web winter 2003

Bayfront features
dramatic public art

A polished stainless steel sculpture shimmering in the sun. A wind harp whispering melodies in the harbor breeze. These are among the newest public art pieces that are welcoming residents and visitors to Chula Vista Harbor.
The most recent sculpture, “Hope Within” (pictured on this page), was dedicated late last year. The $45,000 sculpture was commissioned by the Community Health Group and is located near the edge of their parking lot at the corner of Bay Boulevard and J Street/Marina Parkway.
California artist James T. Russell—who fashioned this monumental sculpture from ribbons of polished stainless steel—said the caring feeling it conveys was inspired by talking to the non-profit health group’s employees.
Located at the edge of Chula Vista Harbor is the wind harp “To Remember Me,” an acoustic sculpture that sings with the changing breezes. Artist Ross Barrable described his wind harp designs as “allowing us to hear the harmonic sound in our environment.”
Dedicated two years ago, the wind harp is a tribute to Ronald J. McElliott whose leadership helped develop Chula Vista’s waterfront. The sculpture was provided by the San Diego Unified Port District, the San Diego Port Tenants Association, the City of Chula Vista and Elite Racing.
Another public art piece named “Wind Oars” is in the final planning stages. Artists George Peters and Melanie Walker designed oar shapes on poles that will spin vertically or horizontally depending on the winds. The sculpture is being commissioned by the Port District for Bayside Park.
And, for many years residents have enjoyed “Konoids” in Marina View Park. San Diego County artist Kenneth Capps designed this sculpture of three geometric cones along the bayfront.

Fling into spring at annual ‘Taste of the Arts’ festival

Don’t miss Taste of the Arts by the Bay on April 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Marina View Park. This unique visual and performing arts festival showcases the arts, cultural heritage and diversity in the South Bay. The celebration expands to four stages of continuous entertainment from classical jazz to Zydeco to Taiko drummers; fine arts including painting and sculpture; ethnic foods; children’s interactive art fair, Fern Street Circus, puppet show and workshop; dance demonstrations; and more; free; (619) 585-5682.
Portrait of a Community—
Chula Vista 2003 Art Exhibition: Playhouse Art Gallery, 291 Third Ave.; Thursday through Saturday during March, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Chula Vista Art Guild; (619) 476-6636.
City of Chula Vista Career Fair: Open to the public, the fair will promote the city's work environment and career opportunities; March 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; City Hall Courtyard, 276 Fourth Ave.; Human Resources Department (619) 691-5096.
Day of the Child Community Fair: Family festival featuring information on children’s services and resources; April 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.;
Memorial Park, 373 Park Way; free; Chula Vista Coordinating Council
(619) 427-0376.
Festival Cinco de Mayo: Street fair with live music and more; May 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Third Avenue from E to G Streets; Downtown Business Association (DBA) (619) 422-1982.
Blast from the Past Car Show: Wednesday nights from May 7 through Sept. 17; Third Avenue in downtown Chula Vista; 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; free; DBA (619) 422-1982.
For more information about events taking place in Chula Vista throughout the year, call the City’s special events hotline at (619) 585-5682; or visit the “Calendar” page on the City’s Web site at www.ci.chula-vista.ca.us.

Unique partnership launches “Book Bug”

Residents may see a Volkswagen unlike any they have ever seen roaming the local streets. South Bay Volkswagen has partnered with the Chula Vista Public Library to launch the “Book Bug,” a colorfully outfitted Volkswagen Beetle designed to promote reading, learning and community spirit.
The Book Bug has hit the streets—spreading the word about reading and services available at the library branches. Book Bug activities include appearances at community events, fairs, festivals, parades and concerts; delivery of books to people and kids in need; and story times at both the libraries and the dealership
Additionally, library personnel will use the Book Bug for transportation to and from various library events around the region during the one-year partnership.
The Chula Vista Public Library is comprised of three dynamic state-of-the-art libraries delivering information and books in English and Spanish, videos and CDs, and community programming in the facilities. For more information about the library, log on to www.chulavistalibrary.com.

Chula Vista’s General Plan looks ahead 20 years to identify how land will be used, where roads and other necessary public facilities will go, and how natural resources will be protected. An update of the city’s General Plan is under way, and the first phase of a broad program to inform and involve the public has been completed.

What were the residents’ responses?

Chula Vista Vision 2020, A Community Festival, kicked off the General Plan Update public outreach effort and gave citizens an opportunity to talk about issues and concerns facing the community. A “Visioneer Program” was then conducted from May through September. This grass-roots approach used citizen volunteers to lead group discussions and record responses to a series of standard questions. Reply cards with these questions also were distributed at community events, supermarkets, businesses and other locations, as well as through schools, community meetings and the city’s Web site. Nearly 5,000 comments were received and organized in nine categories as shown in the accompanying figure.
By far the largest number of responses dealt with community and neighborhood character, followed by transportation (traffic, roads, transit), parks and recreation, and the environment and open space. This provided an initial idea of what residents feel concerned or optimistic about. Detailed results of this first phase of public outreach were published in Chula Vista Vision 2020 Preliminary Issues Report. The city extends thanks to the visioneers and other participants, and strongly encourages all citizens to become and remain involved in the update process.

What’s happening now?

The General Plan Update process is now entering the second phase of public input and direction. The City Council has established four citizens advisory committees to provide ongoing involvement by a diverse group of citizens representing a wide array of topics important to the city’s General Plan, and include:

• Steering Committee—primary oversight to the process, as well as land use and transportation topics;
• Economic Development Subcommittee—economic and fiscal topics, as well as the balance of jobs and housing;
• Environment, Open Space and Sustainable Development Subcommittee—environmental, open space and natural resource topics; and
• Infrastructure and Services Subcommittee—public facilities and services, as well as health and human services and cultural arts.

