San Diego City Council Meeting: Consent Agenda and Regular Session - October 26, 2026

The San Diego City Council convened a special meeting on Monday, October 26, 2026, to address its consent agenda before the regular Monday session. The meeting saw unanimous approval of 15 items covering public health, labor protections, infrastructure, and arts funding. The council heard extensive public testimony and held a detailed discussion on the new arts funding model.

Consent Calendar

• All items (600–614) were approved unanimously (8–0, with Councilmember Moreno absent). No items were pulled for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Audrey: Questioned the environmental alignment of a petroleum franchise agreement (Item 605) with the city's Climate Action Plan. Expressed concern that undocumented workers would fear deportation if they reported wage theft under the new ordinance (Item 604). Criticized the handling of the Tijuana River sewage crisis (Item 610), suggesting economic pressure on Mexico. Encouraged creative recycling for items like cigarette butts (Item 602).
• Speaker 8700: Supported the wage theft protections (Item 604) and the wastewater treatment contract (Item 611). Opposed litigation settlements for La Jolla Terrace (Item 607) and another case (Item 608), calling them wasteful. Was 'on the fence' regarding the arts funding policy revisions (Item 613). Questioned whether the Tijuana River emergency (Item 610) has become a normalized state of governance.
• Speaker 3: Discussed Item 607, arguing the La Jolla stormwater settlement highlights systemic infrastructure neglect worsened by climate change. Characterized the Tijuana River pollution (Item 610) as a predictable outcome of past city decisions, not a true emergency. Expressed concerns about groundwater pressure on wastewater pipelines (Item 611).
• Blair Beekman: Supported the smoking ban in outdoor dining (Item 601) but questioned its effect on hookah bars. Questioned the high cost of the footwear contract (Item 602, $7 million). Supported wage theft and wastewater treatment items (Items 604, 611). Called for more collaborative dialogue with Mexico on the Tijuana River issue (Item 610).
• Speaker 5: Expressed strong frustration with government leadership over the Tijuana River pollution (Item 610). Called for tracking lawsuit settlement payouts (Items 607, 608). Characterized the Division of Race and Equity's work on the arts funding policy (Item 613) as 'racist'.

Discussion Items

• Item 601 – Smoking/Vaping in Outdoor Dining (Councilmember Campbell): Campbell presented the ordinance as a public health measure to protect diners and workers from secondhand smoke. She thanked stakeholders for their input. The item received widespread support from council members.
• Item 604 – Wage Theft Ordinance (Councilmember Von Wilpert): Von Wilpert praised the amendments as essential for protecting working families and ensuring all earned wages are paid.
• Item 612 – Surplus Land Declaration (Council President LaCava): LaCava requested the Economic Development Department prioritize leasing the property at 4069 30th Street to leverage it for deeply affordable housing rather than a market-rate sale.
• Item 613 – Arts and Culture Funding Model Revisions: This item was the primary focus of council discussion.
  • Lisa Ann Kim (Division of Race and Equity, IBA): Presented an equity analysis. Noted the shift to 100% upfront payments and a scoring model based 60% on impact and 40% on budget is an equitable change that will benefit smaller, emerging organizations. Recommended the council evaluate the new model's outcomes in the future.
  • Councilmember Campillo: Strongly supported the move toward transparent, impact-focused funding and reduced bureaucracy.
  • Councilmember Foster: Expressed intent to closely monitor the process to ensure small, grassroots organizations in districts like District 4 benefit, noting past failures of inclusion.
  • Council President Pro Tem Lee: Commended the shift to upfront payments as a significant help for smaller organizations.
  • Council President LaCava: Confirmed extensive community outreach was conducted. Acknowledged the policy shift is expected to help smaller organizations, potentially reducing funds for larger institutions. The council will monitor the policy's effectiveness.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Approved Unanimously (8–0): All items were adopted.
• Smoking Ban Enacted (Item 601): A citywide ban on smoking and vaping in outdoor dining areas was passed.
• Wage Theft Ordinance Strengthened (Item 604): Amendments to the wage theft ordinance were approved.
• Arts Funding Policy Revised (Item 613): Revisions to Council Policy 100-3 were adopted, shifting to a more equitable, impact-based funding model.
• Surplus Land Designated (Item 612): 4069 30th Street was declared surplus. Staff was directed to consider leasing for affordable housing.
• Item Rescheduled: Item S401 was moved to Tuesday, October 27, 2026, as Item S510.