City of Chula Vista

Recovery Plan

State and Local Fiscal Recovery 

Funds

2021 Report
City of Chula Vista’s 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 1

City of Chula Vista’s

Coronavirus State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds

2021 Recovery Plan

Contents

Summary .....................................................................................................................................................2

Use of Funds...........................................................................................................................................2

Community Engagement.......................................................................................................................3

Promoting Equitable Outcomes ...........................................................................................................3

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category ........................................................................................4

Project Inventory.........................................................................................................................................5

Public Health (EC 1) ..............................................................................................................................5

Negative Economic Impacts / Economic Development (EC 2).......................................................6

Premium Pay to Essential Workers (EC 4) ........................................................................................7

Infrastructure (EC 5) ..............................................................................................................................8

Revenue Replacement (EC 6) .............................................................................................................8

Operational Support...........................................................................................................................10

Infrastructure......................................................................................................................................11

Economic Development......................................................................................................................12

Performance Report.................................................................................................................................14

Use of Evidence ...................................................................................................................................15
City of Chula Vista’s 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 2

Summary

On May 10, 2021, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the launch of the Coronavirus 

State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, 

to provide $350 billion in emergency funding for eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal

governments. The Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds provide substantial

flexibility for each jurisdiction to meet local needs—including support for households, small

businesses, impacted industries, essential workers, and the communities hardest-hit by the crisis. 

These funds also deliver resources that recipients can invest in building, maintaining, or upgrading 

their water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure. 

The City of Chula Vista’s allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 State 

and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) is $57.5 million, with the first allocation received in 

May 2021 in the amount of $28.7 million. The balance of funding is anticipated to be received no 

earlier than June 2022.

Staff carefully evaluated the allowable uses of ARPA SLFRF funds to leverage these resources

possible for the community on unfunded projects that would negatively impact the City’s General 

Fund. Staff believes the adopted spending plan makes critical investments in economic 

development, small business recovery, strategic infrastructure projects, operational support and 

public health while working to minimize arduous federal reporting requirements through the 

revenue recovery/replacement approach. Most importantly, the adopted spending plan prioritizes 

the importance of equity as we work towards a community recovery from the COVID-19 health 

and economic crises.

Use of Funds

The table below reflects the City Council approved allocation of the City of Chula Vista’s SLFRF

funds. Detailed descriptions of planned project expenditures are included in the Project Inventory 

section of this document. 
City of Chula Vista’s 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 3

Community Engagement 

The City of Chula Vista consistently engages with constituents, community organizations, 

businesses and the broader community to inform the use and prioritization of funds. Staff has 

invested thousands of hours on community outreach to have the wants and needs of the 

community drive the programming of funds, which are reflected in the City’s policy documents. 

Efforts to engage with the community on projects to be supported by SLFRF included: 

• Digital Equity and Inclusion Plan

• Telecommunications Master Plan

• COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan

o Over 900 business owners and 600 community surveys were received which 

detailed the needs of businesses and the community during the pandemic and into 

the recovery. 

• Business Surveys on American Rescue Plan Spending Needs

o Sent to 7,636 businesses and received over 300 responses. A majority of 

respondents indicated they would like funds to replenish depleted reserves; cover 

payroll, rent, equipment, and other debt that has accrued during the pandemic. 

• Loma Verde Community Outreach

The proposed funding plan of the City of Chula Vista’s SLFRF funds was also discussed in a 

public hearing on August 24, 2021, allowing for receipt of public comment. The resolution 

accepting and appropriating the SLFRF funding was subsequently unanimously adopted by City 

Council. 

Promoting Equitable Outcomes

The City is committed to advancing intentional equity and inclusion efforts to unify existing projects 

and programs, and create a future action plan to ensure equitable practices in all facets of City 

operations. Later described in the Project Inventory section, $0.2 million in funding is to be 

allocated towards third party assistance in facilitating equity and inclusions discussions, as well 

as collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to create a broader city-wide approach 

and action plan. 

The Equity and Inclusion effort are being pursued in conjunction with the City Manager’s 

acceptance into the Leadership Institute on Race, Equity and Inclusion led by the International 

City/County Management Association (ICMA), Kettering Foundation and National Civic League. 

