Morning Report: The War on Sitting

The latest in our Beek Week series is a beef so quiet and subtle it has most likely escaped the attention of many. It’s the city of San Diego’s beef against sitting. 

Our Bella Ross investigated San Diego’s distinct lack of benches and some of the causes behind it. 

A recent trip to San Francisco is what sent her on this mission. After some wonderful bench experiences in that foggy city to the north, Ross came home and wondered whether she might find some nice benches to read on back home in San Diego. She went to North Park Community Park. 

“Eventually, a bench appeared – a bulky, concrete slab directly facing the back of a public restroom, within which the stalls had no doors,” she writes. “Needless to say, this was not exactly my vision.”

Ross tried to get a list of all public benches from the city — but she was told one doesn’t exist! Instead, she began her own unofficial survey. 

Read the full story here. 

San Ysidro School Board Member Faces Arrest Warrant

San Ysidro School District Trustee Kenia Peraza ran for school board last year on a platform of greater transparency and accountability.

But during her campaign and subsequent tenure on the board, Peraza did not disclose one significant fact about herself: She is wanted for arrest.

Peraza, who recently announced a bid to represent District 8 on the San Diego City Council, faces a three-year-old bench warrant for failing to comply with court orders following a 2021 conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol.

When contacted by South County reporter Jim Hinch, Peraza expressed surprise, saying she had no idea she was wanted by the law.

“This warrant is actually news to me as well,” she said.

Peraza said she looked back through her legal papers and realized she had forgotten to complete one of two required DUI-related classes as part of her probation. Somehow she had overlooked a judge’s 2022 order to complete the class, she said, and the judge issued a bench warrant for her arrest.

She plans to complete the class this week and present proof of completion at a court appearance next week, she said.

Read more here. 

Turnover Continues in National City’s Top Ranks

National City parted ways with its city attorney, Barry Schultz, late Tuesday. 

Shultz’s departure marks the fifth major turnover in top city leadership this year. The Council forced out the city manager in April. The directors of human resources, community services and community development all resigned in subsequent months.

Schultz did not respond to a request for comment. 

Mayor Ron Morrison said Schultz “has done a good job” but likely tired of what Morrison termed National City’s recent administrative “dysfunction.”

“Barry is a rather calm individual,” Morrison said. “I could see him just saying, ‘I can do something more peaceful in my life.’”

Morrison said the city is taking steps to restabilize City Hall. The city replaced the departing department directors, and Morrison said he expects the Council to complete a national search for city manager next month.

North County Report: Combining Healthcare Systems

A new partnership between Palomar Health and UCSD Health is happening fast. 

The two entities are creating a joint powers authority that will run Palomar’s hospitals. This will help UCSD expand its footprint and help stabilize Palomar’s finances, our Tigist Layne reports. 

The new partnership will happen over two phases. In the first phase, UCSD will contribute $200 million to the new entity. Meanwhile, Palomar will transfer 49 percent of its assets over — including debt. 

During the second phase, Palomar will transfer over its remaining 51 percent of assets — but that phase will have to wait for further approval. It could take a voter referendum or a court to complete the second phase. 

Eventually, UCSD could buy out the operations at fair market value, but Palomar’s CEO said that’s “not the intent.” 

Read the North County Report here. 

In Other News 

• The Union-Tribune reports that a potential county policy shift could lead to more accessory dwelling units in unincorporated areas. Our Lisa Halverstadt previously wrote about the county’s existing ADU boom.
• Everyone could use a little price cut every now and then – especially around the holidays. Well, too bad. Starting next month, fees for outdoor activities like fishing and camping permits and even picnic reservations will increase. (City News Service)
• San Diego transit ridership has recovered from the pandemic dropoff faster than the national average. Still, the system is facing a looming budget cliff. (Union-Tribune)

The Morning Report was written by Will Huntsberry and Jim Hinch. It was edited by Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña. 

The post Morning Report: The War on Sitting appeared first on Voice of San Diego.