Dear District 2 neighbors,
Thanks to the collaboration and support from residents like you and my resilient team of the past three years, I am incredibly proud that we have passionately provided hundreds of opportunities for community engagement.
Our accomplishments together throughout 2017, 2018, and 2019 include:
More than $4 million -- requested from my office and approved by the City Council -- from the City's Budget was dedicated to community programs, capital improvements, initiatives, and resources to make District 2 a better place for all. We have secured funds for and seen positive impacts from
:
- Chaplain Dave Bridgen Southern Police Substation - In a major victory for public safety, we have allocated $1.5 million from the Essential Services Reserve for commencing the transition to a fully operational substation
- 20 Viva Parks! events - These park activations transformed District 2 parks with free movies, games, food, and more to connect people, build civic pride, increase park usage, and bring resources to residents
- Downtown Streets Team (DST) / SJ Bridge (formerly Transitional Jobs Program) to employ homeless residents to clean litter and trash along Monterey Road and other hot spots in District 2
- 9 vibrant murals, thanks to POW WOW San José, that beautify walls, create culture, and deter graffiti around District 2
- Responsible Landlord Engagement Initiative (RLEI) to improve neighborhoods by resolving problem properties
- Computer upgrades at Southside Community and Senior Center
- Fire Station improvements to support Station 35 and Station 27
- Signage for Identification of Wildlife Crossing on Monterey Road
- San Jose Parks Foundation to continue enhancing and supporting San Jose parks
- Census 2020 in San José support and resources for City staff
- Turf repair at high-need parks
More than 100 events in the community
, including: informational Town Halls & community forums, neighborhood meet & greets, movie & game nights at local parks, our annual Village Fest that closes down Coronado Avenue to cars and opens it up for the community to enjoy, and Holiday Celebrations.
More than 60 Clean Up events
, including: Clean Streets Initiatives, Dumpster Days,
and
community litter pick ups.
More than 100 memoranda I have authored
. These include my policy proposals, stances on crucial issues, and other recommendations regarding: housing & homelessness, Union Pacific Railroad, public safety & clean streets, Coyote Valley, development, City budget & finances, labor standards, immigration, infrastructure, and more.
More than 50 Office Hours
at neighborhood libraries to make myself and my team available for one-on-one conversations with residents.
More than $60,000 awarded in community grants
to support organizations, associations, and community groups that contribute to District 2 and beyond.
Last, but definitely not least -- the victorious, historic purchase of nearly 1,000 acres in Coyote Valley
will preserve the land and habitat into perpetuity for generations to enjoy! Our goal is to connect the open space to the public and open it up for all to experience.
Read about all of these achievements and more in my 34 past monthly
newsletters
, which include City resources and information, policy and community updates, upcoming events, and a visual, in-depth recap of the work we've done together.
My goal has always been to empower the community and make City Hall accessible to you -- to give you a voice in local government. I invite you to join me as I advocate for a more equitable San José and make our home a better place to live, work, and play. Have a safe and joyful holiday season!
Warmly,
Sergio Jimenez
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CONNECT. ENGAGE. BE INFORMED.
#SJD2
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D2 News: Updates & Accomplishments
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December 4, 2019
Dear District 2 Neighbors,
Collaborative clean up efforts are happening around San José and in District 2. Union Pacific (UP) in coordination with City departments will be abating homeless encampments along active and inactive railways across San José. This week, clean up efforts will be focused on the section of Monterey Road between Capitol Expressway and Skyway Drive.
Abatements will continue throughout December, weather permitting, on both City property and UP rail lines within District 2. This activity includes the small encampment on Monterey Road and Branham Lane, as well as the tent and debris on Snell Avenue and Giuffrida Avenue. The City is coordinating with non-profit organizations as well as Santa Clara County to provide mental health services, medical care, case management ,and emergency shelter to homeless individuals and families displaced by abatement efforts. The City’s outreach team has been engaging with potentially affected homeless individuals along the Monterey Corridor over the past couple of weeks.
It is evident that homelessness continues to be our City’s greatest challenge. Abatements are conducted for public health and safety, however, when an encampment or tent is removed from one location, it usually reappears.
San José funds various programs to provide unsheltered residents with relief from living on the streets, including a Safe Parking programs, Overnight Warming Location (OWL) programs, Bridge Housing Communities, and permanent supportive housing units. Unfortunately, there simply is not enough shelter space for the over six thousand unhoused individuals on our streets.
I am committed to pursuing real solutions to our housing crisis. I have directed City staff to evaluate sanctioned encampments, navigation centers, and storage lockers. I have supported Overnight Warming Locations and a Safe Parking program in District 2. Just a few weeks ago, I put forth a memorandum recommending zoning changes to reduce regulatory barriers and streamline emergency shelter and transitional housing.
