THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OF
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2026
AT 10:00 AM
IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS – 12TH FLOOR
Table of Contents
CHRONOLOGY OF THE MEETING..........................................................................................3 ATTENDANCE DURING THE MEETING...................................................................................3 ROLL CALL ..........................................................................................................................4 INVOCATION.......................................................................................................................4 LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT .................................................................................................4 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE......................................................................................................4 CLOSED SESSION................................................................................................................4 NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT .........................................................................................7
MAYOR, COUNCIL, CITY ATTORNEY, INDEPENDENT BUDGET ANALYST, CITY CLERK COMMENT ..........................................................................................................................................9 Item 200: 2025 Status Update for the Climate Action Implementation Plan ............................10 Item 250: Submission of Ballot Proposals for the June 2, 2026, Ballot....................................10 Item 251: Submission of Ballot Proposals for the November 3, 2026, Ballot............................11 Item 252: Examination Period of Election Materials ..............................................................13 Item 253: Arguments In Favor or Against Measures .............................................................14 Item S400: Authorize the Second Amendment to Lease Agreement Between the City of San Diego and the Zoological Society of San Diego for the San Diego Zoo Property Located in Balboa Park..................................................................................................................................15 Item S401: Approval of an Affordable Housing CDBG Loan Agreement with Community Revitalization Development Corporation in an Amount Not to Exceed $6,650,000 for the Promenade Apartments Affordable Housing Project ..............................................................16 Minutes of Monday, March 9, 2026 Page 2
Table of Contents (Continued)
REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION................................................................................17 ADJOURNMENT .................................................................................................................17 Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 3
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, March 9, 2026
CHRONOLOGY OF THE MEETING
The meeting was called to order by Council President LaCava at 10:03 a.m. Councilmember Foster arrived to the meeting at 10:07 a.m. The meeting was recessed by Council President LaCava at 10:22 a.m. into Closed Session to be reconvened at 2:00 p.m.
The meeting was reconvened by Council President LaCava at 2:05 p.m. with Councilmember Whitburn, Councilmember Foster, Council President Pro Tem Lee, and Councilmember EloRivera not present. Councilmember Elo-Rivera arrived to the meeting at 2:10 p.m.
Councilmember Whitburn arrived to the meeting at 2:17 p.m. Councilmember Foster arrived to the meeting at 2:21 p.m. Councilmember Campbell and Councilmember Elo-Rivera left the meeting at 4:37 p.m. Councilmember von Wilpert left the meeting at 4:40 p.m. The meeting was adjourned by Council President LaCava at 4:59 p.m. due to lack of quorum.
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 - (Pursuant to California Government Code section 54953(f), participated remotely for just cause due to family health care needs with no individual 18 years of age or older present in the room.) CD-7 Councilmember Raul A. Campillo
CD-8 Councilmember Vivian Moreno
CD-9 Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera
ABSENT:
None.
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-present
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 4
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, March 9, 2026
(6) Council President Pro Tem Lee-present
(7) Councilmember Campillo-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 Campillo.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Campillo.
CLOSED SESSION
Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation, pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1):
CS-1 Edward Fields v. City of San Diego, et al.
San Diego Superior Court Case No. 37-2023-00017749-CU-PO-CTL Risk Management Department Claim File No. 28191
REFERRED TO CLOSED SESSION OF MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2026
CDCA Assigned: D. E. Abad
This case arises from a bicycle accident in front of 11578 Sorrento Valley Road on July 10, 2021.
Plaintiff alleges he fell from his bicycle due to a raised condition in the asphalt roadway. 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 Joy Sunyata, TheOriginalDra, and John Stump.
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 5
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, March 9, 2026
Council President LaCava closed the hearing.
CS-2 Susan Enriquez v. City of San Diego
San Diego Superior Court Case No. 37-2023-00035010-CU-NP-CTL Risk Management Department Claim File No. 31930
REFERRED TO CLOSED SESSION OF MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2026
DCA Assigned: O. Palizzolo
Plaintiff alleges that she rolled and fractured her ankle on a City sidewalk in Otay Mesa-Nestor on September 19, 2022. The City Attorney’s Office will update the Mayor and City Council on the status of litigation and seek direction.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 10:06 AM
Public testimony by Joy Sunyata, TheOriginalDra, and John Stump.
