Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Special Meeting – March 22, 2023

The Active Transportation and Infrastructure (ATI) Committee held a special meeting on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. The meeting included approval of prior committee actions, non‑agenda public comment, approval of consent items, discussion and votes on a slow street proposal and a software contract amendment, and an informational update on citywide EV charging. Two items were continued to a future meeting due to time constraints.

Consent Calendar

• The committee approved the committee actions of February 22, 2023 (motion by Councilmember von Wilpert, second by Council President Pro Tem Montgomery Steppe, passed 4‑0).
• Consent items 1 and 2 (construction change order for OTI second pipeline and amendment with Vulcan Materials Company) were approved unanimously. Councilmember von Wilpert questioned the necessity of the Vulcan amendment due to supply‑chain cost increases; staff confirmed built‑in wiggle room for price escalation.

Public Comments & Testimony

Non‑Agenda Public Comment

• Paul Kruger (Talmadge resident) urged the committee to conduct outreach to groups that cannot use transit, such as landscapers (immigrants, working poor), single mothers, Uber/Lyft/DoorDash drivers, and the disabled community. He cautioned against basing transit decisions on a survey of only 22 respondents.
• Laurie Saldania requested that the committee investigate why the Housing Appeals and Relocation Board has not met in years, in violation of the city charter, and that displaced residents be given a right to appeal when shelters like Golden Hall are closed.
• Michael Schmidt (constituent of a councilmember) complained about the poor condition of Black Mountain Road and requested a slurry seal as soon as possible.
• Blair Beekman criticized the recent heavy police presence in downtown San Diego on weekends, suggesting foot patrols instead of a show of force, and also urged a slower pace for the street‑lab program.
• Kathleen Lippett (from a planning group) emphasized that neighborhood input on infrastructure needs and priorities should be honored, and expressed concern that city policy often overrides community‑identified needs.
• Judy Strang (AgriCo area) raised concerns about marijuana billboards along Freeway 94, saying they are inappropriate for families and children, contrary to the intent of Prop 64.

Public Comment on Agenda Items

• On Consent Items: No public speakers.
• On Item 3 (Slow Street):
  • Michael Trimble (Executive Director, Gaslamp Quarter Association) supported the promenade, noting three years of successful trial operation and that 12‑hour closures are necessary because the Gaslamp has no alleys.
  • Skylar Johnson (Government Affairs Manager, Downtown San Diego Partnership) expressed strong support, citing benefits for walkability, economic development, climate goals, and pedestrian safety.
  • Ben Nichols (Executive Director, Hillcrest Business Association) supported slow streets as a multi‑use asset and hoped to see a similar project in Hillcrest.
  • Laurie Saldania spoke in support but raised concerns about tripping hazards from temporary barriers and confused perceptions of whether the street is fully closed.
  • Blair Beekman (virtual) focused on east‑west streets (F, G) where traffic speeds remain high, urging more traffic‑calming measures.
• On Item 4 (Bentley Systems): No public speakers.
• On Item 5 (EV Charging):
  • Paul Krueger (EV owner) stressed the rapidly changing charging environment and the need to keep up with trends (e.g., charging at work instead of at home).
  • Lori Saldania noted new state building codes requiring EV charging in new residential, hotel, and commercial developments, urging coordination.
  • Christina Marquez (IBEW Local 569) corrected the acronym (EVITP stands for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program) and supported prevailing‑wage, certified electrician requirements in the RFP.

Discussion Items

Item 3 – Authorization of a Slow Street on Fifth Avenue (Broadway to K Street)

• Staff (Transportation Director Bethany Bizak and Deputy Director Duncan Hughes) presented the proposal under California Vehicle Code AB 773. The slow street would close Fifth Avenue intermittently to vehicular traffic, establishing a no‑parking/tow‑away zone, with cross streets remaining open. Hours would be managed by the Gaslamp Quarter Association. The action extends a successful COVID‑era closure and adds the block to Broadway.
• Committee members expressed strong support.
  • Councilmember von Wilpert asked about emergency vehicle access; staff confirmed a 20‑foot emergency lane and removable bollards.
  • Council President Pro Tem Montgomery Steppe questioned rerouting of MTS bus routes 120 and 3; staff described one‑block detours and added bus stops.
  • Chair Lee asked about expansion to other neighborhoods; staff noted a citywide slow‑streets program is under development, funded by a federal Safe Streets for All grant.
• The item passed unanimously (4‑0).

Item 4 – Fourth Amendment to Bentley Systems Contract (CADD Services)

• Staff explained that the amendment was needed to continue essential computer‑aided drafting services while a formal RFP is in process (bids due April 2023, anticipated award by October 2023).
• Council President Pro Tem Montgomery Steppe questioned Bentley’s workforce diversity. Staff reported that the company’s updated workforce report did not show improvement for the San Diego office; an RFP with diversity requirements has been issued.
• Councilmember von Wilpert noted the city lacks compliance officers to audit contractors’ diversity, and described delays in updating job descriptions to hire such officers (civil service changes not effective until July 2023). She expressed frustration that the council is forced to choose between stopping essential services and continuing with a non‑diverse contractor.
• Vice Chair Lakava moved the item; Councilmember von Wilpert seconded.
• The item passed 3‑1.

Item 5 – Informational Update on Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions (No Vote)

• Staff (Heather Werner, Deputy Director, and Alyssa Muto, Director, Sustainability and Mobility) presented a new RFP released on March 21 for a citywide EV charging concession. The concession would allow one vendor (or consortium) to finance, build, own, and operate chargers on city property (rec centers, libraries, beaches) for a 10‑year term, with the city purchasing the infrastructure at depreciated value at the end. Key requirements: 100% renewable energy, an equity program, EVITP‑certified installers, open‑protocol interoperability, and strong SLAs for maintenance. Risks such as pseudo‑monopoly and rate‑gouging are mitigated by city approval of significant rate changes.
• Committee questions covered: charger mix (L2 vs. DC fast), integration with microgrids, equitable deployment (all neighborhoods within two years), cost recovery staffing, and grant leverage. Councilmembers supported the initiative, noting that public charging removes a major barrier for residents without home charging.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Committee minutes of February 22, 2023 (4‑0).
• Approved: Consent items 1 and 2 (unanimous).
• Approved: Item 3 – Slow Street on Fifth Avenue (unanimous).
• Approved: Item 4 – Bentley Systems contract amendment (3‑1).
• Continued: Items 6 and 7 were trailed to the next regularly scheduled meeting on April 26, 2023, due to the 3:15 p.m. special city council meeting call.
• Next Steps: Staff will bring a progress report on the citywide street condition assessment in April; the ZEV strategy draft is expected by summer 2023; the Bentley RFP bids are due in April 2023; the EV charging RFP is open, with a future council ordinance required.