San Diego City Council Regular Meeting - October 26, 2026

The San Diego City Council convened on Monday, October 26, 2026. The meeting included a closed session on litigation, the continuance of an agenda item, the Fiscal Year 2026 year-end financial report, approval of new labor standards enforcement fees, initiating the process to overrule an airport land use commission decision, and non-agenda public comment.

Closed Session (Morning)

• The council met in closed session to discuss two lawsuits: Deborah Hartwick vs. City of San Diego (a sidewalk trip-and-fall) and Victoria Hayes et al. vs. City of San Diego (a high-speed police pursuit resulting in the deaths of two young brothers, Malachi and Mason Orasco Romero).
• The City Clerk corrected a typographical error on the closed session date.

Public Testimony on Closed Session Items

• Several commenters expressed deep condolences to the family of the two boys killed in the pursuit and strongly urged the council to settle the case and reform the city's high-speed pursuit policy.
• Commenters on the sidewalk lawsuit criticized the city's maintenance backlog, arguing that deferred repairs lead to costly litigation.
• One speaker requested a highway memorial for the two children.

Continuance of Agenda Item S401

• The council announced that item S401, originally on the agenda, has been continued to Tuesday, October 27, at 10 AM, where it will be heard as item S510. Public comment was taken on the item, but no discussion or action occurred.

Fiscal Year 2026 Year-End Financial Performance Report (Item S400)

• The Department of Finance and the Independent Budget Analyst (IBA) presented the unaudited year-end report.
• Key Data:
  • Revenues ended $4.1 million (0.2%) above and expenditures $10.5 million (0.5%) above third-quarter projections.
  • A $4.7 million draw on the General Fund Stability Reserve is required to balance the budget, the first such draw in recent history.
  • This lowers combined reserves to $202.4 million (10.9% of operating revenues), below the 14.1% policy target.
  • A primary driver is the delay of $7.4 million in Cal OES storm reimbursements, now expected in FY 2027. The city committed to using those funds to replenish the reserve.
  • Property tax revenue decreased due to lower collection rates and a $2.8 million increase in assessment appeal refunds. Risk management reserves declined by $20 million (33%).
• Council Discussion: Council President Pro Tem Lee noted the reserve draw was anticipated in the budget. Council President Lacava praised the finance department's accuracy.
• Public Comment: Speakers questioned the city's spending priorities on homelessness and police overtime given the deficit.

User Fees to Support the Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement (Item 200)

• The council approved two cost recovery fees to fund an additional compliance officer and proactive enforcement of minimum wage and labor laws.
• Fees: 1) Minimum Wage Enforcement Fee increased from $1.47 to $2.82 per covered employee. 2) A new tiered Compliance System Usage Fee ($144.35 to $4,853.24) assessed on prime contractors for city contracts over $15,000.
• Public Comment: Marshall Anderson of the San Diego County Lodging Association expressed support but requested a one-year report back on the fee's implementation and accounting for transparency. Other speakers expressed support for protecting workers' rights.
• Council Action: Councilmember Foster moved the item, seconded by Councilmember Ila Rivera. Council President Lacava requested a dedicated first-year report to build industry confidence. Councilmember Campillo suggested increased penalties for egregious violators to reduce the burden on compliant businesses.
• Vote: Passed 7-0. (Absent: Whitburn, Von Wilbert.)

Overruling the Airport Land Use Commission on Child Care Centers (Item 201)

• The council voted to initiate the formal process to overrule the Airport Land Use Commission's (ALUC) determination of inconsistency in order to allow new child care centers in the MCAS Miramar Transition Zone.
• Context: The change would allow new centers at the same intensity limits already permitted for existing centers (300 people per acre, implemented through a 0.42 Floor Area Ratio). The Transition Zone is an extra buffer created by the ALUC and is not recommended by state or military planning documents.
• Process: This was the first of two required hearings. The item will go to the Planning Commission for a recommendation before returning to the City Council for a final vote, which requires a two-thirds majority.
• Public Comment: Speakers largely opposed the overrule, citing safety risks from the airport's accident potential zone.
• Council Action: Council President Pro Tem Lee moved the item, framing it as a technical fix to address a child care shortage near major employment centers. Councilmember Ila Rivera seconded. Council President Lacava clarified the action is a zoning correction to align new development with existing rules.
• Vote: Passed 6-0. (Absent: Whitburn, Von Wilbert, Moreno.)

Non-Agenda Public Comment

• Residents raised several issues, including: opposition to the city's use of ALPR (Flock) surveillance cameras and calls for civil rights protections; requests to fill vacancies on the Human Relations Commission; complaints about the DMV's 60-day wait for identification cards; support for Red Ribbon Week and youth substance abuse prevention; and criticism of the city's public comment media submission procedures.

Key Outcomes

• FY 2026 Close: Council accepted the report acknowledging a $4.7 million draw on the General Fund Stability Reserve.
• OLSE Fees: New labor standards enforcement fees were approved to fund proactive compliance and enforcement.
• ALUC Overrule: The process was initiated to allow child care centers in the MCAS Miramar Transition Zone.
• Adjournment: The council adjourned to the regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM.