Two fire departments are responsible for fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescue services, hazardous and toxic materials emergency response, in town and in hills. Cal Fire also help suppress wild fires in our hills.
Firefighters on roof of Oo La Lodge during training session.
List of Fire Departments responsible for fires in the city proper and in the hillsides
Milpitas Fire Department 77 S Main St
Responsible for fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescue services, hazardous and toxic materials emergency response, coordination of City-wide disaster response efforts, enforcement of fire and life safety codes, enforcement of State and Federal hazardous materials regulations, and investigation of fire cause, arson and other emergency events for cause and origin. 408-586-2800
To report Emergencies Dial 911 from any phone.
Spring Valley Volunteer Fire Department
Provides fire safety and emergency medical services for residents, recreational enthusiasts, and property in the north-eastern foothills above San Jose and Milpitas, California.
Located in: Ed R. Levin County Park
Address: 3001 Calaveras Rd 408-228-3997
Cal Fire
The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection serves and safeguards the people and protects the property and resources of California. Serves Milpitas through help with wildfires in our hills. Incidents Overview
Plenty of places to get your clothing washed, dry cleaned or altered in Milpitas. Check here for independent Dry Cleaners, Alterations, and Laundromats. Many clothing stores in the Great Mall also offer alterations for clothing bought in those stores, but these are not listed here.
Coin-Op Laundry Milpitas
Yelp Reviews. “I’ve never had a problem with this place. It gets the job done, clothes are not shrunk/faded/ destroyed, place is clean, well maintained, different sized washing machines, extra large dryers, space to fold clothes (though not allowed during COVID), neighborhood is not creepy, 7-Eleven next door, lots of parking in the plaza, people keep to themselves, they take credit cards, and they’re open til midnight.
They don’t have instructions for adding time to the dryers (which gave me trouble when I was a newbie), so I included a photo that may be helpful. You have to press enter for every 4 minutes you want to add, then slide your card, then press start.” 588 N Abel St. 408-262-0771
Drop-N-Go Cleaners & Alterations
Yelp Reviews. “I trust my dresses with Kim and Tammy! They do very high quality work and quickly too. They’re also very friendly and welcoming into their little shop. My mom and I were also thankful that despite all the issues with my dress, they surprised us with a little discount. Ever since then we’ve been faithful customers!” 104 Dixon Rd. 408-946-3767
Executive Cleaners
Yelp Reviews. We offer Same Day Service for Pants Hem Alterations! We Dry Clean, Laundry and Press, Wash & Fold, Leather and Suede, Comforters, Linens, Draperies and more. Professional Alterations. Free pick-up and delivery for business accounts. 1220 S Abel St. 408-945-0110
Holiday Cleaners
Yelp Reviews. Every time I’ve gone here my things have gotten done on time and came back clean every time. I am in the Navy so she has sewn my uniform pieces correctly on my uniform by just looking at pictures. Will recommend to everyone I run into until I get stationed somewhere else. 146 W Calaveras Blvd 408-719-0702
and 1747 Clear Lake Ave 408-262-0660
Michael’s Cleaners
Yelp reviews. “This place is a wonderful little shop that has been around Milpitas for as long as I can remember. I have been going here for years and I have never been disappointed, the woman there is always extremely friendly and pleasant to talk to. This place has made my wardrobe look amazing” 1309 Jacklin Rd. 408-263-7775
Milpitas Wash & Dry Laundry
Yelp reviews. “Came for the first time to do laundry on a Sunday and I am glad that there were not alot of people in the laundrymat. The located is at the back of the strip mall were Lucky supermarket is located, parking can be tricky if its your first time as there were construction on the sides of the vicinity that blocks one from getting from the front parking lot to the back lot. We had to go out to the road and do a u turn by Wells Fargo bank.” 1350 S Park Victoria Dr Ste 39 408-520-0095
We had to show proof of vaccination against COVID, but then we were free to mix and enjoy spare ribs and fries, and drinks of our choices.
