Environmental Sustainability Commission

LA MESA ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION AGENDA A Regular Meeting Date: Monday, March 16, 2026, 6:00 p.m. Location: City Manager's Conference Room, 8130 Allison Avenue La Mesa, California Commissioners: Chair Amanda-Dawn Natalia Vice Chair Dasmine McFarlin Commissioner Michael Bourton Commissioner Mary Nooristani Commissioner Jack Sellinger Commissioner Barbara Shustek Commissioner Richard Williams Advisory Commissioner Joe Britton Members: Commissioner Brianna Coston Commissioner Mark Gracyk Commissioner Jen Lebron Commissioner Christina Potter Commissioner Fabian Rodriguez The public may view the meeting in-person or live using the following remote options: Teleconference Meeting Webinar https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1606450701 Telephone (Audio only) (669) 254-5252 or (669) 216-1590 Webinar ID: 1606 450 701 Copy and paste the webinar link into your internet browser if the webinar link does not work directly from the agenda. PUBLIC COMMENTS  • In-Person comments during the meeting: Join us for the Commission meeting at the time and location specified on this agenda to make your comments. Comments will be limited to three (3) minutes. • How to submit eComments: eComments are available once an agenda is published. Locate the meeting in "upcoming meetings" and click the comment bubble icon. Click on the item you wish to comment on. eComments can be submitted when the agenda is published and until 24 hours prior to the meeting. eComments are limited to 3700 characters (approximately 500 words). eComments may be viewed by the Commission and members of the public following the close of the eComment submission period (24 hours prior to the meeting). Email your comment to HEgo@cityoflamesa.gov if you have difficulty submitting an eComment. eComments will not be read aloud as a regular meeting item; however any member of the Commission or member of the public may do so during their respective comment time. PLEASE NOTE: Public Comment will be limited to 3 minutes per item. The timer begins when the participant begins speaking. Time cannot be combined or yielded to another speaker. Citizens who wish to make an audio/visual presentation pertaining to an item on the agenda, or during Public Comments, should contact the City Manager's Office at 619.667.1105, no later than 12:00 p.m., the business day prior to the meeting day. Advance notification will ensure compatibility with City equipment and allow Commission meeting presentations to progress smoothly and in a consistent and equitable manner. Please note that all presentations/digital materials are considered part of the maximum time limit provided to speakers. Agenda reports for items on this agenda are available for public review at the City Manager's Office, 8130 Allison Avenue, during normal business hours. Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Commission after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at the City Manager's Office, 8130 Allison Avenue, during normal business hours. ACCESSIBILITY: The City of La Mesa encourages the participation of disabled individuals in the services, activities and programs provided by the City. Individuals with disabilities, who require reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the Commission meetings, should contact the Human Resources Department 48 business hours prior to the meeting at 619.667.1175, fax 619.667.1163, or BCruz-Rivera@cityoflamesa.gov. Hearing assisted devices are available for the hearing impaired. A City staff member is available to provide these devices upon entry to City Council meetings, commission/board meetings or public hearings held in the City Council Chambers. A photo ID or signature will be required to secure a device for the meeting. Page 2 of 9  Pages 1. CALL TO ORDER 1.1 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2. ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA 3. PRESENTATION 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS – (TOTAL TIME – 15 MINUTES) NOTE: In accordance with state law, an item not scheduled on the agenda may be brought forward by the general public for comment; however, the Environmental Sustainability Commission will not be able to discuss or take any action on the item at this meeting. If appropriate, the item will be referred to Staff or placed on a future agenda. 