Angeles,!Phoenix!all!exceed!San!Jose!for!expenditures!per!resident.!

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1 San$Jose$Parks$Advocates$ February5,2017 HonorableChairmanRocha,andNSECommitteeMembersArenas,Carrasco,Jimenezand Nguyen: TheSanJoseParksAdvocatesreceivedapresentationonParkConditionsAssessmentand reviewedthestaffmemotoyourcommitteeforreviewonfebruary9.wedevelopedthese comments.weurgethensecouncilcommitteetorecommendtothefullcouncilanincrease infundingforparkmaintenance.wealsohighlightourconcernsforvariousstrategies. San$Jose$Parks$Advocates$ SanJoseParksAdvocatesisanallOvolunteergroupofneighborhoodassociationleaders,AdoptO AOParkvolunteers, Friendsof groupmembersandcommunitymembersfromthroughoutthe city.weenvisionacitywherequalityparksandtrailsforallofitsresidentsisuniversally supportedasacorecityserviceessentialtohealthandqualityoflifeofresidents,workers,and visitorsandandsourceofcivicpride.ourmissionistobringparksintothepublicpolitical consciousness,tomakeparksanissueinalldiscussionsofcivicpriorities,neighborhood services,andcommunityinteractionswiththecityofsanjose.ourexperiencedleadersserve asmentorstolessexperiencedgroupsfacingsimilarissuescitywide.weareseparatefromthe SanJoseParksFoundationandmaintainacollaborativerelationship. Background$ SanJose sparksprovideapproximately$240millionineconomicbenefitannuallyincluding propertyvalues,stormwatercontrol,healthbenefits,communitycohesion,recreationaluse andtourism. 1 TheCity sparkfundingislastamongothermajorwestcoastcities 2,contributing toaviewofsanjoseasapoororlessattractiveplaceamongotherbayareacities.thecity s poorfinancesforcedlargecutstomaintenanceafterthe2000dotcombustandthegreat Recessionof2008.Sincethen,increasestotheparkmaintenancebudgethasbeenlimitedto newparkadditionsandsupervision,positionslinkedtofeecollection,agroundsworker,anda fewrangers.thenewstrikeforceisfundedfromparktrustfundmoneynotgeneralfund moneyandaddressesthecapitalprojectswithinthenexusofwherethosedollarswere collected. 1 EconomicBenefitofSanJoseParks.TrustforPublicLand CityParkFacts.TrustforPublicLand.SF,Portland,SanDiego,Oakland,Sacramento,Los Angeles,PhoenixallexceedSanJoseforexpendituresperresident.

2 Facedwithasmallbudgetandverylimitednewgeneralfundmaintenancedollars,the departmentimplementedabusinessintelligence/dataanalyticsprogramtoseekefficienciesin workforceallocation.onecomponentistheparksconditionsassessment,initiatedin2015and completedagainin2016. With$Park$Conditions$data$in$hand,$three$key$results$are$apparent:$ 1) ParkConditionswilldeclinewithoutadditionalresources. 3 2) Nearly20%oftheCity sparksarebelowminimumstandardsforsafetyandusability. 4 3) Shiftingresourcestoimprovelowscoringparksfrom2015,resultedinloweredscoresof thebestparks. 5 ParksstaffhastakenthepositionthattheCity sparkswillneverbefundedatthelevelofpreo economicbusts. BuildingForward. Isthenameforthepotpourriofstrategiestheyare hopingwillbuildasustainablefuture. Our$View$ $ 1. TheCitymustallocateadditionaldollarstotheCityParks.Itisnotacceptabletorealign resourcestodegradethebetterparksinordertorepairunsafeparks. 2. IncrementalGeneralFundAllocation.WesupportanincrementalimprovementsothatALL parksmeetminimumsafetyandusabilityasmeasuredbyascoreof 3 andanaverage citywidescoreof3.5.prnsestimatesthisincreaseat$3.5mandwouldimprove62parks. TheCity sfragileeconomicstateisacknowledged.wealsonotethatthecitybudgetstaff revealedthatnewestimatesofrevenueareunderwayandtheyarefeelinghopeful.we viewaparkconditionscoreof 3 asaminimumsafetystandardandnotan acceptable parkcondition. 3. Water.Wesupportthe20%waterreductionratherthanareturntofullwatering.Weurge thecommitteetorecommendfundingtocoverincreasedwaterrates. 4. CitywideParkMaintenanceDistrict.WelookforwardtotheresultsoftheCitywidePark Maintenancedistrictinvestigation(originallyscheduledforFall2016)andwouldaskthat NSECommitteeaskforanupdateandsuggestcontinuedfundingtomovethisconceptor somethingsimilarforward.weaskthatdevelopmentofthismodelincludeastandardofan averageof4forallcityparks.somememberssuggestthataparkscharterfundsimilarto thecounty smaybeabettersolution.weawaittheanalysis. 3 CurrentfundinglevelswillnotallowtheCitytomitigatethedeclineofconditions. Angel RiosJrMemotoNeighborhoodServicesandEducationCommittee,ReportonSustainablePark Maintenance.Dated23January Ibid.37of200parksarescored1or2.Page3. 5 Ibid.Page5.

