February 1, 2008

Council Report

City Council focuses on the budget

By Councilmember Judy Chirco
Special to the Times

City budget process
The city of San Jose faces a challenging budget process this spring. To bridge a projected $24.8 million deficit for the 2008-09 fiscal year, we need to make spending cuts. In previous years, the city has relied on one-time reductions to close budget shortfalls: this year, the council plans to enact permanent solutions that will eliminate deficits in the coming years.

These solutions will require us to make difficult choices. We may be able to make progress by improving the efficiency of city operations and finding additional sources of revenue, but to bridge the full shortfall, city departments will need to make budget cuts that in some cases will affect services. All of us are familiar with choosing between different priorities in our family budgets like making a mortgage payment, repairing a car or paying a school bill. We will need to make similar choices as a city about how best to use our limited resources.

As the city council considers ways to reduce spending, it is important that we hear from you about which services you think are most important, and how you think the city ought to use its limited resources. The mayor’s General Fund Structural Deficit Task Force has set out a full list of possible strategies to eliminate the deficit. To read the report, go to http://www.sanjoseca.gov/ mayor/goals/budget/budget.asp.

On my Web site I have included a schedule for the budget to let you know about the best opportunities to give your input. To access this information go to: http://www.sanjoseca.gov/district9/midJanuary.html.

The mayor’s March Budget Message, to be released on March 7, will set out priorities that will guide city staff in preparing the proposed capital and operating budgets. The Capital Budget sets spending on physical infrastructure, like roads, parks, libraries and the airport, and the operating budget set spending on regular city operations. The Council will hold two evening public hearings on the proposed budgets, one on May 13 and one on June 16. The mayor’s June budget message will change the proposed budgets based on council input and citizen input at the public hearings.

If you aren’t able to attend the public hearings, but would still like to provide me with your input, please contact my office by phone at (408) 535-4909 or by e-mail at district9@sanjsoeca.gov. You can watch the meetings on cable channel 26 or online at the city’s video archives.

CBA new officers
In 2005, I was pleased to help initiate the Cambrian Business Association. In partnership with the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce this association meets for a breakfast meeting the second Thursday of the month to develop plans for promoting business in the Cambrian area and work to improve the local business environment.

A new leadership team has been elected for the coming year with Jocelyn Simmons (Times Media, Inc.) and Daniel Honniball (Ace Capital Group) as co-chairs, Sue Allen (Pro-Photo) as secretary and Felice Hollingsworth (Referral Realty) as treasurer.

The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 14 at Pasta Pomadora starting at 8 a.m. Please contact Rick Gerhardt for further information at (408) 291-5250 or rickg@sjchamber.com.

Camden and Noddin Nerds compete
Two teams sponsored by the Camden Community Center qualified and competed at the Northern State Championship on Jan. 12. The Noddin Nerds competed along with the Camden team who won “Rookie Team of the Year” at the San Jose Regional tournament in December.

Joseph Chang and Mr. Martinez coach the Camden team with team members Jonathan Chang, Matthew Martinez, David Rivera and Gabriel Hartman. The Noddin Nerds are competing for the second year and are coached by Matt Yuen and Nicole Masjedizadeh with team members Joshua Ferguson, Emon Golab, Alexander Reynolds, Bijan Masjedizadeh, Kyle House, Sheldou Fozard, Dana Yeun, Cameron Poole and Bryan Sanders.

First Robotics (For Inspiration in Science and Technology) introduces young people, ages 6-14, to the fun and excitement of science and technology while building self-confidence, knowledge and life skills. Alongside adult mentors, teams solve problems using engineering concepts, presentation techniques and robots. Teams culminate the season with a local “fun-petitive” Robotics competition where they put their robot, research and teamwork to the test.

For more information on FIRST Lego League or the summer camps contact Mario Day at 408-559-7542 or visit www.firstlegoleague.org

Camden Community Center Kid Zone community meeting
There will be a second community meeting regarding the proposed Kid Zone addition to the Camden Community Center.

The meeting will be held Monday, Feb. 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the multi-purpose room at the center, 3369 Union Ave. At this meeting, city staff will take input from the community on the Kid Zone project.

The Camden Kid Zone project consists of developing the open space behind the Camden Community Center Gymnasium into an outdoor multi-purpose recreational area for young children, ranging from 2 to 10 years.  This recreational facility will include play areas, paved walkways, a stage, a climbing wall and picnic area. Once completed, the Kid Zone will complement the early childcare center at the facility. It can also be rented by community members for birthday parties and other types of gatherings for children.

Save the Date: Celebrate Cambrian Festival
On Saturday, May 17, we will host the third Annual Celebrate Cambrian Spring Community Festival at the Cambrian Community Center. This year the theme is a country fair. There will be a community resource fair, live entertainment, food and art contest. There will be a Kids Zone full of free children activities.

If you are interested in participating by being a sponsor or volunteer please contact Kiersten McCormick of the Camden Community Center at (408) 559-8553. More information will be available in future news articles, our District e-mail and Web site.

If you wish to receive periodic e-mails from my office, please visit the District 9 Web site at www.sanjoseca.gov/district9 and click on “Join Judy’s e-mail list.” As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact our office at District9@sanjoseca.gov or (408) 535-4909.