[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6521216,"mediaKeyId","5110075-21ef77b761b97c5aea66499a9d506df2","parentId",5110075,"title","Charter subcommittee recommends not changing Sunnyvale rule requiring two meetings per month; debates vacancy timing and maximum appointees","audioSeconds",920,"startMs",3800000,"endMs",4720000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5110075-21ef77b761b97c5aea66499a9d506df2&start=3800&end=4720","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5110075-21ef77b761b97c5aea66499a9d506df2/thumbnail_3800000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6521216/Sunnyvale/Santa-Clara-County/California/Charter-subcommittee-recommends-not-changing-Sunnyvale-rule-requiring-two-meetings-per-month-debates-vacancy-timing-and-maximum-appointees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521216-4e60f780711bb9fdb94d4fb3ec85658d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775463689&Signature=OItDfbGRC8xP7BUy4hu5Ke23-TY0fsYhc36FbAc1wIktV5HER97A8Du6pw72cwdCvPiQUao7I2Lr~31al-jq0zq3udoMKXfRGLMjMP3uKfDspB7qENRimz5h4Bx2QH67KAlgqVOiLmbYRzoA7LQs9jEjY0YHWf6WMSKgt7-nCI1jXG2ECnu5fpx7G~0kWCqgi6A77UlS4~aZ1K4Kt2vqpLoTiJ6EdidbErto7FrKYUBOXQjgJzXr8y4Ua33mifGf11MHVu5qB3JzebZfddnxlyvdPa449XYAJb6E4gGfE13sJ6r3lMDrjdO1Y40nDt6GoeTWCesN15EERKKC7Cj7ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-01T03:40:32Z","article","Subcommittee 1 presented its report on Section 6.11 (regular meetings) and Section 6.06 (vacancies) to the Sunnyvale Charter Review Committee on June 30 and recommended no change to the twice‑monthly meeting requirement while flagging tradeoffs for vacancy rules.

Member Vickrey, reporting for the subcommittee on regular meetings, said the council currently meets about 40 times per year and that changing the twice‑monthly charter requirement would probably not reduce the number of meetings given current workload. The subcommittee’s view, Vickrey said, was that “a change in this provision seems to provide little opportunity to remedy the concern about how often the council is having to meet because it apparently is having to meet that often because of the workload it has.”

On vacancies, Member Neuswanger explained the options the subcommittee studied: (1) require any vacancy to be filled at the next consolidated general municipal election in November; (2) allow a special municipal election consolidated with the statewide March/June election (shorter appointment duration but higher cost); or (3) allow stand‑alone special elections (highest cost, lowest turnout). The subcommittee table showed the tradeoffs in turnout, cost and the likely duration of an appointed appointee’s term under each option.

The subcommittee recommended favoring consolidation with the general (November) election because it most reduces cost and maximizes turnout — although it produces the longest potential appointment duration for an appointee. The subcommittee also flagged a related question: whether the charter’s current cap that limits how many appointees may serve at the same time (today set at two) should be reduced to one to lessen the chance that a group of sitting council members could fill multiple seats by appointment and bestow incumbency advantages.

Public commenters urged caution on appointment power and urged swift replacement by election. One speaker, identified as Steve S., told the committee he believed appointments have been used strategically in the past and argued that “priority should be placed on replacing appointees with an elected member as soon as possible.” Another public speaker, Zachary K., said vacancies are infrequent and urged minimal alteration of current practice.

Committee discussion reflected several views: some members said the subcommittee’s research and cost considerations supported the recommendation not to change the regular‑meetings provision; others said the council specifically asked the CRC to study this and that broader public outreach on the vacancies question would be appropriate before a final recommendation. The full committee took a nonbinding straw poll on Section 6.11 (regular meetings); the chair recorded the count as 7 in favor of not revising that provision, 1 opposed and 1 abstention.

