Community and Neighborhood Services Committee Meeting - July 16, 2025
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Community and Neighborhood Services Committee Meeting - July 16, 2025
The Community and Neighborhood Services Committee met on July 16, 2025, under the chair of Councilmember Campbell. The committee addressed three agenda items: approval of previous minutes, approval of joint use agreements with San Diego Unified School District, and an update on the city's veteran engagement efforts. Numerous public comments were received on a variety of topics.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1 – Approval of Minutes (May 21, 2025): The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the May 21, 2025 meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
Non-Agenda Public Comments:
- Cornell Dukes requested assistance with chronic illegal parking and RV violations in his neighborhood, stating he had exhausted city resources (Get It Done, police, abatement) with no resolution.
- Perita and Caesar Javier raised concerns about air pollution from a ceramics manufacturer, citing an outdated air pollution control district rule that exempts certain businesses from permits. Caesar Javier urged policy changes for modern conditions, comparing the situation to the Tijuana River pollution crisis.
- Blair Beekman expressed disappointment over a recent council meeting regarding an environmental impact report, arguing that a continuance was improperly denied.
- Miguel McCall, a combat veteran, reintroduced the "Roll-Up for Equity" campaign, presenting community demand cards for regulated cannabis retail in District 4. He urged reinstatement and full funding of the cannabis social equity seed program, stating that cannabis tax dollars are not returning to underserved neighborhoods.
- Andrea criticized Mayor Todd Gloria and District Attorney Summer Stephan, alleging a campaign finance impropriety and urging charter amendments to remove the mayor.
- Madison, a mother, cited a study showing over 134,000 children under six accidentally ingested nicotine from 2010–2023, with rising poisonings from nicotine pouches. She urged stronger local regulations, retail restrictions near schools, and public awareness campaigns.
- Ben McHugh (Outdoor Outreach) expressed concern over the mayor's office planning an exemption to state law AB 2939 (equitable access to parks and beaches), arguing it would hinder outdoor equity programs for underserved youth.
- Shelby Huffaker (Americans for Safe Access) supported renewed focus on the city's cannabis social equity program, citing a UC San Diego study and the city's low ratio of licensed dispensaries (1 per 38,000 residents). She advocated for expanded access and tax reform.
- Courtney Baltiski (YMCA of San Diego County) echoed support for AB 2939 and stressed the need for safe outdoor recreation for youth affected by the Tijuana River pollution crisis.
- Lori Saldania urged the city to develop clear police protocols when federal agents arrest individuals, citing a past settlement where the city was liable for officer inaction.
- Peggy Walker opposed cannabis bud tenders giving unsubstantiated medical advice, citing health risks including cardiovascular issues and interactions with prescription drugs.
- Becky Rapp supported the joint use agreements but opposed marijuana billboards near schools, calling for consistent citywide advertising restrictions.
- Terry Ann Skelly supported park development and smoke-free public places, noting that smoke and vape odors from sidewalks affect children in parks.
- Additional speakers, including Judy Strang and Kathleen Lippett, voiced support for equitable park access and raised concerns about marijuana industry claims.
Public Comments on Item 1 (Consent Agenda):
- Caesar Javier criticized the minutes for not fully capturing the pollution issues they raised and recommended clearer documentation.
- Blair Beekman commented on neighborhood parks and technology issues.
- Lori Saldania suggested reassessing short-term vacation rental properties in maintenance assessment districts to increase funds.
- Andrea proposed a police substation at the B lot/OLOT site to mitigate crime.
Public Comments on Item 2 (Joint Use Agreements):
- Caesar Javier criticized the spending on joint use projects given budget constraints, questioning leadership and accountability.
- Blair Beekman connected the joint use effort to recent school cell phone bans and raised concerns about biometric cameras and sports lighting.
- Lori Saldania noted enforcement problems at existing joint use fields, specifically dog off-leash violations at Whitman Elementary, and urged better signage and enforcement.
- Other virtual speakers supported the program, highlighting its 25-year terms and community benefits.
Public Comments on Item 3 (Veteran Engagement):
- Caesar Javier argued that resources should prioritize homeless civilians over veterans, who already have their own systems, and criticized perceived corruption.
- Blair Beekman praised the city's work helping veterans access services and hoped for continued support amid federal changes.
- Virtual speakers expressed pride in the program, shared personal stories about wounded warrior family members, and raised concerns about transgender veterans' access to care.
- Andrea thanked veterans for their service but criticized prioritizing Afghan evacuees over homeless veterans.
