San José City Council Meeting - May 20, 2025

The San José City Council convened on May 20, 2025, at 9:30 AM for a closed session (labor negotiations update) and at 11 AM for the regular session, which extended into the afternoon. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including a new elected official transition policy, a report on community-led solutions to domestic violence, approval of entertainment zones for 2026 sports events, and an update to supergraphic sign regulations. Several proclamations were presented. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Public Comments & Testimony (Closed Session-Related)

• Return-to-Office Mandate (Item 3.2 - Labor Negotiations Update): Multiple city employees spoke at 9:30 AM before the closed session, urging the council to delay the city's return-to-office mandate (moving from 3 to 4 days in-office) until negotiations with unions are completed. Speakers represented themselves as members of various unions (AEA, Local 21, IFPTE, MEF, CAMP) and departments (Airport, Environmental Services, Housing, Transportation). Key concerns included: inability to care for children or ill family members, increased childcare costs (one speaker cited an additional $2,000 per month), loss of flexibility impacting productivity and retention, and the city's legal obligation to bargain. One speaker noted that the policy is fiscally irresponsible given the budget deficit. The Mayor acknowledged the comments but stated the Council was not conducting labor negotiations in closed session.

Consent Calendar (Items 2.1–2.20)

• All 20 consent calendar items were approved unanimously, except Item 2.18 (Advocacy for Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag Emoji) which was pulled for separate discussion. Key consent items included: final adoption of ordinances (shopping cart prevention, multiple rezoning parcels, multifamily housing incentive program increase from 1,500 to 1,800 units), master service agreements (Environmental Science Associates – $1,000,000; Ultimate Kronos Group – $412,936; DST Consulting – $715,000; The Pun Group – $731,500), contracts for sewer condition assessment ($1,249,140) and sewer improvement ($2,338,470), electric vehicle charger overstay fee, list of pavement maintenance projects eligible for SB 1 funding, and approval of several special events sponsored by Council District 4 and District 6.
• Item 2.18 (Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag Emoji): Councilmember Doan presented a resolution to recognize the yellow flag with three red stripes as an official emoji, honoring the Vietnamese American community. Public speakers expressed strong support, noting its significance as a symbol of freedom, democracy, and remembrance. Many speakers urged Unicode Consortium adoption. The council voted unanimously, with the Mayor stating the city is proud to have the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam.

