San Jose City Council Meeting - December 16, 2025

The San Jose City Council met on the afternoon of December 16, 2025, for its final meeting of the year. The meeting included ceremonial recognitions, consent calendar actions, and discussion items on homeless services oversight, a fire department controlled substances audit, digital empowerment and broadband strategy, abandoned shopping cart retrieval, and the creation of two new business improvement districts. All votes were unanimous unless noted.

Ceremonial Items

• Happy Hollow Foundation – Recognized for its 67-year dedication to the zoo and park, including a capital campaign that raised over $500,000 to renovate the Danny the Dragon ride. Executive Director Rhonda Norris accepted the commendation.
• Venerable Thich Phap Lu – Honored for 18 years of service as abbot of Dieu Ngan Temple, including a senior nutrition program serving 300 meals daily, five days a week.
• Native American Heritage Month Proclamation – Presented to Muwekma Ohlone Tribe Chairwoman Charlene Nijmeh, who urged the council to pass a resolution asking Congress to restore the tribe's federal recognition.
• Garcia Family Commendation – Irene and Martin Garcia were recognized for opening their home to shelter dozens during a chaotic Black Friday incident at Valley Fair.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar was approved except for items 2.17, 2.18, 2.21, and 2.27, which were pulled for discussion. Item 10.1 was deferred per administration request.
• Item 2.17 – Extension of contract with PUN Group for homeless program audit and compliance. The council discussed the rigor of audits, including fieldwork, to ensure proper use of taxpayer funds. The item was approved as part of the remainder of the consent calendar.
• Item 2.18 – Grant agreements for homeless programs (total $22.1 million). A group memo from Mayor Mahan, Vice Mayor Foley, and Councilmembers Cohen, Mulcahy, and Casey requested accelerated cost efficiencies, a public dashboard on exit outcomes, and data on acuity, income, and housing rejections. Councilmember Campos submitted a memo requesting additional data and an assessment of no-encampment zones. A substitute motion incorporating Campos's memo (with an amendment to make recommendation 4 an informational memo due in Q3 of FY 25-26) passed unanimously.
• Item 2.21 – Selection of Catholic Charities to operate the Gardner Community Center. Councilmember Mulcahy noted a competitive RFP process with 26 proposals and a $1 million operational grant from Google. The item was approved.
• Item 2.27 – Award of a public works contract to SPENCON Construction. Councilmember Candellas questioned why Duran Construction (lowest bidder) was deemed non-responsive for failing to submit correct CARB compliance documentation and incomplete experience examples. Staff confirmed Duran was given a 24-hour window to correct but did not comply. The item was approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 2.21 (Gardner Community Center) – Fred Buzzo (Catholic Charities) expressed commitment to community-led programming. Daniel Peralta and other residents voiced strong support, noting the center has been closed for over a decade and the need for youth and senior services.
• Item 2.27 – Ismail of Duran Construction argued that other bidders also did not provide CARB certificates for concrete hauling subcontractors, raising fairness concerns.
• Item 7.1 (Digital Empowerment) – David Witkowski (Joint Venture Silicon Valley) commended the model and noted a $11.6 million federal grant was nullified by executive order. Representatives from Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Comcast, and ICAN (Vietnamese community tech hub) supported the public-private partnership. A resident offered free adaptive equipment services.
• Item 8.2 (Alum Rock BID) – Business owners Helen Masamori, Cynthia Velazquez, and Nathaniel Lim spoke in support, emphasizing self-investment and community revitalization.
• Open Forum – Brian wished the council a happy holiday and referenced traffic safety articles sent to the mayor.

Discussion Items

• Fire Department Inventory Controls Over Controlled Substances (Item 3.3) – The City Auditor presented findings: no theft or tampering found at 17 stations or the central safe, but recommended separating duties of the Controlled Substances Program Manager (handling, system admin, record-keeping) and formalizing policies. Fire Chief Sapien concurred with all seven recommendations and noted biometric safes are being procured. The audit was unanimously accepted.
• Digital Empowerment and Broadband Strategy (Item 7.1) – City Librarian Jill Bourne presented the updated strategy, built on the 2017 partnership model. Key data: roughly 10,000 additional households connected since 2017, but smartphone-only use doubled; 16% of households lost service when the federal Affordable Connectivity Program ended (had helped 40,000 local households). Fiber penetration reached 37% (national average 56%). The strategy sets a goal of one-gigabit service for all residents by 2030. Councilmembers praised the work and stressed equity, affordability, and outreach to seniors and mobile home parks. A motion to adopt the strategy and resolution passed unanimously.
• Abandoned Shopping Cart Retrieval Pilot (Item 7.2) – Staff reported on the three-month pilot: 734 carts collected (202 in Area 1, 532 in Area 2), with Costco and Whole Foods as top retailers. Pilot cost $32,000; estimated citywide program startup $686,000 with potential cost recovery up to $1.2 million annually under new state law (capped at $100/cart). Councilmembers discussed using cart management plans now, proactive retailer engagement, and budget considerations for FY 26-27. The report was unanimously accepted.
• Tobacco Retail License Moratorium Extension (Item 7.3) – The council unanimously approved extending the urgency interim ordinance temporarily halting issuance of new tobacco retail licenses.
• Alameda Business Improvement District (Item 8.1) – Council adopted a resolution of intention to form a BID covering 1,731 businesses along the Alameda corridor. The BID would fund marketing and promotion, with an estimated $258,930 in first-year revenue (70% collection rate). The council voted unanimously to proceed.
• Alum Rock / Santa Clara Street Business Improvement District (Item 8.2) – Council adopted a resolution of intention to form the first-ever BID on the east side, covering over 540 businesses. The BID would focus on safety, beautification, and marketing, generating an estimated $133,035 in first-year revenue. Councilmember Ortiz and Tordillos highlighted years of community effort. The motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar – Remainder approved unanimously after pulling four items.
• Item 2.18 (Homeless Program Grants) – Approved with amendments: staff to develop a public dashboard on exit outcomes and report on no-encampment zone assessments as an informational memo in Q3 of FY 25-26.
• Item 3.3 (Fire Audit) – Accepted unanimously; all seven recommendations are being implemented, with biometric safes under procurement.
• Item 7.1 (Digital Strategy) – Adopted unanimously; staff directed to implement the work plan and return with a status update in 2027.
• Item 7.2 (Cart Retrieval Pilot) – Report accepted; staff will continue customer surveys and prepare for a potential citywide program, contingent on budget.
• Item 7.3 (Tobacco Moratorium) – Extended unanimously.
• Items 8.1 & 8.2 (BIDs) – Resolutions of intention passed unanimously, initiating the formal process with public meetings and hearings leading to a potential ordinance in April 2026.
• Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned in memory of Mr. Locke Vue, founder of the Viet Museum.

All votes were unanimous unless otherwise specified.