WORKING TOWARD A GREENER, CLEANER DISTRICT 4 |
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Earth day is not a holiday. If anything, it's a wake up call, a reminder that we have work to do. The environment is one of my biggest priorities and, as a City Councilmember, that focus can mean many different types of solutions. In some cases, it's about beautification. That can include building parks or the planting trees. In other cases, it's about clean-up and include efforts such as dumpster days and trash pickups. As with most of our other solutions, some of the efforts are only possible through partnerships and collaborations.
Last Saturday, our office held its second dumpster day in the Cataldi neighborhood; with the help of our volunteers and neighbors in the area, we were able to keep nearly 240 cubic yards of junk off the streets and ensure they were disposed of in an environmentally conscious manner. Want to help keep our environment clean and healthy? Contact our office to volunteer for our next dumpster day!
Thanks to the tireless work of Penitencia Neighborhood Association Director Janet Higaki, several dead trees at Penitencia Creek Park have been removed by our Parks Department. Our team will be joining Our City Forest and Janet's volunteer group of Boy Scouts to replace these trees as part of an Arbor Day Celebration. Projects like these are core to maintaining our tree canopy as well as keeping our parks safe and beautiful for our neighbors to enjoy.
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While we search for long-term solutions to the issues surrounding our unhoused population, we try address the concerns of residents and the environmental impacts that come with having people living in areas such as those surrounding creeks.
City staff tracks homeless encampments and BeautifySJ provides biweekly garbage collection at many of them. When my office is notified of a dumping site, we notify city staff so they can clean it up. We also work with other public agencies such as Valley Water and CalTrans in our effort to keep our city clean.
My goal is to maintain a hands-on approach with a focus on practical solutions that have a real and measurable impact on our District. As I work on these issues, I invite you to provide me with input and feedback. Together we can build on the foundation of our wonderful district, making it greener and more sustainable for future generations.
Sincerely,
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REDUCE YOUR ENERGY COSTS AND CARBON FOOTPRINT
San José Clean Energy (SJCE)’s TotalGreen customers reduce our community’s greenhouse gas emissions by powering their homes and businesses with 100% renewable energy. Lower emissions mean cleaner air and improved health benefits for our families, including fewer incidences of asthma symptoms and other respiratory illnesses.
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Join your neighbors who are already receiving 100% renewable energy for about $4 more per month than GreenSource, SJCE’s default product.
Upgrading to TotalGreen is easy. With your PG&E account number, last name or business name, and service location zip code, you can sign up in less than 5 minutes:
2. By calling our Customer Service team at 833-432-2454
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GARBAGE RATE INCREASE NOT YET APPROVED
Residents likely heard or received a notice about the proposed 17 percent rate increase in residential garbage and recycling rates for residents who live in single-family homes. The City Council has yet to approve the proposal, and has pushed to minimize the increase. The 17 percent increase is the worst-case number. The actual increase the City Council approves on June 15 will likely be less than this proposed percentage.
San José’s Residential Garbage and Recycling service rates cover the expenses of providing residential solid waste services. Garbage and recycling services are self-supported and cannot be funded by property taxes or other funds. Likewise, garbage and recycling fees paid for by residents are only used to cover the costs related to solid waste collections.
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There are several reasons for the proposed rate increase. One reason is the cancellation of last year's scheduled modest increase because of COVID. Also, an increase in the amount of contamination in the recycling bins has made processing garbage more expensive. Solid waste agreements provide weekly residential garbage, unlimited recycling and yard trimming collection and processing; unlimited junk pickups; processing of garbage to remove recyclables and organics/food waste for composting; single-family motor oil and oil filter on-demand collection; and landfill costs. Rates also cover City Call Center staffing, billing and payment services, program administration and customer outreach.
I believe that we should do everything we can to minimize the financial hit to our residents, especially since some of the increase is a result of the pandemic and we don't know if costs will drop as the effects of the pandemic are behind us. Residents may submit written or verbal protests to the proposed rate increase. You can find out how to submit a verbal or written protest on the rate increase notice, and can compare current and proposed garbage rates by visiting this page.
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FREE VACCINATION CLINICS - NO APPOINMENT NEEDED |
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Gardner Health Services is providing vaccination clinics across Santa Clara County. Please refer to the list below to find a day and location near you!
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CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF A LOCAL HERO |
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You'd be hard-pressed to find someone in the San Jose Public Library System that wasn't directly impacted by Scott Kimizuka in some way. Scott was a fixture, a legend in our city. He passed away on April 11, just a week shy of having served for 40 years in our community. He began his employment in the library system as a teenager and has been there ever since. Those who knew him described him as an extremely generous man who was always interested in others. We lost one of our best but his legacy will live on in all the lives he touched. Thank you, Scott. You will be sorely missed.
You can find a tribute to Scott Kimizuka here.
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MEET OUR D4 COMMISIONERS
A city as large as ours has many moving parts and many commissions that advise the Council. Often, their recommendations and proposals become policy. I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to some of our D4 Commissioners.
