San Diego Budget Review Committee Meeting - May 6, 2022
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San Diego Budget Review Committee Meeting - May 6, 2022
The Budget Review Committee convened on May 6, 2022, to review proposed fiscal year 2023 budgets for police, fire rescue, communications, emergency services, risk management, and economic development departments. The meeting included public testimony, departmental presentations, and deliberations by committee members. Key themes included staffing shortages, retention challenges, public safety concerns, and the need for enhanced community outreach and technology investments.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-agenda public comments: Speakers addressed police funding, hiring diversity, and the county's report of nearly 800 homeless deaths in 2020-2021. One speaker requested the police budget not be discussed during non-agenda time.
- Police Department (Item 1): Over 20 callers spoke, including community members from City Heights, Mission Beach, and other areas. Many expressed frustration with long 911 response times (up to 40 minutes for priority calls), lack of police presence, and the negative impact of the police shooting range in Mount Hope. Jared Wilson, President of the San Diego Police Officers Association, highlighted a 34-minute average response time for priority one calls, loss of over 200 officers this fiscal year, and the need for competitive pay to retain officers. Several speakers supported increased funding for police and community policing.
- Fire Rescue Department (Item 2): Lifeguard union representatives (Teamsters Local 911) presented a detailed case for five additional lifeguard sergeant FTEs to improve nighttime safety, noting over 220 nighttime emergencies in the past year and a 9.78% wage increase over 12 years versus 32% inflation. Other speakers supported full funding for lifeguards and mental health services for first responders.
Discussion Items
- Police Department: Executive Assistant Chief Chris McGrath presented a $584.2 million general fund budget (down $9.1 million from FY22) with 2,657 FTEs (up 23 civilian positions for parking enforcement). The IBA noted a $6.9 million overtime overage projected for FY22 and likely insufficient overtime funding for FY23. Committee members expressed strong support for public safety, focused on retention and recruitment. Councilmember Moreno highlighted 197 sworn officers lost since May 2, 2022, and a 29% vacancy rate in detective positions. Councilmember Campillo emphasized the need for mid-level supervisors and lateral hires. Councilmember Montgomery Steppe stressed the importance of balancing community policing with social safety nets. Councilmember Whitburn suggested shifting resources from parking enforcement to officer retention. Councilmember Von Wilpert supported mental health resources and the new daycare center at the police training facility.
- Fire Rescue Department: Chief Colin Stoll presented a $309.5 million general fund budget (up $795,000) with 1,356 FTEs (net increase of 2 lifeguard lieutenants). Key additions: two marine safety lieutenants for 24-hour supervision, $300,000 for boating safety unit locker room, $100,000 for lifeguard sleeping quarters, and funding for diversity recruitment and wellness services. The IBA noted that the council's priority of five lifeguard sergeants and a new fire boat were not included. Committee members unanimously supported adding the five sergeant FTEs, citing increased nighttime rescues and safety concerns. Councilmember La Cava called the lifeguard facilities “embarrassing.” Council President Elo Rivera emphasized the need for a holistic approach to safety.
- Communications Department: Director Nicole Darling presented a $5.7 million budget (up $300,000) with two new FTEs: a program manager for translation/interpretation services and a program coordinator for citywide marketing. The IBA noted a $200,000 request for marketing was not included in the proposed budget but may be in the May revise. Committee members supported the positions, highlighting the need to reach underserved communities.
- Office of Emergency Services: Director Chris Heiser presented a minimal budget increase of $255,484, primarily for office space. No public comments. Committee members thanked the department for its COVID-19 response and asked about wildfire preparedness.
- Risk Management: Director Angela Colton (on her fourth day) presented a $13 million internal service fund budget with a net increase of 5 FTEs, including a new loss control unit. The IBA noted a 15% vacancy rate. Committee members praised the data analytics approach to reducing liability.
- Economic Development: Director Christina Bibler presented an $11.6 million budget (down 50% from FY22, due to removal of one-time COVID programs). Key requests: $750,000 for Connect to Careers workforce program, $500,000 for small business enhancement (half of pre-pandemic levels), and restoration of TOT-funded economic development support. The IBA noted that Council Policy 900-15 would require $2 million for small business enhancement, but that has been waived for years. Committee members expressed support for restoring full funding, with Councilmember Campillo and Council President Elo Rivera urging adherence to the council policy.
Key Outcomes
- No formal votes were taken. The committee heard presentations and will consider budget amendments for the May revise. Key directives from members include:
- Support for adding five lifeguard sergeant FTEs and a new fire boat (unfunded in proposed budget).
- Restoration of full funding for the Small Business Enhancement Program per Council Policy 900-15.
- Continued funding for Connect to Careers and street vendor outreach.
- Emphasis on police officer retention and competitive pay.
- The committee will reconvene on May 9, 2022, at 9 a.m.
Meeting Transcript
Until further notice, the budget review committee meetings will be conducted pursuant to the provisions of California Government Code Section 54953E, added by Assembly Bill 361, which allows the city to use teleconferencing and to provide the public an opportunity to address the city council committee via a call-in option or an internet-based service option during a proclaimed state of emergency. While the public is allowed to attend the meetings in person, we encourage you to maintain six feet of social distance as well as California mask guidelines where masks are strongly recommended. In addition to being able to attend in person, this meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website, and the clerk and council committee liaison will continue to make arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. Additionally, members of the public who wish to provide virtual testimony must enter the virtual queue by raising their hand before the queue closes. The queue will close when the last virtual speaker finishes speaking or five minutes after in-person testimony ends, whichever happens first. This will allow for better meeting management between the two fl the two platforms to ensure and ensure the council is able to manage and conduct city business. We appreciate the public's cooperation. Our deputy clerk, Diana Fuentes, will go over the specifics of how the public can participate and give their public testimony. Thank you. Committee member Lacava. Present. Committee member Campbell. Here. Committee member Montgomery Step. Here. Committee member Von Wilper. Present. Committee member Campillo? Here. Committee member Moreno. Present. Committee member Elo Rivera. Present. And Chair Kate. Here. We will now go to committee member comments and see if there's any committee member, city attorney, IBA or mayoral staff comments. Hearing none, Deputy Clerk, please proceed. If you are in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of chambers and place it on the top of the box indicated at the speaker's lectern with the blue arrow. Just place it on top. Please do so in a timely manner to ensure proper meeting management. In-person testimony will conclude before virtual testimony begins. Members of the public can also join the webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone by accessing the link which is listed online in the preamble language of the agenda or on the city's webpage. If you need to participate by telephone, you may dial 1669-254-5252, webinar ID number 160-417-1840. This information will is also available on the agenda and will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each agenda item. As noted by the committee chair, members of the public who wish to provide virtual testimony must enter the virtual queue by raising their hand before the queue closes. The queue will close when the last virtual speaker finishes speaking or five minutes after in-person testimony ends, whichever happens first. Please note that if you are watching via city TV 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 are calling participants star nine on your cell phone or landline. If you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered. Thank you. Thank you, Deputy Clerk, for reviewing those instructions. A quorum is now present. We are going to start first with non-agenda public comments. At this time, we have no non-agenda public comment slips submitted, but per rule 2.6 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 city council. Each speaker will have two minutes to speak. The public comment period for non-agenda public comment is now open. If you have already joined the Zoom webinar online or by phone, please raise your hand if you wish to speak per the instructions on the screen. We will go to virtual testimony since we have no speaker slip submitted in-house. And we will start with John Butcher.
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