Land Use and Housing Committee Meeting – October 20, 2022
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Land Use and Housing Committee Meeting – October 20, 2022
The Land Use and Housing Committee of the San Diego City Council met on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at 9:00 AM. Vice Chair Joe LaCava chaired the meeting in the absence of Chair Moreno. The committee approved a consent item, two discussion items related to homeless outreach contracts, and received an informational update on the Affordable Infill and Sustainable Expedite Program. Public testimony addressed a range of issues including homelessness, ethics, and health equity.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1 (Third Amendment with CNS Engineers): Approved unanimously (3-0) for Airport Master Plan Studies at Montgomery Gibbs Executive and Brownfield Airports. No public comment.
Public Comments & Testimony
Non-Agenda Public Comment:
- Barbara Gordon requested a comprehensive policy to eliminate secondhand tobacco and marijuana smoke, citing a case in Carmel Valley where marijuana smoke from a neighbor impacted quality of life.
- Former Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña filed a formal complaint with the City Ethics Commission against attorney Gil Cabrera for alleged lobbying violations related to the Midway Rising project and undisclosed payments totaling over $118,000.
- Judy Strang, parent advocate, highlighted health inequities and the impact of poor health on young people, urging improved living conditions in multi-unit housing.
- Another speaker (anonymous) reiterated concerns about missing lobbying information for Midway Rising.
Public Comment on Items 3 & 4 (Coordinated Outreach & Family Reunification):
- Douglas Jack, formerly homeless, testified that PATH outreach workers provided the respect and coordination needed to exit homelessness. He now volunteers and supports full funding.
- John Brady, lived experience advisor, praised the one-stop-shop approach of Community Care events and noted that $18,000 in stimulus tax recovery was obtained for one family. He urged additional staff and medical services.
- Monica Ball, board president of Uplift Now, emphasized that trust built by outreach teams leads to housing placements. She recalled that 75% of clients would have accepted immediate shelter/housing if available.
- Levi Giafaglione, formerly homeless, credited outreach workers with helping him get housed and noted the importance of same-day ID and EBT card services.
- Brian Gruters, associate director of PATH San Diego, thanked the committee for funding and highlighted the need for flexible funds for deposits and shoes, and transportation vehicles.
- Alonzo Vivas, representing Downtown San Diego Partnership Clean & Safe Program, supported the Family Reunification Program amendment, noting it has helped over 2,900 individuals since 2017.
- Joyce Sanyata (District 3) praised PATH and the Downtown San Diego Partnership, but questioned whether regional collaboration is fully effective.
- Michael Hoffman, CEO of Health Care in Action, commended the coordination in San Diego compared to Los Angeles and appreciated the collaborative one-stop model.
- Lori Saldaña (retired) strongly supported PATH funding, contrasted with other city contracts, and condemned police sweeps, stating they traumatize individuals and undermine outreach efforts.
Public Comment on Item 5 (Affordable Infill & Sustainable Expedite Program):
- Lori Saldaña noted the program's flexibility and wondered about the impact of strengthening California sustainability laws. She also attributed increased homelessness in La Jolla Village to displacement from police sweeps elsewhere.
Discussion Items
Item 2: JLL Contract for Office Space Optimization
- Staff presented a $725,000 contract with Jones Lang LaSalle to analyze and optimize downtown city-owned office space (101 Ash, Civic Center Plaza, City Operations Building, City Administration Building) and lease spaces. The study will inform the Civic Core redevelopment and align with the city's teleworking policy. Estimated timeline 12-18 months, with a pilot program.
- Councilmember Whitburn expressed support and asked how the study will inform redevelopment decisions. Staff said it will provide a range of square footage needs and that Jay Goldstone will coordinate.
- Councilmember Kate asked about including lease spaces; staff confirmed they will be evaluated.
- Vice Chair LaCava questioned the scope (focus on downtown vs. all 11,000 employees) and requested periodic reports to council. The motion passed 3-0.
Items 3 & 4: PATH Amendment & Downtown San Diego Partnership Amendment (Heard Together)
- The Homeless Strategies and Solutions Department (HSSD) presented updates on the Coordinated Street Outreach Program and Community Care events. The PATH amendment adds $475,000 for client support/flexible funding (from HAP carryover). The Downtown San Diego Partnership Foundation amendment adds six outreach workers to the Family Reunification Program.
- Councilmember Whitburn noted the gap between shelter requests and placements (e.g., 62 requested shelter, 9 placed in one event) and emphasized the need for more appropriate shelter options. Staff acknowledged the ecosystem approach and that shelter capacity is at 95-99%.
- Vice Chair LaCava asked about data collection on reasons for not accepting shelter; staff said they are working on robust metrics.
- Both amendments were approved 3-0.
