A Silicon Valley energy company that lobbied for a last-minute gas ban exemption crafted the policy language it benefited from—with help from Mayor Sam Liccardo’s close friend. San Jose-based Bloom Energy, whose Vice President Carl Guardino is a personal friend to Mayor Sam Liccardo, worked directly with the mayor’s office to shape and write a controversial...
San Jose ends controversial plans for Charcot Avenue extension
Contentious plans for the Charcot Avenue Extension project in North San Jose have reached the end of the road. On Tuesday, the San Jose City Council unanimously voted to drop plans to build an overpass that would cross over Interstate 880 from Paragon Drive to Oakland Road and divert the remaining $3.9 million in budgeted...
Which San Jose council candidates lead in campaign contributions?
With half of the San Jose City Council’s seats up for grabs, this election season will be contested and costly. Candidates are required to disclose campaign contributions—the most recent deadline being Monday for funds raised between Dec. 9-31. While not every candidate has their numbers in, here’s a look at what we do know for the...
Mahan still leads in fundraising for San Jose mayoral race
As San Jose’s mayoral race heats up, campaign fundraising is following suit with the four leading candidates collectively raising more than $1.4 million in one month. Three councilmembers—Dev Davis, Matt Mahan and Raul Peralez—and Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez are all vying for the job. All contributions and donor information are based on campaign...
San Jose council considers cutting fees for downtown high-rise
The San Jose City Council is looking at cutting fees for a downtown high-rise, potentially saving the developer more than $4 million. Councilmembers will decide later this month whether to halve two construction taxes and waive the city’s Affordable Housing Impact Fee for The Carlysle—a proposed mixed-use tower at 51 Notre Dame Street. A Tuesday vote to...
Palo Alto offers more help to renters facing eviction
The Palo Alto City Council is expanding relocation assistance to include more renters, but the only long-time renting councilmember could not participate. The council voted 5-1 Monday to pass an emergency ordinance requiring landlords of smaller residential buildings to pay relocation assistance to tenants during evictions. An existing law already requires the owners of buildings...
Santa Clara County leaders to review mining company violations
Residents and elected leaders are applauding the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for taking steps to shed light on the complete record of violations at the only cement manufacturer in the Bay Area. The board voted unanimously last week on a referral from Supervisor Joe Simitian to create a report documenting all violations relating...
Santa Clara County revises COVID-19 testing health order
COVID-19 testing requirements are changing in Santa Clara County, but not drastically. On Monday, county officials announced changes to an ongoing health order allowing health care providers to use antigen testing instead of just PCR testing, and shifting the responsibility of testing and vaccinations back to providers instead of the county. “The update doesn’t make radical changes,”...
Troubled restrooms in North San Jose park finally open year-round
Neglected public restrooms in an overlooked part of San Jose are finally getting attention from the city. City workers recently opened the restrooms in Alviso Park next to the public swimming pool. Councilmember David Cohen, whose district includes the park, told San José Spotlight the restrooms have been mostly closed to the public for the...
After two years, San Jose celebrates Lunar New Year in person
Hundreds of people flocked to San Jose’s History Park Saturday morning to ring in the Year of the Tiger at one of largest Lunar New Year festivals in the South Bay after two years of virtual celebration. “It’s a blessing to be able to gather and celebrate the new year again with the community,” Ai Duong...