San Diego City Council Meeting: AB 481, Vehicle Lease, Southwest Village Plan - July 6, 2026
San Diego City Council Meeting: AB 481, Vehicle Lease, Southwest Village Plan - July 6, 2026
The San Diego City Council met on July 6, 2026, to consider three major items: the continued use of military-style equipment by the San Diego Police Department under California Assembly Bill 481, a master lease agreement to finance $48.3 million in general fund vehicles and equipment, and the Southwest Village Specific Plan proposing 5,130 homes in Otay Mesa. After public testimony and discussion, the council approved all three items with varying margins.
Item: Military Equipment Report (AB 481)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Several speakers opposed the militarization of police, arguing that equipment prioritizes officer safety over public safety and citing racial disparities in policing.
- One e-comment was received in opposition; none in favor.
- Speakers included Audra, Lori Lipsman, Tony, Joy Asunyata, Natalie Rashke, Amanda, and Blair Beekman.
Discussion Items
- The San Diego Police Department presented that 0.15% of the FY2026 budget is allocated for AB 481-listed equipment, with costs decreasing by approximately $8,000 from 2024 (0.16%) to 2025 (0.15%).
- PRT assists increased from 53 (2024) to 85 (2025).
- The department does not participate in the 1033 program; all equipment is manufactured by civilian companies.
- Councilmember Von Wilpert moved to approve the staff recommendation, noting no new equipment was purchased since last year.
- Councilmember Ila Rivera raised concerns about language allowing flashbangs in "some" mobile field force operations compared to "limited instances" for stingball munitions, and voted no.
- Councilmember Foster questioned compliance with AB 481’s 30-day posting requirement, noting the use policy was posted only 37 days before the hearing but not before a community meeting on June 3, 2026. He voted no, citing procedural issues.
Key Outcomes
- Motion by Councilmember Von Wilpert, seconded by Councilmember Campbell, to approve the staff recommendation passed 7-2, with Councilmembers Ila Rivera and Foster voting no.
Item: Master Lease Agreement for Vehicle Financing (Item 200)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Several speakers opposed increasing city debt, criticized financing through JP Morgan Chase, and raised concerns about the lack of electric vehicle considerations and the 7% interest rate cap.
- Speakers included Maximilian Schmidt, Amanda, Tony, Natalie Rashke, and Blair Beekman.
Discussion Items
- The Department of Finance presented a master lease with JP Morgan Chase for up to $48.3 million to fund 213 general fund fleet vehicles and equipment, with total debt service of $56.8 million over the life of the agreement.
- Interest rates are estimated at 3.91%–4.1% based on the secured overnight financing rate (SOFR); the ordinance included a 7% not-to-exceed cap.
- Councilmember Moreno expressed unease with the city’s pattern of debt-financing vehicle purchases and voted no.
- Councilmember Von Wilpert raised concerns about the 7% cap being too high and questioned protections against overpaying. She voted no.
- Council President Pro Tem Lee moved the staff recommendation; Councilmember Ila Rivera offered an amendment to reduce the cap to 6%, but Councilmember Whitburn made a substitute motion to retain the original 7% cap, citing market volatility and the need for flexibility. The substitute motion passed.
Key Outcomes
- Substitute motion by Councilmember Whitburn, seconded by Council President Pro Tem Lee, to keep the 7% interest rate cap passed 7-2, with Councilmembers Moreno and Von Wilpert voting no.
Item: Southwest Village Specific Plan (Item 203)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Two organized presentations: Marcella Escobar and Michael Shoemaker (Handler Trust) requested a continuance, arguing the plan’s roadway infrastructure (Bayer Boulevard extension) is flawed and excludes other property owners. They noted the lack of an infrastructure financing plan.
- Additional speakers opposed included Antonio Blas (on behalf of other Oleander Track property owners), Manuel Garcia, Sierra Club’s Michael King (citing climate and transportation analysis gaps), and Audra.
- Supporters included Chrisara Abrams, Jim Whelan, Rob Hickson, and Clarissa Falcon, who praised Tri-Point Homes’ outreach and the plan’s balance of housing and open space.
- The Otay Mesa Community Planning Group and the Planning Commission had both recommended approval.
Discussion Items
- Staff presented the 490-acre project, which includes 5,130 homes, 175,000 sq ft commercial, 35 acres of parks, and 190 acres of open space. The plan implements the 2014 Otay Mesa Community Plan.
- Phasing requires the extension of Bayer Boulevard West to be operational before the 700th unit is occupied, with the first vesting tentative map including 920 homes (92 affordable).
- Council President Pro Tem Lee made a motion to approve staff recommendation, noting the project’s long planning history and need for housing.
- Council President La Cava raised concerns about the village core location (parceled among many owners) and the lack of a Caliente Avenue alternative for phasing. He questioned fire access and infrastructure financing, and voted no.
- Councilmember Von Wilpert expressed frustration with promised infrastructure not being built (e.g., Fire Station 48) and worried about fire evacuation. She voted no.
- Councilmember Moreno recused herself due to a financial conflict of interest.
