Murdock Neighborhood Association General Meeting

January 23, 2008 at Lynbrook High School Cafeteria

The meeting was called to order by President Doris Livezey at 7:15pm

Welcome / Announcements

• [1] Doris welcomed everyone and made some MNA board introductions [End of 1]
• [2] Harish Chinai, MNA Parliamentarian, read the bylaw amendment as is currently and proposed amendment to include past board members as eligible candidates for president
  • [2.1] Vote on accepting new amendment opened to the forum
    • [2.1.1] Bylaw amendment accepted by majority vote [End of 2.1.1]
    [End of 2.1]
  [End of 2]

Meghan Revolinsky -- Representative to Pete Constant’s Office

• [1] Murdock-Portal traffic update
  • [1.1] A meeting was held between Meghan, Julie Ales M-P Principal, DOT representative, and Kathy Herington [End of 1.1]
  • [1.2] Meghan expressed Julie’s feelings during the meeting, Julie is working hard on the problem feels her efforts are unnoticed by parents and neighbors [End of 1.2]
  • [1.3] If you have any suggestions regarding this problem, please email Meghan [End of 1.3]
  • [1.4] C – Some schools have mandatory carpool program
    • [1.4.1] R – M-P does encourage carpooling through carpool passes, also Julie puts out a newsletter where traffic is 85% of coverage [End of 1.4.1]
    [End of 1.4]
  • [1.5] C – the biggest problem is a few parents not obeying the traffic laws which cause the majority of the problem
    • [1.5.1] R – This is true, Julie goes out there during peak hours to physically help calm traffic [End of 1.5.1]
    [End of 1.5]
  • [1.6] M-P? is putting together a presentation called StreetSmarts to educate parents on traffic safety and law [End of 1.6]
  • [1.7] C – Perhaps this is only relevant to parents and they may not care [End of 1.7]
  • [1.8] C – There was one lady last year that was directing traffic, where is she now?
    • [1.8.1] R – The woman is the grandma of one of the students, we don’t know if the student still attends M-P [End of 1.8.1]
    [End of 1.8]
  • [1.9] DOT conducted a traffic study on a couple of our streets thanks to Doris and Kathy, more to come on this survey as results are returned [End of 1.9]
  • [1.10] C – Dilworth had each homeroom direct traffic for a week and everyone would rotate, possible suggestion for M-P [End of 1.10]
  [End of 1]
• [2] Cap grants are out Monday, Mori Mandis is working with the city to navigate the application process [End of 2]
• [3] There is a new neighborhood commission in San Jose that will conduct a mock caucus [End of 3]
• [4] Meghan has the traffic calming results from October 30th if anyone is curious to see those please contact her [End of 4]
• [5] “How to beat the burglar” flyer was handed out [End of 5]

