SAM'S CORNER

WORKING HARD TO RESPOND

• Ryland Pool Renovations
• Narrowing In On Priorities
• Proposal for Northside Community Center

NEIGHBORHOOD BY NEIGHBORHOOD

• Are There New Developments Near You?
• Backesto Park Lights

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

• A Perfect Finish
• Join Big Tent

SAVE THE DATE

• Upcoming NAG Meetings
• Coyote Valley Environmental Impact Report
• Upcoming Budget Study Sessions
• Las Plumas Waste Collection Site

EVENTS CALENDAR

Sam’s Corner:

Stadiums, Sunshine, and Secrecy

Media attention has focused lately on negotiations between San Jose State University, developer Lew Wolff, and the City of San Jose, concerning the possible construction of an $80 million football and soccer stadium on SJSU’s South Campus. In the coming months, I will continue to push to include badly-needed playing fields in the deal, within walking distance of our park-starved Spartan Keyes, Washington-Guadalupe, Goodyear-Mastic, and Tamien neighborhoods. So far, the parties have only started to negotiate. Here’s what we know so far:

• The basic elements of the plan consist of Wolff’s paying to construct a stadium, without taxpayer money, but in exchange for development rights in Edenvale.
• These elements will be aired at a public hearing of the Community and Economic Development committee on April 23rd at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall.
• On April 11th, I voted with my Rules Committee colleagues to approve Mayor Reed’s motion to publicly disclose the contemplated deal. I also amended the motion to ensure explicit disclosure of the most controversial element: the conversion of industrial land in Edenvale for Wolff’s development of housing.
• At the same hearing, I joined the Mayor in refusing the Mercury News’ request for full disclosure of Wolff’s offer. I explained at that hearing that releasing documents during negotiations undermines the City’s bargaining position vis-à-vis other municipalities potentially seeking a stadium. It also offers the public little benefit, because initial offers contain elements that will never make it into a final deal. As I noted at an April 4th hearing on the topic, nobody likes half-cooked lasagna, and half-baked ideas aren’t any more useful or relevant.
• Prior to taking any deal to council for a public vote, a required Environmental Impact Report will trigger a lengthy public process that will include outreach to, and input from, surrounding neighborhoods. There will be no rushed, back-room deals.
• I (and others in City Hall) are committed that no money from Measure P--which voters passed in 2000 to build parks—will find its way into the construction of a stadium. The City may use Measure P funds to build public soccer fields surrounding the stadium, however, and I will fight to ensure the community’s access to those fields.

Recent Events in Council

Our District Three team has continued working hard in recent weeks. Here are some recent developments:

• On March 20th, Council unanimously approved my motion to close a deal that will bring a second major corporate headquarters--BEA Systems-- into our downtown. The company, which had contemplated a move out of San Jose, will bring its 850 workers, millions in tax revenue, and much vibrancy into our downtown. The Mercury News featured my Op-Ed explaining the deal on the morning of the vote.
• On March 27th, Council approved my motion to amend the proposed airline lease agreements, to reassure those living in neighborhoods affected by airplane noise that the City will not concede any of its curfew enforcement tools.
• On April 3rd, Council unanimously approved my motion to delay deciding on the award of the management contract for the Jacinto “Tony” Siquig Northside Community Center until the City performs needed outreach to nearby Hensley, Northside, and Japantown neighborhoods (see the article below).
• My fellow board members on the Valley Transportation Authority and I agreed to push forward with a revised bus service operating plan, which will increase VTA bus service in communities, like the Downtown and East Side, with the most riders. We stand to gain much with this shift in resources, including a contemplated community bus route that would link Japantown with the Downtown and the Market Center shopping center on Coleman Avenue. Downside risks include the elimination of route 85, which has provided Downtown riders with a direct route to Valley Medical Center. In the coming months, I’ll let you know more details about upcoming meetings regarding routes.

