[5:42] and all right good morning.

[5:47] >> I will now call the city

[5:48] Council meeting of Monday APRIL

[5:49] 20th 2026 to order Clerk Please

[5:52] call the roll.

[5:52] Thank you.

[5:53] Council PRESIDENT Council

[5:56] member Campbell Council Member

[5:57] Whitburn here Council Member

[6:02] Foster Council Ron Wilber

[6:06] Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee

[6:07] Council Member Campo here

[6:10] Council Member Marino Present

[6:11] Council member Eli Rivera and

[6:12] Council PRESIDENT LaCava

[6:17] present also in the meeting or

[6:18] here Thank you also taking

[6:21] the meeting our city attorney

[6:22] Heather Ferber, independent

[6:23] budget analyst Charles Monica

[6:23] and myself your city clerk

[6:26] Diana Fuentes.

[6:27] Thank you Council PRESIDENT All

[6:27] right.

[6:27] Thank you.

[6:28] A quorum is now present.

[6:31] We will begin this morning with

[6:32] an invocation by Clark Fuentes

[6:32] followed with the land

[6:33] acknowledgment and the Pledge

[6:34] of Allegiance led by council

[6:39] member whipper grant Those who

[6:40] hold office in this city

[6:44] The spirit of wisdom, charity

[6:45] and justice that was steadfast

[6:45] purpose.

[6:46] They MAY faithfully serve in

[6:49] their offices to promote

[6:54] the well-being of all people.

[6:55] We respectfully acknowledge

[6:55] that the committee should are

[6:58] the original inhabitants of

[6:59] the Unceded land Although

[7:00] the San Diego despite enduring

[7:04] the horrors of genocide and

[7:05] colonization, the cowboy spirit

[7:05] remains unbroken.

[7:08] We are the resilience of their

[7:09] ancestors who fought to protect

[7:09] their culture and land.

[7:13] Today they carry their legacy

[7:13] forward ensuring that their

[7:14] traditions continue to thrive

[7:17] and gratitude and strength We

[7:18] stand with a combination

[7:19] connected to our past and

[7:23] committed to a thriving future

[7:23] .

[7:24] Please place the flag Head over

[7:24] your heart.

[7:24] Ready?

[7:27] Begin.

[7:28] I pledge allegiance to the flag

[7:32] of the United States of America

[7:33] and to the Republic for which

[7:37] it stands One nation under GOD

[7:37] ,indivisible with liberty and

[7:42] justice for all.

[7:47] Right, Clark, please go over

[7:48] how the public can offer their

[7:52] testimony.

[7:53] I'd like to highlight the slide

[7:54] on the screen that obviously

[7:54] they're looking out for their

[7:56] public testimony during today's

[7:57] meeting.

[7:57] If you are in person, please

[7:58] complete the speakers live,

[7:59] look at the entrance and bring

[8:00] it to the front of the room.

[8:01] No further in-person testimony

[8:02] will be taken once the council

[8:06] begins a virtual testimony for

[8:06] a better meeting management

[8:09] purposes Each speaker will have

[8:10] one minute per item per person

[8:14] maximum of three minutes

[8:14] The held PRESIDENT I thank you

[8:15] with that clerk please read

[8:18] the closed session items into

[8:18] the record c.

[8:19] >> s one Brianna Cooper versus

[8:19] City of San Diego c.

[8:23] S two toia Hasta Welch versus

[8:23] city of San Diego c.

[8:27] S three Daniel Katz versus City

[8:28] of San Diego Conference with

[8:28] real real property negotiator

[8:32] pursuant to California

[8:33] Government code Section 54956.8

[8:37] c is for property 3220 3240

[8:40] 3250 and 3500 Sports Arena

[8:40] Boulevard, San Diego,

[8:41] California.

[8:41] >> All right.

[8:45] Clerk Please proceed with

[8:46] public testimony on the closed

[8:46] session items.

[8:47] >> The original if you can

[8:50] please unmute and let me know

[8:50] which item or items you wish to

[8:51] speak to.

[8:54] Although we're doing housing

[8:55] after this, is that separate?

[8:55] Yes it is separate.

[8:59] Okay.

[8:59] >> Okay.

[8:59] Thank you.

[9:00] I'll do all of them please.

[9:00] Okay.

[9:01] Please proceed.

[9:04] Okay.

[9:08] You know just with your I mean

[9:09] I guess with the constant

[9:10] litigation that comes forward,

[9:14] it's just ridiculous that we

[9:14] constantly as the people have

[9:15] to pay more money for

[9:18] the negligence of the city And

[9:19] you know, when there's potholes

[9:23] and you know we have litigation

[9:24] coming forward with that and

[9:24] then you know, you go on

[9:28] the streets and you still see

[9:28] potholes.

[9:29] It's like we're not, you know,

[9:30] making things better so that

[9:32] we're not going to have

[9:33] constant litigation, you know,

[9:33] for who knows more and more

[9:37] decades regarding

[9:38] the infrastructure when it

[9:42] could be managed better.

[9:43] You guys could manage our money

[9:43] better.

[9:44] I mean instead you want to come

[9:47] and you know, do things like

[9:48] give parking tickets and things

[9:52] like that for maybe someone

[9:53] going over their time at a

[9:53] meter or whatever.

[9:57] But it's like I mean that whole

[9:58] thing is is a scam And it's sad

[10:01] because it's like you act like

[10:02] doing that is going to come in

[10:03] and you know even better

[10:07] the roads and stuff like that

[10:08] And I just if you can't already

[10:08] do that with money that's

[10:11] supposed to go forward to that

[10:12] I just not sure how we're

[10:13] supposed to trust that you guys

[10:16] are going to be able to manage

[10:16] that kind of money that comes

[10:21] in wisely And even just the you

[10:22] know, the process obviously is

[10:26] I'm not sure exactly what their

[10:26] their claim is.

[10:27] I do appreciate that you guys

[10:28] put some information but I feel

[10:31] like, you know, there could be

[10:35] just more transparency as far

[10:36] as litigation that comes

[10:40] forward with the city because

[10:41] you guys really tend to just

[10:42] office skate and hide things

[10:46] And it's just it's it's not

[10:46] good for business.

[10:47] I understand It's like set up

[10:51] that way but it's set up that

[10:52] way on a purpose and for a

[10:53] reason and a purpose so that

[10:55] people can't you know, find out

[10:55] information about

[11:00] the negligence of the business

[11:00] going on with the people

[11:01] managing our money And that

[11:05] goes into this whole mid with a

[11:06] rising project.

[11:09] I mean I'm just wondering like

[11:10] at what point I don't even see

[11:17] a clock as that way.

[11:17] I mean you're in the council

[11:18] chambers.

[11:19] We had a technical difficulty.

[11:19] I've stopped your clock during

[11:21] your question You have 50s left

[11:22] right now.

[11:26] Oh you Oh oh okay.

[11:26] >> Great.

[11:27] Thank you.

[11:28] I just I don't know why

[11:31] the zoom is doing that so I

[11:32] don't really see a clock And I

[11:33] guess you're just going to have

[11:34] to tell me a time which you

[11:35] will.

[11:36] But everything that's going on

[11:36] with like all of these projects

[11:39] that you guys build there is

[11:40] some kind of, you know, benefit

[11:41] that comes to someone Someone

[11:45] knows and you know so you do

[11:46] things that you wouldn't do in

[11:50] regular business that you guys

[11:50] wouldn't accept another

[11:54] business doing And it's just

[11:55] you know, makes you wonder like

[11:55] when that kind of stuff is

[11:59] going to stop and when we're

[11:59] actually going to be providing

[12:00] things that people need because

[12:01] people are suffering out on

[12:04] the streets and like you know I

[12:04] mean I know you guys think I'm

[12:05] a broken record but it's just

[12:08] sad to see that kind of stuff

[12:09] And then we're in here talking

[12:09] about things that Thank you

[12:13] that you know, you guys

[12:14] continue to do and not fix.

[12:18] So it's just the hope that you

[12:18] guys course correct.

[12:19] >> Thank you.

[12:19] That does conclude your time

[12:23] Next is Blaire Beekman If you

[12:24] can please unmute We were able

[12:27] to fix our technical difficulty

[12:27] .

[12:28] >> Please let us know which

[12:29] item or items you wish to speak

[12:29] to.

[12:32] All right.

[12:33] Thank you.

[12:36] Blair Beekman I don't see us to

[12:41] see us three and see us or

[12:41] Thank you.

[12:42] >> You have three minutes.

[12:42] Please proceed.

[12:43] Okay.

[12:45] Thank you.

[12:46] I thank you for fixing

[12:47] the timer issues.

[12:51] I guess to start with these two

[12:52] and collecting delinquent

[12:56] parking tickets.

[12:56] Good luck How you go forward

[13:01] with this item, how you be

[13:02] talking about it.

[13:02] You've made incredibly

[13:03] important strides in how you

[13:05] deal with downtown towing

[13:06] issues and towing issues

[13:10] overall that can serve equity

[13:11] and I hope that that.

[13:15] I just wanted to remind I guess

[13:16] maybe the better way to put it

[13:16] that equity conversations and

[13:17] the good work you are already

[13:20] doing can be taken place and

[13:21] how to address these delinquent

[13:25] parking ticket items like this.

[13:26] So good luck in our in our

[13:27] efforts and our continuing

[13:33] efforts to go on to item three

[13:38] is this item has been to

[13:38] the council closed session a

[13:43] number of times violate Prop

[13:44] 218 charging for shared water

[13:48] rates to single family resident

[13:48] residential water customers.

[13:53] Is this an item that concerns

[13:53] us?

[13:54] You know the concepts of how

[13:58] you know, people who live in

[13:58] low income areas can somehow

[13:59] get a more affordable water

[14:03] rate than people who have more

[14:04] money and who can afford higher

[14:08] water rates Now that's a

[14:09] concept I think from the 80s

[14:12] that you know San Diego Graaff

[14:13] storm to fully that everything

[14:14] has to be equal and passed and

[14:17] you nobody gets a free break

[14:18] but I think we I hope we can

[14:22] really seriously consider that

[14:22] people of low income just

[14:26] the basic logic that people in

[14:27] low income and they need more

[14:31] help in paying for services and

[14:32] people who live in higher level

[14:36] incomes they should be

[14:36] understanding that concept.

[14:37] So good luck.

[14:41] What we can do in understanding

[14:42] that concept and how it can

[14:42] relate to this.

[14:45] I have been here a few times

[14:46] and that I hope that gets

[14:47] resolved and we work towards a

[14:50] future that people can who

[14:51] can't pay for things can have

[14:55] help in paying for things or or

[14:56] perhaps everything becomes a

[14:56] lot lower to pay for

[14:57] altogether.

[15:00] That's another option you have

[15:01] and how to create living

[15:02] expenses or to think of it

[15:06] another time And the last

[15:10] excuse me the last item are

[15:11] the Sports Boulevard Sports

[15:15] arena issues Midway rising

[15:16] project issues and really nice

[15:20] words that last council last

[15:21] week Captain Rhodes offered

[15:24] some really nice words that

[15:25] surprised me her being an

[15:26] engineer There can be ways to

[15:29] mitigate sea level rise change

[15:30] for the Midway Rising project

[15:30] area.

[15:34] It sounds like she seems to be

[15:35] stating You guys have to make

[15:35] that more clear to us.

[15:39] You have to make more clear

[15:39] that there MAY be sea level

[15:40] rise issues.

[15:41] That's why you guys are going

[15:44] to court over the issue and all

[15:44] of those explanations need to

[15:45] be much better.

[15:48] Explain to the public Thank

[15:48] you.

[15:49] >> Thank you.

[15:50] The two minute timer To

[15:50] conclude no additional speakers

[15:53] will be taken.

[15:54] Mandy have your final speaker

[15:54] for today for closed session If

[15:56] you can please let me know

[15:57] which item or items you wish to

[16:01] speak to.

[16:02] >> Good afternoon.

[16:03] I'd like to speak to the sports

[16:07] arena and then I'd also like to

[16:07] speak to the afternoon session

[16:11] regarding San Diego Housing

[16:12] Commissions Performance Review.

[16:15] >> San Diego Housing Commission

[16:16] will be taken after this

[16:16] session.

[16:17] They have to be in that

[16:17] meeting.

[16:20] So just stay on and you can

[16:21] raise your hand for that one So

[16:22] you'll have one minute now and

[16:22] then we'll get to your housing

[16:25] at the right time.

[16:26] Please proceed.

[16:30] Thank you.

[16:30] Again, I believe that the state

[16:31] legislating potentially

[16:35] the required amounts that

[16:36] the state Supreme Court asked

[16:39] our city to do when with regard

[16:40] to the Midway neighborhood of

[16:45] an analyzed the traffic and

[16:45] the environmental impacts where

[16:49] we build and how we build in

[16:50] coastal community matters And I

[16:50] really wish that our city would

[16:54] work for us and not against us

[16:55] when it comes to this very

[16:59] large development that is on a

[17:00] peninsula and a coastal

[17:03] community with land that is

[17:04] owned by our city.

[17:05] Again, I think we need to look

[17:08] at the traffic impacts as well

[17:09] as the environmental impacts

[17:13] once we break ground Those

[17:13] impacts are real.

[17:17] And again just legislating away

[17:18] What the state Supreme Court

[17:18] asked you to do is something

[17:23] that is unconscious of all and

[17:23] we deserve better from our

[17:24] leadership here in San Diego.

[17:27] Thank you.

[17:28] >> Have a good day.

[17:29] Thank you.

[17:29] That concludes closed session.

[17:32] All right, Council Sorry.

[17:33] Thank you, City Clerk Now we

[17:36] will adjourn as the city

[17:37] council to convene for a

[17:38] special housing authority

[17:41] meeting to take public

[17:42] testimony on the housing

[17:42] authority Close session item

[17:43] Clerk Please read the Housing

[17:46] Authority closed session item

[17:47] into the record.

[17:47] Thank you.

[17:48] Public Employment Performance

[17:51] evaluation Pursuant to

[17:52] California Government Code

[17:55] Section 54954.5 e and 5497

[17:55] Special Housing Authority

[17:59] Closed Session Item one.

[18:00] PRESIDENT And Chief Executive

[18:01] Officer of the San Diego

[18:05] Housing Commission.

[18:05] >> All right.

[18:05] Thank you.

[18:06] City Clerk Please proceed with

[18:07] public testimony on the Housing

[18:10] Authority closed session item.

[18:11] Thank you, sir.

[18:12] At five minute timer

[18:12] the original if you can please

[18:18] unmute.

[18:18] >> Was it Just a minute?

[18:19] This is just a minute.

[18:20] It's just the line item.

[18:20] Yeah.

[18:22] Okay.

[18:22] Yeah.

[18:23] For their like evaluating what

[18:25] is taking place I just feel

[18:30] like you know we need to really

[18:31] look at what's happening with

[18:35] the housing and what is and

[18:36] what isn't being provided and

[18:37] how many people actually need

[18:40] this housing and how even

[18:41] the homeless situation is not

[18:46] good Like you know tent cities

[18:46] not being mitigated although

[18:50] there is litigation coming up

[18:50] which is super exciting.

[18:54] That's on MAY 7th So I'm

[18:55] excited to see what happens

[18:55] there because there's so many

[19:00] victims that have been just

[19:00] trying to get into housing.

[19:01] So I think that we need to look

[19:04] at those types of things and

[19:05] like the amount of human

[19:09] suffering that's increased and

[19:09] is going to increase as you

[19:10] know people are being priced

[19:14] out of living just their daily

[19:14] lives.

[19:15] But yeah, so I mean you know

[19:18] I'm sure you're going to give

[19:19] them kudos or probably give

[19:20] them a raise coming up and

[19:24] different things but you know

[19:24] let's like really live in

[19:25] reality and see that there's

[19:26] homeless that your time has

[19:28] concluded and you have like if

[19:32] you can please unmute Thank

[19:32] you.

[19:33] Good afternoon.

[19:33] I'm here today regarding

[19:37] the performance evaluate ation

[19:38] of the PRESIDENT And ceo of

[19:38] the San Diego Housing

[19:39] Commission.

[19:41] Performance should be measured

[19:42] by one simple question Are we

[19:43] making housing more affordable

[19:47] for the people who need it most

[19:47] Right now residents at Mount

[19:51] Etna that are near the New

[19:52] housing the affordable housing

[19:55] bubble in Genesee they received

[19:56] an 8.8% rent increase at

[19:56] the beginning of the year.

[20:00] These are people living and

[20:00] deed restricted affordable

[20:01] housing many on fixed incomes,

[20:05] working families, seniors and

[20:05] residents who believe that they

[20:06] would have had finally had

[20:10] stability.

[20:11] Instead they are being priced

[20:11] out of the very housing that's

[20:15] meant to protect them.

[20:16] How can leadership be rewarded

[20:16] by residents are being asked to

[20:20] carry that burden?

[20:21] >> How can we justify increases

[20:25] or excellent performance

[20:25] reviews while struggling

[20:26] families are told to pay more?

[20:29] We need rent relief for

[20:30] residents in deed restricted

[20:30] housing.

[20:31] We need accountability for

[20:35] operators profiting off of

[20:36] affordable units within

[20:36] leadership.

[20:38] Your time has concluded.

[20:39] >> Blaire Beekman If you can

[20:43] please unmute.

[20:44] Hi Blaire Beekman.

[20:45] Thank you for the word to

[20:45] the Housing Commissioner on

[20:48] this side and on the previous

[20:49] consent calendar on

[20:49] the construction agenda.

[20:53] I'm not alone in my thinking Oh

[20:54] my gosh it's nice that she said

[20:58] things very nicely.

[20:58] Good luck in your review

[20:59] process.

[20:59] What we do together as a

[21:03] community towards it can be

[21:03] clear We can talk about

[21:04] environmental concerns.

[21:07] Thank you.

[21:08] To comment on this item I

[21:09] wanted to comment that I've

[21:13] been really impressed by

[21:13] the current who's ever in

[21:17] charge of working in

[21:18] the housing authority.

[21:22] I think he's been done a really

[21:23] good job and he's trying to

[21:26] navigate a lot of the current

[21:27] new presidential administration

[21:28] and federal administration.

[21:31] So I like her words.

[21:32] i like her approach and how

[21:36] she's trying to address things

[21:36] .

[21:37] I think there can be ways to

[21:38] create good dialog with federal

[21:38] agencies.

[21:41] We have to find that that way

[21:42] That I think can be a fairly

[21:43] good mediation process.

[21:46] Good luck to all of us.

[21:47] >> Thank you.

[21:47] Thank you.

[21:48] That does conclude public

[21:48] comment on the Housing

[21:51] Authority concession.

[21:51] All right.

[21:52] Thank you, City clerk.

[21:52] We will now adjourn as

[21:53] the housing authority and

[21:56] reconvene as the city council.

[21:56] We will now recess in

[21:57] the closed session and

[21:59] reconvene council today at 2

[22:14] and

[22:15] the council buy 1234 five

[22:16] so we can move on with

[22:18] the meeting.

[22:19] Good afternoon.

[22:19] I will now reconvene the City

[22:22] council meeting on Monday APRIL

[22:23] 20th 2026 Clerk Please call

[22:23] the roll.

[22:24] Thank you.

[22:27] Council PRESIDENT Council

[22:28] Member Campbell here Council

[22:32] Member Whitburn here Council

[22:33] Member Foster Council Member

[22:37] Von Wilpert Council PRESIDENT

[22:38] Pro Tem Lee Council Member

[22:38] Campo here Council Member

[22:42] Moreno Present Council member

[22:43] Ella Rivera and Council

[22:47] PRESIDENT LaCava is also taking

[22:48] the meeting.

[22:48] Our Assistant City Attorney

[22:49] Michelle Garland Independent

[22:51] budget analyst Charles Monica

[22:52] Council Affairs Advisor in

[22:53] the Mayor's office Code advisor

[22:53] and myself your city Clerk

[22:57] Diana Fuentes Thank you Council

[22:57] PRESIDENT All right.

[22:58] >> Thank you.

[22:58] City Clerk a quorum is now

[23:02] present Before we begin for

[23:02] those of you who've been here

[23:06] before but especially for those

[23:06] who have not.

[23:07] I know there's a lot of energy

[23:10] and passion in the room so I

[23:11] want to remind everyone about

[23:12] the city's practices and

[23:15] procedures for public comment

[23:16] at city council meetings

[23:17] The city welcomes participation

[23:20] at our council meetings.

[23:21] Speakers MAY address

[23:21] the Council during public

[23:22] comment and also in connection

[23:25] with the specific item of

[23:26] business on the agenda.

[23:28] However, the city must make

[23:29] sure that no one person or

[23:30] group of people disrupt

[23:30] the meeting in a way that

[23:31] prohibits other speakers from

[23:34] expressing their ideas and

[23:35] opinions such as excessive

[23:35] yelling, screaming or speaking

[23:39] beyond ones a lot of time or

[23:39] speaking when others are

[23:40] speaking.

[23:40] These are all examples of

[23:43] behavior that disrupts

[23:44] the meeting.

[23:44] So to make sure that everyone

[23:45] here has an opportunity to

[23:46] address the council, I will

[23:48] alert an individual or

[23:49] individuals if I think their

[23:53] conduct becomes disruptive.

[23:54] If the disruption continues I

[23:55] will rule the individual out of

[23:56] order and if the latter option

[23:58] continues further I will

[23:58] declare a recess so that we can

[23:59] restore order.

[24:00] At that point I will direct

[24:03] the individual leave the room

[24:04] and if the individual refuses

[24:04] police will escort

[24:07] the individual out of

[24:07] the building.

[24:08] And if we have to repeat this

[24:12] process of warming and warning

[24:13] and resetting the meeting, all

[24:13] members of the public will be

[24:17] excused from chambers and

[24:18] credentialed media will be

[24:18] allowed to remain.

[24:19] Once again we have these

[24:19] practices and procedures to

[24:22] protect the rights of other

[24:23] speakers who wish to address

[24:23] the Council and to allow

[24:26] the Council to conduct

[24:27] the public's business.

[24:27] And then just a couple of

[24:31] things Again for those of you

[24:32] here very for the very first

[24:32] time.

[24:33] There's a couple of protocols

[24:36] that were adopted many years

[24:37] that seem to be particularly

[24:41] successful If you hear things

[24:42] that you like give a thumbs up.

[24:46] Very strong visual If you hear

[24:47] things you don't like rather

[24:50] than yell or protest thumbs

[24:50] down.

[24:51] Again, very strong visual if

[24:55] you have a fine please be

[24:56] respectful of the people behind

[24:56] you.

[24:57] We want everyone to have full

[25:00] view of the public speaker or

[25:00] the council when they're

[25:04] speaking to do that.

[25:05] So we'll talk a little bit more

[25:09] about that on the next item

[25:10] which I think is why most of

[25:10] you are here.

[25:13] So before we get started with

[25:14] those two items on today's

[25:15] agenda, are there any comments

[25:18] from the mayor's office,

[25:19] council members, city attorney,

[25:19] independent budget and

[25:23] Leicester City clerk Not seeing

[25:23] any clerk?

[25:24] Please go over how the public

[25:28] can offer their testimony.

[25:28] >> Thank you.

[25:29] Council PRESIDENT I would like

[25:30] to highlight the slide on

[25:32] the screen that reviews how

[25:33] the public can offer their

[25:34] public testimony during this

[25:34] afternoon's meeting.

[25:38] The order can be found on

[25:38] the agenda summary online or at

[25:39] the table in the back of

[25:43] the room If you are in person

[25:43] please complete a speaker slip

[25:44] located at the entrance of

[25:45] chambers and bring it to

[25:47] the front of the room into

[25:48] the clear box.

[25:48] Again as a reminder if your

[25:49] seating time please make sure

[25:52] that the person your seating

[25:53] two and your slip are submitted

[25:53] together at the same time.

[25:57] Council ambassadors are

[25:58] available near the entrance of

[25:58] chambers and can assist with

[26:02] questions and speaker slips.

[26:02] No further in-person testimony

[26:03] will be taken once the council

[26:06] begins Virtual testimony.

[26:07] If you are unable to stay until

[26:08] yours you are called upon in

[26:11] person.

[26:12] You can also always connect via

[26:15] zoom w w w dot San diego.Gov/cc

[26:15] to keep watching the meeting

[26:16] and giving your comments

[26:20] virtually.

[26:21] Thank you Council PRESIDENT.

[26:22] All right thank you City Clerk.

[26:24] So we're going to take care of

[26:25] one item of business before we

[26:26] get on to the main attraction

[26:26] this afternoon.

[26:29] Clerk please introduce item 201

[26:30] approval.

[26:30] >> I thank you.

[26:32] Council Item 2a1 is

[26:33] the approval of an affordable

[26:33] housing loan agreement with

[26:37] Alpha Street Housing lp in an

[26:38] amount of $4.5 million for

[26:42] the 40th and Alpha Apartments

[26:43] Affordable Housing project.

[26:44] If you'd like to speak to this

[26:44] item now's your time to raise

[26:47] your hand for a pressing star

[26:48] nine The raise your hand icon

[26:49] or submit your speaker slip

[26:49] here in person.

[26:52] Thank you Council PRESIDENT All

[26:52] right.

[26:52] Thank you.

[26:53] Staff I see you're settled in.

[26:54] Please introduce yourselves to

[26:56] record and let us know how much

[26:57] time you need for your

[26:57] presentation.

[26:58] Thank you.

[26:59] Council PRESIDENT LaCava and

[27:01] Council members.

[27:02] My name is Michelle Marano,

[27:03] Assistant Deputy Director with

[27:03] the Economic Development

[27:06] Department and with me is

[27:07] Christy Marsala, Deputy

[27:07] Director.

[27:08] It's our pleasure to present

[27:11] this item to you today We

[27:12] request approximately six

[27:13] minutes for this presentation

[27:16] when you're ready.

[27:16] Today we're requesting that

[27:17] the City Council approve

[27:18] the staff report actions

[27:20] summarized on this slide

[27:21] The actions include approving

[27:22] the loan agreement with Alpha

[27:26] Street Housing lp for the 40th

[27:27] and Alpha Street Apartments

[27:27] authorizing the mayor to

[27:31] execute, administer and

[27:32] implement the loan agreement

[27:34] authorizing a loan of $4.5

[27:35] million for the project and

[27:38] authorizing the $25,000

[27:39] developer deposit for city

[27:40] costs and loan repayments to be

[27:43] deposited to the low and

[27:44] moderate Income Housing Asset

[27:48] Fund before discussing

[27:49] the apartments I'll provide a

[27:49] brief summary of the Bridge to

[27:53] Home program.

[27:54] The Bridge to Home program has

[27:55] proven to be a valuable tool in

[27:58] allocating gap financing to

[27:58] assist in meeting critical

[28:01] affordable housing needs.

[28:02] Since 2021, the Economic

[28:03] Development Department has

[28:05] issued seven rounds of its

[28:06] Bridge to Home Notice of

[28:09] funding availability.

[28:10] Round seven applications were

[28:10] received on APRIL 6th and are

[28:14] under review.

[28:15] Rounds one through six have

[28:16] resulted in 23 approved loan

[28:18] agreements and today's

[28:19] agreement is one of the three

[28:20] remaining agreements for

[28:23] Council's approval.

[28:24] Altogether these 26 loans will

[28:27] provide a total of one point

[28:28] I'm sorry $1.123 million in

[28:32] affordable housing funding

[28:37] creating 2528 total apartments

[28:37] including 2499 affordable

[28:41] rental homes and of those 433

[28:42] are permanent housing with

[28:46] supportive services.

[28:46] >> An informational

[28:47] presentation on the Bridge to

[28:50] Home Round four Notice

[28:51] the funding availability

[28:51] process was provided to the Ed

[28:55] and I r committee on DECEMBER

[28:55] 11th of 2024 and six projects

[29:00] were recommended for loans.

[29:00] Round four projects will create

[29:04] 592 affordable rental homes

[29:05] including 96 permanent

[29:06] supportive housing units.

[29:09] And now I'll take a few moments

[29:10] to provide a brief description

[29:11] of the 40th and Alpha

[29:15] Apartments.

[29:15] The 40th and Alpha Apartments

[29:16] will be developed by a

[29:16] partnership owned and

[29:19] controlled by community housing

[29:20] Works.

[29:21] This is a California nonprofit

[29:24] developer founded in 1988.

[29:25] The vacant site is owned by

[29:29] the city and in DECEMBER of

[29:29] 2024 the City council approved

[29:33] a disposition and development

[29:33] agreement for the city to sell

[29:34] the site to community housing

[29:35] works to create affordable

[29:38] housing in conformance with

[29:39] the Surplus Land Act.

[29:42] The approximate half acre site

[29:43] is vacant and located on Easy

[29:44] Street in the South Crest

[29:44] neighborhood of

[29:48] the southeastern San Diego

[29:49] Community Plan area and it's

[29:50] within the San Diego Promise

[29:50] Zone.

[29:53] It's in a residential

[29:54] neighborhood across from an

[29:55] elementary school in South

[29:58] Crest Park and is also within a

[29:59] transit priority area and

[29:59] within a quarter mile of

[30:03] multiple transit stops.

[30:03] >> The proposed new

[30:06] construction includes a six

[30:07] story building and a three

[30:08] story building that will

[30:10] include 69 affordable one

[30:11] bedroom apartments and 22 two

[30:14] bedroom apartments for families

[30:15] earning between 30% to 60% of

[30:16] the area median income.

[30:20] There is also one manager's

[30:24] apartment and a 2400 square

[30:24] foot child care center with an

[30:25] outdoor play area.

[30:28] Amenities include an elevator,

[30:29] a community room, computer lab,

[30:33] kitchen laundry facilities,

[30:34] bike parking, a courtyard and a

[30:34] playground.

[30:38] The project will be Greenpoint

[30:38] Silver rated with energy

[30:39] efficient appliances and

[30:42] lighting two pane windows Water

[30:43] efficient plumbing and storm

[30:43] water filtration.

[30:48] >> The loan agreement will

[30:49] provide a $4.5 million loan at

[30:53] 3% Simple interest with a 55

[30:54] year term to be repaid from

[30:58] residual receipts and the 91

[30:59] affordable apartments will be

[31:02] restricted at 30 to 60% of

[31:05] the area median income for 55

[31:06] years.

[31:07] These tables show the estimated

[31:10] projected sources and uses of

[31:11] funds.

[31:11] The $4.5 million city loan

[31:15] provides approximately $49,000

[31:19] per apartment or $39,000 per

[31:19] bedroom.

[31:20] The city funding is leveraged

[31:24] with other anticipate and

[31:27] financing sources including 1.3

[31:28] million in community

[31:28] development block grant funds

[31:29] awarded through the San Diego

[31:32] Housing Commission's notice of

[31:33] funding availability for

[31:33] acquisition costs.

[31:37] >> The total acquisition,

[31:38] development and construction

[31:40] costs are budgeted at

[31:41] approximately 59 million which

[31:45] is 641,000 per apartment and

[31:46] 513,000 per bedroom.

[31:50] Please note that these sources

[31:50] and uses of funds are based on

[31:54] estimates and assumptions and

[31:54] will be finalized at closing

[31:55] once all financing sources are

[31:59] secured.

[32:00] We'll now review the tentative

[32:04] schedule for the project.

[32:04] The developer plans to apply

[32:05] for tax credits and other

[32:08] sources in 2026 and if awarded

[32:11] construction could begin in

[32:12] the first quarter of 2027 which

[32:15] is essentially a 180 days of

[32:16] award of tax credits and

[32:19] the construction period is

[32:20] anticipated to be approximately

[32:20] 26 months.

[32:25] Staff recommends approval of

[32:25] the requested actions

[32:26] summarized here and

[32:29] representatives from

[32:30] the development team as well as

[32:31] city staff are available to

[32:34] respond to questions in This

[32:35] concludes my presentation.

[32:35] Thank you.

[32:35] All right.

[32:38] Thank you for the presentation

[32:39] .

[32:39] >> I believe the Office of

[32:40] the Independent Budget Analyst

[32:41] has a few comments.

[32:41] Thank you Council PRESIDENT And

[32:44] thank you to the Economic

[32:44] Development Department and

[32:45] Community Housing Works for

[32:46] taking the time to answer our

[32:46] questions.

[32:49] Our office would like to take a

[32:49] moment to highlight the sources

[32:50] of funding for the 40th and

[32:50] Alpha Project.

[32:53] The total development costs for

[32:54] the project today is

[32:56] approximately $59,000,007

[32:57] million increase from when

[32:58] the project was last presented

[33:00] to the eda and our committee in

[33:01] DECEMBER 2020 For these

[33:01] increases are reasonable and

[33:02] associated with hard direct

[33:06] cost increases over time due to

[33:06] increases in labor and material

[33:07] costs.

[33:09] Of the $59 million costs

[33:10] the developer has identified

[33:11] all sources but some of these

[33:11] sources have not yet been

[33:14] formally secured which is

[33:15] typical with affordable housing

[33:18] funding not including the 4.5

[33:19] million residual receipts loan

[33:19] before you today the developer

[33:21] will still need to secure about

[33:22] 13 million in soft sources of

[33:23] funding before they will be

[33:23] able to apply for low income

[33:27] housing tax credits.

[33:28] The staff report indicates that

[33:28] the developer intends to apply

[33:31] for tax credits and MAY 2026

[33:31] however, the current unsecured

[33:32] soft sources of funding MAY

[33:36] prohibit the developer from

[33:36] applying for tax credits by MAY

[33:37] if they're unable to fill that

[33:37] hole.

[33:40] This by no means would doom

[33:41] the project It just means

[33:41] the developer would have to

[33:42] wait until the next tax credit

[33:43] application deadline in

[33:45] SEPTEMBER.

[33:45] However, that would also

[33:46] include additional carrying

[33:47] costs and increases and pushing

[33:50] back any groundbreaking.

[33:51] We note this discrepancy not to

[33:52] alarm me about the project but

[33:54] to highlight the highly

[33:55] competitive nature that exists

[33:56] for securing soft sources of

[33:56] funding to make projects

[33:59] financially feasible.

[34:00] This project was preliminary

[34:03] awarded this funding back in

[34:04] DECEMBER 2024 and MAY not be

[34:04] able to break ground for two

[34:05] and a half years after that

[34:05] date.

[34:06] While the city's low and

[34:07] moderate Income Housing Asset

[34:08] Fund has healthy balances, we

[34:09] note that this council should

[34:12] continue to be disciplined in

[34:13] the affordable housing projects

[34:13] that they award funding to or

[34:14] balancing the costs and number

[34:17] of new units produced with

[34:18] the timing to get these

[34:18] projects fully funded.

[34:19] Thank you very much.

[34:19] All right.

[34:22] Thank you.

[34:22] We always appreciate that

[34:22] input.

[34:23] So clerk please proceed with

[34:27] public testimony on item 201.

[34:28] >> Thank you.

[34:29] We have no speakers here in

[34:31] council chambers for item 2a1

[34:31] going to those participating

[34:32] remotely.

[34:32] Blaire Beekman If you can

[34:36] please unmute.

[34:36] >> All right.

[34:41] Thank you.

[34:42] All right where be screen.

[34:45] Thanks a lot for this item.

[34:45] It sounds like you're making

[34:50] attempts at affordable housing.

[34:50] I mean truly affordable

[34:51] housing.

[34:54] Thank you.

[34:55] I think it's really important

[34:56] that we really have to work

[34:59] towards the emphasis of truly

[35:00] affordable housing And you're

[35:04] trying to do that on this item.

[35:04] I'm open.

[35:08] They just passed an ordinance

[35:09] on There are unhoused persons

[35:13] in the city.

[35:14] It really follows the examples

[35:15] of San or San Diego a few years

[35:18] ago and I'm not happy with it.

[35:19] I think by this time we could

[35:23] start to be doing better And so

[35:24] I think the best way to do that

[35:28] is that we have to consider

[35:29] housing and what is accessible

[35:32] housing our everybody be

[35:33] involved.

[35:33] I know staff has been doing

[35:38] some really good work in that

[35:38] field.

[35:39] I wish that conversation could

[35:42] just be so regular and just so

[35:43] every day in the public meeting

[35:47] process But it's not But we all

[35:48] know the subject matter and we

[35:48] all respect it a lot.

[35:49] Good luck.

[35:52] How to really make truly

[35:52] affordable housing and

[35:57] accessible to people every day.

[35:57] The objective for ourselves in

[36:01] our San Diego community.

[36:02] >> Thank you.

[36:02] Thank you.

[36:03] Our next speaker is Andrew

[36:04] Irving.

[36:09] If you can please unmute you.

[36:14] Hi this is Andrea.

[36:15] I would just the only thing I'm

[36:16] going to have to say about this

[36:18] is that it looks like this

[36:22] alpha one alpha look Alpha

[36:27] street housing just got some

[36:30] license on Sam talk of

[36:31] registered on three 126 As a

[36:32] nonprofit I would definitely

[36:36] look into this further and all

[36:42] parties involved through three

[36:43] corporate week and this this

[36:46] did a deeper dive That's all I

[36:46] have to say.

[36:46] Thank you.

[36:47] Thank you.

[36:48] Our next speaker and our final

[36:48] speaker is or the original if

[36:52] you can please unmute.

[36:57] Yeah that's the thing The Alpha

[36:57] whatever their project Alpha

[37:02] Apartments it's it's curious

[37:03] when we you know do engage with

[37:04] these NGOs or when you guys sit

[37:07] here and claim that there's any

[37:08] kind of affordable housing I

[37:08] mean people are barely able to

[37:12] pay rent and when you guys you

[37:12] know start including all of

[37:16] these like requirements as far

[37:17] as like mitigating vehicle

[37:17] miles traveled and all of these

[37:21] different things and studies

[37:22] that that increases the cost

[37:22] that comes down to the people

[37:26] and you know people actually

[37:27] really need you when you're

[37:28] saying it's affordable for it

[37:31] actually to be affordable and

[37:32] it literally is not.

[37:36] But we you guys sit here and

[37:36] engage with these NGOs that you

[37:37] know will get these deed

[37:41] restrictions so they get like,

[37:42] you know, tax credits and all

[37:46] of these these benefits that

[37:46] don't go down to the people.

[37:47] So it's like you're willing to

[37:51] work with these entities to be

[37:52] like hey, in order for you to

[37:52] do this will like make you

[37:56] exempt in this And like, you

[37:56] know, give you all these perks.

[37:57] But when it comes down to

[38:01] actually giving the people what

[38:01] they need they don't really get

[38:02] it And there is it

[38:05] affordability happening here

[38:06] And as we know everything is

[38:07] just like skyrocketing in price

[38:10] intentionally so because you've

[38:11] got to take the people down to

[38:12] the bottom in order for them to

[38:15] be totally controlled.

[38:16] And so it's working really well

[38:17] what you guys are doing in that

[38:20] aspect But when there's you

[38:21] know, quid pro quo going on

[38:25] with these, you know, NGOs that

[38:26] you guys engage with kind of

[38:26] like dreams for Change who's

[38:30] supposed to be getting people

[38:30] into affordable housing,

[38:31] getting them off the streets,

[38:34] not having some you know,

[38:35] doctor and ceo say that she

[38:36] wants them to stay there as

[38:39] long as possible.

[38:40] That's very detrimental to

[38:40] those people and that's a

[38:41] racket in itself.

[38:45] So any time you guys are

[38:45] engaging with these entities

[38:46] you have to question what's

[38:49] going on, why you pick them,

[38:50] who's friends with who and what

[38:54] money is being passed around on

[38:54] the back end of it while you

[38:55] pretend to provide your time

[38:56] has concluded.

[38:59] Thank you for those comments.

[38:59] >> That concludes public

[39:00] comment on this item.

[39:00] All right.

[39:02] Thank you City Clerk and I'll

[39:03] turn over to my council

[39:04] colleagues for questions,

[39:04] comments and entertain a motion

[39:07] and we'll start with Council

[39:08] member Moreno Thank you.

[39:09] >> Thank you for

[39:09] the presentation and thank you

[39:13] to Community housing Works and

[39:13] the City for working on this

[39:14] loan agreement.

[39:18] This project represents an

[39:18] important investment in our

[39:23] community adding much needed

[39:23] housing in a location that is

[39:24] directly across from from a

[39:28] park and a school Resources

[39:32] that are critical for working

[39:32] families.

[39:33] I'm especially encouraged to

[39:37] see the development will

[39:38] include a child care component

[39:38] operated by say San Diego which

[39:42] is going to provide essential

[39:43] support for parents and also

[39:47] caregivers.

[39:48] Thank you MR. Noah Fleishman

[39:51] from the aba for reminding us

[39:56] how delicate these developing

[39:57] affordable housing is.

[39:58] But I think it's our number one

[40:02] priority not only in the city

[40:03] of San Diego but in the state

[40:03] of California.

[40:05] Housing is by and large

[40:06] the number one issue that folks

[40:07] bring up.

[40:10] So it's an honor for me to be

[40:11] able to move staff's

[40:11] recommendation on this item.

[40:16] I also want to point out that I

[40:16] asked community housing works

[40:20] to go to the southeastern San

[40:21] Diego Community Planning Group

[40:25] really early on in this process

[40:26] and they did it which I think

[40:27] is important also to make sure

[40:30] that the community is well

[40:31] engaged in the process and has

[40:33] a say in the process.

[40:38] So these 91 one and two bedroom

[40:42] homes will be affordable over

[40:46] the long term to households

[40:47] earning between 30 and 60% of

[40:47] the area Median income

[40:51] basically helping ensure that

[40:52] families of varying income

[40:56] levels can remain in and

[40:57] succeed in our community.

[41:00] So I understand the concerns

[41:01] brought up but I think this is

[41:02] part of the sausage making when

[41:05] you're talking about affordable

[41:10] housing when you go and apply

[41:11] for tech funding they certainly

[41:15] look at the local jurisdiction

[41:15] having some skin in the game.

[41:19] This is our skin in the game

[41:20] saying we're standing behind

[41:20] community housing works and we

[41:24] absolutely want to see more

[41:25] housing in our communities.

[41:25] So it is my honor to make

[41:29] the motion to move steps

[41:29] recommendation.

[41:29] Thank you.

[41:30] All right.

[41:30] Thank you Council Member.

[41:34] So we do have a motion by

[41:35] COUNCILMAN Moreno to move

[41:36] The staff recommendation will

[41:39] go next to council member Campo

[41:39] .

[41:40] >> Thank you So PRESIDENT I'll

[41:40] second the motion and thank

[41:41] Councilmember Moreno for her

[41:43] comments.

[41:43] I completely agree.

[41:44] I know that we heard about this

[41:45] particular development moving

[41:49] forward and edi and I are I

[41:50] think it was in 2024 and here

[41:52] we are ready to go in 2026.

[41:53] It's going to be a public

[41:56] benefit undeniably So I will

[41:57] conclude my second with that.

[41:58] >> All right.

[41:58] Thank you, sir.

[41:59] So we have a motion by

[42:02] Councilmember Moreno and a

[42:03] second by Councilmember Campos

[42:03] to move the staff

[42:04] recommendation.

[42:07] Council member Eli Rivera Thank

[42:07] you.

[42:08] Council PRESIDENT I just wanted

[42:09] to say thanks to staff for your

[42:09] work on this.

[42:11] I want to say thank you to

[42:12] the housing works for for their

[42:16] efforts And Catherine Moreno,

[42:17] thank you for continuing to

[42:21] invite housing into your into

[42:22] your district and affordable

[42:22] housing into your districts.

[42:26] As you said, this is as

[42:26] important as it gets in terms

[42:27] of the future of our city.

[42:28] And the last thing I want to

[42:30] say I have the opportunity to

[42:31] represent this part of city

[42:35] prior to the transition after

[42:36] after the most recent change in

[42:39] the lions and this community

[42:40] deserves nice things.

[42:43] Community housing work has

[42:44] already delivered a very very

[42:49] nice project right down

[42:50] the street from this And this

[42:50] was this is the neighborhood

[42:51] that was impacted by the floods

[42:54] and seen investment in that

[42:55] community after those floods.

[42:59] It's incredibly important While

[42:59] you know, other folks have

[43:00] fled, other people have tried

[43:04] to to take advantage of

[43:05] the situation that people find

[43:08] themselves in after those

[43:09] floods.

[43:09] I'm really glad to see this

[43:13] sort of investment from

[43:14] the homes that will be created

[43:15] to the child care space.

[43:19] So thank you again for the work

[43:19] on this.

[43:20] >> I'm very, very supportive.

[43:20] All right.

[43:24] Thank you Council members So we

[43:24] do have a motion by

[43:25] Councilmember Moreno, second by

[43:26] Councilmember Camp.

[43:27] You see no one else in

[43:27] the life.

[43:28] >> clerk Please call the roll.

[43:29] Thank you.

[43:31] Council PRESIDENT I'm sorry

[43:32] The voting system Please cast

[43:37] your vote That passes

[43:38] unanimously 8 to 0 with

[43:38] Councilmember Yvonne Wolford

[43:41] Absent.

[43:42] >> Thank you, Council PRESIDENT

[43:42] All right.

[43:43] Thank you again thank you to

[43:44] staff for the good work in

[43:45] bringing this forward.

[43:46] >> All right, Main attraction

[43:50] clerk Please introduce item 200

[43:51] .

[43:51] >> Item 200 is the presentation

[43:54] of the fiscal year 2027 draft

[43:55] budget.

[43:55] If you'd like to speak on this

[43:56] item please be sure to submit

[44:00] your speakers up to the front

[44:00] of the room in the clear box

[44:01] And if you are participating

[44:03] online now's the time to raise

[44:04] your hand by pressing Star nine

[44:05] or the raise your hand icon.

[44:08] Thank you Council PRESIDENT.

[44:09] >> All right.

[44:09] Thank you.

[44:10] And with that I welcome

[44:13] the mayor to make some opening

[44:14] remarks before we get

[44:14] the formal presentation.

[44:15] So sir, turn the mic over to

[44:15] you.

[44:18] Thank you, council PRESIDENT

[44:19] And good afternoon, members of

[44:19] the city council.

[44:20] I come before you this

[44:23] afternoon to present the fiscal

[44:23] year 2027 draft budget.

[44:27] I want to start at

[44:28] the beginning by recognizing

[44:28] that this is a shared

[44:29] responsibility.

[44:32] We won't agree on every

[44:33] decision in this proposal and

[44:33] that's okay.

[44:34] This is the start of a

[44:37] multi-month process and this

[44:38] proposal will certainly evolve

[44:42] What we can agree on is that we

[44:43] all share a responsibility for

[44:44] enacting a balanced budget that

[44:47] protects essential services

[44:48] that San Diegans rely on.

[44:49] That is the goal of this

[44:52] process.

[44:55] My draft budget is balanced and

[44:56] responsibly confronts a $118

[44:59] million deficit one that has

[45:00] been building for years due to

[45:01] rising costs slower than normal

[45:04] revenue growth and long

[45:05] deferred infrastructure needs.

[45:05] This is the structural

[45:08] imbalance that we must confront

[45:09] together.

[45:09] Every department contributed to

[45:13] closing this gap.

[45:14] No one was exempt from

[45:18] reductions including my office

[45:18] .

[45:19] We have heard directly from

[45:19] residents more than 11,000 San

[45:22] Diegans who have responded to

[45:23] our resident budget survey and

[45:24] their priorities are very clear

[45:28] Public safety, neighborhood

[45:28] infrastructure and homelessness

[45:29] and they want us to fund those

[45:33] priorities with our existing

[45:33] resources.

[45:34] This proposal reflects those

[45:38] priorities.

[45:39] It maintains funding for fires

[45:39] of police and fire, avoiding

[45:43] fire station brownouts and

[45:44] police station closures that

[45:45] were considered earlier in this

[45:48] process.

[45:49] This budget invests in

[45:49] the basics by committing

[45:52] funding for more than a 311

[45:53] lane miles of road resurfacing

[45:56] and nearly $60 million for

[45:56] safety improvements at key

[45:57] intersections sometimes known

[46:01] as the fatal 15.

[46:01] And it protects our progress on

[46:02] homelessness by continuing to

[46:05] invest in the strategies that

[46:06] helped us to reduce unsheltered

[46:07] homelessness in our city last

[46:10] year by 13.5%.

[46:11] But these investments required

[46:15] serious tradeoffs.

[46:16] Beloved programing like library

[46:16] and recreation center hours

[46:20] will be reduced.

[46:20] Grants to nonprofit arts

[46:24] organizations are paused and as

[46:25] I said before, no city

[46:26] department avoided reductions.

[46:29] This draft budget proposes

[46:30] eliminating 198 general fund

[46:34] positions including 48

[46:35] management positions.

[46:36] These decisions are not easy

[46:39] and they will have impacts on

[46:40] all of us But they are

[46:41] necessary to protect core

[46:44] services and meet our legal

[46:45] obligation to pass a balanced

[46:48] budget.

[46:49] We are also approaching this

[46:49] year's budget process

[46:50] differently.

[46:53] I began budget development far

[46:54] earlier than normal and with

[46:55] more collaboration with

[46:55] the City Council.

[46:59] This draft budget includes a

[46:59] zero based review of contracts

[47:03] reductions in middle management

[47:04] and soon I will present you

[47:04] with data to help guide

[47:05] decisions on library and

[47:08] recreation center service

[47:09] levels so that we can meet

[47:10] the needs of each neighborhood

[47:13] and avoid across the board

[47:14] cuts.

[47:14] And that's where this work will

[47:15] continue.

[47:18] Council We face real financial

[47:19] pressures.

[47:19] Costs are rising.

[47:23] Revenues are not keeping pace.

[47:24] Federal and state funding is

[47:28] uncertain and macroeconomic and

[47:28] political conditions remain

[47:29] very unpredictable.

[47:32] That's why we must make

[47:33] structural adjustment now to

[47:33] avoid deeper cuts later.

[47:37] We have made real progress

[47:37] together Council on

[47:38] Homelessness, on

[47:38] infrastructure, on Public

[47:42] safety and on putting our

[47:43] finances on more stable

[47:43] footing.

[47:47] This draft budget builds on

[47:47] that progress.

[47:48] I look forward to working with

[47:49] all of you to adopt a final

[47:51] budget that meets this moment

[47:52] and reflects our shared

[47:53] responsibility to the people of

[47:57] San Diego.

[47:58] Now our Chief Financial officer

[47:58] Rolando Zavala will walk you

[48:02] through the specifics of

[48:02] the fiscal year 2027 draft

[48:02] budget.

[48:03] Thank you, Council PRESIDENT.

[48:04] All right.

[48:04] Thank you, Mayor.

[48:07] So those seated for

[48:08] the presentation identify

[48:08] yourself for the record and let

[48:11] us know how much time you will

[48:12] need.

[48:12] About 25 minutes.

[48:12] Okay.

[48:15] When you're 25.

[48:15] Thank you, Mayor.

[48:16] Good afternoon, Council

[48:17] PRESIDENT Members of the City

[48:20] Council.

[48:20] I'm Rolando Travaille Chief

[48:21] Financial Officer.

[48:21] With me is Ben Battaglia,

[48:24] Department of Finance Director

[48:25] .

[48:28] By way of overview, the fy 27

[48:28] draft budget totaled $6.4

[48:32] billion citywide an increase of

[48:32] about 5.2%.

[48:33] The general fund component

[48:36] totals about 2.2 billion an

[48:36] increase of 3.3%.

[48:40] This is the second year of

[48:40] progress towards addressing

[48:41] the general fund structural

[48:41] deficit.

[48:45] This shortfall shortfall has

[48:46] been driven by rising inflation

[48:46] and slowing major revenue

[48:49] growth over several years.

[48:50] The recently approved ballot

[48:50] measures that increase

[48:54] restricted totty and refuse

[48:55] collection fees helped close

[48:55] this budget gap by decreasing

[48:58] the structural shortfall but

[48:59] not sufficiently.

[49:00] This required additional

[49:03] mitigation measures mostly from

[49:03] budget reductions.

[49:04] This is the second year of

[49:08] major reductions to improve

[49:08] long term stability which

[49:09] include significant service

[49:10] level impacts across

[49:15] the organization.

[49:16] Here you can see the budget for

[49:21] the f y 27 draft broken down by

[49:21] fund type includes f, y 26 and

[49:22] f y 27 data for comparison

[49:22] purposes.

[49:26] The general fund is increasing

[49:27] by about 71 million mostly to

[49:30] maintain the same level of

[49:30] service after accounting for

[49:31] inflationary increases in some

[49:32] limited additions mostly

[49:35] associated with legal

[49:36] requirements, mandates and risk

[49:36] mitigation.

[49:40] To highlight a few of the other

[49:41] significant changes from f y 26

[49:42] Special Revenue Fund

[49:45] expenditures and are increasing

[49:45] by about $118 million That's

[49:49] mostly related to additional

[49:50] projects for the undergrounding

[49:55] fund issuance of the tax and

[49:55] revenue anticipation notes

[49:56] expected for fy 27 and

[49:59] additional reimbursements from

[50:00] the Emergency Medical Service

[50:04] Fund for eligible expenses in

[50:05] the general fund.

[50:06] Enterprise fund expenditures

[50:08] are increasing by about 167

[50:08] million.

[50:09] That's due to higher water cost

[50:12] personal expenditures to

[50:13] support pure water Phase one

[50:14] energy consumption increases

[50:18] and there's also increases

[50:19] related to a bulky item pickup

[50:19] in the refuse collection

[50:22] enterprise fund that was that

[50:23] were included as part of

[50:23] the recent rate case that

[50:26] established the fee.

[50:27] As the mayor stated this year.

[50:28] We've incorporated changes to

[50:31] the budget process itself.

[50:32] There was greater collaboration

[50:33] with the City council and

[50:36] earlier information sharing is

[50:37] zero based review of contracts

[50:38] analysis of middle management

[50:41] employees added over the last

[50:42] five fiscal years data driven

[50:45] analysis and recreation centers

[50:46] and libraries continue

[50:47] department consolidations and

[50:51] the resident budget survey that

[50:51] provided critical input in

[50:55] budget decisions.

[50:56] The Residents survey provided

[50:59] input by more than 10,000

[50:59] residents.

[51:00] The survey results confirmed

[51:03] that protecting public safety,

[51:04] neighborhood infrastructure,

[51:04] homelessness services and

[51:08] housing is a top concern for

[51:09] those who responded to

[51:09] the survey.

[51:10] Those priorities are reflected

[51:14] in this draft budget Over

[51:14] the course of the mayor's term,

[51:15] the administration has

[51:19] consolidated a total of 16

[51:19] departments.

[51:20] These consolidations allow for

[51:23] cost savings and better support

[51:24] for some of the smaller

[51:24] departments.

[51:25] Further consolidations of

[51:28] departments during expected for

[51:28] fy 27 include the Office of

[51:32] Emergency Services which is

[51:33] being consolidated into

[51:34] the fire rescue department.

[51:34] The compliance department

[51:38] programs that are being moved

[51:39] into three different

[51:39] departments in special events

[51:41] and filming which is being

[51:42] consolidated with Parks and

[51:47] Recreation moving back to

[51:48] the general fund shortfall at

[51:48] the beginning of this budget

[51:52] cycle, the city's five year

[51:55] financial outlook projected in

[51:55] $88.8 million shortfall in

[51:56] the general fund for fy 27.

[51:59] As we moved through the budget

[52:00] development process, that gap

[52:03] grew to approximately $118

[52:04] million due to three key

[52:05] drivers lower transient

[52:09] occupancy tax performance, a

[52:10] higher pension payment and

[52:10] other factors such as

[52:13] the reduced bill part parking

[52:17] revenue In addition to

[52:17] the revised $180 million we

[52:18] incorporated essential

[52:19] additions tied to mandates

[52:22] legal obligations and

[52:23] operational risk mitigation

[52:24] after which the total budget

[52:28] that we had to solve for it was

[52:28] about $146.2 million.

[52:31] The draft budget is that $146.2

[52:32] million with a combination of

[52:37] Labor concessions and the tune

[52:37] of $26.2 million.

[52:41] About $76.1 million in

[52:41] expenditure reductions and

[52:45] about $43.9 million in

[52:46] additional revenue in other

[52:46] sources mostly from

[52:47] reimbursements from general

[52:52] from special revenue funds.

[52:52] >> This slide shows

[52:53] the economic indicators used to

[52:56] develop major revenue

[52:57] projections.

[52:57] The first five relate to

[52:58] property tax projections.

[53:01] The first item in the table

[53:02] shows a slight increase in

[53:06] the number of home sales

[53:07] compared to last year at about

[53:07] 11,000 close to 11,000 home

[53:07] sales.

[53:11] But this is significantly below

[53:11] the 16,000 home sales that we

[53:15] were seeing in more recent

[53:16] years Even with slowing home

[53:20] sales, the increase in home

[53:20] prices as reflected in

[53:21] the median home price and

[53:24] Case-Shiller index for the next

[53:25] two indicators.

[53:26] Those increases have helped

[53:29] offset some of this decrease in

[53:30] in the number of home sales.

[53:33] Foreclosure notice of default

[53:34] to continue to be at historical

[53:35] healthy levels.

[53:35] And the last two indicators

[53:39] which impact our totty and our

[53:40] sales tax.

[53:40] You can see there that

[53:44] unemployment rates continue to

[53:44] be relatively low compared to

[53:48] historical levels at 4.5%

[53:48] holding steady compared to last

[53:49] year.

[53:52] And then consumer confidence

[53:53] that's where we have seen a

[53:54] decrease a significant decrease

[53:57] due to inflation concerns with

[53:58] the federal policies and

[54:02] geopolitical events.

[54:02] This table shows how some of

[54:03] that those projections

[54:07] translate Now into our general

[54:08] fund revenues.

[54:10] You can see Major Avians

[54:11] growing by about 43 million and

[54:14] other revenues growing by about

[54:15] 28 million for a total of about

[54:15] 71 million.

[54:19] Property taxes are growing at

[54:19] about 4.2%.

[54:23] Well, not as strong as a 5.5%

[54:23] growth seen in more recent

[54:24] years.

[54:27] This is still represents a

[54:28] healthy growth for an increase

[54:29] of about $38 million in

[54:32] property taxes Sales tax

[54:33] growing at about 1.9% while

[54:37] still positive and close to

[54:37] the 3.5% increases that we've

[54:38] seen in average for this

[54:42] revenue source.

[54:43] And tlt is really the most

[54:43] impacted revenue growing at

[54:47] just 1.5% compared to the 6%

[54:51] average growth in prior years.

[54:52] Much of the increase revenue

[54:53] that you see under other

[54:53] revenues is associated with

[54:56] reimbursements of general fund

[54:57] from other funds and increase

[55:01] investment earnings assumed

[55:01] from the issuance of the tax

[55:02] and revenue anticipation Note

[55:09] expected next fiscal year.

[55:09] This slide shows significant

[55:10] revenue increases in other

[55:10] resources.

[55:14] The largest resources shown on

[55:15] this slide are additional total

[55:16] reimbursements to the general

[55:19] fund for eligible expenditures

[55:22] after reductions in penny for

[55:23] the year to about $11.8

[55:23] million.

[55:27] There is an additional draw

[55:28] from the Calpers stress of

[55:28] about $6 million to pay for

[55:29] retiree health care cost

[55:32] increases reimbursements from

[55:33] the Emergency Medical Services

[55:33] Fund, parking revenue

[55:37] reimbursements for sidewalks,

[55:37] sanitation and city Treasurer

[55:38] admin services.

[55:41] Net Interest earnings from

[55:41] the issuance of the tax and

[55:42] revenue Anticipation Notes Fire

[55:46] Rescue reimbursements and

[55:47] adjustments from grants,

[55:47] special events and other

[55:48] sources.

[55:50] In additional parks and rec

[55:51] reimbursements from the from

[55:51] growth in the Environmental

[55:55] Growth Fund.

[55:56] Earlier in the presentation and

[55:56] mentioned I mentioned an

[56:00] increase in general fund

[56:01] expenditures of about $71

[56:01] million.

