Hello District 5 Neighbors!

I hope you all had a great start to the year. It has been a busy couple of months here at City Hall. My office was proud to attend the meeting to officially kick off the San Diego City Commission on the Status of Women! The Commission will advise the City of the needs of women in the San Diego area, and recommend programs designed to alleviate inequities they may confront in their pursuits. I am so thankful to all of the Commissioners for volunteering their time to serve their communities in this new role, and for retired Congresswoman Susan Davis leading the helm.

I was so honored to attend the Rancho Peñasquitos Little League’s 50th Opening Day Ceremony! It was so exciting to see this community work together to create such a positive and fun experience for everyone, especially our youth, and I threw out the first pitch!

Streets Info Forum

Do you have questions about the City's streets repaving processes? My office will be hosting staff from the Transportation and Engineering & Capital Projects departments for a Streets Info Forum on Monday, 4/24 from 6:30-7:30pm. Get your questions about street repair answered!

Click Here to RSVP and for Participation Information

Sincerely,

Councilmember Marni von Wilpert
MarnivonWilpert@sandiego.gov

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City Hall Update

Opioid Crisis Response Roundtable

In anticipation of the City of San Diego allocating the first tranche of approximately $40 million over 18 years in settlement funds from opioid manufacturers, I am joining with Councilmember Raul Campillo to conduct an Opioid Crisis Response Roundtable meeting to continue gathering input from key regional stakeholders and experts.

On December 16, 2022, Councilmember Campillo and I asked the City’s Independent Budget Analyst to collect input from stakeholders and compile a report outlining options to support Mayor Todd Gloria’s Executive Order 2022-1. This Executive Order called for the Police Department to prioritize enforcement of Fentanyl trafficking and sales crimes and for the development of a Community Outreach Plan and funding strategy for the settlement funds. The Opioid Crisis Response Roundtable meeting is in support of these Mayoral efforts and is a continuation of the public outreach and feedback critical to allocating these settlement funds to address the ongoing opioid epidemic. 

In the City of San Diego alone, the pernicious introduction of fentanyl into the community has poured gasoline on the fire, leading to a staggering 2,345% increase countywide in the number of accidental fentanyl overdose deaths, up from 33 deaths in 2016 to 807 deaths in 2021.

Opioid manufacturers knowingly and intentionally addicted an entire generation of Americans on their drugs for profit, leaving hundreds of thousands of people dead from opioid overdoses and thousands more families in grief. I look forward to hearing from providers and those with lived experience to help inform how the City will spend these critical funds.

Operation Better Pathways

A monthlong investigation into human trafficking and sexual exploitation in San Diego and National City resulted in 48 arrests and identification of 16 people believed to have been trafficked — including eight children and 2 gun recoveries, one being a ghost gun. The investigation, called Operation Better Pathways, was conducted by the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, a group that includes federal, state and local law enforcement partners, including the San Diego Police Department. Working on joint task forces like the Human Trafficking Task Force is critical for public safety and I thank all of the Task Force participants for their continued fight against human trafficking in our region. 

YouTube Star Spotlights City of San Diego Sanitation Drivers in New Video

Employees from the City of San Diego’s Environmental Services Department (ESD) were highlighted in the newest installment of the highly popular YouTube series “Challenge Accepted.” The recently released episode, “I Tried Garbage Collection,” is shining a spotlight on the people who drive and operate our collection trucks every day.

Host and content creator Michelle Khare, whose YouTube channel has garnered more than 3.5 million subscribers, went along for the ride with two of the City’s sanitation drivers during actual collection shifts and documented her experience. The “I Tried Garbage Collection” episode sets out to show how difficult (and sometimes dangerous) it is to be a sanitation driver. In the process, Khare educates viewers about things like sorting their trash, and what not to do with old batteries (lithium-ion batteries must not be disposed of in any trash, recycling or organics container, as they can ignite and catch fire when loaded into the packer truck).  

Watch the video here.

In the Community

Vietnam War 50th Anniversary

I was honored to attend the Commemoration Ceremony for the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. I was able to celebrate Tom Baker, father of my staffer AJ Baker, who served as an aircraft loadmaster on C-130s between 1965-1969. Thank you to all who serve our Country!

Women's History Month

To honor Women's History Month, I was honored to present a proclamation declaring Kim Becker Day in the City of San Diego! Kim has served as President & CEO of the San Diego Airport Authority since 2017, where she is responsible for fiscal management and operational oversight of the San Diego International Airport. She is one of very few women to serve as the CEO of a major airport in the United States.

2023 Women of Distinction Awards

I was pleased to nominate Zeynep Ilgaz from District 5 for the 2023 Women of Distinction awards! Zeynep has served on the board of the National Association of Women Business Owners, the National Institutes of Health, and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, and volunteers a sizable amount of her time and money to support an array of community organizations. Congratulations again, Zeynep, and to all of the 2023 Women of Distinction!

Syria and Turkey Earthquake Relief Event

I was deeply saddened by the catastrophic earthquake in Turkey and Syria, and humbled by the love and support of the Turkish American community here in San Diego. I was honored to join members of the community at the Balboa Park House of Turkey to highlight ways to help.

For ways to help, visit here.

Mesa Verde Middle School Career Fair

My staff was honored to be invited to Mesa Verde Middle School’s Career Fair last month. It is exciting to see our youth so invested in their future. Huge thank you to Mesa Verde Middle School staff and ASB for hosting! 

