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Let's Talk About Trees

This week the San Jose City Council accepted an audit of the city's collection and use of in-lieu fees, enforcement of tree planting conditions, and the cost of tree planting. We also unanimously approved a memo I authored with Councilmembers Davis and Jimenez, providing further direction on improving the state of the city's overall tree count and canopy.

Our memo directed city staff to ensure that in-lieu fees — charged to developers who remove trees without replacing them on site — are effectively being collected and spent. It also prioritizes planting replacement trees in districts with historically low tree canopy coverage.

More trees mean cleaner, cooler, quieter neighborhoods. Unfortunately only 13% of the city is currently enjoying the advantages of tree coverage. That’s down from 15% just a few years ago. So it’s very important that we do our best to plant more trees in San José.

At this week's city council meeting we also urged city staff to find ways to reduce tree removal fees charged to homeowners. In addition, we asked for increased outreach efforts to inform the public about programs offering free replacement trees.

Read the full tree memo here

US Figure Skating Championship to be held in San José

It was an honor to be in attendance this week as Councilmembers Davis and Jimenez joined Mayor Mahan and San Jose Sports Authority for the US Figure Skating flag raising and official proclamation. 

The U.S. Figure Skating Championships will be held in San Jose for the fourth time starting January 23rd and running through the 29th at SAP center.

NBC Bay Area anchor Raj Mathai was on hand to emcee the event featuring championship skaters Polina Edmunds and Starr Andrews.

We’re so proud to be hosting this world class event in our great city again! Be sure to get tickets to watch the action live or tune into NBC to catch every amazing spin and leap!

Strong storm systems are set to continue battering the Bay Area for most of January. Forecasters say today (Thursday) may be the only dry day we have until the next and possibly most severe parade of storms make their way across the skies.

The City of San Jose has built a webpage where they're collecting everything storm related, from updates on road and park closures to information on safety and resources.

Follow links below for more resources:

Valley Water Creek Monitoring Map

Emergency Alert Sign Ups

Sandbag Distribution Sites

Road Closure Updates

PG&E Power Outage Map

Report Flooding / Blocked Drains

Alum Rock Park remains closed to the public due to dangerous conditions near trails and waterways, and possible rock/mud slides. You can find more information about this closure here.

Join Us Wednesday, Jan. 18th

Our first Office Hours and Meet ‘n’ Greet of 2023 in North San José!

Wednesday, Jan. 18 from 6-7 p.m.

at Elan Villages, 345 Village Center Drive.

Find out what we’re doing to increase housing and park space, reduce homelessness and illegal dumping, and make San Jose a safer place for all.

RSVP not required but recommended on Facebook or by Email

MLK Day Jan. 16, 2023

Continuing to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's vision is as important now as it was when he gave his iconic "I Have A Dream" speech that hot August afternoon in Washington, 1963.

Dr. King implored us all to see the humanity in each person, to treat everyone with respect and love, to join hands and to live as one people.

43rd Annual MLK Day Luncheon

Partners in Reading offers FREE one-to-one tutoring, ESL tutoring, small group instruction, computer lessons, classes, workshops, family programs and more! Orientation is January 18th.

More information can be found here.

Councilmember David Cohen promotes community cleanup events for residents throughout the year. It's a fun and easy way for everyone to get involved in their community, complete community service hours, and help serve their neighborhood by removing debris, trash and illegally dumped items from streets, creeks, and parks.

Join us in beautifying District 4 by participating in our Neighborhood Clean Up!

Saturday, January 21st 

10:00 am to 11:30 am

Location: Amberwood Lane at Morrill Avenue

(Park on Amberwood Lane or the adjacent Walgreens)

If you would like to volunteer, please email Tim Orozco (tim.orozco@sanjoseca.gov)

We have a goal of planting 1,000 trees in our first term. We've partnered with Our City Forest to hold tree planting events at schools, parks, and at private properties.

If you'd like to volunteer to help plant trees or you want to see if your property is eligible to receive a free tree, please contact our office via email - district4@sanjoseca.gov

Local businesses have a new opportunity to reinvigorate their business, save money, and support community-wide energy conservation efforts through a new program from San José Clean Energy, the local clean electricity provider operated by the City of San José.

The San José Energy Efficient Business Program has unlocked several rebates to San José business owners for qualifying HVAC, refrigeration, or water heating projects. These rebates, totaling up to 80–90% off the project cost, will make renovations to your small business more affordable and kickstarting these upgrades so much easier! All business customers with an active San José Clean Energy account are invited to participate. 

Want to see if your project qualifies for the rebates above? Learn more or find a participating contractor at SanJoseCleanEnergy.org/Business.

Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 4:00 pm at Berryessa Union School District, 1376 Piedmont Road. For more information email success@campusclini.org or call 855-286-2577.

Omicron specific booster shots are available for everyone who has had the two initial vaccinations. Reservations can be found at sccfreevax.org.