[External Email]
Re: Susan Minorv 95139 - Agenda Item 3.5, 3/14/23, Measure T's water quality funding: Lake Cunningham
The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan <[email protected]>
Tue 3/14/2023 12:05 PM
To:[email protected] <[email protected]> Cc: district5united >;City Clerk <[email protected]>;District2 <[email protected]>;District3 <[email protected]>;District4 <[email protected]>;District5 <[email protected]>;District 6 <[email protected]>;District7 <[email protected]>;District8 <[email protected]>;District9 <[email protected]>;District 10 <[email protected]>;District1 <[email protected]>;The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan <[email protected]> Hi Susan,
Thank you for reaching out to our office regarding Measure T and Lake Cunningham. Mayor Mahan agrees that there is a great need at Lake Cunningham, and that those issues should be resolved. In that spirit, he has co-signed a memo with Councilmembers Candelas, Cohen, and Ortiz, to direct staff to conduct an in-depth funding strategy for repairs at Lake Cunningham, with specific attention to the pursuit of alternative funding sources such as federal and state infrastructure grants aimed at addressing environmental and water quality issues.
With regard to the $3.2M in savings currently in the Measure T Environmental Protection Fund, our office agrees with Staff’s recommendation to reallocate those funds to the Public Safety Reserve because they will ensure an immediate and meaningful impact on the quality of life and safety of residents across San José.
Also known as the Disaster Preparedness, Public Safety, and Infrastructure Bond, Measure T is a 2018 voter-approved initiative that provides funding for important public safety and infrastructure projects throughout the City. Since the inception of the bond program, supply chain issues from the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation have caused cost estimates for projects to rise dramatically. This means that the City is currently experiencing shortfalls in the Public Safety Reserve that would hinder the completion of several citywide public safety projects already underway. These include:
Police Training and Academy Facility
911 Call Center upgrades
Police Headquarters infrastructure upgrades
Police Air Support Unit Hangar
Fire Stations 32 & 36
Fire Station 23
Staff has recommended reallocations and adjustments which include savings currently in the Environmental Reserve ($3.2 M) to the Public Safety Reserve because without them, the above projects will not be feasible.
Last Fall, Staff conducted a preliminary shoreline and water study on Lake Cunningham, which revealed that the lowest cost needed to allow for water recreation at the lake would be around $27,000,000. This does not include the cost of labor, consultant fees, hard cost contingency, or inflation. Adjusting for those unavoidable factors, the total is closer to $37,000,000 - $40,000,000.
The unfortunate reality is that the $3.2M would address some of the symptoms - but would not get to the root causes of the issues at Lake Cunningham.
Today, Mayor Mahan will encourage staff to pursue alternative funding sources to address the need at Lake Cunningham.
Federal and state grants are more widely available for projects that are environmentally or clean water-focused than those intended for public safety.
On Wed, 8 Mar at 10:24 PM , District 5 United <[email protected]> wrote:
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Dear San Jose City Council
I am writing to you regarding an environmental equity issue. Do not shift funding that would allow the city to take a step toward improved water quality at Lake Cunningham. Further delaying any action would be a continued injustice.
I ask that you not shift the $3.2 million in funding previously designated for water quality improvement that would allow the City to begin a path to improved water quality at Lake Cunningham. This 50-acre open space is a vital resource for all San Jose residents and especially those in East San Jose. After years of deteriorating water quality and major fish die-offs, the lake was closed down, taking away open space and unmatched recreational activities for families in East San José and residents of all ages. Our families deserve more access to open space, not less. Our families deserve investments in water quality improvements. Our families deserve nearby access to recreational activities. Now is the time to begin working toward improved water quality, not time to shift these funds to potential construction projects or other potential uses.
Susan Minorv
95139
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