OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

San Diego Environment Committee Meeting January 18, 2024

Environment Committee — Thursday, January 18, 2024
BodySan Diego, California
SessionEnvironment Committee
DateThursday, January 18, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:26

Our first meeting of the new calendar year.

0:29

I am Joel LaCava, honored to be the chair of the committee and representing District One here in the City of San Diego.

0:36

Our committee manager Ty Birch will go over instructions for today's meeting.

0:40

Ty.

0:40

Thank you very much, Chair Locava.

0:42

While members of the public are able to attend this meeting in person, this meeting is being televised in live stream on the city's website, and council administration will continue to make arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform.

0:52

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.

0:59

The queue will close when the last virtual speaker finishes speaking or five minutes after in-person testimony concludes whichever occurs first.

1:05

This will allow for bearing meeting management between the two platforms and ensure the committee is able to manage and conduct safe business.

1:11

We appreciate the public's cooperation.

1:13

Chair?

1:14

Thank you, Ty.

1:15

I'll now call the environment committee meeting of Thursday, January 18th, 2024 to order and call the roll.

1:20

Vice Chair Von Wolpert.

1:22

Present.

1:23

Councilmember Campbell.

1:24

Here.

1:25

And I am here, as the public will note.

1:27

We only have three members for the committee this year, at least as of uh as it currently stands.

1:33

We also have attending the meeting today, Julian Andolina with the Office of the Independent Budget Analyst, Deputy City Attorney Nicole Dino, Matt Yayagin with the Office of Mayor Todd Gloria, and Ryan Elliott, the committee consultant.

1:48

Ty, please continue with public comment instructions.

1:51

Thank you very much, Chair.

1:52

If you are in person, please complete a speaker slip location at the entrance of chambers and place on top of the box indicate at the speaker's electron at the front of the room.

1:59

Please do so in a timely manner to ensure proper main management.

2:02

In-person testimony will conclude before virtual testimony begins.

2:05

Members of the public can join the webinar by computer tablet or smartphone by accessing the link which is listed online in the preamble language of the agenda on the SAIS webpage.

2:13

If you need to participate by phone, you may dial 1 669-2545252 and input webinar ID 160-670-8143 pound.

2:23

This information is also available on the agenda and will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each agenda item.

2:28

Members of the public who wish to provide virtual testimony must enter the virtual speaking queue by raising their hand before the queue closes, and that queue will close when the last virtual speaker finishes speaking or five minutes after in-person testimony concludes, whichever occurs first.

2:41

Please note that if you're watching via C TV 24 online, there may be a delay.

2:45

So please participate via the audio on your phone and mute your TV or computer when it is your turn to speak.

2:51

If you wish to speak on a particular item, please wait for that item to be called and then raise your hand to speak by tapping the raise your hand icon.

2:58

Or if you're a column participant, star nine on your cell phone or landline.

3:01

You may if you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered.

3:06

Chair.

3:07

Thank you, Ty, for reviewing those instructions for the benefit of the public.

3:10

Uh all three members are here, so we have the quorum.

3:13

We will now dispense with the approval of the committee actions of November 9th, 2023.

3:18

Ty, please proceed.

3:19

Thank you very much, Chair.

3:20

The public comment period for the past committee actions of November 9th, 2023 is now open.

3:25

Again, this is for the past actions of November 9th, 2023.

3:29

Each speaker will have one minute.

3:30

And Chair, we do have one individual that submitted a speaker slip in chambers.

3:34

So Miss Laura Soldania.

3:37

And again, you will have one minute.

3:41

Thank you.

3:42

The timer up here is not uh activated.

3:44

It should be.

3:45

Oh, there it goes.

3:45

It came to life.

3:46

So uh at the last meetings, SCG and E came in and talked about their undergrounding uh program and climate equity.

3:53

And uh the for the neighbors that have lived for decades uh with uh uh power lines overhead.

4:00

What they are doing is is frankly insufficient.

