San Diego Rules Committee Meeting - October 27, 2021: COVID-19 Reopening, Department Updates, and Ballot Measure Proposals
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San Diego Rules Committee Meeting - October 27, 2021
The Rules Committee met on October 27, 2021, at 2:00 PM via Zoom under AB 361 teleconference rules. The agenda included three main items: (1) an update on the COVID-19 response and a resolution to continue virtual meetings, (2) amendments to the administrative code to update city departments, and (3) initial review of 14 ballot measure proposals for the June 2022 primary election. The committee approved consent calendar items and forwarded two items to full council, while most ballot proposals did not advance.
Consent Calendar
- The committee actions from the September 29, 2021 meeting were approved unanimously (Chair Campbell, Vice Chair Campillo, Members Whitburn and Von Wilpert; Member Kate absent).
Public Comments & Testimony
Item 1 – COVID-19 Reopening Plan
- Lori Saldagna asked about public comment on minutes and raised concerns about city employee safety, unsheltered community health risks, and the need for restrooms and housing downtown. She noted that COVID disproportionately affects unsheltered individuals, who are twice as likely to die.
- John Stump supported staff recommendations, thanked staff, and shared his experience as a COVID survivor. He suggested the city consider creating a health and human sustainability department.
Item 3 – Ballot Proposals
- Subitem B (Lead-Free Skies): Seven speakers supported the proposal. Dr. Vui Nguyen (pediatrician) cited raised blood lead levels in children near Montgomery Gibbs Airport. Riley Gilbertson (San Diego Pediatricians for Clean Air) highlighted economic and societal costs of lead exposure. Sandra Stahl stated the airport emits over 1 ton of lead annually. Others (John Stump, John Bodor, Suzanne Hume, Jay Powell, Lori Saldagna) urged action, with some demanding the council remove leaded fuel directly.
- Subitem C (School Board Election Reform): John Stump presented arguments for uniform election rules. Public speaker Lori Saldagna supported the proposal, noting the importance of school quality for housing choices and limiting campaign contributions.
- Subitem D (Contract Oversight): John Stump cited the 101 Ash Street scandal and the Fairmont 47th fire station purchase. Public speaker Lori Saldagna noted the city’s failure to meet equal opportunity compliance goals in contracts.
- Subitem E (Zoo Tax): John Stump argued for cost recovery and equal treatment with SeaWorld. Public speaker Lori Saldagna supported reviewing the 1930s-era tax.
- Subitem F (Nuclear Waste): John Stump proposed banning fission nuclear energy until San Onofre waste is removed. Public speaker Richard Anthony (Sierra Club) supported, citing risks to Southern California.
- Subitem G (People’s Ordinance): John Stump highlighted inequity in free trash pickup for single-family homes vs. renters. Public speakers Richard Anthony (Citizens Advisory Waste Management) and Lori Saldagna supported reform, noting cost of $235 million over five years.
- Subitem H (Council/School Board Size): No public speakers.
- Subitem I (Elementary Districts): No public speakers.
- Subitem J (Border Communities Study): John Stump supported the proposal, noting neglect of San Ysidro.
- Subitem K (Public Power Task Force): Six speakers supported. Jay Powell (Sustainable Energy Advisory Board) requested a citizen task force for the $1 million feasibility study. Others (William Powers, Matthew Vasilakis, Michael Brackney, Lori Saldagna, Jerry Wanatick) emphasized transparency and community involvement.
- Subitem L (De-annexation Study): John Stump and Lori Saldagna supported, citing historic inequities.
- Subitem M (Return to City Manager): John Gordon presented, citing scandals under strong mayor. Public speaker John Stump supported, referencing the 1930 charter’s city manager system.
- Subitem N (Hillcrest Historic District): Matt Wallstrom presented. Four public speakers: one opposed (cited property values), Gail Freed noted ongoing planning efforts, John Stump supported, Charles Kaminski urged recognition of LGBTQ+ history.
Discussion Items
Item 1 – COVID-19 Reopening Plan and Teleconference Resolution
- Haley Messer (Director of Legislative Affairs) presented the history of state of emergency orders and AB 361. She outlined a three-stage reopening plan (virtual, hybrid, full in-person) with conditions including vaccination and social distancing. The proposed resolution would allow continued virtual meetings, renewing every 30 days. Benchmarking showed other large California cities using hybrid or virtual meetings. Staff recommended council adopt the resolution.
