Public Safety & Livable Neighborhoods Committee Meeting – May 18, 2022
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Public Safety & Livable Neighborhoods Committee Meeting – May 18, 2022
The Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee met on May 18, 2022, to approve routine items, discuss maintenance assessment districts, accept a state grant for youth workforce development, and receive an update on the Falk Mobile Health Corp ambulance contract. The meeting included extensive public comment on police reform, youth programs, and Falk's performance.
Consent Calendar
- Committee Actions (April 27): Approved unanimously.
- Consent Agenda (Items 1 & 2): Approved unanimously. No items were removed for discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
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Non‑Agenda Public Comment:
- Francie Maxwell (Southeastern San Diego resident) expressed concern about MTS site selection in Encanto, citing 93.3% asthma‑related hospital visits and urging the committee to address traffic and pollution impacts before projects are enacted.
- Ann Elliott (North Park resident) urged adoption of the Protect Ordinance, citing studies showing racial profiling by SDPD and criticizing the police union’s opposition.
- Luis Rotoloco (University City) suggested a ballot measure for a city‑owned recycling center funded by property tax bonds instead of overturning the people’s trash ordinance, arguing the current fee structure burdens low‑income households.
- Peggy Walker (public health advocate) asked that a portion of future marijuana tax revenues be directed to public education about THC risks to children, referencing data that 100% of THC ingestions in children under 10 are from edibles.
- Becky Rapp (parent and public health educator) cited recent DUI fatality statistics (40 in 2021, up from 33 in 2020) and urged maintaining current safety measures for marijuana and alcohol, particularly protecting distances from minor‑oriented facilities.
- Amber Johnson (Del Mar resident) supported the Protect Ordinance, noting SDPD consent search disparities and force use against Black and Latino children, and called for accountability.
- Navarre Perry (South Park, District 3) supported the Protect Ordinance, stating that pretext stops violate constitutional rights and that the police union opposes reform to protect its members, not the public.
- Anthony Avalos (Pacific Beach, District 2) urged support for the Protect Ordinance, citing a recent video of police violence in National City and data showing disproportionate targeting of Black and Latino people.
- Jasmine Young (District 7) supported the Protect Ordinance, fearing police harassment as a Black woman and noting that SDPD is 60% more likely to conduct consent searches of Latinos and 23% more likely of Black people.
- Jean‑Wee (community organizer) supported the Protect Ordinance, arguing that the police union blocks accountability and that the ordinance would end random stops of Black, Brown, and AAPI people.
- Lauren Odemba (Golden Hill) urged passage of the Protect Ordinance, citing that in 85% of SDPD beats Black people are more likely to be stopped, and that SDPD is 81% more likely to search people with perceived mental disabilities.
- Cyrus Barugia (District 5) cited a Union‑Tribune article comparing San Ysidro and La Jolla: similar crime rates but San Ysidro had 9,000 stops vs. 4,000 in La Jolla, arguing biased policing requires a probable cause standard.
- Julie Chapa (District 1) supported the Protect Ordinance, noting repeated reports of disparities and the need for meaningful action.
- Yasmina Abid (youth organizer, Mid City Can) urged the committee to support the Protect Ordinance and move it forward, citing Campaign Zero and Center for Policing Equity reports.
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Item 3 & 4 – Maintenance Assessment Districts:
- Ben Nichols (Hillcrest Business Association) urged support for the MAD program, describing services in Hillcrest (sidewalk steam cleaning, trash pickup, security, tree maintenance) funded through a 7‑to‑1 match and no assessment increase.
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Item 5 – Youth Workforce Grant:
- Courtney Baltiski (YMCA) and Maya De La Torre (Youth Will) urged the city to incorporate evidence‑based elements such as wraparound services, training for city staff, youth voice, and partnerships with community‑based organizations.
- Sophia Hyjari and Zhoui Wee echoed calls for meaningful partnerships with local experts and wraparound service providers, especially for communities of concern.
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Item 6 – Falk Mobile Health Corp Update:
- Anthony Sorcy (president of VSTAP – paramedic union) stated Falk is still 24 paramedics short six months in, and that AMR recruits paramedics away with higher wages; urged holding Falk accountable.
- Sam called for a special meeting on Falk, asking for a deadline to meet 1,008 daily unit hours and for the city to stop waiving fines.
- Jeff Ryan expressed disappointment in Falk’s lack of follow‑through on promises, citing decreased unit hours and nearly $2 million in waived fees.
- Diana McCafferty asked when the city will enforce the contract after Falk’s repeated failures to deliver promised unit hours.
- Mike Sanders and Brian Hajik echoed concerns about waived fines and demanded contract enforcement.
Discussion Items
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Items 3 & 4 – Fiscal Year 2023 Maintenance Assessment District Reports:
- Michael Jones (Parks and Recreation) and Sean Karaffin (Economic Development) presented the annual reports for 64 MADs (55 parks, 9 economic development). Key updates: new accountability provisions for nonprofits (bylaw review, anti‑harassment training), an additional city contribution increased from ~$70,000 to ~$250,000 in the May revised budget to support districts facing impediments (e.g., litter from unsheltered population).
- Councilmember von Wilpert raised concerns about a contract in Rancho Bernardo; staff confirmed ongoing communication and community reporting helps verify compliance.
- The committee voted unanimously to approve the staff recommendation.
