San Jose City Council Meeting - August 11, 2026

The San Jose City Council met in regular session on August 11, 2026, at 1:30 PM in Council Chambers, following a closed session at 9:30 AM. The meeting included ceremonial proclamations, unanimous approval of consent and land-use items, a resolution supporting Proposition 1 (Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act), adoption of amendments to boards and commissions policies, and a response to the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury report on tree canopy. Public comment was heard on several items, including airport worker wages, energy storage transparency, and tree canopy concerns.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent calendar (with item 2.2 pulled for a separate vote due to Councilmember Mulcahy's recusal) unanimously.
• Item 2.2 (rezoning at 1402 Monterey Road) was approved separately with Mulcahy recused; motion passed unanimously.
• Public speakers commented on Airport Grants (Item 2.8): Valdemar Calderon (Unite Here Local 19) expressed support for airport workers but criticized the living wage disparity ($7.56 less than city living wage). A Spanish-speaking speaker (name not given) described personal cost-of-living struggles.
• On Item 2.21 (franchise for Tokay Energy Storage), speaker Roland expressed concern about transparency and a 100-megawatt battery plant connecting to the grid near a church.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 3.3 (Prop 1): Public speaker Brian supported the bond act but requested more transparency on fund allocation.
• Item 3.8 (Boards & Commissions): Jordan Muldow (BPAC chair) urged the council to strike the default quarterly meeting requirement, noting that monthly meetings are needed for community engagement. Brian supported more responsive communication. Caller Martha O'Connell (GSMOL) spoke in favor of hybrid meetings for commissions, citing the housing commission's positive experience with Zoom.
• Item 5.2 (Tree Canopy): Lynn Paulson (resident/volunteer) asked for a funded implementation plan. Tara (Our City Forest) recommended five strengthening actions, including zero net canopy loss. Jordan Muldow criticized the city's response as pedantic. Greg (District 8) stressed the need for maintenance. Brian shared emotional stories about tree loss. Lillian (District 3) questioned the use of a $5.6 million grant and noted St. James Park's 98 trees to be removed.
• Item 7.1 (Shelter Property Management): Ted Scarlet called the shelter system a "dismal failure" with violent participants. Brian hoped for consistent rule enforcement. Rachel (nonprofit founder) raised concerns about overdose deaths at Second Street Studios.
• Open Forum: Speakers addressed issues including homeless seniors needing bottom bunks, permit difficulties, expressway pedestrian prohibitions, Coyote Creek trash, parking meter problems, a police-involved eviction, and public records transparency.

Discussion Items

• Item 3.3 (Proposition 1): Emily Lamb (IGR Director) presented the recommendation to support the $11.25 billion bond. She noted the city could secure ~$40 million, with flexibility to convert interim housing to permanent. The mayor emphasized flexibility negotiated. Councilmembers Doan and Tordillos expressed support. Motion by Tordillos passed unanimously.
• Item 3.4 (CalPERS Amendment): Approved unanimously with no discussion.
• Item 3.5 (Property Tax Levy for GO Bonds): Approved unanimously (Cohen absent).
• Item 3.6 (Solid Waste Collection Charges): Approved unanimously (Cohen absent).
• Item 3.7 (Sewer Service Charges): Approved unanimously.
• Item 3.8 (Boards & Commissions Policy): Councilmember Tordillos presented the item. Discussion focused on meeting frequency. Vice Mayor Foley moved to modify the default quarterly requirement, allowing commissions to determine their own meeting frequency at the first meeting of the fiscal year. Councilmember Cohen supported flexibility. Councilmember Kamei requested removal of the phrase "first meeting" to avoid micromanagement. The motion was accepted and passed unanimously. Also, under Orders of the Day, the council approved virtual/hybrid meetings for Council Committees per Policy 0-37.
• Item 5.2 (Tree Canopy Response): Staff presented the city's response to the Grand Jury report, disagreeing partially or entirely with all six findings. Councilmembers Ortiz, Cohen, Mulcahy, and the mayor asked questions about data, pruning, equity, and partnerships. Staff noted progress (12 FTE, reduced pruning cycle to 11 years, federal grant). Councilmember Cohen raised policy issues around tree preservation in development. The response was approved unanimously.
• Item 7.1 (Bell Properties Shelter Management): Eric Sullivan (Housing Director) presented the agreement to consolidate property management for 15 sites (~1,700 beds), projecting $1 million in savings (20% reduction). Motion approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (item 2.2 separate, Mulcahy recused).
• Land Use Consent (10.1a): Rezoning for 5891 Rue Ferrari Church approved unanimously.
• Prop 1 Support (3.3): Resolution supporting Proposition 1 passed unanimously.
• CalPERS Amendment (3.4): Approved unanimously.
• Property Tax Levy (3.5): Approved unanimously (Cohen absent).
• Solid Waste Charges (3.6): Approved unanimously (Cohen absent).
• Sewer Charges (3.7): Approved unanimously.
• Boards & Commissions Policy (3.8): Amended and approved unanimously. Virtual/hybrid meetings for Council Committees also approved.
• Tree Canopy Response (5.2): Approved unanimously.
• Bell Properties Agreement (7.1): Approved unanimously.
• Open Forum: No formal action taken; comments received for follow-up.