HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 2017-076RESOLUTION NO. 2017-076
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CHULA VISTA APPROVING THE COMMUNICATIONS
PLAN TO BETTER COMMUNICATE OFFICIAL CITY
POLICIES RELATED TO IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT
AND TO BETTER CONNECT CITY RESIDENTS WITH
AVAILABLE IMMIGRATION AND CITY SERVICES
WHEREAS, on April 25, 2017, the City Council unanimously supported a resolution to
affirm city policies regarding immigration enforcement and to join the "Welcoming America"
network; and
WHEREAS, the action further directed staff to develop and implement -a -program for
better communication of City policies and services to the City's immigrant community; and
WHEREAS, a public meeting was held May 8, 2017, to solicit suggestions and ideas
from residents on how best to inform the City's immigrant community about the City's
immigration enforcement policies; and
WHEREAS, the Communications Plan was developed in coordination with the Chula
Vista Police Department, City Manager's office, community-based organizations, school
districts, residents and other stakeholders; and
WHEREAS, the Human Relations Commission will provide a resource for ongoing
collaboration to review and enhance communications efforts and will be responsible for
considering and approving future amendments to the Plan, based on input from City staff and
stakeholders.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Chula
Vista, that it approves the Communications Plan to better communicate official city policies
related to immigration enforcement and to better connect city residents with available
immigration services.
Presented by
Approved.as to form by
- f
en R.Googins
Attorney
Resolution No. 2017-076
Page No. 2
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Chula Vista,
California, this 16th day of May 2017 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers: Aguilar, McCann, Padilla, and Salas
NAYS: Councilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: Diaz
Mary S#1 Mayor
ATTEST:
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Donna R. Norris, MC, City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO
CITY OF CHULA VISTA
I, Donna R. Norris, City Clerk of Chula Vista, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution No. 2017-076 was duly passed, approved, and adopted by the City Council at a
regular meeting of the Chula Vista City Council held on the 16th day of May 2017.
Executed this 16th day of May 2017.
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Donna R. Norris, 6MC, City Clerk
Resolution No. 2017-076
Page No. 3
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CIN OF
CHULA VISTA
Welcoming City Communications Plan
Background
The City of Chula -Vista is located at the -center of one of the richest cultural, ethnically diverse, and
multilingual communities in the United States. It is the second-largest City in San Diego County with a
population of 268,000. Chula Vista boasts more than 50 square--miles-of coastal landscape, canyons,
rolling hills, mountains, quality parks, and miles of trails. Chula Vista is a leader in conservation and
renewable energy, has outstanding public schools, and has been named one of the top safest cities in
the country. The City is proud of and strengthened by its diverse communities. While some families
claim generations of history others have located here more recently because of a strong connection to
the City's community character.
On April 25, 2017, the Chula Vista City Council unanimously supported a resolution to affirm city policies
regarding immigration enforcement and to join the "Welcoming America" network. The action further
directed staff to develop and implement a program for better communication of City policies and
services to the City's immigrant community and to provide the City Council with opportunities to
actively support or oppose laws to advance city interests and policies on immigration enforcement. This
Plan provides a framework for implementing the communications program.
To support the City's commitment to the immigrant community, the City has become a member of the
Welcoming America network. Welcoming America provides tools and resources to help cities and
partners "reduce the barriers that immigrants face to fully participating and build bridges between
newcomers and long-time residents."
The Human Relations Commission and the Police Chiefs Community Advisory Committee (CAC) have a
key role in guiding the implementation of this Plan. Through the Commission and the CAC,
communications efforts will be reviewed and implemented, partner agencies will collaborate, initiatives
will be pursued, and results will be evaluated.
In addition, many individuals, groups and organizations have attended meetings and provided input and
feedback to Mayor, City Council and staff regarding the current issues surrounding immigration. This
initial input and feedback is reflected in the plan. The Citywill continue to engage with the public as the
Communications Plan is implemented. This plan is designed to be flexible and adaptable. It can be
modified and amended to reflect changing conditions.
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Communications Plan Overview
I. Goals
This communications plan is designed to communicate the following goals.
1. Increase awareness of City policies regarding immigration
2. Identify available immigration services and City services
3. Engage the Human Relations Commission to guide communications efforts
II. Target Audiences
The target audience is City of Chula Vista residents regardless of immigration status including,
homeowners, renters, families, students, faith community, community based -organizations, -and
other stakeholders.
III. Strategic Priorities
The Strategic Priorities describe how the goals will be accomplished. For each Strategic Priority, Actions
are outlined to be implemented to help meet the goals of the Plan. Through the Actions, we will track
and measure results.
1. Develop communications tools to promote City policies, services, and community resources
2. Communicate City policies regarding immigration
3. Connect residents to immigration services and City services
4. Expand community engagement and partnerships regarding immigration
1. Develop communications tools to promote City policies, services, and resources
It is important to develop communications materials in terms that are easily understood by the public.
