San Diego Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee Meeting - January 13, 2021
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San Diego Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee Meeting - January 13, 2021
The Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee of the San Diego City Council met virtually on January 13, 2021, at 10:00 AM PST, via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting was chaired by Councilmember Raul Campillo, with Vice Chair Chris Kate, Councilmember Vivian Moreno, and Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera present. The committee addressed the 2021 state and federal legislative platform, authorized option years for legislative consulting contracts, and discussed committee priorities for the year. All votes were unanimous.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Committee Actions (November 20, 2020): Unanimously approved.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-Agenda Public Comment: Carrie Ann Skelly, a San Diego resident and mother, urged the committee to focus on youth development, workforce development, and drug use prevention, specifically calling for the removal of marijuana billboards near schools in City Heights.
- Item 1 – 2021 Legislative Platform:
- Joy Sanyata (District 3) praised the platform's 344 priorities and the word "support," emphasizing the need for clear government communication during the pandemic.
- Laura Nunn, on behalf of the San Diego Housing Federation, expressed support for the platform's homelessness and housing affordability priorities, and requested that the city include legislation to lower the voter threshold for revenue measures funding affordable housing and infrastructure, noting that Measure A received nearly 58% support but failed due to the two-thirds requirement.
- Item 3 – Committee Priorities:
- Austin Evans, a small business attorney and member of Business for Good San Diego, highlighted the need for COVID relief that avoids further debt for businesses, supported the Promise Zone Equity Investment Fund and public bank concepts, and urged prioritizing grants for true small businesses and new businesses.
- Joy Sanyata again spoke, urging the committee to focus on grants, leave no money on the table, and give more attention to the working waterfront and port district.
Discussion Items
- Item 1 – 2021 State and Federal Legislative Platform: Adrian Granda, Director of Governmental Affairs, presented the proposed platform, which includes a new guiding principle on social justice, equity, and inclusive economic development. The platform covers COVID-19 response, housing, homelessness, border infrastructure (Tijuana River Valley), Pure Water program, NAVWAR redevelopment, and federal priorities like stimulus funding and immigration. Councilmembers discussed the importance of anti-displacement legislation, early childhood education, K-12 support, and ensuring police technology investments align with equity principles. The platform was adopted unanimously.
- Item 2 – Authorization of Option Years for Legislative Consulting Contracts: The committee considered two sub-items (A and B) to authorize the mayor to execute option years four and five of existing contracts with Platinum Advisors (state) and Squire Patton Boggs (federal). No public comment was received. Councilmembers noted the importance of advocacy in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. Both sub-items were approved unanimously.
- Item 3 – Committee Priorities for 2021: Councilmembers presented their priority memos, covering COVID-19 relief, small business support, homelessness, border economy, equity, child care, outdoor dining, youth employment, and education partnerships. Chair Campillo proposed developing a work plan with quarterly themes and a racial equity tool. The committee directed the chair to form the work plan, which was unanimously approved.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1: The 2021 state and federal legislative platform was adopted unanimously (4-0).
- Item 2A: Authorization for Platinum Advisors state contract option years approved unanimously (4-0).
- Item 2B: Authorization for Squire Patton Boggs federal contract option years approved unanimously (4-0).
- Item 3: Motion to direct the chair to develop a 2021 committee work plan incorporating member priorities and public input passed unanimously (4-0).
Next Meeting: The committee will reconvene on Wednesday, February 10, 2021.
Meeting Transcript
I'll begin. Mr. Elo Rivera, do you mind renaming yourself from the link? You're good. That's a good idea. I showed up as Cheryl as well. All right. We are live. Good afternoon. Per executive order 2920, which suspends certain requirements of the Brown Act. Some of the council members will be participating via Zoom, and no members of the public will be in attendance at the meeting in the interest of public health and safety. In addition, this meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website, and the committee liaison has made arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. We appreciate the public's cooperation. I'll go over the specifics of how to join the webinar and we'll give details on how the public can offer their public testimony. I will now call the meeting of the Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee of Wednesday, January 13, 2021 to order. I will now call the roll. Vice Chair Chris Kate. Here. Councilmember Vivian Moreno. Here, present. Councilmember Sean Ilo Rivera. Present. And I am Raul Campillo, also present. Each committee member is attending virtually. Also on the virtual meeting is Jordan Moore, fiscal and policy analyst from the Office of the Independent Budget Analyst. Brittany Bailey, Senior Policy Advisor from the Office of the Mayor, and Deputy City Attorney Kate Malcolm from the Office of the City Attorney. The public may view the meetings on public television on City TV Channel 24 for Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable or Channel 99 for ATT. Or view the meeting online by going to the City Council Committee's homepage at Sandieago.gov and selecting the City TV Live WebKist blue button on the right hand side of the page. The committee meetings will be held virtually using the Zoom webinar platform. Members of the public can offer public comment on items by accessing the Zoom webinar online using a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, or by calling into the meeting using a smartphone, cellular phone, or landline. The link to join the committee meeting webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone is listed on the agenda on the how to join by iPhone 1 tap. To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, you may dial either 1669 254 5252 or 1646 766. When prompted, input for the webinar ID 161-735-9340 pound. This information is also available on the agenda and will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each item. When I introduce the item you would like to comment on, you will raise your hand by either tapping the raise your hand button on the computer, tablet, or smartphone, or by pressing star nine on your phone. You will be taken in the order which you raise your hand. You may only speak on one once on a particular item. When our committee consultant, Sophie Barnhorst indicates it is your turn to speak. She 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 in that manner. This is how you will know it is your turn to speak. You should then unmute your phone by tapping the unmute button on your computer tablet or smartphone or by pressing star six on your phone. I will review the instructions briefly again when public comment period on an item opens. Please wait until the item you wish to speak to has been called before raising your hand to speak. If you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered. When you are announced as the next speaker, please unmute yourself and offer comments. At the same time, please mute the volume on your TV or computer before you begin to speak. As a quorum is now present, we will now move on in the agenda. We will now dispense of the approval of the committee actions. The actions before us for approval is for the meeting of November 20th, 2020. Do I have a motion to approve those actions?
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