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City Council

The People’s Business – March 17, 2026

Three Committees meet this week before the Council breaks for a two-week legislative recess. Rules Committee considers eight proposed ballot measures. Community and Neighborhood Services will vote on whether to support a resolution that does not allow residential housing in Mission Bay Park. Active Transportation and Infrastructure will hear a report on the Broadband Master Plan.

 

 

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From the Office of Council President Joe LaCava 

 

Rules Committee Meeting – March 18, 2026 – 9 a.m.

Rules Committee Meeting Agenda

 

Item 1 – Approval of Committee Minutes

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Item 2 - Amendments to the Rules of Council for consistency with State Senate Bill No. 707 and recordings of closed session

This item proposes changes to the Rules of Council based on State Senate Bill (SB) 707 and flexibility to record closed sessions. It also recommends that the Council President’s Office works with the City Attorney’s Office to draft an ordinance to amend the Rules of Council effective July 1, 2026, for consideration by the City Council.

These changes include a new policy on disruption to telephonic or internet service and modifications to the practice of ceding time to ensure virtual and in-person speakers are treated equally with currently available City resources. It also includes amendments to the language to Rule 8.4, related to recordings for closed session hearings.

 

Item 3 - Initial Committee Review Of Ballot Measure Proposals For The November 2026 Election In Accordance With Council Policy 000-21 

This item is the initial discussion of proposed ballot measures submitted in accordance with Council Policy 000-21 by the March 6, 2026 deadline for consideration for the November 2026 election. Council Policy 000-21 establishes procedures for the submittal of ballot proposals to the City Council by members of the public, Councilmembers, the Mayor or mayoral departments, independent department directors, or a public agency. 

The procedures are intended to provide sufficient time for consideration of proposals by the Rules Committee prior to consideration by the Council. The procedures are also intended to provide City staff with sufficient time to prepare ballot language and necessary legal analysis. 

The Committee will decide if the proposal will receive further consideration at a future Rules Committee meeting. In accordance with Council Policy 000-21, the Rules Committee may take the following actions:

  • Sub-item A: Consideration of a ballot measure proposed by Katheryn Rhodes to amend the Municipal Code related to Transient Occupancy Tax, including, reclassifying online travel companies/agencies as hotel operators.
  • Sub-item B: Consideration of a ballot measure proposed by Zachary Russem to amend the Transient Occupancy Tax to apply to online and other travel companies.
  • Sub-item C: Consideration of a ballot measure proposed by Shane Harris to terminate and repeal paid parking fees in Balboa Park.
  • Sub-item D: Consideration of a ballot measure proposed by John Stump to prohibit parking fees for general revenue in Balboa and other dedicated parks.
  • Sub-item E: Consideration of a ballot measure proposed by Jason Moore to pass a Traffic Congestion and Mobility Impact Tax Ordinance.
  • Sub-item F: Consideration of a ballot measure proposed by Councilmember Raul Campillo to establish free parking at beaches and bays in the City of San Diego.
  • Sub-item G: Consideration of a ballot measure proposed by Council President Pro Tem Kent Lee to advance fiscal accountability and transparency reform.
  • Sub-item H: Consideration of a ballot measure proposed by Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera to reform campaign finance and ethics laws.

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Community and Neighborhood Services Committee Meeting – March 18, 2026 – 2 p.m.

CNS Committee Meeting Agenda

 

Item 1 – Approval of Committee Minutes

 

Item 2 - Authorization to receive $850,000 for the Clean and Safe San Diego Parks Initiative in the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fiscal Year 2024 Economic Development Initiative - Community Project Funding 

Through a successful collaboration between the City of San Diego and Congressional Representative Scott Peters, the City has been awarded $850,000 in grant funds for the Clean and Safe San Diego Parks Initiative. 

The federal funding is being provided through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) agency via their Fiscal Year 2024 Economic Development Initiative – Community Project Funding grant program.

