MIT Academy’s Mock Trial Team competing in State Finals
This coming March 22, a team of first-year mock trial participants from Mare Island Technology (MIT) Academy will bear the flag high and represent the City of Vallejo and Solano County in the Mock Trial State Finals in Los Angeles. The three-day competition will feature teams from 36 counties to present on a fictitious homicide trial, People v. Clark. Each school will have a prosecution and defense team, as well as a cast of witnesses, a bailiff, and a clerk.
The journey to the State Finals has not been without challenges for the MIT Academy Mock Trial team, which is in its inaugural year. The program is the product of a grant awarded to MIT Academy to start a Specialized Second Program in the Career Technical Education area of Public Services/Legal Services. The grant was awarded in 2021 and MIT Academy used the funding to start a Mock Trial team as a companion program
to support the Justice and the Law program.
Recruiting students for the program was the first challenge. Nara Robert, the teacher coordinator and coach for the team, tapped her daughter, Alexis Caligiuri, to help recruit students. Caligiuri, who is an Associate Attorney at Covington & Burling LLP, was a mock trial participant in high school. In fact, she started the mock trial team at Novato High while she was a student there and helped successfully lead her team to a secondplace finish in Marin County. Caligiuri visited MIT Academy and shared her mock trial team experience with the students and her vision for the team. Her enthusiasm brought more than 40 students to the first meeting. Many students expressed interest in joining the program, but ultimately the team selected consisted of three (3) seniors, two (2) juniors, five (5) sophomores, and eight (8) freshmen.
The challenges did not end with the recruitment of students. Since many students were new to the field of law, Robert recalls how in the beginning, some students did not even know the difference between prosecution and defense.
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Robert, along with her team of coaches and volunteers, worked with the students after school and on weekends to help equip them with the legal acumen to present their case with confidence. Mock trial coaches include Caligiuri; Elizabeth Ring, a former prosecutor for Solano County; Kristoffer Jacob, Assistant City Attorney for the City of Vallejo. Veronica Nebb, the City Attorney for the City of Vallejo; and Xareni Ortega, an MIT Academy alumna. Parents also volunteered their time to help coach the mock trial team.
The next challenge came in putting all the hard work together and presenting their case. Thankfully, neighboring counties of Napa and Sonoma already had established mock trial programs and were running scrimmages between schools. The schools agreed to allow MIT Academy to compete in the scrimmages. The final part of putting all the facts and arguments together was not easy, especially when facing fierce competitors, some of whom have been doing mock trial for four (4) years. MIT Academy faced off against schools that have been in the State Finals before, such as Justin-Siena High School, which has won the right to represent Napa County in the State Finals for ten (10) years now.
Students at MIT Academy were not daunted by the great odds stacked against them, and judges and scorers at the scrimmages recognized the resilience and competitive spirits of the students. In particular, Bryan Herrera (prosecution), Natalia Tiburcio (prosecution), and Mariacristina Prado Nunez (defense) were recognized by the opposing teams as the Most Valuable Players (MVP) during their respective scrimmages. The defense-led Mariacristina Prano Nunez, Vincent Hartman-Baker, and James Maravilla, as pretrial attorney, also secured a non-guilty verdict.
However, the success of the individual attorneys recognized as MVP and the defense victory would not have been possible without all the hard work and commitment that their cast of witnesses, bailiff, and clerk put in to present the best case possible for MIT Academy.
While the program is funded by grant money, the ultimate success of the program has depended in large part on the generosity of volunteer individuals, such as Robert, Caligiuri, Ring, Jacob, Nebb, Ortega, and parents who have coached the students and provided them with breakfast and lunch during practices. Razak Yekrang-Moss and Caligiuri’s firm were also instrumental in providing each student with professional clothes to wear for competitions thanks to a clothing drive. The continued generosity of the community is welcomed. If you would like to contribute, support, or learn more about the program, please contact Nara Robert at nrobert@mitacademy.org
The community is also welcome to attend an upcoming special recognition of the dedication and achievements of the MIT Academy Mock Trial team at the April 9, 2024 Vallejo City Council meeting in Council Chambers at City Hall, located at 555 Santa Clara Street. The meeting is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. and can be viewed in person or online. More information is available on the City of Vallejo Website.
