Summary

City Council meeting summary

San JoseSep 30, 20253 min read

At a glance

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The City Council approved a wide range of items, including a collective bargaining agreement with the San José Police Officers’ Association, housing-related loans and land actions, and a plan to bring back draft language to restrict law enforcement officers from concealing their identity while on duty. Council also voted to join an amicus brief in a federal appeals case during closed session.

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Gateway Tower Affordable Housing Development

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City Council

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LaborBudget & TaxPublic SafetyHousing

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What this means

The council adopted several major actions that can affect city services, housing development, and public safety policy. It approved a police labor agreement for July 1, 2025 through September 30, 2028, and took steps on housing financing and land transactions for projects including Gateway Tower at 470 South Market Street. The council also directed the City Attorney to return within 60 days with draft ordinance language that would prohibit law enforcement officers, including federal agents operating within San José, from wearing masks or other disguises while interacting with the public, with listed exceptions. In closed session, the council unanimously voted to join an amicus brief in a federal appeals court case involving Planned Parenthood, but the minutes do not provide more detail on that filing.

Key decisions

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Approved a collective bargaining agreement with the San José Police Officers’ Association for July 1, 2025 through September 30, 2028.
Directed the City Attorney’s Office to return within 60 days with proposed ordinance language prohibiting law enforcement officers, including federal agents operating within San José, from concealing their identity while interacting with the public, with stated exemptions.
Adopted actions related to the acquisition of 447 South Almaden Boulevard.
Approved a construction-permanent loan commitment of up to $20,270,000 for the Gateway Tower affordable housing development at 470 South Market Street.
Approved the Consent Calendar, including prior meeting minutes and other listed items.
Voted unanimously in closed session to join an amicus brief in a federal appeals court case involving Planned Parenthood, et al. v. Robert F Kennedy, Jr. et al.

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Meeting information

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City Council

Sep 30, 2025, 8:30 PMCouncil Chambersscheduled

Closed Session at 9:30 a.m.

Agenda

Please scroll to the end for information about the City Council Agenda and for the Rules of Conduct of the meeting.
Public Comment in Person Only
For live translations in over 50 languages, please go to https://attend.wordly.ai/join/FAYU-7105
American Disability Act
To request an alternative format agenda under the Americans with Disabilities Act for City-sponsored meetings, events or printer materials, please call (408) 535-1260 as soon as possible, but at least three business days before the meeting.
Accommodations
Any member of the public who needs accommodations should email the ADA Coordinator at ADA@sanjoseca.gov or by calling (408) 535-8430. The ADA Coordinator will use their best efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to provide as much accessibility as possible while also maintaining public safety in accordance with the City procedure for resolving reasonable accommodation requests. • Adaptaciones para discapacitados serán proporcionadas a pedido. Mande correo electrónico ADA@sanjoseca.gov; Llame (408) 535-8430. • Bất kỳ ai trong công-đồng cần sự hỗ-trợ xin gửi điện-thư cho Điều-phối-viên ADA theo địa-chỉ ADA@sanjoseca.gov hoặc gọi đến số (408) 535-8430.
THE LEVINE ACT
The Levine Act requires a Party in a Proceeding before the City of San José that involves any action related to their contract, license, permit, or use entitlement to disclose any campaign contributions to City elected or appointed officials totaling more than $500 within the 12 months prior to the City decision. A Participant to a Proceeding may voluntarily report a campaign contribution. For more information: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/appointees/city-clerk/levine-act/-fsiteid-1#!/
How to observe the Meeting (no public comment):
1) Cable Channel 26. 2) https://sanjoseca.gov/news-stories/watch-a-meeting 3) https://youtube.com/CityofSanJoseCalifornia 4) By Phone: (888) 475 4499. Webinar ID is 931 9759 7876. Alternative phone numbers are: US: +1 (213) 338-8477 or +1 (408) 638-0968 or (877) 853-5257 (Toll Free). 5) Online at: https://sanjoseca.zoom.us/j/93197597876 Use a current, up-to-date browser: Chrome 30+, Firefox 27+, Microsoft Edge 12+, Safari 7+. Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer.
How to submit written Public Comment before the City Council Meeting:
By email to city.clerk@sanjoseca.gov by 8:00 a.m. the day of the meeting. Those emails will be attached to the Council Item under “Letters from the Public.” Please identify the Agenda Item Number in the subject line of your email.
How to provide spoken Public Comment during the City Council Meeting:
You may speak to the City Council about any discussion item that is on the agenda, and you may also speak during Open Forum on items that are not on the agenda and are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council. Please be advised that, by law, the City Council is unable to discuss or take action on issues presented during Open Forum. According to State Law (the Brown Act) items must first be noticed on the agenda before any discussion or action. Each speaker generally has two minutes to speak per item. The total amount of time allocated for public testimony for each public speakers or for an agenda item may be limited at the Mayor’s discretion, depending on the number of speakers or the length of the agenda. (California Government Code Section 54954.3; Council Policy 0-37) Fill out a Yellow Speaker’s Card and submit it to boxes at the bottom of the Chambers. Do this before the meeting or before the item is heard. This will ensure that the name on the card is called for the item(s) that you wish to address, and it will help ensure the meeting runs smoothly for all participants by calling speakers in an orderly manner. You may remain anonymous, but please fill out a card so we may call you. You can put “anonymous speaker” or “no name” on the card. When the Council reaches your item on the agenda, the Mayor will open the public hearing and call your name. Please address the Council from the podium, which is located to the left of the City Clerk’s table. To assist you in tracking your speaking time, there is a display on the podium. The green light turns on when you begin speaking; the yellow light turns on when you have 30 seconds left; and the red light turns on when your speaking time is up.
Call to Order and Roll Call
Closed Session, Call to Order in Council Chambers Open Session, Labor Negotiations Update (See Item 3.2) Adjourn to Closed Session in Council Chambers Conference Room, W133 See Separate Agenda
Closed Session Agenda
Regular Session, Council Chambers, City Hall
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation (District 8)
Tshaka Campbell - Internationally Accomplished Poet, Artist, and Performer
Orders of the Day
Items recommended to be added, dropped, or deferred are usually approved under Orders of the Day unless the Council directs otherwise.
Adjournment Recognition
This meeting is adjourned in memory of Raymond “Ray” T. Hashimoto, who passed unexpectedly on May 21, 2025. Ray worked as a planner for the City of San José for nearly a decade and shaped the direction of many major projects throughout the City. He is remembered for his kindness, humility, humor and unwavering dedication to San José’s progress.
Closed Session Report
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
Presentation of a commendation recognizing Sartorette Elementary School for its commitment to educational equity, student success, and strong community partnerships through the Hispanic Student Achievement and Family Engagement Program. (Foley)
Presentation of a commendation recognizing the 20 years of operation of the Dr. Roberto Cruz Alum Rock Branch Library, presented to the family of the late Dr. Roberto Cruz, honoring his enduring legacy as the library’s namesake and the family’s continued service to the East San José community. (Ortiz)
Presentation of a proclamation declaring October 6, 2025 as the Mid-Autumn Festival, honoring one of the most cherished holidays in many East and Southeast Asian cultures—a celebration of the full harvest moon symbolizing reunion, gratitude, and harmony in the City of San José. (Candelas)
CONSENT CALENDAR
Notice to the public: There will be no separate discussion of Consent Calendar items as they are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be adopted by one motion. If a member of the City Council requests discussion on a particular item, that item may be removed from the Consent Calendar and considered separately.
Approval of City Council Minutes.
Approval of City Council Minutes.
Final Adoption of Ordinances.
Final Adoption of Ordinances.
Approval of Council Committee Minutes.
Approval of Council Committee Minutes.
Mayor and Council Excused Absence Requests.
Mayor and Council Excused Absence Requests.
City Council Travel Reports.
Report from the Council Liaison to the Retirement Boards.
Measure B Local Sales Tax Independent Citizens Oversight Committee and Revisions to City Council Policy 1-18.
Lease Agreement with San José Sports Authority for City-Owned Property Located at 93 East San Carlos Street.
Report on Request for Proposal for the Implementation of the Salesforce Customer Relationship Management System.
First Amendment to the Agreement with Guidehouse, Inc. for Organizational Change Management and Related Consulting Services.
Franchise Agreement with LS Power Grid California, LLC for Electric Services for Public Rights-of-Way. - DROPPED PER ADMINISTRATION
Status Report on the November 2018 Ballot Measure T - The Disaster Preparedness, Public Safety, and Infrastructure General Obligation Bond.
Master Consultant Agreement with Bellecci & Associates, Inc. (dba Sanbell) for Consulting Services Supporting Rule 20 Utility Undergrounding Projects.
Second Amendment to the Agreement with CFKAA Holdings, LLC for Tow Administrator Services.
Request for Travel and Excused Absence.
Retroactive Approval of the Dumpster Day Sponsored by Council District 9 as a City Council Sponsored Special Event to Expend City Funds and Accept Donations of Materials and Services for the Event.
Retroactive Approval of Free Use of City Hall Plaza on Saturday, August 30, 2025 for the Annual Lowrider Day Sponsored by Council District 5 as a City Council Sponsored Special Event to Expend City Funds and Accept Donations of Materials and Services for the Event.
Retroactive Approval of the Mexican Independence Day El Grito Event, Flag Raising and Rotunda Lighting Sponsored by Council District 5 as City Council Sponsored Special Events to Expend City Funds and Accept Donations of Materials and Services for the Events.
STRATEGIC SUPPORT
Report of the City Manager, Jennifer Maguire (Verbal Report).
Labor Negotiations Update.
Approval of the Terms of an Agreement with the San José Police Officers’ Association for the Term of July 1, 2025 through September 30, 2028.
City Council Focus Area Semi-Annual Status Report.
Ordinance Prohibiting Law Enforcement Officers from Concealing their Identities in the City of San José.
PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES
TRANSPORTATION & AVIATION SERVICES
ENVIRONMENTAL & UTILITY SERVICES
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES
COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Actions Related to the Acquisition of 447 South Almaden Boulevard. - TO BE HEARD CONCURRENTLY WITH SJFA Item 1
Actions Related to the Loan Commitment and Land Purchase for the Gateway Tower Affordable Housing Development Located at 470 South Market Street.
REDEVELOPMENT – SUCCESSOR AGENCY
LAND USE
Notice to the public: There will be no separate discussion of Land Use Consent Calendar (Item 10.1) as they are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be adopted by one motion. If a member of the City Council requests discussion on a particular item, that item will be removed from the Land Use Consent Calendar (Item 10.1) and considered separately.
Land Use on Consent Calendar
No Land Use items on Consent Calendar.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Land Use - Regular Agenda
GP25-002: Early Consideration for a Privately Initiated General Plan Amendment for Certain Real Property Located at the Northeasterly Corner of Emory Street and The Alameda.
GP25-005: Early Consideration for a Privately Initiated General Plan Amendment for Certain Real Property Located at 1030 and 1038 McKendrie Street.
Open Forum
Members of the Public are invited to speak on any item that does not appear on today’s Agenda and that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council. Members of the public may only speak at Open Forum once.
Adjournment
This meeting is adjourned in memory of Raymond “Ray” T. Hashimoto, who passed unexpectedly on May 21, 2025. Ray worked as a planner for the City of San José for nearly a decade and shaped the direction of many major projects throughout the City. He is remembered for his kindness, humility, humor and unwavering dedication to San José’s progress.
Notice of City Engineer's Pending Decision on Final Maps
FOR RECEIPT: Tract: 10655 Location: West side of Communications Hill Blvd, between Altino Blvd and Joseph Borba Street District: 7 Lots/Units: 226/226 Type: SFD Developer: KB HOME
All public records relating to an open session item on this agenda, which are not exempt from disclosure pursuant to the California Public Records Act, that are distributed to a majority of the legislative body will be available for public inspection online at https://sanjose.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx or at the Office of the City Clerk at San José City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara Street, Tower 14th Floor, San José, CA 95113 at the same time that the public records are distributed or made available to the legislative body. Any draft contracts, ordinances and resolutions posted on the Internet site or distributed in advance of the Council meeting may not be the final documents approved by the City Council. Please go to the Clerk’s Records Database https://records.sanjoseca.gov/Pages/Search.aspx for the final document, or you many also contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408) 535-1260 or CityClerk@sanjoseca.gov.
PAGE BREAK
JOINT CITY OF SAN JOSE CITY COUNCIL/FINANCING AUTHORITY AGENDA
1:30 p.m. September 30, 2025 Council Chambers
Call to Order and Roll Call
Issuance of City of San José Financing Authority Commercial Paper to Finance the Acquisition of the Property Located at 447 South Almaden Boulevard. - TO BE HEARD CONCURRENTLY WITH ITEM 8.1
Public Comment
Members of the public may comment on agendized item only at this Joint Meeting. There will be no Open Forum. Cal. Govt. Code §54954.3(a).
Adjournment

City Council meeting summary

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