Dear Neighbor,

I know many of us are reflecting upon and worried about the level of division in our nation after this election. Whether you were happy with the results, terrified by them or sitting somewhere in between, I want to remind you of one important thing: 

Here at the local level, we have more that unites us than divides us. We all want the same thing for our city and our families – we want a safe, clean San Jose. We want to see an end to homelessness and an increase in economic vibrancy. We want to live in a city with opportunity for our kids and accountability for results from our government. 

That’s what I’ll be focused on these next four years – delivering results that will positively impact your everyday lives. I think we all know there will be a lot of argument, distraction and half-baked ideas floated at higher levels of government. I want to make a promise to you now – I will not get distracted by what’s going on in D.C. I will stand up for the needs of our city when necessary, but I will not play partisan games with your lives. I will not abandon our revolution of common sense or our mission to create the city we all want to live in. 

We have a lot to celebrate here at the local level. We have a new Congressmember who knows our city well and will fight for our interests in D.C. We have new councilmembers who are ready to dedicate themselves to getting our city back to basics. And with the overwhelming passage of Prop 36, we have new tools that our judges can use to hold people accountable for accessing the addiction treatment they need to turn their lives around. 

No matter your views, the most powerful thing we can do is come together with the understanding that we will never agree on everything, but we can agree on enough to move forward a shared vision for the future. I hope you join us at an upcoming community clean-up to hear from your neighbors and help create the change you want to see.

Sincerely,

Mayor Matt

San Jose is no stranger to innovation that changes the world. From radio to semiconductors to software, we’ve led the way throughout our history. A couple of years ago, San Jose became the first big city in the country to pledge to be carbon neutral (or as close as we can possibly get) by 2030 — but the only way we’re going to get there is by embracing innovation, like this project proposed by PG&E and Westbank. Using data centers to heat nearby housing is something that’s never been done at this scale in the United States. To make this and other innovative projects possible, Councilmember Foley, Councilmember Davis and I put forward an initiative called the “Innovative Project Pathway Program” — which removes bureaucratic barriers for projects that provide extraordinary benefits by creating a clear, efficient approval process for developers committed to meeting city needs, such as housing supply, public space, and energy infrastructure. 

This particular project, if approved and built, would bring vertical data centers together with new residential towers in the Downtown core to enable economic growth, financing for new housing construction, and zero-emission buildings as new and adjacent housing would be powered by excess heat from the data centers. It’s an exciting idea, and one that we should test because it gives us the opportunity to achieve our environmental goals and attract investment in much-needed housing downtown without sacrificing economic growth and opportunity.

Like many of you, I’m fed up with the impacts of oversized and lived-in vehicles on city streets–specifically vehicles and occupants that are creating traffic hazards, failing to manage trash and belongings, and especially those involved in criminal activity. While not every RV owner or dweller is a bad actor, we have far too many who are not doing their part to keep our city safe and clean. My budget message this year put a spotlight on these issues and secured $1.5 million to begin cleaning up our streets and holding owners and dwellers of RVs accountable for properly managing their vehicles and other belongings, and following basic rules in our city. 

Our Department of Transportation (DOT) just completed step one, an initial inventory of oversized and lived-in vehicles and on-street conditions, for the entire city. Step two, which the inventory will help enable, is a pilot program to better monitor and enforce parking and other relevant rules in the city’s major RV hotspots. We have enough funding and staff capacity in this year’s budget to do outreach and set up temporary tow-away zones in the 30 most impacted sites in the city today.

While most of the sites will be selected based on predetermined criteria, your Councilmember will have the ability to prioritize at least one site in their district. If you live near an RV hotspot that’s negatively affecting your quality of life, ask your Council Office to consider putting it forward.

Once 30 sites have been selected, city staff will begin outreach to neighborhoods with proposed parking-restricted sites and to people living in vehicles parked in the sites. According to state law under the Vehicle Code, we have to be extremely methodical and consistent in our application of these rules and any new parking restrictions. Based on the success of the temporary restrictions, up to 10 sites will be considered for permanent parking restrictions (assuming those restrictions work for the surrounding neighborhood). 

