San José Transportation and Environment Committee Meeting - June 8, 2026

The Transportation and Environment Committee met on June 8, 2026, from 1:30 PM to 3:26 PM, chaired by Councilmember Cohen. The committee discussed three major reports: the Community Forest Management Plan and Urban Forestry Annual Report, the Vision Zero Traffic Safety Status Report, and the Move San José Annual Report. Public comments and a report from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) were also heard.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tara (Our City Forest): Expressed support for the city's urban forestry goals, noting that Our City Forest (OCF) planted 1,765 trees this fiscal year (about 300 city-funded) and engaged 2,500 volunteers. Raised concerns about federal funding uncertainty due to cuts to AmeriCorps and urged continued partnership.
• Jordan Moldow (District 3 Resident): Commended staff for managing the invasive shot hole borer infestation, noting many yellow (low-infestation) dots compared to red (removed) trees in his neighborhood. Highlighted the role of trees in active transportation and requested more street tree planting along bike corridors.
• Jeff Englander (District 1 Resident, BPAC member, rehab physician): Thanked DOT for lowering the speed limit near Prospect High School and advocated for 20 mph limits around all schools and libraries. Emphasized that severe injuries are as important as fatalities.
• Jordan Moldow (BPAC Chair): Presented BPAC's recommendations, including faster delivery of quick-build projects, holistic school safety treatments (daylighting, no-turn-on-red), lower school speed limits, trail underpass cleanup prioritized as a transportation issue, and permanent bike access on Ewart Road near the airport.

Discussion Items

1. Community Forest Management Plan & Urban Forestry Annual Report

Presented by John Ristow (Director of Transportation), Jennifer Sagan (Deputy Director), and Sarah Davis (City Forester).

• Sustainability: Updated the approved street tree list to prioritize species that survive today and in future climates. Planted over 2,000 trees this fiscal year (city funding: 300 from Our City Forest, rest via contractors). Pruned over 4,000 street trees. Reduced the pruning cycle from 30 years to 11 years, aiming for 7 years.
• Equity: Used a national Tree Equity Score to target planting in disadvantaged neighborhoods. A federal grant (Inflation Reduction Act Community Forest Investment Project) provides free trees and three years of watering in designated blue areas (goal: 2,800 new trees, plus pruning 5,000 existing trees). Workforce development partnerships with Our City Forest and San Jose Conservation Corps engaged 2,500 volunteers at 57 events.
• Pest Management: The invasive shot hole borer fungus threatens one in five street and private property trees. Surveyed infestations (yellow dots) and removed heavily infested trees (red dots). Treated 90 trees as sentinel traps to limit spread. Progress is slower than in Southern California, allowing a measured response.
• Councilmember Ortiz noted the May 2026 civil grand jury report questioning whether the 2,000-tree annual goal will meet the 20% canopy target by 2051. Director Ristow stated a formal response is due in August and that the goal came from the adopted plan. Ortiz also requested district-level canopy goals; staff agreed to provide census-tract targets. Staff discussed conversion rates for tree requests and barriers like cost of a garden hose.
• Vice Mayor Foley requested a link for residents to request free trees and thanked staff for saving trees during a pavement project in her district.
• Councilmember Cohen asked about the in-lieu fee reserve: 73% has been spent, with half returned to the district where fees were generated and half pooled for citywide use. Noted that tree mortality is accounted for (contractors replace until success). Asked about the goal to reduce the pruning cycle to 7 years: funded through general operating funds, with operational efficiency gains. On the borer, only street trees are treated; private trees are the owner's responsibility, and treating all 310,000 susceptible trees citywide is not feasible.

2. Vision Zero Traffic Safety Status Report

Presented by Jim Bittner (Acting Division Manager), with Vice Mayor Foley reading the names of 23 individuals killed in traffic crashes since the last report.

