THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OF
MONDAY, MAY 18, 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 ..............................................................................................................3 INVOCATION...........................................................................................................4 LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT......................................................................................4 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ..........................................................................................4 CLOSED SESSION ....................................................................................................4 NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT............................................................................11
MAYOR, COUNCIL, CITY ATTORNEY, INDEPENDENT BUDGET ANALYST, CITY CLERK COMMENT .............................................................................................................11 Item 200: Fiscal Year 2026 Third Quarter Budget Monitoring Report..........................11 Item 201: Presentation on the Status of Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention Efforts Per Government Code Section 3502.3......................................................................12 Item 202: May Revision to the Fiscal Year 2027 Draft Budget and Public Hearing on the 2027 Draft Budget..................................................................................................13 Item 250: Submission of Ballot Proposals for the November 3, 2026, Ballot................13 Item 251: Ballot Propositions Forwarded for 2nd Committee Review ...........................14 Minutes of Monday, May 18, 2026 Page 2
Table of Contents (Continued)
Item S400: TransNet Local Street and Roads Program - 2027 Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP) Development and Fiscal Years 2027 – 2031 Program of Projects.................................................................................................................15 REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION ....................................................................16 ADJOURNMENT......................................................................................................17 Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 3
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, May 18, 2026
CHRONOLOGY OF THE MEETING
The meeting was called to order by Council President LaCava at 10:03 a.m.
Councilmember Campbell, Councilmember Foster, and Councilmember Elo-Rivera arrived to the meeting at 10:06 a.m. The meeting was recessed by Council President LaCava at 10:26 a.m. into Closed Session to be reconvened at 2:00 p.m.
Council President LaCava announced that the open sessions scheduled for 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. were adjourned due to unforeseen circumstances. Agendized Items 200, 201, 202, and S400 were rescheduled to future dates. Council President LaCava adjourned at 2:02 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-7 Councilmember Raul A. Campillo
CD-8 Councilmember Vivian Moreno
CD-9 Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera
ABSENT:
None.
DEPUTY CITY CLERK:
Smith (cp)
ROLL CALL
(1) Council President LaCava-present
(2) Councilmember Campbell-not 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 4
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, May 18, 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 Deputy City Clerk Kevin Smith.
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 The Sustainability Institute, et al. v. Donald J. Trump, et al.
United States District Court, District of South Carolina Case No.: 2:25-cv-02152-RMG
Risk Management Department Claim File No. N/A
REFERRED TO CLOSED SESSION OF MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026
DCA Assigned: N. Markowitz
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 5
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, May 18, 2026
This case challenges executive orders issued by the Trump Administration blocking grant funding to various entities including 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 TheOriginalDra, Hector, Joy Sunyata, and Blair Beekman.
Council President LaCava closed the hearing.
CS-2 Magdalena Gracia v. City of San Diego
San Diego Superior Court Case No. 24CU029640C
Risk Management Department Claim File No. 38392
REFERRED TO CLOSED SESSION OF MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026
DCA Assigned: O. Palizzolo
This case arises from a trip and fall that occurred on a sidewalk in front of the property located at 1727 Grand Avenue in Pacific Beach on July 3, 2024. 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 TheOriginalDra and Joy Sunyata.
Council President LaCava closed the hearing.
CS-3 Maria Del Rocio Nunez Munoz v. City of San Diego
San Diego Superior Court Case No. 37-2024-00017991-CU-PO-CTL Risk Management Department Claim File No. 30842
REFERRED TO CLOSED SESSION OF MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026
DCA Assigned: H. R. Whitehead
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 6
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, May 18, 2026
This matter arises from an alleged trip and fall on the sidewalk near 4059 Wilson Avenue on May 5, 2022. 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 TheOriginalDra and Joy Sunyata.
Council President LaCava closed the hearing.
