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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/10/06 Additional Information McV..~l)~\ ~~ \ ,0/6/"0,\ PROPOSED PROCESS FOR COUNCIL-INTERVIEWED ApPOINTMENTS OTHER THAN EMPLOYMENT The following appointnlent process is reCOll1111cnded for use by the City Council regarding openings on the City's Plan1llng ComlnisslOll, P:lrks & Recreation CUlnnl1ssion, Chub Vista Redeyclopment Corpuration (C\lRq, Purt CumnllSslUn, and when apphcablc, to fill a scat on thl' City C(Juncil: 1. The Cit)' Clerk or designee will advise regarding opening and c1oS111g dates for applications. 2. Applications will be available online at www.chubvistac:t.gov and at the CIt)' Clt~rk's office. i\pplic<lnts ll1L1St be residents of Chula Vista. 3. Each applicant tnusr submit to the City Clerk or designee a cOlnplcted applicatlun no later than 5pll1 UIl the closing cbtc for :l.pplicatlOl1s. 4. After the closing date, all applications will be forwarded to the Mayor and Cit.)' Council alung With the deadline for subtnissinn of mtervicw referrals. 5. 'f'he rdayor and CIty Council will submit to the City Clerk's or designee's office by the st'ated deadlint', rhe n;llnc/s of applicants tl1f.~Y wish to ltltcrvicw. 6. In[onnanon n:garding the nat11eS subnlitted and who submItted thenl will be available at the Cltv Clerk's ()ffice after the deadline. 7. Applicants receiVIng two or more n0111inations will be scheduled for l11tetV1eWS, although the City Council may chuose to interview all applIcants. o. '1'he j\'laYOl: and CIty Council will ask sinlilar questions uf each applicant for sinlibr openIngs. 9. Applicants will be intervIewed by the Cny Council in a lneenng open to the public on a date selected by the Citv Council. 1 n. \X/hen Interviews have ended, the City! Council will deliberate in it public llleeting until an applICant receives at least three votes and the City Council has lnade its selection. Ac\'\\-\\~~\ \ <;\ ~ \0/-'- I""D,,\ The Climale Change sub cllmmillee is re<jllesling alllhorizolion 10 reqllesl donotions/i-om Sempro ond olher profil and non-pro/il agencies andj(J//ndalions that slIpport Climale Change Adaptation work and related Irade missiun opporl1milies. !I'lr. 'rho mas Brill Director, Corporate Rcgllhtor~r Policy Scmpra Energy 101 Ash Street, '-1(20tiD San Diego, Ca. nl01-3017 Dear [vir. Brill: On behalf of the City of Chub Vista I would like to thank vou for your offer to contInue to partiClparc and become an actIve menlbcr 111 the C1il11<ltC Change j\daptatiun CunflTcncc in Andalucia, The llwitation by the Spanish government for the State of Cahfmnia, City of Chula Vista, San Diego ano SC111pra to participate in the lkvc.lupnlcllt of:l Clinlatc Adaptation I1nplcnlClltatioll Pbn and strategy IS both an honor and signIficant opportunity for onr region. \Vc belIeve that the sl111ibritics betwcen uur regIons and the lC:ldership of Califorllla~ Spam and the European Uniun will assist Chub Vista and the regIon's effort to take the tnast cost effectlve and environmentally apprupriate steps in preparing for the affect.s of Clin1ate Change and invest 111 those steps in a 111anner that will stilllubte increased trade and generate quality lncal Jobs. The Declaration of Intent signed by the partiCipants at the upening conference addressed a range of AdaptatlOn challenges that our regions share. Chub Vista has asked to lead a techl1lcal group that will focus on the Adaptation challenges facll1g ,nterconnectivity of natural resource corridors and the species that inhabIt then1. Our unique geography and cumll1itments to the National \X/ildlife Refuge, Nature Center, l\'lulriple Species Conservation Plan, Oray Valley lZegional Park and green belt arc exan1ples of the applicatIon and potenttallmpacts to (Jur C0111111unlty and the South Hay. \,(Ie.:- will create an educational exchange of curriculum for elelTICntary and 111iddle schools. I-Iowever, the City like other agenCies will be engaged 111 each of the tcchlllcal COll1111Ittees that address the adaptive challenges facll1g our water quality and supply, transportation, wetlanus, energy and socio-econolnlc Infrastructure :lnd serVICes. The Spanish governn1ent's spunsorship of the Chula Vista delegation to the opening conference in rvl:1y 2009 nude our Illltlal participation financi:1l1y possible. Chub Vista is requesting that Sell1pra help the City lIlitiate the funding effort by making the primal')' contribution to fund the CalIfornia delegation's participation in the upcoming process includlllg the wurkshop planned for February of 20-1 o. Your generous and early assistance will help the delegation seek additional support: from non- Eor profit foundations and other agencies that support the ilnportant work that our region's 11Ulst dn to cost-effccti\'ely avoid the future Impacts of Clill1atc Change. Slllccrcly Pamela Bensf1ussan, C<>unciln1ember Clinute Change Rep~Tscl1t-ative Rudy Ra111U:cz, COllnciltnell1bcr