District 1 Accomplishments
2019
Collaboration with Caltrans: Prioritized meeting with Caltrans to learn about some of their challenges and recently cleaned the backside of Norwalk and Casa Verde, adjacent to the Highway 280 sound wall.
The Ellis Act: Brought forth a memorandum on the Ellis Act Ordinance that was the product of hours of collaboration and compromise between developers and tenant protection advocates. The Ellis Act Ordinance applies when a landlord or developer plans to demolish or remove rent-stabilized apartments from the rental market. Find the proposed changes here. These adjustments provide flexibility for the development community, while maintaining protections for residents of Ellis properties.
Inclusionary Housing Ordinance: Put forth a memorandum to provide additional options for developers to provide affordable housing. The Inclusionary Housing Ordinance was adopted on January 12, 2010 and requires all residential developers who create new, additional, or modified units to provide 15% of housing on-site that is affordable to income qualified buyers/renters. This policy is a tool to achieve affordable housing in new developments. The changes to the ordinance can be found here.
Regional Planning Collaborative: As a member representing the City of San Jose at the Cities Association of Santa Clara County, Vice Mayor Jones led a multi-year effort with elected colleagues across the region and encouraged the 15 cities of Santa Clara County and the County to form a planning collaborative to better coordinate and plan for housing in the upcoming state mandated Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). Since the Cities Association Board's unanimous vote in September 2019, nearly all jurisdictions in our region (14 cities and the county) have agreed to work together, with the support of a consultant, to better coordinate where cities build their housing across all incomes in the region. Participation in the Planning Collaborative will provide our cities and county with a new forum to address the regional housing and homelessness crisis, understand new housing laws, coordinate countywide strategies, and comply with the state statutes of the Housing Element.
Stevens Creek Corridor: Concurrently working with Councilmember Dev David and neighboring jurisdictions (Cupertino, Santa Clara, and Santa Clara County) to explore a form of high capacity transit along Stevens Creek Corridor, connecting the Diridon Train Station, down through San Carlos/Stevens Creek corridor to West Valley cities and major employers. All jurisdictions passed resolutions expressing interest in a Transit Study led by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). With this milestone, the City is ready to move forward and consider a new transit technology that will meet the region’s growing transportation needs.
Advocacy Wins in Washington & Sacramento: Took an active role in representing our City on the legislative front in Washington D.C. and Sacramento. In Sacramento, the Vice Mayor visited with State Legislators and the Governor’s Office to advocate on high priority issues such as funding for homelessness, emergency preparedness, and public safety which led to:
Thinking Big for Small Businesses: Since its inception in August 2018, the District 1 Small Business Advisory Task Force (SBATF) has been working diligently to ensure small businesses have an opportunity to do business with the City by removing barriers of entry and encouraging targeted outreach, support, and inclusion in the City's procurement process. In 2019 the SBATF, made up of representatives of minority chambers of commerce and small business associations, provided recommendations and feedback on a number of City programs including the Public Works Academy, the Prequalification Program, the new procurement system Biddingo, and the Business Tax Amnesty Program.
Homelessness Roundtable: Took a proactive versus reactive approach by established the Homelessness Roundtable as an effort to increase dialogue among stakeholders and find viable solutions for this complex issue and secured $200,000 in funding through the Mayor’s Budget Fiscal Year 2019-2020 to deliver the pilot program. In collaboration with Destination: Home, the District 1 office designed and presented the first phase of this pilot program and introduced the Housing Ready Communities initiative to the Roundtable members, which include District 1 residents.
Innovation Zone: Successfully secured temporary funding for a staff member in the Office of Civic Innovation to assist with the West San Jose Innovation Zone. The Innovation Zone is an area of West San Jose that borders Santa Clara and includes areas of District 1 and District 6 (represented by Councilmember Dev Davis) where the Vice Mayor envisioned new technologies being piloted while engaging interested community members in the process.
The Ellis Act: Brought forth a memorandum on the Ellis Act Ordinance that was the product of hours of collaboration and compromise between developers and tenant protection advocates. The Ellis Act Ordinance applies when a landlord or developer plans to demolish or remove rent-stabilized apartments from the rental market. Find the proposed changes here. These adjustments provide flexibility for the development community, while maintaining protections for residents of Ellis properties.