5. CONFLICT DISCLOSURES 6. CURRENT BUSINESS 6.1 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY 23, 2026 4 SPECIAL MEETING 6.2 DISCUSSION OF THE ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY EDUCATION AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE Alternative Transportation Safety Education ad hoc subcommittee expires May 2026 6.3 DISCUSSION OF THE MOBILITY SIGNAGE AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE Mobility Signage ad hoc subcommittee expires April 2026 6.4 DISCUSSION OF THE TRANSIT EDUCATION MATERIALS AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE Transit Education Materials ad hoc subcommittee expires May 2026 6.5 DISCUSSION OF THE CREATION OF NEW AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEES 6.6 DISCUSSION OF THE LA MESA HOME ENERGY FAIR 6.7 DISCUSSION OF THE 2026 LA MESA EARTH DAY FAIR 6.8 DISCUSSION OF THE CHAIR REPORT REGARDING CLIMATE ACTION PLAN COLLABORATION WITH CITY COMMISSIONS 7. STAFF AND COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS 8. ADJOURNMENT Page 3 of 9  La Mesa Environmental Sustainability Commission Minutes of a Special Meeting Date: February 23, 2026, 6:00 p.m. Location: City Manager's Conference Room, 8130 Allison Avenue La Mesa, California Present: Chair Amanda-Dawn Natalia Vice Chair Dasmine McFarlin Commissioner Mary Nooristani Commissioner Jack Sellinger Commissioner Richard Williams Staff: Commissioner Brianna Coston Commissioner Mark Gracyk Commissioner Mark Gracyk Commissioner Kate Riegel Commissioner Fabian Rodriguez Environmental Sustainability Manager Hilary Ego Environmental Program Coordinator Serena Lee _____________________________________________________________________ 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Amanda-Dawn Natalia called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM. 1.1 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2. ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA 3. PRESENTATION 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS – (TOTAL TIME – 15 MINUTES) NOTE: In accordance with state law, an item not scheduled on the agenda may be brought forward by the general public for comment; however, the Environmental Sustainability Commission will not be able to discuss or take any action on the item at this meeting. If appropriate, the item will be referred to Staff or placed on a future agenda. 1 Page 4 of 9 5. CONFLICT DISCLOSURES 6. CURRENT BUSINESS 6.1 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 26, 2026 SPECIAL MEETING No changes to the minutes. Recommended Motion: To vote on approving the minutes from the January 26, 2026 Special Meeting Moved by Vice Chair McFarlin Seconded by Commissioner Sellinger Vote: 5-0-2 Ayes: McFarlin, Natalia, Nooristani, Sellinger, Williams Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Bourton, Shustek Motion Approved 6.2 DISCUSSION OF THE ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY EDUCATION AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE Alternative Transportation Safety Education ad hoc subcommittee expires February 2026 Chair Amanda-Dawn Natalia stated that the subcommittee met and continued to make progress on the four-part video series. Progress included writing scripts and finding actors for each video. Maya Feldman-Dragich summarized the timeline of the production and publishing of the video series. She explained the acting roles that need to be filled and asked if any commissioners would like to be an actor in the video or know of anyone who would. She also asked the Commission for ideas on hooks for the videos, and commissioners discussed various possibilities, including a theme intro and a car accident opening. Next steps are to finalize the scripts and continue looking for actors. Chair Amanda-Dawn Natalia brought up a partnership with the La Mesa- Spring Valley School District to film video content. Commissioner Brianna Coston discussed possible pathways, including footage of crosswalks and schools’ safety patrols. A motion was made to extend the ad hoc subcommittee to May 2026. 2 Page 5 of 9  Recommended Motion: To extend the Alternative Transportation Safety Education Ad Hoc Subcommittee to expire in May 2026 Moved by Commissioner Nooristani Seconded by Chair Natalia Vote: 5-0-2 Ayes: McFarlin, Natalia, Nooristani, Sellinger, Williams Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Bourton, Shustek Motion Approved 6.3 DISCUSSION OF THE MOBILITY SIGNAGE AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE Mobility Signage ad hoc subcommittee expires April 2026 Hilary Ego stated that the ad hoc subcommittee met to discuss ideas for the variable message boards. Commissioner Jack Sellinger listed potential messages for the variable message boards and asked for feedback from the Commission. Commissioners discussed potential locations for the signs based on personal experience and the locations of previous signage. Commissioner Brianna Coston suggested using data from the La Mesa Police Department to identify areas with increased risk for car crashes. Commissioner Ricky Williams suggested using traffic safety data from SANDAG. 