San Diego Environment Committee Meeting - February 17, 2022

The Environment Committee of the City of San Diego met virtually on February 17, 2022, to discuss a habitat acquisition, stormwater funding, implementation of Senate Bill 1383, and the 2022 committee work plan. All four members were present (Chair LaCava, Vice Chair Von Wilpert, and Councilmembers Campillo and Campbell). Staff from various departments provided presentations, and public testimony was heard on multiple items.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from January 20, 2022. The motion by Vice Chair Von Wilpert, seconded by Councilmember Campbell, passed 4-0. One member of the public attempted to comment but was redirected to non-agenda public comment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non-Agenda Public Comment: Speakers addressed a range of environmental issues:
  • Carol Toy called for extended sea lion pupping season closure (May 1 to October 31) and a larger protected area at Point La Jolla.
  • Becky Rapp and Kelly McCormick expressed concern about air and water pollution from marijuana cultivation and manufacturing, urging air quality checks near facilities.
  • John Leake (Sierra Club member) opposed creating a municipal reserve for sea lions, stating it would not be ecologically beneficial or legal and would divert park resources from underserved communities.
  • Peggy Walker urged the committee to support Assembly Bill 1690 banning single-use smoking products.
  • Kurt Hoffman argued that the coastal development permit for Point La Jolla inaccurately claims no sensitive habitat or threatened species will be impacted, referencing impacts from sea lion waste.
  • Robin (SEAL Society and Sierra Club) supported year-round management and a closure from May 1 to October 31, noting ongoing harassment of sea lions and tourists getting too close.
  • Ellen Shively requested closure dates from May 1 to October 31 and a prohibition on dogs.
• Item 2 (Stormwater): Multiple speakers (Jean-Li, Lucero Sanchez, Matthew Vasilakis, Andrew from San Diego Audubon, Sister Mary Maria Mohammed) supported dedicated stormwater funding via a ballot measure, citing the $2 billion shortfall and benefits for clean water, climate resilience, and green jobs.
• Item 3 (SB 1383): One speaker (Diane Wolkey) asked about PFAS and pesticide testing in compost.
• Item 4 (Work Plan): Speakers included:
  • Matthew Vasilakis (Climate Action Campaign) thanked the committee for prioritizing climate implementation but urged alignment with climate science and equity.
  • Will Radigan (San Diego County Bicycle Coalition) requested addition of a mode shift monitoring program to the work plan, noting gaps in achieving non-car mode share targets.
  • Sean Kioni Ellis (Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union) supported the work plan and emphasized a circular economy with waste-to-energy.
  • Andrew Meyer (San Diego Audubon Society) encouraged oversight of the wetlands plan and promotion of native plants.
  • Sandra Stahl raised concerns about toxic lead air pollution from Montgomery Gibbs Executive Airport, an environmental justice area.
  • Diane Wolkey requested a moratorium on synthetic turf fields due to toxic chemicals and heat island effects.

Discussion Items

• Item 1: East Elliott Habitat Acquisition – Staff presented a proposal to transfer and expend funds from the Habitat Acquisition Fund (HAF) for a 1.2-acre parcel in East Elliott, appraised at $30,000 per acre. The property is surrounded by existing conserved land and is within the Multi-Habitat Planning Area (MHPA). The committee discussed the importance of preserving open space and wildfire risk. A motion by Councilmember Campillo, seconded by Councilmember Campbell, passed 4-0.

• Item 2: Stormwater Funding Strategy Final Audit Response – Staff (Chris McFan, Bethany Bizek) presented survey and focus group results showing strong public support for increased stormwater funding. The most equitable funding mechanism identified is an impermeable area method with rates of 4–5 cents per square foot. The city’s annual need is $334 million; revenue from such a fee would not fully close the gap without a ballot measure. The Office of the Independent Budget Analyst noted that if a ballot measure is not pursued, competing priorities will create larger deficits in future years. No action was taken; the item was informational.

• Item 3: Senate Bill 1383 Implementation Update – Staff (Renee Robertson, Matthew Cleary, Ken Crew) detailed the city’s plan to comply with SB 1383 by 2024, including new organic waste collection for city-serviced homes (green bins and kitchen pails), a new organic processing facility at Miramar, and expanded food recovery programs. Key milestones: 43 new collection trucks ordered (delayed to fall 2022 due to COVID), bin delivery starting November 2022, and 40 new drivers being hired with sign-on bonuses. ESD will return in March 2022 with ordinance amendments. The item was informational.

• Item 4: 2022 Environment Committee Work Plan – Consultant Brian Elliott presented the work plan, developed from committee member priorities and a public survey (339 responses). Core principles include advancing climate goals, equity, and high-quality job standards. Priority issues: energy/decarbonization (building electrification, public power), water/sustainability (stormwater, SB 1383, Pure Water), environmental justice (oil drilling, indigenous inclusion), and natural resources (trees, wildfire prevention, wetlands). The plan will be reviewed mid-year. No action taken.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1 approved (4-0) – Authorization to transfer funds for the East Elliott habitat acquisition.
• Stormwater funding strategy – The audit response is complete; staff and the IBA highlighted the need for a dedicated funding source and possible ballot measure. The committee supported continued education and outreach via ThinkBlue.
• SB 1383 implementation – Next steps include bringing ordinance and franchise agreement amendments to the committee in March 2022, plus a grant application and ongoing hiring.
• Work Plan – Adopted as an informational framework. The committee acknowledged suggestions from public testimony (mode shift monitoring, synthetic turf review) but these were not formally added at this meeting.