Dear Neighbor,

This is the month that I usually write a message of gratitude, and when I first started thinking about this year’s Thanksgiving letter, I thought it would be difficult to write. It has become cliché to say that 2020 has been an unprecedented and terrible year, which is certainly true in many ways. Perhaps like you, my family and friends have known suffering and loss this year from COVID-19 as well as other health challenges. The economic devastation wrought by the pandemic has also been staggering. And as of this writing, we don’t know when we will have a vaccine and the ability to return to life as we knew it.

But we still have many things for which we can be grateful. First and foremost, I’m grateful to

our first responders, our essential workers, everyone in the medical professions, and everyone

who volunteered for the expedited vaccine trials. I’m grateful that our country is strong enough

to openly confront our racial biases and to work to form a more perfect union. I’m grateful to

everyone who donated to Silicon Valley Strong, packed food boxes, checked in on a neighbor,

or otherwise tried to lighten the burden for someone else in our community this year.

Read more here.

We also implemented a radar speed sign on Hicks! This continues the traffic calming efforts begun on Hicks by the previous councilmember. I requested and received extra traffic safety dollars in this year's budget to address the most concerning streets in District 6.

This month we are highlighting local D6 business, Vin Santo Ristorante! Born and raised in Bergamo, Italy, in the Lombardi region, Chef Umberto Pala brings extensive culinary training and experience to Vin Santo. They are currently offering an outdoor dining experience. Menu, contact information, and more here.

Support local businesses!

Thursday, November 12 at 6:30 PM

The City of San Jose is inviting you to an informational community meeting for a proposed amendment to the zoning code. Planning staff is proposing 6 new zoning districts which will align with existing General Plan land use designations and would facilitate development in areas that are targeted for mixed-use development and high-density residential or commercial uses.

The ordinance update and new zoning districts would help to streamline the development review process. These proposed zoning districts are as follows: Urban Village Commercial, Urban Village, Mixed Use Commercial, Mixed-Use Neighborhood, Urban Residential, and Transit Residential. In addition to creating new zoning districts, this ordinance will include minor text edits to improve consistency in addition to adding or clarifying definitions in the zoning code.

Location:   Zoom Webinar Link: https://sanjoseca.zoom.us/j/97380167911

Meeting ID: 973 8016 7911

Link to the Planning Department calendar, with links to the official public notice and meeting agenda here.

Informational Website here.

San José Clean Energy has partnered with the California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP) to increase the number of accessible EV charging stations in our city. Starting December 16, businesses, commercial properties, multifamily residences, and local government facilities can apply for rebates of up to $6,000 per level 2 connector or up to $80,000 for DC Fast Chargers.

Free technical assistance is available to any multifamily residence in San José as well as any property located in a disadvantaged or low-income community. EV charging is a great amenity to add to your community and offers businesses and other properties many benefits. If you’ve ever been curious about EV charging, wondered if your small business or apartment building is a good fit, or would like to begin a project but aren’t sure where to start, this is a great opportunity to ask the CALeVIP team for help. To request free technical assistance, visit here.

Applications open on December 16, 2020. Project funding is expected to be in high demand, so applicants are encouraged to prepare ahead of time and apply quickly.

We’re granting amnesty to cars nesting during quarantine! If you have a parking ticket issued on or before March 19, 2020 that’s accrued extra fees, our new parking amnesty program will excuse all late fees on a parking ticket.

While we realize these temporary changes don’t address every situation, the Amnesty Program can provide financial relief to thousands of people. Visit our Parking Compliance page to learn more about the Amnesty Program and parking information, or contact the Office of Parking Violations at (800) 294-8258.

Learn more here: http://bit.ly/3enM1Qo.

The City of San José adopted the Diridon Station Area Plan (DSAP) in 2014 after years of community engagement. The DSAP sets forth a blueprint for the development of the Diridon Station Area, a 250-acre district surrounding San Jose Diridon Station on the western edge of downtown.

