THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OF
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 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 ..........................................................................................................................3 INVOCATION.......................................................................................................................3 LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT .................................................................................................3 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE......................................................................................................3 CLOSED SESSION................................................................................................................3 NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT .........................................................................................6
MAYOR, COUNCIL, CITY ATTORNEY, INDEPENDENT BUDGET ANALYST, CITY CLERK COMMENT ..........................................................................................................................................9 Item 200: City Council Informational Training: Disclosure Responsibilities of Councilmembers Under the Federal Securities Laws.......................................................................................10 Item 201: Balboa Park Paid Parking User Fee......................................................................10 Item 250: Submission of Ballot Proposals for the June 2, 2026, Ballot...................................12 Item S400: Establishment of a Parking Meter Zone at Balboa Park .......................................13 REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION................................................................................14 ADJOURNMENT .................................................................................................................14 Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 2
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, September 15, 2025
CHRONOLOGY OF THE MEETING
The meeting was called to order by Council President LaCava at 10:04 a.m. Councilmember Foster and Councilmember Elo-Rivera arrived to the meeting at 10:06 a.m. The meeting was recessed by Council President LaCava at 10:15 a.m. into Closed Session to be reconvened at 2:00 p.m.
The meeting was reconvened by Council President LaCava at 2:06 p.m. with Councilmember Campillo, Councilmember Moreno, and Councilmember Elo-Rivera not present. Councilmember Moreno arrived to the meeting at 2:11 p.m. Councilmember Elo-Rivera arrived at the meeting at 2:12 p.m. Council President LaCava recessed the meeting at 6:23 p.m. for the purpose of a break. Council President LaCava reconvened the meeting at 6:59 p.m. with Councilmember von Wilpert and Councilmember Campillo not present. Councilmember von Wilpert arrived to the meeting at 7:03 p.m. Councilmember Campbell and Councilmember Moreno left the meeting at 7:56 p.m. Council President Pro Tem Lee left the meeting at 8:12 p.m. The meeting was adjourned by Council President LaCava at 8:39 p.m.
ATTENDANCE DURING THE MEETING
PRESENT:
CD-1 Council President Joe LaCava
CD-2 Councilmember Jennifer Campbell
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-7 Councilmember Raul A. Campillo
CITY CLERK:
Fuentes (cp)
ROLL CALL
(1) Council President LaCava-present
(2) Councilmember Campbell-present
(3) Councilmember Whitburn-present
(4) Councilmember Foster-not present
(5) Councilmember von Wilpert-not present
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 3
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, September 15, 2025
(6) Council President Pro Tem Lee-present
(7) Councilmember Campillo-not present
(8) Councilmember Moreno-present
(9) Councilmember Elo-Rivera-not present
INVOCATION
The invocation was given by City Clerk Diana J.S. Fuentes.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Statement read by Councilmember Moreno.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Moreno.
CLOSED SESSION
Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation, pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1):
CS-1 Abdullah Wright v. City of San Diego, et al.
United States District Court Case No. 24cv02089 GPC (BLM) Risk Management Department Claim File No. 35760
REFERRED TO CLOSED SESSION OF MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 DCA Assigned: E. L. Atkins
This case arises from a police interaction on 54th Street which occurred on September 24, 2023, and led to a civil rights lawsuit being filed against the City. 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: 10:06 AM
Public testimony by Eleanor and unknown caller.
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 4
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, September 15, 2025
Council President LaCava closed the hearing.
CS-2 Daniel Patz, Daniel v. City of San Diego
San Diego Superior Court Case No. 37-2015-00023413-CU-MC-CTL Risk Management Department Claim File No. 12386
REFERRED TO CLOSED SESSION OF MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 DCA Assigned: C. C. Hawkins
Outside Counsel: M. A. Wharton, Senior Counsel, Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley PC This class action case alleges that the City violated Proposition 218 by charging tiered water rates to single family residential water customers and seeks refunds. 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: 10:06 AM
Public testimony by Eleanor, Joy Sunyata, and unknown caller.
Council President LaCava closed the hearing.
Conference with Real Property Negotiator, pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.8:
CS-3 Property: 3220, 3240, 3250, and 3500 Sports Arena Boulevard, San Diego, California
Agency Negotiator: Christina Bibler, Economic Development Director Casey Smith, Deputy Chief Operating Officer
Negotiating Parties: City of San Diego and Midway Rising, LLC Under Negotiation: Price and payment terms for potential long-term ground leases with Midway Rising, LLC, to redevelop the City-owned real property located at 3220, 3240, 3250, and 3500 Sports Arena Boulevard, San Diego, CA
REFERRED TO CLOSED SESSION OF MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 SDCA Assigned: D. Williams
SDCA Assigned: K. Reisch
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 5
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, September 15, 2025
The Council will meet with its negotiator to regarding the price and payment terms for potential long-term ground leases with Midway Rising, LLC, to redevelop the City-owned real property located at 3220, 3240, 3250, and 3500 Sports Arena Boulevard, San Diego.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 10:06 AM
Public testimony by Eleanor, Joy Sunyata, and unknown caller.
