Santa Clara committee recommends comprehensive charter review, aims for 2026 ballot

At a meeting of the Governance and Ethics Committee, the body voted to recommend that the City Council initiate a comprehensive, professional review of the Santa Clara city charter with the goal of submitting proposed changes to voters in November 2026.

City Attorney Lehi Gugans, who outlined the plan, said the project’s “objective, of this exercise would be to identify terms of the city charter that warrant modernization and clarification, and to submit proposed changes in a comprehensive format for consideration by the voters in November of 2026.” He described potential amendments ranging from clarifying residency requirements and roles for the city clerk and library board to updating budget language, procurement thresholds and adding authority for design-build public works procurement.

Committee members raised process and scope questions. Member Park warned against creating a permanent, standing review body that might prompt frequent changes; he favored limiting the commission’s remit and requiring disclosures and conflict-of-interest screening for members. Chair Jane and others said changes should be categorized by sensitivity (level 1 = cleanup, level 2 = modest operational changes, level 3 = potentially controversial changes requiring separate consideration) and that controversial items might be carved out of a single omnibus measure to avoid derailing otherwise noncontroversial modernization.

City Clerk Bob O'Keefe described ambiguities around the current elected city clerk role and the office’s split of duties, and said clarifying charter language would help align the charter with ordinances and day-to-day practice. The city manager said he was “110% supportive of the project,” citing the operational benefits of modernized charter language for implementing large capital programs, including the city’s recently approved infrastructure bond.

Committee members asked staff to research past ballot performance for related measures (Measure K and Measure L from February) and to return with recommended options for (a) a proposed work plan and schedule, (b) composition and appointment methods for a charter review commission, and (c) whether to run only cleanup/level-1 items in 2026 or include selected level-2 items. City Attorney Gugans advised a September 2025 start to meet normal submittal deadlines for the November 2026 ballot.

The committee’s motion recommended initiating a charter review commission and process focused primarily on cleanup and modernization while allowing identification of other possible amendments. The motion was moved by Chair Jane and seconded by Member Park; it passed 2-0. Staff will return to the City Council with appointment alternatives, a proposed work plan and timelines for measures to be placed on a ballot if the council decides to proceed.

Quotes in this piece are taken from the meeting transcript of the Governance and Ethics Committee.