The City Mayor and Budget Manager are also participating in the Bloomberg Philanthropies City 

Budgeting for Equity & Recovery program, focusing on equity in budgeting for capital

improvement projects. The City’s Economic Development Department has also had an inclusive 

economic development strategy since 2016, and partners with San Diego Regional Economic 

Development Council on a Countywide Inclusive Economic Development strategy.

Subsequent reports will also include project-specific updates on the City’s approach to achieving 

equitable outcomes utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data. 
City of Chula Vista’s 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 4

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category

The City of Chula Vista’s planned and cumulative expenditures for the $57.5 million allocation in 

SLFRF funds are categorized below by the Treasury Expenditure Categories. 

Category Planned 

expenditures

Cumulative 

expenditures to 

date ($)

1 Expenditure Category: Public Health

1.1 COVID-19 Vaccination $335,250 $0

1.2 COVID-19 Testing $900,000 $0

1.7 Capital Investments or Physical Plant Changes 

to Public Facilities that respond to the COVID19 public health emergency

$18,500,000 $0

2 Expenditure Category: Negative Economic 

Impacts

2.9 Small Business Economic Assistance (General) $3,200,000 $0

4 Expenditure Category: Premium Pay

4.1 Public Sector Employees $1,500,000 $0

5 Expenditure Category: Infrastructure

5.17 Broadband: Other projects $900,000 $0

6 Expenditure Category: Revenue Replacement

6.1 Provision of Government Services $32,200,000 $250,100

7 Administrative and Other

7.1 Administrative Expenses 

Total $57,535,250 $0
City of Chula Vista’s 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 5

Project Inventory

The name, project expenditure category, funding amount and a brief description of each project

approved to be funded with SLFRF are provided below. Due to the timing of the receipt of SLFRF 

funds, interdepartmental coordination and project approvals via City Council resolution, additional 

detailed information on respective project activities, timelines, delivery mechanisms and partners 

will be provided in a subsequent report.

Public Health (EC 1) 

Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning 

Project Expenditure Category: 1.7 – Capital Investments or Physical Plant Changes to Public 

Facilities that respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency

Funding Amount: $18.5 million 

Total Expenditures to Date: $0

The Public Works Department contracted with Kitchell to prepare a facilities condition assessment 

report that included an evaluation of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) 

systems at various City facilities. Included in the report was the recommendation to replace major 

components of the HVAC system at Police Headquarters. These components are original to the 

building that was constructed in 2004. Given the critical nature of this building, staff is 

recommending a single project to address all HVAC replacement and repairs as opposed to 

addressing HVAC needs at this facility through a phased approach. The ARPA funding will allow 

the City to address a major capital need and install a system that allows for a higher level of air 

filtration at a key 24/7 public safety facility, providing protection against viruses through the 

enhanced air filtration unit.

COVID Testing/Vaccinations

Project Expenditure Category: 1.1 – COVID-19 Vaccinations & 1.2 – COVID-19 Testing 

Funding Amount: $1.2 million ($900,000 Vaccinations, $335,250 Testing)

Total Expenditures to Date: $0

On March 13, 2020, the President declared the COVID-19 pandemic of sufficient severity and 

magnitude to warrant an emergency declaration for all states, tribes, territories, and the District of 

Columbia pursuant to section 501 (b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 

Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5207 (the “Stafford Act”). Chula Vista was one of the first cities

in San Diego County to proclaim a local emergency due to COVID-19. In response to the 

disproportionate impact of the pandemic on the South Bay region and to better serve and protect 

the community, the City of Chula Vista opened a City-run public COVID-19 testing site, free to 

Chula Vista and the surrounding communities. This testing site became one of the highest utilized 

testing sites in San Diego County due to the dates/hours of availability (Sunday-Thursday, 12pm8pm). The testing site served the community from October 2020 – April 2021, completing more 

than 55,000 tests. Through the FEMA Public Assistance program, the Chula Vista Fire 

Department was able to hire hourly EMTs to perform the testing and the City hired temporary 

administrative staff to help with the clerical duties of the testing process.

As vaccines became available to San Diego County residents, the demand for testing decreased 

significantly. The City testing site, as well as several other sites around San Diego County were 

demobilized. Many of the personnel resources were reassigned to focus on vaccine 

administration. 
City of Chula Vista’s 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 6

However, because of vaccine hesitancy, new virus variants, and a portion of the population who 

are not yet eligible for the vaccine, case rates and testing positivity percentage are on the rise. 