Dan Rothenbush -- PG&E Grid Engineer

• [1] Dan is the supervising engineer for the De Anza area, a grid that stretches from Cupertino to sections of the Los Gatos Mountains [End of 1]
• [2] Recent Outages
  • [2.1] These outages can happen for a variety of reasons, our recent outages can be attributed to birds disturbing the wires, pieces of tree bark shorting two wires, and squirrels just to name a few [End of 2.1]
  • [2.2] PG&E plans to rebuild some of the vertical wire constructions to increase power stability, any affected residents will be notified [End of 2.2]
  • [2.3] There have been 15 outages in our neighborhood since 2005 [End of 2.3]
  • [2.4] 38 Outages reported from 2005 in the greater De Anza area, many were traced to the Saratoga, Cox Substation [End of 2.4]
  • [2.5] There were two outages in our area caused by the 2008 winter storms, another unrelated outage was due to a squirrel shorting the wires [End of 2.5]
  • [2.6] The team consists of 5 other engineers
    • [2.6.1] Every morning the team reviews the daily report and addresses any action items followed by preventative maintenance [End of 2.6.1]
    [End of 2.6]
  [End of 2]
• [3] PG&E is planning to allocate a portion of recent funding to install fuses on the circuits tapping off of the main feed for outage isolation [End of 3]
• [4] Dan also demonstrated a fault indicator which hangs on utility poles to determine if outage or a fault current has passed through that circuit to help detect the origin of the outage. This allows them to restore power more efficiently and quickly in the non trouble areas [End of 4]
• [5] Questions and Comments
  • [5.1] Q – Is PG&E responsible for trimming around the secondary lines?
    • [5.1.1] Residents are responsibility for maintaining those trees that interfere for the secondary and very rarely do they get cut by PG&E [End of 5.1.1]
    • [5.1.2] PG&E meets clearance guides on trimming trees of primary lines [End of 5.1.2]
    • [5.1.3] Maintenance on underground is done every 3 years and detailed overhead every 4 years [End of 5.1.3]
    • [5.1.4] PG&E uses an infrared system to target hot spots in underground circuits [End of 5.1.4]
    [End of 5.1]
  • [5.2] Q – Any word on PG&E and AT&T UVERSE installations?
    • [5.2.1] There is one going on Johnson and Bollinger, but nothing started on the application process [End of 5.2.1]
    • [5.2.2] Dan observed some trees on Castle Glen that needed trimming and will turn in a ticket [End of 5.2.2]
    [End of 5.2]
  • [5.3] C – Oak Knoll resident witnessed a fuse explode with flames
    • [5.3.1] Yes this was a fuse failure and the fire will catch fire due to the extreme heat [End of 5.3.1]
    • [5.3.2] In some areas where fire may be an increased risk, E type fuses may be requested [End of 5.3.2]
    [End of 5.3]
  • [5.4] I did not get contact information for Dan, if anyone has it can go here [End of 5.4]
  [End of 5]

Bernie Rosales -- SJPD Gang Unit Representative

• [1] Bernie is a representative of City of San Jose youth program and has been with the Safe Schools Campus Initiative for 8-9 years [End of 1]
• [2] Bernie is primarily involved when kids are showing early signs of gang behavior
  • [2.1] No incidents have been reported in our neighborhood thus far [End of 2.1]
  [End of 2]
• [3] Two primary gang groups in San Jose (Nortenos and Surenos) which use graffiti as a means to communicate their territory [End of 3]
• [4] Arresting all offenders is difficult and inefficient since it contributes to our impacted jail cells and jail reform can be ineffective [End of 4]
• [5] Bernie’s programs target people coming out of these correctional facilities to further their reform progress, this is crucial considering inmates learn how to be a better criminal in jail through interaction with the other prisoners [End of 5]
• [6] Norteno members typically identify as American-Born Mexicans and Surenos recruit new Mexican-Born immigrants by offering protection in their new country, this is an example of internal racism [End of 6]
• [7] Consequences of a gang affect more than the bad areas, when a kid is transferred or relocated they can try to recruit new members in their new location [End of 7]
• [8] Norteno indicators
  • [8.1] Anything involving the number 14 representing the 14th letter of the alphabet. (i.e., XIV, X4) [End of 8.1]
  • [8.2] Red and Maroon colors [End of 8.2]
  • [8.3] Sharks, University of Nebraska, 49ers, or UNLV apparel [End of 8.3]
  • [8.4] Huelga Bird from the Cesar Chavez movement [End of 8.4]
  [End of 8]
• [9] Sureno indicators
  • [9.1] Anything involving the number 13 representing the 13th letter of the alphabet M for ‘Mexican Mafia’ (i.e., XIII, X3) [End of 9.1]
  • [9.2] Blue Clothing, bandanas [End of 9.2]
  [End of 9]
• [10] Gang members are going to stay away from areas that are closely knit and get the police involved [End of 10]
• [11] These kids are energetic and creative we need to redirect their efforts [End of 11]
• [12] Remember do not confront these kids directly, always call your local police authorities with any suspicious behavior [End of 12]
• [13] Questions or Comments
  • [13.1] Q – What can the community do other than call help?
    • [13.1.1] Call the council office and they will get Bernie involved to address the issue [End of 13.1.1]
    • [13.1.2] Bernie can be reached via cell phone at 408-690-2166 Should we include this? [End of 13.1.2]
    [End of 13.1]
  [End of 13]

