December 4, 2020
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION BEAUTIFYSJ- PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES
TO ADDRESS TRASH, DEBRIS, AND BLIGHT ACROSS THE CITY
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2020
Consistent with the California Governor’s Executive Order No. N-29-20, Resolution No. 79485 from the City of San José and the Santa Clara County Health Officer’s March 16, 2020 Shelter in Place Order, the City Council meeting was not physically open to the public. Public comments were accepted via eComment, email, by phone/Webinar or online.
The Council meeting was teleconferenced from remote locations and convened the Listening Session at 9:00 a.m.
Present: Council Members - Liccardo, Jones, Jimenez, Peralez, Diep, Carrasco, Davis, Esparza, Arenas, Foley, Khamis.
Absent: Council Members - All Present.
Staff: City Manager, David Sykes; Office of the City Manager, Chief of Staff, Lee Wilcox; City Attorney, Nora Frimann; City Clerk, Toni Taber; City Manager’s Office, Gloria Schmanek; Mayor’s Office; Henry Smith; and City Clerk’s Office, Yasmin Johnson.
INTRODUCTION:
Purpose of today’s study session: (1) To provide a status report on the EOC Trash, Debris and Blight Response related to Homeless Encampments, Illegal Dumping, and Inter-Agency Properties – Service Model
1.0. (2) To frame longer term strategies, service models, and resource needs to equitably, effectively and efficiently achieve consistently clean conditions across the City – Service Model 2.0.
Outcome: The City Council will understand progress to date, and current challenges on the immediate Trash, Debris and Blight Response related to Homeless Encampments, Illegal Dumping, and Inter-Agency Properties, and will understand and become familiar with mid and longer term strategies, service models, and resource needs aimed at equitably, effectively, and efficiently achieving consistently clean conditions across the City.
December 4, 2020
Deputy City Manager, EOC Operations Coordinator, Jim Ortbal; Assistant Director, PRNS, Neil Rufino; Assistant to the City Manager, Branch Planning Director, Sarah Zarate; Beautify SJ Program Manager, Branch Operations Director, Olympia Williams; and Deputy Director, Department of Transportation, EOC Branch Director, Rick Scott offered the presentation and responded to questions from Council.
Mayor Sam Liccardo spoke to the dashboard view for residents, Cash for Trash Program, and the data of participants regarding the Bridge Program.
Councilmember Raul Peralez addressed sanctioned encampments, identifying the best geographic locations for sanctioned encampments, services offered, and incorporating community perspectives in the dashboard.
Councilmember Maya Esparza addressed sanctioned encampments challenges, abatements and public safety, illegal dumping enforcement, and requested further information on the $30,000 cameras and license plate readers regarding illegal dumping.
Councilmember Carrasco addressed illegal dumping enforcement capabilities and investing in greater unhoused encampment services.
Mayor Sam Liccardo opened the floor for public comment.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Justin Imamura founder of the “Trash Punx,” thanked council for supporting them and various similar groups to help keep San Jose clean.
2. Steve Holmes spoke to the “war on trash” in the city, reclaiming polluted water ways, recommended housing units be set aside to create a path for the unhoused to move into, and funding for grassroot programs.
3. Gail Osmer addressed CDC Guidelines, urged council to stop abatements, and the lack of services being provided.
4. Deb Kramer, Executive Director of the organization Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful, spoke to the success of Litter Kits in neighborhoods, thanked BeautifySJ, Councilmember Esparza, Olivia, and the City Management team for all their support and efforts.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Sam Liccardo adjourned the Study Session at 12:22 p.m.
Minutes Recorded, Prepared and Respectfully Submitted by,
Toni J. Taber, CMC City Clerk
yj/12-4-20/BeautifySJ