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Home My WebLink About2022-08-08 SSC Minutes-4W/l CITY OF CHUTA VISTA REGULAR MEETING OF THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION Meeting Minutes August 8, 2022, 5:00 p.m. City Hall, Bldg. #C, Conference Room B-111 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista Present: Commissioner Guevara-Gluyas, Vice Chair Korgan, Chair Matthias, Commissioner Richeson, Commissioner Rodriguez Absent: Commissioner Baugh, Commissioner Legaspi Also Present: Chief Sustainability Officer Gakunga, Environmental Sustainability Manager Wisniewski, Environmental Services Manager Medrano, Secretary Rodriguez 1. CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Sustainability Commission of the City of Chula Vista was called to order at 5:06 p.m. in Conference Room C-101 located in Council Chambers, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista California. 2. ROLL CALL Secretary Rodriguez called the roll. 3. CONSENT CALENDAR (Items 3.1-3.2) Moved by Commissioner Richeson Seconded by Vice Chair Korgan Commission approved the consent calendar 1 Yes (4): Commissioner Guevara-Gluyas, Vice Chair Korgan, Chair Matthias, and Commissioner Richeson Abstain (1): Commissioner Rodriguez Result:Carried (4 to 0) 3.1 APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 13, 2022 Commission approve minutes 3.2 WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Commission approve absence 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS One public comment was submitted by Mr. Brown regarding watering the golf courses 5. PRESENTATIONS 5.1 BUILDING ELECTRIFICATION: REMOVING FOSSIL FUELS FROM THE BUILDINGS WE LIVE AND WORK IN Jeanne Brown, Rita Clement and Serena Pelka from the San Diego Building Electrification Coalition shared a presentation on removing fossil fuels from the buildings we live and work in. The San Diego Building Electrification Coalition (SDBEC) is an alliance of community, labor, business, faith, justice and environmental organizations coming together to accelerate electrification in residential and commercial buildings. Building Electrification involves installing all -electric appliances and heating systems in building in the place of those that use methane gas. They listed some reasons why building electrification is important such as the climate and health benefits, environmental justice, lower cost, increased energy efficiency and public safety, Climate benefits were listed and how California is adding more new gas customers faster than any other state. One major benefit is the lower cost and increased energy efficiency. All -electric homes and buildings generally cost less to build and are more affordable to operate, homes save from $130 to $540 per year compared to gas and paring an all -electric home with solar provides deeper savings. Next methane gas concerns, building electrification approach and impact on relevant workers was shared. The presentation was concluded by sharing building electrification adaptation in California. 2 Commissioners had questions and requested clarification on the cost effectiveness. 5.2 ORGANICS PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION Environmental Services Manager Medrano presented an update on the Food and Yard Waste Program which City Council approved on June 14, 2022 and became effective on July 1, 2022. The program is available to all single-family residents with commercial and multi -family phase-in. The regulation includes an edible food rescue component and a big part includes education and outreach. Republic Services is providing green carts to residents that currently don't have one and residents that currently have a green cart can request an additional two carts at no cost to the resident. Education for this program is happening through mail campaigns and social media. Coordination is taking place for commercial and food waste collection and Republic Services along with city staff is currently evaluating businesses to sign them up for the service. There is a waiver for compliance available for businesses that do not generate food or yard waste or for space constraints. Medrano continued by going over the procurement requirement. The regulation requires Chula Vista to procure 14, 000 tons of composted material in which Republic Services has agreed to give the city all the compost needed to comply. For the edible food rescue that will be divided into phase one and two and includes connecting with rescue organizations, Republic Services requirement and school districts gleaning. His presentation was concluded by sharing the education and outreach taking place. Commissioners had suggestions, questions and concerns regarding the regulation such as talking with HOA's to lessen the burden of procurement, is there a deadline for residents to have a green cart and carts not being delivered by Republic Services. Chair Matthias suggested having a sustainability clause in city contracts. 6. ACTION ITEMS 6.1 SELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022- 2023 Discussion was had over selection of the new chair and vice chair. Commissioner Rodriguez announced that she will be resigning as she accepted a new job opportunity that does not allow time for her continued participation in the commission. Chair Matthias also mentioned she would 3 need to step back to allow her more time to work on her continued sustainability projects with the city. Moved by Chair Matthias Seconded by Commissioner Richeson Motion to elect Vice Chair Korgan as the new Chair to the commission. Selection of Vice Chair was tabled for a future meeting. Yes (4): Commissioner Guevara-Gluyas, Chair Matthias, Commissioner Richeson, and Commissioner Rodriguez Abstain (1): Vice Chair Korgan Result:Carried (4 to 0) OTHER BUSINESS 7. STAFF COMMENTS Environmental Sustainability Manager Wisniewski mentioned that the decarbonization working group has a survey open to get feedback from residents. She continued by providing a brief update on the Chula Vista Community shuttle program that launched on June 13. Next a benchmarking ordinance update was shared and a reminder of the induction cooktop loaner program that is available to all Chula Vista residents. Environmental Services Manager Medrano provided information on the changes made to the municipal code on the requirements for organic waste, food and yard waste. There was additional information added by the Attorney's Office as to the enforcement part as it now gives city staff authority. Medrano then shared information on the 38th annual Coastal Cleanup Day that is taking place on September 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and on a free compost event at the landfill on August 27 from 8 a.m, to 12 p.m. He concluded with an update form Housing Division on the shelter project. Residents and commission members can attend a meeting scheduled for October 26 where they will be presenting not only on the environmental and sustainability elements but the shelter overall. Chief Sustainability Officer Gakunga briefly mentioned the groundbreaking at the Bayfront and the recently approved contract with the consultants to conduct a justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. He concluded with a technology data privacy update. 8. CHAIR'S COMMENTS 4 Chair Matthias shared her thoughts and recommendations for the renewal of the Republic Services contract and potentially having split haulers. She then asked where the Zero Waste Program stands and about the additional commission members that includes youth/college students. An invitation to the Coastal Clean - Up day taking place next month at the J Street Marina was shared along with an update of South Bay Sustainable Communities. Matthias then shared a brief presentation on waste bin color coding and what goes where according to bin color. She concluded by thanking the commission and staff. 9. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS Commissioner Richeson spoke about the public comment received in regard to water and how to best address the drought issue. He then shared that the Wildlife Advisory Committee (WAG) did not meet due to the groundbreaking event. Lastly, he talked about renewable energy/power and receiving the data associated with iit. 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m. Minutes prepared by. Monica Rodriguez, Secretary 5