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Kaitlyn Tran
Redistricting Advisory Commission
My name is Kaitlyn Tran and I represent District 4 on the Redistricting Advisory Commission. I am from Berryessa and recently graduated from Piedmont Hills High School. I previously served as the District 4 Youth Commissioner and I am excited to help ensure equal representation through this redistricting process. Hopefully, I will be able to see some D4 residents at our public hearings once they start because I look forward to hearing your input.
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Anthony Rossello
Neighborhoods Commission
I'm Anthony Rossello and I was born in Miami, Florida, the son of Cuban immigrants. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Florida and first moved to San José in 2018, where I quickly fell in love with the city and its welcoming community. In addition to serving on the Neighborhoods Commission, I work as a software engineer in the video game industry and live in North San José.
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Prateek Gupta
Airport Commission
I am an entrepreneur & marketing executive working at technical startups for the past 10 years. I've traveled extensively, covering over 50 airports around the world. I'm passionate and focused on improving the traveler experience with user-friendly technology, community engagement, opportunities for local students, and boosting business travel at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport.
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Huy Tran
Charter Review Commission
I've spent my entire academic and professional career focused on social advocacy and governance. The Charter Commission is the bedrock for how our city runs and serves our residents. This is an opportunity to look at our structure and make sure that we are best equipped to serve every person and properly engage all of our communities in our modes and methods of governance.
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Linh Vong
Housing and Community Development Commissioner
I want to be a board member so that I may give a voice to those who are voiceless. I am passionate about unhoused issues and other marginalized populations and believe the key to change will be in policy. What I lack in experience as a commissioner, I make up for in my strong desire to learn and create change.
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SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM - SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) is happy to announce two camp San José strong programs for children 3 to 12 years of age. Registration begins on Monday, April 19 for families that currently participate or qualify for the Citywide Scholarship Program.
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Summer camps are modified to follow all state and county health and safety guidelines. All camps require face coverings, daily health screenings will be performed, and all programs are limited to 12 or fewer children. The City of San José will continue to monitor all state and county health and safety guidelines and will make any necessary adjustments.
Scholarships are available for families and individuals who meet the qualifications. Families must apply in-person at a community center and scholarships can be used at any program location. For more information or to register for programs, contact a community center listed online.
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SIGN UP FOR FREE HOME FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY TRAINING |
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Did you know that you have just two minutes to escape a home fire?
Most people don’t know this fact, so the District 4 Council Office is partnering with the American Red Cross to provide a free training session to teach families to act quickly. The training is made to help you educate yourself and your household on home fire safety prevention, creating an escape plan and go-bag, and other steps to prepare for an emergency. Trainers will walk you through testing your smoke alarms, creating your plan, and starting the critical conversations with your household. Training sessions are available in English, Vietnamese and Spanish and will be held on Saturday, May 8. The session will be approximately one hour long.
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Since launching the Home Fire Campaign in 2014, the Red Cross has helped save at least 820 lives across the country by helping families create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms. Along with its partners the Red Cross has helped make nearly 900,000 households safer in at-risk communities.
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
CONVERSATION ABOUT VACCINATIONS
April 30th: 2:00pm - 3:00pm
May 5th: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
May 14th 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Register here for one of the dates above.
If you are like most people, you probably have many questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. Are the vaccines safe? How do they work? How are they different from each other? How do I make an appointment to get vaccinated?
To answer these and other questions you may have about COVID-19 vaccines, we invite you to attend BACH TALKS. The discussion will address critical issues vital to you and your family's health, as well as that of your community. Bay Area Community Health doctors will host BACH TALKS.
HAPPY HOLLOW REOPENING PLAY AREAS
April 27th Forwar
Following County and State guidelines, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is excited to announce the reopening of Redwood Lookout and Adventure Grove play areas on Tuesday, April 27. Use of the play areas will be included with every Walk Through the Zoo reservation. To avoid crowding and allow everyone to enjoy the space, play areas will be accessible at a limited capacity for 30-minute sessions along the one-way, self-guided walking path. Visitors are responsible for ensuring their children are playing safe and following all posted rules. Learn more about using the play areas and make your reservation for Walk Through the Zoo!
ALUM ROCK PARK CLEAN UP AND MAINTAINANCE
May 8
8:45 a.m. - Noon
16240 Alum Rock Ave.
San José, CA 95127
All sessions have a limited capacity of volunteers to ensure ample space for social distancing. Volunteers are provided with all necessary tools and training, and are asked to bring a water bottle, snacks, and wear closed toed shoes. All sessions will be held, rain or shine. Those interested in volunteering must register in advance in the events linked above. For more information, contact: ParkVolunteer@sanjoseca.gov or call (408) 595-3483
FREE VACCINATION CLINICS
EVERY TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY
La Plaza is home to Gardner Health Services’ walk-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic for individuals 18 and over. Vaccinations are administered every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. for folks to return at a later time. First come, first serve
FREE COVID TESTING
1st AND 3rd WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH, 1:30PM – 5PM
Sierramont Middle School: No appointment necessary, walk-ins welcome
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