6.4 DISCUSSION OF THE CREATION OF NEW AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEES Hilary Ego stated that the Climate Action Plan (CAP) Implementation Work Plan was approved at the February 10, 2026 City Council meeting, and suggested reviewing it for ideas on new ad hoc subcommittees. Commissioners reviewed the CAP Implementation Work Plan and discussed areas of interest, including transportation, renewable energy, energy efficiency, education, and equity. Maya Feldman-Dragich proposed a new ad hoc subcommittee that would develop and distribute information on alternative transportation to new residents in La Mesa, based on the City of Eugene’s New Mover’s Program. She summarized the program, which consists of “Explore Cards” that highlight landmarks in the city and how to travel to them by foot, bus, and other transit. Commissioners discussed ideas for how the program 3 Page 6 of 9  could be applied to La Mesa. Vice Chair McFarlin and Commissioner Williams express interest in joining an ad hoc subcommittee for this program. Commissioners discussed potential names for the ad hoc subcommittee. Chair Amanda-Dawn Natalia described several ideas for new ad hoc subcommittees, including a partnership with the Mobility Commission, a Zero Waste Academy program, and a native plant swap plan for the Walkway of the Stars. Chair Natalia and Hilary Ego discussed the process of working with other commissions, and concluded that the Commission will wait for the Mobility Commission to create a working group to collaborate. Commissioner Brianna Coston suggested an ad hoc subcommittee on E- bike education and safety in alignment with the new E-bike ordinance. Hilary Ego responded that the City is working on the ordinance, and the Commission should wait for it to be completed. Recommended Motion: To vote on the creation of the Transit Education Materials ad hoc subcommittee comprised of Dasmine McFarlin and Richard Williams for 3 months with the purpose to create informational materials on alternative transportation methods for new La Mesa residents Moved by Chair Natalia Seconded by Vice Chair McFarlin Vote: 5-0-2 Ayes: McFarlin, Natalia, Nooristani, Sellinger, Williams Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Bourton, Shustek Motion Approved 6.5 DISCUSSION OF SCHEDULING A SPECIAL MEETING FOR THE EDCO ANAEROBIC DIGESTOR TOUR Chair Amanda-Dawn Natalia stated that one of two previously discussed dates to tour the EDCO Anaerobic Digester (AD) is no longer available. Commissioners agreed to schedule the tour for the remaining date of April 7th. Chair Amanda-Dawn Natalia summarized the content of the tour and what to prepare for. Fabian Rodriguez contributed additional details including age restriction and carpool instructions. 4 Page 7 of 9  Hilary Ego stated that she will send out detailed information the week before the tour, as well as videos of the AD. Recommended Motion: To vote on scheduling a Special Meeting of the Environmental Sustainability Commission on April 7th, 2026 at 9:30 AM to tour the EDCO Anaerobic Digester Moved by Commissioner Nooristani Seconded by Commissioner Sellinger Vote: 5-0-2 Ayes: McFarlin, Natalia, Nooristani, Sellinger, Williams Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Bourton, Shustek Motion Approved 6.6 DISCUSSION OF THE CHAIR REPORT REGARDING CLIMATE ACTION PLAN COLLABORATION WITH CITY COMMISSIONS Chair Amanda-Dawn Natalia restated her goal of attending the City’s board and commission meetings and identifying points of crossover with the Commission. On February 4, 2026, she attended the Mobility Commission. She noted that the Mobility Commission’s Work Plan is aligned with the Commission’s goals and that E-bike safety was a common talking point. Hilary Ego stated that she will keep the Commission updated on partnering with the Mobility Commission. 7. STAFF AND COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS Hilary Ego stated City updates on projects including: an e-bike education event at Helix Charter High School, an application for a Community Power grant to fund another round of the E-Bike Incentive Program, partnering with the Water Conservation Garden, hosting additional free tree giveaways and education, planning Earth Day, and starting the 2025 Climate Action Plan Annual Report. Serena Lee stated City updates on projects including: the submittal of a Community Change grant for wayfinding signage, waste sorting at the City of La Mesa employee luncheon, attendance of a Helix Water Treatment Plant tour, speaking at an upcoming panel at the EV Charging Summit, progress on the EV Charging Station Master Plan, and upcoming Clothing Swap and Litter-Free La Mesa events. 8. ADJOURNMENT 5 Page 8 of 9 Chair Amanda-Dawn Natalia adjourned the meeting at 7:08 PM. 6 Page 9 of 9