Sam
City of San José
Councilmember – District 3

Contact Us
P: (408) 535-4903
www.sanjoseca.gov/district3/

D3 Team
Sam Liccardo, Councilmember
Jessica Garcia-Kohl, Chief of Staff
Roma Dawson, Sr. Policy Analyst
Khanh Bui, Council Aide
Kevin Schwaba, Council Aide
Rhonda Hadnot, Exec. Assistant
Eric Hernandez, Council Intern

Ryland Pool Renovations
In February, the City Council approved Sam’s motion to get the pools up and running as soon as possible, and a team of valiant neighborhood leaders, including city staff from the City Manager’s office, Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services (PRNS), the Public Works Department, got right to work. They were buoyed by contractor/ developer Case Swenson, who generously offered to pay for short-term pool upgrades. After substantial investigation and personal investment, Swenson, and city and county officials concluded that any short-term fixes will cost far too much, and will require subsequent renovation by 2008 anyway. There are three major, costly, and labor-intensive renovations, critically and legally needed, so that the County Health Inspector can approve and sign-off on the pool's compliance with State code:

1. Altering the rim and deck structure so that lifeguards can perform CPR,
2. Repairing or replacing the central filter, and
3. Adding steps into the pool.
   

Other renovations are necessary, but not difficult to complete.

Our office will ensure that these renovations balance public safety, historical integrity, and cost to meet the needs of the entire community while maintaining renovation progress that consistently involves neighborhood participation. Neighborhood volunteers like Tina Morrill and Ray Arjil are working to bring in outside contractors for cost estimates and are looking for work plan ideas to make these renovations happen. Vendome neighborhood and our council office have been present at these meetings as well. All the Ryland Pool stakeholders have worked hard, and their continued hard work will be essential, along with our office’s persistent involvement, in getting this pool open for the 2008 summer season.

Narrowing In On Priorities
At the beginning of his tenure, Sam asked the leaders of the approximately 30 neighborhoods and associations in our district to work within a Neighborhood Advisory Group with the following mandate: identify three district-wide priorities that Sam and his staff should focus on over the next 12 months (our working name is “3 for D3”). District-wide priorities will have impact across neighborhood boundries, and may include traffic calming, youth activity, or air quality, etc., depending on what makes the final cut in the election process. At the last meeting, a voting system was decided upon giving each neighborhood group one vote and a long list was created and narrowed into seventeen categories. At the next meeting on April 18, the field will be narrowed down to three. To see the agenda and the list of priorities of the last meeting's Priority Brainstorming session, please log on to our on-line community at www.Bigtent.com listed in the Folders as "NAG Agenda 4.18.pdf" and "Brainstorm of D3 Priorities.pdf". Sam invites you to join us:

Neighborhood Advisory Group Meeting (NAG)
Date: Wednesday, April 18th
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Upper Watson Community Center
550 North 22nd Street in the Northside neighborhood

If you are not already a member of our community on Bigtent.com, please email Khanh Bui at khanh.bui@sanjoseca.gov with your name and email address to get registered.

Proposal for Northside Community Center

Asian American Recovery Services (AARS) submitted a collaborative proposal to become the new nonprofit operator of Northside Community Center (NCC). At the April 3rd Council meeting, Sam pointed out that there was insufficient community outreach to the neighborhoods most affected by a change in NCC management such as Northside, Hensley and Japantown.

The Council unanimously approved Sam's motion requiring AARS to provide more specifics and a letter of commitment from its collaborative partners. The Department of Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services is hosting three community meetings where AARS will make a presentation followed by questions and comments from the community. Each meeting has the same presentation and you may attend one or all three. City Council will use the comments from these meetings to help in making a decision on the proposal by AARS. You can view their proposal on-line at www.sanjoseca.gov/prns/northside/northsideindex.asp. The meetings will take place at the community center at 488 North Sixth Street. Flyers are available at the District 3 office for anyone wishing to distribute them to neighbors. Contact Roma at (408) 535-4903 if you have further comments. Wednesday, April 25 - 6–7:30 pm (This meeting will focus on the needs of neighborhoods near Northside) Thursday, April 26 -10:30 am–Noon Thursday, April 26 - 6-7:30 pm (Mandarin translation available at this meeting)

Are There New Developments Near You?
The City of San Jose is committed to making available to residents, and other interested parties, information on development activity in their community and encouraging participation in the land use development process. The Department of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement now has a subscription email notification system in place for you to receive emails when new zoning/permit applications are requested in your area. This service provides notification on most planning permits, and will notify you only on a “go forward” basis when new permit requests are made. Furthermore, through the links you are sent, you can also submit comments on the proposed development electronically. It's easy to subscribe, just visit the City Planning website or visit http://www.sjpermits.org/permits/permits/general/emailform.asp to sign up for this free email notification service.

