January 25, 2008

District 8 Report

2007: A year in review

By Dave Cortese
Vice mayor and
city councilman

I hope you enjoyed a restful holiday and that the New Year brings your family all kinds of wonderful adventures and successes.

Before we dive too deeply into 2008, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what we were able to get done in 2007, due in large part to the partnership between City Hall and residents like yourself, individuals who are not afraid to give their ideas and their time to keeping our city as the very best place to live in the country.

Here is just a taste of the successes of ’07:

- Secured $38 million in state funding to improve the interchange at Tully Road and Highway 101. We convinced the City Council, the VTA and State officials that state funding awarded to the City under Proposition 1B had to be used to deal with this highly congested, highly dangerous interchange. When the new plans are completed, this will greatly relieve traffic congestion so people can get to work and school safely and swiftly.

- Held the line on growth in Evergreen, Silver Creek and Pleasant Hills. We convinced the City Council to reject any significant new growth until our interchanges are fixed, open space is protected, our schools are up to par and we have fostered job creation in our area of San Jose so residents can have the option of working closer to where they live.

- Supported the success of the Evergreen Village Square. We convinced the City Council to pass a new law to disallow grocery stores from being built or expanded larger than 20,000 square feet in southeast Evergreen in order to protect existing retail stores and help grow the small businesses that comprise the charming Village Square on Ruby Avenue. My office continues to work closely with Shapell Industries and Lunardi’s to find a new grocer tenant.

- Ensured a safe and steady roll-out of garbage, recycling and yard clipping services. I recommended against renewing the City’s contract with Norcal Waste Solutions for residential garbage pick-up because of their poor credibility during their prior contract. Instead, I supported a transition to two new companies, and I am pleased to report that the transition has been relatively smooth and uneventful.

- Fresh produce and healthy eating opportunities now a staple in District 8. The quaint but popular Farmers Market continues to be a hit with District 8 residents. I am pleased to have helped bring this annual tradition to fruition. Now located inside the Evergreen Village Square, the market operates every Wednesday and Sunday and offers the finest selection of fruits, vegetables, breads and conversation as you meet farmers and vendors from all over Northern and Central California.

n A dazzling 12-acre park, right in our district. Over 500 residents joined me at the grand opening of Fowler Creek Park, complete with tennis courts, bocce ball courts, water play area, hilltop terrace and much more.

- The city must lead by example when it comes to climate protection. In early 2007 I recommended the adoption of a municipal goal for greenhouse gas emission reduction, which was approved by my colleagues on the City Council.

- After-school homework assistance in abundance. Working with local schools and nonprofit agencies, we helped open 24 sites around District 8 this year that offer after-school homework assistance, funded in part by the City of San Jose.

- A more transparent City Hall. As Chair of the Mayor’s Transition Subcommittee on Ethics and Reform, I pushed for increased disclosure requirements for lobbyists and increased public access to the calendars of City Officials. 2007 was truly a landmark year for Ethics reform in San Jose!

- Joint cooperation between Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose. In 2007, the three largest cities in the Bay Area for the first time pledged to work together to ensure adequate funding for the region’s affordable housing and transportation needs. This historic pact was formed at an Association of Bay Area Governments, where as President, I urged my colleagues from the neighboring cities to stand united with San Jose.

San Jose’s streets to receive desperately needed attention. Nothing makes a commute more painful than poorly maintained streets, riddled with cracks and potholes. Despite the annual budget crisis we battle, my colleagues and I approved one-time funding of $4.8 million in the General Fund to be used for: street resurfacing, traffic sign replacement and roadway striping and repainting. Expect to see some of this good fortune come to San Felipe Road, between Evergreen Valley College and Yerba Buena Road, where the road will be significantly resurfaced this summer.

We are barely into 2008 - and as I am sure is the case with your family - Pattie and I are just amazed by the numerous priorities and responsibilities that keep us and our four kids running at a marathoner’s pace. The same goes with the District 8 Council Office – this year promises to bring continued accomplishment and excitement for San Jose residents at a dizzyingly hectic but truly enjoyable pace. My staff – Rabia, Michelle, The-Vu, Bushra, Mark, Mary, Mike and Toni – are all hard at work to help bring to fruition major projects and policy initiatives that continue to improve the quality of life for our residents. Here is a hint of what to expect this year:

- Falls Creek Park. Located just north of Evergreen Valley College, this one-acre park - equipped with water-conserving plants and low-maintenance elements, scheduled to open at the end of the summer, will be a wonderful addition to Dis-trict 8.

- Lake Cunningham Skatepark (pictured) – A 50,000-Square Foot Facility. The entire county is talking about this fabulous new recreational hotspot, scheduled to open in April 2008. Designed to accommodate skaters of all age levels, this park includes cereal bowls, competition bowls and many other of the latest structures that enhance the skating experience. Stay tuned for details about the grand-opening festivities.

- Tribute to John J. Montgomery. The artist is putting the finishing touches on this stunning tribute to the father of flight. Many of you have already noticed the artist’s prominent rendition of a glider wing at the corner of San Felipe/Yerba Buena Roads. When completed (end of February 2008), this public plaza will be the perfect place for contemplation about human ingenuity and a permanent reminder about our great Evergreen history.

Stay tuned for details about the grand-opening festivities.

- May 2008 Bus Trip to Sacramento to Advocate for Education Funding. Despite the State of California facing a $9.8 billion dollar deficit in the next fiscal year, we need to make sure there are no cuts in education funding – our educational institutions are already forced to make do with less. Join us on this free annual trip to Sacramento to meet with our state delegation and deliver the unified message of keeping education funding intact. Exact date to be announced, based on the release of the Governor’s revised budget – stay tuned for details.

- 2008 Day in the Park, A Multicultural Festival. Over 10,000 people attended last year’s festival, which offered free flu shots, free pumpkins, free food, giveaways, amazing raffle prizes, multicultural entertainment on two stages, free information and resources. 2008 stands to outshine previous years’ festivals so do not miss out. Stay tuned for this year’s date!

If you would like more information on any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact me at 408-535-4908 or dave.cortese@sanjoseca.gov. Over the past seven years I have received hundreds of emails from constituents around the city, sharing their questions, comments and concerns. I hope this great tradition of participation will continue in the year ahead and it is my greatest joy to serve you. Thanks for your support and let’s all have a great 2008!