LAST MINUTE AGENDA INFORMATION
1/18/2023 Regular Council Meeting
(Agenda Related Writings/Documents provided to a majority of the City Council after distribution of the Agenda Packet for the January 18, 2023 meeting.) ITEM NO. DESCRIPTION
PUBLIC COMMENTS
a. Correspondence from Dane Crosby
b. Correspondence from Katherine Chambers
c. Correspondence from William Mike Harris
d. Correspondence from Mark Williams
e. Correspondence from Margaret Williamson
f. Correspondence from Rebecka Garcia
g. Correspondence from Sandra Brillhart
REPORTS
15. a.
PROJECT APPROVAL EXTENSION REQUEST FOR THE
BLUE WAVE PROJECT, INCLUDING MITIGATED
NEGATIVE DECLARATION, LOCATED AT 550
HIGHWAY 75 AND 624 7TH STREET (APNs 625-140-08-
00, 626-070-33-00, AND 626-070-57-00). MF 1307. (0600-
20)
a. Correspondence from Sandra Brillhart
From:
To:
Kathy Chambers
Public Comments
Subject:
Date:
Campaign Finance Reform comment for Wednesday"s meeting Tuesday, January 17, 2023 4:03:50 PM
Good Evening,
I am unable to attend the City Council meeting in person, but would like to voice my comments and concerns via this email.
I am concerned about the financial sponsors and contributors that dumped large sums of outside money to suppo1i one candidate in this past election for mayor. This is an issue when it comes to voting for a candidate that is tiuly suppo1ied by our local community, versus someone who was elected based on outside donations. Since we all know that these donations are not done without sti·ings attached, it is t:Iuly going to be hannful to our community when these large donors come calling in for what they want. This issue must be addressed and cannot be ignored by our City Council as it has done for years past. Many other cities have implemented a ti·ansparent campaign finance refonn to ensure a more honest and fair process.
Imperial Beach is a small beach town, it's not Los Angeles; our local voices are overshadowed by these eno1mous outside monetaiy influences and campaign conti·ibutions ... this must be stopped, because it comes down to our local neighbors cannot afford to match such massive contributions which ai·e the only way to have local voices heai·d.
With waim regai·ds,
Katherine Chambers
Imperial Beach Resident
b.1
Date: 01-19-2023 Item: Public Comments
Last Minute Agenda Information
From: W. M. Harris
To: Public Comments
Subject: Campaign finance reform
Date: Sunday, January 15, 2023 11:23:24 AM
I encourage Council member discussion on campaign reform, specifically limiting outside (of IB) campaign contributions.
I SUPPORT LIMITING CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS that entities and/or persons outside can give.
Thanks in advance for any council member who supports this concept, which has been implemented in other incorporated cities in our county William Mike Harris, Realtor - Notary at Spirit Realty
DRE # 01752948
Imperial Beach resident
Supv. BPA, Ret
SDC-IMB
http://www.BorderPatrolTours.com
George Orwell: People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
.
Date: 01-19-2023 Item: Public Comments
Last Minute Agenda Information
c.1
From:
To:
Mark Williams
Public Comments
Subject:
Date:
Comments for city council meeting January 17, 2023
Saturday, January 14, 2023 4:08:43 PM
comments@imperialbeachca gov
Good Evening,
I am sorry I am unable to attend in person; our having our local voices heard is critical and continuing via email, zoom, or phone is a wonderful.
I am voicing my concern about the need for local Campaign Finance Reform. This is an issue that has been largely ignored by our city council years past.
Imperial Beach is four square miles. As such local voices are over shadowed by the enormous outside influences and campaign contributions. This money comes from PAC's, Developers, Unions, and other state and city candidates. These are not our neighbors. The question is what do these people want in return? I wonder if many of the outside big money donors have even been to Imperial Beach.
If they even know how to find Imperial Beach on a map.
The issue comes down to our neighbors cannot afford to match such massive contributions which are the only way to have local voices heard.
If the obscene amount of outside money continues we will forever lose our small, friendly, beach community and become another overly populated, unaffordable, former Classic California Beach City.
Imperial Beach citizens simply cannot create the funding to have a fair election against the huge amounts of outside money. And we really don't want them too. Our citizens do not have the prestigious connections to obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars which is the only way to realistically compete. Money pays for paid door walkers, paid digital media, paid mailers, and huge banners. This overwhelms and discourages local voices from trying to represent our community.
We can all agree that outside money purchases power. It's the one commodity that is universally understood.
Outside influences were very apparent during the recent December 19, 2022 city council meeting. Many of the speakers do not live in, or have a vested interest in Imperial Beach. This show was orchestrated because of higher political aspirations; desires for huge unchecked spending from SANDAG. This was done only for one purpose; and it wasn't to benefit Imperial Beach. Fortunately the majority of the city council saw through the single sided packing of the council gallery and made the best decision for Imperial Beach. This was very clear from several speakers who as much as said they had no clue why they were ordered to speak at that meeting.