Chamber Ambassadors?, Marcella Nichols, Henry Nichols, Tamara OverackerTamara Overacker, Pampered Chef, T.O. BookkeepingHenry Nichols, Oh Henry DJ ServicesJonna and Karen JamesFrank J. De SmidtKelly Yip-Chuan Platinum Realty & Finance GroupEvelyn Chua, City CouncilWarren Wettenstein and Rob MeansAnand Kuchibhotla. University of Silicon AndhraSharon Dyson, St. Elizabeth Knight SoundsDarissa Acosta, Poppy Bank
Milpitas neighborhood associations, coalitions, and a lively mail lists to communicate with members about local issues and events.
Associations
Centria Homeowners in Milpitas, CA
Private for neighbors only. This new master plan condominium community offers the latest in fine-living amenities. The “Texas Wrap” construction places the multi-level garage in the center allowing residents to park on the floor on which they live. Community pool, meeting rooms, lush landscaping, walk to the VTA and The Great Mall…all make Centria the perfect location for a carefree lifestyle.
Sunnyhills Board Members
Sunnyhills Neighborhood Association
A volunteer group of homeowners and residents of the Sunnyhills neighborhood who are active in trying to improve our neighborhood, and thus, the city of Milpitas, through positive activities and programs! Facebook page.
The Mission of the Sunnyhills Neighborhood Association in Milpitas is to:
● Provide instruction in civic responsibility and community service;
● Enhance and support education to local residents in art, music, and science;
● Sponsor activities and public performances which enhance the quality of life for all residents in the area;
● Sponsor special events and public gatherings to promote a sense of community well-being and cohesion;
● Sponsor and conduct activities and social gatherings which bridge cultural gaps between different ethnic and cultural segments of the community.
The SNA Board of Directors (2021) include President Allysson McDonald, Secretary Yolie Garcia, Treasurer Rob Means, and Board members BJ Navarro and Demetress Morris.
Coalitions of Neighborhood Associations
United Neighborhoods of Santa Clara County
United Neighborhoods of Santa Clara County (UNSCC) is a coalition of neighborhood associations and homeowner’s associations in Santa Clara County who have come together for the purposes of education, communication and common action. United Neighborhoods of Santa Clara County is a nonprofit (501c3) corporation, and it provides insurance and other benefits to member neighborhoods.
UNSCC is made up of member neighborhood associations and homeowner associations and governed by its Board of Directors. Annual membership dues are $200.00.
On June 9, 2021, Detectives from the Milpitas Police Department and Investigators from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office concluded a two year long pimping and pandering investigation with the arrest of David Davies, a 57-year old male, and his wife, Larong Hu, a 38-year old female, both Milpitas residents. The couple was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail for pimping and pandering and felony conspiracy charges. Both suspects are being held on a $350,000 bail.
The investigation began in December of 2019, when detectives from the Milpitas Police Department and Investigators from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office identified a brothel in the City of Milpitas. During the investigation, detectives located additional brothels throughout the county and served search warrants in Milpitas, San Jose, and Palo Alto. The investigation resulted in the rescue of six female victims and the seizure of nearly two million dollars.
The rescued victims were immediately provided services through Community Solutions, an organization that provides critical services for victims of Human Trafficking.
Six female victims of human trafficking were rescued, and $2 million was seized in the investigation. The rescued victims were provided services through Community Solutions, an organization that provides critical services for victims of human trafficking, according to police.
Davies and Hu were taken into custody in the 100 block of Tiger Lily Drive, (across Main St. from Pavalkis Hall) on suspicion of crimes related to human trafficking, and are being held on $350,000 bail.
The Milpitas Police Department would like to thank the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office for their role in this joint investigation, and members of the U.S. Department of State – Diplomatic Security Services for their contributions.
If you or someone you know are the victim of Human Trafficking, please call 9-1-1 immediately or call the 24-Hour National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Callers can also reach the hotline by texting 233733 to initiate online chats. Human Trafficking victims, whether U.S. Citizens or not, are eligible for services including immigration assistance.
Additional services are also available through community and county-based programs, such as:
Community Solutions
We provide critical services for children, teens, adults, and families who are facing times of crisis, ranging from mental health and substance use challenges to domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. We provide services in Santa Clara County and San Benito County.
