JOINT CITY COUNCIL/SANTA CLARA VALLEY
WATER DISTRICT BOARD MEETING
Draft Minutes
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
1:00 PM
Valley Water Headquarters Building Boardroom, 5700 Almaden Expressway, San José Virtually - https://valleywater.zoom.us/j/84454515597
Joint City Council / Santa Clara Valley Water District Board Special Meeting
MATT MAHAN, MAYOR
ROSEMARY KAMEI, DISTRICT 1
PAMELA CAMPOS, DISTRICT 2
ANTHONY TORDILLOS, DISTRICT 3
DAVID COHEN, DISTRICT 4
PETER ORTIZ, DISTRICT 5
MICHAEL MULCAHY, DISTRICT 6
BIEN DOAN, DISTRICT 7
DOMINGO CANDELAS, DISTRICT 8
PAM FOLEY, VICE MAYOR, DISTRICT 9
GEORGE CASEY, DISTRICT 10
1. Call to Order and Roll Call
1:00 p.m. - Joint City Council / Santa Clara Valley Water District Board Present Councilmembers: Kamei, Campos, Tordillos, Cohen, Ortiz, Mulcahy, Doan, Candelas, Foley, Casey, Mahan (Attended Virtually).
Absent Councilmembers: None.
Present District Board Members: Ballard, Beall, Hsueh, Santos, Varela, Estremera.
Absent District Board Members: Eisenberg.
Mayor Matt Mahan participated via teleconference under the “Just Cause” provisions of the Brown Act.
1.2 Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Tony Estremera led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1.3 Introductions and Opening Remarks
Chair Tony Estremera and Mayor Matt Mahan offered opening statements and remarks.
2. Discussion Items
2.1 Receive a Joint Update on El Niño Preparedness for the 2026-2027 Rainy Season.
Santa Clara Valley Water District Board and the City of San José Mayor and City Council receive an update on the continued coordination to support our communities in the case of flooding.
Chris Hakes, Chief Operating Officer, Santa Clara Valley Water District; Alexander Gordon, Assistant Officer (Emergency, Safety and Security Division), Santa Clara Valley Water District; Jeffrey Provenzano, Director, Environmental Services Department; and Raymond Riordan, Director, City Manager’s Office of Emergency Management, offered the presentation and responded to questions.
Public Comment: (In person) Elizabeth Menken, Michael; Gale Osmer; (Virtual) Jordan Moldow, and Betsy offered public comment.
Mayor Matt Mahan motioned to direct City staff to return to Council after coordination with Valley Water on additional analysis of flood risk, including any hots spot areas; and direction for City staff to coordinate with Valley Water on strategies to address long-term flood risk reduction and present options to delineate roles between Valley Water and the City. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Rosemary Kamei.
Action: Upon motion by Mayor Matt Mahan, seconded by Councilmember Rosemary Kamei, and carried unanimously, staff is directed to return to Council after coordination with Valley Water on additional analysis of flood risk, including any hots spot areas; and direction for City staff to coordinate with Valley Water on strategies to address long-term flood risk reduction and present options to delineate roles between Valley Water and the City. (11-0-0)
2.2 Receive an Update on the Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project and Coyote Creek Flood Protections Project.
Receive an update on the Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project and Coyote Creek Flood Protection Project.
Ryan McCarter, Deputy Operating Officer (Dam Safety and Capital Delivery Division), Santa Clara Valley Water District, offered the update on the Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project and Coyote Creek Flood Protection Project.
Public Comment: (In person) Mark and John Davis offered public comment.
Vice Mayor Pam Foley announced that Items 2.2 and 2.3 would be deferred to the next joint meeting.
No action was taken on the two items.
3. Ceremonial Items
Vice Mayor Pam Foley presented a commendation to Chair Estremera, honing his years of service on the Valley Water Board.
4. Proposed Future Valley Water Board Agenda Items
None provided.
5. Adjournment
Vice Mayor Pam Foley adjourned the joint meeting at 3:00 p.m.
Minutes Recorded, Prepared, and Respectfully Submitted by, DRAFT
______________________________________
Daniel Aguilar
Deputy City Clerk, City of San José
Approved at Council on:
Number of actions: 1
Attest by:
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Toni J. Taber, MMC
City Clerk, City of San José