Special City Council Meeting on July 13, 2026: Appointments, Contract, and Closed Session
Special City Council Meeting on July 13, 2026: Appointments, Contract, and Closed Session
The San Diego City Council held a special meeting on July 13, 2026, beginning in the morning with closed session and public comment, then recessing and reconvening at approximately 2:00 PM for an afternoon session. The afternoon agenda included appointments to the Commission on Police Practices (CPP), a sole source contract amendment for pavement management software (OpenGov Cartograph), and non-agenda public comment. The meeting concluded with an adjournment in memory of journalist Kelly Davis.
Closed Session Public Comments (Morning)
- Maximilian Schmidt spoke on closed session items (SCS1, SCS3, SCS5, SCS7), requesting that the city and courts suspend proceedings until a public service announcement and discussion item are created regarding alleged 'cult group rituals' that he said cause harassment and confusion.
- Joy Sanyata (remote) commented on items 1, 3, 5, and 7, expressing concerns about ADA sidewalk safety, urging a balanced settlement for flooding litigation, supporting continued defense of the Navy channel case, and noting potential risks from the parking ticket case.
- Blair Beekman (remote) discussed each item, suggesting tech accountability could help mediate ADA issues, acknowledging city faults in flooding, hoping the Port Authority could assist with the Navy dispute, and praising equity practices for parking tickets.
Housing Authority Closed Session Public Comment
- Maximilian Schmidt repeated his request regarding cult group rituals, urging a pause on housing authority cases.
- Joy Sanyata expressed appreciation for the Brown Act and voiced an 'unsettled feeling' about the closed session decision, blessing the process.
Discussion Item 601: Appointments to the Commission on Police Practices
Candidates presented two-minute statements, followed by council questions. Councilmember Von Wilpert asked each candidate how they would remain impartial and unbiased. Candidates responded with emphasis on fact-finding, listening, and objectivity. Councilmember Whitburn asked Emanuel Barrera (remote) about his ability to fairly evaluate cases involving automated license plate readers (ALPRs) given his past concerns; Barrera stated his personal opinion would not cloud his judgment.
Public Comment:
- Armando Flores (CPP Vice Chair) spoke on behalf of the commission, noting that for the first time the CPP conducted its own recruitment and nomination process. Twenty-one people applied; six nominees were put forward. He urged council to seriously consider all nominees.
- Maximilian Schmidt shared personal experiences of alleged police abuse and mind-reading harassment, requesting accountability.
- Allegedly Audra questioned the timing of background checks after appointments and criticized council for perceived lack of authority to enforce accountability.
- Yusuf Miller (Saving Lives in Custody California) urged approval of all nominees to ensure a full commission, citing San Diego's history of police violence and the need for oversight.
- Several remote speakers endorsed specific candidates, including Rashida Hamid and the student representative.
Balloting Results (multiple rounds):
- District 8 seat: Jesus Martin Gallegos Munoz appointed (9 votes in first round).
- Youth seats (two, term ending 2027): Kelly Brusher (7 votes) and Ariane Dixit (5 votes) appointed.
- Low/Moderate Income (term ending 2027): Scott Rodriguez (5 votes) appointed; James Tyler Ruland (4 votes) also appointed in subsequent round.
- Low/Moderate Income (term ending 2028): Francisco Peralta Vargas (5 votes) appointed; Rashida Lamar Hamid (5 votes) appointed after a later ballot.
- At-Large seats (two, term ending 2028): Michael Allen Falken (6 votes) and Crystal Van Dyck (4 votes after three rounds) appointed.
All appointments are contingent on background checks. Council thanked all candidates and the CPP for their work.
Discussion Item 602: Sole Source Contract Amendment for OpenGov Cartograph (Pavement Management Software)
Transportation Department staff presented a request to extend the existing five-year sole source contract (expiring September 8, 2026) for an additional five years, adding ~$659,000 to the ~$540,000 contract (total ~$1.2 million). The software is used for pavement condition assessments, deterioration modeling, and public-facing maps. Staff cited operational continuity and the upcoming pavement condition assessment as reasons for a sole source extension.
Independent Budget Analyst (IBA) Comments: Charles Modica raised concerns about timing (the request was made to council with short notice) and the lack of a competitive process (RFI). He recommended approving a shorter extension (e.g., two years) while the department conducts an RFI to test the market.
Public Comment:
- Maximilian Schmidt suggested redirecting funds to pressure wash sidewalks downtown.
- Allegedly Audra questioned the sole source process and potential data privacy risks from OpenGov.
- Paul Kruger thanked the IBA for oversight and urged council to address concerns.
- Joy Sanyata supported the contract but emphasized the importance of IBA oversight.
- Hector (remote) suggested letting the contract expire and using community input for road priorities.
- Tony (remote) appreciated learning about the process and supported the IBA's recommendations.
- Kathleen Lippett questioned why Caltrans isn't responsible for street management.
- Judy Strang urged council to delay the vote until more information is available, and suggested a citizen advisory committee for road priorities.
