Community members consistently approach me about the cleanliness, or lack thereof, of our City streets. Like most issues, there is no single, all-encompassing solution to our challenges with blight. The reality is that trash is a drain on City resources, and it impacts how we feel about our community.
Making our community cleaner is a priority for my office, which is why I have secured nearly $200,000 from the City’s budget to kick off several programs that are part of my action plan to help #beautifySJ, starting with District 2.
My team and I are launching the
#D2CleanStreets Initiative
in South San Jose, a multi-faceted approach to combating the blight plaguing our streets. This initiative starts with three steps:
1. Downtown Streets Team
I know that we have notoriously blighted areas in District 2. I am hoping to change that by enlisting
Downtown Streets Team (DST)
, a non-profit organization that contributes to a cleaner community. DST will launch their empowering work experience program that engages homeless and at-risk individuals by having them clean up trash, litter, and graffiti while providing basic-need gift cards and hygiene kits.
This project is a one-year agreement with DST to clean up Monterey Road from Branham Lane to Ford Road three days a week and the corner of Blossom Hill Road and Snell Avenue one day a week.
Additionally, the project shall have measurable benchmarks for items such as the amount of trash collected and the number of individuals engaged. DST will work with the District 2 Council Office to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the project.
If you would like to volunteer at our Downtown Streets Team Launch on Thursday, October 18, or participate in regular clean up days, please contact Cliff@streetsteam.org.
2. Project Hope
My office is also kicking off efforts to build community resilience and activation along the high-need area of Roeder Avenue and Roundtable Drive through Project Hope.
Project Hope
is a community-driven initiative led by the City's Anti-Graffiti & Anti-Litter Program. It is a unique and innovative neighborhood engagement and improvement program that aims to improve the quality of life by addressing challenges comprehensively and collaboratively. Project Hope's objective is to develop strong new community leaders and action-oriented neighborhood organizations. Program leaders have dedicated the next year to meeting with residents and getting them involved.
If you share my vision of making our neighborhoods safer, cleaner, and more engaged, please contact Greg.Cajina@sanjoseca.gov.
3. Monterey Road Sound Wall
Over the years, District 2 has struggled with clearing graffiti along the
Monterey Road soundwall
. The greatest obstacle in tackling this problem is gaining permission to access the train tracks, which are Union Pacific property. Though I recognize the courage of neighbors who have taken it upon themselves to paint over the graffiti, we need a long term solution to this ongoing problem. My City Council colleagues and I have directed the City Attorney to
negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding with Union Pacific
to gain access to the train tracks. Having this access will allow us to clean the fence and potentially abate unsafe homeless encampments along the tracks. This is just one of my many long term solutions to making Monterey Road the “grand boulevard” our community deserves.
I hope you recognize that my goal is to lead our community towards a cleaner version of itself. However, I cannot do this alone -- I need your support.
I sincerely thank everyone who already contributes to community beautification projects. From Neighborhood Associations to student volunteers to park goers, we all have a civic responsibility to pitch in, clean our community, and work towards
#D2CleanStreets
.
Visit my
website
for more information about
#D2CleanStreets
, and join our community efforts! Please contact my office if you have any questions.
In community,
Sergio Jimenez
CONNECT, ENGAGE AND BE INFORMED.
#SJD2
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D2 News: Updates & Accomplishments
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The 4 ballot measures you'll be voting on this November
The San José City Council has placed the following four measures on the November ballot:
- Measure T – Disaster Preparedness, Public Safety, and Infrastructure Bond
- Measure V – Affordable Housing Bond
- Measure U – 2018 Charter Amendments
- Measure S – Construction Contract Procurement Modernization
Measure T – Disaster Preparedness, Public Safety, and Infrastructure Bond
Measure T would authorize $650 million in general obligations bonds that would be used to fund the repair and replacement of critical infrastructure in San José. The measure would allow bond funds to be spent on the following types of projects:
- Natural land protection and restoration projects to reduce risk of downstream flooding and water quality degradation in Coyote Valley
- Upgrading 911 communications, police, fire, and paramedics facilities to improve emergency and disaster response;
- Repairing deteriorating bridges vulnerable to earthquakes;
- Repaving streets and potholes in the worst condition;
- Preventing flooding and water quality contamination; and
- Repairing critical infrastructure.
