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Dear District 2 neighbors,
Save the Dates for another summer of Viva Parks events in District 2!
Viva Parks is our annual free series of events that activates neighborhood parks with activities, music, games, resource fairs, and more for community enjoyment! These are made possible by my Budget Document requests the previous fiscal year, and by the City's Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services Department. We'll have 9 Viva Parks events (3 of which include a Movie Night) and 3 Paint Nights:
Friday, May 10 | Paint the CitySJ at Danna Rock
Tuesday, June 11 | Viva Parks at Melody
Monday, June 17 | Viva Parks at Metcalf
Thursday, June 20 | Viva Parks w/ Movie Night at Great Oaks
Monday, June 24 | Viva Parks at Silver Leaf
Thursday, June 27 | Viva Parks w/ Movie Night at Coy
Thursday, July 11 | Paint the CitySJ at Coy
Thursday, July 18 | Viva Parks w/ Movie Night at Great Oaks
Monday, July 29 | Viva Parks at Melody
Monday, August 5 | Viva Parks at Dana Rock
Friday, August 16 | Paint the CitySJ at Parkview
Wednesday, August 21 | Viva Parks at Silver Leaf
Please enjoy other District 2 and citywide updates in my newsletter below. I will continue to update you on the City's Budget discussions as we near June.
In community,
Sergio Jimenez
Learn more about our City, neighborhoods, and accomplishments in my past monthly newsletters from 2017 to this year, which include: resources and information, policy and community updates, upcoming events, and a visual, in-depth recap of the impact we've made together.
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Updates in & around the City | |
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At my District 2 Office Hours, I welcome you to ask questions, share concerns, and make suggestions for your neighborhood or the City of San José. I look forward to speaking with you all and having open conversations about important topics in our community.
Next upcoming Office Hours:
Monday, June 17th, 2024
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Join us on Zoom: tinyurl.com/D2OFFICEHOURS
Updates to my District 2 Office Hours schedule for 2024:
I plan to host Office Hours every other month, on the 3rd Monday, on Zoom. As of now, we are planning future Office Hours for these months: June, August, and October.
Please look out for e-mails and social media posts about schedule updates. Thank you for your engagement!
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Approaches to Managing the Homelessness Crisis in Encampments and Other Locations - Clarifying Protocols
Given the complexity of homelessness, there can be confusion and uncertainty when trying to understand what the City can do within the law to manage some of the impacts of the homelessness crisis. This confusion can make it difficult to set expectations for members of the community about what the City is permitted to do to address various scenarios that involve interactions with people who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness, either in encampments or in other locations.
To learn more, please view the City's memorandum on Approaches to Managing the Homelessness Crisis in Encampments and Other Locations - Clarifying Protocols here. This Information Memorandum includes information about:
- Who to Contact Regarding an Encampment
- What Happens if a Resident Sees a Fire?
- What Should be Done to Report a Crime?
- Current Abatement Protocols
- Evaluating Common Scenarios
Important Policy Changes to Encampment Approach
The Mayor and City Council have recently issued policy direction that revises some of the direction in the Information Memorandum. Multiple City Departments are working diligently to identify what scope will be possible in our resource-constrained environment.
The following revisions have been approved, and are currently in progress -- they are not yet implemented:
- The City Council approved a pilot program expanding enforcement of oversized vehicle parking near 3 heavily impacted schools.
- The City Council adopted an ordinance prohibiting oversized vehicle parking and an ordinance prohibiting overnight parking to mitigate safety hazards on streets or street segments designated by the Council.
- The City continues to “preserve our progress” along a section of the Guadalupe River from Woz Way to Julian, preventing re-encampments in that area. The City will implement similar enforcement efforts along waterways and in other designated, sensitive areas throughout the City.
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As part of approval of the Mayor’s March Budget Message, the Mayor and City Council directed several changes related to exploration of no return zones around EIHC sites within a two-block radius, and other temporary housing alternatives. The City will prioritize waterways and areas for abatement that are unsafe due to crime and fire activity.
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Our office would like to provide additional details regarding the site expansion for the Rue Ferrari Emergency Interim Housing Community. The City's Housing Department has provided this Frequently Asked Questions document for your information. We will continue to share details and meetings as they become available. | |
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Thank you to our District 2 Neighborhood Associations who hosted Great American Litter Pick-Up events: Roundtable, Oak Grove, Melody-Serenade, Seven Trees, and VEP (Vistapark, Encore/Echo Valley, and Parkview Valley)!
Their time and leadership made it possible for community members and volunteers to gather and celebrate Earth Day by picking up litter and creating a cleaner, more vibrant San José.
They made a visible and tangible difference as we work to beautify our neighborhoods – there were more than 30 bags of trash picked up in District 2!
OGNA and Roundtable, we also applaud your dedication to hosting monthly neighborhood clean-up events!
