Hi Neighbors,

Are you looking for ways to get involved and give back to your community? The City of San José offers plenty of opportunities to make a real impact!



If you’re interested in shaping the future of our city, consider applying to serve on one of San José’s many Boards and Commissions that cover vast interests. Members help guide important decisions, and while each position has a set term, the time commitment varies, making it a flexible and rewarding way to serve. Folks are welcome to apply at any time, and your application will remain active for one year! District 8 currently has 2 vacancies: Arts Commission and Measure T Oversight Committee!

You can also volunteer at any of our 23 San Jose Public Library branches, where help is always needed for a variety of programs — from tutoring students and leading coding classes to supporting community events. There’s truly something for everyone.

And, our very own Evergreen Community Center is always welcoming passionate volunteers to help build a stronger, more connected neighborhood. Stop by to learn more and sign up!

I’d like to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us for yesterday’s Great American Litter Pick-Up! Thanks to more than 60 dedicated volunteers, we were able to make a meaningful impact by beautifying Lake Cunningham Park and the Welch Park neighborhood in honor of Earth Day. I’m especially grateful to the Tully Road Eastridge Business Association (TREBA) and the Welch Park Neighborhood Association for their ongoing commitment to keeping our community clean. Want to participate in our next clean-up? Sign up for our volunteer list!

Every act of service helps create the community we all want to see.

It is my pleasure and privilege to serve as your City Councilmember,

Domingo Candelas

City of San José District 8

Learn more about our community work and accomplishments in my past newsletters from February 2023 onward, which provide a wealth of information including updates on legislation, community events, and important issues like the City budget, public safety, homelessness and more.

Please share this with your neighbors and let them know what's happening in my district. They can sign up by following this link.

Upcoming Events

Music in the Square

Every Friday @ Evergreen Village Square

June 6-August 29, 2025

6-8pm

Music in the Square is back for the summer!

Join us at the Evergreen Village Square for some live entertainment and fun every Friday, except for July 4th.

Have some suggestions for this year's entertainment? Fill out the form here!

Pizza and Policy

Thursday, May 15, 2025

San José is launching pilot programs to enhance road safety by using speed safety and red-light cameras to reduce unsafe driving behaviors. Hear from Department of Transportation staff to learn how the pilot programs work, and to ask questions and share your thoughts.

RSVP here!

Community Park Cleanups!

Looking to make a difference in your community? Volunteer your time and attend the SJ Parks and Rec Saturday Series cleanups!

Cinco de Mayo Celebration

Join us for the 2nd Annual San José Cinco de Mayo Festival, a vibrant celebration of culture, community, and tradition! Enjoy live performances, traditional dances, lowriders, delicious food, and more!

Go to our 'Announcements' section to find more info on how you can participate in this exciting event!

Evergreen Valley College Community Day

Come out to EVC Community Day on Saturday, April 26, from 10am to 4 pm on their athletic field by the Soccer Stadium and Pickleball Courts. 

There will be community booths, music, kids games/activities, food trucks, classic cars, a popup planetarium and more!

Councilmember Candelas at the Farmers' Market

Evergreen Village Square

10am-12pm

Stop by and share your thoughts and questions with me at the Farmer's Market. Part of empowering our families and creating stronger neighborhoods is addressing your concerns and connecting you with the available resources! 

We'll be taking a small break from the farmers' market, but stay tuned to see where we will be next!

No appointments are needed.

June 15, Sept. 21, Oct. 19 & Dec. 21

In the Community

Saturday Night Lights

My personal experience in sports as a kid was transformative, and it gave me the idea to create a budget document that brought the “Saturday Night Lights” program to life in San Jose.

My office partnered with the San Jose Earthquakes, District Attorney’s Office, San Jose Police Department, and Evergreen Elementary School District to launch Saturday Night Lights at George V. LeyVa Middle School! This is a 10-week futsal program that provides a safe space for youth to engage in physical activity, build meaningful relationships, and receive access to resources.

Watkins Way Neighborhood Watch

I want to thank Mark Milioto and the Watkins Way crew for engaging with each other and coming together for a safer neighborhood!