Clirnate Change Rcpresl'ntati\T DECLARATION OF INTENT Alter three days of meetings and conversations within the framework of the International Conference on Adaptation to Climate Change, held in Seville, Spain in May 2009, the undersigned, aware of the territorial similarities between the regions and cities of Andalucia and California, relating to potential future impacts of climate change, determined that it would be of interest to all parties to ensure an ongoing exchange of experiences and information on the complex issue of adaptation to climate change. For lhis reason we have determined and will convey to our respective administrations the following: . We wish to undertake the necessary administrative steps In our institutions, i.e. the Junta de Andalucia, Government of California and cities of Chula Vista, Jerez de la Frontera, San Diego and Seville, to formalize a cooperation commitment based on the following lines of action: . To coordinate and optimize the work to be defined hereinafter, the undersigned recommend the creation of a high level working group which will meet once a year to take stock of progress on work underway, as well as to define new areas of cooperation. This working group will be chaired by the Government of California and the Junta de Andalucia. The first of these meetings will take place in November 2009 in Andalucia, at which time a definitive version of the Declaration of Seville will be finalized. A draft of this Declaration is attached as.an annex to this document. . That possible initial areas of cooperation includes the following: The organization of an international conference on desalinization, analyzing the results and difficulties encountered in existing plants in Spain (November 2009) Tile organization of a meeting of experts to discuss issues relating to high speed rail transportation, with a special emphasis on the Madrid-Seville line. The organization of a meeting in cooperation with the wine producing associations of California and Andalucia to discuss the challenges of ciimate change in their sector The organization of technical meetings between the cities in relation to tile incorporation of electric vehicles in city centers. Special emphasis on the case of Seville and San Diego. The organization of technical meetings between the cities on the use of city owned and leased bicycles for public use. Special emphasis on the case of Jerez de la Frontera, Chula Vista and San D[ego. The organization of a technical visit to Andalucia to analyze different irrigation systems, with a special emphasis on water saving schemes and optimization of water resources. The organization of a technical meeting to be held in Cllula Vista, with a view to explore and analyze the possibilities of creating interconnected natural resource conservation and open space corridors between specific protected areas. The creation of a working group to facilitate and research the' most operational tools and methodologies ava[lable to assess environmental and socioeconomic climate change impacts and vulnerabilit[es, as well as the cost effectiveness of adaptation measures to be considered. Tile organization of a technical meeting, to be held in California, on assessment of threats to wetlands in both territories. The creation of a working group that will facilitate an information exchange on citizen participation in decision making in the area of adaptation to climate change. The creation of and educational exchange of curriculum for elementary and middle schools. ~j)' - K~ar~ Junta de Andalucia ~QJ/~ Kevin Hunting Government of Califo ~ia ~~(J~v>>~(~:::J Pamela Bensoussan Chula Vista City Council x;;~ Jacques Chirazi City of San Diego Cristina Vega Ayuntamiento de Sevilla ..-----. ~~~ ~ ~~~~ -""""--"""'- ~.........~"""" ellY OF CHUlA VISfA DATE: Octobcr 6, 2009 TO: Councilmember Castaneda VIA: Simon Silva, Deputy City Attorney--IJ Bart Miesfeld, City Attorney ;ftfiIL- SUBJECT: Neighborhood Stabilization Program - FPPC Advice FROM: As you may rccall, in September 2008, the Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") notified the City that it was eligible to receive approximately $2.8 million in one-time Community Development Block Grant funds through its new Neighborhood Stabilization Program CNSP"). The purpose of the funds was to assist buyers in identi fying and purchasing properties that were in foreclosure. In order to obtain the funds, the City had to amend its Annual Action Plan and identify target neighborhoods where the funds would be used. Accordingly, the City Council authorized an amendment to the City's Annual Action Plan and City staff identified several target neighborhoods. In doing so, staff also detennined that your residence was within 500 feet of the Northwest neighborhood. Due to the identified conflicts, this of lice sought the advice of the Fair Political Practices Commission CFPPC") on your bchalf regarding your participation