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Viva CalleSJ was a day filled with community, culture, and celebration! Our team had a blast hosting a resource table at the Martial Cottle Park Activity Hub. It was great to meet many neighbors who were walking, biking, and rolling by the open streets event that spanned from Downtown San Jose down to South San Jose’s District 2.
We celebrated Earth Day with music, local vendors, food trucks, activities, games, and more!
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Over the last weekend of March, my office organized for the UFW Flag to be flown at City Hall in honor of César Chavez.
In 2014, President Obama proclaimed March 31 as César Chávez Day, a U.S. holiday. We celebrated a community organizer, civil rights activist, and labor icon César Chávez. San José was home to many farmworkers, including Chávez.
We honor Chávez and his partner labor leaders for their sacrifices to ensure better working conditions for farmworkers. His legacy lives on through his contributions to the American labor movement and the UFW.
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Resources & information about feral pigs
It has been brought to the City’s attention that there have been incidents of feral pigs trespassing, dumping trash cans, and destroying front lawns. Feral pigs are typically not aggressive unless they are feeling threatened or protecting their young.
Please view the City’s Feral Pigs brochure for resources such as phone numbers and websites that will assist you with addressing feral pig issues.
The brochure also provides answers to common questions (some information is listed below for your convenience) as well as how to scare feral pigs away and keep them away.
Additional resources
County of Santa Clara website: Feral Pigs
CA Department of Fish and Wildlife: Feral Pigs
Why can’t we just get rid of them?
Many thousands of pigs live in the foothills to the south and east of San Jose. It is difficult and costly to have a lasting impact on the pig populations in this area through trapping or hunting. It is illegal to relocate pigs to another area. It is dangerous to the community to hunt pigs that are in or near city areas. It would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to fence all of the areas exposed to the pig habitat (it would not be very attractive either).
What can I do?
The one certain method that will protect your lawn is low, sturdy fencing. If this is not a practical or preferred solution, you may want to try the following:
• Use a biological or chemical application on your lawn that will reduce the number of invertebrates (snails, grubs, larvae) living under your grass. The pigs aren’t interested in your grass; they are interested in what is under your grass.
• Consider a landscape that contains little or no grass.
• Water your lawn less, particularly during the summer and fall. This makes your lawn less attractive to the invertebrates, which makes your lawn less attractive to the pigs. Drought tolerant grasses are recommended.
• Use motion sensitive devices that will detect the pig’s movement. These devices can be used to produce bright light, or even a water stream that will frighten the pigs.
• Hire a trapper. The Department of Fish and Game can advise you who the licensed pig trappers are in the area.
DO NOT EVER PHYSICALLY CONFRONT A FERAL PIG.
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Join Southside Community Center on Saturday, May 18th from 10am-4pm for a day of supporting local small businesses at Southside's Pop-Up Market!
Enjoy free admission, delicious food by ChicknBros SJ, treats, and music!
Calling all vendors! Secure your spot to showcase your creations by signing up at Southside Community Center now! Don't miss this opportunity to connect with our vibrant community and shop local!
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Edenvale Park - Community Day
Sunday, May 26 ·
10 am - 12:30 pm
Edenvale Park
200 Edenvale Avenue San Jose, CA 95136
Turn your compassion into action and help us keep our parks healthy!
No experience is necessary! All tools and instructions will be provided. Please bring a filled water bottle, snacks, and wear closed toe shoes.
Dress for the weather! The event will be held--rain or shine!
Click here to RSVP.
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San José residents: It's easy and FREE to get rid of your junk!
Make an appointment, set out your junk, and City’s solid waste contractors will pick it up. You can schedule a free junk pickup appointment by calling your recycling collection company. Junk pickups are scheduled on the same day of the week as the customer’s normal recycling collection, but may occur at a different time of day. For more information, visit SJEnvironment.org/junkpickup.
Thank you for keeping our City clean and combating illegal dumping!
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Get involved: District 2 Neighborhood Associations
Neighborhood Associations (N.A.s) are established groups of community members who meet and collaborate to work towards common goals such as: beautification/clean-up efforts, safety enhancements, improvement projects, informational town halls, and social events. N.A.s serve as a connection between the community and City Hall. The District 2 Office is here to support N.A.'s by providing direction, resources, grants, help with outreach, models for success, and more.
View the interactive map of D2 Neighborhood Associations on my website to find your N.A. or work with my office to start a N.A. in your area!
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Vanessa Sandoval – Chief of Staff
Helen Chapman – Policy & Legislative Advisor
Lucas Ramirez – Policy & Legislative Analyst
Gloria Cerecer Perez - Council Assistant
Laura Nguyen – Digital Communications & Community Relations
Kimberly Hernandez – Executive Assistant
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JOIN US IN THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND.
CONNECT. ENGAGE. BE INFORMED.
#SJD2
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