RULES COMMITTEE: 5/31/2023
Item: B.1
File ID: ROGC 23-218
TO: Honorable Mayor & FROM: Toni J. Taber, CMC
City Council City Clerk
SUBJECT: The Public Record DATE: May 31, 2023
May 18 – May 25, 2023
ITEMS FILED FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD
Letters from Boards, Commissions, and Committees
Letters from the Public
1. Letter from Ingrid Granados (Maureen Reyes Damrel), dated May 22, 2023, regarding:
[action] I oppose changes to the Measure E Spending Plan (Item 3.3 on the May 16th Agenda).
2. Letter from George Drysdale, dated May 23, 2023, regarding: rent control initiative.
3. Letter from Blair Beekman, dated May 25, 2023, regarding: Blair Beekman. Thursday, May 25, 2023….Public Comment & Letter. To address Fentanyl Distribution.
4. Letter from Blair Beekman, dated May 25, 2023, regarding: Blair Beekman. Thursday, May 25, 2023…..Measure E Steps.
____________________________
Toni J. Taber, CMC
City Clerk
TJT/tt
Public Record: 1
Fw: [action] I oppose changes to the Measure E Spending Plan (Item 3.3 on the May 16th Agenda)
Agendadesk <[email protected]>
Tue 5/23/2023 8:37 AM
To: Rules and Open Government Committee Agendas <[email protected]> From: City Clerk <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 7:39 AM
To: Agendadesk <[email protected]>
Subject: FW: [action] I oppose changes to the Measure E Spending Plan (Item 3.3 on the May 16th Agenda) From: Ingrid Granados
Sent: Monday, May 22,
To: Maureen Damrel
Cc: The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan <[email protected]>; District! <[email protected]>; District2 <[email protected]>; District3 <[email protected]>; District4 <[email protected]>; Districts <[email protected]>; District 6 <[email protected]>; District7 <[email protected]>; District8 <[email protected]>; District9 <[email protected]>; District 10 <[email protected]>; [email protected]; City Clerk <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [action] I oppose changes to the Measure E Spending Plan (Item 3.3 on the May 16th Agenda) You don't often get email from
[External Email]
ThanK you Maureen
; 0)
DESTINATION: HOME
INGRID GRANADOS
Initiatives Officer
DestinationHomeSV.org.
On Tue, May 16, 2023 at 11:49 AM Maureen Damrel
Dear Mayor Mahan and City Councilmember
Learn wh\f thi i imgortant
wrote:
A a lifetime San Jo e re ident (living in di trict 5,3,7 and currently 6) and voter, I write to expre my oppo ition to the propo ed Mea ure E pending plan When we approved Mea ure E in 2020, we were promi ed the proceed would fund This message is from outside the City email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources. much-needed affordable housing, and this new proposal is a reversal of that commitment.
The rates of homelessness our community faces today are a symptom of our severe housing shortage, and we know that solving this crisis will require us to create more permanent affordable homes. Investing in more interim options is important, but it cannot come at the expense of building more permanent affordable housing. As the 10th largest city in the county, San Jose should be a leader in deploying evidence-based solutions rather than disinvesting in affordable housing at such a critical time.
Now is the time to fund MORE affordable housing, not less. Please keep your commitment to the people of San Jose by rejecting this new proposal and maintaining the existing Measure E spending plan.
Thank you!
Maureen Reyes Damrel
Resident of District 6
Parent to children in SJUSD
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FW: rent control intiative
City Clerk <[email protected]>
Wed 5/24/2023 11 :07 AM
To: Rules and Open Government Committee Agendas [email protected] @ 1 attachments (13 KB)
THE SAN JOSE PROPERTY RIGHTS INITIATIVE docx
From: george drysdale
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 11:18 AM
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: rent control intiative
You don't often get email from
[External Email]
Learn whY. this is i1I1P.ortant
This message is from outside the City email system Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources
THE SAN JOSE PROPERTY RIGHTS INITIATIVE
“Every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket.” Eric Hofer.
Rent control is the most studied subject in economics. Virtually all economists think rent controls are bad. Therefore all social science teachers teach how rent controls are bad. In order to graduate from high school you must pass a class in economics.