in the action to appropriate the NSP funds. Attached, please find the response from the FPPC regarding your ability to participate in this item. While the current action now involves approving a developer to implement the NSP program, the FPPC detennination remains applicable because there still is no "material financial effect reasonably foreseeable." The FPPC in its opinion explained, "One factor, relevant to this 'inquiry, is the extent to which the occurrence of the material financial effect is "continl{ent upon other intervening events." The FPPC then discussed relevant contingencies, ineluding the fact that no specific area had yet been chosen to receive any NSP funds, no evidence that abandoned or foreclosed properties subject to purchase were in proximity to councilmembers' properties, and that there was no evidence that councilmembers had residences or properties which qualified as "abandoned or foreclosed upon" subject to purchase. These contingencies still remain and the FPPC determination that you may participate in the governmental action remains applicable. If you have any questions, please contact me at (619) 585-5656. HAl? 05 2009 ~ F AIR POLITICAL PRACTICES COMMISSION 42X J Sired . SHire 62() . SaCramCl11ll. CA 9SS14-2J19 (9J6) 322-5600 . Fax (9J6) 322-0Sg6 March 2, 2009 Jill D.S. Maland Deputy City Attomey Cily of Chub Vista 276 FOUlth A venue Chula Vista, CA 91910 Re: Your Request for Advice Our File No. A-09-027 Dear Ms. Maland: This letter responds to your request for advice on behalf of Chula Vista City Councilmembers Steve Castaneda and John McCann regarding the connict-of-intcrest provisions of the Political Reform Act (the "Act").' 111is letter is based on the facts presented; the Fair Political Practices Commission (the "CoJllmission") does not act as the fincler of fact when it renders advice. (Ill re Ogleshy (1975) I FPPC Ops. 71.) Also. please note that our advice is hased solely on the provisions of the Act. We thercfore offer no opinion on the application, if any, of other conJ1ict-of-interest laws such as common law connict of interest or Government Code Section 1090. Finally, please note that the Commission cloes not advise with respect 10 past conduct. (Regulation IR329(b)(8)(A).) Therefore, nothing in this letter should be construed to evaluate any conduct that may have already taken place, and any conclusions contained in this letter apply only to prospcctive actions. QUESTION May Councilmembers Caslaneda and McCann participate in a govcrnmental decision to appropriate an additional $2.8 million in HUD funds to the city's Neighhorhood Stabilization Program? I The Political Reform Act if; contained in Government Code Sections ~lOOO through 91014. All ~latulOry refclcllcCS are to the Government Cude, unless otht:rwisc indic<.lted. The regulations of the Fair Political Practil'e-s Commission are contained in Seclions I X I ] 0 through 18997 (If Tille luf the California Code of Regulations. All regulatory references <Ire 10 Title], Division 6nfthe California Code of Regul<ltions. unless otherwise indicated. ~;:::..~ Our File No. A-09-027 Page 2 CONCLUSION The coullcil members may participate in the governmental decision. FACTS The City of Chula Vista is a charter eity governed by a city council consisting of four council members and a mayor, elected from the city at-large. The city charter provides for the approval of resolutions and ordinances by the affirmativc votes of at least three members unless another provision of the chal1er provides otherwise. The charter provides that appropriations made after the adoption of the budget require the affirmative votes of at least Four members. On May 6, 2008, the city council approved the Fiscal Year 2008/2009 Annual Action Plan for three Federal Grant Programs and authorized its submittal to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The plan is developed annually and describes the city's spending priorities. It serves as the local guide for three of HUD's grant programs that support activities to bencfit lower income houscholds (Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership, and Emergency ShelIer Grant). In September 2008, HUD notified the city that in addition to the annual CDBG entitlement, the city is eligible to receive approximately $2.8 million in one-time CDBO funds through the new Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). The purpose of the NSP program is to assist cities dealing with the negative effects of abandoned and foreclosed properties. The NSP funds may be used to purchase foreclosed or abandoned homes/properties, rehabilitate, redevelop, resell, and/or rent these homes to help stabilize neighboring homes and neighhorhoods. The city applied for this additional HUD funding, and based on current Geographic Information Systems information and estimates by the San Diego Association of Govemments, the city's housing staff identified three neighborhoods