April 2022 Community Connection newsletter

Community Connection

April 2022

Read the latest about the City of Chula Vista programs, updates, meetings and events in our monthly online newsletter.

City Manager's Message

Greetings,

After two long and challenging years for our community, I am excited to see the first large city-sponsored event, South Bay Earth Day, this month.

Together we have made great strides in combating the spread of COVID-19, and we have more tools, like vaccines and testing, readily available to protect our community. As your city government, we will continue to monitor COVID-19 in our community and keep you informed as the situation evolves.

The application period for the Technology and Privacy Advisory Task Force has closed and we received over 50 applications! I have assembled a selection committee with community leaders who will assist me in determining those to interview and I will ultimately select up to 12 members to serve. Ensuring this Task Force is balanced, and representative of our community is my top priority. I look forward to their help in formulating recommended policies governing the use of technology in City operations and services. We expect to hold the first Task Force meeting by the end of April. More information can be found on the webpage.

Enjoy this month’s newsletter and please contact me if you have any questions or comments.

Maria V. Kachadoorian, City Manager

COVID-19 Update

Although the statewide mask mandate has been lifted by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for most settings, remember that COVID-19 is still circulating in our communities and masks are still required in some settings such as public transportation and healthcare facilities. While community spread in San Diego County and Chula Vista has decreased significantly, there are still new cases emerging every day. Additionally, there is a new variant, BA.2, proving to be extremely contagious. The City is coordinating with County public health officials to monitor the situation and offer the resources necessary to keep residents as safe as possible.

Chula Vista Fire Department personnel also are offering free COVID-19 testing at City Hall, 276 Fourth Avenue (tent located between buildings B and C.) Testing is available Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. (closed holidays and weekends). No appointment required. Also, the State of California testing site in Chula Vista is located at the Oleander Community Center, 1301 Oleander Avenue (formerly known as the Boys and Girls Club). They are open Tuesday-Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome until the daily maximum testing capacity is reached. Testing is free and only takes a few minutes out of your day. Seek testing as often as necessary to ensure the safety of yourself and those around you.

COVID-19 vaccines are free and readily available. Chula Vista Fire personnel are administering the COVID-19 vaccine: first, second, and booster of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine currently every Wednesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (except holidays), at the Civic Center complex, 276 Fourth Avenue. Boosters are available five months after your second vaccine and for those ages 12 and up. Please bring your ID and vaccination card (if this is your second or booster.) Visit the website to make an appointment at other county locations.

More information about appointment assistance and COVID-19 is available on the webpage.

South Bay Earth Day

Mark your calendars for the City’s first large event since COVID-19 when we host South Bay Earth Day on Saturday, April 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Held in Memorial Park, 373 Park Way, the event will help build awareness about how to practice healthy habits of sustainability and your impact on the planet, with fun, interactive hands-on activities.

South Bay Earth Day is an inclusive event that provides a fun space for all to learn how to live an environmentally-friendly lifestyle that is mutually beneficial for you and Mother Earth. This zero-waste event is packed with over 40 green vendors, a showcase of eco-conscious products, programs, and hands-on green activities geared toward education, conservation, recycling, and sustainability.

Geared to both those already living and breathing an eco-friendly lifestyle, and for newcomers looking for a starting point to go green, the event includes “Learn To” workshops such as: Zero-Waste Living, Food Waste Tips and Tricks, Ask the Recycler, and Electrifying Your Home. Other free activities include:

Fix-it-Clinic. Have something that needs fixing -- electronics, sewing, mechanical or otherwise? Bring it to the Fix-it-Clinic where one of our experts will help you diagnose and fix the problem.

Cutify. Upcycled shirts and bags go from boring to awesome! Learn how to upcycle your old clothing.

Reuse and Repair Area. Learn all about ways to reuse, upcycle, repurpose, and repair before tossing something out at the Reuse and Repair Area.

