Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee Meeting - October 21, 2021
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Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee Meeting - October 21, 2021
The Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee of the San Diego City Council met virtually on October 21, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic under AB 361. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including the state and federal legislative platform, an amendment to the exclusive negotiation agreement with the Padres Development Team, federal and state affairs updates, the regional transportation plan, and the World Trade Center's trade strategy. The committee also addressed a technical issue with the agenda link and heard public comments on various topics such as public restrooms, border water quality, and equity.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Committee Actions: The committee unanimously approved the actions from the September 8, 2021 meeting. (Motion by Councilmember Ilo Rivera, second by Vice Chair Kate)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-Agenda Public Comment: Lori Saldania raised two issues: (1) the agenda link on the city clerk's website was not functioning, preventing public access to the meeting materials and Zoom link; (2) the lack of public restrooms in downtown San Diego, specifically referencing a Portland Loo that was removed from a development site and not yet reinstalled, amid a bacterial outbreak affecting unsheltered individuals. She requested an update on the bathroom and the amendment to remove the restroom requirement.
- Item 1 - Legislative Platform: Lori Saldania (speaker) expressed support for the city's active participation in state and federal lobbying, but noted ongoing confusion about emergency housing funds. Trisha Mejia (SurfRider Foundation's Clean Border Water Now campaign) expressed support for the city's advocacy for Tijuana River Valley funding.
- Item 2 - Padres ENA Amendment: John Brady (homeless advocate) reiterated the need for public restrooms, noting the city is down multiple Portland Loos. Lori Saldania provided additional details on a $1.6 million credit given to Pinnacle Development for public restrooms that are often locked, and urged the committee to incorporate restrooms in future developments.
- Item 5 - Federal Affairs Update: Lori Saldania encouraged the city to pursue state funds quickly due to delays at the federal level, and praised the rental assistance program but noted that only 20% of federal funds have been spent. She also emphasized that citizen activism and lawsuits forced the city to improve water reclamation.
- Item 6 - State Affairs Update: Lori Saldania reminded the committee that the city previously opposed a treatment plant in Mexico for the Tijuana River Valley, and urged the committee to check with State Senator Denise Ducheny about Border Environment Cooperation Commission policies.
- Item 3 - Regional Transportation Plan: Lori Saldania supported the inclusion of restrooms at transit stations, citing a Portland State University study linking restrooms to increased ridership, and suggested installing a Portland Loo at a transit station.
- Item 4 - World Trade Center Strategy: Lori Saldania pointed out that the WTC report lacks demographic data on age, gender, ethnicity, and race, and noted that despite increasing college graduation rates among women, women and people of color are underrepresented in high-wage innovation sectors, suggesting systemic discrimination.
Discussion Items
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Item 1: 2021-2022 State and Federal Legislative Platform
- Adrian Granda (Director of Government Affairs) presented the authorizing document that outlines the city's priorities for state and federal advocacy. Key updates include adding language on language access, legal status, social justice, equity, and inclusive economic development. The platform was used to support legislation such as SB 538 (victims' rights), AB 140 (housing and homelessness funding), and federal advocacy for the American Rescue Plan, USMCA funding, and infrastructure bills. Councilmember Moreno requested continued advocacy for trade corridor enhancement funds and discussed the need to change the three-day notice requirement for police interrogations (a local implementation issue, not state law). Councilmember Ilo Rivera suggested adding support for social housing and a public bank. Chair Campillo emphasized the need for state funding for SB 1383 implementation. The item passed unanimously.
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Item 2: Amendment to Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with Padres Development Team for Tailgate Park (East Village Quarter)
- Christina Bibler (Economic Development Director) presented a request to extend the exclusive negotiation agreement (ENA) by several months due to the site being used as a COVID-19 vaccination superstation by UCSD, the County, and the Padres from January to March 2021. The original ENA negotiations were to end in September 2021; the amendment extends through January 2022. The city acquired the 5.25-acre site in 2016, and the Padres hold a long-term lease through 2043 for parking. The committee voted unanimously to recommend the amendment to the full council.
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Item 5: 2021 Federal Affairs Update
- Walter Bishop (Strategic Advisor for Federal Affairs) and Dave Lachrang (City's Federal Representative) presented on the current state of play in Congress, including the infrastructure bill (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), the reconciliation package (Build Back Better Act), debt ceiling, and fiscal year 2022 appropriations. Key city priorities include funding for the Tijuana River Valley (BWIP), Pure Water San Diego (WIFIA), OPRA II (Point Loma waiver), emergency rental assistance, and transportation grants. Councilmember Moreno highlighted the need for more Section 8 vouchers (unchanged since 1995) and continued advocacy for border water quality funding. Councilmember Ilo Rivera noted the importance of the child tax credit and the reopening of the border. The item was informational only.
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Item 6: 2021 State Affairs Update
- Moira Top (Lead Lobbyist, Platinum Advisors/Top Strategies) presented the state update. The state had a $75 billion surplus plus $25 billion in federal funds, leading to significant investments. Direct allocations to San Diego exceeded $80 million, including $50 million for Pure Water, $2.8 million for the Old Logan Heights Library, and $18 million for the San Vicente hydropump storage project. The city secured $2 billion over two years for direct local homelessness aid (HAP program). Key bills supported include SB 538 (electronic filing for restraining orders), AB 43 (local speed limit adjustments), and SB 619 (flexibility for SB 1383). Councilmember Moreno asked about the Bay Park grant (Prop 68), and staff reported positive engagement and an expected update by end of October. Councilmember Ilo Rivera asked about implementation of AB 43 (speed limits), and staff noted the transportation department is excited about future opportunities. The item was informational only.
