San José City Manager's Monthly Connect

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San José City Manager's Monthly Connect: Wednesday, November 5, 2025

San Jose City Hall on a cloudy day

City of San José News

San José City Hall and City Offices Closed Nov. 11, 27, and 28, 2025: While most City services will be closed in observance of the Veterans and Thanksgiving Day holidays, respectively, public safety and utility services will remain operational. Storm Preparedness Tips: Storm season is upon us. The following tips can help you and your loved ones stay safe:
  • Check your street gutters and remove debris to prevent blockage.
  • Report blocked drains and other storm-related issues, such as broken traffic signals or downed trees, at 408-794-1900.
  • Charge your devices, locate flashlights and batteries.
  • Get sandbags to route water away from your property.
  • Sign up for alerts at www.AlertSCC.org.
  • Visit www.bit.ly/SJStormPrep for more tips and resources.
Red Light Camera (RLR) Pilot Project: This program uses automated technology to capture photos and short videos of vehicles running red lights and will issue citations to the owner of those vehicles. The 60-day warning period, during which no citations will be issued, began Oct. 13. After this warning period, citations of up to $486 will be issued. Learn more about this program and check out a map of the camera locations at www.bit.ly/sj-rl-cameras.

Hand placing a registration sticker on a California license plate

Expired Vehicle Registration Enforcement Data: A study from the Department of Motor Vehicles noted that at least 4,200 vehicles registered to San José addresses had registrations that were more than six months expired. Vehicle registration fees support a wide range of local transportation improvements, including road maintenance, transit, infrastructure projects, and dealing with vehicles abandoned in the public right-of-way. In July 2025, the City’s Transportation Department launched an effort to cite and tow parked vehicles with expired registration. Over these past eight weeks, parking compliance officers have issued 356 citations and towed 350 cars. Read our blog update to learn more www.bit.ly/expired-reg-progress.

Citywide Scholarship Program: Applications for 2026 scholarships are now being accepted in English, Español, Việt Ngữ, and 中國人 at City of San José community centers. Scholarships are open to qualifying San José residents ages 0-49, older adults ages 50+, and All Access Program participants. Scholarships are granted as funding is available and there is no deadline to apply. Once granted, scholarships are valid for all 2026 seasons and can be used at any program location and at all three City of San José Municipal Golf Courses. Learn more about qualifications and download a scholarship application at www.sanjoseca.gov/scholarships.

Older Adults 50+ Program with adults dancing and smiling

Older Adults 50+ Program Memberships: Older adults ages 50+ can register for a 2026 membership for free at their local community center. Program members enjoy early access to seasonal registration, discounts on classes and programs, free or discounted prices at special events, and more. For more information, contact a participating community center or visit www.sanjoseca.gov/olderadults.

Prepare for Potential I-9 Audits, Workplace Raids: The City Manager’s Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs has shared resources to assist business owners, Chief Operating Officers, and Human Resources personnel to prepare their business for potential I-9 audits, workplace raids, and/or worker shortages. To learn more about how the City supports small businesses, please visit the City’s Small Business Resources page (Disponible en Español and Có sẵn bằng Việt Ngữ).

Save up to $4,000 on an Electric Vehicle (EV): Switching to an electric vehicle means lower fuel and maintenance costs, cleaner air, and a smoother ride. San José Clean Energy is also making it more affordable with instant rebates of up to $4,000 when you buy or lease a new or used EV. If your household income is below the area’s average, you likely qualify — that’s half of San José residents! Visit www.sanjosecleanenergy.org/ev-rebates to learn more and apply.

Winter 2026 Recreation Registration: Registration for Winter 2026 recreation classes and programs starts in November! Scholarship-eligible participants can register starting Nov. 5, in person at any City of San José community center. Older Adult Program members can register in person or online beginning Nov. 12. General registration opens in person and online on Nov. 15 for San José residents and on Nov. 17 for non-residents. All registration dates start at 10 a.m. Visit www.sjregistration.com to browse available classes and programs, and to register online.

