Summary

Meeting summary

San JoseMay 27, 20261 min read

At a glance

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The committee unanimously advanced two policy items to the City Council: ranked choice voting for vacancy elections and new uniform standards for data center projects. It also approved the June 2 and June 9 City Council agendas and consent items for Juneteenth and a Professional Women’s Hockey League flag raising.

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

Topics discussed

CommerceElectionsEnvironmental

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What this means

The committee approved the upcoming City Council agendas and moved several items forward for further action. One proposal would let the City Council use ranked choice voting in special elections to fill mayoral and council vacancies, with the measure headed to the full council on June 23, 2026. Another proposal would set citywide standards for data centers, focusing on energy use, water use, air quality, backup power, and neighborhood notification. The committee also approved special-event steps for Juneteenth 2026 and a Professional Women’s Hockey League flag raising.

Key decisions

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Approved the June 2, 2026 City Council final agenda, including the add sheet.
Approved the June 9, 2026 City Council draft agenda.
Approved placement of the Juneteenth 2026 Flag Raising on the June 2, 2026 City Council agenda for action.
Approved placement of the Professional Women’s Hockey League expansion flag raising on the June 9, 2026 City Council agenda for action.
Approved ranked choice voting for vacancies to move to the full City Council on June 23, 2026 with a proposed draft resolution and charter measure.
Directed the City Manager’s office to submit a Workload Analysis for the data center uniform standards item and return it to the Rules and Open Government Committee on June 10, 2026.

Timeline & follow-ups

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Meeting information

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

May 27, 2026, 9:00 PMCouncil Chambersscheduled

Agenda

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How to observe the Meeting (no public comment):
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.
How to submit written Public Comment for items on the agenda:
1) By email to city.clerk@sanjoseca.gov by 8:00 a.m. the day of the meeting.
How to provide spoken Public Comment during the Committee Meeting:
Fill out a Yellow Speaker's Card and submit it to boxes at the bottom of the Chambers.
City Council (City Clerk)
Review Final Agenda
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)
Review Draft Agenda
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)
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.
Consent Calendar
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)
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
Ranked Choice Voting for Vacancies. (Cohen, Kamei, Mulcahy, and Tordillos)
Data Center Uniform Standards. (Mayor, Candelas, Cohen, and Ortiz)
Open Forum
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.
Adjournment
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.
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.
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.
Access the video, the agenda and related reports for this meeting by visiting the City's website.

Meeting summary

At a glance

Committees mentioned

Topics discussed

What this means

Key decisions

Timeline & follow-ups

Meeting information

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

Agenda

Documents from this meeting

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