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After three meetings, a new San Jose commission tasked with reshaping San Jose’s governance has not yet dug into switching to a strong mayor system — the main reason the commission was formed. The city’s Charter Review Commission is tasked with helping the San Jose City Council decide whether the mayor should have more power...
San Jose police plans to expand new approach to mental health calls
Phil Watkins was 23 when he was shot to death by San Jose police after he called 911 saying he was going to kill himself and was holding children hostage. Sharon Watkins said her son was shot 10 times when he ran toward officers holding a pocket knife. Recalling the confrontation six years ago, she...
San Jose halts plans to put electronic billboards on private property
After being whittled down by fierce community opposition, San Jose lawmakers have officially paused a plan to erect digital billboards on private property. Before lawmakers stopped it, Phase 2 of the city’s signage plan involved placing electronic billboards on public buildings downtown and up to 75 digital signs on private property along freeways. The proposal...
Top county executive rebukes San Jose mayor’s claims about homeless encampments
While Mayor Sam Liccardo was talking about trash in December, it looks like County Executive Jeff Smith was dishing it out. In a Dec. 15 letter from Smith to Liccardo obtained by this news organization, Smith accused the mayor of misrepresenting the county’s stance on clearing homeless encampments. “We are not aware of any such...
San Jose tenants and landlords in limbo as rent relief is delayed
San Jose and Santa Clara County will rely on a coalition of grassroots charity organizations led by Destination: Home and Sacred Heart Community Service to disburse $57 million in federal rent relief to landlords and tenants suffering the financial consequences of COVID-19 in Silicon Valley. But not one penny can move until the U.S. Treasury...
San Jose school district to monetize land to fund educational programs
After years of struggling to stay afloat financially, the Cambrian School District will now be able to monetize its excess land to bring in cash for education. Instead of selling the land outright, the Cambrian School District — long strapped for cash and hampered by budget cuts — opted to exchange 2.7 acres of its vacant...
Some San Jose leaders ready to discuss sanctioned encampments
With homelessness on the rise, some city leaders in San Jose say it’s time to explore new ways to support those living on the streets. In a recent newsletter to his District 10 constituents, Councilmember Matt Mahan announced plans to develop a comprehensive homeless encampment management strategy. “We’ve gone far too long without actively managing...
San Jose, facing service cuts, looks to hire workers to boost COVID-19 vaccine rollout
Struggling to meet its COVID-19 vaccination goals, Santa Clara County is calling on San Jose to help. But helping the county ramp up vaccinations could mean a reduction in some city services. In response to the county’s call for mutual aid, San Jose could recruit up to 250 people — hired and funded by the...
What happens to major East San Jose project after developer is charged with fraud?
When Jesús Flores first heard about the drama with SiliconSage — the upstart developer being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission for allegedly defrauding investors — he said he felt dismayed. “We’re worried about what’s going to happen,” said Flores, president of Latino Business Foundation Silicon Valley. “This is very sad and frustrating for...
San Jose mayor: Stop blaming tech companies for our problems
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo says it’s time to stop blaming tech companies for the Bay Area’s problems. In a recent question-and-answer session with Jim Wunderman, president of the Bay Area Council, Liccardo opined that Bay Area companies and workers are leaving because of mistakes made by local policy makers. “(Tech companies) are a little...
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