San Diego Environment Committee Meeting Summary - November 9, 2023
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San Diego Environment Committee Meeting Summary - November 9, 2023
The Environment Committee of the San Diego City Council met on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at 1:00 PM. Chair Joel Ocava (District 1) presided, with Vice Chair Von Wilpert and Member Campbell present. Member Campillo was absent on paternity leave. The meeting covered consent agenda items and information updates on stormwater, smart metering, and SDG&E climate equity and major projects.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1: Authorization for a First Amendment to the contract with California Water Technologies LLC for ferrous chloride for wastewater treatment plants. (Approved 3-0)
- Item 2: Authorization to execute a contract with JCI Jones Chemicals Inc. for liquid chlorine for water treatment plants. (Approved 3-0)
- Item 3: Memorandum of Understanding with SANDAG for phase one planning activities for the regional beach sand project. (Approved 3-0)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-Agenda: Multiple speakers addressed tobacco and marijuana waste, smoke-free policies, air pollution from ceramics manufacturing, and the need for compulsory voting. One speaker highlighted a $10 million urban forestry grant from the Inflation Reduction Act for 8,000 trees in disadvantaged communities.
- Consent Agenda: Speakers raised concerns about fair pricing for chemicals and the need for due diligence on contract costs. One speaker also commented on the beach sand project, urging consideration of sea-level rise and reionization.
- Item 4 (Stormwater): Public commenters asked about the largest polluters in Chollas Creek and the potential for stormwater capture to refill Chollas Lake. Positive feedback on the department's work.
- Item 5 (Smart Meters): A speaker asked about the city's public works accountability and whether the existing bill shows payment credits. Another requested leak detection feedback from smart meters.
- Item 6 (SDG&E Climate Equity): Speakers criticized SDG&E's advocacy against net metering and questioned the safety of lithium-ion batteries and the company's long-term plans for renewable energy.
- Item 7 (SDG&E Major Projects): Speakers demanded transparency on SDG&E profits and ownership of underground infrastructure, and urged support for electrification.
Discussion Items
- Item 4: Stormwater Department Annual Update – Director Todd Snyder presented key accomplishments: 59 days of rain, 19,000 get-it-done requests, 17 emergency stormwater capital projects ($46 million cost), 71% diversion rate (highest in city history), and enrollment in the National Flood Insurance Program's Community Rating System (rating 7) benefiting 3,000 properties. The department faces a $2.4 billion need for TMDL compliance over 20 years and a $3-4 billion overall funding gap. Discussion focused on pipe replacement (26 miles of corrugated metal pipe, 19 miles remaining), channel clearing (60 segments needing major maintenance, only 4 per year funded), and green infrastructure. Committee members praised the department's efforts and urged future funding.
- Item 5: Smart Meter Project Status Update – Lisa Salaya and Drew Kleiss presented the plan: a feasibility study by February 2024, procurement over 18-24 months, pre-deployment planning, and deployment starting around 2026 at a rate of 350-400 meters per day over three years. Immediate improvements include hiring 15 new full-time staff and 30 part-time staff, completing all meter reading routes daily since October 4, and increasing meter replacements from 350 to 950 per month. A new customer portal will launch in spring 2024. Committee members expressed support and noted the need for faster progress.
- Item 6: SDG&E Climate Equity Presentation – SDG&E presented on microgrids: three projects under construction in Claremont (9 MW, 30 MWh), Elliott (10 MW, 40 MWh), and Paradise (10 MW, 40 MWh). These will provide reliability and resiliency via lithium iron phosphate batteries, with community outreach and safety measures including fire suppression and 24/7 monitoring. Discussion covered site selection (entire circuits with critical customers), noise mitigation, and long-term microgrid plans. Vice Chair Von Wilpert asked about safety and undergrounding of new lines; SDG&E confirmed undergrounding where possible. The microgrids charge from the grid mix, not directly from renewables.
- Item 7: SDG&E Major Projects and Undergrounding Update – SDG&E reported on four substation upgrades (Urban, Kettner, Mission, Streamview) to replace aging infrastructure and support electrification. The Del Mar reconfiguration project will remove 35 transmission poles from coastal lagoons and Torrey Pines State Reserve, completing by end of 2023. Undergrounding program updates: 9 legacy projects (6 to complete in 2024), 14 new projects under new MOU, and collaborative wins including weekly meetings, streamlined permitting, and cost reduction efforts. Committee members praised communication and acknowledged ongoing challenges.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda passed 3-0 (motion by Vice Chair Von Wilpert, second by Member Campbell).
- All information items (4, 5, 6, 7) were received and filed; no votes required.
- The committee adjourned until the next regular meeting on January 18, 2024, at 1:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Hi guys, this is Marnie. Can you hear me? Yes, we can, Councilmember. Thank you. Thank you. Ty, I keep trying to start my video, but it says the host. Oh, there it goes. Now it works. I was gonna say I did I did turn it on, so wonderful. Thank you so much. Yes, thank you. All right. Well, good afternoon, and welcome to the environment committee meeting of November 9th, 2023. I'm Joel Ocava, Councilmember for District 1 and Chair of the Committee. Our committee manager Ty Birch will go over the instructions for today's meeting. Ty. Thank you very much, Chair Locava. While members of the public are able to attend today's meeting in person, the meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website, and council administration will continue to make arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. Members of the public who wish to provide virtual testimony must enter the virtual speaking queue by raising their hand before the virtual queue closes. The queue will close when the last virtual speaker finishes speaking or five minutes after in-person testimony concludes. Whichever occurs first. This will allow for bearing management between the two platforms and ensure the committee is able to manage and conduct, say business. We appreciate the public's cooperation. Chair Locava. Thank you, Ty. I will now call the Environment Committee meeting of Thursday, November 9th, 2023 to order and we'll call the roll. Vice Chair Von Wilpert. Present. Member Campbell. Here. Member Campillo. And I am here as well. Also attending the meeting today, and I should mention Member Campillo is on paternity leave and also attending the meeting today. Jordan Moore with the Office of the Independent Budget Analyst, Deputy City Attorney Nicole Dino, Randy Wilde from Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Mayor Todd Gloria, and Brian Elliott Committee Consultant. Ty, please continue with public comment instructions. Thank you very much, Chair Ann of Councilmember Von Wilpert, would you like to make your virtual declaration at this time? Thank you for that. Yes, thank you so much, Ty. Um I am notifying the council that I am attending today's council meeting virtually due to just cause related to exposure to contagious illness. Pursuant to the Brown Act, I am disclosing that there are no individuals 18 years of age or older present in the room with me. I will update this disclosure if it changes during the course of this meeting. Thank you. Thank you very much. And with that, if you are a member of the public and you are in person today. If you need to participate by phone, you may dial 1 669-254-5252 and when prompted input webinar ID 161-163-9403 pound. This information is also available on the agenda and will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each agenda item. Members of the public who wish to provide virtual testimony must enter the virtual speaking queue by raising their hand before the queue closes. The queue will close when the last virtual speaker finishes speaking or five minutes after in-person testimony concludes, whichever occurs first. Please note that if you are watching via C T V 24 or online, there may be a delay, so please participate via the audio on your phone and mute your TV or computer when it is your turn to speak. If you wish to speak on a particular item, please wait for that item to be called and then raise your hand by tapping the raise your hand icon, or if you're a column participant, star nine on your cell phone or landline.
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