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[1. CALL TO ORDER]
YOU ALL FOR SHOWING UP THIS EVENING, AND I'D LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.AND IF AT THIS POINT IF WE CAN GET A EXPLANATION FROM OUR INTERPRETER ON YOUR INTERPRETATION PROCESS.
UH, THIS WILL BE AN ANNOUNCEMENT FOR OUR SPANISH SPEAKER PART SPEAKING RATHER PARTICIPANTS ON ZOOM.
AND JUST AS A REMINDER, IF WE COULD PLEASE SILENCE ALL CELL PHONES OR DEVICES IN THE CHAMBER AND 'CAUSE WE END UP HAVING TO DANCE TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT TYPES OF MUSIC.
'CAUSE THE THINGS RING OTHERWISE WE DON'T WANT TO GET EVERYONE CONFUSED.
UM, THERE'S A LIVE WEBCAST OF THE MEETING CAN BE VIEWED ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE AND THE NOTICE AGENDA AND INFORMATION ON THE CITY OF NASHVILLE CITY'S WEB WEBSITE INFORMS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT THEY MAY SUBMIT A PUBLIC, A GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT, OR A PUBLIC COMMENT ON A SPECIFIC AGENDA ITEM IN NUMBER WAYS, EITHER IN PERSON BY SUBMITTING ONE OF THESE SALMON COLORED SLIPS THEY ARE AT THE, UH, BACK OF THE, UH, AT THE CHAMBERS AND GET THOSE OVER TO OUR CITY CLERK OR VIA ZOOM BY PRE-REGISTERING ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE NO LATER THAN FOUR HOURS BEFORE THE MEETING OR EMAILING NO LATER THAN FOUR HOURS BEFORE THE MEETING.
AND ALL WRITTEN COMMENTS RECEIVED ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL PRIOR TO THE MEETING AND PUBLISHED ON THE CI CITY WEBSITE IF THEY'RE RECEIVED BY THE DEADLINE.
WITH THAT, IF WE COULD HAVE ROLL CALL PLEASE.
COUNCIL MEMBER RODRIGUEZ PRESENT.
COUNCIL MEMBER MOLINA PRESENT, VICE MAYOR YAMANI.
WILL YOU PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE INVOCATION.
AND, UH, MEMBER MONINA, PLEASE, PLEASE.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR GREATER STANDS.
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
AND GOOD EVENING, LET US PRAY.
LORD JESUS, YOU ARE BORN IN THE LITTLE TOWN AND YOU GREW UP ON THE, THE AUTHORITY OF LOCAL LEADERS AND OFFICIALS WHO MANAGED THE MAJORITY OF YOUR DAILY LIFE LEFT OFF OUR LOCAL LEADERS HERE IN NATIONAL CITY.
TODAY WE PRAY FOR MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND ALL WHO SERVE OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY.
TAND THEM WHEN WISDOM AND GRACE FOR THE HEAVY BURNERS THEY CARRY AND MANAGE THEIR TEAMS AND PROJECT WHEN WISDOM AND LOVE KEEP THEIR HEARTS PURE AND THEIR EYES TURN TOWARDS YOU FACE AS THEY WORK IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE THEY'RE CALLED TO SERVE.
COULD YOU PLEASE IDENTIFY YOURSELF AND YOUR AND YOUR CHURCH? YEP.
UH, FATHER ROBERTO LONDO, UH, SAINT MATTHEW EPISCOPAL CHURCH HERE IN NATIONAL CITY.
[5. PUBLIC COMMENT]
WE WILL, NOW GOING TO PUBLIC COMMENTS.THESE ARE COMMENTS THAT ARE ON ITEMS THAT ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA, AND, UH, WE HAVE A SIZABLE NUMBER.
I'M GOING TO GIVE TWO MINUTES ON THESE.
AND JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, WE ARE GOING TO, UH, ADJUST THE AGENDA A BIT RIGHT AFTER PUBLIC COMMENTS.
I'M GONNA MOVE FORWARD 10.1 AND, UH, FOR DISCUSSION ON THAT.
SO WITH THAT, UM, I'M GONNA CALL THREE PEOPLE UP AT A TIME.
SO IF YOU COULD ALREADY GET OUT INTO THE AISLE AND BE READY THAT WAY, I'LL GO A LOT FASTER BETWEEN SPEAKERS.
UH, FIRST WE HAVE, UH, SHERRY GOGI TO BE FOLLOWED BY KORO, UH, JIMENEZ, AND BY THEN BY JACQUELINE RENOSO.
[00:05:02]
AND I'M HERE ABOUT OUR PARADISE CREEK WATER QUALITY AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT THAT IS A BIG, OH, I'M SORRY.NO, I, I'VE BEEN HERE EVERY TWO WEEKS SINCE JANUARY 22ND, BECAUSE WE LOST FIVE HOMES RIGHT IN THAT CREEK AREA.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE FEEL ABANDONED BY OUR CITY.
IT'S BEEN OVER TWO AND A HALF MONTHS.
YOU'VE CALLED ME ALMOST EVERY TIME IT RAINS AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
BUT WHERE IS THERE EVERYBODY ELSE? MY HOUSE IS DESTROYED.
WE'RE PAYING RENT AND MORTGAGE AND WE'RE TRYING TO REBUILD.
WE'RE THERE EVERY SINGLE DAY MONDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.
I'M HERE TONIGHT, BUT MY HUSBAND'S STILL OVER THERE.
OUR NEIGHBOR'S STILL OVER THERE.
WE NEED TO REBUILD BECAUSE WE CHOSE NOT WELL, WE DIDN'T CHOOSE.
WE DON'T GET ANY OF THE BENEFITS.
ANYBODY ELSE GETTING WHO'S IN THE HOTEL? THAT'S NOT RIGHT.
WE'RE CITY CITIZENS HERE IN NATIONAL CITY, JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.
WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THOSE SAME BENEFITS.
WE'RE TRYING TO REBUILD OUR HOME AND WE'RE ASKING YOU GUYS, PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA, TAKE THIS THING OFF, THAT, THAT GREAT HAS TO GO.
EVERY TIME IT RAINS, WE'RE THERE.
WE CAMP OUT IN THE RAIN TO TRY TO PROTECT THE REST OF OUR HOMES.
THANK GOD IT'S DOING WHAT IT DOES WHEN IT'S OPEN AND NOBODY HAS CLOSED IT.
BUT WE'RE IN FEAR EVERY DAY THAT SOMEBODY'S GONNA CLOSE THAT.
EVERYBODY SAYS WE'RE LOOKING INTO IT.
DO IT MORE AND LET ME SEE YOU DOING IT.
YOUR RESIDENTS HERE IN NATIONAL CITY NEED IT.
WE DID HAVE, IT SHOULD BE 9.3 THAT I'LL BE MOVING UP.
HELLO? UM, WELL, I I'M REPRESENTING A GROUP OF PEOPLE FROM, UM, THE KEYSTONE TRAILER PARK.
UH, WE CAME, UM, UM, I THINK IT WAS LIKE A YEAR AND A HALF.
AND, UH, ALEJANDRA, MR. BUSH, MR. JOSE RODRIGUEZ, THEY ALL KINDLY, UH, HELP US BECAUSE WE ASKED FOR, UM, FOR THE RENT CONTROL.
SO, UH, THERE IS, UM, A CONTRACT NOT TO INCREASE THE RENT FOR A FEW, I MEAN, FOR A FEW MONTHS, BUT IT'S ALMOST ASPIRE.
SO, YOU KNOW, WE WORRY THAT IT'S, UM, IN TRAIL AND KEYSTONE TRAILER PARK.
WE ALL THE PEOPLE WILL LIVE THERE.
THERE'S A LOT OF FAMILIES IN THERE, REAL, A LOT OF OLDER PEOPLE.
UM, SO WE JUST WORRY BECAUSE THEY KEEP INCREASING OUR RENT AND IT'S A TRAILER PARK.
WE OWN THE, THE TRAILER, BUT WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THE, FOR THE LAND.
AND IT'S, UM, WE JUST WORRY ABOUT IT.
SO WE'RE, UM, WE'RE HAPPY THAT, THAT YOU GUYS HELP US REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
AND THEN WE, WE JUST ASK YOU GUYS TO KEEP ON HELPING US BECAUSE IT'S, IT'S A WORRY FOR AS A COMMUNITY THAT, THAT THAT CONTRACTS CAN EXPIRE AND THEN WE KNOW WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO.
BUT I'M REALLY HAPPY FOR YOUR HELP AND JUST KEEP HELPING US AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
NEXT WE HAVE JACQUELINE RENOSO TO BE FOLLOWED BY EDWARD NIETO TO BE FOLLOWED BY PAUL WADOWSKI.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL, CITY ATTORNEY AND CITY MANAGER.
I AM CO-OWNER OF GALI MOTA, LLC, AND A LIFETIME RESIDENT OF NATIONAL CITIES.
I'M ALSO A PROMOTER AND PRACTITIONER OF OUR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
I'M HERE TO REQUEST THAT CITY COUNCIL AGENDAS AN UPDATE ON THE NATIONAL CITY CANNABIS ORDINANCE.
PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE PERMITTING PROCESS, IDENTIFYING NEXT STEPS IN APPROVALS AND CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS OF TOP RANKED FIRMS THAT WERE AWARDED LICENSES TODAY.
THERE IS AN URGENT NEED TO GENERATE NEW REVENUE FOR THE CITY, AND INACTION TODAY IS TRANSLATING TO LOST OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR LOCAL ECONOMY.
MORE SO THE QUESTION OF LOCAL OWNERSHIP AND FLIPPING OF CANNABIS LICENSES IS STILL A MAJOR CONCERN.
IN THE PAST YEAR, I'VE SEEN TWO CANNABIS LICENSES THAT WERE AWARDED BY THE CITY COUNCIL BEING SOLD
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AND ADVERTISED FOR BEING SOLD WITHOUT EVEN HAVING OPENED THEIR DOORS AND FULFILLED LOCAL OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENTS AS OUTLINED IN THE CITY'S ORDINANCE.I PAY MY TAXES AND HAVE SPENT THIS PAST YEAR LITIGATING THE CITY WHILE THE PROCESS IS DRAWN OUT.
THIS IS EXPENDING THE CITY'S RESOURCES.
SO WE APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP IN REFOCUSING ATTENTION AND REPORTING BACK ON THE PROGRESS OF THE CANNABIS ORDINANCE.
THANK YOU, ED NIETO TO BE FOLLOWED BY PAUL WADOWSKI TO BE FOLLOWED BY RICARDO SANCHEZ.
HEY, TWO MINUTES IS REALLY TIGHT.
UM, I'M HERE TO ASK THE CITY TO IMPLEMENT AN ETHICS TRAINING AT ALL LEVELS.
YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE, I THOUGHT WAS THAT, UM, OF, BASED ON THE RECENT ARTICLES, UM, SEVERAL ARTICLES THAT HAVE BEEN WRITTEN IN THE NEWSPAPER AND THE MEDIA, AND THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT CITY ETHICS AT THE COUNCILMAN PEOPLE LEVEL, AT THE CITY ATTORNEY'S LEVEL, AT THE CITY MANAGER'S LEVEL.
AND THAT'S BAD, BUT IT'S PERMEATING TO THE EMPLOYEES.
AND THE AN EXAMPLE, I SEE THIS IN THIS INVOICE THAT HAS THIS DOCUMENTATION FROM A LADY BY THE NAME CARLA, I WON'T RUN TO HER NASTY, I CAN'T PRONOUNCE IT.
SHE'S QUESTIONING THE CITY FINANCE MANAGER OR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT, UH, WHETHER, UH, THE TURKEY GIVEAWAY WAS ETHICAL OR NOT.
AND SHE SAYS THE REASON WHY IT IS IN THE ARTICLE IS BECAUSE, UH, THE MAYOR DIDN'T EXPLAIN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESSES TO RODRIGUEZ.
NOW WHAT'S THE MAYOR HAVE THE LACK OF RODRIGUEZ'S, UH, POLICY OR KNOWLEDGE OF, UH, CITY PROCESSES.
WHAT'S THAT HAVE TO DO WITH THE MAYOR'S RESPONSIBILITY? HE SHOULD KNOW IT BY HIMSELF.
AND I'M NOT PICKING ON RODRIGUEZ, IT'S, I'M PICKING ON ALSO THE, THE, THE EMPLOYEE WHO APPARENTLY DIDN'T KNOW THE, THE, THE, THE PROTOCOL DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO RESPOND TO, UH, WHEN THEY HAVE A A, AN ISSUE HOW TO ELEVATE IT.
ALL I KNOW IS THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE MANAGER IS GONE.
SHE'S THE ONE WHO WHO REJECTED IT.
WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO THINK? YEAH, THERE'S A, YOU KNOW, YOU GOTTA, UH, CONNECT THE DOTS THERE.
SO I'M ASKING FOR ETHICS TRAINING.
YOU KNOW, I MEAN, YOU'RE LOSING PUBLIC TRUST IN THE CITY AND IT'S AN EMBARRASSMENT FOR RODRIGUEZ TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS AND RILE PEOPLE UP IN THESE GOOD CAUSES, BUT WITH NO EFFECT IS NOT THOUGHT OUT.
I'M NOT TAKEN AWAY FROM RODRIGUEZ'S, UH, EFFORT TO HELP PEOPLE.
I'M JUST SAYING HE DOESN'T HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE AND HOW TO HELP THEM.
PAUL WAKI TO BE FOLLOWED BY RICARDO SANCHEZ TO BE FOLLOWED BY CAROLYN DUFFY.
HEY, WHAT UP? UM, AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND IT, UM, THIS GOVERNING BODY HAS NOT MADE ANY KIND OF FORMAL DECLARATION REGARDING THE ONGOING ETHNIC CLEANSING AND GAZA.
I THINK IGNORING IT, UM, BOTH PERSONALLY AND IN A PUBLIC CAPACITY MAKES YOU COMPLICIT, SYNONYMOUS, UH, WITH THE FAILING BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.
BOTH SIDES APPROACH FUNDING BOTH THE ONSLAUGHT AND THE INSUFFICIENT HUMANITARIAN EFFORT.
NOW, SOME MAY FIND A CEASEFIRE OR SOLIDARITY DECLARATION IRRELEVANT TO THE PEOPLE OF NA, NATIONAL CITY TO THE CITY IN ITSELF.
BUT THAT MEANS THAT YOU'RE SIMPLY EMBRACING THE CONDITION OF YOUR AMERICAN SETTLED COLONIAL MINDSET AND THE MANUFACTURED APARTHEID STATE OF ISRAEL AS A SETTLE A COLONIAL PROJECT.
THE PEOPLE OF THIS TOWN HAVE MORE IN COMMON WITH OPPRESSED PEOPLE EVERY EVERYWHERE THAN THEY DO WITH SETTLERS FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA.
THANK YOU RICARDO SANCHEZ TO BE FOLLOWED BY CAROLYN DUFFY TO BE FOLLOWED BY SYLVIA GARNER.
GOING OUTTA ORDER HERE, RICARDO SANCHEZ.
I LIVE ON FOURTH AVENUE AND I'M JUST GONNA SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT TRAFFIC SAFETY AND, UH, WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING BETWEEN HIGHLAND AND PALM AVENUE.
IN THE LAST MONTH, WE'VE HAD THREE ACCIDENTS.
UH, ONE OF THOSE WAS A NEAR FATALITY, AND THE OTHER ONE, I'M NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED ON HIGHLAND AND, UH, FOURTH.
BUT THAT HOUSE GOT REALLY HIT HARD EVERY DAY.
PEOPLE ARE RACING UP AND DOWN THE STREETS.
I'VE TALKED TO NEIGHBORS AND THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR YEARS AND YEARS, EVEN BEFORE I PURCHASED MY HOME.
IT IS, UH, EASY TO PUT TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND SAFETY IN GENERAL IN THE BACK BURNER, BUT UNTIL IT HAPPENS TO YOU, I WAS ONE OF THOSE THREE THAT GOT IN AN ACCIDENT.
[00:15:03]
CAROLINE DUFFY TO BE FOLLOWED BY SYLVIA GARNER.HI, MY NAME IS CAROLINE DUFFY.
I'M A PHYSICIAN IN THE SOUTH BAY.
I DELIVER BABIES AND I CARE FOR THE MOMS AND BABIES.
AFTERWARDS, I'M HERE TO ASK YOU TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY IN CHULA VISTA REGARDING THE CLOSURE OF THE SCRIPPS MERCY CHULA VISTA MATERNITY WARD.
UH, THIS WILL BE THE FIFTH MATERNITY WARD CLOSURE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF WHICH IS COMPOUNDING AND THAT PARADISE VALLEY HOSPITAL WOULD SEND THEIR PATIENTS TO US AFTER THEY CLOSED.
ALL OF THESE PATIENTS WILL BE NOW GOING TO SHARP TOULA VISTA AS THE ONLY MATERNITY WARD LEFT IN THE SOUTH BAY.
UM, MANY OF THE INSURANCES THAT OUR PATIENTS HAVE ARE NOT ACCEPTED BY SHARP.
I'VE ALREADY HAD PATIENTS TELL ME THAT THEY'VE CALLED AND SHARP CANNOT TAKE THEM FOR THEIR DELIVERIES.
THAT WILL BE AFTER THE PROJECTED CLOSE DATE OF SCRIPPS CHULA VISTA HOSPITAL.
SCRIPPS MERCY CHULA VISTA HAD MORE DELIVERIES IN THE LAST YEAR THAN ALL OF THE PRIOR MATERNITY WARDS COMBINED THAT 1700 DELIVERIES LAST YEAR.
SO TIMES TWO MOMS AND BABIES PATIENTS, AND EITHER THAN THOSE WHO CAN ACCESS SHARP ALREADY WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE INCREASED VOLUME AFTER THIS CLOSURE.
SOUTH BAY IS A YOUNGER COUNTY THAN AVERAGE.
WE HAVE MORE YOUNG FAMILIES AND IT IS GROWING AT A FASTER RATE THAN ANY OTHER, UH, AREA IN SAN DIEGO.
SO ALL OF THE COMMUNITIES SHOULD HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN OUR GROWING AND EXPANDING.
OUR DATA SHOWS THAT THE PATIENT SERVED BY SCRIPPS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE HISPANIC, LOW INCOME CASH PAY, OR MEDI-CAL.
AND FOR A COUNTRY THAT IS SO RICH, OUR MATERNITY AND MORTALITY FOR RATES, UH, FOR MOMS AND BABIES ARE VERY HIGH.
UM, AND IT'S OFTEN HIGHEST FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNDERSERVED AND UNINSURED.
THIS IS GOING TO WORSEN THAT STATISTIC, UM, TRANSPORT TO THE CURRENT HOSPITALS THAT ARE OPEN OR AN HOUR AND A HALF AWAY BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT, MANY OF WHICH THESE PATIENTS HAVE TO RELY ON.
AND SO I'M URGING YOU TO STAND WITH US CENTRAL VISTA AND IMPLORE THE STATE TO CONDUCT AN A COMMUNITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT BEFORE CLOSING OUR HOSPITAL.
SO WE NOW GO WITH SYLVIA GARNER TO BE FOLLOWED BY DUKEY VALDERRAMA TO BE FOLLOWED BY ADRIANA HUERTA.
WE CAN NOW HAVE THE TRANSLATION PLEASE.
[00:20:04]
MY NAME IS SYLVIA GARDNER AND I LIVE AT THE HOUSTON TRAILER PARK HERE IN NATIONAL CITY.AND I HA I'M HERE TO REMIND YOU OF SOMETHING I BROUGHT UP WHEN I FIRST CAME TO YOU, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OVER A YEAR AGO, OR ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO.
AND THE ISSUE THEN AND NOW WAS RENT CONTROL.
UH, ONE THING THAT I HAVE NOTICED IS THAT, UH, WHEN SALARIES GO UP, THE RENTS GO UP WITH IT.
SO WAGES GO UP ONE TO $2 PER HOUR AND THE RENTS GO UP EVEN MORE.
BUT FOR US SENIOR CITIZENS WHO ARE LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME, OUR HELP DOESN'T GO UP.
AND I DON'T THINK THAT IT IS FAIR FOR US WHO ARE ON SOCIAL SECURITY ON A FIXED INCOME TO HAVE TO COMPETE WITH WAGE EARNERS BECAUSE WAGE EARNERS GET PAID EVERY TWO WEEKS, EVERY MONTH, I DON'T KNOW.
BUT WE ONLY GET OUR MONEY ONCE A MONTH AND I DON'T GET THAT MUCH.
AND I'M PAYING A HIGH PRICE FOR MY RENT.
AND THIS POST IS A PROBLEM FOR ME EVERY MONTH.
AND SO I END UP HAVING TO ASK MYSELF MONTH AFTER MONTH, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NOW? SO I'M HERE TO ASK ALL OF YOU TO HELP US.
RENTAL PRICES CAN BE FROZEN TO STOP RENT INCREASES.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE WE NEED TO DO TO GET YOU TO HELP US FREEZE RENTAL PRICES.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK, UM, JOSE RODRIGUEZ AS WELL.
I'M UP HERE AND, UH, THE OTHER YOUNG MAN NEXT TO HIM BECAUSE BOTH OF THEM HELPED US, UH, BACK IN JANUARY WHEN WE HAD THE, THE STORMS THAT WERE BOTH OUT THERE, UH, GIVING A HELPING HAND WHEN WE MOST NEEDED IT.
SO, AGAIN, I BEG OF YOU TO PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR HEARTS AND HELP US WITH RENT CONTROL.
UH, KY VALDERRAMA BE FOLLOWED BY ADRIANA HUERTA TO BE FOLLOWED BY ERIC VARGAS.
UH, A GOOD EVENING MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY.
FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK EACH ONE OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE MAYOR FOR ATTENDING THE OT AND C FOUNDATION'S MURAL DEDICATION AT THE CASA DE SLU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
THE CROWD WAS VERY APPRECIATIVE OF EVERY ONE OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR SHOWING UP TO TONIGHT.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN, IN, IN SUPPORT OF EVERYTHING THAT JACQUELINE RENOSO, UH, TALKED ABOUT EXACTLY TWO YEARS AGO TO THIS WEEK, THE APPLICATIONS WERE SUBMITTED FOR THE CANNABIS.
YOU GUYS APPROVED SIX CONTRACTS, AND THAT'S THE ONLY TIME I'VE HEARD ANYTHING SINCE THAT TIME.
I THINK IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT THE COMMUNITY IS APPRISED OF WHAT ACTIONS THE COUNCIL HAS TAKEN AND STAFF HAS DONE AS FAR AS WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THESE CANNABIS, UH, PROGRAMS UP AND RUNNING.
UH, IF THERE'S A TREMENDOUS WINDFALL TO THE CITY WITH THESE PROGRAMS COMING ON BOARD.
BUT WE AS A COMMUNITY HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE, WHERE WE'RE AT.
SO ALL I'M ASKING IS THAT THIS ITEM BE AGENDIZED SO WE AS A COMMUNITY CAN FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON.
UH, AND I REALLY WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.
SO I SUPPORT EVERYTHING THAT JACQUELINE OSA SAID.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING COMING UP ABOUT A CANCER WALK OR ANYTHING?
UH, WE ARE HAVING A CANCER WALK OF THE OT AND C FOUNDATION JUNE 1ST.
UH, THE LAST TIME WE DID THIS, WE RAISED $30,000.
ALL THE, ALL THE FUNDS WENT TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, WHICH WAS A GREAT THING.
BUT NONE OF THAT MONEY CAME BACK TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY.
THIS YEAR WHEN WE, WE HAVE THE CANCER WALK ON JUNE ONE FIRST, ALL THE MONEY WE RAISE WILL BE GIVEN BACK TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND TO CANCER PARTICIPANTS.
SO WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BRINGING THAT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE COMMUNITY.
YOU, YOU STILL HAD TIME, SO THANK YOU.
UM, ADRIANA ERTA AND ERIC VARGAS.
AND EVERYONE, MY NAME IS ADRIANA ERTA AND I'M A RESIDENT OF NATIONAL CITY FOR THE PAST 16 YEARS.
AND, UM, I CANNOT, UH, EXPRESS ENOUGH HOW HAPPY I AM TO LIVE IN THE CITY, BUT EVEN HAPPIER TO BE HERE AND SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE, UH, INITIATIVE THAT, UH, CONSULTANT RODRIGUEZ STARTED BY HIRING THIS CONSULTING GROUP TO GATHER INFORMATION IN THE COMMUNITY.
BECAUSE FOR ALL THAT WE KNOW, YOU GUYS WORK FOR US, YOU REPRESENT US.
SO HOW YOU GONNA REPRESENT PEOPLE THAT YOU DON'T LISTEN TO, RIGHT? SO I THINK HAVING A,
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UM, THIS, UH, CONSULTING FIRM GATHERING INFORMATION GOING AROUND TO TALK TO PEOPLE AND SEE EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED AND SO WE CAN BE REPRESENTED.AND I WAS, UH, REVIEWING SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE WERE TRYING, SOME OF THE INFORMATION WE'RE TRYING TO, UM, GATHER IN A SHIP WITH THIS EFFORTS.
AND I WAS VERY PLEASED TO SEE THAT IT'S ALL ABOUT HOUSING, ALSO PROMOTING THE BUSINESS' SAFETY AS FAR AS LIGHTING IN THE CITY.
SO I'M JUST HERE TO, AND SUPPORT THAT INITIATIVE WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
AND CONSUL CAN ONLY DO ONE THING, RIGHT? BUT IF HE GETS THE SUPPORT THAT IS NEEDED TO LISTEN TO THE CONSTITUENTS IN THE CITY, WE CAN DEFINITELY JUST GET BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AFTER THE PERSON IS ELECTED.
AND THIS IS NOT A ONE SINGLE PERSON EFFORT.
IT HAS TO BE SUPPORTED BY THE MAYOR AND EVERY OTHER MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL.
SO I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF THAT, IN MAKING SURE THAT WE LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY.
HELLO, MY NAME IS ERIC VARGAS AND I'M THE NATIONAL CITY ORGANIZER FOR ACE.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW, ACE IS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES EDUCATION, CONDUCTS COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND ADVOCATES FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO COME TO THE COMMUNITIES WE WORK IN.
COUNCILMAN RODRIGUEZ HAS HAD REACHED OUT TO US TO HELP FACILITATE SOME COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION FOLLOWING THE FLOOD OF JANUARY 2ND, 22ND, TO MAKE SURE THAT RESIDENTS OF NATIONAL CITY WERE NOT BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF AND WERE AWARE OF THEIR RIGHTS FOLLOWING THE FLOOD.
UH, THEY ENDED UP, UH, ACTUALLY BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF IN WHICH WE HELPED, UH, TO AVOID THAT.
SO I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMAN, UH, RODRIGUEZ FOR ACTUALLY DOING SOMETHING AND ACTING TO HELP THE RESIDENTS OF NATIONAL CITY.
TODAY I'M HERE TO SHARE SOME OF THE DISAPPOINTMENT I AM FEELING BECAUSE OF THE BEHAVIOR FROM SOME CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PERSONAL, PERSONAL ISSUES AMONGST SOME MEMBERS THAT HAS GONE TO THE POINT WHERE IT'S DISTRACTING YOU ALL FROM DOING YOUR JOBS AND GETTING THINGS DONE TO HELP PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
WHAT'S EVEN MORE SAD IS THAT A FEW WEEKS AGO, ONE OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE TALKING POORLY ABOUT THE RESIDENTS SAYING THAT THEY JUST WANTED MONEY TO, OR FREE HANDOUTS.
I'VE REACHED OUT TO OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, REQUESTING A MEETING TO MEET WITH RESIDENTS OF NATIONAL CITY ON HOW THEY ARE STILL BEING AFFECTED BY THE AFTERMATH OF THE FLOOD.
AND NOT A SINGLE PERSON HAS GONE BACK TO US TO SCHEDULE THAT MEETING.
I WOULD BE EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT IF THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE PERSONAL CONFLICTS PRESENT WITHIN THE CITY COUNCIL.
LATELY, COUNCILMAN RODRIGUEZ HAS COME UNDER FIRE FOR IRRESPONSIBLY USING CITY BUDGET.
SPEAKING FROM MY OWN EXPERIENCE, COUNCILMAN RODRIGUEZ HAS ONLY KEPT HIS RESIDENCE IN MIND WHEN IT COMES TO SPENDING.
IF DOING OUTREACH, MEETING THE NEEDS OF NATIONAL CITY RESIDENTS AND OUTSOURCING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING TO HIS RESIDENTS ARE IRRESPONSIBLE, THEN I'M NOT SURE WHAT RESPONSIBLE SPENDING IS.
COUNCILMAN RODRIGUEZ IS DOING WHAT HE FINDS NECESSARY TO HELP HIS RESIDENTS AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE EDUCATED AND SUPPORTED.
AND I URGE YOU ALL TO DO THE SAME.
NOW THEN, DO WE HAVE ANYONE ON ZOOM? MAYOR MORRISON, I'M SUPPOSED TO BE ON DIRECT.
DO WE HAVE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? YES, I, ERIC, YOU KNOW, I DON'T HAVE ONE FOR YOU, BUT COME FORWARD.
LEMME SEE IF, SEE IF IT GOT MIXED UP WITH SOMETHING ELSE HERE BOARD.
HELLO CITY COUNCILMAN AND MAYOR MORRISON.
MY NAME IS ERIC REES AND I HAVE LIVED IN NATIONAL CITY FOR OVER 43 YEARS.
AND UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, I AND MANY OTHER AMERICANS HAVE FOUND OURSELVES HOMELESS.
OKAY, I'M HERE TO SAY THAT YOUR DECISION TO WEAPONIZE LAW ENFORCEMENT.
YOU PUT DOWN FOR 9.3, WHICH IS ANOTHER AGENDA ITEM.
THIS IS GENERAL COMMENT THAT IS NOT STUFF ON THE AGENDA.
SO I'LL CALL YOU WHEN WE GET TO THAT ITEM.
THAT WAS THE REASON WHY I HADN'T CALLED YOU UP.
'CAUSE YOU WERE, YOU WERE IN A DIFFERENT CATEGORY.
JUST LEMME KNOW WHEN I I WILL DEFINITELY DO THAT NOW THEN IF WE CAN GO TO THE, TO ZOOM.
YES, WE DO HAVE PEOPLE ON ZOOM.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR MORRISON AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M A PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATOR FOCUSED ON THE PREVENTION OF MARIJUANA USE AMONG TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS.
I WANTED TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION A PRESS RELEASE ISSUED LAST WEEK, A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF 20 STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL WHO CALLED ON CONGRESS TO SOLVE THE URGENT PROBLEM OF INTOXICATING HEMP.
THE PRESS RELEASE STATES, I QUOTE, BAD ACTORS HAVE EXPLOITED THE 2018 FARM BILLS DEFINITION OF HEMP AND UNLEASHED ON OUR STATES A FLOOD OF PRODUCTS THAT ARE NOTHING LESS THAN A MORE POTENT FORM
[00:30:01]
OF MARIJUANA.OFTEN A CAN CANDY FORM THAT IS MADE ATTRACTIVE TO YOUTH AND CHILDREN WITH STAGGERING LEVELS OF POTENCY, NO REGULATION, NO OVERSIGHT, AND A LIMITED CAPA CAPA CAPABILITY FOR OFFICES WHO REIGN THEM IN.
WE URGE CONGRESS IN THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE TERMS TO ADDRESS THE RECKLESS POLICY END QUOTE.
OUR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MAKE MUST TAKE ACTION NOW TO MAKE SURE THESE PRODUCTS DO NOT HAVE INTOXICATING OR DETECTABLE LEVELS OF THC.
THIS COUNCIL HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ACTION NOW, ACTING AS A LEADER TO OTHER CITIES WITHIN OUR STATE BY PRIORITIZING THIS GROWING PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.
A HIGHLY INTOXICATING PRODUCT SUCH AS THC IN ANY FORM SHOULD IN NO WAY BE MARKETED AS COMMON LOOKALIKE PRODUCTS SUCH AS GUMMY BEARS AND HERD SNACKS.
OUR CITY CAN BE A PART OF THIS BIPARTISAN GROUP OF 20 STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL LENDING.
OUR VOICE OF SUPPORT IS CRITICAL, BUT WE MAY, WE MUST ALSO ACT BY CREATING OUR OWN POLICY THAT RECOGNIZES THAT ANY PRODUCTS MADE TO LOOK ENTICING TO CHILDREN SHOULD IN NO WAY BE PERMITTED AND SOLD IN A POT SHOP OR A SMOKE SHOP IN OUR CITY.
I AGREE THAT WE NEED TRANSPARENCY AND THE MARIJUANA ISSUE SHOULD BE AGENDIZED ONE, A HIGH POTENCY PSYCHOACTIVE DRUG LIKE MARIJUANA IS COMMERCIALIZED.
SAFETY, ADEQUATE REGULATION AND ENFORCEMENT ARE PRIMARY CONCERNS FOR PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH AND CONSUMERS.
ALSO FOR PROTECTING RESIDENTS FROM BAD ACTORS IN GRAY BLACK MARKETS AND FROM SALES OF PRODUCTS LIKE MENTIONED BY THE SPEAKER BEFORE ME.
ILLEGAL HEMP INCREASINGLY ON THE RISE IN SMOKE SHOPS AND EVEN RETAIL POT OUTLETS.
LEGALIZING JURISDICTIONS, HOWEVER, HAVE FAILED TO MEET THESE CHALLENGES ACCORDING TO FORMER US ATTORNEY GENERAL WILLIAM BARR AND JOHN WALTERS, FORMER US DRUG CONTROL POLICY DIRECTOR.
THESE TWO CON CONCLUDED IN A NEWLY RELEASED INVESTIGATIVE REPORT THAT A DECADE IN LEGALIZING WEED HAS BEEN A DISASTER.
THEIR MAJOR CONCERNS INCLUDE WHAT THEY CALL GROCERY RESPONSIBILITY IN LEGALIZING WEED WITHOUT FDA APPROVAL OR WITHOUT RIGOROUS EVALUATION OF TODAY'S VERY HIGH POTENCY PRODUCTS FOR FULL UNDERSTANDING OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES.
THIS IS A GROUNDWORK FOR ANOTHER BIG TOBACCO, BIG MARIJUANA LIKE BIG TOBACCO HAS UNFORTUNATELY GAINED SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE BEFORE THE DANGERS OF WEED WERE FULLY APPRECIATED.
BARR AND HIS ASSOCIATES SAID, SO WHY, WHY ARE WE RUSHING TO REPEAT HISTORY WITH MARIJUANA? THANK YOU BARBARA GORDON.
I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU AN UPDATE REGARDING THE FEDERAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES THAT HAVE RECEIVED THOUSANDS OF REPORTS OF POISONING AND OTHER HARMFUL SIDE EFFECTS THAT INVOLVE MARIJUANA USE.
JUST THIS YEAR WHEN PROP 64 PASSED, IT SPECIFICALLY CALLED ON CALIFORNIA TO REGULATE PESTICIDES IN MARIJUANA PRODUCTS.
BUT EIGHT YEARS LATER, CONTAMINANTS ARE STILL FOUND IN POT PRODUCTS TODAY.
THE USE OF PESTICIDES AND CULTIVATION CAUSES AS HARM TO BOTH THE ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN HEALTH.
INHALING PESTICIDES THROUGH SMOKE LEADS TO VARIOUS HEALTH ISSUES INCLUDING RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS, IRRITATION OF THE LUNGS, AND OTHER LONG, POTENTIALLY LONG-TERM HEALTH RISKS.
PESTICIDES ARE DESIRED TO BE TOXIC TO PESTS AND THEIR INHALATION IS NOT SAFE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.
THE STATE'S OWN MARIJUANA RE REGULATORS, THE DEPARTMENT OF CANNABIS CONTROL, OR THE DCC HAS ADMITTED IT IS CURRENTLY UNABLE TO TEST FOR PESTICIDES CONTAMINATE IN MANY POT PRODUCTS.
INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND NUMEROUS PROBLEMS PLUGGING THE STATE'S PESTICIDES RULES, INCLUDING LABS FALSIFYING TEST, SAFETY TEST, AND STORE SELLING POT CONTAMINATION, UH, WITH BANNED CHEMICALS.
CALIFORNIA IS THE LARGEST POT MARKET IN THE WORLD, YET DESPITE THE MARKET MASSIVE SIDES, THE DCC HAS RARELY WARNED THE PUBLIC ABOUT CONTAMINATED POT.
I URGE YOU TO NOT IGNORE THE RISK FACTORS OF MARIJUANA PRODUCTS AS THE CITY LOOKS TO ALLOW THESE BUSINESSES.
CONSUMERS MIGHT NEVER KNOW THEY'RE CONSUMING PESTICIDES OR ANY OTHER
[00:35:01]
CONTAMINANT.MY NAME IS MEGAN STEWART AND I WORK IN THE WORLD OF PUBLIC HEALTH AS WE CELEBRATE NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK.
THIS WEEK I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME FACTS WITH THE CO.
CAN YOU, CAN YOU HEAR ME? THERE YOU GO.
I WORK IN THE WORLD OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND AS WE CELEBRATE NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK THIS WEEK, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME FACTS WITH THE COUNCIL REGARDING MARIJUANA AND LUNG HEALTH.
THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DRUG ABUSE REPORTED THAT MARIJUANA SMOKING IS ASSOCIATED WITH LARGE AIRWAY INFLAMMATION, INCREASING AIRWAY RESISTANCE AND LUNG HYPERINFLATION.
AND THOSE WHO SMOKE MARIJUANA REGULARLY REPORT MORE SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC BRONCHITIS THAN THOSE WHO DO NOT SMOKE.
THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION IS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEALTH IMPACTS OF MARIJUANA USE, ESPECIALLY ON LUNG HEALTH.
THEY STRONGLY CAUTION THE PUBLIC AGAINST SMOKING MARIJUANA BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF DAMAGE TO THE LUNGS.
RESEARCH SHOWS THAT SMOKING MARIJUANA CAUSES CHRONIC BRO BRONCHITIS AND MARIJUANA SMOKE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO INJURE THE CELL LININGS OF THE LARGE AIRWAYS, TRAGICALLY, OR WE ARE WITNESSING FIRSTHAND THE DEVASTATED CONSEQUENCES OF MAR MARIJUANA USE AMONG OUR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS.
I KNOW PERSONALLY OF A CASE INVOLVING A 24-YEAR-OLD INDIVIDUAL WHO IS A USER OF ALCOHOL, NICOTINE, AND MARIJUANA SINCE HIS COLLEGE YEARS.
THIS INDIVIDUAL UNFORTUNATELY EXPERIENCED A COLLAPSED LUNG THIS PREVIOUS WEEK REQUIRING URGENT HOSPITALIZATION AND PLACEMENT ON A BREATHING APPARATUS.
UM, WHILE HE WAS IN RECOVERY THIS WEEK, HE ACTUALLY IS SHOWING SIGNS OF HIS OTHER LUNG COLLAPSING.
UM, WE SHOULD STRIVE TO PREVENT STORIES LIKE THIS.
THE RISING INCIDENTS OF LUNG COLLAPSE AND FAILURE AMONG OUR YOUNG POPULATION IS ALARMING AND DEMANDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AS STEWARDS OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY.
IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR US TO ADDRESS THIS PRESSING ISSUE AND ENACT MEASURES TO MITIGATE THE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA USE ON OUR COMMUNITY'S WELLBEING AND HEALTH.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
AND MAYOR, THAT CONCLUDES OUR ZOOM COMMENTS.
