The City of San Jose received the 2022 Innovation Award from the San Jose Chamber of Commerce, for the Al Fresco Dining program during the COVID-19 pandemic. This award recognizes a leader that, within the past year, has demonstrated the innovative spirit that makes San Jose and Silicon Valley a world leader in forward thinking policies that lift people around the globe.

In accepting the honor on behalf of the City. Blage Zelalich noted that providing a way for businesses to operate during the pandemic public health closures involved cooperation between 10 City departments -- PW, DOT, Fire, Police, PBCE, PRNS, IT, OCA, CAO and OEDCA.

The award statement noted: "It is no overstatement to say the work the city did on this initiative was a lifesaver for so many small businesses," Watch the Chamber's video of Blage's acceptance on behalf of the City.