District 5 Community News
January 2019

Priorities in the New Year

In my seventh year of service to District 5 residents, my priorities for the community remain steadfast: rebuilding San Diego’s infrastructure, improving public safety and modernizing government.

I appreciate the opportunity to continue chairing the City Council’s Committee on Infrastructure, which is renamed the Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The committee will also oversee our region’s transportation efforts including planning, transit services, parking, municipal airports, walkability and bicycle programs.

Progress continues on rebuilding San Diego, including District 5 neighborhoods. Roads that had poor OCIs (overall condition index) received much-needed repaving this fiscal year, including Paseo Jenghiz and Paseo Albacete in Rancho Peñasquitos, Mesa Madera Court and Sunset Ridge Drive in Scripps Ranch and Picaza Place and Carranza Drive in Rancho Bernardo. To kick off the new year, slurry seal maintenance work is currently underway in our district. I remain committed to advocating for District 5 communities and look forward to more smooth streets in our neighborhoods. Please visit streets.sandiego.gov for information on future and ongoing street repair. 

To ensure our communities are safe, brush management throughout the District and fully staffing the San Diego Police Department remain priorities. Under Police Chief David Nisleit’s leadership, there were 130 Academy hires in 2018. This year, two new recruitment incentive programs will go into effect, helping us achieve a fully staffed department by 2020. 

The Center for Digital Government recently ranked San Diego second nationwide for innovation in government. The ranking reflects the City’s focus on increasingly using data and technology to create a more efficient and effective city government. I’m proud of my role spearheading our Open Data initiative and other efforts for which the City was recognized including: making San Diego the largest city in the nation to have a user-friendly online portal for public records requests; providing dozens of city datasets to the public through the City’s first Open Data Portal; broadcasting live all City Council Meetings via CityTV, with online archives available 24/7; and deploying the Get It Done application which allows residents to report neighborhood issues, including potholes, graffiti and illegal dumping, with recent expansion to include reporting to nine City departments.

I am always open to feedback and invite you to contact me at MarkKersey@sandiego.gov or at 619-236-6655. I look forward to a productive year and working with my new colleagues on policies that serve all San Diegans.

City Seeks Nominations for Recycling Award

If your business or organization took steps to increase recycling or reduce waste in 2018, the City of San Diego wants to recognize your efforts.

Each year, the Environmental Services Department (ESD) recognizes San Diego businesses and organizations that have implemented or expanded innovative and successful waste reduction and recycling programs, as well as recycled product purchasing programs.  Applications are due February 8, 2019. Learn more here.

City Boards and Commissions

The City of San Diego has 49 boards and commissions that offer an opportunity for individuals to volunteer their service on significant matters. Boards and commissions may be fiduciary, regulatory, policy-setting and/or advisory. In all cases, member contributions are invaluable to the Mayor and the City Council. Agendas, minutes and meeting information, plus lists of current and upcoming vacancies are available here.

Thank You for Supporting Military and Veteran Families

Last month for the holidays, my office and I teamed up with Support the Enlisted Project for a toy drive to benefit military and veteran families struggling with financial hardship. To the many generous District Five residents who contributed, thank you! Your donations made the holidays brighter for more than 45 local military families.

Check out the recap video here, and learn how STEP’s “Sharing the Joy” toy drive is just one way the non-profit helps military and veteran families build financial self-sufficiency throughout the year. 

Community Spotlight: Big Brothers, Big Sisters of San Diego County

This fiscal year, I’m proud to support Big Brothers, Big Sisters of San Diego County with District 5 Community Projects, Programs and Services funding. The Big Brothers Big Sisters mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong one-on-one relationships that change their lives for the better. 

BBBS is especially in need of Big Brothers and those who are bilingual in Spanish. Specifically in District 5, there are currently more than 20 “littles” waiting to be matched with a mentor. If you’re looking to give back to the community in a fun and meaningful way, I encourage you to get in touch with the non-profit. Learn more here.