LAST MINUTE AGENDA INFORMATION
04/16/2025 Regular City Council Meeting
(Agenda Related Writings/Documents provided to a majority of the City Council after distribution of the Agenda Packet for the April 16, 2025, meeting.) ITEM
NO. SUBJECT TITLE DESCRIPTION
8.e
RESOLUTION NUMBER 2025-017
AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION FOR
SANDAG’S SMART GROWTH INCENTIVE
PROGRAM (SGIP) FOR THE CLIMATE
ACTION PLAN UPDATE. (0140-40 & 0230-
15)
a. Correspondence from Sandra
Brillhart
11.b
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION
2025-020 PRIORITIZING ENHANCED
FEDERAL AND STATE ACTION TO
MITIGATE THE ONGOING HEALTH AND
ECONOMIC IMPACTS FROM CROSS
BORDER POLLUTION CRISIS IN THE
TIJUANA RIVER VALLEY. (0150-30, 0150-
40 & 0210-26)
a. Correspondence from Sandra
Brillhart
b. Correspondence from Win
Heiskala
From: Sandra Brillhart
To: Public Comments
Subject: Agenda Item 8E - Support
Date: Tuesday, April 15, 2025 4:30:00 PM
CAUTION: This email is from an External source. DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
It is very important for the City to pursue State funding to help reduce GHG emissions, as the current administration in Washington is overturning policies to curb emissions and address climate change.
Just last week, President Trump signed an Executive Order to block the enforcement of state laws that reduce the use of fossil fuels, and took additional actions to increase coal production and industrial use of coal for energy. Since we can no longer count on the federal government to do anything to address climate change, state, county, and local governments must take the lead.
I appreciate the City's efforts and hope you get the grant.
Respectfully,
Sandy Brllhart
.
.
a.1 04/16/2025 Item No. 8.e
Last Minute Agenda Information
From: Sandra Brillhart
To: Public Comments
Subject: AGENDA ITEM 11B - OPPOSE
Date: Monday, April 14, 2025 7:04:41 PM
CAUTION: This email is from an External source. DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
I appreciate Councilmember McKay's efforts in preparing the Resolution under consideration at tonight's meeting and agree that it is important for the City to formalize its expectations and priorities for addressing the cross border pollution crisis, especially in light of the current administration's new found interest in the matter. However, I do not think Council should approve the Resolution in its current form.
The Resolution as presented does not adequately take into consideration the progress and efforts that have already been made, or the serious threats to public health and safety that the new administration's policies and budget cuts pose to this project specifically and to the environment and public health and safety in general. Instead, it focuses too heavily on punitive measures against Mexico.
If this resolution is truly intended to establish the City's priorities for addressing the crisis and is not just political jockeying, it should:
Ask federal officials to ensure that funds already appropriated and allocated for the USEPA Comprehensive Solution for the Tijuana River are protected, and that the projects that have already been approved are completed as expeditiously as possible; Ask Congress to restore funding that has been cut from IBWC's maintenance budget; Oppose the EPA's rollbacks of clean air and water standards; Acknowledge and hold accountable the maquiladoras who are not complying with waste water disposal requirements;
Exclude punitive measures against Mexico that have not been discussed publicly and agreed upon by Council;
Pursue Superfund designation;
Request a State of Emergency Declaration, rather than an Executive Order; Include recommendations and strategies identified in the Crisis Remediation Action Plan to address the public health and economic impacts incurred as a result of the pollution; Acknowledge and build on the progress that Mexico has made thus far and work collaboratively and cooperatively with state and federal Mexican officials to ensure continued progress rather than using threats to leverage concessions.
My concern is that the current administration does not really care about helping us, but is more interested in retaliating against Mexico. I have not seen any indications from Secretary Zeldin or any official in the Trump Administration, that they are willing to commit additional funds or resources to address this problem. The Resolution as proposed tacitly accepts this, which could put the current projects in jeopardy, and does not adequately express the urgent need for our own government to do more to protect the environment and the public health and safety of the those living in the Tijuana River Valley.
Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully,
Sandy Brillhart
a.1 4/16/2025 Item No. 11.b
Last Minute Agenda Information
From: Winifred Rose Heiskala
To: Public Comments
Subject: Agenda Item 11b - OPPOSE -City Council Meeting 4/16/2025 Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025 11:01:09 AM
CAUTION: This email is from an External source. DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Honorable Mayor and CityCouncilpersons:
I oppose the Resolution proposed in Agenda Item 11b, as written. My overall objection to the proposed Resolution is my concern that it is done at this juncture for political grandstanding more than actual concern for the crisis or potential relief.
This discussion is based on the Executive Summary, which, I believe needs considerable discussion before any Resolution or any other action is taken.
I do agree that the entire issue of the cross border pollution is complex. But that complexity has been unnecessarily increased by the multiple jurisdictions, agencies, departments, boards and individuals, etc. involved on multiple levels of government. I also agree the crisis has been inflicted on this region for decades.
Mention has been made of a 1944 Treaty and agreements that have been “breached by both sides”. A brief explanation of the Treaty(ies) and relevant amendments, and any other relevant Agreements, and the breaches by both sides, would be helpful for historical perspective.
The Executive Summary and proposed Resolutions both glossed over the leadership provided by our Mayor, Paloma Aguirre. She has been at the forefront of efforts that have resulted in more than $600,000 and multiple publicity reports to highlight the crisis - more than has ever been accomplished in the past. How will this Resolution fit with those efforts? The Executive Summary and proposed Resolution speak to “urging” federal legislation, “requesting” an Executive Order, etc. While these suggestions may be valid, they do seem somewhat redundant at this point, and given the chaos of action from Washington these days while Congress sits on its hands is tantamount to asking someone to move a mountain.
I do agree and support any action that will accelerate our relief from the crisis nightmare. I do not understand the estimate of years for a fix. I also agree with supporting Senator Padilla with Senate Bill 10, and any influence from Sandag would be a positive.
What does “export of potable water” mean? I have tried to keep abreast of the multiple reports, updates, and discussions of his issue but I do not recall this term mentioned before. I would like to hear a brief but accurate official explanation rather than anecdotal ones.
Please include this Comment Email in the record of these proceedings and it may be read during the meeting if deemed appropriate.
b.1 04/16/25 Item No. 11.b
Last Minute Agenda Information