Budget Review Committee Meeting - May 7, 2018
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Budget Review Committee Meeting - May 7, 2018
The Budget Review Committee of the San Diego City Council met on May 7, 2018, to review proposed fiscal year 2019 budgets for multiple city departments, including the Police Department, Fire-Rescue Department, Office of Homeland Security, Communications Department, San Diego Housing Commission, San Diego City Employees' Retirement System (SDCERS), San Diego Convention Center Corporation, and the Ethics Commission. The meeting featured presentations from department heads, comments from the Independent Budget Analyst (IBA), and public testimony on various items.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Travis Ruggerello (non-agenda) shared a personal mental health concern and apologized for past behaviors, citing his background as a dancer.
- Joyce Nyata (non-agenda) thanked the committee and IBA, and requested review of the intersection at L and Fifth Avenue for pedestrian safety.
- Police Department:
- Angelina Corsani (Center on Policy Initiatives) advocated for $300,000 in restorative justice training for SDPD and funding for an annual racial impact report under AB 953.
- Samantha Darling, Katie Amarillas, Thomas Herrera Mischler, Peter Komiski, John Bolthouse (Balboa Park institutions) requested additional dedicated police officers for Balboa Park, citing safety concerns and the park's 1,200 acres and 4 million annual visitors.
- Robert McNamara supported the proposed budget and suggested hiring civilian data analysts.
- Ayan Ali (Mid-City CAN) supported restorative justice training.
- Amanda Lee (ACLU) requested an independent racial impact report and suggested adding a KPI for stop card completion.
- Fire-Rescue Department:
- Angelina Corsani and Amanda Lee (Community Budget Alliance) requested funding for four full-time community paramedics for the Resource Access Program (RAP), which has saved $2 million in diverted public health costs.
- Housing Commission:
- Michael McConnell opposed the budget, arguing that spending $80+ million on homelessness services lacks a coherent plan and that $5,000/month per family in a tent is inefficient.
- Steven Russell (San Diego Housing Federation) commended the commission but urged the city to replace capital dollars reallocated to temporary shelters and to seek county contributions.
- Joyce Nyata supported the budget, requested an affordable housing portal, and asked for increased prevention/diversion funding to address expiring affordable housing covenants.
Discussion Items
Police Department (San Diego Police Department)
- Chief Nislight presented the FY19 proposed general fund budget of $473.6 million (2,656 FTE), a $4.5 million increase from FY18. Key highlights: 92% of 911 calls answered within 10 seconds (target 95%), 2017 lowest crime in 49 years (violent crime down 2.1%, property crime down 8.3%), new CAD system, and a new POA contract with an 8.3% salary increase effective July 1, 2018, and an additional 5% on January 1, 2019. The budget adds 13 civilian positions for dispatch and special events, three positions for a new Neighborhood Policing Division, and $3 million in overtime reduction proposals.
- IBA (Chris Olsen) noted that sworn staffing remains a challenge: 1,797 filled out of 2,040 budgeted positions, with 14-15 officers leaving per month. The overtime budget is $24.6 million, down from $26.4 million, but the department exceeded its OT budget in FY18. IBA recommended close monitoring.
- Committee Questions: Councilmembers discussed recruitment and retention, the need for experienced mid-level officers, the new marketing RFP for recruitment, dispatch staffing (10 vacancies, 21 in background), the Neighborhood Policing Division's role in homelessness and quality of life, and the implementation of AB 953 (racial profiling data collection). Chief Nislight confirmed the department will begin collecting data July 1, 2018, with software provided at no cost from the Sheriff's Department. Councilmember Alvarez expressed concern about the 60% of officers with less than six years of experience.
Fire-Rescue Department (San Diego Fire-Rescue)
- Interim Chief Kevin Esther presented the FY19 proposed general fund budget of $264 million (1,237 FTE), a $6 million increase. Highlights: new Bayside Fire Station opening in June, rebuilt stations 17, 5, and 22, new Sikorsky Firehawk helicopter, and a paramedic training institute. The budget adds 8 fire dispatcher positions, one battalion chief, and expands the fire academy from 24 to 36 recruits. Overtime budget is $31.2 million, down from $32.8 million.
