Author: Staff

OB Rag Staff Report

San Diego’s 22-year experiment with a “strong mayor” has been hobbled by a string of financial crises.

Is it time to consider restoring the position of City Manager?

Jack McGrory, a former city manager for San Diego, will share his thoughts at a town hall forum on “Why We Need a City Manager and Other Insights” on Saturday, June 20, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Mission Valley Library, 2123 Fenton Parkway.

Sponsored by the San Diego Community Coalition (SDCC) and Neighbors for a Better San Diego (NFABSD), the forum is the fifth in a series of question-and-answer sessions on important civic issues.

These events are free and open to the public, but seating is limited.

By Jillian Butler

Every Memorial Day weekend, the Point Loma and Ocean Beach Peninsula community pauses to remember the men and women who never returned home from war. Against the backdrop of sweeping ocean views and rows of white headstones overlooking the Pacific Ocean, residents, veterans, and military families gathered at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Point Loma can trace its military history back to the late 18th century when the Spanish sought to build a fortress opposite Coronado Island. In 1852, the southernmost point of Point Loma was given to the United States Army and named “Fort Rosecrans”, after Major General William Rosecrans, a Civil War Era union soldier, and later California Congressman. In 1932, Fort Rosecrans was registered as a California Historical Landmark.

During the two World Wars, Point Loma became a key strategic point. The United States military erected numerous bunkers, fire-control stations, and radio stations. The area was equipped with long-range coastal artillery batteries, an underground railroad to carry ammunition to the batteries — rendering the region a crucial coastal support zone. Additionally, the area served as a bastion for anti-submarine warfare.

SeaWorld and San Diego Environmental Groups Settle Lawsuit Over Fireworks Pollution in Mission Bay

Coastkeeper and the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation (CERF) have reached an agreement with SeaWorld Parks

Residents, Businesses and Workers Not Happy With New Parking Meters on Adams Ave.

Residents and workers in San Diego’s Kensington neighborhood are voicing frustration as parking meters along Adams Avenue officially went live last week

Point in Time Homeless Count ‘Not Accurate Reflection of Reality’

The unsheltered population is down in San Diego — but coastal areas are seeing an uptick in people seeking services. But that drop noted in San Diego’s annual Point-in-Time count isn’t necessarily reflected in the day-to-day reality of shelters and services

City Of San Diego Hit With $16.45 Million Jury Verdict Over Parking Citation Penalties

A San Diego jury has reportedly awarded more than $16.45 million against the City of San Diego in a class action lawsuit accusing the city of improperly assessing and collecting parking

 The Navajo Community Planning Group has reinstated the Mission Gorge Rock Quarry to Assist Neighborhood in Flying Debris

San Diego artist reaches $450K settlement over bubble show citation

What began as a dispute over bubbles in a city park ended three years later with a nearly half-million dollar settlement in favor of a San Diego-based artist. 
 

In a breaking news development, the San Diego trash fee law suit has been settled which will result in much lower monthly fees but also the settlement includes the repeal of paid parking in Balboa Park. In just minutes, Councilmember Stephen Whitburn will hold a press conference to announce the settlement of the city trash fees and Balboa Park paid parking.

A person of interest in the death of a man who was assaulted in the Midway District last October has been arrested in Mohave County, Arizona. 60-year-old Noel Frischknecht remains in jail for an outstanding San Diego County Superior Court arrest warrant connected to the death of a 68-year-old Brian Salatino. He was arrested by the Mohave County Sheriff’s Department.

Frischknecht is alleged to have assaulted Salatino around 5:40 p.m. on Oct. 26, 2025 in the 3300 block of Midway Drive in San Diego. Salatino was transported to a hospital, where he remained in a coma. After being hospitalized for approximately 100 days, he succumbed to his injuries and died on Feb. 3, 2026.

The San Diego Community Coalition publishes this email bulletin to keep our members and the San Diego general public informed about important Council and Planning Commission hearings and other city public meetings.

Editor’s note: Last Wednesday’s Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee agenda included an item on the impact of paid parking on Balboa Park. The item was pulled before the meeting at the request of city staff.

Monday, May 18: City Council, 2:00 p.m.

Agenda:

Item 200: FY2026 Third Quarter Budget Monitoring Report

Why it matters: FY2026 revenues are expected to be down $10.5 million versus the budget. Fortunately, expenditures will likely be $1.7 million less than the decreased $2.1 billion revenue. But here’s the fine print: If revenues don’t exceed expenditures, “authority is requested, as a contingency, to draw from the General Fund Stability Reserve as needed to ensure the General Fund ends the fiscal year balanced.”

