San Diego City Council Meeting Summary - May 12, 2026
San Diego City Council Meeting Summary - May 12, 2026
The San Diego City Council met on May 12, 2026, in a session that lasted from morning until late afternoon. The meeting included proclamations, consent items, debate over a salary ordinance, multiple housing authority actions, and votes on affordable housing projects and homelessness services. Virtual and in-person public comment was heard throughout.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda (items 10-50, 100, 105, 107-109, 111-118, S501-S503) was approved unanimously 8-0, with Councilmember Campillo absent, after item 106 was returned to staff and item 57 (salary ordinance) was also returned to staff following a motion to return. Councilmembers Moreno, Campbell, and Foster initially registered no votes on item 57 over a car allowance for a deputy chief of staff, but the item was subsequently removed from consent for later reconsideration.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-agenda public comment (trailed from previous day): Seven speakers addressed the council. One speaker accused the council of violating the Brown Act by continuing meetings without a quorum. Others urged stronger enforcement against illegal flavored tobacco and kratom sales, and expressed concerns about marijuana's impact on youth and mental health.
- Proclamations (Items 30-34, S500, S504): Multiple community members spoke in support of Older Americans Month, Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Professional Municipal Clerks Week, Building Safety Month, and other recognitions. Speakers highlighted the contributions of seniors, AANHPI communities, and the role of the city clerk. Some speakers criticized the city for not adequately supporting older adults or for approving developments in high-fire zones.
- Consent agenda public comment: Dozens spoke on various items. Several members of the No Shots Fired violence intervention program (including Robert Wood, Alvin Hayes, Jeffrey Reyes) thanked the council for continued funding, sharing personal stories of gun violence and intervention work. Others raised concerns about towing equity, biometric technology, and the Tijuana River pollution crisis.
- Housing authority items: On the Mercado Apartments, one speaker alleged fraud in affordable housing contracts. On the housing authority report, speakers criticized tent city conditions and questioned the effectiveness of homeless services. A speaker representing lived experience praised NAMI's work.
- Item 330 (NAMI): Speakers supported the extension, noting the program's success in moving people from encampments to housing.
- Item 333 (Mid-Coast Transit): One speaker questioned why land was held for 16 years before being vacated.
Discussion Items
- Proclamations: Council President Pro Tem Lee, Councilmember Whitburn, and others spoke in favor of recognizing Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, Youth Symphony Day, Older Americans Month, AANHPI Heritage Month, Professional Municipal Clerks Week, and Building Safety Month. All proclamations were approved unanimously 7-0 (Campillo absent).
- Item 57 – Salary Ordinance (returned): Councilmember Moreno raised concerns about a $475/month auto allowance for the mayor's deputy chief of staff. After discussion, the item was returned to staff to meet a charter deadline, with expectations that the allowance would be removed in a future amendment.
- Housing Authority Item – Mercado Apartments (Item 331/HA3): The council approved a $30.07 million tax-exempt bond to rehabilitate and expand Mercado Apartments in Barrio Logan. The project adds 92 new affordable units (net increase of 80) and extends affordability for 55 years at 30-60% AMI. Councilmember Moreno criticized a letter from a mayoral advisor opposing the project, calling it "ill advice." The motion passed 7-0.
- Housing Authority Item – Hillcrest Hall (Item 332/HA2): A bond authorization for 47 units of 100% deed-restricted affordable housing at Hillcrest. Supported by Councilmember Whitburn, the project is transit-oriented and includes supportive services. Approved 7-0.
- Housing Authority Report (Item HA1): Executive Director Lisa Jones presented an informational report on changes to family contribution amounts in voucher and public housing programs, effective October 1, 2026, due to federal funding shortfalls. Elderly/disabled households will pay 32% of income; workable households will pay 40% or a minimum contribution based on minimum wage. The council thanked staff for their advocacy in Washington and Sacramento.
- Item 330 – NAMI San Diego Agreement: The council approved a first amendment to extend the supportive services contract to June 14, 2027, to align with state encampment resolution fund deadlines. The program has served 129 individuals in the San Diego Riverbed (70 housed) and 99 in the I-15 corridor (43 housed). Approved 7-0 with Districts 5 and 7 absent.
