Community & Neighborhood Services Committee Meeting – September 7, 2023
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Community & Neighborhood Services Committee Meeting – September 7, 2023
The Community and Neighborhood Services Committee met on September 7, 2023, with Chair Campbell presiding. The committee approved previous meeting minutes, heard non-agenda public comments, and received an informational presentation on the San Diego Parks Foundation. No votes were taken on the agenda item.
Consent Calendar
- The committee unanimously approved the committee actions of July 27, 2023 (motion by Councilmember Whitburn, second by Councilmember Campillo), with Councilmember Ila Rivera absent.
Public Comments & Testimony
Non-Agenda Public Comment
- Perita Javier and Caesar Javier (in person): Expressed concerns about a home ceramics business in a residential zone, alleging violations of California land use laws, environmental laws, and city rules. They argued the self-certification process for permits is weak and that toxic emissions from kilns harm nearby residents, especially in a low‑income neighborhood with a community garden.
- Lori Saldanya (in person): Raised that free menstrual products allocated in FY2023 ($100,000) have not been installed in parks and libraries despite prior assurances. She noted the absence of this discussion in the approved minutes.
- Blair Beekman (virtual): Urged that the Smart Streetlight contract receive at least six to eight weeks of community review, first in the Public Safety Committee and then before the full City Council, with final approval no earlier than mid‑November to mid‑December.
- Becky Rapp (virtual): Opposed the cannabis business division’s plan to expand marijuana retail by 36 stores and remove sensitive‑use protections. She criticized the zoning proposal (three zones based on highways) as inequitable, noting potential exclusion of wealthier neighborhoods like La Jolla and Mission Beach while concentrating stores in Districts 9 and 7.
- Judy Strang (virtual): Opposed approval of a pot shop at 919 Cardiff, noting that a pastor spoke against it due to its effect on an already beleaguered neighborhood near a church and preschool. She argued that pot shops, like tobacco and alcohol outlets, target young customers.
- Mandy Havlick (virtual): Thanked the city for installing 48 free feminine hygiene product locations but asked that the pilot program expand to include public restrooms at community parks frequented by sports teams and unhoused individuals.
Public Comment on Item 1 (San Diego Parks Foundation)
- Christopher Morin (in person, Park Ambassador): Described how the Park Ambassador Program opened career opportunities, leading to a move from student intern to Recreation Leader.
- Francisco Vasquez (in person, Park Ambassador): Shared that the program provided job training, exposure to city careers, and helped him work with children, supporting his goal of becoming a teacher.
- Lori Saldanya (in person): Commended the foundation’s investments in Wi‑Fi and parks but expressed concern that new anti‑homeless ordinances may exclude families experiencing homelessness from enjoying these programs.
- Blair Beekman (virtual): Asked whether the Park Ambassador Program could help address conflicts between buskers and park rangers at Balboa Park.
Discussion Items
Overview of the San Diego Parks Foundation (Information Item)
- Mr. Michelle Anderson (President of the San Diego Parks Foundation) presented alongside board members Vicky Granowitz, Juan Carlos Hernandez, program manager Kim Mathis, and administrative assistant Charlie Caulfield.
- The foundation was founded in 2018, gained 501(c)(3) status in 2019, and is modeled after the Library Foundation. It is volunteer‑led (Mr. Anderson reported working ~60 hours/week).
- Key accomplishments (2018‑2023):
- Planted 327 trees in underserved parks (e.g., Mountain View, Willie Henderson, South Crest, Bay Terraces).
- Supported community gardens at Park de la Cruz and Lindavista Community Park, raising $20,000 and $35,000 in recent donations.
- Renovated basketball courts and added a scoreboard at Southcrest Park.
- Installed free Wi‑Fi at all city recreation centers and 13 municipal pools (previously only one rec center had Wi‑Fi).
- Raised approximately $3.7 million total; generated nearly $1.7 million in 2023.
- Annual fundraiser: Undertowed Charity Golf Classic at Torrey Pines (sold out in 11 days in 2022; 2024 event scheduled for February 5).
- Programs highlighted:
- Come Play Outside (2021): 16,664 participants at 24 rec centers/pools; grew to 31,000 participants at 27 sites in 2022.
- Parks After Dark (2022): Free programming and meals for 13,300 individuals/families on Thursday–Saturday evenings at three high‑crime parks.
- Park Ambassador Program (first class of 27 youth aged 16–24): Leadership workshops, community service, job training, and internships with the city.
- Next steps: Searching for a new executive director; continued fundraising goal of nearly $2 million for 2023.
- Committee member comments:
- Councilmember Campillo thanked the foundation for its work in District 7, especially on the Linda Vista community garden, and noted increasing attendance at summer programs.
- Councilmember Whitburn praised the tree planting and Wi‑Fi initiatives, and asked for more detail on the Park Ambassador Program. Two ambassadors described their experiences: learning about city careers, field trips to City Hall, and working at parks events.
- No motion was required as this was an information item.
Key Outcomes
- The committee approved the July 27, 2023 minutes unanimously (with one absence).
- No formal actions or votes were taken on the Parks Foundation presentation; it was received as information.
- The meeting was adjourned; the next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 1 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. Welcome to the community and neighborhood services committee meeting of September 7th, 2023. The committee liaison, 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. When prompted, input the webinar ID 160-990-0498 Pound. This information is also available on the agenda. Please note that if you're watching via City TV 24 or online, there may be a delay. When I introduce the item you would like to comment on, please raise your hand by either the tapping the raise your hand button on your computer, tablet, or smartphone, or press star nine on your phone, and you'll be taken in the order in which you raise your hand. When it is your turn to speak, you will receive a pop-up notice to select to unmute your device. If you've called in, please press star six on your phone to unmute yourself. And we will review these instructions briefly again when the public comment period on an item is open. Chair Campbell. Thank you, Natalie. A quorum is now present. We will uh proceed to dispense with the approval of the committee actions of July 27, 2023. And Natalie, please proceed. Thank you. The public comment period for the past committee actions is now open. If you uh wish to speak on the committee actions of July 27, 2023, please be sure you have your speaker's lips submitted or raise your hand. And speakers will have one minute. Chair, we do not have any speakers submit speaker slips submitted for the past committee actions, nor do we have any hands raised in the virtual queue. So that will conclude public testimony on this item. Thank you. And we will now vote on approval of the committee actions. Uh, do I have a motion to approve them from July 27, 2023? So moved. And a second. Thank you. We had a motion from Councilmember Whitburn and a second from Councilmember Campillo. And we will now take the vote using the voting screens. Thank you, and Chair that does pass unanimously with Council Member uh Ila Rivera absent. Great. We will now proceed with non-agenda public comment. The council members respect and appreciate the public's input and are fully committed to protecting every participant's free speech rights at council and committee meetings. Natalie, do we have any non-agenda committee uh public comment speakers? Thank you. Per rule 2.7 non-agenda public comment is an opportunity for members of the public to comment on items that are not on the agenda but within the subject matter jurisdiction of the committee. Each speaker will have two minutes. Chair, we do have speaker slips submitted for speakers in chambers. We have three speaker slips in chambers and a few hands currently raised in the virtual queue. We will begin with our speakers in chambers, starting with Perita Javier, followed by Caesar Javier. Please approach the lectern. Good afternoon. The home business or home occupation. Ceramics manufacturing permitted to operate in a residential zone. Designated neighborhood violates number one. California land use and planning laws on the use of variants.
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