Guest View

2017 will be a memorable year for Santa Clara County, especially for water resources management.It was the year that broke our state’s longest dry streak with record-setting precipitation. A year of transition between extremes—from drought to floods. A year for big decisions on the future of our water supply. And it was a year to redouble our commitment to preparing for wet and dry years to ensure safe, clean water for a healthy life, environment and economy for the Silicon Valley.As Board Chair of the Santa Clara Valley Water District, I am proud to reflect on some of the year’s highlights.  A historic flood along Coyote Creek was a vivid reminder that flood risks persist in our county, and our hearts go out to those affected. Despite our investments of close to $1 billion in flood protection projects over several decades protecting nearly 100,000 parcels, our work is far from complete. The Coyote Creek flood has ignited a new urgency in our fight to reduce flood risks and help keep communities safe.This year, we completed the Lower Silver Creek Flood Protection Project in east San Jose. The project extends approximately 4.4 miles from its connection at Coyote Creek to Cunningham Avenue. When the Lake Cunningham detention basin is complete, it will protect approximately 3,800 homes and businesses.  After the Coyote Creek flood in February, my colleagues and I led advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., to seek federal funding and support changes to the regulatory process, which has delayed many important flood protection projects. At home, we took immediate action to build short-term flood barriers at the Rock Springs neighborhood, remove invasive vegetation along Coyote Creek and remove downed trees and potential creek blockages. The board also approved new operating parameters at Anderson and Coyote reservoirs to create more storage space, further reducing the chance of flooding.In one of the most critical decisions of the year, the water district board voted to participate in the California WaterFix project to improve the infrastructure that carries water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Our board developed a list of seven guiding principles to examine a less costly, scaled-down and staged project that would serve Silicon Valley’s needs, as well as those of our partner agencies.To further improve reliability of our imported water supply sources, we applied for $484.5 million in state funding for the potential expansion of the Pacheco Reservoir. Located about 13 miles southwest of San Luis Reservoir, this project offers emergency and drought-year supply, fish habitat enhancement, flood protection and other benefits.  Another way we are preparing for the future is through expanding the use of recycled water.No doubt about it, 2017 was a forward-moving year. I wouldn’t expect anything less for the Silicon Valley, and I am humbled to have led the efforts this year. Follow more of what we accomplished throughout the year in our 2017 annual report, available at valleywater.org.John Varela represents District 1—which includes Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy and hills east of San Jose and Milpitas—on the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors. He can be reached at [email protected].

Welcome Members of the Morgan Hill Unified Board of Trustees, Principal Sage, Graduates, Parents, Guardians, Guests and Faculty to our 2022 Ann Sobrato High School Graduation ceremony. My name is Carmen García, Superintendent of the Morgan Hill Unified School District.   Class of 2022, It is...

In late November 2015, a plan of sorts was proposed by the city of Morgan Hill where water rates for hillside communities would be raised considerably. Depending on where you lived, starting in 2016 some residents would pay up to 300 percent more than the previous year. It was argued that it was only fair since extra costs were incurred to serve the hillside residents.  In early December and after much discussion coupled with a petition submitted to the city council, the planned increase was modified and the city proposed that hillside residents pay a surcharge to cover the electrical cost for pumping water up to hillside properties. This will become a “done deal” later this month when addressed by the city council.I’m in my fortieth year of living in Jackson Oaks, and I believe it is ill advised to create classes of ratepayers when paying for city services. I’m against this approach as I believe it is divisive to the city at large.In my neighborhood, there are no curbs or sidewalks and the streets are so narrow that only the brave try parking a car on the street. The amount of street lighting in the hillside is scant versus many areas in the flat land. I can recall seeing a street cleaner once in my 40 years of hillside living. There are no city parks in or close to my neighborhood. All of these have costs tied to them and it’s fair to ask, why are residents asked to pay for unequal amounts of city services?  Remember when the city committed about $5 million (in conjunction with the Santa Clara Valley Water District) to renew the out-of-date environmental study for the city flood control project?  Although this was Redevelopment Agency money, hillside residents are probably not going to be underwater.   Do we not all remember when perchlorate threatened some of the city water supply from the Olin Corporation Tennant Avenue facility? Even though not all parts of the city were affected, a citywide surcharge was imposed to pay for equipment to filter out the perchlorate at contaminated wells.The police know the areas in the city where their resource is spent, just as they know where there is less (or little) crime or public safety issues. Why not create classes of ratepayers in the city to make it fair? Use more, pay more.What does this have to do with paying for the electrical power to pump water to hillside residents?  Let’s be clear: Morgan Hill is a city, and city services should come with a flat rate structure for all services, including water.  I don’t support classes of users allocated on costs. The perchlorate citywide surcharge was just. The notion that police costs should be set up by zone is nuts. I defend the city’s flood control expenditures. As for Jackson Oaks’ narrow streets, absence of parks or minimal street lighting, I knew this when I moved here.Also when I moved here, and for 40 years after, all city residents paid the same rate for water. It was sound policy then and that wisdom should prevail today.The Morgan Hill City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed water and wastewater rate increases 7 p.m. Jan. 20, at council meeting chambers, 17555 Peak Ave.

