Community and Neighborhood Services Committee Meeting – April 20, 2023
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Community and Neighborhood Services Committee Meeting – April 20, 2023
The Community and Neighborhood Services Committee met on Thursday, April 20, 2023, chaired by Councilmember Campbell. The meeting included approval of prior committee actions, non-agenda public comment, a consent agenda item, discussion and votes on a 10-year animal services contract and lease with the San Diego Humane Society, and informational updates on short-term rental regulations and the age-friendly action plan. Key votes were unanimous.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Committee Actions (March 16, 2023): Approved unanimously.
- Item 1 – Joint Use Agreements with SDUSD: Approval of joint use agreements for Clark Middle, Edison Elementary, Emerson Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Ocean Beach Elementary, and Pershing Middle Schools. Approved unanimously with a motion by Councilmember Campillo and second by Councilmember Whitburn.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-Agenda Public Comments:
- Blair Beekman commented on fentanyl issues related to the San Jose police association and expressed disappointment about limited discussion on government-sponsored encampment ideas at Bobo Park during a previous committee meeting.
- A speaker (phone ending 7968, Joyce from District 3) praised Councilmember Moreno’s remarks on the digital divide and urged action to address it, sharing a personal story about needing a tablet for a housing portal.
- Judy Strang shared results from a countywide tobacco minor decoy operation, noting that 49% of retailers sold to minors in 2022-2023. She urged the city to conduct similar decoy operations for marijuana retailers and revisit tobacco retailer enforcement.
- Public Comments on Items 2 & 3 (Animal Services Lease and Agreement):
- Dr. Gary Weitzman, President and CEO of San Diego Humane Society, expressed support for the contract and lease, highlighting the organization’s commitment and new programs (community veterinary care, 24/7 dispatch).
- Blair Beekman commented positively on the community cat program (spay/neuter and return) and suggested that neighborhood cats help control insects and rodents.
- Public Comments on Item 4 (STR Program Update):
- Jay Goldberg (niceinabors.org) reported that 56% of active entire-unit Airbnb listings appear unlicensed and urged strong platform compliance enforcement. He praised the city’s interactive license map and Get It Done complaint system.
- Joyce Sanyata (District 3) emphasized the importance of compliance and enforcement, especially in Mission Beach, and noted that 5% of tier four licenses received regulatory action notices.
- Public Comments on Item 5 (Age-Friendly Action Plan):
- Joyce Sanyata commended the community engagement process and asked about policy clarity. She recommended reviewing global aging population data to inform local efforts.
Discussion Items
- Items 2 & 3 – 10-Year Public Service Lease and Agreement for Animal Services with San Diego Humane Society:
- Staff (Tim Graham, Parks and Recreation; Matt Oslin, Real Estate) presented a 10-year contract (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2033) with San Diego Humane Society to continue animal sheltering, adoption, lost pet reunification, humane law enforcement, and new programs (community cats, park patrol). Year one cost is $16.8 million (a $1.9 million increase over FY2023), but the city receives over $7 million in additional philanthropic services. The lease for the city-owned shelter at 5480 Gain Street (2.24 acres, 38,000 sq ft) is non-revenue. Councilmember Whitburn questioned the $600 fine for off-leash dog citations; staff explained fines are set by the court but expressed openness to exploring an administrative citation process. Councilmember Campillo noted the $100 one-time consideration fee for the lease and asked about city responsibility for HVAC replacement (carryover from original lease).
- Vote on Item 2 (Lease): Motion by Councilmember Campillo, second by Council President Iler Rivera. Approved unanimously.
- Vote on Item 3 (Agreement): Motion by Councilmember Campillo, second by Chair Campbell. Approved unanimously.
- Item 4 – Short-Term Residential Occupancy (STR) Program Update (Informational):
- Matt Wood (STR Program Manager) reported that as of March 31, 2023, over 6,000 STR licenses had been issued (69 tier 1, 1,463 tier 2, 3,408 tier 3, 1,082 tier 4). Total revenue from application and license fees was $5.25 million; TOT collected reached $42 million. STR program costs to date were $1.7 million. Upcoming work includes a compliance RFP, phase 2 software updates, and a Get It Done complaint system launching May 1, 2023. Chair Campbell noted the five-year effort to pass the ordinance and requested a one-year review. Council President Iler Rivera asked about tracking conversion of STRs to long-term rentals; staff said data is limited but the new license system will help. ADU use as STRs was also discussed; enforcement will address prohibited uses.
- Item 5 – Age-Friendly San Diego Action Plan Update (Informational):
- Deputy Director Gina Doulay and Christy Fenneck (Parks and Recreation) presented progress since the plan’s adoption in December 2021. Key steps included a policy scan, a survey with over 2,100 respondents in five languages, and 17 listening/action planning sessions (one in Spanish, one with individuals experiencing homelessness). Barriers include funding, workforce gaps, and mobilizing partners. Recommendations for 2023-2024 include focusing on mid- and long-term actions, incorporating age-friendly goals into departmental tactical plans, and identifying a citywide contact. Councilmember Campillo noted the importance of senior programming and asked about specific uses of the Opportunity Fund; staff mentioned the Age Well program (lunch, frozen breakfast) and will engage the community further. Chair Campbell highlighted that seniors make up over 25% of the population and advocated for more funding.