The journey is not over for MIT Academy as the students continue to prepare for the State Finals Competition this weekend. The competition will be from March 22 through March 24. So, let’s cheer on the MIT Academy Mock Trial team and wish this group of brave, determined, and resilient students much success, as they represent MIT Academy, the City of Vallejo, and Solano County in the State Finals!
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City of Vallejo Volunteers
Plant Trees on Mare Island Preserve
The City of Vallejo, in partnership with The Student Conservation Association, Solano CVNL, members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, hosted a wellplanned tree planting event over the St Patrick’s Day weekend. Over 30 volunteers planted a mix of 52 Live Oak and California Buckeyes near the parking lot that will provide shade and respite for the year round wildlife as well as some species of migratory birds who come thru our area during the Pacific Flyway.
Planting trees has numerous benefits for both the environment and society as a whole. Trees play a vital role in the ecosystem by providing oxygen, absorbing carbon dioxide, and improving air quality. They also help to prevent soil erosion, provide habitat for wildlife, and contribute to the overall health of our planet.
One of the key benefits of planting trees is their ability to combat climate change. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis, helping to reduce the levels of greenhouse gases that are contributing to global warming. By planting more trees, we can help to offset carbon emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change, improving air quality,
and create a healthier environment for people and wildlife to enjoy.
In addition to their environmental benefits, trees also have a positive impact on society. Trees provide shade, helping to reduce the urban heat island effect and lower energy costs for buildings. They also have been shown to have a calming effect on people, reducing stress and improving mental health.
Furthermore, trees provide economic benefits as well. They can increase property values, attract tourists, and create jobs in industries such as forestry, landscaping, and eco-tourism. By investing in tree planting initiatives, communities can stimulate economic growth and create sustainable sources of income for future generations.
In conclusion, the benefits of planting trees are vast and far-reaching. From combating climate change and improving air quality to enhancing the well-being of society and creating economic opportunities, trees play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable future for our planet. It is essential that we continue to prioritize tree planting efforts and work together to preserve and protect our precious natural resources.
If you would like to volunteer for opportunities in the City of Vallejo, please email specialevents@ cityofvallejo.net
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REMINDER: CALTRANS ADVISORY
STATE ROUTE-37 SOLANO PAVEMENT REPAIR PROJECT:
55 HR. FULL HIGHWAY CLOSURES ON STATE ROUTE-37
BETWEEN STATE ROUTE-29 (VALLEJO) AND STATE ROUTE-121 (SONOMA)
WEEKENDS OF APRIL 12, APRIL 19, APRIL 26, & MAY 3, 2024
STARTS FRIDAY, APRIL 12 AT 9:00 PM
SOLANO and SONOMA COUNTIES – Caltrans
is scheduled to alternately close eastbound and westbound State Route 37 (SR-37) on four consecutive weekends starting the weekend of Friday, April 12, 2024. During the 55-hour weekend full highway closures, Caltrans will perform major pavement repair work on eastbound and westbound SR-37 between Solano and Sonoma counties. One traffic direction on SR-37 will be worked on at a time. Detours will be in effect. All work is weather dependent.
WESTBOUND (WB) SR-37 FULL HIGHWAY CLOSURES AT SR-29 (Vallejo) to SR-121 (Sonoma)
WEEKENDS OF APRIL 12 and APRIL 19:
Weekend closure on WB SR-37 is scheduled on
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the weekend of April 12 & April 19. WB SR-37 will be closed and traffic detoured beginning at the WB SR-37 Connector Off-ramp to SR-29 in Vallejo.
