Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Meeting – April 23, 2026

The Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee met on April 23, 2026, at 9:00 AM under Chair Whitburn, with Vice Chair Foster and Councilmember Lee present; Councilmember Von Wilbert was absent. The committee considered consent items, action items on city force thresholds, laboratory contracts, and RMRA project lists, along with informational updates on pavement management and broadband. Public testimony addressed budget cuts, traffic safety, marijuana-impaired driving, peti-cab speeds, sidewalk cafes, and broadband equity.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from February 19, 2026 (Item 1).
• Approved extension of construction contract with Burtech Pipeline to June 14, 2027 for Sewer Group 843 (Item 2).
• Approved acceptance and expenditure of Highway Safety Improvement Program grant funds for Torrey Pines Road Guard Rail Project (Item 3).
• Approved acceptance of Highway Bridge Program grant and agreement with Santa Fe Irrigation District for El Camino Real to Via de la Valle project (Item 4).
• Approved second amendment to consultant agreement with Kleinfelder for Lakeside Valve Station Replacement Project (Item 5).
• All consent items passed unanimously 3-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non-Agenda Public Comment:
  • Blair Beekman urged the mayor to spread budget deficit reduction over the long term to protect social services, citing cuts to the Neil Good Day Center.
  • Becky Rapp opposed reductions to Vision Zero staffing and programs in the FY2027 budget, emphasizing that safe street design prevents impaired-driving crashes.
  • Peggy Walker highlighted a study showing nearly half of drivers killed in crashes had high THC levels, and called for marijuana purveyors to be required to train on impairment and driving risks.
  • A caller (phone ending 8700) supported peti-cabs but asked for speed limits enforcement; also raised concerns about sidewalk cafes obstructing pedestrians with disabilities.
  • Judy Strang, who lost a child in an auto accident, stressed the impact of marijuana on working memory and safe decision-making for drivers, e-bikers, and pedestrians.
  • Madison urged the committee to oppose AB 2697 (drive-through marijuana dispensaries) using local authority, arguing it conflicts with safe-streets goals and normalizes substance use behind the wheel.
• Consent Agenda: Blair Beekman spoke to Items 1 and 3, praising Vision Zero efforts and guardrail work. Phone number 870 commented on Items 2-5, questioning utility trench conditions and thanking staff.
• Item 6: Blair Beekman supported efficiency but expressed concern about losing procurement oversight. Joy Sunyata (CD3) praised the staff report and called for maintaining transparency.
• Items 7 & 8: Blair Beekman hoped the lab project would support pure water developments and U.S.-Mexico cooperation on the Tijuana River Valley. Joy Sunyata commended the presentation and noted underrepresentation of Pacific Islander carpenters.
• Item 10: Blair Beekman encouraged reflective pavement materials to reduce heat absorption. Joy Sunyata acknowledged the funding gap and thanked staff for equity metrics.
• Item 9: Blair Beekman again raised pavement reflectivity concerns. Ian Hembry (San Diego County Bicycle Coalition) requested RMRA funds be used to retain the multimodal team for speed management implementation. Harry Bubins (Respect Bird Rock) supported Project PP-09 (speed management plan) and urged restoring the multimodal program. Henry O called for prioritizing streets south of 94 and reducing bike lane expansion. An anonymous caller suggested using Starlink and youth scouts for street reporting.
• Item 11: Blair Beekman criticized the city’s lack of community engagement in broadband placement and urged safe deployment. Joy Sunyata praised the master plan and suggested learning from India’s broadband model. Henry O recommended Starlink over fiber deployment.

Discussion Items

• Item 6 – Amendment to Municipal Code §22.3105 (City Forces Threshold): Proposed raising the authorization threshold from $500,000 to $5 million for city forces on public works projects. Staff (Salmer Hassan, Christopher Eckhart, Randy Wilde) presented benefits: reduced costs, faster delivery, and operational flexibility. Councilmember Lee questioned the sudden shift from $30 million to $5 million and argued the proposal did not change the use of city forces, only reduced council oversight. Vice Chair Foster noted administrative burdens and requested an update to Council Policy 000-31 to identify self-performed projects in the budget. A motion to approve staff recommendation with that addition passed 2-1 (Lee opposed).
• Item 7 – Alvarado Laboratory Improvements (Design-Build Contract): Awarded to Hensel Phelps Construction Company for $152 million total ($12 million Phase 1). Staff (Parita Amorlan, Edgar Lozano) explained the lab performs regulatory compliance testing; existing facility has structural and HVAC deficiencies flagged by ELAP. The project includes renovation, expansion, temporary trailers, and underground water line repair. Hensel Phelps was highest-scoring and lowest bidder ($30M less than next bid). Passed unanimously 3-0.
• Item 8 – Alvarado Laboratory Construction Management Contract: Awarded to New City Consulting for $6 million. New City Consulting is a certified EOB firm. Passed unanimously 3-0.
• Item 10 – Pavement Management Plan Annual Update (Information): Alex Ubaldo presented. FY25 accomplishments: 52% of street selection in equity communities (goal 43%), expanded in-house paving teams. FY26 goals: 225 lane miles maintenance, 145 lane miles rehabilitation. Projected PCI decline from 65 to 63 by end of FY26. To maintain PCI 65 over 10 years, $1.8 billion needed (gap $1.1B). Current FY27 proposed paving budget: $66.5 million (only 31% of need). Discussed challenges: limited contractor competition, funding shortfalls, aging network. Committee noted need for sustained funding.
• Item 9 – FY27 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) Project List (Action): Alex Ubaldo presented. Proposed approval of RMRA-funded slurry seal projects totaling 276 lane miles. Distribution within 1% of each council district’s network; 47% of streets in equity communities. Passed unanimously 3-0.
• Item 11 – Broadband Master Plan (Information): Ian Brazzle and Miten Reader presented findings from a two-year study funded by a $500,000 CPUC grant. Key findings: 99.6% of San Diegans have wireline access, but affordability is the main barrier; 17% of households lack home broadband, rising to 30%+ in low-income areas; ACP subsidy loss affected 14,000 households. Recommendations include streamlining wireless permit processes, issuing RFPs for public-private partnerships, expanding SD Access for All programs, and creating a digital equity coalition. Committee discussed competition, speed standards, and the role of schools. Chair Whitburn emphasized affordability and non-municipal strategies.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (3-0).
• Item 6: Approved with amendment to update Council Policy 000-31 (2-1; Lee dissenting). Referred to City Council.
• Item 7: Approved unanimously (3-0).
• Item 8: Approved unanimously (3-0).
• Item 10: Received as information.
• Item 9: Approved unanimously (3-0).
• Item 11: Received as information; will go to City Council the week of May 11, 2026.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 9:00 AM.