[56:01] This list showed some of

[56:05] the additions above baseline.

[56:06] The only required

[56:06] reimbursements through

[56:10] the years the fund for General

[56:11] fund related right of way

[56:11] permits adjustments to

[56:12] transportation over time in

[56:15] asphalt overtime had not been

[56:16] increased in prior years after

[56:19] general salary increases went

[56:20] into effect.

[56:20] And in terms of asphalt,

[56:21] asphalt has close to doubled in

[56:25] cost and this adjustment brings

[56:26] that budget to current price

[56:26] levels.

[56:30] There is a legally required

[56:30] $1.9 million expenditure for

[56:31] costs associated with services

[56:35] for residents that have not

[56:36] transitioned to a private trash

[56:36] hauler that need to be paid

[56:39] from from the general fund an

[56:40] increase of about 1.9 million

[56:40] for San Diego River levees

[56:44] Engineering Studies.

[56:44] This is to maintain our fema

[56:45] accreditation in be eligible

[56:49] for reimbursements should there

[56:50] be a national disaster staffing

[56:50] for new parks and facilities.

[56:54] About 1.8 million in an effort

[56:55] to increase county

[56:59] participation in four

[57:00] additional beds for

[57:00] the homeless, we are adding

[57:03] about $1.5 million to domestic

[57:04] violence shelter with an

[57:07] expected match of $1.5 million

[57:10] from the county about $700,000

[57:11] associated with settlement and

[57:15] for the air pollution control

[57:15] District litigation.

[57:18] And about half $1 million for

[57:19] various collection fee studies

[57:20] that we anticipate will allow

[57:21] us to bring additional revenue

[57:26] in future years.

[57:27] >> This slide shows significant

[57:27] reductions.

[57:31] You can see labor concessions

[57:35] account to about $26.2 million

[57:35] as mitigation.

[57:36] This was a cause that was

[57:39] factored into the outlook as

[57:40] projected expenses that we are

[57:44] avoiding expenditure reductions

[57:47] remaining at about $76.1

[57:48] million and some of the most

[57:49] significant reductions include

[57:52] classified position reductions

[57:53] but 9.3 million the waiver of

[57:54] the Climate Equity Fund

[57:58] freezing some sworn police

[57:59] leadership positions and

[57:59] increasing the span of controls

[58:02] of those remaining 20 library

[58:03] and recreation center hours.

[58:07] Homelessness programs

[58:07] Reductions The elimination of

[58:08] multi-modal team most related

[58:16] to bike lane improvements in As

[58:17] I mentioned before this is

[58:18] the second year of significant

[58:21] significant budget reductions.

[58:22] This year's reductions combined

[58:26] with last year's reductions

[58:27] total approximately $189.2

[58:31] million over the course of

[58:31] these two fiscal years.

[58:32] To put this in context, this

[58:36] equates to the entire Parks and

[58:36] recreation budget for our fy

[58:37] 26.

[58:40] This shows we are dealing with

[58:41] a structural issue that

[58:42] requires a sustained multi-year

[58:49] approach.

[58:50] >> Next I'll discuss some of

[58:51] the programmatic adjustments in

[58:54] this budget.

[58:55] Impacts from ongoing labor

[58:56] negotiations are not reflected

[58:56] in the draft budget but they

[58:59] will be reflected in the MAY

[59:00] revised pending conclusion of

[59:00] the negotiations.

[59:04] >> Overall the General Fund for

[59:05] the General Fund personnel

[59:08] costs are decreasing by a net 4

[59:09] million and this is primarily

[59:09] due to the reduction of

[59:13] positions which is offset by a

[59:14] decrease in budgeted personnel

[59:14] expenditure savings due to a

[59:18] projection of fewer vacancies

[59:19] next year as well as positions

[59:23] added for staff to maintain new

[59:23] facilities.

[59:24] Fringe benefits are increasing

[59:28] by a net 17.7 million and this

[59:28] is primarily due to an increase

[59:32] in the pension payment and

[59:33] worker's compensation costs.

[59:34] And these are both offset by a

[59:37] decrease in retiree health care

[59:37] contributions.

[59:42] For public safety, the budget

[59:42] avoids fire station brownouts

[59:43] and additional decreases in

[59:46] overtime specifically in

[59:47] the areas of neighborhood

[59:51] policing, clean city patrol and

[59:51] youth services.

[59:52] It implements cross staffing

[59:56] for the bomb squad unit in

[59:57] reduced positions and npy that

[59:58] are associated with training

[1:00:01] recruitment and community

[1:00:02] engagement in the fire rescue

[1:00:02] department.

[1:00:05] For the police department,

[1:00:06] the budget preserves front line

[1:00:06] personnel.

[1:00:07] It holds sworn leadership

[1:00:10] positions vacant.

[1:00:11] Expanding the span of control

[1:00:12] for existing leadership and

[1:00:16] holds a number of police

[1:00:16] investigative service officer

[1:00:19] positions vacant.

[1:00:20] >> The fiscal year 27 draft

[1:00:23] budget includes 97.1 million in

[1:00:24] funding for homelessness

[1:00:28] programs and services including

[1:00:29] the police department's

[1:00:29] homeless outreach team and

[1:00:30] the Environmental Services

[1:00:33] Department's Clean City

[1:00:34] program.

[1:00:34] The General fund budget is

[1:00:37] slightly increasing to 72.9

[1:00:38] million which is mostly

[1:00:42] supported by totty Measure itot

[1:00:43] and Opioid Settlement Fund

[1:00:43] reimbursements.

[1:00:46] The remainder of the total

[1:00:47] homelessness services funding

[1:00:48] is primarily supported by

[1:00:51] various state and federal

[1:00:52] grants including hap and cdbg.

[1:00:56] >> Homeless shelters continue

[1:00:57] to be funded including the safe

[1:00:58] parking and safe sleeping

[1:01:01] programs.

[1:01:02] Other programs including

[1:01:02] supportive services navigation

[1:01:06] programs as well as community

[1:01:07] outreach are coordinated.

[1:01:07] Outreach will continue next

[1:01:11] year.

[1:01:11] The Housing Instability

[1:01:12] Prevention Program and

[1:01:15] the Eviction Prevention Program

[1:01:16] will carry forward at current

[1:01:17] funding levels.

[1:01:20] And finally the budget includes

[1:01:21] programmatic reductions which

[1:01:22] will be discussed in detail

[1:01:22] during the homelessness

[1:01:25] strategies and Solutions

[1:01:25] Department Budget Review

[1:01:29] Committee presentation.

[1:01:30] >> Notable adjustments in

[1:01:31] the area of community services

[1:01:34] include the strategic reduction

[1:01:35] of library and rec center hours

[1:01:39] including a related reduction

[1:01:39] in security services to

[1:01:40] libraries or planned for

[1:01:44] closure for renovation and

[1:01:45] expansion.

[1:01:45] There's a reduction to

[1:01:49] the library donation match and

[1:01:50] the Office of Child Any success

[1:01:50] is proposed to be eliminated.

[1:01:54] Restroom closures in select

[1:01:55] parks is proposed to be reduced

[1:01:59] as well as a reduction to park

[1:01:59] rangers.

[1:02:00] Additionally, the budget

[1:02:00] includes additional staffing

[1:02:04] and related costs to operate

[1:02:04] and maintain new parks and

[1:02:05] joint use facilities that are

[1:02:06] planned to open next fiscal

[1:02:11] year.

[1:02:11] >> Other notable reductions

[1:02:12] include the Elimination of Arts

[1:02:16] and Culture grants to outside

[1:02:16] organizations, various facility

[1:02:21] maintenance trade positions,

[1:02:21] decreased support for building

[1:02:22] and zoning code enforcement as

[1:02:25] well as the elimination of City

[1:02:30] Council kps funding.

[1:02:31] >> Overall the budget includes

[1:02:32] the reduction of 288 positions.

[1:02:35] Citywide with 187 positions

[1:02:39] being added primarily in

[1:02:40] the Solid Waste Management

[1:02:43] Enterprise Fund for a net

[1:02:43] reduction of 101 total

[1:02:44] positions.

[1:02:44] The General Fund includes a

[1:02:48] reduction of 268 positions with

[1:02:53] 70 positions added primarily to

[1:02:53] support the operations of new

[1:02:54] facilities as well as parking

[1:02:58] enforcement many of which are

[1:02:58] reimbursable for a net

[1:03:01] reduction of 198 positions.

[1:03:02] To highlight a few notable

[1:03:06] adjustments in the nine general

[1:03:06] funds, additional funding is

[1:03:07] included in the Solid Waste

[1:03:10] Management Enterprise Fund for

[1:03:11] expanded services supported by

[1:03:11] the approved trash fee.

[1:03:15] The Environmental Growth funds

[1:03:16] include 7 million to support

[1:03:20] wetland mitigation activities

[1:03:20] related to prior storm channel

[1:03:21] clearing work and the budget

[1:03:25] also includes funding to

[1:03:26] support Phase one of the pure

[1:03:26] water program which is being

[1:03:29] beginning operations next year

[1:03:30] .

[1:03:31] >> The fiscal year 27 capital

[1:03:34] improvements Program budget

[1:03:35] includes 821.7 million for a

[1:03:39] variety of projects.

[1:03:40] Key investments include

[1:03:40] continued funding for water and

[1:03:45] sewer pipeline projects.

[1:03:46] Funding for the Pure water

[1:03:50] program continued investment in

[1:03:50] street repair investments and

[1:03:51] other right of way assets

[1:03:54] including the traffic safety

[1:03:55] funding for storm water

[1:03:55] emergency projects and other

[1:03:58] projects that are scheduled to

[1:03:58] go into construction next

[1:04:03] fiscal year.

[1:04:03] The budget includes

[1:04:04] significant investment in

[1:04:05] general fund assets such as

[1:04:09] city facilities, storm drain

[1:04:09] infrastructure, streets,

[1:04:10] sidewalks and other right of

[1:04:10] way assets.

[1:04:13] A total of 222.3 million in

[1:04:14] funding is supported by debt

[1:04:18] financing and other mostly

[1:04:19] restricted sources such as

[1:04:19] Transnet and utility

[1:04:23] undergrounding fees.

[1:04:24] Major considerations for

[1:04:28] funding were project readiness

[1:04:29] for construction and continued

[1:04:29] investment in streets and

[1:04:30] stormwater infrastructure.

[1:04:33] Council Policy 800 Dash 14 is

[1:04:34] also used to prioritize

[1:04:36] projects along with mayoral and

[1:04:42] council priorities.

[1:04:43] The draft budget includes 89.1

[1:04:43] million for the city's street

[1:04:44] repair program.

[1:04:47] This funding will support

[1:04:48] street maintenance including

[1:04:49] slurry cape and scrub seal

[1:04:52] pothole repairs and trench

[1:04:52] restoration services as well as

[1:04:53] street resurfacing.

[1:04:57] The funding will support a

[1:04:57] total of 345 miles of street

[1:05:01] repair next year.

[1:05:02] >> The city will also continue

[1:05:03] to make investments towards its

[1:05:07] vision zero goals next year and

[1:05:07] the budget includes funding for

[1:05:08] a variety of right of way

[1:05:11] improvements that will support

[1:05:12] pedestrian bike and vehicle

[1:05:12] safety.

[1:05:16] A total investment of

[1:05:17] approximately 60 million will

[1:05:17] support this effort, including

[1:05:20] addressing the city's most

[1:05:25] dangerous 15 intersections.

[1:05:26] Stormwater emergencies continue

[1:05:27] to cost millions each year.

[1:05:30] The fiscal year 27 draft budget

[1:05:30] includes 52.5 million

[1:05:35] investment in stormwater

[1:05:35] infrastructure which is in

[1:05:39] addition to the $733 million

[1:05:39] with a program The city is

[1:05:40] continuing to set aside funding

[1:05:44] annually for storm drain

[1:05:45] emergencies and is investing in

[1:05:45] other projects that are ready

[1:05:48] for construction.

[1:05:49] >> Looking ahead the aba will

[1:05:54] be releasing their review of

[1:05:55] the draft budget on APRIL 29th

[1:05:56] and the Budget Review Committee

[1:05:59] hearings are scheduled for

[1:05:59] the week of MAY 4th.

[1:06:00] The Department of Finance will

[1:06:01] be releasing the MAY revision

[1:06:04] on MAY 13th and presenting it

[1:06:05] to the City Council on MAY

[1:06:05] 18th.

[1:06:09] Finally the City Council is

[1:06:09] scheduled to adopt the budget

[1:06:14] on JUNE 9th.

[1:06:15] >> The fiscal year 20 27 draft

[1:06:16] budget is balanced and it

[1:06:19] prioritizes continue to

[1:06:20] investment in public safety

[1:06:21] infrastructure, homelessness

[1:06:24] solutions and housing.

[1:06:25] This is the second year of

[1:06:25] progress towards addressing

[1:06:26] the general fund Structural

[1:06:30] deficit and additional revenue

[1:06:30] will be needed to address

[1:06:31] the city's growing capital

[1:06:35] improvement needs.

[1:06:35] >> That concludes our

[1:06:36] presentation and we're happy to

[1:06:37] answer any questions you'll

[1:06:37] have.

[1:06:40] All right.

[1:06:41] Thank you both for

[1:06:41] the presentation.

[1:06:42] I'll turn it over now to our

[1:06:43] independent budget analyst

[1:06:45] Charles Marcus for Thank you

[1:06:46] council PRESIDENT, council

[1:06:47] members, MR. Mayor and

[1:06:47] the Department of Finance for

[1:06:50] your presentation.

[1:06:51] As you know, the proposed

[1:06:51] budget was released last week

[1:06:55] on APRIL 15th and that kicked

[1:06:55] off a very intense two week

[1:06:56] period during which my team is

[1:07:00] working tirelessly to translate

[1:07:01] the budget into a comprehensive

[1:07:01] report to help guide your

[1:07:05] budget review That starts in

[1:07:06] MAY.

[1:07:06] Given the addition of

[1:07:07] the Division of Race and Equity

[1:07:09] to my office this year, our

[1:07:10] report will also include

[1:07:11] additional focus on the equity

[1:07:11] impacts of various budget

[1:07:15] adjustments.

[1:07:15] While the bulk of our analysis

[1:07:16] is still being worked on and

[1:07:17] will be included in a full

[1:07:20] report that will be released on

[1:07:21] APRIL 29th, I do have some

[1:07:22] general remarks for today.

[1:07:25] First I want to acknowledge

[1:07:26] that this budget includes a

[1:07:31] number of substantial cuts

[1:07:31] which were necessary to close a

[1:07:35] deficit of roughly $118

[1:07:35] million.

[1:07:36] The city has been operating

[1:07:36] with structural deficit for

[1:07:40] years and my office has warned

[1:07:41] of them in all of our budget

[1:07:41] reviews.

[1:07:45] Cuts of the magnitude being

[1:07:46] proposed will be difficult but

[1:07:46] they are also necessary to

[1:07:50] balance the budget.

[1:07:51] It is important to understand

[1:07:51] how the city got here.

[1:07:55] This deficit is not new.

[1:07:56] The city's resources have been

[1:07:57] insufficient to provide for

[1:07:57] the services and infrastructure

[1:08:01] maintenance for decades.

[1:08:02] The city realized just over 15

[1:08:05] years ago in 2010 when it

[1:08:06] pursued a temporary half cent

[1:08:06] sales tax measure.

[1:08:10] But that effort failed, causing

[1:08:10] the city to pull back on both

[1:08:11] infrastructure maintenance and

[1:08:16] employee compensation.

[1:08:16] And in 2012 when the city began

[1:08:17] issuing bonds again to pay for

[1:08:21] its capital infrastructure

[1:08:22] needs, the city did so not with

[1:08:22] the expectation that

[1:08:27] infrastructure needs to be

[1:08:27] fully funded but with

[1:08:28] the knowledge that bond funding

[1:08:32] would only allow the city to

[1:08:32] slow the rate at which its

[1:08:33] infrastructure deteriorated.

[1:08:37] Beyond this, in the city's day

[1:08:38] to day operations, some areas

[1:08:39] have seen expanded services

[1:08:42] while the city's actual

[1:08:43] revenues particularly sales and

[1:08:44] hotel taxes were and remain low

[1:08:49] compared to our peer cities.

[1:08:49] Another attempt was made to

[1:08:53] address all of this in 2024

[1:08:54] with a measure to increase

[1:08:54] the city's sales tax rate by

[1:08:59] $0.01 But that effort narrowly

[1:09:00] failed.

[1:09:00] Band aid the city has used in

[1:09:03] past two decades like keeping

[1:09:04] employee compensation low and

[1:09:05] deferring infrastructure

[1:09:05] maintenance have long term

[1:09:09] consequences that we are

[1:09:10] dealing with today.

[1:09:10] While the city has raised pay

[1:09:14] in recent years new revenues

[1:09:15] for infrastructure have been

[1:09:16] limited.

[1:09:16] While the infrastructure needs

[1:09:20] of the city have ballooned from

[1:09:21] 1.4 billion in unfunded capital

[1:09:24] needs ten years ago to $7.8

[1:09:25] billion today.

[1:09:26] I do want to address a few

[1:09:30] misconceptions about how

[1:09:31] the city got here.

[1:09:31] First, I often read complaints

[1:09:35] about how much the city spends

[1:09:36] on bike lanes.

[1:09:36] I want to be clear that

[1:09:37] the city spends a fraction of a

[1:09:41] percent of its budget on bike

[1:09:42] lanes in any given year and

[1:09:42] that amount is generally

[1:09:43] associated with straightening

[1:09:47] streets after repaving Most of

[1:09:47] the large and more costly bike

[1:09:48] lane projects in the region are

[1:09:52] completed by and funded by

[1:09:52] sandag not the city.

[1:09:57] Second, while some point to

[1:09:57] employee pay increases over

[1:09:58] the last three years as deficit

[1:09:59] drivers, it is also important

[1:10:02] to note that those raises were

[1:10:03] designed merely to bring city

[1:10:03] employee compensation closer to

[1:10:08] market rates and median pay

[1:10:09] Before those raises the city

[1:10:13] lag far behind peers and faced

[1:10:13] significant difficulty

[1:10:14] recruiting and retaining

[1:10:15] the workers that deliver city

[1:10:19] services.

[1:10:20] Finally, while many point to

[1:10:20] admittedly bad real estate

[1:10:24] deals, the city has made in

[1:10:25] the past notably when I went

[1:10:26] out as drivers of the deficit.

[1:10:29] It's also important to note

[1:10:30] that down from mistakes that

[1:10:31] the city has learned from and

[1:10:35] that they also had by and large

[1:10:35] one time cost.

[1:10:36] While the deficit that the city

[1:10:37] needs to solve today is an

[1:10:41] ongoing and structural issue.

[1:10:42] In short, the city's budget

[1:10:46] issue particularly when it

[1:10:47] comes to infrastructure is

[1:10:47] fundamentally a revenue issue.

[1:10:52] Now given our current

[1:10:53] resources, there is no question

[1:10:53] that we need to make

[1:10:54] significant cuts to bring our

[1:10:58] operations into structural

[1:10:58] balance.

[1:10:59] But I also want to be clear

[1:10:59] that even cutting entire

[1:11:03] departments would not free up

[1:11:04] enough resources to fix our

[1:11:04] infrastructure backlog.

[1:11:09] That backlog will remain until

[1:11:09] and unless new revenue to

[1:11:10] address it is put before and

[1:11:15] ultimately approved by city

[1:11:15] voters.

[1:11:16] But what we are faced with

[1:11:16] today is the budget has been

[1:11:21] proposed and the deficit that

[1:11:21] needs to be closed.

[1:11:22] Over the last year the city

[1:11:26] implemented several new

[1:11:26] revenues to close the current

[1:11:27] year's deficit.

[1:11:28] Moving forward, however, we

[1:11:32] cannot and should not rely on

[1:11:33] large new near-term infusions

[1:11:33] of revenue.

[1:11:38] Cuts will need to be

[1:11:38] the primary tool to bring

[1:11:39] the fy 27 budget into balance.

[1:11:43] I know that we will hear about

[1:11:44] the negative impacts of those

[1:11:44] cuts.

[1:11:49] Our ipa analysis will include

[1:11:49] discussions on many of those

[1:11:50] impacts and in areas where

[1:11:51] dollar cuts have been proposed

[1:11:54] without operational details

[1:11:55] particularly in libraries of

[1:11:55] parks and homelessness

[1:11:56] programing.

[1:12:00] My team is meeting with

[1:12:01] departments to understand those

[1:12:01] cuts and we will include

[1:12:02] additional detail on them in

[1:12:05] our report.

[1:12:06] But ultimately cuts will be

[1:12:06] unavoidable.

[1:12:12] I expect that we will hear real

[1:12:12] and justifiable concerns both

[1:12:13] from the Council and the public

[1:12:17] about the cuts that have been

[1:12:18] proposed And over the next two

[1:12:18] months we will have

[1:12:19] the opportunity to address some

[1:12:23] of those concerns through

[1:12:23] modifications to the proposed

[1:12:24] budget.

[1:12:24] But we also need to be

[1:12:24] realistic.

[1:12:29] We do not have the resources

[1:12:29] needed to maintain today's

[1:12:34] services and any future

[1:12:35] infrastructure fix will require

[1:12:35] more revenue down the road.

[1:12:40] In the meantime we need to

[1:12:41] structurally balance the city's

[1:12:41] operations today to rebuild

[1:12:46] both stability and public trust

[1:12:46] for the future.

[1:12:47] I would ask as groups come

[1:12:48] forward to oppose particular

[1:12:52] cuts that they also consider

[1:12:52] suggesting alternatives That

[1:12:53] will not be easy.

[1:12:57] But it is ultimately necessary

[1:12:58] because a city cannot spend

[1:13:03] money that it does not have.

[1:13:04] With that I'll wrap up by

[1:13:04] noting that my team will

[1:13:07] deliver our full analysis on

[1:13:08] APRIL 29th and I look forward

[1:13:09] to working with each of you

[1:13:09] through the difficult

[1:13:12] discussions that we will have

[1:13:13] over the next two months.

[1:13:13] >> Thank you.

[1:13:14] All right.

[1:13:15] Thank you very much for all

[1:13:18] the input of the aba especially

[1:13:19] during this particular cycle is

[1:13:19] incredibly critical.

[1:13:20] >> But thank you for your

[1:13:24] candor.

[1:13:24] >> Do we have any public

[1:13:25] comment?

[1:13:25] All right.

[1:13:26] Please proceed with public

[1:13:30] testimony and item 200.

[1:13:30] >> Thank you, Council

[1:13:31] PRESIDENT.

[1:13:32] We do have over 160 speakers

[1:13:35] here in person and with those

[1:13:35] that have raised their hands

[1:13:47] online that is worth

[1:13:47] applauding.

[1:13:48] Let that be the last clapping

[1:13:48] for the rest of the session so

[1:13:51] we can get through every 160

[1:13:52] speakers.

[1:13:52] >> Just one thing before I

[1:13:57] begin We do have several seats

[1:13:57] available up in the front.

[1:13:58] They are reserved for

[1:13:59] the speakers who are being

[1:13:59] called up.

[1:14:03] So as I call your name please

[1:14:03] be sure to come up to

[1:14:04] the yellow reserved seats at

[1:14:05] the front of the room If we are

[1:14:09] seating time I will be asking

[1:14:10] you to raise your hand so that

[1:14:10] I can see Sometimes I'm a

[1:14:15] little short so please make

[1:14:16] sure that the person is here

[1:14:17] just to wave your hand around.

[1:14:18] I will see you and we'll try to

[1:14:21] get through this as efficiently

[1:14:22] as possible for you all to be

[1:14:22] heard.

[1:14:31] Health Gallegos Munoz Munoz.

[1:14:32] >> Adriana Barraza Please come

[1:14:33] up to the other reserved seats.

[1:14:38] Adriana Barraza Yoani Rubio

[1:14:39] Please come up to the other

[1:14:39] reserve seats.

[1:14:40] Courtney.

[1:14:44] But it's Berlinski Patrick

[1:14:50] Stewart Judy Bass, Sparky

[1:14:50] Mitra, Kevin Wehner If you can

[1:14:55] all please come up to

[1:14:55] the yellow reserved seats as

[1:14:56] well as Nicole Lilly and Travis

[1:15:01] Bouchard.

[1:15:02] >> I suppose you can start You

[1:15:02] will have one minute.

[1:15:02] Thank you.

[1:15:07] My name is Munoz.

[1:15:08] I am the community organizing

[1:15:09] coordinator for the Chicano

[1:15:12] Federation, a member of

[1:15:13] the Community Budget Alliance

[1:15:13] and a former youth

[1:15:14] commissioner.

[1:15:14] When the city first established

[1:15:19] that youth commission I was

[1:15:19] ecstatic.

[1:15:20] Finally we weren't just talking

[1:15:20] about youth empowerment.

[1:15:21] We were building a home for it.

[1:15:25] But in all transparency those

[1:15:25] early days were a struggle.

[1:15:26] It felt like we were being

[1:15:30] thrown into a deep end and told

[1:15:31] to swim.

[1:15:31] Thankfully when we advocated

[1:15:32] for the support we desperately

[1:15:36] needed the city delivered by

[1:15:37] creating the Office of Child

[1:15:37] and Youth Success.

[1:15:38] Since then Jose Baez has been

[1:15:43] the backbone of our community.

[1:15:43] It has bridged the gap for

[1:15:44] youth and our most marginalized

[1:15:45] individuals in our

[1:15:48] neighborhoods giving us

[1:15:49] the tools to lead our own

[1:15:49] progress.

[1:15:50] Eliminating this office isn't

[1:15:51] just a budget cut it's a

[1:15:56] message When youth are not at

[1:15:57] the table we're on the menu and

[1:15:57] cutting.

[1:15:58] And to be clear message that

[1:16:01] our futures are not worth

[1:16:02] fighting for.

[1:16:03] >> On behalf of Chicano I ask

[1:16:03] you to reconsider and please

[1:16:04] keep the fight a life.

[1:16:07] Rosie with us.

[1:16:13] >> Are you here?

[1:16:14] So I guess either coming in

[1:16:15] from another room.

[1:16:19] No.

[1:16:20] No other brother You wanna

[1:16:30] reveal?

[1:16:31] >> Good afternoon.

[1:16:32] My name is Ivana Madeline Rubio

[1:16:33] and I'm a current resident of

[1:16:33] District four.

[1:16:36] I'm also a former District one

[1:16:37] youth commissioner from

[1:16:37] the inaugural cohort of

[1:16:42] the city's youth commission.

[1:16:43] My experience as a youth

[1:16:44] commissioner introduced me to

[1:16:49] the Brown Act and taught me how

[1:16:49] to communicate with public

[1:16:50] bodies and promote transparency

[1:16:54] and eventually allowed me to

[1:16:55] have the basic skills that I

[1:16:55] needed to serve on

[1:16:56] the Commission on Police

[1:17:00] Practices And as a young person

[1:17:01] who came from black and brown

[1:17:01] communities, low income

[1:17:06] communities growing up, it was

[1:17:07] very important for me to serve

[1:17:07] and be one of the young people

[1:17:08] on that commission with retired

[1:17:12] individuals.

[1:17:13] So I really urge you to really

[1:17:13] consider the youth Commission

[1:17:19] under the office of Child and

[1:17:19] Youth Success.

[1:17:20] I understand that we're

[1:17:21] collectively experiencing a lot

[1:17:24] of cuts so I just really want

[1:17:24] to put forth our youth and

[1:17:25] really highlight that we're

[1:17:26] doing this for our young people

[1:17:31] as well.

[1:17:32] >> Thank you very much for your

[1:17:32] time.

[1:17:32] Courtney.

[1:17:37] Courtney But let's kick off

[1:17:38] Courtney comes up Yeah.

[1:17:38] >> Snap your fingers if you're

[1:17:42] really excited maybe.

[1:17:43] >> But thank you.

[1:17:43] Good afternoon.

[1:17:44] Honorable Council PRESIDENT,

[1:17:44] Council members and Mayor

[1:17:48] Gordon.

[1:17:49] My name is Courtney Ball Tusky

[1:17:50] with the ymca and Children

[1:17:50] First Collective.

[1:17:51] It's an honor to stand in

[1:17:54] allyship with young people

[1:17:55] today and we're all confused

[1:17:55] about these budget decisions.

[1:17:56] Why can't we have a tough

[1:18:00] fiscal conversation in a way

[1:18:01] that allows for vision,

[1:18:02] collaboration and leadership?

[1:18:07] It makes sense to maintain

[1:18:08] the dollars for the Office of

[1:18:09] Child Abuse success being youth

[1:18:09] development.

[1:18:10] I know that a continuum of

[1:18:13] programs collaboration and

[1:18:14] attention across a young

[1:18:15] person's life are critical.

[1:18:15] Osu I ask works across

[1:18:19] community for and with kids,

[1:18:20] youth and families to

[1:18:20] strategize for this.

[1:18:21] We've seen much trust built

[1:18:25] grant secured and progress with

[1:18:26] the Office of Child Success.

[1:18:26] We can't afford to lose it.

[1:18:27] Thank you.

[1:18:35] Patrick Stewart Good afternoon.

[1:18:35] >> I'll make this quick.

[1:18:36] I just want to point out a

[1:18:37] couple of things that I hope

[1:18:38] that we get a chance to discuss

[1:18:41] as we are considering the rest

[1:18:41] of the budget process.

[1:18:42] One I am concerned by

[1:18:46] the disproportion it affects

[1:18:47] that this budget as proposed is

[1:18:48] going to have on children,

[1:18:48] youth and families in

[1:18:52] particular at a time when they

[1:18:53] need us most.

[1:18:54] Two I'm concerned by the either

[1:18:54] or approach that this budget

[1:18:58] has taken which has resulted in

[1:18:59] nearly $8 million in proposed

[1:19:04] reductions in or in in library

[1:19:05] and park recreation hours and a

[1:19:06] virtual near elimination and

[1:19:11] near elimination of our arts

[1:19:11] and culture budget.

[1:19:12] Either or there's been zero

[1:19:12] creativity in how we're going

[1:19:17] to be able to still bring

[1:19:18] services to the city of San

[1:19:18] Diego.

[1:19:19] And I'm concerned about

[1:19:22] the narrative that surrounds

[1:19:23] the survey that we're using

[1:19:27] the narrative that 10,000

[1:19:28] individuals or 10,000 responses

[1:19:29] is being being used to drive a

[1:19:34] decision that will affect 1.4

[1:19:35] million people.

[1:19:35] It's designed and it's

[1:19:36] delivered.

[1:19:36] Thank you for that concluding

[1:19:37] comment, Judy.

[1:19:40] But good afternoon City Council

[1:19:47] My name is Julie Wise and

[1:19:48] the public affairs manager at

[1:19:48] Planned Parenthood of Pacific

[1:19:49] Southwest.

[1:19:52] Our zip code should not

[1:19:52] determine our care, our

[1:19:53] treatment and our access to

[1:19:53] opportunities.

[1:19:57] The funding, the arts and

[1:19:58] programs that promote youth

[1:19:59] success are not only harmful

[1:19:59] but they also create more

[1:20:03] hardship and put a burden on

[1:20:04] service providers.

[1:20:04] We cannot solve our budget

[1:20:05] crisis while maintaining

[1:20:10] essential services that promote

[1:20:10] creativity, community and

[1:20:11] equity.

[1:20:11] Our students deserve better.

[1:20:12] Our nonprofits deserve better.

[1:20:15] Southeast Sandiego specifically

[1:20:16] deserves better.

[1:20:16] The community is here.

[1:20:22] Our kids are here.

[1:20:23] And I want to be clear It's our

[1:20:23] job to share our stories but

[1:20:24] not to buy turnips.

[1:20:28] It is our job to share what

[1:20:29] we're going through so that you

[1:20:30] all can make the decisions.

[1:20:30] We voted you in.

[1:20:31] We want you to listen to us and

[1:20:34] work with us.

[1:20:35] >> But it is not our jobs to do

[1:20:35] your job.

[1:20:35] Thank you.

[1:20:40] Sparky Mitra Hi Council members

[1:20:46] My name is Parking Meter a

[1:20:47] youth organizer, engineer and

[1:20:47] District three resident.

[1:20:48] I'm here today because I'm

[1:20:49] appalled at what the mayor's

[1:20:52] prioritized in his budget.

[1:20:52] This is exactly what it is.

[1:20:53] It's his budget proposal, not

[1:20:53] ours.

[1:20:57] This budget does nothing for

[1:20:58] the community and for youth and

[1:20:59] we won't stand for it.

[1:20:59] The establishment of the Office

[1:21:03] of Child and Youth success is

[1:21:03] one that has been

[1:21:04] the culmination of decades of

[1:21:05] work from youth organizers

[1:21:05] around the city.

[1:21:09] With federal dollars already

[1:21:10] being stripped from investments

[1:21:10] in youth at risk communities

[1:21:11] and with the increasing

[1:21:12] demonization of migrants, our

[1:21:15] city should be stepping up.

[1:21:16] Instead, the mayor is

[1:21:16] eliminating a program that has

[1:21:17] brought in $1.3 million per

[1:21:22] refugee Students.

[1:21:23] He is stripping out the vital

[1:21:24] resources like youth drop in

[1:21:24] centers.

[1:21:25] Let us be clear his axing

[1:21:30] investment in our youth

[1:21:31] the glitter hating the success

[1:21:32] of our city's future,

[1:21:32] the amount of revenue that oci

[1:21:34] has brought into the city is an

[1:21:34] order of magnitude greater than

[1:21:35] its operating budget.

[1:21:39] It has brought in ten times

[1:21:40] the amount of money it costs to

[1:21:40] run.

[1:21:41] This budget doesn't serve us.

[1:21:46] Fund Youth Fund a future fund

[1:21:46] the people Kevin Wehner After

[1:21:52] that will be Nicole Lilly,

[1:21:52] Travis Bouchard, Amira Yousef

[1:21:53] Lucky eight and Mohammed Omar.

[1:21:57] Rachel Lozano Castro Dean

[1:21:58] Charlotte.

[1:21:59] If you can all please come up

[1:22:03] to the front room.

[1:22:03] >> Please proceed.

[1:22:04] Good evening, Council Members.

[1:22:08] Council Member Member LaCava

[1:22:09] I'm a constituent in your

[1:22:10] district and our Board of

[1:22:10] Trustees at the Community

[1:22:11] Planning Group.

[1:22:15] I'm coming here today with our

[1:22:15] contact to youth led a51c3

[1:22:16] nonprofit urging you all to

[1:22:17] continue the funding for O.C.

[1:22:17] Y.

[1:22:21] S They only require $350,000 in

[1:22:25] funding while generating 3.5

[1:22:25] million and grants that

[1:22:26] the city would no longer be

[1:22:27] able to receive if this

[1:22:27] department was not funded.

[1:22:33] So you're not saving the range

[1:22:33] of 50,000 but actually losing

[1:22:34] 3.5 million in potential grants

[1:22:35] that the city can no longer

[1:22:37] receive.

[1:22:38] Further Councilmember Look, I

[1:22:38] wanted to urge you to

[1:22:39] reconsider your stance on

[1:22:43] police funding.

[1:22:44] I know this is a difficult

[1:22:45] budgetary process but this is

[1:22:45] something that I think comes

[1:22:49] out at the expense of many

[1:22:50] taxpayers with many examples in

[1:22:55] our district happening with

[1:22:55] mismanagement.

[1:22:56] For example, on JANUARY 7th

[1:22:57] there was a homeless man who

[1:22:57] locked himself in the local

[1:23:03] bathroom.

[1:23:03] >> The police responded with 26

[1:23:04] cop cars, a swat vehicle and a

[1:23:05] helicopter to someone looking

[1:23:05] for something better.

[1:23:06] >> Thank you.

[1:23:12] Nicole Illing.

[1:23:13] >> Hello, My name is Nicole.

[1:23:18] I'm a 23 year old resident in

[1:23:18] District three and

[1:23:19] the executive director of our

[1:23:20] Time to Act an entirely youth

[1:23:23] founded Youth led 523 nonprofit

[1:23:24] organizing Powerful Youth for

[1:23:25] an inclusive, equitable and

[1:23:29] sustainable future in San

[1:23:29] Diego.

[1:23:30] As a youth organizer who has

[1:23:30] had the privilege of working

[1:23:31] with the Office of Child Abuse

[1:23:32] success, I can tell you

[1:23:36] firsthand what a catastrophic

[1:23:36] failure of leadership it would

[1:23:37] be to allow policy wise to be

[1:23:38] eliminated in this budget

[1:23:38] cycle.

[1:23:41] The mayor's proposed plan

[1:23:42] slashes libraries, parks, arts,

[1:23:43] housing and just about every

[1:23:47] social service while attempting

[1:23:48] to pit against one another for

[1:23:48] crumbs.

[1:23:49] Meanwhile, it pours money into

[1:23:49] invasive surveillance and an

[1:23:53] already bloated police budget a

[1:23:54] department that broke every

[1:23:58] year while funding 24 units for

[1:23:58] a single car chase wasting

[1:23:59] millions on unlawful arrest and

[1:24:00] harassing the very youth.

[1:24:04] Gloria seeks to defund.

[1:24:04] Today organizations and youth

[1:24:05] from across the city joined in

[1:24:09] a united voice to urge you to

[1:24:10] fund youth fund the people not

[1:24:11] police and surveillance.

[1:24:11] You have a duty to pass a

[1:24:15] budget that serves our present

[1:24:16] and future.

[1:24:16] >> This community will hold you

[1:24:17] accountable.

[1:24:17] Thank you.

[1:24:26] Travis Bouchard Travis District

[1:24:26] seven.

[1:24:27] Like when you found your way

[1:24:27] into politics because you

[1:24:28] wanted to improve people's

[1:24:32] lives, it's noble.

[1:24:33] Congrats.

[1:24:33] However, this budget is

[1:24:39] the antithesis of progressive

[1:24:39] politics.

[1:24:40] For your surveillance state

[1:24:40] that disproportionately affects

[1:24:44] black and brown youth while

[1:24:45] defunding youth services is

[1:24:46] insane like truly allowing not

[1:24:51] to see the light of the day

[1:24:52] should be it.

[1:24:52] >> What the are we doing

[1:24:53] Moment or not License like

[1:24:56] cameras their full motion video

[1:24:56] capture kids walking to school

[1:24:57] or selling our children's data.

[1:25:02] Shaming.

[1:25:03] You can try to ask people to

[1:25:03] continue asking people crumbs.

[1:25:08] If someone eloquently described

[1:25:09] earlier today you create a

[1:25:10] Hunger Games situation over and

[1:25:14] over people are done solely for

[1:25:15] crumbs where they're going to

[1:25:15] come steal your cake.

[1:25:16] >> If you don't do the right

[1:25:23] thing for your services, defund

[1:25:23] Fork Fire Daniel the $30

[1:25:27] Million Cop Barber Bowl I was

[1:25:27] on my radio screen.

[1:25:28] >> We're going to set the town

[1:25:32] pd escort the gentleman.

[1:25:32] We got to set the tone.

[1:25:33] Let's all be civil about this.

[1:25:34] We know how angry and how

[1:25:38] passionate you are about this.

[1:25:39] We've got 150 still to go so

[1:25:44] let's get through it.

[1:25:45] My name is Tom.

[1:25:46] I used to be with

[1:25:46] the Partnership for

[1:25:47] the Advancement of New

[1:25:47] Americans.

[1:25:50] I'm here today to request that

[1:25:50] council redirect funding from

[1:25:55] Block lpr and restores funding

[1:25:56] in youth parks, arts and all

[1:25:57] the other essential services

[1:26:02] that we need at San Diego And

[1:26:03] we don't need more creepy

[1:26:03] surveillance.

[1:26:07] >> We don't need more cops on

[1:26:08] the ground that are going to

[1:26:08] criminalize our youth.

[1:26:09] >> We need to invest in our

[1:26:09] youth today.

[1:26:14] Pena Pena's global village is

[1:26:19] adjacent to the Coyote Triangle

[1:26:20] Park Restoration project and we

[1:26:20] were very disappointed to see

[1:26:21] that the mayor's budget

[1:26:26] provides $0 for the Choice

[1:26:27] Creek Park.

[1:26:27] It cuts out park rangers

[1:26:28] playground maintenance and

[1:26:33] the only city employee that

[1:26:33] whose entire job of expanding

[1:26:34] equitable recreation.

[1:26:39] Please redirect this funding

[1:26:40] away from a creepy surveillance

[1:26:41] like Park Area lp and put it

[1:26:45] into our communities instead of

[1:26:50] looking lucky Item.

[1:26:50] Okay.

[1:26:51] Good afternoon council members.

[1:26:57] My name is Lucky Youth

[1:26:57] organizer with the Partnership

[1:26:58] for the Maximum The Americans

[1:27:03] rgv depends on parks but so

[1:27:04] much more for just green

[1:27:04] spaces.

[1:27:05] I know for my family Parks is

[1:27:08] where we gather to celebrate

[1:27:08] during picnics.

[1:27:09] This is where we create

[1:27:10] multiple multiple memories

[1:27:15] across multiple generations and

[1:27:16] have meaningful time together

[1:27:16] as families.

[1:27:17] Recently our youth has started

[1:27:21] a book club and because we

[1:27:21] wanted to connect with their

[1:27:22] peers and be in nature and also

[1:27:23] stay active But the reality is

[1:27:26] that we often have to travel 30

[1:27:27] minutes just to find a park or

[1:27:28] a trail to walk out.

[1:27:29] For many of our youth this is

[1:27:33] not accessible because of

[1:27:34] transportation.

[1:27:34] Having a park or show their

[1:27:35] community is what we really

[1:27:35] need.

[1:27:36] This is why it's really

[1:27:39] disappointing to see that there

[1:27:40] is zero funding for the Choice

[1:27:40] Creek Park.

[1:27:41] This is not about building a

[1:27:41] park.

[1:27:42] It's making sure that there's a

[1:27:46] place where family and youth

[1:27:46] can truly gather.

[1:27:47] Like I said, different walk and

[1:27:48] invest in community.

[1:27:49] Thank you.

[1:27:56] >> Mohammed Omar.

[1:27:56] Good afternoon, Council

[1:27:56] members.

[1:27:57] My name is Mohammed Omar.

[1:28:02] I'm with the Partnership for

[1:28:03] the Advancement of New

[1:28:03] Americans.

[1:28:04] I'm here today to respectfully

[1:28:05] urge the city to restore

[1:28:08] funding for the Cholla Straight

[1:28:09] a Triangle Park and the Trails

[1:28:09] Creek Restoration Project which

[1:28:13] is listed on page 33 of your

[1:28:14] proposed budget as unfunded at

[1:28:14] 35 million.

[1:28:19] For many in my community parks

[1:28:19] are not luxury.

[1:28:20] They are essential.

[1:28:21] They provide a place to escape

[1:28:21] extreme heat, celebrate

[1:28:25] important milestones like

[1:28:25] birthdays and connect with

[1:28:26] neighbors in the midst of a

[1:28:27] severe housing crisis.

[1:28:30] Many families do not have

[1:28:31] access to backyards or adequate

[1:28:32] spaces to the space where

[1:28:33] people can come together safely

[1:28:37] and meaningfully.

[1:28:38] We are deeply concerned that

[1:28:39] the proposed budget allocation

[1:28:39] or funding for the Thomas Creek

[1:28:44] Park in addition is reduced to

[1:28:44] support for park rangers

[1:28:45] playground maintenance and

[1:28:45] eliminates the only city

[1:28:49] position dedicated to expanding

[1:28:49] equitable access to recreation.

[1:28:54] This could impact not only

[1:28:55] existing parks but also

[1:28:56] the long term success and

[1:28:56] sustainability.

[1:28:57] Thank you very much.

[1:29:01] Thank you for that Concluding

[1:29:01] remark.

[1:29:02] >> Rachel Lozano Castro.

[1:29:03] You have time to go to by

[1:29:08] Patricia Serrano Patricia Camp

[1:29:09] to raise your hand.

[1:29:09] Thank you.

[1:29:10] We're going to need two

[1:29:10] speakers so for me my staff

[1:29:11] will be over there.

[1:29:11] You'll have two minutes.

[1:29:14] Please proceed.

[1:29:14] >> Good afternoon.

[1:29:15] My name is Rachel Castro and

[1:29:15] I'm a resident in District

[1:29:16] four.

[1:29:18] I also run a business in

[1:29:19] District four.

[1:29:20] I work in District nine and

[1:29:20] with the Partnership for

[1:29:21] the Advancement of New

[1:29:21] Americans.

[1:29:25] I celebrated my 20th birthday

[1:29:25] in a city park.

[1:29:30] I go use one pretty much every

[1:29:30] weekend when I can I take my

[1:29:31] lunch breaks at a city park.

[1:29:36] I have family members and

[1:29:36] friends and I meet with them in

[1:29:37] city parks in Point Loma and

[1:29:38] Rancho Bernardo.

[1:29:42] I use all of these regularly so

[1:29:42] I'm asking to find the Triangle

[1:29:47] Park, find the parks We already

[1:29:47] have fun Choice Creek

[1:29:48] restoration which is upstream

[1:29:49] from the communities that were

[1:29:49] flooded.

[1:29:54] I'm also asking to make good on

[1:29:54] the promises that have been

[1:29:55] made with community input for

[1:30:00] the Mid-City Community Plan

[1:30:00] update which we're in

[1:30:01] the middle of right now where

[1:30:02] every community member should

[1:30:06] be able to walk to a park.

[1:30:07] T-Boz like ours at Pangea are

[1:30:08] wanting to work together to

[1:30:11] draw down state funds and apply

[1:30:12] for competitive grants.

[1:30:12] We want to make this work and

[1:30:16] so we're asking you to show up

[1:30:17] with us for the MAY revisions

[1:30:17] of this budget.

[1:30:23] Thank you.

[1:30:24] Thank you, Dean.

[1:30:24] Dean Shake.

[1:30:29] As I count them Jermaine.

[1:30:35] Jermaine.

[1:30:35] After that we have C.J.

[1:30:36] Mendoza, Liliana Soriano,

[1:30:36] Claire Schneider.

[1:30:42] We Tran Amy Lane.

[1:30:42] Mariana Rosa.

[1:30:48] Andrea of Narco and Alexandra

[1:30:48] Castillo.

[1:30:49] If you can all please come to

[1:30:53] the front row.

[1:30:53] I stand corrected.

[1:30:57] We have 196 speakers to go.

[1:31:03] Jermaine Hello everyone.

[1:31:09] >> My name is Jermaine Corba.

[1:31:10] I am a I work at Planet

[1:31:11] Partnership for the Advancement

[1:31:15] of New Americans in District

[1:31:16] nine.

[1:31:16] I also my family is actually in

[1:31:17] District four.

[1:31:22] I am here today to ask you to

[1:31:22] please redistribute funding to

[1:31:28] both arts and culture our

[1:31:28] libraries as well as do you

[1:31:29] Funding flat and investing it

[1:31:34] back in our youth are youth are

[1:31:35] extremely important to me I

[1:31:35] actually what I speak in

[1:31:38] District four where I learned

[1:31:39] about arts and culture and what

[1:31:40] it means to save lives and to

[1:31:45] me public safety is being able

[1:31:46] to have it be safer Parks just

[1:31:50] like a Toys Creek just like

[1:31:51] the Toys park as well as being

[1:31:52] able to ensure that public

[1:31:56] safety is also decriminalizing

[1:31:57] our youth by investing in our

[1:31:58] youth through arts and culture

[1:31:58] and different services.

[1:32:02] Thank you so much for having me

[1:32:03] here today.

[1:32:03] >> Thank you.

[1:32:08] C.J. Mendoza Hello City Council

[1:32:15] My name is C.J. And I am an

[1:32:16] outreach and organizing intern

[1:32:16] at Google.

[1:32:17] I've been organizing positions

[1:32:18] before being at youth Well I'm

[1:32:19] 22 years old and in my journey

[1:32:20] of organizing where I'm

[1:32:20] standing now was only made

[1:32:26] possible by adult allies who

[1:32:26] believe in young people and

[1:32:27] their success.

[1:32:27] I'm urging the city to not only

[1:32:28] buy us because in order to go

[1:32:31] from believing in youth it

[1:32:32] means investing in their

[1:32:33] success the creation of new

[1:32:33] ideas as a symbol of strength

[1:32:37] in numbers and the creation of

[1:32:38] this office with a community

[1:32:39] community oriented journey

[1:32:39] The 20 year journey how young

[1:32:44] people, parents, educators and

[1:32:44] organizers fighting for a

[1:32:45] dedicated city investment in

[1:32:50] young people's futures Well do

[1:32:51] I have accomplished many wins

[1:32:52] that include child care access,

[1:32:56] civic engagement, education and

[1:32:56] so much more?

[1:32:57] What do I have?

[1:32:58] Continuing to win means Are

[1:32:58] young people in San Diego also

[1:33:01] in investment youth success

[1:33:02] today?

[1:33:08] Thank you Liliana Serrano Hello

[1:33:09] Counsel My name is John

[1:33:09] Soriano.

[1:33:10] I am the director of Policy at

[1:33:11] Youth where we are youth and

[1:33:14] because organization asking you

[1:33:15] today to not get off is

[1:33:15] troubling you Success as

[1:33:16] outlined in the mayor's

[1:33:19] proposed budget This office was

[1:33:20] established in 2022 in response

[1:33:20] to not only the youth

[1:33:25] development needed and made

[1:33:26] the pandemic, it also is to

[1:33:27] humanize our social

[1:33:31] infrastructure investments

[1:33:31] authorizes a powerful tool for

[1:33:32] intergovernmental and outside

[1:33:37] agency investments for youth it

[1:33:38] has supported with securing $2

[1:33:38] million for a measure each

[1:33:39] implementation which supports

[1:33:43] families with child care access

[1:33:44] as well as a 1.3 million grant

[1:33:45] in partnership with the largest

[1:33:50] school district in San Diego,

[1:33:51] the San Diego Unified School

[1:33:51] District to support refugee

[1:33:52] students.

[1:33:52] The mayor's proposed budget is

[1:33:55] shortsighted The elimination of

[1:33:56] ocr by us sends the message

[1:33:57] that youth are not a priority.

[1:34:00] We are asking you to restore

[1:34:01] the director level leadership

[1:34:02] of Ozawa's maintain its

[1:34:08] operational budget, retain its

[1:34:08] staff and Charles and Council

[1:34:09] respectfully money can't be

[1:34:13] divested from thinking about

[1:34:13] the moment.

[1:34:14] Claire Snyder.

[1:34:14] Claire Snyder You Have Time To

[1:34:15] Give It to You by Angelica

[1:34:18] Castillo Can you please raise

[1:34:18] your hand?

[1:34:19] >> You'll have two minutes.

[1:34:24] Please proceed.

[1:34:25] Thank you.

[1:34:25] Good afternoon.

[1:34:26] Council My name is Claire

[1:34:26] Snyder.

[1:34:27] I'm with youth.

[1:34:31] Well, but I'm going to be

[1:34:32] speaking on behalf of a youth

[1:34:32] that could not be here today

[1:34:36] due to me Council My name is

[1:34:37] Eddie Wheeler and I serve as

[1:34:37] chair of the Youth Commission.

[1:34:38] I am speaking on behalf of

[1:34:41] the Commission to express our

[1:34:42] concerns regarding the 2627

[1:34:42] budget proposal which

[1:34:43] disproportionately impacts

[1:34:47] youth in San Diego.

[1:34:48] Youth voices are already

[1:34:49] underrepresented in government

[1:34:53] and this proposal reinforces

[1:34:54] that reality by signaling that

[1:34:55] their needs are being under

[1:34:55] prioritized compared to other

[1:34:59] funding increases.

[1:35:00] For example, cuts to library

[1:35:01] funding significantly affect

[1:35:01] youth by limiting access to

[1:35:05] safe quiet study environments

[1:35:05] that students rely on Daily

[1:35:06] library provide essential

[1:35:11] resources including books,

[1:35:12] technology, internet access and

[1:35:12] afterschool programs.

[1:35:13] They also serve as a critical

[1:35:17] space for academic support

[1:35:18] college and job application

[1:35:18] assistance and community

[1:35:19] connection especially for

[1:35:23] underserved youth.

[1:35:24] Similarly reductions to parks

[1:35:24] and recreation funding will

[1:35:25] result in fewer safe spaces for

[1:35:28] young people to gather which is

[1:35:29] vital to the well-being and

[1:35:30] development of youth.

[1:35:30] It will also result in fewer

[1:35:34] sports programs recreational

[1:35:35] opportunities and summer after

[1:35:36] school activities.

[1:35:36] We are also particularly

[1:35:37] concerned with the elimination

[1:35:41] of the Office of Child Needs

[1:35:42] Success under which

[1:35:42] the Commission operates.

[1:35:47] Removing this office we can

[1:35:47] coordination of youth focused

[1:35:48] initiatives across the city and

[1:35:49] reduce support for mental

[1:35:53] health resources, youth

[1:35:53] development programs,

[1:35:54] leadership opportunities and

[1:35:54] more.

[1:35:55] Ultimately it undermines long

[1:35:59] term investment in San Diego's

[1:36:00] young residents.

[1:36:00] That statement is being shared

[1:36:01] by youth Well youth advocacy

[1:36:05] group.

[1:36:05] We had hoped to present these

[1:36:06] concerns in person but

[1:36:07] the meeting time during school

[1:36:07] hours creates an additional

[1:36:10] barrier to youth participation

[1:36:11] and civic engagement.

[1:36:11] We understand that the city is

[1:36:12] facing a budget deficit.

[1:36:17] However, we ask that you

[1:36:17] consider the impact of this

[1:36:18] budget on approximately 20% of

[1:36:22] San Diego and who are youth and

[1:36:23] are not able to be present

[1:36:24] today to represent themselves.

[1:36:25] Thank you for your time and

[1:36:25] consideration.

[1:36:39] We turn Hi my name We finally

[1:36:40] the director I think we said so

[1:36:41] back in 2018 Maybe I work with

[1:36:42] John Campbell not as John

[1:36:43] Campbell and I remember how to

[1:36:45] tell the voters like how Kevin

[1:36:45] Faulconer would leaving

[1:36:46] the administration with a two

[1:36:47] point something billion dollar

[1:36:52] behind back infrastructure that

[1:36:53] would because the way to

[1:36:53] construct the people do

[1:36:57] budgeting is the only fix I

[1:36:57] thing in front of them and they

[1:36:58] leave the infrastructure behind

[1:36:59] Years later we still try to

[1:37:03] catch up on that.

[1:37:04] So in the same situation that

[1:37:05] we have today different numbers

[1:37:10] Jason same budget MAY have

[1:37:11] Gloria did only focusing on

[1:37:12] fixing the little thing about

[1:37:12] the pain but not worry about

[1:37:15] the infrastructure investment

[1:37:15] of the youth, about art and

[1:37:16] culture.

[1:37:17] People come to San Diego for

[1:37:21] that.

[1:37:22] You want to bring more revenue

[1:37:22] into the city.

[1:37:27] You want to not cut the arts

[1:37:27] and culture.

[1:37:28] You want to bring the toys here

[1:37:29] and the youth.

[1:37:29] If we don't take care of them

[1:37:34] now can you later you will have

[1:37:35] a generation of people that you

[1:37:36] will have no power to support

[1:37:36] them.

[1:37:37] >> Over time we conclude board

[1:37:42] economy one.

[1:37:43] >> Hello Council My name is Amy

[1:37:43] Quinn.

[1:37:47] I am a resident of the District

[1:37:47] nine.

[1:37:48] I work with youth high

[1:37:53] schoolers as a college advisor

[1:37:53] to make sure that they are

[1:37:58] college ready, that they are

[1:37:59] ready to find a job and be just

[1:38:05] overall adults.

[1:38:06] The cuts to libraries are going

[1:38:06] to massively impacting students

[1:38:07] that I work with.

[1:38:11] I have so many students from

[1:38:12] low income title title one

[1:38:12] schools who are struggling

[1:38:18] because they can't find proper

[1:38:18] Wi-Fi to do their fafsa.

[1:38:19] >> Like how are they going to

[1:38:20] pay for college?

[1:38:24] We need more investment into

[1:38:25] our libraries.

[1:38:26] Our students can be college

[1:38:26] ready.

[1:38:30] We they do not need police to

[1:38:30] be there when they need

[1:38:31] mentorship.

[1:38:36] They need teachers.

[1:38:36] They need adults to be with

[1:38:37] them and teach them how

[1:38:42] the world is, how to be how to

[1:38:43] navigate this world.

[1:38:48] >> Thank you Mariam.

[1:38:48] Hello.

[1:38:54] My name is Maria Hinojosa and I

[1:38:55] live in City Council District

[1:38:55] nine.

[1:38:56] I'm here with you as well.

[1:39:00] The proposed elimination of

[1:39:01] the Office of Child and Youth

[1:39:02] Success because it is your

[1:39:02] $50,000 program that has

[1:39:06] already secured over $3.7

[1:39:10] million in external funding and

[1:39:11] return of more than 10 to 1.

[1:39:12] That includes $2 million for

[1:39:15] childcare expansion and $1.3

[1:39:16] million for refugee student

[1:39:16] support.

[1:39:17] Eliminating this office puts

[1:39:21] millions of dollars and

[1:39:21] hundreds of childcare slots at

[1:39:22] risk.

[1:39:22] Childcare already costs

[1:39:27] families about $17,000 per

[1:39:27] year.

[1:39:28] With supply drops, costs rise

[1:39:32] and access decline forcing

[1:39:32] parents out of the workforce

[1:39:33] and increasing economic

[1:39:33] instability reducing youth

[1:39:38] services also increases

[1:39:38] the risk of youth homelessness

[1:39:39] and long term disconnection

[1:39:43] which carries far higher public

[1:39:44] costs.

[1:39:44] Are we prepared to accept

[1:39:45] higher rates of youth

[1:39:46] homelessness as a result of

[1:39:50] this cut?

[1:39:50] >> Are we really?

[1:39:51] I urge you to restore

[1:39:52] the spirit of 80,000 dollar

[1:39:52] budget.

[1:39:57] Thank you Andrea Nicole and

[1:40:02] Nicole Alexander Castillo.

[1:40:02] Hello.

[1:40:08] My name is Alex Castillo on

[1:40:09] the constituent from Youth from

[1:40:10] District eight and I'm here

[1:40:10] with you as well.

[1:40:15] Do not cut the office of child

[1:40:15] and Youth success.

[1:40:16] Oh see why helps families in

[1:40:17] San Diego by providing

[1:40:20] recreational educational career

[1:40:21] opportunities.

[1:40:22] This is an investment for youth

[1:40:22] and families When you are

[1:40:23] ripping away from them it's a

[1:40:27] slap in the face to San Diego

[1:40:27] families in favor of police

[1:40:28] spending and surveillance that

[1:40:29] many community members do not

[1:40:33] want Family members of San

[1:40:33] Diego need assistance when

[1:40:34] the cost of living goes up

[1:40:34] substantially.

[1:40:35] Gas prices, food prices, rent

[1:40:40] prices it becomes more and more

[1:40:40] challenging to pay for

[1:40:41] childcare and the only way is

[1:40:42] bridging that gap through with

[1:40:45] childcare initiatives.

[1:40:46] San Diego youth need to feel

[1:40:47] supported when day in, day out

[1:40:47] they feel more isolated,

[1:40:53] overwhelmed by schoolwork, by

[1:40:53] obligations, by growing up.

[1:40:54] The O.C. Might ask you about

[1:40:54] support in print Why?

[1:40:57] Oh why?

[1:40:58] If yes you are neglecting your

[1:40:59] constituents remember you are

[1:40:59] employed to serve us.

