Submit Date: Sep 01, 2022
First Name
Last Name
Email Address
Street Address
Suite or Apt
City
State
Postal Code
Primary Phone
Alternate Phone
Employer
Job Title
CITY OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA
Boards and Commissions Application
Profile
Please note, applications are continuously accepted to the City of San Jose Boards and Commissions. The Board or Commission you select may or may not indicate there is a vacancy.
Your application will remain on file for one year from the date of submission. During the year, your application may be considered for unanticipated vacancies.
Are you a resident of San Jose?
Yes
No
What district do you live in? To verify, please click here: https://eservices.sccgov.org/rov/? tab=dt
*
District 3
Length of Residency
6 or more years
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
Civil Service Commission: Submitted
Question applies to multiple boards
If appointed, would you be able to show proof of updated COVID-19 vaccination (inclusive of booster)?
Yes
No
Thomas
Cochran
San Jose
CA
95112
Bank of the West
Financial Advisor
Thomas Cochran
Current Employer Address
Current Employer of Spouse
N/A
Address of Current Employer of Spouse
Spouse's Job Title
N/A
If you or your spouse is retired and receiving a pension, please state source of pension.
N/A
Interests & Experiences
High School, College, Professional, Vocational, or Other Schools Attended. Please include Major or Field of Study, Dates Attended, Degree and Date of Degree.
BS Economics SJSU 1984
List any position or office held in any governmental agency, civic, or charitable organization including the dates.
8 years salary setting commission San Jose
Thomas Cochran
Languages Spoken
English
Special Awards or Recognitions Received
Please state why you want to become a member of this Board or Commission including specific objectives which you would work toward as a member.
Remain active in the community
Please state any other information which you feel would be useful in reviewing your application
Do you own property in the City of San José?
Yes
No
If yes, please list the addresses here.
Do you rent property in the City of San José?
Yes
No
If yes, is it a month-to-month lease?
Yes
No
Question applies to multiple boards
Are you currently experiencing homelessness or have you experienced it in the past?
Yes
No
State and local law require that you abstain from participation in decisions that may affect your financial interests, including sources of income, interest in real property, personal finances or investments.
In addition, if appointed, you may be required to fill out a disclosure statement which identifies certain financial interest beginning with the immediate twelve-month period prior to your appointment.
Please review the scope of your
board/commission in Municipal Code Chapter 2.08.
Based on your best judgment, does this
Board or Commission make decisions that may affect sources of income, interests in real property, personal finances or investments of you or your spouse?
Yes
No
Thomas Cochran
If yes, please explain.
Please identify any organizations, associations, corporations, or entities by which you are employed or associated that might be affected by decisions of this Board or Commission, and the positions you hold in these entities.
Question applies to multiple boards
If appointed, you will be required to fill out a disclosure statement, which identifies certain of your financial interests beginning with the immediate twelve-month period prior to your appointment and annually on or before April 1 of each year thereafter. Please confirm that you have read Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Form 700 Reference Pamphlet and agree to file required FPPC Form 700 Statements of Economic Interest, as required by current City Council Conflict of Interest resolution.
Yes
No
Question applies to multiple boards
Have you ever been required to file a Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700) and failed to do so?
Yes
No
Question applies to multiple boards
If yes, please explain in complete detail.
Question applies to multiple boards
Please confirm that you have reviewed and agree to comply with the San Jose Municipal Code Chapter 12.08 (Prohibition of Gifts), City of San Jose Ethics Policy (City Policy Manual
1.2.1), and City of San Jose Gift Policy (City Policy Manual 1.2.2).
Yes
No
Reference 1 Name
Steve Preminger
Reference 1 Address
Reference 1 Email address
Reference 1 Phone
Reference 2 Name
Minnie Recinos
Thomas Cochran
Reference 2 Address
Reference 2 Email address
Reference 2 Phone
Supplemental Questions
Question applies to
Board of Fair Campaign and Political Practices,
Civil Service Commission,
Planning Commission
Are you a registered voter in the City of San Jose? (Please note, your voter registration will be independently verified)
Yes
No
Question applies to
Civil Service Commission,
Board of Fair Campaign and Political Practices,
Planning Commission
Please provide the name and residential address under which you are registered to vote. If it is the same as listed above, please note see above.
