OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

San Diego City Council Rules Committee Meeting - January 18, 2023

Rules CommitteeWednesday, January 18, 2023
BodySan Diego, California
SessionRules Committee
DateWednesday, January 18, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:22

Good morning.

0:24

Until 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 teleconferencing and to 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.

0:44

In addition to being able to attend in person, this meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website.

0:49

And the committee liaison will continue to make arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform.

0:56

Additionally, members of the public who wish to provide testimony via 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.

1:12

This will allow for better meeting management.

1:14

And we appreciate the public's cooperation.

1:30

Yes, I am here.

1:32

Committee member Lakaba.

1:34

Present.

1:34

Committee member Lee.

1:35

Present.

1:36

Committee member Moreno.

1:38

Present.

1:39

Thank you.

1:40

And I am also here.

1:52

We have uh mayoral representative Matt Yagoggin and Committee Manager Tyler Birch.

2:00

Tyler.

2:02

Thank you, Council President.

2:03

If you are in person and want to provide public comment, please complete your 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.

2:10

Please do so in a timely manner to ensure proper meeting management.

2:13

If you are in person, please 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 lectern in the order called.

2:19

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.

2:26

The link to join the mean by webinar, computer tablet, or smartphone is listed on the agenda.

2:31

To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, please dial 1669-254-5252 and when prompted input webinar ID 160-557-2611 pound.

2:40

This information is also available on the agenda and will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each agenda item.

2:45

Members of the public who wish to provide uh testimony via a call in or 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.

2:57

If you are watching via C TV 24 online, there may be a delay.

3:00

So please participate via the audio on your phone and mute your TV or computer when it is your turn to speak.

3:05

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.

3:14

You will be taken in the order in which you raise your hand.

3:17

You may only speak once on a particular item.

3:19

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've called into the meeting.

3:28

That is how you will know when it is your turn to speak.

3:30

If you've joined the webinar by computer tablet or smartphone, you will receive a pop-up notice to select to the uh to unmute your device if you've called into the meeting by cell phone or landline.

3:39

You may press star six.

3:41

Uh please wait until the item you wish to speak to has been called before raising your hand to speak.

3:45

If you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered.

3:48

When you are announced as the next speaker, please unmute yourself and offer your comments.

3:52

We will review these review these instructions again briefly uh before the public comment period is open for each item.

3:59

Thank you, Ty.

4:00

We've got a quorum present.

4:01

Let's take up the approval of the committee actions of October 19th and November 4th.

4:06

Thank you, Council President.

4:07

The public comment period for the committee actions of October 19th, 2022 and November 4th, 2022 is now open.

4:14

If you are in person, please submit your speaker slip 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 and in the order called.

4:20

Members of the public who wish to provide testimony via call-in or internet based service option must enter the virtual speaking queue within five minutes after the conclusion of the in-person public testimony or before the virtual speaking queue is exhausted, whichever occurs first.

4:30

If you already joined the Zoom webinar online or by phone, please raise your hand if you wish to speak.

4:33

And if you're watching on CTV or the live stream online and would like to call in the meeting, please call 1669-254-5252.

4:39

And when prompted input webinar ID 160557-2611 pound.

5:00

Lori Soldania, you may uh unmute yourself and begin your comments when you're ready.

5:06

Good morning, committee.

5:07

Thank you.

5:08

Um regarding the uh item from October 19th that you are going to approve.

5:13

I did speak on that day, and I actually spoke during uh there was a bald game going on.

5:18

I mentioned that during non-agenda public comment, but also more importantly, I mentioned the ethics commission regulations and investigations and specifically regarding uh Gil Cabrera, a mayoral appointee who has failed to produce the lobbying reports on behalf of Midway Rising until after the full council voted on that action.

5:40

And I bring that forward again because it's now been three months since that October 19th meeting when it was brought forward to you as a concern.

5:48

And I realize that the ethics commission investigations are confidential.

5:52

Uh, but there is uh a need, I think, for the public to know that your council voted without full information about how much lobbying activity was paid for uh by Midway Rising, over 150,000 at least that we know of, and that they were represented by a mayoral appointee, Gil Cabrera, who Todd Gloria uh appointed to the airport authority, and he now chairs that board.

6:19

And uh Gil Cabrera also is the principal officer of the uh mayor's political action fund, and uh Gil Cabrera is the former chair of the City Ethics Commission.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement█████████████████████████████████████37%
Community Engagement███████████████████19%
Budget█████████████████17%
Procedural██████6%
Cannabis Regulation█████5%
Public Comment████4%
Customer Service███3%
Homelessness██2%
Public Records Management██2%
Summary of Proceedings

San Diego City Council Rules Committee Meeting - January 18, 2023

The Rules Committee met on January 18, 2023, to discuss priorities for 2023 and review Council Policy 100-06 regarding community project funding (CPPS). The meeting included public comment on several topics and unanimous approval of previous committee actions.

