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After a monthslong debate between local leaders, North San Jose is set to receive 200 temporary homes for homeless residents. The VTA board of directors unanimously approved building the homes at its Cerone bus yard on Thursday. The consensus by the 12-person board comes as a surprise after deep political divides and ongoing disputes threatened...
San Jose wants to stop bad police behavior before it happens
San Jose is spending half a million dollars to identify potentially problematic police officer behavior sooner—and work to swiftly correct it. The San Jose City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a three-year, $479,000 contract with Chicago-based Benchmark Analytics for its Police Early Intervention Solution system. Councilmembers also approved a $50,000 contingency for any possible change orders, bringing...
San Jose will grow urban canopy with federal funds
San Jose is about to get greener thanks to a federal grant to help expand its urban tree canopy. The U.S. Forest Service awarded San Jose $6.6 million on Sept. 22 to plant, maintain and restore trees across the city. It’s part of a $1 billion program funded by the U.S. Inflation and Reduction Act giving...
San Jose officials pressure VTA for homeless housing
Whether a result of politics or caution, San Jose’s hopes of opening an interim housing site at a public transit lot in the northern part of the city may not happen exactly how leaders want. The VTA board of directors is voting Thursday on where to build 200 homes for homeless residents. The 12-person board...
Silicon Valley homeless nonprofit accused of racial profiling
NAACP representatives have accused HomeFirst of racially profiling employees and voiced their anger in front of the homeless service provider’s headquarters. The allegations include displaying photos of former Black employees in a handbook “like criminal mugshots,” rescheduling Black employees who needed child care and recently firing a Black employee who is now facing homelessness himself...
UPDATE: Why is San Jose starting its own power utility?
As San Jose’s power needs increase with electrification and climate change solutions, the city will explore creating its own power utility. The San Jose City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the creation of San Jose Power, a city-run electric utility touted as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to provide power at lower rates and bring in more...
New Milpitas city manager wants to boost morale
Milpitas has a new city manager—the fourth in the past six years. The Milpitas City Council removed the word “acting” from Ned Thomas’ city manager title at Tuesday’s meeting and approved his permanent appointment through June 30, 2025, with an option to renew annually. His annual base salary is $279,000, according to his contract. Thomas previously...
Knight Foundation names new San Jose director
The Knight Foundation has selected a new program director to oversee its efforts in San Jose, following a year without a permanent leader. The philanthropic organization that supports nonprofits, the arts and public improvement projects announced today it named Allan Madoc to the role, a Stanford University Sloan Fellow with a background in technology investment banking....
East San Jose store faces outcry for obtaining liquor license
An East San Jose convenience store with a controversial history has received a permit to sell alcohol, despite concerns of underage drinking and increasing crime in the area. The San Jose Planning Commission on Sept. 27 granted Fast Mart, a convenience store at 1484 S. White Road in the Mount Pleasant South neighborhood, a conditional use...
New San Jose programs approve permits in days—not months
San Jose’s Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Department is streamlining its permitting process to generate faster turnaround times. The online process is two-fold. One feature—Best Prepared Designer—is aimed at design professionals and contractors who have a good track record with the city on small projects like single-family remodels and commercial projects. The program aims to...