San Jose City Council Meeting - March 10, 2026: Focus Areas, ALPRs, and Police Overtime
The San Jose City Council met on March 10, 2026, beginning at 9:30 AM. The meeting featured detailed presentations on the five City Council Focus Areas, a highly contentious debate on Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) protocols, and a vote to reduce police overtime spending. The meeting ran into the evening due to extended public comment on the ALPR item.
Opening Ceremonies & Proclamations
- Invocation: The meeting began with an invocation and performance by San Jose Taiko, celebrating the group's 53-year history and its role in designating Japantown as a California Cultural District.
- Proclamation: Councilmember Ortiz presented a proclamation recognizing the 28th Annual Mexica New Year celebration hosted by Calpuli Tonaleke at Aprush Park, highlighting themes of unity and indigenous cultural tradition.
Consent Calendar
- Councilmember Condelas pulled Item 2.9, regarding a $492,000 budget amendment for the Welch Park Neighborhood Center restroom remodel. Director of Public Works Matt Lash explained that the cost increase was due to unexpected issues found during construction, including a crushed sewer line and mold abatement. The consent calendar was approved unanimously with Mayor Mahan absent.
City Council Focus Area Status Report (FY 25-26 Q2)
Staff presented a comprehensive update on the five council focus areas. Key highlights included:
- Increasing Community Safety: Resident safety perception increased year-over-year (2% city, 2% neighborhood, 5% downtown). Crimes against persons decreased 13%. KSI traffic collisions increased 34%. County budget shortfalls are impacting crisis response programs like PERT.
- Reducing Unsheltered Homelessness: The city exceeded its goal, delivering 707 planned shelter units (goal of 705). CalAIM billing is off-track due to complexity. Standardizing operations and leveraging state/federal funding are key priorities.
- Clean Up Our Neighborhoods: Resident perception of citywide cleanliness hit 52% (up from 33%). Graffiti arrests led to the seizure of weapons and explosives. The junk pickup program for multifamily complexes expanded usage significantly.
- Building More Housing: The Multifamily Housing Incentive Program moved 1,444 units from entitlement to construction. Affordable housing permit reviews are exceeding timelines.
- Growing Our Economy: 31,000 jobs added since 2020. The Super Bowl event at San Pedro Square drew 48,000 attendees. The city is exploring streamlined permitting for small businesses.
- Public Comment & Council Discussion: Lori Catcher (SURJ) urged the city to "stop criminalizing people who are homeless." Ted Scarlet shared his experience of becoming homeless after a car accident, stating the system is "completely broke." Councilmembers discussed the cost of functional zero (over $500M) and the need for creativity. The report was accepted unanimously.
Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) Data Usage Protocol Update
Chief Paul Joseph presented a proposal to amend the ALPR policy.
- Proposed Changes: Reduce data retention from one year to 30 days, add stricter access controls (command-level approval required for external queries), prohibit placement near reproductive health and religious facilities, and increase audits to quarterly. The Chief stated, "The impact of these cameras on our public safety efforts is unquestioned."
- Public Testimony (Nearly 100 speakers):
- Supporters: Residents, business owners, and neighborhood leaders argued the cameras are vital crime-fighting tools for an understaffed department, citing specific solved crimes in every district. They expressed trust in SJPD.
- Opponents: Community advocates (SIREN, SURJ, Working Partnerships USA, ACLU) argued the system is invasive mass surveillance. Speakers raised concerns about data vulnerability (hacking), potential misuse by immigration enforcement, chilling effects on civil liberties, and the company Flock's track record. Many called for terminating the contract and for Mayor Mahan to recuse himself.
- Council Action & Memos:
- Councilmember Condelas introduced a memo adding foreign consulates to prohibited locations, directing the city manager to explore alternative vendors, and requiring breach reporting.
- Councilmember Ortiz introduced a memo focusing on facilities providing gender-affirming care.
- Councilmember Casey expressed concern about reducing retention to 30 days, sharing examples of homicides solved with 2-6 months of data. The city attorney clarified the Levine Act did not apply and recusal was not required.
- Key Outcomes:
- The council voted unanimously (10-0) to approve the Chief's updated policy alongside the new guardrails.
