San Diego City Council Meeting Summary - September 30, 2025
San Diego City Council Meeting - September 30, 2025
The San Diego City Council met on September 30, 2025, in a session that began at 9:00 a.m. with proclamations and consent agenda, followed by a noon recess, and reconvened at 2:00 p.m. for public hearings and informational items. Key topics included recognition of city employees, Hispanic Heritage Month, the 25th Gay Bowl, Downtown Clean and Safe program, and a major public hearing on proposed water and wastewater rate increases under Proposition 218. The council also received the Affordable Housing Fund annual report.
Proclamations and Recognitions
- City of San Diego Employee Appreciation Month (October): Councilmembers and Mayor Todd Gloria expressed gratitude to the city's 13,000 employees. Mayor Gloria spoke, noting employee satisfaction surveys at all-time highs.
- Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15): Several councilmembers spoke, highlighting Latino contributions and the importance of celebrating diversity amid federal attacks. Councilmember Ilo Rivera recognized numerous community organizations.
- 25th Gay Bowl Day: Councilmember Campbell and Whitburn welcomed the National Gay Flag Football League tournament to San Diego, emphasizing inclusion.
- Downtown Clean and Safe 25th Anniversary: Councilmember Whitburn praised the program's achievements (19 million lbs trash collected, 189,000 power washes). Executive Director Alonso Vivas accepted the proclamation.
- Other proclamations: Oscar J. Romo Day (environmental champion), Cesar Lopez Day (Southeastern Little League president), Logan Heights CDC 30th Anniversary, and San Diego Climate Week (October 1-8).
- Motion to approve proclamations: Moved by Councilmember Campillo, seconded by Councilmember Moreno. Unanimously approved.
Consent Agenda (Items 50-52, 100-103)
- Public comments included support for Item 52 (minimum wage for hotel, amusement park workers) and concerns about airport planning. Councilmember Moreno noted a 'no' vote on items 51 and 100 (vehicle and equipment procurement contracts) due to debt concerns. Motion by Councilmember Ilo Rivera, seconded by Moreno. Passed 7-0 with Campillo and Von Wilpert absent; Moreno voted no on items 51 and 100.
Non-Agenda Public Comment
- Speakers raised issues including rat infestation at a safe camping site, citations for street performers under the expressive activity ordinance, mental health and marijuana concerns, and opposition to water rate increases. Council President LaCava explained the rejection of a hang gliding waiver at Torrey Pines due to safety risks.
Discussion Item 331: Water and Wastewater Rate Adjustments (Proposition 218)
- Staff Presentation: Public Utilities Director Juan Guzman and staff presented proposed rate increases: water rates up ~14% in FY26, wastewater ~3%, with cumulative 62% and 31% over four years. They outlined $360 million in cost savings and noted the City's portion is smaller than wholesale water cost increases from the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA). Pure Water program costs are necessary to avoid federal compliance costs.
- IBA Report: Jordan Moore of IBA confirmed financial plans are sound but warned that without rate increases, PUD would need to cut $105.6 million from its operating budget, impacting service levels.
- Public Comments (36 in-person, several virtual): Overwhelming opposition from residents, seniors, small business owners, and advocates. Many cited fixed incomes, recent fee increases (trash, parking, electricity), and the burden on low-income households. Some union representatives (AFSCME 127) supported the increase to maintain essential services and prevent cuts. Several speakers demanded the council reject the increase and seek alternatives like taxing corporations.
- Procedural Vote: Council President LaCava moved to find that legal objections did not warrant reducing rates, allowing the protest hearing to proceed. Passed 8-0 (Foster absent).
- Protest Tally: City Clerk reported 5,225 written protests received, far below the 130,296 needed for a majority protest (50%+1).
- Council Deliberation: Extensive discussion. Councilmembers Lee, Whitburn, and Moreno expressed strong opposition to the proposed 62% increase, citing affordability and erosion of public trust. Councilmember Ilo Rivera supported a continuance to explore non-rate revenue options. Councilmember Von Wilpert questioned SDCWA about rate calculations and excess water sales.
- Motion and Vote: Council President LaCava moved to continue the item to October 28, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. to allow further analysis. Seconded by Councilmember Whitburn. Passed 8-1 (Moreno voting no). Councilmember Moreno stated she could not support without tangible action from SDCWA to reduce its capital projects.
Informational Item 330: Affordable Housing Fund FY2025 Annual Report
- Presentation: San Diego Housing Commission staff reported $18.1 million in commitments leveraged $155 million (9:1 ratio). Revenue of $19.5 million exceeded budget due to two large developments. Key outcomes: 4,100 homeless households assisted, 194 new affordable units financed, 178 units completed.
- IBA Comments: Noted volatility in revenue and a drop in affordable units built under inclusionary housing (28 units vs. 425 in FY24). Suggested council inquire about trends.
- Public Comment: One speaker (John Brady) urged data-driven solutions for homelessness.
- Council Discussion: Councilmembers Ilo Rivera and Moreno expressed concerns about funding for homeownership and ADU programs. Housing Commission noted overall homeownership funding of $3.9 million. Council President LaCava questioned whether in-lieu fees result in fewer affordable units than on-site construction, and Housing Commission is working with DSD on analysis. No action required; item was informational.
Key Outcomes
- Proclamations and consent agenda approved unanimously with noted exceptions.
- Water rate increase (Item 331) continued to October 28, 2025, by an 8-1 vote; Councilmember Moreno dissented.
- Affordable Housing Fund report received as information; no vote.
- Council adjourned to next regular meeting on October 6, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
Please call the roll. Thank you, Council President. Councilmember Campbell. Councilmember Whitburn. Councilmember Foster. Councilmember Von Wilper. Council President Pro Tem Lee. Councilmember Campio. Here. Councilmember Moreno. Present. Councilmember Ila Rivera. And Council President Lacava. Present. Also attending the meeting are City Attorney Heather Ferber, Deputy Director in the IBA's office, Julian Andelina, 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, uh, City Clerk. A quorum is now present. We will begin this morning with the land acknowledgement and the pledge of allegiance led by Councilmember Moreno. We respectfully acknowledge that the Kumiyai Nation are the original inhabitants of the unceded land, now known as San Diego. Despite enduring the horrors of genocide and colonization, the Kumyai 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 Kumeayay Nation connected to our past and committed to a thriving future. Please face the flag. The clerk will now go over how the public can offer their testimony. Clerk. Thank you. I'll highlight the slide on the screen that reviews how the public can offer their public testimony during today's meeting. 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 and place in the clear box. Council ambassadors are available near the entrance 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, uh City Clerk. We will now dispense with the approval of the proclamation items. Please proceed with public comment. The public comment period for the 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 34 and S500 through S503. We have uh Gloria Gruse, if you can please come forward. You'll be speaking on item 33. And you'll have a minute, please proceed. Great. Uh good morning, council. Um, I just wanted to thank you for the proclamation around Hispanic Heritage Month. As you all know, uh, we are part of the San Diego LGBT Center, and we uh serve as a large uh population of our community here that lives in that intersectionality of being Latinx and um part of our LGBT community, and so uh myself and our director of Latinx Services are proud to be here in support of today's uh proclamation, and we want to thank you for uplifting our next community. Thank you. Thank you.
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