- Committee members thanked staff and supported the resolution as a necessary flexibility measure. Council President Campbell noted the cost of ballot measures (from City Clerk: $500,000–$750,000 per measure depending on length).
Item 2 – Amend Administrative Code for City Departments
- Christina Peralta (DCO) presented ordinances to create three new departments (Compliance, Homelessness Strategies & Solutions, Stormwater) and rename/restructure others (e.g., merging Sustainability & Mobility, renaming Public Works to Engineering & Capital Projects, Fleet Operations to General Services). The changes align with FY22 budget and operational needs.
- IBA Jeff Corr asked about rationale for merging Sustainability & Mobility; COO Jay Goldstone cited efficiencies and nexus.
- Committee supported the updates for transparency and accountability. Councilmember Von Wilpert asked about coordination between departments; staff explained reporting lines.
Item 3 – Ballot Measure Proposals (Sub-items A-N)
- The committee heard 14 proposals. For each, the options were: request additional information, prepare a ballot measure for future consideration, or take no action (ending the process). City Attorney Heather Ferbert noted that some proposals could be implemented via council action without a ballot.
- Subitem B (Lead-Free Skies): Penny Moss (Real Estate & Airport Management) reported the city is actively exploring unleaded fuel options, including a potential $200,000 FY23 budget request for infrastructure. Vice Chair Campillo promised continued advocacy through budget; others agreed. No motion, so proposal ended.
- Subitem K (Public Power Task Force): Councilmember Campillo moved to refer the creation of a task force to the appropriate department for evaluation and committee discussion. Seconded by Member Whitburn. Passed unanimously. This sends the task force idea to administration for further analysis.
- All other subitems had no motion or second, thus did not advance.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1: Motion passed unanimously to forward the resolution to the November 2, 2021 city council agenda, directing the city attorney to draft findings under Government Code Section 54953.
- Item 2: Motion passed unanimously to approve the ordinances for consideration by full city council.
- Item 3K: Motion passed unanimously to refer the creation of a public power study citizens task force to the appropriate city department (e.g., Sustainability) and for future committee discussion. The task force would provide input on the $1 million feasibility study.
- All other ballot proposals: No action taken; proposals ended at this committee stage.
- Non-agenda public comment: John Stump thanked staff for technical support; Heather Hofsey (San Diego 350) urged support for the public power task force.
- The next Rules Committee meeting is scheduled for December 8, 2021 at 2:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Chair, please proceed. Thank you. Good afternoon. I want to welcome you to the October 27th, 2021 Rules Committee meeting. Per California Government Code Section 54953E per count uh added by Assembly Bill 361, which allows the city to use teleconferencing and to provide the public an opportunity to address the city council committee via a call-in option or an internet-based service option. The committee members will be participating via Zoom, and no member 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 Lia is on has made arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. We appreciate the public's cooperation. Lizelle will go over the specifics of how to join the webinar and will give details on how the public may give their public testimony. I will now call the rules committee meeting of Wednesday, October 27th, 2021 to order. For purposes of the roll call, those on Zoom include Vice Chair Campillo, Committee Member Whitburn, Committee Member Von Wolpert, Committee Member Kate is absent, and I am also present. Also participating via Zoom are Randy Weil from the Mayor's Office, Heather Ferber, the City Attorney's Office, and Jeff Coir for the IBA office. The public may view the meeting 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 homepage at Sandigo.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, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, or by calling into the meeting using a smartphone, cellular phone, or landline. The public comment period is not a time for questions and answers. Rather, public comment is a time for the public to share their comments on an item being heard on the agenda. 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, meet you may dial 1669 254 5252 when prompted, input webinar ID 161 708 6946 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, you will raise your hand by either tapping the raise your hand button on your 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. You may only speak once on a particular item. When I indicate it is your turn to speak, I will call you by your name as it appears on the Zoom webinar attendee list, or I 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 sell to select the unmute your device. If you've 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, your hand will be lowered. When you are announced as the next speaker, please unmute yourself and offer your comments. Also, please mute the volume on your TV or computer before you begin to speak. A quorum is now present, and we will start with the approval of the committee actions. The actions before you for approval are for the meeting of September 29th, 2021. Do I have a motion to approve these committee actions? I'll move, Council President. Thank you, Councilmember Campillo. Is there a second? I'll second. Thank you. We will now have each council member register their vote. Please mute yourself once you have voted. Vice Chair Campillo. Oh, yes. Committee member Whitburn. Yes. Committee member Von Wilpert. Yes. And I am also yes.
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