[0:00] the roll.

[0:00] My apologies.

[0:01] Council PRESIDENT Council

[0:04] Member Campbell Councilmember

[0:05] Whitburn Council Member Foster

[0:10] Councilmember Von Wilpert

[0:15] Council Pro Tem Lee here

[0:16] Councilmember Campo COUNCILMAN

[0:17] Moreno Present Councilmember

[0:19] Isla Rivera and Council

[0:20] PRESIDENT LaCava present Also

[0:24] attending the meeting are Chief

[0:25] Deputy City Attorney part a lot

[0:25] of independent budget analyst

[0:29] Charles Monica Council Affairs

[0:30] Advisor in the Mayor's office

[0:30] Matt Geoghegan.

[0:34] As well as the mayor and myself

[0:35] your city Clerk Diana Fuentes

[0:35] Thank you.

[0:38] Council PRESIDENT All right.

[0:39] >> Thank you.

[0:39] City Clerk a quorum is now

[0:40] present.

[0:43] I see a lot of faces of people

[0:44] that MAY be here for the first

[0:45] time And I know there can be a

[0:48] lot of excitement, passion,

[0:48] anger, frustration and probably

[0:52] every emotion in between.

[0:53] So before we start today's

[0:54] meeting, I want to remind

[0:57] everyone about the city's

[0:58] practices and procedures for

[0:58] public comment At city council

[1:01] meetings the city welcomes

[1:02] public participation at our

[1:02] meeting.

[1:03] Speakers MAY address

[1:03] the Council during public

[1:07] comment and also in connection

[1:08] with the specific item of

[1:08] business on the agenda.

[1:09] However, the city must make

[1:12] sure that no one person or

[1:13] group of people disrupt

[1:13] the meeting in a way that

[1:14] prohibits other speakers from

[1:16] expressing their ideas and

[1:17] opinions.

[1:17] So to make sure that everyone

[1:18] here has the opportunity to

[1:21] address the Council I will

[1:22] alert an individual or

[1:23] individuals if I think their

[1:27] conduct becomes disruptive.

[1:27] If the disruption continues I

[1:28] will rule the individual out of

[1:31] order and if the disruption

[1:32] continues further I will

[1:32] declare a 15 minute recess so

[1:36] that we can restore order.

[1:37] At that point I will direct

[1:38] the individual to leave

[1:38] the room and if the individual

[1:40] refuses police will escort

[1:41] the individual out of

[1:41] the building.

[1:42] And if we have to repeat this

[1:42] process of warning and

[1:45] resetting all members of

[1:46] the public will be excused from

[1:47] the council chamber.

[1:47] Credentialed media will be

[1:50] allowed to remain once again We

[1:51] have these practices procedures

[1:51] to protect the rights of other

[1:52] speakers who wish to address

[1:55] the Council and to allow

[1:56] the Council to conduct

[1:56] the public's business.

[2:00] So with that city clerk please

[2:01] go over how the public can

[2:01] offer their testimony.

[2:02] >> Thank you.

[2:02] Council PRESIDENT I'd like to

[2:05] highlight the slide on

[2:05] the screen that reveals how

[2:06] the public can offer their

[2:07] public testimony during this

[2:09] evening's meeting.

[2:10] The order can be found on

[2:11] the agenda summary and found

[2:11] online or at the table in

[2:12] the back of the room.

[2:14] There's only one item so

[2:15] the order is that if you are in

[2:15] person please complete a

[2:19] speaker slip located at

[2:19] the entrance of chambers and

[2:20] bring it to the front of

[2:23] the room into the clear box.

[2:24] Council ambassadors are

[2:25] available near the entrance of

[2:25] chambers as well as in

[2:28] the committee room and can

[2:29] assist you with questions and

[2:29] speaker slips if you are in

[2:32] the committee room overflow

[2:33] Please give your speaker slip

[2:34] to one of the council

[2:34] ambassadors within the room and

[2:37] they will be sure to get it to

[2:37] me.

[2:38] No further in-person testimony

[2:39] will be taken once the council

[2:42] begins virtual testimony.

[2:43] I will note that due to

[2:44] the amount of speakers it will

[2:47] be one minute per person so

[2:48] please begin to plan

[2:48] accordingly.

[2:49] Thank you.

[2:52] Council PRESIDENT All right.

[2:52] >> Thank you City Clerk a

[2:57] couple of other notes before we

[2:57] proceed.

[2:58] Again, this is a special city

[2:58] council meeting so there'll be

[3:02] no non agenda public comment

[3:02] after the initial testimony by

[3:06] excuse me after the initial

[3:07] presentation by staff We will

[3:11] then turn to the public for

[3:11] your comments.

[3:16] >> We also do have six people

[3:16] here.

[3:17] If we hold six we're going to

[3:18] be in good shape.

[3:21] If we drop down to five I MAY

[3:21] call short recesses If somebody

[3:25] wants to step out and use

[3:26] the restroom or take a

[3:27] momentary break But we are not

[3:30] going away.

[3:31] We will make and keep those

[3:31] brief.

[3:32] So I do appreciate my

[3:36] colleagues this is a

[3:36] legislative recess and you're

[3:37] showing up tonight Very much

[3:40] appreciated.

[3:41] City 24 who will be televising

[3:46] this As always appreciate it

[3:46] City clerk staff I want to use

[3:47] some thank you's early on while

[3:50] you were all here and then just

[3:50] as a brief reminder this is a

[3:51] rescheduled item that was

[3:54] originally going to be heard

[3:55] last Monday evening and I think

[3:59] it's still seared into our

[4:00] memory why we canceled that

[4:01] meeting because of the horrific

[4:05] events of that day and

[4:06] the three individuals that lost

[4:10] their life in defense of

[4:10] children and teachers at

[4:14] the school.

[4:14] So please keep them in mind

[4:15] Family members, friends and

[4:19] colleagues community are still

[4:19] grieving from that that

[4:23] horrific event And our thoughts

[4:27] and prayers go out to them and

[4:28] I appreciate everybody that

[4:29] came together for the various

[4:29] vigils and funerals etc. That

[4:33] happened.

[4:34] So with that clerk please

[4:37] introduce item 613 Council

[4:38] PRESIDENT Item 600 is an

[4:42] informational item.

[4:42] It's the MAY revision to

[4:43] the fiscal year 2027 draft

[4:45] budget and public hearing on

[4:46] the 2027 draft budget.

[4:46] Thank you Council PRESIDENT All

[4:47] right Thank you.

[4:51] With that I'd like to welcome

[4:51] Mayor Tom Gloria to council

[4:52] chambers and get

[4:55] the presentation started.

[4:56] So Mayor Gloria, turn it over

[4:56] to you.

[4:56] Thank you.

[4:57] Council PRESIDENT Good evening,

[5:00] Council PRESIDENT Members of

[5:01] the city council and the San

[5:02] Diegans who are gathered here

[5:02] this evening.

[5:04] We'll need approximately 15

[5:05] minutes for our presentation.

[5:05] >> Council PRESIDENT.

[5:06] Last month I released a draft

[5:09] budget that directly confronted

[5:10] the city's $118 Million

[5:13] Structural Budget deficit and

[5:14] reflected the difficult

[5:14] financial realities facing Our

[5:15] city.

[5:18] I said then that this would be

[5:19] the beginning of a serious

[5:20] public conversation and over

[5:23] the last several weeks we have

[5:23] heard from residents, labor

[5:24] partners, city employees,

[5:27] community organizations and

[5:28] members of the City Council

[5:29] about how these difficult

[5:29] decisions would affect

[5:33] neighborhoods and services

[5:33] across our city that MAY revise

[5:34] today.

[5:37] Before you this evening

[5:38] reflects that feedback while

[5:38] maintaining the fiscal

[5:42] discipline that is necessary to

[5:43] put the city on a more stable

[5:43] financial footing.

[5:47] As you well know for too long

[5:47] difficult decisions have been

[5:48] deferred here at the city and

[5:51] avoiding those hard choices MAY

[5:52] have been politically easier in

[5:52] the short term.

[5:56] But it is not responsible

[5:57] Governing this budget continues

[5:57] the work of confronting these

[6:01] challenges directly and

[6:02] honestly while protecting core

[6:03] services that residents rely on

[6:03] the most.

[6:07] I want to acknowledge that

[6:07] since the publication of

[6:08] the MAY revised Council

[6:12] PRESIDENT LaCava, Councilmember

[6:12] Stephen Whitburn and Michael

[6:13] Zakat for their work in

[6:16] negotiating a legal settlement

[6:16] on the Solid Waste disposal fee

[6:21] and Balboa Park parking program

[6:21] .

[6:22] The council's support of that

[6:22] settlement helped to avoid an

[6:25] even worse financial outlook

[6:26] for the city even as it added

[6:27] to the deficit that we must

[6:31] solve for today.

[6:31] Since releasing the draft

[6:32] budget modest improvements in

[6:35] our tourism revenue as well as

[6:36] new legal guidance regarding

[6:37] the Golf Enterprise Fund has

[6:40] created limited opportunity for

[6:41] targeted restorations including

[6:42] restoring rec center hours and

[6:45] library hours in historically

[6:45] underserved communities

[6:46] supporting youth drop in

[6:50] centers and violence prevention

[6:50] programs, restoring shoreline

[6:51] park maintenance and DECEMBER

[6:54] nights operations and partially

[6:55] restoring the library matching

[6:56] program and funding and funding

[6:59] traffic safety improvements

[7:00] tied to the city's speed

[7:00] management plan.

[7:04] These are focused investments

[7:05] in neighborhood services that

[7:06] residents depend on every day

[7:09] but difficult tradeoffs do

[7:09] remain.

[7:10] And every department has taken

[7:13] reductions including workforce

[7:14] reductions.

[7:14] And those decisions will

[7:15] undoubtedly impact services

[7:19] across our city.

[7:19] Whereverossible, we have

[7:20] prioritized reductions away

[7:23] from neighborhood frontline

[7:23] services.

[7:24] >> Our responsibility

[7:24] councilmembers is to deliver

[7:28] the best possible services with

[7:28] the resources that we have

[7:29] available to us while

[7:29] continuing to meet our

[7:33] obligations to public safety,

[7:33] emergency response and

[7:34] neighborhood services.

[7:38] This MAY revise reflects what

[7:38] governing through difficult

[7:42] times require honesty about

[7:42] tradeoffs, fiscal

[7:43] responsibility and a continued

[7:46] focus on core services And

[7:47] the decisions that we will make

[7:48] today will shape not only this

[7:51] year's proposed budget but San

[7:52] Diego's financial future.

[7:53] Citizens expect us to govern

[7:56] responsibly, prioritize core

[7:57] services and keep this city

[7:58] moving forward.

[8:01] That remains my focus with this

[8:01] MAY revise.

[8:02] With that I'll turn it over to

[8:06] our Chief financial officer

[8:07] Rolando Shoval and

[8:07] the Department of Finance

[8:08] Director Ben Battaglia to

[8:11] continue our presentation.

[8:12] >> Thank you, Mayor Gloria.

[8:12] Good evening.

[8:13] Council PRESIDENT LaCava and

[8:16] members of the City Council.

[8:17] We are here to rescind the MAY

[8:17] revision to the fiscal year

[8:18] 2027 draft budget.

[8:21] With me is Dan Bartlett,

[8:22] the parent of finance director.

[8:22] And in the audience are members

[8:25] of the city's leadership team

[8:26] by way of overview.

[8:27] The MAY rebase reflects

[8:30] feedback received throughout

[8:30] the budget process from

[8:31] residents, community

[8:32] organizations, advocates and

[8:35] members of the City Council.

[8:36] The revised budget proposal

[8:36] proposal identifies newly

[8:40] approved funding sources to

[8:41] support targeted restorations

[8:41] while maintaining a balanced

[8:45] budget and stable long term

[8:45] financial footing for the city.

[8:46] It also continues to focus on

[8:50] public safety, infrastructure,

[8:51] homelessness solutions and

[8:51] housing which we believe are

[8:54] also the priorities shared by

[8:55] most San Diego residents.

[8:55] And it includes some additional

[8:56] investments in our capital

[9:03] improvement program.

[9:03] This table shows the citywide

[9:04] budget including our city

[9:04] funds.

[9:07] You can see that the overall

[9:08] budget has increased by about

[9:11] $52.9 million including $13.5

[9:11] million in the general fund.

[9:16] Ben will cover the details of

[9:17] the general fund increase later

[9:17] in the presentation So let me

[9:18] focus on some of the other

[9:21] increases.

[9:21] Enterprise funds are increasing

[9:25] by about 18.29 $18.2 million

[9:26] due to increased electricity

[9:27] needs in the water Utility

[9:30] operating fund due to pure

[9:31] water projects that are

[9:34] anticipated to come in line in

[9:35] f y 27 and also additional

[9:35] water purchases from the San

[9:36] Diego County Water Authority

[9:40] based on updated water sales

[9:41] assumptions for special revenue

[9:41] funds.

[9:44] Their decreasing by about $20.5

[9:45] million.

[9:45] It's mostly due to a reduction

[9:49] in operation appropriations to

[9:49] allow for future budgeting of

[9:53] capital improvement projects in

[9:54] the Tot Convention Center Fund.

[9:57] Internal service funds are

[9:58] increasing to about 6.1 million

[9:58] mostly due to increases in

[10:01] the fleet operations

[10:02] replacement funds for

[10:03] the acquisition of new vehicles

[10:06] and updated fuel cost based on

[10:07] current market conditions.

[10:10] And finally there's a $35.6

[10:11] million increase in the capital

[10:11] improvement program associated

[10:12] mostly with increasing fundings

[10:18] from park restricted sources.

[10:19] >> This table shows changes to

[10:20] the general fund revenues

[10:23] comparing the MAY revision to

[10:23] the draft budget.

[10:26] Property tax reflects a net

[10:27] decrease of about $1.1 million

[10:28] primarily due to redevelopment

[10:31] property taxes trust fund

[10:31] dollars.

[10:32] After we received estimates

[10:36] from the county in APRIL, sales

[10:36] tax remains unchanged.

[10:41] Our transient occupancy tax

[10:42] reflects an increase of about

[10:42] 3.8 million.

[10:46] This is due to higher than

[10:47] anticipated tax receipts in

[10:47] both MARCH and APRIL in 2026 as

[10:51] as 26 serves as the basis for

[10:52] our fy 27 projections.

[10:53] There is a corresponding

[10:56] increase in f y 27 for

[10:56] franchise fees.

[10:57] Revenues reflect an increase of

[11:00] about $700,000.

[11:05] This is related to an increase

[11:06] in anticipated tonnage

[11:06] collected in the Sycamore

[11:09] landfill in fy 26 which in turn

[11:12] also increases the f y 27

[11:13] revenue base.

[11:13] Other major revenues reflect

[11:18] the increase in the Gulf funded

[11:18] land use fee offset by

[11:19] decreased projected investment

[11:22] earnings and pooled cash and

[11:23] departmental revenues are

[11:26] increasing by about 7 million

[11:27] and this is primarily due to

[11:28] increased reimbursements from

[11:30] special promotional tote and

[11:35] other special funds.

[11:36] Now focusing on the Gulf fund

[11:40] revenue, the MAY revision

[11:40] includes approximately $4.3

[11:44] million in ongoing general fund

[11:45] revenue through an increase in

[11:46] the rent paid by the Gulf

[11:49] Enterprise Fund for its use of

[11:50] city Gulf properties.

[11:54] This is grounded in the Fund's

[11:54] strong performance over

[11:55] the last three fiscal years.

[11:58] Operating income has totaled

[11:59] more than 14 million annually

[12:03] and we project a fund balance

[12:04] of approximately 65 million by

[12:07] the end of fiscal year 2026.

[12:08] At the same time the Gulf Fund

[12:11] has significant capital needs.

[12:15] The fy 27 draft budget

[12:15] identifies $84.3 million in cap

[12:16] projects with additional

[12:20] anticipated needs on existing

[12:21] projects such as completing

[12:21] the Torrey Pines clubhouse in

[12:25] the Gulf Maintenance Master

[12:25] Plan.

[12:26] Total medium term needs reach

[12:29] approximately 216.4 million.

[12:34] Historically the fund has

[12:35] relied almost entirely on cash

[12:39] which means projects wait until

[12:39] cash accumulates.

[12:40] The MAY revision proposes

[12:41] incorporating financing so we

[12:44] can accelerate delivery of

[12:44] these projects after accounting

[12:49] for new ongoing payments to

[12:49] the general fund, the Gulf Fund

[12:52] is projected to retain capacity

[12:53] for about $123 million in bond

[12:56] financing which combined with

[12:57] 96.4 million in projected cash.

[13:00] That gives us roughly about

[13:01] $220 million in total funding

[13:05] capacity enough to deliver

[13:06] the identified near to medium

[13:10] term projects while at the same

[13:10] time maintaining operations,

[13:11] reserves and debt service.

[13:15] Because this strategy depends

[13:15] on continued performance of

[13:16] the fund, the city will monitor

[13:20] revenues expenditures, reserves

[13:20] and project timing over

[13:21] the next five years and

[13:26] reassess the ongoing general

[13:26] fund payment on actual results.

[13:27] With that I'll hand it over to

[13:31] Ben and he'll cover the rest of

[13:31] the presentation.

[13:32] Thank you Rolando.

[13:35] The MAY revision includes a

[13:35] consolidation of two programs

[13:36] citywide brush management

[13:39] responsibilities within

[13:40] the right of way will be

[13:41] consolidated within the Parks

[13:41] and Recreation Department.

[13:44] Citywide tree maintenance

[13:45] responsibilities will be

[13:46] consolidated within

[13:49] the Transportation Department

[13:49] and the consolidation of these

[13:50] programs would provide

[13:51] efficiencies in budgeting

[13:57] planning and scheduling of work

[13:58] .

[13:58] Some notable additions in

[14:01] the general fund include 4

[14:02] million to support potential

[14:03] impacts from ongoing labor

[14:03] negotiations.

[14:07] A million supported by a

[14:07] vegetation management grant in

[14:08] the fire rescue department.

[14:11] Support for an opioid

[14:12] intervention services team in

[14:12] the police department funded by

[14:16] opioid settlement funds.

[14:17] And an increase of 100,000 for

[14:21] the no shots fired program and

[14:22] 500,000 to support youth drop

[14:26] in centers.

[14:26] >> The increased land use fee

[14:27] payment from the Golf

[14:30] Enterprise Fund allowed for

[14:31] the partial restoration of

[14:32] library and recreation center

[14:32] hours.

[14:36] Preserving service hours in

[14:36] historically underserved

[14:37] communities.

[14:40] The revised budget includes

[14:41] reduced service hours at nine

[14:42] libraries with no change in

[14:45] service hours at 26 libraries.

[14:46] There will be a reduction of

[14:50] service hours to 40 hours per

[14:51] week at 24 rec centers.

[14:52] And current service hours will

[14:55] be preserved at 39 recreation

[14:56] centers.

[14:56] The MAY revision includes a

[15:00] list of all libraries and

[15:01] recreation centers including

[15:01] certain current service level

[15:04] hours as well as proposed

[15:05] service hours for fiscal year

[15:10] 2027 for homelessness programs

[15:13] and services an addition of 4.9

[15:14] million will fund the Housing

[15:18] Instability Prevention Program

[15:19] ,the Connections interim

[15:19] shelter and the Bishop ma

[15:20] Interim Shelter which were

[15:23] supported by one time permanent

[15:23] local housing allocation

[15:26] funding in fiscal year 2026 and

[15:27] that funding is no longer

[15:31] available next year.

[15:32] As a result, in order to

[15:32] maintain these services

[15:35] additional general fund support

[15:36] is needed.

[15:37] Additionally, the draft budget

[15:41] included a reduction of 3.8

[15:41] million for general

[15:42] homelessness services.

[15:45] The MAY revision details which

[15:46] services are proposed to be

[15:47] reduced including Central

[15:51] Elementary safe parking.

[15:51] 16th The Newton Homeless

[15:52] shelter aerial drive safe

[15:54] parking and security for

[15:59] the old Central Library.

[16:00] >> Some notable non general

[16:00] fund adjustments include

[16:03] the addition of ten positions

[16:03] in the Development Services

[16:04] Fund to support inspections and

[16:07] I.T needs the Road Maintenance

[16:08] and Rehabilitation Fund will

[16:12] support the implementation of

[16:13] the speed management plan which

[16:13] was recently approved by

[16:14] the City Council as well as

[16:17] the next street condition

[16:17] assessment.

[16:18] Finally we wanted to provide

[16:21] details for the planned use of

[16:22] opioid settlement funding next

[16:26] year approximately 5 million

[16:27] will support homeless shelters

[16:28] including the emergency harm

[16:31] reduction shelter and community

[16:32] harm reduction Safe Haven

[16:36] shelter 1.1 million will

[16:36] support the continued contract

[16:37] with ucsd Transition Support

[16:40] Team 700,000 will support

[16:41] the police department's

[16:42] neighborhood policing divisions

[16:45] interventions, services teams

[16:46] training and operations which

[16:47] will strengthen the city's

[16:50] ability to identify, engage and

[16:51] connect people struggling with

[16:55] opioid use to life saving care.

[16:56] 500,000 will provide ongoing

[17:00] support for the prosecution and

[17:01] law enforcement assisted

[17:01] diversion services or pleads

[17:05] program.

[17:06] And this is a partnership

[17:06] between the San Diego Police

[17:07] Department city Attorney's

[17:09] office as well as the county of

[17:10] San Diego And they provide

[17:11] individuals with under

[17:14] the influence of a controlled

[17:15] substance the opportunity to

[17:16] obtain supportive services.

[17:18] And then finally 300,000 will

[17:19] support the continued contract

[17:22] with the San Diego lgbtq

[17:23] Community Center for Substance

[17:24] a substance use disorder

[17:28] treatment services.

[17:32] The fiscal year 2020 7th MAY

[17:32] revision increases the Total

[17:35] Capital Improvements Program

[17:36] budget by 35.6 million and this

[17:37] brings the total cip budget for

[17:41] fiscal year 27 to 857.3

[17:41] million.

[17:46] This increase is largely for

[17:47] Parks and Rec as well as public

[17:47] utilities projects and they're

[17:50] primarily supported by

[17:55] restricted funding sources.

[17:56] >> The main revision includes

[17:56] 30.8 million allocation for

[18:00] Parks and recreation projects

[18:01] from three main funding groups

[18:02] and this includes the Mission

[18:05] Bay Park improvements Fund,

[18:06] the San Diego Regional Parks

[18:07] Improvements Fund as well as

[18:10] impact fees.

[18:11] A variety of projects were

[18:11] funded from these allocations

[18:15] and the details are included in

[18:16] the cap section of the MAY

[18:16] revision.

[18:20] The decreases in the transports

[18:20] and department are mainly due

[18:21] to changes in project schedules

[18:25] for utilities undergrounding

[18:25] projects.

[18:26] There were projects schedule

[18:29] updates for two stormwater

[18:30] projects and these budgets were

[18:30] reallocated to other urgent

[18:33] transportation projects to

[18:38] support construction activities

[18:39] .

[18:39] >> The fiscal year 27th MAY

[18:40] revision maintains a balanced

[18:43] general fund budget with

[18:43] limited restorations as well as

[18:44] investments in the cap.

[18:48] We look forward to the City

[18:48] Council's updated budget

[18:49] priorities which will be

[18:53] summarized in the eib's report

[18:53] including budget modification

[18:54] recommend recommendations which

[18:57] are scheduled to be released on

[18:58] JUNE 2nd and discussed at

[18:59] the Budget Review Committee on

[18:59] JUNE 5th.

[19:02] The City Council will then

[19:03] consider the adoption of

[19:03] the budget on JUNE 9th.

[19:07] That concludes our presentation

[19:08] and we're happy to answer any

[19:08] questions you might have.

[19:09] >> All right.

[19:12] Thank you for the presentation.

[19:12] We'll turn it over now to

[19:13] the Office of Independent

[19:16] Budget analyst Charles Monaco.

[19:17] >> Thank you.

[19:18] Council PRESIDENT And council

[19:18] member from Thank you to

[19:21] Rolando and Ben for

[19:22] the presentation.

[19:22] I will keep my comments tonight

[19:23] relatively brief because

[19:26] the main purpose of tonight's

[19:27] meeting is to hear directly

[19:27] from the public.

[19:30] To summarize I MAY revise them

[19:31] at a high level.

[19:31] It identifies additional

[19:32] resources above what was

[19:35] included in the proposed

[19:36] budget, the largest of which

[19:36] are an increase in projected

[19:40] hotel tax revenue with a $4.4

[19:44] million general fund impact and

[19:44] 4.3 million in additional

[19:45] ongoing general fund revenue

[19:46] from increased land use fees

[19:49] paid by the golf Course fund

[19:50] for the use of general fund

[19:50] owned property.

[19:54] Those additional resources help

[19:55] support several restorations

[19:56] from the proposed budget.

[19:59] Most notably the MAY revise

[19:59] includes the partial

[20:00] restoration of recreation

[20:03] center hours restoring $2.9

[20:04] million from 33 positions from

[20:08] cuts proposed in APRIL.

[20:08] Under the revised proposal

[20:09] current hours would be

[20:10] preserved at rec centers in

[20:14] council districts three, four,

[20:14] eight and nine along with

[20:17] certain facilities in districts

[20:18] two, five, six and seven.

[20:19] Other rec centers would still

[20:23] see reduced hours but no full

[20:23] rec center closures are being

[20:24] proposed.

[20:28] They MAY revise also include

[20:29] the partial restoration of

[20:31] library hours as you heard

[20:32] restoring $941,000 and seven

[20:33] positions that restoration what

[20:36] among other things to preserve

[20:36] North Claremont from

[20:37] foreclosure and prevent Carmel

[20:41] Valley from receiving a full

[20:42] day service reduction?

[20:42] It's worth noting that that

[20:43] reduction or this restoration

[20:46] is still partial, however, and

[20:47] a number of branches will

[20:47] continue to see reduced

[20:51] operating schedules.

[20:52] In addition, they MAY revise

[20:54] allowed for approximately $4.9

[20:55] million in support to maintain

[20:56] existing homelessness programs

[20:57] that were previously assumed to

[21:00] be funded with state housing

[21:01] funds that ultimately were not

[21:01] available.

[21:05] It is worth acknowledging that

[21:05] initial proposed reductions in

[21:09] the budget still remain in a

[21:10] number of areas.

[21:11] I know that we will hear from

[21:14] the public tonight about

[21:15] several of those particularly

[21:15] around arts and cultural

[21:16] funding which is not proposed

[21:19] for restoration of the MAY

[21:19] revise.

[21:20] My office will release our

[21:24] final report and recommended

[21:25] budget modifications next week.

[21:25] That report will provide a more

[21:29] comprehensive review of the MAY

[21:29] revised remaining reductions

[21:30] available resources and options

[21:33] for Council as you move towards

[21:34] final budget adoption on JUNE

[21:34] 9th.

[21:38] But stepping back it is worth

[21:38] emphasizing the city's broader

[21:43] fiscal context because it

[21:43] shapes how we should listen to

[21:44] testimony tonight and how we

[21:45] should move forward as a city

[21:48] over the next several years.

[21:49] The restoration from the MAY

[21:52] revise are meaningful but they

[21:53] do not mean that the city's

[21:54] budget problem has been solved.

[21:57] The city's structural deficit

[21:57] remains and while progress is

[21:58] being made towards closing it,

[22:02] the underlying mismatch between

[22:02] ongoing revenues and ongoing

[22:07] expenditures continues.

[22:07] This matters because

[22:08] the service reductions before

[22:09] council are not simply

[22:12] the result of one budget

[22:12] proposal or one difficult

[22:16] budget year but instead they

[22:17] reflect a problem that has

[22:17] grown over decades.

[22:21] The city's existing resources

[22:22] are not sufficient to maintain

[22:22] current service levels across

[22:27] all areas and even after we go

[22:27] through the work needed to

[22:28] balance the operating budget

[22:31] for the upcoming year,

[22:31] the city's infrastructure

[22:34] backlog was a nearly $8 billion

[22:35] funding gap over just the next

[22:39] five years remains far beyond

[22:40] what existing revenues can

[22:40] address.

[22:44] The public we will hear from

[22:44] tonight cares deeply about

[22:45] their parks and their libraries

[22:49] and their arts programs and

[22:50] their streets and their

[22:50] neighborhoods And that care

[22:53] reflects a genuine and real

[22:54] expectations for what a city

[22:54] should provide.

[22:59] Being honest about what it

[22:59] actually costs to run a city

[23:03] and to meet those expectations

[23:04] and about the gap between those

[23:04] costs and the revenues that are

[23:08] currently coming into the city

[23:09] is one of the most important

[23:10] things that this council can do

[23:13] as it moves towards final

[23:14] decisions.

[23:14] The city can and should

[23:18] continue working to preserve

[23:19] core services where possible.

[23:23] But given our fiscal reality,

[23:23] difficult conversations about

[23:24] service levels will continue

[23:27] next year and without

[23:28] significant new revenue

[23:29] the city will be unable to

[23:29] address its infrastructure

[23:33] needs at anything close to

[23:34] the scale that is actually

[23:38] required But that we look

[23:38] forward to hearing from

[23:39] the public tonight.

[23:40] And my office will continue to

[23:42] be available to support this

[23:43] Council with analysis and

[23:44] recommendations as you move

[23:44] towards your final budget

[23:47] decisions over the next two

[23:47] weeks.

[23:48] >> Thank you, Council

[23:48] PRESIDENT.

[23:49] All right.

[23:49] Thank you, Charles.

[23:50] We always appreciate the eib's

[23:52] participation.

[23:53] Okay, your turn now.

[23:54] I'm now essentially going to be

[23:57] turning the meeting over to our

[23:58] city clerk and her amazing

[23:58] staff.

[24:02] She gives excellent

[24:02] instructions.

[24:03] You follow them and we'll get

[24:04] through it Evening.

[24:04] You all get that chance to

[24:07] speak.

[24:08] >> So Diana, please begin.

[24:08] Thank you.

[24:08] Council PRESIDENT.

[24:12] We do have a little over 200

[24:12] speakers here in council

[24:13] chambers and in the online

[24:13] queue.

[24:17] So it will be one minute each

[24:17] as I had noted previously.

[24:21] I would like to note for

[24:22] the record that this item did

[24:25] receive 24 comments in favor

[24:26] and 214 comments in opposition.

[24:26] B r e comment form which have

[24:30] been distributed to

[24:30] the Council.

[24:31] We will be starting this

[24:32] evening with Christopher h.

[24:34] Lipski and then after that we

[24:35] have Julia Cardenas who will be

[24:41] speaking along with Allison

[24:41] Heppner and Jared Harrison.

[24:42] If you can all please come up

[24:45] to the yellow reserved seats.

[24:46] After that we'll have Victor

[24:49] Bonzi and Melissa Hernandez.

[24:50] If you can all please come up

[24:51] to those yellow reserved seats.

[24:54] Christopher you can come up to

[24:54] the microphone and you'll have

[24:55] a Dvora maxim over Maxim.

[24:58] Thank you.

[24:59] Seating your time so you'll

[25:00] have two minutes.

[25:00] Please proceed.

[25:03] Hello everyone.

[25:04] My name is Christian Lipski.

[25:05] I'm on the Commission for Arts

[25:05] and Culture representing

[25:06] District two.

[25:08] I moved here from Chicago where

[25:09] I worked for the Mayor's

[25:09] Department of Cultural Affairs

[25:13] and Special events And then I

[25:14] managed the arts program here

[25:17] at our international airport

[25:17] from 2016 to 2023.

[25:18] I'm also on the Ocean Beach

[25:18] Planning Board.

[25:22] I'm here in support of

[25:22] restoring funding for arts and

[25:23] culture for the city of San

[25:23] Diego.

[25:24] I want to provide context for

[25:26] my vantage point.

[25:27] In my experience seven months

[25:28] ago the city lost the tenured

[25:31] executive director of

[25:32] the department called

[25:32] Department of Cultural Affairs.

[25:36] Oh, about ten years of

[25:37] institutional knowledge gone on

[25:37] top of decades of prior past

[25:38] experience.

[25:41] Three months ago the city then

[25:42] lost its second in command for

[25:42] the Department of Cultural

[25:43] Affairs.

[25:46] This person had 14 years of

[25:47] institutional experience right

[25:47] here in City Hall.

[25:48] Her position will not be

[25:51] backfilled as a result of this

[25:51] budget.

[25:56] Moreover, now almost 90% of

[25:56] the cultural affairs budget has

[25:57] been wiped out.

[25:59] No more Oh is now it's bye bye.

[26:00] And the reason for that is

[26:00] because staffing and funding

[26:01] are on a path to extinction.

[26:04] The message is clear No

[26:05] importance is placed on arts

[26:05] and culture for San Diego From

[26:09] the mayor's office.

[26:09] Going further I wish that I

[26:10] could say we as the appointed

[26:11] Commission on Arts and Culture

[26:11] have been engaged in this

[26:14] budget process as we ought to

[26:14] be and as the process is meant

[26:15] to work.

[26:15] But we have not.

[26:18] Even worse we still have not

[26:18] been communicated with

[26:19] regarding the budget Despite

[26:20] significant outreach to

[26:23] the mayor's office, we as a

[26:23] commission should have been

[26:24] involved and we still can be.

[26:27] It was said well by two Council

[26:27] members at the MAY 4th budget

[26:28] hearing that the city is flying

[26:31] in the dark because it is using

[26:31] no economic impact study for

[26:32] the elimination of this

[26:32] funding.

[26:35] There is a complete lack of

[26:36] methodology right now and lack

[26:37] of collaboration with

[26:37] the city's own appointed body

[26:41] of professional advisors

[26:41] the Commission for Arts and

[26:42] Culture.

[26:42] If it's one thing creative

[26:43] folks know how to do, it's

[26:46] problem solve Constraints are

[26:46] part of our practice.

[26:47] This situation is solvable So

[26:47] let's do better.

[26:51] Let's act like other grown up

[26:52] municipalities with regard to

[26:52] arts and culture and the role

[26:53] it plays.

[26:55] Put the money back.

[26:56] Let us your opponent, your

[26:57] appointed commission help you

[27:00] with that.

[27:00] Thank you.

[27:05] Julia Cardenas is Julia You

[27:06] have time people sitting your

[27:06] time if they can please raise

[27:10] their hand Ali Farrah thank

[27:10] you.

[27:10] Daniel Milan Thank you.

[27:15] Rosemary Rincon, Beatriz

[27:19] Torres, Sarah Powell Thank you.

[27:20] You'll have six minutes.

[27:24] Please proceed when ready.

[27:29] Good evening, Mayor Gloria and

[27:29] City Council.

[27:30] My name is Julia Cardenas.

[27:34] I am the PRESIDENT Of the San

[27:34] Diego chapter of the National

[27:35] Federation of the Blind.

[27:39] I am here to voice our full

[27:43] support for the accessibility

[27:44] Advisory Boards proposal to

[27:48] allocate 18 million over a five

[27:49] year span to clear the current

[27:52] backlog in 88 projects.

[27:57] We are facing a staggering 70

[28:01] to 90 million backlog in 88

[28:05] projects or a law that was

[28:05] passed 36 years ago.

[28:09] This level of neglect is not

[28:10] just a budget oversight.

[28:15] It is a civil rights issue.

[28:16] Last year the accessibility

[28:20] Advisory Board sent their

[28:21] proposal to city council.

[28:25] >> And I want to take a moment

[28:26] and thank council members

[28:29] Whitburn and Foster for

[28:30] addressing this item as a

[28:30] priority in the budget.

[28:34] Thank you, gentlemen.

[28:34] The city says that it wants to

[28:39] create a safe San Diego for all

[28:39] its residents.

[28:44] >> I'm here to tell you that

[28:45] blind San Diegans do not feel

[28:48] safe.

[28:53] The reality is that we navigate

[28:54] this city we call home daily in

[28:58] a landscape of many safety

[28:59] hazards.

[29:03] We're talking about

[29:04] malfunctioning to nonexistent,

[29:08] accessible pedestrian signals

[29:13] also known as apps low level

[29:14] face obstructions that include

[29:18] overhanging umbrellas and trim

[29:23] trees a frames and uncovered

[29:24] tree holes that act as traps

[29:27] for a white cane and feet When

[29:32] an accessible pedestal and

[29:33] signal fails or tactile curve

[29:37] ramp is not properly placed.

[29:38] Blind people are at greater

[29:43] risk of serious injury or death

[29:47] just crossing the street Blind

[29:47] pedestrians do their best to

[29:51] judge when it's safe to cross.

[29:56] If an app's malfunctions at a

[29:57] busy intersection.

[29:57] But from firsthand experience I

[30:01] can say facing down an

[30:02] unexpected vehicle is

[30:06] terrifying.

[30:10] >> Our members have repeatedly

[30:11] reported broken signals, unsafe

[30:16] facilities and have even

[30:16] requested new apps

[30:17] installations at high risk

[30:21] intersections.

[30:22] Yet often these repairs do not

[30:26] happen because the city says

[30:30] the funding is unavailable.

[30:31] Earlier this month we met with

[30:35] the city engineer and

[30:36] department to understand how

[30:40] apps related issues

[30:40] specifically are prioritized.

[30:45] And we learned that the city

[30:45] uses a scoring system.

[30:50] It is unclear where in

[30:50] the scoring system these issues

[30:54] rank.

[30:55] But we believe that these life

[30:57] saving signals should carry

[31:02] more weight.

[31:03] >> The city has allowed vital

[31:07] accessibility issues to drift

[31:07] for far too long.

[31:14] The time to act is now.

[31:15] The blind should not be an

[31:19] afterthought.

[31:19] >> Reliable and accessible

[31:23] pedestrian infrastructure is

[31:24] essential in order for

[31:28] the blind to fully and equally

[31:29] participate in public life.

[31:33] So we're asking the City

[31:34] Council to provide the funding

[31:39] and accountability necessary so

[31:40] that all blind San Diego fans

[31:43] can travel safely and

[31:44] independently in their own

[31:44] communities.

[31:55] Thank you.

[31:56] >> That was worth a round of

[31:57] applause.

[32:00] So thank you for acknowledging

[32:01] her.

[32:01] But normally let's not do

[32:02] the applause because it just

[32:05] slows everything down.

[32:06] Many of you already knew that

[32:07] shaking their hands or snapping

[32:09] your fingers communicates your

[32:10] agreement with the speaker.

[32:15] Then thumbs down says you don't

[32:16] agree with the speaker.

[32:19] >> So thank you for that.

[32:20] >> Ready?

[32:32] Alison Peppler here.

[32:32] All right.

[32:37] Like good knee.

[32:38] Good evening everyone.

[32:39] I'm going to make this quick

[32:42] because I only have one minute.

[32:43] My name is Alison Dubner.

[32:46] I am also a member of

[32:46] the National Federation of

[32:51] the Blind San Diego Chapter.

[32:52] I want to speak about making

[32:56] our finest city fine for

[32:56] everyone blind and other

[33:01] disabilities as well.

[33:02] We all want what everyone else

[33:05] wants.

[33:06] We need to be independent.

[33:11] We want to be employed and many

[33:11] of us are.

[33:16] But being employed is a

[33:20] challenge when getting to and

[33:21] from your job involves as Julie

[33:24] was describing, the pedestrian

[33:25] signals that are not working

[33:30] correctly the audible signals

[33:30] that don't work correctly.

[33:34] Curb cuts that sometimes don't

[33:35] exist at all.

[33:39] >> Sidewalks that are torn up

[33:44] and you know signage and all

[33:45] kinds of places that are

[33:45] blocked.

[33:49] That was the thing.

[33:50] >> I thank you for your

[33:50] concluding comment.

[33:51] Thank you.

[33:54] Jared.

[33:54] >> Harrison Jared, you have

[33:55] people seating you time Janet

[33:59] Rogers if you can please raise

[34:00] your hand.

[34:00] Thank you.

[34:01] Becky Westervelt If you can

[34:02] please raise your hand.

[34:08] Becky and Mike Romo.

[34:08] >> Okay, great.

[34:09] You'll have four minutes.

[34:09] Please proceed.

[34:12] Thank you very much.

[34:13] Members of council.

[34:14] You're your of the mayor

[34:14] council PRESIDENT.

[34:15] Thank you very much.

[34:17] My name is Jared Harrison and

[34:21] I'm a proud San Diego And I've

[34:21] been here for ten years now.

[34:22] And it's just an honor to live

[34:25] in this city.

[34:26] I lost my vision about two

[34:27] years ago and since that time

[34:31] I've found a wonderful

[34:31] community of people to support

[34:32] and I've gained the tools

[34:36] necessary to maneuver around my

[34:36] my area.

[34:37] I'm here to kind of give a

[34:40] personal face to this issue and

[34:41] let you know what it's really

[34:41] about.

[34:46] So this process of accessible

[34:47] pedestrian signals those are

[34:48] the signals at the traffic

[34:51] stops that tell us when it's

[34:51] safe to cross.

[34:52] Now when we don't have those,

[34:52] we do our best.

[34:56] We judge the traffic.

[34:57] They teach us in mobility

[35:01] classes that we're to listen

[35:01] for that oncoming traffic

[35:02] that's parallel to us, that's

[35:05] traffic that lets us know that

[35:06] it's safe to cross.

[35:07] And for that parallel that

[35:07] perpendicular traffic that

[35:10] comes right next right in front

[35:11] of you, that's the traffic

[35:11] that's going to put your life

[35:14] in mortal danger.

[35:15] So there's a lot hanging on it

[35:19] when we're crossing a street.

[35:20] And so it's very important that

[35:24] it particularly dangerous

[35:25] intersections those are

[35:25] intersections that produced

[35:26] that's very high traffic where

[35:29] there's not a lot of parallel

[35:29] traffic that we have those

[35:30] types of tools to help us get

[35:34] to our work, get to the areas

[35:34] where we recreate and to visit

[35:38] the wonderful businesses around

[35:38] the city.

[35:39] I'll tell you a little bit of

[35:43] my own experience with the apps

[35:44] signals here.

[35:45] I lived close to 10th and j.

[35:47] My work is about two blocks

[35:48] from there So I walk there

[35:49] every day and I cross 10th and

[35:51] j that traffic intersection is

[35:52] particularly dangerous.

[35:53] It comes the traffic from 10th

[35:56] Avenue comes right directly off

[35:57] the interstate.

[35:58] There is very little traffic

[35:58] parallel on j Street And

[36:01] remember that's the traffic

[36:02] that tells me it's safe to

[36:02] cross.

[36:05] And I had one of my instructors

[36:06] assess this and together we put

[36:10] together a request for access

[36:11] for the city to install apps at

[36:14] that crossing Folks that was in

[36:15] DECEMBER of 2024.

[36:16] I learned that there was

[36:20] another request in 2021 for

[36:20] that same crossing and still

[36:24] it's not been fixed.

[36:25] Over on 10th and Park there is

[36:30] an api signal there that's a

[36:30] big t-junction and it's also

[36:31] where all of that traffic from

[36:34] 10th Avenue comes off.

[36:35] And at that intersection

[36:35] there's the apps is there but

[36:39] it doesn't function and that's

[36:39] very dangerous for someone

[36:40] who's there to rely upon that

[36:43] crossing to help them safely

[36:44] cross.

[36:47] So I lived there on that block

[36:47] of 10th Avenue and with no

[36:51] apps, no functional apps at

[36:52] 10th and Park and no functional

[36:55] apps at 10th and j I'm in an

[36:55] island of inaccessibility

[36:56] folks.

[36:59] We go to the we go to

[37:00] the department we file we file

[37:03] issues with with the Department

[37:04] of Engineering And the response

[37:09] that we get is yeah this is on

[37:09] our list and it's competing for

[37:10] funding And then I haven't

[37:13] heard from them since.

[37:13] Folks that should bother you

[37:14] And we are here to bring some

[37:18] light to this issue.

[37:18] You know when you're crossing

[37:19] the street and as Julie

[37:23] mentioned and you're faced with

[37:24] an unexpected vehicle, it can

[37:28] in your entire life flashes

[37:28] before your eyes.

[37:29] So folks, this is a core issue

[37:32] a core city function.

[37:33] We think that our safety should

[37:36] be prioritized and we're here

[37:37] to talk about this issue.

[37:41] Now vision loss is something

[37:42] that many millions of Americans

[37:46] face And statistically, you

[37:47] know, you or some folks that

[37:51] you love will probably face

[37:52] some vision loss in their

[37:52] lives.

[37:53] Now one of the fundamental

[37:53] things that we teach our

[37:56] children when they're crossing

[37:57] the street is look both ways.

[37:58] Keep your eyes open.

[38:01] Pay attention.

[38:02] Well, imagine if you had to

[38:03] cross the street with your eyes

[38:06] closed and imagine that child

[38:07] that you raised crossing

[38:11] the street on their own with no

[38:11] guidance.

[38:12] >> That can be a terrifying

[38:12] thing.

[38:16] Folks, thank you for that

[38:17] concluding.

[38:17] Thank you very much, ladies and

[38:18] gentlemen.

[38:18] I hope this gives you pause.

[38:25] We're here to raise some cane.

[38:26] Thank you.

[38:31] Next we have Viktor Orban.

[38:32] Viktor Orban.

[38:35] So if you can please come up to

[38:36] the microphone.

[38:36] You have several people seating

[38:37] your time.

[38:38] If I can also ask Melissa

[38:40] Hernandez to please come up to

[38:40] the yellow reserved seats along

[38:45] with Nicole Lilly, Kevin Vento,

[38:49] Travis Bouchard, Susan Griffin

[38:50] ,Lynelle Brown if you can all

[38:51] please come forward to

[38:55] the yellow reserved seats in

[38:55] the front row.

[38:56] And Viktor Orban say you have

[38:59] the following people seating

[38:59] you time Come.

[39:00] Gabrielle just can you please

[39:01] raise your hand?

[39:03] Thank you.

[39:08] Moustafa Alla data Thank you.

[39:09] >> Can we clear the aisles to

[39:10] let these good people exit

[39:13] the room?

[39:13] Thank you.

[39:19] And just to be clear, it'll be

[39:19] a group presentation.

[39:20] >> I'll keep We'll take a pause

[39:21] right now and then we have

[39:48] forward maybe the individuals

[39:49] in the aisle can come over here

[39:49] to behind the microphones to

[39:53] make room in the aisle.

[39:54] You can stand behind your

[39:58] speaker.

[40:01] Please clear the I came here

[40:12] behind your speaker.

[40:18] We get this political okay

[40:23] There we go.

[40:29] I I'll continue just calling

[40:29] for people to raise their

[40:30] hands.

[40:34] Moustafa Elden Thank you.

[40:39] Alexander Moncada Janine Malibu

[40:39] left seven saying normal

[40:43] normals Thank you Belen

[40:47] Hernandez Altan Luis Ron

[40:52] Sanchez Margarita Hernandez Van

[40:53] Horn.

[40:57] Joshua Aguilar.

[41:02] Hailey Serafin Oh I have to

[41:06] Hailey Serafin So let me just

[41:07] you are ceding your time to

[41:08] this organized presentation,

[41:08] correct?

[41:10] You're not speaking on your own

[41:11] .

[41:11] Hailey okay, Because I have one

[41:20] going each way.

[41:21] So it is 13 minutes.

[41:21] Please proceed on.

[41:25] Ready?

[41:26] >> Good evening Council.

[41:27] I am Berlin senior policy

[41:30] advocate and city councilor and

[41:30] this is our youth council.

[41:31] We are not architects or

[41:34] engineers but we wanted our

[41:35] park fixed so we learn to speak

[41:40] the language design faces city

[41:41] codes and procurement processes

[41:41] at least enough to get around

[41:44] the block and get our park

[41:45] fixed.

[41:45] After four years working on

[41:49] Henwood Park we asked ourselves

[41:49] How can we make the process

[41:50] easier for everyone?

[41:53] We had an idea and we brought

[41:54] it to you Fund one engineer to

[41:55] streamline the process.

[41:59] People would ask us How did you

[41:59] arrive at this idea?

[42:03] It is so technical in nature.

[42:04] Well we found it while we were

[42:04] digging deep in the trenches of

[42:08] city bureaucracy.

[42:09] Our vision is that we can carve

[42:09] a clear path for other parks

[42:12] that need to repair Our vision

[42:13] is a city with green, clean

[42:14] enriching parks for families

[42:17] and people of all ages.

[42:18] I stand here today to ask for

[42:21] two things First restorations

[42:21] to the Parks and Rec department

[42:22] restore maintenance staff

[42:25] Rangers In the asset management

[42:26] team you need a maintenance

[42:30] staff in Rangers to keep daily

[42:31] operations running and you need

[42:31] the asset team to keep repairs

[42:34] flowing.

[42:35] Second, streamline the repair

[42:35] process.

[42:36] Parks and Rec and

[42:39] the engineering department are

[42:40] signing an agreement to tackle

[42:40] the problem.

[42:41] The agreement must include

[42:44] direct access to a deputy

[42:45] engineer for project approvals

[42:49] permission for parks and Rec to

[42:50] work on repairs costing up to

[42:53] $5 million and a process where

[42:54] the Parks Department to put out

[42:55] the bids for small repairs If

[42:58] these items require

[42:59] reallocation between

[42:59] departments we ask you to

[43:00] please make it happen.

[43:03] I know you want the parks

[43:03] repaired too.

[43:08] Thank you.

[43:09] >> Good evening City councils

[43:09] and lovely committee members.

[43:13] My name is myself and I'm a

[43:13] junior at Hoover High School

[43:14] and a recent member of

[43:17] the Mid-City gang Youth

[43:17] Council.

[43:18] I'm here because we feel like

[43:21] the new budget proposal but

[43:22] there are still more to go.

