San Diego Rules Committee Meeting – June 7, 2023: Municipal Code Amendments, Boards & Commissions, and City Clerk Report
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San Diego Rules Committee Meeting – June 7, 2023
The Rules Committee met on June 7, 2023, to consider amendments to the San Diego Municipal Code regarding the Board of Library Commissioners, the Youth Commission, and the repeal of inactive boards, as well as to receive a presentation from the Office of the City Clerk on accomplishments and goals. All votes were taken with Councilmember Moreno absent.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Committee Actions (April 14, 2023): Moved by Council President Pro Tem Montgomery Steppe, seconded by Councilmember Lakava, and passed 4-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
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Non‑Agenda Public Comment: Four speakers addressed the committee:
- Lori Saldania urged the committee to consider harassment prevention training and reporting mechanisms for appointed board and commission members, noting a lack of conduct rules.
- Blair Beekman expressed concerns about surveillance technology, data collection by street kiosks, and the need for more open public conversations about technology.
- Terry Ann Skelly (youth mentoring volunteer) raised concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest in the city's cannabis social equity program, citing a last‑minute agenda change at the Planning Commission.
- Peggy Walker called attention to SB 1439 (campaign contribution recusal) and the Levine Act, asking the committee to ensure compliance with these laws, especially regarding marijuana licensing.
- Judy Strang praised the committee's goals but urged better public participation through workshops as municipal codes are considered, noting that goal had been neglected.
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Public Comment on Items 1–3 (Municipal Code Amendments): Six speakers supported the proposals:
- Lori Saldania voiced support for all three items, emphasizing the importance of equity on the library commission and the value of raising the youth commission age limit.
- Kiala (Youth Will intern, District 1) supported raising the youth commission age limit to 25 to allow more young people to contribute and called for adequate support, education, and training.
- Claire Snyder (Youth Will organizer, District 3) similarly supported the age limit increase and training requirements.
- Isabella Campa (Youth Will, District 9) supported the age limit increase and training.
- Chris Marapinga Llegos Munov (youth commissioner, District 8) supported the age limit increase and training.
- One additional caller (phone ending in 8708) was unable to unmute.
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Public Comment on Item 4 (City Clerk Report): Two speakers:
- Lori Saldania praised the Office of the City Clerk for its essential behind‑the‑scenes work and emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion in archives.
- Blair Beekman commended the city clerk's role in public accessibility and urged better collaboration on technology accountability and the PAB process.
Discussion Items
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Item 1 – Amendments to Expand the Board of Library Commissioners (from 7 to 11 members): Director Chida Warren‑Darby presented the proposal, explaining that the expansion would ensure each council district is represented, promoting equity. Councilmember Lee moved approval, seconded by Councilmember Lakava. The motion passed 4‑0.
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Item 2 – Amendments to Raise the Age Limit for the Youth Commission (from 22 to 25): Chida Warren‑Darby presented the request, noting that 21 commissioners had been appointed in 2021 and that the age increase would bring more diverse perspectives and mentors. Councilmember Lee moved approval. Councilmember Lakava seconded, but asked that the committee monitor the age balance to ensure the younger cohort is not lost. Council President Pro Tem Montgomery Steppe raised a concern about the commission being staffed by council staff rather than the Office of Child and Youth Success. An amendment was offered to change the staffing language to “the city council’s designee,” which was accepted. The amended motion passed 4‑0.
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Item 3 – Amendments to Repeal Inactive Boards: Director Warren‑Darby listed 10 inactive boards to be removed (e.g., Select Board on National Issues, San Diego Quality of Life Board, Endowment Board, Agricultural Board, etc.). Council President Elo‑Rivera moved approval, seconded by Councilmember Lee. The motion passed 4‑0.
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Item 4 – Office of the City Clerk Accomplishments and Goals: Interim City Clerk Diana Fuentes presented a detailed overview of the office’s achievements, including: a robust language access program (translations in 150+ languages), digital agenda posting, updated legislative calendar, election code updates, passport services (over 4,000 applications processed, $170,000 in revenue), records management improvements (90% research request completion within five days), and archives projects (e.g., “City Clerk Chronicles” highlighting diversity). Upcoming goals include: a municipal code software RFP, expanded voter outreach, hybrid meeting spaces, and further records management modernization. No action was required; the committee thanked Ms. Fuentes for her work.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1 (Library Commission): Ordinance amendment approved 4‑0 to expand the board from 7 to 11 members to ensure district representation.
- Item 2 (Youth Commission): Ordinance amendment approved 4‑0 to raise the maximum age from 22 to 25, with an amendment to change the staffing designee from city council staff to the city council’s designee.
- Item 3 (Inactive Boards): Ordinance amendment approved 4‑0 to repeal 10 inactive boards from the municipal code.
- Item 4 (City Clerk Report): Received as information; no action taken.
- Next Meeting: The Rules Committee will next meet on July 26, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
All right. Uh good morning, everyone. We'll we're gonna get started. Welcome to the Rules Committee meeting of June 7th, 2023. Our committee's manager Ty Birch is going to go over in for uh information and instruction for today's meeting. Thank you very much, Council President. While members of the public are able to attend this meeting in person, is also being televised and live streamed on the city's website, and 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 enter the virtual speaking queue within five minutes after the conclusion 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 that the committee is able to manage and conduct safe business. We appreciate the public's cooperation. Thank you, Ty. Uh I will now call the rules committee meeting of June 7, 2023 to order. Ty, will you please call the role? Thank you very much. Vice Chair, Council President Pro Tem Montgomery Step. Here. Committee member Lakava. Present. Committee member Lee. Here. Committee member Moreno. And our chair, Council President Elo Rivera. Present. Thank you. Also attending the meeting is Gillian Andolina from Deputy Director in the Independent Budget Analyst Office. Deputy City Attorney Kathy Steinman and Deputy Director of Policy for Mayor Tog Gloria, Matt Yagan. Thank you. If you are in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of chambers and place it in the box indicated the speaker's electron at the front of the room. Please do so in a timely manner to ensure proper meeting management. In-person testimony will conclude before virtual testimony begins. 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 call 1669-2545252. And when prompted, input webinar ID 160557-2611 pound. This information is also available on the agenda and will appear on the screen during each public comment period for each agenda item. Members of the public do wish to provide virtual testimony must uh via 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're watching on CTV 24 online, there may be a delay, so please participate via the audio on your phone and mute your TV or computer when it's your turn the speak. If you wish to speak on a particular item, please wait for that item to be called and then raise your hand by selecting the raise your hand icon, or if you're a call in participant, press star nine on your cell phone or landline. If you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered. Council President. Thank you, Ty. We've got a quorum, so let's take up the approval of the committee actions of April 14th, 2023. Ty, let's hear public comment on the committee actions. Thank you very much, Council President. The public comment period for the committee actions of April 14th, 2023 is now open. Council President, we don't have any individuals that have submitted speaker slips for the actions, nor in the virtual queue, so that'll conclude uh public testimony. All right. Um we'll start with Council President Pro Tem Montgomery Step. I will move the item. All right, thank you. We've got a motion.
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