San Jose City Council Meeting – January 13, 2026

The San Jose City Council held its first meeting of 2026 on January 13, 2026. The meeting opened with a Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Senior Sergeant Cadet Carolina Regalado of the SJPD Cadet Program. Ceremonial items included proclamations for National Human Trafficking Awareness Month and the 10th anniversary of Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful, as well as recognition of Muwekma Ohlone Middle School's family reading night. The meeting was adjourned in memory of longtime volunteer Kenneth John Kelly. Major actions included the unanimous adoption of a policy prohibiting the use of city property for civil immigration enforcement, approval of the 2026 legislative program with a new position supporting HR 630 (the Neighbors Not Enemies Act), and acceptance of the Team San Jose annual performance audit.

Consent Calendar

• Consent calendar adopted unanimously, including routine approvals. One member of the public spoke about a permit encroachment request related to a disabled brother's trailer, urging the city to add training on constitutional protections for homeless individuals' property.
• Land use consent also adopted unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On the consent calendar: A resident requested that the city add training on constitutional protections regarding personal property of homeless individuals, citing her disabled brother's situation.
• On items 3.5 & 3.6 (IGR report and Legislative Program): Three speakers—Susan Hayasa (co-founder of San Jose Nikkei Resisters), Victoria Takeda (Japantown Neighborhood Association), and Jordan Moldau (District 3 resident/volunteer)—urged the city to support HR 630, the Neighbors Not Enemies Act, which would repeal the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. They emphasized the historical misuse of the act against Japanese Americans and its current impact on immigrant communities.
• On item 3.7 (policy prohibiting ICE staging on city property): Multiple speakers (Drew Siegler, Azazel Holmquist, Kim Guptill, Karen, Lori Ketcher, Cindy Bautista, Michelle Coleman, Janela Ardonias, Jeremy Berruce, Raina, Kimberly Wu, Emma, Lucila Ortiz, and Joy Murrieta) expressed strong support for the policy, citing recent incidents of ICE violence and the need to protect immigrant families, constitutional rights, and community trust. They represented organizations such as SURJ Santa Clara County, PASOS, SIREN, IPEN, Amigos de Guadalupe, and Working Partnerships USA.
• Open forum: Two speakers addressed highway lighting issues (Highway 87 and 101) and historic preservation (Bank of Italy building, Dole tower), and a second speaker raised concerns about ICE operations on public transit during upcoming Super Bowl and World Cup events.

Discussion Items

• Team San Jose Annual Performance Audit (Item 3.4): City Auditor Joe Royce presented the audit for FY 2024-25. Team San Jose met all five performance targets: gross operating results, 133,500 booked hotel room nights, estimated $95 million economic impact, 97% theater occupancy, and 97% customer satisfaction. The city qualifies for a $300,000 performance-based fee. Council members Cohen, Mahan, Mulcahy, and others discussed the need for better metrics (e.g., convention center utilization, comparative analysis) and the tension between setting stretch goals and conservative budgeting. The audit was accepted unanimously.
• Intergovernmental Relations Report and 2026 Legislative Program (Items 3.5 & 3.6): The IGR team (Han Kang, Steve Stamos, Nicholas Ochoa) presented the fall 2025 report and the 2026 legislative program. Highlights included $7.5 million in federal earmarks, successful state advocacy on abandoned shopping carts and copper theft, and the governor's budget proposal including $500 million for HHAPP (down from previous years). The 2026 program focuses on five unchanged priorities with new concepts: raising the threshold for abandoned RVs, incentivizing condo construction, CEQA exemption for Diridon Station, a statewide AI framework, and preserving local control. Council members discussed the need for balanced data center policies, support for HR 630, and funding for public safety during major sporting events. The report was accepted (unanimous), and the legislative program was approved unanimously with a friendly amendment from Vice Mayor Foley to add support for HR 630.
• Policy Prohibiting City Property Use for Civil Immigration Enforcement (Item 3.7): Deputy City Manager Angel Rios presented the staff-recommended policy (Council Policy 7-15) prohibiting the use of city-owned or controlled parking lots, vacant lots, garages, and open spaces as staging areas for civil immigration enforcement. The policy arose from a Council direction in October 2025. Council members Ortiz, Candelas, and Kamei led the initiative. After extensive public comment, the council debated its scope: Vice Mayor Foley asked whether it covers all city properties (parks, libraries, etc.); staff confirmed the principles apply broadly and that signage and access controls will be implemented. The policy was adopted unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar and Land Use Consent – Approved unanimously.
• Settlement (Item 3.3) – Approved unanimously.
• Team San Jose Performance Audit – Accepted unanimously. The report was accepted; the $300,000 performance-based fee is authorized.
• IGR Report (3.5) – Accepted unanimously by voice vote (one initial machine error corrected).
• 2026 Legislative Program (3.6) – Approved unanimously with a friendly amendment to include support for HR 630 (Neighbors Not Enemies Act).
• Legal Services Contract (6.1), Design-Build Contract (6.2), Emergency Repairs (6.3) – All approved unanimously.
• Alameda Business Improvement District (8.1) – Approved unanimously after discussion about outreach to home-based businesses.
• Policy on ICE Staging (3.7) – Adopted unanimously. Implementation will include standardized signage, access controls, and reporting procedures.
• Alum Rock Business Improvement District (8.2) – Approved unanimously.
• First Substantial Amendment to FY 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan (8.3) – Approved unanimously; includes funding for La Placita in East San Jose and pedestrian/traffic safety improvements using CDBG funds.