*Don't miss all the updates in District 10 April Newsletter! Be sure to check the sidebar for important upcoming events and other announcements!
**Have you ever wondered how I voted on a particular issue or why I voted a certain way?
Dear Neighbors,
Join me and residents throughout San José for the 2017 GREAT AMERICAN LITTER PICK UP event on April 22nd. Participate in a national beautification service day in celebration of Earth Day by volunteering!
Please click here to RSVP!
A Tidy End to the Milpitas Garbage Saga:
On March 21st, the Milpitas City Council voted unanimously, 5-0, to amend their agreement with Waste Management to use Kirby Canyon Landfill as their disposal site, instead of the Guadalupe Landfill. The City of Milpitas contract with Republic Services and Newby Island Landfill will extend through the end of the calendar year (2017), and, beginning in January 2018, Waste Management’s Kirby Canyon Landfill is scheduled to begin taking Milpitas’ garbage. The Waste Management contract is for a 15-year period.
This issue has been a big concern for District 10 residents for almost a year and I am grateful to all those who put in the effort to develop a win-win solution for both San José and Milpitas! Our negotiating efforts between San Jose and the newly-elected City Council in Milpitas were a great example of cities working together to reach a solution that benefits our communities and avoids expensive court battles. Thanks go to all of those who assisted me with our efforts including Mayor Liccardo and his staff, the elected members of the Milpitas City Council, our City Attorney and his team, Planning and Environmental Services leaders and staff, Milpitas City management and staff, and the many constituents who have worked diligently on this important issue!
For a more complete history of the Milpitas garbage issue, you may view an event timeline here.
SJC Airport Update
Rapid expansion in the number of nonstop destinations at Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) continues to be great news for Silicon Valley business and leisure travelers. Among America’s 50 largest airports, SJC now ranks as the fastest-growing, and is celebrating several recent new service announcements. In just the first few months of this year, airlines have started or announced nonstop flights to new destinations Newark, Long Beach and Tucson – bringing SJC’s total to 41 nonstop destinations. Aeromexico will join SJC’s lineup of international carriers in July with service to Guadalajara, and there also are expanded options to Chicago, Los Angeles, Burbank, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Austin and Reno.
All that growth comes on top of a remarkable 2016, when SJC inaugurated international service to London, Frankfurt, Shanghai, and Vancouver, along with new domestic flights to Baltimore-Washington and Charlotte.
SJC also was just named the best-run airport in the country by American Cities Business Journals. It’s a huge honor for the airport and the City of San Jose, because the publication used a variety of data points in its research to declare that SJC “ranks among the best of its peers in virtually every financial and operating category measured by the ranking.” You can find the full story here: http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2017/03/15/rankings-san-jose-has-the-best-run-airport-in.html
Not only is SJC the best-run airport in the country, its convenience is exceptional and its on-time record is the best in the Bay Area! Book your next trip a trip to Asia, Europe, Mexico, Canada, or destinations within the U.S.A., on one of the many fantastic airlines (embed link: http://www.flysanjose.com/airlines) with direct flights to and from SJC, and be sure to follow all of the latest airport happenings on their Twitter feed - @FlySJC!
Sister Cities celebrate 60 years!
San Jose and Okayama, Japan, will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the sister city linkage between our cities later this month when a 115-member delegation from Okayama visits San Jose April 21st – 23rd. The delegation will be led by Mayor Masao Omori and will include 18 members of the Okayama City Council, 20 leading business executives, former university exchange students, and community members.
The San Jose-Okayama sister city relationship, established in 1957, one year after the birth of the Sister Cities movement was founded by President Eisenhower, is the third oldest sister city affiliation among U.S. cities.
The City will welcome the Okayama delegation to City Hall with a U.S/Japan – San Jose/Okayama flag raising ceremony on Friday, April 21st, 2:00 PM. The Consul General of Japan will be attending the ceremony and the famed San Jose Taiko will be performing. The ceremony is a community celebration and all are welcome to attend.