4:03

And uh likewise they continue to bill us at the highest utility rates in the country.

4:09

And uh adding to that problem is now our community power is also charging higher tariffs on rates.

4:15

Uh I understand STG and E under their current franchise agreement is required to come in and report uh regularly to the council.

4:22

Uh Chair Lacava, you're a member of Community Power.

4:26

I would like to ask that the community power reports be added to that as well.

4:30

Uh SCG and E has tried to blame high rates on both community power as well as accepting some responsibility.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management████████████████16%
Public Comment████████████████16%
Environmental Protection████████████12%
Public Engagement███████████11%
Procedural██████████10%
Public Safety█████████9%
Air Pollution Control████████8%
Public Utilities████████8%
Animal Welfare████4%
Summary of Proceedings

San Diego Environment Committee Meeting January 18, 2024

The Environment Committee of the San Diego City Council met on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at 9:00 AM. Chair Joel LaCava (District 1) presided, with Vice Chair Marni Von Wilpert and Councilmember Jennifer Campbell present. The committee approved actions from November 9, 2023, considered three action items (including a $100 million contract for Pure Water Phase II and a $57 million security contract), and discussed priorities for the 2024 work plan. The meeting included extensive public comment on various environmental concerns.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Non-Agenda Public Comment: Numerous speakers addressed the committee:
    • Perita and Caesar raised concerns about a ceramics kiln operating in a residential zone since 1984, citing air toxicity and health risks.
    • Kelly Linden urged investigation into the convention center's renovations, which reportedly include gas appliances contrary to the city's Climate Action Plan.
    • Almit Ulysses, Lauren Meritz, Dave Engel, Jared Reynoso called for restrictions on SeaWorld fireworks, citing environmental pollution, animal distress, and PTSD triggers for veterans.
    • Lori Saldania echoed support for the convention center investigation and asked the committee to consider supporting SB 37, which would regulate utility spending on lobbying.
    • Terry Ann Skelly advocated for a ban on public marijuana and tobacco smoking/vaping.
    • Blair B. discussed smart streetlight technology and urged continued dialogue on surveillance.
    • Carter Andrews and Jim Brown (San Diego 350) requested a resolution supporting SB 1137 (oil well setbacks).
    • Serena Pelka (Climate Action Campaign) urged the city to ensure the convention center's central plant redesign is all-electric.
    • Kathleen Lippett stressed the importance of clean drinking water.
    • Camilla supported restricting SeaWorld fireworks.
    • Larry Paranich highlighted air pollution deaths and supported the San Vicente Energy Storage facility.
  • Item 2 (Pure Water Phase II): Lori Saldania raised concerns about contractor diversity, noting Stantec had only one African American employee among 112.
  • Item 3 (Security Services): Lori Saldania questioned the number of guards and whether they would be armed, citing past incidents.
  • Item 4 (2024 Work Plan): Kelly Linden urged oversight of CAP implementation; Becky Rapp and Judy Strang advocated for tobacco waste reduction and bans on smoking in public places; Lauren Casares (Chamber of Commerce) emphasized business incentives; Mina Lara (Coastkeeper) highlighted the stormwater funding deficit; Heather Hafschy and Larry Paranich called for follow-through on electrification.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 1: Approved a contract with Univar Solutions USA Inc. to purchase caustic soda for water treatment plants and wastewater facilities. Vice Chair Von Wilpert praised staff for structuring the contract as five one-year terms to manage price volatility. The motion passed 3-0.

