San Diego Environment Committee Meeting – November 1, 2018
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San Diego Environment Committee Meeting – November 1, 2018
The Committee of the Environment met on November 1, 2018, to discuss and vote on several major items, including the Pure Water program, an advanced metering infrastructure contract, a golf operations update, and a public-private partnership for expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam recycling. All council members were present.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the record of action items from the September 13, 2018 meeting by unanimous vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-agenda public comment: Martha Welch spoke about utility issues, alleged mismanagement, and a potential lawsuit. She referenced a sewer plant, consultant reports, and drought concerns.
- On Items 1-3 (Pure Water):
- Jim Pugh (Audubon Society) expressed full support for Pure Water, calling it environmentally beneficial and a model for other cities.
- Bernadette Buckwitz (Plumbers and Steamfitters Union) urged use of skilled and trained workforce and local hire provisions; opposed awarding contracts solely to lowest bidders.
- Gretchen Newsom (IBEW) echoed support for skilled workforce, local hire, and veteran programs; requested specialty subcontractors (C10, C36 licenses).
- Brad Barnum (Associated General Contractors) supported the project but opposed government-mandated project labor agreements (PLAs), which he argued would exclude non-union apprentices.
- Pete Salcedo (AGC apprenticeship) and Franklin Manuel (AGC graduate) argued against PLAs as discriminatory, saying they would shut out their 900+ apprentices.
- Richard Marks (Western Electrical Contractors Association) supported qualified specialty contractors but urged inclusion of all state-approved apprenticeship programs, not just joint labor-management ones.
- Julia Chen (Surfrider) supported the project and asked that upstream dischargers be held responsible for residuals.
- Tom Lemon (Building Trades) defended joint apprenticeship programs, noting they graduate 92% of California apprentices.
- On Item 6 (EPS recycling):
- Kim Miller (American Chemistry Council/Dart) proposed a public-private partnership (PPP) worth up to $1.97 million to support EPS recycling.
- Sophie Barnhorst (San Diego Regional Chamber) supported the recycling program and minimizing business costs.
- Chris Duggan (California Restaurant Association) endorsed the PPP, highlighting optical sorters' benefits.
- Michael Torti (Surfrider) opposed EPS recycling, citing low recyclability (0.2% in CA), environmental harm, and health risks; supported the recent plastic reduction ordinance.
- Roger Hubie (Five Gyres Institute) argued that industry-sponsored EPS recycling has failed for 30 years, referencing New York City's findings.
Discussion Items
- Items 1-3: Pure Water Program
- Staff presented combined updates: authorization for construction contracts (up to $1.081B), amended regional wastewater disposal agreement, and an owner-controlled insurance program (OCIP).
- Key details: timeline moved from 2021 to 2024 for full 30 MGD production; total project cost $1.62B (Pure Water $1.44B, non-Pure Water bundled $184M).
- Council discussed funding (WIFIA loan $614M, state revolving funds, Prop 68 grant), schedule updates to regulatory boards, community working groups, and workforce local hire reporting.
- Item 4: Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) with Itron
- Staff requested approval of a $25.2M contract for smart meter equipment (ERTs) and services.
- Council asked about customer notification, installation costs (covered by existing CIP), proprietary network (Itron-only), and potential future cost overruns.
- Item 5: Golf Operations Business Plan Update (informational)
- Staff reported stable rounds, increased expenses (water, labor), and a proposed fee increase at Torrey Pines North Course (3% resident, 5% non-resident) effective Jan 1, 2019.
- Youth outreach programs (Play Golf) reached 2,600 kids; capital investments of $40M over six years.
- Item 6: EPS Foam Recycling Public-Private Partnership (informational)
- Staff reviewed current EPS recycling (15 tons recovered FY18, cost $124K, rising to $180K due to China's import restrictions).
- PPP proposal from American Chemistry Council: up to $1.97M in bridge funding, technical support, and optical sorters for two facilities.
- Council divided: Sherman supportive of continued recycling; Gomez skeptical of effectiveness; Kate noted additional waste diversion (2,700 tons residual plastic sent to secondary processor).
Key Outcomes
- Item 1 (Construction contracts & related): Approved unanimously with amendments for regular project reporting to committee (semi-annual) and inclusion of local workforce/contractor metrics.
- Item 2 (Amended wastewater disposal agreement): Approved unanimously as presented.
- Item 3 (Owner-controlled insurance program): Approved unanimously as presented.
- Item 4 (AMI contract with Itron): Approved unanimously as presented.
- Item 5 (Golf update): No action required; informational only.
- Item 6 (EPS recycling PPP): No action taken; staff directed to continue evaluating the proposal and report back.
The next committee meeting is scheduled for November 29, 2018.
Meeting Transcript
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