HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-12 SSC Agenda Packet
Date:Monday, April 12, 2021
Time:5:00 p.m.
Location:Virtual, Via Teleconference
PLEASE NOTE THAT, PURSUANT TO THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA'S
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-29-20, AND IN THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY,
MEMBERS OF THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION AND STAFF MAY PARTICIPATE IN THIS
MEETING VIA TELECONFERENCE. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXECUTIVE ORDER, THE
PUBLIC MAY VIEW THE MEETING ONLINE AND NOT IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
HOW TO WATCH: Members of the public can access a link to the livestream at
www.chulavistaca.gov/virtualmeetings. Members of the public who wish to join by telephone only,
may call 1-844-992-4726 (U.S. Toll Free) and enter the access code: [187 512 3360].
HOW TO SUBMIT COMMENTS: Visit the online eComment portal for this meeting at:
www.chulavistaca.gov/virtualmeetings. The commenting period will be open shortly after the
agenda is published for a particular meeting and will remain open through the meeting, as
described below. All comments will be available to the public and the Sustainability Commission
using the eComment portal. Comments must be received prior to the time the Chair calls for the
close of the commenting period. Comments received after such time will not be considered by the
Sustainability Commission. If you have difficulty or are unable to submit a comment, please contact
Sustainability Commission staff for assistance at SSC@chulavistaca.gov.
ACCESSIBILITY: Individuals with disabilities are invited to request reasonable modifications or
accommodations in order to access and/or participate in a Sustainability Commission meeting by
contacting the Economic Development Department at SSC@chulavistaca.gov (California Relay
Service is available for the hearing impaired by dialing 711) at least forty-eight hours in advance of
the meeting.
***The City of Chula Vista is relying on commercial technology to livestream and accept public
comments. If we have technical difficulties, we will resolve them as quickly as possible. City staff
will take all possible measures to ensure a publicly accessible experience.***
1.CALL TO ORDER
2.ROLL CALL
Commissioners Baugh, Guevara-Gluyas, Korgan, Legaspi, Richeson, Rodriguez
and Chair Matthias
3.CONSENT CALENDAR (Item 3.1)
The Commission will enact the Consent Calendar staff recommendations by one motion,
without discussion, unless a Commissioner, a member of the public, or staff requests that an
item be removed for discussion. If you wish to comment on one of these items, please
submit comments electronically at www.chulavistaca.gov/virtualmeetings.
3.1.APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the meeting on March 8, 2021
Staff recommendation:
Commission approve the minutes.
4.PUBLIC COMMENTS
Persons may address the Commission on any subject matter within the Commission’s
jurisdiction that is not listed as an item on the agenda. State law generally prohibits the
Commission from discussing or taking action on any issue not included on the agenda, but, if
appropriate, the Commission may schedule the topic for future discussion or refer the matter
to staff. If you wish to comment, please submit comments electronically at:
www.chulavistaca.gov/virtualmeetings.
5.PRESENTATIONS
The following item(s) will be presentations given by staff. Action on these item(s) is typically
limited to the Commission receiving the presentation and providing direction or feedback to
staff, as appropriate.
5.1.CHULA VISTA QUALITY OF LIFE INDICATORS
Kimberly Elliott, Facilities Financing Manager and Kim VanderBie, Associate Planner
6.ACTION ITEMS
The Item(s) listed in this section of the agenda will be considered individually by the
Commission and are expected to elicit discussion and deliberation. If you wish to comment
on one of these items, you may do so at www.chulavistaca.gov/virtualmeetings.
6.1.ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS VOTING
Staff recommendation:
Review online voting and approve final results.
OTHER BUSINESS
7.STAFF COMMENTS
7.1.Republic Services update
7.2.CIOPRO potential pilot project update
7.3.South Bay Earth Day @ Home
7.4.Climate Equity Index revisions update
7.5.Smart Cities subcommittee update
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88.CHAIR'S COMMENTS
9.COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
10.ADJOURNMENT
to the regular meeting on May 10, 2021 at 5 pm in the conference room C-101 in building A
at City Hall, Chula Vista, California.
Materials provided to the Sustainability Commission related to any open-session item on this
agenda are available for public review at https://chulavista.granicusideas.com/meetings or
by contacting the Human Resources Department at SSC@chulavistaca.gov.
