Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Meeting - October 9, 2024
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Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Meeting - October 9, 2024
The Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the San Diego City Council met on October 9, 2024, at 10:00 AM. The meeting covered consent calendar items, a library design-build award, a Vision Zero update, speed limit setting under AB 43, and the fiscal year 2024 capital improvements program report. Committee members present were Chair Whitburn, Vice Chair Council President Pro Tem LaCava, and Council Member Foster; Council Member Von Wilpert was absent.
Consent Calendar
- Items 1-6 adopted unanimously: Approval of September 11, 2024, minutes; consultant agreement with Kleinfelder Incorporated for North South Metro Interceptors rehab; construction contract with Reyes Construction for South Mission Beach Storm Drain and Green Infrastructure; amendment with Platt/Whitelaw Architects for Mira Mesa Community Park Phase 2; four stormwater design agreements (TY Lin, Michael Baker, Black & Veatch, Wood Rodgers); and CIP budget increase for Palm Avenue I-805 interchange project. Council Member Foster raised concerns about Equal Opportunity Contracting (EOC) compliance for several contracts, noting that a $63 million project had no EOC report due to employment threshold, and questioned the self-performance requirement. He stated he would continue to question the process but supported the items at committee.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-Agenda Public Comment: César Javier said his community (West Bank of Chollas Creek) is forgotten and being systematically poisoned, and criticized District 9 Councilmember Rivera for absenteeism. Joy Sanyata asked for pedestrian safety improvements downtown and counted 16 modes of transportation. Lori Saldonia criticized the consent agenda for lack of transparency, especially regarding EOC violations and contractor diversity. Michael Schmidt thanked city officials for street improvements in Rancho Peñasquitos and Carmel Mountain. Other speakers addressed distracted driving, marijuana-impaired driving, support for autonomous vehicles, and concerns about Blueprint San Diego mixed-use zones.
- Consent Agenda: César Javier asked about savings from past contracts. Joy Sanyata noted workforce diversity gaps in contracts. Lori Saldonia highlighted underrepresentation in Latino, Asian, and women categories and absence of EOC reports for some projects.
- Item 7 (Oak Park Library): Elida Chavez (Friends of the Oak Park Library) expressed strong support after 30 years of waiting, praising city staff. Daniel Morales (Center for Employment Training) proposed a partnership to hire local graduates. Lori Saldonia opposed the process due to contracting diversity issues but supported the library concept. Joyce Sanyata supported the project and suggested an idea lab for digital literacy. Paul Coogan supported expansion but raised concerns about operations funding.
- Item 8 (Vision Zero): César Javier said his community's safety concerns were ignored for two years. Joyce Sanyata called for more data and education on pedestrian behavior. Lori Saldonia noted counterintuitive fatality data (mid-block safer than intersections) and urged education on jaywalking laws. Paul Coogan said current results are flat and funding is too small; he supported using diff lock box funds. Jason (safe streets advocate) linked safety to climate and housing goals. Harry Bubins supported quick-build and slow-street programs. Ryan Stock supported Vision Zero efforts and offered community outreach.
- Item 9 (AB 43): Lori Saldonia noted the need for public education on engineering studies. César Javier requested better mobility planning in his community. Jason supported lowering speeds on high-bike-traffic roads. Anar (Bike SD) urged expansion to residential streets and schools. Harry Bubins supported comprehensive implementation, citing LA's 177 miles of reductions. Jason Vance supported reducing 85th percentile-based speed limits. Paul Coogan shared personal e-bike experience and cited fatality risk data. Tony supported cost-effective benefits. Ryan Stock supported lowering residential speeds to 20 mph.
- Item 10 (CIP Report): Joyce Sanyata congratulated staff and asked for a dedicated presentation on award-winning projects.
Information Items
- Item 8: Vision Zero Update: Bethany Bizak, Maggie McCormick, and Everett Houser presented. Key data: The goal of zero traffic fatalities by 2025 will not be met. Over 10 years, severe injuries and fatalities have remained relatively flat; 46% of fatalities involved pedestrians. 10-year average investment was $26.7 million, with recent increases. Accomplishments include 150 traffic signals with leading pedestrian intervals, 125,000 linear feet of new sidewalk, 670 miles of bike lane improvements. A new quick-build team is proposed (currently unfunded). The committee discussed need for more funding, enforcement, and education. Council President Pro Tem LaCava noted a positive shift in transparency. Council Member Foster highlighted challenges with SDG&E coordination. No motion.
