We also just released our first office feedback questionnaire! Please fill out the survey below to let us know how we have done since taking office and how we can better serve you in the future.
                        CLICK HERE TO TAKE SURVEY

I am so grateful for all of your community participation and engagement with my office and I encourage all of you to reach out should you have any questions or concerns. 

Sincerely,

Councilmember Marni von Wilpert
MarnivonWilpert@sandiego.gov

COVID-19 Update

California Now Has the Lowest Coronavirus Case Rate in the U.S.

Over the last week, California has reported an average of 1,901 new cases per day, a 34% decrease from two weeks ago. California’s latest seven-day rate of new cases was 32.5 per 100,000 people, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Officials hope more vaccinations will continue to keep California case rates low.

Small Business Association Offering New COVID Relief

As part of the American Rescue Plan, the Small Business Association is offering new COVID financial relief. The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant and Restaurant Revitalization Fund are now accepting applications.

For all SBA COVID-19 relief options, click here.

FEMA is Providing Financial Assistance for COVID-19 Related Funeral Costs

As a reminder, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020 under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. FEMA will begin accepting applications this month. If you were impacted by COVID-19 funeral expenses, we encourage you to keep and gather documentation.  Types of documents include: an official death certificate and funeral expenses (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.). For more information, please click here. 

Apply Now for City of San Diego Rent and Utility Assistance Program

The City of San Diego is still accepting applications for COVID-19 rental and utility assistance through the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) Housing Stability Assistance Program. Tenants can apply for the program, OR a landlord can apply on behalf of a tenant. Those in need of assistance can apply here. 

San Diego County Vaccination Progress

Click here for a full breakdown of San Diego’s vaccination progression.

When Can I get My Vaccine?

Starting on April 15th, any resident 16 years and older are able to be vaccinated. No appointments necessary at County vaccination sites. Residents age 16 and older can either make an appointment or walk-up (as supply lasts) to receive a vaccine.

Click here to sign-up for an appointment.

City Hall Update

California Theatre Project

The City Council unanimously approved plans to replace downtown San Diego's decaying California Theatre with a 41-story, boutique hotel and condo tower. This project will provide good, local union jobs for years while revitalizing the area and providing a major investment in the downtown area.

New Ambulance Provider- Falck Ambulance Services 

San Diego will have a new ambulance provider for the first time in 23 years after the City Council voted 9-0 earlier last month to switch from American Medical Response to Falck, a Danish company that is the largest ambulance operator in the world. The motivation for switching providers is Falck’s plan to put more ambulances on the road and boost response times in all neighborhoods, including in ethnically diverse and low-income neighborhoods south of state Route 94. While ultimately I supported the switch to the new ambulance service, I do not approve of Falck opposing its EMS workers' labor unions in other cities where it provides ambulance service. At the City Council hearing, I also voiced my concerns over whether the City’s contract with Falck is strong enough to enforce a lot of the promises they are making. We will work closely with the Fire Department to monitor the transition. 

Commission on Police Practices

The Commission on Police Practices was approved by a majority of voters as Measure B in the November election and is moving along in the implementation project. Last week. the council approved the creation of the Office of the Commission on Police Practices, the hiring of an interim executive director, and established interim standard operating practices for the commission.

San Diego’s Gas and Electric Franchise Update

As SDG&E was again the sole bidder for the City’s gas and electric franchise agreements, the Mayor has initiated a negotiation period before presenting the agreements to the Council for consideration. During this negotiation period, the Mayor remains committed to a deal that:

       + Are fair to ratepayers
       + Provide strict accountability
       + Advance our climate goals
       + Ensures equitable access to environmental benefits

Governor Newsom Signs Wildfire Package

California is taking bold, early action to protect our high-risk communities ahead of peak wildfire season. On April 13th, 2021, Governor Newsom signed a $536M wildfire package that will go towards fire resilience efforts including fuel breaks, forest health projects, and home hardening across the state.

