Murdock Neighborhood Association Quarterly Meeting
April 23, 2008 – at Lynbrook

General observations before the meeting began –

The meeting began at 7:25pm

General Information

The By-Law change was approved. We will now be using Roberts Rules of Order.

Thank-You

Announcements

Doris pleasantly reports that there was no crime reported in our neighborhood in the San Jose crime report.

There is a new Neighborhood Commission (a city-wide organization). Each neighborhood organization gets 2 representatives. There is a caucus that you can attend on June 14. Charles “Chappie” Jones has registered as an applicant on the commission.

Traffic Report

Murdock-Portal School has informed us that they will be participating in the San Jose “Street Smarts” program; a program that emphasized traffic safety in congested areas. They will attend 2 meetings, one on June 4 for students and one in September for students and their parents.

The group felt that morning drop-offs were still an issue, but afternoon pickups seem to be getting a little smoother; however, many violations and safety concerns are still noticed. There is still a lot of jaywalking, and parents and children walking into the street from between parked cars, which is a concern.

Moving violations can be reported online The Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) has a website for residents to report their concerns anonymously if they wish. The address is: https://www.sjpd.org/_forms/TEU_Request_Form.asp or they may be reported to a TEU hotline at 277-4341. Warning letters will be sent to the address on file with the DMV after a complaint is reported. You need the license plate, make, model, and gender of the driver to fill out a report.

A new stop-sign was added at Glen Haven Dr and Castle Glen Ave (it used to be a Yield). The speed limit sign was relocated on Castle Glen (near Lynbrook Way) to be more visible.

Pete Constant

Budget is primary focus at city hall right now. There is a $25 million deficit that needs to be resolved in June. San Jose is in its 7th year of budget deficits and so far (over the 7 years) San Jose has seen nearly $300 million in cuts. Councilman Constant believes we will have a deficit for another 3 to 4 years.

There are a number of deferred maintenance projects in our area with respect to driving (roadways, curbs, gutters). We would need about $700 million to fix the backlog. The sewer and water waste systems need about $1billion in maintenance and repairs.

$1.4 – 1.6 billion is owed for retiree benefits.

There is a group (3-year Structural Budget Group), to get balance to the budget within 3 years. Charles Jones is a resident in our neighborhood who is part of that group.

District-

Ken Foote

Disaster preparedness speaker from the Santa Clara County Office of Emergency Services.

Earthquakes, floods, fires, hazardous materials, transportation accidents, and terrorism are the main large scale emergency concerns in the Bay Area. This presentation is how to be as prepared as possible if one of those should occur.

Steps to Preparedness

Be Informed

General Communication

For general emergencies you can call the “San Jose 911” from your cell phone to avoid being routed through the CHP center in Vallejo. The number is 408.277-8911.

Important Documents

Keep your important documents and copies of important documents in a secure place, perhaps a fireproof box or a safe deposit box. (deed, insurance papers, copy of drivers license) Anything you would need to ‘start again.’

Have a pair of shoes and a flashlight next to (better yet, secured to) the bed leg so you always know it is there. Lacerations on the feet are the most common injury after earthquakes.

Know how to turn off your water, gas, and electricity. Ken said that the vast majority of calls they got during the first 36 hours after the 1989 quake were gas leak problems. Your gas needs ¼ turn so the line is perpendicular to the pipe. The PG&E standard is that you should be able to move it with a 15” crescent wrench, but it is a good idea to practice by turning it a little to see if it will move. If not, contact PG&E to have them come fix it (it should be free of charge). Turn off the gas if you smell gas, hear the hissing of a gas leak, or the meter is going crazy. Be certain before turning it off as once your gas main is off, PG&E needs to turn it back on, that is not a DIY situation.

If you have to leave your house, turn off your electricity. There could be a fire hazard if electricity is restored and things have shifted or fallen and you do not notice them immediately.

What to do During the Emergency:

KIT

What should go in the general kit?

Other ideas

Resource websites available at the San Jose Prepare Brochure Phone numbers
Santa Clara OES 408.808.7800
San Jose OES 408.277.4598

Submitted by Scott Blake,
2nd Vice President.

City response

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Amateur radio
CERT – Community Emergency Response Team San Jose Prepared