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Page | 1 Sustainability Commission Minutes
MINUTES OF VIRTUAL REGULAR MEETING
OF THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA
March 8, 2021 5:00 PM
A Virtual Regular Meeting of the Sustainability Commission of the City of Chula Vista via WebEx was
called to order by Chair Matthias at 5:08 pm.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Commissioners JoEllen Baugh, Chair Tina Matthias, John Richeson, Vice Chair Edward Legaspi,
Adriana Guevara-Gluyas, Christos Korgan, and Angelica Rodriguez.
STAFF PRESENT: Chief Sustainability Officer Dennis Gakunga, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Coleen Wisniewski, Environmental Services Manager Manuel Medrano, and Sustainability Specialists Cory
Downs, Yasemin Corrales and Robert Coleman.
1. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDER AND MEETING MINUTES: The Consent Calendar and the February 8
meeting minutes were motioned for approval by Commissioner Richeson, seconded by Commissioner
Korgan, approved and carried the following vote:
Yes – 5 - Baugh, Chair Matthias, Richeson, Vice Chair Legaspi, Guevara-Gluyas, Korgan, and Rodriguez.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: No eComments were submitted on the Consent Calendar or the February 8 meeting
minutes.
INFORMATION ITEMS
2. SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY POWER UPDATE
A presentation was made by Carolyn Scofield, San Diego Community Power Advisory Committee
Member. She showed images and information on key items on the San Diego Community Power (SDCP)
website including the Home Page and the Your Choice, Billing and Rates, About and Resources tabs
where site users can compare service plans and learn more. Plans available are: Power On 50% with 50%
renewable energy with an average cost of $87.92 per month; Power On 100% with 100% renewable
energy with an average cost of $90.18 per month. Power On plans will be 2-3% below SDG&E prices.
Power On 100 is comparable to the SDG&E price but only contains 31% renewable energy. She noted that
SDG&E prices are not shown on the SDCP website at this time. There is also a Frequently Asked Questions
tab that focuses on what changes and what stays the same. SDCP will be creating a tool to allow potential
customers to compare rates with SDG&E.
There will be four rollout mailers for each rollout phase. Phase 1 is for municipal customers
(approximately 700 accounts, 3% of total power) which launched on March 1. Phase 2 industrial and
commercial customers (approximately 72,000 accounts, 59% of total power) launches June 1. Phase 3 for
residential and solar customers (approximately 695,000 accounts, 38% of total power) launches early
next year. Rollout is based on SDG&E service types. Customers are automatically opted-in; to not
participate customers need to opt-out. A feed-in-tariff program will eventually be coming out for solar
customers where they can sell back electricity to SDCP. Ms. Wisniewski said that all City of Chula Vista
accounts for its buildings (municipal phase) will be 100% renewable energy.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS: One eComment was submitted conveying congratulations on the launch.
3. PRESENTATION FROM CIOPRO, INC, AN ORGANIZATION OFFERING SERVICES THAT HELP CITIES ACHIEVE
SUSTAINABILITY GOALS
Chair Mathias said she was approached by the presenter Elias Cortez of CIOPRO, an organization that
helps cities, through the nonprofit Heartland Coalition and she feels Commissioners would enjoy the
presentation. Mr. Cortez said in his review of the Climate Change Working Group’s seven key
recommendations, particularly the recommendation to eliminate use of single-use plastics. He presented
a proprietary solution CIOPRO is working on. It to could create fuel from plastic waste that is not
currently recyclable, he referred to this as “dirty plastic.” He said this technology would help the region
combat the plastic problem facing cities, haulers, landfills and the recycling and waste disposal industries.
The solution called Plastic to Fuel (P2F) involves a patent-pending technology that coverts plastic back to
its hydrocarbon state. He said it would result in removing the problem of non-recyclable dirty waste
plastic, eliminate the need for the U.S. to export plastic to Asian and other countries. The process would
produce, from the dirty plastic, clean high-performance gasoline and diesel for cars, commercial trucks
and buses. The plastic is shredded and placed into the system and through a heat process and conversion
system the plastic is turned into its original form to create hi-grade gasoline, diesel, kerosene, paraffin
(wax), LGP and residues. A scaled-down pilot plant has been developed in San Bernardino with a closed-
loop, nonpolluting system where the exhaust is routed through a thermal oxidizer. At full capacity, the
pilot plant can produce 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of fuel per day. This equates to 7 to 9 tanker trucks a week.