Closures will start Friday April 12 at 9:00 PM. and conclude on the following Monday, April 15 at 4:00 AM.
The following weekend, closures will start Friday, April 19 at 9:00 PM and conclude the following Monday, April 22 at 4:00 AM.
WB SR-37 DETOUR:
Motorists traveling westbound on SR-37 will need to exit right onto northbound SR-29 (Sonoma Blvd) in Vallejo and continue on NB SR-29 (Broadway) in American Canyon to SR29/SR-12; then turn left and continue on SR-12/ SR-121 (Carneros Hwy/Fremont Dr); turn left on SR-121 (Arnold Drive) and make a right back onto WB SR-37.
EASTBOUND SR-37 FULL HIGHWAY CLOSURES AT SR-121 (Sonoma) to SR-29 (Vallejo) WEEKENDS OF April 26 and May 3:
Weekend closures on eastbound (EB) SR-37 is scheduled on the weekend of April 26 & May 3. EB SR-37 will be closed and traffic detoured beginning at the NB SR-121 (Sears Point) in
Sonoma.
Closures will start Friday April 26 at 10:00 PM. and conclude on the following Monday April 29 at 5:00 AM.
The following weekend, closures will start Friday, May 3 at 10:00 PM and conclude on the following Monday, May 6 at 5:00 AM.
EB SR-37 DETOUR:
Motorists traveling eastbound on SR-37 will need to exit left onto northbound SR-121 in Sonoma; Make a right on SR-12/SR-121(Carneros Hwy) and continue; Right on SR-12/SR-29; Enter left for the connector loop Off-ramp back to EB SR-37.
Please note that all work is weather dependent. The weekends of May 3 and May 10, 2024 are scheduled as contingency if any scheduled work is delayed or postponed.
If you have a question or want to share a concern about the project, please call the SR-37 Pave Project Hotline (510) 286-0319.
You can also learn more about the SR-37 Paving Project on our Caltrans Bay Area project webpage at; www.37pave.com
Supporting Economic Vitality for Small Business Owners
In partnership with American Express, the Backing Small Businesses grant program supports economically vulnerable and underresourced small businesses with community reach. This year, eligible small business owners can apply for $10,000 grants for projects that grow or improve their businesses by building community, supporting their economic viability, or bolstering meaningful change.
Applications will be accepted from 9:00 am CT on March 14, 2024, through 11:59 pm CT on April 7,
2024. The application period will end once 5,000 applications have been submitted, even if that occurs before the deadline.
PROGRAM TIMELINE
• Applications Open on 9 a.m. CT on March 14, 2024
• Applications Close at 11:59 p.m. CT on April 7, 2024 (or once 5,000 applications have been submitted, if that occurs before April 7, so early submitting is encouraged)
• Grant Recipients Notified by mid-June 2024
• Grant Reports Due by September 16, 2024
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LEARN
MORE AND APPLY HERE!
World Water Day
The United Nations celebrates “World Water Day” (March 22) every year to raise awareness and help the global water crisis. This year’s theme is, “Water for Peace” to raise awareness about communities and nations experiencing water crises, including water scarcity, water accessibility, and water pollution.
“When water is scarce or polluted, or when people have unequal or no access, tensions can rise between communities and countries,” the United Nations explains. We are fortunate in the City of Vallejo to have access to clean and safe drinking water; this is not the case for the two billion people around the planet who don’t have that access.
The idea of “Water for Peace” is a great example of what many of us feel and ask when we are witness to any global humanitarian crisis: “I’m just one person. What can I do to help?”
Together, we can start local. We can make efforts in our own homes to use water carefully. This will directly impact our community by saving water and showing children how to be good stewards of natural and precious resources.