In an initiative in brainy San Jose the electorate would void rent controls. 57% of the San Jose population own their own homes. Three years ago I was ready to throw an initiative but then COVID.
The initiative would be supported by tens of millions of dollars in funding. Vote out rent controls as soon as possible. The initiative would be a sure thing. Owners of price fixed rentals will be aware of the initiative and will refuse to transact waiting to see the results, an uncertain market. I talk to virtually all the owners. The market will crash. You now have an emergency and San Jose’s city government will be disgraced - - unless.
Vote out rent control and its ugly manifestation of mobile home park zoning. Zoning which costs San Jose millions of dollars a month in underperforming land valuation. The Winchester Ranch mobile home park Pulte solution would be acceptable. The free market will then take command with much needed denser housing the cheapest housing at probably a measured pace because of higher mortgage rates.
The highest and best use. Dramatically increased property taxes will go largely to the state for greater production of subsidized housing. San Jose will be the leader in the deregulation of rental properties in California which will impress Stockholm Sweden as the best rent control study and will probably win an honorable mention for San Jose in the acquisition for America again for the Prize.
George Drysdale
[External Email]
FW: Blair Beekman. Thursday, May 25, 2023....Public Comment & Letter. To address Fentanyl Distribution.
City Clerk <[email protected]>
Thu 5/25/2023 10 40 AM
To: Rules and Open Government Committee Agendas <[email protected]> From: b. beekman
Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2023 10 30 AM
Subject: Blair Beekman. Thursday, May 25, 2023....Public Comment & Letter. To address Fentanyl Distribution.
Public Comment.
Dear local Ca. govts and communities,
Is the fall-out being noted, by both local govt. and everyday community, that the arrest, of a San Jose POA executive manager, for fentanyl distribution, is possibly putting a nix, on recent attempts, by local police depts. at new recruitment tactics, that have been developing in local communities, across the country, in the past 6 months.
Tactics and practices, that has been trying to offer, something of a return to, 'the police as a shining community example.'
We should considering, to again better ask, how this can be a time, to consider a better balance, towards a future of reimagine. And simply before, local govts, only proclaiming the needs, of more and more police & surveillance technology.
sincerely,
Public Record: 3
blair beekman
____________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ A Letter.
Dear local govts of Ca. and communities, .
In the recent arrest, of a local SJPOA executive manager, for fentanyl distribution, in San Jose, the SF Bay area, and across the country, I have been noticing,, federal & state law enforcement agencies are also offering coordinated efforts, in raids & crackdowns, of Mexican cartels, at the border, and of local large distributors.of fentanyl ,
I have also noticed, it is being reported, of a possible recent uptick, in violent crime, in Oakland As much as problem Fentanyl distribution is, I am hoping the recent drug raids by federal agencies, to stem the obvious problems of fentanyl, is not putting undue pressure, on local street distributors I have been writing, and offering public comment, since the beginning, of the recent SJPOA drama, it simply may be the easiest, for everyone involved, and makes the most sense - to begin learning, how to more openly review and talk about, the ways to address & end fentanyl distribution, coming from within, our local community institutions, like police depts and medical health industries.
It can be a painful and difficult process. But as our local police depts, and city and county medical depts, are respected & familiar, to most of us, they should be able to stand up well, within our well established good procedures, of checks and balances, accountability & transparency policies, and open public review practices, at this time And from these good efforts, I think it could help, to possibly limit, a substantial amount of fentanyl distribution, in the future of local communities, across the state and country.