On March 5, over 90% of the neighborhood households showed up for a Neighborhood Watch meeting with the San Jose Police Department's Crime Prevention Unit. They learned about San Jose's 9-1-1 system, how to react to suspicious or criminal activity, and recommended security measures such as alarms, lights, and the best types of locks.

If you're interested in the Neighborhood Watch Program, reach out to my office by emailing us at district8@sanjoseca.gov

Great American Litter Pick-Up

With the help of over 60 incredible volunteers, we worked together to beautify District 8 in honor of Earth Day. Thank you to the Tully Road Eastridge Business Association (TREBA) and the Welch Park Neighborhood Association for your commitment to keeping our community clean and welcoming!

Evergreen Valley College Building Dedication

It was an honor to join Evergreen Valley College students and faculty for a dedication ceremony for their new Student Services Center, General Education, and Engineering buildings.

As a first-generation college student, I'm a strong advocate for higher education accessibility. This is just the beginning as our local campus continues to grow!

Tom Matsumoto Cultural Night

I always say that I'm proud to represent the diverse community that is District 8. And, our district's diversity was evident during Tom Matsumoto Elementary's Cultural Night! Not only did we have local vendors, but seeing students and their parents come together to put on performances from all over the world was a highlight of my night.

Budget Town Hall with Mayor Mahan

Mayor Mahan and I hosted a Budget Town Hall at The Villages Golf & Country Club. Our engaged neighbors filled the clubhouse to learn more about the City's budget process, and they had a chance to give us their feedback!

Your Tax Dollars at Work

Renovation of the Lake Cunningham Sign

The Lake Cunningham sign on White Road received some much-needed TLC earlier this month.

My team and I spent a morning sanding and prepping the sign before volunteers came out to apply fresh coats of paint!

City Hall Update

This month, the City Council unanimously passed the early consideration of 2 new project proposals in the Downtown area as part of the San José Innovative Project Pathway Program. The projects are highly unique and expected to provide revenue for the City and thousands of residential units. We co-authored a memo with the Mayor in November 2024 and April 2025 to ensure that the projects contribute to the arts, entertainment, and the overall vibrancy of downtown. Artificial Intelligence is advancing globally, and we are positioning our City to take advantage of these investment dollars.

The Parks Maintenance and Capital Funding Study Session provided insight into the funding challenges and the future ahead for the Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) Department. PRNS oversees over 200 neighborhood parks, 10 regional parks, and more than 65 miles of trails.

There is an extensive maintenance backlog affecting parks and community centers. During the Study Session, we discussed potential park funding ballot measures. As a frequent visitor to our parks, I understand that we must have a plan on how to deliver the highest quality park experience possible, given budget constraints. I look forward to championing these conversations on behalf of all of you.

VTA Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Update

Ongoing and Future Closures*

ONGOING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

• ROAD CLOSURE | Northbound Capitol Expressway 

Falsework removal began on Sunday night, April 13, on northbound Capitol Expressway from Ocala Avenue to Story Road. This work will be done through Wednesday morning, April 30. Expect overnight road closures with detours between 10:00 PM and 5:30 AM. Please follow detour signs. 

• DRIVEWAYS, SIDEWALK, and CURB | Kollmar Drive 

Crews replaced 5 carport driveways that serve K&K Apartments and are replacing the remaining 5 driveways. Selected tenants are provided temporary parking on the VTA property located by S&S Market. Workers are also building sidewalks and curbs on S. Capitol Avenue near Kollmar Drive and Sussex Drive. Construction is anticipated to be completed by the end of April.

• NOISE AND VIBRATION | Median of Capitol Expressway

Crews are driving test and indicator piles along the median of Capitol Expressway between Story Road and S. Capitol Avenue until Thursday, April 24, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pile driving is conducted only during the day.

• ROAD CLOSURE | Northbound S. Capitol Avenue 

Drainage work has been occurring overnight on northbound Capitol Expressway and northbound S. Capitol Avenue. Expect overnight road closures with detours between 10:00 PM and 5:30 AM through Thursday morning, April 24.  Please follow detour signs. 

