San Diego Environment Committee Meeting - February 25, 2021
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San Diego Environment Committee Meeting - February 25, 2021
The San Diego City Council Environment Committee met virtually on February 25, 2021, from 9:00 AM to approximately 3:00 PM. The meeting was chaired by Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, with Vice Chair Councilmember Marni von Wilpert and Councilmembers Joe LaCava and Chris Kate participating. The agenda included approval of minutes, a consent agenda item, a discussion item on the San Diego Community Power agreement, informational items on municipalization, the Pure Water Program, and the 2021 committee work plan, along with extensive public comment.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1: Geosyntec Consultants NPDES Contract Amendment (unanimously approved, 3-0). The first amendment to agreement H186994 with Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. for technical consultant services related to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-Agenda Public Comment (9:15 AM – 10:20 AM): Over 40 callers spoke on a range of issues. Highlights:
- Sea lion harassment at Point La Jolla: Robin David Off (Sierra Club Seal Society) reported that park rangers recorded 143 sea lion harassments per month and 238 dogs on the beach during restricted hours from September to January. She requested a seasonal beach closure (June 1 – October 31) or daily staffing, and a year-round dog ban.
- Environmental advisory boards: Frank Landis (California Native Plant Society) and others criticized a city proposal to consolidate environmental boards, arguing it would reduce volunteer capacity and expertise. They urged the committee to retain separate boards.
- SDG&E franchise support: Eight speakers (capped by rule) spoke in favor of renewing SDG&E’s franchise, including representatives from Friends of Balboa Park, Connect, United Way, and diverse businesses. They cited corporate philanthropy and community partnerships.
- Criticism of process: Michael Aguirre and others accused the chair of manipulating public comment to limit opposition to SDG&E.
- Environmental justice: Kelly McCormick raised concerns about marijuana businesses disproportionately locating in low-income communities.
- Energy costs: Former Assemblywoman Lori Saldania noted high electricity rates in San Diego are a barrier to affordability and urged equity considerations.
- Public Comment on Item 2 (San Diego Community Power Agreement, 10:25 AM – 10:55 AM): Speakers like John Stump and Lori Saldania supported the CCA model as a step toward cleaner energy, while others confused it with municipalization. Bishop Benson spoke ambiguously; comments were cut when off-topic.
- Public Comment on Item 3 (Municipalization Presentation, 11:50 AM – 12:55 PM): 29 speakers addressed municipalization. Supporters (San Diego Green New Deal Alliance, Sunrise Movement SD, San Diego 350) called for a detailed business plan. Opponents (IBEW Local 465, Dr. Michael Hager, Rebecca Ribzik) cited cost, liability, and labor concerns. Multiple speakers highlighted SDG&E’s $1 million/day profit and high rates.
- Public Comment on Item 4 (Pure Water Program, 1:30 PM – 1:45 PM): John Stump noted an unsettled reservation of rights agreement with SDG&E; Lucero Sanchez (Coastkeeper) urged incorporation of stormwater capture; Joyce Sanyata requested accessible toolkit information; Michael Aguirre criticized SDG&E delays; Lori Saldania praised environmental advocates.
- Public Comment on Item 5 (Work Plan, 2:10 PM – 2:30 PM): Speakers requested inclusion of environmental advisory board study, Rewild Mission Bay presentations, building electrification, and a youth environmental corps.
Discussion Items
- Item 2: San Diego Community Power (SDCP) Cooperation and Administrative Services Agreement
- Staff from the Sustainability Department (Heather Werner) and SDCP (Cody Hooven) briefed the committee. The agreement reimburses the city for startup costs (significantly less than allocated).
- City municipal account rollout: small cluster on March 1, 2021; majority on June 1, 2021; special accounts on January 1, 2022.
- Questions from Vice Chair von Wilpert clarified that SDCP procures electricity and SDG&E transmits it. Hooven stated that a public power utility could coexist with SDCP but would require further study.
- Motion to approve carried 3-0.
- Item 3: Municipalizing Gas and Electric Utility Systems (Informational Presentation)
- Ursula Schreiber (American Public Power Association) and Barry Moline (California Municipal Utilities Association) presented for about 40 minutes.
- Key points: 2,011 public power utilities exist nationally; 88 formed since 1973, mostly small. Process requires feasibility study, legal analysis, public engagement. Timelines vary from 2–3 years (negotiated) to 10+ years (contested). Costs depend on incumbent utility cooperation; typical hurdles include incumbent opposition, costly legal battles.
- Moline emphasized that municipalization is feasible for San Diego (citing SMUD, LADWP) but requires strong political will; labor must be held harmless. He suggested the Long Island Power Authority model as a potential template.
- Committee members asked about costs (preliminary study ~$500k, detailed study several million), fire safety (public power utilities generally good, but California-specific), and bond financing.
- Councilmember LaCava advocated for a short-term franchise extension (3–5 years) to allow parallel study of public power. Councilmember Kate expressed concerns about accountability and cost to ratepayers.
