Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-14 SSC MInutesCITY OF CHULA VISTA REGULAR MEETING OF THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION Meeting Minutes February 14, 2022, 5:00 p.m. City Hall, Bldg. #C, Conference Room B-111 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista Present: Commissioner Baugh, Commissioner Richeson, Commissioner Legaspi, Chair Matthias Absent: Commissioner Guevara-Gluyas, Vice Chair Korgan, Commissioner Rodriguez Also Present: Chief Sustainability Officer Gakunga, Environmental Sustainability Manager Wisniewski, Environmental Services Manager Medrano, Secretary Rodriguez Others Present Conservation Specialist Downs 1. CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Sustainability Commission of the City of Chula Vista was called to order at 5:04 p.m. in Conference Room B-111 located in City Hall Building C, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista California. 2. ROLL CALL Secretary Rodriguez called the roll. 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS Carolyn Scofield with San Diego Community Power shared an update on NET Metering. 1 4. PRESENTATIONS 4.1 REDUCING YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT WITH THE CLIMATE ACTION CHALLENGE Conservation Specialist Downs presented on the Climate Action Challenge. Currently there are 313 homes participating in the challenge. He continued by sharing the steps on getting started, sign up on the Climate Action Challenge website, create your energy profile and create personal action plan along with joining a team and community group. He next shared what the account looks like and provided direction on how to create the account. The challenge website also provides support resources so that members can learn from other communities, there is support from City Staff and you can ask questions on regarding the challenge. He concluded by encouraging everyone to participate in the challenge by signing up at www.cvclimatechallenge.com or www.chulavistaca.gov/clean. Commissioner Legaspi asked Downs if he received any subsidies or tax break for the work completed in his home that equated to energy/gas savings. Richeson asked Downs could share his upfront costs for the improvements/electrification performed in his home and an expected time frame to see a return in the investment based on his savings. 4.2 UPDATE FROM STAFF ON THE IMPACTS ON THE CITY'S EFFORTS TO RECOVER, RECYCLE AND REUSE DISCARDED RESOURCES IN LIGHT OF REPUBLIC SERVICES COLLECTION SERVICE INTERRUPTION Environmental Services Manager shared an overview of Republic Services and issues that came about due to the strike. The strike began on December 17th of 2021 and trash was not collected the following day and Republic Services brought in what they call the "Strike Team" or "Blue Team" to provide limited trash collection as only half the routes were having trash collected. The city was informed that all industrial routes were being covered, but only half of residential and businesses had service. No recycling routes were collected for the first two weeks and no yard waste, bulky item pick-up, no cart delivery, or exchanges occurred during the strike. Republic Services brought in additional staff from outside the city and the region. City staff along with a contractor assisted in the collection of trash. A day before the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday the strike came to an end. Data is still not available as to how much waste was picked up as the landfill was open to residents for disposal and everything was mixed 2 which is concerning as this data has to be reported to the state. The data that is reported by facilities is done on a quarterly basis and when that data is available, we will see where the city stands as far as how it will affect disposal rates. When the data becomes available Medrano said he would share with the commission. Commissioner Richeson asked if there had been any consideration to not give the organics business to Republic Services at this time considering their recent performance and he raised a question regarding the Zero Waste Plan. Commissioner Legaspi had a question regarding a report that Medrano had previously mentioned regarding where all the plastics collected go. Commissioner Richeson requested the Republic Services audit be shared with the commission. Chair Matthias recused herself due to having received a grant from Republic Services. Commissioner Baugh inquired about a refund from Republic Services to residents and Medrano explained it would be a credit issued and not a refund. Medrano answered questions regarding the contract with Republic Services. 4.3 CITY OF ENCINITAS HELIUM -FILLED BALLOON BAN Environmental Services Manager Medrano spoke on the staff report and resolution from the City of Encinitas regarding the ban of helium -filled balloons. For the City of Chula Vista this would be covered under the plastics ban. The ban would be on the sales of all balloons but enforcement from city staff would be difficult as residents could purchase the balloons in neighboring cities and bring them here. The plan for Chula Vista is to have a complete ban on the sale and use of all balloons as the concern is that they create pollution. 