To also note, as current outlaws, simply may sometimes be taking orders, from local institutional agencies, in facilitating fentanyl, distribution patterns & cycles,. With state and federal govt agencies, coming down strongly, towards outlaw fentanyl distributors, at this time outlaws, and the outliers around them, may be feeling trapped or cornered, and are becoming, more violent,& panicky, in places like Oakland, at this time. As issues of violence, have been growing in Oakland, at this time
This message is from outside the City email system Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources By wanting to review, our established institutions, first, for both, direct and more incidental fentanyl distribution issues, this can offer, a slower, more steady approach, towards more comprehensive, better practices, And also works to address, outlaw fentanyl distributors, in more consistent, long range terms And so outlaw distributors, often in-step with our institutions, can become less panicky less violent,. and better integrated, in more regular practices & expectations, in how to address & limit illicit drugs, in this society And with the use of law This is a lot of guess work, on my part And is not meant, as absolutes But it is the attempts, towards a decent, good reasoning, in how to better understand, and work with this situation. I hope this can be, an honest good reporting, for everyone of the community
To also note, I also feel, that for as much as SJPD and police depts across the country, were beginning a major campaign, in new recruitment efforts - and possibly, to once again portray police, as the shining example, of a community, This SJPOA episode, should be reminding ourselves, of how much the police has had, a sometimes questionable history, in this country. And may always want strong ties, to the prison military industrial complex. I hope we are at a time, to simply learn, how to better balance & speak to, the good ideals & ideas of reimagine Along with wanting. better public oversight and participation. As it is these ideas, of a sustainable future, that most people, want to better understand, and work towards sincerely,
blair beekman
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/[email protected]/inbox/id/AAQkADhhYzk3NTk1LTBmZDAtNDc4Yi1hN2Q0LTZjNmZjNTk5MT… 1/2 [External Email]
FW: Blair Beekman. Thursday, May 25, 2023.....Measure E Steps.
Rules and Open Government Committee Agendas
<[email protected]>
Thu 5/25/2023 11 59 AM
To: Rules and Open Government Committee Agendas <[email protected]> From: b. beekman
Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2023 10 30 AM
Subject: Blair Beekman. Thursday, May 25, 2023.....Measure E Steps.
Dear San Jose city govt. and community,
Mayor Mahan, has possibly brought into focus, some interesting good ways, in how to develop temporary housing, for some, SJ unhoused. But I hope,these initial good intentions, at this time, of FY 24 budget choices, are idaas not meant in absolutes, I hope his ideas can be considered, as creative beginnings. With the help, of good minded, community input, I am learning, we can learn, to more clearly understand, together, and to not fear, a step by step process, to address long term issues of the unhoused, in San Jose.
Can Mayor Mahan, in his initial good intentions, with temporary housing developments, be willing to learn how to better place his ideas, and add to funding plans & ideas, already in place, in San Jose. As Bob Brownstein of Working Partnerships, has offered at recent public comment time, we can simply continue, with already planned & scheduled, initial Measure E funding, for permanent affordable housing development, in FY 24. And from this, a fairly good amount, of additional funding can also be available, for Mayor Mahan's, temporary housing ideas.
Mr. Brownstein's ideas seem, well reasoned simple, holistic, matter of fact, well structured, conservative, safe, efficient, streamlined, and make for a lot less work. And from this, it could possibly bring cost savings, to the FY '24 budget. Mayor Mahan, on the other hand, seems to be applying, a bits and pieces approach. And that he is fearing, affordable housing development ideas, of the next few years, when he may not have to.
In what has also been, a decades long problem, spoken often about, by sj housing director Jackie Morales Ferrand - Is that learning to budget & employ, a much larger, city housing staff, can better track & follow, the hopes and needs, of San Jose unhoused, from beginning to end.
I worry Mayor Mahan's, current one year plans, to re-arrange, already well established, Measure E bond measures, will ignore & distract from developing, good, new long term, housing practices & funding patterns.
Public Record: 4
This message is from outside the City email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
And that his work, is a part of overall plans, to try to force, more market-rate housing ideas, on to San Jose, when to force the issue, simply may not be needed, at this time.
Overall, there seems, a well reasoned, decent minded, slow approach, in how to better leave, the era of Covid19, that I hope, the San Jose community process, wants to more openly talk about, at this budget time. The next few years, can be a very hopeful time. As many, good- minded community projects can be developing. It is also my hope, middle income housing development plans, can be discussed openly, in good terms, and do not have to be feared. And in the ways to address, an ever continuing spiral, of rising housing costs, and cost of living increases.
With the help of Mayor Mahan, we can perhaps, see more clearly, a step by step process, that can house, San Jose unhoused. more quickly. at this time. I hope this budget time, can be a sharing of ideas, and to not have to fear, an overall more holistic approach, As San Jose,can learn to make ample & clear, to follow up, beginning temporary housing ideas, for the unhoused, with good, long term affordable housing funding & development, for the FY 24 budget.
sincerely,
blair beekman