- Item 9: AB 43 Implementation: Maggie McCormick and Everett Houser explained speed limit setting process. Under AB 43, the city can maintain current speed limits on 86 corridors that would have increased, and can reduce speeds by 5 mph in business activity districts. Of 38 corridors requested by council offices, 11 qualified as business activity districts. A citywide speed management plan funded by a Safe Streets for All grant will map additional locations by December 2025. An ordinance for the 11 districts is expected in early 2025. Council President Pro Tem LaCava asked why business activity districts were prioritized; staff cited resource constraints. No motion.
- Item 10: FY2024 CIP Year-End Report: Karen McGriff and Samira Palisayat presented. The FY2024 adopted CIP budget was $704.1 million, increasing to $1.2 billion after council actions. Expenditures exceeded $1 billion for the first time, with a 40% year-over-year increase. Nearly 65% went to public utilities (including Pure Water). 75 miles of asphalt overlays completed (highest in 5+ years). Water and sewer main replacement goals not met due to bid challenges. Emergency projects: 17 distinct emergencies, mostly stormwater, valued at nearly $40 million. 113 notices to proceed were issued. Engineering and Capital Projects received 20 awards. Council Member Foster requested additional performance measures on schedule, budget, and SLBE/spend, and noted fewer bidders. Chair Whitburn highlighted District 3's Children's Park award. No motion.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda (Items 1-6): Motion to adopt made by Chair Whitburn, seconded by Council President Pro Tem LaCava, passed 3-0 (Von Wilpert absent).
- Item 7 (Oak Park Library): Motion by Council Member Foster to award design-build contract to Barn Hart Reese for $34.9 million (phase-funded), seconded by Chair Whitburn, passed 3-0.
- Item 11 (Mobility Master Plan update): Continued to November 13, 2024 meeting.
- No motions were made on information items 8, 9, and 10.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee meeting of October 9th, twenty twenty-four. Our committee liaison, Sarah Jordan, will provide information and instruction for the public to participate in today's meeting. Sarah, please proceed. Thank you, Chair Whitburn. While members of the public are able to attend the meeting in person, this meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website, and the 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 testimony via a call-in or an 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 queue closes, whichever occurs first. This will allow for better meeting management between the two platforms and ensure the committee is able to manage and conduct city business. We appreciate the public's cooperation. I will now call the Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee meeting of October 9th, 2024 to order. Sarah, please call the role. Vice Chair, Council President Pro Temlacava. Present. Council Member Foster. Present. Councilmember Von Wilpert. Chair Whitburn. Here. Also attending the meeting today here in Chambers is City Attorney Representative Dana Fairchild, Mayoral Representative Randy Wilde, and 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 speaker slip box at the front of the room. Please do so in a timely manner to ensure proper meeting 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 city's webpage. To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, please dial 1669-2545252. And when prompted, inputting webinar ID 160-976-1371 pound. This information is also available on the agenda and it will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each agenda item. Please note that if you're watching via City TV 24 or online, there may be a delay. Please participate via the audio on your phone and meet your TV or computer when it is your turn to speak. If you wish to speak on a particular item, please wait for that item to be called and then raise your hand to speak by tapping the raise your hand icon, or if you're a calling participant by selecting star nine on your cell phone or your landline. If you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered. Chair. Thank you, Sarah. A quorum is now present. We will now take up non-agenda public comment. The council members respect and appreciate the public's input and are fully committed to protecting every participant's free speech rights at council and committee meetings. Sarah, please proceed with further instructions. Thank you, Chair Whitburn. Per rule 2.7 non-agenda public comment is an opportunity for members of the public to comment on items that are not on the agenda but are within the subject matter jurisdiction of this committee. Each speaker will have two minutes. If you are watching on City TV or the live stream online and you'd like to dial in in the meeting to speak, please call 1669-2545252. Inputting webinar ID 160-976-1371 pound. If you are in person, please be sure to have your speaker slip submitted and come up to the reserved seats at the front of the room when your name is called. And as a reminder, members of the public who wish to provide testimony via call in or an internet-based service option must enter the virtual speaking queue within five minutes after conclusion of in-person public testimony or before the virtual speaking queue is exhausted. Whichever occurs first will begin with in-person public testimony. If you could please approach the lectern, you will be followed by Cesar Javier, followed by Joyce Anyata. You will have two minutes. The fumes were very inhaling. Um worse and more potent. Good afternoon, César Javier. We are here to transport our community petition. And uh witness by the public.
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