Free Food Waste Kitchen Caddy. Make food waste collection easy. Come by and pick up a free food waste collection caddy for your kitchen countertop. Note: Kitchen caddies are for Chula Vista residents only.

Free Compost Giveaway. Replenish the soil health of your yard and garden. Free compost will be available for residents to pick up. Load your own (bring a bucket or a bag; supplies are limited).

Artist Alley. Gift your eyes with the sight of beautiful art creations with environmentally safe art exhibits at the Artist Alley.

Bike Corral. Opt for your human-powered vehicle (your bike!) and check it in at our designated bike-only valet located on the northeast corner of the park.

Sustainable Vendors. Gain knowledge and browse products from 40+ environmentally conscious companies and community partners.

In order to change the way we treat our planet, we need to be knowledgeable about the environmental issues we face today and the actions we can take to solve them. See you in Memorial Park on April 9!

Create Chula Vista Art

Stop by to see this impressive new art exhibit entitled “Invest in Our Planet,” presented by artist Oscar Romo. His art is on display in the main lobby of City Hall, Building A, at 276 Fourth Avenue and at the Civic Center Library, 365 F Street, during normal business hours through May.

Romo is an environmental scientist, a college professor and a natural systems designer specializing in water and natural resources conservation. His art reflects his interests and dedication to our regional challenges, particularly the impacts of urbanization in our biomes, watersheds, and the coastal environment. All his work carries a message and an invitation to discover the numerous opportunities to preserve our resources for future generations as well as historical references to time before and after pollution.

His preferred media are upcycled and revalorized materials collected from dumpsites, coastal canyons, creeks, and the ocean. His works consist of collected items like single use plastic containers, waste tires, glass bottles, scrap metal, wood, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, natural and manmade fibers electronics and other recovered materials.

This exhibit was envisioned as part of Earth Day in Chula Vista under the theme of “Invest in Our Planet.” It brings together art pieces that address three main global distresses: climate change, loss of natural resources and COVID-19.

Drone as a First Responder Update

The Chula Vista Police Department Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program reached a significant milestone last month by surpassing 10,000 missions. This achievement marks the culmination of years of hard work and collaboration to safely integrate technology into policing.

The DFR program is used proactively in response to an emergency or other calls for police assistance and enhances our public safety response. Since the program’s inception, the drone was first on-scene to over 5,700 incidents and assisted in the apprehension of more than 1,198 suspects.

DFR has responded to countless calls for service, such as finding lost children, disturbance calls, fires, traffic collisions, domestic violence, and weapons calls. The DFR program is critical to the safety of our residents. The program focuses on de-escalating incidents by providing officers more time to assess dangerous situations and better information to make decisions.

Chula Vista Police Chief Roxana Kennedy describes how the DFR program helps save lives and maintain a safe community. “As a Chief of Police, my primary concerns are the safety of the public and the safety of my officers. Since 2018, the DFR program has made an incredible difference in how we respond to emergency calls for service. It allows officers to see what is happening at a scene, including what risk may or may not exist before they round the corner and are thrust into a dangerous situation. The DFR program makes our officers, our citizens, and even the subjects we encounter safer. In my opinion, drones are immensely important to the future of public safety and are a critical de-escalation tool.”

The average response time of a drone being first on scene is 104.17 seconds. To view the CVPD drone flight data and maps, visit the webpage,

In another impressive distinction, our drone Lieutenant Miriam Foxx, Strategic Operations/UAS Manager, is featured on the Woman and Drones organization website as a trailblazer in the field. Congratulations Lt. Foxx and all CVPD drone personnel!

Did you know...

