OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Environment Committee Meeting – February 12, 2026: Work Plan, Software Contract, and Public Comments

Environment Committee — Thursday, February 12, 2026
BodySan Diego, California
SessionEnvironment Committee
DateThursday, February 12, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 59:02

Transcript — Verbatim
2:26

Okay.

2:27

Good afternoon, everyone.

2:28

Welcome to the Environment Committee meeting of February 12th, 2026.

2:32

Our committee liaison, Sarah Jordan will provide information and instruction for the public to participate in today's meeting.

2:38

Thank you, Cherry Lil Rivera.

2:40

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

2:50

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

3:03

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

3:25

Also attending the meeting today is City Attorney Representative Dominic Gugliamo.

3:30

Mayor Representative Randy Wilde and IBA Representative Jordan Moore.

3:34

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

3:39

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

3:42

Members of the public can join the webinar by computer tablet or smartphone by accessing the link which is listed on the preamble language of the agenda on the city's webpage to join the Zoom webinar by telephone.

3:51

Please dial 16692545252 and when prompted.

4:12

If you wish to speak to a particular item, please wait for that item to be called and raise your hand to speak by tapping the raise your hand icon or if you're calling participant by selecting star nine on your cell phone or landline.

4:21

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

4:25

All right, thank you.

4:26

We've got a quorum.

4:28

Let's take up non-agenda public comment.

4:30

Um please proceed with public comment.

4:46

So I'll begin the five-minute timer for all those in the virtual queue to indicate if they wish to provide non-agenda public at this time.

5:01

Becky Rapp, please unmute and provide your comment.

5:06

Good afternoon.

5:07

My name is Becky Rapp, and I want to begin by thanking you for your continued focus on public health.

5:14

Environmental quality and equitable housing policy.

5:17

Your willingness to consider preventative strategies that protect residents by moving to restrict tobacco and marijuana housing in multifamily housing settings is really exciting.

5:29

As the city prepares for the upcoming land development code update, I'd like to draw your attention to item number 25.

5:36

This presents an important opportunity to add language, ensuring that any housing project, public or private, that receives public subsidies, includes a smoke-free requirement.

5:49

Your stated priorities include advancing environmental justice, reducing health disparities, improving housing quality, and protecting vulnerable residents.

5:59

Smoke-free affordable housing directly supports each of these goals.

6:04

And when public dollars are used to create or preserve affordable homes, we have a responsibility to ensure that those homes meet basic environmental health standards.

6:15

Smoke-free policies reduce indoor air pollution, lower fire risk, and these decrease long-term maintenance costs and promote housing stability.

6:24

And these are preventative, cost-effective, and consistent with the city's climate and public health commitments.

6:30

So expanding this requirement to all publicly subsidized housing would create policy consistency and reflect the city's commitment to protecting vulnerable communities.

6:42

Thank you for your time.

6:44

Thank you for your testimony.

6:46

Our next speaker is Madison.

6:47

Please unmute and share your comment.

6:53

Hi, thank you.

6:54

Good afternoon, Environment Committee.

7:05

So, as defined by state law, environmental justice means the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

7:21

So as we consider these environmental priorities, I urge you to examine packaging waste, litter, odor, and strain from marijuana retail.

7:31

I appreciate that Councilmember Campbell has included tobacco waste as a priority in San Diego.

7:37

She said that San Diego continues to face the negative impacts of tobacco use, including public health consequences, environmental harm, and litter in our communities.

7:48

It may be beneficial for the committee to explore additional strategies and potential solutions, including input from stakeholders and advocacy groups to address these challenges.

7:59

Several cities have also moved to restrict tobacco and marijuana smoking in multifamily housing settings, which could inform future discussion.

8:08

End quote.

8:31

Single-use plastics, foil pouches, and child resistant containers often end up as litter in the very communities that host these businesses.

8:41

Clean air, clean streets, and well-maintained public spaces are basic environmental protections that every community deserves.

8:49

Thank you.

8:51

Thank you.

8:52

Thank you.

8:53

Our next speaker is phone number ending in 8700.

8:57

You can unmute by pressing star six.

9:06

Key aspects of the Colorado River crisis.

