OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Budget and Government Efficiency Committee Meeting - September 10, 2025

Budget & Government Efficiency Committee — Wednesday, September 10, 2025
BodySan Diego, California
SessionBudget & Government Efficiency Committee
DateWednesday, September 10, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:24:57

Transcript — Verbatim
3:16

Good morning and welcome to the budget and government efficiency committee meeting of September 10th, 2025.

3:23

Our committee liaison, Natalie Kessler will provide information and instruction for the public to participate in today's meeting.

3:31

Thank you, Chair.

3:32

While members of the public are able to attend the meetings in person, this meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website, and the council administration will continue to make arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform.

3:42

Members of the public who wish to provide virtual testimony must enter the virtual queue by raising their hand before the virtual queue closes.

3:47

The queue will close when the last virtual speaker finishes speaking, or five minutes after in-person testimony ends, whichever occurs first.

3:53

This will allow for better meeting management between the two platforms and ensure the committee is able to manage and conduct city business.

4:14

Council President Pro Tem Lee.

4:16

Councilmember Elo Rivera.

4:18

Chair Foster.

4:20

Present.

4:20

Also attending the meeting today is Lisa Byrne and Julian Andalina from the Office of the Independent Budget Analyst, Deputy City Attorney David Powell from the City Attorney's Office, Matt Besby, Chief Financial Officer, Matt Yean, Director of Policy from the Office of Mayor Talk Gloria, and Jacqueline Kennedy, committee consultant.

4:36

If you're in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of chambers and place it on top of the box indicated at the speaker's lecture near the public comment microphones.

4:44

Please do so in a timely manner to ensure proper meeting management.

4:51

Members of the public can join the webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone by accessing the link, which is listed online in the preamble language of the agenda on the city's webpage.

5:00

If you need to participate by phone, you may dial 1669 254 5252.

5:03

The webinar ID is 161710317 pound.

5:08

This information is also available on the agenda and will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each agenda item.

5:13

Please note that if you're watching via City TV 24 or online, there may be a delay.

5:18

Please participate via the audio on your phone and mute your TV or computer when it is your turn to speak.

5:23

If you wish to speak on a particular item, wait for that item to be called and then raise your hand to speak by tapping the raise your hand icon, or if you're a colon participant, press start star nine on your phone.

5:32

If you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered.

5:35

Chair.

5:37

A quorum is now present.

5:40

We will now take up non-agenda public comment.

5:42

The council members respect and appreciate the public's input and are fully committed to protecting every participant's free speech rights at council and committee meetings.

5:50

Natalie, please proceed with non-agenda public comment.

5:53

Perule 2.7 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.

6:01

Each speaker will have two minutes, and we have received two speakers from two individuals in chambers.

6:06

Perita Javier and Caesar Javier, please approach the lectoring.

6:16

Okay.

6:18

Yes.

6:18

Start.

6:21

Good morning.

6:24

October 23rd, 2022.

6:29

Dear Mr.

6:30

and Mrs.

6:31

Fraser.

6:33

Thank God.

6:34

Every time it rains, that's us this morning.

6:37

We felt relief.

6:39

And once again, Manshell and Atmosphere had a cleansing.

6:48

Science declares that climate change is real.

6:54

Global warming is true.

6:58

Clean air, we all breathe.

7:01

Is foremost in our healthy survival, young adults, and fragile.

7:09

Allderly residents, especially those with existing medical condition.

7:20

Respectfully, we convey to you that our vulnerability and exposure being immediate proximity to your home base.

7:44

Ever since weather, wood or gas fueled conversion to gas and started June 13, 2021.

7:56

Ceramics and pottery count, wood or gas emits, pollutants and toxicity hazards are known and are wildly published.

8:10

From our learning and teaching, we earned the benefit of knowledge.

8:19

First is fear.

8:46

And citizens arrest.

8:56

And he said you go home.

9:03

That's what they call freedom.

9:06

But the owner, who looks like the Natchez, systematically poisoning our community, the community of Mr.

9:17

Citizen Rivera, you look like a colonizer.

9:21

Please erase your moustache or bird.

