Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee Meeting - July 25, 2019
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Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee Meeting - July 25, 2019
The Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee met on July 25, 2019, to discuss and vote on several items, including new regulations for sidewalk vending, amendments to the Guaranteed Water for Industry program, the creation of a Water and Sewer Capacity Bank, and an informational update on citywide grant activities. The committee also heard non-agenda public comments.
Consent Calendar
- The committee unanimously approved the minutes of the previous meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-Agenda Public Comment: Terry Ann Skelly expressed concerns about marijuana billboards near schools in City Heights. Becky Johnson opposed a proposed marijuana outlet at 4337 Home Avenue, citing its proximity to the affordable housing complex Hollywood Palms and a student tutoring center, and urged modifications to regulations for pot shop locations.
- Item 1 – Sidewalk Vending: Numerous speakers testified. Anna Laura Martinez (Center on Policy Initiatives) urged postponement of the vote, arguing the policy was overly restrictive and did not align with SB 946. Seth Blair (property manager for City Heights Retail Village) reported issues with vendors blocking signage and right-of-way, and called for active enforcement. Matt Peterson (attorney for Chemco Realty) suggested modifications including a minimum sidewalk width of 10 feet. Bob Evans (Laywer Parks and Beaches) requested a year-round ban on vending in La Jolla shoreline parks and equal regulation of First Amendment vendors. Marshall Anderson (Downtown San Diego Partnership) supported the proposal, citing public safety hazards. Marco Lamandry (Little Italy Association) proposed several amendments, including adding movable outdoor seating to above-ground structures, extending boundaries, and including services in the ordinance. Christopher Forrest (resident of Little Italy) supported the ordinance due to sidewalk congestion. Tracy Wagner (Ocean Beach Main Street Association) supported the ordinance and requested inclusion of Veterans Park and clarification on PROW permits. Scott Grace, Kathy Jolly, Denise Friedman, Sarah Burns, Sarah Madison, and Michael Trimble all spoke in favor of the ordinance. Alexis Phillips and Sunny Lee submitted speaker slips in favor but did not speak.
- Item 2 – Guaranteed Water for Industry: Melanie Cohn (Biocom) supported the amendments, noting the program's importance for life science companies. Jack Monger (Industrial Environmental Association) praised the program as a model. Mindy Cecil (Novartis) supported expansion, citing water conservation projects at her site. Sharad Golla (CP Kelco) supported the program for risk reduction. Virginia Morrison (Second Chance Beer Company) supported the program for craft breweries. Sean Karafin (Regional Chamber of Commerce) registered support but did not speak.
- Item 3 – Water and Sewer Capacity Bank: Jack Monger spoke in support, calling it a great opportunity. Virginia Morrison supported the program for breweries. Sean Karafin registered support.
Discussion Items
- Regulation of Sidewalk Vending: Staff presented a proposed ordinance to establish a permit process, distance requirements, and prohibitions in heavily trafficked areas, in compliance with SB 946. The committee discussed outreach to vendors, enforcement, and amendments. Councilmember Ward proposed amendments to include specific streets in Little Italy, public plazas, Amici Park and OB Veterans Park, Ocean Boulevard in Pacific Beach, and a definition and evaluation of services and rentals. Councilmember Bree proposed year-round prohibition in La Jolla shoreline parks and defining Coast Boulevard from Cave Street to the 200 block of Coast Boulevard South. The committee also discussed indemnification for business improvement districts and outreach plans. The motion passed unanimously.
- Guaranteed Water for Industry Program: Staff presented amendments to expand the program citywide and allow alternative water conservation methods beyond reclaimed water. The committee discussed the certification process and capacity. The motion passed unanimously.
- Water and Sewer Capacity Bank: Staff presented a new program to purchase stranded water and sewer capacity from industrial properties and sell it to other industrial users, using $750,000 in seed funds. The committee discussed the geographic scope, pricing, and potential demand. The motion passed unanimously.
