We want to thank our community!
This event was attended by representation of Our Mira Mesa Community and the City of San Diego
Agenda
Too Many Questions remain.
1. Failed Oversight
a. Deferred Maintenance
b. Devaluation of City Property
c. Public Health & Safety Concerns
2. Transfer Oversight
a. Remove Encumbrance – Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
3. Mira Mesa Community Fund
4. Community Vision
a. Vision of Mira Mesa Concerned Citizens
Action Items
a. Solutions
b. Letter to Elected Officials
c. Media and Social Media Outreach (Facebook, Instagram, Messenger)
d. Public Hearing – Public Comments
County Board of Supervisors’ Meeting
https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/cob/bosa.html
San Diego City Council Meeting
https://www.sandiego.gov/city-clerk/officialdocs/participate-council-meetings
Note: Date to be provided for those who can attend or speak either by phone or in
person
Meeting notes
Mira Mesa Community Fund (400182)
Established with Proceeds from the Westview Development agreement and a settlement with Shapell Industries.
A total of $2,001,412 was deposited in this fund (400182) and was to be used for public improvements in Mira Mesa as identified by the community.
The interest earned was as of 6/30/16 was $530,593, bringing the total to $2,532,005.
Mira Mesa Teen Center Fund (400183)
December 2, 1997 the City Council established the Mira Mesa Teen Center Fund (400183) by transferring $500,000 from the Mira Community Fund.
The interest generated from this fund could be used, if necessary, to cover operational shortfalls for the San Diego Regional Teen Center in Mira Mesa.
On April 14th 2016, the City Council approved the closure of the Teen Center and transferred the remaining funds, $511, 187, back to the Mira Mesa Community Fund (400182)
Mira Mesa Community Fund 2023
Since 2016, our community was not advised about this fund and it went out of public site. We started asking questions about the fund as it has a history tied to the Epicentre and was intended in part to support Arts and Culture in Mira Mesa
On 8/24/2023, we found out that the Mira Mesa Community Fund had a balance of $1,014,108.30.
Out of that balance $1,000,000 was appropriated/earmarked to Project L160021 – Mira Mesa Pool & Skate Plaza Phase 2.
This left a balance of $14,108.30 in our fund for other projects.
Who – Active Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, chaired by our City Councilmember Kent Lee
What – A resolution authorizing the Chief Financial Officer to expend funds and payments for the construction project for Phase II of the Mira Mesa Community Park expansion (Project L160021). Please note they did not use the correct name, “Mira Mesa Community Capital Outlay”
Where – Where were the residents and community members from Mira Mesa that requested this expenditure? MMTC, MMRC, MMPG?
When – April 13th, 2023
Why – Councilmember Lee, “Because we can’t just have this money sitting around”. He said that they were instructed to spend community funds. How many other communities in San Diego have lost funds this way? Requests for expenditures of our funds are supposed to be voted on by the entire City Council in public view, not behind a committee meeting.
How – How did this happen? Most residents in Mira Mesa have no idea this fund exists and there is not a process in place to request for these funds to be used. They have been out of the public view since 2016. The City tried to subsidize one of their projects with this fund and the Mira Mesa Senior Center fund as well. If we had not found out about this, these funds would have been lost without the Mira Mesa Community’s knowledge.
What can we do?
How do we protect our Mira Mesa Community Fund?
Request that Councilmember Lee provide a written statement that he is restoring the 1 million dollars to our fund. Let him know this is a priority for this community.
Work with Councilmember Lee and the City to create a process for requesting these funds. Create a Community Plan where we, the residents, are empowered.
Inquire if we can add money to the fund. Can businesses and people donate to it? Or can we transfer these funds to a community fund that is not contingent on the City Council?
Community Advocacy
Another topic for lunch is how do we advocate for Mira Mesa? We have 3 Community Groups.
- Mira Mesa Town Council
- Mira Mesa Planning Group
- Mira Mesa Recreation Council
During lunch, please compile what you know about these groups.
- What is each group’s function?
- How is their board elected?
- What is their connection to the city?
- Are any or all of them advocacy groups?
*If you are a board member of any of these groups, please refrain from sharing so we can get the perception from the residents.
NEXT STEPS
Compile ideas from community discussion
Letter campaign to city letters to let community plan our own future.
FOLLOW our Facebook page.
Share your info and stay in touch with us.
SUMMARY
It is clear the vast majority of the people who attended this dialogue want a space for art, music and culture – a Performing Arts Cultural Center and to have further discussions in order to explore how we can make that happen.
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This button will lead you to Facebook Page to RSVP for the event. If you want to RSVP personally please call 858-860-5355.
Who is Mira Mesa Concerned Citizens?
We are a coalition and watchdog group. We are advocating for the citizens of Mira Mesa on a City and County level to bring representation, accountability and transparency in policy decision making that affects our community
We are community of individuals who are looking for answers on the neglected Epicenter in the heart of Mira Mesa. Join us to take action and find solutions so we won’t repeat the past mistakes.
Please visit our publication: the Letter to the Editor of the Union Tribune.