Date: 01-19-2023 Item: Public Comments
Last Minute Agenda Information
d.1
We elect a council for our own local representation.
Thank you
Mark Williams D1 resident.
.
Date: 01-19-2023 Item: Public Comments
Last Minute Agenda Information
d.2
From:
To:
Subject:
Margaret Williamson
Public Comments
Election Reform
Date: Wednesday, January 11, 2023 7:46:14 AM
January 11, 2023
To The City Council of Imperial Beach
Subject: Election Reform
Imperial Beach is a small beach community that is roughly 4.2 square miles in size with a population of approximately 26,000 people. Of that population, according to a San Diego County Registrar of Voters Report dated January 3, 2023, 13,894 citizens of Imperial Beach are registered to vote.
I am a long time citizen of Imperial Beach, having lived here since the early ?Os. I have witnessed firsthand the beginnings of transition to high density housing and the push for high rise buildings and how it is affecting this once quiet little Southern California beach town.
Outside money is coming into this little community through election donations to favored candidates, and as they say, "money talks". Citizens know full well that outside money influences outcome on issues of major importance to this city and the surrounding community.
For years, the South Bay has been generally known as a "dumping ground" and today is no exception. Imperial Beach and its interests should never be for sale to outside bidders, especially those whose goals envision low income and high density housing.
Currently, the cities of Chula Vista, Coronado, National City, Del Mar, Poway, El Cajon, Santee and San Diego have municipal codes for campaign contribution limits.
Our future elections in Imperial Beach need to be fair and equitable and this can only be accomplished through election reform. There are currently no codes in the Imperial Beach Municipal Code that I can find for campaign regulations or contribution limits, and there certainly should be. Therefore, as a long time tax paying citizen of Imperial Beach, I am requesting that the City Council take this matter into consideration and make it a high priority to develop codes for election reform and by doing so, level the playing field so all those within our community who desire to run for office have equal opportunity and a fair chance.
Regards,
Margaret Williamson
e.1
Date: 01-19-2023 Item: Public Comments
Last Minute Agenda Information
From:
To:
Subject:
Date:
Reve
Public Comments
Public Comment for 1/18/23-Campaign Reform
Tuesday, January 17, 2023 7:57:29 PM
Dear City Council,
Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend this meeting as I have a prior engagement to celebrate my mother's 83rd bi1ihday. In light of the recent election, a discussion has begun regarding campaign refo1m in our community. I believe in order to keep our small city out of the reach of outside special interest, there needs to be a meaningful discussion about limiting and capping campaign funding to $500. This will ensure that the constituents of t his City will
make the decisions and shape our future, not outside interest.
As a community, we also need to behave as adults and be respectful of others even when there is disagreement. In the November meeting, I spoke against a matter that many others approved of. I mention that many others are afraid to speak for fear of retaliation, and at that time, I was assured by then-Mayor Dedina that the City Council meetings were a safe place for anyone to speak their minds. I do not believe that there is a safe place at our meetings for people to speak their views when one of our City Council members was booed while walking to their car after a vote that people disagreed with. That is a coward's act and the act of bullies. I hope the City Council reminds people in the audience to have decornm and be respectful of other opinions and condemn any bullying behavior.
Thank you for your consideration.
Rebecka Garica
f.1
Date: 01-19-2023 Item: Public Comments
Last Minute Agenda Information
From: Sandra Brillhart
To: Public Comments
Subject: Public Comment
Date: Wednesday, January 18, 2023 11:15:40 AM
Comments on leadership from Martin Luther KingMay I stress the need for courageous, intelligent, and dedicated leadership…. Leaders of sound integrity.
Leaders not in love with publicity, but in love with justice... Leaders who can subject their particular egos to the greatness of the cause . Leaders whom the lust of office does not kill. Leaders who possess opinions and a will. Leaders who will not lie. Tall leaders, sun-crowned, who live above the fog in public duty and in private thinking.
He also said, " We may have come here on different ships, but we are all in the same boat now." I hope our City Council heeds these words.
Sandy Brillhart
.
Date: 01-19-2023 Item: Public Comments
Last Minute Agenda Information
g.1
From: Sandra Brillhart
To: Public Comments
Subject: Agenda Item 15-A support
Date: Monday, January 16, 2023 9:56:44 PM
In the event I cannot attend the meeting on January 18, this is to express my support for granting the applicant a 6 month project approval extension for the Blue Wave. The project is well designed and compatible with its surroundings.
Since this is the second extension, I would suggest that the applicant be required to provide a status update after several months to assure that the project is progressing according to the proposed timeline. I would also suggest that the City consider working with the developer to identify opportunities for building on the proposed shuttle service to serve additional areas and people in town.
Thank you.
Sandy Brillhart
.
.
Date: 01-19-2023 Item: 15.a.
Last Minute Agenda Information
a.1