Hello District 5 Neighbors!

It’s summertime! The city is fully open to tourism, the sun is shining, and the water is blue. Make sure to wear sunscreen, stay safe, and of course have fun! On the 4th of July I am going to participate in the Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo Spirit of the Fourth parades. All community members are invited to join in the festivities and I hope you have a fantastic holiday weekend!

It has been such a joy to get into the full swing of community events, and I was honored to attend the Top Gun Maverick movie premiere at MCAS Air Base (aka Fightertown, USA!) to honor our military and their service to this country. It’s always great to celebrate our military, especially with a legendary film and event like this. Special thanks to Col. Thomas Bedell for this great community event!

Fiscal Year 20223 Budget

Last month the City passed the final budget for Fiscal Year 2023 and it includes historic investments in infrastructure, public safety, housing, and more. We are making important investments in the fire department and law enforcement to support our first responders, as well as increased funding for brush management and weed abatement to prevent wildfires. The budget also includes the largest infrastructure allocation in our city’s history, more than $809 million! Additionally, we included critical funding to reduce Green House Gases to do our part to curb climate change while preparing our City for worsening climate effects in the future.

To address the housing crisis, the City is funding more housing for seniors, families, individuals with disabilities, and transitional age youth. In addition, we added funding for a Conservatorship and Treatment Unit at the City Attorney’s Office to assist homeless individuals with severe mental health and substance use issues who cannot help themselves and have no family or friends to look out for them. We also included funding to ensure adequate shelter space for seniors and LGBTQ people experiencing homelessness. We are also funding a broadband master plan for low income residents including seniors on fixed incomes. Finally, our community is getting some fantastic investments including Rancho Bernardo Community Park and Jerabek Park getting their long-awaited improvements! I would like to thank the Mayor’s office, the office of the IBA, and other city staff for their incredibly hard work throughout this process.

You Can Read the Final Budget Here

Sincerely,

Councilmember Marni von Wilpert
MarnivonWilpert@sandiego.gov

Make A Vaccine Appointment

_____________________________________________________________________________

City Hall Update

SAAFE Act Signed Into Law

On June 2nd Mayor Gloria signed the SAAFE Act (Stop Adolescent Addiction to Flavored E-Cigarettes Act) into law which prevents the sale of certain flavored tobacco to protect San Diego children from lifelong nicotine and tobacco addiction. I was proud to join representatives from the San Diego Unified School District to alert parents of the new law and the dangers of teenage vaping and smoking. I would like to thank my colleagues, my staff, and Mayor Gloria for working on this important law to protect our communities.

Community Projects Programs and Services (CPPS) Funding Application

Every fiscal year, we receive funding for Community Projects, Programs, and Services- funding meant to connect local non-profits with small grants to help them complete projects and provide the community with new opportunities. Last year, my office was proud to support organizations like Support the Enlisted Project, I Love a Clean San Diego, Jewish Family Service of San Diego, and more. We also allocated funds to help renovate San Diego Police Department Northeastern Division Headquarters and are working to provide V-Calm Signs in Rancho Bernardo along Matinal road. The CPPS Fund is small but mighty in the impacts it has for local organizations. If you have any suggestions for future allocations, or would like to apply, reach out to my office or access the CPPS Program City website by clicking this link.

Terminal 1 Closure

The San Diego International Airport Terminal 1 is now under construction! As the chair of the San Diego Regional Airport Authority Infrastructure and a Board Member on the San Diego Regional Airport Authority, I am working hard to ensure a thriving San Diego airport for generations to come. During construction, the Terminal 1 parking lot will be closed for the duration of the project and the pedestrian bridge will be replaced by a pedestrian crosswalk. Plan accordingly! Check out NewT1.com for updates.

Funding for SDPD Street Racing and Sideshow Enforcement Operations:

With street racing, loud exhausts, and sideshows on the rise, communities throughout San Diego have felt the presence of these unsafe activities, and I have heard directly from my constituents about their concerns. The recklessness of high-speed driving endangers drivers and pedestrians alike, creating a dangerous space on the road. For that reason, my office requested $200,000 to aid the San Diego Police Department in combating this issue. The Mayor included our request in the budget, and we will see it applied to local departments in the next fiscal year. The funding will allow police officers to perform up to 60 citywide operations, thus improving the safety and livelihood of District 5 and City residents.

