Chula Vista Community News and Updates
COVID-19 Update
Orange Tier – San Diego County is still in the Orange Tier, allowing for more businesses and services to open. Mask wearing and social distancing are still required for indoor activities. Thank you to everyone who has continued to follow the directives by wearing your mask, washing your hands, and maintaining social distance. Let’s keep up the good work!
All County-hosted COVID-19 vaccine sites are open for walk-up, no-appointment-required vaccinations. Many other clinics are offering walk-up services as well. The goal is to vaccinate as many residents as possible and now that vaccine supply can match the demand, vaccination sites have the flexibility to offer vaccination with no appointment necessary. People 16 years old and above are eligible to be vaccinated, however, those under 18 years of age need parental consent to make an appointment or must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to get vaccinated at a no-appointment site.
The South Chula Vista Library COVID-19 testing site closed on Thursday, April 29 as the City prepares to transition to reopening its facilities to the community. Testing is still very important, therefore, Communities Fighting COVID, a partnership between the SDSU School of Public Health and the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, will be providing free, no appointment, rapid testing at Orange Park, beginning in the month of May.
As we prepare for summer and the “return to normal,” we should understand that life will be different moving forward. On June 15, all industries across the state can return to usual operations with common-sense risk-reduction measures such as masking and vaccinations. We will only progress to this stage if we continue to stay vigilant, keep wearing our masks and getting vaccinated. State and local health officials will continue to monitor hospitalization rates, case rates, vaccinations, and vaccine efficacy against COVID-19 variants.
If we continue with the encouraging trends we are seeing now, come June 15, life will begin to appear as we once knew it, including: Businesses return to normal operations with a caveat for masking restrictions and/or vaccination verifications Schools and other education institutions resume full-time in person instruction Workplaces promote policies that reduce risk, including improved indoor ventilation, and mask wearing in indoor and other high-risk settings as well as remote work when possible without impacting business operations. Rent and Utility Assistance Still Available – The online application for Chula Vista renters to request funds to help pay for past-due and upcoming rent, water, sewer, trash, gas and electric bills will accept applications until funds run out. The application and information is available in English, Spanish and Tagalog. The City has received $16.8 million in state and federal funds to provide much-needed relief to residents and is currently distributing the funds through the Chula Vista Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) in collaboration with SBCS San Diego. Residents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Both Chula Vista renters and landlords, on behalf of their tenants, may apply. Click here for eligibility information and the application. The Vaccination Superstation, located at the former Sears building, 565 Broadway, is open seven days a week, Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., for anyone over 16 years of age. Appointments are available but walk-ins are now being accepted. NOTE: entrance to the vaccine site is from the I Street of the building. COVID-19 testing sites in Chula Vista include the former Sears building, 565 Broadway (walk-in on the H Street side of the building), Tuesday-Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit www.211sandiego.org or call 2-1-1 to schedule an appointment. Find additional testing sites here.
Do you need help to schedule a COVID-19 test or vaccination at the South Bay Superstation? City staff are available to assist in English and Spanish! Call (619) 476-2397 Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for help in scheduling your test or vaccination. This service is for Chula Vista residents only and is for testing or vaccines given only at the former Sears building. If you wish to visit a different location, please contact 2-1-1.
Operation Immunity – The Chula Vista Fire Department continues to administer COVID-19 vaccines to those who may have difficulty with on-line scheduling or transportation issues. Homebound Chula Vista residents can call (619) 476-2397 to be placed on a waiting list for the vaccine.
CV Food Helpline: Chula Vista Food Helpline deliveries are offered Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This one-time free food delivery service is available to Chula Vista residents who are home-bound, have compromised immunity, and lack transportation to other food distribution sites or stores. If you meet these requirements, call (619) 476-5340 to sign up!
Food Distribution: If you have transportation, but are in need of food resources, SBCS has local food distribution sites available. Stop by Loma Verde Recreation Center, 1420 Loma Lane, on Tuesdays/Wednesdays from 2 – 4 p.m. and Thursdays 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Let’s Go Outside!
Parks and Trails: Parks and trails are open for limited use from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Parking lots, park restrooms (except Lauderbach and Harborside), and playgrounds are open. Playground guidance signs are posted at each playground for visitors to follow.
Park Reservations: Park reservations are now open! Gatherings are limited to no more than 50 people and are recommended to be two hours or less. No vendor services (jumpers, food trucks, etc.) are allowed at this time.
Applications continue to be accepted for outdoor fitness, church, and youth sports field permits. These permits are made available to fitness groups and businesses for fitness related activities and for churches to host outdoor church services. Applications can be submitted online.
Recreation Centers/City Pools: Group swim lessons are back! Registration is open for May private/group swim lessons (ages 6+) and monthly pool lane rentals (ages 16+). Please be advised there are new protocols that are being implemented for your safety and the safety of others during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the website, for full program details, safety protocols, and to register.
Recreation Summer Camps 2021 are viewable online and Registration begins Monday, May 3! A limited number of scholarships will be offered on a first come, first serve basis. Application packets for Summer Session scholarships will be reviewed via email submission.
CVFD is 100!