Mr. Cortez is proposing a public-private sector partnership where a plant could be constructed locally to
produce the high-grade fuels from discarded plastics where fuels would be available to cities for use in
their fleets. He said preparation of a proposal would involve the firms SCS and EFI. This would also involve
working with the Heartland Coalition, a local nonprofit that would develop vocational programs to
support employment and workers at such a plant.
Some Commissioners expressed interest in having the City pursue such an opportunity in a quick fashion.
Mr. Gakunga explained that City management has communicated with the Chair and Co-Chair and has
reached out to Mr. Cortez and his team, and the City has a process for engaging with cold callers or, as in
this case, from a referral pursing innovative pilot projects. Mr. Cortez was asked to submit a formal
proposal. It will be evaluated to determine if the firm meets all the criteria for which it can engage with
the City. This includes evaluating if the proposal meets the City’s priorities. It would also undergo a legal
review by the City Attorney. Then a determination would be made regarding proceeding further. He said
a status update would be provided at the next Commission meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: No eComments were submitted.
ACTION ITEMS
4. REVIEW FULL CLIMATE EQUITY INDEX REPORT
Mr. Downs made a presentation on updating of the Chula Vista Climate Equity Index Report and the
attached report prepared by the Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC). He pointed out changes to
graphics and color coding in maps, additional information and refinements to the report findings that
were recommended by the Sustainability Commission when these documents were presented at the
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Page | 3 Sustainability Commission Minutes
December 14, 2020 meeting would make the report more user friendly. A key finding was emphasized
that persons of color (non-White and White Hispanic populations) make up a higher percentage of the
population in those census tracts that have higher Climate Equity Index (CEI) scores. The City’s
recommendations in the report include working with City staff to incorporate CEI scores into programs
and policies to: 1) increase outreach efforts to and engagement with high scoring census tracts, 2) seek
funding for high scoring census tracts, and 3) update the CEI approximately every 5 years. The draft
report is available on the City’s website for the public to view and was sent to stakeholders. The goal
today is to present the full report (both documents constitute the CEI) to the Commission requesting
approval to present it to the City Council in April and publish the full report online with a report map with
overlays to solicit more input. After Council approval implementation would begin.
Commissioner Korgan took note the EPIC report has a very detailed methodology but is problematic in its
statistical analysis and needs to be improved. Specifically, he said the methodologies are conflating a
descriptive analysis with an inferential analysis and the report disallows for group differences and causal
interpretations. He suggested to inform EPIC by asking, does the construct satisfactorily hang together
with what is being measured? Commissioner Rodriguez suggested that EPIC should publish a paper on
the methodologies so other cities could use them. She also said if there is an opportunity to provide
wording changes and offer further suggestions on specifics on how to use the CEI she would welcome
that. Also, she stated that the existing equity efforts (CAP Actions, Digital Inclusion Plan, Housing Support,
Welcoming City, Library Sustainability Kits and Labs for Students) be included in the report as examples of
what can be implemented. Mr. Downs said the detailed technical comments were requested at the
December 6 meeting when EPIC was still under contract. However, the City would try to work with EPIC
to relay input received tonight to make the report clearer as requested. Mr. Gakunga reminded the
Commission that the report is still in draft form at this time and the City has a strong relationship with
EPIC and will work to circle back on the report. As such, the Commission decided that not to take action
at this time.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Three eComments were submitted all in favor of the CEI report.
STAFF COMMENTS
Mr. Medrano clarified that the City of Chula Vista does not have a pilot project with a small glass recycler
as was stated by a presenter and the extent of that relationship is the City is helping them try to locate a
property. He also clarified that organics collected in Chula Vista will be composted and put back in the
soil to sequester carbon and not processed into other products. This year due to the pandemic, instead of
a live in-person event, the City will conduct South Bay Earth Day at Home virtually online on April 22. Ms.
Wisniewski said the City Clerk’s office is conducting a survey on revamping City agendas and is looking for
input. Nominations for the CLEAN Champion Sustainability awards closes March 31 and Commissioners
are encouraged to provide nominations and to get the word out. The Commission has a Climate
Emergency Declaration Subcommittee meeting on March 10. The Benchmarking ordinance was adopted
by the City Council on March 2. City staff is participating in San Diego Building Electric Coalition meetings.
