June 2025 E-Letter

Dear D6 Residents,

As we wrap up the 2025–2026 budget process, please find some important updates. Your District 6 office submitted eight (8) budget amendment requests for the Mayor and City Manager’s budget offices to consider as part of the Mayor’s June Budget Message. We’re pleased to share that every one of them was included, and the final budget, incorporating our proposals, was officially approved on Tuesday, June 10, with an 11-0 vote by the San José City Council.

Despite an extremely challenging fiscal climate, we secured funding for several key priorities across District 6. From neighborhood clean-ups and beautification efforts to traffic safety and education-focused support, each project will receive funding to implement improvements in the coming fiscal year. These wins are a direct result of your voices—your concerns, ideas, and persistence helped shape these outcomes. Thank you for being active partners in improving our community.

And just yesterday, The Alameda Community Benefit Improvement District (CBID) was officially approved—a major milestone for The Alameda. I’ve also included an overview of San José’s designation as a Certified Welcoming City, along with a selection of publicly available resources that District 6 residents may find necessary and helpful. You’ll also find the latest on the I-280 soundwall project in the Gardner neighborhood and recently implemented traffic safety enhancements at Curtner and Cottle. Plus, don’t miss the notices at the end from CalTrans and Caltrain that could impact your daily commute or neighborhood.

Our entire team thanks you for staying engaged and committed to building a stronger District 6.

Best,

Michael

The Alameda Community Benefit Improvement District (CBID) Moves Forward

A Community Benefit Improvement District (CBID) is a special property-based assessment district formed by local stakeholders, usually commercial property owners, to fund and manage improvements and services in their area. The goal is to enhance the vitality, safety, cleanliness, and economic success of commercial corridors without reducing the city’s baseline services. This model allows local control, accountability, and tailored improvements, ranging from beautification projects to marketing initiatives.

The Willow Glen CBID, recently renewed by City Council, serves as a great example. Managed by the Willow Glen Business Association (WGBA), its Board of Directors includes property and business owners, as well as community members who oversee the use of funds according to a District Management Plan. These funds are not a replacement for city services, but are used in addition to them, with legal safeguards ensuring that city services cannot be reduced within the CBID boundaries unless reduced citywide. Since its implementation in 2010, the Willow Glen CBID has invested over $1.7 million toward improving and promoting the Downtown Willow Glen business district.

Following Willow Glen’s successful example, the CBID for The Alameda was approved by property owners and authorized by City Council yesterday. This marks a major milestone for the corridor, laying the groundwork for targeted revitalization efforts led by those who know the district best: its property and business owners.

Congratulations to The Alameda Business Association, and a special thank you to our dedicated community champions, Catherine Pendelton and Ani Agahian (Cat & Ani), for their tireless outreach and on-the-ground work. Their commitment was instrumental in building support and securing the property owner's approval.

We’re excited to see the positive transformation The Alameda will undergo as a result this important initiative.

Mayor's Budget Amendments

The following list includes items from the Mayor’s June budget message that originated from budget documents submitted by our office. We’re grateful to the Mayor and their team for incorporating all of our proposed amendments. Approved on June 10th, these initiatives will be included in the 2025–2026 budget.

Cleaning & Beautifying

Municipal Rose Garden Assistant Pilot Program

Every year, the San José Municipal Rose Garden attracts visitors from across the city and greater Bay Area to enjoy the colorful showcase of award-winning roses, large, lush lawns, and old growth redwoods. Currently, the park does not have dedicated staff to monitor the condition of the amenities, which has created unique challenges for the park’s restrooms and issues with recurring vandalism.

To improve these conditions and restore this beloved space, the City Manager is directed to allocate $41,400 in one-time funding from the Essential Services Reserve (ESR) for the initiation of a pilot program. This pilot will include two (2) part-time positions, a Park Ranger Assistant and a Recreation Leader, who will provide a visible presence to enforce park rules and foster a welcoming environment on weekends during the peak seasons of August to October 2025 and March to June 2026 (BD #55, Mulcahy).

Coe & Lincoln Gateway Beautification

The Lincoln Avenue Bridge (at Coe Avenue over Los Gatos Creek) serves as a primary feeder into Downtown Willow Glen, but it has become blighted by graffiti, general degradation, and neglect. Neighborhood associations including Palm Haven, Glenside Riviera, and Willow Glen all have interest in improving this important gateway that serves their communities.