Solving homelessness in San José will require coordination and collaboration among all levels of government and with multiple stakeholders, comprehensive-individualized care, and significant investments in housing production and social services. This will not be easy, but I am determined to support and implement a multitude of innovative solutions to address this complex and longstanding problem. You may learn more about actions I have taken and plans I have implemented by visiting my
District 2 Clean Streets Initiative website
.
I ask that you stay engaged with us and become a part of the solution. Follow me on social media and sign up for my newsletter to receive updates on my policy recommendations to address homelessness, blight, and public safety:
Have questions, concerns, or suggestions? Here are some additional helpful contacts:
Councilmember Johnny Khamis, who represents the west side of Monterey Road from Senter Road to Branham Lane:
district10@sanjoseca.gov
.
Homeless Concerns (on City of San Jose property)
408-975-1440
Union Pacific (usually the property around the railroad tracks)
1-888-877-7267
Submit complaints regarding the Union Pacific Railroad to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Complaints regarding train noise or encampments can be submitted to their office directly by constituents either by sending an email to
r7_gx@dot.gov
or by phone to 916-414-2315.
Caltrans (usually property surrounding / adjacent to freeways and highways)
MySanJose App - request services on City property
408-535-3500
Download the app to your smartphone!
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A community that cleans together, flourishes together!
The Annual D2 & D10 Community Clean Up -- focused on the area of Blossom Hill Road, Snell Avenue, and Highway 85 -- was again an enjoyable, successful event. Thank you Blossom Valley Neighborhood Association and Oak Grove Neighborhood Association for banding together and leading by example to show our neighbors the impact we can have when we partner up with a purpose. Also, big thanks to Hub’s Coffee and Art of BBQ for fueling our volunteers!
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Why I voted NO on putting forth a real property transfer tax measure on the March 2020 ballot
Last June, I made it clear that the City Council should not continuously place the full burden of funding housing solutions on our residents. Tax fatigue is prevalent in all segments of our community. Our residents already pay an extraordinarily high price to live in San José. This is why I suggested that the Council find more equitable solutions to our growing problems by asking all sectors of our community to be part of the solution and share proportional responsibility.
On September 24, a narrow majority (6-5) of our City Council voted to continue the Downtown Highrise Incentive program. This program exempts high rise developers from complying with the City’s workforce standards and paying their fair share of construction taxes and affordable housing fees. That decision cost the City an estimated $67 million in revenue that could have supported affordable housing and other City services that our residents depend on. Similarly, a few weeks ago, the same narrow majority of Councilmembers chose to ignore the compelling testimony of dozens of residents and voted alongside wealthy developers to weaken the Ellis Act and significantly reduce the number of rent-controlled units required in redevelopment.
Ironically, after weeks of tax breaks and incentives for wealthy developers, the Council chose to put forth a real property transfer tax measure on the March 2020 ballot.
I voted NO, consistent with my promise to stop burdening residents.
Now the decision is in your hands, the voting residents of San José. On March 3, 2020, you will have the opportunity to decide whether or not to support a real property transfer tax on property worth more than $2 million.
If residents choose to approve this tax, I am committed to fighting to guarantee that funds are used to provide immediate interim housing solutions for our most vulnerable unhoused residents. As a Council, we must be transparent and provide assurance that these tax dollars go where they are most needed. We need navigation centers, comprehensive services, permanent supportive housing, and affordable housing for those living on the streets and those at risk of displacement and homelesness. If this measure is passed, the City will have no excuse for allowing encampments along city roads and creeks, as we will have additional resources to provide targeted solutions to homelessness.
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Local talented youth electrified audiences on District 2 Night at Christmas in the Park
I am sure everyone in the audience was as impressed, delighted, and entertained as I was watching our local District 2 youth perform at
Christmas in the Park
on Monday, December 9!
If you weren’t able to witness the magic in person, you can watch some highlight videos of the following acts on my
Facebook Page
:
Santa Teresa High School - Jazz Band 1 & Blue Jazz Combo
Gabriela Sepulveda - singer songwriter
Valley Christian High School Band
It was my absolute pleasure to engage our south San
José
students and help connect them with a platform to showcase their talents to the greater community!
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Don’t forget to add SOCKS to your shopping list! During this season of giving, I invite you to donate new socks (adult or child size) to those in need through LifeMoves, a non-profit that supports those struggling with homelessness. I am providing collection bins & the opportunity for you to make a difference this winter. Just look for the collection bin at Southside Community Center or at City Hall - 18th Floor!
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The City of San José Housing Department now has a Facebook page to provide residents with housing news and information, and to keep residents informed about community meetings and events. Like and follow their page here:
facebook.com/sjcityhousing
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A Look at More Community Stories
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I am proud that the "Valley of the Heart's Delight" theme we picked for District 2's tree at Christmas in the Park reflects San José's rich history of agricultural and horticultural industries, which included blooming orchards, flowering trees, and plants. Thank you to our neighborhood leaders who spent their morning getting into the community holiday spirit with my team and I! If you look closely around the tree, you can spy ornaments for each of our local neighborhoods.
