MINUTES OF THE
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
SAN JOSÉ, CALIFORNIA THURSDAY, DECEEMBER 12, 2024
The Committee meeting was held in the Council Chambers and convened at 1:32 p.m.
Present Councilmembers- Davis, Ortiz, Doan, Casey, Candelas.
Absent Councilmembers- All present.
Staff: Deputy City Manager, Angel Rios Jr.; Senior Deputy City Attorney, Karin Murabito; Mayor’s Chief Policy Officer, Mackenzie Mossing; and Deputy City Clerk, Yasmin Johnson.
B. Review of Work Plan
None provided.
C. Consent Calendar
None provided.
D. Reports to Committee
1. Blight Reduction Coordination with Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Status Report.
Accept the status report on the Memorandum of Understanding with Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) on blight reduction
coordination.
(Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services)
Aurelia Bailey, BeautifySJ, Interim Division Manager, Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS); and Olympia Williams, Deputy Director, PRNS, offered the presentation and responded to questions.
Public Comment: None provided.
Action: Upon motion by Councilmember Domingo Candelas, seconded by Councilmember Peter Ortiz, and carried unanimously, the Committee accepted the status report on the Memorandum of Understanding with Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) on blight reduction coordination. (5-0-0)
2. ActivateSJ Strategic Plan Status Report.
Accept the status report on the ActivateSJ strategic plan to maintain, improve and expand City facilities, programs and services for all in San José. (Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services)
Jon Cicirelli, Director, PRNS; and Andrea Flores Shelton, Assistant Director, PRNS, offered the presentation and responded to questions.
Public Comment: None provided.
Action: Upon motion by Councilmember Domingo Candelas, seconded by Councilmember Bien Doan, and carried unanimously, the Committee accepted the status report on the ActivateSJ strategic plan to maintain, improve and expand City facilities, programs and services for all in San José. (5-0-0)
3. Neighborhood Center Partner Program Annual Report.
Accept the annual report on the Neighborhood Center Partner Program work plan recommendations and audit implementation. (Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services) Andrea Flores Shelton, Assistant Director, PRNS; Pauline Khek, Recreation Supervisor, PRNS; Maria De Leon, Deputy Director, PRNS; and Hal Spangenberg, Division Manager, PRNS, offered the presentation and responded to questions.
Public Comment: None provided.
Action: Upon motion by Councilmember Domingo Candelas, seconded by Councilmember Peter Ortiz, and carried unanimously, the Committee accepted the annual report on the Neighborhood Center Partner Program work plan recommendations and audit implementation. (5-0-0)
4. Animal Care and Services Annual Report.
Accept the annual report on the Animal Care and Services Division’s accomplishments for Fiscal Year 2023-2024. (Public Works)
Matt Loesch, Director, Public Works Department; Kiska Icard, Division Manager, Public Works Department; and Dr. Elizabeth Kather, DVM, Division Manager, offered the presentation and responded to questions.
Public Comment: Mike Wagner, Anne Deschenes, Ani, Rosario C., Jennifer Flick, Kay Blom, Liz Holtz, Ana Spear, Mary Jana Hattala (Sustain Our Shelters), and 3 speakers (names not provided at the podium), provided public testimony regarding the item.
Action: Upon motion by Councilmember Dev Davis, seconded by Councilmember Domingo Candelas, and carried unanimously, the Committee accepted the annual report on the Animal Care and Services Division’s accomplishments for Fiscal Year 2023-2024. (5-0-0)
Following the vote on Item D.4, Councilmember Dev Davis and Councilmember Domingo Candelas excused themselves from the meeting to attend the Treat Plant Advisory Committee Meeting.
5. Access To and Use of Neighborhood Blight Programs by Traditionally Marginalized Communities Audit Report.
Joe Rois, City Auditor, Auditor’s Office, offered the presentation and responded to questions.
Public Comment: None provided.
Action: Upon motion by Councilmember Bien Doan, seconded by Councilmember George Casey, and carried unanimously, the Committee accepted the report on an audit of access to neighborhood blight programs by traditionally marginalized communities and cross-referenced the report to the January 14, 2025 City Council meeting. (3-0-2; Absent: Davis, Candelas)
OPEN FORUM
None provided.
ADJOURNMENT
Vice Chair Peter Ortiz adjourned the Committee Meeting at 4:12 p.m.
Minutes Recorded, Prepared and Respectfully Submitted by, Yasmin Johnson
Deputy City Clerk, City of San José
Approved at Council on:
Attest By:
Toni J. Taber, MMC
City Clerk, City of San José
9/9/2025