San Diego Environment Committee Meeting - November 18, 2021
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San Diego City Council Environment Committee Meeting - November 18, 2021
The San Diego City Council Environment Committee met virtually on November 18, 2021, via Zoom in accordance with California Government Code Section 54953(g) (Assembly Bill 361). Chair Elo Rivera presided, joined by Vice Chair Marni Von Wilpert and Councilmember Raul Campillo (listed as "Lakava" in transcript). Councilmember Chris Kate was absent. The committee approved the consent agenda, approved the Climate Resilient SD plan, and received informational updates on the Climate Action Plan, stormwater, and golf operations.
Consent Calendar
- The committee approved its actions from October 21, 2021, by a unanimous 3-0 vote, with Councilmember Kate absent.
- The consent agenda (items 1, 2, and 3) was approved unanimously 3-0. Item 3 was a $250,000 contract amendment for legal services supporting the San Vicente Energy Storage Facility at FERC. Vice Chair Von Wilpert noted the contract had lapsed in February 2021 and asked how much had already been spent; Deputy City Attorney Ray Palmucci said approximately $100,000 had been spent, leaving $150,000 for ongoing litigation. Councilmembers Von Wilpert and Campillo requested a future committee briefing on the project, but did not pull the item.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-agenda public comment: Lori Saldaña raised concerns about power washing with disinfectants in downtown San Diego, lack of public restrooms, and potential storm drain/water quality impacts. Jay Powell, Craig Rose, and Jerry Wanatec urged the committee to docket a resolution creating a public power study citizens task force, with Council oversight of the $1 million feasibility study.
- Consent agenda (item 3): Diane Conklin of the Mussey Grade Road Alliance opposed the San Vicente Energy Storage Facility, stating it would industrialize preserved lands and set a bad precedent. Lori Saldaña also opposed it, citing environmental justice and equity concerns, including lack of diversity at the contracted law firm.
- Climate Resilient SD (item 4): Speakers generally supported the plan but asked for stronger implementation details and tree protections. Paul Kruger asked for tree replacement requirements for ADUs; Brenda Garcia Milan (Climate Action Campaign) said the plan lacked a detailed implementation plan, costs, timeline, and an equity strategy; Ann Feige (Community Forest Advisory Board) noted the city had removed as many trees as it planted; Michael Wynne called it a framework rather than a plan; Suzanne Hume (CleanEarth4Kids.org) supported the plan and urged funding nature-based solutions.
- Climate Action Plan update (item 5): Kyle Hastel (Environmental Health Coalition) praised the clean air section but urged specific air pollution reduction goals; Harold Standifer (San Diego Building Electrification Coalition) supported building electrification; Jay Powell asked for municipal solar and reactivation of the Sustainable Energy Advisory Board; Paul Krueger asked for developer tree replacement requirements; Lori Saldaña suggested student climate contests; Ann Feige called the tree canopy goals unachievable; Malika Morrison (Climate Action Campaign) asked about funding, a 2025 benchmark, and legal enforceability; Karina Gonzalez (Hammond Climate Solutions) urged faster timelines and full environmental review.
- Stormwater items (6 & 7): Victor Avina (Falcon Strategies, representing Biomed Realty) thanked staff for channel maintenance; Jenna Harrison (San Diego County Taxpayers Association) requested historical data on funding; Jack Monger (Industrial Environmental Association) requested financial impact analysis for commercial/industrial properties; Bertha Rodriguez (Climate Action Campaign) supported a 2022 funding measure with green infrastructure and good jobs; Lucero Sanchez (San Diego Coastkeeper) urged the committee to push for a November 2022 ballot measure.
- Golf division (item 8): No public speakers.
Discussion Items
- Item 4: Climate Resilient SD and General Plan Amendments - Planning staff presented the city's first climate adaptation and resiliency plan, required by Senate Bill 379 by January 1, 2022. The plan addresses wildfire, sea level rise, extreme heat, and variable precipitation, and includes 86 potential strategies. Staff announced the city would receive National Coastal Resilience Fund money for a coastal resilience master plan. Councilmember Von Wilpert asked for wildfire resiliency actions to be moved to a "near and ongoing" timeframe; Councilmember Campillo asked about implementation leadership and funding. Chair Elo Rivera raised concern about sea level rise potentially exposing toxic groundwater contamination in industrialized areas like Barrio Logan. The committee voted unanimously 3-0 to approve the plan, with the expectation that contamination issues would be acknowledged in the package sent to full Council.