as neighborhoods having the greatest need for the NSP funds. These areas are: . Northwest Target Neighhorhood (encompassing approximately 3,945 propcl1y owners) . Southwest Target Neighborhood (encompassing approximatcly 4,843 propcny owners) . Eastem Target Neighborhood (encompa"ing approximately 8,492 propeny owners) HUD approved the amendment and city staff must now seek city council approval to appropriate the $2.8 million in additional HUD funds to the city's NSP. At this timc, the city will not determine specifically where the funds will be spent. You stated that once the money is appropriated it may be used to providc assistance to all threc neighborhoods. any two of the ncighborhoods, or it could all go to one of the three neighborhoods. Our File No. A-09-027 Page 3 The vote to appropriate the funds will require four votes. Council member Castaneda owns his primary residence that is located within 500 feet of the Northwest Target Neighborhood, and Councilmember McCann owns a residential rental property that is located in the Southwest Target Neighborhood. You stated, in response to a request for additional information. that it could not be determined at this time if any properties near the council mcmbers' properties was abandoncd or in the process of foreclosure and would be eligible for the NSP funds. ANALYSIS The Act's conlliet-of-interest provisiom ensure that public officials "perform their duties in an impartial manner, free from bias causcd by their own financial interests or the financial interests of persons who have supported them." (Section 81001(b).) Specifically, Section 87100 prohibits any public official from making, participating in making, or otherwise using his or her official position to inlluence a govemmental decision in which the official has a financial interest. The Commission has adopted an eight-step standard analysis to decide whether an official has a disqualifying conflict of interest. (Regulation 18700(b)(l)-(8).) The general rule, however; is that a conflict of interest exists whenever a public official makes a governmental decision that has a reasonably foreseeable material financial effect on one or more of his or her financial interests. (Section H7103.) Steps One and Two: Are the council members public officials, who will be making, participating in making, or influencing a governmental decision? City council members are public officials under the Act. (See Section 84048(a).) The council members will be voting on appropriating HUD funds to the city's Neighborhood Stabilization Program and will therefore be making govemmental decisions.2 (Regulation 18702.I(a).) Step Three: Do the council memhers have an economic interest in the decision at issue? A public official has a "financial interest" in a govemmental decision within the meaning of the Act if it is reasonably foreseeable that the govemmental decision will have a material financial effect. distinguishable from its effect on the public generally, on the official, a member 2 When a public official who holds an office .spet'ified In Section 87200 ha~ a conflict of inlert::sl in a decision noticed at a public mt::ding. then he or she must (I) immediately prior 10 the discussion of rhL: ilem, orally identify each type of economic interest involved in the decision as well as details of the L'cnnomic imerest, as discussed in regulation IS702.5{b), on the record of the rilceting; (2) reCllse himself Of herself: ;10<1 (3) leave the room for the duration of the discussion and/or vote 011 the item, Our File No. A-09-027 Page 4 of his or her immediate family, or on anyone of five enumerated economic intere,t,. (Section 87103; Regulation 18700(a).) The applicable economic interests include: 1. An intercst in a business entity in which a public official has a direct or indirect investment of $2,000 or more. (Section 87103(a), Regulation 18703. I (a).) An interest in any bl/silless entity in which a public official is a director, officer, partner, trustec, employee, or holds any position of managcment. (Section 87103(d). Regulation 18703.1 (b).) For purposes of Section 87103, "indirect investment or interest means any investment or interest owned by the spouse or dependent child of a public official, by an agent on behalf of a public official. or by a busines> entity or trust in which the official, the official's agents, spouse, and dependent children own directly, indirectly. or beneficially a 10-percent interest or greater." A public otficial's "immediate family" includes only the official's spouse and dependcut children. (Section 82029.) 2. An intcrcst in real property in which a public official has a direct or indirect interest of $2,000 or more. (Section 87103(b), Regulation 18703.2.) 3. Any source of income, including promised income, to the public official that aggrcgates to $500 or more within 12 months prior to the decision. (Section 87103(c). Regulation 18703.3.) 