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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-18; City Council; MinutesJan.18,2022 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 2 CONSENT CALENDAR: Mayor Hall commented on Item No. 1 and explained that a refund is due to the City of Carlsbad because of litigation between the San Diego Water Authority and the Metropolitan Water District. He added that the City of Carlsbad has paid in excess over the years what the legal rates should have been. Motion by Council Member Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1 and 2. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. 1. AUTHORIZATION OF USE OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY REFUND -Adoption of Carlsbad Municipal Water District Board of Directors Resolution No. 1668 authorizing use of a second refund from the San Diego County Water Authority to offset the rates the Carlsbad Municipal Water District pays the San Diego County Water Authority for water. (Staff contact: Shoshana Aguilar and Vicki Quiram, Public Works) 2. AGREEMENT WITH CAROLLO ENGINEERS. INC. FOR CARLSBAD BOULEVARD WATER AND SEWER IMPROVEMENTS AT TERRAMAR, CIP PROJECT NOS. 5503 AND 5048 -1) Adoption of Resolution No. 2022-021 awarding a professional services agreement with Carollo Engineers Inc. for wastewater engineering design services of the Carlsbad Boulevard Sewer Improvements at Terra mar; and 2) Adoption of Carlsbad Municipal Water District Board of Directors Resolution No. 1669 awarding a professional services agreement with Carollo Engineers Inc. for water engineering design services of the Carlsbad Boulevard Sewer Improvements at Terra mar. (Staff contact: Dave Padilla and Sean Diaz, Public Works) ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION: None. ORDINANCES FOR ADOPTION: None. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 3. FISCAL YEAR 2022-23 FUNDING PLAN AND AUTHORIZATION TO DISTRIBUTE THE NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM - Adoption of Resolution No. 2022-022 approving the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Funding Plan and authorizing the distribution of the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Notice of Funding Availability for the Community Development Block Grant Program. (Staff contact: Nancy Melander, Housing & Homeless Services) City Manager's Recommendation: Take public input, close the public hearing and adopt the resolution. Senior Program Manager Nancy Melander presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). Jan.18,2022 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page3 Mayor Hall opened the duly noticed Public Hearing at 3:20 p.m. Hearing no one wishing to speak, Mayor Hall closed the duly noticed Public Hearing at 3:21 p.m. Motion by Council Member Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to adopt Resolution No. 2022-022. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. DEPARTMENTAL AND CITY MANAGER REPORTS: 4. REPORT FROM VISIT CARLSBAD ON THE CARLSBAD IS CALLING CAMPAIGN -Receive a report from Visit Carlsbad on the 2020/2021 Carlsbad is Calling Campaign. (Staff contact: David Graham and Matt Sanford, Administrative Services Department) City Manager's Recommendation: Receive the report. Chief Innovation Officer David Graham and Economic Development Manager Matt Sanford presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). In response to an inquiry from Mayor Hall, Visit Carlsbad Vice President of Marketing & Communications Mark Rudyk explained that Visit Carlsbad started seasonal marketing campaigns in 2018 and they have seen great success with them. He added that they are looking to create more campaigns launching in the spring via tv ads, radio ads and other media ads and hope to create more focused campaigns during reduced tourism times _in the . winter. In response to an inquiry from Mayor Hall, Visit Carlsbad Vice President of Marketing & Communications Rudyk explained that there was an increase in shopping, dining, and lodging from past marketing campaigns. Council received the report. 5. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BY AND AMONG THE 78 CORRIDOR CITIES FOR SHARING COSTS OF INNOVATE78 MARKETING SERVICES -Adoption of Resolution No. 2022- 023 approving a memorandum of understanding by and among the 78 Corridor cities for cost- sharing of fnnovate78 Marketing Services and authorizing the City Manager to execute the memorandum of understanding. (Staff contact: David Graham and Matt Sanford, Administrative Services Department) City Manager's Recommendation: Adopt the resolution. Chief Innovation Officer David Graham and Economic Development Manager Matt Sanford presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). Jan.18,2022 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page4 In response to an ·inquiry from Council Member Acosta, Chief Innovation Officer David Graham explained that the city has budgeted $40,000 from the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget. He added that $20,000 would go to enhanced member of the San Diego North Economic Development-Council and the other $20,000 to the marketing partnership. Motion by Council Member Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to adopt Resolution No. 2022-023. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. 