- Item 4: Pure Water Program Update
- John Stufflebean (Assistant Director, Public Utilities) gave a 15-minute presentation. Phase 1: 30 million gallons per day (MGD) advanced treatment facility, 10 construction projects totaling $1.01 billion, with water delivery expected by 2025 to Miramar Reservoir. Phase 2: 53 MGD, planned for 2035. The program may eventually supply up to half of the city’s water.
- A labor dispute (PLA) has been settled; construction is underway. The city obtained final permit in May 2020 to discharge into Miramar Reservoir.
- East County Pure Water (11 MGD) is on a similar schedule.
- Committee praised progress; Councilmember LaCava noted the program’s water independence and climate benefits. Councilmember von Wilpert requested coordination on Miramar parking impacts.
- City Attorney Christine Leon confirmed litigation against SDG&E over franchise agreement interpretation is stayed due to COVID.
- Item 5: 2021 Environment Committee Work Plan (Informational)
- Chair Elo-Rivera presented the draft work plan, developed from committee and public input. Guiding principles: democracy, economic justice, environmental justice.
- Public comment requested additions: environmental advisory board review, Rewild Mission Bay, building electrification. Councilmembers LaCava and von Wilpert supported including advisory boards (noting Rules Committee jurisdiction). Chair noted one more round of edits before finalization.
Key Outcomes
- Approved actions: Consent agenda (Item 1, 3-0) and San Diego Community Power agreement (Item 2, 3-0).
- Informational items received: Municipalization presentation (Item 3), Pure Water update (Item 4), and Work Plan (Item 5).
- Directed follow-ups: The committee will receive a franchise/ITB update on March 4, 2021. Staff will refine the work plan based on public and member input.
- Notable requests: Councilmember LaCava called for a short-term franchise extension and a public power business plan. Multiple public speakers urged commissioning a feasibility study for public power.
- Litigation update: The city’s lawsuit against SDG&E over the franchise agreement (related to Pure Water pipeline conflicts) is stayed due to COVID; the city seeks a court interpretation.
- Upcoming items: The March 4 meeting will cover the gas and electric franchise invitation to bid.
Meeting Transcript
Let's get out. Just to keep this down while I was out myself with a day ticket shiny common room with your name on it when you want to run away. Did I'm so perfect and I am married to the power of underware and I know it now. But if I told you that I love you. Would you tell me that you love me back? What if I told you that I miss you? Would you tell me that you miss me back? What if I told you that I need you? Would you tell me that you need me? If I tell you all my feet. Would you believe me? Yeah. What if I told you that I love I love you? Yeah, what if I told you that I love you? Which suspends certain requirements of the Brown Act. The committee members will be participating via Zoom, and no members of the public will be in attendance at the meeting in the interest of public health and safety. In addition, this meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website, and the committee liaison has made arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. We appreciate the public's cooperation. I will go over the specifics on of how to join the webinar and will give details on how the public can offer their public testimony. I will now call the environment committee meeting of February 25th, 2021 to order. I will now call the role. Councilmember Chris Kate. Councilmember Joe Lacaba. Present. Present. And I am here. And I know that uh as uh with before, Council Red Kate is is uh is um taking care of other responsibilities at this moment, and I believe he'll be joining us later. Um each committee member is attending virtually. Also on the virtual meeting are representatives from the office of the independent budget analyst, the office of the mayor, and the city attorney's office. We've got Angela Colton here from the IBA. We have Randy Wilde here from the mayor's office, and Fritz Ortlieb, Mark Mercer, and Christine Leon from the City Attorney's Office. The public may view the meetings on public television on everyone's favorite channel, City TV Channel 24 for Cox Communication and Time Warner Cable or Channel 99 for ATT or view the meeting online by going to the City Council Committee's homepage at Sandiago.gov and selecting the City TV Live Webcast Blue button on the right-hand side of the page. The committee meetings will be held virtually using the Zoom webinar platform. Members of the public can offer public comment on items by accessing the Zoom webinar online using a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, or by calling into the meeting using a smartphone, cellular phone, or landline. The link to join the committee meeting webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone is listed on the agenda on how to join by iPhone one tap. To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, you may dial either one six six nine two five four five two five two. When prompted, input webinar the 16053235 pound. This information is also available on the agenda and will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each item. When I introduce the item you would like to comment on, you will raise your hand by either tapping the raise your hand button on your computer, tablet, or smartphone, or by pressing star nine on your phone. You will be taken in the order in which you raise your hand. You may only speak once on a particular item. When our committee consultant Brendan Dentino indicates it is your turn to speak, he will call you by your name as it appears on the Zoom webinar attendee list, or he will read out the last four digits of your phone number if you've called into the meeting. That is how you will know it is your turn to speak. If you have joined the webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone, you will receive a pop-up notice to select the unmute to to unmute your device. If you have called into the meeting by cell phone or landline, press star six on your phone to unmute yourself. We will review these instructions briefly again when the public comment period on an item is open. Please wait until the item you wish to speak to has been called before raising your hand to speak. If you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered. When you are announced as the next speaker, please unmute yourself and offer your comments. Also, uh if we can ask, please mute the volume on your TV or computer before you begin to speak.
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