San Diego Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee Meeting - February 12, 2020
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San Diego Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee Meeting - February 12, 2020
The Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations (EDIR) Committee of the San Diego City Council met on February 12, 2020, at approximately 2:00 p.m. (noted in the transcript as 'good afternoon') to discuss the 2020 state and federal legislative platform, a workforce and child care report from the San Diego Workforce Partnership, the fiscal year 2019 Tourism Marketing District performance report, and the committee's 2020 priorities. The committee heard public testimony on multiple topics, including animal rights, child care, and marijuana policy, and adopted several amendments to the legislative platform.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Martha Welch (first speaker) criticized city and county officials, alleging mismanagement and lack of action on water, transportation, and building projects. She claimed that buildings are empty and that jobs are insufficient.
- Joy Signata praised the committee's detailed reports and emphasized the link between housing and economic growth, citing a Union-Tribune article titled "Local Economic Future Seen as Bright Except for Housing." She urged the committee to anchor housing and economics together.
- James Ferguson (Citizens Climate Lobby) requested that San Diego endorse H.R. 763 (Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act) and include it in the legislative platform. He argued it is a market-based solution that aligns with the city's climate goals and protects consumers.
- Cameron Meta, Kevin Luna, Melanie Bazell, Chris Tarzan, Margarita Bella, Malvina Lende, Cammy, and Daniela Kelling (all speaking in favor of adding animal rights to the legislative platform) presented four specific asks: (1) support growth and funding of plant-based consumer goods and technologies, (2) support enforcement of Proposition 2 and Proposition 12 (animal welfare laws), (3) support funding to enforce animal welfare laws, and (4) support new and existing laws protecting a citizen's right to rescue animals from abuse. They noted that Los Angeles and San Francisco already include animal rights in their platforms.
- Martha Welch (second appearance) reiterated concerns about audits and alleged tax evasion, stating that the FBI has evidence.
- Rob Gordon (speaking against the child care report) criticized the San Diego Workforce Partnership for past inefficiencies and a costly homeless program, and questioned the cost of the report.
- Joy Signata (second appearance) thanked the presenters and emphasized the need to not leave any federal or state money unclaimed.
- Courtney Baltiski (YMCA Child Care Resource Service) supported the workforce partnership's findings and commended the committee for addressing child care, noting that families spend 40% of income on child care compared to a recommended 7%.
- Kelly McCormick (youth mentoring program) urged the committee to consider the impact of marijuana use on workforce readiness, citing the Monitoring the Future study showing 36% of 12th graders used marijuana in the past year and increased daily use among younger students.
- Kathleen Lippett expressed concern that permitting marijuana businesses in promise zones could harm communities and displace churches, which she noted are valuable resources for child care.
- Rob Gordon (second appearance) shared his personal struggles with employment and health, and criticized Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) as harmful to independent contractors.
Discussion Items
- 2020 State and Federal Legislative Platform (Item 2, taken out of order): Patrick Mitteller, Denise Garcia, and Ali Barenter (Government Affairs) presented the platform, highlighting seven policy categories. Key updates included community choice aggregation, medical/behavioral health, immigrant affairs, homelessness (over $34 million secured from state programs), housing policy, Pure Water Program funding ($9 million from BOR, $646 million loan from State Water Board, $285 million credit from MWD), and transportation. The committee received public testimony and then discussed amendments. Councilmember Kercy proposed adding: support for the trusted traveler program (Global Entry) in California, a legislative fix for paper publication of charter amendments, and enhanced infrastructure finance districts. Councilmember Ward proposed adding: support for funding and enforcement of animal welfare laws, support for growth of plant-based consumer goods, support for climate resilience legislation, support for legislation to protect against housing discrimination (including income), support for election security and voter access, support for flexible subsidy pools for homelessness, and inclusion of the taxicab industry in TNC regulations. Vice Chair Montgomery proposed adding: support for federal legislation enhancing the Community Reinvestment Act and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (for opportunity youth). Chair Kate proposed adding: a study and pilot program for online sales tax allocation, and support for legislation to combat robocalls.