The City must shift our resources to meet the new increased demand for testing and will need 

funding, to once again, support a testing program and provide vaccinations.

The City would like to allocate $900,000 toward the COVID-19 testing program to hire staff, 

purchase testing materials, including personal protective equipment, and cover any 

miscellaneous costs that may arise. Miscellaneous costs may include registration system 

software, paper materials, courier services, etc. Without a cure for COVID-19, the impending flu 

season, and the need for data- driven decisions, testing remains an integral part in the fight 

against COVID-19.

Negative Economic Impacts / Economic Development (EC 2) 

Small Business Grant Program

Project Expenditure Category: 2.9 – Small Business Economic Assistance (General)

Funding Amount: $2.6 million 

Total Expenditures to Date: $0

In summer 2020, as part of inclusive economic development research and pandemic recovery 

efforts, surveys were sent to residents and business owners to better understand the impacts of 

the pandemic. Over 576 business owner surveys were received, and 794 community surveys 

were received which detailed the immediate needs of businesses and the community during the 

pandemic. The make-up of respondents and their expressed needs was used to inform the 

program framework and requirements for the Chula Vista CARES Small Business Grant Program 

which funded 279 small businesses. In summer 2021, a survey was sent to 7,636 businesses 

with email addresses on file and 180 survey responses were received. Most respondents 

indicated they would like funds to replenish depleted reserves, cover payroll, rent, equipment, and 

other debt that has accrued during the pandemic. The survey was also sent to the Third Avenue 

Village Association for distribution. Staff will bring back for City Council approval a small business 

grant program that mirrors the program implemented under the CARES Act in 2020 and 

recommend partnership with the San Diego Foundation to administer and distribute the funds.

Staff proposes to continue to target the businesses that were forced to close during the pandemic.

“Choose Chula” App

Project Expenditure Category: 2.9 – Small Business Economic Assistance (General)

Funding Amount: $0.3 million

Total Expenditures to Date: $0

Small businesses were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and providing support to aid 

in their equitable economic recovery is critical. Staff sought creative ways to bolster a circular 

economic recovery, increase consumer confidence and provide businesses with marketing 

support, a key area of help identified in a city-wide business survey. The Choose Chula app is a 

free platform, funded by the City of Chula Vista, designed to reward residents and visitors with 

points for shopping at local businesses right here in Chula Vista. Each local reward point equals 

$1, which can be easily redeemed at local businesses that choose to participate. This way we 

keep our local economy robust and the dollars in the community.

The Choose Chula small business support mobile application (app) pilot program launched June 

15, 2021 with the state-wide reopening. In the first month of the soft launch, over 100 applications 

were received resulting in 89 businesses being admitted into the app program, and there were 
City of Chula Vista’s 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 7

over 1,500 app downloads. ARPA funds will be directed towards continued technology 

optimization, administration and marketing costs for the program as well as funding the rewards 

budget that rewards app users with digital “Chula Points.”

Grants for Curb and Sidewalk Cafes

Project Expenditure Category: 2.9 – Small Business Economic Assistance (General)

Funding Amount: $0.3 million 

Total Expenditures to Date: $0

On July 13, 2021 City Council approved a process to create attractive and accessible curb cafes 

and sidewalk cafes along the Third Avenue business corridor, and to offset the cost to permit and 

construct these facilities. This action also appropriated $0.3 million of ARPA SLFRF funds for 

Fiscal Year 2022 to be dedicated to a reimbursement grant program for these facilities. These 

business enhancement efforts were guided by the City’s pursuit to facilitate a safe re-opening and 

recovery of Chula Vista’s local economy and boost consumer confidence. As businesses quickly 

responded to public health restrictions at the onset of COVID-19 and negative economic impacts, 

one outcome was the growth of both permitted and unpermitted outdoor dining spaces or 

“parklets.” Now, as business are no longer operating under public health restrictions, cities are 

tasked with reviewing, enforcing and updating local business operating standards. CDC guidance 

for bars and restaurants has highlighted the use of outdoor dining in reducing the risk of COVID19 exposure compared to indoor dining.

