The San Diego Unified School District is making strides toward its objective of creating affordable housing for district staff, as more than a dozen developers have submitted proposals for five district-owned sites designated for transformation.
In a bid to facilitate accessible housing for up to 10 percent of its employees, the district opened the floor for developers to present innovative ideas. The district staff has reported that they have received 15 proposals, which they plan to review thoroughly before presenting to the school board in December.
An interesting facet of the bid is the district’s request for additional community enhancements at some of the sites. For instance, plans for the aging University Heights headquarters include improvements to an elementary school and the preservation of two historic buildings. Furthermore, at a site in Logan Heights, the district is pushing for the incorporation of a child development center, a homeless outreach center, or possibly a community garden—if not all three.
In other news, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) has successfully navigated through legal challenges arising from sexual harassment allegations against former county Supervisor Nathan Fletcher. Two Superior Court judges have dismissed multiple legal actions linked to these allegations, the latest being a case filed by Emily Outlaw, MTS’s former Chief Information Officer.
In a ruling made by Superior Court Judge Gregory Pollack, it was determined that there were no “triable issues of fact” in Outlaw’s employment case against MTS. Outlaw alleged retaliation from MTS due to her unwillingness to aid in the alleged mismanagement related to the harassment claims against Fletcher.
Outlaw’s claims hinged on her refusal to allow her IT department to recover private messages of Figueroa, a former public relations staffer at MTS, and her assertion that she was unfairly asked to prove the status of a 2023 email which the agency famously claimed had not been seen. The judge ruled that MTS had acted lawfully in its search for evidence, as they had a legal obligation to preserve communications and employees had no expectation of privacy while using MTS devices.
While Outlaw’s attorney, Jim Mitchell, expressed concerns over the ruling and suggested they may consider an appeal based on his belief that substantial evidence warranted a trial, MTS attorney Nadia Bermudez argued that the judge’s decision aligned with clear facts and legal standards.
Reflecting on the broader implications of this case, two court decisions have already offered significant precedents. In August, Judge Matthew Braner dismissed all claims against MTS related to a lawsuit from Figueroa, attributing her claims to what he described as “rampant and willful spoliation” of evidence.
On a separate front, county Supervisor Paloma Aguirre is seizing the opportunity to leverage her new authority to tackle the Tijuana sewage crisis. Aguirre embarked on a coastal boat tour to illustrate how pollution from the river is impacting ocean health.
As part of her initiative, Aguirre plans to advocate for region-wide studies assessing the health consequences of sewage-related pollution on residents of South County, as well as an analysis of how beach closures affect the local economy. She also intends to propose hiring a lobbyist to inform federal legislators about the ongoing sewage crisis.
For those interested in housing solutions, the upcoming Politifest 2025 will emphasize discussions around how to quickly and effectively expand affordable housing options. Experts will engage in debates concerning zoning, construction costs, and community perspectives to find the most feasible approaches for increasing housing accessibility.
In other notable reports, a detailed examination by the Union-Tribune revealed the impacts of city budget cuts on the operations of San Diego’s 37 branch libraries. Additionally, CBS 8 reported that next week, the San Diego City Council will discuss a proposed settlement of $875,000 for an unarmed man who was attacked by a police canine and subsequently shot with bean bag rounds.
In the realm of political developments, Fox 5 has noted that former City Attorney Mara Elliott is seeking the state Senate District 40 seat currently held by Republican Minority Leader Brian Jones. Elliott’s announcement followed former city attorney and current Councilmember Marni von Wilpert’s decision to pursue the Congressional seat vacated by Republican U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa.
More from Fox 5 indicates that the Oceanside City Council has taken preliminary steps to enhance tenant protections within the municipality. Meanwhile, NBC 7 reported that visitors to the San Diego Zoo might soon have to pay for parking at its Balboa Park location based on a new amendment proposed to the zoo’s city lease.
As initiatives for affordable housing, transparency in governance, and community health rise to the forefront, San Diego continues to engage in discussions vital for progressive change within its neighborhoods and institutions.
image source from：voiceofsandiego
