Clairemont Town Council November 2026 Meeting Recap

This is a recap of the Clairemont Town Council meeting held on November 5, 2026. Here are the key updates that may impact Clairemont residents.

Costs, Fees and Taxes Affecting Residents

Property-tax billing errors involving trash fees

• The City submitted incorrect trash-fee information to the County, resulting in approximately 90,000 San Diego property owners being overbilled or underbilled.
• An estimated 4,500 Clairemont customers were overbilled, and another 4,500 were underbilled.
• If you received two property-tax bills: Pay the smaller corrected bill and discard the incorrect bill. Retain the corrected bill for the second installment.
• If you already paid the original bill in full: The County is expected to mail an automatic refund within approximately 60 days.
• If you were underbilled: Pay the original property-tax bill and wait for a City letter explaining how to pay the remaining trash fee. The additional amount is expected to be due with the second installment in April.
• Residents should verify these instructions against their corrected bill or official City and County notices before making payment.

Water and sewer rate increases

• A new water-rate increase was reported to take effect January 1, 2027.
• This is in addition to a previously approved sewer-rate increase, meaning residents should expect both water and sewer charges to rise.
• The presentation stated that some low-volume, single-family residential water customers could see an increase of approximately 30% compared with the previous January.
• The estimated impact mentioned was about $25 more per billing cycle, depending on household usage and account classification.

Park permits and possible activity costs

• Permits may be required for team practices, birthday parties with inflatable jumpers, family reunions, carnivals, and other organized activities in City parks.
• Fees were not specified, but residents should contact the recreation center responsible for the particular park before scheduling an event.
• Due to City budget cuts, recreation centers increasingly rely on permit and program revenue to pay for playground repairs and other park needs.

Trash-bin inspections

• City code-compliance employees may walk ahead of collection trucks and lift trash-bin lids to check whether waste is in the proper container.
• Officials said the inspections are intended to help the City meet waste-sorting requirements and avoid possible penalties.
• The presentation discussed warnings and education but did not clearly identify a new resident fine or fee.

Parks and Recreation

• Clairemont-area recreation centers oversee numerous community parks, neighborhood parks, joint-use facilities, athletic areas and an off-leash dog area.
• Aging playgrounds require repairs, but the City’s general-fund outlook remains difficult.
• Recreation-center funds, generated locally through programs and permits, are increasingly being used for repairs that the general fund cannot cover.
• East Clairemont reportedly needs a replacement playground estimated at approximately $100,000. Staff is exploring philanthropic support.
• North Clairemont Recreation Center’s operating schedule was reduced from 60 hours to 40 hours per week.
• Morning pickleball was affected by the reduction. Officials said there was no possibility of restoring it during the current fiscal year.
• Parks staff reported losses of supervisors and grounds-maintenance workers while the number of parks continues to grow.
• Some playground equipment and swings have been temporarily closed while inspections and repairs are completed.
• The Clairemont pool is still expected to reopen in April, although a specific date was not provided.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Residents expressed strong interest in helping maintain local parks.
• City-supervised volunteers may assist with:
  • Park and playground cleanups
  • Painting benches and tables
  • Weeding and other work using hand tools
  • Cleanup following work performed by City employees
  • Recreation programs, youth sports and coaching
• Volunteers generally may not use power equipment or perform unsupervised work that could create liability or conflict with City labor responsibilities.
• Parks staff agreed to explore a recurring Clairemont volunteer program modeled after an existing “Mean Green Team.”

Land Use and Community Concerns

• Residents interested in developments, cell towers, ADUs, and related land-use matters were encouraged to attend the Clairemont Community Planning Group, which meets on the third Tuesday of the month.
• A resident raised concerns about a proposed cell-tower project, loss of park space, and possible effects on nearby trees and homes.
• Parks staff agreed to investigate the project’s current status.
• Staff is also examining whether underused park areas could become additional off-leash dog parks, although available space, nearby homes, dust, and noise remain concerns.

Council Business

• The agenda was approved. Approval of prior minutes was tabled.
• Reported Council and Foundation account balances included approximately:
  • $24,000 in checking
  • $2,006 in another account
  • $36,732 in the Foundation account
  • $10,000 in savings
• Edie Yanke returned to the board and was appointed secretary.
• Linda Jones joined the Council.
• All listed board candidates were reportedly approved unanimously.
• The Director Central position remained vacant.

Library and Community Updates

• Clairemont Library reopened following wall repairs.
• Upcoming library activities included programs for children, families, teens, and young adults, including information about skilled trades and apprenticeships.
• Holiday banners were installed along Morena Boulevard.
• The Foundation is planning its Adopt-a-Family program, holiday activities, and next year’s garden tour.
• The Foundation has already secured approximately $6,100 in garden-tour sponsorships for 2027 and is still seeking additional sponsors and participating gardens.

Upcoming Dates

• December 3 at 6 pm: Council holiday party at Best Pizza & Brew on Genesee Avenue.
• Donations for the Adopt-a-Family program may be brought to the holiday party.
• December 12: Adopt-a-Family “Elf Workshop” at Reformation Lutheran Church.
• There will be no regular December Town Council meeting.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:01 pm.

Key Takeaway for Residents

Residents should prepare for higher water and sewer bills beginning January 1, review property-tax bills carefully for corrected trash-fee charges, and confirm whether permits and fees are required before organizing activities in City parks. At the same time, recreation programs and park maintenance are increasingly supported by local program revenue, permits, donations, and supervised volunteer work.

The Clairemont Town Council meets at 6 pm on the first Thursday of each month at the Cathy Hopper Friendship Center, located at 4425 Bannock Avenue in Clairemont. The CTC is an all-volunteer group focused on improving the community through events and advocacy.