In the Community

LGBT Center Reopening

I had a great time at the grand reopening of the LGBT Center San Diego. I would like to thank the Center for all it does for San Diego and our vibrant LGBTQ+ community.

Women’s Rights

The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, and although the right to a safe and legal abortion remains in San Diego, California, and the rest of the West Coast for now, we must remain vigilant in protecting women's rights. Last week, I announced my support for SCA-10, a State constitutional amendment to enshrine a fundamental right to abortion and contraception in the State of California. And last month I was proud to be at the Women’s March to march for women’s rights. I will always fight to ensure San Diegans maintain access to reproductive healthcare.

Infrastructure Week

San Diego is ready to build! I am was proud to join the League of Cities to recognize infrastructure week by highlighting San Diego's infrastructure workers. As Chair of the San Diego Regional Airport Authority Infrastructure Committee, I stopped by the San Diego Airport Terminal 1 redevelopment project! These investments in our airport are critical to maintaining a thriving local economy. I also stopped by the Performance and Analytics (PandA) Department to learn more about all the incredible work they do for our City. Our public works employees wouldn't be able to do their jobs effectively without the data support PandA provides.

Service to Diversity Award

Congratulations to our colleague, Chief Deputy City Attorney Ken So, on his 2022 Service Award from the San Diego County Bar Association! Ken is our Chief Diversity Officer and there isn't a more deserving recipient of this honor, the Service to Diversity Award.

Girls Empowerment Camp

Congratulations to all the campers who completed two days of firefighter boot camp at the Girls Empowerment Camp! So proud of these amazing young heroes. Thank you, San Diego Fire Department, and San Diego Firefighters Local 145.

Ed Brown Center

I had a fantastic time at the Ed Brown Center for Active Adults in Rancho Bernardo. Thank you to all the volunteers who made this day possible!

Book Launch

I was so honored to have been a part of my dear friend and UCSD Professor LaGina Gause's successful book launch! I had a fantastic discussion with Professor Gause and Lisa Deadrick from the San Diego Union Tribune on the intersection of protest and legislation, the theme of Professor Gause's book.

Scripps Ranch Civic Association

I had so much fun at the Scripps Ranch Civic Association Fundraiser! Although my line dancing needs some work, Scripps Ranch folks always show me a good time.

Eagle Scout Ceremony

I was honored to present Certificates of Achievement to three incredibly impressive young people for their Public Service Project to earn the rank of Eagle Scout! I am so excited to see what they will contribute to our communities in the future.

Women’s Museum Opening

It was great to be at the opening of the Women’s Museum with some amazing leaders and community members! It has never been more important to recognize women's accomplishments than right now, and today I showed support by becoming a member! I can't wait to visit again.

Women’s Fire Prep Academy

I am always so inspired after visiting the SDFD Women’s Fire Prep Academy. I'm proud to see the next class of incredible women and men training to be tomorrow’s first responders. Thank you for stepping up to protect our great city and showing girls they can achieve their dreams!

ACI Business of Airports Conference

I attended the ACI World 2022 Business of Airports Conference in my role on the San Diego Airport Authority Board! I'm learning so much about the best practices for airport management while also enjoying Phoenix, even though it was so hot! As the enormous San Diego Airport Terminal 1 redevelopment project has commenced, it was so helpful to attend sessions like the Capital Improvement Program Planning to learn best practices for airport construction projects! Thank you to ACI World for inviting me this week.

Celebration of my Grandfather

We celebrated the amazing life of my grandpa, Claude Maer, who was born in 1919 and lived 102 incredible years. A WWII Vet, he passed peacefully a few months ago in Denver, CO. Thanks Papa for all the, love, life lessons, inspiration & wonderful memories.

Equality California Awards

Had a blast at the 2022 Equality California Awards! A special congratulations to Honorees Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego Wave FC, and Former Congresswoman Susan Davis.

