Council approves consent agenda, adds progressive design‑build procurement tool and appoints library commissioner

The San Diego City Council on Sept. 22 approved a consent agenda that included a change allowing the city to use progressive design‑build and construction manager‑at‑risk procurement methods for large capital projects, and confirmed several appointments and reappointments to advisory boards.

During public comment, Dennis LaSalle of South Solutions supported the procurement change, urging the city to adopt progressive design‑build ahead of major projects such as the next phase of the Pure Water program. “You do not want to be behind Metropolitan when you start bidding out on projects because you won't get competitive bids,” LaSalle said.

Councilmember Von Wilpert moved to approve the consent agenda; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously, 7–0, with Councilmember Campillo and Council President LaCava absent. The consent agenda included appointment and reappointment items (items 609–611) and a nomination of Chris Ryle to the Board of Library Commissioners, which councilmembers praised for his publishing and media background.

Council discussion praised the changes as tools that could lower costs and speed delivery on major infrastructure projects while increasing transparency in project budgeting. Staff and supporters said the procurement tools are intended to help prepare for large regional projects, including future phases of the Pure Water program.

The approval is procedural: implementation details, including which specific projects will use the new procurement methods and any required contract authority, will be executed by city departments and returned to council as those projects are developed.