OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

San Diego Environment Committee Meeting - June 12, 2025

Environment Committee — Thursday, June 12, 2025
BodySan Diego, California
SessionEnvironment Committee
DateThursday, June 12, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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3:48

All right.

3:49

Uh, good afternoon, everyone.

3:50

Welcome to the environment committee meeting of June twelfth, twenty twenty-five.

3:55

Uh, Sarah Jordan, our committee liaison will provide information and instruction for the public to participate in the meeting.

4:02

Thank you, Cherry La Rivera.

4:04

Well, members of the public are able to attend the meeting in person.

4:06

This meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website.

4:09

The council administration will continue to make arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform.

4:14

Members of the public wish to provide testimony via a call-in or internet-based service option, must enter the virtual queue within five minutes after the conclusion of in-person public testimony or before the virtual speaking queue is exhausted, whichever occurs first.

4:32

We appreciate the public's cooperation.

4:36

All right, with that, let's call the environment committee meeting of June twelfth, twenty twenty-five to order.

4:41

Would you please call the rule?

4:46

I am here and I am attending the meeting today remotely.

4:50

Pursuant to the Brown Act, I am disclosing that there is one individual older than eighteen years of age in the room with me, who is a member of my staff.

5:00

I will update this disclosure if it changes during the course of the meeting.

5:05

Thank you.

5:06

Thank you.

5:08

Council President Lakava.

5:10

Present.

5:11

Chair Ela Rivera.

5:12

Present.

5:13

Also attending the meeting today is City Attorney Representative Nicole Dino.

5:17

Male Representative Randy Wilde and IBA representative Jordan Moore.

5:21

If you're in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of the committee room and place it in the speaker slip box at the table at the front of the room.

5:27

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

5:31

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 city's webpage to join the Zoom webinar by telephone.

5:39

Please dial 1669-2545252 and when prompted, input webinar ID 161907-2156 pound.

5:46

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

5:51

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

5:55

Please participate via the audio on your phone and meet your TV and computer when it's your turn to speak.

6:00

If you wish to speak to 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 call-in participant by selecting star nine on your cell phone or landline.

6:09

If you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered, Chair.

6:14

All right, thank you, Sarah.

6:15

Um the quorum is present.

6:17

Um we'll take non-agenda public comment next before we do that, though.

6:21

I have my own non-agenda comment.

6:23

I um immediately prior moments before this meeting uh began.

6:32

We saw uh many of us probably saw footage of Senator Padilla uh being uh uh forcibly removed from a press conference, handcuffed and forced to the ground when trying to ask questions.

6:45

Um those actions were preceded by um DHS Secretary Christy Nome saying that she that the military and agent presence in Los Angeles and California will be sustained and increased because they are there to liberate the city and the state from the socialist and burdensome leader leadership that the governor and mayor have placed on this country.

7:12

I uh mention those things because I think it's incredibly important for us to obviously get the business done that we need to get done at the environment committee, but there's nothing normal about this.

7:22

Uh, these are all of the the flashing warning signs of a descent, a rapid descent into authoritarianism and fascism, I think are in front of us.

7:32

Um, and uh I just feel a responsibility to say something about that before we go on with the normal business of an environment committee meeting.

7:42

Um hope I'm wrong, but um this has gotten worse by the day uh and having an incredible impact on our communities, um, and I have serious concerns that the state of California uh is being laid um it's being used as a proving grounds for um the Trump administration's attempt to take over of any political opponents of his.

8:07

Um so um with that uh Sarah, please proceed with non-agenda public comment.

8:13

Thank you, Chair approval 2.7 non-agenda public comment is an opportunity for members of the public to comment on items that are not on the agenda but are within the subject matter jurisdiction of this committee.

8:22

Each speaker will have two minutes.

8:24

We'll begin with in-person testimony.

8:27

Joy Sonnyata, if you can please approach the lector, and you will have two minutes.

8:39

I have uh two parts today.

8:42

Excuse me.

8:44

Part one.

8:45

This morning, I use Google to research the waiver status on the EW BLOM point Loma water wastewater treatment plant.

8:59

The key document I read is dated 227-24 and says, and I quote, it is my tentative decision that the city of San Diego be granted a waiver, end of quote.

9:13

This is by Martha Guzman, regional administrator for the EPA.

9:21

So using the word tentative as my framework here, I ask what are we legally required to do to change tentative to final order on the waiver.

9:37

And are we doing that already right now?

9:40

I hope.

9:42

So our pure water program continues all the way to completion.

9:49

Here's part two.

9:50

Uh, and this is for a good mojo for the waiver.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Coastal Development█████████████████████████25%
Public Health█████████████13%
Public Comment████████████12%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Water And Wastewater Management██████████10%
Public Power█████████9%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████9%
Procedural████4%
Public Safety████4%
Summary of Proceedings

San Diego Environment Committee Meeting - June 12, 2025

The Environment Committee met on June 12, 2025, at 9:00 AM (noted as 'good afternoon' but date given as 09:00 UTC). The meeting opened with non-agenda comments from the Chair and public, followed by unanimous approval of the consent agenda, discussion and approval of the Coastal Resilience Master Plan (item 5), and an informational update on the Utilities Undergrounding Program (item 6).

