Public Safety and Livable Neighborhood Committee Meeting - June 16, 2021
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Public Safety and Livable Neighborhood Committee Meeting - June 16, 2021
The Public Safety and Livable Neighborhood Committee of the San Diego City Council met virtually on June 16, 2021, to discuss maintenance assessment districts (MADs), fire department response standards, wildland fire management, and police recruitment and retention. The meeting included public testimony, staff presentations, and committee votes on two items, with the remaining items received as informational.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The committee unanimously approved the actions of the May 19, 2021 meeting (motion by Vice Chair Campillo, second by Council President Pro Tem Whitburn, all members voting yes).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-Agenda Public Comment: No speakers.
- Item 1 – Maintenance Assessment Districts: Two speakers addressed the proposed budget for the Barrio Logan MAD. Scott Kessler (Executive Director, Adams Avenue Business Association, speaking on behalf of the Barrio Logan Association (BLA)) stated that the city planned to cut 50% of the general benefit portion of the Barrio Logan MAD budget without consulting the BLA, the official advisory group. He argued this contradicts the city’s equity rhetoric and that the BLA had not approved the budget presented to the committee. Josephine Talements (Barrio Logan resident and BLA member) echoed these concerns, noting the community already bears a disproportionate impact from the city’s unsheltered population and called the cut “disgusting.” Both speakers urged the committee to reject the proposed budget changes.
Discussion Items
Item 1 & 2: FY2022 Maintenance Assessment Districts Annual Reports
Presenters: Michael Jones (Assistant Deputy Director, Parks and Recreation) and Liz Dudebaker (Assistant Deputy Director, Economic Development).
- Overview: The city operates 64 MADs (55 managed by Parks and Recreation, 9 by Economic Development) governed by Proposition 218 and city policies. The annual reports update assessment engineers’ reports and integrate FY2022 budgets. No changes to apportionment methodology are permitted, but assessments may change due to parcel changes.
- Staff Response to Public Concerns: Ms. Dudebaker acknowledged a “breakdown in communication” regarding the Barrio Logan MAD and stated that the general benefit allocation for FY2022 is consistent with the assessment engineer’s report. She committed to working with the BLA and providing follow-up briefings to the committee and council.
- Committee Discussion: Councilmember Campillo asked about equity in MAD funding and oversight. Mr. Jones noted that MADs are formed by property owners voting to assess themselves, and equity is not directly addressed by the MAD framework itself. Council President Pro Tem Whitburn encouraged staff to review the concerns raised. Councilmember Von Wilpert asked for details on the city’s contribution cuts; staff responded they would investigate.
- Motion and Vote: Vice Chair Campillo moved to approve staff recommendation; Council President Pro Tem Whitburn seconded. The motion passed unanimously (4-0). Councilmember Montgomery Stepp noted she would reserve full support pending updates.
Item 3: City Gate Standards of Response Coverage Report
Presenters: Chief Stoll and Deputy Chief Gervault, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
- Presentation: The study (updated from 2010 and 2017) analyzed over 700,000 emergency responses over five years. Key findings: Travel times cannot be significantly improved without adding fire stations; 10 infill gaps were identified; 5-minute travel time goal for first units is met 74% of the time for single-engine responses (target 90%) and 80% for effective response force (17 personnel within 9.5 minutes). Since 2010, improvements include Skyline Fire Station 51 (temporary), Canto Squad 55, Bayside Fire Station 2, University City Fire Station 50, and Squad 57 at San Pasqual Academy. Current needs: Mid-City Heights (Station 53, design funded, construction not), Torrey Pines (Station 52, funded, in service 2024), Black Mountain Ranch (funded, 2024), Otay Mesa (land purchase funded), Torrey Highlands (city-owned land, not funded), Downtown 13th & Broadway (city-owned land, not funded). Peak-hour engines and a new data repository were highlighted.
- Committee Discussion: Councilmembers thanked staff, emphasized the need for funding additional stations and peak-hour engines, and discussed fire station conditions, relationship with SDG&E, and dispatch triage.
- Outcome: Informational item; no vote taken.
Item 4: Wildland Management Enforcement Program and 2021 Fire Season Outlook
Presenters: Fire Marshal Perry and Marcy Garcia (Senior Code Compliance Supervisor).
- Presentation: The Wildland Management Enforcement Section has 9 staff (5 code compliance officers) responsible for inspecting 45,000 canyon-rim parcels every 3.5–3.6 years. Programs include door-to-door brush inspections, structural risk assessments, complaint response (1,500 annually), vacant lot weed abatement, fire safe councils, and the “Ready, Set, Go!” public education campaign. The 2021 fire season outlook predicts above-normal large fire potential due to below-normal rainfall, early vegetation curing, and drier-than-normal conditions through July and August. Staff emphasized education before enforcement.
