Submit Date: Aug 23, 2024
First Name Last Name
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City State Postal Code
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CITY OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA
Boards and Commissions Application
Profile
Please note, applications are continuously accepted to the City of San Jose Boards and Commissions. The Board or Commission you select may or may not indicate there is a vacancy. Your application will remain on file for one year from the date of submission.
During the year, your application may be considered for unanticipated vacancies.
Additionally, applicants to the following commissions will be required to fill out a Form 700 (California State required Statement of Economic Interest) within 30 days of appointment.
Airport Commission
Appeals Hearing Board
Arena Authority
Arts Commission
Civil Service Commission
Deferred Compensation Advisory Committee (DCAC)
Downtown Parking Board
Board of Fair Campaign and Political Practices (formerly Ethics Commission) Federated and Police & Fire Retirement Boards
Historic Landmarks Commission
Housing & Community Development Commission
Work2future (SVWIB) Board
Planning Commission*
Are you a resident of San Jose?
Yes No
What district do you live in? To verify, please click here:
https://rovservices.sccgov.org/Home/IndexPost?
selected=dt&electionId=133&distance=5&navtab=vc&asm=simple * District 6
Length of Residency
6 or more years
De Anna Mcneal Mirzadegan
San Jose CA 95125
Mobile:
De Anna Mcneal Mirzadegan
Employer Job Title
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
Arts Commission: Submitted
Current Employer Address
Current Employer of Spouse
GB Coffees
Address of Current Employer of Spouse
Spouse's Job Title
Owner
If you or your spouse is retired and receiving a pension, please state source of pension.
Interests & Experiences
McNeal Enterprises, Inc Owner / President
De Anna Mcneal Mirzadegan
High School, College, Professional, Vocational, or Other Schools Attended.
Please include Major or Field of Study, Dates Attended, Degree and Date of Degree.
Archbishop Mitty High School Class of 87 San Jose State class of 93 B.S. in Business Finance List any position or office held in any governmental agency, civic, or charitable organization including the dates.
Willow Glen Neighborhood Association
President since 2021, term ends 12/31/2024 Board
member since 2019 City Wide Mural Panel May 2024 West Valley Soccer Manager 2007- 2012
Languages Spoken
English, un poco espanol
Special Awards or Recognitions Received
Outstanding Volunteer Recognition from Susan Ellenberg County Supervisor in 2023 As President of Willow Glen Neighborhood Association received many community service awards from Dave Cortese, State Senator, Matt Mahan, Mayor, Cindy Chavez & Susan Ellenberg in 2023 and 2024
Please state why you want to become a member of this Board or Commission including specific objectives which you would work toward as a member.
I am highly interested in the arts and beautifying San Jose.
This commission would allow me
to explore both interests.
I would like to volunteer in a capacity that would help San Jose as a whole as my focus for the last five years has been Willow Glen.
As my term as President
has ended, I will have more time to devote to San Jose as whole.
My objective as a
commission member would be to help expand the arts throughout San Jose and make it reachable by all San Jose residents regardless of income or demographics.
As a child I lived
and went to school in the Seven Trees Oak Grove SD area and would love to be part of some type of arts project in that area.
Please state any other information which you feel would be useful in reviewing your application
My arts experience include installation of nine art boxes in Willow Glen.
I personally solicited
artist applications and selected the mural artists and submitted it to SJ Beautify for approval.
Two of the criteria for the last six art boxes were that it contain a Willow Tree in some form as homage to our neighborhood and that preferably the artist resided within Willow Glen.
I
wanted a Willow Glen artist for Willow Glen as it is fosters community spirit and engagement.
I also think it is important for the art to align with the character of the neighborhood.
For
example, I was inspired by the Egyptian themed art boxes in front of the Rosicrucian Museum.
I conceived and developed the idea of the art boxes and the kindness garden at Wallenberg Park.
I also managed all the neighborhood beautification projects listed here:
https://www.wgna.net/neighborhood_beautification_projects I also curate art at our coffee shop, Great Bear Coffee in Los Gatos.
I rotate artists monthly.
I have such high interest that
my schedules are booked a year in advance.
