San Diego Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Meeting - February 20, 2025
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San Diego Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Meeting - February 20, 2025
The Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee met on February 20, 2025, to discuss and approve several items including speed limit adjustments under AB 43, capital improvement program mid-year adjustments, the city's mobility master plan, and the 2025 committee work plan. The meeting also included extensive public comment on various topics such as water rates, bike lane safety, advertising restrictions, and infrastructure funding.
Consent Calendar
- Unanimously approved (4-0) the consent agenda which included: approval of committee minutes from January 30, 2024; second amendment to contract with Blue Lake Civil for engineering services; construction change order for sewer and water project with SC Valley Engineering; and second amendment to landscape architectural services contract with Spurlock Landscape Architects.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-Agenda Public Comment: Cesar Javier raised concerns about zoning enforcement, traffic mitigation, and toxicity in his community. Michael Meachum celebrated the Hillcrest Promenade groundbreaking and highlighted the Uptown Community Parking District's contributions. Jason B. requested temporary bike lane protections during construction. Blair Beekman discussed tech placement accountability and exigent circumstances. A speaker (phone ending 870) criticized the perverse water rate structure. The original DRA accused the city of aiding and abetting undocumented immigration and warned of federal funding cuts. Megan Stewart urged restrictions on marijuana and tobacco advertising along transit corridors. Judy Strang advocated for drug-impaired driving education.
- Item 5 (Speed Limits): Cesar Javier called for community-based speed awareness. Michael Meachum asked about inclusion of Park Blvd and Fourth/Fifth Avenue bike lanes. Phone ending 870 supported speed management for pedestrian safety. Blair Beekman supported slow driving culture. Jason B. urged implementation of AB 43 with physical traffic calming and a reduction of default speed limits to 20 mph. Harry Bobbins requested inclusion of La Jolla Boulevard in speed reduction areas. Ian Hembry (San Diego County Bicycle Coalition) emphasized combining speed limit reductions with traffic calming. The original DRA sarcastically questioned the strategy. Gail Fried (Vibrant Uptown) urged pairing speed limits with infrastructure changes. Anar Salaev (Bike SD) supported full implementation of AB 43 with design changes. Sa'ad Assad supported implementation and noted dangerous speeds on Mira Mesa Boulevard.
- Item 9 (Infrastructure Outlook): Cesar Javier questioned the correlation between budget deficits and infrastructure planning. Michael Meachum suggested a gas or energy tax to fund streets. The original DRA criticized spending on Pure Water and stormwater infrastructure. Phone ending 870 appreciated the metrics and stressed oversight.
- Item 6 (CIP Adjustments): Cesar Javier questioned fiscal cohesion. The original DRA accused the city of mismanagement and obstruction of federal policy. Phone ending 870 thanked the finance team and supported the use of restricted funds and swaps.
- Item 7 (Mobility Master Plan): Cesar Javier emphasized drainage integration. Michael Meachum praised mobility improvements but noted infrastructure inflexibility. Phone ending 870 commended the comprehensive approach. Karina Contreras (Climate Action Campaign) supported the plan and urged low-cost improvements in focus areas. The original DRA criticized the plan as part of a UN sustainability agenda. Ian Hembry (San Diego County Bicycle Coalition) urged accountability in implementation.
- Item 8 (Work Plan): Cesar Javier expressed distrust due to unmet metrics. Terry Ann Skelly supported Vision Zero and drug-impaired driving messaging. Phone ending 870 requested water rate system review and EV chargers in Rancho Bernardo. The original DRA raised concerns about water quality and health impacts of infrastructure. Ian Hembry strongly supported street safety and mobility in the work plan.
Discussion Items
- Item 5: Speed Limits (AB 43): Deputy Director Maggie McCormick presented a proposal to declare 2025 posted speed limits citywide. Key points: The city can now reduce speeds up to 12 mph below measured speeds using AB 43. Staff recommended retaining or restoring speed limits on 72 street segments. Eleven of 38 evaluated corridors qualified as business activity districts, where speeds would be reduced to 20 or 25 mph. A citywide speed management plan is underway for future reductions. The ordinance also updates municipal code to align with state law. Councilmember Von Wilpert requested enforcement details and noted concerns about residential speeding.
- Item 9: Five-Year Capital Infrastructure Planning Outlook (FY2026-2030): Director Ranya and Assistant Director Karen McGreff presented the 11th annual outlook. Key data: $11.9 billion in identified needs over five years, with $5.4 billion in projected funding, leaving a $6.5 billion gap. Stormwater infrastructure alone needs $4 billion. Non-enterprise funded assets (general fund) have $7.94 billion in needs with only $1.43 billion (18%) funded. Enterprise funds (water, sewer) have nearly $4 billion in needs. Grant funding has been conservative but growing. The IBA noted the gap has increased and recommended focusing on completing existing projects. Councilmembers discussed bulk purchasing, public-private partnerships, development impact fee shortfalls, and the need for expanded revenue strategies.