4.4 UPDATE OF A PRESENTATION FROM CIOPRO, INC AND ORGANIZATION OFFERING SERVICES THAT HELP CITIES ACHIEVE SUSTAINABILITY GOALS Eli Cortez presented on an organization offering services that help cities achieve sustainability goals. He shared a proposal submitted by Enerra in cooperation with ClOpro as they are interested in siting and operating a waste plastic transformation plant in or near the city. The plant would accept all waste plastics collected in the city that are difficult or impossible to recycle and transform it into high octane gasoline, ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel and other useful products. He continued to explain how a plastic to fuel recycling plant could convert plastic back to its hydrocarbon state. He shared the timeline for development, the conversion process and provided some of the benefits of this technology which produces zero gas 3 emissions, include reduction of greenhouse gas footprint. In conclusion he is asking for the city to support this proposal as they need the city's authority to work with the contracted hauler. They are not asking for any funding as they Enerra has the money to purchase or lease land or property. Commissioner Richeson asked staff what the process was on unsolicited proposals and Chief Sustainability Officer Gakunga explained the process to the commission. Two public comments were received: Ramirez, Rudy and Arnett -Jordan, Ruth Moved by Commissioner Richeson Seconded by Commissioner Legaspi Motion to draft a letter to City Council recommending the operations of a waste plastics transformation plant, while not endorsing a proposal but taking the program into consideration. Yes (4): Commissioner Baugh, Commissioner Richeson, Commissioner Legaspi, and Chair Matthias Result:Carried (4 to 0) 5. ACTION ITEMS 5.1 APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 8, 2021 Moved by Commissioner Richeson Seconded by Commissioner Baugh Commission approved minutes Yes (4): Commissioner Baugh, Commissioner Richeson, Commissioner Legaspi, and Chair Matthias Result:Carried (4 to 0) 5.2 CONFIRM CATEGORIES FOR THE 2022 SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPION AWARDS Environmental Sustainability Manager Wisniewski shared that the categories would remain the same as to what the commission previously approved and if no changes were to be requested the nomination period 12 would be opened this week with the award presentation on the April 26th council meeting. Moved by Commissioner Legaspi Seconded by Commissioner Richeson Reviewed and confirmed categories Yes (4): Commissioner Baugh, Commissioner Richeson, Commissioner Legaspi, and Chair Matthias Result:Carried (4 to 0) OTHER BUSINESS 6. STAFF COMMENTS Environmental Services Manager Medrano shared that South Bay Earth Day would be coming back to in-person this year and offered the commission a ten by ten tent to have at the event. Former Sustainability Commission Chair Romo will have an art exhibit at the event as well as an exhibit in Civic Center building A as part as a revolving art exhibit. Environmental Sustainability Manager Wisniewski shared a reminder to commissioners that while attending events with other commissioners present to not discuss commission related business. She also shared that this is the first year of implementation of the Benchmarking Ordinance and the city has received a lot of attention for this. The California Energy Commission requested a presentation for one of their meetings and this received attention from the White House. Wisniewski continued by sharing an update of the senior shuttle program, the program will be launched soon as there is a supply chain issue with acquiring the electric vehicles that will provide the free rides to seniors. She concluded by requesting a commissioner to volunteer to be present at council for the Climate Emergency Declaration, to which Legaspi volunteered. Conservation Specialist Downs talked about the San Diego Community Power phase three launch. He also talked about the recent rate increase from SDG&E that is largely driven by inflation in general and the sharp increase in natural gas prices. Downs also shared that San Diego Community Power today opened a program that gives the opportunity for small scale producers to provide energy to send. He concluded by sharing a NEM 3.0 update and on the Decarbonization Working Group. 5 Chief Sustainability Officer Gakunga provided an update on increasing commission membership. He also mentioned he was glad to be back to in- person meetings and looks forward to having face to face conversations. Gakunga next shared that last month council created a citywide policy on Privacy and Technology Oversight and approved the contract. 7. CHAIR'S COMMENTS Chair Matthias shared that hydration stations are now available at all the high schools. She also shared that South Bay Sustainable Communities has composted 31,000 pounds of food scrap over the past twelve months. They started with five neighborhoods and they ended up with twelve. She concluded by inviting members to volunteer in the upcoming clean-up event taking place on March 26th. 8. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS Commissioner Richeson requested an update on the Smart City Strategic Action Plan as he is the representative for the commission, and he has yet to be invited to a meeting. He also asked for an update with Smart Cities, the Digital Equity Plan, and on AB345 as the commission voted to request council support. He mentioned that the city needs to have address the drought and be prepared with a plan. Richeson also mentioned signal light synchronization, which according to him will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He concluded by requesting all presentations be distributed prior to the commission meeting in order to have ample time to review. Commissioner Baugh had planned to speak about NEM 3.0 but believed it had now been discussed quite a bit on this meeting. She shared that in his State of the Union address Governor Newson spoke about work needing to be done for NEM 3.0. Commissioner Legaspi asked staff to provide an update on the membership and participation of Commissioner Korgan in the Measure P Committee. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Minutes prepared by: Monica Rodriguez, Secretary - • �.7 •-- 0