Environmental Sustainability Commission Special Meeting

LA MESA ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION AGENDA A Special Meeting Date: Monday, January 26, 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://us06web.zoom.us/j/84322400342 Telephone (Audio only) (669) 900-6833 or (253) 215-8782 Webinar ID: 843 2240 0342 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 2 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 (2 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 8  Pages 1. CALL TO ORDER 1.1 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2. ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA 3. PRESENTATION 3.1 SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY POWER 2026 RATES 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 DECEMBER 15, 2026 4 REGULAR MEETING 6.2 DISCUSSION OF THE ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY EDUCATION AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE Alternative Transportation Safety Education ad hoc subcommittee expires February 2026 6.3 DISCUSSION OF THE CAP IMPLEMENTATION WORK PLAN AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE Climate Action Plan (CAP) Implementation Work Plan ad hoc subcommittee expires January 2026 6.4 DISCUSSION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION 2026 WORK PLAN AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE Environmental Sustainability Commission 2026 Work Plan ad hoc subcommittee expires February 2026 6.5 DISCUSSION OF THE CREATION OF NEW AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEES 6.6 DISCUSSION OF SCHEDULING A SPECIAL MEETING FOR THE EDCO ANAEROBIC DIGESTOR TOUR 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: December 15, 2025, 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 Barbara Shustek Advisory: Commissioner Mark Gracyk Commissioner Christina Potter Staff: Environmental Manager Hilary Ego _____________________________________________________________________ 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 3.1 EAST COUNTY ADVANCED WATER PURIFICATION (AWP) PROJECT PRESENTATION FROM HELIX WATER DISTRICT Mark Gracyk, Helix Water District Board Representative and advisory Commissioner on the Environmental Sustainability Commission introduced his colleagues that were there to support and give a presentation about the East County Advanced Water Purification (AWP) Project: Michelle Berens, Water Treatment Plant Manager (presenter), Brian Olney, General Manager, Luis Valdez, Director of Water Quality/System Operations, and Addie Woodard, Public Affairs Supervisor. Michelle Berens presented the East County AWP overview and vision, project goals, project partners' service areas, drinking water service area, 1 Page 4 of 8  governance structure, project elements, AWP facility elements, energy recovery project, how drinking water treatment standards are determined, risk standards, equivalent protection, pathogen removal requirements for East County AWP project, multiple barrier treatment train, environmental barrier, Lake Jennings infrastructure, R.M. Levy water treatment plant, and Lake Air Curtain and Chet Harritt pump station construction. Commissioners asked questions throughout the presentation, which Michelle Berens, Mark Gracyk, Brian Olney, Luis Valdez, and Addie Woodard answered. Jack Sellinger asked how the project is funded. Michelle responded that it is funded with low interest loans and grant funding. Mark Gracyk added that this project is rate neutral and will not drive up residential water bills. Brian Olney stated that this project will create 12 million gpd of drinking water. Mark Gracyk and Brian Olney offered the Commissioners a tour of the AWP and can coordinate with Hilary Ego. They also invited the Commissioners to the next Water Talk on May 16. 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 NOVEMBER 17, 2025 REGULAR MEETING No edits for the meeting minutes. Motion: To vote on approving the minutes from the November 17, 2025 Regular meeting Moved by Commissioner Sellinger Seconded by Vice Chair McFarlin Vote:5-0 Ayes: McFarlin, Natalia, Nooristani, Sellinger, Shustek Noes: None 2 Page 5 of 8  Abstain: None Absent: Bourton, Williams Motion Approved 6.2 DISCUSSION OF THE ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY EDUCATION AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE Alternative Transportation Safety Education ad hoc subcommittee expires February 2026 Amanda-Dawn Natalia stated the subcommittee met and Maya Feldman- Dragich did a great job summarizing the discussion from the previous Environmental Sustainability Commission meeting for a four part video series focused on: safe walking to school, sharing the road with the drivers as the audience, sharing the road with pedestrians and bicyclists as the audience, and the national keep kids alive campaign. Next steps are to continue working on developing the video outlines and scripts. 6.3 DISCUSSION OF THE CAP IMPLMENETATION WORK PLAN AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE Climate Action Plan (CAP) Implementation Work Plan ad hoc subcommittee expires January 2026 Amanda-Dawn Natalia stated the ad hoc subcommittee met to discuss edits. Hilary Ego stated the draft was sent to the Commission and asked for edits by December 22, so that the ad hoc subcommittee can finalize in January. 6.4 DISCUSSION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION 2026 WORK PLAN AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE Environmental Sustainability Commission 2026 Work Plan ad hoc subcommittee expires February 2026 Hilary Ego stated that the ad hoc subcommittee met to make edits to the draft 2026 Work Plan and that she will send it to the Commission for their final edits and comments. The next step is to approve the 2026 Work Plan at the January Special Meeting and it will be presented to Council in February. Additionally, City staff are working on a progress report for 2025 Work Plan updates. 3 Page 6 of 8  6.5 DISCUSSION OF THE CREATION OF NEW AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEES Amanda-Dawn Natalia asked the Commission if they had ideas for ad hoc subcommittees. She asked about the Green Business Network. Clio Goodwin responded that the program is looking into rebate options and marketing strategies. Amanda-Dawn also asked about living walls. Hilary Ego responded that this is a strategy being explored in the Extreme Heat Action Plan and the CAP team will do some more research. Barbara Shustek asked about adding trash pickers to the entrances of parks for people to use. Hilary Ego responded that she will explore the feasibility. Mary Nooristani stated she is interested in working on trees, with a focus less on outreach. Barbara Shustek asked about a policy to remove vehicles in the Downtown Village. Mary Nooristani responded to add a comment to the Downtown La Mesa Village Specific Plan. 7. STAFF AND COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS Hilary Ego stated updates about the City receiving an award from the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition for being the Public Partner of the Year. She showed the award to the Commissioners and stated that the recognition was for the City's work on bicycle education classes and the pilot e-bike incentive program. Another project is that a PV solar and EV charging project was recently approved at City Council and will begin construction in the new year for the City's first solar installation. Additionally, Hilary commented on the progress made on the EV Charging Station Master Plan and a recent Tree Trek with Tree San Diego and the Community Development Department. Maya Feldman-Dragich shared the City is coordinating an upcoming "How to use your new bike" webinar on January 15 at 6PM in partnership with the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition. Clio Goodwin shared that there will be holiday themed tips on social media and to be on the lookout for them. Amanda-Dawn Natalia stated her friend serves as the chair of the City of Vista's environmental commission and is assisting in coordinating a tour with EDCO at the Anaerobic Digestor facility in Escondido and would like to schedule a special meeting for the ESC to go. Additionally, as a personal challenge she plans on attending the other City boards and commissions to learn more about how there 4 Page 7 of 8  could be cross over and touch points and would like to add an agenda item to the ESC to share a report out. Christina Potter stated that Helix Charter High School is putting together a Sustainability Pathway for students with more classes related to environmental sustainability being offered. 8. ADJOURNMENT Chair Amanda-Dawn Natalia adjourned the meeting at 7:40 PM. 5 Page 8 of 8