The Neighborhood Commissions caucus is upon us. On May 31 from 9am-noon, neighborhood groups from District 4 will gather at the Berryessa Library,
3355 Noble Ave., to vote for their Neighborhood Commission candidates. The Neighborhoods Commission shall integrate the voice of neighborhoods into the City’s decision-making processes. For more information please contact the Neighborhood Development Center at (408) 723-4114.

Link to the Neighborhoods Commission Website

On April 22, the City Council heard the result of the North San Jose Neighborhoods Planning Taskforce that I formed with Mayor Chuck Reed 8 months ago. I want to thank the taskforce members for 15 meetings of intense planning work focused on making North San Jose an even better place to live, work, and play in the next 20 years. The Council approved over 150 guiding princples which will serve as the basis for the Implementation Strategy to be developed in the next 4 months. The Taskforce will reconvene to provide their input to the strategy document.

04-22-08 North San Jose Powerpoint to City Council (PDF file)

As we begin the planning process for 2008-2009, we invite you to help us understand your priorities by sharing with us your thoughts on how we should create a balanced budget that addresses the fundamental issues of our City, while remaining fiscally responsible. To ensure that your communities are voiced, my office has created a budget survey to receive feedback. 

SEE THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY

I joined Berryessa and Alviso residents to announce the opening of a capital improvement project at Penitencia Creek Road and Viceroy Way. This City of San Jose project cost $232,000 and was a joint effort between the Department of Transportation and Parks Department. The project consisted of a sidewalk, curb and gutter, ADA curb access ramps, traffic signs, pavement striping and markings, and a median island pedestrian refuge. With the installation of flashing beacons to alert drivers that pedestrians are crossing, the crosswalk leading to the Penitencia Creek County Park will be more pedestrian-friendly. see more

Today I joined my colleagues (Campos, Liccardo, Williams) to issue a memo requiring the placement of Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) in hotels, motels, and senior apartment communities. Each year 330,000 Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and the San Jose Fire Department responds to 10 cardiac related calls a day... read more

02-14-08 Memo to Rules Committee
04-18-08 San Jose Business Journal Article

Today Mayor Chuck Reed, Councilmember Nora Campos and I submitted a Memo to the City’s Rules Committee for them to consider regarding banning non-recyclable plastic bags. read more

01-07-08 Memo to Rules: Plastic Bags
01-17-08 Press Release: Plastic Bags

Councilmember Chu, wife, and volunteer pickup litter in the Alviso neighborhood in October 2007.

Today, I received a message from Assistant City Manager Christine Shippey regarding the City's preparation and response to the 3 major storms and I wanted to share it with you:

STORM MANAGEMENT REPORT

According to our Department of Transportation, the extra effort taken by City staff to clean the storm catch basins over the past few days was time well spent.  Neighborhoods are generally in good shape, with additional DOT crews responding to clogged catch basins as reported or discovered.  Alviso is being closely monitored as well, and at this time, is functioning without issue.  DPW staff will be monitoring the smaller creeks with limited capacity.  DOT and DPW will be coordinating their condition assessments and preparations for the remainder of the storm this afternoon.

• There are also localized power outages, to which PG&E is responding

• High wind warnings are in effect through 4:00 p.m. today and a second, milder storm expected tomorrow

Today, I authored a memo to the Rules and Open Government Commitee requesting that we begin to develop a citywide green building ordinance. . . read more

11-07-07 Agenda: Rules and Open Government Committee
10-31-07 Memo to Rules: Green Building Principles
10-01-07 Staff Report: Private Sector Green Building Program
09-28-07 Press Release: LEED in North San Jose

Tuesday evening's earthquake reminds all of us that need to be prepared for the Big One. The San Jose Emergency Operations Center was briefly activated and closed down at 11:15pm. As many of us experienced, cell phone service becomes inundated and hampers our ability to communicate. Take an evening to discuss with your family what you plan to do in the next major catastrohphe. San Jose Emergency Services Director Kimberly Shunk sent me a few links to assist with your planning.

Red Cross
Association of Bay Area Governments
http://www.72hours.or

Councilmember Chu meeting with San Jose Emergency Services Director Kimberly Shunk at the City's Emergency Operations Center in July 2007.