 

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Item 3 - Authorization to accept $4,300,000 in State grant funds for Grove Neighborhood Park CIP S22002 

Authorization to accept $4,300,000 in State grant funds to construct S22002 Grove Neighborhood Park.

Through a successful collaboration between the City of San Diego and California State Assemblymember David Alvarez, the City has been awarded $4,300,000 in local assistance grant funds for Grove Neighborhood Park. 

The state funding is being provided through AB-105 Budget Acts of 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025 (amended September 8, 2025) and is being administered through the California Parks and Recreation Department’s Office of Grants and Local Services. The grant deadline is March 30, 2030.

 

Item 4 - Resolution in Support of AB 2525 Surplus lands: Mission Bay 

Request Council District 2 staff work with the City Attorney’s Office to draft a resolution in support of Assembly Bill 2525 Surplus lands: Mission Bay Park for City Council consideration.

Because several visitor commercial uses in Mission Bay Park operate on long-term ground leases with the City of San Diego, in 2025, as some of these leases approached expiration or renegotiation, City staff brought forward a proposal asking the City Council to formally declare some leasehold parcels in Mission Bay Park as surplus land to comply with state law and ensure the City remained compliant with state requirements when considering future redevelopment or lease negotiations. 

This effort generated considerable community concern. While the Surplus Land Act serves an important statewide housing purpose, converting lands in Mission Bay Park to private residential use is not supported by City leadership or the community and would require a City Charter amendment, which must be approved by a two-thirds vote of San Diego’s electorate, to ensure legal clarity.

Assembly Bill (AB) 2525 would expedite the rehabilitation and modernization of facilities within Mission Bay Park in the City of San Diego by providing a narrow exemption from the Surplus Land Act for Mission Bay Park. Additionally, it provides legal clarity that Mission Bay Park will continue to be managed for public recreation, environmental stewardship, and tourists consistent with the Mission Bay Park Master Plan, adopted in August 1994. 

This bill will ensure that renovations and new leases in Mission Bay Park will focus on waterfront access and recreation, protecting it for public use, and fully implementing the vision of the Master Plan.

 

Item 5 - Overview of the Hunger Coalition (SDHC)

The Committee will learn about the Hunger Coalition (SDHC) and their ongoing work throughout the San Diego community.

San Diego Hunger Coalition leads coordinated efforts to end hunger in San Diego County through research, education, and advocacy. As the backbone organization for the hunger relief sector, SDHC unifies more than 500 partner organizations—including food banks, school districts, healthcare providers, and government agencies—to create a data-driven, equitable hunger relief system.

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Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Meeting – March 19, 2026 – 1 p.m.

ATI Committee Meeting Agenda

 

Item 1 – Approval of Committee Minutes

 

Item 2 - Request for an Extension of the obligations of Construction Contract #K-21-1966-DBB-3 with Burtech Pipeline, Inc., beyond five years to June 14, 2027, for the Construction of Sewer Group 843 project

This council action is to request an extension of the obligations of the Construction Contract #K-21-1966- DBB-3 with Burtech Pipeline, Inc. for the construction of the Sewer Group 843 project. Per Article VII, Section 99 of the City of San Diego Charter: “No contract, agreement or obligation extending for a period of more than five years may be authorized except by Ordinance adopted by a two-thirds’ majority vote of the members elected to the Council”. This Council action will approve an ordinance to extend the contract above by an additional 12 months. No additional funding is requested as part of this item.

 

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Item 3 - Information Item on the Broadband Master Plan 

This information item will provide insight into the City’s Broadband Master Plan effort. Selected consultant Columbia Telecommunications Corporation (CTC) utilized a data-driven approach to study San Diego’s internet access landscape. Through a comprehensive report and implementation plan, CTC provides actionable recommendations to expand affordable, high-quality internet access and digital equity initiatives. 

They also define locations of highest need as Digital Equity Priority Areas to be targets for future resource allocation and investment.

 

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