OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

City Council Meeting Summary – October 20, 2025

City Council — Monday, October 20, 2025
BodySan Diego, California
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, October 20, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:55:01

Transcript — Verbatim
4:00

Good morning.

4:01

I will now call the City Council meeting of Monday, October 20th, twenty twenty-five to order.

4:06

Before we proceed with the meeting, please be aware that Council Member Von Wolpert is participating remotely in the meeting via teleconference from Jackson City Hall in Jackson, Mississippi.

4:18

I understand Councilmember Von Wolpert would like to make a statement.

4:22

Yes, good morning, Council President.

4:23

Can you all hear me?

4:25

Yes, we can.

4:26

Wonderful.

4:26

I apologize.

4:27

The camera I'm actually here at Jackson City Hall in Jackson, Mississippi, and the camera is not working right now, but they're gonna bring a camera so I can be on as soon as it does.

4:37

And I have to say I'm calling in from Jackson, Mississippi from the second floor conference room at Jackson City Hall.

4:44

Notices were posted in accordance with the Brown Act seventy two hours in advance in a public location, allowing any member of the public should they wish to participate.

4:55

So they can be placed in the queue.

5:00

And I'd love to thank the city uh city clerk Harris of Jackson, Mississippi for all of her help for naming this because it's been quite do, but she's been fantastic to work with, and I really appreciate it.

5:08

Um I come to Mississippi once a year.

5:10

Uh I still work with a nonprofit here, uh, trying to do good work in the deep south and alleviate poverty.

5:15

And so I happen to be here during this week, and I'm doing my council meetings remotely.

5:19

So thank you.

5:20

All right, thank you, Councilmember Von Wolpert.

5:22

Clerk, please call the roll.

5:23

Thank you, Council President, Councilmember Campbell.

5:27

Councilmember Whitburn.

5:28

Here.

5:29

Councilmember Foster.

5:30

Here.

5:31

Councilmember Von Wilbert.

5:35

Councilmember Von Wilbert.

5:37

We're getting the camera on too.

5:39

Thank you.

5:40

Oh, I see you.

5:43

And she is here.

5:44

Council President Pro Temli.

5:46

Here.

5:46

Councilmember Campillo.

5:48

Here.

5:50

Councilmember Moreno.

5:51

Present.

5:52

Councilmember Ila Rivera.

5:54

And Council President Lakava.

5:56

Present.

5:57

Also attending the meeting, our city attorney Heather Ferbert, Deputy Director in the ABA's office, Jillian Andalina, and myself, your city clerk, Deanna Fuentes.

6:06

All right, thank you, City Clerk.

6:07

The quorum is now present.

6:08

We will begin this morning with an invocation by Clerk Puentes, followed with the land acknowledgement and the pledge of allegiance led by Councilmember Ilo Rivera.

6:22

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.

6:38

We respectfully acknowledge that the Kumille Nation are the original inhabitants of the unceded territory, unceded land, now known as San Diego.

6:45

Despite enduring the horrors of genocide and colonization, the Kumye spirit remains unbroken.

6:50

We honor the resilience of their ancestors who fought to protect their culture and land.

6:54

Today, they carry their legacy forward, ensuring that there should their traditions continue to thrive in gratitude and strength.

7:01

We stand with the Kamier Nation connected to our past and committed to a thriving future.

7:06

Oh, for all those are able, please face the flag and begin.

7:10

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

7:17

One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

7:26

The clerk will now go over how the public can offer their testimony.

7:29

Clerk, please proceed.

7:31

I will now highlight the slide on the screen that reviews how the public can offer their public testimony during today's meeting.

7:36

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.

7:41

No further in-person testimony will be taken once the council begins virtual testimony for better meeting management purposes.

7:47

Each speaker will have one minute per item per person.

7:49

If you would like to speak on three or more items, you will have a maximum of three minutes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Immigration█████████████████████████████████████████████51%
Public Safety████████████14%
Fiscal Sustainability████████9%
Procedural██████7%
Public Comment█████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure████5%
Personnel Matters███3%
Procurement█1%
Surveillance Technology█1%
Summary of Proceedings

City Council Meeting Summary – October 20, 2025

The City Council of San Diego convened on October 20, 2025, with a quorum present including Council President Lakava and Councilmember Von Wolpert, who participated remotely from Jackson, Mississippi. The meeting opened with a statement from Councilmember Von Wolpert regarding his remote participation and ongoing nonprofit work. The agenda proceeded through a closed session addressing existing and anticipated litigation, followed by open session items focused on the confirmation of a new Chief Financial Officer, the establishment of utility undergrounding districts, and the adoption of a robust due process and safety ordinance.

