Outlook
FW: D3 Vacancy Resident Opinion
From City Clerk <[email protected]>
Date Fri 11/22/2024 3:46 PM
To Agendadesk <[email protected]>
From: The Office of Mayor Ma Mahan <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, November 22, 2024 2:44 PM
To:
Cc: The Office of Mayor Ma Mahan <[email protected]>; City Clerk <[email protected]>; Velazquez, Daniela <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: D3 Vacancy Resident Opinion
Dear Neighbor,
Mayor Matt is advocating for a special election, just as he did in 2022 when his own council seat was made vacant and he took the helm as Mayor. He believes that the voters of the district should choose their representative, not a handful of people elected to represent other neighborhoods.
He sees elections as fundamental to a representative democracy, and believes that allowing the people to choose who represents them is worth the time and cost.
That’s why the Mayor, alongside Councilmember’s Foley and Cohen, put forward a memo that lays out the following next steps:
1. The City Clerk and City A orney will prepare informa onal memos that outline the Council’s op ons for filling the vacant seat. They will present those op ons at the Council mee ng on November 19th.
2. Council will vote on whether to move forward with an appointment or a special elec on at that same mee ng. The discussion will come up under Item 3.7.
Whichever option the majority of the Council decides to move forward with, we will begin immediate steps to fill the vacancy. If we move forward with a special election, that election will take place in the spring of 2025. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, there will be a runoff election in the summer between the two candidates with the largest share of the votes. If the majority of the Council elects to move forward with an appointment process in which someone fills the seat for the remainder of Omar Torres’ term (through 2026), we will ask candidates to come forward over the next few weeks and lay out their cases for the Council.
The final vote on a candidate to appoint would likely happen in January or February. The Mayor would also support a path forward that appointed an interim Councilmember for District 3 until the seat could be filled via a special election.
11/22/24, 4:43 PM Mail - Agendadesk - Outlook
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[External Email. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources. Learn more] No matter what – remember that you are represented. The Mayor represents every single person in this city. Please don’t hesitate to contact our office with questions, concerns or problems. We want to help you. The staff of District 3 now report to the Mayor and are still working to serve residents and connect people to the services and programs at City Hall.
We know this has been a horrible moment for San Jose – especially for the residents who feel betrayed by the person meant to lead them, speak for them and make decisions on their behalf.
We are there for you and we will move forward together.
Thank you for staying engaged and sharing your voice.
Best,
Faye
Neighborhood Outreach Team
On Tue, 19 Nov at 7:47 AM , Jimi Kogura < > wrote:
Good Morning!
Please do not hold a special election.
Appoint someone to our D3 seat. Two reasons: money & time. Both of which we don't have at the moment.
Within D3, we will have 3 designated areas/places for low-income or homeless. Our city police needs money. Our budget it tight. Funding should go towards these first.
If you end up choosing the wrong person, D3 shows up to vote and will make the change in the next election cycle. We trust you to appoint a capable person and not waste our city's money.
Thank You!
Jimi Kogura - D3
- Business Owner, Kogura Company (D3 Legacy Award Winner) - Japanatown Neighborhood Assiciaciation Executive Committee Nember
- Adopt-a-Park Liaison
11/22/24, 4:43 PM Mail - Agendadesk - Outlook
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- Japantown Farmers Market Volunteer
- Biographical Associate, Stanford University
67447:2660666
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101 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose, CA 95113 | sjchamber.com | 408-291-5250 | [email protected]
December 3, 2024
City of San Jose City Council
200 E. Santa Clara St.
San José, CA 95113
RE: Item 3.5 - Special Municipal Election and Interim Appointment to Fill Vacancy in District 3 Dear Mayor Mahan, Vice Mayor Kamei, and Honorable Councilmembers, On behalf of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce, I am writing to highlight the qualities needed for an interim appointment for the vacant District 3 Council seat. The Chamber commends the members of the Council for choosing to hold a special election as the mechanism to fill the open seat.
Over the period of time the interim appointee will serve, from February to August 5, 2025, the City Council has key decisions to make regarding the city budget, land use, transportation, and community development. Due to the extensive planning needed to catalyze several key events in 2026, the Chamber would like to encourage the Council to select a candidate that has a deep understanding of the needs of the District 3 community. District 3 is at the heart of our downtown core with a unique constituent base and dozens of small and large companies. The district deserves an interim representative who can effectively voice the concerns of the district’s residents and businesses.
Further, we would recommend selecting an interim Councilmember who understands current market economics and has a strong business acumen. District 3 has a range of thriving small businesses that are competing with the changing landscape of retail and office needs post-COVID.
Both qualities would further support those businesses in planning for the slate of special events coming to San Jose in 2026.
Lastly, the Chamber continues to request that those who are interested in becoming the interim Councilmember have a clear intention of non-candidacy. While a legal commitment not to run in the special election cannot be required, a public statement of non-candidacy from interested candidates would attract individuals genuinely committed to serving District 3 during this transitional period. Further, the incoming Council should make this appointment to allow for a transparent and inclusive process, free from the constraints of the holiday season. This timeline respects the need for community awareness and ensures that the new Council can play a key role in the decision.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this critical matter. As always, the Chamber remains a committed partner in advancing San Jose’s success and stands ready to assist throughout this process.
Sincerely,