San Diego Rules Committee Meeting: Ballot Measures and Policy Discussions - June 10, 2020
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
San Diego City Council Rules Committee Meeting Summary
On June 10, 2020, the San Diego City Council Rules Committee convened via teleconference to consider several ballot measures for the November 2020 election, including proposals on coastal height limits, independent legal counsel for the city auditor, clean elections, ranked choice voting, and project labor agreements. The meeting also included a report on ranked choice voting for school board elections. Public comments were accepted via telephone, with over 100 callers participating across the agenda items. The committee voted on several measures, advancing most to the full council.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of the committee records from May 13, 2020, passed unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 1 (Coastal Height Limits): 24 speakers commented. Supporters included representatives from the Midway Planning Group, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Downtown San Diego Partnership, Circulate San Diego, and local businesses. They argued that the 30-foot height limit stifles economic development, housing, and transit-oriented growth. Opponents included individuals concerned about coastal access, gentrification, and the erosion of the 1972 Coastal Preservation Act. One speaker called the measure a "concerted effort to erode height restrictions."
- Item 2 (Independent Auditor Counsel): 4 speakers, all in support, emphasizing the need for audit independence.
- Item 3 (Clean Elections): 7 speakers voiced support, stressing the need to reduce money in politics and increase candidate diversity.
- Item 5 (Ranked Choice Voting): 25 speakers; many supported the top-four primary model, while some argued for ranked choice in the primary or elimination of the primary. Concerns about implementation costs and voter confusion were raised.
- Item 6 (Project Labor Agreements): 51 speakers, split sharply. The Black Contractors Association (BCA) and associated groups strongly opposed, arguing PLAs discriminate against minority-owned businesses and non-union workers. Union representatives and community organizations (e.g., Homework program) supported the measure, stating it protects state funding and creates local jobs. The AGC and other contractors opposed, citing increased costs and exclusion of non-union apprentices.
Discussion Items
- Item 1: Coastal Height Limit Overlay Zone (Midway Area) – Councilmembers Campbell and Kate proposed a ballot measure to exempt the Midway-Pacific Highway Community Planning Area from the 30-foot coastal height limit. The measure would allow development up to existing parcel-specific heights, aiming to catalyze the 2018 community plan. The committee discussed community benefits, including parks, fire stations, and affordable housing. Concerns were raised about the RFP for the Sports Arena site referencing the 30-foot limit, creating potential conflict. Vote: 3-2 to advance.
- Item 2: Independent Legal Counsel for City Auditor – Interim City Auditor Kyle Elser presented a charter amendment to allow the auditor and audit committee to hire independent counsel when conflicts arise with the city attorney. The IBA estimated minimal costs ($60,000/year). The committee voted 4-1 to advance.
- Item 3: Clean Elections Ordinance – Proponents Mark Linsky, Derek Cassidy, and others proposed a public financing system for city elections, funded by $4 per resident annually ($5.7M initially). The IBA warned the fund could be depleted by 2022. The city attorney noted six policy issues requiring direction, including timeline alignment and equal treatment of citywide candidates. The committee voted 4-1 to advance with direction to staff.
- Item 4: Ranked Choice Voting for School Board – The city attorney reported that the school board cannot be included in the same ballot measure as city elections due to different voter pools and existing district-only election measures. No action was taken.
- Item 5: Ranked Choice Voting (Top-Four Primary) – More Choice San Diego proposed a charter amendment to advance the top four candidates from the primary to a ranked-choice general election. The city attorney provided an alternative draft aligning with charter procedures. Estimated implementation costs: $990,000–$1.27 million. The committee voted 3-2 to advance the alternative draft.
- Item 6: Project Labor Agreements (Safeguard San Diego) – The San Diego County Building Trades proposed a measure to repeal the 2012 ban on PLAs, arguing it jeopardizes state infrastructure funding. The measure includes a citizens oversight committee and transparency provisions. The city attorney confirmed a pending lawsuit (AGC vs. City) and ambiguous state funding status. Councilmember Montgomery requested an amendment requiring council approval for any PLA. The committee voted 3-2 to advance, with direction to incorporate council approval language.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1: Passed 3-2 (Ward, Montgomery, Kirsey yes; Bree, Gomez no). To proceed to full council.
- Item 2: Passed 4-1 (Bree, Montgomery, Kirsey, Gomez yes; Ward no). To proceed to full council.
- Item 3: Passed 4-1 (Bree, Ward, Montgomery, Gomez yes; Kirsey no). To proceed to full council with direction to staff.
- Item 4: No action taken; report accepted.
- Item 5: Passed 3-2 (Bree, Montgomery, Kirsey yes; Ward, Gomez no). To proceed to full council with alternative draft.
- Item 6: Passed 3-2 (Ward, Montgomery, Gomez yes; Bree, Kirsey no). To proceed to full council, with amendment to include council approval for PLAs.
The next regular Rules Committee meeting was scheduled for July 22, 2020, at 2:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Who just joined? Good afternoon. Per executive order 29-20, which suspends certain requirements on the Brown X. Some of the council members will be participating via teleconference, and no members of the public will be in attendance at the meeting in interest of public health and safety. In addition, the meetings being televised and live stream on the city's website and council committee liaison have made arrangements for the public to comment via telephone and electronically. We appreciate the public's cooperation. We have several members of the committee and staff calling via teleconference where they will be participating in this meeting remotely. Ruth, please proceed. So for purposes of the roll call, those on teleconference include Councilmember Bree, Councilmember Montgomery, and Councilmember Kirsey. And Councilmembers present in chambers are Councilmember Ward and Council President Gomez. Also at this in chamber is independent butcher analyst Jeff Kawar and Zomalies Crespo from the city from the mayor's office. For purposes of this meeting, written comments submitted using the public comment form prior to the start of the meeting have been distributed to the council council members and post it online. All written submissions received after the start of the meeting will be made a part of the permanent record. Those comments will no longer be read into the record because we're not able to provide your phone-in live testimony for the from the public. Each uh public speaker will have one minute. Also, please mute the volume of your TV or computer before you begin to speak. Uh this is not a question and answer period. This is a time to provide a testimony to the committee members. Umce you have concluded your statement within the allotted time, please hang up and call. Um please hang up uh or your call will be ended. Uh if you wish to provide comment on other items on the agenda, you should call back during those comment periods and you will be placed in the queue for those items. If you call in during a non-agenda comment period, your call will not be taken. Um please monitor the meeting and ensure you're calling at the appropriate time. Uh we appreciate your patience and participation as we aim to provide the best possible access during this time. Um the public may view the meetings on public television on TV channel 24 for public uh Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable or Channel 99 for ATT or view the meeting online by going to the City Clerk's homepage at Sandiego.gov and selecting the City Council live stream button on the right-hand side of the page. Thank you, Ruth. A quorum is now present. We will start with the approval of the committee records of action from May 13, 2020. I'll be happy to make the motion to approve the records of actions. We have a second second by council. Yes, Councilmember. Oh, it's Barbara Bree, I can second it. Okay. Councilmember Ward has second, but I appreciate that. Thank you. We will now go down the line to uh request for uh to register your vote. Uh we will start with council President Protempori. Uh yes. Councilmember Ward. Yes. Councilmember Montgomery. Yes. Councilmember Kercy. Yes. And uh I am also a yes. Uh Ruth, please call the role. And that passes unanimously. Thank you. Are there any committee comments? I hear none.
openpublica.com