council Ron Wolfram I'd
like to do a magic I am here.
>> Can you all hear me?
Yes we can.
Thank you so much.
Thank you
for doing
it.
>> Okay.
Good morning and welcome back.
After our legislative recess.
I will now call the city
council meeting on Monday,
AUGUST 24th, 2026 to order
Clerk Please call the roll.
>> Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT Council
Member Campbell.
Council Member Whitburn here.
Council Member Foster.
Council Member Von Wilpert for
or.
Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee
here.
Council Member Campo here.
Council Member Moreno
PRESIDENT.
Council Member Isla Rivera and
Council PRESIDENT LaCava.
Present Also attending
the meeting Our city Attorney
Heather Ferber, independent
budget analyst Charles Monica
and myself your city clerk
Diana Fuentes.
Thank you Council PRESIDENT.
All right.
Thank you.
City Clerk and council member
Vaughn Wolpert, would you like
to make your statement at this
point?
>> Yes, Thank you very much.
I am notifying the council that
I will be attending the meeting
today remotely due to medical
accommodations pursuant to
the Brown Act I am disclosing
that there are no individuals
over the age of 18 or older
present in the room with me.
I will update this disclosure
to changes during the course of
the meeting.
Thank you.
All right.
Thank you very much And take
care of yourself.
A quorum is now present.
Invocation.
We will begin this morning with
the invocation by Clarke 20th
followed with the land
acknowledgment and the Pledge
of Allegiance led by counsel
PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee Grant
Those who hold office in this
city the spirit of wisdom,
charity and justice that was
steadfast purpose.
They MAY faithfully serve in
their offices to promote
the well-being of all people.
>> We respectfully acknowledge
that the communication or
the original inhabitants of
the Unceded land now known as
San Diego Despite enduring
the horrors of genocide and
colonization, the ice spirit
remains and broken.
We honor the resilience of
their ancestors who fought to
protect their land and culture
today to carry their legacy
forward, ensuring that their
traditions continue to thrive
in gratitude and strength.
We stand with the nation
connected to our past and
committed to a thriving future
.
If you please face the flag
join me in the Pledge of
Allegiance Again, I pledge
allegiance to the flag of
the United States of America
and to the Republic for which
it stands one nation under GOD,
indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
City Clerk Please go over how
the public can offer their
testimony.
>> Thank you.
I'd like to highlight the slide
on the screen that does review
how the public can offer their
public testimony during today's
meeting.
If you are in person please go
to the speaker site located at
the entrance of chambers and
submit it at the front of
the room in the clear box.
No further in-person testimony
will be taken once the Council
begins virtual testimony for
better meeting management
purposes each speaker will have
one minute per item per person
up to a maximum of three
minutes if there are three or
more items on the closed
session agenda.
Thank you Council PRESIDENT.
All right.
Thank you Shelley Hawkins.
With that please read
the closed session items into
the record.
Conference with Legal Counsel
existing Litigation pursuant to
California Government Code
Section 5495 6.90 161 Venue
versus City of San Diego.
Conference with Labor
Negotiators pursuant to
California Government Code
Section 54957.662 The City
Designated Management Team
Representatives Conference with
legal counsel significant
exposure to litigation pursuant
to California Government Code
Section 5495 6.90 263 Number of
claims to Conference Legal
Counsel Existing litigation
proceed to California
Government Code Section 5495
6.91 Is this for labor law
versus City of San Diego Those
participating virtually that
are part of an organized
presentation.
We do not have any organized
presentations for the closed
session agenda.
Sorry for reading no worries
with that please proceed with
public comment.
>> Thank you.
We do have one person here and
public comment Jesse Connor for
c.
S two If you can please come up
to the microphone You will have
one minute.
Please proceed.
Good morning MR. Chair.
Honorable Council Jesse Carter
Vice PRESIDENT Firefighters
Local 145 speaking on item c
has to in 2016 firefighters
negotiate for an option to
establish a medical veba for
its membership a tax exempt
trust to provide health care a
benefit enjoyed by many groups
across the state.
We spent thousands of dollars
on recognized experts as
required by city attorney and
risk management to demonstrate
both the legality and
the viability of such a plan.
The city reaffirmed that option
by approving it multiple mou
cents.
Now when firefighters here are
ranked 23rd of 23 departments
surveyed when firefighters
would be going to work for
the last 55 days without a
contract, the city's
negotiating team appears to be
holding a new contract hostage
on the premise that
firefighters must agree to have
this benefit stripped.
This cost the city nothing.
It already exists in our mou.
We're no more important than
other city employees but
sometimes our needs are
different.
We should be allowed to pursue
our needs just as other groups.
We're not here to ask for
anything more than what you've
already approved.
We respectfully request you
preserve the status quo with
regard to firefighter medical
plan options Do not strike this
language from our contract.
>> Thank you very much.
Thank you.
That does include public
comment here in council
chambers have started the five
minute timer going to those
participating remotely.
We currently have five people
in the queue.
When I unmute you please be
sure to let me know which item
or items you wish to speak to.
>> Blair Beckman if you can
please on you.
All right, we're going to
please you.
>> Please proceed.
You'll have one minute.
Thank you.
We're really nice public
comment previously Thank you.
I think it's worth debating,
you know the future of benefits
for San Diego employees.
I've been learning really
important lessons.
We don't cut benefits.
I think that's really
important.
Oakland is trying to do
the same thing because you know
there are serious budget issues
they have They're doing
the same thing the same thing
to their city workers.
I think it's a really wrong way
to go.
I really ask yourselves again
to consider the idea of our
city workers taking a 25 to $50
pay cut a month That's like
$600 a year And that actually
brings a budget savings of
close to 1 or $2 million.
Can you please consider that
option and keep our benefits?
I think benefits are vitally
important.
Good luck to consider such an
option for a future.
>> Thank you.
Thank you Million Mile Man If
you can please unmute and let
me know which item or items you
wish to speak to.
>> Are you on public?
No we're on closed session
agenda.
>> Okay well then I would like
to weigh in on what I just
heard from You'll have one
minute to speak on the agenda
on the firefighter.
Look, you know, it doesn't take
a lot of intelligence to
understand that you give
the firefighters what they
want.
I mean, look at not only have
they paid their dues and
society, not only have they
paid their dues too to humanity
but they are deserving of of
what they want, period.
And it doesn't take much to
understand it.
This is all about common sense
and that's all I have to say.
But GOD bless all of those
fellows that work in the San
Diego rescue and lifeguarding
and police and public safety.
My GOD they can you imagine
doing their job?
i mean I can't imagine and I'll
probably need them one day.
So I hope not.
But anyway, if you can hear me,
MR. Connor man keep up the good
work.
>> I've got your back.
Thank you.
Next to the original if you can
please on mute and let me know
which item or items you wish to
speak to.
I'm going to tap on all of it.
You'll have three minutes.
>> Please proceed.
I really appreciate when people
come in and give you their
insight on what's really going
on with these contracts and
the fact that there's many of
these employees that have been
working uncontracted waiting
to, you know, get things back
over center.
It's a little bit sad to think
that, you know, that could be
abused in such a way to have
their benefits taken kind of
force them to sign a contract
which in that that would be
null and void because you can't
be forced to sign something.
But you know, as we're talking
about labor negotiations, it's
a little bit interesting to see
what's happening with
the litigation with that and
where you're going to be
bringing in you know,
discussing labor negotiations
And when we have issues like
this going on and for such a
significant importance position
because these guys do work that
you know most people won't do
but we need them And I feel
like they get treated kind of
you know, like they get
the leftovers Whatever's left
over after you know, you give
all your employees in the city
that are working with you guys
all of their money, all of
their benefits And then we have
people that are on the job that
are physically exerting a lot
of energy and potentially, you
know, getting injuries that
nobody else that worked in
the city are going to get And
then we're cutting their
benefits like they should
actually have more.
And if you do have to take from
some of those employees that
have been getting, you know,
these significant pay raises
that potentially, you know,
work for the mayor or your
guys's staff, I mean I think
that these people deserve
benefits over that pay raise
that those people are getting.
So if we have to make some hard
choices, that's what needs to
be done.
And so I hope you guys do
the right thing because you
know, when they when you need
them you're not going to want
to, you know, have made a
mistake for over a minute on
that topic.
On to another item There's two
labor negotiation or one about
fire and lifeguards and one
about labor negotiations.
So there's two of them in
there.
So thank you.
But I'm going to keep going And
for the other two with the trip
and fall in the bike accident
you guys need to you're with
the way that you were telling
us on the regular agenda how
much the settlements are.
It's no longer visible in just
the itemized items.
i think you guys need to bring
that back so it can be
transparent just right off
the bat without having to go in
search for the amount of money
.
And I think you guys need to do
some kind of tally where you're
saying this this year or this
And all time we have spent on
litigation for trip and falls
for bike accidents for whatever
and then show that you have
gone into those areas where
those accidents occurred and
that has been mitigated and how
much it cost to do that and
what the cost benefit ratio is
of you know the litigation and
we're just fixing the roads and
making sure that this kind of
stuff doesn't happen on a
continual revolving door basis.
>> Our next week is 8700 if you
can please I'm you and let me
know which item or items you
wish to speak to.
The five minute timer also
concluded we have one
additional speaker after
the speaker and no other
speakers will be taken.
>> Please let me know which
items and proceed.
Yes.
>> One, two and three You'll
have three minutes.
Please proceed.
Thank you, Julius And to
welcome back everybody on c.
S one which is another trip and
fall I came up with this
thinking on the agenda and
feeling involved to then you
Who is the one suing the city
is a metaphor as all these
people are that they have these
suits against the city
entrepreneurs.
You're really a metaphor for
this city is tripping and
falling and tripping and
falling on a public system for
sidewalk maintenance and of
course many, many other things
.
So I think it's a powerful way
to look at this and to know
that we're doing our best, that
we are improving Regarding
the sidewalks, that's for sure.
I like this metaphor and it's
just continuing and we need to
just keep on top of
the discussion We can see as to
I'm not quite clear on
the details of this item's
purpose here and the speakers
speak some very powerful words.
I really respect and honor our
and we'll use the memorandums
of understanding.
I think they're very powerful
For some reason I really put my
arms around the animal use and
embrace them as a very positive
support system for all of our
beloved employees.
And I do notice as I go out and
about in the world that I can
feel the tension in
the employees as we go through
these uncertain times and how
we're having to meet them.
So I love that there are so
many names on that code section
but there's just so many people
that have the back of our
employees and all the labor
association.
So if we're going to do it and
just go with your employees, we
love you firefighters,
lifeguards please everybody we
love you.
Keep at it On Fire Street.
Okay.
Lifeguard service provision
policy 2.9 Night crew I look
like I read you the policy 2.9
It does involve an animal you
and excuse me I'm sitting on a
sidewalk here.
It's a long story but to me my
crew work is still very
crucial.
It is a very strong policy and
an mou which I think it has.
Maybe it needs improvement.
I also see us doing much better
in honoring the needs of our
excuse me of our valued and
appreciated the lifeguards.
We're really making progress
with our lifeguards.
I really feel good about it So
if I keep at it it's going to
be a great week.
You're back.
I hope you had a wonderful
summer and I look forward to
participating and hearing what
you're sharing and sort of to
all Thank you.
Krypto Bradley if you can
please unmute and let me know
which item or items you wish to
speak to.
>> Thanks one and two please.
This is Hector a I'd say on a
good note the slip and fall
that go into the airport Now
what's great I dropped off my
girlfriend at Southwest It's
amazing how it works Really
good.
And then the slip and fall down
at the island.
The crosswalk that goes in
there.
I didn't get it done.
That's like a dangerous
situation And there's there's
only one line left to
the crosswalk and I've been
going down there a lot
different and it's gave me 543
days that they're going to
paint the crosswalk.
So if we get it done that takes
531 days out of you.
Just give us some paint at
ourselves, you know, to speed
it up.
So because that could be a big
time loss you could get a lot
of traffic and people walking
around on bikes and cars and
the fire department you got to
give them what they want.
