San Jose City Council Meeting - May 5, 2026: Proclamations, Billboards, Library Plan, and Park Approvals
San Jose City Council Meeting - May 5, 2026
Opening Ceremonies and Proclamations
The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. with 9 council members present (Mayor Mahan absent). After the pledge and an invocation by Father Hugo Rojas of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, three proclamations were presented: Cinco de Mayo (by Councilmember Ortiz), National Fallen Firefighters Weekend (by Councilmember Duan), and National Foster Care Awareness Month (by Councilmember Campos). David Polanco, President of the United Lowrider Council, noted the Cinco de Mayo parade and festival grew to include ~150 artists and two stages, with the parade route at capacity. Lauren Salcicia of Child Advocates of Silicon Valley reported that 7 in 10 foster children in Santa Clara County are Latino, and over 150 children are on a waiting list for a CASA volunteer.
Consent Calendar
- Item 3.3: A requested item was dropped from the agenda by unanimous vote.
- Closed Session: Canceled.
- Item 2.9 (Clear Channel Billboard Modifications): Pulled from consent by Councilmember Mulcahy (recused due to a lease conflict). Public speakers Brian, John Miller, Jason Hemp, Les Levitt, and Paul Loynham opposed the modifications, arguing they constitute a "bait and switch" by increasing sign size and height beyond original approvals, citing safety, environmental, and health risks. Staff confirmed the changes still comply with Council Policy 6-4 (max 1,200 sq. ft.; proposed ~1,000 sq. ft.) and the lease agreement includes a 6:1 removal ratio for static billboards and a minimum annual guarantee of $6.8 million over 10 years. The motion to accept staff recommendation passed 9-0 (Mulcahy recused).
- Remainder of Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously without discussion.
Discussion Items
7.1 Library Facilities and Customer Experience Plan
City Librarian Jill Bourne and consultant Margaret Sullivan presented a plan based on nearly 3,000 survey responses and 180 community partners. Key statistics: Libraries see over 10,000 visitors daily, loan 23,000 items, and have 635,000 cardholders. 45% of branches (11 of 24) are more than 20 years old. The plan proposes three investment scenarios (renew, grow on site, co-locate) and identifies a need for up to 400,000 additional square feet to meet best-practice benchmarks (0.75 sq. ft. per capita). Public speakers—including Duan Coffin (CEO of San Jose Public Library Foundation) and Kat Cloud (Chief Development Officer)—urged adoption, highlighting inequities in District 4 (Berriessa and Alviso are the smallest branches). Councilmembers Collins, Casey, Kamei, Tordillos, and Foley discussed co-location with housing or other city services, especially in North San Jose where population growth is expected. The motion to accept the report passed unanimously.
7.2 Park Master Plans, Amended Turnkey Agreement, and Park Naming (Communications Hill)
Staff presented plans for two new parks in the Communications Hill development: a 1-acre dog park (Phase 3) and a 1.7-acre park with a lawn, walking loop, and cornhole (Phase 4). The developer will dedicate and construct both parks (by June 2028 and December 2029). Park naming: Staff recommended "Communications Hill Dog Park" for Phase 3 and "Azevedo Park" (after Manuel T. Azevedo) for Phase 4. Public speakers Brian and Jose commented generally. Councilmember Duan moved approval, praising the community outreach. A question about maintenance was answered with reference to standard budget allocation. Motion passed unanimously.
8.1 Final Public Hearing and Approval of FY 26-27 Annual Action Plan (HUD)
No public comment or council discussion. Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Item 2.9 (Clear Channel): Approved 9-0, allowing increased billboard size and height under modified lease terms.
- Library Facilities and Customer Experience Plan: Adopted unanimously, guiding future renovations, expansions, and co-location strategies.
- Communications Hill Parks: Master plans, amended turnkey agreement, and park names (Communications Hill Dog Park and Azevedo Park) approved unanimously.
- HUD Annual Action Plan: Approved unanimously.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 3:01 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. It's 1 30, and I'd like to call this meeting to order. And I see that some of our council are here and some are not. So would you take the roll, please? Come. Campos. Tordios. Here. Cohen. Here. Ortiz. Present. Mulkehi. Here. Duan. Here. Candelis. Here. Casey. Foley. Here. And Mayor Mahan is absent. You have a quorum. Thank you. Great. Thank you. Now I'd like if you uh are able to join us in the pledge, please stand and join us. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Good afternoon, everyone. Today's invocation will be provided by Father Hugo Rojas of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. And Councilmember Ortiz, please tell us more. Thank you so much, Vice Mayor. It's my pleasure to introduce uh Mr. Father Hugo Rojas, pastor at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in the Mayfair neighborhood of East San Jose for today's invocation. Born in Tu Nuyan, Mendoza, Argentina, Father Ugo was ordained in 1997 and spent a decade serving as a missionary in Taiwan, bringing faith and connection across the cultures. Since arriving in the Diocese of San Jose in 2008, he has served communities in Gilroy and at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, always with a deep commitment to service. Please join me in welcoming Father Ugo. Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you. Lord God, Father of Peace, Source of all wisdom and truth. We come before you today with humility, recognizing that all human authority finds a deepest meaning in service to others. As we begin this session of the San Jose City Council, we ask you to put out your spirit upon the major and all the members of this council, and upon all who are gathered here. Enlighten their minds and hearts as they carry the responsibility of serving this community. Grant them prudence to desert what is right, justice to give each person they do, fortitude to act with courage and temperance to carry out their duties with balance and integrity. Amid the diversity of perspectives. The poor, migrants, the unhouse, the sick, and the elderly. May the decisions made here today reflect a true commitment to them, and may no one be forgotten. Bless Lord, the city of San Jose, its neighborhoods, its families, its workers, its leaders, and all who call it home. May peace, justice, and solidarity flourish within it.
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