San Jose is transferring ownership of a former motel rife with issues to the Santa Clara County Housing Authority, with plans to convert it from temporary homeless housing to permanent apartments. The City Council approved finalizing the sale Tuesday for $1, with the housing authority expected to own the building by the end of June....
FAQ: How will San Jose’s first responder fee work?
San Jose officials unanimously voted to approve a “First Responder Fee Program” that will charge $427 per emergency medical service trip made by the fire department to increase its funding — but who will foot the bill? San José Spotlight dug deeper into the first responder fee program to address concerns from residents after Mayor...
San Jose not on track to open safe sleeping site
San Jose’s first safe sleeping site for homeless residents was supposed to open in March, but has been delayed by months. The city is converting a vacant lot at 1157 E. Taylor St. near Watson Park to allow up to 56 homeless people to sleep in tents without fear of being swept. Mayor Matt Mahan previously...
San Jose sets stricter rules for street vendors
San Jose police officials told city leaders they need more tools to impound the property of illicit street vendors in downtown, especially during events. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to accept Police Chief Paul Joseph’s proposal to create a new street peddler permit policy to streamline law enforcement powers and remove permitting barriers. Police...
UPDATE: San Jose officials approve charging first responder fee
City leaders have approved a fee program allowing the San Jose Fire Department’s emergency medical services to collect payments from people they treat. Fire Chief Robert Sapien said San Jose needs to join the 23 fire agencies across California that already have first responder fees for people using the fire department’s emergency medical services. While...
State law blocks potential San Jose flea market site
San Jose Berryessa Flea Market vendors say a city-owned landfill is their best option for a new home, but a state law is stopping the idea from becoming a reality. The 90-acre Singleton site, a former landfill, is the favored location. It’s close to freeways and residential neighborhoods — making it the top option out...
Lawsuit: Silicon Valley water CEO pushed funding his private group
A new lawsuit alleges Valley Water CEO Rick Callender pushed to have his agency sponsor the NAACP California-Hawaii State Conference — a private group he personally oversees — with public dollars. The conflict of interest claim comes from a civil complaint filed March 20 by Salena Pryor, an NAACP colleague who worked under Callender in his...
San Jose mayor wants to clear homeless camps near freeways
San Jose has been clearing homeless encampments along city waterways, and is looking to do the same for people living under freeways. Mayor Matt Mahan is exploring a partnership with Caltrans to accelerate sweeps near freeways through state legislation and a city pilot program. State freeways, highways and underpasses are under Caltrans’ jurisdiction. But due...
San Jose mayor and county clash over homelessness crackdown
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan wants Santa Clara County to scale up shelter and health treatment options in response to the city’s renewed crackdown on homelessness. During Tuesday’s City Council discussion on Mayor Matt Mahan’s 2025-26 March budget message, Councilmembers David Cohen and Domingo Candelas sought to involve county officials in the mayor’s “Responsibility to...
San Jose policy gives housing developer millions in tax breaks
City leaders have agreed to give a San Jose housing developer multimillion-dollar tax breaks as part of a recently-passed program meant to win over builders. The San Jose City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to approve a seven-story, 345-apartment complex at 905 North Capitol Ave., signing off on $4.9 million in construction tax cuts and fee...