OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

San Diego City Council Meeting: FY2026 Draft Budget & HUD Plan - April 21, 2025

City Council — Monday, April 21, 2025
BodySan Diego, California
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, April 21, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:57:38

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Councilmember Von Wilbert.

0:02

Council President Pro Tem Lee.

0:05

Councilmember Campillo.

0:06

Here.

0:06

Councilmember Moreno.

0:09

Councilmember Ilo Rivera.

0:11

And Council President Lacava.

0:12

Present.

0:13

Also attending the meeting here, City Attorney Heather Ferber, Independent Budget Analyst Charles Marica, and myself, your city clerk, Diana Fuentes.

0:20

Thank you, Clerk Fronteth.

0:22

Quorum is now present.

0:24

We will begin this morning with an invitation by our city clerk, Clerk Flentus, followed with a land acknowledgement and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Whitburn.

0:36

Grant those who hold office in this city the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice, that with steadfast purpose, they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of all people.

0:52

We respectfully acknowledge that the Kumiai nation are the original inhabitants of the unceded land now known as San Diego.

0:58

Despite enduring the horrors of genocide and colonization, the Kumiai spirit remains unbroken.

1:04

We honor the resilience of their ancestors who fought to protect their culture and land.

1:08

Today they carry their legacy forward, ensuring that their traditions continue to thrive in gratitude and strength.

1:14

We stand with the Kumiyai Nation, connected to our past and committed to a thriving future.

1:19

Please face the flag, put your hand over your heart, ready to begin.

1:24

I pleased to the flag of the city of the United States of America.

1:29

And to the Republic for which it stands.

1:31

One nation under God and indivisible with liberty and justice for us.

1:42

With that, Clerk, please proceed.

1:45

I will now highlight the slide on the screen that reviews the how the public can offer their public testimony during today's meeting.

1:51

If you're in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of chambers and bring it to the front of the room.

1:56

No further in-person testimony will be taken once the council begins virtual testimony, and for better meeting management purposes, each speaker will have one minute per item per person, a maximum of three minutes if there are three or more items on the closed session agenda.

2:11

Thank you, Council President.

2:12

Thank you, City Clerk.

2:13

The clerk will now read the closed session items into the record.

2:16

Please proceed.

2:17

Conference with legal council existing litigation pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9 D1 SCS1, Rick One, Emanuel Cook versus City of San Diego, CS2, McKinley Cacona versus City of San Diego, CS3 as U.S.

2:33

Rel Hendricks V, J.

2:34

Hyphen M Manufacturing Company, Inc.

2:37

et al.

2:38

CS4, Sharp Healthcare et al.

2:40

versus City of San Diego, CS5, Daniel Patz et al versus City of San Diego, Conference with Legal Neighbor Negotiations pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.6 is CS6 City Designated Management Team Representatives, Conference with Legal Council, Existing Litigation Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9 D1 is CS7, Eric Dargan versus City of San Diego, CSA, McMillan hyphen NTC LLC versus California Coastal Commission et al.

3:09

Thank you, Council President.

3:10

All right, with that, please proceed with public comment.

3:13

Cesar Javier, if you can please come forward.

3:15

You'll be speaking on all items, CS1 through CSA.

3:19

You will have three minutes to speak on all items.

3:22

Please proceed.

3:26

Cesar and Purita.

3:28

Good morning.

3:30

We are victims of toxicity.

3:32

That's why we stand here and share our voice.

3:37

To you in this closed session.

3:40

Delving on close session one to eight items.

3:46

Thank you, City Clerk Force.

3:48

You are a witness in what I and my wife's perception of corruption by assigned leadership by this 2020 to date city administration.

4:01

District Councilors, Attorney Office, and the rest, particularly the executive branch, the mayor.

4:11

Agenda clause items one to eight are byproducts of lack of moral solving problem skills.

4:18

Luck of social judgments skills, luck of intelligent interest in San Diegans, luck of preparedness, luck of argurity as far as priorities are concerned.

4:29

Chunk of resources goes to the law and order.

4:32

Why?

4:33

Instead of putting flesh and blood to the headnuts for jobs, and so on and so forth.

4:47

We need creation of jobs, education, training, private technology, manufacturing.

4:53

We cannot defeat nature, but we can only prepare and protect us.

5:00

Flood victims, injuries, and death as a result ought to be adequately compensated.