[9.3 Ordinance for Introduction – Unauthorized Camping or Encampments on Public Property]
AHEAD AND MOVE UP TO, UH, 9.3.THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING, IT'S AN ORDINANCE FOR INTRODUCTION, UNAUTHORIZED CAMPING OR ENCAMPMENTS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY.
IT'S INTRODUCES AN ORDINANCE FOR BY FIRST READING AND TITLE ORDINANCE OF THE CITY, UH, COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 10 OF THE NATIONAL CITY MUNICIPAL CODE BY REPEALING AND REVERSING SECTIONS.
UH, 10.5201, UH, ZERO, UH, W AMENDING TITLE 10 BY ADDING CHAPTER 10.56, ALL PERTAINING TO REGULATING ENCAMPMENTS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY TO ESTABLISH A STANDARD FOR THE PROTECTION OF LIFE, HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL PEOPLE IN SENSITIVE PUBLIC LANDS WITHIN THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY.
WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO OUR CITY ATTORNEY TO BEGIN THE REPORT.
UM, I'M GONNA ASK, UH, DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY ASHLYN LUTZ TO DO THE PRESENTATION TONIGHT.
BUT BEFORE SHE BEGINS, I WANNA MAKE TWO POINTS.
UM, THE FIRST IS THE ORDINANCE THAT WE'LL TALK ABOUT TONIGHT IS INTENDED TO REGULATE ENCAMPMENTS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY.
THE FOCUS IS ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY IMPACTS OF THESE ENCAMPMENTS IN OUR CITY.
THE STATUS OF THE INDIVIDUALS IS NOT RELEVANT OR THE FOCUS OF THIS ORDINANCE.
THE SECOND POINT IS THAT THE ORDINANCE IS INTENDED TO BE PART OF THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH.
YOU'LL HEAR A LITTLE BIT OF, UH, TONIGHT ABOUT OUR HOME TEAM AND THE OUTREACH THAT WE ARE MAKING TO THOSE THAT ARE UNSHELTERED.
UH, THIS ORDINANCE IS NOT INTENDED TO, UM, UH, REMOVE THE FOCUS ON THAT PART.
UH, IT IS JUST ANOTHER TOOLBOX OR ANOTHER TOOL IN OUR TOOLBOX.
IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SOLUTION TO THE UNSHELTERED PROBLEM, NOR IS IT INTENDED TO CRIMINALIZE HOMELESSNESS.
SO WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO, UH, DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY LUTZ.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR COUNSEL, UH, ASHLYN LUTZ, DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY.
I'M HERE TO PRESENT ON THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE, UH, REGARDING UNAUTHORIZED CAMPING OR ENCAMPMENTS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY.
UH, THERE HAS BEEN A STEADY INCREASE IN THE UNSHELTERED POPULATION IN THE COUNTY AS WELL AS HERE IN NATIONAL CITY.
THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL TASK FORCE ON HOMELESSNESS CONDUCTS AN ANNUAL POINT IN TIME COUNT IN 2020, THERE WAS 125 UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS.
IN 2022, THERE WAS 149 UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS.
[00:40:01]
UNS UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS FROM 2020 TO 2023, THAT'S AN APPROXIMATE ROUGHLY 27% INCREASE.UH, THE HOME TEAM HAS SEEN AN INCREASE OF UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS FROM THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IN NATIONAL CITY.
SINCE SAN DIEGO'S ENCAMPMENT ORDINANCE HAS GONE INTO EFFECT, UH, BY ALLOWING UNREGULATED HUMAN ACTIVITY, IT POSES HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS TO ALL INDIVIDUALS IN NATIONAL CITY.
CURRENTLY, UH, THE CITY HAS THE HOME PROGRAM, WHICH IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN NATIONAL CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE HOME TEAM.
THE HOME TEAM CONSISTS OF A CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND A HOMELESS NESS SERVICES COORDINATOR.
UH, THEY RESPOND TO NON-EMERGENCY, UM, CALLS RELATED TO HOMELESSNESS.
UH, THEY ALSO CONDUCT OUTREACH AND CONNECTS INDIVIDUALS TO SERVICES SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES, COUNTY SERVICES.
FROM JUNE THROUGH DECEMBER, 2023, THE HOME TEAM HAS HELPED 89 PEOPLE AND PLACED 25 PEOPLE INTO HOUSING.
UM, ADDITIONALLY, THE SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION IS CONSTRUCTING A SHELTER HERE IN NATIONAL CITY.
IT'LL BE A 30 DAY SHELTER THAT WILL HAVE 162 BEDS THAT WILL ASSIST FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN IN ADULTS.
UM, I WAS LAST TOLD IT'S ABOUT 85% COMPLETE AND IT'S ANTICIPATED TO OPEN THIS SUMMER.
I WANNA NOTE THAT THE BEDS WILL BE OPEN TO ANYONE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, NOT ONLY THOSE IN NATIONAL CITY.
UH, SOME HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS FROM UNREGULATED HUMAN ACTIVITY CAN INCLUDE DISEASE, BACTERIAL AND VIRAL INFECTIONS, WATER POLLUTION, RISK OF DRUG EXPOSURE, OR OVERDOSE, PEDESTRIAN DANGER AMONG OTHER THINGS.
UH, THE HOME TEAM INFORMED ME THAT THEY REGULARLY FIND NEEDLES, PIPES, FECES, URINE, AND BOTTLES, KNIVES, MACHETES, AND GUNS DURING THE CLEANUP OF ENCAMPMENTS OR INTENTS.
BEFORE I GET INTO THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE, I WANTED TO PROVIDE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE CURRENT STATE OF THE LAW ON HOMELESSNESS.
IN 2019, THE NINTH CIRCUIT HEARD THE MARTIN V.
CITY OF BOISE CASE THAT INVOLVED SEVERAL UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE CITED FOR CAMPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY AND SLEEPING IN PUBLIC PLACES, WHICH WAS A DIRECT VIOLATION OF THE CITY OF BOISE'S ORDINANCE.
THE NINTH CIRCUIT FOUND THAT CRIMINALIZING THE ACT OF SLEEPING OUTSIDE WHERE NO SHELTER SPACE IS AVAILABLE IS A VIOLATION OF THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT OR THE PROHIBITION AGAINST CR CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT.
AS A RESULT, ORDINANCES THAT COMPLETELY PROHIBIT THE ACT OF SLEEPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL HAS NO OTHER OPTION HAS BEEN DEEMED UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
UH, THIS CASE PROVIDED LIMITATIONS ON HOW MUNICIPALITIES CAN REGULATE SLEEPING IN PUBLIC, BUT IT DOES NOT AMOUNT TO A TOTAL BAN ON A CITY'S RIGHT TO REGULATE.
CITIES CAN CONTINUE TO IMPOSE REASONABLE TIME PLACED IN MANNER RESTRICTIONS EVEN ON INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE UNSHELTERED.
THEN IN 2023, THE NINTH CIRCUIT HEARD THE JOHNSON V.
CITY OF GRANT'S PAST CASE, WHICH INVOLVED THREE HOME UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS THAT CHALLENGED THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE CITY OF GRANT'S PAST ENFORCEMENT OF ITS PUBLIC CAMPING ORDINANCE, AS WELL AS THE CITY'S PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF SLEEPING SUPPLIES.
WHILE SLEEPING IN PUBLIC SLEEPING SUPPLIES INCLUDE CARDBOARD, BLANKETS AND PILLOWS AMONG OTHER THINGS.
UH, THE NINTH CIRCUIT, UM, NOT ONLY UPHELD THE CITY OF BOISE CASE, BUT IT EXPANDED ITS DECISION BY DETERMINING THAT THE PROHIBITION OF SLEEPING ACCESSORIES AND THE, UH, ADMINISTRATIVE ENFORCEMENT OF SLEEPING IN PUBLIC IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
I DO WANT TO NOTE THAT THE US SUPREME COURT, UH, DECIDED TO HEAR THE GRANT'S PASS CASE.
UM, THEY WILL BE DETERMINING WHETHER ENFORCEMENT OF GENERALLY APPLICABLE LAWS REGULATING CAMPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY, UH, CONSTITUTES CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT PROHIBITED BY THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT.
UM, THE ORAL ARGUMENTS ARE SENT FOR THIS MONTH WITH A DECISION COMING LATER THIS YEAR.
SO IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL PEOPLE IN NATIONAL CITY, THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE WILL MAKE IT UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO CAMP IN OR UPON ANY PUBLIC PROPERTY IF SHELTER BEDS ARE AVAILABLE, UNLESS SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED BY THE CITY MANAGER.
UH, IF AN ENCAMPMENT POSES AN IMMEDIATE THREAT OR UNREASONABLE RISK TO ANY PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL OR TO PUBLIC HEALTH OR SAFETY, THE ORDINANCE WILL BE ENFORCEABLE REGARDLESS OF SHELTER BED AVAILABILITY.
AND ADDITIONALLY, THE ORDINANCE WOULD MAKE IT UNLAWFUL AT ANY TIME, REGARDLESS OF THE ABILITY AVAILABILITY OF SHELTER BEDS FOR ANY PERSON TO CAMP OR HAVE UNAUTHORIZED ENCAMPMENTS WITHIN TWO CITY BLOCKS OF SCHOOLS IN ANY WATERWAYS OR NATURAL AREAS, A BUDDING A WATERWAY WITHIN ANY TRANSIT HUB ON A TROLLEY PLATFORM, OR ALONG ANY TROLLEY TRACKS.
[00:45:01]
UH, ATTORNEY SCHULTZ AND I ARE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ALONG WITH, ALONG WITH THE HOME TEAM AND PD.IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE PRESENTATION BEFORE WE OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.
SO THIS IS QUESTIONS, NO COMMENTS, BUT JUST QUESTION NOT FROM THE AUDIENCE.
NO, SORRY, THIS IS FROM THE DAIS.
SO, UH, APPRECIATE STAFF, UH, FOR THE, UM, THE WORK ON THIS.
WHAT IS THE SPECIFIC DIFFERENCE BE? SO I HEARD THAT THIS, UH, ORDINANCE IS MODELED OFF OF THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.
WHAT IS THE SPECIFIC DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS ORDINANCE AND WHAT'S PROPOSED WITH THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO? SO IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO THE CITY OF SAN DIEGOS, HOWEVER, CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS THE BIGGER, UM, LOCATION.
AND SO THEY HAVE MORE SENSITIVE RECEPTORS THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO PROTECT, SUCH AS, UM, ENCAMPMENTS NEAR HOMELESS, UM, SHELTERS, AS WELL AS, UM, OPEN SPACE.
UM, THOSE ARE THE, OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, THOSE ARE THE TWO I KNOW.
AND, UM, MAY I HAVE A FEW MORE QUESTIONS? YOU WANT ME TO KEEP GOING OR DO YOU WANT ONE BY ONE? IF, IF IT'S ON THE PRESENTATION? YES.
IT'S SO, UM, IN THE STAFF REPORT IT STATES THAT THE CITY AND NATIONAL CITY HAS SEEN AN INFLUX OF UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS.
UM, AND IT'S AS A RESULT OF THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO ENCAMPMENT ORDINANCE.
UM, SO JUST WONDERING WHERE THE DATA IS TO SUPPORT THAT.
SO I SEE IT CITED THAT THERE WERE 10 MORE IN UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS IN 2023 THAN 2024.
AND WE KNOW SOMETIMES ACCOUNTS DON'T, YOU KNOW, INCLUDE, INCLUDE EVERYTHING.
I THINK IT'S THE POINT IN TIME COUNTS, BUT HOW MANY OF THOSE 10, THE BEST DATA I SEE AVAILABLE IN THIS REPORT, HOW MANY OF THOSE 10 WERE FROM THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO? SO THAT'S MORE, I THINK, ANECDOTAL FROM THE HOME TEAM.
THE HOME TEAM, UH, SPEAKS TO THE INDIVIDUALS ON THE, THEY FIND, UM, KIANA WILLIAMSON MIGHT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
UM, THE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE'RE FINDING ARE LOCATED ON THE STREET, THEY'RE COMING THROUGH THE AREA.
UM, THEY'RE USUALLY NOT INDIVIDUALS THAT WOULD LIKE TO ENGAGE.
WE FIND THEM IN CALTRANS AREAS.
WE FIND THEM IN, UM, UM, UH, I LOST MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT, BUT THEY'RE PRETTY MUCH EVERYWHERE UNDER THE BRIDGES.
SO USUALLY THEY SAY THINGS LIKE, OH, WE'RE GETTING A BREAK FROM SAN DIEGO AND STAYING HERE.
SO, UM, OTHER INDIVIDUALS PASSING THROUGH OR INDIVIDUALS STAYING IN THE AREA ARE REPORTED BY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE, UM, ARE TYPICAL INDIVIDUALS IN A SINGLE AREA.
SO WE HAVE ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE.
DO WE HAVE ANY EMPIRICAL DATA OR EVIDENCE? SO DO WE HAVE, FOR EXAMPLE, OF THE 10, YOU KNOW, UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS, FOR EXAMPLE, MORE THAT WE INCREASE FROM 2023 AND THEN 2022.
DO WE KNOW ABOUT THOSE INDIVIDUALS OR ANY OTHER SPECIFIC, THE POINT IN TIME COUNT FOR, UM, THAT WE JUST DID FOR 2023, I BELIEVE? YEAH.
IT HASN'T BEEN, UM, COMPLETED YET.
AND I HEARD THAT IT'S NOT COMPLETED UNTIL JUNE.
AND, UM, SO WE DON'T HAVE THOSE NUMBERS YET.
THESE ARE NUMBERS THAT ARE BEING REPORTED, UM, FROM WHAT WE SEE AND WHAT WE HEAR FROM HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS.
UH, AND THEN A COUPLE MORE QUESTIONS.
UM, UNDER OUR CURRENT ORDINANCE AND OUR CURRENT LAWS AND REGULATIONS, ARE PEOPLE ALLOWED TO CAMP IN PUBLIC SPACES RIGHT NOW? SO I DID A QUICK LOOK AT THE MUNICIPAL CODE, AND THERE ARE A COUPLE PROVISIONS CURRENTLY ABOUT PROHIBITING OVERNIGHT CAMPING ON PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY AS WELL AS PROHIBITION ON CAMPING OR OVERNIGHT LODGING IN PARKS.
UH, FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, THAT MAY NOT BE ENFORCEABLE BASED ON THE CURRENT STATE OF THE LAW, PD MIGHT BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO MORE ABOUT THE ENFORCE ENFORCEMENT OF THOSE PROVISIONS.
BEFORE YOU GET TO PD, WHAT SECTIONS OF OUR CODE, UH, IS, IS THAT ON? UM, THE OVERNIGHT CAMPING ON RIGHT AWAY IS 9.2, 8.050.
CAN YOU SAY THAT AGAIN PLEASE? 9.2, 8.050.
AND THE OTHER ONE IS 10.5 2.010 W SORRY,
AND WHICH SECTION OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE IS THAT? I, I DON'T KNOW THE TOPIC, WHICH ONE'S THE OKAY.
BUT IF YOU GUYS, IF STAFF COULD FIND THAT OUT, UH, APPRECIATE IT.
THEN GOING TO THE, UM, THE, OUR POLICE OR LAW ENFORCEMENT OR ANY OF OUR ENFORCEMENT, UM, IT HAS THERE BEEN, UM, EXAMPLES OF US NEEDING TO ENFORCE OR CLEAR AND UNSAFE, UH, ENCAMPMENT, UM, BUT WE WEREN'T ABLE TO BECAUSE
[00:50:01]
OF THE LIMITATIONS OF THE LANGUAGE OF THE CODE, UH, CHIEF ALEX HERNANDEZ, UH, POLICE DEPARTMENT.UM, NORMALLY WE TEAM UP WITH PUBLIC WORKS BECAUSE SOMETIMES THEY HAVE DIFFICULTY WHEN THEY'RE GOING INTO THE, UH, DRAINAGE AREAS AND THEY'RE REQUESTING OUR ASSISTANCE IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THAT.
THEY'LL GET RESISTANCE FROM THE PEOPLE THAT ARE STAYING AND LIVING IN THOSE AREAS.
SO THEY'RE, SO THEY GET RESISTANCE, BUT HAVE, HAVE YOUR TEAM OR ANY OF OUR CITY EMPLOYEES, HAS IT BEEN BECAUSE OF THE 9.28, UM, THAT THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO CLEAR AN ENCAMPMENT? SO I UNDERSTAND THEM BEING HOSTILE, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY'RE BEING HOSTILE IS NECESSARILY, UM, STOPPING US FROM THE ACTUAL ENFORCEMENT OF OUR EXISTING CODE.
THE QUESTION THAT YOU'RE ASKING, MY, MY QUESTION IS, HAS OUR EXISTING CURRENT CODE STOPPED US FROM ENFORCING? IT HAS NOT.
WHAT WE TYPICALLY DO IS IF WE HAVE A PLANNED EVENT THAT WE'RE GONNA CLEAR UP A CERTAIN AREA, WE NORMALLY GIVE A THREE DAY, A 72 HOUR NOTICE IN ADVANCE WITH HOPES THAT PEOPLE WILL MOVE ON.
UH, WE DO GET RESISTANCE WHERE SOME PEOPLE JUST DO NOT, AND THEN PUBLIC WORKS WILL CALL US AND THE REQUESTS ARE ASSISTANCE FOR THAT.
AND THEN MY FINAL QUESTION IS, UM, TO STAFF, AND THIS IS PROBABLY FOR OUR, UH, OUR, OUR, UH, CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
SO IN THE 2023 JOHNSON VERSUS CITY OF GRANTS PASS RULING BY THE NINTH, UH, CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS.
SO THE COURT UPHELD THAT CRIMINALIZING ENCAMPMENTS WHERE NO SHELTER IS, UM, AVAILABLE.
SO THAT'S A VIOLATION OF THE EIGHTH AMENDMENT.
SO WE DO HAVE A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION OPENING A SHELTER THAT ALLOWS FOR 30 DAYS.
UM, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT SHELTER ALSO HAS RELIGIOUS REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM AND LIMITS IT JUST TO THE 30 DAYS.
SO CAN WE, MY QUESTION IS, CAN WE AS A CITY LEGALLY FORCE UNSHELTERED, INDIVID UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CAMPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY INTO A PRIVATELY OPERATED RELIGIOUS FACILITY? SO THE ORDINANCE IS NOT, IT DOESN'T FORCE ANYONE WE IT WOULD OFFER SHELTER BED TO THEM.
THEY DON'T, THEY'RE NOT OBLIGATED TO TAKE THE SHELTER SPACE.
WELL, BUT IF WE ARE SAYING THAT THEY HAVE TO REMOVE THE, SO I'M JUST TRYING TO GO THROUGH A SCENARIO HERE WITH THIS ORDINANCE.
SO IF WE, UM, SO THE SHELTER ISN'T OPEN YET, BUT ONCE IT DOES OPEN, IF SOMEONE WHO'S CAMPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY OBJECTS TO MOVING THEIR ENCAMPMENT, CITING THIS RELIGIOUS REQUIREMENT, IF THERE IS INDEED ONE FOR PARTICIPATION, HAVE WE LOOKED INTO THE LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS OF THAT? LET ME, LET ME SAY THIS.
UM, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE FOCUS OF THIS ORDINANCE IS ON THE IMPACTS OF THE ENCAMPMENTS.
IT'S THE, THE POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS THAT ARE BEING EXPOSED TO THE PUBLIC THAT WE ARE FOCUSING ON.
THIS IS NOT AN EFFORT TO DO A BROAD BRUSH.
LET'S MOVE ALL THE ENCAMPMENTS.
IT'S VERY STRAIGHT, IT'S VERY, UM, VERY FOCUSED.
AND WITH RESPECT TO OUR EXISTING CAMPING LAWS, THOSE ARE THE TYPE OF LAWS THAT HAVE BEEN DETERMINED BY THE COURT TO BE ILLEGAL BECAUSE THEY'RE TOO BROAD.
OKAY? THE COURTS HAVE SAID YOU CAN DO REASONABLE TIME, PLACE, AND MANNER KIND OF AN APPROACH.
AND WE BELIEVE THAT THIS HAS A BETTER CHANCE FOR BEING ENFORCED THAN THOSE ORDINANCE THAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY.
OUR, OUR FOCUS IS WE ARE OUTREACHING WITH THESE FOLKS.
WE ARE ENCOURAGING THEM TO GET HELP IF THEY WANT HELP.
OUR IDEA IS NOT TO FORCE ANYONE TO GO TO ANY TYPE OF PLACE, WHETHER THERE ARE RELIGIOUS RESTRICTIONS OR NOT.
HOWEVER, WE ARE GOING TO ENFORCE WHERE THEY PRESENT A PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY PROBLEM, AND WE'RE GONNA WANT THEM TO MOVE THEIR ENCAMPMENTS.
NOW, WHETHER THEY MOVE TO A RELIGIOUS FACILITY OR ANYWHERE ELSE, NOT, NOT REALLY OUR CONCERN, RIGHT? WE WANT TO REMOVE THE PUBLIC SAFETY, UH, CONCERN.
AND YES, THERE IS A FACILITY THAT WE WILL USE, AND TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY VOLUNTARILY GO TO THAT, THEN I THINK WE'LL BE DOING A GOOD JOB.
I MEAN, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN, UM, UH, TAKEN AND GIVEN TO, TO HOMES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO, SO THIS IS A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH.
THIS ORDINANCE IS NOT JUST A STANDALONE MM-HMM.
[00:55:01]
SO THANK YOU, CITY ATTORNEY.BUT MY QUESTION WAS, HAS THERE BEEN ILLEGAL ANALYSIS DONE ON THAT? SO WHAT I'M SAYING, I THINK THE DISTINCTION HERE BETWEEN HERE AND THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO COULD POSSIBLY BE THAT OUR ONLY FACILITY IS A PRIVATE RELIGIOUS ONE AND NOT THE PUBLIC SHELTER.
SO MY QUESTION IS, HAS THERE BEEN A, A LEGAL ANALYSIS DONE ON THAT ASPECT? SO THE ANSWER IS NO, BUT I THINK IT'S IRRELEVANT.
AND THE REASON WHY IT'S IRRELEVANT IS BECAUSE THIS ORDINANCE WILL ALLOW US TO ENFORCE.
PLEASE, I MEMBERS FROM THE AUDIENCE, I, I ASK YOU, PLEASE DON'T DISRUPT.
WE'RE TRYING TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.
YOU DEFINITELY WILL HAVE YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO THE DIOCESE AND SPEAK.
CAN I MAKE A COMMENT AFTERWARDS REGARDING THE RESCUE MISSION? NO.
I WAS WONDERING WHERE THAT VOICE CAME FROM.
SO ANYWAY, I, I THINK IT'S JUST IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT IF THERE ARE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS, WE CAN ENFORCE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S AN AVAILABLE BED.
OUR APPROACH IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE, WE WILL OFFER FOLKS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO A PLACE IF THEY WANT TO GO TO IT, BUT IF THERE'S A HEALTH AND SAFETY PROBLEM, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO ENFORCE.
AND I GET THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY COMPLETELY THAT ABOUT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY ASPECT.
SO MY QUESTIONS WERE ON THE LEGAL TECHNICALITIES, WHICH BY THE WAY, WE HAVE TO VET UP HERE ON THIS DICE BEFORE WE PROPOSE AN ORDINANCE.
SO I THINK OUR, UM, MS. KE, MS. WILLIAMSON HAD A, HAD SOME MORE INFORMATION FOR US.
I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT, UH, PARTICIPATION, CHURCH PARTICIPATION BEING PART OF THE RESCUE MISSIONS.
THEY HAVE NOT MENTIONED ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
UM, I CAN FOLLOW UP WITH THEM, THE DIRECTOR AND ASK THEM WHAT ARE THE RULES GOING TO BE, BUT THAT IS NOT ONE OF THEM.
IT'S NOT LIKE E-C-T-L-C IN EL CAJON WHERE YOU'RE REQUIRED MM-HMM.
I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
SO I CAN FOLLOW THROUGH ON THAT AND ASK THE DIRECTOR WHAT IS IT THAT THEY'RE PLANNING TO DO IN REGARDS OF, YOU KNOW, FAITH-BASED PRACTICES.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH KIANA FOR ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION.
I DO HAVE A FEW MORE TO ADD TO THAT CONVERSATION.
UM, FIRST IS, UH, I UNDERSTAND THE RESCUE MISSION WILL BE OPEN TO, UM, SERVICE THE ENTIRE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO, NOT JUST NATIONAL CITY.
DO WE HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW, IS THERE A RESERVED AMOUNT OF BEDS FOR NATIONAL CITY? IS IT JUST A TOSS UP IF, YOU KNOW, IT COULD BE THAT THEY'RE ALL FULL BECAUSE OF THE HELP HAS ALREADY BEEN PROVIDED, BUT THEN THERE ISN'T ANYTHING AVAILABLE FOR NATIONAL CITY.
UH, THE QUESTION IS, IS DO WE HAVE ANY GUARANTEED SHELTER BEDS? SHOULD THE CITY NEED THEM? AS OF NOW, WE HAVEN'T HAVE NOT HAD THAT DISCUSSION YET, BUT WE CAN ALSO FOLLOW UP WITH THAT ALONG WITH THE QUESTION FROM COUNCILMAN UH, BUSH, PLEASE.
UM, I DO ALSO WANNA, UM, ADD TO THE REQUEST FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM THE RESCUE MISSION.
UM, THE SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION IS, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT IS LOW BARRIER, MEANING I THINK THERE ARE CERTAIN CRITERIA THAT A PERSON WHO'S RECEIVING HELP WILL HAVE TO MEET IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE HELP THROUGH THE SAN DIEGO MISSION AND, UH, RESCUE MISSION.
AND THAT'S, THAT'S PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS, UH, THIS IS THE SERVICE THAT THEY'RE PROVIDING AND THESE ARE THE RULES IN ORDER TO GET THAT SERVICE.
AND I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THAT.
UH, BUT I WOULD LIKE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT THOSE RULES ARE.
AND, UM, UH, JUST TO ADD A LITTLE BIT, UH, DURING ONE OF THE OPEN HOUSES THAT I DID ATTEND, UM, AT THE SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION LAST YEAR, UH, IT WAS WHEN THEY WERE, UH, DEBUTING THE SHOWER FACILITY, THE LITTLE SHOWER TRAILER, UH, WHICH I THINK IS A GREAT SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, IN CASE ANYBODY DOESN'T KNOW YOU'RE WELCOME TO GO AND USE THAT SHOWER TRAILER PRESENTLY.
I UNDERSTAND THAT IS A SERVICE THAT'S OPEN, UM, IN, WITHIN THE PARKING LOT OR WITHIN THE FACILITY OF THE SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION, ALTHOUGH THE, THE MISSION ITSELF IS NOT YET OPEN.
UM, BUT ANYWAY, YEAH, YOU CAN GO AND GET A SHOWER IF YOU NEED IT.
UM, SO MY, WHEN I ATTENDED THAT SESSION LAST YEAR, I THINK I DID UNDERSTAND FROM THE DIRECTOR THAT, UM, THERE IS AN EXPECTATION THAT YOU WOULD BE PARTICIPATING IN SOME OF THE CHURCH ACTIVITIES THAT, THAT THE PROGRAM OFFERS.
SO, UM, IT, IT WOULD BE GREAT TO GET SOME CLARITY ON THAT.
UM, SO I ASKED MY QUESTION ABOUT THE LOW BARRIER AND THE GUARANTEED SHELTER BEDS, UM, RULES OF ADMISSION.
[01:00:01]
UM, MY OTHER QUESTION, I I REMEMBER NOW HAD TO DO WITH, UM, THE REQUIREMENT FOR, SO THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY IS FAR SMALLER, BOTH IN POPULATION AND IN AREA FROM THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.AND I DO APPRECIATE THAT WE HAVE USED SORT OF THE BACKBONE OF THE ORDINANCE FROM THE, FROM SAN DIEGO TO, TO WRITE HOURS.
UM, THE ONE PIECE ON THERE IS THAT THIS WOULD BE ENFORCEABLE WITHIN TWO BLOCKS OF SENSITIVE AREAS SUCH AS SCHOOLS, UM, THE TROLLEY, RAIL, YOU KNOW, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, UM, PLACES.
UM, I'M NOT SURE IF YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE AN ANSWER, BUT I SORT OF WONDER WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE CITY DOES THAT INCLUDE? AND SO, UM, IF I'M THINKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, JUST THE RESIDENTIAL LAYOUT OF THE CITY AND THE AREAS THAT DON'T COME WITHIN TWO CITY BLOCKS OF WHAT I JUST DESCRIBED, THE SCHOOLS, THE TROLLEY, AND THIS AND THAT.
IF INDIVIDUALS ARE, UM, STAYING THERE, UM, AND, UH, YOU KNOW, A PERSON CALLS AND SAYS, OH, THIS IS HAPPENING ON MY STREET AND I DON'T WANT THIS, CAN YOU REMOVE THEM? THAT DOESN'T MEET THE CRITERIA, RIGHT? ARE WE GOING TO STICK TO THAT, YOU KNOW, THE TWO MILE RADIUS OR TWO CITY BLOCK RADIUS OF THOSE SENSITIVE AREAS? AND DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH OF THE CITY THAT INCLUDES? UNFORTUNATELY, I, I DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION.
THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO, TO STUDY AND TO EVALUATE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH THANK YOU.
I WOULD APPRECIATE, UH, OF, YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE EXACT.
JUST, UH, UH, A NOTION THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING A, UH, NO ENCAMPMENT, UM, CITY ORDINANCE ACROSS THE ENTIRE CITY.
UM, IN FACT, WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS WITHIN TWO CITY BLOCKS OF SENSITIVE AREAS.
UM, I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS, BUT I WILL RESERVE THEM FOR AFTER PUBLIC COMMENT.
LEMME JUST ASK ONE QUICK QUESTION.
UM, CURRENTLY NOW A LOT OF THE CONVERSATION HAS BEEN ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RESCUE MISSION.
SO, BUT CURRENTLY THE RESCUE MISSION FACILITY IS NOT BUILT HERE, BUT ARE WE PLACING PEOPLE IN BEDS OTHER PLACES? ALL OF THE SHELTERS IN GENERAL ARE PACKED.
UM, IT'S USUALLY FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE, RIGHT? SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IF THERE'S SOMEONE THAT ASKED ME TODAY, YOU KNOW, HEY, I WANT, WOULD LIKE TO GO INTO A SHELTER ANYWHERE, WE'LL DO MM-HMM.
WITH THAT, UNLESS THERE'S ANY OTHER PERTINENT QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THAT, WE WILL GO INTO PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE DO HAVE A GOOD NUMBER OF SPEAKERS, AND ONCE AGAIN, WE WILL STAY AT THE TWO MINUTE MARK.
AND SO I'M GONNA BE CALLING UP THREE AT A TIME, SO PLEASE GO OUT INTO THE, UH, INTO THE, UM, OPEN AREA THERE.
AND SO BE READY TO COME UP SO WE KIND OF, UH, REALLY USE OUR TIME THE BEST WE CAN HERE.
UH, AND I'LL DO MY BEST ON SOME OF THESE NAMES.
SO, EXCUSE ME IF I BUTCHER ANYTHING HERE.
I'M NOT TOO SURE ABOUT THAT, THAT PRONUNCIATION OF THAT LAST NAME.
TO BE FOLLOWED BY JULIE, UH, PORTER, AND THEN BY, UH, RICHARD, LIKE SISKA.
I'M WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE ADVISORS.
UH, MY FAMILY, MY FOUR CHILDREN, SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN.
MY HUSBAND AND I JUST SPENT RECENTLY TWO AND A HALF YEARS, UH, BEING HOMELESS.
THERE ARE TIMES WE HAD TO PITCH A TENT BY THEIR SCHOOL.
HOW ELSE WAS I SUPPOSED TO GET THEM THERE ON TIME? WE HAD TO BE IN A PARK BECAUSE THERE WAS A RESTROOM THAT WE COULD LOCK THE DOOR.
SO DO WE MAKE EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE? THERE'S OTHER NARRATIVES TO BEING HOMELESS.
MY HUSBAND HAS A GOOD JOB AT A LARGE, UM, CHAIN GROCERY STORE.
SO DO WE ENFORCE, UH, FAMILIES, DO WE MAKE EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE? I I THINK THERE'S A BROADER, THERE'S A BROADER SCENARIO HERE, AND THERE'S ONE NARRATIVE BEING PUT ON WHAT HOMELESSNESS LOOKS LIKE.
I'VE NEVER BEEN IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW, NOR HAS MY HUSBAND.
AND IF WE START ENFORCING CERTAIN THINGS, INCITING, GIVING CITATIONS AND PUSHING, THEN THAT MEANS I WILL THEN BECOME PART OF THE SYSTEM.
[01:05:01]
HAVE TO LOOK AT OTHER SITUATIONS OF WHAT HOMELESSNESS LOOKS LIKE.AND THERE AREN'T RESOURCES FOR A HUSBAND AND A WIFE AND FOUR CHILDREN.
THERE'S NO NOWHERE FOR US TO GO.
NOWHERE, NOT ANYWHERE, BECAUSE THAT'S, WE'RE ALL FOCUSED ON WHAT THE NARRATIVE IS.
SO THEN WHAT DO WE DO IF WE CAN'T PITCH A TENT AND, AND SLEEP AND GET THEM TO SCHOOL? THANK YOU.
NEXT WE HAVE JULIE PORTER BE FOLLOWED BY, UH, RICHARD AND THEN RACHEL HAYES.
COUNSEL, THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME THIS EVENING.
I'M WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE ADVISORS.
I SPENT MY 60TH BIRTHDAY ON THE STREET.
HOWEVER, WHEN I WAS ON THE STREET, I WAS STREET CAMPING.
QUITE A BIT OF THAT TIME WAS I ARRESTED.
THEY TRIED, BUT I WAS ALSO RELEASED JUST AS QUICKLY FOR THINGS LIKE ENCROACHMENT, THINGS LIKE JUST EXISTING, TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE DAY, TRYING TO LAY MY HEAD SO I COULD GET SOME REST.
I DID NOT FIT THE NARRATIVE EITHER.
MY HOMELESSNESS WAS FROM DIVORCE AND LOSING MY HOME OF 25 YEARS.
PLEASE TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION WITH YOUR ORDINANCE.
TO BE FOLLOWED BY RACHEL HAYES TO BE FOLLOWED BY IIKA.
I'M NOT GONNA TRY TO DO THAT ONE, SO, HUH? IT'S STILL DONE.
RICHARD YABA, LIVED EXPERIENCE ADVISORS.
I WAS A FORMERLY HOMELESS HUMAN FOR A WHILE, AND, UM, YOU KNOW, TO IMPOSE AND A AND A BAND, UH, CAMPING, UM, BANISHMENT.
WHILE THERE'S NO PLACES FOR ANYBODY TO GO, I, I CONSIDER THAT JUST MADNESS, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE IN, IN A SENSE, IT'S VIOLATING A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT TO TELL SOMEBODY HE CAN'T SLEEP, REST, YOU KNOW, EAT SOMEWHERE AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T JUST THROW THESE PEOPLE AWAY.
THERE'S GOTTA BE A PLAN BEFORE YOU ENACT AND, YOU KNOW, A BAND, YOU KNOW.
SO THERE'S, THERE'S MULTIPLE, MULTIPLE THINGS THAT GET TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION.
AND I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE TRYING YOUR BEST WITH THE RESOURCES THAT YOU HAVE, AND I KNOW ALL OF THIS TAKES TIME.
UM, ALSO, YOU KNOW, I'M A TRUE BELIEVER IN PUTTING PEOPLE IN HOUSING FIRST, HOUSING FIRST WORKS.
I CAN, YOU KNOW, I, THAT WAS THE ONLY THING THAT SAVED MY LIFE, WAS TO BE PUT INTO A PLACE TO GET MY DIGNITY BACK.
HEY, PLEASE, PLEASE DON'T, 'CAUSE WE CAN'T HEAR HIM.
IF YOU'RE DOING THAT, TO GET MY DIGNITY BACK AS A HUMAN BEING AND TO MAINTAIN A JOB, YOU KNOW, I'M IN A UNION NOW, UM, YOU KNOW, LOOKING FORWARD, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO FIGHT FOR THE HOMELESS PEOPLE THAT ARE ON THE STREET.
AND I JUST, YOU KNOW, THE, THE, THE BAN, THE ENCAMPMENT BAN IS, UH, IT'S KIND OF A GLITCH IN THE SYSTEM BECAUSE IF THERE'S NO NOWHERE FOR NOWHERE, NO NOBODY TO GO.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO? YOU KNOW, I, I, I CHALLENGE ANYBODY TO BE ON THE STREETS FOR OVER 30 DAYS AND TRY TO MAKE SENSE OF IT ALL, YOU KNOW? THAT'S ONE TIME.
NEXT WE HAVE RACHEL HAYES TO BE FOLLOWED BY MS. WESTON TO BE FOLLOWED BY PAUL WADOWSKI.
I'M WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE ADVISORS.
I WAS HOMELESS FOR OVER 10 YEARS IN SAN DIEGO, AND I WAS DOWNTOWN, AND THEY STARTED THE BAND BEFORE THEY HAD A PLAN.
AND MY WHOLE COMMUNITY WE'RE TALKING.
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WAS, WERE DISPERSED.
AND I HAD CASEWORKERS COMING UP TO ME, ASKING ME WHERE MY NEIGHBORS WERE, AND I COULD NOT TELL THEM.
THEY COULD NOT GET THE HELP THEY NEEDED.
THERE ARE NO SHELTER BEDS THAT BECOME EMPTY UNLESS THERE'S
[01:10:01]
HOUSING THAT IS BUILT, AND THAT'S HOUSING THAT EVERYBODY CAN AFFORD, NOT JUST AFFORDABLE HOUSING.I'M IN PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING NOW THROUGH ALPHA PROJECT, BY THE GRACE OF GOD.
AND WITHOUT THEM, I MEAN, IT TOOK OVER 10 YEARS.
THERE'S A GLITCH, THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG IN THE SYSTEM.
AND THE HIGHEST GROWING NUMBER IS SENIORS.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A PLAN BEFORE THE BAND, IT'S NOT GONNA WORK.
I'VE BEEN IN EVERY SHELTER IN SAN DIEGO.
THE ONLY ONE I WOULDN'T GO TO WAS THE RESCUE MISSION BECAUSE THEY ARE RELIGION BASED.
AND IT'S A THREE MONTH LOCKDOWN.
AND IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A JOB, YOU CAN'T GO TO WORK FOR THOSE THREE MONTHS.
YOU NEED SHELTERS THAT ACCOMMODATE EVERYBODY, THE ELDER ELDERLY, L-G-B-T-Q, WOMEN, CHILDREN, FAMILIES, NOT JUST CONGREGATE, SEPARATED TO TRY HOTELS.
THOSE GIVE YOU THE MOST DIGNITY.
I WAS IN THE HOTELS IN OLD TOWN DURING THE CORONAVIRUS, THE MOST DIGNITY.
I HAVE MY OWN ROOM, MY OWN SHOWER, MY OWN EVERYTHING.
AND I WAS CLEAN AND SOBER THE ENTIRE TIME I WAS ON THE STREETS.
NEXT, NEXT WE HAVE MS. WESSON TO BE FOLLOWED BY PAUL WENSKI, TO BE FOLLOWED BY, UH, SEAN SAM SAMSEL.
UM, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, CITY ATTORNEY.
I'M A PROUD MEMBER OF JUSTICE OVERCOMING BOUNDARIES.