The attorneys are making all
the money, maybe only have one
city attorney on the job
because that's what lawsuits
are like.
The attorneys, all those guys
in the back, the attorneys or
the fire, they could be getting
paid by somebody anyway.
That's just like any lawsuit.
The attorneys are raking in
the money to pay them and they
put up warning signs that you
want to river during the flood.
It's going to be a massive
health care disaster when
the floods come and hit
the water.
Don't order any firemen or
firefighter in the water.
Don't even have them in there.
Put up signs with your dumb in
the water.
You're on your all.
Don't MISS Their last rescue
When some idiot gets down there
in the water during the storm
that's common.
It's not worth these guys lives
to rescue something down there.
So that's my thing with
the lawsuits and the firemen.
>> You got to give them
the money.
Thank you.
Let us conclude closed session
public comment.
>> All right.
Thank you, City clerk We will
now recess and the close
session and reconvene council
today at 2 P.M. Or shortly
thereafter
and
from the company we have like
to make sure thank you for
their official testimony.
Yes I can thank you so much.
Thank you.
And Capital One welcome.
Hello and thank you so much.
>> Thank you.
>> And I think
really
we're ready.
>> All right.
Good afternoon.
Yeah.
First day back from our
legislative recess.
I will now reconvene the city
council meeting on Monday,
AUGUST 24th, 2026.
Clerk please call the roll.
Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT Council
Member Campbell Councilmember
Woodburn Councilmember Foster
Yeah.
Council Member Von Wilpert
Present Council PRESIDENT Pro
Tem Lee Your Council member
Campo Yeah.
Councilmember Moreno Present
Council Regular Rivera and
Council PRESIDENT Like other
PRESIDENT Also attend
the meeting Our Assistant city
Attorney Michelle Garland
Independent Budget Analyst
Charles Monaco Council Affairs
Advisor to the Mayor's office
Code advisor and myself or City
clerk Diana Fuentes.
Thank you Council PRESIDENT All
right.
Thank you.
City Clerk Councilmember Van
Wolpert Would you like to make
your statement?
>> Yes, Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT I am
notifying the council that I
will be attending this
afternoon to be remotely due to
medical accommodations pursuant
to the Brown Act.
I'm disclosing that there are
no individuals 18 years of
older person in the room with
me.
I will update this disclosure
if it change during the course
of the meeting.
Thank you.
>> All right.
Thank you.
And Councilmember Campos thank
you Council PRESIDENT As
similar to a couple of words
I'll be joining virtually this
afternoon under just copies of
the Brown Act for childcare
purposes there's no one over
the age of 18 or over with me
and if that changes I will
notify the council and
the public.
>> Thank you.
All right.
Thank you both for taking
the time to participate Given
your particular challenges.
A quorum is now present.
Are there any mayoral council,
city attorney, independent
journalist or city clerk
comments Not seeing any.
We'll move right along.
Please go over how the public
can offer their testimony.
Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT I would like
to highlight the slide on
the screen that reveals how
the public can offer their
public testimony during this
afternoon's meeting.
The order can be found on
the agenda summary found online
or at the table in the back of
the room.
If you are in person please
complete the speaker slip
looking at the entrance of
chambers and bring it to
the front of the room.
Place it in the clear box where
the arrow indicates council
ambassadors are available near
the entrance of chambers and
can assist with questions and
speaker slips and no further
in-person testimony will be
taken once the council begins
Virtual testimony.
Thank you, Council PRESIDENT
All right.
Thank you.
And again as I have started to
do last before the recess when
you're speaking to a docket
item, please speak to
the docket item.
We will be having an agenda
public comment where you have a
much freer reign as to what you
want to talk about at the end
of this afternoon session.
>> And with that clerk please
introduce item 200.
Item 200 is the proposed fiscal
year 2027 Statement of
Budgetary Principles.
If you'd like to speak on this
item now's the time to raise
your hand by pressing Star nine
or if you are here in person
please be sure to bring your
speakers up to the front of
the room so that we can have it
ready.
Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT All right.
Thank you.
All right.
This item is being brought
forward by the Office of
the Independent Budget and also
kick it over to MR. Monica to
start the presentation.
Great.
Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT Council
members So this item is
the city's 20th Annual
Statement of Budgetary
Principles.
The documents that staff will
be going over are essentially
an agreed upon set of reporting
and communication
responsibilities for both this
Council and administration as
it actually implement the fy
2027 budget.
So the best practice to ensure
that both the administration
and the Council agree on
the communication and roles and
responsibilities associated
with the budget that are before
each of those bodies.
Sergio I'll call the on my
staff will walk you through
the actual statement itself.
I would just note at the outset
that this statement of
principles essentially covers
everything that you saw in
the prior statement for fy 2026
with one addition and that is a
requirement of
the administration to provide
an annual update to the Council
on Settlements and Judgment
payments that the city makes
each year.
With that I'll kick it over to
Sergio and his presentation
will take about six minutes.
>> Thanks, Charles.
I'm sorry I'll call the office
of the aba On JUNE 30th 2026
Our office released Iberia
Report 26 Dash 18 which
includes the proposed fiscal
year 2027 Statement of
Budgetary Principles Since
the Statement of Budgetary
Principles is an annual
agreement between Council and
the Mayor our office obtain
review and input from
the Department of Finance as
well as the City Attorney's
Office.
We appreciate their
collaboration.
We're asking the Council to
review and adopt the principles
with any desired modifications.
By way of background,
the Statement of Budgetary
Principles represents an
agreement between Council and
the Mayor for administration of
the budget.
It clarifies budgetary
authority and facilitates
communication regarding
the budget.
The need for the principles
came with the transition to
the strong mayor strong council
form of government.
At the time there was a lack of
clarity between the executive
and legislative branches about
budget administration and
handling of related fiscal
matters.
The statement of budgetary
principles was put into place
in fiscal year 2008 as an
accompanying resolution to
the fiscal year 2000.
The appropriation ordinance
since then has been adopted
each year and we recommend it
to continue for fiscal year
2027.
The proposed principles were
heard on the JULY 8th Budgeting
Government official commit
Government Efficiency Committee
which forwarded it to council
without any additional
adjustments.
The principles can be broken
down into three sections.
First the communication on
budget programs services.
The second is the Appropriation
ordinance.
And third is the principles for
an effective, collaborative and
transparent city budget
process.
I will provide highlights for
these functions for these
sections later in this
presentation.
The proposed fiscal year 2027
principles largely mirrored
those of fiscal year 2026 with
most revisions consisting of
updated dates and technical
adjustments.
I do want to note that there is
one proposed substantive
judgment which is a requirement
for an annual update on
the city's settlement and
judgment payments including
related expenses and claim
information for the police
department.
This adjustment stems from a
request that came out of
the JUNE 17th Budget and
Government Efficiency Committee
meeting.
>> Moving on to the three
sections of the proposed
principles the first outlines
how communications should occur
regarding budget to programs
and services.
The principles require
the mayor to provide quarterly
reports to the council which
are done through the quarterly
budget monitoring reports.
The mid-year budget process is
also included in this
requirement under which
the Mayor MAY recommend to
council how to budget any
projected surplus or how to
adjust any projected deficit.
For the third bullet the mayor
must provide written notice to
council before implementing any
significant reduction or delay
to a funded program.
This written notice must
include justification and a
description of service level
impacts including potential
unintended consequences that
create disproportionate
inequity for communities of
concern.
We emphasize the importance of
both clear communication and
making any reductions
thoughtfully.
>> The next section sets out a
sets of principles for
the Appropriation Ordinance or
aoe The principles preserve
the intent that the aoe is a
document to implement adopted
budget and does not provide
policy direction.
The principles also state that
neither the mayor nor Council
have unilateral authority to
make changes to the spending
authority in the budget.
Accordingly, Council cannot
change the budget without first
receiving a funding
recommendation from the mayor.
And finally the mayor must in
good faith fulfill
the legislative intent
reflected in the budget.
The principles further include
Council's intent that services
be implemented equally and
equitably.
>> The final section in
the principles applies to an
effective city budget process.
This line lists some of
the principles for a fiscally
responsible budget process
including eliminating
the structural budget deficit
for pursuing service delivery
efficiencies, maintaining
reserves and planning for
deferred capital infrastructure
and its maintenance.
>> Other principles for an
effective city budget process
include limiting programmatic
supplemental positions.
The principles note that
programmatic supplemental
positions should only be
requested after the fiscal
year's first quarter unless
the need for these positions
could not have been anticipated
during the budget adoption
process and waiting until
the end of the first quarter
would restrict the city's
ability to provide critical
services.
Other principles include having
council committees review key
performance indicators or KPIs
and ensuring collaboration and
carrying out council's policy
directives including
the Programs Council has
included in the adopted budget
and the city's labor
negotiation policies.
The principals also encourage
council members to discuss any
proposed adjustments with our
office before Council's final
budget adoption meeting so that
we MAY provide feedback.
As we noted earlier, there is
one proposed substantive change
to the principals.
This new change would require
the risk management department
to give City Council an annual
presentation on the city's
settlement and judgment
payments including related
expenses and claim details for
the city's police department.
Again, this proposal reflects a
request a request made at
the JUNE 17th dng Committee
meeting following a similar
presentation from risk
management.
>> What that our office is
requesting the Council to
review and approve the proposed
fiscal Year 2027 Statement of
Budgetary Principles along with
any desired changes.
Note that since this is an
agreement between the City
Council and the mayor, any
proposed revisions to
the principles will be subject
to mayoral approval.
That concludes my presentation.
Council PRESIDENT And we're
happy to answer any questions.
All right.
With that thank you very much
with for the presentation of
the work to bring this item
forward and the work with
the Budget Committee.
With that city Clerk please
proceed with public comment And
again we'll be looking for your
comments on item 200.
Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT We do have
several speakers here in
council chambers.
We did not received any
organized presentation requests
for this item so we'll be
starting with Joyce Senora And
as noted on the agenda it is
two minutes per person.
So Joy, if you can please come
forward if I can have
the following individuals
please come up to the reserved
seats at the front.
Paul Krueger, Laurie Saldana
and allegedly Audra please
proceed.
>> Thank you.
Okay.
The slip that I gave to our
dear city clerk is one that has
red letters on it and it says
opposed.
And I want you to know that I
am a strong no on this item.
I am a strong no.
>> Sergio, thank you for
presenting it.
Very good.
And thank you to everybody who
worked on it and for these
many, many years.
Thank you so much.
So it's a great document.
There's no doubt about it And
it's needed And I love
the authority part of it
clearing that up on
the executive and legislative
branches.
I love the communication and
the collaboration portion of
it.
I love that it's you know,
helps with the budget changes.
I like that the framework is
there for administering
the administration of
the budget each fiscal year.
Here's what I don't like.
>> Support a physically
responsible budget process.
>> It does not.
How long have we had a
structural budget deficit?
We're not addressing it and you
don't address it clearly in
this document?
We don't we're not supporting a
fiscally responsible budget
process.
Period.
And I don't know when we're
going to start.
We nibble at it and all we do
is nibble.
And I ask you for several years
to remove the word any as it
relates to the structural
budget deficit.
Any to me is a question any
structural budget deficit?
>> No, we have one.
Anyway, thanks for listening.
Love to all No on this item.
>> Uh, good afternoon, council
members.
I wanted to thank you first of
all especially Councilmember
Foster for the increased
scrutiny that you're going to
have on police settlements.
I think it's important that you
thoroughly review and try to
take affirmative early action
to understand why we're making
these settlements and ways that
we can avoid them And that goes
much further to all forms of
public liability.
Look at the number of
settlements you have on this
Tomorrow's budget for trip and
falls and flooding that are
totaling tens hundreds of
millions of dollars a year.
But I wanted to speak most to
this issue on that aspect of
effective collaborative and
transparent communication in a
mayor council form of
government as Apple clickable
to the city's budget process.
My concern or my example I
would give about the really
significant importance of this
is this complete breakdown that
we had on the restrooms in
mission Bay.
I wasn't the only one to
express concerns about
the closure of those restrooms
in JULY before you went on your
hiatus.
