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San Jose Planning Commission gains equity with more members

The San Jose Planning Commission added four additional members in July following community demand for diversity and citywide representation. Rolando Bonilla, chair of the commission, says the change is needed and a long time coming. “The city of San Jose, the largest city in the Bay Area, needed to set an example of how to...

Some San Jose public workers to see wage increase

After months of negotiations with San Jose, some city employees are one step closer to receiving higher wages for the upcoming year. Municipal Employee’s Federation (MEF) 101 President Steven Solorio told San José Spotlight that union leaders and the city recently agreed to a 3.25% wage increase for the first year of a two-year contract....

San Jose mayor’s private emails spark response from watchdogs, attorney

A San Francisco law firm and a free speech advocacy group are demanding San Jose City Hall release emails from the mayor’s private account after San José Spotlight reported on his attempt to skirt public records law last month. Prominent San Francisco media attorney Karl Olson and the First Amendment Coalition separately have filed two public records...

San Jose City Hall reopens, in-person meetings resume

After almost 17 months, San Jose City Hall reopened Monday—but you’ll need a mask to step inside, even if you’re vaccinated. Also Monday, the Martin Luther King Jr. Library reopened its doors after shuttering in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All visitors to a city building, including libraries and community centers, must wear a mask regardless...

Masks will be required indoors in Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County and seven other Bay Area counties have issued a new health order requiring masks indoors in public places. The mandate applies to everyone regardless of vaccination status. Officials announced the health order during a news conference on Monday. The order, which takes effect midnight on Tuesday, applies to most public settings, with...

Owner of troubled San Jose apartments is a lawsuit magnet

After residents at Foxdale Village Apartments complained about their water being shut off without notice, KDF Communities offered tenants a three-day rent credit and reimbursement for hotels. This might be too little, too late. If history is any indicator, KDF and its property manager, VPM Management, may soon have lawsuits on its hands. KDF Communities,...