REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Resolution Approving the Charter Review Committee Calendar of Regular Meetings for 2025 and 2026
Report
BACKGROUND
On September 16, 2025 the City Council formally established this latest iteration of the Charter Review Committee (CRC) and appointed its members. Per the adopted Bylaws, the purpose of the CRC is to facilitate implementation of the comprehensive review of the City Charter to identify provision in the Charter that should be corrected, clarified or modified for the Charter to be fully consistent with applicable law, aligned with current best practices for City operations and, in general, easier to understand and apply. At the end of the process, the objective of the Charter Project is to produce a draft Charter Amendment for presentation to the City Council and, if the City Council so directs, possibly to the voters at the November 2026 election.
The City Charter (Article X, Section 1003) and City Code Section 2.120.020(d) state that each board or commission shall hold regular meetings at the times and on the days indicated by resolution of the City Council. It is not clear if these provisions apply to the Charter Review Committee (CRC), but until such provision is clarified (maybe through a Charter amendment proposal from the Charter Review Committee itself), staff is presenting the CRC regular meeting calendar approved by the CRC at their October 22nd meeting for City Council approval.
DISCUSSION
At the October 22, 2025 CRC meeting the CRC Board considered and approved a schedule of regular meetings to commence on November 19, 2025. The meetings (8 in all) are scheduled to occur on the third Wednesday of every month through June of 2026. The meetings are scheduled to start at 6 p.m. and, unless there is a conflict, will normally be held in City Council Chambers. The Central Library is currently proposed as the alternative meeting location. Special meetings of the CRC may also be held as needed in order to complete the Charter Project in a timely manner.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a government organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact other than administrative time and expense to set the meetings.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the City Manager’s Office
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution approving the Charter Review Committee 2025/2026 Calendar of Meetings for the third Wednesday of each month, commencing November 19, 2025 and continuing through June 17 of 2026, each meeting commencing at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers unless otherwise indicated.
Staff
Reviewed and Approved by: Glen Googins, City Attorney
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution Approving 2026 Charter Review Committee Calendar