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Dear Neighbor,
Residents across our city know this all too well: Homeless encampments are creating unsafe and unsanitary conditions for those living in and around them.
Many tent encampments block entire sidewalks, forcing people into the street in order to get around them. This is the case for children heading to Perkins Elementary School in Barrio Logan – they are forced to walk in the middle of the street along rows of tents.
And on these daily commutes to school, these kids see things they should never have to: drug use, defecating in the open and even violence.
This is why I’m urging the City Council to pass the Unsafe Camping Ordinance, which prohibits encampments in sensitive areas such as near schools and parks.
This commonsense ordinance will be paired with a robust shelter strategy, which includes two new Safe Sleeping sites where more than 500 people stay in tents in secure areas with access to hygiene and services that will help them get on the path to permanent housing.
Letting people continue to live in squalor on our sidewalks is not showing compassion; it’s showing indifference. We won’t let that be the case in our city.
As always, it’s an honor to serve as your Mayor.
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Introducing the City’s Comprehensive Homeless Shelter Strategy
Alongside our efforts to get people out of dangerous encampments and into safer sleeping sites with much-needed services, the City’s Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department has unveiled a new plan for tackling homelessness with short-, medium- and long-term solutions that address the diverse needs of our city’s homeless population.
This new, data-driven Comprehensive Homeless Shelter Strategy is built on the foundation of compassion, collaboration and innovation. It recognizes that, while homelessness is primarily a housing issue, it's a multifaceted challenge that will require a range of supportive services, in addition to housing.
The key elements of our shelter strategy include:
- Expanding shelter types to fit the specific needs of veterans, seniors, youth and others;
- Engaging with San Diego Unified School District and other community partners to identify more potential short- and long-term shelter sites;
- Wraparound services that provide compassionate and equitable services to each individual experiencing homelessness;
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Enhancing the existing Family Reunification Program to connect individuals with their families and personal support systems proven to keep people rehoused.
With this new strategy, which will be presented to the City Council on June 13, the City is committed to addressing the root causes of homelessness, providing immediate relief and facilitating long-term solutions.
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Kicking Off a Long-Awaited Road Repair Project in Rancho Bernardo
The street improvement project to fix streets damaged by the Witch Creek Fire is under way!
This improvement of several streets in Rancho Bernardo damaged in the 2007 fire consists of overlay of approximately 2.3 miles of existing roadway, plus making other roadway repairs where needed. The project will also remove and replace existing sidewalks with Americans with Disabilities (ADA) compliant sidewalks, install and replace curb ramps with ADA-compliant curb ramps, remove and replace curbs and gutters, remove and replace existing damaged cross gutters and re-stripe roadways.
San Diego’s road-repair investments have historically been as patchy as our pavement and the community waited far too long for these improvements, but we are getting it done!
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GETTING IT DONE: FIXING OUR STREETS | |
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Slurry Seal for Skyline Drive
City crews recently resurfaced streets in the Skyline neighborhood. The slurry seal added to Skyline Drive helps prevent future deterioration and is key to improving the overall condition of the City's road network.
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25 years of Rock ‘n’ Roll Running
San Diego’s iconic Rock 'n' Roll Marathon celebrated its 25th anniversary over the weekend. I was up bright and early to help celebrate the anniversary at the kickoff of this beloved race, which is such a great and healthy way for residents and visitors alike to experience our beautiful city.
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A Momentous Occasion for Francis Parker Graduates
I was so honored to address the students of Francis Parker’s Class of 2023 during their graduation. I always enjoy talking to grads as they look at their future laid out before them. My message to Francis Parker’s graduates, and all grads across the City is one I follow to this day: Do what you can to leave things better than you found them.
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Father Joe’s Adding More Than 200 Affordable Housing Units
I joined Father Joe’s Villages as they announced two new affordable housing developments. The projects, located at Commercial and 17th Streets and Island and 16th Streets will add over 200 units of new affordable housing. Both developments are part of the nonprofit’s ambitious “Turning the Key” initiative, which is on track to create 2,000 new apartments for people who are homeless.
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Welcoming All Elite Wrestling to San Diego!