As climate change-driven wildfires get worse each year, it is going to take an all hands on deck approach to keep our communities safe. "Fire season" is becoming year-round and our firefighters need support. I am grateful to the Governor for prioritizing fire safety and taking action to help communities combat worsening wildfires like District 5.

Gavin Newsom Signs Bill to Give Tax Breaks on Pandemic Loans for Many California Businesses

Many California businesses won’t have to pay state taxes on their federal pandemic loans under a bill Gov. Gavin Newsom intends sign into law Thursday. The measure, Assembly Bill 80, aims to help businesses that received loans through the Paycheck Protection Program, which the federal government established to help businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. The legislation will provide a $6.2 billion tax cut for small businesses hurt by the coronavirus pandemic.

In the Community

April 7th- National Beer Day!

San Diego has become known as the 'Capital of Craft’ and has over 150 craft breweries in the County! In District 5, we are the proud home to some of the best breweries in the City! (In my opinion!) My office recognized National Beer Day by highlighting Harland Brewery and Abnormal Beer Co. as some of our favorite breweries!            

April 7th- San Diego Women’s Fire Prep Academy

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege to attend the SD Women's Fire Prep Academy! Over 60 women participated in the tryouts and 22 moved on and will complete the Academy. This is an important way to recruit more women and diversify our San Diego Fire Department ranks. I fully support this innovative effort!

April 8th- Stop AAPI Hate: League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters held a “Confronting Racism and Embracing Diversity” event to discuss the Asian American and Pacific Islander community’s history of discrimination at the intersection of misogyny and racism. The impressive panel of speakers included my own teacher from 6th grade- Judy Ki!

April 10th- Meet The Mayor Event

May Todd Gloria and I hosted a Meet the Mayor virtual town hall where we gave an update about the City and issues impacting District 5, and answered District 5 resident's questions.

You can watch the full town hall video here.

April 12th- San Diego Unified Schools Open for In-Person Learning

San Diego Unified Schools opened schools for in-person learning, including my alma mater Miramar Ranch Elementary! I appreciate our educators and families working together with the County, and State to help make this exciting, safe in-person classroom return possible.

April 13th- Staff Birthday

Happy birthday to our Chief of Policy, Justin Garver! Justin grew up in District 5 and attended Mount Carmel high school! He started his City career as a Life Guard and has been a policy advisor for the last 8 years.

April 14th- Mainly Mozart Concert

A couple weeks ago, Mainly Mozart hosted a drive-in orchestral concert series at the Del Mar Fairgrounds – featuring members of the MET Orchestra and DC’s National Symphony! This is a great, safe, outdoor way to support our Arts and Culture community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The next series is from June 11th and June 19th, featuring Concertmasters and Principal Players from all around North America. 

I had SO much fun attending. In addition to enjoying the music, I spoke with the musicians who have been hit hard by the pandemic. As we continue to re-open, we all need to support our Arts and Culture community any way that we can.

For more information and to purchase tickets click here.

April 15th- San Dieguito River Park Tour

My office was able to take a tour of the San Dieguito River Park with the San Dieguito River Park Organization. We learned about the work they do maintaining the Park, including the mitigation work they do with the United States Navy. I also learned about their amazing outdoor educational program- the Watershed Explorers!

April 16th- San Diego Museum of Photographic Arts Re-opens

The San Diego Museum of Photographic Arts, MOPA, re-opened after being closed for over a year! Their re-opening exhibit is called, "Beginnings, Forever", which is showcasing the work of young photographers around the world.

More information can be found here.

April 17th- San Diego Fire Girls Empowerment Camp

Had a blast this month at the San Diego Fire Department’s 5th annual Girls Empowerment Camp! Over 100 young girls participated in the camp to consider a career in the fire service. I also joined in the fun and completed the course, and I now see first-hand how physically grueling firefighting is!

April 19th- New Office Intern

Our office welcomed a new intern, Prisha, who also volunteered for my campaign! I am so lucky to have such a talented intern in our office (virtually) and I am so appreciative of all of her hard work. Welcome to City Hall, Prisha!

