Environmental Sustainability Commission

LA MESA ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION AGENDA A Regular Meeting Date: Monday, April 20, 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 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. Pages Page 2 of 8 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 MARCH 16, 2026 4 REGULAR 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 GREEN EVENTS CHECKLIST AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE Green Events Checklist ad hoc subcommittee expires June 2026 6.6 DISCUSSION OF THE CREATION OF NEW AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEES 6.7 DISCUSSION OF THE CHAIR REPORT REGARDING CLIMATE ACTION PLAN COLLABORATION WITH CITY COMMISSIONS 7. STAFF AND COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS 8. ADJOURNMENT Page 3 of 8  La Mesa Environmental Sustainability Commission Minutes of a Regular Meeting Date: March 16, 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 Michael Bourton Commissioner Mary Nooristani Commissioner Jack Sellinger Commissioner Barbara Shustek Commissioner Richard Williams Advisory Members: Commissioner Brianna Coston Commissioner Mark Gracyk Commissioner Jen Lebron Staff: Environmental Sustainability Manager Hilary Ego Environmental Program Coordinator Serena Lee _____________________________________________________________________ 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Amanda-Dawn Natalia called the meeting to order at 6:01 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 8 5. CONFLICT DISCLOSURES 6. CURRENT BUSINESS 6.1 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY 23, 2026 SPECIAL MEETING Recommended Motion: To vote on approving the minutes from the February 23, 2026 Special Meeting Moved by Commissioner Williams Seconded by Vice Chair McFarlin Vote: 6-0-2 Ayes: McFarlin, Natalia, Nooristani, Williams, Bourton, Shustek Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Sellinger Motion Approved 6.2 DISCUSSION OF THE ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY EDUCATION AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE Alternative Transportation Safety Education ad hoc subcommittee expires May 2026 Chair Amanda-Dawn Natalia gave a recap about the alternative transportation safety video series plan, stating that the subcommittee finalized actors, dates, and plans for filming. She explained that a four-part series is targeted to be released in May. Next steps are to begin filming in late March and early May. Maya Feldman-Dragich summarized the timeline of the production and publishing of the video series. 6.3 DISCUSSION OF THE MOBILITY SIGNAGE AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE Mobility Signage ad hoc subcommittee expires April 2026 Vice Chair Dasmine McFarlin updated the commission on what was discussed at the subcommittee meeting including: locations for the signage, list of phrases to be displayed, and word count/formatting logistics. Hilary Ego explained that the word maximums for variable message signage is flexible and will check in with a consultant to obtain mobility metrics data. 2 Page 5 of 8  Commissioner Mary Nooristani shared the Transportation Injury Mapping System from UC Berkeley to use as a resource. Chair Amanda-Dawn Natalia asked clarifying questions about the types of data the mapping system displayed. 6.4 DISCUSSION OF THE TRANSIT EDUCATION MATERIALS AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE Transit Education Materials ad hoc subcommittee expires May 2026 Vice Chair Dasmine McFarlin updated the commission on what was discussed at the March subcommittee meeting including: goals, content, and timeline for the transit education materials. Maya Feldman-Dragich gave further context about the destinations that the subcommittee wants to highlight in the transit education materials. Commissioners discussed various destinations across San Diego that are easily accessible by the MTS trolley and bus lines. Commissioners also discussed motivating factors for taking transit and brainstormed methods to distribute the educational materials. Chair Amanda-Dawn Natalia noted the upcoming Taking Transit 101 Training on March 18th at 10:30am and suggested that it may be impactful to offer another training after working hours. 6.5 DISCUSSION OF THE CREATION OF NEW AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEES Commissioners discussed potential ad hoc subcommittee topics based on the content outlined in the Climate Action Plan (CAP) work plan. Commissioners brainstormed ideas such as: incentivizing induction stove tops, an appliance rental program, distributing rain barrels, and youth education. Hilary Ego offered an update on what the CAP team is doing regarding the CAP work plan. Chair Amanda-Dawn Natalia suggested the idea of creating a green team to encourage eco-friendly practices at City of La Mesa events. Hilary Ego suggested creating a green events checklist to serve as a resource for staff planning City events. Commissioners discussed the scope of a green events checklist and what types of events the checklist would cover. Commissioners determined that 3 Page 6 of 8  the checklist could serve as a framework for planning internal and public City events and meetings. Serena Lee informed the commission about the City’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy (EPPP) guidelines for city contracts. Commissioner Amanda-Dawn Natalia suggested that the EPPP can support the green events checklist. Recommended Motion: To vote on the creation of the Green Events Checklist ad hoc subcommittee comprised of Commissioner Richard Williams, Commissioner Amanda-Dawn Natalia, and Commissioner Jack Sellinger for 3 months. Moved by Chair Natalia Seconded by Commissioner Shustek Vote: 7-0-1 Ayes: McFarlin, Natalia, Nooristani, Williams, Bourton, Sellinger, Shustek Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: None Motion Approved 6.6 DISCUSSION OF THE LA MESA HOME ENERGY FAIR Hilary Ego gave an update about the Home Energy Fair that took place on March 7th at the La Mesa Library. She explained that Clio Goodwin organized the fair and did outreach to energy organizations, and utilities, and community members resulting in 8 organizations tabling and over 200 participants. Participants and vendors offered positive feedback. Maya Feldman-Dragich and Chair Amanda-Dawn Natalia gave comments about their experience at the fair. 6.7 DISCUSSION OF THE 2026 LA MESA EARTH DAY FAIR Hilary Ego discussed details of the La Mesa Earth Day Fair and how commissioners can support day-of. Commissioners discussed how they can support the event. 6.8 DISCUSSION OF THE CHAIR REPORT REGARDING CLIMATE ACTION PLAN COLLABORATION WITH CITY COMMISSIONS Chair Amanda-Dawn Natalia shared that she did not attend any City of La Mesa commissions this month due to cancellations. She stated that she 4 Page 7 of 8  plans to attend the Youth Advisory Commission, Planning Commission, and Historic Preservation Committee next month. 7. STAFF AND COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS Hilary Ego stated City updates on CAP projects including: submittal of the Community Power Community Clean Energy grant, new giveaways with Tree San Diego, a new contract with the San Diego Bicycle Coalition, supporting an E- bike ordinance, the 2025 CAP Annual Report, Bike Month in May, and Bike Anywhere Day on May 21st. Serena Lee stated City updates on CAP projects including: Heat Adaptation Plan, ProduceGood outreach mailers, Litter Free La Mesa on March 21st, Clothing Swap and Bike Skills Drills at the La Mesa Earth Day on April 18th, Fix-it Clinic on May 2nd, and composting education with the Solana Center. Maya Feldman-Dragich announced the E-Bike Safety Training on March 17th and the Taking Transit 101 Training on March 18th. Mark Gracyk shared that he recently served as a judge at Helix High School for garden landscaping proposals designed by Helix Garden Club students. Kate Riegel shared that San Diego Community Power has an opening for a La Mesa resident to serve on their community advisory committee. Chair Amanda-Dawn Natalia shared that there is a pocket pollinator ribbon cutting event at the Vista La Mesa Church on March 18th from 3-6pm. Commissioner Richard Williams stated updates on SB 1221. 8. ADJOURNMENT Chair Amanda-Dawn Natalia adjourned the meeting at 7:33 PM. 5 Page 8 of 8