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Record of Proceedings

San Jose City Council Meeting - August 19, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, August 19, 2025
BodySan Jose, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, August 19, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:03:00

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:08

Afternoon, everyone.

0:12

Welcome.

0:13

It's my pleasure to call to order this meeting of the San Jose City Council for the afternoon of August 19th.

0:19

Tony, would you please call the role?

0:21

Kameh.

0:22

Campos.

0:23

Present.

0:23

Tortillos.

0:25

Here.

0:25

Cohen.

0:26

Here.

0:27

Ortiz.

0:29

Present.

0:29

Mulcahi.

0:30

Here.

0:31

Duan?

0:31

Here.

0:32

Kendellas?

0:32

Here.

0:33

Casey.

0:33

Here.

0:34

Fully.

0:34

Here.

0:35

Mayhan.

0:36

Here.

0:36

You have a quorum.

0:37

Thank you, Tony.

0:38

Now, if you're able, please stand and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:53

Yes.

0:56

Indivisible liberty.

1:02

Thank you.

1:04

Councilmember Duan, do we need to uh do you need a little more time for the invocation?

1:09

Yes.

1:09

Okay.

1:10

We will hopefully we're able to do the scheduled invocation.

1:13

We will take up ceremonial items first.

1:16

So, Councilmember Mulcahi, if you would join me at the podium, we will recognize Voyager Craft Coffee.

1:40

Good afternoon.

1:41

So I prefer a cappuccino in the morning.

1:47

No laugh.

1:49

Unfortunately, most places don't know how to make them.

1:53

Too much milk, weak espresso, no balance.

1:57

Starting back years ago, my car would just drive to a great hip local provider named Voyager Craft Coffee on Stevens Creek Boulevard.

2:08

Now, years later, as the District 6 council member, who knew I'd get to host the grand opening this past April of their beautiful Park Avenue location, which includes a bean roastery, world-class bakery, and a dynamic cafe space.

2:25

And then a few weeks ago, Mayor Mayhan, Councilmember Kamei and I were able to help them celebrate their relocated cafe in their downtown hotspot at Market and St.

2:36

John.

2:37

So today it's my honor to recognize Voyager Craft Coffee, a local success story and a shining example of what makes our district six community and our city in general so vibrant.

2:52

It's the commitment, passion, and drive of our local small business founders.

2:58

And these founders are San Jose Natives, Sam Shaw, and Lauren Burns.

3:05

The dynamic duo built their cafes to foster welcoming spaces that embody the spirit of their hometown San Jose.

3:14

What began as a modest coffee trailer has blossomed into a thriving business with multiple locations, kiosks, and licensed vendors.

3:25

However, way more than incredible coffee, baked goods, and cool artistic spaces.

3:31

Sam and Lauren's brightest stars are their staff members who show kindness and care for their customers.

3:38

Voyager Craft Coffee exemplifies San Jose's entrepreneurial spirit, exceptional craftsmanship, and steadfast commitment to community.

3:48

We're proud to commend Voyager Craft Coffee for their outstanding contributions to San Jose and their ongoing dedication to excellence.

3:58

Now I think Lauren's gonna say a couple of words here.

4:02

She's gonna step forward, then the mayor will come forward and uh help me with the commendation.

4:07

Take a few photos.

4:08

So Lauren, take it away.

4:11

Thank you so much for those kind words, Councilmember Mulcahy.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Miscellaneous███████████████████████████████████████████43%
Procedural███████████████████████████27%
Public Safety████████████████16%
Community Engagement████████8%
Homelessness██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

San Jose City Council Meeting - August 19, 2025

The San Jose City Council convened on August 19, 2025, for a meeting that featured ceremonial recognitions, procedural approvals, the introduction of a new economic development director, and public testimony regarding homeless encampment sweeps at Columbus Park.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent calendar was approved unanimously after pulling items 2.16 (boards and commission appointments) and 2.13 (public works authority increase) for brief discussions. Vice Mayor Foley encouraged council members to fill vacancies on commissions, especially the Senior Commission.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Ali, a disabled veteran, alleged past police brutality and expressed a need for justice.
  • Azazel Homquist, a downtown resident, expressed concern over the safety and treatment of individuals during sweeps at Columbus Park.
  • Jessica and another speaker criticized the city's handling of sweeps at Columbus Park, stating that residents were not offered adequate housing or compassionate transition support, and that police involvement was inappropriate.

Discussion Items

  • Ceremonial Recognitions: Voyager Craft Coffee was commended for its community contributions. Venerable Sa Dul Sun was honored for his cultural and spiritual leadership. August was proclaimed Emergency Management Awareness Month, emphasizing preparedness.
  • City Manager's Report: Jen Baker was introduced as the new Director of the Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs.
  • Card Room Regulation Fee: Item 4.1 was discussed and moved for approval to create regulatory efficiencies.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent calendar and land use consent item 10.1a were approved unanimously.
  • The card room regulation fee item was approved unanimously.
  • The meeting adjourned in memory of Frank M. Taylor, with tributes to his legacy in city development.

Meeting Transcript

Afternoon, everyone. Welcome. It's my pleasure to call to order this meeting of the San Jose City Council for the afternoon of August 19th. Tony, would you please call the role? Kameh. Campos. Present. Tortillos. Here. Cohen. Here. Ortiz. Present. Mulcahi. Here. Duan? Here. Kendellas? Here. Casey. Here. Fully. Here. Mayhan. Here. You have a quorum. Thank you, Tony. Now, if you're able, please stand and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Yes. Indivisible liberty. Thank you. Councilmember Duan, do we need to uh do you need a little more time for the invocation? Yes. Okay. We will hopefully we're able to do the scheduled invocation. We will take up ceremonial items first. So, Councilmember Mulcahi, if you would join me at the podium, we will recognize Voyager Craft Coffee. Good afternoon. So I prefer a cappuccino in the morning. No laugh. Unfortunately, most places don't know how to make them. Too much milk, weak espresso, no balance. Starting back years ago, my car would just drive to a great hip local provider named Voyager Craft Coffee on Stevens Creek Boulevard. Now, years later, as the District 6 council member, who knew I'd get to host the grand opening this past April of their beautiful Park Avenue location, which includes a bean roastery, world-class bakery, and a dynamic cafe space. And then a few weeks ago, Mayor Mayhan, Councilmember Kamei and I were able to help them celebrate their relocated cafe in their downtown hotspot at Market and St. John. So today it's my honor to recognize Voyager Craft Coffee, a local success story and a shining example of what makes our district six community and our city in general so vibrant. It's the commitment, passion, and drive of our local small business founders. And these founders are San Jose Natives, Sam Shaw, and Lauren Burns. The dynamic duo built their cafes to foster welcoming spaces that embody the spirit of their hometown San Jose.

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