Servando Perez -- SJPD Anti-Graffiti Unit Representative

• [1] Citywide the program maintains a staff of 7 to clean up the graffiti for San Jose [End of 1]
• [2] The office can be reached at 408-277-3208 or on the 24 hour hotline at 408-277-2758
  • [2.1] Residents can leave a message with the graffiti location and description typically there is a 24 hour turnaround for gang graffiti and 48 hour for non gang related graffiti [End of 2.1]
  [End of 2]
• [3] Community involvement opportunities provide volunteers with graffiti cleaning training and kits [End of 3]
• [4] Offending kids are also required to help clean graffiti on the weekends [End of 4]
• [5] The SJPD Anti-Graffiti Unit is a Nationally recognized program [End of 5]
• [6] Common forms of graffiti include
  • [6.1] Spray paint tags [End of 6.1]
  • [6.2] Window etching tags on windows and glass [End of 6.2]
  • [6.3] Acid etching on windows [End of 6.3]
  • [6.4] Magic marker tags [End of 6.4]
  • [6.5] Stencil tags [End of 6.5]
  • [6.6] Slap tags, UPS stickers or ‘Hello my name is ..’ stickers [End of 6.6]
  [End of 6]
• [7] Graffiti affects everyone by reducing property value, it demotes business, promotes crime, and renters don’t want to live there [End of 7]
• [8] You can become an anti graffiti litter and volunteer call
  • [8.1] Contact the anti graffiti and litter volunteer program at 408-277-3208 [End of 8.1]
  • [8.2] 24 hour hotline 408-277-2758 [End of 8.2]
  • [8.3] Vehicle littering 408- 277-4111 [End of 8.3]
  [End of 8]
• [9] Kits are available for those that would like to sign up today [End of 9]
• [10] CalTrans handles litter on freeways and busy highways [End of 10]
• [11] Questions and Comments
  • [11.1] Q – What can we do about trash and litter on Bollinger Rd
    • [11.1.1] Volunteers shouldn’t be on busy streets for safety risk, there is a list of 150 hotspots the city focuses on and one is here in front of the school [End of 11.1.1]
    • [11.1.2] If you call and give the street section they can possibly schedule the weekend crew to do a one time cleaning [End of 11.1.2]
    [End of 11.1]
  • [11.2] C – A good way to help is bringing a bag with you while you walk your pet to pick up loose litter at the same time [End of 11.2]
  [End of 11]

Open Forum

• [1] What events do our neighbors want?
  • [1.1] C – Dumpster Day! [End of 1.1]
  [End of 1]
• [2] C – Electronics dumpster day at Lynbrook on January 26th Saturday from 9:00a – 3:00p [End of 2]
• [3] C – One Neighbor was taking pictures in front of his house in the morning and found it actually encouraged responsible driving in front of M-P [End of 3]
• [4] C – Murdock Park update
  • [4.1] The park turf looks great at the flat part because of the signs posted [End of 4.1]
  • [4.2] Daffodil bulbs were planted and should blossom in the Spring [End of 4.2]
  • [4.3] 2 dead trees were replaced and one new tree planted
    • [4.3.1] Doris is asking for help with watering the trees twice a week [End of 4.3.1]
    [End of 4.3]
  [End of 4]
• [5] Q – Is there anything for tulip tree removal left in the city budget?
  • [5.1] Allocated funds may have run out already or ending in March [End of 5.1]
  [End of 5]
• [6] C – Cap Grant Update
  • [6.1] These grants are used for our yearly events, Mori is taking the lead on the application and working with the city [End of 6.1]
  • [6.2] Maybe we could use some of this money for removing dead trees as part of our neighborhood budget [End of 6.2]
  • [6.3] Volunteer hours spent outside of our meetings may be reimbursed, make sure to keep track of them [End of 6.3]
  [End of 6]
• [7] The summer picnic will be the weekend following the 4th of July weekend [End of 7]
• [8] C – FYI there was a coyote spotted last Saturday on the Oak Knoll trail [End of 8]
• [9] C – FYI a new scam has emerged were a thief gains access to the backyard by posing as a Comcast representative, make sure to always check identification before allowing access [End of 9]
• [10] Please contact MNA for information on how to form a neighborhood watch and keep a control on crime in our neighborhood [End of 10]

Doris thanked our speakers and neighbors for attending this evening, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00p

Respectfully submitted,
Gabe Trejo, Corresponding Secretary