San Diego City Council Meeting – September 16, 2025

The San Diego City Council met on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. (local time) to consider a consent agenda, a performance audit of the city's grants program, appointments to the Commission on Police Practices (CPP), and a proposed Hospitality Minimum Wage Ordinance. The meeting featured extensive public testimony, presentations from city staff and the Independent Budget Analyst (IBA), and multiple votes.

Proclamations

• The council unanimously approved proclamations (items 30–33, S501–S504, S508) recognizing San Diego Hunger Awareness Month, National Service Dog Month, San Diego Fire Rescue Foundation Day (20th anniversary), and others. Speakers included Casey Castillo (CEO, Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank) who reported distributing 19.3 million pounds of food in FY2024, and Fanny Miller (founder of El Latino Newspaper) who was honored with a proclamation declaring September 16 as Fanny Miller Day.
• Public comment included criticism that awareness efforts lack action on hunger and service dog access.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda (items S505, S506, S507) passed unanimously (8-0, Councilmember Campillo absent). Public comment focused on airport rehabilitation and alleged chemical spraying, but no items were pulled.

Performance Audit of the City's Grants Program (Item S500)

• City Auditor Andy Henas presented findings that San Diego receives 66% fewer grant dollars per capita than other large California cities ($337 vs. average). While grant awards increased from $271M (FY2019) to $491M (FY2023), the city lags in capital improvement grants (85% less per capita). Recommendations included creating an annual grant strategic plan by July 2026, improving tracking, and adding two compliance FTEs (estimated $386,000). Management agreed to all 13 recommendations; one is already implemented.
• Public comment: A speaker praised the progress but urged a focused, centralized grants department; another criticized grant spending and lack of accountability.
• Councilmembers Moreno and Foster emphasized the need for department buy-in and stronger administrative regulations.

Non-Agenda Public Comment (In-Person)

• Speaker Evelyn Llamas alleged child trafficking and unjust arrest; another speaker accused the city of inciting violence following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, urging against Israeli influence.

Commission on Police Practices (CPP) Appointments (Item 330)

• The council heard from four nominees: Chen Yang Rickard (D5), Walter Jordan J. Sayner the fourth (D7), Frances Tepidino (at-large), and Kirby Nip (at-large). Councilmember Von Wilpert questioned impartiality; all pledged neutrality.
• Public testimony: Several speakers supported oversight and transparency; one speaker was escorted out after making threatening comments.
• Outcomes:
  • D5 seat: Chen Yang Rickard appointed unanimously (8-0).
  • D7 seat: Walter Jordan J. Sayner the fourth appointed after balloting (received 5+ votes; Tepidino received fewer).
  • At-large seat: Kirby Nip appointed (7 votes vs. 1 for Tepidino).

Hospitality Minimum Wage Ordinance (Item S509)

• Proposal: Establish a $25/hour minimum wage by 2030 for workers at hotels (150+ rooms), event centers (Petco Park, Pechanga Arena, Convention Center, Civic Theatre), and amusement parks (SeaWorld). Phase-in begins July 1, 2026; annual inflation adjustments after 2030. Amends the living wage ordinance for event centers.
• IBA Presentation: Found economic trade-offs: wage increases could benefit workers (improved retention, local spending) but also raise labor costs, potentially causing job losses and higher prices. No direct correlation to TOT revenue; current economic environment is uncertain. Key considerations (phase-in, tipped worker exemption deemed infeasible) were incorporated.
• Public Testimony: Over 90 speakers (in chambers and virtual). Supporters (unions, workers, faith groups) argued that 1 in 8 San Diego jobs are in tourism, yet hospitality workers are among the lowest paid; many cannot afford housing. Opponents (hotel owners, restaurant association, Chamber of Commerce) warned of 45% labor cost increases, job automation, and competitive disadvantage; some small businesses raised concerns about inclusion of on-site concessionaires.
• Council Debate: Councilmember Elo Rivera (sponsor) emphasized that workers power the $22B tourism industry and deserve fair wages. He rejected automation threats and noted the phase-in accommodates business concerns. Councilmembers Foster and Von Wilpert supported the ordinance as a step toward livable wages. Councilmember Moreno supported but noted the wage should apply to all San Diegans, not just hospitality workers. Council President LaCava questioned the 150-room threshold and cited support from city labor unions.
• Outcome: The motion to adopt the ordinance as amended (with clarifications on hospitality employer definitions) passed unanimously 8-0 (Councilmember Campillo absent).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• Grants Audit: 13 recommendations accepted; strategic plan due July 2026; compliance department to request FTEs for FY2027.
• CPP Appointments: Three seats filled: District 5 (Rickard), District 7 (Sayner), At-Large (Nip).
• Hospitality Minimum Wage: Ordinance adopted; $25/hour phase-in starts July 1, 2026; covers hotels with ≥150 rooms, specified event centers, and amusement parks.
• Next Meeting: Special council meeting scheduled for Monday, September 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.