Policy Watch: Your weekly tip sheet for what’s happening in your community

Most government offices are slowing down or closing down for the holiday week, but here’s what’s coming up after the holidays:

San Jose

Special holiday closed session

The San Jose City Council loves working together so much, they’ve scheduled a special meeting for December 30th, when they would ordinarily be snowboarding or something cool like that.  The special closed session meeting was called to discuss the appointment of an interim city manager now that City Manager Ed Shikada plans to make Dec. 31st his last day with the city.  Shikada resigned last week after seeing the writing on the wall that his days were numbered with Sam Liccardo in charge.

Link to 12/30 mtng notice: http://sanjoseca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/38665
Link to 12/19 item: www.sanjoseca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/38636
Link to 12/19 agenda: http://sanjoseca.gov/index.aspx?NID=3549


District 4 Council Seat replacement

In case you missed it, the council succeeded in ramming through the appointment of a replacement for District 4 with only  last minute community input and virtually no community outreach or notice.  Former City Council member from District 4, Margie Matthews will be sworn in to the post January 13 and she’ll serve until August 2015 when a candidate elected in the April 7 special election takes over the remainder of Kansen Chu’s term. (Chu has already begun his new job as a State Assembly member in District 25)

Councilmembers Xavier Campos, Ash Kalra and Don Rocha boycotted the meeting, saying the process was flawed and lack of public notice was unacceptable.  Council member Oliverio gave ‘em hell with a three hour Q & A for the three candidates who applied for the job, much to the chagrin of his fellow councilmembers who hoped to quietly place Margie on the dais with them.

Sunnyvale

What do you want the city to spend money on?

Here’s your chance to have a say in what your tax dollars pay for in Sunnyvale.  The annual public hearing on potential council study and budget issues for 2015 takes place Tuesday January 6th at 7 p.m.

Some of the issues on tap:

  • Consider Imposing a Tax or Fee on Rental Property Owners to Provide a Revenue Source to Pay for Tenant-Landlord Dispute Resolution Services
  • Review Below Market Rate (BMR) Unit and/or In-lieu Fee Requirements
  • Explore Introduction of a Rent Stabilization Ordinance
  • Regulating Short-term Residential Rental Units (i.e., AirBnB)
  • Review Potential for a Utility Users Tax Ballot Measure and Discount Program for Low Income Customers
  • Explore Actions to Improve Affordability of Living in Sunnyvale and Surrounding Cities
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