The dispute over an operating agreement between the San Diego Tourism Marketing District and the City of San Diego will remain unresolved until at least April 15, when the city council is expected to vote on another revised version of the five-year agreement. San Diego Mayor Bob Filner was not satisifed by a revision of the agreement that was expected to be voted on by the council on April 9.
"I thought we had at the last meeting agreed to a set of terms...but when the came back, it did not memorialize what I thought we had agreed to," said Filner at the April 9 city council meeting.
The city attorney's office, Filner and the SDTMD have been instructed by the council to submit their versions of the amendment by April 11, which the council will review in anticipation of a decision at the April 15 city council meeting.
"Even though adoption was delayed, immediate action is absolutely critical to prevent any further impact to the economy and the jobs associated with tourism. In a couple of weeks, the first wave of layoffs will occur, time is of the essence and we will work night and day to bring an agreement back to the council on April 15," said SDTMD Chairman Terry Brown in a statement.
Addressing hospitality-industry employees present at the meeting, City Council President Todd Gloria said, "It is not lost on myself or any members of the council that this fighting amongst the powers that be are affecting your lives...We will make a decision on Monday."
Gloria has agreed to hold a hearing on the city's Living Wage Ordinance, including protections for hotel workers, which Filner had described as "desperately needed" at a previous city council meeting. The new agreement also guarantees up to $3 million in funding for the 2015 Balboa Park Centennial Celebration.
The controversy centers on a 2 percent assessment on hotel rooms that has generated the $30 million in funds for the SDTMD. Filner had withheld the funds on the grounds that the assessment violates California's Proposition 26, which requires voter approval for all new taxes.