[1:41:09] Thank you Christine very just

[1:41:09] and very after Tristan we have

[1:41:10] Carmen Penaloza Valdez If you

[1:41:14] already speak in please return

[1:41:15] to your seats Spoken Carmen

[1:41:22] Penaloza Valdez some of about

[1:41:22] four though Carly Navarro,

[1:41:27] Ashley Tongue, Paloma and Mango

[1:41:28] Berliner Ramirez Ali are known

[1:41:32] as making payroll and Shay

[1:41:33] James I think is what it is If

[1:41:34] you can please come up to

[1:41:34] the yellow reserved seats

[1:41:37] Interesting You come up to

[1:41:38] the microphone.

[1:41:38] >> Thank you.

[1:41:39] Hello my name is Kristen Berry

[1:41:44] and I'm a youth organizer here

[1:41:45] in San Diego and I'm here with

[1:41:45] you as well.

[1:41:46] Please do not cut the office of

[1:41:47] child need success.

[1:41:49] Uscis is essential and is

[1:41:49] essential infrastructure and

[1:41:50] cross-departmental for

[1:41:51] cross-departmental and outside

[1:41:51] agency coordination to ensure

[1:41:56] youth well-being is a priority

[1:41:56] in the city.

[1:41:57] Jose Baez does an amazing job

[1:41:58] of encouraging civic engagement

[1:42:02] which is critical for everyone

[1:42:02] to influence the city's

[1:42:03] decisions and visions through

[1:42:04] through both voice and

[1:42:04] partnerships.

[1:42:05] Hundreds of young people now

[1:42:06] understand who

[1:42:07] the representatives are and how

[1:42:08] to get involved with the main

[1:42:09] functionalities of the city and

[1:42:13] what it's responsible for.

[1:42:14] Additionally, the youth mission

[1:42:15] needs authentic and dedicated

[1:42:15] support that mainly Jose y.

[1:42:16] S leadership has been providing

[1:42:19] continuously.

[1:42:20] At this point you have heard

[1:42:20] from multiple commissioners

[1:42:21] past and present about how

[1:42:22] needed that leadership has been

[1:42:24] and still is.

[1:42:25] That is why I'm urging the city

[1:42:26] to restore the director level

[1:42:32] leadership for O.C. Y us

[1:42:32] Maintain O.C. White House

[1:42:33] operational budget of for

[1:42:34] $350,000 retain those who hire

[1:42:37] staff and prioritize employee

[1:42:38] and empower interns to support

[1:42:39] the understaffed operations and

[1:42:39] divest from surveillance and

[1:42:42] into youth programs like O.C.

[1:42:47] Waste including Carmen Carmen

[1:42:47] for social work.

[1:42:53] Make sure you all can see that

[1:42:54] .

[1:42:54] >> Okay.

[1:42:55] Hi, my name is Carmen and I'm a

[1:42:55] resident of District nine.

[1:42:56] I serve as a policy research

[1:43:00] intern at Youth Well and I'm

[1:43:01] here to comment on the mayor's

[1:43:01] proposed budget.

[1:43:02] Do not cut the office or

[1:43:02] challenging youth access San

[1:43:06] Diego youth families and their

[1:43:06] children deserve more than

[1:43:07] empty promises.

[1:43:07] They deserve meaningful

[1:43:08] investments in their future

[1:43:12] such as childcare, access,

[1:43:13] civic engagement, education and

[1:43:14] workforce development.

[1:43:14] Those why it has not really

[1:43:18] been getting involved in

[1:43:18] bridging the gap between

[1:43:19] government and workforce

[1:43:20] agencies You are continuously

[1:43:20] talking about housing and

[1:43:24] affordability in the city but

[1:43:25] we also need to emphasize

[1:43:26] the wages and employment

[1:43:26] opportunities lacking in

[1:43:30] the region specifically for

[1:43:31] the thousands of unemployed

[1:43:31] youth that there are.

[1:43:32] I urge the city to restore

[1:43:36] the director level leadership

[1:43:37] for oas maintain

[1:43:37] the operational budget

[1:43:38] meritorious that there was no

[1:43:43] revenue but there was grants

[1:43:43] totaling 3.7 million in

[1:43:44] external revenue to apply

[1:43:48] retain staff and prioritize

[1:43:49] their interns.

[1:43:50] Cancel the $2 million contract.

[1:43:53] Divest from surveillance

[1:43:54] creeping in as we review

[1:44:06] somewhere.

[1:44:06] Good afternoon.

[1:44:07] My name is Michael.

[1:44:11] I'm a resident of District

[1:44:12] seven usual intern and a

[1:44:13] student at lsu.

[1:44:13] Please do not shadows yourself

[1:44:17] in this office Supports you

[1:44:18] when we increase your

[1:44:19] opportunities and makes a

[1:44:19] difference this matter to me

[1:44:20] personally I live in

[1:44:25] Afghanistan where many you have

[1:44:25] no support, no safe space and

[1:44:26] no opportunities.

[1:44:26] I've seen consequences

[1:44:27] struggle, fear and sometimes

[1:44:28] crime because there is no other

[1:44:29] option here in San Diego.

[1:44:30] I don't want you to feel

[1:44:30] the same way.

[1:44:35] As a student I'm learning that

[1:44:36] no action can last without a

[1:44:36] strong conviction.

[1:44:40] So I ask everyone specifically

[1:44:41] How would you feel if I build a

[1:44:42] building for you in future with

[1:44:43] high and beautiful top

[1:44:47] foundation with you to us then

[1:44:48] live in it And I am confident

[1:44:48] because it will collapse And

[1:44:49] that's exactly how what will

[1:44:52] happen with our community

[1:44:53] Removing the foundation by

[1:44:53] cutting youth support will cost

[1:44:54] a lot in future if you want to

[1:44:59] San Diego to try when we must

[1:45:00] invest and condition Are you

[1:45:03] better than a basement where

[1:45:04] more than 20 potential horses

[1:45:04] future Thank you Carlito

[1:45:15] Navarro Hello council members

[1:45:16] My name is Carla Navarro.

[1:45:16] I'm a second year student at

[1:45:21] Miramar College, resident of

[1:45:22] District nine and here with me

[1:45:23] three county council and a

[1:45:23] college student I have seen

[1:45:27] the essential parks and

[1:45:27] libraries have become such a

[1:45:28] space for our young folks,

[1:45:29] especially our American Youth

[1:45:29] Council.

[1:45:33] We love to have so many

[1:45:34] projects there and currently

[1:45:34] have our Jeremy Henwood

[1:45:38] Rehabilitation project.

[1:45:39] This is a space where you can

[1:45:40] go to study access internet,

[1:45:45] connect with friends and you'll

[1:45:46] see for after school.

[1:45:46] For many students such as

[1:45:47] myself these spaces have become

[1:45:51] a means of public support and

[1:45:51] provide a tool for learning for

[1:45:52] many students as well

[1:45:56] especially with those resources

[1:45:57] at home.

[1:45:57] When this proposal of

[1:45:58] the budget came out I was

[1:45:58] extremely disappointed and even

[1:46:03] worried me.

[1:46:04] I have grown up around these

[1:46:04] projects also Jeremy Memorial

[1:46:05] Park and throughout the park I

[1:46:09] always remember playing on

[1:46:09] the play structures as a kid

[1:46:10] and slowly growing up hanging

[1:46:11] out with multiple friends and

[1:46:14] now use these parks to walk or

[1:46:14] run.

[1:46:15] >> These spaces have really

[1:46:15] grown.

[1:46:26] Thank you Ashley Hello.

[1:46:26] Hello, my name is Ashley Tang

[1:46:27] and I'm a youth and resident at

[1:46:32] City Heights in District nine

[1:46:32] representing the City Council

[1:46:33] youth councils and the students

[1:46:38] at school right now and so we

[1:46:38] came here today against

[1:46:39] the budget cuts that will harm

[1:46:40] our park staff like gardens

[1:46:44] that tend to the classes people

[1:46:44] maintain the spaces that will

[1:46:45] in turn nurture the sprouts of

[1:46:46] youth Every day they devote

[1:46:50] their energy to ensure

[1:46:51] the quality and the safety of

[1:46:51] spaces for youth to connect

[1:46:52] with the community exercise,

[1:46:57] play and simply enjoy time with

[1:46:57] loved ones.

[1:46:58] Playing staff will only bring

[1:46:58] about new threats endangering

[1:47:03] the safety of parks and

[1:47:04] the pollution of youth like

[1:47:04] their weeds growing through

[1:47:05] the cracks of the Met.

[1:47:08] So we ask you to continue

[1:47:09] funding for the parks and

[1:47:09] libraries and the recreation

[1:47:10] department if you advocate for

[1:47:10] the city's future.

[1:47:11] Thank you.

[1:47:16] Thank you Paloma.

[1:47:17] >> None of them well enough

[1:47:23] members Hello Honorable Council

[1:47:24] member I am here on behalf of

[1:47:29] African and our Youth Council.

[1:47:30] The Mayor in the event today

[1:47:30] highlighted the ongoing shared

[1:47:35] concern about the deterioration

[1:47:35] of city infrastructure.

[1:47:38] One of the places we see this

[1:47:38] is in the backlog of backlog of

[1:47:41] park repairs cutting

[1:47:41] the maintenance staff and other

[1:47:42] key positions in the Parks and

[1:47:43] Rec department will only worsen

[1:47:46] poor conditions and increase

[1:47:47] the cost of eventual repairs.

[1:47:47] I have an alternative cut to

[1:47:48] proposed cut the amount of time

[1:47:53] and the amount of money it

[1:47:54] takes to repair parks.

[1:47:55] Do you know how long it's

[1:47:57] taking to fix one park in City

[1:47:58] Heights five years and $4

[1:47:59] million to replace two

[1:47:59] playgrounds?

[1:48:03] It's too much time and it's too

[1:48:04] much money.

[1:48:04] You need to implement a leaner

[1:48:05] process for small capital

[1:48:09] improvements.

[1:48:10] We believe this can be done by

[1:48:10] authorizing the Parks

[1:48:11] Department to take care of

[1:48:15] minor repairs in House grant

[1:48:16] that grant them direct access

[1:48:17] to a deputy city engineer and

[1:48:21] protect the park parks asset

[1:48:22] management team.

[1:48:22] >> Thank you, Ali.

[1:48:29] All the honor after Ali we have

[1:48:30] as me control Daryl James Tiana

[1:48:34] affair Pat Wilson Nadia Kean

[1:48:35] Are you Cara Vetter Mike

[1:48:40] Warburton, Holly Martin and

[1:48:40] Christine Martinez.

[1:48:41] If you can all please come to

[1:48:42] the front row.

[1:48:45] Please proceed.

[1:48:46] >> Hello, I am 19 and I'm from

[1:48:47] Chula Vista who use your social

[1:48:52] work organizations If you cut

[1:48:53] these programs are coming from

[1:48:54] other cities.

[1:48:54] I know you have trouble up here

[1:48:55] for resources.

[1:48:59] You are directly cutting my

[1:49:00] support.

[1:49:01] Are you from a low income home?

[1:49:01] Do you want to affect the youth

[1:49:02] in a negative way?

[1:49:04] Cutting support for youth

[1:49:05] creates youth crimes and low

[1:49:05] mental health support.

[1:49:06] You are going to raise police

[1:49:10] by at the same time raise

[1:49:10] crimes a never ending problem.

[1:49:11] The more you cut art and youth,

[1:49:16] the more people show up.

[1:49:16] Your arts are for the youth and

[1:49:17] adults so cutting art will

[1:49:18] create mental health crisis

[1:49:21] along crime.

[1:49:22] Is that what you want?

[1:49:23] Do you Are you here for

[1:49:24] the people You want to be noble

[1:49:28] You want to make things right.

[1:49:28] That's why you're here, right?

[1:49:29] Here's a suggestion like you

[1:49:34] requested even though it's your

[1:49:34] job how can we cut

[1:49:35] the additional money you

[1:49:35] receive?

[1:49:36] Be minimum wage Know how we

[1:49:40] feel and then maybe you'll see

[1:49:40] why we fight the way we do Want

[1:49:41] to make a cut Cut your paycheck

[1:49:46] and be for people.

[1:49:46] >> I would also like to say

[1:49:47] that I'm here as well with with

[1:49:48] the account I'm here with you

[1:49:48] for support.

[1:49:49] Thank you for that conclusion

[1:49:53] And as me control as we can I

[1:49:59] don't know as we wouldn't be

[1:50:05] coming in from other room slash

[1:50:12] Shea James as h a y I think it

[1:50:17] says dreams straight dreams No,

[1:50:17] no.

[1:50:17] Show your dreams.

[1:50:26] Your dreams Tiana Affair An

[1:50:32] affair.

[1:50:33] Okay.

[1:50:33] Pat Wilson.

[1:50:34] Pat Wilson.

[1:50:38] You have time to go to my emcee

[1:50:39] for all day.

[1:50:39] Thank you very much.

[1:50:40] You are all day.

[1:50:43] You'll have two minutes.

[1:50:43] Please proceed.

[1:50:44] Thank you.

[1:50:45] This is a cowardly budget

[1:50:49] proposal.

[1:50:49] Instead of shifting through

[1:50:50] bloated department budgets,

[1:50:50] finding access to trim and

[1:50:55] making equal investments in

[1:50:55] city services that keep people

[1:50:56] safe and give them hope for

[1:51:00] the future, the mayor has gone

[1:51:01] back to his tried and true

[1:51:01] tactics giving more money to

[1:51:02] the powerful departments at

[1:51:06] the expense of the others as

[1:51:07] presented.

[1:51:07] This proposal does what it has

[1:51:11] always done tie up all but a

[1:51:12] tiny bit of the general fund

[1:51:13] leaving scraps for us to fight

[1:51:13] over.

[1:51:17] We can do better.

[1:51:17] You've asked us to find cuts

[1:51:18] for any funding we'd like to

[1:51:18] restore.

[1:51:23] Fine.

[1:51:24] Where's the detail department

[1:51:24] Budget data How can I access

[1:51:24] it?

[1:51:28] The auditor's office recently

[1:51:29] released data on the year

[1:51:30] released to the audit of

[1:51:33] the Police department after 26

[1:51:33] budget.

[1:51:34] Thank you very much for that

[1:51:38] and reviewing that enabled me

[1:51:39] to find expenses to look to

[1:51:40] merit further review but I have

[1:51:40] no insight into whether those

[1:51:44] expenses were cut in making

[1:51:45] this fiscal 27 proposal.

[1:51:46] This whole process is too

[1:51:50] opaque to the public.

[1:51:51] I need you to ask the hard

[1:51:51] questions.

[1:51:56] Look behind the adjustments

[1:51:56] presented and question

[1:51:57] assumptions.

[1:51:58] What is the mean the medium,

[1:52:02] the mode cost of a fully loaded

[1:52:03] law enforcement officer Is

[1:52:07] overtime actually cheaper?

[1:52:08] >> We'll talk soon about how

[1:52:09] cuts to libraries, parks and

[1:52:13] the arts are actively harmful

[1:52:13] to San Diego residents.

[1:52:14] You've already heard that

[1:52:14] today.

[1:52:18] I look forward to further

[1:52:19] conversations along here and we

[1:52:20] are willing to help you find

[1:52:23] cuts if you will give us

[1:52:23] the data.

[1:52:29] >> Thank you Nadia.

[1:52:35] Nadia Keen Are you?

[1:52:36] >> Good afternoon City Council

[1:52:36] members.

[1:52:37] My name is Maria Uber and I am

[1:52:38] the executive director of

[1:52:39] Rainbow Spaces.

[1:52:40] And in the five years of our

[1:52:40] existence I have had

[1:52:41] the privilege of seeing

[1:52:45] the impact of city resources

[1:52:45] firsthand and the partnerships

[1:52:46] we share with the City of San

[1:52:51] Diego libraries and rec

[1:52:51] services.

[1:52:52] >> It is difficult for me to

[1:52:52] advocate for simply housing,

[1:52:56] youth or art services as all

[1:52:56] intersect to uplift our youth.

[1:53:02] To cut these funds would impact

[1:53:02] those youth that use

[1:53:03] the downtown library as a

[1:53:04] refuge from an existence that

[1:53:07] no child should have to endure

[1:53:07] in a resource rich metropolitan

[1:53:08] like San Diego.

[1:53:12] Just a few trolley stops For

[1:53:13] there you'll find dozens of

[1:53:14] youth to travel from

[1:53:14] surrounding schools to

[1:53:17] the Logan Heights libraries

[1:53:18] where they access computers,

[1:53:18] stem programs and homework

[1:53:23] assistance.

[1:53:24] I have seen librarians, rec

[1:53:24] employees and nonprofits carry

[1:53:28] the weight of mental health

[1:53:28] supporters, food distributors,

[1:53:29] school tutors and simply a

[1:53:35] shoulder as our youth carry

[1:53:35] the burden of an increasing

[1:53:36] mentality that supporting our

[1:53:37] community are a hindering

[1:53:41] comment.

[1:53:41] While supporting our rich is

[1:53:42] growth.

[1:53:42] Thank you for that.

[1:53:46] Better better You have time to

[1:53:47] buy Deja Conover Thank you so

[1:53:47] much.

[1:53:47] You'll have two minutes.

[1:53:50] Please proceed.

[1:53:51] >> Thank you for this time to

[1:53:52] speak on how important city

[1:53:53] funding is to the arts and

[1:53:56] culture community here in San

[1:53:56] Diego.

[1:53:57] My name is Cara Better and I am

[1:53:58] part of the leadership team at

[1:53:58] the Museum of Us.

[1:54:01] I'm also a resident of District

[1:54:01] nine.

[1:54:02] Our museum is committed to

[1:54:03] removing access barriers so

[1:54:06] that all community members can

[1:54:07] participate in the arts and

[1:54:07] culture of San Diego.

[1:54:08] This past fiscal year we have

[1:54:11] served over 115,000 visitors

[1:54:12] with over 3600 students and

[1:54:17] educators doing so through

[1:54:18] scholarships and free educator

[1:54:21] programs and 31,000 individuals

[1:54:21] received free access through

[1:54:22] our equitable access programs.

[1:54:27] This work requires dedicated

[1:54:27] funding and we have watched as

[1:54:28] city grant funding for our

[1:54:32] institution and others have

[1:54:32] decreased year over year.

[1:54:36] The cuts proposed to the 2027

[1:54:37] budget dropped that number to

[1:54:41] zero and will weaken our

[1:54:42] ability to support our

[1:54:42] equitable access programs like

[1:54:43] entry on Us and discover and go

[1:54:47] passes and more.

[1:54:47] These cuts mean it will be

[1:54:48] harder to remain affordable and

[1:54:49] accessible to our audiences.

[1:54:52] And for smaller organizations

[1:54:53] this means cutting or ceasing

[1:54:53] services to our communities

[1:54:57] altogether.

[1:54:58] Many organs and organizations

[1:54:59] will lose their ability to cost

[1:55:02] match grants For me to work

[1:55:03] while others MAY not be able to

[1:55:04] keep or even grow their staff.

[1:55:08] We in the arts and culture

[1:55:09] community serve our audiences

[1:55:10] with love and care while

[1:55:13] employing many dedicated staff

[1:55:13] across the San Diego region.

[1:55:14] With grant funding from our

[1:55:18] The City our organizations are

[1:55:18] able to create vibrant events,

[1:55:19] programs and exhibits that

[1:55:23] celebrate the diverse stories

[1:55:24] and histories of San Diego and

[1:55:25] are what draws so many people

[1:55:29] to our finest city as well.

[1:55:29] We call on the City Council to

[1:55:30] not cut this funding and to

[1:55:34] keep it in place so that we can

[1:55:34] continue to create and support

[1:55:35] the accessible and rich civic

[1:55:39] life that so many San Diegans

[1:55:40] are proud of.

[1:55:40] We urge you to do the right

[1:55:41] thing and to come together with

[1:55:44] us and find a path that

[1:55:45] continues to support the arts

[1:55:45] and culture of San Diego.

[1:55:49] Thank you.

[1:55:49] >> Mike Warburton.

[1:55:55] Mike you have times needed to

[1:55:55] you by Victoria Partner

[1:55:56] Saunders.

[1:56:00] Victoria Thank you.

[1:56:01] You have two minutes.

[1:56:01] Please proceed.

[1:56:02] Mike Warburton sending them out

[1:56:05] of every museum in Balboa Park

[1:56:05] and what a slap in the face to

[1:56:06] see that opening graphic with

[1:56:09] the picture of the tower and

[1:56:10] the dome.

[1:56:11] Given these cuts for arts and

[1:56:11] culture.

[1:56:15] Speaking of slapping and gut

[1:56:16] punching, Councilmember Kemp,

[1:56:16] you had an interview this

[1:56:20] morning and talked about

[1:56:21] organizations in Bellevue apart

[1:56:22] getting a double gut punch.

[1:56:22] And honestly we've been dealing

[1:56:24] with a triple gut punch.

[1:56:25] The first one really is

[1:56:26] the lack of response and follow

[1:56:30] through on deferred maintenance

[1:56:30] Seven times in six months I've

[1:56:35] had water come in, come into my

[1:56:35] exhibit spaces.

[1:56:36] I've had sewer backups over

[1:56:36] decades.

[1:56:39] Last year we had $170,000 and

[1:56:40] we closed for a week.

[1:56:44] So that's gut punch.

[1:56:45] One gut punch to of course is a

[1:56:46] paid parking and we won't talk

[1:56:46] about what's happening there.

[1:56:49] And then this of course

[1:56:50] the loss of funding.

[1:56:50] I really want to talk about

[1:56:51] that.

[1:56:55] This goes beyond Balboa Park

[1:56:56] though that we're supposed to

[1:56:56] invest in the basics.

[1:56:57] I think I heard the mayor say

[1:57:00] but he's been pushing this fear

[1:57:01] that you can have arts and

[1:57:02] culture or firemen and that's

[1:57:02] just not right.

[1:57:05] We know that there's a huge

[1:57:06] difference between critical

[1:57:06] services and agenda driven

[1:57:09] spending right?

[1:57:10] MR. Modica There is $11 million

[1:57:15] in the budget for bike facility

[1:57:15] and that's a fraction of

[1:57:16] the budget.

[1:57:17] But that's almost exactly what

[1:57:17] arts and culture funding is

[1:57:18] being cut.

[1:57:20] We can go bigger and 271

[1:57:21] million almost a quarter

[1:57:25] billion is in the Budget for

[1:57:26] Climate Action plan items.

[1:57:27] So these are agenda driven

[1:57:30] things.

[1:57:31] I'm not saying these are wrong

[1:57:32] to do just they're not

[1:57:32] the right thing to do Right now

[1:57:36] we're in a budget crisis.

[1:57:36] Right.

[1:57:37] And then the last thing I want

[1:57:38] to say is that this has been

[1:57:38] building over years.

[1:57:41] It's been said by the mayor and

[1:57:41] a number of people at almost

[1:57:42] everybody on this council has

[1:57:43] been here five and half years

[1:57:46] couple seven and a half years.

[1:57:47] The mayors in your five and a

[1:57:47] half years what happened?

[1:57:48] Why are we here?

[1:57:51] So restore arts and culture

[1:57:51] funding.

[1:57:52] Look at these items that are

[1:57:55] agenda driven items and not

[1:57:56] critical services.

[1:57:57] Thank you, Holly Martin You

[1:58:02] have time ceded to you by

[1:58:02] Donald Ritchie.

[1:58:02] >> So thank you.

[1:58:03] You'll have two minutes.

[1:58:04] Please proceed.

[1:58:04] All right.

[1:58:09] >> Happy National Library Week

[1:58:09] .

[1:58:10] I'm representing myself and Don

[1:58:14] Ruda still from the Friends of

[1:58:15] the Mission Hills Hillcrest

[1:58:16] Knox Branch Library District

[1:58:19] three We urge Council to reject

[1:58:20] proposed cuts to the library

[1:58:24] budget especially staff hours

[1:58:24] and matching funds.

[1:58:25] Eliminating matching funds is

[1:58:26] like cutting off your nose to

[1:58:30] spite your face.

[1:58:30] As you know, the budget was

[1:58:31] already cut by over $6 million.

[1:58:35] Those cuts really resulted in

[1:58:36] the closure of all 37 locations

[1:58:39] on Sunday and 20 locations on

[1:58:39] Mondays.

[1:58:40] Our branch was one of those

[1:58:44] library closures.

[1:58:44] Bookstore sales have already

[1:58:45] decreased 14%.

[1:58:49] That's 14% less for programs,

[1:58:49] resources and for matching

[1:58:53] funds.

[1:58:54] Our community has been making

[1:58:54] its voice known through a

[1:58:58] grassroots postcard campaign.

[1:58:59] We will be submitting those

[1:59:00] responses to Council member

[1:59:03] Whitburn office soon.

[1:59:04] >> The words safe space and

[1:59:08] community come up a lot as well

[1:59:09] as of course books closing

[1:59:13] libraries shows us that our

[1:59:14] mayor and council members think

[1:59:14] that we're expendable.

[1:59:18] But from our standpoint we're

[1:59:18] basically already paying taxes

[1:59:19] for services.

[1:59:23] We're not getting Police and

[1:59:24] protective services are

[1:59:28] essential but libraries build

[1:59:29] the communities that they serve

[1:59:29] libraries and they're skilled

[1:59:33] trained staff members actively

[1:59:33] work every day to create

[1:59:37] the safe third space we need

[1:59:38] now more than ever to make

[1:59:42] positive connection on a face

[1:59:43] to face level a city without

[1:59:47] those social connections will

[1:59:48] be fallen, disengaged,

[1:59:52] disconnected individuals unable

[1:59:52] to come together for the public

[1:59:53] good.

[1:59:53] Nothing else in the city serves

[1:59:57] so many so well as I think most

[1:59:58] of our other speakers here

[2:00:01] today have said public

[2:00:02] libraries are the People's

[2:00:02] University except for Sunday's

[2:00:06] and Mondays and our community

[2:00:07] and who knows when else.

[2:00:07] >> Thank you for that

[2:00:08] concluding comment.

[2:00:12] Christine Martinez After

[2:00:12] Christine Martinez Gary Bob

[2:00:13] Lehman.

[2:00:16] Jennifer Polian, Peter

[2:00:17] Kaminski.

[2:00:20] Josh Banana Joyce and yada

[2:00:21] Jordan Jake Huggable Delaina

[2:00:26] Delgado Andrea dela Rosa, Kate

[2:00:26] Burnett, Sophie Gonzalez and

[2:00:32] Dale McCain and Amy Laney.

[2:00:32] My apologies.

[2:00:34] Please go to the front row and

[2:00:35] please proceed.

[2:00:35] Hi Christine Martinez here from

[2:00:39] Arts and Culture San Diego.

[2:00:40] If you're here for arts and

[2:00:40] culture would you mind please

[2:00:44] standing up and in the overflow

[2:00:45] rooms many, many more people

[2:00:49] And before that at a rally

[2:00:50] before this meeting hundreds

[2:00:50] and hundreds of arts and

[2:00:55] culture groups who were gutted

[2:00:58] by this proposal $11.8 million

[2:00:58] represents all of our grants

[2:01:02] large and small organizations

[2:01:03] will feel this The small

[2:01:07] organizations MAY in fact fold

[2:01:08] and that's an economic engine

[2:01:12] that cannot just rev up again

[2:01:12] when we have the money next

[2:01:13] year.

[2:01:13] This is something that will

[2:01:17] fuel for generations if we

[2:01:18] don't change it now we ask

[2:01:19] the city Council to please

[2:01:22] stand with us, give us flat

[2:01:22] funding.

[2:01:23] These are programs that are in

[2:01:25] your districts that serve all

[2:01:26] of the community.

[2:01:28] Thank you.

[2:01:38] Bob Lehman Council PRESIDENT

[2:01:39] Council Members APRIL is Arts

[2:01:40] Culture and Creativity Month in

[2:01:43] the state of California and

[2:01:44] here in San Diego.

[2:01:45] My name is Bob Lehman Executive

[2:01:48] Director San Diego are matters

[2:01:48] and I'm here on behalf of

[2:01:49] hundreds of organizations,

[2:01:50] artists and creative workers

[2:01:53] that make up San Diego arts and

[2:01:54] Culture community.

[2:01:54] We understand the financial

[2:01:55] pressure the city is under and

[2:01:58] we are willing to be part of

[2:01:58] that shared solution.

[2:01:59] But this is not a shared

[2:01:59] reduction.

[2:02:02] This is nearly a complete

[2:02:03] elimination of the city's

[2:02:04] investment in arts and culture

[2:02:08] and the impact is real Lost

[2:02:08] jobs programs, cuts from

[2:02:12] neighborhood festivals to major

[2:02:13] institutions, from youth

[2:02:13] programs to senior services.

[2:02:17] This affects every district.

[2:02:18] We're not asking for you to

[2:02:19] protect something extra.

[2:02:19] We're asking you to protect

[2:02:22] something essential And we're

[2:02:22] here to work with you.

[2:02:23] We urge you to restore this

[2:02:27] funding, stand with your

[2:02:27] creative workforce and stand

[2:02:28] with your communities.

[2:02:30] >> Thank you, Jennifer.

[2:02:35] To plan.

[2:02:36] >> Good afternoon everyone.

[2:02:36] I represent Space for Art, a

[2:02:40] nonprofit that provides

[2:02:41] affordable artist spaces in San

[2:02:41] Diego.

[2:02:45] I speak for the large diverse

[2:02:46] community of local artists and

[2:02:47] low wage culture workers who

[2:02:50] provide essential services to

[2:02:51] some of the most vulnerable and

[2:02:52] under-resourced members of our

[2:02:55] community.

[2:02:56] You all know that arts are

[2:03:00] essential to the city's

[2:03:00] economic and social well-being.

[2:03:01] You all know that the arts are

[2:03:05] an economic driver with a

[2:03:05] return on investment.

[2:03:06] Most Fortune 500 companies

[2:03:09] would envy.

[2:03:10] We are not asking for the moon.

[2:03:11] We are not even asking to keep

[2:03:14] pace with inflation which is

[2:03:15] out of control.

[2:03:16] We're asking you to maintain

[2:03:19] the very small but absolutely

[2:03:20] crucial cultural investment

[2:03:23] that the city currently makes.

[2:03:24] We'll be back another year to

[2:03:25] advocate for more for an even

[2:03:28] greater return on investment.

[2:03:29] But today we ask that you make

[2:03:33] the only choice reasonable that

[2:03:33] the only reasonable choice

[2:03:36] before you which is to restore

[2:03:37] the 2027 funding to 2026

[2:03:37] levels.

[2:03:42] Thank you Peter Kaminski Peter

[2:03:43] you have time seated by Teresa

[2:03:43] Wolf please raise your hand.

[2:03:46] Thank you by Carlos Christiane

[2:03:51] and by oh there were two Carlos

[2:03:52] Christiane so that is three

[2:03:52] minutes.

[2:03:53] Please proceed.

[2:03:56] Good afternoon Chair and

[2:03:56] council members.

[2:03:57] I'm here because we're facing a

[2:03:58] choice that will define

[2:04:01] the character and economy of

[2:04:06] San Diego for generations.

[2:04:07] Meg MAY Gloria's proposed f y

[2:04:11] 27 budget doesn't just trim

[2:04:11] arts funding it effectively

[2:04:16] dismantles it with an $11.8

[2:04:20] million reduction zeroing out

[2:04:28] osp and 60 It is far too easy

[2:04:29] and wrong to call arts and

[2:04:33] culture a nice to have.

[2:04:38] It is far too easy for

[2:04:39] the administration to say we

[2:04:43] wish we could while decimating

[2:04:44] our communities and it is far

[2:04:48] too easy and wrong to suggest

[2:04:49] that because these services are

[2:04:54] delivered by nonprofits rather

[2:04:54] than city departments they are

[2:04:58] somehow lesser priorities.

[2:05:03] They should not be and they

[2:05:03] must not be.

[2:05:04] Let's talk about what's

[2:05:08] actually at stake.

[2:05:09] This sector is just isn't just

[2:05:09] simply galleries or stage

[2:05:10] lights.

[2:05:13] It's the economic engine that

[2:05:18] drives $1.1 billion in annual

[2:05:18] economic impact.

[2:05:19] It supports thousands of local

[2:05:23] jobs jobs held by your

[2:05:24] constituents who are now facing

[2:05:24] layoffs.

[2:05:28] New data from Arts and Culture

[2:05:29] San Diego and San Diego Arts

[2:05:32] Matters shows that moving

[2:05:33] forward we aren't just looking

[2:05:33] at fewer paintings on walls,

[2:05:34] fewer gallery hours.

[2:05:37] We're looking at permanent

[2:05:38] closure of institutions that

[2:05:42] anchor our neighborhood and our

[2:05:43] cultural identity.

[2:05:47] Once these organizations vanish

[2:05:48] they don't simply come back

[2:05:52] When the economy improves they

[2:05:52] are gone forever.

[2:05:56] You have each stated over

[2:05:57] multiple years that arts and

[2:05:58] culture a priority for your

[2:06:01] district.

[2:06:02] If it is a priority for you, it

[2:06:07] is a priority for our community

[2:06:07] .

[2:06:08] She and I said If it is a

[2:06:10] priority for our community it

[2:06:11] must be a priority for the city

[2:06:15] budget.

[2:06:16] We are calling on you today to

[2:06:16] reject these devastating cuts

[2:06:21] and maintain the f y 26 funding

[2:06:21] levels.

[2:06:22] Do not accept the narrative

[2:06:25] that this is an option.

[2:06:25] This is the heartbeat of our

[2:06:26] neighborhoods and the backbone

[2:06:29] of our city.

[2:06:30] San Diego can't be without a

[2:06:34] soul.

[2:06:35] Please stand with the workers,

[2:06:35] the artists and the millions of

[2:06:39] residents who rely on this

[2:06:40] sector.

[2:06:44] Reject these cuts cuts MAY be

[2:06:45] necessary but I ask that you

[2:06:49] change the language and don't

[2:06:53] call these cuts necessary.

[2:07:01] >> Thank you very much Josh

[2:07:01] Good afternoon.

[2:07:02] Council Josh Bohannan with

[2:07:06] Father Joe's Villages I'm here

[2:07:07] to discuss homelessness funding

[2:07:11] in the budget as proposed

[2:07:11] the upcoming budget eliminates

[2:07:12] a day center altogether and for

[2:07:17] the City of San Diego not just

[2:07:18] the closure of the Good Day

[2:07:18] Center but there is no data

[2:07:19] center funding.

[2:07:21] What so ever and the day center

[2:07:22] is probably your most cost

[2:07:23] effective homeless Solutions

[2:07:26] program that you have operating

[2:07:26] from the city.

[2:07:27] It's a standing site the only

[2:07:30] standing site that can work

[2:07:31] with large populations of

[2:07:34] people Last year saw 6700

[2:07:35] individuals came through our

[2:07:39] doors seeking a shower, seeking

[2:07:39] meal delivery services,

[2:07:43] laundry, working with case

[2:07:44] managers.

[2:07:45] We have to have a standing site

[2:07:46] where people can go who are

[2:07:49] experiencing homelessness that

[2:07:49] can connect to their outreach

[2:07:50] worker who's trying to find

[2:07:51] them to give them shelter, try

[2:07:54] to find and give them housing

[2:07:55] so their medical teams who are

[2:07:55] trying to refill their

[2:07:58] prescriptions without a

[2:07:59] physical location anywhere and

[2:07:59] there's not one that I'm aware

[2:08:02] of that's in the pipe

[2:08:03] Homelessness services will

[2:08:03] fail.

[2:08:04] >> Thank you.

[2:08:09] Jason Yarrow After joining out

[2:08:09] it will be Jordan Haikerwal,

[2:08:13] Delaina Delgado, Andrea de la

[2:08:14] Rosa Kate Bernie Sophie

[2:08:18] Gonzalez Dale macKinnon Richard

[2:08:22] Valencia Crystal Amount Nathan

[2:08:22] Jones and Carmen Quinonez.

[2:08:23] If you can all please come up

[2:08:24] to the yellow reserved seats at

[2:08:29] the front isn't it?

[2:08:33] Please proceed.

[2:08:34] I am inspired by the words of

[2:08:39] PRESIDENT John f Kennedy Ask

[2:08:44] not what your country can do

[2:08:44] for you.

[2:08:48] Ask what you can do for your

[2:08:49] country end of quote.

[2:08:54] Dear public If all of you are

[2:08:58] at the very top of our cities

[2:09:03] organization chart our city has

[2:09:07] a structural budget deficit.

[2:09:12] Here are my inspired words for

[2:09:13] all of you Ask not what your

[2:09:17] city can do for you.

[2:09:22] Ask what you can do for your

[2:09:23] city.

[2:09:23] Thank you for listening.

[2:09:30] Love to all Jordan.

[2:09:36] >> My name is Jordan Hackel

[2:09:37] Well I'm an artist and a

[2:09:38] filmmaker now as an artist I

[2:09:41] see the value in the arts But

[2:09:42] as a producer let me speak in

[2:09:46] more practical terms The arts

[2:09:46] bring in money.

[2:09:47] During the six weeks of filming

[2:09:51] here in San Diego County,

[2:09:51] the film One Battle After

[2:09:55] Another brought in an estimated

[2:09:55] $7 million into our economy And

[2:09:56] I know of two other major

[2:10:00] productions that sat to film in

[2:10:01] San Diego last year but decided

[2:10:01] not to because the city was not

[2:10:05] equipped to accommodate them.

[2:10:06] And the mayor's proposed budget

[2:10:06] seeks to remove what little

[2:10:07] film engagement the city

[2:10:09] already has.

[2:10:10] This is just one of many facets

[2:10:14] San Diego Arts of San Diego

[2:10:15] Arts that are being affected.

[2:10:16] I know that money is currently

[2:10:16] scarce but can we really afford

[2:10:19] to defund an industry that has

[2:10:19] demonstrated a proven ability

[2:10:23] to alleviate our financial

[2:10:23] struggles?

[2:10:24] All I'm asking is that you do

[2:10:25] right by all of your

[2:10:27] constituents.

[2:10:28] Thank you.

[2:10:36] Delano Delano Delgado.

[2:10:36] >> Oh, that show.

[2:10:37] Raise your hand when we get

[2:10:40] there.

[2:10:41] Andrea de la Rosa Andrea you

[2:10:45] have time Seated by Bill

[2:10:45] Lawrence If you can please

[2:10:46] raise your hand.

[2:10:46] Thank you.

[2:10:47] You have two minutes.

[2:10:49] Please proceed.

[2:10:50] Council PRESIDENT, council

[2:10:51] PRESIDENT And council members

[2:10:54] and mayor Gloria My name is

[2:10:55] Andrea DeRosa.

[2:10:56] I'm a district two resident, a

[2:10:59] business owner operating in

[2:11:00] multiple districts and I serve

[2:11:00] as a trustee of the San Diego

[2:11:04] History Center which serves

[2:11:04] constituents across all your

[2:11:05] districts.

[2:11:09] What if a relative small public

[2:11:10] investment is helping protect

[2:11:13] more than $1 billion in

[2:11:13] economic activity in our

[2:11:14] region?

[2:11:14] That's exactly what's at risk

[2:11:18] today.

[2:11:18] The city's proposed budget

[2:11:19] currently recommends potential

[2:11:20] cuts to the organizational

[2:11:22] support program administered by

[2:11:23] the City of San Diego

[2:11:24] Commission of Arts and Culture

[2:11:27] Putting institutions like ours

[2:11:28] and others at real risk.

[2:11:32] The funding is not excess it is

[2:11:33] essential civic infrastructure

[2:11:37] in Balboa Park alone, arts and

[2:11:41] culture generate more than $350

[2:11:41] million annually and support

[2:11:46] roughly 3000 jobs across San

[2:11:46] Diego.

[2:11:47] The sector drives over $1

[2:11:47] billion in economic impact

[2:11:51] fueling tourism, small

[2:11:51] businesses and regional

[2:11:52] vitality.

[2:11:52] These are not marginal

[2:11:56] contributions.

[2:11:56] They are foundational to our

[2:11:57] community and economy.

[2:12:01] For the History Center,

[2:12:01] the funding supports

[2:12:02] exhibitions, education

[2:12:05] preservation and access to our

[2:12:06] shared story.

[2:12:06] It's the modest investment in

[2:12:10] an outsized return.

[2:12:11] We are also uniquely positioned

[2:12:11] through the Center for Women's

[2:12:15] History ensuring women's voices

[2:12:16] are not an aside but

[2:12:17] permanently embedded in how our

[2:12:20] region understands its past and

[2:12:21] shapes its future.

[2:12:21] At the same time, institutions

[2:12:25] across the park are already

[2:12:26] seeing declining attendance due

[2:12:30] to paid parking creating new

[2:12:30] barriers at a moment when

[2:12:31] access should be expanding

[2:12:32] cutting funding while access

[2:12:35] declines does not solve a

[2:12:36] deficit it compounds it it If

[2:12:39] we are serious about fiscal

[2:12:40] responsibility we must run our

[2:12:44] city like a business protecting

[2:12:44] high performing assets.

[2:12:45] Arts and culture are not

[2:12:46] discretionary They're revenue

[2:12:50] generating infrastructure.

[2:12:51] San Diego's story its economic

[2:12:51] future are deeply rooted This

[2:12:55] time for leadership.

[2:12:56] Let's protect my girl Drive Be

[2:13:01] fair Kate Burnett Hi, my name

[2:13:06] is Kate.

[2:13:07] I'm a resident of District nine

[2:13:08] and an employee of an arts

[2:13:10] institution in District three

[2:13:10] Balboa Park.

[2:13:11] I'd like to propose that

[2:13:15] support for the arts is in fact

[2:13:15] a core service.

[2:13:16] There will always be another

[2:13:17] pothole for the city to fill.

[2:13:20] There will always be another

[2:13:20] ticket to right.

[2:13:21] There will always be another

[2:13:24] initiative to hire somebody to

[2:13:25] manage but without having a

[2:13:29] museum to host something like

[2:13:29] the world class exhibition of

[2:13:30] artwork that Alicia Keys and

[2:13:34] Swizz Beats have or keeping

[2:13:34] Balboa Park and Chicano Park

[2:13:35] vibrant or creating the kinds

[2:13:39] of cultural opportunities that

[2:13:39] make hosting a conference at

[2:13:43] the Convention Center worth

[2:13:43] the investment.

[2:13:44] Those all take funds as well

[2:13:48] and those are things we

[2:13:49] consider to be core to the city

[2:13:49] As you all consider this budget

[2:13:53] over the next few months you

[2:13:53] will define the foundational

[2:13:54] structure of the city without

[2:13:57] supporting the cultural

[2:13:58] infrastructure that makes life

[2:13:58] fulfilling a city is nothing

[2:14:02] more than concrete and rebar

[2:14:02] and that's not very much to

[2:14:05] live.

[2:14:10] Sophie Gonzalez Hello.

[2:14:11] Good afternoon Council members

[2:14:15] My name is Sophie Gonzalez.

[2:14:15] I'm a student at the San Diego

[2:14:16] School of Creative and

[2:14:19] Performing Arts, a resident of

[2:14:19] District eight and a proud

[2:14:20] participant in San Diego Junior

[2:14:20] Theater.

[2:14:23] I'm a recipient of junior

[2:14:23] theaters.

[2:14:24] You will be found scholarship

[2:14:25] ocp funding help provide these

[2:14:27] scholarships and without that

[2:14:28] support I would not have been

[2:14:29] able to participate in Junior

[2:14:29] Theater's programs That

[2:14:33] scholarship didn't just help me

[2:14:34] take theater classes.

[2:14:34] It gave me a place to grow,

[2:14:36] build confidence and discover

[2:14:37] what I'm capable of.

[2:14:38] The arts saved my life.

[2:14:39] I'm also employed as a teaching

[2:14:42] aide which means I help younger

[2:14:43] students have that same

[2:14:43] experience.

[2:14:44] I've seen firsthand how

[2:14:47] important this program is,

[2:14:47] especially for students who

[2:14:48] might not otherwise have access

[2:14:48] to the arts.

[2:14:52] The arts will save their lives

[2:14:52] if funding is eliminated.

[2:14:53] Opportunities like mine could

[2:14:54] disappear for so many others

[2:14:57] Students like me deserve a

[2:14:58] chance to learn, create and be

[2:14:59] part of something meaningful.

[2:15:02] Please protect arts funding so

[2:15:02] that more young people in

[2:15:03] District eight and across San

[2:15:04] Diego can have the same

[2:15:06] opportunities I've had.

[2:15:11] >> Thank you Dale.

[2:15:16] Hi everyone.

[2:15:17] Oh my GOD does love My name is

[2:15:18] Dale McInerney and I'm from

[2:15:21] the South There Like everyone

[2:15:21] here I'm pretty disappointed

[2:15:22] with the mayor's proposed

[2:15:22] budget.

[2:15:24] We are one of the most diverse

[2:15:25] cities in the country And with

[2:15:26] almost a million and a half

[2:15:26] people living in our

[2:15:29] neighborhoods slashing funding

[2:15:30] for the arts by over 80% will

[2:15:30] harm everyone.

[2:15:34] Our unique position as

[2:15:35] America's largest border city

[2:15:35] is inseparable from San Diego's

[2:15:40] artistic tradition and this is

[2:15:40] worth protecting.

[2:15:41] Art is how we communicate our

[2:15:44] complex culture and history

[2:15:45] with each other and the wider

[2:15:45] world.

[2:15:46] Strong funding promotes tourism

[2:15:50] because you know, ask yourself

[2:15:50] like you've never wanted to go

[2:15:51] visit an ugly city.

[2:15:55] We're very fortunate to have a

[2:15:55] very beautiful city with a ton

[2:15:56] of amazing artists.

[2:15:58] Strong funding also creates

[2:15:59] jobs and it stimulates local

[2:16:00] economies.

[2:16:03] Um I understand the city is in

[2:16:04] a fiscal crisis but such severe

[2:16:08] but such severe cuts to

[2:16:09] the arts will disrupt other

[2:16:09] revenue streams the city and

[2:16:10] county relies on.

[2:16:13] Thank you so much for your time

[2:16:14] Richard.

[2:16:14] >> Prevention Richard you have

[2:16:18] time ceded to you by Suzanne

[2:16:19] Rene of thank you so much You

[2:16:20] have two minutes Please

[2:16:20] proceed.

[2:16:22] What a city council Happy for

[2:16:26] 20.

[2:16:27] >> I wanted to say that my name

[2:16:28] is Richard Prevents you I'm a

[2:16:32] district two member.

[2:16:33] I am on the board of Medium

[2:16:36] photo I'm an and a father and a

[2:16:37] and a whole lot of other things

[2:16:38] including a veteran and a

[2:16:41] former cpa which is

[2:16:41] interesting.

[2:16:42] I found some very interesting

[2:16:43] details about the presentations

[2:16:46] earlier that I would love to

[2:16:47] talk about.

[2:16:50] So something that one of my

[2:16:50] friends Steve from Vet Art

[2:16:51] always brings up and he's been

[2:16:55] on a campaign to advocate for

[2:16:55] more art spending in our city

[2:16:56] because cities like New York

[2:17:00] City have 20% of their budget

[2:17:01] dedicated to the arts whereas

[2:17:05] San Diego historically has only

[2:17:05] 8%.

[2:17:06] So already there's like a

[2:17:09] really small 12% difference.

[2:17:10] That's a mathematic little

[2:17:14] action there.

[2:17:15] >> But when I when I saw

[2:17:15] the presentation earlier I saw

[2:17:19] the total budget was in the 6

[2:17:23] billion mark and 11 million

[2:17:24] divided by 6 billion That's a

[2:17:27] point 2% of the budget is

[2:17:28] dedicated to the arts and

[2:17:28] that's what we're going after.

[2:17:34] It feels a little unfair.

[2:17:35] >> So to my folks behind me I

[2:17:36] can't see you because I got to

[2:17:39] face the microphone but just

[2:17:40] pay attention.

[2:17:40] Just because someone wears a

[2:17:41] blue tie doesn't mean that

[2:17:44] they're for the people.

[2:17:45] And if your city council

[2:17:45] members are also not for

[2:17:48] the people then it's time to

[2:17:49] get these folks out of here

[2:17:50] Because I'm tired of

[2:17:54] the library and the arts and

[2:17:54] everything that is for

[2:17:55] the people.

[2:17:55] Third spaces This is what's

[2:17:58] always on the cutting block.

[2:17:59] This is always was on

[2:18:00] the cutting block Yet we have

[2:18:04] so much police spending and we

[2:18:04] don't need it And nobody raise

[2:18:05] your hand if you want Lock up

[2:18:08] in here.

[2:18:09] >> Okay So we would love it if

[2:18:13] you all started listening to

[2:18:13] the people instead of

[2:18:14] the politicians that are paid

[2:18:17] or you know they get whatever

[2:18:18] whatever kind of kickbacks or

[2:18:21] power or whatever they get.

[2:18:27] >> Thank you, Crystal Hi.

[2:18:27] My name is Crystal Pridmore.

[2:18:32] I'm a lifelong San Diego and a

[2:18:35] district of a resident of

[2:18:36] District seven and a music

[2:18:36] educator of over 20 years.

[2:18:39] This year I left my position in

[2:18:40] the Chula Vista Elementary

[2:18:41] School District because I was

[2:18:41] deeply discouraged by

[2:18:45] the systematic dismantling of

[2:18:46] our award winning music and

[2:18:49] arts programs Over the last ten

[2:18:49] years or so.

[2:18:50] I now serve through the San

[2:18:51] Diego Youth Symphony and

[2:18:51] through guitars in

[2:18:53] the classroom as a teaching

[2:18:54] artist And both of these

[2:18:55] organizations are facing

[2:18:58] devastating cuts due to this

[2:18:59] proposal we work with at Youth

[2:18:59] at Risk Youth.

[2:19:03] We work in public libraries.

[2:19:04] We are everywhere home

[2:19:04] hospitals.

[2:19:05] This is not just about the kids

[2:19:05] though.

[2:19:08] San Diego's arts scene drives

[2:19:09] tourism, supports jobs, shapes

[2:19:09] our identities and taxpayers

[2:19:13] benefit from a vibrant cultural

[2:19:14] life not just basic services.

[2:19:15] And I'm seeing a pattern

[2:19:18] Schools cut the arts as soon as

[2:19:19] there's a funding hiccup and

[2:19:19] now the city is proposing to do

[2:19:22] the same and it's not okay.

[2:19:23] These cuts dismantle an entire

[2:19:27] ecosystem that will not easily

[2:19:28] be rebuilt.

[2:19:28] >> You cannot you cannot claim

[2:19:32] to support community and cut

[2:19:33] the arts.

[2:19:34] Thank you for that concluding

[2:19:34] statement.

[2:19:37] Nathan Jones Nathan Jones You

[2:19:38] guys were doing so good and I

[2:19:39] know you're getting excited and

[2:19:42] probably a little tired when

[2:19:47] you have time stated by Evelyn

[2:19:48] Evelyn Mark thank you so much.

[2:19:48] >> You have two minutes.

[2:19:52] Please proceed.

[2:19:52] >> Good afternoon Council

[2:19:53] members.

[2:19:53] My name is Nathan Jones.

[2:19:56] i'm a District three resident

[2:19:57] and I am United States Marine

[2:19:57] Corps veteran.

[2:19:58] I serve this country because I

[2:20:01] believe in duty, courage and

[2:20:02] having a backbone to look at

[2:20:02] something wrong and stand up

[2:20:06] against it and to be 100% clear

[2:20:06] what we're seeing here today is

[2:20:07] wrong.

[2:20:10] I'm not just concerned about

[2:20:11] this budget cuts.

[2:20:11] I am deeply disappointed and

[2:20:12] disgusted that this council is

[2:20:15] even considering eliminating

[2:20:15] arts funding in a city like San

[2:20:16] Diego arguably the most

[2:20:20] beautiful city in the world.

[2:20:21] Cutting what makes the city

[2:20:21] beautiful is not just a bad

[2:20:22] decision it's a failure of

[2:20:24] leadership.

[2:20:25] San Diego's identity is

[2:20:26] inseparable from its art and

[2:20:26] culture from the museums and

[2:20:30] performance spaces and

[2:20:31] the organ of Balboa Park to

[2:20:31] the unbridled legacy of the Old

[2:20:34] Globe Theater to the powerful

[2:20:35] community murals in Barrio

[2:20:36] Logan This city has a rich

[2:20:39] history in investing and

[2:20:39] creativity because it knows it

[2:20:40] matters.

[2:20:40] As a marine, I've seen

[2:20:44] firsthand how deeply art is

[2:20:44] tied and necessary for

[2:20:45] the service starting from

[2:20:49] the very moment I stood upon

[2:20:50] the painted yellow footprints

[2:20:50] of the city's majority where I

[2:20:54] vowed to protect my country, my

[2:20:54] brothers in my core art from

[2:20:55] yellow footprints to murals

[2:20:58] allow us to tap into the truth

[2:20:59] of who we are, what we endure

[2:21:00] and what we stand for.

[2:21:01] To stand here and watch this

[2:21:03] council treat the arts as

[2:21:04] expendable is disgusting and

[2:21:05] frankly insulting.

[2:21:05] The people who built the city's

[2:21:08] cultural foundation and

[2:21:09] the people of San Diego itself

[2:21:13] who rely on it At the same time

[2:21:14] public safety continues to

[2:21:14] dominate the general fund with

[2:21:18] the police department alone set

[2:21:22] to receive $718.6 million in

[2:21:22] funding.

[2:21:23] Let's be clear a city that

[2:21:23] pours everything into

[2:21:24] enforcement while stripping

[2:21:26] away creativity, opportunity

[2:21:27] and expression is not

[2:21:27] prioritizing safety.

[2:21:31] It's neglecting it in a

[2:21:32] different form.

[2:21:32] The arts are not a luxury.

[2:21:33] They are connection and

[2:21:35] prevention.

[2:21:36] They are healing especially for

[2:21:37] veterans like myself who are

[2:21:38] trying to transition and find

[2:21:41] purpose after service and

[2:21:42] especially to the vets who have

[2:21:42] been injured in service.

[2:21:43] If you're not willing to stand

[2:21:46] up for something as fundamental

[2:21:47] as the arts, if you're not

[2:21:47] willing to push back and say

[2:21:48] this matters then you seriously

[2:21:51] need to ask yourself why you're

[2:21:52] in those seats Because

[2:21:52] leadership requires conviction.

[2:21:53] You lack the conviction to

[2:21:55] stand up for what's right step

[2:21:55] aside for certain needs.

[2:22:05] >> It has concluded Very

[2:22:06] passionate Who's allowed, D.L.

[2:22:07] He was allowed to make his

[2:22:07] point.

[2:22:10] >> Hold down the clapping and

[2:22:10] then we can get through.

[2:22:11] >> I don't know What if we

[2:22:13] still got 100 We still got two,

[2:22:17] four, six, eight and over 100.

[2:22:23] So Carmen Canyon is and then as

[2:22:24] Carmen comes up if I can have

[2:22:27] Shawn Boyd, Alicia Prescott,

[2:22:27] Lauren Cook, Fred Adair, Jess

[2:22:33] Barron, Kate Burn again she

[2:22:34] they come up the first time

[2:22:36] Bernie Jeanette Faulkner, Kaia

[2:22:37] Ortega, Michael Schmidt and

[2:22:41] Valerie all Please come up to

[2:22:42] the front row.

[2:22:42] >> Please proceed.

[2:22:46] Good afternoon.

[2:22:47] Afternoon Council members My

[2:22:48] name is Carmen Quinonez and I

[2:22:49] reside and council member Joe

[2:22:51] Lacob us District.

[2:22:52] I grew up at San Diego Junior

[2:22:53] Theater and the foundation I

[2:22:54] built there helped propel me to

[2:22:56] New York where I became a

[2:22:57] Broadway producer.

[2:22:58] The arts education I received

[2:23:01] at Junior Theater and within

[2:23:01] San Diego's vibrant arts and

[2:23:02] culture scene didn't just shape

[2:23:02] my career.

[2:23:06] It shaped my understanding of

[2:23:07] collaboration, leadership and

[2:23:07] storytelling.

[2:23:10] Those skills carried me into

[2:23:10] one of the most competitive

[2:23:11] creative industries in

[2:23:14] the world Today I'm back in San

[2:23:15] Diego reinvesting that

[2:23:16] experience into this community

[2:23:19] through arts education With

[2:23:20] support from osp funding I've

[2:23:20] been able to return to Junior

[2:23:24] Theater as a director working

[2:23:24] directly with the next

[2:23:25] generation of artists, creative

[2:23:28] thinkers and community leaders

[2:23:29] I've seen firsthand both in New

[2:23:30] York and here in San Diego how

[2:23:34] the arts contribute to a

[2:23:34] healthy economic ecosystem.

[2:23:35] They create jobs, attract

[2:23:38] investment and strengthen

[2:23:39] communities things you all know

[2:23:40] eliminating arts funding

[2:23:43] doesn't just impact programs it

[2:23:44] disrupts that entire ecosystem

[2:23:45] and limits what is possible.

[2:23:46] >> Thank you.

[2:23:47] Thank you.

[2:23:52] Sean Boyle Sean Boyd, executive

[2:23:52] director of Trinity Theater

[2:23:56] Company Arts and Culture is not

[2:23:57] a bargaining chip.

[2:23:57] Last year our funding was

[2:24:01] reduced by $1.8 million which

[2:24:05] led to a drop of total city

[2:24:05] revenue in excess of $6

[2:24:06] million.

[2:24:06] The mayor's defenses regarding

[2:24:10] voters tolerance for tax

[2:24:11] increases are disingenuous.

[2:24:11] In 2020 we passed Measure c

[2:24:15] which increased the tourism tax

[2:24:16] by 3% allowing funding for

[2:24:17] the convention center in 2022.

[2:24:20] California's passed Prop 28

[2:24:21] which ensured funding for arts

[2:24:23] education in schools both

[2:24:24] passed with 65%.

[2:24:25] The discretionary penny tax did

[2:24:25] not.

[2:24:28] Voters said they support

[2:24:29] the arts, not the mayor's

[2:24:32] discretionary spending.

[2:24:33] The individuals in this room

[2:24:34] are experts in their fields.

[2:24:35] We are experts in the economics

[2:24:38] and the arts.

[2:24:39] We are experts in the economics

[2:24:39] of tourism and we understand

[2:24:42] deeply enter

[2:24:43] the interdependency between

[2:24:43] funding of our institutions and

[2:24:47] the city's income.

[2:24:48] The mayor does not please

[2:24:51] restore our funding to $14

[2:24:52] million and please invite us

[2:24:53] into the conversation before

[2:25:00] MAY revisions Alicia Prescott

[2:25:00] Good afternoon.

[2:25:01] My name is Lisa Prescott and

[2:25:04] I've served 20 years in

[2:25:05] the military and I'm here

[2:25:05] because of the role that arts

[2:25:09] has played in my healing and

[2:25:09] resilience and those of my

[2:25:10] brothers and sisters in arms in

[2:25:13] San Diego.

[2:25:14] The arts are not a luxury they

[2:25:15] are a part of a mental health

[2:25:15] safety net for service members

[2:25:18] and veterans.

[2:25:19] Creative programs are built

[2:25:19] into residential and outpatient

[2:25:22] treatment programs across

[2:25:23] the region.

[2:25:23] My peers and I personally

[2:25:24] benefit from programs like

[2:25:25] the Veteran's Art Project or

[2:25:28] Art Therapy helps manage ptsd,

[2:25:29] depression and support trend of

[2:25:33] transition into civilian life.

[2:25:33] These programs don't just help

[2:25:34] people leave the force, they

[2:25:35] help many of us stay in

[2:25:38] the fight and return to

[2:25:38] service.

[2:25:39] Cutting arts programs means

[2:25:39] cutting a part of

[2:25:40] the prevention system beyond

[2:25:43] health impacts arts and culture

[2:25:44] support thousands of jobs

[2:25:45] generate revenue revenue and

[2:25:48] revenue.

[2:25:49] Cutting this funding and we

[2:25:49] should expect our homelessness

[2:25:53] population to rise.

