San Jose City Council Meeting Summary – June 17, 2025

The San Jose City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, starting at 11:00 a.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting covered a wide range of items including ceremonial recognitions, adoption of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget, new ordinances targeting trespassing and "van lording," the reappointment of the City Auditor, and major actions on homelessness, business improvement districts, digital billboards, and police oversight. Councilmember Domingo Candelas was absent due to illness. This was also the last meeting for outgoing District 3 Councilmember Carl Salas.

Ceremonial Items

• South Bay Clean Creeks Coalition: Recognized for over 12 years of volunteer creek cleanups, removing more than 1 million pounds of trash across 489 cleanups.
• Eloy Rodriguez: Honored for driving his burning recycling truck away from homes and businesses on May 23, 2025, preventing injury and major damage.
• Mary Tucker: Recognized for decades of community leadership, including emergency preparedness workshops in downtown San Jose.
• Councilmember Carl Salas: Given a heartfelt farewell, receiving a bicycle helmet and a book donation to the library.
• Shirlee Marie DiNapoli Mulcahy Schiro: The meeting was adjourned in memory of the lifelong San Jose resident, philanthropist, and mother of Councilmember Michael Mulcahy.

Consent Calendar

All consent items were approved unanimously, except for items pulled for separate discussion (detailed below). Key approvals included:

• Item 2.53: Added to consent (2/3 vote) — Resolution delegating authority to the City Attorney and City Manager to authorize defense of city officers and employees under Gov. Code § 995.8.
• Budget & Finance: Final adoption of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget (Item 3.4), including a $1.614 billion appropriation limit. Approval of $209.57 million in General Obligation Bonds (Series 2025) and $53 million in Lease Revenue Bonds (Series 2025A) via the San José Financing Authority (Items 3.5 & SJFA 1).
• Homelessness & Housing: Extension of the local emergency declaration for the homeless shelter crisis (Item 2.31); grant agreements for multiple homeless-serving programs (Item 2.32, with an amendment on Santa Teresa Safe Parking); agreement for 72 interim housing units at the Pacific Motor Inn (Item 2.33); and a $9.26 million contract for the Safe Sleeping Navigation Hub and Motel Program (Item 8.8).
• Infrastructure & Contracts: Awards for on-call water main repairs, landscape maintenance, a new fire apparatus, street sealing, and bikeway conversion projects.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 2.2 (Trespass/Van Lord Ordinances): Several speakers supported the memo by Councilmembers Campos, Cohen, Ortiz, and Candelas, arguing the ordinances as written criminalize homelessness. The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley warned of potential lawsuits, citing a $3 million settlement in San Diego over a similar vehicle sleeping ban. The San Jose Chamber of Commerce supported moving forward with implementation.
• Item 2.33 (Pacific Motor Inn Agreement): Multiple speakers urged a buffer between homeless shelters and schools/senior facilities, specifically concerned about the Bristol Hotel conversion (to be discussed as part of the broader motel strategy in Item 8.8).
• Item 8.7 (Digital Billboards): Speakers opposed included a representative from Lick Observatory citing light pollution/health risks, a resident arguing it opens the door to more billboards and litigation, and the Sierra Club noting insufficient environmental analysis. Support came from the Chamber of Commerce and Clear Channel Outdoor.
• Item 8.8 (Safe Sleeping/Motel Program): A resident asked about the cost of the Bristol Hotel lease and funding for nearby schools.
• Items 8.1-8.4, 8.6, 8.9-8.10: No public comments.

Discussion Items

• Item 2.2 – Final Adoption of Ordinances (Trespass & Van Lording): Councilmember Campos, joined by Cohen, Ortiz, and Candelas, submitted a memo to delay parts of the trespass ordinance and the vehicle sleeping ban, citing ambiguous language and civil rights concerns. After extensive debate, the Council (9-1, Campos dissenting) adopted a substitute motion from Vice Mayor Foley supported by Mayor Mahan: the trespass ordinance was approved as-is, but an info memo on implementation is due in August. The van lording ordinance (including the 9 p.m.–6 a.m. sleeping ban) was also approved as drafted; staff will explore alternative enforcement approaches focused on the lessor. Chief Joseph noted the sleeping provision is key to defending the ordinance against legal challenges.
• Item 4.1 – 2024 Independent Police Auditor (IPA) Year-End Report: IPA Eddie Aubrey presented, reporting 373 complaints (a 17% increase from 2023) with a 14% sustain rate. He offered 12 recommendations, including greater real-time access to officer-involved shooting scenes, review of all use-of-force incidents (not just Great Bodily Injury cases), and a formal memorandum of agreement with Internal Affairs. Councilmember Doan expressed frustration that a memo she authored was effectively superseded by a similar memo from other Brown Act members, but the Mayor called for substance over process. The Council voted unanimously to accept the report, accepting 10 of the 12 recommendations; the IPA and police chief will continue dialogue on the remaining two.
• Item 8.5 – Alameda Community Benefit Improvement District (CBID): A public hearing and ballot proceeding was held. The city clerk reported results: 11,389.66 weighted votes in favor vs. 109,907.36 opposed. The ballot failed, meaning the district will not be formed. Councilmember Mulcahy expressed disappointment but noted the process was valuable.
• Item 8.7 – Large Format Digital Signs: Council approved leases with Clear Channel Outdoor (two sites) and Outfront Media (one site) for a total of five sign faces. The 10-year leases include two 5-year renewal options; the city expects $21 million in minimum guaranteed rent over 20 years and up to $28 million in projected revenue. The city will control 12.5% of sign time for public messaging. In exchange, 35 existing static billboard faces will be removed citywide. Councilmember Mulcahy recused himself due to a financial conflict of interest.
• Item 8.8 – Safe Sleeping Navigation Hub & Motel Program: The Council unanimously approved $9.26 million in contracts with HomeFirst for a 56-tent navigation hub at 1157 E. Taylor Street and for leasing/operating five motels providing 251 rooms. The motels will target specific populations: women/children, seniors, and LGBTQ+ individuals. 24/7 security, case management, and a focus on transitions to permanent housing were emphasized. Vice Mayor Foley noted strong community support for the Bristol Hotel conversion and plans for a community advisory committee.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinances Approved: Final adoption of 13 ordinances covering trespass, van lording, vehicle abandonment, illegal dumping, vacant lot maintenance, and more (Item 2.2). The van lording ordinance includes a 9 p.m.–6 a.m. ban on sleeping in RVs on public streets.
• Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget: Adopted (Item 3.4), along with bond authorizations (Items 3.5 & SJFA 1).
• City Auditor Reappointed: Joe Rois reappointed for a term through June 30, 2029 (Item 3.8).
• Settlement Approved: $1 million settlement in Tovar v. City of San José (Item 3.9).
• Homelessness Contracts: Approved $9.26 million for the navigation hub and five motels (Item 8.8); extended shelter crisis emergency (Item 2.31); approved $1.53 million for LifeMoves safe parking RV program and $2.73 million for the motel voucher program (Item 2.32, with an amendment to limit the Santa Teresa contract to six months).
• Digital Sign Leases: Approved (Item 8.7).
• Business Improvement Districts: Annual renewals approved for Japantown, Downtown, Monterey Corridor, and Tully Road Eastridge BIDs (Items 8.1-8.4). The Alameda CBID failed to secure property owner approval (Item 8.5).
• Boards & Commissions: Approved multiple appointments to the Airport Commission, Housing Commission, Planning Commission, and others (Item 2.9).