There is a study session at 4:30 pm to discuss implementing SB 1383. The California Senate Bill 1383 is a statewide effort to reduce short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP) emissions by reducing organic waste disposal to 50% by 2020 and 75% by 2025. The City is mostly in compliance, but there is some delay on a few items due partly to negotiations with the Republic (waste management) Service. According to the City, “[Republic Services] experiences significant employee turnover in the Orange County branch, providing the City substandard operational performance issues and delayed contract negotiations.” See Recyclist Program Tracker.

On the evening agenda, there are five regular items.

Item 15 proposes amendments to the Flood Zone Development Code to meet FEMA requirements and allow the City and residents to continue participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Much of the southern part of the City and CSUF are in potential flood zones (small chances of 100-year floods).

Item 16 is a housing update status report. The previous item was to meet Federal Requirements, while this one was to meet state requirements. Every City must have a state-approved Housing Element in their General Plan. This has to be updated every eight years (2021-2029 in this case). Work on this began in 2019. The first draft was submitted in 2021. The state (Housing and Community Development–HCD) responded in January 2022. Staffing problems and a change in consultants have slowed the process. The state sets “housing production goals” through regional agencies, in this case the Southern California Council of Governments (SCAG). Currently, this calls for Fullerton to provide 13,209 new residential units by 2029. This is not news. The City must meet requirements, and staff must submit a final report by December, or the City may face penalties.

Item 17 is a Traffic Safety Initiatives update. This is simply a report of what has been done in the past year to improve traffic safety, especially for pedestrians and bicyclists, and what is planned for the next year or so. Most of these are small items dealing with traffic signals (including timing), flashing lights, safety around schools, lighting, and crosswalks. Included are some features that are new to Fullerton, including “leading pedestrian intervals” (giving peds a head start before the traffic signal changes), four-way red signals (so you do not hit those late drivers crossing the intersection), and signals for bicycles only. These may take some getting used to. Also included are proposals for traffic calming (although the City is missing a prime opportunity on Associated). Most of these are small items, but they add up.

Reported traffic collisions in 2023 were down by 16% over 2022, and those involving pedestrians were down by 26%. However, those involving bicyclists were up by 29% (probably about 44 incidents, but exact numbers are not provided—and these are only reported incidents). This report has not been made to the Active Transportation Committee.

Item 18 is a motion to extend the Mobile Home Tenant-Based Rental Assistance program, which currently applies only to senior citizens (62 years and older), to people of all ages, with senior citizens given priority. This is a federal HUD program (HOME), and there are many restrictions on income and the amount paid in rent.