Neighborhood Services and Education Committee Meeting - May 8, 2025

The Neighborhood Services and Education Committee (NSE) of the City of San José met on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 1:30 PM to receive annual reports on older adult programs, the Youth Commission, youth violence prevention programs, and an audit implementation status report for Animal Care and Services. All committee members (Chair Peter Ortiz, Vice Chair Bien Doan, David Cohen, Domingo Candelas, Pamela Campos) were present. All items were accepted unanimously.

Consent Calendar

No items were considered on the Consent Calendar.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made on items 1 through 3.
• For item 4 (San José Animal Care and Services Audit Implementation Status Report), ten members of the public spoke. Key concerns included:
  • A dog reported as unable to walk was left by Animal Control (Kay Blom).
  • A malnourished kitten not properly fed at the shelter (Kay Blom).
  • The presentation was difficult to understand; friendly cats being turned away; public told to go to PetSmart to give away kittens; low adoption numbers; lack of a daily veterinarian; no public spay/neuter clinic (Anne DeShane, Sustain Our Shelters, Liz Holtz, others).
  • TNR appointments limited; return-to-field rate high; friendly stray cats being released after spay/neuter; kittens euthanized above a certain number (Sustain Our Shelters, Dinah Hayes).
  • The citizens action committee not yet formed (Sustain Our Shelters).
  • Calls for increased spay/neuter capacity, better record-keeping, and an ordinance on illegal breeding (Christina, others).

Discussion Items

1. Older Adults Age 50+ 2023-2024 Programs and Services Status Report

• Presented by Maria de Leon (Deputy Director, PRNS), Jeremy Schoffner, and Rhonda Vargas.
• The number of San José residents over age 50 is 325,287 and growing. The Senior Nutrition Program served an average of 914 meals/day, an increase of 114 from the prior year. A total of 948 classes and programs were offered (69% increase in participation). The Older Adult Health and Wellness Grant Program awarded $526,424 to nine agencies, but the proposed FY 2025-26 budget recommends elimination of this grant. Staff emphasized maintaining core services (nutrition, city-led activities like chair yoga, dance socials, color walk). Committee members asked about transportation (103 gap passes, 3,475 taxi rides), connecting seniors to rent relief, and how to meet needs if the grant is eliminated. Staff noted collaboration with the county and referral networks.

2. Youth Commission Annual Report

• Presented by Youth Commissioners Lon Mascarenas (Chair, District 10), Neha Pradeep Kumar (District 2), Peter Vu (District 7), and Andrew Liu (District 5).
• The Youth Commission represents approximately 248,000 youth. Their survey of 463 youth (82% completion) found top concerns: violence/safety (4.25/5) and poverty/housing/homelessness (4.24/5). Work plan included gender-based violence awareness, environmental stewardship (tree planting at Basking Ridge Park, cleanups), college/career pathway evaluation, and an innovation committee. Commissioners and YAC members volunteered 1,085 service hours. The commission will lose eight graduating senior members. Committee members praised the youth and asked about engaging more youth, disability considerations in violence prevention, and budget advocacy.

3. San José Youth Empowerment Alliance, BEST, Safe Summer Initiative Grant, and Youth Intervention Services Programs Annual Report

• Presented by Olimpia Williams (PRNS Deputy Director), Laura Buzo (Youth Intervention Services Division Manager), and Petra Reguero (Program Manager).
• The collective impact model aligns with the Children and Youth Services Master Plan. Four pillars: prevention, intervention, diversion/re-entry, and healing. In FY 2023-24, 8,245 youth were served (slight decrease due to staffing changes). 89% of youth in grant programs reported feeling safe. Key objectives include reducing chronic absenteeism at three priority high schools, increasing school presence, and implementing a "no wrong door" pilot in Mayfair, Pocaway, and Santee Seven Trees. Committee members asked about disability inclusion, housing, literacy, the Latino Health Assessment, and job training success (target of 180 youth connected to work through San José Works). Chair Ortiz shared his personal experience with Clean Slate and Work to Future programs.

4. San José Animal Care and Services Audit Implementation Status Report

• Presented by Matt Lesh (Director of Public Works), Dr. Elizabeth Cather, and Kiska Yikard.
• The audit included 39 recommendations. As of the meeting, March implementation targets were all met; June targets are on track (including expanding spay/neuter to five days/week by June and low-cost appointments starting at 5/week); December targets are in progress. TNR numbers increased: 409 cats altered in first four months of 2025 vs. 36 in same period 2024. The shelter has three veterinarians (one vacancy) and limited registered veterinary technicians. Director Lesh acknowledged the citizens advisory committee had not been formed due to personal family emergencies; it will be established by December. Committee members and the public raised concerns about intake policies, capacity (315 cat cages with portals reducing usable space), adoption availability, and the need for increased spay/neuter capacity. Staff explained that industry standards guide housing and that the shelter prioritizes the most vulnerable animals.

Key Outcomes

• All four staff reports were accepted by unanimous votes.
• On item 4, the committee approved the report and directed staff to:
  • Provide a detailed update on TNR and spay/neuter capacity through the upcoming May Budget Amendment (MBA) and the September city auditor report.
  • Address the status of the citizens advisory committee in the December report.
• No additional items were added to the work plan.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:00 PM.