• Trends: Traffic fatalities peaked at 65 in 2022, declined to 41 in 2025 (37% decrease), the lowest since 2012. However, DUI-related fatalities rose to over 20% of all fatalities in 2025-2026. Speeding and red-light running contribute to about one-third of all KSI (killed or severely injured) crashes.
• New Tools: Launched a new Vision Zero website (visionzerosj.org) with two interactive crash data dashboards (all crashes and KSI crashes). Created a dedicated email (visionzero@sanjoseca.gov).
• Projects: Completed 470 Vision Zero projects this fiscal year, including a roundabout at Daniel Malan/Neiman and a traffic signal at Branham/King's Park. Quick-build safety improvements completed on Jackson, Meridian, Camden, Blossom Hill, and Tenth Street. 53 pedestrian safety and traffic calming projects completed. Before-and-after evaluations underway for five corridors.
• School Safety: 38 school access and circulation studies done; 138 high-visibility school crosswalks installed this year (nearly 1,500 total). The Walk and Roll program held 57 safety education events and distributed 774 bike helmets.
• Enforcement: Red-light camera pilot at four intersections issued 5,000 citations in the first four months. Speed safety camera pilot vendor selected; installation of 33 cameras expected by September 2026.
• Grant Applications: Submitted five grants totaling $2 million; two Measure B bike/ped planning grants awarded.
• BPAC Recommendations (Jordan Moldow): Urged faster quick-build delivery with public dashboards; holistic school safety treatments; reduced school speed limits; treating trail underpass cleanup as a transportation priority; supporting bike access on Ewart Road and around the airport. BPAC also supports a linear park with transit lanes on Santa Clara Street.
• Discussion: Vice Mayor Foley asked about addressing impaired driving beyond infrastructure. Staff noted coordination with CHP and SJPD for increased DUI checkpoints and education. On school speed limits, staff explained that a 20 mph pilot 15 years ago showed minimal effect, and implementing citywide would be cumbersome (250 schools). Councilmember Campos asked about microtransit (see next item).

3. Move San José Annual Report

Presented by Jessica Zank (Deputy Director), Ramses Madou (Division Manager), and Wilson Tam (Planning Manager).

• Overview: The Move San José plan (adopted 2022) uses data-driven Key Performance Indicators to prioritize over 500 planned projects. A new Decision Support System (AI-powered) helps evaluate projects on a level playing field.
• Environmental Progress: Transportation accounts for ~50% of city emissions. Electric vehicle registrations are up ~18% per year, with about 80,000 EVs registered. Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) is decreasing in the short term but increasing long term due to return-to-office policies.
• Multimodal Access & Equity: Only 40% of jobs reachable by car within 30 minutes are also reachable by transit within 30 minutes. Transit signal priority saved up to 3 minutes (20% improvement) on frequent routes. One-third of all trips in San Jose are under 2 miles, presenting opportunities for walking, biking, and micromobility. Bike share will expand with 32 new stations, mostly in East San Jose, starting late 2026.
• Councilmember Ortiz asked about e-bike/e-scooter usage patterns. Staff noted current data limitations but expect better analysis as the system expands.
• Councilmember Campos asked about microtransit. Staff announced the upcoming Palenda on-demand shuttle pilot, launching by end of 2026 in Districts 5 and 7 (funded by VTA's Measure B Innovative Transit grant). The service aims to provide last-mile connections. Staff emphasized the need for marketing and proving ridership to secure sustained funding.
• Councilmember Cohen questioned why some areas have better transit/ car ratios (e.g., North San Jose showing darker blue) and suggested exploring shared parking to reduce parking requirements. Staff agreed and noted a future position to study such topics.
• Public Comment (Jordan Moldow): Praised concrete protected bike lanes on 3rd/4th Street for encouraging new bike commuters. Urged state-level advocacy for speed limiters in cars. Noted that biking can be faster than driving when accounting for parking access time.

Key Outcomes

• Community Forest Management Plan: Accepted unanimously (5-0). Staff to provide formal response to civil grand jury report in August 2026.
• Vision Zero Traffic Safety Status Report: Accepted unanimously (5-0). Item 4 of the agenda was postponed to the August 12, 2026 meeting.
• Move San José Annual Report: Accepted (4-0, with one absent). The committee directed staff to continue developing the Palenda microtransit pilot and to explore improved transit connectivity and parking utilization.
• Meeting Adjourned at 3:26 PM.