Council President LaCava closed the hearing.
Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation, pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1):
CS-3 Mary Brown, et al. v. Joe LaCava, et al.
San Diego Superior Court Case No. 25CU025589C
Risk Management Department Claim File No. 40425
REFERRED TO CLOSED SESSION OF MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2026
SDCA Assigned: M. Travis Phelps
Outside Counsel: G. McWhirter, Jarvis Fay LLP
This case involves allegations that the City’s Solid Waste Management Fee violates Proposition 218. 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 Joy Sunyata, TheOriginalDra, Lori Saldaña, and John Stump.
Council President LaCava closed the hearing.
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 6
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, March 9, 2026
Conference with Legal Counsel – Significant Exposure to Litigation, pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9:
CS-4 Pre-Lit Claim - San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Case Number: N/A
Risk Management Department Claim File No. 31419
REFERRED TO CLOSED SESSION OF MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2026
CDCA Assigned: D. E. Abad
This claim involves alleged damage to the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority’s property caused by the accidental release of approximately 9.9 million gallon of wastewater from the City’s sanitary sewer system on January 16, 2023. The City Attorney’s Office will update the Mayor and City Council on the status of the matter and seek direction.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 10:06 AM
Public testimony by Blair Beekman, Joy Sunyata, TheOriginalDra, Lori Saldaña, and John Stump.
Council President LaCava closed the hearing.
CS-5 Pre-Lit Claim - Fireman’s Fund as Subrogee of Park Place on Harbor HOA Case Number: N/A
Risk Management Department Claim File No. 31419
REFERRED TO CLOSED SESSION OF MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2026
CDCA Assigned: D. E. Abad
This claim involves alleged damage to Park Place on Harbor property, an insured of Fireman’s Fund, caused by the accidental release of approximately 9.9 million gallon of wastewater from the City’s sanitary sewer system on January 16, 2023. The City Attorney’s Office will update the Mayor and City Council on the status of the matter and seek direction.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 10:06 AM
Public testimony by TheOriginalDra, Lori Saldaña, and John Stump.
Council President LaCava closed the hearing.
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 7
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, March 9, 2026
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
PUBLIC COMMENT-1:
Mary Soriano commented on Mayor survey and maintenance cuts.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:37 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-2 (virtual):
Blair Beekman commented on war; and best practices.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:39 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-3 (virtual):
Barbara Gordon commented on commercialization of high-potency THC.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:41 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-4 (virtual):
Lori Saldaña commented on housing.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:43 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-5 (virtual):
Ernie Casco commented on Torrey Pines Gliderport.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:46 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-6 (virtual):
Joy Sunyata commented on a list of words; and water deal.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:48 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-7 (virtual):
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 8
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, March 9, 2026
Jonathan Yepez commented on lack of quality electronic waste resources for residents.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:50 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-8 (virtual):
Kathleen Lippitt commented on high-potency THC vape devices.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:52 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-9 (virtual):
Consuelo commented on how things have been done incrementally.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:54 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT-10 (virtual):
Madison commented on long-term effects of THC.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:56 PM
NOTE: Due to lack of quorum, the remainder of virtual Non Agenda Public Comment was trailed to Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
MAYOR, COUNCIL, CITY ATTORNEY, INDEPENDENT BUDGET ANALYST, CITY CLERK
COMMENT
COUNCIL COMMENT-1:
Council President LaCava reminded everyone that tomorrow, March 6, 2026, the City Council will have an evening session at 6:00 p.m. for the public to talk about the budget.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 2:06 PM
CITY CLERK COMMENT:
City Clerk Fuentes stated that the Office of the City Clerk placed a public notice on the City Clerk’s website regarding Arguments for Ballot Measures. She stated if anyone would like to submit arguments in opposition, please submit them to her office by Wednesday, March 11, Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 9
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, March 9, 2026
2026, by close of business at 5:00 p.m., in the lobby of the City Administration Building at 202 C Street.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 2:07 PM
Item 200: 2025 Status Update for the Climate Action Implementation Plan.
Total Estimated Cost of Proposed Action and Funding Source:
This is an informational item only; there is no cost associated with this item.