I MEAN, IT'S COMMON SENSE, RIGHT? I MEAN, THIS IS ABOUT THE TIME I'M GONNA SAY, HEY, CONGRATULATIONS, CALIFORNIA.
GUESS WHAT? DO YOU WANNA KNOW? SOMETHING? GREAT.
WE HAVE THE HIGHEST RATE GROWING EVERY DAY OF HOMELESS YOUTH.
WE HAVE THE HIGHEST RATE OF VETERANS IN THE STREETS.
31% IN CALIFORNIA, 17.5% OF UNACCOMPANIED MINORS.
THEY'RE MUCH MORE THAT YOU COULD HAVE FOUND.
THAT WAS THE FIRST THING I FOUND ON GOOGLE.
WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO DO IS WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND HAVE SOLUTIONS, BECAUSE WE CAN LOOK AT A NEIGHBORING CITY, WHICH YOU ACTUALLY MENTIONED THAT YOU DON'T WANT PEOPLE FROM SAN DIEGO COMING ON DOWN HERE TO NATIONAL CITY, BUT THE COUNT IN NATIONAL CITY HAS NOT WAVERED MORE THAN 10 OR 20 IN ANY DIRECTION.
WELL, DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY WE HAVE IN SAN DIEGO? JUST DOWNTOWN ALONE? IT'S CLOSE TO 3000.
AND THAT'S JUST WITH THEIR FAKE COUNT
LET'S GO AHEAD AND GIVE THE MAYOR OVER THERE A CHANCE.
WHEN HE INSISTED, THEY WENT AHEAD AND PUT SIX 13, WHICH IS SERVICES AND SIX 14 TOGETHER.
OKAY, SO I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU GUYS.
I LEARNED HOW TO COUNT IN HIGH SCHOOL.
AND GUESS WHAT? SIX 13 ACTUALLY DOES COME BEFORE SIX 14.
SO WOULDN'T WE FIRST DEAL WITH SERVICES AND THEN DEAL WITH BANNING ENCAMPMENTS? DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED IN DOWNTOWN? I'LL TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED IN DOWNTOWN.
PEOPLE ALREADY LIVING IN FIGHT AND FLIGHT FROM A PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE, AND 31% ARE VETS.
SO THEY ALREADY MOSTLY HAVE PTSD UN UNACCOMPANIED MINORS.
FRONTAL LOBES AREN'T DEVELOPED.
OH, I GUESS I JUST CAME TO THE END.
MY POINT IS, MAYOR, I'M VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS.
FOUR TIMES I'VE BEEN HOMELESS BECAUSE OF ILLNESS, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN WHY WE SHOULDN'T BE THERE.
NEXT WE HAVE PAUL ROBOWSKI TO BE FOLLOWED BY SEAN SAMSEL TO BE FOLLOWED BY ERIC EZ.
UH, THERE'S A LOT GOING ON HERE.
UM, RON, MAN, I SAW YOU ON KOSI LIKE SUPER PROUD OF YOURSELF UP THERE TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH HOMELESSNESS, MENTIONING OUR 30 BED SHELTER, UH, THAT HAS, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUS ISSUES.
UM, YOU KNOW, MR. ATTORNEY, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT JUST THE, THE NECESSITY OF THIS LANGUAGE, RIGHT? THAT'S JUST VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD, THIS LANGUAGE THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE.
AND YET, UH, YOU SHOULD KNOW, UH, AS MUCH AS ANYBODY THAT NOTHING IS, IS WITHOUT NUANCE.
AND HOW, HOW WILL OUR, OUR PD TRAINED IN NUANCE IN THIS TOWN? YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S A GOOD QUESTION TO ASK.
UM, THE, THE GRANT, THE GRANTS PASS THING GOING TO THE SUPREME COURT IS, IS WILD MAN.
IT'S NOT GONNA BODE WELL FOR THE UNHOUSED, UH, ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.
UH, WHEN IT GETS, IT GETS, UH, IN FRONT OF THEM, UH, THIS SUMMER.
UM, I, I WOULD SAY THAT, UM, JUST, I, I
[01:15:01]
WOULD REITERATE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE HEARD, UH, BUSH ASKED, YOU ASKED THE QUESTION THAT MAYBE SHOULD END THE CONVERSATION.UH, HOW IS THE LANGUAGE OF WHAT EXISTS? UH, IM IMPACTED OR IMPEDED, UH, THE OFFICER'S ABILITY TO CLEAR ENCAMPMENTS WHEN NECESSARY.
SO WHY DON'T WE DO THE WORK OF, OF STARTING THE CONVERSATIONS THAT INVOLVE THE PUBLIC ON COMING UP WITH THE SOLUTIONS.
UH, I SAW A VIDEO OF THE, THE MAYOR OF, OF ALBUQUERQUE, I THINK FROM A FEW YEARS BACK.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE'VE SEEN THIS, BUT HE STARTED A PROGRAM OF, OF PUTTING THE UNHOUSED TO WORK ON A DAILY BASIS AND PARTNERED WITH ORGANIZATIONS IN THE REGION, UH, TO, YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT COMPREHENSIVE? THAT WAS A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM.
UM, SO I DON'T THINK WE'RE DOING THAT WORK.
I DON'T THINK WE'RE DOING THAT WORK.
YOU GO ON TV AND YOU BLAME, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? YOU BLAME SAN DIEGO AND CHULA VISTA OR WHATEVER, AND THEN YOU COPY AND PASTED THEIR ORDINANCE AND PUT IT ON A POWERPOINT.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? SO THAT'S NOT IMPRESSIVE TO ME.
SO I WOULD SAY, LET'S, LET'S, LET'S COME TOGETHER AND FIND SOLUTIONS AS A COMMUNITY AND A, AND A AND A LEADERSHIP GROUP.
NEXT WE HAVE SEAN SAMSEL TO BE FOLLOWED BY ERIC S TO BE FOLLOWED BY EDWARD NETTO.
I'M A RESIDENT OF NATIONAL CITY.
UH, I'VE BEEN HOMELESS, UM, ABOUT THREE TIMES THROUGHOUT MY LIFE.
ONCE AS A FIVE-YEAR-OLD CHILD, STAYING AT ST.
I JUST REMEMBER NOT MUCH ABOUT IT 'CAUSE I WAS FIVE, BUT I DIDN'T, UH, LIKE IT VERY MUCH.
I DEFINITELY THINK THAT THE HOMELESS SHELTERS NEED TO BE REFORMED.
UM, I THINK THAT THE, UH, HOUSING NEEDS TO BE REFORMED.
THE SECOND TIME I WAS HOMELESS IN MY LIFE, IT WAS ENTIRELY MY OWN FAULT.
I, I WAS, I WAS DRINKING A LOT.
I WOULD RUN IN, I'D STEAL IT, I'D RUN OUT, AND I WAS DRINKING SO MUCH.
I WOULD WAKE UP AND KEEP DRINKING.
AND THAT'S JUST, I'M BEING HONEST WITH YOU.
AND THAT'S WHY I WAS HOMELESS.
'CAUSE MY MOM DIDN'T LIKE THAT.
AND I RECOGNIZE THAT NOW SHE'S GONE REST IN, REST IN PEACE.
UM, YOU KNOW, BUT I WAS, I WAS DRINKING.
I WAS, YOU KNOW, I WAS RAMPANT.
AND I CAN TELL YOU, I, I'VE SPENT TIME IN THE ENCAMPMENTS IN DOWNTOWN.
I, I NEVER STAYED THERE, BECAUSE THOSE PEOPLE WILL STEAL ALL OF YOUR STUFF, ALL OF YOUR BELONGINGS IN A SECOND.
UM, AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEEDS TO BE MADE.
UM, UH, UH, THE REGULATIONS ON, UH, PROPERTY OWNERS NEED TO BE, UH, LAX, UH, IN TERMS OF BUILDING MORE HOUSING AND MORE, UH, APARTMENTS, UH, MORE, UH, STUDIOS, ET CETERA.
UM, AND, UH, AND, AND THE THIRD TIME I WAS HOMELESS, IT'S BECAUSE, UH, ME AND MY WIFE, UH, GOT BEDBUGS AT, UH, MY MOM'S APARTMENT.
AND, UH, THE BEDBUGS WERE REALLY, REALLY BAD.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND NOT GETTING THEM IF, IF ANYBODY'S EVER HAD THEM, JUST 'CAUSE I, WE GOT RID OF EVERYTHING WE OWNED.
I LEFT THE HOUSE WITH A BACKPACK.
MY DAUGHTER WAS CONCEIVED IN A TENT, AND THAT TIME I WAS SOBER.
SO I RENTED SOMEONE'S BACKYARD FOR $500 A MONTH, AND I WAS WORKING UNDER THE TABLE AT A, A SMOKE SHOP IN, IN CITY HEIGHTS.
UH, AND, AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT, UM, HOMELESSNESS SUCKS, DUDE.
I'M, I'M NEARING MY TWO MINUTES.
JUST ANECDOTAL PERSPECTIVE OF HOMELESSNESS.
ALRIGHT, ERIC ES TO BE FOLLOWED BY EDWARD NETTO TO BE FOLLOWED BY MACKEL.
HELLO, CITY COUNCILMAN AND MAYOR MORRISON.
ERIC RAY ES AND I HAVE LIVED IN NATIONAL CITY FOR OVER 43 YEARS, AND UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, I AND MANY OTHER AMERICANS HAVE FOUND OURSELVES HOMELESS.
I'M HERE TO SAY THAT YOUR DECISION TO WEAPONIZE LAW ENFORCEMENT IS AN ATTACK ON THE PEOPLE'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.
THE FIFTH AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION STATES, NO PERSON SHALL BE DEPRIVED OF LIFE, LIBERTY, OR PROPERTY WITHOUT DUE PROCESS.
YOUR DECISION TO WEAPONIZE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST HOMELESSNESS AMERICANS IS AN ACTION YOU SHOULD HAVE TAKEN AGAINST THE SANCTUARY CITY POLICIES.
YOU IMPLEMENTED THAT HELP DESTROY NATIONAL CITY.
IT IS EGREGIOUS THAT YOU, PEOPLE IN CHARGE OF AMERICANS ARE ONCE AGAIN PUTTING US OUT WHILE PROMOTING OPEN BORDERS.
THIS HALF THOUGHT OUT SOLUTIONS ARE ONLY FROM THE CITY.
COUNCILMEN ARE VULGAR AND DETRIMENTAL TO SOCIETY AS A WHOLE.
WHEN YOU TRY TO REMOVE THE INTRINSIC VALUE OF OTHER PEOPLE BASED ON LIVING SITUATIONS, YOU ARE INCENTIVIZING PREJUDICE AND BIAS AND IMPARTIALITY TO A SITUATION YOU CREATED.
INSTEAD OF BEING A SANCTUARY FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS, YOU SHOULD WORRY ABOUT BEING A SANCTUARY TO THE DISPLACED AMERICANS THAT YOU HAVE TURNED YOUR BACK ON.
YOU REPRESENT US, THE PEOPLE, AND HERE YOU ARE REPRESENTING ONLY THOSE WHO FIT INTO YOUR TEMPLATE.
WELL, I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT AN ATTACK ON THE HOMELESS AMERICAN IS AN ATTACK ON THE FORGOTTEN MAN.
AND WHEN TRUMP RETURNS TO OFFICE, YOU WILL ALL HAVE TO ANSWER WHY YOU CHOSE TO HURT AMERICANS WHILE PROMOTING LAWLESSNESS IN A SANCTUARY CITY.
AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO MENTION THAT THOSE LAW CASES THAT WERE MENTIONED ARE PRESIDENTS IN AMERICA.
[01:20:01]
MEANS YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THOSE LAWS.THOSE CASES ARE THE CASES YOU ARE TRYING TO, UH, TO, TO BYPASS.
AND THAT'S NOT, THAT'S NOT HOW AMERICA WORKS.
IT'S A COMMON LAW SOCIETY THAT WE LIVE IN, AND YOU'RE TRYING TO TURN IT INTO A CIVIL LAW BY, BY CHANGING THE RULES.
AND THAT'S NOT GONNA WORK HERE.
THANK YOU EDWARD NIETO TO BE FOLLOWED BY MCKAYLA.
I'M NOT GONNA, WHAT'S YOUR LAST NAME TO BE FOLLOWED BY LEVI? WELL, I'VE LISTENED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE SPEAK HERE, AND I FEEL EMPATHY FOR A LOT OF THE SPEECHES THAT I'VE HEARD.
UM, THE DILEMMA WE HAVE HERE IS ONE AREA THAT HASN'T BEEN VOICE EXCEPT FOR ME, IS THAT I'M A RESIDENCE OF NASHVILLE CITY, UH, LONGTIME RESIDENCE.
I'VE DEALT WITH, UH, HOMELESS ISSUES IN MY SPECIFIC AREA, WHICH IS NEW.
UM, I HAVE A HU REC I WANNA REMIND YOU, THERE WAS 104 PEOPLE WHO SUBMITTED A, A, A PETITION ALONG WITH THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE HOME.
I CAN SEE THAT YOU AS A CITY HAS TO DEFINE EXACTLY WHAT IS IT THAT YOU CAN DO AND WHAT YOU CANNOT DO.
I NOTICE THAT THERE'S PEOPLE THAT AREN'T HERE THAT MAYBE SHOULD BE HERE.
YOU KNOW, WHERE'S THE STATE LEGISLATION? WHERE'S VARUS? WHERE'S VARGAS? YOU KNOW, THIS IS A REGION THAT NEEDS TO HAVE A VOICE THAT'S NOT JUST ON OUR LITTLE NATIONAL CITY AREA.
IT NEEDS A WIDER AREA, UH, WIDER, UH, REPRESENTATION.
BUT WHERE'S MY VOICE? WHERE'S THE CITIZENS OF NATIONAL CITY'S VOICE? THE ONES WHO LIVE HERE AND HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS? A NEIGHBOR OF MINE JUST GOT BROKEN IN BY A HOMELESS PERSON.
AND UNFORTUNATELY, YOU KNOW, OR FORTUNATELY, UM, IT WAS A UGLY SCENARIO, BUT FORTUNATELY NOBODY GOT HURT.
OUR CONCERN IS PEOPLE IN THE ACTUAL CITY, LIKE BARRY SAID, FOR SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH.
THAT'S WHAT I WOULD THINK YOU SHOULD CONSIDER.
NEXT WE HAVE, UH, MCKAYLA FINISHED, FOLLOWED BY LEVI, FOLLOWED BY NATALIA RODRIGUEZ.
WE HAVE, IS IT MCKAYLA? M-I-K-H-A-I-L-A.
LEVI, DO WE HAVE LEVI? OKAY, HERE COMES LEVI.
UH, MY NAME IS LEVI, JEFF LEONI, UH, WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE ADVISORS.
UM, I APPRECIATE YOU GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY.
UM, I GUESS I WANTED TO KIND OF START OUT THIS STORY TELLING YOU HOW I ENDED UP HOMELESS.
UM, YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T, I DIDN'T LEARN ABOUT THE LGBT COMMUNITY FROM SOME WHITE VAN THAT SAID FREE CANDY OR SOME DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR.
UM, I LEARNED ABOUT THE LGBT COMMUNITY, UH, FROM THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AND SPEAKING IN THE MOST HATEFUL WAYS, SAYING THAT THE LGBT COMMUNITY NEEDED TO HAVE THEIR OWN ISLAND.
UH, YOU KNOW, THEY NEED TO BE PUNISHED.
UM, ESSENTIALLY BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 14 AND 16 YEARS OLD, I HAD THE MOST SUICIDE ATTEMPTS THAT I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED BECAUSE, UH, YOU KNOW, WE JUST HAD EASTER AND I HAVE SO MANY FOND MEMORIES OF MY MOM AND OF THE DAYS WHERE WE WERE STILL A FAMILY.
UM, UNFORTUNATELY AT 14 WHEN I CAME OUT AS LGBT, UM, ALL LOVE WAS KIND OF LOST.
AND IT WAS VERY HARD TO BE ABLE TO CONVINCE ME WHY I NEEDED TO STAY ON THIS PLANET, UH, THROUGH, YOU KNOW, GOOD SUPPORT SERVICES AT SCHOOL.
LIKE AN AMAZING THEATER DIRECTOR.
UH, YOU KNOW, SHE WOULD SAY, CAN YOU JUST MAKE IT TO 18? AND I WOULD ALWAYS HEAR FROM CALIFORNIA POLITICIANS THAT THIS IS A SAFE PLACE, THAT THIS IS A SAFE AND WELCOMING PLACE FOR EVERYBODY.
AND I THOUGHT, OKAY, I WILL JUST, YOU KNOW, I'LL GET TO 1818.
I WAS WORKING 60 HOUR WEEKS IN CALIFORNIA.
IT WASN'T ADDING UP TO WHAT COVERED RENT.
MOST OF THE JOBS THAT WE HAVE, MANY PEOPLE HERE GOT STARBUCKS TODAY OR WILL STOP AT SEVEN 11 ON THEIR WAY HOME.
THEY DO NOT COVER THE RENT AND THE, THE HOUSING HERE IN CALIFORNIA.
I ENDED UP HOMELESS FOR SIX YEARS.
LUCKILY, THE REASON THAT I'M NO LONGER UNHOUSED TODAY IS BECAUSE I CAN AFFORD THE HOUSING THAT I LIVE IN.
UM, I WILL ADDITIONALLY SAY TOO, UH, I AM A FATHER.
NOW, I CANNOT POSSIBLY IMAGINE AT ALL THE THOUGHT OF MY SON GOING THROUGH EVEN 1% OF WHAT I WENT THROUGH.
BUT THE CHANCES OF HIM TURNING 18 AND MAKING $84,000 A YEAR AND NOT HAVING ANY MENTAL HEALTH ARE VERY SLIM.
I WANT YOU TO LOOK INTO EVERY POSSIBLE SOLUTION THAT YOU HAVE HERE.
UM, ONE THING THAT I, UH, DID NOT SEE IN MY GOOGLE SEARCH WAS AN LGBT YOUTH SHELTER.
[01:25:01]
THE EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT, WHICH WOULD ALLOW YOU GUYS TO OPEN AN LGBT YOUTH SHELTER THAT IS NOT DISCRIMINATORY AGAINST HETEROSEXUAL INDIVIDUALS.IT JUST PROTECTS LGBT YOUTH FROM THE DISCRIMINATION THAT I FACED IN THE MANY SHELTERS THAT I WENT TO.
SO, AGAIN, PLEASE EXPLORE SOLUTIONS.
PLEASE RECOGNIZE THAT, UH, I WAS WORKING, AND, UM, WE JUST NEED TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WE WANNA LIVE IN.
WE HAVE NATALIE RODRIGUEZ WILL BE FOLLOWED BY LAUREN.
I BELIEVE IT'S, I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S A K OR AN R, KIPP OR RIP.
AND THEN, UH, ERIC VARGAS, GO AHEAD.
HELLO, MY NAME IS NATALIA RODRIGUEZ.
I AM WITH JUSTICE OVERCOMING BOUNDARIES, AND I AM SPEAKING ON ITEM 9.3 CONCERNING IN CAMPING REGULATIONS.
THIS PROPOSAL, WHICH EFFECTIVELY IS AN ENCAMPMENT BAN THAT TARGETS AND CRIMINALIZES UNHOUSED COMMUNITY, AS WE SAW IN SAN DIEGO, IS NOT A SOLUTION TO THE ENCAMPMENT PROBLEM.
AS THE CITY ATTORNEY ACTUALLY ACTUALLY STATED, YOU DO NOT HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT WILL SUSTAINABLY HOUSE A NUMBER OF UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS WITH NO OTHER OPTIONS BUT TO SLEEP IN PUBLIC SPACES.
AND THERE IS CURRENTLY NOT ENOUGH SHELTER BEDS OR SLEEP SITES, EVEN IF THERE WERE MORE BEDS.
AND JUST AS PRECARIOUS, YOU MUST EXPAND PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING, CONSTRUCTION AND ACCESS BEFORE EVEN CONSIDER CONSIDERING CRIMINALIZING THE UNHOUSED COMMUNITY BY AMENDING TITLE 10, YOU OWE NATIONAL CITY A PROPER STEP-BY-STEP PLAN THAT GUARANTEES THE EXPANSION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONSTRUCTION AND ACCESS AND THAT HOUSING BE PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE.
UM, WE DON'T NEED MORE SHELTER BEDS.
WELL, WE DO, BUT WHAT WE REALLY NEED IS PERMANENT HOUSING FOR PEOPLE, ALL PEOPLE FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS.
UM, AND YOU SHOULD INVEST IN MORE SOCIAL SERVICES, UM, IN ADDITION TO MORE PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING, UM, BEFORE CONSIDERING ANYTHING SUCH AS AN ENCAMPMENT BAN.
NEXT WE HAVE LAUREN TO BE FOLLOWED BY, UH, ERIC.
I'M WITH JUSTICE OVERCOMING BOUNDARIES, A MEMBER OF THE HOUSING JUSTICE COMMITTEE.
I'M MYSELF, I'M HOUSING INSECURE AND HAVE SEVERAL FRIENDS WHO ARE HOUSING INSECURE OR UNHOUSED.
UM, SO I'M SPEAKING ON THE ITEM THAT CRIMINALIZES UNAUTHORIZED CAMPING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY.
THE NUMBER OF UNHOUSED IS GOING UP, NOT DOWN.
UH, FORCING PEOPLE INTO SHELTERS IGNORES THEIR AUTONOMY.
I MEAN, THESE ARE PEOPLE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
UM, OUR RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND TEMPORARY HOUSING ARE, ARE ALREADY STRAINED.
AND THIS BILL EXPECTS UNHOUSED PEOPLE TO MAGICALLY FIX THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES WHILE SYSTEMICALLY MAKING IT HARDER FOR THEM TO DO SO.
PEOPLE DO NOT CHOOSE TO BE A PUBLIC SAFETY OR SANITARY CONCERN AS THE CITY ATTORNEY HAS SO GRACIOUSLY CHARACTERIZED THEM.
THIS BILL CALLS FOR A SNOWBALL EFFECT.
WHEN SOMEONE IS LIVING ON THE STREET AND THEY'RE ARRESTED, THEY'RE TAKEN TO JAIL.
WHEN THEY'RE LET OUT, WHERE ARE THEY TO GO? THEY'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO JAIL.
AND AFTER A COUPLE OF THESE MISDEMEANORS THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT THEIR ABILITY TO GET A JOB.
AND AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MISDEMEANORS, THEY WILL BECOME A FELON, WHICH OBVIOUSLY AFFECTS YOUR ABILITY TO GET A JOB AS WELL AS TO VOTE.
SO THIS IS, YOU KNOW, NOT TAKING, UH, THIS IS NOT PROVIDING MORE OPPORTUNITIES, IT'S TAKING MORE AWAY.
UM, THE SHERIFF OF SACRAMENTO ACTUALLY FOUND THAT SAN DIEGO WAS BREAKING THE LAW.
YOU NEED TO HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF SHELTER BEDS AS THE AMOUNT OF UNHOUSED PEOPLE BEFORE YOU IMPLEMENT A BAN.
SO, DIEGO, OKAY, PLEASE, WE NEED DIEGO SAN.
IT WAS FOUND SAN DIEGO IS BREAKING STATE LAW, AND THIS BILL, UM, PIGGYBACKS OFF OF THE SAN DIEGO BILL, AND THEREFORE ALSO BREAKS CALIFORNIA LAW.
LACK OF HOUSING IN SAN DIEGO IS AN EPIDEMIC.
RENTAL PRICES HAVE FAR SURPASSED THAT OF WHICH WAGES CAN MEET.
SANDAG REVEALED THAT MORE THAN A THIRD OF SAN AGANS SPEND MORE THAN 50% OF THEIR INCOME ON HOUSING.
IT HAS UNDOUBTEDLY GOTTEN WORSE.
UM, AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.
MY NAME IS ERIC, AND I'M A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER WITH ACE.
SO I'M HEARING THAT THE REASON FOR THIS ENCAMPMENT BAN IS FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
SO MY QUESTION TO YOU ALL IS, ARE THESE PEOPLE SLEEPING ON THE STREETS, NOT THE PUBLIC? DO YOU REALIZE THE LEVEL OF DEHUMANIZATION FOR SUCH AN ORDINANCE TO BE PROPOSED? I WANT YOU TO TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT ON THAT.
WHY IS THE WELLBEING OF THESE UNHOUSED PEOPLE NOT CONSIDERED FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC GOOD? AND I'M SURE THE SAME COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO SUPPORT THIS ORDINANCE ARE THE SAME MEMBERS WHO DIDN'T WANNA SUPPORT OUR PUSH
[01:30:01]
FOR RENT CONTROL AND BETTER RENTER PROTECTIONS IF YOU DON'T SUPPORT RENT CONTROL AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.AND THEN ONCE ABANDON ENCAMPMENTS, HOW DOES THAT TRANSLATE TO THOSE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT AND SUPPORT? WHAT ARE PEOPLE MEANT TO DO? THE CITY COUNCIL DID ARGUABLY LESS THAN THE BARE MINIMUM TO PROTECT THEIR RESIDENTS AFTER THE FLOOD IN JANUARY.
IF IT WASN'T FOR THE COUNTY ACTING TO EXTEND THE HOTEL VOUCHERS, NATIONAL CITY, NATIONAL CITY RESIDENTS WERE DEPENDENT ON, THERE WOULD BE AT LEAST 40 MORE HOUSEHOLDS ON THAT LIST OF HOUSELESS PEOPLE PENDING A BAN ISN'T GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
ASK YOURSELF AND THINK CRITICALLY, WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? AND WORK FROM THERE.
REACH OUT TO PEOPLE FROM THESE COMMUNITY GROUPS IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY TO HELP CREATE POLICY THAT ACTUALLY WORKS TOWARDS THE PUBLIC GOODS, SUCH AS PUBLIC HOUSING.
THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY TAXPAYERS SEND 630 $900,000 TO FOREIGN GOVERNMENT COMMITTING GENOCIDE.
THAT'S OUR MONEY GOING TO KILL OVER 40,000 PEOPLE, AND INCLUDING 15,000 KIDS IN GAZA.
WHY DOESN'T THE COUNCIL PASS RESOLUTION THAT CALLS TO DIVEST THAT MONEY AND PUT INTO THE COMMUNITY OF NATIONAL CITY TO HELP ALLEVIATE THESE CRISES SUCH AS HOUSING? THANK YOU.
WE DO HAVE MIKAYLA MIKAYLA IN THE AUDIENCE.
UM, MAYOR, WE DO HAVE ONE PERSON ON ZOOM.
GOOD EVENING, UH, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M THE DIRECTOR OF LIVED ADVISORS.
I THOUGHT I'D BRING UP A COUPLE OF POINTS.
I KNOW THAT WE ARE ALL CHALLENGED BY THE GROWING HOMELESS POPULATION.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE REALITY IS IT'S BECAUSE WE'RE 135,000 UNITS SHORT OF HOUSING IN SAN DIEGO ALONE.
THIS IS A TRAUMA THAT IS BEING PLAYED OUT ON OUR FAMILIES, OUR WORKING POOR, AND OUR SENIORS.
SADLY, I, I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO TO EXPLAIN IT, BUT WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN TERMS OF PEOPLE ENTERING OUR STREETS TODAY IS DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE SAW JUST A FEW YEARS AGO.
I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT OUR SHELTERS IN SAN DIEGO AVERAGE THIS DAY OF OVER 120 DAYS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE RESCUE MISSION IS GONNA DO IN 30 DAYS, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THEY'RE NOT GOING TO CREATE A RESOLUTION.
THOSE FOLKS ARE GONNA END UP BACK ON OUR STREETS.
WE HAVE A HOUSING CRISIS, AND THIS IS A DISTRACTION THAT IS BLAMING THE VICTIMS OF A HOUSING CRISIS.
WE DESPERATELY NEED TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE.
YES, THE STATE IS SPENDING MORE THAN EVER ON HOMELESSNESS, BUT THEY'RE SPENDING MILLIONS ON A BILLIONS OF DOLLAR PROBLEM.
135,000 HOUSING UNITS IN SAN DIEGO ALONE ARE THE SOLUTION THAT WE NEED IS A MARSHALL PLAN FOR HOUSING ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.
AND THESE INITIATIVES, SADLY, ARE A DISTRACTION THAT SIMPLY PLACE THE BLAME ON VICTIMS AND CREATE MORE HATE.
ALRIGHT, THAT IS, DO WE HAVE ANY OTHERS? OKAY.
THAT CONCLUDES OUR SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM.
I WILL NOW ASK THAT WE HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING SO WE CAN GET INTO DISCUSSION.
MR. CHAIRMAN, WE HAVE A MOTION.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
RODRIGUEZ, DID YOU HIT YOUR SECOND BUTTON THERE? I HIT IT.
DO WE NEED TO START IT AGAIN? OKAY.
YEAH, IT WAS THE, THE SECOND PART DIDN'T COME UP.
SO PLEASE PUT IN YOUR MOTION IN YOUR SECOND, AGAIN, ON THE SCREEN.
THIS IS JUST TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, PUBLIC PORTION OF THE MEETING AND, ALRIGHT.
ALRIGHT, NEXT WE GO INTO, UM, WE GO IN FOR ANY DISCUSSION.
THERE MAY BE ON THE ISSUE AND ANYONE'S WANTING TO LEAD OFF.
UM, YEAH, I, UM, I REALLY WANT TO THANK FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, ALL THE SPEAKERS WHO CAME OUT HERE TO, TO SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE.
UM, AND SHARING YOUR STORIES AND BEING PERSONAL.
[01:35:01]
UM, LIKE THERE WAS A LOT OF LOVE AND IT WAS HARD TO HEAR SOME OF THAT.AND I KNOW FOR A LOT OF YOU, IT WAS REALLY DIFFICULT TO, TO SHARE THE STORY.
SO I I JUST REALLY APPRECIATE HEARING THAT BECAUSE, UH, I KIND OF HEARD THE LAST COMMENT ABOUT THE NARRATIVE ON HOMELESS, UM, IN OUR SOCIETY.
IT'S SO HEARTLESS AND IT'S SO, UM, VERY OTHERING.
I THINK WE ALL KNOW THAT THERE'S, THERE IS A CRISIS AND THERE'S A LOT OF ISSUES AND THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS OUT THERE WHO DO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS, WHO, WHO ARE ABUSIVE OR WHO, UM, YOU KNOW, WE, WE'VE ALL SEEN, UH, A LOT OF THEM TRIPPED OUT ON THE STREET.
UM, WE HAVE RESIDENTS THAT HAVE ISSUES.
SO THOSE ARE ALL LEGITIMATE CONCERNS.
AND HOW ARE WE ACTUALLY SOLVING, LIKE, GETTING TO THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE ISSUE? UM, AND SO, BUT THE SHARING OF THE STORIES AND LISTENING TO LIKE, FOLKS BEING VULNERABLE AND COMING UP WITH SPEAKING, THAT'S, THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
UM, ALSO WANT TO THANK, UH, THE RESULT SEVERAL RESIDENTS HERE.
I THINK, I THINK THE GENTLEMAN'S NAME IS SEAN AND, UM, AND, UH, MR. WADOWSKI.
SO I APPRECIATE YOU ALL, UH, SHARING YOUR COMMENTS, UH, AS WELL.
UM, THIS STAFF, I, I, UM, REALLY WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO MS. UH, WILLIAMSON, UH, AND, AND MR. HUSO, UH, ON YOUR TEAM FOR, FOR THIS HOME, UH, OUTREACH.
UH, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE STARTED, IT'S VERY INNOVATIVE HOW NATIONAL CITY APPROACHES HOMELESSNESS.
SO YES, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL ENCAMPMENT BAN.
I ALSO WANT TO ELEVATE IT, UM, AND EVEN TO A BIG EXTENT, CELEBRATE THE WORK THAT OUR, UM, THAT OUR, OUR STAFF AND OUR TEAM HAS DONE.
BECAUSE WE DID TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WHEN WE BUDGETED FOR, UM, UH, FOR HOMELESS OUTREACH.
AND WE CHOSE TO GO A DIFFERENT APPROACH AND USE, UH, THE MODEL FROM THE CITY OF LA MESA IN WORKING WITH OUR, UM, IN WORKING WITH OUR POLICE.
AND FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN, I ALSO WANNA GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO OUR, OUR CHIEF, UM, ALEX HERNANDEZ, BECAUSE I DO BELIEVE OUR POLICE HAVE TAKEN A VERY HUMANE APPROACH.
I HAVE NOT HEARD OF, UM, ANY COMPLAINTS OR ANY ISSUES OF ABUSE.
SO IF I HEAR THAT POLICE TALK TO US, I'VE TALKED TO OUR CHIEF, UM, HE'S ALWAYS BEEN AN OPEN EAR AND WILLING TO, UH, HOLD, UH, HIS, HIS TEAM ACCOUNTABLE AND WORK HAND IN HAND.
UM, PROTECTING OUR STAFF TOO, BECAUSE THEY DO HAVE TO BE PROTECTED WHEN THEY'RE, UH, GOING OUT THERE SOMETIMES AND DEALING WITH SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT POTENTIALLY GET VIOLENT OR, UM, YOU KNOW, VERBALLY OR EVEN PHYSICALLY VIOLENT.
AND THEY PUT THEIRSELVES OUT THERE.
AND I REALLY APPRECIATE, UM, OUR CITY STAFF FOR, UM, FOR, FOR DOING THAT.
UM, SO I, I HA I, I REALLY THINK WE SHOULD, UH, DELAY THIS.
UM, I, I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH IN, THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION.
YOU HEARD ME ASK MY QUESTIONS.
THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION WE NEED TO TAKE THIS ON.
UM, YOU KNOW, IF WE'RE, IF WE'RE MODELING THIS OFF OF THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO, I DON'T KNOW THAT THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL.
ULTIMATELY, IF ANY OF US HAVE GONE DOWN TO 12TH AND IMPERIAL, AND I JUST WENT RECENTLY BECAUSE I'M ON, UM, UH, MTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, SO I GO THERE A COUPLE OF TIMES A MONTH.
THERE'S TONS OF ENCAMPMENTS THERE.
UM, AND I DON'T WANT US ON COUNCIL TO JUST DO FEEL GOOD POLICY THAT, YOU KNOW, UM, THAT SAYS, THAT MAKES IT SEEM LIKE WE'RE DOING SOMETHING WHEN WE'RE REALLY NOT.
AND THAT'S WHAT IT FEELS LIKE WE'RE GETTING INTO AND USING PRECIOUS STAFF TIME AND RESOURCES, UH, TO DO THAT ON THIS BAND.
BECAUSE THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO, I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT'S BEEN SUCCESSFUL.
I LOOK AT, I GO TO 12TH AND IMPERIAL, AND IT IS, IT IS SOCIETAL COLLAPSE.
WHEN YOU GO AND YOU SEE IT AND YOU WALK AROUND AND YOU LOOK AROUND, IT'S SAD.
WHAT WE SEE, AND IT'S, IT JUST SHOWS THE DISPARITY.
WE ARE THE RICHEST, WEALTHIEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.
AND THE DISPARITY THAT WE HAVE, IT IS BECAUSE, LET'S BE HONEST ABOUT THE ROOT CAUSE, A LOT OF IT IS OUR GREEDY, CAPITALISTIC SYSTEM.
IT IS THAT WE PRIORITIZE, UM, WE, WE SAY NO TO RENT CONTROL AND OTHER THINGS THAT COULD, OTHER POLICIES THAT COULD HELP RENTERS.
SO IT LEADS TO THESE, THE, THESE, THESE ISSUES.
SO I, I THINK WE NEED TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE, THE, THE ROOT CAUSES OF, OF THIS AND, AND BE MORE SOLUTIONS ORIENTED.
AND I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THIS APPROACH, THIS BAN IS SOLUTIONS ORIENTED.
WE HEARD FROM OUR STAFF THAT, UM, OUR, WE HAVE EXISTING LAWS RIGHT HERE THAT AREN'T NECESSARILY BEING ENFORCED.
AND I'M NOT BLAMING OUR STAFF FOR NOT ENFORCING THAT.
I THINK THERE IS SOME CON CONFUSION, BUT ONE OF THE REASONS WE CAN'T ENFORCE IS WE DO NOT HAVE A SHELTER RIGHT NOW IN OUR CITY'S BOUNDARIES.
AND I HAVE A LOT OF DOUBTS WHETHER WE CAN USE THE RESCUE MISSION FACILITY IF THAT WILL ACTUALLY COUNT AS A SHELTER.
AND GIVEN, I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RELIGIOUS, UM, CONCERNS.
AND LEMME SAY THIS, I DO SUPPORT, UM, THE RESCUE MISSION, UM, UH, BEING HERE IN NATIONAL CITY.
FULL DISCLOSURE, I LIVE RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THIS SHELTER AND I SUPPORTED IT.
I COULDN'T SPEAK OR VOTE ON IT PUBLICLY BECAUSE IT WAS WITHIN THE DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS.
SO I LEGALLY HAD TO RECUSE MYSELF, BUT I WOULD'VE VOTED TO SUPPORT THAT.
AND I'M ONE OF THE FEW ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT YOU GUYS WILL HEAR THAT WANT, WANTED AND ACCEPTS,
[01:40:01]
UM, UNSHELTERED FAMILIES LIVING RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO ME, THAT I CAN OPEN MY DOOR AND I SEE THAT SHELTER.AND THAT'S, AND I HOPE THAT EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THIS, IN THIS ROOM, EVEN HERE ON THIS DIOCESE ALSO WOULD DO THE SAME FOR, FOR THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS AND THEIR DISTRICTS.
BECAUSE WE DO HAVE TO FIND A SHELTER.
WE HAVE TO FIND A PLACE FOR THESE FOLKS TO LIVE.
LIKE SAYING THAT, OH, LET'S JUST BAN THEM.
THAT'S, I DON'T, THAT'S NOT GONNA, THAT'S REALLY NOT GONNA SOLVE THE ISSUE.
UM, I I, AND I THINK THAT WE CAN U UTILIZE, WE CAN WORK WITH THE RESCUE MISSION TO, UM, TO HELP ADDRESS OUR ISSUE.
BUT REALLY WE, I THINK WE SHOULD BE TAKING THE, THE LEAD ON THIS.
UM, ONE OF THE, UM, ITEMS, UH, JUST AND I I IDEA FOR EXAMPLE, THAT WE COULD DO INSTEAD OF JUST THIS BAN, UM, THERE'S, UH, UM, TO MR. NIETOS POINT THAT THERE, UM, THERE'S A LOT OF, UH, HOT, HOT KIND OF AREA ISSUES WHERE THERE'S CONFLICTS.
UM, AND, AND SOME OF THOSE ARE REALLY BAD CASES.
SO THERE'S, THIS IS CONTROVERSIAL, BUT I'LL, I'LL, YOU KNOW, I'M, UH, WANNA BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT THIS.
I AM DEFINITELY OPEN TO THE CONSERVATORSHIP ISSUE.
THERE'S ALSO SOME REAL, UH, HUMAN, UM, KIND OF HU UH, HUMAN IMPACTS WE HAVE TO CONSIDER WITH ENFORCEMENT ON CONSERVATORSHIP, MAKING SURE WE'RE NOT JUST ROUNDING PEOPLE UP AND, AND, AND, AND PUTTING THEM IN INTO HOMES.
BUT I THINK WE'VE SEEN ON THE STREET THAT, UM, THERE'S A LOT OF, UH, FOLKS WHO ARE JUST BEYOND, THEY'RE ON FENTANYL, AND THEY'RE JUST BEYOND A, TRIPPED OUT THEIR DANGER TO THEIR SELVES AND TO OTHERS.