There are many opportunities in November to share information and gather feedback on the draft documents related to the Diridon Station Area and Downtown West proposed project, as described here.

Feedback form here.

Last week, school district officials announced that students will have the option for in-person learning starting in January. This depends on Santa Clara County remaining in the orange or yellow tier on the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

Read the full press release here.

The San José Public Library is proud to announce the Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Caregiver Support Network. The pilot program will launch in January 2021 and will run through June 2021. FFNs are license-exempt caregivers including grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, babysitters, and nannies. The completely FREE FFN Caregiver Support Network includes computer and internet training, free devices and hotspots, health/safety training and supplies, First Aid and CPR certification, child development workshops, early learning training and supplies, one-on-one support, and access to a community of other caregivers.

Mayor Sam Liccardo and Councilmember Dev Davis learned of serious allegations of wage theft that appear to have transpired on the construction site at 717 West Julian Street, where 249 apartments are being constructed on the corner of Stockton Street.  The allegations appear to relate to the subcontractor of another subcontractor on the project and involves a privately managed construction site with which there was no City investment or involvement beyond standard inspections and permit issuance. Based on preliminary information, the wage theft involves approximately two dozen workers engaged in electrical work, among other tasks.

“Wage theft has no place in the City of San Jose, and I call on state officials at the California Department of Industrial Relations to conduct a full investigation of all of the individuals involved to ensure that workers are made whole,” asserted Councilmember Dev Davis.

“I have reached out to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, and DA Jeff Rosen has assured me that they will make the review of this case a priority, and where facts warrant criminal prosecution, they will prosecute the wrongdoers to the full extent of the law,” added Mayor Sam Liccardo.

District Attorney Rosen urged that anyone with information about this case should contact Assistant District Attorney Scott Tsui or Lt., Mike Whittington, at the District Attorney's Office at 408-792-2801.

Both Mayor Liccardo and Councilmember Davis called for the acceleration of the City’s work on a wage theft ordinance. Although state law governs matters of wage theft, and the State of California’s Office of Labor Relations receives any complaints regarding wage theft, calls from the community have resulted in Council direction to staff to explore how and whether the City could supplement the state's regulatory and enforcement authority of private construction projects to prevent wage theft.

FIRST 5 Santa Clara County, and the City of San José are proud to announce the release of the City of San Jose Child Care Scholarship Program Application for families. This program will provide up to forty (40) scholarship opportunities to families who meet the following criteria:

Application here.

The Department of Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services has announced its Citywide Scholarship Program which allows qualifying families to register for youth programs through December at no cost. Parents and caregivers must apply for scholarships in person at community centers, and scholarships can be used at any program location.

Children currently enrolled in kindergarten through eighth grade can participate in the R.O.C.K. ‘n’ Learn program available at community centers, libraries, and parks. Children have the option to enroll in two program models: either a full day option providing distance learning support and recreation programming, or an after school option with a focus on socialization, enrichment, physical activities, and learning support.

For children, ages 3 to 5, the San José Recreation Preschool (SJRP) program is taking place at community centers and parks. These educational and recreational experiences support imaginative, physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development, and help prepare children for kindergarten success in a safe and welcoming environment. For those interested in a “stay at home” option, PRNS is also offering a Virtual Recreation Preschool program where preschoolers are supported by their caregiver and a trained virtual PRNS instructor who help the little ones build a life-long love for learning.

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority’s Board of Directors has awarded $206,324 in Measure Q grant funding to five nonprofits and a school district as part of the Small Grants category for the 2020 cycle of the Urban Grant Program. The Urban grants fund a variety of programming, including environmental education on the topics of food and agriculture, as well as environmental stewardship, with the goal of providing access to nature within the urban areas.

Read more about the grant here.

Register here. 

Via Zoom Thursday, November 19 4:00-5:00 p.m.

