Reinstating Remote Participation at Council Meetings 

On June 2, my Council colleagues and I unanimously voted to reinstate remote public participation for City Council meetings in time for our budget deliberations. Virtual public comment returned on June 8 and will continue moving forward. 

This action was mandated by California’s SB 707 (2025), which expands access to local government by making it easier for residents to participate in Council meetings from wherever they are. Public input is a critical part of the Council's decision-making process and effective governance. Reinstating virtual public comment – with some rules and guidelines to eliminate some of the past challenges in San José – helps ensure more San José residents can participate in the decisions that shape our community. 

Measure A Passage

Measure A’s passage is a major win for San José, protecting our ability to invest in a safe, clean, and vibrant city. Without it, we would have faced painful cuts to core services. At a critical moment, voters overwhelmingly chose to preserve the resources needed to keep our city moving forward.  



As our fiscal outlook improves, we must also focus on rebuilding the economic drivers that strengthen the General Fund over the long term. That is why I will continue to advocate for the restoration of funding to Visit San José and our arts and cultural institutions, which are supported in part through Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenues and have seen those allocations reduced in recent years. These organizations are not extras—they are employers and economic engines that attract visitors, generate hotel stays, grow TOT revenue, and energize downtown and San José as a whole. A strong visitor and entertainment sector supports our hotels, small businesses, and the overall vitality of our city. 

Measure A helps address today’s fiscal challenges and provides room in the coming years to reinvest in the sectors that generate revenue and economic activity that support San José’s tomorrow, strengthening our tax base, creating quality jobs, and positioning our city to compete and prosper in the decades ahead. 

Mayor’s Budget Message

Earlier this month, the Mayor released his June Budget Message, which outlines the budget priorities he is recommending for City Council consideration. I am pleased to share that all but one of the budget proposals submitted by our District 6 office were included in the Mayor’s recommendations and ultimately adopted by the City Council as part of the approved budget. 

These investments reflect priorities that residents, neighborhood leaders, and community partners have consistently championed—from cleaner public spaces and improved park amenities to beautification efforts and economic development investments. We are grateful to the Mayor and his team for recognizing the value of these initiatives and for their partnership in advancing projects that will improve quality of life throughout District 6.  

With the budget now adopted, we look forward to working with City

departments, community stakeholders, and residents to implement these investments and deliver meaningful results for our neighborhoods. 

California Room Funding Preserved 

The 2026–2027 budget process was particularly challenging, as the City faced a $50.3 million budget deficit. To close this gap, the City Manager's May Budget Message proposed a number of service reductions and funding cuts across City departments, including the elimination of funding for the California Room at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Main Library at San José State University. 

Throughout the budget process, our office heard from many District 6 residents—and community members across San José—about the importance of preserving this unique historical archive and research resource. The California Room houses an extensive collection documenting San José's history and serves as an invaluable resource for students, researchers, land-use professionals, historic preservationists, and many others. 

As part of adopting the Mayor's June Budget Message on June 9, the City Council approved one-time funding to keep the California Room partially open during the upcoming fiscal year under a modified service model. I want to thank City Librarian Jill Bourne, as well as fellow Councilmembers Kamei, Tordillos, and Cohen, for their advocacy and commitment to preserving this important community asset. This all comes ahead of San José’s 250th birthday in 2027. Can you imagine our history being out of reach during such an important year? Phew! 



In addition to maintaining public access, a portion of the funding will support the digitization of the California Room's collections. By the end of the year, approximately 25,000 pages—or 7,500 images—are expected to be digitized, helping preserve these materials and expand public access to them. 

While I am pleased that the California Room will remain open for the coming year, this funding is only a temporary solution. Over the next year, it will be important for the many community members who value this resource to work together to develop a long-term vision for a more reliable funding model. I look forward to supporting those efforts and ensuring that the California Room remains a vital part of San José's historical and cultural legacy for years to come.

Municipal Rose Garden & Willow Street Bramhall Park Pilot Expansion 

Last year, the City funded a pilot program at the Municipal Rose Garden that provided dedicated staffing for permit enforcement, grounds maintenance, and volunteer coordination. The program proved highly successful in preserving one of San José’s most treasured public spaces. 

Building on that success, our office proposed continuing the Municipal Rose Garden pilot, extending coverage from six to eight months during peak-use periods, and expanding the model to Willow Street Bramhall Park, which faces many of the same challenges. I’m pleased that funding for both the continuation and expansion of this program was included in the passage of the Mayor’s Budget Message. 