Simultaneously, we’ll be working to open the Berryessa Safe Parking Site – which will immediately take 85 lived-in vehicles off the streets. In addition to better enforcement, the only sustainable solution to the era of encampments–whether they be tent or RV encampments–is to build safe, dignified places where people can be, and then require that they be used. San Jose will continue to do both in tandem so we can both help vulnerable people and protect our broader community.

Many of you have reached out about the terrible situation in District 3 (which encompasses the heart of our city, including Downtown and SJSU). Omar Torres has been arrested and charged with some of the most serious crimes imaginable. He has resigned from his seat as the District 3 representative. And now, his case is up to the courts and jury.  

But it’s up to us, your Mayor and City Council, to determine what comes next at City Hall. This Tuesday, we will vote to decide whether District 3 voters will have a chance to choose their next representative via a special election or an appointment. Or we could combine the two with an interim appointment while we hold a special election. 

I am advocating for a special election (ideally with an interim appointment so the district has ongoing representation), just as I did in 2022 when my own council seat (District 10) was made vacant when I became Mayor. I believe that the voters of the district should choose their representative, not a handful of people elected to represent other parts of the city. 

Elections are fundamental to a representative democracy and, even if it takes longer and costs more, ensuring that the people choose who represents them is worth the time and cost. That’s why I put forward a memo with Councilmembers Foley and Cohen that lays out a process for making this decision:

1. The City Clerk and City Attorney will prepare informational memos that outline the Council’s options for filling the vacant seat. They will present those options at the Council meeting on November 19th. 
2. Council will vote on whether to move forward with an appointment, special election or hybrid approach at that same meeting. If you’d like to come share your thoughts, you can do so by joining us in Council Chambers on November 19th at 1:30pm. The discussion will come up under Item 3.7. You can also email your councilmember in advance of the meeting.

Whichever option the majority of the Council decides to move forward with, we will begin immediate steps to fill the vacancy. A special election would take place in the spring of 2025, and if no candidate receives a majority of the vote, there would be a runoff election in the summer between the top two vote-getters. If the Council elects to move forward with an appointment for the remainder of Omar Torres’ term (through 2026) or on an interim basis while an election is being organized, we will ask candidates to come forward over the coming weeks and lay out their cases for the Council. The final vote on an appointment would likely happen in January. 

No matter what – remember that you are represented at City Hall. As Mayor, I’m responsible for representing every single person in this city. Please don’t hesitate to contact our office with questions, concerns or problems. We want to help you. The staff of the District 3 office currently report to me and are still working to serve residents and connect people to the services and programs at City Hall. 

We know this has been a horrible moment for San Jose – especially for the residents who feel betrayed by the person meant to lead them, speak for them and make decisions on their behalf. We are there for you and we will move forward together.

In San Jose, we begin storm preparation in the summer – well before the first drop hits the ground. We aim to be proactive and not reactive to avoid flooding altogether. 

Our hard-working crews inspect, clean, and maintain the stormwater infrastructure that most of us don’t even know exist:

• We monitor more than 60 locations that are prone to minor flooding or landslides, and maintain ongoing communication with residents in these areas. 
• All major storm retention basins and drainage channels in the foothills are cleared of debris and cleaned out prior to the rainy season.
• The City’s roughly 35,000 storm inlets are cleaned every year to remove debris that could block storm sewer pipes or cause harm to our waterways. A second round to remove accumulated leaves and debris will occur as needed to further prevent flooding during heavy rains. 
• All of the City’s 31 storm pump stations are inspected and maintained every year to ensure they are functioning properly. 
• Crews will continue to monitor storm inlets, pump stations, and areas that we know are prone to flooding, and will be available around the clock to respond to flooding and other hazards in collaboration with Valley Water and other partner agencies. 

