Latest news with #SanJoseCityCouncil
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
San Jose's Columbus Park to get makeover, homeless encampment will be removed
The Brief Revitalization plans for Columbus Park began in 2019. About 200 unhoused people currently live in the park. Columbus Park was cleared back in 2022 after San Jose Mineta Intl. Airport required it. SAN JOSE, Calif. - Columbus Park in San Jose will soon get a makeover. The City Council voted unanimously to revitalize the park that's been closed for years and is now inhabited by people who don't have permanent housing. The city has not said exactly where the unhoused people will go and when they'll have to leave the park. But advocates say, many people will simply end up in another area of the city. "We will restore public parks and trails to public access. We will in parallel expand shelter and interim housing," said Matt Mahan, San Jose Mayor. What they're saying On Tuesday, San Jose City Council voted to revitalize Columbus Park. The new 9.4-acre redesign will include soccer fields, pickle ball courts, picnic space and a play area. It'll cost about $24 million and will be paid for with Measure P funds. "Where are the people from Columbus going to go? I want to thank you all for turning off the water. What a human right people don't have now at Columbus!" said Catherine Hedges, of San Jose, during the council meeting. "I don't want to stop the redevelopment of public parks, but we have to have a plan for people. We have to," said the San Jose resident, who calls himself the Batman of San Jose and wears a Batman costume during meetings. What we know Columbus Park is temporarily closed and in poor condition. It's now partially occupied by d. ozens of RVs and about 200 hundred people without permanent housing. In 2022, the city was required to remove everyone from the park which falls under a flight path of the San Jose Mineta International Airport. Shaunn Cartwright is a homeless advocate in San Jose. "If after the whole FAA situation here, you didn't want more people at Columbus, why would you allow that? So, they swept people from all these other sweeps (camps), the people that didn't end up getting housing, are all here," said Shaunn Cartwright, Unhoused Response Group Founder. The Columbus Park redesign project is expected to begin in early 2026 and be completed by Fall 2027. Richard Thomas says he recently arrived at Columbus Park with his RV and has been without housing since 2018. "The city wants to be safe, and they want to be clean. Two things homeless people have in jeopardy at all times, is safety and cleanliness. So, it's tough," said Thomas. Mahan said water is temporarily unavailable at the park because water spigots and sprinklers had been vandalized and must be repaired. He also said the city will make 1,000 housing units available within the next year. The Source The City of San Jose, San Jose Spotlight, Mercury News, Previous KTVU reporting
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This Bay Area city just passed a $427 'first responder fee'
The Brief The San Jose City Council approved a plan for fire departments to charge a "first responder fee." The fee would only apply in instances where fire departments are called to a scene and provide medical care. The fee will be billed to insurance companies, not individuals. SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose will join other Bay Area cities in billing insurance companies when its fire department provides medical care. The San Jose Fire Department said that about two-thirds of its calls involve medical care, whether responding to a home or a vehicle accident. This week, the City Council unanimously approved a plan to help recover some of those medical costs. What's next San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said, "What we are looking at is a trend line that is very concerning. Our fire department is responding to more and more medical calls where they are performing health care services, medical services, out in the field." The council approved a plan for the fire department to charge a "first responder fee," which would apply only in cases where medical care is given similar to what might be received in a clinic or hospital. "All we are saying is for the sustainability of our department we need to be able to bill insurance when it is available to collect — or recover the cost—of providing medical care out in the field," Mahan said. Dig deeper California law has allowed such fees since the 1990s, and more than 20 cities currently use them. Around the Bay Area, several cities have a range of fees: $567 in San Francisco, $561 in Vallejo, $393 in Alameda, and $338 in Napa, according to a report the fire department provided to the council. San Jose's new fee will be $427, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Before the fees were approved, some council members expressed concern that people might hesitate to call 911 if there could be a fee later. San Jose Fire Chief Robert Sapien said that issue was carefully researched in discussions with cities that currently have the fees. "None