5:03

Air pollution victims, District A, Tijuana River issue.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Budget██████████████████████████████30%
Public Comment███████████████15%
Public Safety███████████11%
Arts And Culture█████5%
Community Development Block Grants█████5%
Homelessness████4%
Libraries████4%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Public Engagement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

San Diego City Council Meeting: FY2026 Draft Budget & HUD Plan - April 21, 2025

The San Diego City Council convened on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. after a closed session. The main agenda items included a presentation of the Fiscal Year 2026 Draft Budget (Item 200) and the Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Action Plan for HUD programs (Item S400). The meeting featured extensive public testimony and council debate on budget cuts, revenue measures, and allocation of federal funds.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Christine Martinez (Arts & Culture San Diego) urged against cuts to arts funding, stating arts employ over 17,000 San Diegans and are an investment, not a handout.
  • Kim Phillips-P (Southeast Art Team) asked to save arts and culture funding.
  • Cara Camden (Arts & Culture San Diego) noted arts funding also supports library programs.
  • Aida Moreno (Logan Heights resident) said arts are the heart of the community.
  • Leslie Ann Latham (Project Blank) emphasized arts provide empathy and connection.
  • David Bennett (San Diego Opera) warned federal cuts combined with city cuts would devastate arts organizations.
  • Becky Goodman (La Jolla Playhouse) highlighted arts programs serve Title I schools, incarcerated, and homeless populations.
  • Kate Burnite (museum professional) opposed an $85,000 cut to public arts fund and suggested nuanced paid parking in Balboa Park.
  • Amanda Lopez (New Children's Museum) said arts support mental health and academic success.
  • Carmen Velasco (Border X Brewing) said arts, culture, and music are essential to her community.
  • Ali Sadr (Persian Cultural Center) noted 30 years of city grants vital to arts promotion.
  • David Thur (House of China) said arts events generate tourism revenue.
  • Michael Angel Camacho (Casa Familiar) urged continued arts investment.
  • Corinne Wilson (San Diego Municipal Employees Association) criticized disproportionate management positions, citing Parks and Rec: 145 FTE cuts while deputy director positions increased from 3.75 to 8.75.
  • Jackson Byrd (library supporter) said libraries are safe spaces for community.
  • Michelle Anderson (San Diego Parks Foundation) opposed cuts to assistant rec center directors, affecting programs like Parks After Dark.
  • Juan Carlos Hernandez (Parks Foundation) said cuts harm underserved communities.
  • Leona Subblat (San Diego Parks Foundation) said parks and rec centers are prevention for crime and homelessness.
  • Marcella Bothwell (Parks and Recreation Board) called parks a utility, not a luxury.
  • Patrick Stewart (Library Foundation) said library system is world-class but underfunded; urged sustainable revenue plan.
  • Catherine Douglas (District 1 resident) opposed SDPD cuts, saying 169 sworn officers short and overtime cuts are irresponsible.
  • Larry Webb (Mission Beach resident) urged no cuts to police budget.
  • Sean Cassidy (Vanguard Culture) shared personal story of arts changing his life.
  • Alexander Hoey (YMCA art teacher) warned cutting arts threatens critical thinking and democracy.
  • Pat Wilson (Friends of the Public Library) said libraries are essential and underfunded.
  • Eliza Figueroa (USC social work student) opposed cuts to rec centers and libraries.
  • Mike Fratali (District 6) supported no deep cuts to public safety but urged infrastructure funding.
  • Karina Pew (San Diego LGBT Community Center) supported Safe Stay program funding.
  • John Brady (Lived Experienced Advisors) thanked mayor for increased homelessness spending but offered solutions like permitting RVs as housing.
  • Blair Beekman (public commenter) urged emphasis on peace and accountability in budget.
  • Julie Porter (Lived Experienced Advisors) opposed Rosecrans shelter closure.
  • Natalie Rashke (Lived Experienced Advisors) urged city to accept school district's offer for safe parking lot.
  • Rachel Hayes (Lived Experienced Advisors) said housing is healing.
  • Will Moore (Circulate San Diego) supported $26.7 million for Vision Zero and asked for Fatal 15 and AB 43 implementation.
  • Michael Schmidt (District 9 resident) supported street repairs.
  • Isabel Cole opposed cuts to parks, libraries, and arts for children.
  • Tenna Hutt (parent and researcher) said cuts contradict city's strategic plan to enrich neighborhoods.
  • Marco Espinoza urged keeping libraries open.
  • Hector Castro (artist) said arts are vital for wellness.
  • Omar (nonprofit grant writer) shared personal story of library helping him.
  • Carlos Angeles (youth mentor) said arts keep kids out of trouble.
  • Virtual speakers (e.g., Steve Gilb, Michelle, Jason, Anar Salaev, Louis Relico, John Stump, Lori Saldaña, and others) addressed street safety, police cuts, parks, libraries, arts, cannabis revenue concerns, and budget equity.