The measure requires that at least $300 million of that total be spent to repave streets and potholes in the worst condition. The remainder of the bond funds would fund the repair and upgrade of infrastructure, including land acquisition, that supports emergency response and disaster preparedness, along with other critical infrastructure and the cost of issuing the bonds.
Measure V – Affordable Housing Bond
Measure V would authorize $450 million in general obligation bonds that would be used to fund the acquisition of land for affordable housing projects and the construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing and the cost of issuing the bonds. The measure is intended to provide funding for housing that's affordable for working families, veterans, seniors, teachers, nurses, paramedics, and other workers. It’s also intended to help homeless residents get off of the street, or out of parks and creeks, and into housing.
Measure U – 2018 Charter Amendments
Measure U would make two changes to the City Charter. First, it would remove the City Council from setting their own salaries. The Charter currently requires that the City Council make the final decision on their own pay based on a recommendation from the Salary Setting Commission. Under Measure U, the Salary Setting Commission would set the Council’s salary on a five year basis. However, the Council would retain its ability to reduce the salary set by the Salary Setting Commission.
Second, Measure U would allow the City Council to place an ordinance on the ballot that competes with a citizen initiative if the Council submits the competing measure by a two-thirds Council vote and after the Council accepts an independent report analyzing the citizen initiative. If voters were to approve both conflicting measures at the same election, the ordinance receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will control. Currently, the Charter prohibits competing ordinances, but State law allows them. Measure U would align the Charter with State law.
Measure S – Construction Contract Procurement Modernization
Measure S would update the City’s process for hiring contractors to build public works projects through the following four changes to the City Charter. First, it would allow the City to use Best Value Contracting, a process which allows the city to take a contractor’s past performance, relevant experience, and financial condition into account when evaluating their bid. Second, it would adjust the threshold for projects that are required to undergo a formal bidding process from $100,000 or less to $600,000 or less and would authorize annual adjustments for inflation in the construction industry. Third, it would allow the City to satisfy the Charter’s bid noticing requirement through online notices. Fourth, it would change the threshold for using design-build contracting from projects costing over $5 million to projects over $1 million. Design-build is a contracting practice that allows a large, complicated project to be designed and built by the same contractor.
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Our proposed ballot measure to encourage higher voter turnout in local elections for Mayor
A ballot measure to hold San Jose Mayoral elections concurrent with Presidential elections would encourage higher voter participation in local elections for Mayor.
Vice Mayor Carassco along with Councilmembers Rocha, Jones, and I value our electorate and believe that with increased voter turnout, we will be able to elevate the Office of the Mayor and capture a more diverse constituency that is reflective of our city.
[Pictured: My Council Colleagues and community supporters at a press conference discussing our
memorandum].
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Celebrating Viva CalleSJ & open streets in District 2
On Sunday, September 23, San José streets were transformed into the City's largest park and play area! The exciting Viva CalleSJ route started at SoFa in Downtown San Jose, traveled down Monterey Road, and turned onto Branham Lane to Martial Cottle Park. In District 2's little corner of Monterey Road and Branham Lane, my team was out at the #D2Elbow enjoying watching families and residents having fun walking, bicycling, skating, and exploring our open streets. We are also happy to have had a rock climbing wall, extreme air jumper, food trucks, the SJPL MakerSpaceShip, San Jose Bike Party, music, resource tables, and more join us to activate and engage the area!
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Progress in getting abandoned cars off the streets
At the October 2 City Council meeting, we reviewed the findings of the Vehicle Abatement Program audit and approved recommendations that would improve the effectiveness and timeliness of vehicle abatement and parking compliance. We know that abandoned vehicles and parking violations are major challenges for many neighborhoods, and I am pleased to share that the memo I co-authored will help address these concerns.