[43:23] So I'm here to speak out and

[43:27] advocate for the parks that are

[43:27] suffering and need to be

[43:28] well-maintained as it fosters a

[43:32] sense of community, community

[43:33] and our society by maybe

[43:37] updated frequently because

[43:37] neglect can cause bigger

[43:38] problems that can carry damage

[43:42] to our beautiful parks becoming

[43:42] harder to regulate and fix.

[43:43] Time is passing and costs

[43:47] continue to rise leading to

[43:48] longer frustration to community

[43:51] members who value and car parks

[43:52] as an important part of their

[43:52] identity.

[43:53] Safety can be defined

[43:56] differently.

[43:57] Different people feel safe in

[43:57] various ways.

[44:00] In our case people feel safe in

[44:01] parks and green areas.

[44:02] Those taking care of parks is

[44:06] an important factor of safety.

[44:06] I hear that you're concerned

[44:07] about safety and enforcing

[44:11] parks is a part of investing in

[44:12] safety.

[44:15] I asked you to fund a deeper

[44:16] ties city engineer

[44:16] the agreement between Parks and

[44:20] Rec and capital engineering

[44:20] must include direct access to

[44:24] the retired engineer for

[44:25] project approvals before you

[44:29] can take care of parks such as

[44:29] maintenance staff and park

[44:30] rangers Rangers.

[44:34] We here represent this

[44:35] community who might not be seen

[44:38] nor heard or recognized by

[44:39] others.

[44:39] And to show that these funding

[44:40] cuts are extremely impactful

[44:45] and hurtful this is important.

[44:45] Take a deep look at it because

[44:46] there's a big mess and a

[44:49] misunderstanding about parks

[44:50] grading inequality.

[44:50] Invest in youth.

[44:54] Thank you.

[44:54] >> Hello.

[45:02] Good afternoon.

[45:02] City Council members and

[45:03] committee members Manager

[45:04] McCullough I'm currently a

[45:05] junior Hoover High School and

[45:05] part of Missouri can youth

[45:06] Council.

[45:07] I've been living in City house

[45:09] since I was little.

[45:10] I love living here and going to

[45:10] Prado.

[45:11] Cruz offers enjoyment and will

[45:13] park.

[45:14] Currently every Friday evening

[45:15] my friends and I are offered to

[45:18] determine how a memorial park

[45:19] as part of our soccer team to

[45:19] play and have fun Doing this

[45:24] allows me to relieve stress for

[45:24] school in other words are on my

[45:25] mind.

[45:25] I was happy to hear about

[45:28] the reservations that were made

[45:28] and hours of libraries, parks

[45:33] and rec centers and there for

[45:34] eight and nine while I know

[45:35] they didn't include our

[45:35] district.

[45:36] These are the most impacted.

[45:38] I'm asking you to please

[45:39] protect these restorations.

[45:39] I'm also asking that you

[45:40] restore remaining staff

[45:43] the soccer fab is currently

[45:44] languishing as more dirt and

[45:45] grass if you cut the main

[45:45] stuff.

[45:47] What do you think will happen

[45:48] to our parks?

[45:49] I rely on libraries to help

[45:52] with medication And and again

[45:52] please protect these

[45:53] restorations.

[45:54] Stop increasing the budget for

[45:54] police.

[45:58] Why is it our game where money

[45:58] when they already have enough

[45:59] and instead see this money to

[46:01] continue to invest and you

[46:02] service please take that into

[46:02] consideration and continue

[46:03] support our community.

[46:09] Thank you.

[46:09] >> Hello my name is Shanna and

[46:10] I'm a junior at Hoover High

[46:13] School and from city Heights.

[46:14] I'll be reading a public

[46:15] comment on the behalf of our

[46:18] youth organizer who couldn't

[46:18] make it today.

[46:19] Good evening, City Council.

[46:23] My name is Paloma and I'm a

[46:23] youth I'm the youth organizer

[46:27] for Mid-City Cans Youth

[46:27] Council.

[46:28] I'm here because we are

[46:29] counting on you to fight for

[46:29] us.

[46:32] We are grateful that we were

[46:32] able to restore the cuts to

[46:36] library and recreation hours

[46:41] and d 4899 But it is not

[46:41] enough.

[46:42] The budget is cutting the asset

[46:46] management team under the Parks

[46:46] and Rec department.

[46:49] This includes two park

[46:49] designers, one budget and an

[46:53] analyst and assistant deputy

[46:54] director leading the team this

[46:54] hour.

[46:58] These are the people that

[46:59] partner with nonprofits to

[47:03] minor projects done.

[47:04] They are the people that bring

[47:14] bring the banana for no harm to

[47:19] philanthropy not to be stores

[47:20] towards the city park.

[47:24] The city engineer Renna has

[47:24] told you that they are working

[47:29] on an mou between

[47:29] the departments but we don't

[47:34] know what that mou is.

[47:34] Does it allow minors minor

[47:35] project to be done in the short

[47:39] term timeline and a cheaper and

[47:39] cheaper cost?

[47:40] How can this project be

[47:44] completed a reasonable time if

[47:45] the Park Department will soon

[47:48] be left without an asset

[47:49] management team?

[47:49] You must restore the asset

[47:53] management team Management

[47:53] positions.

[47:54] We are glad the department will

[47:59] sign an agreement to streamline

[47:59] the repair process.

[48:03] We ask for the mou to include

[48:04] to include three things direct

[48:09] access access to a deputize

[48:09] engineer force project approval

[48:14] permission for Parks and Rec to

[48:17] work on repair costing up to $5

[48:18] million and a process for park

[48:22] departments to put out the bids

[48:23] for smaller repairs.

[48:27] These elements will determine

[48:28] the effective support of

[48:37] the mou.

[48:37] Good afternoon City Council

[48:38] members.

[48:38] My name is Gabrielle.

[48:42] Guess I'm going into the into

[48:42] my junior year Our Patrick

[48:46] Henry High School and I'm a

[48:47] resident of District nine.

[48:47] I first began advocacy when I

[48:51] was around 13 years old in

[48:51] the seventh grade.

[48:52] >> This is the same project

[48:56] I've been working on since that

[48:56] time period.

[48:57] This project has yet to be done

[49:01] and the current timeline would

[49:02] be by the time I am in my

[49:05] senior year or even a freshman

[49:06] in college that the project

[49:06] will be began.

[49:11] >> Is this acceptable to you?

[49:12] This is a whole lifetime.

[49:12] I haven't been able to go to

[49:16] this park since I was a child

[49:17] because it was already not up

[49:21] to date, not up to code And

[49:21] it's still like that for

[49:22] the children today.

[49:23] This is generations where this

[49:26] have been happening in the same

[49:26] park.

[49:27] >> It still has yet to be

[49:27] repaired.

[49:31] It is only two place structures

[49:32] that we are axing to remove to

[49:35] be repaired.

[49:36] Currently we have other

[49:40] projects that are building that

[49:40] are holding many of our

[49:41] businesses in our community

[49:44] Trust continuing to take this

[49:45] long on the project, show

[49:49] something underserved

[49:49] communities continue to be

[49:50] underserved.

[49:54] >> Is this really something you

[49:55] want for the youth and for our

[49:59] future to not have parks

[50:00] something that are essential to

[50:00] children?

[50:01] It's a key part of our

[50:03] development and it's something

[50:03] that is not given to our

[50:08] communities and I think it's

[50:09] something that should be a part

[50:12] of our should be a part because

[50:13] it builds motor skills in much

[50:13] more.

[50:14] It's something that every kid

[50:18] should have.

[50:18] But when these playgrounds are

[50:19] not up to date or are not kept

[50:22] up to code, these skills are

[50:23] lost And we are seeing it right

[50:27] now in our education system.

[50:28] We are acting for

[50:28] the possibility of this to be

[50:32] changed if we are given a

[50:33] deputized senior engineer we

[50:33] are able to not only streamline

[50:37] our own parks but parks for

[50:37] other youth in all regions.

[50:41] There are so many parks that

[50:42] are not kept up to date in San

[50:42] Diego.

[50:51] >> It shouldn't be this way.

[50:51] Hi.

[50:56] Uh, I'm a senior at Hoover High

[50:56] School and I graduated

[50:57] tomorrow.

[50:57] >> So have you graduation to

[51:03] you Do?

[51:04] >> Just to reiterate, I have

[51:07] been doing this for two years

[51:08] and by the time I leave I will

[51:13] see a little bit at a low

[51:17] success in it And when I go to

[51:18] and work hard I go to

[51:22] the bathroom that we will be

[51:23] still no lights, the store will

[51:27] still be too big and you can

[51:28] see like my feet under it And

[51:36] yeah ish I don't know if you

[51:37] see this as a long time It is

[51:42] to me and while we're waiting a

[51:42] lot of other parks is also

[51:47] waiting and I think we deserve

[51:51] better We deserve a place we

[51:56] deserve where we go together

[51:57] and and just speaking your ears

[52:01] out now by that is what I'm

[52:05] trying to how you please speed

[52:10] up the process, try to MAY cost

[52:14] less and try to help our youth

[52:14] succeed.

[52:20] Thank you.

[52:21] >> Good evening, Council

[52:21] members.

[52:24] My name's Victor Ponce.

[52:25] I will be reading a comment

[52:26] from a youth council member

[52:29] Derrick who couldn't be here

[52:30] today so.

[52:30] Good evening City Council

[52:35] Committee members My name is

[52:35] Derek and I am a junior at

[52:36] the North High.

[52:37] I have visited and spent

[52:38] countless hours in Central

[52:39] parks and recreation spaces.

[52:40] I have seen valuable areas like

[52:43] Henry Park are to the community

[52:43] .

[52:44] I've seen families gathering

[52:44] together, kids playing soccer,

[52:45] basketball, tennis and

[52:48] classmates spending time

[52:49] relaxing together after school.

[52:50] Parks are truly integral to

[52:53] communities to build

[52:54] connections with individuals

[52:55] and foster a sense of community

[52:55] especially for youth like us.

[52:58] More than just parks recreation

[52:59] centers, the libraries offer

[53:00] the same community benefit to

[53:03] even more people.

[53:03] I myself go to libraries to

[53:04] study and last summer they

[53:05] volunteered at my local library

[53:08] because I felt that these

[53:09] community spaces deserve more

[53:09] attention and care.

[53:13] That's why I ask you to

[53:13] continue to provide funding for

[53:14] parks, libraries and recreation

[53:15] centers including as an

[53:17] instance at park rangers who

[53:18] help keep these spaces safe and

[53:21] operational Because we state

[53:22] how dangerous and how hostile

[53:23] neglected parks can become.

[53:27] I also support funding

[53:28] adaptation engineered to allow

[53:29] for a quicker repair and

[53:29] involvement projects so that

[53:31] and youth does not need to wait

[53:31] years for park equity on my

[53:32] behalf.

[53:32] As you've heard from our youth

[53:35] they've been at this for a long

[53:36] time.

[53:36] We appreciate and thank for

[53:37] the money that has been

[53:40] allocated but it shouldn't take

[53:41] this long, right?

[53:41] I have folks that are pretty

[53:42] soon about to graduate college.

[53:45] They're going to go into their

[53:46] senior year and we still been

[53:47] at this For them to be able to

[53:50] come back to San Diego and ask

[53:51] for their progress and see what

[53:52] it's like And we still have

[53:52] nothing not even a shovel on

[53:55] the ground.

[53:56] I think it's disappointing.

[53:56] I do want to see this fixed.

[53:57] I think it's not only for our

[54:00] community it'll benefit

[54:00] everybody within the city.

[54:01] I know that there's parks all

[54:02] over the world we want to see

[54:04] build quicker and faster.

[54:08] We saw during the presentation

[54:09] 30 point something million goes

[54:09] to Parks and Rec through

[54:10] Synapse.

[54:10] We believe that we have a

[54:13] solution to help reduce that.

[54:14] So we want to see it fixed.

[54:15] Thank you all for your time.

[54:20] Nairobi It.

[54:21] Thank you very much Melissa

[54:21] Hernandez.

[54:25] Melissa you have time ceded to

[54:25] you by Monica hill if you can

[54:26] please raise your hand.

[54:26] >> Monica.

[54:27] Thank you.

[54:30] And then Cheryl, if you can

[54:31] please raise your hand.

[54:33] >> So Melissa, you'll have

[54:34] three minutes.

[54:38] >> Please proceed.

[54:39] Hello, council members.

[54:40] I hope you guys are having an

[54:43] amazing evening And as we can

[54:44] see, the whole community is out

[54:44] here.

[54:45] I want to thank first and

[54:48] foremost everything to

[54:49] the officers for putting

[54:52] the budget back where it needs

[54:53] .

[54:53] However, we really need you

[54:54] guys to be considerate of

[54:54] what's going on.

[54:58] As you can see behind me.

[54:59] The youth that we work with

[55:03] daily um got them out got them

[55:03] out here so that you guys can

[55:04] see why these programs are

[55:07] needed, why these parks are

[55:07] needed, why these libraries are

[55:11] needed and why we are needing

[55:12] you to understand that we got

[55:16] behind the youth with a little

[55:17] bit of money after so much was

[55:20] promised to us and cut and we

[55:21] were able to accomplish what we

[55:25] wanted to accomplish within one

[55:26] week of times even knowing that

[55:27] we're under the stress and

[55:30] under the pressure when we were

[55:34] supposed to come up here on

[55:34] the 18th obviously a tragic

[55:35] happened And this just proves

[55:39] now why companies like

[55:40] The Block and companies like

[55:44] well, let's just say the block

[55:44] shouldn't be receiving any type

[55:45] of funding.

[55:49] i'm not going to speak on

[55:49] the tragedy that just happened

[55:50] because that's not my part or

[55:53] my place as that I'm not a

[55:54] family member but I am going to

[55:55] speak for my community and when

[55:58] I speak for my community I say

[55:58] put the money in the right

[56:02] places because the more you

[56:03] continue to invest in these

[56:03] robotic places they're not

[56:07] saving our youth lives.

[56:08] We the community leaders, we

[56:12] the people are the ones that

[56:12] are saving lives.

[56:13] We are the ones that get in on

[56:13] the front line.

[56:14] We are the ones that are

[56:15] putting you in that chair.

[56:17] We are the ones that are making

[56:21] sure okay that you can do what

[56:22] you do right now and that is

[56:23] make the right decision because

[56:26] if not ya know my favorite

[56:27] thing my favorite word Hunger

[56:27] Games.

[56:28] Hunger Games.

[56:31] And Todd I see you.

[56:32] You know what I'm saying?

[56:33] You did the right thing by

[56:33] putting the money back But now

[56:36] I need for everybody to do what

[56:37] they need to do for our

[56:44] community.

[56:45] >> Okay, Already we got too

[56:45] much.

[56:45] We're senior out here.

[56:46] Go ahead.

[56:47] We we to freestyle as a

[56:51] birthday today to a shout out

[56:52] to my mom my mom's birthday So

[56:52] Mimi give me patience with my

[56:55] mother but I think more

[56:56] importantly we these programs

[57:00] that are getting married Gloria

[57:01] these are all the programs that

[57:02] generate revenue and bringing

[57:02] funding to our city nonstop

[57:05] like as part of your the city's

[57:06] own strategic plan to make this

[57:06] a cultural destination.

[57:10] What kind of a cultural

[57:11] destination are we going to be?

[57:11] We know culture.

[57:12] We know programing.

[57:12] We know arts.

[57:15] Um, on top of that like Mimi

[57:16] said, the people that you see

[57:17] where are the people doing

[57:19] the work doing the job.

[57:20] And I will say this if it takes

[57:21] not just the people but

[57:24] the right people in the right

[57:25] positions and I know Mayor

[57:26] Gloria can get tested, you

[57:29] know, working personally

[57:29] directly with Lucero, you know,

[57:30] in your in your office that

[57:33] made all the difference.

[57:34] And if it wasn't for me working

[57:34] at these drop centers and

[57:38] having another connection to

[57:39] our other coworker MR. Ricky

[57:39] Weaver who's not here today,

[57:40] I'm going to finish um he was

[57:44] able to support us with

[57:44] security for this past Chicano

[57:45] Park Day.

[57:45] Thank you for that.

[57:46] And you guys saw how many

[57:49] people there was No, I'm gonna

[57:49] finish.

[57:50] There's somebody else that

[57:50] would like to see Joe time.

[57:51] Okay.

[57:51] Yeah.

[57:53] Somebody want to say raise your

[57:54] hand?

[57:54] I'm gonna take a minute.

[57:55] You're like you're taking time

[57:56] by looking down but I want to

[57:56] make a good point here is that

[57:57] we're all intertwined and

[57:58] connected all of us.

[58:02] But we come from the two most

[58:02] underserved communities

[58:03] District eight and District

[58:06] four historically marginalized

[58:07] communities that exist because

[58:08] of systems of redlining And

[58:09] what all of this is I'll say it

[58:11] again it's a form of cultural

[58:12] genocide And when you talk

[58:13] about taking away culture

[58:16] that's truly a form of cultural

[58:16] genocide.

[58:17] So let's just think about that

[58:17] right now With everything else

[58:18] going on in the world, San

[58:21] Diego has the opportunity here

[58:22] to make an example but not out

[58:23] of our out of the residents,

[58:23] out of the city.

[58:26] Citizens make an example for

[58:27] other cities to follow.

[58:28] We don't have to keep doing

[58:30] this to our communities that at

[58:31] some point in time we're not

[58:32] going to exist anymore.

[58:32] Is that the goal?

[58:33] I think not.

[58:36] So we just need to just do a

[58:36] better job by working together

[58:37] and dismantle these systems

[58:41] that have that are broken that

[58:42] are not successful.

[58:42] >> Thank you.

[58:45] That's Jenkins Thank you,

[58:45] Alhamdulillah.

[58:46] >> Oh, Nicole Lilly, if you can

[58:51] please come to the microphone

[58:57] after Nicole It will be Kevin

[58:58] Vienneau, Travis Bouchard,

[59:04] Susan Griffin and Lynell Brown

[59:05] .

[59:05] All right.

[59:12] Sorry to interrupt Leila Hi.

[59:13] >> My name is Nicole Lilly.

[59:17] I'm a renter and resident of

[59:18] District three and

[59:19] the executive director of our

[59:19] Time to Act.

[59:20] I'm here again today because

[59:22] despite the outpouring of

[59:23] community over the past month,

[59:24] the mayor has still not deigned

[59:25] to listen to his constituents

[59:28] and now the ball is in your

[59:28] court.

[59:28] You've been told and some of

[59:29] you have said yourselves that

[59:32] the budget is a moral document

[59:32] .

[59:33] It is literally putting

[59:34] the money where your morals

[59:34] are.

[59:35] The decision you have now ahead

[59:37] of you is deciding what you

[59:38] believe your communities

[59:38] deserve.

[59:39] Do we deserve to be surveilled

[59:42] and overpoliced under the guise

[59:43] of safety or do we deserve

[59:43] instead to thrive with

[59:47] the partnership of O.C. Bias

[59:48] and protection of well funded

[59:49] libraries, parks, shelters and

[59:52] stormwater infrastructure?

[59:53] It is not enough to pay us lip

[59:53] service.

[59:54] We deserve real dollars

[59:57] invested in a better future for

[59:58] all San Diego And will you do

[59:58] the work to divest from Flock

[1:00:02] and invest in thriving

[1:00:02] communities that work?

[1:00:03] >> Our future is in your hands

[1:00:04] and we will be watching.

[1:00:19] >> Thank you Kevin Winner Uh

[1:00:19] good evening, council members.

[1:00:24] Um, I just wanted to say that

[1:00:24] as someone who's a part of a

[1:00:25] youth led nonprofit our time to

[1:00:28] act I would really encourage

[1:00:29] you guys to continue funding

[1:00:32] for O.C. Why is they only take

[1:00:33] $350,000 away from the city

[1:00:36] budget but you gain 3.5 million

[1:00:37] and grant specific funding that

[1:00:38] the city would not be able to

[1:00:38] get otherwise.

[1:00:42] So you're not just saving

[1:00:42] you're not saving $350,000.

[1:00:46] You're losing 3.5 million that

[1:00:47] you would not be able to get

[1:00:47] otherwise.

[1:00:52] Um, I think that the city it's

[1:00:52] I don't know why the city is

[1:00:53] not looking at its largest

[1:00:56] departments as dpd is

[1:00:57] the largest department and

[1:00:58] every year we do not cut their

[1:00:58] budget while cutting every

[1:01:01] other budget along the city.

[1:01:06] So if we were to adequately be

[1:01:07] looking into this budget we

[1:01:07] should also consider our

[1:01:08] largest budget expenditure.

[1:01:13] There's largest budget waste um

[1:01:13] on JANUARY 7th on all year

[1:01:16] covid there was homeless man

[1:01:17] who walked himself in

[1:01:18] the bathroom as dpd respond

[1:01:18] with 26 cop cars a squad

[1:01:22] vehicle and a helicopter Travis

[1:01:27] Bouchard Thank you guys.

[1:01:28] >> After that we have Susan

[1:01:33] Griffin Linnell Brown Leila

[1:01:33] Aziz sign of Sanchez, Richard

[1:01:37] Caitlin if those aren't you if

[1:01:38] you can take a seat in

[1:01:39] the front row or back at your

[1:01:42] chair and then we'll make sure

[1:01:43] to get to you.

[1:01:43] >> Please proceed.

[1:01:44] How's it going?

[1:01:47] Travis Uh, district seven

[1:01:48] Here's a path to the dark side

[1:01:53] Fairly It's to anger.

[1:01:53] Anger leads to hate.

[1:01:58] Hate leads to suffering.

[1:01:59] Many of you lead with fear when

[1:01:59] speaking of the police budget,

[1:02:04] Marty was quoted by nbc seven

[1:02:04] in an interview on Flug.

[1:02:05] In her words they prevent very

[1:02:08] serious crime homicides, rapes,

[1:02:09] kidnaping Give us data.

[1:02:14] Mayor, because what we see is

[1:02:15] as dpd they got a two hour head

[1:02:18] start last week and failed

[1:02:19] miserably in capturing two

[1:02:19] terrorists.

[1:02:22] There are nine flight cameras

[1:02:26] within one mile of the Islamic

[1:02:31] center nine nine as dpd failed

[1:02:36] failed Start putting medical

[1:02:37] Show us data council block cat

[1:02:41] Police 30th 29 million Restore

[1:02:42] 20 to 25 Funding to Office of

[1:02:45] Youth Services Libraries Arts

[1:02:46] and Rec Centers and Fire Daniel

[1:02:54] Gold Susan Susan Griffin

[1:02:54] District seven Mary Gloria you

[1:02:59] claim that you are prioritizing

[1:03:00] public safety for San Diego.

[1:03:01] If public safety is really your

[1:03:04] priority then why eliminate or

[1:03:05] cut arts recreation, literary

[1:03:05] services?

[1:03:09] These are the vital elements of

[1:03:10] our social infrastructure that

[1:03:14] which connects us to one

[1:03:14] another in all of our

[1:03:15] communities with empathy and

[1:03:15] care for one another.

[1:03:19] Please reconsider your

[1:03:20] significant proposed increases

[1:03:24] for law enforcement including

[1:03:25] the flock system.

[1:03:26] I ask you to reallocate some of

[1:03:30] those increases toward

[1:03:31] the protective services that

[1:03:31] help prevent the need for law

[1:03:35] enforcement interventions in

[1:03:36] the first place Arts Literacy.

[1:03:36] Recreation.

[1:03:41] Youth Services Thank you.

[1:03:46] Lynell Brown.

[1:03:47] Lynell Brown You have time

[1:03:52] ceded to you by Matthew Carr.

[1:03:53] >> If you can please raise your

[1:03:53] hand you'll have two minutes.

[1:03:54] Please proceed.

[1:03:57] My name is Lynell and I'm here

[1:04:01] to represent District four and

[1:04:02] the Senate.

[1:04:07] I come before you today to

[1:04:08] thank you for redirecting these

[1:04:09] funds back to our youth centers

[1:04:12] in Bowmanville and Stockton

[1:04:12] Imperial.

[1:04:13] We are truly grateful and

[1:04:13] appreciative of this decision.

[1:04:18] However, at this point it is

[1:04:18] still only a gesture until

[1:04:19] these funds are fully restored

[1:04:23] and secure, receiving these

[1:04:24] funds will not only help ensure

[1:04:24] that our centers remain open to

[1:04:29] the next fiscal year but will

[1:04:29] also help restore our

[1:04:30] community's faith in the system

[1:04:35] and in a leadership that

[1:04:35] represents us.

[1:04:36] We will continue to show up,

[1:04:39] speak out and fight for our

[1:04:40] communities until we have truly

[1:04:41] equitable services and

[1:04:45] equitable funding for all youth

[1:04:45] and families.

[1:04:46] We support the Office of Child

[1:04:50] Abuse success because we

[1:04:51] believe in its mission.

[1:04:51] These programs provide critical

[1:04:55] opportunities resources,

[1:04:56] mentorships, art, recreation

[1:04:56] and hope for young people and

[1:05:01] their families.

[1:05:02] When we invest in youth we

[1:05:06] invest in safer, healthier and

[1:05:06] stronger communities.

[1:05:07] If this office is correct, that

[1:05:08] means more children without

[1:05:12] programs, with our arts, with

[1:05:12] our library, with our

[1:05:13] recreational centers feel safe

[1:05:17] Places where they can learn,

[1:05:17] grow and thrive.

[1:05:18] Our communities do not need

[1:05:18] more surveillance.

[1:05:22] They need more support.

[1:05:23] These need opportunities.

[1:05:27] We need investments Despite

[1:05:27] these challenges we remain

[1:05:28] proactive and committed to

[1:05:32] providing services programs and

[1:05:33] hope to the people who depend

[1:05:34] on them the most.

[1:05:34] We ask that you continue

[1:05:39] standing with us and prioritize

[1:05:40] long term success and

[1:05:44] well-being for our youth.

[1:05:44] Surveillance Surveillance

[1:05:45] cameras will not catch a

[1:05:45] criminal.

[1:05:50] It would only show you their

[1:05:50] body.

[1:05:51] That's right.

[1:05:52] You know that we are protecting

[1:05:55] our our communities with our

[1:05:56] lives and we are not confused

[1:05:56] anymore.

[1:06:01] We are real people and we

[1:06:01] deserve.

[1:06:02] >> Thank you for that comment,

[1:06:02] Leila.

[1:06:05] Well okay.

[1:06:11] I don't want to go after hands

[1:06:11] .

[1:06:11] Mayor Todd Gloria.

[1:06:12] City Council.

[1:06:16] Those of you Shanelle Rivera,

[1:06:20] Henry Foster, the third who

[1:06:21] advocated for us and the drop

[1:06:21] in centers are greatly

[1:06:25] appreciated.

[1:06:26] Something historic happened

[1:06:31] since the police department has

[1:06:32] been keeping report since 2003

[1:06:33] the Mountain View neighborhood

[1:06:37] which had have in that time 20

[1:06:38] more homicides than any other

[1:06:38] neighborhood has had two

[1:06:41] consecutive years with zero

[1:06:42] homicides.

[1:06:42] Come down and talk to this guy.

[1:06:43] Talk to me me on how they're

[1:06:46] doing it.

[1:06:47] It's an evidence based best

[1:06:48] practice.

[1:06:53] We all know and I know

[1:06:54] hindsight is 2020 or the 4040 I

[1:06:57] have been gone for a long time

[1:06:58] but if there were 1 million

[1:06:59] cameras out there, nothing

[1:07:03] would have changed because of

[1:07:04] the attitude of the San Diego

[1:07:05] Police Department of looking at

[1:07:09] these young men who have guns,

[1:07:10] a stolen car and on a suicide

[1:07:15] mission and not being a threat.

[1:07:15] That's the problem.

[1:07:16] Thank you for getting on with

[1:07:16] it.

[1:07:22] Senior Sanchez See I am a go

[1:07:28] ahead.

[1:07:28] All right.

[1:07:33] Oh, you had spoken before.

[1:07:34] >> Under the ceding time and

[1:07:34] you had ceded her time.

[1:07:39] But if you have, you can use

[1:07:40] my.

[1:07:40] >> Yes, you can have your time

[1:07:41] over here.

[1:07:41] I'll make you one minute.

[1:07:45] Please proceed.

[1:07:46] My name is Reginald Lewis from

[1:07:46] the Mount Stockton area and I

[1:07:50] feel the so important for

[1:07:50] the funding is to rehabilitate

[1:07:55] and addresses root causes of

[1:07:55] crime.

[1:07:56] Many people who enter

[1:07:56] the justice system struggle

[1:07:57] with issues like substance

[1:08:01] abuse, trauma, mental health

[1:08:01] challenges, homelessness or

[1:08:02] lack of employment opportunity.

[1:08:07] Invest in more city funded into

[1:08:08] the rehabilitation program

[1:08:12] Counseling job training a youth

[1:08:13] service can help prevent crime

[1:08:13] before it happens and has their

[1:08:18] own responding after harms

[1:08:19] occur with rehabilitation,

[1:08:19] reduce repeat offenders and

[1:08:25] lower long term cost drugs have

[1:08:25] shown that people who receive

[1:08:26] effective rehabilitation

[1:08:30] services are less likely to

[1:08:30] re-offend compared to those who

[1:08:31] only experience incarceration

[1:08:36] in a punitive policing

[1:08:36] expanding program focused on

[1:08:37] reentry support, addiction

[1:08:42] treatment, education and

[1:08:42] restorative justice.

[1:08:43] More reduce jail population and

[1:08:50] save taxpayers money.

[1:08:51] Thank you for that concluding

[1:08:51] comment, Richard Kaitlin

[1:08:55] Nicholas I you know he she had

[1:08:55] input her seeding time so now

[1:08:56] you get your time.

[1:09:00] >> Okay.

[1:09:06] Richard you can work today.

[1:09:06] I'm here.

[1:09:07] You know, I appreciate you all

[1:09:11] for restoring the budget and

[1:09:12] money to the youth center but I

[1:09:13] still got a problem with

[1:09:18] the city treasurer.

[1:09:19] Keep that overspend on

[1:09:20] the budget and they all keep

[1:09:23] taking away from the you first

[1:09:24] like every year like the new

[1:09:31] programs you're talking about.

[1:09:32] I thought this is for the kids

[1:09:34] We both play for the kids and

[1:09:35] the first thing I do is take

[1:09:35] away from the kids.

[1:09:36] The house we supposed to

[1:09:40] prosper as people if the kids

[1:09:45] keep this prosperity I mean do

[1:09:46] what's right for us as people.

[1:09:51] Kids need to go first.

[1:09:52] We never need to take no for

[1:09:57] mean we get free money every

[1:10:02] year now for taxes for

[1:10:03] marijuana dispensaries that

[1:10:03] money need to go to the thank

[1:10:04] you for that concluding comment

[1:10:14] My Asia lenders major lenders

[1:10:20] Kiana Price Kiana Price You're

[1:10:21] going to kill me.

[1:10:21] >> No, I'm sorry.

[1:10:26] Okay Courtney about it.

[1:10:26] I apologize.

[1:10:31] I'll just keep up.

[1:10:32] Okay?

[1:10:32] I work at the youth center with

[1:10:33] the youth and I work with both

[1:10:37] of them on Mountain View and

[1:10:38] Stockton Memorial And I'm here

[1:10:39] to say thank you for giving

[1:10:44] the money back, for redirecting

[1:10:44] it back.

[1:10:45] >> We'll be back to say thank

[1:10:46] you when we actually get

[1:10:49] the money So only because we

[1:10:50] kind been here before So you

[1:10:51] know I am very grateful but

[1:10:55] it's kind of shaky So we will

[1:10:56] be back when we get to thank

[1:10:57] you guys for it and to show you

[1:10:57] the programs that we have

[1:10:58] already put through and

[1:11:01] the kids that we've already

[1:11:02] succeeded.

[1:11:02] You know, we've already

[1:11:03] succeeded in helping.

[1:11:04] We want to go further but we

[1:11:08] also need the focus to be on

[1:11:08] the youth as rich with

[1:11:09] the Office of Youth Success.

[1:11:13] That's a wonderful program and

[1:11:14] needs to be focused on and kept

[1:11:15] instead of these other programs

[1:11:16] that have been spoken about.

[1:11:20] And I will give them any light

[1:11:21] because they don't need any

[1:11:21] more light because it doesn't

[1:11:22] make sense.

[1:11:22] The kids aren't what matters.

[1:11:26] My kids everybody's kids of

[1:11:27] the future They're going to

[1:11:28] stand up here one day and we

[1:11:28] don't invest in them now what

[1:11:30] is it about to make our city

[1:11:37] say the youth with I'm sorry.

[1:11:37] >> Did Courtney want to speak

[1:11:38] or No.

[1:11:38] Okay.

[1:11:38] Sorry.

[1:11:39] Courtney, please come up to

[1:11:42] the microphone And then after

[1:11:42] that we have Richard

[1:11:43] Martindale.

[1:11:43] Please come up to the other

[1:11:48] reserved seats Lori Saldana,

[1:11:49] Lori Lipman, Barry Edelstein,

[1:11:49] Becky Goodman and Christine

[1:11:50] Martinez.

[1:11:54] If you can all please come up

[1:11:54] to the yellow reserved seats

[1:11:55] and please proceed.

[1:11:55] Good evening.

[1:12:00] Honorable Council members Mayor

[1:12:01] Glory and Staff My name is

[1:12:01] Courtney Ball Tusky with

[1:12:04] the ymca and Children First

[1:12:05] Collective San Diego has

[1:12:05] witnessed a lot since this

[1:12:10] process began.

[1:12:11] Let's take a breath.

[1:12:11] Let's recommit together.

[1:12:16] We're grateful for the progress

[1:12:16] in the revise.

[1:12:17] Let's go even further for kids

[1:12:22] for youth a requirement a

[1:12:23] recommitment to thriving

[1:12:23] community as being safe

[1:12:28] communities a recommitment to

[1:12:29] your child and youth plan with

[1:12:30] the Office of Child New Success

[1:12:34] This means at least a dedicated

[1:12:35] higher level position skilled

[1:12:36] in policy, community engagement

[1:12:36] and interdepartmental

[1:12:41] collaboration.

[1:12:41] Dozens of other organizations

[1:12:42] countless youth advocates and

[1:12:46] San Diego families are looking

[1:12:47] to you all to prioritize this

[1:12:48] critical position.

[1:12:56] Thank you Richard.

[1:12:56] Good evening.

[1:12:57] I'm here to join those who have

[1:12:57] who think you have a spending

[1:13:01] problem rather than a revenue

[1:13:01] problem.

[1:13:02] We all want to help others but

[1:13:03] we have to do it within our

[1:13:07] budget And you're not asking I

[1:13:08] ask you to take a look at your

[1:13:08] personal finances to see what

[1:13:13] percentage you spend on

[1:13:14] necessities, what percentage

[1:13:14] you spend on discretionary

[1:13:15] spending and what percent you

[1:13:19] give to charity and apply those

[1:13:20] same percentages to the city

[1:13:25] budget City necessities or

[1:13:26] police fire and inner structure

[1:13:27] infrastructure Discretionary

[1:13:27] spending includes libraries,

[1:13:31] parks and cultural

[1:13:31] institutions.

[1:13:32] Welfare is charity.

[1:13:37] Thank you Laurie Soltanieh I

[1:13:43] know you have a some images to

[1:13:43] project so staff will get those

[1:13:44] up and then you can proceed

[1:13:44] when ready.

[1:13:49] Thank you.

[1:13:50] As many of the speakers have

[1:13:51] expressed tonight, a city is

[1:13:54] judged by its culture including

[1:13:55] who leaders choose to name in

[1:13:56] our parks and public places.

[1:14:00] >> And that's why I'm here

[1:14:01] tonight for proposing a change

[1:14:02] to a name of the park that

[1:14:07] honors Charles Lindbergh, a man

[1:14:08] who expressed anti-immigrant

[1:14:08] anti-Semitic beliefs and whose

[1:14:13] name is next to the Claremont

[1:14:13] the San Diego Islamic Center

[1:14:14] and where three men were killed

[1:14:15] last week by two young men

[1:14:19] expressing the same rhetoric

[1:14:20] that Charles Lindbergh has

[1:14:26] expressed in the past.

[1:14:27] It's time to give a few It's

[1:14:27] time for the city of San Diego

[1:14:28] to follow the lead of

[1:14:32] the Unified School District,

[1:14:32] remove Lindbergh's name from

[1:14:33] this park as the families voted

[1:14:37] to do Go ahead to the next one

[1:14:38] please.

[1:14:38] Five years ago, five years ago

[1:14:39] this name was removed from this

[1:14:44] school near the Islamic center

[1:14:45] And last year if we can go to

[1:14:46] the next slide Mayor Todd

[1:14:50] Lowrie assaulted to honor a

[1:14:51] fallen police officer.

[1:14:52] >> We need to thank you for

[1:14:56] being able in our parks and

[1:14:57] Lindbergh is not worthy of that

[1:14:57] honor.

[1:15:02] >> Lori Liberman the you also

[1:15:03] have a slide show that you'll

[1:15:04] show and stuff will get that up

[1:15:08] and then you can proceed or an

[1:15:08] image.

[1:15:09] >> Hello council members.

[1:15:09] I'm Lori.

[1:15:14] I'm pausing your time if you

[1:15:15] can bring the microphone down a

[1:15:16] little bit just a the zoom can

[1:15:16] also hear you.

[1:15:19] Thank you so much.

[1:15:20] Hello council members I'm Lori

[1:15:21] Lipscomb pronounced she her a

[1:15:25] constituent of district three.

[1:15:25] Please do the right thing.

[1:15:26] We need to fundamentally

[1:15:31] reframe what safety means in

[1:15:32] San Diego with this city.

[1:15:32] Will the city continue down a

[1:15:37] path of policing, surveillance

[1:15:37] and incarceration and

[1:15:38] increasingly unsustainable

[1:15:43] burden on taxpayers with a very

[1:15:44] poor roi?

[1:15:45] Or will we invest in inclusion

[1:15:49] education, health care, housing

[1:15:50] parks, libraries, arts and

[1:15:50] culture and equitable resources

[1:15:56] for all a more humane and

[1:15:56] sustainable vision of public

[1:15:57] safety.

[1:16:01] Racism and hate are learned

[1:16:02] behaviors rooted in systemic

[1:16:02] inequality.

[1:16:03] They are not solved through

[1:16:07] militarism, shame and

[1:16:08] incarceration.

[1:16:08] Thank you very.

[1:16:15] Edelstein You have time ceded

[1:16:15] to you by James Lofton.

[1:16:19] >> You'll have two minutes.

[1:16:19] >> Please proceed.

[1:16:20] Thank you very much, MR. Mayor.

[1:16:24] City Council Thanks for being

[1:16:25] here this evening.

[1:16:25] I was downstairs screaming on

[1:16:26] the plaza.

[1:16:30] I'm head of the Old Globe and

[1:16:30] I'm here to ask you to restore

[1:16:31] arts funding.

[1:16:32] I was in here screaming about

[1:16:32] two weeks ago.

[1:16:37] I'm not here to scream tonight.

[1:16:38] First I want to thank all of

[1:16:38] you who've spoken out

[1:16:39] passionately about the need to

[1:16:39] restore this funding.

[1:16:42] We see what you're doing.

[1:16:43] We're grateful for you putting

[1:16:44] it in your budget memos.

[1:16:44] I'm here to urge you to stand

[1:16:49] up for full restoration and not

[1:16:49] partial restoration.

[1:16:50] The other reason I don't want

[1:16:54] to scream is because overall

[1:16:55] over this period what I am

[1:16:55] mostly is sad.

[1:16:59] I represent 30,000 San Diegans

[1:16:59] in every single council

[1:17:00] district who are served by

[1:17:01] the old Globe's community based

[1:17:05] programing free of charge.

[1:17:06] That funding is what this city

[1:17:07] funding that those programs is

[1:17:11] what the city funding supports.

[1:17:11] City funding does not put fancy

[1:17:12] costumes on actors on our

[1:17:12] stage.

[1:17:17] City funding does not make

[1:17:18] tickets available at a discount

[1:17:19] for wealthy San Diego's city.

[1:17:23] Funding makes it possible for

[1:17:23] the Old Globe to go into

[1:17:24] neighborhoods in every district

[1:17:25] and make work available to

[1:17:29] senior centers, homeless

[1:17:30] shelters, veterans

[1:17:31] organizations, active duty

[1:17:31] military organizations, centers

[1:17:35] for at risk youth the largest

[1:17:36] program of theater with

[1:17:36] incarcerated populations in

[1:17:41] the United States of America

[1:17:41] run by the Old Globe.

[1:17:42] That's what this city money

[1:17:42] supports.

[1:17:46] So I'm not screaming because

[1:17:47] I'm sad.

[1:17:48] I'm sad to think about all

[1:17:48] those people in your district

[1:17:53] who are going to be bereft of

[1:17:54] that programing when this

[1:17:54] funding goes away.

[1:17:55] It's going to hurt regular

[1:17:59] people, working people, people

[1:18:00] in communities of color in

[1:18:01] every district of this city.

[1:18:05] And I am bummed out and deeply

[1:18:06] disappointed You can turn it

[1:18:06] around.

[1:18:07] There is money available in

[1:18:07] the budget to turn this around

[1:18:11] and then we're going to come

[1:18:12] back to you when all this is

[1:18:13] over and start talking about a

[1:18:13] plan for the future that makes

[1:18:14] more sense.

[1:18:20] Thank you very much Becky

[1:18:21] Goodman.

[1:18:22] >> You have time to go by

[1:18:26] Dillon Service.

[1:18:27] Thank you so much.

[1:18:27] I'll have two minutes.

[1:18:28] Please proceed.

[1:18:28] Good evening, Council members.

[1:18:32] My name is Becky Goodman.

[1:18:33] >> I work at Livia Playhouse in

[1:18:33] District one and I was born and

[1:18:34] raised in District five.

[1:18:37] I I'm a mother of three

[1:18:38] including the privilege of

[1:18:38] being legal guardian to two

[1:18:39] foster children.

[1:18:44] I am frustrated with the fact

[1:18:44] that I'm here again tonight

[1:18:45] that we as a city are here

[1:18:45] again tonight.

[1:18:46] A portion of total funds are

[1:18:50] supposed to go to arts and

[1:18:51] cultural institutions because

[1:18:51] they are large.

[1:18:52] Part of the reason why those

[1:18:56] funds even exist as a source of

[1:18:56] revenue to the city.

[1:18:57] According to the most recent

[1:18:58] Arts and Economic prosperity

[1:19:01] study by Americans for the Arts

[1:19:02] in the City of San Diego,

[1:19:03] nonprofit arts and cultural

[1:19:03] institutions are responsible

[1:19:08] for generating nearly $35

[1:19:08] million in local tax revenue

[1:19:13] based on expenditures be paid

[1:19:14] by our organizations and our

[1:19:14] attendees.

[1:19:15] So that's number one.

[1:19:19] My second point is that

[1:19:20] the reinvestment of those total

[1:19:20] funds to arts and culture

[1:19:24] organizations go toward

[1:19:25] providing free programing to

[1:19:25] our most vulnerable and

[1:19:26] underserved populations.

[1:19:30] So removing this funding source

[1:19:31] from these organizations is

[1:19:32] akin to removing it from

[1:19:32] veterans and military families

[1:19:37] from incarcerated youth from

[1:19:37] low income children and schools

[1:19:38] from our unhoused neighbors and

[1:19:42] from our friends who live with

[1:19:43] mental health issues isolation

[1:19:44] and social and developmental

[1:19:44] disorders.

[1:19:45] Arts and culture is

[1:19:49] preventative medicine for

[1:19:50] society reinvesting total funds

[1:19:50] in arts and culture

[1:19:55] organizations which offer free

[1:19:56] programs for vulnerable

[1:19:57] populations in policing

[1:19:57] courses, in emergency room

[1:20:01] visits and saves lives.

[1:20:02] Art is health culture It's

[1:20:02] healing.

[1:20:03] Creativity is hope.

[1:20:07] I urge you to review

[1:20:08] the research on the economic

[1:20:08] and social impact of

[1:20:09] the nonprofit arts and culture

[1:20:13] sector and make the right

[1:20:14] choice for your city, for your

[1:20:14] neighbors and for your

[1:20:15] families.

[1:20:19] >> Thank you.

[1:20:20] Christine Martinez If I can

[1:20:25] have Bob Lehman, Peter

[1:20:26] Kaminsky, Jessica Hanson York

[1:20:31] Michael or Burchill Bennett

[1:20:32] Tony Bennett or last name

[1:20:38] Bennett Ben, Paul and Carina if

[1:20:38] you please come up to

[1:20:39] the yellow reserved seats

[1:20:39] please proceed.

[1:20:44] Good evening.

[1:20:44] I'm Christine Martinez from

[1:20:45] Arts and Culture San Diego.

[1:20:46] As you could probably tell from

[1:20:49] the snaps in the hands we had

[1:20:50] hundreds of people at a rally

[1:20:50] downstairs earlier today.

[1:20:56] Can you all raise your hands?

[1:20:56] We're asking what we've asked

[1:21:01] for this entire budget season.

[1:21:02] We understand what you're going

[1:21:03] through with the budget

[1:21:03] deficit.

[1:21:04] We are simply asking to remain

[1:21:08] flat which I know is difficult

[1:21:08] in these times.

[1:21:09] You've been able to work really

[1:21:10] hard and identify money in

[1:21:13] other places.

[1:21:14] Please do so again.

[1:21:14] There's an entire community and

[1:21:15] ecosystem here that if you cut

[1:21:20] our funding they will not come

[1:21:20] back for generations.

[1:21:21] These are employers.

[1:21:26] This is an economic engine.

[1:21:27] >> Please consider restoring

[1:21:27] our funding.

[1:21:35] Thanks so much, Bob Lehman.

[1:21:36] Good evening Mayor.

[1:21:37] Council members My name is Bob

[1:21:37] Lehman, Executive Director San

[1:21:41] Diego Art Matters and Vice

[1:21:42] Chair of the City County Arts

[1:21:42] and Culture Commission.

[1:21:43] We're standing here today not

[1:21:47] because of just one budget line

[1:21:48] item This is about who we are

[1:21:48] as a city.

[1:21:53] Sandy We spent years telling

[1:21:54] the world the creativity

[1:21:55] culture innovation designer our

[1:21:55] center identity.

[1:21:59] We probably markers market

[1:22:00] ourselves as a global tourism

[1:22:00] destination city museums

[1:22:05] theaters, festivals, music

[1:22:06] storytelling and vibrant

[1:22:07] neighborhoods.

[1:22:07] And now the same city is

[1:22:12] proposing complete elimination

[1:22:12] of nearly all direct public

[1:22:13] arts funding.

[1:22:13] Because this is not a simple

[1:22:14] reduction.

[1:22:18] This is not a trimming around

[1:22:18] the edges.

[1:22:19] This is a dismantling of a 35

[1:22:19] year public investment in

[1:22:24] infrastructure the support of

[1:22:25] nearly 200 nonprofit arts and

[1:22:26] cultural organizations.

[1:22:26] And let's be honest what has

[1:22:31] been labeled as nonessential

[1:22:31] Are free museums days essential

[1:22:32] or neighborhood festivals

[1:22:32] essential?

[1:22:36] We asked the city to support

[1:22:37] something extra keep city

[1:22:38] protect our part of civic

[1:22:38] instruction.

[1:22:39] Thank you for that concluding

[1:22:45] remark Peter Kaminski.

[1:22:45] Peter Kaminski You MAY be

[1:22:51] coming from the back room.

[1:22:52] Give me some time to come up

[1:22:53] from the back room.

[1:22:57] Jessica Hansen York.

[1:22:58] You have time to go to by

[1:23:03] Carolyn.

[1:23:04] Can you please raise your hand?

[1:23:04] Thank you.

[1:23:05] You'll have two minutes.

[1:23:05] Please proceed.

[1:23:09] Good evening, MR. Mayor.

[1:23:10] City council members, Thank you

[1:23:11] very much for hearing from all

[1:23:11] of us this evening and thank

[1:23:15] you to many of you for speaking

[1:23:16] up for arts and culture and

[1:23:16] the restoration of our funding

[1:23:17] in your budget memos.

[1:23:22] I am here to implore you for a

[1:23:22] full restoration of arts

[1:23:22] funding.

[1:23:23] I'm the executive director of

[1:23:28] Binghamton National Museum

[1:23:29] chair of the Balboa Park

[1:23:29] Cultural Partnership.

[1:23:30] I'm on the board of Malasakit

[1:23:30] Dance.

[1:23:33] I really care about arts and

[1:23:34] culture in this city And I

[1:23:39] really want to remind you that

[1:23:40] for years, for decades every

[1:23:41] arts and culture organization

[1:23:46] in this city has been doing

[1:23:46] exactly what we are supposed to

[1:23:47] do.

[1:23:50] >> We in exchange for city

[1:23:51] funding one of the things we do

[1:23:52] is file a very long report

[1:23:56] every year on the success that

[1:23:56] we have achieved.

[1:23:57] And we always hit the marks

[1:23:58] that the city puts out there

[1:24:02] for us as a sector we are

[1:24:03] driving tourism helping to

[1:24:08] raise the very dollars that you

[1:24:09] turn around and fund us with.

[1:24:09] We are serving the city in

[1:24:14] every single council council

[1:24:15] district We are delivering on

[1:24:16] artistic success and community

[1:24:20] engagement on arts education.

[1:24:21] We're checking every box.

[1:24:22] You have a whole sector of arts

[1:24:27] and culture organizations here

[1:24:27] who have built and developed

[1:24:28] and maintained a really

[1:24:33] critical civic infrastructure.

[1:24:33] We partner across sectors with

[1:24:34] health care, with social

[1:24:39] service, with education from

[1:24:40] all over the city.

[1:24:40] And you know what?

[1:24:45] We're really, really good at

[1:24:45] our jobs.

[1:24:46] Cutting funding will set us

[1:24:47] back and it will impact almost

[1:24:51] everyone in this city.