Historic Corridor Adds An Upscale Business
You’ve just watched another wonderful performance at the Center for the Performing Arts. You aren’t ready to call it a night, but you don’t want to disco dance with the college set. Where do you go? On March 29, Sam, Vice-Mayor Dave Cortese, and members of the Redevelopment Agency and the San Jose Downtown Association gathered to cut the ribbon for the opening of A Perfect Finish, an upscale wine and dessert lounge on South First Street. The owners chose downtown because of the proximity to so many entertainment venues located a walk’s distance away: HP Pavilion, Center for the Performing Arts, SJ Repertory Theater, Fox Theater, and many others. The Retail Recruitment Program, the Downtown Signage Grant Program, and the Small Business Ambassador Program all helped this small business get started here. Stop by and ask to see a demonstration of the Enomatic™ wine dispensing system at 55 South First Street at the corner of Post Street in the Historic District.

Want to Get The Word Out about Your Event? Join Big Tent
Stay connected to your Councilmember and the D3 community through the on-line community forum, Big Tent.

Big Tent lets you:

• Share information (e.g. upcoming meetings)
• Promote neighborhood activities (e.g. BBQs)
• Share best practices (e.g. successful fundraising activities)
• Share lessons learned ( e.g. projects that may not have worked as planned, and lessons learned)

To join our on-line community, email Khanh Bui at khanh.bui@sanjoseca.gov with your name and email address.

Neighborhood Advisory Group Meetings
The next Neighborhood Advisory Group meeting is Wednesday, April 18, 2007, at 6pm in the Upper Watson Community Center (please note this is a location change from the last meeting).
This is the list of every date coming up:

• Wednesday, May 30 at City Hall Wing Room 120
• Wednesday, June 20 at City Hall Wing Room 118-119
• Wednesday, August 29 at City Hall Wing Room 120
• Wednesday, September 19 at City Hall Wing Room 118-119
• Wednesday, October 24 at City Hall Wing Room 120
• Wednesday, November 28 at City Hall Wing Room 120

More information about NAG activities is posted on Big Tent.

Coyote Valley Development
In August 2002, the City Council voted unanimously to initiate a Specific Plan for Coyote Valley which proposes the urban development of a minimum of 25,000 residential units and 50,000 new jobs on approximately 3,400 acres. Under the California Environmental Quality Act, an Environmental Impact Report must be prepared "if a project may have one or more significant impacts on the environment."

Because of the complexity of the plan, the Draft Environmental Impact Report for Coyote Valley is available to the public for comment for 60 days from March 30 thru June 1, 2007, however, it is now extended to June 29. The City is holding two public meetings during the review period to give interested individuals additional opportunities to comment (in addition to submitted written comments). While the area involved is not in District 3, the size of the project impacts all of San Jose and deserves serious consideration. The CVSP DEIR and related documents are available to the public on-line at www.sanjoseca.gov/planning/eir/eir.asp. For more information on these upcoming meetings and the CV Specific Plan go to www.sanjoseca.gov/coyotevalley/.

First Public Hearing for CVSP DEIR
Date: Thursday, April 19
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Location: Coyote Valley Golf Club (One Coyote Creek Golf Club Drive off Hwy 101)

Second Public Hearing for CVSP DEIR
Date: Wednesday, May 2
Time: 3:00-5:00pm
Location: Camden Community Center (3369 Union Avenue)

Upcoming Budget Study Sessions
Budget Review & Approval season is here. The following are important dates throughout the process from releasing budgets to the public, to study sessions, to final reviews and approvals. District 3's on-line site, BigTent.com, will be posting a guide to help you understand the proposed budgets. Budget Study Sessions will be held in the City Council Chambers. Release materials will be posted at http://www.sanjoseca.gov/budget. If you have any questions or comments for Sam, please contact Roma Dawson at Roma.Dawson@sanjoseca.gov.

