San Diego Environment Committee Meeting - June 17, 2021
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San Diego Environment Committee Meeting - June 17, 2021
The Environment Committee met virtually on June 17, 2021, to discuss several items including a microgrid energy services agreement, a waste cart contract amendment, a performance audit of the industrial wastewater control program, and an update on the Climate Equity Index. The meeting was conducted via Zoom in accordance with executive order 29-20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of committee actions from May 28, 2021: Moved, seconded, and passed unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-agenda public comment: Becky Rapp expressed concern about environmental impacts from marijuana manufacturing facilities, citing use of solvents and potential harm to air and water. She requested the city conduct air quality checks near facilities.
- On Item 1 (microgrid): Gretchen Newsom, speaking on behalf of IBEW Local 569, urged the committee to approve the project, stating it would create quality clean energy jobs for local workers and support renewable energy growth. She expressed strong support.
- On Item 4 (Climate Equity Index): Carolina Martinez from Environmental Health Coalition congratulated staff on the update and emphasized the need to compensate community members for their expertise in climate equity work. She supported the index's use in guiding funding.
Discussion Items
- Item 1: 25-Year Energy Management Services Agreement with Shell New Energies US LLC for Microgrid Projects at Eight City Facilities. Staff presented the project, which was funded by a grant and designed to help meet climate action goals. Vice Chair Von Wolpert expressed initial concerns about sole sourcing but noted negotiations had improved contract terms. The item was moved and passed unanimously.
- Item 2: Second Amendment to Increase Expenditure Authority for Cooperative Procurement Contract with Rarig Pacific Company for Waste Carts, Recycling Carts, and Related Products. Staff requested a five-year extension and $30.262 million increase (total not to exceed $38.807 million) to support SB 1383 compliance (organics recycling program). The committee unanimously approved the amendment.
- Item 3: Performance Audit of the Public Utilities Department's Industrial Wastewater Control Program (IWCP) – Part 2. The City Auditor presented findings on identification, inspection, and permitting of regulated businesses. The audit made seven recommendations, all of which PUD agreed to implement. Director Shauna Laurence noted the department was already making changes and planned to achieve full cost recovery of fees in upcoming rate adjustments. This was an informational item; no vote was taken. Councilmember Lakava requested an update next year, which Laurence agreed to provide.
- Item 4: Update to the City's Climate Equity Index. Sustainability staff presented the methodology and recent updates, including integration of CalEnviroScreen and census data. The index identifies communities of concern for equitable allocation of resources. Public comment highlighted the need for community compensation and involvement. Councilmembers expressed support and emphasized using the index to guide investments. This was an informational item; no action was taken.
Key Outcomes
- The microgrid agreement (Item 1) was approved unanimously.
- The waste cart contract amendment (Item 2) was approved unanimously.
- The audit (Item 3) and Climate Equity Index update (Item 4) were received as informational items with no motions required.
- The committee adjourned to the next meeting scheduled for July 15, 2021 at 1 p.m.
Note: There was also a brief discussion on federal PFAS legislation update, but no action taken.
Meeting Transcript
We are alive if you're ready to go. Chair, you can proceed. Thank you, Marianne. Good afternoon. Per executive order 29-20, 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, Brendan Ventino has made arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. We appreciate the public's cooperation. We will go over the specifics 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 June 17, 2021 to order. I will now call the roll. Present. Present. Councilmember Kate. Sure. And I too am here. Also on the virtual meeting is Jordan Moore of the Office of the Independent Budget Analyst, Leslie Fitzgerald from the City Attorney's Office, and Randy Wilde, Office of Mayor Todd Gloria. Our committee consultant Brendan Dentino will now go over instructions for joining the meeting. The public may view the meetings on public television on 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 access uh 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, cell phone, or landline. The link to join the community uh committee meeting webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone is listed on the agenda on how on how to join by iPhone one tap. To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, you you may dial 1669-254-5252 when prompted. Input Webinar ID 160-532-0355 pound. This information is also available on the agenda and will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each item. When the chair introduces the item you'd 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 9 on your phone. You'll be taken in the order in which you raise your hand. You may only speak once on a particular item. When I indicate it is your turn to speak, I will call you by your name as it appears on the Zoom webinar attendee list, or I'll read out the last four digits of your phone number if you have 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 to unmute your device. If you have called in 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 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. And please uh mute the volume on your TV or computer before beginning to speak. Chair. The quorum is now present. We will now dispense with the approval of the committee actions of May 28, 2021. Do I have a motion to approve the committee actions? I will still move. Thank you, Vice Chair. Thank you, Councilmember Kate. Uh we will now take councilmember questions and comments and have each council member register their vote. Uh please mute yourself once you've completed your comments. Vice Chair Von Wilfer. Yes. Thank you.
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