[1:24:52] We implore you to keep that

[1:24:52] funding in place.

[1:24:57] Thank you Michael.

[1:25:04] Michael Warburton Warburton my

[1:25:04] apologies.

[1:25:05] >> No, no Michael but do you

[1:25:09] have time to go to by the crown

[1:25:09] over.

[1:25:10] >> Thank you so much.

[1:25:15] As Please proceed.

[1:25:16] >> So it remains the same You

[1:25:20] know we're told focused on core

[1:25:21] services But when I looked at

[1:25:27] the revised budget I'm pretty

[1:25:27] sure I saw a new dog park in

[1:25:28] there for a million bucks.

[1:25:28] Right.

[1:25:33] So so it just seems like

[1:25:33] there's still something out of

[1:25:34] whack when it comes to choices

[1:25:37] being made on the spending $9

[1:25:38] million for decarbonization

[1:25:38] which is basically replacing

[1:25:39] gas appliances in city

[1:25:43] buildings for electric ones If

[1:25:44] they're not at the end of

[1:25:44] the service life don't replace

[1:25:45] them.

[1:25:45] Right.

[1:25:46] There are things that we can do

[1:25:49] that can save us some money.

[1:25:50] But I want to change gears just

[1:25:51] to show how sometimes there's a

[1:25:54] little bit of lack of

[1:25:55] forethought in some of

[1:25:55] the decision making.

[1:25:56] Money was put back for planning

[1:26:00] for the summer nights.

[1:26:01] Cool.

[1:26:01] What makes the summer night

[1:26:02] special?

[1:26:06] Musicians, dancers, artists,

[1:26:06] museums all of these people

[1:26:11] Thousands of people over a

[1:26:11] hundred organizations that

[1:26:12] donate their time and talent to

[1:26:13] make that event special.

[1:26:17] If those folks aren't there you

[1:26:18] have an overpriced hotdog and a

[1:26:18] Ferris wheel.

[1:26:23] So ultimately, you know, if

[1:26:23] the city's not showing up with

[1:26:24] a budget for arts and culture,

[1:26:25] why should arts and culture

[1:26:29] show up for DECEMBER nights?

[1:26:29] Thank you.

[1:26:30] Bennett, Tenet, Bennett or

[1:26:36] David?

[1:26:36] My apologies.

[1:26:37] The looked a little Yeah, but

[1:26:42] you have time ceded to you by

[1:26:43] Lowell and Crane and there's

[1:26:47] both are hurt.

[1:26:48] >> So that's just two minutes.

[1:26:48] Yeah.

[1:26:48] Thank you.

[1:26:49] Good evening, council members.

[1:26:52] I am David Bennett.

[1:26:53] I'm general director and ceo of

[1:26:54] San Diego Opera and I live and

[1:26:57] work in council housing

[1:26:57] district three.

[1:26:58] I'm here to express and I use

[1:26:59] this word my outrage actually

[1:26:59] at the continued elimination of

[1:27:03] arts and culture funding in

[1:27:03] the mayor's revised budget.

[1:27:07] In the revised budget he

[1:27:08] somehow found 13.5 million of

[1:27:08] new total funding.

[1:27:09] That is fabulous.

[1:27:10] But since this is the source of

[1:27:14] arts and cultural funding this

[1:27:14] would lead one to believe that

[1:27:15] restoration of the eliminated

[1:27:16] support would be in the revised

[1:27:20] budget Wrong Wrong What is

[1:27:21] included restored support for

[1:27:21] wrecks rec centers and

[1:27:26] libraries restoration of

[1:27:26] DECEMBER nights both very good

[1:27:27] things but also additional

[1:27:28] administrative positions

[1:27:32] additional cars for the city

[1:27:32] fleet, a clubhouse for a golf

[1:27:33] course and not a single cent

[1:27:37] not a single cent in support

[1:27:38] for arts and culture.

[1:27:39] And last week you came together

[1:27:39] and let us know that you

[1:27:40] support repealing Balboa Park

[1:27:45] Park parking fees and also

[1:27:45] reducing trash fees.

[1:27:46] Lots of movement but not a

[1:27:46] single word about arts and

[1:27:50] culture in a year with a tough

[1:27:51] budget to balance I would be

[1:27:52] somewhat understanding if

[1:27:52] the mayor asked for cuts to

[1:27:56] arts and culture that are

[1:27:57] proportional cuts not

[1:27:58] elimination cuts that are

[1:27:58] proportional to cuts in other

[1:28:03] departments arts and culture

[1:28:03] are instead zeroed out.

[1:28:04] This is outrageous.

[1:28:09] In 2011 the Kansas Governor

[1:28:09] Brownback moved to cut all arts

[1:28:10] funding to the state of Kansas.

[1:28:14] He was met throughout the state

[1:28:15] with boos and demonstrations

[1:28:15] and he left his office as one

[1:28:19] of the most least popular

[1:28:20] governors in the country.

[1:28:21] This is now his legacy forever.

[1:28:22] If this budget is passed

[1:28:26] balancing the budget will not

[1:28:26] be mayor Glorious glorious

[1:28:27] legacy Legacy Eliminating arts

[1:28:32] and culture will be a budget

[1:28:33] lays out a leader's vision and

[1:28:33] values and it's abundantly

[1:28:34] clear the mayor's vision and

[1:28:35] values do not support arts and

[1:28:38] culture And if you do not move

[1:28:39] to restore funding it will be

[1:28:39] your legacy too.

[1:28:40] I assume most of you have

[1:28:44] future political aspirations.

[1:28:45] I hope that bravery and

[1:28:45] political will will be your

[1:28:50] legacy not eliminating arts and

[1:28:50] culture.

[1:28:51] >> Thank you Ben Paul After Ben

[1:28:57] Paul we have Corrina Pugh and

[1:28:57] then after Corrina we have

[1:29:04] Shane Harris, Julio Rodriguez,

[1:29:05] Melody Carolan, Julian Elliott

[1:29:10] and as making parent if you can

[1:29:10] all please come up to the other

[1:29:11] reserve seats, please proceed.

[1:29:11] Yes.

[1:29:12] I'm Ben Paul, member of

[1:29:16] the Peabody Toastmasters and we

[1:29:17] meet at the p recreation center

[1:29:20] every other Tuesday night from

[1:29:20] 630 8:00.

[1:29:21] I know safety is one of your

[1:29:26] major concerns and that's my

[1:29:26] main concern too.

[1:29:27] We have a large number of our

[1:29:31] young men that play basketball

[1:29:32] at night till 9:00 The indoor

[1:29:33] basketball if you readers are

[1:29:34] hours they won't be out to do

[1:29:37] that.

[1:29:38] My concern is going to find

[1:29:39] someplace a negative net

[1:29:39] positive.

[1:29:40] We have a lot of places that

[1:29:44] get in trouble and probably a

[1:29:44] lot of bars.

[1:29:45] My concern these guys are going

[1:29:46] to be out hitting the bars,

[1:29:50] drinking and driving and we

[1:29:51] have we have a lot of fighting

[1:29:51] already assaults, those type of

[1:29:52] things.

[1:29:55] We need less crime, not more

[1:29:55] crime.

[1:29:56] Please don't reduce the hours.

[1:29:57] The other thing is our

[1:30:01] Toastmaster club we pay rent to

[1:30:01] the city which helps pay our

[1:30:02] way and also all the other

[1:30:07] organizations that meet there

[1:30:07] at night.

[1:30:08] They also pay rent, help pay

[1:30:08] their way.

[1:30:14] A large number of kids next

[1:30:15] door in their in their dorm

[1:30:15] room they pay a lot of Thank

[1:30:16] you for that concluding

[1:30:18] sentence Karina You.

[1:30:25] >> Good evening Council

[1:30:25] members.

[1:30:26] My name is Carina Pugh.

[1:30:26] My pronouns are she her And I

[1:30:27] am here tonight on behalf of

[1:30:28] the San Diego lgbt Community

[1:30:31] Center.

[1:30:32] We were really grateful to see

[1:30:32] the $300,000 allocation to our

[1:30:33] substance use disorder

[1:30:33] treatment services through

[1:30:38] opioid settlement funds

[1:30:38] included in the MAY revise And

[1:30:39] we're requesting this

[1:30:40] allocation remains in the final

[1:30:43] budget.

[1:30:44] Investment and community

[1:30:44] organizations were the experts

[1:30:45] in serving our communities and

[1:30:46] meeting them where they are is

[1:30:49] essential.

[1:30:50] This is public safety What our

[1:30:50] communities have access to

[1:30:51] the resources they need to

[1:30:54] overcome the odds and thrive.

[1:30:55] That's why we are all here

[1:30:56] tonight For a full restoration

[1:30:57] to arts and culture funding

[1:31:01] these programs are lifelines to

[1:31:02] our lgbtq community.

[1:31:02] Arts and culture not only

[1:31:03] provides employment to folks

[1:31:04] across the city but allows us

[1:31:07] to foster connections and find

[1:31:08] community Investing in arts and

[1:31:09] culture is an investment in all

[1:31:09] of San Diego.

[1:31:14] Please restored full funding to

[1:31:15] arts and culture and invest in

[1:31:15] our youth as well by funding

[1:31:16] the Office of Child Abuse

[1:31:17] Success in the final budget.

[1:31:22] >> Thank you San Diego Public

[1:31:22] Advocate Shane Harris Good

[1:31:23] evening Council PRESIDENT And

[1:31:27] Council members My name is

[1:31:27] Shane.

[1:31:28] I'm a District three resident

[1:31:29] business owner, creator and San

[1:31:33] Diego public advocate.

[1:31:34] I want to acknowledge Mayor

[1:31:35] Gloria's willingness to make

[1:31:35] difficult decisions in a

[1:31:39] serious budget crisis.

[1:31:40] I support portions of his

[1:31:45] proposal that prioritize what

[1:31:45] absolutely cannot fail police,

[1:31:46] fire infrastructure, streets,

[1:31:52] emergency response and services

[1:31:52] .

[1:31:52] I also appreciate

[1:31:53] the restoration of know shots

[1:31:54] by our funding and thank

[1:31:57] Councilmember Foster Ella

[1:31:58] Rivera and Mayor Gloria for

[1:31:59] recognizing violence prevention

[1:31:59] as part of public safety.

[1:32:03] But tonight I'm asking this

[1:32:03] council, the mayor, to meet our

[1:32:04] arts community halfway.

[1:32:05] The arts MAY not get full

[1:32:09] restoration but we can and

[1:32:10] should restore at least 50% of

[1:32:11] the funding that reduces harm

[1:32:15] while respecting fiscal

[1:32:15] reality.

[1:32:16] >> And if we need saving, let's

[1:32:16] examine consolidating

[1:32:17] the city's communications

[1:32:22] department where roughly

[1:32:22] somewhere between 4 and 8

[1:32:23] million are allocated annually.

[1:32:24] Yes, we need police, fire and

[1:32:29] infrastructure but we need art.

[1:32:29] >> Let's think about killing

[1:32:30] San Diego's spirit.

[1:32:31] Thank you for his answer.

[1:32:34] Leo Rodriguez who really is

[1:32:35] after that will be Melody.

[1:32:40] Please proceed everybody.

[1:32:40] Good afternoon Mayor and

[1:32:46] members of City Council.

[1:32:47] My name is Scott.

[1:32:48] I'm a newer residents of

[1:32:48] the city of San Diego and I

[1:32:49] even city council member Steven

[1:32:50] Whitman's district have been

[1:32:58] there for a year and a half.

[1:32:58] I think one of the coolest

[1:32:59] things for me as a way for

[1:33:00] the budget meetings to be

[1:33:00] happening with a majority of

[1:33:02] you with elected on these

[1:33:02] platforms is supporting our

[1:33:03] communities and actually

[1:33:04] wanting to engage with their

[1:33:09] communities and and

[1:33:10] understanding the priorities

[1:33:10] and having your ears in

[1:33:11] the green.

[1:33:11] And the truth is that

[1:33:14] the majority are not walking

[1:33:14] the streets that we all live on

[1:33:15] and seeing what the majority of

[1:33:16] us is living through and going

[1:33:16] through.

[1:33:17] And I think it's because you've

[1:33:20] all forgotten where you've come

[1:33:21] from and where you actually

[1:33:22] grew up And for a lot of you

[1:33:22] not all of you, Right.

[1:33:27] But the majority of you And it

[1:33:27] that you forget where you came

[1:33:28] from and you're stuck in these

[1:33:29] bubbles of influence and you

[1:33:30] pretend like the reality is not

[1:33:33] really happening out there that

[1:33:34] kids actually go to the parking

[1:33:34] spaces free services they want

[1:33:35] to get rid of.

[1:33:35] And so it's unfortunate

[1:33:38] disappointing I think to listen

[1:33:39] to all of you because it always

[1:33:40] feels like you weren't

[1:33:40] listening.

[1:33:41] This is just kind of a dog and

[1:33:44] pony show that we all have

[1:33:49] including listen to the melody

[1:33:50] .

[1:33:50] Good evening.

[1:33:51] My name is Melody Gorman and

[1:33:51] I'm a proud Mexican woman, a

[1:33:55] native San Diego and a resident

[1:33:55] of District five.

[1:33:56] I'm the daughter and a mother

[1:33:56] of a musician which is why I'm

[1:33:57] named Melody.

[1:34:01] And currently I serve as

[1:34:02] treasurer for San Diego Pride

[1:34:03] on the board of Directors of

[1:34:03] Diversionary Theater.

[1:34:07] What pains my Bills is a 20

[1:34:07] plus year career in hotels

[1:34:12] attractions and in San Diego's

[1:34:12] tourism.

[1:34:13] And I've seen firsthand how art

[1:34:18] is not just life but it is what

[1:34:18] pays the bills.

[1:34:19] It brings San Diego County so

[1:34:23] much light and so much money

[1:34:24] and cutting This would cut more

[1:34:25] than we even can begin to

[1:34:30] understand right now.

[1:34:31] Not all I have to say.

[1:34:32] Thank you.

[1:34:32] Kisha.

[1:34:37] Caitlin Elliot.

[1:34:38] And then as we can draw, I

[1:34:38] would really ask if you guys

[1:34:39] will please come to the other

[1:34:45] reserved seats as we keep it

[1:34:45] all.

[1:34:46] Ivan Hughes Leila Al Cash 5g

[1:34:48] Clementine Magna Estrada Diego

[1:34:48] Sandoval.

[1:34:55] Carmen Penalosa Valdez.

[1:34:55] Tristan Barry If you can all

[1:34:56] please come to the other

[1:34:57] reserved seats.

[1:34:57] And if you guys if there are

[1:35:00] any people in the committee

[1:35:01] overflow We do have about 20

[1:35:01] seats here in council chambers.

[1:35:02] If you can hear me, you can

[1:35:06] make your way into council

[1:35:06] chambers.

[1:35:07] There's about 20 seats.

[1:35:07] Please proceed.

[1:35:08] Good evening.

[1:35:12] Council and community members

[1:35:13] and New York lawyer.

[1:35:14] My name is Rachel and Elliott

[1:35:14] And tonight I again speak to

[1:35:15] you as an artist as

[1:35:18] the executive director of San

[1:35:18] Diego Pride.

[1:35:19] And this time as the proud

[1:35:20] mommy of the ten year old

[1:35:24] rising artist.

[1:35:25] Several weeks ago I learned

[1:35:26] that almost $12 million of arts

[1:35:26] and culture funding which

[1:35:30] includes funding for San Diego

[1:35:30] pride was being eliminated.

[1:35:31] That same day I came home from

[1:35:32] work to see heartbreak on my

[1:35:36] son's face, he told me

[1:35:36] the funding for his dance

[1:35:37] program was being eliminated as

[1:35:37] well.

[1:35:38] My son asked Mommy, are you

[1:35:43] going to do something?

[1:35:43] Well yes son, I am.

[1:35:44] I'm going to show up to tell

[1:35:48] our city council and Mayor what

[1:35:49] they are really eliminating

[1:35:50] when they balance the budget on

[1:35:50] the fragile backs of arts and

[1:35:54] culture organizations.

[1:35:55] You are tearing the heart out

[1:35:55] of San Diego.

[1:35:55] It is art.

[1:36:00] You are eliminating programs

[1:36:01] that keep young people safe,

[1:36:02] created and connected to

[1:36:02] college and careers.

[1:36:03] And you are putting San Diego

[1:36:07] Pride which returns more to

[1:36:07] the city than it costs.

[1:36:08] At risk.

[1:36:13] I urge you I urge you to ensure

[1:36:14] that concludes funding.

[1:36:14] >> Thank you.

[1:36:18] As we control their seats over

[1:36:19] here on the right side is

[1:36:25] button Howdy Council member.

[1:36:26] My name is Ethnic Jan I'm a

[1:36:27] Renton resident of the Free

[1:36:32] Fall Housing student.

[1:36:32] During the last budget hearing

[1:36:33] I heard about the of wholesale

[1:36:34] cuts The arts threatens my

[1:36:36] livelihood and today it remains

[1:36:37] the same.

[1:36:37] We should allow broken windows

[1:36:38] theory to govern our city when

[1:36:41] it is proven not to work.

[1:36:42] What is proven to work is

[1:36:43] funding prevention from

[1:36:49] conservative services in our

[1:36:49] city interests to fund what

[1:36:50] keep a thief not just inflict

[1:36:51] systemic violence once it's too

[1:36:51] late.

[1:36:54] The man's revive if not fiscal

[1:36:55] discipline not when the council

[1:36:56] and PRESIDENT The council and

[1:37:01] the mayor refuse to acknowledge

[1:37:01] during the last budget hearing

[1:37:02] the continuous demands to end

[1:37:06] this budget increases in

[1:37:06] the Ask the cut but not

[1:37:07] contract.

[1:37:08] I'm asking the Council again to

[1:37:13] reject two demands five Insist

[1:37:14] on funding the arts and only

[1:37:15] way us and council by block

[1:37:17] contract bingo Aiden Hughes

[1:37:22] Aiden.

[1:37:23] >> Good evening City Council

[1:37:29] and assembled members of

[1:37:30] the public My name is John

[1:37:30] Hughes and I'm speaking tonight

[1:37:31] as a member of the City of

[1:37:33] Eagles Youth Commission

[1:37:34] representing District seven.

[1:37:35] I'm willing to become a college

[1:37:35] student but I understand

[1:37:36] the political challenge of

[1:37:39] balancing sound fiscal policy

[1:37:40] with the importance of

[1:37:40] government services in our

[1:37:41] communities.

[1:37:41] Thank you for considering

[1:37:44] recent public input on the 2627

[1:37:44] budget proposal.

[1:37:45] The restorations contained in

[1:37:46] the mayor's MAY revision are

[1:37:47] minor but a step in the right

[1:37:50] direction.

[1:37:50] As the Commissioner my

[1:37:51] interests lie primarily in

[1:37:52] the complete restitution of

[1:37:52] the Office of Child and Youth

[1:37:58] Success.

[1:37:58] Only a couple of years ago

[1:37:59] the city pledged grant programs

[1:38:00] and investment for youth

[1:38:00] abutment and now we're being

[1:38:04] written off.

[1:38:05] It is disappointing to me to

[1:38:05] see that spending on youth

[1:38:06] should be treated so

[1:38:06] frivolously.

[1:38:07] Oh my yes.

[1:38:07] Despite things to offer

[1:38:10] resources and personnel has

[1:38:11] managed to lay the groundwork

[1:38:11] for long term projects growing

[1:38:12] civic engagement, career

[1:38:14] preparation, childcare access

[1:38:15] and more for young people and

[1:38:16] families with children.

[1:38:16] The Youth Commission depends on

[1:38:21] oci for information and

[1:38:21] coordination and you will

[1:38:22] notify unofficial advisory work

[1:38:23] in the city that you created.

[1:38:27] Oh you ask does not deserve to

[1:38:28] be cut but to be given a

[1:38:29] position in the mayor's office.

[1:38:29] >> Thank you.

[1:38:30] Thank you for that concluding

[1:38:30] comment.

[1:38:32] Leila.

[1:38:41] Leila I'll comment a magna

[1:38:50] Estrada Hello my name is This

[1:38:54] was limited my role as part of

[1:38:54] District one originally had

[1:38:55] something written down but I'm

[1:38:56] going to speak from my heart

[1:38:56] Being part of this I wanted to

[1:38:59] use you as a student.

[1:38:59] It's a shame that the city of

[1:39:00] San Diego is using all of your

[1:39:01] systems this robotic systems by

[1:39:04] targeting immigrant families,

[1:39:05] families, hardworking

[1:39:05] individuals trying to save our

[1:39:06] city, protect our city but

[1:39:11] instead of targeting

[1:39:11] terrorists, actual rapists and

[1:39:12] child molesters, they're

[1:39:13] targeting these individuals as

[1:39:17] a Mexican Hispanic first

[1:39:17] generation student oco, isis

[1:39:18] give me an opportunity to be

[1:39:23] here today and you guys are

[1:39:24] defunding that program.

[1:39:24] I had the opportunity to

[1:39:25] partner with osi as a youth war

[1:39:29] fellow.

[1:39:29] We're able to give many

[1:39:30] students the opportunity and

[1:39:31] resources to get internships,

[1:39:35] job opportunities and

[1:39:36] furthermore a lot more things.

[1:39:36] Osi wise is a great resource

[1:39:37] for our students and for

[1:39:40] the youth and the funding.

[1:39:41] That program is a shame.

[1:39:42] So I urge you guys to please

[1:39:45] save the youth because we are

[1:39:46] the future.

[1:39:46] Thank you.

[1:39:48] Diego Sandoval.

[1:39:52] >> Diego Sandoval.

[1:39:57] Carmen Penalosa Valdez.

[1:40:05] Okay The fixes short.

[1:40:05] Okay.

[1:40:06] Good evening, council members.

[1:40:11] I'm here again.

[1:40:12] My name is Carmen and I'm

[1:40:12] the policy and research

[1:40:13] internal youth Well and I'm

[1:40:14] also resident of District nine.

[1:40:15] A variety of you are the voices

[1:40:16] and representatives to youth

[1:40:23] and young adults who are

[1:40:23] currently entering higher

[1:40:24] education or already are such

[1:40:25] as like ucsd As you as you like

[1:40:28] myself, community colleges etc.

[1:40:28] That is why it's even more

[1:40:29] important for you to commit to

[1:40:33] saving the of shouting you

[1:40:34] success in doing so for

[1:40:35] the elimination of the contract

[1:40:40] for work is costing the city $2

[1:40:40] million which can very easily

[1:40:43] be dispersed to osu I guess

[1:40:44] which would actually help

[1:40:45] marginalized youth and

[1:40:50] marginalized youth in your very

[1:40:51] own communities.

[1:40:51] Stop overpolicing, Stop a

[1:40:57] criminal criminalization of our

[1:40:57] communities and the watching

[1:40:58] and excusing as like public

[1:41:03] safety It's like creepy and

[1:41:04] stop targeting us so that our

[1:41:04] children families can actually

[1:41:05] prosper and contribute to San

[1:41:08] Diego Long term the way that

[1:41:09] you guys all want us to.

[1:41:10] Thank you for that concluding

[1:41:10] comment.

[1:41:14] Tristan Very hello Counsel My

[1:41:15] name is Tristan Beary and I'm

[1:41:21] the youth organizer at Youth.

[1:41:21] Will you guys have already

[1:41:22] heard from me a lot.

[1:41:23] So given only by us efforts to

[1:41:26] try to bring child care to

[1:41:27] local youth parks and

[1:41:28] recreation centers, I asked one

[1:41:28] of our youth who is a mother

[1:41:29] and asks you student to write

[1:41:32] on the importance of child care

[1:41:33] And here's what she had to say

[1:41:34] As a college student, quality

[1:41:34] child care was of the highest

[1:41:38] importance to me to continue in

[1:41:38] higher education and even work.

[1:41:39] Without it I would not have had

[1:41:40] the opportunity to to continue

[1:41:41] my education especially when my

[1:41:44] child was not old enough to be

[1:41:44] in school.

[1:41:45] Now that she is in school it is

[1:41:46] still imperative that she has

[1:41:46] continued child care throughout

[1:41:50] through afterschool programs so

[1:41:51] I can have access to classes

[1:41:51] and work opportunities.

[1:41:52] Reliable child care and

[1:41:52] afterschool programs allow

[1:41:56] student parents like me to

[1:41:57] pursue education, work toward

[1:41:57] financial stability and create

[1:41:58] better opportunities for our

[1:42:02] families while knowing our

[1:42:03] children are in a safe and

[1:42:03] supportive environment.

[1:42:04] So with that youth voice in

[1:42:05] mind please defund blocking use

[1:42:10] the funds to save osu so we can

[1:42:10] continue advocating for

[1:42:11] childcare and childcare and

[1:42:13] programs which allow Santiago's

[1:42:14] youth to thrive and better

[1:42:14] themselves.

[1:42:19] >> Thank you Liliana Soriano.

[1:42:20] >> Liliana Soriano After that

[1:42:25] will be Alex Castillo Ramsay's

[1:42:26] Ramsey's Michael Hayes Alex

[1:42:32] Best aka Sean Foote, Sabrina

[1:42:32] Marie Anderson If you can all

[1:42:33] please come forward to

[1:42:37] the yellow reserved seats And

[1:42:38] Julia Peltz please protect her

[1:42:39] Budget committee.

[1:42:43] >> I'm here with youth Well

[1:42:44] where youth advocacy

[1:42:44] organization who is also a

[1:42:45] member of the Community Budget

[1:42:50] Alliance we urge you all to

[1:42:51] fund the office of the you

[1:42:51] success including yourself

[1:42:52] Mayor Todd Gloria.

[1:42:55] Budgets are not just numbers.

[1:42:55] They're a reflection of values

[1:42:56] and needs of our community.

[1:42:57] Many, including myself have

[1:43:01] told you all the importance of

[1:43:02] this office cover all the way

[1:43:02] from covering accessible

[1:43:03] childcare to ensuring people

[1:43:06] get the necessary workforce

[1:43:07] development that is needed in

[1:43:08] the city.

[1:43:08] I also have some postcards that

[1:43:13] mothers in Districts eight and

[1:43:14] I wanted all the council

[1:43:15] members to read and

[1:43:15] the importance of policy wise

[1:43:19] and investing in youth.

[1:43:20] We deserve a scenario in which

[1:43:20] every young person which has

[1:43:21] their full potential that that

[1:43:24] can happen if we keep pouring

[1:43:25] millions of dollars into

[1:43:31] wealthy corporations like Brock

[1:43:31] .

[1:43:32] Here are the postcards.

[1:43:32] Thank you.

[1:43:33] My staff will get them.

[1:43:36] Next is Alex Castillo.

[1:43:42] All right.

[1:43:43] Good evening, council members.

[1:43:47] My name is Alex Castillo, a

[1:43:48] District eight constituent with

[1:43:48] youth.

[1:43:49] Well, I'm here to urge you to

[1:43:49] fully fund the Office of Child

[1:43:53] and Youth Success.

[1:43:54] This is a moment in time where

[1:43:54] youth Gen-z and Gen Alpha are

[1:44:00] left behind by our government.

[1:44:00] I want to share insights from

[1:44:01] my baby sister a Berkeley grad

[1:44:02] with a psych degree and

[1:44:05] experience in child education.

[1:44:06] She's seen low literacy and

[1:44:06] test scores youth falling

[1:44:07] behind in this post-pandemic

[1:44:12] environment and schools that

[1:44:13] can't afford afterschool

[1:44:13] programs.

[1:44:13] My insights friends are

[1:44:14] starting families and

[1:44:17] struggling to afford childcare

[1:44:18] amidst rising rent costs.

[1:44:19] Youth need mental health

[1:44:19] support.

[1:44:24] A suicide is a leading cause of

[1:44:24] death amongst youth.

[1:44:25] Now's the time to invest in oci

[1:44:26] which provides childcare

[1:44:29] resources, provide education

[1:44:30] enrichment opportunities and

[1:44:31] provide community to our youth

[1:44:31] to improve mental health in

[1:44:35] the long term.

[1:44:36] >> So eliminate floc save money

[1:44:37] and help our youth in the long

[1:44:37] term.

[1:44:38] Ramsey says.

[1:44:39] >> If you can please come

[1:44:45] forward.

[1:44:49] >> Hello Council First off I

[1:44:50] just want to reiterate

[1:44:51] basically what everyone's been

[1:44:51] saying is that we need to be

[1:44:56] investing into the community

[1:44:57] and especially in the youth and

[1:44:58] especially that see why this is

[1:44:59] an office It doesn't take that

[1:44:59] much money.

[1:45:02] It's just not that much of a

[1:45:03] burden on the budget but it

[1:45:03] gets money for the community

[1:45:08] And on top of that the best way

[1:45:09] to do that is going to be from

[1:45:09] Catholic flock.

[1:45:10] We already know that that is

[1:45:11] what needs to happen is going

[1:45:13] to be problems nationally with

[1:45:14] this And to quote our chief of

[1:45:20] police he said it is a very

[1:45:20] simple situation.

[1:45:21] But you have to understand when

[1:45:22] we were looking at this piece

[1:45:26] of technology, it was before

[1:45:27] Flock was recognized nationally

[1:45:27] as a vendor of concern.

[1:45:31] So this is the chief of police

[1:45:32] saying that Flock is a

[1:45:32] technology that is recognized

[1:45:33] nationally as a concern to

[1:45:36] the public.

[1:45:37] So we need to take the chief

[1:45:38] seriously and act now before it

[1:45:39] becomes a bigger problem.

[1:45:44] >> Thank you.

[1:45:44] >> Apologies.

[1:45:51] Michael Hayes All right.

[1:45:52] >> I'll just try and say this

[1:45:52] real quick.

[1:45:57] Significant new revenues those

[1:45:58] are going to come from

[1:45:58] innovative creative economy.

[1:45:59] Am I right?

[1:46:03] That's right.

[1:46:04] That's pretty major.

[1:46:08] And so the future is that that

[1:46:09] use for that economy comes from

[1:46:15] innovators, creators where

[1:46:16] that's grown the vine that

[1:46:16] grows those are these large

[1:46:21] arts organizations earlier

[1:46:21] The seeds of that are these

[1:46:26] kids.

[1:46:27] Those are the seeds.

[1:46:28] And my question would be what

[1:46:28] happens when you turn off

[1:46:33] the water in a farm?

[1:46:33] What happens when you stop

[1:46:34] the growth?

[1:46:34] They don't come back.

[1:46:39] So that I'm also going to add

[1:46:39] are you even paying attention

[1:46:40] to how many cities are

[1:46:46] canceling flock How many cities

[1:46:47] are canceling class because of

[1:46:49] serious privacy and other

[1:46:53] abuses?

[1:47:00] >> Right Alex All right.

[1:47:01] That's the first and last shout

[1:47:01] out.

[1:47:01] Let's keep it civil.

[1:47:02] You're making great points

[1:47:02] here.

[1:47:06] Just keep it going, Alex That's

[1:47:07] that.

[1:47:07] >> Could you please come

[1:47:08] forward?

[1:47:08] You have time ceded to you by

[1:47:12] Christian Frank Thank you.

[1:47:13] >> You have two minutes.

[1:47:13] Good evening.

[1:47:17] My name is Alex Decker.

[1:47:18] I'm a theater kid and I live in

[1:47:18] District three.

[1:47:19] i'm a teaching artist with

[1:47:20] the La Jolla Playhouse and I

[1:47:23] also work with multiple

[1:47:24] institutions with schools

[1:47:24] around San Diego County.

[1:47:25] >> The Playhouse provides

[1:47:29] programs that bring

[1:47:29] professional theater expensive

[1:47:30] to students.

[1:47:30] Special student matinee

[1:47:34] performances not only include

[1:47:35] tickets for students to come to

[1:47:36] the theater but also involve

[1:47:36] pre and post show workshops

[1:47:40] exploring themes and aspects

[1:47:41] from what they experience.

[1:47:45] We were able to invite over

[1:47:46] 1400 students to attend last

[1:47:46] session alone a program that

[1:47:47] stuck with me when I got to

[1:47:52] attend as a child Pop tours a

[1:47:52] world Premiere Commission

[1:47:53] product production that brings

[1:47:57] the magic of theater into San

[1:47:58] Diego classrooms.

[1:48:01] My personal favorite was 2023

[1:48:02] Jen versus the Beach that

[1:48:02] helped fifth grader Jen who

[1:48:03] worried about the unknown find

[1:48:07] new adventures with the help of

[1:48:08] his classmates and imagination

[1:48:08] something that I think us as

[1:48:12] adults can learn from right now

[1:48:13] one of the most rewarding

[1:48:13] projects is partnering with San

[1:48:19] Diego Unified for the Jumpstart

[1:48:19] Program.

[1:48:20] At the Mentor we work with

[1:48:20] the teachers at the schools to

[1:48:21] help run student led musical

[1:48:25] theater productions.

[1:48:26] Three weeks ago we had our end

[1:48:26] of the year celebration where

[1:48:30] over 11 schools got to bring

[1:48:31] their students to perform at

[1:48:31] ucsd.

[1:48:32] To celebrate their work,

[1:48:36] the tears that they had for

[1:48:36] each other with deafening

[1:48:37] during breaks the schools would

[1:48:41] intermingle with each other and

[1:48:42] talk about how amazing their

[1:48:43] performance was and if they

[1:48:43] could show them their

[1:48:44] choreography.

[1:48:47] Some students gave speeches

[1:48:48] about how they found their

[1:48:48] voice confidence or a safe

[1:48:49] place where they could be

[1:48:49] themselves.

[1:48:53] They were turned back to

[1:48:54] the schools excited inspired to

[1:48:55] pick the musical they'll

[1:48:55] perform next year.

[1:48:59] As a teaching artist living in

[1:49:00] San Diego, I work multiple jobs

[1:49:01] in order to financially

[1:49:01] survive.

[1:49:04] I often work 6 or 7 days a week

[1:49:05] on different projects in

[1:49:06] schools or theaters where these

[1:49:09] productions require government

[1:49:10] funds to supplement the costs.

[1:49:11] >> Arts culture not luxury.

[1:49:11] They're vital Public Good.

[1:49:18] Thank you Sean.

[1:49:18] Yes.

[1:49:19] Excellent.

[1:49:25] Thank you so much.

[1:49:25] I'll have them raise their hand

[1:49:26] upon you.

[1:49:30] Greg Frank, if you can please

[1:49:30] raise your hand.

[1:49:31] Please proceed.

[1:49:31] Good evening.

[1:49:32] My name is Shawn Foote and I

[1:49:36] live in District three.

[1:49:37] I am a teaching artist with

[1:49:38] the Joya Playhouse as well as a

[1:49:38] theater artist working with

[1:49:41] other organizations and schools

[1:49:42] in San Diego County.

[1:49:42] It feels absurd to be here

[1:49:43] tonight giving testimony on

[1:49:47] whether the arts are worth

[1:49:48] funding or not because for me

[1:49:48] as a teaching artist I get to

[1:49:53] see firsthand all of the time

[1:49:54] how essential arts education is

[1:49:55] to both the intellectual growth

[1:49:59] of our students as well as

[1:50:00] their personal development.

[1:50:00] >> With La Hoya Playhouse I

[1:50:01] often travel to San Diego

[1:50:05] Unified Schools all throughout

[1:50:05] the county.

[1:50:06] I've supported educational

[1:50:07] programing that brings theater

[1:50:07] into these schools as well as

[1:50:10] programing that invites unified

[1:50:11] students to the Playhouse.

[1:50:11] Programs like this offer

[1:50:12] exposure, accessibility and

[1:50:16] representation to our

[1:50:17] communities and our children.

[1:50:18] Programs that primarily reach

[1:50:22] underserved communities and

[1:50:23] these programs that are and

[1:50:24] these are programs that will

[1:50:24] either be eliminated or

[1:50:25] significantly curtailed in

[1:50:28] the absence of city funding.

[1:50:29] City Council You cannot allow

[1:50:29] this to happen.

[1:50:33] Arts education encourages

[1:50:34] empathy, creativity, community.

[1:50:35] It offers a safe space for

[1:50:35] students and offers

[1:50:36] self-expression for our

[1:50:40] students And for many of us

[1:50:41] here today it is our entire

[1:50:41] livelihood.

[1:50:45] I hope you are listening.

[1:50:46] Thank you, Sabrina.

[1:50:51] Sabrina moreno.

[1:50:52] >> Good evening.

[1:50:52] I'm Sabrina Marie.

[1:50:53] I live in District eight and

[1:50:57] I'm a teaching artist at La

[1:50:58] Hoya Playhouse alumna from fdc

[1:50:59] School of Art and Design and

[1:51:02] previously a teaching artist

[1:51:03] with the Department of Veterans

[1:51:04] Affairs for six years working

[1:51:08] with veterans living with ptsd.

[1:51:09] I'm here tonight because these

[1:51:09] cuts are not just numbers on a

[1:51:14] page.

[1:51:15] They're people their futures my

[1:51:19] future, your communities future

[1:51:19] .

[1:51:20] La Hoya Playhouse has served

[1:51:21] more than 13,000 people across

[1:51:25] all nine of your districts last

[1:51:25] year.

[1:51:26] Title one Schools, military

[1:51:30] families Young people who had

[1:51:31] never set foot in the theater

[1:51:32] otherwise.

[1:51:32] And it's not only what happens

[1:51:36] on stage.

[1:51:36] The playhouse brings hands on

[1:51:37] free programing directly to our

[1:51:42] neighborhoods including mobile

[1:51:42] technical theater showing what

[1:51:43] the different careers are in

[1:51:43] theater.

[1:51:48] But I want to talk to you about

[1:51:48] something even harder to

[1:51:48] measure.

[1:51:54] >> I've watched Art give people

[1:51:54] their confidence for that

[1:51:55] concluding comment.

[1:52:04] >> Julia My name is Julia Peltz

[1:52:05] and I'm a violinist with

[1:52:06] the San Diego Symphony and I

[1:52:06] live in District one.

[1:52:10] And your wife taught my child

[1:52:11] when he went to Bedrock.

[1:52:12] I am urging you all to reject

[1:52:15] the proposed arts funding cuts.

[1:52:16] Like many of my colleagues, I

[1:52:17] moved to San Diego after

[1:52:21] winning a national audition to

[1:52:22] perform for our world class

[1:52:22] orchestra.

[1:52:22] I know that the council

[1:52:27] appreciates our nearly 100

[1:52:27] performances we put on for a

[1:52:28] year because I see many of you

[1:52:29] and greet many of you at those

[1:52:33] concerts But what you don't see

[1:52:33] are the most meaningful

[1:52:34] concerts to me which are music

[1:52:38] connects to concerts.

[1:52:39] We go into hospitals, we go

[1:52:40] into schools and we go into

[1:52:40] correctional facilities and

[1:52:44] bring concerts to people who

[1:52:44] cannot purchase a ticket.

[1:52:49] i have seen people become calm

[1:52:50] and connected and content when

[1:52:55] live music fills the room And I

[1:52:56] urge you don't cut this

[1:52:56] lifeline.

[1:53:01] >> Thank you.

[1:53:01] >> Baruch Isis.

[1:53:02] Ferguson please come up to

[1:53:06] the podium after that we have

[1:53:11] Kevin Garbett and Lena Schade.

[1:53:12] Then Dennis Lopez or Denise

[1:53:17] Lopez Sorry Julia Demby, Steve

[1:53:18] Snyder, Nicole Vertis and

[1:53:23] Sophia Tara, if you can all

[1:53:24] please come up to the yellow

[1:53:24] reserved seats.

[1:53:24] Please proceed.

[1:53:30] Hi, my name is Brooke Kosice

[1:53:31] and I'm a student at uci.

[1:53:32] >> I have been all the way down

[1:53:32] here because this is an issue

[1:53:34] that's extremely meaningful to

[1:53:34] me.

[1:53:35] In third grade I did a free

[1:53:35] piano lessons hosted by my

[1:53:36] elementary school.

[1:53:38] After the first lessons I was

[1:53:39] so enthralled, so captivated by

[1:53:40] music I begged my parents to

[1:53:43] buy me a keyboard.

[1:53:44] Surprised they filled my

[1:53:45] request began the lifelong love

[1:53:46] of music that continues to this

[1:53:46] day.

[1:53:50] Later I joined my middle school

[1:53:50] orchestra expanding into viola

[1:53:51] in high school.

[1:53:54] My dream deepened as I hold my

[1:53:55] skills.

[1:53:55] I was accepting the 2025

[1:53:56] district on auction Before we

[1:53:57] get Symphony hall we students

[1:54:00] from across Indiegogo and

[1:54:01] the City Ambassador program.

[1:54:02] I learned the inner workings of

[1:54:02] the organization and even spoke

[1:54:05] at opening night.

[1:54:06] Each experience stems from

[1:54:06] the free lessons eight year old

[1:54:07] me attended.

[1:54:11] They served as a catalyst for

[1:54:12] life a lifetime of musical

[1:54:12] vomit.

[1:54:13] Yet its exact programs budget

[1:54:15] cuts threaten instead of

[1:54:16] discarding them.

[1:54:16] We must recognize

[1:54:17] the transformative nature and

[1:54:17] preserve arts funding.

[1:54:21] Without them we risk depriving

[1:54:22] generations of the invaluable

[1:54:22] opportunity to discover and

[1:54:25] cherish the arts.

[1:54:31] >> Thank you Kevin.

[1:54:31] >> Good evening.

[1:54:32] My name is Kevin Gilbert.

[1:54:33] I'm a musician with the San

[1:54:36] Diego Symphony.

[1:54:37] I won't stand here and deny

[1:54:37] that life is getting more

[1:54:38] expensive like the council here

[1:54:39] today for taking on

[1:54:42] the monumental task of dealing

[1:54:42] with this budget in such a

[1:54:43] tumultuous economy.

[1:54:47] I believe the example we set in

[1:54:47] the areas we choose to nurture

[1:54:48] define the city that we live

[1:54:48] in.

[1:54:49] A cut towards funding would be

[1:54:49] painful.

[1:54:52] But elimination is

[1:54:53] unfathomable.

[1:54:53] Aside from the fact that this

[1:54:54] has organizations that rely on

[1:54:58] this funding, it sends a

[1:54:59] message that arts has no place

[1:54:59] in San Diego.

[1:55:02] Despite generating 1.8 billion

[1:55:03] in annual tourism, any person

[1:55:06] would tell you that 11.8

[1:55:06] million for 1.2 billion is a

[1:55:07] sound investment.

[1:55:08] I find the most egregious part

[1:55:11] of this arts defunding to be

[1:55:11] the audacity to attend a

[1:55:12] concert art exhibit play High

[1:55:16] School Musical a child's piano

[1:55:17] recital one day and vote to

[1:55:17] abolish the very funding like

[1:55:18] this relies on the next is

[1:55:22] utterly disgraceful.

[1:55:23] The message we send to our

[1:55:23] youth and successors lies in

[1:55:27] the example we choose to set on

[1:55:28] behalf of the musicians of

[1:55:28] the San Diego Symphony.

[1:55:29] I hope you reconsider your

[1:55:30] decision to eliminate the small

[1:55:33] fraction of this budget if not

[1:55:33] for artists like us here today

[1:55:34] for our youth and for the sake

[1:55:35] of the fiber.

[1:55:35] >> Thank you for that

[1:55:36] concluding comment.

[1:55:40] Lina.

[1:55:45] >> >> Finding the right words

[1:55:46] to convey why the arts are

[1:55:49] worth much more than an 85%

[1:55:50] budget cut in one minute is

[1:55:51] extremely difficult.

[1:55:54] I'm a senior heading to Harvard

[1:55:55] this fall and growing up in

[1:55:56] this great city has meant San

[1:56:00] Diego youth Symphony rehearsal

[1:56:00] and the beautiful Balboa Park

[1:56:01] Every Sunday summers at

[1:56:05] the Rady Shell that's turned

[1:56:06] into internships which is how

[1:56:10] you, me or Gloria once shook my

[1:56:10] hand at the opening of

[1:56:11] the Jacobs Music Center.

[1:56:15] >> I am who I am today because

[1:56:16] of every music note in tune

[1:56:20] that's passed through my ears.

[1:56:21] So while this might have been

[1:56:24] one minute of your life one

[1:56:24] summary on your meeting notes

[1:56:25] just one policy past this.

[1:56:30] The arts is also the one thing

[1:56:30] that the most disagreeable

[1:56:35] people agree on.

[1:56:36] >> Or it centers us.

[1:56:36] It creates connection,

[1:56:37] compassion and community.

[1:56:39] Doesn't that sound like a

[1:56:40] future San Diego ought to

[1:56:40] invest in?

[1:56:50] >> Thank you Denise Lopez.

[1:56:50] >> Hello.

[1:56:51] Honorable Council members Mayor

[1:56:51] Gloria.

[1:56:55] My name is Denise Lopez and I'm

[1:56:55] here to ask you to restore

[1:56:56] funding to the arts and culture

[1:57:00] budget for the coming year.

[1:57:00] As a lifelong resident of San

[1:57:01] Isidro in District eight, I'm

[1:57:05] living testimony of the impact

[1:57:05] of arts and culture programs in

[1:57:06] the city.

[1:57:06] My first professional play I

[1:57:07] saw was at the Old Globe

[1:57:10] Theater through the Free Studio

[1:57:11] matinee program.

[1:57:11] This program provided me access

[1:57:12] to a world I didn't know

[1:57:15] existed for people like me.

[1:57:16] It ignited my passion for

[1:57:16] creating art as a means to

[1:57:17] uplift communities like mine.

[1:57:21] I am now an administrative

[1:57:22] theater professional at the Old

[1:57:22] Globe.

[1:57:23] This institution has cultivated

[1:57:26] and shaped my artistic and

[1:57:26] professional career from

[1:57:27] the roof.

[1:57:27] The same department that gave

[1:57:31] me a chance to see this world

[1:57:32] now employs me in it.

[1:57:33] I get to give other students in

[1:57:36] my city the opportunity to see

[1:57:36] a world in the future that

[1:57:37] belongs to them.

[1:57:37] And I hope we get to continue

[1:57:38] to do so.

[1:57:40] While we know this is a tough

[1:57:41] budget, I implore you to

[1:57:41] preserve the access and

[1:57:42] opportunity these funds provide

[1:57:46] and work with us to create a

[1:57:47] more sustainable path going

[1:57:47] forward.

[1:57:47] >> Thank you.

[1:57:51] Thank you, Julia Demby.

[1:57:51] >> >> Good evening.

[1:57:57] Council members Mayor Gloria.

[1:57:58] My name is Jamila Demby.

[1:57:58] I'm the director of Equity

[1:57:59] Diversity Inclusion and Access

[1:58:02] at the Old Globe.

[1:58:03] And I am respectfully

[1:58:03] requesting that you restore

[1:58:07] funding to arts and culture.

[1:58:07] >> Hearing about the proposed

[1:58:08] cuts of $12 million.

[1:58:11] Takes me to a very specific

[1:58:12] place in a recent history which

[1:58:12] I'll get to in a second.

[1:58:13] I respect that you have a

[1:58:17] difficult budgetary have

[1:58:17] difficult budgetary decisions

[1:58:18] to make.

[1:58:18] As a person whose position is

[1:58:21] charged with prioritizing

[1:58:22] financial resources to our

[1:58:27] commitments, I empathize.

[1:58:27] >> That's a great

[1:58:28] responsibility.

[1:58:28] These are.

[1:58:30] That being said, removing

[1:58:31] almost $12 million cannot be

[1:58:31] the choice.

[1:58:36] The specific place in our

[1:58:36] recent history that this brings

[1:58:37] me to is actually the pandemic

[1:58:41] The lockdown, the isolation of

[1:58:42] the pandemic brought to light

[1:58:46] how arts and culture are a

[1:58:46] light.

[1:58:47] I think we would all agree that

[1:58:51] it is the light the art serves

[1:58:55] us then and now and always with

[1:58:55] restore the Arts.

[1:58:56] Thank you.

[1:59:00] Steve Snyder.

[1:59:01] Steve Snyder if you can please

[1:59:02] come up to the microphone after

[1:59:06] that is Nicole versus Sophia

[1:59:06] Tada.

[1:59:10] Michele Woodson I would ask.

[1:59:11] We do still have about 2.5

[1:59:14] hours worth of comment when I

[1:59:15] do call your name if you can

[1:59:16] please come up to the yellow

[1:59:17] reserved seats I'll make this

[1:59:20] go seamlessly and a little bit

[1:59:21] faster.

[1:59:22] So Steve Snyder again to

[1:59:26] the microphone.

[1:59:26] Nicole Verdier Sophia Tada.

[1:59:30] MR. Mitchell Woodson.

[1:59:35] Judy was Lynell Brown Mitchell

[1:59:35] Watson again.

[1:59:39] Um Shaheed Price What's your

[1:59:39] name?

[1:59:41] Please come up to

[1:59:47] the microphone as it goes.

[1:59:47] >> Sophia, are you here?

[1:59:52] Okay then please come up to

[1:59:52] the microphone.

[1:59:55] We'll go with you and then

[1:59:56] we'll.

[1:59:57] >> Please come up to the yellow

[1:59:57] reserved seats.

[1:59:58] You'll have one minute.

[1:59:58] Please proceed.

[1:59:58] Good evening.

[2:00:01] Council members.

[2:00:02] My name is Michelle Watson and

[2:00:02] I'm the legal director of

[2:00:06] Pillars of the Community in

[2:00:07] the wake of the terrorist

[2:00:07] attack at icc.

[2:00:08] Our community is mourning,

[2:00:11] traumatized and demanding real

[2:00:12] safety not the illusion of

[2:00:12] safety.

[2:00:13] >> We need to be honest about

[2:00:16] the difference between

[2:00:16] prevention and enforcement.

[2:00:17] Prevention means investing in

[2:00:21] the conditions that stop crime

[2:00:22] before it even starts.

