THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OF
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2025
AT 10:00 AM
IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS – 12TH FLOOR
Table of Contents
CHRONOLOGY OF THE MEETING.............................................................................................2 ATTENDANCE DURING THE MEETING .....................................................................................2 ROLL CALL ...................................................................................................................................2 INVOCATION ................................................................................................................................3 LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT .....................................................................................................3 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ..........................................................................................................3 CLOSED SESSION.......................................................................................................................3 NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT ............................................................................................5
MAYOR, COUNCIL, CITY ATTORNEY, INDEPENDENT BUDGET ANALYST, CITY CLERK COMMENT....................................................................................................................................8 Item 200: San Diego Fire-Rescue Department 2025 Fire Season Outlook and Emergency Preparedness ................................................................................................................................8 Item S400: Input on Exploring Potential Shelter Opportunities for Homelessness Services.......... ......................................................................................................................................................9 REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION ................................................................................10 ADJOURNMENT.........................................................................................................................10 Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 2
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, February 10, 2025
CHRONOLOGY OF THE MEETING
The meeting was called to order by Council President Pro Tem Lee at 10:02 a.m. The meeting was recessed by Council President Pro Tem Lee at 10:20 a.m. into Closed Session, to be reconvened at 2:00 p.m.
The meeting was reconvened by Council President LaCava at 2:04 p.m. with Councilmember Campbell and Councilmember Campillo not present. The meeting was adjourned by Council President LaCava at 5:03 p.m.
ATTENDANCE DURING THE MEETING
PRESENT:
CD-1 Council President Joe LaCava
CD-3 Councilmember Stephen Whitburn
CD-4 Councilmember Henry L. Foster III
CD-5 Councilmember Marni von Wilpert
CD-6 Council President Pro Tem Kent Lee
CD-8 Councilmember Vivian Moreno
CD-9 Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera
ABSENT:
CD-2 Councilmember Jennifer Campbell
CD-7 Councilmember Raul A. Campillo
CITY CLERK:
Fuentes (km)
ROLL CALL
(1) Council President LaCava-not present
(2) Councilmember Campbell-not present
(3) Councilmember Whitburn-not present
(4) Councilmember Foster-present
(5) Councilmember von Wilpert-not present
(6) Council President Pro Tem Lee-present
(7) Councilmember Campillo-not present
(8) Councilmember Moreno-present
(9) Councilmember Elo-Rivera-present
INVOCATION
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 3
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, February 10, 2025
The invocation was given by City Clerk Diana J.S. Fuentes.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Statement read by Councilmember Whitburn.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Whitburn.
CLOSED SESSION
Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation, pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1):
CS-1 Charlotte Estrada-Pepper v. City of San Diego
San Diego Superior Court Case No: 37-2024-00002823-CU-PO-CTL Risk Management Department Claim File No. 33930
REFERRED TO CLOSED SESSION OF MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2025 SDCA Assigned: S. J. Plotkin-Wolff
This matter arises from an accidental canine bite that occurred on June 21, 2023, when a minor opened the door of a K9 Unit. The City Attorney’s Office will update the Mayor and City Council on the status of the litigation and seek direction.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 10:04 AM
Council President LaCava closed the hearing.
CS-2 Sara Leo, as Successors in Interest of the Estate of Conchita Leo v. The City of San Diego, et al.
San Diego Superior Court Case No. 37-2021-00017973-CU-CR-CTL Sara Leo, et al. v. Velarde Family Trust
San Diego Superior Court Case No. 37-2022-00001822-CU-CR-CTL Risk Management Department Claim File No. 25844
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 4
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, February 10, 2025
REFERRED TO CLOSED SESSION OF MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2025 SDCA Assigned: G. F. Schaefer
Plaintiff Sara Leo sued the City for injuries that her mother, the late Conchita Leo, allegedly sustained on March 28, 2020, due to a sidewalk defect at 3073 Ocean Boulevard, San Diego.
The City Attorney’s Office will update the Mayor and City Council on the status of the litigation and seek direction.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 10:04 AM
Council President LaCava closed the hearing.
Conference with Legal Counsel – Significant Exposure to Litigation, pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2):
CS-3 Number of Cases: One
REFERRED TO CLOSED SESSION OF MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2025 ACA Assigned: L. FitzGerald
DCA Assigned: B. Syz
This matter arises from a letter received by the City of San Diego on February 5, 2025, from Hoffman & Forde, Attorneys at Law, alleging a Brown Act violation in the approval of Item 331 on the Council’s January 28, 2025, agenda. Item 331 was titled San Diego Municipal Code Amendment to Section 131.0431 Development Regulations Table 131-04D Related to RS-1-2 Zones in the Encanto Neighborhoods and Southeastern San Diego Community Planning Areas and recommended the removal of Footnote 7. The City Attorney’s Office will update the Mayor and City Council on the status of the claim and seek direction.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 10:04 AM
Public testimony by Geoffrey Hueter, Sage Walding, Danna Givot, Susan Baldwin, Robert Campbell, Joy Sunyata, Blair Beekman, and Dorene Dias.
Council President LaCava closed the hearing.
Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation – Initiation of Litigation, pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9:
SCS-1 Number of Cases: One
REFERRED TO SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION OF MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2025 SDCA Assigned: M. Ankcorn
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 5
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, February 10, 2025
DCA Assigned: J. Rau
The City Attorney will discuss the potential to initiate litigation and seek direction.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 10:17 AM
Public testimony by Joy Sunyata.
Council President LaCava closed the hearing.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
PUBLIC COMMENT-1:
Blair Beekman commented on responsible practices and narratives.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:35 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-2:
Almaz Akassa commented on title home.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:37 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-3 (virtual):
Francine Maxwell commented on independence on Measure B.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:39 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-4 (virtual):
Barbara Gordon commented on smoking, marijuana, and heart health.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:41 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-5 (virtual):
Terry-Ann Skelly commented on marijuana and health inequity.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:43 PM
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 6
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, February 10, 2025
PUBLIC COMMENT-6 (virtual):
Joy Sunyata commented on letter to Governor Newsom.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:44 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-7 (virtual):
Kathleen Lippitt commented on tobacco, cannabis, and health disparities.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:47 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-8 (virtual):
Lori Saldaña commented on homelessness and vacation rentals.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:49 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-9 (virtual):
Kelly McCormick commented on health impacts of high potency marijuana.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:51 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-10 (virtual):
TheOriginalDra commented on homelessness, surplus land, and federal laws.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:53 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-11 (virtual):
Megan Stuart commented on marijuana use and impact on heart health.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:55 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-12 (virtual):
Katheryn Rhodes commented on homelessness and item S400.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:56 PM
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 7
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, February 10, 2025
PUBLIC COMMENT-13 (virtual):
Becky Rapp commented on safe public spaces and marijuana marketing.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:59 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-14 (virtual):
Madison commented on risks of marijuana use during pregnancy.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 5:01 PM
MAYOR, COUNCIL, CITY ATTORNEY, INDEPENDENT BUDGET ANALYST, CITY CLERK
COMMENT
None.
Item 200: San Diego Fire-Rescue Department 2025 Fire Season Outlook and Emergency Preparedness.
Total Estimated Cost of Proposed Action and Funding Source: N/A Council District(s) Affected: Citywide.
Proposed Actions:
ITEM PRESENTED
This is an informational item only.
Committee Actions Taken: N/A
Assistant Fire Chief Eddy Daniel, (619) 533-4300
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 2:05 PM
Item S400: Input on Exploring Potential Shelter Opportunities for Homelessness Services.
Total Estimated Cost of Proposed Action and Funding Source:
There is no City expenditure being approved with this action.
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 8
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, February 10, 2025
Council District(s) Affected: Citywide.
Proposed Actions:
(R-2025-364 REV.) ADOPTED AS AMENDED AS RESOLUTION R-316023 Resolution confirming support for certain shelter opportunities for the use of homelessness services and request for the Mayor’s Office, and appropriate City departments, explore the shelter opportunities supported by the Council of the City of San Diego.
Committee Actions Taken: N/A
Homelessness Strategies: Sarah Jarman, (619) 385-6963
City Attorney Contact: Jose A. Garcia
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 3:10 PM
MOTION BY STEPHEN WHITBURN TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION WITH AMENDMENTS TO: 1) REQUEST INDEPENDENT BUDGET ANALYST WORK WITH DEPARTMENT STAFF, SAN DIEGO HOUSING COMMISSION STAFF AND THE CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE AND
REPORT BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL ON HOW THE SECOND AVENUE SITE COULD BE FINANCED AND WHAT THE CITY’S COSTS WOULD BE OVER 30 YEARS; 2) REQUEST
HOUSING COMMISSION AND HOMELESS STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS DEPARTMENT
WORK TOGETHER TO EXPLORE SECOND AVE AND COME BACK WITH POTENTIAL
POPULATION TO BE SERVED, NUMBER OF BEDS, BUDGET FOR LEASE/PURCHASE AND OPERATIONS, AS WELL AS FEEDBACK FROM LISTENING SESSIONS; 3) REQUEST
HOMELESS STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS DEPARTMENT TO WORK TOGETHER WITH
SAN DIEGO HOUSING COMMISSION TO EXPLORE WAYS TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF PERMANENT BEDS AT VETERANS VILLAGE SAN DIEGO; AND 4) REQUEST CITY STAFF
TO EXPLORE POTENTIAL REDEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE OLD CENTRAL LIBRARY AND FOLLOW THE SURPLUS LAND ACT. Second by Sean Elo-Rivera.
Passed by the following vote:
Yea: Joe LaCava, Stephen Whitburn, Henry L. Foster III, Marni von Wilpert, Kent Lee, Vivian Moreno, Sean Elo-Rivera;
Nay: (None);
Recused: (None);
Not Present: Jennifer Campbell, Raul A. Campillo.
REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION
The City Attorney gave a report out from Closed Session. https://www.sandiego.gov/city-clerk/officialdocs/closed-session-reports Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 9
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, February 10, 2025
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 5:02 PM
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by Council President LaCava at 5:03 p.m.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 5:03 PM