- Item 333 – Mid-Coast Transit Corridor Right of Way Vacation: The council vacated 2.31 acres of dedicated right-of-way near the Balboa Avenue Transit Center, reverting the land to SANDAG. The action relieves the city of maintenance obligations and allows continued transit use. Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Unanimous approvals: All proclamations, consent items (after removal of item 57 and 106), housing authority bonds for Mercado and Hillcrest, NAMI contract extension, and the Mid-Coast Transit vacation passed with near-unanimous support (7-0 or 8-0).
- Item 57 returned to staff: The salary ordinance will return on June 16, 2026, with the expectation that the auto allowance for the mayor's deputy chief of staff will be removed.
- Next meeting: The council adjourned to the next regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 10 a.m.
Meeting Transcript
With the city's housing policies, which are intended to encourage more home development, especially in places that have access to transit and access to jobs. This implements the city's climate goals. Phasing implementation gives us an opportunity to see where the increased density makes the most sense. It also gives us an opportunity to address issues like fire safety, climate resilience, fair housing considerations, and historic resources. Today we are on a business walk in North Park. Business walks give us the opportunity to have face-to-face conversations with business owners in their own space. It often feels a lot more personal than giving uh giving them a call from behind the desk. And as a result of these business walks, we often have the opportunity to solve complex issues, whether it's getting the support of other city departments or other government agencies in the area. Today we are joined by the mayor's office, Councilmember Whitburn's office, as well as North Park Main Street. It's really important when the city government is working together with our neighborhood businesses. There is so much involved in running a business we understand it could be difficult. They're navigating permitting processes, they have questions about uh how to get things done, how to get started, and our city government is there to help. It's there to be a partner. I really appreciate our economic development department because they are working every day to help these small businesses succeed. And when our small businesses succeed, our neighborhoods succeed. The city offers more than half a dozen business incentive programs to help businesses succeed. Some of these programs are one-on-one technical assistance, the storefront improvement program, a revolving loan fund, a the incentive program, as well as an outdoor business grant. Our commercial corridors are part of what makes San Diego such a special place to live and a great place to visit. Our ability to help businesses keep their doors open and provide jobs is a benefit to the general public. Current property owners should aim to make changes by February 2027. Preparedness takes all of us. Visit San Diego.gov slash defensible space. Hi, I'm Bethany Bezek. It takes a lot to keep the eighth largest city running. A lot of buildings, roads, sidewalks, street lights, parks and reservoirs, and a lot of vehicles. In fact, San Diego has more than 5,000 vehicles in its fleet. Think trash trucks, fire engines, and police cars. All of these vehicles need fuel and regular maintenance. But over the past several years, fuel prices have continued to rise, and that's directly impacting San Diego's budget. In fact, for every one cent increase per gallon at the pond, the city's monthly fuel costs rise by 10,000. We know that San Diegans are also feeling the rising impact of prices at home. It's not just our vehicles. Construction and insurance costs have increased dramatically over the past several years, and our city revenues have not kept pace with those rising costs. As we face some difficult budget decisions, we want Sandigans to know that we're listening. We will continue to prioritize public safety and protecting our neighborhoods and work to create a more efficient and effective city government. Good morning and welcome to Council Chambers. Sorry, that was my double echo. Good morning and welcome to Council Chambers. Before the meeting begins, I just wanted to make an announcement to those that are on the virtual queue. If you were on you with your hand raised yesterday on non-agenda public comment before non-agenda public comment virtual got trailed, that will be taken at the beginning of today's session. We did take a screenshot, so we have your names. You will have an opportunity to speak during non-agenda public comment at 10 a.m. as soon as we begin the meeting, and then again at the end of the meeting during non-agenda public comment. So please be sure to raise your hand now if you had your hand raised yesterday during non-agenda public comments period. Thank you, Council President. Thank you, Council President. Councilmember Campbell, Councilmember Whitburn. Here. Councilmember Foster. Here.
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