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Visiting businesses & talking through solutions at the corner of Blossom Hill Rd. & Snell Ave.
Our office has received a number of complaints regarding the shopping center at the corner of Blossom Hill Road and Snell Avenue, as well as the construction site off Raleigh Road. I went out to both sites to gain a better understanding of neighbors' concerns and to speak with the businesses and employees who are experiencing issues. This corner is located at the border of San Jose Council Districts 2 and 10, so I thank Councilmember Khamis for joining me on the business walk. It is important to both of us that we listen directly to residents' concerns, identify resources for them, and provide them with helpful information and support. Working together, we can begin to move forward resolve these problems.
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Standing with Council colleagues in support of immigrant contributions to our country
Our nation has a long history of benefiting from the ingenuity, work ethic, and labor of immigrants from all over the world. We acknowledge famous immigrants like Sergey Brin, who co-founded Google, and Isabel Allende, a world renowned author. However, we must also remember the hard working immigrants who aren’t as well known but achieve extraordinary things in their own right. Those men and women -- like my inlaws Manuel and Lilia Espinoza who picked the crops that feed our families in the heat for little pay, and my Tio Carlos who served our country -- deserve to be recognized for their dedication and contributions. Like all immigrants, we value the opportunity this country has given our families and we continue to make positive contributions.
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D2 office hosts Neighborhood Watch Meeting for Walnut Mobile Home Park residents
After a public safety incident occurred at the Walnut Mobile Home Park last month, our office along with the Crime Prevention Unit, decided to host a Neighborhood Watch Meeting for the residents.
Tonight, our office is happy to see many residents take advantage of the services our City provides to increase safety in our neighborhoods.
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Visiting Edenvale Elementary for some Q&A with 4th graders
I had the joy of talking and laughing with this group of silly, thoughtful, attentive, eager to learn 4th graders at Edenvale Elementary School. Here are some of their questions that stood out to me:
"Is your job easy or difficult?"
Let's just say the easiest part of my job is being able to spend time with people like these kids -- reflecting about the world around us, inspiring change, and thinking about our future. I like to think that when I visit our local youth, they can look at me and say, "That man looks similar to me. I can connect with him. I will see him as an example that I can achieve anything I want."
"What inspired you to become a Councilmember?"
I had a goal of being more involved in my community, something my family was not able to do when I was growing up with my busy single mother and siblings. Now that I have successfully entered the role of District 2's community representative, my next goal is truly reaching and engaging all of our diverse neighborhoods. Everyone's voice deserves to be heard!
"What's your favorite sport?"
Baseball! I played it growing up.
"Has anyone ever said no to your ideas?"
Haha, yes, all the time (many of the "no"s come from my own team)!
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Help shape the future of our City: Complete the San Jose Annual Resident Survey
The
survey includes questions about City services provided to residents, as well as the quality of life in San José in general. Residents can share their feedback about many topics, including parks, roads, libraries, and public safety. Participation is encouraged for all residents to have their voices heard.
The survey is completely anonymous, and available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. No personal information will be collected or shared.
Results will be included in the City Auditor’s Annual Report on City Services, which will be released in December and presented to the City Council in January. This is the eighth year the National Research Center has conducted this survey. Previous survey results, along with past Services Reports, can be found at
sanjoseca.gov/servicesreport. We want to hear from you!
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A Look at More Community Stories
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I had the privilege of receiving a visit from Cub Scouts Pack 218, Den 3! I showed them around the Council chambers, and they even spent some time asking the Mayor and me tough questions.
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I took a short trip to San Francisco's Salesforce Transit Center after my Association of Bay Area Governments meeting with fellow council members. What an amazing new terminal!
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The Los Paseos Neighborhood Association kindly invited all their neighbors, City Parks staff, and my office to celebrate and enjoy the fruits of our collaborative labor to improve Los Paseos Park. Thank you LPNA for being such active, purposeful, and inclusive leaders in our community!
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The Cottle to Lean Neighborhood Association organized almost 40 community volunteers to plant 13 young trees on Beswick Drive! If you wish to adopt a tree to check on its health, contact
cottleleanclna@gmail.com.