1

On June 15, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a fully reopened California

and a lift of pandemic executive orders. While restaurants, bars, and breweries may operate at 

full indoor capacity, they are still recovering financially from eighteen months of reduced 

occupancy and revenues. The continued opportunity to operate outdoors with increased 

occupancy will help these businesses better recover over the next year or so. In addition, during 

this time the community has enjoyed the opportunity to be outside when enjoying a meal or a 

beverage. As a result, staff is proposing to terminate the existing encroachments in the right-ofway, but replace it with a program that will provide appropriately designed and constructed 

improvements within the right-of-way that are permitted and ADA accessible. Proposed 

improvements will not be allowed to encroach or impact surrounding businesses but must only be 

located in front of the existing business. This will ensure and encourage more thoughtful 

placemaking with a goal of generating increased economic activity along Third Avenue.

Premium Pay to Essential Workers (EC 4)

Project Expenditure Category: 4.1 – Public Sector Employees

Funding Amount: $1.2 million 

Total Expenditures to Date: $0

California Government Code, Title I, Section 3100 declares all government employees Disaster 

Service Workers who can be called upon in any emergency. Since March 2020, City employees 

were called on to respond to the pandemic in both their normal work duties and a variety of 

activities that are outside of their normal duties (e.g., food distribution, COVID testing and 

vaccination scheduling and site management). Essential Worker Premium is to recognize workers 

1 Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Considerations for Restaurant and Bar Operators,

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/business-employers/barsrestaurants.html
City of Chula Vista’s 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 8

performing essential duties during this public health emergency. As noted above, Premium Pay 

to Essential Workers is included in this category and in the Governmental Fund Revenue 

Recovery (Replacement) Category; the total allocation for premium pay for both categories is 

$5.59 million.

Infrastructure (EC 5)

Broadband Design

Project Expenditure Category: 5.17 – Broadband: Other projects

Funding Amount: $0.9 million 

Total Expenditures to Date: $0

As part of stakeholder engagement for the development of the Digital Equity & Inclusion Plan 

(DEIP), the City of Chula Vista hosted multiple workshops with key community stakeholders to 

better understand the local digital divide and to uncover opportunities for collaboration on digital 

equity projects. The first workshop was conducted in July 2019 and included over 50 attendees 

throughout the San Diego region, including community-based organizations, academic 

institutions, regional agencies, private businesses, and city staff. In January 2020, the city 

conducted the second workshop. At this workshop, the city was able to gain feedback from 

practitioners that advocate on behalf of the needs of a wide group of the city’s population and 

tailor strategies for the DEIP. The list of workshop attendees included the regional public 

agencies, academic institutions, non-profits and private sector, including SANDAG, Port of San 

Diego, San Diego Airport, City of Carlsbad, Chula Vista Elementary School District, T-Mobile, 

AT&T, Verizon, Cleantech San Diego, Computers 2 Kids, and the San Diego Futures foundation. 

This project will begin implementing the City’s Digital Equity and Inclusion Plan and 

Telecommunications Master Plan by getting engineering and construction documents prepared 

that will be able to provide high-speed wireless internet access (Wi-Fi) to the public at all City 

facilities in the future. Staff will look to future grant opportunities of the proposed Federal 

infrastructure bill to fund construction. 

Revenue Replacement (EC 6) 

Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services 

Funding Amount: $32.2 million 

Total Expenditures to Date: $0

An eligible use of the ARPA funding is for the replacement of revenue loss of local governments 

due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. This will ensure continuity of vital government 

services by filling budget shortfalls as a result of the pandemic. These funds are not allowed to 

fund the following:

• Directly or indirectly offset reduction in net tax revenues;

• Contribute to rainy day fund, financial reserves of similar funds;

• Into a pension fund;

• Payment of interest or principal on outstanding debt instruments incurred prior to March 

3, 2021.
City of Chula Vista’s 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 9

The table below reflects staff’s recommendation for allocation of the Revenue Replacement 

(“Recovery”) ARPA funds.

