San Diego Environment Committee Special Meeting - November 21, 2022
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San Diego Environment Committee Special Meeting - November 21, 2022
The San Diego City Council Environment Committee held a special meeting on November 21, 2022, from approximately 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The meeting addressed several critical climate and environmental items, including the implementation of SB 1383 (organic waste diversion), a new organics processing facility, the Climate Action Plan (CAP) implementation plan, a proposed council policy for CAP prioritization, and the creation of two new advisory boards. The committee also heard extensive public testimony on a range of topics. Votes were taken on consent items and two action items, all passing unanimously (3-0).
Consent Calendar
- Items 1 & 2: Approved a contract amendment with Clean Harbors Environmental Services Inc. for sanitation services and hazardous waste removal, and the ninth amendment to the Miramar Recycling Center lease. Motion passed 3-0. Public commenter Kelly Linden asked about electrification of the recycling center; staff noted existing solar panels and no natural gas connections.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-Agenda Public Comment: Multiple speakers addressed secondhand smoke in public spaces (Barbara Gordon, Mark Wilcox), the need for a management plan for sea lion interactions at Point La Jolla (Carol Toy, Robin Davidoff of Sierra Club SEAL Society), and concerns about marijuana business regulations (Kathleen Lippett, Judy Strang, Keywalker).
- Item 8 (SB 1383): Masada Dizonhouse (San Diego 350) and Joyce Lane expressed support for the program and requested regular reporting on diversion rates.
- Item 3 (Organics Processing Facility): Kelly Linden asked about compliance with the Zero Emissions Municipal Buildings and Operations Policy (ZEMBOP) and urged all-electric design.
- Item 6 (CAP Implementation Plan): Multiple speakers (Kelly Linden, Corina Contreras, Adam Aron, Mikey Nabb, James Sallis, Masada Dizonhouse, Dr. Z Nguyen, Katie Christ, Sonia Robinson, Ann Fegey, Joyce Lane, Amber Gunser, and others) called for transparent benchmarks, robust funding, alignment with the Master Mobility Plan, and prioritization of communities of concern. Speakers emphasized the need for measurable GHG reduction targets, tree canopy goals, and mode shift requirements.
- Item 7 (CAP Prioritization Policy): Public speakers (Kelly Linden, Corina Contreras, Mikey Nabb, James Sallis, Masada Dizonhouse, Ann Fegey, Sandra Robinson, Laurie Saldani) provided feedback on weighting criteria, suggesting GHG reduction, equity, and feasibility as key factors, and cautioned against deprioritizing costly but transformative actions.
- Items 4 & 5 (Advisory Boards): Numerous speakers (Kelly Linden, Mikey Nabb, Masada Dizonhouse, Jay Powell, Lucero Sanchez, Ann Fegey, Mitch Silverstein, Sandra Robinson, Karina Gonzalez, Joyce Lane, Laurie Saldani) supported the creation of the Climate Advisory Board and Resiliency Advisory Board. They requested adequate staffing, youth representation, longer terms, and explicit inclusion of energy independence goals.
Discussion Items
- Item 8: SB 1383 Implementation Update (Information): Renee Robertson (Environmental Services Director) presented the rollout plan. Key points: organic waste collection for city-serviced homes begins January 11, 2023, with 95-gallon green carts and kitchen pails. Delivery prioritized by climate equity index. Food recovery program and educational materials in multiple languages. Staff reported 144 presentations and 32 community planning group engagements. The existing Miramar Greenery can handle current tonnage while a new facility is built. Vice Chair Von Wilpert requested a mid-year and end-year update. Chair Locava noted the program's $25 million additional cost. Staff confirmed full driver staffing and truck deliveries beginning December 2022.
- Item 3: Organics Processing Facility (Action): Renee Robertson presented the project to build a new compost facility on the North Miramar Landfill. Cost: $77.223 million. Awarded to SUKA Construction LLC. Base project handles 127,000 tons/year; additive alternate expands to 251,850 tons/year. The project frees up landfill space worth $100 million in revenue. Construction expected July 2024. Motion to approve passed 3-0.
- Item 6: Climate Action Implementation Plan Update (Information): Shelby Rust Bousseau (Chief Sustainability Officer) and Mariah Sadania presented the draft plan. It includes annual departmental work plans, an implementation cost analysis (ICA) by EPIC, and an administrative regulation for CAP liaisons. The ICA will estimate costs for 18 departments over five fiscal years (2024-2028). The full plan is due February 2023. Committee members emphasized the need for key performance indicators, regular reporting, and alignment with the budget process.
