City Council Waiting for Word on Port Funds

For the second straight day, the San Diego City Council tabled discussion on cutting $18 million from this year’s budget.

Council members were awaiting the outcome of a San Diego Unified Port District meeting Tuesday at which distribution of the port’s $13.5-million reserve was discussed. City officials have expressed interest in using a portion of the reserve to help balance the city’s deficit.

But discussion on reserve funds was tabled after port commissioners were given a report on the legal issues surrounding the transfer.

The Port District is scheduled to meet Oct. 20 to discuss the reserve funds. The council is scheduled to resume its budget talks at 2 p.m. Thursday.

According to City Manager Jack McGrory, the city might obtain funding from the port under state legislation passed in September. The new law calls for port districts to transfer tidelands trust revenues to the cities they serve. In San Diego County’s case, the transfer would require approval of five port member cities--National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, Coronado and San Diego--and the board of port commissioners.

Jim Anderson, director of the port’s community relations office, said negotiations between the cities will take place before the next meeting.

Meanwhile, a diverse pool of city employees has gathered this week in the council chambers to criticize the city manager’s plan to eliminate 231 jobs from the payroll for fiscal 1993.

The city manager’s office has recommended 178 layoffs, elimination of an additional 53 unfilled city positions.