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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-11 SSC MinutesMINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA February 11, 2019 5:00 PM A Regular Meeting of the Sustainability Commission of the City of Chula Vista was called to order at 5:00 pm by Chair Romo in the Executive Conference Room 103, Building A, located at 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Commissioners Legaspi, Matthias, Richeson, Ruvalcaba and Chair Romo ABSENT: Commissioner McMillin STAFF PRESENT: Chief Sustainability Officer Gakunga, Environmental Sustainability Manager Wisniewski, Environmental Services Manager Medrano, Recycling Specials II DiDonato and Administrative Secretary Green. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Richeson moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting on January 14, 2019. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Matthias and carried with the following vote: Yes — 5 Legaspi, Matthias, Richeson, Ruvalcaba and Chair Romo No -0 Abstain — 0 PUBLIC COMMENTS: Rita Clement, introduced herself as a resident of Chula Vista since 2002 and an active member of SanDiego350, a volunteer climate change awareness group. INFORMATION ITEMS 1. Highlighting section 4 of the Smart Cities Strategic Action Plan presented by Dennis Gakunga, Chief Sustainability Officer. Dennis presented an in-depth review of the Smart Cities Strategic Action Plan, explaining all sections are vital to one another so it is difficult to emphasize only one section. Dennis answered questions from the commissioners and addressed their request for further discussion by recommending this topic be added as the sole agenda topic at a future meeting. 2. Community Through Hope's new food rescue program presented by Rosa Vasquez. Rosa shared information regarding the programs offered by Community Through Hope, including food rescue efforts. 3. Hydration Stations at our local high schools and middle schools of the Sweetwater Union High School District presented by Commissioner Tina Matthias. Tina shared her idea to encourage the school district to pursue purchase and installation of hydration stations through grants to educate youth in sustainability efforts by making it part of their everyday life. Discussion resulted in the recommendation to add this agenda topic to the joint commission meeting with the Healthy Chula Vista Advisory Commission on 3/11/19. Page 1 of 3 Sustainability Commission Minutes ACTION ITEMS 1. Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) website review and approve. Discussion resulted in the decision to add clearly stated goals of the CCA to the website, i.e., why is the City of Chula Vista pursuing CCA? Commissioner Matthias moved to approve the website with the addition of the clearly stated CCA goals. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Legaspi and carried with the following vote: Yes — 5 Legaspi, Matthias, Richeson, Ruvalcaba and Chair Romo No -0 Abstain — 0 2. Potential Sustainability Criteria based on the UN list. Commissioners discussed moving this item to the April agenda to allow more time for a detailed discussion. Commissioner Richeson made the motion to move this action item to the April agenda. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Matthias and carried with the following vote: Yes — 5 Legaspi, Matthias, Richeson, Ruvalcaba and Chair Romo No -0 Abstain — 0 3. Create a plan and calendar for the potential public forums on topics: Styrofoam Ban, Climate Action Plan, CV Climate Action Challenge website. Commissioners discussion resulted in the decision to participate in 6 forums. Commissioner Legaspi moved to commit the commission to participate in 3 public forums to promote the CV Climate Action Challenge website, 3 public forums to promote CAP and no forums highlighting Styrofoam Ban at this time. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Richeson and carried with the following vote: Yes — 5 Legaspi, Matthias, Richeson, Ruvalcaba and Chair Romo No -0 Abstain — 0 OTHER BUSINESS 1. ACTIVITY REPORT REVIEW Commissioners agreed to add the following items to the Activity Report: Joint commission meeting with the Healthy Chula Vista Advisory Commission. Commission meeting changed venue for March meeting to encourage community participation Working with Healthy Chula Vista Advisory Commission regarding water bottle reduction Assisting with promoting the Climate Action Challenge website 2 STAFF COMMENTS Environmental Sustainability Manager Wisniewski shared the following upcoming events: 2/19/19 City Council Page 2 of 3 Sustainability Commission Miitirtes meeting to accept BIKE mini grant $3,000; 2/20/19 Climate Change Working Group and preview of Chula Vista Climate Action Challenge; Joint commission meeting with the Healthy Chula Vista Advisory Commission on 3/11/19 at the Parkway Rec Center; 4/6/19 San Diego Earth Day, in which commissioners will participate. Coleen also gave status on the Clean Sustainability Champion Awards nominations which are currently at 7. Coleen advised commissioners the adjourn to date at the bottom of the agenda is incorrect. The next meeting date is Monday, 3/11/19. Environmental Services Manager Manuel Medrano shared that there the City is moving forward with the audit of Republic's financials. Public notification of audit will also include Prop 218 notice. Manuel is working on tour of Republics organics processing area. Environmental Services team is meeting with approximately 300 business regarding organics and rightsizing recycling participation. City will utilize a consultant to conduct a trial with 12 clean businesses to evaluate cost savings of moving from Styrofoam to single -use products. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS Commissioner Matthias shared the next Cleanup day will be Saturday, 2/16/19 at J St. There will be a planting and restoration day on Saturday, 3/2/19 at the Tijuana Estuary. Tina reminded everyone of the Zero Waste Symposium on 2/12/19. Commissioner Richeson attended the Wildlife Advisory Group meeting on 1/23/19. The meeting topics included a consultant presentation of options for Sweetwater Park, which included a circle of life option. Commissioner Legaspi attended the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) grand opening on 1/26/19. He reminded commissioners their input is welcome for the Climate Change Working Group meeting on 2/20/19. Commissioner Ruvalcaba invited commissioners to rapid transit event on Friday, 2/15/19 2pm. This event is to encourage ridership from EI Cajon Blvd. transit station to the U.S. — Mexico International border and back. CHAIR'S COMMENTS Chair Romo is pleased with the multiple opportunities upcoming to engage with the community, i.e., forums, meetings, etc. He is looking forward to the joint meeting with the Healthy Chula Vista Advisory Commission and hopes to schedule a joint meeting with the Planning Commission soon. Chair Romo asked staff to inquire about fees for the City Launch event in March 2019. ADJOURNMENT Chair Romo adjourned the meeting at 7:41 pm. l Connie Green, Administrative Secretary Page 3 of 3 Sustainability Commission Nlinutes