Council President LaCava closed the hearing.
Public Employment – Performance Evaluation, pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957(b)(1):
CS-4 Title: City Clerk
REFERRED TO CLOSED SESSION OF MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 DCA Assigned: None assigned
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 10:06 AM
Public testimony by Eleanor, Joy Sunyata, and unknown caller.
Council President LaCava closed the hearing.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
PUBLIC COMMENT-1:
Allegedly Audra commented on socialists on Council.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 7:56 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-2:
Evelyn commented on child trafficking.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 7:58 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-3:
Clifford Weiler commented on priorities.
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 6
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, September 15, 2025
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 8:00 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-4:
Purita Javier commented on ceramics kiln toxicity in residential zone.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 8:03 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-5:
Cesar Javier commented on ceramics kiln toxicity in residential zone.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 8:05 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-6 (virtual):
Becky Rapp commented on Suicide Prevention Awareness Month; and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 8:07 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-7 (virtual):
Terri-Ann Skelly commented on mental health struggles; and marijuana store fronts.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 8:09 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-8 (virtual):
Madison commented on stronger regulations for nicotine products.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 8:11 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-9 (virtual):
Paul the Bold commented on people for money.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 8:13 PM
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 7
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, September 15, 2025
PUBLIC COMMENT-10 (virtual):
Megan Stuart commented on pausing the recently enacted marijuana tax hike.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 8:15 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-11 (virtual):
Kathleen Lippitt commented on Food and Drug Administration proposed tobacco product limits of nicotine levels.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 8:17 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-12 (virtual):
Unknown caller commented on assassination of Charlie Kirk.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 8:20 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-13 (virtual):
Peggy Walker commented on preventing the sale of unauthorized tobacco products and other addictive products.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 8:23 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-14 (virtual):
Gambler commented on registration voter fraud.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 8:25 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-15 (virtual):
Blair Beekman commented on trust, dialogue, and open conversation.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 8:27 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-16 (virtual):
Joy Sunyata commented on Aristotle; and humanness.
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 8
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, September 15, 2025
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 8:29 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-17 (virtual):
Christine Wellborn asked Council to help Cesar Javier.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 8:31 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-18 (virtual):
Unknown caller commented on boards serving the people; parking meters; policies; and Agenda 21 in action.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 8:33 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-19 (virtual):
Eleanor commented on Radio Frequency Identification chips in trash cans.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 8:35 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-20 (virtual):
Ernie Casco commented on Torrey Pines Gliderport.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 8:37 PM
MAYOR, COUNCIL, CITY ATTORNEY, INDEPENDENT BUDGET ANALYST, CITY CLERK
COMMENT
INDEPENDENT BUDGET ANALYST’S STAFF COMMENT:
Deputy Director Jillian Andolina noted that Charles Modica, the Independent Budget Analyst, is on paternity leave until November. She reminded the Council that their Fiscal Year 2027 Council budget priorities memoranda are due to the Independent Budget Analyst’s office next week on Wednesday, September 24th.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 2:09 PM
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 9
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, September 15, 2025
Item 200: City Council Informational Training: Disclosure Responsibilities of Councilmembers Under the Federal Securities Laws.
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
Office of the Independent Budget Analyst: Jillian Andolina, (619) 533-4764 COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 2:10 PM
Item 201: Balboa Park Paid Parking User Fee.
Total Estimated Cost of Proposed Action and Funding Source:
The proposed action anticipates there to be a decrease of $1.41 million in revenues and a decrease of $625,000 in expenditures in Fiscal Year 2026 resulting in a net budgetary impact of $785,000 in Fiscal Year 2026.
Council District(s) Affected: 3.
Proposed Actions:
(R-2026-97 Rev.) ADOPTED AS AMENDED AS RESOLUTION R-316430 Resolution of the Council of the City of San Diego authorizing Fiscal Year 2026 Parks and Recreation User fee revisions regarding Balboa Park paid parking, and all related items.
