Public Safety & Livable Neighborhoods Committee Meeting - Feb 9, 2022
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Public Safety & Livable Neighborhoods Committee Meeting - February 9, 2022
This meeting of the Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee was held virtually via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary agenda item was the SAFE Act (Stop Adolescent Addiction to Flavored E-Cigarettes Act), an ordinance regulating the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes and, via a proposed amendment, menthol cigarettes. After extensive public comment, the meeting lost a quorum and was adjourned without a vote; the item will be docketed directly to the full City Council.
Consent Calendar
- The committee unanimously approved the actions from the November 10, 2021 and January 21, 2022 meetings.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non‑agenda public comment: Eight speakers addressed topics including a proposed “protect ordinance” (with several speakers opposing it as harmful to policing and public safety), the need for speed trailers and gang intervention funding, a request to repeal and replace the vehicle habitation ordinance, and concerns about homelessness and business impacts in the Gaslamp Quarter.
- SAFE Act public comment (Item 2): Over 77 speakers offered one‑minute testimony. Positions were sharply divided:
- Supporters included pediatricians, public health advocates, parents, students, and community groups (e.g., American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, San Diegans vs. Big Tobacco). They argued that flavored e‑cigarettes and menthol cigarettes are deliberately marketed to youth and communities of color, leading to addiction and health harms. Many urged a comprehensive ban on all flavored tobacco products, including hookah and menthol, with strong enforcement.
- Opponents included local small‑business owners (convenience stores, smoke shops, hookah lounges), their employees, and some cultural advocates. They contended the ban would not stop youth access (blaming online sales and black markets), would unfairly harm law‑abiding retailers and their employees, would drive sales to neighboring cities or online, and that the issue should be decided by statewide vote in November 2022. Several hookah advocates requested an exemption, citing cultural traditions and the product’s low youth usage.
Discussion Items
- SAFE Act Presentation and Deliberation: Councilmember Von Wilpert introduced the SAFE Act, which initially targeted flavored nicotine‑based e‑liquids. She announced an amendment to add menthol cigarettes and align definitions with state law. Quinton Grounds presented a slide deck showing the rise in adolescent vaping, FDA warnings, and lawsuits against Juul. California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber gave powerful remarks supporting the amendment, emphasizing that menthol cigarettes have been deliberately marketed to African American communities and are not a cultural tradition. The committee then heard over 70 public speakers. After public comment, Chair Montgomery Stepp noted the committee had lost a quorum due to other commitments. Councilmember Von Wilpert stated she would request direct docketing to the full City Council.
Key Outcomes
- The committee did not vote on the SAFE Act due to loss of quorum.
- Councilmember Von Wilpert announced she will request the item be placed directly on the full City Council agenda, including her proposed amendments (adding menthol cigarettes and tightening definitions).
- Item 3 (not discussed) was returned to staff.
- The meeting was adjourned until March 9, 2022.
Meeting Transcript
Morning. I'm glad it's practice session. Good morning. Okay. So we're ready to get started. Yes, we are. I'll go ahead and make the webinar live for you, sir. Okay. Great. Thank you. Good morning. Good morning. Whenever you're ready. All righty. Good morning, per executive order 29-20, 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 platform. We appreciate the public's participation and 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 9, 2022 to order. Vice Chair Moreno. Present. Councilmember Von Wolpert. Present. Councilmember Campillo. I'm here. Each member is attending virtually and also on the virtual meeting is Laura Easton, Office of the City Attorney, Baku Patel, Office of the IBA, and Matt Yad Yagin, Office of the Mayor. The public may view the meetings on public television on City TV, Channel 24 for Cox Communication and Spectrum, or Channel 99 for ATT, 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 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, a 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 1669 254 5252. When prompted, input webinar ID 1607 eight zero two three three one 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, 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 will be taken in the order in which you raise your hand, and you may only speak once on a particular item. When our committee consultant indicates it is your turn to speak, she will call you by your name as it appears on the Zoom webinar 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'll know it's your turn to speak. If you have joined the webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone, you will receive a pop-up notice to select the unmute uh 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 you raise your hand. 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. Please also mute the volume on your TV or computer before you begin to speak. The quorum is now present. We will dispense with the approval of the committee actions of both of the November 10th 2021 meeting and also the January 21, 2022 meeting. At this time, I'll entertain a motion to approve the committee actions. I'll move, Chair. Thank you, Councilmember Campillo.
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