San Diego City Council Meeting - August 31, 2026
San Diego City Council Meeting - August 31, 2026
The San Diego City Council convened on August 31, 2026, at 18:15 UTC (morning session) and reconvened at 2 p.m. for the afternoon session with six council members present. The meeting addressed two major contract items: an amendment to a sole source contract with OpenGov Inc. for pavement management software, and a five-year contract with Vulcan Materials Company for asphalt supply. Both items passed unanimously (6-0). The meeting also included closed session, public comments on various topics, and non-agenda public comment.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Closed Session Public Comment: Francine Maxwell and a virtual speaker (Natalie Rashke) expressed strong support for the Independent Budget Analyst (IBA) office, praising its work and independence. Francine Maxwell urged continued high evaluations for the IBA. Natalie Rashke also commented on the need for transparency in litigation items.
- Item 200 – OpenGov Contract: Public speakers included Blair Beekman (wished luck with contract issues), Audrey (opposed, citing ties to billionaires and data risks), Maximilian Schmidt (opposed, linking OpenGov to political bias and alleged conspiracy), Bradley (Hector – opposed, suggested halting contract and using funds for streets and bathrooms), Bob Kazuski (opposed, criticized lack of planning and sole source), and Natalie Rashke (opposed, suggested using AI instead).
- Item S400 – Vulcan Asphalt Contract: Speakers included Blair Beekman (noted heat absorption issues with black asphalt), Audrey (criticized street repair quality and monopoly), and Maximilian Schmidt (opposed, claiming construction noise is part of a depopulation plot).
- Non-Agenda Public Comment: Multiple speakers addressed: conditions at safe sleeping sites (Paul Scallon Jr. – complained about property loss and staff negligence); child protection (Maria Alicia Hungate – criticized leniency toward molesters); surveillance (Anthony Ralphs – raised privacy concerns with Flock ALPR cameras and reported data retention policies); tent city operations (Anna – questioned power imbalances); retaliation (Audrey – stated that participants fear retaliation); Midway project (Lori Saldaña – opposed building in floodplain); secondhand smoke (Terri Ann Skelly and Barbara Gordon – urged stricter policies); overdose prevention (Madison – requested more youth prevention); substance abuse (Judy String – discussed co-use of THC and nicotine); Tijuana sewer (Bradley/Hector – urged state action and proposed asphalt plant at river); Torrey Pines Gliderport (Bob Kazuski – read letters from local groups requesting advisory board and insurance for solo flyers).
Discussion Items
- Item 200 – Amendment to Sole Source Contract with OpenGov Inc.: The Transportation Department requested a one-year extension with one optional year to continue using OpenGov’s Cartograph pavement management software. Staff explained that the software is specialized and replacing it would disrupt the ongoing citywide pavement condition assessment. The IBA (Jordan Moore) noted that earlier concerns about sole sourcing and timeline had been addressed: the contract now covers only the time needed to conduct a competitive RFP (up to two years) and an RFI was performed. Council President Lacava and Council President Pro Tem Lee thanked staff and the IBA for adjustments. The motion to approve staff recommendation passed 6-0.
- Item S400 – Award of Five-Year Contract with Vulcan Materials Company: The Transportation Department requested authorization for a five-year as-needed asphalt contract with a not-to-exceed amount of $60 million, up from $20 million due to increased in-house mill and pave work. Staff noted that a monthly oil price index adjustment factor was included to avoid large contingencies. The IBA (Sean Harris) provided analysis; while the contract was the sole responsive bid (since 2012), the structure was designed to buffer price swings. Councilmember Foster expressed concern about only one bidder and questioned lack of regional price comparison, but ultimately voted with the majority. Councilmember Whitburn made the motion, which passed 6-0.
Key Outcomes
- Item 200 (OpenGov Contract Extension): Approved unanimously (6-0; Councilmembers Moreno, Von Wilper, and Campbell absent). The contract is extended for one year with a one-year option, adding up to $237,000, for a total not-to-exceed $777,000. Staff will proceed with a competitive RFP for a long-term solution.
- Item S400 (Vulcan Materials Asphalt Contract): Approved unanimously (6-0; same absentees). The five-year contract is awarded for a not-to-exceed $60 million, with monthly oil price adjustments. The city clerk will provide information on alternative bidders and regional price comparisons at a future date.
- Closed Session: The city attorney reported nothing to report.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good morning. I will now call the city council meeting on Monday, August thirty first, thirty-first, twenty twenty-six to order. Deputy Clerk, please call the role. Council Member Whitburn. Here. Councilmember Foster. Here. Councilmember Von Wilper. Council Member Council President Pro Tem Lee. Here. Councilmember Campio. Here. Councilmember Moreno. Councilmember Ilo Rivera. And Council President Lacaba. Present. Also attending the meeting are City Attorney Heather Ferber, Independent Budget Analyst Charles Modica, and myself, your city, your Deputy City Clerk, Kevin Smith. All right. Thank you, Deputy Clerk. Quorum is now present. We will begin this morning with an invitation by Deputy Clerk Smith, followed with the land acknowledgement and the pledge of allegiance led by Councilmember Whitburn. Grant those who hold office in the city the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice. That was steadfast purpose. They may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of all people. We respectfully acknowledge that the Kubiai nation are the original inhabitants of the unceded layout downdo to San Diego. Despite enduring the horrors of genocide and colonization, the Cobaye spirit remains unbroken. We honor the resilience of their ancestors who fought to protect their culture at Layab. Today they carry their legacy forward, ensuring that their traditions continue to thrive in gratitude and strength. We stand with the Kubi Nation, connected to our past and committed to a thriving future. Please face the flag. Place your head over your heart. Ready, begin. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God. I will now 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. 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. All right, thank you, Deputy Clerk. And a friendly reminder that non-agenda public comment that we will hold at the end of the afternoon session is an opportunity to speak on anything under the city's purview. But when we talk when you speak to docket items, please stay on topic of that documented item. With that, Deputy Clerk, please read the closed session item into the record items into the record. Thank you, Council President. Conference with legal counsel, existing litigation, pursuant to California government code 54956.9 D1. CS1, Anna Grace Tapia versus City of San Diego and Robert Eichelberger. Public employment employment performance evaluation pursuant to California government code section 54957B1. CS2 title independent budget analyst. All right, thank you. And before we proceed with public comment, I just want to give a public apology to Miss Maxwell, who was uh detained downstairs. There was some confusion with new security folks down there about whether we were having a meeting.
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