Discussion Items

  • Item 2: Pure Water Phase II Engineering Services Contract
    • Staff presented a request for a $100 million, 10-year contract with Stantec Consulting Services for engineering technical services for Phase II of the Pure Water Program. Phase II will add 53 million gallons per day (MGD) to the existing Phase I (30 MGD), totaling 83 MGD by 2035, about half of the city's drinking water needs.
    • Key details: Stantec will reexamine the 2011 master plan, consider regulatory options (including direct potable reuse), and evaluate delivery methods.
    • Councilmember Campbell asked about stormwater integration; staff noted ongoing sampling.
    • Vice Chair Von Wilpert asked about budget segregation and SLBE/DBE participation. Staff confirmed separate task orders and noted 26 local subconsultants with 20% SLBE and 31% MWDBE participation.
    • Motion by Councilmember Campbell, seconded by Vice Chair Von Wilpert, passed 3-0.
  • Item 3: Security Guard Services Contract
    • Staff requested approval of a 5-year, $57 million contract with Intercon Security Systems for security services at water and wastewater facilities, including 24/7 coverage at some sites. The previous contractor opted out due to cost.
    • Key details: The contract removes the six-month opt-out clause and adds two new facilities and increased service at five others. Hourly rates rose from $22.62 to $34.71 due to living wage increases.
    • Questions addressed physical security (not cybersecurity), guard armament (optional for known threats), and the possibility of in-house security (not current policy).
    • Motion by Vice Chair Von Wilpert, seconded by Councilmember Campbell, passed 3-0.
  • Item 4: 2024 Work Plan Priorities
    • Chair LaCava noted the work plan is a guiding document; public input is open until the February 15 meeting.
    • Councilmember Campbell highlighted priorities including Measure B implementation, stormwater funding, and household hazardous waste.
    • Vice Chair Von Wilpert emphasized climate resilience, benchmarking, and filling Climate Advisory Board vacancies.
    • The committee will finalize the work plan at the February 15 meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved consent agenda item (3-0).
  • Approved $100 million contract with Stantec for Pure Water Phase II (3-0); will go to full Council in February.
  • Approved $57 million security contract with Intercon (3-0).
  • Opened public input period for 2024 work plan until February 15; plan to be finalized at that meeting.

Meeting Transcript

Our first meeting of the new calendar year. I am Joel LaCava, honored to be the chair of the committee and representing District One here in the City of San Diego. Our committee manager Ty Birch will go over instructions for today's meeting. Ty. Thank you very much, Chair Locava. While members of the public are able to attend this meeting in person, this meeting is being televised in live stream 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 meeting management between the two platforms and ensure the committee is able to manage and conduct safe business. We appreciate the public's cooperation. Chair? Thank you, Ty. I'll now call the environment committee meeting of Thursday, January 18th, 2024 to order and call the roll. Vice Chair Von Wolpert. Present. Councilmember Campbell. Here. And I am here, as the public will note. We only have three members for the committee this year, at least as of uh as it currently stands. We also have attending the meeting today, Julian Andolina with the Office of the Independent Budget Analyst, Deputy City Attorney Nicole Dino, Matt Yayagin with the Office of Mayor Todd Gloria, and Ryan Elliott, the committee consultant. Ty, please continue with public comment instructions. Thank you very much, Chair. If you are in person, please complete a speaker slip location at the entrance of chambers and place on top of the box indicate at the speaker's electron at the front of the room. Please do so in a timely manner to ensure proper main management. In-person testimony will conclude before virtual testimony begins. Members of the public can join the webinar by computer tablet or smartphone by accessing the link which is listed online in the preamble language of the agenda on the SAIS webpage. If you need to participate by phone, you may dial 1 669-2545252 and input webinar ID 160-670-8143 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, and that 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're watching via C TV 24 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 to speak by tapping the raise your hand icon. Or if you're a column participant, star nine on your cell phone or landline. You may if you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered. Chair. Thank you, Ty, for reviewing those instructions for the benefit of the public. Uh all three members are here, so we have the quorum. We will now dispense with the approval of the committee actions of November 9th, 2023. Ty, please proceed. Thank you very much, Chair. The public comment period for the past committee actions of November 9th, 2023 is now open. Again, this is for the past actions of November 9th, 2023. Each speaker will have one minute. And Chair, we do have one individual that submitted a speaker slip in chambers. So Miss Laura Soldania. And again, you will have one minute. Thank you. The timer up here is not uh activated. It should be. Oh, there it goes.

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