[2:00:22] Safe parks, libraries and

[2:00:26] recreation centers.

[2:00:26] Youth programs.

[2:00:27] Mental health services.

[2:00:31] Housing and community support.

[2:00:32] >> Enforcement only happens

[2:00:32] after the harm has already

[2:00:36] occurred Year after year.

[2:00:36] The city pours millions into

[2:00:37] police budgets and surveillance

[2:00:41] technology cameras monitoring

[2:00:41] systems, data collection.

[2:00:42] >> Yet none of it prevented

[2:00:46] the tragedy.

[2:00:46] Surveillance did not protect

[2:00:47] the people who were harmed.

[2:00:50] And more policing after

[2:00:51] violence has already occurred

[2:00:53] is not the same as preventing

[2:00:54] violence in the first place.

[2:00:55] >> If we truly want safer

[2:00:59] communities we must invest in

[2:01:00] the root causes that determine

[2:01:00] true public safety.

[2:01:04] >> It's opportunities,

[2:01:05] stability, care and connection.

[2:01:06] Thank you for that statement of

[2:01:06] values.

[2:01:10] And we ask that you invest.

[2:01:10] Thank you for that.

[2:01:11] Our communities Thank you.

[2:01:13] Steve Snyder Last call for

[2:01:14] Steve Snyder Last call for

[2:01:19] Steve Snyder Nickel royalties.

[2:01:20] >> Last call for a nickel over

[2:01:21] There's no nickel over this

[2:01:24] Coming up to the mike.

[2:01:24] Sophia Tada.

[2:01:25] And you have several people

[2:01:28] seeding time that can please

[2:01:29] have you as a group

[2:01:30] presentation Raise your hands.

[2:01:33] Martin Yeah.

[2:01:33] Okay.

[2:01:36] C.J. Mendoza.

[2:01:39] Kelly Dave Shaheed.

[2:01:45] Price Miguel.

[2:01:51] >> Omega Go ahead.

[2:01:52] >> I see No Miguel Raising your

[2:01:52] hand.

[2:01:56] Claire Snyder If he comes in,

[2:01:57] you can raise his hand.

[2:02:01] Claire Snyder Okay.

[2:02:01] Sorry.

[2:02:02] I'll be her.

[2:02:07] Hussein then Naomi Then Thank

[2:02:11] you.

[2:02:15] Nelly Gomez Amaya Noah You get

[2:02:20] Groucho's haircut.

[2:02:20] >> Oh, Petrus My apologies.

[2:02:23] Look like an or no

[2:02:23] resemblance.

[2:02:29] >> Alice.

[2:02:29] No.

[2:02:30] And know.

[2:02:31] Okay.

[2:02:36] And then that's my girl.

[2:02:37] I will look for those speaker

[2:02:41] slips but you are already at 12

[2:02:42] minutes so please proceed.

[2:02:46] >> Good evening, Council

[2:02:47] members.

[2:02:47] Mayor my name is Sophia and I'm

[2:02:50] a high school senior a

[2:02:51] volunteer with central and

[2:02:52] Policy initiatives.

[2:02:52] We want to begin by sharing our

[2:02:55] vision for the city of San

[2:02:56] Diego.

[2:02:56] The kind of city we want to be

[2:03:00] and believe that we can be.

[2:03:01] I'll be reading a short haiku

[2:03:05] of mine Parks Streets and young

[2:03:06] lives a city where all MAY

[2:03:06] thrive.

[2:03:06] Budget of us all.

[2:03:10] That said that is the San Diego

[2:03:11] we all deserve and that is why

[2:03:12] we are here today as members of

[2:03:15] the community Budget Alliance,

[2:03:16] a coalition of San Diegans of

[2:03:20] young people, workers, families

[2:03:21] ,community based organizations

[2:03:21] and labor unions who come

[2:03:24] together every year to fight

[2:03:25] for a people's budget and are

[2:03:26] committed to building a city

[2:03:26] where everyone has what they

[2:03:29] need to thrive.

[2:03:30] Council members.

[2:03:30] This budget is in your hands.

[2:03:34] Budgets are moral documents.

[2:03:35] They are statements of values.

[2:03:36] They reflect who and what

[2:03:40] the city chooses to invest in.

[2:03:40] Right now working people are

[2:03:44] being told to accept less.

[2:03:45] Less support.

[2:03:45] Less access.

[2:03:46] Less stability and less care.

[2:03:50] We reject that logic.

[2:03:50] Austerity is a choice.

[2:03:54] Cuts to libraries, parks, arts,

[2:03:55] housing, youth services.

[2:03:56] Stormwater infrastructure and

[2:04:00] climate justice are not fiscal

[2:04:00] responsibility.

[2:04:00] They are choices.

[2:04:04] And we need to stop acting like

[2:04:05] investing in working people is

[2:04:06] unaffordable While hundreds of

[2:04:09] millions continue to flock,

[2:04:10] while hundreds of millions

[2:04:11] continue flowing toward

[2:04:13] policing, surveillance and

[2:04:14] corporations.

[2:04:15] When families are stable, when

[2:04:18] young people are supported,

[2:04:19] when neighborhoods are well

[2:04:20] resourced our city is stronger.

[2:04:29] And I'll pass it to Noah.

[2:04:29] >> Hello.

[2:04:30] My name is No adult.

[2:04:31] I'm a student volunteer with a

[2:04:33] student center on policy

[2:04:34] initiatives and freshman at

[2:04:35] Lincoln High School.

[2:04:37] I'm followed by Dino here who

[2:04:42] is a junior going on to senior

[2:04:42] .

[2:04:43] We appreciate the partial

[2:04:44] restorations made in the MAY

[2:04:48] Reserve to libraries, parks,

[2:04:48] rec centers and youth shopping

[2:04:49] centers.

[2:04:52] But partial restoration is not

[2:04:52] enough.

[2:04:53] We reserve libraries that stay

[2:04:54] open, parks that are maintained

[2:04:56] and safe arts and culture

[2:04:57] programs that bring communities

[2:04:58] together and streets where

[2:04:59] people can move safely from

[2:05:04] through their neighborhoods.

[2:05:05] >> These are not extras.

[2:05:06] These are things that make

[2:05:09] communities livable.

[2:05:09] If these investments are what

[2:05:14] helped communities thrive, why

[2:05:14] are they always the first thing

[2:05:15] on the chopping block?

[2:05:15] How can we not?

[2:05:19] How can we afford not to invest

[2:05:23] in the very things that prevent

[2:05:23] harm and create opportunities

[2:05:24] and strengthen our

[2:05:24] neighborhoods?

[2:05:28] Today we stand here to urge you

[2:05:32] the council and Mayor Gloria to

[2:05:33] fully fund libraries.

[2:05:36] Parks and rec centers, fund

[2:05:37] the pedestrian beacon near Rosa

[2:05:38] Parks Elementary and ensure

[2:05:42] the agreement between Parks and

[2:05:43] Rec and ecp allow Parks and Rec

[2:05:47] direct access to a deputized

[2:05:51] engineer permission to work on

[2:05:51] repairs that cost up to 5

[2:05:52] million and a process to put

[2:05:56] out small bids for repairs.

[2:05:56] Thank you.

[2:06:04] Now I'll hand it over to C.J..

[2:06:05] >> Thank you.

[2:06:05] Hi, I'm C.J. Mendoza.

[2:06:06] I'm an outreach and organizing

[2:06:06] intern at Youth.

[2:06:08] Well.

[2:06:09] >> I am standing here today to

[2:06:10] voice that young people's

[2:06:11] future is deserve to be funded.

[2:06:13] Other committee members here

[2:06:13] and advocates are here for

[2:06:14] the same reason and to keep

[2:06:18] their efforts and showing up

[2:06:18] even stronger.

[2:06:19] And we're going to hold you all

[2:06:20] accountable for what this

[2:06:23] budget and your decisions are

[2:06:23] saying to young people.

[2:06:24] We envision a city where every

[2:06:28] young person is supported,

[2:06:29] valued and set up for success

[2:06:29] where families can access child

[2:06:33] care, youth programs,

[2:06:34] mentorship and opportunities.

[2:06:34] This generation and the next

[2:06:38] will inherit a San Diego framed

[2:06:39] by the budget decisions.

[2:06:40] We've given you plenty of

[2:06:43] achievable visions of a San

[2:06:44] Diego that young people

[2:06:44] deserve.

[2:06:45] And those include O.C. Wise and

[2:06:48] Arts and Culture.

[2:06:49] The Office of Child and Youth

[2:06:50] Success exist to ensure young

[2:06:53] people are treated as a real

[2:06:54] citywide priority.

[2:06:54] O.C. Ensures that there is

[2:06:55] someone in the city who is

[2:06:58] always looking out for young

[2:06:59] people and is coordinating with

[2:07:00] the rest of the community.

[2:07:03] Someone that is letting young

[2:07:03] people know that they are

[2:07:04] dedicated to making youth lives

[2:07:04] better.

[2:07:07] Making them feel loved from

[2:07:08] their city by ensuring that

[2:07:09] there's a chance for them to

[2:07:09] succeed.

[2:07:12] O.C. Wise provides access to

[2:07:13] resources, services and high

[2:07:16] quality programs to keep young

[2:07:17] people driving while arts and

[2:07:18] culture gives them the colors,

[2:07:18] the different mediums and

[2:07:22] opportunities to create.

[2:07:22] So if we truly care about our

[2:07:23] young people, we cannot

[2:07:26] continue using youth investment

[2:07:27] as optional y while pouring

[2:07:28] hundreds of millions into

[2:07:31] policing and heavy surveillance

[2:07:31] .

[2:07:32] So we urge you to fully fund

[2:07:33] the Office of Child and Youth

[2:07:33] Success.

[2:07:36] Restore Arts and Culture Grants

[2:07:37] and get Floc out of San Diego.

[2:07:41] Now I'll hand it to Kelly.

[2:07:41] Thank you so much, C.J..

[2:07:42] Good evening.

[2:07:46] My name is Kelly De.

[2:07:46] I'm a parent and I'm a

[2:07:47] volunteer with San Diego 350.

[2:07:50] We envision a city where people

[2:07:51] are are housed, protected and

[2:07:55] able to live with dignity.

[2:07:56] But this budget is leaving

[2:07:57] people behind communities and

[2:08:01] districts for eight and nine

[2:08:01] are still recovering from

[2:08:02] devastating floods.

[2:08:06] Yet the Stormwater Department

[2:08:06] continues to cut while

[2:08:07] thousands of infrastructure

[2:08:09] cases remain backlogged.

[2:08:10] My hope is that one day my kids

[2:08:14] can live in San Diego with

[2:08:15] families of their own.

[2:08:16] But our community cannot thrive

[2:08:19] if we're constantly vulnerable

[2:08:20] to environmental disasters

[2:08:21] which are becoming a bigger

[2:08:21] concern every year.

[2:08:25] We urge you to restore

[2:08:25] stormwater cuts.

[2:08:26] Invest in proactive

[2:08:30] infrastructure and restore

[2:08:30] the city's $7 million

[2:08:31] contribution to Climate Equity

[2:08:35] Fund which not only protects

[2:08:35] some of our most vulnerable

[2:08:38] communities but also mitigates

[2:08:39] the effects of climate change.

[2:08:40] I also urge you to invest in

[2:08:43] solutions that solve

[2:08:44] homelessness by addressing root

[2:08:44] causes.

[2:08:45] Homelessness is not solved

[2:08:49] through punishment and safety

[2:08:50] does not come by keeping people

[2:08:50] out of sight.

[2:08:54] Safety in real solutions come

[2:08:55] from housing, dignity and

[2:08:55] support.

[2:08:59] We urge you to restore the Neal

[2:09:02] Good Day Center reopen downtown

[2:09:03] public restrooms and expand

[2:09:08] shelter options by allocate

[2:09:09] the $4.6 million currently

[2:09:13] spent on criminalizing unhoused

[2:09:13] residents.

[2:09:14] Thank you.

[2:09:15] And now I will pass it to

[2:09:17] Shahid.

[2:09:23] Um I am a black man from South

[2:09:27] San Diego.

[2:09:28] Being black Muslim and living

[2:09:32] in southeast Senegal makes me a

[2:09:32] triple target.

[2:09:33] >> a target of what

[2:09:37] Overpolicing and underfunding.

[2:09:38] Let's take a few moments of

[2:09:42] silence for the three community

[2:09:42] members we lost on the front

[2:09:46] lines to hate.

[2:09:51] Let's remember the three

[2:09:52] community members that lost

[2:09:56] their lives are who prevented

[2:09:57] the atrocity at the Islamic

[2:09:57] Center of San Diego from being

[2:09:58] even worse.

[2:10:02] It wasn't the smart street

[2:10:05] light It it wasn't the Alpers.

[2:10:06] With with all the money

[2:10:07] the police department takes

[2:10:11] from the city budget and in all

[2:10:11] the money being handed over to

[2:10:16] Fox Systems the police should

[2:10:16] have prevented this.

[2:10:20] >> I don't want the police or

[2:10:21] the mayor using the atrocity

[2:10:24] that happened to our community

[2:10:25] for their political gain to

[2:10:26] have more money for their

[2:10:29] already ballooning budget.

[2:10:34] My community needs resources.

[2:10:35] My community is Southeast San

[2:10:36] Diego District for giving my

[2:10:39] community the resources to

[2:10:40] thrive, fund and fund

[2:10:41] the Southeast shopping centers

[2:10:42] .

[2:10:52] >> Yeah.

[2:10:53] Took my name is me.

[2:10:53] My name is Miguel.

[2:10:54] I'm a junior at Morris High

[2:10:56] School in Skyline Hills and I'm

[2:10:57] a volunteer with cpi In

[2:10:58] additional in addition to

[2:11:01] canceling for flood contracts

[2:11:02] and subsidize for police Petco

[2:11:05] Park events and reclaiming

[2:11:06] funding from the police budget.

[2:11:07] We urge you to further down

[2:11:11] further reform how golf revenue

[2:11:11] is collected and invested.

[2:11:12] The golf division's practice of

[2:11:15] paying for capital projects

[2:11:16] entirely in cash hoards

[2:11:16] resources that should be

[2:11:20] invested equitably across

[2:11:20] the city.

[2:11:21] Additionally, revenue generated

[2:11:22] from restaurants and breweries

[2:11:25] on public golf course lands

[2:11:26] should benefit the entire

[2:11:26] public not a single enterprise

[2:11:27] fund.

[2:11:29] By making these two additional

[2:11:30] reforms to golf revenue we can

[2:11:31] generate revenue that helps our

[2:11:35] city work for all in San Diego.

[2:11:36] We make clear what people need

[2:11:39] to survive Food, water,

[2:11:40] shelter, love areas to learn

[2:11:40] and play.

[2:11:41] Fear isn't something any person

[2:11:44] in my community deserves but

[2:11:45] it's all that has been given to

[2:11:45] us since we have since we've

[2:11:49] had so much taken away.

[2:11:50] Now while these decisions

[2:11:51] belong to you and your votes,

[2:11:54] we urge you to give back to

[2:11:54] the community that you keep

[2:11:55] taking from.

[2:11:55] While admitting mistakes isn't

[2:11:58] considered professional, it is

[2:11:59] human which is something that

[2:12:03] that device people the diverse

[2:12:04] people in this room all have in

[2:12:04] common.

[2:12:09] Thank you And I hope what we

[2:12:09] have shared today has been has

[2:12:10] given a better insight on what

[2:12:12] the city needs and what it

[2:12:13] needs for everybody in San

[2:12:13] Diego.

[2:12:17] Love.

[2:12:18] >> Thank you so much.

[2:12:27] Judy was Judy was are you here

[2:12:32] going once your Judy buzz for

[2:12:32] my own public comment and not

[2:12:33] for the group but your Judy

[2:12:36] Buzz me.

[2:12:37] >> Yes, Thank you.

[2:12:41] Please visit.

[2:12:41] >> Good evening.

[2:12:42] My name is Judy was on

[2:12:43] the public affairs manager for

[2:12:46] Planned parent of the Pacific

[2:12:47] Southwest and the Action Fund.

[2:12:47] At Planned Parenthood we

[2:12:50] recognize the importance of

[2:12:51] storytelling and how it

[2:12:51] encourages people to make

[2:12:55] healthy choices and inspires

[2:12:55] policy change.

[2:12:56] And we encourage people to

[2:12:57] share their stories when it's

[2:13:01] difficult and to create art and

[2:13:01] being community.

[2:13:02] We don't always remember

[2:13:05] statistics but we do remember

[2:13:06] stories And even just being in

[2:13:09] this room this pass to three

[2:13:10] hours 10th and Jay needs to get

[2:13:13] fixed so that the blind can

[2:13:14] leave without getting hit by a

[2:13:14] car.

[2:13:15] >> Mid-City Care needs their

[2:13:19] park and black folks when they

[2:13:24] come together can prevent crime

[2:13:24] and can prevent murder from

[2:13:25] happening in the same

[2:13:25] neighborhood for two

[2:13:28] consecutive years in a row.

[2:13:29] Art saves lives.

[2:13:33] Music gets us out of bed, youth

[2:13:34] rec centers and the Office of

[2:13:34] Child Needs Success deserve all

[2:13:37] the funding not some funding.

[2:13:38] And going back to the arts.

[2:13:43] Arts and theater are a lifeline

[2:13:43] for youth.

[2:13:44] >> Don't cut it now Thank you

[2:13:47] for concluding comment.

[2:13:48] Lynell Brown.

[2:13:52] Lynell Brown Melissa Hernandez.

[2:13:57] Melissa Hernandez.

[2:13:58] Rebecca Hook Health.

[2:14:08] Rebecca Hook Held Edwin Rendon

[2:14:14] Thank you Audrey Bullet Value l

[2:14:14] l Apostrophe t Please go to

[2:14:18] the yellow reserved seats Shawn

[2:14:19] Boyd, Elizabeth Washburn and

[2:14:21] Sara Anderson.

[2:14:26] >> Please proceed.

[2:14:27] People elected a council,

[2:14:27] people elected mayor.

[2:14:31] Good evening.

[2:14:32] My name is Edwin Rendon and i

[2:14:33] have a poem for you.

[2:14:39] It's called Arts Witness.

[2:14:40] >> Late poet Camerino Douses

[2:14:43] Heavy writers Ink.

[2:14:44] Appalled Meditating San Diego

[2:14:48] Sabotaging a cultural thinking

[2:14:52] painter Inocente Sukar holds

[2:14:53] Oscar gold splashes monstrous

[2:14:57] rainbows as a reason to

[2:14:57] survive.

[2:15:03] Pillars above ground shores

[2:15:03] love with their guide Chicano

[2:15:04] Art Gallery and more uplifted

[2:15:07] alleys and streets would still

[2:15:07] be present.

[2:15:12] Surrendering void.

[2:15:12] >> Rent Controls.

[2:15:17] The Grinch cannot survive on

[2:15:17] philanthropy and philanthropy

[2:15:22] alone Alone Selling balloons to

[2:15:22] stay green on Park Boulevard

[2:15:27] staying DECEMBER nights worn by

[2:15:27] his Thank you for that

[2:15:28] concluding comment warm by his

[2:15:33] goodwill Kami in your time

[2:15:33] island children to wanting

[2:15:34] inflated colors galore.

[2:15:41] Thank you Audrey.

[2:15:46] Hello my name is Audrey Boulay

[2:15:47] and this budget impacts my

[2:15:47] ability to gain workforce

[2:15:48] experience now and acquire a

[2:15:51] job later.

[2:15:52] I want to pursue a career and

[2:15:52] technical theater in directing

[2:15:56] indoor lighting which I found a

[2:15:56] passion for.

[2:15:57] Through free programs I've been

[2:15:57] privileged to have at Trinity

[2:16:01] Theater Company which are now

[2:16:01] at risk of being cut by

[2:16:02] decimating arts funding to near

[2:16:05] nothing.

[2:16:06] You are restricting access to

[2:16:07] the arts not only for me but

[2:16:10] for other kids across San Diego

[2:16:10] .

[2:16:10] For current theater

[2:16:11] professionals and for

[2:16:12] the future of American theater

[2:16:15] And you are restricting access

[2:16:15] for tourists who build our

[2:16:16] cities revenue by staying for

[2:16:20] shows, museums and exhibits.

[2:16:20] San Diego prides itself on

[2:16:21] being a strong community and

[2:16:22] it's sad to see it turning on

[2:16:25] itself knowing that long term

[2:16:25] this will hurt the city.

[2:16:26] This is what happens when

[2:16:29] important decisions about

[2:16:30] the working class are made

[2:16:30] during work hours.

[2:16:34] We are coming here to urge you

[2:16:35] that this budget will not work.

[2:16:35] We are lending you help so take

[2:16:36] it now before we have to make

[2:16:39] the decision of what to cut

[2:16:40] next year And you can't fall

[2:16:40] back on the arts anymore.

[2:16:44] Thank you for listening.

[2:16:45] >> Shawn Boyd.

[2:16:45] Shawn you have time ceded to

[2:16:49] you by Cathy Parks If you can

[2:16:50] please raise your hand by

[2:16:56] blazing nasty c.

[2:16:58] Jo Chang and Candice Reid,

[2:16:59] thank you so much.

[2:16:59] You will have four minutes.

[2:17:00] Please proceed.

[2:17:03] Thank you.

[2:17:04] Council members.

[2:17:05] MR. Mayor, it's unfortunate to

[2:17:08] be back again having the exact

[2:17:08] same conversation we've had for

[2:17:09] a month.

[2:17:13] MR. Mayor, I find this to be a

[2:17:14] pathetic excuse of a revised

[2:17:14] budget.

[2:17:18] There is no progress and it is

[2:17:18] not fiscally solvent.

[2:17:19] I have talked to time and time

[2:17:22] again about the economic

[2:17:23] impacts that this budget will

[2:17:24] have on this city and it is

[2:17:27] devastate a little bit about

[2:17:28] myself.

[2:17:29] I don't share this often but I

[2:17:32] am born and raised District

[2:17:32] nine.

[2:17:33] i went to San Diego High School

[2:17:38] where I co-founded Trinity

[2:17:39] Theater with Candide Read Thank

[2:17:39] You for the minute.

[2:17:40] We co-founded Trinity Theater

[2:17:43] Company together as seniors at

[2:17:43] that high school.

[2:17:44] We stayed local.

[2:17:48] We believe that the arts

[2:17:48] matters in this city.

[2:17:49] I went to state.

[2:17:52] I got my masters at point Loma

[2:17:52] Nazarene.

[2:17:53] I taught for five years.

[2:17:54] I taught English, I taught

[2:17:56] theater and I taught student

[2:17:57] government.

[2:18:01] Sb This is an embarrassment to

[2:18:01] them that we the people have to

[2:18:02] continue to hold our elected

[2:18:06] officials accountable to do

[2:18:07] what's best for their people.

[2:18:11] Beyond the economic impacts,

[2:18:12] there are real lives that are

[2:18:12] going to be impacted by this

[2:18:13] decision.

[2:18:16] I myself am trilingual.

[2:18:17] I speak English, French and

[2:18:17] Spanish.

[2:18:21] None of them well but I do

[2:18:21] speak them And the reality is

[2:18:25] that that influence that I have

[2:18:26] supports our students, supports

[2:18:27] our children and supports our

[2:18:30] vulnerable adults as well.

[2:18:31] I'm going to talk about four

[2:18:31] programs that Trinity offers

[2:18:32] that is very much on

[2:18:35] the chopping block because

[2:18:35] the mayor doesn't believe in

[2:18:36] the arts.

[2:18:36] The first one is our storytime

[2:18:39] program.

[2:18:40] Our storytime program pushes

[2:18:41] into libraries across the city

[2:18:44] and every single district we

[2:18:48] serve San Ysidro Library is one

[2:18:48] of our go to libraries.

[2:18:52] Rancho Bernardo has a modified

[2:18:53] program that serves adults with

[2:18:54] disabilities and special needs.

[2:18:58] We go into all the I think

[2:18:59] every library in District nine

[2:19:03] as well as Central Library.

[2:19:04] We serve 3200 children year

[2:19:07] round with 13 staff members.

[2:19:08] All of them will be cut.

[2:19:09] Those children will lose their

[2:19:09] access.

[2:19:13] We read stories to them.

[2:19:13] My background in education

[2:19:17] shows us the compare and

[2:19:18] contrast analysis of reading a

[2:19:22] story and seeing it live in

[2:19:23] that moment is better for

[2:19:26] the kids than sitting in a

[2:19:27] classroom and listening to a

[2:19:27] lecture.

[2:19:29] We are taking away education.

[2:19:34] When we do this our young

[2:19:35] children deserve better than

[2:19:35] that.

[2:19:39] But so do our vulnerable

[2:19:40] adults.

[2:19:40] Senior citizens and military

[2:19:41] families.

[2:19:41] Our other program is the Living

[2:19:45] Room readers which meets once a

[2:19:45] week and is led not by an

[2:19:46] artist by trade but by licensed

[2:19:49] clinical social worker who has

[2:19:50] studied and committed her life

[2:19:54] to mental health and

[2:19:54] well-being.

[2:19:58] These individuals meet weekly

[2:19:59] not for the art of course for

[2:19:59] the art.

[2:20:00] Let's be honest stories are

[2:20:03] awesome but they meet weekly

[2:20:04] because of the community that

[2:20:04] it comes with.

[2:20:08] 1780, 90, 92 years old.

[2:20:12] Once a week to read a story

[2:20:12] together as a group.

[2:20:13] We have veterans that cannot

[2:20:17] commit to the full scale of a

[2:20:17] production but they come so

[2:20:18] that they can be together.

[2:20:21] You just heard my succession

[2:20:22] plan.

[2:20:22] Audrey is an incredible example

[2:20:27] of our team leadership program

[2:20:27] which is a free program for

[2:20:28] teen students throughout

[2:20:31] the city to get involved in

[2:20:31] arts administration and

[2:20:32] technical skills skills that

[2:20:36] are not always accessible.

[2:20:36] And lastly, our new Works

[2:20:40] festival which has grown so

[2:20:41] much over the past four years.

[2:20:41] We received a thousand

[2:20:45] submissions from playwrights

[2:20:46] across the world.

[2:20:46] And when we select our ten

[2:20:47] plays those playwrights come

[2:20:50] and stay in this city in hotels

[2:20:51] for a week.

[2:20:51] That's revenue.

[2:20:55] MR. Mayor.

[2:20:55] Do better.

[2:20:56] Thank you.

[2:21:00] Elizabeth Washburn And if I can

[2:21:00] ask Sarah Anderson Monica

[2:21:06] Hernandez, Caitlin Cauchi Blair

[2:21:09] Beekman, Ines Neff, Nancy Rudy

[2:21:10] Lombardia Sebastian Rubi.

[2:21:16] David Guide and Kate Dunning.

[2:21:20] >> Thank you.

[2:21:20] And Morley Bower to all please

[2:21:21] come up to the front row.

[2:21:23] Please proceed When ready.

[2:21:24] Okay.

[2:21:24] Hello, my name is Elizabeth

[2:21:25] Washburn.

[2:21:26] I'm an artist and founder of

[2:21:29] Combat Arts San Diego, a

[2:21:29] therapeutic arts nonprofit that

[2:21:33] serves veterans and system

[2:21:33] engaged youth.

[2:21:34] Mayor Gloria, you came to one

[2:21:37] of our unveilings ten years ago

[2:21:38] at the Adams Avenue car Wash

[2:21:38] and we were real grateful.

[2:21:42] I began this work in response

[2:21:43] to veterans returning from Iraq

[2:21:46] and Afghanistan carrying

[2:21:47] unimaginable trauma for years.

[2:21:51] I volunteered my time and

[2:21:52] auctioned my own artwork to

[2:21:53] fund free arts programing

[2:21:55] because veterans told me art

[2:21:55] was one of the only tools they

[2:21:56] could access on their own to

[2:22:00] manage ptsd and traumatic brain

[2:22:00] injuries.

[2:22:01] In 2012 I expanded this work to

[2:22:05] incarcerated youth.

[2:22:06] I go inside juvenile detention

[2:22:06] facilities to provide art

[2:22:09] classes and workshops.

[2:22:10] The young people I work with

[2:22:11] face staggering socioeconomic

[2:22:14] realities violence, instability

[2:22:15] and helplessness.

[2:22:15] Art gives them relief,

[2:22:16] connections, self-expression

[2:22:19] and a reason to imagine a

[2:22:19] future.

[2:22:20] To do this work I rely on

[2:22:24] contracts with museums like

[2:22:24] the Timken Museum of Art which

[2:22:29] shoot which loses 100 89,000.

[2:22:29] Thank you for your time.

[2:22:30] If you have written comments

[2:22:31] please submit them to art.

[2:22:33] I'm sorry If you have them

[2:22:34] written down we can pass them

[2:22:35] around to the council.

[2:22:35] Thank you.

[2:22:38] Sarah Anderson.

[2:22:43] Monica Hernandez.

[2:22:44] Monica you have time ceded to

[2:22:45] you by Anna Hernandez.

[2:22:45] Can we please raise your hand?

[2:22:46] Thank you.

[2:22:49] You'll have two minutes.

[2:22:50] I am a resident of Sunny Fugro.

[2:22:53] I am the executive director of

[2:22:54] Chicano Park Museum and

[2:22:55] Cultural Center and I am a

[2:22:58] commissioner on the County

[2:22:59] Cultural Arts Commission.

[2:23:00] And I have a poem for you

[2:23:04] called Respectful of Amelia

[2:23:06] Sanchez Yellow Electronics in

[2:23:07] the year 1970 in the city of

[2:23:08] San Diego under the Coronado

[2:23:11] Bridge light a little piece of

[2:23:12] land a piece of land that

[2:23:12] the community of Logan Heights

[2:23:16] wanted to make into a park.

[2:23:17] But the city of San Diego said

[2:23:18] Charlie, much like the mayor is

[2:23:21] saying today they said we are

[2:23:22] going to make a highway patrol

[2:23:23] station here, man.

[2:23:26] On APRIL 22nd, 1970.

[2:23:29] But fast forward to now

[2:23:30] the year 2026 MAY 27th Chicano

[2:23:34] Poetry Revise.

[2:23:35] The communities of Logan

[2:23:36] Heights and Febrile Balboa Park

[2:23:39] and other communities in San

[2:23:39] Diego just want to get together

[2:23:40] on a Sunday afternoon and

[2:23:44] celebrate the spirit of life

[2:23:45] itself through art and culture.

[2:23:45] But the city of San Diego is

[2:23:49] seeing Charlie The mayor is

[2:23:49] saying we're not going to

[2:23:50] invest in funds.

[2:23:53] We're not going to invest in

[2:23:54] the arts today, man.

[2:23:55] So the people of San Diego got

[2:23:58] together and we organized and

[2:23:59] we showed up and we are here.

[2:24:03] We are asking you to fight for

[2:24:04] us to fight with us for

[2:24:08] the arts, for the cultura, for

[2:24:09] the youth, for the community

[2:24:09] that for all of us restore full

[2:24:10] restoration to the arts.

[2:24:14] >> Thank you.

[2:24:19] Caitlin Corrigan Hi my name is

[2:24:24] Caitlin Carrog and I live in

[2:24:25] District eight.

[2:24:25] I've spent my life and career

[2:24:29] in creative youth development

[2:24:29] and arts education here in this

[2:24:33] region.

[2:24:34] When we expand surveillance and

[2:24:38] policing while cutting arts,

[2:24:39] youth services and public

[2:24:39] libraries in parks, we

[2:24:43] undermine the very foundation

[2:24:43] of community safety,

[2:24:44] connection, creativity and

[2:24:48] radical acceptance are what

[2:24:49] make us safer.

[2:24:49] Cameras don't do that.

[2:24:54] We do a people who are invested

[2:24:58] in and cared for become exactly

[2:24:58] who we need to keep us safe.

[2:25:03] We use creativity to process

[2:25:03] grief, celebrate together, make

[2:25:04] meaning and name injustice.

[2:25:08] Young people must be entrusted

[2:25:09] with the tools for bringing

[2:25:09] their hearts and minds to us.

[2:25:13] There are partners in making

[2:25:14] the best future possible.

[2:25:14] And when we divest from them we

[2:25:17] stomp on the very imagination

[2:25:18] that we need to make a better

[2:25:19] community and a better world.

[2:25:21] >> Thank you.

[2:25:21] Thank you.

[2:25:26] Blair Beekman After Blair

[2:25:27] Beekman we have in this Nafisi

[2:25:33] Nafisi, Rudy Lombardia,

[2:25:36] Sebastian Rubi, Stephen Davin

[2:25:36] Gardner Marley or Marley Bauer

[2:25:41] and then Alicia Leon, Sophia

[2:25:42] Blanco, Michael Venus and

[2:25:46] Shayla James If you can all

[2:25:46] please come up to the front

[2:25:47] room.

[2:25:47] Please proceed when ready.

[2:25:51] Hi, I'm Blair Beekman.

[2:25:52] Some of my regular words of

[2:25:52] the past few months The budget

[2:25:55] concerns As Oakland is the only

[2:25:56] major California city with a

[2:25:57] larger deficit problem and San

[2:26:00] Diego.

[2:26:01] I hope San Diego can be

[2:26:01] committed to learn from

[2:26:02] Oakland's love life philosophy

[2:26:05] that includes ideas of do no

[2:26:06] harm and that social services

[2:26:06] and quality of life comes

[2:26:10] before the coldness of budget

[2:26:11] austerity.

[2:26:11] I hope San Diego can also

[2:26:12] really know at this time

[2:26:14] However we of Oakland

[2:26:15] neighborhoods can help to

[2:26:15] develop a current 12 to 18

[2:26:16] month community dialog and

[2:26:20] compromise to find an agreeable

[2:26:20] middle ground of more

[2:26:21] responsible community tech use

[2:26:25] public safety and more

[2:26:25] peacefully minded surveillance

[2:26:26] tech companies.

[2:26:29] Let's hope the sad fearful

[2:26:30] events of the Claremont Mesa

[2:26:31] Islamic Center last Monday can

[2:26:34] be brought into accountability

[2:26:35] and given a hug by our ever

[2:26:36] continuing hopes that best

[2:26:39] practices.

[2:26:40] And from this I hope Oakland's

[2:26:40] recent efforts can be a good

[2:26:41] reminder and how we can all

[2:26:44] continue our better ideals

[2:26:45] better reasoning, best

[2:26:45] practices, social services,

[2:26:50] quality of life and ideas of

[2:26:51] peace not war Harm How to

[2:26:52] address our San Diego Community

[2:26:52] issues.

[2:26:53] Thank you for that And yours.

[2:26:58] Thank you, Inez.

[2:26:59] >> Art is a human right?

[2:27:03] My name is Inez.

[2:27:04] I am a San Diego resident of

[2:27:04] District seven, an artist arts

[2:27:07] advocate and independent single

[2:27:07] mother.

[2:27:08] I have multiple jobs in

[2:27:08] the arts sector.

[2:27:12] This is how I sustain my

[2:27:13] household, my family and my

[2:27:13] community.

[2:27:14] I urge you to follow the lead

[2:27:17] of the artist.

[2:27:17] Think creatively.

[2:27:17] Be bold.

[2:27:21] Be courageous and protect and

[2:27:22] preserve our humanity.

[2:27:23] We the people demand full

[2:27:26] restoration of arts and culture

[2:27:27] parks, libraries and youth

[2:27:27] services.

[2:27:31] These services are essential

[2:27:32] The very heartbeat of San

[2:27:32] Diego.

[2:27:33] Our thriving arts community

[2:27:36] should be celebrated and

[2:27:37] supported for it is these

[2:27:38] services that have put San

[2:27:38] Diego on the map as America's

[2:27:41] finest city.

[2:27:42] The creative economy contribute

[2:27:43] significantly to the city's

[2:27:46] revenue on top of servicing

[2:27:47] tourists, residents and

[2:27:47] the people's morale and

[2:27:48] well-being.

[2:27:52] What kind of society are we

[2:27:52] creating when you willfully

[2:27:53] sponsor our oppressors while

[2:27:56] simultaneously slashing

[2:27:56] the very services that sustain

[2:28:01] our communities?

[2:28:01] >> San Diego Art Matters.

[2:28:02] Thank you for that concluding

[2:28:05] comment Rudy.

[2:28:06] >> My name is Rudy Lombardi, a

[2:28:09] resident of District three and

[2:28:10] business agent with I.R.S.

[2:28:13] Local 122 And I stand before

[2:28:14] you today representing

[2:28:14] the workers who build power and

[2:28:18] support San Diego's arts and

[2:28:19] cultural events.

[2:28:19] The proposed elimination of

[2:28:20] Arts culture funding is not

[2:28:23] just a budget cut on paper.

[2:28:24] It's a direct blow to working

[2:28:28] people, local families and

[2:28:28] the economic engine that helps

[2:28:29] make San Diego thrive.

[2:28:30] Arts and culture in our city

[2:28:32] support Thousands of jobs

[2:28:33] generate 1.8 billion in annual

[2:28:37] tourism activity, activate

[2:28:37] neighborhoods across every

[2:28:38] district and create

[2:28:42] opportunities for education,

[2:28:42] creativity and connection for

[2:28:43] our communities.

[2:28:46] When we invest in the arts we

[2:28:47] invest in workers.

[2:28:47] We invest in local businesses.

[2:28:51] We invest in the identity of

[2:28:52] San Diego as a world class

[2:28:52] city.

[2:28:56] I urge you to restore these

[2:28:56] funds.

[2:28:57] Stand with the workers,

[2:28:58] artists, educators and

[2:29:02] organizations that make San

[2:29:02] Diego vibrant.

[2:29:03] This is not just about

[2:29:03] preserving grants.

[2:29:06] This is about protecting jobs

[2:29:07] and protecting opportunity.

[2:29:08] >> Thank you for that

[2:29:10] concluding comment Sebastian

[2:29:15] Robin Sebastian Ruby Hi

[2:29:15] everybody.

[2:29:16] I'm back.

[2:29:16] I was here last month and I

[2:29:17] said the same thing.

[2:29:21] So today with the amount of

[2:29:21] time that has passed this last

[2:29:25] time I was up here I have to

[2:29:25] say I am incredibly

[2:29:26] disappointed.

[2:29:27] How many more speakers do we

[2:29:30] need for you to listen?

[2:29:31] How many more rallies do you

[2:29:31] need to see on the streets and

[2:29:32] how much more outcry do you

[2:29:34] need to hear before you realize

[2:29:35] how terrible of an idea this is

[2:29:39] During the last meeting and

[2:29:40] even in this one hour glorious

[2:29:41] mayor decided to spend most of

[2:29:41] it on his phone.

[2:29:42] He didn't feel like giving us

[2:29:44] his attention despite his grand

[2:29:45] claims won't help us.

[2:29:45] I want to ask something of

[2:29:46] everyone here.

[2:29:48] If you work in the arts whether

[2:29:49] it be on stage or backstage on

[2:29:51] a canvas or a notepad if you

[2:29:52] are creative of any type please

[2:29:56] stand up.

[2:29:57] Oh I see a lot more people that

[2:30:01] I recognized and I thought

[2:30:02] Todd, I want you to look these

[2:30:02] people in the face and tell

[2:30:03] them why you want to kill their

[2:30:05] careers.

[2:30:06] >> I really want to know why

[2:30:07] you want to kill the livelihood

[2:30:10] of what makes San Diego great.

[2:30:11] These human beings are a small

[2:30:11] percentage of the real lives

[2:30:15] that you are trying to destroy

[2:30:16] so you can spy on your own.

[2:30:17] >> People do better.

[2:30:25] Steven Hello.

[2:30:26] My name is Gavin Guy Dano I am

[2:30:30] an audio engineer and a member

[2:30:30] of iac Local 122.

[2:30:31] I am not here as a

[2:30:34] representative of the union.

[2:30:35] I am here as a committee, as a

[2:30:36] member of the community.

[2:30:39] I work right here and shout out

[2:30:40] to the kids in my neighborhood

[2:30:40] from Mountain View that showed

[2:30:44] up on a weekday show.

[2:30:45] We live in a very divisive time

[2:30:49] where people our leaders in

[2:30:49] Washington are doing things

[2:30:55] vindictively mainly badly And

[2:30:55] I'm going to give you all

[2:30:59] the benefit of the doubt that

[2:30:59] that's not what you're doing.

[2:31:00] I urge you and your budget

[2:31:04] analysts and your proposals to

[2:31:05] go back and look at the numbers

[2:31:08] because the arts is not

[2:31:09] charity.

[2:31:09] The arts makes money.

[2:31:14] The art makes billions of

[2:31:14] dollars for the community, for

[2:31:19] the tax base, for the hotels.

[2:31:20] It is not charity.

[2:31:20] So with all of the good work

[2:31:23] that helping the children isn't

[2:31:24] going to move the needle for

[2:31:25] you, then maybe the economic

[2:31:28] will.

[2:31:29] >> You are the guest of honor

[2:31:30] at our present concluding

[2:31:38] comment Marlee.

[2:31:38] >> Good evening everyone.

[2:31:39] My name is Marlee and I should

[2:31:42] start by saying that I am not a

[2:31:43] native San Diego.

[2:31:43] i'm originally from Sacramento

[2:31:44] but I live and work in San

[2:31:47] Diego because of the arts.

[2:31:48] In 2021, fresh out of college I

[2:31:49] moved here to begin my career

[2:31:52] in the arts namely in

[2:31:53] the theater and in subsequent

[2:31:53] years I've been lucky enough to

[2:31:54] be a part of this vibrant

[2:31:56] culture and community in many

[2:31:57] ways and been even luckier to

[2:31:58] meet some of the many

[2:31:58] incredible people who make San

[2:32:01] Diego's arts and culture

[2:32:02] happen.

[2:32:02] Arts and culture are not

[2:32:03] incidental to this city.

[2:32:06] They are this city.

[2:32:07] People come to visit San Diego

[2:32:08] for any number of reasons But

[2:32:08] the chief reason the reason

[2:32:11] the people build lives here is

[2:32:12] the city's culture a culture we

[2:32:16] have because we've invested in

[2:32:16] our community.

[2:32:17] I feel like I'm a significant

[2:32:19] example of this significance of

[2:32:20] hard words Sorry I'm one such

[2:32:20] example.

[2:32:21] If we don't value the arts we

[2:32:24] don't value San Diego and we

[2:32:25] don't definitely don't value

[2:32:26] the people who make it what it

[2:32:26] is.

[2:32:29] I realize there are many harsh

[2:32:30] realities about balancing

[2:32:31] the budget but the council has

[2:32:31] a responsibility to the city

[2:32:34] and the constituents to both

[2:32:35] present and future to make

[2:32:35] the right decision here and I

[2:32:36] sincerely hope they will

[2:32:38] because right now it doesn't

[2:32:39] value San Diego.

[2:32:48] >> Thank you Alicia Leon Good

[2:32:48] evening.

[2:32:49] I'm Alicia Leon.

[2:32:50] I teach at San Diego State

[2:32:53] University and I'm speaking on

[2:32:54] behalf of my students who

[2:32:54] reside in our districts across

[2:32:58] the city who are studying

[2:32:58] sleepless nights for potential

[2:32:59] careers in various industries

[2:33:02] including the arts.

[2:33:03] And we seek refuge in many of

[2:33:04] the resources that are at stake

[2:33:07] with the proposed budget cuts.

[2:33:07] I urge you to work towards

[2:33:11] defending our communities by

[2:33:12] protecting what is culturally

[2:33:13] healing for the constituents

[2:33:16] you serve The arts Even within

[2:33:17] the last 20 years of financial

[2:33:17] hardship, even through a

[2:33:21] pandemic, cuts like these have

[2:33:21] never been made.

[2:33:22] And when the preliminary budget

[2:33:23] was released, not one of

[2:33:26] the reasons listed for why

[2:33:27] the $118 million deficit exist

[2:33:27] was the arts.

[2:33:31] Yet the arts is what you are

[2:33:32] choosing to defund.

[2:33:32] It's what you're choosing to

[2:33:36] take away from my students from

[2:33:36] their futures.

[2:33:37] Please continue working with

[2:33:41] our communities so that a more

[2:33:42] informed decision can be made

[2:33:44] so they truly balanced and

[2:33:45] responsible budget that

[2:33:45] protects our cultural

[2:33:50] infrastructure and my students

[2:33:50] can be drafted.

[2:33:51] >> Thank you.

[2:34:00] Sofia Blanco Dear City Council

[2:34:05] MR. Whitburn MR. Talk Gloria, I

[2:34:08] spoke to you at the first

[2:34:08] public hearing for this budget

[2:34:09] and I speak to you again to

[2:34:10] tell you to fully restore

[2:34:12] funding to the arts.

[2:34:13] Many of you have agreed to

[2:34:14] restore partial funding but I'm

[2:34:17] here to tell you that is not

[2:34:17] enough to pay the thousands of

[2:34:18] people including myself who

[2:34:22] will lose their jobs as a

[2:34:23] result of this budget.

[2:34:26] i can cite numbers but instead

[2:34:27] I really ask you to look and

[2:34:28] listen to everybody who spoken

[2:34:31] here today who will speak and I

[2:34:32] ask you for your support and

[2:34:36] full restoration of our funding

[2:34:36] for the arts Fight for your

[2:34:37] communities.

[2:34:37] We respect you.

[2:34:42] We are in all of your jobs and

[2:34:42] your responsibilities And I'm

[2:34:46] here again.

[2:34:47] I've been here twice already.

[2:34:51] I've waited at least four hours

[2:34:51] to speak to you and we are

[2:34:55] asking please want us please

[2:34:56] let us keep our jobs And during

[2:35:02] this trying times thank you

[2:35:02] Michael.

[2:35:07] >> Michael Venus.

[2:35:08] Good evening council members.

[2:35:12] This budget treats community

[2:35:13] care as disposable and police

[2:35:17] surveillance as untouchable.

[2:35:21] PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee on MAY

[2:35:21] 6th vowed to protect core

[2:35:22] services yet approve budget

[2:35:25] defunding on essential Third

[2:35:26] Space's self-proclaimed Chief

[2:35:27] operating Officer Todd Gloria

[2:35:31] you are leaving us just $2 per

[2:35:35] resident on library investments

[2:35:35] while miraculously finding

[2:35:36] millions for flight cameras and

[2:35:40] ballooning the police budget to

[2:35:41] over $700 million.

[2:35:41] When terrorists struck

[2:35:45] the Islamic center right across

[2:35:45] the highway from where I work

[2:35:46] in District six, your cameras

[2:35:49] did nothing to prevent the loss

[2:35:50] of three American lives.

[2:35:51] Community bravery did I mean

[2:35:56] Abdullah did Monsoor Kazi had

[2:35:57] did did a why did prioritizing

[2:35:59] React to technology over care

[2:36:00] makes you all complicit in a

[2:36:04] fear mongering surveillance?

[2:36:05] State Councilmember Foster You

[2:36:06] represent my home in District

[2:36:09] four You pose surveillance but

[2:36:10] slash these libraries and

[2:36:11] facilities that keep our youth

[2:36:11] in gaze, divest from

[2:36:14] surveillance you for that

[2:36:15] concluding comment.

[2:36:15] >> Reinvest in art.

[2:36:19] Thank you Shayla James Shayla

[2:36:24] you have time ceded to you

[2:36:29] bless you because shayla James

[2:36:30] is at times edited by Nick

[2:36:30] Rugg.

[2:36:34] Please raise your hand Sarah.

[2:36:38] Sarah Woolsey Wilson ask Cindy

[2:36:39] before last but I have another

[2:36:39] okay.

[2:36:40] You can give it to Kevin.

[2:36:44] Can you get the speakers up And

[2:36:45] uh, Valentina Karami.

[2:36:45] You think she left as well?

[2:36:47] Yes.

[2:36:48] >> Okay.

[2:36:49] Good evening, council members.

[2:36:52] My name is Shayla James and I'm

[2:36:53] the director of the San Diego

[2:36:54] Creative Development Network.

[2:36:54] I love seaweed.

[2:36:59] I am also a musician teaching

[2:36:59] artists and creative urban Nur.

[2:37:00] I come to you disappointed,

[2:37:03] frustrated and tired by this

[2:37:03] evening and by this proposed

[2:37:04] budget cutting arts libraries

[2:37:07] and parks funding.

[2:37:08] I'm also quite frankly

[2:37:09] embarrassed to live in a city

[2:37:12] that would even propose a

[2:37:13] budget like this.

[2:37:13] Thank you to the council

[2:37:14] members who have supported

[2:37:17] the arts and know the positive

[2:37:17] impacts of arts, culture and

[2:37:18] creativity they have on our San

[2:37:22] Diego communities and for those

[2:37:23] of us who live and breathe

[2:37:23] the arts, we know the power

[2:37:27] that the art and creativity can

[2:37:27] do The arts cultivate healing,

[2:37:32] belonging, empathy, safety and

[2:37:32] promote solidarity across our

[2:37:33] San Diego communities.

[2:37:37] We are an ecosystem and our

[2:37:38] futures are tied to one another

[2:37:42] a maverick to our sisters and

[2:37:43] brothers observing the holiday

[2:37:44] and who MAY not be able to be

[2:37:47] here this evening and for those

[2:37:47] who are grieving the loss of

[2:37:51] the three lives from last week

[2:37:51] .

[2:37:52] I teach music classes and

[2:37:53] operate heart space a community

[2:37:56] focused creative space for

[2:37:57] artists, educators,

[2:37:58] practitioners and District

[2:37:58] nine.

[2:38:01] I am the again the Director of

[2:38:02] Creative Development Network

[2:38:05] and we span throughout San

[2:38:06] Diego County with our partners

[2:38:09] and members located in

[2:38:09] districts one, three, four, six

[2:38:10] and eight.

[2:38:10] Our partners are at

[2:38:11] the intersections of arts

[2:38:14] culture, education, youth and

[2:38:15] social services.