Category FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 Total

Operational Support $ 7,290,000

Development Services Fund $ - $ 1,000,000 $ -

COVID Premium pay $ 2,900,000 $ 345,000 $ 845,000

Funding new positions $ 350,000 $ 350,000 $ -

PW Proj Management-Non CIP Proj 

(PWP0001) $ 1,000,000 $ 500,000 $ -

Infrastructure $21,500,000

Main Street Fiber (GGV0258) $ 300,000 $ - $ -

Telegraph Canyon Culvert Repair (DRN0208) $ 3,200,000 $ 9,000,000 $ -

Loma Verde Reconstruction (GGV0247) $ 4,000,000 $ 4,000,000 $ -

Rehabiliation of the YMCA Building 

(GGV0262) $ 1,000,000 $ - $ -

Economic Development $ 3,410,000

Public Art Grants(Library) $ 400,000 $ - $ -

Starlight Parade $ 200,000 $ - $ -

Equity and Inclusion $ 100,000 $ 100,000 $ -

University Innovation Center/Recruitment $ 550,000 $ 2,060,000 $ -

TOTAL $14,000,000 $17,355,000 $ 845,000 $32,200,000

Governmental Fund Revenue Recovery Recommendation
City of Chula Vista’s 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 10

Operational Support ($7.29 million)

Development Services Fund Revenue Recovery 

Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services 

Funding Amount: $1.0 million

Total Expenditures to Date: $0

This funding will be used to offset personnel and contract costs incurred by the Development 

Services Fund in providing public services. Such services include providing permitting and code 

information to the general public, as well as processing and issuing various permits and 

conducting related inspections. Funds will also be used to digitize permit records, increasing ease 

of access to public records, and to support continued automation efforts, increasing permitting 

efficiency.

Essential Worker Premium 

Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services 

Funding Amount: $4.09 million 

Total Expenditures to Date: $250,100

California Government Code declares all government employees Disaster Service Workers who 

can be called upon in any emergency. Since March 2020 City employees were called on to 

respond to the pandemic in both their normal work duties and a variety of activities that are outside 

of their normal duties (food distribution, COVID testing and vaccination scheduling and site 

management). Essential Worker Premium is to recognize workers performing essential duties 

during this public health emergency.

New City Positions

Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services 

Funding Amount: $2.2 million 

Total Expenditures to Date: $0

A number of new positions, as detailed in following table are being recommended to be added to 

the City’s General Fund staffing to support operations and the delivery of projects.

Information and Technology Department

The position being proposed in the Information and Technology Department is critical to manage 

and protect the city-wide network as we begin to implement the Telecommunications Master Plan. 

Included in the funding is 1.0 Chief Information Security Officer whose position will be utilized 

along with an existing Senior Network Engineer position to significantly strengthen the City’s 

information security posture and ensure alignment with the National Institute of Standards and 

Technology (NIST) to help thwart cyber security threats such as Ransom Ware attacks on the 

City’s critical infrastructure. This position is not offset by revenues so is proposed to be funded 

initially by unrestricted reimbursement from ARPA to the General Fund. The annual estimated 

cost for this position is $176,282 and will be funded by unrestricted reimbursement from ARPA to 

the General Fund.

Finance

The position being proposed in the Finance Department is 1.0 Senior Management Analyst that 

may be partially offset through grants; since all grants have different requirement, this position is 
City of Chula Vista’s 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 11

proposed to be initially funded by the General Fund. The position will be coordinating ARPA 

reporting and compliance requirements on behalf of the City, ensuring APRA spending complies 

to all applicable program rules, providing technical support to other City departments, coordinating 

reporting to the Department of Treasury and assisting with related program audits. This role will 

serve as a central grant coordinator/analyst, a position that currently does not exist. The annual 

estimated cost for this position is $126,000 and will be funded by unrestricted reimbursement from 

ARPA to the General Fund.

 

Infrastructure ($21.5 million)

Main Street Fiber 

Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services 

Funding Amount: $0.3 million 

Total Expenditures to Date: $0

The funding will allow the City to connect sprawling City facilities (Otay Recreation Center, Animal 

Shelter and Public Works Facility) to the existing fiber backbone located at City Hall. This will 

allow the future opportunity to provide free high-speed wireless internet access (Wi-Fi) to the 

public at the Otay Recreation Center. Connecting these facilities will assist the City in beginning

to bridge the digital divide that was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Telegraph Canyon Channel from Hilltop Park to Third and L Street 

Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services 

Funding Amount: $12.2 million 

Total Expenditures to Date: $0

The need for Telegraph Canyon Channel improvements was identified as part of the City’s 

Measure P asset management program. To help identify the needs of our community and to 

evaluate the state of our infrastructure, the City formed the Asset Management Program Advisory 

Committee (AMPAC) in March 2014. The committee continues to provide input into setting 

priorities for the Asset Management Program. Members of the AMPAC are residents, business 

owners, community leaders, and stakeholders. AMPAC members visited various asset 

management systems and observed and discussed the issues associated with each system. 

