TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Matt Loesch
SUBJECT: See Below DATE: July 28, 2025
Approved
Date:
8/4/25
COUNCIL DISTRICT: Citywide
SUBJECT: Status Report on the Valley Water Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program
RECOMMENDATION
Valley Water Board and the City of San José Mayor and City Council receive the status report on the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program.
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
The intent of this memorandum is to provide a high-level overview of the current Santa Clara Valley Water’s (Valley Water) Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program and the proposed changes that Valley Water plans to present to its Board of Directors (Board) in September 2025.
BACKGROUND
In November 2020, voters in Santa Clara County overwhelmingly approved Measure S, a renewal of Valley Water’s Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program.
The program was first passed by voters in 2000 as the Clean, Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Plan, then again in 2012 as the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program. The renewal of the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program (Safe, Clean Water Program) continues to provide funding for local projects that deliver safe, clean water, natural flood protection, and environmental stewardship to all the communities in Santa Clara County.
While evaluating ways to improve the 2012 program, Valley Water gathered feedback from more than 21,000 community members. That helped Valley Water create the following six priorities for the renewed Safe, Clean Water Program.
JOINT CC/VW AGENDA: 8/19/25
FILE: 25-822
ITEM: 6.3
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
July 28, 2025
Subject: Status Report on the Valley Water Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program
• Priority A: Ensure a Safe, Reliable Water Supply
• Priority B: Reduce Toxins, Hazards and Contaminants in Our Waterways • Priority C: Protect Our Water Supply and Dams from Earthquakes and Other Natural Disasters
• Priority D: Restore Wildlife Habitat and Provide Open Space • Priority E: Provide Flood Protection to Homes, Businesses, Schools, Streets and Highways
• Priority F: Support Public Health and Public Safety for Our Community
Each of the six priorities includes operational projects, capital projects, or both, each with clearly defined key performance indicators (KPIs) to track long-term performance.
KPIs help Valley Water monitor progress, identify potential issues, and uphold accountability. Valley Water publishes annual reports, which provide financial information, updates on the progress of each priority area, accomplishments, opportunities, and challenges.
To ensure transparency and accountability to the voters, the ballot measure also created an Independent Monitoring Committee, appointed by the Board of Directors.
The Independent Monitoring Committee annually reviews the program’s progress and reports its findings and recommendations to the Board. Additionally, the Independent Monitoring Committee reviews each proposed 5-year implementation plan prior to its submittal for Board approval.
Furthermore, Valley Water is required to conduct professional third-party audits of the Safe, Clean Water Program at least once every five years. The first independent audit is currently underway.
The voter-approved measure includes a provision for the Valley Water Board of Directors to direct staff to modify or not implement projects due to various reasons, including federal and state funding limitations, regulatory issues, etc. Changes to KPIs are considered “modifications.” Also, as the Safe, Clean Water Program progresses, project descriptions, benefits, geographic area of benefit, and funding or schedules, which do not impact KPIs, may need to be adjusted due to various factors.
Valley Water has established a Board-approved Change Control Process to carry out project changes in alignment with the provisions of Measure S. Valley Water is currently refining the process to enhance stakeholder engagement and provide greater clarity around funding modifications and evaluation procedures. Valle Water staff plans to present the updated Change Control Process to the Board for approval in August 2025.
The program operates on a 15-year financial cycle. Every 15 years, the Board will evaluate the need for the tax and decide whether to maintain, reduce, or repeal it to accomplish the community-identified needs. The evaluation process will include engagement with the community and stakeholders.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
July 28, 2025
Subject: Status Report on the Valley Water Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program
For more information on the Safe, Clean Water Program, visit https://www.valleywater.org/safe-clean-water-and-natural-flood-protection-program.
ANALYSIS
Valley Water’s Safe, Clean Water Program is organized around six priorities, each of which is identified and supported by various programs and improvement projects. While these projects are located throughout the entire county, within Valley Water’s jurisdiction, some projects identified in the Valley Water annual report 1 take place within
San José and will have direct impacts on the community.
Staff will continue to work with Valley Water to ensure effective collaboration between the two agencies. Staff will appropriately advocate for and discuss potential future investments within San José that maximize the benefit to the broader community, that also align with City priorities.
COORDINATION
This memorandum has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office, the City Manager’s Budget Office, and Valley Water.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City’s Agenda website for the August 19, 2025 Special Joint Meeting between the City of San José and Valley Water Board.
Valley Water’s Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program report has been posted at
https://www.valleywater.org/safe-clean-water-and-natural-flood- protection-program.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
No commission recommendation or input is associated with this action.
1 FY 2023-24 Annual Report: Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection:
https://fta.valleywater.org/dl/DA7cuZtQId
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
July 28, 2025
Subject: Status Report on the Valley Water Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-009, Staff Reports, Assessments, Annual Reports, and Informational Memorandums that involve no approvals of any City action.
PUBLIC SUBSIDY REPORTING
This item does not include a public subsidy as defined in section 53083 or 53083.1 of the California Government Code or the City’s Open Government Resolution.
/s/
MATT LOESCH
Director of Public Works
For questions, please contact Mathew Nguyen, Deputy Director of Public Works, at [email protected] or (408) 535-8300.