Welcome Back to Your OB Community Foundation Monthly Update!

A big thank you to everyone who attended February’s community forum! Your participation truly strengthens our neighborhood and fosters the vibrant community spirit we all cherish. For those who couldn’t make it, we’ve gathered some key highlights and important updates discussed during the event.

Forum Key Updates and Recap:

• Kite Festival Announcement:
  Jim Nickel from the OB Kiwanis Club gave an exciting preview of the upcoming Kite Festival on May 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. The event is currently seeking volunteers and sponsors. Unfortunately, we were unable to find updated contact information for the event at this time.

• Ocean Beach Scholarship Fund:
  Arlene Fink and Mike Akey (OBCF founder) shared details about the Ocean Beach Scholarship Fund, which has been supporting students in the OB community for over 36 years. Donations are still being accepted to continue funding these valuable scholarships. Contact information was unavailable at the moment.

• Police Update – Officer James Harris:
  Officer James Harris, the Community Relationship Officer, provided updates on important community safety matters:

  • Vehicle habitation enforcement continues to be a priority.

  • A new daylighting law will be in effect starting March 1, requiring vehicles to park at least 20 feet from intersections, or risk a $77.50 ticket.

  • Officer Harris also posts regular updates on his NextDoor account. You can contact him directly via email at [email protected].

• SD Lifeguards Update – Lt. Rick Stell:
  Lt. Rick Stell from SD Lifeguards announced some important upcoming changes:

  • Large sand berms on the beach will be removed in mid-March (weather permitting).

  • Fire squares will soon be installed to accommodate beach bonfires.

• Clairemont Town Council Event:
  Nicole Crosby, Clairemont Town Council President, invited the community to their Garden Tour event on May 3. More details are available on the Clairemont Town Council Facebook page.

We appreciate your continued involvement and look forward to seeing you at future forums and events. Let’s continue to work together to make our community even better.

Mayor Gloria's Efforts to Streamline Operations and Save Taxpayer Dollars

Mayor Todd Gloria Implements Key Changes to Enhance City Operations and Services

In an effort to save taxpayer dollars while preserving essential services, Mayor Todd Gloria has announced a series of operational efficiencies and spending reductions. These measures will not only streamline city operations but also maintain high-quality services for San Diego residents.

Key Efficiencies and Savings:

• Mayor Takes on City Manager Role: Mayor Gloria is assuming the responsibilities of the City Manager, eliminating the City’s Chief Operating Officer position. The Mayor’s Executive Team will now report directly to him.

• Merging Offices for Greater Efficiency: The Office of the Mayor and the Office of the Chief Operating Officer will merge, incorporating the Department of Government Affairs and the Office of Boards and Commissions.

• Position Reductions: Five unclassified positions will be eliminated, resulting in an annual savings of over $925,000.

• Departmental Shifts: The Sustainability and Mobility Department will transfer responsibilities to other departments, including City Planning and Transportation. This restructuring will cut seven vacant positions, saving over $914,000 annually.

• Race and Equity Work Integrated: The work of the Department of Race and Equity, which has embedded an equity lens into City operations, will be transferred to the Department of Human Resources. This transition will save the City $460,000 annually by reducing two vacant positions.

• Youth Services Consolidation: The Office of Child and Youth Success will be moved to the Youth and Family Services Division in the Library Department, reducing one vacant position and saving $265,000 annually.

• Cultural Affairs Integration: The Department of Cultural Affairs will now be a division of the Economic Development Department. This will help leverage the department's grant activities with Economic Development’s ongoing work.

• Further Position Reductions: An additional 16 vacant management positions will be eliminated across various departments, yielding an annual savings of $2.8 million.

In Total: These changes will reduce 31 positions and save the City $5.3 million annually. In addition, the City has proposed increases in parking meter fees, user fees, and a trash collection service fee starting in FY26. The City anticipates that Measure C funds will generate around $100 million, further supporting operational needs.

Updates from Councilmember Jen Campbell’s Office

Trash Collection Fee Information:

For over 100 years, the City of San Diego has provided free trash collection services. However, following the approval of Measure B by voters in 2022, the City is now able to charge a fee for trash and recycling services. Currently, the City spends $72 million annually from the General Fund to provide these services to approximately 285,000 residences.

The new fee structure will help enhance services, protect the environment, and ensure that all San Diegans contribute fairly to waste collection. It will also free up $72 million previously spent on trash collection, which will now be allocated to City projects and services that benefit all residents, particularly as the City faces a $258 million deficit.

The City cannot generate a profit from these fees; the charge will only cover the cost of providing the services as determined by an extensive Cost-of-Service Study.

San Diegans who receive trash and recycling collection from the City were invited to provide feedback on potential service enhancements through a questionnaire or by attending community meetings held across the 9 Council Districts. There was also a virtual meeting held in August and September 2024, where residents engaged with educational materials and participated in collaborative exercises.

For more details, you can view the presentation provided by Environmental Services to the Environment Committee here. Additionally, we’ve attached a graphic with the ongoing community engagement meetings for the trash collection fees.

Legislative Update & Upcoming Events - Assemblymember Tasha Boerner

Catch up on the latest legislative activities and events from our Assemblymember! Key bills include AB-86 for standardized health education materials, AB-87 addressing housing development density bonuses, AB-823 to ban plastic microbeads, and more. Stay informed on recent and upcoming events such as the Wildfire Insurance Webinar and Women of Impact Awards. Plus, learn about the new wildfire response funding and special session bills.

Updates from Washington & San Diego- Congressman Scott Peter’s Office

Rep. Scott Peters has been busy reintroducing key legislation like the Veterans Claims Education Act (VCEA) to protect veterans from predatory companies and advocating for wildfire prevention under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. He also joined efforts to preserve NIH funding for California and is pushing back against cuts that threaten medical research. Rep. Peters is committed to advocating for San Diego’s interests with new efforts to address the growing wildfire crisis and enhance forest management.

In San Diego, Rep. Peters hosted a service academy nomination reception for CA-50 nominees and celebrated the Lunar New Year at the Tet Festival. He also participated in the annual Point-in-Time Count to support efforts to address homelessness.

Report from Senator Akilah Weber’s Office

Attend the PLA Fire Safety Presentation

Street Stewards - Be an Engaged OBcean!

Street Stewards are working to keep San Diego’s streets green and clean, one block at a time. Now, you can get involved by adopting a block right here in Ocean Beach! Sign up on their new website to choose your block, track your cleanups, and explore a powerful, interactive map that shows the health of all streets across San Diego County.

Help us spread the word and join us in creating a connected network of dedicated Street Stewards who are making a difference in our community!

Sign up today at www.streetstewards.com

As always, thank you for being part of this incredible community. Your support, energy, and commitment make all the difference in keeping Ocean Beach a vibrant and thriving place.

We would love to see you at our next Community Forum on Thursday, April 17, at 7:00 PM in the Auditorium at OB Elementary (4741 Santa Monica Avenue, San Diego, CA 92107). It’s a great opportunity to stay informed, share your thoughts, and connect with fellow community members.

Enjoy the beautiful warm weather and have a fantastic week 🙂