2025.08.19
City Council Meeting – Non-Agenda Public Comment
Good Evening,
Values are very important to the Public, it can be easy to overlook the fundamental fact that the Public expects and deserves its public servants to serve the public’s interest – not private or political interests.
As public officials you have to sort through competing considerations and determine “the right thing to do?” for the public’s interest.
There is a business located at 2511 Sweetwater Rd., N City Sports Lounge that needs to be audited for safety for it’s patrons and the negative impact on the neighboring residential community with:
High density traffic
Noise pollution
Healthy & Safety risks
Disturbing the peace requires extra law enforcement resources.
Refer to photos within the body of this public comment.
I have submitted a PRA (no complaining) I want what the occupancy load that is permitted, I want to know the building permit and to see the inspections and final sign off.
Lastly, I want National City Police to step up their patrolling on Sweetwater Road around that establishment that is a nuisance to the neighboring residential community. Coordinate a sobriety check point General Comment
with the CHP. I already have the Sheriff successfully patrolling the residential community of Lincoln Acres it is time for National City Police Department to step up and do their part to protect and serve. Just for the record – this is NOT an isolated incident, it happens every weekend.
Urine from two drunken and disorderly women and the wipe they used left in the street across the street from my house.
Daylighting Law violated. Vehicles parked blocking inside the crosswalk.
Brake lights of CHP patrol vehicle responding to the Daylighting parking violations that are also obstructing the crosswalk. Two vehicles were towed. 7-11 is closed but their parking lot is being utilized by non-711 customers.
More parking in 7-11 and illegal parking in a clearly marked handicapped parking space. No handicap placard or license plates on this vehicle.
From: Sarah Boyer
To: Public Comment
Subject: Public Comment
Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2025 10:14:59 AM
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Good morning, my public comment is below. Please let me know if you need any additional information. Thanks!
I’d like to express my concerns about the smoke-shops in National City and the rest of the South Bay area. I’ve found that most people don’t know there is no regulation on what products smoke-shops can sell, where they can open, or their hours of operation.
A lot of these businesses are concentrated in low income neighborhoods in the South Bay and they’re not simply places for adults to buy cigarettes, which are a big enough public health threat on their own.
I’ve seen a lot of smoke shops selling drug paraphernalia such as meth pipes and other questionable items like mushrooms and other psychedelic drugs that are detrimental to people of all ages but especially dangerous for young people. These drugs can cause fear, depression, anxiety, and paranoia which can be long-lasting.
Many smoke shops are illegally selling cannabis products and dangerous products like Kratom. Kratom has been banned for several years in San Diego but not in other local cities.
No tobacco retailer should be able to sell any kind of drugs. Yet many of them are blatant and don’t even try to hide what they’re doing. I’ve seen mushrooms advertised for sale on sidewalk signs outside of smoke shops in Chula Vista. We need to make sure this isn’t happening in National City.
National City has four smoke shops. They need to be responsible retailers. Best practices call for age-restricted signage to be posted at the entrances and for customers’ IDs to be checked prior to entry. When Young Adult Tobacco Purchase surveys were conducted, only one National City smoke shop had the signage, and no investigators were carded at the smoke shop doors.
Smoke shops contribute to a decline in community health and wellbeing. Where you find smoke shops, you find more discarded cigarette butts which are a major source of litter in our neighborhoods. They make our streets unsightly and contain harmful chemicals that get into our soil and waterways.
We deserve better. Our children deserve to grow up in a safe and healthy environment. We deserve clean streets and a sense of security in our own neighborhoods. We need to do a better job of regulating smoke shops.
General Comment
Sarah Boyer
Chula Vista, CA
From: Ted Godshalk
To: Clerk
Subject: Public Comment for August 19, 2025 from Mr. Ted Godshalk Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2025 11:21:51 AM
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Public Comment for August 19, 2025 from Mr. Ted Godshalk Councilors,
Let’s catch up on any progress you have made during your month away.
To review:
Normally the first Tuesday would be a work day for you. As it is July, and a short break is probably needed, I will recommend the following items for you to address over this month.
