Boards & Commissions
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Airport Commission
Members of the Airport Commission serve in an advisory capacity to the City Council and to the Director of Aviation on issues relating to the Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport. The Commission investigates, studies and reviews matters relating to the Airport and its development as the City Council and the Director of Aviation may require, or as requested by the general public. The Commission has declared a policy of promoting and protecting air transportation to serve the public interest and to integrate the Airport and its related activities into the orderly growth of the community, and to meet the needs of the traveling public without unduly affecting property and persons located near the Airport.
The City Council is the final decision-making body. The Commission acts as expert advisers to the City Council.
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Appeals Hearing Board
There are seven members of the Appeals Hearing Board. Each member serves a term of four years. The Appeals Hearing Board hears code enforcement cases such as blighted conditions, illegal building activity, unsafe and unsanitary living conditions, abandoned, dismantled and inoperative vehicles on private property, neglected vacant houses, weed abatement liens, garbage liens and other matters. The Board also hears appeals of police permit denials or revocations, stop sign appeals, sign removal fees, utility billing and graffiti abatement fees. The Appeals Hearing Board is quasi-judicial. The City's Administrative Remedies Ordinance provides an administrative code enforcement procedure which is used in lieu of criminal and civil judicial enforcement, including the imposition of penalties up to $2,500 a day per violation. When the Board determines there is a violation it can impose an order requiring compliance, reimbursement of all City enforcement costs, and payment of civil penalties.
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Arts Commission
The Art Commission is comprised of 11 members. Each member serves a four year term. The Arts Commission advises the City Council on all matters relating to the arts and cultural life of San José. The Commission reviews art acquisitions, arts programs, public art projects, and grant applications from cultural groups and recommends levels of funding for them to the City Council. The Commission also serves as an advocate for the arts and for beautification of the environment to the Council and the Staff. The City Council is the final decision-making body. The Commission is advisory to the Council on the distribution of City funding for the Arts and makes recommendations to the Council respecting Arts and Festival grants. Arts Commissioners serve as liaisons between the City’s arts programs, programs of adjacent communities, the state and the nation, and arts organizations.
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Board of Fair Campaign and Political Practices
The San José Board of Fair Campaign and Political Practices monitors compliance with all campaign and ethics ordinances in the San José Municipal Code. The board reviews and investigates allegations of violations of the Code and makes recommendations for enforcement action where appropriate. The Board of Fair Campaign and Political Practices also makes recommendations to the council with regard to campaign and ethics regulations and policies. The San José Board of Fair Campaign and Political Practices is charged under Chapter 12.04 of the San José Municipal Code to investigate complaints alleging violations of Title 12 of the San José Municipal Code and take enforcement action. Formal regulations are adopted by the City Council to ensure that all interested parties are apprised of and understand the procedures by which a fair hearing will be conducted. The board comprises of five members, each serving a four-year term. (Resolution 77879)
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Civil Service Commission
The Civil Service Commission comprises five members. Each member serves a term of four years. As established by the City Charter, the Civil Service Commission makes recommendations to the council and the city manager and conducts investigations concerning the administration of personnel in the classified service. The commission reviews and recommends changes to the civil service rules and appoints members to the City Council Salary Setting Commission. The commission may also act as an appellate body for certain personnel decisions affecting City employees. This commission is advisory to the City Council regarding civil service rules, as well as to the city manager and any other appointive power regarding personnel administrative matters. Appeals to decisions made by the commission concerning employee discipline and dismissal must be made through the court system.
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Climate Advisory Commission
The Climate Advisory Commission shall have the following functions, powers, and duties: Advise and make recommendations to the City Council and the City Manager, or designee, on all aspects of San José Climate Smart plan, with a focus on the Pathway to Carbon Neutrality by 2030 and climate adaptation; and provide feedback on staff recommendations to the City Council, and Transportation and
Environment Committee, when appropriate; serve as a community voice in
matters related to San José’s Climate Smart initiatives. Advise and make recommendations to the City Council and the City Manager, or designee, on San José Clean Energy’s services and product offerings, Integrated Resource Plan, and programs. - Community Stabilization and Opportunity Pathways Fund Commission
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Council Appointment Advisory Commission
As established by Council Action, the Commission reviews applications submitted to the Office of the City Clerk, interviews applicants with special eligibility requirements and makes recommendations to Council as it relates to appointments to Boards and Commissions.
