The San Diego Community Coalition publishes this email bulletin to keep our members informed about important Council and Planning Commission hearings and other city public meetings.
Monday, April 6: City Council, 2:00 p.m.
Item 251: Propositions for the November 3, 2026 Ballot Forwarded for 2nd Committee Review
Why it matters: Two of the five measures under review seek changes related to how the Transient Occupancy Tax applies to online travel companies. The other three would establish free parking at city beaches and bays (Campillo), remove term limits for the City Auditor (Lee), and reform campaign finance and ethics laws (Elo-Rivera).
Tuesday, April 7: City Council, 10:00 a.m.
Item 55: Actions Related to the East Village Green Phase 1 Project
Why it matters: This two-acre park, identified by staff as “the highest priority open space for the Downtown community,” has faced “protracted construction delays.” The compensation agreement with Civic San Diego will increase from $73.6 million to $78.1 million.
Item 102: Authorize the Sale of an 11,444-foot Segment of the El Capitan Pipeline to Padre Dam Municipal Water District for $405,220.
Why it matters: This sale amounts to $46 per foot, which sounds like a bargain for the Padre Dam district. And the city is paying roughly $5,000 in escrow costs to facilitate the deal. San Diego may be happy to get out from under maintenance costs for the pipe segment. But shouldn’t a city suffering from a budget deficit negotiate better deals?
Item 105: Action to Declare Three City-owned Parcels as Exempt Surplus Land
Why it matters: As demonstrated by its failed effort to declare parts of Mission Bay Park as “surplus land,” the city’s eagerness to sell off parcels of land bears watching. These small parcels on Fairmount Avenue, Eider Street, and Langley Street cannot be sold until the city brings this item back to a council committee and then the full council.
In-person: Council, 202 C St.
To participate via Zoom and submit written comments, click on the meeting agenda and look for the links.
The Public Notice for Ballot Measure for Consideration for 2nd Committee Review needs to be clarified by the City Clerk it currently states:
Sub-Item A. “Consideration of a ballot measure proposed by Katheryn Rhodes to amend the Municipal Code related to Transient Occupancy Tax, including, reclassifying online travel companies/agencies as hotel operators.”
I will contact the City Clerk to amend the wording that there are two Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) ballot measures. Not just one. The two ballot measure proposals should state City Council District 2 Candidate Mandy Havlik also jointly proposed and presented the TOT Ballot Measures.
The missing information for the second ballot measure is to Replace Measure C the Convention Center Expansion with up to 3.25% TOT that will expire in 9 years if a Convention Center Expansion is not built, and Replace with a 4% TOT Citywide. This will bring in an additional $50 million and save the $77 million that will be lost if a Convention Center Expansion is not built.
Please support Mandy Havlik and my two TOT Ballot Measures that includes funding for homeless (1%), infrastructure including new Ocean Beach and Mission Beach Lifeguard Stations (1%), and Arts, Libraries, and funding for a Balboa Park Conservancy (1%).
https://obrag.org/2026/03/new-revenue-streams-to-save-san-diegans-from-budget-cuts/
Agenda Documents for 04/07/2026 City Council.
Item 105 Exempt Surplus Properties.
https://tinyurl.com/20260407
It looks like 2 empty lots that should go to the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) to build Affordable Housing. And one lot on a slope near open space on Elder Street.
Thank you so much for this information.
For clarification, Council Member Kent Lee item to “remove term limits for the City Auditor (Lee)” is much broader than just changes to the Auditor.
Item 3, Sub-Item G the ballot measure by Kent Lee is a City Charter Amendment to include wording to take power back from the Strong Mayor by requiring him to communicate with the City Council. This would replace the Strong Mayor form of government to a more balanced Strong Mayor and Strong City Council form of government with checks and balances on the power of Mayor Todd Gloria, especially on Budget and finance issues. This Ballot Measure would be great if it passes.
“Sub-Item G. Consideration of a ballot measure proposed by Council President Pro Tem Kent Lee to advance fiscal accountability and transparency reform with an amendment to remove term limits for the City Auditor.”
Ballot Measure Proposal.
https://sandiego.hylandcloud.com/211agendaonlinecomm/Documents/ViewDocument/Sub-item%20G.pdf?meetingId=6912&documentType=Agenda&itemId=257111&publishId=1075753&isSection=false
Ballot Measure Presentation.
https://sandiego.hylandcloud.com/211agendaonlinecomm/Documents/ViewDocument/Sub-item%20G%20Presentation.pptx.pdf?meetingId=6912&documentType=Agenda&itemId=257111&publishId=1075754&isSection=false
Video of 03/18/2026 Rules Committee hearing where Mayor Todd Gloria is against having accountability to the City Council. Mayor Gloria’s staff promises that a City Charter Amendment is not needed to force the Mayor to communicate and meet with City Council members that he is ignoring.
https://sandiego.granicus.com/player/clip/9399
Time: 3 Hours 33 Minutes to 4 Hours 12 Minutes.
My comments supporting Sub-Item G at 3 Hours 39-41 Minutes.
Everybody in the City Council is scared of the Mayor.
We need a Strong Mayor – Strong City Council form of government in the City Charter.