The first quarter of the city’s fiscal year is a critical time for you to “manage” the finances. It is not a "wait and see” period, as I have heard some of you say. You have thirty five days until your next meeting when we can catch up on the necessary moves. 1- At the budget meetings, the discussion certainly angled towards more spending without recognizable revenue increases to cover it. I recommend that you each identify five non-city owned parcels, locations, in the city that you will work on to develop commercial businesses which will bring new sales tax to the city, while not adversely costing the city in the form of grants, loans, or gifts to the developer. Do not choose the city owned parcels already identified by the Housing Department. Do not bring forth any housing unless it has a significant Commercial Mixed-Use component. I later expect a firm policy discussion about everything related to a "Community Revitalization Fund". That previous discussion you held on the topic was very vague; intentionally so? Don’t waste time and please be specific now. Some of you have had over four years to work on this. Let’s hear from you in August about your choices for development and the progress you have made in 35 days. At that time, we can judge your effort and your proposals.
2- Please review all See-Click-Fix reports in the queue. Get the data and share it with the public. You have probably not been following these reports from the community for a long time. If you had been aware of the many problems that the residents see and LIVE WITH each day, you might have made different choices for spending in your budget. Let’s hear from you in August about the way you can reduce the need for the PUBLIC to report issues and get NC staff to handle the difficult work out there in a more timely manner. 3- Also, let’s hear from each of you about your First Five Ways of saving city money that we did not hear during the budget meetings. I heard some of you claim you are “being prudent.” Did that not mean to you that you will look towards next year and out four more years? Prove your claims.
4- Lastly, while one Councilor stated on his Facebook page that the June 12th budget meeting was an opportunity “to come to help prioritize community needs.” Your new staff positions and your discussions about unfilled and open positions were very much a demonstration of the General Comment
Council’s priorities. When we return from this summer break, please prepare to answer for your decisions made against the community’s priorities. Please prepare to answer about the unfilled position in the Planning Department called “Community Health and Environmental Planner.” This staff position, commonly called the “ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE OFFICER,” was budgeted originally in 2023 and has been ignored by you since then. This year you CUT THIS POSITION from the budget, even with several potentially toxic developments proposed in and near our city. You are also planning to replace the Amortization Program which, if utilized, could do some real good in OTNC and which has also been budgeted for the past two years. Those two items were the Priority Community Needs and they need to be a priority still. Will you take the lead to protect our health and environment or is everything National City about the Money? Have you addressed any of these concerns?
Ted Godshalk
From: David Garcia
To: Public Comment
Subject: Public Comment - Violation of Municipal Code 7.10.080 Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025 7:50:51 PM
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City Council,
I am writing to report a violation of National City Municipal Code Section 7.10.080 regarding required trash enclosures.
The businesses located at 2333 - 2305 Highland Ave are placing commercial dumpsters in a public alley without the required masonry enclosure. This is a clear violation of the city's code.
I have attached a photograph documenting the violation.
Please take action to enforce the municipal code.
Sincerely,
David Garcia Ozua
General Comment
From: David Garcia
To: Public Comment
Subject: Pet Limits in Multi-Family Dwellings
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025 8:09:33 PM
Attachments: IMG_5914.png
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City of National City,
I am writing to report an ongoing issue with “community cats” and a neighbor's long-term care for them at 2302 I Ave in National City. The residents at this address have been consistently feeding and providing care for a large number of cats in public spaces, including the sidewalk and common areas. While they may not claim ownership of these cats, their actions have created a public health and nuisance issue for the entire community.
Under National City Municipal Code, Section 8, an individual who exercises "apparent control or dominion over an animal" may be considered an owner. The residents' consistent feeding and care for these cats, to the exclusion of others, strongly suggests they are acting as owners.
As such, they should be held responsible for the well-being and actions of these animals, just as any other pet owner would be.
The cat colony is creating several problems, including:
* Public health concerns: The cats are defecating and urinating in public spaces, creating unsanitary conditions.
