The Morning Report
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The city of San Diego has been paying for fire and rescue services at Qualcomm Stadium that its contract with the Chargers stipulates should be paid by the team, according to a report released Tuesday by City Attorney Jan Goldsmith.
Two different clauses in the city’s contract with the Chargers would allow the city to bill the team for the services, according to the report.
The first:
The Chargers are responsible for payment of “amounts customarily paid to the City for services (e.g. Police) provided by the City for Home Games.”
The second:
“In connection with each Home Game, the Chargers shall pay for all costs incurred in connection with all ushers, ticket and customer service personnel, announcers, banners and decorations and first-aid” [emphasis added].
Fire and rescue services could be considered first-aid, the report argues, giving the city cause to invoice the team and seek reimbursement for past costs incurred to provide these services.
The report was produced in response to a request by the City Council’s committee on budget and finance. The committee asked that the city attorney review the city’s stadium contracts with the Chargers, Padres, and Aztecs and identify potential cost recovery opportunities associated with Qualcomm Stadium and Petco Park operations.
Goldsmith’s report was already in the works before the City Auditor issued a much more damning review of the city’s Qualcomm Stadium operations earlier this month, finding them unsustainable.
The cost recovery report will be presented before the budget committee next month.