San Diego City Council Meeting - June 23, 2026

The San Diego City Council met on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, starting at 9:00 AM and reconvening at 2:00 PM after a noon recess. The meeting covered proclamations, consent items, public comments, and several key agenda items including the solid waste management fee, implementation update, appropriation ordinance, tax appropriations limit, and zoological exhibits tax. The council approved most items with some dissenting votes.

Proclamations

• Pollinator Week (Item 30): Recognized June 22-28, 2026 as Pollinator Week. Council President LaCava highlighted the city's Bee City USA designation and the importance of pollinators. Public speakers included Dr. James Nye (support), Max Schmidt (opposed, citing a conspiracy theory), and others. Approved unanimously.
• Shauna Anderson Day (Item 31): Recognized June 30, 2026 for Shauna Anderson's 26 years of service to the San Dieguito River Park. Approved unanimously.
• Bird Rock Elementary 75th Anniversary (Item S500): Recognized August 26, 2026. Students performed a song. Approved unanimously.
• Mark Davis Day (Item S504): Recognized June 25, 2026 for Mark Davis, retiring librarian at Oak Park Library. Councilmember Foster praised his service. Approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Items 10, 50-52, 100, 101, S501, S502, S503: Approved as a block with a motion by Councilmember Campillo and second by Council President LaCava. Key items included:
  • Item S501 (E-bike safety ordinance): Adopted AB 2234 pilot program, setting minimum age of 12 for Class 1 and 2 e-bikes and prohibiting passengers unless designed for it. Councilmember Campillo moved approval, citing child safety. Councilmember Elo Rivera expressed concerns about disproportionate enforcement on youth of color but supported. Public comment included support from Senator Blakespear's office and Assemblymember Burner's office, and opposition from Leif Genser who argued it restricts children under 12 from safe e-bikes. The ordinance passed as part of the consent agenda.
  • Item 50 (B2G Now contract): Councilmember Foster voted no, stating it replaces a certified Black woman-owned business with a non-certified firm at double the cost.
  • Item 100 (Homeless revenue account appointments): Councilmember Elo Rivera noted the need for lived experience on the committee and said he would not support further appointments until someone with lived experience is appointed. The appointments were approved.
• Vote: Passed with Councilmember Foster voting no on item 50 only.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non-Agenda Public Comment: Several speakers addressed topics including Flock ALPR technology (Anthony Ralphs and Blair Beekman called for accountability and alternatives), cannabis policy (Barbara Gordon and Judy Strang cited health risks), and the Neil Good facility closure (John Ellier criticized the loss of homeless services). Max Schmidt and Audra (Allegedly) also spoke on various conspiracy theories and criticisms of city policies.

Discussion Items

• Item 333: Solid Waste Management Fee on County Tax Roll: Staff presented the report to collect fees via property tax for FY2027. Public hearing held; only 3 protests were received, far below the 112,516 threshold (50%+1 of parcels). Council voted 6-2 to adopt the report, allowing the fee to be collected on the 2026-2027 tax roll. Councilmember Moreno and one other dissented.
• Item 330: Solid Waste Management Implementation Update: Information item. Staff reported on container rollout (259,000 gray containers delivered, 60% of blue containers), customer portal (123,000 accounts), financial assistance program (4,000 applications, 2,300 approved, $63,000 in donations), and upcoming RFID pilot. Councilmembers asked about fund balance (negative but manageable), outreach for financial aid (22 clinics, but Councilmember Moreno urged evening/weekend hours), and diversion efforts. No vote required.
• Item S505: FY2027 Appropriation Ordinance: Final step to codify the adopted budget. Staff presented three modifications: reallocation of CDBG funds, grant authority for city clerk, and removal of obsolete fund. Approved unanimously.
• Item 332: FY2027 Tax Appropriations Limit (Gann Limit): Staff set the limit at $7.03 billion, with actual subject revenues at $1.71 billion. IBA Charles Modica noted the gap illustrates long-term revenue constraints. Councilmember Moreno voted no. Passed 6-1 (two absences).
• Item 331: FY2027 Tax Rate Ordinance for Zoological Exhibits: Maintained the half-cent per $100 assessed value tax, generating an estimated $22.8 million for zoo exhibit maintenance. Public comment included support (Anthony Ralphs) and opposition (Hector suggested sunsetting the tax). Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Proclamations: All four approved unanimously.
• Consent Agenda: Approved with Councilmember Foster voting no on item 50.
• Solid Waste Fee (Item 333): Adopted 6-2; fee will be collected on property tax bills.
• Solid Waste Implementation (Item 330): Received as information; no action taken.
• Appropriation Ordinance (Item S505): Approved unanimously.
• Gann Limit (Item 332): Approved 6-1 (Councilmember Moreno dissenting; two members absent).
• Zoo Tax (Item 331): Approved unanimously.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for Monday, June 29, 2026 at 10:00 AM.