Important items on City Council Docket this week, Second Summer Trash Pick Up, Removal of City Fire Rings, SDPD Budget
- President MBTC
- May 4
- 4 min read
Monday May 5th and Tuesday May 6th are the days that impact Mission Beach -
PUBLIC IN PERSON AND ZOOM COMMENT WILL BE LIMITED TO THE END OF MONDAY'S SESSION, PUBLIC COMMENT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON ANY OTHER DAYS.
The meetings will be held in council chambers at 202 "C" St. Please consider making public comment on the below items on Monday only by speaking in person, via zoom Monday only, https://sandiego.zoomgov.com/j/1606649340 or by submitting written public comment can be sent after Monday but the sooner the better via the below link. https://www.sandiego.gov/council-committees/budget-review-committee-public-comment-form
Monday May 5, at the 2:00 pm meeting "Sub Item C" Environmental Services is when cut of our second summer trash pick up will be presented.
TALKING POINTS FOR KEEPING OUR SECOND SUMMER TRASH PICK UP
As proven over many years the second summer trash pick-up in Mission Beach is not a convenience but a necessity to prevent a health and safety crisis that will affect every tourist visitor to Mission Beach, beach goers from each of your districts, residents of Mission Beach and threaten the very survival of our locally owned restaurants who depend on summer traffic for survival.
Cutting the pick-up will be penny wise but pound foolish. As word spreads to Arizona and other areas where 1,000’s of tourist come from the city will easily lose far more than the $70,000.00 saved by making the suggested cut, in lost TOT and sales tax money for years into the future when visitors decide not to come back to San Diego and Mission Beach for fear of a fly and vermin infestation.
Tuesday May 6, at the 2:00 pm meeting the city council will consider two very important items in their budget review process removal of fire rings "Sub Item G" and SDPD budget "Sub Item N".
TALKING POINTS FOR REMOVAL OF FIRE RINGS -
Fire pits in South Mission Beach are an extreme health hazard. Especially because the high concentration of 11 fire rings in a .0031 square mile area.
San Diego has the eighth worse ozone pollution in the United States. Particulate matter pollution contributes directly to ozone pollution levels. During major wildfires in Los Angeles, including the Pacific Palisades fire, air pollution levels reached into the higher levels of dangerous Air Quality Index (AQI)—specifically, AQI levels from 100 and 150 are clearly in the unhealthy to hazardous range.
These hazardous levels happen year-round in South Mission Beach, posing significant health risks, especially to children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions. The AQI levels range from 90-158 in South Mission Beach.
The Mission Beach town council approved a resolution to remove or relocate the fire rings away from residential areas in South Mission Beach (August 12 2024)
Wood burning fires were banned on San Diego city beaches unless those fires are inside designated city rings. on February 15, 2023. Propane fires are permitted and used widely. The cost of a propane fire pit is $52 on Amazon and propane tanks are 60-80% more efficient than wood.
Benefits of removing fire rings will include reducing:
· Wood-burning fire rings emit both PM 2.5 and ozone precursors (NOₓ and VOCs).
· This promotes more ozone formation.
· Exposure to both ozone and PM2.5 simultaneously increases the severity of respiratory and cardiovascular impacts.
· Studies show this combination raises risks of asthma attacks, ER visits, and premature death more than either pollutant alone.
EPA link on particle pollution:
TALKING POINTS San Diego Police Department Budget -
While the SDPD budget is increased in fiscal year 2026 that increase will not increase number of sworn officers, it only covers increases in salary's and retirement funding. The budget actually cuts 13 full time positions.
In comparison to similar sized city’s like Dallas and Phoenix the SDPD has been and continues to be under staffed. Dallas has approximately 4,000 officers and Phoenix has 2,500 and has plans to grow to 3,100 officers. San Diego has a little over 1,800.00 sworn officers.
The shortage of officers means that officers are forced to work overtime just to maintain current response times which are suboptimal at best.
The Mayor is requesting a seven million dollar cut to the earlier proposed SDPD budget which will mean a reduction in overtime hours available which will result in slower response time.
In addition to the contact means listed above, please consider also emailing all the City Council Representatives and Mayor Gloria. Please send a separate email on each subject.
SAMPLE LETTER FOR REMOVAL OF FIRE RINGS IN SOUTH MISSION
Subject: Remove/Relocate the Fire Rings in South Mission Beach
Dear Mayor Gloria and Council Members,
It's time to remove or relocate the fire rings in South Mission Beach. Our air quality levels are dangerous causing significant health impacts on children, the elderly, and anyone with breathing issues.
I support the removal or relocation of the fire rings because elimination of the particulate matters can help lower the ozone pollution levels of the entire city. San Diego has the 8th highest ozone pollution levels in the nation. In addition, Particulate Matters settles into the sand and ocean and can be breathed in by children and adults playing at the beach. Short- and long-term particulate matter exposure can lead directly to lung disease and cancer.
As a (parent, medical professional, resident, senior, volleyball player etc.) I urge you to improve the quality of life and health of all San Diegans by eliminating this health hazard that effects residents and visitors.
Sincerely,
SAMPLE LETTER ASKING FOR NO FURTHER CUTS TO THE SDPD BUDGET
Subject Line: Please protect the SDPD budget
Dear Mayor Gloria and Council Members,
As your are aware the San Diego Police Department is under staffed in comparison to similar sized city's like Dallas and Phoenix. The SDPD's response time is currently suboptimal and further reductions to the SDPD budget will only worsen response times and endanger the public's safety. The city's number one responsibility is public safety so please do not make further cuts to the SDPD budget.
Sincerely,
Copy and paste this email list into your email header.
jennifercampbell@sandiego.gov, joelacava@sandiego.gov, kentlee@sandiego.gov, marnivonwilpert@sandiego.gov, pavila@sandiego.gov, raulcampillo@sandiego.gov, seanelorivera@sandiego.gov, stephenwhitburn@sandiego.gov, mayortoddgloria@sandiego.gov, vivianmoreno@sandiego.gov, savepb92109@gmail.com, vonblumh@sandiego.gov, henryfoster@sandiego.gov
