DeMaio Takes Centre City Development to Task for Alleged Lobbying

On February 7, during a meeting of San Diego's Audit Committee, councilmember Carl DeMaio followed up on the committee's November 8 recommendation that CCDC amend its bylaws to prohibit future lobbying activities by its staff.

DeMaio's recommendation came after learning that CCDC officials helped push through legislations that raised the spending cap on downtown redevelopment. State assemblyman Nathan Fletcher sponsored the bill.

"You are not free agents but that is exactly how you are behaving," said DeMaio in November. "Any attempt to lobby or influence policy at any level of government has to come from city council authorization."

Three months later, DeMaio was upset that nothing has changed.

"It's my understanding from monitoring the board minutes [that] the board has basically dismissed this recommendation," said DeMaio. "I'd like CCDC to come and explain themselves at the next audit committee meeting. The culture of change has got to happen."

CCDC vice president Frank Alessi approached the podium to respond to DeMaio's comments. "The policy was developed by staff and brought to the board," said Alessi. "The action of the board was not to take it forward but rather come back to you with our recommendations."

Alessi assured DeMaio that they would explain at next month's audit committee meeting.