- Grant Activities Update: Staff provided an informational update on the city's grants coordination, recent successes (HEAP, Prop 68, CDBG, etc.), and plans for more aggressive grant seeking. Committee members requested performance metrics and comparisons of grant funding received versus available. No vote was taken.
Key Outcomes
- Sidewalk Vending Ordinance: Motion to move the item forward to full council with amendments passed unanimously. Amendments included adding specific streets in Little Italy, public plazas, parks, services/rentals evaluation, year-round ban in La Jolla shoreline parks, and outreach plan.
- Guaranteed Water for Industry Program: Motion to move the ordinance amending the municipal code to full council passed unanimously.
- Water and Sewer Capacity Bank: Motion to move the two ordinances and resolution to full council passed unanimously.
- Grant Update: No action taken; informational item only.
Meeting Transcript
It doesn't matter what you say now. It's like some vision in the stars. The way I feel the way I feel the way I feel. The way I feel the way I feel, the way I feel inside. And it's not what you expect. The way your head gets twisted. And it's the voice is in your head now. It doesn't matter what you say now. It's like some vision in the stars that seem so for you. It's like some vision in the stars that seem so real. Lost soul to everyone. Run around and running free. Two kids, you and me. And I say, leave it like we're ready to get it like we're ready to get to read the case. All right, well, I'll say good afternoon, everybody. I'd like to welcome you to the July 25th, 2019 meeting of the Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee. We'll let the record reflect that Vice Chair Montgomery and Councilmember Reed are present with Councilmember Kercy on his way. Also in attendance today, or Deputy City Attorney Kate Malcolm. We will begin today with the approval of the minutes. Do I have a motion to move the minutes? Motion by uh Councilmember Bree, second by Vice Chair Montgomery. All in favor. Aye. Passes unanimously. Thank you. We will have non-agenda public comment, an opportunity to speak on any matter related to this committee's jurisdiction, not on today's agenda. At the moment, we have two members of the public that want wish to speak. We'll begin with Terry Ann Skelly, followed by Becky Johnson, and you'll have two minutes. Good afternoon, Economic and Intergovernmental Relations Committee. My name is Terry Ann Skelly, and I live and work in San Diego. I'm a mother of three sons. Yesterday I shared my concerns with the public safety and livable neighborhood committee. And I see that there are two of you on this committee, so please excuse the repeat of my comments. As you may know, the parents and teens of City Heights came together a month ago in a press conference because of the multiple marijuana billboards in their community that are illegally near schools. Most of those in the study were in college or at trade school at the time with the survey. Thank you, Ms. Skelly. Next we have Becky Johnson. Good afternoon. Yesterday I shared my concern with the public safety and live livable neighborhood committee that their goals are being violated for the City Heights area, District 9, because next door at the hearing officers' meeting was considering the marijuana outlet application for four three three seven home avenue to be co-located with a gas station with a mini market and with an alcohol license. As I left PSNLN, I spoke with community members at the hearing officer meeting who felt that the goals of economic development for their neighborhood were being undermined by this marijuana outlet, which is surrounded by residences and directly across the street from the affordable housing complex Hollywood Palms, where there are 94, two, three, and four bedroom apartments with an after school and weekend tutoring center and on site where resident services specialists conduct a multiple of school, job, and life preparedness courses for youth and adults. Because the path of travel to the pot shop is just more than 100 feet from the apartments, and those families, they are not considered a sensitive use. Because Student Tutoring Center on the property does not take up 50 percent of the entire property. It is being ignored as a youth-centered facility. The City Heights Planning Group and I that I attended voted against the pot shop because it recognized that it posed a serious threat to the family-friendly neighborhood and threaten the success of the children of these struggling families. The school bus stop for the complex and surrounding residences is 25 feet away from the pot shop near the crosswalk, taking the students across to the apartments. I would respectfully suggest that regulations for pot shop locations be modified to their nor their original city council pre-modified regulations and stated intent to lessen impact to youth and their families in interruptions to appropriate economic development for neighborhoods. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Johnson.
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