Ending: The subcommittee asked for public comment on vacancy timing and on whether the cap on concurrent appointees should be changed; staff will update committee materials (including a recently circulated staff email summarizing prior vacancies) and will return with any follow‑up requested by the subcommittee.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Charter Review Committee Meeting - June 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Subcommittee 1 presented its report on Section 6.11 (regular meetings) and Section 6.06 (vacancies) and recommended keeping the twice‑monthly meeting requirement but sought full‑committee feedback and public comment on vacancy timing and cap on appointees.","taxTitle","Sunnyvale , Santa Clara County, California","taxId",2858,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6521222,"Sunnyvale staff outlines engagement toolkit and 1‑pager for Charter Review Committee",402,1063000,1465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5110075-21ef77b761b97c5aea66499a9d506df2&start=1063&end=1465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5110075-21ef77b761b97c5aea66499a9d506df2/thumbnail_1063000.jpg","/articles/6521222/Sunnyvale/Santa-Clara-County/California/Sunnyvale-staff-outlines-engagement-toolkit-and-1pager-for-Charter-Review-Committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521222-fd961dd9c3be6ce31d9e2a10eb07af66/orig.mp4?Expires=1775463689&Signature=UOolUF9w7j8jyI05DSuWRxOFN6DDM5dbZZCkIIgRapr8MnSTn0buu56VvD6YV7IQb0u7OkBKGFhx1i9FzNLNeXQ0PDW8ITIIV8ZBGcfZZtX4c4SGOBsIS~32UAb0rtZzntaYg2ZhOj2vA3eTKYis6YJpV140gk7Hcxz6OOuoHhihPjLVez4UDerBvFkuj5TzZP5VqoeY4M5BG5CMvBCVEq8fP5A1JsP5rMcZO1dVWHgEtZNDLhotOuTuwtFj6AJ5R55pZlRSxIPbl3W~NeV-w39bK6irT54Kc2F9hO9JoVfArHkgP69XK0~4U9msFtcZRrZKgkzv26JTJQcEvDeAvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a high‑level public‑engagement plan and a one‑page informational handout to the Sunnyvale Charter Review Committee on June 30, describing the tools staff can provide to educate residents and gather feedback on potential charter amendments.

The staff presentation, led by Deputy City Manager Connie Vercellus and Deputy Public Information Officer Rachel Davis, explained that the materials — a one‑pager with a QR code linking to a centralized web page, a survey form via the city’s Open City Hall, Update Sunnyvale email items, social media posts and postcards — are intended to make it easy for residents to learn about the charter review and to ensure the committee hears the same, consolidated public input.

The one‑pager is designed as a neutral primer to explain what the charter is, why the committee is studying it and to point readers to a QR code that links to more information and to surveys. “We put together a chart that just has a very kind of buffet menu of options that our growing team is able to put together for you,” Rachel Davis said during the presentation. Connie Vercellus added that the one‑pager is intended so “as committee members, we gather information from the committee in that from the from the community that all of the committee can can hear that at the same time.”

Staff described practical timelines and limits. They said basic materials can be produced quickly — often within about a week once committee input is received — and that a typical survey period is 45 days, though under the committee’s tight schedule staff suggested the survey could be open for as little as 20 days. Staff also said postcards and some other tactics would incur some expense but could be absorbed within available CRC funds; the council previously adopted a budget line for polling that staff can use for professional polling if the committee chooses.

Committee members raised two consistent constraints for outreach: complying with the Ralph M. Brown Act and avoiding committee‑level advocacy. Staff advised limiting subcommittee members’ direct solicitation of opinions when multiple committee members might attend the same public event, because coordinated attendance or discussion could create a serial meeting under the Brown Act. City attorney/staff guidance was summarized by staff as: public outreach is acceptable, but the preferred channel for soliciting community‑wide input is a staff‑hosted, centralized survey or other channels that return results to the full committee at a public meeting.

Members discussed tactics such as tabling at farmers’ markets, doing targeted postcards and using a large poster with a QR code at outreach locations; staff said a poster or an 18x24 sign with a QR code could be produced. Staff also said they can work directly with subcommittees between meetings to develop specific survey questions, graphics and schedules so materials can be produced without waiting for the next full committee meeting.

Public comments at the hearing emphasized neutrality. A speaker identified as Steve S. urged the committee to avoid advocacy language, saying “Just the facts … Information only, no marketing, no sugarcoating, no advocacy.” Staff reiterated that outreach materials and surveys would be drafted to be informational rather than persuasive and that survey text and outreach plans would be reviewed with the committee before broad distribution.

The committee agreed to invite staff to subcommittee meetings for tailored support and to begin using the QR code/one‑pager and surveys as the primary channel to collect input. Staff will work with subcommittees to finalize survey questions and launch materials on the schedule the subcommittees specify.

