Our City Council District 3 representative, Stephen Whitburn, visited the Downtown San Diego Rotary club to describe his work for communities that make up the heart of our city—Downtown, Little Italy, Hillcrest, North Park, Balboa Park, and Mission Valley. In addition to his City Council duties, Whitburn serves as Chair of the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Board of Directors.
Highlights from his engaging Q&A presentation gave our members insight into issues facing our city, including:
- An overview of the city budgeting process and how local funding priorities are set.
- The ongoing SANDAG study exploring the best options for connecting the airport directly to the trolley system.
- Waymo's expansion in San Diego and why he prefers a careful, measured approach to autonomous vehicles.
- The essential role arts and culture play in maintaining our city's vitality and character.
- Addressing the housing crisis, including plans to streamline approvals, reduce building costs, and create synergies that activate the downtown core.
- Practical solutions to homelessness, such as implementing safe sleeping sites and outdoor shelters away from homes and businesses.
Thank you, Councilmember Whitburn for taking the time to engage with our members!