Tuesday’s City Council meeting begins with an invocation by Judy Rickard, author of Torn Apart: United by Love, Divided by Law. She was obviously not invited to speak by Mayor Chuck Reed. (Councilmember Don Rocha requested Rickard bless the meeting.)
From there on, the council is likely to remain divided on several of the following issues:
— Let’s start with a couple of Pawn Stars. Councilmember Ash Kalra is not happy about Councilmember Sam Liccardo’s suggested modification to the city’s pawn broker ordinance. The downtown councilmember wants to change the rules so a person can “hold more than one pawnbroker permit and/or to operate at multiple locations.”
There are six pawnships in San Jose, but the change would currently benefit just Jan and John Schneider, who operate R & J Jewelry downtown. According to Liccardo’s memo sent to the Ruels Committee, the couple is looking to acquire another pawnshop from an owner who plans to retire.
Liccardo argues that downtown needs this change in order to avoid yet another vacancy. He defends his argument by noting “the sclerotic economic impact of many of the antiquated provisions in our code.”
— The Environmental Innovation Center project is about to get even more expensive, as the $11 million project will have additional costs after the city learned that renovating the building requires the removal of lead paint and asbestos.
— The council will consider positions on some upcoming ballot measures, but Councilmember Rocha says the city should also consider stances on local measures regarding minimum wage and card clubs, as well as state measures such as Prop 34.
City staff has already recommended a “yes” endorsement for the county sales tax measure and the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s Measure B.
—The council will likely adopt sick leave payout changes for several unions.
— And the final item on the agenda is a public hearing for a special election regarding a special tax for the Guadalupe Mines community facilities district No. 13.
The meeting will be adjourned in memory of the late Leigh Weimers, a long-time Mercury News columnist admired by many for his work and character.
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