From: Barbara Gordon
To: Public Comment
Subject: General Public Comment
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 7:44:14 AM
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City Council Members,
I want to share the results from a Statewide organization Getting it Right from the Start that collected data from tobacco retailers in CA for the sale of illegal intoxicating products.
This data demonstrates that sales of psychoactive products by tobacco retailers is a widespread problem.
Products are sold like Kratom which acts on opioid receptors. It’s highly addictive.
Repeated use leads to tolerance, dependence and the need for progressively higher doses.
Another product, nitrous oxide, is used legally in medicine, dentistry, and the food industry.
But it’s a growing source of abuse by teens and youth causing an increasing number of deaths, severe burns, and serious neurological injury.
Products sold as psychedelic mushrooms can cause significant impairment, psychosis, and other adverse health effects. The greatest hazard is the dangerous behavior such as walking or driving while unable to think or perceive clearly Intoxicating hemp products contain THC. These products are available to teens and youth, who are particularly vulnerable to adverse effects like psychosis and addiction. The packaging is typically marketed to youth.
All these products were found at our tobacco retailers. Having a tobacco license is not a license to sell drugs to kids.
There need to be more local policies and enforcement efforts to stop the sale of these products.
Barbara Gordon
General Comment
From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: [email protected]; Shelley Chapel; Tonya Hussain Subject: Public Comment Received
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 11:53:24 AM
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User Ted Godshalk has enter the following comment(s):
Regarding the payments seen on this Warrant Register: Please tell the public the reason for the three expenditures for the Finance Department to Woodruff and Smart for $33,059. for Warrant Register No. 4 for the Period of 7/17/26 through 7/23/26 in the Amount of $3,207,774.60 in Regular City Council Meeting 9/15/2026 6:00:00 PM Please log into eSCRIBE to review the submitted comment(s).
Item 9.8
From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: [email protected]; Shelley Chapel; Tonya Hussain Subject: Public Comment Received
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 11:43:06 AM
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User Ted Godshalk has enter the following comment(s):
Make it easier for everyone and delegate this authority to another city or agency. When someone is upset, they can go call the others and complain. Just don't try to make a buck off it.
This operational scheme could be done with the ambulance service, as well? Maybe there are other services you could off load so your expenditures come down. No? for Ordinance for Introduction – Industrial Wastewater Pretreatment per Metropolitan Sewerage System Administrative Agreement No. 1. in Regular City Council Meeting 9/15/2026 6:00:00 PM
Please log into eSCRIBE to review the submitted comment(s).
Item 10.1
From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: [email protected]; Shelley Chapel; Tonya Hussain Subject: Public Comment Received
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 11:36:38 AM
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User Ted Godshalk has enter the following comment(s):
If you are going to start another TAX/fee on property owners, you need to send explanatory paper copies to all owners and tenants in the BID and tell exactly how much this program will cost them, how you will charge them, and what you will provide for their money. You need to invite them to the next Council meeting where you will discuss it again before making a final decision. You cannot rely on some simple survey done by outside consultants. Do real door to door outreach for a change.
for Downtown National City Community Benefit Improvement District Feasibility Study and Direction on Next Steps. in Regular City Council Meeting 9/15/2026 6:00:00 PM Please log into eSCRIBE to review the submitted comment(s).
Item 11.2
From: Ted Godshalk
To: Tonya Hussain; Clerk; Shelley Chapel
Cc: Luz Molina
Subject: Written Comment for Item 11.3 from Mr. Ted Godshalk:
Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 1:27:51 PM
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Written Comment for Council meeting of September 15, 2026 for Item 11.3 from Mr.
Ted Godshalk:
Councilors,
We all agree that the people in National City require the best paramedic and ambulance response. I thank the Fire Department for the service I have seen first hand and have heard about from others.
The Ambulance Transport Service may sound like an attractive option for serving people in National City, but to borrow money from a bank or from internal funds, including the Sewer Fund, is a terrible plan. The Sewer Fund has its own “mission,” that being to provide money to maintain the sewer system, and keep down costs to property owners. Yes, it has loaned money in the past for departmental vehicles. This proposal is much more than that. If you have no qualms about the recent increase to sewer rates that you have approved or about setting up the ratepayers for more increases, then you need to adjust your leadership philosophies.
At this time, I do not have confidence that this new "business enterprise" falls within the expertise of the city staff. The ambulance service should continue to be covered by outside service providers. Estimates are that this program will average 8,600 calls for service with 3 to 5 ambulances ready to roll and 18 new Full Time Employees, as well as a Fire Battalion Chief, an EMS Coordinator, an EMS Assistant Coordinator, a Third Party Billing Provider, and contract medical support. In addition, there will costs incurred by the Finance Department, the Human Resource Department, and the City Attorney's Office. Risk Management should be waving the reddest of flags. (Jeremy Day Powerpoint of March 17, 2026).
At this time, the public has heard of a "hiring freeze,” as one step you will take towards better fiscal management. This proposal comes with new “forever” costs that accompany any new staff hiring. You have not heard of estimates for these costs.
Vehicle costs have not been estimated in reports. Furthermore, litigation in this arena can “swamp" the city budget. In short, ongoing costs are unknown at this time, and RIGHT NOW, you need to be in the mode of identifying ALL ongoing costs.
The National City Fire Department has a sizable portion of the National City Annual Budget and should pay for any new programs out of that budget. Staff levels should be maintained at this time.
Item 11.3
To start a business like this on the back of the rate payers is the wrong way to go today. Like any other proposal, this business enterprise could go the wrong way in a time of economic downturn or unforeseen extremes for the Sewer System for the Fire Department. The payback schedule leaves the Sewer Fund short by millions of dollars for many years.
Two examples on tonight’s Warrant Register:
Burtech Pipeline, Inc 378219 $386,892.34 CIP 24-03 P-2 Sewer Upsizing Project
Burtech Pipeline, Inc 378219 $523,347.57. CIP 24-03 P-2 Sewer Upsizing Project
The Sewer System is expensive and costs are unpredictable. The property owners have saved money to cover most ongoing costs. Do not take their money.
By moving our municipal government towards a “smaller model", you may work your way out of the fiscal situation you have created.