Full steam ahead on special event parking adjustments

At the beginning of the year, I announced my commitment to introduce a policy that would amend the special event parking rates that occur during Padres games and other Petco Park events. My announcement was in response to feedback from stakeholder groups, like the Downtown Partnership, and from downtown businesses, that the special event rates were too high and nonsensical.

Baseball season is back. Cheers echoing through downtown, friends and families crowded around the TVs in our local restaurants and bars, trolleys packed full of brown and yellow pinstripe jerseys. I want to ensure that the city is balancing its budget while listening carefully to the feedback of the enormous economic engine that keeps the magic of baseball season going.

That means I am pushing full steam ahead on building out a new special event parking rate policy that keeps in mind business owners and workers who are bearing the brunt of the current rates; we’ve seen a lot of good news about the revenue generation, but residents of downtown, small business owners, and event organizers are all struggling to maintain their customer bases and feeling pressured to work around and explain the special parking to patrons – something that is not their job, but our job to communicate properly.

If you are a downtown resident, business owner, or patron that wants to provide feedback on the special event parking rate, please feel free to respond to this email. If you know someone whose input may be helpful, please forward this to them and encourage them to reach out.

What you’re saying

“It is often frustrating to see efforts to quiet your voice during Council proceedings. However, I want to express my deep appreciation for your persistence. Thank you for ensuring that your perspective, educated opinions, and legal expertise are brought to the forefront to challenge regulations that are inconsistent with the best interests of the public.”

“Your dedication to transparency and fair representation does not go unnoticed. Thank you for your continued service to San Diego.” -C.C.

It’s frustrating for me, too. But I don’t do this job to appease people. I do this job to do it right, which requires deliberation, scrutiny, and an open mind. Thank you for trusting me. I hope that I continue to earn your trust by demonstrating, not just saying, that I am committed to more transparency and accountability here at the City.

Join me at Coffee with Campillo

If you missed the Community Town Halls but would still like a chance to chat with me, I’ll be hosting my first Coffee with Campillo of the year on Saturday, April 25th at 9:00 AM. This one is a special Coffee with Campillo that I’ll be co-hosting with Assemblymember Chris Ward.

If you’d like to attend, please RSVP by emailing vvitiyil@sandieg.gov. I hope to see you there!

Summer camps in San Diego

As we come up on summertime, I know parents like me are searching for childcare and summer camps to keep the little ones busy and engaged while they are out of school. Below are a couple options provided by organizations I’ve worked with.

Summer camps at Balboa Park: Summer Camps | Balboa Park .

SAY San Diego camps: San Diego Summer Camps | SAY San Diego .

San Diego Parks Foundation camps: Summer Camps- Explore Fun & Engaging Programs — SD Parks Foundation .

San Diego Beer News Awards recognize District 7 business

You may recall that I visited a new brewery in San Carlos, Good Pressure Brewing, last year to chat about their excitement to set up shop in District 7. Well, Good Pressure Brewing hasn’t just set up shop – it's making a name for itself in the highly competitive San Diego beer scene.

Within only two months of opening, Good Pressure Brewing took home an award for two beers. Their Good Pressure IPA took home the award for West Coast India Pale Ale Small Brewery Standout. Their Good Pressure Blonde also won in the category Best Light Beer or Adjunct Lager Small Brewery Standout. If you haven’t checked Good Pressure Brewing out yet, it’s a good time to hop in.

Congratulations to the Good Pressure Brewing team! District 7 is here for your success!

Sincerely,