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Deferred Compensation Advisory Committee
The Deferred Compensation Advisory Committee comprises seven members serving four year terms. The committee administers the Deferred Compensation Plan, the trust account and is responsible for the operation of the plan in accordance with the terms of the plan. The committee is required to determine all questions arising out of the administration, interpretation and application of the plan and the trust including evaluating and selecting investment options. The committee has the authority to enter into agreements on behalf of the City for the administration of the plan, for custodial agreements for funds, and for investments under the plan. The committee has broad authority in the administration of the City’s deferred compensation plans. However, that authority must be exercised within the limitations imposed by the plan and within the requirements of the applicable fiduciary standards.
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Downtown Parking Board
The Downtown Parking Board is comprised of seven members, each serving a four year term. The board serves as a public forum for the discussion of downtown parking issues. The board's mission statement is to "create and maintain a downtown public parking system that provides available and accessible parking." The board reviews, evaluates, and makes recommendations to the City Council regarding the City's downtown parking programs, the health and financial stability of the parking fund, and the use of parking revenues. The board also reviews and makes recommendations on downtown parking needs; including the expansion, addition or improvement of parking facilities, programs and parking operations.
The City Council is the final decision making body of the City, and the board acts on all matters referred to it by the council.
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Federated City Employees' Retirement System
The Federated City Employees’ Retirement System (“System”) is a defined benefit retirement plan serving the employees and retirees of the City of San José. Operating under the San José Municipal Code Section 2.08.1000, the System is managed and administered by its Board of Administration (“Board”). The Board’s specific duties include:
Administration and investment of the retirement funds; Consideration of requests for retirement
Determination of eligibility for membership in the pension plans; Determination of employees’ eligibility for membership in the pension plan; Determination of employees’ eligibility for retirement benefits. The Board uses investment earnings and employer and employee contributions to provide eligible retirees with defined-benefit pensions based on their years of service and highest compensation. The System provides medical, survivorship, and permanent disability benefits to qualified members and their beneficiaries. -
Historic Landmarks Commission
The Historic Landmarks Commission is required and established in accordance with the Municipal Code (Part 13 and Part 26).The seven members are residents of the City of San Jose (unless specifically authorized otherwise) with a range of expertise related to historic preservation, appointed by the City Council.The Historic Landmarks Commission has the responsibility of forwarding comments and recommendations to the Director of Planning and City Council on: City Landmark, City Landmark Historic District, and Conservation Area Nominations; Mills Act Historic Property Contracts; Historic Preservation Permits for work performed on a City Landmark or within a City Landmark Historic District; and, Preservation, exhibition, and protection of the History San Jose Historical Museum. The Historic Landmarks Commission also: Maintains the Historic Resources Inventory, utilizing the Inventory as a tool in recommendations and Inventory listings as appropriate, by: Providing comments on land use/development proposals with the potential to impact cultural resources; and, Where appropriate, adding properties identified through those proposals to the Historic Resources Inventory.
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Housing and Community Development Commission
The Housing and Community Development Commission (HCDC) consists of 13 members who advise the Director of Housing, the Mayor, and the City Council on housing and community development matters, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.
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Library and Education Commission
The Library and Education Commission studies, reviews, evaluates and makes recommendations to the City Council regarding existing or proposed library facilities, programs, operations, services and financing. The commission advocates improved library service, and as a forum for public discussion of library needs, the commission facilitates communication between the public, the City Council and library staff.
The City Council is the final decision making body of the City, and the commission acts on all matters referred to it by the council. In its capacity as an advisory body, the commission works most closely with the library department.