The fact that it got past
the budget approval process
when at least one of you
opposed the closure of those
restrooms and that they
continued closed for another
month in the face of
significant public outcry for
want of a better word is really
unacceptable.
That should not have happened
And I don't think as members of
the public we care what
the reason why they were closed
and more importantly why it
took more than a month to open.
But nobody and I think
yourselves included wants to
see that happen again.
>> Thank you.
Thank you.
Hold on.
You and I understand you have a
presentation materials to share
for the.
But did you want to start with
the video or start speaking
videos for this is just images.
>> Oh I don't know what that
music came from.
My apologies either but I
wanted to start by saying that
in order to have these
budgetary principles work you
need to have good faith
negotiations with the mayor.
And if the mayor is in
Sacramento negotiating on
issues such as exemptions for a
project to take place at
the council then has no control
over.
You are being encumbered
legislatively in ways that I
don't think are good faith
principles If your ability and
specifically I'm talking about
efforts by the mayor and body
to have exemptions to secure
for a major development project
in an area that lacks
the infrastructure to support
it.
Go ahead to the next slide
please.
So while the mayor is supposed
to be communicating in good
faith with you, he is making it
impossible for you to safeguard
people in an area.
If I could have the next image.
Thank you.
That is rapidly this is an
image from Rotterdam is rapidly
sinking much like other cities
around the world because of sea
level rise.
And PRESIDENT Lacob, you're an
engineer.
I don't think we need to tell
you that saltwater intrusion
into structures is not a good
combination and the city's
ability to deal with it.
Your council ability.
>> I'm going to I'm also
the council PRESIDENT And we
ask people to speak to
the budgetary principles
whether the language is good or
whether you like the addition
rather than veer off into other
conversations that might be
more appropriate for the next
item or certainly for non
agenda No.
>> Well we'll put it back If I
did say it for you and one
reason you have the budgetary
principles was because you were
not having good communication.
There was a pension crisis that
was underfunded that wasn't
communicated And I would say
that the same thing is
happening now where you are
being obligated for some
expenses that you were not
privy to and that you would
have no control over and that
has to do with some development
projects specifically But
there's other things as well.
So if you're against
the administration, the mayor
is going to lobby on behalf of
the city for a specific piece
of legislation or to that is an
encumbrance of future fiscal
responsibilities And it is not
in good faith And I don't
believe you're going to meet
the goal of of this.
>> Thank you.
Thank you.
I did pause of your time during
that So allegedly Andre, if you
can please come forward.
>> You'll have two minutes as
well.
>> I love here Enjoy Come out
here and really start holding
you guys accountable because it
is very clear what's going on
And you guys's actions speak
louder than your empty words
because even if you brought
forward this ordinance to stop
the things that you talk about,
these things are still taking
place and so you can't be
trusted that you know, even if
you continue to pass this that
it's going to stop it.
I mean because I think there's
a lack of communication between
you guys and the mayor And I
don't believe there is an
effective collaborative process
that is taking place which is
really unfortunate because you
guys need to be good stewards
of our money.
But if there's this constant
battle and one side's doing
something that the other side
isn't stopping, then you know
how how strong is that for
the city And what happens if
you guys don't pass this?
I feel like that's something
that you guys should put in
here, you know, like do you
have to because you guys get
into these situations where you
pretty much have to pass
the item and so you go ahead
and do it just because you have
to instead of going is this
really what's best If we
brought it forward to stop
the things that we're talking
about, it hasn't done that
because then you're just
gaslighting the people acting
like you're you're you know,
doing what's best because even
still like the fulfilling
the intent of the budget does
that ever happen I mean
potentially because your guys
is in the mayor's intent is
different than what you present
to the people so you're filling
your own pockets and things
like that But what you present
to the people isn't what's
happening and the impacts.
It's like who knows what
the impacts are like even
closing the bathrooms.
Is that something that
the mayor let you guys know
what those impacts were going
to be and how would he know
that?
How could you trust that he
would provide you enough
information that would really
show what the people are going
to be, you know, suffering?
I mean because he's not going
there and having to suffer
that.
So I just think you guys need
to be more mindful about
the way you do this And we need
to be hearing about what
the impacts are if you don't
pass it.
Anthony Ralphs Okay then we'll
go to those that are
participate voting online
starting with calling user one
If you can please unmute you'll
have two minutes.
Say hello.
Hello.
>> Yes we can name it Gore on
my name is Gore Button and I
live in Tule Lake.
I just want to say on
the budget they are going to
both we should not be giving
money to Breaking Bad.
Sure that we need to we are
women or we are women in
bathrooms and basically get
what are you thinking and will
there be an increase?
I hate you pretty much if you
are too weak and by you are a
man and you do not belong in
men's race men women,
restrooms, women's locker rooms
and women's jails I'm sick
Entire training taking over San
Diego GOD bless America GOD MAY
appease Really GOD bless Donald
Trump are eternal I think GOD
bless our governor takes barely
That concludes your comments.
Okay Starting with next going
to Kathleen Lippert.
>> Thank you.
Good afternoon.
Council My name is Kathleen
Lippert at over the past two
decades the city of San Diego's
workforce has expanded from
11,000 employees in 2005 to
13,000 in 2025 a 20% increase.
Notably during that period
management level positions
surged by 461% this year.
Meantime, along a 10% rise in
the city's population, I want
to point out that there is an
example that the city could
follow and perhaps collaborate
with the city of Temecula.
It became debt free after
$76.86 million was paid off.
The officially declared itself
debt free.
The city including the city
manager announced
the achievement in JULY 2026
Temecula City Council Under
the city's definition debt
included mortgages facility
loans, unfunded pension
obligations and long term
liability.
If the payoff was the result of
a multi-year financial strategy
that addressed facility loans,
mortgages unfunded pension
obligations and other long term
liabilities By resolving these
obligations the city not only
removed debt from its balance
sheet but also reduced future
interest costs significantly.
However, this can only be done
if there is a market solution
and and dedication to being
into integrity and and
the public good.
So thank you for letting me
speak.
>> Thank you.
Next is John If you can please
unmute.
Good afternoon City Council
members I'm sorry your and we
can I can hear you very very
faintly.
Sorry about that.
Is this better?
Yes that's better.
Please proceed.
Excellent.
>> John Brady with Lived
Experience advisors.
Good afternoon City Council.
I am concerned about how
the budget process played out
this year.
It seemed that we were going to
protect everything related to
our services for the homeless
community.
And at the very end it appeared
that we were going to
discontinue funding for the Neo
good day center and now it
appears that the denial good
day center is going to be
permanently closed and licensed
from operation.
That is a very different
outcome from what we expected
at the beginning and I can
assure you the community
response would have been much
more aggressive had we known
that a as a decrease in funding
was going to be an absolute
shutdown of the neo good day
center To put that in
perspective.
The name of the Day Center has
either 6 or 8 men's and women's
stalls four bathrooms.
That is over 50% of
the available public bathrooms
in the city of San Diego for
people experiencing
homelessness.
>> That is an outrageous
outcome.
John I'm going to interrupt
because I have to be fair to
everyone.
We're talking about
the budgetary principles not
about any facility or any
budget allocation So understood
and understood And what I'm
seeking is more clarity when a
shift like that is going to
occur.
So I and I apologize for
getting into in depth into that
I understand.
Council PRESIDENT.
So I really hope that in
the future we are able to
provide a lot more clarity
about the impact of decisions
like this as well as cutting
cutting public bathrooms across
the board.
>> Thank you.
Blair Beckman if you can please
unmute.
All right.
Thank you.
Beakman I really second
the words of the previous
caller.
I'm very, very much so.
>> We can continue to talk
about these issues.
Thank you.
To me for me to speak on
principles of budgetary
concerns at this time it's my
sincere hope that we're
understanding that we can't
just simply offer, you know,
the best practices of budget
austerity to immediately solve
our budget issues a budget
deficit issues.
>> It was a fine that was a
program that was created kind
of in the 80s and 90s and it
was the accepted standard way
to work.
But we're trying to understand
the concepts that human beings
come first before ledger books
.
And that is been a bit of a
difficult journey for
ourselves.
We're learning how to navigate
it.
I hope we can continue that
important journey into next
year into 2027.
So you know budget time in MAY
of next year for 2028 we will
be much more ready to talk
about equity and talk about
best practices so people don't.
Services don't get cut.
And then how we learn those
principles.
I want to be better prepared
about how we learn
the principles that we feel
that continuing health care
benefits and retirement
services for our city
government workers in times of
stress is I think an important
principle and that a pay cut
MAY actually possibly be a
little easier than cutting.
You know, our concerns and our
and our retirement concern for
city workers it's learning a
principle system that we're
trying to navigate and better
understand for all of us
because look how we can do that
And I think it can make our
future better decisions better.
And it has to be based on
the choices of humanity and not
serving economic forecasts and
and ledger books.
So good luck in the efforts.
Thank you.
The five minute timer To
conclude during Blair's
comments there were three
people in the queue.
Additional speakers will be
taken.
Catherine Rose If you can
please unmute.
After that is Natalie Raskin
7499.
>> Hello this is Catherine
Rhodes.
I wanted to talk about
the structural budget deficit.
You know maybe have and I put
forward about proposed ballot
measures that would have gone
on the NOVEMBER ballot to
eliminate the structural budget
deficit.
But instead of the debate
giving a written report on why
they think our numbers were
incorrect, all we got was a
verbal thing saying that it
wouldn't make that much money
wouldn't solve the structural
budget deficit.
But instead of using our
numbers of about $140 million
that would have came here that
would have solved all your
problems.
And I just want to I would like
the idea to actually put
something in writing instead of
just have it being verbal.
You know, this was a plan to
eliminate the structural budget
deficit by identifying new
revenue sources.
One good thing is that the city
of Los Angeles in JUNE did
the same thing where they had
know this was part of changing
the municipal code to say
online travel agencies are
considered hotel operators and
that they would have to pay
the full transit occupancy tax
instead of only a portion of it
.
Pretty soon we'll be getting
information from Los Angeles
that will probably show that
they're going to be making so
much more money.
They think that they're only
going to be making an
additional $3 million for
the whole year.
I bet you they will make $3
million in a couple of weeks
and they're going to be making
so much more money and using
that information you'll see how
much you guys totally lost
the ball on this.
The other thing about this is
the idea and I believe also
the city attorney tried to say
that we needed a two thirds
voter approval because of
the measure c because it's a
special tax.
>> How about you're talking
about concluded that only if
you complete them you not only
rushfield experience advisors
When we talk about principals
it is it is confusing I'm
confused on all the principals
.
I would have changed my what I
was going to say when I had my
two minutes to speak on
the budget If I would have
understood what these proposals
are, what we're going to be on
there, what we're going to be
on there, what was already
decided.
It's very frustrating because
I'm passionate about what I do.
I'm passionate about my family
and what happens to them and
what these decisions that are
made that affect me personally
and the rest of the community
and those principles Are we
going off the air,
the bathrooms being shut down?
Are they mayors, principals?
Are we not having shelter?
We are having shelters.
Are they planning on putting us
on on Break Ranch?
I think there should be
clarity.
There should be What's the word
transparency because it affects
me personally my children
personally and the principles
that I stand by or live by
don't seem to be the same as
anybody else's which is fine.
But the principles that we're
who are beating us in this
administration I don't I don't
think we should be doing
anything that goes along with
those principles.
Thank you.
So I have to say thank you.
And our final speaker lowered
their hand so that does
conclude public comment on this
item.
>> I think it took a second for
that to sink in.
All right.
Thank you, city clerk.
And with that we'll turn it
over to council members for
questions and comments and
entertain a motion And we'll
start with the chair of
the Budget Committee.
>> Councilmember Foster Yes.
Thank you, Council PRESIDENT
And thank you to the aba's
office for the work that goes
into this document.
Thank you for putting in
the information regarding risk
management and having them
included in the conversation.
I think that's an important
department and important fund
as it is you know the backstop
it is the general fund.
And so I think that's something
that is of value as we go
through our budget
deliberations.
Also for transparency just so
that the public can understand
where our dollars are are
going.
