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Southwestern College’s Governing Board met in Chula Vista on February 23, 2026, delivering a clean financial bill of health while hearing urgent appeals from students on campus safety and immigration concerns. The packed session, accessible via Zoom, showcased the district’s expanding Continuing Education programs and affirmed a year‑round commitment to Black History.
In audited finances, external auditor Rachel Green of Eide Bailly reported three unmodified opinions—financial statements, federal awards, and state compliance—alongside clean financial and performance audits for Proposition Z. “Three unmodified opinions means three clean bills of health,” she said, noting no audit adjustments were required and that 83% of Prop Z expenditures tested were used for authorized projects.
The board spotlighted Continuing Education’s growth through noncredit classes, community education, contract training, and the modernized YES Academy. Programs are designed to “meet ...
Feb 01, 2026
Chula Vista Alert! Councilmember Cesar Fernandez posts about a shocking Minnesota death and federal cover-up on IG. Days later? A special meeting agenda pops up to condemn the same immigration raids. And guess what—another councilmember liked it from a private account. Is this a Brown Act violation? Serial meetings via likes? Transparency at risk! What do you think? #ChulaVista #BrownAct #ImmigrationRaids #CouncilDrama”
The Instagram post in question, sourced from the link
(https://www.instagram.com/p/DT824HJElna
Deputy Mayor Cesar Fernandez on Instagram: "I stand with Minnes…
is from Cesar Fernandez’s account (@chula_vista_district_4), dated around January 25, 2026. It states: “I stand with Minnesota ✊🏼.” This garnered 40 likes and a mix of supportive and critical comments, though specific likers aren’t visible in the public view. Notably, a like reportedly came from Mike Inzunza’s private Instagram account, potentially signaling alignment on the topic.
About a week later, a pertinent agenda item surfaced for a special city council meeting on February 2, 2026. This item proposes adopting a resolution affirming Chula Vista's commitment to individual rights, condemning certain immigration enforcement activities (including references to incidents in Minnesota involving the deaths of American citizens Renee Good and Alex Jeffrey Pretti), and directing the display of flags at half-staff through February 17, 2026.
Source : https://pub-chulavista.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=3aae3fc0-dac5-41e5-ae0c-74c2c1ce2a3e&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English
This timeline raises questions under California’s Brown Act, which bans “serial meetings” where council members indirectly discuss or signal positions on upcoming votes outside public forums. Social media interactions, such as liking posts on related subjects, could be seen as conveying voting intentions or agreements. In a council where three votes constitute a majority, even one more member observing these signals might infer stances on issues not yet addressed publicly, undermining transparency mandates.
Source :https://pub-chulavista.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=58128
from a recent brown act presentation at planning commission
If a council requiring only three votes for a majority, even limited visibility of such signals might allow members to infer positions on matters not yet discussed publicly, potentially circumventing transparency requirements.
WROTE BY ROBERT JOHNSON
AI USED FOR FLOW AND SPELLING.
EMAIL : [email protected]
For ANY Corrections
Local stakeholders packed the year’s first Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, urging Chula Vista to preserve its public equestrian arena while city staff unveiled concepts to refresh the adjacent Memorial Park plaza. The session, talked about Memorial Park, also touched on broader activation plans, program expansions, and transparency in project rollouts.
The who: Equestrians, educators, civic groups, city staff, the Downtown Tourist Association, and recreation leaders. The what: Protecting the only public equestrian facility in South Bay and advancing five plaza design concepts; expanding community programming and reopening Sunday hours at Parkway Gym. The where: Memorial Park (Chula Vista), Parkway Community Center and Gymnasium, Salt Creek, Veterans Park, Mount San Miguel. The when: Commission meeting early in the year; Sunday gym reopening targeted for February this fiscal year. The why: Safeguard heritage assets, enhance civic space, and respond to strong public demand for accessible, inclusive recreation. The how: Grant-supported design work, budget reallocation, phased activations, and continued public engagement.
During public comment, equestrian advocates emphasized the arena’s unique role: a recreational hub, a therapeutic site for veterans with PTSD, and a wildfire evacuation staging area. “Green is not a luxury,” an educator from Bonita told commissioners. Another speaker added, “Horses teach strong boundaries… they heal people,” citing the arena’s developmental benefits across ages. Organizations including River Valley Horsemen Association, Lakeside Frontier Riders, Sweetwater Civic Association, the Sweetwater Planning Group, and Backyard Horsemen voiced formal support.
City staff and the Downtown Association presented plaza concepts aimed at a shaded, flexible, and welcoming civic heart—featuring clear entries, programmable open areas for markets and festivals, expanded tree canopy, and durable materials. Concepts C, D, and E drew the most interest for balancing seating, hardscape, and signature meeting points. The association’s goal: “a special space for generations” that supports everyday use and civic events.
Beyond Memorial Park, recreation leaders announced a February target to restore Sunday hours at Parkway Gym after a 15-year hiatus, backed by modest budget shifts and staffing plans. Expanded programs include nature clubs at Salt Creek, diversified adult sports, and inclusive services for residents with disabilities. Residents also called for better audio systems and transparency.
As Chula Vista weighs plaza upgrades, a central challenge remains: can the city energize Rohr Park without losing the equestrian heart that defines it? The answer will shape not just a public space, but the community’s sense of continuity and belonging.
AI WROTE FROM AUDIO
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