OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

San Diego City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, April 7, 2026
BodySan Diego, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 7, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:38:17

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

For example, Richie Burgos from the Latin Lawriders.

0:06

Landlord as being one of the pioneers.

0:09

Probably the oldest lawrider car club here in San Diego.

0:15

In our research, we found that there were other car clubs prior to the land of lawriders.

0:21

But we gotta think in terms that most of those clubs were mixed.

0:25

Mixed meaning it was a mixture of lawwriters, customs, hard rods, and so forth.

0:32

Just the fact that in the 50s and 60s, the fact that you had a car, you were already cool.

0:40

But the evolution of law riding that started developing, particularly in the 60s here in the late 60s, the land lawriders was a pioneer club that actually brought it to light.

0:54

Some of those pioneers are here with us.

0:56

I know Victor Perez is here from Atlanta's recognition and respects to that.

1:19

Other brothers that are here, some that are not, are people from Brown Image.

1:41

He designed that plaque for Brown Image back in 1969, 1970, somewhere in that arena.

1:48

Once again, our compliments to those folks.

1:58

Also was instrumental, at least for us in the SAPA, was an icon.

2:03

And the names goes on and on.

2:07

Few people though, few people, a handful of people that I could say in my 50 something years of being a lawwriter, as somebody that has never left.

2:18

There's many people that were active in the 70s, they disappeared for 34 years, then they come back.

2:26

And that's fine.

2:28

But there's very few people that have stood that have been consistent throughout the years.

2:34

Some of those folks, some of our here, some are not.

2:38

I know that I wish Massa was here.

2:40

Steve Wade Massa, he's here was a he's been a consistent uh lawrider for more than 50 years.

2:48

He's in the hospital right now with Wishamara Love and his recruiting for health.

2:55

Uh David Aguilar, I know he's around here someplace.

2:58

He's been consistent.

2:59

He's another consistent person that has been here, never left, always was here.

3:05

And the names could go on and on.

3:07

I apologize for not mentioning everybody.

3:11

I would like to acknowledge every single lawrider that brought their cars here today.

3:17

For me to name them, we'll be here all night.

3:21

But there were they are 22, now actually 20 because two didn't make it, unfortunately.

3:29

Two cars didn't make it, the cars were coming from out of town.

3:32

And we have programmed 22 cars to be here, but we got 20.

3:37

To all those 20 people, thank you.

3:40

Thank you for being here.

3:41

Thank you for supporting.

3:43

In the lawriders, aquí estamos todavía.

3:46

Aqui estamos y no nos vamos.

3:49

Gracias.

3:50

I hope you enjoy this privilege, this honor to be recognized at this level by the United Postal Service.

3:58

In behalf of all the lawriders here in San Diego and throughout the world, muchas gracias.

4:14

Now you're here for something truly special.

4:22

These are students who are remarkable.

4:26

They've done a couple events for me for the community.

4:29

And there are you could hire them for quizaras.

4:33

Weddings, divorce parties.

4:35

I'm kidding.

4:36

Alright, Mariachi Aguila.

6:01

Lowrider culture is representative of Chicana and Chicano Mexican American culture.

6:07

These are creative expressions that are thoughtfully practiced.

6:12

Often described as low and slow.

6:14

Low riders are built for show, not for speed.

6:17

Car culture low riders are more than simply beautiful vehicles, although they are clearly that.

6:23

They are arts, they are design, they are engineering, they are culture, they are our community.

6:29

And while they were once criminalized for being a part of this community, now we celebrate it with a USP as stamp, everybody.

6:36

That's incredible.

6:37

Today's stamp unveiling affirms the culture, artistic, and historic impact of the Lowrider movement, especially in this community.

6:46

One, two, and three more.

6:47

It's an important goal of the Postal Services Stamp Program to raise awareness and honor the people, places, and things that represent the very best of our nation.

6:57

As Chicanos from this neighborhood, as Mexican Americans, how we identify with that.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████████████████████42%
Immigration██████████████14%
Public Comment████████████12%
Public Safety██████6%
Arts And Culture█████5%
Fiscal Sustainability█████5%
Housing█████5%
Parks and Recreation███3%
Transit-Oriented Development██2%
Summary of Proceedings

San Diego City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026

The San Diego City Council met on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, beginning at approximately 9:00 AM. The meeting included proclamations, approval of a consent agenda containing numerous appointments and ordinances, and a discussion item on a lease agreement with the YWCA. The meeting was adjourned early during non-agenda public comment due to loss of a quorum.

