Budget Review Committee Meeting - May 3, 2024: Neighborhood Services Branch Overview
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Budget Review Committee Meeting - May 3, 2024: Neighborhood Services Branch Overview
The Budget Review Committee met on May 3, 2024, as part of the continuous budget review hearing (May 1–7, 2024) to consider the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget for the Neighborhood Services Branch, including the Library, Parks and Recreation, and Office of Child and Youth Success departments. The meeting was informational only; no motions were taken. Public comment was heard after the presentations.
Public Comments & Testimony
- More than 43 in-person speakers and several virtual speakers provided testimony, many opposing proposed cuts to library programming, park after-school programs, teen centers, Wi-Fi at recreation centers, and youth services. Speakers emphasized equity concerns, noting that cuts disproportionately affect communities south of Interstate 8, low-income families, and youth of color.
- Representatives from the San Diego Parks Foundation and Library Foundation urged the committee to preserve Wi-Fi and donation matching funds, warning that removal would harm public-private partnerships and future fundraising.
- Youth and community advocates highlighted the role of libraries and parks as safe havens and educational resources, particularly for immigrant and underserved communities.
Discussion Items
Library Department:
- Director Misty Jones presented budget adjustments including a $300,000 reduction to the library donation match (from $1.2M to $900,000), a $250,000 reduction in system-wide programming (summer reading, STEM, accessibility programs), a $200,000 delay in computer replacement, and consolidation of part-time positions into full-time. The IBA noted that the donation match reduction could cost the city up to $200,000 in lost donations and has equity implications under Council Policy 100-12.
- Councilmembers expressed strong concern: Councilmember Moreno called the cuts “unacceptable” and pledged to restore funding; Councilmember Lee noted the programming cut represents a 60% reduction; Councilmember Campillo highlighted the impact of reducing hotspots from 4,000 to 3,000, equating to a loss of 51 million pages of reading or 51,000 hours of video. Councilmembers praised the library’s equity focus and urged the May Revise to restore funding.
Parks and Recreation Department:
- Director Andy Field presented additions (new park rangers, open space management, Memorial Senior Center staffing) and reductions: after-school and teen center programs (10 after-school and 17 teen centers impacted, with full elimination at six sites), swim team/water polo ($380,000 cut), and loss of free Wi-Fi at 59 recreation centers ($500,000 annual cost, with $750,000 removal cost if discontinued). The IBA noted that after-school reductions are not full elimination at all sites but are still significant.
- Councilmember Moreno criticized the disparity between north and south of I-8, stating that cuts to after-school programs harm communities of concern. Councilmember Foster called the Wi-Fi removal “disgraceful.” Council President Pro Tem LaCava discussed pool maintenance challenges and the importance of learn-to-swim programs. Councilmember Whitburn cautioned against reducing park rangers, citing encampment and safety concerns. Chair Lee noted that additions for park rangers ($2.5M) exceed the cost of cuts to youth programs.
Office of Child and Youth Success:
- Director Andrea O’Hara reviewed minimal budget adjustments: a $1 million one-time transfer to the Office of Race and Equity, a $57,000 reduction in contracted services (college readiness workshops, civic engagement, youth leadership programs), and reclassification of a senior analyst to a community development specialist. The IBA noted that the reduction could limit youth programming and equity efforts.
- Councilmember Ilo Rivera quoted youth from Wednesday’s hearing, urging investment in youth and noting that cuts to vulnerable communities send a negative message. Councilmembers expressed support for the office’s work and hoped for continued funding.
Key Outcomes
- No votes were taken; the meeting was informational. Councilmembers stated their intent to work with the Mayor’s office to restore funding in the May Revise, particularly for library donation matching, after-school programs, teen centers, Wi-Fi at recreation centers, and youth programming.
- Councilmembers directed staff to explore alternative funding sources, including private philanthropy and partnerships with the Library and Parks Foundations.
- The committee will continue budget hearings on May 6, 2024, at 9:00 AM.
Meeting Transcript
Audio check Dave, Dave, audio check, one, two, three, four, audio check, Dave. If everyone would like to take a seat, we'll get started in just a minute. Good morning, and welcome to the next session of the budget review committee meeting of May third, twenty twenty-four. Our committee liaison Natalie Kessler will go over instructions for today's meeting. Thank you, Chairley. As we shared on Wednesday, the budget review committee will convene for one continuous meeting starting May first, twenty twenty-four through Tuesday, May 7th, 2024, beginning each day at nine AM. And the meeting will continue until the entire agenda is complete. Department budgets will be heard in the order of the agenda subject to the chair's discretion. Throughout the continuous budget review committee meeting, public comment will be taken during each sub-item. This information and instruction is also available on the budget review committee agenda on the city's webpage. While the public is allowed to attend the meeting in person, this meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website, and council administration 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 speakers finish finishes speaking or when five minutes after in-person testimony ends, whichever occurs first. This will allow for better meeting management between the two platforms and ensure the council is able to manage and conduct city business. For sub items containing more than one department being discussed, members of the public will have one minute per department listed with a maximum of three minutes total. We appreciate the public's cooperation. And just a correction, our committee liaison to this morning's uh Sarah Jordan. Um I will now call the budget review committee session of Thursday uh Friday, May 3rd, 2024 to order. Uh Sarah Willie, please call the roll. Council President Pro Tem Lakava. Present. Committee member Campbell. Here. Committee member Whitburn. Here. Committee member Foster. Here. Committee member Von Wilpert. Present. Committee member Campio. Committee member Moreno. Present. Vice Chair, Council President Ilo Rivera. Present. And our Chair, Committee Member Lee. Here. And also attending the meeting today is Baku Patel from the Office of the Independent Budget Analyst. Senior Deputy City Attorney Ken Zoe from the City Attorney's Office. Chief Financial Officer, Matt Vespee, Department of Finance, Rolando Charvel, and Deputy Director of Community Engagement for Mayor Todd Gloria, Coda Seizer. 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 lecture and at the front of the room. Please do so in a timely meeting 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 on the city's webpage. If you need to participate by telephone, you may dial 1669-2545252 and enter webinar ID 161-705-9651 pound. This information is also available on the agenda and it will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each agenda item. As noted previously, 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 24 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, please 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 a call-in participant by pressing star nine on your cell phone or landline.
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