4. Any ,ource of gifts to the public official if the gifts aggregate to $420 or more within 12 months prior to the decision. (Section 87103(e), Regulation 18703.4.) 5. A public official also has an economic interest in his or hcr personal expenses, income, assets, or liabilities, as well as those of his or her immediate family. This is also known as the "personal financial effects" rule." (Section 87103, Regulation 18703.5.) You have indicated that both councilmembcrs have an economic interest in real property. While you have not statcd the value of their respective intercsts, for purposes of our analysis we will assume that each has an interest worth $2,000 or more. In additiun, Councilmember McCmm's real property that is in question is a rcntal property and wc assume that he has a source of incomc that rents the property. Howcver, you have not provided information about Council member McCann's source of income so we do not flllther analyze this economic interest and, therefore, do not offer conflict-of-interest advice in relation to that economic interest. Step Four: Are the council members' economic interests directly or indirectly involved in the decision? In order to determine if a governmental decision's reasonably foreseeable, financial effect on :1 given economic interest is material, it must first t,c determined if the official's economic interest is directly involved or indirectly involvcd in the governmental decision. (Regulation 18704(a).) For a governmcntal decision that affects real property interests, Regulation J 8704.2 applies. Our File No. A-09-027 Pnge 5 Real property in which a public otficial hns nn economic interest is directly involved in a govemmenta] decision when (among other circumstances) the renl property in which the official has an interest, or any part of that renl property, is located within 500 feet of the boundaries (or the proposed boundaries) of the property which is the subject of the govel11l1lental decision. Each council member owns property either in, or within 500 feet of. the neighborhoods for which the HUD funding is being sought. Consequently, the prope11ies are directly involved in the decisions. Step Five: What is the applicable materiality standard'? For real property directly involved in a govel11mental decision, any financial effect on the property, even "one penny," is presumed to be material. (Regulatiun 18705.2(a)(1).) This presumption may be rebutted by proof that it is not reasonably foreseeable that the govel11mentnl decision will have any financial effect on the real property. (Ibid.) Step Six: Is a materiallinancial effect reasonably foreseeable? A material financial effect on an economic interest is "reasonably foreseeable" if it is substantially likely that one or more of the materiality standmds will be met as a result of th" governmental decision. (Regulation 18706(a).) An effect need not be certain to be considcred "reasonably foreseeable," but it must be more than a mere possibility. (1/1 re Thorner, Sllpra, 1 FPPC aI's. 198.) On the other hand, if an effect is only a mere possibility, it is not reasonably foresecable, Consequently, the question before us becomes whether it is substantially likely that the city's decision to approve the HUD funding will have any financial effect on the fair market value of the officials' respective propertics, Regulation I 8706(b) provides factors that should be considered in determining whether a governmental decision will have a reasonably foreseeable material financial effect on an economic interest3 One factor, relevant to thi.s inquiry, is the extent to which the occurrence of the material financial effect is conringent IIpon other intervening events. In this case you noted that there are a variety of contingencies, (1) The city has designated three neighborhoods that may benefit from the funds. However, none of the thrce specific neighborhoods is guaranteed to receive funds. You noted that the city could still decide at a later time which of the areas will benefit from the funds. (2) You also noted that, unlike the funding of the redevelopment of an area, where the result will be to increase the property values and improve the business climate within the project area (See e.g., [" re Ogelsby (1975) 1 FPPC aI's. 71). the use of the funds in this case is to purchase a limited number of foreclosed or abandoned homes/properties, rehabilitate, redevelop, resell. and/or rent these homes to help stabilize neighboring homes and neighborhoods. We ., These factors are nol intended to be un exclusive list of the relevant f<lets that mllY be t.:onsidcred in determining whether a financial effect is reasonably fOl'esecable, bm are included as general guidelines Our File No, A-09-027 Page 6 assume that neither council members' properly would fall into this category, Moreover, you have provided no facts to suggest that any abandoned or foreclosed propel1ies are located in proximity to the officials' properties, Thus, at