- Item 5: Climate Action Plan Update (Informational) - Staff presented the draft update, which sets a net zero greenhouse gas emissions target for 2035 and a 2030 interim fair-share goal. More than 3,300 people participated in engagement; the plan uses the Climact Prio prioritization tool. Key strategies include decarbonizing buildings, 100% renewable energy through San Diego Community Power, transportation mode shift, circular economy, resilient infrastructure, and emerging actions. IBA's Jordan Moore noted a 2018 IBA recommendation for a CAP funding outlook was never produced. Alyssa Muda, Director of Sustainability and Mobility, said an implementation plan framework and staffing analysis would be available in early 2022. Chair Elo Rivera stressed that housing policy is climate policy and that the city needs additional revenue. No vote was taken.
- Item 6: Annual Stormwater Department Update (Informational) - Staff reported the city received only 4 inches of rain in 2021 versus a typical 10 inches, and already had three storm events and two emergency channel maintenance actions. The department faces a $65 million shortfall in proactive projects, has over 2,000 known pipe failure locations, three failing pump stations, and $16 million in unfunded levee deficiencies. Stormwater funding covers less than one-third of annual needs. No vote was taken.
- Item 7: Stormwater Funding Strategy Implementation Update (Informational) - Staff recommended a special parcel tax based on impervious surface area, with rates of 4.5 to 5 cents per square foot tested in surveys. Approximately 45% of estimated revenue would come from single-family properties. The plan includes exemptions, discounts, credits, citizen oversight, and potential WIFIA loans exceeding $600 million. Next step is a final recommendation to City Council in early 2022. No vote was taken.
- Item 8: Golf Division Business Plan Update (Informational) - Customer satisfaction ranged from 95% to 98%. In FY21, rounds increased significantly due to COVID-19, with Balboa Park's 9-hole course up 79% and Mission Bay up 54% to 102,000 rounds. Expenditures rose 9% ($1.7 million) since FY19. The division invested $18.5 million in capital improvements. Fees will increase January 1, 2022: 3% for residents and 5% for non-residents. The Farmers Insurance Open is scheduled January 26-29, 2022. Staff noted water-efficient irrigation systems, state-licensed superintendents, and a transition to electric equipment. No vote was taken.
Key Outcomes
- Approved October 21, 2021 committee actions unanimously (3-0).
- Approved consent agenda items 1, 2, and 3 unanimously (3-0).
- Approved Climate Resilient SD and associated general plan amendments unanimously (3-0), with a commitment to address sea level rise-related contamination concerns and revisit wildfire action timelines.
- Directed staff to provide a future briefing on the San Vicente Energy Storage Facility legal services contract.
- The Climate Action Plan, stormwater updates, stormwater funding strategy, and golf business plan were informational only; no votes were taken.
- Committee adjourned to its next meeting in January 2022.
Meeting Transcript
No, we do have an animated slide show or a video email that has background user that we'll play into the middle of the first presentation. Okay. We can begin. Everyone's ready. Please proceed. Go ahead, Chair. Okay. Thank you. Good afternoon. Per California government code section 54953 G added by Assembly Bill 361, which allows the city to use teleconferencing and to provide the public an opportunity to address the city council committee via a call in option or an internet-based service option. The committee members will be participating via Zoom and no members of the public will be in attendance of the meeting in the interest of public health and safety. In addition, this meeting is being televised live stream on the city's website, and the committee liaison has made arrangements for the uh public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. We appreciate the public's cooperation. We will now go over the specifics of how to join the webinar and we'll give details on how the public can offer their public testimony. With that, I will now call the environment meeting of November 18, 2021 to order. We'll now call the roll. Vice Chairman Wilbert. Present. Councilmember Lakava. Present. Council Member Kate. Councilmember Kate is uh fulfilling his duties uh representing the city. Uh in a in a different capacity. Um, and I also each committee member is attending virtually. Also on the virtual meeting are Aaron Noel of the office of the independent budget analyst. I call the now, the city attorney's office, and Brittany Bailey of the office of Mayor Todd Gloria. Our committee consultant Brendan Ventino will now go over instructions for joining the meeting. The public may view the meeting on public television on City TV channel 24 for cost communication and spectrum or channel 99 for ATT Uverse, or view the meeting online by going to City Council Committee's homepage at Sandieago.gov and selecting the City TV Live Webcast 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 cell, cell phone or landline. The link to join this uh committee meeting webinar by computer tablet or smartphone is listed on the agenda to join the to join the Zoom webinar by platform. You may dial 1 669 254 5252 when prompted. Input webinar ID 160532 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 would like to comment on, you'll 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'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 will read out the last four digits of your phone number if you have called into the meeting. This 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 your device. If you have called into the meeting by cell phone or landline, press star six on your phone to unmute yourself. You we will review these instructions briefly again when the public comment period on an item is open. Please wait until your item. 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. Also, please mute the volume on your TV or computer before you begin to speak. Chair. Thank you, Brendan. A quorum is now present.
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