OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

San Diego Budget Review Committee Meeting - May 10, 2021

Budget Review Committee — Monday, May 10, 2021
BodySan Diego, California
SessionBudget Review Committee
DateMonday, May 10, 2021
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:08

Good afternoon.

0:10

Per executive order 29-20, which is the requirements of the Brown Act.

0:16

The council members will be participating in Zoom, and no members of the public will be in attendance at the meetings in the interest of public health and safety.

0:24

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.

0:34

We appreciate the public's cooperation.

0:36

Our committee consultant Alan Young will go over the specifics of how to join the webinar and give details on how the public can offer their public testimony.

0:44

I will now call the afternoon session of the budget review committee meeting of Monday, May 10th, 2021 to order.

0:51

Ms.

0:51

Young, please call the roll.

0:52

Councilmember Lakava.

0:55

Council President Campbell.

0:58

Council President Pro Tem Whitburn.

1:01

Here.

1:01

Councilmember Montgomery Step.

1:03

Here.

1:04

Councilmember Von Wilpert.

1:08

Councilmember Campillo.

1:11

Here.

1:12

Councilmember Moreno.

1:15

Councilmember Elo Rivera.

1:17

Present.

1:18

And Committee Chair Kate.

1:21

Here and Councilmember Von Libert is also here for the record.

1:24

Great.

1:24

Thank you.

1:26

Thank you, Councilmember.

1:27

Each council member is attending virtually.

1:29

Also attending the virtual meeting is Chief Deputy City Attorney Christine Leon and Independent Budget Analyst, Andrea Tevlin, Senior Policy Advisor to the Mayor Brittany Bailey, and myself, Alan Young, the committee consultant.

1:41

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.

1:50

All written submissions received after the start of the meeting will be made a part of the permanent record.

1:55

The public may view the meetings on public television on City TV Channel 24 for Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable or Channel 99 for ATT Uverse.

2:05

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.

2:15

The committee meetings will be held virtually using the Zoom webinar platform.

2:19

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, cell phone, or landline.

2:32

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 webpage.

2:41

The join the Zoom webinar by telephone, you may dial 1669-254-5252.

2:48

When prompted, input webinar ID 160-417-1840 pound.

2:54

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

3:00

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 the computer, tablet, or smartphone, or perhaps or by pressing star nine on your phone.

3:10

You'll be taking and taken in the order in which you raise your hand.

3:13

You may only speak once on a particular item.

3:16

When I indicate that it is your turn to speak, I will call you by your name as it appears on the Zoom webinar attendee list.

3:22

Or I'll read out the last four digits of your phone number if you have called into the meeting.

3:27

That is how you know it is your turn to speak.

3:30

If you have joined the webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone, you will receive a pop-up notification to select to unmute your device.

3:37

If you have called into the meeting by cell phone or landline, press star six on your phone to unmute yourself.

3:42

We will review these instructions briefly again when the public comment period on an item is open.

3:47

Please wait until the item you wish to speak on has been called before raising your hand to speak.

3:51

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

3:55

When you are announced as the next speaker, please unmute yourself and offer your comments.

4:00

Also, please mute the volume on your TV or computer before you speak.

4:03

In addition, this is not a question and answer period.

4:06

It is your time to provide a statement to the committee.

4:08

Once you've concluded your comment within the allotted time, the call will be ended.

4:12

If you wish to provide comment on other items on the agenda, you should raise your hand during those comment periods and will be placed in the queue for those items.

4:20

For purposes of this afternoon's meeting, the order of business is anticipated to be as follows, and you can see on the slide shown.

4:26

We will be hearing engineering and capital projects, which has been trailed from this morning's session.

4:42

Please note that this order is subject to change.

4:45

We appreciate your patience and participation as we aim to provide the best possible access to these budget hearings.

4:51

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Capital Improvement Planning██████████████████18%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████████16%
Public Comment██████████████14%
Economic Development██████████████14%
Public Works████████8%
Procedural███████7%
Workforce Development████4%
Water And Wastewater Management████4%
Public Engagement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

San Diego Budget Review Committee Meeting - May 10, 2021

The Budget Review Committee held a virtual meeting on May 10, 2021, to review the proposed fiscal year 2022 budgets for the Engineering and Capital Projects (ENCP) Department, the Capital Improvements Program (CIP), and the Economic Development Department. The meeting included presentations from department heads, comments from the Independent Budget Analyst (IBA), public testimony, and questions from council members.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Steve Lamprides (District 4) opposed the proposed Fairmont Fire Station (project S14018), citing lack of environmental review and inadequate community outreach.
  • Catherine Rhodes recommended creating a special study zone for fault mapping on reclaimed tide lands, including the airport and Seaport Village.
  • Paul Jolson, Victor Bloomberg, and others requested repairs for Collier Avenue between Austin Drive and 54th Street, noting it had not been repaired in 30 years.
  • Patricia Mooney and Mark Schultz advocated for the long-delayed San Carlos Library, requesting expedited land purchase and construction.
  • Nicole Burgess supported the department's work but urged better sidewalk accessibility and stormwater capture, and opposed the Fairmont Fire Station location.
  • Michael Schmidt complained about poor road conditions in Rancho Peñasquitos.
  • Cindy Moore asked for Village Glen Drive and Sarah Mesa to be added to the resurfacing list.
  • Catherine Rhodes (again) questioned the low $5 million budget for undergrounding utilities, suggesting it be combined with 5G infrastructure.
  • After the CIP presentation, additional public comments included Rebecca Ribzik (Downtown San Diego Partnership) supporting the Economic Development Department budget, and Alexis Villanueva criticizing the Back to Work SD program as insufficient and calling for grants rather than loans.
  • Others spoke on non-agenda items: Catherine Rhodes questioned the lack of a budget for Civic San Diego and accused SDG&E of hindering the Pure Water project.

