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Home My WebLink About2021-08-09 SSC MinutesCITY OF CHULAVISTA REGULAR MEETING OF THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION Meeting Minutes August 9, 2021, 5:00 p.m. Virtual, Via Teleconference Present: Commissioner Baugh, Commissioner Korgan, Commissioner Richeson, Commissioner Rodriguez, Vice Chair Legaspi, Chair Mathias Absent: Commissioner Guevara-Gluyas Also Present: Chief Sustainability Officer Gakunga, Environmental Sustainability Manager Wisniewski, Environmental Services Manager Medrano, Secretary Rodriguez Pursuant to the Governor of the State of California's Executive Order N-29-20, and in the interest of public health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Sustainability Commission and staff participated in this meeting via teleconference. All votes were taken by roll call. 1. CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Sustainability Commission of the City of Chula Vista was called to order at 5:00 p.m. via teleconference. 2. ROLL CALL Secretary Rodriguez called the roll. 3. CONSENT CALENDAR (Items 3.1-3.2) 1 3.1 APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 12, 2021 Moved by Commissioner Richeson Seconded by Commissioner Korgan Commission approved minutes Yes (6): Commissioner Baugh, Commissioner Korgan, Commissioner Richeson, Commissioner Rodriguez, Vice Chair Legaspi, and Chair Mathias Carried (6 to 0) 3.2 WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Commissioner Legaspi commented that he made an attempt to join the July meeting but due to technical difficulties was unable to. Moved by Commissioner Korgan Seconded by Commissioner Richeson Commission approved absences Yes (4): Commissioner Baugh, Commissioner Korgan, Commissioner Richeson, and Chair Mathias Abstain (2): Commissioner Rodriguez, and Vice Chair Legaspi Carried (4 to 0) 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS Chair Mathias called for a two -minute pause to allow members of the public to submit any final electronic comments. Secretary Rodriguez announced that no comments had been received. 5. PRESENTATIONS 5.1 SDG&E NET ZERO PLEDGE Public Affairs Manager Alcantar, Environmental Sustainability Specialist Kull and Data Analyst Environmental Services Worley presented on SDG&E's sustainable strategy. SDG&E's mission is to improve lives and communities by building the cleanest, safest and most reliable energy infrastructure company in America. Their commitment to sustainability is by building a better future by their bold commitment to advance carbon 2 neutrality, emphasis on social impact and rooted in collaboration and community engagement. SDG&E is committed to net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2045 with a three -pronged approach to decarbonization which consists of electrification, cleaner fuels and carbon capture. The following was shared to show progress to their goal, green hydrogen, battery storage and clean transportation. Chair Mathias called for a two -minute pause to allow members of the public to submit any final electronic comments. Secretary Rodriguez announced four opposing comments had been received. 5.2 SB1383 TIER 1 AND FOOD BUSINESSESS Karen Clay presented on I Love To Glean's South County Food Hub and Recovery System. I Love Glean is currently a fiscally sponsored non-profit that provides a county -wide food recovery service since April 2020. They have been running a food recovery networking group with the city for the past three plus years to learn and help each other grow. She also shared their future plans and needs. They hope that by January 2022 to have al least twenty-five generators with signed agreements to start collecting fees for service to create a reliable ongoing income stream. There is a list at www.ilovetogelan.org, of the equipment needed. Karen Clay is currently looking for sponsors to help her meet the goals. Chair Mathias called for a two -minute pause to allow members of the public to submit any final electronic comments. Secretary Rodriguez announced that no comments had been received. 5.3 ORGANICS PRICING UPDATE Environmental Services Manager Medrano shared a program overview of the food and yard waste collection program in the city. Republic Services will process the residential organics as compost to be in compliance per Senate Bill 1383 regulations and the statewide methane reduction efforts. Republic Services is also investing $12 million for additional trucks, equipment and processing facilities. Residents will need to place food waste in yard waste carts that will be provided without a rental fee. There will be a increase on the collection fee that will be effective January 1st if approved by City Council. Commercial service will be required for businesses that generate organic waste. The food waste will be screened for contaminants using Thor Technology. Benefits that Republic Services will provide for this program are kitchen food waste "caddies" at no cost, employing a Recycling Coordinator assigned to work with City staff, 3 $50, 000 per year in grants to Chula Vista food rescue organizations and free compost for City projects. Education and outreach will include a coordinated campaign with Republic Services, a chat feature on the City website, recurring mailers to residents and businesses and presentations to community groups. Chair Mathias called to a two -minute pause to allow members of the public to submit any final electronic comments. Secretary Rodriguez announced that no comments had been received. 6. ACTION ITEMS 6.1 ELECT NEW CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 - 2022 Commissioners discussed who would be the next Chair and Vice Chair. Chair Mathias requested staff provide a list of the committees to see where there might be more member participation and have an open discussion on participation from commissioners. Chair Mathias called for a two -minute pause to allow members of the public to submit any final electronic comments. Secretary Rodriguez announced that no comments had been received. Moved by Commissioner Richeson Seconded by Vice Chair Legaspi Motion to re-elect Commissioner Mathias as Chair and Commissioner Korgan as the new Vice Chair to the Sustainability Commission. Yes (4): Commissioner Baugh, Commissioner Richeson, Commissioner Rodriguez, and Vice Chair Legaspi Abstain (2): Commissioner Korgan, and Chair Mathias Carried (4 to 0) 6.2 CONSIDERATION OF CHANGING THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING LOCATION FROM C-101 TO 13111/6112 Staff did not have a presentation for this item. The new proposed meeting location is larger and allows for more public participation and distance between meeting participants. Chair Mathias called for a two -minute pause to allow members of the public to submit any final electronic comments. Secretary Rodriguez announced that no comments had been received. Moved by Vice Chair Legaspi Seconded by Commissioner Baugh Motion to approve regular meeting location from C-101 to B111-8112 effective on the next in-person meeting. Yes (6): Commissioner Baugh, Commissioner Korgan, Commissioner Richeson, Commissioner Rodriguez, Vice Chair Legaspi, and Chair Mathias Carried (6 to 0) OTHER BUSINESS 7. STAFF COMMENTS Environmental Sustainability Manager Wisniewski reminded commissioners of the upcoming 49th Annual Chula Vista Board and Commissions event taking place on August 19th at the new Friendship Deck. She also shared information on the Summer Sustainability Series, there are three remaining webinars. Also, there has been some progress made to the Climate Emergency Declaration. Environmental Services Manager Medrano shared that the Zero Waste Plan is currently available for public comment on the City's website. He also shared that a new commissioner needs to be selected to represent the Sustainability Commission on the Measure P Citizens' Oversight Committee as Commissioner Romo has termed out. 8. CHAIR'S COMMENTS Chair Mathias requested an action item be added to next month's agenda on approving the rate increase by Republic Services for organics. Also, select a commissioner to represent the Sustainability Commission and speak to City Council in opposition of the organics rate increase. Chair Mathias shared that Beautify Chula Vista will be taking place on October 23rd, and due to COVID there will only be two sites, east and west. South Bay Sustainable Communities (SBSC) had their one-year anniversary and there is an event on the 29th of August. This last year SBSC composted just under 24,000 pounds of food scraps form local residents and businesses. 9. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS 0 Commissioner Baugh requested there be a discussion about Net Energy Metering on next month's agenda. Commissioner Legaspi will have a speaker to provide a legislative update on waste, energy and recycling on the September meeting. He also requested the topic of the 2021 Global Mayors Challenge and why Chula Vista was not selected as a champion city be discussed in a future meeting. 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Minutes prepared by: Monica Rodriguez, Secretary 9