San Diego Budget Review Committee Meeting - May 7, 2021
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San Diego Budget Review Committee Meeting – May 7, 2021
The Budget Review Committee of the San Diego City Council met on Friday, May 7, 2021, from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (with a lunch break) to review the proposed Fiscal Year 2022 budgets for the Police Department, Fire-Rescue Department, Office of Homeland Security, Development Services Department, and Environmental Services Department. The meeting was held virtually via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with public comment provided by phone and online. No votes were taken; the session was informational.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Police Department: 34 public speakers addressed the committee. Approximately half urged maintaining or increasing police funding, citing concerns about rising crime, homelessness, and the need for public safety. Speakers representing downtown businesses, the Gaslamp Quarter, and the tourism industry requested additional foot and bike patrols. The other half called for defunding or reallocating police funds to community services, mental health, housing, and youth programs. Several speakers cited racial disparities in stops and use of force, and criticized the department’s overtime spending. Notable speakers included Michael Friedman (support funding), Kira Pina (Center on Policy Initiatives, opposed increase), John Weber (downtown business owner, support), Jack Schaefer (Police Officers Association, support but called for reimagining with investment), and Tasha Williamson (opposed increase).
- Fire-Rescue Department: Two speakers addressed the budget. Anna Shepherd (Naval Base Coronado) requested enforcement of vessel anchorage ordinances at Zuniga Shoal. Linda Kaufman questioned the cost escalation of the proposed Fairmont Avenue Fire Station.
- Office of Homeland Security: One speaker (caller ending 9063) raised concerns about homelessness and shelter closures, unrelated to the department’s budget.
- Development Services Department: Three speakers commented. Ann Sage (urban forester) requested a code enforcement officer for tree work and fee waivers for concrete removal in underserved areas. Francine Maxwell (D4 resident) urged evening shifts for code enforcement to catch illegal dumping. A third speaker (caller 9063) again raised homelessness issues.
- Environmental Services Department: No public speakers for this item.
Discussion Items
- Police Department (Item 1): Chief David Nisleit and Administrative Services Manager Kyle Mukes presented a $592 million general fund budget (up 4.1% from FY21). Key increases included $15.1 million in pension costs, $4.5 million in non-discretionary expenses, and $4.4 million to reallocate Neighborhood Policing overtime from seized assets to the general fund. Reductions included $2 million in extension-of-shift overtime, $1 million in Clean SD overtime, and $1 million in Neighborhood Policing overtime. The IBA noted that the $4 million in overtime reductions were not reallocated to non-law enforcement services. Council members debated racial disparities, hiring, and the need for reform. Councilmember Montgomery Stepp highlighted the No Shots Fired pilot program ($250,000) and discussed the Gang Intervention Unit’s funding. Councilmember Moreno pressed for quarterly analysis of stop/search data and questioned the three-day notice for officer interrogations. Councilmember Elo Rivera asked about alternative response models.
- Fire-Rescue Department (Item 2): Chief Colin Stowell presented a $308 million budget (up $20.6 million) with 1,354 FTEs. Key additions: three fire academies ($863,000), advanced lifeguard academy ($256,000, 3 FTEs), wellness program restoration ($307,000), and various equipment upgrades. The IBA noted that the mobile operations detail (Gaslamp) and Copter 1 maintenance were unfunded but likely needed. Council members praised the department’s vaccine efforts and the women’s fire prep academy. Councilmember Von Wilpert asked about brush management and Copter 1 funding. Councilmember Moreno raised diversity goals. Councilmember Campillo inquired about landscaping maintenance at Fire Station 29.
- Office of Homeland Security (Item 3): Interim Program Manager Megan Beal presented the proposed budget, noting the office would move from under the Police Department to report directly to the Chief Operating Officer. The only addition was an Executive Director position (1.0 FTE). The IBA had no additional comments. Council members expressed support for the reorganization and emphasized transparency in grant funding and public records.