9:24

You look to us a colonizer.

9:27

We were already colonized many times.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Comment██████████████████18%
Fleet Management████████████████16%
Procurement████████████12%
Budget Equity Analysis█████████9%
Procedural████████8%
Facilities Assessment████████8%
Cannabis Regulation████4%
Fiscal Sustainability████4%
Personnel Matters████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Budget and Government Efficiency Committee Meeting - September 10, 2025

The Budget and Government Efficiency Committee met on September 10, 2025, at 9 a.m. (implied) in City Council Chambers. Chair Foster presided, with Council President Pro Tem Lee, Councilmember Elo Rivera, and Councilmember Moreno present. The committee considered seven agenda items, including contract amendments, budget calendar approval, and a facility condition assessment contract. Public comment was heard on all items. Votes were recorded, with several items passing 4-0 or 3-1.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of the committee minutes from July 16, 2025, was moved by Councilmember Elo Rivera, seconded by Councilmember Moreno, and passed unanimously (4-0). No items were pulled.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Non-Agenda Public Comment:
    • Perita and Caesar Javier expressed concerns about air pollution from a ceramics business and alleged misconduct by Councilmember Rivera regarding the Air Pollution Control District.
    • Blair Beekman urged limits on militarization of ICE agents in San Diego and raised parking meter data collection issues.
    • Becky Rapp (resident) called for a financial analysis of the marijuana program, noting that fewer than 50% of businesses pay taxes and 10 of 36 permitted businesses remain closed, costing $5–10 million annually in uncollected revenue.
    • Madison advocated for drug prevention funding, citing that every $1 spent on prevention saves $7–10 in emergency services and health care.
    • Terry Ann Skelly supported youth internship programs but opposed marijuana advertising and sales near youth.
    • Joy Cata (District 3) announced she would no longer comment on the structural budget deficit after 19 years, and urged rephrasing of the term in city documents.
    • Megan Stewart presented statistics: 21% of 11th graders used marijuana in the past 30 days; daily use among 9th and 11th graders doubled since 2007; students using both marijuana and tobacco miss 3–4 more school days per month.
    • Judy Strang noted that 85% of products sold in marijuana stores are vaping/smoking products and stressed the health costs of poor health.

Discussion Items

  • Item 2 – Amendment to Safety Shoes Contract with Bootworld Incorporated: Staff requested a $1 million increase (from $2.2M to $3.2M) for safety footwear due to overutilization after a second vendor closed its San Diego location. The contract runs through December 2026. Councilmember Elo Rivera moved approval, seconded by Chair Foster. Passed 4-0.
  • Items 3 & 4 – Cooperative Procurement Contracts for Vehicles:
    • Item 3 (Medium/Heavy Duty): Authorization to enter into a cooperative contract with National Auto Fleet Group for medium to heavy-duty vehicles (dump trucks, boom lifts, etc.) for up to 5 years with optional extensions, estimated at $40M total. The previous contract expired in August 2025. The IBA noted the contract is crucial for reducing rental costs. Councilmember Pro Tem Lee moved approval, seconded by Councilmember Elo Rivera. Passed 3-1 (Councilmember Moreno voted no, citing concerns about debt financing and cost-benefit analysis).
    • Item 4 (Light Duty): First amendment to extend the light-duty vehicle co-op contract through November 2026 and increase capacity by $40M (from $92M to $132M). The IBA recommended approval. Motion by Pro Tem Lee, second by Councilmember Elo Rivera. Passed 3-1 (Councilmember Moreno voted no, again citing financing concerns).
  • Item 5 – Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Development and FY26 Monitoring Key Dates: The IBA presented a calendar with key dates, moving several reports back to historical timelines (e.g., five-year outlooks to November, CIP mid-year report to normal). Changes also adjusted the council budget principles hearing to August to align with school district recess. Motion by Councilmember Moreno, second by Councilmember Elo Rivera. Passed 4-0.
  • Item 6 – As-Needed Consultant Agreement for Facility Condition Assessments with Kitchell CEM: Staff requested a $5 million, five-year contract to assess city-owned buildings (1,600 structures). Last assessments were in 2014-2016. No funding is in the current budget; the contract would be activated if funds become available. IBA noted $191 million in unfunded capital needs and recommended $143 million annual maintenance, far above the current $30M budget. Councilmember Moreno moved approval, seconded by Councilmember Elo Rivera. Passed 3-1 (Councilmember Moreno voted no, citing lack of funding and service cuts).
  • Item 7 – Exemption of Assistant Fire Chief Position from Classified Service: The Fire Rescue Department requested exemption for a new Assistant Fire Chief of Strategic Operations to oversee emergency services and the command center. Position approved in FY26 budget from EMS fund. Unanimous vote (4-0).