[2:25:54] I thought I was going to have a

[2:25:54] job in the arts when I got out

[2:25:55] shortly.

[2:25:57] I'm not sure about that anymore

[2:25:58] .

[2:25:58] >> 22 veterans a day.

[2:26:05] Thank you Lauren Cook I'm

[2:26:06] Lauren Cook with the San Diego

[2:26:07] Architectural Foundation and

[2:26:10] the executive director.

[2:26:11] We have a small amount of this

[2:26:15] funding that comes about it but

[2:26:16] I stand with everyone here

[2:26:18] because again, there's no one

[2:26:19] in our city that isn't here.

[2:26:24] Everyone is here and we are all

[2:26:24] going to be cut.

[2:26:28] There's nothing that we are not

[2:26:29] representing here today And I

[2:26:30] think that you mentioned too in

[2:26:30] the budget analysis that you're

[2:26:34] going to be talking about that

[2:26:35] when you got to the bottom of

[2:26:35] it.

[2:26:36] So I guess you really don't

[2:26:38] need to work on it because

[2:26:38] everyone is here.

[2:26:39] We're all represented.

[2:26:42] So I think we probably should

[2:26:43] just go home.

[2:26:43] We're okay, right?

[2:26:47] So what we do with our money is

[2:26:48] we use it for kids something we

[2:26:52] all talked about it to

[2:26:53] yesterday at Fridays, Saturday

[2:26:57] and Sunday They work together

[2:26:57] seventh, eighth and ninth

[2:26:58] graders put together city.

[2:27:01] They built it and then they

[2:27:02] talked about how it should be

[2:27:03] developed and they got in a

[2:27:07] fight about coastal access.

[2:27:08] >> That's what we taught them.

[2:27:08] Think about that You're for

[2:27:15] that It Fred other Hi it's a

[2:27:20] pleasure to meet everybody

[2:27:20] today Your suits look very

[2:27:24] clean well pressed and I

[2:27:24] genuinely consider all of your

[2:27:25] haircuts to be very fashionable

[2:27:29] for the time to everybody here

[2:27:30] I'm proud of everybody that

[2:27:30] showed up.

[2:27:31] You're all showing the guts

[2:27:33] that San Diegans need to have.

[2:27:34] >> We all need to have guts

[2:27:35] because we're all part of San

[2:27:37] Diego.

[2:27:38] The fact of the matter is my

[2:27:39] life was saved by the arts.

[2:27:43] My dad was a pedophile and a

[2:27:43] thief.

[2:27:44] My mom's a drug addict.

[2:27:44] My stepdad was the number one

[2:27:47] heroin trafficker in

[2:27:47] the Western Hemisphere.

[2:27:48] His name is Mike.

[2:27:48] Wait Look it up.

[2:27:52] When I was beaten by the people

[2:27:53] that abused me I ran to Balboa

[2:27:53] Park and hid.

[2:27:57] I opened a comic book store

[2:27:58] here in San Diego called Crazy

[2:28:02] Fred's comic book world And was

[2:28:02] here for 17 years before I lost

[2:28:05] everything in the riots six

[2:28:06] years ago everything was burned

[2:28:06] down.

[2:28:07] You can see me in the news.

[2:28:10] I was the only guy crying

[2:28:11] because it and it was my

[2:28:11] pleasure to bring the arts in

[2:28:14] that fashion Like with the ten

[2:28:15] year Comicon and what what have

[2:28:15] you.

[2:28:19] >> One of the things and

[2:28:20] memories long just very going

[2:28:26] to remember just burn Hi

[2:28:31] friends I'm just I'm

[2:28:31] the founder executive director

[2:28:32] of guitars and Ukes in

[2:28:33] the classroom Thank you for

[2:28:36] your support I appreciate what

[2:28:37] you're doing and ask you to

[2:28:37] take a breath because this

[2:28:40] isn't easy for you guys Just

[2:28:41] like it's scary for us to get

[2:28:42] up and talk about this.

[2:28:45] I just want to bring one thing

[2:28:46] to your attention and only

[2:28:50] point 7% of San Diego responded

[2:28:50] to the mayor's survey.

[2:28:54] I want you to think about

[2:28:58] the 97 right 99.3% of

[2:28:59] the people that didn't fill out

[2:29:00] the survey because most of us

[2:29:03] are buried in our inboxes as

[2:29:03] you guys are.

[2:29:04] Right And most of us are

[2:29:08] working 2 or 3 jobs or we're

[2:29:08] working like me in the arts 70

[2:29:12] hours a week and it's really

[2:29:13] hard to get to an email survey

[2:29:17] So please take these speakers

[2:29:18] to heart today because they're

[2:29:18] bringing you the vulnerable

[2:29:22] population that we all serve.

[2:29:22] We're representing San Diego

[2:29:23] and the San Diego you didn't

[2:29:27] hear from yet so please don't

[2:29:28] rely on a little survey.

[2:29:32] >> Think about this.

[2:29:33] >> Thank you.

[2:29:38] Kate Burnett, Kate Burnett,

[2:29:39] Jenny Faulkner.

[2:29:39] Jenny, go.

[2:29:42] You have times needed to you by

[2:29:43] itself.

[2:29:43] Miranda Travis, please raise

[2:29:44] your hand.

[2:29:47] Thank you as well as Chad

[2:29:48] Womack.

[2:29:48] >> Thank you.

[2:29:49] You'll have three minutes.

[2:29:49] Please proceed.

[2:29:49] Thank you.

[2:29:52] How come in MAY you to me

[2:29:53] Anyway I am Janika Addie for

[2:29:54] resident with a lie in San

[2:29:56] Diego in a in the member of

[2:29:57] Community Budget Alliance Every

[2:30:01] year we fight for a people's

[2:30:01] budget that equitably spends

[2:30:02] public dollars prioritizes

[2:30:06] communities in neighborhoods

[2:30:06] with the greatest need.

[2:30:07] Our collective goal for

[2:30:08] people's budget actively

[2:30:11] combats systemic racism,

[2:30:11] discrimination and income

[2:30:12] inequality.

[2:30:15] The current budget does

[2:30:16] the opposite You cannot cut

[2:30:20] your way out of inefficiency.

[2:30:21] You have to address it.

[2:30:22] The proposed budget is closing

[2:30:28] a roughly $180 million gap with

[2:30:29] about $7,076 million in cuts

[2:30:29] $26 million in Labor

[2:30:33] concessions and $44 million in

[2:30:34] higher cost to residents.

[2:30:37] It pushes over 100 million into

[2:30:38] the future including $80

[2:30:41] million in reserves and $30

[2:30:42] million in risk funding.

[2:30:42] The impact is landing on vital

[2:30:46] services Family depend on daily

[2:30:46] such as youth services,

[2:30:51] libraries, rec centers, arts

[2:30:51] and culture and as well as

[2:30:55] the storm water department that

[2:30:55] has been significantly

[2:30:56] underfunded for years.

[2:31:00] We the People have the power to

[2:31:01] change the proposed budget

[2:31:01] targeted at the programs and

[2:31:02] services that our communities

[2:31:05] need.

[2:31:06] We need libraries.

[2:31:06] We need parks and Rec.

[2:31:10] We need youth programs, equity

[2:31:11] offices and climate justice

[2:31:11] initiatives.

[2:31:12] We don't need to be poor and

[2:31:15] more money into criminalizing

[2:31:15] our communities.

[2:31:16] These cuts strip away

[2:31:19] the city's capacity to address

[2:31:20] any emergency repairs on our

[2:31:21] stormwater infrastructure.

[2:31:24] You don't remove capacity

[2:31:25] before you've built a more

[2:31:25] efficient system to replace it.

[2:31:29] This current budgets strategy

[2:31:30] has been cut now cost later and

[2:31:31] residents pain at the cost in

[2:31:34] between.

[2:31:35] I urge you the City council

[2:31:35] members to listen to your

[2:31:40] constituents and help right

[2:31:41] these wrongs by fully restoring

[2:31:41] these programs and services We

[2:31:44] we need.

[2:31:45] We need to make bold

[2:31:46] investments in our people not

[2:31:46] punishment.

[2:31:50] Please act now to uplift

[2:31:50] the people's budget and modify

[2:31:51] the budget to reflect

[2:31:52] the people's needs for

[2:31:55] the remainder of my time I

[2:31:55] would like to take a moment of

[2:31:56] silence and honor the lives

[2:31:59] lost in the floods of JANUARY

[2:32:00] 2024.

[2:32:50] Thank you

[2:32:50] .

[2:32:54] Thank you.

[2:32:59] Kaia Ortega Good afternoon

[2:33:04] Council members My name is Kaia

[2:33:04] Ortega and I'm here on behalf

[2:33:08] of the Old Globe Theater to

[2:33:09] urge you all to reconsider

[2:33:10] the devastating arts and

[2:33:13] culture cuts proposed in Mayor

[2:33:14] Gloria's f y 27 budget.

[2:33:18] These cuts actively threaten

[2:33:19] our entire creative economy.

[2:33:19] They threaten the art forms

[2:33:23] we're trying to preserve and

[2:33:23] they threaten our collective

[2:33:24] capacity to deliver vital

[2:33:27] programing.

[2:33:28] The Old Globe is an anchor

[2:33:29] institution.

[2:33:29] We've been serving this city

[2:33:31] for over 90 years.

[2:33:32] Last year we served over

[2:33:33] 250,000 folks through live

[2:33:36] mainstage Productions and we

[2:33:37] served over 30,000 folks

[2:33:41] through free community

[2:33:41] programing.

[2:33:42] We employ over 700 people each

[2:33:42] year.

[2:33:46] And with this proposed budget

[2:33:47] the city is telling artists,

[2:33:47] creatives, cultural workers and

[2:33:52] the communities that rely on

[2:33:52] this programing that the city

[2:33:53] is not the city for them.

[2:33:57] The globe generates more than

[2:33:57] $45 million in economic impact

[2:33:58] for the city supporting jobs

[2:34:02] local businesses, arts and

[2:34:02] tourism that benefits the city.

[2:34:06] >> Thank you Michael Schmidt.

[2:34:06] We still have some trickling in

[2:34:10] so we're at about 115 speakers

[2:34:10] left.

[2:34:11] Michael Schmidt, please

[2:34:11] proceed.

[2:34:14] Well hello.

[2:34:15] Good afternoon.

[2:34:16] I am Michael Schmidt with

[2:34:16] District five.

[2:34:20] I just want to point out I'm

[2:34:21] unhappy the fact that

[2:34:26] the budget just got approved

[2:34:26] that it's going to be cut and I

[2:34:30] just don't appreciate a

[2:34:30] especially for people cutting

[2:34:31] down hours over at

[2:34:35] the libraries including

[2:34:36] downtown San Diego and you're

[2:34:36] going to see those That's

[2:34:37] almost shut down.

[2:34:40] I it's just sad for me and I

[2:34:40] don't appreciate it But thank

[2:34:42] you very much.

[2:34:47] >> Thank you, Valerie.

[2:34:48] Valerie, please come up to

[2:34:49] the microphone And after that

[2:34:49] we have Robert Morales.

[2:34:52] Greg.

[2:34:57] >> Greg So is that where you

[2:34:58] can tell me what it is when you

[2:34:59] get up here please?

[2:35:02] I'd like to know Phil Jarman.

[2:35:07] Whitney Shea, Suzanne Paradiso

[2:35:08] Swap.

[2:35:12] David Bennett, Nate Fehrman,

[2:35:12] Mary Soriano and Roll Salamanca

[2:35:16] If you can all please come up

[2:35:17] to the front row.

[2:35:17] Roberto Robert Morales If you

[2:35:18] can please come up to

[2:35:21] the microphone.

[2:35:22] Robert Rollins And I didn't

[2:35:27] have a Valerie here.

[2:35:27] Valerie No.

[2:35:28] So Robert you have time to buy

[2:35:31] Rudy Lombardi.

[2:35:32] Thank you so much.

[2:35:33] You'll have two minutes.

[2:35:33] Please proceed.

[2:35:34] Awesome.

[2:35:36] Thank you, everyone.

[2:35:37] Council members.

[2:35:37] Good afternoon, folks.

[2:35:38] Please stand with me.

[2:35:41] This is important.

[2:35:42] My name is Robert Morales.

[2:35:44] I represent I.R.S. Local 122 on

[2:35:45] the business manager For them I

[2:35:48] represent more than 2800

[2:35:49] workers across here and it goes

[2:35:50] to arts and entertainment

[2:35:53] industry people who bring life

[2:35:54] to our stages support our

[2:35:55] venues and help power the local

[2:35:55] economy.

[2:35:58] I want to be clear this

[2:35:59] proposed budget is not

[2:36:03] the numbers on a page that

[2:36:03] reduction in the arts funding

[2:36:04] will mean fewer jobs, fewer

[2:36:08] hours and real hardship for

[2:36:08] working families.

[2:36:09] We are seeing longer lines in

[2:36:09] our own food banks.

[2:36:13] Our members are filling it now

[2:36:13] but we are not here just to

[2:36:17] point fingers at the problem.

[2:36:18] We are here to ask for a better

[2:36:19] path forward.

[2:36:22] The budget is not final.

[2:36:23] There is still time to make

[2:36:23] adjustments that reflect true

[2:36:28] value and the arts in our city

[2:36:28] not just culturally but

[2:36:32] economically Our industries

[2:36:32] supports tourism, small

[2:36:33] business and thousands of

[2:36:37] livelihoods.

[2:36:38] We urge you to invest in

[2:36:38] solutions that grow jobs

[2:36:42] supporting a stronger film

[2:36:42] office.

[2:36:43] That's a good thought here

[2:36:47] Would attract film and

[2:36:47] television production to our

[2:36:51] region bringing in New jobs for

[2:36:52] our workers while filling hotel

[2:36:56] rooms, supporting restaurants

[2:36:57] and driving revenue into our

[2:36:57] local businesses across

[2:37:01] the city.

[2:37:02] We are asking you to work with

[2:37:06] us, find solutions that protect

[2:37:10] jobs, sustain our institutions

[2:37:11] and ensure that San Diego's

[2:37:15] future still includes thriving

[2:37:16] arts and entertainment in our

[2:37:16] communities.

[2:37:17] Our workers are not asking for

[2:37:20] a special treatment.

[2:37:20] They're asking for a fair

[2:37:21] chance to continue working to

[2:37:25] pay their bills and to

[2:37:26] contribute to this city.

[2:37:30] We are ready to partner with

[2:37:31] you but we need a plan that

[2:37:31] includes all of us.

[2:37:40] Thank you, Greg.

[2:37:41] You have time to buy a rubber

[2:37:41] helper If you can please raise

[2:37:42] your hand.

[2:37:42] Thank you.

[2:37:44] And Matt Carr.

[2:37:44] Thank you.

[2:37:48] You'll have three minutes.

[2:37:49] I was not prepared for that but

[2:37:52] I'll give you a good two And so

[2:37:52] good afternoon, council

[2:37:53] members.

[2:37:57] My name is Greg So wisdoms all

[2:37:58] was a good shot though and I'm

[2:38:01] here on behalf of iag Local 122

[2:38:02] I understand the city is facing

[2:38:06] a deficit and I understand that

[2:38:06] difficult decisions have to be

[2:38:07] made but cuts like these do not

[2:38:08] solve the problem they make

[2:38:10] them worse.

[2:38:11] What is being proposed here

[2:38:11] does not just affect

[2:38:15] organizations on paper, it

[2:38:16] affects people.

[2:38:16] It affects workers, It affects

[2:38:20] the crews, technicians and art

[2:38:20] workers whose jobs depend on

[2:38:21] these institutions and programs

[2:38:25] Continuing to function.

[2:38:25] These cuts would hit places

[2:38:26] like the Old Globe Theater,

[2:38:30] the San Diego Opera where my

[2:38:31] members work there the people

[2:38:31] behind the scenes who build it

[2:38:34] run it, support it and make it

[2:38:39] all happen when funding is cut

[2:38:40] this this deeply the impact

[2:38:44] does not stop at a budget line.

[2:38:45] It reaches the workers whose

[2:38:45] hours, livelihoods and

[2:38:49] stability depend on that work

[2:38:49] being there and on the film

[2:38:50] side this is special.

[2:38:54] This is especially troubling.

[2:38:54] San Diego is just beginning to

[2:38:55] see real momentum again for

[2:38:58] like the first time in like 15

[2:38:58] years we're starting to see

[2:39:02] more activity, more interest

[2:39:02] and more opportunity to

[2:39:03] eliminate the film office Now

[2:39:07] at the very moment that

[2:39:07] momentum is starting to build

[2:39:11] would be a major mistake.

[2:39:12] Film production does not happen

[2:39:12] by accident.

[2:39:13] It takes coordination,

[2:39:17] permitting response attorneys

[2:39:17] and city staff who understand

[2:39:18] how these projects work

[2:39:21] weakening that capacity now

[2:39:22] does not put San Diego in a

[2:39:23] better position.

[2:39:27] It puts us further behind.

[2:39:27] If the city needs to

[2:39:31] restructure then pass and do it

[2:39:31] with the community in this

[2:39:32] room.

[2:39:32] Bring together the arts

[2:39:35] community, labor and

[2:39:36] the stakeholders who will be

[2:39:37] affected and work out a better

[2:39:37] solution.

[2:39:40] We're here for this because

[2:39:41] once this kind of capacity is

[2:39:45] lost is not easy to rebuild.

[2:39:46] I urge you not to move forward

[2:39:48] with cuts to this magnitude

[2:39:49] without first sitting down with

[2:39:50] the arts community and find a

[2:39:50] better path.

[2:39:59] Thank you, Phil John John

[2:40:05] Chapman No, no Phil j o h m o n

[2:40:10] Whitney Shea.

[2:40:11] >> Good afternoon, Council

[2:40:11] members.

[2:40:12] My name is Whitney Shea.

[2:40:15] I'm a second generation San

[2:40:16] Diego native and a taxpaying

[2:40:19] small business owner.

[2:40:20] As a full time performer here

[2:40:21] I've been involved in various

[2:40:24] nonprofit arts organizations in

[2:40:25] San Diego as a youth attendee

[2:40:29] and instructor and performer.

[2:40:30] My entire life in 2020 being an

[2:40:33] artist was considered the most

[2:40:34] unessential occupation But we

[2:40:35] quickly learned how truly

[2:40:39] important the arts were during

[2:40:39] that difficult time.

[2:40:40] After covid decimating many

[2:40:44] artists careers federal funding

[2:40:44] cuts from the Trump

[2:40:45] administration, I am appalled

[2:40:48] that the city would propose

[2:40:49] full funding cuts to hundreds

[2:40:50] of arts and cultural programs

[2:40:53] looking at the previous data

[2:40:54] shown in the proposed budget,

[2:40:57] what was not addressed was

[2:40:58] the loss of thousands of jobs

[2:40:59] that that will be likely and

[2:41:03] the likely increase in crime

[2:41:03] rates by this proposed budget.

[2:41:07] Today's impassioned

[2:41:08] testimonials across multiple

[2:41:09] organizations are a clear

[2:41:13] indicator that a limiting an

[2:41:14] entire sector Your time just

[2:41:14] concluded.

[2:41:15] Thank you for your comments

[2:41:19] Suzanne for those swap.

[2:41:24] Thank you Honorable City

[2:41:25] Council mayor and Council

[2:41:30] PRESIDENT Thank you for your

[2:41:30] time and your service to

[2:41:31] the community.

[2:41:31] I know this is not an easy

[2:41:34] decision and yet somehow it's

[2:41:35] the easiest decision of all.

[2:41:36] I am the founder of Vanguard

[2:41:39] Culture.

[2:41:40] We're an arts magazine and we

[2:41:41] serve.

[2:41:41] I also serve on the Board of

[2:41:44] Women and Tourism and

[2:41:45] Hospitality International.

[2:41:47] I'm a resident of District two

[2:41:48] and my office is in District

[2:41:49] three.

[2:41:49] The mayor mentioned that

[2:41:53] revenues are not keeping up

[2:41:53] the pace with spending and

[2:41:54] the reason for this is that we

[2:41:55] have not invested significantly

[2:41:58] in the cultural infrastructure

[2:41:58] that would attract significant

[2:42:02] cultural tourism to our region

[2:42:02] .

[2:42:03] Studies show again and again

[2:42:04] that cultural tourists stay

[2:42:07] longer and spend more money in

[2:42:08] the cities they visit than a

[2:42:08] traditional leisure tourist.

[2:42:12] The spend can be between 30 and

[2:42:12] 60% More cultural tourists are

[2:42:17] more likely to stay at hotels

[2:42:17] than traditional leisure

[2:42:18] Tourists heads and beds equal

[2:42:21] increased to $40.

[2:42:22] We cannot attract cultural

[2:42:22] tourists without a thriving

[2:42:26] arts and culture ecosystem that

[2:42:27] requires inbound creativity.

[2:42:31] >> Thank you, David Bennett

[2:42:32] David do you have time ceded to

[2:42:36] you by Llewellyn Crane Thank

[2:42:36] you.

[2:42:37] >> You have two minutes.

[2:42:38] Please proceed.

[2:42:38] Good afternoon.

[2:42:41] Members of the City council.

[2:42:41] I'm David Bennett.

[2:42:42] I'm the Jo-Anne Clark general

[2:42:43] director and ceo of San Diego

[2:42:45] Opera and I live and work in

[2:42:46] District one.

[2:42:46] I'm here today to implore you

[2:42:50] to reject the disastrous

[2:42:51] elimination of arts and

[2:42:51] cultural program support in

[2:42:52] the mayor's proposed budget.

[2:42:55] Today the mayor before us chose

[2:42:56] to refer to this as a pause in

[2:43:01] his introduction.

[2:43:01] But it is an elimination.

[2:43:02] No other city in the United

[2:43:06] States is proposing complete

[2:43:06] elimination of arts support.

[2:43:07] This is not emblematic of

[2:43:11] America's finest city.

[2:43:11] I recognize that balancing

[2:43:12] the budget is a complicated and

[2:43:16] nuanced process.

[2:43:17] Ask any of the arts leaders

[2:43:17] that are here in the room or

[2:43:21] around San Diego every year we

[2:43:22] go through the same process

[2:43:22] you're facing now when

[2:43:25] contemplating cutting expenses.

[2:43:26] I know that I have to

[2:43:27] understand the impact of those

[2:43:30] cuts on revenue.

[2:43:31] It is generally not neutral.

[2:43:32] San Diego's Arts and Cultural

[2:43:36] Economic Activity The direct

[2:43:36] activity is around 1.2 billion

[2:43:40] but the larger economic impact

[2:43:40] throughout San Diego is

[2:43:41] actually nearly ten times

[2:43:44] larger.

[2:43:45] >> Elimination of program

[2:43:46] support will absolutely mean

[2:43:49] elimination of programs which

[2:43:50] will mean less economic impact

[2:43:51] on other businesses which will

[2:43:54] result in less tax revenue to

[2:43:55] the city.

[2:43:55] Vibrant arts and cultural

[2:43:59] activity is also strongly

[2:43:59] connected to a city's ability

[2:44:00] to attract new businesses.

[2:44:03] Many San Diego arts

[2:44:04] organizations also provide

[2:44:05] desperately needed arts

[2:44:08] education programs to students

[2:44:09] throughout our city.

[2:44:11] The opera alone spends nearly

[2:44:12] $300,000 a year on such

[2:44:13] programs, which leads to

[2:44:13] documented higher academic

[2:44:17] achievement at attendance.

[2:44:18] Elimination of programmatic

[2:44:18] support will surely mean

[2:44:22] the elimination of many of

[2:44:22] these programs.

[2:44:23] On NOVEMBER 12th

[2:44:27] the Union-Tribune ran an

[2:44:27] article stating that you

[2:44:28] the City Council declared arts

[2:44:32] cuts would be off the table in

[2:44:33] budget discussions this year.

[2:44:33] I ask you to honor this pledge

[2:44:36] and strongly reject the mayor's

[2:44:37] proposed elimination of arts

[2:44:37] funding.

[2:44:38] Thank you.

[2:44:39] Thank you.

[2:44:44] >> Nate Fehrman, Nate Fehrman

[2:44:48] ibew Local 465 representing

[2:44:49] artists and educators at

[2:44:49] the New Children's Museum in

[2:44:50] downtown San Diego.

[2:44:53] Please reverse the $11 million

[2:44:54] in cuts to our sacred arts

[2:44:55] programs that our museums

[2:44:55] depend on.

[2:44:58] We represent frontline artists

[2:44:58] and educators who provide

[2:44:59] essential services to thousands

[2:45:03] of children every single year.

[2:45:03] They work alongside wonderful

[2:45:04] artists in the region and

[2:45:07] provide priceless art

[2:45:07] educational programs that spark

[2:45:08] a lifelong interest in the arts

[2:45:11] imagination, creativity,

[2:45:12] expression, compassion,

[2:45:12] empathy.

[2:45:13] These seeds are planted by

[2:45:16] the hard working and selfless

[2:45:17] employees at the New Children's

[2:45:18] Museum Our union artists at

[2:45:21] the museum.

[2:45:22] And with these cuts our

[2:45:22] institutions like ncm will

[2:45:23] suffer.

[2:45:26] Our members will suffer.

[2:45:27] Artists across the city will

[2:45:27] suffer.

[2:45:28] We plead with the Council to

[2:45:31] reverse these cuts today.

[2:45:32] Art is not an elective

[2:45:32] experience.

[2:45:33] It is the lifeblood of a

[2:45:35] blossoming city and

[2:45:36] the heartbeat of a brighter

[2:45:36] future.

[2:45:37] Don't blow out the candle of

[2:45:38] our children's future by

[2:45:41] eliminating the essential

[2:45:41] funding to our city's arts

[2:45:42] institutions.

[2:45:42] >> Thank you.

[2:45:53] Mary Serrano.

[2:45:54] Mary Soriano, PRESIDENT Of La

[2:45:57] Hoya Town Council.

[2:45:58] Art represents culture and

[2:46:02] assist with mental health.

[2:46:02] Mayors Resident Budget Survey

[2:46:03] Fiscal 2027.

[2:46:07] Community feedback reflects

[2:46:08] strong dissatisfaction and

[2:46:11] choosing on choosing public

[2:46:12] safety funding over other

[2:46:12] essential city services.

[2:46:16] We shouldn't have to sacrifice

[2:46:21] either city reserve eliminate

[2:46:25] cip five year 2027 2031.

[2:46:26] Page 16 Recent City Auditor

[2:46:30] estimated deferred maintenance

[2:46:30] liabilities to exceed $1

[2:46:31] billion.

[2:46:35] If reserves are eliminated,

[2:46:36] where is the city going to get

[2:46:36] the money?

[2:46:41] Taxpayer is fire department and

[2:46:41] lifeguards.

[2:46:42] We can't afford to cut

[2:46:45] personnel.

[2:46:46] Last year on one holiday

[2:46:49] lifeguards were watching over 1

[2:46:49] million beachgoers.

[2:46:53] Wildfire community relations

[2:46:54] also known as wildfire

[2:46:54] prevention specialist.

[2:46:58] Thank you for this including my

[2:46:59] management role Salamanca for

[2:47:04] all you have time to buy.

[2:47:04] Alexandria Martinez Thank you.

[2:47:05] You have two minutes.

[2:47:08] Please proceed.

[2:47:08] Good afternoon, Council

[2:47:09] members.

[2:47:09] Mayor thank you for your time

[2:47:10] and your service.

[2:47:13] My name is Raul Salamanca.

[2:47:14] I'm the founder and artistic

[2:47:15] director of Golden State Ballet

[2:47:17] and co-founder and co-director

[2:47:18] of Golden State Ballet Academy

[2:47:19] here in San Diego.

[2:47:22] And I'm also a resident of

[2:50:04] members.

[2:50:05] My name is Alessandra

[2:50:05] Moctezuma.

[2:50:09] I'm a resident of District

[2:50:09] three and I work in District

[2:50:09] seven.

[2:50:13] I am also the chair of the San

[2:50:14] Diego Arts Commission, a

[2:50:15] volunteer body that advises and

[2:50:18] supports cultural affairs.

[2:50:19] We are the front facing

[2:50:20] advocates for the arts and we

[2:50:23] have been leading

[2:50:23] the implementation of

[2:50:24] the Creative City Master Plan.

[2:50:27] And I can tell you that this

[2:50:28] decision to zero out the budget

[2:50:32] for f y 27 for our arts

[2:50:33] organizations came as a

[2:50:33] complete surprise.

[2:50:38] It felt like a kick in the gut

[2:50:38] .

[2:50:39] The timing could not have been

[2:50:39] worse.

[2:50:40] We were in the middle of

[2:50:43] reviewing grant applications

[2:50:44] for what would have been our

[2:50:48] largest group of our this ever

[2:50:48] 229 organizations.

[2:50:53] This organization large and

[2:50:54] small exists in every district

[2:50:57] in the city.

[2:50:58] >> More than half of

[2:51:02] the programs provide that they

[2:51:02] provide are free and community

[2:51:03] facing.

[2:51:10] For fy 2025 they including

[2:51:10] included 5.3 million free

[2:51:11] admissions.

[2:51:15] >> Beyond the cultural value

[2:51:15] they are powerful economic

[2:51:16] drivers.

[2:51:19] San Diego's own data shows that

[2:51:19] the nonprofit arts sector

[2:51:20] generates 1.2 billion in

[2:51:21] economic activity.

[2:51:24] And supports nearly nearly

[2:51:28] 170,000 jobs and produces

[2:51:29] hundreds of millions in tax

[2:51:29] revenue.

[2:51:34] That's not abstract.

[2:51:35] When people attend arts events

[2:51:35] they spend money at restaurants

[2:51:39] on parking, on transportation.

[2:51:43] For example, Comic-Con received

[2:51:44] about 300,000 in city support

[2:51:47] and generated 160 million for

[2:51:47] the local economy.

[2:51:51] >> San Diego Pride with a

[2:51:55] similar investment generated 30

[2:51:55] million.

[2:51:59] Anyone could tell you that an

[2:52:00] investment that grows 100 times

[2:52:04] or 500 times is a good one.

[2:52:08] And yet we are cutting 12

[2:52:08] million from a 6.4 billion

[2:52:09] budget.

[2:52:13] How does that make sense?

[2:52:14] Cutting the smallest amounts to

[2:52:17] balance the budget.

[2:52:18] What does that say about equity

[2:52:22] in the current federal climate?

[2:52:22] Many organizations have seen

[2:52:27] loss of funding with

[2:52:27] the cancellation of federal

[2:52:31] grants like the nea engaged an

[2:52:31] email list.

[2:52:32] In addition, the cancellation

[2:52:36] of city funding will also put

[2:52:37] at risk matching grants.

[2:52:41] So it's a double loss for many

[2:52:42] of the organizations.

[2:52:42] >> This decision is disastrous

[2:52:46] and unprecedented.

[2:52:47] >> Looking back at the funding

[2:52:50] for arts and culture for

[2:52:51] the last 37 years the budget

[2:52:56] was kept mostly whole.

[2:52:56] Even in the worst economic

[2:53:00] times after 2008 and during

[2:53:00] the pandemic, previous mayors

[2:53:02] never slashed the arts in this

[2:53:07] way.

[2:53:08] >> If you want to look back at

[2:53:09] history, PRESIDENT Roosevelt

[2:53:12] actually enacted the wpa to

[2:53:13] deal with the Great Depression

[2:53:17] of solution to the economic

[2:53:18] crisis to provide jobs but also

[2:53:21] to bring joy and relief.

[2:53:26] >> As a professor of museum

[2:53:27] studies, I have spent 25 years

[2:53:27] preparing my students for

[2:53:32] careers in this sector.

[2:53:32] Right now I have students whose

[2:53:36] families are in crisis.

[2:53:37] This morning one told me that

[2:53:41] his mother was detained by ice

[2:53:41] .

[2:53:42] Another has just been evicted.

[2:53:43] How do I go back to my

[2:53:47] classroom and tell them that

[2:53:48] their city does not support

[2:53:49] them or the career path that

[2:53:54] they chose which is hard for

[2:53:55] people of color.

[2:53:58] You know, to choose this path

[2:53:59] as an immigrant race with

[2:53:59] within the Chicano arts

[2:54:04] movement I have lived the power

[2:54:04] of art.

[2:54:09] Places like Chicano Park World

[2:54:10] Beat Center, Structural de la

[2:54:13] Raza, the Chicano Park Museum,

[2:54:13] the Front in San Isidro Asia

[2:54:18] projects show us that the arts

[2:54:18] are not just an expression.

[2:54:19] They are how they are how

[2:54:23] communities find agency

[2:54:23] connection and power.

[2:54:28] >> The arts are not a luxury.

[2:54:28] They foster economic growth.

[2:54:32] But just as importantly they

[2:54:36] provide healing and hope.

[2:54:37] Last fall many of you made

[2:54:42] commitments to keep the arts

[2:54:42] funding whole.

[2:54:43] I urge you to honor that

[2:54:47] commitment and reconsider this

[2:54:48] decision and to restore this

[2:54:48] funding.

[2:54:52] We in the Arts Commission will

[2:54:53] be happy to sit down with you

[2:54:56] and provide some alternatives

[2:54:57] or advice because this is not

[2:55:01] just about the arts.

[2:55:02] It is about the kind of city

[2:55:05] that we choose to be and

[2:55:06] the kind of future we want to

[2:55:07] provide to the next generation.

[2:55:07] >> Thank you for that

[2:55:08] concluding comments.

[2:55:11] Akeelah Templeton Akeelah you

[2:55:11] have time to You by Marshall

[2:55:12] Anderson.

[2:55:12] Thank you.

[2:55:15] You'll have two minutes.

[2:55:16] Please proceed.

[2:55:16] Thank you.

[2:55:17] Good afternoon.

[2:55:20] Council PRESIDENT And council

[2:55:20] members.

[2:55:21] My name is Akeelah Templeton.

[2:55:24] I'm the ceo of Veterans Village

[2:55:25] of San Diego which has served

[2:55:28] San Diego's veteran community

[2:55:29] for 45 years.

[2:55:29] Our mission is to leave no

[2:55:33] veteran behind by providing

[2:55:34] housing treatment supportive

[2:55:38] services that assist homeless

[2:55:39] veterans and their families.

[2:55:40] I actually want to switch gears

[2:55:44] here a little bit to talk about

[2:55:44] funding that we actually don't

[2:55:45] want.

[2:55:49] Okay.

[2:55:49] >> Right.

[2:55:49] That's right.

[2:55:53] So unfortunately the proposed

[2:55:53] 1.9 million allocation to

[2:55:57] create a 72 bed interim shelter

[2:55:57] for beds that actually don't

[2:56:01] exist on our campus threatens

[2:56:02] to put that mission at risk.

[2:56:06] There is no guarantee that this

[2:56:07] money is going to go to

[2:56:07] veterans.

[2:56:10] There is no plan for that money

[2:56:11] to go to Veterans Village of

[2:56:11] San Diego to administer

[2:56:15] the types of programs that we

[2:56:16] know work.

[2:56:16] We did not request this

[2:56:17] funding.

[2:56:20] We have not agreed to any

[2:56:21] program that would allow

[2:56:21] the city to rest control of our

[2:56:24] campus while displacing members

[2:56:25] of our homeless veterans

[2:56:26] community.

[2:56:26] We have communicated these

[2:56:30] concerns directly to

[2:56:31] the mayor's office, the housing

[2:56:31] commission and all of you.

[2:56:35] Despite that, in a year with so

[2:56:40] many cuts this item remains in

[2:56:40] the proposed budget.

[2:56:41] Additionally, the proposal

[2:56:44] appears to have been developed

[2:56:45] and advanced without your

[2:56:46] direction as the Housing

[2:56:49] authority and without

[2:56:50] stakeholder agreement and

[2:56:55] without ongoing funding it

[2:56:55] seems that we have a simple

[2:56:56] math problem here.

[2:56:56] Take the money that we don't

[2:57:00] want and give it to these fine

[2:57:00] young people.

[2:57:01] I'm so proud of you guys.

[2:57:07] Keep fighting.

[2:57:12] >> Nicole Verdi's.

[2:57:12] Hi.

[2:57:17] My name is Nicole.

[2:57:18] >> I use the she pronouns and

[2:57:19] I'm the executive director of

[2:57:21] Lambda Archives of San Diego,

[2:57:22] the only lgbtq plus archives

[2:57:23] serving the San Diego Tijuana

[2:57:26] Binational region.

[2:57:27] >> I'm here because archives

[2:57:27] exist at the intersection of

[2:57:30] art culture and community

[2:57:31] memory and this proposed budget

[2:57:34] threatens all three cities that

[2:57:35] invest in arts and humanities

[2:57:36] invest in the conditions where

[2:57:39] communities thrive connection,

[2:57:40] belonging, economic opportunity

[2:57:44] and the sense that every

[2:57:44] person's story matters.

[2:57:45] Larry Tebas the San Diego arts

[2:57:49] leader and lgbtq Plus community

[2:57:49] Pillar warned in 1991 that

[2:57:52] budget cuts to the arts would

[2:57:53] push us into a cultural war.

[2:57:54] He called it the us and Them

[2:57:57] syndrome.

[2:57:58] >> That warning is not just

[2:57:58] history.

[2:58:02] It is this moment at a moment

[2:58:03] when our history is being

[2:58:04] actively erased at the federal

[2:58:04] level.

[2:58:05] >> Cutting local arts and

[2:58:08] culture funding is not a

[2:58:08] neutral fiscal decision.

[2:58:09] It is an additional threat to

[2:58:13] communities already fighting to

[2:58:13] be seen and remembered.

[2:58:14] >> I urge you to reject these

[2:58:15] threats and invest in what

[2:58:17] holds us together.

[2:58:22] >> Thank you Nicole Over Nicole

[2:58:26] Ogle Veronica von Barstow.

[2:58:26] Hi.

[2:58:30] Good afternoon.

[2:58:31] I am representing District

[2:58:32] three which Steven and I have

[2:58:35] worked together on several

[2:58:36] projects and I'm always, always

[2:58:37] so proud of our mayor.

[2:58:40] We've worked together for a

[2:58:41] long time and all of

[2:58:44] the representation that you've

[2:58:45] done for the lgbt district of

[2:58:46] Hillcrest and we respect and

[2:58:50] honor that and thank you for

[2:58:51] your work all of this time.

[2:58:51] But it does need to be said

[2:58:55] that this measure does

[2:58:55] disproportionately affect our

[2:58:57] communities that the safe area

[2:59:03] and a safe space for us the old

[2:59:04] theater and the more you play

[2:59:05] house send more shows to

[2:59:08] Broadway than any other place

[2:59:09] in the entire world.

[2:59:13] >> We are represented anywhere

[2:59:14] that we go and San Diego is

[2:59:18] the best of the art of that

[2:59:18] represent in this country.

[2:59:22] We are very rare and very few

[2:59:23] when we are fighting to stay

[2:59:24] here and we are fighting to be

[2:59:27] a part of this community.

[2:59:32] We ask you to return to Thank

[2:59:37] you Kristen Klein You have time

[2:59:37] seated by Katherine Reams.

[2:59:40] Thank you.

[2:59:40] You'll have two minutes.

[2:59:46] Please proceed.

[2:59:46] >> What up, counsel?

[2:59:47] I'm Kristen Klein and I at

[2:59:48] the local 122 stagehand of

[2:59:50] District nine.

[2:59:50] I'm asking you to reconsider

[2:59:51] the mayor's proposal.

[2:59:52] For many people the arts and

[2:59:55] entertainment are a luxury.

[2:59:56] Concerts, plays, cons and dance

[2:59:56] shows can be leisure escapes

[3:00:00] for these crazy times.

[3:00:00] For us artists this is our

[3:00:01] livelihood, our community, our

[3:00:05] lives.

[3:00:05] We create, perform and make art

[3:00:06] and events happen to bring

[3:00:10] people together in the good

[3:00:10] times and the bad.

[3:00:11] Even just last year when there

[3:00:15] was an earthquake we brought an

[3:00:15] emergency meeting together last

[3:00:16] second at the Civic Theater

[3:00:16] next door.

[3:00:19] Do you remember that?

[3:00:19] We do.

[3:00:20] We come together when times are

[3:00:21] hard which is why there are so

[3:00:24] many of us here today.

[3:00:25] America has always been known.

[3:00:25] Sorry.

[3:00:29] San Diego has always been known

[3:00:30] as America's finest city And

[3:00:34] this is because our culture

[3:00:34] just as much as our location is

[3:00:35] beautiful.

[3:00:38] Keep our city a place worth

[3:00:39] visiting.

[3:00:40] >> If you want your revenue we

[3:00:44] hold the famous Comic-Con.

[3:00:44] There's so many music and

[3:00:45] Broadway tours that start or

[3:00:49] end here in San Diego.

[3:00:50] We're a part of a larger

[3:00:50] entertainment ecosystem than

[3:00:51] just the scope of our city.

[3:00:54] The arts mark the blueprints of

[3:00:55] our past, our progress and our

[3:00:59] teaching tool for our future

[3:00:59] very inclusive for all and

[3:01:00] unify our human experience.

[3:01:04] Cutting the arts and library

[3:01:05] budgets will not only cut

[3:01:08] the heart of San Diego but of

[3:01:09] our collective souls.

[3:01:10] >> Please listen to us

[3:01:14] The people of San Diego and

[3:01:15] bring balance to the budget by

[3:01:15] funding more of our culture and

[3:01:19] find your cuts elsewhere.

[3:01:25] Heather Rose.

[3:01:30] >> Good afternoon Council and

[3:01:31] specifically you MR. Whitburn I

[3:01:31] am your constituent.

[3:01:35] I'm really disappointed that I

[3:01:36] have to be here on my day off

[3:01:37] from my job.

[3:01:40] This is like the day off.

[3:01:41] I'm a proud union stage manager

[3:01:42] who works in professional

[3:01:46] theater and I came here in 2007

[3:01:46] with the show and decided to

[3:01:50] stay.

[3:01:51] I'm a homeowner and I pay my

[3:01:55] taxes and I expect you all to

[3:01:55] just do your jobs better.

[3:01:56] What you are proposing is a

[3:02:00] line item for your budget but

[3:02:00] it will affect every single one

[3:02:01] of our arts organizations big

[3:02:01] and small.

[3:02:06] >> This proposal says that

[3:02:06] the police budget is more

[3:02:07] important.

[3:02:10] >> It just does.

[3:02:11] >> Over the last decade their

[3:02:11] budget has gone up by about 200

[3:02:12] million.

[3:02:15] And it's not because we have

[3:02:16] more officers it's overtime.

[3:02:17] I don't approve them their pay.

[3:02:20] But without the arts and

[3:02:21] libraries their jobs will be

[3:02:21] tougher.

[3:02:22] But the arts and libraries are

[3:02:25] safe havens for all but

[3:02:26] especially those who feel on

[3:02:27] the outskirts of the main

[3:02:30] street.

[3:02:31] >> Thank you so much.

[3:02:32] Tax the rich delinquent.

[3:02:39] Gillian Quint.

[3:02:40] Good afternoon Council My name

[3:02:40] is delinquent.

[3:02:41] I'm here with the San Diego

[3:02:45] River Park Foundation and

[3:02:45] representing 60,000 local

[3:02:46] community members and

[3:02:49] supporters and partner

[3:02:49] organizations that are

[3:02:50] supporting and endorsing an

[3:02:51] important infrastructure

[3:02:55] solution to a critical gap in

[3:02:56] our transportation and parks

[3:02:56] network.

[3:02:57] I want to begin by

[3:03:00] acknowledging the city's

[3:03:00] commitment to regional

[3:03:01] mobility, climate action and

[3:03:02] Vision Zero.

[3:03:05] But meeting that commitment

[3:03:06] requires us to confront what's

[3:03:06] coming next.

[3:03:11] The area's population is set to

[3:03:11] triple by the year 2050 and our

[3:03:16] current transit just isn't

[3:03:17] prepared for that level of

[3:03:17] density in this area.

[3:03:18] A West Valley River crossing

[3:03:22] for pedestrian and bikes would

[3:03:23] connect the San Diego River

[3:03:24] Trail and regional bike rain is

[3:03:24] a recognized solution in

[3:03:27] the sandag Regional Plan and

[3:03:28] the commuter Corridor cmc

[3:03:28] study.

[3:03:31] A recent mobility audit found

[3:03:31] 60 bicycle and pedestrian

[3:03:35] injuries and six fatalities

[3:03:35] between 2020 and 2040.

[3:03:36] In this segment by prioritizing

[3:03:40] this link and reopening the cip

[3:03:41] now the city Thank you.

[3:03:41] Thank you.

[3:03:42] Sherry Eden Barbara.

[3:03:46] After sure we got canned on

[3:03:47] Well Greg Frank, Christine,

[3:03:51] Christine.

[3:03:51] Frank.

[3:03:52] Danielle Sabella.

[3:03:52] Rachel Hayes.

[3:03:53] Julie Porter.

[3:03:57] Juan Perez and Carlos Angela.

[3:03:58] If you can all please come up

[3:03:59] to the yellow reserved seats.

[3:04:01] Please proceed.

[3:04:02] Good afternoon, Council

[3:04:02] members.

[3:04:03] I'm Sherry Egan Barber,

[3:04:03] artistic director of

[3:04:07] Diversionary Theater, the third

[3:04:08] oldest lgbtq plush theater in

[3:04:09] the country and also a former

[3:04:13] resident director of Hamilton,

[3:04:13] the Broadway show who fell in

[3:04:14] love with the city When we

[3:04:17] brought the show here two years

[3:04:18] ago through the Creative City

[3:04:18] Plan, the city declared

[3:04:21] the arts essential supporting

[3:04:22] 170,000 jobs and generating

[3:04:22] millions.

[3:04:26] Two weeks ago many of you stood

[3:04:26] on our stage at our 40th

[3:04:31] anniversary gala celebrating

[3:04:31] that impact.

[3:04:32] I'm reminded the arts are

[3:04:32] prevention.

[3:04:33] They build connection, reduce

[3:04:36] isolation and increase public

[3:04:36] safety by giving people

[3:04:37] purpose.

[3:04:38] Before I came in here today I

[3:04:41] reread a letter from a student

[3:04:42] who came to our theater feeling

[3:04:43] hopeless considering ending

[3:04:46] their life until this year they

[3:04:47] saw themselves on our stage and

[3:04:52] chose to say they chose to stay

[3:04:53] And that is not the first time

[3:04:53] or the first letter.

[3:04:54] This is what the arts do.

[3:04:57] I am asking you to protect

[3:04:58] the arts, protect the purpose,

[3:04:58] protect the people of San Diego

[3:05:02] and make this place not just

[3:05:03] livable but meaningful.

[3:05:08] >> Thank you, Kendall.

[3:05:14] Hello.

[3:05:15] My name is Kendall Miller.

[3:05:16] I was born, raised and work

[3:05:16] here in the city of San Diego

[3:05:17] and I work to support children

[3:05:19] across the city.

[3:05:20] Mainly working with children

[3:05:20] from Title one schools.

[3:05:21] I'm here to speak out very much

[3:05:25] against the cuts to things like

[3:05:25] libraries, parks and art

[3:05:26] programs and just basically

[3:05:27] global social services as a

[3:05:30] whole while giving more money

[3:05:31] to a police department that has

[3:05:34] already over $700 million.

[3:05:35] If you want a caring and safer

[3:05:35] community then invest in that

[3:05:40] community and invest in

[3:05:41] the youth programs in

[3:05:41] infrastructure that actually

[3:05:42] address the core causes behind

[3:05:46] the desperation that we want to

[3:05:46] live in a city that actually

[3:05:47] funds our community and

[3:05:51] actually cares about us instead

[3:05:52] of focusing on non-prosecution

[3:05:52] and surveillance.

[3:05:57] Give us the programs that care

[3:05:57] that we care about that make

[3:05:58] our life worthwhile, that make

[3:05:59] us all want to live here and

[3:06:02] pay our taxes and keep you in

[3:06:02] your seats.

[3:06:03] Listen to your constituents.

[3:06:03] You actually care about us.

[3:06:08] Please.

[3:06:08] We live here.

[3:06:09] We love this city.

[3:06:13] We want to be your support.

[3:06:14] >> Give us that chance and a

[3:06:15] reason to do it.

[3:06:15] Thank you.

[3:06:24] Thank you, Craig Frank.

[3:06:25] >> All right, Greg Frank,

[3:06:25] District six.

[3:06:26] It is shameful to burden

[3:06:29] the arts community with fixing

[3:06:30] 10% of the deficit by

[3:06:31] essentially eliminating city

[3:06:35] funding for arts and culture.

[3:06:35] Other people have spoken about

[3:06:36] the financial impact so I would

[3:06:40] ask you to just pause and

[3:06:41] really consider what kind of

[3:06:42] city you want San Diego to be.

[3:06:46] Do you want this to be a world

[3:06:47] class city that is a hub for

[3:06:51] arts and culture and recreation

[3:06:52] ?

[3:06:52] Or are you willing to settle

[3:06:53] for this becoming

[3:06:53] the equivalent of some

[3:06:57] corporate town where the bottom

[3:06:57] line is more important than

[3:06:58] community?

[3:07:02] You cannot continue to claim

[3:07:03] the moniker of America's finest

[3:07:04] city while breaking the promise

[3:07:05] to continue funding the arts.

[3:07:15] >> Thank you, Christiane Frank

[3:07:16] .

[3:07:17] >> That was my husband Tom to

[3:07:17] take his 10s said Okay babe,

[3:07:21] I'm sorry I have been waiting a

[3:07:21] while.

[3:07:22] The throat is dry.

[3:07:22] My apologies.

[3:07:23] I'm one of Kent Lea's

[3:07:27] constituents and d6 and Mira

[3:07:27] mesa.

[3:07:28] I'm an audience member for

[3:07:29] donor to and volunteer with

[3:07:29] several local arts orgs large

[3:07:32] and small.

[3:07:33] I am shockingly I know you've

[3:07:34] read The Room opposed to these

[3:07:37] extreme and shortsighted cuts

[3:07:38] to the arts as well as

[3:07:39] libraries, Parks and Rec And

[3:07:39] you've proposed by Mayor Todd

[3:07:40] Gloria.

[3:07:43] So I'm asking you all truly

[3:07:44] read the room not just surveys

[3:07:49] that very few did.

[3:07:50] >> I haven't heard a single

[3:07:51] person speak in favor of these

[3:07:52] cuts besides Hart and his

[3:07:54] minions.

[3:07:54] But I'm not an idealist.

[3:07:55] i know some cuts MAY need to

[3:07:55] occur.

[3:07:59] However, obliterating all

[3:08:00] direct funding to local arts

[3:08:01] orgs jeopardizes their very

[3:08:01] existence.

[3:08:05] Their grant makers and private

[3:08:06] donors who MAY reduce or

[3:08:06] eliminate contributions.

[3:08:07] If the city withdraws support

[3:08:11] they will see that as a sign

[3:08:12] that will be an additional body

[3:08:12] blow on top of Todd's gut

[3:08:13] punch.

[3:08:18] The only other place pardon me

[3:08:18] I want to quote.

[3:08:19] Bob Lehman, executive director

[3:08:19] of San Diego Arts Matters who

[3:08:23] was quoted in the us last week

[3:08:24] as saying The only other place

[3:08:25] in this country where this type

[3:08:30] of art is in the Trump budget I

[3:08:31] don't want to be in a city like

[3:08:34] Bala Daniels of all colors.

[3:08:35] >> Thank you so much.

[3:08:36] I am Daniel Savalas.

[3:08:36] I'm a local actor here in San

[3:08:37] Diego.

[3:08:39] I've had the pleasure of using

[3:08:40] many, many of the facilities

[3:08:41] that the community theaters

[3:08:41] have used here.

[3:08:46] These facilities are severely,

[3:08:46] severely underfunded.

[3:08:47] I have had to change inside of

[3:08:47] closets.

[3:08:48] I've had to change inside of

[3:08:48] workshops.

[3:08:52] I've had to change inside of

[3:08:52] alleyways.

[3:08:53] I have seen the sort of cuts

[3:08:53] that have happened.

[3:08:54] I've seen an hours of unpaid

[3:08:54] labor.

[3:08:57] I've seen the children that are

[3:08:58] exploited due to your

[3:08:58] underfunded institutions.

[3:08:59] I know about the protective

[3:09:00] policies that were created to

[3:09:03] protect children.

[3:09:03] And your policies are going to

[3:09:04] cut every single one of those

[3:09:04] jobs.

[3:09:05] Many of these people do not

[3:09:09] hire these protectors because

[3:09:09] of the lack of money.

[3:09:10] And I've been to the San Diego

[3:09:11] Civic Theater a number of

[3:09:11] times.

[3:09:12] I see the Presidents Club and

[3:09:15] the patrons.

[3:09:16] I do whisper.

[3:09:16] They do whisper.

[3:09:17] They do see the tarps in

[3:09:17] the bedrooms outside.

[3:09:18] They do see them.

[3:09:18] It is embarrassing.

[3:09:21] It is a stain on the San Diego

[3:09:22] community.

[3:09:23] It is heartbreaking to me as an

[3:09:23] artist.

[3:09:24] And I would just like to say I

[3:09:24] want to say thank you, Sean And

[3:09:26] also thank you counseling.

[3:09:27] You've seen your humanity

[3:09:27] today.

[3:09:28] The rest of you guys I mean I'm

[3:09:29] not to speak about all of you

[3:09:29] guys but you I understand you

[3:09:33] guys are doing your jobs.

[3:09:34] >> But Charles Murdock, I've

[3:09:35] seen your poker face this

[3:09:35] entire time.

[3:09:36] I'm not saying you smoked

[3:09:38] brown, but you're not a very

[3:09:39] good at crime.

[3:09:39] How are you concluded Rachel

[3:09:40] Hayes?

[3:09:40] Rachel Hayes.

[3:09:47] Please come to the mic.

[3:09:47] >> Please.

[3:09:48] We need to make sure that we're

[3:09:49] not copying as much so that

[3:09:50] people can hear their names and

[3:09:50] come up to the microphone.

[3:09:54] Anthony, if you can please

[3:09:54] raise your hand.

[3:09:55] Thank you.

[3:09:55] You'll have two minutes.

[3:09:56] Please proceed.

[3:09:59] Hi, My name's Rachel Hayes and

[3:09:59] I am representing myself and

[3:10:04] the arts community which is

[3:10:05] really important.

[3:10:10] My son who is now Sarah Chayes

[3:10:10] and self-taught on the piano

[3:10:17] acoustic guitar, saxophone and

[3:10:22] violin and now is on Broadway

[3:10:28] in one top Voice Elementary and

[3:10:28] actually sixth through 12th

[3:10:29] grade on the Lawyers college

[3:10:34] campus And that's where it

[3:10:34] started.

[3:10:35] Every generation in my family

[3:10:39] have someone of musical talent.

[3:10:44] And my son won their first

[3:10:50] award on Broadway last year And

[3:10:51] I should say my daughter his

[3:10:52] name is Sarah.

[3:10:56] And you know what?

[3:10:57] If it wasn't for the musical

[3:10:57] camps he went to every single

[3:11:07] summer during high school and

[3:11:07] the 2000s he would she would

[3:11:14] not be the star she is today.

[3:11:14] And cutting funds like this

[3:11:19] it's inexcusable and it's

[3:11:24] heartbreaking to know that

[3:11:25] the youth of today will not

[3:11:26] have what the youth of

[3:11:31] yesterday had.

[3:11:32] Thank you.

[3:11:33] Julie Porter, if you can please

[3:11:37] come forward.

[3:11:43] Hello, my name is Julie Porter

[3:11:44] and I'd like to thank you for

[3:11:44] hearing me today.

[3:11:45] It's been a long time.

[3:11:49] I'm here representing myself

[3:11:49] and the arts community.

[3:11:50] I have two fourth generation

[3:11:54] San Diego children my two

[3:11:55] children that grew up in

[3:11:55] the arts.

[3:11:56] They attended San Diego Junior

[3:11:56] Theater.

[3:12:02] I got to run for parking thing

[3:12:02] in Balboa Park.

[3:12:03] I went and got myself a

[3:12:06] well-deserved disabled platform

[3:12:07] so I can park in Balboa Park

[3:12:07] for free.

[3:12:08] I don't live in the city

[3:12:13] however we we use many, many of

[3:12:19] the arts programs in San Diego

[3:12:19] and I, I would hate to see what

[3:12:25] will happen to San Diego Junior

[3:12:25] Theater that both of my

[3:12:26] children grew up in my hours

[3:12:27] spent volunteering there in

[3:12:31] the in the costume loft I those

[3:12:32] are some of the best memories I

[3:12:32] have.

[3:12:37] Please don't cut these

[3:12:38] programs.

[3:12:38] >> The kids need you.

[3:12:39] Thank you for hearing me today.

[3:12:45] Thank you, Juan.

[3:12:46] >> This one But as you have

[3:12:46] time ceded to you by Sarah

[3:12:50] Lopez thank you.

[3:12:50] You'll have two minutes.

[3:12:51] Hey, how's it going, everybody?

[3:12:52] My name is John Perez.

[3:12:55] I'm the organizer with

[3:12:56] the local 122 the stagehands

[3:12:56] union, our station set up for

[3:13:01] events at the convention center

[3:13:02] the hotels as well as theaters

[3:13:02] like the Old Globe Playhouse

[3:13:03] Civic Theater among others.

[3:13:07] Our workforce is critical to

[3:13:07] the tourism industry which this

[3:13:08] city relies on for tax revenue.

[3:13:13] It's no secret we work hard to

[3:13:14] make these jobs into careers

[3:13:19] with livable wages and benefits

[3:13:19] retirement training.

[3:13:20] But with these proposed cuts to

[3:13:21] the arts that is a direct

[3:13:26] assault on our membership and

[3:13:26] on the arts community.

[3:13:27] This is also an insult to our

[3:13:31] youth that begin their careers

[3:13:32] in high school theater programs

[3:13:33] with the hope to continue once

[3:13:33] they graduate.

[3:13:38] But with these proposed cuts we

[3:13:39] are cutting and ending their

[3:13:39] dreams before they even start.

[3:13:44] Why not cut the police budget

[3:13:44] like they're already funded if

[3:13:50] anything Right.

[3:13:51] Why not cut Fox surveillance?

[3:13:51] You are What if all of you guys

[3:13:56] but you guys willing to re-up

[3:13:56] the contract last year?

[3:13:57] Why do we always have money for

[3:14:01] the police tape and

[3:14:02] surveillance but never for

[3:14:02] the arts or our communities?

[3:14:08] Read the room.

[3:14:09] When's the last time you seen

[3:14:09] so many community members come

[3:14:10] out like this?

[3:14:13] You all are politicians.

[3:14:14] You're going to be seeking

[3:14:15] unions, endorsements,

[3:14:15] the communities, endorsements,

[3:14:16] organizations, endorsements

[3:14:19] their support.

[3:14:20] Read the room Don't turn your

[3:14:21] back on the community So screw

[3:14:26] the mayors budget.

[3:14:26] Be with the community and

[3:14:27] the unions and the workers and

[3:14:32] create a new budget.

[3:14:32] >> Thank you.

[3:14:38] Got a Los Angeles Hello

[3:14:38] Council.

[3:14:39] I was here before last year for

[3:14:44] the same thing.

[3:14:45] We came to argue for

[3:14:46] the pennant for the art.

[3:14:46] I explained the amount of work

[3:14:47] that we do and I'm honored to

[3:14:51] think that we help with this

[3:14:51] community.

[3:14:52] And today I just here to tell

[3:14:52] you it doesn't help us.

[3:14:57] That'll be the bike lanes.