Later this summer we will coordinate a broader cleanup of this important corner to coincide with work on the bridge. The City Manager is directed to allocate $15,000 in one-time funding from the ESR to the Glenside Riviera Neighborhood Association for beautification efforts on the bridge (BD #53, Mulcahy).

Illegal Dumping Abatement in the Buena Vista Neighborhood

Persistent illegal dumping impacts the quality of life in the Buena Vista Neighborhood, an area tucked between W. San Carlos, Meridian, and Leigh Avenue. To address recurring blight, the City Manager is directed to allocate $7,095 in one-time funding from the ESR to fund overtime for two (2) Maintenance Worker II positions and supplies to help restore pride and care in this community (BD #80, Mulcahy).

Improving Traffic Safety & Accessibility

Mariposa Avenue Speed Study

District 6 residents have consistently reported vehicles speeding along Mariposa Avenue, a residential street that connects two major roads: The Alameda and Park Avenue in the Shasta Hanchett Park Neighborhood. To better understand roadway behaviors in this area, the City Manager is directed to allocate $30,000 in one-time funding from District 6’s PSE allocation to conduct a speed study and take appropriate measures to address any identified dangerous driving conditions. The goal is to slow cars down to protect pedestrians and cyclists (BD #59, Mulcahy).

Sharks Way & Little Italy Way Streetlights

In prior communications, we’ve shared elements of our plans for the Stitching Districts Initiative to connect the SAP Center, Little Italy, and San Pedro Square along St. John Street, soon to be re-named Sharks Way. This is a critical step forward with a series of key improvements that we can really build upon to further enhance the safety and aesthetics of this corridor, and to make it a well-lit pedestrian pathway we can all be proud of. The City Manager is directed to allocate $1,650,000 in one-time funding from the Building and Structure Construction Tax Fund as follows (BD #60, Mulcahy):

•  $650,000 to install eight 13-foot vintage-style pedestrian streetlights on the soon to be Sharks Way;
•  $400,000 to install four 13-foot vintage-style pedestrian streetlights on N. Almaden Boulevard, soon to be re-named Little Italy Way;
• $600,000 to install eight 32-foot standard streetlights on Sharks Way.

New Streetlight Installations: Burrell Court & Dana Avenue

Burrell Court and Dana Avenue lacks sufficient street lighting, creating visibility and safety concerns. To address this, the City Manager is directed to allocate $56,000 in one-time funding from the Construction Excise Tax Fund and $44,000 in one-time funding from the ESR to install four PG&E pole-mounted streetlights, three (3) for the 100-year-old Burrell Court Neighborhood Association and one (1) on Dana Avenue, between Shasta Avenue and Hester Avenue (BD #56 and BD #58, Mulcahy).

Schiele Subdivision Historic District Signage 

In 2023, the City Council approved an allocation of $100,000 to support the designation of the Schiele Subdivision and adjacent Alameda Park as a City Landmark Historic District. To further this initiative, the City Manager is directed to allocate the remaining $40,000 of the original allocation to the Public Works Department to install signage to identify and honor the Historic District and cover the costs of the Community Sign Application Fee (BD #57, Mulcahy).

Improving Education Outcomes

Sunol Community School

The Sunol Community School, operated by the Santa Clara Office of Education, serves approximately 70 youth ranging from 6th to 12th grade who have been expelled from local schools. The students primarily come from disadvantaged backgrounds, with the school providing enrichment activities and field trips, steering them towards better outcomes. The City Manager is directed to allocate $5,000 in one-time funding from the ESR to go toward the total cost, and influence more fundraising, to purchase of a new vehicle for Sunol Community School’s Positive Childhood Experiences (PACE) program. (BD #54, Mulcahy).

San José is a Welcoming City

San José’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths. Immigrants comprise nearly 40% of our vibrant San José community, and their vital contributions shape every aspect of our city—economically, socially, and culturally. Unlike the loosely defined concept of a "sanctuary city," which lacks a true legal definition, Certified Welcoming is a nationally recognized, rigorous designation, that reflects a broader, proactive commitment to inclusion. Only 24 cities and counties across the country have earned this certification—San José is one of them.

