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A Letter from Senator Dave Cortese Re Lake Cunningham Park Contini, Zachary <[email protected]>
on behalf of
Senator Cortese <[email protected]>
Mon 3/13/2023 11:14 AM
To:Agendadesk <[email protected]>;The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan <[email protected]>;Mahan, Matt <[email protected]>;District1 <[email protected]>;Kamei, Rosemary <[email protected]>;District2 <[email protected]>;Jimenez, Sergio <[email protected]>;District3 <[email protected]>;Torres, Omar <[email protected]>;District4 <[email protected]>;Cohen, David <[email protected]>;District5 <[email protected]>;Ortiz, Peter <[email protected]>;District 6 <[email protected]>;Davis, Dev <[email protected]>;District7 <[email protected]>;Doan, Bien <[email protected]>;District8 <[email protected]>;Candelas, Domingo <[email protected]>;District9 <[email protected]> Some people who received this message don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important
Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers,
Please see my a ached le er regarding Lake Cunningham Park.
Sincerely,
Dave Cortese
California State Senate, District 15
[email protected]
h ps://sd15.senate.ca.gov/
March 13, 2023
200 East Santa Clara Street
Honorable Mayor & City Council,
18th Floor San José, CA 95112
RE: Annual Report on Measure T Disaster Preparedness, Public Safety, and Infrastructure General Obligation Bond Program Proceeds and Allocations
Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers,
I am writing to express my support in maintaining the identified 3.2 million dollars in savings from the purchase of Coyote Valley in the Environmental Protection Fund to remedy the issues of water contamination at Lake Cunningham Park.
We need to fulfill our commitment to environmental water quality projects as was promised to voters when Measure T was on the ballot. Raiding the environmental fund for personal bookkeeping is not an action in good faith of the voters or taxpayers.
Located in the northeast corner of District 8, Lake Cunningham Park is home to a 50-acre lake, stunning meadows, and range of amenities including picnic areas, playground, marina, Raging Waters and the Action Sports Park.
Since the mid-1990s, the water quality at Lake Cunningham has experienced a detrimental decline, which has compromised access to the lake, threatened the environment, and jeopardized the safety of park meadows and amenities during algae blooms or natural flooding on this historical floodplain. For over 30 years, the lake has been off- limits for recreational use.
Park visitors often reference a foul odor in the summer and point out stagnant water. Unfortunately, deferred maintenance and lack of significant investment will only worsen the conditions present at the park. For this reason, I ask you to maintain the identified 3.2 million dollars in the Environmental Protection Fund to remedy the issues of water contamination at Lake Cunningham Park.
It is critical to note that the quality of life for East San José residents has been detrimentally affected by airborne contaminants produced by the Reid-Hillview Airport and impacts from high-speed corridors/highways bisecting communities. Lake Cunningham Park is uniquely positioned to serve as a
tool for achieving environmental and social equity goals since we know that parks encourage active lifestyles, provide access to open space, strengthen local economies, increase community engagement and reduce crime.
Please support the recommendation from Councilmember Candelas and Ortiz and make certain that Lake Cunningham Park is put on a pathway towards restoration.
Sincerely,
California State Senator Dave Cortese
California State Senate, District 15