[3:14:57] That's why by million dollars

[3:14:58] spurred on the bike lanes per

[3:15:01] mile and then you know doesn't

[3:15:02] help us as the pandas like you

[3:15:06] brought over that's over $1

[3:15:06] million a year In order to help

[3:15:07] us to lose that $30 million

[3:15:08] settlement for that kid

[3:15:12] the cops shot last year

[3:15:13] actually don't help because a

[3:15:14] third of that we sponsor our

[3:15:19] art programs in here you know

[3:15:19] that year were arguing about it

[3:15:20] because you wanted to give

[3:15:24] money to the teachers the cops

[3:15:25] I wish you better but I shall

[3:15:25] not a kid two miles two blocks

[3:15:26] away from when I was spending

[3:15:30] the mural in the same year when

[3:15:31] I see that I help you know, to

[3:15:32] keep doing it I think you guys

[3:15:36] you listen to the people

[3:15:37] because the people that are

[3:15:37] here are the people to help.

[3:15:38] >> This is a people you should

[3:15:43] listen to Daniel Alexandra and

[3:15:43] I control Daniel I control

[3:15:44] right.

[3:15:48] Maybe Is there no Daniel

[3:15:49] Alexandra Next speakers are

[3:15:53] Jared Azaria, Jade Flower,

[3:15:53] Vanessa Ramirez.

[3:16:01] Allie Dressel Angel Martinez,

[3:16:02] Mackenzie Viola or Holder and

[3:16:02] Marie.

[3:16:06] These are guys Elizabeth and

[3:16:07] Cynthia some of the Yanis and

[3:16:07] Lindsay Segars.

[3:16:12] If you can all please come up

[3:16:12] to the yellow reserved seats

[3:16:17] dia Bassett, Nicole Hernandez

[3:16:18] Molina Martinez Is Daniel here

[3:16:18] now?

[3:16:28] Daniel Jared.

[3:16:29] >> Good afternoon.

[3:16:29] My name is Jared Guy Larry and

[3:16:34] I'm sorry and I would just like

[3:16:40] to say that today I'm coming as

[3:16:41] a citizen of District seven So

[3:16:46] high roll and I am also a

[3:16:47] representative of the San Diego

[3:16:48] Ballet which has been a

[3:16:52] nonprofit organization and an

[3:16:53] institution in San Diego for

[3:16:53] over 35 years.

[3:16:54] That's longer than I've been

[3:16:58] alive But I am honored to come

[3:16:59] after and before so many

[3:17:04] impassioned speakers today.

[3:17:05] And I want to remind you all

[3:17:06] just that each and every one of

[3:17:07] them will feel these budget

[3:17:10] cuts as much as I will.

[3:17:11] >> We offer free classes in

[3:17:16] some of our most underserved

[3:17:17] communities in City Heights and

[3:17:17] Sunny Figueroa and those are

[3:17:22] funded directly by grants from

[3:17:22] the city.

[3:17:23] So every performance, every

[3:17:28] class, every time that we every

[3:17:33] life that we touch with these

[3:17:33] arts will be affected including

[3:17:38] sometimes jail.

[3:17:39] >> Hello, my name is Chamber of

[3:17:44] Flor, resident of District two

[3:17:45] and born in our very own Balboa

[3:17:45] Park.

[3:17:45] I vehemently oppose

[3:17:50] the reduction of arts funding

[3:17:50] proposed in the budget a city

[3:17:51] community and society without

[3:17:55] sufficient support of arts and

[3:17:56] culture absolutely absolutely

[3:17:57] cannot and will not thrive if

[3:17:57] artists and culture bearers are

[3:18:01] not sustained then we will

[3:18:02] surely see a decline in every

[3:18:07] in and even disappearance of

[3:18:08] everything that makes our city

[3:18:08] wonderful by supporting

[3:18:09] the arts are ensuring that San

[3:18:13] Diego's and those who visit our

[3:18:14] fine city are able to live and

[3:18:15] to visit, Tolstoy says in order

[3:18:20] to correctly define art it is

[3:18:20] necessary for us first of all

[3:18:21] to cease to consider it as a

[3:18:25] means of pleasure and consider

[3:18:26] it as one of the conditions of

[3:18:26] human life.

[3:18:27] Without art we lose touch with

[3:18:31] our own humanity which will

[3:18:32] have catastrophic impacts on

[3:18:33] the health, safety and

[3:18:37] happiness of all the against

[3:18:38] point blank periods.

[3:18:44] >> But as the Ramirez Hello my

[3:18:50] name is with us Ramirez and I'm

[3:18:50] a local San Diego artist and

[3:18:51] born and raised in San Diego

[3:18:55] and I'm representing myself and

[3:18:56] I am really upset to find out

[3:18:56] about this.

[3:19:01] I found out about it recently

[3:19:02] and we cannot cut the arts.

[3:19:03] The arts is very, very

[3:19:08] important And like I remember

[3:19:08] going to school and like seeing

[3:19:13] arts being cut like over time

[3:19:14] and this would be very

[3:19:15] devastating because I've seen

[3:19:20] how art has been such an

[3:19:21] integral part of so many

[3:19:21] people's lives and myself

[3:19:26] included like I would not be

[3:19:26] here today if it wasn't for art

[3:19:27] And I know so many people

[3:19:32] though who don't feel similarly

[3:19:33] so this would be a huge, huge

[3:19:33] mistake.

[3:19:37] Please please reconsider.

[3:19:44] Thank you Ali Dressel Good

[3:19:45] afternoon Council members.

[3:19:45] My name is Ali Dreadful and I

[3:19:50] am the emerging founder and

[3:19:50] artistic director for

[3:19:51] Resiliency Immersive where our

[3:19:52] mission is to connect

[3:19:56] communities to resilience and

[3:19:57] sustainability through

[3:19:57] the arts.

[3:20:01] I'm here to strongly oppose

[3:20:02] the proposed $12 million cut to

[3:20:02] the arts and culture which

[3:20:03] nearly eliminates the funding

[3:20:08] for arts at all as you know.

[3:20:08] But much of our work is only

[3:20:14] made possible through grant

[3:20:14] funding and we are a tool for

[3:20:15] community and immersive

[3:20:20] engagement education, creative

[3:20:21] communications, storytelling

[3:20:21] and so much more.

[3:20:26] So we really do rely on this

[3:20:27] type of grant funding And

[3:20:27] according to the arts an

[3:20:32] economic prosperity report San

[3:20:33] Diego, a nonprofit and cultural

[3:20:33] arts sector generates over $1

[3:20:38] billion in economic activity

[3:20:39] and supports tens of thousands

[3:20:40] of jobs including my own Among

[3:20:45] all of the others that you have

[3:20:45] seen.

[3:20:45] >> Thank you.

[3:20:50] Thank you, Angel Martinez.

[3:20:51] Angel Martinez.

[3:20:51] Now if I can have McKenzie

[3:20:57] please come up to

[3:20:58] the microphone after that will

[3:20:58] be Anne Marie.

[3:21:03] Elizabeth Lindsey Dear Nicole

[3:21:04] Molina Nancy Wen Angela

[3:21:09] Mendoza, Jordan Coburn.

[3:21:09] Please proceed.

[3:21:10] I don't live in San Diego but

[3:21:14] in Diego because of the arts

[3:21:15] When my friends and I visit we

[3:21:16] spend money in San Diego.

[3:21:21] I know that there are a lot of

[3:21:22] people that live here because

[3:21:22] of the arts.

[3:21:23] I know other people have

[3:21:24] touched on that also you know

[3:21:27] brings money in.

[3:21:28] When you have a community, when

[3:21:29] you have these things available

[3:21:33] to the people for the tourists

[3:21:34] um I know the visits will drop

[3:21:39] if the arts are cut.

[3:21:39] If you're so worried about

[3:21:40] the money coming in nurture

[3:21:41] the people of San Diego nurture

[3:21:44] the arts, nurtured our culture

[3:21:45] ,their youth they pay

[3:21:45] the taxes.

[3:21:46] We're all telling you what's

[3:21:50] important to us And the world

[3:21:51] is really heavy right now and

[3:21:51] we have art.

[3:21:56] So please don't take that.

[3:21:57] Don't kill that McKenzie Oh,

[3:21:58] that was you.

[3:22:03] My apologies.

[3:22:04] I'm almost at the end.

[3:22:05] I had to celebrate Anne Marie

[3:22:07] and Marie.

[3:22:08] >> No.

[3:22:08] Anne Marie.

[3:22:14] Elisabeth Hello.

[3:22:15] >> I'm Elizabeth.

[3:22:18] Santa Yanis and I live in

[3:22:19] District two, a resident of San

[3:22:19] Diego.

[3:22:20] I do notice that unfortunately

[3:22:25] our council member is not

[3:22:25] present I believe Councilmember

[3:22:26] Campbell I attended a

[3:22:30] fundraiser event last night for

[3:22:34] Moxie Theater and learned about

[3:22:35] the $11.8 million in threatened

[3:22:36] cuts to the arts in the mayor's

[3:22:40] proposed budget.

[3:22:41] >> This would cause

[3:22:42] the elimination of most arts

[3:22:42] programs and jobs in San Diego

[3:22:47] and we will not stand for that.

[3:22:48] >> People young and old need

[3:22:49] access to the arts for their

[3:22:54] health and well-being

[3:22:54] especially in difficult times.

[3:22:55] >> Without the arts, our

[3:23:00] society would lose its soul.

[3:23:00] I'm proud to be here today

[3:23:06] along with so many others to

[3:23:06] fight for the arts in our

[3:23:07] communities, redistribute money

[3:23:12] in the proposed budget to

[3:23:12] support the arts and libraries.

[3:23:17] >> This is essential for

[3:23:18] the well-being of our youth and

[3:23:18] our community For that continue

[3:23:19] sometimes Lindsay Lindsay

[3:23:27] figures.

[3:23:27] Good evening.

[3:23:28] Thank you for your service and

[3:23:28] your time.

[3:23:29] My name is Lindsay Seegers.

[3:23:32] I serve as the executive

[3:23:33] Director of Voices of our City

[3:23:33] Choir.

[3:23:38] We are an arts nonprofit facing

[3:23:39] facing $86,000 in city grant

[3:23:44] cuts If this is passed, Voices

[3:23:45] brought much pride to our city

[3:23:46] of San Diego just a few years

[3:23:46] ago winning the golden buzzer

[3:23:50] on America's Got Talent.

[3:23:51] I reside in Councilmember

[3:23:52] Campos district and the council

[3:23:56] members Rivera and Whitburn We

[3:23:57] have continued to attend

[3:24:02] the concerts of our choir

[3:24:03] That's made up of people who

[3:24:04] are experiencing or at risk of

[3:24:08] experiencing homelessness And

[3:24:09] they don't just come because

[3:24:10] we're a nationally recognized

[3:24:14] music nonprofit they become

[3:24:15] become because we are

[3:24:15] nationally recognized for using

[3:24:16] music and arts as a social

[3:24:17] intervention in the crisis of

[3:24:21] homelessness.

[3:24:21] Mayor Gloria, our choir has

[3:24:22] opened for you so many times

[3:24:27] proudly one time three times in

[3:24:28] one week we joked that we are

[3:24:28] the mayor's house band So thank

[3:24:29] you for that.

[3:24:29] Thank you.

[3:24:37] Sentence The better the event

[3:24:44] And I hear Nicole Mendez Nicole

[3:24:45] you have time to you by having

[3:24:50] a Johnson or Xavier Johnson

[3:24:51] please raise your hand thank

[3:24:51] you that you clearly don't care

[3:24:52] about the problem when you get

[3:24:55] into the solution Art is

[3:24:56] the culture and the very

[3:24:56] infrastructure needed to

[3:24:57] maintain the very economy that

[3:24:58] you rightly claim to protect at

[3:25:02] the intersection of this are

[3:25:02] the people the people that are

[3:25:03] creating the very

[3:25:03] infrastructure that you're

[3:25:04] trying to destroy.

[3:25:05] My name is Nicole Hernandez and

[3:25:08] I was born in Central

[3:25:09] California and grew up on

[3:25:09] actually be part of Mexico.

[3:25:10] I'm an artist athlete and

[3:25:11] the founder and creative

[3:25:13] director of Nexus where we

[3:25:14] highlight music, dance and film

[3:25:14] hiding behind numbers and

[3:25:15] statistics and a very people

[3:25:16] are underpaid, overworked and

[3:25:20] exploited.

[3:25:20] You choose surveillance over

[3:25:21] drugs, extraction over

[3:25:22] transparency, pedophilia over

[3:25:22] protection, profits over people

[3:25:25] while duality can exist.

[3:25:26] But your ego, greed and pride

[3:25:27] keeps us in chains present

[3:25:27] the alternative, you MAY ask

[3:25:31] Invest in the people invest in

[3:25:32] uplift you That is the Future

[3:25:32] Fund.

[3:25:33] Marginalized founders like

[3:25:34] the black community has held up

[3:25:37] to the standard of excellence

[3:25:37] while also being the most

[3:25:38] overlook and the Chicano and

[3:25:38] Latino community that keep

[3:25:44] the deeply personal culture

[3:25:45] battle organized facing of

[3:25:46] gentrification.

[3:25:46] I'm turning to counterpart into

[3:25:48] a tourist attraction coupled

[3:25:49] with strategic corporate

[3:25:49] buyouts that push out

[3:25:50] the Latino community that built

[3:25:50] it.

[3:25:55] You can't continue to update

[3:25:56] the very systems that we build

[3:25:56] that sustain the great

[3:25:57] businesses that we created in

[3:25:57] the very communities that we

[3:25:58] have Keep the people want to

[3:26:00] know where every dollar is

[3:26:01] going and rightfully so as its

[3:26:02] use is unacceptable.

[3:26:02] We demand a transparent

[3:26:03] financial breakdown, make

[3:26:07] the numbers public, undergo an

[3:26:08] audit and that is not adding

[3:26:08] up.

[3:26:09] We ask why as a question why we

[3:26:09] dare to dream and why we show

[3:26:10] up.

[3:26:10] We ask you to learn, grow and

[3:26:11] open your mind and do your job

[3:26:15] or retire million Molina

[3:26:21] Martinez My name is Melina.

[3:26:22] >> I am a first generation

[3:26:27] student and resident here in

[3:26:28] San Diego.

[3:26:28] You claim to care about

[3:26:29] the youth and the interest of

[3:26:30] the people in San Diego.

[3:26:33] You are willing to read

[3:26:34] the educational, environmental

[3:26:35] and cultural funding that would

[3:26:35] promote and create equitable

[3:26:40] opportunities for future and

[3:26:40] current generation.

[3:26:41] I am a small voice in

[3:26:41] the Chicano community and I

[3:26:42] have seen my people

[3:26:45] continuously exploited,

[3:26:46] overworked, underpaid and

[3:26:46] underrepresented.

[3:26:47] We have built the physical,

[3:26:52] cultural and economic landscape

[3:26:53] the city is built on yet we are

[3:26:54] barely able to afford the basic

[3:26:58] resources needed to support our

[3:26:59] family and communities.

[3:26:59] You fund police systems that

[3:27:00] are built to oppress people of

[3:27:00] color.

[3:27:04] Your claim to not have

[3:27:04] the necessary funding to

[3:27:05] support the creative and

[3:27:06] artistic programs that give

[3:27:10] these people that outlet an

[3:27:11] environment to heal and rebuild

[3:27:11] from these brutality and

[3:27:12] inequalities.

[3:27:12] Why is it that we are forced to

[3:27:15] create alternative

[3:27:16] opportunities for a funding

[3:27:16] application?

[3:27:17] What we are focused on your

[3:27:18] survival We're barely able to

[3:27:22] afford rent, groceries and

[3:27:22] utilities give us what is

[3:27:23] rightfully ours power to

[3:27:28] the people to get to us but it

[3:27:29] ourselves.

[3:27:38] >> Nancy when Nancy when Nancy

[3:27:38] when and for those that have

[3:27:39] already spoken please be sure

[3:27:40] to return to your seat so that

[3:27:43] others MAY be coming up.

[3:27:44] No, Nancy.

[3:27:44] When Angela Mendoza Jordan

[3:27:50] Coburn, Alisha Donnelly.

[3:27:50] Brad Taylor.

[3:27:55] Caleb Dede Gilbert Rivera,

[3:27:56] Athena Castro, if you can all

[3:28:01] please come up to the front row

[3:28:01] as well as our Eartha

[3:28:07] Lakshmanan and Richard's

[3:28:08] the other Angela, are you here?

[3:28:12] Please come up to the podium

[3:28:13] now.

[3:28:13] Angela going once and

[3:28:19] delivering twice.

[3:28:19] Right.

[3:28:24] Jordan Jordan Coburn No.

[3:28:30] Jordan Coburn Leisha My name is

[3:28:36] Lisa Donnelly.

[3:28:37] I am a self-employed marketing

[3:28:37] and sales consultant.

[3:28:42] I've lived here 50 years in

[3:28:42] District five I have had no

[3:28:47] help from is Yvonne Wilford.

[3:28:48] I have had two cars impounded

[3:28:48] unjustly.

[3:28:52] One was impounded for three

[3:28:53] bogus tickets and was just

[3:28:58] auctioned off a late model car

[3:28:58] last week for $10,000.

[3:29:03] It was a $35,000 car.

[3:29:03] My second car was stolen and

[3:29:09] then it was re impounded into

[3:29:09] the San Diego impoundment.

[3:29:15] Now they've got it up.

[3:29:16] >> It is a $60,000 car and it's

[3:29:21] now going to be auctioned off

[3:29:21] on the 22nd of this month

[3:29:22] because I have no money to pay

[3:29:27] for this abomination Now I have

[3:29:27] had to rely on transit which is

[3:29:34] what was inaccurate for both

[3:29:34] the north and the South county.

[3:29:35] >> We pay over time and have

[3:29:39] concluded Brad Taylor Brad

[3:29:51] Taylor No Brad Taylor Caleb did

[3:29:51] .

[3:29:57] Caleb did Caleb They'd had

[3:29:58] several people stealing their

[3:29:58] time If they're still here and

[3:29:59] wish to speak please go to

[3:29:59] the microphone.

[3:30:03] Julia Hold Lee Tongue and Dale

[3:30:07] Fleming any of those

[3:30:18] individuals Gilberto Vera

[3:30:18] Student Council PRESIDENT

[3:30:24] Council members My name is

[3:30:25] Gilbert.

[3:30:25] I'm the director of the Housing

[3:30:26] Justice Collaborative and Legal

[3:30:30] Aid to say the San Diego Legal

[3:30:30] Aid is the granting of

[3:30:31] the eviction prevention program

[3:30:32] that provides free legal

[3:30:36] services education outreach,

[3:30:37] emergency rental assistance and

[3:30:38] case management to low income

[3:30:38] San Diegans.

[3:30:42] I know it's a difficult budget

[3:30:42] year and I appreciate

[3:30:43] the council and the mayor

[3:30:44] prioritizing homelessness

[3:30:44] prevention eviction prevention

[3:30:48] for the most effective and cost

[3:30:48] effective strategies we have.

[3:30:49] Keeping people in housing

[3:30:50] avoids the human and community

[3:30:50] impacts of displacement and

[3:30:54] help prevent homelessness

[3:30:55] before prevent homelessness

[3:30:55] before it starts.

[3:30:56] For example, a state audit of

[3:30:56] homes programs show that a

[3:31:00] chronically homeless person can

[3:31:01] cost up to $50,000 per year.

[3:31:05] In contrast, in fiscal year

[3:31:06] 2025 the mpp served over 1600

[3:31:10] households in San Diego

[3:31:11] averaging a one time cost of

[3:31:14] about 1800 per household of

[3:31:15] conservative fiscal year 2025.

[3:31:16] Almost 90% avoided homelessness

[3:31:17] with 80% remaining in their

[3:31:21] homes and almost a 10% finding

[3:31:21] new additional stable housing.

[3:31:22] >> Thank you for your time.

[3:31:22] Thank you.

[3:31:26] Athena Castro.

[3:31:27] >> Athena, you have time ceded

[3:31:32] to you by Luis Castro.

[3:31:32] Thank you very much.

[3:31:33] You'll have two minutes.

[3:31:38] Please proceed.

[3:31:38] >> Good afternoon.

[3:31:39] My name is Athena Castro and I

[3:31:40] am a high school student

[3:31:45] classical musician and cultural

[3:31:45] dancer.

[3:31:46] I'm here to speak on behalf of

[3:31:46] my community and students and

[3:31:47] the proposed budget cuts to

[3:31:51] the art funding and why this

[3:31:51] should be reconsidered.

[3:31:52] Back in middle school I fell

[3:31:52] unexpectedly in love with my

[3:31:53] instrument.

[3:31:57] This performing in a time in

[3:31:58] life where I needed it most.

[3:31:59] This love that I felt would

[3:31:59] then continue to grow and grow

[3:32:02] and try to find a life where

[3:32:03] every day is filled with music

[3:32:03] is a life I never want to

[3:32:04] experience again.

[3:32:08] This is not only good for

[3:32:09] myself but for many other

[3:32:09] children.

[3:32:10] How can we call ourselves

[3:32:10] the greatest city in America?

[3:32:14] If you view arts education as

[3:32:15] an extra or a luxury, it is a

[3:32:15] core part of our education

[3:32:19] system for what is a school

[3:32:20] without visual and performing

[3:32:20] arts.

[3:32:21] When our programs are

[3:32:22] accessible they provide

[3:32:22] students an important outlet

[3:32:25] for expression and

[3:32:25] communication.

[3:32:26] Moving or significantly

[3:32:27] reducing funds limits this

[3:32:27] funding limit These

[3:32:32] opportunities encourage

[3:32:32] inequity.

[3:32:32] Everybody in America

[3:32:33] backgrounder This is how we

[3:32:34] live and how we learn to love.

[3:32:38] I respectfully urge you to

[3:32:38] reconsider these cuts and work

[3:32:39] towards a balanced solution

[3:32:40] that preserves access to

[3:32:40] the arts program for students

[3:32:43] like me and for a future

[3:32:44] generations.

[3:32:44] Just because you MAY never get

[3:32:45] to see the impact it has on

[3:32:46] the lives of children does not

[3:32:49] mean you have the right to see

[3:32:50] it as expendable.

[3:32:50] I'm living proof that a city

[3:32:51] with artistic opportunities

[3:32:55] changes people for the better.

[3:32:56] >> Thank you for your time.

[3:32:56] Thank you.

[3:33:03] Rc Each minute after that is

[3:33:03] Richards the aba Phenix Win.

[3:33:08] Kofi Asante Collin Chimezie

[3:33:13] Sebastien Rubi Mona Je If you

[3:33:13] can all please come up to

[3:33:14] the yellow reserved seats

[3:33:14] Please proceed.

[3:33:20] Hello my name is Art Lakshman.

[3:33:20] I'm a local artist and small

[3:33:21] business order owner here in

[3:33:25] University Heights in San

[3:33:26] Diego.

[3:33:26] I had the immense privilege to

[3:33:31] live in my formative years in a

[3:33:32] place that was funded by

[3:33:32] the library and arts and art

[3:33:33] programs.

[3:33:34] I learned how to read for my

[3:33:37] peers and summer programs in

[3:33:38] public libraries.

[3:33:39] I learned how to manage

[3:33:39] emotions through music and

[3:33:40] painting.

[3:33:43] I learned public speaking

[3:33:44] through cultural programs.

[3:33:45] I taught music to children that

[3:33:49] were nonverbal and learned how

[3:33:49] to sing.

[3:33:50] I am not alone in my

[3:33:54] fundamental need for arts and

[3:33:55] culture here as well as all of

[3:33:56] these people here and you guys

[3:33:56] as well.

[3:34:01] I urge you to think about all

[3:34:02] of the programs that you are

[3:34:03] cutting luxardo ugly and

[3:34:07] slaughtering in the name of

[3:34:07] arts and culture.

[3:34:08] I was a software engineer for

[3:34:11] and worked in data analytics

[3:34:12] for eight years so believe me

[3:34:13] when I say that I know what

[3:34:13] goes into analyzing financial

[3:34:18] programs and choosing what

[3:34:18] success metrics to track And

[3:34:22] you can look at the data.

[3:34:23] >> Thank you.

[3:34:29] DR. Richard Silver.

[3:34:29] Richard Other a local 122.

[3:34:33] We are working to build

[3:34:34] momentum for initiatives that

[3:34:35] could bring significant

[3:34:35] economic return such as efforts

[3:34:36] led by my union to reestablish

[3:34:40] San Diego as a hub for motion

[3:34:41] picture production.

[3:34:41] A local film initiative will

[3:34:42] create jobs, attract outside

[3:34:46] investment and boost tourism

[3:34:46] benefits that ripple across

[3:34:47] the entire region.

[3:34:47] Cutting arts and culture

[3:34:52] funding now undermines all

[3:34:52] those opportunities before they

[3:34:53] even have a chance to take

[3:34:53] hold.

[3:34:54] It sends the wrong message at

[3:34:58] the wrong time signaling that

[3:34:59] society is not prepared to

[3:34:59] invest in sectors that generate

[3:35:00] both cultural value and

[3:35:03] economic growth.

[3:35:04] Maintaining funding for

[3:35:04] the business at the fiscal year

[3:35:05] 2026 levels is practical

[3:35:09] Overlooking Internet for like a

[3:35:09] decision.

[3:35:10] It protects our workforce,

[3:35:11] supports tourism and positions

[3:35:15] San Diego to compete for future

[3:35:15] opportunities rather than be

[3:35:16] passed over.

[3:35:16] We asked the city leaders to

[3:35:20] stand with the arts community,

[3:35:21] protect these vital investments

[3:35:22] and keep San Diego moving in

[3:35:22] the right direction.

[3:35:23] >> Thank you.

[3:35:25] Phenix Win.

[3:35:33] Phenix We I am an artist and

[3:35:34] math tutor and I'm here today

[3:35:34] because hard math isn't adding

[3:35:38] up straight from the city's

[3:35:38] open books.

[3:35:39] I made this chart just for you

[3:35:39] guys to see.

[3:35:42] While 11.8 million is stripped

[3:35:43] from our arts and programs and

[3:35:44] 3.5 million from our libraries,

[3:35:48] the police budget is magically

[3:35:49] increasing by $14 million.

[3:35:49] It's almost like his plan

[3:35:50] doesn't actually solve

[3:35:54] the deficit just moves money

[3:35:54] away from the people into

[3:35:55] the police state.

[3:35:56] I'm going to agree with you on

[3:35:56] something.

[3:35:57] We do need to make some hard

[3:35:57] cuts.

[3:36:00] So here's my suggestion.

[3:36:01] Math informed target

[3:36:02] the institution that eats up

[3:36:02] 14% of our city budget.

[3:36:07] Not the libraries.

[3:36:08] In order to only take up five

[3:36:09] and 1% of our city budget.

[3:36:09] I even have some crazy ideas I

[3:36:12] got today from MR. Monica that

[3:36:13] you can tell the police.

[3:36:13] Unfortunately we need to make

[3:36:14] some significant cuts to solve

[3:36:15] the budget crisis.

[3:36:18] These cuts will be difficult

[3:36:19] but necessary.

[3:36:19] >> These cuts will be

[3:36:20] the primary tool to solve

[3:36:21] the city's program.

[3:36:25] Cut the police not partizan or

[3:36:25] otherwise Add to a budget that

[3:36:26] Trump would be very happy for.

[3:36:27] Thuggery You are disgraceful in

[3:36:29] your mesa community and you're

[3:36:30] just one aapi community are

[3:36:30] disappointed and you are a

[3:36:31] traitor to the community.

[3:36:36] >> Coffee Coffee or.

[3:36:36] I can have the following

[3:36:37] individuals please come up to

[3:36:41] the microphone to the other

[3:36:41] reserved seats.

[3:36:42] Coffee Atlanta.

[3:36:42] No coffee Call.

[3:36:49] Colin.

[3:36:50] Hello, Council members.

[3:36:50] I hope you're listening to

[3:36:56] the people today because if you

[3:36:57] don't listen to the people

[3:36:57] the people will listen to

[3:36:58] themselves.

[3:37:01] We could have the friendly

[3:37:02] librarian, the gentle youth

[3:37:07] service worker, beautiful art

[3:37:08] But if all we have is

[3:37:08] the parking ticket,

[3:37:12] the surveillance camera lens

[3:37:13] tinted police window all we'll

[3:37:14] have to talk to is ourselves.

[3:37:19] We don't need to beg you for

[3:37:19] scraps.

[3:37:20] We have dignity.

[3:37:20] We need you to represent us.

[3:37:24] And if you can't do that, we

[3:37:25] don't need you.

[3:37:30] >> Sebastian Ruby.

[3:37:31] Good.

[3:37:38] My name Sebastian.

[3:37:39] Just really.

[3:37:39] I am an immigrant working in

[3:37:40] the theater and arts industry

[3:37:41] as a stage carpenter.

[3:37:41] We have Viotti Local 122

[3:37:42] resident of District three and

[3:37:43] I recently celebrated 13 years

[3:37:43] clean and sober.

[3:37:47] I also come from a long line of

[3:37:48] entertainment injury

[3:37:48] professionals.

[3:37:49] Cuts to arts parks in libraries

[3:37:50] don't just affect programs they

[3:37:53] affect people like me and

[3:37:54] everyone in this room.

[3:37:54] These spaces where recovery

[3:37:55] communities meet where creative

[3:37:59] creativity gives people purpose

[3:38:00] and where many of us find

[3:38:00] stability.

[3:38:01] Redirecting that funding toward

[3:38:04] policing privacy vision and

[3:38:05] anti homeless measures does not

[3:38:06] solve problems.

[3:38:06] It deepens them.

[3:38:07] It takes resources away from

[3:38:11] prevention and healing that

[3:38:12] your people desperately need.

[3:38:13] San Diego is a city built on

[3:38:17] immigrants culture and

[3:38:17] community.

[3:38:18] We should be investing in that,

[3:38:18] not tearing it down.

[3:38:19] You say your goal is to help

[3:38:24] your constituents improve

[3:38:24] standing overall.

[3:38:25] Prove it, Todd.

[3:38:26] If you want to help us like

[3:38:26] you're supposed to get out of

[3:38:35] the way, don't ag non ag.

[3:38:35] Good afternoon.

[3:38:41] I know I'm in your district.

[3:38:42] I grew up in San Diego.

[3:38:46] I've never been to a council

[3:38:47] hearing but this is promised to

[3:38:47] us and every citizen and it's

[3:38:48] exciting to be part of it.

[3:38:52] Although it is very demeaning

[3:38:53] and all the news that we've

[3:38:54] been saying of what our

[3:38:54] country's which direction is

[3:38:58] going which I'm sure you will

[3:38:59] think about a lot.

[3:38:59] As everyone's come outside

[3:39:04] today on their time off I'm not

[3:39:05] sure how they do it but we do

[3:39:09] it in a measure to say these

[3:39:10] concerns.

[3:39:11] I can't help but feel is trying

[3:39:16] to replicated in so many other

[3:39:17] parts of my life and going into

[3:39:17] university not just in the news

[3:39:21] all around us that we see our

[3:39:22] voices beyond just what seems

[3:39:22] to be the bare bones of

[3:39:27] infrastructure and of what we

[3:39:28] deem as innovation lacking so

[3:39:33] much of a tone of listening to

[3:39:34] the constituents even though

[3:39:34] I'm sure everything is

[3:39:39] overwhelming.

[3:39:40] >> Thank you.

[3:39:40] The following individuals

[3:39:41] please come up to the yellow

[3:39:41] reserved seats.

[3:39:42] These are our final speakers

[3:39:44] here in council chambers.

[3:39:45] Sheila Stanford.

[3:39:51] Sophia Blanco.

[3:39:52] Joanne Stanford.

[3:39:52] Hannah Park.

[3:39:53] Daniel Perez.

[3:39:56] Ramses El Hector Castro.

[3:39:57] Gabrielle Alabama.

[3:40:04] Sarah Large and Desiree Clark

[3:40:04] Miller If you can all please

[3:40:05] come up to the front.

[3:40:06] Shayla if you can please come

[3:40:09] up to the microphone.

[3:40:09] Hello.

[3:40:14] Working as a director at

[3:40:15] the nonprofit Heartbeat Music

[3:40:16] and Performing Arts Academy

[3:40:16] which Todd Gloria has

[3:40:17] recognized and supported in

[3:40:21] the past.

[3:40:21] I've seen firsthand how much

[3:40:22] the arts transform children's

[3:40:23] capability to learn and keep

[3:40:27] them from becoming victims of

[3:40:28] the system.

[3:40:28] Through the arts we have

[3:40:29] personally helped many at risk

[3:40:30] black and brown youth get full

[3:40:33] ride music and dance

[3:40:33] scholarships to major colleges.

[3:40:34] If you want to save money then

[3:40:39] divesting in the arts is

[3:40:40] extremely counterintuitive.

[3:40:40] The arts are the backbone of

[3:40:41] the community not an accessory.

[3:40:46] And it makes the city much more

[3:40:46] money than it costs as a major

[3:40:47] tourist destination.

[3:40:48] It's what draws in tourism

[3:40:48] dollars.

[3:40:51] It's who the local businesses

[3:40:52] partner with to increase their

[3:40:52] revenue.

[3:40:53] It helps print out workers

[3:40:57] refresh and keep going.

[3:40:58] As we've seen in the Great

[3:40:58] Depression, the film industry

[3:40:59] is one of the only industries

[3:41:03] that thrived.

[3:41:04] I personally experienced

[3:41:05] homelessness in high school and

[3:41:05] arts changed my life.

[3:41:09] I went to film school at usc.

[3:41:09] I ended up working at Warner

[3:41:10] Brothers and have been able to

[3:41:11] give back to my community and

[3:41:11] the local economy.

[3:41:13] Thank you for that continuing

[3:41:13] sentence.

[3:41:18] >> Sophia Blanco.

[3:41:20] >> Hi I'm a born and raised in

[3:41:26] Yagan District three I

[3:41:26] represent Art Cipher in San

[3:41:27] Diego Walkabout.

[3:41:28] Additionally I'm a local

[3:41:28] theater worker.

[3:41:30] I'm constantly problem solving

[3:41:31] my way out of tight budgets and

[3:41:32] solutions.

[3:41:32] How do we work together to

[3:41:36] solve this problem?

[3:41:37] I invite an important city to

[3:41:38] work with the arts community to

[3:41:39] find an alternative to a near

[3:41:43] elimination of the arts and

[3:41:43] culture budget.

[3:41:44] I remind you that the cuts are

[3:41:45] not an inevitable solution.

[3:41:48] There are proposed suggestion

[3:41:49] Please serve the communities

[3:41:50] you swore to represent.

[3:41:52] >> Thank you.

[3:42:00] Joanne Sanford My name is John

[3:42:00] Stanford and I'm an artist who

[3:42:01] works for regional and local

[3:42:05] theaters in San Diego And I'm

[3:42:06] here to oppose the budget cuts

[3:42:06] to arts and culture and

[3:42:07] additionally support libraries

[3:42:11] and parks and rec.

[3:42:12] I can't fathom how such a small

[3:42:13] portion of what the arts brings

[3:42:13] to you monetarily and

[3:42:18] culturally as a city is being

[3:42:18] cut.

[3:42:19] The arts bring in $275 million

[3:42:22] in taxes alone to you and

[3:42:23] the city and you are proposing

[3:42:24] not reinvesting just a small

[3:42:28] point 2% portion of that uc San

[3:42:29] Diego is defined by its arts

[3:42:34] culture and beaches are you

[3:42:35] really going to cut the funding

[3:42:35] to two thirds of what makes

[3:42:36] them illegal?

[3:42:40] The great community and city

[3:42:41] that is the arts are not some

[3:42:41] sideshow.

[3:42:42] They are the heart and soul of

[3:42:46] San Diego and the people in it.

[3:42:47] They provide real jobs and

[3:42:48] livelihoods to 170,000 people

[3:42:48] in the city.

[3:42:52] The arts are what attract

[3:42:53] tourism, bring money from

[3:42:54] outside the city arts save

[3:42:54] lives.

[3:42:57] They save my life that homeless

[3:42:58] personally many individuals who

[3:42:59] have said the same Thank you so

[3:42:59] much.

[3:43:00] >> Thank you.

[3:43:07] Hanna Park Hello.

[3:43:07] >> My name is Hannah Park.

[3:43:11] I'm a resident of San Diego

[3:43:12] District seven and a singer and

[3:43:12] performing artist.

[3:43:13] I'd like to call attention to

[3:43:16] the proposed cuts to the arts

[3:43:16] to the tune of $11.8 million

[3:43:17] under the section for special

[3:43:18] special promotional programs.

[3:43:18] The bulk of this money is

[3:43:23] allocated to local arts

[3:43:24] nonprofit organizations

[3:43:24] including performing ensembles

[3:43:25] like the ones I am a part of

[3:43:26] including the La Hoya Chorus,

[3:43:28] the San Diego Master Chorale

[3:43:29] and soccer performer.

[3:43:30] The proposed budget cuts

[3:43:30] present an enormous loss to

[3:43:33] local artists and performers

[3:43:34] without this funding.

[3:43:35] Many of these groups will face

[3:43:35] incredible struggles or simply

[3:43:36] cease to exist.

[3:43:40] This is a significant blow to

[3:43:41] the continuation of arts in San

[3:43:41] Diego and a detriment to

[3:43:42] the broader San Diego

[3:43:42] community.

[3:43:45] The arts make our city vibrant.

[3:43:46] It also presents a threat to

[3:43:47] local tourism and quality of

[3:43:47] life for our region that will

[3:43:52] negatively impact the revenue

[3:43:52] the city currently sees from

[3:43:53] these avenues.

[3:43:53] The city stands to lose much

[3:43:56] more than it will gain by

[3:43:57] putting this $11.8 million if

[3:43:58] the city intends to resolve its

[3:43:58] budget shortfall.

[3:44:02] Cutting funding for the arts is

[3:44:03] the wrong move.

[3:44:04] Cuts to the arts constitute a

[3:44:04] much larger impact on

[3:44:05] the initial loss in funding

[3:44:09] which is also a drop in

[3:44:10] the bucket compared to

[3:44:10] the projected $120 million

[3:44:11] shortfall.

[3:44:11] >> Thank you for that

[3:44:12] concluding sentence.

[3:44:14] I know the others.

[3:44:21] How's it going for 10 million

[3:44:22] budget for San Diego pd over

[3:44:22] time?

[3:44:22] >> This is confusing to me.

[3:44:26] These are hours that have not

[3:44:26] happened yet and we're cutting

[3:44:27] hours That could certainly

[3:44:32] happen if we invest in our

[3:44:33] theater and arts community.

[3:44:37] Buffalo Park is going from

[3:44:37] 900,000 to 0.

[3:44:38] We've added parking meters.

[3:44:39] Who's going to go?

[3:44:43] This is not smart.

[3:44:43] Support for special events is

[3:44:47] being restored from 2025 budget

[3:44:48] to 1.7 million.

[3:44:49] Again, what special events are

[3:44:49] we funding here?

[3:44:50] This doesn't make very much

[3:44:54] sense to me.

[3:44:55] Take it with a grain of salt.

[3:44:56] I work at a coffee shop and not

[3:44:56] an economist but this does not

[3:44:59] make much sense.

[3:45:00] This is not balance.

[3:45:01] Going from 100 to 0 is not safe

[3:45:01] behavior.

[3:45:02] You wouldn't climb a ladder

[3:45:02] like this.

[3:45:05] You want to go down from a

[3:45:06] ladder.

[3:45:06] It's not safe to hurt

[3:45:07] yourselves.

[3:45:07] These these institutions won't

[3:45:12] make it after this year.

[3:45:13] This is this is a slight injury

[3:45:13] to those other institutions but

[3:45:17] this is deadly to the ones that

[3:45:18] matter to us.

[3:45:19] >> They will not make it.

[3:45:19] Thank you.

[3:45:30] Ramsay's counsel.

[3:45:31] I'm sure you guys recognize me.

[3:45:32] For the past year I've been

[3:45:35] coming consulting with counsel

[3:45:35] to talk about the police budget

[3:45:36] and how last year especially

[3:45:37] especially after the murder of

[3:45:42] Wilson and another officer

[3:45:42] involved death that JANUARY

[3:45:43] last year you guys struck us in

[3:45:46] the face by increasing

[3:45:46] the police budget by 30

[3:45:47] million.

[3:45:47] And I would in the same exact

[3:45:48] slap in the face this year at

[3:45:49] the expense of the local

[3:45:53] community.

[3:45:54] We know that's what happened.

[3:45:54] We know that we're just moving

[3:45:55] money from one section of

[3:45:56] the account to the other and

[3:45:58] we're just supposed to take it.

[3:45:59] All I can do at this point is

[3:45:59] to say police have

[3:46:03] the opportunity to defend our

[3:46:04] community.

[3:46:04] When ice came and they chose to

[3:46:05] say that they could do nothing.

[3:46:06] So why should we continue to

[3:46:09] give them more money when they

[3:46:10] continue to do nothing?

[3:46:11] >> That's all I have to say.

[3:46:15] Hector Castro.

[3:46:22] Hector Castro.

[3:46:22] Hello.

[3:46:22] Wow.

[3:46:23] It's been a day today.

[3:46:24] I hope you guys are okay today

[3:46:24] too.

[3:46:29] But good afternoon, council

[3:46:29] members.

[3:46:30] And there My name is Hector.

[3:46:33] I'm a resident of District

[3:46:33] eight as well as a coordinator

[3:46:34] for the front article to

[3:46:35] the art gallery that is also in

[3:46:38] district eight.

[3:46:39] Mayor Todd Gloria I'm here for

[3:46:40] the same reason I was here last

[3:46:40] year.

[3:46:45] Are you cutting arts and

[3:46:45] culture?

[3:46:46] Have you seen a It's incredibly

[3:46:50] ugly not to mention terrible

[3:46:51] for the environment.

[3:46:51] I don't want you having another

[3:46:56] opportunity in the city.

[3:46:57] I'm a community coordinator for

[3:46:57] an art gallery in tiny studio

[3:47:00] one of only two art spaces that

[3:47:01] are within that little town.

[3:47:01] I help organize events and

[3:47:02] exhibitions for people of all

[3:47:06] ages.

[3:47:07] We provide art programs of all

[3:47:07] mediums but funding we lose an

[3:47:08] opportunity, provide a space

[3:47:11] for expression.

[3:47:12] We lose an opportunity to

[3:47:13] invite our families to take a

[3:47:13] break.

[3:47:14] It was an opportunity to

[3:47:18] inspire neighbors.

[3:47:19] >> All of this has been said

[3:47:19] today.

[3:47:20] Please consider the arts.

[3:47:20] Don't cut us off.

[3:47:25] Thanks.

[3:47:25] >> Thank you, Gabrielle.

[3:47:26] I own it Or Gabriel.

[3:47:26] All right.

[3:47:30] Gabrielle.

[3:47:30] Um.

[3:47:30] Hello.

[3:47:31] My name is Gabrielle Edwina.

[3:47:35] I'm representing District three

[3:47:36] and Teamsters for 81.

[3:47:37] I'm here today because I was

[3:47:42] moved to talk by all the people

[3:47:42] in this room and everyone that

[3:47:47] came before me specifically

[3:47:50] because one of the slides said

[3:47:51] Vision Zero and it reminded me

[3:47:52] something that I learned about

[3:47:56] in 2016 in Cambodia by

[3:47:57] the Khmer Rouge by Pol Pot.

[3:48:02] And this was an agrarian utopia

[3:48:02] .

[3:48:02] Eradicating all previous

[3:48:03] culture, education and modern

[3:48:07] technology resulted in

[3:48:08] the death of 1.5 to 3 million

[3:48:09] people.

[3:48:13] And I ask you is this a regime,

[3:48:14] a governing body that you want

[3:48:18] to mimic and copy?

[3:48:23] And I hope you can reflect on

[3:48:24] that question All power to

[3:48:27] the people.

[3:48:33] >> Sara in large.

[3:48:33] >> Good evening everybody.

[3:48:39] My name is Sarah Large.

[3:48:40] I am proud to live and work in

[3:48:40] District nine.

[3:48:41] I'm also the development

[3:48:45] manager at Moxie Theater.

[3:48:46] I hope you're all tired because

[3:48:46] we certainly are.

[3:48:50] Arts and culture not only heals

[3:48:51] and protects our communities

[3:48:52] mental, physical, social and

[3:48:55] economic well-being but it is

[3:48:56] one of the strongest avenues

[3:48:57] for the amplification of

[3:48:57] minority voices.

[3:49:02] Flashing the arts and culture

[3:49:03] budget is not just an attack on

[3:49:03] painters and dancers and actors

[3:49:08] and musicians but on people of

[3:49:12] color, on women, on the lgbtq

[3:49:13] plus community, on disabled

[3:49:13] persons and many other

[3:49:18] important members of our

[3:49:19] community.

[3:49:19] So please remain committed to

[3:49:24] all of your constituents not

[3:49:24] just the privileged ones.

[3:49:25] By restoring or even better

[3:49:30] increasing the funds allotted

[3:49:30] to arts and culture Arts is

[3:49:31] public health and public health

[3:49:35] is public safety.

[3:49:36] >> Surely we are worth at least

[3:49:36] 1% of your point.

[3:49:37] Thank you so much for that

[3:49:43] concluding comment.

[3:49:43] Desiree Clark Miller.

[3:49:44] Desiree, your final speaker

[3:49:45] here in council chambers.

[3:49:46] All right.

[3:49:46] We'll have somebody go and talk

[3:49:47] to you right now.

[3:49:48] We'll make sure to get you

[3:49:52] spoken.

[3:49:52] Okay.

[3:49:53] You'll be you'll be able to

[3:49:53] speak Mandarin.

[3:49:57] Please proceed.

[3:49:57] >> Good evening.

[3:49:58] My name is Desiree Clark Miller

[3:49:59] and I am the executive artistic

[3:50:02] director at Moxie Theater Moxie

[3:50:03] whose mission is to create more

[3:50:04] diverse and honest images of

[3:50:07] women plus for our culture.

[3:50:08] And we are the only

[3:50:13] professional theater dedicated

[3:50:14] to the voices of women plus

[3:50:15] that was able to survive covid.

[3:50:19] And we are entering into we are

[3:50:19] in our 21st season.

[3:50:23] Now I moved to San Diego in

[3:50:24] 2021 specifically because of

[3:50:24] the performing arts.

[3:50:28] I knew of two large theaters

[3:50:29] here.

[3:50:29] I'm sure you know what I'm

[3:50:30] talking about.

[3:50:33] But what I found here was a

[3:50:34] robust and lush and vibrant

[3:50:38] arts community filled with a

[3:50:39] variety of organizations.

[3:50:40] And I know I'm not alone in

[3:50:40] this.

[3:50:44] Artists move here because of

[3:50:45] the arts and we have a choice.

[3:50:50] It is not easy or cheap to live

[3:50:50] here.

[3:50:51] We don't need to be here but we

[3:50:54] choose to be here.

[3:50:55] >> So I strongly urge you to

[3:50:55] reconsider.

[3:51:00] Thank you.

[3:51:00] >> Coffee as I take it.

[3:51:05] Please go to the microphone.

[3:51:06] Good evening.

[3:51:06] My name is Coffee Asante

[3:51:10] Cinnamon Native local artists

[3:51:11] global activist.

[3:51:11] I have an organization here

[3:51:12] called Black Star Paula.

[3:51:12] We focus on providing

[3:51:15] opportunities for youth in

[3:51:16] aquatics and as a global

[3:51:16] activist for health and

[3:51:17] wellness and positive

[3:51:21] opportunities for the youth.

[3:51:21] I can really speak on how

[3:51:22] the youth are affected when we

[3:51:26] do not invest in their futures

[3:51:27] ,how it contributes to poverty

[3:51:27] and a terrible, terrible

[3:51:28] quality of life.

[3:51:31] I really wanted to urge the not

[3:51:32] use the funds to go towards

[3:51:33] creating more agents of

[3:51:33] authorities but using them to

[3:51:37] create ambassadors of freedom,

[3:51:37] justice, expression and

[3:51:38] wellness for everybody.

[3:51:39] I hope we can make a focus on

[3:51:42] not just keeping these life

[3:51:43] changing activities but also

[3:51:44] incorporating these life saving

[3:51:48] activities in the schools,

[3:51:49] beaches and the pools

[3:51:49] The future of the youth.

[3:51:50] San Diego was my home.

[3:51:51] I know the importance of coming

[3:51:53] back home Help your community

[3:51:54] and I hope you can all do

[3:51:54] the same.

[3:51:55] Thank you very much.

[3:51:56] Valerie, can you please go to

[3:52:00] the microphone?

[3:52:06] I'm Valerie Traina of District

[3:52:07] for the City of San Diego.

[3:52:11] Must not cut funding to our

[3:52:12] arts and music programs.

[3:52:16] Our libraries or any other

[3:52:17] cultural programs societies

[3:52:22] can't and won't thrive if they

[3:52:23] don't support their artists and

[3:52:23] musicians.

[3:52:27] Children cannot establish a

[3:52:27] vibrant, intelligent future.

[3:52:32] San Diego if their parents

[3:52:33] don't provide support for their

[3:52:37] spiritual expression the visual

[3:52:38] arts, music, dance and every

[3:52:42] other form of cultural

[3:52:43] expression must be fully

[3:52:43] supported.

[3:52:48] If city Council and Mayor

[3:52:48] Gloria are concerned about

[3:52:49] balancing the budget, they must

[3:52:53] cut funding to our police

[3:52:53] department.

[3:52:54] It's common sense that if

[3:52:58] residents have their basic

[3:52:59] needs met including their

[3:53:04] spiritual hungers they are far

[3:53:04] less likely to commit crimes.

[3:53:09] I thank you for that Concluding

[3:53:10] comment That does include

[3:53:11] public comment here in council

[3:53:13] chambers starting in the five

[3:53:13] minute time going to those

[3:53:14] participating online.

[3:53:15] We currently have 26 speakers

[3:53:19] in the queue.

[3:53:20] Guthrie Leonard, if you can

[3:53:20] please unmute the three.

[3:53:23] Leonard if you can please

[3:53:23] unmute.

[3:53:29] I can't Omeo for you I can't

[3:53:29] remove for you and we'll have

[3:53:30] to move on in the queue if you

[3:53:38] can and you just the original

[3:53:38] if you can.

[3:53:41] Kelsey.

[3:53:41] Kelsey Fine.

[3:53:47] Please unmute.

[3:53:47] Yes can.

[3:53:47] Yes.

[3:53:48] Please proceed.

[3:53:51] All right.

[3:53:52] Thank you so much for hearing

[3:53:52] me.

[3:53:53] First I am disappointed by

[3:53:54] the deceptive presentation of

[3:53:57] the slides shown earlier

[3:53:58] between the two slides for

[3:53:58] notable budget increases and

[3:53:59] decreases.

[3:54:02] Cpd was only listed on

[3:54:03] the budget decrease slide yet

[3:54:04] they get a net increase of 15

[3:54:07] million after accounting for

[3:54:08] the 5.6 million reduction on

[3:54:09] that budget decrease slide.

[3:54:09] Additionally the slide focusing

[3:54:13] on public safety stated neither

[3:54:14] that increase nor the total

[3:54:17] budget of 718 million to gloss

[3:54:17] over the cost of the cbd.

[3:54:22] It's an attempt to manipulate

[3:54:22] the public into thinking that

[3:54:23] there are no options for

[3:54:23] adjusting the budget.

[3:54:26] There clearly are distribute

[3:54:27] that 15 million to the programs

[3:54:28] that will crumble without city

[3:54:28] funding.

[3:54:29] Second, when discussing public

[3:54:32] safety we need a research based

[3:54:32] approach Studies dedicated to

[3:54:36] the impact of arts and cultural

[3:54:37] engagement on adolescents have

[3:54:38] found that children who

[3:54:38] participate in these programs

[3:54:42] are less likely to engage in

[3:54:42] criminal behaviors by cutting

[3:54:43] arts funding and the Office of

[3:54:44] Child and Youth access you're

[3:54:47] setting up our city and county

[3:54:47] for a future with higher crime

[3:54:48] rates.

[3:54:48] If you want a safer community,

[3:54:51] pay attention to research.

[3:54:52] Thank you.

[3:54:53] Next is the original Please

[3:54:56] unmute.

[3:55:02] Yeah wake up San Diego.

[3:55:03] Oh because you need a book club

[3:55:07] Things are going to get a lot

[3:55:07] worse.

[3:55:08] This is absolutely an abuse of

[3:55:13] the authority and the people on

[3:55:13] the ice and Todd are

[3:55:14] the drivers of the deficit as

[3:55:17] they sit here and shuffle money

[3:55:17] around.

[3:55:18] You guys need to really start

[3:55:19] paying attention to what they

[3:55:21] are doing because they have

[3:55:21] $6.4 billion of our money.

[3:55:26] They are going to be cutting

[3:55:27] after 98 stitches.

[3:55:31] How and when are they going to

[3:55:31] start cutting their salaries

[3:55:34] Because for the $118 million

[3:55:35] that you guys are shuffling

[3:55:35] around from here to there and

[3:55:39] you have to find from

[3:55:40] the people you guys need to be

[3:55:40] the ones that are showing that

[3:55:43] you actually care about

[3:55:44] the people because this is a

[3:55:45] slap in the face to all

[3:55:45] the people who work really hard

[3:55:49] and you throw away their money.

[3:55:50] So why don't you start saying

[3:55:51] well, you know, I want to show

[3:55:54] you guys that I'm loyal to you

[3:55:55] and that I do care.

[3:55:56] I'm going to take a cut in my

[3:55:56] pay.

[3:55:57] I thought you guys could all

[3:55:58] give up about $100,000 each and

[3:55:59] then we'll have some more money

[3:56:03] in the buckets to spend.

[3:56:04] >> Your time has concluded.

[3:56:07] Ashley if you can please unmute

[3:56:13] I Ashley purse I do see that

[3:56:14] you are unmuted but we did not

[3:56:15] hear you here in council

[3:56:17] chambers.

[3:56:18] >> I'm not sure of the device

[3:56:18] that you're speaking into MAY

[3:56:27] maybe muted Ashley are you able

[3:56:27] to hear me now?

[3:56:28] >> Yes please proceed.

[3:56:31] Okay sounds good.

[3:56:32] My name is Ashley and I'm a

[3:56:33] sixth generation San Diego and

[3:56:34] I'm current resident of

[3:56:37] District One and my family

[3:56:37] members are dancers,

[3:56:38] photographers, musicians,

[3:56:41] teachers all volunteers here in

[3:56:41] San Diego.

[3:56:42] They're painters, woodworkers

[3:56:45] And I've always prided myself

[3:56:46] on being a San Diego And

[3:56:47] because of the culture that we

[3:56:50] have here and that's you know,

[3:56:51] it's shaped by our arts and

[3:56:55] cultural institutions in San

[3:56:55] Diego.

[3:56:56] This budget doesn't really make

[3:57:00] sense.

[3:57:00] I mean ultimately it's still

[3:57:03] raising from what we've seen in

[3:57:04] 2026 we're also spending an

[3:57:08] extra from 2025 to 2027 We're

[3:57:08] spending an extra 5 million on

[3:57:12] golf courses alone.

[3:57:13] An extra 2 million is going to

[3:57:14] be raised for expenditures over

[3:57:17] in Mission Bay which doesn't

[3:57:18] necessarily make sense to me.

[3:57:22] I in my mind we should take

[3:57:22] money away from the golf

[3:57:23] courses and we should take some

[3:57:24] money away from the police

[3:57:27] force so that we can actually

[3:57:28] fund the things that makes

[3:57:31] the Diego San Diego Thank you

[3:57:32] John Stump If you can please

[3:57:36] unmute.

[3:57:37] Joan Stump Academy home for

[3:57:38] you.

[3:57:41] There you go.

[3:57:42] >> Hey there I go.

[3:57:45] Great presentation.

[3:57:46] Thank you for everybody today.

[3:57:50] First I want I'm very concerned

[3:57:50] about the liability fund.

[3:57:56] The city is looking at about a

[3:57:56] half billion dollars worth of

[3:58:00] liability from the 2024 floods.

[3:58:01] Have you put enough money in

[3:58:01] there?

[3:58:05] Second, you've got to stop

[3:58:09] the police fire and other

[3:58:09] departments.

[3:58:14] Over time scam firefighters are

[3:58:18] generally pulling down a half

[3:58:18] $1 million in compensation

[3:58:23] mainly because a double their

[3:58:23] pay in overtime.

[3:58:27] Third council officers need to

[3:58:32] volunteer yearly, reduce their

[3:58:35] staff staffing by 10%.

[3:58:36] The mayor also thank you very

[3:58:36] much.

[3:58:40] Good luck with this.

[3:58:41] And I support the arts.

[3:58:45] Thank you.

[3:58:46] >> Thank you.

[3:58:46] The five minute timer has

[3:58:47] concluded here in council

[3:58:49] chambers There were 25 people

[3:58:50] with their hands up At that

[3:58:50] point No additional speakers

[3:58:54] will be taken.

[3:58:54] You can always though continue

[3:58:55] to send an email City clerk at

[3:58:56] San diego.Gov and those will be

[3:58:59] distributed to the council.

[3:58:59] Tony Beverly if you can please

[3:59:03] unmute.

[3:59:04] >> Hi.

[3:59:04] Can you hear me?

[3:59:05] Yes.

[3:59:05] Please proceed.

[3:59:09] My name is Tony but I'm a

[3:59:09] resident of District nine.

[3:59:10] >> I saw the other day that

[3:59:13] Mayor Gloria on a television

[3:59:14] interview called out the Office

[3:59:15] of Child Abuse success as a

[3:59:18] regrets specifically having a

[3:59:18] quote not insignificant price

[3:59:19] tag unquote.

[3:59:23] I did some research on that.

[3:59:24] I saw that the O.C. Y's budget

[3:59:26] is less than 0.02% of the city

[3:59:29] budget less than $800,000 a

[3:59:30] year which I think is about in

[3:59:31] the order of the Bike Lanes

[3:59:32] project mentioned earlier as

[3:59:34] being a non onerous burden to

[3:59:34] scale this down.

[3:59:35] This is similar to me cutting

[3:59:40] toothpaste out of my annual

[3:59:40] personal budget in a short

[3:59:43] sighted attempt to save $15 a

[3:59:44] year with long term

[3:59:44] implications for my health.

[3:59:49] Let's stop the shortsighted

[3:59:49] Let's invest in the youth of

[3:59:50] San Diego and to the future and

[3:59:54] keep O.C. Y us.

[3:59:54] >> Thank you.

[3:59:55] Next is Becky Rapp.

[3:59:58] If you can please unmute.

[4:00:03] >> That evening council members

[4:00:04] my name is Becky Rapp and I too

[4:00:07] concerned about the number

[4:00:08] about the budget and the number

[4:00:09] of programs being cut that were

[4:00:13] only launched say a few years

[4:00:14] ago And in many cases they they

[4:00:17] really never fully got off

[4:00:17] the ground.

[4:00:18] For example, initiatives like

[4:00:19] the Office of Child and Youth

[4:00:22] Success which were introduced

[4:00:23] with promise but the public

[4:00:26] never really saw them reach

[4:00:27] their full implementation.

[4:00:28] So before eliminating these

[4:00:31] programs, the public deserves a

[4:00:32] clear cost analysis How much

[4:00:36] was spent on research

[4:00:37] development, staffing and

[4:00:37] planning and what outcomes if

[4:00:41] any were even achieved.

[4:00:42] Without that transparency it's

[4:00:43] difficult to understand whether

[4:00:46] these were failed investment

[4:00:47] myths, incomplete efforts or

[4:00:47] programs that simply needed

[4:00:51] more time to deliver results.

[4:00:52] So I urge this Council to

[4:00:55] prioritize accountability and

[4:00:56] clarity fully assessing past

[4:00:56] investments.

[4:01:00] Share those findings publicly

[4:01:01] and focus on strengthening and

[4:01:05] funding the programs we already

[4:01:06] have Time has concluded.

[4:01:06] My apologies Sasha please

[4:01:10] unmute.