A virtual event to share common challenges, and offer tips and resources gathered from the lived experience of other caregivers. Facilitated by: Laura Crutchlow, LCSW, and Morrigan Bruce, MPA

To register, email Morrigan@CancerCAREpoint.org

San José residents, it’s easy & FREE to get rid of your junk! Click on the link below or visit: https://bit.ly/3l6iMUm to make a free appointment.

Soon children flying out of Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) will have a place to “get the wiggles out” before boarding an airplane. In partnership with the Airport and sponsorship funding from Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (Zoom), Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose is designing and developing Zoom Zone, a new educational and interactive play space for very young children.

More than $600,000 in sponsorship funds and pro bono and discounted services are helping Zoom Zone get off the ground. Designed around the concept that children are fascinated by what they see in the sky and that many young children have never flown on an airplane, the dedicated area for families is currently under construction with plans to open in Spring 2021.

Pin Screen: A signature experience at Children’s Discovery Museum. The work of art created by pushing on plastic pins is only limited by one’s imagination.

Alphabet Airplane: This shadow-box system designed with look-alike airplane window shades is mounted on a wall graphic in the shape of an airplane. When children lift the shades, they’ll discover objects that represent a destination that begins with the corresponding letter. For example, J is for Japan.

Kinetic Butterfly: A set of gears activates beautiful butterfly wings to give youngsters a close view of how butterfly wings work.

Bird Climber: This bird will be built for climbing on top of, sliding down its tail feathers and crawling underneath its wings, giving children a 360-degree perspective of flight.

Zoom Plane Kiosk: Children will be able to see and talk with kids at Children’s Discovery Museum using Zoom software housed in a kiosk in the shape of a fun bi-plane.

Need a Wi-Fi hotspot? Get connected by checking out a hotspot device at any SJPL Express Pickup site, for FREE! All you need is your library card!

For details, visit here.

Recycling plastics can be confusing. SanJoseRecycles.org helps residents determine which items belong in the recycling and which belong in the garbage. The plastic section of our recycling guide on SanJoseRecycles.org offers a comprehensive list detailing which items belong in the recycling and which belong in the garbage.

San José Fire Department is now accepting applications for the position of Public Safety Radio Dispatcher Trainee (PSRDT).

This is the entry-level training classification for a career in public safety dispatching within the City of San José. As a PSRD Trainee, you are provided with formal training, both in the classroom and in the Communications Center, in order to develop the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the full range of public safety dispatching functions. Trainees must successfully complete all formal academic and on-the-job training to be appointed to the class of Public Safety Radio Dispatcher (PSRD) and retain their employment.

The PSRD Trainee salary rate is $75,150.40 annually.

The PSRD classification salary range is $83,470.40 - $101,441.60 annually.

In addition to the salary, employees shall also receive an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing, non-pensionable compensation pay.

The application deadline for this recruitment is November 16, 2020.

For more information, visit www.sjfd911.org.

To apply online, click here.

Many services available to all community members regardless of insurance status, ability to pay or immigration status

If you, a family member or someone you know has been impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and need food assistance, health services, financial help, legal assistance or other support services, here are some available resources that can help. Many services are available to all members of our community, regardless of ability to pay or immigration status.

Resources here.

Off the Grid is partnering with the City of San Jose to roll out the COVID Food Relief Program. This Program delivers free weekly local groceries and prepared meals to residents who have faced financial hardship or are at high risk for severe illness due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sign-up here.

Get your flu shot right away to prevent catching the flu and spreading it to coworkers, family members, or people you live with. Free flu shots continue to be offered every Saturday throughout the fall at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds and other rotating locations.

The car entrance for general parking at the Fairgrounds site is Gate D, 2542 Monterey Road, San José. No appointments are needed. Masks are required and all are welcome regardless of insurance or immigration status. Flu shots are recommended every year, but they are even more critical in the time of COVID.

See here for the Fall schedule of Flu Fairs. Flu shots are also available at Valley Medical Center pharmacies on weekdays. No appointment is needed. See here for more information.

Now is the time for residents, businesses, and government to partner together to help. Donate, volunteer and read more here. 

Testing sites in Santa Clara County here.