6. WORK PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 FOR THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION, LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND ARTS COMMISSION-1) Adoption of Resolution No. 2022- 024 approving the Historic Preservation Commission Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2021-22; and 2) Adoption of Resolution No. 2022-025 approving the Library Board of Trustees Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2021-22; and 3) Adoption of Resolution No. 2022-026 approving the Arts Commission Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2021-22. (Staff contact: Suzanne Smithson, Richard Schultz and Sheila Crosby, Library & Cultural Arts) City Manager's Recommendation: Adopt the resolutions. Library & Cultural Arts Director Suzanne Smithson presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). In response to an inquiry from Council Member Norby, Library & Cultural Arts Director Smithson explained that the Carlsbad Library History Division does have spedalized equipment to capture oral history. She also added that staff is always encouraging having residents nominate people to interview. In response to an inquiry from Council Member Norby, Library & Cultural Arts Director Smithson explained that some of the past oral history recordings are online and there is a current project to transcribe some oral histories from cassette to digital formats. Motion by Council Member Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to adopt Resolution Nos. 2022-024, 2022-025, and 2022-026. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. 7. CLEAN ENERGY ALLIANCE UPDATE -Receive an· informational report from Clean Energy Alliance Executive Director Barbara Boswell on the Clean Energy Alliance's operations and performance. (Staff contact: Jason Haber, City Manager Department) City Manager's Recommendation: Receive the report. Intergovernmental Affairs Director Jasori Haber presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). Jan.18,2022 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 5 The following individuals called into the City Council Meeting and voiced their comments for the record: Anthony Bona spoke against the Clean Energy Alliance. Carina Chiang requested the Clean Energy Alliance submit comments to the California Public Utilities Commission regarding protecting solar energy before their upcoming meeting on.Jan. 27, 2022. Climate Action Campaign representative Matt Vasilakis expressed his support for the Clean Energy Alliance. In response to an inquiry from Council Member Norby, Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Barbara Boswell explained that all Californians pay the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) fee and that it appears as a new line item on their bills. In response to an inquiry from Council Member Norby, CEO Boswell explained that the JP Morgan loan is at a fixed rate and future draw downs are at a fixed rate as well. In response to an inquiry from Council Member Norby, CEO Boswell explained that the CEA has drawn from their 6 million dollar credit line and as of January 2022 they will have fully drawn the line of credit. In response to an inquiry from Council Member Norby, CEO Boswell explained that the CEA does anticipate drawing down an additional amount of 5 to 6 million from January 2022 to May 2022. In response to an inquiry from Council Member Norby, CEO Boswell explained that the CEA estimates that 10 million dollars of debt will need to be paid back by 2026. In response to an inquiry from Council Member Norby, CEO Boswell explained that the CEA does anticipate higher interest rates but according to their projections they should have enough revenue to cover their costs. · In response to an inquiry from Council Member Norby, CEO Boswell explained that the CEA projected reserves of 17.5 million for the year 2022 and 27 million for the year 2023 will likely not be met. In response to an inquiry from Council Member Norby, CEO Boswell explained that there could be a risk for CEA customers if the CEA were to close down. She added that in the past, some cities with a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) have had trouble switching customers to other energy companies, but it was largely due to mismanagement. Jan. 18,2022 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 6 In response to an inquiry from Council Member Norby, CEO Boswell explained that a CCA has shut down in the past. She referenced Western Community Energy in Oregon who filed for bankruptcy. In response to an inquiry from Mayor Hall, CEO Boswell explained that only half of the reserve projection for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021/22 has been met. She also added that for FY 2022/23 they project to have 10.5 million in reserves but were originally projected to have 27 million in reserves. In response to an inquiry from Mayor Hall, CEO Boswell explained that there was no intentions to use the projected reserve of 27 million for future plans. In response to an inquiry from Mayor Hall, CEO Boswell explained that they will have enough reserve funds to get through the peak summer months. In response to an inquiry from Mayor Hall, CEO Boswell explained that their interest rate loan is at 3.45% plus the one month secured overnight funds rate and there is currently no maximum. In response to an inquiry from Mayor Hall, CEO Boswell explained that CEA projections already include the additions of the City of San Marcos and the City of Escondido into the CEA. Council received the report. 