Read the latest about Chula Vista in our monthly newsletter.

Community Connection

December 2020

Read the latest about the City of Chula Vista programs, updates, virtual meetings and events in our monthly online newsletter. We hope you enjoy the new layout.

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COVID-19 Update

State Curfew: The Governor has implemented a curfew for the vast majority of Californians asking them to avoid gathering with other households from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Restaurants must close at 10 p.m., with the exception of takeout and delivery. But grocery stores and other essential businesses can remain open, and people also can walk the dog late at night with others in their households without violating the order. The order is in effect through December 21. As always, to stop the spread please continue to wear a mask, maintain social distancing and avoid gatherings.

COVID-19 testing sites in Chula Vista include the former Sears building, 565 Broadway (walk-in), Tuesday-Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sesame Place (formerly Aquatica), 2052 Entertainment Circle (drive-up), Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; or the South Branch Library, 389 Orange Avenue (enter from Fourth Avenue for this drive-up), Sunday-Thursday from 12:30 to 8 p.m. Due to popular demand, the South Library site is experiencing large wait lines. Residents are advised the line may be cut off at 7 p.m. or earlier to ensure tests can be completed prior to 8 p.m. The testing is free and no appointment is necessary. Find additional testing sites here.

Masks: California has updated its mandate and now requires masks for all who are outside the home including indoor settings (with some exceptions.) The City of Chula Vista is reminding all residents and visitors to wear a mask when in public. Please also maintain at least six feet of distance from non-household members, avoid large gatherings and wash hands frequently. To ensure Chula Vista residents have access to a reusable cloth face covering, the City of Chula Vista is distributing masks to residents. Masks are available for adults and children and are printed with the City logo and website, reminding residents where they can go to get the most current information related to the City’s COVID-19 efforts.

Residents can pick up a mask at the following locations. Masks will be distributed one per-person on a first-come, first-served basis (excluding holidays):

• Civic Center Branch Library, 365 F St., between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday-Friday.

• Otay Ranch Branch Library, 2015 Birch Rd., #409, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday-Friday

Parks and Trails: Parks and trails are open for limited use from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Parking lots, park restrooms (except Lauderbach and Harborside), and playgrounds are open. Playground guidance signs are posted at each playground for visitors to follow.

Recreation Centers/City Pools: Applications are now being accepted for aquatics teams and organized group exclusive rentals at Parkway and Loma Verde Pool. For more information on the application process, requirements or to confirm availability, please contact Karina Craig or Parkway Pool directly at (619) 409-1985. Registration is open for private swim lessons (ages 6+) and monthly pool lane rentals (ages 16+). Please be advised there are new protocols that are being implemented for your safety and the safety of others during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the website for full program details, safety protocols, and to register.

Recreation Winter Session 2021 registration opens Monday, December 7, at 8 a.m. online. Choose from a variety of dance, enrichment, fitness, martial arts, and sports classes that will be offered outdoors at various City parks and via Zoom. All Winter Session classes are scheduled to begin the week of January 11, 2021. Visit the website to view classes and to register! A limited number of scholarships will be offered on a first come, first serve basis. Application packets for Winter Session scholarships will be accepted December 7, 2020 - January 15, 2021 and will be reviewed via email submission.

Park Reservations: Park reservations including City gazebos, picnic tables and benches remain closed. Applications continue to be accepted for outdoor fitness and church permits. These permits are made available to fitness groups and businesses for fitness related activities and for churches to host outdoor church services. Applications can be submitted online.

CV Food Helpline: Recreation staff are assisting with Chula Vista Food Helpline deliveries Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. CV Food Helpline is a one-time free food delivery service available to Chula Vista residents who are home-bound, have a compromised immunity, and lack transportation to other food distribution sites or stores. If you meet these requirements, call (619) 476-5340 to sign up!

Food Distribution: If you have transportation, but are in need of food resources, South Bay Community Services has local food distribution sites available. Stop by Loma Verde Recreation Center, 1420 Loma Lane, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m.

Otay Park Steps Makeover

A vision by Otay Elementary School Principal Veronica Delgado came to fruition in November when the steps in Otay Park that lead to her school were painted in bright rainbow colors. Through a great collaboration between the City, the Chula Vista Police Department, the Chula Vista Elementary School District and Vista Paint, the project has brightened the neighborhood and brought joy to the students and residents in the area.