this preliminary stage, it does not appcar foreseeable that the decision to appropriate the HUD funds will have a material financial effect on either council member. Please note that this conclusion is Iimitcd to appropriating the HUD funds to the NSP program, Any future decisions on how to use the funds would have to be reanalyzed as a new advice request. Steps Seven and Eight: Exceptions Since il appears the decisions will not have a material financial effect on the council members' property, we have not gone on to discuss the exceptions 10 the conflicl of interest ru Ie" If you have other questions on this matter, please contaCt me al (916) 322-5660, Sincerely, Scott Hallabrin ~ General Counsel ./ "\{VJ\jJ' / ,\ By:1 \ John W, Wallace \, 1 Assistant General Counsel '- Legal DIVISIOn MEMO ~\{?- ---.- ,.~~ --- -- CITY OF (HULA VISTA Department of Public Works File: 0735-1 0-STL280 DATE: October G, 2009 FROM: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Jim Sandoval, City Manag~ <..,.~ Scott Tulloch, Assistant C;~~anager " R. A. Hopkins, Director of Public Works \ . TO: VIA: SUB.JECT: Road Closure: Industnal Boulevard li'om Dorothy Street to Palomar Street from October 12, 2009 through October I G, 2009 for the Palomar Gateway Construction Project On September 30, 2009, Davc DelaCruz of Hillcrest Contracting, a contractor working for the City of Chula Vista, submitted a written request for the future closure of Industrial Boulevard from Dorothy Street to Palomar Street for the purpose of constructing intersection improvements rclatlllg to the City's Palomar Gateway Project. The work involves installation of crosswalk safety iighting Ilear the new lraffic cirCle, placing the tln;;tl cap or asphalt 011 Illdustr"ial Blvd. allu performing the new road striping within the traffic circle and the transition areas leading to the lI'affic circle. There will not be adequate space to accommodate thru vehicular traffic during this construction phase, thus the strect will need to be closed. In order to expedite the construction of these improvements and minimize the overall inconvcnience to motorists and residents, while still providing safety for the public as well as the contractor, City staff and the contracting company propose to close Industrial Boulevard between Dorothy Street and Palomar Street between the dates of October 12, 2009 and October I G, 2009 to all thru traffic. The contractor will maintain roadway access for emergency vehicles and residcnts living at 1258 to 1262 Industrial Blvd. at all times. The intersection will be closed only as necessary to complete this project. Signs will be erected notifying the public of the upcoming closure in advance of clOSing the street. The City's Public Works Engineering and Inspection Divisions have revicwed and approved the proposed road closure plan. Dunng the closure period, traffic will be detoured as follows: Industrial Boulevard: Southbound trat1ic will he detoured cast along Palomar Strect to Broadway in order to bypass the road closure. Northbound traffic wIll be detoured west along Main Street to the 1-5 north freeway in order to bypass the road closure, however, residences and busll1esses will stIli have vehicular access to their properties within this area. The apartment complex and rcsidcntialunits along Industrial Boulevard in the vicinity of Ada Street will remain accessible throughout thiS construction phase. The Honorable Mayor and City Council October 6, 2009 Page 2 Ada Street: All traffic will be detoured through Frontage Road for ingress and egress. All residences along Ada Strect will be accessiblc throughout this construction phase. Chula Vista Transit will not bc affected. accommodated dunng the closure periocl. All emergency services will be adequately This mad way closure will have minimal impact on the neighborhood due to the presence of Frontage Road to the west. Although, Fmnlage Road was considered as a detour route, it was agreed to utilize Broaclway due to Fmntage Road's narrow roadway width and close pmximlty to the 1-5 freeway ramps. The proposed dctour mute will have the least impact of all alternatives analyzed. The volume of traffic affected by the detour along Industrial Boulevard in this area is approximately 7,900 vehicles per day. The puqJose of this memorandulll is to advise the City Council of said closure in accordance with Council Policy No. 576- 15, which requires that Council be notified in advance of a request to close a street for major construction work. cc: Communications Police Chief Firc Chief TranSit Coordinator Police and Fire Dispatch Amy Partosan, Engineenng Admin Analyst Lindscy Walters, Public Works Spccialist M :\l:::ngillcer\A G EN Of\ \In formation I lClllS\PW -Opera t ions\lndlISlri:l1 BOll levardrJosurcNo2 pem.doc -ft Mint-~ CenCRrt ]FORA MOST liNTlBRlESTJrNG CrryI >C~~ '\ Q} CrTY BALLET ORCHESTRA & PRINCIPLE DANCERS PERFORMING EXCERPTS FROM GISELLE & THE NUTCRACKER FRIDAY: OCTOBER 23RD 7:30p.M. NEW HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH 2720 OLYMPIC PARKWAY CHULA VISTA, CA 9 I 91 5 NEXT TO THE OLYMPIC TRAINING CENTER A. FULLY-STAGED poPS CONCERT WITH ORCHESTRA, SINGERS AND DANCERS, FEATURING UNIQUE ARRANGEMENTS OF MODERN CLASSICS, SHOW TUNES & CLASSIC ROCK. OTY BALLET OF SAt'\! DIEGO ~ifj ('~a' . \. :r-: --"'~r ~~ 1./ "S,\N DII:(;o's MOST 1'llnFF~<;Sl()N/\L TROlII'E" SAN DIH-;O UNIO;-J TRIBUNE THE BUNNELLSTRlNGS RISINr; STARS OF REGIONAL CONCERT 5>lNiES AND TELEVISION EVENlS Jail N NEITLES r? ~" ,4 At"" . J8'& _ '" Ii .