May Newsletter

Breaking Budget News

The San José City Manager has just released the 2010-2011 Proposed Operating Budget. The following are some documents to help you understand the proposed budget.

Budget in Brief

Proposed Budget Message

Proposed Operating Budget Fact Sheet

Councilmember Herrera's breaking budget news featured on the Evergreen Times.

City's Labor Relations Information

The City of San José has 11 bargaining units (unions) representing approximately 6,358 City employees. The City is in negotiations with almost all of the unions with a goal of reducing personnel costs to help lessen service level reductions and layoffs of City employees as the City deals with a budget shortfall of $118.5 million.

For more information about labor relations and the status of labor negotiations, click here. To view ideas submitted by the City's employee bargaining units, click here.

Summer Youth Leadership Program

Deadline: May 14th

Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence is excited to offer a Summer Youth Leadership Program (SYLP)! The 2010 SYLP consists of 11 sessions of 4 hours a week with training for youth between the ages of 16 to 19 years old with an interest in teen dating violence prevention. Youth who are living in the East Side Union High School District or Mayfair Community are strongly encouraged to apply. The SYLP will begin June 16, 2010 and end August 18, 2010. Those chosen will participate in weekly trainings, network with youth leaders and activists throughout the Bay Area, conduct small scale focus groups and create and implement a teen dating violence survey for youth throughout San José. The SYLP seeks to provide young leaders with an opportunity to learn how to work collectively with their peers and community to combat teen dating violence and all forms of oppression.

More Details and Application

BEST Grant Application Process Opened

Deadline: May 27th

On May 3rd, the City of San José began accepting grant applications from qualified eligible service providers for the BEST (Bringing Everyone's Strengths Together) grant program. The BEST program provides funding for gang prevention, intervention, and suppression programs for "At-Risk," "High-Risk," "Impacted," and/or "Intentional" youth, ages 6 to 24. The Mayor's Gang Prevention Task Force Technical Team will review the applications. However, funding for the 2010 BEST program is yet to be determined and is contingent upon City Council approval. The grant application will be available through WebGrants, the City's online Grants Management System and a workshop for all interested proposers will be held on Friday, May 7th.

For more information, contact Michael Casares at 793-5590.

Abrazos and Books Scholarship

Deadline: May 30th

Abrazos and Books is accepting applications for scholarships of $2,000 for high school seniors from Santa Clara County with at least a 3.0 GPA who have been accepted to a 4-year college or university. The scholarships are based on merit and need, independent of ethnic background.

More Details

WelcomeHome Program

On May 3rd, the City of San José's Housing Department will begin accepting loan applications for its WelcomeHome Program, which is funded with federal HOME dollars. Through this Program, the City will provide up to $25,000 in deferred, low-interest down payment assistance loans to lower-income first-time homebuyers for the purchase of a condominium, townhome, or single-family detached home in San José. This Program will enable approximately 116 low-income first-time homebuyers to purchase a home in San José.

For more information, please contact Jacky Morales-Ferrand, Assistant Director of Housing, at 535-3855.

The Airport's $1.3 Billion Terminal Modernization Nearing Completion

The San José Airport's new Terminal B will open for service on Wednesday, June 30th. Over the next three months there will be a number of changes to ensure a smooth transition. Carriers will move out from Terminal C into Terminal A and B, the rental car center will open up in early June, and the roadway construction will be completed. In June, Southwest, Alaska, and Delta Airline will begin full operations in Terminal B and all other carriers will be in Terminal A.

If you haven't flown from San José in the past year, or even in the last few months, the airport has changed dramatically to make the experience far more comfortable and convenient for you. Old landmarks have been replaced by new buildings and roadways, so please allow a little time so you can get your bearings and explore the new terminal features.

For more information on San José Airport changes, maps, and services, go to www.flysanjose.com.

City to Propose Ban on Paper and Plastic Bags

The City of San José is considering a ban on both plastic and paper disposable shopping bags provided at all stores. Instead, retailers would sell "green" paper bags made out of 40% recycled paper for 10 to 25 cents each. Customers would be encouraged to shop with reusable bags. Attend a public meeting to learn about the proposed ordinance and provide input.

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2010 Pavement Maintenance Program

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for maintaining 2,365 miles of street pavements throughout the City of San José. Each year, an annual pavement maintenance plan is developed and implemented based on available resources, street and network conditions, and the City and department priorities. The following memorandum has been prepared to provide the City Council with a description of the current pavement conditions, funding needs, and an overview of the major pavement maintenance projects planned for 2010.

More Details