Just quickly just listening to
public comment.
Quite frankly, I do have
concerns about this document,
this effort as it is a
resolution.
It is I say an agreement
between the council and mayor
in regards to the simply
communication.
It does not have any true teeth
in regards to when that
agreement is not adhered to,
whether it's the mayor or
the council in regards to that.
But I think the overall
frustration quite honestly
relates to our current system.
And that's the stronger form of
government.
I think you are seeing just
what was put in place, what
those impacts are and what it
means to be in a stronger
system in that authority that
the mayor has now.
And so as we continue to move
forward, that is one thing that
will be on my mind as we
continue to move forward and
that is a discussion of strong
mayor versus city manager form
of government.
So with that I'll begin.
Thank you for the efforts on
this item and I will move
staff's recommendation.
All right.
Thank you sir.
So we have a motion by Council
member Foster to move the staff
recommendation and we go next
to Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem
Lee then council PRESIDENT And
I will start by seconding
the motion and maybe to thank
Council Member Foster for
the additions that he made to
this year's budget principles
In terms of some of
the additional transparency but
also to echo some of his
comments I think these
principles exist and only work
as well as they do based on how
both sides choose to adhere to
it and how we work with each
other.
And I think we have seen in
the last couple of years
the limitations of that as well
.
And so I don't come in
pretending like that's not
the case but look forward to
continuing to try to see how we
can improve our communications
and efforts across the board as
we work towards another what I
think is going to be expected
to be a challenging budget
year.
So thank you Council present.
All right.
Thank you, sir.
So we have a motion by Council
member Foster in a second by
Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee
to move the staff
recommendation.
I don't see anyone else on
the lights or any hands up.
I'll just add my thank you to
Charles and the sergeant on
the team for working on this
year after year.
You know perhaps we're getting
more clarification that this is
a statement of communication
between the mayor and
the council and unnecessary
only translate to what
the public MAY or MAY not need
in understanding the budget
process.
And while some of us think
the budget process is long and
tedious drawn out, it actually
moves pretty fast and it's hard
to wrap your head around a
thousand pages a budget and two
plus 2 billion plus and all
the different components of
what we are as I have I want I
want to really respond to some
of the public comments but that
really is not the item in front
of us.
I see the work continuing KPIs.
I've never been a big fan but
I'll respect those who do see
those as valuable and continue
to make to my commitment with
my amazing staff to make sure
that we'll do everything we can
to dig into the budget,
understand what
the implications are.
But as the budgetary principal
say that when the Council
adopts the budget that it is
the mayor on the operation
sides to carry it out and
sometimes we find out things
that we didn't appreciate or
did not figure out what
the implications were going
forward as we saw happen in
dramatic fashion this month.
I'm glad we were able to even
if it took us six weeks to get
that taken care of.
I think.
Thank you Council member
Campbell for that partnership
so that we can always do
better.
We need to do better and have
Council PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee
said that we will have another
challenging budget ahead and
I'll throw in a little final
out Temecula sales tax is a
full 1% higher than the city of
San Diego's which would mean
$400 Million if we have
the same sales tax as the city
of Temecula.
Anyway, with that we have a
motion by Councilmember Foster
and a second by Council
PRESIDENT Pro Tem Lee to move
this off Recommendation City
Clerk Please call them I'm
sorry the voters and please
cast your vote.
Council Member Bond Wilford if
I can get your vote for
the record I vote yes And
Council Member Campo Yes and
that passes unanimously 9 to 0.
Thank you Council PRESIDENT All
right.
Thank you.
City Clerk Committee And thank
you to the Office of the aba
for the good work on that item
With that clerk please
introduce item to or what item
to a one is the repeal of
Measure c amending the People's
Ordinance and associated
amendments to the Standing on
this bill code and Local
coastal program.
If you'd like to speak to this
item please be sure to submit a
Speaker's up to the front of
the room or raise your hand by
pressing Star nine the raise
your hand icon I will Now that
the public comment time for
this will be two minutes so
that you can be prepared and
that no organized presentations
were submitted Thank you
Council PRESIDENT All right
thank you.
Realizing this is primarily a
bookkeeping effort but
nevertheless it's an important
work in front of us staff
Introduce yourselves for
the record and let us know how
much time you need for your
presentation Just good
afternoon.
>> Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT My name is
Corey Funk and I am here with
the with that I'm senior
planner with the City Planning
Department.
We request five minutes for
the presentation when you're
ready.
Okay.
Thank you.
Good afternoon.
Members of the city council
again, my name is Corey Funk,
senior planner with City
Planning Department Joining me
today our planning director
Heidi Van Bloom and deputy
director Seth Whitney.
The item before you today is
for the repeal of Measure c
amending a people's ordinance
and associated amendments to
San Diego Municipal Code and
Local Coastal Program on
NOVEMBER seventh, 1972, voters
approved a citizens initiative
that established the coastal
height limit overlay zone.
This initiative is also known
as the People's Ordinance
Number Oh Dash 10960.
The coastal height limit
overlay zone limits the height
of buildings to 30ft for
the area located generally
within city limits And west of
Interstate five on NOVEMBER
8th, 2022, Measure c was passed
by a majority of the city of
San Diego voters.
The ballot measure amended
the People's Ordinance and
the coastal height limit
overlay zone.
The purpose of the measure was
to exclude the Midway Pacific
Highway Community Plan area
from the 30 foot high limit
Measure c was subsequently
challenged through a lawsuit on
OCTOBER 17th of 2025
the California Court of Appeals
ruled that the city needed to
complete additional
environmental review to study
the impacts of buildings
exceeding the 30 foot high
limit On MARCH 12th of 2026,
the San Diego Superior Court
issued a writ of mandate
directing the city to set aside
the approvals for Measure c.
This action is intended to
comply with the court's writ of
mandate.
The action requested and would
repeal the ordinance which
submitted Measure c to the city
voters and the associated
amendments to the San Diego
Municipal Code.
There The repeal of Measure c
means that the 30 foot high
limit on buildings in
the coastal high limit overlay
zone remains in effect for
the Midway Pacific Highway
Community Plan Area.
The request of staff is that
City Council adopted ordinance
to repeal ordinance number
o-21508 which submitted Measure
c to city voters and associate
amendments related to
the Coastal Highway overlay
zone in the Midway Pacific
Highway Community Plan Area.
This concludes staff's
presentation.
We are available for questions.
Thank you.
All right.
Thank you for the work on this
bringing it forward and
the presentation with that
clerk.
Please proceed with public
comment on item 201 Thank you
Council PRESIDENT Starting with
Leslie Morgan if you can please
come forward to the microphone
and if I can have the following
individuals in the front row.
Angela better Joyce Senator
Paul Krueger, Lori Saldana and
allegedly Audra those are
speakers here.
Please proceed.
Good afternoon.
I'm Leslie Martin, executive
director of San Diego Fair
Housing Loud, an independent
fair housing research and
advocacy group working to
expand fair housing access and
homeownership opportunity
across San Diego as high as
three source neighborhoods.
i know the council has no
discretion on this item so my
comments are purely for
the record.
In a JULY 15th, 2022 memo your
own planning department wrote
that the coastal height limit
remains as a barrier to
maximizing construction of
homes and residential
developments with restricted
units.
The memo sampled 13
developments both inside
the overlay zone since 2001 is
only three stories.
Just one has been restricted
homes The Department recorded
that barrier, never asked where
the barrier falls or on whom So
we did in our first report
Coastal Opportunity and Housing
Access in San Diego which
publishes tomorrow.
The city has had it since
Friday If you doubt I you
personally inside the coastal
height limit 80% of census
tracts are higher highest
resource areas versus 54%
citywide In the current housing
cycle the overlay has only
permitted 32.5 homes per
thousand existing versus
citywide 62% homes affordable
below the original median two
per thousand against 11 for
the city.
So that's half the citywide
rate on housing of every kind
and a fifth the citywide rate
on affordable.
Today a staff report concedes
that this means less
development It contains no
federal housing analysis.
A cap on building is not in
neutral as static rule on
the most valuable land in
the city decides who gets to
live there.
Thank you very much.
Thank you Angela Better.
Hello When you repealed Measure
c today as the court has
ordered don't turn around and
use the state density bonus law
as a backdoor to accomplish
the same thing Allowing midway
rising to exceed 30 foot height
limit.
Now we have sb 958 and sb 344
coming out of Sacramento
creating yet another backdoor
around the environmental
review.
This massive project is I'm
really going to ask you to
speak on Measure c There's
plenty of opportunity to speak
on that item but I know what
you're saying.
I understand it.
I fully respect it and I would
hope that it knowledge in a
public comment you come and
make that powerful statement
but talk about whether or not
we should repeal Measure c
Thank you for that choice And
yet if I'll try this one you
notice I have no comments in my
hand so I'm going to wing it on
this one.
I'll start with this is this
little illegal voice or is this
the voice of the people winning
on this one And council member
DR. Campbell I really support
your position on this totally
and I'm looking forward to
hearing you speak.
I think that we can go
overboard on the environmental
concerns and if you get me
started on density you probably
won't like me a lot of you
because I love density Joy I
have to be fair to everyone and
we all do love you But speak to
the whether we should rescind
Measure c or not.
You start talking about density
and you love density.
This is just a question of
whether we should repeal
the measure c which is a court
order back on and I'll try
again.
Okay So I did look at you know
glance at this very quickly So
all I can say is that it seems
like a legal thing that we're
following that all we're doing
is following the legal decision
that was made in the court that
we can't implement in Measure c
as it was chosen by correct
majority of the people.
And that sort of shocks me and
I don't really understand how
these things can end up this
way.
So I appreciate sorry about
that PRESIDENT LaCava And I
really do appreciate when you
take that stance on it not just
for me but for everyone that I
think that's the right way to
go.
Thank you.
So I'll just say that I'm going
to look forward to listening to
council member DR. Campbell
This is her Council District
two item and I'll I'll go from
there.
So thank you and love to all
Thank you Paul Krueger And I
understand you have a
presentation or images to share
so staff will get those up for
you.
>> So I don't know where
the music is coming because
it's your walk up songs.
>> I do appreciate that you
bring a little levity in
the chamber.
There's another video coming in
every time we share for some
reason the audio sharing or
that other video that's prepped
but it's a nice walk up song.
Please proceed.
Can you zoom in on that a
little bit to the circled area
if possible?
If not all I'll just explain.
If not we'll print and share
with the council as well.
Back when you decided to appeal
this measure is to the Supreme
Court.
Two of you voted against it.
Raul Campo explained that he
didn't think that your appeal
would be successful and
COUNCILWOMAN Moreno declined to
offer to explain why she voted
against it.
But there's the bill from
Everett Delano $446,000 he was
awarded by he hasn't been
awarded by the court.
He submitted his fees and costs
recently for his work on
overturning Measure c.
I'd like to say that I don't
keep chipping away at
Proposition d with issues like
Measure c If you and your
colleagues in the building
industry and the labor unions
don't like Proposition d, put
it on the ballot, give
the voters a chance to agree or
disagree with your position
that many of you have That
measure d should be voided and
that we should be approving
items like Measure c do not
take a piecemeal approach to
this issue as you did with
Measure c Most importantly what
you did with Measure c was you
put before voters an incomplete
analysis by any means by a
unanimous Supreme Court
decision that by any means of
interpretation deprived voters
of the information that they
needed to know to make a
decision on measure c And you
did it twice not you the city
It wasn't I don't know
the extent to which the council
approved a supplemental each
year but you did have a chance
to take a position as Raul and
Vivian did when it came before
you to take it to the Supreme
Court and you decided to do it
anyway.
Thank you for that Concluding
comment.
>> Lori Saldana So to continue
on what was just said I agree
that this was and I probably
submitted the wrong slip I
should have supported repealing
c but not for simply reasons of
height but also because frankly
local coastal program will
needs to recognize that rising
sea level is causing inundation
in this area.
So if you were going to be
honest with a consideration
with an environmental impact
report about building in
the Midway area, I don't think
you hit the mark on this And
the hazards are many.
