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

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 · 2:00 PM AM · Council Chambers

TL;DR

This was a joint committee meeting focused on procedural items and policy proposals for San José City Council. The meeting reviewed agendas for upcoming council sessions and considered measures on ranked choice voting for vacancies and uniform standards for data center development.

Key Decisions

  • Juneteenth 2026 Flag Raising Approved for June 2, 2026 Council Agenda
  • PWHL Expansion Flag Raising (Retroactive Approval) Retroactively approved for June 9, 2026 Council Agenda
  • Ranked Choice Voting for Vacancies Placed on November 2026 Ballot
  • Data Center Uniform Standards Directed City Manager to establish environmental standards for data centers
Agenda PDF

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 24 2) https://www.sanjoseca.gov/news-stories/watch-a-meeting 3) https://www.youtube.com/CityofSanJoseCalifornia 4) By phone 888 475 4499. Webinar ID: 941 1478 1397. 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/94114781397 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 26-226 Review June 2, 2026 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)
    Rules Committee Reviews, Recommendations and Approvals Consent
  11. Review Draft Agenda
  12. ROGC 26-227 Review June 9, 2026 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 Draft 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. Approval of the Juneteenth 2026 Flag Raising Sponsored by the Office of Mayor Matt Mahan as a City Council Sponsored Special Event to Expend City Funds and Accept Donations of Materials and Services for the Event. (Mayor)
    Rules Committee Reviews, Recommendations and Approvals

    1. Approve the Juneteenth 2026 Flag Raising scheduled on June 7, 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 June 2, 2026 Council Agenda for action.

  16. 2. Retroactive Approval of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) Expansion Flag Raising Sponsored by Council District 9 as a City Council Sponsored Special Event to Expend City Funds and Accept Donations of Materials and Services for the Event. (Foley)
    Rules Committee Reviews, Recommendations and Approvals Consent

    1. Retroactively approve the PWHL Expansion Flag Raising scheduled on May 19, 2026 as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds. 2. Retroactively approve and accept donations from various individuals, businesses or community groups to support the event. 3. Place the item on the June 9, 2026 City Council Agenda for action.

  17. Rules Committee Reviews, Recommendations and Approvals
  18. 1. Ranked Choice Voting for Vacancies. (Cohen, Kamei, Mulcahy, and Tordillos)
    Rules Committee Reviews, Recommendations and Approvals

    Place on the November 2026 Ballot measure instituting: a. Amending the City Charter to allow the option for the Council to choose to utilize Ranked Choice Voting in the case of special elections to fill vacancies in Mayoral and City council races.

  19. 2. Data Center Uniform Standards. (Mayor, Candelas, Cohen, and Ortiz)
    Rules Committee Reviews, Recommendations and Approvals

    Direct the City Manager to: 1. Establish a set of uniform standards and best practices for data center projects in the City of San José. These standards should build upon existing local and state environmental regulations and help mitigate potential impacts related to: a. Energy consumption and energy sourcing; b. Water usage, including strategies to reduce reliance on potable water through recycled water infrastructure, closed-loop systems, or other efficient technologies; c. Air quality, backup power generators and d. Other environmental factors, including greenhouse gas emissions, noise, and water quality protections. e. The standards should also outline a clear and consistent process for community notification and engagement for new data center projects, building upon existing City outreach policies and processes (Council Policy 6-30). 2. Support statewide legislation like Senate Bill 887 that supports local jurisdictions in creating cleaner infrastructure for data center development, including but not limited to recycled water/purple pipe infrastructure, cleaner energy, transmission infrastructure, with the goals of lowering environmental impacts, protecting ratepayers, and expanding access to economic opportunities.

  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.