SO WE DO NEED, I THINK, TO WORK WITH OUR, UM, OUR STATE LEGISLATURE AND OUR COUNTY, UH, INCLUDING SUPERVISOR NORA VARGAS ON CONSERVATORSHIP.
BUT WHAT SUPERVISOR NORA VARGAS HAS SAID IS SHE'S ASKED FOR DELAYS ON THIS, ON CONSERVATORSHIP ARE APPROACHING THAT BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH BEDS, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH, UM, FACILITIES THAT HAVE THOSE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FOLKS SO THEY CAN GET SOBER.
AND I THINK WE, IN NATIONAL CITY, LIKE THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE SHOULD WORK WITH THE COUNTY ON OFFERING AND BUILDING SHELTERS HERE, WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO FACE SOME BACKLASH.
THERE'S, UH, A LOT OF OUR RESIDENTS WHO JUST DON'T, WE HEAR THEM, WE SEE IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA, THEY JUST DON'T WANT HOMELESS AT ALL HERE.
AND, AND A LOT OF FOLKS JUST DON'T WANT HOUSING.
AND WE DO HAVE, I THINK, TO BE RESPONSIBLE AS LEADERS AND TELL THEM, NO, THAT'S NOT THE SOLUTION.
LIKE, WE DO NEED TO, UH, WORK IN IDENTIFY AREAS WHERE, UM, UH, WHERE WHERE, UH, WHERE FOLKS CAN GET PLACED.
LIKE THE IDEA OF THE L-G-B-T-Q YOUTH CENTER.
I, I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER, UM, RESCUE MISSION WOULD, UM, IF, UH, THEY, THEY'RE, UM, OPEN TO TO THAT AND MAKING SURE THAT THERE'S NO CONFLICTS WITH, UH, ANY OF THEIR BELIEF SYSTEMS. UM, AND, UH, WELL, ONE LAST QUESTION I HAVE, UM, IN TERMS OF THIS GETTING ON THE AGENDA, I DIDN'T SEE A 1 0 5 REQUEST.
SO HOW DID, DID THIS COME FROM STAFF OR DID THIS, WHO, UH, WHERE DID THIS REQUEST COME FROM? THIS WAS A, A COMBINATION OF STAFF AND, UH, THE COUNCIL.
I THINK YOU'VE HAD SOME PRIOR HEARINGS WHERE THIS WAS, UH, ADDRESSED AND, UH, WE WERE PREPARING THIS ORDINANCE TO BRING IT FORWARD AS AN OPTION FOR YOU.
SO, BUT IT WAS THE MAYOR THAT LED THIS, RIGHT? I WOULDN'T SAY, I WOULDN'T SAY THAT THE MAYOR HAD LED IT.
I THINK HE WAS ONE OF THE ONES THAT ENCOURAGED IT.
WELL, JUST PROCEDURE WISE, I JUST WANNA SAY THAT THERE WAS NO 1 0 5 REQUEST ON THIS.
UM, SO I THINK THAT THAT'S SOMETHING, THIS IS SEPARATE FROM THIS, BUT IT'S JUST THERE WASN'T REALLY ENOUGH TIME TO RESEARCH THIS.
AND, UM, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE HAD AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE DISCUSSION, UM, ON, ON THE FLOODING, WHICH ALSO DOES IMPACT WE, THERE WAS FROM OUR FLOOD EMERGENCY, THERE WAS FOLKS THAT WERE MADE HOMELESS BECAUSE OF THAT.
AND I DO HAVE TO, UH, APPRECIATE, UH, MY COLLEAGUE, COUNCIL MEMBER RODRIGUEZ FOR HIS WORK ON, ON THE FLOODING AND BRINGING THAT EMERGENCY ORDINANCE, WHICH WE DIDN'T TAKE ACTION, BUT PART OF WHY WE DIDN'T TAKE ACTION ON THAT, UH, FOR AS A BODY, IS WE SAID THAT THERE WASN'T ENOUGH INFORMATION.
AND COUNCIL MEMBER RODRIGUEZ HAD TO GO THROUGH A 1 0 5 POLICY, WHICH TOOK ALMOST A MONTH TO GO ON THE AGENDA, AND THAT WAS THE LEGIT EMERGENCY.
AND SO I JUST, I JUST THINK, UM, THAT WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
'CAUSE THIS JUST CAME UP WITHOUT REALLY, I FEEL LIKE ANY, UH, THAT MUCH ADVANCE NOTICE SO THAT WE CAN DO THIS RESEARCH.
AND I, AND I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT, THAT COULD HAVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN ANSWERED, UH, FOR THAT.
SO, BUT MY, UM, I'LL LISTEN TO THE REST OF MY COLLEAGUES AND STOP TALKING NOW, BUT I REALLY THINK THAT, UH, WE SHOULD DELAY THIS TO GET MORE INFORMATION AND LEARN THE TRUE, UH, IMPACTS.
PLEASE, PLEASE, EVERYONE HAD A CHANCE TO COME UP AND SPEAK SO THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT IS YOUR INPUT.
SO THIS IS, WE'RE OFF THE PUBLIC PORTION, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER MOLINA.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE SPEAKERS WHO CAME AND SHARED YOUR STORY.
I, I'M SURE THAT IS, UM, IT'S NOT EASY TO COME AND BE VULNERABLE, BUT I, I DO APPLAUD YOUR
[01:45:01]
COURAGE TO DO THAT.I, I THINK FOR ME, IT'S SO, UM, IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE POPULATION THAT WE'RE SPEAKING ABOUT, INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE, UH, ENDED UP IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY ARE UNHOUSED, THOSE INDIVIDUALS EACH HAVE THEIR OWN UNIQUE STORY.
AND IT'S NOT POSSIBLE TO PAINT EVERYBODY WITH A BROAD BRUSH AND SAY, OH, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S DUE TO MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES OR THIS OR THAT.
IT'S, UH, I THINK YOU HAVE DEMONSTRATED FOR US, UM, HOW EASY IT IS TO, UH, END UP IN A SITUATION THAT IS JUST OVERWHELMING AND YOU HAVE NO OTHER PLACE TO GO, BUT, UH, YOU KNOW, HOPE TO, TO FIND A SAFE PLACE SOMEWHERE.
UM, I WANNA THANK, UH, THE HOME TEAM THAT, UH, HAS BEEN WORKING THROUGH THIS ISSUE FOR, UM, I DON'T THINK IT'S EVEN BEEN A WHOLE YEAR, IS IT? UH, OKAY.
UM, AND KIANA, I DO HAVE ONE ADDITIONAL QUESTION FOR YOU.
UM, I, I LIKE THE NUMBERS AND I UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, THE HOMELESSNESS COUNT, THE NUMBERS THAT ARE IN THE STAFF REPORT, UM, IT IS VERY POSSIBLE THAT THE NUMBERS ARE ACTUALLY QUITE HIGHER.
UM, I THINK THE MAXIMUM, UM, NUMBER THAT WAS LISTED IN THE REPORT IS, UH, JUST UNDER ONE 60.
UM, IF WE, YOU KNOW, ROUND IT UP MAYBE TO ONE TO 200, JUST FOR THE SAKE OF THIS CONVERSATION, UM, I THINK EVEN THAT WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT.
AND, UH, THERE'S REASONS WHY IT IS DIFFICULT TO CAPTURE THE AMOUNT OF, UM, INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE LIVING ON THE STREET.
UH, BUT WE WON'T GO INTO THAT.
UM, BUT FOR THE SAKE OF THIS CONVERSATION, LET'S SAY THERE'S POSSIBLY 200 PEOPLE JUST IN NATIONAL CITY.
UH, THE NUMBERS ON THE REPORT, WHICH ARE QUANTIFIABLE THANKS TO THE WORK THAT YOU DO WITH, UH, YOUR COLLEAGUE, UM, YOU MENTIONED ON THERE YOU HAVE HELPED 89 INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSED 25 INDIVIDUALS.
WHAT I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW IS WHAT NUMBER, IF YOU CAN PUT A NUMBER TO IT, OR PERHAPS A PERCENTAGE, UM, ARE OFFERED SERVICES, AND THEN THOSE SERVICES ARE DENIED, AND SO THEN YOU, THEY DON'T COUNT AS THE ONES YOU'VE HELPED OR THE ONES THAT YOU'VE HOUSED.
WE HAVE ABOUT 90 PEOPLE WHO HAVE REFUSED SERVICES.
UM, SO I, WE DON'T TEND TO PASS UP INDIVIDUALS.
SO EVEN IF THEY ARE MAYBE TRANSPORTED SOMEWHERE, THEY MIGHT NOT FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THE ACTUAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE SERVICE.
LIKE THEY COULD, WE COULD BE TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WITH THEM AND SAYING, HEY, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT WOULD BENEFIT YOU BECAUSE YOU EXPRESSED THAT YOU WERE DIAGNOSED WITH THE MENTAL ILLNESS.
I KNOW THIS PROGRAM THAT THE COUNTY'S OFFERING, AND I WANNA CONNECT YOU TO THAT PROGRAM SO THAT YOU CAN BE ASSIGNED A HOUSING LOCATOR.
UM, AND IF THEY ACCEPT THE SERVICE, THEN THAT'S GREAT, BECAUSE THEN I CAN FOLLOW THE STEPS THAT I NEED TO DO.
BUT WHEN THEY REFUSE IT, THEN I CAN'T DO ANYTHING.
BUT THAT'S KIND OF LIKE A SEED AND IDEA PLANTED FOR THEM.
AND FOR THE NEXT MAYBE PERSON OR THE NEXT CITY THAT THEY GO TO, THEY'RE ABLE TO SPEAK WITH THEM MORE IN DEPTH ABOUT, HEY, YOU KNOW, UM, THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, OH YEAH, I, SOMEONE IN NATIONAL CITY SPOKE TO ME ABOUT THAT.
I THINK THOSE, THOSE, UH, OPPORTUNITIES ARE IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK WITH THEM AND BE ABLE TO ENGAGE THEM IN THE CONVERSATION.
IT'S, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT MAYBE PASSING THEM UP, IT'S ACTUALLY STOPPING AND TALK, TALKING WITH THEM.
THE ONLY TIME THAT AN INDIVIDUAL IS NOT ENGAGED, IT'S WHEN THEY ABSOLUTELY DO NOT WANT TO TALK.
THEY DON'T WANNA TALK, THEY DON'T WANNA, THEY DON'T WANNA TALK ABOUT SERVICES.
THEY DON'T WANNA EVEN SAY ANYTHING THAT HAPPENED TODAY,
SO, AND, AND BASED, YOU KNOW, THROUGH YOUR EXPERIENCE, YOU'VE, UM, THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT JUST DO NOT WANNA TALK IS THAT ROUGHLY ABOUT 90 INDIVIDUALS THAT YOU MENTIONED.
SO YOUR SUCCESS RATE FOR, UM, YOU KNOW, HELPING FOLKS IS ROUGHLY ABOUT 50%, RIGHT? 89, UH, DO ACCEPT SERVICES.
SO, UM, I UNDERSTAND HOW SENSITIVE THIS, UH, INTERACTION MUST BE.
AND, AND, UM, I'M VERY THANKFUL THAT YOU ARE WITH US IN NATIONAL CITY TO HELP US THROUGH THIS.
UM, UH, AS PART OF YOUR ACTIONS WITH THE HOME TEAM, UM, THE, THIS IS A VERY VULNERABLE POPULATION.
UM, RECENTLY, I KNOW THAT, UM, YOU EXPRESSED, YOU KNOW, THE, THE LEVEL OF TRUST THAT MUST BE GAINED IN ORDER TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND, AND WHAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED IS EXACTLY THAT, IS IT'S GONNA TAKE SOME TIME TO, UH, GAIN THAT TRUST AND HAVE, UM, FOLKS BE REALLY WILLING AND, AND, AND DECIDING TO GO FOR IT.
SO I'M AFRAID THAT, YOU KNOW, HAVING A, YOU KNOW, NATIONAL CITY
[01:50:01]
GOING FROM THIS APPROACH, WHICH IS THE APPROACH THAT THE HOME TEAM HAS TAKEN, UM, TO NOW HAVING NATIONAL CITY GO TOWARDS A CAMPING BAN, UM, ORDINANCE IS, YOU KNOW, A COMPLETE OTHER DIRECTION THAT MIGHT, THAT I'M AFRAID WOULD ACTUALLY DERAIL A LOT OF THE ACTIONS THAT YOU ARE TAKING AND A LOT OF THE SUCCESSES THAT YOU HAVE HAD DATE, BECAUSE IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO BUILD THAT TRUST.AND SO, UM, I, I DO BELIEVE THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS, UM, INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, SOME OF WHICH ARE IN A CHRONIC SITUATION, MEANING THEY HAVE, UM, YOU KNOW, UNDERGONE THIS SITUATION FOR, FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.
AND, UM, IT, IT'S CHRONIC AT THIS POINT, AND IT'S EVEN MORE, UM, EVEN MORE SERVICES ARE, WOULD BE REQUIRED, YOU KNOW, TO, TO HELP SOMEBODY OUT OF THAT HOLE.
UM, THE SERVICES THAT ARE TO BE PROVIDED TO THIS, UM, POPULATION, IT CAN'T BE HOUSING ONLY, BUT I DO BELIEVE IT DOES HAVE TO BE HOUSING FIRST.
UM, UNFORTUNATELY HERE RIGHT NOW IN NATIONAL CITY, THERE IS HOUSING NONE, AND IT'S NOT JUST IN NATIONAL CITY, IT'S ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTY.
YOU EVEN MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW THE COUNTY, ACROSS THE COUNTY, THERE ARE NO BEDS AVAILABLE OR VERY LIMITED BEDS.
AND SO I CANNOT IMAGINE HOW WE HOPE TO, UM, CONTINUE TO PUSH PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, A VERY VULNERABLE POPULATION ALREADY CONTINUE TO PUSH THEM AWAY.
UH, YOU KNOW, THE OTHER THING ABOUT THIS SITUATION IS, YOU KNOW, THE, THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY WOULD NOT HAVE JURISDICTION UNDER, UM, THE AREAS THAT ARE OPERATED FOR BY CALTRANS.
AND SO IF INDIVIDUALS ARE PUSHED, YOU KNOW, WHERE WILL THEY END UP IF THERE ARE NO, IF THERE IS NO SHELTER OR BEDS FOR THEM, UH, QUITE POSSIBLY, YOU KNOW, THE, UM, SITUATION HAPPENING IN THE UNDERPASS IN THE 8 0 5 IN PLAZA BOULEVARD, THAT'S NOT PART OF THE, THIS ORDINANCE WOULD NOT HELP THAT SITUATION.
AND WE ARE EXACERBATING THAT BY PUTTING A NO CAMPING ORDINANCE IN PLACE AND, AND HAVING, YOU KNOW, THE, THE SPACES THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, FREEWAY ON RAMPS AND OFF RAMPS AND UNDER UNDERPASSES, UM, BE EVEN WORSE THAN THEY ALREADY ARE.
UM, SO I, I WANNA BE VERY CLEAR THAT THE, UM, EXTENT OF THIS NO CAMPING ORDINANCE IS NOT GOING TO BE A SOLUTION.
I, I'VE HEARD MANY TIMES IT SAID TONIGHT AND DURING MY BRIEFINGS THAT IN FACT THIS WOULD BE A TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX.
UM, BUT I WONDER EXACTLY HOW USEFUL IS THIS TOOL GOING TO BE IF THERE IS NO PLACE FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS TO GO? UM, SO, UH, I HAVE BEEN, UM, VERY INTERESTED IN, YOU KNOW, TO MY KNOWLEDGE RIGHT NOW, I DON'T UNDERSTAND, I DON'T SEE THAT THERE ARE ACTIONS THAT THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY IS TAKING IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FURTHER SERVICES FOR THIS VULNERABLE POPULATION.
THE SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION, I KNOW HAS BEEN, UM, YOU KNOW, TOUTED SORT OF AS, OH, THIS IS WHAT NATIONAL CITY IS DOING.
BUT REALLY IT'S, IT'S, UM, WE'VE ALREADY HEARD, YOU KNOW, THERE IS HIGH BARRIERS OF ENTRY FOR THAT, UH, SERVICE FOR THAT SOLUTION, AND IT'S UNLIKELY TO HELP THE MAJORITY OF THE FOLKS THAT WOULD BE REQUIRING SERVICES.
UM, SO WHAT I AM INTERESTED ACTUALLY IS IN REQUESTING, UM, THAT WE DO LOOK THROUGH, YOU KNOW, UH, CONSULT PERHAPS WITH AN EXPERT ON HOMELESSNESS AND HAVE A FEASIBILITY STUDY, UM, WHERE A, AN EXPERT DOES GO AND EXPLORE, HELP US, UM, UNDERSTAND WHAT OPTIONS CAN BE EXERCISED HERE IN NATIONAL CITY.
UH, BE IT A SAFE SLEEPING ZONE OR, UM, UM, YOU KNOW, ADDITIONAL MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THAT HAVE LOW, UM, BARRIERS OF ENTRY.
MEANING YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T HAVE TO MEET SUCH A THRESHOLD TO ACTUALLY GET HELP.
YOU KNOW, IT COULD BE, IT COULD BE HAPPENING, UM, AS WELL AS, YOU KNOW, WHAT POTENTIAL ARE THERE TO, TO BUILD, UH, LOW BARRIER HOUSING.
UM, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE POTENTIAL LIKE TINY HOMES AND, AND, UM, YOU KNOW, UH, FAAB PREFABRICATED, UM, SMALL UNITS THAT, THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, ARE, UH, A POTENTIAL I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT EXPLORED HERE IN NATIONAL CITY.
AND SO, UM, YOU KNOW, UH, I KNOW THAT SOON WE WILL BE UNDERGOING BUDGET DISCUSSIONS, BUT I DON'T WANNA WAIT UNTIL THEN.
UH, I'M THINKING, UM, YOU KNOW, PERHAPS MY ABILITY TO USE SOME OF THE DISCRETIONARY MONEY THAT, UM, THE DISTRICT BUDGETS DO ALLOW, I THINK, UM, YOU KNOW, THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
HOWEVER, THAT WOULD ONLY COVER DISTRICT ONE, RIGHT? SO I WOULD INVITE, UH, ONE OF MY COUNCIL MEMBERS HERE, FOR EXAMPLE, MR. BUSH, THAT DOES HAVE THEIR COUNCIL BUDGET, THAT, UH, COVERS THE ENTIRE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY TO PARTICIPATE IN, UM, HELPING TO GET
[01:55:01]
THIS VISIBILITY STUDY UNDERWAY SO THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE EXTENT, UH, THE POTENTIAL OF WHAT SERVICES WE CAN BRING TO NATIONAL CITY.UM, UH, AND THEN HAVE SOMETHING AVAILABLE FOR, YOU KNOW, MOVING PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS, NOT JUST, UH, COMPLETELY PUSHING THEM OFF THE WAY OUR NEIGHBORING CITIES HAVE DONE.
UM, ANI, THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.
UM, THIS IS A STUDY OF THE ORDINANCE, IF EVER WE MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE ONE.
SO WE ARE EXPLORING YOU, I MEAN, HOW WE ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD.
AND I LIKE THE, UH, CONCEPT OF COUNCIL MEMBER MOLINA, THAT WE CONTINUE WITH THE FEASIBILITY STUDY, YOU KNOW, IN ORDER FOR US TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING HOW WE CAN PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS AND OUR BUSINESSES IN OUR CITY, THAT MY COLLEAGUES IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY FIRST AND FOREMOST.
SO I WOULD, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, I WOULD LIKE FOR, FOR US TO CONTINUE WITH THE FEASIBILITY STUDY, UM, WITH, WITH REGARDS TO HOW ARE WE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, WHERE ARE WE GONNA GET RESOURCES? WHAT RESOURCES DO WE NEED? YOU KNOW, I MEAN, WHAT'S LEGAL AND WHAT'S NOT LEGAL? HOW ARE OUR PD AND OUR FIRE, YOU KNOW, PROTECT THOSE UNHOUSED, HOW ARE WE, HOW ARE WE ALSO GONNA PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS AND OUR BUSINESSES? SO IT HAS TO BE BALANCED.
UM, THERE IS NO LEFT OR RIGHT, OR RIGHT OR WRONG HERE.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE TO, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE STUDY IT AND, UM, UM, YOU KNOW, FROM, FROM THE RESOURCES OR FROM THE INFORMATION THAT WE GATHER, YOU KNOW, I MEAN FROM THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THAT, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, THEY HAVE THE, THEY HAVE THE FUNDS WE DON'T HAVE, RIGHT? SO LET'S GATHER ALL THIS INFORMATION AND THEN, THEN WE CAN, WE CAN, UH, CREATE A, UH, YOU KNOW, A STUDY THAT WE MAY OR MAY NOT BE HAPPY MOVING FORWARD WITH, UM, WITH THIS, UH, ORDINANCE, UM, UM, THAT WE ARE STUDYING RIGHT NOW.
BRING IT UP AND THEN WE'LL GIVE EVERYONE ELSE ONE OPPORTUNITY.
THE, UM, A NUMBER OF THINGS WAS BROUGHT UP THAT WE NEED MORE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
THE CITY NEEDS TO BE PROVIDING MORE OF THAT.
YOU GOTTA UNDERSTAND THE CALIFORNIA SYSTEM.
CALIFORNIA GIVES THE MONEY GOES TO THE STATE, THEY DOLE IT OUT, BUT THEY DOLE IT OUT NOT TO THE CITIES.
THEY DOLE IT OUT TO THE COUNTY, EXCEPT FOR THOSE CITIES THAT ARE OVER HALF A MILLION.
CITY OF SAN DIEGO GETS SOME COUNTY GETS, GETS ALL THE MONEY.
NOT ONE PENNY COMES TO NATIONAL CITY.
SO WE HAVE NO RESOURCES FROM THAT STANDPOINT.
AND THERE'S WHERE WE NEED TO PUT THE PRESSURE ON THE COUNTY TO USE THE MONEY.
IT'S GOT NOT TO INCREASE MORE BUREAUCRACY, BUT TO ACTUALLY GET, GET BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THE, THESE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE OUT, OUT IN OUR, UH, COMMUNITY.
THE OTHER THING, I KNOW IT WAS BROUGHT UP AS BEING ANECDOTAL, BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT EVEN LIKE THIS LAST YEAR, WE HAD A, A LARGE SURGE IN APRIL AND IN MAY OF HOMELESS THAT WE HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL NEW PEOPLE AND THEY WERE SLEEPING IN THE, IN THE DOORWAYS AND EVERYTHING ELSE, WHICH THAT WAS, THAT WASN'T A THING WE'D, WE'D NORMALLY HAD, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT CAUSED THAT.
AND THEN IT BECAME REAL APPARENT, IT WAS OPENING WEEK FOR THE PADRES AND THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO HAD DONE A SWEEP.
AND SO IN THE SAME WAY, WE GOT THE SAME THING THEN LATER IN THE YEAR IN SEPTEMBER, AND WHAT WAS IT? THERE WAS COMIC-CON.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE SOME THINGS THAT, THAT HAPPENED THAT WERE VERY NOTICEABLE, VERY APPARENT OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.
THE, IN THE SAME WAY WE TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, AND I, I'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIMES OUT WITH THE ENCAMPMENTS HERE IN NATIONAL CITY, HELPED THEM WITH CLEANUPS, EVERYTHING ELSE TO TRY TO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO USE VOLUNTEERS.
'CAUSE A LOT OF IT IS ON STATE PROPERTY.
SO WE WOULD GET VOLUNTEERS TO GO IN AND WE WOULD GET, UH, THESE INDEPENDENT TRASH HAULING COMPANIES TO VOLUNTEER TO HAUL THE STUFF AWAY.
WE WERE ABLE TO DO IT A FEW TIMES, AND THEN THE VOLUNTEERS ALL DECIDED THEY WERE GONNA QUIT BECAUSE WE WOULD GO BACK A COUPLE WEEKS LATER, AND IT WAS TWICE AS BAD AS IT WAS TWO WEEKS BEFORE, UH, WITH ALL THE STUFF, UH, POOL TABLES, HOT WATER TANKS, BUSTED TV, WHATEVER.
I MEAN, AND WE'RE TALKING STUFF THAT WOULD FILL ONE, UH, OH, UH, ROLL OFF AFTER ANOTHER.
UM, AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE HAD TO DEAL WITH THAT.
AND THAT, AND, AND IN THIS ONE PARTICULAR CASE THAT WAS ON CALTRANS PROPERTY, IT WAS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO A LOW INCOME
[02:00:01]
APARTMENT COMPLEX.AND SO THE QUESTION CAME UP AND, AND I HELPED THEM WITH THEIR, THEIR TENTS.
SOMETIMES WE HAD TO MOVE THEIR TENTS.
AND I'VE GOT VIDEO OF WHEN WE MOVED THEIR TENTS AND THERE WOULD BE A DOZEN OR MORE RATS RUNNING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THEIR TENTS.
NOBODY SHOULD BE IN THAT POSITION.
WE SHOULD NOT BE, YOU KNOW, MARGINALIZING THING THAT IT'S OKAY FOR PEOPLE TO BE LIKE THAT.
AND, AND YET AT THE SAME TIME WHEN I TALKED WITH THE INDIVIDUALS, THEY DIDN'T WANT THE HELP.
AND, YOU KNOW, AND THAT PART WAS, WAS, YOU KNOW, THE REAL SHAME OF IT.
AND, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE FOR A LOT OF IT, WE'VE, THERE ARE SOME LEGITIMATE PEOPLE REASONS THAT PEOPLE ARE OUT ON THE STREETS.
THERE'S A LOT OF, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE.
IT IS NOT, AND IT'S FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS, WHETHER IF IT IS ECONOMIC, I HEARD SOMEONE TALK ABOUT DIVORCE, DIFFERENT THINGS ALONG THIS LINE THAT HAPPENS, BANKRUPTCIES, DIFFERENT, DIFFERENT THINGS HAPPEN, LOSS OF JOB.
THERE IS INDEED THE MENTAL ISSUES, THERE IS INDEED, UH, YOU KNOW, ALCOHOLISM, DRUGS, THERE'S D AND THEN THERE'S ALSO, FOR A LOT OF WAYS WE'VE MADE IT ACCEPTABLE AND COMFORTABLE FOR PEOPLE TO BE OUT THERE WHO JUST WANT TO HAVE AND OUT HAVE THAT LIFESTYLE.
AND I'VE TALKED WITH A NUMBER, THAT'S WHAT THEY SAY.
THEY SAY, WE JUST LIKE IT OUT HERE.
UM, AND YET THAT APARTMENT COMPLEX, WHICH WAS A FEW FEET AWAY FROM ALL OF THIS GOING ON, THEY WERE RA TRYING TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN THERE AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
SO THE QUESTION IS, WHAT HAPPENED TO THEIR LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.
AND SO WE HAVE TO BALANCE THIS THING OUT.
THE OTHER SITUATION BEING SAN DIEGO HAS THEIR, THEIR ORDINANCE, CHULA VISTA IS CONSIDERING THEIRS, IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED.
THERE'S, YOU CAN'T HARDLY TELL WHERE THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN SAN DIEGO, CHULA VISTA AND NATIONAL CITY BEGIN AND END.
AND SO WE, WE ARE SANDWICHED ON THREE SIDES BY THOSE TWO BIG CITIES AND THE BAY ON THE OTHER SIDE.
SO WE HAVE ALWAYS SAID, WE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF OUR HOMELESS, BUT WE CAN'T TAKE CARE OF EVERYBODY'S HOMELESS.
THERE'S NO RESOURCES HERE TO DO THAT.
AND WE WANT TO BE COMPASSIONATE.
WE WANT TO, UM, YOU KNOW, HAVE THAT EMPATHY FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE LEGITIMATELY OUT ON THE STREETS AND NEED HELP AND TRY TO GET THEM HELP.
BUT WE NEED HELP IN DOING THAT.
WE NEED HELP FROM THE STATE, WHICH IS THROWING LITERALLY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND DOESN'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT TO SHOW FOR IT.
WE HAVE FROM THE COUNTY THAT GETS ALL THIS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES MONEY.
AND I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU, THE LAST COUPLE YEARS THEY HAVE BEEN DOING, THEY HAVE BEEN DOING MORE, NOT ENOUGH, BUT THEY'VE BEEN DOING MORE.
AND THEN OF COURSE WE HAVE THE DEAL WITH HOUSING.
AND EVERYONE SAYS THE HOUSING IS THE ISSUE.
NATIONAL CITY HAS THE HIGHEST DENSITY OF ANY CITY IN THIS COUNTY FOR HOUSING, EVEN WITH NAVAL BASE AND WITH, AND WITH ALL THE, THE INDUSTRIAL AREA THAT WE HAVE STILL FOR HOUSING.
WE HAVE THE HIGHEST DENSITY OF ANYTHING IN THE, IN THE COUNTY BY FAR.
WE ALSO HAVE BY FAR, THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF SUBSIDIZED HOUSING OF ANY CITY IN THIS COUNTY BY FAR.
SO I'M NOT GONNA APOLOGIZE FOR WHAT WE DO.
AT THE SAME POINT, WE'VE SPENT A LOT, EVERY PENNY THAT WE CAN TO HELP TO MAKE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
NOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE SAID, BUT WE CAN'T AFFORD AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
BUT THAT'S THE STANDARDS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PUTS ON IT.
AND WE CAN ONLY AFFORD TO, DO WE PUT ENOUGH MONEY TO GET IT DOWN? 'CAUSE IT'S ALL SUBSIDIZED AND WE SUBSIDIZE IT.
BUT IS IT GONNA MAKE IT DOWN FAR ENOUGH WHERE PEOPLE SAY, WELL, I CAN'T AFFORD THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BUT WE'RE USING ALL OF OUR RESOURCES TO DO IT.
AND SO TO COME DOWN ON, YOU KNOW, COME DOWN ON THIS CITY, WE ARE DOING AN AWFUL LOT.
THE OTHER THING THAT I WOULD, I WOULD SAY, AND A COUPLE THINGS, UH, REAL QUICKLY, THIS WAS BROUGHT UP, THERE WAS A REPORT BY STAFF ON HOMELESS OUTREACH AND WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH HOMELESS.
AND IT WAS MENTIONED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY THAT THEY WERE LOOKING AT PUTTING TOGETHER, UH, HOMELESS ORDINANCE.
AND I ASKED THE COUNCIL IF THERE WAS ANY, ANYONE HAD ANY PROBLEM WITH THEM BRINGING IT BEFORE US? I, AND WE GOT NOTHING FROM ANYONE.
AND I SAID, I'LL TAKE THAT, THAT BE DIRECTION FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY TO BRING IT FORWARD.
THAT'S HOW THIS GOT TO THE AGENDA.
WHAT USUALLY THE AGENDA IS IN THE, UH, FORECAST, RIGHT? AND SO THAT FORECAST, THAT THIS AGENDA ITEM WASN'T IN THE FORECAST.
THAT'S WHY I THINK IT'S A QUESTION THAT CAME UP.
AND THAT'S A LEGITIMATE QUESTION.
YES, I WILL AGREE WITH THAT, THANK YOU.
BUT, BUT IT WAS, THE COUNCIL DID SAY IT WAS OKAY FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY TO BRING THIS FORWARD.
SO THAT WAS DONE, BUT THAT WAS DONE SOME TIME AGO.
BUT IF IT WASN'T IN THE FORECAST, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.
YEAH, IT, IT'S OKAY THAT IT'S BROUGHT UP RIGHT NOW, BUT RIGHT, YOU KNOW, MEAN NEXT TIME AT LEAST GIVE US A-I-A-A-A CLUE.
SO THEN AT LEAST WE CAN ALSO, YOU KNOW, STUDY
[02:05:01]
IT AND RESEARCH IT.BUT AT THE SAME TIME, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A SITUATION I WANT TO, YOU KNOW, WE'RE, THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE PUNITIVE TOWARD ANYONE.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT AND WHATEVER WE END UP WITH, WE DON'T WANT IT TO BE PUNITIVE.
WE DON'T WANT IT TO BE DRACONIAN.
AND THAT'S REASON EVEN WITH WHAT'S WRITTEN, LET ME READ YOU THE LAST SECTION.
IT MAY NOT BE ENFORCED AGAINST ANY INDIVIDUAL ON PUBLIC PROPERTY UNLESS ALL OF THE FOLLOWING HAVE OCCURRED.
FIRST, THE OFFICIAL OR OFFICER HAS IDENTIFIED THE NUMBER OF SHELTER BEDS ACCESSIBLE.
THE OFFICIAL OR OFFICER HAS DETERMINED THAT A SHELTER BED FOR THE INDIVIDUAL IS CURRENTLY ACCESSIBLE.
THE OFFICIAL OR OFFICER HAS OFFERED THE SHELTER BED TO THE INDIVIDUAL.
THE INDIVIDUAL HAS REJECTED THE OFFER OF THE SHELTER BED.
AND THE OFFICER OR OFFICER HAS GIVEN THE INDIVIDUAL A WARNING THEN.
AND, UM, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMMEDIATELY LEAVE THE PUBLIC PROPERTY.
NOW, THAT'S AFTER ALL THE OTHER STUFF WAS DONE.
THE INDIVIDUAL REFUSES TO LEAVE THE PUBLIC PROPERTY.
THAT'S WHEN THEY CAN BE CITED.
BUT THEY, THIS WOULD NOT BE DRACONIAN, IT WOULD NOT BE ACROSS THE BOARD, BUT IT WOULD BE WHERE THOSE CASES, YOU KNOW, SOMEONE WAS MENTIONING HOW THEY WERE IN THEIR VAN, EVERYTHING ELSE, WE'RE NOT BOTHERING PEOPLE, REALIZING, UH, WE HAVE A LOT OF THAT GO ON IN OUR CITY AND WE'RE NOT BOTHERING PEOPLE ALONG THAT LINE.
BUT THE ONES THAT ARE CAUSING THE PROBLEMS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND DON'T WANT TO GO BY AND LIVE WITH THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY, AND ESPECIALLY IF WE START GETTING MORE AND MORE OF A SURGE, GET PINCHED IN BETWEEN THE OTHER, THE OTHER TWO COMMUNITIES, WE'VE GOTTA HAVE SOME TOOLS IN THE TOOLBOX.
AND WHETHER, IF IT IS THIS ORDINANCE OR SOMETHING ELSE, WE GOTTA HAVE SOMETHING SO THAT TWO THINGS WE CAN HAVE THE HUMAN, UH, HUMANITY TO REALIZE.
PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE ON THE STREET.
THEY SHOULD NOT BE SLEEPING WITH RATS.
I'VE, I'VE SEEN 'EM OUT THERE AND I'VE BEEN THERE WHEN THEY WOULD BRING IN FOOD AND THEY WOULD COOK, THEY WOULD START THEIR FIRE WITH STYROFOAM, THAT WOULD BE THEIR FIRE STARTER, AND PUT A POT OVER THERE THAT LOOKED LIKE IT HAD NOT BEEN CLEANED OUT IN MONTHS AND PUT FOOD IN THERE.
AND IT WAS COVERED WITH FLIES AS IT WAS COOKING.
AND THIS WAS IMMEDIATELY NEXT TO AN APARTMENT COMPLEX.
AND SO WE'VE GOTTA, WE GOTTA BLEND OUR HUMANITY WITH SOME REALISM.
AND WHETHER IF IT'S THIS OR SOMETHING ELSE, WE CAN'T BE A RELIEF VALVE FOR THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY.
'CAUSE WE'VE ALREADY BEEN A RELIEF VALVE FOR A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER THINGS FOR THE OTHER CITIES.
AND WE CAN'T TAKE ON THE PRESSURE OF EVERYBODY.
WE WILL DEAL WITH THAT, WHICH IS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY AND THOSE WHO WANT TO WORK WITH US.
NO ONE IS SAYING KICK OUT, UNHOUSED, HOMELESS, WHATEVER YOU, WHATEVER THE REFERENCE IS.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE'VE GOTTA BE REALISTIC.
WE HAVE A, WE HAVE A SITUATION DOWN HERE, UH, BY THE, UH, THE MARSH OFF OF 24TH STREET.
WE'VE GOT, WE ARE TRYING TO DO SOME DEVELOPMENT DOWN THERE, AND FISH AND GAME AND FISH AND WILDLIFE ARE SCREAMING AT US.
'CAUSE WE MIGHT AFFECT THE BIRDS IN THAT IN THEIR DEAL.
BUT THEY DON'T HAVE, DON'T SEEM TO HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH A HOMELESS LADY THAT IS LIVING DOWN THERE, THAT HAS UP TO 30 CATS THAT ARE KILLING ALL THE BIRDS.
BECAUSE THEY CAN'T TOUCH HER BECAUSE SHE'S HOMELESS.
I'M GOING, THIS DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.
YOU KNOW? AND SO WE, WE JUST TRY TO BRING SOME RATIONAL SENSE TO THIS SO THAT WE CAN HELP PEOPLE.
AND, AND IF THEY ARE CAPABLE, IF THEY'RE NOT CAPABLE, THEN WE NEED TO GET 'EM CERTAIN HELP FOR THAT TOO.
BUT IF THEY ARE CAPABLE, BUT THEY DON'T WANT THE HELP, AND THEY ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS IN THE COMMUNITY, THEY'RE CUTTING FENCES, THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, DOING ALL THIS DIFFERENT STUFF, PILING UP ALL THIS TRASH, YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH OF OUR STAFF TIME.
WE HAVE PEOPLE SAYING, WHY ISN'T STAFF OUT DOING THIS CLEANING UP MY NEIGHBORHOOD? WHY AREN'T THEY CUTTING THE TREES? WHY? BECAUSE WE ARE SPENDING SO MUCH TIME CLEANING UP AFTER HOMELESS.
TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, IT IS A LOT OF TIME CONSUMPTION THAT OUR CITY CREWS ARE HAVING TO SPEND.
AND SO THE DEAL IS ALL WE'RE ASKING IS FOR PEOPLE ON ALL SIDES TO BE RESPONSIBLE.
AND LET'S, LET'S MAKE THIS THING WORK.
LET'S WORK AND LET'S, LET'S HOLD THIS.
THE COUNTY GETS THE MONEY FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
THE STATE, THEY'RE PUTTING OUT ALL THIS MONEY FOR HOMES.
LET'S MAKE SURE IT, THE MONEY IS BEING HELD OUT AND DISTRIBUTED ACCOUNT WITH AN ACCOUNTABILITY.
AND I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU, I'VE SEEN A LOT OF, FOR INSTANCES, AND I'M ON A, A MAYOR'S COMMITTEE FOR HOMELESSNESS, AND WE'VE ALREADY BEEN DOING SOME INVESTIGATION ON HOW SOME OF THE MONEY IS GOING OUT.
AND THERE IS NOT REAL ACCOUNTABILITY, EVEN THOUGH THERE'S ALL THIS MONEY BEING SPENT WITHIN OUR COUNTY.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE SERVICES ARE GETTING TO
[02:10:01]
PEOPLE THAT NEED SERVICE AND THEN HAVE SOMETHING SO THAT THERE IS A LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY, WHETHER IF IT'S THIS OR SOMETHING ELSE.UM, FIRST OFF, I WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY FOR COMING OUT AND SHARING YOUR STORIES.
IT REALLY MEANS A LOT, UM, TO HEAR FROM, UH, TESTIMONIES IN OUR COMMUNITY.
UH, SO THANK YOU FOR MAKING TIME AND, AND COMING OUT.