The materials also should be available in a variety of formats to reach the widest audience possible. The
materials also should be available in the languages spoken by residents in Chula Vista. This includes
English, Spanish and other languages as needed.
Actions
• Utilize a variety of communication platforms to disseminate information on immigration issues and
services including City website, social media, direct mail, electronic notifications and newsletters
and news releases.
• Develop communication tools in easy -to -understand terms regarding immigration policies and
services.
• Develop "Welcoming City" web page (www.chulavistaca.gov/welcoming) to promote information on
immigration policies, services, opportunities for engagement and partnerships.
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• Develop printed materials for use by Mayor, Council, staff and partners to disseminate widely in the
community.
• Develop social media messages to reach residents.
• Develop videos for use on social media, City website and partner websites.
• Develop information in English, Spanish and other languages as needed. Information posted to the
website can be translated into more than 90 languages.
• Enhance City and Explore Chula Vista web sites with information on City's diversity, history, and
commitment to inclusion.
• Identify other methods and channels to reach immigrant community.
Provide information and easy access to Chula Vista Police Department Policy 428 on CVPD web
pages and "Welcoming City' web page.
• Provide information and easy access to community services related to immigration.
2. Communicate City policies regarding immigration
Chula Vista Police Department Policy 428 outlines long-standing policies in place that are reflective of
core values that focus on public safety — not immigration. CVPD is committed to providing equal service
and enforcement of the law to the public regardless of immigration status. CVPD wants residents to call
the police with the comfort of knowing their immigration status is not an issue. If members of the public
need assistance, (whether as the victim of a crime, involved in an accident, or a witness to a crime) they
should feel secure that contacting the Chula Vista Police Department will not make them vulnerable to
deportation.
Actions
• Develop easy -to -understand content regarding Policy 428.
• Produce information on Policy 428 for print and online formats.
• Provide Policy 428 information in English, Spanish and other languages as needed
• Collaborate with Human Relations Commission, Police Chief's Community Advisory Committee
(CAC), community based organizations, school districts, and others to disseminate information
regarding City policies regarding immigration
• Coordinate with CVPD and the School Resources Officers to collaborate with Chula Vista Elementary
School District and Sweetwater Union High School District to disseminate information regarding City
immigration policies.
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• Coordinate with the City and Southwestern Community College to disseminate information
regarding City policies regarding immigration
• Participate in existing outreach and community events to inform attendees about City immigration
policies such as Coffee with a Cop in the community; Coffee with the Principal in schools; and other
established meetings.
3. Connect residents to immigration services and City services
The City will collaborate with community based organizations, school districts, faith -based organizations
and others to promote immigration services available to residents. Many services are provided by
established organizations that have the knowledge and capacity to assist residents on immigration
issues.
Actions
• Connect residents to immigration information and services provided by the United States Citizenship
and Immigration Services (USCIS), State of California Office of Immigrant Assistance, California Court
System, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and other resources.
• Conduct outreach to determine what information residents need regarding immigration and
services.
• Provide communication information and resources to other organizations such as including the
Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce, Third Avenue Village Association, South County Economic
Development Council, water districts, health care providers, businesses, and others.
4. Expand community engagement and partnerships regarding immigration
Through the Human Relations Commission, the CAC, and other local agencies and groups, the City will
expand community engagement regarding immigration. The Office of Communications will promote
opportunities to engage on immigration issues through City communications efforts including _City_
website, Community Connection newsletter, social media, press releases, community events, and other
platforms.
Actions
• Engage community leaders in developing efforts to expand outreach efforts beyond City
stakeholders and networks
• Promote public meetings that address immigration issues including Human Relations Committee
meetings, agenda items at City Council meetings, and meetings and events held by partner
organizations
• Collaborate with Human Relations Commission and partner organizations to participate in
community events to promote access to immigration information and services
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• Collaborate with South Bay Community Services, San Ysidro Health Center, Alliance of
Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), South Bay People Power, Courage Campaign,
and others to expand outreach
• Utilize a variety of communication platforms to disseminate information including City website,
social media, direct mail, electronic notifications and newsletters and news releases. The Office
of Communications will continue using all outreach platforms at its disposal while considering
new channels that may arise.
• Develop video messages to engage the community regarding immigration policies and resources
IV. Next Steps
Office of Communications -and CVPD--will-coordinate-with--Human- Relations Commission, prepare
communications materials, update City website, and identify resources -to implement the plan. .
Progress updates will be presented to the Human Relations Commission and City Council semi-
annually.
The Communications Plan will be reviewed by City staff and other stakeholders after one year. Any
proposed revisions to the plan will be presented to the Human Relations Commission for
consideration and approval. Staff will recommend to the Human Relations Commission a schedule
for subsequent plan updates.
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