San Diego City Council Meeting - September 29, 2025
San Diego City Council Meeting - September 29, 2025
The San Diego City Council met on Monday, September 29, 2025, beginning with a closed session and public comment on closed session items, then reconvening at 2:00 p.m. for open session. The council approved two items: a sidewalk replacement project using city forces and a public right-of-way vacation. Item 200 (rescinding council policy 100-18) was returned to staff. Non-agenda public comment covered a range of topics including political violence, La Jolla Cove management, and substance use prevention.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Closed Session Items (CS1, CS2, CS4, CS5): Several speakers addressed officer-involved shootings, detention of a minor, a lifeguard jet ski collision, and a vehicle-pedestrian collision. Speakers expressed concerns about police accountability, litigation delays, and the need for settlement. One speaker supported the police, noting their difficult job. Another speaker urged the council to consider the human side of incidents and the spirit of the law.
- Item 201 (Sidewalk Replacement): Multiple speakers offered comments. One speaker criticized the city's management of infrastructure and diversion of funds, while another (Joyce Nata, District 3) supported using city forces and praised the project. Blair Beekman discussed tech accountability and holistic sustainability. Kathleen Lippett criticized the city's reliance on public employee unions and single-source contracts. Marco Espinosa supported in-house work.
- Item 202 (Beach Street Vacation): One speaker questioned the historical accuracy of the filing date (1888) and expressed concerns about "complete communities." Blair Beekman again raised tech accountability and community participation.
- Non-Agenda Public Comment: Speakers addressed multiple topics:
- Political violence: Mary Davis called for accountability after threatening comments directed at council members, and criticized Councilmember Elo Rivera's labeling of ICE agents as terrorists.
- La Jolla Cove sea lion management: Representatives from Sierra Club and Seal Society presented videos showing inadequate ranger presence and safety announcements, urging immediate actions like signage, cones, and temporary stair closures.
- Marijuana and substance use: Several speakers (Peggy Walker, Megan Stewart, Madison, Barbara Gordon, Terry Ann Skelly, Becky Rapp) highlighted links between high-potency marijuana and psychosis, youth mental health risks, and the need for stricter regulations. One speaker defended cannabis as a sacred plant, criticizing the system.
- Other topics: Scott Chipman criticized the city's reputation, ADUs, budget increases, and the rushed parking district item. Francine Maxwell requested an extension for trash can registration and a proactive report on race and equity. Judy Strang discussed county-city budget disparities.
Discussion Items
- Item 201 – Authorization of City Forces for CIP Project Sidewalk Replacement Group 2530 (UCNM B2603): Deputy Director Philip Lowry presented the request to use city forces for a $1.9 million sidewalk repair project in Council District 6, with funds to be allocated to the Transportation Department's overtime budget for additional work (mill and pave, slurry seal, streetlight repairs, minor traffic signal modifications). Council discussion focused on the benefits of using city employees, avoiding contractor soft costs, and the process for selecting sidewalk projects. Councilmember Moreno expressed strong support for maximizing city forces and requested a similar project in District 8.
- Item 202 – Public Right-of-Way Vacation for a Portion of Beach Street (PRJ-1090972): Development Project Manager Jose Bautista presented the vacation of an unimproved 0.07-acre portion of Beach Street in City Heights, which abuts residential parcels. The project was deemed exempt from CEQA (Section 15332). The Mid-City City Heights Community Planning Group recommended approval (14-0). No opposition was raised in council discussion.
Key Outcomes
- Item 201: Approved unanimously (8-0, with Councilmember Foster absent). Motion by Council President Pro Tem Lee, second by Councilmember Moreno.
- Item 202: Approved unanimously (8-0, with Councilmember Foster absent). Motion by Councilmember Elo Rivera, second by Councilmember Whitburn.
- Item 200: Returned to staff to address new information; not heard.
- Closed Session: No reportable action.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning. I'm now called the City Council meeting of Monday, September 29th, 2025 to order. Clerk, please call the rule. Thank you, Council President Pro Tem. Councilmember Campbell. Councilmember Whitburn. Councilmember Foster. Councilmember Von Wilbert. Councilmember Campillo. Councilmember Moreno. Councilmember Ilo Rivera. Council President Lacava. And Council President Pro Tem Lee. Here. Also attending the meeting, our city attorney Heather Ferber, Deputy Director in the IBA's office, Gillian Andalina, and myself, your city clerk, Diana Fuentes. Thank you, Council President Pro Tem. Thank you. A quorum is now present. We'll begin this morning with an invocation by Clerk Fuentes, followed by the land acknowledgement and the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilmember Campillo. 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. 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, and today they carry their legacy forward, ensuring that their traditions continue to thrive in gratitude and strength. Please face the flag. Hi. I'd like to speak on item CS1. You'll have one minute, please proceed. Hi. Thank you, Blair Beacon. Happy Monday morning to everyone. I wanted to comment that this was an officer involved shooting at the Santa Fe rail station. I was really surprised by this in uh January. And what followed after January was um they started putting LAP cans in the uh waiting area lobby, right next to the benches where you're supposed to sit and wait. They're really cool. It's a really beautiful lobby. Um it's really awkward and uncomfortable, these huge surveillance sitting in the middle of the lobby and these benches. And I've been trying to comment uh to their staff that they need to ignore. And there's this they already have a ton of uh big belly dot hands line the lobby. I hope we can work on surveillance issues like this when these events happen. Thank you. Thank you. Next is one number inning in 8700. If you can please unmute and let me know which item or items you wish to speak to. Uh thank you, City Clerk Fuentes. Uh CS1, two, four, and five. You'll have three minutes, please proceed. Uh CS1 uh officer involved shooting at Santa Fe Depot, a 12825. I remember reading about the details on this. I don't know the current status of litigation. Office of city attorney does seek direction from the mayor and the city council from me. What public direction would I give?
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