- IBA (Chris Olsen) noted that the overtime budget gap may be $4.9 million, and the department plans to close it through operational efficiencies and weather-related reductions. The RAP program is not funded in the budget but will be included in the upcoming EMS RFP.
- Committee Questions: Councilmembers discussed the RAP program, dispatcher vacancies (7 vacancies, 11 in training), the need for a clerical assistant for lifeguards, and brush management. Councilmember Kate asked about a joint dispatch center; early discussions are underway. Councilmember Cole requested funding for death and disability benefits for firefighters, which is being addressed with $5-6 million in excess reserves.
Office of Homeland Security
- Director John Valencia presented a small budget with no significant changes. Two grant-funded positions were added (100% reimbursable). No public testimony.
Communications Department
- Director Katie Keach presented a budget of $725,000 increase, adding two positions via transfer from Human Resources for Public Records Act management. No public testimony. Committee questions focused on the social media policy (pending HR review) and communication with council offices on major projects.
San Diego Housing Commission
- Chief of Staff Jeff Davis and CFO Tracy McDermott presented a $388 million budget, the second largest in agency history. Key areas: rental assistance for 15,400 households, $34 million for affordable housing acquisition/rehab, and continued homelessness programs under Housing First San Diego, which has created 1,700 housing opportunities in nine months. The budget includes funding for three temporary bridge shelters (674 beds), a transitional storage center, and a housing navigation center. The city will reimburse $18 million for shelter costs, including $6.5 million for San Ysidro Village and $10 million in CDBG funds.
- IBA (Jillian Cassie) noted that the budget decreases capital expenditures and loans for affordable housing compared to FY18, and that ongoing funding for bridge shelters ($11.8 million) is not yet identified. The commission is using reserves for shelter operations, and IBA recommended a plan to replace the $10 million reallocated from permanent supportive housing.
- Committee Questions: Councilmembers expressed concern about the use of inclusionary housing funds for homeless services, the need for a holistic homelessness plan, and the preservation of expiring affordable housing covenants. Councilmember Ward highlighted the need for land acquisition and creative solutions. Councilmember Alvarez requested a list of unfunded projects from the NOFA. Councilmember Gomez asked for increased prevention/diversion funding. The commission will present a comprehensive plan for the second and third years of the transitional storage center during the FY20 budget process.
San Diego City Employees' Retirement System (SDCERS)
- CEO Greg Rademaker presented an administrative budget of $13.9 million, up 5% due to litigation costs and salary increases. The budget includes 51 positions (50 permanent, 1 limited). Investment returns of 6.9% (net of fees) for FY18 through December 31, 2017, align with the 6.75% target. No public testimony.
San Diego Convention Center Corporation
- Board Chair Gil Cabrera and CFO Martin Maddox presented a FY19 budget with $41.5 million in revenue and $42.3 million in expenses. The city's direct contribution is reduced to $2.1 million (from $3.4 million) for marketing. The center projects a regional economic impact of $1.3 billion in FY19, with 827,000 room nights and $30.6 million in hotel and sales tax revenue. The 10-year capital and maintenance plan totals $66.7 million for CIP and $18 million for OM. The corporation has strong reserves (above the 14% target) but faces future challenges due to IBank debt service ($1.7 million annually starting FY20).
- IBA (Jeff Kwar) noted that the city's total annual support for the convention center is approximately $15.5 million, including debt service, and that a ballot measure to increase TOT could help fund capital needs.
- Committee Questions: Councilmember Alvarez asked about capital expenditure funding and the rationale for the 33% reduction in city contribution. Councilmember Ward commended the center's performance and noted the capital projections assume no ballot measure success.
Ethics Commission
- Director Stacy Fulhorst presented a budget increase of $54,000, primarily for fringe benefits and cost-of-living adjustments. The commission conducted 10 training sessions, responded to 350 advice requests, and plans to implement new campaign advertising disclosure rules. No public testimony. Committee members praised the commission's responsiveness.
Key Outcomes
- No formal votes were taken; the committee received presentations and public testimony for budget review purposes.
- Councilmembers expressed support for several priorities, including:
- Restorative justice training for SDPD ($300,000) and an annual racial impact report (estimated $75,000 for outside assistance).
