Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee Meeting - June 23, 2021
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Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee Meeting - June 23, 2021
The Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee of the San Diego City Council met virtually on June 23, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting was chaired by Councilmember Campillo, with Vice Chair Chris Kate, Councilmember Vivian Moreno, and Councilmember Marni Elo Rivera present. The committee considered four agenda items: approval of FY2022 Property and Business Improvement District annual reports, authorization for the San Diego Energy Equity Campus development, an update from the Commission for Arts and Culture, and an update from the San Diego Convention Center Corporation.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-agenda public comment included three speakers: Terry Ann Skelly (District 6) thanked councilmembers for supporting budget items for teens and anti-gang efforts and expressed concern about marijuana billboards; a speaker opposed expanding marijuana businesses, citing health risks; and Elizabeth Yang Hellowell (Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego) highlighted arts growth and cultural tourism opportunities.
- For Item 1 (PBIDs), one speaker: Marshall Anderson (Downtown San Diego Partnership) thanked the Clean and Safe team.
- For Item 3 (Arts and Culture), seven speakers: Steve Stopper (Save Starlight) urged support for infrastructure; Alan Zyder (NTC Foundation) described the Arts District Liberty Station; Jimmy Saban (San Diego Junior Theater) noted economic impact; Diana Dumel (Bowdy Tree Concerts) invited committee to a free festival; Brandon Stepp (David’s Harp Foundation) shared stories of youth transformation; Amy Hayes (Save Our Heritage) advocated for Penny for the Arts; Llewellyn Crane (Old Globe) described workforce programs; Peter Komiski (Arts and Culture San Diego) called for stable funding.
Discussion Items
- Item 1: FY2022 Property and Business Improvement Districts (PBIDs): Elizabeth Studebaker (Economic Development Department) presented annual reports for the downtown and North Park PBIDs, detailing services like maintenance, sanitation, and beautification. Councilmember Elo Rivera asked about baseline services and accountability. The committee voted to approve the reports.
- Item 2: San Diego Energy Equity Campus: Monica Hardman (Economic Development Department) presented the disposition and development agreement (DDA) with SD EEC LLC for a 4.33-acre site at Imperial Avenue and Stevens Way. The project includes two buildings totaling 61,700 square feet, with a goal of LEED Platinum and net-zero energy, creating at least 72 new jobs (51% for low- and moderate-income residents). Developers Dimitri Booker and Eddie Price emphasized community engagement and sustainability. The committee voted to forward the action to City Council.
- Item 3: Commission for Arts and Culture Update: Chair Janet Poutre, Tyler Hughes, and Jason Whooper presented on the commission’s vision, DEI efforts, public art programs, and the need for a cultural plan. Councilmember Moreno proposed developing a multi-year funding strategy to achieve the “Penny for the Arts” commitment (9.52% of TOT). Councilmember Kate asked about the allocation of $2 million in additional arts funding. Councilmember Elo Rivera inquired about equity study recommendations. The item was for information only.
- Item 4: San Diego Convention Center Corporation Update: Rip Ripto, Martin Maddox, and Julie Coker reported on the pandemic’s impact: loss of 150 events, $48 million in revenue, and $2 billion in regional impact. The center served as a homeless shelter and intake site for unaccompanied minors. Reopening begins with SPIE Optics and Photonics on August 1, 2021, with 69 events booked for FY2022. Tourism outlook is positive, with a joint marketing campaign launching July 12. Councilmember Elo Rivera asked about TOT funding and revenue strategies. The item was for information only.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1: Approved unanimously (4-0) to authorize the CFO to appropriate and expend operating funds for the PBIDs.
- Item 2: Approved unanimously to forward the DDA and compensation agreement to City Council, with findings supporting the disposition.
- Item 3: No action taken; Councilmember Moreno requested a multi-year funding plan to be developed in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office and the Commission for Arts and Culture, with a target for the FY2023 budget. The Mayor’s Office indicated plans to bring amendments to Council Policy 100-3.
- Item 4: No action taken; information presented.
Meeting Transcript
Can you swap the display setting? Yeah. Are you seeing yourself? Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Chair, please proceed. Good afternoon. For California Executive Order N0821, 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 interest of the public's safety and health. 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 will 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, June 23rd, 2021 to order. I'll now call the roll. Vice Chair Chris Kate. Councilmember Vivian Moreno. Present. Councilmember Shawnee Lo Rivera. Present. And I am present. Each member is attending virtually. Also on the virtual meeting are Jordan Moore, fiscal and policy analyst of the Office of the Independent Budget Analyst. Steve Hill, Senior Advisor from the Office of Tough Mayor Todd Gloria, and Deputy City Attorney Daphne Scogan from the Office of the City Attorney. The public may view the meeting on public television on City TV Channel 24 for Cox Communication or 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 West Cat by Live Webcast blue button on the right hand side of the page. 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 in the agenda on the how to join by iPhone one tap. To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, you can dial 1669-254-5252. When prompted, webinar ID is 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 tapping either the raise your hand button on the computer tablet or smartphone or by pressing star nine on your phone. You'll be taken in the order in which you raise your hand. Or she will read the last four digits of your phone number if you have called in that way. If you have joined the webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone, you'll receive a pop-up notice to select to unmute your device. And if you've called by cell phone or landline, you'll press star six to unmute yourself. Please tell the item you wish to speak to has been called before, raising your hand to speak. And 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. Also, please mute the volume on your TV or computer before you begin to speak. Happy to motion, Miranda. We have a motion by Councilmember Moreno. Second. Second from Councilmember Elo Rivera. Thank you. We will now take comments and questions from council members and register your vote. We will begin with Councilmember Marino. I vote yes.
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