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Public commenters praise city clerk and independent budget analyst, urge retention of remote testimony
Summary
At the July 22 San Diego City Council meeting, members of the public praised City Clerk Deanna J. Fuentes and Independent Budget Analyst Charles Modica and urged the council not to curtail remote testimony amid a proposed rules committee change. Speakers said remote access is vital for participation during emergencies.
Public commenters at the San Diego City Council meeting on July 22 praised the city clerk’s office and the independent budget analyst while urging the council to preserve remote testimony options.
A public commenter who said they had served as speaker pro tem of the California Assembly told the council that remote testimony is essential in times of emergency and warned that eliminating it would curtail public participation. “If you don’t have that option, what will you as council members do in a time of necessity?” the commenter asked, adding that the clerk’s office has increased transparency and access.
Several speakers singled out City Clerk Deanna J. Fuentes for her accessibility and outreach. A commenter identifying themself as “Joyce and Yada, District 3” said Fuentes “facilitates clear channels so I can participate in government meetings,” and thanked her for aiding multilingual and in-person participation. Blair Beekman, introduced by the deputy clerk, also thanked the clerk for work updating records systems and for including the public in that process.
Speakers repeatedly praised the Independent Budget Analyst’s (IBA) office as an essential check on city finances. Danny Avicca commended the IBA staff for producing accessible budget reports and called the office “a vital, extremely vital” resource that helps the city through difficult budget negotiations.
Speakers tied the calls to preserve remote testimony to an upcoming rules committee agenda item that some said would reduce virtual participation. Councilmember Campbell noted during procedural remarks that City TV online was experiencing technical difficulties and listed alternative viewing options (Cox channel 24, AT&T U-verse channel 99, and Zoom).
Why it matters: Commenters framed remote testimony as a practical access issue and as a safeguard for transparency and oversight. Several argued that both the clerk’s office and the IBA help ensure that members of the public can follow and participate in city government, especially during emergencies.
What’s next: Public comment on the announced closed-session personnel items concluded and the council adjourned to closed session to consider the evaluations; no votes or policy changes on remote testimony were recorded in the public portion of the meeting.