Council District(s) Affected: Citywide.
Proposed Actions:
ITEM PRESENTED
This is an informational item only.
Committee Actions Taken: N/A
Planning: Andrew Martin, (619) 533-3871
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 2:08 PM
NOTE: The following Public Notices were for public record only. These items 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.
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 10 for the Regular Meeting of Monday, March 9, 2026
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
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 251: Submission of Ballot Proposals for the November 3, 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 November 3, 2026, election. Please submit all proposals to [email protected].
Date E- Event
Friday, 03/06/2026 242 LAST DATE (5:00 P.M. DEADLINE) for ballot proposals submissions to the City Clerk for review by Committee.
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 11 for the Regular Meeting of Monday, March 9, 2026
Wednesday,03/18/2026 230
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 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, 06/08/2026 148
FIRST DAY City Council may discuss ballot proposals and adopt ordinances prepared by the City Attorney to place measures on the ballot.
Friday, 08/07/2026 88
LAST DAY City Council may discuss measures and adopt
ordinances prepared by the City Attorney to place
measures on the ballot (per the adopted Legislative
Calendar the last regular meeting of the City Council prior to this date is July 14, 2026).
Monday, 08/10/2026 85
LAST DAY to submit the Fiscal Impact Analysis; Ballot and Title Summary; and Impartial Analysis with City Clerk.
Wednesday, 08/12/2026 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 252: Examination Period of Election Materials.
Pursuant to San Diego Municipal Code Section 27.0402, ballot materials for the municipal primary election of June 2, 2026, for the City of San Diego, will be available for public examination for ten (10) calendar days immediately following the filing deadline for submission of ballot material in the Office of the City Clerk. During the examination period, any voter registered in the City may seek a writ of mandate or an injunction requiring any or all of the ballot or sample ballot materials be amended or deleted. Materials can be viewed online at sandiego.gov/2026elections or during business hours at the Office of the City Clerk, 202 C Street, San Diego, CA 92101.
The following public examinations periods have been determined:
Document Start date End date
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 12 for the Regular Meeting of Monday, March 9, 2026
Candidate Statement of Qualification and
Designation of Principal Profession, Vocation,
or Occupation (or Designation of Title) March 6, 2026 March 16, 2026 Ordinances calling the election and
Ordinances placing measures on the ballot* March 9, 2026 March 19, 2026 City Attorney’s impartial analysis,
ballot title and summary, and
Mayor/IBA/City Auditor’s fiscal
analysis
March 10, 2026 March 20, 2026
Ballot arguments March 12, 2026 March 22, 2026
*At the time of publishing, San Diego Municipal Code section 27.0403(a) states: “The examination period for ordinances calling any regularly scheduled municipal election and ordinances placing measures on the ballot commences eighty-five calendar days prior to the election and ends on the seventy-fifth calendar day prior to the election.” Ordinance 22028 amended this section to state: “The examination period for ordinances calling any regularly scheduled election commences the next calendar day after Council adopts the ordinance calling that election and ends ten calendar days thereafter.” For additional information regarding this notice, please contact the Office of the City Clerk at [email protected] or (619) 533-4000.
Item 253: Arguments In Favor or Against Measures.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, for measures approved by the Council for submittal to the qualified voters of the City of San Diego at the Municipal Primary Election to be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, the City Clerk has fixed 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, as a reasonable date prior to such election after which no arguments in favor or against City Measures may be submitted to the City Clerk.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that, any argument in favor or against any City measure shall not exceed 300 words in length, as calculated by section 105 of the City Clerk Administrative Guidelines, and may be filed by the Council, or any member or members of the Council authorized by the Council, including the Mayor, or the bona fide sponsors or proponents of the measure, or any bona fide association of citizens or individual voter, or any combination of voters and associations.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that, all arguments shall be accompanied by the name or names of the person or persons submitting it, or if submitted on behalf of an organization, the name of the organization and the name of at least one of its principal officers. No more than five Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 13 for the Regular Meeting of Monday, March 9, 2026
signatures shall appear with any argument submitted. In case any argument is signed by more than five persons, the signatures of the first five shall be printed.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that, all arguments must meet the requirements in California Elections Code section 9600 and the San Diego Municipal Code (SDMC) Chapter 2, Article 7, Division 5. Forms for this statement are available in the Office of the City Clerk and available for printing on our website at sandiego.gov/authors.