As we do all that we can on our end, here is how you can take steps to prepare for and respond to winter storms:

• Keep the curb and gutter next to your home free of debris, including leaves, that can block storm inlets. 
• If you see backed up storm drains, trees or tree limbs that have blown down, or any other storm-related hazard in the roadway, call our dispatch line at 408-794-1900 or 3-1-1. 
• Make sure to have an emergency kit prepped and ready to go in case of power outages or evacuation alerts. 

Learn more and sign up for emergency updates here!

Penitencia Creek Park Tree Planting with Our City Forest

Saturday, November 23rd at 9:00AM

Penitencia Creek Park, 3050 Berryessa Road, San Jose, CA 95132

Roll up your sleeves, grab your gardening gloves, and help build a greener city with Team Mahan and Our City Forest! We’ll be heading to Penitencia Creek Park to plant trees and enhance our city’s urban canopy. Learn more and RSVP here. 

Guadalupe Trail Clean-Up

Saturday, November 23rd at 9:00AM

Tamien Station, 1355 Lick Avenue, San Jose, CA 95110

We’re rolling up our sleeves with Westgate Church, Beautiful Day, VTA, and BeautifySJ to clean up along the Guadalupe Trail! Join us to pick up litter, pull weeds, and create a safer, cleaner city. Learn more and RSVP here.

Silicon Valley Turkey Trot

Thursday, November 28th at 8:30AM

11 S 1st Street, San Jose, CA US 95113

Get your tickets now and join one of San Jose’s most beloved holiday traditions–the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot! Whether you’re an elite runner, jogger, or walker, join thousands of neighbors and hit the pavement in Downtown San Jose. All event proceeds will support four local nonprofit organizations that are having a powerful impact in our community. My family and I will see you there! Sign up here.

Bret Harte's Run Turkey Run

Thursday, November 28th at 8:30AM

Leland High School, 6677 Camden Avenue, San Jose, CA 95120

For South San Jose families who aren’t up for driving downtown for the big annual Turkey Trot, you can still get energized ahead of your Thanksgiving feast by participating in Run Turkey Run! This Almaden Thanksgiving tradition supports Bret Harte Middle School’s athletics program, PE programs, and student-run clubs. Gather your friends and family, and register for Run Turkey Run here!

Christmas in the Park

Friday, November 29th to Wednesday, January 1st

Plaza de Cesar Chavez, 194 South Market Street Drive, San Jose, CA 95113

Ring in the start of the holiday season with Christmas in the Park! For over 44 years, this beloved San Jose classic has brought people from all over the Bay Area together during the holidays. Grab a photo with Santa, watch nightly live performances, and enjoy holiday-themed beverages! Learn more here.

Team Mahan is partnering with San Jose Foos (a popular social media account that shares events and news about the city), ToysForTots, Sacred Heart Community Service, and the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds to bring holiday cheer to San Jose! We’ll be passing out thousands of toys to kids from across the city at the 4th annual San Jose Toy Drive. To sign up and receive a toy, you can learn more and RSVP here.

If you’d like to donate a toy to the toy drive, you can donate via the Amazon wishlist or at an in-person dropoff location. Every child deserves a present this holiday season — please help us make it happen!

We’re painting our way through San Jose! With the help of our TogetherSJ program and California Volunteers, we’ve covered up graffiti and blight with vibrant murals and community art projects across 8 different neighborhoods in just 2 months. Want to be part of the solution? Join us at our next clean-up event here.

Meadowfair Neighborhood Association is one year old and making a difference! Our TogetherSJ program funded by California Volunteers helped these neighbors come together, form an association and organize to create the change they want to see. I know many of us feel divided these days and I want to remind you that at the local level, we have more in common than we may think. We all want the same thing — a safer, cleaner, more vibrant city. And together, we have the power to make that happen. Join us next week at bit.ly/cleansj.