D1 L.G. GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING JANUARY 17, 2026 AT THE WEST VALLEY LIBRARY COMMUNITY ROOM

Steve Ling opened the meeting at 9:05 am.

Meeting Attendees: Steve Ling, D1 L.G. Chair, Gary Cunningham, D1 L.G. Vice-Chair, Jerry Giles, D1 L.G.
Secretary, Betty0 Kabanek, D1 L.G. Treasurer, and Doris Livezey, D1 L.G. Member-at-Large. Rosemary Kamei, D1 Council Member, Kobe Lopez, D1 Counsil Office, Elizabeth Guimarin, D1 L.G. Emergency Prep Coordinator, Jerad Ferguson, Principal Planner S.J. Planning Department, Gary Smith, Barbara Morrey, Amy Cody, Latanya Hilton (Mitty H.S.), Vince Navarra, Maria Inez Ortega, Jim Landowski, Bob Levy, Paul Pereira, S.J. Beautify, Carlin Black, Bill Juhn, Cynthia Juhn, Shirley Gaglicich-Ruzzo, John Ruzzo, David Yan, Chris Giangrecco, Daphna Woolfe, Jon Linthacum, Ana Briones, Greg Cajina, Amanda Rodriguez, SJ Parks Neighborhoods Neighborhood Services, James Reeves, Lloyd Bass, and Robert Rhoades.

New officers elected effective January 17, 2026: Bob Levy, Chair, Amy Cody, Vice-Chair, Gary Smith, Secretary, and Jerry Giles, Treasurer. Steering Committee Members-at-Large elected: Gary Cunningham, Doris Livezey, and Vince Navarra. The former, outgoing officers are Steve Ling, Chair, Gary Cunningham, Vice-Chair, Jerry Giles, Secretary, and Betty Kabanek, Treasurer.

Outgoing officers who had banking authority are: Steve Ling, Gary Cunningham, and Elizabeth (Betty) Kabanek. New officers who have banking authority are: Gerald (Jerry) Giles and Robert (Bob) Levy.

Bylaw Changes: The proposed changes to our bylaws were discussed and will be voted upon at our March meeting. The changes are as follows:
Article III:
Change:
The D1LG has will organized itself into four distinct working groups as needed in order to focus on our Mission. These are:

• Outreach and Communication
• Training and Succession Planning
• Policy and Identity
• Autonomy and Advancement

Article V, Section Two
Change:
The Steering Committee shall consist of a minimum of 4 officers of the District 1 Leadership Group. Officers of the Steering Committee shall be Chair, Vice-Chair,Secretary, Treasurer, optional Member(s) at Large, and a representative from the District 1 Council member’s Office (non-voting).

Article V, Section Three, Paragraph Three
Change:
Nominations shall be taken at the November March meeting. A member being nominated must be present to accept or decline the nomination, or have been asked prior to meeting to determine if he/she is willing to accept the nomination.

Article V, Section Three, Paragraph Five: 
Change:
An election shall be held at the January May meeting as the first order of business. Votes shall be taken by a secret ballot. Tally and verification of the eligible votes shall occur immediately after the close of voting.

Article VI, Paragraph Two: 
Change: 
The CHAIR, unless absent, shall preside at meetings of the D1LG, co-sign on all is authorized to sign checks drawn against the funds of the Group and perform such other duties as the Board may require.

Article VI, Paragraph Five: Change:The TREASURER shall keep an account of the income and expenditures and report at each meeting, and co-sign on all is authorized to sign checks drawn against the funds of the D1LG, and is authorized to sign all contracts.

Article VI, Paragraph Six:

Change:

The Optional Member(s) at Large shall be responsible for oversight of D1 Projects as they arise and will work with the SECRETARY on Leadership Group communications and with all members of the Steering Committee, regarding any and all projects, communications, and issues assigned by the Committee.

In addition, the following three Bylaw change recommendations were brought up during this D1LG meeting by D1LG members present at the D1LG meeting on 1-17-26:

Article IV, Section Two, Paragraph Two
Change:
Each community-based organization, neighborhood association, neighborhood
group, or business group can appoint up to two (2) four (4) members with two (2) alternates
in order to ensure representation and continuity. Said member representative will be
14 years of age or older.

Article V, Section Two
Change:
The Steering Committee shall consist of a minimum of 4 officers of the District 1
Leadership Group. Officers of the Steering Committee shall be Chair, Vice-Chair,
Secretary, Treasurer, up to three (3) Member(s) at Large, and a representative from the District 1
Council member’s Office (non-voting).

Article VII, Section Three, Paragraph Two
Change:
Any named member or alternate may add recommend an item to the agenda by communicating
the agenda item to the Secretary verbally or in writing no less than two weeks prior
to the meeting.

Minutes of 11/15/25 Meeting: Moved/seconded/and approved.
Treasurer’s Report: We currently have $9188.61 in our Wells Fargo bank account.
Commission Reports: Gary Cunningham: reported on Measure T Bond Status including that $650M in bonds have been issued.

D1 Priority Updates:
-Emergency Prep: Elizabeth Guimarin, trained CERT volunteer, presented an outline of both San Jose CERT community emergency response team program, and Certain Together. To find more information on
emergency prep, see websites: sjcert.org, certaintogether.org, and morelandwest.org. -Housing: Jerry Giles: Discussed current issues about housing in San Jose.

Neighborhood Reports:
Bill Juhn (Starbird Safety NA): spoke about problems in Starbird neighborhood.
Chris Giangrecco (WONA): spoke about parking compliance and enforcement in WONA.
Jon Linthacum (Eden NA): spoke about parking violations, BeautifySJ, and the need for officers’ legal
insurance.
Amy Cody (Moreland West NA): reported on issues of the Moreland West NA.
Betty KaKanek (Eden NA): said that D1 NA’s have no idea what U.N.S.C.C. insurance covers.
Jerry Giles mentioned his recent appointment to San Jose’s Senior Commission.

Guest Speakers:
D1 Councilmember Rosemary Kamei reported on city issues and the importance of being in contact with
state officers. She will work with Elizabeth Guimarin on emergency prep issues.
Jerad Ferguson (Principal Planner S.J. Planning Department): provided a presentation on the City’s four-year general plan review. Stating that the Planning Commission serves as the general plan steering committee. Saratoga Avenue Urban Village Plan is to be included within the process of updating the general plan.
Greg Cajina (San Jose Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services): provided an update about PRNS issues.
Amanda Rodriguez (San Jose Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services): reports that San Jose needs more funds and volunteers to maintain parks.
Captain Tran, San Police Department: presented recent crime statistics. One way to report crime is to use SJPD.org.

Meeting adjourned at 11:28 a.m.

D1 L.G. 1.17.26 General Business Mtg Minutes REV3.wpd