HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/02/16 RDA Item 2
CITY COUNCIL &
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
AGENDA STATEMENT
~J~alYOF
~CHUI.A VISTA
OCTOBER 16, 2007, Item~
ITEM TITLE:
INFORMATION UPDATE ON THE SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY
STRENGTHENING STRATEGIES
DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND BUILDINr~ "..V
ACTING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT D~TOR~J
CITY MANAGER (j(~
4/STHS VOTE: YES D NO ~
SUBMITTED BY:
REVIEWED BY:
BACKGROUND
On May 24, 2007, the City Council and Redevelopment Agency received a comprehensive
presentation from staff on the 2007 Midterm Review of the Agency's Five Year Implementation Plan.
A key highlight of that presentation was the introduction of a proposed work program toward a
community building and outreach effort in Southwest Chula Vista. As described by staff, the
Community Strengthening Strategies would provide an important foundation for all future City
activities in the Southwest, including redevelopment. This report is an information update to the City
Council and Redevelopment Agency on the Southwest Community Strengthening Strategies Work
Program, including initial steps that City staff has taken to date, and the introduction of the consulting
firm that has been selected and hired to assist Southwest community partners in designing a process
for community building.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Pursuant to Section l5378(b)(5) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the informational update on the
Southwest Community Strengthening Strategies is not considered a "Project" under CEQA; and
therefore, pursuant to Section l5060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not
subject to CEQA review.
RECOMMENDATION
Information update - No action is required.
BOARDS/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
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DISCUSSION
The Southwest is one of the oldest sections of the community, and a late annexation to the City in
1985. Considerable portions of the infrastructure require updating. It was an area targeted in both the
General Plan and Redevelopment Agency Five Year Implementation Plan for change, reinvestment
and further specific planning. From a social perspective, many in the Southwest community feel a
need for a stronger civic voice that overcomes linguistic and cultural barriers and draws attention to
their unique needs. The Southwest Community Strengthening Strategies, modeled on civic
engagement and neighborhood improvement efforts conducted in other communities across the
country, will be an initial step in a long partnership effort to improve life quality in this portion of
Chula Vista The Southwest Community Strengthening Strategies will endeavor to:
· Partner with residents, businesses, property owners, non-profit organizations, schools,
faith-based organizations, and other government agencies
· Identify and achieve common goals in Southwest Chula Vista
· Pursue broad community building efforts
· Address community issues comprehensively
· Improve quality oflife for residents
· Attract and leverage resources.
To facilitate these objectives, City staff has taken the following initial steps toward launching the
Southwest Community Strengthening Strategies (SCSS).
· Designed a community building strategy, focused on process and partnerships rather than
any specific outcome.
· Developed a contact list of potential early partners and learning from them about the
work being accomplished in the Southwest through existing organizations and
institutions.
· Prepared a grant application for the Department of Toxic Substances for additional funds
to support the SWCCS.
· Compiled thematic mapped data for the City and Southwest to illustrate some of the
issues that have arisen in the early partner outreach. Please visit
www.chulavistaca.gov/redevelooment and click on "Links and Resources" to access this
data.
Another key first step was attending a National League of Cities Roundtable Forum in
Indianapolis with a delegation of staff, community members, and a City Councilmember. Chula
Vista was invited to apply to the National League of Cities' Roundtable on Building Equitable
Communities based on its innovative approach to strengthening partnerships and engaging the
community in Southwest Chula Vista. Chula Vista was selected, and learned how cities have
successfully built upon community assets and used strong city-community partnerships to
leverage resources, build community, and improve civic engagement.
In addition to these activities, staff cooperatively worked with key community partners to solicit
proposals for a consultant to assist in the work program. After a competitive process, the firm of
Moore Iacafano Goltsman, Inc. (MIG) was selected by a panel of staff and community members
to facilitate meetings, provide process management assistance and provide tools and methods for
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community building over the next 9 to 12 month period. Staff is currently negotiating a contract
with MIG. Over the coming months, our goal will be to establish community priorities and
common agendas with the various sectors that comprise the Southwest community. Among
other outcomes, this process is intended to result in community-led efforts that will allow
stakeholders to network and leverage resources and assets toward community strengthening.
This process will also provide a platform for developing cooperative partnerships and processes
for a future Southwest Specific Planes), infrastructure management planes), and other community
improvement programs.
DECISION MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site
specific and consequently the 500 foot rule found in California Code of Regulations section
I 8704.2(a)(l) is not applicable to this decision.
FISCAL IMPACT
As part of the FY 2007-08 budget process, the CYRC and Redevelopment Agency authorized a
$50,000 budget for the Southwest Community Strengthening Strategies Work Program. No
additional funding is being requested at this time.
Prepared by: Nancy Lytle, Process Improvement Manager, Planning and Building,
Sarah Johnson, Community Development Specialist, Community Development
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