Councilmember Pete Constant
District 1, City of San José
200 East Santa Clara Street,18th Floor
San José, CA 95113
Telephone: (408) 535-4901
Fax: (408) 292-6448
Pete.Constant@sanjoseca.gov
www.sjdistrict1.com

Inside this Issue:

• Message from Pete
• Inclusionary Zoning
• RDA Budget
• Open Space Authority

Helpful Links for D1 Residents:

• Pete's Calendar
• Council Agenda
• Live and Archived Council Meetings
• District 1 Map
• Photos of District 1 Events
• District 1 Neighborhood Groups
• Pete and District 1 in the News
• Parks in District 1
• District 1 Staff
• Review permits in San José

Service Providers for D1 Residents:

Connecting to your government:

• Mayor and Council
• San José Charter
• San José Municipal Code
• San José Boards and Commissions
• Santa Clara County
• Registrar of Voters
• Guide to Government
• State of California
• U.S. Government

Important Phone Numbers:

Questions or Suggestions?
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Message from Councilmember Pete Constant

Summer is a great time to get out to fun events and enjoy the weather with family and good friends. July was packed with plenty of BBQ's and outdoor time including the very successful Sports Day hosted by the Lideres Latinos de Blackford Neighborhood Association at Starbird Park on Saturday, July 12. Over 300 hundred sandwiches, 45 bicycle helmets, and 70 rubber sports balls were given out free to participants! Congratulations to Lideres Latinos on such a successful event.

Leaders from District 1 neighborhood associations gathered in my backyard for a July BBQ and meeting. There were lively discussions and debates during small breakout groups before enjoying smoked ribs with all the BBQ trimmings. I think the amount of collaboration effort among the different leaders promises to bring a new strength to the identity of West San José and District 1.

During the Leadership meeting members planned for National Night Out celebrations on August 5th with their associations. National Night Out is a movement taking place across the United States to take back the neighborhoods from crime by turning on porch lights and getting out into the streets with neighbors and friends. Whether a block party, BBQ, ice-cream social or just a stroll along the sidewalk, residents took time out of their busy days to meet their neighbors and build the relationships that form the basis of community. District 1 boasted the greatest number of National Night Out celebrations, including the largest in San José at Starbird Park with nearly 1,000 participants. I was thrilled at the outpouring of support for this effort to make our neighborhoods safer.

We are now at the start of a new fiscal year in the city and council meetings are again in session. With the fiscal year 07-08 behind us I will be looking at the upcoming fiscal year 08-09 with an eye on preserving and strengthening core city services. With the recent economic slow-down I will also be looking for opportunities for our city to capitalize on our innovative spirit.

Part of that opportunity exists in the Winchester Boulevard Master Plan improvement project. After a successful first meeting with the architects working on the plans and the residents and businesses of District 1, I invite you to continue the planning process during the start of a series of workshops for the Winchester Boulevard Master Plan. On Saturday, August 23, 2008 you can get involved with planning a future District 1 icon. Join me at Bethel Church at 1201 South Winchester Boulevard for a free continental breakfast and workshop led by the San José Redevelopment Agency and Field Paoli Architects. To view a flyer with more details about the workshop click here.

The Fall City Council agenda includes a proposal to expand the City's use of Inclusionary Housing Policies. While I believe that we need to look for ways to increase the affordability of housing for all of our residents, I do not believe the proposed Inclusionary Housing policies will achieve the best results. For a full discussion of what Inclusionary Housing is and what alternatives are available click here.

It has been a year in the planning and now it's time to mark your calendars as I host the "Festival in the Park 2008" on September 20, 2008 in Hathaway Park. Come be a part of the biggest party in District 1 with our featured performer former Doobie Brothers Band member Danny Hull! There will be free food, entertainment, resource booths, bounce houses for the kids, fire trucks, mounted police patrols, and so much more.

Your Neighbor,

PETE IN THE NEWS

August 6, 2008
The Metro, Grand jury schools the city on its mishandling of money for History San Jose, but that may not be its only nonprofit problem
"I honestly feel whenever we have nonprofits and we provide them with grants it should be a incubation process to get them on their feet and be self-sufficient," Constant said. "Fundraising has got to be a priority for all our nonprofits in the city and we need to make sure their board is actively fundraising. I don't know if they are."

August 6, 2008
San Jose Mercury News, Council OKs fare boost for City's taxi drivers
At the request of Councilman Pete Constant, the San Jose City Council approved a series of fare increases to help taxi drivers who have been reeling from the recent rise in gas prices.

August 6, 2008
San Jose Mercury News, Higher taxes: too much all at once?
To help offset the lower rate, voters will be asked to broaden the utility tax to include new technologies such as text-messaging and voice-over-Internet. That proposal carried unanimously; Constant and Vice Mayor Dave Cortese voted against the 911 fee, which Constant called "an illegal tax."

August 5, 2008
San Jose Mercury News, Council weighs changes to help taxicab owners
"It is reasonable for us to have a minimum fare," said Councilman Pete Constant, who has joined forces with councilwomen Nora Campos and Nancy Pyle. "These are small, independent operators."