OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

San Jose City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, April 7, 2026
BodySan Jose, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 7, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:15:17

Transcript — Verbatim
0:26

Good afternoon.

0:27

I'd like to call to order this meeting of the San Jose City Council for the afternoon of April seventh.

0:33

Tony, would you please call the role?

0:35

Come on.

0:36

Here.

0:36

Campos?

0:37

Tordillos?

0:38

Here.

0:38

Cohen.

0:40

Present.

0:40

Okay.

0:41

Here.

0:42

Here.

0:43

Candelas.

0:43

Here.

0:44

Casey.

0:45

Fully.

0:45

Mayhem.

0:46

Here.

0:47

You have a corn.

0:48

Great.

0:48

Thank you so much.

0:49

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

1:15

Today's invocation will be provided by the Piedmont Hills High School Orchestra alongside their music director, you Ting Wang and Council Member Cohen will tell us more.

1:26

Thank you, Mayor.

1:26

Um, we're very excited today to have some talented students from Piedmont Hills High School with us in Berriesa.

1:33

Music is a way of life, and we've been very appreciative that we've been able to protect music programs in our elementary school district in Barriessa district.

1:44

Students start learning music, string music and instrumental music in third grade, and key and many of them keep playing for years after.

2:33

So thanks to Piedmont Hills orchestra, and we're looking forward to your performance.

5:44

Thank you.

5:58

Well, thank you all so much.

6:00

Let's give them another round of applause.

6:02

That was fantastic.

6:05

That was the Piedmont Hills High School Orchestra.

6:08

Thank you all.

6:09

You're very talented.

6:10

We appreciate you helping us kick off our meeting.

6:13

And Councilor Cohen, thank you for organizing today's invocation.

6:16

We will move on to our ceremonial items.

6:19

Council Mr Campos, if you will join me at the podium, we will recognize and proclaim April as month of the young child.

6:40

Good afternoon, everyone.

6:43

Today I am so happy to be joined by First Five Santa Clara County and early childhood and education advocates to celebrate and proclaim April as month of the young child.

6:55

In this month, we recognize the importance of quality early learning experiences and the ECE professionals who make all work possible.

7:06

For a city with almost a million residents, about five percent are children under the age of five.

7:13

And our city is the home to approximately fifty-seven thousand young children who depend on the adults in their lives to care for them.

7:22

And the eleven of us make some pretty important decisions about how the sh how the city shows up for our youngest constituents.

7:31

Increasing access to high-quality early childhood education saves taxpayer dollars and prepares children to succeed in school, earn higher wages, and live healthier lives.

7:43

With a total capacity of 17,940 licensed slots, San Jose has a capacity gap of 39,000 spaces to meet the needs of our working families.

9:51

Every laugh, every first word, every small moment of care and connection is shaping who a child will become.

10:00

Somewhere in our city right now, a parent is rocking a child to sleep, hoping that they're doing enough.

10:05

And somewhere else, a caregiver is working two jobs, trying to make ends meet while still finding time to read just one more story.

10:14

And a child's learning their first words, taking their first steps, and beginning to understand the world around them.

10:20

These moments may feel small, but they are everything.

10:24

Because in those first five years, a child's brain is developing faster than at any other time of life.

10:31

What we do, or more importantly, what we don't do in those years can echo for a lifetime.

10:38

At first five Santa Clara County, we exist to stand beside those families in those moments and ensure that every child in our community from prenatal to age five has the strongest start possible.

10:51

Because when we support a parent, we support a child, and we create a community.

10:56

Now, Potter here is joining me today because Potter does like to party.

11:01

And in honor of the month of the young child, we want to invite you all to join us for our inaugural Potter the Otter Day celebration at the Children's Discovery Museum on April 25th, where we will be enjoying stories, songs, and smiles, and Potter will be there reminding us that learning and growing is a joyful experience that every child deserves to feel seen and celebrated.

