San Jose District 1 Leadership Group Meeting Cypress Community Center May 16, 2026

Bob Levy opened the meeting at 9:06 a.m.

Tribute to Ron Diordon for long-term commitment to public service.

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.
D1 Leadership Group members and/or guests present: Elizabeth Guimarin, Judy
Levy, Steve Ling, Barbara Morrey, Sarah Moffatt, Daphna Wolfe, Lloyd Bass, Barbara
Emerson, Chris Giangreco, Betty Kabanek, James Reeves, Greg Krisfalusy, Ma Jhe’s
O, Wyman Png.

Elected Officials present: Councilmember Rosemary Kamei.
City Staff Present: Paul Pereira, Beautify San Jose – Division Manager; Koby Lopez,
City of San Jose District 1 Council office; Jerad Ferguson, (Speaker on Agenda item)
San Jose Planning Department; Captain Tran, (Speaker on Agenda item) San Jose
Police Department.
D1 Leadership Group student representative present: Timothy Choy (Prospect High
School – Saratoga).

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 March 21, 2026. A
motion by Gary Cunningham and seconded by Elizabeth G., including Bylaw
change noted in meeting minutes of March 21, 2026, both approved in one
motion.
Treasurer’s Report given by Jerry Giles: $ 8,859 balance. Grant process will or may
be impacted by changing rules from City of San Jose for what qualifies for
reimbursement of grant funds received by D1 LG and then shared – such as
reimbursement of neighborhood block party expenses on a private residence in District One.

A permission slip may be required to be submitted to City of San Jose for each
venue (neighborhood) seeking reimbursement of expenses such as for a National Night
Out neighborhood block party.

BeautifySJ budget was cut in Cycle 8 (current BeautifySJ fiscal year) and their budget
will be cut again next year (Cycle 9); however, these budget cuts do not apply to
BeautifySJ grants.

Speakers: Jerad Ferguson , San Jose Planning Department: General Plan 4-year
plan, 8-yr housing plan 2023 to 2031. The General Plan review this time focuses on
housing. Urban Village Plan: three main strategies. Two Calif state senate bills SB9
and SB1123. Proposing 35 feet three-story height of residential. Four-year process is
overseen by San Jose Planning Commission. Second of four meetings will be next
week. Also, June 24 Planning Commission; Aug 18 SJ City Council re GP changes;
returning to City Council in Jan. 2027. Also, there’s an online engagement method.
Current GP is thru 2040.

Timeline of Saratoga Avenue Urban Village; two workshops to date; Paring with the
four-year review. Public Hall meeting on May 27, at 6 pm at Cypress Senior Center to
focus on transportation issues of Saratoga Avenue Urban Village.

Jerry Giles commented about his concerns about two or three proposed very large
residential developments in District 1, and the impacts those proposed developments
may have A proposal on May 24 at SJ City Council. Amy Cody commented. Also, a
point brought up that SB79 may not address transportation needs of major
developments,

Speakers: Councilmember Rosemary Kamei gave a report. City Council focusing on
City’s budget. This year, budget focuses on a contingency plan on an election outcome.
City of San Jose must pass a budget in June. Still some funds available left over from
D1 Decides that can be used e.g. to reimburse neighborhood activities/events in District
One.

Reports : Commissioners:

Senior Commission Jerry Giles, gave a report including that there are 10 members of
the Senior Commission.

SJ Measure T – Gary Cunningham gave a report including that Measure T, which is a
bond measure, has an oversight committee which is appointed; 10 members for each of
10 city districts plus five others all are appointed by City Council, All $650,000,000
amount of bonds , authorized by San Jose Measure, T have been issued. Traffic,
public safety, parks are among 22 areas that are under five categories of Measure T.
Roads are the biggest funding cost. Funds have to be spent in three years. Of 10
public safety projects, three have been completed.
Emergency Preparation: Elizabeth Guimarin gave a report.