[4:01:10] >> Hello.

[4:01:15] I'm a born and raised in a

[4:01:15] native.

[4:01:16] I friends and people from

[4:01:17] the other states deeply enjoy

[4:01:17] and appreciate the hours and

[4:01:20] days the rec centers are open.

[4:01:21] I on minimum use the city's rec

[4:01:21] centers twice a week.

[4:01:24] Those who regularly come and

[4:01:25] enjoy the open gyms alongside

[4:01:25] me complain to the lights turn

[4:01:26] off and employees bless them

[4:01:29] kick us out.

[4:01:29] We love it.

[4:01:30] Third spaces are becoming rare

[4:01:31] and we're in America.

[4:01:33] Third spaces are necessary to

[4:01:34] cultivate a culture of

[4:01:34] community and resiliency Which

[4:01:37] is exactly why I know you're

[4:01:38] targeting them.

[4:01:39] The de-funding of third spaces

[4:01:39] increases political

[4:01:42] polarization weaken democracy

[4:01:42] and social trust.

[4:01:43] Third spaces are not a luxury

[4:01:44] it's civic necessity.

[4:01:47] I know all you council members

[4:01:48] have already sided with block

[4:01:49] and police.

[4:01:49] These meetings are simply a

[4:01:52] courtesy and obligation for you

[4:01:52] all.

[4:01:53] Let it be known we the People

[4:01:54] are also here out of courtesy

[4:01:56] for the community to react

[4:01:57] proportionately to your

[4:01:57] decisions on these cuts.

[4:01:58] None of you will suppress

[4:01:59] the rage of the beautiful

[4:02:01] people San Diego.

[4:02:02] Shame on the fat of talking

[4:02:02] about maintaining decorum.

[4:02:03] I'm at the remainder of my

[4:02:03] time.

[4:02:07] You, Julia Child Childs, if you

[4:02:11] can please unmute.

[4:02:12] Julia Childs Loman.

[4:02:12] Yes.

[4:02:15] Good evening everyone.

[4:02:16] Thank you for your time.

[4:02:17] I echo the sentiments of many

[4:02:20] of the previous speakers

[4:02:20] opposing the elimination of

[4:02:21] the Office of Child and Youth

[4:02:21] Success.

[4:02:26] As a San Diego native and

[4:02:29] resident for over 40 years I

[4:02:29] have dedicated the past 30

[4:02:30] years of my life to advocating

[4:02:33] for our youngest citizens that

[4:02:34] depend on us to make decisions

[4:02:34] in their best interests.

[4:02:38] I'm here today to express my

[4:02:39] great disappointment and even

[4:02:39] considering and even

[4:02:43] considering the elimination of

[4:02:44] Oasis.

[4:02:44] San Diego finally declared

[4:02:48] itself a city where children

[4:02:49] and youth can thrive in 2022

[4:02:52] with their creation of

[4:02:53] the office in just four years.

[4:02:53] It was tucked away from

[4:02:54] the mayor's office to a shop in

[4:02:57] the library.

[4:02:58] The elimination of the office

[4:02:58] will invalidate many of our

[4:03:01] fears of the creation of S.F.

[4:03:02] Was a performative act, not a

[4:03:02] true commitment.

[4:03:06] Yes, you have a difficult task

[4:03:06] of task and budget for

[4:03:07] the present while ensuring

[4:03:08] infrastructure for the future.

[4:03:13] It is just recent past present

[4:03:14] and future in infrastructure

[4:03:17] Don't balance this budget on

[4:03:17] the back of our children has

[4:03:18] concluded.

[4:03:21] If you can please and you.

[4:03:22] >> Hello my name is.

[4:03:26] I'm an activist artist from

[4:03:26] District three and I'm here to

[4:03:27] oppose these budget cuts

[4:03:31] because when the government

[4:03:32] chooses to abandon us, art

[4:03:32] builds the community.

[4:03:36] And over the past three years

[4:03:36] San Diego has chosen to cut

[4:03:37] community services starting

[4:03:41] with library hours reduced 20

[4:03:41] million cut from housing

[4:03:45] shelter programs, frozen

[4:03:46] recently 58 jobs cut from

[4:03:46] the Housing Commission all

[4:03:50] while simultaneously increasing

[4:03:54] police funding from 49,000,000

[4:03:54] in 2024 to 600,000,000 in 2025

[4:03:58] and now 700,000,000 in 2026

[4:04:03] while also accepting 10 to $15

[4:04:04] million annual in federal uhs-I

[4:04:06] grants that require ice

[4:04:07] collaboration.

[4:04:08] And time and time again we've

[4:04:08] seen that the police have

[4:04:12] harmed and terrorized our

[4:04:12] community instead of providing

[4:04:13] protection.

[4:04:17] I propose that we that we cap

[4:04:18] police overtime by 10% over

[4:04:21] bass and allocate their access

[4:04:22] to the arts parks and library

[4:04:22] budget.

[4:04:23] The money exists You're just

[4:04:26] choosing it to spend it

[4:04:27] Different time has concluded.

[4:04:30] Yaron if you can please unmute

[4:04:31] .

[4:04:32] Hello my name is here and Clark

[4:04:36] and I live in North Park

[4:04:37] District three.

[4:04:37] I'm disappointed and angry to

[4:04:41] see that the city and council

[4:04:41] are addressing the budget

[4:04:42] deficit by targeting essential

[4:04:45] funding for youth and families

[4:04:46] and investing in social

[4:04:47] infrastructure like the Office

[4:04:50] of Child and Youth Success.

[4:04:51] Libraries and recreation

[4:04:52] programs is investing in public

[4:04:55] safety.

[4:04:56] Instead, the city is increasing

[4:04:59] funding for the police

[4:05:00] department and signed a $2

[4:05:01] million $2 million contract

[4:05:03] with Ubec which has already

[4:05:04] received massive public

[4:05:05] backlash due to privacy and

[4:05:05] surveillance concerns.

[4:05:08] This proposed budget is

[4:05:09] honestly shameful and I'm

[4:05:10] struggling to understand

[4:05:10] the long term goals of this

[4:05:14] Could and is shameful that our

[4:05:15] mayor Todd Gloria prioritizes

[4:05:15] private contracts and profit

[4:05:18] over protecting our youth.

[4:05:19] Sam Hugo's public and community

[4:05:20] spaces and the long term growth

[4:05:23] and development of San Diego.

[4:05:24] The public backlash on

[4:05:27] the public parking fee plan

[4:05:28] alone should have indicated how

[4:05:29] much our San Diego community

[4:05:30] respects and values public and

[4:05:31] social infrastructure.

[4:05:34] >> Thank you.

[4:05:40] The 19 Donuts 19 Please unmute

[4:05:44] Yes.

[4:05:45] Can you hear me?

[4:05:45] Yes.

[4:05:46] Please proceed.

[4:05:46] Okay.

[4:05:52] Hello Council Today you heard

[4:05:53] what community members meant to

[4:05:53] say.

[4:05:53] These are young people who

[4:05:55] understand the very simple But

[4:05:56] we want to show communities we

[4:05:57] must invest in our youth

[4:05:57] through our you drop in centers

[4:06:00] We've created spaces where

[4:06:00] people can find mentorships

[4:06:01] the ability and opportunity for

[4:06:02] programs like workforce

[4:06:04] development, job then our

[4:06:05] cookie culture and care program

[4:06:06] where youth in real life skills

[4:06:06] that prepare them for

[4:06:08] the workforce.

[4:06:09] Those work is rooted in our

[4:06:10] social development strategy

[4:06:10] selecting young people to

[4:06:13] culture identity in

[4:06:14] the community Because culture

[4:06:15] is not just something we

[4:06:15] celebrate it gives us

[4:06:18] structure, it gives the youth

[4:06:19] pride and builds their

[4:06:19] character.

[4:06:20] When people understand where

[4:06:21] they come from, they carry

[4:06:23] themselves differently.

[4:06:24] They develop responsibility,

[4:06:24] discipline and a strong work

[4:06:25] ethic that will guide them

[4:06:28] through life But that means

[4:06:29] that you struggle with having

[4:06:29] to find ways to keep a roof

[4:06:33] over their heads and with that

[4:06:34] they turn to mentors cultural

[4:06:34] barriers, youth programs and

[4:06:38] afterschool spaces to help

[4:06:39] raise the children Because we

[4:06:40] all know the saying that it

[4:06:40] takes a village to raise a

[4:06:41] child but when you get this

[4:06:43] funding for these programs when

[4:06:44] arts and culture are treated

[4:06:49] expendable and you challenge

[4:06:50] the promised resources, you're

[4:06:51] telling me you're not

[4:06:51] listening.

[4:06:51] Thank you.

[4:06:53] Your time has concluded.

[4:06:54] Katie Hallett If you can please

[4:06:54] unmute.

[4:06:54] Yes Can you hear me?

[4:06:57] Yes.

[4:06:58] Please proceed.

[4:06:58] All right.

[4:06:59] Hi, my name is Katie Hallett.

[4:07:00] I'm a born and raised Hispanic

[4:07:02] San Diego and in District two

[4:07:03] i'm concerned about proposed

[4:07:04] cuts to the arts, youth

[4:07:07] programs, Parks and Rec and

[4:07:08] libraries.

[4:07:08] These are areas that help us

[4:07:12] maintain human connection.

[4:07:13] At the last city council

[4:07:13] meeting I attended which

[4:07:17] happened to be on hold cos

[4:07:17] Remembrance Day.

[4:07:18] There was a shared recognition

[4:07:18] by the City Council of how

[4:07:22] important it is to stand

[4:07:22] against oppression and

[4:07:23] dehumanization.

[4:07:23] I'm asking you to consider how

[4:07:26] cutting support for these

[4:07:27] programs contradicts that

[4:07:27] message.

[4:07:30] Historically one of the first

[4:07:31] things to be committed to more

[4:07:31] authoritarian environments is

[4:07:34] creative expression and access

[4:07:35] to shared community spaces.

[4:07:39] They challenge isolation and

[4:07:40] keep culture alive.

[4:07:40] When we reduce funding for

[4:07:41] these especially for young

[4:07:42] people, we take away a safe,

[4:07:45] constructive outlet that build

[4:07:45] critical thinking, empathy and

[4:07:46] connection.

[4:07:46] If we're making tough budget

[4:07:49] decisions, I urge you to

[4:07:50] prioritize protecting these

[4:07:51] essential community services.

[4:07:54] These are spaces that keep

[4:07:55] people connected, supported and

[4:07:55] engaged.

[4:07:56] Please don't treat art as

[4:07:56] expendable.

[4:07:59] It's one of the strongest

[4:07:59] defenses a community has

[4:08:00] against fat.

[4:08:00] >> Your time has concluded.

[4:08:01] Thank you for that concluding

[4:08:02] comment.

[4:08:06] Corrina Pugh.

[4:08:07] Hello.

[4:08:07] Can you hear me?

[4:08:08] Yes.

[4:08:11] Please proceed.

[4:08:12] But evening council members My

[4:08:13] name is Corrina Pugh.

[4:08:13] My parents are she her And I'm

[4:08:16] speaking today on behalf of

[4:08:16] the San Diego lgbt Community

[4:08:17] Center.

[4:08:17] Today we are requesting a

[4:08:21] reallocation of $300,000 from

[4:08:22] the opioid settlement funds to

[4:08:22] sustain the center's substance

[4:08:26] use disorder treatment program

[4:08:27] that serves all folks with a

[4:08:27] focus on our lgbtq Plus

[4:08:28] community.

[4:08:31] Since its allocation last year

[4:08:32] over 200 clients have been

[4:08:35] served and over 600 sessions

[4:08:35] have been accessed by clients

[4:08:36] demonstrating a significant

[4:08:36] need for these services.

[4:08:40] We request this continued

[4:08:40] allocation to ensure that lgbtq

[4:08:41] affirming services remain

[4:08:44] funded and accessible to our

[4:08:45] entire San Diego community.

[4:08:46] Additionally, we request

[4:08:49] continued full funding to

[4:08:49] the arts and culture and

[4:08:50] culture industry represented by

[4:08:51] many of the folks in person in

[4:08:51] the room with you.

[4:08:55] Arts and culture are

[4:08:55] the backbone and soul of San

[4:08:56] Diego both economically as well

[4:08:56] as culturally.

[4:08:59] Thank you.

[4:09:00] >> Thank you.

[4:09:00] Next is Katherine Rhodes.

[4:09:04] If you can please unmute.

[4:09:04] >> Hello.

[4:09:09] This is Katherine Rhodes.

[4:09:09] And first thank you to Council

[4:09:10] PRESIDENT Joe McCarver for

[4:09:13] meeting with and we have like

[4:09:13] an eye on Friday.

[4:09:18] And what you did is you really

[4:09:19] gave us inspiration to rework

[4:09:22] our ballot language So we

[4:09:23] actually reworked it so that it

[4:09:27] requires a two thirds super

[4:09:28] majority and it's a directed

[4:09:31] tax And one of the percentage

[4:09:34] of direct tax which is 30

[4:09:34] million to about 45 million is

[4:09:39] for what we call penny for

[4:09:39] the arts bubble parks and

[4:09:40] libraries.

[4:09:44] This would actually solve your

[4:09:44] budget problem.

[4:09:45] And so what I'm requesting is

[4:09:49] for for your talk Gloria,

[4:09:53] the independent budget analysts

[4:09:58] ,the city attorney my council

[4:09:59] member Joe LaCava, the bike

[4:10:03] side of unions and all

[4:10:04] the different unions to sit

[4:10:09] with me so I could actually

[4:10:09] show our time has concluded.

[4:10:10] >> My apologies for number

[4:10:23] ending and 4065 is next 4065.

[4:10:24] >> You are on mute counsel.

[4:10:25] My name's Natalie.

[4:10:25] Can you hear me?

[4:10:25] Yes.

[4:10:27] Please proceed.

[4:10:31] Natalie I live in District

[4:10:31] seven.

[4:10:32] I represent every unhoused

[4:10:35] person in the city of San Diego

[4:10:36] .

[4:10:37] I am one of 400 San Diego

[4:10:40] households losing their voucher

[4:10:40] this fall.

[4:10:41] I'm not here tonight to ask you

[4:10:42] to fix hud.

[4:10:46] I'm here because no one in this

[4:10:46] chamber is saying to name.

[4:10:47] The federal government has

[4:10:51] promised ahp funding through

[4:10:51] 2030 and they're pulling that

[4:10:54] in AUGUST of 2026 four years

[4:10:54] early.

[4:10:55] That is not a surprise to me.

[4:10:59] It's a pattern that has not

[4:11:00] funded a single new public

[4:11:00] housing unit since

[4:11:03] the Faircloth amendment in

[4:11:03] 1998.

[4:11:04] Section eight waitlists in San

[4:11:04] Diego are closed.

[4:11:08] There's no federal funding does

[4:11:09] not exist.

[4:11:13] So when you vote to cut

[4:11:14] the detention or you are not

[4:11:15] solving a budget problem, you

[4:11:17] are completing a federal

[4:11:18] demolition project that started

[4:11:19] decades ago.

[4:11:23] You are the last level of

[4:11:24] government we have.

[4:11:24] That failure.

[4:11:25] Restore your good.

[4:11:25] Thank you.

[4:11:30] Next is Blaire Beekman.

[4:11:30] >> Hi there, Beekman.

[4:11:35] I heard a lot of public comment

[4:11:35] today People asking to see

[4:11:40] the budget and to get a sense

[4:11:40] of it to offer ideas in return.

[4:11:41] Good luck in such a process.

[4:11:44] I think that's a good

[4:11:45] conversation to have And if

[4:11:46] we're having those

[4:11:49] conversations openly as a full

[4:11:50] community process that's

[4:11:51] working, that's really working

[4:11:55] as a community so and local

[4:11:55] neighborhoods good luck in

[4:11:56] those sort of good efforts

[4:11:59] working together.

[4:11:59] The idea that I think the city

[4:12:00] of Oakland that also has a

[4:12:03] strong mayor by the way is

[4:12:04] the only other city that has a

[4:12:05] larger budget deficit in

[4:12:08] California for large cities

[4:12:09] compared to San Diego.

[4:12:13] They're working their budget So

[4:12:14] there is not these sort of

[4:12:15] austere measures being where

[4:12:18] they're serving their social

[4:12:18] services.

[4:12:19] How do we do that in San Diego?

[4:12:20] To mention our issues.

[4:12:23] You know, I've spoken to over

[4:12:24] year about how you can work

[4:12:28] surveillance and we can leave

[4:12:29] flock, find a new provider and

[4:12:29] at the same time reduce

[4:12:33] technology for cost savings

[4:12:34] massive costs in terms of

[4:12:35] concluded zoom user if you can

[4:12:40] please unmute.

[4:12:41] >> All right.

[4:12:41] Thanks for taking my call.

[4:12:42] I love it All the young guys

[4:12:45] getting fired up man.

[4:12:46] It's really great.

[4:12:46] And also you can also just

[4:12:50] raise them little finger and

[4:12:50] stand up.

[4:12:51] You don't have to obey

[4:12:51] the rules about waving your

[4:12:55] fingers up and down with

[4:12:55] the thumb.

[4:12:56] You can just go straight out

[4:12:59] middle finger.

[4:13:00] A lot of those guys are pretty

[4:13:00] angry men.

[4:13:04] And one thing about the city.

[4:13:04] Go to the Zoom and go to

[4:13:05] the meetings And then each

[4:13:08] council there's nine

[4:13:09] councilors.

[4:13:09] A lot of those council people

[4:13:13] don't know the rents they're

[4:13:13] collecting.

[4:13:14] The city is collecting rents.

[4:13:18] And a lot of them are past do

[4:13:18] their leases are outdated

[4:13:23] leases The city is giving away

[4:13:24] a lot of money free rent to

[4:13:28] guys at least from the city.

[4:13:29] So it's one way to get more

[4:13:29] money in your district.

[4:13:33] Go to your council and say

[4:13:34] where are the leases to the are

[4:13:35] our council.

[4:13:35] Let's go out and collect

[4:13:39] the rent for them and you guys

[4:13:39] can get the money for your

[4:13:40] programs.

[4:13:40] That'll be a good community

[4:13:41] thing to do.

[4:13:42] Thanks a lot.

[4:13:43] >> Good luck.

[4:13:45] San Diego County Bicycle.

[4:13:50] >> Please unmute.

[4:13:51] Good evening City Council.

[4:13:52] My name is Ian Embry and I am

[4:13:52] the advocacy manager for

[4:13:55] the San Diego County Bicycle

[4:13:55] Coalition.

[4:13:56] Our organization and many

[4:13:56] others in the Vision Zero

[4:14:00] Coalition are calling on you to

[4:14:01] reinstate funding for

[4:14:01] the multimodal team and the f y

[4:14:02] 27 budget.

[4:14:05] This team does many things.

[4:14:06] They design and implement

[4:14:06] roadway improvements to make

[4:14:07] our streets safer.

[4:14:07] They increase access to

[4:14:10] affordable housing by doing

[4:14:11] bike and ped scope for state

[4:14:11] agency projects.

[4:14:15] And they help us get millions

[4:14:15] of dollars in grants to make

[4:14:16] our streets safer.

[4:14:17] This draft budget shows that

[4:14:17] the mayor's office does not

[4:14:20] have a long term vision for

[4:14:20] the city.

[4:14:21] While our planning and

[4:14:22] transportation departments work

[4:14:24] on updating community plans and

[4:14:25] the bike master plan, they're

[4:14:26] proposing to sabotage

[4:14:26] the future mobility

[4:14:29] improvements outlined in those

[4:14:29] plans.

[4:14:30] But your Education Department's

[4:14:31] budget is increasing due to

[4:14:31] federal and state formula

[4:14:34] funding.

[4:14:35] You increased transportation

[4:14:35] funding to keep the multi-modal

[4:14:36] team.

[4:14:38] Previously this council

[4:14:39] recognized that state that

[4:14:40] safety should be the number one

[4:14:41] transportation transportation

[4:14:43] related priority.

[4:14:44] Please keep it moving forward

[4:14:45] in our traffic safety and

[4:14:45] climate goals and keep

[4:14:46] the multi-modal team.

[4:14:48] Thank you.

[4:14:49] Thank you.

[4:14:49] Next is Francine Maxwell.

[4:14:58] If you can please unmute.

[4:14:59] >> Sorry.

[4:14:59] Francine Maxwell Southeastern

[4:15:00] San Diego resident.

[4:15:03] I think there's plenty of

[4:15:04] opportunities within the budget

[4:15:04] that the community needs to

[4:15:05] see.

[4:15:07] They need to see that the park

[4:15:08] and Rec health is the second

[4:15:09] biggest budget.

[4:15:09] They need to see the budget

[4:15:12] members that have been out and

[4:15:13] maybe they didn't have an

[4:15:13] opportunity to see the budget

[4:15:14] members.

[4:15:17] So those need to be brought

[4:15:17] out.

[4:15:18] People need to be reminded that

[4:15:18] the independent budget analyst

[4:15:22] is just that he cannot show

[4:15:23] emotion because he's

[4:15:23] independent.

[4:15:27] And so people again have to be

[4:15:28] reminded of what decorum looks

[4:15:28] like.

[4:15:32] Civic engagement is wonderful

[4:15:33] and we know that children are

[4:15:33] our future and we want to make

[4:15:36] sure that they feel safe And if

[4:15:37] they feel safe in art and they

[4:15:38] feel safe at the library, then

[4:15:39] we need to do everything we

[4:15:42] have to do to make sure that

[4:15:42] our children who are the future

[4:15:46] do feel safe.

[4:15:46] Again, we know and

[4:15:47] the community needs to be

[4:15:51] educated that the council

[4:15:51] worked alongside the mayor more

[4:15:52] than they have in the past.

[4:15:56] And so this is not a surprise.

[4:15:56] So no performative activities

[4:15:57] anymore.

[4:16:01] Let's get down to work and

[4:16:01] let's get this ballot.

[4:16:02] >> Your time has concluded

[4:16:02] John.

[4:16:05] If you can please unmute.

[4:16:09] John I can't unmute for you.

[4:16:10] I will need to move on to

[4:16:11] the next caller.

[4:16:11] There you go.

[4:16:16] Thank you, John.

[4:16:19] John Brady Libertarian Advisors

[4:16:19] .

[4:16:20] I have an echo in my

[4:16:20] headphones.

[4:16:24] Sorry about that.

[4:16:24] Can you come back later?

[4:16:25] We don't connect.

[4:16:28] Go here.

[4:16:29] >> Please proceed.

[4:16:29] All right.

[4:16:30] Thank you.

[4:16:33] The two things that are really

[4:16:33] largely responsible for my

[4:16:38] recovery from homelessness

[4:16:39] the new Good Day Center and

[4:16:40] the voices and voices of our

[4:16:43] city choir is being canceled in

[4:16:43] this budget.

[4:16:47] I urge you to look at other

[4:16:48] solutions for those who voted

[4:16:52] against an increase in sales

[4:16:53] tax.

[4:16:54] This is what happens when we

[4:16:58] underfund government.

[4:16:58] Thank you.

[4:17:01] Next is Sally Swan.

[4:17:05] >> If you can please unmute

[4:17:10] Sally you are unmuted but we do

[4:17:11] not hear you here in council

[4:17:11] chambers.

[4:17:12] Not sure if the device you're

[4:17:15] speaking into MAY be muted.

[4:17:19] >> Sally I will need to move on

[4:17:24] to the next caller.

[4:17:25] You're definitely still sending

[4:17:29] comments City clerk at San

[4:17:30] diego.Gov and those will be

[4:17:31] emailed out.

[4:17:34] >> Amari Rather's Can you hear

[4:17:34] me?

[4:17:38] Yes Please proceed.

[4:17:39] >> Hi, my name is Amari

[4:17:40] Mathers.

[4:17:43] I'm a resident in District

[4:17:43] four.

[4:17:44] I also work in District four.

[4:17:48] I am a performing arts

[4:17:49] specialist at Heartbeat Music

[4:17:50] and Performing Arts Academy.

[4:17:54] I serve the students of

[4:17:54] Encanto.

[4:17:55] I serve the preschoolers of

[4:17:58] Encanto students who are black

[4:17:59] and brown students that look

[4:17:59] just like me.

[4:18:00] And I see you as someone who as

[4:18:03] a black young woman, someone

[4:18:03] who is an artist too.

[4:18:07] Please see things from my

[4:18:07] perspective.

[4:18:08] I come from various communities

[4:18:11] I've been in various states

[4:18:12] where I've seen underfunding in

[4:18:16] arts programs and I've seen in

[4:18:17] how it's left the youth without

[4:18:21] the needs that they need It to

[4:18:21] be met.

[4:18:22] I've seen people go into so

[4:18:23] many different things that were

[4:18:26] destructive to themselves but

[4:18:26] also to the city.

[4:18:27] If you want to think about how

[4:18:31] we can help the city, how about

[4:18:32] think about investing in arts

[4:18:33] and maybe we will need as much

[4:18:36] money in the police department.

[4:18:37] >> Thank you.

[4:18:37] Thank you Tony.

[4:18:40] If you can please unmute low

[4:18:45] city council Can you hear me?

[4:18:46] >> Yes.

[4:18:46] Please proceed.

[4:18:50] Hey how's it going?

[4:18:51] My name is Anthony Ralphs.

[4:18:51] I'm the vice chair of

[4:18:52] the Boulevard Planning Group.

[4:18:53] I'm a musician.

[4:18:54] I'm an actor.

[4:18:55] I'm an all vinyl deejay.

[4:18:56] I'm an event producer and I

[4:18:56] don't want to see any of these

[4:19:00] arts budgets cut.

[4:19:01] i want to see block.

[4:19:01] I want to see as deep these

[4:19:02] budget cuts.

[4:19:04] And I want to ask this city

[4:19:05] council why do you serve as

[4:19:06] deep over your constituents,

[4:19:10] your constituent are asking you

[4:19:10] they're demanding from you.

[4:19:11] They're begging you to cut as

[4:19:14] deep these funding They have a

[4:19:14] way overbloated budget.

[4:19:15] They're abusing their

[4:19:15] constituents.

[4:19:19] They're harming people on our

[4:19:20] streets and they don't do

[4:19:20] anything When we call them to

[4:19:21] report incidents they tell us

[4:19:24] it's a civic issue.

[4:19:25] You have to handle it in court.

[4:19:25] Well, guess what?

[4:19:26] We shouldn't have a pay to play

[4:19:29] judicial system where we have

[4:19:29] to afford justice in this

[4:19:29] country.

[4:19:30] Y'all should not be giving them

[4:19:33] any more ammunition to use

[4:19:34] against our communities.

[4:19:34] Do what's right.

[4:19:38] Do what you're constituents are

[4:19:38] asking.

[4:19:39] Stop making me be the 200 angry

[4:19:43] person that's calling in

[4:19:43] demanding that you don't cut

[4:19:44] the programs that are

[4:19:47] essentially keeping crime from

[4:19:48] being on our streets.

[4:19:49] >> Your time has concluded.

[4:19:50] Kathleen Lippert, If you can

[4:19:55] please unmute Kathleen Lippert

[4:20:00] I can unmute for you.

[4:20:01] >> I will.

[4:20:01] Very good.

[4:20:02] Thank you again.

[4:20:02] Thank you.

[4:20:04] You've heard a lot today about

[4:20:05] how art is essential to

[4:20:09] humanity and so it is but so is

[4:20:10] Open Space Park safe and clean

[4:20:10] streets where the public can

[4:20:13] walk.

[4:20:14] The public has been influenced

[4:20:18] to bring police and immigration

[4:20:19] from many of the problems

[4:20:20] created that are divisive

[4:20:24] ideological narratives.

[4:20:24] But just as calls to defund

[4:20:25] the police cause unintended

[4:20:29] increase in crime, reduce

[4:20:29] police presence and lower

[4:20:34] officer morale and lead to

[4:20:35] resignations and recruitment

[4:20:38] challenges and cost the city

[4:20:39] more money to hire more police.

[4:20:43] Cities have cities that have

[4:20:44] cut police budgets such as

[4:20:44] Portland, New York City and

[4:20:48] Oakland saw a sharp increases

[4:20:49] in shootings, carjackings and

[4:20:52] overall violence, increased

[4:20:53] risk to safety and other

[4:20:54] unintended consequences.

[4:20:58] So do calls to defund it.

[4:21:02] And yes, they should start with

[4:21:02] the most most dangerous people

[4:21:03] which they had said they would

[4:21:03] do.

[4:21:05] Time has concluded.

[4:21:06] >> Nancy, if you can please

[4:21:10] unmute.

[4:21:11] Nancy, you are unmuted but we

[4:21:15] do not hear you're here in

[4:21:16] council chambers.

[4:21:16] Not sure if the device you're

[4:21:20] speaking into MAY be muted.

[4:21:20] We will have to move on to

[4:21:25] the next very quickly here.

[4:21:25] Yes.

[4:21:25] Please proceed.

[4:21:26] Okay.

[4:21:26] Thank you.

[4:21:27] Sorry about that.

[4:21:30] My name is Nancy Rella Florida.

[4:21:33] I'm a resident of District

[4:21:33] three Regular San Diegans are

[4:21:34] dealing with the same budget

[4:21:38] crisis as the city and

[4:21:39] the mayor has proposed a budget

[4:21:39] that will directly cut

[4:21:43] everyone's resources and safety

[4:21:44] and cause harm especially for

[4:21:47] those that are already

[4:21:48] struggling the most.

[4:21:49] Third spaces like libraries,

[4:21:52] parks, arts, youth services and

[4:21:53] gathering places are essential

[4:21:54] to real public safety and

[4:21:58] health and they are already

[4:21:58] experts at making every dollar

[4:22:02] count.

[4:22:03] The city should talk more with

[4:22:07] them about how that works.

[4:22:07] The police are costing the city

[4:22:08] money and credibility and we

[4:22:12] don't see their budget being

[4:22:12] scrutinized for any cuts let

[4:22:16] alone painful necessary ones

[4:22:17] that would share the burden

[4:22:18] more across departments Please

[4:22:22] get rid of Floc Take this

[4:22:23] opportunity and save $2

[4:22:23] million.

[4:22:27] Surveillance is not an

[4:22:27] essential service.

[4:22:28] What's the difference?

[4:22:29] Your time has concluded Nicole

[4:22:35] if you can please unmute.

[4:22:36] >> Good afternoon to

[4:22:40] the Council.

[4:22:40] Thank you for taking the time

[4:22:41] to listen to all our voices

[4:22:44] especially all those that are

[4:22:45] at council And thank you all

[4:22:45] for being there.

[4:22:46] Those voices are loud and clear

[4:22:49] and it is true We must invest

[4:22:50] in our youth with our safe

[4:22:54] parks, libraries, rec center,

[4:22:55] the programs that serves them

[4:22:55] the Choice Creek Park, the Park

[4:22:59] and of course safe streets To

[4:23:00] move around through the city is

[4:23:03] an efficient and sustainable

[4:23:03] way to move.

[4:23:04] For years you know I've been

[4:23:05] riding my bike for

[4:23:08] transportation advocating for

[4:23:09] safe streets So it's tremendous

[4:23:09] that we see a multi-modal team

[4:23:13] that's actually creating these

[4:23:14] places for our youth to be

[4:23:17] healthy and get around and get

[4:23:18] to their programs and these

[4:23:19] services and these parks and

[4:23:19] these libraries.

[4:23:22] That's what our city is about

[4:23:23] is making it a livable city for

[4:23:24] all of them.

[4:23:27] >> So we ask you to keep that

[4:23:27] transportation budget that

[4:23:32] multimodal team can be funded

[4:23:32] through the transportation

[4:23:33] budget and it hasn't It does

[4:23:34] not have to come anywhere else.

[4:23:36] So please.

[4:23:37] >> Safe streets for everyone.

[4:23:38] Thank you all.

[4:23:38] Thank you.

[4:23:42] Next is Britney.

[4:23:43] >> Britney, anyone else please

[4:23:43] unmute.

[4:23:47] I Can you hear me?

[4:23:47] >> Yes.

[4:23:47] Please proceed.

[4:23:48] Thank you.

[4:23:52] I would like I'm a resident of

[4:23:52] District seven and I would like

[4:23:55] to oppose the severe budget

[4:23:56] cuts that were announced in

[4:23:57] the mayor's proposed budget

[4:23:57] That includes the Office of

[4:24:01] Child Abuse Success.

[4:24:01] As someone who works in social

[4:24:02] services and directly with

[4:24:05] youth that would be impacted by

[4:24:06] these cuts, I urge Council to

[4:24:06] show your support by taking

[4:24:10] action and opposing this

[4:24:11] budget.

[4:24:11] >> Thank you.

[4:24:12] Thank you.

[4:24:14] Next is Madison and then our

[4:24:19] final speaker is Anthony Avalos

[4:24:20] .

[4:24:20] >> Hi.

[4:24:21] Thank you for listening to

[4:24:21] everybody today.

[4:24:25] I would also urge you to

[4:24:25] prioritize funding for The O.C.

[4:24:29] Us and for youth substance use

[4:24:29] prevention.

[4:24:30] Thriving for children and youth

[4:24:34] includes preventing exposure

[4:24:34] and access to harmful

[4:24:35] substances.

[4:24:35] We know that the earlier young

[4:24:39] people are exposed to drugs and

[4:24:40] alcohol the greater the risk

[4:24:40] for long term challenges

[4:24:44] impacting their mental health,

[4:24:44] academic success and future

[4:24:45] opportunities.

[4:24:48] When we invest in prevention

[4:24:49] we're investing upstream.

[4:24:50] We reduce the need for more

[4:24:53] costly interventions later like

[4:24:54] emergency services, treatment

[4:24:58] programs and involvement with

[4:24:59] the justice system.

[4:25:00] It's not only the compassionate

[4:25:03] approach it's also the fiscally

[4:25:04] responsible one.

[4:25:05] If we want a safer, healthier

[4:25:08] San Diego this is where it

[4:25:09] starts with our kids.

[4:25:10] And so as a mother of three

[4:25:13] young children, I encourage you

[4:25:14] to ensure that youth prevention

[4:25:14] is a meaningful part of this

[4:25:15] project.

[4:25:15] Thank you.

[4:25:17] Thank you.

[4:25:18] >> Anthony Avalos if you can

[4:25:22] please unmute.

[4:25:23] Good afternoon.

[4:25:23] Council members Anthony Avalos,

[4:25:27] their district.

[4:25:30] We are told San Diego faces a

[4:25:31] $118 million deficit and that

[4:25:31] difficult choices must be made.

[4:25:35] But this budget shows those

[4:25:36] choices are in no way

[4:25:36] equitable.

[4:25:39] It allocates over 700 million

[4:25:40] to the police department while

[4:25:44] cutting library recreation

[4:25:45] access.

[4:25:45] Arts funding.

[4:25:50] Those are not extras.

[4:25:50] They're core to public safety.

[4:25:51] So we have to ask what is

[4:25:52] safety?

[4:25:54] Is it only enforcement after

[4:25:55] harm occurs?

[4:25:55] Or is it the programs that

[4:25:59] prevent harm in the first

[4:25:59] place?

[4:26:00] Now right now this budget

[4:26:03] treats prevention as optional

[4:26:03] and policing is untouchable.

[4:26:04] Even a small shift in police

[4:26:08] funding could close the deficit

[4:26:09] without cutting a single

[4:26:12] program that stabilizes our

[4:26:13] communities.

[4:26:14] This is not a deficit problem.

[4:26:14] It's a priorities problem.

[4:26:18] I urge this Council to stop

[4:26:19] balancing the budget on

[4:26:19] community programs and begin a

[4:26:23] real reallocation from systems

[4:26:24] that respond to harm to those

[4:26:24] that prevent it.

[4:26:28] Thank you Your time has

[4:26:29] concluded.

[4:26:29] For those that continue to

[4:26:30] raise their hands the five

[4:26:31] minute timer I had concluded a

[4:26:33] while ago and we did make note

[4:26:34] of that So no additional

[4:26:34] speakers were taken than those

[4:26:35] that had their hands raised.

[4:26:39] You can definitely still submit

[4:26:39] comments The city clerk at San

[4:26:40] diego.Gov and those will be

[4:26:40] distributed.

[4:26:43] Also to note this item did

[4:26:44] receive two comments in favor

[4:26:45] and 270 comments in opposition

[4:26:48] b or e comment form which have

[4:26:49] been distributed to the Council

[4:26:49] and we did receive 14 speaker

[4:26:53] slips in opposition that did

[4:26:53] not wish to speak.

[4:26:54] Thank you Council PRESIDENT.

[4:26:54] All right.

[4:26:54] Thank you.

[4:26:57] City Clerk for that.

[4:26:58] And as I traditionally do,

[4:26:59] let's take a moment and thank

[4:27:01] our city clerk and her entire

[4:27:06] team for managing.

[4:27:11] I think we had a good three

[4:27:11] hours of public testimony so

[4:27:15] All right with that.

[4:27:16] This was this is an

[4:27:17] informational item.

[4:27:21] No motion is required.

[4:27:21] We'll turn it over to my

[4:27:22] colleagues on the council for

[4:27:23] any questions and comments.

[4:27:26] We'll start with the chair of

[4:27:26] the council's budget committee.

[4:27:30] Council member Foster.

[4:27:30] Yes.

[4:27:30] Thank you.

[4:27:35] Council PRESIDENT And I will

[4:27:36] try my best to make it to my

[4:27:40] comments as quickly as I can.

[4:27:41] I also would like to just take

[4:27:41] a quick moment to thank

[4:27:45] the mayor, the aba and staff

[4:27:46] for their presentation of this

[4:27:50] proposed f y 2027 budget.

[4:27:54] First I want to start by

[4:27:55] acknowledging the serious

[4:27:56] fiscal challenges facing our

[4:27:59] city.

[4:28:00] A $120 million deficit is

[4:28:03] serious.

[4:28:04] And correction does directly

[4:28:08] impacts services and jobs.

[4:28:09] Essentially it impacts

[4:28:13] the quality of life of families

[4:28:14] and our young people citywide.

[4:28:18] As we all move forward and look

[4:28:19] at holding this city

[4:28:19] accountable, let's make sure

[4:28:23] that we also acknowledge

[4:28:23] the decisions of past

[4:28:24] administrations and councils as

[4:28:28] this structural deficit was not

[4:28:29] created yesterday.

[4:28:30] There seems to be a lot of

[4:28:33] misinformation out there by

[4:28:38] these so-called past leaders.

[4:28:38] It is a result of years of

[4:28:39] unfortunate decisions by those

[4:28:43] in power and prioritizing what

[4:28:47] I will term as their friends.

[4:28:48] Yes, this budget cycle does

[4:28:52] demand tough decisions but even

[4:28:53] in a deficit we must not lose

[4:28:57] our moral compass.

[4:29:00] The proposed budget presented

[4:29:01] totals 6.4 billion with general

[4:29:02] fund expenditures and revenue

[4:29:05] coming in at approximately 2.24

[4:29:05] billion.

[4:29:10] With that d o f appears to

[4:29:15] actually reflect an increase in

[4:29:15] revenues.

[4:29:16] >> As I have previously noted

[4:29:20] for me this continues to be a

[4:29:21] discussion about the city's

[4:29:21] priorities.

[4:29:25] A discussion about who and what

[4:29:26] the city plans to prioritize in

[4:29:29] its budget.

[4:29:30] I represent communities that

[4:29:31] for generations have been

[4:29:34] overlooked in budget

[4:29:34] conversations.

[4:29:35] These are working families

[4:29:39] primarily people of color who

[4:29:40] have long endured

[4:29:40] disinvestment, inadequate

[4:29:44] infrastructure and a lack of

[4:29:48] access to opportunity.

[4:29:49] Let me be very clear.

[4:29:53] Equity must be at the forefront

[4:29:54] and must be the path forward

[4:29:54] during these tough times.

[4:29:58] And as I have said repeatedly,

[4:29:59] repeatedly across the board

[4:30:03] cuts ignores the reality that

[4:30:03] some of our communities have

[4:30:08] never been given a full seat at

[4:30:08] the table to begin with.

[4:30:12] As we continue to move forward

[4:30:13] ,I will be focused on how

[4:30:14] equity shows up in the budget.

[4:30:18] For example, as we talk about

[4:30:18] the Community Equity Fund or

[4:30:22] the Climate Equity Fund, we

[4:30:22] must ensure that historically

[4:30:23] underserved communities do not

[4:30:24] continue to suffer and be taken

[4:30:26] for granted.

[4:30:27] We must continue to ensure our

[4:30:28] residents do not face another

[4:30:31] disaster like the 2024 floods.

[4:30:36] This is within the cities

[4:30:37] control community public safety

[4:30:37] initiatives.

[4:30:41] We must continue to fund the No

[4:30:42] shots fired program.

[4:30:46] Drop in centers and the drop in

[4:30:47] centers.

[4:30:47] We just had an update that

[4:30:51] violent crime is down and that

[4:30:51] we are the safest large city.

[4:30:55] Let's not pull back.

[4:30:56] These programs have a proven

[4:30:56] track record.

[4:31:01] We must lean in if we want to

[4:31:01] continue to see violent crime

[4:31:04] down and truly be the safest

[4:31:05] large city in the nation.

[4:31:09] Sd Access for all.

[4:31:10] We've heard today a lifeline to

[4:31:14] connectivity and digital equity

[4:31:15] is vital to the future of

[4:31:16] District four and our young

[4:31:19] people Arts and culture

[4:31:20] critical to the success of our

[4:31:24] communities.

[4:31:25] Our diversity should be

[4:31:25] embraced and celebrated.

[4:31:29] It is what makes San Diego

[4:31:29] the city that it is.

[4:31:34] Library parks and recreation

[4:31:34] centers.

[4:31:35] Essential community anchors

[4:31:39] that provide safe spaces, youth

[4:31:40] engagement, educational support

[4:31:44] and critical quality of life

[4:31:44] services that stabilize

[4:31:48] neighborhoods.

[4:31:49] We must hold the line and go

[4:31:49] further.

[4:31:53] We cannot support a budget that

[4:31:54] undercuts library access, park

[4:31:57] access and maintenance or

[4:31:58] neighborhood services

[4:31:59] especially in historically

[4:32:03] underserved communities like

[4:32:03] District four.

[4:32:04] I do have a question for our

[4:32:08] library director.

[4:32:08] There is concern over the new

[4:32:12] Oak Park Library as we are

[4:32:13] faced with the budget

[4:32:13] challenges that we are

[4:32:17] continuing to discuss.

[4:32:22] Is MR. Available?

[4:32:27] Just can we get confirmation

[4:32:27] that there are no impacts or

[4:32:28] delays to the scheduled

[4:32:32] groundbreaking next month for

[4:32:32] the new Oak Park Library?

[4:32:36] On MAY 14th, 2026.

[4:32:37] Good afternoon.

[4:32:37] Councilmember Foster Rania

[4:32:40] Ahmed, the chief of Community

[4:32:41] Services Officer and city

[4:32:41] Engineer.

[4:32:42] On behalf of Misty I can

[4:32:46] confirm that there is no delays

[4:32:46] and then also that is confirmed

[4:32:50] by Engineering Capital Project

[4:32:51] department.

[4:32:51] >> They are the lead on

[4:32:52] delivering this project.

[4:32:52] All right.

[4:32:55] Thank you for that.

[4:32:56] Now I do have some concerns

[4:33:00] about efficiency core services

[4:33:04] and budget allocations that we

[4:33:05] are presented today as we look

[4:33:09] at housing and homelessness.

[4:33:10] >> We need to ask ourselves

[4:33:11] does the budget reflect a

[4:33:14] balanced approach to housing

[4:33:14] and homelessness solutions?

[4:33:15] How are we implementing these

[4:33:19] solutions with the allocated

[4:33:19] dollars?

[4:33:20] Are those impacted Meeting with

[4:33:24] caseworkers and moving towards

[4:33:25] permanent housing?

[4:33:29] I think more conversation is

[4:33:30] needed when I am in District

[4:33:30] four or other areas of

[4:33:31] the city.

[4:33:35] I cannot confidently say we are

[4:33:35] making progress especially

[4:33:39] based on the investments that

[4:33:39] we continue to make.

[4:33:40] We must take a hard look at our

[4:33:43] return on investment and

[4:33:44] continue to bring our partner

[4:33:45] agencies to the table and do

[4:33:48] better.

[4:33:49] Arts and Culture.

[4:33:52] Again, I'm concerned about 100%

[4:33:53] reduction in planning for

[4:33:57] the arts and also to make

[4:33:58] things even more difficult.

[4:34:02] The cutting of cbp's and ccf

[4:34:03] grant programs As we look at

[4:34:07] General fund expenditures as I

[4:34:08] mentioned earlier, it appears

[4:34:11] there is an increase in revenue

[4:34:12] and expenditures.

[4:34:13] It appears there's an

[4:34:17] additional $71 million that we

[4:34:17] are looking to expend.

[4:34:22] There is even an increase of

[4:34:22] 27.5 million dollars in

[4:34:23] contract cost.

[4:34:26] >> We're where we were supposed

[4:34:27] to be bringing down contract

[4:34:30] cost And again I think these

[4:34:31] are questions that we will have

[4:34:32] to work towards answers.

[4:34:36] >> General fund expenditure

[4:34:36] cuts to purchasing and

[4:34:37] contracting.

[4:34:40] It looks like we are cutting

[4:34:41] the implementation of

[4:34:41] the disparity study.

[4:34:50] Why would we do that?

[4:34:55] >> My apologies.

[4:34:56] >> And how are we ensuring that

[4:34:56] the city doesn't fall short of

[4:35:00] its equity goals with cuts like

[4:35:01] this?

[4:35:01] As we look at the community

[4:35:06] equity Fund it appears as if

[4:35:09] the proposed budget shows a one

[4:35:13] time resource of the funds

[4:35:13] remaining $195,000.

[4:35:14] Why are we not deploying these

[4:35:17] dollars now?

[4:35:18] Why are we not adding to

[4:35:18] the subsidies or our homeless

[4:35:22] prevention efforts?

[4:35:23] Why are we not making this

[4:35:26] available to seniors and others

[4:35:27] ?

[4:35:27] i'll use the police budget as

[4:35:28] an example.

[4:35:32] As I continue to be concerned

[4:35:33] as I looked at the summary of

[4:35:37] the budget documents, it

[4:35:38] appears the budget is being

[4:35:38] increased by $14 million.

[4:35:43] We have to ask why have we

[4:35:43] looked at hourly positions that

[4:35:47] are not critical or vacant non

[4:35:48] sworn positions?

[4:35:51] Have we looked at our

[4:35:51] fingerprinting unit?

[4:35:52] Have we looked at our polygraph

[4:35:52] unit?

[4:35:56] Have we looked at non sworn

[4:35:57] management positions?

[4:35:57] Appears there are redundancies

[4:36:01] with communications in dov.

[4:36:02] The one thing that I don't want

[4:36:06] to do as I look at media

[4:36:07] releases I don't know if

[4:36:09] they're officers or

[4:36:14] communication employees.

[4:36:19] Also how about implementing

[4:36:20] the two officer units?

[4:36:20] I believe there were

[4:36:21] memorandums written under

[4:36:24] the previous police chief

[4:36:25] especially as we are looking at

[4:36:29] cost of vehicles costs of gas

[4:36:29] etc..

[4:36:33] Also are we looking at all of

[4:36:34] our technology within

[4:36:34] the police department?

[4:36:36] Some technology MAY be proving

[4:36:42] to be less useful than others

[4:36:42] when it comes to safety.

[4:36:47] >> We have to take a holistic

[4:36:47] approach and look at

[4:36:48] improvements through

[4:36:48] environmental design.

[4:36:52] We should be focusing on

[4:36:53] graffiti abatement fixing

[4:36:53] streetlights, sidewalks,

[4:36:54] crosswalks.

[4:36:57] These are efforts that help our

[4:36:57] officers as we continue to

[4:37:00] experience staffing challenges

[4:37:01] And we need to find a way to

[4:37:06] get some relief in regards to

[4:37:07] our homelessness services and

[4:37:10] our officers.

[4:37:11] We need to get back to our core

[4:37:15] services and the basics.

[4:37:16] >> But all of these again speak

[4:37:20] to our core services.

[4:37:20] Not monumental errors from

[4:37:25] the public And we as a city

[4:37:25] again need to get back to

[4:37:26] the basics.

[4:37:30] So yes, let's fix the roads.

[4:37:30] We're working People commute

[4:37:31] every day and we must not

[4:37:35] forget about the workers who

[4:37:35] power this city.

[4:37:39] City staff deserves more than

[4:37:40] gratitude.

[4:37:40] They deserve wages They can

[4:37:44] live on vehicles that work.

[4:37:45] Leadership that understands

[4:37:46] their book of business and

[4:37:46] departments that aren't

[4:37:49] stretched to the brink to meet

[4:37:50] our charter mandated core

[4:37:50] services.

[4:37:54] >> We must equip our workers

[4:37:55] for success and we must ensure

[4:37:59] their safety and any position

[4:37:59] reductions need to be balanced

[4:38:03] among management in our front

[4:38:04] line workers and done through

[4:38:04] an equity lens.

[4:38:08] I cannot say this enough.

[4:38:09] We cannot grow public trust

[4:38:13] while eroding public services.

[4:38:14] We must also continue investing

[4:38:15] in housing justice from flood

[4:38:18] recovery support to eviction

[4:38:19] prevention to rapid rehousing

[4:38:19] and rent subsidies for our

[4:38:23] elders to continuing the trash

[4:38:24] free waiver program.

[4:38:28] Let's not just protect these

[4:38:28] services.

[4:38:29] Let's expand them where it

[4:38:33] makes the most sense.

[4:38:33] The capital improvement budget

[4:38:36] includes over 89 million for

[4:38:37] street repair.

[4:38:41] This is not what we like but we

[4:38:42] must ensure it reaches

[4:38:42] the neighborhoods that need it

[4:38:43] the most.

[4:38:47] My district alone still has

[4:38:50] nearly 150 million in unfunded

[4:38:51] street improvements and I look

[4:38:52] forward to the city's

[4:38:55] commitment to apply

[4:38:56] approximately 43% of the paving

[4:38:56] dollars allocated.

[4:39:00] If I can have just a few more

[4:39:00] moments.

[4:39:01] Paving two districts four,

[4:39:01] eight and nine.

[4:39:05] Again these are not wishlist

[4:39:05] items.

[4:39:09] They are basic overdue needs.

[4:39:10] And as I close I will say again

[4:39:11] this is not just a budget

[4:39:15] document.

[4:39:15] It's a statement of our morals

[4:39:16] and values.

[4:39:20] Our communities are watching

[4:39:20] and I stand committed to

[4:39:21] ensuring that District four

[4:39:24] receives the investment that it

[4:39:25] not only deserves but what it

[4:39:29] needs to be a sustainable and

[4:39:30] thriving community.

[4:39:30] Like other communities

[4:39:34] throughout the city of San

[4:39:35] Diego, a city where equity

[4:39:36] drives investment decisions

[4:39:39] must be our standard not a

[4:39:40] sound bite.

[4:39:41] Let's not just say we are

[4:39:45] the finest city in America.

[4:39:45] Let's show the nation we are

[4:39:49] the finest city in the nation.

[4:39:50] I look forward to working with

[4:39:50] the mayor's office, my

[4:39:54] colleagues, the aba and city

[4:39:55] staff as we move forward with

[4:39:59] this budget cycle.

[4:40:00] And so with that Council

[4:40:01] PRESIDENT That concludes my

[4:40:04] comments.

[4:40:04] All right.

[4:40:05] Thank you to our budget chair

[4:40:06] Councilmember Foster.

[4:40:09] We'll go next to council member

[4:40:09] Eli Rivera.

[4:40:10] >> Thank you, Council

[4:40:10] PRESIDENT.

[4:40:13] And I want to thank everyone

[4:40:13] who came here today and

[4:40:14] everyone who has shared your

[4:40:19] stories for why you were here.

[4:40:19] I very much appreciate that.

[4:40:23] And then for those of you who

[4:40:24] shared your talent as well,

[4:40:28] whether it was spoken word or

[4:40:28] some of the other folks who

[4:40:32] share that talent Thank you.

[4:40:33] We have a legal requirement to

[4:40:37] balance the budget but that in

[4:40:38] and of itself is not a vision

[4:40:41] And before I can support a

[4:40:42] budget especially one that's

[4:40:43] proposing deep cuts like

[4:40:47] the ones that were being

[4:40:48] proposed, I didn't understand

[4:40:48] what we were actually trying to

[4:40:52] build and how what is being

[4:40:53] proposed gets us there.

[4:40:53] That does not mean I'm not

[4:40:54] prepared to make difficult

[4:40:56] decisions.

[4:40:56] I am.

[4:40:57] That could very well include

[4:40:58] cuts even to departments and

[4:41:01] programs I believe in because

[4:41:02] we have a responsibility to

[4:41:02] deliver a balanced budget.

[4:41:07] But again I need to understand

[4:41:08] what it's in pursuit of.

[4:41:08] You and I have had that

[4:41:10] conversation a few times.

[4:41:11] And so I'm going to actually

[4:41:12] start with the question for you

[4:41:16] If you can share with us as a

[4:41:16] council and the public about

[4:41:20] what vision it is that you have

[4:41:21] for the city that's being

[4:41:21] pursued with this budget and

[4:41:22] how the budget moves us in that

[4:41:25] direction.

[4:41:26] And for the question,

[4:41:30] Councilmember, we have a

[4:41:31] strategic plan that speaks to

[4:41:31] all of this that's been

[4:41:32] socialized adopted.

[4:41:35] I would say with this

[4:41:35] particular proposal what I'm

[4:41:36] striving to do is to eliminate

[4:41:40] our structural budget deficit

[4:41:40] so that the annual revenue

[4:41:41] growth that Councilmember

[4:41:42] Foster was referring to a

[4:41:45] moment ago can allow us to

[4:41:45] actually restore services as

[4:41:46] opposed to what we have to do

[4:41:49] now where we're making cuts on

[4:41:49] an annual basis.

[4:41:50] >> Understood.

[4:41:50] Thank you.

[4:41:52] Um, I'll have a few more

[4:41:52] questions.

[4:41:57] Um, I appreciate that response.

[4:42:01] I also will say that that that

[4:42:06] also leaves me not knowing

[4:42:06] where this actually puts us

[4:42:07] because the balance could be we

[4:42:11] could we could solve

[4:42:12] the structural budget deficit

[4:42:12] and the budget could still be

[4:42:16] morally deficient And I want us

[4:42:17] to be a city that actually

[4:42:20] works for the people who are

[4:42:21] here.

[4:42:21] I think that there is no reason

[4:42:26] why in a city with this level

[4:42:26] of beauty and this hardworking

[4:42:30] people that is attractive to so

[4:42:31] many people from around

[4:42:32] the world that this should not

[4:42:32] be a place where every family

[4:42:36] and every single neighborhood

[4:42:36] can afford to live, where they

[4:42:40] feel safe and be proud of

[4:42:40] the city And that yes, that

[4:42:41] means parks and libraries and

[4:42:42] rec centers that actually feel

[4:42:42] good to spend time in in our

[4:42:45] funded roads and sidewalks that

[4:42:46] are safe and workers who are

[4:42:46] treated with dignity and

[4:42:49] respect.

[4:42:50] And very importantly young

[4:42:51] people who see a future for

[4:42:54] themselves here And without

[4:42:59] more clarity about where we're

[4:43:00] trying to go and what options

[4:43:00] have been pursued.

[4:43:01] I don't believe that the budget

[4:43:04] as proposed moves us in that

[4:43:04] direction.

[4:43:08] And I think we have an

[4:43:09] obligation to do everything in

[4:43:10] our power to again make sure

[4:43:10] that the city actually works

[4:43:15] for its people.

[4:43:16] Earlier today arts and culture

[4:43:19] advocates and youth advocates

[4:43:19] held competing press

[4:43:24] conferences pleading for

[4:43:29] maintaining the funding they

[4:43:30] need to keep their programing

[4:43:35] going and that was devastating

[4:43:35] on a multitude of fronts.

[4:43:38] But so I'm going to actually

[4:43:39] put those two groups together

[4:43:40] right now because I don't think

[4:43:40] our arts and culture community

[4:43:43] should be competing with our

[4:43:44] youth advocates um to maintain

[4:43:48] the funding that they need And

[4:43:49] obviously the overlap is

[4:43:49] significant.

[4:43:53] The threats facing young people

[4:43:54] right now are serious as

[4:43:54] serious as in any recent

[4:43:54] memory.

[4:43:57] We've got a mental health

[4:43:58] crisis amongst our youth as

[4:43:59] social media platforms that

[4:44:03] were designed to damage their

[4:44:03] sense of self-worth wreak havoc

[4:44:04] on them.

[4:44:08] The economy is making housing

[4:44:09] feel more and more out of

[4:44:09] reach.

[4:44:09] While tech companies are

[4:44:12] destroying the careers that

[4:44:13] these young folks are working

[4:44:18] toward and our arts and culture

[4:44:19] community is essential to who

[4:44:19] we want to be as a city.

[4:44:22] So Mayor, if I if I MAY,

[4:44:23] whether it's you or

[4:44:24] the Department of Finance, it

[4:44:27] answers and help us understand

[4:44:27] what opportunities have been

[4:44:28] pursued at the state level or

[4:44:31] through philanthropy that could

[4:44:32] bridge the gaps in the short

[4:44:33] term not just for arts but for

[4:44:39] our youth programing as well?

[4:44:40] >> It's a great question and

[4:44:41] I've got staff to start

[4:44:44] preparing a report for you all

[4:44:45] to understand better

[4:44:45] the philanthropic areas.

[4:44:48] So to your question about youth

[4:44:49] ,this budget while there are

[4:44:49] reductions to park and

[4:44:53] recreation, what you've seen is

[4:44:54] the maintenance of the parks

[4:44:55] after dark programs as well as

[4:44:59] likely some aquatic hours at

[4:44:59] select pools south of eight.

[4:45:03] Those are possible because of

[4:45:04] the contributions of the Price

[4:45:05] Philanthropies group that I

[4:45:08] know you work closely with.

[4:45:09] That would be an example.

[4:45:09] I think you asked the question

[4:45:13] of what we're doing at

[4:45:13] the state level.

[4:45:14] We continue to advocate

[4:45:17] successfully to fund our city's

[4:45:18] paid internship program, employ

[4:45:18] and empower.

[4:45:19] That will not be unchanged.

[4:45:22] We are currently advocating for

[4:45:23] restoration of eliminated

[4:45:23] homelessness dollars.

[4:45:27] This will be very important

[4:45:27] because as you saw in the memo

[4:45:28] I said to you a few weeks ago

[4:45:29] the most expensive shelters

[4:45:32] that we operate as a city are

[4:45:33] those that are made available

[4:45:34] to our transition age youth.

[4:45:37] If the state follows through on

[4:45:38] its current proposal other than

[4:45:39] me half of the money they

[4:45:39] normally give us.

[4:45:41] I'm concerned how that will

[4:45:42] impact those particular

[4:45:42] shelters.

[4:45:43] So there's there's more that

[4:45:46] we'll give you but I think

[4:45:47] those are perhaps some examples

[4:45:48] of what we're trying to do at

[4:45:48] least currently and through

[4:45:51] this process hopefully more

[4:45:51] philanthropic will come forward

[4:45:52] while we see more certainty at

[4:45:53] the federal and state level

[4:45:55] about what their funding will

[4:45:56] look like.

[4:45:56] Appreciate that.

[4:46:00] On another issue um streets are

[4:46:06] something that you've invested

[4:46:06] .

[4:46:07] You believe investing heavily

[4:46:07] in.

[4:46:08] You've talked about public

[4:46:08] safety being a priority.

[4:46:09] The mobility team is being

[4:46:15] proposed to be to be cut.

[4:46:15] >> Are you confident that that

[4:46:16] would not impact street safety?

