Meeting Summary
Present: Anderson, Aguirre, Remer
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Closed Session
- The Board received a report from closed sessions held on October 6 and 7, 2026.
- County Counsel was authorized to initiate litigation for two separate items.
- Specific details regarding the litigation are to be disclosed only after formal commencement.
Board Letter Regarding Sexually Violent Predators (SVPs)
- The Board adopted a letter opposing the placement of sexually violent predators in San Diego County.
- An amendment was included to specifically name John Phillips alongside other proposed placements.
- Discussion clarified that the County does not contract with Liberty Healthcare for SVP supervision.
- The motion to adopt the letter passed unanimously.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Strengthening Community Revitalization and Economic Development in Jacumba
- The Board adopted a letter to initiate the zoning amendment process to align the General Plan with local zoning.
- The initiative aims to address barriers to revitalization and support community-led development within existing housing capacity.
- Discussion highlighted Jacumba’s high poverty rate and the economic activity from the Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel restoration.
- The motion to adopt the board letter passed unanimously.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Housing for All Initiative and Related Actions
- Staff presented the "Housing for All" initiative, consolidating existing county housing frameworks under a single identity.
- The presentation detailed financial investments, including $398 million in direct investments and over $343 million committed through the Innovative Housing Trust Fund.
- The Board discussed the scope of Tenant Legal Services, with staff clarifying the program serves the entire county.
- The Board adopted the initiative as the county's overarching housing framework and found the actions exempt from CEQA.
Full summary
Meeting Context and Procedures
- Supervisor Anderson participated via teleconference due to illness, necessitating roll-call votes for all items. The Board recessed into closed session to complete matters from the previous day’s agenda and subsequently received the closed session report.
Closed Session Report
- The Board received a report from closed sessions held on October 6 and 7, 2026. Four board members were present for both sessions; Supervisor Anderson was absent. Reportable actions included:
- Item 16E: Authorization for County Counsel to initiate litigation.
- Item 16I: Authorization for County Counsel to initiate litigation.
- Particulars regarding the litigation are to be disclosed upon inquiry after formal commencement.
Item 15: Board Letter Regarding Sexually Violent Predators (SVPs)
- Discussion: Supervisor Anderson introduced a late docket item: a board letter opposing the placement of sexually violent predators in San Diego County. An amendment was requested to include John Phillips, an SVP proposed for placement in Borrego Springs, alongside Michael Poulsen and Rinaldo D’Alessario. Discussion addressed concerns regarding the escape of SVP Earl Wakefield and clarified that the County does not contract with Liberty Healthcare for SVP supervision; rather, the California Department of State Hospitals contracts with Liberty Healthcare, and SVPs are considered patients with HIPAA protections.
- Public Comment: Eleven individuals spoke (4 in person, 7 by phone), and five e-comments were received. Comments addressed concerns over SVP placements in unincorporated areas, the Wakefield escape, and the role of Liberty Healthcare. Some speakers criticized the Board’s handling of public comment, while others supported the letter’s recommendations to oppose further placements until Wakefield is apprehended and safety measures are improved.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made and seconded to adopt the board letter with the amendment to include John Phillips.
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.
Non-Agenda Public Comment (Tuesday Session)
- Eleven individuals spoke (3 in person, 8 by phone). Topics included criticism of the Board’s advocacy regarding the Starlight Project, concerns regarding aircraft property tax delinquencies and fire safety at county airports, requests for stricter policies on secondhand smoke and vaping, criticism of the Board’s leadership and handling of the Tijuana River Valley sewage issue, calls for election security measures, and comments on Proposition 1.
Consent Agenda (Items 1–3)
- Discussion: The items were described as routine. Supervisor Desmond moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Chair Pro Tem Aguirre.
- Public Comment: Seven individuals spoke (1 in person, 6 by phone). Comments addressed:
- Item 3 (Tijuana River Valley): Criticism of the County’s reliance on external funding and studies rather than local action or enforcement regarding sewage pollution.
- Item 2 (Road Maintenance): Questions regarding County responsibility for maintaining Enrico Fermi Drive and Sampra Viva Road, suggesting these should be Caltrans responsibilities.
- General: Criticism of the Board’s political affiliations and handling of emergency declarations, and support for Measure A.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent agenda.
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.
Item 4: Strengthening Community Revitalization and Economic Development in Jacumba
- Discussion: Supervisor Anderson and Chair Pro Tem Aguirre introduced a board letter to begin the zoning amendment process to align the General Plan with zoning in Jacumba. The item aims to address barriers to revitalization and support community-led development within existing housing capacity. Supervisor Anderson noted Jacumba’s high poverty rate and SVP concentration, as well as economic activity from the Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel restoration. Chair Pro Tem Aguirre emphasized listening to residents and supporting practical solutions.
- Public Comment: Fourteen individuals spoke (7 in person, 7 by phone), and one e-comment was received. Comments included support for revitalization efforts and the Hot Springs Hotel restoration; criticism of the Board for allegedly using community benefit funds to secure consent for SVP placements; concerns that zoning changes would facilitate corporate development; and highlights of issues with local schools, infrastructure, and SVP presence.
