San Diego Environment Committee Meeting - March 17, 2022
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San Diego Environment Committee Meeting - March 17, 2022
The Environment Committee of the San Diego City Council met on March 17, 2022, chaired by Councilmember Joel Akava. The meeting was held virtually under AB 361. The committee approved the previous meeting’s minutes, heard public comments, and took action on three agenda items: extending the downtown circulator shuttle (Fred), amending the recycling code for SB 1383 organic waste requirements, and amending the non-exclusive solid waste franchise agreements. Informational updates were provided by San Diego Community Power and SDG&E on the Energy Cooperation Agreement.
Consent Calendar
- The committee unanimously approved the actions of the February 17, 2022 meeting of the Environment Committee. (Motion by Councilmember Von Wilpert, second by Councilmember Campillo; vote: 4-0)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-Agenda Public Comment (30 minutes):
- Members of the Sierra Club Seal Society (Robin Davanoff, Susan Cuello, Carol Toy, Ellen Shivley) spoke on the coastal development permit for seasonal closure of the sea lion rookery at Point La Jolla and Boomer Beach. They argued that the city’s proposed closure dates (starting May 25) are too late and boundaries are too small, urging a minimum closure from May 1 and reinstatement of the temporary boundary to protect sea lions and pups. They noted that 17 other California seal rookeries are closed during pupping season.
- Speakers also commented on:
- Need for a comprehensive implementation plan for the Climate Action Plan and building electrification reach codes (Wendy Maholik, Kelly Linden).
- Support for AB 1690 (Smoking Waste Prevention Act) to ban cigarette filters and single-use vapes (Peggy Walker, Carol Green).
- Environmental impacts of marijuana cultivation facilities (Becky Rapp).
- Proper disposal of e-cigarettes as hazardous waste (Kelly McCormick).
- Support for AB 2764 to prohibit new factory farms and slaughterhouses in California (Lori Saldania, Dave Engel, Tommy Howe, Colton Herman).
- Additional speakers: Daniel Schmikowski (sea lions, surfing), Jay Powell (energy independence).
- **Public comments on specific agenda items are noted under those items below.
Discussion Items
Item 4: Informational Update on San Diego Community Power (SDCP)
- Presentation by Cody Hooven (COO) and Rita de la Fuente (Director of External Affairs). SDCP now serves seven member agencies (adding National City and unincorporated county areas). Residential enrollment in San Diego begins in May 2022. Current products: Power On (50% renewable) at slightly lower cost than SDG&E, and Power 100 (100% renewable) for an additional $3–5/month. SDCP has signed 340 MW of long-term renewable contracts and is developing local programs (feed-in tariff, community solar, rooftop solar incentives). Members asked about local generation, net metering, and renter eligibility. No action required.
Item 1: Third Amendment to Agreement with San Diego Free Ride, LLC (Fred)
- Staff (Christy Reeser, Alyssa Muto) presented. Fred is a free, on-demand, all-electric circulator shuttle in downtown. The amendment extends the contract for one year (through fall 2022) using $1.2 million from downtown community parking district funds. Ridership in 2021 was 180,000 (down from 275,000 pre-pandemic). The city intends to use a future SANDAG vendor bench for similar services. Public comment was supportive. Committee discussion highlighted first/last mile connectivity and environmental benefits. Motion by Councilmember Campillo to approve, seconded by Councilmember Von Wilpert; passed unanimously (4-0). Members expressed interest in expansion to other neighborhoods.
Item 2: Amendments to Municipal Code for SB 1383 Organic Waste Requirements
- Staff (Ken Prue, Renee Robertson) presented. The amendments require all properties to have a three-container system (green for organics, blue for recycling, gray/black for trash) with universal colors, contamination tracking, and edible food recovery reporting. The city will not increase AB 939 or franchise fees. $9 million is allocated for initial implementation (new trucks, green bins). Public comments were overall supportive; one speaker noted challenges for small haulers accessing composting facilities. Committee discussion included landfill capacity (Miramar Landfill may close by 2030 without diversion), outreach, and hiring for code compliance. Motion by Councilmember Campillo to approve, seconded by Councilmember Von Wilpert; passed unanimously (4-0).
