OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

San Diego City Council Meeting Summary - January 12, 2026

City Council — Monday, January 12, 2026
BodySan Diego, California
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, January 12, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:58:41

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

True, but that ability to circle that same block over and over again, acting like you're not doing what we all know that you're doing, that every resident on that block knows what they're doing.

0:09

And the word gets out.

0:10

The word gets out that that's where you go.

0:13

I don't want any neighborhood in this city to have that kind of reputation.

0:16

The people who live in those neighborhoods are good, decent, hardworking people who pay taxes and deserve to have the ability to walk down the sidewalk in their own neighborhood without having their children propositioned by some man in a car.

0:27

This bill changes that.

0:28

And police department will take it very seriously, and I heard what the chief said a moment ago.

0:32

Listen, if this doesn't clean it up, we'll do more.

0:34

But bottom line is this San Diego is not a place to traffic in children.

0:38

And if you do it, you're gonna have a police department that's gonna arrest you, and you're gonna have a DA that's gonna prosecute you.

0:43

Don't do it here.

0:46

Anyone else?

0:48

Very good.

0:49

Thank you all so much for being here.

0:50

Happy New Year.

0:51

Be safe out there, everybody.

0:55

Today we're kicking off my administration's neighborhood homes for all of us, a community-driven effort to add a new kind of housing product thoughtfully across the city.

1:05

What you see is a collection of townhomes, row homes, flats, and other small-scale homes.

1:11

These are the kinds of homes that our residents have been asking for.

1:14

And these are the kinds of homes that will allow the next generations of San Diegans to stay in the neighborhoods they love.

1:20

This is an invitation to rethink how our neighborhoods can grow and what they can grow into.

1:25

It's an invitation to welcome home our teachers, our nurses, our small business owners, and our first-time home buyers.

1:34

Building housing and diversifying the housing party is a critical steps to delivering more affordable options for San Diego residents.

1:42

Neighborhood homes for all is designed to save time, money, and streamline the building process.

1:48

And we will do this within the framework of our existing communities.

1:51

We will do this by giving families the housing options they clearly want.

1:56

And we will do this by producing homes San Diegans can afford, where they can build a life and build generational wealth in the neighborhoods they grew up in and the communities they love.

2:06

Neighborhood homes for all of us is the next step in this process.

2:09

It is an essential step in this process in making sure that San Diego is a city where everyone has a chance to own a home and build a future.

2:42

These specific projects were selected based on the benefits that they're bringing to the community.

2:48

So one of the projects is serving seniors.

2:51

Another has an on-site daycare, and two of the projects are located in our state-designated high or highest resource area, which means that it has a plethora of access to jobs, education, parks, public space, healthy food, and low access to environmental hazards.

4:07

So from July all the way to November, they were out here trying to get people into some type of shelter option.

4:13

So by the time that we came out here, there's already been months of outreach occurring.

4:16

So when we came, that was the day where we were actually going to be getting all the trash, all the people, everything out of here, so it could go back to being what's supposed to be part of the river.

4:26

Since then, um park rangers have been out here daily.

4:30

That's been a very big group effort.

4:31

So park rangers from all units, department wide have been coming out here to patrol.

4:38

This area right here, it floods.

4:40

It goes straight into the ocean.

4:42

We don't want people in this area because when the rains come, the tide goes up, you know, we have to have our police department, our lifeguards, our fire department out here risking their lives for people living out here.

4:53

So getting them out of this area is very important, not only for them, but for our employees.

5:00

Because rangers are on top and being consistent with patrolling, the area has stayed consistently clean.

5:04

It's super rewarding to come out here and see all the wildlife that's that's kind of re-emerged in the area and know that they now have a clean environment to habitate and live their little happy lives.

5:17

78 tons of trash, over 1300 pounds of uh hazardous and biohazards remit waste on these islands.

5:23

So getting all that, but when I see the wildlife that's out here, you see ducks, you see cranes, you see things that we didn't see a year, year and a half ago.

5:30

That's one of the ways I know that we did good out here is seeing the wildlife returning.

5:34

This work isn't done.

5:36

We're still here in the riverbed.

5:37

We're still engaging individuals.

5:39

I think something that's the larger celebration is that 59 are currently in permanent housing right now, whether it be through diversion efforts all the way to permanent supportive housing, and we have 42 that are continuing to work on identifying next steps in their journey.

5:53

I'm proud of the work that our teams did.

5:55

We put tax dollars to work, and people are just used to, you know, when you throw tax dollars at something, the problem doesn't necessarily go away.

6:02

So I'm happy to see that this area has maintained and that we are putting that money that we use for this to good use.