A dinner will be held at the Rotary Summit Center on Sunday, April 23rd, 6:30 PM to mark the 60th anniversary of the special San Jose-Okayama Sister City relationship. The public is invited to attend the dinner and you may use this link to register for the Sister City dinner: http://tinyurl.com/60thPerformances. You may also use this link for a separate Saturday evening cultural program at the Hammer Theater that will feature performers from Okayama and San Jose. Note: Make your reservations today since registration for the dinner will close on April 17th.
Other Announcements
Free tours of the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility
The Environmental Services Department is offering free public tours of the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF). The RWF has been treating Silicon Valley’s wastewater and protecting public health and the Bay environment since 1956. On the tour, participants will learn about the vital role the RWF plays in protecting public health, safeguarding the Bay and wildlife, and supporting the local economy. Participants will view some of the improvements in progress associated with the RWF Capital Improvement Program, a $1.4 billion effort over 10 years to rebuild and modernize the aging facility and one of the largest public works efforts in South Bay history.
Two bus tours will occur on the following Saturday’s in 2017 at 10:00-11:00 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m.:
- April 15
- May 20
- June 24
- July 29
- August 26
- September 30
Tours are open to adults and children over the age of 12. Registration is required, and space is limited. Learn more and register at www.sjenvironment.org/RWFtours
San José City Council declares end of local water shortage
The following is a press release from San Jose's Environmental Services Department:
The San José City Council declared an end to a citywide water shortage on March 28, reflecting improved water supply conditions from unusually heavy rain and snow throughout California this winter that have ended a five-year drought.
The decision halts the 20 percent restriction on water use in San José and resets restrictions to those in effect at all times under Chapter 15.10 of the Municipal Code, regardless of drought conditions.
The council also directed City staff to continue to promote water-efficiency practices by residents and businesses in recognition of the long-term variability of California's water supply. San José also will continue to follow ongoing state requirements for water-use reductions outlined in Gov. Jerry Brown's Executive Order B-37-16.
As a result of Tuesday's declaration, there are no longer any restrictions on the days residents may water their lawns or landscapes.
But residents still must adhere to San José water-use restrictions that remain in place at all times. They include:
- No outdoor irrigation between 10 AM and 8 PM without use of a bucket, handheld container, or hose with a shutoff valve. (Note: hours listed incorrectly in March 31st advisory as 8 AM - 10 PM).
- Anyone washing a vehicle must use a hose with a shutoff nozzle.
- Broken or leaking water pipes, irrigation systems, and faucets must be fixed within five working days.
Kerrie Romanow, director of the San José Environmental Services Department, thanked local residents and businesses for significantly cutting back water use since August 2014 during a punishing drought.
"Our entire community has done a terrific job saving water for the past three years. State and local water supplies have now been restored to the point where we can declare an end to the shortage," she said. "I urge all our residents to continue following water-efficiency practices, however. This shortage may be over, but saving water must continue to be a way of life for everyone."
The declaration concludes a San José water shortage that lasted nearly three years. On Jan. 17, 2014, Gov. Brown declared a statewide emergency in response to drought conditions and directed state agencies to carry out a water-conservation campaign that called on Californians to reduce their consumption by 20 percent.
On July 16, 2014, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted emergency regulations mandating that water suppliers, including the San José Municipal Water System (Muni Water), implement local water shortage contingency plans with respect to outdoor irrigation of ornamental landscapes or turf with potable water.
On Aug. 26, 2014, the San José City Council declared a 20 percent water shortage. As the water-supply problem worsened, the council increased the water-shortage declaration on April 21, 2015, to 30 percent and approved additional measures to encourage San José residents and businesses to reduce water consumption.
On May 9, 2016, the governor directed the SWRCB to require local water agencies to come up with their own water-reduction targets. The San José City Council on June 21, 2016, decreased its water-shortage declaration to 20 percent and restricted outdoor watering to a maximum of three days per week.
On Feb. 8, 2017, the SWRCB established "stress tests" to ensure the reliability of local water supplies. Muni Water supply projections have met the standard of those tests, meaning there is sufficient supply to withstand a three-year drought by following local water-use restrictions that are in effect at all times as well as ongoing water-efficiency programs. The San Jose Water Company and Great Oaks Water Company also met the standard.
