Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee Meeting - February 10, 2021
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Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee Meeting - February 10, 2021
The Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee of the San Diego City Council met virtually on February 10, 2021, to discuss two major agenda items: a proposed contract with FALC Mobile Health Corporation for emergency ambulance services and the implementation of the new Commission on Police Practices (Measure B). The meeting included extensive public testimony and detailed deliberation by committee members.
Consent Calendar
- Unanimously approved the committee actions from January 13, 2021.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-Agenda Public Comment: Speakers addressed concerns about marijuana delivery to minors (Becky Rapp), a recent shooting incident (Francine Maxwell), and the need for community engagement (Joanne Fields, Joy Sanyata). Jack Olmsted attempted to speak on agenda item 2 but was redirected.
- Item 1 (FALC Contract): Over 30 callers provided input. Opponents, including Bridget Browning (Unite Here Local 30), Keith Maddox (Labor Council), and several Alameda County employees, cited FALC's labor record, financial projections, and performance issues. Supporters, including Anthony Sorchi (SDAPP), Abid Nader (FALC employee), and Roberto Alcantar (Chicano Federation), argued for change and improved service. AMR representatives and community partners highlighted their track record.
- Item 2 (Police Commission): Approximately 21 callers urged the committee to follow community recommendations, including full independence from law enforcement, youth seats, access to data, and adequate funding. Speakers included Andrea St. Julian (San Diegans for Justice), Jack Olmsted, and several youth council members.
Discussion Items
- Item 1: Emergency Ambulance Service Contract with FALC – Fire Chief Colin Stowell and Deputy COO Christina Peralta presented the RFP process, noting FALC was selected after a competitive process and that the contract would bring 65 new ambulances, improved technology, and an estimated $7.5 million annual fee to the city. IBA representative Baku Patel noted the new revenue of ~$9 million is $1.6 million less than current, but is based on full cost recovery. FALC CEO Matt Gallagher and CCO Troy Hagen addressed concerns about labor commitments (vowing to honor existing wages and benefits) and financial projections, disagreeing with the AP Triton report's conclusions. Committee members (Campillo, Whitburn, Von Wilpert) raised questions about revenue sustainability, labor protections, and equity in response times. After debate, Councilmember Whitburn moved to forward the item to full council with no committee recommendation, pending an IBA report on AP Triton’s revenue projections and a comprehensive review of labor issues, including the cost to rebid. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
- Item 2: Commission on Police Practices Implementation – Interim Commission Chair Brandon Hilbert and Vice Chair Doug Case presented 10 guiding principles from community roundtables and specific recommendations for the implementation ordinance: a 25-member commission (including 2 youth seats), eligibility restrictions barring current/former law enforcement and close relatives, a community-based selection committee, and a definition of police misconduct. They also requested interim standard operating procedures and immediate funding. Committee members (Montgomery Steppe, Campillo, Whitburn, Von Wilpert) expressed strong support for a community-driven process, full funding, and inclusion of youth and impacted communities. Chair Montgomery Steppe moved to direct the City Attorney to draft an implementation ordinance considering membership, terms, qualifications, removal, and definitions, with legal review to return to committee. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1: Motion carried unanimously to forward the FALC contract to full council with no committee recommendation, contingent on an IBA report addressing AP Triton’s revenue projections and a comprehensive review of labor issues, including the financial impact of rebidding. The motion also requested AP Triton representatives be present at the council meeting.
- Item 2: Motion carried unanimously to direct the City Attorney to draft an implementation ordinance for the Commission on Police Practices, covering composition, terms, qualifications, appointment and removal procedures, and definitions of police misconduct. The draft will return to the committee after legal review.
- The meeting adjourned without considering remaining informational items, which were continued to the next committee meeting on March 5, 2021.
Meeting Transcript
The committee 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 will go over the specifics of how to join the webinar and will give details on how the public can offer their public testimony. I will now call the public safety and livable neighborhoods committee meeting of February 10th to order. I see all committee members are present, and each committee member is attending virtually. Also on the virtual meeting is Paige Falkman from the Office of the City Attorney, Baku Patel, Office of the IBA, Matt Yagegan, Office of the Mayor. The public may view the meetings on public television on City TV, Channel 24 for Cox Communication, and Time Warner Cable, or Channel 99 for ATT, or view the meeting online by going to the City Council Committee's homepage at Sandiego.gov. Select the City TV Live Webcast 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 assessing the Zoom webinar accessing, excuse me, 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 how to join by iPhone one tap. To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, you may dial either 1669 254 5252 when prompted. 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 items 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 9 on your phone. You will be taken in the order which you raise your hand. You may only speak once on a particular item. When our committee consultant, Chloe Triplett indicates it is your turn to speak. She will call you by your name as it appears on the Zoom webinar attendee list, or she will read out the last four digits of your phone number if you have called into the meeting. That's how you will know it is your turn to speak. 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. A quorum is uh now present. We will now dispense with the approval of the committee actions of January 13th, 2021. Do I have a motion to approve the committee actions? I so move. Thank you, Vice Chair. Uh, and a second. Okay. Thank you, Committee Member Whitburn. We will now take any council member questions or comments, and each one of the committee members will register your vote. Vice Chair Campillo. I vote yes. Thank you. Uh Committee member Whitburn. I vote yes. Committee member Von Wilper. Yes. Thank you. I would also like to vote yes, and so that uh passes unanimously. At this time, we will take up non-agenda public comment. Uh, 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 matter jurisdiction of the committee. Each speaker will have minutes for non-agenda public comment. We have some um needy items on the agenda today. Make sure that you're not calling for one of those items.
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