Each group is meeting on a regular monthly basis to review issues and information, and the public is invited and encouraged to attend any of the committee meetings.

What’s next?

The next steps are to work with the General Plan Update citizen committees to develop an overall vision, and key goals and objectives to guide the remainder of the update process; complete technical studies; and begin to frame broad General Plan land use and transportation alternatives.
A second Town Hall meeting to report back to the community and obtain further input and direction is tentatively scheduled for the morning of May 17. The next Spotlight edition will confirm the time and place.
Local community meetings for refining land use and transportation alternatives are anticipated during summer 2003. The overall General Plan Update process is scheduled to be completed in early 2004.

Where is more information available?

The Chula Vista Vision 2020 Preliminary Issues Report is available on the Web site at www.ci.chula-vista.ca.us or can be obtained by calling the General Plan Upate at (619) 409-5486. The Web site and phone line also contain information about the General Plan Update committees’ meeting schedules, and other aspects of the General Plan Update.

New police headquarters ‘topped out’

A special “topping out” ceremony marked the completion of the placement of 620 tons of structural steel at Chula Vista’s new $63 million Police Headquarters in January. In addition, 6,500 cubic yards of concrete have been poured and 475 tons of reinforcing steel placed.
Located at the corner of Fourth Avenue and F Street, the station is expected to be completed in 2004.
All of the Police Department’s functions will be housed in this new 150,000-square-foot facility which will include records, operations, police dispatch, investigations, a property room, a state-of-the art crime lab, indoor firing range and a parking structure for approximately 400 vehicles.
It will allow enhancement of community-oriented policing by housing programs such as the Senior Volunteer Patrol and CAST (Citizen Adversity Support Team) as well as provide for the Reserve and Explorers programs. A public plaza and community room also will be included in the facility.

Chula Vista Transit services modified

Several route changes are now in effect on Chula Vista Transit buses to serve new areas as well as increase productivity and reliability.
Route 707—Service has been added on the new portion of Paseo Ladera between Telegraph Canyon Road and East Palomar Street.
Route 712—A new early morning westbound trip has been added to provide another daily work commute alternative. It departs the Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center at
5:20 a.m.; travels along Medical Center Drive, East Naples Street and Palomar Street; and arrives at Palomar Trolley Station at 5:52 a.m. Both weekday and weekend schedules also have been revised.
Route 709—Weekday and weekend changes have been implemented to improve on-time performance and to better serve schools along the route.
Routes 701, 702, 703, 705—A few weekend trips that had a small number of passengers have been discontinued.
For trip planning or information on any of these changes, please call 1-800-COMMUTE or log onto www.sdcommute.com. New maps and timetables also are available throughout the city at all public libraries, City Hall, Chamber of Commerce, Visitor Information Center or on any Chula Vista Transit bus.

Life Options for adults 50+

Thinking about retiring, but don’t know if you’re ready? Retired and don’t know what to do with your newfound freedom? Life Options South Bay is a public/private partnership between the City of Chula Vista; Southwestern College; the Chula Vista Coordinating Council; and the County of San Diego, Aging and Independent Services.
The Life Options Annex is located at Norman Park Senior Center,
270 F St., and is a place where retirees can come together and learn from each other. On the Web site are opportunities for education, travel, volunteerism, employment and training, health and fitness, and recreation.
More information can be found on www.LifeOptionsSouthBay.com or by calling (619) 691-5086.

Hazardous waste facility wins “Orchid”

The South Bay Regional Household Hazardous Waste Facility, located at 1800 Maxwell Rd., was honored at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) annual “Orchids & Onions” ceremony. The Orchid for environmental solutions said:
“This facility is located in Chula Vista but serves several surrounding cities by providing a convenient drop off for all that toxic stuff we accumulate. Using ‘green’ building elements, the facility itself helps to safeguard our environment and set an example for other cities that responsibility starts at home.”
The facility is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., a maximum of 15 gallons or 125 lbs. is accepted, a $5 co-pay applies and certain materials are not accepted.
To use the facility, call (619) 691-5122 or see details on the city’s Web site at www.ci.chula-vista.ca.us.

New procedure for block party permits

A new policy has been implemented for residents who wish to conduct block parties involving street closures in their neighborhood. A new block party permit application can be obtained from the city’s Office of Communications and must be completed and submitted at least 15 working days prior to the event.
The new procedure states that a street may only be closed for a block party once in a three-month period, and consent for the event must be obtained from 80 percent of households within the party area. There is still no fee for permit processing. For further details or an application please call the Office of Communications at (619) 691-5296 or log on to www.ci.chula-vista.ca.us.

Class, program schedule available

The City of Chula Vista’s quarterly schedule of classes, programs and events for the Recreation Department and Chula Vista Public Library is available the first week of March. In addition, the brochure includes information about the South Bay YMCA and the Chula Vista Boys & Girls Club.
The brochure is distributed to all elementary school students, is available at all city recreation centers and libraries, and is on the city’s Web site at www.ci.chula-vista.ca.us.

Heritage Museum‘s cookbook on sale

The Heritage Museum’s Lemon Cookbook is now available at the museum (360 Third Ave.) for only $8 each or $15 for two copies. It includes recipes donated by local residents to honor Chula Vista’s legacy as the “Lemon Capital of the World.” All proceeds from the sale of the book will go toward continued preservation of Chula Vista’s
history by the museum.