Upcoming Events

Public Policy  

Action Item:

San Diego Civic Center

The Board voted to support the City of San Diego entering into an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) with developer Gerding Edlen for a proposed new Civic Center in San Diego, in a way that minimizes liability to the City.  Revitalizing the civic center will allow for long-term cost savings (over $61 million in 15 years) for the City of San Diego as well as create thousands of needed construction jobs and a way to efficiently house downtown employees.  The project would also address public safety issues, such as the replacement of the existing Fire Station and Emergency Operations Center.

Consent Agenda Items:

The Board voted to approve the recommendations of the Public Policy committees for the following consent agenda items:

Education -

SB 747 – Career Technical Education – Aerospace (support)

AB 24 – California State University: Feasibility Study: Chula Vista (support)

Water -

AB 300 – Subdivisions: Water Supply (support)

AB 410 – Recycled Water (support)

AB 474 – Water Efficiency Improvements (support)

AB 900 - Statements of Water Diversion and Use (support)

SB 233 – State Water Resources Control Board: Regional Boards (support)

AB 1408 – Water: Central Valley Flood Protection Board (oppose)

SB 413 – Waste Discharge Requirements: Fees (oppose)

Water and Transportation -

SB 372 – State parks system: Unit modification, adjustment, or removal (oppose)

SB 555 – Eminent Domain Law: conservation easement (oppose)

SB 679 – State Parks: acquired land: limits on disposition or use (oppose)

Technology -

AB 1012 – Broadband Communications (support)

SB 20 – Personal information: privacy (support)

Energy -

AB 958 – Design-Build (support)

AB 560 - Net metering (support)

SB 32 – Feed - in tariffs (support)

For more information about these bills, contact Angelika Villagrana at avillagrana@sdchamber.org.

Chairman Ben Haddad proposed a change to the Chamber bylaws, stating that a quorum would consist of one-third of all voting directors, and a motion would pass with a majority of all voting directors. Abstentions will not count as negative votes.  Director Nikki Clay reminded Board members of 2009 responsibilities, including attendance and participation in Chamber events such as the Circles of Influence and the mission to Washington, D.C. in September. The Board also elected new director, Leticia Aguilar of Union Bank.

Click here for a full list of the Board of Directors

Conversation with Council President Pro Tem Kevin Faulconer

The Board heard from Council President Pro Tem Kevin Faulconer, who thanked the Chamber for supporting the mayor’s budget reform plan.  The Chamber took proactive steps earlier this year to offer recommendations to City Council and created an Ad Hoc City of San Diego Budget Task Group.  Councilman Faulconer also thanked the Board for advocating for City of San Diego Proposition C, which amended the City Charter to designate the use of lease revenues from Mission Bay Park for capital improvements on the bay.