Key Outcomes
- Motion by Council President Pro Tem Lee, seconded by Councilmember Whitburn, to approve the staff recommendation passed 6-2, with Council President La Cava and Councilmember Von Wilpert voting no. Councilmember Moreno recused.
Non-Agenda Public Comment
- Speakers addressed dog waste enforcement, sewage issues in the Tijuana River Valley, mental health support for targeted individuals, deaths at a homeless shelter, immigration policy, marijuana regulation, ALPR vendor concerns, and support for SB 926 on nitrous oxide misuse.
Meeting Transcript
Seek San Diego County approval for the continued use of military-style equipment as defined in California State Assembly Bill 481. To outline and explain the uses for current equipment being utilized by the San Diego Police Department and to outline the equipment described in the State Assembly Bill 481 currently utilized by the department is needed to maintain public safety and the highest quality of police service to all our communities. Only 0.15% of the adopted fiscal year 2026 SDPD department budget is allocated for equipment listed in Assembly Bill 481.15% of the LK budget. Budget comparison, the annual budget for military equipment costs decreased by approximately $8,000. Therefore, the percentage of the annual budget for military equipment for 2024 was 0.16%, and in 2025 was 0.15%. The number of SWAT PRT assist calls and the use of specialty munitions such as pepperballs and OC foggers increased from 2024. This year is 2024 to versus 2025 use comparison of all of our SWAT call-outs. In 2024, we had 19 COD 11s and 16 and so forth on the table here. Our PRT assists increase from 53 in 2024 to 85 and 2025. Our goal of the presentation is to emphasize that the San Diego Police Department does not participate in the 1033 program for procuring surplus military equipment. The last piece of equipment the department received from this program was an unmanned robot, and that was returned in March of 2020. The items listed in the SDPD annual military equipment report are all manufactured by civilian companies. The acquisition and implementation of each tool stems from incidents where lives are lost, and an important equipment need was identified. The overall purpose of their use is de-escalation, standoff distance, safety, and most importantly, the preservation of human life. The majority of the equipment described in Assembly Bill 481 is utilized exclusively by the SDPD SWAT team. The mission of the STPD SWAT team is to use training, sound tactical planning, and equipment to bring a safe resolution to critical incidents. The SDPD SWAT team maintains the highest level of operational readiness through the development of sound tactical strategies and innovative training programs. The STPD SWAT team is always used by the department as a de-escalation tool. Only certain specific exigen circumstances will dictate early aggressive tactical action, a vast majority of all SWAT calls and with a peaceful resolution. The primary response team or PRT officers is 365 days a year, 24 hours a day coverage in the field. The PRT concept was adopted by the SDPD after the Crandall Street Tragedy in June of 1981. The primary mission is emergency citizen and officer rescues. Our special response team officers, SRT, is a minimum of a team leader and six officers on call at all times. The SRT concept was adopted by the SDPD after the McDonald's restaurant tragedy in July of 1984. The primary mission is hostage rescue and complex armed barricaded suspect response. SWAT sniper team, we have two team leaders and 12 officers fully staffed, highly trained officers that provide overwatch protection at large events. Snipers also provide the SWAT team a greater standoff distance and observation capability at critical incidents. SWAT snipers are assigned to large events to protect citizens against an attack like what occurred at the Las Vegas Harvest Festival in October of 2017. The primary goal is to protect citizens against a sniper base or active shooter type attack. SCPD SWAT team complying with a surveillance ordinance. Equipment utilized by the San Diego Police Department and exclusively by the STPD SWAT team complies with the transparent and reasonable use surveillance technology, the surveillance ordinance adopted by the city of San Diego on September 9, 2022. I'll go over some of our equipment. The armored rescue vehicles. We have one two-door armor rescue vehicle and one four-door armor rescue vehicle. Provides a high-level ballistic protection for rescue team when dealing with armed suspects. Their armor rescue vehicles are not equipped with any of fixed weapons and are utilized by the SWAT team as a defensive tool, ballistic protection during citizen and officer rescues, etc. The four-door armor rescue vehicle is equipped with viable chemical, radiological, and nuclear detection equipment and a fresh air breathing system. This allows officers a safe access into a potentially hazardous environment to affect a citizen or officer rescue. And this here is a picture of one of our barricades on our armored rescue vehicle. The unmanned aircraft systems or UAS. The UAS systems utilized by the department can assist at any incident where an aerial perspective would be beneficial. UAS are only used during critical incidents and high risk operations with authorization from the chief of police. ULAS allows SWAT officers to obtain a view of an area without sending an officer to an unclear, dangerous position where a robot has limited or no access. UES are only used by officers that have completed certification course and have attended continuous training for safe operation. All the UAS and SDP inventory can be legally purchased by civilians. Picture of a couple of our EOS equipment. SWAT officers only have down defense semi-automatic AR-15 rifles. Our SWAT snipers only have the accuracy international 308 caliber bolt action rifle, and ammunition is listed in the report associated with each weapon system. Pepper ball launchers. Pepper ball launchers are used only by SWAT officers, used to deploy an extended range pepper ball in response to an assaultive or active resistant suspect.
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