...new food options in the City include Everytable now open at 510 Broadway serving a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner items, Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Everytable is on a mission to make fresh, nutritious food affordable and accessible to everyone. They specialize in individually packaged, chef-prepared meals ranging from $5 to $9. In case you haven’t heard, Crumbl Coookies is now open at 2240 Otay Lakes Road, Suite 302 with a large variety of yummy cookies and ice cream! Check them out Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., or Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to midnight; closed Sunday. If you are craving a good pizza, delicious salads or other tasty treats, head over to Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza located at 285 Bay Boulevard in the Seven Mile Casino. Open 24 hours a day, the beautiful décor and great food makes this a nice spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack!

…there are many great job opportunities available at the City! Some current openings include Building Inspector, EMT, Lifeguard, Paramedic, Park Ranger, Police Officer, Police Dispatcher, Recreation Leader and Specialist, Senior Civil Engineer, and Tiny Tot Aide and Specialist. All new hires must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to being employed by the City, subject to limited exceptions. View job details on the website and apply today!

…want to be more involved in your city? The City is seeking applicants for various boards and commissions. Apply for one of these volunteer positions and be part of the activities that help shape and influence the City. Some current openings include Board of Ethics, Cultural Arts Commission, Housing Advisory Commission, Planning Commission, and Mobilehome Rent Review Commission. Check the website for more details, to apply, or to view all current vacancies.

...fun for the little ones is scheduled at two upcoming library events this month. Craftlab will be held on Tuesday, April 19, at 4 p.m. at the Otay Ranch Library. At this free event, celebrate Earth Day and get your hands dirty while planting some lovely succulents to start your garden; while supplies last. On Tuesday, April 26, at 10 a.m., the Otay Ranch Library will celebrate children at a special bilingual story time (Tagalog) with crafts and more fun.

…a big round of applause for the McAlister Work For Hope clients who have completed painting and cleaning at Memorial Park. The refurbishing included painting restrooms, concrete benches, trash cans and dumpsters, wrought iron fencing, bollards, handrails, pillars and much more. The fresh bright paint looks great! Their next project will be Menzel Park. Thank you for your efforts!

…continuing with park and city beautification, our City’s Operation Pride - Park Rangers Sam Alzubaidi and Frank Herrera - collected 37,280 pounds of trash and 82 shopping carts during the month of March! We appreciate you keeping our city clean and safe.

…geared toward low income residents and seniors, our friends at AARP will prepare your taxes for free at the Chula Vista Public Library. Bring your documents and visit the Civic Center Library, 365 F Street, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays now through April 14 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Please note: Available on a walk-in basis only. Tax prep assistance is not available for Married Filing Single or for Rental Income filers.

…First 5 First Steps is enrolling 100 more South Bay families in their family support program. Supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, they provide home visiting services for pregnant women and families to promote positive parenting and enhance child health and development. First 5 First Steps offers the services as the first five years of life are critical to a child’s development. Requirements to be eligible include low income, teens (ages 13-21), immigrants and refugees, military, or CalWORKS beneficiary. For more information, please visit the website, or call 1-800-5-FIRST5.

…Recreation is offering two Parents Night Out events in April. Drop the kids off for a great time while you enjoy a night out. On April 15, Salt Creek Community Center is hosting “Let it Grow” Parents Night Out. On April 22, Heritage Community Center will feature “Hop Til’ You Drop.” Check the website to register for either event. Fee is $20 for resident and $25 for non-resident.

…on April 29, the City will celebrate Arbor Day with a tree planting. As a Tree City USA participant, Chula Vista has been recognized for its commitment to plant and maintain trees. During the next few weeks, 386 trees will be planted by Urban Corps of San Diego, SDG&E and Tree San Diego on La Media Road, Olympic Parkway and Otay Lakes Road

…the Urban Corps of San Diego County serves as a bridge to a better life for young adults ages 18-26. They provide paid job training, support services and a second chance to earn a high school diploma, while simultaneously offering a variety of professional services to the San Diego community. Currently, several green jobs are available in the County upon graduation from Urban Corps. Information sessions are held every Monday at 9 a.m. and Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at 3271 Jefferson Street, San Diego. Stop by and learn more.