Conference with Labor Negotiators, pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.6:
CS-4 City Designated Management Team Representatives:
Timothy Davis, Burke, Williams, & Sorensen LLP, Labor Negotiation Consultant Mark Wilson, Burke, Williams, & Sorensen LLP, Labor Negotiation Consultant Rolando Charvel, Chief Financial Officer
Rania Amen, Chief Community Services Officer
Kris McFadden, Chief Infrastructure Officer
Bethany Bezak, Chief Performance & Logistics Officer
Casey Smith, Chief Housing & Community Development Officer Matt Yagyagan, Director of Policy, Office of the Mayor
Julie Rasco, Director, Human Resources Department
Abby Jarl-Veltz, Deputy Director, Human Resources Department Jonnabelle Domingo, Supervising Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department
Kirsten McGinn, Senior Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department Timothy Corcoran, Senior Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department Erik Hanson, Senior Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department Abegaile Serafico, Senior Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department Manuel Quintero, Senior Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department Jennifer Manos, Senior Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department Kawanda McLendon, Senior Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department Sophia Williams, Senior Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department Linda Chambers, Senior Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department Brian Mallard, Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department Yvette Davis-Duckett, Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department Kanella Glover, Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department Lorene Parker, Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department Angela Colton, Director, Risk Management Department
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 7
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, May 18, 2026
Quennelle Allen, Deputy Director, Risk Management Department Carly Danney, Benefits Manager, Risk Management Department Kimberly Brancaccio, Benefits Coordinator, Risk Management Department Benjamin Battaglia, Director, Department of Finance
Jeffrey Peelle, Assistant Director, Department of Finance Chris Purcell, Financial Operations Manager, Department of Finance Sally Rubi, Financial Operations Manager, Department of Finance Luis Mateos, Payroll Manager, Department of Finance
Nicholas O’Donnell, Principal Accountant, Department of Finance Virgilio Afan Jr., Program Coordinator, Department of Finance Tyler Woods, Financial Operations Manager, Department of Finance Robert Logan, Fire Chief, Fire-Rescue Department
Daniel Eddy, Assistant Fire Chief, Fire-Rescue Department James Gartland, Lifeguard Chief, Fire-Rescue Department Scott Wahl, Police Chief, Police Department
Shawn Takeuchi, Assistant Police Chief, Police Department Daniel Grubbs, Assistant Chief of Operations, Police Department Kyle Meaux, Assistant Director, Police Department
Jim McNeill, Assistant City Attorney, Office of the City Attorney Jean Jordan, Assistant City Attorney, Office of the City Attorney, solely for negotiations with the Deputy City Attorneys Association
Jonathan Ferreras, Program Coordinator, Office of the City Attorney, solely for negotiations with the Deputy City Attorneys Association.
Following Management Team representatives to execute tentative agreements and memoranda of understanding reached in meet and confer. These representatives are also authorized to present all tentative agreements and memoranda of understanding reached in meet and confer to the Council for final determination and approval by the Council as to policy and the City Attorney as to form or correctness:
Timothy Davis, Burke, Williams, & Sorensen LLP, Labor Negotiation Consultant Mark Wilson, Burke, Williams, & Sorensen LLP, Labor Negotiation Consultant Rolando Charvel, Chief Financial Officer
Julie Rasco, Director, Human Resources Department
Abby Jarl-Veltz, Deputy Director, Human Resources Department Jonnabelle Domingo, Supervising Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department.
Designated as representatives within the meaning of California Government Code section 54957.6(a):
Charles Modica, Independent Budget Analyst, Office of the Independent Budget Analyst Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 8
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, May 18, 2026
Jillian Andolina, Deputy Director, Office of the Independent Budget Analyst Lisa Byrne, Fiscal and Policy Analyst, Office of the Independent Budget Analyst Baku Patel, Fiscal and Policy Analyst, Office of the Independent Budget Analyst, solely for negotiations with the San Diego Police Officers Association, San Diego City Firefighters, I.A.F.F. Local 145, and California Teamsters Local 911.