- Development Services Department (Item 4): Director Elise Lowe and Acting Deputy Director Elsa Lopez presented the budget. Major changes: transfer of dockless scooter revenue ($1.5 million) to the new Mobility Department, addition of positions for small business liaisons, and transfer of the urban plan review program (8 positions) from Civic San Diego. The IBA noted the department still pays for 101 Ash Street while leasing elsewhere. Council members praised the digital transition and asked about code enforcement caseloads (Leslie Senate answered), ADU permitting, and the small business ombudsman program. Councilmember Montgomery Stepp requested evening code enforcement shifts.
- Environmental Services Department (Item 5): Interim Director Renee Robertson presented a $133 million budget (up $10 million), driven by SB 1383 compliance (organics recycling). Expenditures included $40 sanitation driver positions, route optimization software, facility upgrades ($5.4 million), and education materials. The IBA noted that the People’s Ordinance prevents charging single-family homes for trash collection, costing the general fund $42.3 million annually. Council members discussed the rollout timeline, landfill capacity, and the need for state funding. Councilmember Elo Rivera questioned the possibility of reducing police presence at cleanups.
Key Outcomes
- No votes were taken; all items were informational. The committee heard public testimony and council discussion. The proposed budgets will be considered by the full City Council in subsequent meetings.
- The committee noted the need for further analysis of police department data and reform, alternative response models, and funding for SB 1383 compliance.
- The Office of Homeland Security’s reorganization and the Development Services Department’s small business liaison program were broadly supported.
Meeting Transcript
Yes, sir. We are. It is now uh just past nine. Good morning. Per executive order 29-20, which suspends certain requirements of the Brown Act. The council 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 clerk and city council committee liaison have made arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. We appreciate the public's cooperation. The clerk 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 review committee meeting of Friday, May 7th, 2021 to order. Clerk, please call the roll. Councilmember Lacava. Present. Council President Campbell. Present. Council President Pro Tim Whitburn. Sure. Councilmember Montgomery Steph. Councilmember Von Wilpert. Present. Council Member Campio. Here. Councilmember Moreno. Present. Councilmember Ila Rivera. Present. And Committee Chair Kate. Here. Councilmember is attending virtually, also attending the virtual meeting is Chief Deputy City Attorney Paige Volkman, Independent Budget Analyst Andrea Tevlin, Matt Yagan from the Mayor's Office, and myself, your city clerk, Elizabeth Mayland. For purposes of this meeting, written comments submitted using the public comment form prior to the start of the meeting have been distributed to the committee and posted online. All written submissions received after the start of the meeting will be made a part of the permanent record. The public may view the meetings on public television on City TV Channel 24 for Cox Communication and Time Warner Cable or Channel 99 for ATT Uverse or view the meeting online by going to the City Council Committee's homepage at Sandiego.gov and selecting the City TV Live Webcast White 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 by accessing the Zoom webinar online using a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, or by calling into the meeting using a smartphone, cellular phone, or landline. The link join the compute the committee uh meeting webinar is available in the preamble language of the agenda, which can be found on the city council committee's webpage. To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, you can dial 1669-2545252. When prompted, you will input webinar ID 160417-1840. This information is also available on the agenda and will also appear on the screen during the public comment portion for uh an item. And uh I see a lot of folks in the queue keep trying to raise their hand. Please do not raise your hand um until an item has actually been called. Once the item has been called and introduced, feel free to um raise your hand if you wish to speak. But if you if you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered. Thank you. So uh folks uh clearly in the queue know how to raise their hands. Um, you tap the raise your hand icon, or if you're a call in participant, you'll be hitting uh star nine. And um please wait again until the item you wish to speak to is called. Uh when you're announced as the next speaker, you'll be unmuting yourself and you'll be offering your comments. Also, please mute the volume on your TV or computer before you begin to speak. In addition, this is not a question and answer period. This is your time to provide a statement to the committee.
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