Committee Actions Taken: N/A
Parks & Recreation: Conrad Wear, (619) 533-4079
City Attorney Contact: Jane M. Boardman
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 2:46 PM
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 10 for the Regular Meeting of Monday, September 15, 2025
MOTION BY JOE LACAVA TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AS AMENDED BY: 1) REVISING THE
RATES AS FOLLOWS FOR PARKING LOTS IN THE PARK ONCE BALBOA PARK QUARTERLY/ANNUAL PARKING PASSES ARE AVAILABLE ON LEVEL 1 A FOUR-HOUR RATE OF $5.00 AND AN ALL-DAY RATE OF $8.00; LEVEL 2 AN ALL-DAY RATE OF $5.00; AND LEVEL 3 THE FIRST THREE HOURS FREE, THEN AN ALL-DAY RATE OF $5.00; 2) REVISING THE RATES
AS FOLLOWS FOR PARKING LOTS IN THE PARK ONCE THE RESIDENT VERIFICATION PORTAL IS ACTIVATED FOR RESIDENTS ON LEVEL 1 A FOUR-HOUR RATE OF $5.00, AN ALL-DAY RATE OF $8.00; LEVEL 2 AN ALL-DAY RATE OF $5.00; AND LEVEL 3 THE FIRST THREE HOURS FREE, THEN AN ALL-DAY RATE OF $5.00; AND FOR NON-RESIDENTS ON LEVEL 1 A FOUR-HOUR RATE OF $10.00, AN ALL-DAY RATE OF $16.00; LEVEL 2 AN ALL-DAY RATE OF $10.00, AND LEVEL 3 THE FIRST THREE HOURS FREE, THEN AN ALL-DAY RATE OF $10.00; AND 3)
REVISING THE RATES FOR ON-STREET METERS WITHIN THE PARK WITH AN HOURLY RATE OF $2.50 AND AN ALL-DAY MAXIMUM RATE OF $10.00. Second by Sean Elo-Rivera.
Passed by the following vote:
Yea: Joe LaCava, Jennifer Campbell, Henry L. Foster III, Marni von Wilpert, Kent Lee, Sean EloRivera; Nay: Stephen Whitburn, Vivian Moreno;
Recused: (None);
Not Present: Raul A. Campillo.
NOTE: The following Public Notice was for public record only. This item did not require Council action or public testimony.
Item 250: Submission of Ballot Proposals for the June 2, 2026, Ballot.
City Council Policy 000-21 establishes a procedure for submittal of ballot proposals to the City Council, by members of the public, Councilmembers, the Mayor or mayoral departments, independent department directors or a public agency. Ballot proposals may be submitted to the Office of the City Clerk. The City Clerk shall then transmit them promptly to Rules Committee Consultant. The Office of the City Clerk has established the following calendar for the ballot proposals for the June 2, 2026, election. Please submit all proposals to [email protected].
Date E- Event
Friday, 10/24/2025 221
LAST DATE (5:00 P.M. DEADLINE) for ballot proposals
submissions to the City Clerk for review by Committee.
Wednesday,11/05/2025
209
Committee Meeting Review may Begin
The Committee Consultant shall place the proposals
on the Committee meeting agenda for subsequent
review and comment by the Committee. The
Committee may approve or reject proposals submitted
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 11 for the Regular Meeting of Monday, September 15, 2025
for review. Ballot proposals may advance from initial
review and proceed to a second Committee review.
Only proposals approved or forwarded to the full
Council by the Committee may be acted upon by
Council.
Monday, 01/05/2026 148
FIRST DAY City Council may discuss ballot proposals
and adopt ordinances prepared by the City Attorney to
place measures on the ballot.
Friday, 03/06/2026 88
LAST DAY City Council may discuss measures and
adopt ordinances prepared by the City Attorney to
place measures on the ballot.
Monday, 03/09/2026 85
LAST DAY to submit the Fiscal Impact Analysis; Ballot
and Title Summary; and Impartial Analysis with City
Clerk.
Wednesday, 03/11/2026 83 LAST DAY to file ballot arguments with City Clerk.
Subscribe to receive City Council and Rules Committee agenda notifications. For additional public notices, visit https://www.sandiego.gov/city-clerk/officialdocs/public-notices.
If you have questions, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at [email protected] or (619) 533-4000.
This does not include other processes, such as citizen initiatives, that can place a measure on a ballot.
Item S400: Establishment of a Parking Meter Zone at Balboa Park.
Total Estimated Cost of Proposed Action and Funding Source:
There are no costs associated with this action.
Council District(s) Affected: 3.
Proposed Actions:
Adopt the following Ordinance which was introduced on 7/28/2025, Item 601, (Council voted 6- 2, Councilmember Campbell-nay, Councilmember Campillo-nay, Councilmember Moreno-not present):
(O-2026-5) ADOPTED AS ORDINANCE O-21999 (New Series)
Ordinance establishing a parking meter zone in and around Balboa Park.
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 12 for the Regular Meeting of Monday, September 15, 2025
Committee Actions Taken: N/A
Transportation Department: Ahmad Erikat, (619) 236-7072 City Attorney Contact: Cassandra Mougin
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 7:28 PM
MOTION BY JOE LACAVA TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING AND ADOPT THE ORDINANCE.
Second by Sean Elo-Rivera.
Passed by the following vote:
Yea: Joe LaCava, Jennifer Campbell, Henry L. Foster III, Marni von Wilpert, Kent Lee, Sean EloRivera; Nay: Stephen Whitburn, Vivian Moreno;
Recused: (None);
Not Present: Raul A. Campillo.
REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by Council President LaCava at 8:39 p.m.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 8:39 PM