February 9, 2009

Council Report

Budget transparency important to city’s residents

By Councilmember Judy Chirco
Special to the Times

As we all know, the national and world economy are undergoing a massive down-turn that affects all of us, whether in the form of rethinking a family budget, worrying about being able to find or keep a job or figuring out how to get by on a fixed income.

The downturn also has an affect on our city budget; you may have read that the city will need to make up a $65 million shortfall to balance the budget for the fiscal year beginning next July. Unfortunately, after seven years of trimming budgets, it’s likely that this year we will have to lay off city employees and make some service cuts.

These are very difficult decisions for San Jose, but I can commit to you that as we begin budget discussions this spring and adopt a final budget in June, I will support a respectful, thoughtful discussion about our priorities as a city with careful deliberation about how we can best serve our residents with the resources at hand.

It will be more important than ever this year for citizens to participate in these discussions. As we move towards the beginning of the budget process in March, I will keep you informed of upcoming public meetings with opportunities for community input.

As always, you can tell me what you think directly by contacting my office at (408) 535-4909 or by e-mail at district9@sanjoseca.gov.

Residents on city commissions
I appreciate all the residents of San Jose who volunteer to serve on city boards and commissions. Currently, District 9 has 24 individuals serving on 21of the 28 commissions. This is the best representation since I took office six years ago.

They are:

- Youth Commission, Katie Hawn,

- Airport Commission, Frank Kent

- Civil Service Commission, William Brill, Jr.

- Council Salary Setting Commission Joan Cooper, Eileen Consiglio and George Thibeault

- Disability Advisory Commis-sion, Emma Eljas

- Downtown Parking Board, Troy Tibbils

- Chair, Early Care and Education, Timothy Kirby

- Early Care and Education, Sharlyn Maeda

- Elections Commission, Erica Cosgrove

- Mobile Home Advisory, Vernon Swart, Jr.

- Historic Landmarks Commission, Heather Jackson

- Housing and Community Development Commission, Vincent Cantore

- Human Rights Commission, Raji Bains

- Library Commission, Caroline Martin

- Neighborhood Commission, Melissa McCoy and Hugh Graham

- Parks and Recreation Commission, Winston Chew

- Planning Commission, Hope Cahan

- Project Diversity, Jeannie LoFranco

- Senior Citizens Commission, Michael Davis

- Small business Development Commission, Brian Ho

Thanks to all of our District 9 neighbors who are giving of their time and talents to make San Jose a better place to live, work, and play.

Applications are now being accepted for San Jose boards and commissions: Airport, Arts, Disability Advisory, Early Care and Education, Historic Landmarks, Housing and Community Development, Human Rights, Library, Mobile Home Advisory, Parks & Recreation, Rents Advisory, Sen-ior Citizens, Small Business Develop-ment and Traffic Appeals.

You must live in San Jose and have a commitment to being active in the community. Applications will be accepted through 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 27. Applications will remain active and on file for one year from the date received. The process includes a written application and interview with the Diversity Committee for appointments starting July 1.

Application forms and information sheets that describe commission duties and time commitments are available from the Office of the City Clerk or on the city’s Web site http://www.sanjoseca.gov/clerk/Vacancy.asp.

For additional information about a particular commission, board or committee, log onto Boards & Commissions, or visit or call the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 535-1260.

‘Neighbors in the Chambers’ training to become community advocates
A three-part training program to help residents be more effective and informed advocates on behalf of communities or neighborhoods is offered by San Jose’s Neighborhood Development Center and the Strong Neighborhood Initiative. This is your chance to learn about the ins and outs of city hall from experienced neighborhood leaders and city staff. Training will be held on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon in the council chambers at city hall. Trainings sessions include “From Idea to Action” Feb. 21, “City Council Meeting 101” March 21 and “The Effective Advocate” April 18.

For more information or to RSVP, contact the Neighborhood Development Center at 408-723-4114 or ndc@sanjoseca.gov.

Kirk Senior Center
The Kirk Senior Center will begin offering programs at the Camden Community Center on Monday, Feb. 9 while the Kirk Senior Center is closed for renovations. The senior nutrition lunch program will operate from Monday to Fridays in the multipurpose room at the Camden Community Center, 3369 Union Ave. between Camden and Foxworthy. Please contact Melissa Monsees at (408) 269-0214 for further information.

The Kirk Senior Center remodeling project will include a new senior lounge, restrooms and enlarged kitchen to meet the needs of the senior nutrition program. This former school site will also get new wiring for the Internet access and integrated telephone systems. The outdoor area will have improved walkways and landscaping. Construction is expected to be complete by January 2010.

Celebrate Cambrian Festival
On Saturday, May 16 we will host the fourth annual Celebrate Cambrian Spring Community Festival at the Camden Community Center. This year’s theme is a country fair. There will be a community resource fair, live entertainment, food and children’s activities. If you would like to participate by being a sponsor or volunteer please contact Diana Miller at diana.miller@sanjoseca.gov or (408) 535-4976. More information will be available in future news articles, our district e-mail, and Web site.

If you wish to receive periodic e-mails from my office please visit the District 9 Web site at www.sanjoseca.gov/district9 and click on “Join Judy’s e-mail list.” As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact our office at District9@sanjoseca.gov or (408) 535-4909.