[4:46:20] Well, I MAY ask Bethany Dusek

[4:46:21] maybe to talk a little bit more

[4:46:21] about that.

[4:46:24] But this very quickly, we've

[4:46:24] heard I think we've all heard

[4:46:25] very closely clearly from our

[4:46:28] traffic violence advocates that

[4:46:29] they want to see progress on

[4:46:30] the fatal 15.

[4:46:30] This proposal does that.

[4:46:34] We are working after

[4:46:34] the council adopted the speed

[4:46:35] management plan That has not an

[4:46:38] insignificant price tag but I

[4:46:39] believe that there's a way that

[4:46:39] we can accommodate that in

[4:46:40] the MAY revise.

[4:46:41] But to your question I think it

[4:46:44] would be helpful maybe Zack or

[4:46:44] MS..

[4:46:45] Aymond can speak to our

[4:46:48] existing capacity in both

[4:46:49] the acp and in transportation

[4:46:49] to make sure that some of

[4:46:50] the traffic safety stuff that's

[4:46:57] unrelated to fatal 15 and speed

[4:46:58] major plan to give you some

[4:47:01] hopefully some assurances that

[4:47:02] .

[4:47:02] >> Thanks for the question

[4:47:03] Councilmember Bethany Beach

[4:47:04] actually performance and

[4:47:06] logistics officer so

[4:47:07] the multimodal team is the team

[4:47:07] that designs the striping plans

[4:47:11] for the paving.

[4:47:12] The vast majority of the paving

[4:47:12] So the overlay projects and

[4:47:16] also the armory and slurry

[4:47:17] seal.

[4:47:20] So that work what we would

[4:47:21] still be able to stripe plans

[4:47:22] but they won't be upgraded

[4:47:26] plans is essentially what will

[4:47:26] happen through this budget.

[4:47:30] We are privatizing more

[4:47:31] specific intersection types of

[4:47:35] safety that will be prioritized

[4:47:36] So we think crosswalk upgrades,

[4:47:37] beacons, those types of things.

[4:47:40] But the striping that is

[4:47:41] planned would be striped in

[4:47:42] kind Now on a case by case

[4:47:45] basis when there is cip funding

[4:47:46] what will occur is that

[4:47:49] individual projects will have

[4:47:50] upgrades and will have striping

[4:47:51] that will happen as part of

[4:47:54] those type projects But through

[4:47:55] the regular paving program

[4:47:55] projects would be striped in

[4:47:56] kind.

[4:47:56] >> Got it.

[4:47:59] And one follow up to that.

[4:47:59] Yes.

[4:48:00] My understanding is that that

[4:48:03] team has helped us maintain

[4:48:04] competitiveness for state

[4:48:05] grants by being able to execute

[4:48:09] on on the work that they do

[4:48:10] that mobility team Are you're

[4:48:13] confident that we won't be

[4:48:14] impeding our ability to compete

[4:48:14] for those grant funds.

[4:48:15] >> So we have a separate team

[4:48:18] that specifically goes after

[4:48:18] grant opportunities.

[4:48:23] That team will remain intact as

[4:48:23] part of this.

[4:48:24] And so what we'll have to do is

[4:48:25] just continue to be very

[4:48:27] proactive in the types of

[4:48:28] projects that we design in

[4:48:29] advance and making sure that

[4:48:29] they're aligned with

[4:48:32] the funding that we believe is

[4:48:32] upcoming.

[4:48:33] >> Got it.

[4:48:37] Thank you.

[4:48:42] Perhaps this is for

[4:48:43] the Department of Finance or

[4:48:46] the Mayor Department Finance

[4:48:51] issued a report on the way that

[4:48:52] golf revenue has changed over

[4:48:56] the years in terms of how it's

[4:48:57] shared with the general fund

[4:48:57] And there was a shift several

[4:48:58] years back that actually

[4:49:00] reduced the amount of dollars

[4:49:01] that come to the general fund.

[4:49:02] I understand that there's some

[4:49:06] technical component to that but

[4:49:10] was any consideration given to

[4:49:11] the idea of not raiding any

[4:49:15] fund but leveraging our our our

[4:49:18] golf courses particularly

[4:49:20] Torrey Pines which is one of

[4:49:24] the most popular and beautiful

[4:49:25] musical courses in the country

[4:49:29] to benefit our parks and rec

[4:49:30] system as a whole so that kids

[4:49:31] in all parts of the city can

[4:49:34] benefit rather than the select

[4:49:35] few who actually get to play on

[4:49:38] these courses.

[4:49:39] >> Thank you for the question,

[4:49:40] Councilmember.

[4:49:40] Yes, that is something we're

[4:49:43] looking at.

[4:49:44] It was prompted by by

[4:49:44] the series of questions you

[4:49:45] asked.

[4:49:48] We're looking at how the golf

[4:49:52] fund is currently projecting

[4:49:53] both revenues and expenditures

[4:49:54] looking at capacity.

[4:49:58] Identifying the potential step

[4:49:59] projects, any potential for

[4:49:59] financing.

[4:50:03] So all of this all of that is

[4:50:03] being evaluated.

[4:50:07] And so the answer is yes.

[4:50:08] All right.

[4:50:08] I appreciate that.

[4:50:09] I'm looking forward to seeing

[4:50:10] what comes from that again.

[4:50:12] I think this is an opportunity

[4:50:13] to lean into the assets that

[4:50:13] San Diego has as a city and

[4:50:17] make sure that the benefits of

[4:50:17] those assets are spread to

[4:50:21] people across the city and not

[4:50:22] just enjoyed by the very, very

[4:50:23] few people who are currently

[4:50:29] enjoying them.

[4:50:29] One of my concerns and Charles,

[4:50:30] I appreciate your bluntness in

[4:50:33] terms of revenue.

[4:50:37] We've had this conversation for

[4:50:38] five and a half years now since

[4:50:38] I got here.

[4:50:39] And I think that's important.

[4:50:42] Mayor, you referenced survey

[4:50:43] data and I read it a little bit

[4:50:47] differently.

[4:50:47] You said that a majority of

[4:50:52] folks did not want that.

[4:50:53] They wanted to basically see us

[4:50:53] cut our way out of this.

[4:50:57] And what I see in that data and

[4:50:57] noting to everyone who was

[4:51:01] pointed it out that that is not

[4:51:02] necessarily representative of

[4:51:02] the city of San Diego as a

[4:51:03] whole.

[4:51:03] I would agree with that.

[4:51:06] That being said, 60% of

[4:51:11] respondents said that they'd

[4:51:11] actually see a balanced

[4:51:12] approach where we use both

[4:51:16] revenue and reductions to get

[4:51:16] to a better place.

[4:51:20] So and 73% of those said that

[4:51:21] revenue should come in part

[4:51:25] from our tourism economy which

[4:51:26] benefits enormously from our

[4:51:30] city.

[4:51:30] So I'm curious as the budget

[4:51:31] was coming together and

[4:51:31] the cuts that have been

[4:51:35] proposed were being considered.

[4:51:36] Was there any consideration of

[4:51:36] putting forward proposals to

[4:51:40] tax the rich or look to

[4:51:41] tourists to fill the gap rather

[4:51:41] than the cuts that have been

[4:51:44] proposed?

[4:51:45] >> Well, Councilmember, I do

[4:51:46] believe that you and other

[4:51:49] members of the Rules Committee

[4:51:50] did vote on such proposals and

[4:51:50] they're currently pending

[4:51:51] before the city council is

[4:51:51] welcome.

[4:51:53] >> Yes, I put forward a

[4:51:54] proposal to tax the rich and

[4:51:55] tax second homes And I hope you

[4:51:58] know that that should help.

[4:52:02] >> But I also didn't know what

[4:52:03] was going to be proposed in

[4:52:04] the budget And so that's why

[4:52:05] I'm trying to understand as

[4:52:08] this was coming together and

[4:52:08] the writing was on the wall

[4:52:09] that the deficit was going to

[4:52:10] be in place and these were

[4:52:10] the sort of cuts that we were

[4:52:12] going to be looking at.

[4:52:13] If there are other ideas

[4:52:17] considered for ways to raise

[4:52:17] revenue, we all know that

[4:52:22] the city is underfunded on a

[4:52:22] per capita basis And just if it

[4:52:23] hasn't been if it wasn't

[4:52:24] considered and we were just

[4:52:27] looking to the council, that's

[4:52:27] fine.

[4:52:28] I just it's an important thing

[4:52:28] for me to know.

[4:52:32] Council member So the kinds of

[4:52:32] revenue resources that you're

[4:52:36] discussing are only placed upon

[4:52:36] the ballot by the council or by

[4:52:37] the general public.

[4:52:40] There's at least two tourist

[4:52:40] tax measures that were before

[4:52:41] the Rules Committee.

[4:52:45] There is the measure that

[4:52:45] you've already placed or

[4:52:46] the council has already placed

[4:52:47] on the on the JUNE ballot.

[4:52:49] I will draw your attention to

[4:52:50] comments from the city clerk

[4:52:51] earlier today where the cost of

[4:52:54] that ballot measure will be

[4:52:54] significantly more than what we

[4:52:55] have budgeted So we'll have to

[4:52:56] deal with that.

[4:52:56] But to your going forward

[4:52:59] question, I have to say I feel

[4:52:59] as though the council was near

[4:53:00] unanimous in its direction

[4:53:03] after the fiscal year 26 budget

[4:53:04] adoption that we are not

[4:53:07] seeking new revenue that after

[4:53:08] what was attempted or and

[4:53:09] implemented in fy 26 that that

[4:53:13] was it and that this needed to

[4:53:13] be generally done through our

[4:53:14] existing resources.

[4:53:18] Then back to your budget memos

[4:53:18] .

[4:53:19] The one shift that happened

[4:53:22] that I took note of was

[4:53:23] the elimination of Beach and

[4:53:24] Bay Parking as a resource that

[4:53:28] was recommended previously by I

[4:53:28] believe eight councilmembers is

[4:53:29] now supported by one council

[4:53:29] member.

[4:53:33] So again we're trying to take

[4:53:33] direction and implement it into

[4:53:34] a proposal for your

[4:53:37] consideration that you could

[4:53:37] theoretically support knowing

[4:53:38] that it would be changed.

[4:53:38] Understood.

[4:53:42] And I.

[4:53:43] Many, many policy proposals

[4:53:43] come from the mayor's office

[4:53:48] and we to get in a back and

[4:53:49] forth about it now but

[4:53:51] understood and I think that

[4:53:52] the question about revenue it's

[4:53:56] all about who we ask if it's

[4:53:57] hardworking blue collar working

[4:54:01] families hard know if it's rich

[4:54:02] people and tourists I'm

[4:54:02] guessing the answer is

[4:54:05] different.

[4:54:06] The last thing I will say and I

[4:54:10] think this is important Charles

[4:54:11] mentioned it MAY MAY I

[4:54:11] mentioned it, My colleague

[4:54:15] mentioned it and I will be

[4:54:16] wrapping up right almost

[4:54:16] exactly in time.

[4:54:20] We did not get here overnight.

[4:54:20] There was years of decisions

[4:54:21] that put us here and those

[4:54:24] decisions prioritize

[4:54:25] the interests of visitors and

[4:54:26] wealthy and powerful people

[4:54:29] over the people who live here.

[4:54:30] That was years and years and

[4:54:31] years and years in the making

[4:54:34] knowing that infrastructure is

[4:54:35] being underfunded, approving

[4:54:36] bad real estate deals and

[4:54:39] refusing to ask folks to

[4:54:40] contribute their fair share.

[4:54:40] And now those same people are

[4:54:44] actively working to block every

[4:54:45] effort to fix what they broke.

[4:54:48] They're opposing new revenue.

[4:54:49] They're opposing accountability

[4:54:50] and they're doing it for

[4:54:50] the donors that they used to

[4:54:53] work for when they sat on this

[4:54:53] dais.

[4:54:54] Now they're actually working

[4:54:58] for the same people.

[4:54:58] They drove the city's finances

[4:54:59] into a ditch.

[4:55:00] They want to make sure we don't

[4:55:00] get out because they're trying

[4:55:03] to capture all of this for

[4:55:03] profit and that can't happen

[4:55:08] And I want to say thank you to

[4:55:08] the public for not.

[4:55:09] At no point in this

[4:55:10] conversation scapegoating city

[4:55:12] workers for the problem that

[4:55:13] we're in.

[4:55:13] Because that is the old tired

[4:55:17] and broken way of trying to

[4:55:17] address city budget issues.

[4:55:18] I so appreciate that no one did

[4:55:19] that.

[4:55:22] That is not the way out of

[4:55:23] this.

[4:55:23] So I'll be digging in obviously

[4:55:24] during budget review committee.

[4:55:27] Council PRESIDENT Thank you for

[4:55:27] the additional time.

[4:55:28] >> All right.

[4:55:28] Thank you.

[4:55:31] Councilmember Rivera.

[4:55:32] >> We'll go next to

[4:55:33] Councilmember Campo.

[4:55:33] Thank you.

[4:55:37] Council PRESIDENT And thank you

[4:55:37] to the mayor.

[4:55:38] Thank you to London and Ben and

[4:55:41] your team for all the work

[4:55:42] you've done to get to this

[4:55:42] point today.

[4:55:43] And I thank everyone who came

[4:55:46] to speak today in-person and

[4:55:47] online because you can feel

[4:55:51] that something is not right

[4:55:52] here And I feel that too.

[4:55:56] I often hear that a budget is a

[4:55:57] moral document and of course

[4:56:00] that is true And the first

[4:56:01] moral duty of a budget is to

[4:56:01] competently structure it.

[4:56:05] The first duty is to structure

[4:56:06] it as strongly as possible for

[4:56:10] the most optimal outcome for

[4:56:10] the with the resources that we

[4:56:11] actually have because a budget

[4:56:12] can be legally balanced and it

[4:56:15] can be statistically balanced

[4:56:16] And we've done that for five

[4:56:17] years running and four years

[4:56:20] before that.

[4:56:20] But that doesn't mean that

[4:56:21] the budget is optimal.

[4:56:25] I view the budget the same way

[4:56:25] each and every year.

[4:56:26] Some budget spending guarantees

[4:56:27] the basics that people need

[4:56:31] right now to live in a safe and

[4:56:31] sound city and that's police

[4:56:32] and fire and streets and

[4:56:35] sidewalks, core infrastructure

[4:56:36] all those things are material

[4:56:37] to this fiscal year and some

[4:56:41] spending helps build the kind

[4:56:42] of city that can flourish over

[4:56:42] time and that's parks and

[4:56:46] libraries, arts and culture and

[4:56:46] youth investment.

[4:56:47] Those are things that are

[4:56:50] material to next year and

[4:56:51] the year after that and

[4:56:52] the year after that both in

[4:56:52] dollars on the next set of

[4:56:56] budgets but also in the lives

[4:56:56] of our people.

[4:56:57] And so a budget has to balance

[4:57:00] the present and the future as

[4:57:01] much as possible.

[4:57:01] What concerns me in the draft

[4:57:05] is that I see in a couple of

[4:57:06] key ways a weakening of both.

[4:57:07] Let me start with the basics.

[4:57:11] We need police and fire streets

[4:57:12] and sidewalks and

[4:57:12] infrastructure because those

[4:57:16] support the conditions of daily

[4:57:16] life.

[4:57:17] And I know that because police

[4:57:18] officers save people in my

[4:57:18] district every day and

[4:57:22] firefighters save people in my

[4:57:22] district every day and safe

[4:57:26] streets and sidewalks keep

[4:57:27] children alive in my district

[4:57:27] every day.

[4:57:31] This year families came before

[4:57:32] me asking for a stop sign and

[4:57:36] road changes and a crosswalk at

[4:57:37] they site year after year.

[4:57:38] And one of those families will

[4:57:41] never get their child back.

[4:57:42] Two of those sisters won't get

[4:57:43] their brother back.

[4:57:43] That is what it means when

[4:57:47] government is late to its most

[4:57:47] basic responsibility.

[4:57:48] That's why some of the choices

[4:57:52] in this budget give me some

[4:57:52] pause.

[4:57:53] Now let's start with the police

[4:57:57] funding.

[4:57:58] The presentation describes a

[4:57:58] $5.6 million in savings from

[4:58:02] freezing sworn police

[4:58:02] leadership positions

[4:58:03] specifically sergeants and

[4:58:03] lieutenants.

[4:58:07] On paper that sounds very

[4:58:07] technical but to me it's

[4:58:08] entirely practical.

[4:58:09] And a department that is

[4:58:13] already very lean.

[4:58:13] Fewer leadership opportunities

[4:58:14] means weaker retention, weaker

[4:58:18] morale and weaker staffing

[4:58:18] structure over time And I know

[4:58:19] many here today pointed to

[4:58:20] the total number of dollars in

[4:58:23] the police department and asked

[4:58:23] why not look there?

[4:58:24] But we are by far one of

[4:58:28] the lowest resourced police

[4:58:28] departments in the United

[4:58:29] States and the frozen

[4:58:30] leadership positions to me is

[4:58:32] actually a significant

[4:58:33] reduction.

[4:58:33] It's one of the examples of a

[4:58:34] short term undermining of

[4:58:38] the basics The same is true in

[4:58:38] fire rescue.

[4:58:39] The budget says it reduces

[4:58:40] positions and non personnel

[4:58:43] spending associated with

[4:58:44] training and recruitment and

[4:58:45] community engagement while also

[4:58:49] relying on cross staffing for

[4:58:49] the bomb squad.

[4:58:50] That MAY balance a line item

[4:58:55] but it raises real concern to

[4:58:55] me about the staffing strain

[4:58:56] and the response capacity in a

[4:58:57] system that does not have any

[4:59:00] slack to give.

[4:59:01] And then there's the facilities

[4:59:01] maintenance.

[4:59:04] This was a very small square on

[4:59:05] that PowerPoint but the budget

[4:59:06] cuts another $1.5 million

[4:59:06] there.

[4:59:10] Many people don't focus on that

[4:59:11] line item but they experience

[4:59:15] it viscerally, usually nasally.

[4:59:16] Both the public and our city

[4:59:21] workers experience it when

[4:59:21] public buildings deteriorate

[4:59:22] and when restrooms are not

[4:59:25] maintained and when sinks stay

[4:59:26] broken and when the spaces

[4:59:26] residents walk in to tell them

[4:59:30] the city has stopped caring.

[4:59:31] Being hundreds of millions

[4:59:36] behind on deferred maintenance

[4:59:36] it's really hard to stomach

[4:59:37] even 1.5 million more to me.

[4:59:41] So those are some of the short

[4:59:42] term problems that are choices

[4:59:42] that undermine the basics.

[4:59:46] But our residents we're not

[4:59:46] meant to merely survive in

[4:59:47] the city.

[4:59:47] They were meant to flourish in

[4:59:51] the city which is why the long

[4:59:52] term disinvestment and youth

[4:59:53] focused and arts focused

[4:59:53] funding matters incredibly to

[4:59:54] me.

[4:59:57] This budget reduces recreation

[4:59:58] center hours and library hours.

[4:59:59] It eliminates the Office of

[4:59:59] Child Use access.

[5:00:03] It cuts arts and culture by

[5:00:03] $11.8 million going from penny

[5:00:07] to the arts to zero for

[5:00:08] the arts.

[5:00:12] Give or take a little Taken

[5:00:13] together, this is more than 20

[5:00:14] million cut from the parts of

[5:00:17] city life that help people grow

[5:00:18] and connect and create and

[5:00:18] belong.

[5:00:19] And for many San Diegans

[5:00:23] including many veterans who

[5:00:24] spoke tonight, those aren't

[5:00:24] actually future investments

[5:00:25] investments now in their social

[5:00:28] fabric and their safety net.

[5:00:29] >> Now this is usually

[5:00:30] the point where my colleagues

[5:00:30] worry I'm about to turn into an

[5:00:34] economics lecturer and I will

[5:00:34] spare you of that.

[5:00:35] But I'll say this.

[5:00:36] Those long term investments pay

[5:00:39] off.

[5:00:40] They are a good return on

[5:00:41] investment a budget that

[5:00:41] instills trust in our

[5:00:45] competence is not just balanced

[5:00:45] on paper.

[5:00:46] It is structured to produce

[5:00:46] the best outcome.

[5:00:50] And when we cut the very things

[5:00:51] that help generate civic value,

[5:00:55] that create economic activity

[5:00:56] including hundreds of jobs

[5:00:57] including the artists who

[5:00:57] showed up today who pay taxes

[5:00:58] that then comes back to

[5:01:02] the city so we can pay our

[5:01:02] employees to go out and put

[5:01:03] services.

[5:01:03] That economic circle is

[5:01:07] stronger with arts and culture

[5:01:08] and all of that increases long

[5:01:08] term public confidence.

[5:01:12] But we undermine that.

[5:01:13] We're not solving a problem.

[5:01:13] We're making next year's budget

[5:01:14] deficit worse.

[5:01:18] That is what I mean when I say

[5:01:18] this proposed budget MAY be

[5:01:22] balanced but it's not optimally

[5:01:22] structured.

[5:01:23] I don't say that to vilify

[5:01:24] anybody who's worked on this

[5:01:28] certainly not the mayor his

[5:01:29] team or anyone on this dais.

[5:01:29] I think we're here sincerely to

[5:01:33] create a better city.

[5:01:34] But wanting the better city is

[5:01:34] not enough.

[5:01:35] We have to optimize a budget

[5:01:35] that can deliver it.

[5:01:39] And so here's the hardest part

[5:01:39] of the truth.

[5:01:40] I cannot sit here today and

[5:01:43] promise that every one of those

[5:01:43] cuts will be restored.

[5:01:44] None of the council members

[5:01:44] can.

[5:01:48] I won't make promises that are

[5:01:48] not real.

[5:01:49] But if we want to restore long

[5:01:49] term investments, if we want to

[5:01:53] solve long term structural

[5:01:54] problems we have to reduce some

[5:01:54] services.

[5:01:54] But the balance

[5:01:59] the optimization between

[5:01:59] frontline public facing

[5:02:00] employees who work in libraries

[5:02:05] and parks and non public facing

[5:02:06] supervisory ranks I must be

[5:02:09] convinced that those are at

[5:02:10] the optimal proportions.

[5:02:11] What I can promise is honesty

[5:02:16] and scrutiny As we get to JUNE

[5:02:17] 9th to vote on the final

[5:02:17] budget.

[5:02:17] And I will advocate for

[5:02:18] the people who came here into

[5:02:21] this room today even if they

[5:02:22] disagree with me on a couple of

[5:02:23] the particulars I mentioned.

[5:02:23] I will go through this budget

[5:02:27] thoroughly with my colleagues

[5:02:28] that will come to the table

[5:02:28] with solutions and I will judge

[5:02:29] the budget by a simple standard

[5:02:33] At the end does it protect

[5:02:33] the basics well enough for

[5:02:34] people to live safely now while

[5:02:38] preserving enough of the future

[5:02:39] for the city to flourish later?

[5:02:40] Because I know our police

[5:02:44] officers and firefighters want

[5:02:45] their children to have access

[5:02:45] to theater and music and parks

[5:02:46] and libraries.

[5:02:50] And I know our artists and

[5:02:50] teachers and librarians want

[5:02:51] fast public safety responses in

[5:02:56] their neighborhoods.

[5:02:56] >> The residents of the city

[5:02:57] don't live in silos.

[5:02:58] They deserve both and they

[5:03:01] depend on both.

[5:03:02] And the job before us now is to

[5:03:03] build a budget honest enough

[5:03:03] and disciplined enough and

[5:03:08] competently structured and

[5:03:08] optimized enough to deliver

[5:03:09] that.

[5:03:09] So that will be the final

[5:03:10] question I ask on JUNE 9th.

[5:03:10] Thank you.

[5:03:14] Council PRESIDENT.

[5:03:14] >> All right.

[5:03:15] Thank you, Council member

[5:03:15] Olympia.

[5:03:16] We'll go next to council member

[5:03:19] right.

[5:03:19] >> Thank you for

[5:03:20] the presentation And I do want

[5:03:20] to thank the members of

[5:03:24] the public who took the time to

[5:03:25] attend this meeting and also to

[5:03:30] share your priorities.

[5:03:31] >> Also thank you to Mayor

[5:03:31] Gloria for submitting your

[5:03:35] proposed budget to the Council

[5:03:35] .

[5:03:36] After my initial review there

[5:03:37] are several concerns that I

[5:03:42] want to put for the record.

[5:03:42] I recognize that we're once

[5:03:43] again facing a significant

[5:03:47] budget deficit and I understand

[5:03:48] the difficult decisions that

[5:03:52] come with this Last year one of

[5:03:53] the few reasons I voted no on

[5:03:54] the budget was because it

[5:03:58] relied on increased fees that

[5:03:58] took away free resources for

[5:03:59] our residents while still

[5:04:03] reducing service hours at

[5:04:04] libraries and parks and

[5:04:05] recreation centers services

[5:04:09] that my constituents rely on.

[5:04:10] The budget was also balanced on

[5:04:10] anticipated future revenues

[5:04:15] that did not materialize and it

[5:04:16] proposed drawing $10 million

[5:04:17] from reserves that ultimately

[5:04:21] were not realized.

[5:04:22] This administration knew this

[5:04:22] was coming.

[5:04:27] This administration knew

[5:04:28] the one time covid funding

[5:04:29] would expire and was never a

[5:04:33] stable ongoing revenue source.

[5:04:34] Yet the city acted as though

[5:04:34] nothing was wrong and did not

[5:04:39] take sufficient steps early on

[5:04:40] to prevent this situation from

[5:04:40] worsening.

[5:04:44] For too long the city has been

[5:04:45] living beyond its means.

[5:04:45] I'm deeply concerned about

[5:04:50] the mayor's proposed budget

[5:04:51] cuts, especially those that

[5:04:52] continue to disproportionately

[5:04:57] impact our communities of

[5:04:57] concern.

[5:04:58] We have seen this pattern

[5:04:59] before in past where initial

[5:05:03] proposals included reductions

[5:05:04] that ultimately fall hardest on

[5:05:09] brown and black communities

[5:05:10] something that is very

[5:05:10] frustrating to see this year

[5:05:11] again.

[5:05:15] Libraries and recreation

[5:05:16] centers are not optional

[5:05:17] services in my district.

[5:05:22] They are essential for every

[5:05:23] hour a rec center or library is

[5:05:28] closed is an hour that young

[5:05:29] people and families lose access

[5:05:29] to safe space.

[5:05:34] Structural programing and

[5:05:34] community connections.

[5:05:35] Those impacts are real and

[5:05:40] the Arab really quickly now

[5:05:46] moving on to the arts.

[5:05:46] Sorry.

[5:05:52] Sorry you guys.

[5:05:53] I'm very concerned with

[5:05:53] the mayor's proposed reduction

[5:05:54] to arts funding.

[5:05:58] The impact to our community has

[5:05:59] for underserved folks is

[5:05:59] unmeasurable.

[5:06:04] For many families attending a

[5:06:05] formal performance is simply

[5:06:06] not financially feasible.

[5:06:10] Often the only exposure young

[5:06:11] people in neighborhoods like

[5:06:11] San Ysidro and Logan Heights

[5:06:12] have to the arts comes through

[5:06:17] programs funded by the city.

[5:06:23] Let me repeat that often

[5:06:24] the only exposure to young

[5:06:24] people in neighborhoods like

[5:06:30] San Ysidro and Logan Heights

[5:06:31] have to the arts comes through

[5:06:35] programing funded by the city.

[5:06:36] Just last week the Fleet

[5:06:37] Science Center had a stem fair

[5:06:42] in my district which would only

[5:06:43] be possible because of city

[5:06:43] funding.

[5:06:48] The arts shapes a child's

[5:06:49] future and it's difficult to

[5:06:49] consider a budget that would

[5:06:50] scale them back so

[5:06:54] significantly especially

[5:06:54] considering the economic impact

[5:07:00] the arts has in the city.

[5:07:01] According to the city's

[5:07:01] Creative City Cultural plan,

[5:07:05] arts and culture generated

[5:07:05] $10.8 billion in economic

[5:07:06] impact.

[5:07:10] This council has made

[5:07:11] meaningful progress in

[5:07:12] expanding access to the arts,

[5:07:17] particularly for low income

[5:07:17] communities and this proposal

[5:07:18] strikes all the work that has

[5:07:23] been done.

[5:07:23] This proposed budget has left

[5:07:24] the arts and cultural community

[5:07:29] out to dry and I for one cannot

[5:07:29] stand for that.

[5:07:34] One area I do not agree with is

[5:07:35] the reduction of cutting sworn

[5:07:39] officer positions.

[5:07:40] Cutting sworn officers puts

[5:07:45] public safety at risk and

[5:07:45] something that our communities

[5:07:46] cannot afford.

[5:07:51] Response times across San Diego

[5:07:52] are already too high and our

[5:07:55] police department needs strong

[5:07:56] first and second level

[5:07:57] supervisors in place to

[5:08:01] maintain accountability and

[5:08:01] effective leadership.

[5:08:02] I am looking forward to hearing

[5:08:03] the Chief provide additional

[5:08:08] context on the freezing of

[5:08:13] officer positions when 110 on

[5:08:13] sworn positions remain unfilled

[5:08:14] and when the San Diego Police

[5:08:18] Department maintains an

[5:08:19] executive legislative staff.

[5:08:23] If I MAY have just I think two

[5:08:24] more minutes now I do recognize

[5:08:29] that there are some areas in

[5:08:30] this budget proposal where

[5:08:31] impacts are being distributed

[5:08:36] more thoughtfully, including

[5:08:36] decisions that police library

[5:08:37] reductions in communities that

[5:08:42] are better resourced and more

[5:08:42] able to absorb them.

[5:08:43] I do acknowledge that this

[5:08:47] administration is finally

[5:08:48] looking inward as an

[5:08:49] organization and identifying

[5:08:54] efficiencies before asking more

[5:08:54] of our residents.

[5:08:55] The initial reduction in middle

[5:08:56] management is a step towards

[5:09:00] fiscal responsible city that

[5:09:01] our residents deserve and it

[5:09:01] reflects what our constituents

[5:09:06] expect from us during

[5:09:07] challenging fiscal times.

[5:09:07] For years I have constantly

[5:09:12] called for the reduction in

[5:09:13] middle management.

[5:09:13] And just this year we're

[5:09:14] starting to see improvements on

[5:09:14] that front.

[5:09:19] All in all, this budget needs a

[5:09:19] whole lot more work.

[5:09:20] This council has consistently

[5:09:24] prioritized equity and

[5:09:25] investment in underserved

[5:09:26] neighborhoods and we must

[5:09:26] remain committed to that

[5:09:31] principle throughout this

[5:09:31] budget process.

[5:09:32] Finally I would encourage San

[5:09:37] Diegans to partitions

[5:09:37] participate in the Council's

[5:09:38] upcoming Budget Review

[5:09:41] Committee hearings that will

[5:09:42] begin MAY 4th where we will

[5:09:42] take a deeper dive in

[5:09:43] the proposed budget.

[5:09:49] Thank you for the extra time

[5:09:49] Council PRESIDENT.

[5:09:50] >> That concludes my comments.

[5:09:50] All right.

[5:09:51] Thank you Council member Brito.

[5:09:54] Not seeing anybody else on

[5:09:54] the lights.

[5:10:00] I'll make some closing comments

[5:10:00] .

[5:10:01] I knew it.

[5:10:02] Council member Von Miller.

[5:10:07] You sure?

[5:10:08] >> Council PRESIDENT Trying to

[5:10:09] save all we have in glass.

[5:10:12] But thank you very much to

[5:10:13] everyone who was here today and

[5:10:14] thank you to Mohamed to finance

[5:10:14] for shifting through very

[5:10:18] difficult times that you didn't

[5:10:18] personally create.

[5:10:19] You're just trying to build a

[5:10:19] budget.

[5:10:20] And thank you to the public for

[5:10:23] coming in and speaking to us

[5:10:23] today.

[5:10:24] We appreciate you being here

[5:10:30] And also thank you to everyone

[5:10:30] here in the department.

[5:10:31] Head to the mayor as well And

[5:10:32] for all the hard work anyone

[5:10:32] put in.

[5:10:35] I have many questions but we'll

[5:10:36] go through it with our budget

[5:10:36] review process.

[5:10:37] We're going to have many

[5:10:40] hearings in the first day But

[5:10:41] one of them is about what is

[5:10:42] the projected deficit because

[5:10:42] on Slide seven of

[5:10:47] the presentation we're looking

[5:10:48] at around 180 million.

[5:10:48] But slide eight goes 246

[5:10:49] million.

[5:10:54] I thought your put 100 million

[5:10:54] or deficit.

[5:10:55] >> Absolutely I can answer that

[5:10:55] question When you look at

[5:10:59] the we started with from

[5:11:00] the five year outlook for

[5:11:00] the general fund which

[5:11:01] basically sets the beginning of

[5:11:02] the budget process at that

[5:11:05] point we're at about 89

[5:11:06] million.

[5:11:06] Things got worse grew to about

[5:11:07] hundred $80 million.

[5:11:10] That was our starting point.

[5:11:11] But we also needed to evaluate

[5:11:16] some mandated legal

[5:11:17] requirements, some ads that we

[5:11:18] had to make of about $28

[5:11:18] million.

[5:11:23] So when you add those $2

[5:11:23] million and that gets you to

[5:11:24] the $146 million in mitigations

[5:11:28] that we had to identify.

[5:11:28] Okay.

[5:11:29] Got it.

[5:11:29] I'd like to break down

[5:11:30] the additional 20 million as we

[5:11:30] go.

[5:11:34] So I will Thank you Also what

[5:11:35] about the annual infrastructure

[5:11:36] contribution?

[5:11:36] Are we not triggering it

[5:11:40] because the tax on the high

[5:11:41] enough this year?

[5:11:41] That's correct.

[5:11:46] Got it.

[5:11:47] And I have a question about

[5:11:47] the street repair and the cost

[5:11:51] of materials we need to rebuild

[5:11:51] our streets.

[5:11:52] It is getting more and more

[5:11:53] expensive every year And I saw

[5:11:58] that the city just filed joined

[5:11:59] the county in filing a lawsuit

[5:12:00] against a monopoly company that

[5:12:00] took over the fire engines of

[5:12:04] parts and supply companies for

[5:12:04] price gouging us So are we

[5:12:05] thinking about going after

[5:12:09] price gouging on some of these

[5:12:10] companies that provide us

[5:12:10] materials to fix our

[5:12:11] infrastructure Because it seems

[5:12:12] ridiculous how much the cost

[5:12:17] directly that maybe 320

[5:12:17] question But I do want to go

[5:12:23] over that in the future They

[5:12:23] should be taking advantage of

[5:12:24] us taxpayers.

[5:12:27] I'm also wondering why we're

[5:12:28] spending 4.6 million of

[5:12:28] the general fund on Dirty Right

[5:12:29] permits.

[5:12:29] Why are those not self-funding

[5:12:30] when people pay for those

[5:12:32] permits?

[5:12:37] >> So the budget includes about

[5:12:37] $10 million in total.

[5:12:38] This is work that dsd does in

[5:12:43] the right of way specifically

[5:12:44] related to any work and it pays

[5:12:48] a franchise fee and through

[5:12:49] that franchise fee they they

[5:12:50] are not to pay any additional

[5:12:51] So the general fund has to

[5:12:58] cover that cost.

[5:12:59] We we negotiated as you do with

[5:13:00] you so much in profits they

[5:13:00] should be paying for their

[5:13:04] right of way permits okay I

[5:13:05] have a many other questions

[5:13:10] that I'll get to you later but

[5:13:11] I do just want to chat a bit

[5:13:11] about you know what I've been

[5:13:12] thinking and feeling going

[5:13:16] through this budget cycle so

[5:13:16] this is not great news for for

[5:13:17] the city And we knew that when

[5:13:21] the sales tax path in other

[5:13:22] cities around us a sales tax or

[5:13:23] have some sales tax did pass

[5:13:24] and they are fully funding

[5:13:24] their fire departments

[5:13:28] infrastructure and others And

[5:13:29] so we are now stuck with

[5:13:30] the budget that we have Of

[5:13:34] course we could do better in a

[5:13:34] free trial.

[5:13:35] I appreciate your old Monica

[5:13:36] stating that you know some of

[5:13:39] the folks who are most

[5:13:39] criticizing the city right now

[5:13:40] including the Taxpayers

[5:13:46] Association didn't mention that

[5:13:47] some of the authors that report

[5:13:48] sat here and voted for things

[5:13:49] like one on one ashtray and

[5:13:49] buying an indoor skydiving

[5:13:52] center that we were tendering

[5:13:53] with.

[5:13:53] So I'm glad that we're coming

[5:13:54] out of those holes and you're

[5:13:57] not doing that here at this

[5:13:58] council.

[5:13:58] But we do have to earn back

[5:13:59] trust.

[5:13:59] I understand that.

[5:14:04] So I did think about this

[5:14:05] budget and think about

[5:14:05] the public and think that we're

[5:14:06] going to do with all these cuts

[5:14:08] We have to make.

[5:14:09] You know, I want to talk about

[5:14:10] last week where in this chamber

[5:14:11] we commemorated National

[5:14:15] Emergency Dispatchers Week

[5:14:16] where their teams are working

[5:14:16] 24 seven to support our

[5:14:17] firefighters, police and our

[5:14:21] team services.

[5:14:21] I got to go to our dispatch

[5:14:22] center last week and deliver a

[5:14:27] proclamation thanking them for

[5:14:28] the work they're doing And if

[5:14:28] you've ever been you should be

[5:14:29] able to see the dispatch center

[5:14:31] because listening to no one

[5:14:32] calls at a dispatch center is a

[5:14:33] sobering window into the most

[5:14:34] urgent moments of many people's

[5:14:37] lives in the city you hear

[5:14:38] voices of victims of car

[5:14:39] accidents, heart attacks,

[5:14:43] strokes, witnesses of

[5:14:44] in-progress sometimes very

[5:14:45] violent crimes.

[5:14:45] You hear voices of confusion

[5:14:50] and courage and you also hear

[5:14:51] the incredibly calm voices of

[5:14:51] our 912 dispatchers themselves

[5:14:55] And they talk in one ear to

[5:14:55] the 911 caller and then

[5:14:56] the other they talking to

[5:14:57] the firefighters, the police

[5:15:01] officers, the ambulance drivers

[5:15:01] who are being dispatched down

[5:15:02] the road to get to that

[5:15:02] emergency.

[5:15:05] And to me it underscored just

[5:15:06] how critical it is to have

[5:15:07] trained professionals On

[5:15:07] the other end of those dispatch

[5:15:12] lines call gather information

[5:15:13] and sending out trained

[5:15:13] professionals to mental health.

[5:15:18] Our San Diego Police Department

[5:15:18] respond to over 1.4 million

[5:15:19] calls annually with over

[5:15:23] 700,000 calls being nine when

[5:15:23] emergencies with some of

[5:15:24] the lowest staffing levels of

[5:15:29] any big city in the country.

[5:15:29] And I applaud you all for

[5:15:30] cutting down on the overtime

[5:15:30] budget.

[5:15:34] It's important at the same time

[5:15:35] I am worried about the ability

[5:15:36] to respond to calls on time and

[5:15:36] how many times we're starting

[5:15:41] lineups not having enough

[5:15:42] officers on the line which is

[5:15:43] an inevitable train because we

[5:15:46] don't have enough officers to

[5:15:47] cover our big city.

[5:15:48] So Chief, you're in an

[5:15:48] impossible position and you're

[5:15:49] doing the best you can with

[5:15:53] the resources you have.

[5:15:57] But you were 1426 at about 9:23

[5:15:58] P.M. Valentine's Day the senior

[5:15:59] police communications received

[5:16:03] a report of a stabbing on a

[5:16:04] sidewalk near the intersection

[5:16:04] of Eighth Street and City

[5:16:05] Street downtown and

[5:16:06] the officers found a person

[5:16:10] described an adult male in his

[5:16:11] 42 on the sidewalk lying down

[5:16:12] suffering from stab wounds.

[5:16:15] The officers and medics

[5:16:16] rendered aid to the man but he

[5:16:17] did not survive an injury

[5:16:20] injuries He was now publicly

[5:16:21] identified as 41 year old Mark

[5:16:21] Thomas of San Diego While

[5:16:26] tending to the victim officers

[5:16:27] were directed to the suspect

[5:16:27] who stabbed him who had

[5:16:28] retreated into the apartment

[5:16:29] above and started a fire in

[5:16:32] the building.

[5:16:33] I know about this because I was

[5:16:33] there.

[5:16:38] I was on a very long that I and

[5:16:39] I saw all of the equipment for

[5:16:40] the city purchases and it came

[5:16:44] out I finally saw the automatic

[5:16:44] cpr machine that was trying to

[5:16:45] pump blood to his chest.

[5:16:46] I never knew why we spent so

[5:16:50] much money on having no idea.

[5:16:51] I saw multiple police units

[5:16:51] roll up.

[5:16:52] I saw a fire truck with a

[5:16:56] ladder have to come out because

[5:16:57] the suspect tried to wipe

[5:16:57] the entire apartment building

[5:16:58] on fire And I watched as police

[5:17:02] and firefighters did safely

[5:17:03] retrieve the suspect with

[5:17:03] minimal use of force.

[5:17:08] But I stood there next to

[5:17:09] the victim's girlfriend and his

[5:17:09] dog as they watched him die on

[5:17:14] the street.

[5:17:14] And so I know we have a low

[5:17:15] crime rate in this new city and

[5:17:16] it's amazing.

[5:17:19] But there are still real

[5:17:19] victims of these crimes.

[5:17:20] And so when we talk about

[5:17:27] cutting our fire and our

[5:17:27] emergency services,

[5:17:28] the terrible consequences of

[5:17:29] this doesn't mean we can't make

[5:17:29] a permanent change then we can

[5:17:33] we can cut budgets in every

[5:17:34] city and every department.

[5:17:34] But I've to fire rescue

[5:17:38] firefighters and medics have to

[5:17:39] cover approximately 326mi in

[5:17:40] the city all the way from

[5:17:44] the wild little park to

[5:17:44] the U.S. Ethical border

[5:17:48] lifeguards protect 70 miles of

[5:17:49] coastline including Ocean Beach

[5:17:50] to Mission Beach specifically

[5:17:50] to Mission Bay.

[5:17:54] And we're protecting over a

[5:17:55] million swimmers a year.

[5:17:56] In addition to this fire

[5:18:00] suppression, the fire

[5:18:01] suppression and medical

[5:18:02] response and Beach Rescue Fire

[5:18:02] Department also provide bomb

[5:18:07] safety threat investigation and

[5:18:08] hazardous material response And

[5:18:12] just yesterday copy three one

[5:18:13] of our welfare helicopters

[5:18:13] responded to a fire in Del Sur

[5:18:14] at the end of a crowded

[5:18:18] neighborhood block And between

[5:18:19] Cal fires fixed wing and our

[5:18:19] helicopter we put it out and I

[5:18:24] got a call from my constituents

[5:18:25] this morning who lives on that

[5:18:26] street, who is gathering up her

[5:18:26] kids and her pets and her

[5:18:27] documents to evacuate before

[5:18:29] the fire helicopter got there

[5:18:30] last year.

[5:18:30] Our wildfire helicopters put

[5:18:35] out five fires in JANUARY alone

[5:18:36] saving countless homes and

[5:18:36] structures.

[5:18:37] So I will not ever bend on our

[5:18:38] area operations in our fire

[5:18:42] rescue department And thank you

[5:18:43] to the chief for fully funding

[5:18:43] it.

[5:18:44] That being said, I also

[5:18:48] understand the need to have a

[5:18:48] culture in the city.

[5:18:49] It is more than just bricks and

[5:18:49] mortar.

[5:18:54] It is the people who live here

[5:18:55] in the spaces we create to be

[5:18:55] public funding for the arts and

[5:19:00] culture is not a luxury it our

[5:19:00] society tells the truth about

[5:19:01] itself especially in bonds us

[5:19:05] in hard times even during

[5:19:06] the Great Depression.

[5:19:07] Whatever our nation's darkest

[5:19:07] moments Franklin Delano

[5:19:08] Roosevelt understood

[5:19:11] the recovery wasn't just about

[5:19:12] roads and jobs but also about

[5:19:12] dignity and identity.

[5:19:13] So the Works Progress

[5:19:18] Administration he created

[5:19:19] the Federal Arts Project.

[5:19:19] He put artists to work painting

[5:19:20] murals, writing plays

[5:19:23] documenting American life

[5:19:24] because the arts cannot be left

[5:19:30] to starve in this country.

[5:19:30] Oh, I didn't Sorry.

[5:19:36] Never mind Under 30s So I do

[5:19:36] know we have to restore arts

[5:19:37] and culture funding in this

[5:19:37] budget.

[5:19:38] We will work to do that.

[5:19:42] It will be easy but you have my

[5:19:43] commitment to continue to do

[5:19:43] that And thank you again for

[5:19:44] everyone who came down.

[5:19:45] I hope you realize everyone

[5:19:48] realizes how incredibly hard it

[5:19:49] is for all of us but know that

[5:19:49] we are.

[5:19:50] Everyone here in this room is

[5:19:51] working as hard as we can to

[5:19:55] try and figure out the best

[5:19:55] solution to this.

[5:19:56] So thank you.

[5:19:56] All right.

[5:19:57] Thank you.

[5:19:57] Council member Yvonne Wolpert

[5:20:00] will go next to council member

[5:20:00] with her.

[5:20:01] >> Thank you Council PRESIDENT

[5:20:02] I save my substantive questions

[5:20:06] and comments for the full week

[5:20:06] of budget review committee

[5:20:07] hearings.

[5:20:07] We're going to have the week

[5:20:08] after next.

[5:20:08] As many of you MAY know, we're

[5:20:11] going to have those hearings

[5:20:12] that go through the budget

[5:20:12] department by department.

[5:20:17] It will also have an analysis

[5:20:18] of all those department budgets

[5:20:19] by the Office of

[5:20:19] the Independent Budget Analyst

[5:20:23] which will offer some helpful

[5:20:23] context as well.

[5:20:24] But I do want to thank

[5:20:29] everybody who spoke today and

[5:20:29] share your thoughts what you

[5:20:30] would like to see in the city

[5:20:30] budget.

[5:20:35] My team and I took a lot of

[5:20:36] notes this afternoon and even I

[5:20:37] saw that they are taking a lot

[5:20:41] of notes as people spoke at a

[5:20:42] number of you points that I

[5:20:43] thought were persuasive.

[5:20:43] So I'm glad that you took

[5:20:48] the time to testify what

[5:20:49] the people asked for.

[5:20:50] They can find details on

[5:20:53] the budget And I just want to

[5:20:54] be sure everybody knows you can

[5:20:55] find details on the whole thing

[5:20:59] The city website if you go to

[5:20:59] San diego.Gov/files/draft you

[5:21:05] will find well over a thousand

[5:21:06] pages of information there If

[5:21:07] you can't remember that just

[5:21:07] search for the city of San

[5:21:12] Diego website and when you get

[5:21:12] there go to the Department of

[5:21:13] Finance and you'll see a tab

[5:21:18] for the draft budgets.

[5:21:19] Got everything right there.

[5:21:19] There's going to be more

[5:21:20] opportunities to speak out as

[5:21:24] this budget evolves.

[5:21:25] What note for District three

[5:21:25] residents We are going to have

[5:21:29] a District three budget

[5:21:29] townhall with the Office of

[5:21:30] the Independent Budget Analyst

[5:21:31] Thank you.

[5:21:36] It's going to be on Tuesday MAY

[5:21:37] 12th at 6 P.M. It will be right

[5:21:37] here in council chambers So

[5:21:38] thank you.

[5:21:42] Council PRESIDENT Thank you.

[5:21:42] Council weapon Oh in chambers.

[5:21:43] What a brilliant idea.

[5:21:47] Another advantage of being a

[5:21:48] District three council member.

[5:21:49] We'll go next to Council

[5:21:53] PRESIDENT Pro Tem please thank

[5:21:54] Council PRESIDENT And thank you

[5:21:54] to the Department of Finance

[5:22:01] and our cfo Linda Chavez for

[5:22:01] their work in putting this

[5:22:02] budget together things

[5:22:02] the mayor's office and

[5:22:05] the mayor for presenting this

[5:22:06] to my colleagues for their

[5:22:07] feedback I too appreciated

[5:22:07] the straight talk from

[5:22:11] the Independent budget analyst

[5:22:12] to start us off because I think

[5:22:13] what the public often struggles

[5:22:17] most understand is the frank

[5:22:18] reality of the city's level of

[5:22:23] underfunding not just to

[5:22:24] structurally deliver

[5:22:24] the services that we're

[5:22:30] discussing today but beyond

[5:22:30] that even after we pass a

[5:22:31] balanced budget this year, what

[5:22:36] we are missing most is an

[5:22:37] effort to make actual headway

[5:22:37] on the decades of

[5:22:38] infrastructure backlog that

[5:22:42] have been left from generations

[5:22:43] of passed That I think is truly

[5:22:44] the structural challenge that

[5:22:48] the city faces that will remain

[5:22:49] unaddressed until we the public

[5:22:53] choose to do something about it

[5:22:54] .

[5:22:55] Yet in my years in the Council

[5:22:55] I've quickly understood that

[5:22:59] it's one thing to educate

[5:23:00] the public on the city's

[5:23:01] structural fiscal challenges.

[5:23:01] It's another to ask if we've

[5:23:06] actually earned the trust and

[5:23:07] the credibility from the public

[5:23:07] to give us the tools to address

[5:23:11] those challenges.

[5:23:12] So we stand here again today

[5:23:13] and I think we've long

[5:23:17] understood that this budget

[5:23:18] would be challenging, that

[5:23:19] the deficit would add only add

[5:23:23] on top of the difficult

[5:23:24] decisions we made just one year

[5:23:25] ago and no one in the city

[5:23:29] seemed surprised necessarily

[5:23:30] that we would have difficult

[5:23:31] decisions and significant cuts

[5:23:36] coming.

[5:23:36] I've heard that from those in

[5:23:37] the audience and who have

[5:23:38] spoken on some of the topics

[5:23:42] out in the concourse today.

[5:23:42] I think everyone expected that

[5:23:43] cuts would be coming and that

[5:23:44] there would be a simple reality

[5:23:48] that those cuts would translate

[5:23:49] to reduce services hours and

[5:23:49] especially the people who

[5:23:50] deliver those services and

[5:23:54] hours.

[5:23:54] But even as we seek to

[5:23:55] understand the need to address

[5:24:00] the structural shortfall, I

[5:24:00] think it's impossible not to

[5:24:01] ask what does the city claim to

[5:24:06] value if this budget as

[5:24:06] presented is claimed to be

[5:24:11] structurally sound?

[5:24:12] And I think for many who are

[5:24:17] looking at what's presented

[5:24:18] here, the shock isn't whether

[5:24:18] there were cuts, it's where and

[5:24:24] to what degree those cuts have

[5:24:25] chosen to be implemented with a

[5:24:31] little assurance some detail So

[5:24:32] Mayor silence you're still at

[5:24:32] the mic.

[5:24:33] I wanted to ask if you could

[5:24:34] explain to us the cuts that

[5:24:36] have been proposed to libraries

[5:24:36] and parks and why we don't see

[5:24:37] the specifics of how this would

[5:24:43] be operationalized.

[5:24:44] Yes, nobody asked me to come in

[5:24:44] to help me come forward But

[5:24:48] very simply we have a task

[5:24:49] force speaking with council

[5:24:49] members to try and get

[5:24:50] something of a sense of what

[5:24:54] you could support.

[5:24:55] The message was very clear no

[5:24:56] across the board cuts got it in

[5:25:00] partnership with the Labor

[5:25:01] Department, the procurement

[5:25:01] department and Panda to provide

[5:25:02] analysis to give you some

[5:25:06] framework to work with and I

[5:25:07] think this on the committee

[5:25:08] speak to more detail on that

[5:25:08] and when you might be able

[5:25:09] expect that analysis so that

[5:25:11] you can start helping us help

[5:25:12] guide us to those reductions.

[5:25:13] Thank you, Mayor.

[5:25:17] So the Department is giving a

[5:25:18] percentage and a target

[5:25:18] percentage to meet

[5:25:23] the reductions and then we

[5:25:24] looked at the hours and we had

[5:25:25] to to come up with some

[5:25:25] different scenarios What that

[5:25:30] looks some of it it's more

[5:25:30] uniform across the board,

[5:25:31] others that can be more focused

[5:25:35] on addressing the underserved

[5:25:36] communities versus other

[5:25:36] locations.

[5:25:42] So those are the different

[5:25:43] scenarios or different options

[5:25:43] that we are currently providing

[5:25:48] to the base office included And

[5:25:49] I report with the hope that

[5:25:50] would be an interactive process

[5:25:54] with the council office and

[5:25:55] the stakeholders to provide

[5:25:55] input while we are trying to

[5:25:56] still meet the target

[5:26:00] reductions for the hours of

[5:26:00] the libraries and

[5:26:01] the recreation center as well.

[5:26:06] And then we relied on analysis

[5:26:07] and data that panned out along

[5:26:07] with the department is

[5:26:08] performed as part of the usage

[5:26:12] of locations, the conditions of

[5:26:13] those facilities and so on.

[5:26:14] So we have a lot of data also

[5:26:18] that would be provided along

[5:26:19] with those scenarios to help

[5:26:19] inform the discussion and

[5:26:24] the final decision.

[5:26:25] Thank you and thank you for

[5:26:26] sharing the work that's been

[5:26:26] done on that front.

[5:26:30] I think I want to point out I

[5:26:31] think I think that kind of work

[5:26:31] was asked for by this council

[5:26:32] last year in the budget process

[5:26:33] before the across the board

[5:26:36] cuts were delivered And so I

[5:26:37] appreciate the work that's been

[5:26:42] done but also can't help it be

[5:26:43] frustrated that that data is

[5:26:43] not here with the budget

[5:26:49] proposal.

[5:26:50] And like I said when we ask

[5:26:50] idea that data has not been

[5:26:51] given to the idea yet as

[5:26:51] they're currently working on

[5:26:57] report.

[5:26:58] So my team has been having

[5:27:04] meetings with departments since

[5:27:04] the budget was released on

[5:27:05] APRIL 15th that we are set to

[5:27:06] have meetings with parks and

[5:27:10] libraries either today or

[5:27:10] tomorrow.

[5:27:11] It's more than just meeting

[5:27:12] with hst on Wednesday.

[5:27:15] We have had preliminary

[5:27:16] communication to those

[5:27:17] departments where we have asked

[5:27:17] for additional details on what

[5:27:22] these dollar amounts at are in

[5:27:23] the budget as cuts but without

[5:27:24] details what that looks like.

[5:27:28] We have seen some additional

[5:27:28] information related to rec

[5:27:33] centers and libraries in pandas

[5:27:34] approaches and attempts to kind

[5:27:35] of evaluate the potential

[5:27:39] impacts of them and

[5:27:40] prioritization of them.

[5:27:41] I believe that that should be

[5:27:41] being shared with the council

[5:27:45] as well.

[5:27:46] Ideally all this information

[5:27:47] specifics on proposed cuts

[5:27:47] would have been included in

[5:27:52] the proposed budget in order

[5:27:52] for you to have a better idea

[5:27:53] of what those dollar amounts

[5:27:58] actually represent and weigh

[5:27:59] them against the other cuts

[5:27:59] that are being proposed.

[5:28:00] They're not there right now to

[5:28:03] the extent that we can flesh

[5:28:04] those out and understand and we

[5:28:05] will include those additional

[5:28:06] details in our analysis which

[5:28:10] comes out on the 29th And

[5:28:10] certainly by the time we get to

[5:28:11] the actual b or c presentation

[5:28:15] on the week of MAY fourth, I

[5:28:16] would expect that

[5:28:16] the administration and

[5:28:17] the departments can present

[5:28:21] very clear details on what

[5:28:21] those cuts could actually look

[5:28:22] like.

[5:28:22] Thank you.

[5:28:27] So what I'm hearing is that

[5:28:28] the intent here is to leave

[5:28:29] the specifics of what would be

[5:28:29] implemented up to some of

[5:28:34] the options that would be

[5:28:35] presented and ultimately for

[5:28:35] this council to hear out and in

[5:28:36] the budget review process and

[5:28:40] to provide our feedback for

[5:28:40] the only thing that's been

[5:28:41] determined so far is just

[5:28:46] the amount And so to some

[5:28:46] degree perhaps I guess we

[5:28:47] should appreciate that for all

[5:28:48] of the operational choices on

[5:28:52] here on these portions of

[5:28:53] the budget.

[5:28:53] But I also struggle to

[5:28:54] understand why there isn't a

[5:28:58] proposal that actually in front

[5:28:58] of us that tells us what might

[5:29:04] be operationally implemented

[5:29:04] Opposite of that I guess can

[5:29:09] you explain how with arts and

[5:29:10] culture unlike with libraries

[5:29:11] and parks you were already

[5:29:16] already able to decide that

[5:29:16] penny for the arts would be

[5:29:17] zeroed out?

[5:29:17] Sure.

[5:29:18] Councilmember As you know and

[5:29:22] it's been multiple times this

[5:29:22] afternoon the city's overall

[5:29:23] spend is over $6 billion.

[5:29:27] Well notice that some of

[5:29:27] the public speakers quite

[5:29:28] appreciate is the fact the vast

[5:29:29] majority of those dollars as

[5:29:29] you know are lockbox.

[5:29:33] We cannot utilize them in

[5:29:34] different for different

[5:29:34] resources.

[5:29:35] So when you look at the general

[5:29:37] fund as you know about 2

[5:29:38] billion so about a third of

[5:29:39] what we're talking about in

[5:29:39] that fungible amount of

[5:29:40] resources where we can put it

[5:29:44] to police, we could put it to

[5:29:45] fire to libraries to provide

[5:29:45] the funds.

[5:29:48] Support for the arts are one of

[5:29:49] those fungible resources We're

[5:29:50] trying to solve this massive

[5:29:54] budget deficit 100 and 1846

[5:29:55] depending how you look at it in

[5:29:58] addition to 318 million last

[5:29:58] year.

[5:29:59] I don't think it's understated

[5:30:00] to say that we are not cutting

[5:30:00] fat.

[5:30:04] We are cutting bone and we're

[5:30:05] doing so We have very limited

[5:30:05] options.

[5:30:06] I personally cannot support

[5:30:07] rounding out fire stations or

[5:30:11] closing police stations.

[5:30:11] I did that.

[5:30:12] I voted for that as a city

[5:30:12] councilmember.

[5:30:13] There was a child in your

[5:30:18] district, sir, named Bentley

[5:30:18] Doe who died because he choked

[5:30:19] on a dog on ball when he lived

[5:30:20] near one of the fire stations

[5:30:22] that was browned out when

[5:30:22] having to choose between

[5:30:23] burning up fire stations or

[5:30:24] making a reduction of the arts

[5:30:28] regrettably we had to make that

[5:30:28] .

[5:30:29] I made the recommendation to

[5:30:29] make the reduction.

[5:30:30] The arts has been mentioned

[5:30:30] today.

[5:30:33] You can certainly change it but

[5:30:34] really it's coming from

[5:30:35] the fact that so much of our

[5:30:35] dollars are lockbox and not

[5:30:41] movable And in trying to avoid

[5:30:41] closure of fire stations or

[5:30:42] police stations this is how we

[5:30:43] came to this decision.

[5:30:47] Speaking of the lockbox and

[5:30:48] the funds, I guess turning to

[5:30:48] the idea, Charles, can you

[5:30:49] correct me if I'm wrong that

[5:30:51] art and culture funding has

[5:30:52] over time always traditionally

[5:30:53] come out of one example of a

[5:30:53] lockbox fund which is

[5:30:54] the special promotional

[5:30:58] programs portion of transit

[5:30:58] occupancy tax.

[5:30:59] That's correct.

