D1 LEADERSHIP GROUP MEETING SEPTEMBER 19, 2026 AT THE WEST VALLEY LIBRARY

Bob Levy opened the meeting at 9:02 a.m.    

Meeting attendees present:  D1 Leadership Group Steering Committee Officers: Bob Levy, Chair; Amy Cody, Vice-Chair; Gary Smith, Secretary; and Jerry Giles, Treasurer.

D1 Leadership Group Steering Committee Members-at-Large present: Gary Cunningham.

Elected Officials present: San Jose District 1 Council Member Rosemary Kamei; Valley Water District two Director Shiloh Ballard.  City and/or District Staff present: Lorena Rivera, San Jose City Council District 1; John Barb, San Jose Police Department Captain; Greg Cajina, City of San Jose Neighborhood Services –BeautifySJ; and Cindy Kao, Valley Water.

A meeting quorum was present (at least nine D1LG member organizations and at least two D1 LG Steering Committee members).

Minutes approval from D1LG General Membership Meeting of May 16, 2026. A motion, by Gary C. and seconded by Jerry G., approved by vote of membership. 

Treasurer’s Report given by Jerry Giles: $ 8,568 balance. A one-page document written by Jerry Giles, entitled “D1 Leadership Group – San Jose Beautify Grant Cycle Eight – Grant Period 4-1-26 to 3-31-27,” was provided. 

Process for nominal reimbursement for neighborhood gatherings, such as block parties and/or gatherings in a front yard/sidewalk in District 1, was discussed briefly. To ensure a neighborhood activity, such as block/sidewalk-front yard party qualifies for nominal party expense reimbursement, the gathering’s host needs to provide an email (or written statement) authorizing a gathering on their front yard/sidewalk.  Also, after a neighborhood gathering is held, proof of the activity – either a sign-in sheet and/or a photo is required and a volunteers’ hours list is required by BeaufitySJ for a neighborhood party host to qualify to receive nominal neighborhood gathering expense reimbursement.
Block parties, or gatherings in City owned parks or on streets, unlike neighborhood gatherings on front yard/sidewalk, require written approval in advance from City of San Jose for use of the block and/or City park for a neighborhood gathering.

Speakers:
Shiloh Ballard, Director Valley (Santa Clara) Water District 2, gave a talk, with a slide presentation.  Three main objectives of Valley Water District are supplying water, flood control, and environmental stewardship. John Barg, Captain, San Jose Police Department, gave a report including that there have been a decrease in crime reports; however, parking citations by San Jose Police Officers and Community Service Officers have gone up.  Questions and Answers: included regarding Flock or other similar cameras on public streets.  San Jose Police Department’s real-time intelligence center provides a bird’s eye view . . . data to deploy information to police officers in the field.  Also, San Jose Police Department is very strict in terms of privacy accountability with data from Flock and similar cameras on public streets.

Reports:                                                                                                                                                        Council member Rosemary Kamei gave a report including questions and answers.
Daniel Cao, San Jose District 1 Planning Commission gave a report/update with a slide presentation about Saratoga Avenue Urban Village.
San Jose Measure T Oversight Committee – Gary Cunningham gave a report including mentioning that this year will be a telling year since all $650,000,000 funds from Measure T bond measure have been issued and allocated.  San Jose will find out this year what projects have been completed.  Traffic, public safety, parks are among 22 projects that are under five categories. Seven of 10 public safety projects have been completed. Roads are the biggest funding cost.  Funds have to be spent in three years.
Emergency Preparation: Elizabeth Guimarin gave a report including mentioning “PEP” Personal Emergency Response Preparedness website at www.ready.gov., and Community Emergency Response Team contact for this area: SJncert.org are trained volunteers sjncert@gmail.com.  In addition, AlertSCC sign up to receive email and telephone alerts.
Village Hub: certaintogether.org.  A GMRS base radio is established for this San Jose District 1 area, and a second GMRS base radio is in planning.

Speakers:
Greg Cajina, BeautifySJ – Neighborhoods Liaison, gave a report: San Jose City has a goal of 250,000 daffodil bulbs planted this year to grow next year.  Deliver bulbs 250 bulbs per sack.  Need winter rains to grow.  Bulbs will be a mix of early and mid-season bulbs with colors of yellow, orange, and white.
League of Women Voters represented by Michelle Fernandes, Lee Ann Palmer, and Suzanne Kerig gave a report and answered questions.  Santa Clara County has five League of Women Voters, all having two goals: voter education and non-partisan advocacy.  EasyVoterGuide mentioned at www.Vote411.org.
Neighborhood Association Roundtable: Chris Giangreco (Winchester Orchard), Amy Cody (Moreland), and Betty Kabanek (Eden) each gave a report/comment.   

Meeting adjourned at 11:38 a.m.
Next D1LG Meeting:
November 21, 2026 at San Jose West Valley Branch Library