Item 5: Informational Update on Affordable Infill & Sustainable Expedite Program
- Development Services staff reported that from 2019-2021, 45 discretionary projects were submitted under the program, 31 approved (11% of all discretionary applications). These resulted in ~9,000 units, 1,500 affordable. Only 3 projects were 100% affordable. The program requires 10% affordable units, but inclusionary housing now mandates 10% for most projects, making the bar low.
- Councilmember Whitburn requested future revisions to raise the bar and consider deeper affordability. Vice Chair LaCava asked about the program's impact on DSD workload and whether sustainability standards will soon be mandatory. Staff indicated they are close to that point.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Consent Agenda (Item 1) – 3-0.
- Approved: Item 2 (JLL contract for office space optimization) – 3-0.
- Approved: Item 3 (PATH amendment for $475,000 in flexible funding) – 3-0.
- Approved: Item 4 (Downtown San Diego Partnership Foundation amendment for expanded outreach) – 3-0.
- No Action Taken: Item 5 (informational update only). Staff will return with potential revisions to the expedite program.
- Next Meeting: Scheduled for Thursday, November 17, 2022, at 1:00 PM.
Statistics & Context
- The meeting was conducted under AB 361 (teleconferencing due to state of emergency).
- JLL contract: $725,000 from general fund.
- PATH flexible funding: $475,000 from HAP 1.0 and 2.0 carryover.
- Community Care events: 195 people engaged (62 requested shelter, 9 placed); 120 engaged (25 requested shelter, 3 placed).
- Over 2,100 standback medical calls in first nine months of 2022.
- Expedite program: 45 projects submitted, 31 approved; 9,000 total units, 1,500 affordable; 3 projects 100% affordable.
Meeting Transcript
Code Section 54953E added by Assembly Bill 361, which allows the city to use teleconferencing and to provide the public an opportunity to address the city council via a call-in option or an internet-based service option during a proclaimed state of emergency. While the public is allowed to attend the meetings in person, we encourage you to maintain six feet of social distance as well as in follow California mass guidelines where masks are strongly recommended. In addition to being able to attend in person, this meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website, and the committee lays on will continue to make arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. Additionally, members of the public who wish to provide testimony via call-in or internet based service option must enter the virtual the virtual speaking queue within five minutes after the conclusion of an in-person public testimony or before the virtual speaking queue is exhausted, whichever comes first. This will allow for better meeting management between the two platforms and ensure the council is able to manage and conduct city business. We appreciate the public's cooperation. I will now call the meeting of the land use and housing committee of Thursday, October 20th, 2022 to order and call the roll. Councilmember Whitburn here. Councilmember Kate? Here. Chair Moreno is not present. I am Councilmember Joe Locava, Vice Chair of the Land Use and Housing Committee, and I'm chairing today's meeting in Chair Moreno's absence. Also attending the meeting, or we certainly expect is Chris Ackerman of Vila with the Mayor's Office. Corinne Newfer with the City Attorney's Office. Raishin Chen with the Independent Budget Analysts Office. And we also have up here Deputy Reckon Julian Cassie. And Kevin Smith, the land use and housing committee consultant. Mr. Smith will now go over some details regarding how the public can participate in this meeting. Thank you, Vice Chair Lakava. If you are attending in person and wish to speak on any items, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of the chambers and place it in the box indicated at the speaker's lectern at the front of the room. Please don't do so in a timely manner to ensure proper meeting management. Members of the public can join the webinar by computer tablet or smartphone by accessing the link which is listed online in the preamble language of the agenda on the city's webpage. The link to join the committee meeting webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone is listed on the agenda. To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, please dial 1669-2545252. When prompted, input webinar ID 161-042-5337 pound. This information is also available on the agenda and will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each agenda item. Members of the public who wish to provide testimony via a call-in or an internet-based service option must enter the virtual speaking queue within five minutes after the conclusion of in-person public testimony or before the virtual speaking queue is exhausted, whichever occurs first. Please note that if you are watching via City TV 24 or online, there may be a delay. Please participate via the audio on your phone and mute your TV or computer when it is your turn to speak. When the item you would like to comment on is introduced, please raise your hand by either tapping the raise your hand button on your 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. You may only speak once on a particular item. When I indicated it is your turn to speak, I will call you by your name as it appears on the Zoom webinar attendee list, or I will read out the last four digits of your phone number. If you have called if you have called into the meeting, that is how you will know it is your turn to speak. If you are in person, please come up to the reserve seats at the front of the room when your name is called and be prepared to come up to the lectern in the order called. If you have 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. We will review these instructions briefly again when the public comment period on an item is open. 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 your comments. Also, please mute the volume on your TV or computer before you begin to speak. Thank you, Mr. Smith. A quorum is now present. We will now take up the approval of the committee actions of September 22nd, 2022. Mr. Smith, please proceed with public comment for this item. Thank you, Vice Chair Lakava.
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