See above
Question applies to
Appeals Hearing Board,
Civil Service Commission
Are you an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of California? If you are, please provide your California State Bar Association Number:
No
Question applies to
Civil Service Commission
If you are applying to the Attorney-at-Law position on the Civil Service Commission, please indicate how long you have been licensed to practice law in the State of California. Note, you must have been licensed at least five years to be considered eligible for the position. If this question does not apply to you, select 'n/a'.
n/a
If applicable, have you ever attended or watched a meeting of the Commission(s) to which you are applying?
Yes
No
Would you be available to attend meetings at the scheduled time?
Yes
No
Thomas Cochran
Please describe your experience in serving on a Commission or Board.
City of San Jose salary setting commission. Chair of salary setting commission. Civil service commission 2022.
Considering your experience and activities in business, labor, School, professional, social,
Commissions, Boards, or other organizations, indicate the experience, training, knowledge and/or skills which qualify you for appointment to the selected commission(s). 30 plus years Vice President bank of the West.
What is your understanding of the purpose of the Commission? Listen both sides of employer/employee disputes
Please list three issues facing the City that you feel the Commission should address.
Covid/work issues. Employee/City of San Jose disputes. Identify issues/policies which are problematic regarding retaining city employees.
Question applies to
Civil Service Commission
Council Policy prohibits former or current City employees to serve on the Civil Service Commission. Have you previously been employed by the City of San Jose?
Yes
No
Question applies to multiple boards
Do you meet the requirements for appointment to this commission?
Yes
No
Thomas Cochran
(Optional) Please upload a resume.
Anything else you would like us to know?
Retirement Board Questions Only
Verification
By checking the box below, you agree with the following statement.
I agree that all of the information contained in my responses to the questions on this application are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I further agree that, by checking the box below and submitting this application, online or otherwise, I am affixing my digital signature to this form as of the date submitted.
I Agree
*
Thomas Cochran
Submit Date: Nov 17, 2022
First Name
Last Name
Email Address
Street Address
Suite or Apt
City
State
Postal Code
Primary Phone
Alternate Phone
Employer
Job Title
CITY OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA
Boards and Commissions Application
Profile
Please note, applications are continuously accepted to the City of San Jose Boards and Commissions. The Board or Commission you select may or may not indicate there is a vacancy.
Your application will remain on file for one year from the date of submission. During the year, your application may be considered for unanticipated vacancies.
Are you a resident of San Jose?
Yes
No
What district do you live in? To verify, please click here: https://eservices.sccgov.org/rov/? tab=dt
*
District 10
Length of Residency
6 or more years
Which Boards would you like to apply for?
Civil Service Commission: Appointed
Question applies to multiple boards
If appointed, would you be able to show proof of updated COVID-19 vaccination (inclusive of booster)?
Yes
No
Sharon
Hightower
San Jose
CA
95123
Ericksen Arbuthnot
Senior partner
Sharon Hightower
Current Employer Address
Current Employer of Spouse
n/a
Address of Current Employer of Spouse
Spouse's Job Title
n/a
If you or your spouse is retired and receiving a pension, please state source of pension.
Interests & Experiences
High School, College, Professional, Vocational, or Other Schools Attended. Please include Major or Field of Study, Dates Attended, Degree and Date of Degree.
University of Hawaii, Certificate in Dental Hygiene, 1964 St. Mary's College, BA in Health Services Administration, 1983 Lincoln University Law School, JD, 1987 Sharon Hightower
List any position or office held in any governmental agency, civic, or charitable organization including the dates.
Served on City of San Jose Civil Service Commission as member, vice chairman, hearing officer 1995-
2008; returned to Commision as member, vice chairman, hearing officer 2016-2018; resapppointed in 2018,
served as Commission chairperson, hearing office :2021-2022 Service as Temporary Judge for the Santa Clara County Superior Court for more than 20 years.
Languages Spoken
English
Special Awards or Recognitions Received
Salsman Award from Santa Clara County Bar Association, 2013 Top Women in Law, 2014 Please state why you want to become a member of this Board or Commission including specific objectives which you would work toward as a member.
I enjoyed my service with the Civil Service Commission in the past.