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Item 3: Sandag's San Diego Forward Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)
- Hassan Ikhrata (CEO), Colleen Clemenson (Planning Director), and Ray Major presented the 2021 RTP, a $163 billion investment through 2050 based on five big moves: complete corridors, transit leap, flexible fleets, mobility hubs, and technology. The plan includes a central mobility hub near the airport, a high-speed commuter rail network, free transit for youth pilot (equity pilots to be considered by Sandag Board on October 22), and a request for innovative concepts for downtown loop and other connections. Councilmember Moreno emphasized the need for the San Ysidro Intermodal Transit Center, noting it is the busiest land border crossing in the world (13,325 daily trolley boardings pre-pandemic). Councilmember Ilo Rivera praised the improved community engagement process and the inclusion of restrooms at transit stations. Chair Campillo highlighted the importance of the San Diego River Trail and the need for bold investments. The item was informational only.
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Item 4: World Trade Center San Diego Go Global 2025 Trade and Investment Strategy
- Nikia Clark (Executive Director, World Trade Center San Diego) presented the updated strategy, released in April 2021. Key points: San Diego's innovation cluster (life sciences, tech, aerospace) drives exports and job creation (2.2 multiplier). Goods trade is heavily linked to the binational region (90% by truck), but services trade is even larger. Foreign direct investment is concentrated in knowledge-intensive industries, with 94% via mergers and acquisitions. The strategy focuses on leading with competitive industries, leveraging the binational region, prioritizing small business access to global markets, investing in critical infrastructure (air, sea, land ports), and collaborative storytelling. Councilmember Moreno urged the WTC to advocate for infrastructure projects like Harbor Drive 2.0 and Otay Mesa border infrastructure. Councilmember Ilo Rivera stressed the importance of equity and ensuring historically excluded groups benefit from growth. Chair Campillo asked about upcoming trade missions; Clark indicated possible missions in 2022 focused on sustainability, infrastructure, and housing. The item was informational only.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1: The committee voted unanimously (4-0) to recommend the 2021-2022 State and Federal Legislative Platform to the full council.
- Item 2: The committee voted unanimously (4-0) to recommend the amendment to the exclusive negotiation agreement with the Padres Development Team to the full council.
- Item 7: The San Diego Promise Zone update was deferred to the next committee meeting on November 17, 2021.
- Technical Issue: The committee noted that the agenda link was initially broken but later fixed. The chair allowed additional non-agenda public comment at the end of the meeting to accommodate those who could not access the link earlier.
- Next Meeting: The committee adjourned and will reconvene on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, at 2 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
California Government Code Section 54953G added by Assembly Bill 361, which allows the city to use teleconferencing and to provide public an opportunity to address the city council committee via call-in option or internet best service option. The committee members will be participating via Zoom, and no member 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 soon. I will now call the meeting of the Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee of Wednesday, October 20th, 2021, to order. I will now call the roll. Vice Chair Kate. Councilmember Moreno. Present. Councilmember Ilo Rivera. Present. And I am also present. Each committee member is attending virtually. Also in this virtual meeting is Jordan Moore, fiscal and policy analyst in the office of the independent budget analyst. Brittany Bailey, senior policy advisor from the Office of Mayor Todd Gloria, and Deputy City Attorney Kate Malcolm from the Office of the City Attorney. The public may view the meeting on the public television via City TV Channel 24 for Cox Communications and Spectrum or Channel 99 for ATT Uverse, or view the meeting online by going to the City Council Committee's homepage at San Diego.gov and selecting the City TV Live Webcast button on the right hand side of the page. Committee meetings will be held virtually using the Zoom webinar platform, and members of the public can offer their comment on items by accessing the 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 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 1669-254-5252. And when prompted, input the webinar ID 161-735-9340 Pound. This information is also available on the agenda and will appear on the screen numerous times during public comment period. When I introduce the item you would like to raise uh comment about, 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'll be taken in the order in which you raise your hand, and you may only speak once on each 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 in the Zoom webinar attendee list, or she will read the last four digits of your phone number if you've called into the meeting. This is how you will know it is your turn to speak. If you've joined the webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone, you will receive a pop-up notice to select to unmute your device. If you have called into the meeting by cell phone or landline, press star six on your phone to unmute yourself. Please wait until the item you wish to speak to has been called before raising your hand. And if you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered. When you're announced as the next speaker, unmute yourself and offer comments and mute the volume on your TV or computer before you begin to speak. A quorum now being present, we will now dispense with the approval of committee actions and the actions before your approval are from the meeting of September 8th, 2021. Do I have a motion to approve the actions? So move, Chair. I have a motion from Councilmember Elo Rivera. Do I have a second? Second. I hear a second from Vice Chair Kate. We will now take council member comments and questions, and each council member will register their vote. We will begin with Vice Chair Kate. Yes. Councilmember Moreno. Moreno, yes. Councilmember Ilo Rivera. Yes. And I am also a yes, and that passes unanimously. We now move to non agenda public comment. Each speaker will have two minutes and per temporary rule 2.6 non-agenda public comment is an opportunity for members of the public to comment on items that are not on the agenda but within the subject merge subject matter jurisdiction of this committee. Each speaker will have two minutes. The public comment period for non agenda public comment is now open.
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