* Noise complaints: The cats are frequently heard fighting and vocalizing at all hours of the day and night.
* Property damage: The cats are damaging property in the area, including scratching cars and furniture.
I am requesting that your offices investigate this matter and take appropriate action to address this issue. Including enforcing Section 6 which indicates a maximum of 2 cats in a multifamily dwelling. The residents should be directed to stop feeding the cats in public spaces and to care for them exclusively on their property. I also ask that you review their compliance with local ordinances regarding the number of pets allowed in an apartment. This situation has become a significant public nuisance, and I believe it requires immediate attention.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
General Comment
David Garcia Ozua
From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: Tonya Hussain
Subject: Public Comment Received
Date: Monday, August 18, 2025 6:14:51 AM
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User les johnson has enter the following comment(s):
American golf has failed to live up to its contract the bridge for the carts was promised 2 years ago..failed to maintain the golf carts for safety problem t,failed to provide the sand for the sand traps and they failed in honoring the contract for fees over charging golfers charging double fees on holidays not honoring resident discounts or senior discounts. no one has been repaid the over charged prices..the city would make more running it themselves..the profits leave the city and state
for American Golf - National City Golf Course in Regular City Council Meeting 8/19/2025 6:00:00 PM
Please log into eSCRIBE to review the submitted comment(s).
Item 6.2
From: Ted Godshalk
To: Clerk
Subject: Public Comment for City Council item #8.1 for August 19, 2025 from Mr. Ted Godshalk:
Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2025 11:05:36 AM
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Public Comment for City Council item #8.1 for August 19, 2025 from Mr. Ted Godshalk:
Councilors,
The application for a CEQA exemption, a Coastal Development Permit and a Conditional Use Permit for La Malquerida on McKinley Avenue should be denied.
The proposed use is located in a census tract (219) that already has 17 liquor sales outlets while only three are recommended. According to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control this is considered “overconcentrated,” and as such there are risks to the community.
The property was apparently bought as a speculative venture with the desire to have cannabis and/or alcohol sales as the main revenue generator. The proposed use is not essential or desirable. The proof of this is the fact seen in the lack of profitable business activity or a community serving establishment for a long, recent time period.
The addition of alcohol and live entertainment will not add “charm,” as claimed in the staff report. The building is inadequate in shape and size for this kind of business. The street is a dark and difficult to access area as noted by the National City Police Department. The building has a deficiency of security features including lighting and multiple exits in the case of emergencies. No adjustment of hours or promises from the operator can overcome these findings.
Lastly, I believe you should look ahead and come to the conclusion that this is a conversion of the property to a BAR and that alcohol sales and live entertainment will not be incidental to the food service, but instead will become the main attraction. National City may need more small businesses, but this type, in this location, does not serve the greater public needs, and in fact, will likely require more public safety service calls.
Please deny this application.
Ted Godshalk
Notes:
Planning Commission
Meeting of July 21, 2025
The following are findings for denial:
1. Granting the permit would constitute a nuisance or be injurious or detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare, Item 8.10
or materially injurious to persons, property, or improvements in the vicinity and zone in which the property is located, because the addition of on-site alcohol sales and live entertainment may increase the propensity for overconsumption of alcohol and increase the potential for impacts to the surrounding area.
2. The proposed use is not deemed essential to the public necessity, as there are already 17 other outlets in the same census tract that serve alcohol.
3. Based on the above findings, public convenience and necessity will not be served by a proposed use of the property for on-site sale of alcoholic beverages and live entertainment pursuant to law.
From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: Tonya Hussain
Subject: Public Comment Received
Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2025 1:05:42 PM
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User Alisha Morrison has enter the following comment(s):
This should include goats and roosters as there are already residents in National City who have urban farms in the backyards. Especially off Stockman St. Love hearing the sounds of urban farms around that area.
for Continued Public Hearing - First Reading and Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Section 8.32.015 of the National City Municipal Code Related to the Keeping of Hen Chickens. in Regular City Council Meeting 8/19/2025 6:00:00 PM Please log into eSCRIBE to review the submitted comment(s).