Key Outcomes

  • Item 2: Approved (4-0). Contract increase for Bootworld.
  • Item 3: Approved (3-1). Cooperative procurement for medium/heavy duty vehicles.
  • Item 4: Approved (3-1). Extension and increase for light duty vehicle contract.
  • Item 5: Approved (4-0). Key dates calendar for FY27 budget and FY26 monitoring.
  • Item 6: Approved (3-1). Consultant contract for facility condition assessments (no current funding).
  • Item 7: Approved (4-0). Exemption of assistant fire chief position.
  • The committee adjourned to its next regularly scheduled meeting on October 15, 2025, at 9 a.m.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning and welcome to the budget and government efficiency committee meeting of September 10th, 2025. Our committee liaison, Natalie Kessler will provide information and instruction for the public to participate in today's meeting. Thank you, Chair. While members of the public are able to attend the meetings in person, this meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website, and the council administration will continue to make arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. Members of the public who wish to provide virtual testimony must enter the virtual queue by raising their hand before the virtual queue closes. The queue will close when the last virtual speaker finishes speaking, or five minutes after in-person testimony ends, whichever occurs first. This will allow for better meeting management between the two platforms and ensure the committee is able to manage and conduct city business. Council President Pro Tem Lee. Councilmember Elo Rivera. Chair Foster. Present. Also attending the meeting today is Lisa Byrne and Julian Andalina from the Office of the Independent Budget Analyst, Deputy City Attorney David Powell from the City Attorney's Office, Matt Besby, Chief Financial Officer, Matt Yean, Director of Policy from the Office of Mayor Talk Gloria, and Jacqueline Kennedy, committee consultant. If you're in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of chambers and place it on top of the box indicated at the speaker's lecture near the public comment microphones. Please do so in a timely manner to ensure proper meeting management. Members of the public can join the webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone by accessing the link, which is listed online in the preamble language of the agenda on the city's webpage. If you need to participate by phone, you may dial 1669 254 5252. The webinar ID is 161710317 pound. This information is also available on the agenda and will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each agenda item. Please note that if you're watching via City TV 24 or online, there may be a delay. Please participate via the audio on your phone and mute your TV or computer when it is your turn to speak. If you wish to speak on a particular item, wait for that item to be called and then raise your hand to speak by tapping the raise your hand icon, or if you're a colon participant, press start star nine on your phone. If you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered. Chair. A quorum is now present. We will now take up non-agenda public comment. The council members respect and appreciate the public's input and are fully committed to protecting every participant's free speech rights at council and committee meetings. Natalie, please proceed with non-agenda public comment. Perule 2.7 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, and we have received two speakers from two individuals in chambers. Perita Javier and Caesar Javier, please approach the lectoring. Okay. Yes. Start. Good morning. October 23rd, 2022. Dear Mr. and Mrs. Fraser. Thank God. Every time it rains, that's us this morning. We felt relief. And once again, Manshell and Atmosphere had a cleansing. Science declares that climate change is real. Global warming is true. Clean air, we all breathe. Is foremost in our healthy survival, young adults, and fragile. Allderly residents, especially those with existing medical condition. Respectfully, we convey to you that our vulnerability and exposure being immediate proximity to your home base. Ever since weather, wood or gas fueled conversion to gas and started June 13, 2021. Ceramics and pottery count, wood or gas emits, pollutants and toxicity hazards are known and are wildly published.

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