Public Works staff and Work for Hope participants cleared brush and debris from the steps and walkway in preparation for the project, while CVPD School Resource Officers Stephanie Campolo and Kofi Agyeman, along with others, spent the day painting. Paint for the project was donated by Vista Paint and supplies donated by Principal Delgado. Thanks to everyone for your efforts in this beautiful makeover!

Redistricting Commission Selected

The seven-member City of Chula Vista 2021 Redistricting Commission has been selected. The purpose of the Redistricting Commission is to recommend to the City Council adjustments to the boundaries of the four council districts, created by the previous Districting Commission, based on Federal Decennial Census information. In 2015, the Chula Vista City Council unanimously approved the Districting Commission’s Recommended Districting Plan. Two councilmembers were elected by district in 2016 and two in 2018. The Mayor and City Attorney continue to be elected at-large.

The Redistricting Commission will select a demographer consultant to assist with the redistricting process and a public outreach consultant to assist in conducting public outreach. Members will have approximately ten months to complete the redistricting process for the four electoral districts in Chula Vista. A robust outreach program to secure public input will be developed and implemented.

Members of the Chula Vista Redistricting Commission are: Stelle Andrade - Ms. Andrade is a community organizer. She is interested in ensuring the perspective of the BIPOC community (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) is reflected in the redistricting process; John Cressler - Mr. Cressler works for a large health care system and leads efforts to expand community-based services in areas where there are gaps in coverage. He has joined the commission to ensure all individuals are heard; Elidia Dostal, Vice Chair - Ms. Dostal is an attorney who is active in legal associations and has assisted with tutoring and mentoring students at public and charter schools in San Diego County; Caneisha Fortner - Ms. Fortner is a legal manager and military veteran. She has been involved in voter registration drives, has helped high school graduates with developing literacy skills, and has been recognized for her public service work; Gloria Hurtado. Chair - Ms. Hurtado has worked in the public sector in cities in California, Texas and Arizona. She has extensive experience in community engagement and is interested in helping to create a redistricting plan which represents and serves the entire community; Michael Juan - Dr. Juan is a clinical psychologist and a professor of Counseling and Psychological Services. His goal is to provide a voice from a locally-grown professional who is invested in the direction of our local governance; and Robert Moreno - Mr. Moreno is a former journalist and currently works at a non-profit organization. He is interested in supporting public engagement efforts to enable residents in each district fair and equal representation.

The next meeting of the Redistricting Commission is Thursday, December 17, at 5:30 p.m. Stay informed about the redistricting process, public meetings, and other information on the redistricting webpage,

First Commercial Cannabis Business Opens

Grasshopper Delivery is the the first commercial cannabis business to open in Chula Vista since voters approved Measure Q in 2018 which authorizes commercial cannabis retail, delivery, testing, cultivation and manufacturing in the City.

A total of 12 cannabis retail operations are allowed in the City of Chula Vista. Each council district may have a maximum of three retail locations to include two storefront locations or a combination of storefront and delivery operations, not to exceed three per council district.

“We welcome Grasshopper Delivery to the City of Chula Vista,” said Mayor Mary Casillas Salas. “Since voters approved commercial cannabis operations in 2018, we have been working to establish a quality program that attracts businesses like Grasshopper that are committed to running top-notch operations in our community.”

Grasshopper Delivery is Chula Vista owned and operated. Dedicated to sustainable green business practices, Grasshopper uses lows-emission vehicles for delivery and offers biodegradable packaged cannabis products at affordable prices.

Grasshopper has committed to the health and well-being of its customers and staff during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The delivery service will be contactless and employees will follow enhanced delivery guidelines, including increased cleaning and sanitizing measures of vehicles and gear, the use of personal protective equipment, social distancing and daily health screenings.

Grasshopper also is constructing an ecofriendly brick and mortar retail dispensary which is planned to open in Chula Vista by spring 2021. For more information on the new commercial cannabis business, visit the website.

Did you know...

…the global COVID-19 pandemic has hit our local small businesses particularly hard. In response to this difficult time, the City of Chula Vista is launching the “We built THIS” initiative, encouraging local residents to “think local” as they shop, dine, stay and play in our community. The “We built THIS” initiative was created to shine a light on unique Chula Vista makers, restaurants, hotels and shops across the city, and educate the community about the businesses that bring Chula Vista to life. Remember this holiday season, We built THIS. By shopping local and frequenting our local businesses, we will rebuild our community stronger than ever. To find out more about this initiative, visit the website.

