TO: NEIGHBORHOOD
SERVICES AND
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
FROM: Jon Cicirelli
SUBJECT: See Below DATE: May 27, 2025
Approved Date:
6/4/2025
COUNCIL DISTRICT: Citywide
SUBJECT: Blight Reduction Coordination with Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Status Report
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the status report on the Memorandum of Understanding with Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) on blight reduction coordination.
BACKGROUND
On November 14, 2023, the City Council1 directed staff to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between VTA and the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department’s BeautifySJ Program. The MOU aims to formalize coordination for addressing blight and homeless encampments on adjacent properties, for a more effective and timely response across VTA properties within San José.
Having partnerships with other agencies such as Caltrans, Valley Water, Union Pacific Railroad, and the County of Santa Clara are vital, as they enable improved blight response and encampment management throughout San José. Additionally, these partnerships allow for easy access to address blight issues and in some instances provide cost-sharing or reimbursement to the City for services provided. These partnerships are crucial for addressing blight and homeless encampment management efforts, thereby expediting services across the city.
1https://sanjose.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=12447056&GUID=D04685BD-F17C-4A1E-A68EB90CCD4C4E0D NSE COMMITTEE: 06/12/25
ITEM: (d)3
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
May 27, 2025
Subject: Blight Reduction Coordination with Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Status Report
ANALYSIS
The City and VTA have formalized their collaborative efforts to address blight and encampments through an executed MOU. The MOU was executed on April 25, 2025.
This agreement establishes a structured and coordinated approach to clean-ups, communication, and resource sharing.
The BeautifySJ Program continues to develop its working relationship with VTA to address blight and homeless encampment issues on properties adjacent to City land. Currently, City staff are coordinating with VTA to strategically use resources to address blight and encampment related problems. In general, the MOU outlines a structured approach for collaboration between the City and VTA to address blight and encampments on adjacent properties. Key elements of the MOU are listed below, including routine communication, planning, reporting, and resource-sharing, to ensure consistent progress in reducing trash, debris, encampments, and graffiti.
1. Coordinated Clean-Ups: This emphasizes the joint responsibility both agencies must address and reduce blight. The BeautifySJ Program and VTA will coordinate and collaborate to address blight promptly, reduce repeat offenses, and potentially streamline resource use.
2. Regular Communication and Meetings: Scheduled meetings will allow for regular communication to address ongoing challenges, prioritization of coordinated work, and finalize the logistics of upcoming clean-ups.
3. Resource Sharing: To better address areas impacted by ongoing blight and encampments, both agencies agree to share resources, data, and expertise, which will allow for a quicker and more strategic response.
Table 1 details the key milestones and the timeline for MOU execution.
Table 1: Key Milestones for the Executed MOU
Timeframe Milestone
March 2025 VTA completes final review of MOU
April 2025 Final MOU sign-off and execution
May 2025 BeautifySJ and VTA staff to meet to prioritize project areas BeautifySJ and VTA have established a formal, structured framework for collaboration to address blight and manage the impacts of encampments. This agreement clarifies joint responsibilities, ensuring prompt action on issues related to trash/dumping and graffiti, and refine a coordinated strategy to address encampments. Additionally, a more strategic focus on recurring hotspots will lead to measurable improvements for both the City and VTA.
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
May 27, 2025
Subject: Blight Reduction Coordination with Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Status Report
COORDINATION
This memorandum was coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office and City Manager’s Budget Office.
/s/
Jon Cicirelli
Director of Parks, Recreation and
Neighborhood Services
For questions, please contact Olympia Williams, Deputy Director, at (408) 535-3571 or [email protected].
The principal author of this memorandum is Aurelia Bailey, BeautifySJ Division Manager, at (408) 535-3540 or [email protected].
ATTACHMENT: Executed Memorandum of Understanding with VTA.