The winter of 2016-17 was among the wettest in decades in the Sierra Nevada, which stores much of the state's water supply in the form of snow. As of Thursday, the statewide snowpack was 164 percent of the historical average.
City staff will continue to monitor water supplies and consumption and may make additional recommendations in the future to ensure they remain in balance.
For more information on continuing water-use restrictions, please visit www.sanjoseca.gov/waterconservation.
Vacancies on San Jose’s Housing and Community Development Commission (HCDC)
Calling all housers! Are you a resident of San Jose? Do you want to help shape housing policy in your City? Interested persons from Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, & 9 can apply. While registered voters from all Council Districts are eligible, the Commission is working to recruit low-income residents (or people who represent low-income people) and a tenant of a rent-controlled apartment.
For more information about the Commission or the application process, please reach out to Anh Tran at the City Clerk’s office via email at commissions@sanjoseca.gov or at (408) 535-1260.
Mustang Stampede Annual Fundraiser
Even though it's recently been quite wet outside, please consider taking a moment to assist with this annual golf fundraiser for the Pioneer High School Athletic Booster Club.
They are excited to see a number of online registrations confirmed in recent weeks for this year's stampede on Monday May 15th, 2017.
Golfers, remember to consider adding a "mega ticket" along with your (individual or foursome) registrations to ensure you have ample foot wedge, mulligan and other coupons (secret to a winning score) - registering online takes less than 5 minutes
http://phsabc.com/2017-mustang-stampede/
Thank you to their new sponsors this year and returning sponsors - more details and online registration can be found here (many sponsor levels also include golf slots) http://phsabc.com/2017-mustang-stampede-sponsorship-sign-up/
City of San Jose Community Services Aide Position NOW OPEN!
Please read the information below for an opportunity from City of San José Parks, Recreation, & Neighborhood Services:
City of San José is recruiting for Community Service Aides (CSAs) for the summer! The position is posted on the City of San José website.
This is a great opportunity for your youth to obtain employment with the City and begin to build their resumes by working at local community centers, parks, and even Happy Hollow Park & Zoo. It is open for anyone that is 14+, so everyone is encouraged to apply! Applications will close once a sufficient amount of applications have been received.
FREE Large-Item Pick-Up Program
Do you have junk, such as old mattresses, sofas, refrigerators, or tires, cluttering up your home or garage? San José residents in homes with garbage cart service (single-family homes, most townhomes and condos, and mobile homes) can now schedule two free junk pickup appointments per year of three large items each.
Call to schedule your pickup:
* Homes with garbage cart service in downtown, north, east, and south San José, call California Waste Solutions at (408) 213-7800
* Homes with garbage cart service in West San José, call GreenTeam of San Jose at (408) 282-4400 * Not sure? Look up your recycling collection company at www.sjenvironment.org/lookup
* Residents in apartments and most condominiums should contact their property manager or GreenTeam directly at (408) 282-4400 to arrange for free junk pickup Visit www.sjenvironment.org/junkpickup for more information, frequently asked questions, and a list of eligible items. Help keep our neighborhood clean by reporting illegal dumping: 408-535-3500 and visit www.beautifysj.org to report blight and beautify San José throughout the year!
SJPD Hiring Crossing Guards for District 10 schools!
The San Jose Police Department School Safety & Education Unit is hiring for school crossing guards. $21.39 Hourly (Part-Time/Un-benefited).
Minimum qualifications include ability to work 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the afternoon every school day during school start and end times, possession of a valid State of California driver's license, access to a motor vehicle, and other qualifications. To learn more, contact the School Safety & Education Unit at (408) 277-4553.
For questions, comments, or concerns you may reach my office at (408)535-4910 or district10@sanjoseca.gov
Sincerely,
Councilmember Johnny Khamis
**Have you ever wondered how I voted on a particular issue or why I voted a certain way?
*Don't miss all the updates in District 10 April Newsletter! Be sure to check the sidebar for important upcoming events and other announcements!