UM, I WAS NOT AWARE THAT COUNCIL GAVE DIRECTION ON THIS.
I I HONESTLY DON'T EVEN REMEMBER THE DISCUSSION.
AND, UM, UH, SO I ALSO HAD A QUESTION OF HOW IT CAME OUT.
AND, UM, I DID RECEIVE A CALL LAST WEEK FROM KPBS OR A WEEK AND A HALF AGO SAYING, WHAT DO I THINK ABOUT THE ENCAMPMENT BEND? BUT I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING.
BUT, UM, IT, IT'S OKAY, UH, MR. MAYOR, IF YOU BRING SOMETHING LIKE THIS UP, IT'S, IT'S ALL RIGHT TO OWN IT.
UM, MAYBE, MAYBE ADDITIONAL DISCUSSIONS WOULD BE HELPFUL AND MORE FRUITFUL SO THAT WE'RE BETTER INFORMED WHEN ACTUALLY MAKING THE, THE DECISION.
SO, UM, YOU KNOW, JUST SOME, UH, COMMENT ON THAT.
BUT I DO, I DO THINK THAT MULTIPLE THINGS CAN BE TRUE AT THE SAME TIME.
SO I'LL SAY THAT, UM, UH, THIS POLICY IF PASSED WILL NOT SOLVE OUR HOUSING OR HOMELESS CRISIS.
AND, UM, THERE'S SO MANY INSTANCES WHERE ONE CAN THINK, WHETHER IT'S CALTRANS LAND OR FOLKS JUST DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE IN, THERE'S JUST NO SOLUTION FOR THIS, JUST DOING THIS.
UM, BUT I WILL SAY THAT FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITY DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE.
AND, UM, THERE'S PLENTY OF FOLKS THAT CALL US OR MESSAGE US AND SAY, I'M DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN IN MY COMMUNITY.
LIKE THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS WITH A LOT OF NEIGHBORS THAT MAY NOT BE HERE AT THE MOMENT, BUT IT IS TRUE, AND THEY DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE.
I ALSO BELIEVE THAT HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT AND EVERYBODY DESERVES A PLACE TO CALL HOME.
UM, AND, AND I THINK A GOVERNMENT ENTITY SHOULD TAKE A VERY PROACTIVE APPROACH TO ASSIST TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT HAPPENS.
UM, ONE THING THAT DID, UM, STRIKE ME FROM THIS INITIATIVE OR THIS PROPOSAL WAS, UM, MAKING SURE THAT THE SENSITIVE AREAS ARE PROTECTED.
AND I COULD SAY THAT, UM, THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE CALLS, UM, AROUND A FEW SCHOOLS, INCLUDING RANCH, ELION, ELON, UM, KIMBALL, UH, ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, BECAUSE THERE ARE ENCAMPMENTS THAT SET UP, UH, ONCE IN A WHILE AROUND THE SCHOOLS.
AND SO, UM, TO HAVE THAT IN WRITING AND MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ARE PRIORITIZED TO MOVED OUT IS IMPORTANT.
I MEAN, THERE'S LITERALLY KIDS THERE AND SOMETIMES NEFARIOUS ACTIVITIES DO HAPPEN AROUND THERE.
SO I THINK IT JUST MAKES SENSE, UM, SO THAT CHILDREN FEEL PROTECTED.
RIGHT? SO, UM, I ALSO THINK IT, UM, IT IS, IT IS POINTING OUT THAT, UH, UNDER THIS PROPOSAL, THERE'S NO CRIMINAL ACTION THAT COULD BE TAKEN BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 9:00 PM AND 5:00 AM.
SO, WHICH MEANS THAT, YOU KNOW, IF SOMEBODY DOES SET UP CAMP OVERNIGHT, UM, UH, THEY CAN'T BE MOVED, RIGHT? BECAUSE YOU CAN'T BE CRIMINALIZED FOR SLEEPING.
UM, SO, SO THAT'S SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO ALSO TAKE NOTE.
AND THEN MAYBE A QUESTION FOR, UH, CITY ATTORNEY OR, UM, DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY.
UH, IF, IF THIS GOES THROUGH, WHAT'S THE TIMING FOR IT? WHAT'S, WHAT DOES THE TIMELINE LOOK LIKE? SO IT WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK FOR A SECOND READING, AND THEN ONCE, IF IT'S APPROVED AT THE SECOND READING, IT WOULD GO INTO EFFECT 30 DAYS AFTER THAT.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO COINCIDE WITH THE OPENING OF OUR FACILITY WITH THE RESCUE MISSION, OUR NAVIGATION CENTER.
JUST, WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PROHIBIT ANY ENCAMPMENTS ANYWHERE WITHOUT SHELTER SPACES, BUT THE OTHER, UM, OTHER STEPS CAN BE OKAY.
UM, I, I DO THINK, UM, YOU KNOW, THERE'S SOME COMMON SENSE THINGS IN THERE THAT I MENTIONED THAT I THINK, UM, COULD BE GOOD FOR US TO EXPLORE AND ASSURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORS FEEL SAFE.
AND AT THE SAME TIME, LIKE WE HAVE TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH WHEN IT COMES TO HOMELESSNESS AND, AND HOUSING.
I THINK THERE'S, WE'RE PIECEMEALING THINGS HERE AND THERE, BUT A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH LOOKS LIKE FINALLY WE'RE GONNA OPEN UP OUR FIRST, UM, UH, NAVIGATION CENTER IN NATIONAL CITY, WHICH WE'VE NEVER HAD.
UM, WE SUPPORTED THAT INITIATIVE A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, AND THERE WAS, UH, I THINK THE MEETINGS TOOK PLACE OVER ZOOM, BUT UH, THERE WAS LITERALLY, UM, OVER 500 SIGNATURES OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
AND THERE WAS A LOT OF MESSAGES, YOU KNOW, ENCOURAGING US TO VOTE NO ON IT BECAUSE MM-HMM,
SO IT DID TAKE A LOT OF POLITICAL WILL TO GET EVERYBODY TO SAY, NO, WE ABSOLUTELY NEED THIS IN
[02:15:01]
OUR COMMUNITY.UM, IF I REMEMBER RIGHT, IT WAS A UNANIMOUS VOTES.
OH, ALTHOUGH YOU WERE SUPPORTED.
THAT COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH MEANS, YOU KNOW, SUPPORTING A, A ORGANIZATION LIKE THE RESCUE MISSION AND LOOKING AT OTHERS AS WELL.
UM, SOMEBODY MENTIONED A YOUTH CENTER FOR L-G-B-T-Q YOUTH.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THE FOLKS EXPERIENCING, UM, HOMELESSNESS IN THE L-G-B-T-Q YOUTH COMMUNITY IS MUCH HIGHER THAN IN OTHER COMMUNITY.
SO I THINK MAKING SURE THAT WE SUPPORT THEM AS WELL IS CRITICAL.
UM, I DO REALLY LIKE THE SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION, FAITH-BASED APPROACH.
AS A PERSON OF FAITH, I FIND THAT CRITICAL IN ORDER FOR US TO GET THROUGH DIFFICULT MOMENTS IN LIFE.
AND ALTHOUGH THAT MAY NOT BE THE, UM, CASE WITH EVERYBODY, I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO AT LEAST HAVE THAT BE AN OPTION FOR THOSE PEOPLE THAT WOULD WANT TO EXPERIENCE IT.
BUT ALSO PART OF THE COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH IS, UH, WE HEARD RESIDENTS EARLIER TODAY TALK ABOUT THEIR, UM, A MOBILE HOME RENT CONTROL.
AND THE REASON WE HAD THIS ORDINANCE SET UP, IT'S A TEMPORARY ORDINANCE, WAS BECAUSE ONE OF THE MOBILE HOME PARKS WAS EXPERIENCING A 30% INCREASE IN RENT FROM ONE MONTH TO THE NEXT.
AND MANY OF THE FOLKS ARE, UM, UH, FIXED INCOME SENIORS.
SO, YOU KNOW, IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LOOKING AND ADDRESSING PEOPLE, UM, UH, HELPING COMMUNITY EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, BUT NOT TALKING ABOUT PROTECTING THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT CURRENTLY HAVE HOMES, I THINK THAT'S A DISSERVICE.
LIKE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE INCLUDE THAT AS PART OF THE HOUSING SOLUTION.
UM, WE HAD THE FLOODS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND, UH, IT WAS A VERY TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE FOR HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES HERE IN NATIONAL CITY, BUT ONE THING BECAME VERY EVIDENT.
AND, UM, YOU KNOW, EVEN NOW, UH, COMMUNITY MEMBERS SENT ME A SCREENSHOT OF HOW MUCH RENTS ARE IN THE SAME COMPLEX WHERE SHE CURRENTLY, UM, UM, IS STILL CONTRACTED WITH, BUT DOESN'T, DOESN'T LIVE THERE, UH, BECAUSE THEY'RE FIXING THE PLACE.
ONE BEDROOMS ARE RENTING FOR $1,995, $2,000 FOR A ONE BEDROOM, $2,500 FOR A TWO BEDROOM, 3000 FOR A THREE BEDROOM.
LIKE THAT IS MORTGAGES FOR MOST PEOPLE, UM, THAT PURCHASE THEIR HOME FIVE, 10 YEARS AGO.
RIGHT? SO WE CAN'T, WE CAN'T JUST LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND, AND BELIEVE THAT PASSING SOMETHING LIKE THIS WILL HELP SOLVE EVERYTHING.
I THINK WE NEED A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO OUR UNHOUSED POPULATION AND TO OUR HOUSING CRISIS.
ADDITIONALLY, I DO THINK IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT WE CONTINUE TO EXPAND ADUS AND A DU CONSTRUCTIONS.
THEY ARE OVERWHELMINGLY, NATURALLY AFFORDABLE, UH, BECAUSE THEY TEND TO BE SMALLER AND THEY'RE USUALLY OWNED BY THE SAME PROPERTY OWNER.
SO THERE IS A LOT OF BENEFITS FROM IT.
UM, ALSO, UH, WE HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS THAT ARE GONNA GO ONLINE.
AND WE HAD A WORKSHOP LAST WEEK.
I WAS SHOCKED AT HOW MANY PEOPLE TURN OUT.
WE HAD OVER 400 PEOPLE TURN OUT OVERWHELMINGLY FROM THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY.
BUT, UM, IN LOOK IN SEARCH FOR 145 UNITS, THAT WILL BECOME AVAILABLE THIS SUMMER.
AND WE'RE GONNA HOST ANOTHER WORKSHOP, UM, WITH COMMUNITY HOUSING WORK IN OUR CITY NEXT MONTH.
UM, WHERE WE ANTICIPATE AS MANY PEOPLE BECAUSE THE NEED IS DESPERATELY THERE.
UM, THE, AND, AND THE LAST ISSUE I'LL MENTION IS LIKE, UH, WHEN TALKING ABOUT COMPREHENSIVE VIEW, UH, WE NEED TO STOP, UM, JUST, UH, SUPPORTING THE CONTINUED EXPANSION OF LUXURY APARTMENTS IN THE CITY.
AND WHAT THEY DO IS THEY RAISE EVERYBODY ELSE'S RENT.
SO THE APARTMENT ACROSS THE STREET THAT USED TO RENT FOR $1,500 FOR TWO BEDROOMS, SUDDENLY ACROSS THE STREET, THERE'S A NEW COMPLEX, TWO BEDROOM GOES UP FOR $3,000, THAT PLACE IS NO LONGER 1500.
SO IT IS, IT IS MAKING THE HOUSING CRISIS EXPONENTIALLY WORSE.
SO, UM, I SAY ALL THAT TO SAY THAT, UM, THIS IS A VERY COMPLEX ISSUE AND I DO THINK IT DESERVES TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS AND APPROACH.
IT ISN'T JUST A ONE OUT, LIKE ONE, YOU KNOW, JUST ONE PARTICULAR POLICY FOR THE ISSUE.
SO I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF, UH, CONDUCTING A STUDY SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE VIEW OF OUR HOUSING AND, UH, HOMELESS CRISIS.
UM, I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT THIS AS A WHOLE AND NOT LOOK AT IT AS JUST A COMPLETELY SEPARATE POLICY.
'CAUSE ALL THESE ISSUES ARE INTERTWINED IF WE'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS BECAUSE THEY DESERVE A PLACE TO CALL HOME INTO OUR, UM, UH, RESCUE MISSION NAVIGATION CENTER.
THE NAVIGATION CENTER, JUST LIKE MANY OTHERS IN THE REGION ARE HAVING A HARD TIME TRYING TO FIND A PLACE FOR THEM TO RENT BECAUSE RENT IS TOO EXPENSIVE, RIGHT?
[02:20:01]
SO THERE'S LIKE MULTIPLE ISSUES THAT WE ARE CONTINUING TO EXPERIENCE.AND UNLESS WE, I THINK LOOK AT A COMPREHENSIVE VIEW OF, UM, UM, HOMELESSNESS AND, AND HOUSING IN GENERAL, I DON'T KNOW HOW SUCCESSFUL A SPECIFIC POLICY WILL BE.
SO I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO THINK THIS THROUGH, HAVE IT BE COMPREHENSIVE, AND, UM, IT'S A REASON WHY I SUPPORT, UM, MAYBE DO CONDUCTING A STUDY BY THE CITY MM-HMM.
I'M GONNA ASK, OKAY, WE ON SECOND ROUND, SO I'M GONNA SAY YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO BE VERY SHORT.
I'D JUST LIKE TO, JUST TO GET THE CONVERSATION GOING, UM, BASED ON THE FEEDBACK I HEARD FROM ALL MY COLLEAGUES, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE HAVE STAFF DO FURTHER RESEARCH ON THIS ENCAMPMENT BAN AND DO A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT SOLUTIONS TO ALLEVIATE THE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO DIRECT STAFF TO, UM, IMMEDIATELY ADDRESS UNSAFE CONDITIONS AND ENCAMPMENT IN PUBLIC PROPERTY UNDER EXISTING CODE.
SO WHAT WE HEARD IS THAT WE, UM, AND, AND I APPRECIATE, UM, MS. MS. ASHLYN, UM, AND OUR CITY'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, UH, CITING THAT CODE.
SO I WOULD DIRECT OUR STAFF TO ENFORCE, UM, THAT CODE IMMEDIATELY.
UM, THAT TO THE EXTENT THAT IT ADDRESSES UNSAFE CONDITIONS, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT, IT SOUNDS LIKE WE COULD DO IT RIGHT NOW.
UM, SO I'D LIKE TO DIRECT STAFF TO DO THAT.
UM, I'D LIKE STAFF TO PROVIDE A LEGAL ANALYSIS ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE CITY CAN LEGALLY ENFORCE THE ENCAMPMENT BAN IF THE ONLY FACILITY THAT WE'RE PROVIDING IS A PRIVATE FACILITY AND TO ADDRESS THE QUESTIONS THAT WE HAD TONIGHT ABOUT, UM, THE FACILITY ITSELF.
UM, THE, UM, IF, IF RELI RELIGIOUS PARTICIPATION IS A REQUIREMENT.
SO IF THEY CAN ADDRESS THAT, I'D LIKE TO, UH, THIRD THING, UM, BRING, UM, A, UH, CONSIDER A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO HOMELESSNESS.
UM, INCLUDING, UH, BRINGING BACK, UM, EMPIRICAL DATA OR EVIDENCE THAT THE INCREASE OF OUR UNSHELTERED POPULATION IS INDEED BECAUSE OF THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.
AND I'LL, AND I'LL GO AHEAD AND REPEAT THIS.
UM, I'D LIKE SOME MORE RESEARCH ON THE SUCCESS, THE OUTCOME, THE DATA ON THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO'S ENCAMPMENT BANS.
LIKE, SO HOW HAS IT BEEN SUCCESSFUL? UM, WE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER MOLINA BROUGHT UP, UM, THE, UH, QUESTIONS ON WHAT THE ACTUAL AREAS ARE, THE TWO BLOCKS.
SO IF STAFF COULD BRING BACK A MAP OF THOSE AFFECTED AREAS VISUALLY, I THINK THAT WOULD, UH, HELP US.
AND THEN FINALLY, UH, DIRECT STAFF TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND SUPERVISOR NORA VARGAS ON FUNDING CONSERVATORSHIP POSSIBILITY, UH, CONSERVATORSHIP, UH, POLICY AND THE, THE POSSIBILITY OF A SHELTER OR DETOX FACILITY TO DEAL WITH THOSE ON THE STREET RIGHT NOW WITH THE MOST SEVERE, UH, MENTAL ILLNESSES.
IT'S, SO IT'S, UH, TO THE DIRECT STAFF TO DO FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE ENCAMPMENT BAN, DO A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT SOLUTIONS TO ALLEVIATE THE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, MR. MAYOR, JUST AS A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, WOULD PART OF THE STUDY, UM, UH, PROVIDE GUIDANCE IN TERMS OF THE, UM, CURRENT RENTAL MARKET IN NATIONAL CITY? I'LL ADD THAT, I'LL MAKE THAT AMENDMENT TO ADD THE HOW, AS PART OF THAT COMPREHENSIVE STUDY TO, UH, THE RENTAL, UH, RENTAL REAL, THE REAL ESTATE MARKET.
WELL, IF THE, I THINK THIS PROCEDURALLY IT IS SECOND TO AGREE WITH THAT.
UH, IN MY MIND I'M THINKING, UM, WE REQUIRE THE SERVICES OF AN EXPERT TO HELP US TO, TO GUIDE US THROUGH, YOU KNOW, HOW BEST TO ACHIEVE A FEASIBILITY STUDY, HOW TO GET THE INFORMATION THAT WE ARE SEEKING.
AND SO, YES, I WOULD LIKE THAT INFORMATION AS WELL.
UM, HOWEVER, I DO WANNA, UM, EMPHASIZE ON THE FACT THAT WE'RE NOT THE EXPERTS HERE.
WE HAVE THAT SECOND, JUST REAL QUICKLY, JUST A COUPLE THINGS THAT WAS MENTIONED, UH, TALKING ABOUT RENT RATES.
WE DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF EFFECT ON THOSE.
AND WE DO HAVE THE LOWEST RENTS OF ANY CITY IN THE COUNTY, UH, RENT RATES.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, SO WE CAN ONLY CONTROL THAT SO MUCH.
'CAUSE THIS IS NOT A NATIONAL CITY PROBLEM.
THIS IS A WEST COAST PROBLEM IN PARTICULAR.
UM, SO THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION, UM, AS FAR AS HOW WE DEAL WITH THAT.
THE OTHER THING IS PEOPLE BUILDING CURRENT APARTMENT COMPLEXES, THEY HAVE TO CHARGE WHAT IT COSTS THEM TO BUILD.
AND THE BUILDING PRICES HAVE WENT UP LIKE CRAZY.
SO YOU CAN'T ASK THEM, AND THEY'RE NOT GONNA GET FINANCING TO
[02:25:01]
BUILD THOSE THINGS IF THEY CANNOT SHOW THAT THEY CAN AFFORD TO PAY BACK THE CONSTRUCTION LOAN TO BUILD THEM.AND SO THAT'S, THAT'S SOME OF THE FINANCING REALITIES.
WE JUST CAN'T SET A NUMBER AND SAY, WE WANT YOU TO CHARGE THIS.
NOTHING WILL, NOTHING WILL GET BUILT UNLESS IT'S SUB HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED.
AND WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR THE SUBSTATION THERE, THERE'S NO MONEY AVAILABLE TO US.
WE HAVE TO GET IT FROM OUTSIDE SOMEWHERE.
AND I THINK WE CAN WORK ON THOSE DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES.
SO WITH THAT, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
THIS IS TO BASICALLY BRING IT BACK, TO BRING IN, TO COVER A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT AREAS TO GIVE US, UH, GIVE US INPUT AND TO SEE, SEE WHAT WE WOULD POSSIBLY MOVE AHEAD WITH SOMETHING IN THE FUTURE.
MR. MAYOR, IS THERE A TIME CERTAIN, UM, I, I, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, I KNOW IT'S, I MEAN, YOU'VE THROWN IN A, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF STUFF THROWN IN THERE.
I WOULD HOPE NO MORE THAN, LET'S SEE, WE ARE NOW IN APRIL, UH, BEFORE, BEFORE THE JULY BREAK.
OH, I THOUGHT YOU WERE GONNA SAY IN TWO WEEKS.
SO I WAS, NO, NOT IN TWO WEEKS.
I DON'T, BUT, BUT I KNOW WE GOT THE, SO I, I WOULD, I WOULD ASK MAYBE LIKE FOR THAT FIRST MEETING IN JUNE, IF WE COULD ALL POSSIBLE HAVE SOMETHING BY THAT TIME, IF EARLIER POSSIBLE.
BUT, BUT NO LATER THAN THAT FIRST MEETING IN JUNE, I'LL, I'LL AMEND THE MOTION TO INCLUDE JUNE.
AND I, I THINK IT'S A REASONABLE TIME WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WERE THROWN IN THERE.
AND, UM, BUT AS SAY, IF IT CAN BE DONE SOONER, GREAT.
STAFF CAN COME BACK TO US AND LET US KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEMS ARE.
UH, I'LL, UH, SO I SENT THE LANGUAGE, I JUST EMAILED IT TO, UM, THE CITY CLERK, CITY ATTORNEY, AND CITY MANAGER.
SO IT'S MAKE A MOTION THAT WE DIRECT STAFF TO DO FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE ENCAMPMENT BAN AND DO A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT SOLUTIONS TO ALLEVIATE THE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS DIRECT STAFF TO IMMEDIATELY ADDRESS UNSAFE CONDITIONS AND ENCAMPMENTS IN PUBLIC, UH, PROPERTY UNDER EXISTING CODE.
SO ENFORCEMENT, UH, PROVIDE A LEGAL ANALYSIS ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE CITY CAN LEGALLY ENFORCE AN ENCAMPMENT BAN IF THE ONLY FACILITY IS A PRIVATE FACILITY, BRING BACK EMPIRICAL DATA OR EVIDENCE, UH, THAT THE, UH, INCREASE OF OUR, UH, UNSHELTERED POPULATION IS 'CAUSE OF THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.
AND, UM, THE, AND THE RESEARCH ON THE SUCCESS OUTCOMES AND DATA ON THAT ORDINANCE.
A MAP OF THE AFFECTED AREAS, UH, A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO HOMELESSNESS, UH, INCLUDING THE RENTAL MARKET.
AND, UH, WORKING WITH THE COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND SUPERVISOR NORA VARGAS ON FUNDING CONSERVATORSHIP POLICY, POSSIBILITY OF A SHELTER DETOX FACILITY TO DEAL WITH THOSE, UH, THAT HAVE THE MOST SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESSES.
AND HAVING A TIME SENSITIVE TO JULY, 2024 OR, UH, JUNE.
ALRIGHT, SO THAT IS THE MOTION.
AND THE SECOND, LET ME JUST STATE FOR THE RECORD, IT'S, THAT'S QUITE A BIT OF STUFF.
AND SO REALIZING OTHER, OTHER THINGS THAT ARE ON THE HORIZON MAY HAVE TO BE PUT OFF, YOU KNOW, JUST BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF STAFF TIME, IT'S GONNA TAKE YOU SO LONG AS WE REALIZE THAT.
SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, UH, PLEASE VOTE.
OKAY, NEXT, I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND SEE, IT'S NOW 15.
CAN WE TAKE A QUICK BREAK? QUICK BREAK.
I'M GONNA SAY FIVE MINUTES AT, AND THAT'S IT.
AND THEN, THEN I'M CALLING THE MEETING DIEGO COUNTY FAIR DAY IN THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY.
[6.1 Proclamation - "San Diego County Fair Day"]
NOT TODAY, BUT THEY'VE ASKED US TO IN ADVANCE TO DECLARE JUNE THE 12TH AS SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR DAY.AND, UH, BUT SO THAT THEY CAN USE THE PROCLAMATION AT THIS, AT THIS STAGE OF THE GAME, AND AS THEY'RE DOING THEIR ADVERTISEMENT, EVERYTHING.
SO WE DEFINITELY WANNA PRESENT YOU WITH THIS AND HAVE YOU GUYS SAY A FEW THINGS ABOUT WHAT ALL THE GREAT THINGS ARE GONNA HAPPEN AT THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR.
WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MAYOR AND, AND CITY COUNCIL.
THIS IS, THIS IS A TREMENDOUS HONOR.
UM, I'M HERE WITH LUIS VALDIVIA, WHO'S PART OF OUR MARKETING TEAM.
UM, AND, AND YOU MENTIONED THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR.
OBVIOUSLY WE DO SERVE, UM, THE ENTIRE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO, NATIONAL CITY BEING A PART OF THAT.
WE ARE LOCATED IN DEL MAR, TECHNICALLY, BUT IT HAS BEEN THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR DATING BACK TO THE VERY FIRST ONE IN 1880.
UM, IT IS JUNE 12TH THAT, THAT WE'RE PROCLAIMING.
SO THAT'S OPENING DAY OF THE FAIR
UM, WE THOUGHT IT WAS ESPECIALLY APPROPRIATE, THE NATIONAL CITY, SO WE'RE ASKING, UH, ALL THE CITIES IN THE COUNTY TO, TO DO THIS.
BUT, BUT NATIONAL CITY IS THE FIRST ONE TO DO SO.
UM, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.
I, I DO WANNA SAY, YOU KNOW, OUR FAIR STARTS ON JUNE 12TH.
UM, IT RUNS THROUGH THE JULY 7TH WEEKEND.
WE'RE O WE'RE CLOSED MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS.
WE'D LOVE TO HAVE ALL OF YOU THERE.
EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM, OBVIOUSLY, UM, YOU KNOW, COMMUNITY CEL, IT IS A, THE LARGEST
[02:30:01]
COMMUNITY CELEBRATION IN SAN DIEGO.WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, 20,000, UH, EXHIBIT ENTRIES EVERY YEAR.
WE, WE PARTNER WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS FOR PLANT, GROW, EAT, UH, FOR THE, UM, UM, FOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS, FOR JUNIOR LIVESTOCK AUCTION, FOR STUDENT SHOWCASE.
UM, WE REALLY, THE HEART OF THE FAIR WHILE THERE IS, YOU KNOW, WE CAN TELL YOU ABOUT ALL THE CONCERTS AND, AND ALL THE FUN STUFF AND ALL THE FOOD THAT GOES ON THE HEART OF THE FAIR IS THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY COMMUNITY.
IT'S, IT'S REALLY OUR CHANCE TO SHINE.
SO WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF THAT ALL FROM THE BEGINNING.
OBVIOUSLY NONE OF US WERE THERE AT THE TIME,
UM, BUT NATIONAL CITY IS, IS PART A DEEP, UM, AND CHERISHED PART OF OUR HISTORY.
AND LUISA, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD ANYTHING ELSE? YEAH.
I KNOW THAT SOME OF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE NEXT, UH, DEEP FRIED FOOD IS.
RIGHT? DO WE KNOW? DO WE DARE STAY TUNED.
THERE'LL BE A LOT MORE FUNNEL CAKE THIS YEAR.
UM, OUR, OUR THEME IS LET'S GO RETRO.
WE'RE, WE'RE, WE HAD TO NARROW IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT, SO THE 1950S THROUGH THE 1990S.
UM, SO THERE'S GONNA BE A LOT OF, UH, LOOKING BACK AT THE CULTURAL ZEITGEIST OF THAT ERA, UM, NATIONAL CITY IN THIS COUNTY GREW A LOT.
UM, OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, THERE'S, THERE'S PARTS OF THE HISTORY OF OUR HISTORY AND WE'VE, UM, THAT HAVE CHANGED A LOT SINCE THE FIFTIES.
WE'RE NOT TRYING TO GO BACKWARDS IN TIME, SO TO SPEAK.
WE'RE LOOKING AT SORT OF THE TREND STYLES, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.
YOU'RE NOT RESURRECTING DON DIEGO, HUH?
UH, BUT, YOU KNOW, THE STATUE IS STILL THERE AND SO, UM, HAD TO RETIRE WITH DON.
BUT, BUT I THINK WE'LL, WE'LL BE LOOKING BACK A LITTLE BIT AT, AT THAT AS WELL AT THAT PART OF OUR HISTORY.
UM, SO THANK YOU AGAIN AND THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.
WE'RE WE'RE TRULY HONORED AND WE'RE, WE'RE SO, UM, PLEASED TO BE, UH, TO SERVE NATIONAL CITY AND ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE.
WE, UM, MEMBER BUSH HAS A COMMENT AND HOPEFULLY YOU'RE NOT GONNA SAY YOU THOUGHT I WAS THERE FOR THE, UH, THE 1880.
I WOULD NEVER NO, YOU WOULD NEVER DO THAT.
UH, I JUST, YOU KNOW, THANK YOU GUYS FOR COMING OUT.
I JUST, REAL QUICK WANTED TO THE DEEP FRIED OREOS AND THE DEEP FRIED TWINKIES.
I'D REALLY RECOMMEND EVERYONE STAY AWAY FROM THE DEEP FRIED PIZZA AND THE DEEP FRIED BUTTER.
IT WAS
SO IT'S SAVING YOU ALL THE STOMACHACHE.
SO WE HAVE PICKLE PIZZA AS WELL.
UM, SO THAT WAS A NEW EDITION I THINK LAST YEAR.
NOT DEEP FRIED, BUT IT'S GOT THAT TANG YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.
SO IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME FORWARD HERE AND COUNCIL, IF YOU'D LIKE TO STAND, SO WE CAN, YOU, YOU CAN JUST, YOU CAN STAND RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF THE PODIUM FACING THAT WAY WITH, THERE YOU GO.
AND THEN WE'LL BE IN THE BACKGROUND.
I WAS GONNA ASK, IS THAT YOUR LOGO? NOW? YOU'RE GIVING.
[6.2 Fair Housing Month ]
WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR FAIR HOUSING MONTH.AND I THINK WE ALSO HAVE, THERE WE GO.
SOMEONE COMING FORWARD ON THIS ONE.
AND THIS ONE IS A LITTLE SHORTER SO I CAN ACTUALLY READ SOME OF IT.
THE OTHER ONE, A LOT OF FINE PRINT.
UM, AND SO APRIL DOES MARK THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSAGE OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT OF 1968.
YEAH, I WAS THERE FOR THAT ONE.
UH, YOU KNOW, I'LL JUST LET YOU KNOW MARCUS
AND SO ON BEHALF OF THE CITY, WE DO WANT TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU FAIR HOUSING MONTH.
I'M A BOARD OF DIRECTOR WITH CSCA SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
I ALSO SERVE IN THE CAPACITY OF A SECRETARY TO OUR BOARD.
OUR EXECUTIVE ES UH, ESELLA DE RIOS COULD NOT BE HERE WITH US THIS EVENING, BUT SHE HAS BEEN, UH, A CHAMPION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN OUR COMMUNITY ALL OVER SAN DIEGO COUNTY.
AND TONIGHT WE'RE REALLY, WE'RE REALLY THANKFUL TO YOU MAYOR AND A COUNCIL MEMBER MOLINA YA, UM, BUSH AND RODRIGUEZ FOR RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN OUR COMMUNITY.
[02:35:01]
SHARE WITH YOU A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY ON MAY 1ST.WE WILL LAUNCH AFFORDABLE HOUSING EDUCATION MONTH AND WE DO CONSIDER AFFORDABLE HOUSING A HUMAN RIGHT.
AND IT'S AN ACT OF JUSTICE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT, UM, WE RECOGNIZE WE'RE VERY THANKFUL, WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE CITY FOR CHOOSING CSCA SAN DIEGO COUNTY AS YOUR PROVIDER FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING EDUCATION.
AND WE THANK YOU FOR THIS GREAT HONOR.
AND ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF OUR PARTNERSHIP AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE CITY AND ALL OF THE RESIDENTS THAT WE SERVE.
I WANNA WISH EVERYBODY A WONDERFUL EVENING AS WELL.
AND WE DO HAVE THE PROCLAMATION FOR YOU.
IF YOU WOULD WANT TO GO RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE PODIUM AND FACE THE OTHER WAY.
SHELLY, DO YOU MIND TAKING IT WITH HER PHONE TOO? I THINK SHE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
SHE'S GONNA SHARE IT WITH HER.
THANK YOU EVERYBODY HAVE A GREAT EVENING.
[6.3 Introduction of New City Employees ]
WE HAVE OUR INTRODUCTION OF NEW CITY EMPLOYEES AND POLICE DEPARTMENT.SO FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, WE JUST HAVE ONE.
UM, IT'S HOPEFULLY SHE'S ASLEEP RIGHT NOW BECAUSE SHE'S IN THE POLICE ACADEMY.
SHE'S A LONG TIME NATIONAL CITY RESIDENT.
SHE'S BILINGUAL AND SHE STARTED THE ACADEMY ON MARCH 11TH.
SHE WILL GRADUATE AUGUST 28TH.
IN THE SENIOR CLASS WE HAVE CARL AND MARK THAT YOU GUYS HAVE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT THEM, AND THEY'LL BE GRADUATING IN JUNE.
SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT HER.
CRYSTAL'S GONNA BE A GREAT, UH, ASSET TO OUR DEPARTMENT.
NEXT WE HAVE NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES MAYOR.
HE'S, HE'S GONNA BE AT THE NEXT MEETING.
WE'LL GET ROMAN AT THAT POINT.
NEXT WE HAVE ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS.
UM, MARTHA JUAREZ, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING AND PUBLIC WORKS, COVERING FOR OUR DIRECTOR WHO COULDN'T BE HERE.
UM, I'LL JUST DO A REALLY QUICK INTRODUCTION.
OUR, UH, PERSON WE'RE INTRODUCING TODAY IS ALSO HOPEFULLY ASLEEP.
'CAUSE HE STARTS AT 6:00 AM AGAIN, BACK TO SHIFT TOMORROW MORNING.
UM, SO I JUST WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU THAT WE HAVE HIRED, UH, HIRO CHAVEZ, WHO IS OUR NEW SENIOR PARK CARETAKER.
HE COMES TO US WITH MORE THAN 10 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, IN THE LANDSCAPING INDUSTRY.
HE, UM, IS SO FAR AFTER THREE WEEKS WITH US, VERY RESPONSIBLE, HARDWORKING, FITS RIGHT INTO OUR CULTURE OF SERVICE AND PROVIDING, UH, THE BEST POSSIBLE EXPERIENCE AT OUR PARKS AS A SENIOR PARK CARETAKER.
HE'S IN CHARGE OF LES MAMAS PARK CURRENTLY AND, UH, HELPING, UH, OVERSEE SOME OF THE OTHER SPECIAL PROJECTS.
UM, AND HE'S JUST, YOU KNOW, FITS RIGHT IN.
LIKE I SAID, UH, HE'S, UH, MARRIED TWO KIDS, UH, VERY INVOLVED AND ACTIVELY, UH, PARTICIPATING IN HIS KIDS' SPORTS.
LOVES TO PLAY SOCCER AND OTHER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.
SO, UM, WE'RE REALLY GLAD TO HAVE FILLED THAT POSITION AND EXCITED THAT HE'S JOINED OUR TEAM.
ALRIGHT, SO THAT IS ALL OF THOSE.
NEXT WE GO INTO REGIONAL BOARDS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS.
AND ANY 1234 REPORTS THAT NEED TO BE MADE, WE WILL START DOWN HERE AT THE FAR END.
UH, NOTHING REPORT, MR. MAYOR.
UH, I DO WANT TO REPORT ON SANDAG.
WE HAD A SPECIAL MEETING LAST FRIDAY.
THIS IS THE TOLL ROAD THAT GOES THROUGH CHULA VISTA.
THERE WERE SOME FINDINGS, UH, THAT, UH, WERE CONFIRMED THROUGH THE AUDIT.
UH, THIS WAS, UM, THROUGH THE, UH, OPA, WHICH IS THE OFFICE OF THE INDEPENDENT PERFORMANCE AUDITOR.
UH, AND SANDAG HAS PUT IN PLACE THE, THE DECISION WAS MADE TO, UM, ENSURE THAT THE, UH, RECOMMENDATIONS SET FORTH IN THE AUDIT ARE, UH, YOU KNOW, ARE IMPLEMENTED AND THAT THE IN HOPES THAT THE CULTURE AT SANDAG DOES IMPROVE AS FAR AS BEING FORTHCOMING WITH INFORMATION.
NOTHING REPORT HERE EITHER OTHER THAN SOMEONE'S IPHONE
[02:40:01]
JUST GOT LEFT.ALRIGHT, NEXT WE WILL GO INTO CONSENT CALENDAR.
[7. REGIONAL BOARDS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS]
PORT COMMISSIONER WITH HER SLIP COMING UP THERE.READINGS MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COUNCIL CITY STAFF OR RESIDENTS WHO ARE HERE LIVE VIA ZOOM.
I AM SANDY NARANJO, YOUR PORT COMMISSIONER HERE TO PROVIDE YOU UPDATES ON YOUR 34 MILES OF PUBLIC HIGHLANDS.
UH, FIRST UPDATE I WANNA GIVE IS THAT OUR DAY AT THE PARK PEPPER PARK EVENT.
IT WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 30TH.
IT'S RESCHEDULED FOR MAY SATURDAY, MAY 18TH.
THE REASON WHY WE POSTPONE THE EVENTS IS BECAUSE OF THE RAIN.
SO WE WANNA MAKE THIS EVENT ENJOYABLE.
SO THE EVENTS WILL BE POSTPONED TO SATURDAY MAY 18.
AGAIN, A FREE EVENT FOR FULL FAMILY, AND WE'LL PROVIDE THE SAME SHUTTLE SERVICES.
UH, SECOND UPDATE IS THAT AT THE PORT WE ARE HAVING OUR SECOND ANNUAL PEOPLE OF THE PORT CAREER FAIR.
UH, THIS WILL BE AT THE B STREET CRUISE TERMINAL.
SO ANYONE INTERESTED OF LOOKING FOR A JOB, UH, EITHER A PORT OR ONE OF OUR TENANTS, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, WE HAVE OVER 800 TENANTS.
UH, PLEASE COME TO THE FAIR, UM, COME LEARN ABOUT IT.
SO AGAIN, 10:00 AM TO 2:00 PM TUESDAY, APRIL 16TH AT OUR B STREET CRUISE TERMINAL.
AND LAST UPDATE, UH, WE HAVE OUR BOARD OF PORT COMMISSIONERS MEETING SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW.
UM, AND THAT WILL CONCLUDE MY UPDATE.
YOU MENTIONED ABOUT THE POSTPONEMENT OF THAT EVENT.
OF COURSE, WE ALSO HAD THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE, UH, CANCER WALK AND TO JUNE 1ST.
BUT IT WAS NOT, IT, IT WAS ALSO BECAUSE ALSO THAT, THAT THE PARK WAS SUPPOSED TO BE CLOSED HERE IN APRIL FOR CONSTRUCTION.
AND FOUND OUT THEY CAN'T GET THE CONTRACTORS THERE TILL JULY 1ST, SO THAT, THAT ALLOWED BOTH OF THOSE TO MOVE THEIR DATES INTO MUCH BETTER WEATHER.
AND ALSO TOO, UM, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE NATIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT IS HAVING THEIR RUN THEIR RUN EVENTS.
SO AGAIN, BECAUSE OF THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION, AGAIN, WHAT THE MAYOR'S MENTIONING IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EARLY IMPROVEMENTS OF PREPPER PARK.
THAT CAME FROM NUMEROUS WORKSHOPS THAT WE DID.
THAT'S INCLUDES THE SPLASH PADS AND ALL THOSE FUN AMENITIES.
SO YES, THERE IS A POSTPONEMENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION.
