SAN DIEGO -- Mayor Dick Murphy has proposed a citizens task force to study the "tough conundrum" of how to keep the Chargers in San Diego in a fiscally responsible way the public will support.

SOUND OFF Are The Chargers Important To San Diego?

"The intent here is to try to get some creative citizen input in what is a difficult dilemma: how to keep the Chargers in San Diego without spending any public money," he said. "That's a tough conundrum."

The 15-member Citizens' Task Force on Chargers Issues, appointed by Murphy and confirmed by the City Council, would be asked to meet in public and make recommendations to the council.

Among its tasks: determine if the Chargers and National Football League are important assets for the "life and economy of San Diego," and determine what can be done to keep the team here in "in a fiscally responsible way that the public will support."

The proposal to establish a task force will be on the City Council's June 18 meeting.

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Murphy Says Challenge Is A Difficult One

Murphy wants the task force to give the council a report by Oct. 15.

The Chargers are seeking a new stadium in San Diego, and also have been approached by the Anschutz Entertainment Group regarding a proposed downtown Los Angeles football stadium. The team said last week that it put off talks with the Los Angeles group while it deals with San Diego officials.

The team's contract commits it to publicly owned Qualcomm Stadium until 2020, but there is an out clause that could allow negotiations with another city if certain financial conditions are met.

Murphy noted again that he thinks San Diegans would be disappointed if the team left, but doesn't think the public wants to use public funds for a new stadium.

Murphy said he would encourage the Chargers and members of the public to make proposals to the task force, and supports a public vote for any proposal to use city resources.

One proposal the team floated has been a gift of the land under Qualcomm Stadium.

Murphy said that could be among the issues studied by the task force. He said he also would support a public vote for any such proposal since city resources would be involved.

Attorney Mike Aguirre, a frequent critic of the city's dealings with the Chargers, praised the task force idea, but wants the mayor to recommit to keeping public dollars out of the equation.

As for the makeup of the task force, Murphy said he would take nominations from council members for eight of the members, and he would appoint the balance.

The city won't be bound by any of the task force's actions, he said.