…sunny days are here and you know what that means….time to visit Sesame Place San Diego! The new 17-acre park features rides, water attractions, shows, a parade, and the famous Sesame Street neighborhood featuring all your favorite furry friends. Located at the former Aquatica site off Main Street in Chula Vista, the park is open year-round. Visit the website for more details and ticket information.

Meetings and Events

April Happenings

Be prepared - April 1 is April Fool’s Day! April 3-9 is National Library Week – stop by one of our three great libraries: Civic Center at 365 F Street, South Branch at 389 Orange Avenue and Otay Ranch Branch located in the Otay Ranch Town Center. Two bicycle races will occur in our City this month. The Campagnolo GranFondo 14^th annual bicycle ride returns to San Diego County on Sunday, April 3, with portions in Chula Vista. Look for bicyclists along westbound Otay Lakes Road, Hunte Parkway, Eastlake Parkway, Olympic Parkway, Palomar Street and Bay Boulevard as the 1,000 attendees participate in this “rules of the road” event between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. On Saturday, April 9, Padres Pedal the Cause bicycle ride fundraiser will occur with approximately 500 attendees traveling through Chula Vista between 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Please be alert to road closures along Otay Lakes Road (Woods Drive) and Wueste Road as well as temporary closures on other streets. Administrative Professionals Day is Wednesday, April 27, and National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day is Saturday, April 30.

City Council Meetings

City Council meetings in April will be held on April 12 and 26 at 5 p.m. Currently, masks are still required to be worn in Council Chambers regardless of vaccination status. Residents are invited to provide eComments on any agenda item. Check the website for details. Members of the public can watch the meeting via livestream. Chula Vista City Council meetings are video recorded and aired live on AT&T U-verse channel 99 (throughout the County), and on Cox Cable channel 24 (only in Chula Vista). Recorded meetings are also archived on the City's website.

Sewer Rate Hearing

The public hearing regarding proposed sewer rates scheduled for February 8 has been postponed to April 26 at 5 p.m. during the City Council meeting. Written protests previously submitted will be counted as valid protests for the new hearing date. Find more details on the website.

Día del Niño

Join us for a fun-filled event as we celebrate Day of the Child! The multi-cultural celebration is made possible by a grant from the California State Library to promote literacy, culture, language, and books. Visit Orange Park, located at 341 Orange Avenue (adjacent to the South Branch Library), on Saturday, April 30, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Local author, Beatrice Zamora, will read her book, “Am I Blue or Am I Green?/Azul o verde. ¿Cuál soy yo?" Enjoy free crafts, music, games, and more!

National Prescription Drug Take-Back/Paint Take-Back Day

On Saturday, April 30, the City of Chula Vista and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will provide the public an opportunity to dispose of unwanted prescription medication. The annual Drug Take-Back Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and residents may bring expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs for disposal to the Chula Vista Public Works Center located at 1800 Maxwell Road. Please note that sites cannot accept liquids, needles or sharps; only pills or patches.

Old and unused paint and certain paint-related products will also be accepted at this year’s Drug Take Back event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Acceptable items will include house paint and primers (latex and oil-based), stains, deck and concrete sealers, and clear finishes (e.g., varnish, shellac, etc.). Space is limited for the paint take-back, and Eventbrite registration is required. Paint must be in sealed container with original manufacturer label. They cannot accept aerosols, solvents, and other hazardous waste. Businesses must qualify as an exempt generator under federal and any analogous state hazardous waste generator rules to use the PaintCare program for oil-based products. Read a complete list of accepted products, check business limits, and register online by visiting the webpage.

Snores 'n S'mores

The long-awaited return of the Montevalle Community Center’s annual Snores 'n S’mores Family Campout is finally here! Bring your camping gear and camp out overnight in Montevalle Park. Registration includes a 20 x 20 foot camping space per family. Registration is now open for the campout on June 10. Fees are $10 resident / $13 non-resident.