San Diego City Council Meeting - September 9, 2025: Proclamations, Coastal Resilience Plan, and Bond Authorizations
San Diego City Council Meeting - September 9, 2025: Proclamations, Coastal Resilience Plan, and Bond Authorizations
The San Diego City Council met on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. (following a morning session that began at 10:00 a.m.) with a quorum present. The meeting opened with a land acknowledgement and pledge of allegiance. The Council considered proclamations, a consent agenda, the Coastal Resilience Master Plan, and two bond issuances. Significant public testimony was heard on parking meters at Balboa Park, street naming for Dr. Willie Morrow, and the Coastal Resilience Plan. The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to approve the bond items and the Coastal Resilience Plan.
Proclamations and Recognitions
- The Council unanimously approved a slate of proclamations including Transgender History Month (August 2025), Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, National Preparedness Month, Climate Action Campaign's 10th anniversary, San Diego Blood Bank's 75th anniversary, California's 175th anniversary of statehood, and the 25th anniversary of the San Isidro Women's Club Scholarship Day. Councilmember Campbell emphasized support for the transgender community, stating, "I want our trans community to know that I see you, I respect you, and I love you."
- Councilmember Foster highlighted the legacy of Dr. Willie L. Morrow, an inventor and entrepreneur, during discussion of a street naming (item 109) on the consent agenda.
Consent Calendar
- The Council approved the consent agenda (items 10, 50-57, 60, 100-109, S503) with a vote of 8-0, after removing item 53 (establishment of a parking meter zone at Balboa Park) for further consideration. Councilmembers Whitburn, Campbell, and Moreno registered no votes on item 53 before its removal.
- Item 53 (Balboa Park parking meters): Councilmember Whitburn expressed concern about impacts on low-income seniors using the bridge club, calling it "counterproductive" to jeopardize existing programs. Council President La Cava proposed removing the item to bundle with a larger Balboa Park discussion on September 15. Whitburn agreed with a commitment to find a solution for seniors. The item was returned to staff.
- Item 109 (street naming for Dr. Willie Morrow): Unanimously approved. The Council recognized Morrow's contributions as an inventor of the California curl, owner of radio station 92.5, and publisher of the San Diego Monitor. Family members and community advocates spoke in support, noting his impact on self-esteem and local economy.
Public Comments & Testimony
- On proclamations: Several speakers commented on Transgender History Month and other items. One speaker urged sensitivity and continued dialogue on transgender issues.
- On consent items: Multiple speakers supported the street naming for Dr. Morrow. Others opposed the Balboa Park parking meters, citing inadequate community outreach and negative impacts on seniors and families. A speaker from the San Diego Civic Dance Arts warned that parking fees would harm affordable arts programs.
- On non-agenda items (in person): Several residents testified about a pro-Israel event at the Legacy Center on September 7, alleging that San Diego police failed to respond adequately to disruptive protesters who used sirens, blocked traffic, and engaged in vandalism. Speakers including Pastor John Sorrentino and Rabbi Yossi Tiefenbrunn called for improved police protection and enforcement of noise ordinances.
- On Coastal Resilience Plan (item 331): Supporters including Surfrider Foundation and San Diego Bird Alliance urged adoption of nature-based solutions. Opponents from the Peninsula Community Planning Board and Safe Sunset Cliffs argued the plan insufficiently addresses erosion caused by stormwater runoff and objected to proposed one-way lane and parking meters at Sunset Cliffs.
- Virtual non-agenda public comment: Comments addressed mental health and substance use, marijuana regulation, the Supreme Court's decision on immigration enforcement, and criticism of the city's handling of the Torrey Pines Gliderport issue.
Discussion Items
- Coastal Resilience Master Plan (item 331): Staff presented a $8 billion economic risk assessment from sea level rise, proposing nature-based solutions at six sites. The plan, funded by two grants, includes concept designs for La Jolla Shores, Tourmaline Surf Park, Ocean Beach Dog Beach, Ocean Beach Beachfront, and Sunset Cliffs. Councilmember Campbell emphasized the concepts are not final. Councilmember Elo Rivera requested expanded community outreach to inland communities. Councilmember Foster raised concerns about pollution in Chollas Creek feeding into the coast. The plan was adopted unanimously (8-0) with certification of the programmatic EIR and authorization of CIPs for four sites.
- Bond authorizations (items 330 and FA1): Staff detailed $670 million in lease revenue bonds ($465 million new money for capital projects, $200 million refunding) and $30 million aggregate savings from refunding five bond series. The ballpark refunding bonds are expected to save $2.4 million annually from FY2027-2032. Councilmember Campbell noted the benefit of lower interest rates. Both items passed unanimously (8-0).
Key Outcomes
- Item 53 removed from consent and returned to staff for further work on senior concerns.
- Consent agenda approved (with item 53 removed) 8-0.
- Coastal Resilience Master Plan adopted unanimously, including environmental impact report certification and CIP initiation for four sites.
- Bond authorizations approved (item 330 and FA1) unanimously.
- PFFA minutes approved unanimously.
- Adjournment in memory of Alejandro Gutiérrez, a community volunteer and youth sports coach.
Meeting Transcript
Order. Clerk, please call the roll. Thank you, Council President. Councilmember Campbell. Councilmember Whitburn? Sure. Councilmember Foster. Councilmember Von Wolfer. Council President Pro Tem Lee. Councilmember Campillo. Here. Councilmember Moreno. Present. Councilmember Ila Rivera. And Council President La Cava. Present. Also attending the meeting are Chief Deep Deputy City Attorney Brent Bartelata, Senior Fiscal and Policy Analyst in the IBA's office, Amy Lee, Council Advisor in the Mayor's Office, Council Affairs Advisor in the Mayor's Office, Coda Zeiser, and myself, your city clerk, Deanna Fuentes. Thank you, Council President. All right, thank you, City Clerk. A quorum is now present. We will begin this morning with the land acknowledgement and the pledge of allegiance led by Councilmember Campillo. Sir, please rise if you can. We respectfully acknowledge that the Kumeayai Nation are the original inhabitants of the unceded land now known as San Diego. Despite enduring the horrors of genocide and colonization, the Kumeayi spirit remains unbroken. We honor the resilience of their ancestors who fought to protect their culture and land, and today they carry their legacy forward, ensuring that their traditions continue to thrive in gratitude and strength. We stand with the Kumeyay Nation, connected to our past and committed to a thriving future. Please face the flag. Ready? Again, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. I'll now highlight the slide on the screen that reviews how the public can offer their public testimony during today's meeting. Please note the time allocations for proclamations and consent items for meeting management purposes is one minute per item with a maximum of three minutes. The order can be found on the agenda summary found online or at the table in the back of the room. If you are in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of chambers and bring it to the front of the room. Council ambassadors are available near the entrance of chambers and can assist with questions and speaker slips. No further in-person testimony will be taken once the council begins virtual testimony. Thank you, Council President. All right. Thank you for that. Uh we will now dispense with the approval of the proclamation items. Clerk, please proceed with public comment. The public comment period for proclamation items is now open. Each speaker will have one minute per item per person. If you would like to speak on three or more items, you will have a maximum of three minutes. The proclamation items being approved are items 30 through 35, S500 and S502, and S504. I will note that we did receive proc uh comments via the e-comment portal on items 32, 35, and S504. All in favor, one comment each, going to those participating here in chambers. If we can have Joyce Sanyata, please come up to the microphone. You're speaking on items 30, S504, and 35.
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