AMPAC reviewed the City’s overall Asset Management Program methodology and helped to 

guide and reach consensus on how to address infrastructure deficits. A technical committee was 

formed within AMPAC to further engage the public in the understanding and review of the asset 

management methodologies and logic used to define preservation and restoration costs and 

schedules. A comprehensive inventory of assets took place for each asset management system. 

Where accessible, assets were visited, and their conditions were assessed. Based on the 

condition, actions required to restore the asset were identified, and the cost and timing were 

estimated. Through assessment of risk (probability and consequence of failures), activities were 

prioritized and communicated regarding urgency and the financial and resource requirements. In 

July and August 2015, the City of Chula Vista engaged a research firm to conduct a public opinion 

survey to identify resident priorities and secure input on potential local funding mechanisms (bond 

or sales tax) to upgrade, repair and maintain critical infrastructure. In addition, a survey mailer 

was distributed to 54,000 households and an online version posted on the City website from 

January through May 2016 to secure broad public input on infrastructure priorities. More than 

3,000 responses were received. The Telegraph Canyon existing storm drain system is not 

adequate to convey water during a 100-year peak flow event requiring significant drainage 

improvements to be made to protect both private and public facilities.
City of Chula Vista’s 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 12

Loma Verde Recreation Center 

Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services 

Funding Amount: $8 million 

Total Expenditures to Date: $0

The project is to demolish and reconstruct the existing recreation center to provide the following: 

a new multi-purpose gymnasium, dance rooms, crafts room, fitness room, classroom space, 

game room, hard courts, restrooms, changing rooms, staff offices, lifeguard staff room, break 

room, new pool mechanical equipment, wet and dry storage, replacement pool and associated 

pool deck area. Notably, the Loma Verde Recreation Center will serve several adjoining Qualified 

Census Tract areas. 

The City held fourteen (14) community engagement events in 2019 promoting the project. Events 

ranged from a booth at the “Day of the Child” Community Event, Measure P Citizens Oversight 

Committee, District 4 Town Hall meeting, Stakeholder meeting at Loma Verde School and Castle

Park High School, Healthy Chula Vista Advisory Commission and “Cafecito” (Coffee Time) at the 

New Direction Family Resource Center and Fair Winds Resource Center. The Parks and 

Recreation Commission reviewed the project during their meeting held on January 21, 2021 and 

voted unanimously to approve the design for segments 1 and 2 of the Center. On April 22, 2021, 

the Citizen’s Oversight Committee (COC) recommended approval of the Measure P spending 

plan for FY21/22 through FY 26/27 by a vote of 13-1 including appropriating funds to construct 

segments 1 and 2 of the Center and to complete the design and preparation of construction 

documents for the Center’s segment 3. Project funding recommended to date by the COC totals 

$16.22 million.

Rehabilitation of the former YMCA Building 

Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services 

Funding Amount: $1 million 

Total Expenditures to Date: $0

The project is to develop a space that supports the Chula Vista arts community to showcase work 

and gather where the community feels welcome and can experience art and culture. The focus of 

the building will be to create intergenerational collaborative opportunities while also supporting 

the development of opportunities for artists in residence. The building will be an opportunity for 

the Chula Vista arts community to grow their skills and showcase their talent. 

Economic Development ($3.41 million)

Public Arts Grant

Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services 

Funding Amount: $0.4 million 

Total Expenditures to Date: $0

The Public Arts Grant is proposed for two purposes. The first $300,000 will be to support the local 

artists who were directly impacted by the loss of the City of Chula Vista’s Performing Visual Arts 

Grant. Each year, the City program would grant monies directly to artists to perform/create within 

city limits to support the following: 

1. To increase public awareness of, and participation in, performing and cultural 

arts in our community
City of Chula Vista’s 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 13

2. To support individuals/groups/agencies/organizations that can provide the most 

accessibility to the cultural arts

3. To encourage the growth of local arts resources

4. To support and encourage new organizations and individuals applying for funding 

5. To promote cooperation and collaboration among the Chula Vista Public Library 

and local schools and performing and visual arts 

individuals/groups/agencies/organizations

6. To develop cultural venues which will attract both residents and tourists

7. To serve the cultural needs of the community

8. To broaden and leverage public and private support for the performing arts

9. To maintain and preserve the City’s artistic cultural and historic heritage

10. To support exemplary community arts education

The requested amount would be granted to the arts community in a similar fashion to the City’s

grant program, where artists would be paid to create/perform art within our community. Our goal 

is to continue to promote and stimulate the growth of performing and cultural arts within the City 

of Chula Vista through a grant application process for local performing and visual arts groups and 

individuals. The grant fund supports art projects such as: dance, design arts, media arts, music, 

photography, theater, traditional/folk arts and visual arts, or interdisciplinary expressions involving 

more than one of the above fields. 