Monday, May 18: City Council, 6:00 p.m.

Agenda:

Item 202: May Revision to the FY2027 Draft Budget and Public Hearing on the 2027 Draft Budget

A Point Loma man pleaded guilty earlier this week to attempted murder and domestic violence charges. When police responded to the residence of William Stephens, 66, after his wife had called 911, on Jan. 23, 2025, Stephens intentionally drove his Jeep at an officer and struck him, seriously injuring him.

Stephens is expected to be sentenced to 12 years to state prison in June.

Prosecutors allege that as Officer Matthew Salisbury approached the home’s driveway, Stephens sped toward the officer, who attempted to evade the vehicle by moving behind a bush located near the driveway’s entrance.

Grandson Steaks 
2690 Historic Decatur Rd Ste 102
Liberty Station
San Diego, CA 92106
www.grandsonsteaks.com

By LK Bruce

Grandson Steaks just opened in Liberty Station across from Con Pane where the Banyan Café and Wildflour used to be. Two weeks ago they had a steak dinner for four for $69. Not $69 per person, $69 for ALL FOUR diners. It was amazing. Yes, “was” is the key word because the same fabulous dinner has since gone up to $95 for four. Still not too bad but that’s how things are going now during the war.

So what does this feast look like? You get a pound and a half of sliced choice ribeye steak, along with a cup of fresh guacamole, a cup of their homemade birria, a cup of Adobada, a cup of refried beans, six tortillas, eight quesadillas, grilled onions and peppers and a couple of spicy sauces. Oh yes, and some bone marrow. It was awesome. You can even order an upgrade to “prime” beef for $20 more. (For $5 more per person it could be worth it. Our “choice” grade steak was fine by me but my husband thought the upgrade might be a little more tender.)

By Rag Staff

The San Diego Community Coalition publishes this email bulletin to keep our members and the San Diego public informed about important Council and Planning Commission hearings and other city public meetings.

Monday, May 11: City Council, 10:00 a.m.

Closed Session Agenda:

Item CS-7: Mary Brown, et al. v. Joe LaCava, et al.

Why it matters: The Council will discuss a settlement offer in a citizens’ lawsuit challenging the legality of the City’s bait-and-switch trash fees. If the settlement isn’t approved, opening statements in the trial are scheduled for Tuesday, and Mayor Gloria, Council President LaCava, and other City officials will be called as witnesses.

Monday, May 11: City Council, 2:00 p.m.

Agenda:

Item 204: Update to the Land Development Code and Local Coastal Program, Minor Amendments to the Downtown Community Plan and General Plan

OB Rag Staff Report

Rag stories about Balboa Park have what reporters call “legs” — they get lots of views and comments. This has been especially true since City Hall imposed parking fees that have threatened the Park’s solvency by driving away visitors.

So we weren’t surprised when our April 27 story on a $1.8 million reduction in the 2027 Park budget became a “top post.” Commenters generally agreed that the city has utterly failed the park and must turn over its management to an independent nonprofit.

But one comment piqued our interest. Don said the city hadn’t actually cut $1.8 million from the park. He contended that the city was simply going to shift $1.8 million from a “Developed Regional Parks” fund over to pay for Balboa Park operating expenses.

The San Diego Community Coalition publishes this email bulletin to keep our members and the general San Diego public informed about important Council and Planning Commission hearings and other city public meetings.

Budget Review May 4 — May 8

The Council will spend all five days this week (May 4–May 8) in one continuous meeting to review the proposed FY2027 budget. Here’s the link to the week-long agenda of city department budget presentations

A quick review shows that Mayor Gloria is making good on his threat that the defeat of the 2024 Measure E sales tax increase would result in cuts to community services.

The “Community Services Branch Expenditures Summary” lists a reduction of 38 positions or 8.8% ($3.4M) out of 434 in the Library Department; 94 positions or 8% ($8.8M) out of 1,168 in Parks and Recreation; and 33 positions or 4.3% ($2.8M) out of 760 in Engineering and Capital Projects.

The Ocean Beach Planning Board meets Tuesday night, May 5 at 6 p.m. at the OB Rec Center for their monthly meeting. \

The major item on the Board’s agenda is part 2 of the District 2 Candidate Forum. Candidates Josh Coyne, Richard Bailey, Nicole Crosby and Mike Rickey will be in attendance and each will be given 15 minutes to make introductory statements and answer questions from the board and the audience.