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IT'S NATIONAL PARKS MONTH!
July is National Parks Month and Chula Vista is fortunate to have 52 beautiful and well maintained parks. This month the attention will be focused on Hilltop Park, located at 780 Hilltop Drive. If you've been to Hilltop Park recently and saw the large fenced off area which used to contain playground equipment, you are probably wondering what's happening. Progress is happening and it will be awesome! Our City Council accepted a grant award for the installation of new playground equipment at the park from Foresters and KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit organization. The current playground equipment has been in use since the park was dedicated in 1974, making it very outdated and in critical need of replacement.
This will mark the second KaBOOM! project in our fine City. In 2007, along with hundreds of volunteers from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the playground equipment at Eucalyptus Park, located at Fourth and C Streets, received a complete overhaul. In one day, a newly refurbished wheelchair accessible playground was built on the 6,000 square foot area.
The new playground equipment at Hilltop Park will provide recreational facilities for young and older children and will feature equipment for children of all ages and abilities. The grant also includes the installation of engineered wood fiber playground surfacing, and is made possible through funding provided from Foresters, a life insurance provider committed to the well-being of families. Since 2006, Foresters has invested more than $7 million with KaBOOM! to buld nearly 100 playgrounds across the U.S. and Canada.
Community members including children, City staff, and staff from the Turning the Hearts Center, provided input on their vision for the new playground and a planning committee has been meeting weekly to finalize the design of the playground. All of this planning leads up to a "Build Day" scheduled for Saturday, August 3. More than 200 volunteers from the community and volunteers from Foresters will gather to build the playground all in one day.
Look for the new playground equipment at Hilltop Park after August 3 - it will be the shiny new area with all the kids laughing and having fun. |
CAR2GO SET TO GO
Look at that cute car...that you can borrow! Car2go, a world-wide car sharing company, will soon launch its service in Chula Vista. Our City will be the 11th North American city added to car2go's roster. You can find the petite blue and white smart all-electric vehicles on the west side of the city.
On Thursday, July 11, a car2go kick-off celebration is set for 10:30 a.m. in the new plaza on the corner of Third Avenue and Memorial Park. Mayor Cheryl Cox, car2go officials, and others will launch the expansion to Chula Vista with a short procession of car2go cars into the Fuddrucker's parking lot. There you can check out the vehicles, ask questions and sign up for membership. Car2go representatives also will be at the Third Avenue Farmers Market that day to promote the new service.
Car2go is revolutionizing car sharing. After signing up for membership, a registered driver will be able to hop into any available car2go with a swipe of a card. No keys, no on-site fees, no time restraints, no designated drop off sites. Drivers can find available cars by using a downloadable app on their phones, pay per minute online, and drive anywhere they need to go. Pick up areas are located on Third Avenue, at trolley stations, Chula Vista Mall, City Hall and other locations. Cars may be dropped off in any legal parking space within the city's service area that encompasses SR 54 to the north, Main Street to the south, I-805 to the east, and I-5/Bayfront to the west. Cars are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Car2go expanded its service to Chula Vista because of the City's commitment to promoting alternative transportation choices, electric charging stations located in key locations, and the population demographics that are important for a successful car sharing program. Car2go North America, LLC is a subsidiary of Daimler North America.
San Diego residents are successfully using the car2go service in areas including downtown, Hillcrest, Point Loma, North Park, Golden Hill, Pacific Beach, and SDSU area. For more information or to register for car2go, CLICK HERE. |
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
If you want to be more involved with your city, consider applying for a volunteer position on the City's various Boards and Commissions. Currently, vacancies are available on the following: Charter Review Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Cultural Arts Commission, Housing Advisory Commission, Mobilehome Rent Review Commission, Safety Commission and the Youth Action Council. For more information and to apply, CLICK HERE or apply at the City Clerk's office in City Hall.
Or perhaps you are interested in serving on the Asset Management Program Advisory Committee which provides advice and feedback to the Public Works Department? This group, composed of residents and local business owners, will help shape and guide the development and implementation of the City's Asset Management program. For more information, CLICK HERE. |
REDUCE +
RECYCLE = RESULTS
Congratulations to you! Chula Vistans are wasting less and recycling more thanks to your efforts. Currently, we are throwing away 3.6 pounds of trash daily per person - ahead of the state -mandated goal of 50% landfill diversion, or 5.3 pounds daily per person. We are in good shape for the challenges ahead which include renewed efforts to 1) reduce the amount of waste that gets generated in the first place, 2) recycle every item that can possibly be recycled, and 3) reduce and/or compost organic materials such as yard waste and food waste rather than putting them in the landfill.
