San Diego Public Safety Committee Meeting - March 15, 2023
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San Diego Public Safety Committee Meeting - March 15, 2023
The Public Safety Committee met on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. to consider several items, including an update on the Falk Mobile Health ambulance contract, a presentation on the LIFT conservatorship program, an ordinance for a fire inspection software contract, and an informational update on human trafficking. The committee also heard non-agenda public testimony and approved consent items.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1: First amendment to the agreement with Stormal Inc. (d/b/a Lear) for ruggedized Panasonic tablets, accessories, and warranty services. Approved unanimously.
- Item 2: First amendment to the consultant agreement with Enforcement Support Agency (ESA) LLC for police department computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system technical support. Approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
Non-Agenda Public Comment: Six speakers addressed the committee via Zoom:
- Terry Ann Skelly – parent and public health worker. Expressed concern about cannabis marketing and its impact on youth, citing an AMA resolution on the dangers of high-THC products and predatory advertising.
- Blair Beekman – Commented on the upcoming PAB meeting discussing smart city policies, emphasizing the need for community input and coordination between staff and the public.
- Ann Elliott (North Park resident) – Asked why the PRIDE Ordinance was not on the committee’s work plan, noting it had been referred for legal review years ago. Listed supporting organizations and questioned who the council listens to.
- Becky Raff – Parent and public health educator. Called for California to set legal limits for THC when driving, citing a fatal crash where the driver had 18 nanograms of THC in his blood. Urged regulations on potency and prevention education.
- Peggy Walker – Referenced a UN report warning that cannabis legalization has failed to address health risks, leading to increased psychotic disorders. Urged the committee to consider a city watchdog committee on cannabis safety.
- Joey Sanyata (District 3) – Expressed gratitude to security guards and police for keeping the city safe.
- Kathleen Lippett – Raised concerns about residents feeling unsafe walking at night, especially downtown, and criticized the lack of a per se THC driving law in California, as well as unfounded medical claims by cannabis budtenders.
- Judy Strang – Asked the city to delay expanding marijuana businesses until data on youth addiction is considered. Described a webinar from Rady Children's Hospital on the connection between vaping, cannabis, and mental health, noting that the hospital’s inpatient mental health unit was full.
On Item 4 (Falk Ambulance Contract):
- Jeff Beam (Managing Director, Falk San Diego) – Reported that Falk’s workforce unanimously ratified a new collective bargaining agreement. Falk has hired 38 paramedics since offering a $50,000 sign-on bonus, and has partnered with Southwestern College to train EMTs to become paramedics. Committed to the Alliance model and working with the fire department on the First Amendment.
- Tony Sorcy (President, San Diego Association of Pre-Hospital Professionals) – Reported that SDAP ratified a three-year successor contract with Falk, to take effect with the First Amendment. Thanked the committee for support.
On Item 6 (LIFT Conservatorship Program):
- Laurie Saldania – Expressed concern that unsheltered individuals are being criminalized for medical/behavioral health issues. Questioned whether housing is associated with the program and urged coordination with homelessness outreach caseworkers.
- Blair Beekman – Cautioned against overuse of conservatorships, emphasizing the need for transparency, regular review (e.g., six-month checks), and asking individuals about their experiences.
On Item 5 (Human Trafficking):
- Blair Beekman – Criticized the task force for not sufficiently focusing on civil rights and the perspective of victims/prostituted persons, urging more consideration of the individuals themselves.
- Catherine Douglas – Thanked the police department for their work.
Discussion Items
Item 4 – Falk Mobile Health Corporation Contract Update Fire Chief Colin Stowell and Deputy Chief Jody Pierce presented an update on compliance and penalties. From October to December 2022, the system experienced 16 response time levels below 90% and 146 outliers. Total penalties exceeded $1.2 million, including repetitive failures. Monthly median paramedic unit hours remained below contract requirements, leading to frequent “Level Zero” periods (no ALS units available). Falk reported hiring 41 paramedics since October but losing 39; retention remains a challenge. The city has been negotiating a First Amendment focusing on financial terms and allocated hours. Chief Stowell stated that the amendment must not impact the general fund and that Falk needs to adjust its business model. He requested a special meeting in April to either bring an agreed amendment or seek direction on legal options. Committee members expressed frustration; Chair Von Wilpert warned that if no amendment is ready by April, she will ask the city attorney to docket an item exploring options to end the contract.
Item 6 – LIFT (Life-saving Intervention for Treatment) Conservatorship Unit City Attorney Mara Elliott, Chief Deputy City Attorney Nicole Crosby, and Deputy City Attorney Ann Marie Counsel presented the program, which targets vulnerable individuals with serious mental health, substance use, or medical issues who cannot care for themselves and lack family support. To date, LIFT has assessed over 110 individuals, referred 20 to the county for conservatorships, and filed 11 probate conservatorship petitions. Case examples illustrated the complexity (e.g., a man with schizophrenia and 5150 detentions; a woman with 260 ER visits in two years). Challenges include county prioritization, underfunded programs, siloed services, and difficulty finding providers. The team emphasized they use conservatorship only as a last resort. Councilmembers praised the work but expressed concern about systemic gaps; Campbell called on the county to improve mental health care. The presentation was informational; no motion needed.