Other ways you can help include:
Conserving water. Seemingly small actions individually can have big impacts collectively. For example, a family of four who turns off the faucet while they’re brushing their teeth can save 11,000 gallons of water – and 13% on their water bill. Actions like switching to drought-resistant landscaping, capturing rainwater, and turning off a dripping faucet all add up and make a difference.
Joining a group or get involved! Organizations like the Vallejo Watershed Alliance and the Solano Resource Conservation District offer watershed cleanups you can join. Community groups and classrooms can take tours of Vallejo’s water treatment plant at Fleming Hill. (Call 707-6484493 to schedule a tour in the 2023-2024 school year.)
Voting! From local to national politics, 2024 offers choices in leaders who represent your needs on, among other things, water service and the water infrastructure and stewardship necessary to keep it accessible and safe!
As the United Nations says about World Water Day, “We all have a part to play.”
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NOTICE OF DOCUMENT AVAILABILITY, PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, AND PUBLIC HEARING
AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF VALLEJO
NOTICE OF DOCUMENT AVAILABILITY, PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, AND PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2024-25 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN, INCLUDING PROPOSED FY 2024-25 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS (HOME) PROGRAM
2024 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN REVISIONS
DATE OF NOTICE: December 23, 2023
FUNDING ALLOCATIONS
DATE OF NOTICE: Friday, March 22, 2024
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Kenneth Torres, Administrative Analyst I (707) 649-5417 , Kenneth.Torres@cityofvallejo.net
STAFF CONTACT: Chari Francisco, Administrative Manager (707) 553-7204, chari.francisco@ cityofvallejo.net
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides guidance on the way the federally funded Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program must be administered in the form of federal regulations. Some of these regulations allow Housing Authorities to establish their own policies to better work within local market conditions. Where Housing Authorities have this flexibility, HUD requires them to maintain an Administrative Plan that details how these policies will be addressed.
The Annual Action Plan, required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is a one-year plan for applying available funding to the community development and affordable housing needs identified in the City of Vallejo’s FY 2020-21 through FY 2024-25 Five Year Consolidated Plan.
DOCUMENT AVAILABILITY
Staff anticipates that the City will receive $1,035,447 in CDBG Program funds and $5,000 of projected CDBG Program income, and $561,954 in HOME Program funds and $100,000 of projected HOME Program income, in FY 2024-25, or beginning July 1, 2024. HUD has not yet officially notified the City of its exact FY 2024-25 CDBG Program and HOME Program allocation amounts. The Housing and Community Development Commission Ad Hoc Committee and staff recommend that the City increase or decrease, proportionately, all proposed activity budgets from the estimated funding levels to match the FY 2024-25 CDBG Program and HOME Program actual allocation amounts that are received by HUD, as necessary.
The Housing Authority of the City of Vallejo (HACV) is releasing proposed updates to the 2024 HCV Program Administrative Plan for public comment. A summary of proposed changes and the full proposed 2024 HCV Program Administrative Plan will be available for review beginning December 23, 2023, online at www.cityofvallejo.net under Our City, City Government, Vallejo Housing Authority, Vallejo Housing Authority Document Library, Administrative Plan, and at the HACV office located at 200 Georgia Street , Vallejo, CA 94590 during the hours of 9:00 a.m. through 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. through 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday The HACV encourages and welcomes all program participants and the community-at-large to review the proposed updates to the 2024 HCV Program Administrative Plan .
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
DOCUMENT AVAILABILITY
The public comment period begins December 23, 2023, and goes on through January 4, 2024 . All comments must be received by Thursday, January 4, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
Written comments may be submitted via:
1. Email: kenneth.torres@cityofvallejo.net , or
2. Mail: Attention: Kenneth Torres, 200 Georgia St., Vallejo, CA 94590, or
3. Office Dropbox or Counter: Attention: Kenneth Torres, 200 Georgia St., Vallejo, CA 94590 , or
4. Fax: (707) 648-5249
PUBLIC HEARING
Beginning Friday, March 22, 2024, the draft FY 2024-25 Annual Action Plan, and the proposed FY 202425 CDBG Program and HOME Program funding allocations, will be available to the public for review and comment on the City’s website online at www.cityofvallejo.net under “Our City, Housing and Community Development, Housing and Community Development, Document Library, Annual Action Plans” and at the Housing and Community Development Department office located at 200 Georgia Street, Vallejo, CA 94590 during the hours of 9:00 a.m. through 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. through 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The Housing and Community Development Department encourages and welcomes the community-at-large to review the draft FY 2024-25 Annual Action Plan, and the proposed FY 2024-25 CDBG Program and HOME Program funding allocations.