Designated as representatives within the meaning of California Government Code section 54957.6(a):
Jean Jordan, Assistant City Attorney, Office of the City Attorney Jim McNeill, Assistant City Attorney, Office of the City Attorney Michelle Garland, Assistant City Attorney, Office of the City Attorney Leslie FitzGerald, Assistant City Attorney, Office of the City Attorney Kristin Zlotnik, Senior Chief Deputy City Attorney, Office of the City Attorney Joan Dawson, Senior Deputy City Attorney, Office of the City Attorney Thomas Brady, Senior Deputy City Attorney, Office of the City Attorney Miguel Merrell, Deputy City Attorney, Office of the City Attorney Elena Min, Deputy City Attorney, Office of the City Attorney.
Employee organizations:
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, Local 127 Deputy City Attorneys Association (DCAA)
San Diego City Firefighters, International Association of Fire Fighters (I.A.F.F.), Local 145
San Diego Municipal Employees Association (MEA)
San Diego Police Officers Association (SDPOA)
Teamsters, Local 986 (Teamsters)
REFERRED TO CLOSED SESSION OF MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026
ACA Assigned: J. McNeill
The purpose of this Closed Session meeting is to review the City’s position and instruct the City’s designated representatives regarding meet and confer negotiations for successor Memoranda of Understanding with San Diego Municipal Employees Association (MEA); American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, Local 127; Deputy City Attorneys Association of San Diego (DCAA); San Diego City Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 145; California Teamsters, Local 986; and San Diego Police Officers Association (POA).
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 10:06 AM
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 9
for the Regular Meeting of Monday, May 18, 2026
Public testimony by Tim Douglass, Katheryn Rhodes, TheOriginalDra, Hector, Joy Sunyata, and Blair Beekman.
Council President LaCava closed the hearing.
Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation, pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1):
CS-5 Barry Allred v. City of San Diego
San Diego Superior Court Case No. 37-2021-00030939-CU-WM-CTL Risk Management Department Claim File No. 27172
REFERRED TO CLOSED SESSION OF MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026
DCA Assigned: C. C. Hawkins
Outside Counsel: M. A. Wharton, Senior Counsel, Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley PC Plaintiff alleges the City violated Proposition 218 related to charges in the Public Utility Department's Industrial Wastewater Control Program. 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 TheOriginalDra and Blair Beekman.
Council President LaCava closed the hearing.
CS-6 Arthur Scott v. City of San Diego and Arthur Scott v. City of San Diego, SDPD and Scott Wahl
San Diego Superior Court Case No. 37-2023-00004287-CU-OE-CTL San Diego Superior Court Case No. 25CU023391C
Risk Management Department Claim File Nos. 31684 and 40288 REFERRED TO CLOSED SESSION OF MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026
DCA Assigned: L. Gantney
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 10 for the Regular Meeting of Monday, May 18, 2026
Outside Counsel: M. W. Waterman, Lozano Smith Attorneys at Law Q. C. Cedar, Lozano Smith Attorneys at Law
Plaintiff has two lawsuits against the City – one asserting employment-related causes of actions and one challenging the termination of his employment. The City Attorney’s Office will update the Mayor and City Council on the status of these litigation matters and seek direction.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 10:06 AM
Public testimony by Blair Beekman.
Council President LaCava closed the hearing.
NON-AGENDA PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
MAYOR, COUNCIL, CITY ATTORNEY, INDEPENDENT BUDGET ANALYST, CITY CLERK
COMMENT
None.
Note: Item 200 was rescheduled to a future date.
Item 200: Fiscal Year 2026 Third Quarter Budget Monitoring Report.
Total Estimated Cost of Proposed Action and Funding Source:
Please see Fiscal Year 2026 Third Quarter Budget Monitoring Report.
Council District(s) Affected: Citywide.