Inclusionary Housing Ordinance: Put forth a memorandum to provide additional options for developers to provide affordable housing. The Inclusionary Housing Ordinance was adopted on January 12, 2010 and requires all residential developers who create new, additional, or modified units to provide 15% of housing on-site that is affordable to income qualified buyers/renters. This policy is a tool to achieve affordable housing in new developments. The changes to the ordinance can be found here.
Regional Planning Collaborative: As a member representing the City of San Jose at the Cities Association of Santa Clara County, Vice Mayor Jones led a multi-year effort with elected colleagues across the region and encouraged the 15 cities of Santa Clara County and the County to form a planning collaborative to better coordinate and plan for housing in the upcoming state mandated Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). Since the Cities Association Board's unanimous vote in September 2019, nearly all jurisdictions in our region (14 cities and the county) have agreed to work together, with the support of a consultant, to better coordinate where cities build their housing across all incomes in the region. Participation in the Planning Collaborative will provide our cities and county with a new forum to address the regional housing and homelessness crisis, understand new housing laws, coordinate countywide strategies, and comply with the state statutes of the Housing Element.
Stevens Creek Corridor: Concurrently working with Councilmember Dev David and neighboring jurisdictions (Cupertino, Santa Clara, and Santa Clara County) to explore a form of high capacity transit along Stevens Creek Corridor, connecting the Diridon Train Station, down through San Carlos/Stevens Creek corridor to West Valley cities and major employers. All jurisdictions passed resolutions expressing interest in a Transit Study led by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). With this milestone, the City is ready to move forward and consider a new transit technology that will meet the region’s growing transportation needs.
Advocacy Wins in Washington & Sacramento: Took an active role in representing our City on the legislative front in Washington D.C. and Sacramento. In Sacramento, the Vice Mayor visited with State Legislators and the Governor’s Office to advocate on high priority issues such as funding for homelessness, emergency preparedness, and public safety which led to:
- appropriation of $5.5 million for emergency preparedness and hazard mitigation in the City of San José; and
- appropriation of $3.75 million to increase coordination between San Jose and four other Bay Area cities to work together and tackle the rise in recent car break-ins.
Thinking Big for Small Businesses: Since its inception in August 2018, the District 1 Small Business Advisory Task Force (SBATF) has been working diligently to ensure small businesses have an opportunity to do business with the City by removing barriers of entry and encouraging targeted outreach, support, and inclusion in the City's procurement process. In 2019 the SBATF, made up of representatives of minority chambers of commerce and small business associations, provided recommendations and feedback on a number of City programs including the Public Works Academy, the Prequalification Program, the new procurement system Biddingo, and the Business Tax Amnesty Program.
Homelessness Roundtable: Took a proactive versus reactive approach by established the Homelessness Roundtable as an effort to increase dialogue among stakeholders and find viable solutions for this complex issue and secured $200,000 in funding through the Mayor’s Budget Fiscal Year 2019-2020 to deliver the pilot program. In collaboration with Destination: Home, the District 1 office designed and presented the first phase of this pilot program and introduced the Housing Ready Communities initiative to the Roundtable members, which include District 1 residents.
Innovation Zone: Successfully secured temporary funding for a staff member in the Office of Civic Innovation to assist with the West San Jose Innovation Zone. The Innovation Zone is an area of West San Jose that borders Santa Clara and includes areas of District 1 and District 6 (represented by Councilmember Dev Davis) where the Vice Mayor envisioned new technologies being piloted while engaging interested community members in the process.
2018
District 1 Park Plan: Introduced a memo to direct staff to increase the priority of creating a park master plan for the Pueblo de Dios site. Public Works is currently working to repair and complete projects impacted by last year’s flood. The memo ensures that we can begin the process as soon as projects that are already in the queue have been completed.
Successful District 1 Participatory Budgeting Implementation: In 2018, Participatory Budgeting was implemented in District 1. Residents had the opportunity to present ideas, vet and research proposals, and vote to use $200,000 in City funds.
Expand Our Sense of Community Through Neighborhood Associations: Worked to strengthen and rebuild Neighborhood Associations and provide a dedicated staff member to establish our neighborhood associations.
Continued Advocacy for Increased Public Transit: Advocated to increase access to public transit and traffic mitigation measures and successfully led the charge to address traffic surrounding the I-280 and Winchester corridors that resulted in a VTA study to improve access and relieve traffic. The study went through the environmental phase and was brought back to the VTA Board after completion.