reported a detrimental effect to 911 access. We didn't hear anyone say that we implemented this program and then people became fearful or leery of calling," Sapien said. Resident Elijah Gardere was not so sure. "Definitely some might have some hesitation based on their insurance or if they even have insurance," he said. Gardere added he supported the fees if they would help build or stabilize fire department services. What's next The mayor was clear though, that these fees would only be billed to insurance carriers and not to individuals. "If it is not recoverable, we are not going after folks. We are not sending debt collectors, it is not going to ding your credit, we are not interested in collecting directly from residents," Mahan said. It is estimated this first responder fee could generate about $4 million each year, which the city says will help the fire department continue to provide services. The Source San Jose City Council meeting, Mayor Matt Mahan, residents.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
San Jose expands hours for sleeping ban on downtown streets
SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose City Council says it will extend the hours of its ban to prevent people from sleeping on the sidewalks downtown. The current policy says anyone sleeping on the street has to be off the sidewalk from 10 a.m. to midnight. Now that period has been extended two hours to start at 8 a.m. The rainy weather highlights why both homeless advocates and city officials say they're concerned about people sleeping on the streets. Still, some advocates say it's not going to help people and others believe it's the right thing to do. Local perspective "Actually, I don't believe they should be able to sleep on the sidewalk, period. First it's a safety hazard, and it's very disruptive to business owners," said Chris Patterson-Simmons, owner of Neu 2 U Thrift Boutique. Patterson-Simmons has been operating her boutique on East Santa Clara Street for 13 years and is also President of the East Village San Jose Business Association. She says she supports the city council's decision to extend the sleeping ban to keep people from sleeping on the sidewalk. "It hinders people from wanting to shop because they don't know what their mental state is, if they're going to bother them or ask them for money. It shouldn't be that way," said Patterson-Simmons. What we know The vote by San Jose City Council on Tuesday was unanimous. People will have to be off the sidewalks by midnight. If someone is asked more than once in a 30-day period to move, they could receive a citation or be arrested. "I would imagine that when you're wet, you're out there in the elements, it's tough. So, it's best for them to be inside a shelter where they can get all the help they deserve," said Bien Doan, San Jose City Council member Dist. 7. The sleeping ban includes the area from Hwy 87, north to Julian Street, east to Fourth Street and south at Hwy 280. It also includes East Santa Clara Street between 4th and 10th Streets. The new hours will start to be enforced in 90 days. The other side Still, one homeless advocate says unhoused people are being treated unfairly. "You know what makes it easier for people not to have to walk around these people? Provide people with adequate housing and housing that they want to go to. Provide people with housing solutions that fit their needs, and then you won't have people on the streets," said Shaunn Cartwright, Unhoused Response Group Co-founder. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan also said in a statement: "A vibrant downtown starts with safe, accessible streets," said Mayor Matt Mahan. "By adjusting the enforcement hours of the Pedestrian Facilitation Ordinance, we are taking a proactive step to ensure our shared public spaces are available for all residents, business owners, and visitors to enjoy.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Yahoo
Family mourns 86-year-old killed in San Jose traffic crash, city council adopts updated safety plan
The Brief Florence Taylor was still working as a caretaker. She was hit and killed by a car on her way to work on January 29. San Jose has adopted an updated traffic safety improvement plan. SAN JOSE, Calif. - Today San Jose's City Council voted unanimously to adopt its 2025 Vision Zero Action Plan to improve traffic safety. The city had its deadliest year of traffic deaths in 2022, with 65 people killed. Last month, an 86-year-old San Jose woman lost her life as she was crossing a residential street. Now her family is asking for change. In 2023 and 2024, at least 48 people died in traffic crashes in San Jose, and Florence Taylor was the third traffic-related death this year. Her family is devastated, and they're hoping her story will move the city to make more improvements. "We shouldn't be burying my grandmother. I don't care how old she is," said Antionnette Taylor, Florence Taylor's granddaughter. What we know Eighty-six-year-old Florence Taylor was the matriarch of her family, but on January 29th, she was hit by a car and killed as she crossed the intersection at Sherlock and Kimball