[2:38:15] Some of our partners include

[2:38:19] and I'm going to name them

[2:38:20] because they are doing the good

[2:38:20] work out here and they can't be

[2:38:21] here today.

[2:38:24] Media Arts Center San Diego

[2:38:24] Disco Riot Asia Project Burn

[2:38:25] Street Community Arts

[2:38:26] Transcendence High Steppers San

[2:38:29] Diego Is Kali Outside The Lens

[2:38:30] a Reason to Survive just to

[2:38:30] name a few.

[2:38:34] Art and creativity are

[2:38:34] essential to these

[2:38:35] organizations but so is youth

[2:38:39] boys Access to housing a safe

[2:38:39] embrace spaces free and public

[2:38:40] spaces academic support

[2:38:44] mentorship mental health

[2:38:44] services Career pathways

[2:38:45] The list goes on.

[2:38:49] Arts funding does not live

[2:38:50] alone and is linked to access

[2:38:54] of libraries, parks and

[2:38:55] recreation and youth and family

[2:38:55] services.

[2:38:58] This proposed budget does not

[2:38:59] reflect the needs and the wants

[2:39:03] of the San Diego community.

[2:39:04] Our youth, guardians and elders

[2:39:04] are most underinvested,

[2:39:08] underrepresented, underserved

[2:39:09] and vulnerable in our community

[2:39:13] And I and I dare say we we want

[2:39:14] a full restoration of arts and

[2:39:15] culture funding and continued

[2:39:18] funding for the Office of Child

[2:39:19] and Youth Success an office

[2:39:23] that we fought hard for to come

[2:39:23] into fruition along with

[2:39:24] the San Diego Child and Youth

[2:39:24] Plan.

[2:39:28] Even amidst the potential

[2:39:29] dismantling of this O.S. Y if

[2:39:32] the Office is planning a youth

[2:39:33] summit for next week JUNE 3rd

[2:39:36] we were literally meeting like

[2:39:37] 12 hours ago to plan this youth

[2:39:38] summit.

[2:39:41] Our youth network is an arts

[2:39:45] partner and we are trying to

[2:39:46] convene at least 150 200 plus

[2:39:50] youth for this summit next week

[2:39:51] .

[2:39:51] >> The other partners again I'm

[2:39:55] going to include in Game Face

[2:39:55] Davis Heart.

[2:39:56] >> Thank you for that community

[2:39:56] center.

[2:39:57] Please invest in the arts, our

[2:39:59] communities and then if I are

[2:40:00] waiting for you you can ask

[2:40:00] Desiree Clark Miller to raise

[2:40:01] your hand.

[2:40:04] Thank you so much.

[2:40:05] I do believe these are dupes

[2:40:06] but I'm just going to read them

[2:40:06] into the record.

[2:40:10] Alex Decker I believe you

[2:40:10] already spoke Alex Bazooka with

[2:40:12] time ceded by Christie and

[2:40:18] Frank I don't see anybody here.

[2:40:19] Shawn Foote I also believe

[2:40:23] Shawn Foote is a dupe a

[2:40:27] duplicate Marshall Marshall

[2:40:28] Salgado if you can please come

[2:40:29] up to the microphone.

[2:40:31] Marshall As I recall after that

[2:40:36] we have Theresa Mill caricature

[2:40:37] catch Real Sarah Large Ramel

[2:40:42] Wallace Danny Ah as a Arizona

[2:40:43] if you can please all come up

[2:40:47] to the front row as well as

[2:40:51] Jesse Mark Chess and Oliphant

[2:40:56] Oliphant Please proceed Thank

[2:40:57] you for the opportunity to

[2:40:57] speak.

[2:40:58] I'm the momager to two

[2:40:58] professional theater kids here

[2:41:01] in San Diego.

[2:41:02] Arts spending is not a luxury.

[2:41:02] It's a lifeline.

[2:41:05] When our son Danny was

[2:41:06] struggling in third grade with

[2:41:07] a speech impediment and

[2:41:07] anxiety, the San Diego Opera

[2:41:10] gave him a chance to perform at

[2:41:11] the Civic Theater.

[2:41:11] That experience transformed his

[2:41:15] confidence and sparked a love

[2:41:16] of creativity that school never

[2:41:16] could.

[2:41:20] Since then the old Globe San

[2:41:20] Diego musical theater and

[2:41:21] Cygnet theater have been safe

[2:41:25] havens for him places where he

[2:41:25] learns empathy and hope even

[2:41:26] during frightening times.

[2:41:30] Research shows that communities

[2:41:31] investing in arts see stronger

[2:41:34] civic engagement, better mental

[2:41:35] health and economic vitality.

[2:41:36] Cutting arts budgets removes

[2:41:40] spaces that help children like

[2:41:40] my son discover their worth.

[2:41:44] I ask that you please restore

[2:41:44] full funding to the arts so

[2:41:45] every child like my child can

[2:41:49] experience Full Life-Changing

[2:41:50] power of theater.

[2:41:50] It is life saving.

[2:41:54] Please Mayor Gloria please City

[2:41:54] Council Restore full funding

[2:41:59] Thank you for that concluding

[2:42:00] comment Teresa.

[2:42:03] Teresa Mel are you here?

[2:42:08] >> It's very simple Kerry Kerry

[2:42:08] are you here?

[2:42:14] >> Katrina co2 are I Oh no

[2:42:22] Sarah a large Good evening

[2:42:22] everyone.

[2:42:23] My name is Sarah Large.

[2:42:27] I live in District seven and I

[2:42:27] work at District nine at Moxie

[2:42:28] Theater.

[2:42:31] I'm here today to address

[2:42:31] concerns in the proposed budget

[2:42:32] regarding public safety

[2:42:36] research indicates that arts

[2:42:39] rich neighborhoods are the top

[2:42:40] 25% in terms of public safety

[2:42:40] and have the lowest rates of

[2:42:44] juvenile delinquency Arts rich

[2:42:45] communities have 18% less

[2:42:49] serious crime.

[2:42:50] Social cohesion key in reducing

[2:42:54] violence is built by arts and

[2:42:54] culture participation.

[2:42:55] The proposed funding cuts are a

[2:42:59] public health and public safety

[2:42:59] issue directly opposed to

[2:43:00] the priorities laid out by

[2:43:03] the mayor.

[2:43:04] This lack of understanding is

[2:43:08] frankly baffling.

[2:43:09] If we want safer streets and

[2:43:09] stronger neighborhoods then

[2:43:13] funding arts and culture is

[2:43:14] smart responsible public policy

[2:43:18] decision grounded in evidence

[2:43:19] that puts the well-being of our

[2:43:20] community first.

[2:43:23] >> Thank you.

[2:43:24] >> That was there a large Ramel

[2:43:33] Wallace Danny I Rosa Danny I

[2:43:42] Rosa No Jessie Marching Jessie

[2:43:42] You have time ceded to you by

[2:43:43] Jenny Case Thank you so much.

[2:43:46] >> You'll have two minutes.

[2:43:46] >> Please proceed.

[2:43:47] Good evening.

[2:43:47] My name is Jessie Markazi.

[2:43:50] This is Jenny Case.

[2:43:51] We're residents, cultural

[2:43:51] workers and we represent

[2:43:55] diversionary theater

[2:43:55] the nation's third oldest lgbtq

[2:43:56] plus theater one of very few in

[2:44:00] the nation.

[2:44:01] We operate out of University

[2:44:01] Heights and Council District

[2:44:05] three I stand here today

[2:44:05] because the arts saved my life

[2:44:06] and gave me purpose.

[2:44:07] I became an arts administrator

[2:44:09] to serve my community in

[2:44:10] the exact same way The proposed

[2:44:11] devastating obliteration of

[2:44:15] arts and culture funding

[2:44:15] slashing grants that sustain

[2:44:16] vital programs will have

[2:44:20] catastrophic impacts on our

[2:44:20] communities.

[2:44:21] Take our work at Diversionary

[2:44:22] where we serve thousands of at

[2:44:25] risk lgbt plus youth and elders

[2:44:26] with completely free programing

[2:44:30] in our current national

[2:44:30] political climate where lgbtq

[2:44:31] plus issues are being

[2:44:35] aggressively erased from school

[2:44:35] curriculums, Our free programs

[2:44:39] are a literal lifeline for

[2:44:40] youth for our lgbtq plus

[2:44:44] seniors many who live alone.

[2:44:45] We provide one very few spaces

[2:44:46] for vital socialization and

[2:44:49] intergenerational learning.

[2:44:50] We partner with libraries,

[2:44:51] community centers and local

[2:44:55] service organizations that aid

[2:44:55] veterans the unhoused and those

[2:44:56] fighting addiction.

[2:44:57] All of these partners are

[2:44:59] facing devastating service

[2:45:00] rollbacks and the arts are a

[2:45:04] crucial thread in the fabric of

[2:45:04] this social support.

[2:45:05] By cutting this funding you are

[2:45:08] cutting the very soul of San

[2:45:08] Diego.

[2:45:09] Meanwhile, raising the police

[2:45:10] budget and surveillance budget

[2:45:13] by millions in the name of

[2:45:14] public safety is a severe

[2:45:14] misstep.

[2:45:15] More police on the streets do

[2:45:17] not create safety.

[2:45:18] What creates public safety

[2:45:19] Accessible arts and culture

[2:45:23] Libraries, parks and community

[2:45:23] centers operating at full

[2:45:24] capacity well funded programs

[2:45:28] for our youth, our elders and

[2:45:29] our unhoused neighbors create

[2:45:29] public safety.

[2:45:32] I urge you to reject these

[2:45:33] shortsighted cuts and pursue

[2:45:34] progressive revenue strategies.

[2:45:37] Other cities have figured it

[2:45:38] out realign this budget with

[2:45:39] true community values and

[2:45:42] restore full funding for arts

[2:45:43] and culture in the final fiscal

[2:45:43] year 27 budget.

[2:45:51] >> Thank you Doug Oliphant Doug

[2:45:52] .

[2:45:52] >> Hi everyone.

[2:45:57] My name is Doug Oliphant and I

[2:45:57] speak on behalf of more than

[2:45:58] ten San Diego based arts and

[2:46:01] culture organizations that are

[2:46:02] firm coastal nonprofit

[2:46:03] consulting partners with to

[2:46:07] find funding across the sector.

[2:46:08] Funding has already been

[2:46:08] stretched thin.

[2:46:11] Federal support has vanished,

[2:46:12] corporate giving has softened

[2:46:12] and our annual donors

[2:46:16] the Middle class of

[2:46:16] philanthropy continue to shrink

[2:46:20] And the one source of funding

[2:46:20] that arts organizations have

[2:46:21] been able to rely on each year

[2:46:25] is the city of San Diego

[2:46:25] through programs like osp and

[2:46:26] ccsd.

[2:46:26] And these programs are

[2:46:30] the backbone of a healthy

[2:46:31] funding ecosystem for a

[2:46:31] nonprofit.

[2:46:32] If eliminated, the funding

[2:46:35] won't be replaced by private

[2:46:35] foundations or major donors.

[2:46:36] Instead we're going to see

[2:46:39] programs cut, staff laid off

[2:46:40] and communities especially

[2:46:44] those with the least access

[2:46:44] left behind.

[2:46:45] And worse, we risk reshaping

[2:46:46] nonprofit missions to serve a

[2:46:49] narrow set of funders instead

[2:46:50] of the people of San Diego Arts

[2:46:55] and culture are not a line item

[2:46:55] two zero out.

[2:46:56] >> Thank you for that

[2:46:56] concluding comment Lauren

[2:46:59] Lauren Lockhart.

[2:47:07] Katrina Bruins Katrina as we

[2:47:08] make our way up just a reminder

[2:47:11] Tim and Jennifer Wallace Rose

[2:47:12] Lombardo Kevin Corbett's role

[2:47:16] Salamanca Carol Stephenson and

[2:47:22] I believe this is a duper Julia

[2:47:22] Peltz If you can all please

[2:47:23] come up to the yellow reserved

[2:47:23] seats.

[2:47:25] Please proceed.

[2:47:26] >> Good evening everyone.

[2:47:27] My name is Katrina and I am a

[2:47:30] resident and employee of

[2:47:31] District two and I'm happy to

[2:47:31] serve in the Arts and Culture

[2:47:35] District through my role at

[2:47:36] Visions Museum of Textile Art

[2:47:37] in Liberty Station And I have

[2:47:40] seen a lot of progress over

[2:47:41] the last couple of years in

[2:47:44] arts and culture for San Diego

[2:47:45] first and being a leader

[2:47:45] through the world design

[2:47:46] capital and then creating

[2:47:49] the creative Cities plan And it

[2:47:50] would be such a mess to use

[2:47:51] the momentum from those

[2:47:53] opportunities as the world is

[2:47:54] looking at us as we gain

[2:47:55] attention because of the arts

[2:47:58] and culture from this city to

[2:47:59] turn around and cut off funding

[2:47:59] for those programs we are

[2:48:03] implementation partners all of

[2:48:04] those that are in this room of

[2:48:05] that Creative City plan.

[2:48:08] It's really something that we

[2:48:09] believe in as well and it's

[2:48:09] something that the city has

[2:48:10] already invested time and

[2:48:12] energy and resources into

[2:48:13] creating.

[2:48:13] So we're just asking you to

[2:48:17] continue to restore the funding

[2:48:18] for arts and culture so we can

[2:48:19] continue to implement what

[2:48:22] the city has already promised

[2:48:23] to the community through that

[2:48:23] plan.

[2:48:24] >> So please help us doing

[2:48:24] that.

[2:48:25] Thank you so much.

[2:48:29] Thank you Tim.

[2:48:34] >> San Diego is not a sanctuary

[2:48:35] city As long as we contract

[2:48:35] with companies that don't value

[2:48:39] our data, our data it's bad

[2:48:40] enough that we have mass

[2:48:40] surveillance.

[2:48:41] It's worse that we're

[2:48:44] contracting with companies that

[2:48:44] have poor records.

[2:48:45] I am sick and tired of losing

[2:48:49] students in my classroom

[2:48:49] because their parents are

[2:48:50] afraid to bring them to my

[2:48:50] classroom.

[2:48:54] I am sick and tired of students

[2:48:54] in my classroom not being able

[2:48:55] to pay attention because

[2:48:58] they're worried about what's

[2:48:59] going to happen to their

[2:48:59] parents.

[2:49:04] It is unacceptable.

[2:49:05] It's costing us $2 million and

[2:49:08] you've seen all the better

[2:49:09] things that we can be spending

[2:49:09] it on.

[2:49:13] It does nothing to address

[2:49:13] poverty, nihilism or isolation

[2:49:18] which are your causes of crime.

[2:49:21] Let's do better.

[2:49:26] Jennifer Wallace.

[2:49:26] >> Good evening.

[2:49:31] My name is Jennifer Wallace.

[2:49:32] After a four decade career as

[2:49:36] an opera singer in California

[2:49:37] including with San Diego Opera,

[2:49:40] I now serve as assistant

[2:49:41] regional director for

[2:49:42] the American Guild of Musical

[2:49:45] Artists, the Union of Opera

[2:49:46] Concert and Dance Workers in

[2:49:47] the United States.

[2:49:51] These cuts will hurt San Diego

[2:49:52] far beyond the arts community.

[2:49:55] People attending performances

[2:49:56] and other events eat at local

[2:50:00] restaurants, shop at nearby

[2:50:01] businesses, pay for parking and

[2:50:05] stay in local hotels.

[2:50:06] The arts help keep local

[2:50:06] businesses and neighborhoods

[2:50:09] alive.

[2:50:10] A cut of this magnitude is not

[2:50:11] something the arts community

[2:50:14] can absorb.

[2:50:15] The Creative City plan adopted

[2:50:19] just last year committed to

[2:50:20] growing San Diego as quote an

[2:50:24] international hub for arts,

[2:50:25] culture and creativity.

[2:50:25] That vision cannot become

[2:50:30] reality while eliminating

[2:50:30] funding that supports.

[2:50:31] Thank you for the thank you

[2:50:31] remark.

[2:50:36] Rose Lombardo, Rosie of time

[2:50:37] seated to you by and I'll tell

[2:50:39] her Thank you.

[2:50:39] Two minutes Please proceed.

[2:50:40] Good evening.

[2:50:44] My name is Rose Lombardo.

[2:50:44] I am the principal flutist of

[2:50:45] the San Diego Symphony.

[2:50:48] I moved here from across

[2:50:52] the country 15 years ago in

[2:50:53] 2012 to be a part of this world

[2:50:57] class arts community in San

[2:50:58] Diego.

[2:50:58] The proposed cut to arts

[2:51:02] funding would harm a sector

[2:51:03] that supports thousands of

[2:51:06] local jobs, drives $1.8 billion

[2:51:07] in tourism and provides vital

[2:51:11] education and community

[2:51:11] programs.

[2:51:12] >> As you heard tonight at

[2:51:12] the Symphony alone.

[2:51:15] Our learning community and

[2:51:16] engagement programs reached

[2:51:20] over 51,000 individuals during

[2:51:20] this past season through free

[2:51:21] school programs, free ticket

[2:51:25] programs, free community

[2:51:26] concerts, family programing,

[2:51:26] public park activations and

[2:51:29] more.

[2:51:30] I recently also performed at

[2:51:31] the Moores Cancer Center where

[2:51:34] we saw patients and doctors

[2:51:35] come together for an hour of

[2:51:35] free music.

[2:51:40] The arts do not just entertain

[2:51:41] the heal they connect and they

[2:51:44] strengthen our community.

[2:51:45] Arts funding is a vital

[2:51:48] investment with measurable

[2:51:49] returns and human impact.

[2:51:50] I urge you to restore in full

[2:51:53] the funding for arts and

[2:51:54] culture in order to sustain

[2:51:55] the arts that make San Diego a

[2:51:58] place that we are all proud to

[2:51:59] call home.

[2:51:59] Thank you for your time.

[2:52:04] Thank you, Kevin.

[2:52:04] >> Kevin Gilbert's think that's

[2:52:05] a dope as well.

[2:52:08] Raul Salamanca.

[2:52:09] >> I also have some time That

[2:52:13] was just given to me by

[2:52:14] Elizabeth and Dennis.

[2:52:18] >> I have her speakers up so I

[2:52:18] will make sure to send it to

[2:52:19] you.

[2:52:19] You'll have two minutes.

[2:52:21] Thank you for raising your hand

[2:52:22] .

[2:52:22] Good evening, Mayor and council

[2:52:23] members.

[2:52:27] My name is Raul Salamanca.

[2:52:27] I am the founder, ceo and

[2:52:28] artistic director of Golden

[2:52:29] State Ballet and Golden State

[2:52:32] Ballet Academy And I'm a

[2:52:33] resident of District nine.

[2:52:37] The last time I stood before

[2:52:37] you I warned that cuts to

[2:52:41] the arts and culture funding

[2:52:42] would have a real economic

[2:52:42] consequence to our city.

[2:52:46] Today I'm here to tell you that

[2:52:47] those consequences already are

[2:52:51] happening.

[2:52:51] After that meeting our board

[2:52:52] and leadership team had to make

[2:52:55] a difficult financial

[2:52:55] decisions.

[2:52:56] Of the four productions that we

[2:52:59] plan on performing next season

[2:53:00] ,only one will be able to

[2:53:01] remain in the city of San

[2:53:01] Diego.

[2:53:06] The three other productions

[2:53:06] will move to other cities

[2:53:07] because we simply cannot risk

[2:53:10] the uncertainty surrounding

[2:53:10] future funding.

[2:53:14] That means three full weeks, 3

[2:53:15] or 4 weeks where our dancers

[2:53:19] audiences, patrons will not be

[2:53:20] here supporting our local

[2:53:24] restaurants, paying for parking

[2:53:25] ,filling theaters and

[2:53:25] contributing to the economy

[2:53:29] that the arts support.

[2:53:30] And I know that we're not

[2:53:30] the only organization making

[2:53:34] those really tough decisions.

[2:53:34] If we continue trying to solve

[2:53:39] this budget crisis by cutting

[2:53:39] the arts, we risk deepening

[2:53:43] the very economic problems that

[2:53:44] we are trying to solve.

[2:53:45] San Diego deserves to be known

[2:53:48] as a city that invests in its

[2:53:49] future not one that settles for

[2:53:50] only the bare minimum.

[2:53:53] Or as I heard recently

[2:53:54] essentials just bare

[2:53:54] essentials.

[2:53:58] Please reconsider these cuts to

[2:53:59] the arts and culture.

[2:53:59] Please do so.

[2:54:02] It could be a wild idea if you

[2:54:03] could invest in us.

[2:54:04] If you would take that money

[2:54:07] that you would give to that to

[2:54:07] this to the city or the cops

[2:54:08] and flock invested in us will

[2:54:12] pay it back tenfold.

[2:54:12] We're going to be here next

[2:54:15] year talking about how we have

[2:54:16] a 400 million deficit, not 120.

[2:54:21] I've spent my whole life doing

[2:54:21] this.

[2:54:22] >> Please believe in us.

[2:54:22] I have 35 years of experience.

[2:54:23] We can do better.

[2:54:25] Thank you, Mayor.

[2:54:26] >> Thank you, Council members.

[2:54:26] Thank you.

[2:54:30] Carol Stephenson.

[2:54:30] >> Good evening.

[2:54:31] My name is Carol Stephenson.

[2:54:35] I live in District one and I'm

[2:54:36] a member showing up for racial

[2:54:36] justice in San Diego.

[2:54:41] Real safety is being around

[2:54:41] people you trust.

[2:54:44] A safe community prioritizes

[2:54:45] the places and activities that

[2:54:46] help us build that trust with

[2:54:46] one another.

[2:54:50] So places like parks and

[2:54:50] libraries activities like youth

[2:54:54] services and the arts do all

[2:54:55] that.

[2:54:55] So knowing our neighbors and

[2:54:59] our neighborhoods goes much

[2:55:00] farther than tracking people

[2:55:00] anonymously from surveillance

[2:55:01] cameras.

[2:55:04] And investments in people are

[2:55:05] the actual proven foundations

[2:55:05] of safety.

[2:55:09] So I urge you to defund

[2:55:10] the Foxx Alper Infrastructure

[2:55:10] contract fully restore

[2:55:11] allocations for arts and

[2:55:14] culture and fully restore

[2:55:15] the library budget.

[2:55:15] Protect our communities by

[2:55:19] funding community care.

[2:55:20] >> Thank you, Carol.

[2:55:24] Julia Peltz I believe that's a

[2:55:25] dupe Julianne.

[2:55:25] Hannah Park if you can please

[2:55:28] come up to the microphone.

[2:55:29] >> Hannah Park After that

[2:55:33] Daniel Gutierrez in a shirt.

[2:55:38] >> Richard Provence you Mustafi

[2:55:38] Al hum.

[2:55:39] Mostafa please come forward to

[2:55:42] the yellow reserved seats.

[2:55:47] Jon Light and Divya debate

[2:55:48] about Taboo and Karina Vega as

[2:55:52] well as Lilly King.

[2:55:52] Please come up to the yellow

[2:55:53] reserved seats.

[2:55:56] Please proceed.

[2:55:57] Hello City Council member and

[2:55:57] Mayor Todd Gloria, thank you so

[2:55:58] much for your time tonight.

[2:56:02] My name is Hannah Park.

[2:56:02] I'm a resident of District

[2:56:03] seven and also a member of

[2:56:05] the local arts community.

[2:56:06] I'm not going to say anything

[2:56:07] new here but I just want to

[2:56:07] bring your attention to

[2:56:10] the matter of public trust

[2:56:11] here.

[2:56:11] It's been highlighted that

[2:56:12] the city has major structural

[2:56:15] issues with the budget that

[2:56:16] date back many years and it

[2:56:17] struggles to generate new

[2:56:20] revenue sources and a large

[2:56:21] part of that is due to a lack

[2:56:21] of public trust.

[2:56:25] I want you to consider

[2:56:25] the decisions that you're

[2:56:26] making with this upcoming

[2:56:30] budget and the people that are

[2:56:30] listening and looking at you to

[2:56:33] see if we actually can trust

[2:56:34] you.

[2:56:34] So please consider that Please

[2:56:35] consider your constituents and

[2:56:38] please restore arts and culture

[2:56:39] funding.

[2:56:39] Thank you.

[2:56:48] Daniel Gutierrez.

[2:56:48] >> In a challenging fiscal year

[2:56:52] the city prioritized courser

[2:56:53] services residents rely on

[2:56:58] every day.

[2:56:59] When was the last year that was

[2:57:03] not fiscally challenging?

[2:57:07] >> I don't know how this how is

[2:57:12] this an acceptable reason?

[2:57:12] This has been the state of all

[2:57:22] since I can remember

[2:57:22] institutions that cut funding

[2:57:27] from today will not be there

[2:57:27] tomorrow.

[2:57:29] I don't know how many more

[2:57:35] people have to tell you 47.2

[2:57:35] million for us this overtime

[2:57:38] budget.

[2:57:39] >> Three libraries are moving

[2:57:48] from Tuesday to Saturday.

[2:57:49] >> Thank you.

[2:57:50] You know Regina, why and why I

[2:58:01] and a Richard prevention.

[2:58:02] You have people ceding your

[2:58:03] time if they can please raise

[2:58:03] their hand.

[2:58:07] Chelsea Owen She loved oak and

[2:58:07] Jimmy Love it.

[2:58:07] Thank you.

[2:58:10] We'll have two minutes.

[2:58:10] Please proceed.

[2:58:11] What's up, Council?

[2:58:11] What's up, everybody?

[2:58:14] Thanks for sticking it out

[2:58:14] here.

[2:58:15] Want to shout out the youth

[2:58:16] that are making out here and

[2:58:16] getting involved in local

[2:58:19] politics.

[2:58:20] It's never been more important

[2:58:20] than it is today.

[2:58:24] I want to say that I'm not here

[2:58:24] to push for a restoration of

[2:58:29] the arts and library and parks

[2:58:29] and rec budget.

[2:58:30] I'm here for saying it's

[2:58:33] already way too low.

[2:58:34] So just just let me give you

[2:58:35] show a little bit of background

[2:58:35] on me.

[2:58:38] I'm a veteran.

[2:58:39] I struggle with ptsd but I also

[2:58:40] am a cpa and I did that for a

[2:58:43] better part of a decade.

[2:58:44] So I have a little bit of

[2:58:45] expertise in the area.

[2:58:48] So just some quick numbers for

[2:58:48] you.

[2:58:52] Um, the arts budget was around

[2:58:53] $13 million and the general

[2:58:57] fund itself is $2.251 billion.

[2:59:02] So quick math that's not even a

[2:59:02] full percent That's a.59

[2:59:07] percent of the general fund is

[2:59:07] the arts budget.

[2:59:08] Now if we go back to the police

[2:59:10] budget that is 725 million uh,

[2:59:15] that is that is 32% of

[2:59:16] the general fund there.

[2:59:19] >> So a third of the budget.

[2:59:20] So I don't understand why we're

[2:59:23] we're even having this

[2:59:24] conversation Like if we need

[2:59:25] money let's go to the biggest

[2:59:28] slice and cut it from there.

[2:59:29] Also I think it's interesting

[2:59:30] that we're not allowed to see

[2:59:33] the details of the police

[2:59:33] budget.

[2:59:34] There's regularly there are

[2:59:39] multi million dollar

[2:59:43] settlements for negligence

[2:59:43] wrongful deaths.

[2:59:44] >> Is that is that baked into

[2:59:47] the budget And if so, why is

[2:59:51] that okay You know the budget

[2:59:55] for the police in 2021 was $580

[2:59:56] million and now we're already

[2:59:59] $145 million increase in just

[3:00:00] seven years.

[3:00:03] Why are we talking about $13

[3:00:04] million for the arts right now?

[3:00:07] Why aren't we talking about why

[3:00:08] Why is the police budget so big

[3:00:09] and we can't even look at

[3:00:11] the details?

[3:00:12] >> Thank you for that

[3:00:17] concluding sentence.

[3:00:18] Most of it by the way if you

[3:00:22] can come up to the microphone

[3:00:23] and you have people sitting

[3:00:25] your time Aisha Blackwell Yes,

[3:00:25] ma'am.

[3:00:26] >> You'll have two minutes.

[3:00:31] Please proceed.

[3:00:31] First want to start off with

[3:00:35] saying thank you for having me

[3:00:36] here.

[3:00:36] All right.

[3:00:36] Good evening.

[3:00:41] Council members Mayor Gloria.

[3:00:42] My name is Mostafa Elgin and I

[3:00:44] am 20 years old coming here.

[3:00:49] I was born in Iraq Baghdad.

[3:00:50] I am an American citizen.

[3:00:54] The bombs, the chaos, the fear

[3:00:54] no kitchen ever known.

[3:00:59] I came to America for safety.

[3:01:00] >> But just nine days ago on

[3:01:00] MAY 18th the safety was

[3:01:05] shattered when three innocent

[3:01:06] men I mean Abdullah, my dear

[3:01:10] not in our world were murdered

[3:01:11] in a car shooting in their

[3:01:14] stomachs that drove San Diego.

[3:01:14] This isn't just a muslim issue.

[3:01:19] This is a San Diego issue

[3:01:19] Black, Latino, Asian, white

[3:01:24] Arab, indigenous.

[3:01:25] >> Every ethnicity in this city

[3:01:28] is walking very tall, glorious

[3:01:28] .

[3:01:33] >> How can we even trust you?

[3:01:34] How can I as a muslim American

[3:01:37] Iraqi female trust.

[3:01:38] >> How does a 20 year old who's

[3:01:42] already survived the war I'm

[3:01:43] tired of the same old

[3:01:44] priorities that leave working

[3:01:47] families exposed.

[3:01:48] Every ethnicity you San Diego,

[3:01:49] the black mother in

[3:01:49] the Southeast Latino family in

[3:01:52] Barrio Logan, the Asian elders

[3:01:53] in Kearny Mesa, the Muslim

[3:01:56] youth, the city heights we all

[3:01:57] pay taxes and we all deserve

[3:01:57] real protection.

[3:02:01] >> How can we be trusted with

[3:02:02] our safety when this budget

[3:02:06] still doesn't prioritize towns

[3:02:06] ?

[3:02:07] And the next tragedy?

[3:02:13] I demand this council and you

[3:02:15] Todd Gloria to use this f y 22

[3:02:16] as a 2027 budget to restore and

[3:02:20] expand funding for community

[3:02:21] policing focused on hate crime

[3:02:21] prevention create a dedicated

[3:02:25] grant program for security

[3:02:26] measures, all houses of worship

[3:02:27] and community centers Christian

[3:02:30] Jewish and Muslim and Buddhist

[3:02:31] every religion.

[3:02:35] >> Thank you for that

[3:02:36] Concluding this is a 20 year

[3:02:37] old pulling gift for you

[3:02:37] slightly.

[3:02:40] And I'm not mad at you because

[3:02:41] you are there.

[3:02:41] >> Thank you for that

[3:02:42] concluding sentence.

[3:02:51] John Locke.

[3:02:56] >> Good evening Council members

[3:02:56] .

[3:02:57] My name is John Lott and I work

[3:02:57] at uc San Diego Health.

[3:02:58] And I've seen how recent

[3:03:01] disruptions in research funding

[3:03:02] have had repercussions that

[3:03:03] will take years to recover

[3:03:03] from.

[3:03:07] Even where funding was

[3:03:08] restored, researchers once laid

[3:03:11] off cancer easily be condemned

[3:03:12] to return.

[3:03:12] Medical studies can't be placed

[3:03:13] on pause.

[3:03:16] Similarly our arts and culture

[3:03:17] our arts, culture and youth

[3:03:17] programs are living

[3:03:18] institutions.

[3:03:21] They must be fed and cared for.

[3:03:21] They are not light switches

[3:03:22] that can just be flicked off

[3:03:26] and back on even if the idea is

[3:03:27] to cut funding for only a year

[3:03:28] or so to get the budget back on

[3:03:30] track, programs will end and

[3:03:31] institutions will decay.

[3:03:35] And yet these cuts, severe as

[3:03:36] they are, will not address

[3:03:36] the underlying economic

[3:03:37] conditions that created this

[3:03:40] deficit.

[3:03:41] Deficit spending to invest in

[3:03:44] our culture and an economy is

[3:03:45] not catastrophic.

[3:03:46] It's not a fringe idea.

[3:03:49] It's mainstream economics.

[3:03:50] The federal deficit spending is

[3:03:54] 6% of gdp here in San Diego.

[3:03:55] >> It is 0.04% of our regional.

[3:03:57] Thank you for that Concluding

[3:03:57] comment.

[3:04:03] >> Divya.

[3:04:03] >> Good evening council

[3:04:04] members.

[3:04:09] I'm the well developed founder

[3:04:10] of a music and dance nonprofit

[3:04:12] Near Entry and our mission is

[3:04:13] to enable an inner awakening

[3:04:16] and inspire a collective shift

[3:04:17] in human consciousness through

[3:04:18] the transformative power of

[3:04:18] art.

[3:04:21] I'm here today to speak as a

[3:04:22] human whose life was

[3:04:22] transformed only because art

[3:04:26] was a part of my life since I

[3:04:27] was four.

[3:04:28] I also happen to have a degree

[3:04:31] in electrical engineering from

[3:04:32] usc and spent a few years

[3:04:32] working in Sorrento Valley in

[3:04:33] Tech.

[3:04:36] But honestly none of that made

[3:04:36] sense because my heart was

[3:04:37] always in art which is why I

[3:04:40] gave it all up.

[3:04:41] Art made me a sensitive and

[3:04:42] loving human being and gave me

[3:04:45] something so intangible that no

[3:04:46] degree or high paying salary in

[3:04:46] tech could ever give.

[3:04:50] I worked at ucsd Dance

[3:04:51] Department as a teacher and as

[3:04:52] a teaching artist with several

[3:04:55] other nonprofits in the city

[3:04:55] including arts education,

[3:04:56] Connect Indian fine art and

[3:05:00] the only words that I've

[3:05:01] consistently heard was budget

[3:05:01] cuts, budget cuts and budget

[3:05:01] cuts.

[3:05:05] And nothing has changed its

[3:05:05] 2026 today.

[3:05:06] Thank you for that concluding

[3:05:17] statement, Karina Vega Karina

[3:05:18] Vega District eight Code Pink

[3:05:19] Forecast and Otay Mesa

[3:05:19] Collective.

[3:05:21] I would hope that as council

[3:05:22] members and representatives of

[3:05:23] your constituents here in San

[3:05:23] Diego that you would want to

[3:05:27] uphold our safety and

[3:05:27] well-being.

[3:05:28] Fox surveillance does not make

[3:05:28] nor keep us safe for being used

[3:05:31] by a terrorist entity like ice

[3:05:32] who are being trained by Israel

[3:05:33] using the same intimidating,

[3:05:36] torturing, and murdering

[3:05:36] tactics that the iaf uses on

[3:05:37] Palestinians in their own

[3:05:41] homeland does not make us see

[3:05:41] this weaken.

[3:05:42] Delaney Ice injured peaceful

[3:05:42] protesters and arrested medics

[3:05:46] providing aid to them for

[3:05:46] exercising their rights and

[3:05:47] advocating for the rights of

[3:05:48] humans inside these

[3:05:50] concentration camps.

[3:05:51] We have one of those

[3:05:51] concentration camps here called

[3:05:55] the Ultimate Detention Center

[3:05:56] Contributing more money to

[3:05:56] the lapd and ice would

[3:05:57] encourage that same brutality

[3:06:00] for us who have been visiting

[3:06:00] these brothers and sisters

[3:06:01] being detained at all times

[3:06:02] against surveillance that does

[3:06:06] not keep us safe but be made

[3:06:06] possible through data sensors

[3:06:10] that encourage heat waste and

[3:06:11] generate more pollution thermal

[3:06:12] energy equivalent to multiple

[3:06:16] atomic bombs daily does not

[3:06:17] make a to invest in the arts.

[3:06:17] The is the doppelganger for

[3:06:19] the concluding statement Lily

[3:06:20] Like when you have time seated

[3:06:25] or maybe speaking with you by

[3:06:25] Dingdong Quinn.

[3:06:29] Thank you.

[3:06:30] >> You'll have two minutes on

[3:06:30] the clock.

[3:06:31] Please proceed.

[3:06:34] Good evening, Council members.

[3:06:35] My name is Lily Quinn and I'm

[3:06:36] the PRESIDENT And founder of

[3:06:40] the Point Circle, a youth youth

[3:06:40] led nonprofit.

[3:06:41] I'm also a sophomore at

[3:06:44] the Bishop's School and a 15

[3:06:45] year old dancer.

[3:06:46] I am here tonight in favor of

[3:06:49] restoring the arts and culture

[3:06:49] budget.

[3:06:50] I've been training in dance

[3:06:51] since I was four years old and

[3:06:55] the arts have shaped my entire

[3:06:55] life.

[3:06:56] They have given me confidence,

[3:06:56] discipline and an irreplaceable

[3:06:59] community.

[3:07:00] >> I'm so grateful to have even

[3:07:01] the San Diego Civic Theater

[3:07:04] just down the street holds some

[3:07:05] of my dearest memories.

[3:07:08] In 2023 I performed as Clara in

[3:07:09] The Nutcracker with the Golden

[3:07:10] State Ballet Academy.

[3:07:13] There.

[3:07:14] Maybe some of you even watched

[3:07:14] me.

[3:07:15] It felt so exhilarating to

[3:07:18] finally be fulfilling my dreams

[3:07:18] since I was a little girl.

[3:07:19] One that I know is shared

[3:07:23] amongst many other young girls

[3:07:24] as well because the arts have

[3:07:24] given me so much I wanted to

[3:07:28] give something back.

[3:07:29] That's why I founded the Point

[3:07:29] Circle through dance music and

[3:07:30] other art forms.

[3:07:33] We are able to contribute back

[3:07:34] to our community.

[3:07:34] We performed for seniors with

[3:07:38] Alzheimer's and dementia,

[3:07:39] organized annual holiday

[3:07:40] performances for families at

[3:07:40] the Rady Children's Hospital.

[3:07:43] And established our own

[3:07:44] Ballerina storytime programs at

[3:07:48] public libraries in Carmel

[3:07:49] Valley, our Carmel Mountain and

[3:07:50] so many more.

[3:07:53] There are library events.

[3:07:54] Our goal is to share that joy

[3:07:55] the arts brings to us with kids

[3:07:55] who might never otherwise see a

[3:07:58] live dance performance or hear

[3:07:59] a live concert.

[3:07:59] By bringing the performing arts

[3:08:00] to these spaces.

[3:08:03] We make it accessible to

[3:08:04] families who cannot afford

[3:08:04] expensive tickets.

[3:08:08] By cutting this $11.8 million

[3:08:09] you are closing doors to

[3:08:09] thousands of kids.

[3:08:13] You're telling our future

[3:08:14] generation and leaders that

[3:08:14] creativity, culture and

[3:08:19] community programs do not

[3:08:19] matter.

[3:08:20] Arts funding is not a luxury.

[3:08:23] It's essential to our

[3:08:24] community's well-being and

[3:08:24] further development.

[3:08:25] Thank you so much.

[3:08:29] Thank you, Adriana.

[3:08:29] Adrian Paulson.

[3:08:33] Adrian Paulson.

[3:08:33] >> Please come up to

[3:08:34] the microphone After that will

[3:08:38] be Rohan Knowles Adria Olvera,

[3:08:39] Paul Supa, Valentino Rodriguez

[3:08:44] and Rene Rios.

[3:08:45] If you can all please come up

[3:08:46] to the yellow reserved seats as

[3:08:49] well as John Badri, John Brady

[3:08:49] and Audra Morgan.

[3:08:50] Please proceed.

[3:08:54] Just two hours ago I graduated

[3:08:54] from one of as one of the most

[3:08:55] accomplished students in my

[3:08:59] program from the San Diego

[3:08:59] School of Creative and

[3:09:00] Performing Arts.

[3:09:00] I have spent the last eight

[3:09:03] years attending arts schools

[3:09:04] and being as immersed in

[3:09:04] educational theater as

[3:09:05] possible.

[3:09:05] Pretty soon I plan to enter

[3:09:08] the technical theater industry

[3:09:09] or for a lifelong career in

[3:09:13] the industry.

[3:09:14] >> But what am I supposed to do

[3:09:15] if those theaters are defunded?

[3:09:16] I intend to use that money I

[3:09:19] earn from those jobs to pay for

[3:09:19] college.

[3:09:20] But what do you want me to do

[3:09:20] if they can't employ me?

[3:09:24] Most jobs will take one look at

[3:09:24] my disability and turn me away.

[3:09:25] But I have committed myself to

[3:09:28] the one path or to the path out

[3:09:28] of very few employees that will

[3:09:29] actually they're actually

[3:09:30] willing to look past that

[3:09:34] considering I am incredibly

[3:09:34] good at what I do and I have

[3:09:35] years of experience, two years

[3:09:38] of hard work to prove that art

[3:09:39] is my only reliable option for

[3:09:39] success.

[3:09:40] I've worked immensely hard to

[3:09:43] build strong foundation for my

[3:09:44] future in a way I simply would

[3:09:44] not be able to in any other

[3:09:45] industry.

[3:09:49] And these budget cuts feel akin

[3:09:50] to the city Jack hammering that

[3:09:50] foundation while I stand on it

[3:09:55] because it does not care if I

[3:09:55] slip through the cracks.

[3:09:56] >> Is it is it for you to put

[3:10:01] the likelihood of myself and so

[3:10:01] many others like me in

[3:10:02] desperate time Or should I just

[3:10:03] drive back to my school and

[3:10:03] inform all of my graduating?

[3:10:05] I do have to be fair.

[3:10:06] >> You can definitely email

[3:10:07] your comments.

[3:10:10] Rohan Knowles Hi, my name is

[3:10:16] Rohan Knowles art in San Diego

[3:10:16] has always been the heart and

[3:10:17] culture of our city.

[3:10:21] I myself danced for six years

[3:10:22] with San Diego Civic Youth

[3:10:22] Ballet and during that time I

[3:10:26] learned the importance of dance

[3:10:26] ,perseverance and

[3:10:27] the importance of having

[3:10:27] freedom and creative

[3:10:31] self-expression which some of

[3:10:31] you might need as well.

[3:10:32] Cutting our funding will harm

[3:10:38] nonprofit organizations like

[3:10:39] stc, y, b and the families they

[3:10:39] serve.

[3:10:40] It is a bad luck for the city

[3:10:42] to be cutting something that

[3:10:42] actively helps our city instead

[3:10:43] of focusing on the issues that

[3:10:44] we need to solve.

[3:10:47] Homelessness.

[3:10:48] >> Why are we spending all of

[3:10:49] our money on the police

[3:10:52] department?

[3:10:53] I am a high schooler telling

[3:10:54] you this It feels stupid for me

[3:10:58] to be here so late at night

[3:10:59] when you guys can't do your

[3:10:59] jobs.

[3:11:00] You need to start taking action

[3:11:03] Responsibility for yourselves.

[3:11:04] >> It's embarrassing.

[3:11:09] Do better for your city.

[3:11:10] >> Andrea Olvera.

[3:11:12] Andrea, are you here?

[3:11:18] >> Paul Super.

[3:11:19] Good evening.

[3:11:23] City Council Mary Todd Gloria.

[3:11:24] Overwhelmingly citizens have

[3:11:25] stood before you tonight with a

[3:11:29] mandate to restore the arts and

[3:11:29] culture budget.

[3:11:30] You can do so simply by

[3:11:34] rescinding the $15 million

[3:11:38] police budget increase for

[3:11:38] 2027.

[3:11:39] >> The people have

[3:11:39] overwhelmingly spoken.

[3:11:44] We do not want a surveillance

[3:11:44] state.

[3:11:48] Floc has cost 12.5 million over

[3:11:48] five years.

[3:11:49] It has been sued recently MARCH

[3:11:53] 20th, 26 for privacy violations

[3:11:53] in the Jaworski class action

[3:11:57] lawsuit.

[3:11:58] It is illegal.

[3:11:59] We need to do better.

[3:12:03] We respectfully in conclusion

[3:12:04] we need to get the flock out of

[3:12:09] here.

[3:12:09] We don't give a.

[3:12:10] Restore the arts.

[3:12:14] We don't give a.

[3:12:15] Restore the arts.

[3:12:15] We don't give a.

[3:12:19] Restore the arts.

[3:12:20] >> Thank you.

[3:12:30] Valentino Rodriguez.

[3:12:30] >> Good evening.

[3:12:36] Council members email Gloria

[3:12:37] Green Everyone knows my name is

[3:12:37] Valentino.

[3:12:41] I am a Navy veteran with over

[3:12:42] 60 years of service and

[3:12:42] continued service as

[3:12:43] the outreach coordinator for

[3:12:48] bsd Beach's village of San

[3:12:48] Diego.

[3:12:49] When out in the community we

[3:12:53] are the community partners like

[3:12:54] Path in Law Enforcement heart

[3:12:54] teams.

[3:12:58] When I come across an unhoused

[3:12:59] veteran I provided with

[3:13:00] the resources and housing

[3:13:04] options we have at our campus.

[3:13:04] Veterans are provided with

[3:13:05] employment, medical, mental

[3:13:09] health resources three meals

[3:13:15] daily just to name a few.

[3:13:15] That said, I oppose

[3:13:16] the Warriors plan to use

[3:13:20] millions of dollars to take

[3:13:21] over spaces designated to house

[3:13:21] our veterans to get

[3:13:26] the treatment that they need to

[3:13:27] find the stability that they so

[3:13:33] seek.

[3:13:34] >> Thank you for your

[3:13:34] attention.

[3:13:38] I sometimes I'm sorry your time

[3:13:38] has gone.

[3:13:39] Veterans currently occupy.

[3:13:43] I'm sorry.

[3:13:44] Remember your time has

[3:13:44] concluded.

[3:13:45] You can definitely email your

[3:13:46] comments to City Clerk and San

[3:13:46] diego.Gov and they will be

[3:13:47] distributed out.

[3:13:53] Rene Rios.

[3:13:54] Good evening Council members.

[3:13:54] Mayor Gloria.

[3:13:59] My name is Rene Rios and I

[3:14:00] served in the United States

[3:14:00] Navy for 24 years.

[3:14:05] I currently serve as

[3:14:05] the program manager at Veterans

[3:14:06] Village of San Diego.

[3:14:10] I work directly with veterans

[3:14:10] and their families helping them

[3:14:11] move toward stable permanent

[3:14:16] housing and rebuilding their

[3:14:16] lives with dignity and support.

[3:14:17] I respectfully oppose

[3:14:21] the mayor's proposed $2.3

[3:14:26] million allocation to take over

[3:14:27] Veterans Village of San Diego

[3:14:27] campus.

[3:14:32] We don't need your help over

[3:14:32] veterans.

[3:14:33] Our veteran community comes to

[3:14:38] us seeking stability, structure

[3:14:38] and hope.

[3:14:42] The sudden disruption threatens

[3:14:43] buildings 45 year mission of

[3:14:44] serving those who served our

[3:14:48] country and can result in

[3:14:49] the displacement of veterans

[3:14:50] currently occupying our beds

[3:14:54] and participating in life

[3:14:55] changing programs.

[3:14:55] >> Thank you.

[3:14:56] A complete concluding sentence

[3:15:00] John Brady.

[3:15:00] Are you here?

[3:15:07] John Brady Audra Morgan.

[3:15:07] Oh, you put Audra Morgan on

[3:15:08] their speakers.

[3:15:13] Oh, I'm sorry.

[3:15:13] Allegedly.

[3:15:14] Audra, please come forward.

[3:15:15] After that we'll have to.

[3:15:15] Alexander Catherine?

[3:15:17] No, a gold.

[3:15:18] Do you know Starbuck Smith,

[3:15:19] Rebecca Nolan and Josh Clark?

[3:15:22] Please start making your way to

[3:15:22] the front row.

[3:15:23] Please proceed.

[3:15:24] I find it ironic, Todd, that

[3:15:28] you're cutting the arts when

[3:15:29] you spend money of hours on

[3:15:30] your nice little music videos

[3:15:35] like Todd Gloria Is that da

[3:15:36] Gloria Is that right?

[3:15:36] And all the single ladies.

[3:15:37] Those are good ones.

[3:15:41] So I'm wondering if you're

[3:15:41] starting to think about your

[3:15:42] next music video and it's going

[3:15:43] to be called something about

[3:15:47] your maybe I don't give a

[3:15:47] block.

[3:15:47] Right.

[3:15:48] Because you're going to

[3:15:49] potentially bring in more of

[3:15:52] this surveillance which this

[3:15:53] whole mosque shooting should be

[3:15:53] Telltale signs that your P.R.

[3:15:57] Doesn't work as you follow some

[3:15:58] people supposedly to Mission

[3:15:59] Valley while they were shooting

[3:15:59] up a mosque.

[3:15:59] Okay.

[3:16:00] So that should be proof that it

[3:16:03] should actually be cut.

[3:16:04] But you're going to use that as

[3:16:05] an opportunity to say, well,

[3:16:09] there were gaps We weren't able

[3:16:09] to follow them completely.

[3:16:10] So we're going to need to put

[3:16:11] this all over the place So you

[3:16:12] guys better buckle up because

[3:16:15] things are going to get real

[3:16:15] really quick And it's great to

[3:16:16] see people coming in and

[3:16:21] filling the house like this

[3:16:21] because eventually the people

[3:16:22] are going to do it cause you're

[3:16:23] going to start to see that

[3:16:23] they're not good stewards of

[3:16:27] our money and that they're

[3:16:27] trying to put us in a digital

[3:16:28] prison.

[3:16:28] >> Time has concluded.

[3:16:32] Stella Kissinger.

[3:16:33] >> Hi.

[3:16:33] I just graduated from the San

[3:16:34] Diego School of Creative and

[3:16:38] Performing Arts.