Ending: Staff recommended the one‑pager, surveys and centralized web page as the main tools for public input and offered to meet with each subcommittee between meetings to prepare materials and timelines.
","City staff presented a menu of outreach tools — surveys, a one‑pager with QR code, Update Sunnyvale emails, social media and postcard options — and advised subcommittees how to collect public input while complying with the Brown Act.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6521204,"Votes at a glance: Charter Review Committee passes consent calendar item 1A",96,942000,1038000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5110075-21ef77b761b97c5aea66499a9d506df2&start=942&end=1038","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5110075-21ef77b761b97c5aea66499a9d506df2/thumbnail_942000.jpg","/articles/6521204/Sunnyvale/Santa-Clara-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Charter-Review-Committee-passes-consent-calendar-item-1A","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521204-7463d6e7510c4bafb6fb2db5e90b0deb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775463689&Signature=HQSBAQm4nGW4U2t1kwrgkZntqofUlR8Zgy~ITjXY0lBVfrIe2ttfHaFd2p5FrLhHQuIhC25IGHeAF4UX8A-QS7o4ELOP8sqDZTHHiYeLnnv~aDKNfPGG07an8z20rzMcwBRWqW76eczQXjUdz0BRwPMdHq2PQZ9mtoi~XtqXXqXMZamxaCMsBaZtzKD-Odj83MtHi3i54TOZje4So93upq9ADnwK4dqJWqdv7HZCrIemPlLhMuDol44z6x1rqGqMwmOtgsYES5bBkpfRVxDr5NugJej5ltcCIwSsyXY7PJQZirw27gcGTrS9QdpojF4ektve2tqL3Rh1XBrveKc6XQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sunnyvale Charter Review Committee approved the consent calendar (item 1A) by roll‑call vote during its June 30 special meeting.

Vice Chair Wickham moved to pass the consent calendar; Member Pine seconded the motion. The city clerk conducted a roll‑call vote. Committee members recorded “yes” votes from Member Davis, Member Oleson, Member Rubino, Chair Larson, Member Philly, Member Vickrey, Member Neuswanger, Vice Chair Wickham and Member Pai. The motion carried 9‑0 with Member We absent.

Ending: The consent calendar passed unanimously among voting members present; the meeting then proceeded to the staff report and public hearings.","The Charter Review Committee approved the consent calendar item 1A on a roll‑call vote, 9‑0, with one member absent.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6521209,"Subcommittee 3 examines city manager settlement authority and public‑works contracting; Pasadena example cited",336,9068000,9404000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5110075-21ef77b761b97c5aea66499a9d506df2&start=9068&end=9404","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5110075-21ef77b761b97c5aea66499a9d506df2/thumbnail_9068000.jpg","/articles/6521209/Sunnyvale/Santa-Clara-County/California/Subcommittee-3-examines-city-manager-settlement-authority-and-publicworks-contracting-Pasadena-example-cited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521209-cfa5a508cd16f5b0ab116c34c21ab9c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775463689&Signature=AQysi~7haTARaKjCpFbdq20MbQ6~ezeh6K0yx9-jmUTwIWSaazSruDyKQWr6HA7d6bWaajAOngiVrL3AF0OYXR7GvQB42plLaAmFAEYfN4Q7sqNKQ3d9AmpF1i0zFfAXm3Cq9tXK8TI3dXHvfVn-yPxRC8pPCr0kShl6ijbjHN-sJO2HTMAv4tCII05aUiIM340h0tUz68m5bvlBpyJqMvUnWqG7gGm1dpwc60h4LdpouR57J6Ik6LE-jbPsCIsL0eTsnpLZQTm6Q3DLB6QMA8ZJWuh8sMjRObF73V4ad5lZJd54i446ZKW6G7I5LI58hu4XoBwuAoU4o9WQdN5w1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Subcommittee 3 presented a review of charter language and ordinances used by California cities to set settlement authority and alternative methods for public‑works contracting at the June 30 meeting, and described a likely approach for Sunnyvale: allow the council to set the person and dollar threshold by ordinance rather than hard‑coding a dollar limit in the charter.

The subcommittee reported that state law sets a default settlement threshold of $50,000 for cities that do not have a charter provision; a change to a higher limit generally requires a charter amendment. The subcommittee found three charter cities that address settlement authority through charter language and implementing ordinances; Pasadena’s 2024 charter amendment was highlighted as a close parallel to Sunnyvale. Pasadena placed a package of administrative changes on a recent ballot that (as Pasadena presented it to voters) allowed council to set the authorized official and dollar thresholds by ordinance; both Pasadena measures on the ballot carried by wide margins.

Subcommittee members noted that many charter cities use ordinance language to designate which officer is authorized to settle (for example, the city attorney) and to set the administration’s settlement ceiling; that approach allows the council to adjust thresholds by ordinance as costs and legal practices change rather than requiring repeated charter amendments. The subcommittee reported that Pasadena voters approved similar language in 2024 and provided the committee with Pasadena’s fact sheet as an example of how the city explained the amendment to voters.

Committee members discussed who in Sunnyvale currently has authority to settle (the city manager in the charter text) and whether the city attorney, the city manager, or a two‑tiered model (city attorney for lower amounts, city attorney plus city manager for higher amounts) would be preferred. The subcommittee said it leans toward giving the council flexibility to set both the authorized official and any higher ceiling by ordinance, which staff said would be easier to update through the council process and more transparent for voters.

Public comment supported clarifying the rules and noted concerns about leaving settlement limits only in an ordinance. Steve S., speaking in person, said he was “a little torn” but favored improvements and cautioned that ordinances can be more easily changed than charter language.

