San Diego Budget Review Committee Meeting – May 10, 2021
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San Diego Budget Review Committee Meeting – Monday, May 10, 2021
The San Diego City Council Budget Review Committee met virtually on May 10, 2021, to review the proposed FY22 budgets for the Public Utilities, Stormwater, Transportation, Real Estate Assets, and Fleet Operations departments. The meeting also covered the planned consolidation of Fleet Operations with Facility Services into a new Department of General Services. Council members expressed broad support for increased funding for infrastructure, maintenance, and sustainability, while several speakers called for additional resources for tree maintenance, street sweeping, and clean transportation.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Stormwater Department: Lucero Sanchez (San Diego Coast Keeper) expressed support for the budget’s funding for new hires and the stormwater funding strategy, and emphasized the need for long-term funding. Sally Small (Emerald Hills Neighborhood Council and Troyas Creek Coalition) thanked the department for increasing activities and requested adjustments to street sweeping routes and frequency in District 4.
- Transportation Department: Anne S. Feige (Chair, Community Forest Advisory Board) requested an additional $200,000 for two urban forestry professionals and noted that the program is understaffed, which increases liability. Jacob Mandel (San Diego County Bicycle Coalition) asked the council to direct immediate action on Vision Zero corridors using quick-build infrastructure. Nicole Burgess praised the department’s systematic safety strategies and integration of water, sidewalks, and shade trees. Mike Pallett (West Coast Arborist) supported increased shade tree funding. Devonna Hall (continuing Feige’s comments) requested $1.6 million for tree trimming contracts and $500,000 for planting 2,500 street trees in underserved neighborhoods.
- Real Estate Assets Department: Sandra Stahl (Montgomery Gibbs Environmental Coalition) requested $85,000 in the airport’s fund to purchase a fuel tank to offer unleaded aviation fuel, citing an FAA grant that would cover most costs.
- Fleet Operations Department: No public comments were offered.
Discussion Items
Public Utilities Department
Director Shauna Lawrence and Assistant Director Lisa Salaya presented a $1.7 billion total department budget. The operational budget increases by $36 million, including 71.76 net new FTEs. Key additions: positions for dam regulation compliance, regulatory compliance for labs, Pure Water operations, and preventive maintenance for water and wastewater infrastructure. The department is transitioning from reactive to proactive maintenance. The budget does not assume rate changes; a cost-of-service study will come in fall 2021. Council members praised the leadership and asked about the modified permit for Point Loma (passed House committee), the expansion of the AMI program (RFP for consultant mid-summer), condition assessments for dams (RFP within a month) and non-dam infrastructure (RFP within next month, report within a year), and conflicts with SDG&E affecting Pure Water scheduling (potential delays and cost increases being mitigated). Members also noted the need for an agricultural lease manager for San Pasqual and for brush management on PUD properties.
Stormwater Department
Director Chris McFadden presented a proposed $56 million general fund budget, an increase of $8.6 million and 13.5 positions. The presentation emphasized the need for a long-term funding strategy, given that the current storm drain fee generates only $5.7 million. Key additions: $2.5 million for funding strategy development, a second pipe repair crew, $500,000 for bacteria studies (San Diego River Investigative Order), two parking enforcement officers for street sweeping, five positions for DigAlert compliance, and a code compliance officer. The IBA noted unfunded requests for levee maintenance, pipe cleaning, and a reinspection fee. Council members supported the funding strategy and the pipe repair team, and asked about the alternative compliance program ($300,000 for consultant services), the Los Peñasquitos Lagoon restoration ($36 million total, city share $27 million, construction 2023–2024), and the need to prioritize weed abatement and street sweeping in underserved areas.
Transportation Department
Chris McFadden also presented the transportation budget (increase of ~$2 million). The department plans to repair 200 miles of streets, add 60 miles of bikeways, and invest in Vision Zero projects. The IBA noted that weed abatement is proposed for a cut (from 85 to 40 acres), tree trimming cycle remains at 24 years for shade trees, and graffiti abatement is underfunded by $100,000. The department requested four positions for DigAlert and $200,000 for SDG&E damage repairs. Council members expressed concern about cuts to weed abatement and tree trimming, and many pledged to restore funding. Councilmember Moreno requested a report on transitioning slurry sealing to city employees. Council President Campbell, Councilmember Whitburn, and others supported increasing graffiti abatement funding by $100,000. Councilmember Montgomery Stepp sought details on filling the new sidewalk repair positions.
