Dear Friends,

 

Once again, the final weeks of the fiscal year have been a tension-filled debate about how to close the City of San José's $115 million budget shortfall. Sometimes it seems like "budget Groundhog Day" as we face the same budget deficit year after year. Like last year, there has been much at stake: neighborhood services, hundreds of jobs and the future of our city. I'm pleased to say we achieved our goal this week and passed a balanced budget for next year's 2011-2012 budget.

 

Discussions about this budget began in the fall of 2010 when the financial report for 2010 was released. Since then, we have had budget study sessions, community surveys, neighborhood budget workshops and City Council public hearings all addressing the challenge of closing the deficit. On a positive note, we started bargaining with our employees in January, much earlier than last year.

 

While this is not the budget any of us likes, it is the budget we needed in order to move forward. I did my best to preserve services to our residents and jobs for city employees.

 

My budget recommendations were incorporated into the Mayor's final June Budget Message. I championed funding for additional library hours, anti-graffiti and anti-litter programming and enough money to restore summer and fall staffing at the Lake Cunningham Regional Skate Park and Velma Million Marina.

 

Unfortunately, our challenge to maintain city services is not over. Next year, we face a shortfall of at least $100 million and therefore we must take steps now in order to avoid service cuts and layoffs. These steps include seeking pension reform for existing and new employees. I'm very encouraged by the agreements reached this week to negotiate a framework for pension reform and related ballot measures with some of our employee groups including Police, Fire and Local #21 (City Association of Management Personnel-CAMP, Association of Engineers and Architects-AEA and Association of Maintenance Supervisory Personnel-AMSP). These employee unions are leading the way in helping us solve this problem. I hope that our other bargaining units will take the pledge and join their colleagues at the table. 

 

Our goal is to hold the line on city services at the January 2010-2011 level and prevent service insolvency. This strategy, at a minimum, will return essential city services including police coverage, library hours and days, community center hours and programs and opening completed, but vacant libraries, community centers and the police substation. I will keep you posted on our progress.

  

My sincere thanks to our city employees who agreed to 10% ongoing pay reductions and other concessions that helped us save jobs and services this year.

 

Thanks to all of you who contacted my office to share your budget ideas and concerns. Your input means so much to me as I make difficult decisions that affect the future of our city. Our ability to innovate and adapt will be key to our success and we are up to the challenge!

 

As San José emerges from this fiscal crisis we will need to turn our attention to economic development, job creation and improving the quality of life for San José residents.

 

 

SUMMER FUN IN EVERGREEN

Now that summer is here, check out the new water thrill ride at Raging Waters called, "Bombs Away!" The adventure begins five stories above Lake Cunningham, where your capsule door is sealed and then the trap floor drops you over two hundred feet into the lake level splash! Thrilling!

 

I watched the first rides by local Girl Scouts after cutting the ribbon on the opening of the slide last weekend. There were squeals of delight as the girls splashed safely at the bottom of the slide, ready for more action. Thanks to Raging Waters for hosting the girls and providing water safety lessons for them prior to the grand opening!

 

Summer is about having fun and being safe. Outdoor activities are a big part of living in Evergreen. Make new friends and catch up with old ones during this summer's outdoor music and movie nights in Evergreen Village Square. Don't miss Humphrey Bogart uttering his famous, "play it again, Sam" during this week's movie on Friday, June 24th. This event is sponsored by the District 8 Roundtable, Involved Evergreen and my council office. Click here for more information. [link to http://evergreenvillagesquare.com/events.html]

 

SAVE THE DATE

Save the date of Tuesday, August 2, 2011 for National Night Out. Go to the national website to register your neighborhood's event or look for an event occurring near you. [link to http://www.nationaltownwatch.org/nno/reg.html]

 

My staff and I are committed to helping you in any way we can. Please do not hesitate to contact my office at district8@sanjoseca.gov or (408) 535-4908 with any questions or concerns you may have.

  

Sincerely, 

Councilmember Rose Herrera

City of San José Budget

The Mayor's June Budget Message was released on Friday, June 3rd and the City Council voted on the City's budget for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 on June 14th. To learn more about the budget, view the related documents featured in the Mayor's Office and the Budget Office websites. Other documents related to the budget include the Manager's Budget Addenda and the budget documents submitted by Councilmembers with their budget recommendations. View Councilmember Rose Herrera's budget documents here. 

A Beautiful Day in San José

On Saturday, May 21st, thousands of volunteers got together for "Beautiful Day: Project Restoration," also known as "Clean Mile." This initiative was a collaboration between Beautiful Day, the City of San José and the Mayor's Gang Prevention Task Force.

