San Diego City Council Meeting – March 18, 2025

The City Council met on March 18, 2025, to honor the 2025 Women of Distinction, approve multiple proclamations, hear public comments on consent and non‑agenda items, and take action on Housing Authority matters including a CEO compensation increase and a litigation settlement. The Council also considered an environmental appeal for a church expansion in La Jolla. The meeting included a land acknowledgement and pledge of allegiance led by Councilmember Moreno.

Proclamations & Ceremonial Recognitions

• Women of Distinction (Item 30): Ten women from each council district were honored, including Katie McDonald (Citywide Woman of the Year), Corey Austin (District 1), Sergeant Major Rosalia Schifo (District 6), Shelley Parks (District 2), Sharon Gale (District 3), Emilia Castillo (District 4), Cara Mondi Monguiduos (District 5), Heidi Ramirez (District 7), Claudia Zavalsa Huff SNE (District 8), and Monica Hill (District 9). Mayor Todd Gloria spoke in recognition of the honorees.
• Women’s History Month (Item 31): Proclamation adopted to recognize March 2025 as Women’s History Month in San Diego. Councilmembers highlighted local trailblazers such as Sally Ride, Jerry Dilno, and Secretary of State Shirley Weber.
• Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (Item 32): Proclamation adopted to raise awareness and support for individuals with developmental disabilities, acknowledging organizations like the ARC of San Diego.
• Stephen Hill Day (S500): The Council declared March 18, 2025, as Stephen Hill Day in honor of his 36 years of public service, including leadership in COVID‑19 response and Balboa Park initiatives. Mayor Gloria and councilmembers spoke in tribute.

Consent Calendar

• Items 51 (stormwater joint use agreement with Del Mar Union School District), 52 (removal of footnote seven related to cannabis permits), and 100–109 (various grants, settlements, and administrative actions) were approved unanimously (8‑0) with Councilmember Moreno absent and recorded no votes on items 103, 104, and 106 by Councilmember Von Wilpert.
• Notable public comments: Multiple speakers urged the city to fully repeal footnote seven and to hold accountable those responsible for its creation. Speakers supported the Boston Avenue Linear Park grant (Item 101) and the Internet Crimes Against Children grant (Item 102). Some speakers opposed litigation settlements (Items 103–109), citing the $650,000 density/housing settlement as a significant portion.

Public Comments & Testimony (Non‑Agenda)

• Public comment covered a wide range of topics including concerns about wireless telecommunications infrastructure near schools, the city’s bonus ADU program, drug policy and public safety (particularly regarding synthetic hemp and marijuana‑impaired driving), police department parade funding equity, and calls for greater transparency in housing programs.
• Several speakers criticized the city’s handling of the budget deficit, property tax allocation, and the impact of state‑mandated housing policies on neighborhood character.

Housing Authority Actions

• HA1 – Informational Report: The Housing Commission’s President and CEO Lisa Jones presented updates on the Housing Instability Prevention Program (HIPP) and the Eviction Prevention Program (EPP). Key metrics: 302 households currently in HIPP, average monthly subsidy of $671, 72 households permanently housed upon exit; EPP served 1,236 clients from July 2024 to January 2025 with 88.7% avoiding homelessness. Councilmembers acknowledged the programs’ cost‑effectiveness and requested further analysis to better target prevention funds. Councilmember Whitburn stressed the need to expand shelter capacity, noting that 88% of shelter referrals go unfilled.
• HA2 – CEO Compensation: The Housing Authority approved a motion to increase President/CEO Lisa Jones’ salary to $372,500, maintain current benefits, and authorize a $14,000 performance incentive for the period December 13, 2024 – December 12, 2025. The vote was 6‑2 (Councilmembers Von Wilpert and Campillo opposed). Debate centered on the timing given federal funding uncertainty and potential city‑wide budget cuts, but supporters noted the compensation was benchmarked against peers and that the Housing Commission’s budget is separate from the general fund.
• HA3 – Litigation Settlement: The Housing Authority approved a settlement in Patrice Baker et al. v. City of San Diego et al. (Case No. 3:19‑CV‑1013). The settlement requires no payment from the Housing Authority and includes action items for the Planning and Economic Development departments to further affordable housing in high‑resource areas. The vote was 8‑0 with Councilmember Moreno absent.

Discussion Items

• Item 330 – Appeal of Environmental Determination for 627 Genter Street (La Jolla Christian Fellowship): The Council heard an appeal of the CEQA exemption (Class 1, Existing Facilities) for a 2,270‑square‑foot addition to an existing education building on a religious campus. Staff presented detailed responses to each of the 12 appeal issues. The appellant did not appear to present testimony. The applicant, represented by Kevin Leone, stated the expansion will provide safe spaces for children and community activities. Public speakers (including the La Jolla Community Planning Association president) supported the project. The Council denied the appeal and upheld the environmental determination, finding the project qualifies for the exemption and that the appeal issues lacked substantive evidence. The vote was 8‑0 with Councilmember Whitburn absent.

Key Outcomes

• All proclamations and consent items approved as described above.
• Housing Authority CEO compensation increased (6‑2), settlement approved (8‑0).
• CEQA exemption for the La Jolla church expansion upheld; appeal denied (8‑0).
• Direction given to Housing Commission President Jones to explore ways to narrowly target prevention programs and to bring back cost‑benefit analysis by May for budget discussions.
• Councilmember Elo Rivera expressed concerns about federal actions undermining environmental justice and homelessness response; Council President stated city would continue to monitor and protect residents.