- Committee Discussion: Councilmembers asked about brush management during the MHPA (Multiple Species Conservation Program) protected period (March 1–August 15). Chief Perry noted a recent state law allowing public nuisance declarations for overgrown vegetation in certain areas, which may provide new mitigation options. Councilmember Von Wilpert also inquired about SDG&E’s fire prevention partnership; Chief Perry praised the utility’s collaborative efforts, including a contracted Sikorsky helicopter with 3,600-gallon capacity.
- Outcome: Informational item; no vote taken.
Item 5: San Diego Police Department Recruitment and Retention Update
Presenters: Assistant Chief Keith Lucas, Captain Rudy Ty, and Lieutenant Steve Waldheim.
- Presentation: The department’s nine-step background process includes written tests (five per month), physical agility tests (PAT), a pre-investigative questionnaire (330 questions), polygraph, and psychological/medical exams. In 2020, despite the pandemic, the department hired 219 officers (201 in 2019, 195 in 2018). Over the last 1.5 years, 268 officers were hired; 56% diverse, 16% female, 30% bilingual, 52% have at least a two-year degree, average age 27.7. The department averages 13 separations per month (mostly retirements, only 2 to other agencies per month). Recruitment efforts shifted to virtual events during COVID; the CAMP program (Candidate Assistance Mentorship Program) reduced academy attrition to 10%. A home buyer program, in partnership with the National Asian American Association, helps officers purchase homes in San Diego (8 officers have bought homes). The department emphasized speed in processing to compete with other agencies.
- Committee Discussion: Councilmembers asked about polygraph questions (cover bias, hate incidents), attrition points (50% fail written exam, 15% physical, 50% at PIQ, 50% at polygraph), and efforts to increase female recruitment (changed dummy drag from sand to hard surface, improved wall grip). Councilmember Von Wilpert asked about reducing overtime burden; Assistant Chief Lucas noted full staffing would reduce mandatory overtime. Councilmember Montgomery Stepp discussed diversity of thought and the need for critical thinking in officers.
- Outcome: Informational item; no vote taken.
Key Outcomes
- Approved and forwarded to Full Council: Items 1 and 2 (FY2022 MAD annual reports) passed unanimously (4-0). Staff will provide briefings on Barrio Logan MAD concerns before council consideration.
- Informational items: Items 3 (City Gate fire response report), 4 (Wildland management and fire season outlook), and 5 (Police recruitment and retention) were received as informational; no formal action taken.
- Next Meeting: The committee will next meet on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 (as announced at adjournment).
Meeting Transcript
Looks like we are still waiting. Oh, here we go. We do have a quorum. If you would like to proceed, we can. Okay. Seeing uh council president. Okay, everyone is here. All right. So good morning, everyone. Uh per executive order 2920, which suspends certain requirements of the Brown Act. 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 webinar platform. We appreciate the public cooperation. I will go over the specifics of how to join the webinar and will be uh giving details on how the public can offer their testimony. We'll now call the public safety and livable neighborhood committee meeting of June 15th to order. Uh we have all uh members present, and each committee member is attending virtually. Also on the virtual meeting is Laura Easton, Office of the City Attorney. Baku Patel, Office of the IBA, and Matt Yagin, Office of the Mayor. The public may view the meetings in the on public television on CD TV, channel 24 for Cox Communication, and Time Warner Cable or Channel 99 for ATT. Or view the meetings online by going to the City Council Committees homepage at San Diego.gov and selecting the City TV Live Webcast blue button on the right hand side of the page. The committee meetings will be held virtually until this uh using the Zoom webinar platform. Members of the public can offer public testimony 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 under how to join by iPhone Windows. To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, you may dial either one six six nine two five four five two five two. And when prompted, input webinar ID 16070 231 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 can 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 in which you raise your hand. You may only speak on one once on each particular item. When our committee consultant Chloe Triplett indicates it's 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 unmute on your device. We will review these instructions briefly again when the public comment period on an open item is open. Please wait until the item you speak uh 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. Also, please mute the volume on your TV or computer before you begin to speak. A quorum is now present. We will now dispense with the approval of the committee actions of May 19 2021. Is there a motion? I will so move, Chair. Thank you, Vice Chair, and a second. I will thank you. Thank you, uh, member von Wilbert. We will now take council member questions and comments. Have each council member register their vote. Start with uh by Chair Kempio. I vote yes. Thank you. Council President Frozen Whitburn.
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