Proposed Actions:
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 11 for the Regular Meeting of Monday, May 18, 2026
This is an informational item only.
Committee Actions Taken: N/A
Department of Finance: Ambar Gutierrez, (619) 533-6297
Note: Item 201 was rescheduled to June 8, 2026.
Item 201: Presentation on the Status of Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention Efforts Per Government Code Section 3502.3.
Total Estimated Cost of Proposed Action and Funding Source:
This item is for information only.
Council District(s) Affected: Citywide.
Proposed Actions:
Informational item, no action required.
Committee Actions Taken: N/A
Human Resources: Brian Mallard, (619) 707-1785
Note: Item 202 was rescheduled to May 27, 2026.
Item 202: May Revision to the Fiscal Year 2027 Draft Budget and Public Hearing on the 2027 Draft Budget.
Total Estimated Cost of Proposed Action and Funding Source:
This is an informational item only.
Council District(s) Affected: Citywide.
Proposed Actions:
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 12 for the Regular Meeting of Monday, May 18, 2026
This is an informational item only.
Committee Actions Taken: N/A
Department of Finance: Benjamin Battaglia, (619) 533-3717 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 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.
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.
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 13 for the Regular Meeting of Monday, May 18, 2026
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/publicnotices. 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: Ballot Propositions Forwarded for 2nd Committee Review.
The following ballot proposals have been referred from the Rules Committee to a second hearing for consideration for placement on a future ballot as noted.
Proposal Target Ballot
Consideration of a ballot measure proposed by Katheryn
Rhodes to amend the Municipal Code related to Transient Occupancy Tax, including, reclassifying online travel
companies/agencies as hotel operators.
November 3, 2026
Consideration of a ballot measure proposed by Zachary
Russem to amend the Transient Occupancy Tax to apply
to online and other travel companies.
November 3, 2026
Consideration of a ballot measure proposed by
Councilmember Raul Campillo to establish free parking at beaches and bays in the City of San Diego.
November 3, 2026
Consideration of a ballot measure proposed by Council
President Pro Tem Kent Lee to advance fiscal
accountability and transparency reform with an
amendment to remove term limits for the City Auditor.
November 3, 2026
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 14 for the Regular Meeting of Monday, May 18, 2026
Consideration of a ballot measure proposed by
Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera to reform campaign
finance and ethics laws.
November 3, 2026
Consideration of a Ballot Measure proposed by Council
President Pro Tem Kent Lee to Advance a Large-Portfolio Homeownership Speculation Tax.
November 3, 2026
Note: Item S400 was rescheduled to May 20, 2026.
Item S400: TransNet Local Street and Roads Program - 2027 Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP) Development and Fiscal Years 2027 – 2031 Program of Projects.
Total Estimated Cost of Proposed Action and Funding Source:
Based on SANDAG’s TransNet Revenue Forecast revised on January 21, 2026, the City’s total TransNet Program for the next five years is $49,095,000 for Fiscal Year 2027, $50,450,000 for Fiscal Year 2028, $51,773,000 for Fiscal Year 2029, $53,110,000 for Fiscal Year 2030 and $54,473,000 for Fiscal Year 2031.
Council District(s) Affected: Citywide.
Proposed Actions:
(R-2026-479 Cor. Copy)
Resolution adopting the TransNet Local Street and Roads Program 2027 Regional Transportation Improvement Program and Fiscal Years 2027 through 2031 Program of Projects, and related actions.
Committee Actions Taken: N/A
Transportation Department: Patrick Auch, (619) 533-3063 City Attorney Contact: Cassandra Mougin
REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION
None.
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 15 for the Regular Meeting of Monday, May 18, 2026
Minutes of the Council of the City of San Diego Page 16 for the Regular Meeting of Monday, May 18, 2026
ADJOURNMENT
Council President LaCava adjourned at 2:02 p.m.
COUNCIL ACTION: Start Time: 2:02 PM