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At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, November 19, it was my extreme honor to recognize two exceptional District 2 residents, Robert and Mary Miller, for their continued dedication and commitment to keeping District 2 graffiti-free. This couple is admired in the community for their compassion and for going above and beyond volunteer efforts to #BeautifySJ and help us achieve #D2CleanStreets.
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Food, dessert, warm drinks, and jolly company are aplenty at Oak Grove N.A.’s Holiday Party at Southside Community Center! Thank you OGNA leaders for planning this lighthearted event for your neighbors. Also, thank you everyone who donated socks to those in need! Our sock drive is still open — drop off new adult or child size socks to Southside Community Center or San José City Hall (18th floor)!
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On November 13, I joined together with neighbors, community groups, nonprofits, and housing developers to discuss solutions and how Housing Ends Homelessness with Destination: Home.
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Thank you for hosting another informative Hellyer-Christopher N.A. meeting, Stephani Rideau! We discussed changes to voting in California as well as homelessness, traffic safety, and events.
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Thank you to the Roundtable Neighborhood Association for hosting an informative monthly meeting for your residents, featuring public safety updates from the San José Police Department.
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Over the next several months, the General Plan 4-Year Review Task Force will meet and discuss possible modifications to the General Plan, which serves as the “constitution” for land use planning for the City. Key topics of discussion include the future of Coyote Valley and Urban Village growth opportunities. To learn more and sign up for email updates,
visit the City's website
.
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D2 and You: Upcoming Events
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City boards and commissions were established for the purpose of advising the City Council and providing ongoing input into policies and issues affecting the future of the San José community.
The Senior Citizens Commission studies, reviews, evaluates and makes recommendations to the City Council on any matters affecting elderly people in the City, including health, education, employment, housing, transportation and recreation.
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City Resources
How you can help keep our community safe and clean
See blight or homelessness in your neighborhood or around San José? Report it to the appropriate agency. All reporting is tracked at each agency and forwarded to the appropriate response team for action.
Union Pacific
(usually the property around the railroad tracks)
1-888-877-7267
Submit complaints regarding the Union Pacific Railroad to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Complaints regarding train noise or encampments can be submitted to their office directly by constituents either by sending an email to
r7_gx@dot.gov
or by phone to 916-414-2315.
Caltrans
(usually property surrounding / adjacent to freeways and highways)
Homeless Concerns
(on City of San Jose property)
408-975-1440
MySanJose App
- request services on City property
408-535-3500
Download the app to your smartphone!
Schedule a FREE Large Item pick up
, right in front of your home
Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office for support in contacting these agencies and departments:
(408) 535-4902 |
District2@sanjoseca.gov
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Need to report abandoned vehicles, street light outages, and more? Use
MySanJose: Our quick & easy tool to request City services
Want to get that pothole or street light fixed? Need to report graffiti, illegal dumping or an abandoned vehicle? Have a different question for the City? With the new state-of-the-art MySanJose
app
and
website
, it is now a breeze to file and track a City service request or reach one of our customer representatives. It is super easy to use – see our zippy
tutorial
.
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Please don't leave your large items on the side of the road. It's easy &
FREE
to get rid of your junk!
San José residents can schedule FREE appointments on the
Free Junk Pick Up website
to have large items (such as mattresses, sofas, refrigerators, tires, and
more
) picked up by their recycling collection company.
Thank you for keeping our City clean and combating illegal dumping!
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Students, get involved! My District 2 Team is looking for interns!
Join our team and make a difference in the community! The Office of Councilmember Sergio Jimenez welcomes college or graduate school students interested community engagement, public service, policy research, and local government to apply for our District 2 Internship.
This unpaid internship provides students with an immersive experience in day-to-day operations of a City Council office that serves about 100,000 residents.
Student interns are expected to:
- Communicate effectively with others
- Adapt and work in a fast-paced environment
- Have a willingness to learn and apply academic training to required job assignments
- Commit a minimum of 15 hours per week
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Get involved: District 2 Neighborhood Associations
Neighborhood Associations (N.A.s) are groups of community members who meet and collaborate to work towards common goals such as: beautification/clean-up efforts, safety enhancements, and social events. N.A.s serve as a connection between the community and City Hall. We are here to support N.A.'s by providing direction, resources, grants, help with outreach, models for success, and more.
Sign up for N.A. Newsletters:
Reserving meeting space as an N.A.
As an established Neighborhood Association, you may reserve space for community use directly with Libraries and Community Centers in our District. As long as the meeting takes place during regular hours of operation, there is no charge to to your N.A.
If your event goes beyond the hours of operation, there is a charge for staffing. Our office is happy to accommodate
2 uses per N.A. per year
for N.A.’s by paying for the staff time. Any additional uses outside of this would require your N.A. to cover the cost.
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Beyond San Jose: Get the latest news from your other elected officials
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JOIN US IN THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND.
CONNECT. ENGAGE. BE INFORMED.
#SJD2
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San José District 2 | Office of Councilmember Sergio Jimenez
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