City and county officials approved an agreement that would allow the agencies to begin working collectively on keeping the Chargers in the region.
The county Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 this morning to support the agreement, which could lead to the creation of a new governmental agency to facilitate the football club’s stadium search and force any vote on the team to be countywide.
Hours later, the San Diego City Council approved the agreement by a 6-1 vote. Councilwoman Donna Frye voted against it and Councilman Brian Maienschein was absent.
Councilman Tony Young said he thought the agreement would encourage the local governments to work together to keep the Chargers and to not allow the team to “play us against each other.”
National City and Chula Vista, which are preparing their own stadium proposals, have not been included in the pact, but could join in eventually. Chargers spokesman Mark Fabiani said their exclusion was problematic, but city officials said they would work with the two South Bay cities soon.
“This city’s not going to do anything to interfere with their efforts as long as there is something viable there,” said James Waring, the city’s land use and economic development chief.
Frye, the lone “no” vote, said the city didn’t have enter into an agreement with the county to work together and should concentrate on other priorities.