… just in time for holiday shopping, the Chula Vista Police Foundation is conducting an online auction! Bid on some fabulous items such as designer handbags, destination vacation and staycations, jewelry, a signed Junior Seau jersey, and much more! Your participation will support many important aspects such as the Drone as First Responder program, K-9 program, Youth Cadet program, Senior Volunteer Patrol, SWAT team equipment, and more. Check daily through the deadline date of December 15 for additional items and keep on bidding!

…in late July, Chula Vista Firefighters and Paramedics responded to a vehicle accident on the freeway involving a semi-truck. When they arrived, they found a vehicle partially underneath the large truck, fearing the worse for the driver. Using the Jaws of Life, they heard the victim asking for help. Recently, that driver, Abigail, who is still recovering from her injuries, came by Fire Station 2 to thank her heroes, Captain Kurt Baca, Engineer Matt Minehan, Firefighter Paramedic Drew Smith and Firefighter EMT Noah Hershman. View more on this video clip.

…it’s not too late to get a flu vaccine. While it is important to get a COVID-19 test, residents also are urged to get a flu vaccine. For more information on free flu clinics, call 2-1-1.

…congratulations to Iracsema Quilantan (IQ), Public Works Director, who recently retired after 34 dedicated years of service to our City! Thank you IQ and enjoy your retirement! And congratulations also to Jeff Peter, Deputy Chief of Administration, who retired after 30 years service to the Chula Vista Fire Department. Jeff was instrumental in building our new fire stations and purchasing apparatus.

...batteries and small electronics can spark or explode, potentially causing fires. Remember to keep batteries and small electronics out of your recycling and trash! There are free, safe, and easy ways to appropriately dispose of batteries and small electronics in Chula Vista. It’s as easy as: returning old/used batteries and small electronics to nearby retail locations, safely mailing in old batteries and small electronics with a free pre-paid shipping envelope, and dropping off old batteries and small electronics at Chula Vista’s South Bay Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility. Learn more about how you can safely dispose of batteries to prevent fires and keep our trash and recycling workers safe.

…the awards keep on coming for the CVPD Drone as a First Responder program! The latest award was from the International Association of Chiefs of Police who presented the program with the 2020 Leadership Award in Police Aviation. Designed to respond to 9-1-1 calls and other emergencies such as crimes in progress, fires, traffic accidents and reports of dangerous subjects, the drone program has become an integral part of community policing. “This is one of the most powerful tools available to law enforcement,” said Chief Roxana Kennedy. “It gives officers direct information so that they can be better prepared with the right tools, tactics, resources and even the right mindset to each individual call for service. This makes everyone safer and helps us minimize the need for physical force.” Congratulations again CVPD!

…the San Diego Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) recognized the City’s Transportation Study Guidelines (TSG) as Technical Document of the Year at their recent annual awards program. The TSG was prepared by Development Services and Engineering & Capital Projects staff in response to state legislation (Senate Bill 743) that changes how transportation impacts are addressed under the California Environmental Quality Act. Adopted by the City Council on June 9, 2020, the TSG includes a number of innovations and was the first formally adopted document of its kind in San Diego County, and one of only three documents approved in the region prior to the statewide Senate Bill 743 implementation deadline of July 1, 2020. The document provides guidance to consultants and City staff who prepare and review transportation studies for projects in the City. City staff included Scott Barker, Paul Oberbauer, and Kim Elliott along with consultants from Fehr & Peers. The TSG and supporting documents can be found on the website.

…CVPD is proud to be part of 7-Eleven’s Operation Chill. The program provides free Slurpee coupons to officers so that they can distribute them to students caught doing good deeds such as helping someone or following safety and traffic laws. The drink coupons help enhance relationships between officers and children in Chula Vista.

...in addition to the regular Operation Pride and Work for Hope clean-up efforts, Public Works staff has helped pick up 35,990 pounds of trash and 115 shopping carts by mid-November. Also, members from the Rock Church volunteered at Orange Park on November 21 to remove 3,760 pounds of green waste. Thank you to all who help beautify our City!

…there are a variety of ways to keep you informed about Chula Vista! Sign up for Nixle, the free emergency notification system that sends messages to your cell phone or email. Receive Nixle notices for important information such as emergency road closures, water or electric emergencies, or other urgent messages. Visit the City Calendar for virtual meetings and events, or check the City website for the latest information on a variety of City related programs and news. Reporting concerns such as potholes, graffiti, dead animals, or many other matters can be done via the non-emergency reporting system, ACT Chula Vista. Download the free app and you can include photos as well.