Work in one parking lot outside of Diridon Station, south of W Santa Clara Street between Montgomery and Cahill Streets, began on July 12. Contractors will be undertaking extensive soil testing and trenching in preparation for VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II Project. This work helps us advance our engineering work as we continue to refine the project. 

If you have any questions about this work or about VTA’s BART Phase II Project, please contact Gretchen Baisa at gbaisa@vtabsv.com.

At this time, there will not be any customer drought surcharges (penalties) for excess water use, however, we are asking all of our customers to comply. SJW will continue to monitor water usage. If the desired level of conservation is not achieved by August 31, 2021, the Company may need to adjust its response. This could include the imposition of drought surcharges.

SJW is aligning this plan with its 2020 Urban Water Management Plan, and activating Stage 3 of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan. Mandatory water use restrictions under this plan focus on outdoor water use, which accounts for half of the average household’s total use. A complete list of rules can be found at www.sjwater.com/drought. Those currently in effect include:

Limits Watering to Two Days per Week: Watering or irrigating of lawns, landscape or other vegetated areas with potable water is limited to two days per week. Irrigation will be allowed Mondays and Thursdays for odd numbered and numberless addresses, and will be allowed on Tuesdays and Fridays for even numbered addresses.

Limits Timing and Length of Watering: Watering or irrigating of outside plants, lawn, landscape, and turf areas with potable water using a landscape irrigation system or a watering device that is not continuously attended, is limited to no more than 15 minutes of watering per day per station, with no watering between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Limits Filling Decorative Fountains or Ornamental Lakes or Ponds: Prohibition of the use of potable water for filling or re-filling decorative fountains, ornamental lakes or ponds more than one foot, except when fountains or ponds/lakes are drained for repairs, and except to the extent needed to sustain aquatic life in ponds/lakes, provided that such animals are of significant value and have been actively managed within the water feature prior to declaration of a supply shortage level.

Limits Washing Vehicles: Washing of vehicles, except at a commercial car washing facility that utilizes recycled water or re-circulating water system to capture or reuse water.

Limit Use of Potable Water for Washing Buildings: Also structures, sidewalks, walkways, driveways, patios, tennis courts, or other hard-surfaced, non-porous areas, except to protect the health and safety of the public.

Read more here.

The City of San José happily announced that $75 million in new funding is now available for qualified, “shovel-ready” affordable housing developments. The City of San José Housing Department invites qualified applicants to submit written proposals for the funding of new, affordable, multifamily housing developments for extremely low-, very low-, and low-income individuals and families. Funding will be provided in the form of loans for construction and permanent financing, which may include acquisition costs.

While work proceeds on the Affordable Housing Siting Policy, funding for this round is only available to sites located in the City Council-approved growth areas listed below. Additional areas in the City will be eligible for funding in subsequent Notices of Funding Availability once the City Council approves the Affordable Housing Siting Policy this fall.

Every ten years, U.S. Census data is used to redraw City of San José City Council district boundaries. This ensures the districts are balanced for changes in population. The City Council wants to hear from you on how these boundaries should be drawn. Join us at this public hearing on Saturday, August 7. Residents have two opportunities to voice their opinions this Saturday.

You can also join these hearings via zoom. To learn more about redistrcting, click here.

The City of San Jose invites interested members of the community to participate in the process of City Government by serving on one of several Boards and Commissions. All positions are voluntary and most appointed by the City Council. The time commitment for each board or commission varies, with some meeting on a regular schedule, while others meet on an as needed basis. Additional time obligations may include pre-meeting preparation or subcommittee attendance. Once appointed, attendance at regularly scheduled meetings is critical.

Vacancies and applications here.

The Senior Commission currently has vacancies in the following Council Districts:

Council District 2 ( Jimenez)

Council District 5 ( Carrasco)

Council District 6 ( Davis)

Council District 8 ( Arenas)

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services’ Park Rangers would like to share safety tips with visitors venturing through San José’s parks and trails. Follow these tips along with all park rules, posted signage and State and County health guidelines to stay safe during warmer days.

Warm weather/hiking precautions:

The San Jose Public Library Summer Food Program has been in full effect since July and will end next Friday, August 13. This program offers free healthy ‘grab and go’ meals for children and teens, ages 2-18, and their families. See the list of participating library branches below.

People can also participate in the Library’s virtual programs. To learn more about these programs, visit here.

Struggling to afford internet service? Eligible households can now apply for discounts through the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB), a temporary benefit from the @FCC.

Get all the details you need here.

Finish the phrase: reduce, reuse, recycle...

If you guessed the last two words of that phrase correctly, good for you! If you don't know about the other two "Rs", read here to learn about the waste hierarchy and how the five Rs can help us to reduce waste and keep valuable items out of the landfill.

It's easy and free to get rid of your junk through the City of San José’s Junk Pickup program. Make a free appointment here to have large items, such as old furniture, appliances, mattresses, recreational equipment, and more picked up from your home or apartment complex.

You can look at the pavement projects map for the schedule.

Experts agree that the health risks associated with COVID far outweigh the risks of the vaccine. Make an appointment to get vaccinated today! There is also walk-in availability. http://sccFreeVax.org.

Santa Clara County Vaccine Update: Of residents 16+, 71.2% received at least one vaccine dose and 44.7% completed vaccination.

The County of Santa Clara offers support options for people who test positive or have been in contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive. If you need help with food, bills, or a place to stay while you isolate or quarantine, please call 408-808-7770, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily to see what services are right for you. To start the process, please leave a voice message with your name, phone number, and immediate needs in your preferred language. All calls are returned. www.scchelps.org.