City staff is reaching out to various groups to see if there is interest for participation in a stakeholder
group once the Climate Change Working Group recommendations get formally adopted by the City
Council. Mr. Gakunga thanked the Chair and Co-Chair for putting the City in touch with CIOPRO and the
City is looking forward to learning more about a potential pilot project. The City will become engaged
with the San Diego Green New Deal working groups and is coordinating a date to present to their Justice
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and Equity Diversion Inclusion group regarding the CEI report and Digital Equity Inclusion group regarding
the City’s activities that address the digital divide. Also, the City is coordinating with them to have
representatives from the San Diego Green New Deal address the Commission. The City is having
conversations with the Chair and vice Chair on ways to better open up the lines of communication to
increase engagement and be more responsive. The City, as members of the Climate Mayor’s Steering
Committee, is participating in a group meeting with the incoming Chair tomorrow.
CHAIR COMMENTS
Chair Matthias said the Commission Subcommittee on a Single-Use Plastics Ban and Zero Waste will be
meeting with Surfrider on March 11 to continue efforts to create a plastics ban. The North County
Climate Change Alliance has invited the Commission to attend an online screening of the film “Seeding
Change” and attend a virtual follow-up discussion on March 11. City staff will send out the information
and she said pre-registration is required. Sustainable Communities and Hilltop High are working on a 30-
day Sustainability Challenge during Earth Month this April.
COMMISIONERS COMMENTS
Commissioner Baugh said she has checked out one of the Energy Efficiency kits from the library. She
mentioned she is pursuing environmental-friendly products and suggested letting the public know about
such companies. Vice Chair Legaspi, representing the Commission, met with Councilpersons Galvez and
Cardenas and it was suggested the Commission meet with Assemblywoman Gonzalez and County
Supervisor Vargas. All of this is part of the Commission’s efforts to become more connected with the
community. He said he will follow up with Assemblywoman Gonzalez’s office to see if she could meet
with the Commission on her Assembly Bill 881 regarding plastics. Vice Chair Legaspi said he and Chair
Matthias met with Mr. Gakunga to get a status update on a previous Commission request to change the
Charter to add members from other Commissions and have Sustainability Commissioners sit on the
Planning Commission but it was deemed to not be of value by the previous City Manager. Mr. Gakunga
provided clarification that the current City Manager and Deputy City Manager were in those meetings
and they are aware of the issue. He mentioned that the idea of increasing the Sustainability Commission
from 7 to 9 members would be entertained and the City is recommending adding two student members
and the City Manager supports that, possibly a high school student and a college student. This could be
discussed at an upcoming Commission meeting. Commissioner Richeson asked if the suggested Charter
changes previously presented by the Commission could be re-visited. Mr. Gakunga said the City would
commit to that discussion.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Matthias adjourned the meeting at 7:49 p.m.
_________________________________
Robert Coleman, Sustainability Specialist
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TO: Sustainability Commission
FROM: Development Services Department, Facilities Financing Division
Kimberly Elliott, Facilities Financing Manager
Kim VanderBie, Associate Planner
DATE: April 6, 2021
SUBJECT: “Chula Vista Quality of Life Indicators”
The City of Chula Vista has a Growth Management Ordinance which was established in the late
1980’s for the purpose of evaluating the impacts of growth on city facilities and services on an annual
basis. It was created a time of rapid growth in eastern Chula Vista and there was concern that there
could be a reduction in the quality of life of for its residents. As the city approaches buildout and
State housing mandates limit the city’s ability to stop or slow down growth, Council recognizes that
the current Growth Management Program’s emphasis on growth is less relevant now than it was over
the past two or three decades when development was at its peak.
In mid-2019, the City Council, in a joint meeting with the Planning Commission and Growth
Management Oversight Commission (GMOC), directed staff to conduct a comprehensive review of
the City’s 34-year-old Growth Management Program to determine the relevancy of the topics and
threshold standards. To comply with Council’s direction, staff initiated that review process last year
with a focus of evaluating what it means to have a good quality of life for all citizens.
As part of this process, staff is meeting with city departments and various boards and commissions
and subject matter experts to discuss potential new quality of life topics and indicators. One of the
topics we are considering is Conservation and/or Sustainability. To that end we would like to have an
open discussion with your commission to give us to input and solicit suggestions. We will provide a
brief history of the Growth Management Program; an overview of the work we have done to-date and
share ideas we have for the Conservation/Sustainability topic.
We look forward to meeting with you on April 12, 2021.
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