Partnering to Provide Services to Local Businesses: Explored potential partnerships with agencies like the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) and organizations like the Silicon Valley Organization, the Hispanic Chamber of Silicon Valley, and the Silicon Valley Black Chamber to ensure additional services reach District 1 businesses. Possible services included joint workshops on securing small business loans, networking, and other key services.
Successful District 1 Participatory Budgeting Implementation: In 2018, Participatory Budgeting was implemented in District 1. Residents had the opportunity to present ideas, vet and research proposals, and vote to use $200,000 in City funds.
Expand Our Sense of Community Through Neighborhood Associations: Worked to strengthen and rebuild Neighborhood Associations and provide a dedicated staff member to establish our neighborhood associations.
Continued Advocacy for Increased Public Transit: Advocated to increase access to public transit and traffic mitigation measures and successfully led the charge to address traffic surrounding the I-280 and Winchester corridors that resulted in a VTA study to improve access and relieve traffic. The study went through the environmental phase and was brought back to the VTA Board after completion.
Partnering to Provide Services to Local Businesses: Explored potential partnerships with agencies like the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) and organizations like the Silicon Valley Organization, the Hispanic Chamber of Silicon Valley, and the Silicon Valley Black Chamber to ensure additional services reach District 1 businesses. Possible services included joint workshops on securing small business loans, networking, and other key services.
2017
Autonomous Vehicles on Stevens Creek Corridor: Placed continued emphasis on this important transportation corridor. A pilot autonomous vehicle program was developed by the city.
Parks Improvements: Parks Maintenance staff conducted a park assessment in Spring 2017. San Tomas Park was completed as well as some beatification at Saratoga Creek Park.
Residential Permit Parking Program Implementation: Advocated for and worked with DOT to implement three new residential parking permit programs were in Cadillac, Lynhaven, and Eden neighborhoods to address parking concerns.
Three Urban Village Plans Adopted by City Council: Worked with the Winchester Advisory Group (WAG) and Stevens Creek Advisory Group (SCAG), the Urban Village Plans for the Winchester Urban Village, Santana Row / Valley Fair Urban Village, and Stevens Creek Urban Village which were formally adopted by the City Council. It was the culmination of years of work by the city and community.
Establishing Project Hope: Made a budget request for “Project HOPE,” a pilot program in the Winchester/ Cadillac area. Project HOPE has implemented principles of community partnership, community development, neighborhood empowerment, and coordination of a broad range of City services to address neighborhood issues. It has been successful in creating its first-ever Neighborhood Association and hosted many successful community meetings and events.
Parks Improvements: Parks Maintenance staff conducted a park assessment in Spring 2017. San Tomas Park was completed as well as some beatification at Saratoga Creek Park.
Residential Permit Parking Program Implementation: Advocated for and worked with DOT to implement three new residential parking permit programs were in Cadillac, Lynhaven, and Eden neighborhoods to address parking concerns.
Three Urban Village Plans Adopted by City Council: Worked with the Winchester Advisory Group (WAG) and Stevens Creek Advisory Group (SCAG), the Urban Village Plans for the Winchester Urban Village, Santana Row / Valley Fair Urban Village, and Stevens Creek Urban Village which were formally adopted by the City Council. It was the culmination of years of work by the city and community.
Establishing Project Hope: Made a budget request for “Project HOPE,” a pilot program in the Winchester/ Cadillac area. Project HOPE has implemented principles of community partnership, community development, neighborhood empowerment, and coordination of a broad range of City services to address neighborhood issues. It has been successful in creating its first-ever Neighborhood Association and hosted many successful community meetings and events.
2016
Urban Village Advisory Groups: Ensured that the community was heavily involved when the urban village planning process began for both Winchester and Santana Row/Valley Fair and advocated for the creation of an advisory group made up of business owners, property owners, residents, and key stakeholders that would become heavily involved in the planning process. Started developing the Stevens Creek Urban Village Plan, and created an advisory group for that area.
Pilot Residential Parking Permit Program: Requested funding to restart the dormant Residential Parking Program and worked with the Department of Transportation to identify affected neighborhoods.
Moorpark Avenue Safety Modifications: Moorpark Avenue was re-striped as part of a resurfacing project to improve safety by reducing speeding and providing a center turn lane. Residents report that the re-striping has been very effective at reducing speeding and accidents between Saratoga Avenue and Lawrence Expressway. Residents can now enter traffic in a much safer way due to the improved sight lines.