- Additional police officers for Balboa Park (two dedicated officers requested).
- Funding for the Fire-Rescue RAP program (four community paramedics) to be included in the upcoming EMS RFP.
- A clerical assistant for lifeguard services.
- Replacement of capital funds used for temporary bridge shelters and a comprehensive plan for the housing navigation center and transitional storage center.
- An obligation to provide a status report on reserves and a plan to backfill the Housing Commission's reserves.
- The committee will reconvene on May 8, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. to continue budget discussions.
- The Housing Commission's FY19 budget will be presented to the Housing Authority on June 11, 2018, for approval.
- The Convention Center's 10-year capital plan will be updated as the board makes decisions on project prioritization.
Meeting Transcript
Uh we'll now proceed with non-agenda public comment. Uh this portion of the agenda provides an opportunity for members of the public to address the committee on items of interest within the committee's jurisdiction. Uh clerk, please proceed. Yes, thank you. Each speaker will have two minutes. We have two non-agenda speakers, and when I call your name, please come forward. Mr. Ridgerello, your first speaker, Travis Rogerello, who will be followed by Joyce Añata. Hi, my name is Travis Ruggerello, and I'm here to share a mental health concern. Yesterday I watched a talk on mental health and criminal justice reform on C SPAN. After watching, I realize I feel lost in the system because of my situation. I really hate how I feel more mentally ill than I should be because other people cannot accept the grooming. I once understood from my years in the field of dance. I really hate feeling emotionally maneuvered to be more juvenile than I already am because of the interpretation. Others was taught from my years as a dancer. I'm tired of feeling not college educated enough to say I once understood something mature from my years in the field of dance because of my lack of experience with white collar and blue collar work. With that, I'm going to apologize for role-playing and calling my anus female genitality words to horny men as an average Joe through gay phone sex and gay sex acts online. I will apologize for never practicing sodomy on women because I'm a homosexual who was never in Boy Scouts, never in sports, never in the military, never married, and never had children. I will also apologize for openly being braunchy risque and taboo because I'm a homosexual who once practiced being a princess boy because I feel out of sync and oppressed due to what is considered gay, how to be gay, and what a trained dancer is. I want to make it clear I have real social influences for my years as a dancer. As I mentioned in another public comment, I had a biological mother as a credential dance teacher, and I was once an award-winning competitive dancer in my youth at a touch of class dance in Santee, California. I also spent time as a scholarship student at Academy of Forming Arts San Diego, the City Ballet School San Diego, the Joffrey Valley School in New York, the Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia, and Lyons Valley School in San Francisco. I was also once a dancer with Unity Dance Ensemble under Tosanto Chavez and the California Valley under Maxine Mann. I also was once a dance partner and worked for Miss San Diego 2004 as a dancer who also had supplemented training at the Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. Thank you. Joyce Nyata is our next speaker. Please remember the comments should relate to the budget review committee's jurisdiction. Ms. Sanyata. Good morning. Excuse me. Good morning, Committee Chair Bree, other committee members, all the people here this morning in the audience and our wonderful TV audience. And I wanted to start off with something very simple, and that's a thank you because I'm just coming back into my role as an activist. I used to be very active in government. And as I looked at the budget and all the attachments and papers and talk to people and everything, I'm just realizing what you do is just it's beyond beyond. And I want to just thank you so so much. And I especially wanted to thank the IBA this morning because I took home that wonderful, I call it my little Bible. It's the one that they prepare for the citizens, which is the condensed version for us. And I looked at that yesterday, and it's so helpful. And I just wanted to thank them so so so very much for for that. And I love love love their blue-colored reports. And I hope they never ever change that color because I'll get mad. So good morning again. And then I just wanted to add one budget item. I wasn't here last week. Uh I watched most of it on television. And I wanted to just ask if you would. I know we're doing the zero program with pedestrian uh safety, and there is one intersection that's not on there that I I personally find dangerous. I don't think there's any real statistics to back that up, but it's at the corner of L and Fifth, right there by Hard Rock and Lou and Mickey's and uh the uh can the uh gas slam trolley stop. So if you could also please have someone go over there and take a look at it.
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