Flood Risk Coordination with Valley Water

At a glance

• What: At a joint special meeting with the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board on October 13, 2026, the Council and Board heard an update on El Niño preparedness for the 2026-2027 rainy season.
• Where it stands: On a motion by Mayor Mahan seconded by Councilmember Kamei, Council directed staff, by 11-0-0, to return after coordinating with Valley Water on added flood-risk analysis (including hot spots), long-term flood risk reduction strategies and options for dividing roles between Valley Water and the City.
• Next: Staff return date not set. Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit and Coyote Creek Flood Protection updates were deferred to the next joint meeting.

Presenters

Valley Water's chief operating officer and an emergency division officer; for the City, Director Provenzano and Director Riordan.

Public comment

Six speakers (four in person, two virtual including Jordan Moldow) addressed El Niño preparedness and two in-person speakers addressed the dam item. Positions are not recorded.

Deferred items

Vice Mayor Foley announced that Items 2.2 (Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit and Coyote Creek Flood Protection updates) and 2.3 go to the next joint meeting; no action. Vice Mayor Foley also presented a commendation to Chair Estremera for his Board service. These are draft minutes not yet approved.

Sources

• Joint City Council and Santa Clara Valley Water District Board special meeting draft minutes, October 13, 2026: https://sanjose.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=1453020&GUID=654B8069-5330-40AB-8408-9FFBE82590AC

Log

2026-11-10 - City Council

The El Nino report requested at the October 13 joint Council and Valley Water meeting comes back with the local emergency proclamation; see El Nino Local Emergency.

2026-10-13 - Joint Meeting with Valley Water

Direction to staff adopted 11-0-0; two items deferred. Minutes still marked draft.