Key Outcomes
- Approved unanimously: Committee actions of March 16, 2023; Item 1 (Joint Use Agreements with SDUSD); Item 2 (10-year lease with San Diego Humane Society); Item 3 (10-year animal services agreement with San Diego Humane Society).
- Directive: Staff to prepare an analysis of an administrative citation process for off-leash dog violations before the item goes to full council.
- Request: Chair Campbell requested a one-year review of the STR program at the committee following implementation.
- Informational items: No motions were taken on Item 4 (STR update) or Item 5 (Age-Friendly Action Plan). The next meeting was scheduled for May 25, 2023.
Meeting Transcript
I have so many problems And then I gotta be a walkman I really like to lie The walk button in the summer The walk button in the sun I heard Ramona say that traveling They are the only thing Roman up The moments in the night It was alright The moments of the night I heard Roman say that travel They are the only thing Roma I don't care the real care I hope someone at high the bull another man the fool another manuals in the night it is all right the moments on the night I hear Roman say and I hear myth the speed that travel they are the only thing Roman night I see in the low never wrapped a man you're always gone Don't get hanging out in the woods on the letter looking for you don't give a damn always get out with the game outside the day it doesn't stay till it's too late by you always the danger is life time it's not a way to die for night but the step you'll do it back in a chance to get what you need so full of promise and never be done that it's okay all I gave I dream about how it's gonna end up quickly life of fear. I only want my mind to be careful making fun of me for a reason but jealousy I'm gonna size about my death I'll kill myself from holding my breath my suit voices tell me what to do I'm sure you will get yes covered me stop me from feeling what I'll feel now the rope is here now I'll buy the use of course over put my head in the loose voice to me I'm sure you will get lost Got killed by 10 million pounds. The meeting of the community and neighborhood services committee. Uh for April 2023. We'll now begin. And the committee lays on Natalie Kessler will provide information and instructions. While members of the public are able to attend meetings in person, this meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website, and council administration will continue to make arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. Additionally, members of the public who wish to provide virtual testimony must enter the virtual speaking queue by raising their hand before the queue closes. The queue will close when the last virtual speaker finishes speaking or five minutes after in-person testimony ends, whichever occurs first. This will allow for better meeting management between the two platforms and ensure the committee is able to manage and conduct city business. We appreciate the public's cooperation. Chair Campbell. Thank you. I will now call the community neighborhood services committee meeting of Thursday, April 2023 to order. And I will now call the role. Councilmember Whitburn. And Councilmember Campillo. Here. And we understand that our vice chair, uh, Councilmember Ilo Rivera will be attending as soon as he gets free from another obligation in joining us as soon as he can. And I am also present and also attending this meeting is Chris Ackerman of here from the mayor's office. Karen Lee from the City Attorney's Office, and Baku Patel from the Independent Budget Analysts' Office, and of course, Natalie Kessler, our committee layers on. And Natalie, please continue with public comment instructions. If you are attending in person and wish to speak on any items, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of chambers and place it in the box indicated at the speaker's lectern at the front of the room. Please do so in a timely manner to ensure proper meeting management. In-person testimony will conclude before virtual testimony begins. Members of the public can join the webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone by accessing the link, which is listed online in the preamble language of the agenda on the city's webpage. To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, please dial 1669-254-5252. When prompted, input webinar ID 160-960-0498 pound. This information is also available on the agenda and will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each agenda item. Members of the public who wish to provide testimony via a call-in or an internet-based service option must enter the virtual speaking queue within five minutes after the conclusion of in-person public testimony or before the virtual speaking queue is exhausted, whichever occurs first. Please note that if you're watching via City TV 24 or online, there may be a delay. Please participate via the audio on your phone and mute your TV or computer when it is your turn to speak. When I introduce the item you would like to comment on, please raise your hand by either tapping the raise your hand button on your computer, tablet, or smartphone, or by pressing star nine on your phone. You will be taken in the order in which you raise your hand. You may only speak once on a particular item. When I indicate it is your turn to speak, I will call you by your name as it appears on the Zoom webinar attendee list or read out the last four digits of your phone number if you have called into the meeting. If you are in person, please come up to the reserve seats at the front of the room when your name is called and be prepared to come up to the lectern in the order called. If you have joined the webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone, you will receive a pop-up notice to select to unmute your device. If you have called into the meeting by cell phone or landline, press star nine on your phone to unmute yourself. We will review these instructions briefly again when the public comment period on an item is open. Also, please mute the volume on your TV or computer before you begin to speak. Chair Campbell. A quorum is now present, and we will now dispense with the approval of the committee actions of March 16th, 2023. And Natalie, please proceed. Thank you. The public comment period for the committee actions is now open. If you have already joined the Zoom webinar online or by phone, please raise your hand at this time if you wish to speak on the committee actions of March 16th, 2023. And we do not have any speakers in chambers, nor do we have anyone raising their hand.
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