West Santa Clara Underpass Beautification & Connectivity Initiative 

The Caltrain underpass on West Santa Clara Street serves as a vital connection between two major commercial corridors, The Shark Tank and The Alameda Business District, for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. Ongoing cleanliness and maintenance issues, however, detract from the experience and perception of this important gateway. 

The Mayor’s Budget Message includes our request for one-time funding to improve the cleanliness, maintenance, and overall appearance of the underpass, helping create a safer and more welcoming connection for residents, Sharks fans, and visitors. 

Expanded BeautifySJ Hours for West San Carlos Corridor 

Last budget cycle, our office secured funding for the Buena Vista BeautifySJ pilot program, which targeted litter, illegal dumping, and neighborhood beautification efforts. Over the last year, the program has resulted in the removal of nearly 10 tons of illegal dumping from our city streets. The program demonstrated the value of focused investments in maintaining clean and vibrant corridors. 

This year, we advocated for expanded BeautifySJ resources along the West San Carlos corridor to further improve cleanliness, support local businesses, and strengthen community pride in one of District 6’s key commercial districts. This work will include both addressing illegal dumping and graffiti cleaning services. 

San Jose Downtown Association Gateway Enhancement Grant 

The Mayor’s Budget Message also includes support for a Downtown Gateway Enhancement Grant in partnership with the San José Downtown Association. The funding will be used for placing signage pointing residents and visitors toward local attractions, and will also fund maintenance for the historic streetlights being installed along Sharks and Little Italy Way. This investment will help improve key entry points into downtown, creating a more welcoming and attractive experience for residents, visitors, and businesses.  

Arena Green Restrooms 

Arena Green is one of San José’s premier community gathering spaces, featuring athletic courts, trails, public art, and year-round recreational activities. Recent investments have significantly improved the park, but the removal of aging restroom facilities has left the site without permanent restroom access. 

While the City continues to explore long-term capital funding for permanent facilities, access to temporary restrooms remains essential. One-time funding was approved to maintain temporary restroom facilities at Arena Green for another year, ensuring visitors can continue to fully enjoy the park and its amenities. The full service modular temp restroom is provided by Throne. 

Airport Marketing for San José’s 250th Anniversary 

2027 will mark a historic milestone year: San José’s 250th Anniversary. This celebration presents a unique opportunity to showcase our city, attract visitors, and build on the momentum of SJ26. 

Recognizing this opportunity, the Mayor agreed with our request and directed the City Manager to allocate funding for a destination marketing campaign centered on the anniversary celebration. By promoting San José as a destination for tourism, events, and business, this effort can help drive economic activity and increase passenger traffic at San José Mineta International Airport. 

Vacant Storefront Staffing 

The only initiative that was not included in the Mayor’s June Budget Message was a request for funding additional staff dedicated to implementing City policies aimed at reducing vacant storefronts and commercial vacancies 

Over the past 10 months, our office has been working on a range of policy changes aimed at reducing barriers for businesses and revitalizing vacant properties. These efforts include better alignment of permitting requirements with the realities faced by restaurants and other businesses, streamlining the process for demolishing blighted, non-historic vacant buildings, and making it easier for businesses to occupy older buildings when existing zoning designations create unnecessary obstacles. 

Although dedicated funding for this work was not included in the Mayor’s Budget Message, our office will continue to pursue opportunities to advance these policy changes and address the many blighted and vacant properties in Downtown and throughout District 6. One such opportunity will come before the City Council later this year, when the Council considers reprioritizing work within the City’s planning and development efforts. 

I am encouraged, however, by the City Manager’s proposal to increase both the Mandatory Registration Fee and the Citywide Monitoring Fee for vacant storefronts, as well as the inclusion of funding for an additional Code Enforcement Officer. The Mayor accepted these amendments to the Budget and was included in the passing of the June Budget Message. Together, these investments will help encourage property owners to maintain their properties, reduce blight, and support more vibrant neighborhoods throughout our community. 

Reporting Issues

San José 311 is the city's one-stop service hub for reporting issues like graffiti, potholes, and illegal dumping. You can also request services such as streetlight repairs and abandoned vehicle removal.

To report an issue, we encourage you to download the 311 app or report online. The 311 App is available at the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.