24-Hour Crisis Line: 1.877.END.SADV (1-877-363-7238)
South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking
Our mission is to ensure the protection of victims, the prosecution of offenders, and the prevention of human trafficking and slavery through an effective coordinated partnership.
2-1-1 for community resources throughout the U.S.
Freedom House – The Nest
Freedom House is a non-profit organization with a mission to bring hope, restoration, and a new life to survivors of human trafficking by providing a safe home and long-term aftercare. 408-826-4436
Santa Clara County Gateway Program
Search your area’s comprehensive directory to find services related to behavioral health, crisis services, and substance use.
How to get in, around and out of Milpitas on VTA buses and Light Rail, and also with BART. (See Intercity Trains.)
Access
511.org – Rideshare
Ridesharing benefits include access to the Bay Area’s growing network of carpool lanes, free park-and-ride lots, and a host of commute incentives.
Commuter Benefit Solutions
Commuter Benefit Solutions is a convenient way for businesses to subsidize their employees’ commute to work by public transit and vanpooling.
Discount Fare Card
A regional transit discount card program, which provides substantially reduced fares on Bay Area bus, rail and ferry systems to qualified persons with disabilities and seniors 65 and older. [SFBATI]
Look Up a 511 Stop ID
Need to find a Stop ID for 511’s Phone Service Real-Time Departures? Use the Stop ID lookup tool on this page.
Smart Pass
The Standard SmartPass is valid on all VTA local buses and light rail. The Express SmartPass is valid on all VTA service in addition to the VTA Express bus, Dumbarton Express, Highway 17, and Monterey- Downtown San Jose Express service.
Transit Destinations
A list of the region’s frequently used or most popular tourist sites, government buildings, shopping malls, transit terminals, theaters and other such facilities, along with the transit agencies and routes that serve them. [SFBATI]
Bus & Light Rail
Fare Changes are Coming: Know Before You Go
With EZfare, you can purchase passes for special events, day passes and single ride fares with two hours of free transfers right on your smartphone. From here you can download the EZfare app from the Apple App Store and Google Play now.
Fares, Passes And Tickets
Exact fare required, operators do not carry change. All Youth and Senior/Disabled/Medicare fares are valid on VTA Express Bus service without an upgrade payment. Children under 5 ride free with adult or parent.
Light Rail Opening 2004
2.6M Slide show movie of the opening of the light rail line at the Great Mall June 23, 2004.
Moovit
Set up to show public transit way to get from Milpitas to downtown San Jose. Edit to go from your home to your destination.
2021 Transit Service Plan
Restoring transit service will be a gradual process and evaluating multiple transit plan scenarios will help us transition smoothly out of “COVID Service” to a 2021 Transit Service Plan.
VTA Park & Ride Lots
I-880 Light Rail Park & Ride Lot
Transit Service: Tasman Light Rail, Bus Routes 33, 140, 330, and AC Transit 217
Parking Spaces: 569 (12 Long Term Airport Parking Spaces)
Great Mall Transit Center
Transit Service: Santa Teresa to Alum Rock via Baypointe Light Rail, Bus Routes 33, 46, 47, 59, 66, 70, 71, 77, 104, 140, 180, and AC Transit 217
Parking Spaces: 93
Comments: Shelter, Bench, Bike Lockers, Phones
Need help planning a trip?
For a personalized trip plan with BART and connecting transit, call the BART Transit Information Center.
VTA Schedules, Maps and Fares
We’re here to help you figure out the best route, provide the schedule and fare information you need, map out a personalized transit trip plan just for you, and even put you in touch with others in your area so you can rideshare.
VTA Watch
“Although San Jose and Milpitas are building higher density, the density proposed will not generate enough riders [for BART], and the density needed to generate enough riders will not receive community support.”
VTA Boards and Commissions
Governing Board of Directors, Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Citizens Advisory Commitee, Committee for Transit Accessibility, Policy Advisory Committee, and Technical Advisory Committee.
Programs
CalTrans Office of Local Programs
The purpose of Local Programs is to assist local agencies taking advantage of state and federal funded transportation programs.