In District 8, volunteers restored the Meadowfair neighborhood as part of this weeklong citywide initiative by cleaning up neighborhoods, painting over graffiti, picking up litter, mowing lawns and performing various community services. Additionally, Meadowfair residents filled eighteen dumpsters that were well received by residents as they helped residents get rid of unwanted items, while cleaning their neighborhood.

A special thanks goes out to the Beautiful Day team, volunteers, staff and residents that helped make this effort possible. Thank you!

CreaTV San José Green Video Boot Camp Sessions

Monday, June 20th - Friday, July 8th, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Monday, July 18th - Friday, August 5th, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

CreaTV San José, 255 W. Julian Street, Suite 100

This summer, CreaTV San José is offering a Green Video Boot Camp for San José teens ages thirteen to eighteen. Get trained on Professional HD cameras and Final Cut Pro digital editing software. Make PSAs and mini-documentaries on environmental issues using state-of-the-art video equipment from CreaTV San José. Mini-docs will be aired on CreaTV's Classrooms Channel 28 on Comcast!

So act now as space is limited to only 20 kids! There are two sessions to choose from: June 20th to July 8th OR July 18th to August 5th. Each three-week session runs Monday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. and costs only $25.

To register, please call Savannah Soliz at (408) 295-8815 extension #301 or email hello@creaTVsj.org.

Funded in part by a grant from the City of San José's Mayor's Gang Prevention Task Force.

San José Public Library Presents: The Third Annual Graphic Novel Contest

Now - July 30th, 2011

Libraries Citywide

Do you have a talent for writing and drawing? Would you like to win prizes and citywide fame? Enter this year's Graphic Novel Contest, happening at many public libraries in San José. To enter, all you have to do is create a short, eight page illustrated novel with text and pictures in black and white. Different categories include children, teens and adults, with each category having its own distinct prizes and winners. Each submission must be the creative work of the individual submitting it and must be submitted no later than July 30th, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. Winners will be announced at a reception at the Evergreen Branch Library on August 27th at 3:00 p.m.

More Details

Tuesday, June 21st: 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (General Plan)

Tuesday, June 28th: No Meeting

Councilmember Herrera welcomes residents to the Project 500 Squared Kickoff at St. Francis of Assisi Church on 5/26.

Councilmember Herrera at Miss Mello's Last Production "The Brave Jester" performed at Dove Hill Elementary School on 5/25.

Councilmember Herrera presenting a commendation to Raging Waters San José, the largest water park in Northern California, in recognition of their importance as a key employer, regional family destination and their commitment to the community on 5/24.

 Councilmember Herrera with talented performers during the EPIC Festival at Evergreen Village Square on 5/21.

Councilmember Herrera and fellow elected officials at the "Welcome to Little Saigon Celebration" on 5/21.

Councilmember Herrera in the Meadowfair neighborhood during the Beautiful Day: Project Restoration event hosted on 5/21.

Councilmember Herrera drawing giveaway items during the third annual Senior Health Fair and Walk 2011 at Eastridge Mall on 5/21.

Councilmember Herrera presenting a commendation, at the City Council meeting on 5/17, to Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley for their dedication to safe and healthy homes for low income residents and for renovating over 1,000 homes in San José over the past 20 years.

Councilmember Herrera presenting a proclamation declaring the Month of May 2011 as "Jewish American Heritage Month" in the City of San José at the City Council meeting on 5/17.

Councilmember Herrera presenting a check to East Side Union High School District to Save our Sports at the 5K Run at Mt. Pleasant High School on 5/15. 

Councilmember Herrera with graduate students in San José State University's Urban and Regional Planning Department at the Better Buildings Program Community Resource Fair hosted at the Boys and Girls Club on 5/14.  

Councilmember Herrera and Matt Wahlin, her husband and President of Involved Evergreen, riding during Bike to Work Day on 5/12.

The Annual Police Memorial and Flag Ceremony at City Hall on 5/11.

Councilmember Herrera speaking to residents at the D8 Budget Meeting hosted by her office and the Mayor's Office at Quimby Oak Middle School on 5/9.

Councilmember Herrera, Vice Mayor Nguyen and Councilmember Kalra riding to the Bike Week Ceremonial Ride and Press Event at City Hall on 5/9.

Councilmember Herrera welcoming faith leaders to the first annual District 8 Faith Leaders' Appreciation Breakfast hosted at The Villages on 5/6.

Councilmembers Herrera and Campos presenting a commendation to the Saving the Cinco De Mayo Parade Steering Committee that was hosted at the Emma Prusch Farm Park on 5/5.
 

Councilmembers Herrera, Oliverio and Chu presenting a Holocaust Remembrance Day proclamation at the County of Santa Clara Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony on 5/4.  

Councilmember Herrera 

at International Day of Workers March on 5/1.

View More Photos at the
 D8 Photo Gallery