Special Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Meeting – April 13, 2023

The Special Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the San Diego City Council met on April 13, 2023, at 5:00 PM UTC. The meeting was chaired by Councilmember Lee, with Vice Chair Lakava, Councilmember Montgomery Steppe, and Councilmember Von Wilpert present. Also attending were IBA Representative Aaron Noel, City Attorney Representative Dana Fairchild, and Mayoral Representative Randy Wilde. The agenda included approval of prior committee actions, non-agenda public comment, a discussion item on awarding a construction contract for Mira Mesa Community Park Phase 2, and two information items: a review of citywide asset management practices and a Vision Zero update on speed limits and AB 43/1938.

Consent Calendar

• The committee voted unanimously to approve the committee actions from March 22, 2023.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non-agenda public comment: Two speakers addressed the committee. Blair Beekman compared San Diego's use of federal funds for unhoused issues to San Jose's approach, questioning whether similar measures were being taken. Laurie Saldania urged the committee to incorporate climate change adaptation into infrastructure planning, citing the Pure Water Program's disruptions to streets like Genesee Avenue between University City and Claremont.
• Item 1 – Mira Mesa Park: Blair Beekman praised the sundial public art concept and the project's representation of Mira Mesa's diverse cultures. Laurie Saldania recommended incorporating rainwater catchment features into the park design and noted that 96% of park survey respondents prioritized upgraded bathrooms, questioning whether the planned "comfort station" met that need.
• Item 2 – Asset Management: Laurie Saldania called for including SDG&E's grid infrastructure in the city's asset inventory to support a potential transition to public power, citing high utility rates. Blair Beekman highlighted San Jose's balanced budget process and equity considerations, and commended the IBA's mention of recession preparedness.
• Item 3 – Vision Zero: Will Radigan (San Diego County Bicycle Coalition) urged the city to follow San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Oakland in immediately lowering speed limits by 5 mph under AB 43, noting that San Diego has the authority to do so. Laura Keenan (Families for Safe Street San Diego) shared her husband's death from a wrong-way driver and asked the committee to lower speed limits on all eight Vision Zero corridors by June 30, 2024, and to install physical traffic calming measures. Laurie Saldania contrasted the data-driven approach to traffic safety with the city's approach to homelessness, urging a similar strategic plan. Sally Small (Emerald Hills resident) requested lower speed limits and traffic calming on routes to schools, especially at Euclid & Market and Euclid & Imperial. Nicole Burgess (Point Loma/OB) advocated for embedding Vision Zero in all departments, prioritizing quick-build projects like low-cost roundabouts. Harry Bubins (Bird Rock volunteer) called for an AB 43 action plan to reduce speeds on streets like La Jolla Boulevard near Torrey Pines Surf Park.

Discussion Items

Item 1 – Authorization to Award Construction Contract for Mira Mesa Community Park Improvements Phase 2 (Resolution)

A presentation by Elif Chitin (Engineering & Capital Projects) and Andy Field (Parks & Recreation Director) outlined the project: 16.9 acres of improvements including a competition-grade 14-lane pool, an activity pool, splash pad, all-wheels plaza (skateboards, BMX, scooters), renovated playgrounds, a renovated Gil Johnson Recreation Center (HVAC, ADA restrooms, paint), and a sundial-themed public art piece. Total project cost estimated at $45.4 million; construction cost estimated at $35 million. Available budget is $40.6 million from Mira Mesa-specific funds (FBA, DIF, community capital aid). The committee was asked to authorize the mayor to execute a construction contract up to $40 million and to expand the CIP budget accordingly. Staff requested advanced council authority to award the contract within the 120-day bid guarantee period, given the council recess and market volatility. A similar approach was used for the Harbor Drive and Libia projects.