9:10

Price and allocation.

9:13

Political motivation, water wars, i.e.

9:18

legal battles.

9:20

The problem.

9:31

Meaning more water is promised than actually flows.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Technology and Innovation██████████████████████22%
Public Comment█████████████████████21%
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████████17%
Climate Change██████████████14%
Environmental Protection█████████████13%
Public Health█████5%
Procedural████4%
Public Engagement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Environment Committee Meeting – February 12, 2026

The Environment Committee of the San Diego City Council met on February 12, 2026, to address a consent agenda, a software agreement modification for the My Water SD portal, and the adoption of the 2026 committee work plan. Public comments covered smoke-free housing, marijuana waste, Colorado River management, and stormwater funding. The meeting was chaired by Councilmember Ela Rivera, with Council President Lakava and Vice Chair Campbell (absent) contributing.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the committee minutes from January 22, 2026, unanimously (2-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Non-Agenda Public Comment:
    • Becky Rapp expressed full support for including smoke-free requirements in all publicly subsidized housing, citing environmental justice, health, and fire risk reduction.
    • Madison urged the committee to examine packaging waste, litter, and odor from marijuana retail, noting that several cities restrict smoking in multifamily housing.
    • A caller (phone ending 8700) raised questions about the Colorado River crisis, cloud seeding, Mexico's water allocation affecting the Tijuana River pollution, and cost concerns with the Pure Water project.
    • Terry Ann Skelly (parent, public health educator, planning group member) emphasized secondhand smoke/vapor health risks, especially for disadvantaged communities, and supported smoke-free policies in multifamily settings.
    • Blair Beekman (calling from Hawaii) spoke about water rate hikes, the need for accountability with Pure Water, and called for de-escalation and demilitarization on immigration issues.
  • Consent Agenda Public Comment:
    • Joyce (phone ending 8700) questioned a $62 million contract with USP Tech for odor control, noting lack of public discussion and underrepresentation.
    • Blair Beekman reiterated support for Pure Water collaboration.
  • Item 2 (Software Agreement) Public Comment:
    • Joyce (phone ending 8700) expressed confusion about the contract history, asked about PAND's shadowing results, and noted underrepresentation at Smart Energy Water.
    • Blair Beekman praised Council President von Wilbert and Campbell for reorganizing smart water meter processes and commended progress.
  • Item 3 (Work Plan) Public Comment:
    • Joyce (phone ending 8700) thanked the chair for the 26-item work plan and praised specific priorities: Tijuana River pollution crisis, tree canopy, and water/stormwater needs.
    • Blair Beekman stressed the importance of good environmental tech policy and sea level rise sensitivity.
    • Patrick McDonough (Senior Attorney, San Diego Coastkeeper) strongly supported the work plan's priorities but highlighted the stormwater funding deficit crisis, noting the latest IBA figure of $3.74 billion over five years, an unfunded gap of nearly $200 million for FY2027 operations, and emergency CIP costs rising from $17 million (2022) to $98 million (2025). He urged the city to prioritize sustainable stormwater funding.

Discussion Items

  • Item 2: Authorization to Modify Software Agreement with Smart Energy Water for My Water SD Portal

    • Michelle Costello (Deputy Director, Public Utilities) and Dandy Bagby (Program Manager) presented. The existing sole-source contract (2016) was expiring. The city shifted from replacing the portal to enhancing it, reducing planned expenditure from $9–10 million to about $3.5 million over five years. The modification extends the term to April 20, 2031, and reduces the not-to-exceed amount from $16.3 million to $5.5 million (including $2 million already spent). Savings resulted from shifting credit card convenience fees to customers. Planned enhancements include improved registration, billing functionality, multi-account management for property managers, pay-by-phone, and live chat.
    • Council President Lakava questioned the numbers and confirmed the $3.5 million future spend plus $2 million already spent equals the $5.5 million request. He praised the portal and the credit card fee policy change. The committee voted unanimously to approve.