SO AGAIN, THAT ALLOWS FOR THESE EVENTS TO HAPPEN, GETTING A MUCH BETTER WEATHER.
AND I'M JUST DYING TO GO AND PLAY ON THIS, THE PIRATE SHIP.
BUT ANYWAY, THAT'S A DIFFERENT STORY.
[8. CONSENT CALENDAR]
WE GO INTO CONSENT CALENDAR.THIS IS EIGHT ONE THROUGH EIGHT SIX, AND I DO NOT HAVE ANYONE REQUESTING TO PULL ANYTHING.
SO WHAT CAN I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS? OKAY.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
DO WE GET 'EM PUNCHED IN? THERE WE GO.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
SEE NO DISCUSSION, PLEASE VOTE.
[9.1 Public Hearing and Resolution Approving the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Streamlined Annual Public Agency Plan for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program]
WE GET INTO, UH, SOME PUBLIC HEARINGS.AND THE FIRST ONE IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 24 25 STREAMLINED ANNUAL PUBLIC AGENCY PLAN FOR THE SECTION EIGHT HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM.
CARLOS GI, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
I DON'T HAVE A REPORT FOR THIS ITEM.
I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ON THE PHA PLAN.
UM, ANY QUESTIONS DIRECTLY? YES.
UM, DIRECTOR AGUIRE FROM THE 1131 VOUCHERS THAT WE DO PROVIDE TO OUR, UM, UM, SECTION EIGHT, UM, RECIPIENTS.
WHAT'S THE DEMOGRAPHICS PLEASE? SO, IT'S A, IT, I DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS IN FRONT OF ME, BUT IT'S REFLECTIVE OF NATIONAL CITY'S DEMOGRAPHICS.
UH, ABOUT A HALF OF THOSE ARE, UH, UH, LATINO, HISPANIC, UH, AND WITH THE OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS FOLLOWING, I CAN PROVIDE A REPORT.
I, I WASN'T PREPARED TO ANSWER THE DEMOGRAPHIC, UH, QUESTION TODAY,
UH, WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
I DO NOT HAVE ANY SPEAKER SLIPS ON THIS.
WE, DO WE HAVE ANYONE ON ZOOM? NO, WE DO NOT.
COULD I HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING CLOSING MR. MAYOR? SECOND.
[02:45:01]
A SECOND.WE'LL GET THE SECOND TO PUNCH IN THERE.
AND THIS IS TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND WAITING FOR THE VOTE PART TO COME UP.
UH, SO NOW WE HAVE A, UH, UH, WE HAVE A RESOLUTION.
WHAT IS YOUR PLEASURE? MAY I MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION? SECOND.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
AND YOU GOT THE NOT SEEING ANY POINTS OF DISCUSSION, PLEASE VOTE.
ALRIGHT, NEXT WE GO TO, UH, 9.2 AND WE HAVE THE SECOND READING ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES.
THESE ARE TWO SEPARATE ORDINANCES AMENDING THE WEST SIDE PACIFIC PLAN AND TITLE 18 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE.
AGAIN, CARLOS GEAR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
WE DON'T HAVE A FORMAL REPORT AGAIN FOR THIS ITEM AS WELL.
UH, WE DO HAVE A STAFF AND OUR, UH, REPRESENTATIVE WITH WSP, UH, TARA LAKE THAT COULD ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ON THESE TWO ORDINANCES IF YOU HAVE ANY.
UM, WE ARE COMING BACK IN MAY WITH THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO FOLLOW.
SO THAT WILL BE THE FIRST AND, UH, FIRST AND SECOND MEETING OF MAY TO ADOPT, UH, THE ZONING ORDINANCE.
AND THAT WILL COMPLETELY CLOSE OUT THE, UH, GENERAL PLAN UPDATE.
UM, AT THIS POINT, I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
WE DO HAVE ONE SPEAKER, AND THIS IS MCKAYLA, WHO WE HAD BEFORE.
I'M NOT TOO SURE IF IT'S MCKAYLA OR NOT, BUT MCKAYLA, SORRY I MISSED THE FIRST ONE.
WELL, YOU, YOU, YOU GET CAUGHT UP ON THE SECOND ONE HERE, SO PLEASE GO RIGHT AHEAD.
UM, GOOD EVENING, CITY COUNCIL.
UM, SO I'M HERE TO DISCUSS, UM, AN ISSUE, UH, WITH THIS, WITH WHAT THIS IS
UM, OUR COMMUNITY STANDS AT A CROSSROAD.
UM, THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS BEFORE US HAVE THE POWER TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY.
UM, AS WE EMBARK ON THIS PATH OF DEVELOPMENT, WE MUST ADDRESS THE CHALLENGE OF MAINTAINING THE DELICATE BALANCE BETWEEN GROWTH AND LIVABILITY.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE ISSUE OF GENTRIFICATION CANNOT BE OVERLOOKED.
IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT OUR DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES PRIORITIZE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LONG CALLED THIS CITY HOME.
THE DREAM OF HOME OWNERSHIP SHOULD BE WITHIN REACH FOR OUR RESIDENTS, NOT PUSHED FURTHER AWAY BY DEVELOPMENTS AIMED AT ATTRACTING OUTSIDERS.
WE NEED POLICIES THAT SUPPORT OUR RESIDENTS IN BECOMING HOMEOWNERS, ENRICHING OUR COMMUNITY FABRIC WITH A STABILITY AND A SENSE OF BELONGING.
MOREOVER, THE PRESSING ISSUE OF PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION NEEDS CANNOT BE SIDELINED.
OUR COMMUNITY IS ALREADY DENSELY POPULATED WITH FREEWAY ACCESS AND PARKING AT A PREMIUM.
THE REALITY IS, WHILE THERE'S A PUSH TOWARDS URBAN COMMUNITIES EMBRACING PUBLIC TRANSIT, IT SIMPLY ISN'T A VIABLE OPTION FOR MANY OF OUR FAMILIES WITH WORK COMMITMENTS STRETCHING AS FAR AS SOMETIMES CARLSBAD AND CHILDREN ATTENDING SCHOOLS OUTSIDE OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES, RELYING SOLELY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IS NOT FEASIBLE FOR EVERYONE.
THEREFORE, ANY NEW DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN OUR CITY MUST INCLUDE ADEQUATE PARKING SOLUTIONS TO AVOID EXACERBATING THIS ISSUE.
IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO MEET MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.
WE NEED TO ANTICIPATE FUTURE NEEDS AND ENSURE THAT OUR INFRASTRUCTURE CAN SUPPORT BOTH, UM, THE CURRENT AND FUTURE RESIDENTS WITHOUT SACRIFICING ACCESSIBILITY.
UH, DO WE HAVE ANYONE ON ZOOM FOR THIS ONE, MAYOR? WE DO NOT, BUT WE DID RECEIVE ONE WRITTEN COMMENT FROM TED GOTCHU.
AND THAT IS ALL THAT SHOULD BE AT OUR, OUR PODIUM HERE RIGHT NOW.
UH, AND IT IS ALSO ON THE, ON THE WEBSITE.
WITH THAT, UH, WE HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
THIS IS TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
[9.2 Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinances Amending the Westside Specific Plan and Title 18 of the Municipal Code.]
NOW WE HAVE TWO ORDINANCES HERE.WE'RE GONNA VOTE ON 'EM SEPARATELY.
UH, THE FIRST ONE IS AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NASHVILLE CITY, ADOPTING THE WEST SIDE SPECIFIC PLAN, AMENDMENT AND AMENDING THE ZONING, TEXT AND MAP OF THE WEST SIDE SPECIFIC PLAN.
WHAT IS YOUR PLEASURE? I'LL MAKE A MOTION MAYOR TO ADOPT THE, UM, ORDINANCE.
ORDINANCE THE ORDINANCE AS DIRECTED BY STAFF.
[02:50:01]
A MOTION AND A SECOND.UM, SEE NO DISCUSSION, PLEASE VOTE.
UM, THE OTHER ONE IS, THE SECOND ONE IS AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 18.49 TO PROVIDE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ADOPTING 18.50 TO PROVIDE A FLOOR AREA RATIO BONUS PROGRAM ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO 18 POINT UH, TWO NINE.
THIS IS AN OVERLAY ZONE TO CREATE MULTIPLE USE OVERLAY ZONE TO ALLOW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON CERTAIN PARCELS ZONE CL AND CS AND AMENDING, UH, CHAPTER 18 POINT 10, UNDERSTANDING THE LAND USE CODE.
CHAPTER 1812 PERMITS AND APPLICATIONS.
UH, COMMERCIAL ZONES CHAPTER 18.24, MIXED USE CORRIDOR AND DISTRICT ZONES CHAPTER 18.30.
UH, THE SPECIFIC USE REGULATIONS CHAPTER 18.48, RESIDENTIAL DEN, UH, DENSITY, BONUS, AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING INCENTIVES.
AND CHAPTER 18.60, THE GLOSSARY AS WELL AS OTHER AMENDMENTS TO REVISE.
MAYOR, I'M FULL FOLKS, BUT WE HAVE TO, WE HAVE TO SAY IT INTO THE RECORD WITH THAT.
MAYOR, I MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE.
ALRIGHT, SO THAT WAS THE, UH, 9.2.
[10.1 Selection of National City Public Library Mural ]
GO INTO STAFF REPORTS.UH, AND WE DO HAVE THREE DIFFERENT AREAS ON HERE.
FIRST ONE IS SELECTION OF THE NATIONAL CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY MURAL.
AND YES, GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.
I'M THE MANAGEMENT ANALYST TWO WITH THE NATIONAL CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY.
TODAY I'M HERE SITTING FOR DANNY GEO, THE ACTING CITY LIBRARIAN TODAY.
UM, THE LIBRARY WOULD LIKE WOULD ASK IF COUNCIL COULD PLEASE SELECT AN IMAGE FOR OUR MURAL.
UM, THE MURAL WOULD BE ADDED INTO THE CHILDREN'S AREA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A TALENTED LOCAL ARTIST, THE COLORFUL THANK YOU.
THE COLORFUL ARTWORK WILL DEPICT A WHIMSICAL SCENE THAT WILL IGNITE YOUNG, YOUNG IMAGINATIONS AND ADD ENGAGING ELEMENTS TO THE SPACE, ENHANCING THE LIBRARY EXPERIENCE TO OUR YOUNG VISITORS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE LIBRARY AND LOCAL ARTISTS HIGHLIGHTS THE COMMUNITY'S COMMITMENT TO SHOWCASING CREATIVITY AND SUPPORTING ARTISTS EXPRESSIONS IN PUBLIC SPACES.
TONIGHT WE HAVE FOUR OPTIONS FOR YOU.
HERE'S OPTION ONE, OPTION TWO, THREE, AND FOUR.
I CAN GO BACK TO ANY OF THE IMAGES IF YOU'D LIKE.
UH, MYRA, WAS THAT THE END OF YOUR PRESENTATION? THAT IS CORRECT.
UM, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
UH, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE ALL THREE, ALL FOUR OPTIONS.
IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO HAVE TO PICK ONE.
UM, BUT I, I REALLY DO APPRECIATE THIS.
UM, I, I DO JUST WANNA MENTION THE, UH, MURALIST.
THE NAME IS MICHELLE GUERRERO.
I DON'T THINK THAT INFORMATION WAS IN THE STAFF REPORT, BUT, UM, WHAT I AM HOPING TO PROPOSE HERE I WILL PROPOSE IS THAT I UNDERSTAND FROM, UM, UH, DANNY GUILLO THAT THE PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES, UM, HAVE NOT ACTUALLY, UH, GOTTEN A CHANCE TO VIEW THIS ART AND COMMENT AND BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL MAKES ANY DECISION.
I WOULD APPRECIATE THE FEEDBACK FROM THOSE TWO, UH, COMMITTEES THAT, THAT WE HAVE HERE IN PLACE.
BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO, YOU KNOW, IN DEFERENCE TO THE WORK THAT THOSE COMMITTEES DO.
I WOULD APPRECIATE HEARING FROM THEM.
SO, UM, MAYOR, IF IT'S OKAY WITH YOU, I WOULD REQUEST THAT THIS GO BACK THROUGH THOSE TWO COMMITTEES, UH, BEFORE AND THEN COME BACK TO US, UM, FOR, YOU KNOW, BASED ON THEIR REVIEWS AND, AND THEN MAKING A, IS THAT IN THE FORM OF A MOTION? YES, I MAKE THAT MOTION.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
AND THAT'S TO ALLOW THE TWO COMMITTEES, THE, THAT ARE OVER BOTH THE ART AND OVER THE LIBRARY TO REVIEW THIS BEFORE IT COMES TO COUNCIL INSTEAD OF US MAKING THE DECISION UPFRONT.
WOULD THE MAKE THE MOTION SECOND BE ONE TO CONSIDER? UH, JUST LETTING THEM MAKE THE FINAL DECISION? UM, I THINK WE SHOULD TRY TO MORE, MORE EMPOWER OUR, OUR COMMITTEES.
AND I THINK ALL OF THE DESIGNS ARE GOOD.
[02:55:01]
THE VICE VERSA.I REALIZE I, I KINDA MADE A FACE ON ONE OF THEM BECAUSE ONE OF THEM, UH, THE, THE ONE WITH, I LIKE THE LOGO ONE, UH, THE ONE THAT HAS OUR, OUR NATIONAL CITY LOGO.
BUT JUST HOW IT APPEARS, I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW.
BUT THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THE EXECUTION FOR ME.
LIKE THAT'S MY INPUT ALL I DO LOVE LIKE THE CONCEPT THOUGH.
LIKE ALL OF THEM I LOVE AND, BUT I, I JUST WOULD LIKE US TO EM ACTUALLY EMPOWER, LIKE LET THE PARKS AND AND LIBRARY JUST MAKE THE FINAL, UH, DECISION ON IT AND THEN THEY CAN OWN IT.
IF THE PUBLIC DOESN'T MAKE IT
OH YES, THE LIBRARY, THE COMMITTEE WANTS, WANTS TO JOIN IN, OF COURSE.
SO, BUT IT WAS THE LIBRARY AND THE ARTS COMMITTEE, RIGHT? THOSE TWO.
AND IF I MAY ADD, THE PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE DOES MEET THIS MONTH, SO WE CAN GO AHEAD AND ADD IT TO THE NEXT AGENDA.
LET JUST SAY, YEAH, I, I STILL PREFER, AND I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING ABOUT EMPOWERING THE COMMITTEES, BUT THEY ARE ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND THAT'S HOW THEY'RE LISTED AS ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND THEY ADVISE THE COUNCIL.
SO, UM, I STILL THINK, AND IN THE PAST WHEN WE'VE DONE WITH ARTWORK, THINGS ALONG THAT LINE, THE, UM, OH, THE, THE WHOLE LIGHT PROJECT WITH THE GLASS, UH, UH, STAINED GLASS THAT THEY MADE, THEY MADE THE RECOMMENDATION, THEY CAME BEFORE THE COUNCIL AND BECAUSE THEY ARE AN ADVISORY GROUP, THEY, THEY ARE NOT A DECISION MAKING GROUP.
SOME, SOME AREAS OF PLANNING COMMISSION GETS TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT ARE SEPARATE FROM US, BUT, UH, THE ADVISORY GROUPS DON'T.
BUT I DEFINITELY THINK IT SHOULD GO BEFORE THEM SINCE THAT'S, THAT'S THEIR AREA AND THAT'S THE REASON WE PUT 'EM ON THOSE COMMITTEES.
SO WE CAN TAKE IT TO PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE AND THE LIBRARY BOARD AND THEN COME BACK.
SO WE DO HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, UH, TO DO JUST THAT.
AND WE CAN, UNLESS THERE'S ANY OTHER DISCUSSION.
[10.2 Fiscal Year 2024 Mid-Year Budget Status Report]
GO TO, UH, TEN TWO, WHICH IS THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 MID-YEAR BUDGET STATUS REPORT.WE HAVE MR. VALEZ HERE, PAUL FROM THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT TO GIVE A BRIEF PRESENTATION AND ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.
ALRIGHT, GOOD EVENING, MAYOR MORRISON AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
UH, TONIGHT I'LL REVIEW A FEW SLIDES THAT SUMMARIZE AT A HIGH LEVEL THE PROJECTIONS INCLUDED IN THE MID-YEAR BUDGET STAFF REPORT.
THE INFORMATION PRESENTED COMPARES THE FISCAL YEAR 24 ADJUSTED GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO MID-YEAR GENERAL FUND PROJECTIONS.
THESE PROJECTIONS ARE BASED ON A COMBINATION OF YEAR TO DATE TRANSACTIONS AND HISTORICAL DATA, AS WELL AS INPUT FROM CITY CONSULTANTS GOING CAT CATEGORY BY CATEGORY.
ON THE REVENUE SIDE, THE BUDGET FOR SALES AND USE TAX ANTICIPATED THE CONTINUATION OF MODERATE GROWTH.
HOWEVER, IT IS CURRENTLY PROJECTED TO FALL SHORT OF THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE BY $1.3 MILLION DUE TO THE CONTINUED TREND OF LOWER THAN EXPECTED RECEIPTS IN AUTO SALES GENERAL CONSUMER GOODS AND THE CITY'S PORTION OF SHARED REVENUE POOLS.
THE SALES TAX SHORTFALL IS PARTIALLY MITIGATED BY THE DISTRICT TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX, WHICH IS PROJECTED TO FINISH 800,000 ABOVE THE BUDGETED LEVEL.
SO COMBINED SALES RELATED REVENUE OR PROJECTED 600,000 BELOW THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE.
AND I WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT ALTHOUGH NOT REFLECTED IN THESE PROJECTIONS, THE MOST RECENT SALES RECEIPTS INFORMATION SHOW A MODERATE INCREASE WHICH STAFF HAS SCHEDULED TO DISCUSS WITH OUR SALES TAX CONSULTANT THIS MONTH.
UPDATED PROJECTIONS REFLECTING THIS INCREASE WILL BE IN INCLUDED IN THE THIRD QUARTER BUDGET REPORT.
NEXUS PROPERTY TAX REVENUE, WHICH IS IN LINE WITH THE BUDGET AMOUNT ESTIMATED TO FINISH WITH A SLIGHT INCREASE OF 55,000 WHILE PROPERTY TAX IN LIEU OF VLF IS ESTIMATED TO FINISH THE YEAR 145,000 MORE THAN BUDGETED.
THE OTHER RE REVENUES CATEGORY EXPECTED TO EXCEED BUDGET BY $50,000 OVERALL, WHICH IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO A COMBINATION OF PROJECTED POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE VARIANCES ACROSS THE INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS.
SO ALL RE REVENUE CATEGORIES COMBINED ARE CURRENTLY PROJECTED AT $300,000.
UH, BELOW THE BUDGETED AMOUNTS ON THE EXPENDITURE SIDE, PERSONNEL SERVICES IS PROJECTED TO HAVE $2.6 MILLION IN SAVINGS ASSOCIATED WITH VACANT POSITIONS AND TURNOVER.
HOWEVER, AN ESTIMATED $2.2 MILLION OF ADDITIONAL OVERTIME COSTS PRIMARILY IN POLICE AND FIRE REDUCED THE NET SAVINGS TO $400,000
[03:00:01]
IN THIS CATEGORY.GENERAL FUND MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS EXPENDITURES ARE PROJECTED TO BE $900,000 BELOW BUDGET.
OVERALL, THIS IS DUE TO A COMBINATION OF ANTICIPATED SAVINGS IN VARIOUS ACCOUNTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY, PARTIALLY OFFSET BY UNANTICIPATED EXPENSES AND OTHERS.
CAPITAL CATEGORIES ARE PROJECTED AS BEING ENTIRELY SPENT AND WILL NOT GENERATE ANY SAVINGS.
THIS IS BECAUSE ANY UNSPENT FUNDS AT THE END OF THE YEAR WILL BE CARRIED OVER TO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
TRANSFERS OUT IS INCREASING BY 275,000 OVER THE ORIGINAL BUDGET DUE TO AN ADDITIONAL NUTRITION FUND SUBSIDY INCLUDED IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION REQUEST FOR THIS ITEM.
SO LOOKING AT THE BIG PICTURE, THE TRENDS INCLUDED IN THESE PROJECTED REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES PLAY OUT THERE WILL BE AN ESTIMATED $500,000 IN USE OF UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.
AND THAT'S SHOWN IN BOLD IN THE THIRD COLUMN THERE.
UH, THIS COMPARES FAVORABLY TO THE $1 MILLION IN USE OF AVAILABLE FUND BALANCE THAT WAS ESTIMATED IN THE FISCAL YEAR 24 ADOPTED BUDGET.
AND THAT'S SHOWN IN THE FIRST COLUMN.
A SECOND FUNCTION OF THE MIDYEAR BUDGET REVIEW ALLOWS DEPARTMENTS TO ANALYZE THEIR BUDGET AND SUBMIT APPROPRIATIONS REQUESTS FOR COSTS THAT WERE UNANTICIPATED DURING THE BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS.
THE GENERAL FUND REQUESTS SHOWN ON THESE SLIDES CAN BE FOUND ON EXHIBIT A OF THE STAFF REPORT ALONG WITH THE REQUEST FROM OTHER FUNDS.
FINALLY, APPRO APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM'S RESOLUTION WILL APPROPRIATE AN ADDITIONAL 700,000 FROM THE UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE OF THE GENERAL FUND.
AND I'M AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS.
I DO HAVE, WE DO HAVE ONE SPEAKER IN THE AUDIENCE.
WAIT, WANNA HEAR FROM SPEAKER FIRST OR NO? OKAY.
UH, NOW I DO HAVE A SPEAKER SLIP.
THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THEY DIDN'T PUT THEIR NAME ON IT.
HAD A FUNNY FEELING 'CAUSE IT LOOKED, LOOKED LIKE WITH A GREEN PEN AND I SAW YOUR GREEN PEN OR SOMETHING ELSE, BUT, OKAY.
I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE YOU, BUT OKAY.
IT'S, UH, ACTUALLY IT'S GOOD NEWS.
IT WAS PURE LUCK THAT WE WOUND UP IN THIS POSITION.
IF I'M READING IT CORRECTLY, OUR REVENUE IS DOWN AND EXPENDITURES ARE DOWN TOO, BUT IT'S JUST THE INCREMENTAL DIFFERENCE THAT MADE THE, MADE THE, THE CHANGE.
WE WERE ALREADY READY TO SPEND MORE THAN WE HAD IN GENERAL REVENUE.
THE WAY IT TURNED OUT IS JUST INCREDIBLY LUCKY.
I THINK I, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU GUYS.
YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT AN EDUCATED GUESS, IT'S JUST PURE LUCK.
AND SOME OF YOU WROTE THE LINE WITHOUT A, A GOOD ASSESSMENT OF THE RISK, AND I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD PUT THE CITY IN THAT POSITION.
NOW, IF YOU'RE GONNA GLOAT ABOUT IT, YOU'D HAVE NOTHING TO GLOAT ABOUT BECAUSE YOU RAN OUT OF IT WAS PURE LUCK.
AND IF YOU'RE RUNNING THE CITY THAT WAY OUT OF NOT AN ED, GOOD EDUCATED GUESS, THEN IF YOU RUN YOUR PERSONAL AREAS, UH, PERSONAL BUSINESS THAT WAY TOO, THEN WE CAN SEE THE CORRELATION.
YOU CAN'T MAKE DECISIONS ON A LUCKY OUTCOME.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO, TO SAY THANK, THANK YOU.
UH, THANK YOU MR. VALEZ FOR ADDRESSING THE MAJORITY OF MY QUESTIONS EARLIER.
UM, THE, MY FINAL QUESTION, UH, I SAW ON THE SLIDES THERE'S, UH, 700,000 THAT IS, UH, SUPPLEMENTAL, YOU SAID IS IN ADDITION, UH, TALLY OF WHAT THE DEPARTMENTS NOW ARE ADJUSTING IN THE BUDGET? THAT IS CORRECT.
THAT 700,000 IS PART OF THE FIRST CHART THAT YOU SHOWED US IN THERE, THAT, THAT INCLUDED IN THE PROJECTIONS.
AND SO THEN WE WILL STILL END UP WITH A PROJECTION OF, UM, JUST UNDER $500,000 OF UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE AT THE, YOU KNOW, THE PROJECTION FOR THE END OF IT.
THE, THE, THE PROJECTION IS, UH, DIPPING INTO THE UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE BY $500,000, INCLUDING THE, UH, APPROVAL OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL REQUEST.
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THAT INFORMATION, MAYOR.
AND IF YOU'RE READY FOR A MOTION, I'M READY TO MAKE IT.
I MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RECOMMENDATION TO, UM, ADJUST THE BUDGET AS DIRECTED BY MR. VALEZ.
[03:05:01]
OKAY.ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? MEMBER BUSH? OH, I'M SORRY.
I WOULD LIKE TO JUST MAKE A COUPLE COMMENTS.
UM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION.
JUST FOR CLARITY'S SAKE, UM, WHAT IS OUR CURRENT UNASSIGNED GENERAL FUND BALANCE TOTAL IN A FIGURE AND PERCENTAGE, WHAT'S OUR GOAL AND WHAT'S OUR PERCENTAGE THAT WE HAVE? THE, THE GOAL IS 10%, AND I THINK WE'RE AT APPROXIMATELY, UH, 28% OF THE CURRENT YEARS, UH, UH, OPERATIONAL BUDGET.
UM, AND WHAT ABOUT THE ECONOMIC CONTINGENCY RESERVE FOR THE CITY? THAT'S 20%.
UM, AND I, I DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION IN FRONT OF ME, BUT I, I KNOW WHERE, I KNOW WE MET IT, UM, AS OF WHEN THE POLICY WAS ADOPTED.
SO THE POLICY FOR THE EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY FUND IS 20%, AND WE HAVE THAT IN RESERVES.
AND THE UNASSIGNED GENERAL FUND BALANCE GOAL IS 10%.
AND WE HAVE THAT IN ADDITION TO 18% OVER THAT.
SO IN TOTAL RESERVES, INCLUDING THE UNASSIGNED GENERAL FUND BALANCE AND EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY FUND, WE'RE LOOKING AT SOMETHING LIKE 48%.
UH, I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT ALL THE NUMBERS AND ADD THEM, BUT, WELL, I WAS JUST LOOKING AT 28 PLUS 20.
SO I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S A LOT OF, UM, UM, RESERVATIONS ON US UTILIZING FUNDS.
I REMEMBER HAVING THIS CONVERSATION A COUPLE MONTHS AGO WHEN WE WERE TRYING TO ASSIST FOLKS IN DIRE NEED OF HOUSING ASSISTANCE BECAUSE WE WEREN'T SURE IF THE COUNTY WAS GONNA PULL THROUGH.
THERE WAS A LOT OF EXPENSES THAT THE CITY HAD AFTER THE FLOOD TO ASSIST FAMILIES.
AND I DO BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US, FIRST AND FOREMOST, TO LOOK AT OUR, UH, FINANCIAL OUTLOOK AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE A SOLVENT CITY THAT IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN THE FUTURE.
I ALSO THINK IT'S GOOD PRACTICE TO UTILIZE THE FUNDS THAT WE DO HAVE SO WE CAN PROVIDE BETTER SERVICES FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
IT'S, I, I DON'T BELIEVE WE'RE IN THE BUSINESS OF HOARDING MONEY.
IT, UM, LIKE IF WE GET TO A HUNDRED PERCENT RESERVE, SO WHAT IF WE'RE NOT PROVIDING THE SERVICES THAT OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES? LIKE THE MONEY IS THERE FOR US TO UTILIZE, TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY BEST UTILIZES FUNDS.
SO I THINK MAYBE IT'S AN IDEOLOGICAL POSITION, BUT, UM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GOING THROUGH THE NUMBERS WITH US.
UM, AND I UNDERSTAND DURING LAST MONTH'S PRESENTATION ON THE 2223 BUDGET CYCLE, WE ALSO HAD A TOTAL OF THREE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS SURPLUS IN THE UNASSIGNED GENERAL FUND BALANCE.
AT THE, UH, AS A RESULT OF THE, UH, REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES IN 24, WE ADDED, UM, I THINK YOUR NUMBER WAS CORRECT TO THE UNASSIGNED, UH, FUND BALANCE.
JUST WANTED TO POINT SOME OF THOSE THINGS OUT.
WE MAY JUST HAVE IDEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES WITH SOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS, BUT, UH, THANK YOU FOR THE VERY THOROUGH REPORT AND DISCUSSION WHEN WE HAD IT EARLIER TODAY.
YEAH, JUST, UH, THANK FOR THE REPORT AND ECHO, UH, MY, MY COLLEAGUES' REMARKS.
I, I DO ASK THAT I, I TALKED TO THIS IN, UH, I TOLD YOU GUYS THIS IN THE, IN THE BRIEFING, BUT, UM, YEAH, IF YOU COULD PLEASE MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE WHAT OUR UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCES, UM, ON THERE.
I, I DIDN'T SEE IT ON THE REPORT AND YOU PULLED IT UP IN THE, IN OUR, IN OUR BRIEFING.
BUT THAT PROVIDES, UH, A LOT OF HELPFUL, UH, CONTEXT.
UM, BECAUSE I, AND I DO AGREE, I, UM, ONCE WE GET, WE HAVE ENOUGH IN RESERVES, AND SO WE DON'T WANT TO HOARD CASH.
UM, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE, WE, WE KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF VULNERABLE FOLKS IN, IN NEED OUT THERE, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF PRIORITIES, UM, TO, TO WORK THROUGH.
WE DEFINITELY WANNA BE RESPONSIBLE.
UM, BUT WE DO HAVE A LOT OF POSITIONS THAT, UM, IN ONE-TIME EXPENDITURES THAT WE HAVEN'T UTILIZED, FOR EXAMPLE, LAST YEAR AND THE, UH, BUDGET CYCLE, THE, UM, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, FOR EXAMPLE.
AND I CAN'T REMEMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD WHAT WE AUTHORIZED THERE, BUT I DON'T THINK WE'VE SPENT THAT AT ALL TO MY KNOWLEDGE.
UM, AND THERE'S, UH, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE STAFFER THAT WE'VE, UH, AUTHORIZED A COUPLE OF, UH, BUDGET CYCLES AGO THAT'S STILL ON HOLD.
SO WE'RE NOT, UM, YOU KNOW, SPENDING ON THAT.
SO THE, THERE'S SOME SAVINGS IN THE EXPENDITURES ON THE PERSONNEL SIDE, UM, THAT WE DO NEED TO GET, GET GOING ON.
UM, UH, BUT, UH, I THINK THAT, UM, WE'RE, WE'RE LOOKING DECENT RIGHT NOW.
I, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SALES TAX DECREASED REVENUE, AND I DO THINK WE SHOULD BE CONSERVATIVE ON THE THAT, BECAUSE IT DOES LOOK LIKE THE, THERE'S, UM, THE TREND ISN'T, ISN'T GOOD.
SO WE SHOULD ADJUST ACCORDINGLY.
SO WE'RE BEING RESPONSIBLE AND WE'RE, WE'RE ANTICIPATING.
UH, BUT OTHERWISE, I THINK STAFF'S, UH, DONE A GREAT JOB.
AND, AND WE'LL, UM, YOU KNOW, I, AGAIN, MR. NIETO, I DON'T THINK IT, IT WAS LUCK BECAUSE IT WAS A PANDEMIC.
[03:10:01]
OUR, UM, OUR FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION THAT PROVIDED THOSE, UH, THOSE RELIEF FUNDS.THAT WAS AN ACTION OF, UM, OF THE PRESIDENT AND THE CONGRESS.
UM, BUT I, TO YOUR, I THINK YOUR POINT, WE CAN'T RELY ON THAT.
WE HAVE TO, UH, MAYBE TIGHTEN, UH, DOWN WITH OUR, UH, PROJECTIONS FOR THE SALES TAX REVENUE AND, UH, GO FROM THERE.
UM, IN NUMBERS, THERE'S NO LUCK.
IT'S THE DUE DILIGENCE THAT YOU DO AND HOW RESPONSIBLE YOU ARE IN SPENDING OR, UM, USING THE MONEY.
I WOULD LIKE YOU, THANK YOU FOR THE REPORT, MR. VALADE.
YOU KNOW, MAY I ASK THE QUESTIONS AND I WILL SIT DOWN WITH YOU, BUT I JUST WANTED TO, TO PINPOINT CITY MANAGER THAT THERE'S A 2.2 MILLION, UM, OVER TIME FOR POLICE AND FIRE.
HOW'S THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR POLICE OFFICERS IN OUR FIRE? I THINK IF WE HAVE THIS MONEY, WE NEED TO HIRE.
SO, AS YOU CAN SEE, WE'RE GONNA HAVE SOME INTERESTING DISCUSSIONS WHEN WE COME UP TO BUDGET TIME.
UH, THERE'S ALWAYS THE FEELING THAT, YOU KNOW, WE GOT MONEY, WE GOTTA SPEND IT.
AND THEN THERE'S ALSO THE CAUTIONS OF TAKING A LOOK AT IT.
AND THERE'S BEEN TIMES IN THE PAST WHERE CITIES HAVE SPENT MONEY DOWN TOO LOW, AND THEN CONDITIONS CHANGE DRASTICALLY, SUCH AS WE JUST WENT THROUGH THAT, THAT, UH, GREAT RECESSION INSTEAD OF A GREAT DEPRESSION, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THE MONEY WAS GONE.
AND THEN YOU ALSO HAVE THE SITUATIONS WHERE YOU GET, WELL-FUNDED THE STATE, STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STARTS WRITING CHECKS LIKE CRAZY.
BUT THEN OF COURSE, INTEREST RATES GO THROUGH THE ROOF, AND THAT RAISES THE PRICES ON HOUSING AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
SO THERE'S ALWAYS POINTS AND COUNTERPOINTS TO ALL THESE THINGS.
AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GONNA NEED TO TAKE A, TAKE A LOOK AT.
AND, YOU KNOW, A HOLISTIC LOOK ON WHAT ARE THE, UH, THE POSITIVES AND WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES EITHER SPENDING MONEY, AND I DON'T CALL IT HOARDING MONEY, BUT, OR SAVING MONEY, UH, FOR THE RAINY DAY.
THOSE TWO DIFFERENT WAYS OF LOOKING AT THINGS.
SO THOSE WOULD BE INTERESTING DISCUSSIONS.
UH, WE DO HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
AND WHO IS THE SECOND ON THAT ONE? COUNCIL MEMBER RODRIGUEZ.
[10.3 Discussion and Direction Regarding Proposed City Councilmember Budget Policy]
HAVE DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING PROPOSED CITY COUNCIL MEMBER BUDGET, UH, POLICY.AND I THINK THAT'S GONNA BE OUR CITY ATTORNEY.
UH, SO THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGENDA ITEM IS TO HAVE A DISCUSSION AND GET DIRECTION FROM THE COUNCIL.
THE COUNCIL REGARDING A PROPOSED, UM, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER BUDGET POLICY.
UM, AS WE ALL KNOW, UH, AS PART OF THE LAST, UH, BUDGET PROCESS, THE, UH, CITY COUNCIL INCLUDED A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS APPROPRIATION FOR EACH COUNCIL MEMBER'S BUDGET.
UM, AND THE COUNCIL HAS REQUESTED THAT CITY STAFF PROVIDE THE COUNCIL WITH A DRAFT COUNCIL POLICY GOVERNING THE USE OF THOSE FUNDS.
UH, EXHIBIT A ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA REPORT IS A PROPOSED DRAFT POLICY.
UM, AND THERE'S REALLY, UH, I WOULD CALL TWO CATEGORIES TO IT.
UM, SO THE FIRST PART OF THE POLICY IS THAT IT WILL REQUIRE EACH COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, TO PROVIDE A ANNUAL APPROPRIATION REQUEST FOR REVIEW BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND THE CITY MANAGER AS PART OF THE CITY'S ANNUAL BUDGET ADOPTION PROCESS.
UH, THIS IS A PROCESS THAT IS CURRENTLY USED BY ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS AS PART OF THE, THE BUDGET PROCESS, UH, IN SUBMITTING THAT REQUEST.
UH, THERE ARE SPECIFIC, UH, LINE ITEMS THAT YOU'LL FIND IN THE BUDGETS.
THOSE LINE ITEMS COVER PERSONNEL SERVICES, UH, GOVERNMENTAL PURPOSES, UH, EXPENSES, TRAINING, TRAVEL AND SUBSISTENCE, UH, MATERIALS AND SUPPLY.
SO THOSE ARE THE LINE ITEMS THAT YOU WILL SEE ON OUR BUDGET, AND THEY ARE COVERED BY ALL DEPARTMENT, UM, UH, BUDGETS.
UM, WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GIVE SOME DEFINITION TO SOME OF THESE, UH, LINE ITEMS BECAUSE PREVIOUS VERSIONS WERE VERY, UM, NEBULOUS, FOR INSTANCE, GOVERNMENTAL PURPOSES.
UH, WE'RE, WE ARE SUBMITTING A, UH, A DEFINITION THAT YOU MAY WISH TO TIGHTEN UP EVEN MORE.
BUT THESE, UH, EXPENDITURES WOULD BE FOR THOSE THAT ARE REASONABLY RELATED TO THE PROMOTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH, MORAL SAFETY, OR GENERAL WELFARE OF THE COMMUNITY.
AND THE EXPENDITURES MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY'S ADOPTED STRATEGIC PLAN AND CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES.
UM, THE SECOND PART OF THE POLICY REALLY IS A, UH, IS A NUMBER OF, UH, POLICY STATEMENTS REGARDING, UM, SPECIFIC EXPENDITURES.
SO ONE WOULD BE, UH, B, WHICH DEALS WITH PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.
IT WOULD ALLOW, UH, A COUNCIL MEMBER TO, UH, UTILIZE CONSULTING, UH, SERVICES, UM, FOR SPECIFIC, UM, UH, SPECIFIC ONE TIME PROJECTS OR WHERE, UH, IT'S NOT
[03:15:02]
BEEN ROUTINELY PROVIDED BY CITY STAFF OR BECAUSE CITY STAFF DOES NOT HAVE THE EXPERTISE, UM, TO CARRY OUT THOSE ASSIGNMENTS.UM, THE OTHER SECTION WOULD BE PART-TIME AND FULL-TIME PERSONNEL.
UH, AND IT JUST BASICALLY STATES THAT ANY PART-TIME, FULL-TIME PERSONNEL SHALL BE RECRUITED AND HIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CITY'S PERSONNEL HIRING POLICIES.
UM, IT DOES INCLUDE RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES.
UH, IT INDICATES THAT ALL EXPENDITURES ARE SUBJECT TO THE RE RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS, INCLUDING GIFTED PUBLIC FUNDS, USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES.
POLITICAL ACTIVITIES DURING THE WORKDAY ARE PROHIBITED AND PUBLIC RESOURCES THAT CANNOT BE USED FOR POLITICAL CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES.
UM, THE LAST TWO POLICIES DEAL WITH SOCIAL MEDIA.
IF ANY OF THE PUBLIC RESOURCES ARE USED FOR SOCIAL MEDIA, THEN THEY WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE CITY'S SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY, WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THE CITY'S ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL.
UH, FINALLY, THERE IS A PROPOSED REIMBURSEMENT PROCEDURE.
UM, AND THAT IS PRIOR TO THE EXPENDITURE, ALL REIMBURSEMENT REQUESTS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE MAYOR ACTING AS THE DEPARTMENT HEAD FOR APPROVAL.
UH, THE REQUEST WOULD HAVE TO SHOW THE DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED EXPENDITURE WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS.
