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

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 · 2:00 PM AM · Hybrid Meeting - Council Chambers and Virtually - https://sanjoseca.zoom.us/j/97550548493

TL;DR

The San José City Council's Rules and Open Government Committee met to review agendas for upcoming council meetings and address routine administrative items. The committee approved several ceremonial items including a proclamation and flag-raising for Taiwan Retrocession Day, and directed the City Manager to study self-checkout safety standards in retail stores.

Key Decisions

  • Taiwan Retrocession Day Proclamation, Flag Raising, and Lighting Approved
  • Joint City of San José and Santa Clara Valley Water District Special Meeting Set for October 13, 2026
  • City Auditor's September 2026 Monthly Report Approved
  • Self-Checkout Safety Standards Study Directed City Manager to review policy approaches and return with options before FY2027-2028 priority-setting
  • October 20, 2026 City Council Draft Agenda Review Under review with opportunity to add items and assign time certain slots
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. 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. 1) In Person: Fill out a Yellow Speaker's Card and submit it to boxes at the bottom of the Chambers. 2) By phone (888) 475 4499. Webinar ID: 975 5054 8493. Alternative phone numbers are: US: +1 (213) 338-8477 or +1 (408) 638-0968 or (877) 853-5257 (Toll Free) a. When prompted to enter your Participant ID, please dial the pound symbol (#); If you would like to raise or lower your hand at any time, please dial * 9. You may dial * 6 to mute/unmute. 3) By online: https://sanjoseca.zoom.us/j/97550548493 a. 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. Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer. Mute all other audio before speaking. Using multiple devices can cause an audio feedback. b. Enter an email address and name. The name will be visible online and will be used to notify you that it is your turn to speak. c. When the Committee Chair calls for the item on which you wish to speak, click on “raise hand.” Speakers will be notified shortly before they are called to speak. d. When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted.
  8. City Council (City Clerk)
  9. Review Final Agenda
  10. ROGC 26-362 Review October 13, 2026 Final Agenda. - Cancelled.
    Review Draft Agenda
  11. Review Draft Agenda
  12. ROGC 26-363 Review October 20, 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. The Public Record for September 24, 2026 - October 1, 2026. (City Clerk)
    Rules Committee Reviews, Recommendations and Approvals Consent

    Receive and file the Public Record for September 24, 2026 - October 1, 2026.

  16. 2. Joint City of San José and Santa Clara Valley Water District Special Meeting. (City Manager)
    Rules Committee Reviews, Recommendations and Approvals Consent

    Set a Joint City of San José and Santa Clara Valley Water District Special Meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. to be held at Valley Water’s Headquarters Building Boardroom, 5700 Almaden Expressway, San José, California, and approve the draft Special Meeting agenda.

  17. 3. Monthly Report of Activities for September 2026. (City Auditor)
    Rules Committee Reviews, Recommendations and Approvals Consent

    Approve the Auditor’s Office Monthly Report of Activities for the month of September 2026.

  18. 4. Approval of Proclamation, Flag Raising and Lighting Recognizing Taiwan Retrocession Day Sponsored by Council District 5 as a City Council Sponsored Special Event to Expend City Funds and Accept Donations of Materials and Services for the Event. (Ortiz)
    Rules Committee Reviews, Recommendations and Approvals Consent

    1. Approve the Proclamation of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Retrocession Day scheduled on October 20, 2026 as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds. 2. Approve the Taiwanese Flag Raising scheduled on October 23, 2026 as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds. 3. Approve the Republic of China (Taiwan) Retrocession Day Tower and Rotunda Lighting scheduled from October 20-26, 2026 as a City Council sponsored Special Event and approve the expenditure of funds. 4. Approve and accept donations from various individuals, businesses or community groups to support the event. 5. Place the item on the October 20, 2026 City Council Agenda for action.

  19. Rules Committee Reviews, Recommendations and Approvals
  20. 1. Self-Checkout Safety Standards for Grocery and Drug Retail Stores. (Candelas and Cohen)
    Rules Committee Reviews, Recommendations and Approvals Consent

    1. Direct the City Manager to review policy approaches to self-service checkout (self-checkout) safety and staffing standards in grocery and drug retail establishments, including elements from ordinances adopted or under consideration in other jurisdictions, and to return to the City Council with policy options, scope, and implementation and enforcement considerations prior to the FY2027-2028 City Council priority-setting process. 2. Direct the City Manager to engage the County of Santa Clara, including the County’s Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSE), on potential strategic partnerships regarding worker safety and protections and related workplace issues. [Referred from 9/16/26 - Item C.1 (ROGC 26-324)]

  21. Open Forum
  22. 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.
  23. Adjournment
  24. 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.
  25. 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.
  26. 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.
  27. Access the video, the agenda and related reports for this meeting by visiting the City's website.