Juneteenth

The weekend of June 19th commemorates Juneteenth — a day that signifies the freeing of the last of the enslaved following the Civil War. I was honored to join the Cooper Family for their annual Juneteenth event. I also attended a Juneteenth 5k with workout group, Black Fit and Educated and it was a great way to commemorate this important day!

Your Safe Place

I am so proud of the work Your Safe Place does to help survivors of family violence reclaim their lives. Abusers with firearms are 5x more likely to kill their victims, and an average of 70 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner per month. This must stop and I thank City Attorney Mara Elliot for her leadership to combat family violence.

Fiesta de Los Peñasquitos

On June 25th, Rancho Peñasquitos residents gathered to celebrate the annual Fiesta de Los Peñasquitos. My office was excited to participate in the festivities, and to share information on employment opportunities for the City of San Diego. The Rancho Peñasquitos Town Council did a wonderful job in organizing the event and bringing the community together, especially with a beautiful fireworks show!

North San Diego Business Chamber

The North San Diego Business Chamber is an organization which strengthens communities by supporting local commerce. I was honored to induct their incoming leadership team at their Celebration of Business dinner! I am always appreciative of the work they do to aid small businesses.

Announcements

Free Transit Pass for Youth Pilot Program

SANDAG has teamed up with MTS, NCTD, and the County of San Diego to connect youth to school, jobs, entertainment, and more! Starting May 1, anyone 18-years-old and younger can ride transit for free in San Diego County through the SANDAG Youth Opportunity Pass pilot program. Youth can get unlimited rides on the bus, Trolley, COASTER, and SPRINTER through June 2023 with a Youth PRONTO account.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Hospice Volunteers Needed in San Diego’s District 5

Palomar Health Palliative and Hospice Care is in need for Hospice Volunteers. There are several ways to utilize your volunteering skills for Hospice.

1. Patient Care Volunteer – provides emotional support and practical assistance which enhances the comfort and quality of life for a patient. These services may include being available for companionship, playing a game, reading a book, listening to music, or preparing a meal.
2. Bereavement Volunteer – provides anticipatory counseling and bereavement support to family and caregivers.
Office Support Volunteer – provide office support for hospice volunteers and patients. 3. These activities may include filing, assembling information packets, photocopying, or other office tasks.
Hospice Orientation/Trainings will be available in your area once you sign up!

Hospice Volunteers only visit 0 to 3 times per month for only a few hours at a time, at your convenience. Volunteers are not to touch patients, including helping patient’s sit, stand, or walk, Volunteers are there to visit, play a game, read, or just chat and brighten the patient’s day.

For more information please call Karen Rice at (949) 263-4747 or email: krice@vnahhs.com.

Energy Cost Savings for Seniors

San Diego Gas and Electric has programs that may help reduce energy bills for seniors who qualify for economic or medical reasons, which can include discounts for people who use certain medical equipment.

For more information you can visit this link.

Court Ruling Provides Win for Consumers Over FAIR Plan Insurance Options

A few months ago, a Los Angeles Superior Court blocked the FAIR Plan’s latest attempt to deny consumers greater coverage options. Insurance Commissioner Lara ordered the FAIR Plan, California’s homeowners insurance safety net, to implement a more comprehensive policy option in addition to its current fire-only policy. Currently, consumers must purchase a separate “difference in conditions” policy to have protection from liability and other perils typically covered by a homeowners policy. The judge previously upheld the Commissioner’s authority to protect consumers in July 2021.

“California consumers win when they have greater options for insurance coverage. The FAIR Plan, once again, has tried to put up roadblocks and deny consumers choice and, once again, a judge has ruled that they must comply with my order," said Commissioner Lara. "By reaffirming that the FAIR Plan needs to implement a more comprehensive coverage option for homeowners, Judge Strobel’s decision is another victory for consumers. The FAIR Plan needs to stop delaying and move forward with giving consumers more choice. My Department of Insurance is ready to work with the FAIR Plan to make that coverage available for consumers as soon as possible, just as we continue to push for increased FAIR Plan coverage for commercial businesses.”