CLNA also used their BeautifySJ grant to fund the painting of a traffic light box at the corner of Beswick Drive and Bangor Avenue. The artwork depicts the farm located where Makati Circle residents now live.
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Well, doesn't this look like a fun time?! Congratulations to the Hellyer-Christopher Neighborhood Association for hosting successful block parties and bringing your neighbors, the San Jose Police Deparmtnet, the San Jose Fire Department, and more community members together!
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D2 and You: Upcoming Events
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Please click on the photos/flyers below for more information:
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Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful
Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful is
a small non profit that seeks to preserve, protect and share the beauty of one of the South Bay's greatest treasures: Coyote Creek. We recruit volunteers to help remove trash and debris from the waterways, we offer Bioblitzs that aid in the conservation of the plant/animals species that live in and along the creek, and we offer tours of the various sections of the creek that are accessible to the public.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge Bike Tour
Saturday, October 20th 2018
Coyote Creek Clean Up
Saturday,
October 27th 2018
Coyote Meadows Fall BioBlitz
Saturday,
November 3rd 2018
Coyote Creek Clean Up
Saturday,
November 10th 2018
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Provide public oversight for funds that impact communities: Apply for the Measure Q Expenditure Oversight Committee
Calling lovers of nature, numbers, and those who believe open space lands are essential to community health and well-being! The Open Space Authority has a vacancy and is seeking persons interested in serving on its
Measure Q Expenditure Oversight Committee (MQEOC). MQEOC is an independent advisory committee of citizens created to review the expenditures authorized by Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Parcel Tax, Measure Q.
People interested in being considered for the MQEOC should
submit a completed application, include a cover letter describing your qualifications for the position of interest and why you are interested in serving on the MQEOC, and any additional information about your experience to the Authority's Office at 33 Las Colinas Lane, San Jose, CA 95119. More information can be obtained by visiting the
website, contacting the Authority via
email, or calling 408-224-7476.
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Beware of Door-to-Door Home Repair Scams and "Free Money from the Government" Scams
We have partnered with the
AARP Fraud Watch Network to raise awareness about consumer fraud and identity theft and offer tips to our public on how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.
1. The summer months are prime time for home repair scams. The general ruse involves someone coming to your door and offering to do work on your home, typically at a big discount.
AARP’s Fraud Watch Network has prepared this video "
Door-to-Door Home Repairs Scams", the first of a series we will be sharing with you, to illustrate several of the most common scams and to make it easier for you to share this information with your friends and family, so they too know what to look for to avoid becoming victims.
2. The federal government grant scam has been around for years. But now, scammers are finding targets through social media. This informative video, the second in our latest series showcasing the most common scams, tells you just what to look for to avoid becoming a government grant scammer’s next victim. Please
share this important clip with your friends and family, so they too know what to look for to avoid being victimized by fraud.
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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
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 Fall 2018 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
How to apply:
To be considered for the District 2 Internship, please:
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Have a D2 question or concern? Contact my team!
You may have met them at City Hall, Neighborhood Meetings, or just out and about in our community! In addition to supporting me at meetings and events -- or attending on my behalf -- my team members follow specific policy areas and have other responsibilities. They are happy to speak or meet with you regarding your questions or concerns!
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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.
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 José: Get the latest news from your other elected officials
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Sergio's Office Hours
Office Hours are a time to come ask questions, share concerns, or simply have a conversation! Meetings are first come, first serve and time may be limited to 15 minutes per person
. Please
visit my website
for more information.
Upcoming Office Hours:
Monday, October 15
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Santa Teresa Library, Study Room B
Saturday, November 3
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Edenvale Library, Study Room B
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City Resources
Speak with a live Customer Service Representative (408) 535-3500
Additional Resources:
(408) 975-1440
(408) 535-7770
(408) 534-2900
(408) 793-5510
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JOIN US IN THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND TO
CONNECT, ENGAGE AND BE INFORMED.
#SJD2
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San José District 2 | Office of Councilmember Sergio Jimenez
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