A union-backed push to impose staffing requirements for grocery store self-checkout areas in San Jose faces fierce pushback from local retailers. Taking inspiration from a handful of Southern California cities that have already adopted such measures — including Costa Mesa, Long Beach and Santa Ana — councilmembers have asked staff to draw up regulations for...
San Jose leaders zero in on flood risks amid strong El Niño
As a strong El Niño season heightens flood risks throughout California, some in San Jose are raising the alarm that shaky coordination between South Bay government agencies could hamstring emergency preparation efforts. During a Tuesday joint meeting between the Valley Water board of directors and San Jose City Council, a chorus of officials and residents warned that...
San Jose sets rules for delivery robots
San Jose’s experiment with autonomous food delivery robots is entering a new phase as the city prepares to roll out rules governing their use, including operating fees as well as fines for companies that run afoul of the new standards. The City Council greenlit a regulatory package Tuesday that will not only set the rules...
San Jose candidates’ campaign dollars grow as election nears
San Jose’s three competitive City Council races have seen a surge in campaign donations since the June primary election, as six candidates battle it out ahead of November, according to the latest round of campaign filings. The roughly $240,000 in direct contributions raised between July 1 and Sept. 19 — which represents nearly a third of...
Santa Clara County residents urged to mail back ballots early
Residents across Santa Clara County are receiving their mail-in ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 election, and local election officials are urging them to vote early. Vote by mail packets are going out to more than 1 million active registered voters in Santa Clara County this week. To ensure all votes are counted, officials with...
Data center developers share plans at San Jose town hall
While San Jose is developing uniform data center standards to mitigate environmental impacts and support economic growth, two developers with projects in the pipeline said they will adhere to the guidelines once set. At a Tuesday community town hall organized by the District 2 Neighborhood Leadership Council, representatives from major data center developers Prologis and...
San Jose residents want city to stop using Flock cameras after misuse
Residents are calling for San Jose’s police chief to step down, after revelations that a police officer used license plate tracking technology to help his cousin stalk a woman she alleges abused her. In addition, a coalition of groups — including Safety over Surveillance, Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN), Working Partnerships USA, Electronic...
San Jose increases parking garage rates, but not meters
It took three attempts for the San Jose City Council to reach a compromise Tuesday on contentious parking rate changes, with officials approving higher garage rates and special event fees while putting off plans for downtown meter rate increases and extended evening meter hours. The final proposal passed 7-3 — with Councilmembers Peter Ortiz, Bien...
San Jose attempts phased increase for downtown parking rates
San Jose officials are preparing to roll out a revised proposal to increase downtown parking rates, after the original plan met opposition from the city’s business community. The new plan — set to go before the City Council on Tuesday — seeks to soften the financial blow to businesses and workers. It does this in part...
San Jose to create guidelines to prevent detention centers
San Jose is placing stronger controls on the development of private detention facilities within its borders in response to fears that the federal government may establish new immigration centers in the region. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to place a 45-day moratorium on any proposal to create or expand detention facilities on private land...