THE MAYOR WOULD REVIEW THE REQUEST FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THIS POLICY AND ANY OTHER APPLICABLE POLICIES AND SIGNIFY HIS OR HER APPROVAL.
SHOULD THE MAYOR NOT APPROVE A REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST, HE OR SHE SHALL NOTIFY THE CITY COUNCIL WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE DENIAL AND PROVIDE A BASIS FOR THE DENIAL.
UM, SO THIS IS A, UH, PROPOSED POLICY, AND WE'RE LOOKING, UM, THIS EVENING FOR YOUR DISCUSSIONS AND ANY PROPOSED CHANGES, UH, MODIFICATIONS, ET CETERA.
WE DO HAVE A NUMBER OF PUBLIC SPEAKERS.
WE'LL GO INTO THAT BEFORE WE GET INTO OUR DISCUSSION AT THE DAAS, WE START WITH, UH, UH, DANIEL PEREZ TO BE FOLLOWED BY PAUL WADOWSKI TO BE FOLLOWED BY RANDY SALGADO.
UH, I THINK, UH, POLICY DOES NEED TO BE IN PLACE.
UM, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF, UH, NEGATIVE PUBLICITY IN THE RECENT MONTHS REGARDING THE SLUSH FUND THAT YOU GUYS WERE GIVEN.
UM, YOU KNOW, IT, READING THE ARTICLES, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S JUST, UH, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE INCOMPETENT A BIT.
UH, AND I DON'T THINK WE NEED THAT, UH, ASIDE FROM THE FINANCIAL ASPECT 'CAUSE WE ALREADY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT.
UM, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE.
UM, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A, IT'S A BUSINESS.
UM, YOU KNOW, THINGS SHOULD BE APPROVED APPROPRIATELY.
UH, GIVING SOMEONE FUNDS AND GIVING THEM THE ABILITY TO DO WHATEVER THEY WANT WITH THEM.
UH, THAT'S JUST NOT THE RIGHT APPROACH.
I THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD IDEA FROM THE GET GO.
UM, OBVIOUSLY THAT'S PROVEN TRUE.
AND, UM, YOU KNOW, MOVING FORWARD, HOPEFULLY WE CAN HAVE A LITTLE MORE, UH, I DUNNO, POLICIES IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE WE OR THOSE FUNDS ARE USED APPROPRIATELY AND, UH, YOU KNOW, SO IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT'S BEING USED FOR POLITICAL GAIN.
NICK PAUL WADOWSKI, I DON'T THINK HE'S STILL HERE ANYMORE.
WE WILL GO TO RANDY SALGADO TO BE FOLLOWED BY SEAN, UH, SAMSEL COUNCIL MEMBERS, MAYOR, UH, CITY STAFF.
UM, TO BE CLEAR, I DO NOT SUPPORT THE $100,000 PER CITY COUNCIL MEMBER BUDGET.
UM, AND I FEEL IT SHOULD BE REPEALED.
UM, THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DECIDED WITHOUT A PUBLIC VOTE, IN MY OPINION.
BUT WE ARE DISCUSSING POLICY TRANSPARENCY SHOULD BE OF THE UTMOST CONCERN.
ANYTHING OVER $10,000 SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO COUNCIL AND VOTED ON AND ACCEPTED BY ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS BEFORE BEING SIGNED.
WHAT IS THE POLICY OF UNSPENT FUNDS? I DON'T THINK COUNCIL SHOULD ALWAYS FEEL THE NEED TO SPEND THE WHOLE $100,000.
AND AS WELL, ANY OVERAGE IN COUNCIL BUDGETS ANNUALLY SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE GENERAL FUND BALANCE CONTRACTS.
ALL CONTRACTS SHOULD BE PUBLICLY DISPLAYED AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY
[03:20:01]
TO HAVE BID ON EACH OF THESE CONTRACTS FOR FAIR VALUE FOR OUR CITY, A CONTRACT FOR $47,000 FOR A BRAND NEW BUSINESS THAT WAS NOT EVEN REGISTERED AS A BUSINESS AT THE TIME THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ALLOWED.ALL INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS WITH CITY CONTRACTS SHOULD BE VETTED.
I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO HOLD EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE AND MORAL IN ETHIC.
YOU ARE A GOVERNING BODY WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF OUR CITY.
UH, SEAN SAMSEL TO BE FOLLOWED BY JOAN RACON.
HELLO, UH, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THIS SITUATION.
I WAS ACTUALLY ATTEMPTING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT IT, UH, THROUGH A FACEBOOK GROUP FOR NATIONAL CITY.
AND MY POSTS WERE JUST TAKEN DOWN.
UM, BUT I DID GET TO MESSAGE, UM, THE, UH, THE PERSON, CINDY LOPEZ, I POSTED THE, THE SCREENSHOTS AND EVERYTHING.
I'M STILL KIND OF TRYING TO LEARN ABOUT IT.
I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS, BUT TO ME, IT SEEMS THAT THE FIRST THING WAS TO INFORM MOBILE HOME RESIDENTS OF RENT, OF THE RENT CONTROL ENDING IN, UH, DECEMBER, THE ORDINANCE.
UH, AND TO, UM, KIND OF PRESS FOR, UM, YOU KNOW, SOME MORE RENT CONTROL.
I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD, I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD BE, UH, UH, THOUGHT OF AND EVERYTHING.
UM, TWO AND THREE KIND OF COULD JUST BE COMBINED, UM, TO INFORM NATIONAL CITY RESIDENTS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT'S AVAILABLE.
AND, AND, UH, NEW HOMES FOR SALE.
THAT'S, THAT'S KIND OF JUST THE SAME THING.
THAT'S ALL LIKE ONE SEMINAR, RIGHT? UM, AND, AND REALISTICALLY, UM, SO, UH, FOUR AND FIVE ARE BOTH JUST FOOD RELATED.
THEY COULD ALSO PRETTY MUCH BE COMBINED FOR THE MOST PART.
AND THEN SIX, UM, I THINK THAT WE SHOULD INCENTIVIZE RESIDENTS TO REPORT LIGHTS THAT ARE OUT IN THEIR STREETS AND JUST GIVE THEM LIKE $10 A LIGHT.
SO REALISTICALLY, UM, WHAT I'M SAYING IS, UM, AND, AND, AND WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT, I'M APPLYING FOR A JOB AT THIS POINT.
UH, YOU KNOW, $47,000 FOR THREE MONTHS OF WORK IS, IS LIKE WILD, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WORK, IT'S, IT SAYS SIX, BUT REALISTICALLY, I JUST SHORTENED IT DOWN TO FOUR.
AND ALL OF THOSE ARE BASICALLY PHONE CALLS OR FLYERS THAT COULD BE SENT OUT.
UM, AND IT, I, I, REALISTICALLY, I'M SAYING THAT I COULD DO THIS JOB FOR, UH, FOR $23,500 IN A, IN A MONTH AND A HALF, AND ACTUALLY THE MONTH AND A HALF, I WOULDN'T HAVE TO USE ALL OF IT.
I'D PROBABLY GET IT DONE IN ABOUT A MONTH.
UM, AND SO I'M JUST, I'M, I'M SAYING, YOU KNOW, IT IS JUST LOGICAL FOR US TO KIND OF THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS BEFORE WE, BEFORE WE APPROVE THEM.
I, I DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT IT THOUGH.
YOU KNOW, I, I THINK THAT IN ESSENCE, THEY'RE GOOD.
I DON'T WANNA USE TOO MUCH OF MY TIME OVER THE ZERO.
I DIDN'T REALIZE I COULD GO OVER THE ZERO MARK.
JOAN RECON, UH, RECON TO BE FOLLOWED BY RICARDO SANCHEZ.
SINCE I CAN'T PERSUADE THE MAYOR TO GIVE ME THE THREE HOURS TALKING ABOUT THIS, THAT IT WOULD REALLY BE REQUIRED TO DO IT JUSTICE.
I'M GONNA TOUCH ON ONE SMALL PART OF THIS ASPECT, AND THAT IS THE ISSUE OF GIVING MONEY TO NONPROFITS.
THERE'S AT LEAST THREE PROBLEMS WITH THAT PROBLEM.
ONE, A LOT OF TIMES, NONPROFITS REALLY DON'T DO A VERY GOOD JOB AT WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
REMEMBER IN BALBOA PARK WHEN WE WERE GONNA HAVE THIS GREAT CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION FOR 2015, AND THERE WAS A GROUP CALLED BALBOA PARK CELEBRATION THAT COLLECTED MILLION, MANY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
AND THAT IN 2015, A GRAND JURY HAD TO REPORT THAT THE ENTIRE THING WAS ILL-CONCEIVED MISMANAGED, AND LARGELY WASTED OVER 2.8 MILLION IN PUBLIC FUNDS.
AND WHO WAS THE TREASURER OF THAT GROUP? ANYBODY REMEMBER? FRANK SEN? YES.
THE TYPHOID MY OF MONEY, FRANK SEN.
UM, ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE IN THEORY, TO DIRECT MONEY TO ONESELF.
WE KNOW FROM MR. RODRIGUEZ'S FORM 700 THAT HE, UM, DOES QUITE LEGITIMATELY HAVE CONTRACTS WITH CHICANA FEDERATION FOR HIS DAYCARE BUSINESS.
SO WE WOULD HAVE TO WATCH OUT FOR THINGS LIKE THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMEBODY TRYING TO FEED MONEY TO THEMSELVES BY DONATING TO A NONPROFIT, UH, THAT WOULD BENEFIT THEM IF THAT WERE SOMETHING THEY WERE GONNA ATTEMPT TO DO.
AND IN CLOSING, AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, I DEAL WITH BROKEN NONPROFITS ALL THE TIME.
I, I'VE GOT STORIES YOU CAN IMAGINE, BUT YOU HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE IRS REGISTRATION.
YOU HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE CALIFORNIA SECRETARY OF STATE.
YOU HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE FRANCHISE TAX BOARD.
AND ALSO THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL'S
[03:25:01]
REGISTRY OF CHARITABLE TRUSTS.AND THERE'S, I'M NOT GONNA LIE, THERE'S AT LEAST TWO OF YOU HERE WHO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN MORE THAN ONE NONPROFIT THAT COMPLETELY FELL OFF THE RAILS.
AND UNLESS PEOPLE ARE COMPLIANT AND THEN THEY'RE NOT, IF THEY'RE NOT REPORTING, THEN YOU HAVE A BLACK HOLE OF, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
RICARDO SANCHEZ TO BE FOLLOWED BY ED EDWARD NETTO, RICARDO SANCHEZ.
UM, I WANNA SAY HI TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
AND, UH, I GUESS, UM, I'M IN FAVOR FOR USING PUBLIC FUNDS TOWARDS COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION AND, UH, SUPPORT SUPPORTED THE NEEDS ON THE DISTRICTS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
SO I AM, UH, I LIKE, UH, OPTION TWO, THE WAY THAT IT WAS WRITTEN.
IT, UH, PUT SHACKLES ON A LOT OF, UH, FREE SPENDING.
AND, UM, THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY.
I MEAN, I THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD IDEA, BUT WE'RE HERE.
UH, EDWARD NETTO TO BE FOLLOWED BY SHERRY GOGI.
I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, YOU KNOW, WE'RE HERE A YEAR LATER AND NOW WE'RE COMING UP WITH A POLICY.
MM-HMM,
RODRIGUEZ DOESN'T HAVE THE TRUST.
HE DUPED YOU ALL INTO VOTING FOR THIS.
SO, I, I DON'T KNOW WHAT MORE TO SAY HERE IS HE DUPED THE CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY.
THIS IS A QUESTION OF INTEGRITY OF ETHICS.
HE DOESN'T HAVE ANY PLAIN AND SIMPLE.
HIS CONSULTANT WAS HIS, THE, THE, THE, UH, THE COORDINATOR OF, OF, UM, VOTING HIM FOR THE NATIONAL CITY DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
NOW, IS THERE A CONFLICT THERE? WELL, ME, YEAH, I WOULD SAY THERE PROBABLY IS.
BUT THERE'S A LEVEL, THE LEVEL OF, OF APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY.
THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY.
YOU GUYS ARE TRUSTED WITH TAXPAYERS MONEY, AND YOU DON'T HAVE THAT TRUST.
I CAN SAY AT THE BEST, MAYBE A FEW OF YOU WERE DUPED, BUT AT THE WORST, ONE OF YOU INTENTIONALLY DUPED THE OTHERS.
STEP UP AND MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION.
I HOPE THIS, THIS POLICY IS STRENGTHENED BECAUSE IT'S WEAK.
AS YOU ALL REMEMBER LAST YEAR, I VOICED MY OPINION.
I DID NOT AGREE WITH THIS, AND I STILL DON'T AGREE WITH THIS.
A HUNDRED THOUSAND TO THE DISTRICTS IT WAS VOTED ON.
BUT I ASK YOU, IF YOU HAVE THIS MONEY, USE IT FOR YOUR RESIDENCE.
WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES IN NATIONAL CITY THAT LOST THEIR HOMES TWO MONTHS AGO.
WHERE'S THAT MONEY BEEN? USE THAT MONEY FOR US.
YOU WERE HIRED, YOU WERE ELECTED TO DO A JOB.
YOU KNEW THAT WHAT THAT JOB ENTAILED.
ALL OF YOU HAVE FULL-TIME JOBS, OR SHOULD HAVE THE MONEY FROM THIS CITY SHOULD GO TO THE CITY, NOT TO YOU GUYS, NOT TO YOUR AN ASSISTANT.
I PAY FOR MY ASSISTANT, YOU GUYS, IF YOU NEED ONE, PAY FOR YOUR OWN, BECAUSE THIS CITY NEEDS THIS MONEY FOR THEIR RESIDENTS.
AND RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE A LOT OF DISPLACED RESIDENTS THAT COULD USE THAT MONEY.
THAT WAS MY TWO, TWO MINUTES THERE.
AS I'M ON THE BOARD WITH THE NATIONAL CITY POLICE AND FIRE FOUNDATION, WE'LL HAVE A BREAKFAST IN TWO WEEKS.
I'M, I'M LOOKING FOR NATIONAL CITY.
I DON'T HAVE TIME TO SEND EMAILS BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A PERSONAL ASSISTANT.
BUT
SO PLEASE REMEMBER, THE MONEY SHOULD GO TO THIS CITY.
[03:30:01]
OKAY.THAT IS ALL OF OUR SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM.
SO WHAT IS THOUGHTS TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS? UH, MEMBER MO.
UM, UH, I, I DID MENTION IT ALREADY TO DURING MY BRIEFING THAT THIS TWO PAGE POLICY SEEMS VERY SLIM TO ME, AND WE NEED TO ADD TO IT.
AND, AND, UM, THANKFULLY, UM, MR. UM, OUR ATTORNEY, SCHULTZ AND HIS, HIS TEAM, UH, ARE WILLING TO DO THIS.
UM, A COUPLE OF THOUGHTS BEFORE I TALK ABOUT CONTRACTS.
FIRST, UH, THE REPORT ITSELF MENTIONS, UM, OR PROPOSES, ACTUALLY, WAS IT THE, NO, I'M SORRY.
IT WAS THE ACTUAL, UH, FIRST PAGE OF THE BUDGET POLICY.
UH, THE POLICY PROPOSES THAT WE MUST SUBMIT AN ANNUAL APPROPRIATION REQUEST FOR REVIEW BY, UH, THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND THE CITY MANAGER, UM, AS PART OF THE CITY'S ANNUAL BUDGET ADOPTION PROCESS.
UM, I THINK I HEARD A SPEAKER SAY, WELL, YOU KNOW, I HOPE IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE ARE ANTICIPATING AN APPROPRIATION OF THE ENTIRE A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
UH, I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE SPENDING THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY.
UM, HONESTLY, I, I, UH, WAS AGAINST THAT FROM THE BEGINNING.
HOWEVER, NOW THAT IT IS, UM, SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO US, I THINK BEING FORTHCOMING WITH WHAT THE PLAN FOR THAT MONEY IS, UM, IS A GOOD IDEA.
HOWEVER, I CAUTION MY COUNCIL MEMBER, MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS TO, THAT DOESN'T MEAN GO AHEAD AND SPEND A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
I THINK WHATEVER CAN GET RETURNED BACK TO THE GENERAL FUND FOR, UM, GENERAL FUND PURPOSES IS, IS POSSIBLY QUITE POSSIBLY A BETTER IDEA.
UM, MY OTHER THING ON THE POLICY SO FAR HAS TO DO WITH THE VERY LAST, UH, CLAUSE ON HERE.
IT'S, UH, PARAGRAPH F REIMBURSEMENT PROCEDURE.
UM, I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A KERFUFFLE, OR I DON'T KNOW, UH, ABOUT SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, A REQUEST FOR A REIMBURSEMENT THAT THE MAYOR HAD DENIED.
HOWEVER, THEN THAT DENIAL WAS VETOED BY THE CITY MANAGER.
THIS LANGUAGE THAT AS PROPOSED HERE, DOESN'T HELP ME FEEL ANY BETTER ABOUT THAT DECISION AND HOW THAT WENT.
IT TURNS OUT, UM, THE CITY MANAGER APPROVED A REFUND, UH, A A, UM, I'M SORRY, A REIMBURSEMENT, EVEN THOUGH THE MAYOR HADN'T DENIED IT.
SO THE POLICY HERE AS STATED IS, THE MAYOR SHALL REVIEW THE REQUEST FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE POLICY.
UM, SHOULD THERE NOT BE AN APPROVAL OF REIMBURSEMENT, THEN THE CITY COUNCIL WITHIN 24 HOURS OF DENIAL AND PROVIDE A BASIS FOR THE DENIAL, THAT'S FINE.
BUT THEN WHAT'S THE NEXT STEP? IS THE NEXT STEP GOING TO BE, AGAIN, THAT THE CITY MANAGER CAN VETO THAT DENIAL THERE? THIS IS SO SLIM.
THERE'S ACTUALLY NO GUIDANCE HERE.
SO I WOULD PROPOSE, AT LEAST FOR THIS, UM, REIMBURSEMENT PROCEDURE, UH, TO, TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, THE DECISION THEN COME UPON THE CITY COUNCIL, BE IT PRIVATE OR BE IT A CLOSED SESSION OR OPEN SESSION.
BUT I THINK, UH, THERE NEEDS TO BE THE NEXT STEP ON HERE.
UM, IT JUST SEEMS LIKE IT CUTS OFF.
AND THEN WHAT HAPPENS? I CERTAINLY HOPE IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN THE WAY IT DID RECENTLY FOR, UM, YOU KNOW, I GUESS WHAT IS BEING CALLED TURKEY GATE HERE, WHICH IS, UM, THE CITY MANAGER GO AHEAD AND, AND REFUND THE $7,000 TO MR. COUNCILMAN, UH, RODRIGUEZ.
UM, DESPITE, YOU KNOW, THE OPINION OR THE, UM, THE PROCEDURE THAT HAD BEEN PUT IN PLACE WHERE THE MAYOR SAID, NO, THIS IS NOT APPROPRIATE.
SO ANYWAY, UH, SO WE NEED MORE INFORMATION THERE.
OKAY, SO NOW MY, UH, MAIN CONCERN IS IT DOESN'T APPEAR OTHER THAN THIS ONE SENTENCE, UM, FOR CONTRACTING, THERE IS A SENTENCE ON, UH, SECTION B PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.
THE LAST SENTENCE CONSULTANTS MAY BE EMPLOYED, WHERE CITY STAFF IS UNABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEED.
WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY, UH, EMBARRASSING, I WOULD SAY, UM, YOU KNOW, SOCIAL, NOT SOCIAL, BUT, UM, MEDIA, UM, ATTENTION BROUGHT UPON TO THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY BECAUSE OF THE MISHANDLING OF THE FIRST CONSULTANT CONTRACT APPROVED, UH, FOR, YOU KNOW, USING THE, THE DISTRICT BUDGETS.
AND SO THAT IS VERY MESSY, AND I DON'T WANNA SEE THAT AGAIN.
YOU KNOW, UM, UH, I HAVE PROPOSED THIS IDEA JUST EARLIER THIS EVENING, YOU OF, OF, UM, HIRING A CONSULTANT, UH, AN EXPERT TO HELP US UNDERSTAND THE HOMELESSNESS OPTIONS THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN OUR CITY THAT WOULD
[03:35:01]
REQUIRE SOME TYPE OF CONTRACT, THAT WOULD REQUIRE SOME TYPE OF CONSULTANT.UM, WHEN THAT HAPPENS, I DON'T WANT IT TO BE HANDLED THE WAY IT WAS HANDLED.
UM, IT, THE, THAT IT APPEARS TO BE MISHANDLED, UM, WITH, WITH THE FIRST GO ROUND.
I, I WANT THAT SPELLED OUT IN THIS, UM, YOU KNOW, IN, IN THESE, UH, POINTS HERE.
AND I THINK TWO PAGES FOR A POLICY OF HOW TO SPEND A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
WE NEED A WHOLE LOT MORE HERE.
AND SO, UH, AGAIN, I'M PROPOSING, UH, ADDING HEFTY LANGUAGE ON HERE ABOUT HOW TO GO ABOUT CONTRACTING OUT, UH, FOR CONSULTANTS.
UM, AND THEN, UH, FIXING THAT, THE REIMBURSEMENT PROCEDURE AT THE END, YOU KNOW, WHAT HAPPENS IF IT IS VETOED, UH, OR IF IT, I'M SORRY, IF IT IS DENIED.
UM, THAT'S TO START THE CONVERSATION,
UM, JUST A CLARIFICATION, IS THIS, UH, UH, POLICY PROPOSAL AT THE TIME APPLICABLE FOR THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AS WELL? THE INTENT IS, YES.
SO, SO ALTHOUGH IT'S NAMED COUNSEL, IT'S INTENDED FOR EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL YES.
I, UM, I ACTUALLY THINK IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO PIECEMEAL THIS, UM, AND TRY TO FIND SOLUTION TO EVERY ONE OF THE ISSUES, WHICH IS WHY SUPPORT CREATING AN AD HOC COMMITTEE.
AND IF FOLKS ARE OPEN TO THAT, I THINK TWO INDIVIDUALS FROM THE COUNCIL CAN WORK ON IT AND THEN COME BACK WITH MORE DETAIL AND SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS.
WE'D PROBABLY SAVE A LOT OF TIME IN DOING SO, IF, IF, UM, I DUNNO IF THAT REQUIRES OFFICIAL MOTION, BUT WANTED TO HEAR FROM SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES TO HAVE THAT AS AN OPTION.
MEMBER MOLINA, I'VE ALREADY SPOKEN MAYOR, SO IF MS. YAMANI WANTS TO GO FIRST, WE CAN GO AFTER.
I WOULD AGREE TO THAT AND I'LL VOLUNTEER FOR IT.
ONE THOUGHT, UM, LET ME JUST, UH, UH, SAY A COUPLE THINGS.
UH, IT WOULD APPLY ALSO TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE ON ALL DISCRETIONARY FUNDS THAT I HAVE.
I DON'T HAVE A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS DISCRETIONARY FUNDS.
UH, DO YOU HAVE MORE THAN THAT? NO, I DON'T.
DISCRETIONARY, YOU'VE, YOU'VE GOT A, YOU'VE GOT A, UH, A STAFF POSITION THAT HAS BEEN THERE FOR 60 YEARS.
UM, SO THE, UH, UH, WHAT I HAVE IS A THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR, UH, LET'S SEE, IT'S A THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR OFFICE SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, EVERYTHING ELSE FOR THE YEAR.
UH, IT IS $2,000 FOR ALL TRAVEL EXPENSES.
AND THEN THERE WAS ALSO, UH, THERE'S, IT USED TO BE $18,000, WHICH I'VE NEVER USED, BUT IT WAS $10,000 TO PUT ON LIKE THE STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS FOR THE CITY THINGS.
AND ALONG THAT LINE, THAT'S, AND THOSE ARE, SO THOSE ARE ALL VERY NARROWLY PUT DOWN.
THAT'S THE ONLY, SO THERE'S NO DISCRETIONARY FUNDS IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE, SO WE DON'T GET THE A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS TO SPEND.
SO I CAN'T HIRE CONSULTANTS OR ANY OF THAT TYPE OF STUFF.
SO JUST ON THAT, THE OTHER THING IS, UH, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, WELL, IN FACT, AS I KNOW IT TO BE, BUT THE, THE DEAL ABOUT THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OR THE, THE PERSON WHO'S IN THE MAYOR'S POSITION, UH, SIGNING OFF ON THE INVOICES FOR THE COUNCIL HAS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE HAD THROUGHOUT HISTORY AND THE, UH, UH, HISTORY OF THE CITY.
AND, BUT YOU DO IT NOT AS THE MAYOR, YOU DO IT AS THE DEPARTMENT HEAD.
AND WE DO THAT, ALL DEPARTMENT HEADS DO THAT IN ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS.
AND SO ALL, ANY DEPARTMENT HEAD CAN BE OVERRULED BY THE CITY MANAGER.
AND SO THAT'S, THAT'S HOW THAT ONE, THAT WAS WHAT CURRENTLY HAS WORKED, ALWAYS HAS WORKED AND WOULD WORK.
UH, IN MY CASE, THIS IS THE ONLY OCCASION IN ALL THESE YEARS THAT I'VE EVER DENIED A, AN INVOICE.
SO TO TRY TO MAKE IT LIKE, AS IF THAT'S AN EVERYDAY OCCURRENCE, IT'S NOT.
AND SO THIS IS, THIS IS HOPEFULLY A ONCE IN A LIFETIME ONE, UH, THAT THIS HAPPENED.
AND BECAUSE THAT WAS THE CONCLUSION THAT I CAME TO ALSO THAT OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR CAME TO.
'CAUSE I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS HERE THAT NEED TO BE LOOKED AT.
I KNOW ONE OF THE SPEAKERS TALKED ABOUT STRENGTHENING.
I DO BELIEVE THIS, THIS NEEDS TO BE STRENGTHENED UP SO IT'S CLEAR.
SO IT'S NOT SUBJECT TO INTERPRETATION.
UH, 'CAUSE I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS HERE.
IT DEPENDS HOW YOU WANT TO INTERPRET IT.
AND, UH, YOU KNOW, 'CAUSE I MEAN, EVEN THE DEAL OF SAYING YOU CAN'T USE IT FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES.
SOME PEOPLE GO, WELL, EVERYTHING'S POLITICAL.
WELL THEN THAT MEANS THERE THERE IS NO RULE.
UM, YOU KNOW, SO I THINK THERE, THERE DOES NEED TO BE STRENGTHENING SO THAT THERE CAN BE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING SO THAT WE CAN, UH, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY REGAIN THE TRUST OF THE, UH, UH, OF THE PUBLIC ON HOW THESE FUNDS WOULD BE USED.
I MEAN, IT WAS VOTED ON BY A MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL.
[03:40:01]
KNOW HOW DO WE LIVE WITH IT AND HOW DO WE LIVE WITH IT IN SUCH A WAY WHERE THE PEOPLE IN NASHVILLE CITY KNOW THAT THEY'RE GETTING, I'M GONNA CALL IT ONCE AGAIN, THE BEST BANG FOR THEIR BUCK.AND, YOU KNOW, AND THEY'RE GETTING A PRODUCT THAT IS, YOU KNOW, WORTHY OF, OF CITY GOVERNMENT.
SO, UM, I WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM, UH, SITTING ON, I CAN, UH, CALL FOR A AD HOC COMMITTEE OF MYSELF AND, UH, MEMBER YAMANI THAT WOULD SIT AND GO OVER SOME OF THIS STUFF, GET SOME SUGGESTIONS.
UH, AND I THINK THROUGH THE CITY ATTORNEY THAT COUNCIL MEMBERS CAN GIVE US SUGGESTIONS TO YOU AND IT CAN BE FED.
SO IT'S NOT A BROWN ACT SITUATION.
AND SO IF THEY'RE FED THROUGH THE CITY ATTORNEY, ANY SUGGESTIONS THAT ANYONE HAS, AND THEN THEREFORE, WE, WE DON'T DEAL WITH BROWN ACT SITUATION.
AND, UH, SINCE IT'S, IT'S COMING THROUGH, THE CITY ATTORNEY IS NOT COMING DIRECTLY TO THE TWO MEMBERS OF THE, OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE.
UM, AND THEN, THEN WE CAN TAKE, TAKE A LOOK AT ALL THOSE THINGS.
OH, I SECOND THE MOTION, HUH? I SECOND.
IF, IF WE'RE GONNA DO A AD HOC COMMITTEE, THEN WE DON'T NEED TO DO A MOTION.
THE MAYOR WOULD HAVE THE ABILITY RIGHT.
TO APPOINT TWO PEOPLE TO THE AD HOC.
UM, MEMBER RODRIGUEZ, THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.
UM, JUST FOR CLARITY'S SAKE, UM, BECAUSE I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THINGS.
SO HOW DID THIS EVEN COME ABOUT? AND THE TRUTH IS THAT US AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, UH, THE COUNCIL MEMBERS IN PARTICULAR HAVE LIVES OUTSIDE OF THIS.
AND IN ORDER FOR US TO BE EFFECTIVE, UM, WE NEED HELP.
WE CAN'T JUST DO IT BY OURSELVES.
AND WE CAN'T JUST GO AROUND, UM, TO, TO DO WHAT WE, I THINK ASPIRE TO DO, TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY THE BEST WITH VERY LIMITED, IF NOT ZERO RESOURCES.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE, UM, WHERE WE WERE LAST YEAR BEFORE THE BUDGET CYCLE, WHERE THE MAYOR MAYOR'S BUDGET, AND THIS IS PRESENTED IN TODAY'S PRESENTATION ACTUALLY, UM, FOR FISCAL YEAR 24, THE TOTAL BUDGET FOR THE MAYOR IS $232,000.
THAT INCLUDES HIS SALARY, IT INCLUDES HIS STAFF, WHICH IS $120,000.
IT INCLUDES ADDITIONAL EXPENSES.
I'M NOT SAYING, AND I'M NOT RALLYING AGAINST THAT.
IT'S GOOD THAT FOLKS HAVE RESOURCES AVAILABLE SO THEY CAN SERVE BEST THE COMMUNITY.
BUT WHAT YOU CONTINUE TO ARGUE FOR MR. MAYOR IS THAT NOBODY ELSE SHOULD HAVE ANY OF THOSE RESOURCES.
AND THAT'S A SHAME BECAUSE I THINK EVERYBODY HAS A SPIRIT OF WANTING TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.
AND IF IT WASN'T FOR LAST YEAR'S BUDGET, WE ESSENTIALLY WOULD ONLY HAVE OUR SALARY AS OUR BUDGET FOR OUR OFFICE, WHICH IS VERY LIMITING ON WHAT WE COULD DO IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THE THINGS THAT WE ASPIRE TO DO.
SO I THINK FACTS MATTER, AND I KNOW YOU KEEP MENTIONING OTHER THINGS.
NO, YOU HAVE A $232,000 BUDGET AT YOUR DISPOSAL, UM, WHICH YOU'D HAD LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE THAT.
SO I THINK FACTS MATTER, AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON THAT THE REPORT IS ON TODAY'S AGENDA ITEM.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO POINT THAT OUT.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY, UM, SEEN AS THIS HAS BEEN PART OF THE DISCUSSION OF WHY THIS WAS BROUGHT UP, UM, THE CONTRACT THAT WAS SIGNED BY MY COUNCIL OFFICER, THE CITY AND CORDERO COACHING, WHICH IS THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, OR SORRY, THE ORGANIZATION THAT WAS CONTRACTED TO DO THE WORK.
I, I WOULD HAVE, UH, TO ASK THE CITY ATTORNEY IS THIS, WAS THIS CONTRACT VETTED? WAS, YEAH.
WHAT WAS THE PROCESS TO GET HERE? UH, THE, THE CONTRACT WAS VETTED THROUGH MY OFFICE, PARTICULARLY FOCUSING ON THE AB, UH, FIVE REQUIREMENTS.
UM, I THINK THE CITY MANAGER ALSO VETTED, UH, THE, THE CONTRACTOR DID A REVIEW OF REFERENCES.
UM, WE REVIEWED THE CONTRACT LANGUAGE.
WE MADE POINTS ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT IT FOLLOWED THE PROHIBITIONS AGAINST POLITICAL EXPENDITURES AND USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS.
SO YES, IT WAS REVIEWED AND VETTED.
SO LAST WEEK WHEN THE MAYOR CALLED FOR A PRESS CONFERENCE AND INVITED ALL THE MEDIA TO COME HERE, UM, AND YOU ALLUDED TO THE MEDIA THAT THIS CONTRACT WAS ILLEGAL.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, YOU MENTIONED TO THE MEDIA THAT YOU ENCOURAGED A DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO COME INTO NATIONAL CITY AND REVIEW THIS CONTRACT.
ACTUALLY, I DIDN'T, BUT GO AHEAD.
IS BUT YOU, YOU SAID I WAS THERE.
I WAS ASKED IF THE CITY, IF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY CALLED ME THAT MORNING, YOU SAID, WELCOME TO SPEAK ON YOUR TIME.
CREATED BY YOU, YOU, AND KNEW FULL WELL THIS WAS A VETTED CONTRACT NUMEROUS TIMES.
WE DISCUSSED THIS ALL OF ORDER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN OF I CALLED QUESTION LISTEN, I, I
[03:45:01]
I AM, I'M WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I DO THINK CONSIDERING WHAT THE MAYOR HAS DONE LAST WEEK, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT I AT LEAST HAVE THIS CONVERSATION HERE IN PUBLIC.IT'S UNBECOMING OF ANY MAYOR IN THE REACH.
I CAN'T IMAGINE THE MAYOR OF ANY OTHER CITY, POINT OF ORDER OF MAYOR WHATSOEVER.
YOU CAN'T IMAGINE ANY OTHER MAYOR, JOAN, YOU ARE OUT OF ORDER.
THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH, JOAN.
OKAY, JOAN, YOU HAD YOUR TIME.
JOAN, STOP IT ON A REGULAR BASIS.
AND YOU STOP IT OVER THERE ALSO.
OR I'LL HAVE TO ASK BOTH OF YOU TO LEAVE MAYOR.
I CALL THE POINT OF ORDER ONCE AGAIN, AND I CALL THE QUESTION BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT.
BUT WAIT, COUNCIL MEMBER, I DIDN'T SPEAK EITHER THOUGH, SO LET'S, I'LL LET HIM.
WE'RE, WE'RE GONNA GET THROUGH THIS GUYS.
AND THEN I WILL REPLY TO IT THAT YOUR ACTIONS IN INCITING, UM, LIES LEAD TO SITUATIONS LIKE THIS BECAUSE FOLKS FEEL LIKE THIS IS ILLEGAL.
YOU KNOW, FULL WELL THIS WASN'T, BUT YOU WERE SPREADING MISINFORMATION OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
ALL OVER SOCIAL MEDIA, ALL OVER THE MUSE COVERAGE.
IF I HAD NOT BEEN THERE, THE NEWS WOULD'VE BEEN, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
YOU HAVE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS AS MAYOR.
AND I THINK THAT IS UNBECOMING OF ANY POSITION IN OUR COUNTY.
SO ONE, YOU KNEW FULL WELL EVERYTHING WAS FINE.
WE VETTED THIS THROUGH, YET YOU WENT OUT AND SAID IT WAS ILLEGAL AND YOU ENCOURAGED THE DISTRICT, DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO COME AND LOOK AT IT.
AND JUST TO REITERATE, IN CASE FOLKS DIDN'T ACTUALLY GET THE CONTRACT AND ACTUALLY REVIEW THE CONTRACT, WE WENT OVER IT IN LAST COUNCIL MEETING, BUT I WILL REITERATE IT AGAIN.
THE CONTRACT STATES THAT WE'RE GONNA DO, UM, A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS TO EDUCATE AND ENGAGE MOBILE HOME PARK RESIDENTS ABOUT RENT CONTROL, WHICH IS EXPIRING FOR THEM AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
SO WE PASSED A TEMPORARY ORDINANCE THAT EXPIRES IN DECEMBER.
SO THIS IS INTENDED TO EDUCATE AND INFORM THE PUBLIC ON WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THAT.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE ARE GOING TO BE HOSTING HOME OWNERSHIP WORKSHOPS, HOW TO PREPARE TO BECOME HOMEOWNERS IN NATIONAL CITY AND ENCOURAGE ENGAGEMENT ON IT.
ADDITIONALLY, WE'RE GONNA HAVE WORKSHOPS LIKE WE HAD LAST WEEK ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING WORKSHOPS.
HOW TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE GET READY AND PREPARED AND APPLY FOR THE 145 UNITS THAT ARE GONNA BE AVAILABLE AT THE COMMUNITY HOUSING WORKS DEVELOPMENT.
THIS IS CRITICAL TO LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING AND, UH, MAKE SURE THAT THEY COME TO THE WORKSHOPS SO THAT THEY CAN APPLY FOR THESE UNITS THAT ARE INTENDED FOR NATIONAL CITY RESIDENTS.
ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE A STREET VENDOR ORDINANCE THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO, I FEEL, EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THAT DISCUSSION.
WE WANNA ALSO HOST NATIONAL CITY RESTAURANT WEEK TO HIGHLIGHT THE GOOD RESTAURANTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SO WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE HIGHLIGHT AND ELEVATE THE FANTASTIC FOOD AND RESTAURANTS AND LOCAL HOME, UH, LOCAL, UM, UH, RESTAURANT OWNERS THAT EXIST IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND LASTLY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE CALLING IT PROJECT LIGHTUP NATIONAL CITY.
WE LITERALLY GET REQUESTS EVERY WEEK OR EVERY OTHER WEEK ABOUT A LIGHT THAT IS OUT IN NATIONAL CITY, AND IT'S SOMEWHERE OUT.
AND SO IT BECOMES A PIECEMEAL OF, HEY, LET ME SEND YOU THIS ONE ADDRESS WHERE THE STREET IS OUT.
LET ME SEND YOU THE OTHER ONE.
LET ME SEND YOU THE OTHER ONE.
FOLLOWING UP WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM IS SO TIME CONSUMING, CUMBERSOME, AND HONESTLY NOT AN EFFECTIVE USE OF OUR TIME.
SO THIS IS INTENDED FOR THIS ME TO, FOR THIS CONTRACT.
ALL THAT WILL BE DONE, UM, FOR $47,000.
AND THE INDIVIDUAL, THE INDIVIDUAL, IT'S, IT'S IN THE CONTRACT.
SO THE INDIVIDUAL IS NOT AND CANNOT DO THIS JOB BY THEMSELVES.
AND IT'S, IT'S CLEARLY STIPULATES THAT THE INDIVIDUAL WILL OBVIOUSLY HIRE OTHER PEOPLE TO HELP 'EM ASSIST THE WORK.
SO YOU KNEW THAT FULL WELL, MR. BAYER, AND YOU STILL WENT LAST WEEK TO CREATE CHAOS AND SO DISINFORMATION OUT IN THE COMMUNITY OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
UM, I THOUGHT WE WERE OVER THE DAYS WHERE YOU ACTED THIS WAY, BUT APPARENTLY YOU'RE COMING BACK AND ACTING THE SAME WAY YOU DID BEFORE.
I HOPE THAT YOU ACTUALLY LOOK AT YOUR POSITION AND TAKE IT AS ONE OF LEADERSHIP AND NOT ONE TO SOW DIVISION AND CHAOS ALL AROUND THE REGION.
IT LOOKS SHAMEFUL AND IT'S, IT'S, IT'S JUST NOT UNBEFITTING OF THE POSITION.
