SUBJECT
Title
Selection of Committee Chair and Vice Chair
Report
BACKGROUND
On September 16, 2025, the City Council took action to form a Charter Review Committee ("CRC") to assist with a comprehensive review and update of the City Charter (referred to here as the "Charter Project"). The formal action that established the CRC was the adoption of the City of Santa Clara Charter Review Committee Bylaws [Charter Project] ("CRC Bylaws"). Among other things, the adopted CRC Bylaws called for the CRC to appoint a Chair and Vice Chair to preside over CRC meetings and perform other designated functions. Such action was to occur at the first or second scheduled meeting of the CRC.
DISCUSSION
Section 3.1 of the CRC Bylaws provides as follows:
3.1 Appointment of Chair and Vice Chair. At its first or second meeting, the CRC, by majority vote, shall appoint a Chair and a Vice Chair from among its members. The Chair shall (a) act as the Presiding Officer of the CRC in accordance with the terms of City Council Policy 055 (Council Meeting Procedures and Protocols), (b) coordinate CRC meeting agendas with City staff, and (c) unless otherwise directed by a majority of the CRC, serve as the spokesperson for the CRC. If the Chair is absent or unavailable, the Vice-Chair shall perform these duties. The Chair and Vice-Chair shall serve in these roles throughout the term of the CRC.
The City has no formal written process for selection of a Chair and Vice Chair for its committees. Based on past/best practices, staff recommends the CRC conduct its selection process in the following manner:
1. Taking turns, CRC members interested in serving as Chair shall state their interest. Such statement may (but need not) include a brief explanation of why they are interested and the qualifications/qualities they possess that make them well-suited to serve in such capacity.
2. At this time, any CRC members who might not be interested themselves in serving as Chair, may nominate ...
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