The most effective way to reduce waste is to not create it in the first place. Making a new product requires a lot of materials and energy: precious raw materials must be extracted from the earth, and the product must be fabricated and then transported to wherever it will be sold. As a result, reduction and reuse are the most effective ways you can save money while preserving natural resources and protecting the environment. There will always be discarded materials in our lives, but whether or not they become waste is a matter of choice. Thank you for helping our City set an excellent example in the recycling world. |
DID YOU KNOW...
 ...our Animal Care Facility (ACF) is having a special " Adopt a Kitten" campaign due to the excessive number of cats and kittens currently at the shelter. For cats that are over one year old, the adoption fee will be $25. For kittens under 12 months, there is a "two for one" special: pay an adoption fee of only $50 for one kitten and adopt a second kitten for free. If you are interested in adopting only one kitten, the fee is also $50 (normal fee is $65 for one cat/kitten). The ACF, located at 130 Beyer Way, is open Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
... in June, the City was recognized by the California Air Resources Board for being a Finalist in the Cool California Challenge. The Challenge was a year-long competition between local governments to be named the "Coolest California City." Each jurisdiction earned points when its residents and businesses adopted sustainable behaviors - like reducing energy use or riding bicycles instead of driving - which lowers carbon emissions and improves local air quality. Chula Vista, which came in second place overall, led in a number of important areas such as the highest number of community participants (686). The City's sustainability accomplishments during the Cool California Challenge were equivalent to taking 24 homes completely off the electricity grid for a year! Thank you to all the residents and businesses who helped Chula Vista earn this special statewide recognition.
...we got an "A!" More kudos as the City's Standard & Poor's Rating Service raised our credit rating to an A from a previous rating of A-. This means we have a "strong capacity to meet financial commitments, but are somewhat susceptible to adverse economic conditions and changes in circumstances." Chula Vista was one of the first cities to feel the severe impacts of the recession of 2006. Foreclosed properties, severe drops in property and sales tax revenues, deep budget deficits, and a 26 percent reduction in City staffing followed, but due to proactive actions, we've weathered the storm. Implementing pension reform, a leaner workforce, efficiency measures, and with the economy and sales tax revenues improving overall, our City is cautiously optimistic that the worst is over and a better financial future is ahead.
...CVPD is currently seeking new recruits: Police Lateral for those who have already completed a CA POST approved academy, and Police Recruit for someone who needs to attend an academy and has no previous experience. To apply for Police Lateral (Peace Officer) position, please visit the City's Human Resources website CLICK HERE and follow the directions for using the on-line application. This is an on-going recruitment effort with no application deadline. If you are interested in receiving a Job Interest Card for the Police Recruit position, please CLICK HERE You will be emailed when the next application process is open.
...to help keep you cool, City pool hours are expanded through July 26. Loma Verde Aquatic Center, 1420 Loma Lane: Adult Lap Swim Hours: M/W/F 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m., T/Th 9:30 a.m. -1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Family Recreational  Swim: M/W/F 12:30 - 3 p.m.; Parkway Aquatic Center, 385 Park Way, Adult Lap Swim Hours: T/TH/Sat 12 - 3 p.m., Family Recreational Swim: T/TH/Sat 12 - 3 p.m. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, and $2 for children. For more information about Chula Vista's Aquatic programs, CLICK HERE.
...the Chula Vista Public Library and the Friends of the Library submitted a joint application, "Paths to Civic Engagement" for a 2013 Chula Vista Charitable Foundation grant and won! The Foundation was very complimentary about the library's vision and reputation. Funds will provide three sessions of citizenship classes at the Civic and South Branch Libraries, furnish print and digital materials in English and Spanish on current events and social issues, and offer a civic engagement event featuring media personalities and community leaders on how to be involved and informed in your community.
