Pam Foley newsletter archive

Vice Mayor Pam Foley invites District 9 residents to participate in virtual office hours on April 13, 2026, focusing on community safety, a key City Council priority. The meeting offers an opportunity for constituents to share questions, ideas, and feedback on safety and other local concerns. Attendees must register in advance to join via Zoom. The office encourages residents to report issues like abandoned vehicles, graffiti, and potholes through San José 311 services. This engagement reflects ongoing efforts to enhance neighborhood safety and responsiveness to community needs.

Councilmember Pam Foley begins 2025 energized by her appointment as Vice Mayor by Mayor Matt Mahan, effective pending council approval on January 28. She emphasizes continued focus on public safety, housing and homelessness, blight, and quality of life issues alongside newly elected councilmembers. A key milestone is the groundbreaking of the Cherry Avenue Emergency Interim Housing site, aimed at providing shelter and services to those experiencing homelessness. The newsletter highlights ongoing efforts in school and traffic safety improvements within District 9, including new high-visibility crosswalks and street resurfacing projects. Residents are encouraged to stay engaged and informed through development project maps and upcoming city council meetings.

San José City Council has taken decisive action to protect public health by enacting an urgency ordinance banning the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide in retail shops, addressing rising misuse and litter concerns. Additionally, a temporary 45-day moratorium on new tobacco retail licenses was approved to strengthen regulations against illegal sales and youth access, with a planned vote to extend this moratorium through November 2027. District 9 celebrates the opening of the Cherry Emergency Interim Housing site, providing 136 beds to support vulnerable residents and combat homelessness. Community engagement continues with events at Camden Community Center and festive attractions like Christmas in the Park and Blinky's Drive Thru, enhancing local arts and entertainment during the holiday season.

Councilmember Pam Foley expresses deep gratitude for the District 9 community and highlights ongoing efforts to improve San José. A major milestone is the groundbreaking of the Cherry Emergency Interim Housing site, which will provide housing and support for 136 individuals by September. The newsletter emphasizes upcoming budget discussions to address a $60+ million shortfall, encouraging community engagement and advocacy. Additionally, wildfire preparedness is a key focus, with enhanced strategies including fuel reduction, evacuation planning, and illegal fireworks mitigation. Foley also notes her new role as Vice Mayor and urges continued neighborhood involvement.

Captain Steve Donohue, who served as Police Captain for the Southern Division including District 9 for two years, has been reassigned to the Bureau of Field Operations – Support Services Division. His leadership was marked by transparency, responsiveness, and community engagement. Captain Steven Payne Jr. will succeed him, with plans for a “Coffee with a Cop” event to introduce him to residents. City Council unanimously approved expanding alternative and co-response programs to 911 calls involving mental health, developmental disabilities, intoxication, and homelessness, partnering with Santa Clara County. The 2025 Vision Zero Action Plan was adopted to reduce fatal and severe traffic collisions by 30% by 2030 and eliminate them by 2040, emphasizing data-driven safety improvements. Additionally, the San José Giants secured a 25-year lease extension at Excite Ballpark, with planned facil…

District 9 is hosting the 4th annual Music in the Valley festival on May 10, 2025, at Cambrian Park Plaza, featuring local student and professional musicians, artisan vendors, family activities, and a Beer & Wine Garden for adults. The City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Mayor’s March Budget Message, prioritizing public safety, homelessness, blight reduction, and economic development amid projected budget shortfalls. The newsletter supports the Pay for Performance and Responsibility to Shelter proposals to improve government accountability and shelter utilization. A District 9 budget town hall is scheduled for May 21 at Lincoln Glen Church to discuss the budget draft. Additionally, San José Clean Energy reduced rates and increased renewable content, offering affordable, cleaner electricity options to residents.

This May, District 9 celebrates community and motherhood with the annual Music in the Valley event on Mother’s Day weekend, supported by Good Samaritan Hospital. The newsletter highlights City Council’s recent approval of a First Responder Fee to fund emergency medical services without burdening uninsured residents, expected to generate $4 million annually. It also covers a proposed 50% reduction in the City’s equity share on first-time homebuyer loans to ease financial strain on low- and moderate-income families. Additionally, the Columbus Park Revitalization Plan was approved to transform the park with new sports facilities and pedestrian improvements, with construction starting in summer 2024. Upcoming budget study sessions for the 2025-2026 Operating Budget are scheduled in early May.

As the City’s fiscal year ends, Mayor Matt Mahan’s proposed budget addresses a $35 million shortfall while prioritizing ending unsheltered homelessness, neighborhood cleanup, community safety, economic growth, and housing development. Key District 9 priorities funded include critical traffic safety upgrades at two school-area crosswalks, park improvements, and support for youth and vulnerable populations. The newsletter supports Mayor Mahan’s Pay for Performance policy to hold elected officials accountable and updates to the Encampment Code of Conduct requiring shelter acceptance to reduce unsafe street living. The FY 2025-2026 Budget will be discussed at the June 10 City Council meeting.