- San Diego Workforce Partnership Child Care Report (Item 3): Laura Cohn presented the report, which found that San Diego County has 335,000 children with all parents working, but only 145,000 licensed child care slots—a gap of 190,000. Two-thirds of children live in child care deserts. The average cost of infant care is over $17,000 per year, and preschool over $11,000. A family of four with two children needs an income over $107,000 to afford child care, while median income is $83,000. Child care workers earn a median of $26,290 annually. San Diego has the second-lowest female labor force participation among 10 competitor cities; matching Boston's rate would add 74,000 women to the workforce. Recommendations included: expand supply, make jobs more family-friendly, leave no federal/state money on the table, link early childhood education with elementary grades, serve whole families, and spark innovation.
- Tourism Marketing District Performance Report (Item 4): Colleen Anderson (TMD) and Carrie Kapich (Tourism Authority) presented FY2019 results. Total TOT collected was $249 million, with $86 million from TMD-funded programs. Tourism supports nearly 200,000 jobs. The return on investment was 19.4 to 1. Funded events included Navy vs. Notre Dame football (63,000 attendees), Kids Free October, and various sports and cultural events. Carrie Kapich noted challenges: a softening market, record rain in February 2019, and the off-cycle of the American Society of Hematology convention. A new national broadcast campaign and focus on shoulder seasons were planned.
- Committee Priorities for 2020 (Item 2, last): Councilmembers submitted priorities. Councilmember Kercy highlighted expediting small business loan approvals and creating a veterans' preference program for city contracting. The committee voted to direct the chair's office to produce a work plan.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to adopt the 2020 legislative platform with amendments passed unanimously. Staff was directed to work with council offices to incorporate all proposed amendments (including animal rights, climate resilience, housing discrimination, election security, homelessness, taxicabs, online sales tax study, robocall legislation, CRA, WIOA, trusted traveler, charter amendment publication, and enhanced infrastructure finance districts) before forwarding to full council.
- Motion to direct the chair to produce the committee's 2020 work plan passed unanimously, incorporating priorities from all members.
- The child care report and tourism report were informational items, no votes taken.
- The next meeting was scheduled for April 8, 2020, at 2:00 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
We'll sing and dance to Mother Nature Song I don't want this feeling to go away Who's to sing I can't do everything what I can try And as I roll along I begin to find Things aren't always just what they sing I wanna turn the whole thing up Side down I'll find the things they say just can't be found I'll share this love I'll find with everyone We'll sing and dance to mother nature song This will keep spinning and there's no time to wait What it all keeps spinning spin around and round and side down Who's to say what's impossible and can't be found I don't want this feeling to go away Please don't go away Please don't go away Please don't go away Is this how it's supposed to be Is this how it's supposed to be Stephen Cool down defeat And the fog in the air and the crack of the snare bit of sweet Live sounds was such a weave Cause the crowded of thoughts and the loudest to not have to speak Put the girls everywhere with the jewels and the hair wouldn't dress for cool like a part of the show Ever said the most supposed was a scene for a lens to be hold as we push through the crowd with the drums getting loud You were moving ahead where I always had less or each wear cause I was afraid I was losing my way again Didn't know what I wanted before Didn't think I could say it forever never more Didn't know what I wanted or what to do Didn't know what I wanted before Wasn't sure I could say it forever never more Didn't know what I wanted or what to do Moved on to different stage On the daylight was fading with everyone waiting their cheers a steady refrain The crowd wouldn't party the L it was starting to rain when the spots came on the first looks of a song to my grush, we were caught in the crush and we tried to forget what was filled with remorse and regret So I tried to move on from the thought I was wrong and slipped on the grass and around me the past and suddenly I'm only I could see you still, but you were already gone Didn't know what I wanted before Didn't think I could say it forever, never didn't know what I wanted or what to do Didn't know what I wanted before Wasn't sure I could say it forever, nevermore Didn't know what I wanted or what to do There was something that I couldn't say Cause I was so afraid it will push you away when I never said what I couldn't say push true It pushed you wanted before I wanted before It before Didn't think I could say it forever, never didn't know what I wanted or what to do Didn't know what I wanted before Wasn't sure, could say it forever, never want to know what I wanted or what to do there was something