- Item 7: Proposed Council Policy for CAP Implementation Prioritization (Information): Jordan Moore (IBA) presented a draft policy based on the CIP model, using weighted scores (GHG reduction, equity, feasibility, etc.). The IBA requested feedback on weighting and funding criteria. The policy aims to be completed by early 2023 to inform the FY2024 budget. Discussion included aligning with existing council policies (800-14, 0-32) and using the climate equity index.
- Items 4 & 5: Creation of Climate Advisory Board and Resiliency Advisory Board (Action): Brian Elliott (Councilmember Locava's staff) presented the proposal. The Climate Advisory Board (15 voting members, 6 appointed by mayor, 9 by council) will focus on CAP implementation, energy, and environmental justice. The Resiliency Advisory Board (11 voting members, 2 by mayor, 9 by council) will focus on climate adaptation, wetlands, and conservation. Both boards replace the Sustainable Energy Advisory Board and Wetlands Advisory Board, which have not met in two years. A third of seats reserved for communities of concern. Non-voting seats from other boards. Motions passed 3-0.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda (Items 1 & 2): Approved 3-0.
- Item 3 (Organics Processing Facility): Approved 3-0. Staff directed to execute the agreement with SUKA Construction for $77,223,000.
- Items 4 & 5 (Advisory Boards): Approved 3-0. City Attorney directed to draft ordinances creating the Climate Advisory Board and Resiliency Advisory Board, and repealing the Sustainable Energy Advisory Board and Wetlands Advisory Board.
- Items 8, 6, 7 (Information Items): No vote required. Staff will continue work on SB 1383 rollout, CAP implementation plan (due February 2023), and the CAP prioritization policy (due early 2023).
- Items 10 & 11: Postponed due to time constraints; will be rescheduled.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, Councilmember Campio. Could you please give me an audio check? Morning, everyone. Fabulous. Thank you, sir. Good morning and welcome to the November 21st, 2022 special meeting of the City of San Diego Environment Committee. I want to start out by thanking my council colleagues, Ty, and all the staff that work behind the scenes to make our meetings happen and the good folks at City TV. This is supposed to be legislative recess, but there is city business to be done. While the public is allowed to attend the meetings in person, we encourage you to maintain six feet of social distance as well as follow California mass guidelines where masks are strongly recommended. In addition to being able to attend in person, this meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website, and the committee liaison will continue to make arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. Additionally, members of the public who wish to provide testimony via call-in or an internet-based service option must enter the virtual speaking queue within five minutes after the conclusion of in-person public testimony or before the virtual speaking queue is exhausted, whichever occurs first. This will allow for better meeting management between the two platforms and ensure the committee is able to manage and conduct city business. We appreciate the public's cooperation. Vice Chair Von Wilpert. Present. If you've called into the meeting, that is how you will know that it is your turn to speak. If you are in person, please come up to the reserve seats at the front of the room when your name is called and be prepared to come up to the lectern in the order called. If you have joined the Zoom webinar by computer tablet or smartphone, you will receive a pop-up notice. Select the unmute uh you will receive a pop-up notice to select the unmute on your device. If you have called into the meeting by cell phone or landline, please press star six. We will review these instructions briefly again when the public comment period for an IM 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 be sure to mute the volume on your TV or computer before you begin to speak. Chair Locava. Thank you, Ty. A quorum is now present with three members in attendance. And we will now move on to dispense with the approval of the committee actions of October 27th, 2022. Ty, do we have any public comments on the committee actions? Thank you, Chair Locava. The uh public comment period for the committee actions of October 27, 2022 is now open. If you are in person, please be sure to have your speaker slips submit and come up to the reserve seats at the front of the room when your name is called and be prepared to come up to the lectern in the order called. Members of the public who wish to provide testimony via calling or internet-based service option must provide uh must enter the virtual speaking queue within five minutes after the conclusion of in-person public testimony or before the virtual speaking queue is exhausted, whichever occurs first. If you've already joined the Zoom webinar online or by phone, please raise your hand if you wish to speak. If you're watching uh on CTV or the live stream like to call into the meme, please call 1669-2545252. And when prompted, input webinar ID 1615320355 pound. As a reminder, virtual speakers may raise your hand to speak. You can do so by selecting the raise your hand button or input star nine. I will announce when it's your turn to speak. You may unmute yourself by either selecting the unmute button or in-point star six. Uh Chair, we do not have any uh speakers in chambers who have submitted a speaker slip for the committee actions, nor has anyone raised their hand in the virtual queue. So that will conclude public testimony on the committee actions. All right. I will now turn it over to the committee members for a motion and member comment if any. Can I get a motion? I so move. And I will second, Chair. All right, thank you both. So I'll call for the vote.
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