San José City Council Meeting – August 26, 2025

The San José City Council met on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 1:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included ceremonial recognitions, consent calendar approvals, audit presentations, and major actions on the San José Sharks arena renovation agreement, 2026 major event planning, and a general plan text amendment. The council also announced the selection of a new city attorney.

Closed Session Report

• The council unanimously selected Susanna Alcala-Wood as the new City Attorney, following a rigorous search process that began in May 2025.

Ceremonial Items

• Silicon Valley Pride Week (August 25-31, 2025): Recognized 50 years of Silicon Valley Pride. Nicole Denson, retiring CEO, accepted the proclamation.
• Dana Zell, Managing Director of Children’s Musical Theater (CMT): Celebrated for a decade of leadership, including a $2.5 million capital campaign and the opening of CMT’s Creative Arts Center.
• Lowrider Day (August 30, 2025): Proclaimed by the council, honoring the United Low Rider Council and the cultural contributions of the lowrider community.

Consent Calendar

• Adopted items include: approval of city council minutes, final adoption of ordinances (including rezoning at 1655 Berryessa Road), approval of committee minutes, excused absence requests, travel reports, and numerous contracts and purchase orders (e-books, tree maintenance, electric vans, firefighter gear, etc.).
• Item 2.14 (Tree Maintenance and Planting Services): Councilmember Mulcahy recused himself due to a financial interest in Brightview Tree Care Services. The item passed 10-0.
• Item 2.19 (Administrative Penalties Increase): Pulled for separate discussion. The council approved an amendment to increase the maximum daily administrative penalty from $2,500 to $20,000 and the maximum series penalty from $100,000 to $500,000. The motion also included reverting to the staff recommendation on the annual cap. Passed unanimously.
• Item 2.24 (Federal Grant Funds from MTC): Deferred to September 9, 2025, due to a technicality requiring revised recommendation language.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On traffic safety audit (3.3): Jordan Moldow (District 3) praised the audit and urged prioritizing school-related recommendations. James Wyman requested speed cameras on VTA light rail stations.
• On special events audit (3.4): Jordan Moldow emphasized reducing mandatory SJPD costs for events. Artie (anonymous) criticized the lack of audit oversight on encampment sweeps, contrasting costs of sweeps vs. supportive housing.
• On speed limits resolution (5.2): Jordan Moldow supported the reductions, noting they will improve speed camera enforcement and convey safe street values.
• On BeautifySJ blight report (7.1): Ozelle Kirkland (District 4) urged inclusion of Cataldi Park in the O.L.I.V.E. program due to fire hazards from encampments. Two speakers protested the Columbus Park abatement, citing lack of empathy and inadequate housing offers.
• On 2026 events (8.1): Leah Tennisgetter (San José Chamber) commended the progress. Jordan Moldow emphasized transportation planning and pedestrian safety. Several speakers urged equitable distribution of activations across neighborhoods.
• On Sharks arena deal (8.2): Over 15 speakers (including business owners, union representatives, and residents) expressed strong support for the agreement, highlighting economic impacts ($1.25 billion over five years), job creation, and community partnerships. One speaker urged caution on public funds and parking reduction.
• On general plan amendment (10.2): Alex Shore (Catalyze Silicon Valley) thanked staff and urged focus on housing outcomes. Michelle Mashburn stressed the need to include disability equity in outreach and planning.

Discussion Items

• 3.3 – Traffic Safety Audit: City Auditor Joe Royce presented findings that equity priority communities receive equal or higher levels of traffic safety services. Recommendations include expanding proactive school outreach, translating forms, and improving cross-department coordination. DOT and Police accepted all recommendations. The council unanimously accepted the audit report.
• 3.4 – Special Events Audit: The audit found $622,000 in city costs for 84 events (51% for police staffing). Recommendations include transparent cost estimates, updated websites, and improved billing coordination. The administration agreed. Councilmember Foley moved to accept the report and direct the city manager to bring an update on Recommendation 4 (technology solution) to the CED committee in spring 2026. Passed unanimously.
• 5.2 – Speed Limits Resolution: DOT proposed lowering speed limits on 23 segments of priority safety corridors under new state legislation. The council adopted the resolution unanimously after questions about criteria for additional reductions and future phases.
• 7.1 – BeautifySJ Blight Reduction Report: Staff reported removal of over 14 million pounds of trash, 2.5 million square feet of graffiti (15% decrease), and a 32% reduction in illegal dumping where cameras are installed. Council members emphasized enforcement and partnerships. Accepted unanimously.
• 8.1 – 2026 Major Events Status Report: Staff presented plans for Super Bowl LX, NCAA West Regional, FIFA World Cup, and other events. Activations include concerts, watch parties, neighborhood events, and a visitor center. Councilmember Duan moved to accept the staff recommendation and the group memo from Campos, Cohen, Doan, and Candelas, which calls for updates on fundraising, city fund allocation for neighborhood activations, and clarity on public screening rights. Passed 10-1 (Foley absent).
• 8.2 – Sharks Arena Management Agreement: The council approved the Third Amended and Restated Arena Management Agreement, keeping the Sharks in San José through 2051. Key terms: $425 million renovation (city contributes $350 million, Sharks $100 million), Sharks front the first two years of costs, $475,000/year in community benefits, and a 32-year capital maintenance fund. The city will use commercial paper and lease revenue bonds; debt service is modeled to be smoothed by Sharks’ $25 million payment. The agreement also includes a Memorandum of Understanding to explore a future arena district. Passed unanimously.
• 8.3 – Downtown Association Services Agreement: Authorized the city manager to negotiate a one-year services agreement (up to $1,238,806) with five one-year renewal options. Passed 7-0 with Mahan, Cohen, Doan, and Mulcahy absent.
• 8.4 – San José Sports Authority Agreement: Authorized the city manager to execute an agreement through July 2026 (up to $1,720,213) for promoting major sporting events, with five one-year renewal options. Passed 7-0 (same absences).
• 8.5 – HHAP Round 6 Regional MOU: Authorized the Housing Director to execute the regional MOU with Santa Clara County to apply for a one-time award of $25,329,964.46 for homeless housing and assistance. Passed 7-0.
• 10.2 – General Plan Text Amendment (Policy IP-2.11): The council adopted an amendment to allow convening an advisory group (such as the Planning Commission) instead of the original Envision San José 2040 Task Force for the General Plan Four-Year Review. An accompanying group memo expanded the outreach plan to include diverse community engagement methods. Passed 10-0 (Mahan absent).

Key Outcomes

• New City Attorney: Susanna Alcala-Wood selected unanimously.
• Administrative Penalties Increased: Up to $20,000/day and $500,000 per series for code violations.
• Speed Limits Reduced on 23 Corridors: Effective immediately; new signs to be installed in September 2025.
• Sharks Arena Deal Approved: $425 million renovation, city contributes $350 million over five years, Sharks contribute $100 million. Bond financing to be refined in subsequent years.
• 2026 Events Planning: Council directed staff to return with updates on fundraising and neighborhood activation plans.
• General Plan Review Process Streamlined: Planning Commission to serve as the advisory group; robust outreach plan adopted.