Discussion Items

• Item 3.3 – New City Council Policy for Seamless Transition of Elected Officials (Policy 0-47): City Clerk Tony Tabor presented a policy to standardize transitions, including requirements for city-based social media accounts, centralization of constituent data (CRM), use of .gov domain by 2029, and inventory of physical assets. A group memo from the Mayor, Candelas, Ortiz, and Cohen clarified that personal social media accounts would not be required to transition, but official city-based accounts must be handed over. Councilmember Kamei submitted a last-minute memo requesting mandatory training on the distinction between official, personal, and campaign social media use. After discussion, the council approved the policy with an amendment (moved by Candelas, seconded by Kamei) directing the City Attorney and City Clerk to collaborate on a training program for officials and staff on social media best practices, to be integrated into the transition process. The effective date for CRM transition remained December 2025; the policy itself takes effect immediately. Vote: unanimous.
• Item 4.1 (25-560) – Community-Led Solutions to Domestic Violence Report: Staff presented findings from a report by the Battered Women's Justice Project (consultants: Dr. Sujata Warrior, Maria Jose Fletcher, Amy Sanchez) in partnership with local nonprofits My Tree and Gaminar. Key findings included: lack of public awareness about what constitutes domestic violence, need for culturally responsive education, importance of community-centered healing, and need for alternative pathways to safety without law enforcement. Recommendations included: investing in community-based organizations, strengthening language/disability access, creating dedicated housing for survivors, and ongoing training. Public commenters (Darcy Green – Latinas Contra Cancer, Sandra Asher – board member at Parents Helping Parents, Kira Kazantis – Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits, Eugene Torres – Family Supportive Housing) urged moving forward with a pilot alternative response program. The Real Coalition submitted a proposal for a pilot design. Councilmember Kamei expressed concern that the $400,000 allocated produced only a study, not a pilot. Staff noted $50,000 remains unspent; a proposed pilot design would require additional funding (estimated $100,000). Councilmember Doan moved approval of the report including memos from colleagues and a directive to explore a pilot design. The motion passed unanimously. The City Manager stated she would issue a budget addendum outlining what $50,000 could purchase for pilot design.
• Item 8.1 – Entertainment Zone Ordinance for 2026 Sports Events: Staff proposed amending the municipal code to establish entertainment zones (per SB 969) allowing to-go alcoholic beverages in designated public areas during special events. Six downtown zones were proposed: San Pedro Street, Po Street, SOFA District, Little Italy, Fountain Alley, and Paseo de San Antonio. A group memo from Mayor, Foley, Kamei, Salas, and Mulcahy added Sharks Way (connecting San Pedro to SAP Center). Councilmember Ortiz submitted a memo to add two stretches of Alum Rock Avenue (East San Jose). Public commenters (Zach Waldron – TBD Events, Gumby – San Jose Downtown Association, Kat Angelov – San Jose Chamber of Commerce) strongly supported, citing economic benefits and activation of downtown for the 2026 World Cup, Super Bowl, and March Madness. Discussion focused on capacity and scale. Councilmember Salas moved to accept staff recommendation plus group memo and Ortiz's first location (Alum Rock near Mexican Heritage Plaza), but not the second larger stretch. The motion was seconded. Assistant Police Chief Schab noted that a 1.6-mile zone would be challenging to staff (2 officers per block). Staff clarified that events can be smaller than the zone boundary. The motion passed unanimously. Because new zones were added, the ordinance requires another reading in two weeks (June 3) and a second reading two weeks after that.
• Item 10.2 – Supergraphic Sign Ordinance Amendment: Staff presented updates to allow large-scale signs for large events (700+ hotel room nights or 10,000+ attendance). Changes include: removing sunset clause, lowering minimum sign height from 125 ft building to 40 ft above grade, extending display duration from 7 days before/after to 75 days before/after (max 180 days total), allowing roof-mounted signs (not illuminated), and increasing maximum signs per building from 1 to 2. Staff indicated that monetization on private property faces legal challenges, but a sponsorship program on city-owned property can be developed administratively. Councilmember Kamei asked about roof sign illumination – confirmed not allowed. Councilmember Ortiz asked if signs could go in East San Jose – staff confirmed only in downtown sign zone and North San José sign area. Vice Mayor Foley moved to accept staff recommendation and direct staff to develop a sponsorship program. Vote: unanimous.
• Item 5.1 – Report on Bids and Award of Contract for 2025 Major Streets Resurfacing Project: Awarded to MCK Services, Inc. for $8,971,914 with 10% contingency ($897,191). Approved unanimously.

Ceremonial Items (1:30 PM)

• Proclamation: Mental Health Awareness Month (May 2025) – Presented by Vice Mayor Foley. Recognized one in five adults experiencing mental health conditions; highlighted the need to reduce stigma. Accepted by Mary Ann Grogan from Assemblymember Gail Pellerin's office.
• Proclamation: Public Works Week (May 18-24, 2025) – Presented by Councilmember Kamei. Recognized the Public Works Department's role in infrastructure, parks, fleet, and animal care. Accepted by department staff.
• Proclamation: Building Safety Month (May 2025) – Presented by Councilmember Mulcahy. Noted that San Jose's Building Division issues ~28,000 permits and conducts over 100,000 inspections annually. Accepted by Chief Building Official Lisa Joyner.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (unanimous): Consent Calendar (all 20 items except 2.18 pulled).
• Approved (unanimous): Item 2.18 – Resolution advocating for Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag emoji.
• Approved (unanimous): Item 3.3 – New Council Policy 0-47 for elected official transitions, with amendment to develop a mandatory training program on social media use for officials and staff.
• Approved (unanimous): Item 4.1 – Acceptance of Community-Led Solutions to Domestic Violence Report, with direction to explore a pilot design for alternative response; City Manager to issue budget addendum for $50,000 available.
• Approved (unanimous): Item 5.1 – Award of contract for major streets resurfacing.
• Approved (unanimous): Item 8.1 – First reading of ordinance establishing entertainment zones in downtown (six zones plus Sharks Way and one Alum Rock stretch); second reading scheduled for June 3, 2025.
• Approved (unanimous): Item 10.2 – Amendment to Sign Code to allow supergraphic signs for large events; staff directed to develop sponsorship program on city-owned property.
• Referral: Item 3.3 – City Attorney and City Clerk to collaborate on training program for social media best practices, return to council by August 2026 (later amended to 2025 per motion).
• Referral: Entertainment Zone ordinance amendments (new zones) will require two readings; report back to CED in April 2026 on implementation and expansion feasibility.
• No report from Closed Session.

The regular session adjourned at approximately 3:00 PM, followed by a break and then a study session on wildfire planning and preparedness.