The City Council adopted the FY2025 budget with a unanimous vote earlier this month. We started with a baseline that included District 1 priorities such as street repairs; pay raises for first responders; staffing for Fire Station #52 and the Pacific Highlands Ranch Library (both opening late 2024); and, incremental funding for the North Pacific Beach Lifeguard Station. Listening to community and organization voices, I joined the Council in amending the Mayor's proposal. The Council made surgical cuts and additions to funding the SDPD Juvenile Service Team in our schools; street intersection safety upgrades to eliminate fatalities and injuries (aka Vision Zero); funding for small businesses (SBEP); funding for arts, culture, and non-profits (CPPS & ACCF); and, addressing homelessness by keeping folks housed (prevention) and offering support services that work. Your input and priorities made a difference! Thank you for participating in our budget conversations.

I am proud to announce that the City Council renewed Community Projects, Programs, and Services (CPPS) funding for FY2025! This program allows each City Councilmember to support non-profits, large and small, to continue their work in our communities. But move fast, the application window is short and the process is competitive! The application is accessible via the CPPS website from Monday, July 8, 2024, until Friday, August 9, 2024. CPPS funds are awarded to nonprofit organizations and public agencies for one-time community, social, environmental, cultural, and recreational needs. 

The nation's first all-electric tugboat was christened in San Diego! The “eWolf” services the Port of San Diego's working waterfront. As Environment Chair, I was honored to join in recognizing this investment in our economy, environmental goals, and clean air. Thank you, Crowley, the U.S. Maritime Administration, U.S. Environment Protection Agency, California Air Resources Board, Port of San Diego, San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, and all who worked to make this advanced maritime technology a reality. As agencies, we need to be climate leaders and push each other to accelerate progress toward reducing greenhouse gases. The Port is doing that with on-shore power and first in the nation electric cranes. The City is doing that with the nation’s 2nd all-electric fire engine, and an all-electric fire station and library. Setting ambitious goals moves the private sector to think differently and innovate, a collaboration that benefits us all.