Meeting Minutes March 2026

Minutes for Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Normal Heights Community Center/Zoom 

4649 Hawley Avenue 

Attendees: 

X = in attendance 

X	Paul Coogan (C)	X	Kenny Patrick	X*	Emilie Dedeic
X	Allan Harjala (VC)	X	Dan Soderberg	X	Sierra Orsinelli-Rivers
X	Julia Corbett (S)	X	Mark Lawler	X	Brian Adams
X	Frances Prichett (T)	X	Nancy Lawler	X	Madison Stevens
X	Sami Burrows	X	Kim Pham	X*	Matthew Chaffee

Paul called the meeting to order at 6:10 and read the opening reflection. Then Paul gave a brief overview of the meeting procedure. 

Community Attendees

Estimate: 4 zoom attendees, 10 in person attendees

Non-Agenda Public Comment

• Becky Rapp: Impaired drivers are less responsive and more likely to speed, and more likely to ignore the signals. So if Vision Zero is going to be effective in our community. It can’t just focus on street design. Prevention must also be a part of the conversation, and that includes public education and thoughtful land use decisions and policies that do not normalize or promote impaired driving. One practical step to consider is whether advertising that promotes marijuana products aligns with our community safety goals.
• Jim Baross: There’s going to be a new bridge across San Diego River at the, northern end of Mission Center Drive, which is one of the only crossings of the freeway from our neighborhood across. The development of that bridge will make a north-south connection.
• Frances: How can we go about making sure that there is additional garbage cans on Adams Ave between 35th to 39th.

Elections

Votes were cast and the full slate of eligible candidates was elected.

Community Relations Officers of SDPD on ICE

SDPD & ICE

• SDPD does not cooperate with ICE or any other federal agents
• SDPD does not share information with ICE or participate in immigration enforcement
• Since SDPD doesn’t cooperate with ICE, they have no information about their whereabouts or activities
• SDPD can only get involved if there are lives at risk. They can intervene to provide medical attention or restore safety if lives are at risk. However, they can not prevent an arrest or immigration enforcement.
• SDPD cannot intervene with ICE, even if they break the law (ex. no warrant), because they cannot police federal agents
• If your rights are violated, SDPD recommends taking action through legal channels following the event.
• Bystanders have the right to film or protest an arrest. Direct physical involvement or interference may lead to an arrest.
• Julia: There are networks you can contact to notify folks in your area of ICE activity or presence
  • call the San Diego Rapid Response Network at (619) 536‑0823 to report a sighting of ICE in San Diego
  • call Immigration Legal Service Coalition of San Diego (858) 751-7553 for immigration legal services
• Frances: There are protests against ICE at the Highway 15 ramp between Kensington and Normal Heights 4:30pm – 5:30pm on Thursdays.

Other SDPD topics

• Crime, especially violent crime, is dropping in San Diego.
• If you have an issue with a specific area you can reach out to SDPD and they will send a patrolman when there is availability
• Patrols have been sent to E and W Mountain View to monitor for speeding
• SDPD operates several programs where communities can get involved
  • Cadet program: young adult volunteer program
  • Retired Service Volunteer Program (RSVP): retired service members can volunteer with the SDPD
  • SDPD also welcomes neighborhood-specific community watch programs are also welcomed

Actions/Decisions

February Minutes approved
Sami 1st, Brian 2nd
Yes: Nancy, Mark, Allan, Sierra, Brian, Sami, Paul, Kenny, Julia, Dan, Frances, Emily, Matthew
Abstain: Madison, Kim

Reports/Updates

Elected Officials

City of San Diego

• Sandiego.gov/budgetsurvey : give your feedback on the City’s budget priorities. On March 10 the City Council reviews budgetary documents about capital infrastructure planning.
• Comprehensive Speed Management Plan: the City aims to reduce traffic speeds for streets meeting certain criteria. 35th St, Adams Avenue, and El Cajon Blvd all qualify. School zones will also see speed limits reduced.
• The City was awarded $5 million to combat gun and gang violence

State Senator

• Saturday March 14th: taxes and tacos event
• Accepting nominations for senior and nonprofit of the year. Nominations due by March 31st

Standing Committees

Community Garden Update & NH for Smart Growth – Paul

• The Garden received a grant from AARP that can be applied to ADA compliance pathways, signage, etc.
• Right of access is needed from the City to be able to open the Garden. For now, a Ranger has to open/close the gate for users. They are not available on weekends.
• The Garden still needs a special use permit.

Adams Community Recreation – Nancy

There was new turf put down in advance of the little league season. The board is accepting, and in need of, new members.

Historic Property Review

3470 Monroe Avenue is a Huffman 6-pack from the 1960s/70s. The City probably won’t designate it as historic.

Advisory Committees

Joint Mid-City Community Plan Update – Emilie

The last meeting covered phase 2 of engagements. The full draft of the community plan update will be available this Spring. Emilie recommended they add something to the community plan about sidewalk maintenance. The City also identified “sharrow” bike lanes on Adams. There are bike lanes planned for NE Mtn View.

Utility Undergrounding & Street Lighting MAD – Emilie

We asked for a timing update from the City and received the following information:

• Block 3DD (NE corner of Normal Heights): 90% of the design portion is completed. Once design is complete they will begin construction.
• Block 3BB : 30% of the design portion is completed.