kearney Mesa Trunk Sewer TS17 – Staff presented a request to award a $5.5 million design contract to Michael Baker International for a 11.5-mile sewer pipeline replacement (originally built in the 1960s). The total project cost is $25.9 million, with a 20% SLBE/ELBE goal and 42.7% total subconsultant participation. The design will address deteriorating conditions, root intrusion, and cracking. Committee members discussed the qualification-based selection process, subcontractor participation, and EOC compliance. Motion and unanimous approval.
• Item 2: Award Consultant Agreement for Otay Second Pipeline Phase 5 Replacement – Staff requested approval of a $3.247 million design contract with Hazen and Sawyer for replacing 1.12 miles of 36-inch pipe with 42-inch pipe. Total project cost $20.129 million, with a 20% SLBE/ELBE goal and 59.3% total subconsultant participation. The pipeline, built in 1930, delivers drinking water to southern San Diego. The project is part of a six-phase replacement program. Motion and unanimous approval.
• Item 3: Fourth Amendment to Downtown Circulator Shuttle Services (Fred) – Staff requested a one-year extension of the contract with Circuit (operator of the all-electric, on-demand shuttle) to allow time for a new contract through a SANDAG regional procurement. The amendment includes a 30-day termination clause. Ridership peaked at 270,000 in 2019, dipped during COVID, and is recovering. The service is funded by downtown parking meter revenues. Committee members noted the need for a permanent solution and expressed interest in expanding similar services to other neighborhoods. Motion and unanimous approval.
• Item 4: Downtown Park Agreements – North Central Square Park and Amici Park Improvements – Staff presented two agreements: (1) a purchase and sale agreement and DIF credit ordinance for North Central Square Park (0.5-acre, $9.1 million for design/construction, funded by downtown DIF, with $13.8 million in DIF credits to developer BOSA California LLC); and (2) a compensation agreement for Amici Park improvements (up to $3 million, funded by downtown DIF, for improvements on school district land managed by the Little Italy Association). Committee members raised concerns about the use of DIF credits, the separation of the two items, public restroom plans, and the need for an operating agreement for the park managed by a private entity. The committee voted to forward both items to full council without recommendation as two separate items, to allow further discussion and input from the District 3 councilmember. Motion passed unanimously.
• Item 5: Discussion of ATI Committee Priorities for 2023 – Chair Lee introduced the process, noting alignment on equity, transparency, smart growth, project delivery efficiency, and EOC program improvements. A public survey was launched. Committee members (Von Wilpert, Montgomery Steppe, and LaCava) discussed priorities including: implementing the Climate Action Plan, Vision Zero, quick-build infrastructure, employee commuter benefits, EV charging expansion, EOC screening, street repair plan, and sidewalk liability reform. Motion to approve staff recommendation, seconded, and unanimous approval.
• Item 6: Five-Year Capital Infrastructure Planning Outlook (FY2024-2028) – Staff presented the ninth annual outlook, showing total projected needs of $9.75 billion over five years, with estimated revenues of $4.58 billion, leaving a $5.17 billion gap. Largest needs: stormwater ($2.14B), water systems ($1.2B), parks ($1.0B), streets/roads/streetlights ($987M). Cost increases were noted (e.g., paving per mile rose from $800K to $1.5M). The report is a transition year reflecting new policies (CP 800-14, CAP 2.0, ZEMBOP). The IBA noted missing detail (e.g., funding gap by asset type) and recommended longer planning horizons. Committee members discussed the need for a street repair plan, sidewalk liability, and enterprise asset management system improvements. No vote required.
• Item 7: Informational Update on Bentley Systems Equal Employment Opportunity Program – City staff (Mark Gonzalez) introduced the update, noting the city's 30-year relationship with Bentley for CAD software used by 297 users across five departments. Bentley representatives (Angelica Vergara, Carrie McGuin) presented their global diversity efforts, including 45% of hires from underrepresented groups since 2019, intern programs, and community outreach. The current sole-source contract expires June 30, 2023; an RFP will be issued, and a one-year extension will be requested. Committee members (Montgomery Steppe, Von Wilpert, LaCava) emphasized the importance of improving EOC compliance and urged Bentley to lead in diversity, noting underrepresentation in certain categories from the last report. No vote required.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (unanimous): Committee actions of November 16, 2022; consultant agreements for Kearney Mesa Trunk Sewer ($5.5M to Michael Baker) and Otay Second Pipeline Phase 5 ($3.247M to Hazen and Sawyer); one-year extension of downtown circulator shuttle contract; 2023 ATI committee priorities.
• Forwarded without recommendation to full council: Downtown park agreements (North Central Square Park and Amici Park) as two separate items.
• Information items received: Five-year capital infrastructure outlook (FY2024-2028) and Bentley Systems EEO program update.
• Next meeting: Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at 2:00 PM.