Item 3: Amendments to Non-Exclusive Solid Waste Collection Franchise Agreements
- Staff (Renee Robertson) presented amendments to franchise agreements to incorporate SB 1383 requirements and a cap on third-party diversion credits at 10% to incentivize actual diversion. Universal container colors, education, and penalty provisions are included. Franchise fees unchanged. Public comment from Jeremy Ogle (San Diego County Disposal Association) requested a delay to review the full amended contract, stating they received it only six business days prior and needed a strikeout version and more negotiation time. Several speakers echoed this request. Committee Chair Lacava moved to approve the staff recommendation, seconded by Councilmember Campillo, with a commitment that Environmental Services would continue working with haulers before the item goes to full council. Passed unanimously (4-0). Members acknowledged the need for timely implementation while allowing additional discussion.
Item 5: Progress Report on Energy Cooperation Agreement (ECA) Implementation Plan with SDG&E
- Presentation by Chad Colton (City) and Caitlin Haley (SDG&E). The ECA, part of the electric franchise, outlines five goal areas. SDG&E reported on progress: tree planting (76 trees at parks, 29 fruit trees at schools, community events), clean transportation (Power Your Drive program, fleet day), energy benchmarking, fire safety collaboration (helicopter flight, data sharing for undergrounding prioritization), microgrid planning, equity-focused solar program (launch targeted for late May/early June 2022, with 37 installations per year), and transparency commitments. Public comments were mixed: some praised tree planting and partnership, while others criticized high rates, questioned the focus on climate goals, and noted the lack of a public power study task force. Committee discussion focused on the compliance review committee (expected to be formed by July 2022, with three council appointees and two mayor appointees), EV charging timelines, and rate affordability. No action required; information only.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes Approved: Unanimous approval of February 17, 2022 meeting actions.
- Fred Extension: Approved unanimously to extend the downtown circulator contract for one year through September 2022.
- SB 1383 Organic Waste Ordinance: Approved unanimously to amend the recycling code to require three-container collection, universal colors, contamination tracking, and edible food recovery.
- Franchise Agreement Amendments: Approved unanimously to amend solid waste franchise agreements to include SB 1383 requirements and cap third-party diversion credits at 10%. The committee directed staff to continue negotiations with haulers before the item reaches the full council.
- Next Steps: The next regular Environment Committee meeting is scheduled for April 21, 2022, at 6 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon and welcome to the March 17th, 2022 meeting of the City of San Diego Environment Committee. I am Joel Akava, Council Member for District 1 and Chair of the Committee. Per California Government Code Section 54953E, 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. 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 council administration 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 we'll give details on how the public can offer their public testimony. I will now call the environment committee meeting of March 17th, 2022 to order. Let me call roll. Vice Chair Von Wilpert. Committee member Campbell, who is coming in remotely. Here. Committee member Cambio. Here. And Chair Lagava, I am here. So we are all here today. All members are present. Also participating in the meeting are Jordan Moore, Office of the Independent Budget Analyst, Deputy City Attorney Nicole Dino, Randy Wilde, Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Mayor Todd Gloria. Thank you all for being here. Brian Elliott, our committee consultant, will now go over the instructions for joining the meeting. Brian. Afternoon. The public may view the meeting on public television on City TV Channel 24 for Cox Communication and Spectrum or Channel 99 for ATT Uverse, or view the meeting online by going to the City Council Committee's homepage at Sandiego.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, cellular phone or landline. The link to join the committee meeting webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone is listed on the agenda. To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, you may dial 1669-254-5252. 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, 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 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 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, please mute the volume on your TV or computer before you begin to speak. Chair Lakava. Thank you, Brian. We have a quorum. Excuse me. A quorum is now present. We will now dispense with the approval of the committee actions of February 17th, 2022. Brian, do we have any public comment on this item? Yes, Chair. We have one uh member of the public.
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