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Item 5 – Resolution Accepting Grant for Youth Workforce Program:
- John Williger (HR) and Julie Cote presented a $18.5 million reimbursable grant from the state’s California for All initiative to fund a youth internship program targeting ages 16‑30, with priority for at‑risk youth, foster youth, justice‑involved, and low‑income individuals from communities of concern. Goal: 1,005 paid interns over two years, with 80% from communities of concern. The program leverages existing city internship positions and aligns with the strategic plan for workforce development.
- Committee members expressed strong support. Councilmember Campillo noted the Office of Child and Youth Success will be integrated. Councilmember von Wilpert offered to help with outreach. The motion passed unanimously.
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Item 6 – Falk Mobile Health Corp Contract Update (Information Item):
- Chief Stoll and Deputy Chief Pierce (Fire‑Rescue) provided an update. Key metrics:
- Response time compliance improved: preliminary April data shows full compliance in all zones (unvetted).
- However, Falk is not meeting the contracted median of 900 ALS unit hours per day (1,008 total ambulance hours). April only had 5 days at minimum ALS hours; May (as of May 14) had 0 days at minimum ALS. The trend is declining.
- Penalties: $1.9 million in penalties for December‑January were waived due to COVID surge and hospital offload delays. $457,500 in penalties invoiced for February‑March outliers.
- Falk has 66 new ambulances, 62 in service; staffing: 116 full‑time paramedics (target 134) and 194 EMTs (target 174). Recruitment and retention are challenges.
- Jeff Bain (Falk) acknowledged staffing shortfalls, outlined incentives ($12,000 paramedic sign‑on bonus, $6,000 referral bonus, double time for extra shifts), and noted April response time compliance. He stated Falk is committed to reaching the 1,008 unit hours but faces a nationwide paramedic shortage.
- Committee members expressed disappointment and concern. Councilmember Campillo asked about the penalty waiver calculus and noted that penalties are tied to response times, not unit hours. Chief Stoll clarified that violation notices will be issued for unit hour shortfalls, and a “plan to cure” process exists. Chief Stoll also confirmed he has received authorization to hire a consultant to study the feasibility of the fire department absorbing ambulance transport if Falk fails to meet obligations.
- Councilmember von Wilpert raised concerns about coverage in Rancho Bernardo (ambulance 33) and summer event staffing; Chief Pierce assured that fire apparatus are all staffed with firefighter‑paramedics and mutual aid and other providers will be used for special events if needed.
- Vice Chair Moreno asked about in‑sourcing EMS; Chief Stoll confirmed that is the primary focus of the consultant study.
- The next update is expected in July 2022. No vote was taken (information item).
- Chief Stoll and Deputy Chief Pierce (Fire‑Rescue) provided an update. Key metrics:
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar and Committee Actions: Approved unanimously.
- MAD Reports (Items 3 & 4): Staff recommendation approved unanimously.
- Youth Workforce Grant (Item 5): Resolution to accept the $18.5 million state grant approved unanimously. The city will implement a paid internship program for up to 1,005 youth over two years, with 80% from communities of concern.
- Falk Contract Update (Item 6): No formal action; information only. The committee directed staff to continue monitoring and enforcement, and noted that future penalty waivers will not be acceptable. The Fire Department is authorized to develop a contingency plan for potential in‑sourcing of EMS transport.
- Next Meeting: The committee will next meet on June 8, 2022, at 9:00 a.m.
Meeting Transcript
If you can just give us one moment, we're trying to get an audio situation fixed on this end, and I will let you know whenever we're late to start. Is that okay? Yes, that's thank you very much. All right, Chair, whenever you are ready. And then go ahead and start. Thank you for your patience. No problem. I am ready now, so we will begin. Um until further further notice, committee meetings will be conducted pursuant to the provisions of California Government Code Section 54953E, added by Assembly Bill 361, which allows the city to use a teleconferencing and to uh 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 follow the California mask 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 web site, and the committee liaison 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 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. This will allow for better meeting management between the two platforms and ensure the council is able to manage and conduct city business. Present. And committee member Campbell. I'm here. Okay, thanks. And 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 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're 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 I introduce the item you would like to comment on, 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, which will be taken in in the order in which you raise your hand. You may only speak once on a particular item. When our committee consultant indicates uh it is your turn to speak, they will call you by your name as it appears on the Zoom webinar attendee list, or they will read out the last four digits of your phone number if you have called into the meeting. That is how you'll know it's your turn to speak. If you are in person, please come to the reserved seats at the front of the room when your name is called and be prepared to come up to the lecture 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 uh 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. 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, um please mute the volume on your TV or computer before you begin to speak. A quorum is now present. We will now take up the approval of the committee actions of April 27th. Tiffany, please proceed with public comment. The public comment period for this item is now open. If you are in person, please be sure to have your speaker slip submitted and 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 lecture in order called. Members of the public who wish to provide testimony via calling 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. If you've already joined the Zoom webinar online or by phone, please raise your hand if you wish to speak. If you're watching on City TV or the live stream online or would like to call in to the meeting to speak, please call 1669-254-5252. When prompted, input webinar ID 160-780-233-1 pound. As a reminder, virtual speakers, please raise your hand to speak. You can do so by selecting the raise your hand button or input star nine by phone. I'll announce when is your turn to speak. Unmute yourself by either selecting the unmute button or by inputting star six. Oh we have no speaker slip submitted as of right now, so I will go to the virtual queue and I will also reminder for folks.
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