To see some of the artists I have hosted, visit
https://gbcoffees.com/art/ I am also a developing watercolor artist and taking classes through West Valley College, Stanford Continuing Ed, and private instructors.
Do you own property in the City of San José?
Yes
No
De Anna Mcneal Mirzadegan
If yes, please list the addresses here.
Do you rent property in the City of San José?
Yes No
If yes, is it a month-to-month lease?
Yes No
Question applies to multiple boards
Are you currently experiencing homelessness or have you experienced it in the past?
Yes No
State and local law require that you abstain from participation in decisions that may affect your financial interests, including sources of income, interest in real property, personal finances or investments. In addition, if appointed, you may be required to fill out a disclosure statement which identifies certain financial interest beginning with the immediate twelve-month period prior to your appointment. Please review the scope of your board/commission in Municipal Code Chapter 2.08. Based on your best judgment, does this Board or Commission make decisions that may affect sources of income, interests in real property, personal finances or investments of you or your spouse?
Yes No
If yes, please explain. Please identify any organizations, associations, corporations, or entities by which you are employed or associated that might be affected by decisions of this Board or Commission, and the positions you hold in these entities.
Question applies to multiple boards
If appointed, you will be required to fill out a disclosure statement, which identifies certain of your financial interests beginning with the immediate twelve-month period prior to your appointment and annually on or before April 1 of each year thereafter. Please confirm that you have read Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Form 700 Reference Pamphlet and agree to file required FPPC Form 700 Statements of Economic Interest, as required by current City Council Conflict of Interest resolution.
Yes No
Question applies to multiple boards
Have you ever been required to file a Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700) and failed to do so?
Yes No
De Anna Mcneal Mirzadegan
Question applies to multiple boards
If yes, please explain in complete detail.
Question applies to multiple boards
Please confirm that you have reviewed and agree to comply with the San Jose Municipal Code Chapter 12.08 (Prohibition of Gifts), City of San Jose Ethics Policy (City Policy Manual 1.2.1), and City of San Jose Gift Policy (City Policy Manual 1.2.2).
Yes No
Reference 1 Name
Pierluigi Oliverio
Reference 1 Address
Reference 1 Email address
Reference 1 Phone
Reference 2 Name
Mitchell Ehrlich
Reference 2 Address
Reference 2 Email address
Reference 2 Phone
Supplemental Questions
De Anna Mcneal Mirzadegan
If applicable, have you ever attended or watched a meeting of the Commission(s) to which you are applying?
Yes
No
Would you be available to attend meetings at the scheduled time?
Yes
No
Please describe your experience in serving on a Commission or Board.
I have spent the last five years on the board of Willow Glen Neighborhood Association.
When
I joined the organization it was grossly mismanaged, in a deficit, and not compliant with any city, state, or federal reporting requirements.
I led the organization in removing board
members, filing all required reporting, and having our nonprofit status reinstated.
Since then
I have led the organization from a deficit to having 15-20 thousand dollars at any given time.
In 2021, as we were coming out of Covid, I led the board in establishing our first annual National Night Out event at Bramhall Park.
We now have over 600 people attend each year.
https://www.wgna.net/past_events. In 2023, I led the organization's 50th Anniversary Party which was attended by the Mayor, Senator Cortes, Council Members, Board of Supervisors as well as some of the founding members of WGNA.
It was a fabulous celebration and we were
awarded with numerous certificates of appreciation and volunteerism.
Considering your experience and activities in business, labor, School, professional, social, Commissions, Boards, or other organizations, indicate the experience, training, knowledge and/or skills which qualify you for appointment.
In addition to my experience on the WGNA board, I have ran a very successful manufacturing company in San Jose since 2001, McNeal Enterprises, Inc, www.mcneal.com.
We are one of the few manufacturers left in the Bay Area.
As president of this company, I
have a wide breadth of knowledge in human resources, finances, compliance, sales, infrastructure, technology, as well as specific industry knowledge.
I led the company in
buying a building in San Jose in 1999 as well as moving us from Santa Clara.
I also manage
two property management companies, AMG Ringwood and Mirzadegan Management which owns multiple properties in Santa Clara County and Santa Cruz County. I am also developing watercolor artist branching out to other mediums including colored pencils.
I have shown my
work at West Valley College and at Great Bear Coffee.
