Public Safety Committee Meeting Addresses Parks Equity, Ghost Guns, and Diversity - July 14, 2021
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Public Safety & Livable Neighborhoods Committee Meeting - July 14, 2021
The Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee of the San Diego City Council met virtually on July 14, 2021, to discuss several items central to community well-being and safety. Key topics included approval of the "Parks for All of Us" master plan, a request for an ordinance to regulate ghost guns, an update on fire department diversity efforts, a report on the Family Justice Center's COVID-19 response, and the status of library reopenings. The meeting was conducted per Executive Order 29-20, with all members participating via Zoom and public comments taken over the phone/webinar.
Consent Calendar
- Unanimously approved the meeting minutes.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-Agenda Comments: Speakers addressed issues like police overtime costs for a transition storage facility (Francine Maxwell, requesting an audit), and the need for a timeline on the Commission on Police Practices (Yesami Nabid, Susan Dirksen). Several speakers, including Becky Rapp and a mother of three, raised concerns about marijuana's link to violence and appealed to the city to educate the cannabis business division.
- Parks Master Plan: Multiple speakers voiced support for the plan's equity goals (e.g., Michelle Anderson of San Diego Parks Foundation, Goyo Ortiz of Casa Familiar, Julie Corrales of Environmental Health Coalition). However, many, including former park planners and members of the Parks and Recreation Coalition, argued against the proposal to award a minimum of 7 points to parks under one acre, fearing it would undermine land acquisition goals. Others called for more community input and a timeline for implementation.
- Ghost Guns: Speakers supported the ordinance request, including Stefan Abrams (recent high school graduate with Brady's Team Enough) who demonstrated the ease of purchasing ghost gun parts as a minor; Aaron Brennan (veteran/firefighter), Therese Heimer (San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention), and Bishop Bowser, who highlighted disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities.
- Fire Department Diversity: Tasha Williamson expressed concern about retention and oversight of black firefighters; Jesse Conner (Local 145) stressed compensation disparities affecting recruitment.
- Family Justice Center: Tasha Williamson shared a personal case of a DV survivor she says was failed by the system.
- Library Reopening: Speakers expressed enthusiasm for reopening, including Tasha Williamson, Francine Maxwell (asking about meeting room reservations), and Alita Chavez (Oak Park).
Discussion Items
- Parks for All of Us Master Plan: The committee heard a detailed presentation from Parks and Recreation Director Andy Field, Planning Director Mike Hansen, Heidi Von Blum, and Scott Sandel. The plan includes a citywide park development impact fee, a new park standard (replacing the 2.8 acres/1000 residents standard), a goal of acquiring 100 acres of parkland, and the designation of the Chollas Creek watershed as a regional park. Discussions focused on a proposed "double discount" for transit priority areas and affordable housing in the fee structure, the 7-point minimum for small parks, and the need for a timeline for implementation.
- Ghost Guns Report and Ordinance Request: Councilmember Von Wilpert introduced the item, and SDPD Chief Paul Connolly and Captain Matt Novak presented data showing a sharp rise in ghost gun seizures (from 53 in 2018 to a projected 485 in 2021). Councilmember Von Wilpert formally requested that the City Attorney draft an ordinance addressing the sale of unfinished firearm parts.
- Fire Department Diversity Update: Deputy Chief Steven Lozano and Captains Jason Shanley and Alma Lowry outlined recruitment efforts, including community outreach, the Girls' Empowerment Camp, and the new Women's Preparatory Academy. They noted that 80% of the current fire academy class falls into diversity categories.
- Family Justice Center Update: Executive Director Diane Doherty presented the center's COVID-19 response, including over 23,000 phone calls answered, 5,000+ hours of counseling, and 93 forensic exams.
- Library Reopening Update: Library Director Misty Jones reported that 26 locations are open at 50% capacity, with plans to restore pre-pandemic hours by July 31, 2021, and resume Sunday hours in October 2021.
Key Outcomes
- Parks Master Plan Approved: The committee voted unanimously (4-0) to recommend the plan to the full City Council with amendments, including: a minimum park standard of 3.5 points for small parks (compromise), clarification that fractional acreage receives fractional scores, a requirement that park deficient communities be determined using existing conditions report figures until a new index is developed, and annual approval by the Council of the citywide development impact fee allocations.
- Ghost Gun Ordinance Request Approved: The committee voted unanimously (4-0) to direct the City Attorney's Office to draft an ordinance regulating the sale and transfer of unserialized firearm parts.
- Information Items Received: The fire department diversity update, Family Justice Center report, and library reopening status were all received as informational (no formal votes).
Meeting Transcript
Morning. Per executive order 29-20, which suspends certain requirements of the Brown Act. The committee members will be participating via Zoom. 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 testimony. Good morning, present. Council President Pro Tem Wickburn. Good morning, I'm here. Great. Councilmember Von Wilpert. Good morning, President. And thank you. Each committee member is attending virtually. Also on the virtual meeting is Paige Folkman, Office of the City Attorney, Rakup Patel, Office of the IBA, and Matt Yaggin, 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 and selecting the City TV Live Web 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 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 on how to join by iPhone one tap. To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, you may dial either 1669 254 5252. When prompted, input webinar ID 160780 2331 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, please 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, and you may only speak to the item under which you called in one 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 is 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, it will be lowered. When you are announced as the next speaker, please unmute yourselves and offer your comments. Please also mute the volume on your TV or computer before you begin to speak as there is a delay. A quorum is now present. I will move, Chair. Thank you, Vice Chair, and a second. Thank you, Member Von Wolpert. We have a motion and a second on the floor. I will go uh to committee members at this time. Vice Chair Campillo. I vote yes. Thank you. Uh member Whitburn. Yes. Thank you. Member Von Wolpert. Yes. All right. And I am a yes.
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