Mayor Reed's December eNewsletter

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Mayor Chuck Reed's eNewsletter

City of San Jose

December 2009

Mayor Reed joined fellow veterans, their families and other local residents at the 91st Annual Veterans Day Parade in San José - the largest commemoration in the Bay Area.

Mr. Reed Goes to Washington

Mayor Reed traveled to our nations' capital in November to participate in a Brookings Institution and National League of Cities forum entitled "Fiscal Challenges Facing Cities: Implications for Economic Recovery." There, Mayor Reed was joined by the Mayors of Philadelphia, Mesa, Arizona, and Bowling Green, Kentucky to discuss how cities across the country are confronting the current recession. Watch video from the event

Later that day, Mayor Reed also met with White House officials, where he offered his assessment of the $787 billion stimulus program and offered direct suggestions on how the federal government could better facilitate economic growth and job creation in cities like San Jose. Read the Mayor's recent statement on President Obama's new Jobs Proposal

Mayor Reed Hosts Third Annual Clean Tech Legislative Summit

On December 4, Mayor Reed brought together elected officials, influential clean tech leaders, and other environmental advocates for the third annual Clean Tech Legislative Summit. The annual event focused on developing policy priorities regarding smart grid technology, green buildings, energy efficiency and green workforce development. Input from the summit will help Mayor Reed develop the city's 2010-2011 Clean Tech Legislative Agenda. Read last year's Clean Tech Legislative Agenda

Mayor's Proposes Redevelopment Agency Freeze Spending on New Projects until Mid-February

Mayor Reed is recommending that the Redevelopment Agency freeze spending for new projects and commitments until mid-February when more solid fiscal projections will be available. The Agency faces difficult choices, and the state takeaway jeopardizes projects such as the expansion of the Convention Center and neighborhood improvements. Redevelopment is a critical tool for the City of San Jose in economic development and job creation. Based on valuable input from the public, Mayor Reed's 2009-2010 Redevelopment Agency Budget Message softens the impact of the state take on the city's affordable housing fund and focuses the agency's limited resources on the community's top priorities. Read the entire RDA Budget Message

Mayor's Biennial Ethics Review Proposes More Sunshine and Open Government

Under San Jose's City Charter, the Mayor is required to review the ethics ordinance every two years and make recommendations to the City Council to improve the regulations. On Tuesday, Dec. 15, the City Council will vote at its 1:30 p.m. meeting on nine recommendations from Mayor Reed's Biennial Ethics Review. Read the Mayor's updated recommendations.

Come by the the Council meeting to share your thoughts about increasing transparency in San Jose government. Or if you can't make it, send an e-mail to the Mayor and City Council.