- Data retention was reduced by 92% to 30 days.
- Prohibited camera locations were expanded.
- An RFP process for alternative vendors was directed.
Police Department Overtime Spending
Budget Director Jim Shannon presented a plan to address $16.5 million in overtime overspend in FY 24-25.
- Strategy: The plan includes stricter overtime controls, redeployment of personnel (resulting in $8 million in annual savings), and shifting positions to the base budget.
- Specific Changes: The plan reduces the Traffic Enforcement Unit and School Liaison Program, and ends SJPD's policing contract at the Berryessa BART station (where the city was reimbursing only half the cost).
- Council Discussion: Councilmembers expressed disappointment over cuts to traffic enforcement and school liaisons but supported the fiscal responsibility. Mental health crisis calls will be handled by the MCAT team and the county's mobile crisis response team following the county's elimination of PERT.
- Outcome: The motion was approved unanimously.
Open Forum
- Raymond Goans criticized the city and police handling of a mental health crisis call where an individual was killed.
- A speaker raised concerns about the mayor's association with the Hindu American Foundation.
- Ted Scarlet pleaded for housing assistance.
Meeting Transcript
And today I get to run the meeting until the mayor gets here. And I believe in starting on time. So if Tony, can you take the role, or do we not have a quorum even yet? No, we have quorum. They're just not at their chairs. Okay. Campos. Tordillos. Cohen? Ortiz? Present. Well, Kahi. Here. Ked Dulles? Here. Casey. Fully? Here, Mayhan, you have a quorum. Great, thank you. Now, if you're able, please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. It stands one nation under God. With liberty and justice for all today's invocation will be provided by the San Jose Taiko. Council Member Tordillos, please tell us more. Thank you, Vice Mayor. Good afternoon, everyone. For today's invocation, we are honored to be joined by one of District Three's longest serving and most decorated performance groups, San Jose Taiko. Or ensemble drumming with Japanese drums. Founded in nineteen seventy-three, San Jose Taiko was only the third Taiko group formed outside of Japan. And in the years since, they have become a pioneer in contemporary taiko and have helped to grow the art form to an ecosystem that sports more than five hundred groups throughout North America. In addition to their core mission of advancing Taiko as an art form, San Jose Taiko is also deeply invested in preserving and advancing the unique cultural heritage of San Jose's Japan town. Last year, San Jose Taiko sponsored the successful application designating Japan Town as a California cultural district and providing additional resources to recognize and publicize Japan Towns history as a thriving community of artists and culture bearers with vibrant community events, extensive historic resources, and prevalent public art. So without further public ador ado, uh please join me in welcoming San Jose Taiko. Thank you. Who doesn't love a good taiko drum beat? Thank you. Councilmember Ortiz, please join me at the podium as we recognize and proclaim the twenty-eighth annual Mashika New Year celebration. Thank you so much, Vice Mayor, and I see Mirlao Peeley coming down to join us. It's my honor today to present a proclamation recognizing the twenty-eighth annual Mexica New Year ceremony, hosted by Calpuli Tonaleke, one of the largest gatherings of indigenous people celebrating this tradition across our nation. Each year, this ceremony brings together indigenous families, cultural practitioners, and community members to honor traditions carried forward for generations. It is a time to reflect, reconnect, and celebrate the knowledge, culture, and ceremonies that continue to guide and strengthen indigenous communities to this day. Tochli in our language is a rabbit. It represents fertility, multiplicity, creativity, and abundance. You get two rabbits together, and soon you have a lot of rabbits. This year will be a new beginning of unity and abundance for everyone. We invite you all to join us in ceremony and celebration this weekend at the beautiful city of San Jose M. Aprush Park, where we'll be joined by our local Mowekma Lone tribe, neighboring Pomo and Miwok tribes, Apache, Totonaka Mishteco from Oaxaca, Totonaka from Veracruz, and over 500 Aztec dancers from throughout the nation in Mexico. We appreciate you recognizing our native identity, our culture and traditions. We look forward to celebrating with you all this weekend and continuing the spirit of collaboration, unity, and interculture exchange for a brighter tomorrow for our future generations. Thank you. Thank thank you so much.
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