6:18

It's always great to be here in San Youcedroom.

6:21

We're here a lot these days.

6:22

There's a lot of good things going on down here in this community.

6:25

In fact, it was exactly two years ago today that we stood on this piece of land, what was then just a patch of dirt to break ground on this project.

6:32

Two years later, here we are to dedicate and add a hundred new units of affordable housing to our city's inventory of homes that everyday San Diegans can afford.

6:41

This is difficult work, and the fact that we have people who are passionate about this issue, myself included, is why we're making some progress, and hopefully people start to feel it in their pocketbooks.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Comment██████████████████18%
Water And Wastewater Management████████████████16%
Public Safety███████████11%
Police Oversight██████████10%
Public Engagement███████7%
Pending Litigation███████7%
Election Procedures█████5%
Personnel Matters█████5%
Affordable Housing████4%
Summary of Proceedings

San Diego City Council Meeting Summary - January 12, 2026

The City Council convened on January 12, 2026, to address critical fiscal outlooks for public utilities, amendments to election procedures, the scheduling of a June 2026 municipal primary, and the formal removal of a Commission on Police Practices (CPP) member for cause. The session featured significant discussion regarding water rate increases driven by County Water Authority costs, extensive public commentary on police reform and surveillance technologies, and a heated debate over due process rights during the CPP hearing. Council members unanimously approved the election calls and the removal of the commissioner.

Consent Calendar

  • [No consent items were explicitly read or voted upon as a separate block in the transcript; individual items were handled sequentially as informational or specific motions.]

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Blair Beekman: Expressed support for maintaining public participation processes and suggested new economic models beyond simple taxation to address infrastructure and transit funding needs.
  • Andrea Ebbing: Expressed support for driving community revenue through events and marketing to offset rate increases but noted a "catch-22" regarding the city's current reputation. Strongly criticized the current political leadership as "corrupt and poor."
  • Kathleen Lippett: Stated opposition to ongoing rate hikes, attributing them to pension obligations, excessive debt financing, and lack of oversight and corruption in large city programs.
  • Tim Arnas: Expressed concern over overflowing garbage cans and beach litter, advocating for increased cleanup efforts.
  • Ramses L: Expressed strong opposition to qualified immunity and the continued employment of Officer Dan Gold, citing a $30 million cost to the city. Expressed concern regarding the proliferation of AI-generated non-consensual sexual imagery.
  • Anthony Ralphs: Expressed support for Councilmembers Foster, Moreno, and Elo-Revira for voting against the "Flock" surveillance system. Expressed strong opposition to Councilmember Whitburn and Council President Lacava for attending a rally that supported billionaires despite subsequently voting for the Flock system.
  • Becky Rapp: Expressed support for stricter signage regulations prohibiting marijuana license symbols on large billboards to protect youth, aligning with public health goals and Prop 64 intent.
  • Francine Maxwell: Expressed support for Commissioner Bayer, believing he is targeted for defending commission independence. Called for a town hall meeting regarding excessive police force incidents and the $30 million settlement.
  • Terry Ann Skelly: Expressed support for ordinances prohibiting public marijuana and tobacco smoking/vaping in public areas to protect children and youth from secondhand vapor.
  • Peggy Walker: Expressed concern that commercializing high-potency cannabis has led to rising addiction, hospitalizations, and youth poisoning, urging a rethink of potency policies.
  • Madison: Expressed opposition to current marijuana policies, citing Harvard Medical School research that links commercialization to increased psychiatric effects and traffic fatalities among youth.
  • Ernie Casco: Expressed strong opposition to the current Torrey Pines Glider Port leaseholder, calling their actions a "crime" and demanding an immediate halt to illegal fees and threats.
  • Bob Kazuski: Expressed support for the La Jolla Shores Association's letter calling for the reinstatement of the Glider Port Advisory Board and the elimination of burdensome insurance/fees.
  • Unnamed Speaker (7499): Echoed concerns regarding the Glider Port and the need for an advisory board.