Item 3 – Ordinance to Authorize Contract with 3DI Systems Assistant Fire Marshal Daniel Hypes presented a request for a five-year contract (with five one-year extensions) not to exceed $2.5 million for a fire inspection management system to replace the current system (Streamline Automation). The software will manage commercial fire inspections, permits, and defensible space inspections for wildfire prevention. The committee approved the ordinance unanimously.
Item 5 – Informational Update on Human Trafficking Captain Matt Novak and Sergeant Mitch Jones (San Diego PD, Human Trafficking Task Force) provided an update. The task force includes 14 agencies, 17 law enforcement officers, four analysts, and two attorneys. They reported a significant increase in street-based prostitution following the passage of SB 357 (decriminalizing loitering with intent to commit prostitution). Operation Better Pathways, conducted over one month, resulted in 48 arrests (9 felonies, including 4 human trafficking), 39 misdemeanor arrests of sex buyers, and the recovery of 8 child victims (youngest age 13) and 8 adult victims. Two handguns were seized. A case study described a violent trafficker from Arizona who forced two 16-year-olds and a 19-year-old into prostitution; he is now in federal custody. The task force works with NGOs and Child Welfare Services to provide resources to victims.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Items 1 and 2 approved unanimously.
- Item 4 (Falk): No action taken (informational). Chair Von Wilpert committed to scheduling a special meeting in April 2023. If an agreed amendment is not presented, she will ask the city attorney to explore legal options to terminate the contract. Continued negotiations with Falk on the First Amendment.
- Item 6 (LIFT): Informational; no vote. Council members directed staff to coordinate with county partners to improve referral processes and expand resources.
- Item 3 (3DI Contract): Approved unanimously via motion by Councilmember Campbell, seconded by Councilmember Campillo.
- Item 5 (Human Trafficking): Informational; no vote. The committee thanked the task force for its work. Next regularly scheduled meeting: May 17, 2023, at 2 p.m. A special meeting on the Falk amendment may be held in April.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the public safety committee meeting of March 15th at 2 p.m. Uh while members of the public are able to attend our meetings in person. This meeting is also being televised and live streamed on the city's website, and the council administration 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 internet-based service option must either enter the virtual speaking queue within five minutes after the conclusion of any in-person public testimony or before the virtual speaking queue is exhausted, whichever occurs first. This process will allow for better meeting management between the two platforms and ensure the committee is able to manage and conduct city business. We appreciate the public's cooperation. Here uh committee member Campbell here and committee member Campio here. And I am also here. Also attending this meeting is Laura Easton with the Office of the City Attorney. Baku Patel with the Office of the IBA, Chloe Madison with the Office of the Mayor, and Sarah Jordan, our committee liaison. If you are in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of chambers and place it in the box indicated at the speaker's lectern at the front of the room. Please do so in a timely manner to ensure proper meeting management. Members of the public can join the webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone by accessing the link which is listed online in the preamble language of the agenda on the city's webpage. To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, please dial 1 669 254 5252. When prompted, input webinar ID 161-413-8702 pound sign. That 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 public testimony must enter the virtual speaking queue by raising their hand before the queue closes. The queue will close when the last virtual speaker finishes speaking or five minutes after the conclusion of in-person testimony, whichever ends first. If you wish to speak on a particular item, wait for the item to be called and then raise your hand to speak by tapping the raise your hand icon, or if you are in a call-in participant, by pressing star nine on your phone. Quorum is now present, and we will begin with approval of the committee actions of February 15, 2023. Sarah, please please proceed with any public comment. Thank you, Chair. We do not have any speakers in chambers, nor do we have any calls. So that will conclude public comment on this item. Oh. Wonderful, thank you. Um I will take any uh motion or any comments from my colleagues on approval of the committee actions of February 15th. Oh, thank you. All right, we have a uh motion. Perfect. Motion from Member Campbell and a second from Member Campillo. I'll now take the vote of Vice Chair Montgomery Step. Yes. And Member Campbell. Yes. And Member Campillo. Yes. And I will register yes votes that pass unanimously. Thank you. We'll now move on to any non-agenda public comment. The council members respect and appreciate the public's input and are fully committed to protecting every participant's free speech rights at council and committee meetings. Sarah, please proceed with any non-agenda public comment. Each speaker will have two minutes. If you have already joined the Zoom webinar online or by phone, please raise your hand if you wish to speak. You can do so by selecting the raise your hand button or by inputting star nine if by phone. If you are in person, please be sure to have your speaker slip submitted and come up to the reserved seats at the front of the room when your name is called. 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. Um Chair, we have no speakers in chambers, but we do have six virtual speakers. So we will begin with Terry Ann Skelly.
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