May 16, 2022
San Jose City Council
200 E. Santa Clara St.
San Jose, CA
Re: Measure T Status Report
Dear Mayor Liccardo and Councilmembers,
The undersigned organizations request the Council to accept the recommendations contained in the memo from Councilmembers Arenas, Carrasco and Cohen with regard to actions related to the Measure T Status Report.
The ballot language for Measure T, which was approved by the Council and resulted from extensive poll testing, reads as follows:
Disaster Preparedness, Public Safety, and Infrastructure Bond
To:
• Upgrade 911 communications, police, fire and paramedics facilities to improve emergency and disaster response;
• Repair deteriorating bridges vulnerable to earthquakes; • Repave streets and potholes in the worst condition;
• Prevent flooding and water quality contamination;
• Repair critical infrastructure;
Shall San José issue $650,000,000 in general obligation bonds with an average levy of 11 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, averaging $34,208,000 annually until repaid, requiring community oversight and annual audits?
The status report from staff indicates that $3.2M of this funding remains in the Environmental and Flood Protection category. According to the direction from Council in June 2021, that remaining funding should be directed towards improvement of water quality in Lake Cunningham. As stated in the status report, “The $3.2 million allocation could fund several different projects to start the process of enhancing water quality and user experience, such as vegetated bioswales along shoreline path to intercept sediments and nutrients before they enter the lake or shoreline pathway repairs.”
There is no reason to withhold this $3.2M from these projects. Lake Cunningham is a significant environmental and recreational resource for the East Side that could be providing much-needed opportunities for local residents to get outside and experience nature.
Use of these funds to improve water quality in Lake Cunningham is entirely consistent with the intent of Measure T funding and with the ballot measure language provided to voters. Although the bulk of the $50M intended for prevention of flooding and water quality contamination was utilized to acquire conservation land in Coyote Valley, nothing in the ballot measure language or in the resolution approved by Council placing Measure T on the ballot prevents the remainder of these funds from being used to improve water quality in Lake Cunningham. “Water quality contamination” is precisely the problem that the June 2021 direction from the Council was intended to solve. The water quality contamination in question need not be related to a drinking water aquifer in order to fit the purpose of Measure T. By contrast, construction and improvements of police and fire station facilities, though necessary, are not an appropriate use of the “Environmental Protection Projects” category of Measure T funds.
The area surrounding Lake Cunningham was once a freshwater marsh known as Laguna Socayre. Streams coming down from the hills spread out in the several thousand acres of bottomlands that lay at the foot of the alluvial fans, and formed wetland complexes where discontinuous streams interspersed with willow thickets. Lake Cunningham is not only a recreational resource; it is a significant remnant of San Jose’s historical wetlands, and as such could be providing valuable ecosystem benefits to the region, including flood protection, habitat, and climate resilience.
We urge the Council not to walk back the commitment made in June 2021 for the use of the $3.2M in funding for water quality improvement in Lake Cunningham. Please reaffirm the Council commitment to the voters to use this funding for prevention of water quality contamination.
Sincerely,
Alice Kaufman, Policy and Advocacy Director
Green Foothills
Shani Kleinhaus, Environmental Advocate
Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
James Eggers, Executive Director
Loma Prieta Chapter Sierra Club
Zoe Siegel, Director of Climate Resilience
Greenbelt Alliance
May 15, 2022
Dear Mayor Liccardo and members of the San José City Council:
Re: Item 3.5, Actions Related to the Measure T Status Report on the Workplan andImplementation Updates.
We are reaching out in support of the memo issued by Councilmembers Sylvia Arenas, David Cohen, andMagdalena Carrasco related to Item 3.5. Last June,you reaffirmed your commitment to designate $3.2million to fund environmental justice and water quality improvements at Lake Cunningham. NextTuesday, you will face the proposal to reallocate funding from Lake Cunningham revitalization effortsand instead keep it in a reserve for other projects, going against the original commitments made to thepublic.
As you know, Lake Cunningham provides over 50-acres of open space, and after years of deterioratingwater quality at this lake and major fish die-offs, the lake was closed down -- taking away open space andunmatched recreational activities for families in East San José and residents of all ages.
This is an environmental equity issue. Our East San José communities deserve more. You have theopportunity to start rehabilitating this critical neighborhood lake that can transform our most underservedcommunities in East San José. We cannot delay this type of investment any longer. ● Underserved communities in East San Jose have been linked to experiencing more respiratoryissues & hotter temperatures – investment in Lake Cunningham would provide environmentalbenefits, as well as community benefits, to counter the effects of climate change in our East SanJose communities● Investment in public parks is particularly critical for residents who are negatively impacted byeconomic disadvantage, systemic racism, trauma, opportunity gaps, and other challenges.● East San Jose families deserve more access to open space -- investing in water qualityimprovements at Lake Cunningham would allow families to finally be able to enjoy recreationalactivities with their loved ones.
We sign this letter as community leaders working to confront and address issues of environmental equityin San José and throughout the Bay Area region. We believe that the health of people and ourcommunities is inextricably tied to investing in and caring for our public parks and open spaces.
Sincerely,
Maritza MaldonadoExecutive Director, Amigos de GuadalupeVeronica GoeiExecutive Director, Grail Family ServicesJessica Paz-CedillosCo-Executive Director, School of Arts & CultureVanessa ShiehCo-Executive Director, School of Arts & Culture
Saul RamosCo-Executive Director, SOMOS MayfairVictor VasquezCo-Executive Director, SOMOS MayfairCayce HillExecutive Director, Veggielution
[External Email]
This message is from outside the City email system Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources 5/17 City Council 3.5 Support for Lake Cunningham
Ashok Jethanandani <
Mon 5/16/2022 5:42 PM
To: City Clerk <
You don't often get email from Learn why this is important
Date: May 16, 2022
To: San Jose Mayor & City Council Members
I am a longtime resident of East San Jose, and value Lake Cunnigham as a valuable community resource for experiencing nature and the outdoors. Many residents of San Jose use the park for walking, jogging, exercise, skateboarding, nature photography, and other recreation.
The lake and the view of the east hills make it a beautiful setting. However, for the last several years, facilities at the park have been in a state of disrepair. The lakeside path has sunk in places, and is closed in parts. Many piers which would be excellent vantage points to observe water birds are closed off indefinitely. Why this neglect of an important local
resource? Is it because the city council does not value its eastern residents? I urge all councilmembers and the mayor to address this matter with equity in mind when it is discussed on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Please approve the funding for Lake Cunningham maintenance and improvements. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Ashok Jethanandani
Ashok Jethanandani, B.A.M.S.
[External Email]
This message is from outside the City email system Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources Fw: Lake Cunningham
City Clerk <[email protected]>
Wed 5/18/2022 8:30 AM
To: Rules and Open Government Committee Agendas <[email protected]> Office of the City Clerk | City of San José
200 E. Santa Clara St., Tower 14th Floor
San Jose, CA 95113
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From: Becky Parker < >
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2022 2:24 PM
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Lake Cunningham
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I live very close to Lake Cunningham. I walk around it once ot twice a week and I pick up trashumancia on my walk. The park is in very bad shape. The water is disgusting. It is so sad to see what little care is taken of it.
We need to spend money on getting the Lake in better condition so we can do activities on it again.
Please help our park!
Becky Parker