[3:16:39] That school gets funding from

[3:16:39] the Apple Foundation which is

[3:16:40] being cut.

[3:16:46] I would not be here today in a

[3:16:47] very real sense without these

[3:16:47] programs.

[3:16:48] I am a member of the Playhouse

[3:16:48] Teen Council.

[3:16:51] I was recently possibly suny

[3:16:51] ambassador.

[3:16:52] I did internships with the Old

[3:16:52] Globe.

[3:16:56] I am so linked with theater in

[3:16:57] San Diego and I would not be

[3:16:57] here today without them.

[3:16:58] You guys talked earlier about

[3:17:03] tradeoffs about what you needed

[3:17:04] to get rid of so that you could

[3:17:05] balance the budget.

[3:17:05] I am here asking you today

[3:17:09] would you trade my life that I

[3:17:09] would have given up without

[3:17:10] these programs so that you can

[3:17:11] balance your budget.

[3:17:15] I want you to answer that

[3:17:16] question.

[3:17:16] It is absolutely I am not

[3:17:21] the daughter of a librarian.

[3:17:22] It is absolutely irredeemable

[3:17:22] that you would cut these

[3:17:23] programs that people rely on

[3:17:27] that kids rely on.

[3:17:28] It is insane to me that I have

[3:17:29] to stand here today and tell

[3:17:31] you that art saves lives, that

[3:17:39] libraries saved lives.

[3:17:39] >> Kathryn Kathryn Pollitt

[3:17:40] please come forward to the.

[3:17:43] Katherine Paula.

[3:17:44] Noah Gold.

[3:17:44] Dino Starbuck Smith Rebecca

[3:17:49] Noland.

[3:17:50] Josh Clark.

[3:17:50] Mike Miller.

[3:17:57] Kenny Critic.

[3:17:57] >> Sorry.

[3:17:58] Let's go back a couple names.

[3:17:58] I'm Josh Clark.

[3:17:59] So please proceed.

[3:18:02] MR. Kelley resident who

[3:18:03] represented that district on

[3:18:03] the city's bicycle advisory

[3:18:07] committee from 2014 to 2018

[3:18:08] where we worked with

[3:18:09] the multimodal team as they

[3:18:09] implemented the first protected

[3:18:10] bikeways in the city they've

[3:18:13] installed many more since all

[3:18:14] extremely quickly, cheaply and

[3:18:14] efficiently during repaving

[3:18:15] projects citywide from Park

[3:18:20] Village Drive and Peak to Del

[3:18:20] Sol Boulevard In total nester

[3:18:21] that infrastructure has

[3:18:22] increased ridership and saved

[3:18:22] lives.

[3:18:25] There are more than 300 are

[3:18:26] more than 600 miles of planned

[3:18:27] bikeways in the city.

[3:18:27] These are currently substandard

[3:18:30] on dangerous streets used daily

[3:18:31] by our kids and parents and

[3:18:32] neighbors people who are

[3:18:32] choosing to ride in people who

[3:18:33] don't have another choice.

[3:18:37] I'm asking you all to

[3:18:37] prioritize retaining

[3:18:38] the multi-modal team which is

[3:18:39] $3 million in the f y 27 budget

[3:18:42] so that they MAY continue their

[3:18:43] expert redesigns of our

[3:18:43] roadways making them safer for

[3:18:44] all roadway users.

[3:18:48] We have a climate action plan

[3:18:48] target of 6% for all residents

[3:18:49] first by bike by 2030.

[3:18:49] Portland is the only major

[3:18:54] metro who has achieved that and

[3:18:55] they did it with a multimodal

[3:18:55] team.

[3:18:56] If we find Ares two we can beat

[3:18:57] that target with high gas

[3:19:01] prices e-bikes more protected

[3:19:01] bikeways and four days of

[3:19:02] sunshine.

[3:19:06] Please note that contrary to

[3:19:07] Catherine last call for

[3:19:11] Catherine Paul it no a goal

[3:19:11] Let's go for another goal.

[3:19:17] Do you know Starbucks last

[3:19:17] call.

[3:19:18] Rebecca Nolan.

[3:19:19] Rebecca Nolan Last Call Mike

[3:19:27] Miller please come forward.

[3:19:28] >> Let's talk numbers in order

[3:19:28] to restore the arts grants.

[3:19:34] The Office of Child and Youth

[3:19:35] Success and Libraries not just

[3:19:35] their hours but their services

[3:19:40] and programs as well that would

[3:19:41] cost the same amount of money

[3:19:41] that the police budget is

[3:19:46] increasing this year.

[3:19:47] Restoring rec center hours

[3:19:47] would cost the same amount of

[3:19:51] money as the floor contract.

[3:19:52] >> The thing with the police

[3:19:53] budget is that as it has

[3:19:58] increased year over year

[3:19:59] the crime clearance rate has

[3:19:59] decreased.

[3:20:03] At the same time unlawful use

[3:20:04] of force arrests and

[3:20:05] discrimination has increased.

[3:20:10] Those are numbers from their

[3:20:11] glorious own budget document.

[3:20:11] So don't tell me that this has

[3:20:15] anything to do with community

[3:20:16] safety.

[3:20:16] And if you don't believe me,

[3:20:17] believe the police officer

[3:20:22] union PRESIDENT Who called this

[3:20:22] budget prioritizing politics

[3:20:23] over public safety and an

[3:20:24] unacceptable way to run a

[3:20:24] police department.

[3:20:28] Thank you, Kenney.

[3:20:34] >> Please come forward.

[3:20:34] >> Hello everyone.

[3:20:38] My name is Kenney Quidditch

[3:20:39] resident in District three.

[3:20:40] Council Members You must take

[3:20:40] this opportunity to cancel

[3:20:45] the city's contract with Floc.

[3:20:45] The system is costly,

[3:20:46] ineffective and a threat to

[3:20:47] vulnerable communities And

[3:20:51] frankly everyone we've seen

[3:20:52] reports of these systems being

[3:20:52] abused by police data, leaked

[3:20:57] data shared intentionally with

[3:20:58] federal agencies unlawfully And

[3:21:03] now the fbi in a recent story

[3:21:04] wants full access to 80 hours

[3:21:05] across the entire country.

[3:21:05] This level of surveillance is

[3:21:10] outrageous and would make

[3:21:10] George Orwell blush.

[3:21:14] And by canceling this you get

[3:21:15] $2 million in the budget to

[3:21:16] allocate towards more worthy

[3:21:16] causes.

[3:21:20] Please join at least 68 other

[3:21:20] cities as well as your

[3:21:21] constituents in rejecting Floc

[3:21:26] and hope our residents deserve

[3:21:26] to be supported not surveilled.

[3:21:32] >> Thank you.

[3:21:33] Miller Ellison Miller please

[3:21:33] come forward.

[3:21:34] The microphone after that will

[3:21:37] be my at Mya Stone in Phenix

[3:21:43] Wing David Pearce.

[3:21:44] >> Colleen Kimsey Andrea Lopez

[3:21:49] Rivera.

[3:21:49] >> Please proceed.

[3:21:50] Good evening.

[3:21:50] I'm a resident of District

[3:21:51] three and I'm here to speak in

[3:21:55] opposition to the proposed

[3:21:56] budget revisions which are

[3:21:57] insufficient for the needs of

[3:21:57] our city.

[3:21:58] The proposed budget includes a

[3:22:02] multi million dollar contract.

[3:22:03] I work in a local emergency

[3:22:03] department and I see repeatedly

[3:22:04] firsthand how quickly excessive

[3:22:05] surveillance and police

[3:22:07] presence can escalate a

[3:22:08] situation and lead to a

[3:22:08] horrible violence.

[3:22:09] This over surveillance and

[3:22:13] violence disproportionately

[3:22:14] affects the most vulnerable can

[3:22:15] be against which includes

[3:22:16] racial minorities, folks and

[3:22:16] homeless folks.

[3:22:20] Furthermore, insufficient

[3:22:20] evidence exists that mass

[3:22:21] surveillance systems like pork

[3:22:22] improve the safety of

[3:22:25] communities that employ them.

[3:22:26] With the police reporting a

[3:22:27] less than 0.2% success rate

[3:22:27] according to the Privacy

[3:22:28] Advisory Board.

[3:22:31] By contrast, evidence based

[3:22:32] practices to improve public

[3:22:32] safety include a robust network

[3:22:38] of community support resources

[3:22:38] including fully funded

[3:22:39] libraries, rec centers and

[3:22:40] homeless services In addition

[3:22:40] to the arts and cultural

[3:22:46] institutions like the San 15

[3:22:46] Pride that kept San Diego to

[3:22:47] character.

[3:22:47] If the Council is serious about

[3:22:49] closing the budget deficit

[3:22:50] disingenuous and unethical to

[3:22:50] commit to the contract and

[3:22:51] increase police budget while

[3:22:52] simultaneously cutting the art

[3:22:56] and other.

[3:22:56] >> Thank you for that

[3:22:57] concluding sentence.

[3:23:03] Maya Maya So here Maya with

[3:23:03] Your Time by Kevin.

[3:23:08] Kevin Dominello Did you want to

[3:23:08] speak?

[3:23:08] Okay.

[3:23:13] Phenix win one minute of time

[3:23:19] for me.

[3:23:20] We'll go over there and get

[3:23:20] the speaker.

[3:23:21] So please proceed.

[3:23:25] I'm here again because

[3:23:26] the numbers didn't change and

[3:23:27] I'm really disappointed So I

[3:23:28] made the graph bigger for you

[3:23:31] guys.

[3:23:32] >> This revision was a complete

[3:23:32] failure.

[3:23:33] That's my first point I Three

[3:23:33] points.

[3:23:37] This vision was a complete

[3:23:37] failure.

[3:23:38] If someone stabs you and sticks

[3:23:42] a knife six inches into your

[3:23:42] chest and then pulls it halfway

[3:23:43] out, do we thank them for

[3:23:48] the progress they are making?

[3:23:49] Do we thank them for the knife

[3:23:50] heading in the right direction?

[3:23:50] No.

[3:23:54] You do not get a thank you.

[3:23:55] This was a failed revision.

[3:23:55] The knife is still in for

[3:23:59] the arts and cultures.

[3:24:00] I am sick of hearing MR. Monica

[3:24:01] and the mayor talk about how

[3:24:05] this addresses the budget

[3:24:06] deficit when it does not.

[3:24:06] I am a math tutor.

[3:24:07] Let me teach you some math.

[3:24:11] I did this to scale to

[3:24:12] the nearest one tenth of an

[3:24:13] inch for you guys based on your

[3:24:17] own numbers.

[3:24:18] I have it to scale where six

[3:24:22] inches represents $50 million

[3:24:22] and one inch is about $8

[3:24:23] million of our budget.

[3:24:28] >> Do you guys see this little

[3:24:29] 2.5mm?

[3:24:29] That is the mayor of a country

[3:24:33] that has 2.5mm.

[3:24:34] Arts and culture is before

[3:24:39] the cuts is one inch one and

[3:24:39] two thirds of an inch.

[3:24:45] After the cuts it is less than

[3:24:45] a quarter of an inch.

[3:24:46] Less than a quarter of an inch.

[3:24:47] I had to measure that out with

[3:24:50] a special type of ruler.

[3:24:51] >> What's the police budget, I

[3:24:51] wonder?

[3:24:57] Here's this for the cameras.

[3:25:02] You guys you guys been there?

[3:25:03] >> The police budget to scale

[3:25:07] is seven foot one inch and you

[3:25:12] will increase it to seven foot

[3:25:13] three inches.

[3:25:13] Tom Gloria, would you like to

[3:25:14] do the favor of cutting off

[3:25:19] what's left of the arts and

[3:25:19] culture program so you can tape

[3:25:20] it to the end of the police

[3:25:21] budget and tell us how you're

[3:25:24] solving the deficit.

[3:25:30] Your time has concluded.

[3:25:31] >> You've been doing really

[3:25:31] good.

[3:25:31] Let's keep it up.

[3:25:32] We got we still got how much

[3:25:32] more?

[3:25:35] Look, we have about an hour.

[3:25:35] Another hour.

[3:25:36] Let's get through it.

[3:25:41] David Pierce.

[3:25:42] David Pierce, are you here?

[3:25:47] Colin Kimsey.

[3:25:47] Wow.

[3:25:50] Doesn't real art just make you

[3:25:51] feel alive?

[3:25:57] >> That was fantastic.

[3:25:58] If they're cutting the things

[3:26:03] that prevent crime and things

[3:26:04] are getting more expensive what

[3:26:04] They're investing in

[3:26:10] surveillance cameras and cops.

[3:26:11] It sounds like you guys just

[3:26:11] want to lock us up.

[3:26:15] Is that the plan?

[3:26:16] Because I think that's the plan

[3:26:17] coming from Washington And

[3:26:17] maybe you guys are just going

[3:26:21] with the path of least

[3:26:22] resistance.

[3:26:23] But that's what's been taking

[3:26:23] us to fascism.

[3:26:28] Now each of us gets one minute

[3:26:29] to speak and we've been very

[3:26:29] conscious of this time but I

[3:26:33] think time is running out for

[3:26:34] this system that proposes

[3:26:40] cameras and police as our

[3:26:40] solutions.

[3:26:41] It gives us the ability to

[3:26:42] imagine otherwise.

[3:26:46] But the system I think time is

[3:26:50] about to run out.

[3:26:57] Andrea Lopez We it.

[3:26:57] Good evening.

[3:26:58] My name is Andrea.

[3:27:03] I'm hungry.

[3:27:04] I'm pregnant and I'm past my

[3:27:04] bedtime to strongly oppose

[3:27:05] the cut into arts and culture.

[3:27:09] The production and staff two

[3:27:10] libraries around the county and

[3:27:11] the reduction of funding to

[3:27:13] parks from the fiscal year 27

[3:27:13] budget.

[3:27:14] This budget is so egregious you

[3:27:15] all have succeeded in having

[3:27:19] hundreds of working people

[3:27:20] sacrifice their work that

[3:27:20] evening to sit here and say

[3:27:21] what should be obvious to you

[3:27:21] all.

[3:27:26] A reduction to arts culture,

[3:27:26] libraries and parks will not

[3:27:27] only affect the lives of San

[3:27:28] Diegans today but reverberate

[3:27:28] into the future.

[3:27:31] You are setting the precedent

[3:27:31] that this city can function

[3:27:32] without funding to the parts of

[3:27:33] our community that are

[3:27:37] explicitly dedicated to making

[3:27:38] us human.

[3:27:38] You must fully restore funding

[3:27:39] to arts and culture.

[3:27:40] As a writer and artist.

[3:27:43] The last few years have been

[3:27:44] devastating.

[3:27:44] Again and again private sector

[3:27:45] tech companies have pushed to

[3:27:46] remove people from

[3:27:50] the humanities offloading

[3:27:51] the labor of creating art to

[3:27:51] generative ai technologies.

[3:27:56] But a city what is pretty fun

[3:27:57] highlights what they believe

[3:27:57] matters.

[3:27:58] And this budget has spat in

[3:27:58] the face of what the people of

[3:27:59] San Diego needs.

[3:28:02] We need to tax the extreme

[3:28:03] wealth in the city and

[3:28:04] demonstrate that the people who

[3:28:04] matter are the ones who become

[3:28:05] the ones thinking.

[3:28:07] >> Rafael Rafael.

[3:28:14] And then if Roger Rouse could

[3:28:14] please come forward to speak to

[3:28:15] my staff.

[3:28:15] Roger Ralphs if you're still

[3:28:19] here please come forward to

[3:28:19] the.

[3:28:20] Then please proceed.

[3:28:20] I stand in solidarity with

[3:28:26] the artists and creators of our

[3:28:26] community.

[3:28:27] I love living here but the city

[3:28:28] representatives continue to

[3:28:28] push for surveillance cameras

[3:28:29] on every corner.

[3:28:31] Reduce library hours and

[3:28:32] gallery jobs and services

[3:28:33] Continue to increase

[3:28:33] the funding of their police

[3:28:37] department and completely cut

[3:28:38] off funding for its arts and

[3:28:38] culture.

[3:28:39] Those representatives are

[3:28:40] telling the community that they

[3:28:40] don't matter.

[3:28:44] I just want to make sure to

[3:28:45] remind the members, the members

[3:28:46] of the council and the mayor

[3:28:49] that without us the people

[3:28:49] think it's Sabrina Anderson If

[3:28:50] you can please come up to

[3:28:56] the microphone after Sabrina we

[3:28:57] have let this total garbage in.

[3:29:01] Kendra Jones Laura Fleming

[3:29:02] Fleming at Jim Whalen and Seth

[3:29:08] Hall If you can all please come

[3:29:08] forward to the yellow reserved

[3:29:09] seats.

[3:29:09] Sabrina, if you're here please

[3:29:13] come up to the microphone.

[3:29:18] No Sabrina with the microphone

[3:29:18] .

[3:29:19] >> Sabrina Anderson Let these

[3:29:23] other up please Come up to

[3:29:29] the microphone.

[3:29:30] >> Good evening, City Council

[3:29:35] and Mayor Gloria.

[3:29:36] Before coming here tonight I

[3:29:36] ask GOD to give me the strength

[3:29:41] to bear the sorrows of what has

[3:29:42] become of San Diego under this

[3:29:42] administration.

[3:29:43] My name is Lily Soto.

[3:29:46] I'm the ceo of Brooklyn Dogs

[3:29:47] And I come upon you humble and

[3:29:52] full of faith of a Christian

[3:29:53] soul looking for your mercy in

[3:29:54] a desperate situation.

[3:29:54] So please do not forsaken me.

[3:29:58] I implore you City Council

[3:29:59] please to enforce the ordinance

[3:30:05] you pass to stop illegal street

[3:30:05] vending.

[3:30:06] Downtown has always been a

[3:30:10] dangerous playground but it has

[3:30:10] gotten worse.

[3:30:11] But because of mishandled money

[3:30:12] the budget shortfall again and

[3:30:17] again all the departments are

[3:30:17] suffering And this disturbs my

[3:30:18] soul.

[3:30:23] Budget cuts mean department

[3:30:24] cuts means police cuts means no

[3:30:24] enforcement to us Again and

[3:30:29] again the public is in danger.

[3:30:30] Please if you think about it

[3:30:36] and you get the legal vendors

[3:30:36] to pay fines and fees.

[3:30:37] Thank you.

[3:30:37] The city won't be tremendous

[3:30:39] but I do want to move.

[3:30:40] Thank you.

[3:30:46] Gabby Chen Good evening.

[3:30:52] My name is Gabby Chen and I'm a

[3:30:53] resident of District three.

[3:30:54] I moved here to San Diego to

[3:30:54] pursue a career in the arts.

[3:30:55] I've been fortunate enough to

[3:30:59] work with many locals and a

[3:31:00] theater group such as Trinity

[3:31:00] Theater Company Diversionary

[3:31:01] Theater at my house.

[3:31:04] I also work as an educator at

[3:31:05] the Fleet Center whose youth

[3:31:05] education programs are now in

[3:31:06] danger.

[3:31:10] Many of our workshops take

[3:31:11] place in libraries because

[3:31:12] the libraries are not open.

[3:31:12] We cannot do our jobs if we

[3:31:13] don't have free museum days.

[3:31:14] We will lose attendance from

[3:31:16] lower income families who are

[3:31:17] robbing your constituents and

[3:31:17] citizens of vital educational

[3:31:18] opportunities.

[3:31:24] More pressing than a threat to

[3:31:25] the livelihoods of artists

[3:31:25] artisan educators is the threat

[3:31:26] facing city youth.

[3:31:27] So this budget be adopted?

[3:31:28] Arts and culture funding is

[3:31:28] essential.

[3:31:29] It not only enriches citizen

[3:31:29] but provides community

[3:31:30] belonging and education to many

[3:31:34] traditionally underserved

[3:31:34] communities is abhorrent.

[3:31:35] The 2 million millions of

[3:31:36] dollars that could go to arts

[3:31:40] and culture funding is proposed

[3:31:41] to go to a city surveillance

[3:31:42] that will ultimately be used to

[3:31:42] harm them.

[3:31:46] This money that could be used

[3:31:46] to improve our community is

[3:31:47] being put towards floor cameras

[3:31:48] and blowing police budget would

[3:31:48] be a grave mistake.

[3:31:52] I urge the city you've got to

[3:31:52] make it.

[3:31:53] >> Thank you for that

[3:31:54] concluding comment.

[3:31:56] Kendra Jones.

[3:31:57] >> Good evening.

[3:31:58] My name is Kendra Jones.

[3:32:03] i'm here to ask you to fully

[3:32:04] restore our city library

[3:32:04] budget.

[3:32:05] My wife and I have lived and

[3:32:07] voted in District five for

[3:32:08] almost 30 years and have been

[3:32:09] avid users of the San Diego

[3:32:09] City Library System over this

[3:32:10] time.

[3:32:13] We visit our local branch

[3:32:13] weekly.

[3:32:14] We access materials both

[3:32:15] digital and print that we check

[3:32:19] out on a daily basis.

[3:32:20] As a retired public school

[3:32:21] teacher and a parent I have

[3:32:21] personally seen the positive

[3:32:22] effects of kids and families

[3:32:26] that utilize our public

[3:32:26] libraries.

[3:32:27] In addition to checking out

[3:32:27] books, our libraries offer

[3:32:28] young people the chance to

[3:32:31] socialize with others in a safe

[3:32:32] and welcoming environment.

[3:32:32] Learn to love books and

[3:32:33] stories, receive tutoring and

[3:32:34] homework help and through

[3:32:34] programs like the Summer

[3:32:36] Reading program.

[3:32:37] Kids are motivated to become

[3:32:38] educated lifelong learners who

[3:32:39] are productive citizens of our

[3:32:43] community.

[3:32:43] Adults in our community are

[3:32:44] bolstered by our libraries too.

[3:32:48] We have personally we have

[3:32:48] visited over 20 of their 37

[3:32:49] branch libraries and we've seen

[3:32:50] firsthand the very programs and

[3:32:53] spaces that our library staff

[3:32:54] have curated.

[3:32:55] Keeping all of them open as

[3:32:55] many hours as possible allow

[3:33:01] diverse groups and individuals

[3:33:02] to actually use the community

[3:33:02] gathering meeting spaces that

[3:33:08] our city built concluded Laura

[3:33:08] .

[3:33:09] Good evening.

[3:33:09] My name is Laura Clevenger and

[3:33:10] I'm a native San Diego and who

[3:33:15] has lived here my entire life.

[3:33:16] First I'd like to thank MR.

[3:33:16] Woodburn for being one of

[3:33:17] the three who listened to these

[3:33:21] constituents and voted against

[3:33:21] the parking fees of Apollo

[3:33:22] Park.

[3:33:22] I spent a lot of time there and

[3:33:23] took advantage of the free

[3:33:27] museums at the Free Tuesdays At

[3:33:27] the museums.

[3:33:28] I'm afraid that your budget

[3:33:28] cuts will impact

[3:33:29] the accessibility of these

[3:33:33] resources for my three and a

[3:33:33] half year old child to learn

[3:33:34] from.

[3:33:34] I brought my mom here with me

[3:33:39] tonight and my son because my

[3:33:39] husband is a union stagehand at

[3:33:44] work and I'm also speaking on

[3:33:45] his behalf since now he's off

[3:33:46] work at home with my son.

[3:33:46] So I know if you saw me earlier

[3:33:51] I have my son as a long time

[3:33:52] member of the House of Ukraine

[3:33:52] as part of the House of

[3:33:53] specific relations.

[3:33:54] I worry that your budget cuts

[3:33:56] will affect how the cottagers

[3:33:57] will be able to provide their

[3:33:58] cultural services to the public

[3:33:58] at a time when there's great

[3:33:59] strife in the world.

[3:34:02] As some of you have witnessed

[3:34:03] firsthand, the House specific

[3:34:03] relations provides free

[3:34:04] educational opportunities for

[3:34:07] the general public and a sense

[3:34:08] of community for its various

[3:34:08] member countries.

[3:34:09] >> Thank you.

[3:34:14] Jim Whalen Jim Whalen are you

[3:34:15] here?

[3:34:19] Said Hall.

[3:34:20] Thank you.

[3:34:25] Council Seth Hall with

[3:34:26] the Trust City Coalition.

[3:34:27] Tonight I've heard several

[3:34:32] ideas that are good for

[3:34:32] redirecting funding back to osu

[3:34:33] to arts and culture and other

[3:34:37] community needs.

[3:34:38] First for an example

[3:34:38] the millions of increase to

[3:34:39] the police budget should

[3:34:44] absolutely be redirected to

[3:34:44] these community needs.

[3:34:45] The police department should

[3:34:45] contribute to the public safety

[3:34:49] needs of our city.

[3:34:50] Money that funds the mayor's

[3:34:51] communication staff a team that

[3:34:56] does not serve the public and

[3:34:56] which this Council has already

[3:34:57] agreed should have its funding

[3:35:02] cut could provide millions to

[3:35:03] the needs of the community.

[3:35:03] And finally lastly, cutting

[3:35:07] funding for ineffective luxury

[3:35:08] mass surveillance would send

[3:35:09] millions back to the budget.

[3:35:14] It would protect the budget

[3:35:14] from even more surveillance

[3:35:15] that they want to buy but that

[3:35:19] they are not telling you about

[3:35:20] .

[3:35:20] It is the people of San Diego

[3:35:21] that make us great.

[3:35:21] We will be great.

[3:35:25] We were great before mass

[3:35:26] surveillance.

[3:35:26] >> We will be great after you.

[3:35:27] Thank you for that compelling

[3:35:27] comment.

[3:35:32] Lily Irani will your audience

[3:35:32] please come forward?

[3:35:38] Vincent style up please come

[3:35:38] forward to the other reserve

[3:35:38] seats.

[3:35:39] Andy Lopez Please come forward.

[3:35:43] DR. Jason Breslau Ski Thank you

[3:35:44] for the comment.

[3:35:49] The note Apollo Aquino and

[3:35:50] Tammy Williams as well as

[3:35:50] Anthony Ramos.

[3:35:55] If you can all please come

[3:35:56] forward to the yellow reserved

[3:35:57] seats will you have time ceded

[3:36:02] to you by Tamar Becker of Orono

[3:36:02] And are you guys going to

[3:36:03] manage your time?

[3:36:03] Please proceed.

[3:36:04] All right.

[3:36:04] Hi.

[3:36:06] I'm a district district three

[3:36:07] Muslim and a professor at ucsd.

[3:36:08] Our community faced immense

[3:36:13] tragedy this last week Two

[3:36:14] shooters who found belonging in

[3:36:17] white supremacist forums

[3:36:18] murdered three pillars of

[3:36:18] the community brothers Amien

[3:36:19] Mansour another.

[3:36:24] I call on the city to find

[3:36:24] spaces of belonging like we've

[3:36:25] been hearing about here at

[3:36:26] diversions from those spaces of

[3:36:29] hate.

[3:36:30] Npr not only failed but made

[3:36:31] things worse when the parent

[3:36:35] warned that their Islamophobic

[3:36:36] anti-Semitic child is on

[3:36:37] the run with guns, the police

[3:36:37] used high tech toys to quote

[3:36:41] chase the bad guys.

[3:36:42] This is a Hollywood fantasy of

[3:36:43] chase apprehension and saving

[3:36:43] the day.

[3:36:47] But the police arrived too late

[3:36:48] at every turn.

[3:36:48] Rather than chasing a license

[3:36:49] plate, the police could have

[3:36:53] been calling each community

[3:36:54] center to warn them of

[3:36:55] heightened threat.

[3:36:55] Gates could have been shot.

[3:36:56] Pd could have sent protective

[3:36:56] patrols.

[3:37:00] Instead they gave chase with

[3:37:00] npr and neglected the real

[3:37:01] source of safety relationships

[3:37:06] rapid response information and

[3:37:07] community controlled

[3:37:07] protection.

[3:37:08] The police will always be late

[3:37:08] compared to communities

[3:37:09] themselves.

[3:37:13] i didn't overcome the laws of

[3:37:14] physics pull for funding fund

[3:37:14] prevention, no police injuries

[3:37:17] and gross fines to stop

[3:37:18] Islamophobia, actual

[3:37:19] antisemitism and hate wherever

[3:37:19] it comes.

[3:37:25] >> My name is Tamar Becca

[3:37:25] Varon, a resident of District

[3:37:26] six and lead organizer of

[3:37:29] Change begins with me and also

[3:37:30] a member of the Trust

[3:37:30] Coalition.

[3:37:31] I wanted to make sure that

[3:37:31] Leslie had enough time to speak

[3:37:35] tonight.

[3:37:36] I echo the critical point that

[3:37:37] she made the tragic real time

[3:37:37] demonstration that technology

[3:37:42] was overriding human safety

[3:37:42] last week.

[3:37:43] The communities across

[3:37:43] the country are realizing

[3:37:47] the fact that surveillance

[3:37:48] technology does not prevent

[3:37:48] crises.

[3:37:49] It misdirects funding.

[3:37:54] And right now we're seeking

[3:37:54] funding wherever we can find

[3:37:55] it.

[3:37:55] And floc contracts require

[3:38:00] extensive expensive recurring

[3:38:01] drains on our municipal funds.

[3:38:01] By canceling these contracts we

[3:38:07] can redirect them to address

[3:38:08] the real needs of our community

[3:38:09] including Statement of intent.

[3:38:19] >> Stock up the remaining city

[3:38:19] officials and the mayor.

[3:38:20] My name is Vincent Stark.

[3:38:23] I'm a native San Diego and

[3:38:24] current resident in District

[3:38:25] nine and I grew up in District

[3:38:25] three In District four I

[3:38:29] graduated from San Diego City

[3:38:30] College at San Diego State

[3:38:30] University where I'm a current

[3:38:31] graduate student and I'm here

[3:38:35] to speak on the inaccessibility

[3:38:36] of public restrooms in the city

[3:38:36] of San Diego.

[3:38:40] And I want to specifically

[3:38:41] speak on District three.

[3:38:42] I don't know if you walked

[3:38:48] around downtown.

[3:38:49] I believe it must be a restroom

[3:38:49] every five minutes but

[3:38:50] especially in the East Village

[3:38:50] area is definitely not

[3:38:51] happening And we're talking

[3:38:53] about cutting funding from

[3:38:59] the no good day center and then

[3:39:00] there's just no bathrooms out

[3:39:00] there.

[3:39:01] So I mean unless you want more

[3:39:05] outbreaks, more people dying, I

[3:39:06] suggest you do something.

[3:39:06] There's been decades and

[3:39:07] decades of reports, grand jury

[3:39:11] reports In some ways this is a

[3:39:11] persistent problem.

[3:39:12] >> Please do something about it

[3:39:13] before more people die.

[3:39:13] Thank you.

[3:39:19] Andy Lopez Good evening.

[3:39:20] My name is Andy Hotel Lopez and

[3:39:25] I'm part of Sanitation Justice.

[3:39:26] I'm a research student and San

[3:39:27] Diego State University.

[3:39:31] I come to data actually to not

[3:39:32] cut the budget for the bathroom

[3:39:33] the libraries because those are

[3:39:37] where the public bathrooms are.

[3:39:38] So you're closing public

[3:39:39] bathroom for you also cutting

[3:39:39] the access that they already

[3:39:42] have.

[3:39:43] I also want to let you know

[3:39:47] that it's not a luxury to have

[3:39:48] these places but something

[3:39:54] necessary.

[3:39:55] >> I also the research that we

[3:39:55] have done we see that

[3:40:01] the bathroom gets closer to 3

[3:40:02] to 5:00 one day around

[3:40:02] the school so that access is

[3:40:06] already being cut for these

[3:40:07] students.

[3:40:07] But most of all what I want to

[3:40:08] bring to your attention is that

[3:40:12] these kids are going to go into

[3:40:13] places I was a victim of things

[3:40:13] getting cut in New York City

[3:40:18] when I was growing up and we

[3:40:19] found ways to get in trouble

[3:40:19] because we didn't have no other

[3:40:20] places to go.

[3:40:20] So this is what you want to

[3:40:24] create for San Diego, the city

[3:40:25] that saved me.

[3:40:26] >> Thank you for that

[3:40:26] concluding comment.

[3:40:30] DR. Jason was last in.

[3:40:31] >> Hi, my name is Jason.

[3:40:31] I'm a resident of d-3.

[3:40:36] I'm here to urge you to please

[3:40:37] keep the multi-modal traffic

[3:40:37] safety team funded at least

[3:40:42] partially.

[3:40:42] This wouldn't take money from

[3:40:43] other services because

[3:40:44] the Transportation Department

[3:40:44] is already funded in this

[3:40:44] budget.

[3:40:47] This is just about priorities

[3:40:48] within transportation.

[3:40:48] I was here when the council

[3:40:53] declared safety as

[3:40:54] transportation's highest

[3:40:54] priority.

[3:40:58] The traffic safety team is only

[3:40:59] 2% of the transportation

[3:40:59] budget.

[3:41:00] If safety is truly the highest

[3:41:02] priority I think we can

[3:41:03] dedicate 2% of

[3:41:03] the transportation budget to

[3:41:04] safety even if that means

[3:41:09] slightly fewer potholes filled

[3:41:09] or less graffiti removed two

[3:41:10] months ago We also had a

[3:41:11] presentation here in chambers

[3:41:15] about children and e-bike

[3:41:15] safety.

[3:41:16] Without a multimodal team there

[3:41:17] will be no safe place for kids

[3:41:21] to ride e-bikes.

[3:41:22] The Bicycle master plan won't

[3:41:22] get implemented and kids on

[3:41:26] bikes will be stuck either on

[3:41:27] the road in front of high speed

[3:41:28] cars or on the sidewalks with

[3:41:28] pedestrians.

[3:41:33] Neither is acceptable.

[3:41:34] >> So please find

[3:41:35] the multi-modal team.

[3:41:35] Thank you.

[3:41:38] Apollo Arena Apollo.

[3:41:39] Tammy Williams.

[3:41:45] Tammy Williams.

[3:41:45] Thank you.

[3:41:46] All.

[3:41:52] Let's all take a breath.

[3:41:52] I understand it's late.

[3:41:53] I am time williams And after

[3:41:54] your 1931 intern and

[3:41:58] undergraduate I my official

[3:41:58] position as chief of Advocacy

[3:41:59] League professionals.

[3:42:00] I'm asking you guys to maintain

[3:42:03] funding as any arts and culture

[3:42:04] instead of block and urge you

[3:42:04] to pursue.

[3:42:05] Urge you to pass on the funding

[3:42:06] of looking to an independent

[3:42:09] audit is being done on

[3:42:10] the private company as we

[3:42:10] suggested two years ago

[3:42:11] concerning the terror attack

[3:42:15] that occurred last week, I do

[3:42:16] not believe luck would have

[3:42:17] prevented that change that it's

[3:42:17] events like DECEMBER night

[3:42:22] programs like ozone wise these

[3:42:23] meetings here that let us know

[3:42:23] that that we can maintain that

[3:42:27] we can foster community and

[3:42:28] unity but the community should

[3:42:28] not be up for discussion in San

[3:42:29] Diego, not now and not ever.

[3:42:32] We can be an example for United

[3:42:33] States or we can be an example.

[3:42:38] Thank you Anthony Ross Anthony

[3:42:39] We also you hear people it's

[3:42:40] see the time to him if they

[3:42:45] would like to speak Gwendolyn

[3:42:46] Garcia or Roger Ross join

[3:42:46] tonight if you can please come

[3:42:50] forward After Joy we have Karen

[3:43:01] Alleluia Evan Burke Box Jillian

[3:43:08] Quint Nicholas Landler Lungi

[3:43:09] Casey o'Leary Montezuma and

[3:43:15] Mary Soriano If you can all

[3:43:16] please come up to the yellow

[3:43:20] reserved seats Please proceed.

[3:43:24] This is my second reading.

[3:43:25] I am inspired by these words of

[3:43:30] PRESIDENT John f Kennedy Ask

[3:43:31] not what your country can do

[3:43:36] for you as what you can do for

[3:43:37] your country And of course all

[3:43:43] of you are at the very top of

[3:43:43] our city's organization chart

[3:43:48] Our city has a structural

[3:43:49] budget deficit.

[3:43:54] Here are my inspired words to

[3:43:55] all of you Ask not what your

[3:44:00] city can do for you.

[3:44:01] Ask what you can do for your

[3:44:06] city That's the end of my

[3:44:07] second reading.

[3:44:08] Yeah I support this budget.

[3:44:12] I support this budget because

[3:44:13] of the participation of all of

[3:44:18] you and all of you.

[3:44:19] >> That is why I'm here.

[3:44:20] Thank you and love you all.

[3:44:30] Thank you, Karen My name is

[3:44:36] Karen Olivia.

[3:44:37] I'm an illustrator from

[3:44:38] District seven who grew up in

[3:44:38] District four.

[3:44:39] The very possibility of this

[3:44:42] drastic cut told me that you

[3:44:43] don't see us but you don't

[3:44:44] understand who artists are and

[3:44:44] what we do.

[3:44:48] But we are economic drivers.

[3:44:49] We encourage spending, draw

[3:44:49] audiences from all over

[3:44:54] the world and create jobs.

[3:44:55] If you go through with this cut

[3:44:56] you irreversibly damage our

[3:44:56] entire creative ecosystem and

[3:45:00] not just nonprofits but

[3:45:01] individual artists like me, my

[3:45:02] accessible art community, small

[3:45:03] business and more because all

[3:45:07] of us are connected.

[3:45:07] Invest in us though and we will

[3:45:08] always give back Also artists

[3:45:13] also teach people how to think

[3:45:14] critically empathize with other

[3:45:15] than imagine better systems and

[3:45:18] then air join future in a

[3:45:19] divided political climate we

[3:45:20] need these human skills

[3:45:20] artistry investments for

[3:45:25] the future Listening to all

[3:45:25] your people speak what more do

[3:45:26] you need to hear?

[3:45:26] We're tired of being treated

[3:45:27] like an afterthought and having

[3:45:31] to fight for our sustainability

[3:45:32] year after year despite how

[3:45:32] much we contribute to the good

[3:45:33] health of our city.

[3:45:36] Please show us that you stand

[3:45:37] for our story and for funding.

[3:45:38] >> Thank you for concluding

[3:45:42] Sentence Evan Berg.

[3:45:43] Hi my name is Evan Burke.

[3:45:46] I am in District three.

[3:45:47] Despite having two hours

[3:45:48] advance notice and a

[3:45:48] multi-million dollar flock

[3:45:52] surveillance system, police

[3:45:53] completely fail to reduce

[3:45:54] casualties nine days ago.

[3:45:54] Yet the mayor chose to praise

[3:45:58] the police for bringing this

[3:45:59] threat to an end.

[3:45:59] >> To be clear, despite

[3:46:00] receiving one third of our

[3:46:04] budget look at me, Todd.

[3:46:04] >> They did not.

[3:46:05] Time after time we watch our

[3:46:06] money go towards punishment

[3:46:09] instead of prevention we suffer

[3:46:10] in a vicious cycle where police

[3:46:11] failures are always an excuse

[3:46:12] to raise their budget While

[3:46:12] the successes of our parks

[3:46:17] libraries and programs are

[3:46:17] never enough to save them.

[3:46:18] But what keep us safe are

[3:46:19] libraries where people can

[3:46:19] learn instead of be

[3:46:22] indoctrinated into neo-Nazi

[3:46:23] cults or the arts where they

[3:46:24] can learn to express emotions

[3:46:24] without violence.

[3:46:28] And yet that is what is cut in

[3:46:29] the name of austerity.

[3:46:29] Thank you.

[3:46:30] Those of you who force this

[3:46:30] Orwellian surveillance system

[3:46:34] upon us will never be able to

[3:46:35] refund our money in Some of you

[3:46:35] will not even be here.

[3:46:36] But you can restore our privacy

[3:46:40] and stop the bleed.

[3:46:41] >> Kill two birds with one

[3:46:46] stone and block box.

[3:46:46] >> Hi.

[3:46:47] Good evening, Council members

[3:46:47] and mayor.

[3:46:52] My name is Bo and I am

[3:46:53] the deputy director at the San

[3:46:54] Diego Youth Symphony.

[3:46:58] I live and work in District

[3:46:58] three.

[3:46:59] My colleagues Kate and Samir

[3:46:59] were here just weeks ago

[3:47:03] accepting a proclamation for

[3:47:04] our 80th anniversary.

[3:47:04] That longevity is only possible

[3:47:10] with sustained support from

[3:47:15] public investment.

[3:47:16] San Diego is home to many

[3:47:22] talented, dedicated, inspiring

[3:47:23] young musicians with limitless

[3:47:23] potential.

[3:47:27] Cuts to arts and culture

[3:47:28] funding will impact negatively

[3:47:33] now and for many years to come

[3:47:33] .

[3:47:34] The students in our programs

[3:47:35] are not just the city's future

[3:47:35] musicians.

[3:47:39] They will be teachers.

[3:47:40] They'll be researchers.

[3:47:40] They'll be doctors.

[3:47:41] Administrative professionals.

[3:47:45] They will be civic leaders in

[3:47:45] this very chamber.

[3:47:46] >> Arts and culture is an

[3:47:53] investment in the future of San

[3:47:54] Diego and I ask you to restore.

[3:47:54] Thank you for that concluding

[3:47:55] comment.

[3:48:01] 26 level Jillian went.

[3:48:02] >> Good evening Mayor and

[3:48:02] council.

[3:48:03] I am with the San Diego River

[3:48:03] Power Foundation.

[3:48:07] Thank you council PRESIDENT For

[3:48:08] leading discussions on the West

[3:48:08] Valley River crossing this

[3:48:09] month.

[3:48:12] Over 120 community members have

[3:48:13] submitted letters urging you to

[3:48:14] reopen the ip using developer

[3:48:18] impact fees because this

[3:48:18] project expands alternative

[3:48:22] transportation capacities

[3:48:23] across districts two, three,

[3:48:23] seven and nine.

[3:48:24] It does align with the core

[3:48:25] intent of these funds using

[3:48:28] the general fund dollars ensure

[3:48:29] we do not compete with but

[3:48:30] rather connect to libraries and

[3:48:34] parks and work centers and

[3:48:35] transit.

[3:48:35] Allocating this targeted seed

[3:48:39] money of 750,000 for the 30%

[3:48:39] design engineering study is

[3:48:40] the key needed to draw down

[3:48:41] millions in federal matching

[3:48:45] dollars and state advancing

[3:48:45] this project into design as a

[3:48:46] high leverage move the city can

[3:48:47] make this year towards reaching

[3:48:50] climate action goals and

[3:48:51] turning a safety gap into a

[3:48:52] continuous safe line for our

[3:48:52] communities.

[3:48:56] The momentum is clear and

[3:48:57] the funding exists.

[3:48:58] Please be open to the ip for

[3:49:01] the West Valley River crossing

[3:49:01] .

[3:49:07] >> Nicholas Landler.

[3:49:13] The taller one is better though

[3:49:14] because tomorrow I'm a

[3:49:15] constituent of District two.

[3:49:15] I was born and raised in

[3:49:16] Claremont.

[3:49:20] I'm San Diego forever and I'm

[3:49:21] asking why are we putting out

[3:49:21] the block?

[3:49:22] There's going to be no reason

[3:49:25] several people can go outside.

[3:49:25] The arts are getting cut.

[3:49:26] Restaurants are going away.

[3:49:31] Over half of the Russians

[3:49:31] the mission.

[3:49:32] They're going to work there.

[3:49:33] Why are we taken away?

[3:49:36] We should make the most of it.

[3:49:37] The 24 what seems to be 24 hour

[3:49:37] restroom grounds are at

[3:49:41] the bottom of the building open

[3:49:42] .

[3:49:42] Right now we have our restrooms

[3:49:46] so we get more arts and things

[3:49:46] .

[3:49:52] Andrea who?

[3:49:53] >> Good evening.

[3:49:54] Good evening, Council members.

[3:49:58] I am a artist living in

[3:49:59] District one in District six.

[3:50:00] I am standing here as a

[3:50:04] representative of more than 200

[3:50:04] artists from San Diego Museum

[3:50:09] of Art to Guild saving more

[3:50:09] than $10 million today by

[3:50:15] wiping out arts funding is

[3:50:15] choice and you cannot afford

[3:50:16] local creative creative economy

[3:50:21] generates more than 1 billion

[3:50:21] in a common economic activity

[3:50:26] every single year and brings in

[3:50:27] more than 100 million in tax

[3:50:27] revenue.

[3:50:32] This giant financial engine

[3:50:33] simply cannot be ignored.

[3:50:34] We are already facing a talent

[3:50:38] drain due to a shortage of

[3:50:38] support for our contemporary

[3:50:39] art scene and we are losing

[3:50:40] more of bright new art school

[3:50:43] graduates to Los Angeles at

[3:50:44] this moment.

[3:50:45] I witnessed this happening at

[3:50:45] South California from a

[3:50:50] trilingual collector base City

[3:50:51] grants as the essential

[3:50:51] foundation to change the state

[3:50:57] attract private financial

[3:50:58] dollars such as the 13.4

[3:50:58] million merger.

[3:50:59] Thank you for that concluding

[3:50:59] statement.

[3:51:01] Tracy o'Leary Montezuma.

[3:51:02] >> Hi I'm Casey o'Leary

[3:51:07] Moctezuma with ac Mayor Gloria

[3:51:12] Councilmembers Councilmember

[3:51:13] Moreno I have lived here in San

[3:51:16] Diego for 21 years in Council

[3:51:17] District eight in Sherman

[3:51:17] Heights.

[3:51:22] And I urge you to please vote

[3:51:23] against San Diego budget that

[3:51:23] would defend the arts.

[3:51:27] The arts are critical to all

[3:51:28] citizens and the wonderful

[3:51:29] mosaic that makes San Diego a

[3:51:32] destination city whether it's

[3:51:33] the symphony, the Balboa

[3:51:33] Digital cinema.

[3:51:38] These all count.

[3:51:39] I'm a citizen of Sherman

[3:51:40] Heights that does not walk so

[3:51:40] does not walk.

[3:51:44] I do not drive.

[3:51:45] So I appreciate the walkability

[3:51:45] of the city And I remember

[3:51:49] growing up in the Bay Area and

[3:51:50] how the introduction of

[3:51:51] the arts shaped who I am as an

[3:51:55] individual.

[3:51:56] By defunding the arts you're

[3:51:56] creating a ghost city And this

[3:52:00] also affects different areas of

[3:52:06] the city such as hospitality.

[3:52:06] >> Thank you for your Thank you

[3:52:07] Mary Serrano After Mary we have

[3:52:12] Cody Ingram Please come out to

[3:52:12] the Ella Reserve seats Nicole

[3:52:17] Burgess, Megan Ibarra, Ray

[3:52:18] Carmel Martin and Alice

[3:52:18] Bergman.

[3:52:22] Please proceed with that.

[3:52:22] >> Be two minutes.

[3:52:27] I had one minute for you to I

[3:52:28] didn't have a seated time on

[3:52:33] your speaker so I got to see

[3:52:37] the time you can proceed.

[3:52:38] >> I'll figure it out while

[3:52:38] you're speaking.

[3:52:38] Okay?

[3:52:42] Mary Fernando PRESIDENT La Hoya

[3:52:43] Town Council First I want to

[3:52:48] add this to the mayor.

[3:52:48] I know this is difficult and I

[3:52:52] can see it weighs heavy on you

[3:52:53] but please take this as just an

[3:52:54] opportunity to listen to

[3:52:58] the people for your what almost

[3:53:02] last year What 2028 Sorry but

[3:53:03] please do take this opportunity

[3:53:07] as that.

[3:53:07] Thank you.

[3:53:08] City Council members.

[3:53:08] Fire!

[3:53:13] Fire!

[3:53:13] Crash!

[3:53:13] Boom.

[3:53:18] Where are the firefighters?

[3:53:19] Where are they?

[3:53:23] They're busy managing dry bush

[3:53:23] on city land.

[3:53:24] They are busy with planning.

[3:53:29] Evacuate for community

[3:53:29] outreach.

[3:53:34] The city consolidated their

[3:53:34] duties.

[3:53:35] Consolidating or cutting fire

[3:53:39] department officer duties

[3:53:40] doesn't just affect response

[3:53:40] times.

[3:53:45] It affects lives.

[3:53:46] What is the real cost of

[3:53:47] understaffing Those who run

[3:53:51] towards danger so we can

[3:53:56] evacuate safely?

[3:53:57] La Hoya Recreation Center cut

[3:54:01] from full hours to 40 hours.

[3:54:07] That $77,000 in savings against

[3:54:07] $140 million deficit.

[3:54:11] What is your if it's still 120

[3:54:11] but I heard 140.

[3:54:15] >> The math doesn't justify

[3:54:16] the impact.

[3:54:20] >> Our ask before any final

[3:54:21] vote.

[3:54:21] Please assure La Hoya families

[3:54:27] and other community ees who

[3:54:27] enjoy the rec center by the sea

[3:54:31] meets with Council in San Diego

[3:54:32] Parks and Rec.

[3:54:33] We are ready to be partners in

[3:54:37] finding solutions.

[3:54:37] >> Thank you.

[3:54:38] Thank you.

[3:54:42] And you had your c j time you

[3:54:43] had to do so Your other speaker

[3:54:44] slip was further down.

[3:54:50] >> Cody Ingram Members of

[3:54:56] the Council Marita Gloria My

[3:54:56] name is Cody Ingram.

[3:54:57] I am a veteran.

[3:54:59] I am a constituent from

[3:55:00] District nine and I also work

[3:55:01] as an emt here for the city of

[3:55:01] San Diego.

[3:55:05] I am a direct example of what

[3:55:06] can happen when arts are

[3:55:06] accessible to the veteran

[3:55:11] population So I would not be

[3:55:12] here without the arts.

