San Diego City Council Meeting - June 24, 2025

The San Diego City Council met on June 24, 2025, to consider a wide range of items including proclamations, consent agenda items, and several major policy decisions related to homelessness funding, park improvements, solid waste fee collection, and police equipment. The meeting began in the morning, recessed due to a loss of quorum, and reconvened in the afternoon. All votes and discussions are captured below.

Proclamations & Recognitions

• LGBTQ+ Pride Month (July 2025): Multiple councilmembers spoke in support, noting the importance of inclusivity amid national attacks on the LGBTQ+ community. The proclamation was adopted unanimously (8-0, with Councilmember Campbell absent).
• Michael Friedman Day (June 24, 2025): Recognized Mr. Friedman's naval service and community revitalization work in San Ysidro. Adopted unanimously.
• Latina Geek Day (July 10, 2025): Celebrated the organization's 10-year anniversary and its role in tech education. Adopted unanimously.
• Sigma Gamma Rho Day: Honored 102 years of service by the sorority, with special recognition of a 104-year-old member. Adopted unanimously.
• Deputy City Attorney Fritz Ortlieb Day: Recognized his 38 years of service on complex environmental and energy matters. Adopted unanimously.
• Assistant Chief Mike Holden Day: Recognized his 32 years with SDPD. Adopted unanimously.
• Other proclamations: Included Belmont Park 100th anniversary and additional recognitions; all passed unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Items 50-54 and S503, S505: Routine approvals and contracts. Item 53 (residential tenant utility charges) was returned to staff. Item S504 (Path San Diego agreement) was pulled for discussion. Item S503 (settlement with former COO Eric Dargan, $146,000) received two no votes (Councilmembers Von Wilbert and Campillo). The consent calendar passed 7-2 (with Campbell and Council President Lacava absent). Public comment included support for the settlement and concerns about workforce reports on contractor HDL.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Sessions (Morning and Afternoon): Members of the public addressed the council on a variety of topics, including: opposition to the solid waste fee and its collection on the tax roll (citing impacts on seniors and renters), requests for wetland restoration using SeaWorld settlement funds, concerns over police militarization, and calls for improved communication on trash rate changes. Several speakers also praised the council's budget work and urged continued focus on equity.
• Notable: A speaker protested the trash fee method stating "bait and switch" in the 2022 Measure B vote. Others highlighted the need for PATH outreach to be culturally competent. A speaker from the ReWild Coalition urged prioritizing wetland restoration over low-priority park projects.

Discussion Items

Item S504 - PATH San Diego Coordinated Street Outreach Program (Fourth Amendment)

• Request: Approve a $3.5 million increase (to $13.5 million total) for the program in FY26, with $2M from general fund and $1.5M from state HAP grant.
• Staff Presentation: Director Sarah Jarman reported that PATH served nearly 2,200 individuals from July 2024 to April 2025, with 288 placed in housing and 181 into shelter. Over the full contract, PATH has served over 20,000 individuals and achieved over 4,500 positive exits.
• Council Discussion: Councilmember Von Wilbert (mover) emphasized the program's success and the need to defend funding against state scrutiny. Councilmember Whitburn questioned efficacy given shelter capacity (2,021 requests, only 128 filled) but acknowledged PATH's direct housing placements. Councilmember Elo Rivera noted the shift in unsheltered populations to harder-to-reach areas. Councilmember Foster asked about the funding swap from HAP6 to general fund.
• Outcome: Approved 7-0 (Campbell and Lacava absent). Motion by Von Wilbert, second by Elo Rivera.

Item S506 - Allocation of SeaWorld Settlement Funds

• Request: Approve $7.9 million in settlement funds ($5.1M to Mission Bay Improvement Fund, $2.7M to Regional Park Improvement Fund) for various park projects, including restrooms, electrical work, playgrounds, and ADA improvements.
• Staff Presentation: Assistant Director Tom Tomlinson explained the funds were reduced due to lower revenue projections. The Mission Bay Park Committee voted 4-3 to allocate only $4.6M, citing concerns over wetland restoration priorities.
• Public Comment: Multiple speakers from the ReWild Coalition urged the council to allocate unallocated funds ($600,000) to wetland restoration and to follow charter priorities (wetland expansion, water quality). They noted that over 91% of fund history has gone to low-priority projects.
• Council Discussion: Councilmember Elo Rivera (mover) acknowledged the charter priority issue and asked staff to work with the Mission Bay Park Committee on options. Councilmember Whitburn (second) highlighted the Balboa Park restroom improvements. Councilmember Von Wilbert asked about the De Anza Natural CEQA timeline (draft EIR fall 2025). Councilmember Foster welcomed funding for Chollas Lake electrification and Mountain View ADA improvements.
• Outcome: Passed unanimously 7-0 (Campbell and Lacava absent).