Consent Calendar

  • Staff Recommendation: Confirm the appointment of Rolando Charvel as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the City of San Diego.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Closed Session Public Comment:
    • Lori Saldania expressed concern regarding the Industrial Wastewater Control Program's lack of transparency on collaboration with Tijuana, hoped for a resolution to the housing condemnation case to avoid displacing 29 units, and highlighted ongoing stormwater infrastructure issues and sinking ground in the Midway area.
  • Item 200 (CFO Appointment) Public Comment:
    • Michael Zuquet (San Diego Municipal Employees Association) and Connor Robbins (Teamsters Local 986) expressed strong support for Rolando Charvel, citing his 10+ years of collaborative and professional conduct.
    • Blair Beekman asked if the CFO would lead a more accountable contract sign-off process to prevent expiration delays.
  • Item 201 (Utility Undergrounding) Public Comment:
    • Lori Saldania urged the council to monitor infrastructure repairs in already undergrounded areas like Mission Beach, noting leaks and pavement damage caused by utility repairs.
    • Blair Beekman expressed concern regarding an over-reliance on SDG&E for future infrastructure work and requested consideration of other agencies or companies.
  • Item S400 (Due Process and Safety Ordinance) Public Comment:
    • A significant number of speakers, including representatives from PANA (Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans), the San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council, Planned Parenthood, the San Diego Asian Pacific Islander Coalition, various youth organizations, and community members, voiced strong support. They described the trauma of federal immigration enforcement, the fear of separation, and the need for local protections.
    • Speakers opposing the ordinance:
      • Julio Loaquin argued against the ordinance, suggesting it violates due process for non-citizens and made a political statement regarding immigration policy.
      • Carol Waters argued the council has an obligation to uphold federal law and labeled the ordinance as treason.
      • Bob Kazuski argued the ordinance encourages parents to keep children at risk by not returning to their native lands.
    • Blair Beekman (Non-Agenda) criticized the Public Advisory Board (PAB) process regarding surveillance technology (LPRs) and urged for more community input before finalizing ALPR policies.
    • Carol Otterson (Non-Agenda) criticized proposed vacation home taxes and urged the council to stay out of the real estate business.

Discussion Items

  • Appointment of Chief Financial Officer:

    • Mayor Gloria nominated Rolando Charvel, highlighting his 26 years of service, institutional knowledge, and commitment to fiscal stability amidst a structural deficit.
    • Rolando Charvel acknowledged the challenges of rising costs and aging infrastructure, promising a focus on transparency, data-driven communication, and early collaboration with the Council on budget and labor negotiations.
    • Councilmember Foster expressed support but emphasized the need for "doing things differently" regarding the structural deficit, citing zero-based budgeting and reserve policy reviews as essential.
    • Councilmember Von Wilbert raised concerns regarding a recent audit on unauthorized spending ($10-$20 million range) and communication gaps, requesting Charvel commit to proactive communication and presence at hearings regarding financial data.
    • Charvel committed to transparent communication and utilizing technology to prevent future unauthorized spending, while acknowledging the need for better public hearing attendance by finance staff.
    • Councilmembers Campbell, Whitburn, Moreno, Elo Rivera, and Campello all expressed support, citing Charvel's integrity, experience, and the critical need for his leadership.

  • **Utility Undergrounding **(University Heights & Encanto)

    • Deputy Director Chelsea Clacius and Assistant Director Jim Nabong presented the procedural steps to set a public hearing for December 8, followed by the creation of utility undergrounding districts (UUDs) after EIR certification.
    • Councilmember Whitburn moved to approve setting the public hearing date, citing safety and wildfire resilience benefits for University Heights.
    • Councilmembers Campbell, Whitburn, and others supported the motion to initiate the process.