As a Certified Welcoming City, San José affirms that every resident, regardless of origin, can fully participate in and contribute to our community. This designation reflects a formal, measurable commitment to building true belonging and inclusion. It also reinforces what we already know—San José is culturally and racially diverse, resilient, and safe because our residents trust one another and our local institutions.

In February 2025, my colleagues and I passed a unanimous resolution reaffirming that neither the San José Police Department nor any City employee will voluntarily assist federal immigration enforcement efforts. Our safety policies center on building trust between law enforcement and the community, because strong, trusting relationships create safer neighborhoods. A truly welcoming city is one where immigrants feel secure and empowered to fully engage with their communities.

Please find and share these publicly available resources below:

Santa Clara County Rapid Response Hotline

The hotline is a trusted local resource for support, information, and assistance in urgent situations. Community members in Santa Clara County can call the hotline if they:

• have information about immigration enforcement activity in their area or want to report such activity;
• are currently the target of an enforcement action; or
• have a loved one who has been detained by ICE

Immigrant Legal Resource Center — Red Cards

Red Cards offer a clear, bilingual (English and Spanish) summary of your legal rights when interacting with immigration enforcement. They are a valuable tool for anyone who may need to assert their rights in these situations. Our office keeps these cards on hand—if you see us at a community event or around town, please feel free to ask for one. They’re free and can also be ordered directly from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center website.

Santa Clara County Office of Immigrant Relations

Visit the Office of Immigrant Relations to learn about the immigration-related services offered by the County of Santa Clara, including access to free or low-cost legal assistance and community support programs.

San Jose Office of Immigrant Affairs — Inclusion & Belonging

Explore our City’s inclusion policies and find a comprehensive list of city and community services available to support San José’s immigrant community.

Upcoming & Important Updates

Speed Safety & Red-Light Cameras Pilot Program

I-280 Soundwall in the Gardner Neighborhood

One of the most concerning issues raised during the campaign throughout 2024, was the long overdue soundwall for the Gardner community. For years this community has been hammered by noise and pollution from Hwy 280 and property damage and theft by the homeless coming in off the state-owned freeway lands. Our office has been pushing hard, long before my swearing in, to get this project going.

As a temporary fix last year, Senator Dave Cortese got CalTrans to repair the damage to the freeway fronting cyclone fencing. And then last month, Assemblymember Ash Kalra and his key staffer, Celeste Walker, helped us identify the funding previously awarded under former Assemblymember Jim Beall. Now we are in direct contact with the managing agency for design and installation, Valley Transportation Agency (VTA). 

Here’s where the project currently stands:

•  VTA is leading the project, in partnership with Caltrans and the City of San José.
• VTA is finalizing the design and preparing to issue the project for construction bids—in other words, they will soon invite contractors to submit proposals to build the project.
• VTA will award a construction contract this fall.
• Before construction begins, VTA will host a public information meeting this summer to give residents a chance to learn more about the scope, schedule, and what to expect during construction.
•  VTA will coordinate closely with San José’s DOT staff, and we’re assured our council office will be engaged throughout.

NOTE: VTA’s project webpage and fact sheet is outdated. VTA is aware and they’ve committed to updating both with current information as soon as possible.

Curtner & Cottle Safety Improvements

After receiving inquiries and concerns from residents about the crosswalk at Curtner Avenue and Cottle Avenue, near Willow Glen Middle and High Schools, particularly during school hours, our office collaborated with several neighbors to bring these concerns to the Department of Transportation (DOT).

This remains a work in progress, and we are actively working with the community and DOT to continue assessing and addressing safety concerns in the area. Below is a summary of the changes implemented thus far.

Extended Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI):

• The pedestrian head-start signal has been increased from 4 to 7 seconds during school peak hours (7–9 AM and 3–3:45 PM, Mon–Fri). This change was implemented recently and is activated only when a pedestrian pushes the button to minimize traffic delays.

Upgraded Signage:

• The “Vehicles Yield to Peds” sign will be replaced with a larger version within 1–2 weeks to improve visibility and compliance.

Hardened Centerline Evaluation:

• DOT is assessing the feasibility of installing a raised curb and pylon system along the centerline of Curtner to deter unsafe left turns. This physical improvement requires identifying funding, likely made possible by our District 6 office.

We extend a special thank you to Maren Sederquist, President of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA), for her continued advocacy and partnership.

Important Notices