FUTURE ACTIVITIES

Monday, April 21

ROAD CLOSURE | Northbound Capitol Expressway 

Night work on Southbound Capitol Expressway between Ocala Ave and Cunningham Avenue for rail electrical work, from Monday night, April 21, through Thursday morning, April 24. Work is performed from 10:00 PM until 5:30 AM on weekdays. Please follow the detour signs. 

DAY AND NIGHT WORK SCHEDULES

• Day crews work Monday through Friday, from 7:00 am through 5:00 pm

• Night crews work from Sunday night through Friday morning, from 10:00 pm through 7:00 am.

• Weekend day and night crews work as needed.

• Crew schedules and construction activities can change at any time.

*Construction activities can change at any time

City Services

If you notice a broken traffic signal in San Jose, it is important to report it right away! Emergency Broken Signals: If you see flashing red lights, a signal head that is turned or not working, or if cars, bikes, or pedestrians are not getting the green light, call (408) 794-1900 immediately. This could be an emergency situation. 

Non-Emergency Broken Signals: If a signal is acting strangely, like giving a short green light when there is heavy traffic, or long green lights with no traffic, email traffic.signals@sanjoseca.gov or call (408) 975-3700. 

When reporting, remember to include: 

• The intersection and direction 
• The approximate time and date of the problem 
• For broken signal heads, mention if the head is above the street or on the side of the pole. 

Requesting a New Traffic Signal: If you think a new traffic signal is needed at an intersection to make things safer, you can request one by emailing Traffic.Safety@sanjoseca.gov or calling (408) 535-3850. The city looks at several factors before installing a new signal, including traffic volume, safety concerns, and nearby schools. Installing a new signal costs a lot, so it's carefully evaluated before a decision is made. 

The City of San José is spreading the word about the 988 Crisis and Suicide Lifeline. This lifeline gives you free, confidential, and compassionate emotional support when you need help. Contacting 988 connects you to a trained counselor who is here for you, no matter what you are going through. If you are feeling overwhelmed with anxiety, depression, or thoughts of self-harm, reach out to 988.

Click here to learn more about the 988 lifeline.

To learn more about free legal services through the Elevate Community Center, click here!

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo Access for All Scholarship

The Happy Hollow Park & Zoo offers discounted rates for families receiving government assistance, such as Medical, food stamps, WIC, etc. Access for All provides four discounted tickets at $4 each. Guests can receive this discounted rate every time they visit HHPZ!

Learn more about the program here!

Local Businesses

Disability Access Improvement Grants for Small Businesses

 San José Small Business Owners: The City's Disability Access Improvement Grants program will support your responsibility to comply with the federal Americans with Disability Act and the California Building Code. The grant will help you pay for a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) report and to hire professionals to design and remove ADA barriers. 

More information about qualifying for grant assistance can be found here.

Announcements

Want to be part of the action? Volunteer sign-ups are now open! Click here to register!

Other Ways to Participate:

Host a Resource Table – Sign Up Here

Join the Parade – Sign Up Here

Become a Merchandise Vendor – Sign Up Here

Food Vendors – Waitlist Open – Sign Up Here

For more up to date information be sure to follow our Instagram: @eastsj5demayo

Mark your calendars and save the date for Juneteenth in the Streets!

Building Open House & ADU Fair

Join us at San José City Hall for an evening of exploring all things related to building safety and ADUs! Whether you want to protect your home from disaster, learn about electrification, or are just curious about Accessory Dwelling Units, this event is for you. Learn from experts, meet vendors with preapproved ADU models, and get inspired for your next home improvement project. See you there!

Project Foodbox for Medi-Cal Members

Click here to get more info!

Starting in March, San José Clean Energy (SJCE) customers are saving even more money! Not sure if you are a SJCE customer? Check the first page of your PG&E bill. You can also call SJCE at 833-432-2454 or visit SanJoseCleanEnergy.org/return-to-sjce

San José Clean Energy (SJCE) is working hard to keep your energy costs as low as possible and help our neighbors hardest hit. Please contact SJCE on ways you can save: SanJoseCleanEnergy.org.