Proclamations

  • Item 30: Proclaimed La Jolla Shores 60th Anniversary Day, recognizing the community’s volunteer efforts since 1966.
  • Item 31: Proclaimed April 10, 2026 as Francisco Castrita Day, honoring his 42 years of service with the city’s Park and Recreation Department.
  • Item 32: Proclaimed April 7, 2026 as Alice de la Torre Day, recognizing her decades of work as an educator and community leader in San Ysidro.
  • Item S501: Proclaimed April 19–25, 2026 as National Infertility Awareness Week, highlighting the struggles of those facing infertility and pregnancy loss.
  • Item S502: Recognized (topic unclear from transcript – likely related to teachers/education).
  • Item S504: Honored the Delta Epsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity on its 75th anniversary in San Diego.

All proclamations were moved and approved by voice vote.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 54 (Second Reading of the Due Process and Safety Ordinance): Passed as part of the consent agenda. The ordinance establishes constitutional guardrails requiring judicial warrants for federal access to non-public city facilities, prohibits enforcement based on protected characteristics, and mandates know-your-rights education. Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera noted it applies to all residents, regardless of immigration status.
  • Item 107: Approved $4.2 million in state grants for Phase 1 of Grove Neighborhood Park in Otay Mesa-Nestor, delivering play areas, picnic spaces, lighting, and walkways.
  • Item 108: Approved a correction to the third addendum of the convention center management agreement (Councilmember Campbell voted no on this item).
  • Items 110–120: Approved numerous appointments and reappointments to city boards and commissions, including:
    • International Affairs Board (Miriam Mendoza appointed; Lucas Coleman, Benjamin Eastman, Juan Carlos Rivas Garcia, Heidi Nuff, Dr. Shar Shazrod, and Dr. Luke Lenine reappointed).
    • Audit Committee (Tufik Tabachori reappointed).
    • Airports Advisory Committee (John Embry and Merle Richmond appointed; Chase Franzen, Ron Lee, and Peter Doft reappointed).
    • Youth Commission (Parsa Arya Avaz and Jackson Turner appointed).
    • Privacy Advisory Board (Matt Stamper and Ted Wamak reappointed).
    • Resiliency Advisory Board (Ian Clampett and Erica Morgan reappointed).
    • Parks and Recreation Board (Jeremy Bloom, Danielle Lehman, and Judith Munoz reappointed).
    • Historical Resources Board (Christy Byers, Rami Cortez, Michael Province, Melissa Sophia, and Melanie Woods reappointed).
    • Board of Library Commissioners (Patricia Williams Bevlin, Sarah Moga, Mark Tren, and Scott Walter reappointed).
    • Commission on the Status of Women (Marilyn Carrill, Wendy Arishima Khan, Gail Fritz, and Carla Nesbitt Stokes reappointed).
    • San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (Lydia Ball appointed).
  • The consent agenda passed 8–0, with Councilmember Campbell voting no on item 108, and Council President Pro Tem Kent Lee absent.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • On Proclamations: Several speakers criticized the council’s use of proclamations as hypocritical, citing ignored community letters (e.g., La Jolla Shores Association) and insufficient attention to issues like child sexualization in schools and vaccine-related infertility. One speaker, Andrea Ebbing, shared personal trauma from an alleged police assault and called for due process for all victims.
  • On Consent Items (Item 54 – Due Process): Numerous speakers expressed strong support, including representatives from Immigrant Defenders Law Center, Alliance San Diego, San Diego Labor Council, San Diego Immigrants’ Rights Consortium, PANA, the LGBT Community Center, and Our Time to Act. They argued the ordinance protects vulnerable communities, rebuilds trust, and provides transparency. A few speakers opposed the ordinance, calling it unnecessary or claiming it ignores the rights of other victims (e.g., U.S. citizens harmed by police). One speaker, Hector, urged deportation of undocumented immigrants. Patricia Dearman questioned whether the ordinance would protect people like her brother, who was killed by police.
  • On Consent Items (Other): Blair Beekman raised concerns about the cost of photocopying contracts and praised the city’s efforts on smart water meters. Catherine Rhodes questioned the funding source for East Village Green and urged the city to put costs on the Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule.
  • On Item S503 (YWCA Lease): Speakers generally supported the lease, noting the importance of transitional housing for women and children. Andrea Ebbing suggested the city should also focus on revenue-generating venues like the Starlight Amphitheater. Allegedly Audra criticized the lack of oversight at the YWCA’s current site, alleging code violations and safety issues. Blair Beekman suggested considering smaller neighborhood-based tent cities instead of large encampments. Catherine Rhodes supported the lease but noted a contrast with the San Diego Housing Commission’s 8.8% rent increase for seniors and disabled residents.