Discussion Items

  • Item 200: Fiscal Year 2026 Draft Budget Presentation Mayor Todd Gloria and CFO Matt Vespe presented the draft budget. The city faced a structural deficit that grew from $258 million to over $300 million due to reduced sales tax, franchise fees, and higher pension costs. The budget balanced through: $61 million in new revenue (parking meter rate increases, cannabis business tax, etc.), $74.1 million shifting refuse collection to enterprise fund, $33.8 million from Measure C (hotel tax), $63.9 million from waiving reserve contributions, $11.9 million in operational reductions, and $6.6 million waiving climate equity fund. Overall, 394 standard hour positions reduced citywide (234 vacant, 160 filled), with a net reduction of 247 positions. Key cuts included: library and rec center hours, 10% arts funding reduction, elimination of some grant programs, reduced code enforcement, and closure of Northwestern police station (front counter remains). Public safety budgets increased over $20 million each for police and fire due to salary increases. The budget maintained 105.3 million for homelessness services. Capital improvement plan included $845.9 million, with $83.1 million for street repair. Council members expressed concerns about disproportionate cuts to communities of concern, library/rec center impacts, and police consolidation. No vote was taken; this was an informational item.

  • Item S400: Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Action Plan for HUD Programs Staff presented the draft action plan for CDBG ($11.9 million estimated), HOME ($31 million), and ESG ($1 million) programs. Proposed allocations included funding for 10 economic development projects, nonprofit capital improvements, public services, and homeless set-asides. Councilmember Ila Rivera moved to defer 13 action items (items 1-7, 10, 11, 14, 16, 17) until after the FY2026 budget adoption to maintain council flexibility amid federal uncertainty. Councilmember Campillo offered an alternative motion to approve all 25 items as staff recommended. The alternative motion failed 4-5. The original motion to defer 13 items passed 6-3. Items not deferred (including Home Key Plus and other non-CDGB allocations) were approved.

Key Outcomes

  • Item 200 (Informational): No action taken. Council will continue budget review through May budget hearings and adopt final budget by June 10, 2025.
  • Item S400: Council approved the fiscal year 2026 annual action plan with amendments, deferring approval of 13 specific CDBG-related allocation items until after budget adoption (expected around June 15, 2025). The motion passed 6-3 (Councilmembers Campillo, Campbell, Whitburn voted no). Deferred items include most CDBG grant agreements and allocations; non-deferred items (e.g., ROPS debt repayment, property management agreements, Home Key Plus) were approved immediately. The public comment period remains open until May 7, 2025.
  • Closed Session: Nothing to report out.
  • Adjournment: Council adjourned to a special meeting on April 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

Meeting Transcript

Councilmember Von Wilbert. Council President Pro Tem Lee. Councilmember Campillo. Here. Councilmember Moreno. Councilmember Ilo Rivera. And Council President Lacava. Present. Also attending the meeting here, City Attorney Heather Ferber, Independent Budget Analyst Charles Marica, and myself, your city clerk, Diana Fuentes. Thank you, Clerk Fronteth. Quorum is now present. We will begin this morning with an invitation by our city clerk, Clerk Flentus, followed with a land acknowledgement and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Whitburn. Grant those who hold office in this city the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice, that with steadfast purpose, they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of all people. We respectfully acknowledge that the Kumiai nation are the original inhabitants of the unceded land now known as San Diego. Despite enduring the horrors of genocide and colonization, the Kumiai spirit remains unbroken. We honor the resilience of their ancestors who fought to protect their culture and land. Today they carry their legacy forward, ensuring that their traditions continue to thrive in gratitude and strength. We stand with the Kumiyai Nation, connected to our past and committed to a thriving future. Please face the flag, put your hand over your heart, ready to begin. I pleased to the flag of the city of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God and indivisible with liberty and justice for us. With that, Clerk, please proceed. I will now highlight the slide on the screen that reviews the how the public can offer their public testimony during today's meeting. If you're in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of chambers and bring it to the front of the room. No further in-person testimony will be taken once the council begins virtual testimony, and for better meeting management purposes, each speaker will have one minute per item per person, a maximum of three minutes if there are three or more items on the closed session agenda. Thank you, Council President. Thank you, City Clerk. The clerk will now read the closed session items into the record. Please proceed. Conference with legal council existing litigation pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9 D1 SCS1, Rick One, Emanuel Cook versus City of San Diego, CS2, McKinley Cacona versus City of San Diego, CS3 as U.S. Rel Hendricks V, J. Hyphen M Manufacturing Company, Inc. et al. CS4, Sharp Healthcare et al. versus City of San Diego, CS5, Daniel Patz et al versus City of San Diego, Conference with Legal Neighbor Negotiations pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.6 is CS6 City Designated Management Team Representatives, Conference with Legal Council, Existing Litigation Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9 D1 is CS7, Eric Dargan versus City of San Diego, CSA, McMillan hyphen NTC LLC versus California Coastal Commission et al. Thank you, Council President. All right, with that, please proceed with public comment. Cesar Javier, if you can please come forward. You'll be speaking on all items, CS1 through CSA. You will have three minutes to speak on all items. Please proceed. Cesar and Purita. Good morning. We are victims of toxicity. That's why we stand here and share our voice. To you in this closed session. Delving on close session one to eight items. Thank you, City Clerk Force. You are a witness in what I and my wife's perception of corruption by assigned leadership by this 2020 to date city administration.

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