San Diego Environment Committee Meeting - January 16, 2020

The Environment Committee of the San Diego City Council met on January 16, 2020, at 9:00 AM. Members present: Chair Campbell, Councilmembers Moreno, Bree, and Sherman. The committee addressed routine approvals, a joint use park agreement, and a resolution declaring a climate emergency. Public comment covered sea lion protection, animal rights, and climate action.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved committee actions from November 7, 2019 (motion by Councilmember Sherman, second by Councilmember Bree).
• Items 1-4 (contracts for watershed consulting, caustic soda, cationic polymer, and heavy equipment lease) were approved on consent.

Public Comments & Testimony

Non-Agenda Public Comment

• Martha Welch (District 2) alleged corruption and bribery in city and county government, referencing Bill Horn and the FBI.
• Carol Archibald (District 2, Sierra Club Seal Society) described severe harassment of sea lions at La Jolla Point and Boomers Beach, citing 100 visitors per hour, lack of enforcement, and need for signage and rope guidelines.
• Robin Davidoff (District 2, SEAL Society) continued the sea lion issue, showing photos and a video of crowds stepping over sea lions, and asked for additional protections.
• Lindsay DeMick (resident and business owner) spoke for the Right to Rescue, condemning animal agriculture and factory farming, and called for legal protections for animals.
• Alex Moldeman (Right to Rescue) argued that California Penal Code 597e is violated by farms, and activists face felony charges while perpetrators go unpunished.
• Daniela Killing (Right to Rescue) linked animal agriculture to climate change, calling for legal protections and criticizing lack of progress in six months.
• Cameron Maita (Right to Rescue) noted Berkeley and San Francisco passed similar resolutions, and urged San Diego to support 597e protections.
• Shannon Sears (Right to Rescue) called animal agriculture a leading climate contributor and demanded justice for billions of animals.
• Rachel Hosler (North Park resident, mother) described visiting a dairy farm and witnessing calf separation, urging support for the Right to Rescue.
• Doreen Nasser (35-year resident, vegan) asked why saving livestock from cruelty is illegal while saving dogs from hot cars is legal, and called for an animal bill of rights.
• Ashley Asada (Right to Rescue) argued that fighting climate change requires attacking animal agriculture, and saving animals should be legal.

Item 5 – Joint Use Agreement Public Comment

• Martha Welch (opposition) argued the project is cheap, lacks bathrooms, and questioned the lack of payment to schools.
• John Lee Evans (San Diego Unified School Board President, in favor) expressed excitement for the project, noting community work since 2014, and the partnership for 10 pools across the district.

Item 6 – Climate Emergency Resolution Public Comment

• James Ferguson (Citizens Climate Lobby) highlighted the urgency of climate action and the need for political will.
• Peter Thomas (Citizens Climate Lobby, North Park resident) supported the resolution as a necessary alarm.
• Larry Peranich (Citizens Climate Lobby, Republican scientist) emphasized the scientific consensus and urgency.
• Barbara (activist) asked for an environmental advisory board with climate experts and frontline community representatives.
• Nikayla Jefferson (Sunrise Movement) described her personal fear and asked for net-zero by 2030, a climate advisory board, and public education.
• Melissa Elder (Sunrise Movement) urged concrete action, not symbolism, and highlighted environmental racism in Barrio Logan.
• Pat Murphy (resident) called for an accelerated effort and an advisory committee.
• Malika Morrison (Climate Action Campaign) recommended equity language, a zero-carbon goal by 2035, and specific strategies.
• Joyce Lane (San Diego 350) supported the declaration but called for concrete policies, zero-carbon by 2030 or 2035, and equity investments.
• Michael Brackney (San Diego Climate Mobilization Coalition) urged calling it a "climate emergency declaration" rather than a resolution, and suggested citizen engagement.
• Sonia Robinson (NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Committee) supported the resolution and emphasized including black and brown communities.

Discussion Items

Update on Electric and Gas Franchise Fee

• Lee Friedman (Strategic Energy Initiatives Manager) reported that valuation consultants are near completion of draft studies, and three public outreach workshops will begin the week of February 10, 2020. A request for expressions of interest will be released. The franchise agreement is expected to go through committee and full council by end of summer 2020.

Item 5 – Joint Use Agreement for Stanley Middle School and Spreckles Elementary

• Andy Field (Parks and Recreation Director) and Shannon Scoggins (park designer) presented the Play All Day Parks program, which expands joint use parks with San Diego Unified School District. The agreements cover a 25-year term for fields and a 10-year term for a pool. The Stanley Aquatic Complex includes a 35m x 25yd pool, concession stand, pavilion, stage, and walking track. The city will reimburse $90,000 for construction costs. The agreements comply with a March 2019 city auditor's performance audit.
• Councilmember Moreno expressed concern about geographic inequity: only two joint use sites south of Interstate 8 versus nine north of it, and asked for future equity. Director Field committed to providing a ledger of all agreements.
• Councilmember Sherman asked about financial clarity from the audit; staff confirmed a new template will address financial issues.
• The motion to approve passed unanimously.

Item 6 – Resolution Declaring a Climate Emergency

• Jordan Bean (Councilmember Campbell's staff) presented the resolution, which declares a climate emergency and affirms the city's commitment to a rapid transition. It aims to educate the public and stimulate climate conversations. San Diego faces sea level rise (9 inches in 100 years), drought, wildfires, and erosion. Over 1,300 cities globally have made similar declarations.
• Councilmember Campbell noted that since 1950, La Jolla has seen 166 days of flood-level tides versus an expected 25 without climate change. She moved to approve.
• Councilmember Bree seconded, calling the resolution symbolic but important, and highlighted the city's Climate Action Plan and Community Choice Energy.
• Councilmember Sherman opposed, stating he only votes for measures with teeth and will wait for binding actions.
• The resolution passed 3-1 (aye: Campbell, Bree, Moreno; nay: Sherman).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
• Item 5 – Joint Use Agreements: Approved unanimously. The city will enter into agreements for Stanley Middle School and Spreckles Elementary fields and pool, with a $90,000 reimbursement to the school district.
• Item 6 – Climate Emergency Resolution: Approved 3-1. The resolution declares a climate emergency and commits to public education and outreach. Subsequent steps will include updating the Climate Action Plan and potentially adding binding measures.