3 5. SportsField/InformalSportsField.Inadditiontorepairingtheformalsportsfields,every parkshouldhaveawellomaintainedturfareathatsupportscasual pickoup gamesandsafe runningareaforplayingcatchortag.sportsfieldsareheavilyutilizedbyleagueteamsand arenotavailabletothecasualfamilyorcommunitygroupuser(e.g.brownies).asafewello maintainedturfareashouldbeavailableforallusersateachparkwithoutmembershipina leaguebeingrequired.currently,largeareasofturfareunsafeforrunning.weare concernedthatlimitingrehabtojustformalsportsfieldsisasocialequityissuethatblocks lowincomefamiliesfromthebenefitofplaybecausetheyarenotmembersofleagues. 6. Volunteerism.WesupportcontinuedfundingfortheVolunteerManagementprogram.A greateranalysisofvolunteerpotentialshouldbemade,includingcommercialsources,and demographicshifts.thecityshouldinvestigatewhatfeaturesofthe RosegardenModel canbereplicatedandwhatcannot.neighborhoodassociationvolunteersandgroupslike CoyoteCreek s2o2o2reportburnoutisaconcernwithrepeatedcleanoupsandtaskswithno perceptionofimprovementormajorinvestmentbythecity.volunteerconcernsshouldbe addressedabouttheirworkbecominganexcusetorelocateresourcestootherparks withoutvolunteers.volunteerswanttosupplementcityworkersandnotsupplant/replace cityworkers.theywanttheirworktomakeadifferencesotheirparkisexcellentrather thanmerelyeffortstokeeptheirparkfrombecomingpoorandunsafe. RulesabouttreeplantingbyVolunteersshouldbeformalizedandlistsofacceptablespecies provide.adoptaspotrulesshouldbeformalizedandresponsibilitiesforvolunteersand staffclarifiedtoavoidmiscommunication.plantinglistsshouldbeprovided.groupsthat raiselargesumsreportdifficultyingettingtimelyservicestheyhavepaidforandpoorlines ofcommunication;prnsshouldinvestigatehowtomoreeffectivelyutilizethesefundsina timelyway,suchasbyallowingthesegroupstohiretheirowncontractor. Inaddition,somevolunteersreportthatmaintenanceconditionshaveledtounsafe situationsandtheyhaveabandonedtheirvolunteerworkinthoseareasoftheirparks. 7. Rangers.Wesupportstaff scontinuedeffortstobuildacareerladderforrangersand updatedsalarysurvey.itisthecity scustomtoplacerangersatthe50%levelofthe surveyedjurisdictions,butbythetimeitisimplemented,thesalaryisbelowthe50%level. Wesuggestbenchmarkingthissurveyat75%inordertobuildtheforcewhichhashad8 vacantpositions(50%)formorethanayear.weareespeciallyconcernedabout NeighborhoodParkissuesthatarenotaddressedbypoliceorrangersinthecurrentstaffing situation.ourconcernsincludehomelessencampments,latenightparties,drugdealing, andotherqualityoflifeandresourcemanagementissues. 8. TurfRemoval.Weopposeanyadditionalturfremovaluntilamanagementplanisoffered. Priorturfremovalhasresultedinweedyareasthatareonlyweededonceeachyear, frequentlyaftertheweedsarethreefeettallandhavedispersedtheirseedsfornextyear. Themessywoodchipsspillalloverwalkwaysandbecomeatrippinghazard.Volunteers

