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.
Hundreds of pot shops and hundreds of “we buy gold” stores poppped up all over San Jose and Liccardo spends his time worried about a single pawn shop. What’s wrong Sammy, your prostitution walk didn’t get you enough camera and microphone time?
You and Pee-Low can commiserate at the council meeting.
Okay San Jose residents/taxpayers……What do gambling clubs, pawn shops and local politicians who support them, have in common? Well, thats easy; MONEY!!! How much did Garden City and Matrix contribute to “Pistol Pete Constants’” special funds? Who can forget Pete Constant going to bat for Matrix several months ago, even though the business was not in his council district. Perhaps its Sams’ turn to belly up to the special interest bar. I would encourage anyone to sit across the street from a pawn shop for a couple hours and watch the character of persons going into these establishments. Liccardo: try using a little common sense over what you recommend. Have a little dignity!
As for the Environmental Innovation Center, lets save $11 million and use the money to hire a couple extra cops. The Environmental Center can move into the vacant building owned by the City that had been slated for the police department. That would make Chuckie Reed and his merry band of zeros very happy.
We are going to need more pawn shops in this city. With all the residential and vehicle burglaries happening and nobody investigating them, the crooks need to pawn more property for better cash value.
It’s a win, win for all. The crooks get more money for gold and I Pads, the pawn shop owner makes more money selling it back to the original owner and then Slick Sam gets more money for mayoral run. See, everybody wins.
Reed and his gang of numbskulls are responsible for many in the community arming themselves. That’s not a good thing!
Environmental Innovation Center
Mix enough creative financing with a potpourri of purportedly useful goals and you’ve got a first class boondoggle.
Why is this endeavor something City government should be doing?
Sam , You are an Idiot . This City will be better served when you , Reed and the Other 4 are gone !
This council Chuck +5 have lost their #%#%^ minds. My God (can I say that) are throwing stuff in the wind and see where it lands. Take Deb and IPA when you all go over the cliff and bring this city down.