Ending: The subcommittee will continue to survey comparable cities and prepare draft language for the committee to consider; staff and the subcommittee noted Pasadena’s recent approach as a practical template for a charter amendment paired with an implementing ordinance.
","Subcommittee 3 reviewed how other California charter cities assign settlement authority and contract delivery methods. The group recommended allowing council to set settlement authority and contracting methods by ordinance (as Pasadena did), rather than fixing dollar amounts in the charter.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6521213,"Charter subcommittee urges replacing Sunnyvale council pay formula with indexed approach; asks public for tradeoff input",1632,6896000,8528000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5110075-21ef77b761b97c5aea66499a9d506df2&start=6896&end=8528","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5110075-21ef77b761b97c5aea66499a9d506df2/thumbnail_6896000.jpg","/articles/6521213/Sunnyvale/Santa-Clara-County/California/Charter-subcommittee-urges-replacing-Sunnyvale-council-pay-formula-with-indexed-approach-asks-public-for-tradeoff-input","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521213-0781a3eb5cb20d0cb61f28d1a95dd129/orig.mp4?Expires=1775463689&Signature=nlt087mBzw16pIexTYWvlcVnvLoLj8r6dj4m4TOLEKl6jMFcXBijJudSeB6VF549mrT-EOEjUU6O7VZI2XhG9YVIQtN2P2vj4WdslQvO4Yc~e0hqiEKAa7m65F4Z8uSvzqz4DcUd2WWP6tiPrE-anRJsRDXini1Bfq6rzWX5BLl4BmOzsrF3y-CivGwADcab7-IUtDl-RWqFJY-hoJ34T00FNbB4zbA-KaY-gmafziJxYugaA5bAHwsJ6vEXQKrVdLHISduERMediVM1SkV~6YoXjQh9asQ1Dtl1WlJRK-tJN-3-snXeoLZF-9-TiCt~RL5bvMpxJFRtkh9s1wXfOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Subcommittee 2 presented its analysis and initial recommendations on Section 6.05 (council and mayor compensation) at the June 30 Charter Review Committee meeting, recommending an index‑based method and further public outreach on concrete dollar levels.

Member Davis, presenting the subcommittee’s work, said the committee found council duties are substantially more time‑consuming than the current stipend reflects and proposed indexing compensation to local wages rather than keeping a static dollar figure or a low annual cap. The subcommittee noted the mayor’s role entails significantly more time and intergovernmental duties than a council member’s and that designating the mayor as “full time” could face political resistance; the group tentatively suggested classifying the mayor’s job at a higher percentage of full time (the subcommittee discussed 75%) and council members at a lower percentage (for example, 50%).

The subcommittee reviewed U.S. Census American Community Survey data on Sunnyvale earnings and noted the ACS one‑year numbers can fluctuate; presenters said any index would likely need smoothing (for example, a multi‑year rolling average) to avoid sudden swings. Member Davis said the subcommittee’s rough reference point for full‑time earnings of typical Sunnyvale full‑time workers was on the order of the city’s median full‑time worker earnings (a number discussed in the packet cited roughly $151,000 for the ACS table the group examined), and that the committee’s task is to choose an approach that is transparent and defensible to voters.

Committee members urged including concrete dollar figures when the committee presents outreach materials. Member Pine suggested that survey and polling questions should show the public a specific proposed dollar amount (or phased increases) rather than only an index formula; staff and members agreed that ballot or outreach items should include both the indexing method and example dollar levels so residents can evaluate tradeoffs.

Public commenters offered contrasting perspectives. Steve S. told the committee he views council service as voluntary community service and cautioned that a large increase could be politically risky; other commenters noted the workload and time commitment and supported increasing compensation to broaden the candidate pool.

Ending: The subcommittee recommended continued work to identify a defensible index and smoothing method, to model example dollar levels and to test those figures in public outreach and polling. Staff and subcommittee members agreed to include specific dollar scenarios in any survey or polling question so voters can see concrete tradeoffs, and to consider phased approaches if the committee proposes a substantial increase.
","Subcommittee 2 recommended using an index‑based approach (for example, tying council and mayor compensation to an outside earnings index with smoothing) to better reflect local wages and broaden the candidate pool; staff and committee members said outreach should include concrete dollar figures for public feedback.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Charter subcommittee recommends not changing Sunnyvale rule requiring two meetings per month; debates vacancy timing and maximum appointees

Sunnyvale staff outlines engagement toolkit and 1‑pager for Charter Review Committee

Votes at a glance: Charter Review Committee passes consent calendar item 1A

Subcommittee 3 examines city manager settlement authority and public‑works contracting; Pasadena example cited

Charter subcommittee urges replacing Sunnyvale council pay formula with indexed approach; asks public for tradeoff input