Emergency Ride Home Voucher
With the ERH, commuters at participating employers using a rideshare mode (e.g., public transportation, carpool, vanpool, etc.) can count on a ride home in the event of a personal illness, unscheduled overtime, or other qualifying personal emergencies. Print out and use this form for your taxi.
This page is about the laws and legislation that Milpitas abides by, and those officials in charge of seeing that we do abide by them, and what to do if you feel there is a need to change a law.
About Milpitas
Elected Officials Representing Milpitas
Contact information, links to the various government sites and officials’ home pages. From city council, school board, county supervisor, state and federal representatives.
City of Milpitas
City of Milpitas
This is the City Government’s web site. The site is designed to distribute information from City Hall to the citizens of Milpitas.
County of Santa Clara
The County of Santa Clara, also referred to as “Silicon Valley,” is unique because of its combination of physical attractiveness and economic diversity.
Santa Clara County Supervisors Vote to Keep Current Sanctuary County Policy
Every police chief in the county, except for Sunnyvale, signed a letter urging supervisors to allow ICE to be notified when a violent criminal was about to be released. There was disappointment when the board voted not to change the policy. “We already have ICE picking up individuals in our community every day,” said Priya Murthy with Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network. “We don’t need to be giving them more avenues and be able to instill fear in our communities.” By Damian Trujillo • Published June 4, 2019 • Updated on June 5, 2019 at 6:18 am
Department of Social Services (CDSS)
The mission of the California Department of Social Services is to serve, aid, and protect needy and vulnerable children and adults in ways that strengthen and preserve families, encourage personal responsibility, and foster independence.
Good Neighbor Fence Act of 2013
California Civil Code 841 requires that “adjoining landowners shall share equally in the responsibility for maintaining the boundaries and monuments between them.” In this case “monuments” means the fence. In part, the statute says: “Adjoining landowners are presumed to share an equal benefit from any fence dividing their properties and, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties in a written agreement, shall be presumed to be equally responsible for the reasonable costs of construction, maintenance, or necessary replacement of the fence.”
Forms
Business Licenses
Frequently asked questions answered on the City Business License Center.
Building Permits – Online Permitting System (E-Permits)
The new E-Permits will allow customers to apply for and obtain certain types of Residential building permits on-line without leaving their home or office. Examples of permits available online include the following: Water heater and furnace replacement, bathroom and kitchen remodels, re-roofs and others. This system is available 24 hours a day – 7 days a week.
Tax Forms and Publications – IRS
Information on electronic filing, small business advice, and ordering CD-rom. Information about the Advance Payment Check.
Laws
The Brown Act
California Codes Government Code Section 54950-54962 54950. In enacting this chapter, the Legislature finds and declares that the public commissions, boards and councils and the other public agencies in this State exist to aid in the conduct of the people’s business. It is the intent of the law that their actions be taken openly and that their deliberations be conducted openly.
The Brown Act
From the CFAC: California First Amendment Coalition:
The people of this State do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created.
Brown Act Primer
What notice must be given of a public meeting? Closed Sessions: When may the public be excluded?
Flag Display A GO MILPITAS! RESOURCE
Due to controversy over the display of the flag of China, I thought it worth my while to create this page for our citizens and officials. This is from the Cornell University’s Law Resources site on how and when to display the American Flag and other flags.
Laws of California
“Hey! They can’t do that, can they?” Need to see if it’s legal in California? Welcome to the California Law section of FindLaw’s State Law collection. This section contains user-friendly summaries of California laws as well as citations or links to relevant sections of California’s statutes. Please select a topic from the list on this link to get started.
Megan’s Law
We try to keep our community as safe as possible. One way is by providing this map so you can tell if there is a sex offender in the area where you live or learn or play.
Milpitas Municipal Code
The Code is organized by subject matter under an expandable three-factor decimal numbering system which is designed to facilitate supplementation without disturbing the numbering of existing provisions. Each section number designates, in sequence, the numbers of the title, chapter, section and subsection. Thus, Section III-1-6.02 is Subsection .02 of Section 6, located in Chapter 1 of Title III. It is kept fairly current.