April 22nd- Earth Day

I celebrated Earth Day with Mayor Todd Gloria by announcing a solar-powered EV charging pilot program from local, San Diego-based company Beam. This pilot project is a great first step to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles into our City’s fleet to meet our climate goals! 

As Chair of the Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am focused on expanding the availability of EV charging throughout our City, with special focus on underserved communities for equitable distribution, to allow for the increasing shift to electric vehicles.

I applaud the Mayor in his commitment to lead this effort by setting the example with our City’s fleet to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to ensure a livable Earth for generations to come.

April 26th- I Love A Clean San Diego Community Clean-up

My office participated in this year’s I Love A Clean San Diego’s Creek 2 Bay Clean Up and spent our Earth Day at Lake Hodges, where we collected over 250lbs of trash! Trash included bottles, wrappers, fishing equipment, cigarettes, and even a shoe.

April 27th- Walkalong With Homeless Outreach Team

Last week, my staff and I joined PATH Partners San Diego on a walkalong with one of their downtown homeless outreach teams. PATH is deploying social workers every day to connect with individuals experiencing homelessness to help them connect to housing and other important resources. So grateful to have an organization like PATH San Diego on the ground connecting our housing-insecure populations to housing and other important resources.

April 27th- Happy Rodney Fowler Day!

The City Council proclaimed April 27th as Rodney Fowler Day to honor Rodney for his 33-year career serving our City in the Environmental Services Department, and as the President of AFSCME Local127. Thank you, Rodney, for all of the important work you’ve done for our City and its employees!

April 27th- San Diego City College Nursing Students Association Day

The City Council proclaimed April 27th as San Diego City College Nursing Students Association Day! Working with health centers, the City College nursing students have been working on the front lines, vaccinating thousands of San Diegans. I am so proud of their example!

Announcements

Scripps Ranch Civic Association Clean Up Day 

On May 15th, the Scripps Ranch Civic Association is hosting a community clean-up day beginning at 8:30am. Dumpsters are likely to fill-up quickly so plan to arrive early! The dumpsters are in two locations: Business Park (Meanley Drive) and SRCA Community Center 11885 Cypress Canyon Road. Please no cardboard and greenery and be prepared to unload your own vehicle.

More information here.

NON-PROFIT SHOUTOUT

Resounding Joy provides music therapists with San Diegans who are facing a variety of hardships including hospitalized children and their families, as well as combat veterans transitioning back into civilian life.

Learn more about becoming a volunteer by visiting their website here.

County Urges San Diegans To Prepare For Earthquakes

In honor of Earthquake Preparedness Month in California, San Diego County's Office of Emergency Services reminded residents Wednesday not to get caught off guard and have a plan for how to protect themselves in the event of an earthquake.

Read more here.

San Diego Foundation’s Summer Enrichment Grants for Students

Students are struggling to focus and retain information with online learning, many are failing their classes and students feel that they are learning less than past years. In response to this reality, the San Diego Foundation is teaming up with the San Diego Unified School District to change that by issuing grants for summer enrichment programs. These programs will help San Diego students accelerate learning and address the social-emotional needs of youth, especially for those student groups most impacted by COVID-19.  

The Level Up SD grants – made possible by The San Diego Foundation and San Diego Unified – promotes a summer of student learning and joy through:

            + Academic tutoring
            + Exposure to career pathways and paid internships
            + Outdoor nature experiences
            + Sports & fitness
            + STEM and STEAM related programs,
            + Performing and musical arts
            + Visual & media arts
            + Reading & writing 
            + Nonprofit community-based organizations, district-managed schools and                         municipalities are eligible for funding for enrichment programs in summer                       2021 – beginning in mid-June and completed by late August. The deadline for                 grant applications is this Friday, April 30. 

For information and to apply click here.

Staying Up to Date

To stay up to date with real-time news and updates, make sure you follow me on my social media pages. 

Twitter: @marnivonwilpert

Facebook: @councilmembermarnivonwilpert 

Instagram: @marnivonwilpert

Find contact information for District 5 staff here.