[3:55:13] I have been working as an actor

[3:55:15] here for over ten years and

[3:55:16] the arts are directly

[3:55:17] responsible for me being able

[3:55:21] to reconnect with my humanity

[3:55:21] and it is vital to our veteran

[3:55:22] population to be able to

[3:55:26] explore and understand that

[3:55:27] their emotions are not to be

[3:55:31] scared of and that they can

[3:55:31] explore them safely.

[3:55:35] Without that 22 veterans die

[3:55:36] every day and we cannot allow

[3:55:37] that to happen.

[3:55:40] This is too important

[3:55:41] especially in a military city

[3:55:46] And additionally the arts is

[3:55:47] what makes San Diego brilliant

[3:55:47] and beautiful.

[3:55:48] Why are we trying to take that

[3:55:51] away?

[3:55:52] I come from a law enforcement

[3:55:52] family.

[3:55:53] Public safety is important but

[3:55:54] it does not to be this

[3:55:57] important in the budget.

[3:55:57] >> Thank you.

[3:55:58] Thank you.

[3:56:01] Nicole Burgess After Nicole we

[3:56:02] have Megan Ibarra, Rey Carmel

[3:56:06] Martin Ellis Dingman, Megan

[3:56:11] Kettle, Mary Kumar, Samantha

[3:56:12] Castronovo and Kristin Frank.

[3:56:13] Those are our final speakers

[3:56:17] here in council chambers.

[3:56:17] Please proceed.

[3:56:17] All right.

[3:56:18] Good evening.

[3:56:18] Thank you everyone.

[3:56:21] To residents Safe Streets

[3:56:22] advocate and one of the many

[3:56:22] San Diegans that actually

[3:56:26] choose to ride a bike for

[3:56:26] transportation.

[3:56:27] >> a big shout out to

[3:56:28] the previous public comments

[3:56:31] are youth arts culture and a

[3:56:32] healthy, vibrant future.

[3:56:32] Please restore the arts and

[3:56:36] culture budget But specifically

[3:56:37] speaking to the transportation

[3:56:37] budget because this is an

[3:56:38] independent budget solely for

[3:56:42] transport nation and safety is

[3:56:43] our biggest priority for our

[3:56:47] city and transportation.

[3:56:47] It is critical that we keep

[3:56:51] the multi-modal team That is

[3:56:52] what has created safer streets

[3:56:55] for all users And when we

[3:56:56] create safer streets for

[3:56:57] pedestrians bikers we actually

[3:56:57] create safer streets for people

[3:57:02] driving cars so less

[3:57:02] enforcement.

[3:57:03] >> I appreciate the leadership

[3:57:06] as mayor Gloria helped write

[3:57:07] the Climate Action Plan

[3:57:07] endorsed Vision Zero and

[3:57:08] recently adopted Complete

[3:57:09] Streets policy.

[3:57:12] Sadly the budget does not

[3:57:13] represent these plans.

[3:57:14] Policies are about values.

[3:57:16] There are 300 repaving miles in

[3:57:20] this budget and I would gladly

[3:57:21] forego 15 of those miles to

[3:57:22] fund the multimodal team.

[3:57:25] Nicole I'm sorry It's been a

[3:57:30] minute Nicole Nicole Burgess Oh

[3:57:30] that was you.

[3:57:31] My apologies for ours Make any

[3:57:35] borrow.

[3:57:35] >> Good evening.

[3:57:40] My name is Megan Herrera and

[3:57:40] I'm a voter in District three

[3:57:41] At the public hearing on

[3:57:45] DECEMBER ninth I testified

[3:57:45] against the block surveillance

[3:57:46] contract because stolen people

[3:57:49] are worth more than stolen cars

[3:57:50] Directly after that a police

[3:57:50] representative said that

[3:57:51] the police department needs to

[3:57:55] retain data and gather data in

[3:57:55] order to support survivors of

[3:57:56] sexual violence.

[3:58:00] Lgbt data does not support

[3:58:00] the idea that lpr surveillance

[3:58:01] and data retention leads to

[3:58:05] higher arrests, much less

[3:58:05] conviction rates for sexual

[3:58:06] violence.

[3:58:06] Most data shows that police

[3:58:09] officers themselves are more

[3:58:10] likely to commit family

[3:58:10] violence.

[3:58:14] Just last week another cpd

[3:58:14] officer was arrested and is

[3:58:15] facing multiple charges for

[3:58:19] sexual violence.

[3:58:19] >> Cops commit crimes community

[3:58:20] members and keep each other

[3:58:24] safe and save lives.

[3:58:25] We saw that last week a vote

[3:58:25] for surveillance and increased

[3:58:29] police budgets In this context

[3:58:29] is a vote against life.

[3:58:34] The teenage youth who committed

[3:58:34] horrific acts of violence last

[3:58:35] week were not apprehended by

[3:58:35] cpd.

[3:58:36] They were stopped by brave

[3:58:42] community members.

[3:58:43] >> Thank you for that

[3:58:43] concluding sentence Ray where

[3:58:51] you here?

[3:58:51] Hello.

[3:58:54] My name's Ray.

[3:58:59] Your Honor.

[3:59:04] Council, on behalf of

[3:59:04] the Randalls, I want to

[3:59:08] apologize to everybody here How

[3:59:09] the county this city this area

[3:59:10] has treated you.

[3:59:13] This is unacceptable.

[3:59:14] We did not hand the keys over

[3:59:17] to you to treat the people like

[3:59:23] this.

[3:59:23] The historians, the genealogist

[3:59:24] can explain more to you But

[3:59:27] this is not going to happen

[3:59:27] anymore.

[3:59:31] I am going to be more involved

[3:59:32] here in San Diego and we're

[3:59:36] going to find a solution that

[3:59:37] everybody can benefit and a

[3:59:37] holistic approach.

[3:59:42] Thank you.

[3:59:42] Come on, Martin.

[3:59:43] Come on.

[3:59:47] You have time ceded to you by

[3:59:47] Lauren Locker.

[3:59:48] Are you here?

[3:59:52] I don't see a Lauren Locker or

[3:59:52] Leslie Simon.

[3:59:53] >> Thank you.

[3:59:53] You'll have two minutes.

[3:59:57] Please proceed.

[3:59:58] >> Evening Council members.

[3:59:58] Evening, staff.

[3:59:59] Evening, Mayor Gloria.

[4:00:01] My name's Carmel Martin Co

[4:00:02] co-founder of Art Power Equity

[4:00:03] And in my second term as a

[4:00:03] mayoral appointee to our arts

[4:00:06] and Culture Commission on MAY

[4:00:07] 18th.

[4:00:07] >> Three of our neighbors were

[4:00:11] murdered shot to death at

[4:00:12] the Islamic Center of San Diego

[4:00:13] Ameen Abdullah Monsoor because

[4:00:15] he had another award as a

[4:00:16] muslim in this city agreed with

[4:00:17] our community for over a week

[4:00:17] I've also watched the familiar

[4:00:20] civic rituals that follow these

[4:00:21] moments press conferences,

[4:00:25] vigils, pledges, more patrols.

[4:00:25] I want to say plainly what most

[4:00:26] people already know but often

[4:00:27] will not admit.

[4:00:29] Police did not and could not

[4:00:30] stop this attack.

[4:00:30] Officers arrived minutes after

[4:00:31] the first call.

[4:00:34] The shooters were already

[4:00:34] finished, gone to another

[4:00:35] location, killed themselves

[4:00:36] before the officers fired a

[4:00:39] single shot.

[4:00:39] They were 17 and 19 years old.

[4:00:40] They met online.

[4:00:44] They radicalized each other in

[4:00:45] the kind of profound isolation

[4:00:45] that the U.S. Surgeon general

[4:00:46] has called a public health

[4:00:49] epidemic deadliest choking more

[4:00:50] than a pack of cigarets a day

[4:00:53] Young Americans age 15 to 24

[4:00:54] seen a 70% drop in time spent

[4:00:54] with friends over the past two

[4:00:58] decades that the soil that

[4:00:59] hatred grows in two boys with

[4:00:59] no one to belong to found a

[4:01:02] perverse belonging in each

[4:01:03] other's worst impulses.

[4:01:04] So ask the right question What

[4:01:07] kind of public investment

[4:01:08] intervenes before the trigger

[4:01:08] is ever pulled?

[4:01:12] It is not more millions Drone

[4:01:12] it's surveillance.

[4:01:13] It is not another armored

[4:01:13] vehicle.

[4:01:14] It's the Afterschool Theater

[4:01:17] program, the youth mural

[4:01:18] project, the community choir,

[4:01:19] the teaching artist who knows

[4:01:22] your child by name Researchers

[4:01:22] have shown that the presence of

[4:01:23] cultural resources in a

[4:01:24] neighborhood is associated with

[4:01:25] almost a 20% drop in serious

[4:01:29] crime.

[4:01:30] Further research has shown that

[4:01:31] every ten community nonprofits

[4:01:34] per 100,000 resident drives

[4:01:34] the murder rate down by almost

[4:01:35] 10%.

[4:01:39] Arts and culture is not a frill

[4:01:40] They are the social fabric that

[4:01:40] catches our young people before

[4:01:41] they fall into the algorithms

[4:01:44] of hate.

[4:01:44] They are in the most literal

[4:01:45] sense life saving

[4:01:48] infrastructure.

[4:01:49] San Diego is now weighing cuts

[4:01:50] to roughly all of its arts and

[4:01:50] culture grantmaking budget And

[4:01:54] I'm asking my city in the names

[4:01:55] of Amin Mansour Nader,

[4:01:55] the children and teachers at

[4:01:58] the mosque to reverse that

[4:01:59] course Funding artists fund

[4:02:00] the center's fund

[4:02:00] The Connection.

[4:02:01] >> Thank you for that

[4:02:01] concluding sentence.

[4:02:11] Ellis.

[4:02:16] >> Hi, my name is Ella Stegman

[4:02:16] .

[4:02:17] I'm from District two and I go

[4:02:21] to school every more learning

[4:02:22] on the city bus on roads that

[4:02:25] the city paved.

[4:02:26] I do my homework at Rob Field,

[4:02:31] a city park I walk home on

[4:02:32] the ocean, be a a San Diego

[4:02:35] River bike path which this city

[4:02:35] built city.

[4:02:39] >> There are so many city

[4:02:40] programs that have impacted my

[4:02:45] life and the life of everybody

[4:02:45] I know so positively and

[4:02:46] continue to do so.

[4:02:50] Everything all day and walk is

[4:02:51] not one of them.

[4:02:55] I have never once thought wow

[4:02:58] thank goodness the city put $2

[4:02:59] million aside for automated

[4:03:03] license plate readers.

[4:03:04] I've thought thank goodness for

[4:03:05] this buffered bike lane.

[4:03:05] Thank goodness they repaired

[4:03:07] this crack in the sidewalk.

[4:03:12] >> How does Floc help

[4:03:13] the actual people here?

[4:03:13] >> Thank you for concluding

[4:03:21] sentence Megan Kettle MAY we

[4:03:22] take a moment to acknowledge

[4:03:26] the words spoken today

[4:03:26] the lives that have been lost

[4:03:27] and the lives that we're trying

[4:03:30] to save today through the arts

[4:03:31] In the words of the great

[4:03:31] philosopher Prince.

[4:03:32] Dearly beloved we are gathered

[4:03:36] here together today to get

[4:03:36] through this thing called life.

[4:03:37] And if there's one thing I've

[4:03:38] learned as a mental health

[4:03:41] advocate and San Diego native,

[4:03:42] we can do more than get through

[4:03:42] life.

[4:03:46] We can thrive And that comes

[4:03:47] from the arts, the libraries,

[4:03:49] our park and recreations and

[4:03:50] every single person that's

[4:03:55] standing here behind me today

[4:03:56] I'm speaking a proposition to

[4:03:56] increase the budget for

[4:04:00] the libraries and our arts.

[4:04:03] The San Diego Arts brings in

[4:04:07] $1.1 billion and makes 170,000

[4:04:08] jobs in the creative sector.

[4:04:11] Imagine 170,000 people standing

[4:04:12] here behind me right now from

[4:04:16] last time for the youth and for

[4:04:17] those jobs I'm asking to keep

[4:04:21] the Office of Youth and Success

[4:04:22] open.

[4:04:22] I am amazed by all the youth

[4:04:23] that have spoken here from

[4:04:23] school.

[4:04:27] So please keep the offices

[4:04:27] open.

[4:04:28] >> That can keep going.

[4:04:28] Thank you.

[4:04:29] Thank you.

[4:04:35] Mary Kumar.

[4:04:35] >> Hi.

[4:04:36] Thank you, Counsel.

[4:04:37] Thank you, Mayor.

[4:04:37] I actually came straight here

[4:04:41] from painting a mural and I was

[4:04:41] in Oceanside.

[4:04:42] I still have like little purple

[4:04:45] in my hair and on my path I'm

[4:04:46] assisting muralist Katie Ya who

[4:04:49] also works for Art Reach San

[4:04:50] Diego which is a recipient of

[4:04:50] the arts funding art like

[4:04:55] murals they create beauty

[4:04:55] resulting in pride in one's

[4:04:56] community.

[4:05:00] We also know that crime is

[4:05:00] measurably reduced from murals

[4:05:01] are present.

[4:05:01] So this week I've been painting

[4:05:05] this mural for Roosevelt Middle

[4:05:05] School with the juicy hues of

[4:05:09] indigo Purple magenta and

[4:05:10] orange and I see the students

[4:05:10] there watching us in

[4:05:11] the courtyard.

[4:05:14] What are they thinking?

[4:05:15] Perhaps it's maybe I can be an

[4:05:19] artist too when I grow up.

[4:05:20] They actually assisted us at

[4:05:20] the start of the mural so

[4:05:24] please combine See it some time

[4:05:25] for student art creates outside

[4:05:25] the box thinking creative

[4:05:29] solutions, better performance

[4:05:29] in other school subjects and

[4:05:30] coherent thinking but most

[4:05:33] importantly therapy which

[4:05:34] mentioned by others Here art

[4:05:39] heals please that which fosters

[4:05:43] community and pride deserves

[4:05:44] full Thank you for that

[4:05:44] concluding sentence.

[4:05:52] >> Samantha Castronovo Good

[4:05:57] evening Council members My name

[4:05:58] is Samantha Castronovo and I'm

[4:06:02] here to say firmly no on Floc

[4:06:09] no on electronic surveillance,

[4:06:10] yes to the arts and I say yes

[4:06:14] to everything I've heard this

[4:06:18] evening from 6:30 P.M. Until

[4:06:22] now on Yes for the arts Amazing

[4:06:23] speakers if that's not one

[4:06:27] sample of what arts does for

[4:06:32] the city of San Diego you have

[4:06:33] tremendous advocates and have

[4:06:37] had all for the last four hours

[4:06:42] amazingly so Yes to fire

[4:06:46] funding restore fire for 2027

[4:06:47] at the same level it's

[4:06:51] currently being funded for

[4:06:52] 2026.

[4:06:56] Very important point.

[4:07:03] Many attendance events.

[4:07:03] Thank you.

[4:07:04] Count on fire.

[4:07:06] Christine Frank, you have time

[4:07:07] to you by Valerie Iniguez.

[4:07:07] Thank you.

[4:07:08] Two minutes.

[4:07:11] Please proceed.

[4:07:11] >> Okay.

[4:07:12] As a good recovering theater

[4:07:12] arts major, I know you want to

[4:07:15] bring it back to how it started

[4:07:16] .

[4:07:16] That's how you really drive

[4:07:17] home the message.

[4:07:17] I know I'm the last speaker and

[4:07:18] I sound like I've been the only

[4:07:18] one.

[4:07:20] I'm so sorry.

[4:07:21] So on APRIL 20th in this very

[4:07:21] chamber our independent budget

[4:07:25] analyst I apologize in advance

[4:07:25] if I butcher your last name.

[4:07:29] Charles Modica nailed it urged

[4:07:30] speakers to offer solutions for

[4:07:30] the budget gaps After

[4:07:34] the presentation At the start

[4:07:35] of this meeting when the sun

[4:07:36] was still up.

[4:07:36] I have a suggestion.

[4:07:39] Well I'm clearly proud to

[4:07:40] volunteer for the La Hoya

[4:07:41] Playhouse as this bright pink

[4:07:44] shirt tells you I'm also a

[4:07:45] former junior golfer who played

[4:07:45] across California.

[4:07:49] I personally know multiple golf

[4:07:49] tourists who gladly spend

[4:07:50] thousands of dollars on one

[4:07:50] golf vacation.

[4:07:55] Yes, in this economy, Torrey

[4:07:55] Pines is one of America's

[4:07:59] premier public courses Their

[4:08:02] highest grievance fees for

[4:08:03] nonresidents $322.

[4:08:03] Another top public course in

[4:08:07] our state Pebble Beach.

[4:08:12] It's $675 more than double

[4:08:13] Raising nonresident green fees

[4:08:13] at Torrey would generate

[4:08:17] revenue without burdening San

[4:08:18] Diegans and without depriving

[4:08:18] us of our arts and culture

[4:08:19] orgs.

[4:08:22] It seems clear the city is

[4:08:23] leaving money on the table by

[4:08:24] underpricing one of our premier

[4:08:27] assets as all golfers.

[4:08:28] >> Now that's a big old double

[4:08:29] bogey on the city's scorecard

[4:08:32] so I'm going to ask you to

[4:08:33] please restore the arts

[4:08:33] funding.

[4:08:34] Thank you.

[4:08:35] I'm not even using all my time.

[4:08:40] >> You're welcome.

[4:08:40] >> Thank you.

[4:08:41] That does conclude public

[4:08:42] comment here in council

[4:08:42] chambers we still have virtual

[4:08:45] public comment but I will note

[4:08:45] for the record that we did

[4:08:46] receive ten public speaker

[4:08:49] slips in opposition that wanted

[4:08:50] to register their position but

[4:08:51] did not wish to speak going to

[4:08:54] those participating on the line

[4:09:03] we have Carla that not to speak

[4:09:03] to speak.

[4:09:05] >> Do we still have one speaker

[4:09:09] here If you can give me your

[4:09:09] name.

[4:09:12] >> Hi, I'm Andrea.

[4:09:15] Oh, Andrea Mangia And apologies

[4:09:20] to all.

[4:09:21] Yes, you concede your time.

[4:09:21] Thank you.

[4:09:22] Please proceed.

[4:09:26] Apologies to all.

[4:09:26] My name is Andrea Mengele.

[4:09:29] I am a lifelong resident of

[4:09:30] District eight and I am also a

[4:09:30] professional commercial artist.

[4:09:33] So today's meeting is quite

[4:09:34] important to me.

[4:09:35] I believe our city has a

[4:09:35] priority issue rather than a

[4:09:38] revenue issue.

[4:09:38] This draconian budget is

[4:09:39] threatening to cut

[4:09:39] the foundation of San Diego

[4:09:43] community in favor of

[4:09:43] ineffective surveillance

[4:09:44] theater.

[4:09:44] What are we to do without

[4:09:48] public property funded

[4:09:49] libraries, parks, recreations

[4:09:50] and artist programs?

[4:09:53] These programs are the engines

[4:09:54] that fuel our cultural and

[4:09:55] economic excellence from our

[4:09:58] tourism industry to our

[4:09:59] community engagement.

[4:10:00] Yet our police department is

[4:10:03] practically given a blank check

[4:10:03] for surveillance.

[4:10:08] The hard data doesn't lie.

[4:10:09] These surveillance systems are

[4:10:10] less than 1% effective in crime

[4:10:13] resolution and prevention.

[4:10:14] Furthermore, they offer no new

[4:10:14] jobs, no community engagement,

[4:10:18] no tourism money, no civic

[4:10:19] pride.

[4:10:19] They're not really giving

[4:10:23] anything back to us.

[4:10:24] So Floc has already leaked our

[4:10:28] city's data.

[4:10:29] Floc is already harassing

[4:10:33] cities across the nation for

[4:10:34] wanting to rein in their abuse

[4:10:38] of power.

[4:10:39] Cities across the nation are

[4:10:42] currently pulling out of their

[4:10:43] lpr programs in droves due to

[4:10:47] safety concern Because let us

[4:10:48] mention surveillance is eroding

[4:10:48] the peace of mind of our

[4:10:48] residents.

[4:10:52] This is not an opinion.

[4:10:53] >> This is very much a fact.

[4:10:54] Try as I might I just can't

[4:10:57] make our math make sense.

[4:10:58] One third of our city budget is

[4:11:02] to the police and over 2

[4:11:07] million of it is just to block

[4:11:08] one of our lpr programs one we

[4:11:12] have multiple I invite all of

[4:11:17] you including our beloved mayor

[4:11:22] to please cut the block Cut.

[4:11:23] >> Let's let's cut surveillance

[4:11:23] theater in favor of actual

[4:11:24] theater.

[4:11:26] You know something that gives

[4:11:27] back that does conclude your

[4:11:27] time and that does conclude

[4:11:31] the public comment hearing

[4:11:31] Council Chambers Thank you all.

[4:11:32] I'm sorry the five minute timer

[4:11:33] and now I'm going to those

[4:11:36] participating remotely.

[4:11:37] We currently have 23 speakers

[4:11:37] in the queue starting with

[4:11:40] Carla if you can please and you

[4:11:45] Carla Cassini Concha I can't

[4:11:46] unmute for you If you cannot

[4:11:48] unmute we will need to move on

[4:11:58] to the next speaker.

[4:11:59] We'll move on to the next

[4:12:07] speaker.

[4:12:08] >> Hold one second.

[4:12:44] I'm having technical

[4:12:45] Okay one

[4:12:50] more time Let's start again.

[4:12:51] Alan Dolgov if you can please

[4:12:54] unmute Alan and Olga please

[4:12:54] unmute.

[4:12:55] Yes thank you.

[4:12:55] Can you hear me?

[4:12:56] Yes.

[4:12:59] Please proceed.

[4:12:59] Great.

[4:13:00] I'm Alan Dale Gareth, PRESIDENT

[4:13:01] Of the Lawyer Recreation Center

[4:13:01] Board.

[4:13:01] Thank you.

[4:13:04] Council members and Mayor for

[4:13:04] ensuring no recreation center

[4:13:05] closures.

[4:13:08] You listen to your communities

[4:13:09] about the high priority of rec

[4:13:10] centers and acted clearly

[4:13:14] the generational and societal

[4:13:14] value far exceeds a small

[4:13:15] investment.

[4:13:18] Additionally, paid programs are

[4:13:19] self-sustaining or generate

[4:13:19] surplus revenue not fully

[4:13:23] factored in.

[4:13:24] Going from 60 to 40 hours is a

[4:13:27] huge 30% 33% cut and will

[4:13:28] eliminate many of those

[4:13:31] programs and activities for

[4:13:32] either seniors in the mornings

[4:13:32] or kids in the afternoon.

[4:13:36] The calculated savings from

[4:13:37] the proposed reduction is a

[4:13:37] mere $80,000 for a rec center

[4:13:42] while millions are allocated to

[4:13:42] lower priorities.

[4:13:43] The math doesn't work.

[4:13:46] Please do the right thing,

[4:13:47] finish the job and fully

[4:13:50] restore all hours to all rec

[4:13:51] centers.

[4:13:51] >> Thank you and have a great

[4:13:52] evening.

[4:13:56] Thank your next is Andrew if

[4:13:56] you can please unmute.

[4:14:05] Andrew Hollingworth.

[4:14:05] >> Andrew Hollingworth I have

[4:14:06] given you permission to unmute

[4:14:10] I can't unmute for you.

[4:14:10] I will need to move on to

[4:14:11] the next caller If you can't

[4:14:19] unmute.

[4:14:19] Next is Britney Munoz.

[4:14:20] Britney if you can please

[4:14:24] unmute.

[4:14:24] Hi.

[4:14:24] Can you hear me?

[4:14:25] Yes.

[4:14:25] Please proceed.

[4:14:26] Okay.

[4:14:26] Thank you.

[4:14:29] Hi my name is bringing Windows

[4:14:30] and I am a District seven

[4:14:32] resident but I serve youth all

[4:14:33] across the city of San Diego.

[4:14:34] I work in social services and

[4:14:38] directly with at risk youth

[4:14:38] that are impacted by budget

[4:14:39] cuts.

[4:14:42] I ask that you fund the office

[4:14:43] of County use success instead

[4:14:44] of allocating any funding for

[4:14:47] our communities and not need

[4:14:48] any more surveillance They need

[4:14:49] more programing and resources.

[4:14:52] Thank you.

[4:14:53] >> Thank you.

[4:14:54] Next is Carlos, Maria and

[4:14:56] Crystal If you can please

[4:15:00] unmute.

[4:15:00] Hello.

[4:15:05] Good evening.

[4:15:06] Oh.

[4:15:06] Can you hear me?

[4:15:06] Yes.

[4:15:07] Please proceed.

[4:15:07] Okay.

[4:15:12] Thank you.

[4:15:13] Um, so good evening Council

[4:15:17] members and Mayor Gloria.

[4:15:18] I'm here to address the same

[4:15:21] thing I have advocated for

[4:15:22] the past two years going on

[4:15:23] three clear and effective storm

[4:15:27] water infrastructure repair

[4:15:27] plan along with programs to

[4:15:28] help aid our damaged

[4:15:31] communities.

[4:15:32] As a short term resident who

[4:15:36] has long lived my entire 29

[4:15:36] years of life in this beautiful

[4:15:37] town a neighborhood I worry for

[4:15:41] the lack of efforts that we

[4:15:41] have witnessed It's time for a

[4:15:42] change.

[4:15:46] Please bring about this change

[4:15:47] we ask You have a chance to

[4:15:47] redeem your stance with this

[4:15:48] residents.

[4:15:51] Please allocate the right

[4:15:51] amount of money to repair

[4:15:52] neglected the structure that

[4:15:56] has caused so much fetal harm,

[4:15:57] livelihood, harm, traumatizing

[4:15:58] harm and recovery struggles

[4:16:01] that we have all faced and

[4:16:01] continue to face.

[4:16:02] And fortunately this is a

[4:16:02] reality that is not pretty.

[4:16:05] But we are here to show reality

[4:16:06] not pretty.

[4:16:06] Please please listen to us.

[4:16:07] Shelton Residents we have been

[4:16:08] begging for help in tears

[4:16:11] breaking down I've seen strong

[4:16:12] men and your time has

[4:16:12] concluded.

[4:16:13] >> Christine Wellborn if you

[4:16:18] can please unmute.

[4:16:18] Hi.

[4:16:23] We need funding for arts

[4:16:23] libraries, parks and rec and

[4:16:24] police.

[4:16:28] Those things should not be even

[4:16:28] debated.

[4:16:29] What we do not need is Gloria's

[4:16:33] communication department.

[4:16:34] Communication is the act of

[4:16:38] exchanging information ideas,

[4:16:39] thoughts and emotions to

[4:16:39] establish shared meaning.

[4:16:43] Gloria sends texts and posts to

[4:16:44] social media but doesn't allow

[4:16:48] or interact with responses.

[4:16:48] That's one sided propaganda.

[4:16:53] We can afford to fund police

[4:16:53] arts, libraries, parks and recs

[4:16:57] if we repeal Measure l and stop

[4:16:58] giving all of you raises.

[4:17:03] Put your money where your mouth

[4:17:04] are and put repeal measure l on

[4:17:07] the NOVEMBER ballot.

[4:17:08] Also let's get rid of Mayor

[4:17:08] Glorious beast.

[4:17:12] He should be biking those sexy

[4:17:13] streets he's so proud of.

[4:17:17] >> Thank you.

[4:17:18] >> The five minute timer has

[4:17:18] concluded there are 16 speakers

[4:17:19] in the queue.

[4:17:21] No additional speakers will be

[4:17:22] taken.

[4:17:22] Eric be if you can please

[4:17:31] unmute Eric be and hear me.

[4:17:32] Yes please proceed.

[4:17:32] Thank you.

[4:17:36] My my name is Eric Anderson.

[4:17:36] I'm a member of dsa and

[4:17:40] the Truth Commission in

[4:17:41] District nine.

[4:17:41] Everybody knows the cop who

[4:17:42] promises a victim's family that

[4:17:45] they're going to catch

[4:17:45] the killer at the beginning of

[4:17:46] the movie is either a fool or a

[4:17:46] madman.

[4:17:50] When council member Von Wilpert

[4:17:51] who appeared to be absent today

[4:17:55] says cameras solve crimes,

[4:17:55] what does that mean?

[4:17:56] But to close the case as a

[4:18:00] crime victim myself, there's no

[4:18:00] such thing as closure.

[4:18:01] There is no restorative justice

[4:18:05] in prisons.

[4:18:06] Don't drop the soap to defund

[4:18:06] the police.

[4:18:07] I have diverticulitis.

[4:18:10] I my pants in public several

[4:18:10] times.

[4:18:11] When you when you define public

[4:18:14] bathrooms you're jumping to

[4:18:15] soup for all of us.

[4:18:16] Leaving us in the moment more

[4:18:19] vulnerable to crime prevented

[4:18:19] Preventive measures can only be

[4:18:24] found in libraries, parks,

[4:18:24] schools, venues in public

[4:18:25] bathrooms.

[4:18:28] The cbd who was found liable

[4:18:29] for the largest wrongful death

[4:18:33] settlement in the history of

[4:18:34] the United States.

[4:18:35] >> Correct me if I'm wrong.

[4:18:38] If you do your time has

[4:18:39] concluded.

[4:18:39] Hakeem if you can put the final

[4:18:40] word.

[4:18:40] Hakim if you can please.

[4:18:42] And you.

[4:18:43] Thanks for taking my call.

[4:18:48] I just got back from that ball

[4:18:48] park and the graduation down

[4:18:49] there.

[4:18:52] One thing you can do tomorrow

[4:18:52] is pull all the parking meters

[4:18:56] in Balboa Park.

[4:18:56] No more parking meters.

[4:18:57] People have come back there.

[4:19:01] Some of the people can get

[4:19:02] their jobs back.

[4:19:02] The railroad museum laid off

[4:19:07] for people because there's

[4:19:07] nobody there coming.

[4:19:12] So do that now and then If you

[4:19:12] see something, say something.

[4:19:16] And a young Muslim kid that

[4:19:16] goes angry really angry.

[4:19:17] I'm sure you guys are looking

[4:19:21] into that But all those young

[4:19:22] kids are 1920.

[4:19:26] They're angry, mad and even you

[4:19:27] know, take a look at them and

[4:19:30] know you are looking at them.

[4:19:31] And then we got the kids that

[4:19:32] did the shooting.

[4:19:35] What kind of site drugs were

[4:19:36] they taken the last year?

[4:19:37] What were the drugs that were

[4:19:40] taken?

[4:19:41] You need to be honest with

[4:19:42] the community and you just

[4:19:46] don't do that And nowhere.

[4:19:46] >> You know, maybe it took a

[4:19:47] year for them to do that.

[4:19:48] Your time has concluded, John

[4:19:53] if you can please unmute.

[4:19:54] Well, welcome to America's

[4:19:55] City.

[4:19:58] Why is it?

[4:19:59] Well we don't have any public

[4:20:00] bathrooms anymore.

[4:20:00] We don't even have the civic

[4:20:04] core bathrooms open 24 hour

[4:20:05] hours.

[4:20:05] We're closing in the yoga date

[4:20:06] center where hundreds of people

[4:20:09] use every day to launder their

[4:20:09] clothes and keep themselves

[4:20:12] clean and shower and use

[4:20:13] the bathroom.

[4:20:14] We have requirements that

[4:20:18] people put in bathroom rooms in

[4:20:19] their commercial establishment

[4:20:20] but we don't ensure that

[4:20:20] they're still open.

[4:20:23] We have Petco Park with

[4:20:24] hundreds of bathroom stalls yet

[4:20:28] none of them are open during

[4:20:28] the day.

[4:20:29] >> So why is it America's

[4:20:29] three?

[4:20:32] Oh yeah we got rid of all

[4:20:33] the arts so we're safe.

[4:20:37] We're at home watching our tv

[4:20:37] doing nothing as there's

[4:20:38] nothing to do.

[4:20:38] No arts.

[4:20:43] Art saved my life.

[4:20:43] And many of the members of Leah

[4:20:47] came out of their Voices for

[4:20:48] Our City program which just

[4:20:48] laid off five people thanks to

[4:20:49] these cuts.

[4:20:52] We can't afford to not have

[4:20:56] the arts and feel safe.

[4:20:57] >> Thank you Kate.

[4:21:01] If you can please unmute.

[4:21:01] Thank you.

[4:21:02] My name is Kate.

[4:21:05] I'm speaking here today in my

[4:21:06] role as development manager at

[4:21:07] the San Diego Museum of Art.

[4:21:11] The city's osp grants are a

[4:21:11] critical and rare source of

[4:21:15] public funding.

[4:21:16] Tier one organizations like cma

[4:21:16] Anchor institutions employing

[4:21:19] hundreds of arts and culture

[4:21:20] workers and driving economic

[4:21:21] growth are ineligible to even

[4:21:25] apply for public funds from our

[4:21:26] state agency the California

[4:21:26] Arts Council.

[4:21:27] Our revenue streams are diverse

[4:21:30] and we already rely heavily on

[4:21:31] private philanthropy.

[4:21:33] But losing over $300,000 in

[4:21:34] annual funding represents a

[4:21:35] significant loss for our

[4:21:35] institution.

[4:21:38] This budget also proposes

[4:21:39] cutting funds for six permanent

[4:21:40] comfort stations in Balboa

[4:21:40] Park.

[4:21:43] Estimates public restrooms in

[4:21:44] the West Wing are already

[4:21:45] heavily relied on by families

[4:21:48] children and people of all

[4:21:49] ages.

[4:21:49] This cut increases our burden

[4:21:53] of support and costs for

[4:21:53] sanitation, utilities, supplies

[4:21:54] and security.

[4:21:58] This budget will mean real cuts

[4:21:59] to events, programs,

[4:21:59] exhibitions and jobs.

[4:22:03] Please consider these realities

[4:22:04] as you fight to restore funding

[4:22:04] for osp and 60.

[4:22:08] Thank you for that concluding

[4:22:09] remark.

[4:22:09] I also note that the five

[4:22:10] minute timer did conclude a

[4:22:13] while ago.

[4:22:13] If you're raising your hand now

[4:22:14] unfortunately we won't be able

[4:22:15] to get to you but you can

[4:22:18] definitely send in comments

[4:22:19] the city clerk at San diego.Gov

[4:22:20] and those will be distributed

[4:22:23] to the council looking me.

[4:22:25] So if you can please send me

[4:22:27] Logan.

[4:22:28] Good evening Council My name is

[4:22:29] Logan Maggs and I'm here with

[4:22:32] Youth World Organization as a

[4:22:32] concerned young person.

[4:22:33] I urge the Council today to not

[4:22:34] cut funding for the office and

[4:22:36] child abuse success.

[4:22:37] This office has brought in over

[4:22:38] $5 million in grants and

[4:22:42] funding for child care, refugee

[4:22:42] student support and upgrading

[4:22:43] city property.

[4:22:46] All of these funding and

[4:22:47] actions have directly supported

[4:22:48] our youth in the city.

[4:22:51] This Council must ensure that

[4:22:51] this budget truly reflects

[4:22:52] the values of our community.

[4:22:53] We know that this is a tough

[4:22:56] funding and that there is no

[4:22:57] revenue.

[4:22:57] And therefore we propose to

[4:23:02] eliminate the floor contract.

[4:23:02] Though the Council does not

[4:23:03] agree with this, we urge you

[4:23:04] all to please find an

[4:23:06] alternative to keep us

[4:23:07] financially sustained.

[4:23:10] A better investment starts with

[4:23:11] us and it starts with the youth

[4:23:11] rather than flexicurity

[4:23:12] security.

[4:23:13] I thank you all for your time

[4:23:16] tonight and once again I urge

[4:23:16] you to invest in the youth.

[4:23:17] Thank you.

[4:23:22] Morgan If you can please unmute

[4:23:22] .

[4:23:23] Hi there.

[4:23:23] Good afternoon or good evening.

[4:23:24] My name is Morgan.

[4:23:27] Just as I currently serve as

[4:23:27] the chair of the city's

[4:23:31] Community Forest Advisory Board

[4:23:32] .

[4:23:32] A lot of great things have been

[4:23:33] said tonight.

[4:23:34] One thing I want to draw your

[4:23:37] attention to is that the MAY

[4:23:38] revise does not restore

[4:23:41] the budget for the one Urban

[4:23:41] Forestry program coordinator

[4:23:42] within the Transportation

[4:23:46] Department.

[4:23:46] This is especially concerning

[4:23:47] because the MAY revise also

[4:23:50] consolidate the tree

[4:23:51] maintenance functions within

[4:23:55] transportation moving from park

[4:23:56] and rec.

[4:23:57] So now we see eight additional

[4:24:00] positions without this middle

[4:24:01] management position to support

[4:24:05] and manage the workflow.

[4:24:05] We're concerned about

[4:24:06] the downstream consequences and

[4:24:10] the critical role that this

[4:24:10] position plays in protecting

[4:24:14] public safety and risk

[4:24:15] management.

[4:24:15] >> I urge you to please

[4:24:19] reconsider and and add that

[4:24:20] staff member back in so that we

[4:24:24] can support a healthy urban

[4:24:24] forest moving forward.

[4:24:25] >> Thank you.

[4:24:25] Thank you, Nancy.

[4:24:29] If you can review and see cpm.

[4:24:34] There you go.

[4:24:34] Hi.

[4:24:35] Thanks for And I'm too long.

[4:24:38] I'm a resident of District nine

[4:24:42] and I pass by six foc cameras

[4:24:43] every weekday on my 1.3 mile

[4:24:45] drive to drop my kids off at

[4:24:46] school six.

[4:24:46] That's insane.

[4:24:50] At the $2 million price tag for

[4:24:53] this contract soc that's

[4:24:54] ineffective 99.97% of the time

[4:24:54] including last week with

[4:24:57] the terrorist attack.

[4:24:58] This is an exorbitant expense

[4:24:59] during a budget crisis.

[4:25:03] It doesn't prevent crime.

[4:25:04] What's keeping my kids safer?

[4:25:04] Surveillance cameras or

[4:25:05] libraries or parks.

[4:25:08] I think it's probably those

[4:25:09] maybe youth programing events

[4:25:10] arts and culture even public

[4:25:13] bathrooms like little toddlers.

[4:25:14] They got to go and they got to

[4:25:14] go.

[4:25:15] Did we forget how costly to

[4:25:17] have a outbreak was?

[4:25:21] $20 and $12.5 million funding

[4:25:22] the public bathrooms and then

[4:25:23] they'll go day centers humane

[4:25:23] and make sense.

[4:25:26] Please cancel the camera

[4:25:27] funding and invest in the O.C..

[4:25:32] I ask department libraries,

[4:25:32] parks and your good day center.

[4:25:33] Thanks.

[4:25:35] Thank you Natalie Or asking if

[4:25:40] you can please unmute.

[4:25:40] Can you hear me?

[4:25:40] Yes.

[4:25:41] Please proceed.

[4:25:44] I'm Natalie reside in District

[4:25:49] seven and today I was on a zoom

[4:25:49] for an lpa subcommittee for

[4:25:50] the Behavioral Health and Human

[4:25:54] Services.

[4:25:55] I heard a disturbing statistic

[4:25:55] today that I was kind of

[4:25:59] concerned with There is two

[4:26:00] suicides a week from

[4:26:01] the Coronado Bridge that most

[4:26:04] of us don't hear about.

[4:26:09] Now with these cuts and

[4:26:10] the funding for snap ebt and

[4:26:14] all of these things that are

[4:26:14] happening Neal, good day.

[4:26:19] What are we doing besides

[4:26:19] driving people to become more

[4:26:20] stressed out?

[4:26:24] I have a child that went to

[4:26:24] Madison High School.

[4:26:29] If we cut these programs for

[4:26:29] art we're just stressing out

[4:26:30] more people.

[4:26:30] People are becoming more

[4:26:34] homeless and I don't understand

[4:26:35] unless there is a driving force

[4:26:39] behind all of these cuts, what

[4:26:40] is the end game?

[4:26:40] What are we looking to expect?

[4:26:43] What don't we know?

[4:26:43] Thank you.

[4:26:44] Thank you.

[4:26:45] Pat Wilson If you can please

[4:26:48] unmute.

[4:26:48] >> Hi Wilson.

[4:26:52] Friends of the San Diego Public

[4:26:53] Library.

[4:26:53] Hello from Australia where I am

[4:26:54] now.

[4:26:58] We were relieved to see

[4:26:59] the specter of permanently

[4:26:59] closing a branch library was

[4:27:03] removed in the MAY revised and

[4:27:03] I'd like to thank council

[4:27:04] members Kloster Moreno, Il

[4:27:07] Rivera and PRESIDENT Pro-Tem

[4:27:08] Lee for supporting at least a

[4:27:09] partial partial restoration of

[4:27:13] funding to libraries, parks and

[4:27:13] the arts in their memos in

[4:27:14] response to the MAY revised.

[4:27:17] It's a start but not nearly

[4:27:18] enough.

[4:27:18] I won't go into all the reasons

[4:27:19] why underfunding the very

[4:27:22] things that make our city

[4:27:22] vibrant and inviting our

[4:27:23] residents and tourists from

[4:27:26] around the world is a huge

[4:27:26] mistake.

[4:27:27] Even in a bad budget year so

[4:27:28] many people have told you

[4:27:32] tonight much more eloquently

[4:27:32] that I know the value of

[4:27:36] libraries parks in New York's.

[4:27:37] Please listen and do the right

[4:27:37] thing.

[4:27:41] You know we can make this work.

[4:27:46] And thank you for your time.

[4:27:47] Thank you.

[4:27:47] Next is Patricia.

[4:27:53] If you can please unmute.

[4:27:54] Do we still remember what

[4:27:58] democracy means at its most

[4:27:58] basic level?

[4:27:59] >> Democracy asks a simple

[4:27:59] question.

[4:28:03] Can we govern ourselves while

[4:28:03] treating all people with

[4:28:07] dignity, equity and respect?

[4:28:08] As our nation approaches its

[4:28:08] 250th.

[4:28:11] It appears we have forgotten

[4:28:12] the first peoples and

[4:28:13] descendants of this land and

[4:28:13] the communities who continue to

[4:28:17] protect its history, culture

[4:28:17] and sacred spaces.

[4:28:21] We have repeatedly asked for

[4:28:22] the restoration of Parks and

[4:28:23] Rec in order to protect our

[4:28:26] national historic landmarks and

[4:28:27] burial grounds at Presidio and

[4:28:27] beyond.

[4:28:28] >> Yet these historic cultural

[4:28:31] and sacred sites continue to

[4:28:32] suffer from ongoing

[4:28:36] disinvestment without our park

[4:28:37] rangers, these areas are now

[4:28:38] vulnerable to encampments,

[4:28:41] fires, vandalism, open drug use

[4:28:42] surrounding schools, parks and

[4:28:46] burial sites honoring

[4:28:46] the descendants of early San

[4:28:50] Diego connected to these lands

[4:28:51] and restore the public's right

[4:28:51] to safe parks, arts, culture,

[4:28:55] recreation and communities

[4:28:56] stewardship.

[4:28:56] A democracy that neglects its

[4:29:00] people including My apologies

[4:29:05] Patty if you can please unmute

[4:29:06] .

[4:29:06] >> Patricia Mondragon with

[4:29:07] Alliance San Diego We are

[4:29:10] members of the Community Budget

[4:29:11] Alliance, the Trust sd

[4:29:11] Coalition and the San Diego

[4:29:14] Immigrant Rights Consortium.

[4:29:15] I'm calling in tonight from

[4:29:16] Sacramento because our friends

[4:29:20] from Panda Care and the Muslim

[4:29:20] community are observing aid and

[4:29:24] healing after the recent

[4:29:24] shooting at the Islamic Center.

[4:29:25] As a community we stand with

[4:29:29] them and continue the work that

[4:29:30] is important to them while they

[4:29:30] heal.

[4:29:31] Tonight San Diego and I have

[4:29:33] been clear about what keeps

[4:29:34] community safe.

[4:29:34] Yet this budget continues to

[4:29:38] prioritize stp and flock

[4:29:38] surveillance technology while

[4:29:39] underfunding the services our

[4:29:43] communities need.

[4:29:43] No community members are here

[4:29:44] asking you to spend public

[4:29:45] resources on expanded

[4:29:45] surveillance.

[4:29:48] People are asking you to invest

[4:29:49] in dignity, community and

[4:29:49] infrastructure.

[4:29:53] We urge you to cut funding for

[4:29:54] Floc and restore funding to

[4:29:54] the arts.

[4:29:55] O.C. Weiss Neil Good day Center

[4:29:58] and stormwater infrastructure.

[4:29:59] When it comes to floods and

[4:29:59] climate disaster, San Diego

[4:30:02] should not be keep paying

[4:30:03] the price of neglect and

[4:30:03] maintenance.

[4:30:04] Please adopt a budget that

[4:30:07] prioritizes people over

[4:30:07] surveillance technology.

[4:30:08] Thank you.

[4:30:10] Next is San Diego County

[4:30:11] Bicycle Coalition.

[4:30:16] If you can please unmute.

[4:30:17] >> Good evening City Council.

[4:30:18] My name is Ian Embry and I am

[4:30:18] the advocacy and community

[4:30:20] manager for the San Diego

[4:30:21] County Bicycle Coalition.

[4:30:22] Traffic safety is public safety

[4:30:25] but this budget doesn't treat

[4:30:25] it as such.

[4:30:26] While the mayor boasts that

[4:30:27] the MAY revise includes

[4:30:30] the speed management plan,

[4:30:31] the revise also keeps the cuts

[4:30:32] to the multimodal team who

[4:30:32] would do a ton of the work of

[4:30:35] designing traffic calming and

[4:30:36] traffic safety measures.

[4:30:36] Our streets get repaved.

[4:30:37] Without this team the speed

[4:30:40] management plan is not a plan

[4:30:40] but a wish.

[4:30:41] For those of you who have been

[4:30:42] supporting the multimodal team,

[4:30:45] we thank you for your courage.

[4:30:45] For those who still need

[4:30:46] convincing, the Vision Zero

[4:30:47] Coalition has proposed three

[4:30:49] ways to fund this team.

[4:30:50] All have value but we believe

[4:30:51] continuing to fund this team

[4:30:51] through Transnet allows them to

[4:30:55] continue all aspects of their

[4:30:56] work that make our city safer

[4:30:56] and more livable.

[4:30:59] This can be done at no cost to

[4:31:00] allocations currently in

[4:31:00] the budget.

[4:31:01] Thank you for your time and

[4:31:01] thank you Clark Fuentes for

[4:31:03] your work.

[4:31:04] >> Thank you.

[4:31:05] Tanner Moreno If you can please

[4:31:05] unmute.

[4:31:08] Tanner Moreno Hello.

[4:31:13] Please proceed.

[4:31:14] Imagine a place without any

[4:31:14] public art or music.

[4:31:18] A place without shared cultural

[4:31:19] spaces.

[4:31:22] Imagine Balboa Park without any

[4:31:23] museums or orchestra.

[4:31:24] Instead we have a city that

[4:31:28] chooses to invest in

[4:31:28] surveillance cameras.

[4:31:29] Inside the community it serves.

[4:31:33] Does that sound like a vibrant,

[4:31:33] thriving San Diego?

[4:31:34] Is that a city worth visiting?

[4:31:38] A place you want to live.

[4:31:42] The budget cuts for our culture

[4:31:43] by maintaining expensive

[4:31:47] technologies like flock sends a

[4:31:48] clear message about what we

[4:31:48] value.

[4:31:49] And it's not San Diego and it's

[4:31:52] not saying Nagin's.

[4:31:53] But choose to invest in our

[4:31:53] communities.

[4:31:54] Arts programs are not optional.

[4:31:57] They create trust which then

[4:32:01] create safety restored funding

[4:32:02] for arts, culture and systems

[4:32:06] like npr and Foxx that invest

[4:32:07] in the people and culture that

[4:32:08] make San Diego strong.

[4:32:08] >> Thank you.

[4:32:10] Thank you Zack If you can

[4:32:14] please unmute.

[4:32:15] >> Thank you.

[4:32:15] I am calling in to ask that

[4:32:19] the funding for the multimodal

[4:32:19] team as part of

[4:32:20] the transportation part

[4:32:21] department be restored.

[4:32:25] There's a lot of reasons this

[4:32:25] team adds a lot of value to

[4:32:29] the city but my main motivation

[4:32:30] is because I'd like to be able

[4:32:31] to walk and bike without being

[4:32:34] scared in this city and it's

[4:32:34] challenging that It requires me

[4:32:38] to be politically active and to

[4:32:39] get this to happen.

[4:32:39] i feel that enabling safe

[4:32:40] transportation is a core

[4:32:43] responsibility of

[4:32:44] the Transportation Department

[4:32:45] and I am confused about how

[4:32:49] this budget ignores that

[4:32:53] responsibility especially when

[4:32:54] these active transportation

[4:32:55] plans and bicycle master plans

[4:32:55] were created in collaboration

[4:32:58] with the people of San Diego.

[4:32:59] There are places in the world

[4:32:59] where this cap would be

[4:33:03] unfathomable and not even

[4:33:04] referenced in some far flung

[4:33:04] bike utopia.

[4:33:05] This would be illegal to cut in

[4:33:08] our neighbor city of Los

[4:33:09] Angeles.

[4:33:09] We cannot allow Los Angeles to

[4:33:12] serve passengers in this So

[4:33:13] please restore this team and

[4:33:17] help us be L.A..

[4:33:18] Our next speaker is Anthony

[4:33:18] Avalos And then after that

[4:33:22] visit voices is our final

[4:33:23] speaker for tonight.

[4:33:23] Anthony.

