Hello District 5 Neighbors!

I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing labor day! This Labor Day, I want to recognize labor leaders like Gywnne Wilcox, the first Black woman to serve on the National Labor Relations Board. The Board is lucky to have someone with her experience as a longtime labor law attorney. Locally, I am proud to support union workers like the power professionals of IBEW Local 569, and employers like NECA San Diego who power our green economy. From solar technologies and energy efficient lighting, to electrical car charging stations- union workers get it done for San Diego. 

Last month, the United Nations released their latest climate change report, confirming what climate scientists already knew: many effects of climate change are now irreversible. As your Councilmember, I will advocate for more green transit and clean energy investment for our communities. We as individuals can make a huge difference as well. I have provided a list of actions we can take to help curb the effects of climate change:

Great news for vaccines! On August 23rd, the FDA approved the first COVID-19 vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. This is fantastic news! I know there are those of you who have been hesitant to get your vaccine, and I hope the FDA's approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine gives you confidence that the vaccine will save your life. 

This is now a pandemic of the unvaccinated and we want you and your families to stay safe. Please sign up to get your vaccine today and sign up for a booster shot when it's your turn. Let's get through this pandemic safely, together.

We are getting ready to come back from legislative recess and my office is ready to hit the ground running for our first meeting back on September 14th. It has been great to be out in the community and meet with so many individuals and groups to hear about their concerns regarding our City.

Sincerely,

Councilmember Marni von Wilpert
MarnivonWilpert@sandiego.gov

COVID-19 Update

Application for Business and Non-Profit Assistance Funds Still Open

The City of San Diego voted to create a $12 million COVID-19 relief fund in partnership with the San Diego Foundation. This fund will support the businesses and nonprofits in the industries hardest hit by the pandemic and historically underinvested communities to help in their ability to sustain operations, retain employees, and address other impacts caused by COVID-19. 

Apply for relief here.

CDC Recommends Mask Wearing in Areas of High COVID-19 Spread

The CDC is still recommending using a face mask indoors if:

- You are fully vaccinated but you are in an area of high COVID-19 spread                    - You are not fully vaccinated and aged 2 or older
- You have a condition or are taking medications that weakens your immune system and may NOT be protected even if you are fully vaccinated 

They are also recommending wearing a mask outdoors in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated in areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases.

Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is still required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and while indoors at U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and train stations. Travelers are not required to wear a mask in outdoor areas of a conveyance (like on open deck areas of a ferry or the uncovered top deck of a bus).

More information here.

California Extends Eviction Moratorium to September 30th and Provides $5 Billion in Rent Relief

As a reminder, California passed Assembly Bill 832 which extended the current eviction moratorium until September 30th and will ensure the state quickly uses the more than $5 billion in federal rental assistance to help tenants and small landlords and protect vulnerable households from eviction.

Landlords and tenants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible for 100% of their back rent covered under the bill. Click here for more information.

In the COVID-19 Response & Recovery Committee, we encouraged the San Diego Housing Commission to advocate to the State for 100% reimbursements for landlords and tenants. This will decrease the number of people facing eviction and ensure landlords are paid.

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

FEMA is still 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.

City of San Diego Economic Assistance Resource Website

The City of San Diego Economic Development Department established a comprehensive list of available financial relief for businesses impacted by COVID-19. 

Click here for resources.

San Diego County Vaccination Progress

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

When Can I get My Vaccine?

Any resident 12 years and older are eligible to be vaccinated, and no appointment is necessary at County vaccination sites. Residents age 12 and older can either make an appointment or walk-up (as supply lasts) to receive a vaccine. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is now FDA approved for residents age 16 and over.

Click here to sign-up for an appointment.

In the Community

San Diego Downtown Rotary Meeting

I was thrilled to give an update to the San Diego Downtown Rotary on all the fantastic things we are working on to move San Diego forward. If you would like me to come speak to your group, reach out to my office any time! 

San Diego Humane Society’s Wildlife Rescue Project

My office got to meet with "Sir Chuck" the owl! He’s a wildlife ambassador with the San Diego Humane Society’s Wildlife Rescue Project! Sadly, they found him injured on the side of a road, as he was likely hit by a car. Because he is now vision and hearing impaired, he is unable to be released in the wild. But, he’s found a new career helping educate San Diegans about the importance of wildlife in our region!

PQ5K Fun Run

The Rancho Peñasquitos 5k Fun Run was a huge success! I started the morning bright and early with Mayor Todd Gloria and Councilmember Chris Cate's office for the fun run. Thank you to the Rancho Peñasquitos Town Council and Peñasquitos Stake for putting on another fantastic event for the community!

Pier Jump!

Our office took the plunge! The San Diego Junior Lifeguard Foundation hosted their 'Pier Jump' fundraiser and CBS 8 followed along while I jumped off the Ocean Beach Pier to raise money for the Junior Lifeguards and the Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego! Special thank you to San Diego Lifeguard Chief Gartland and SDFD Captain Alma Lowry!

Watch the video here.

Volunteering at Legal Aid Society

Last month, I volunteered with the Legal Aid Society, helping domestic violence victims with their restraining order petitions at the courthouse. The pandemic has fueled domestic violence in our communities and we need all hands on deck to help survivors and stop family violence.