Discussion Items

Engineering and Capital Projects (ENCP) Department

  • Director James Nagelvoort presented the department's budget, noting 825.5 FTE positions (unchanged), a 20% vacancy rate (169 vacancies), and a proposed $500,000 ongoing expense for survey monument maintenance (currently funded by general fund). He highlighted 52 construction contracts awarded totaling $718 million, including $586 million for Pure Water Phase 1. The department plans to award $1.28 billion in construction value in FY22.
  • IBA Jillian Cassidy noted the capacity challenge: ENCP would need to dramatically increase project delivery to address the $3 billion capital infrastructure funding gap. She also flagged the 169 vacancies and encouraged future discussions on capacity.
  • Council members discussed recruitment, in-house vs. consultant work (goal 70/30, currently ~60/40), training costs, and the transfer of prevailing wage and procurement teams to other departments. They also noted the departure of Deputy Director Mark Nassar after 30 years.

Capital Improvements Program (CIP)

  • James Nagelvoort presented the State of the CIP, covering first six months of FY21: $270 million in expenditures (down from previous year due to COVID and vacancies), 113 miles of paving completed, 8.79 miles of water pipe replaced, 12.94 miles of sewer pipe replaced. Key performance indicators showed average days to award contracts at 100.67 (up from 90 target). The department is working on three council policy updates (transparency, prioritization, and customer service).
  • Karen McGriff (Finance) presented the proposed FY22 CIP budget of $747.5 million, part of an $11.68 billion multi-year program. Nearly 50% is for Pure Water, 37.9% for other water/wastewater, 8.8% for city buildings, 4.4% for transportation, and less than 1% for parks and golf. General fund contribution is only $5.4 million for organics processing. An additional $255.7 million is anticipated from various sources.
  • IBA Jillian Cassidy noted that the $49 million for general fund capital infrastructure is down 29% from FY21 and well below the $660 million needed, so the infrastructure gap will grow. She highlighted $75 million for street overlay/reconstruction (84 miles funded, but only 29 miles expected to be completed in FY22). No funding for new park improvements, libraries, or fire stations.
  • Council members discussed undergrounding slowdown due to SDG&E franchise agreement, street assessment, specific district projects (e.g., Fairmont Fire Station, San Carlos Library, Alvarado Canyon Road), and the need for community engagement.

Economic Development Department

  • Director Christina Bibler presented the FY22 budget, including a $15 million Back to Work SD program: $10 million for small business/nonprofit forgivable loans/grants (with $2 million match from San Diego Foundation), $750,000 for small business enhancement, $750,000 for Connect to Careers youth employment, $500,000 for youth diversion summer programming, $251,000 for a small business ombudsman (two temporary positions), and $250,000 for street vendor assistance (permitting, grants, outreach). The department also manages assessment districts, corporate partnerships, and HUD programs.
  • IBA Jordan Moore noted that the $10 million is general fund, providing flexibility, and that many items are one-time but continue previous programs.
  • Council members supported the programs but raised concerns about loan vs. grant structure, equitable distribution, and outreach to underserved communities. Councilmember Moreno opposed the $250,000 for street vendor ordinance compliance. Councilmember Elo Rivera asked about outreach to ensure equity.

Key Outcomes

  • The meeting was informational; no votes were taken. The committee will reconvene on May 11, 2021, at 9 a.m.
  • Council members directed staff to follow up on specific issues, including the Fairmont Fire Station community update, San Carlos Library timeline, Collier Avenue repairs, and street vendor outreach.
  • The presentations provided a foundation for the final budget adoption later in the year.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. Per executive order 29-20, which is the requirements of the Brown Act. The council members will be participating in 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. Our committee consultant Alan Young will go over the specifics of how to join the webinar and give details on how the public can offer their public testimony. I will now call the afternoon session of the budget review committee meeting of Monday, May 10th, 2021 to order. Ms. Young, please call the roll. Councilmember Lakava. Council President Campbell. Council President Pro Tem Whitburn. Here. Councilmember Montgomery Step. Here. Councilmember Von Wilpert. Councilmember Campillo. Here. Councilmember Moreno. Councilmember Elo Rivera. Present. And Committee Chair Kate. Here and Councilmember Von Libert is also here for the record. Great. Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember. Each council member is attending virtually. Also attending the virtual meeting is Chief Deputy City Attorney Christine Leon and Independent Budget Analyst, Andrea Tevlin, Senior Policy Advisor to the Mayor Brittany Bailey, and myself, Alan Young, the committee consultant. 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 Communications 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, cell 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 webpage. The join the Zoom webinar by telephone, you may dial 1669-254-5252. When prompted, input webinar ID 160-417-1840 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 the computer, tablet, or smartphone, or perhaps or by pressing star nine on your phone. You'll be taking and taken in the order in which you raise your hand. You may only speak once on a particular item. When I indicate that it is your turn to speak, I will call you by your name as it appears on the Zoom webinar attendee list. Or I'll read out the last four digits of your phone number if you have called into the meeting. That is how you know it is your turn to speak. If you have joined the webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone, you will receive a pop-up notification to select to unmute your device. If you have 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 on 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 are announced as the next speaker, please unmute yourself and offer your comments.

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