[4:33:26] Public safety can't mean

[4:33:27] protecting police budgets while

[4:33:28] cutting the systems that

[4:33:31] actually care for San Diego And

[4:33:32] properly caring for us means

[4:33:32] funding the conditions of

[4:33:36] preventing harm before police

[4:33:36] are called housing stability

[4:33:40] libraries rec centers, youth

[4:33:41] programs, public restrooms.

[4:33:42] Trauma informed services, food

[4:33:45] access, mental health care arts

[4:33:46] and culture and neighborhood

[4:33:47] infrastructure.

[4:33:50] The current budget conversation

[4:33:50] shows us that public pressure

[4:33:51] works.

[4:33:54] Some libraries and rec center

[4:33:55] cuts have been restored but

[4:33:56] partial restoration is not

[4:33:59] transformation.

[4:34:00] We need the Council to stop

[4:34:01] asking working class

[4:34:05] communities to absorb austerity

[4:34:05] while sd pd remains

[4:34:06] structurally protecting

[4:34:09] the mandate is reallocation

[4:34:10] move funding from reactive

[4:34:14] systems of force into community

[4:34:14] based systems of care.

[4:34:15] Every dollar spent expanding

[4:34:19] police surveillance and

[4:34:19] enforcement is a dollar not

[4:34:20] spent.

[4:34:23] Stabilizing families supporting

[4:34:24] young people, preventing trauma

[4:34:28] or repairing neighborhoods If

[4:34:29] the city is serious about it.

[4:34:30] >> Thank you for that

[4:34:30] concluding comment via Voices

[4:34:37] If you can please unmute I am

[4:34:38] My name is which ends up mid

[4:34:39] sector director for people says

[4:34:41] I'm not going to repeat a lot

[4:34:42] of my talking point today about

[4:34:45] what an equity equitable but as

[4:34:46] the communities showed up

[4:34:46] willingly tonight to tell you

[4:34:50] all about name I want to name

[4:34:51] something is that the budget

[4:34:54] process is not equitable at all

[4:34:55] .

[4:34:56] Gear up a year after year after

[4:34:56] year we've seen the community

[4:34:57] come out fight for the little

[4:34:59] things like this.

[4:35:00] It's a joke Stand up as a huge

[4:35:01] success.

[4:35:05] How asking for lots and $1

[4:35:05] million We can only get

[4:35:09] the funding for it and somebody

[4:35:10] ask The battle is hard to fight

[4:35:10] and for the first time that

[4:35:14] we've seen the mayor sitting in

[4:35:14] the chamber for somebody who

[4:35:17] can do 9,595% of the budget

[4:35:18] funding and yet he never held a

[4:35:23] public meeting to hear that to

[4:35:24] sit with all of you until

[4:35:27] tonight I will say does now is

[4:35:28] also the time to consider

[4:35:28] the budget project change?

[4:35:29] How do we make the process that

[4:35:32] will include more public

[4:35:32] involve At the end of day that

[4:35:37] is what democracy look like.

[4:35:38] We can we could pass We do all

[4:35:38] of this thing again.

[4:35:42] The federal government in your

[4:35:43] time has clued in.

[4:35:45] That does conclude public

[4:35:46] comment on today's item.

[4:35:47] Thank you Council PRESIDENT All

[4:35:51] right thank you City Clerk

[4:35:51] Before I turn it over to my

[4:35:52] colleagues a big round of

[4:35:55] applause for Deanna and

[4:35:56] the entire city clerks team who

[4:36:00] handle I don't know 5000

[4:36:01] speakers or something like

[4:36:01] that.

[4:36:04] It just felt like it.

[4:36:05] Thank you, Mayor, for sticking

[4:36:06] around for the entire time And

[4:36:09] your staff the chiefs in

[4:36:10] the front row there and many if

[4:36:14] not all the department heads.

[4:36:14] Thank you for sticking around

[4:36:15] for all the public comment And

[4:36:19] to the public for those who are

[4:36:22] actually still here at 1120 all

[4:36:23] the people that showed up and

[4:36:27] spoke in passionate defense of

[4:36:28] their priorities and those

[4:36:28] participated remotely, we

[4:36:32] certainly appreciate it.

[4:36:33] It makes it worthwhile.

[4:36:34] Does the whole evening meetings

[4:36:37] to gain your input So with that

[4:36:38] this is an informational item

[4:36:42] No motions required and we'll

[4:36:42] turn it over to the chair of

[4:36:43] the Budget Committee council

[4:36:46] member Henry Foster the third

[4:36:51] Thank you Chair and thank you,

[4:36:55] Rolonda, to you and your team

[4:36:56] for their presentation of Mayor

[4:37:00] Thank you for introducing

[4:37:01] the MAY revise in your

[4:37:06] presenting session and for

[4:37:11] staying with us this evening.

[4:37:12] Also would like to thank all of

[4:37:16] the department directors and

[4:37:16] staff that stayed with us as

[4:37:26] well to hear the public comment

[4:37:27] and to keep and try and keep my

[4:37:30] coming keep my comments brief.

[4:37:35] I also just want to say thank

[4:37:36] you to the public for coming

[4:37:40] out.

[4:37:44] It's quite difficult for me to

[4:37:45] receive these comments

[4:37:49] Oftentimes you will hear me

[4:37:53] talk about the tale of two

[4:37:54] cities but I feel in the short

[4:37:54] time that I've been on this

[4:38:02] dais we tend to have the same

[4:38:02] folks as we go through this

[4:38:07] budget cycle come before this

[4:38:08] council with the same message

[4:38:16] and quite honestly I feel as if

[4:38:16] there's a portion of this city

[4:38:22] that truly does feel forgotten

[4:38:22] .

[4:38:23] So thank you for continuing to

[4:38:27] come out and to make sure that

[4:38:28] your voices are part of this

[4:38:31] process.

[4:38:32] And I just want you to know and

[4:38:36] I'm sure my colleagues will

[4:38:37] have some comments but my

[4:38:41] colleagues hear you as well And

[4:38:45] so thank you for continuing to

[4:38:50] stay engaged and to let us know

[4:38:51] what your needs are and what's

[4:38:54] important to you.

[4:39:00] I guess I'll say this Mayor, I

[4:39:00] do want to thank you for

[4:39:04] the work on the budget thus

[4:39:05] far.

[4:39:10] I think you did make some tough

[4:39:11] decisions and I just want to

[4:39:14] thank you specifically for

[4:39:15] supporting the investment

[4:39:16] that's indicated in here for

[4:39:19] youth.

[4:39:20] You did take a hard look at

[4:39:25] the libraries Park and Rec.

[4:39:28] You did prioritize districts

[4:39:29] for eight nine which I am truly

[4:39:34] appreciative of and I just want

[4:39:34] to make sure that I convey that

[4:39:35] to you and your team because it

[4:39:38] has been some challenging

[4:39:42] conversations to get here.

[4:39:47] But as you can see there's

[4:39:47] quite a bit more work to do,

[4:39:52] more conversations to have as

[4:39:55] we look at and approach

[4:39:56] the JUNE 9th date.

[4:40:00] I will be honest and say that

[4:40:01] at the onset of this budget

[4:40:06] cycle I did really want to ask

[4:40:10] the question what happens if we

[4:40:11] do not approve a budget?

[4:40:15] And I can tell you that I have

[4:40:20] my staff working on a lsr to

[4:40:20] the city attorney's office to

[4:40:24] get the full legal analysis as

[4:40:25] to the answer to that question

[4:40:29] by But I must say you know as I

[4:40:30] look at what's in front of us

[4:40:38] today I do feel better in

[4:40:44] regards to achieve what we need

[4:40:45] to achieve on JUNE the 9th But

[4:40:48] I think it does rely heavily on

[4:40:53] as I always say, my good friend

[4:40:53] the ipa as he is as they are

[4:40:58] doing their analysis, their

[4:40:58] work to see how we can

[4:41:02] incorporate I'm going to say

[4:41:03] the last round of budget

[4:41:07] memorandums that have been

[4:41:08] provided so eager to see what

[4:41:12] your analysis is provides and

[4:41:17] what paths are potentially in

[4:41:18] front of us as we continue to

[4:41:29] have our budget conversation.

[4:41:30] >> I do think that we do need

[4:41:37] to take a serious look at our

[4:41:38] priorities and I said this

[4:41:42] early on that at the end of

[4:41:43] the day we are still talking

[4:41:46] about a $6 billion budget which

[4:41:47] for me it's the same

[4:41:51] conversation and it's the same

[4:41:56] conversation about priorities.

[4:41:57] I think that we do need to take

[4:42:01] a hard look at our policing.

[4:42:02] >> Just two more minutes I'll

[4:42:06] be done here shortly And one

[4:42:10] thing that I do want to really

[4:42:15] make sure and and stress to my

[4:42:16] colleagues we really do need to

[4:42:25] look at floc and surveillance.

[4:42:26] Um, I think one thing that we

[4:42:30] have learned over the over

[4:42:31] the years especially recently

[4:42:35] since I've been a part of

[4:42:35] the legislative body is that if

[4:42:39] we invest in community that

[4:42:44] truly is a very, very important

[4:42:45] portion of public safety And I

[4:42:46] think it shows in our

[4:42:50] statistics in I think it speaks

[4:42:55] volumes as we look at

[4:42:59] continuing to be the safest

[4:42:59] largest city.

[4:43:04] So I will leave that there.

[4:43:04] Council PRESIDENT I will

[4:43:08] conclude that there and just

[4:43:09] say I am looking forward to

[4:43:11] continuing these conversations

[4:43:17] as we approach JUNE 9th.

[4:43:22] And just to reiterate to

[4:43:22] everyone because I want to be

[4:43:23] clear arts and culture is

[4:43:29] important to me and you know I

[4:43:30] have the San Diego Black Arts

[4:43:33] and Culture District that is

[4:43:34] fresh and new.

[4:43:35] We are always talking with

[4:43:39] economic development on trying

[4:43:43] to build out that space and it

[4:43:44] is really a critical component

[4:43:45] for District four and

[4:43:48] the sustainability of District

[4:43:49] four.

[4:43:52] So we got some work to do So

[4:43:53] we'll be looking to my

[4:43:54] colleagues to roll our sleeves

[4:43:58] up and to land this plane and

[4:44:02] hopefully improve on the budget

[4:44:03] so that we can meet the needs

[4:44:07] of the residents of the city of

[4:44:07] San Diego.

[4:44:08] So thank you Council PRESIDENT

[4:44:09] And that will conclude my

[4:44:12] comments.

[4:44:12] Right.

[4:44:13] Thank you, Councilmember Foster

[4:44:14] We'll go next to Councilmember

[4:44:14] Ila Rivera.

[4:44:16] All right.

[4:44:17] Thank you, Council PRESIDENT.

[4:44:21] Thank you to all the members of

[4:44:22] the public who provided

[4:44:22] testimony tonight who've been

[4:44:26] engaged in the process.

[4:44:27] Thank you, Charles to you and

[4:44:27] your team.

[4:44:29] Mayor, thank you for being here

[4:44:34] tonight And and and staying

[4:44:34] with us here.

[4:44:39] Council PRESIDENT What I'm

[4:44:40] asking to start with is a

[4:44:43] letter that I was asked to read

[4:44:48] from a number of Muslim led

[4:44:48] organizations including care

[4:44:49] San Diego, the Muslim

[4:44:52] Leadership Council, Muslim

[4:44:53] Student Association at uc San

[4:44:54] Diego, Pillars of the Community

[4:44:57] Partnership for the Advancement

[4:44:58] of New Americans and for

[4:44:58] the People Action.

[4:45:02] I'm going to read those

[4:45:03] comments first before I make my

[4:45:03] own.

[4:45:06] And again these are their words

[4:45:07] and I'm going to read them

[4:45:11] exactly as they were written.

[4:45:12] Statement On behalf of Muslim

[4:45:13] led Organizations This week San

[4:45:16] Diego faced a vicious terrorist

[4:45:17] attack by two teenage white

[4:45:17] supremacists who acted upon

[4:45:20] the hateful anti-Muslim

[4:45:20] rhetoric has become all too

[4:45:21] common across the United

[4:45:21] States.

[4:45:25] The attack against the Islamic

[4:45:26] center of San Diego the largest

[4:45:26] and most visible gathering

[4:45:30] space for Muslims in San Diego

[4:45:31] has left us devastated and in

[4:45:31] shock.

[4:45:32] The entire Muslim community and

[4:45:35] the hundreds of children who

[4:45:36] went to school there and

[4:45:36] witnessed the horrific attacks

[4:45:37] will be dealing with this

[4:45:40] trauma for a long time.

[4:45:41] While it is vital for

[4:45:41] policymakers to hear community

[4:45:45] testimonies and recommendations

[4:45:46] as the city council is holding

[4:45:47] its meeting at one of

[4:45:47] the holiest times in the Muslim

[4:45:50] calendar Because it is a day

[4:45:51] that we spend with our families

[4:45:55] particularly given the events

[4:45:56] that transpired last week, many

[4:45:57] of us will not be able to join

[4:46:00] today as we mourn the loss of

[4:46:01] Ameen Abdullah, Nadir Awad and

[4:46:04] Mansoor because can you excuse

[4:46:05] me as we mourn the loss of

[4:46:05] Ameen Abdullah, Nadir Awad and

[4:46:09] Mansoor Kazia are the three

[4:46:10] humble men who sacrificed their

[4:46:11] lives for the lives of our

[4:46:11] children, teachers and school

[4:46:14] administrators.

[4:46:15] We urge you to not use our

[4:46:16] tragedy as a political prop to

[4:46:16] cut the budgets of much needed

[4:46:19] social programs or funneling

[4:46:20] more money into law enforcement

[4:46:20] agencies.

[4:46:24] Do not use our laws to defund

[4:46:24] community programs and make San

[4:46:25] Diego safer in order to

[4:46:26] increase the budget of a deeply

[4:46:28] flawed police force.

[4:46:29] This tragedy should be used to

[4:46:30] reexamine the way that law

[4:46:33] enforcement keeps us safer not

[4:46:34] reward them for their failures

[4:46:35] not in our name.

[4:46:38] Our community has questions

[4:46:38] about why the police wasted

[4:46:39] time on ineffective

[4:46:40] surveillance technology instead

[4:46:43] of notifying the schools and

[4:46:43] places of worship in

[4:46:44] the surrounding area that we

[4:46:45] were in danger.

[4:46:48] Simple phone calls could have

[4:46:48] prevented the horrific murders

[4:46:49] of a mean mentor and a dear

[4:46:52] flock.

[4:46:53] Technology did not protect us

[4:46:53] and neither did the police.

[4:46:54] Police relied on flawed A.I.

[4:46:57] Technology and ultimately

[4:46:57] failed to locate

[4:46:58] the perpetrators Were it not

[4:47:01] for our heroes, this tragedy

[4:47:02] would have been multiplied.

[4:47:03] Political theatrics and

[4:47:03] crocodile tears will not keep

[4:47:06] us safe.

[4:47:07] We need real efforts to root

[4:47:08] out the belief that some lives

[4:47:09] hold less value than others.

[4:47:11] We demand meaningful changes to

[4:47:12] condemn and prevent the hatred

[4:47:13] that two San Diego residents

[4:47:16] harbored against others in

[4:47:16] the same city Muslims.

[4:47:17] Jews, African-Americans,

[4:47:21] immigrants and other minority

[4:47:21] groups.

[4:47:22] We are city council members and

[4:47:26] all policymaker and elected

[4:47:26] leaders.

[4:47:27] What will actually protect

[4:47:28] protect San Diegans from

[4:47:30] another attack?

[4:47:31] You cannot sit silently while

[4:47:32] Muslims around the world are

[4:47:32] dehumanized.

[4:47:36] You cannot be complacent in

[4:47:36] the mistreatment of Muslims

[4:47:37] here in the United States you

[4:47:38] cannot uplift some targets of

[4:47:40] white extremist rhetoric while

[4:47:41] ignoring others.

[4:47:42] All of our lives must be

[4:47:45] equally valued.

[4:47:46] This tragedy was an attack on

[4:47:47] all San Diego ans but it was

[4:47:50] the Muslim community that will

[4:47:50] have to explain to our

[4:47:51] children.

[4:47:54] My brother Ameen Abu is an

[4:47:54] uncle Nadir are not there to

[4:47:55] greet them when they return to

[4:47:59] school rather than investing

[4:48:00] more money into a failed

[4:48:00] punishment bureaucracy, we urge

[4:48:01] you to support programs that

[4:48:04] invest in youth afterschool

[4:48:05] programs, mental health

[4:48:05] support, early warning systems

[4:48:10] and combat anti-Muslim hate.

[4:48:10] We ask city leadership to

[4:48:11] invest in real solutions and

[4:48:14] avoid the same failed policies

[4:48:15] of the past Signed to care San

[4:48:16] Diego with some leadership

[4:48:19] council a muslim student

[4:48:20] association at uc San Diego

[4:48:20] Pillars of the Community

[4:48:24] Partnership for the Advancement

[4:48:25] Americans for the People Action

[4:48:29] That concludes the remarks that

[4:48:30] I was asked to read.

[4:48:31] I will now add some thoughts of

[4:48:36] my own.

[4:48:41] >> One I just want to recognize

[4:48:41] the mourning that's still

[4:48:44] happening in in the community

[4:48:45] and and why it was important

[4:48:49] for that statement to be read

[4:48:54] especially because of the in

[4:48:54] combat compatibility with

[4:48:55] the scheduling of this meeting

[4:48:59] with the Muslim holiday.

[4:49:00] I know that that's the calendar

[4:49:01] was tight and we had to pivot

[4:49:06] and but they made it even more

[4:49:07] important to read read them

[4:49:12] last week I joined Council

[4:49:12] PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee,

[4:49:13] Councilmember Foster and

[4:49:13] Councilmember Moreno on a

[4:49:16] budget memo that provided real

[4:49:16] possible funding resources and

[4:49:17] cuts we were willing to make in

[4:49:21] order to fund some to fund just

[4:49:21] some of our top priorities such

[4:49:22] as arts and culture, fully

[4:49:25] restoring parks and library

[4:49:26] hours, the Small Business

[4:49:27] Enhancement Program and

[4:49:27] the Office of Challenges

[4:49:30] Success.

[4:49:31] Um I want to recognize some of

[4:49:32] what we heard here today and I

[4:49:35] actually think I was so

[4:49:36] appreciative that the American

[4:49:36] Federation of the Blind had

[4:49:39] folks here tonight.

[4:49:40] I think that provided

[4:49:44] invaluable perspective of of of

[4:49:45] why the investments that we

[4:49:49] make are so important And

[4:49:54] the ask was so simple but so

[4:49:58] important at the same time

[4:49:58] blind San Diegans simply

[4:49:59] wanting to feel safe so that

[4:50:03] they can walk to work

[4:50:08] contribute to society, live

[4:50:12] full and meaningful lives

[4:50:13] Nothing extravagant in that ask

[4:50:17] and just a simple recognition

[4:50:17] for their needs to be met to

[4:50:18] live dignified lives.

[4:50:22] We heard youth searching for

[4:50:23] the city to simply function

[4:50:23] well enough to turn their

[4:50:24] advocacy into the basics of any

[4:50:27] community in this city should

[4:50:28] expect.

[4:50:28] We heard youth asking that we

[4:50:32] demonstrate that we care about

[4:50:33] them enough to prioritize them

[4:50:36] with a relative with extremely

[4:50:36] small amount of funding that is

[4:50:41] dedicated to them Knowing that

[4:50:42] there is someone in this city

[4:50:46] who is looking out for them and

[4:50:47] obviously the arts and culture

[4:50:50] community being out here strong

[4:50:51] and loud once again because

[4:50:52] that is so important to our

[4:51:00] community.

[4:51:01] There are two parts of this.

[4:51:02] There's the work that we can do

[4:51:05] in this budget cycle with

[4:51:06] the resources that we have and

[4:51:06] I will continue to advocate

[4:51:10] what I will to express

[4:51:10] appreciation.

[4:51:11] Mayor to you Department of

[4:51:14] Finance and the aba for being

[4:51:15] willing to be innovative and

[4:51:20] modernize the way we use golf

[4:51:21] revenue With that innovation we

[4:51:24] were able to restore parks and

[4:51:28] rec centers in districts four,

[4:51:29] eight and nine and I think

[4:51:29] we're just scratching

[4:51:32] the surface of what it means

[4:51:33] when we really lean into assets

[4:51:34] that people from around

[4:51:38] the world know San Diego for

[4:51:39] and leverage those to

[4:51:42] the benefits of everyday,

[4:51:43] everyday people from across

[4:51:43] the city.

[4:51:47] I'm glad to see that and I will

[4:51:48] continue to advocate for us to

[4:51:52] reallocate funding away from

[4:51:57] floc and surveillance.

[4:51:57] If there's one lesson that I

[4:52:01] think is important to take from

[4:52:02] the from from the out from

[4:52:06] the events of last week is that

[4:52:07] there's and when it comes to

[4:52:11] safety at least that there's no

[4:52:11] amount of dollars spent on

[4:52:15] enforcement that can equal

[4:52:16] the safety that comes when

[4:52:16] people love each other and are

[4:52:20] willing to sacrifice everything

[4:52:25] to take care of each other a

[4:52:25] unthinkable number of lives,

[4:52:26] especially lives of children

[4:52:30] was saved because three men

[4:52:31] from the community loved their

[4:52:35] community enough to put their

[4:52:36] body on the line And I will not

[4:52:40] pretend like there are not

[4:52:40] emergencies that require

[4:52:47] emergency response but

[4:52:47] the people who do that work

[4:52:48] cannot be everywhere at all

[4:52:52] times and trying to do that is

[4:52:56] a is a recipe for disaster.

[4:52:57] It's an impossible task and

[4:53:01] it's ultimately still cannot

[4:53:02] create the safety that comes

[4:53:03] from people loving each other

[4:53:06] and taking care of each other

[4:53:07] and the investments that young

[4:53:07] people are asking us to make

[4:53:08] investments the arts and

[4:53:11] culture community is asking us

[4:53:12] to make are both aimed at

[4:53:16] creating a San Diego where

[4:53:17] people can express their love

[4:53:17] for each other, where they can

[4:53:21] take care of each other And I

[4:53:21] wholeheartedly believe that

[4:53:22] that will be not just a safer

[4:53:26] city but a safer city that that

[4:53:31] feels better to live in and we

[4:53:31] can be that city.

[4:53:32] I'll have more to say about

[4:53:33] the ways that we should be

[4:53:35] pursuing revenue because we

[4:53:36] should not have to live this

[4:53:40] way where we are considering

[4:53:41] whether or not we can fund safe

[4:53:45] crosswalks for the blind or

[4:53:45] services for the youth or arts

[4:53:50] and culture programing as well

[4:53:51] as a number of other very

[4:53:52] important things that are on

[4:53:54] the chopping block.

[4:53:55] San Diego is too beautiful a

[4:53:56] place with too good of people

[4:54:00] for that to be our year to year

[4:54:00] reality And so I look forward

[4:54:04] to doing that work with you

[4:54:05] council PRESIDENT And the rest

[4:54:05] of our colleagues in our final

[4:54:06] budget action.

[4:54:10] Thank you.

[4:54:10] >> All right.

[4:54:11] Thank you.

[4:54:11] Councilmember Ella Rivera.

[4:54:12] We'll go next to Council

[4:54:14] PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee you

[4:54:15] council PRESIDENT I know most

[4:54:16] of the public has departed but

[4:54:18] even so I want to take

[4:54:19] the moment to thank them many

[4:54:20] of them who showed up early

[4:54:24] today for a rally starting at

[4:54:24] 430 even before the hearing and

[4:54:28] stayed for much of the evening

[4:54:28] .

[4:54:29] I want to thank the mayor and

[4:54:30] staff as well for bringing us

[4:54:33] to this point through the MAY

[4:54:34] revision and to all of you for

[4:54:34] sticking around and hearing

[4:54:37] from the public.

[4:54:38] That means a lot to us and I'm

[4:54:42] sure to them as well.

[4:54:43] I do want to acknowledge that

[4:54:47] this budget is the especially

[4:54:48] difficult budget that the mayor

[4:54:52] and I have shared and that

[4:54:56] the shortfalls we see in

[4:54:57] funding are similar to what my

[4:54:58] colleagues have described there

[4:55:01] everywhere in this budget and

[4:55:01] that is very much tied to how

[4:55:06] the city is underfunded.

[4:55:07] And so I know with public

[4:55:08] comments on that tonight and I

[4:55:11] just don't think we can ignore

[4:55:12] that that is the reality that

[4:55:12] we are in.

[4:55:16] But I will note that I believe

[4:55:17] that this budget as presented

[4:55:17] even with its MAY revision does

[4:55:21] not ultimately achieve

[4:55:22] the balance that I believe

[4:55:26] the council and the public are

[4:55:26] seeking And so I'm looking

[4:55:31] forward to taking the next step

[4:55:32] where this moves from being

[4:55:32] the proposed budget with

[4:55:36] the MAY revision now to

[4:55:37] the Council for its full

[4:55:37] deliberations and the final

[4:55:41] weeks and working with my

[4:55:41] colleagues to do everything we

[4:55:42] can to achieve a budget that we

[4:55:46] can stand by and one that we

[4:55:47] can ultimately approve.

[4:55:48] And I do think we will have

[4:55:51] that opportunity is

[4:55:52] Councilmember Rivera noted

[4:55:53] Several of us put a memo

[4:55:56] together that outlined a number

[4:55:56] of opportunities that we think

[4:56:00] we can still seek to achieve

[4:56:01] the structural changes

[4:56:01] necessary to achieve

[4:56:06] the balance that we are seeking

[4:56:06] And I appreciate them for

[4:56:10] the words that they've shared

[4:56:10] and look forward to the work

[4:56:11] that we do in the 11 or so days

[4:56:11] ahead.

[4:56:15] Well, 13 days ahead.

[4:56:16] Thank you.

[4:56:16] All right.

[4:56:16] Thank you.

[4:56:17] Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee.

[4:56:20] We'll go next to council Member

[4:56:20] Whipple.

[4:56:21] Thank you very much.

[4:56:22] Council PRESIDENT Thank you to

[4:56:22] everybody who provided comment

[4:56:25] on the budget this evening.

[4:56:25] Thank you to the mayor and

[4:56:30] the city's leadership team and

[4:56:30] city staff for taking it.

[4:56:31] But members of the public had

[4:56:35] to say tonight very much

[4:56:35] looking forward to the Office

[4:56:36] of the Independent Budget

[4:56:40] Analysts report next Tuesday

[4:56:40] that will compile the budget

[4:56:44] memoranda that was submitted by

[4:56:45] each of the council offices and

[4:56:45] identify areas of shared

[4:56:49] priorities that will help to

[4:56:50] inform our final budget.

[4:56:54] I thought there were very

[4:56:54] compelling comments tonight

[4:56:59] The Case for Restoring Arts and

[4:57:00] culture funding is persuasive

[4:57:00] and I look forward to working

[4:57:04] with my colleagues to continue

[4:57:05] supporting San Diego's valuable

[4:57:08] arts and culture community.

[4:57:09] I don't support cuts to

[4:57:13] homelessness funding but I

[4:57:13] understand the financial

[4:57:14] environment that we're in So I

[4:57:15] am focused on at least

[4:57:18] preserving programs and

[4:57:18] services that provide as many

[4:57:19] people as possible with shelter

[4:57:23] and housing And I share some of

[4:57:24] the other priorities that were

[4:57:25] brought up by a number of

[4:57:27] people tonight.

[4:57:28] The Budget Review committee

[4:57:28] meets next Friday in

[4:57:33] anticipation that as has been

[4:57:34] mentioned the council taking up

[4:57:34] the budget on the night.

[4:57:37] So I look forward to

[4:57:38] the conversations of the days

[4:57:38] ahead.

[4:57:39] >> Thank you.

[4:57:39] All right.

[4:57:40] Thank you.

[4:57:42] COUNCILMAN Whitburn.

[4:57:43] >> We'll go next to

[4:57:44] Councilmember Moreno.

[4:57:45] Thank you And thank you for

[4:57:47] the presentation.

[4:57:48] Thank you to all the staff that

[4:57:49] is still here with us And also

[4:57:52] thank you to the aba.

[4:57:53] Thank you also to the members

[4:57:57] of the community who have

[4:57:57] provided us with their

[4:57:58] viewpoints throughout this

[4:58:01] whole process.

[4:58:02] I know that this process can be

[4:58:03] very time consuming but your

[4:58:06] voice and input matters because

[4:58:07] they're essential to

[4:58:10] understanding how the budget

[4:58:11] and numbers ultimately affect

[4:58:16] our residents quality of life

[4:58:16] to departments that affect

[4:58:17] the quality of life for my

[4:58:21] residents, our libraries and

[4:58:22] parks and rec libraries are

[4:58:25] essential community spaces for

[4:58:26] learning and access to

[4:58:26] knowledge providing residents

[4:58:30] with valuable resources such as

[4:58:31] computers, wi fi hotspots and

[4:58:35] afterschool programing Park and

[4:58:40] rec programs are vital for

[4:58:41] promoting healthier lifestyles

[4:58:44] and most importantly fostering

[4:58:45] community connection through

[4:58:46] recreation and social

[4:58:50] programing especially when it

[4:58:50] doesn't exist at home.

[4:58:51] Together these core city

[4:58:54] services create opportunities

[4:58:55] and provide a solid a safe

[4:58:56] welcoming environment for

[4:59:00] residents in our communities

[4:59:00] for them to succeed.

[4:59:01] I am pleased to see that

[4:59:05] libraries and Parks and Rec

[4:59:05] have regained funding to

[4:59:08] maintain current service levels

[4:59:09] in District eight and that

[4:59:13] other and other an underserved

[4:59:13] communities.

[4:59:14] These services are essential to

[4:59:14] the quality of life for our

[4:59:18] residents and should not be

[4:59:19] treated as optional

[4:59:19] investments.

[4:59:23] What is frustrating is that

[4:59:24] every year we find ourselves

[4:59:28] fighting that same battle over

[4:59:28] cuts to libraries and parks and

[4:59:29] rec.

[4:59:29] Year after year this council

[4:59:33] has had to step in to preserve

[4:59:34] these critical community

[4:59:34] services.

[4:59:38] Yet the following budget cycle

[4:59:39] the same departments are once

[4:59:39] again placed on the chopping

[4:59:43] block.

[4:59:43] This cycle is unsustainable and

[4:59:48] there needs to be a better long

[4:59:48] term approach to protecting

[4:59:49] core neighborhood services.

[4:59:53] Part of this approach is to

[4:59:54] implement the city auditor's

[4:59:57] recommendations that could

[4:59:58] generate additional revenues

[4:59:58] and produce meaningful cost

[5:00:02] savings for the city.

[5:00:03] These recommendations have been

[5:00:04] made even before the severe

[5:00:06] budget constraints we're facing

[5:00:10] today.

[5:00:11] One clear example is

[5:00:12] the implementation of

[5:00:15] recommendations related to

[5:00:16] police overtime which has

[5:00:19] already saved taxpayers

[5:00:19] approximately $6.5 million

[5:00:20] annually.

[5:00:24] If more of these auditor

[5:00:25] recommendations are implemented

[5:00:26] the city could realize millions

[5:00:29] of additional dollars in

[5:00:30] savings.

[5:00:30] i understand these reforms will

[5:00:34] not happen overnight and that

[5:00:35] savings MAY not materialize

[5:00:39] immediately But we must always

[5:00:40] govern as though every single

[5:00:44] dollar matters.

[5:00:45] I am very concerned about

[5:00:45] the continued reduction to

[5:00:49] storm water department because

[5:00:50] my residents understand

[5:00:50] firsthand the consequences of

[5:00:51] underfunding this critical

[5:00:55] infrastructure.

[5:00:55] This budget was presented as

[5:00:56] one that prioritizes public

[5:01:00] safety.

[5:01:00] Yet the failure to adequately

[5:01:01] fund storm water infrastructure

[5:01:05] represents a glaring gap in

[5:01:05] that commitment.

[5:01:10] The floods of JANUARY 2024

[5:01:10] demonstrated exactly why storm

[5:01:11] water infrastructure must be

[5:01:15] treated as a core public safety

[5:01:16] priority.

[5:01:19] The death by a thousand cuts

[5:01:20] approach to the Storm water

[5:01:20] department jeopardizes

[5:01:25] the safety and well-being of

[5:01:25] our residents.

[5:01:29] The National Oceanic and

[5:01:30] Atmospheric Administration has

[5:01:33] said that El Nino appears to be

[5:01:34] taking shape which MAY bring

[5:01:35] heavier than usual rains to

[5:01:39] the area and the cities.

[5:01:40] The city needs to make sure

[5:01:41] we're fully prepared for this

[5:01:44] storm.

[5:01:45] In contrast with all

[5:01:45] the funding that

[5:01:46] the homelessness strategies and

[5:01:49] solution departments received,

[5:01:50] my residents still live with

[5:01:54] the brutal reality of having

[5:01:54] homeless in front of elementary

[5:01:55] schools.

[5:01:55] Over the past few months my

[5:01:59] staff has been in constant

[5:02:00] communication with

[5:02:03] the principal of Perkins k

[5:02:04] through eight school located in

[5:02:07] district and in Barrio Logan.

[5:02:08] In one incident the teachers

[5:02:09] were not able to open the gate

[5:02:13] to access the school because of

[5:02:14] unhoused individuals blockading

[5:02:18] the principals and parents have

[5:02:19] shown me tents, cars, RVs

[5:02:19] surrounding the school creating

[5:02:23] conditions that no child should

[5:02:24] ever have to see or experience.

[5:02:28] Students at Perkins cannot walk

[5:02:29] more than a few feet without

[5:02:33] being exposed to things

[5:02:34] children should never have to

[5:02:38] see human feces, needles,

[5:02:39] condoms, public nudity fights

[5:02:43] People passed out on

[5:02:44] the sidewalk.

[5:02:44] Alcohol consumption and open

[5:02:48] drug use.

[5:02:49] These are the realities for

[5:02:54] children in Barrio Logan and

[5:02:54] they're simply just going to

[5:02:55] school.

[5:02:55] That's why it was a complete

[5:02:59] shock to me when hst also took

[5:03:04] a bit of budget mitigation of

[5:03:04] $222 million reduction in

[5:03:09] security services for safety

[5:03:10] storage operations which would

[5:03:10] impact the commercial street

[5:03:15] safe storage site a few blocks

[5:03:15] away from Perkins.

[5:03:20] The property is also near our

[5:03:20] ladies school which is right

[5:03:21] next to it, which is a

[5:03:25] kindergarten through eighth

[5:03:26] grade school that has served

[5:03:26] this community since 1945.

[5:03:30] The city made a commitment to

[5:03:31] the students and residents of

[5:03:31] Logan Heights when it opened

[5:03:35] the safe storage site in close

[5:03:36] proximity to the school that

[5:03:40] security would be in the area

[5:03:40] 24 seven.

[5:03:41] This commitment must be honored

[5:03:45] especially in a community where

[5:03:46] government has already broken

[5:03:46] so many promises.

[5:03:50] It's unacceptable that the city

[5:03:51] has a homeless strategies and

[5:03:51] Solutions department.

[5:03:55] Yet children in my district

[5:03:55] have to be subjected subject to

[5:03:56] this experience.

[5:04:00] To these experiences every

[5:04:04] single day neighborhoods in

[5:04:04] District eight are often

[5:04:05] overlooked and forgotten.

[5:04:06] District eight residents

[5:04:10] deserve the same level of

[5:04:10] safety, urgency and investment

[5:04:14] as every any other neighborhood

[5:04:15] in San Diego.

[5:04:16] So I would urge the mayor and

[5:04:20] sd to pay attention to

[5:04:21] the needs of my community and

[5:04:21] most important the needs of

[5:04:25] the children who attend Perkins

[5:04:26] and our ladies school.

[5:04:26] The city cannot continue

[5:04:30] allowing families and students

[5:04:31] to attend or live near Perkins

[5:04:37] to have to suffer in this way.

[5:04:37] The MAY revision shows that

[5:04:41] cuts to arts and culture still

[5:04:41] remain.

[5:04:42] I've said this before this

[5:04:43] reduction is not a

[5:04:46] restructuring.

[5:04:46] It is a dismantling.

[5:04:47] Arts is a core function in

[5:04:51] the city of San Diego a

[5:04:52] commitment demonstrated with

[5:04:52] penny for the arts.

[5:04:57] The city has a strong record of

[5:04:58] success in arts and culture.

[5:05:02] The Old Globe and the Hoya

[5:05:03] Playhouse have collectively

[5:05:03] helped bring more than 70

[5:05:07] productions to Broadway.

[5:05:08] So it's frustrating to see

[5:05:09] the city adopt ambitious

[5:05:12] cultural equity plans and

[5:05:13] celebrate the importance of

[5:05:14] arts and culture only to turn,

[5:05:18] dismantle and eliminate

[5:05:19] the very resources needed to

[5:05:19] make these commitments real.

[5:05:23] We cannot say we value equity,

[5:05:24] community investment and

[5:05:24] cultural preservation while

[5:05:28] proposing cuts that will have

[5:05:29] disproportionate impact on

[5:05:30] the communities that have

[5:05:35] historically received

[5:05:35] the least.

[5:05:35] These programs support

[5:05:36] neighborhood festivals, local

[5:05:40] arts organizations, youth

[5:05:41] programing, public performances

[5:05:45] and cultural events that bring

[5:05:46] our communities together.

[5:05:46] >> I'm almost done here.

[5:05:50] It's my last year.

[5:05:51] >> I have a little more to say.

[5:05:55] Creating economic activity jobs

[5:05:56] and spaces where people feel

[5:05:57] seen and represented.

[5:05:57] And the city needs to be honest

[5:06:01] about who will feel the cuts to

[5:06:02] arts and cultural arts and

[5:06:02] culture the hardest.

[5:06:07] The city has to responsibility

[5:06:07] to uphold the commitments and

[5:06:08] plans it established for arts

[5:06:12] and culture before this cutting

[5:06:13] starts.

[5:06:13] And I do not agree that

[5:06:18] the communities of District

[5:06:18] eight or communities across

[5:06:19] the city should bear the burden

[5:06:20] of these cuts.

[5:06:24] While I do acknowledge that

[5:06:24] the MAY revise is a step in

[5:06:25] the right direction, this

[5:06:29] budget is still far from where

[5:06:29] I want the budget to be.

[5:06:33] My residents continue to feel

[5:06:34] the impacts of underfunding in

[5:06:35] departments like stormwater

[5:06:35] arts and culture.

[5:06:40] Yet despite funding allocations

[5:06:40] to departments such as hst,

[5:06:46] many residents still do not see

[5:06:46] meaningful improvement or

[5:06:47] investments reflected in their

[5:06:51] communities.

[5:06:52] And I just want to put for

[5:06:53] the record that I was one of

[5:06:57] the council members that voted

[5:06:57] against the flawed contract and

[5:06:58] I'm happy to put that back on

[5:07:02] the chopping block.

[5:07:07] So as we end I continue I look

[5:07:08] forward to working with my

[5:07:09] colleagues to finalize my last

[5:07:14] budget and this upcoming few

[5:07:14] weeks and to continue my

[5:07:15] commitment to the residents of

[5:07:15] District eight.

[5:07:19] Thank you.

[5:07:20] All right.

[5:07:20] Thank you, COUNCILMAN Moreno.

[5:07:21] We'll go to MR. Monica.

[5:07:25] I think that the risk of having

[5:07:26] us here until midnight just a

[5:07:30] few notes One Obviously my

[5:07:31] office has its work cut out for

[5:07:31] us over the next couple of

[5:07:32] weeks.

[5:07:35] We will do what we can to

[5:07:35] identify any and all resources

[5:07:36] to provide funding for

[5:07:37] the programs that we've heard

[5:07:40] about from the public tonight

[5:07:41] and that this council has

[5:07:42] identified as high priority

[5:07:42] they want to see restored So

[5:07:43] that work is going to happen.

[5:07:47] I also want to note that

[5:07:47] the comments we've heard from

[5:07:48] the public tonight are

[5:07:49] meaningful and it is important

[5:07:51] for me and the council to hear

[5:07:52] them.

[5:07:52] It's also in my opinion

[5:07:53] important that those comments

[5:07:57] and that advocacy does not stay

[5:07:58] directed solely at this

[5:07:58] council.

[5:08:03] I will note that out of

[5:08:04] the several hundred public

[5:08:05] comments carried tonight, there

[5:08:09] was one relatively early on who

[5:08:10] said the city to focus only on

[5:08:11] the fundamentals.

[5:08:14] He identified public safety for

[5:08:14] the infrastructure and cut

[5:08:15] everything else cut parks, cut

[5:08:16] libraries, cut arts.

[5:08:16] He said that welfare is a

[5:08:20] charity and a luxury.

[5:08:20] I personally disagree with that

[5:08:21] very strongly.

[5:08:25] I believe that every

[5:08:25] councilmember up here also

[5:08:26] disagrees with that.

[5:08:30] But while that was one person

[5:08:31] tonight out of several hundred,

[5:08:31] he also represents a much

[5:08:35] larger portion of the city's

[5:08:36] voting population that many

[5:08:36] here would care to admit And

[5:08:41] they as much as or more than

[5:08:41] anyone on this council needs to

[5:08:42] be convinced of the importance

[5:08:43] of funding for these programs

[5:08:47] and ultimately convince to vote

[5:08:48] for funding that would allow

[5:08:48] the city to actually provide

[5:08:49] its funding, provided services

[5:08:53] and provide us programs on a

[5:08:53] sustainable and ongoing basis.

[5:08:58] In the near future though, as

[5:08:59] you noted, Councilmember Foster

[5:08:59] has more work to do.

[5:09:02] We will work with you over

[5:09:03] the next 13 days to get to a

[5:09:03] budget on the ninth.

[5:09:04] All right.

[5:09:04] Thank you, Charles.

[5:09:08] I will go back to Councilmember

[5:09:08] Foster.

[5:09:09] Yes.

[5:09:09] And I know it's late and but I

[5:09:10] just want to make this

[5:09:15] announcement as I was not here

[5:09:15] for the I'm going to say

[5:09:19] the second half of the brc

[5:09:20] meetings, but we do have a

[5:09:21] special budget review committee

[5:09:25] meeting scheduled for MAY 29th

[5:09:26] 2026 at 3 P.M. Where we have a

[5:09:31] few outstanding items that were

[5:09:32] not heard.

[5:09:32] And they consist of some item q

[5:09:37] The personnel department staff

[5:09:38] item or the Commission on

[5:09:38] Police Practices and I have on

[5:09:39] here So bottom as additional

[5:09:44] department review.

[5:09:45] To date, Mayor I have not

[5:09:45] received any requests but I

[5:09:49] will definitely let you know if

[5:09:50] anything comes up.

[5:09:51] I just wanted to make that

[5:09:51] announcement.

[5:09:52] Council PRESIDENT And I will

[5:09:56] turn it over to you to close us

[5:09:56] out.

[5:09:56] All right.

[5:09:57] I think you COUNCILMAN Foster

[5:09:58] and thank you for highlighting

[5:10:01] that unusual Friday afternoon

[5:10:02] meeting.

[5:10:03] We don't to do too many of

[5:10:03] those but when that when

[5:10:07] the time calls you I want to

[5:10:08] make sure that I did the thank

[5:10:09] you was early on because I

[5:10:10] probably forget by the time it

[5:10:12] comes to me to wrap things up.

[5:10:13] But I do appreciate everybody

[5:10:18] that really dug in in terms of

[5:10:19] developing the budget going

[5:10:19] forward This given what we had

[5:10:24] to do last year.

[5:10:25] You know, it's kind of funny

[5:10:25] that one person said I've never

[5:10:26] seen this when we've been in

[5:10:30] financial difficulties 21 to 22

[5:10:31] with a lot of federal dollars

[5:10:32] coming our way was a little bit

[5:10:32] easier.

[5:10:36] Last year was very tough and

[5:10:37] we're we're doing more and I

[5:10:38] know every year that I've been

[5:10:39] a council member there's always

[5:10:42] this talk about

[5:10:43] the disproportionate size of

[5:10:43] the police department If you do

[5:10:44] the simple math or you do these

[5:10:48] dramatic graphic pieces of art

[5:10:54] as we saw earlier of course

[5:10:55] the problem is that the police

[5:10:56] department budget is too big.

[5:10:56] The problem is every other

[5:11:01] department is so grossly

[5:11:02] underfunded that it makes

[5:11:02] the look the police department

[5:11:06] look oversize every department

[5:11:07] that we have in the city is

[5:11:08] underfunded And yet through

[5:11:13] the very hard work of

[5:11:14] the 12,000 employees through

[5:11:14] the generosity of philanthropy,

[5:11:19] through the volunteer, we are

[5:11:19] still a great city and we still

[5:11:20] make it all happen.

[5:11:21] I think that's really

[5:11:25] the testimony of what makes San

[5:11:26] Diego so very, very special.

[5:11:31] On a couple of things that was

[5:11:32] mentioned again as everybody

[5:11:33] said, I'm grateful for every

[5:11:38] that take the time to turn out

[5:11:38] wait very long to even just

[5:11:42] speak for one minute As an

[5:11:42] engineer I'm just excited How

[5:11:43] many times stormwater was

[5:11:44] mentioned tonight?

[5:11:48] I think that's kind of unusual

[5:11:48] .

[5:11:49] For those of you who don't

[5:11:50] remember my JANUARY memo budget

[5:11:50] memo we had one priority

[5:11:54] stormwater Thank you COUNCILMAN

[5:11:55] Moreno for leaning in on that

[5:11:55] as well.

[5:11:56] That's still a very hard

[5:12:00] conversation for us with

[5:12:00] the revenue that we have to

[5:12:01] work with.

[5:12:01] The other thing that I've kind

[5:12:07] of noticed in my district and

[5:12:07] maybe my colleagues have I

[5:12:08] don't think we've given a lot

[5:12:12] enough credit to Misty and

[5:12:13] libraries and Andy and Rec

[5:12:14] Center and then Panda that when

[5:12:18] we talked about cutting hours

[5:12:19] we didn't really explain what

[5:12:19] that meant.

[5:12:20] And I know I had enough

[5:12:24] briefings that those hours are

[5:12:24] very strategic hours.

[5:12:25] They're not arbitrary cuts in

[5:12:29] hours but actually

[5:12:30] understanding how our libraries

[5:12:31] are being used and how our rec

[5:12:32] centers that MAY not soften

[5:12:36] the blow for those people have

[5:12:37] a lot more hours in both those

[5:12:37] cases.

[5:12:41] But those are very strategic.

[5:12:42] I'm going to have a

[5:12:42] conversation with my

[5:12:43] constituents in Ohio that are

[5:12:47] not happy but it's better than

[5:12:47] zero.

[5:12:48] It's not the full 60 but those

[5:12:53] are very strategic hours that

[5:12:54] will be identified for that and

[5:12:59] that is a good segue way to

[5:13:00] the generosity that we have

[5:13:05] across our city right now.

[5:13:06] Fire Station 16 in La Hoya is

[5:13:06] being remodeled through private

[5:13:12] dollars last Friday we opened

[5:13:12] up a new playground for all

[5:13:13] three park through private

[5:13:17] dollars and donated labor to

[5:13:18] actually install it.

[5:13:24] And as we heard lawyer make

[5:13:24] backfilled some hours at

[5:13:25] the library maybe interested in

[5:13:29] backfilling some hours at

[5:13:30] the rec center.

[5:13:30] So I look forward to those

[5:13:31] conversations.

[5:13:35] Arts obviously was the big hot

[5:13:41] topic this today I was at

[5:13:42] the Ohio Playhouse Friday

[5:13:42] night.

[5:13:43] I certainly encourage you to go

[5:13:43] see that play.

[5:13:47] It's pretty amazing.

[5:13:48] My wife was pretty active in

[5:13:53] going to our museums there so

[5:13:54] we certainly enjoy them How

[5:13:54] much we can fund, how we

[5:13:59] position the funding, the cycle

[5:13:59] remains to be seen And also my

[5:14:00] colleagues are digging in.

[5:14:01] I appreciate doing some of

[5:14:05] the hard work.

[5:14:06] i would be remiss if I didn't

[5:14:06] think Councilmember Woodburn

[5:14:10] solving and making the dark

[5:14:11] cloud of a ballot measure go

[5:14:12] away so at least we have

[5:14:16] certainty it will cost us 3.5

[5:14:22] million in reduced revenue for

[5:14:23] f y 27 that will have to

[5:14:24] navigate but it certainly

[5:14:29] allows us to focus on the core

[5:14:29] issues that we heard tonight

[5:14:34] and trying to figure out how to

[5:14:35] adopt a budget going forward.

[5:14:40] So with that again thank you to

[5:14:41] everybody The public that

[5:14:41] leaned in all the city

[5:14:42] departments that have leaned in

[5:14:47] to try to make sense of how we

[5:14:47] deliver city services with less

[5:14:48] than adequate revenue.

[5:14:53] As Charles mentions on a

[5:14:53] frequent basis.

[5:14:54] Thank you to my colleagues for

[5:14:55] making time during that recess

[5:14:58] to hold this meeting to make

[5:14:59] sure that we could hold it in

[5:14:59] light of what we had to cancel

[5:15:05] during last week's tragedy.

[5:15:10] And with that, can you talk for

[5:15:10] two minutes and take us back

[5:15:11] And I'd like because we'll all

[5:15:12] turn into pumpkins now with

[5:15:15] that thank you to 324.

[5:15:16] I know the lights are still on

[5:15:16] there.

[5:15:20] Thank you to the detail for

[5:15:21] keeping us all safe here in

[5:15:22] chambers.

[5:15:22] And with that I will now

[5:15:23] adjourn Council to the next

[5:15:26] regularly scheduled council

[5:15:27] meeting on Monday JUNE 8th,

City Council Meetings — Special Agenda

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