4 complainoftheneedtosweepfrequentlyandarrangeforadditionalwoodchipsthatthey mustspread.thewoodchippedareasarenotusableforanyformofrecreation.inthe summer,thewoodchippedareasserveasasourceofdustwhentheafternoonwindsblow. Webelievethatturfreductionshouldbeaccompaniedbyaplanforanamenityoralow wateruselandscapeplantingthatisanattractivealternative.woodchipsfail. 9. BusinessIntelligence/DataAnalytics.Wesupportthedepartment smoveintodataanalytics andurgethecontinuedsupportforincreasedtechnologyandanalysis.itisourhopethat thisprogramwillallowfortimelyrepairssothatlargeareaofturf,treeplantings,or landscapingdonotdiewhilewaitingforarepair,causingthecitytoincursignificantcoststo replace. 10.StrikeForce.WesupportcontinuedoperationoftheStrikeForceforthethreeyearterm. 11.ContractServices.Wesupporttheinvestigationofcontractservicesforsmallerparks,but webelievethatthenextcontractshouldimprovelinesofcommunicationandstrategiesfor whennonoroutineproblemsarise.parksthatsufferfromqualityoflifeissuesshouldbe withdrawnfromcontractservices.cityworkersshouldmaintaincontrolofthoseparks. 12.Greenprint.WesupporttheactivitiesoftheGreenprintandlookforwardtothe recommendations.weurgecontinuedfunding. 13.InvestigateaParkBondforInfrastructureBacklogandParkDeficitAreas.Weurgefunding toprepareforapossibleparkbondin2018.wenotethattheinfrastructurescoresinthe ParkConditionsreportsuggestthatitisimpossibletoreachan excellent levelduetothe failinginfrastructure. Great$Cities$have$Great$Parks.TheCityofSanJosemuststepupitsmaintenancetobuild forwardtowardsbecomingagreatcitywithgreatparks. OnbehalfofSanJoseParksAdvocates, OOJean(Dresden( ( JeanDresden Coordinator

5 From: RICK AKAOPIE [mailto: ] Sent: Monday, February 27, :03 AM To: The Office of Mayor Sam Liccardo <TheOfficeofMayorSamLiccardo@sanjoseca.gov>; District1 <district1@sanjoseca.gov>; District2 <District2@sanjoseca.gov>; District3 <district3@sanjoseca.gov>; District4 <District4@sanjoseca.gov>; District5 <District5@sanjoseca.gov>; District 6 <district6@sanjoseca.gov>; District7 <District7@sanjoseca.gov>; District8 <district8@sanjoseca.gov>; District9 <district9@sanjoseca.gov>; District 10 <District10@sanjoseca.gov>; City Clerk <city.clerk@sanjoseca.gov> Cc: Harasz, Marybeth <Marybeth.Harasz@sanjoseca.gov>; Rios, Angel <Angel.Rios@sanjoseca.gov>; Cano, Matt <Matt.Cano@sanjoseca.gov>; Tobias, Mollie <mollie.tobias@sanjoseca.gov> Subject: Council agenda item Report on Sustainable Park Maintenance. Honorable Mayor and City Council, Thank you for the opportunity to respond to item 5.1 on the Council agenda February 28, Report on Sustainable Park Maintenance. I am an Adopt A Park volunteer entering my fifth year. I've also volunteered in the course of Park Assessment. What I had learned in the course of Park Assessment is that damage is damage, no matter at what level. The cost of repairs is determined by the time of which the repair are finally funded. As in most all infrastructure, the longer repairs are delayed the higher the cost. I've watched my small neighborhood park in the years slowly decay, from warped trail bender boards, four diseased trees, broken entry gates, cracking crumbling playground resilient matting, etc. All as our park tries to keep up with the density increase to the area. (our park is on the borderline of an urban village plan). Compounding to our park's problem is the decrease of green space being removed for more parking spaces at the old Downtown College Prep location, just one block from our park. This location was most commonly used for an exercise field for dog owners. This diverted activity and more have stressed our park's usage and its need for more maintenance funding and design upgrades. In addition, there are no new parks planned in our direct community to divert or lessen the usage of activity towards our park. In my beginning years of volunteering I had dreamt of helping to create the best park I could possible help achieve. A park named after San Jose first