Real Estate Assets Department
New Director Penny Moss presented the FY22 budget. The department manages the city’s real estate portfolio, including Petco Park, two municipal airports, and parking garages. Total general fund expenditures increase by $1.3 million, with a $1.2 million decrease in revenue (COVID impacts on leaseholders). Key additions: $600,000 for a program coordinator to manage homelessness services agreements, $492,000 for maintenance of homeless facilities, $112,000 for a consultant for sports arena redevelopment, and $603,000 for homeless service support. Revenue from Mission Bay and Pueblo lands is projected to decline. Council members welcomed Moss and asked about lease renegotiations for small businesses (rent deferral program with two-year payback), reassessment of city office space (study underway pending return-to-work plan), and agricultural leases (potential specific manager). On 101 Ash Street, the city is maintaining the building and deferring lease payments pending litigation outcomes.
Fleet Operations Department / Facility Services
Director Casey Smith presented the combined budget for the new Department of General Services. Fleet Operations: $73 million in the replacement fund, including purchase of 708 vehicles (40 all-electric), and a $1 million reduction in rental fees. Facility Services: minimal changes; they completed 10,534 work orders and converted Golden Hall into a homeless shelter. The IBA noted the low fund balance ($545,000) and need for the Kearny Mesa repair facility ($13.8 million). Council members asked about the plan to electrify the fleet (infrastructure constraints), the timeline for the Kearny Mesa facility (design complete, construction negotiation 2–4 months, construction 12–16 months), and how to fill vacant trades positions (labor negotiations expected to help). Council President Campbell praised proactive work on Rose Canyon containment areas. Councilmember Moreno requested a memo on the history of debt financing for vehicles.
Key Outcomes
- No formal votes were taken; the committee reviewed budgets and provided direction for the May revise.
- Several council members indicated they would request restoration of cuts to weed abatement ($327,000), tree trimming ($1.6 million recommended by IBA), graffiti abatement ($100,000), and sidewalk repair funding.
- The committee expressed support for the stormwater funding strategy and the second pipe repair team.
- Councilmember Moreno requested a report on the feasibility of transitioning slurry sealing and tree trimming to city employees.
- The Real Estate Assets Department will explore an agricultural lease manager and continue lease deferral programs for small businesses.
- Fleet Operations will bring a commercial paper item to council to fund the Kearny Mesa repair facility.
- The afternoon session (trailed) will cover the FY22 CIP budget and the Economic Development department.
Meeting Transcript
Good Mother's Day. Per executive order 29-20, which has been 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 meetings 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 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 Monday, May 10th, 2021 to order. Clerk, please call the roll. Councilmember Lakava. Present. Council President Campbell. Council President Pro Tim Whitburn. Sure. Councilmember Montgomery Step. Here. Councilmember Von Wilpert. Present. Councilmember Campillo. Here. Councilmember Moreno. Councilmember Ila Rivera. Present. And committee chair Kate. Here. Each council member is attending virtually. Also attending our virtual meeting is Chief Deputy City Attorney Christine Leon, Independent Budget Analyst, Andrea Tavlin, Ali Barenter 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 meeting 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 Sandigo.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 to join the committee meeting webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone is listed online 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, it's one six six nine two five four five two five two. The webinar ID is 160417 1840 pound. This information will be is it is available on the agenda and it will appear on the screen as each call as each item is introduced and presented. When I introduce the item, and if you would like to speak, you're going to need to raise your hand by tapping the raise your hand icon if you're in our Zoom webinar. Or if you're a call in participant, you'll need to hit star nine. When I indicate that it's your turn to speak, I'll call on you by your name as it appears on the Zoom webinar attendee list, or I will read out the last four digits of your phone number if you've called into the meeting, and that is how you'll know it is your turn to speak. You'll receive a pop-up if you're in the Zoom, or you'll be directed to unmute yourself. And if you're calling in, you'll need to hit star six. If you're uh on the Zoom webinar, you'll need to use the uh icon to unmute yourself. Please wait until the item that you wish to speak to has been called before raising your hand. 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 and also please uh 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. Once you've concluded your statement, then the allotted time, the call will be ended. If you wish to provide comment on other items on the agenda, you should raise your hand during those comment periods and you will be placed in the queue. For purposes of today's meeting, the order of business is anticipated to be as follows.
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