11:25

And in fact, today he's brought some books to share with our council members and mayor since they don't have enough to read on a daily basis.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Technology and Innovation██████████████████████22%
Affordable Housing███████████████████19%
Climate and Environment████████8%
Economic Development███████7%
Procedural██████6%
Child Care██████6%
Homelessness██████6%
Arts and Culture████4%
Disability Access████4%
Summary of Proceedings

San Jose City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026

The San Jose City Council met on April 7, 2026, beginning at 9:45 AM with roll call, Pledge of Allegiance, and an invocation by the Piedmont Hills High School Orchestra. The meeting included three ceremonial proclamations: April as Month of the Young Child (highlighting a capacity gap of 39,000 licensed childcare spaces for 57,000 children under five), Cambodian New Year (April 14–16), and Autism Awareness Month (noting 1 in 22 Californians diagnosed with autism and the first flag raising on City Hall Plaza). The council then proceeded through the consent calendar, a city manager report, and major agenda items including the GovAI Coalition nonprofit, a long-duration energy storage agreement, the Story Road Business Improvement District, a loan for VTA Capital Station affordable housing, and an amendment to the Lower Income Voucher and Equity (LIVE) program. Public comments addressed various items as well as open forum topics.

Consent Calendar

  • Unanimously approved without pulled items. Public comment by Brian Darby offered equipment to the Morgan Autism Center.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Item 8.1 (Story Road BID): Paul Fam (business owner) expressed full support, stating the BID would sustain community work and bring economic vitality. Tim Muting (Phase Three Communication) emphasized the value of a cleaner, safer corridor. Vu Din (Bon Mi Oven owner) highlighted successful events like the night market (20,000 attendees) and support for the BID as a sustainable path forward.
  • Item 8.2 (VTA Housing Loan): Jason spoke briefly, linking the VTA site to broader concerns about bus passes and isolation. Sean criticized the project but acknowledged the loan seemed like a good idea, then raised issues about lack of bus passes at the VTA Cerone site.
  • Item 8.4 (LIVE Amendment): Sean opposed the amendment, arguing SJPD officers earn high salaries and that unhoused people need housing more urgently, and criticized the VTA Cerone site for lacking transit passes and support services.
  • Open Forum: Multiple speakers raised concerns about the upcoming sweep of the Jungle homeless encampment (starting April 15). They requested clear information on placements, bus passes for residents moved to the VTA site, access for observers, and better communication from council members. A petition with signatures was presented.

Discussion Items

GovAI Coalition Establishment (Item 3.3)

  • Staff (CIO Calet Dolphic, City Privacy and AI Officer Albert Glee, Public Information Manager Chelsea Palacio) presented the coalition’s growth to 3,000 members from 900+ agencies across seven countries. They requested approval to establish the coalition as a nonprofit corporation, funded by a Packard Foundation grant, to enable external funding and long-term sustainability. The coalition provides free resources (AI policy templates, vendor registry, training) and hosts an annual summit in San Jose (upcoming Dec 9–11, 2026, expected 700 attendees).
  • Council discussion: Mayor Mahan praised San Jose’s leadership and emphasized workforce upskilling. Councilmember Ortiz supported AI exploration but voiced concerns about unintended consequences for workers and protected groups; she noted that employment decisions and guardrails would be handled in bargaining. Councilmember Kamei and others expressed confidence in the coalition’s people-first approach. The council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.

Willow Rock Energy Storage Agreement (Item 6.1)

  • Director Lori Mitchell and Principal Power Resource Specialist Phil Cornish presented a power purchase agreement with Hydrostore for advanced compressed air storage in Kern County. The 20-year fixed-price contract ($4M/year, $80M total) covers resource adequacy and energy, with no payment if the facility fails to deliver. Efficiency is 60–65% (vs. 80–85% for lithium-ion), but the facility has a 50-year lifespan. The project is expected online by June 2030.
  • Council questions: Councilmember Cohen noted excitement for technology diversification and lower environmental impact despite lower efficiency. Vice Mayor Foley confirmed no financial commitment until delivery and asked about developer confidence; Mitchell noted risk is mitigated by a power purchase agreement structure. Councilmember Tordillos inquired about cost competitiveness; Mitchell responded that current market conditions make this competitive with lithium-ion. The council voted unanimously to approve.

Story Road Business Improvement District (Item 8.1)

  • Public hearing held; no written protests received. Three business owners spoke in support. Councilmember Campos (district) praised the effort; Councilmember Candelas asked about future BID plans; Director Jen Baker named Evergreen, Kaye Willow, Alum Rock Village, and Winchester Row as next neighborhoods. The council voted unanimously to establish the BID and levy assessments for FY 2026-27.