6 predominate architect, Theodore Lenzen (designing over 500 buildings in San Jose and best known for San Jose first City Hall. now Caesar Chavez Park) and on the land of the historic Muirson Label Co. (the only canning and crate label company in the Valley of Heart's Delight. being a contributing factor to this valley's Marketing Image of its success of what we've grown into today), my dreams of achieving tributed education of this history through our park's design, slowly faded away into the reality of just trying to get basic repairs and upholding the quality of park for my community and its visitors. This is the reality of not just one park but of the hundreds of parks across our city, with their own stories and needs. If "San Jose is to create a vibrant, hip, urban option in downtown San Jose..." it should not exclude the rest of the city determined by income or community adversity. That sends a negative message that these communities are less than and not an equal part of. A city that strives to achieve greatness has an opportunity by giving quality of life through its well maintained, free open space and parks that are accessible to EVERYONE, not just the demographic chosen few. As well as all children should have the access and opportunity to grow an prosper in their own neighborhood's through a quality open space and parks. As well as the mental benefits to young adults to seniors. Angel Rios, PRNS Director said on day one that his goal is to have ALL our parks be great. These words should be echoed throughout from all of our city leaders for the betterment of ALL the neighborhoods they represent. The success of these goals are solely in the hands of our city leaders. I urge city council to see the need and to take action in increasing funding toward park maintenance and become a city that achieves greatness through quality open space and parks accessible to ALL. Thank you, Adopt A Park volunteer, Rick Bernard

7 February 27, 2017 Dear Mayor and Council members, The longstanding "Urban Environment" policies of the nationwide Sierra Club call for, among many other things, "policies which stimulate... Abundant, convenient public open spaces, including parks, playgrounds and natural unimproved areas." The Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter fully supports the Memorandum from Council Members Don Rocha and Sergio Jimenez in support of the Parks and Recreation Commission opinion that increased funding is needed for maintenance of the City of San Jose's parks. The Club realizes that it is physically and financially very difficult to create new parkland for our new populations but we must at least maintain our existing parks to a level that the new populations can experience meaningful access. We look forward to continued engagement on this issue and we appreciate the focus brought to this issue by Council Members Rocha and Jimenez. Sincerely, James Eggers Executive Director Cc: Bruce Rienzo, Chapter Chair Mike Ferreira, Chapter Conserve action Chair Loma Prieta Chapter Serving Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Benito Counties 3921 E. Bayshore Road, Suite 204, Palo Alto, CA 94303, Tel (650)

8 From: Patrick Pizzo Date: February 27, :57:24 PM PST To: Distri ca.gov, Subject: Park Maintenance and Park Bond Item 5.1 Council Members, City of San Jose This concerns COUNCIL AGENDA: 2/28/17 ITEM: 5.1 First I appreciate the progress made in terms of the Softball Complex, Measure P, on tomorrow's report to the Council: "Bond Program Progress - To date, 95 of 97 projects have been completed from the $228 million Measure P Bond approved in Of the two remaining, the Arcadia Softball Complex bid documents will be available to 7 pre-qualified contractors on March 15. Bids will be opened on April 13." I have supported this project for many years and especially thank Don Rocha for being a supported of both the Soccer and Softball Complex from the get-go; and for Sergio Jimenez's support, especially through his prior service on the Parks Commission. Things continue to move forward Over this same time, I have been an active advocate and volunteer to San Jose City Parks. I fully support the recommendations put forward in Memorandum titled SUSTAINABLE PARK MAINTENANCE authored by Councilmen Rocha and Jimenez. I participated in the rating of our City Parks (T.J. Martin, J. Fontana, De Anza, Branham, and Shadyoaks) and I have, for years, been concerned about the decreases in park funding and staffing. This request by Councilmen Rocha and Jimenez is timely. The City needs to re-focus on one of its prime responsibilities: our City Parks. Please pass the request for an additional $3.5M for Park Maintenance for the stated goals; and support the recommended bond proposal. Respectfully, Patrick P. Pizzo, District 10 San Jose, CA 95120