Gun Violence Prevention Event

I was an honored to meet the President of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence President Kris Brown to discuss important topics in gun violence prevention, both nationally and here in San Diego.

Environmental Services Cleanup

Thank you City of San Diego Environmental Services staff for inviting me to accompany you during the Clean SD abatement and cleanup process. I look forward to continuing to work with City staff, community advocates, and residents to find solutions that improve daily life for all.

Victory Fund Brunch

I was honored to attend the Victory Fund Brunch which highlights the amazing work of LGBTQ+ elected officials. I am grateful to work with these accomplished leaders, and I remain steadfast in supporting these efforts.

Juneteenth

Last month, the San Diego City Council voted to officially recognize Juneteenth as a local
holiday! I am proud to serve a City that acknowledges the true history of our Nation, as well as preserves Black history and culture. A special thank you Council President pro Tem Monica Montgomery Steppe and community leaders for your advocacy.

2023 San Diego Restaurant Week

I was so excited to help kickoff the 20th Annual San Diego Restaurant Week! From casual dining to 5-star meals, there were over 100 participating restaurants throughout San Diego County offering prix-fixe menu options. For every meal ordered during SD Restaurant Week, $2 was donated to Feeding San Diego by Chef Works (up to $10,000) to support people facing hunger in San Diego County.

IBEW 569

Loved going to the IBEW 569's Women at Work photo exhibit! The exhibit showed the true strength, grit, and character of women in today's building trades unions. 

Nowruz

I hope everyone had a happy Nowruz celebration that brought you joy, good health and prosperity. Huge thank you to the Badiozamani family for setting up our second annual Haft-Sin at our office.

Elder Abuse & Scam Prevention Workshop

Alongside San Diego County Board of Supervisor Joel Anderson and San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan, I participated in an Elder Abuse & Scam Prevention Workshop in Rancho Bernardo. We discussed how to detect and report different types of elder abuse, & how to protect yourself and loved ones from scammers.

For more information to protect your loved ones, click here.

Cesar Chavez Day

I had a fantastic Cesar Chavez Day! It was an honor to spend time at the Chicano Federation for their Day of Service to celebrate a hero who dedicated his life to improving the lives of farm workers and fighting for social justice. 

State of Antisemitism Event

At last month's American Jewish Committee “State of Antisemitism” event, I learned harrowing statistics about the rise of antisemitism in the US, and I conversed with San Diegans about ways I can help combat it. Thank you to the Congregation Beth Israel and San Diego Jewish Federation for having me.

National Pet Day

As a proud cat mom to Jackson and Berkeley, I know firsthand the joy and companionship pets bring to our lives. Although we wish we could bring them to work with us every day, my staff and I are beyond grateful for our pets!

Announcements

Scripps Ranch Prescription Drop Off Day

The Scripps Ranch Civic Association is hosting a Free Prescription Drop Off Day on Saturday, April 29th from 8 am to 2 pm at the SRCA Community Center located at 11885 Cypress Canyon Road. Community members may drive up or walk up to dispose of unused medications.

Unused medical prescriptions are dangerous if they fall into the hands of those not intended to use them. Prescription drugs should not be thrown into the trash or flushed down the toilet but disposed of properly. Unfortunately, unused prescriptions are stolen or mistakenly used and that poses a safety risk. We want to help you take care of your loved ones.

Please do not bring over the counter medications or liquids. If you have any questions or want assistance please email Bob Ilko at President@scrippsranch.org.

For more information click here.

Rancho Bernardo Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol

The San Diego Police Department's Rancho Bernardo Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol needs more volunteers!  For details on how to join the RB RSVP call the Administrator, Bob Walder, at 858-518-6882 or email RanchoBernardo.RSVP@gmail.com.

For more information on the RSVP program, click here.

Digital Navigator

Thousands of San Diegans do not have access to the internet. The City of San Diego
has launched a new Digital Navigator program to help close this digital divide in our communities. Call 1-800-350-6945 to get free basic tech support, or visit:

Click here

CORE - Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project

The Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) is a $125 million project intended to encourage California off-road equipment users to purchase or lease currently commercialized zero-emission off-road equipment. This streamlined voucher incentive project helps offset the higher cost of zero-emission technology with a point-of-sale discount. There is no scrappage requirement, and additional funding is available for charging and fueling infrastructure and for equipment deployed in disadvantaged communities.

Click here for more information.

San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC)- Homeless Prevention Program

The new program for which the City Council approved funding for the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) to help pay rent and other housing-related expenses for eligible households with low income and unstable housing situations formally launches Thursday, September 8, as the Housing Instability Prevention Program (HIPP). This is another effort to prevent families and seniors from falling into homelessness on our streets. 

Those who need assistance should contact 2-1-1 through SDHC’s HOUSING FIRST – SAN DIEGO telephone hotline at 619-578-7768.

SDHC staff is operating HIPP, formerly referred to as the Housing Stability Fund Program. SDHC will identify potential participants through referrals from 2-1-1 San Diego. SDHC Housing Specialists will contact those households to confirm and verify if they are eligible for assistance.

HIPP will help approximately 300 households. Eligible households can receive up to $500 per month for up to 24 months toward rent and help with expenses, such as security deposits, past-due rent, utilities, application fees or furniture, depending on the family’s need. 

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.

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.