Today’s newsletter is presented by Port of San Diego Waterfront of Opportunity.
Good morning, San Diego ☀️
Here’s what we have for you today:
- Stuck on the I-5 yesterday? There’s a good chance it was because of one of the big rig collisions (yes, more than one) holding up traffic.
- One of San Diego’s —and the state of California’s— largest landlords agreed to pay $19.25 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging it wrongly withheld security deposits.
- Prince Street pizza is serving up $1 slices today at both their Pacific Beach and Gaslamp locations in honor of National Pizza Month.
Tessa Balc
Audience engagement producer
Top story
San Diego will seek EMS bids despite questions over former chief’s role with potential bidder
Two years ago the city’s former fire chief, Colin Stowell, kickstarted the city’s effort to remake its EMS system. He now works for AMR, a company that will likely bid on the contract to run the EMS system.
Stowell says he complied with all regulations and never discussed any city-related work or interacted with city officials until a year after his retirement.
A city maintains he had no involvement in the process: “We want to be clear, at the time of [Stowell’s] departure from the city, no draft of the RFP had been created — the third party to develop and run the RFP for the city had not been hired, nor had any written material or preparatory content been produced.”
But, Andrew Keatts lays out there’s a state law against public officials having financial skin in the game with any contract they make. And that law includes quite a broad definition for what constitutes someone’s involvement in “making” a contract.
It’s also the case that the city and the consultant AP Triton, a longtime consultant to the city on EMS-related issues, released a report outlining recommendations for the city’s new system in June 2024 This was while Stowell was still chief, ahead of the RFP.
The city of San Diego has not requested an advice letter from the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission, on whether Stowell’s employment would violate a state law that doesn’t allow public officials to have a smidge of financial stake in any of the contracts they “make” — with a broad scope of what qualifies as crafting the contract. The question in Stowell’s situation is whether bringing in a consultant qualifies as “making” of the contract.
Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
Stories you should know about
⚽️ San Diego Wave owners propose stadium at Del Mar Fairgrounds, seek exclusive negotiation rights: The proposal would also bring a hotel, convention center and retail space to the fairgrounds with a projected opening of the stadium in 2031, when the Wave’s lease at Snapdragon expires.
📷 Council committee to discuss resolution to terminate services with Flock Safety: The resolution that will be discussed today, asking that the city terminate its contract with Flock Safety, was put forward after councilmember Whitburn publicly said he has changed his position on the technology and would vote to discontinue its use, creating a majority of councilmembers against the technology’s continued use.
🎶 Itching to see some live music this week?: Hello, it’s him — Todd Rundgren will be at the Sound in Del Mar. San Diego’s very own The Sleepwalkers will celebrate their new album at Tio Leo’s. Grab a glass of red — spilling is acceptable — for War at The Belly Up. Gen Z’s favorite artists’ favorite new artist Emma Ogier is opening for indie pop duo Hovvdy at the Quartyard.
What else we’re reading
🏡 City Heights is celebrated for its diversity, as some call it the “Ellis Island of San Diego.” But this same fact is putting a target on the community when it comes to immigration enforcement, causing some to fear leaving their homes and in turn affecting local businesses. (inewsource)
💰 Six San Diego County ZIP codes made PropertyShark’s annual listing of the 100 most expensive areas with Rancho Santa Fe leading the bunch, landing at No. 14 on the last. The others are Del Mar, Coronado, Solana Beach, La Jolla and Cardiff. (Union-Tribune)
Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
Mid-Week News Quiz
Have you kept up with Times of San Diego this week? Let’s see!
🧐 What was the name of the cafe that stood where Stan Kroenke’s development team is constructing a 223-unit housing project?
A) Marlene’s
B) Chuck’s
C) Perry’s
D) Glen’s
Reply first with the correct answer to earn a shoutout in tomorrow’s newsletter.