WORKING WITH THE CITY, SJPD, SJ SHERIFF, AND RLEI:

- Participated in the election of the new D5 Neighborhood Committee.

- Represented our area during the Viva Calle SJ Bike Ride (2017).

- Hosted a pit stop at the Village for the Viva Calle organized bike ride.

- Ongoing engagement with SJPD and SCC Sheriff:

  - Conducted patrols in front of shops and parking lots to deter drug deals, prostitution, and loitering.

  - Shut down an illegal “salon” and gambling ring (2018).

- Developed a feasibility plan (Measure B) to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety along Alum Rock Avenue from White Road to the old entrance of the park (2017). Unfortunately, this project stalled due to a lawsuit, and funds set aside by the City, County, and Roads and Airport were reallocated to other projects.

- Coordinated with RLEI (Responsible Landlord Engagement Initiative) to enhance security and improvements at Quick Stop (2018).

- Successfully advocated for a 25 mph speed limit ordinance and requested radar enforcement on Maro Drive, which was approved by the Board of Supervisors.

- Hosted dumpster days (ongoing).

 

HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS:

- Cleared encampments behind Mi Ranchito (2021) and behind Benjamin Moore (2021).

- Worked with Lowe's to install fencing around the OSH property.

- Led monthly trash pickup days in the Village (2021).

- Collaborated with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to install a light beacon at Alum Rock/Millar and Alum Rock/Manning (2021).

- Coordinated with DOT to install a pedestrian crosswalk sign at the center divider on Alum Rock/Millar Ave.

- Worked with Councilmember Ortiz and the Office of Economic Development to hire a Business Manager for D5, completed in 2023.

- Established and presented 2023 goals.

- Continued efforts in Form-Based Zoning (ongoing).

- Engaged in code enforcement regarding the vacant building at OSH.

- Collaborated with the County to purchase the empty lot on Mt. Hamilton, but the property owner is not interested in selling.

- Closed the feasibility plan for Measure B due to lack of funding.

- Closed efforts for Urban Forests; San Jose was awarded $6.6 million to grow the tree canopy in underserved neighborhoods.

- Addressed housing issues due to a lack of a Master Plan: ongoing collaboration with Charity Housing and Pacific West.

- Closed the Salsa Festival; the Dia De Los Muertos Festival was hosted by Councilmember Ortiz in 2023.

- Continued focus on safety, speed, and crime (ongoing).

- Initiated a mural for the PG&E wall at the Alum Rock/680 exit (2023) and worked with Councilmember Ortiz’s office to secure funding.

- Received a Commendation Award from Councilmember Ortiz’s office (2023).

 

ELECTION PERIODS:

- Invited candidates to attend ARVAC meetings to introduce themselves during election cycles:

  - Mayoral Race (2022)

  - Councilmember Race (2022)

  - Santa Clara County Supervisor (2024)

 

ART IN THE VILLAGE:

Murals:

  - Heart of the Valley Delight Mural at the corner of Alum Rock Ave and White Road (2017).

  - Libertad Mural on the Benjamin Moore wall (2019).

  - Vendors Mural on the Las Delicias wall (2019).

  - Mini murals on electrical boxes (2019) and a mini mural on the utility door (2019).

- Worked with Beautify SJ to apply anti-graffiti sealer to protect various artworks (2019).

- Removed graffiti from the Libertad mural on the Benjamin Moore wall (2023).

- Collaborated with the City on large banners for Alum Rock:

  - “Welcome to the Alum Rock Village” (2017).

- Partnered with HOBA (Hands on Bay Area) to bring tech volunteers to improve local schools:

  - Joseph George Junior High School (2019).

  - Millard McCullam School (ongoing).

- Abierto Grant: $15,000 awarded (2022); sculpture titled “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is today” (2024).

- El Mejor Market: Worked with the Office of Economic Environment to facilitate a new sign for the store (2022).

- Beautify SJ Grant:

  - C5: Awarded $1,500 to paint two utility boxes at the corners of Kirk/McKee and McKee/White (2023).

  - C6: Awarded $5,000 (2024).

- San Jose PEACE Grant: Awarded $2,000 for Dumpster Day (2024).

 

IMPROVEMENTS TO THE VILLAGE:

- Collaborated with the garbage company to add more garbage cans in the Village.

- Replaced the old cement garbage can at the James Lick High School bus stop on Alum Rock/White Rd (2023).

- Engaged the garbage company to increase pickups from once a week to twice.

- Initiated the Project Monarch Garbage Pickup Program (2019) with the slogan: "Before you dash… Pick up your trash."

- Partnered with JLHS, Escuela Popular, and St. John Vianney Schools for Saturday morning cleanups from September through June.

- Painted the curb on the Starbucks side of the street (2018).

- Washed the sidewalks on both sides of the Village (2017).

- Continued participation in the Great American Litter Pick-up (ongoing).

- Distributed trash pickup sticks to local businesses for cleaning around storefronts (2021).

 

LANDLORDS:

- Engaged with village landlords for improvements (ongoing).

- Convinced a landlord not to renew a lease for a questionable business (2022).

- Removed broken magazine boxes in front of El Mejor Market (2022).

- Collaborated with Jesus Flores from the Latino Business Foundation to encourage Village businesses to start a business association (completed 2022).

- Worked with the City to install lighting in the parking lot behind Planned Parenthood (2023).

- Trimmed trees to enhance lighting and safety (2022).

- Conducted litter cleanup efforts in partnership with Beautify SJ (2024).

 

AND MORE:

- Held monthly committee meetings on the second Tuesday of each month, including representatives from the Mayor’s office, Councilmember’s office, and Santa Clara County Supervisor’s office. A student from JLHS also attends these meetings to facilitate quicker support for ARVAC.

- Created bylaws (2021).

- Joined the United Neighborhoods of Santa Clara County (UNSCC) (2020).

- During the pandemic, ARVAC was the first neighborhood association to meet via Zoom (2021).

- Online presence:

  - ARVAC website: Home | Alum Rock Village Action Committee.

  - Facebook page with 175 followers (2021).

  - Instagram account (2023).

  - Created a monthly flyer to keep neighbors informed about ARVAC activities and highlight a vendor (2021).

- Collaborated with La Raza Historical Society, serving as ARVAC’s fiscal agent for grant applications (2023).

- Partnered with other D5 neighborhood associations for a stronger voice within East Side San Jose.

 

REPRESENTING THE COMMUNITY

- Engaged with developers (ongoing):

  - Pacific West

  - Charity Housing

- Opening Doors 2020  -One Warm Coat” program, collecting coats from the community for those in need (ongoing since 2022). 

- Toys for Paws: Collaborated with the SCC Sheriff’s Department to distribute toys to children in the area at Christmas (2023).

 

WHAT ARE WE WORKING ON?

- 2024 Goals:

  - Addressing the vacant OSH site.

  - Beautifying the PG&E wall at the Alum Rock 680 exit.

  - Enhancing Beautify SJ projects.

  - Decorating the Village for Christmas.

  - Supporting struggling businesses and addressing absentee landlords.

  - Collaborating with D5 neighborhood associations and forming an Alum Rock Village Business Association.

  - Organizing National Night Out activities.

  - Focusing on speed, safety, and crime.

  - Increasing community involvement.

  - Implementing a five-year plan for veterans housing, installing sidewalks, and engaging with developers.

 

Do you want to help improve our little area of San Jose? Join us! We meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.