Many thanks,

Councilmember

Magdalena Carrasco

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Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has now conducted 2 of its 6 public meetings to discuss and allow public input for the 2019 New Transit Service Plan, a revised edition of the original Next Network Plan. After careful consideration by the board and VTA staff, it was determined there was still a need to look for areas of costs savings while not jeopardizing the overall quality of service. With the New Transit Service Plan it is estimated that the cost savings will add up to $15 Million per year. Currently VTA is facing a $20 million structural deficit for fiscal year 2018 and $26 million in 2019. The new service plan was intended to remain as similar as possible to the original Next Network Plan, ensuring that the extensive "10,000 points" of feedback were still reflective in the new changes. In March the VTA Board will a nalyze the community input and develop the final 2019 New Transit Service Plan. In April, the 2019 Service Plan will be presented by staff to the VTA Advisory and Standing Committees before being voted on.  Some of the affected routes in District 5 would be as follows: Route 22 (Palo Alto-Eastridge)- Discontinue overnight service (currently 1:00am -4:00am). Route 45 Alum Rock Transit Center- Penitencia Creek Trail Center would be discontinued. Route 71 (Milpitas BART- Capitol Station)- Start Sunday service at 7:00am (currently 6:30am). Express 103 (Eastridge-Stanford Research Park)- Eliminate 1 of 4 daily trips in each direction.  We want to encourage residents of District 5 to join the discussion. Listed is the last of six community outreach meetings.

San Jose State University
MLK Library Room 255
150 E San Fernando St, San Jose
Tuesday, February 19 | 11am

For more information, please visit the 2019 New Transit Service Plan website or contact VTA's Community Outreach team at [email protected] or 408-321-7575 (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project is the last portion of the larger Capitol Expressway Transit Improvement Project that transforms Capitol Expressway into a multi-modal boulevard offering bus rapid transit (BRT), light rail transit, and safe connections to the regional transit system. To better reflect VTA's diverse transportation services provided to the growing Santa Clara County, the Capitol Expressway Light Rail Project when complete, would allow VTA riders to board the light rail at the Eastridge Station, and connect directly with BART at the Milpitas Station. Environmental updates were completed towards the end of last year and the project seems to be moving on track. The final design is expected to be complete in the late summer of 2019. The Right-of Way-Acquisition in the fall 2019 and utility relocation is set to begin early 2019 through summer 2019. Construction, however is not expected to begin until early 2020 through fall 2023, contingent upon funding availability.

Should you have any questions regarding the Capitol Light rail project, the 2019 Transit Service Plan, or any other VTA related topic, please do not hesitate to contact VTA Community Outreach and Project staff. They are also available to come out and speak to your neighborhood association or any organization who may benefit from a presentation regarding either of the above projects.

We also would encourage you join us at the Next VTA board meeting Thursday March 7th at 5:30pm at the County Government Center, 70 West Hedding Street, San Jose

VTA announced that hundreds of millions of dollars collected from Santa Clara County residents since April 2017 are ready to be spent on critical transportation infrastructure needs.

I was honored to receive the check for $4,611,793.00 on behalf of the City as a down payment on the millions of repaving and infrastructure work that will begin this summer. 

Nearly two years after Santa Clara County voters approved  2016 Measure B  followed by a drawn out judicial process, the  California Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal  on a meritless legal challenge. This paved the way for the lower courts, which also ruled against that challenge, to allow VTA to disburse the tax revenue being accumulated in escrow, as of January 30, 2019.


   

Happy Lunar New Year, year of the pig, and happy Tet to our Vietnamese community. My office and I wish everyone and their loved ones a year of happiness, success, and good health. May all your wishes come true. In San José we are proud of the diversity that surrounds us and thus we are proud to have the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam. We are grateful for all their contributions and hard work that help shape the community that we all love and call home. Thank you and Happy New Year!   