Discussion Items

Public Utilities Five-Year Financial Outlook (2026-2031)

  • Staff Presentation: Lisa Salaya and Adam Jones (Public Utilities Department) presented the outlook, noting that water purchase costs from the County Water Authority (CWA) are the primary driver of rate increases, with projected cost increases of up to 47.7% per acre-foot. The council adopted deferrals for 62 additional Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) to stay within revenue parameters, extending the deferral period to three years. The debt service coverage ratio for the water system is projected to drop significantly.
  • IBA Review: Jordan Moore (Independent Budget and Analysis) highlighted that the water system faces significant financial strain, using almost the entire rate stabilization fund by FY 2027 due to CWA rate hikes. The IBA recommended updating the CWA business plan and right-sizing supplies to avoid future fiscal cliffs.
  • Councilmember Foster: Expressed concern that the focus on external factors (CWA) has overshadowed the need for internal efficiency reviews within the Public Utilities Department (PUD). Requested specific documentation on internal cost controls and operational changes. Staff responded that efficiency reviews (e.g., HERC audit, condition assessments) are ongoing and would be further detailed during the budget development process.
  • Councilmember Rivera: Questioned the progress on recovering revenue from PUD leases held over status. Staff confirmed that Economic Development has a contract to prioritize and accelerate these lease renewals. Also asked about partnerships with San Diego Community Power and County of San Diego regarding lake access fees.
  • Councilmember Von Wolpert: Expressed frustration with the siloed nature of discussions and the absence of CWA representatives. Raised concerns about East County Joint Powers Authority potentially reducing wastewater fee contributions and the financial impact of the County of San Diego withdrawing from the Lake Hodges dam reconstruction cost-share. Requested the Department of Safety of Dams re-evaluate Lake Hodges water levels due to increased wildfire hazards. Stated strong opposition to future parking fees at city lakes.
  • Councilmember Whitburn: Acknowledged his role on the CWA board and noted that litigation settlements are facilitating new avenues for water sales. Expressed support for the Municipal Service Review of CWA. Stated that efficiencies at PUD are necessary but pale in comparison to the magnitude of water costs driven by CWA.
  • Council President Lacava: Noted the need for CWA representation at future meetings and confirmed that the IROC (Rates Oversight Committee) reform is being initiated by his office.

Election Law Amendments (Item 201)

  • Councilmember Campbell: Waived a formal presentation for the second reading of amendments to the San Diego Municipal Code related to elections, noting the item was previously passed 8-0.
  • Council: Approved the amendments unanimously (8-0) to ensure enactment before the nomination period deadline.

Municipal Election Call (Item 202)

  • Staff Presentation: Christina Hernandez (Office of the City Clerk) requested approval to call a municipal primary election for Council Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8, to be held on June 2, 2026, consolidated with the statewide primary. The estimated cost is $1.76 million.
  • Council: Councilmember Campbell moved to approve the recommendation, and Councilmember Von Wolpert seconded. The motion passed unanimously (8-0), with a correction noted regarding the accuracy of the district map displayed.

Removal of Commissioner Alec Bayer (Item 203)

  • Staff Presentation: Vicky Joes (Council President's Office) presented the case to remove Commissioner Alec Bayer from the Commission on Police Practices for cause, citing findings from an Equal Employment Investigations Office (EEIO) report that his conduct created a hostile work environment for staff and violated the CPP's bylaws and the NACOLS Code of Ethics.
  • Commissioner Bayer: Denied all allegations, claiming a deprivation of due process. Argued he was denied access to the full investigation report, cut off from his computer systems (preventing access to emails and video evidence), and that the investigator failed to review available body-worn camera footage from commission meetings. Requested the matter be sent to mediation or arbitration.
  • Councilmember Von Wolpert: Read from the EEO report detailing how Bayer's behavior created an intimidating environment, causing staff to fear speaking up. Emphasized that women staff members were terrified of becoming targets. Expressed strong support for the staff and the need to hold Commissioner Bayer accountable for creating a hostile environment.
  • Councilmember Rivera: Acknowledged the concerning nature of the documented facts while expressing concern about the lack of context for other commissioners and the difficulty of maintaining commission independence during such proceedings.
  • Councilmember Foster: Questions regarding the independence of the EEIO (confirmed it is under Personnel but independent) and the procedural differences between city employees and volunteers. Stressed the need for better training for the Commission on their rights and procedures.
  • Public Testimony:
    • Imani Robinson: Expressed full support for Commissioner Bayer, stating his actions were based on fighting for the commission's independence against staff overreach.
    • Lupe: Expressed support for Commissioner Bayer, alleging that the bylaws were not followed and that the case should have been presented to the full CPP commission before a vote.
    • Bob Kazuski & Kathy: Expressed support for due process, stating the accused deserves full access to records and a fair defense, though they lacked specific knowledge of the case details.
    • Francine Maxwell: Expressed strong support for Commissioner Bayer, attributing the conflict to his willingness to hold the CPP to a high standard of oversight and criticizing the interim executive director and others.
  • Deliberation: Council President Lacava noted that procedural due process was provided via notice and an opportunity to be heard, distinguishing this from an evidentiary court hearing. Staff confirmed the process followed City Code Section 26.1106.
  • Vote: Councilmember Campbell moved for removal for cause; Councilmember Whitburn seconded. The motion passed unanimously (8-0).