  • Item 3: 2026 Environment Committee Work Plan

    • Chair Ela Rivera presented the work plan, structured around environmental justice, climate resilience, affordability, and utility accountability. Key pillars: Climate Resilient SD implementation, Tijuana River Valley crisis, water rate oversight, stormwater infrastructure, Pure Water SD oversight, energy future and public power, and compliance with the city's Project Labor Agreement (PLA).
    • Council President Lakava expressed support, noting the importance of the Climate Action Plan and Resilient SD, despite federal headwinds and court rulings. He defended the Pure Water program as under budget and stressed the need for public awareness on stormwater funding. He added no changes to the work plan.
    • Chair Rivera acknowledged the challenges at the federal level and emphasized the committee's role in protecting the environment and public health. No motion was needed; the work plan was adopted as presented.

Key Outcomes

  • Item 2: Approved unanimously (2-0) to modify the sole-source agreement with Smart Energy Water, reducing the not-to-exceed amount to $5.5 million and extending the term to April 20, 2031.
  • Item 3: 2026 Environment Committee Work Plan adopted as presented, with no additional motions or amendments.
  • The next regularly scheduled Environment Committee meeting will be on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Okay. Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the Environment Committee meeting of February 12th, 2026. Our committee liaison, Sarah Jordan will provide information and instruction for the public to participate in today's meeting. Thank you, Cherry Lil Rivera. While 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 and council administration will continue to make arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. Members of the public who do who wish to provide testimony via a call-in or an internet-based service option must enter the virtual speaking queue within five minutes after 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. Also attending the meeting today is City Attorney Representative Dominic Gugliamo. Mayor Representative Randy Wilde and IBA Representative Jordan Moore. If you're in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of chambers 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 on the preamble language of the agenda on the city's webpage to join the Zoom webinar by telephone. Please dial 16692545252 and when prompted. If you wish to speak to a particular item, please wait for that item to be called and raise your hand to speak by tapping the raise your hand icon or if you're calling participant by selecting star nine on your cell phone or landline. If you raise your hand during the non-comment period, your hand will be lowered. All right, thank you. We've got a quorum. Let's take up non-agenda public comment. Um please proceed with public comment. So I'll begin the five-minute timer for all those in the virtual queue to indicate if they wish to provide non-agenda public at this time. Becky Rapp, please unmute and provide your comment. Good afternoon. My name is Becky Rapp, and I want to begin by thanking you for your continued focus on public health. Environmental quality and equitable housing policy. Your willingness to consider preventative strategies that protect residents by moving to restrict tobacco and marijuana housing in multifamily housing settings is really exciting. As the city prepares for the upcoming land development code update, I'd like to draw your attention to item number 25. This presents an important opportunity to add language, ensuring that any housing project, public or private, that receives public subsidies, includes a smoke-free requirement. Your stated priorities include advancing environmental justice, reducing health disparities, improving housing quality, and protecting vulnerable residents. Smoke-free affordable housing directly supports each of these goals. And when public dollars are used to create or preserve affordable homes, we have a responsibility to ensure that those homes meet basic environmental health standards. Smoke-free policies reduce indoor air pollution, lower fire risk, and these decrease long-term maintenance costs and promote housing stability. And these are preventative, cost-effective, and consistent with the city's climate and public health commitments. So expanding this requirement to all publicly subsidized housing would create policy consistency and reflect the city's commitment to protecting vulnerable communities. Thank you for your time. Thank you for your testimony. Our next speaker is Madison. Please unmute and share your comment. Hi, thank you. Good afternoon, Environment Committee. So, as defined by state law, environmental justice means the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. So as we consider these environmental priorities, I urge you to examine packaging waste, litter, odor, and strain from marijuana retail. I appreciate that Councilmember Campbell has included tobacco waste as a priority in San Diego. She said that San Diego continues to face the negative impacts of tobacco use, including public health consequences, environmental harm, and litter in our communities. It may be beneficial for the committee to explore additional strategies and potential solutions, including input from stakeholders and advocacy groups to address these challenges. Several cities have also moved to restrict tobacco and marijuana smoking in multifamily housing settings, which could inform future discussion. End quote. Single-use plastics, foil pouches, and child resistant containers often end up as litter in the very communities that host these businesses. Clean air, clean streets, and well-maintained public spaces are basic environmental protections that every community deserves. Thank you.

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