SDMC section 27.0512 provides the priority for selection if more than one argument is submitted in favor, or against, any measure.
Once filed, arguments will be kept confidential until 5:00 p.m. on March 11, 2026. Arguments may be changed or withdrawn by their proponents until any time prior to the fixed deadline.
The ballot argument(s) filed, will be available for public examination in the Office of the City Clerk for ten (10) calendar days immediately following the deadline for submission for that ballot material and available online at sandiego.gov/2026elections. Arguments shall be submitted in person at the Office of the City Clerk, in the lobby of the City Administration Building, 202 C Street, San Diego, California, 92101. For further assistance, please contact our office at [email protected] or call 619-533-4000.
Item S400: Authorize the Second Amendment to Lease Agreement Between the City of San Diego and the Zoological Society of San Diego for the San Diego Zoo Property Located in 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:
Subitem-A: (R-2026-345) ADOPTED AS RESOLUTION R-316660
Resolution determining that approval of the Second Amendment to Lease Agreement between the City of San Diego and the Zoological Society of San Diego for the San Diego Zoo property located in Balboa Park, making a related finding of public purpose, authorizing the Chief Financial Officer to accept and deposit payments received under the Second Amendment, and waiving application of Part V(D)(3) and Part V(D)(5) of Council Policy 700-10 are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under Title 14 California Code of Regulations Section 15301.
Subitem-B: (R-2026-344) ADOPTED AS RESOLUTION R-316661
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 14 for the Regular Meeting of Monday, March 9, 2026
Resolution approving the Second Amendment to Lease Agreement between the City of San Diego and the Zoological Society of San Diego for the San Diego Zoo property located in Balboa Park, making a related finding of public purpose, authorizing the Chief Financial Officer to accept and deposit payments received under the Second Amendment, and waiving application of Part V(D)(3) and Part V(D)(5) of Council Policy 700-10.
Committee Actions Taken: N/A
Economic Development: Casey Smith, (619) 301-9199
City Attorney Contact: Julie Gough Inman
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 3:12 PM
MOTION BY JENNIFER CAMPBELL TO ADOPT. Second by Joe LaCava.
Passed by the following vote:
Yea: Joe LaCava, Jennifer Campbell, Stephen Whitburn, Henry L. Foster III, Marni von Wilpert, Raul A. Campillo, Vivian Moreno, Sean Elo-Rivera;
Nay: (None);
Recused: (None);
Not Present: Kent Lee.
Item S401: Approval of an Affordable Housing CDBG Loan Agreement with Community Revitalization Development Corporation in an Amount Not to Exceed $6,650,000 for the Promenade Apartments Affordable Housing Project.
Total Estimated Cost of Proposed Action and Funding Source:
This action is to authorize an expenditure of up to $6,650,000 for the City’s Loan from the City’s CDBG fund 600000, Grant 1000003-2026 for property acquisition costs of the Project to be occupied by low- and moderate-income persons.
Council District(s) Affected: 3.
Proposed Actions:
(R-2026-347) ADOPTED AS RESOLUTION R-316662
Resolution Approving the Loan Agreement for the Promenade Apartments Affordable Housing Project within the Uptown Community Plan Area and Authorizing a Related Loan in an Amount Not to Exceed $6,650,000 in Community Development Block Grant Funds to the Project Developer, Community Revitalization Development Corporation.
Committee Actions Taken: N/A
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 15 for the Regular Meeting of Monday, March 9, 2026
Economic Development: Christina Bibler, (619) 236-6421
City Attorney Contact: Brian Byun
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:12 PM
MOTION BY STEPHEN WHITBURN TO ADOPT. Second by Jennifer Campbell.
Passed by the following vote:
Yea: Joe LaCava, Jennifer Campbell, Stephen Whitburn, Henry L. Foster III, Marni von Wilpert, Raul A. Campillo, Vivian Moreno, Sean Elo-Rivera;
Nay: (None);
Recused: (None);
Not Present: Kent Lee.
REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by Council President LaCava at 4:59 p.m.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 4:59 PM