Councilmember Lee expressed long community anticipation and noted the park's importance given recent growth (two major housing developments, thousands of new residents). He questioned the timing of funding availability; Andy Field explained that the Parks Master Plan's consolidation of development impact fees allowed flexibility. Regarding phase 3, Field noted that a second recreation center originally planned for the park was deferred; instead, a pad for a future center will be built at the Three Roots development, and later an expansion of the existing center may occur. Councilmember Lakava asked about the $40 million authorization vs. $35 million estimate; staff explained it provides a buffer for change orders and potential bid fluctuations. He also asked about all-electric buildings and staffing; staff confirmed efforts toward all-electric (though designed before the ZEB mandate) and noted that future staffing costs (e.g., lifeguards) would be addressed in future budgets. Councilmember von Wilpert expressed concerns about approving the contract without seeing the identity or EEO/ labor records of the low bidder, noting that the council's oversight role is limited to the vote. She stated that the legislative recess was the reason for the early approval and that she would vote no as a "flag" against ceding authority, though she supported the project. Councilmember Montgomery Steppe acknowledged the trade-off between speed and oversight but supported the motion, noting the community's long wait.

Item 2 – Review of Citywide Asset Management Practices and Use of the Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) System (Information Item)

Aaron Noel and Raishin Chen (IBA) presented IBA Report 23-05, issued March 17, 2023. The city faces a $5.2 billion deferred capital backlog. The EAM system, implemented at a cost of $55 million, is used by six departments, but only two (IT Wireless Communications and ENCP) fully use it. Obstacles include lack of technical staff, incomplete data, master data governance issues, backlogged IT support, and inadequate training. The 2018 Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP) had 27 recommendations; an EAM steering committee was established in November 2022. Key recommendations: develop citywide guidance for asset management practices, update Council Policy 816, have the steering committee address near-term SAMP items, and fully consider budget requests for asset management and EAM to reduce lifecycle costs. Councilmember Montgomery Steppe asked about the system's future viability; Chris McFadden (Deputy COO) and Jonathan Banke (CIO) noted that the SAP system will reach end of life in 2027, but a roadmap for modernization is being developed, and the new mobile field worker solution (BlueWorks) is rolling out positively. Councilmember von Wilpert requested that the IBA be included in the steering committee (already invited) and asked about updating Council Policy 816; McFadden confirmed it is on the agenda. Councilmember Lakava underscored the importance of asset management for budget decisions and expressed appreciation for the IBA's work.

Item 3 – Vision Zero Update: Speed Limits and Assembly Bills 43 and 1938 (Information Item)

Everett Houser (Transportation), Christy Reeser (Sustainability & Mobility), and Phil Rust (Senior Traffic Engineer) presented the update. Fatalities and severe injuries increased in 2021-2022, mirroring national trends. The city's Vision Zero Strategic Plan (2020-2025) uses a data-driven approach, systemic safety analysis (e.g., leading pedestrian intervals, roundabouts, separated bikeways, sidewalk gap closures). AB 43 (effective mid-2024) allows speed limits to be set 5 mph lower than the 85th percentile speed on safety corridors and near concentrations of vulnerable road users, and also stops "speed creep." The city is incorporating these changes into speed survey updates. Grant-funded initiatives include a quick-build program for disadvantaged communities, a speed management plan, a slow streets program, and a Safe Streets for All federal grant. The city is also updating the Street Design Manual and developing a Mobility Master Plan (draft by end of FY2023). Councilmember Lakava noted the challenge of collector streets in older neighborhoods, the need for vertical elements in roundabouts, and the importance of quick-build projects. Councilmember von Wilpert asked about implementing Laura Keenan's request to lower speeds on the eight Vision Zero corridors; staff noted that improvements have been made on some corridors and that speed surveys are ongoing. Mayoral Representative Randy Wilde confirmed that the speed management plan grant will help identify implementable actions under AB 43. Councilmember Lee highlighted the importance of safe infrastructure for mode shift and mentioned ongoing concerns at Governor & Genesee and Mira Mesa Boulevard.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1: The committee approved the motion to authorize the mayor to execute a construction contract for Mira Mesa Community Park Phase 2 in an amount not to exceed $40 million and to expand the CIP budget accordingly. The vote was 3-1 (Councilmember Von Wilpert dissenting). The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder following the 120-day bid guarantee period.
• Item 2: No motion required. The committee received the IBA report and recommendations. The EAM steering committee will continue to develop citywide guidance, address SAMP recommendations, and consider budget requests for asset management.
• Item 3: No motion required. The committee received the Vision Zero update. Staff will continue to implement AB 43 provisions, pursue grant-funded quick-build projects, and develop a speed management plan. The committee urged expedited action on speed limit reductions and quick-build safety improvements.
• The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Active Transportation & Infrastructure Committee is April 26, 2023, at 2:00 PM.