Council Deliberation: Council President LaCava moved to return the item to staff for further review and to conduct an RFI, with a request to redocket it shortly after legislative recess (August 24-25). The motion was seconded by Councilmember Ilo Rivera. Several council members expressed frustration with the timeline and the lack of competitive outreach. Councilmember Von Wilpert noted liability costs from poor roads and voted against the original extension. Councilmember Whitburn supported returning to staff, noting that an RFI costs nothing and should be standard policy. Councilmember Campbell supported a policy change to start contract renewals 12 months prior. The motion passed unanimously 7-0 (Council Members Moreno and Campillo absent).
Non-Agenda Public Comment
Multiple speakers addressed various topics:
- Mission Bay Restrooms: Kate Callan, Paul Kruger, and others urged the council to restore $546,000 in funding to keep 13 restrooms open, citing public health concerns, especially for families and people with medical conditions. Suggestions included cutting other spending or using the Golf Enterprise Fund.
- Cannabis and Road Safety: Several speakers (Terry Ann Skelly, Barbara Gordon, Becky Rapp, Madison) opposed expanded marijuana access, citing increased potency, addiction, and impaired driving risks.
- Police Oversight: Francine Maxwell and others called for a hearing on the Sergeant Art Scott settlement and broader police accountability.
- Smoke-Free Outdoor Dining: Cynthia Knapp and Jeanette Sanchez advocated for a comprehensive smoke-free outdoor dining policy, noting health risks from secondhand smoke and toxic residue.
- Environmental Concerns: Eric Fletcher objected to a permit for the La Jolla Bluffs Odor Abatement Program, alleging years of unpermitted spraying harmful to marine life.
- Tech Accountability: Blair Beekman discussed ALPR use and community input processes.
- Other: Christine Wellbourne criticized bathroom closures and new trash truck clearance issues; Tony praised the council for saving group presentations.
Key Outcomes
- Closed Session: Council voted unanimously (9-0) to initiate litigation on item 4; the city attorney reported that details will be disclosed upon request after litigation is formally commenced.
- Commission on Police Practices: Eleven new commissioners were appointed across district, at-large, low/moderate income, and youth categories. Background checks are pending.
- OpenGov Contract: The item was returned to staff for an RFI and further review, to be brought back in late August or early September 2026.
- Adjournment in Memory: The council honored journalist Kelly Davis, whose investigative reporting on in-custody deaths led to state reforms. She passed away after a long battle with cancer.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good morning. I will now call the special city council meeting on Monday, July thirteenth, twenty twenty six to order. Clerk, please call the role. Council Member Whitburn. Here. Council Member Foster. Council Member Von Wolper. Present. Council President Pro Tim Lee. Here. Council Member Campillo. Council Member Moreno. Council Member Elo Rivera. And Council President Lacava. Present. Also attending the meeting, our city attorney Heather Ferber, independent budget analyst, Charles Modica, and myself, your city clerk, Deanna Fuentes. Thank you, Council President. Alright, thank you, City Clerk. Quorum is now present. We will begin this morning with an invocation by Clerk Fuentes, followed with a land acknowledgement and the pledge of allegiance led by Council Member Whitburn. Grant those who hold office in this city the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice, that with steadfast purpose they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of all people. We respectfully acknowledge that the Cubia nation are the original inhabitants of the unceded land, now notice San Diego. Despite aduring the horrors of genocide and colonization, the COBIA spirit remains unbroken. We honor the resilience of their ancestors who fought to protect their culture and land. Today they carry their legacy forward, ensuring that their traditions continue to thrive in gratitude and strength. We stand with the COBIA Nation connected to our past and committed to a thriving future. Please face the flag. One nation under God. With that, City Clerk, please go over how the public can offer their testimony. Thank you, Council President. I'd like to highlight the slide on the screen that reviews how the public can offer their public testimony during today's meeting. If you are in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of chambers and bring it to the front of the room. For those that have submitted, we do not have any uh organized presentation submitted for the closed session agenda this morning. No further in-person testimony will be taken once the council begins virtual testimony for better meeting management purposes. Each speaker will have one minute per item per person up to a maximum of three minutes if there are three or more items. Thank you, Council President. All right, thank you for that. And as a reminder, when you're speaking to items on the agenda, please focus your comments on that item. Uh, not agenda public comment is where you can speak more freely, anything under the city's purview. So with that, clerk, please read the closed session items into the record. Thank you, Council President. Conference Legal Council exists in litigation pursuant to California Government Code section 54956.9 D1 is SCS1, Sarah Hazelwood versus Board of Trustees of the Cal State University et al. SCS3, January 22nd, 2024, flooding litigation. Conference with legal counsel anticipated litigation, initiation of litigation, pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9 D4, SCS4, Number of Cases 1, Conference with Legal Council existing litigation pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9 D1, SCS, United States of America versus City of San Diego, SES 6, Condon Johnson and Associates, Inc. et al. versus Flat Iron West et al. And SCS 7, Toya Heiza Welch versus City of San Diego. Thank you, Council President. Alright, thank you. Alright, thank you.
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