Consent Calendar

  • Item 1: Approval of committee minutes from May 22, 2025.
  • Item 2: Authorization to execute contract with JCI Jones Chemicals Incorporated for sodium hypochlorite ($33,800+).
  • Item 3: Authorization to execute contract with PENCO Incorporated for ferric chloride ($6,600,000).
  • Item 4: First amendment to contract with Polydin Incorporated for anionic polymer ($2,500,000).
  • All items were approved unanimously by voice vote (3-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Non-agenda public comment: Chair Ela Rivera gave an opening statement expressing concern about the Trump administration's actions, including the forcible removal of Senator Padilla and DHS Secretary Christy Nome's comments about 'liberating' California. Several members of the public spoke:
    • Joy Sonnyata asked about the waver status of the Point Loma wastewater treatment plant and supported the Pure Water program.
    • Becky Rapp (from Americans for Non-Smokers' Rights) urged stronger enforcement of smoke-free laws at beaches, parks, and boardwalks, citing health risks from vaping and marijuana.
    • Terry Ann Scalia (parent and planning group member) expressed concern about smoking on hiking trails leading to fire hazards and urged prohibiting smoking/vaping in all public places.
    • Kathleen Lippett criticized city policies on marijuana, bike lanes, green energy, and the Pure Water program, advocating for new desalination technologies.
    • Blair Beekman discussed the LA protests, federal immigration actions, and surveillance at Memorial Park.
    • A speaker (identified as 'the original') accused the city council of encouraging an 'invasion' and supporting violence, calling for federal enforcement.
    • Judy Strang highlighted EPA flyers on secondhand smoke and urged stronger smoke-free policies.
  • Consent agenda public comment: Joy Sonnyata noted underrepresentation in contractor workforce and praised lower chemical prices. Blair Beekman thanked staff and Councilmember von Wilpert for contract oversight. A speaker ('the original') opposed the use of chemicals in water.
  • Item 5 public comment:
    • Mitch Silverstein (Surfrider Foundation) supported the Coastal Resilience Master Plan and recommended the most resilient designs (perched beach at Mission Beach, resilient relocation at Ocean Beach, and reconfiguring the park at La Jolla Shores).
    • Nat Giroux (Ocean Beach resident) supported nature-based solutions and urged retreat from the coast.
    • A speaker ('the original') accused the city of using fear and opposed the plan.
    • Blair Beekman raised concerns about pollution from the Tijuana River Valley and supported Mexican desalination efforts.
    • Zachary Zielman (Ocean Beach resident) supported the plan and urged advancing pilot projects, especially at La Jolla Shores and Tourmaline.
  • Item 6 public comment: A speaker ('the original') criticized the city's relationship with SDG&E and road damage from undergrounding. Blair Beekman cautioned about lessons from San Jose and urged coordination with Mexico and community energy plans.

Discussion Items

  • Item 5: Coastal Resilience Master Plan and Program Environmental Impact Report

    • Presenter: Julia Chase, Chief Resilience Officer (City Planning). Key points:
      • The plan identifies nature-based solutions for six coastal sites to address sea level rise, with concept designs and a program EIR.
      • Sea level rise projections: 1-2 days of high tide flooding currently; by end of century, regular flooding without adaptation.
      • Vulnerability assessment: $8 billion in sales and $6 billion in GDP vulnerable to sea level rise (regional estimates).
      • Community engagement: over 1,300 touch points; key themes: safety, parking, multimodal access, native plants, stormwater drainage.
      • Six sites: La Jolla Shores (not recommended to move forward), Tourmaline Surf Park (not recommended at this time), Mission Beach (recommended, two designs: sand dune and perched beach), Ocean Beach Dog Beach (recommended, two designs: dune restoration and resilient relocation), Ocean Beach Beachfront (recommended, multi-use path/sand dune), Sunset Cliffs (recommended, road/parking reconfiguration).
      • Future funding: $10 billion climate bond includes $1.2 billion for coastal resilience.
      • Staff recommendation: adopt plan, create CIPs for Mission Beach, Ocean Beach Dog Beach, Ocean Beach Beachfront, and Sunset Cliffs, and certify PEIR.
      • Resiliency Advisory Board voted in support with preference for resilient relocation and perched beach designs.
    • Council discussion:
      • Councilmember Campbell (District 2) expressed support and motioned to accept staff recommendation.
      • Council President Lakava (District 1) noted no projects in District 1 but supported pilot approach; asked about preserving sandy beaches and retreat options. Staff clarified that nature-based solutions aim to maintain beaches and that retreat could be considered in future phases.
      • Chair Rivera asked about including solar panels in projects; staff said it is not precluded and could be considered in later design.
    • Vote: Motion passed unanimously (3-0).