YOU'VE SAID THAT SEVERAL TIMES.
ALL RIGHT, WELL, I JUST WANNA REITERATE IN CASE YOU DIDN'T HEAR ME, OKAY, WELL, LET ME ANSWER SOME OF YOUR STUFF.
I DID CALL A PRESS CONFERENCE LAST WEEK AFTER, UH, THE ARTICLE CAME OUT IN CIA LAST YEAR WHEN THIS CAME BEFORE US ON THE A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
MATTER OF FACT, TWO OF US AT MADE A MOTION AND ASKED THAT NO MONEY BE
[03:50:01]
SPENT UNTIL PROVISIONS BE PUT ON HOW THIS MONEY WOULD BE SPENT, AND WHAT WE'VE DONE ON THAT GOT VOTED DOWN.SO, AND I SAID AT THE TIME THAT IF AT ANY TIME THERE IS INAPPROPRIATE OR, OR UH, MISUSE OF THESE FUNDS, I WOULD NOT HIDE IT.
I PROMISED THAT AT THAT TIME LAST FRIDAY, I KEPT MY PROMISE.
SOME OTHER PEOPLE SAID, OH, NO, NO, AT THE TIME LAST, UH, LAST JUNE, OH NO, THIS MONEY WON'T BE USED FOR CAMPAIGN PURPOSE.
IT WON'T BE USED FOR OTHER THINGS.
I WISH THEY KEPT THEIR PROMISE AND, BUT I WAS KEEPING MY PROMISE.
AND THAT'S MY JOB AS MAYOR AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO IT IF WE HAVE THIS KIND OF ACTIVITY, YOU KNOW, WE TALK ABOUT THIS, OH, WE'RE GONNA ORGANIZE THE TENANTS IN THE, UH, UH, IN THE TRAILER PARKS, EDUCATE.
WELL, IT ACTUALLY TALKS ABOUT ORGANIZING 'EM AND IT ALSO TALKS ABOUT ORGANIZING THE, UH, UH, STREET VENDORS, WHICH IS THE JOB THAT ACE WAS DOING AND HAS BEEN DOING, WHICH HE USED TO BE AN ORGANIZER FOR.
AND SO NOW WE'RE GONNA BE USING TAXPAYER MONEY.
AND SO NOW WE ARE USING TAXPAYER MONEY TO DO FOR AN ORGANIZATION, WHICH BACKS HIM POLITICALLY.
AND THEREFORE WE'RE GONNA USE TAXPAYER MONEY NOW TO SUPPORT A NONPROFIT.
RESTAURANT WEEK IN CASE NO ONE EVER HEARD RESTAURANT WEEK WAS TWO WEEKS AGO, COUNTYWIDE RESTAURANT WEEK.
SO TO, TO CREATE A NATIONAL CITY RESTAURANT WEEK MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL.
WHEN YOU CAN GO WITH THE COUNTY PROGRAM, THEY DO ALL THE WORK, ALL YOU GET IS OUR SI OUR, OUR, UH, DEALS SET UP.
UNLESS YOU WANT TO DO IT BEFORE THE ELECTIONS.
SO WE CAN SOUND LIKE, LOOK WHAT I DID.
BUT IT REALLY DOESN'T DO ANYTHING.
IT DOESN'T BRING IN PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE, OUTSIDE OUR CITY.
UM, YOU KNOW, SO WE HAVE ALL, ALL OF THIS ALSO TALKED ABOUT THIS THING BEING VETTED.
WELL, YES, IT IS BEING VETTED.
IT WAS BASICALLY WEARING DOWN THE, THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY ATTORNEY IN MY OPINION.
BUT EVEN IN THE COMMENTS THAT WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN RODRIGUEZ AT LAST WEEK'S DEAL TO THE MEDIA WAS THAT THIS PERSON THAT THEY WERE GONNA HIRE, AND I'VE GOT NOTHING AGAINST THE PERSON, NO, NOTHING PERSONAL WHATSOEVER.
BUT THE CONTRACT ITSELF IS, HE SAID THAT THAT WAS GONNA BE THE LIAISON BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE PEOPLE IN THE CITY.
AND THE CONTRACT TALKS ABOUT THE CITY, THE CITY, THE CITY.
IT NEVER MENTIONS JOSE RODRIGUEZ OR THE COUNCILMAN ONCE IN THAT CONTRACT.
THE PERSON ISN'T SPEAKING FOR THE CITY, THEY'RE NOT WORKING FOR THE CITY, THEY'RE WORKING FOR HIM.
THAT IS NOT WHAT I CALL A VETTED CONTRACT.
THAT IS, YOU KNOW, SO IF SOMEONE CAME TO ME WITH THAT CONTRACT AND SAID, HERE I'M REPRESENTING THE CITY, I'D LOOK AT IT AND SAY, YEAH, IF YOU REPRESENT THE CITY, THIS PERSON IS NOT REPRESENTING THE CITY.
THEY'RE REPRESENTING ONE COUNCIL MEMBER.
IF THAT WAS REPRESENTING THE CITY, THAT $47,000 WOULD BE COMING OUT OF THE CITY BUDGET, NOT OUT OF A COUNCIL MEMBER'S BUDGET.
YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WERE WRONG WITH THIS WHOLE THING.
YOU KNOW, PLUS NOT ONLY WAS THAT PERSON, BUT THERE WAS THREE OTHER PERSON THAT WAS WANTING TO BE THE CONSULTANTS.
I KNOW WHO THE, THE OTHER PEOPLE ARE GONNA BE HIRED.
THEY'RE GONNA BE HELPED WITH THAT CONSULTING CONTRACT.
AND THEY WERE ALL THE ONES THAT WERE PUT TOGETHER WITH THIS, YOU KNOW, UH, CLUB THAT WAS PUT TOGETHER IN FEBRUARY IS THE OFFICERS OF THAT ALSO.
AND THAT IMMEDIATELY CAME AROUND AND ENDORSED.
SO IT ALL BECAME A POLITICAL SITUATION.
AND IF, EVEN IF IT WASN'T, IN ACTUALITY, THE APPEARANCE STINKS.
AND WE AS ELECTED OFFICIALS GO BEYOND JUST WHAT IS THE, THE LETTER OF EVERYTHING, BUT ALSO ON PERCEPTIONS.
AND THERE COULD BE MANUFACTURED PERCEPTIONS, BUT THERE'S OTHER THINGS THAT JUST COME OUT AND SCREAM IN YOUR FACE.
AND AS I SAID, I PROMISED A YEAR AGO THAT I WOULD, ANYTIME THERE WAS ANY OF THE, UH, THERE WAS ANY MISUSE ON THESE FUNDS THAT I WOULD EXPOSE IT.
I WOULD HOPE SOME OTHERS WOULD KEEP THEIR WORD FROM LAST YEAR.
SO, UH, MEMBER BUSH, YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY.
WE COULD ALL, ESPECIALLY US ON THE DIOCESE AND US IN THE AUDIENCE, TAKE A DEEP BREATH.
I GET THAT THIS IS, FOLKS HAVE EMOTIONS IN DEALING WITH IT AND THAT'S FINE, BUT THE YELLING, THE HECKLING, THE BACK AND FORTH, IT, IT'S REALLY NOT.
I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S, IT'S NECESSARY.
AND THAT INCLUDES SOME OF THE AUDIENCE MEMBERS.
UM, I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE OPERATING ON THE SAME SETS OF FACTS.
SO WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD COUNCIL BUDGETS.
WE'VE ALWAYS HAD COUNCIL BUDGETS.
WHAT WE DID IN OUR ACTION LAST YEAR WAS WE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED THEM FOR COUNCIL.
THE MAYOR HAS RECEIVED 130,000 THAT HE HAS CHOSEN TO USE FOR HIS FULL-TIME STAFF.
[03:55:01]
RIGHT.IT'S A FULL-TIME STAFF THAT'S BEEN THERE FOR 60 YEARS.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING FOR A FULL-TIME MAYOR AS OPPOSED TO PART-TIME COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THANK YOU FOR THAT ADDED DETAIL.
SO WE'VE HAD EXHAUSTED, EXHAUSTIVE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE BUDGETS.
UM, I WAS VERY CLEAR FOR ME, LEMME SPEAK FOR MYSELF.
I WAS VERY CLEAR AND I REVIEWED THE TAPE.
THANK YOU CITY CLERK FOR SENDING THIS OVER THAT OVER.
UM, WE HAD ABOUT SIX DIFFERENT DISCUSSIONS ON THIS.
UM, I REVIEWED THE TAPE AND I, UH, I ABSOLUTELY SAID THIS WOULD BE USED FOR PART-TIME AND FULL-TIME STAFF CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE HAD, UH, WITH, UH, MAYOR MORRISON.
I UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, YOUR POSITION ABOUT PART-TIME STAFF, BUT WE DID ALL THE MAJORITY VOTE WAS TAKEN.
MY QUESTION TO CITY STAFF, WE AUTHORIZED PART-TIME AND FULL-TIME STAFF.
AT WHAT POINT DID WE AUTHORIZE, UH, TURKEY REIMBURSEMENTS? DID WE GIVE THAT DIRECTION FOR TURKEYS? UM, TO MY KNOW, YEAH.
WE DID NOT GIVE THAT SORT OF SPECIFICITY.
WHEN I REVIEWED THE TAPE, AS FAR AS I KNEW, THAT WAS NEVER DISCUSSED TURKEY REIMBURSEMENTS OR FOOD FOR THAT MATTER, THAT WAS NEVER DISCUSSED.
SO CONSULTANTS, WAS THAT DISCUSSED TO ANY OF STAFF'S REC, UH, RECOLLECTION OR REVIEWING THE MINUTES, WHICH I DID ASK STAFF TO REVIEW THE MINUTES SO THAT WE'RE OFFER OPERATING OFF THE SAME SET OF FACTS.
SO WAS CONSULTANTS BROUGHT UP AND THE CITY ATTORNEY, YOU CAN WEIGH IN ON THIS TOO.
I DON'T RECALL, UM, DURING THE BUDGET DISCUSSION THAT THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ABOUT CONSULTANTS.
UM, THE FACT HERE IS THAT YOU GUYS HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS.
YOU MADE INDIVIDUAL STATEMENTS, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOUR VOTE WAS WHAT WE SEE IN THE BUDGET TODAY.
THAT BUDGET ALLOWS FOR THOSE LINE ITEMS THAT I JUST WENT OVER WITH YOU.
SO WHAT WE SAID WAS THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE A POLICY, YOU NEEDED TO COME BACK WITH A POLICY.
SO DURING THIS TIME, WE'RE OPERATING WITHOUT A POLICY, BUT WE'RE OPERATING WITH A BUDGET THAT IS APPROVED THAT ALLOWS SOME OF THESE THINGS.
AND WE HAD TO USE OUR JUDGMENT.
SO THAT'S THE WAY THAT I SEE IT.
AND THAT, YES, YOU HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS.
YOU GUYS HAVE A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS IN HERE.
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT TAKES FIVE OF YOU TO VOTE AND TO GIVE DIRECTION.
THE DIRECTION YOU GAVE US IS IN OUR ADOPTED BUDGET THAT WE HAVE TODAY.
AND THERE ARE LINE ITEMS IN THERE, AND EACH OF THOSE LINE ITEMS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH A COST, A BUDGET COST.
AND IF YOU LOOK AT YOURS, IT WOULD BE $60,000 FOR A PART-TIME.
NOT A FULL-TIME, BUT A PART-TIME.
SO THAT WAS THE ACTION AND THE DIRECTION THAT I THINK THAT YOU GAVE STAFF AT THAT POINT IN TIME.
AND WE ALL UNDERSTOOD, JUST AS YOU GUYS ARE TALKING ABOUT TODAY, THAT THERE WERE QUESTION MARKS AND THAT WE NEEDED TO COME BACK WITH A POLICY.
SO LET ME SAY VERY CLEARLY, WE AT COUNCIL NEVER AUTHORIZED TURKEYS.
I'M GOING TO SAY THAT STRAIGHT OUT.
AND YOU HEARD BOTH THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY ATTORNEY ACKNOWLEDGE WE NEVER AUTHORIZED TURKEYS.
THE CITY STAFF TOOK THAT DIRECTION.
THANK YOU FOR THE EXPLANATION.
I UNDERSTAND WHY, BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS WE DID NOT AUTHORIZE TURKEYS.
I'M NOT CLEAR WHETHER WE REALLY AUTHORIZED CONSULTANTS EITHER.
WHAT WE DID, AND I DID SAY, AND YOU ALL CAN LOOK AT THE TAPE, FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME STAFF, WHAT DOES BEING REAL UPSET ME IS THAT I WAS CONSISTENT ABOUT FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME STAFF.
THAT'S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO DO.
I WAS DENIED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WHEN IT WAS VERY CLEAR WHAT WAS ALREADY DISCUSSED.
AND THE RATIONALE THAT I WAS GIVEN BY CITY STAFF, THE CITY ATTORNEY, AND OUR UH, UH, ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR, SERVICES DIRECTOR AT THE TIME, UH, WAS THAT I TECHNICALLY DIDN'T AUTHORIZE THAT POSITION, WHICH WAS EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT THREE, WHICH I'M NOW GOING THROUGH THE HUMAN RESOURCES PROCESS, UH, TO DO.
I WAS TOLD AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH STAFF THAT WE DIDN'T GIVE THE RIGHT THE SPECIFIC DIRECTION.
I WAS ESSENTIALLY FORCED TO COME BACK TO CITY COUNCIL IN FEBRUARY TO CLARIFY AND GIVE THAT DIRECTION.
WHAT UPSETS ME WAS THE DISPARITY IN HOW I, AS A COUNCIL MEMBER WAS TREATED ON THIS DAIS.
THERE WAS NOT DIRECTION GIVEN TO, UH, FOR BUYER COUNCIL FOR TURKEY REIMBURSEMENT OR FOR CONSULTANTS THAT WASN'T CLEAR.
AT LEAST THAT PART WASN'T CLEAR.
AND YET STEADY STAFF AUTHORIZED THAT AND STONEWALLED ME AND I, AND I JUST HAVE TO PUT THAT OUT THERE SO THAT WE CAN CORRECT IT MOVING FORWARD, BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT WAS APPROPRIATE.
I DON'T THINK IT WAS APPROPRIATE THAT, UM, WHEN THE MAYOR, UM, I'LL, I'LL AGREE WITH
[04:00:01]
HIM ON THIS PART.I, I PERSONALLY THINK THAT THE TURKEYS WASN'T A GOOD IDEA.
I PERSONALLY THINK THAT THAT WAS A GIFT OF PUBLIC FUNDS.
SO I AGREE WHEN, PLEASE YEAH, PLEASE NONE THAT, UM, SO I AGREE WHEN, UM, UH, THE MAYOR, UM, VETOED IT, THERE WAS ALSO A, A STAFFER WHO RAISED CONCERNS WITH IT.
I DON'T THINK STAFF SHOULD HAVE JUST OVERRULED THE VETO.
WHAT I THINK SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED IS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO COUNCIL SO THAT WE COULD HAVE THIS DISCUSSION ON THE DICE.
WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES AND WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE IT AT THAT UNLESS WE NEED TO FURTHER DISCUSS ANYTHING WITH THE TURKEYS FURTHER.
BUT I, I THINK THAT STAFF DESERVES SOME RESPONSIBILITY IN THAT.
AND IF YOU MADE THE DECISION, I WOULD'VE LIKED YOU TO TALK TO THE MEDIA ABOUT IT BECAUSE THAT WASN'T ANY OF US, OR AT LEAST THAT I, THAT FROM THIS BODY AND PUBLIC DISCUSSION, THAT WASN'T OUR AUTHORIZATION.
SO WE AS A CITY HAD TO OWN THAT.
AND OUR STAFF WAS REACHED OUT TO BY THE MEDIA AND THERE WASN'T A FULL EXPLANATION.
AND I WOULDN'T LIKE THAT NOT TO HAPPEN MOVING FORWARD.
SO WHAT'S DONE IS DONE ON THERE.
I WOULD, YOU KNOW, SAY THAT I, I DO THINK HERE WE SHOULD STILL GIVE SOME MORE DIRECTION AND BE CLEAR THAT, UM, THAT, UH, TURKEYS I, THERE, YOU KNOW, I GET THAT ACCORDING TO CITY ATTORNEY, THERE WAS SOME GRAY AREA BECAUSE WE DO GIVE FOOD GIVEAWAYS.
SO I UNDERSTAND YOUR RATIONALE.
I DISAGREE WITH IT, BUT I UNDERSTAND IT.
I THINK THE DISTINCTION HERE AND, UM, AND I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WOULD AGREE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TURKEYS AND WHAT WE DO AT THE SENIOR CENTER, OR WHEN WE HAVE EVENTS THAT WE GIVE, UM, FOOD.
LIKE I DO THINK WE SHOULD FEED, UM, UH, WE SHOULD FEED COMMUNITY MEMBERS AT EVENTS.
UM, NOT NEC MAYBE NECESSARILY ALL THE EVENTS.
I THINK WE CAN, I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE TO OFFER FOOD.
WE'VE HA WE'VE HAD IT, UM, AT SEVERAL OF OUR EVENTS.
SO THE FOOD I DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH.
IT'S, I THINK WHAT THE DISTINCTION WHEN IT COME, WHEN IT TURNS INTO A GIVEAWAY, UM, AND POTENTIALLY A GIFT, IN MY OPINION, IT'S A GIFT OF PUBLIC, PUBLIC FUNDS, UM, IS WHEN IT'S, UH, A FR SOMETHING FROZEN.
SO WHEN IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKE HOME PREP, THAT I THINK IS, UH, FOR ME, THE DISTINCTION.
ALSO, I, WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANY OTHER CITY DO THAT.
UM, I HAVEN'T, AND I ASKED THE CITY ATTORNEY AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY OTHER CITY OR A MUNICIPALITY WHO DID THAT.
SO, SO JUST FOR A POINT THERE, I I THINK THAT WE, UM, WE, UM, SHOULD MAKE CLEAR ON THIS POLICY THAT WE CAN HAVE, UH, COOKED OR PREPPED FOOD BUT NOT TURKEYS AND NOT FOOD GIVEAWAYS.
AND IF WE HAVE TO HAVE A FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THAT, THEN I THINK WE CAN.
SO THAT'S ON THAT, ON THE, UH, CONSULTANTS.
UM, I, I DO, I DO HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE CONSULTANT CONTRACT THAT I THINK THE AD HOC COMMITTEE, UH, COULD, UM, LOOK OVER AND ADDRESS OR END END WE BRING IT BACK MAYBE AT THE NEXT, UH, UH, COUNCIL MEETING.
I'LL JUST SAY I HAVE NOTHING, UH, PERSONALLY AGAINST CINDY OR KEN, UM, UH, JOSE SERRA OR, UM, I FORGOT WHO ELSE? BARBARA.
BARBARA, BARBARA WHO WERE PROPOSED TO BE YOUR, YOUR, YOUR, UM, YOUR STAFF.
I THINK MY CONCERN IS WHEN I READ THE CONTRACT IS IT JUST SEEMED LIKE A LOT OF WHAT I, I FEEL LIKE CITIES, UM, AND I'M OPEN TO THIS.
I'M OPEN FOR DISCUSSION AND JUST RESEARCH, BUT I FEEL LIKE THAT REALLY SHOULD BE A CITY FUNCTION, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE'VE PUBLICLY IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR NO, LIKE, REDUCTION OF OUR CONSULTANT BUDGETS AND AN INCREASE IN, UH, HAVING HIRING CITY STAFF CONSISTENT WITH LIKE OUR, OUR SUPPORTING OUR WORKERS AND OUR, UH, MEA EMPLOYEES AND ALL THAT.
WE'VE HAD TOO MANY CONSULTANTS.
SO THIS KIND OF RUNS, UH, COUNTER TO THAT.
I'M STILL KIND OF OPEN, BUT I, I, MY, MY QUESTION, UH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER IS LIKE, WOULD YOU, WOULD YOU CONSIDER HAVING THEM, UH, FULL, UM, FULL-TIME OR A MIX OF PART-TIME STAFF, YOU HIRING THEM DIRECTLY? I, I REMEMBER A LAST MEETING, UH, ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT YOU HAD, WHICH WAS, I EXPERIENCED IT WAS UNNECESSARY OR JUST LIKE VERY CUMBERSOME DELAYS IN, IN GETTING ASSISTANCE.
I A HUNDRED PERCENT SUPPORT YOU GETTING ASSISTANT.
AND I DO THINK THAT YOU HAVE DONE AN EFFECTIVE JOB, UM, AT, UH, OUTREACH WITH, WITH FLOOD AND WHATNOT.
MY PROBLEM IS THE, LIKE THE PARAMETERS AND ALSO THE OPTICS.
LIKE THE OPTICS AREN'T LIKE, I'M NOT GONNA LIE, THE OPTICS AREN'T GOOD.
SO WHAT DO YOU, LIKE, WOULD YOU BE OPEN TO HAVING, JUST BRINGING, UH, CY UH, CINDY, WHOEVER ELSE ON AS YOUR, YOUR FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME STAFF TO DO THAT WORK THAT YOU OUTLINED? SO I'LL SAY THAT IT'S, IT'S VERY REFRESHING TO HEAR FROM MARCUS TO CALM DOWN, WHICH IS GREAT.
HEY, WE DON'T TALK ABOUT CLOSED SESSION.
WELL, YOU KNOW, BUT IT'S REFRESHING HONESTLY.
[04:05:01]
GOT HERE EARLY ON? I WANTED TO HIRE SOMEBODY FULL TIME, RIGHT? MM-HMM.WE DISCUSSED IT THOROUGHLY AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.
I'M GONNA ASK THIS FOR SHORTEN DISCUSSION 'CAUSE WE'RE GETTING UP VERY OFF TOPIC.
SO LET'S JUST MAKE IT REALLY QUICK.
WE COULDN'T ACTUALLY, UM, HIRE A PERSON FULL TIME.
GOING BACK TO CIVIL SERVICE WAS GONNA TAKE FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS.
AND THEN THE OPTION THAT WAS PROVIDED THROUGH A MEMO TO EVERYBODY, I'M NOT SURE IF YOU DIDN'T READ IT, BUT IT WAS PROVIDED TO EVERY ONE OF US HOW WE CAN UTILIZE THOSE FUNDS.
BUT YOU MENTIONED THAT IT WASN'T INCLUDED ON THERE AND IT WAS SO CONSULTANTS WAS AN AVENUE TO UTILIZE FOR YOU TO BECOME A SERVANT IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
AND THAT'S THE THEN OPTION THAT I ENDED UP TAKING AND THE DIRECTION I ENDED UP TAKING.
IT TOOK THREE MONTHS TO FINALIZE THE CONTRACT, VETTING IT THROUGH, GETTING LEGAL OPINION AND GIVING A VERY DETAILED SCOPE OF WORK.
BUT THAT WAS INDEED, UM, UH, SOMETHING THAT WAS OUTLINED TO US AS A WAY THAT WE COULD UTILIZE FUNDS.
THAT, THAT WAS IN SUGGESTIONS IN A MEMO.
I'M GONNA ASK AT THE ITSELF AFTER THE SUGGESTIONS OR WHATEVER, WE COULD CONTINUE DISCUSSION FOR ALL NIGHT.
I'M GONNA ASK THAT, THAT YOU SEND THOSE SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS TO THE CITY ATTORNEY SPECIFICALLY FOR THE AD HOC.
AND THEN THAT WILL GO DIRECTLY TO THE AD HOC COMMITTEE, WHATEVER YOUR SUGGESTIONS ARE.
AND, UM, AND I DON'T, WE'LL TALK LATER HOW YOU'RE GONNA HANDLE THAT.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE EVEN GONNA PUT A NAME ON IT OR WHATEVER, BUT IT'LL JUST BE A SUGGEST BE SUGGESTIONS.
SO WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO IT COMES FROM OR ANYTHING ELSE.
AND THAT WAY THEN IT KEEPS SOUND, THE BROWN ACT AND WE CAN DEAL WITH ALL THIS.
'CAUSE OTHER WAY WE COULD BE ALL NIGHT.
WE'RE ALREADY HITTING THE 10 30 MARK.
AND, UH, UH, SO AT THIS POINT, SO WE DO HAVE AN AD HOC COMMITTEE AND, AND I SAY GET YOUR SUGGESTIONS TO THE CITY ATTORNEY.
WE WILL WORK ON THAT AND TRY TO GET IT BACK TO US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
YOU KNOW, I WOULD RECOMMEND FOR THE AD HOC COMMITTEE THOUGH, I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU AND COUNCIL MEMBER RODRIGUEZ SERVE TOGETHER ON THE AD HOC COMMITTEE, SINCE IT SEEMS LIKE THERE, I DO THINK THERE'S AREAS THAT YOU ALL HAVE COMMON GROUND ON.
I HEARD SOME OF IT TONIGHT, BELIEVE IT OR NOT.
AND, UH, AND I THINK THAT IF YOU, IF THERE'S AREAS OR DISAGREEMENTS, YOU CAN COME AND BRING IT BACK TO COUNCIL.
SO MY SUGGESTION IS YOU MAY OR MAY I INTERRUPT, IT'S PAST 10 30 AND WE DO NEED A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE MEETING.
AND, UM, I HOPE WE'RE COMING UPON THE END OF THIS.
SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
THIS IS TO CONTINUE THE PUB, UH, TO CONTINUE THE MEETING FOR ONLY A FEW MORE MINUTES.
'CAUSE THEN WE, WE'VE GOT, LET'S, WE'RE READY TO GO ON THIS.
OH, WE, JUST A SECOND, BUT WE ARE, WE ARE PAST THE TIME PERIOD, SO LET'S DO THAT.
UH, WELL THE COMMITTEE HAS ALREADY BEEN APPOINTED AND I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND STICK WITH THAT.
AND, AND I'M OKAY WITH THAT, BY THE WAY.
I DO THINK THAT THAT'S A GOOD MIX AS WELL.
I, I THINK IT'S A GOOD BALANCE.
AND, UH, YOU KNOW, SHE WAS ONE THAT WAS VERY MUCH AN ADVOCATE FOR THE A HUNDRED THOU.
I WAS VERY MUCH OPPOSED TO IT.
SO WE CAN, YOU KNOW, WE CAN, I'LL BRING THE BOXING.
I, I JUST AS WITH THAT, BUT REAL, REAL QUICK.
I DO WANNA ADD THIS, UH, THE MAYOR AS THE DEPARTMENT HEAD.
I WOULD JUST SUGGEST, I WANT, I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE THIS DISCUSSION PUBLICLY.
IT'S ALREADY LATE, SO I THINK WE SHOULD HASH IT OUT HERE, BUT THAT'S FINE.
UM, I, UM, SO, UH, WELL SEND YOUR SUGGESTIONS TO, TO THE CITY ATTORNEY.
WE, IT OVER MY SUGGESTION, IF IT'S OVERRULED, IF, UH, YOU, IF YOU ARE, UH, OVERRULING A DECISION THAT IT GOES, YOU KNOW, TO, TO FULL FULL, THAT CAN BE AN IDEA COUNCIL.
AND, AND, BUT THE WAY IT IS RIGHT NOW FOR DEPARTMENT HEADS, IT GOES TO THE CITY MANAGER.
BUT IF WE WANT TO CHANGE THAT AND MAKE OUR DEPARTMENT DIFFERENT, THAT WOULD BE A SUGGESTION THAT, THAT YOU CAN MAKE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY.
WITH THAT, WE GO ON TO OUR NEXT ITEM, UH, WHICH IS OUR, UH, ANY, UH, DO WE HAVE ANY MORE, UH, REPORTS FROM STAFF? I HAVE NONE.
[12. ELECTED OFFICIALS REPORT]
COUNCIL COMMENTS.WE'LL START DOWN HERE ON OUR LEFT.
UH, THERE WAS A, UM, LADY EARLIER THAT CAME IN NON-AG AGENDA, PUBLIC COMMENT, AND MENTIONED THAT, UH, SHE WORKS AT THE SCRIPPS MERCY, UH, MM-HMM.
AND I THINK I DID READ ABOUT THAT.
IT'S THE ONLY ONE HERE IN SOUTH COUNTY.
AS WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE TO GROW AS A CITY AND AS A REGION, WE SHOULD HAVE, UH, A PLACE FOR MM-HMM.
SO IF, IF YOU WOULD BE OPEN MAYOR TO MAYBE DRAFTING SOME KIND OF RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THEM.
WELL, EITHER THAT, OR LET'S, LET'S, FIRST OF ALL, LET'S FIND OUT WHAT THE SITUATION IS AND YEAH.
WHAT OTHER THERE, IF THERE'S ANY OTHER RESOURCES IN OUR AREA, UH, AND IF NOT YEAH, WE, WE NEED THE RESOURCES.
NO, AND, AND I ACTUALLY READ THAT, UH, CHULA VISTA'S CONSIDERING THAT.
MAYOR MCCANN COULD BE A GOOD CONVER, YOU KNOW, COULD HAVE A GOOD CONVERSATION AND I'LL YEAH, I'LL FIND OUT AND FIND OUT WHAT OTHER, WHAT
[04:10:01]
OTHER HOSPITALS IN THE AREA HAVE, YOU KNOW, HAVE ANY FACILITIES.AND SO THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE, YOU KNOW, 'CAUSE I, I KNOW PE PEOPLE GET IN THE MIDDLE OF HEATED CONVERSATIONS WITHIN THEIR JOBS AND, UH, WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE GOT ALL, EVERY, ALL OF OUR INFORMATION TOGETHER.
THANK YOU TO THE, ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT CAME BY AND, AND STUCK THROUGH.
AND I, I, I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO SAY IN THE, IN THE LAST, UH, ITEM THAT I, I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND FOLKS, UM, THAT THE, THE CONCERNS WITH, UH, MORALITY, WITH ETHICS, ACCOUNTABILITY, UH, THAT'S WHAT THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR.
I THINK ALL, ALL OF US, MYSELF INCLUDED, WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES.
WE ALL NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THINGS.
AND, UM, AND I JUST WANT FAIRNESS.
UM, AND THAT'S WHAT THE DISCUSSION IS POLICY ABOUT IS BEING FAIR.
YES, WE ARE PART-TIME COUNCIL MEMBERS, BUT WE WORK OUR ASSES OFF.
I KNOW A LOT OF, ALL OF US ON, ON THIS DAAS AND, UM, WE AREN'T COMPENSATED OR PAID FOR IT FOR WHAT WE DO.
AND I, AND I REALLY, UM, UH, DETEST THE NOTION THAT, OH, BECAUSE WE'RE PART-TIME, WE'RE CONSIDERED PART-TIME THAT OUR LIVES DON'T MATTER.
THAT WHEN WE'RE WORKING LONG HOURS UP TO 3:00 AM IN THE MORNING, TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, UH, AS AN EXAMPLE, UM, HOLD THE PORT ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL THE REVENUE LOSS FOR NATIONAL SAFETY, THE PUBLIC SAFETY DOLLARS.
I THINK THAT IS AN AREA WHERE WE CAN REALLY UNIFY AND WE CAN GET OUR CITY MORE RESOURCES.
THAT TAKES THAT, THAT TAKES RESEARCH.
AND MAYOR, YOU KNOW, HOW HARD I WORK AND YOU KNOW, I'VE, I'VE TALKED TO YOU AND WE DON'T, WE DON'T ALWAYS AGREE.
NONE OF US ALWAYS AGREE, BUT THAT ABSOLUTELY.
BUT IT'S JUST A DIMINISHING OF OUR WORK THAT THAT'S WHY WE NEED STAFF.
AND SO I GET, WE GET IN IT, IT IS FINE.
WE ALL GET UPSET WITH EACH OTHER SOMETIMES.
BUT LIKE, I JUST, THAT THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT, IS GOING THROUGH THIS PROCESS, HAVING THE DISCUSSION, AND THEN LIKE, I, I DO THINK ALL OF US ARE TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING HERE AND TRYING TO, UM, AND, AND TRYING TO SERVE THE PUBLIC AND, AND BE, BE TRUSTFUL.
SO WE JUST GET INTO FIGHTS SOMETIMES.
UM, BUT, UH, REALLY WANNA THANK EVERYONE, UM, UH, FOR, FOR SITTING OUT TONIGHT.
UH, AND THEN I REALLY WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO MY WIFE MARLINE, BECAUSE IT'S OUR ANNIVERSARY.
SHE'S LISTENING AND, AND IT'S BEEN FOUR YEARS.
WE'VE GOT AN HOUR AND 20 MINUTES TO LEFT TO GO CELEBRATE IT, SO YEAH.
AND BY THE TIME I GET HOME, NOT MUCH, NOT MUCH TIME.
SO, BUT, YOU KNOW, AND WE HAVE, WE HAVE A YOUNG, UM, A 1-YEAR-OLD AND, AND, UM, AND TWO OTHER KIDS.
MY, MY DAUGHTER LETICIA, MY SON JULIAN.
AND I APPRECIATE HER PATIENCE.
I WANNA GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO HER AND JUST, UH, AND I KNOW ALL OF US WORK HARD AND SINCE THERE'S A HOME BOY FOR FAMILIES, BUT JUST WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT TO HER.
AND, UM, THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY FOR TONIGHT.
UM, I DO APPRECIATE THE SUGGESTION BY, UH, MR. RODRIGUEZ TO, UM, CONSIDER A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR ONE OF THE IMPORTANT TOPICS THAT CAME UP TONIGHT.
UH, REGARDING MATERNITY SERVICES IN OUR CITY, UM, I, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE MY OWN REQUEST FOR A LETTER OF SUPPORT.
THIS IS TO HELP GET A REFORM OF THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO.
UH, THERE HAVE BEEN QUITE MANY IMPROPRIETIES AND, UM, I, I KNOW THAT SUPPORTING AN OPTION, YOU KNOW, SUPPORTING A, AN, UH, ACTION TO GET A, UM, LEGISLATION THROUGH THE SACRAMENTO WOULD BE FANTASTIC.
SO IF YOU WILL, PLEASE CONSIDER A SUPPORT LETTER OF SUPPORT SO THAT THE PORT IS ENCOURAGED TO, UM, TO ACT BETTER.
UM, AND THEN JUST FINALLY, THE, UM, THE CITY, YOU KNOW, AS COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE ARE MANDATED TO TAKE AN ETHICS COURSE AND IT IS A, UM, IT'S A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION.
AND I DO JUST WANT TO SAY, UM, THIS IS A GUIDING PRINCIPLE FOR THE ACTIONS THAT WE TAKE AS CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
AND THE VERY FIRST, UM, UH, SLIDE ON THIS POWERPOINT PRESENTATION, AN INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS FOR LOCAL AGENCY OFFICIALS.
I WANNA SAY ONE VERY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF PUBLIC SERVICE ETHICS IS THAT PUBLIC PERCEPTION MATTERS A GREAT DEAL.
WHILE CERTAIN CONDUCT MAY NOT VIOLATE THE ETHICS LAWS, YOU SHOULD REFRAIN FROM ENGAGING IN IT IF IT CREATES EVEN THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY.
AND SO I WOULD, UM, WELL, UH, ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO REVISIT THEIR ETHICS COURSE TRAINING.
[04:15:01]
OKAY.UM, THERE, THERE IS A REPORT THAT, UH, WAS HANDED TO US WINTER STORM 2024 FEMA DISASTER.
MR. CITY MANAGER, WOULD YOU PLEASE PUT THIS ON THE WEBSITE BECAUSE I DON'T WANT US BEING ACCUSED THAT WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING.
UM, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO, UM, CONGRATULATE ALL THE DEPARTMENTS THROUGH YOUR LEADERSHIP, MR. CITY MANAGER, UH, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, CLEAN UP, UM, YOU KNOW, I MEAN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIR, UM, ALL THESE REPORTS, UM, THAT WE RECEIVED.
THANK YOU, UH, VERY MUCH TO STAFF.
AND, UM, AND, UM, THROUGH YOUR LEADERSHIP CITY MANAGER, UM, MR. CITY MANAGER, THERE WERE, UM, COMMENTS EARLIER ABOUT, UM, YOU KNOW, I MEAN THE CANNABIS REVISIT THAT.
CAN YOU PLEASE, UM, LOOK INTO THAT, PLEASE WITH OUR CITY ATTORNEY AND SEE WHEN WE CAN, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, ADDRESS THAT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
UM, I UNDERSTAND THERE IS ALREADY A, UH, TENANT IMPROVEMENT THAT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED.
BUT, UM, THOSE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO BE, UM, TO BE INFORMED PLEASE.
UM, THERE IS ALSO A GRANT THAT WE WORK AS A REALTORS MM-HMM.
UM, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY.
UM, THANKS TO THE REALTORS RELIEF FOUNDATION, THERE IS A WEBSITE THAT YOU HAVE TO GO TO.
UM, AND I WILL ALSO, UM, UH, SEND THIS TO YOU CITY MANAGER SO YOU CAN, UM, GET THE BRIEF AND, UH, PUT IT OUT THERE SO THEY KNOW THAT WE ARE WORKING ON, YOU KNOW, CREATIVE WAYS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET HELP, UM, EVERYWHERE.
I KNOW IT'S LATE, BUT, UM, WE HAVE A DISTRICT THREE CLEANUP ON, UH, FOUR 20.
UM, IT'S 4 20 24 8:00 AM TO 12 NOON AT EL TOON PARK.
I WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE TO PUT A BOOTH THERE.
I HAVE REQUESTED OUR CITY MANAGER AND OUR CITY DEPARTMENT HEADS TO GIVE ME INFORMATION SO I CAN, UM, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, PUT THAT OUT THERE.
I, ANY, ANY PLACE I CAN, UM, PUT UH, A BOOTH AND, UH, WELCOME ANY INFORMATION.
UM, THANK YOU TO THE DEPARTMENT HEADS FOR PROVIDING THOSE.
CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY, UM, YOUR, THE CITY.
UH, THE, UH, COUNTY, UH, DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S NOT GONNA BE CALLED.
IT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER THAT INDEED OF TWO OF THE EVENTS FOR NATIONAL CITY HAVE BEEN, UH, POSTPONED.
UH, THE ONE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN TWO WEEKS AGO, WHICH WAS THE CANCER WALK THAT HAS BEEN, UH, PUT OFF TILL JUNE THE FIRST.
AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE THE, UH, THE DAY IN THE PARK AT, UH, PEPPER PARK.
THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN THIS LAST SATURDAY HAS NOW BEEN POSTPONED INTO MAY WHAT 18TH I BELIEVE IT IS.
AND, UH, SO ONCE AGAIN, UM, AND THAT WAS MADE AVAILABLE BECAUSE NOW THE PARK WILL BE OPEN TILL TILL JU APPROXIMATELY JULY 1ST BEFORE THEY SHUT IT DOWN FOR A, A LITTLE OVER A YEAR TO DO ALL THE WORK ON IT.
SO, UM, UH, SO THOSE ARE TWO BIG EVENTS AND IT WAS KIND OF GOOD 'CAUSE BOTH OF 'EM HAD RAINY DAYS.
SO, UH, IT WAS GOOD THAT THEY DIDN'T GO GO TO, UH, WITH THAT.
AND WE DO HAVE ANOTHER RAIN FORECASTED FOR, FOR FRIDAY.
SO, UH, HERE WE, HERE WE GO AGAIN.
[13. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT]
CITY ATTORNEY, HAVE YOU GOT ANYTHING REPORT OUT OF, OUT OF CLOSED SESSION? WE HAD ONE ITEM ON CLOSED SESSION AND THERE'S NO REPORTABLE ITEM.AND SO THAT FINISHES OUR AGENDA.