  • Due Process and Safety Ordinance:

    • Councilmember Ilo Rivera introduced the ordinance as a direct response to federal actions threatening constitutional rights, emphasizing the need to protect city resources, data, and facilities from facilitating unconstitutional enforcement.
    • Councilmembers Foster, Lee, Campello, Von Wolpert, and Lakava discussed the ordinance's scope, clarifying that it supersedes previous exemptions regarding data sharing and aligns with SB 54 while expanding protections to broader categories (reproductive care, LGBTQ+ rights, political expression).
    • Councilmember Foster clarified definitions regarding "imminent threat" and confirmed the ordinance prohibits data sharing unless required by law.
    • Councilmember Campello emphasized the ordinance preserves necessary federal task forces for non-immigrant crimes (fentanyl, human trafficking).
    • Councilmember Von Wolpert highlighted the necessity of the ordinance during a period of federal overreach, citing examples of federal agents detaining legal residents and officers.

Key Outcomes

  • **Item 200 **(CFO Appointment)\n - Vote: Passed unanimously (9-0).

    • Outcome: Rolando Charvel is confirmed as the Chief Financial Officer of the City of San Diego.

  • **Item 201 **(Utility Undergrounding)\n - Vote: Passed unanimously (9-0).

    • Outcome: The Council approved the resolution to set a public hearing for December 8, 2025, regarding the creation of underground utility districts in University Heights (Council District 3) and Encanto (Council District 4).

  • **Item S400 **(Due Process and Safety Ordinance)\n - Vote: Passed unanimously (9-0).

    • Outcome: The ordinance amending Chapter 5, Article 2 of the Municipal Code was adopted. The Council directed the management team to engage in the required meet-and-confer process regarding mandatory subjects of bargaining under the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act before the final enactment.
    • Directives: The ordinance establishes requirements for public reporting of law enforcement collaboration, prohibits city resources from facilitating enforcement based on protected characteristics, requires judicial warrants for non-public access, and mandates contractor compliance with state and local protections.

  • Non-Agenda Public Comment:

    • Speakers continued to address racism in Parks and Recreation, vaping regulations, enforcement of illegal hemp products, vacation home taxes, and surveillance technology. A speaker urged the city to increase ICE presence via the National Guard.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning. I will now call the City Council meeting of Monday, October 20th, twenty twenty-five to order. Before we proceed with the meeting, please be aware that Council Member Von Wolpert is participating remotely in the meeting via teleconference from Jackson City Hall in Jackson, Mississippi. I understand Councilmember Von Wolpert would like to make a statement. Yes, good morning, Council President. Can you all hear me? Yes, we can. Wonderful. I apologize. The camera I'm actually here at Jackson City Hall in Jackson, Mississippi, and the camera is not working right now, but they're gonna bring a camera so I can be on as soon as it does. And I have to say I'm calling in from Jackson, Mississippi from the second floor conference room at Jackson City Hall. Notices were posted in accordance with the Brown Act seventy two hours in advance in a public location, allowing any member of the public should they wish to participate. So they can be placed in the queue. And I'd love to thank the city uh city clerk Harris of Jackson, Mississippi for all of her help for naming this because it's been quite do, but she's been fantastic to work with, and I really appreciate it. Um I come to Mississippi once a year. Uh I still work with a nonprofit here, uh, trying to do good work in the deep south and alleviate poverty. And so I happen to be here during this week, and I'm doing my council meetings remotely. So thank you. All right, thank you, Councilmember Von Wolpert. Clerk, please call the roll. Thank you, Council President, Councilmember Campbell. Councilmember Whitburn. Here. Councilmember Foster. Here. Councilmember Von Wilbert. Councilmember Von Wilbert. We're getting the camera on too. Thank you. Oh, I see you. And she is here. Council President Pro Temli. Here. Councilmember Campillo. Here. Councilmember Moreno. Present. Councilmember Ila Rivera. And Council President Lakava. Present. Also attending the meeting, our city attorney Heather Ferbert, Deputy Director in the ABA's office, Jillian Andalina, and myself, your city clerk, Deanna Fuentes. All right, thank you, City Clerk. The quorum is now present. We will begin this morning with an invocation by Clerk Puentes, followed with the land acknowledgement and the pledge of allegiance led by Councilmember Ilo Rivera. 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. We respectfully acknowledge that the Kumille Nation are the original inhabitants of the unceded territory, unceded land, now known as San Diego. Despite enduring the horrors of genocide and colonization, the Kumye 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 there should their traditions continue to thrive in gratitude and strength. We stand with the Kamier Nation connected to our past and committed to a thriving future.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com