A lack of transparency in land-use policy does a disservice to the communities most affected by it. That’s why I took immediate action to correct a mistake made by the prior administration by directing City Planning to repeal Footnote 7—a change to the City’s Land Development Code that was introduced in 2019 without proper community engagement. 

The City Council has now officially removed Footnote 7, restoring the original minimum lot size requirements in Encanto and other Southeastern San Diego neighborhoods. This correction ensures that land-use decisions are made with transparency, public input, and sound planning principles. 

Community engagement is the foundation of responsible governance, and I’m committed to ensuring that all policy changes—especially those affecting housing and neighborhood development—are made in a fair, open, and inclusive process. 

Residents and business owners in Barrio Logan have raised concerns about a rise in prostitution activity in their community, which naturally impacts safety and quality of life. I’ve seen it myself – and I’ve heard them loud and clear.   

Since October of last year, I’ve engaged countless discussions with stakeholders both locally and statewide to address the proliferation of prostitution and human trafficking taking place across our communities. Unfortunately, a prior California state bill, Senate Bill 357, continues to hinder the ability of local law enforcement to effectively respond to this issue.  

I’m sponsoring two bills in the California State Legislature to address these issues. Assemblymember Maggy Krell’s AB 379, the Survivor Support and Demand Reduction Act, will give law enforcement stronger tools to hold those fueling this exploitation accountable while ensuring survivors get the help they need.  

Assemblymember Michelle Rodriguez’s AB 63 would provide our law enforcement officers the ability to engage with those loitering with the intent to commit prostitution and better stop human trafficking when they see it happening. 

I have also directed the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) to prioritize this area, and City departments are taking action to improve conditions in the area to discourage illicit activity. Our Environmental Services Department has resolved over 150 illegal dumping reports and designated 14 blocks of Dalbergia Street, a hotspot for illegal activity in Barrio Logan, for regular sidewalk sanitation services, removing hazardous and biohazardous waste. 

Graffiti abatement and sidewalk patching have been completed along three blocks of Dalbergia, and our Engineering and Capital Projects Department has completed the necessary water pipeline replacement and will fully resurface Dalbergia Street by April 2025. 

This coordinated effort—enforcement, legislation, and infrastructure improvements—will make Dalbergia Street safer to improve quality of life for the surrounding community. I will continue to push for the resources, policies, and partnerships needed to combat human trafficking and protect our neighborhoods. 

I appreciate the San Diego City Council for passing a resolution today in support of a bill I'm sponsoring that would help cities across California. 

Encampments along San Diego’s freeways are growing as people experiencing homelessness seek refuge on state-owned property, given San Diego’s enforcement efforts on encampments. 

Senate Bill 569, introduced by State Senator Catherine Blakespear, would require Caltrans to coordinate with local governments on encampment response and provide funding for cleanup efforts, outreach programs, and shelter services.

This bill will create a structured approach to ensure people experiencing homelessness receive the help they need while maintaining public safety. 

Equity isn’t just a talking point in my administration—we’ve made sure it’s embedded in everything we do. 

From housing and infrastructure to public safety and economic opportunity, we’ve taken action to ensure historically underserved communities receive the investments they deserve. 

Through Build Better SD, we reformed an outdated funding system that left millions of dollars locked away while certain neighborhoods lacked essential infrastructure. Now, resources are distributed equitably, with nearly $42.6 million invested in parks, libraries, fire safety, and mobility projects in communities that need them most. 

We also restructured park funding with the Parks for All of Us initiative, ensuring that at least 80% of citywide park development funds go to areas with the greatest need. This approach is expanding access to recreational spaces and making San Diego’s parks more inclusive and sustainable. 

Beyond infrastructure, we’ve changed how City government operates to institutionalize equity. We launched the Race and Equity Academy, providing training to all 12,000 City employees on addressing systemic inequities in their work. We also overhauled City policies to prioritize investments in structurally excluded communities, updated the Climate Equity Index to direct environmental justice efforts where they’re needed most, and launched programs like the Opportunity Fund, which has dramatically increased access to recreation for underserved youth. 

Equity isn’t the responsibility of a single department—it’s the foundation of how we govern. These systemic changes will ensure that San Diego continues advancing fairness and opportunity for all of us.