...several City recreation faciltiies now have new telephone numbers. Please use the listing in this newsletter to call your favorite recreation center, pool or gym! |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Firehouse Breakfast
Looking for a unique way to spend the morning on July 4th? Join the Chula Vista Firefighter's Foundation (CVFF) for their Fifth Annual Pancake Breakfast. Stop by Fire Station Seven, located at 1640 Santa Venetia Street, from 8-11 a.m. Firefighters will be serving their famous Fourth of July pancakes, sausages, hash browns, coffee and juice. There is a $5 suggested donation and all proceeds will go to the CVFF to support fire safety, community programs and encourage fire suppression careers. The event includes fire engine and truck displays and games for kids.
Happy 4th of July! Reminder that all city offices and facilities are closed for the July 4th Holiday. In addition, trash pick up will be delayed one day for residents who have service normally on Thursday and Friday. Wishing you a safe and happy holiday.
Summer Sundays Village Walk at EastLake will host its last Summer Sundays of the season on
July 7. From 5 to 7 p.m., all are invited to enjoy this free event featuring live music from Uncle Bob & The Earthmovers, cool car club exhibit and a children's craft activity and face painting. The shopping center is located at 878 EastLake Parkway.
Farmers' Markets
Summer is here! Don't forget to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at two locations: The Third Avenue Village Certified Farmers' Market operates every Thursday at Third Avenue and Center Street from 3 to 7 p.m. Now in its 17th year, the longest running farmers market in the South Bay offers a wide array of local, organic, seasonal produce, directly from the farmers. On Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m., the Otay Ranch Certified Farmers' Market has been bringing farmers and communities together since 2008. The market, located on Main Street at the Otay Ranch Town Center, features local farmers and specialty foods as well as live entertainment.
From Farm to Bay Food & Wine Classic
The Living Coast Discovery Center will host its fourth annual Food & Wine Classic on Saturday, August 3, from 5 to 9 p.m. to support the center's coastal wildlife conservation and education programs in its largest fundraiser yet! The event theme is "Farm to Bay" with a special emphasis on the local and sustainable food community in the San Diego region.
Tickets are on sale now at this spectacular event featuring some of San Diego's hottest names in food, wine, craft beer and spirits. Guests will enjoy food and wine samplings as well as live musical performances on multiple stages, live and silent auctions, and up-close animal encounters with Living Coast Discovery Center's beloved animal residents.
Tickets are available CLICK HERE, or by calling (619) 409-5900. Cost is $45 for center members or $50 for the general public. |
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Contacts
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SERVICES
Environment
CLEAN Business Program:
409-1975
Energy & Water Conservation:
409-3893
Storm Water Hotline: 397-6000
Environmental Services,
Household Hazardous Waste, Recycling and Solid Waste:
691-5122
Community
Graffiti Hotline: 691-5198
Graffiti IN PROGRESS: 911
Park Reservations Online
Library
Civic Branch: 691-5069
South Branch: 585-5755
Otay Ranch Branch: 397-5740
Library Online
Recreation
Administration: 409-5979
Recreation Online
CV Woman's Club: 409-1980
Heritage Center: 421-7032
Loma Verde Center: 409-1939
Loma Verde Pool: 409-1987
Montevalle Center: 691-5269
Norman Park Center: 409-1930
Otay Center: 409-1999
Parkway Center: 409-1980
Parkway Pool: 409-1985
Parkway Gym: 409-1990
Salt Creek Center: 585-5739
Veterans Center: 691-5260
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DEVELOPMENT
Land Development: 691-5024
Building: 691-5272
Planning: 691-5101
Code Enforcement: 691-5280
Redevelopment & Housing:
691-5047
Development Services Online
Economic Development:
409-5870
Small Businesses: 691-5248
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PUBLIC SAFETY
Emergency: 911
Fire
Main Line: 691-5055
Prevention Division: 691-5029
Prevention Online
Police
Report Crime/Dispatch:
691-5151
Report Crime Online
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GOVERNMENT
Mayor & Council: 691-5044
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ADMINISTRATION
City Attorney: 691-5037
City Clerk: 691-5041
City Manager: 691-5031
Communications
Media Relations &
Special Events: 691-5296
Finance
Main Line: 691-5250
Purchasing: 691-5141
Business Licenses Online
Human Resources
Main Line: 691-5096
Job Hotline: 691-5095
Volunteering: 691-5000
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