The Housing Authority Board of the City of Vallejo will hold a public hearing at a special meeting to receive comments and adopt the proposed changes to the Administrative Plan on January 23, 2024, at 6:45 p.m. at the Vallejo City Council Chambers located at 555 Santa Clara St., Vallejo CA 94590
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
The public comment period begins March 22, 2024, and goes on through April 23, 2024. All comments must be received by Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
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Housing and Community Development D epartment ∙ 200 Georgia Street ∙ Vallejo ∙ CA ∙ 94590 ∙ 707.648. 4507
HOUSING
PROPOSED
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City of Vallejo Housing and Community Development Department as follows: Tel: (707) 648-4507, Fax: (707) 648-5249, or by email:Kenneth.torres@cityofvallejo.net Notification at least 48 hours prior to a m eeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to that meeting. For further information on this public notice, the hearing -impaired may call the California Relay Service at 1 800 735 2922 without a TTY/TDD, or 1 800 735 2929 with a TTY/TDD.
WRITTEN COMMENTS MAY BE SUBMITTED VIA:
1. Email: chari.francisco@cityofvallejo.net, or
2. Mail: Attention: Chari Francisco, 200 Georgia St., Vallejo, CA 94590, or
3. Office Dropbox or Counter: Attention: Chari Francisco, 200 Georgia St., Vallejo, CA 94590, or
4. Fax: (707) 648-5249
PUBLIC HEARING
On Thursday, April 4, 2024, after 7:00 p.m., the Housing and Community Development (HCD) Commission of the City of Vallejo will hold a public hearing during a regular meeting on the proposed Annual Action Plan for FY 2024-25, (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025). This meeting will be held in the Council Chambers of City Hall, at 555 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo, CA.
During the April 4th hearing, the HCD Commission will receive input from the public on the FY 202425 Annual Action Plan, and the FY 2024-25 CDBG Program and HOME Program funding allocations as recommended by an Ad Hoc Committee and staff. Immediately after the hearing, the HCD Commission will make its recommendations to the Vallejo City Council. This item is scheduled for consideration and action by the City Council at its regular meeting after 7:00 p. m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
The City of Vallejo provides its programs and services in a non-discriminatory manner, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The City of Vallejo also encourages women and minority-owned businesses to submit bids and proposals for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and HOME Investment Partnerships Program contracts. For further information, contact the City of Vallejo Housing and Community Development Department at (707) 648-4507. For further information on this public notice, the hearing-impaired may call the California Relay Service at 1-800-7352922 without a TTY/TDD, or 1-800-735-2929 with a TTY/TTD.
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CLICK HERE FOR MULTIPLE LANGUAGES ENGLISH - SPANISH - TAGALOG
Pets of the week
AJAX
Domestic short hair, male, young
Introducing Ajax!
This adorable 11-month-old male Russian Blue mix kitten is energetic, curious, and highly affectionate. At his foster home, Ajax gets along with other cats and children, and he has even had some exposure to dogs. Ajax's only nemesis is paper — in all its forms — but he especially loves to shred paper towels and toilet paper! Ajax loves to play as much as he enjoys snuggling, so he needs a family who will give him lots of love, stimulation, and attention.
To set up a meet and greet with Ajax, go to HSNB.org and fill out our cat adoption interest application.