The week of May 3, 2021, is the 100 year anniversary of the Chula Vista Fire Department. To commemorate the occasion, the Mayor will issue a Proclamation at the May 4 Council Meeting. The Fire Department will celebrate its Centennial with a display of historic pictures, artifacts, and an antique fire engine at the South Chula Vista Library for one year. The public is invited to view the display when the library reopens at 389 Orange Avenue and learn about the history of the Chula Vista Fire Department. Watch the centennial celebration video here.
| …Greg Cox Bike Park is now open! The state-of-the-art park is equipped with jump lines, a pump track, a kid’s pump track, skill features, and a rest area. Stop by 325 Rancho Drive from 8 a.m. to dusk any day of the week and enjoy the ride. Note, the park is unstaffed and helmets are required. …the new Fire Station 3 was opened on April 29, which replaces the 60-year old Fire Station 9 on East Oneida St. Relocating the station to 100 Moss St. will help meet the goal of arriving at calls in seven minutes 90 percent of the time. Funded by Measure P, the 10-year, half-cent sales tax for infrastructure, the station is intended to serve the community for the next 50 years. Fire Station 3 includes state-of-the-art call alerting, the ability to house modern fire equipment, and individual rooms for all firefighters. The station has four drive-through bays and ten bunk rooms. Costing an estimated $8.9 million, the station was designed by Jeff Katz Architecture and constructed by EC Constructors. This is the second of two new fire stations to open in 30 days funded by Measure P. Fire Station 5 opened in March. …help is available to receive Internet service. The Federal Communications Commission has launched a temporary program to help families and households with Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. Enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly using an online or mail in application. You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information at this link or by calling toll-free 833-511-0311. …Operation Pride work continues. Park Rangers, in conjunction with Alpha Project, collected 26,340 pounds of trash and 102 shopping carts in April. Chula Vista Rangers also continue to distribute City-branded masks and inform people of COVID-19 rules. Special thanks to Caltrans, OFRS, Alfa Project, California Highway Patrol and the Chula Vista Police and Public Works departments for assisting in cleaning up the back side of the KOA campground. In one day alone, the team picked up 73,880 pounds of trash. And, thank you to Work For Hope participants who cleaned the gazebos and picnic areas at Cottonwood, Harvest, and Heritage parks. |
| …the Living Coast Discovery Center is open again! On May 1, they reopened to the general public for weekends only. Current hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sundays. No reservations or advanced tickets required. All exhibits are open and masks are required for ages 2 and up. …Bike here, bike there, bike anywhere! Pledge to GO by BIKE during SANDAG Bike Anywhere Week, May 16-22 and get out in our community. Bike to work, school, the store, the beach, or just around your neighborhood. Explore Chula Vista and discover why our region is one of the best places in the country to GO by Bike! For more details, to take the pledge, pick up your free t-shirt, find a self-guided activity, or join a virtual event, visit the iCommute web page. |
| …Farmer’s Table opened its fourth location in April at 330 F St. The new Chula Vista location is the company’s largest, at 10,000 square feet including a large patio. The restaurant features a variety of breakfast and brunch items, from egg Benedicts and frittatas to French toast, pancakes, and waffles. The afternoon and evening menu ranges from flatbreads and pizzas to pasta and larger entrees like braised lamb shanks and wood-fire roasted chicken. …City to launch Small Business Support App in June! The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted small businesses. Providing support to these businesses, the heartbeat of our community, is more important now than ever before. To help with our community’s economic recovery, the City of Chula Vista is launching an app, powered by the creative experts at Colu, as the newest initiative to boost sales at local businesses. Eligible small businesses that meet the requirements outlined are encouraged to apply. There is no cost to participate. The application deadline is Friday, May 21, at 5 p.m. For more information and to apply, click here. …new City Council agenda coming soon. Since July 2019, City Clerk staff have researched other City agendas and gathered best practices. In partnership with City staff and the community, a new City Council agenda format will be effective beginning with the May 25, 2021, City Council meeting. Included changes are: • Easier to read and shorter agenda titles • Clear and detailed recommended actions • A new glossary of common agenda terms • A new glossary explaining agenda categories • Spanish PDF agenda available within 24 hours of agenda being published Agendas will be available in PDF and HTML format. The HTML format allows for easy commenting directly on the agenda, viewing attachments, and viewing the live stream during the meeting. Once approved by Council, the minutes will also be posted in PDF and HTML format with the video of the meeting, when available. For more details and a demonstration, please join us at the May 18, 2021, City Council meeting. For up-to-date information, please visit the City Clerk web page. …don’t forget to get your Chula Vista theme items from our merchandise store! Sweatshirts, t-shirts, cell phone covers, skateboards, items for the home and much, much more! |
| Meetings and Events |
May City Council Meetings The City Council will continue with in-person City Council meetings in May with limited capacity, mask wearing and social distancing measures. City Council members will be on the dais and members of the public may provide live public comment, in addition to eComment. Those wishing to provide public comments in person are required to wear masks and follow posted social distancing guidelines. The City will offer seating and options to view the meeting in City Council Chambers and in the City Hall lobby. The City will monitor capacity limits and social distancing for attendees in these areas. Council Meetings will be held on May 4, 11, 18, and 25. More information is available here.
State of the City Address
On Tuesday, May 4, at 6 p.m., Mayor Mary Casillas Salas will deliver the 2021 “State of the City” address. More information on how to view is available here. Book to Action The award-winning author and National Ambassador for Young People’s literature discusses “Stamped,” writing and antiracism. The County of SLO Public Library and Chula Vista Public Library invite you to join a live session with New York Times best selling author Jason Reynolds. Includes Q and A. Sponsored though a Chula Vista Public Library grant, in partnership with the Chula Vista Human Relations Commission, the virtual event will be held on Wednesday, May 26, from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Please register for the free virtual event.
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