Key Outcomes

  • Financial Outlook: The Council acknowledged the severe strain on the Public Utilities system due to CWA rate hikes and accepted the proposed deferral of 62 CIP projects to maintain rate stability. No immediate vote was required as it was an informational item, but the path for future rate setting was established.
  • Election Amendments: Amendments to Chapter 2 of the Municipal Code regarding elections were unanimously approved (8-0).
  • Election Call: The ordinance calling the June 2, 2026, municipal primary for Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8 was unanimously approved (8-0). The cost is estimated at $1.76 million.
  • Commissioner Removal: Commissioner Alec Bayer was unanimously removed (8-0) from the Commission on Police Practices for cause due to violating the EEO policy, CPP bylaws, and NACOLS Code of Ethics, findings of which created a hostile work environment for staff.
  • Next Steps: An executive director for the CPP is expected to be onboarded within two weeks. The City Council will continue to monitor CWA negotiations and PUD internal efficiencies during the upcoming budget cycle.

Meeting Transcript

True, but that ability to circle that same block over and over again, acting like you're not doing what we all know that you're doing, that every resident on that block knows what they're doing. And the word gets out. The word gets out that that's where you go. I don't want any neighborhood in this city to have that kind of reputation. The people who live in those neighborhoods are good, decent, hardworking people who pay taxes and deserve to have the ability to walk down the sidewalk in their own neighborhood without having their children propositioned by some man in a car. This bill changes that. And police department will take it very seriously, and I heard what the chief said a moment ago. Listen, if this doesn't clean it up, we'll do more. But bottom line is this San Diego is not a place to traffic in children. And if you do it, you're gonna have a police department that's gonna arrest you, and you're gonna have a DA that's gonna prosecute you. Don't do it here. Anyone else? Very good. Thank you all so much for being here. Happy New Year. Be safe out there, everybody. Today we're kicking off my administration's neighborhood homes for all of us, a community-driven effort to add a new kind of housing product thoughtfully across the city. What you see is a collection of townhomes, row homes, flats, and other small-scale homes. These are the kinds of homes that our residents have been asking for. And these are the kinds of homes that will allow the next generations of San Diegans to stay in the neighborhoods they love. This is an invitation to rethink how our neighborhoods can grow and what they can grow into. It's an invitation to welcome home our teachers, our nurses, our small business owners, and our first-time home buyers. Building housing and diversifying the housing party is a critical steps to delivering more affordable options for San Diego residents. Neighborhood homes for all is designed to save time, money, and streamline the building process. And we will do this within the framework of our existing communities. We will do this by giving families the housing options they clearly want. And we will do this by producing homes San Diegans can afford, where they can build a life and build generational wealth in the neighborhoods they grew up in and the communities they love. Neighborhood homes for all of us is the next step in this process. It is an essential step in this process in making sure that San Diego is a city where everyone has a chance to own a home and build a future. These specific projects were selected based on the benefits that they're bringing to the community. So one of the projects is serving seniors. Another has an on-site daycare, and two of the projects are located in our state-designated high or highest resource area, which means that it has a plethora of access to jobs, education, parks, public space, healthy food, and low access to environmental hazards. So from July all the way to November, they were out here trying to get people into some type of shelter option. So by the time that we came out here, there's already been months of outreach occurring. So when we came, that was the day where we were actually going to be getting all the trash, all the people, everything out of here, so it could go back to being what's supposed to be part of the river. Since then, um park rangers have been out here daily. That's been a very big group effort. So park rangers from all units, department wide have been coming out here to patrol. This area right here, it floods. It goes straight into the ocean. We don't want people in this area because when the rains come, the tide goes up, you know, we have to have our police department, our lifeguards, our fire department out here risking their lives for people living out here. So getting them out of this area is very important, not only for them, but for our employees. Because rangers are on top and being consistent with patrolling, the area has stayed consistently clean. It's super rewarding to come out here and see all the wildlife that's that's kind of re-emerged in the area and know that they now have a clean environment to habitate and live their little happy lives. 78 tons of trash, over 1300 pounds of uh hazardous and biohazards remit waste on these islands. So getting all that, but when I see the wildlife that's out here, you see ducks, you see cranes, you see things that we didn't see a year, year and a half ago. That's one of the ways I know that we did good out here is seeing the wildlife returning. This work isn't done. We're still here in the riverbed. We're still engaging individuals.

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