I was thrilled to welcome All Elite Wrestling to San Diego for the first time ever by proclaiming May 31 “All Elite Wrestling Day” in San Diego. San Diego is home to thousands of devoted wrestling fans, and AEW stars Thunder Rosa and Excalibur hail from here in our community. I look forward to welcoming AEW back to our city soon!
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Learn More About a Career with the San Diego Police Department
San Diego Police are holding the second annual Pave the Way Career Expo this weekend
The Career Expo will provide an inside look into sworn and professional careers with SDPD. The event will allow potential candidates to learn more about the department, the hiring process, the academy or other advancement opportunities for their career.
The Pave the Way Expo will feature demonstrations from various units, including Unmanned Aircraft Systems, K-9, Crime Lab, Communications (dispatch and radio), and more. Attendees will also be able to try the Force Option Simulator, where they will get to experience scenarios as a San Diego Police Officer.
The free event is open to anyone ages 18 and older and will be held on Saturday, June 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees must register online.
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Get To Know Your Green Bin
The City of San Diego is hosting a series of free informational presentations for residents on the new green bin and collection schedule.
These presentations are offered as virtual Zoom webinars or in-person workshops at select locations. Residents are encouraged to register after they have received their official notifications from the City that their home will be onboarded into this new service.
Translation services are available upon request; attendees must let their language preferences during registration at least 3 days in advance of the event to provide time to book an interpreter. If you have special language needs or require additional assistance, please email sdrecyclingworks@sandiego.gov or call 858-694-7000.
Free informational Zoom webinars – “Your Home’s New Green Bin”
Free informational in-person workshops – “Your Home’s New Green Bin”
- Point Loma Library (3701 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 92107)
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June 10, 2023 from 11 a.m. to noon – Register here
- Pacific Beach Library (4275 Cass St, San Diego, CA 92109)
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June 17, 2023 from 11 a.m. to noon – Register here
- Rancho Bernardo Library (17110 Bernardo Center Dr, San Diego, CA 92128)
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July 15, 2023 from 11 a.m. to noon – Register here
- Mira Mesa Library (8405 New Salem St, San Diego, CA 92126)
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July 29, 2023 from 11 a.m. to noon – Register here
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Summer Reading Program Begins!
Grab a new library card and get reading during the City of San Diego Public Library’s 2023 Summer Reading Program! This year’s theme is “Discover Your Voice” and readers of all ages are encouraged to share their stories, express themselves and spark change.
The program began June 1 and runs through Aug. 31. Participants can earn prizes by completing 10 books, 10 hours of reading or a combination of reading and activities. Activities include attending a library storytime or Summer Reading event, starting a journal or recommending a book to a friend.
The Summer Reading Program offers age categories for children (ages 0-5 and 6-11), youth (ages 12-17) and adults (ages 18 and up). After completing the program, readers will be eligible for prizes including free books, meal vouchers and passes to local museums. Reading and activities can be tracked online or on paper logs printed at home or picked up at any SDPL location.
Last year, more than 24,000 people participated in the Summer Reading Program, reading nearly 366,000 books. To register online and view lists of recommended books and activities, visit sandiego.gov/summerreading.
Also, for the first time, the library is offering a Padres-themed library card for patrons this summer. Starting Monday, June 5, new users can get the Padres card by signing up for a library card for free at any of the City’s 36 libraries. Existing patrons can replace their current cards at no cost.
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City Adopts New Economic Development Strategy
To plan for a prosperous future, the City of San Diego adopted a new three-year Economic Development Strategy (EDS) this week. The plan will establish the City as a global leader in sustainability, trade, innovation and equity-centered change.
The City’s Economic Development Department administers grant funding to City programs that bolster small businesses, affordable housing and more. The EDS is aligned with the City’s Strategic Plan and Climate Action Plan and includes an identified mission, vision, objectives, focus areas and performance measures to help track progress on initiatives and resources to drive additional economic value to San Diego.
To see the complete plan, visit sandiego.gov/economic-development/edstrategy.
