Dear Neighbor, 

While Game 5 of the playoff series against the Dodgers didn’t end the way we had hoped, I couldn’t be prouder of our Padres and the incredible season they gave us. 

Even in defeat, the Padres brought our city together, and the energy throughout San Diego—whether it was the roaring crowds at Petco Park or the cheering fans in neighborhoods across the city—was nothing short of inspiring. 

Though this season is over, the Padres have given us much to celebrate, and I know we’ll come back even stronger next year. Thank you to all the fans for showing what it means to rally behind our team, win or lose.  

As always, it’s an honor to serve as your Mayor. 

Since reintroducing Smart Streetlight and Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology last December, these investigative tools have been helping our police department solve crimes and keep our neighborhoods safe. 

In 2024 alone, this technology has been used in over 200 criminal cases, leading to more than 150 arrests, including apprehension of the suspect in two attempted child kidnappings in Mission Valley. 

This system has also been crucial in solving armed robberies and recovering stolen vehicles, proving its effectiveness in helping ensure San Diego remains one of the safest big cities in America. 

We’ve deployed this valuable technology mindful of residents’ privacy. Under the City’s Transparent and Responsible Use of Surveillance Technology (TRUST) Ordinance, we’ve implemented strong measures to ensure the placement of cameras, use and retention of data are transparent. 

My number one responsibility as mayor is to keep San Diegans safe — these tools are helping us do that. 

This past fiscal year, we made a historic $1 billion investment in our City’s Capital Improvements Program (CIP)—a record that underscores my commitment to improving the infrastructure that San Diegans rely on every day. 

From roads and bridges to parks and fire stations, these projects are vital to ensuring our communities are safe, accessible, and thriving. 

With more than 1,300 projects completed, we repaved 75 miles of streets, replaced nearly 20 miles of aging water mains, and delivered 14 award-winning projects, including the West Mission Bay Drive Bridge Project and the Tecolote Shores North Playground Project.  

Looking ahead, we’ve allocated $941.5 million in the FY25 budget for CIP projects. This funding will support critical projects like new parks in San Ysidro and Mira Mesa, as well as more than $100 million for street resurfacing. 

These investments reflect my ongoing commitment to improving the quality of life for all San Diegans. 

As your Mayor, I have extreme concerns about a proposed development in Pacific Beach that would construct a 23-story tower to provide majority visitor accommodations, not housing.  

The proposed development includes just 74 residential units, with only 10 of those are designated as income-restricted affordable units. Instead of contributing meaningfully to our affordable housing goals, the project proposes 139 visitor accommodation units, functioning more like a hotel than a housing solution. 

My office has requested a full review from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) of a proposed development in Pacific Beach to determine whether it complies with the State Density Bonus Law.  

While I’ve been unabashed in my support for more housing for San Diegans of all income levels, I’m concerned this project’s application of the State Density Bonus Law fails to meet the spirit of affordable housing regulations and falls short of addressing our city's urgent housing crisis.  

This proposed development is still in the early stages of review, and it’s important to stress that no final decisions have been made. The City is working closely with HCD and we look forward to their determination on whether this project actually complies with State Density Bonus Law. Additionally, the City will conduct thorough reviews to address concerns related to traffic, safety, water, sewer capacity and other key infrastructure. This is a complex process, and we are committed to ensuring that both the City’s and community’s concerns are carefully considered before moving forward. 

I am also working closely with Senate President pro Tempore Emeritus Toni G. Atkins and Council President Pro Tem Joe LaCava, who share my concerns about this project, to ensure developments like this aren’t taking advantage of a loophole in the State Density Bonus Law.  

I will continue to share updates as we work toward a solution that serves the needs of our communities and protects the integrity of our pro-housing policies. 

San Diego’s Public Utilities Department has made significant strides over the past few years to improve service for the 286,000 household and business accounts it serves.

With a focus on modernizing systems and enhancing customer support, the department has implemented key changes, including leadership changes, staff expansion and technology upgrades. 

These changes have led to better online access, far shorter call wait times, and more timely and accurate billing. In 2024, wait times for phone support dropped from two hours to less than nine minutes, and 98% of customer bills are now sent on time. Over 4,000 customers per month are also using the new online webforms to request services, streamlining access to critical water and wastewater services. 

Looking ahead, Public Utilities is launching more improvements, including a revamped website and a new customer self-service portal, set to debut this fall. These upgrades aim to further enhance customer experience and deliver the reliable, efficient service that San Diegans deserve. 

The City of San Diego's Economic Development Department has released the Fiscal Year 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) Request for Qualifications (RFQ) application for nonprofit organizations. The deadline for RFQ submissions is November 8, 2024, at 5 p.m. (PST). The CDBG program provides funding for various projects, including housing, public services, workforce training, and assistance to low-income entrepreneurs, all aimed at benefiting low- to moderate-income individuals in San Diego. 

A virtual workshop will be held on October 10, 2024, at 10 a.m. (PDT) to guide organizations through the application process, and technical assistance appointments are available for nonprofits seeking further help. Once an organization qualifies through the RFQ process, it will be invited to submit project proposals for funding consideration. The Request for Proposals (RFP) will be released on December 9, 2024, with a submittal deadline of January 17, 2025. 

The San Diego Tourism Authority’s 2025 Tourism Accelerator application is now open. 

This program is a great opportunity for small businesses owned by women, veterans, people of color, people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQIA+ community who want to tap into the tourism industry and elevate their businesses to the next level. 

The accelerator includes a year of mentorship, training and advertising valued at more than $15,000. 

The application for the 2025 Tourism Accelerator Program is open now through Nov 8, 2024. 

We are bringing back the Boards and Commissions Lunch + Learn! Join Chida Warren-Darby, Director of the Office of Boards and Commission, from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, for an hour webinar on how to apply to serve on a City of San Diego board, commission or committee, gain insight into what some of these advisory bodies do and more about serving.  

Please register here and bring your questions (which you can pre-submit) by emailing  cwarrendarby@sandiego.gov. 

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department is gearing up for the summer of 2025 by recruiting seasonal lifeguards. Swim tryouts are scheduled for Jan. 16, 17, 18, 2025, at 8 a.m. at Ventura Cove. 

To qualify for an interview, candidates must swim 500 meters in under 10 minutes. 

With over 40 miles of shoreline to patrol, SDFD lifeguards are essential to ensuring the safety of millions of visitors. Interested candidates should apply online two weeks before their tryout date.