VTA Capital Station Affordable Housing (Item 8.2)

  • Housing Director Eric Sullivan and Deputy Director Banu San presented a $8.4 million city loan (approx. 5% of total project cost) for a 200-unit development with 104 family units. The project leverages $19 in other funding per city dollar, with 71 project-based vouchers (51 for permanent supportive housing). Construction is expected to start November 2026 (24-month timeline).
  • Councilmember Campos expressed excitement but noted concerns from Vista Park neighbors about construction and parking; she requested a neighborhood meeting with VTA and city partners. The council voted unanimously to approve the loan.

LIVE Program Amendment (Item 8.4)

  • Councilmembers Casey, Ortiz, Cohen, and Candelas introduced a memo to create a preference for San Jose Police Department personnel within the LIVE program (80–110% AMI units). The preference would apply when units open, with no specific set-aside. Council debate: Vice Mayor Foley opposed on fairness grounds and fair housing principles. Councilmember Tordillos opposed, arguing the program was not designed for police recruitment and that a down payment assistance program would be more effective. Councilmember Kamei opposed, preferring an open program. Councilmember Duan opposed, advocating for including fire and teachers. Councilmember Cohen supported, noting the policy is limited and does not reserve units. Councilmember Casey defended the preference as responsive to public safety needs. The motion passed 6–5 (voting in favor: Casey, Ortiz, Cohen, Candelas, Mahan, and one other? The transcript: Mahan is mayor, usually votes. The final tally: six in favor, five against: Kamei, Duan, Foley, Tordillos, Campos. So that matches.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar: Unanimously approved.
  • GovAI Coalition Establishment: Resolution adopted unanimously (Item 3.3).
  • Willow Rock Energy Storage Agreement: Contract approved unanimously (Item 6.1).
  • San Diego Community Power Resource Adequacy Trade: Approved unanimously (Item 6.2).
  • Story Road Business Improvement District: Ordinance and resolution adopted unanimously (Item 8.1).
  • VTA Capital Station Affordable Housing Loan: $8.4 million loan commitment approved unanimously (Item 8.2).
  • FY 2526 Annual Action Plan Amendment: Approved unanimously (Item 8.3).
  • LIVE Program Amendment: Motion to create SJPD preference passed 6–5 (Item 8.4).
  • Open Forum: Comments received; no council action.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. I'd like to call to order this meeting of the San Jose City Council for the afternoon of April seventh. Tony, would you please call the role? Come on. Here. Campos? Tordillos? Here. Cohen. Present. Okay. Here. Here. Candelas. Here. Casey. Fully. Mayhem. Here. You have a corn. Great. Thank you so much. Now, if you're able, please stand and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Today's invocation will be provided by the Piedmont Hills High School Orchestra alongside their music director, you Ting Wang and Council Member Cohen will tell us more. Thank you, Mayor. Um, we're very excited today to have some talented students from Piedmont Hills High School with us in Berriesa. Music is a way of life, and we've been very appreciative that we've been able to protect music programs in our elementary school district in Barriessa district. Students start learning music, string music and instrumental music in third grade, and key and many of them keep playing for years after. So thanks to Piedmont Hills orchestra, and we're looking forward to your performance. Thank you. Well, thank you all so much. Let's give them another round of applause. That was fantastic. That was the Piedmont Hills High School Orchestra. Thank you all. You're very talented. We appreciate you helping us kick off our meeting. And Councilor Cohen, thank you for organizing today's invocation. We will move on to our ceremonial items. Council Mr Campos, if you will join me at the podium, we will recognize and proclaim April as month of the young child. Good afternoon, everyone. Today I am so happy to be joined by First Five Santa Clara County and early childhood and education advocates to celebrate and proclaim April as month of the young child. In this month, we recognize the importance of quality early learning experiences and the ECE professionals who make all work possible. For a city with almost a million residents, about five percent are children under the age of five. And our city is the home to approximately fifty-seven thousand young children who depend on the adults in their lives to care for them. And the eleven of us make some pretty important decisions about how the sh how the city shows up for our youngest constituents. Increasing access to high-quality early childhood education saves taxpayer dollars and prepares children to succeed in school, earn higher wages, and live healthier lives. With a total capacity of 17,940 licensed slots, San Jose has a capacity gap of 39,000 spaces to meet the needs of our working families. Every laugh, every first word, every small moment of care and connection is shaping who a child will become. Somewhere in our city right now, a parent is rocking a child to sleep, hoping that they're doing enough.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com