  • Item 6: Status Update on Utilities Undergrounding Program (Informational)

    • Presenters: Chelsea Clacius (Deputy Director) and Jenny Reynolds (Program Manager). Key points:
      • Operational efficiencies: actionable timelines for telecommunications providers (fines up to $1,000/day for delays); use of SDG&E in-house gas crews; development of Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) to speed environmental review (expected fall 2025).
      • Challenges: complex projects with multiple stakeholders; SDG&E outsourced project management two years ago with slow learning curve; MOU limitations – options to reopen MOU for better controls.
      • Community engagement: three pre-design forums, one pre-construction forum, two pole removal ceremonies; enhanced communication with postcards and website updates.
      • CA Public Utilities Commission discontinued Rule 28 work credits in 2021; orphaned Rule 20A projects being integrated into surcharge projects with consultant support.
      • Current progress: 8 projects underground and in construction; 23 projects in design phase; completed 5 projects in FY25 (with post-underground improvements).
      • Financials: spending rate (red line) exceeding revenue (blue line), tapping fund balance; surcharge fund key to accelerating work.
    • Council comment: Council President Lakava commended staff for improvements, asked about orphaned Rule 20A integration (staff said it's being analyzed holistically), and asked about summer moratorium (staff said no moratorium but will communicate with community). He also inquired about continued delays on project 1M1 (soil study expected July 2025).
    • No action taken (informational item).

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda (items 1-4) approved unanimously (3-0).
  • Item 5 (Coastal Resilience Master Plan) approved unanimously (3-0): plan adopted, CIPs established for Mission Beach, Ocean Beach Dog Beach, Ocean Beach Beachfront, and Sunset Cliffs, and PEIR certified. Staff will report back at a future city council meeting.
  • Item 6 (Utilities Undergrounding Program update) received as information; no vote taken.

Meeting Transcript

All right. Uh, good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the environment committee meeting of June twelfth, twenty twenty-five. Uh, Sarah Jordan, our committee liaison will provide information and instruction for the public to participate in the meeting. Thank you, Cherry La Rivera. Well, members of the public are able to attend the meeting in person. This meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website. The council administration will continue to make arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. Members of the public wish to provide testimony via a call-in or internet-based service option, must enter the virtual queue within five minutes after the conclusion of in-person public testimony or before the virtual speaking queue is exhausted, whichever occurs first. We appreciate the public's cooperation. All right, with that, let's call the environment committee meeting of June twelfth, twenty twenty-five to order. Would you please call the rule? I am here and I am attending the meeting today remotely. Pursuant to the Brown Act, I am disclosing that there is one individual older than eighteen years of age in the room with me, who is a member of my staff. I will update this disclosure if it changes during the course of the meeting. Thank you. Thank you. Council President Lakava. Present. Chair Ela Rivera. Present. Also attending the meeting today is City Attorney Representative Nicole Dino. Male Representative Randy Wilde and IBA representative Jordan Moore. If you're in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of the committee room and place it in the speaker slip box at the table at the front of the room. Please do so in a timely manner to ensure proper meeting management. 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 city's webpage to join the Zoom webinar by telephone. Please dial 1669-2545252 and when prompted, input webinar ID 161907-2156 pound. This information is also available on the agenda and it will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each agenda item. Please note that if you're watching via City TV 24 online, there may be delay. Please participate via the audio on your phone and meet your TV and computer when it's your turn to speak. If you wish to speak to 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 call-in participant by selecting star nine on your cell phone or landline. If you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered, Chair. All right, thank you, Sarah. Um the quorum is present. Um we'll take non-agenda public comment next before we do that, though. I have my own non-agenda comment. I um immediately prior moments before this meeting uh began. We saw uh many of us probably saw footage of Senator Padilla uh being uh uh forcibly removed from a press conference, handcuffed and forced to the ground when trying to ask questions. Um those actions were preceded by um DHS Secretary Christy Nome saying that she that the military and agent presence in Los Angeles and California will be sustained and increased because they are there to liberate the city and the state from the socialist and burdensome leader leadership that the governor and mayor have placed on this country. I uh mention those things because I think it's incredibly important for us to obviously get the business done that we need to get done at the environment committee, but there's nothing normal about this. Uh, these are all of the the flashing warning signs of a descent, a rapid descent into authoritarianism and fascism, I think are in front of us. Um, and uh I just feel a responsibility to say something about that before we go on with the normal business of an environment committee meeting. Um hope I'm wrong, but um this has gotten worse by the day uh and having an incredible impact on our communities, um, and I have serious concerns that the state of California uh is being laid um it's being used as a proving grounds for um the Trump administration's attempt to take over of any political opponents of his. Um so um with that uh Sarah, please proceed with non-agenda public comment. Thank you, Chair approval 2.7 non-agenda public comment is an opportunity for members of the public to comment on items that are not on the agenda but are within the subject matter jurisdiction of this committee. Each speaker will have two minutes. We'll begin with in-person testimony. Joy Sonnyata, if you can please approach the lector, and you will have two minutes. I have uh two parts today. Excuse me.

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