District 6 Update from Councilmember Chris Cate

Presenting a check to N. Clairemont Library

This week I presented $15,070.99 in City funding to three (3) District 6 libraries, which kicked-off Read Across America Day for our district. Public libraries are the backbone of every neighborhood and District 6 is home to four (4) City libraries. When we reinvest in our libraries, we reinvigorate our communities.  At our libraries, new parents connect at infant story-times, school-based youth have a safe place to study, adults receive a second chance to earn a high school diploma, and elderly individuals attend events. North Clairemont will receive $4,162.58.

Read Across America Day is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for children in every community to celebrate reading on March 2nd, the birthday of beloved children's author, Dr. Seuss. Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and in creating lifelong successful readers. Research has shown that children who are motivated to read and spend more time reading do better in school.

Reading with students

In addition, the San Diego Public Library Foundation made a surprise announcement. The Foundation will be matching (dollar for dollar) the funds allocated from the City of San Diego. The Foundation’s funds will be used for programs and books at the libraries in District 6.

On Friday, February 6th, it was announced that the City of San Diego and the San Diego Police Officers Association have reached a tentative agreement on a contract extension that will strengthen recruiting and retention of San Diego Police Officers.

Chris Cate

Reaching an agreement with the San Diego Police Officers Association is, without a doubt, a step in the right direction in addressing the recruitment and retention crisis our city faces on a daily basis. We must be a competitive employer to retain the best and brightest in public safety personnel, so our neighborhoods will be safe and secure. The tentative agreement establishes a pay increase of approximately 6.6 percent over a five-year period and complies with Proposition B’s freeze on pensionable pay. The package is structured to focus on incentive-based increases and is geared toward officers who have reached specific experience requirements.

We’re on NextDoor! I am excited to announce that our official City of San Diego Council District 6 NextDoor page is up and running. We look forward to actively participating in creating better and safer neighborhoods.