I will try to be as specific here to Milpitas residents as possible about how to prepare for emergencies such as wild fires, earthquakes, and sometimes floods. The preparation for all three are the same, but you will get more warning for some than others.
Buy or rent in areas generally far from the wild lands of the east hills. Every section of those hills have had a fire at one time or another, though the scars have long faded as new grass returns. So far fires there have not crossed Piedmont Road, but warnings to prepare for evacuation have been giving to those in neighborhoods on the west side of that road.
Never get a home at the top or bottom of a cliff, even if the view is great. Look at the hills. It is fairly easy to see where there has been running water and sections of the hills have slipped.
Avoid areas that have flooded in the past. That creek may look charming and harmless now, but can become a torrent in heavy rains. The creeks have been fortified, true, but that once in a lifetime flood could still happen. Coyote Creek area can liquefy during a quake.
There is no escaping the fact that our hills were formed by the Calaveras Fault. We will always have earthquakes, but most aren’t bad…yet. The 2003 Working Group for California Earthquake Probability assigned an 11% probability that the Calaveras Fault would produce a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake in the next 30 years. See the shake map on our Earthquake page.
I know your mom told you to put your clothes back in the closet or laundry hamper each night. Here in Milpitas leave your shoes next to the side of the bed away from a window, and the clothes you just wore nearby, ready to put on should you prefer not to run from your home naked. You can always put the clothes away in the morning. Your bedroom window may break, so don’t place your bed right near it. Assume glass may have gotten in your shoes, so inspect first. Keep a sweatshirt or jacket nearby, even in hot summer weather. Nights can be cool around here.
Keep your medications in box or drawer you could grab fast to take with you. You may need to take extra precautions if you have small children to keep that box or drawer locked. I use a pretty box I found at Michaels.
Keep a flashlight and a battery operated radio in your bedroom, so you can find out what is going on. Should you get trapped, also have a loud whistle. Remember that the call for help is three short bursts, three long bursts, then three short bursts. Wait a little bit to start it up again.
Everything but the clothes could go in a big enough box for your medications.
Know where every family member is at any time of the day or night. You will need to round them up and get them all to safety.
Keep you car’s gas tank always half full minimum, or fully charged each night.
Get everyone over age 12 trained in first aid and emergency preparedness through a youth program such as Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, Red Cross, local CERT team, or whatever source you can find. Businesses often train teams of employees in these skills.
Make a 72-hour Survival Kit in Advance
You will probably save money and have exactly the stuff you really use if you prepare an Emergency To Go Bag yourself. Many items can be found at local pharmacies, hardware, groceries, and sporting goods stores.
Water – there’s NOTHING more important! You’ll need one gallon of water per person, per day. And you should plan for at least three days. So if there are 5 people in your family, that’s 5 gallons of water per day for three days, equaling 15 gallon of water at the ready!
Food. Choose something nonperishable that’s easy to store and carry, like canned goods or freeze-dried food. Remember a can opener!
Flashlight – remember extra batteries!
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio – NOAA Weather is best.
Medications – any prescription drugs you or your family need to live, plus over-the-counter items you use like aspirin or allergy meds. Remember an extra pair of glasses if you wear corrective lenses!
Multi-purpose tool and duct tape
Sanitation and personal hygiene items – Remember a roll of toilet paper and hand sanitizer, feminine products
Copies of personal documents – birth certificate, Social Security card, driver’s license, deed/lease to home, passports, insurance policies plus list of medications. Put all of these in a plastic ziplock bag. If you have the means, scan all important documents and store in one of your cloud accounts. Be sure to have ID and Password to your Cloud account written down.
Your backup hard drive or laptop
Cell phone with chargers, but prepare to deal without them, too.
Family and emergency contact information – and keep this not only in your mobile phone, but in a separate book. If you have no ability to charge a dead mobile phone, you’ll need those contacts written down and accessible.
Cash – if there are widespread power outages, ATMs don’t work, and stores won’t be able to process debit and credit cards. In a widespread emergency, cash is still king! Jewelry that could be traded in desperation might also be handy.