[5:31:03] Councilmember The 10.5% in fact

[5:31:04] we hire because of that or see

[5:31:08] implementation tot rate of

[5:31:09] return applied in the city is

[5:31:12] split up into different

[5:31:12] components one that goes

[5:31:13] directly to the general fund,

[5:31:14] one that goes ultimately to

[5:31:19] the general fund and then

[5:31:19] another proportion that is set

[5:31:20] aside to ensure that the city

[5:31:24] remains a place that can

[5:31:25] attract tourism visitors,

[5:31:31] funding for arts programs that

[5:31:32] the city has traditionally

[5:31:33] provided has come from that we

[5:31:33] call the special promotional

[5:31:36] programs portion of

[5:31:37] the revenue.

[5:31:37] Thank you.

[5:31:38] And and so just that correction

[5:31:43] would be as I understand it,

[5:31:44] the general fund is not where

[5:31:44] arts and culture has been

[5:31:45] funded in the past.

[5:31:45] We've taken it from special

[5:31:50] personnel programs which is

[5:31:50] outlined in the code municipal

[5:31:51] code and by council policy

[5:31:52] specifically intended for

[5:31:55] promotion of the city.

[5:31:56] It's not the only funding

[5:31:56] that's within that category.

[5:31:57] There are actually quite a

[5:32:01] number of other funds in that

[5:32:02] category that are still

[5:32:02] maintained in social

[5:32:03] promotional programs for

[5:32:03] promotion of the city.

[5:32:07] As we understand it.

[5:32:08] But over time a larger and

[5:32:08] larger percentage of those

[5:32:13] funds have been converted to

[5:32:14] backfill other city services

[5:32:15] that I think we were

[5:32:15] classifying as promotional.

[5:32:19] So requests I would make for

[5:32:20] the idea is that as you are

[5:32:21] looking at special promotional

[5:32:21] programs this year and how

[5:32:22] those funds are being

[5:32:25] reallocated to help the Council

[5:32:25] and the public perhaps better

[5:32:26] understand where this is cut is

[5:32:30] being made and where those

[5:32:31] funds are being diverted to.

[5:32:31] I think we should at least

[5:32:32] transparently understand

[5:32:36] the choices that are being made

[5:32:36] .

[5:32:37] I don't know if that was a

[5:32:42] request.

[5:32:43] It will certainly include

[5:32:43] analysis of special promotional

[5:32:44] programs in our budget.

[5:32:45] We do that every year.

[5:32:48] We'll continue to do that.

[5:32:48] >> Thank you.

[5:32:49] So I recognize just how

[5:32:50] challenging this year's budget

[5:32:50] decisions are.

[5:32:54] We are here to determine what a

[5:32:55] balanced budget will be or how

[5:32:55] a balanced budget will be

[5:33:00] achieved and I'm thinking of it

[5:33:00] not just balanced from a dollar

[5:33:01] sign perspective but also

[5:33:02] balanced when it comes to our

[5:33:06] values and our desire to match

[5:33:07] the needs of the public.

[5:33:08] We're going to continue to hear

[5:33:11] that this is a collaborative

[5:33:12] effort to accomplish that

[5:33:12] balance.

[5:33:13] But I cannot look at this

[5:33:14] year's budget as we start this

[5:33:19] process and not look at last

[5:33:19] year's budget to note that this

[5:33:20] council fought last year to

[5:33:21] protect libraries and parks in

[5:33:24] every way that we could.

[5:33:25] We did so by including cuts to

[5:33:25] management that

[5:33:29] the administration made a clear

[5:33:30] decision not to implement.

[5:33:31] We pushed the administration

[5:33:35] last year to chase every

[5:33:36] opportunity for revenue.

[5:33:37] It was complained that this

[5:33:37] council was being too

[5:33:38] aggressive and so now in front

[5:33:41] of us we have a budget that

[5:33:42] simultaneously cannot decide

[5:33:43] how we will cut services at

[5:33:43] libraries and parks.

[5:33:46] It has already decided which

[5:33:47] chips should fall first.

[5:33:48] That's arts and culture And so

[5:33:49] don't mind me for being a

[5:33:53] little reluctant to trust that

[5:33:54] what is proposed is what

[5:33:54] deserves to be passed.

[5:33:58] I for one and I hope this

[5:33:59] Council will certainly be here

[5:34:00] not just to make the difficult

[5:34:00] decisions but to do everything

[5:34:04] we can not to mitigate

[5:34:05] the budgetary cuts that need to

[5:34:06] be made because anyone in

[5:34:06] the public get wrong At

[5:34:07] the moment our structural

[5:34:11] challenge does mean that cuts

[5:34:11] will need to be made but

[5:34:12] ultimately to help determine

[5:34:13] the balance that matches

[5:34:17] the values we have as a city on

[5:34:18] our promises to San Diegans.

[5:34:18] >> Thank you.

[5:34:22] All right.

[5:34:23] Thank you.

[5:34:24] Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee I

[5:34:29] think now everybody has spoken

[5:34:29] .

[5:34:30] I guess I'll wrap it up Both

[5:34:34] House council PRESIDENT I guess

[5:34:35] with my engineering framework

[5:34:35] kind of talk a little bit more

[5:34:36] about process like my

[5:34:40] colleagues we haven't really

[5:34:41] dug into the budget yet and

[5:34:42] look forward to the Budget

[5:34:46] review Committee So let me

[5:34:47] start by thanking the mayor

[5:34:47] Rolando and Ben and the entire

[5:34:48] executive team for preparing

[5:34:52] and delivering the proposed

[5:34:53] budget for the Council

[5:34:53] the public's consideration And

[5:34:57] I will note that the mayor and

[5:34:58] all five chiefs have stayed

[5:34:58] here throughout the entire

[5:34:59] public comment period as well

[5:35:03] as the council deliberations.

[5:35:04] I want to thank city staff

[5:35:05] through every department who

[5:35:08] sharpened their pencils and dug

[5:35:09] deep to try to right size their

[5:35:10] department budgets.

[5:35:10] A special thank you to our

[5:35:15] colleague Councilmember Foster

[5:35:15] for his work chairing

[5:35:16] the Council's Budget Committee

[5:35:21] and chairing the upcoming

[5:35:21] Budget Review Committee.

[5:35:22] >> I'm going to touch on some

[5:35:23] of the things that my

[5:35:28] colleagues refer to.

[5:35:28] So this year my partnership

[5:35:29] with the independent budget

[5:35:30] analysts by council colleagues

[5:35:33] and Special Budget Chair will

[5:35:34] be more critical than ever

[5:35:35] because unlike past years as

[5:35:35] Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee

[5:35:40] dug into the proposed budget

[5:35:41] only proposes single line item

[5:35:41] cuts to recreation center

[5:35:46] hours, library hours and other

[5:35:46] services.

[5:35:47] It'll be up to the council to

[5:35:48] decide which center or library,

[5:35:51] which days and how many hours

[5:35:52] of deliberative process it has

[5:35:53] Challenge challenging given

[5:35:57] the Brownlee item too important

[5:35:58] to do on the fly and Council

[5:35:58] will have to lean heavily on

[5:35:59] these and those departments and

[5:36:03] the ipa to guide us.

[5:36:04] And Ronnie I appreciate that

[5:36:04] you're having a deep dive.

[5:36:05] I seen some of the early work

[5:36:09] in terms of actually deriving

[5:36:14] metrics both on library and

[5:36:15] recreation centers.

[5:36:15] I might a little bit of

[5:36:16] briefings.

[5:36:17] I've learned an awful lot about

[5:36:21] city operations and how rec

[5:36:22] centers and libraries are being

[5:36:22] used by the general public.

[5:36:27] So if we do it right we're

[5:36:28] doing a little efficiency in

[5:36:28] operations in not actually

[5:36:29] taking away the value those

[5:36:33] brings to the public.

[5:36:34] And so I am convinced that

[5:36:35] partnering with the public we

[5:36:35] will get this done on that

[5:36:39] element I want to join

[5:36:40] the choir and say the proposed

[5:36:41] budget is only the formal

[5:36:46] starting point starting point

[5:36:46] in a robust process and over

[5:36:47] the next two months the council

[5:36:51] will be deliberating,

[5:36:52] dissecting, debating and

[5:36:52] deciding And we will do that

[5:36:53] work at public hearings

[5:36:57] including two evening sessions

[5:36:58] dedicated to public testimony.

[5:36:58] If you had a good time today

[5:37:03] you can come on back starting

[5:37:04] at 6 P.M. On MAY 4th and then

[5:37:08] again on MAY 18th.

[5:37:08] To do that work Council needs

[5:37:09] to hear from residents

[5:37:10] community organizations to

[5:37:15] share your thoughts on a cut.

[5:37:15] And unlike past years of

[5:37:16] opportunity for funding new

[5:37:19] programs of services is not on

[5:37:20] the table.

[5:37:20] We know the proposed budget

[5:37:21] offers a mixed bag of cuts.

[5:37:22] You don't like cuts you can

[5:37:26] support programs and services

[5:37:27] funded that you support and

[5:37:27] others that you don't support

[5:37:33] And if you don't like a cut,

[5:37:34] tell us what program or service

[5:37:34] you would like to cut and to

[5:37:35] balance the budget.

[5:37:38] We did hear from folks I really

[5:37:39] appreciate those folks over

[5:37:39] the course of the afternoon of

[5:37:40] the evening that actually

[5:37:44] throughout their ideas I think

[5:37:44] you got some initial reaction

[5:37:45] from council members.

[5:37:50] So I would encourage you to pay

[5:37:50] attention to that.

[5:37:51] So thank you For those who

[5:37:52] participate today, we certainly

[5:37:56] heard loud and clear that there

[5:37:56] are a number of cuts especially

[5:37:57] in arts and culture that you do

[5:38:02] not like The cut of penny of

[5:38:03] the Arts is brutal and total

[5:38:03] cuts to libraries, rec centers,

[5:38:04] other services is targeted and

[5:38:07] nuanced as I briefly mentioned

[5:38:08] earlier and how we approach

[5:38:09] each of those cuts Put aside

[5:38:13] the rhetoric, roll up our

[5:38:14] sleeves and work strategically

[5:38:15] and not on the fly.

[5:38:19] So where do we find the money

[5:38:19] to restore those cuts?

[5:38:20] Some of my colleagues have

[5:38:21] mentioned there and I would

[5:38:25] agree there is no appetite for

[5:38:26] new revenue on the backs of

[5:38:26] residents.

[5:38:27] What I can predict when we

[5:38:31] reach the end of this budget

[5:38:32] cycle none of us will be fully

[5:38:32] satisfied with the adopted

[5:38:33] budget.

[5:38:37] My goal as Council PRESIDENT Is

[5:38:38] for all of us to believe

[5:38:39] the process worked.

[5:38:39] But the newly adopted budget

[5:38:40] reflects our city's fiscal

[5:38:43] reality Rather than meeting all

[5:38:44] of the aspirations of what city

[5:38:50] services can and should be cut

[5:38:50] not new revenue is how we get

[5:38:51] there.

[5:38:55] City residents have sent a

[5:38:56] clear message I'm not going to

[5:38:57] keep repeating this Raising new

[5:38:57] revenue on their backs to fill

[5:39:01] the gap is not an option.

[5:39:02] We must deliver a budget with

[5:39:02] the resources we have.

[5:39:03] It is often said that budgets

[5:39:07] are a statement of values As

[5:39:08] several of my colleagues

[5:39:08] mentioned, this budget must

[5:39:13] reflect the principal value

[5:39:14] that this government

[5:39:14] accountable responsive to

[5:39:19] residents cuts with within

[5:39:19] the proposed budget are clearly

[5:39:20] drastic and include reducing

[5:39:25] positions dedicated hardworking

[5:39:26] city staff will be laid off,

[5:39:26] City services will be impacted.

[5:39:30] I do not say that lightly

[5:39:31] because the very good people

[5:39:32] I'll be wrapping up this is a

[5:39:37] moment that requires good

[5:39:38] governance not games At

[5:39:38] the moment it requires us to

[5:39:39] make tough decisions and take a

[5:39:39] stand.

[5:39:42] That's a fact.

[5:39:43] This is a moment that requires

[5:39:44] prudence, not politics.

[5:39:44] This is what constituents

[5:39:48] deserve from their elected

[5:39:49] officials and what our city's

[5:39:49] future demands what our

[5:39:55] constituents don't deserve.

[5:39:56] If the outrage from outside

[5:39:56] agents that threatened to blow

[5:39:59] a new $100 million hole in this

[5:40:00] fragile budget if you don't

[5:40:04] like the cuts in today's $118

[5:40:05] million solution, you're going

[5:40:05] to hate doubling up on those

[5:40:09] cuts for a $218 million

[5:40:09] solution.

[5:40:10] That is not rhetoric.

[5:40:15] That is a very real possibility

[5:40:15] .

[5:40:16] So in closing, the budget must

[5:40:17] reflect our values.

[5:40:17] This budget must make

[5:40:21] measurable strides in putting

[5:40:22] San Diego on firmer financial

[5:40:22] footing.

[5:40:26] None of this will be even easy

[5:40:27] .

[5:40:27] But with the public all of you

[5:40:28] council and the mayor working

[5:40:33] together we will get this done.

[5:40:34] So I'll close there And again

[5:40:35] thank you all that showed up.

[5:40:35] Thank you.

[5:40:38] That stuck all the way through

[5:40:38] .

[5:40:39] Thank you Again, the mayor and

[5:40:40] the executive team that stayed

[5:40:40] through the entire meeting so

[5:40:45] that will wrap item 200 Now if

[5:40:45] you haven't had enough, we will

[5:40:51] now take up non agenda public

[5:40:51] comment.

[5:40:52] The council members respect and

[5:40:56] appreciate the public's input

[5:40:57] and are fully committed to

[5:40:58] protecting every participant's

[5:40:58] free speech rights at council

[5:41:02] and committee meetings.

[5:41:03] Clark This is not a general

[5:41:04] public comment so this is not a

[5:41:05] repeat of things that we've

[5:41:09] already talked about today or

[5:41:10] on the agenda which was pretty

[5:41:10] broad based.

[5:41:11] So Clark, please proceed with

[5:41:15] public comment non agenda

[5:41:16] public comment and thank you.

[5:41:16] Council PRESIDENT Pearl 2.7 on

[5:41:17] general public comment is an

[5:41:20] opportunity for members of

[5:41:21] the public to comment on items

[5:41:21] that are not on the agenda but

[5:41:22] within the subject matter

[5:41:22] jurisdiction of the City

[5:41:26] Council.

[5:41:27] Each speaker will have two

[5:41:27] minutes.

[5:41:28] Please note there are eight or

[5:41:29] more speakers on a single

[5:41:29] topic.

[5:41:31] The maximum time for the topic

[5:41:32] will be 16 minutes.

[5:41:33] If you're in chambers please

[5:41:33] submit your speakers with them.

[5:41:34] If you're joining us for

[5:41:35] virtually please raise your

[5:41:37] hand to speak by tapping

[5:41:38] the raise your hand icon or if

[5:41:39] your calling participant Star

[5:41:40] nine Josh Bohannan Josh

[5:41:46] Mohammed are you here So I

[5:41:47] don't see a Josh and Julie

[5:41:53] Arjona live.

[5:41:54] I can have the following

[5:41:55] individuals please come up to

[5:41:55] the yellow reserved seats Mary

[5:41:59] Soriano and Anthony Ross Please

[5:41:59] come to the yellow reserved

[5:41:59] seats.

[5:42:00] You'll have two minutes.

[5:42:01] Please proceed.

[5:42:05] I forgot to mention that my

[5:42:05] nickname is always so That's

[5:42:06] why there's confusion if you

[5:42:07] know that I'm doing all these

[5:42:07] different.

[5:42:08] Anyways I came to talk about

[5:42:10] mental health and today we saw

[5:42:11] a lot of emotion rises and I

[5:42:12] thought this would be a great

[5:42:16] thing to bring up.

[5:42:17] So with the young people our

[5:42:17] mental health crisis is going

[5:42:18] up and up more by, you know,

[5:42:21] social media by, you know,

[5:42:22] bullying by a whole bunch of

[5:42:22] factors.

[5:42:23] And as mentioned, art is really

[5:42:27] needed for that for mental

[5:42:28] health and then also for social

[5:42:28] work and all that.

[5:42:29] I love to bring it up but it's

[5:42:30] also really needed.

[5:42:32] So I would like to bring up an

[5:42:33] idea for youth if you would

[5:42:34] like to propose this for

[5:42:38] schools in your district or in

[5:42:38] your area.

[5:42:39] The idea is to have a space for

[5:42:44] youth in their schools and they

[5:42:45] can have a place where they can

[5:42:45] take a sleep.

[5:42:46] They could take a nap if they

[5:42:46] didn't get sleep at home with

[5:42:50] the day before.

[5:42:51] If they're having testing diary

[5:42:52] they can put a a referral to go

[5:42:56] inside to the classroom that's

[5:42:56] designated for this area to

[5:42:57] have a moment for anxiety

[5:42:57] testing.

[5:43:02] It's another idea of like if

[5:43:03] this is not eating our home

[5:43:03] they can have a space where

[5:43:04] they can go eat snacks before

[5:43:07] class or they can eat lunch.

[5:43:07] They have a place to eat.

[5:43:08] I am a youth in Chula Vista so

[5:43:09] I'm not even a part of here But

[5:43:12] I want to bring this idea

[5:43:13] because I feel like this idea

[5:43:13] is really needed for a lot of

[5:43:14] people.

[5:43:18] I was a survivor of suicide

[5:43:19] which I am really happy I'm

[5:43:20] here still and I'm not like

[5:43:20] that.

[5:43:24] I am Once again I'm 19 so I

[5:43:25] haven't been here for long but

[5:43:26] I'm really happy I stayed.

[5:43:28] I just want to bring up one

[5:43:29] more thing is just the idea is

[5:43:29] to have a classroom that's

[5:43:34] dedicated to this realm of like

[5:43:34] for anxiety for support or if

[5:43:35] you need extra tutoring just

[5:43:40] basically a room that students

[5:43:41] can leave during class to go to

[5:43:41] So that way they don't have

[5:43:42] this anxiety and they don't

[5:43:46] have the pressure of having

[5:43:46] the best student they can be if

[5:43:47] they can't even perform with

[5:43:48] their mental health.

[5:43:48] So that being said I know I

[5:43:52] have 10s if I could request

[5:43:52] more time I would love to but

[5:43:53] we just basically need a room

[5:43:56] that these students can go to

[5:43:57] maybe once a month that they

[5:43:58] can go in and request to have

[5:43:58] that little space where they

[5:43:59] can like perform better and

[5:44:00] they can succeed There.

[5:44:00] >> Thank you so much.

[5:44:07] Thank you, Mary Joanna Mary

[5:44:08] third PRESIDENT Of your town

[5:44:12] council Marty, thank you About

[5:44:12] the fire rescue department

[5:44:16] There's over 50 fire safe

[5:44:17] council rescue fire safe

[5:44:22] councils and the community

[5:44:22] officers The wildfire community

[5:44:23] officers are our preventative

[5:44:27] maintenance for our community.

[5:44:28] We need them.

[5:44:29] We can't cut them because we've

[5:44:33] already failed on preventative

[5:44:34] maintenance as a city And those

[5:44:39] wildfire wildfire community

[5:44:39] officers are our preventative

[5:44:40] maintenance to the community

[5:44:45] for loyal cares for our

[5:44:45] neighboring town And our

[5:44:46] neighboring town is Claremont

[5:44:50] Mesa.

[5:44:50] Claremont Mesa is experiencing

[5:44:56] a battle with at&t cell Tower

[5:44:57] 60 foot high 50 gallon diesel

[5:45:02] generator under Community Park

[5:45:02] called Gershwin Park.

[5:45:03] Tomorrow night the Planning

[5:45:07] Commission or the planning

[5:45:08] group for Claremont, mi.

[5:45:09] So we'll be hearing on this And

[5:45:12] there's a coalition called no

[5:45:13] at&t in Claremont that will be

[5:45:17] there tomorrow night at 6 P.M..

[5:45:18] La Hoya has experienced several

[5:45:18] of these.

[5:45:23] We were playing Whac-a-Mole

[5:45:23] with at&t throughout our own

[5:45:24] community so we were trying to

[5:45:28] definitely help them.

[5:45:29] >> Also on my way here a Rodney

[5:45:33] Tucker homeless gentleman over

[5:45:34] at the Lower Hoya Rec Center

[5:45:35] somehow must have attended

[5:45:35] the La Hoya Town Council

[5:45:39] meeting and got my card, called

[5:45:40] me.

[5:45:40] He got a ticket, a parking

[5:45:41] ticket.

[5:45:45] I have the citation number.

[5:45:46] It's going to cost him $75.

[5:45:46] This guy is homeless.

[5:45:50] He moved his car around

[5:45:51] the block and then got a ticket

[5:45:52] on the second round.

[5:45:52] >> I don't know how we can

[5:45:53] help.

[5:45:56] I'm not sure how our resources

[5:45:56] are ticketing homeless people

[5:45:57] because we obviously know that

[5:46:01] they can't pay for this ticket.

[5:46:01] They'd like to have you guys

[5:46:02] rethink on how that is being

[5:46:02] done as well.

[5:46:05] Thank you.

[5:46:05] >> Thank you.

[5:46:16] Anthony Ross Good afternoon

[5:46:17] City Council How are we doing

[5:46:17] today?

[5:46:18] Vice Chair of the Boulevard

[5:46:22] Planning Group.

[5:46:22] Artist Musician.

[5:46:22] Actor.

[5:46:27] Deejay And today I wanted to

[5:46:28] speak about the budget cuts

[5:46:28] that have been proposed but I

[5:46:29] also wanted to I understand

[5:46:30] it's a non agenda public

[5:46:32] comment so I also wanted to

[5:46:33] speak about Flock.

[5:46:33] i wanted to speak about my

[5:46:37] concern that I have in seeing

[5:46:38] this city council repeatedly

[5:46:38] have this almost obsequious

[5:46:43] servile nature to stampede.

[5:46:44] And I want to remind everyone

[5:46:45] on the city council you work

[5:46:49] for us, your constituents not

[5:46:50] for sdp.

[5:46:50] Sdp does not vote you into

[5:46:54] power and esdp is a huge reason

[5:46:55] why we are in this current

[5:46:55] budget crisis.

[5:46:56] Just between the deaths of

[5:47:00] Hayden Shuck which was caused

[5:47:00] by criminal negligence and

[5:47:04] Kenosha Wilson Those two deaths

[5:47:05] alone inmates in our own city

[5:47:09] jails are costing the city $46

[5:47:09] million.

[5:47:10] That's more than a third of

[5:47:13] the entire deficit that we

[5:47:14] have.

[5:47:14] If we want to be realistic

[5:47:15] about the source of these

[5:47:15] problems, we need

[5:47:20] accountability.

[5:47:20] We currently have a deficit

[5:47:21] what over 100 police officers

[5:47:25] that I read in the newspaper

[5:47:25] the other day.

[5:47:26] It's not a mystery why people

[5:47:27] why we can't get enrollment in

[5:47:29] cpd because people are tired of

[5:47:30] seeing an unaccountable police

[5:47:31] force that's overpaid for what

[5:47:35] they're doing and they're not

[5:47:36] responsive to the public.

[5:47:36] I want to remind the city

[5:47:37] council that you have a

[5:47:40] fundamentally different

[5:47:41] relationship to power than we

[5:47:42] do your command the police

[5:47:46] officers.

[5:47:46] You all are protected by

[5:47:47] the police officers.

[5:47:48] But I want to ask all of you

[5:47:52] who in your family or what have

[5:47:52] you individually ever

[5:47:53] experienced police brutality if

[5:47:57] you've never experienced police

[5:47:57] brutality you don't deserve to

[5:47:58] be the ones that are voting for

[5:48:02] increases for the dpd.

[5:48:03] If you've never experienced

[5:48:03] police, if you're no one in

[5:48:04] your family has ever

[5:48:07] experienced police brutality or

[5:48:08] the consequences of being

[5:48:08] overly surveilled, why is Block

[5:48:13] being allowed to be put into

[5:48:14] our communities?

[5:48:14] I'm tired of seeing the City

[5:48:15] Council not obeying

[5:48:19] the Constitution.

[5:48:19] >> Please thank you for your

[5:48:20] concluding comment.

[5:48:21] Don't keep funding Your time

[5:48:23] has concluded and started

[5:48:24] the five minute timer going to

[5:48:25] those participating online.

[5:48:28] We currently have 13 speakers

[5:48:29] with their hands raised.

[5:48:31] Remember there's a five minute

[5:48:31] timer.

[5:48:32] Nobody who raises their hand

[5:48:33] after that will be taken

[5:48:34] The original If you can please

[5:48:39] unmute it is very concerning

[5:48:44] when we talk about the police

[5:48:44] department and say in tis and

[5:48:49] how they're here for a public

[5:48:49] safety when they're actually

[5:48:50] been weaponized against

[5:48:51] the people in they're going

[5:48:54] against our public safety and

[5:48:55] also the contract with fall

[5:49:00] ambulance This is very

[5:49:00] concerning along with

[5:49:03] the weaponization of Prop 36

[5:49:04] upon the people and what is

[5:49:05] actually taking place with

[5:49:09] these entities and

[5:49:09] the conspiracies and

[5:49:10] the conspiring together to take

[5:49:14] people arrest them, even

[5:49:15] assault them.

[5:49:15] That's what the police do or

[5:49:16] they kill them.

[5:49:19] They unload their weapons on

[5:49:20] mental health People who are

[5:49:24] experiencing something There

[5:49:24] has been sexual assault.

[5:49:25] There's so many different

[5:49:25] things.

[5:49:29] But when the police are working

[5:49:30] with the emt to put these

[5:49:34] individuals into the ambulance

[5:49:39] and Falck is also you know,

[5:49:39] engaged and providing

[5:49:45] medications that are being used

[5:49:45] in these ambulances that are

[5:49:46] some thing like Vir said or

[5:49:50] ketamine but something that you

[5:49:50] can put into your nose.

[5:49:55] And so there is no kind of, you

[5:49:56] know, whole from an injection

[5:49:59] but it states the individual

[5:50:00] and they potentially then just,

[5:50:01] you know, wake up naked in

[5:50:05] the hospital and wear their

[5:50:06] clothes and they're bleeding

[5:50:10] from their and then they get

[5:50:10] sent to the police or to

[5:50:14] the jail And in there they are

[5:50:15] put into detox but they're

[5:50:19] refused a drug test which would

[5:50:20] then determine what drug they

[5:50:20] were given.

[5:50:21] But this is very concerning

[5:50:25] because it is seeming that

[5:50:30] there is a producing of these

[5:50:30] patients that need to be in

[5:50:31] these programs because

[5:50:35] everything that happens is a

[5:50:36] racket and it's very or a very

[5:50:37] well organized crime And so you

[5:50:40] guys need to be looking into

[5:50:41] your contracts and who is

[5:50:44] investing in those future has

[5:50:44] concluded.

[5:50:45] Barbara Gordon If you can

[5:50:49] please unmute.

[5:50:49] Good evening.

[5:50:50] I'm a public health advocate

[5:50:54] with so many needs in the city

[5:50:55] and with budget shortages I

[5:50:59] respectfully request that

[5:50:59] the city not implement

[5:51:00] the cannabis equity program.

[5:51:03] The seed program is not

[5:51:04] sustainable without impacting

[5:51:05] the already strained budget

[5:51:08] resources.

[5:51:09] San Diego already has 38

[5:51:10] marijuana businesses.

[5:51:13] Why are we looking to expand

[5:51:14] the number of these businesses

[5:51:18] in the name of social equity as

[5:51:19] the city struggles with

[5:51:19] homelessness?

[5:51:23] Many peer review study showed

[5:51:24] that marijuana use contributes

[5:51:25] to drug abuse and addiction

[5:51:28] which is the leading cause of

[5:51:29] homelessness In the latest

[5:51:33] national survey on drug use and

[5:51:36] Health estimated 32% of the 64

[5:51:37] million passed marijuana users.

[5:51:38] Well, here's an older in

[5:51:42] America have cannabis use

[5:51:42] disorder that number of

[5:51:47] Americans addicted to marijuana

[5:51:47] comes to over 20 million

[5:51:48] people.

[5:51:52] The profit driven marijuana

[5:51:52] industry continues to produce

[5:51:53] and promote stronger products

[5:51:56] that are addicting millions and

[5:51:57] disrupting people's lives.

[5:52:01] Marijuana use is linked to

[5:52:02] doubling risk of psychotic and

[5:52:06] bipolar disorders.

[5:52:07] This was all published in

[5:52:07] the Journal of American Medical

[5:52:11] Health Forum.

[5:52:11] I urge the Council to not

[5:52:15] prioritize this industry over

[5:52:16] the many needs of the city.

[5:52:16] Your focus and responsibility

[5:52:20] is public health and safety.

[5:52:21] Not advocating for more

[5:52:26] marijuana in our city.

[5:52:26] >> Thank you for letting me

[5:52:27] speak.

[5:52:28] Our next speaker is Catherine

[5:52:29] Rose.

[5:52:33] If you can please unmute.

[5:52:34] Hello, this is Catherine

[5:52:34] Rhoades.

[5:52:35] First I want to talk about

[5:52:38] where you could find my or

[5:52:44] Mandy have links in my talk

[5:52:44] reform measures for the transit

[5:52:45] occupancy tax.

[5:52:48] It's found at Tony WorldCom

[5:52:52] slash 2026 0418b that's

[5:52:56] tightening euro 2026 0418b And

[5:52:57] another thing you could do is

[5:53:01] just go to Mandy, have website

[5:53:02] or contact Mandy through next

[5:53:06] door and I, I want to say this

[5:53:10] again I would like somebody on

[5:53:11] the city council or everybody

[5:53:12] on the city council to actually

[5:53:15] contact me and Mandy and we

[5:53:16] could just walk through

[5:53:16] the super simple solution.

[5:53:20] This is literally your golden

[5:53:20] ticket.

[5:53:25] This is this is perfect.

[5:53:25] It fully fund You could

[5:53:26] actually have more like ours.

[5:53:29] All the ones can be put in plus

[5:53:29] you could get bought library.

[5:53:30] You could have every single

[5:53:34] amount of dollars for the pet

[5:53:34] need for the arts.

[5:53:35] Now we have as part of our

[5:53:38] ballot measure we have pending

[5:53:39] for the arts ballpark in

[5:53:42] libraries and that brings in

[5:53:43] $30 million So each of the you

[5:53:46] know divided by a third that's

[5:53:46] $10 million each And that's

[5:53:50] only if we have our measure

[5:53:50] too.

[5:53:51] But if we have our measure one,

[5:53:55] it goes up tremendously.

[5:53:56] It would you know it it's just

[5:54:00] such a wonderful idea and we

[5:54:01] would love the opportunity to

[5:54:01] actually walk you through it

[5:54:05] step by step.

[5:54:06] And so I ask that you actually

[5:54:07] call us and then I would ask

[5:54:10] that you actually get meetings

[5:54:10] with the with all the people

[5:54:15] you know, the people from

[5:54:15] the perhaps foundation or i

[5:54:19] don't know how to pronounce it

[5:54:19] the people from the arts

[5:54:20] community, the people from

[5:54:23] the library community and allow

[5:54:24] us to bring this idea of no

[5:54:28] taxes that come from any city

[5:54:29] of San Diego.

[5:54:30] Resident This comes from rich

[5:54:33] visitors that are coming here

[5:54:34] and our money is being stolen

[5:54:34] through legal loop.

[5:54:35] >> I'm sorry your time has

[5:54:38] concluded.

[5:54:39] So has the five minute timer.

[5:54:40] There are 11 speakers in

[5:54:40] the queue and no additional

[5:54:42] speakers will be taken.

[5:54:43] Blair Beekman If you can please

[5:54:48] unmute.

[5:54:48] >> Hi.

[5:54:48] Thank you.

[5:54:53] Blair Beckman Good luck to our

[5:54:54] selves to good dialog and

[5:54:54] communication for the next few

[5:54:55] months.

[5:54:58] What we have to be working on

[5:54:59] in San Diego and good luck that

[5:55:03] equity can have a real

[5:55:04] important guiding light What we

[5:55:05] talk about with each other in

[5:55:08] the next few months with budget

[5:55:08] issues.

[5:55:09] With that said, thanks for

[5:55:12] the words of Dora and Anthony a

[5:55:13] public speaker who spoke at

[5:55:17] the beginning today.

[5:55:17] They're pretty adamant about

[5:55:22] police issues right now and I

[5:55:23] think I'm going to be joining

[5:55:23] their efforts in am is talking

[5:55:27] about a lot I've heard him talk

[5:55:28] about jail issues that

[5:55:29] the county jail deaths are

[5:55:32] happening a lot.

[5:55:33] The events that have happened

[5:55:34] to Andrea Ervin are kind of

[5:55:36] shocking I think.

[5:55:37] I think we can all be in

[5:55:38] agreement on that And I think

[5:55:41] it's time to really start to

[5:55:42] question if we need a bit of

[5:55:43] review of how the police is

[5:55:46] working in San Diego overall

[5:55:47] and I hope that can be an open

[5:55:51] conversation we can be having.

[5:55:52] So good luck on those efforts.

[5:55:55] I think it's important at this

[5:55:56] time something's going wrong

[5:55:57] and we have to be addressing

[5:55:57] something.

[5:56:00] I think it sounds like So good

[5:56:01] luck in your efforts.

[5:56:01] I've heard these stories before

[5:56:05] in San Diego just said that a

[5:56:05] shot of violence is happening

[5:56:06] and we got to be addressing

[5:56:06] that.

[5:56:10] I think and maybe something

[5:56:10] deeper MAY be involved that we

[5:56:15] have to be addressing also.

[5:56:16] >> So with that said again, you

[5:56:16] know, I've been talking about

[5:56:20] Oakland issues Good luck that

[5:56:20] we can be addressing our

[5:56:25] unhoused issues that we can be

[5:56:25] open and clear on that subject.

[5:56:29] And again just an overall

[5:56:30] clarity with war going on

[5:56:31] around the world still there's

[5:56:31] still not there's still

[5:56:34] fighting in Iran that you know,

[5:56:35] it's difficult to navigate.

[5:56:39] But if we talk openly and

[5:56:40] clearly here at the local level

[5:56:41] on our issues, then we're not

[5:56:44] using fear and we're not using

[5:56:44] scare tactics.

[5:56:45] We're using openness and better

[5:56:49] reasoning And those are

[5:56:50] the concepts of peace not war.

[5:56:51] >> It'll be respected around

[5:56:51] the world.

[5:56:51] Thank you.

[5:56:52] Thank you.

[5:56:53] Next John Stump if he can

[5:56:57] please unmute.

[5:57:03] Thank you very much.

[5:57:07] I want to talk about an article

[5:57:08] that was in in

[5:57:12] the Union-Tribune and the front

[5:57:12] page of the local section on

[5:57:16] Friday.

[5:57:17] That article talked about

[5:57:22] SeaWorld having to rescue more

[5:57:26] and more sea birds that were

[5:57:27] apparently starving.

[5:57:28] And what was the conclusion of

[5:57:31] that article?

[5:57:32] >> Global warming climate

[5:57:36] change What the article

[5:57:38] revealed was that the highest

[5:57:44] temperatures ever measured from

[5:57:51] Scripps Pier happened last week

[5:57:55] and they were in the 65 to 68

[5:57:56] degree level where the bigger

[5:58:00] indicator where climate you're

[5:58:01] going to have your first

[5:58:05] climate change disaster is at

[5:58:06] Rocky point at the Sea of

[5:58:10] Cortez.

[5:58:10] That's the traditional outlet

[5:58:15] of the Colorado River into

[5:58:15] the Sea of Cortez or the Gulf

[5:58:16] of California.

[5:58:19] The water temperature there was

[5:58:24] ten degrees higher in the 76 to

[5:58:25] 78 degrees.

[5:58:30] Eutrophication that will occur

[5:58:34] there and the end of the sea of

[5:58:34] Cortez will have a die out.

[5:58:39] So if you want to know what

[5:58:44] the future brings it brings a

[5:58:44] climate change disaster that

[5:58:49] will be first realized in North

[5:58:54] America in the Sea of Cortez at

[5:58:55] Rocky Point.

[5:58:58] Please pay attention to that.

[5:58:59] >> Tourism will end.

[5:58:59] Thank you.

[5:59:00] Thank you.

[5:59:04] Next is Travis If you can

[5:59:09] please unmute.

[5:59:09] >> Good evening.

[5:59:10] Thanks for being there all day.

[5:59:11] First I'd like to thank Henry

[5:59:14] Foster to have the guts to call

[5:59:15] it a stop for drive around in

[5:59:18] single officer patrols to

[5:59:19] officer patrols are better

[5:59:20] economically safer for officers

[5:59:23] and safer for community

[5:59:23] members.

[5:59:24] Each of you should support

[5:59:24] that.

[5:59:28] Sean You should voice your

[5:59:29] support for movie block today

[5:59:30] for all Compare your cowardice

[5:59:33] will not be forgotten.

[5:59:34] The flock needs to go into

[5:59:34] fire.

[5:59:37] Daniel Gold You should be

[5:59:38] demanding this $30 million cop

[5:59:41] has to go.

[5:59:42] Lastly please look at why this

[5:59:47] is on the climate topic that

[5:59:47] the last gentleman just talked

[5:59:48] to.

[5:59:51] Please look at why a $3.8

[5:59:54] billion terminal one permit

[5:59:54] project planted zero native

[5:59:58] plants in their landscape.

[5:59:59] It makes no sense from a

[6:00:00] climate perspective.

[6:00:00] It makes no sense from a common

[6:00:04] sense perspective.

[6:00:04] I've also checked pollinators

[6:00:05] aren't political Everyone likes

[6:00:05] bees.

[6:00:10] I root likes and butterflies

[6:00:11] plant trees, capture 5 pounds

[6:00:12] of carbon a year, pine trees

[6:00:13] capture 20 to 40 pounds, plant

[6:00:17] trees, plant native trees and

[6:00:17] do better.

[6:00:22] And Joe you man.

[6:00:23] I'm glad that you let 200

[6:00:23] people know that you don't

[6:00:24] value the First Amendment.

[6:00:27] Hope you guys have a good night

[6:00:28] .

[6:00:28] Francine Maxwell if you can

[6:00:32] please unmute.

[6:00:33] Good evening.

[6:00:33] Francine Maxwell Southeastern

[6:00:37] San Diego resident I'm hearing

[6:00:38] that we want to continue to

[6:00:39] check on the pulse if we're

[6:00:42] going to if we're building

[6:00:43] trust I think that you should

[6:00:47] know that you're not and you

[6:00:48] know that there is a trust

[6:00:49] issue that continues and it's

[6:00:53] with the city council that's in

[6:00:53] charge of the seep Again, where

[6:00:57] is our independent attorney?

[6:00:57] We are independent commission

[6:01:01] oversight is very important as

[6:01:02] it pertains to sd pd they are

[6:01:07] finishing cases and by law they

[6:01:07] are supposed to release and

[6:01:13] make them publicly like where's

[6:01:13] the transparency?

[6:01:17] Where is the case that should

[6:01:17] be released On Marcus Evans

[6:01:21] The city of San Diego has

[6:01:24] already paid 875,000 And so

[6:01:29] where is the transparency for

[6:01:30] the community so that we can

[6:01:34] see why you paid the 875 with

[6:01:35] our tax dollars and what

[6:01:38] happened and who was held

[6:01:39] accountable in the pd.

[6:01:44] We also have the Conor Wilson

[6:01:44] case.

[6:01:47] The cases finish 30 million

[6:01:47] paid.

[6:01:48] Where is the case?

[6:01:52] Transparency No trust.

[6:01:57] Keep the public chair of public

[6:01:57] safety is sitting there

[6:02:01] chatting on the diocese and he

[6:02:02] should she should be asking for

[6:02:07] recommending actions on who to

[6:02:08] hire for an attorney for the c

[6:02:12] p She should be doing her due

[6:02:16] diligence as she continues to

[6:02:17] run for her next office to make

[6:02:20] sure that the oversight for

[6:02:21] the eighth largest city is

[6:02:21] done.

[6:02:22] She should be making sure that

[6:02:26] all seats are full, that

[6:02:27] the youth voice at p which is

[6:02:31] extremely important is done do

[6:02:31] better.

[6:02:32] >> You are supposed to leave

[6:02:35] something better than you found

[6:02:36] it.

[6:02:36] Thank you for allowing me to

[6:02:37] speak.

[6:02:38] Next is Ernie Casco.

[6:02:43] If you can please unmute.

[6:02:44] Hello Ernie Castro La Hoya

[6:02:49] resident Another crack at

[6:02:49] Torrey Pines Cloud Airport.

[6:02:53] I did not fly this week because

[6:02:53] of the dangerous flying

[6:02:54] conditions and the threat of

[6:02:55] violence.

[6:02:58] Your leaseholder is breaking

[6:02:59] the law selling insurance and

[6:03:02] an access pass and waiver not

[6:03:03] required by law.

[6:03:03] This is insurance fraud and

[6:03:07] misappropriation of public

[6:03:08] funding going into private

[6:03:08] accounts which demands a full

[6:03:12] transparent city audit that

[6:03:13] would end the corruption within

[6:03:17] your administration And Torrey

[6:03:17] Pines Glider Port Management

[6:03:21] the San Diego Recreational One

[6:03:21] waiver stops the corruption

[6:03:25] legally secure city liability

[6:03:26] isolates safety concerns and

[6:03:30] stops the illegal collection of

[6:03:30] public funding into private

[6:03:31] accounts.

[6:03:31] The San Diego recreational

[6:03:35] Waiver separates the business

[6:03:36] from normal free public access

[6:03:40] by allowing the business to

[6:03:41] stay paying their own bills

[6:03:41] operating like every other

[6:03:45] business in public parks and

[6:03:45] lands.

[6:03:46] It is the City Council's

[6:03:49] responsibility to provide

[6:03:50] police reports and stop

[6:03:51] the violence at a public park

[6:03:54] in a timely fashion.

[6:03:55] Where are the police reports

[6:03:55] Police reports that normally

[6:03:59] provide justice for the victims

[6:04:00] and witnesses that have been

[6:04:04] damaged by negligent city

[6:04:04] operator?

[6:04:05] There are common business laws

[6:04:09] to protect public on how

[6:04:10] businesses should run in public

[6:04:10] parks and lands.

[6:04:14] The San Diego Recreational

[6:04:14] waiver is a win for city

[6:04:15] liabilities and legally

[6:04:18] restores our recreational

[6:04:19] rights and freedoms for years

[6:04:19] to come.

[6:04:20] Thank you.

[6:04:24] Ernie Casco Next to the Zoom

[6:04:28] user if you can please email.

[6:04:29] Thanks a lot Hector here.

[6:04:33] I want to congratulate you guys

[6:04:33] .

[6:04:34] You're doing a good job, man.

[6:04:35] It's like if you can't take

[6:04:38] the heat you got to get out of

[6:04:38] the kitchen.

[6:04:39] So far you guys have been doing

[6:04:40] a pretty good job, man.

[6:04:43] I understand why people are,

[6:04:44] man.

[6:04:44] Anyway, you did a good job And

[6:04:48] I had a question on parking

[6:04:49] thank to first time in like 20

[6:04:52] years I got a parking ticket

[6:04:53] I've always parked over at

[6:04:54] the South Shore and Mission Bay

[6:04:58] Park and they're paving half

[6:04:59] the paved thing over there.

[6:04:59] There's hundreds of parking

[6:05:03] spaces on Saturday the park my

[6:05:04] truck down there I got my bike

[6:05:07] and went for a bike ride.

[6:05:08] What to do like once a week And

[6:05:12] then I came back and I got a

[6:05:13] ticket for parking in the lot.

[6:05:17] It's a free lot but and it was

[6:05:21] $82 and to other people I got

[6:05:25] tickets but a lot had like ski

[6:05:26] boats like six ski boats, maybe

[6:05:26] ten cars.

[6:05:30] It was like 200 spots in

[6:05:30] the lot.

[6:05:33] Nobody was in there and three

[6:05:34] of us got tickets My car a

[6:05:38] Tesla and another car a regular

[6:05:39] car and then some homeless guys

[6:05:44] were living down there with rv

[6:05:44] is that Indian ticket and some

[6:05:45] other guys that had their old

[6:05:48] cars there didn't get tickets.

[6:05:48] I think it's because the guys

[6:05:49] that probably been there a lot

[6:05:53] and get a lot of tickets I

[6:05:53] don't think they got a ticket

[6:05:54] maybe like six tickets stopped

[6:05:57] giving him tickets but I

[6:05:58] haven't had a ticket one for

[6:06:03] years and I was off because

[6:06:04] I've I've parked there hundreds

[6:06:07] of times with there's no

[6:06:07] parking meter just parked there

[6:06:08] So I got I'm trying to get a

[6:06:11] flight to see what that's about

[6:06:12] But I just wondered there's

[6:06:16] definitely a crackdown on

[6:06:17] the parking.

[6:06:17] I want to warn guys about

[6:06:21] the parking situation They are

[6:06:21] giving tickets like where they

[6:06:22] they never used to So that was

[6:06:25] my fault.

[6:06:26] >> But anyway, let's try to

[6:06:26] fight it, see what's going on.

[6:06:31] Thanks a lot Becky Rapp Can you

[6:06:42] please unmute in in we can hear

[6:06:42] you Please proceed.

[6:06:43] Oh great.

[6:06:43] Okay.

[6:06:47] I wasn't terrifying muted Good

[6:06:48] evening And my name is Becky

[6:06:51] Rapp and I'm here tonight to

[6:06:52] share an invitation and to

[6:06:52] highlight an important

[6:06:56] community effort that has

[6:06:57] quietly made a difference in

[6:06:57] the lives of some of San

[6:07:01] Diego's most vulnerable youth.

[6:07:02] >> Each year San Pasqual

[6:07:03] Academy hosts its annual

[6:07:06] service day an event that

[6:07:07] brings together volunteers and

[6:07:08] students in a shared effort to

[6:07:11] build, restore and uplift their

[6:07:12] campus community.

[6:07:12] For the past several years,

[6:07:16] youth from the Church of Jesus

[6:07:17] Christ of Latter day Saints

[6:07:18] have participated in this day

[6:07:21] of service and has become a

[6:07:22] powerful example of young

[6:07:25] people serving young people

[6:07:26] peers coming together not out

[6:07:26] of obligation but out of

[6:07:30] empathy and a shared purpose.

[6:07:31] San Pasqual Academy serves

[6:07:35] foster youth Many of whom who

[6:07:35] have experienced instability,

[6:07:39] trauma and in too many cases

[6:07:40] the generational impacts of

[6:07:40] substance abuse.

[6:07:44] We know that drug abuse doesn't

[6:07:45] just affect individuals.

[6:07:45] It reshapes families, disrupts

[6:07:49] childhoods and leaves lasting

[6:07:50] effects on young people's sense

[6:07:53] of safety and opportunity.

[6:07:54] The Academy provides a stable,

[6:07:55] supportive environment

[6:07:59] promoting academic success and

[6:07:59] preparing students for

[6:08:00] independent living.

[6:08:00] Their mission emphasizes

[6:08:04] resilience, connection and

[6:08:04] the belief that every young

[6:08:05] person deserves the opportunity

[6:08:09] to succeed despite difficult

[6:08:09] circumstances.

[6:08:10] This service day creates an

[6:08:14] important opportunity for local

[6:08:15] youth as well as residents to

[6:08:19] work outside laboring together

[6:08:19] in efforts to help better

[6:08:23] the lives of others.

[6:08:24] So I invite each of you to

[6:08:28] attend and participate in this

[6:08:28] year's service day.

[6:08:29] Come see firsthand the strength

[6:08:33] of these young people and

[6:08:34] the impact a community can

[6:08:34] have.

[6:08:34] Thank you.

[6:08:35] Thank you.

[6:08:36] Next is Kathleen Lippert.

[6:08:42] >> If you can please unmute.

[6:08:42] After Kathleen Lippert will be

[6:08:43] Terrence Kelly.

[6:08:46] Please proceed.

[6:08:46] Thank you.

[6:08:47] Kathleen Lippert here.

[6:08:47] Thank you for the opportunity

[6:08:50] to address the feed program or

[6:08:51] the linguistic laundering title

[6:08:55] version of the Social equity

[6:08:56] and economic development

[6:08:56] program.

[6:09:00] This would be the best source

[6:09:01] of backfilling the city's

[6:09:05] deficit as it was a program

[6:09:06] that was never requested by any

[6:09:09] of the public priorities.

[6:09:10] Eliminating it would save

[6:09:10] money.

[6:09:11] The city's decision to

[6:09:15] establish a commercial

[6:09:15] marijuana ordinance has done

[6:09:20] nothing to improve the health,

[6:09:20] safety quality of life or

[6:09:24] enhance human capacity

[6:09:24] especially of our youth.

[6:09:25] The use abuse and addiction of

[6:09:29] marijuana contribute to

[6:09:30] the most pressing of the city's

[6:09:31] behavioral health problems.

[6:09:34] The California Department of

[6:09:38] Cannabis Control has provided

[6:09:39] $157.7 million for marijuana

[6:09:43] licensing Enforcement

[6:09:46] Administration with

[6:09:47] expenditures totaling 118.5

[6:09:47] million during that period.

[6:09:52] The department also managed a

[6:09:52] $100 million grant program

[6:09:56] aimed at assisting cannabis

[6:09:57] businesses.

[6:10:01] This is money that could well

[6:10:01] have been spent productively in

[6:10:05] pretty much any other area Then

[6:10:10] adding to addiction problems in

[6:10:11] the city.

[6:10:12] I hope that the Council will

[6:10:16] consider that there's no point

[6:10:16] in putting good money after

[6:10:16] bad.

[6:10:21] We do need to cut back in

[6:10:22] the most logical place would be

[6:10:26] this program and also the taxes

[6:10:26] that they owe.

[6:10:30] They have not paid their taxes.

[6:10:31] Many of them have will go under

[6:10:35] and after committing after

[6:10:36] declaring bankruptcy you won't

[6:10:40] see a dime of that money.

[6:10:41] So thank you for letting me

[6:10:41] speak.

[6:10:46] Thank you, Terry and Scully, if

[6:10:47] you can please join.

[6:10:47] After Terry A.B. Madison and

[6:10:49] then Marco is our final speaker

[6:10:49] .

[6:10:50] >> Good evening, San Diego City

[6:10:50] Council.

[6:10:54] Heart disease remains a leading

[6:10:55] cause of death in the United

[6:10:58] States and Mexico and

[6:10:59] the second leading cause of

[6:10:59] death here in San Diego.

[6:11:03] Recent data shows 1 in 5 local

[6:11:04] deaths is from heart disease

[6:11:08] and this number is increasing.

[6:11:08] Eliminating smoking and vaping

[6:11:09] behaviors is always mentioned

[6:11:13] as a strategy to reduce or

[6:11:13] remove heart disease

[6:11:14] contributors.

[6:11:18] The Journal of American Heart

[6:11:18] Association released this

[6:11:19] statement and I quote Cannabis

[6:11:23] use possesses signet difficult

[6:11:24] heart health risks because it

[6:11:27] increases the likelihood of

[6:11:28] heart attack, stroke and heart

[6:11:29] failure Even in the young

[6:11:33] healthy individuals by

[6:11:33] accelerating heart rate and

[6:11:34] raising blood pressure

[6:11:34] straining their arteries.

[6:11:38] Both marijuana smoking and

[6:11:38] edibles carry risks with

[6:11:42] regular use damaging blood

[6:11:43] vessel function.

[6:11:43] Research indicates cannabis

[6:11:47] users face substantially higher

[6:11:48] risks comparable to tobacco and

[6:11:52] quote.

[6:11:52] What can policymakers do to

[6:11:53] decrease heart disease in their

[6:11:57] residents and decrease the cost

[6:11:57] to the city?

[6:11:58] For first responders, emt

[6:12:02] ambulances, police officers and

[6:12:03] dispatchers create policies

[6:12:06] that decrease exposure to

[6:12:07] second hand and third hand

[6:12:12] Marijuana and tobacco smoke and

[6:12:12] vapor.

[6:12:13] Like smoke free public places

[6:12:16] and apartment complexes and

[6:12:17] reduce exposure to billboards,

[6:12:17] promotions and tobacco and

[6:12:21] marijuana storefronts presents

[6:12:22] here in our city.

[6:12:23] >> Thank you for hearing my

[6:12:23] concerns this evening.

[6:12:25] Next is Madison.

[6:12:30] >> If you can please unmute.

[6:12:31] >> Hi, good evening City

[6:12:31] Council.

[6:12:35] I wanted to share the findings

[6:12:35] from a new study out of

[6:12:36] the University of California

[6:12:39] San Diego that adds to

[6:12:40] the growing evidence about how

[6:12:41] marijuana affects young people.

[6:12:45] Researchers followed more than

[6:12:45] 11,000 children across

[6:12:46] the country as part of a long

[6:12:49] term study on brain development

[6:12:49] .

[6:12:50] What they found is concerning

[6:12:54] While all kids improved over

[6:12:54] time as we would expect during

[6:12:55] adolescence, those who used

[6:12:59] cannabis showed a slower rate

[6:13:00] of cognitive progress compared

[6:13:04] to those who did not.

[6:13:04] The tests looked at memory

[6:13:05] attention and thinking speed

[6:13:09] skills directly impact how kids

[6:13:10] learn in school, solve problems

[6:13:14] and function day to day.

[6:13:14] And importantly this study

[6:13:15] stands out because it didn't

[6:13:18] just rely on self-reporting.

[6:13:19] Researchers used biological

[6:13:23] testing hair, saliva to confirm

[6:13:23] cannabis use.

[6:13:27] In fact, about 1 in 3 teens who

[6:13:28] tested positive had not

[6:13:31] reported their use, which

[6:13:32] suggests the issue MAY be more

[6:13:33] widespread than we even

[6:13:33] realize.

[6:13:36] After controlling for other

[6:13:37] factors like alcohol use,

[6:13:38] mental health and early life

[6:13:41] conditions, the link between

[6:13:42] cannabis use and slower

[6:13:43] cognitive development remained.

[6:13:46] The lead researcher emphasized

[6:13:47] what many parents already feel

[6:13:51] encouraging kids to delay or

[6:13:52] avoid marijuana use during

[6:13:53] these critical years is one of

[6:13:56] the best things we can do to

[6:13:57] support their long term

[6:13:57] development.

[6:13:58] At a time when marijuana is

[6:14:01] increasingly normalized for

[6:14:02] adults, we have to be clear

[6:14:06] eyed about the risks for youth

[6:14:06] .

[6:14:07] Slower brain development MAY

[6:14:07] not always be immediately

[6:14:11] visible but it can definitely

[6:14:12] shape a child's future in

[6:14:12] lasting ways.

[6:14:13] We owe it to our kids to take

[6:14:16] this science seriously and

[6:14:16] prioritize prevention.

[6:14:17] Thank you.

[6:14:21] And our final speaker is Marco.

[6:14:22] If you can please unmute Marco

[6:14:26] Espinoza.

[6:14:27] Oh, testing.

[6:14:27] Can you hear me?

[6:14:30] Yes.

[6:14:31] >> Please proceed.

[6:14:31] Thank you.

[6:14:32] Good evening.

[6:14:35] My question was a great work

[6:14:40] today on the start of this

[6:14:41] coming year our annual budget.

[6:14:44] Lots to look forward to and

[6:14:45] difficult decisions to make.

[6:14:46] But the reason I'm calling in

[6:14:50] today is because a couple of

[6:14:51] weeks ago I attended a council

[6:14:55] meeting and the community plan

[6:15:00] for Barrio Logan neighborhood

[6:15:00] along Boston Avenue.

[6:15:04] It was just being resound to

[6:15:09] like a previous year's zoning

[6:15:09] classification that designated

[6:15:10] I think supposed to be like a

[6:15:14] park or something like that.

[6:15:15] And I remember that day I said

[6:15:18] I was going to leave council

[6:15:19] and then go there to see like

[6:15:23] what I could think of anyways.

[6:15:28] So I'll just get into it on

[6:15:28] the.

[6:15:29] >> So it's all along Boston

[6:15:33] Avenue and including

[6:15:33] the section along Charles Creek

[6:15:34] where the current recycling

[6:15:38] center is at first I was

[6:15:41] thinking at the corner of 29th

[6:15:42] and Boston definitely where

[6:15:47] the connection to getting

[6:15:48] the five cells right there that

[6:15:49] corner definitely needs some

[6:15:52] like safety traffic bollards

[6:15:53] because I can just see it where

[6:15:53] someone's speaking to

[6:15:57] the neighborhood and one day or

[6:15:58] another one night or another

[6:16:02] they might lose control and end

[6:16:02] up in the park.

[6:16:03] So I think some safety boards

[6:16:07] there the first section are

[6:16:07] from 29 to 30th I think could

[6:16:11] be like a little kids section

[6:16:15] And then the at the 30th bridge

[6:16:16] which is it described in that

[6:16:20] diagram of the zoning law which

[6:16:24] it could be edited because I

[6:16:25] did expect that when I got

[6:16:26] there after that that next

[6:16:30] section I mean you can put a

[6:16:30] lot of things there.

[6:16:31] There's so much space I think

[6:16:31] it could be a great park and

[6:16:32] that's my time.

[6:16:34] Thank you.

[6:16:35] That does conclude on a general

[6:16:36] public comment for today's

[6:16:36] meeting.

[6:16:37] Thank you, Council PRESIDENT.

[6:16:38] All right.

[6:16:39] >> Thank you, City Clerk.

[6:16:40] Does the city attorney have

[6:16:40] anything to report out from

[6:16:43] closed session?

[6:16:44] Yes, thank you.

[6:16:45] There is one item to report

[6:16:45] today and closed in the closed

[6:16:48] session meeting The City

[6:16:48] council took the following

[6:16:49] action.

[6:16:49] The city Council voted on

[6:16:52] closed session item number

[6:16:52] three Daniel Patz versus City

[6:16:53] of San Diego.

[6:16:57] San Diego Superior Court Case

[6:17:05] number three seven Dash 2015

[6:17:06] Dash 00023413-cu-c-ctl to

[6:17:09] accept the mediator's $40

[6:17:10] million settlement proposal

[6:17:10] The motion passed 621 with

[6:17:14] Councilmember Foster voting no

[6:17:15] and Councilmembers Moreno and

[6:17:15] Van Wilpert absent.

[6:17:16] That concludes my report.

[6:17:16] All right.

[6:17:20] Thank you for the report.

[6:17:21] And before I forget again I

[6:17:24] want to thank city tv data

[6:17:25] clerk and you're still working.

[6:17:25] We very much appreciate your

[6:17:26] coverage.

[6:17:28] But with that we will now

[6:17:28] adjourn Council to

[6:17:29] the regularly scheduled council

[6:17:32] meeting on Tuesday, APRIL 21st,

[6:17:33] 2026 at 10 A.M..

[6:17:37] Thank you and good night.

[6:17:38] Don't forget the Housing

[6:17:38] authority.

[6:17:42] Oh oh How do we do Convene so

[6:17:43] that we can finish?

[6:17:46] Oh okay.

[6:17:47] My apologies.

[6:17:48] Forget the adjournment We will

[6:17:52] adjourn Council to the Housing

[6:17:52] Authority City Attorney Is

[6:17:53] there anything to report out

[6:17:57] from the Housing Authority

[6:17:57] action?

[6:17:58] >> There is nothing to report

[6:17:58] out.

[6:17:59] All right.

[6:18:01] We will reconvene as the city

[6:18:02] council process is important.

[6:18:06] We will now adjourn council to

[6:18:07] the regularly scheduled council

[6:18:09] meeting on Tuesday APRIL 21st,

[6:18:10] 2026 at 10 A.M..

City Council Meetings — Monday Agenda

Transcript