[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.
[18:20] 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.
[2:32:54] 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.
[3:11:32] 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.
[3:49:52] 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.
[4:16:58] 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.
[5:10:01] 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.
[6:14:17] 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..