Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Meeting - February 21, 2024
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Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Meeting - February 21, 2024
This meeting of the Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee began with roll call and approval of the January 24, 2024 minutes. The committee then heard non-agenda public comment, approved a consent agenda of six items, and discussed priorities for calendar year 2024. Key themes included stormwater infrastructure funding, the implementation of state laws AB 43 (speed limits) and AB 413 (daylighting), and alignment of transportation projects with the Climate Action Plan.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda (items 1–6) was moved by Council President Pro Tem La Cava, seconded by Councilmember Lee, and passed unanimously (Councilmember Von Wilpert absent).
- Items included: an amendment to the Coastal Rail Trail agreement (item 1), a construction change order for a road resurfacing project (item 2), ratification of 15 emergency sole-source contracts for stormwater repairs totaling nearly $30 million (item 3), an agreement for the I-805 and Palm Avenue interchange improvements (item 4), a contract extension for Streamview Drive improvements (item 5), and a fourth amendment for replacement of power generators (item 6).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-agenda public comment:
- Dan Schmyowski criticized the mayor's actions and called for conscience in governance.
- Becky Rapp, a public health educator, advocated for more accurate marijuana impairment testing to improve highway safety.
- A speaker (original) expressed opposition to the Climate Action Plan, characterizing it as harmful and part of a system of enslavement.
- Joyce (District 3) inquired about grant funding from the Infrastructure and Jobs Act and requested more information on CIP spending.
- Michael Schmidt requested a road overlay on Scripts Trail Drive and thanked city officials for recent street improvements.
- Jason Vance (North Park) praised the daylighting treatment at Polk and Utah (where a fatality occurred) and urged proactive daylighting of more intersections, noting support from the North Park planning board.
- Consent agenda public comment:
- A speaker (original) criticized the consent items, questioning cost overruns, emergency contracts as a “money-making opportunity,” bike lane spending, and diesel generators conflicting with the Climate Action Plan.
- Joyce (District 3) commented only on item 3, providing a district breakdown of contracts and emphasizing the need for better understanding of climate change impacts.
- Item 7 (committee priorities) public comment:
- Joyce requested oversight of CIP streamlining and information on the CIP funding gap.
- A speaker (original) opposed the shift to electric vehicles and renewable energy, citing health risks and the continued need for oil.
- Karina Contreras (Climate Action Campaign) urged streamlining the Mobility Master Plan into the CIP, incorporating stormwater with active transportation and green infrastructure, and investing in underserved communities.
- Harry Bubins (Bike SD) asked that AB 43 (speed limit reduction) and AB 413 (daylighting) be made committee priorities, with implementation by July 1, 2024.
- Rachel Grant (Carmel Mountain Ranch) also urged prioritizing AB 43 and AB 413.
- Jason Vance supported AB 43 and AB 413, stating they could help achieve Vision Zero and noting that safe streets are prerequisites for walking, biking, and transit.
- Kathleen Lippett criticized green energy policies as impractical and harmful, citing high costs and reliance on child-mined lithium.
Discussion Items
- Item 7: ATI Committee Priorities for 2024
- Chair Whitburn opened discussion, noting the committee’s broad responsibilities and that member memos were included in backup materials.
- Councilmember Lee highlighted priorities from his memo: transportation and mobility connections to housing, CIP and infrastructure backlog (streets, lights, stormwater), community assets (parks, libraries), and Climate Action Plan alignment. He also added AB 43 implementation as a desired priority, with a request for an updated report.
- Council President Pro Tem La Cava emphasized CAP implementation, the Mobility Master Plan, Complete Streets, municipal energy strategy, Vision Zero, stormwater infrastructure review (post-January 22 floods), and updates on dams, street preservation, and the project labor agreement (PLA).
- Chair Whitburn stated his intent to bring forward proposals on petty cab regulations (excessive noise and price gouging in downtown) and implementation of AB 43.
Key Outcomes
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously (4-0, Von Wilpert absent).
- No formal motion or vote was taken on item 7; it served as an information item to shape the 2024 work plan. The chair will craft a work plan incorporating input from members and the public.
- The meeting was adjourned to the next regularly scheduled meeting on March 7, 2024 at 1:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon and welcome to the Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee meeting of February 21st, 2024. Our committee's manager, Tyler Birch will provide information and instruction for the public to participate in today's meeting. Tyler, please proceed. Thank you very much, Chair Whitburn. While members of the public are able to attend this meeting in person, this meetings being televised and live streamed on the C's website, and Council administration will continue to make arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. Members of the public who wish to provide virtual testimony via call-in or inter internet-based service option must enter the virtual speaking queue within five minutes after the conclusion of in-person public testimony or before the virtual speaking queue is exhausted, whichever occurs first. This will allow for bearing management between the two platforms and ensure that the committee is able to manage and conduct city business. We appreciate the public's cooperation. Chair. Tyler, please call the roll. Vice Chair, Council President Pro Temla Cava. Present. Councilmember Von Wilpert. Councilmember Lee. Here. And our chair, Councilmember Whitburn. Here. Also attending today's meeting is City Attorney Representative Dana Fairchild, Merrill Representative Randy Wilde, and our IBA representative Aaron Noel. If you are in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of chambers and place it in the box indicated the speaker's electron at the front of the room. Please do so in a timely manner to ensure proper main man management. Members of the public can join the webinar by computer tablet or smartphone by accessing the link which is listed online in the preamble language of the agenda on the CETS webpage. You may join this webinar by phone by calling 1669-254-5252. And when prompted input webinar ID 160-976-1371 pound. This information is also available on the agenda and will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each agenda item. Chair. Again, this is the public comment period for the January 24th, 2024 minutes. But we do have one individual in the virtual queue, so I'll begin the five-minute timer, and we will begin with the original. So that needs to change, and these things need to be implemented, otherwise, there's no point in having an auditor. All right, we have a motion from Council President Pro Tem Lakava and a second from Councilmember Lee. Um further discussion on the minutes, Tyler, please call the roll. Thank you very much, Chair. And that does pass unanimously with Councilmember Von Wilbur absent. Thank you, Tyler. We will now take up non-agenda public comment. Uh the council members respect it, appreciate the public's input, and are fully committed to protecting every participant's free speech rights at council and committee meetings. Tyler, please proceed with further instructions. Thank you very much, Chair. Per Rule 2.7 non-agenda public comment is an opportunity for members of the public to comment on items that are not on today's agenda, but within the subject matter jurisdiction of this committee. Each speaker will have two minutes if you are watching on C T V or the live stream online and would like to call on the meet to the meeting to speak on the sign. Please dial 1669-254-5252 and when prompted input webinar ID 160976-1371 pound. If you've already joined the Zoom webinar online uh or by phone, you may raise your hand at this time if you wish to speak on non-agenda public comment. Chair, we do have one individual in chambers, which we will take uh first. Uh Dan Schmyowski. And after that, we will move over to the virtual queue and I will begin the five-minute timer. And you'll have two minutes. Dr. Martin Luther King and Caesar Chavez understood humanity. He understood the folly of humanity. But we never learn. We never, never learn.
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