This this area is not just a
matter of building too high.
It's a matter of having
liquefaction underneath it and
having an unsteady ground to
build anything upon.
So I'm sorry you repealing this
at a time when there are bills
going through the legislature
and I know I'll be interrupted
about that once again but it
you're an engineer you know
things are connected.
You can't have one without
the other And we can't have a
repeal at the local level if
there's push to approve and
remove the height
considerations at the state
level.
So when this comes before MR.
Lee's committee in just a few
weeks there's going to be a
major contradiction.
The council is repealed on
the height but now the state is
working on saying the height
shouldn't be considered.
So you're you're setting
yourself into quite a quandary
here And I don't know how
you're going to figure this out
.
But what I do know if you go on
to another image I've lost
track of which images I've
submitted here This is already
happening in our coastal areas
The sea level does not respond
to legislation.
So MR. Lee, when you look at
this housing and land use,
consider water use also because
that is really what is at stake
if you're going to build
anything in these coastal areas
.
>> Thank you.
Allegedly order you were doing
so well you really nailed
the testimony for repealing
Measure c until right at
the end.
Obviously this is circumventing
the will of the people because
the people voted to have this
be in place And it doesn't
matter if a judge rules a
certain way, it can still be
illegal and it can still be
something that you guys push
back against because moving
forward with this would be
extremely negligent.
There is a lot of issues that
are not being addressed and no
offense to other speakers but
it's not that sea level is
rising.
It's going back to where it was
at one time because California
used to be an island
technically and the water has
been, you know, dammed up in
different things And so it's
just coming up to where it had
been prior to all of that.
And so to build on those types
of things and have the height
levels that are going to be
extremely high and potentially
I mean these things are going
to be blocking even just
the beach for some people but
it's dangerous to build on
marshlands like that when
people claim that they are
going to be able to, you know,
deal with the weight of it so
it wouldn't sink in.
But I don't think that that's
really true.
I believe that these unions
want the jobs and so they want
to go in and build but and
they're doing what their part
is.
But these engineers even though
they're saying they're going to
be putting posts down, it is
still putting the potential
danger of it being in like
with quicksand.
And so it's more of a public
safety issue as opposed to
anything else When you guys are
doing stuff like this And I
understand people want jobs and
you guys want housing but you
shouldn't be putting people in
danger just to do it and
repealing things that
the people voted for.
You say you represent
the people so if you're going
to repeal this then obviously
you don't because you're going
against what the will of
the people was So I mean you
guys need to really think about
that If you if you claim to
represent us then put your
money where your mouth is and
not just doing something
because it's going to benefit
construction.
>> Thank you.
That concludes your time.
I'm sorry The five minute timer
going to those participated
remotely.
Katherine Rhodes if you can
please unmute you'll have two
minutes.
>> Wonderful.
This is Katherine Rhodes and as
most of you know I'm a civil
engineer.
I have problems regarding
Midway Rising and the midway
area due to my concerns
regarding liquefaction,
regarding groundwater
intrusion, regarding the king
tides for waters actually and
sea level rise often we've
already talked about that this
is just a measure of c and
whether we should repeal it or
not write my agenda will give
you an opportunity to speak on
it.
I gave people a little bit of
leeway but let's just focus on
Measure c and not on
liquefaction or the ground
conditions.
Should we should we repeal
measure c or not?
>> Oh I'm talking about
the reason why you have to
repeal Measure c is regarding
decision by the judge that told
you that you guys did not
analyze a whole bunch of
things.
>> One of the things that you
you know the only thing that
San Diego has regarding sea
level rise is porous pavement
That is your mitigation force
for sea level rise that that is
incomplete.
Yes, of course you should This
should go forward.
It has to go forward.
It's a law.
It shouldn't have gone forward
in the first place because one
of the great things that
the Port of San Diego used to
have in their master plan is
that there had to be two levels
of underground parking or
basement under every project in
areas of let's look with viable
soils and a great example of
what to do in this area is
the Navy Broadway complex or
Manchester's Pacific Gateway.
Another great example that that
is used in San Diego is
the County Administration
Center building that has two
levels of underground also
where what you do is you
actually get rid of
the liquefaction.
You guys don't even have any
type of engineering standards.
So yes, this is good to get rid
of but you also have to have
basic engineering Standard and
Poor's pavement is not you know
does not cut it.
So you guys have a lot of work
to do.
Your time has concluded Just
did anybody think it odd that I
looked at the screen when I was
talking to MISS Rhodes She's
not up there.
Jeff Tutor if you can please
unmute Yeah, Thank you Counsel
You know obviously we just want
to be clear that the reason
we're repealing probably a
major c and restoring the high
limit is so we can exceed it by
other means which is either
going to happen to
the legislature or you know by
state law I just you know we
just need to be up front.
The goal here isn't really to
protect the height limit.
>> It's really to protect this
Midway Rising project.
Thank you.
>> Next is Blaire Beekman if
you can please.
And you.
All right.
Thank you.
We're Beekman to weigh in on
the measure c issue and its
judgment I'm assuming from
Katherine's words words that
the judge he had many items
that he was addressing and why
he he made the decision that he
did possibly very much included
in that is the idea of sea
level rise issues that I think
has to be a part of the future
of this conversation and that
you guys are working on it on
the state level you have a
vested interest to not talk
about sea level rise issue and
I hope that and when this item
comes up at council person
leave meeting in the future
that we can be allowed to have
a more open conversation.
I feel our current PRESIDENT Is
is being a little too narrow in
his definitions how we can talk
about this issue.
There is sea level rise that we
have to be able to talk about
more openly and clearly for
the future of this area.
It's an important conversation.
It needs to be open and not
just for this item but for our
environmental future of San
Diego how we address our issue
as well.
So good luck how we work on
this issue together.
Thank you.
An open Thank you John If you
can please unmute and and John
Brady lives experience advisors
I am calling in because I think
that the intent of this measure
was to remove the height limit
in areas that were not
necessarily beach adjacent and
and completely made sense as to
the legal I can't address but I
think the intent was you know
this is clearly not a near
beach area even though it's
near marshland.
I really struggle with the fact
that we would not be able to
build in what is clearly semi
industrial area.
So I would vote against
repealing Measure c thank you
next 27499 if you can please
unmute.
Bob Kozinski here.
I just want to express my
disgust of Joe LaCava
demonstrating his disregard for
the public by repeatedly
cutting people off.
>> Thank you.
Coming No Vega If you can
please unmute regarding
the Vega district eight I
didn't do as much research
necessarily on this but I did
want to just point out that
something that someone said in
person that just because
something is legal doesn't mean
it's right but definitely
trying to consider who is going
to be most affected by this
based on the areas where Well
will this will affect Thank
you.
>> Thank you Then Amanda, if
you can please unmute.
>> Hi, Good afternoon City
Council.
>> Welcome back.
And so I take a few minutes
this morning to look through
ruling from the Superior Court
because I really wasn't
familiar with the whole court
process about Measure c And so
from what I understand is that
you guys put a dangerous
measure on for up for a vote
without considering
the important environmental
impacts.
I'm going to read from
the court ruling We will
reverse an agency's
determination regarding school
compliance only where there was
a prejudicial abuse of
discretion applying
the environmental impact
reports at ground water levels
which are expected to be near
sea level throughout most of
the Midway Pacific Highway area
can result in response to
changes in precipitation and
runoff.
As a result, the environment
Impact report recognized most
of the Midway Pacific Highway
area has a high potential for
liquefaction because the area
has shallow groundwater or
major drain drainages and
hydraulic spills.
I'm really disappointed that
and again I know we need more
housing.
We need more affordable
housing.
We don't need any more luxury
housing.
We have quite enough of that.
But I just wanted to say that
I'm really disappointed that
this ever got put up for a vote
and that you guys were
practicing prejudicial
prejudicial abuse of discretion
and lying to the voters.
That's all.
Thanks.
Thank you.
That does conclude public
comment on this item.
All right.
>> Thank you city Clerk And
thank you to the comments.
If anyone is curious about my
feelings about the course I'll
limit and Sacramento's
intrusion on local land use
authority.
I think I've been pretty
eloquent on that But there's
also going to be an opportunity
to speak on some of the issues
that I think is pent up in this
chambers on non agenda public
comment and of course on
project specific opportunities
.
So I look forward to hearing
from you And with that we'll
turn over to the Council for
questions comments entertain a
motion and we'll start out with
the council member representing
District two which is where
Midway is located.
Council member Kim Thank you.
>> Council PRESIDENT Thank you
guys for the presentation.
I think we're all a little bit
sad those of us who are
interested in making
the biggest housing development
in one place that the state has
seen including half the living
arrangements being affordable.
However, the court has ruled
and we have exhausted all legal
appeals Our case was not taken
by the Supreme Court and so
we're stuck with what
the superior Court ruled and we
must abide by the court's writ
of mandate because we believe
in following the law and
because of the writ of mandate
which says we must remove this
language from the municipal
code by amending Measure c with
this amendment the only effect
our Midwood District we must do
it and if we don't we will be
in contempt of court.
And when we're in contempt of
court we open the city to
tremendous numbers of fines
which we can ill afford and
besides which is good citizens
who even disagree with
the court.
We still think that we must
follow the court's orders
because that is the law And so
therefore I move the staff
recommendation to do so as
ordered by the court and I so
move.
>> Thank you.
Council PRESIDENT All right.
Thank you Council members.
So we have a motion by Council
member Campbell to move
the staff recommendation
Nothing He went on the lights.
I'm happy to second that motion
again not see anybody else in
the lights call a vote.
We have a motion by council
member Campbell and the second
by myself I started the voting
system Council member Von
Wilber Please register your
vote orally I vote yes.
>> Council member can you
please register your vote
early?
Yes.
And that passes unanimously.
All right.
>> Yeah.
Thank you for out for this
bookkeeping item.
I appreciate the work.
So with that we will now take
up non agenda public comment.
This is the opportunity to go
big on whatever you want within
the city's purview.
Council members respect and
appreciate the public input and
are fully committed to
protecting every participant's
free speech rights at council
and committee meetings.
Clerk Please proceed with non
agenda Public Comment Thank you
Council PRESIDENT Pearl 2.7 Non
Agenda Public comment is an
opportunity for members of
the public to comment items
that are not on the agenda but
within the subject matter
jurisdiction of the City
Council As the Council
PRESIDENT Just noted each each
public member will have two
minutes to speak.
If there are eight or more
speakers on a single topic
the maximum time for the topic
will be 16 minutes.
If you are in chambers please
submit your speaker slip.
If you're joining us virtually
please raise your hand to speak
by tapping the raise your hand
icon or if you're a call
participant The Star nine We're
starting with those here in
chambers starting with Jeff
Bartlett.
Please come up to
the microphone.
After that we'll have Charlene
Antonio, Antonino Alto, Lino,
Lori Saldana, Joyce Kenyatta
and Irene Ramirez.
Please proceed.
>> All righty.
All right.
My name is Jeff Bartlett.
i reside down in Tijuana.
I do commute across the border
to work security out here in
downtown San Diego.
I'm in a leadership supervisor
position out here and I'm going
to address some concerns I have
about how sd pd responds.
I mean we have the lack of
community policing out here
long sd pd response times I can
go an entire shift without them
showing up and dispatchers can
get kind of unprofessional at
times.
I don't like how the city
police will send the entire
squad out to arrest like one
unarmed person but then they
don't show up when I call them
in for something in other
states sometimes you might only
need 1 or 2 officers to arrest
someone.
Also I think we need a better
system to report crimes instead
of your online system to report
crimes because that's limited.
So if you don't know the person
I think San Diego clean and
safe has a system where you
know you can take a picture and
report things maybe the city
police should adopt something
like that.
But I running low on time here
But I do want to point a few
things.
I think we need some dui
checkpoints on Fourth Avenue
where Gaslamp Quarter is
especially near large parking
garages.
I think we need to crack down
on the drugs in the city.
