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CITY OF CHULA VISTA
REGULAR MEETING OF THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
February 12, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
City Hall, Bldg. #C, Conference Room B-129
2/6 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista
Present: Raymundo Alatorre, John Knox, Chair Korgan, Hayley Salazar,
Jeanine Sharkey
Absent: Commissioner Guevara-Gluyas
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 special meeting of the Sustainability Commission of the City of Chula Vista was
called to order at 5:04 p.m. in Conference Room B-129 located in City Hall,
Building C, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista California.
2. ROLL CALL
Secretary Rodriguez called the roll.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
One public comment received by resident Johnson
4. PRESENTATIONS
5.
4.1
4.2
South Bay Sustainable Communities (SBSC) Work in Chula Vista
Founder and Executive Director Tina Matthias from South Bay
Sustainable Communities shared a presentation on the work that was
completed in 2023. The non-profit has 16 community compost hubs,
produced 2,000 pounds of compost, redistributed 7,500 pounds of edible
foods from food drives and gleaning and prevented 32,110 pounds of
CO2e GHG emissions. Youth 4 a sustainable future is a program within
the non-profit in which students from 15 high school, middle and
elementary schools participate. Students sort lunch waste into organics
and non-organics, rescue foods, soiled paper waste, liquids, recycling and
trash. In 2023 Y4SF diverted 68,050 pounds of food waste, rescued foods
and liquids from the landfill. Matthias next shared South Bay Sustainable
Communities involvement and participation in City sponsored Earth Day
and street fairs, City sponsored clean-ups, community events and
workshops. She concluded her presentation by sharing information on the
Regenerative Community Orchard where 48 fruit trees and 12 shade trees
were planted and 300ft of garden beds were created.
San Diego Community Power
Conservation Specialist Downs shared information regarding the current
vacancy in the San Diego Community Power Advisory Committee. He
explained that Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) like SDCP are
government led non-profit agencies that buy electricity and then partner
with SDG&E to deliver that electricity to its customers. The committee
meets in-person every second Thursday of the month and the current
vacant seat will be held until 2026. Downs asked the commissioners to
consider applying and to spread the word to fill the current vacancy.
One public comment received from resident Johnson.
ACTION ITEMS
5.1 Approval of Meeting Minutes of November 13, 2023
Moved by Raymundo Alatorre
Seconded by Hayley Salazar
Motion to approve the meeting minutes of November 13, 2023
Yes (5): Raymundo Alatorre, John Knox, Chair Korgan, Hayley Salazar,
and Jeanine Sharkey
Result:Carried (5 to 0)
5.2 Discussion and Consideration of Making a Recommendation to City
Council To Reduce the Frequency of Regular Sustainability
Commission Meetings
Chair Korgan shared he was informed that the City Manager among
others had expressed an interest in aligning the meetings of all
commission's as most meet quarterly. The Chair expressed some
concerns about reducing the frequency of meeting because it could be
perceived as a reduction in accountability or interest. Commissioners
shared how they have a problem in reducing the frequency of meetings
and discussed alternatives to quarterly meetings. Staff provided guidance
on alternatives of the meeting frequency.
Moved by Jeanine Sharkey
Seconded by Hayley Salazar
Motion to not reduce the frequency of commission meetings.
Yes (5): Raymundo Alatorre, John Knox, Chair Korgan, Hayley Salazar,
and Jeanine Sharkey
Result:Carried (5 to 0)
OTHER BUSINESS
STAFF COMMENTS
Chief Sustainability Officer Gakunga shared that he participated on the Clean
Tech Forum. He next provided an update on the community shuttle program. The
program was awarded an additional million dollars which will allow the purchase
of an additional vehicle and expand service to not just seniors.
Environmental Sustainability Manager Wisniewski shared that nominations for
the Annual Sustainability Champion awards will open tomorrow, February 13,
and due on March 30. She briefly explained how the voting process works and
asked the commission to submit their nominations.
Environmental Services Manager Medrano asked the commission to save the
date for South Bay Earth Day which is scheduled for April 13. Next, he shared
that the youth commissioner will be ratified in the City Council meeting scheduled
for tomorrow. Lastly, he shared that another food waste collection mailer in
English and Spanish would be distributed to residents.
3
CHAIR'S COMMENTS
Chair Korgan voiced some frustration in the delay to fill the current vacant seat.
COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
Commissioner Sharkey shared she would like to see a presentation in the April
meeting that addresses invasive plant species and installation of artificial grass.
Commissioner Salazar asked for a follow-up on the plastic ban.
Commissioner Knox made an acknowledgement for the great work on the
CLEAN newsletter and asked if there would be another Zero Waste Academy.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
Minutes prepared by: Monica Rodriguez, Secretary
Monica Rodriguez, Secretary