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Record of Proceedings

San Diego Rules Committee Meeting January 31, 2024: Civil Discourse, Auditor Reform, and Priorities

Rules Committee — Wednesday, January 31, 2024
BodySan Diego, California
SessionRules Committee
DateWednesday, January 31, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:19

Good afternoon, everyone.

0:20

Welcome to the special rules committee meeting of January 31st, 2024.

0:24

Our committee manager Ty Birch will go over information and instructions for today's meeting.

0:29

Thank you very much, Council President.

0:30

While members of the public are able to attend this meeting in person, the meeting is 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.

0:40

Additionally, members of the public who wish to provide virtual 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.

0:53

This will allow for bearing management between the two platforms and ensure the committee is able to manage and conduct safe business.

0:58

We appreciate the public's cooperation.

1:00

Council President.

1:02

Thank you, Ty.

1:03

With that, I will call the special rules committee meeting of January 31st, 2024 to order.

1:09

Ty, if you could please call the roll.

1:11

Vice Chair, Council President Pro Temlacaba.

1:13

Present.

1:13

Committee member Lee.

1:15

Committee member Campio.

1:16

Here.

1:16

Committee member Moreno.

1:17

Present.

1:18

And our chair, Council President Elo Rivera.

1:20

Present.

1:21

Also attending the meeting today is Jillian Andalina, Deputy Director of the Independent Budget Analyst Office, and our city attorney, Mara Elliott.

1:27

If you are in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of chambers and place in the box indicated at the speaker's electron at the front of the room.

1:33

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

1:36

In-person testimony will conclude before virtual testimony begins.

1:39

So members of the public can join the Zoom webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone by accessing the link which is listed online in the preamble language of the agenda on the CIS webpage.

1:48

To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, please dial 1669-254-5252.

1:53

And when prompted, input webinar ID 160-549-8117 pound.

1:58

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

2:04

Members of the public who wish to provide virtual 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.

2:17

If you're watching VSC TV 24 online, there may be a delay.

2:20

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

2:25

If you wish to speak on a particular item, please wait for that item to be called and then raise your hand to speak by tapping the raise your hand icon.

2:32

Or if you are a call in participant, star nine on your cell phone or landline.

2:36

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

2:40

Council president.

2:42

Thank you, Ty.

2:43

All right.

2:44

Um got a quorum.

2:47

And for everyone's awareness, once we get to the discussion agenda, we'll be hearing item two first, and then item one, then item three.

2:55

We will now take a approval take up approval of the committee actions of November 1st, 2023.

3:00

Ty, do we have any public comment on the committee actions of November 1st, 2023?

3:05

Thank you very much, Council President.

3:06

The public comment period for the approval of the past committee actions of November 1st, 2023 is now open.

3:13

And it does appear that we have one individual in the virtual queue that has indicated they wish to speak.

3:17

Again, this is on the past committee actions of November 1st, 2023.

3:21

Each speaker will have one minute, and we will begin with Blair Beekman.

3:25

Blair, you may unmute yourself.

3:29

Hi, uh Blair Beekman.

3:31

Uh I wanted to comment uh you had two items on the November 1st schedule about uh master records.

3:38

Uh that I I wanted to quickly comment uh that I hope that you uh with master records issues that you will be working towards the ideas of accessibility, a reminder of the importance of accessibility and public accessibility.

3:52

Uh and uh your second item was about uh an item about the working with the funds commission.

3:57

I think giving a report of some uh uh of a certain uh describing themselves.

4:03

And I just uh funds are important how we talk about and organize our funding use.

4:08

I think the events with the flood issue is made really clear.

4:11

You know, uh I I've been talking for months now.

4:14

I I've just been of interest of how we've been how we've been receiving much federal funding dollars uh for the for sewer issues, for storm water issues.

4:24

Uh as many California cities have in the past few years.

4:28

It'll be interesting for yourselves to learn how to be uh clear with the public where exactly.

4:33

Thank you very much, Claire.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████████████32%
Public Comment███████████████████████23%
Audit Follow-up████████████████16%
Cannabis Regulation█████████9%
Stormwater Management████████8%
Ethics Commission███3%
Language Access██2%
Public Private Partnerships██2%
Public Safety█1%
Summary of Proceedings