Consent Calendar

  • The committee unanimously approved the committee actions from October 19, 2022, and November 4, 2022.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • On Consent Calendar Approval: Lori Soldania expressed concerns about the ethics commission investigation into Gil Cabrera, a mayoral appointee, for failing to produce lobbying reports on behalf of Midway Rising until after the full council vote. She noted that over $150,000 in lobbying activity was paid for by Midway Rising and questioned whether the council could revisit votes taken without full information.
  • Non-Agenda Public Comment:
    • Peggy Walker (deferred to item 1).
    • Lori Soldania raised concerns about state-provided trailers for emergency housing that have been sitting unused for three years at a city utility yard. She urged the committee to investigate why they were not deployed and to expedite the opening of a safe parking lot on Marina Boulevard.
    • Kathleen Lippitt criticized the lack of open government, citing the city's disregard for community voice on the Rancho Bernardo marijuana project.
    • Judy Strang asked about the process for selecting committee chairs and requested better public information dissemination.
  • On Item 1 (2023 Rules Committee Priorities):
    • Peggy Walker urged the committee to address ex parte communications by planning commissioners and ensure transparency, especially regarding marijuana businesses.
    • Becky Rapp described a lack of public outreach in the approval of a marijuana outlet in Sabre Springs, noting that residents and businesses within 300 feet were not notified.
    • Speaker (phone ending 7968) supported integrating state and federal policy into the city code and requested more information on participatory budgeting and housing authority protocols.
    • Lori Soldania called for developing social media communication policies for elected officials and staff to maintain professionalism.
    • Judy Strang appreciated Councilmember Moreno's priority on the city auditor having independent counsel and raised concerns about municipal code changes being bundled and treated as policy changes.
  • On Item 2 (Council Policy 100-06):
    • Corinne Makapuga (in person) detailed barriers to CPPS, including insurance requirements (minimum $1 million liability) and the reimbursement-based process, which disadvantages smaller nonprofits. She advocated for a grant-based system.
    • Lori Soldania recommended creating a matrix to evaluate prior CPPS effectiveness, prioritizing organizations that have not previously received funds, and screening for potential quid pro quo with campaign contributors.
    • Speaker (phone ending 7968) called for more accountability and clarity on funding thresholds.

Discussion Items

  • 2023 Rules Committee Priorities: Committee members presented their priorities, many focusing on customer service, open government, and public outreach. Council President Pro Tem Montgomery Steppe highlighted the need for equitable public engagement, improving the Get It Done application (noting that 90% or one in five customers receive inaccurate closure details), and expanding outreach to underrepresented communities for boards and commissions. Councilmember LaCava emphasized participatory budgeting, donation acceptance policy (Council Policy 100-02), and refresher training on the Brown Act. Councilmember Lee stressed transparency and equity in boards and commissions. Councilmember Moreno prioritized the city auditor's independent counsel ballot measure, a transit occupancy tax increase, centralizing a 311 phone-based intake for customer service, and improving public records request response. The committee discussed the importance of archiving cultural history (e.g., impacts of highway construction on African American communities) and facilitating public-private partnerships for infrastructure.
  • Council Policy 100-06 (CPPS): The committee discussed possible amendments to make CPPS more transparent, accessible, and efficient. Staff presented that the current policy is 12 years old. Key issues: lack of clear goals, reimbursement process burdensome for smaller organizations, and outdated eligibility categories. In FY 2022-2023, total CPPS funding was over $1.6 million (a 90% increase from the prior year), with 345 applications submitted and 230 awarded. The committee considered changing from reimbursement to grants, clarifying eligible activities (e.g., food, beverages, travel), and establishing a fixed annual line item in the budget rather than relying on savings from office budgets. Staff noted that insurance requirements may be waived again next year. Councilmembers agreed on the need to balance accountability with accessibility, and to avoid discouraging small nonprofits.

Key Outcomes

  • Approval of Committee Actions: Unanimously approved the minutes of October 19, 2022, and November 4, 2022.
  • 2023 Rules Committee Priorities: The committee approved the discussion item (motion by Council President Pro Tem Montgomery Steppe, second by Councilmember LaCava) and will bring back a work plan at a future meeting.
  • Council Policy 100-06: No vote was taken; this was an informational discussion. The committee will use feedback to draft amendments for future consideration.
  • Next Meeting: The Rules Committee will meet again on February 22, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning. Until 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 teleconferencing and to 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. In addition to being able to attend in person, this meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website. 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 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. And we appreciate the public's cooperation. Yes, I am here. Committee member Lakaba. Present. Committee member Lee. Present. Committee member Moreno. Present. Thank you. And I am also here. We have uh mayoral representative Matt Yagoggin and Committee Manager Tyler Birch. Tyler. Thank you, Council President. If you are in person and want to provide public comment, please complete your 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. If you are in person, please 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 lectern in the order called. 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. The link to join the mean by webinar, computer tablet, or smartphone is listed on the agenda. To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, please dial 1669-254-5252 and when prompted input webinar ID 160-557-2611 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 uh testimony via a call in or 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 are watching via C TV 24 online, there may be a delay. So 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. 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've called into the meeting. That is how you will know when it is your turn to speak. If you've joined the webinar by computer tablet or smartphone, you will receive a pop-up notice to select to the uh to unmute your device if you've called into the meeting by cell phone or landline. You may press star six. Uh 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. We will review these review these instructions again briefly uh before the public comment period is open for each item. Thank you, Ty. We've got a quorum present. Let's take up the approval of the committee actions of October 19th and November 4th. Thank you, Council President. The public comment period for the committee actions of October 19th, 2022 and November 4th, 2022 is now open. If you are in person, please submit your speaker slip 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 and in the order called. Members of the public who wish to provide testimony via call-in or internet based service option must enter the virtual speaking queue within five minutes after the conclusion of the in-person public testimony or before the virtual speaking queue is exhausted, whichever occurs first. If you already joined the Zoom webinar online or by phone, please raise your hand if you wish to speak. And if you're watching on CTV or the live stream online and would like to call in the meeting, please call 1669-254-5252. And when prompted input webinar ID 160557-2611 pound.

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