The San Diego Community Coalition publishes this email bulletin to keep our members and the San Diego public informed about important Council hearings and other city public meetings.
Monday, June 22: City Council, 2:00 p.m.
Item 200: Public Power Feasibility Study, Phase II Report
Item 201: SDG&E Franchise Independent Audit Report and Compliance Review
Why they matter: These items will shed light on two options: a new municipal energy utility (MEU) vs. the existing SDG&E utility. The Phase II report found that “financial projections support the feasibility of establishing an MEU.” The review found that SDG&E complies with its franchise agreement but adds “compliance alone does not fully resolve broader concerns regarding affordability, rate impacts, and alignment with the City’s policy objectives.”
Tuesday, June 23: City Council, 10:00 a.m.
Item S501: Municipal Code Amendment Relating to Electric Bicycle Safety
Why it matters: In response to a reported 20-percent increase in e-bike injuries (many involving children and teenagers), this would set a minimum age of 12 for operators, reinforce existing helmet and passenger safety requirements, and begin public education and outreach prior to enforcement.
Tuesday, June 23: City Council, 2:00 p.m.
Item 330: City-Provided Residential Solid Waste Management Services Implementation Update
Why it matters: The 8-page staff report is largely a rehash of the City’s new program of trash collection fees with one critical difference: Reduced rates brought about by a legal settlement will mean some trash services will be curtailed or eliminated and “additional subsidy will be required” from city coffers.
Item 331: FY 2027 Tax Rate Ordinance for Maintenance of Zoological Exhibits
Why it matters: The San Diego Zoo has reported over $1 billion in assets in federal tax filings. The City of San Diego is on the financial brink. The Zoo will receive $22.8 million in FY 2027 city funding from property taxes. When will common sense prevail?
Wednesday, June 17: Rules Committee, 9:00 a.m.
Item 3: Information Guide on Group Participation and Council Determination of Community Engagement Effort
Why it matters (a lot): To comply with SB 707’s modification of the Brown Act, the City has made a great show of community engagement, and the 12-page staff report for this item praises those efforts. The only substantive change will impact public group presentations, which must now be requested 24 hours in advance and are limited to 15 minutes. (Staff and project applicant presentations have no time limits.)
What’s missing is a renewed commitment to San Diego’s existing network of 50-plus Community Planning Groups (CPGs), which have been effectively representing neighborhood voices for over five decades. It is past time to give CPGs a seat at the Council meeting table.
Note to city staff: The link to the “Inclusive Public Engagement Guide” on page 5 of the report is inoperable.
Item 6: Follow the Money Ordinance: Real-Time Disclosure of Money Spent to Influence City Decisions and a Ban on Lobbyist Contributions
Why it matters: From the staff report:
“Outside groups have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on mailers, texts, and digital ads to influence a city vote, and the public has no way to know the details behind that spending until long after the vote is over. At the same time, paid lobbyists with a direct financial stake in City decisions are allowed to contribute to the campaigns of officials and candidates they are paid to influence. This is a practice prohibited by the County of San Diego and the State of California.”
And we call this “America’s Finest City.”
In-person: Council, 202 C St.
To participate via Zoom and submit written comments, click on the meeting agenda and look for the links.
Regarding: Wednesday, June 17: Rules Committee, 9:00 a.m.
Item 3: Information Guide on Group Participation and Council Determination of Community Engagement Effort…
The city is actively shutting out the city’s planning groups and this is another move in that direction.
It’s hard to believe that their impressions are that it’s going positively with the constituents when they are well aware we are not satisfied!