Discussion Items
Item 2 – Approval of Joint Use Agreements with San Diego Unified School District: Staff (Tom Tomlinson and Kathleen Brand) presented the 13th batch of agreements using a standardized template, covering Cadman, Carson, Holmes, Joiner, Montgomery Middle, and Pacific Beach Elementary schools. Pacific Beach Elementary will add one acre of improvements including a turf field, walking track, hard courts, and play equipment, opening in late 2025 or early 2026. Holmes Elementary is a new facility under construction. The agreements have a 25-year term and delineate maintenance and hours of use. Councilmember Campillo moved and Councilmember Foster seconded approval. The committee voted unanimously (3-0) in favor.
Item 3 – Update on City's Veteran Engagement Efforts: Walt Bishop (Director of Government Relations) and John Asset (Veteran Engagement Liaison, funded through a partnership with Wounded Warrior Project) provided an update. Highlights included:
- Grant extension through FY2027 and John Asset's role as a regional advocate.
- Successful partnership with state to add veterans to the city's youth job corps program.
- Onboarding of first Skillbridge interns placed in the Office of Emergency Services.
- Creation of the City of San Diego Veteran Association (30 active members).
- 884 city employees identified as veterans or military spouses (mostly in police, utilities, fire).
- An executive order allowing veteran self-identification in applicant tracking.
- Direct assistance to veterans: helped a medically retired Army veteran secure vocational rehab, and a Navy veteran receive back pay for basic housing allowance.
- City shortlisted to host the 2029 Invictus Games.
- Compiled a regional resource list for transgender service members facing separation. The item was for information only; no vote was taken. Councilmember Campillo expressed strong support and noted the importance of connectivity to resources.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Consent agenda (minutes of May 21, 2025) unanimously.
- Approved: Joint use agreements for six schools (Item 2) unanimously (3-0).
- Received as Information: Update on veteran engagement efforts (Item 3); no vote required. The committee thanked staff for their work.
- Next Meeting: Scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Sound check. Is everything okay? You sound great, please begin. Thank you. Welcome to the community and neighborhood services committee meeting of July 16th, 2025. Our committee layers on Natalie Kessler will provide information and instruction for the public to participate in today's meeting. Members of the public who wish to provide virtual testimony must enter the virtual queue by raising their hand before the virtual 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. I'm sorry, Al Calde with the Office of Independent Budget Analyst. Emily Piatanesi of the Office of Mayor Todd Gloria. Committee liaison. And Natalie, please continue with public comment instructions. I will now go over how the public can offer their public testimony during today's meeting. If you're in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of the committee room and place it in the tray indicated at the front of the room. Please submit your speaker slip 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 preamble language of the agenda on the city's webpage. To join the Zoom webinar by phone, please dial 1669-2545252 when prompted. Please note that if you're watching via City TV channel 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. If you wish to speak on a particular item, wait for that item to be called and then raise your hand to speak by tapping the raise your hand icon, or if you're a column participant, press star nine on your phone. If you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered. Chair. Thank you, Natalie. The quorum is now present. We will now take up non-agenda public comment. Council members respect and appreciate the public's input and are fully committed to protecting every participant's free speech rights at council and count and committee meetings. Natalie, please proceed with non-agenda public comment. Each speaker will have two minutes. And we have received five speakers lists from individuals in the committee room. We will begin with Cornell Dukes. Please approach the lector, and you'll have two minutes. And you'll be followed by Perita Javier and Caesar Javier. All right, all set. Oh, me. Good afternoon, distinguished councilmen and women. I'd like to start by saying thank you for your time and a 40 minutes opportunity to speak to you guys today. Um I do understand that we're on a limited time schedule, so try to be as concise and succinct as succinct as possible. Um here today, I guess, to get a better understanding of uh the San Diego Municipal Code, more particular chapter eight, the traffic in vehicles violations. Uh for the last three or four months. I've used every resource available to me to resolve illegal parking and violations in my neighborhood. Um those resources are the get it done site, countless numbers and reports from dating back from April, um, the non-emergency 911 line, the vehicle abatement office, actual 911, and the office here of the mayor Todd Gloria. Um the issue is have have a gentleman who has several RV campers parked and other vehicles used for storage for say campers parked directly outside my home. Um my home is not a lease or a rental property. I do own and have been an owner since 2018. Uh the vehicles are in direct violations of uh the exact codes in the San Diego Municipal Code 86.0118, 86.0137, page 18, uh letter F 1 through 4 and letters G, H and I, and Article 886.10139, the prohibition of parking, oversized vehicles, non-motorized vehicles, and recreational vehicles, uh, letter A. Um, I guess I'm trying to find out what it is or what steps I can use and take, other than the five chains of command in which I you use to prevent things like this from being strown about the neighborhood, thrown into my yard like it has been, with nothing done, numerous reports on the get it done site.
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