Santa Clara charter review committee sworn in, elects Pat Nikolai chair and Joe Susinski vice chair

The City of Santa Clara Charter Review Committee held its first meeting at City Hall on Sept. 16, 2025, where members were sworn in, briefed on legal and procedural rules, and elected Pat Nikolai as chair and Joe Susinski as vice chair.

City Attorney Glenn Guggins led the orientation, explaining the committee’s charge: to work with city staff and the public to conduct a comprehensive review of the municipal charter and produce a draft comprehensive charter amendment for presentation to the City Council — and, if the council directs, to voters. "The charter is the equivalent of the city's constitution," Guggins told the committee during the presentation.

The 13-member committee — seven council-appointed representatives and six chosen by lottery — was created after the City Council directed formation of the body to correct, clarify and update charter provisions so they align with state law and current municipal practices. The city received 71 applications and certified 60 as qualifying for the selection process, Guggins said. Members’ terms run until the committee’s work is complete, projected for early July 2026 to allow any council action needed before the November 2026 ballot deadline.

The meeting included an in-depth…