Morning Report: That Damn Dam Is Bringing the City More Dam Trouble

A sand mining company recently hit the city of San Diego with a lawsuit alleging the release of six billion gallons of water from the El Capitan Dam and Reservoir in 2023 “without notice” stymied plans for its Lakeside property.

Our Tigist Layne reveals that the El Monte Nature Preserve – represented by an attorney who once led a notorious legal fight against the city that spanned two decades – is demanding $300 million from the city, citing damages and negligence.

The original plan: The company hoped to extract sand and, after it was done, turn the area into a nature preserve. In its lawsuit, the company argues it can no longer extract sand from the property because there’s now too much water below it. And the city bars sand mining below the water table.

The city is denying those claims and is set to face the company in court later this year.

Read the full story here.

Flashback: Lawyer Vincent Bartolotta is leading this lawsuit. It has been almost exactly 10 years since the city of San Diego settled the infamous Border Business Park lawsuit Bartolotta led on behalf of landowner, and later presidential candidate, Roque de la Fuente.

The Plan to Save Sunset Cliffs

The city of San Diego is on a mission to preserve Sunset Cliffs as one of the region’s most beloved destinations.

Our MacKenzie Elmer reveals the city has a plan to save the already erosion-plagued cliffs from sea level rise. The plan calls for the removal of parking now on the cliff’s edge, a switch to one-way traffic for Sunset Cliffs Boulevard at Monaco Street and a protected walkway.

Elmer also notes that the city could potentially add parking meters along Sunset Cliffs Boulevard.

What’s next: Elmer reports that the City Council’s Environment Committee forwarded the plan to the full City Council at its June meeting. The Council is set to vote on the plan soon.

Read more about the city’s plans here.

County Supes Vote to Tap Reserves – But Can’t Yet

Democrats on the county Board of Supervisors took an initial vote Tuesday to unleash the county’s massive reserve fund to combat federal cuts.

Crucial context: The board’s 3-2 vote, opposed by both Republicans on the board, won’t allow the county to dip into its reserve account immediately.

First, the board will need to take a second vote on Sept. 9. The policy change will take effect 30 days later.

Soon after the early October effective date, county officials expect to ask supervisors to sign off on using newly unlocked reserve funds to cover millions of dollars in bonuses for county employees. (ICYMI, our Lisa Halverstadt previously revealed that county labor deals called for bonuses backed by reserve funds if supervisors voted to update the county’s reserve policy.)

About those other reserve plans: County Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer estimates that the updated reserve policy could unlock up to $95 million annually in the next few years to help the county address federal policy hits and economic calamities. But to unlock that cash, Lawson-Remer and other Democrats on the board will need a Republican ally. State law requires a four-fifths vote to redirect funds outside the county’s budget process. It’s unclear whether they’ll have an ally.

Read more here.

Lawsuit: City’s Safe Camping Sites Are Uninhabitable

Eight homeless people staying at the city of San Diego’s safe campsites are accusing the city of allowing uninhabitable conditions at its sites. They filed a lawsuit on Monday. 

According to the lawsuit, the city’s two safe camping sites are infested with rats and lack appropriate shade and shelter. They also claim that the food provided is inadequate and undercooked. 

The two providers who operate the lots, Dreams for Change and the Downtown San Diego Partnership, are also named in the suit. 

“The conditions are deplorable,” said Laura Zaleta, a 59-year-old staying at the 20th and B lot. “At times I felt safer sleeping on the streets than here.” 

The City Attorney’s Office declined to comment.

“The safety and wellbeing of individuals served through the Safe Sleeping Program has, and always will be, the top priority,” wrote Matt Hoffman, a city spokesperson in a statement. He added pest control services are provided several times a month. 

The Union-Tribune has more on the lawsuit. 

Song of the Week

Chorduroy, “Alien Mask”: Fuzzy, snotty and frenzied, this is psych rock just like momma used to make. Chorduroy’s latest album comes complete with deliciously blown out vocals, driving basslines and searing guitar riffage. So, hang up a blacklight poster, turn on the lava lamp and get to headbanging.  

Like what you hear? Check out Chorduroy at Casbah on Saturday, Aug. 30. 

Do you have a “Song of the Week” suggestion? Shoot us an email and a sentence or two about why you’ve been bumping this song lately. Friendly reminder: all songs should be by local artists.

We’re Looking for Volunteers 

Politifest 2025 is just around the corner and we need your help. 

If you are interested in volunteering at this year’s Politifest on Oct. 4, you can sign up here. Volunteers get free admission, a Voice of San Diego t-shirt and our eternal gratitude. 

See you there! 

In Other News

• KPBS revealed that a little-known 2023 audit found “urgent problems” at the county’s two animal shelters – and that many problems it uncovered haven’t been addressed.
• Following the abrupt retirement of longtime county treasurer-tax collector Dan McAllister, the Union-Tribune reports that supervisors will appoint a temporary successor by the end of September.
• NBC 7 reports that the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park will be expanding and getting a makeover. 
• County supervisors voted 4-1 Tuesday to advance Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe’s proposal to increase board oversight of juvenile justice at the county via a board subcommittee and explore plans to de-emphasize the use of pepper spray in juvenile halls. The Union-Tribune recently wrote about Montgomery Steppe’s proposals. 
• In other county criminal justice news: Earlier this week, the Union-Tribune spotlighted Sheriff Kelly Martinez’s recent memo urging supervisors to consider a new jail oversight model pointing to a model Los Angeles program that the U-T found doesn’t exist. Martinez argued against expanding the purview of the Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board. Montgomery Steppe responded at a Monday press conference, saying she wouldn’t back away from her proposals allowing CLERB to review actions of jail medical and mental health staff after in-custody deaths.

The Morning Report was written by Lisa Halverstadt, Mariana Martínez Barba and Jakob McWhinney. It was edited by Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña and Scott Lewis. 

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