that I couldn't say Cause I was so afraid it would push you away when I never said what I couldn't say before I wanted before Didn't the world wanted before Washington could say it for never wanted what to do I wanted before think I could say it forever, never more than wanted what to do. There's so many ways to fuck up a life I try to be original Done plenty more wrong than I ever did right Still I'm not a criminal If I wanted to make this last even longer I'd do what I did only sweeter and strong but that wouldn't stop my true nature from showing up eventually when you think back on us I don't want you to feel bad Gonna leave you with my good side Gonna leave you with my good side Gonna leave you with my good side So I'm not gonna come to the party thinking up ways to make you want me a life what we had and that's as good as it gets If we say goodbye now and that's how we parted I'll never be sad and we'll finish what we started and we won't have regrets I'm gonna leave you with my good side I'm gonna leave you with the good side I'm gonna leave you with the good side and you think back on our side don't want you to feel bad you'll find in due time You gonna miss what we had gonna leave you with gonna leave you with gonna leave you with my good side gonna leave you with my good side You gonna miss me in the blue eyes You're gonna leave me with the good side In my mind there's only three seeds rather than ball bouncing around my monthly trip in the town Grocery shop and restart on pain Some days I feel good I feel that it's like that I think of you I feel dead I used to every time that I think of you I feel better than I In my mind there's only three scenes of the bamboo bouncing around my monthly trip in the town grocery shop and restart on pain some days I feel good I feel that it's not that I need the new I feel dead that I used to Every time that I need the view I feel bad So shining moment between Magnifying lost memory on the morning celebrate in the week What is it that you done with me some days I feel some days I feel every time that I think of you I feel better than I used to be tired that I think of you I feel there I still go in my friend waste Sunshine's down as I bow a side screen contain the vein when push counter shows every time that I think of you I feel better than I used to every time that I think of you I feel better that I used to I think of you I feel better Every time that I think of you I feel better I generation stuck in the mirror Forget about the park because I don't like the world and I need to know the name of my neighbor I am not known if I'm not seen or heard And I am afraid of that wish I didn't unknown So why don't I just ask your fucking name Justice just gets very little white life I heard there was a time we call a shame So put your hands in eyes and I will be when you cry out tonight I will be cynicism buys me no more time here Imagine my relief to him the wall running from the weight of ancient labels Believe in what I did to the walls for my generation stuck in the mirror Forget about the bro cause I don't like the word and I need to know the name of my neighbor And I need to know the name of my neighbor. I am not known if I see our hands in my shit. Now we're all here. When you cry out here. Let's raise our hands during a moment. Leave it all behind. Don't be afraid for a moment. The blind leading the blind. Split your hands in my shirt. Good afternoon. Calling the February 12th, 2020 meeting of the economic developments and intergovernmental relations committee. To order, we have a quorum consisting of myself, Vice Chair Montgomery, and Councilmembers Kercy and Ward. Our first order of business is non-agenda public comments. We have two speakers. Martha Welch, followed by Joyce and Yana. Good afternoon, Marshall Waltz. He always says somebody else. What they did with the county did this give the cities. EM 911 and Animal Cole M T S and Water. Should be the county. That's what he does. He makes uh shut down the county pretty much. He makes the cities do all the uh what he doesn't want. That's why you gave the hand um doesn't have bathrooms on MTS and benches go away, and how the Charlie doesn't mean down on green line down there. That's why that doesn't work is he hate he he's very hateful. And and if you give the reins to him, it's very bad. He's in a lot of trouble with the government. Believe me, he's indicted, and I got evidence. We give you but you can't build anything because your tech checks in and out. He took it for years. He can't do positive. That's why he's everybody thinks you're strange because their checks were never positive. So we know you're a bunch of lies where you tell me to build something, you don't build something. Per water is a joke. It's just it hasn't been built. Why? He doesn't like jobs, he doesn't like jobs, so it's never been built. Just sit there and you talk about it. Plans been plans. You got two checks at least in the government state is very mad at you. What you do here, uh they proved it. It's evidence he had all these checks in his house when he went to get 'em. So now I'm a cu uh that's what's going on here. So you don't build stuff. And this is wrong you do here. Economic did this.
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