8. RESOLUTION REGARDING THE NET ENERGY METERING PROCEEDING BEFORE THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION-Consider a request from Council Member Bhat- Patel to adopt Resolution No. 2022-027 supporting the protection of rooftop solar power generation and expanding clean energy access as it relates to the net energy metering 3.0 proceeding before the California Public Utilities Commission. (Staff contact: Jason Haber, City Manager Department) City Manager's Recommendation: Consider the request from Council Member Bhat-Patel. Council Member Bhat-Patel introduced the item and explained that she would like to support rooftop solar for the community. She added that supporting rooftop solar is important to the community and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, she explained that the proposed changes to the Net Energy Metering Program by the California Public Utilities Commission would be detrimental to the expansion of rooftop solar throughout the state and the City of Carlsbad. Intergovernmental Affairs Director Jason Haber presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). Jan. 18,2022 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 7 The following individuals called into the City Council Meeting and voiced their comments for the record: Sierra Club San Diego representative Karl Aldinger spoke in support of the resolution. Clean Earth 4 Kids representative John Bottorff spoke in support of the resolution. Climate Action Campaign representative Matt Vasilakis spoke in support of the resolution. Carina Chiang spoke in support of the resolution and urged the City Council to advocate for rooftop solar. Katrina Olson spoke in support of the resolution. Anthony Bona spoke about speculations surrounding greenhouse gas em1ss10ns and questioned the city's contract with Republic Services for waste management services and their ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Karina Gonzalez spoke in support of the resolution and thanked Council Member Bhat-Patel for bringing the item to the City Council. Tara Hammond spoke in support of the resolution and urged the City Council to pass the resolution. San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) Public Affairs Manager Joe Gabaldon spoke about some misconceptions around the Net Energy Metering Program. He added that current rooftop solar subsidies increase electricity bills on non-solar customers and that lower income customers are underrepresented in the Net Energy Metering Program. Hammond Climate Solutions representative Maya Steinberg spoke in support of the resolution. Mayor Pro Tern ~lackburn commented that he spoke with SDG&E Public Affairs Manager Gabaldon and he proposed some minor changes to the resolution presented. He asked staff if they had an opinion on the proposed changes. In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, Intergovernmental Affairs Director Haber explained that the proposed changes are up to the discretion of the City Council. Intergovernmental Affairs Director Haber presented the proposed changes by SDG&E as follows: 1. Insert: "WHEREAS, the City Council continues to advocate for equity in our communities; and," Jan.18,2022 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page8 2. Strike: "the IOU Joint Proposal" and replace with "any proposal" 3. Insert: "BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Carlsbad City Council urges the CPUC to adopt a NEM 3.0 that ensures equitable and robust solar rooftop and battery adoption and does not burden non-solar and low-income customers." Council Member Bhat-Patel expressed that she would support the first and third language changes but not the second. Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn expressed that he concurred with the changes supported by Council Member Bhat-Patel. In response to an inquiry from Council Member Norby, Intergovernmental Affairs Director Haber explained that those who already have solar will not be paying the $8.00 per kilowatt charge for new 15 year contracts. Council Member Norby expressed that he would like to add additional language to the resolution, as follows: "WHEREAS rooftop solar is used as a transportation fuel for electric cars and is a critical component in lowering and eliminating transportation emissions." Council Member Bhat-Patel rescinded her support for the third language change proposed by SDG&E. Council Member Acosta expressed her concern for the proposed language, "rooftop solar is used as a transportation fuel for electric cars," by Council Member Norby and suggested it be changed to, "rooftop solar is used to power electric vehicles.II Council Member Norby expressed his support with the proposed language change by Council Member Acosta. Motion by Council Member Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to adopt Resolution No. 2022-027. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. 9. MAYORAL APPOINTMENT OF TWO MEMBERS TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION -1) Adoption of Resolution No. 2022-028 appointing one member to the Planning Commission; and 2) Adoption of Resolution No. 2022-029 appointing one member to the Planning Commission. (Staff contact: Tammy McMinn, City Clerk Services Department) City Manager's Recommendation: Adopt the resolutions. The following individual called into the City Council Meeting and voiced their comment for the record: Roy Meenes voiced his interest and qualifications to serve on the Planning Commission.