COUNCIL AGENDA : 3/17/2026
F ILE : 26-296
ITEM : 2.11
TO: HONOR
ABLE MAYOR AND FROM: Toni J. Taber, MMC
CITY COUNCIL City Clerk
S
UBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: March 12, 2026
S
UBJECT: Approval of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month Festival 2026 Sponsored by Council Districts 1 and 3 as a City Council Sponsored Special Event to Expend City Funds and Accept Donations of Materials and Services for the Event
R
ecommendation
A
s recommended by the Rules and Open Government Committee on March 11, 2026:
(a) Approve the Asian American and Pacific Islander Month Festival scheduled on May 13, 2026 as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds; and (b) Approve and accept donations from various individuals, businesses or community groups to support the event.
CEQA: Not a Project, File No. PP17-011, Temporary Special Events resulting in no changes to the physical environment. (Kamei and Tordillos)
[Rules Committee referral 3/11/2026 - Item B.2]
RULES COMMITTEE AGENDA: 3/11/2026
ITEM: B.2
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Councilmembe r Anthony
Tordillos, District 3
Councilmember
Rosemary Kamei, District 1
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: 03/ 02/2026
APPROVED:
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER MONTH 2026 FESTIVAL SPONSORED BY COUNCIL DISTRICTS 1 AND 3 AS A
CITY COUNCIL SPONSORED SPECIAL EVENT TO EXPEND CITY
FUNDS AND ACCEPT DONATIONS OF MATERIALS AND SERVICES
FOR THE EVENT
RECOMMENDATION
1. Approve the Asian American and Pacific Islander Month Festival scheduled on May 13, 2026, as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds.
2. Approve and accept donations from various individuals, businesses, or community groups to support the event.
3. Place the item on the March 17, 2026, Council Agenda for action.
BACKGROUND
On February 1, 2005 , the City Council adopted Resolution No. 72517 which requires Councilmembers to submit a memorandum to the Rules Committee regarding proposed City Council sponsored Special Events and the proposed use of any funds.
The 2026 Asian American and Pacific Islander Month Festival will be held on May 13, 2026 at San José City Hall Rotunda and sponsored by Councilmember Anthony Tordillos and Councilmember Rosemary Kamei . This special event celebrates Asian and Pacific Islander Month by raising awareness of the cultural and historical importance of Asian
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
March 2, 2026
Subject: Asian American and Pacific Islander Month 2026 Festival
communities1 in the City of San José. This special event is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive community, ensuring that Asian American and Pacific Islanders are celebrated and recognize as an important part of our city. San José is home to a large and diverse Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, which includes one of only three Japan Towns in the United States 2 and the largest Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam. This special event celebrates AAPI Month by featuring performances, Asian cuisine, and a resource fair supported by Asian organizations. The event is free and open to the public.
ANALYSIS
Approval by the City Council of the event will ensure compliance with the Council’s prior direction regarding Council Special Events. In observance of existing fundraising disclosure requirements, Councilmember Anthony Tordillos and Councilmember Rosemary Kamei will report any cash or in-kind donations received for the event on their Disclosure of Fundraising Report (DFR-1). Approval of this memorandum will enable Council Districts 3 and 1, City departments, and the Office of the City Clerk to proceed with the event. Any cash donations received will be processed pursuant to the City’s normal financial and budgetary procedures.
PUBLIC OUTREACH/INTEREST
The Office of the City Clerk will post the item on the City’s Website for the March 11, 2026, Rules Committee Agenda and the March 17, 2026, Council Agenda.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-011, Temporary
Special Events resulting in no changes to
the physical environment.
Reviewed by:
TONI J. TABER, CMC
City Clerk
1 Mark Otto, J. T. (n.d.). Asian Pacific American Heritage month 2025. Asian & Pacific American Heritage Month. https://asianpacificheritage.gov/
2 Japanese American Museum of San Jose also supported by UCLA Asian American Studies Center. (n.d.). Jamsj I pioneers of San Jose Japantown. Japanese American Museum of San Jose. https://www.jamsj.org/pioneers-of-san-jose-japantown
For questions, please contact Toni Taber, City Clerk, at (408) 535-1260.