- Motion and Vote: A motion was made and seconded to adopt the board letter.
- Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Recess and Reconvening
- The Board recessed for a 30-minute lunch break and reconvened for the land use session.
Item 5: Housing for All Initiative and Related Actions
- Presentation and Discussion: Staff presented the "Housing for All" initiative, described as a consolidation of existing county housing frameworks under a single identity. Key components included:
- Housing Blueprint: Review of the December 2022 adoption and its five policy goals (Promote equity/inclusion/sustainability, Produce housing for all, Preserve vulnerable housing, Protect tenants, Prevent displacement).
- Financial Investments: The county has invested $398 million in 123 developments (including 12 county-owned sites with 9,423 units), leveraging over $3.2 billion in additional funding. The Innovative Housing Trust Fund (IHTF) has committed over $343 million, with $129 million approved by the board over seven allocations, including a recent $22 million allocation. IHTF funding supported 38 developments with 3,396 deed-restricted units.
- County-Owned Land: 12 sites in various stages of development, expected to yield approximately 1,800 new affordable housing units supported by over $52.8 million. Specific projects mentioned include the former County Crime Lab site (District 4) and the Goodwin-on-Glacier site (District 2).
- Partnerships: A joint commitment with cities to build 10,000 affordable units on publicly owned land (nearly 7,000 supported as of March 2026); Homekey Plus partnerships in Districts 1, 4, and 5; and development on faith-based land (three funded developments creating 220 affordable homes).
- Tenant Legal Services (TLS): The program served over 2,300 clients in calendar year 2025 with a $3 million county investment, providing legal counseling, outreach, and eviction prevention.
- Policy Levers: Actions included planning for housing (Sustainable Land Use Framework), removing regulatory barriers (Housing Unlocked Zoning Ordinance amendment, zoning cleanup), simplifying processes (grading ordinance updates), and expanding opportunities (separate sale of ADUs, inclusionary housing ordinance).
- Future Funding: Of the recent $22 million IHTF allocation, $13 million was awarded to projects in Grantville and Escondido (Valley Creek). The remaining $9 million, paired with additional state and federal funds, is available through an open Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). Staff emphasized the need for a dedicated revenue stream for the IHTF.
- Public Comment: Twenty-one individuals and two groups provided comment.
- Supportive: Representatives from the Legal Aid Society, City Housing Federation, National Corps, Wakeland Housing, and the United Methodist Church supported the initiative, citing the effectiveness of tenant legal services, the importance of IHTF funding, and the value of utilizing county surplus and faith-based land.
- Critical/Concerned: Some speakers expressed concerns that housing projects are concentrated in incorporated cities rather than unincorporated areas. Others criticized the IHTF as benefiting developers and questioned the expansion of tenant legal services beyond the unincorporated area, arguing it creates a precedent where the county assumes costs that should be borne by cities. One speaker raised concerns about government waste and the structure of legal aid contracts.
- Other: Speakers from the Coalition for Equitable Development and other advocacy groups supported the county's efforts but urged the board to act more decisively on tenant protections, such as right-to-counsel programs and eviction registries. One speaker provided off-topic comments regarding national security and specific demographics, which were noted by the Chair as off-topic.
- Board Discussion:
- Supervisor Desmond questioned the scope of the Tenant Legal Services program, asking if it was limited to unincorporated areas. Staff clarified the program serves the entire county, though the City of San Diego has a complementary program. Supervisor Desmond expressed concern that the county should not bear the full cost of services for incorporated areas, viewing the expansion as a potential precedent that shifts financial responsibility away from cities.
- Supervisor Lawson-Remer supported the consolidation of housing efforts under the "Housing for All" framework, noting it provides a clear view of the county's various tools. She emphasized the importance of tenant legal services for homelessness prevention, citing the cost-effectiveness data presented. She noted the program was originally a pilot she supported and expressed satisfaction with its outcomes.
- Supervisor Geary discussed the housing insecurity in their district, supporting the urgency of the work and the specific projects in District 1.
- Supervisor Desmond argued for the regional approach to tenant assistance, stating that preventing eviction is more cost-effective than addressing homelessness after it occurs and that the county, as a public health agency, has a responsibility to provide these preventative measures.
- Motion and Vote: Supervisor Lawson-Remer moved to find the actions exempt from CEQA, receive the housing workshop presentation, and adopt the county's Housing for All initiative as the county's overarching housing framework. Supervisor Desmond seconded the motion.
- Outcome: The motion passed.
Non-Agenda Public Comment (Wednesday Session)
- Supervisor Anderson noted that three requests for non-agenda public communication were pending via phone. One caller attempted to speak but disconnected before providing comments. No other callers were present in the queue. Supervisor Anderson concluded the public comment session.
Adjournment
- Chair Lawson-Reamer stated that there were no further requests for comments on the agenda and moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned. Supervisor Anderson announced that the next regular board meeting is scheduled for October 27th.