Two former employees of San Jose Councilmember Lan Diep told San José Spotlight the District 4 representative is using his elected office staff and public resources to support his reelection campaign. In general, using taxpayer dollars and government resources for campaign purposes is not permitted and is considered a misuse of public funds. The City...
UPDATE: San Jose City Council approves adding more bike lanes across city
Biking in San Jose is about to get a lot safer — and easier — for residents. The City Council on Oct. 6 unanimously approved the Better Bike Plan 2025, which would prioritize rider safety while increasing the amount of bike lanes, bike parking and bike sharing services citywide. The bike network would also help...
Partner in downtown San Jose development alleges racketeering
A federal court in San Jose is expected soon to rule on a lawsuit in which a member of a local real estate consortium has charged some of his former partners with racketeering involving a downtown parcel near the proposed Google Transit Village. The case centers around an approximately 1.2-acre site at 777 West San...
San Jose airport getting $22 million state-of-the-art fire station
To support growth at the airport and in San Jose, plans are under way to build a $22 million state-of-the-art fire station at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport. Fire Station 20, which has operated at the airport for about 60 years, will be replaced with a new building, updated equipment and technology, and...
UPDATE: San Jose sows seeds to begin public discussion on police reform
City leaders are gearing up to launch a public discussion on reforming San Jose’s police department, acknowledging it will be difficult. “We expect this to be a pretty messy process, especially if we’re bringing divergent perspectives to the table,” said Deputy City Manager Angel Rios. “We’d be lucky if we get 30% consensus. What we’re...
Former San Jose Councilmember Charlotte Powers dies at 82
Former San Jose Councilmember Charlotte Powers, remembered as a trailblazer and hero for women, died Sept. 28 at the age of 82. “She was a dedicated, honest, hard working councilmember and an inclusive person that I admired very much,” said Blanca Alvarado, a former Santa Clara County supervisor and San Jose councilmember who served alongside...
UPDATE: More San Jose small businesses to get break on license tax
In an effort to relieve small businesses suffering during the pandemic, the San Jose City Council unanimously agreed to expand a tax break even though it will cost the city $1 million. The tax, which business owners pay annually to receive a license, ranges from $203 to as high as $163,745 depending on the number...
San Jose names new city attorney, the second woman to fill the role
Nora Frimann was named San Jose’s second female city attorney Tuesday after serving in an interim role since the retirement of former City Attorney Rick Doyle. “I am honored to have been selected to serve San Jose as City Attorney,” Frimann said in a statement. “The City Attorney’s office will do our best to continue...
Union blames lack of overtime for San Jose’s fire inspection backlog
Despite having filled nearly all of its vacant positions, San Jose’s Fire Prevention Bureau will likely fall behind in conducting fire inspections — and largely because of its failure to pay overtime. “There’s a short-term solution to try to bring down the backlog and that is to reinstate the allowance of (paid) overtime,” said Matt...
UPDATE: San Jose council OKs anti-displacement plan to protect renters, landlords
Amid a housing crisis exacerbated by COVID-19, San Jose leaders approved a 10-part plan to provide rent relief and give nonprofits first dibs on property that goes on the market. The anti-displacement plan was approved Sept. 23 past the 12 a.m. curfew in a 10-1 vote. Councilmember Johnny Khamis cast the lone dissenting vote. Displacement...