Item 9.1
From: Castaneda, Ernesto
To: Public Comment
Subject: Public Comment - National City Tobacco Retail License Program Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2025 12:06:10 PM
Attachments: image001.png
DA Letter of Support - SWCC TRL.docx
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Hello,
Please see attached our offices Letter of Support to National City Coalition for Better Health’s Tobacco Retail Ordinance. This will serve as our public comment.
Thank you!
Ernesto Castañeda
Field Representative
Office of Assemblymember David Alvarez
80th Assembly District
276 Church Avenue, Suite D | Chula Vista, CA 91910
Phone: (619) 498-8580
[email protected]
Item 10.3
To Whom It May Concern,
I am pleased to offer my strong endorsement and support for the youth and community leaders participating in Capitol Information and Education Days, and to the National City Coalition for Better Health for their ongoing efforts to promote tobacco prevention and public health across California.
Tobacco use continues to be a leading cause of preventable death and disease in our state and nation. Despite significant progress, tobacco still poses a serious threat to the well-being of our communities, particularly among youth and marginalized populations who are disproportionately targeted by tobacco marketing.
I commend the students, educators, health advocates, and local coalition members who are standing up against the tobacco industry's harmful practices. Your advocacy and commitment to evidence-based prevention strategies are making a tangible difference. Your voices are essential in shaping policies that create healthier, tobacco-free environments for current and future generations.
As a member of the California State Assembly, I remain committed to supporting legislation and initiatives that protect our communities from the dangers of tobacco and nicotine addiction.
Together, through education, advocacy, and public engagement, we can continue to reduce tobacco use and promote equity in health outcomes.
Thank you for your dedication, leadership, and tireless work in the fight for a healthier California.
Sincerely,
David A. Alvarez
Assembly Member, 80th District
California State Assembly
From: Elizabeth Murphy
To: Public Comment
Subject: Item 10.3 Proposed TRL ordinance
Date: Monday, August 18, 2025 9:38:31 AM
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Hello,
Please include my comment during the August 19 City Council meeting since I am unable to deliver it in person:
Greetings Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers,
As several students and I have emphasized during previous council meetings, vaping is a huge distraction to student learning and a burden on school resources, staff time, and the overall learning climate.
The passage of a Tobacco Retail License ordinance is important because it directly tackles the accessibility to products that fuel this problem. When we have a robust licensing system that holds businesses accountable, we create a barrier between underage students and these harmful products. This directly impacts the supply chain that leads to vaping in our school bathrooms and hallways.
By rigorously enforcing a tobacco retail license program, we are not just regulating businesses; we are directly intervening in a problem that students themselves identify as significant, a problem that is causing them to avoid essential facilities, and a problem that is overwhelming our school administrators. This is about safeguarding the health, safety, and learning environment of our students. It's about ensuring our schools can focus on education, not on policing vaping in the restrooms. Let's empower our schools and protect our students by not delaying any longer in making a tobacco retail license program in National City a reality.
Respectfully,
Liz Murphy, M.Ed.
Tobacco Use Prevention Education Coordinator
Teacher on Special Assignment
Item 10.3
Student Support Services
Sweetwater Union High School District
"Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom." – George Washington Carver From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: Tonya Hussain
Subject: Public Comment Received
Date: Tuesday, August 19, 2025 9:55:07 AM
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User Ted Godshalk has enter the following comment(s):
I support the extension of the contract with these recommendations: 1- NC will expedite the permits for the bridge and offer to pay 50% of the cost. 2- NC will trim 100+ trees that have needed work for a long time. 3- NC will remove all wires on hole 3. 4- All bunkers, fairways, tee boxes and greens will be renovated annually by American Golf. 5- NC will resurface the parking lot. 6- Payment to NC will be 12% on all sales of products and golf. 7- A Golfers/AG Advisory Committee will be started.
for Amendment to the Lease and Operating Agreement between the City of National City and American Golf Corporation. in Regular City Council Meeting 8/19/2025 6:00:00 PM Please log into eSCRIBE to review the submitted comment(s).
Item 11.1