Joint Meeting for the Rules and Open Government Committee and Committee of the Whole

Agenda

1. For live translations in over 50 languages, please go to https://attend.wordly.ai/join/FAYU-7105
2. How to observe the Meeting (no public comment):
3. 1) Cable Channel 26, 2) https://www.sanjoseca.gov/news-stories/watch-a-meeting, or 3) https://www.youtube.com/CityofSanJoseCalifornia 4) By phone 888 475 4499. Webinar ID: 952 0837 7482. Alternative phone numbers are: US: +1 (213) 338-8477 or +1 (408) 638-0968 or (877) 853-5257 (Toll Free) 5) By online https://sanjoseca.zoom.us/j/95208377482 Use a current, up-to-date browser: Chrome 30+, Firefox 27+, Microsoft Edge 12+, Safari 16+. Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer.
4. How to submit written Public Comment for items on the agenda:
5. 1) By email to city.clerk@sanjoseca.gov by 8:00 a.m. the day of the meeting.
6. How to provide spoken Public Comment during the Committee Meeting:
7. Fill out a Yellow Speaker's Card and submit it to boxes at the bottom of the Chambers.
8. City Council (City Clerk)
9. Review Final Agenda
10. ROGC 25-264 Review September 9, 2025 Final Agenda. a. Add New Items to Final Agenda b. Assign "Time Certain" to Agenda Items (if needed) c. Review of Notice of Waiver Requirements for Agenda Items or Documents (if needed)
    Review Final Agenda
11. Review Draft Agenda
12. ROGC 25-265 Review September 16, 2025 Draft Agenda. a. Add New Items to Draft Agenda b. Assign "Time Certain" to Agenda Items (if needed) c. Review of Notice of Waiver Requirements for Agenda Items or Documents (if needed)
    Review Final Agenda
13. Notice to the public: There will be no separate discussion of individual Consent Calendar items as they are considered to be routine and will be adopted by one motion. If a member of the Committee requests debate, separate vote or recusal on a particular item, that item may be removed from the Consent Calendar by the Chair and considered separately. The public may comment on the entire Consent Calendar and any items removed from the Consent Calendar by the Chair.
14. Consent Calendar
15. 1. The Public Record for August 21, 2025 - August 28, 2025. (City Clerk)
    Rules Committee Reviews, Recommendations and Approvals

    Receive and file the Public Record for August 21, 2025 - August 28, 2025.

16. 2. Approval of Flag Raising Ceremony and Lighting Recognizing Ethiopian New Year as a City Sponsored Special Event, to Expend City Funds and Authorization to Accept Donations of Materials and Services for the Event. (Mayor)
    Rules Committee Reviews, Recommendations and Approvals

    1. Retroactively approve the Ethiopian Flag Raising Event on September 5, 2025 as a City Council-sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds. 2. Retroactively approve the Tower Lighting on September 4, 2025 as a City Council-sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds. 3. Approve raising the Ethiopian flag without the emblem on the fourth flagpole. 4. Approve and accept donations from various individuals, businesses, or community groups to support the events. 5. Place the item on the September 9, 2025 City Council Agenda for action.

17. END OF CONSENT
18. Rules Committee Reviews, Recommendations and Approvals
19. 1. Vacant Storefront Incentive: Explore a Fee Waiver Program for New and Expanding Small Businesses in Urban Villages and Areas of Growth. (Ortiz)
    Rules Committee Reviews, Recommendations and Approvals

    Direct the City Manager to explore an ordinance that amends the Business and Tax Regulations Code to develop a year-long pilot fee waiver program for specific first-year permit, license, and business registration fees for qualifying small businesses that are newly formed or opening a new location in urban villages and areas of growth within the city.

20. Open Forum
21. Members of the Public are invited to speak on any item that does not appear on today’s Agenda and that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Committee.
22. Adjournment
23. The Code of Conduct (https://www.sanjoseca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/12901/636670004966630000) is intended to promote open meetings that welcome debate of public policy issues being discussed by the City Council, their Committees, and City Boards and Commissions in an atmosphere of fairness, courtesy, and respect for differing points of view. The City of San José is committed to open and honest government and strives to consistently meet the community's expectations by providing excellent services, in a positive and timely manner, and in the full view of the public. The City Code of Ethics may be viewed online. The Levine Act requires a Party in a Proceeding before the City of San José that involves any action related to their contract, license, permit, or use entitlement to disclose any campaign contributions to City elected or appointed officials totaling more than $500 within the 12 months prior to the City decision. A Participant to a Proceeding may voluntarily report a campaign contribution. Please visit https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/appointees/city-clerk/levine-act for updated forms and information.
24. All public records relating to an open session item on this agenda, which are not exempt from disclosure pursuant to the California Public Records Act, that are distributed to a majority of the legislative body will be available for public inspection at San José City Hall, Office of the City Clerk, 200 E. Santa Clara Street, 14th Floor, San José, CA 95113 at the same time that the public records are distributed or made available to the legislative body.
25. To request an accommodation or alternative format for City-sponsored meetings, events or printed materials, please call the Office of the City Clerk 408-535-1260 as soon as possible, but at least three business days before the meeting/event.
26. Access the video, the agenda and related reports for this meeting by visiting the City's website.