The San Jose City Council met on May 12, 2026, for a regular meeting that included ceremonial proclamations, a public hearing on the 2026-2027 proposed operating and capital budgets, approval of an amendment to the airport master plan, and an update on major events under the SJ26 initiative. The council also heard public comments on immigration services, senior health and wellness programs, wildland fire staffing, and other community concerns.
Public Hearing on 2026-2027 Proposed Budget: 26 speakers addressed the council on:
Open Forum: Four speakers addressed non-agenda items:
Amendment to the Airport Master Plan (Item 5.1): Staff presented an update to the 20-year planning horizon, now projecting 17 million annual passengers by 2037 (down from 22.5 million in 2020 due to post-pandemic changes). The amendment includes planning for emerging electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, growth in business aviation, and development of the "orange lot" (6 acres on Dela Cruz) for aviation-related uses. An addendum to the EIR found no new significant environmental impacts. Councilmember Torrijos questioned the growth forecast; Director Muki Patel noted conservative financial forecasts show flat traffic at 10 million passengers for the next two years. Councilmember Mulcahy asked about Ewart Road closure for cyclists; staff committed to working with other departments on alternate bike path flooding issues. The resolution was approved unanimously.
Republic Services Solid Waste Services Rates (Item 6.1): No public comment. The item was approved unanimously.
2026 Major Event Status Report (Item 8.1): Staff presented results of Super Bowl and NCAA March Madness events, and previewed the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Key statistics:
That we get started. So let's begin with the pledge. If you're able, please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I'm such a United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice all. Great, thank you. Today's invocation will be provided by Eddie Garcia, author of the Mexican Heritage Plaza, a symbol of resilience and perseverance. Councilmember Ortiz, please tell us more. Thank you so much, Vice Mayor. Eddie Garcia is a retired executive, author, and former school board president, a try a heart transplant warrior, and for me personally, an excellent friend. He's a lifelong East San Jose resident. Eddie began his career as an aide to Blanca Alvarado, the first council member to represent District 5, dedicating decades of his life to public service and uplifting our community. After a decade-long battle with heart failure, Eddie received a life-saving heart transplant and went on to write a memoir documenting his remarkable journey of resilience, faith, and perseverance. Earlier this year, Eddie authored and published Mexican Heritage Plaza, a symbol of resilience and perseverance, a powerful book that highlights Mexican-American leaders who fought institutional oppression and helped build the cultural and civic foundation of East San Jose. The stories in this book remind us of the courage, advocacy, and community leadership that continues to inspire us today. It's true honor to introduce my good friend Eddie Garcia. Thank you so much. Thank you, Councilmember Ortiz, for this honor and for this invitation. Where are you? There you are. As someone who grew up on the east side, I'm very honored to have the opportunity to do this. I'm going to start with a little known fact. The City of San Jose was founded on November 29th, 177. But here's the fun fact. With that, I'm going to read a brief passage from the book. Through the 20th century, the handful of historians who wrote about San Jose's history ignored the ethnic Mexican experience. Beginning in the early 1950s, ethnic Mexicans unsuccessfully attempted to establish a cultural center to celebrate the city's Mexican birthright. Proposals from the 1950s, the 1960s, and the 1970s faced institutional roadblocks, financial challenges, and community divisions. Ultimately, none of these projects progressed past the beyond the none of these projects progressed beyond the idea phase. Despite efforts by generations of San Jose's ruling class to marginalize the contributions of ethnic Mexicans to the city's development, a group of Mexican-American civic leaders overcame seemingly impossible odds in the 1990s to build a state-of-the-art Mexican cultural center that would become a symbol of Mexican-American resilience and perseverance. And as all you know, as you all know, that beautiful facility sits in District 5. When I was doing research for the book, the founder's tenacity reminded me of a verse, a powerful verse about hope from St. Paul's letter to the Romans. He wrote, We rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. With dwindling budgets, increasing demand for services, and little help from the chaos in Washington, DC, our mayor and city council face enormous challenges every single day. Let us encourage them to take notice of St. Paul's wide words by rejoicing in their challenges, persevering, and strengthening their character to make hard decisions to help people. Into traditions that meet our personal beliefs, let us offer prayers to them as they do their work today. God bless our mayor and city council and all of those of us who live in our beautiful city. Thank you for the invitation. Again, that was Eddie Garcia, co-author, and thank you, Vice Mayor for kicking things off. We are on to our ceremonial items. Councilman Duan, if you join me at the podium, we will recognize and proclaim Peace Officers Memorial Day. Good afternoon, everyone. Today we gather to recognize National Peace Officer Memorial Day. A time to honor the brave men and women in law enforcement who have given their lives in the line of duty. Having served our community first as a firefighterslash captain and now as a council member, I have had the privilege to work alongside so many dedicated public safety professionals. I've seen firsthand the courage it take to answer calls, the sacrifice made not only by those who serve, but also by their family, and the deep commitment it takes to protect others every single day. Here in San Jose, this day carry a deep personal meaning. We remember the heroes from our own community who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others. Today we honor Sergeant Morris Van Dyke Hubbard, Officer John Buck.