I mean trolley stops like Fifth
Avenue and 12 in Imperial even
here at Civic Center you have
people hanging out using drugs
near the trolleys.
i think the city needs to crack
down on the drugs in this city
and we need to also find
resources to assist and help
our homeless people so they're
not getting arrested and then
coming back out on the streets
,find ways to rehabilitate
them And I am running low on
time So thank you for
the opportunity to speak.
Thank you.
Next is Charlie.
Good afternoon.
My name is Charlene El and I am
here on behalf of the San Diego
Committee on Employment of
People with Disabilities.
I am the chair and ceo.
Each OCTOBER our committee
hosted OCTOBER 1st one of
the largest disability focused
job bears in California serving
up to 1500 job seekers annually
For the past 27 years this
event has connected individuals
with disabilities to employment
opportunities and economic
independence which remains
especially important giving
the disproportionate high
unemployment rate with
the disability community.
For the last 20 years we have
been honored to hold you
OCTOBER 1st at the Balboa Park
Club and we are deeply grateful
to the City of San Diego for
its longstanding partnership
and generosity in providing
this venue.
While we sincerely appreciate
the city support, we
respectfully ask the Council to
consider the intended impact
that recently implemented
parking fees in Balboa Park MAY
have on attendance this event
this year Many city residents
with disabilities MAY not have
had an opportunity or ability
to register in advance for
the resident parking waiver
program.
I can also share that we have
received reports from community
members that the parking waiver
registration process can be
difficult to navigate even with
eligible city residents
Challenges with obtaining
information completing
the process and sharing
the waiver registration process
can be difficult to navigate.
So I see I'm running out of
time and we have contacted city
council members.
We have contacted the mayor's
office and this is going to be
a challenge in OCTOBER on
the seventh for people with
disabilities.
So we have typically 75
employers, 60 volunteers and
upwards of 1500 job seekers And
again most of our job seekers
don't have physical
disabilities but mental and
intellectual disabilities which
will affect them with
the parking.
Larry Saldana If you can please
come forward I understand you
have some materials to share.
Thank you.
So now I think we can
unencumbered discuss
the challenge of sea level rise
in our coastal areas and in
particular one that is being
scheduled or being discussed as
dense high housing.
If that does come before a
council committee I hope that
you can go to the next slide
please.
You will take into account what
other cities are doing to
combat the tide That is
overwhelming our infrastructure
as we speak.
This is not a future
consideration and this is only
the words that we see on
the surface What is happening
below ground is even more
troubling and more challenging
when it comes to adding housing
to the coastal areas.
The Storm Stormwater Department
is aware of this.
They have gone out and welded
the storm water covered sheet
and the pressure of
the incoming tide is still
getting out because the sea
level rise is exceeding
the height of the storm water
system.
And I know you're getting a
report on that very soon as we
go on to the next images.
Saltwater is extremely
corrosive.
It is destroying you can see
the really rough surface of
the streets.
This is the end of Mission
Boulevard And again, this is
only what you see on
the surface.
What's going on below surface
is in the case of Mission Beach
their sewage and wastewater
system is at serious repair or
needs serious repairs.
Next slide please.
And just for standing water it
gets quite deep.
Next slide.
And I guess I.
I submitted several things I
don't recall exactly which ones
but I am repeating this because
I don't think that it is being
taken seriously enough.
I realize you were preparing
for El Nino.
You were talking about storm
water.
This is not storm water.
This is simply high water in
the ground that is going to
continue to rise with the sea
level.
We need to learn from Rotterdam
and other coastal cities and I
will continue to come back and
introduce that in the future.
>> Thank you.
Thank you, Joyce.
Again, it first of all I
support San Diego Police
Department's work to keep our
people safe and the results are
in.
Crime continues to decrease and
keep our beautiful city at
the top of the list as one of
the safest cities.
Dear Public I'm sure some of
you have read this past
Monday's usa Today front page
article on flock safety.
After reading it I spent about
two hours Googling information
on Flock safety With the large
outpouring of public concern
about the use of this
technology like safety has made
the necessary changes to help
people feel more comfortable
and safe as as the people move
around living their lives.
Our whole nation is affected by
these changes and the federal
government has stated it will
come forward soon with its
position on the use of this
surveillance technology.
A big thank you to Keith Wall
and all others for the JULY
27th excuse me JULY 22nd public
meeting on this matter and for
public input Also online until
JANUARY till JULY 29th.
Again I support sd pd and their
use of this technology.
Our trust ordinance is working
and with a robust conversation
on this important matter.
Dear Public Trust Trust will
win.
One people One family one San
Diego.
Love to all this Been a great
day.
>> Welcome back, everybody.
Thank you.
Irene Ramirez is a second
assistant here on location and
that is Cortez.
We're impressed about
the timing of those those
comments.
We know and what they will
because they are key.
They can be read into your
table.
The reason that I'm here is a
little bit different than what
I thought.
Meramec have portion this year
an opportunity though they have
a lot of they looking for
things.
But I stayed because I was told
I have the opportunity to speak
about what is before what I
want to speak about.
If any the problem of up
tomorrow I will lay low.
I've been having several
problems with my invoices for
my water bill.
They are what I'm doing.
And with the doubling of water
as well.
Okay.
And I will not let them go.
They'll be 23.
The other thing we want to do
the meals budget.
The first one is with
the property that I have that's
a duplex that I received in
2023 an invoice for $1,068 or
lengthy phase that will help
them for their metering take
courtroom.
And then last month I received
another invoice for the same
property for 1034 and can
always ask for us and can send
me that.
I don't see the reason of why
these two different invoices
give us losses on them Looking
at those dollars Million that
both of them are coming out to
1500 the two different invoices
are half a year Tambi\n Antonio
Campbell's fha the De la
Factotum yacht any of the as
you know having a color
populated in our to the upper
middle and then the invoice
dates are changing as well they
used to be the 18th and 19th of
each month and now they're
the 30th and first of each
month.
I'm not sure when they change
your why you're not away I
would guess your well you know
they get on us a lot of them on
end of the year if we could get
them really so much on me this
the like Brazil and then I
don't it seems to me that
the water billing is a bit
dysfunctional because of so
many changes from bill to Bill
and in the property where I
live in the change in water
bill changes quite frequently
and they are looking at it
because I have a lot of issues
where I sometimes have high
water pressure and sometimes I
have little to no water
pressure on my property your
property angle problem and that
in order to have it be
amplified or you know and then
go back and put pressure on
them which I me to be the last
people And then I've had a lot
of problems with my water
meters and that with the water
pressure that comes in and even
explode some of my pipes are
stuck and nobody intended to
correct me in our you think a
little on our solar panel
services telling us they tell
me that they finally found
the problem but they still
haven't been able to come out
and fix it And now they're
still having issues with
the water pressure and that is
changing the bill cycles and
the amount of the bill that's
being paid are charged.
So yeah.
MR. Cochran Bill, our now these
last two they are finally
starting to charge me water for
the use cabana I started out on
the house because I maybe
because they said that they
weren't going to start charging
me until they started making
the adjustments necessary to my
house because if if I don't do
I want to show you.
But that's not true because I
have been paying water the last
two months.
Okay.
And so people see that we now
see what that is going to be
And my comment is that but it
that it must be a plan
approximate using a manyama or
it's criminal what is a little
better and multiple Yeah he got
his but also he said he also
can put that away in the bills
he's like a little thing but
almost enables me not this this
and I'm again going to the next
speaker Anthony Ross after
Anthony Ralph says Angela
better and after Angela better
is Paul Kruger If you can all
please come up to the front
room I think we know who
the bad guy is now but I think
what the whole world wants to
know is who wants to be
the good guy?
My phone has been blowing up
off the hook.
I'm being interviewed this
morning.
I was interviewed twice by four
more media and by The Daily
Wire.
I have a request to be
interviewed this entire week
And what I would like to ask is
of the five council members
that voted for Flock, when will
this end?
When will you listen to
the vast majority of your
constituents?
When will you respect
the Constitution that you swore
an oath to defend?
When will you respect our
privacy rights that are
enshrined in the Fourth
Amendment?
These are non-negotiables.
It should not have had to come
to this.
I came respectfully.
I presented my position
respectfully with hundreds of
other organizations that
expressed the exact same
sentiment that I'm expressing
before you now I should not
have had to wear this Darth
Vader outfit in order to get
your attention in order to
raise global awareness about
this issue.
But now that I have I'm glad
I'm glad that this is going
viral.
I'm glad that this is now a
viral conversation that
the whole world is happening
because now this is an
opportunity for you to see This
is an opportunity for you to
continue your political careers
if you still want them.
There is nothing that is
uniting the right and the left
faster than our disdain for
this Orwellian surveillance
technology.
That's abundantly clear by
the fact that I could wear this
costume once and it could go
globally viral be picked up by
cnn Washington Post I've seen
this I've seen my video
translated in Arabic.
I've seen it translated in
Spanish that showcases that
should demonstrate to all of
you who couldn't read the room
when the vast majority of your
constituents were opposed to
flock that the world is against
flock, that the world is
against being surveilled, that
we understand that poverty is a
symptom of rampant inequality
that billionaires not paying
their taxes are the ones that
approve this technology
Billionaires, boomers, cops and
fascists and those that don't
respect the Constitution are
the only ones that want Angela
better.
Hi I want to say I'm really sad
that I was cut off earlier
because when I was talking
about and if you would have let
me finish it would have gotten
to the point where, you know,
Measure c was about the 30 foot
height limit and repealing
that.
>> But anyway I'll start here
sb 344 Okay.
Sb 344 is a bill that is going
through Sacramento that that
Senator Weber Pearson has
decided to get and change it to
Midway Rising and sequel And
you know it was about human
remains dispose of human
remains so to me that just
that's like taking a shirt that
you see at a store and saying I
don't like the price so I am
going to remove that price tag
and switch it for something
that's on sale.
>> The other thing is that you
know, as a physician she should
understand why, you know, just
like all of you that you don't
decide a patient's outcome
first and then eliminate tests
that might reveal something
that you don't want to hear And
just because there's
legislature that allows that to
happen doesn't mean it's right
.
>> So I just want to say, you
know, traffic emergency
response infrastructure, air
quality, you know, other
impacts, you know, they just
don't disappear because
Sacramento Bill says that needs
to.
>> So I hope you don't find
another way to eliminate the 30
foot height limit and you know
respect the San Diego residents
because ultimately the voters
are the ones that put all of
you out there.
Thank you.
>> Paul Kruger, if you can
please come up.
Thank you.
First I like to say speaking on
behalf of the non billionaire
non fascists but boomers I did
support Floc I do support Floc
It's a tough call but you all
know there's another side out
there Also Council PRESIDENT I.
I will always remember the very
powerful comments you and Raul
Campo gave about
the construction of the eight
storey project on Coronet near
Mission MAY Drive That's going
up now that again the issue is
not whether or not we need
the housing.
The issue is whether or not
we're going to respect voters
on Proposition d and properly
put the measure before them for
appeal.
That's the issue I just wanted
to do on the record thank
people who I believe made it
possible to reopen
the restrooms and with
favoritism towards none and
thank you towards all I just
put it in alphabetical order
Again just to put on the record
those who who reversed that
really unfortunate policy.
First of all council member
Campo who acknowledged his vote
for the budget but was
the first to forcefully come
out and argue for there be in
statement of the funds to open
it to spite been ignored by
the mayor The letter writer
through the Union-Tribune who
week after week refused to let
the issue die.
Audrey Pham, the pediatrician
at Children's who on Tuesday
before the mayor announced
the openings pointed out
the problem of communicable
diseases caused by closed
restrooms.
Chris Read at the Union-Tribune
who endlessly, tirelessly and
sometimes a little too
vociferously urged the opening
of the restrooms.
Bradshaw fell from the mission
Bay Conservatory Thank you all.
>> Thank you.
I'm sorry The five minute time
we're going to those
participating remotely We
currently have 11 people in
the queue.
>> The original if you can
please unmute Yes with all this
focus on flock it's interesting
because it's the surveillance
technology that we need to be
focusing on.