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Keeping our Streets Clean in North Clairemont
Heads up! The City has updated signage in the North Clairemont community along Limerick Avenue and surrounding streets to reflect new limited-hour parking restrictions during posted street sweeping times.
The changes follow a data-driven analysis on current street sweeping practices that recommended frequency changes to maximize citywide collection of pollutants and trash along roadways. By implementing posted signage, the street sweeper vehicles will be able to better collect debris, protect our waterways and improve water quality.
There will be a 30-day grace period following sign installation for areas with new parking restrictions. Limited-hour parking restrictions will begin on June 15.
Please visit ThinkBlue.org for specific information about street sweeping changes. You may also call 619-527-3482 or email swppp@sandiego.gov. Follow @ThinkBlueSanDiego on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date.
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Join the City as a Pool Guard this Summer
Are you passionate about safety and fun? The City of San Diego’s Parks and Recreation Department is currently hiring seasonal and year-round pool guards for its 15 swimming pool facilities.
The department is hosting a hiring fair from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 24, at the Allied Gardens Pool, 6707 Glenroy Street.
Aquatic Pool Guard and Swimming Pool Manager positions are open on a continuous application period. These positions are part of a tentative labor agreement between the City and the Municipal Employees Association (MEA) which recently announced a negotiated 26% pay increase over the next three years.
Before attending the hiring fair, interested candidates must apply online for a Pool Guard I or Pool Guard II position. To encourage more applicants for Pool Guard positions, candidates who meet the age requirements for the Pool Guard I position do not need to be certified prior to applying. Successful candidates will be offered training and required certifications once hired. Applicants must be 16 years of age.
The City is also offering preparation opportunities for individuals who want to learn to swim and prepare for a job in aquatics. Anyone who is interested in becoming a Pool Guard but can't yet meet the required skills is invited to practice and prepare at any City pool during designated hours at no cost. Visit the City’s Pool Guard Prep webpage for locations and drop-in hours.
Working for the City of San Diego offers the potential for career growth and advancement, with opportunities to promote to positions throughout Parks and Recreation and other various departments. More information about a career in aquatics with the City of San Diego can be found at sandiego.gov/parksjobs.
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Claim Your Money
The City of San Diego is urging anyone who did business with the City to check and see if you might be owed a refund or payment. According to the City’s Unclaimed Monies Report, there is $833,165 in unclaimed monies that can be returned to more than 900 people and businesses. Check amounts range from $1 to $80,600. Updated quarterly and free of charge, anyone can review the Unclaimed Monies Report at any time or file a claim.
Unclaimed monies are checks owed to people or businesses due to refunds or vendor payments. The City regularly issues checks based on the addresses it has on file and, on occasion, receives returned checks that are undeliverable by the U.S. Postal Service. Checks that are returned to the City and remain uncashed after six months become unclaimed monies.
Payees have approximately one year after check issuance to claim their money. For checks issued before April 1, 2022, the last day to submit a claim is Monday, June 19, 2023. Unclaimed funds will be transferred to the City of San Diego General Fund on July 1, 2023. To search for unclaimed money or to file a claim, visit sandiego.gov/finance/unclaimed.
To submit a claim, print and complete the Unclaimed Monies Form and mail it to:
City of San Diego, Department of Finance
Unclaimed Monies Claim Processing
202 C St. – Mail Station 7A
San Diego, CA 92101
Once the claim is verified, a check will be issued in three to four weeks. Questions about unclaimed monies may be submitted to DoF@sandiego.gov or 619-236-6310.
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Help the City Invest in Arts and Culture
The City has launched an effort to engage communities across San Diego on how we should invest in arts in culture across our city. It’s San Diego’s first-ever cultural planning process, and once complete, it will guide our investments in arts and culture in every community.
Called “The Creative City,” this cultural planning process will result in a seven to 10-year plan aligning art and culture with the priorities of the City.
All San Diegans are encouraged to get involved in the engagement process, which starts in June and will include two Creative City public forums. Public discussion pop-ups will also be held in all nine City Council districts through July, along with the launch of a public survey.
Here’s how you can get involved.
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Office of the Mayor
202 C St., 11th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101
619-236-6330
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