Emergency blanket – light-weight foil blankets are easiest to pack and carry
Map(s) of the area. Drop by the AAA store near Staples to get some.
Masks for COVID protection.
3 Kits Are Better Than 1
Everyone needs a survival kit. In California, families need to be prepared for wildfire and earthquake emergencies in particular. It’s a good idea to not only pack an emergency kit that you keep at home, but to have one at work, and one in your car.
Do NOT store near your chimney, swimming pool, large trees, or anything else that might fall down in an earthquake or wet supplies in heavy rain. A jam packed garage is also not the best place. In a small place, you may want to disguise your kit as a coffee table or footrest.
Prepare for your Babies and Kids
You know best what your children might really need, so prepare to have duplicates in their To Go bags. Ideas here from the CDC.
You may want to write your name and cell phone number with indelible ink on your child, should you become separated, and they be unable to give a responder that information. Same thing can be done on large pets with spray paint.
Remember to Prepare for Your Pets.
WATER!
Collar
Leash
ID/License
Food
Carrier
Bowl
Where to Flee
This is where things get interesting. You really must prepare your escape routes ahead of time, depending on if you might be at home, work or school.
If the East Hills are on fire, go west, toward Mountain View, on 237. But in an earthquake or flood, the Coyote Creek could be flooded or the area around it liquified, and unpassable.
680 north has slides and faults going under it. Know those dips near where Mission Blvd. goes under the freeway and your coffee spills? Land gives way there continuously, and during a big quake, that section will give way.
880 has major overpasses that could give way. It is closest to the Bay so could liquify going north. In the ’85 quake, large sections disappeared up in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Wouldn’t want to be up there in fire season either.
Now Piedmont Road, up against the hills, can get you pretty far south without any bridges. And eventually you could get on 101 South. But Anderson Reservoir dam could give way and flood 101.
As our major source of earthquakes is the Calaveras Fault, you do not want to try to escape an earthquake here by going up in the hills via Calaveras Blvd. Epicenter is often at the Calaveras Reservoir. Fires and landslides, too, are more likely in the hills than down in the valley. That’s a pretty tough drive even in the best of times.
If you are in the middle of town, take Abel St. south and continue south on Oakland Road. Or Milpitas Blvd. north to Warm Springs into Fremont, depending on source of danger.
So, my recommendation: after an earthquake, if your home is safe, plan to stay put in your home or yard, or tent in a City Park until help comes.
Frequently asked questions about rotating outages
These outages should last between 1 to 2 hours for most customers. These are not Public Safety Power Shutoffs due to extreme fire danger, and are not related to any issues with PG&E’s equipment or its ability to deliver energy locally. [Editor: so why is power being shut off, eh, PG&E]
Enter your street address on this page to get your planned outage number. Then return to the main link to get possible time of outage.
CAL ISO’s Outlook for Today
Current and forecasted demand.
Demand trend: System demand, in megawatts, compared to the forecasted demand in 5-minute increments.
Net demand trend: System demand minus wind and solar, in 5-minute increments, compared to total system and forecasted demand.
ISO System Status
Displays current system status and active and pending market notices (Alerts, Warnings and Staged Emergency notices).
News Releases – The California ISO
We invite anyone who would like to keep up with the latest energy news to check out News Releases on a regular basis.
Calpine
Calpine
San Jose-based corporation, builder of natural gas power generation facilities.
Conservation Tips
14 simple ways to save energy while working from home
‘It’s important to feel comfortable in your home, especially during these tough times when we are spending more time than ever in the house. However, this doesn’t mean that your energy bills need to spiral out of control.’
Energy Saving Tips
Take your free 5 minute Home Energy Checkup today. Find out how much of your home energy goes to heating, hot water, appliances, lighting and other uses.
Flex Alert
A Flex Alert is a call for consumers to conserve electricity during heat waves when power use outstrips electricity supply and other challenging grid conditions, such as when power plants or power lines are unexpectedly unavailable making electricity deliveries difficult. Follow @flexalert
Go Solar California
This site provides consumers a “one-stop shop” for information on rebates, tax credits, and incentives for solar energy systems in California.