You guys like to concentrate on
these billionaires and what
they're doing to encroach on
everybody's lives and
the billionaires that you speak
of and want to you know, hold
back are the very ones that are
owning these technologies And
it's not about flock but it was
a great bait and switch for
them to bring in flock and do a
corporate cannibalism of it by
bringing in some a partner who
supported Flock in
the beginning in fact gave
funding to it which is Axon.
And so Axon is going to be
coming in and taking the place
of flock.
Axon already got the contracts
on the body worn cameras on
the 911 dispatch on Alpers
within the law enforcement
vehicles.
And so as we sit here and we
concentrate on one entity and
not the entire system as a
whole and understand that Peter
Teal who is very well connected
with Epstein and Larry Fink
with BlackRock it's you know
all of these JPMorgan's
the people that you guys even
contract out but instead you
want to focus on Trump.
You need to be focusing on
these entities that are
collecting our data on a
massive scale bringing in these
A.I. Data centers and are
surveilling our children
wherever they go And this is an
Epstein operation.
Jeffrey Epstein is not dead.
His operation is in full flux
And the concern is not only
that it's a satanic Lucifer
Korean ritual abuse that
happens on children but it's
also a blackmail system because
you know, Jeffrey Epstein is a
cia and Mossad agent And so as
we see these things
encroaching, we need to really
be concerned about where our
data is going.
And so you guys need to be
standing against surveillance
as a whole not flock, not Axion
but surveillance as a whole and
understand that your children
are being watched by the very
people that you think shouldn't
be in jail.
>> Time has concluded.
Becky Wrap if you can please
unmute after that is Barbara
Gordon and Katherine Rhodes.
Thank you Rob.
I can hear me.
There you go.
>> Good afternoon.
My name is Becky Rapp and I'm a
parent in a public health
educator And today I come to
ask the Council for
Transparency when it comes to
the city's cannabis tax
revenue.
A neighboring city, Los Angeles
has significantly more
marijuana businesses than San
Diego.
And in MARCH of this year they
were able to report that its
marijuana businesses owe
approximately 400 million in
back taxes and fees.
The city is now considering an
amnesty program because so much
money remains uncollected.
If a city of this size with
hundreds of pot shops can
provide this detailed
information, why can't San
Diego residents are still
asking how much marijuana tax
is actually owed?
How much was supposed to be
collected and how much was
actually collected including
interest charges and late
penalty fees.
The city tells us that
marijuana businesses are free
to read to be audited and
the city's own tax materials
state that audits can identify
underreported taxes and that
penalties and interest can be
assessed.
So where's the public
accounting of those results?
The city treasurer has a
delinquent accounts program
that collects past receivables
including audit deficiencies
But the public deserves to know
specifically what is happening
with cannabis tax
delinquencies.
So I'd like to ask the Council
to once again direct the City
Treasurer and City Auditor to
provide an update publicly
available cannabis revenue and
tax compliance report.
Appreciate your time.
Thank you.
Next is Barbara Gordon.
If you can please unmute.
>> Good afternoon.
In San Diego it's hard to MISS
The many cannabis businesses
and billboards promoting
cannabis as a treatment for
virtually every condition.
Medical izing commercializing
of high potency thc has
produced rising rates in
addiction emergency room
visits, traffic fatalities,
serious psychiatric harm
especially among youth.
Recently a dea scientist
testified about the widespread
abuse and the lack of
standardized cannabis products
and the absence of rigorous
scientific evidence necessary
to establish acceptable cold
medical use for cannabis under
the Controlled Substance Act.
Congress established
the scientific standard for
drug scheduling to help ensure
that these decisions are based
on evidence rather than
political pressure.
If those standards can be
reinterpreted whenever they
become politically inconvenient
scientists scientific integrity
gives away to political
expedience.
We know lowering
the restrictions will increase
availability, reduce public
perception of risk, encourage
greater use and ultimately
increase addiction especially
among vulnerable young people.
Our young people deserve
protection when they repeatedly
hear that marijuana is harmless
or it is simply medicine.
They MAY underestimate
the risks.
The profit driven marijuana
industry big weed mirrors
the tactics of big tobacco big
alcohol.
These developments are not
accidental.
I urge the city to take
stronger actions by limiting
marijuana businesses and
advertising and marketing of
this drug.
Thank you for letting me speak
.
>> Thank you.
Next is Katherine Rhodes than
Kathleen Lippert in 7499 after
the five minute timer has also
concluded there were 13 people
with their hands raised.
No additional speakers will be
taken.
Kathleen, please proceed.
>> Hello, this is Katherine
Rhodes and I'm calling again
regarding our ballot measure
That was not allowed to be
heard for a second reading at
the Rules Committee and was
taken out by PRESIDENT Joe La
Cava based on I believe false
information from both the Ebert
which said that which only gave
a verbal response saying that
there's only going to be a
minimal amount of money, not
140 million that would have
solved our city structural
budget deficit but also a
verbal legal opinion by
the city attorney that tried to
say that if we just wanted to
have the words online travel
agency as part of a hotel
operator in the municipal code,
it would require a
supermajority or two thirds
public voter approval because
this was a special tax.
What I'm trying to say is
that's not true.
That again is false
information.
I would like for both the ipa
to write a written response
regarding exactly how much
money should should be created
by changing the municipal code
plus a legal opinion a written
legal opinion by the city
attorney because they said you
know what you guys did is a
validation lawsuit for Measure
c and what you guys said there
is that because it was a
special tax proposed by a
citizens initiative even though
it's a special tax, it only
needs 50% or a majority voter
approval not the two thirds
supermajority.
And so you guys won that
lawsuit And so of course it's
only 50% for that And it was
it's always been 50% And I just
think you guys just totally
ruined all the work, all
the hundreds of hours of work I
put into this for no reason.
My apologies.
Thank you.
Next is Kathleen Lippert.
>> If you can please unmute.
Thank you.
Good afternoon again.
>> I'd like to share some
information from Paul Light.
He writes that the first step
in preventing future failures
is to look at past policy
failures to prevent worsening a
growing behavioral health
problem.
>> There is plenty of
historical evidence for drug
policies that have failed in
the past.
The fda has asked and opposed
cooperation with county public
health departments questions
that can determine whether
the policy was necessary in
the first place or whether it
would resolve the problem at
hand.
They don't.
The city's marijuana
legalization expansion policy
is a perfect example.
It should have been clear from
the beginning that attempting
to partner with an addictive
drug industry was destined to
fail at regulating itself.
The ordinance and the industry
became undeterred undermined by
corruption and unethical
conduct.
Well beyond monitoring.
Ironically, The New York Times
once an advocate on marijuana
commercialization, has
acknowledged that marijuana
became too potent.
What did they expect?
Of course industry addiction
industries like alcohol,
tobacco now marijuana strive to
increase their potency of
products.
Then year ago city and County
both collaborated with
the industry to increase
availability and allow rapid
changes in marijuana products
Selling Bud along with highly
concentrated vape cartridges,
gummies, edibles, waxes and
beverages infused with
the psychoactive compound thc.
These newer products evolve to
max to engineer maximum thc to
be used conveniently and
discreetly.
Of course concern is for our
adolescents whose brains are
still developing and are more
vulnerable to the effects of
repeated exposures to high
levels of thc.
Regulation are are supposed to
allow for public education and
teaching but concluded next to
sound for nine nine.
If you can please unmute.
After that is Blair Beekman.
>> Apology 7499 If you can
please unmute.
Bob does this get here?
I'm going to read from several
letters written to Joe LaCava
regarding the Torrey Pines
Light report.
i'll start with this 2021
letter written from the Horry
Town Council.
Quote On APRIL 8th, 2021
the committee reported its
findings to lgc which
unanimously supported that
the City of San Diego
reconvened the Torrey Pines
Advisory Board.
We are requesting that the City
of San Diego consider whether
the solo pilot suppliers should
have to pay annual membership
fees or cost of insurance to
fly the glider for end quote.
Next is a letter from
the Higher Shores Association
on NOVEMBER 13th, 2025.
Quote The Lahaina Shores
Association respectfully submit
this letter in support of
establishing the Torrey Pines
City Park Advisory Board and
its role in overseeing
operations at the Torrey Pines
y Airport.
Our association believes this
matter is vital to the safety
of park users, visitors and
the surrounding community.
We encourage the city of San
Diego to carefully evaluate
where the solo flier pilots
should be required to pay
annual membership fees and or
maintain insurance coverage to
fly at the glider airport end
quote.
Next letter is from
the University Community
Planning Group Quote On MARCH
10th, 2026, the U.S. Passed
the following resolution quote
where whereas Torrey Pines City
Park has unique and
irreplaceable natural resources
and.
Whereas, citizen input over
these resources is both
appropriate and timely,
the University Community
planning Group recommends that
the city establish a Torrey
Pines City Park Advisory Board
under Charter Section 43 to
advise the city on planning
maintenance and operation of
Torrey Pines City Park end
quote.
Finally this is a second letter
from your town council on
AUGUST 13th 2026 while you were
on vacation.
Quote the law your town council
respectfully submit this letter
in support of reactivating
the Torrey Pines City Park
Advisory Board under City
Charter Section 43 and its
essential role in providing
oversight of operations at
Torrey Pines Flight Report.
Torrey Pines City Park Advisory
Board should be tasked with
advising the city on matters of
safety and fair access to
the Torrey Pines City Park.
Matters of fair access should
include a review of whether
solo flier pilots should be
required to maintain annual
membership fees and or
individual insurance coverage
as a condition of flying
the glider for end quote.
Joe LaCava.
Why are you ignoring all of
these important local
organizations?
>> Why your time did conclude
Blair Beckman If you can please
unmute.
>> Hi, Thank you.
Blair Beekman.
Thank you for that beginning of
our meetings today.
I wanted to thank Anthony for
his work.
He's bringing light to hpr and
surveillance technology issues
overall in San Diego the same
time he was a council in
the past few weeks with his
showing what he can do well.
There was also on on npr Radio
in San Diego ktvu kpbs It was
it was National you know
consider pr week Do we do we
leave hpr Weekly?
How can we live our.
It was a week to do that and
npr and and kpbs picked up on
that.
They were covering stories.
Should we be leaving?
Aoki argues.
That's an amazing concept.
I think.
And for all the years I've been
talking to you guys trying to
be accountable more
responsible, good policy
practices, open policies,
working with community more.
There's a part I'm not offering
enough and that technology
overall is really uncomfortable
to a lot of people.
And when you sit here and say
how wonderful and magical
billboards are each each year,
each time it makes people
really uncomfortable.
For the most part our
technology future is not that
much of a price.
And I think there's more of a
price at this time in how to
talk about the open accountable
democratic process.
And you guys I really hope want
to make these efforts this fall
towards such efforts.
You know, with all the election
issues I hope is real talk
about accountability and
working with the community on
the future of our cec.
How do we talk about the future
of Waymo?
I think we're all uncomfortable
with that subject.
I think there's ways to better
talk about how we can have a
trial period for them and then
a real serious public process
if they should be here in
the future or not.
We can do that.
>> We have the ability to say
no to technology.
Let's do things well.
Guys, thank you.
Concluded John if you can
please unmute.
After that is not only asking
John.
>> Good afternoon.
Oh MAY not be able to hear me.
You hear me now?
Yes.
Please proceed.
There we go.
Thank you.
John Brady lived experience
advisors.
I wanted to talk about the safe
sleeping site.
We're concerned about where
we're headed with the safe
sleeping site in terms of
quality of life.
When we supported the initial
operation it was our
understanding that it was going
to be, you know, one maybe, you
know, 200 individuals or tents
that were going to be on that
site And now we are approaching
just shy of 600.
In the meantime, we've not
provided any shade cover.
We've not provided any ground
cover.
I know the city has tons of
trees and tree limbs that it
shreds on a regular basis.
Why can't we just dump some of
that onto the ground so people
are not tracking dirt or even
worse mud into the places that
they're living in.
And we see continuous issues
with people's ability to shower
with that number of people.
It appears that our trailers
have not been expanded for
showers as well as access to
and from the facility via
the provided electric
transport.
I really am concerned
the direction that we're
headed.
We've decided not to build any
formal shelter since the mega
shelter proposal.