Pedestrian Crossings: In August of 2016, the Department of Transportation completed a major crosswalk on Hamilton Avenue at Latimer Avenue. The crosswalk was needed due to the Latimer Elementary school being re-opened by the Moreland School District. Keeping school children safe on their way to school is a top priority for me.
Project PASSION: Project PASSION (Public and School Safety in Our Neighborhood) is a program designed to help neighbors, schools, and the City work together to identify problems related to schools and find ways to reduce the impact of these problems in neighborhoods. The program has helped to reduce traffic stacking, improve traffic flow, and increase student safety through the innovative use of changing bell times, changing where students are dropped off and picked up, improved signage around schools, changing signal timing, and adding a turn signal among other process and physical changes. Traffic improvement updates since beginning of term include:
Duckett Way Parking Modifications: Worked with the Department of Transportation to modify the parking restrictions on Duckett Way to allow overnight parking for residents.
Project HOPE: Made a budget request for “Project HOPE,” a pilot program in the Winchester/ Cadillac area. Project HOPE will implement principles of community partnership, community development, neighborhood empowerment, and coordination of a broad range of City services to address neighborhood issues. Project Hope has hosted many successful community events thanks to the residents of the Winchester/ Cadillac area for taking an active role in this pilot program.
Graffiti Clean-up & Beautification at Rolling Hills Middle School: Together with Campbell and San José Police organized a very successful litter and graffiti cleanup.
Mobile Food Pantry at West Valley Community Services: Met with the Executive Director and asked to partner with West Valley Community Services so that their services would be available to District 1 residents. West Valley Community Services is a nonprofit organization that provides the most vital and basic services to the community’s neediest individuals and families in an effort to fight hunger and homelessness in the west valley region. With the help of San José’s reuse program, West Valley Community Services will have a satellite office in District 1, as well as, a new mobile food pantry. This pantry-on-wheels will bring groceries, necessities, and supportive services to seniors and low-income residents in Saratoga, Los Gatos, and West San José. Clients will be able to pick up fresh food and staples such as rice, beans, and canned & dried goods in easy to reach locations.
Pilot Residential Parking Permit Program: Requested funding to restart the dormant Residential Parking Program and worked with the Department of Transportation to identify affected neighborhoods.
Moorpark Avenue Safety Modifications: Moorpark Avenue was re-striped as part of a resurfacing project to improve safety by reducing speeding and providing a center turn lane. Residents report that the re-striping has been very effective at reducing speeding and accidents between Saratoga Avenue and Lawrence Expressway. Residents can now enter traffic in a much safer way due to the improved sight lines.
Pedestrian Crossings: In August of 2016, the Department of Transportation completed a major crosswalk on Hamilton Avenue at Latimer Avenue. The crosswalk was needed due to the Latimer Elementary school being re-opened by the Moreland School District. Keeping school children safe on their way to school is a top priority for me.
Project PASSION: Project PASSION (Public and School Safety in Our Neighborhood) is a program designed to help neighbors, schools, and the City work together to identify problems related to schools and find ways to reduce the impact of these problems in neighborhoods. The program has helped to reduce traffic stacking, improve traffic flow, and increase student safety through the innovative use of changing bell times, changing where students are dropped off and picked up, improved signage around schools, changing signal timing, and adding a turn signal among other process and physical changes. Traffic improvement updates since beginning of term include:
- Near Lynhaven, we added red curbs at previously blocked crosswalks, asked Parking Enforcement to remind parkers to keep them clear, and asked the Department of Transportation (DOT) to perform a traffic safety study.
- Around Challenger's Strawberry Park campus, we added road dots to remind drivers to stay on their side of the road, modified the parking time to allow parking next to the school during off hours, added a loading zone next to the school so students could exit a car onto the school grounds, and worked with the school to split drop-offs more evenly on both sides of the school. The school administration has also modified their daily schedule to allow for a more evenly spread out schedule to keep from creating stacking around the school.
- Mitty High School had curbing painted red to highlight 'no parking' near ADA ramps.
- Murdock Portal Elementary had a number of curbs painted red to improve driver visibility for students and a “KEEP CLEAR” on Bollinger to allow cars to turn more safely on their way to and from school.
- Baker Elementary and Harker Lower School had problems trying to navigate left turns onto San Tomas Aquino from Bucknall. DOT modified the traffic signal to a 3-way signal, making turning onto and crossing San Tomas Aquino much safer in the morning.