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Measure T Community Oversight Committee
On November 6, 2018, City of San Jose voters approved Measure T, with 71% support. Measure T will raise $650 million to finance the cost of land or improvement of land for projects that will upgrade public safety facilities to improve emergency and disaster response, repair deteriorating bridges vulnerable to earthquakes, repave streets and potholes in the worst condition, prevent flooding and water contamination including the acquisition of land in the Coyote Valley for these purposes, and repair critical infrastructure. The Measure T Community Oversight Committee serves as an advisory committee to the City Council, meeting at least once a year with responsibilities to include the following: 1. Review the expenditure of Measure T funds to ascertain consistency with the voter approved purposes for the funds; 2. In connection with the review of Measure T expenditures, review and forward to the City Council an audit of the Measure T Bonds Financial Statements for the fiscal year ending June 30th as well as the Director of Finance’s annual report on the amount of Bonds issued and the amount of ad valorem tax collected for each prior fiscal year ending June 30th; and 3. Review the status of projects funded with Measure T funds and forward a status report on the pending Measure T projects to the City Council. The Measure T Community Oversight Committee is to be comprised of fifteen members, with each member nominated pursuant to San Jose Municipal Code 2.08.180, as may be amended. Each Councilmember shall recommend one Committee member who is a resident of the district of the nominating Council Office. The Mayor shall recommend five members as citywide representatives, with each member possessing subject matter expertise in one of the following fields: public safety, environmental issues, labor, business, and finance or accounting. Each of the nominations shall be considered by the full Council for formal appointment. Nominees must be residents of San Jose. Nominees possessing subject matter expertise in the fields of emergency and disaster response, public safety, finance, and/or transportation is highly desirable.
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Parks and Recreation Commission
The Parks and Recreation Commission advises the City Council on the City's system of parks, playgrounds, recreation centers and facilities, and recreation programs, including community sports, plays, celebrations and other recreation activities.
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Planning Commission
The Planning Commission is required and established in accordance with the City Charter (Section 1000).The members are residents of the City of San Jose, appointed by the City Council.The Planning Commission has the responsibility of making recommendations to the City Council on: - Adoption or amendment of the General Plan and specific and redevelopment plans for the future physical development of the City; - Adoption or amendment of land use and redevelopment regulations, including zoning and subdivision; - Adoption of the Capital Improvement Program; and - Other duties as provided by the City Council. The Planning Commission also: - Acts as an appellate body on certain Planning Director decisions. - Certifies Environmental Impact Reports
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Police and Fire Retirement Plan Board
The Police & Fire Department Retirement Plan (“Plan”) is a defined benefit retirement plan serving the police and fire employees and retirees of the City of San José. Operating under the San José Municipal Code Section 2.08.1200, the Plan is managed and administered by its Board of Administration (“Board”). The Board’s specific duties include: consideration of requests for retirement, administration and investment of the retirement funds, and determination of eligibility for membership in the pension plans, employees’ eligibility for membership in the pension plan, and employees’ eligibility for retirement benefits. The Board uses investment earnings and employer and employee contributions to provide eligible retirees with defined-benefit pensions based on their years of service and highest compensation. The Plan provides medical, survivorship, and permanent disability benefits to qualified members and their beneficiaries.
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Salary Setting Commission
The Salary Setting Commission has five members. Each member of the commission serves a four year term. Pursuant to City Charter Section 407, the Salary Setting Commission meets from January through April in odd-numbered years to recommend a salary for the mayor and the city council Members. The commission makes its recommendation to the city council and the council may adopt the recommended salaries, or lesser amounts, but the council cannot adopt salaries higher than those recommended by the commission.
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San Jose Arena Authority
The San José Arena Authority is a nonprofit public benefit corporation established by the City to oversee the management and operation of SAP Center at San José (home of the NHL San José Sharks) on behalf of the City. The Arena Authority also serves as community liaison to address the broader community issues of SAP Center's day-to-day operations. Additionally, the Authority oversees the management and operation of San José Municipal Stadium (home of the California League San José Giants) on behalf of the City and also has administrative responsibilities for Solar4America Ice at San José, a public ice facility that is also the San José Sharks practice facility.
The Arena Authority serves in an advisory capacity to the mayor and City Council in the oversight of the operation of the SAP Center, the ice training facility and the baseball stadium. Representatives from the offices of the mayor, City Council, City manager and redevelopment agency serve as ex-officio members on the Arena Authority Board of Directors.
