Budget and Government Efficiency Committee Meeting – July 21, 2021
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Budget and Government Efficiency Committee Meeting – July 21, 2021
The Budget and Government Efficiency Committee met virtually on July 21, 2021, to consider several items including the adoption of FY2022 budgetary principles, a combined $148 million appropriation authorization for priority capital projects, and two cooperative procurement contracts for refuse collection vehicles. All items were approved unanimously.
Consent Calendar
- The committee unanimously approved the actions of the June 23, 2021 meeting (motion by Councilmember Montgomery Stepp, second by Councilmember Campillo).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non‑agenda public comment: Noah Harris, representing Climate Action Campaign, urged the city to fully fund MAP 2.0 (Mobility Action Plan Phase 2) and increase investments in the Sustainability Department, noting that transportation accounts for the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions and that the city has made little progress on mode shift since the Climate Action Plan’s 2015 adoption.
- No public comments were received on any of the agenda items.
Discussion Items
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Item 1: Proposed Fiscal Year 2022 Statement of Budgetary Principles – Andrea Tevlin (Independent Budget Analyst) presented the principles, which have been carried forward with only date changes since 2008. She provided historical context regarding the need for clear budget protocols between the Mayor and Council. The committee voted unanimously to forward the principles to the full Council with a recommendation for approval (motion by Vice Chair Whitburn, second by Councilmember Montgomery Stepp).
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Item 2: Combined Appropriation Authorization for $148 Million for Various General Fund Supported Priority Capital Needs – CFO Matthew Vespey and staff presented a package to fund four priority projects: public safety radio modernization ($56.4 million), fire engine fleet replacement ($41.3 million), implementation of Senate Bill 1383 (organics diversion) including new collection vehicles and containers ($35 million), and backfilling CIP projects to provide cash for improvements at the Kearny Mesa repair facility. Debt manager Rick Vare and Rolando Charvel explained the financing plan, which leverages already‑authorized funds and maintains the city’s debt ratio well below the 10% policy guideline. Jillian Cassie of the IBA noted that the combined $293 million in borrowing (including a previously approved $145 million) could limit additional general fund debt capacity for the next three to four years. After discussion about capacity and project delivery, the committee voted unanimously to approve the staff recommendation (motion by Vice Chair Whitburn, second by Councilmember Montgomery Stepp).
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Item 3: Cooperative Procurement Contract with Velocity Truck Centers for Crane Carrier Class 4‑8 Chassis and Related Equipment – Donnie Wynne (Fleet Operations) presented a $9.6 million contract to replace rear‑loader refuse collection vehicles, with potential additions due to new routes. The contract runs through August 2024 with a one‑year extension option. No IBA concerns. Approved unanimously (motion by Vice Chair Whitburn, second by Councilmember Montgomery Stepp).
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Item 4: Cooperative Procurement Contract with Velocity Truck Centers for AutoCar Truck Industries Class 4‑8 Chassis and Related Equipment – Casey Smith (Director of General Services) presented a $51.5 million contract for automated side‑loading refuse packers, including 43 new vehicles required under SB 1383. Staff highlighted extensive field testing and analysis. Approved unanimously (motion by Vice Chair Whitburn, second by Councilmember Montgomery Stepp).
Key Outcomes
- Approved the FY2022 Statement of Budgetary Principles, forwarding to full Council.
- Approved the $148 million appropriation authorization for public safety radios, fire engines, SB 1383 implementation, and Kearny Mesa repair facility improvements.
- Approved cooperative procurement contracts with Velocity Truck Centers for rear‑loader ($9.6 million) and side‑loader ($51.5 million) refuse vehicles.
- The committee adjourned to its next special meeting on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.
Meeting Transcript
The committee members will be participating via Zoom and no members of the public will be in attendance at the meeting in the interest of public health and safety. In addition, this meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website, and the committee liaison has made arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. We appreciate the public's cooperation. I will go over the specifics of how to join the webinar and will give details on how the public can offer their public testimony. I will now call the budget and government efficiency committee meeting of July 21st, 2021 to order. And I will call the role, starting with Vice Chair Whitburn. Sure. Councilmember Montgomery Step here. Councilmember Campio. Here. And I am also here. Each member is attending virtually. Also on the virtual meeting is Andrea Teblin, our independent budget analyst, Jillian Cassie from the IBA, Matthew Vespey, our CFO, Brittany Bailey from the Mayor's Office, and Brett Barlato from the City Attorney's Office. The public may view the meetings on public television on City TV Channel 24 for Cox Communication and Timewater Cable or Channel 99 for ATT. Or view the meeting online by going to the City Council Committee's homepage at San Diego.gov and selecting the City TV Live Webcast blue button on the right hand side of the page. The committee meetings will be held virtually using the Zoom webinar platform. Members of the public can offer public comment on items by accessing the Zoom webinar online using a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, or by calling into the meeting using a smartphone, cell phone, or landline. The link to join the community meeting webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone is listed on the agenda on how to join by iPhone one tap. To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, you may dial 1669-254-5252. When prompted, input webinar ID 161-771-9874 pound. This information is also available on the agenda and will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each item. When I introduce the item you would like to comment on, you will raise your hand by either tapping the raise your hand button on your computer, tablet, or smartphone, or by pressing star nine on your phone. You'll be taken in the order in which you raise your hand. You may only speak once on a particular item. When our committee consultant Alan Young indicates it is your turn to speak, he will call you by your name as it appears on the Zoom webinar attendee list, or he will read out the last four digits of your phone number if you have called into the meeting. That is how you will know it is your turn to speak. If you have joined the webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone, you will receive a pop-up notice to select to unmute your device. If you've called into the meeting by cell phone or landline, press star six on your phone to unmute yourself. We will review these instructions briefly again when the public comment period on an item is open. Please wait until the item you wish to speak to has been called before raising your hand to speak. If you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered. When you're announced as the next speaker, please unmute yourself and offer your comments. Also, please mute the volume on your TV or computer before you begin to speak. A quorum is now present. We will dispense with the approval of the committee actions of June 23rd, 2021. Do I have a motion to approve these action items? I'll move, Chair. We have a motion by Councilmember Montgomery Step. I will second, Chair. And the chair uh second by Councilmember Campillo. We will now go through our role for any comments, questions, and register of votes, starting with Vice Chair Whitburn. I vote yes. Councilmember Montgomery Step. I vote yes. And Councilmember Campio. I vote yes. And I am also yes. That motion passes unanimously. We'll now take up non-agenda public comment per temporary rule 2.6 non-agenda public comment is an opportunity for members of the public to comment on items that are not on the agenda but within the subject matter jurisdiction of the committee. Each speaker will have two minutes.
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