Meeting called to order by President Helen Solinski.

Board Member Attendees: Larry Ames, Charly Luckhardt, Cathy Marshall, Ed Rast, Mary Salcido, Ellen Santomauro, Jim Spence

Jerry Smith, San Jose Police Department

Tony Filice, Council Assistant replacing Debbi Rocha

William Jeske and Amy Wicks, Resident Reporters

Harvey Darrnel, VP North WGNA

No comments other than presentation By Officer Smith

Smith informed us that Fremont police arrested the WG burglar and the suspect is in custody in the Santa Rita Jail. Smith reported on other crime issues and stated that the neighbors are the best folks to watch for suspicious activities and report them to the police.

911= reporting fire, police, emergencies and life threatening events

311= reporting non-life threatening, not needing immediate assistance.

Cell phones: reporting emergencies call 408-277-8911

Smith’s closing comment was that San Jose is the safest large city in America

Treasurer’s Report:

Motion made and seconded to close the Founder’s Day account. Motion passed. The Board agreed to put the $311.90 balance from the account into the General Account.

City/County Updates:

• City Council returned from session. Council member Ken Yeager arriving later will speak on the Tamien issue
• Filice commented that the City is looking for appropriate space for developing Dog Parks.

• Spence/Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for the Lincoln Ave Study.
• Public meeting schedule 8/25/03 from 7:00 to 8:30 in the Live Oak Adult Day Center.
• Last TAC meeting discussions regarding:
• School cross walks
• 2-hr parking downtown M-Sat.
• Parking striping changed, gained additional 20 spaces
• WGBPA Expanding advertising encouraging folks to spend money at the local restaurants and other businesses. Businesses close at 9:00 pm based on Avenue presence.
• Portering and washing the Avenue schedule has been reduced due to budget constraints
• Ames/Rail to Trails.
• Ames’ term as Santa Clara County Park Commissioner has expired and can’t be renewed due to term limits. Larry has served for 7 1/2 years.
• The City has been successful in getting grants. County Parks allocated $2M, San Jose Water $300K (not approved) and $1M from Santa Clara County Open Space.
• County Parks:
• Coyote being quadrupled in size extended towards Gilroy. Hiking trails, enlarged camp grounds
• Some Almaden Quicksilver Park trails opened to bicycles and new trails will be opening.

• On Sept. 10, the San Jose Planning Commission is scheduled to hear a zoning application for a two 11-story towers by the Tamien Station on Alma Street just east of Route 87. The City Council is tentatively scheduled to vote on the matter on Sept. 30. These critical votes will set a precedent for years to come as to the type of development that is suitable for residential areas. Although higher density housing is needed in the Tamien area because of its location near transit stations, council members question is, how much density can the area handle before creating a severe negative impact? Is the proposed project, named Tamien Place, appropriate for the neighborhood, and what will the traffic impact be due to the lack of retail in the surrounding area? In 1995, the San Jose City Council created a Specific Plan that established the location, intensity, and character of land uses for the Tamien Area. Some of the larger parcels have familiar sounding names, like Alma Bowl, the Elk's Lodge, and Italian Gardens. Community members were involved in the process with many hearings held. The study recommended a maximum number of 1,250 housing units for the Tamien area. This is quite dense, given the relatively low density in the Washington neighborhood and throughout most of San Jose. Community members accepted the plan because they understood the need for higher densities near transit corridors. The plan also identified the community's wish to receive more public amenities, like parks. Council member Yeager encourages all San Joseans to become informed about this issue.

• The Palm Haven Neighborhood & Homes Tour September 6, 2003 obtained liability insurance from UNSCC through WGNA sponsorship.
• Salcido looked into a storage locker for the assets of WGNA, tables, tents, merchandise, etc. Suggestions made to contact corporate storage offices to see if any would be interested in donating storage space for our non-profit organization. Update next meeting on findings.
• Santomauro attended the July 8^th Longs Pharmacy final wrap up meeting. Longs agreed to a traffic study being conducted 6 months after the store opening on Brace/Lincoln. Jeske wrote an article in the Resident regarding the findings. In summary the findings were only a 10% increase in cars since the opening of the store. The study was conducted on a Tues, Wed, and Thurs.

• Marshall/Liability insurance for the Palm Haven Restoration project.

• Motion made and seconded to send a letter to City Council and Planning supporting the Alma Goodyear Mastic & Tamien Neighborhood & Washington Association concerns regarding the lack of interest and community facilities in Washington District and proposed Tamien Place Development. Vote: 2 in favor, 5 nays, I abstentions. Rast said he’d send an email to discuss writing the letter.

• UNSCC Land Use/Planning Committee to establish a pro-active approach with the city governments throughout Santa Clara County for Smart Growth development. The goal is for neighborhoods to be involved in the planning from the inception of land use vision. Interested parties should contact UNSCC 408-286-8661.

Meeting adjourned at 9:40pm.

Respectfully submitted

Cathy Marshall

WGNA Secretary

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