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San José Youth Empowerment Alliance
San Jose Youth Empowerment Alliance is a key tool to keeping our streets and children safe. Established in 1991 by former Mayor Susan Hammer, the Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force is a broad coalition made up of: local residents; city, county and state government leaders; school officials; community and faith-based organizations; and local law enforcement. The Task Force brings these diverse stakeholders together and leverages each group’s expertise as part of a coordinated, interagency effort to curb gang-related activity in San Jose. The Task Force’s work is guided by a comprehensive 5-Year Strategic Workplan and encompasses a continuum of prevention, intervention, suppression, and rehabilitation services. The Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force has been recognized as a national model, and is one of six cities that were chosen to participate in the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention that was established by President Obama in 2010.
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Senior Citizens Commission
The Senior Citizens Commission studies, reviews, evaluates and makes recommendations to the City Council on any matters affecting elderly people in the City, including health, education, employment, housing, transportation and recreation.
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Small Business Advisory Committee
The City has established the Small Business Advisory Committee to:
- Support actions that encourage the creation and sustainability of small business in San José.
- Advise and inform program and policy work proposed or undertaken by the City of San José relevant to small businesses and the San José small business ecosystem.
- Encourage collaboration and partnership working between the public, private, and nonprofit organizations in San José.
- Promote issues of interest and a greater understanding of the positive impact that small businesses have across the diverse communities of San José, the contribution small businesses make to wealth creation, economic growth and strengthening the city's fiscal resiliency. -
Station Area Advisory Group
The City convened the Diridon Station Area Advisory Group (SAAG) in January 2018. It includes 38 member organizations appointed by the City Council (click here to view the SAAG Member roster). The primary purpose of the SAAG is to provide input to the City Administration on land use, development, transportation, and construction plans affecting the Diridon Station Area. In 2018, the City held a community engagement process that centered on the SAAG and culminated in a comprehensive Diridon Station Area Civic Engagement Report (see the Archive for details on the 2018 process and this page for details on Past SAAG meetings). This page includes the Agendas, Meeting Summaries, Presentations (slideshows), Minutes, Video Recordings, and other materials for each of the SAAG Meetings held after completion of the 2018 report. SAAG meetings are held at City Hall in the Wing - Committee Rooms (118-120), unless otherwise noted. The Committee Rooms are located behind the Council Chambers, when entering from 5th street. The closest entrance to the Committee Rooms is from 4th Street. If driving, park in the rear of the City Hall garage near the Wing elevators and bring your ticket for validation. SAAG meetings are typically live streamed on the CivicCenterTV website, and videos are posted for viewing following the meetings. We offer live interpretation in Spanish at every meeting. Headsets are available to the right when you walk in, next to the sign-in table. Attendees of SAAG meetings are subject to the City’s Code of Conduct for Public Meetings, which is intended to promote open meetings that welcome debate of public policy issues in an atmosphere of fairness, courtesy, and respect for differing points of view.
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Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association Advisory Committee
Pursuant to the Alternative Pension Reform Frameworks and Measure F, the City has established the Police and Fire VEBA under Chapter 3.57 of the San Jose Municipal Code and the Federated Employees’ VEBA under Chapter 3.58 of the San Jose Municipal Code. A VEBA is a taxexempt trust instrument authorized by Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(9) through which eligible healthcare benefits can be reimbursed. The City’s VEBAs are set up to reimburse eligible medical expenses in retirement for their respective members. San Jose Municipal Code Sections 3.57.210 and 3.58.210 provide that the VEBA Plans shall be administered by the VEBA Advisory Committee.
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Work2Future Board
The work2future Board provides strategic planning, policy development and oversight of the local workforce development systems and approves the disbursement of funds. Its mission is to respond to business needs, and prepare job seekers for full time unsubsidized employment. The City serves as fiscal and administrative agent and provides funding for sufficient legal, administrative, clerical and technical support, as well as a director. Members are appointed by the Mayor who is the designated CLEO (Chief Local Elected Official) . The CLEO also ensures that the membership reflects the approved structure outlined in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 requiring establishment of a Local Workforce Development Board (WDB). The board was first established under preceding legislation in the City of San José in 2000.
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Youth Commission
The Youth Commission was formed to foster greater involvement of youth in municipal government, specifically to study any problems, activities and concerns of youth relating to municipal policies, programs or projects of the City of San José. The Commission makes recommendations to the City Council and to the Recreation, Parks and Community Services Department on these issues, conducts forums to involve youth in the governmental decision-making process.