Neighborhood Services and Education Committee (NSE) Meeting Summary

Date: June 12, 2025
Time: 1:30 PM (approx. 1 hour)
Location: Council Chambers, City of San José
Committee Members Present: Chair Peter Ortiz, Vice Chair Bien Doan, Members David Cohen, Domingo Candelas, Pamela Campos

This meeting covered three main reports: an update on Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, a status report on sports fields use and equity, and a report on blight reduction coordination with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). All three reports were accepted unanimously by the committee. No public comments were made on any agenda item.

Consent Calendar

• No items were listed on the Consent Calendar.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public provided comments during the meeting.

Discussion Items

1. Happy Hollow Park and Zoo Status Report (CC 25-0951)

• Presenters: Avi O'Tom (Deputy Director, PRNS), Shannon Heimer (Division Manager), Kirsten McCormick-Manwell (General Manager)
• Highlights:
  • Happy Hollow opened in 1961, celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2026.
  • Attendance and membership numbers are on pace with the previous year; the access ticket program (priced at one quarter of general admission) has already exceeded last year's usage.
  • Revenue is steadily increasing, but operating expenses continue to rise, creating budgetary challenges due to inflation and increased costs for aging animal care.
  • The Danny the Dragon ride will reopen on July 15, 2025, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony planned for that morning.
  • A new FUSA habitat and expanded capybara habitat are being developed.
  • The zoo has maintained AZA accreditation for 32 years; the next renewal cycle begins in 2026.
  • Over 6,000 volunteer hours were logged, supporting operations and special events.
  • The Happy Hollow Foundation launched its first capital campaign to fund the new Danny the Dragon experience.
  • Top five zip codes for the access ticket program: 95122, 95111, 95116, 95112, 95127.
• Committee Questions:
  • Vice Chair Doan asked about affordability and keeping the access ticket program funded as demand grows. Staff noted they are seeking sponsors for the unfunded account.
  • Councilmember Campos asked about promoting Happy Hollow to visitors, especially for the 2026 World Cup. Staff mentioned partnerships with Southwest Airlines and promotional tickets.
  • Chair Ortiz asked about scholarship methodology and zip code tracking; staff confirmed the top five zip codes and that outreach includes Project Hope and social influencers.
  • Infrastructure needs were discussed; staff stated safety and animal health are top priorities.
• Outcome: Motion to accept the report (by Councilmember Candelas) passed unanimously.

2. Sports Fields Use and Equity Status Report (CC 25-0982)

• Presenters: Avi O'Tom, Shannon Heimer, Troy Treedy (Parks Manager), Joe Albialde (Parks Recreation and Facilities Supervisor)
• Highlights:
  • The City maintains 110 fields and 104 courts; two-thirds are available for reservations by sports organizations.
  • Field allocations occur twice a year (spring/summer, fall/winter); staff verify residency, nonprofit status, and age eligibility.
  • An equity task force was formed in 2021 after a Councilmember request in 2020; improvements include clearer rules, streamlined online systems, and enhanced enforcement.
  • Revenue and cost recovery have increased significantly over four years due to efficiency improvements and standardized time blocks.
  • Data analysis reveals: 80% of field users come from neighborhoods in the upper half of the Healthy Places Index (HPI), while only 20% come from the lower half, indicating a significant equity gap.
  • Partnerships include the San Jose Earthquakes (youth camps) and the county probation department.
  • The temporary equity supervisor role has been made permanent to continue data-driven analysis and community engagement.
  • Staff highlighted the need for additional field marshals to enforce policies and ensure equitable access.
• Committee Questions:
  • Councilmember Candelas raised concerns about rising rent costs for local leagues like Eastridge, Evergreen, and Alum Rock Little Leagues, and asked about prioritizing local users at regional fields like Arcadia. Staff explained Arcadia's business model focuses on tournament play on weekends but local leagues can use fields weekdays.
  • Vice Chair Doan asked how to increase the 20% usage rate from lower-HPI neighborhoods. Staff discussed developing a “playbook” to help grassroots teams with reservations, sponsorships, and nonprofit status, and noted the need for deeper community engagement to understand barriers.
  • Chair Ortiz asked about partnering with trusted community organizations (e.g., African American Community Service Agency, Asian Americans for Community Involvement). Staff agreed to include such organizations in future engagement.
  • Staff confirmed they interact with local little league leaders regularly and through biannual surveys.
• Outcome: Motion to accept the report (by Councilmember Candelas) passed unanimously.

3. Blight Reduction Coordination with Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Status Report (CC 25-0973)

• Presenters: Aurelia Bailey (Division Manager, Community Services), Jamie Marcel (Program Manager, Beautify San Jose), along with VTA Deputy Director of Maintenance Jesse Soto
• Highlights:
  • In November 2023, the City Council directed staff to develop a formal agreement with VTA to address blight (trash, debris, graffiti, encampments, overgrown vegetation) on properties bordering VTA.
  • Key elements: joint cleanups, regular communication (monthly meetings), and resource sharing.
  • The May 2025 meeting established the cadence and participants; priority hotspot areas will be identified in the next kickoff meeting.
  • VTA Deputy Director Soto stated that blight reports are typically addressed within a day or the next day, depending on resources.
• Committee Questions:
  • Vice Chair Doan raised issues with Union Pacific and Caltrans properties (e.g., graffiti on sound walls, encampments under bridges at Story and Tully). Staff noted they also meet with Caltrans bi-weekly and will include Union Pacific as a partner.
  • Councilmember Campos asked about timeline expectations for VTA stations. Deputy Director Soto confirmed a turnaround of same day or next day for most reports.
  • Chair Ortiz asked about staff bandwidth; staff clarified that each jurisdiction continues to handle its own property, but coordination improves efficiency.
• Outcome: Motion to accept the report (by Councilmember Candelas) passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All three status reports were accepted by unanimous votes of the committee members present.
• The flavored tobacco ban status report was dropped per the June 4, 2025 Rules and Open Government Committee recommendation.
• Next steps for Happy Hollow include the July 15 grand reopening of Danny the Dragon and continued fundraising for the scholarship program.
• Sports fields staff will expand community engagement with trusted organizations and develop a playbook for grassroots teams.
• Beautify San Jose and VTA will finalize a work plan in upcoming meetings to address priority blight locations.
• The committee adjourned at approximately 2:30 PM.