Release & Approval Dates and Final Review & Approval Dates

Operating Budget - Study Sessions

Capital Budget - Study Sessions

Public Comment Open for Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site/Las Plumas
During the 4/2/07 Transportation and Environment Committee meeting, Sam requested a listing of the community meetings scheduled during the Environmental Impact Report public comment period for the household hazardous waste collection facility project on Las Plumas Avenue.

The community meeting schedule is as follows:

• Thursday, April 19, 6:30pm – 7:30pm: 13th Street NAC
• Tuesday, April 24, 6:00pm – 8:00pm: Center for Training and Careers
  (1600 Las Plumas Avenue)
• Wednesday, May 2, 6:00pm – 8:00pm: Center for Training and Careers
  (1600 Las Plumas Avenue)
• Thursday, May 17, 7:00pm – 9:00pm: Center for Training and Careers
  (1600 Las Plumas Avenue)

The council office is working closely with City Staff to ensure that all community concerns are understood. Aside from the scheduled community meetings, we are working to secure meetings with the Ann Darling and Five Wounds/Brookwood Terrace neighborhoods including the Ann Darling Elementary School and the Five Wounds/Brookwood Terrace NAC.

Take a look at the April/May Calendar of Events. Note that some dates and deadlines are coming up quickly. In the future, events will be posted on our on-line community, Big Tent. Consider joining us there.

Strong Neighborhoods Spanish Leadership, Community Cafe
Bringing together neighborhood leaders to begin developing their skills in building relationships and developing a following.
Date: Saturday, April 21 – 11am-2pm
Location: Mayfair Community Center, 2039 Kammerer Avenue
More info: Call (408) 554-6391

Sister City Delegation Coincides With Cultural Festival
This year marks the 30th Anniversary of Nikkei Matsuri coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the San Jose/Okayama Sister Cities program. The City of Okayama, Japan, will be sending several hundred delegates including artists, musicians, and even national treasures. Activities are ongoing throughout the April 27th-29th weekend, including a festival on Sunday in the heart of Japantown.
Dates: Saturday & Sunday, April 27- 29
Festival Date & Time: April 29, from 9:30 am - 4:00 pm at 5th and Jackson.
More Info: Visit www.nikkeimatsuri.org and www.sj-okayama.org/.

Free E-Waste Recycling Event at Spartan Stadium
Spring is here and those old desktops, monitors and TV's have been sitting around your place for too long. Take advantage of E-Waste Recycling to get your place and the earth cleaned up at the same time. Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, Green Waste, e-Recycling and San Jose State.
Dates: Saturday, April 21, 8am-1pm
Location: Spartan Stadium 7th Street Parking Lot
More Info: Call (408) 291-5250

Silicon Valley Affordable Housing Fair
This fair is an annual event organized by Neighborhood Housing Services Silicon Valley as part of Affordable Housing Week. Meet more than 40 agencies providing resources such as Rental Assistance, First-Time Homebuyer Education, Emergency Housing Services, Credit Counseling, and much more. Guest speakers will include Mayor Chuck Reed, Councilmember Sam Liccardo, Assemblymember Jim Beall, and Assemblymember Joe Coto.

Date: Saturday, May 19th
Time: 10am-2pm
Location: Washington United Youth Center (921 S. First Street)

Sallie Mae Scholarship Programs
The Sallie Mae Fund sponsors several scholarship programs and supports hundreds of other college scholarships. All of the programs are based on financial need, as the fund seeks to bridge the dollar gap when no one else can. With an estimated $3 billion in private scholarships awarded nationally each year, the fund aims to send the message that money is available to those who make the effort to apply. Applications are now available for the following programs: Sallie Mae 911 Education Fund (apply by May 15) and the Unmet Need Scholarship (apply by May 31). Find out if you or a family member qualifies and file an application by the deadline date.

Application Deadlines: May 15 & May 31
Apply on-line at www.salliemaefund.org.