The City Council approved a balanced 2025-2026 budget addressing a $35.6 million shortfall by reallocating Measure E funds primarily to homelessness efforts and reducing council office budgets. Key priorities include community safety, homelessness reduction, neighborhood cleanliness, and economic investment. District 9 secured funding for park sports court improvements and safer school crosswalks. The Council updated the Encampment Code of Conduct to require shelter acceptance and launched new outreach and enforcement programs to improve public safety and support unsheltered residents. Dumpster Days will shift to digital notifications to increase frequency, and community events like National Night Out and Viva Parks continue to foster neighborhood engagement.

As the new school year begins in San José, Vice Mayor Pam Foley emphasizes the critical need for traffic safety, particularly for children walking, biking, or rolling to school. She highlights speeding as the leading cause of serious injuries and urges drivers to obey speed limits, stay alert near schools, and keep crosswalks clear. The newsletter also promotes community engagement through ongoing Viva Parks events and activities at the Camden Community Center. Additionally, it spotlights upcoming City Council meetings, public safety enforcement efforts by the San José Police Department, and cultural events like the San José Jazz Summer Fest and the 2025 National Women's Soccer League Championship hosted locally. Small business owners are encouraged to attend free workshops offered by city offices to support economic development.

The newsletter highlights the annual District 9 Stars nomination, celebrating local individuals and organizations who positively impact the community. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing unsung heroes who contribute to neighborhood strength and kindness. The City Council recently approved lowering speed limits on 23 street segments as part of the Vision Zero plan to reduce traffic fatalities, including key streets in District 9. Additionally, San José is preparing for major 2026 events like the Super Bowl LX and FIFA World Cup matches, expecting significant economic benefits. The City Council also approved a $425 million renovation for the SAP Center, securing the San Jose Sharks' home through 2051 and promoting a future Arena District. A community emergency preparedness meeting is scheduled for September 8, 2025, to discuss local hazards and safety steps.

Vice Mayor Pam Foley highlights the upcoming Halloween festivities in District 9, urging residents to prioritize safety by driving carefully and considering street closure permits for block parties to ensure emergency access. She opposed a City Council ordinance requiring electric heat pumps in single-family homes, citing the minimal greenhouse gas reduction and potential homeowner burden. The Council accepted a semi-annual report on priority areas like public safety and homelessness, and approved an updated strategic framework with enhanced public accountability. Foley also celebrated support for arts in schools and noted the Camden Community Center's role as an emergency shelter following a recent fire.

Councilmember Pam Foley highlights key community efforts this November, including honoring veterans during the Veterans Day Parade and recognizing Native American Heritage Month. She emphasizes support for food-insecure residents amid federal SNAP benefit delays, encouraging donations to local food banks. The City Council approved a $9 million partnership with Santa Clara County to provide down payment assistance for 81 affordable homes, promoting long-term homeownership. Additionally, Foley celebrates local volunteers who beautified community spaces and updates on interim housing efforts at The Bristol Hotel and the upcoming Cherry Avenue housing ribbon-cutting.

As Pam Foley begins her final year on the San José City Council, she emphasizes her commitment to public safety, homelessness, housing, and quality of life improvements in District 9. In 2025, key accomplishments included launching a red light camera pilot program at four high-risk intersections to reduce traffic injuries and deaths. Significant progress was made in homelessness with new temporary and emergency interim housing units, including the openings of the Bristol Hotel and Cherry Avenue EIH site. Community beautification efforts expanded through multiple Dumpster Days and creek cleanups, while targeted traffic safety upgrades were implemented across several District 9 streets. Foley invites residents to her final Music in the Valley festival on May 2 and pledges continued accessibility and responsiveness.

Councilmember Pam Foley expresses deep concern over the current federal administration's impact on American families, emphasizing the need for leadership grounded in dignity, compassion, and respect for the law. She highlights San José City Council's 2026 Legislative Program, prioritizing funding for homelessness solutions, safety at major events, and transportation infrastructure. The Council also adopted Policy 7-15, banning the use of City properties for civil immigration enforcement activities to protect community members. Locally, Foley honors Cancer CAREpoint for supporting cancer patients and invites residents to a Focus Areas Town Hall to discuss City Council priorities.

San José faces a $56 million budget shortfall for 2026–2027, driven by lower-than-expected property and sales tax revenues. The City Council prioritizes preserving essential services such as public safety, crossing guards, and libraries while avoiding layoffs of city staff. The Mayor’s March Budget Message and subsequent community budget meetings will guide transparent, disciplined decisions. The newsletter highlights community engagement through events like Little League Opening Day and the Camden Community Center’s new kitchen supporting senior nutrition and emergency meal services. Additionally, the City clarifies the new First Responder Fee, emphasizing no delay in emergency calls despite the $427 charge for paramedic-level care.