Mayor Todd Gloria gave his State of the City address Thursday, just two days after we published our account of widespread disappointment with his administration.
The state of the city after five years of Gloria’s leadership? “You’re seeing a city that is becoming what it has always had the potential to be,” he told the audience.
Gloria did break some news: He said he planned to partner with San Diego Community College to redevelop Golden Hall, push a five-year $118 million plan to “modernize” the Convention Center and — for real this time — he would absolutely, positively ensure the redevelopment of Sports Arena goes forward.
San Diegans should not be fazed by negative headlines and instead should see clear signs of progress, Gloria said. Most of all, he pointed to new housing being built and how rents recently declined for the first time in years.
Gloria closed his speech — and this part felt a little pointed, dear reader — by saying that some people prefer to tell the story of San Diego with “cynicism,” but that he is not one of those people.
What Was Up with the Empty Front Row During the SOTC?
Those of us watching the mayor’s address noticed the first row in the audience was empty. What was up with that?
Councilmember Vivian Moreno told Voice of San Diego the seats were reserved for councilmembers, but after she learned that only 15 members of the public would be allowed inside the City Council Chambers, she gave up her seat.
The other councilmembers followed and sat on the dais behind Mayor Todd Gloria.
“That’s where I was going to sit, where District 8 elected me to sit,” Moreno said. However, rather than letting more people from the public in, she said the seats remained empty.
San Diego’s Government-Run Energy Provider Passes Big Rate Hikes
San Diego’s government-run, nonprofit power company OK’d rate hikes on energy that’s still greener and cheaper than its competitor, San Diego Gas and Electric.
San Diego Community Power’s board passed higher prices for its three different power types – the most expensive being a plan that represents purchasing 100 percent renewable energy – at its Thursday meeting. The rate hikes range from 9.5 percent to about 13 percent higher than its 2025 energy prices.
Even so, those prices undercut SDG&E by 4 percent to 10 percent, depending on the power plan, its leaders said.
“If there was a situation where SDG&E was that much cheaper than San Diego Community Power, they would market it aggressively,” said board member and San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera. “I think it’s important that as many people as possible know about this.”
While cities formed San Diego Community Power to run their local economies on 100 percent renewable energy, the company will be encouraging lower-income customers to opt for the cheapest plan that represents the 10 percent rate cut to SDG&E – which represents the dirtiest power mix they offer.
It’s still cleaner than what California utilities offer on average, said Lucas Utouh, who directs data analytics and customer operations for San Diego Community Power.
In other power news: San Diego Gas and Electric’s bill will go up even more than previously reported after the state Public Utilities Commission OK’d the investor-owned utility’s wildfire-prevention spending – one of the main drivers of the ever-rising cost of power in San Diego, the Union-Tribune reported.
South County Report: Motel Project Caps Chula Vista Homeless Efforts
Chula Vista city leaders this week broke ground on a supportive housing project that will transform an 80-year-old motel near the city’s southwest border into 27 units of dedicated permanent housing for homeless residents and veterans.
Leaders touted the project as the capstone of a years-long effort to establish a comprehensive network of services for homeless people seeking to exit life on the streets and find stable housing and employment.
The city already has built a 62-unit transitional shelter, established a homeless outreach team, provided rental assistance to people on the verge of losing housing and enacted encampment restrictions.
Mayor John McCann said the city now is developing a new five-year plan to guide additional efforts. McCann said he especially wants to pursue partnerships with organizations such as the San Diego Rescue Mission, which itself has been establishing a countywide network of services.
Read more in the South County Report here.
In Other News
- The Metropolitan Transit System is officially opposing the expansion of driverless vehicles absent local oversight and rules. (Times of San Diego)
- El Cajon leaders decided against providing storage options for homeless residents after sweeps. (Union-Tribune)
- Federal lawmakers are directing $3.5 million to address cross-border sewage in the Smuggler’s Gulch area. (NBC 7 San Diego)
- Rady Children’s Hospital staff recently voted to unionize and the hospital is challenging the effort. (KPBS)
- An Imperial Beach food pantry will likely be forced to close in March. (Union-Tribune)
- A massive sinkhole disrupted traffic at the intersection of Morena Boulevard and Sherman Street. (Fox 5)
The Morning Report was written by Will Huntsberry, Mariana Martínez Barba, Jim Hinch, Lisa Halverstadt and MacKenzie Elmer. It was edited by Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña.