Summary
Highlights
Councilmember Mulcahy raises concerns about the volatility of business improvement district (BID) fee collections and the reliance on amnesty programs. The Director of Finance explains efforts to improve collection efficiency and outreach, emphasizing the importance of these funds for BID operations.
The San Jose City Council meeting for December 9, 2025, is called to order. Roll call is taken, confirming a quorum is present for the proceedings.
Attendees are invited to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Father Justin Lay of Our Lady of La Vang parish provides the invocation, recognizing his significant community leadership and contributions to the Vietnamese Catholic community.
The City Council proclaims December 8th-14th as Holiday Children's Book Drive Week, a collaboration between District 1, District 2, Los Bomberos of Northern California, and the San Jose Library, aiming to promote literacy and provide books to children in need.
The Council recognizes the Trash Punks and Sabores Well for their 'Project Pickup' initiative, an international collaboration that began from a chance meeting and has led to significant efforts in waste management and community empowerment in Owasso, Kenya, drawing parallels to San Jose's clean-up efforts.
The City Council proclaims December 12th as Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe, honoring its cultural and spiritual significance for thousands of families in San Jose and across the Americas, recognizing its representation of identity, resilience, and profound love.
Councilmember Campos presents item 2.10, the naming of a new park as 'Tsujeo T. Fujimoto Park' in honor of a distinguished public servant who dedicated 30 years to the city's parks, highlighting his resilience and service despite his family's internment during WWII. Mr. Fujimoto's nephew and former colleagues share personal tributes.
The Director of Finance and external auditors present the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), highlighting that the city received its fourth consecutive clean audit opinion. They discuss the city's net position increase, driven by tax and utility revenue, and the implementation of new accounting standards.
The financial report for the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of San Jose is reviewed, showing a net position deficit that is projected to improve with bond repayment by August 2025. The audit also resulted in a clean opinion with no significant findings.
The Comprehensive Annual Debt Report is presented, detailing the city's $3.4 billion debt portfolio, including airport, Sarah Tabs, and GO bonds. The city maintains consistently high credit ratings, reflecting strong financial management, though debt issuance prioritizes city needs over rating maintenance.
The Council addresses actions related to tenant improvements at the 911 call center, a Measure T project aimed at modernizing facilities for fire and police dispatch, improving service to the community.
Three applicants, including two incumbents and one new attorney, are considered for three open positions on the Appeals Hearing Board. Each non-incumbent candidate provides a brief statement on their qualifications and commitment to public service.
The Council discusses the agreement with the County of Santa Clara for the Homelessness Prevention System. Councilmembers inquire about service entry points, waitlists, program capacity, data tracking, and the effectiveness of case management, emphasizing the need for clear metrics and accountability.
Members of the public address the Council during the open forum. One resident expresses concerns about an uninvestigated burglary ring, while another speaks about the ecological impact of invasive fish species in local rivers and proposes community involvement in their removal.