Oakland firefighters' mental-health contract heads to council
Oakland Public Safety Committee: The committee backed a $700K mental-health contract for firefighters and sent it to the full council for a Feb 17 vote. Ken Houston named vice chair.
Oakland's plan to split up the parking division goes to the council
Oakland Public Works and Transportation Committee: A plan to move parking enforcement to Finance and police heads to council March 3. Plus $843,875 to protect a Sausal Creek canyon.
San Jose climate plan heads to council (+ data center scrutiny grows)
San Jose Transportation and Environment Committee: The Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan heads to council March 3 with 19 measures targeting flooding, heat, smoke, and sea level rise.
SF clears wine and beer for movie theaters (+ Clay reopening)
San Francisco Land Use and Transportation Committee: SF movie theaters cleared 3-0 to sell wine, beer, and liquor, with an Upper Fillmore carve-out for the Clay. Twin Peaks Promenade advanced.
San Jose previews $55-65M shortfall, $60M in cuts coming
San Jose City Council: Study session previewed a preliminary $55-65M General Fund shortfall for FY 26-27. Departments directed to develop $60M in reduction proposals. No votes taken.
SF sends $40M Hearst Hotel deal to Board without recommendation
San Francisco Budget and Finance Committee: $40M Hearst Hotel tax incentive sent to full Board 3-0 without recommendation. Plus a $14.5M contract for a new 25-bed RESET Center at 44 6th Street.
Oakland rewrites prostitution law to go after buyers and landlords
Oakland City Council: Council advanced a 6-0 rewrite of the prostitution law, repealing the loitering offense for sex workers and adding buyer fines up to $4K for a new survivor fund.
SF approves $610M downtown TIF district (+ 4 supervisors push back)
San Francisco Board of Supervisors: Downtown financing district approved 7-4 to subsidize office-to-housing conversions, projected $610M over 45 years. Lifetime term limits headed to June ballot.
San Jose green-lights big zoning overhaul, plus two new BIDs
San Jose City Council: A citywide zoning overhaul covering SB 9, ADUs, and downtown alcohol was signed into law. Alum Rock Santa Clara Street BID established; Story Road BID advanced.
SF advances Edgehill land swap (+ two new historic districts)
San Francisco Land Use and Transportation Committee: Edgehill land swap recommended 3-0, trading Sunset paper-street parcels for five Kensington Way hillside lots. Plus two new historic districts.