I have a great love of the arts and
have studied art history.
I am well travelled and have visited many of the finest museums in the United States and the world.
What is your understanding of the purpose of the Commission? My understanding is that this commission advises the City Council on policies and programs that impact the city's arts and cultural life.
Please list three issues facing the City that you feel the Council should address.
* Financial accountability is one of the largest issues facing the city.
Even with possible
budget cuts, I believe that the arts are vital to the residents and city as a whole.
Responsible, equitable, and cost effective projects are vital. * City vibrancy is a very
important issue within San Jose.
Projects which will help San Jose attract tourists, employers, and add to the overall beauty of San Jose are greatly needed. * Expanding (arts) education for all and especially low income areas of San Jose and within schools De Anna Mcneal Mirzadegan
Question applies to
Arts Commission
Describe recent San José arts activities you have participated in during the last twelve months (up to five activities) and what drew you to attend? First Friday Artwalk: Love viewing exhibits, various styles of artist's work. Murals:
Murals add
so much vibrancy and character to the city.
San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles:
I am also
quilter and am inspired by the talent and beauty of quiltmakers and quilts. Open artist studios: I enjoy riding my bike to the open artist studios and enjoying the wide variety of arts within our community.
Question applies to
Arts Commission
Describe the ways in which you believe the arts bring value to the general community.
I believe the arts enrich communities by encouraging creativity, enhancing cultural understanding, and promoting social cohesion. It can provide a platform for diverse voices to express themselves.
It encourages dialogue and collaboration among different groups, which can lead to increased empathy and reduced polarization. Art also spur local economies through tourism and job creation.
The revitalization of public spaces results in a more vibrant and inviting community. Additionally, participation in arts activities has been linked to improved mental health and well-being.
Question applies to
Arts Commission
Should the City of San José have an active role in arts and cultural development? If so, in what ways and why?
Cities should have active roles in promoting and encouraging the arts throughout its communities.
By investing in the arts, the city can enhance public spaces, support local artists and organizations, and improve access to cultural programs for its residents.
I believe
its primary role should be sponsoring art installations, exhibits, and revitalization and beautification of public spaces.
Question applies to
Arts Commission
How can you contribute to advising City Council on policy and programs related to cultural development in San José?
I can contribute to the cultural development of San Jose in a myriad of ways.
I am well
versed in engaging in community forums, public meetings, and policy makers.
I would share
insights as well as gather feedback from residents to ensure that diverse perspectives are represented.
I would focus on promoting awareness and building coalitions with other community members to build support for cultural initiatives and influence policy decisions.
What is the purpose of historic preservation in San José and what is the role of the Historic Landmarks Commission in achieving that purpose? I have not been active in the San Jose historic preservation groups, but my understanding is that one of the purposes is to protect the city's heritage by maintaining the character, culture, and history of neighborhoods, landmarks, buildings, architecture within San Jose The
Historic Landmarks Commission reviews, advises, and makes recommendations to City Council regarding making designations of historic landmarks, buildings, neighborhoods, and districts.
They also have the authority to list properties on the Historic Resources Inventory without requiring Council approval.
De Anna Mcneal Mirzadegan
(Optional) Please upload a resume.
Please explain your prior experience with historic preservation, with San José’s public planning processes, and in working with City or other public agency staff.
I have not worked on historic preservation projects, but have varied experience working with San Jose's public planning process, the city, and public agency staff in my professional duties in property management and development, managing a manufacturing company within the city, and as a board member of Willow Glen Neighborhood Association.
Anything else you would like us to know?
As President of Willow Glen Neighborhood Association my focus has been to positively impact the community through education as well as art and garden beautification projects.
It
is very important to me to contribute to my community in a positive and meaningful way.
I
am guided by the beliefs of positivity, compromise, and incremental change are the key to success.
Please see my Linked In profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/de-anna-mirzadegan- 699a6b3/
Retirement Board Questions Only
De Anna Mcneal Mirzadegan
Verification
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I agree that all of the information contained in my responses to the questions on this application are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I further agree that, by checking the box below and submitting this application, online or otherwise, I am affixing my digital signature to this form as of the date submitted.
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De Anna Mcneal Mirzadegan