Education for Children
Electricity 4 Kids
I want to find out more about electricity and electronics.
Energy Science Smart
Order free booklets about safety around electricity and natural gas. Have fun on their E-Smart Kids site for kids.
Science Fair Experiments from Energy Kids Learn the keys to a successful science fair project and find links to energy experiments, courtesy of the National Energy Education Development Project. Get the Guide to Planning a Science Fair Project. Watch the award-winning, 15 minute, cartoon Prepare for the Science Fair.
Loans, Rebates, etc.
Energy Efficiency Financing
The California Energy Commission’s Energy Efficiency Financing Program provides financing for schools, hospitals and local governments through low-interest loans for feasibility studies and the installation of energy-efficiency measures.
Energy Star
How you can improve your home, business or school with energy-saving appliances and use.
Go Solar California
Provides California consumers a “one-stop shop” for information on solar programs, rebates, tax credits, and information on installing and interconnecting solar electric and solar thermal systems. The site has information on program rules, including eligible equipment and standards, as well as information on how to find an eligible, licensed solar contractor.
PG&E – Pacific Gas & Electric Company
1-800-743-5000
PG&E’s emergency power outage information line. Lots of good emergency links. Form for less pressing concerns.
CALL 811 BEFORE YOU DIG!
Underground Service Alert (USA) is a free service for homeowners, excavators and professional contractors who are digging, blasting, trenching, drilling, grading, or excavating.
California Energy Commission
The California Energy Commission is the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency. Created by the Legislature in 1974 and located in Sacramento, the Commission has five major responsibilities.
California ISO
The electricity picture in California is a complex interaction of many entities. This page attempts to pull together resources to help you understand and navigate the California electric market.
Frequently Asked Questions
We provide Milpitas residential and commercial electricity customers with clean, carbon free electricity options at competitive prices, from sources like solar, wind and hydropower. We source the electricity, and PG&E delivers it over existing utility lines, and continues to do maintenance, billing and customer service. This type of model is known as Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) or Community Choice Energy (CCE).
It’s All About Choice MILPITAS CUSTOMERS: If you received a notice that your generation service is changing to SVCE, and you want to enjoy the benefits of clean energy at competitive rates, you don’t need to do anything – you will be automatically enrolled into GreenStart beginning in June 2018.
SOLAR CUSTOMERS: Please see our rooftop solar page for more info about your enrollment schedule and Net Energy Metering choice with SVCE.
Many wild animals make their home in the hillsides of Milpitas, and sometimes make their way into back yards. We often see raccoons, gray squirrels, bats, garter snakes, opossums, skunks, and roof rats.
Animals in Your Home or Business
If a wild animal or injured bird is in your yard, here is what to do:
In San Jose, Milpitas, Los Gatos, Cupertino, or Saratoga:
Call: San Jose Animal Care and Services at (408)794-7297. They will transport the animal to WCSV- it is not safe for you to handle or transport.
AAA Creature Catchers
If you need a professional wildlife trapper in San Jose, CA call 408-338-0560. Our range extends from Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Campbell, to Milpitas.
Alviso Boat Tour Due to COVID-19 and the current shelter-in-place, we will place the Alviso Boat Tours on-hold until further notice. You can call it a floating classroom for guests who will travel past the salt marshes alongside the Alviso Slough out to where Coyote Creek meets the open waters of San Francisco Bay.
Bay Nature
A new quarterly magazine dedicated to the intelligent and joyful exploration of the natural places of the San Francisco Bay Area and the species that inhabit them.
Wildlife Education Programs
Because our valley provides excellent homes for many species of wildlife, you can find anything from a tiny hummingbird to a large raccoon in our backyards and city parks. Despite the fact that your yard supports wildlife so well, problems occasionally arise with them living so close to people. For example, what would you do with a bird your cat brought to you? Hopefully the suggestions will help prevent potential problems and help us coexist with our wild neighbors.