- Worked with Harker Lower School to modify their schedules to spread out the arrival and departure of students and lessen the crush from both schools (Harker and Baker)
- Latimer Elementary School received a major new crosswalk across Hamilton, as well as additional red curbing by DOT and curb clarification (Drop off/Pick up) on campus by Moreland School District.
- Moreland Middle School received new signage, red curbing, crosswalk painting, and new traffic flow on Student Lane. DOT added a pedestrian delay of 5 seconds to allow students a 5-second head start when crossing Hamilton without vehicles moving.
- Anderson Village received a number of red curbs next to ADA ramps. There is now a path all the way to Starbird Park where a number of students attend an after-school program.
Duckett Way Parking Modifications: Worked with the Department of Transportation to modify the parking restrictions on Duckett Way to allow overnight parking for residents.
Project HOPE: Made a budget request for “Project HOPE,” a pilot program in the Winchester/ Cadillac area. Project HOPE will implement principles of community partnership, community development, neighborhood empowerment, and coordination of a broad range of City services to address neighborhood issues. Project Hope has hosted many successful community events thanks to the residents of the Winchester/ Cadillac area for taking an active role in this pilot program.
Graffiti Clean-up & Beautification at Rolling Hills Middle School: Together with Campbell and San José Police organized a very successful litter and graffiti cleanup.
Mobile Food Pantry at West Valley Community Services: Met with the Executive Director and asked to partner with West Valley Community Services so that their services would be available to District 1 residents. West Valley Community Services is a nonprofit organization that provides the most vital and basic services to the community’s neediest individuals and families in an effort to fight hunger and homelessness in the west valley region. With the help of San José’s reuse program, West Valley Community Services will have a satellite office in District 1, as well as, a new mobile food pantry. This pantry-on-wheels will bring groceries, necessities, and supportive services to seniors and low-income residents in Saratoga, Los Gatos, and West San José. Clients will be able to pick up fresh food and staples such as rice, beans, and canned & dried goods in easy to reach locations.
2015 – First 100 Days in Office
- Hosted a successful walking tour of Winchester Boulevard with community leaders and stakeholders.
- Increased the number of evening office hours held in District 1 to two nights in a month to help be more accessible to the community.
- Replaced “No Overnight Parking” Signs with “No Overnight Parking Vehicles Over 6’ ” Signs on Duckett Way to give residents added parking for their community.
- Launched Project PASSION (Public and School Safety in Our Neighborhoods) and worked with Challenger School and residents in the Strawberry Park Neighborhood to calm school traffic, improve parking, and improve school operations.
- Held public meetings to listen to residents concerned about Champion School and facilitated direct feedback to the Planning Department.
- Moorpark Avenue Safety Changes. Gathered community feedback from residents for DOT (Department of Transportation) to make major changes along Moorpark Avenue to improve safety as part of a planned resurfacing project.
- Improved safety and quality of life along Barrymore Drive by removing overnight sleepers, fixing water mains, engaging apartment complexes to paint and remove debris, and scheduled LED light replacement along the street.
- Helped neighbors in the Murdock Neighborhood turn on 50 burned out street lights.
- Assisted a Senior Deaf Community Group that meets at Cypress Senior & Community Center to become recognized as a community group by the city. They can now participate as a recognized group in activities like budget discussions.
- Fixed lights in Starbird Park and improved the cleanliness in the restrooms.
- Sponsored the very successful annual Senior Walk at Valley Fair Mall.
- Co-Hosted the African American Flag Raising Ceremony.
- Improved Williamsburg Drive residents' quality of life. Removed mattresses, couches, and furniture. Turned on streetlights, removed abandoned and broken down cars, repainted crosswalks, added red curbing next to crosswalks for pedestrian safety. Cleared clogged drains and encouraged landlords to cut down bushes to drive out vagrants.
- Fixed a bad plumbing situation in the Mise Park restrooms.
- Appointed to the VTA Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) to help support infrastructure and transportation improvements in District 1.
- Appointed to the County Roads and Airports Policy Advisory Board to advocate for improvements to the major Expressways that traverse District 1.
- Worked with Caltrans to remove an encampment near I-280/17 off-ramps and Moorpark Avenue.
- Worked with the Department of Transportation to recognize the pavement condition of Johnson Avenue and add it to the list of major streets that needs rehabilitation.
- Successfully worked with PG&E to add bollards in front of gas meters to prevent another vehicle from hitting and setting them ablaze on Essex Way.
- Worked with DOT to fix the potholes and ruts on Fallenleaf Lane off of S. De Anza Boulevard.
