Balboa Park parking

District 2 resident asked the new COO to prioritize a smoother unwinding of Balboa Park paid parking, calling last spring's rollout a mess.

Asked the council to consider how new Balboa Park parking fees could hurt attendance at Jobtoberfest, a 27-year disability job fair serving up to 1,500 job seekers.

Asked for clarification on Balboa Park parking allocations and discussed accountability around Flock surveillance technology amid the war-related tension.

Described a 30-minute line at the one working parking kiosk, broken QR codes, and no ambassadors, and urged councilmembers to visit and demand changes.

Said the public first learned of the $10 million settlement at this meeting and demanded councilmembers explain their votes; later argued parking revenue goes to the general fund, not dedicated to Balboa Park.

Said eliminating parking fees is inevitable and pointed the council to the specific ordinance section authorizing the meters that should be repealed.

Suggested cutting parking rates in half for all residents as a compromise, and raised concerns about militarization and surveillance technology in the budget.

Thanked the Mayor for removing parking fees for city residents and asked the council to extend free parking to county residents.

Criticized the council sharply over paid parking, suggesting a bond measure, a parking garage with a free shuttle, and market spaces to generate revenue instead.

Said the paid parking compromise confused the public and urged the council to reconsider charging county residents while a public hearing never happened.

A newer San Diegan said Balboa Park was the one free place his family could enjoy, and that park employees are losing money to parking fees.

Urged the council to seek private foundation funding for public art instead of taxpayer money, and questioned nonprofit grant spending amid budget deficits.