February 9, 2023
MINUTES OF THE
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2023
COVID-19 NOTICE
Consistent with AB 361 and City of San Jose Resolution Nos. 80628, 80659, 80685, 80724, 80758, 80809, and RES2023-1 the Neighborhood Services and Education Committee Members may be teleconferencing from remote locations.
The Neighborhood Services and Education Committee Meeting was held in a hybrid format, in the Council Chambers and from remote locations. The meeting convened at 1:30 p.m.
Present: Councilmembers - Ortiz, Doan, Torres, Candelas.
Absent: Councilmembers - Davis.
Staff: City Manager’s Office, Angel Rios Jr.; City Attorney’s Office, Karin Murabito; Mayor’s Office, Mackenzie Mossing; City Clerk’s Department, Yasmin Johnson.
B. Review of Work Plan
None provided.
C. Consent Calendar
None provided.
D. Reports to Committee
1. Citywide Sustainable Park Maintenance Status Report.
Deputy Director, Avi Yotam; Division Manager,
Torie O’Reilly; Senior Maintenance
Worker, Melody Goodwin; and Senior Maintenance Worker, David Barba offered the presentation and responded to questions.
(Item Continued on the Next Page)
February 9, 2023
D.1 (Cont’d.)
Councilmember Omar Torres addressed his concerns with only 75 of the 200 parks being adopted in the “Adopt-A-Park” program, referenced on page 7 of the January 23, 2023 Staff Memorandum.
Action: Upon motion by Councilmember Peter Ortiz, seconded by Councilmember Bien Doan and carried unanimously, the Committee accepted the status report on citywide sustainable park maintenance, including current service levels and areas of improvement. (4-0-1. Absent: Davis.)
2. 2021-2022 Status Report on Parks and Community Facilities Development Capital Improvement Program.
Division Manager, Sara Sellers; Director, PRNS, Jon Cicirelli; and City Librarian, Jill Bourne offered the presentation and responded to questions.
Public Comments: Blair Beekman, Paul Soto, and Liz Holtz provided public testimony regarding the item.
Councilmember Peter Ortiz requested an update on the progress along the lower Silver Creek trail.
Action: Upon motion by Omar Torres, seconded by Councilmember Bien Doan and carried unanimously, the Committee accepted the Annual Report on Park Impact Ordinance and Parkland Dedication Ordinance Fees for 2021-2022 and the Annual Status Report on Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department’s Capital Improvement Program. (4-0-1. Absent: Davis.)
Open Forum
1. Kay Blom spoke to spay and neutering issues in San José and the lack of confidence she has with animal care at the San José Animal Care Center.
2. Jennifer Flick (Volunteer at the SJ Animal Care Center) addressed dog walking issues, requested the reinstatement of a longtime volunteer being released without explanation, and oversight regarding transparency.
3. Ana Spear spoke to the general tracking of cats at parks and cat trapping not being allowed at public parks.
4. Liz Holtz spoke to the cost of living in San José, the shutdown of programs, and Park Ranger issues such as exists at Guadalupe Park.
5. Ani Elmaoglu requested an audit of the San José Animal Care Center regarding the innumerable amount of animals, the adoption process, old and disabled dogs, and the living conditions of the animals.
6. Paul Soto spoke to the extension of courtesy of animals versus members of the community.
(Item Continued on the Next Page)
Fe bruary 9, 2023
Public Comment (Cont’d.)
7. Bl
air Beekman spoke to the community process and mental health systems.
8. Rebekah Davis-Matthews spoke to challenges the San José Animal Care Center faces such as deceased animals being picked up weeks later, the low staffing of Animal Control Officers, Officers only assisting if an animal is injured, medical services for animals, the importance of volunteers, and requested an audit of the facility.
9. Mike Wagner spoke to the “Kittens First” non-profit foster program and the dire need of a comprehensive audit that speaks to the services of the shelter. He stated the last audit done in 2010 only looked into cost recovery.
City Librarian, Jill Bourne addressed the publics concerns with the San José Animal Care Center and stated the administration is coordinating a meeting with several volunteers and residents. She requested that members of the public provide their contact information if they wish to be a part of that discussion.
Director, PRNS, Jon Cicirelli announced the San José Animal Care Center spay neuter clinic is now open three days a week and they are performing ten surgeries a day.
Adjournment
Councilmember Peter Ortiz adjourned the Neighborhood Services and Education Committee Meeting at 3:32 p.m.
Minutes Recorded, Prepared and Respectfully Submitted by, ______________________
Toni J. Taber, CMC
City Clerk
DD/yj:NSEmin_2-9-23