And with this administration
we've laid a pretty pretty bare
bones example of what an
internment camp could be as an
operating function if if that's
the direction it truly decides
to head which seems to be all
indicators forcing homeless
people into some sort of
containment facility ice.
>> So I really think that we
need to look at you know, when
we saw the budget lines
presented, you know, there was
,you know, less than $50 a
day.
The question needs to be is
that really adequate?
Are we treating people
humanely, cramming them into
these facilities when
originally we talked about
small encampments around
the city, not one large sided
location.
>> But now over 600.
Natalie Raskin If you can
please unmute your immediate we
do not hear you.
Hello.
Sorry.
Your mike does not seem to be
working.
You will have to move on to
the next caller and we'll try
one more time.
I see that you're in a meeting
but the device that you're
speaking into MAY be muted as
well.
We will have to move on to
the next caller.
Call in user two if you can
please unmute.
>> Hi.
I am concerned about collection
of city council members
physically just stupid whopping
old giddy gleeful Perry Como
What mother Julia Colbert
the eccentric moneybags and I'm
now crippled but the fear as
you feel would sleep on them
laying low Hola Just not happy
to pay for a car but probably
why one of his political
opponents Well tell me what
feels in California If you go
back to New Jersey, New York
you go up a big floppy county.
>> got it all next says
Madison.
If you can please unmute it.
Hi, good afternoon.
City Council I want to remind
the Council that when we talk
about cannabis policy we cannot
lose sight of the kids that are
growing up in this environment.
We are creating a teenager's
brain is still developing into
their mid-twenties.
Cannabis can affect memory
attention learning, decision
making and coordination and
teens who use cannabis are more
likely to experience problems
such as cannabis use disorder
and difficulties Completing
school.
But the consequences are more
than just statistics because
for a young person losing
motivation can mean falling
behind in school and poor
judgment can mean getting
behind the wheel impaired
Regular use can turn into more
and become a dependance issue
And for some young people
cannabis use is associated with
serious mental health
consequences including
psychosis.
As adults we have a
responsibility to make sure our
children understand that
marijuana is not harmless
simply because it is available
to adults.
San Diego can be a leader in
prevention by investing in
evidence based youth education,
supporting parents and schools
,enforcing protections around
cannabis businesses and making
sure prevention doesn't get
treated as an afterthought.
We spend enormous resources
helping people recover after
substance use has caused
damage.
I hope we will remember that
preventing that damage in
the first place especially for
children and teenagers is one
of the best investments
the city can.
Thank you.
>> Thank you.
Remember back and please unmute
.
>> Hi, good afternoon again I'm
in the district seven.
I'm so first I wanted to bring
up I just found out about
recently like a couple of
months ago about this program
the keep Homeland Security
grant program that's
administered through fema.
Apparently it's a $1 billion
program and we as a big city
receive funds from this program
through the u.
A I urban area security
initiative.
I actually when I first learned
about it in early JULY, I put
in a public records request and
it's been delayed now three
different times.
So from JULY 9th they've now
delayed until SEPTEMBER 1st.
I don't know if that's normal.
I haven't done a ton of public
record requests yet.
I've done a few and I've never
taken this long.
And I just wanted to bring that
up.
Secondly, I'll just read and I
read this to you guys before
but I'm just going to keep
coming back and reading it.
I'm in a city full of sailors,
soldiers and veterans.
It absolutely disgusting that
our city council so easily
decimates the Fourth Amendment
protections that our military
families sacrifice for bled for
and died to protect.
>> That concludes your
comments.
No, sorry.
I'm okay.
I I'm going to help them with
practice.
They're taking the economy on
purpose.
So small farms, small
businesses fail and big
corporations can buy scraps and
monopolize exports even more.
They're running up our national
debt while they still can so
they can go through defense
contracts and corporate tax
cuts even removing required
social support and removing
social support and services so
they have more money to
embezzle and defense contracts
and tax cuts.
They're creating a surveillance
system and desensitizing
massive paramilitary on
the streets of the rebellion
When the air bubble pops.
Our fallen kids evaporate in
places devastated.
The people have nothing to lose
by rebelling because nothing
like history.
>> Smash and grab robbery.
I'm sorry your time has
concluded.
Great.
Thank you.
Catherine Douglas and then
Fannie after that.
Hello.
>> Hello.
Yes, I can hear you.
Okay.
Patricia Filet.
Previously District three now
District two Old town.
The supplemental air for San
Diego is Measure c was found
legally deficient for failing
to properly analyze impacts on
cultural resources and
neighborhood character in areas
adjacent to the Midway District
such as Ultium.
The review downplayed
the effects of increased
density and traffic on historic
sites leading to a court ruling
that the city violated Sequoyah
the city's failure to conduct a
proper analysis regarding
Measure c and its resulting
coastal height limit in
the Midway District directly
impacts Presidio Park
assignments specifically
recognized as a national
historic landmark by
challenging but weakly
deficient air successfully
argued that the that
the environmental review
treated areas like Presidio
Park and Old Town as isolated
islands completely ignoring how
a wall of high rises in
neighboring Midway would
visually and culturally degrade
a national historic landmark.
In short, while Measure c
attempts to adjust municipal
height boundaries locally.
Section 106 ensures that
federal planning standards
treat Presidio Park as a
protected asset whose visual
horizon early California
landscape and ancestral
archeology cannot be legally
disregarded by a full vote.
Our surrounding neighborhoods
matter as much as our native
and descendent voices too For
any major developments to
further attempt to erase our
historic and cultural heritage.
>> Thank you.
Thank you.
Katherine Douglas, if you can
please.
I'm you.
>> I hadn't planned to speak
this afternoon but I am
appalled at some of
the comments regarding Alpers.
The police department has great
oversight from multiple
committees.
The police department put on a
technology informational
technology meeting on I believe
it was JULY 22nd.
I happened to go to the one in
my area.
There were four officers there.
There were three people from
the public.
There were a few more at Anchor
Church.
Most of the as we went through
the meeting and they explained
technologies which are super
important to our public safety
they're force multipliers where
230 officers short as of last
Wednesday maybe even shorter
today.
But did any of those people go
to those meetings?
Did any of those people learn
about the technology?
Do any of those people Basham
and Alpers realize that
everybody has on everybody has
a smartphone.
A lot of people have Apple
watches.
People have ring cameras and
public safety surveillance
cameras on their homes and
businesses.
You're being surveilled all
the time.
The technology this particular
technology just caught someone
who shot into a crowded
restaurant and injured someone
with a gun Last week that
happened to be in Vista But it
happens in San Diego And they
because of Alpers they were
able to catch the suspect.
He's been charged with
attempted murder and he's
probably going to jail.
So I caution people to learn
about the technology before
they speak without
understanding it.
Thank you.
That is funny.
Esquivel The next speaker is
Fannie Esquivel who has
requested translation fantasy
before that idea is allowed in
France's courts before
Parliament.
>> When a service member goes
it's funny as we communion in a
way that Good afternoon members
of the San Diego City Council.
>> My name is and I am here
today as a member of
the community a concerned
member of the community of Soda
is a product of the tobacco tax
and using dairy.
>> I'm concerned because of
the tobacco product litter that
is scattered throughout my
neighborhood.
>> We see what this is.
My children and grandchildren
are curious about the cigaret
butts and pick them up to play
with them.
So you have political opponents
in cities meeting looking to
put in their little hands and
clothes become contaminated
with these toxic substances
even though they're not smoking
them By touching these products
the chemicals can come into
contact with their bodies and
consume it.
>> Yes.
In the study on tobacco use and
throwing these products on
the ground has become
normalized and that is not
okay.
>> And where they put it that
is because then what are you
standing against in a context
of combustion popsicle Instead
of being able to relax while my
children and grandchildren play
outside?
>> I'm constantly worried that
they will come into contact
with this toxic litter.
But I know that it's important
that in especially in what is
seen a little bit most of our
children deserve to be able to
play in a clean and safe space
without the risk of becoming
sick or being exposed of
tobacco related substances that
is toxic that can duplicate
tobacco.
But I know so many fundamental
issues that only that I see
programs but I'm exactly sick.
>> The amount of tobacco
product waste is harmful to our
environment and our community
just as there are programs to
collect and recycle recycle
hazardous products.
>> What's the point?
What is the picture that that
hazardous product such as
batteries and motor oil We
should also implement programs
to collect and recycle tobacco
waste.
For me that is a ticket to
the polls.
Some people say But what about
media?
>> Our is asking you prioritize
our community and the health of
everyone.
San Diego represents itself as
a clean, safe and family
friendly city and in particular
political.
>> And as it stands city must
get to win.
>> However, our current
policies do not reflect that
standard.
We ask that you take action.
>> Did I say positive things?
Thank you for your time and
attention.
I'm grateful for our witnesses
.
>> Next is Korina Vega.
If you can please unmute
District eight.
I continue to be baffled that
many necessary programs are
partially or fully cut off and
we're constantly told there's
no money when the department
year after year increases their
budget at the expense of every
citizen safety health
especially the safety of our
brown and black brothers and
sisters who if I remind you are
seven times more likely to
experience unnecessary force
four police officers and nine
times more to be charged with
resisting an officer all while
crime has been down.
I was at the church meeting
with 15 other comrades for that
technology presentation and I
can not support the police
department or them getting more
surveillance technology.
They do not keep all members of
the community safe.
The city of San Diego is a
large community.
When you aren't true community
if you see one member
struggling you balance their
need by looking at who has an
excess to share To alleviate
that need.
At dpd has enough excess to fix
our city's budget and then some
We do not need to invest 2
million a year with a lpr for
surveillance like Darth Vader
supports nor an underwater
rovers or smart glasses.
There is no tough call in
saying that truth.
The truth that all hail pr
surveillance is a threat to our
constitutional rights.
The whole nation agrees.
Tony's video has gone viral
internationally the left,
the center and the right here
in this country are in
agreement that our rights
matter, our environment matters
And this technology is not
about safety but rather 24/7
surveillance to keep the rebel
scum in check.
Like in any dictatorship there
are enough billions in
the world to take a moral
stance and please be a hero.
>> Thank you.
Our next speaker is Roseanne
Barr started by opening
Parabolas which will crossover
across the translation.
>> Like what?
I'm.
What about cutting open it?
Why not?
Like I said when you know.
Good afternoon to City council
My name is Roseanne.
Can also be the funny bone and
people it's not that typically
member of the community.
I'm here as a constituent a
concerned mother about tobacco
product waste on the streets of
San Diego.
The folks that call my mother
generally in uniform people
from discarded tobacco products
are not just litter they're
most commonly littered consumer
waste product in the world and
preventable source of plastic
pollution That's going to
become apparent.
Also pretty interesting that
people will the exposure to
toxic chemicals and increase in
cleanup costs to cities like
San Diego With that in on our
fans and what it can throw
people making or farming one
way that we know what I bet
people do not realize that
tobacco litter contaminates our
water our land and environment.
For example, in my building my
upstairs neighbors smoke When
they finish they throw their
cigaret their cigaret waste
outside their home.
>> I think I'll be honest i
pick them to be the nails in my
as I get on to something before
it becomes as much attention as
I get it and it ends up inside
the homes below They do not
recognize how their actions
affect the lives of the people
around them And a baby was just
born with a heart defect.
They know somebody I tell them
to be.
I don't think they can And then
and science has shown us
the consequences of tobacco use
including exposure to
secondhand smoke.
>> We have to protect children
from the harm caused by
tobacco, nicotine influence
things in anything we politic.
I think that lacking in some
evil form very thankful for
that think this is what we can
do We ask that you take action
and implement a policy that
helps protect the people of San
Diego from the harm caused by
tobacco.
Thank you for your time and
attention and I just want that
does conclude on agenda public
comment for today's meeting.
>> All right.
Thank you.
City clerk With that will turn
it over to the office of
the city attorney Is there
anything to report out in
closed session?
There's nothing to report
today.
All right.
Thank you for that.
And with that we will now
adjourn council to
the regularly scheduled council
meeting on Tuesday AUGUST 25th,