Drives in San Jose. It was 6:30 in the morning, and she was on her way to work. "She has this huge house, and she kept that up by herself. Coming here, caregiving for special needs for 12 years. She had no plans of necessarily slowing down," said Taylor. San Jose Police say the driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with their investigation. Taylor says a neighbor put these 'Slow Down' signs up after the crash, but they believe the city must do more to slow down speeding cars, especially in residential areas. "Speed bumps. You put some speed bumps on these roads. I guarantee you people will stop because they don't want their cars messed up," said Angela Taylor-Payne, Taylor's daughter. What's next On Tuesday, San Jose City Council unanimously voted to implement its 2025 Vision Zero plan with a goal of reducing traffic-related deaths and severe injuries by 30% in 2030, using quick-build infrastructure projects. People spoke about the loss of life in traffic-related crashes at the meeting. "So, we lost like 60 people in 2022, 49 in '23 and 49 in '24. So, that's an increase from when Vision Zero was adopted by the city," said one speaker during the meeting. This year's plan will adopt the Safe System Approach, which includes shifting oversight to the Transportation and Environment Committee, prioritizing improving high-risk roads based on crash data and providing more support for vulnerable road users, like Florence Taylor. "You can't talk to them anymore. You can't hold them anymore or anything. Since my mother passed away, it's been bad," said Taylor-Payne. It was also pointed out in the meeting that a grant for speed cameras is caught up in a federal funding freeze, but the city says they'll continue to use local and state funding for this plan. Taylor's family also set up a GoFundMe account, and they plan to lay their mother to rest on Thursday. The Source San Jose City Council Meeting, San Jose City staff, San Jose Police, Taylor family
CBS News
25-02-2025
- Business
- CBS News
San Jose residents concerned about proposal for downtown digital billboards
SAN JOSE — On Tuesday, San Jose City Council will consider a proposal to add digital billboards at four downtown city-owned sites. But many residents aren't happy about it, like Les Levitt. "The city likes to call these large format digital signs, and we call them billboards advertising national brands," said Levitt showing photos of the proposed digital billboards. The signs are much larger than some of the ones that already exist throughout the city. Levitt has lived in San Jose for nearly 40 years, and he doesn't want his home bombarded with advertising. "If putting digital billboards with national ads all over the city is the idea of economic development, we're in a sad state," Levitt said. If approved on Tuesday by City Council, the large format digital signs will be installed at the center for performing arts, the convention center and two parking garages, Market/San Pedro Street and Second and San Carlos Street. "I'm concerned that this might be one of the most regressive policy changes in a long time," said Levitt. Levitt is part of a coalition of residents called 'No Digital Billboards San Jose.' They have a list of reasons why the billboards are a bad idea, including no benefit to local businesses, disruption to wildlife, and energy and climate issues. They're also concerned about drivers. "Billboards are designed to distract drivers without doing that they serve no purpose, and they generate no revenue," said Levitt. "There have been studies that show concern when billboards are installed about driver safety." Mayor Matt Mahan is in support to the new billboards, despite voting against them as recently as 2022. He believes it will contribute to safety and revenue. "We're not just installing screens; we're creating a more connected, vibrant downtown," said Mayor Mahan. "These digital displays will provide direct economic benefits to the tune of tens of millions of dollars, and they'll make us safer – research shows that these well-lit spaces can significantly reduce crime rates." City staff estimate a guaranteed minimum of $20 million from this proposal. It would be a 10-year commitment with Orange Barrel Media, with two five-year extension options. District 3 City Council candidate and Mahan staffer Matthew Quevedo is imploring the current city council to do what the majority of their constituents want. "I think we need to continue listening to the residents, said Quevedo. "We need to get very much more deeply connected with the neighbors who have been expressing their disapproval of these billboards for quite some time making sure that their voices are heard at city hall. And we're moving in the best interest of our city." Under the proposal, the city would receive 15% of the advertising time for free, the rest would be sold to paid advertisers. Levitt still hopes he won't see it happen. "I'm concerned that this might be one of the most regressive policy changes in a long time," said Levitt. He thinks it may become a slippery slope and these four large digital billboards will be the first of many.