Coyote Ridge: Treasure of the Santa Clara Valley
Imagine a place of sweeping vistas, singing grass, wildflowers, eagles, falcons, coyotes, but few people. All this within view of the third largest metropolis in America. All this two miles from an interstate highway. The hills on the eastern side of the Santa Clara Valley, known collectively as the Diablo Range, are made up of a rock known as serpentinite.
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Field trip information. Bring your class to one of the nation’s largest urban wildlife refuges for your next field trip. It’s fun, it’s interesting, and your students will remember what they learn at the refuge for years to come. Official site
Urban Wildlife Research Project
To help maintain California’s natural genetic diversity, UWRP’s goal is to map, protect, and enhance the corridors that wildlife use to travel from one region to another. We will partner with other wildlife organizations and government agencies to research and link the wildlife corridors to create a San Francisco Bay Area Wildlife Corridor to ensure the protection of the region’s rich natural heritage.
What is a habitat conservation plan (HCP)?
An HCP is a document that meets federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) requirements and enables local agencies to allow projects and activities to occur in endangered species’ habitats. In exchange, those projects and activities must incorporate HCP-prescribed measures to avoid, minimize, or compensate for adverse effects on natural communities and endangered species.
Youth Science Institute
A natural science museum serving Santa Clara County in Northern California with three sites, the Youth Science Institute focuses on the delicate interrelationship of people with the natural world.
Wild Animals
Bats
The ones most common in Santa Clara County are the pallid bat, the Yuma bat, the Mexican free-tailed bat, the red bat, the hoary bat, the big brown bat, the silver haired bat, and the canyon bat. The vast majority of bats are insectivores and the rest feed on fruit, mice, and small vertebrates. Because so many bats consume insects, they are very valuable in keeping the insect population down. One bat can catch hundreds of insects in an hour.
Bay Area Puma Project
The Bay Area Puma Project will make a major contribution by gathering and linking habitat and physiology data. The project includes an advisory group of puma researchers and conservationists who will provide input and guidance over the course of the study.
Bobcat
This cute little bobcat came wandering up to our house about a month ago in the morning while my brother and I were watching TV.
The Coyote
A pack of coyotes can frequently be heard howling in the east hills. A pack of coyotes is frequently seen and heard in Ben Rodgers Park, where they raid the garbage cans and terrorize pets left outside at night.
Living with California Mountain Lions
Generally, mountain lions are calm, quiet and elusive. But once in awhile, Milpitans living along the east hillside have spotted one in their back yards.
Opossum
If you see an opossum by the side of the road between March and September, check to see if it’s a female with babies in its pouch. When they are four or five inches long, they start leaving the pouch to ride on their mother’s back. When they have reached seven to eight inches body length, they leave the parent to make their own way in the world.
Raccoons
In urban settings, in addition to feeding on backyard fruits, nuts, and vegetables, they scavenge from garbage cans and compost piles. Pet food left outside overnight ranks high as a food resource and then, of course, some people deliberately provide food for raccoons.
San Francisco Garter Snake
Most who appreciate wildlife will agree that the San Francisco Garter Snake is California’s most beautiful snake. The bright orange head, combined with dazzling black and red stripes, is impressive enough, but the pale stripes and belly are washed with the most delicate turquoise. It is just a wonderful serpent.
Squirrels
For a majority of Californians, the tree squirrels in our neighborhoods will be one or more of three species: the native western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus), the introduced eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), and the introduced eastern fox squirrel (Scirus niger). A good way to tell western gray from the others is to look at the color of the fur on the face.
Tarantula
Tarantulas found in Milpitas are quiet creatures that live in burrows. Their bite is no more dangerous to people than the sting of a bee. Their size and hairiness, however, can give people a fright.
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
These serpents should be considered armed and dangerous with a well-developed fang and poison delivery system.
Seen other wild animals within the city or in the hills? Contact your web host, Ann Zeise.
Plenty of places to get your clothing washed, dry cleaned or altered in Milpitas. Check here for independent Dry Cleaners, Alterations, and Laundromats. Many clothing stores in the Great Mall also offer alterations for clothing bought in those stores, but these are not listed here.
On June 9, 2021, Detectives from the 
