Happy New Year!

Hi neighbor,

Happy New Year and here's to starting the year with a focus on your health and the health of our community! Think of it as a new year, new us.

The enduring changes we make in our lives tend to come from small, incremental changes over time. New Year's resolutions don't have a long shelf life. Instead, try cooking a healthy dinner once a week for the month of January with family and/or friends. Let me know if you have success and if you'd like, take a picture of your healthy meal with your people and I'll include it in next month's newsletter! You can submit the picture to maryanne.groen@sanjoseca.gov.

Although my time in office is limited - I term out at the end of December 2024 - I plan to work hard on making a difference over this next year by focusing on a few important goals. Look for an upcoming invitation to my last State of the District online event on Thursday, February 22, 2024 for more info on last term goals. I'd love to see you all there!

Best,

Dev

Muni Code Amendments Related to Cannabis Regulation

• On January 9^th the City Council will vote on an ordinance to add flexibility to the cannabis business registration process. The ordinance will modify the City’s municipal code to allow for a payment structure option that businesses can utilize in paying any outstanding taxes and debts owed to the City. This action will also provide a pathway for businesses to maintain registration without any lapses should a payment structure be needed. Lapses in registration has been an issue in this sector, which often results in a dispensary closing their business. The City aims to be a business friendly City and these changes are an example of us making small but meaningful changes that support our small business.

Responsible Construction Ordinance Addressing Wage Theft

• On January 23^rd the City Council will once again look at adopting a new ordinance dealing with wage theft in the construction industry. Some may recall that this item was partially deferred on December 12^th so staff can do more outreach to industry professionals, but the ordinance was approved unanimously in concept. The City of San Jose strives for a zero tolerance approach when it comes to workers not being paid, but this must be achieved in a way that doesn’t cause a chilling effect on our development partners.

No Encampment Zones Near Schools

• Later this month the City Council will discuss an implementation plan to carry out no-encampment zones within 150 feet of schools within our City. The City’s Departments of Transportation, Parks and Rec, and the Police Department are currently scheduled to present their plan to the City Council on January 30^th.

Hi neighbor,

Wednesday, January 10th, we have another opportunity to discuss how we can make District 6 safer and cleaner.

Join me on Zoom Wednesday from 5:30PMPM-6:30PM for this month's Office Hours.

I am happy to answer all of your questions and find solutions together. You can access the Zoom meeting here or by clicking on the image.

If you are not able to join me on January 10th, please send me an email with your question or concern.

Best,

Dev

Help Us Make a Clean Sweep 

With a wet winter forecasted, it’s important to work together to keep our waterways clean and healthy. Before storm water is discharged into local creeks and rivers, the City works to remove litter and fine particles that can pollute. Street sweeping is an important tool in this effort, and you can help us make a clean sweep. 

Sweepers protect our water quality and wildlife by preventing over 7,000 tons of oils, metals, and debris from entering our watershed each year. They need access to the curb to do their job, which is where they need your help. Here are some tips that can help keep our streets even cleaner. 

• Know your sweep day: Residential streets are swept once a month between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day after garbage collection. To remember your sweep day, visit https://sjenvironment.org/lookup to find your street sweeping schedule. Mark sweep days on your central family calendar or set a recurring reminder in your electronic calendar. Organize reminders through your neighborhood association to keep your neighborhood informed. 
• Keep the curb clear: Moving your car on sweep day is the most important thing you can do to ensure clean streets for San José. Driving around one parked car makes the sweeper miss nearly three car lengths of space. 
• Remove barriers: Street sweepers must drive around piles, rocks, and low-hanging branches that can damage their equipment. 

Learn more about street sweeping and how you can help us make a clean sweep at https://www.sanjoseca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/4769/4765 

Download our trilingual street sweeping brochure at: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/107768/638378974857601300

Speed Safety Cameras Are Coming, but Where Will They Go? 

In October, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 645 into law. AB 645 allows a speed safety camera pilot project in San José. The pilot project will place cameras around the city to automatically detect and send tickets to owners of vehicles caught speeding by 11 miles per hour or more above the limit. The cameras will also be tested in fellow Bay Area cities San Francisco and Oakland and three southern California cities (Los Angeles, Long Beach and Glendale). 

The most frequent question we’ve heard about the program is, “Where are the cameras going to go?” In San José, the program is currently under development and will need to be funded in an upcoming budget. However, City staff are already evaluating where these cameras could be placed. We are only allowed a maximum of 33 cameras in service at once time for the five-year pilot project, so it’s important to place them where they will have the biggest safety benefit. 

Staff is now evaluating the data we currently have on speeding-related crashes. They will then take this data and analyze it through the requirements of the legislation. The new law says we can only use speed safety cameras on state-defined safety corridors, school zones, and areas with a history of street racing or sideshows. The law also requires us to place cameras in communities of all income levels, not clustered in one or a few areas. 

These parameters will help staff create a list of candidate locations. They will then work with the public to further refine and reduce a list of priority locations. Cameras and the supporting systems will then need to be purchased or leased with a future budget. By law, San José is only allowed to have 33 cameras in service, though the legislation also includes a process for moving any individual camera if the initial location isn't effective. 

Learn more about the speed safety camera project as it develops at https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/transportation/projects/speed-cameras-project 

JUNK PICKUP

San José residents: Have junk to get rid of? Select the option that’s right for you. All items must be generated from your home:

• Donate items that are in good condition to friends, family, neighbors or a non-profit.
• Make a curbside Junk Pickup appointment at no cost.
• Do you have construction and demolition (C&D) material? Hire an authorized hauler for larger clean-out projects and/or Construction & Demolition material.
• Drop off material at a nearby landfill. 

Report illegal dumping that has been placed in your neighborhood.

Follow these steps to schedule a Junk Pickup appointment at no cost:

  STEP 1  See the list of acceptable junk items, such as mattresses, furniture, tires, and more.

  STEP 2  Visit 311.SanJoseCA.gov, dial 3-1-1 or call (408) 535-3500; provide your service address; and request a free junk pickup appointment at no cost. Contact your recycling collection company during regular business hours if an immediate appointment date confirmation is needed. Use the 311 My Collection Schedule to find your recycling collection company.

  STEP 3  If you made your Junk Pickup appointment on San José 311, check your email for an appointment confirmation from your recycling collection company, which is separate from the automated 311 reply. Remember to follow setout instructions provided in the email. If you don’t see the email, please check your spam folder.

IMPORTANT JUNK PICKUP PROGRAM INFORMATION:

Set out your items up to 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. Early and/or improper set out may result in the items not being picked up or a citation as it may be considered illegal dumping. 

A New Year, A New Chance to Recycle Right!

For more on how to recycle in the City of San Jose, check out additional resources here.