Item S502 - Collection of Solid Waste Management Fee on County Tax Roll

• Request: Authorize collection of the new solid waste management fee (adopted June 9, 2025) via the county property tax roll, as an alternative to setting up a city billing system.
• Staff Presentation: Kirby Brady and Jeremy Bauer argued tax roll billing is low-cost (10 cents per parcel, ~$26,000/year) with 98.8% compliance. A city-run monthly billing would cost $18M to set up and $10M annually. The fee is $43.60/month for a 95-gallon bin ($523/year) and $32.82/month for 35-gallon.
• Public Opposition: Over 46,000 written protests were received (below the 50%+1 threshold for a majority protest). Oral protests came from residents concerned about impacts on low-income homeowners, seniors, and renters; accusations of "bait and switch" from the 2022 Measure B campaign; and legal challenges threatened. Some speakers suggested using water/sewer bills instead.
• Council Discussion: Councilmember Elo Rivera (mover) supported the efficiency. Council President Lacava (second) dispelled myths about liens and noted compliance rates. Councilmember Campillo opposed due to impacts on fixed-income constituents. Councilmember Campbell supported, citing cost savings and noting San Diego had been the only large city not charging for trash. Councilmember Von Wilbert, despite voting no on the fee itself, supported the billing method to avoid higher costs.
• Outcome: Passed 7-2 (Councilmembers Foster and Campillo voting no).

Item S501 - Repeal Existing Fees for Automated Collection Containers

• Request: Repeal fees for trash containers and delivery, effective July 1, 2025, since container costs are now included in the new solid waste fee.
• Staff Presentation: Jeremy Bauer explained the repeal aligns with the new fee structure.
• Council Discussion: Councilmember Elo Rivera (mover) clarified that new bins will be provided at no extra cost. Council President Pro Tem Lee (second) asked about communications to residents (mailers, webinars, FAQs). Councilmember Campillo noted constituents had long objected to paying for bins damaged by city trucks. Councilmember Von Wilbert expressed concern about residents who recently purchased new bins but supported the repeal as a needed fee reduction.
• Outcome: Passed unanimously 8-0 (Council President Lacava absent).

Item S500 - SDPD Military Equipment Use Procedure (AB 481)

• Request: Certify continued use of state-defined military equipment (drones, armored vehicles, less-lethal weapons, etc.) for another year, with updated policies.
• Staff Presentation: Lieutenant Ken Imperazari and Lieutenant Louis Craball detailed the equipment, training, and use statistics. They emphasized that San Diego PD does not participate in the federal 1033 program (surplus military gear) and that all equipment is commercially available. They highlighted the Crandall Street and McDonald's restaurant tragedies that led to SWAT protocols and equipment.
• Public Comment: One speaker supported the motion, praising SDPD's handling of a recent protest. Others expressed concerns about militarization and the direct docketing (bypassing public safety committee).
• Council Discussion: Councilmember Von Wilbert (mover) detailed the historical context of the Crandall Street and San Ysidro McDonald's massacres to explain the need for armored vehicles. She noted no new equipment was added. Councilmember Campbell seconded, praising SDPD's restraint and San Diego's status as safest big city.
• Outcome: Passed 6-2 (Councilmembers Foster and Elo Rivera voting no; Council President Lacava absent).

Key Outcomes

• Proclamations: All 7 proclamations adopted unanimously.
• Consent Agenda: Approved 7-2 (with Von Wilbert and Campillo no on S503).
• PATH SD Agreement: Approved 7-0, continuing street outreach with $13.5M total.
• SeaWorld Funds: Approved unanimously, directing $7.9M to park projects; note that the Mission Bay Park Committee requested prioritizing wetland restoration.
• Solid Waste Fee on Tax Roll: Approved 7-2; fee collection begins July 1, 2025, with first tax bills in November.
• Container Fee Repeal: Approved unanimously; no charge for new or replacement bins.
• SDPD Military Equipment: Approved 6-2; annual certification under AB 481.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for Monday, June 30, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.