- t .. ..' ". 1!".. ~', O:\lE OF SAN 011:(;0'5 MOST VERSATILE PERf'o!tMEnSI PRODUCERS: OPERATIC TENOR AC10R IJANCER CONDUCTOR C()MPo.<;m~ ADMISSION IS FREE - DONATIONS ACCEPTED. ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE CITY BALLET MUSIC PROGRAM AND THE SCHOLARS MUSIC PROJECT. A NEW PROGRAM THAT WI LL !lIUNG CLASSICAL MUSIC INSTRUCTION TO SOUTH BAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. lH's CONCERT MADE POSSiBLE THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF MOUNTAINWEST [UOAL ESTATE. "SUCCESS BUILT ON COMMITMENT" ",",. MOUNTAINWEST ~. REAL ESTATE .. Media Advisory Contact Information: Ron Bolles 619-997-9818 directoron@gmail.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (October 6, 2009) A Most Interesting Concert. . . For a Most Interesting City! Chula Vista - Forbes magazine last year named Chula Vista "America's Most Boring City," but a host of local professional performers are out to prove Forbes wrong. A concert dispelling that unfavorable image will be presented Oct 23'd at 7:30 in the evening at New Hope Community Church. The evening will feature the City Ballet Orchestra under the direction of John Nettles. After intermission a pops concert will drive the point home as professional orchestra, singers and dancers, featuring unique arrangements of modern classics, show tunes & classic rock take the stage. City Ballet has been heralded as "San Diego's most professional troupe" by the San Diego Union-Tribune. Principal dancers from that respected company will perform excerpts from Giselle, and The Nutcracker. Also featured in the concert will be the Bunnell Strings. This family act is Chula Vista's answer to Austria's famous Von Trapp family. Aged 14-21, the Bunnells are rising stars of regional concert stages and television events whose musical talent is inspiring and impressive. John Nettles, the producer and conductor, is one of San Diego's most versatile artists with considerable experience as a producer, operatic tenor, actor, dancer, conductor, composer and arranger. The promoters believe the arts are essential to the wellbeing of a community. "The culture of a city is enriched by arts organizations, events, and activities", said Ron Bolles, longtime Chula Vista resident and arts consultant "Both sports and arts bring life to a community and make it vibrant" By calling attention to the city's vibrant arts community, Bolles believes the Oct 23 concert will put to rest any notion that Chula Vista is other than stellar and is anything but boring. "Look at the 'lift' that Parkview Little League provided Chula Vista a month ago when they went all the way in winning the Little League World Series," he said. .. Nettles, who is an outreach representative for the Sweetwater Union High School District's "7th Grade Arts Experience," credits the community for housing venues and programs for the performing arts; but he believes they create a net benefit for the city. "The arts are an economic stimulus for a community," he said. 'They do require funding, but that comes back tenfold in ancillary bencfits to the community. We want to expose as many people as possible and inspire them to participate." Pastor Steve Duff credits his church's New Hope Arts Academy for bringing the concert to their new venue, located adjacent to the Olympic Training Center. "We're thrilled to host this concert," he said "Since Ron and Reina Bolles created the arts academy six months ago, more than 200 children have participated in weekly classes in music, dance, and art." This will be City Ballet's fifth appearance in the South Bay during the past twelve months. Admission to the concert is free, but donations will be accepted. All proceeds benefit the City Ballet Music Program and the Scholars Music Project. The ballet program brings classical music instruction to under served elementary school students; and the music project, which will be launched next year in South Bay elementary schools, endeavors to create social change through sustainable music education. Funding for the professional orchestra and dancers in "A Most Interesting Concert For A Most Interesting City" comes from Mountain West Real Estate in Chula Vista. For additional information about "A Most Interesting Concert For A Most Interesting City'; or to make a charitable donation, contact Ron Bolles at 619-997-9818. ###