 

Black History Month is an annual celebration to recognize and appreciate the hard work and achievements of the African American community and their pivotal role in the history of our nation. From James Baldwin to Ruby Bridges, the first African American student to integrate an elementary school. Dr. King to Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama, we honor the work towards peace, social justice, and equity that they have embodied. We should all work hard to continue the legacies that they have left us with.

Every 2 years, the County of Santa Clara organizes volunteers to conduct a census of people sleeping on the streets or in their vehicles. This is called a point-in-time census and on January 29th, Mayor Liccardo, myself, my staff and hundreds of volunteers went out to gain valuable information which we can use to best serve some of the most vulnerable populations in our community. In 2017, the census showed that there were 7,394 homeless persons, with 4,350 of them living in San Jose. When the results of this year's count are published, we will be able to tap into federal dollars to bolster our existing programs and fund new initiatives that can help tackle this complex issue. If you are experiencing homelessness or see someone struggling in your neighborhood, please call my office at (408) 535-4905 so that we can offer services. Nobody deserves to live out in the streets and we can do more as a city to raise people up.  

We frequently take for granted the abundance of businesses that surround us, and with busy lives it is always easier to shop by convenience of location, in fact it is quite normal to stick to what we know. We understand, lucky for you, as part of our business spotlight we hope to expose you to new businesses as well as the faces and services behind them. Whether you need a good hair cut, a tuxedo, car service, or a delicious place to eat, District 5 has what you need.  This month I want to put the spot light on  King's Burger, a San José favorite in the heart of the East side near Story and King located at 980 S King Rd. Family owned and operated since 1984.

Personally, I'm a simple girl. Give me a good cheeseburger and I'm happy. And I found my Happy Place! Jorge had the steak sandwich, Frances had a banana shake, while my daughters tried the teriyaki steak and chicken sandwich-all of it, Yum Yum Yum! And that's my official review. Enjoy!      

    

It's the new year and I am looking forward to being in our neighborhoods and meeting District 5 residents. January 26th, I hosted my quarterly pancake breakfast. We had over 60 residents attend. James Lick High School were terrific hosts. Our community was able to see their new state-of-the-art Student Union. Thank you to our San Jose Police as well as the Parks and Recreation Departments for providing District 5 vital information.

  

On February 1st, we hosted our first Community Coffee hour of the year! We are very excited to bring City Hall to East San José once again. Since being sworn in 2015, hosting coffee conversations have and will always be my mission. My staff and I hold our coffee hours for our residents so they can bring up concerns, ideas, and even to collaborate with my team.

  

On Saturday, February 16th I, along with Councilmember Lan Diep will be hosting the next community coffee hours. Our coffee is open to the public, and it will be a first come-first serve. This is a chance for you to have a conversation with your city councilmembers. I highly encourage all of you to attend at the VillaSport, located at 1167 N Capitol Ave, San Jose, CA 95132 at 9:00 a.m. If you are unable to participate in our next community coffee with Councilmember Diep, our next one will be on Saturday, March 9th. Time and location to be determined. For time and location please call Omar Torres  at (408) 535-4905. 

  

Last year, residents were able to host my staff and me in their homes. It allowed our residents to be able to speak to me more in-depth regarding ongoing concerns on their neighborhood, explain questions regarding city policies, and meet neighbors who might not make it to our coffee hours or pancake breakfasts. I am committed on connecting with our residents' block by block.  If you would like to host me at your home, with your neighbors, please contact Omar Torres. We would love to bring City Hall to your home. We will provide the refreshments and snacks. If you have any questions, please contact Omar Torres at (408)535-4905 or  [email protected]

My office is looking for interns who would like to gain valuable work experience at my district offices this fall.  These internships provide students with an opportunity to get involved in local government. Students can gain experience in a professional work environment, and build their resumes.  Qualities sought in applicants: The ability to write well; reliability; attention to detail; initiative; and proficiency in typing.  An intern's duties include: data entry; research; helping constituents; and community outreach, such as staffing events and projects. Interns are also expected to work an occasional weekend or evening event. Internships are an unpaid position.