Most Bibles begin with the words “In the beginning.” However, the more recently published Hebrew Bibles offer a different translation: “As God was beginning to create…”   A few lines later, we read that the sun, the moon and the stars are created on the fourth...

That times have changed is palpable to all, but how much of it is what you wanted to see? What could be a theme with more depth than, “Be the Change You Want to See” for these times, albeit targeted towards our little ones?...

In early 2015, three clergy colleagues were looking for support and fellowship from other faith leaders in South County.  From the seeds of those relationships emerged the inaugural Interfaith Thanksgiving Service in November 2015. Advent Lutheran Church hosted the multi-faith event, filling the church’s...

When it comes to big infrastructure projects, the Santa Clara Valley Water District believes it’s important to look at the plans for improvements holistically, and from a long-term perspective. That’s the purpose of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), heard May 9 and approved by the Board of Directors.The water district’s 5-year CIP is a rolling plan that describes capital investments planned for the next five fiscal years.The FY 2018-2022 CIP includes 66 projects with proposed funding of $197 million in FY 2018. These projects include 30 water supply projects, from water treatment plant upgrades to seismic retrofitting of dams to pipeline rehabilitation and investments in the Recycled and Purified Water program. They also include 17 flood protection projects along Upper Guadalupe River, Coyote Watershed, San Francisquito Creek, Upper and Lower Llagas Creek and Sunnyvale East/West Channels.Water resources stewardship makes up nine projects from environmental enhancement to mitigation to feasibility studies. There is also money set aside for three building and grounds projects and seven information technology projects. Over the next five years, the planned construction work is estimated to create or sustain 8,000 to 16,000 jobs.The money for the projects included in the CIP comes from a variety of sources, including a special parcel tax, a portion of 1 percent ad valorem property taxes, benefit assessments, groundwater rates, as well as through grants and partnerships with local, state and federal agencies. The CIP is developed in parallel with the fiscal year’s water rates, and to fully fund the water supply projects in the FY 2018-2022 CIP, water rates need to increase by 9.6 percent in North County, which extends to just south of San Jose, and 6.4 percent in South County.Projects included in the CIP are carefully selected to meet the needs of the community and the water district. Projects must meet three criteria: they must conform to the board’s priorities and contribute to the water district’s objectives; have identified funding for the duration of the projects; and be coordinated with the local jurisdiction’s General Plan. The water district solicits community input through the public hearing process. The public hearing opened April 26 and closed May 9.The water district board also weighs in before the draft is assembled to ensure projects fit with the board’s priorities.Once that process is complete, the draft is assembled and made available for review.The public hearing on the CIP concluded at the regular meeting of the water district board of directors. For more information, visitvalleywater.org.Submitted on behalf of the Santa Clara Valley Water District. John Varela represents the district that includes South County on the SCVWD board of directors. He can be contacted at (408) 265-2600 or [email protected].