Almaden Resident

News

SNI shifts its direction from capital projects to resident input

By Monica Heger

Neighborhoods in the Strong Neighborhoods Initiative will begin renewing their top 10 neighborhood priorities during the next several months. The focus of these items will switch from mostly capital projects that require heavy city funding to items that require more resident participation. The shift is the result of a budget shortfall and also is intended to involve more community members in the projects.

The San Jose City Council unanimously voted June 13 to set a new framework for neighborhood priorities and expand the SNI program into other city neighborhoods.

Larry Brundage, president of the Hoffman/Via Monte neighborhood action committee, said their community is still waiting for their No. 1 priority--a community center.

The community center, while in the works, has suffered a number of delays and is expected to be built by the end of the year.

"I won't be happy until we're 100 percent done, and I see it standing there," Brundage said.

He added, however, that the committee has had success in accomplishing many of its other action items. Security cameras have reduced illegal dumping, and Dumpster days have made the neighborhood cleaner, he said.

Items he would like to see on the next agenda include lighting at the neighborhood park and beautification projects like landscaping the median on Almaden Expressway.

"We have a park in the back of the neighborhood that has zero lighting," Brundage said, "so it's a convenient place to hang out for gang activity and drug activity."

But ultimately, Brundage said the next list of priorities would be determined by the community.

"We'll talk with the neighbors and see what the needs are. Nobody knows better than the people that are there," he said.

Although Councilwoman Linda LeZotte voted for the shift in policy, she questioned the refocusing of the program.

"To me, it's just a total left turn for the community and the staff," she said. "I'm concerned about going in a different direction, especially with the shortage of staff."

Mark Linder, assistant city manager, said the new direction would enable staff to mobilize and involve more people, so neighborhoods would not have to rely on the city as much, and could be more self-sufficient in accomplishing the goals.

The council directed the city to begin looking at other San Jose communities where the Strong Neighborhoods Initiatives could apply.

Kinman said she was cautious about the city's intent to expand.

"We need to take the time to sit down and figure out what has worked well and what hasn't," she said. "SNI has been an incredible tool, and I look forward to the day when all neighborhoods have the training and empowerment that we have. We feel we have a true partnership with the city."