Based on feedback from readers like you, we are proud to introduce"Your City" - a new monthly feature, which will provide you short informative articles focused on the latest news from City Hall and around San José.

Don't worry, Mayor Liccardo will continue to write his monthly A Message from Sam and you should be receiving the next message in the coming weeks.

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We look forward to sharing the exciting things happening around San José!
Be Sure to Vote this November 

We are about a month away from the general election and want to remind everyone to go out and vote this November. In addition to the presidential election, there are a number of specific election items that will appear on the ballot here in San Jose.

San José residents in Districts 2, 6, and 8 will be voting for a new Councilmember.

In addition, all San José voters will be making a decision on three ballot measures:
  • Measure E - Opportunity to Work: This measure proposes an ordinance that would require employers to offer additional work hours to their part-time employees before hiring new employees, including subcontractors or staff from temporary staffing agencies.
  • Measure F - Pension Modification: This measure proposes to adopt an agreement between the City and its unions - including police and fire - to stop funding retiree healthcare for new employees, potentially reduce costs of supplemental pension payments, and reinstate disability retirement for City employees injured in the line of duty. The goal of this measure is to enable the City to recruit and retain city employees, including public safety employees.
  • Measure G - Business Tax Modernization: This measure proposes to modernize San Jose's business tax to fund essential services, such as police, emergency response, and pot hole repair. If this measure passes, the City would receive approximately $12 million annually in additional revenue.
Read more about San José's elections. 
Council Receives Police Staffing Update 

On October 4, San José Police Chief Eddie Garcia provided an update on overall sworn staffing levels and options for addressing the unprecedented low sworn staffing levels in the Police Department. 

Among the data shared in the Police Department's report:
  • While the City of San José has provided funding for 1,109 sworn police officers, actual staffing levels are quite lower. As of September 15, 2016, the SJPD had only 806 active full-duty sworn officers. 
  • There are a number of reasons for the decline in the number of officers, including difficulties in recruitment, more officers retiring, and increased resignations with officers leaving for other departments or for opportunities outside of law enforcement. Since January 2012, there have been 205 retirements and 306 resignations/other separations offset by 26 rehires/reinstatement. 
  • Academies 21-28 (held from 2014-2016) have averaged only 20 recruits per academy, well below the per academy target of 45-60 recruits. Due to the recent efforts of the Recruiting Unit, and recent progress made to resolve ongoing battles over pension reform and disability benefits, Academy 28 has seen a bump to 36 recruits, however the Department reports that sustaining this increase is far from certain.
The City Council's discussion included an analysis of the use of outside law enforcement agencies as well as a recent City Audit on Police Overtime.

View the slides from Chief Garcia's presentation.  

San José Roadways Among the Most Congested 

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission released its report on the top 10 most congested roadways in the Bay Area on Monday, October 3. Three of the most congested roadways stretch through San José - I-680 & I 280 Northbound in the morning; U.S. 101 southbound in the afternoon; and U.S. 101 northbound in the morning. 

"We all feel the impacts of traffic congestion in our daily commutes," said San José Mayor and MTC Commissioner Sam Liccardo. "But this data starkly demonstrates how quickly we need to invest in real solutions that can provide congestion relief - expanding mass transit, improving our roads and highways, and more."

View the to 50 congested roadways in the Bay Area.

"Citizenship Corners" Come to 10 Libraries

In mid-September, the City of San José along with Citi Community Development launched "Citizenship Corners" in ten branch libraries. 

Each Citizenship Corner features a wide array of resources to guide immigrants through the naturalization process, including citizenship test preparation materials and information on obtaining  legal assistance . The Citizenship Corners also will feature several other resources commonly-requested by our local immigrant community, including online education, ESL and skills training programs. 

Citizenship Corners are now located at the following branch libraries:

1. Bascom
2. Biblioteca Latinoamericana
3. Dr. Roberto Cruz - Alum Rock
4. East San Jose Carnegie
5. Edenvale
6. Educational Park
7. Hillview
8. Seven Trees
9. Tully Community 
10. Joyce Ellington


2016 Crime and Gang Prevention Summit

You are invited to attend the Eighth Annual Crime and Gang Prevention Summit sponsored by the Mayor's Gang Prevention Task Force. This year's summit will occur on October 15. The purpose of this summit is to promote and encourage partnerships among residents, the City of San José, and local community-based organizations to build a safer and more vibrant city.

This year's summit will feature informational workshops, a community resource fair, children's activities, and a free lunch for participants. 

All interested individuals are encouraged to attend. Please RSVP online by Wednesday, October 12, 2016. 



Events Around San José 
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