The remaining $100,000 will be allocated for the Small Business Art Incentive Program. Our goal 

is supporting our local businesses and artists by providing an incentive for local businesses to 

purchase art for their businesses that are created directly from our local artists within Chula Vista 

to further stimulate the art economy.

Starlight Parade

Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services 

Funding Amount: $0.2 million 

Total Expenditures to Date: $0

The Starlight Parade is City-sponsored events where the City Council commits funding, staffing 

and other in-kind support for these annual celebrations. These beloved events were cancelled in 

2020 and these funds will help reactivate events for local and regional residents and visitors. 

The Starlight Parade has been a cherished community event for more than 50 years and has 

brought tens of thousands of people to Chula Vista. The 2019 Starlight Parade attracted more 

than 30,000 people to Third Avenue and supported businesses, restaurants, and pubs while 

promoting community engagement, generating widespread media coverage and social media 

attention, and promoting sponsor support. Parade entries included spectacular floats, including 

schools, bands, dance groups, music performances, veterans and military groups, car clubs, local 

merchants, and more. After cancelling the December 2020 parade, we expect thousands of 

spectators and parade participants at our next event. The return of the Starlight Parade will 

celebrate our businesses and community as we emerge from the pandemic and bring the magic 

and spirit of the holidays to the historic Chula Vista Third Avenue Village business corridor.
City of Chula Vista’s 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 14

Equity and Inclusion

Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services 

Funding Amount: $0.2 million 

Total Expenditures to Date: $0

The City has embarked upon advancing intentional equity and inclusion efforts to unify existing 

projects and programs and create a future action plan to ensure equitable practices in all facets 

of city operations. This funding would be allocated towards third party assistance in facilitating 

discussions and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to create a broader citywide approach that may result in an Equity and Inclusion Action Plan. The Equity and inclusion 

effort are being pursued in conjunction with the City Manager’s acceptance into the Leadership 

Institute on Race, Equity and Inclusion led by the ICMA, Kettering Foundation and National Civic 

League.

University Innovation Center and Recruitment 

Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services 

Funding Amount: $2.61 million 

Total Expenditures to Date: $0

This funding will serve as a catalyst tool for recruiting and seeding appropriate institutions to locate 

on the University and Innovation District site on 375-acres of city-owned land in Eastern Chula 

Vista. The City aims to recruit and co-locate a unique mix of academic partners in an environment 

different than a traditional university campus. Instead, academic institutions, including a four-year 

university, will integrate with commercial, retail and residential functions in an urban, mixed-use 

setting. This will provide a collaborative learning and research environment for engaging students, 

faculty and corporations in the creation and application of knowledge for cross-border economic, 

social and cultural development. The University will offer a globally desirable range of academic, 

entrepreneurial, and urban amenities to attract the talent and investment that will sustain a worldclass educational-innovation ecosystem.

One proposed concept is the development of an innovation center at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete 

Training Center (CVEATC) in the interim to establish a physical presence on the university site. 

Establishing the Innovation Center at the CVEATC solidifies the valuable relationship between 

the existing asset of CVEATC and the planned University-Innovation District. 

Performance Report

On August 24, 2021, the City of Chula Vista City Council unanimously adopted a resolution to 

accept the American Rescue Plan SLFRF funds and appropriate approximately $28.76 million of 

said funds. The remaining $28.76 million of the $57.5 million allocation is to be received next year 

will be appropriated during the budget development process of the Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024.

As of August 31, 2021, $250,100 in project expenditures have been incurred for the 6.1 –

Provision of Government Services expenditure category. These expenditures were for stipends 

related to the COVID-19 response. 

Detailed project inventories, including key performance indicators, for major projects will be 

provided in a subsequent report. 
City of Chula Vista’s 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 15

Use of Evidence 

Staff will identify whether SLFRF funds are being used for evidence-based interventions in a 

subsequent report.