Discussion Item: S503 – YWCA Lease Agreement

  • Staff presented a 10-year lease with one five-year option (total potential term 15 years) for a city-owned property used by the YWCA of San Diego County for transitional housing and supportive services for survivors of domestic violence. The annual rent is $4,827.50 with a 3.5% increase, and the lessee covers all maintenance. The property is valued at $3.6 million. The city waived the market rent appraisal requirement due to the significant public benefit.
  • The council voted to approve the lease. The vote was recorded as 7–2, but the council president stated it passed unanimously, with Councilmembers Lee and Campbell absent. (Note: The transcript contains a discrepancy between “7–2” and “unanimous” – the official vote count may be 7–0 among those present.)

Key Outcomes

  • Six proclamations were approved.
  • The consent agenda passed, including the Due Process and Safety Ordinance, multiple appointments, and funding for Grove Neighborhood Park.
  • The YWCA lease was approved for a 10-year term.
  • The meeting was adjourned early during non-agenda public comment after the city council lost a quorum (Councilmember Whitburn noted the lack of a quorum and adjourned).

Meeting Transcript

For example, Richie Burgos from the Latin Lawriders. Landlord as being one of the pioneers. Probably the oldest lawrider car club here in San Diego. In our research, we found that there were other car clubs prior to the land of lawriders. But we gotta think in terms that most of those clubs were mixed. Mixed meaning it was a mixture of lawwriters, customs, hard rods, and so forth. Just the fact that in the 50s and 60s, the fact that you had a car, you were already cool. But the evolution of law riding that started developing, particularly in the 60s here in the late 60s, the land lawriders was a pioneer club that actually brought it to light. Some of those pioneers are here with us. I know Victor Perez is here from Atlanta's recognition and respects to that. Other brothers that are here, some that are not, are people from Brown Image. He designed that plaque for Brown Image back in 1969, 1970, somewhere in that arena. Once again, our compliments to those folks. Also was instrumental, at least for us in the SAPA, was an icon. And the names goes on and on. Few people though, few people, a handful of people that I could say in my 50 something years of being a lawwriter, as somebody that has never left. There's many people that were active in the 70s, they disappeared for 34 years, then they come back. And that's fine. But there's very few people that have stood that have been consistent throughout the years. Some of those folks, some of our here, some are not. I know that I wish Massa was here. Steve Wade Massa, he's here was a he's been a consistent uh lawrider for more than 50 years. He's in the hospital right now with Wishamara Love and his recruiting for health. Uh David Aguilar, I know he's around here someplace. He's been consistent. He's another consistent person that has been here, never left, always was here. And the names could go on and on. I apologize for not mentioning everybody. I would like to acknowledge every single lawrider that brought their cars here today. For me to name them, we'll be here all night. But there were they are 22, now actually 20 because two didn't make it, unfortunately. Two cars didn't make it, the cars were coming from out of town. And we have programmed 22 cars to be here, but we got 20. To all those 20 people, thank you. Thank you for being here. Thank you for supporting. In the lawriders, aquí estamos todavía. Aqui estamos y no nos vamos. Gracias. I hope you enjoy this privilege, this honor to be recognized at this level by the United Postal Service. In behalf of all the lawriders here in San Diego and throughout the world, muchas gracias. Now you're here for something truly special. These are students who are remarkable. They've done a couple events for me for the community. And there are you could hire them for quizaras. Weddings, divorce parties. I'm kidding. Alright, Mariachi Aguila. Lowrider culture is representative of Chicana and Chicano Mexican American culture. These are creative expressions that are thoughtfully practiced.

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