On Wednesday morning, as news began to trickle in about the horrific tragedy that happened at the VTA Light Rail Maintenance Facility, I felt like I imagine most of you must have. Beyond the initial shock and disbelief, I felt helpless. As my staff and I began to reshuffle our priorities for the day, I kept trying to find ways to somehow be useful.
As the day went on, I realized that our role was to support the families and friends of the victims, the staff still struggling to make sense of the situation, and the investigators tirelessly pouring over the scene. It goes against every instinct I have as a person and a Council Member to take a step back and allow those intimately involved to have the space and time needed to cope, but that was exactly what I had to do.
Sometimes, the best thing any of us can do is to remind those in the midst of hardship that you're there for them, to remind them that you'll support them in any way they might need, but in their time and on their terms.
|
|
I also want to take this moment to thank the staff at VTA itself. Their dedication and selfless sacrifice ensured that our city still had critical public transportation services during the COVID-19 crisis despite being one of the agencies hardest hit by the pandemic. They have been, without a doubt, one of the city's most essential providers. |
|
My heart goes out to all those who have lost someone in this tragedy. I cannot begin to imagine the enormity of your loss. Know that your city grieves with you.
Tragedies like these have become far too common in our country. Yesterday's mass shooting demonstrates that we are not immune to this alarming trend. It is way past time to come together and take action and we must do everything we can to prevent this type of violence from happening again.
I ask the rest you to join me today in a moment of quiet reflection. Hold those you love close and remind them why they're important to you. Please donate what you can to support the families of those lost.
Sincerely,
|
|
DOWNTOWN WEST GOOGLE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT PASSES AT COUNCIL
At Tuesday's City Council meeting, we unanimously approved a transformational project for the future of downtown San Jose. Google’s Downtown West project reached a critical milestone, after years of intensive community outreach, which included working with community groups, neighborhood associations and coordination with City staff and Council offices. The current plan is for the project to be completed over 10 years in a phased building process.
|
|
A quarter of the development's proposed 4,000 housing units will be designated as affordable, a commitment that exceeds the City's requirements. There are another 200 units of affordable housing between North Autumn and North Montgomery Street with another potential 600 affordable housing as part of a land dedication not yet finalized. |
|
Google has also dedicated $200 million dollars to a Community Benefit Plan to be overseen and administered by an appointed group of 13 community members. This $200 million includes:
- $7.5 million of early investment specifically earmarked for:
- $3 million for Community Stabilization and Ownership Programs (to be paid within 30 days)
- $3.25 million towards scholarships and job training (paid in 120 days)
- $1 million towards neighborhood programs to support economic recovery and resilience (paid in 120 days)
- $250,000 funding to initiate a community stabilization and opportunity pathways fund (paid in 120 days)
- $30 million for transportation
- $154 million for a Community Stabilization and Opportunity Services Fund
- An additional $23 million dedicated to homeless prevention services, childcare support
|
|
The project also has ambitious net-zero environmental goals centered around a fully self-funded district utilities system. It will feature 100% recycled water for all toilets, irrigation and cooling as well as an electric micro-grid system with enough dedicated solar energy to power 1,500 homes.
Downtown West will also include 500K square feet of space dedicated to retail, the arts, small businesses and education with over 15 acres set aside for parks and open space. An additional 4.25 acres of enhanced creek side habitat will also be preserved, reducing paved surfaces and increasing canopy coverage with the planting of over 2,200 trees.
|
|
I'm excited to see the project get under way and I'm very optimistic that it will bring much needed growth to the city. The Community Benefit Program, one of the largest in history, demonstrates Google's commitment to our community and I look forward to working with them in the future.
Go here for more details about the project.
|
|
FREE DRIVE THROUGH COVID-19 VACCINATIONS |
|
Berryessa Union School District is excited to announce its partnership with Safeway to host a drive up vaccination clinic for our students ages 12-17. It will be held on Friday, May 28, 2021 from 12:30 pm to 7:00 pm at Sierramont Middle School.
This is a free, Drive-Thru Event. Please make sure to bring a completed consent form to your appointment. Parents must be present. More details in the flyer below.
|
|
For translation assistance, please call one of our District hotlines below:
Chinese, 408-923-1901
Spanish, 408-923-1902
Vietnamese, 408-923-1903
請利用校區熱線電話
408-923-1901
會有人與您聯繫,為您翻譯資料上的重要內容
Si desea más información en español, por favor llame a la línea de asistencia en español al 1-408-923-1902 y alguien le llamará para darle un resumen de este documento.
Xin gọi số hotline của khu học tại 1-408-923-1903 và sẽ có người giúp quí vị để hiểu những điều cốt yếu của văn kiện.
|
|
FREE ACTIVE ADULT MEMBERSHIP THROUGH PARKS AND REC
Get your FREE Active Adult Membership today! Connect with active adults (50+) and learn about programs and resources available to you. Sign up at the registration site here.
Share this information with your friends, family and loved ones!
|
|
IT’S EASY AND FREE TO GET RID OF YOUR JUNK! |
|
Gear up for spring cleaning with the City of San José’s Junk Pickup program. The Junk Pickup program offers free appointments for San José residents to have large items (such as old furniture, appliances, mattresses, recreational equipment and more) picked up from their homes and apartment complexes. It’s free and easy! Visit www.sjenvironment.org/junkpickup for program details.
|
|
COUNTYWIDE LOCAL RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM |
|
Our local rent assistance program, known as the Homelessness Prevention System - COVID-19 Response, is now accepting applications from members of the public. This program was created to complement the statewide CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program and ensure that we have local resources available to meet the unique needs of our lowest-income and most vulnerable residents.
|
|
LIBRARIES REOPENING
As of Monday, May 24, the San José Public Library began reopening select library locations for limited in-person browsing, self-service, and technology access at 50% capacity.
They have been working closely with the City’s Emergency Operations Center and City Manager’s Office to develop a strategic, four-phased reopening plan, which applies the Library’s equity index to ensure that we prioritize branches in lower-resourced communities, while remaining in adherence to County Public Health and City safety guidelines. The reopening plan also takes into account the ability to fill vacant public services staff positions.
The table below illustrates the anticipated phases and proposed target dates for reopening, which may be subject to change. The branches highlighted in bold are the locations that currently offer indoor Tech Access. We are excited that the Alviso Branch Library is now open.
|
|
During the initial reopening, customers will be able to safely visit the Library from Monday-Friday 1-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. to access the following services:
- Limited Browsing (1-hour limit)
- Check out Library materials, including technology devices
- Use public computers, printers, copiers (free printing/copying up to 10 pages)
- Access the Library’s free Wi-Fi
- Apply for a Library card and get account assistance
- Pick up holds and utilize self-checkout machines
- Receive multi-lingual support from librarians and literacy specialists
-
For more details, visit sjpl.org/reopening
They will also continue to offer virtual programs, online chat and phone assistance 7 days per week, Express Pickup service at closed locations, and Tech Access (indoor computer usage) at select locations.
|
|
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.
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