Tell Us About Your Neighborhood Park: The Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) Department wants to learn what San José residents value most about their parks and how they can better care for them. Community members can invite PRNS staff to their neighborhood association meetings and/or take the Neighborhood Park Survey, in English, Español, Việt Ngữ, and 中國人 to share their ideas and priorities. Your feedback will help shape future investments and ensure parks are safe, clean, and welcoming for everyone. Contact Amanda Rodriguez at amanda.rodriguez@sanjoseca.gov to invite PRNS to your neighborhood meeting and visit www.bit.ly/knowyourpark for more information.

GovAI Coalition Summit: On Nov. 5-7, the City of San José and GovAI Coalition, in partnership with Government Technology, is hosting the second annual GovAI Coalition Summit at the San José Convention Center. The Summit will bring together more than 500 participants from local, county, state, and federal agencies. Attendees will share tools, templates, and real examples that help governments use artificial intelligence in a safe, ethical, and purposeful way. More information about the GovAI Coalition can be found on the City website.

Pop-Up Permits for San Jose Building Permits Close to Home

Pop-Up Permits: The Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Department has a new monthly event series that provides homeowners and contractors the chance to talk to a Building Inspector or permit specialist to get feedback on building plans at a neighborhood location. The next event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Camden Community Center. For more information, visit www.bit.ly/SJpopuppermits.

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month at San José Public Library (SJPL): During the month of November, SJPL celebrates the rich history and culture of Native Americans by offering a variety of events, such as storytimes, crafts, and a special series of art programs at the Educational Park Branch Library. Participants will learn about Native American artists, including Frank Buffalo Hyde, Theresa Secord, and Jaune Quick-to-See Smith. Library staff have also published a series of blogs and a list of recommended reads, which can be found at www.sjpl.org/NAHM.

November Park Volunteer Events: Volunteer to clean up San José parks with the Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services Department. All volunteers ages 6+ are welcome to participate. Participants under 18 are required to present a waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Volunteers are given the necessary tools and training and are asked to bring a water bottle, snacks, and closed-toe shoes. For a list of events and to register, visit www.sanjoseca.gov/prns-volunteer. For more information, email ParkVolunteer@sanjoseca.gov or call 408-595-3483.

SJC Interactive Map

New Interactive Maps at San José Mineta International Airport (SJC): To continue providing a seamless travel experience, SJC has introduced new interactive maps. These maps guide passengers from parking to their gate—and every stop in between. The maps can be accessed at any time before their trip, ensuring travelers arrive at the Airport fully prepared. Visit maps.flysanjose.com.

San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) Robotaxi Ride-hailing: Tesla has extended its Bay Area Robotaxi ride-hailing service to SJC, enabling travelers to book rides directly to and from SJC through the company’s app. The updated app now features a redesigned airline selector, allowing passengers to choose their airline and terminal for more precise routing. For more information, visit www.flysanjose.com/rideshares.

New Flavorful Dining: The San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) welcomed Mi Casa Cantina, which opened across from the Terminal A security checkpoint. The restaurant offers travelers a colorful, laid-back atmosphere with scratch-made dishes and a full-service bar. The menu spans from breakfast to dinner, featuring favorites like the hatch green chile burger and street tacos. They also have signature drinks. The SJC location marks the sixth Mi Casa Cantina in North America. For more information, visit www.flysanjose.com/restaurants.

Explore San José This Holiday Season: This holiday season, explore San José and support small businesses. The City’s shop local program highlights more than 300 small businesses and cultural experiences in 12 shopping districts. Visit www.sjeconomy.com/shoplocalsj and go on an adventure with family or loved ones while supporting small businesses.

Sports and Entertainment: Visit sj26.sanjose.org and learn about the major events and experiences coming to the region this month and in 2026. To stay up-to-date on events, visit the City’s online calendar.
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