• Curbs at 10 Highly Trafficked Intersections Painted Red in Pacific Beach 
  • Introducing Organized Presentations During Public Comment at City Council In-Person or Virtual!
  • Proclaiming Pollinator Week in the City of San Diego
  • Reminder: Fire Safety Workshop Tomorrow
 

Our streets must be safe for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. I am firmly committed to improving traffic safety and taking action to reach our Vision Zero goals in D1. Earlier this year, I allocated discretionary district funds to paint 10 highly trafficked Pacific Beach intersections. These newly painted red curbs keep sightlines unobstructed for drivers and pedestrians alike and clarify compliance with the state’s new daylighting law. The 10 intersections are:
  • Cass Street & Chalcedony Street  
  • Cass Street & Wilbur Avenue
  • Fanuel Street & Chalcedony Street
  • Fanuel Street & Diamond Street
  • Fanuel Street & Hornblend Street

         
  • Fanuel Street & Reed Avenue
  • Law Street & Fanuel Street
  • Law Street & Gresham Street
  • Law Street & Haines Street
  • Reed Avenue & Gresham Street
 

Introducing Organized Presentations During Public Comment at City Council In-Person or Virtual

SB707 was passed by Sacramento and goes into effect in cities across the state on July 1. The bill amended the State Brown Act and, in particular, focused on how jurisdictions manage public input during council meetings. Many of the bill’s requirements were already part of our Council and Clerk’s practices and no further action was needed. One key element, however, was a potential gamechanger. Simply put, public speakers participating virtually were now required under SB707 to be treated the same as in-person public speakers. While the City Clerk and I do an admirable job of treating them the same, there is one missing element. In-person speakers could bundle, or cede, time for a longer, or group, organized presentation. We did not accommodate that for virtual callers. Starting July 1, we will!  Note, some cities believe managing virtual group presentations is too hard and have abandoned ceding time for all speakers. I said not on my watch! I worked closely with the City Clerk to develop a new sign-up mechanism to achieve that goal.

 

After collaborating with the City Clerk’s Office and the Office of the City Attorney, I held two hearings at the Rules Committee in February and March to present the changes and gain public input. With further refinements, the matter was presented to the Council in April for adoption.

 

Note, if you wish to speak as an individual, in-person or virtually, there will be no changes to our current practices and procedures.

 

While other jurisdictions are reducing opportunities for engagement, the City of San Diego remains one of the most robust systems of public engagement in the state.

 

We begin implementation on July 1 and, for the first time, at the Council’s July 6 meeting. Further, I stand ready to adjust our processes and procedures as we learn from this new initiative.
 

Proclaiming Pollinator Week in the City of San Diego

Council President LaCava presents the proclamation to Dr. James Nieh, professor of ecology, behavior, and evolution at U.C. San Diego, and Kendal Sager, board member of the San Diego Beekeeping Society.

I declared June 22-28, “Pollinator Week 2026" with City Council and Mayor Gloria.

 

Pollinators are vital to preserving natural ecosystems, biodiversity, and local food production – more than one-third of all food crops rely on a pollinator for reproduction. Since 2023, I have called for the protection of pollinators at City Hall and fostered partnerships to advance important work supporting pollinator health. Last year, the City of San Diego obtained a Bee City USA designation. We are taking action to align our practices to improve conditions for pollinators, keeping our food and ecosystems healthy for San Diegans today and into the future.
 

Reminder: Fire Safety Workshop Tomorrow

Join your local D1 Fire Safe Councils on Saturday, June 27 from 4 – 6:30 p.m. at 13555 Boquita Drive, Del Mar, CA 92014 in the Del Mar Heights School Multi-Use Room to learn best practices to keep your loved ones and property safe from wildfires.

 

For additional information, email dmfsc92014@gmail.com or visit dmhsfc.org.

 

I appreciate the community coming together to allow residents to hear directly from professionals on critical safety topics.
 

Council President Joe LaCava

Councilmember, District 1

Follow me on social media to stay up to date.
 

Unsubscribe from future updates