May UHCA Meeting Recap: Updates from SDPD, the Library Foundation, and Councilmember Whitburn’s office
Officer Tiffany Adamek with the San Diego Police Department discussed the SDPD’s current challenges, including a potential 7 million dollar budget cut that could lead to the loss of 13 positions. She also highlighted the need for community members to report incidents and crimes, as these reports are crucial for crime mapping and understanding crime patterns. Officer Adamek also mentioned the issue of a vacant property on the 4400 block of Mississippi, which has been a source of concern for nearby residents due to frequent break ins and trespassing. She encouraged community members to report any suspicious activity and to fill out crime reports online to help the department better understand and address crime in the area.
Marc Johnson recapped the April 28 SDUSD meeting discussing plans for the redevelopment of the Brucker site. Lauren Doucette covered upcoming events.
The Library Foundation discussed the city’s 258 million dollar budget gap and the proposed cuts to the library, totaling almost 9 million dollars. The proposed solution is to close the libraries every Sunday and Monday, but all programming, services, and resources would remain. The Library Foundation supports the library through philanthropy, advocacy, and outreach. They are asking everyone to advocate for the library and other important services, such as public safety and parks, to their elected officials. The Library Foundation is grateful that the proposed cuts do not include the programs provided by librarians, but is concerned about the loss of staff to deliver and support the programs.
Christina Gaffney from Councilmember Steven Whitburn’s office provided updates on shelter openings, budget constraints, and streetlight repairs. Rachel’s Promise center has opened with 50 beds for unhoused women and children, and plans to expand to over 200 beds by the end of the year. Due to budget constraints, the mayor has frozen overtime, limiting the ability to complete streetlight repairs. The Vermont Street Bridge is a priority, but no timeline for repairs is available. The office is hosting a Budget Town hall on May 8th to discuss budget priorities and community feedback is encouraged. Sections of Maryland Street, Tyler Ave, and Campus Ave have been repaved. The El Cajon Boulevard, Normal Street, and Park Boulevard Intersection Improvement Plan is being led by Ryan Darcy, with a focus on financing options and community input. A petition is being launched to demonstrate community support for making the intersection safer.
The remainder of the meeting was a special session hosted by Lauren Doucette and the UH Garden Club. Lauren covered a vast amount of information to guide folks on how to start growing their own food from seed, including tips on starting, fertilizing, pest control, and more.
Attendees were able to participate in the seed swap and there were several lucky winners of cool gardening tools. The video replay is available here and Lauren’s slides are here.
Patrick Stewart, Executive Director of SD Library
Photo Credit: Lauren Doucette