Board Letters

Supervisor Joel Anderson is committed to making County government work for you. To accomplish this, the Supervisor and his staff listen to the needs of his constituents and will introduce policies that improve the lives of East County residents. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors and staff use Board Letters to introduce policies and procedures that are then used to manage County government. Board Letters are voted on during scheduled Board meetings. 

Here is a list of Board Letters that Supervisor Anderson has authored or co-authored: 

An Ordinance Amending Section 21.2111 of Chapter 21 and Adding Section 21.2214 to Chapter 22 of Title 2, Division 1 of the San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances Relating to Entertainment Establishments and Public Dances

Author/Co-Author
Supervisor Joel Anderson
Letter Date
Oct 22, 2024
Summary

VOTE: 5 - 0 (PASS)

Supervisor Anderson introduced this ordinance to exempt veterans and fraternal organizations, including VFW chapters, from the requirement to obtain an entertainment and public dance license, allowing them to more easily host community-focused events that support veterans and promote camaraderie. 

Enhancing the Fire Safety of Homes while Providing Homeowners Financial Relief with the Cost of Insurance

Author/Co-Author
Director Joel Anderson & Director Jim Desmond
Letter Date
Oct 22, 2024
Summary

VOTE: 5 - 0 (PASS)

Acting in their capacity as San Diego County Fire Protection District Board of Directors, Supervisors Anderson and Desmond authored a Board Letter to help homeowners navigate California's home insurance crisis. They recommended that that the Executive Director of the San Diego County Fire Protection District (SDCFPD) facilitate the application and inspection process for the Institute for Business & Home Safety’s Wildfire Prepared Home program. This program offers insurance discounts to homeowners who meet fire safety standards, providing some relief amid rising premiums and limited coverage options, particularly in wildfire-prone areas.

Establishing an Unsafe Camping Ordinance to Prevent Wildfire Hazards and Ensure Public Safety in our Communities

Author/Co-Author
Supervisor Joel Anderson
Letter Date
Aug 27, 2024
Summary

VOTE: 5-0 (PASS)

Supervisor Anderson recommended that the draft Unsafe Camping Ordinance that will be brought before the Board for consideration and possible adoption include language to address and prevent the threat of wildfires.

Support for Proposition 36: The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act

Author/Co-Author
Supervisor Joel Anderson, Supervisor Jim Desmond & District Attorney Summer Stephan
Letter Date
Aug 27, 2024
Summary

VOTE (Alternate Motion to return to the Board on October 8, 2024, with additional information): 3-2 (PASS)

Supervisor Anderson partnered with District Attorney Summer Stephan and Supervisor Jim Desmond to request that the Board of Supervisors adopt a position of support for Proposition 36. If approved by California voters on November 5, 2024, Proposition 36 will help address the adverse impacts resulting from the 2014 approval of Proposition 47. Specific provisions include establishing a new “treatment-mandated felony” class of crime,  adding fentanyl to existing laws that prohibit individuals from possessing hard drugs while armed with a firearm or when trafficking large quantities of hard drugs, permitting judges to use their discretion in sentencing drug dealers to state prison or county jail, increasing penalties for people who engage in theft repeatedly, and adding new laws to address “smash and grab” thefts. 

Reassessing Actions Related to the Compassionate Emergency Solutions and Pathways to Housing for People Experiencing Homelessness in East County in light of Forthcoming Enterprise-wide Assessment of County Programs on Homelessness

Author/Co-Author
Supervisor Joel Anderson
Letter Date
Aug 27, 2024
Summary

VOTE: 4-1 (PASS)

Supervisor Anderson recommended that County staff reassess the feasibility of the Willow Road RV Safe Parking project, estimated to cost $4.9 million in construction costs and $960,000 in annual operating expenses. Staff will review the Enterprise-wide Homeless Report to determine if the costs for 17 RV parking spaces are justifiable and to consider additional shelter site options. This assessment will guide future actions on homelessness solutions in East County. 

Supporting Our Foster Care Youth

Author/Co-Author
Supervisor Joel Anderson & Supervisor Jim Desmond
Letter Date
Jun 04, 2024
Summary

VOTE: 5-0 (PASS)

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors adopted a position of support for Assembly Bill 2906. This bill would require all California counties to follow the same practice used by the County of San Diego to ensure that foster youth who are entitled to survivorship benefits from the Social Security Administration receive the full amount of those financial benefits when they reach a certain age and exit the foster care system. 

Establishing an Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Transformative Technologies and Artificial Intelligence

Author/Co-Author
Supervisor Joel Anderson & Chairwoman Nora Vargas
Letter Date
Jun 04, 2024
Summary

VOTE: 5-0 (PASS)

The Board approved the establishment of an ad hoc subcommittee of the Board to oversee the county's information technology and telecommunication infrastructure. This subcommittee will receive and review information from County staff and others on the currency of the County’s information technology and telecommunication systems, the County’s provision of information technology and telecommunication services, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI); and on strategies for monitoring and managing advances in transformative technologies and AI. The Committee will also provide input to the Chief Administrative Officer on current and future IT developments, ensuring that advancements in AI, information technology, and telecommunications align with the Board’s strategic objectives. 

Partnering with the City of San Diego Through a Revenue Agreement to Utilize Opioid Settlement Fuds for Overdose Prevention and Naloxone Public Messaging and Awareness

Author/Co-Author
Supervisor Joel Anderson
Letter Date
Apr 30, 2024
Summary

VOTE: 5-0 (PASS)

The City of San Diego is partnering with the County’s public health services providing medical care, mental health services for individuals who need substance abuse treatment. Supervisor Joel Anderson suggested a collaboration with the City of San Diego to recognize opioid and fentanyl crisis within the greater San Diego area and is investing approximately 1.0 million dollars in the Opioid Settlement Fund. These initiative aims to spread awareness, prevention and treatment through multi-media overdose prevention initiatives to those who have been most affected by this public health.

Updating Authority for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Shelter, and Services Program Grant Funds

Author/Co-Author
Supervisor Joel Anderson & Chairwoman Nora Vargas
Letter Date
Apr 30, 2024
Summary

VOTE: 4-1 (PASS)

The board of supervisors authorized the interim chief administrative officer to pursue grant funds for migrant sheltering after accepting a report on a long-term migrant transfer site and shelter plan. They also directed the interim chief administrative officer to request funds from the general fund Reserve until FEMA funding is secured. 

This action provides new direction for immediate implementation of the Board's vision for the transfer site and shelter. Specifically, the Interim Chief Administrative Officer (ICAO) is tasked with returning to the Board on May 21, 2024, to request funds from the General Fund Reserve and to apply for any available grant funds for migrant sheltering and services. These measures aim to swiftly realize the Board's vision and provide a humane resource for migrants passing through the San Diego region. 

Adoption of a New Population Category for San Diegans of Middle Eastern and North African Descent

Author/Co-Author
Supervisor Joel Anderson
Letter Date
Apr 30, 2024
Summary

VOTE: 5-0 (PASS)

The letter recommends that the County allows self-identification for Middle Eastern and North African Descent (MENA) individuals in its documents and expresses support for Assembly Bill 2763. By providing this option, the County can ensure a more inclusive representation of the MENA community, address their needs, and recognize their contributions. The recommendations include directing County staff to offer MENA categories for data collection and to express support for Assembly Bill 2763.