San Diego Rules Committee Meeting - January 31, 2024

The special rules committee of the San Diego City Council met to consider a code of civil discourse, a ballot measure to reform the city auditor and audit committee, and the committee's 2024 priorities. Council President Sean Elo-Rivera also announced a forthcoming stormwater infrastructure ballot measure for November 2024.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of committee actions of November 1, 2023 was approved unanimously after a public comment from Blair Beekman regarding accessibility and funding transparency.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Non-Agenda Public Comment: Speakers addressed stormwater infrastructure funding (Karina Contreras, Aaron Surmoi), cannabis social equity licenses (Terry Best), illegal cannabis market concerns (Peggy Walker, Kathleen Lippitt), flood response and the need for after-action planning (Lori Saldania), budget deficits and customer service (Joyce Sinata), and the importance of learning from past storms (Blair Beekman).
  • Item 2 (Code of Civil Discourse): Speakers uniformly supported adoption. Steve Dinkin (National Conflict Resolution Center) urged adoption to preserve future civility. Lori Saldania and Dr. Carl Luna emphasized the need for enforceable standards. Blair Beekman, Joyce Sinata, and Peggy Walker also spoke in favor, noting the importance of mutual respect between officials and the public.
  • Item 1 (Auditor/Audit Committee Reforms): Public comment was mixed. One speaker supported an elected auditor for independence, while another expressed confusion and supported the current audit committee. Blair Beekman voiced concerns about politicization and the potential loss of council influence. Amanda Noble, City Auditor of Atlanta and chair of ALGA’s Advocacy Committee, argued that the appointed model is effective and that independence does not require election.
  • Item 3 (2024 Priorities): Speakers emphasized communication, public outreach, transparency, and stormwater investment. Joyce Sinata highlighted customer service and public outreach. Blair Beekman stressed decision-making that avoids harm. Another speaker urged increased public participation and campaign finance reform.

Discussion Items

  • Item 2: Adoption of a Code of Civil Discourse – City Attorney Mara Elliott presented a proposed council policy (000-52) based on NCRC’s model, with an alternative pledge. Councilmember Moreno expressed general support but raised concerns about the policy’s narrow scope (only council, not mayor, city attorney, or public) and specific provisions (A6, B4, C2) that she argued could limit representation. She moved to refine the policy in collaboration with Council President Pro Tem Lakava and the City Attorney’s office. Council President Pro Tem Lakava seconded, noting the need for a holistic approach and appreciation for the city attorney’s efforts. After discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
  • Item 1: Ballot Measure Proposal on City Auditor and Audit Committee – City Attorney Elliott presented two options: an elected auditor accountable to voters, or a reconfigured audit committee with independent public members and a non-political screening panel. The IBA provided context on trade-offs, noting that an elected auditor could become politicized and that the current structure is independent. Councilmember Campillo moved to draft ballot language for an elected auditor, but no second was offered, so no action was taken. Councilmembers discussed the value of council members on the audit committee and the need for careful consideration.
  • Item 3: Rules Committee 2024 Priorities – Council President Elo-Rivera stated the committee would build a work plan from all members’ submissions. Councilmember Lee highlighted language access and minimum standards for public outreach on construction projects. City Attorney Elliott requested her proposals (e.g., PRA response reform, whistleblower protections, ethics commission strengthening) be included. Council President Pro Tem Lakava discussed public-private partnerships for infrastructure, citing examples like solar ESCOs and the San Diego Parks Foundation. Council President Elo-Rivera announced his intention to bring a stormwater infrastructure ballot measure to the November 2024 ballot, citing a $1.6 billion deficit and the recent flood disaster.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: Consent calendar (unanimous).
  • Approved: Motion to refine the code of civil discourse policy (unanimous). The City Attorney, Councilmember Moreno, and Council President Pro Tem Lakava will work on revisions.
  • No action: Motion for an elected auditor ballot language failed due to lack of a second.
  • Informational: 2024 priorities discussion; stormwater ballot measure announced.
  • Next meeting: Rules Committee, February 21, 2024 at 9 a.m.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the special rules committee meeting of January 31st, 2024. Our committee manager Ty Birch will go over information and instructions for today's meeting. Thank you very much, Council President. While members of the public are able to attend this meeting in person, the meeting is 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 virtual 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. This will allow for bearing management between the two platforms and ensure the committee is able to manage and conduct safe business. We appreciate the public's cooperation. Council President. Thank you, Ty. With that, I will call the special rules committee meeting of January 31st, 2024 to order. Ty, if you could please call the roll. Vice Chair, Council President Pro Temlacaba. Present. Committee member Lee. Committee member Campio. Here. Committee member Moreno. Present. And our chair, Council President Elo Rivera. Present. Also attending the meeting today is Jillian Andalina, Deputy Director of the Independent Budget Analyst Office, and our city attorney, Mara Elliott. If you are in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of chambers and place in the box indicated at 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. So members of the public can join the Zoom webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone by accessing the link which is listed online in the preamble language of the agenda on the CIS webpage. To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, please dial 1669-254-5252. And when prompted, input webinar ID 160-549-8117 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 virtual 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're watching VSC 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. If you wish to speak on a particular item, please wait for that item to be called and then raise your hand to speak by tapping the raise your hand icon. Or if you are a call in participant, 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. All right. Um got a quorum. And for everyone's awareness, once we get to the discussion agenda, we'll be hearing item two first, and then item one, then item three. We will now take a approval take up approval of the committee actions of November 1st, 2023. Ty, do we have any public comment on the committee actions of November 1st, 2023? Thank you very much, Council President. The public comment period for the approval of the past committee actions of November 1st, 2023 is now open. And it does appear that we have one individual in the virtual queue that has indicated they wish to speak. Again, this is on the past committee actions of November 1st, 2023. Each speaker will have one minute, and we will begin with Blair Beekman. Blair, you may unmute yourself. Hi, uh Blair Beekman. Uh I wanted to comment uh you had two items on the November 1st schedule about uh master records.

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