- Item 6: CIP Mid-Year Appropriation Adjustments: Finance Operations Manager Michael Palayan presented a request for $71.3 million in appropriations, de-appropriations, and reallocations for general fund asset projects. The actions prioritize stormwater emergencies, projects under construction, and projects ready to bid. Funding sources include development impact fees, regional transportation funds, and swaps. Councilmember Foster moved to approve with an exception to keep CIP S16022 (Market Street improvements) open. Vice Chair Lee seconded, and the motion passed unanimously with the amendment.
- Item 7: Mobility Master Plan: Program Manager Phil Trom presented the draft plan, which includes 377 projects in 11 focus areas, new mobility programs (wayfinding, TDM, roadway resurfacing), and thematic pages on safety, equity, and sustainability. The plan supports Vision Zero, the Climate Action Plan, and Complete Streets. Councilmember Von Wilpert noted limited projects in District 5 and requested EV charging prioritization. The plan was recommended to full council with a unanimous vote.
- Item 8: 2025 Committee Work Plan: Policy Director Jordan Lachford presented the proposed work plan with four focus areas: active transportation and streets; infrastructure oversight; water/stormwater/wastewater; and community engagement/public facilities. The plan was adopted unanimously (3-0, Councilmember Von Wilpert absent).
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (4-0).
- Item 5 (Speed Limits): Approved unanimously (4-0) to adopt staff recommendation and forward to city council.
- Item 6 (CIP Adjustments): Approved unanimously (4-0) with an amendment to keep CIP S16022 open.
- Item 7 (Mobility Master Plan): Approved unanimously (4-0) to forward to city council.
- Item 8 (Committee Work Plan): Approved unanimously (3-0) with Councilmember Von Wilpert absent.
- Next Meeting: Scheduled for Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
mean to be from San Diego. I was at this indigenous conference and they did an exercise where they're like, okay, go meet this person and they go, what's the first question? Oh, so and so uh what do you do, right? And how an indigenous cultures your introductions are like this is where I'm from. Like you start there, right? You're like, who's your family? Do you know the meeting of February 20th, 2025? 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 queue before 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 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 chair. I will now call the act of transportation and infrastructure committee meeting of February 20th 2025 to order Sarah please call the role. Vice Chair Council President Pro Tem Lee here. Councilmember Foster here. Councilmember Von Wilbert Chair Whitburn here. Also attending the meeting today is City Attorney Representative Ryan Garridy, mayoral representative Randy Wilde and IBA representative Donin Wynne. If you are in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of the committee room and place it on the speaker slip box at the table 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 and put webinar ID 160651166 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 delay please participate via your audio on your phone and mute your TV or computer when it is your turn to speak if you wish to speak to 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 are a call and participant by selecting star nine on your cell phone or 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 and we will begin by taking up non-agenda public comment uh 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 for rule 2.7 on 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 and as a reminder if you're watching on city tv or the live stream online and you'd like to dial in to speak please call 1669 2545252 inputting webinar ID 1606 eight five one one six six pound we'll begin testimony with individuals here in the committee room Cesar Javier if you will please approach the lecture and Parita Javier and you will be followed by Michael okay say good morning good afternoon yeah yeah yeah yeah yes good afternoon good afternoon good afternoon reopened the case as advice by the city attorney office abatement division and pursued our petition to stop the home business on the ground that the owner has violated the state in local laws as follows number one California land use and planning laws on the use of offline or variance explains that no project is allowed for term permitted unless in accord with health safety and public welfare no special privilege number two California environment and land use laws are new sons number three city of San Diego home occupation ruling of July twenty twenty on New Sons Supervisor Rosales city treasurer office declared that her office collects fees and has no regulatory authority applicant of the business fails of the form and pay in parenthesis exhibit one sample business application and business honor Supervisor Rosales, City Treasurer Office declared that her office collects fees and has no regulatory authority. Applicant of the business fails of the form and pay in parenthesis. Exhibit one, sample business, application and business honor tax permit for 2024. In our community, the number one issue here is toxicity, which have never been addressed since 2021 by the city, by the county, by the air pollution control district. And by the Sandag. Number two issue is traffic mitigation. We just need only two lines of improvised bumps. We have ASDI, District 9, for four years. Develop the world-class uh public garden, uh Cholas Parkway and Pipty Ford. This is a milking cow by non-profit organization, City Heights, CDC. We have to protect the residents from the radiation coming from the sub station, SDGE, corner of Pipety Fort and Leia. Connect Boise Street to that buses towards Altadena Street, District 9 for emergency purposes and services from the police, fire, and pity the children for a shortcut going to Marshall and Waldorf schools. That this is, I think, infrastructure. This is all about sheltering. And please help us clean the Choyas Great Click West Bank area with a beautiful scenery, but District 9, the city does not look into how to improve it. Why? Why did you allow a ceramics business in a designated R1? R1 residential designated zone for this community. We have changed demography. There is a rising diversity all around the manufacturing are Vietnamese, Cambodian, Filipino, Latino. Humans. They are humans. We are humans. Thank you for your help.
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