Rancho Bernardo Rotary Club

It was an honor to participate in the North San Diego Business Chamber's San Diego Military Summit panel to discuss connecting veterans to their local leaders. We discussed veteran homelessness, mental health, addiction services and more. My office is always available to help our military community in San Diego.

Pure Water San Diego

The Pure Water San Diego project has officially begun! Proudly located in District 5 and the most significant infrastructure project in San Diego's history, Pure Water San Diego is going to help us meet our sustainability goals by providing 50% of San Diego's water supply once completed.

San Diego Fire Department Hiring

Stopped by the San Diego Fire Department to participate in the interview process for prospective fire fighters. The San Diego Fire Department interviewed over 800 applicants for the next fire academy- excited to see how the new recruits progress!

Mid-Coast Trolley Extension

I was honored to join with San Diego's leaders for the inaugural ride of the Mid-Coast Trolley! The new extension, opening this fall, will connect more San Diegans with world class transit and is an important part of meeting our climate action goals.

San Diego Fire Department Air Ops Day

I joined Mayor Todd Gloria and Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera to declare August 26, 2021 as San Diego Fire Department Air Ops Day! The San Diego Fire Department gave us a tour of the impressive air operations capabilities that protect San Diego from the ever worsening fire danger.

Fentanyl Overdose Day of Action

I was proud to join San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan and NAACP San Diego President Francine Maxwell for the Fentanyl Overdose Day of Action. Deaths from fentanyl are skyrocketing and I applaud DA Stephan's work to treat addiction as a medical condition and not a crime.

San Diego Youth Services Coffee Shop

Excited to support San Diego Youth Services for the soft opening of their new coffee shop, From The Ground Up. "TAY WORKS!" is an employment program for youth who have experienced homelessness, are involved with the justice system, and foster youth. The youth are doing amazing work, and the coffee is delicious!

Donation Drive

San Diego is preparing for Afghan evacuees who may be resettled in our City. My office just dropped off the first round of donations to Jewish Family Services that we collected to help evacuees with their transition. If you would like to donate, reach out to my office for more information.

San Diego Caltrans Wrong Way Driving Mitigation

On June 4th, San Diego Police Detectives Ryan Park and Jamie Huntley-Park were tragically killed by a wrong way driver. This came on the heels of multiple other wrong way driving incidents on our freeways. Last week, San Diego Caltrans announced mitigation efforts to curb this issue. By the end of this year, Caltrans will have completed work on all 13 major freeways in San Diego as part of their continued effort to increase deterrence of wrong way driving. As Chair of the Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I remain committed to work with Caltrans to prevent tragic deaths like Ryan and Jamie.

Announcements

Guns for Gift Cards Event with San Diego Police

Turn in your unwanted guns, no questions asked! My office, along with the San Diego Police Department and Councilmember's Chris Cate and Raul Campillo, are hosting a gun buy-back on September 25, 2021 from 7:00AM to 1:00PM! We are offering $100 Target gift cards for handguns, shotguns, and rifles. We are also offering $200 Target gift cards for Assault Weapons. See flyer for more.

San Diego Libraries Resumed In-Person Services at 26 Locations

Starting on July 6th, the San Diego public libraries resumed in-person services at 26 locations! Patrons can visit the 26 locations and browse through thousands of books, use computer and printing services, pick up holds, and renew their library cards!

Click here to find a location near you. 

City has $1 million in Unclaimed Funds Waiting for San Diegans

URGENT: As a reminder, anyone who has done business with the City of San Diego in the past three years, including paying business taxes or utility fees, could be owed money. Check amounts range from $1 to $35,000. 

To find out if you are owed money by the City of San Diego click here.

COX Communications Discount Program

In case you missed it- Cox Communications is participating in the $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program, which was approved as part of the federal stimulus package passed by Congress in December and launched officially on May 12, 2021.

This program will further assist qualified residents with accessing affordable internet. In a time where many are facing challenges due to the pandemic, Cox remains committed to keeping families and households connected to their loved-ones, friends, work and school.

Eligible households with active Cox service can receive up to $50 off their monthly internet service, including equipment rental costs. Mobile phone payment plans may also qualify for the subsidy. Qualifying households include those that suffered a loss of income due to furlough or unemployment or are enrolled in one or more eligible government assistance programs.

For more information about the EBB program, click here.

Active duty military families: Are you interested in learning more, and exploring more, in Balboa Park?

While supplies last, the free Military Appreciation Pass (MAP) program is still open to active duty families in San Diego County. Interested families may apply to receive the annual Balboa Park Explorer pass. Pass recipients receive free general admission to 16 museums, and the MAP program is a wonderful way for families new to the area to explore all that Balboa Park has to offer. Active duty families and individuals interested in the program (first-time applicants only) may email map@bpcp.org to be placed on the waiting list and to ask any questions.

(Note: The San Diego Zoo is not included. Due to limited quantities, this program is open only to active duty families and individuals with a San Diego County mailing address. If you have previously had the free passes, we are not able to provide them for a second year.) 

Thank you for your service!

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.