If selected as a member in 2018; I
would work toward making sure that the policies and procedures for the employees are updated, continue to provide assurance to the employees of the City that there is a venue where they can present issues or concerns, and that there is a fair,
equitable and confidential arena for any disputed employee discipline Please state any other information which you feel would be useful in reviewing your application
The focus of my practice of more than 30 years includes dealing with employment issues, both administratively and civilly.
I have served as a Temporary judge for traffic and small claims court.
I am still
actively practicing law and plan to continue. I have served the courts as a neutral and have handled mediations for parties.
Do you own property in the City of San José?
Yes
No
If yes, please list the addresses here.
Do you rent property in the City of San José?
Yes
No
If yes, is it a month-to-month lease?
Yes
No
Question applies to multiple boards
Are you currently experiencing homelessness or have you experienced it in the past?
Yes
No
Sharon Hightower
State and local law require that you abstain from participation in decisions that may affect your financial interests, including sources of income, interest in real property, personal finances or investments.
In addition, if appointed, you may be required to fill out a disclosure statement which identifies certain financial interest beginning with the immediate twelve-month period prior to your appointment.
Please review the scope of your
board/commission in Municipal Code Chapter 2.08.
Based on your best judgment, does this
Board or Commission make decisions that may affect sources of income, interests in real property, personal finances or investments of you or your spouse?
Yes
No
If yes, please explain.
Please identify any organizations, associations, corporations, or entities by which you are employed or associated that might be affected by decisions of this Board or Commission, and the positions you hold in these entities. n/a
Question applies to multiple boards
If appointed, you will be required to fill out a disclosure statement, which identifies certain of your financial interests beginning with the immediate twelve-month period prior to your appointment and annually on or before April 1 of each year thereafter. Please confirm that you have read Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Form 700 Reference Pamphlet and agree to file required FPPC Form 700 Statements of Economic Interest, as required by current City Council Conflict of Interest resolution.
Yes
No
Question applies to multiple boards
Have you ever been required to file a Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700) and failed to do so?
Yes
No
Question applies to multiple boards
If yes, please explain in complete detail.
Question applies to multiple boards
Please confirm that you have reviewed and agree to comply with the San Jose Municipal Code Chapter 12.08 (Prohibition of Gifts), City of San Jose Ethics Policy (City Policy Manual
1.2.1), and City of San Jose Gift Policy (City Policy Manual 1.2.2).
Yes
No
Reference 1 Name
Laura malkofsky
Reference 1 Address
Sharon Hightower
Reference 1 Email address
Reference 1 Phone
Reference 2 Name
Craig Needham, Esq.
Reference 2 Address
Reference 2 Email address
unknown
Reference 2 Phone
Supplemental Questions
Question applies to Board of Fair Campaign and Political Practices,Civil Service Commission,Planning Commission Are you a registered voter in the City of San Jose? (Please note, your voter registration will be independently verified)
Yes No
Question applies to Civil Service Commission,Board of Fair Campaign and Political Practices,Planning Commission Please provide the name and residential address under which you are registered to vote. If it is the same as listed above, please note see above.
756 Azule Avenue
Question applies to Appeals Hearing Board,Civil Service Commission Are you an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of California? If you are, please provide your California State Bar Association Number:
129874
Sharon Hightower
Question applies to
Civil Service Commission
If you are applying to the Attorney-at-Law position on the Civil Service Commission, please indicate how long you have been licensed to practice law in the State of California. Note, you must have been licensed at least five years to be considered eligible for the position. If this question does not apply to you, select 'n/a'.
5+ years
If applicable, have you ever attended or watched a meeting of the Commission(s) to which you are applying?
Yes
No
Would you be available to attend meetings at the scheduled time?
Yes
No
Please describe your experience in serving on a Commission or Board.
I served as a member, vice-chairman, and hearing officer for the San Jose Civil Service Commission from 1995 to 2008; 2016-2018, 2018-2022.: I served and continue to serve the Santa Clara County Bar Association as panel arbitrator for the Fee Arbitration Committee.
Considering your experience and activities in business, labor, School, professional, social,
Commissions, Boards, or other organizations, indicate the experience, training, knowledge and/or skills which qualify you for appointment to the selected commission(s).
Past service on the Civil Service Commission (19 years at various times) Practice as an attorney for more than 35 years.
What is your understanding of the purpose of the Commission? To provide a venue for the employees of the City of San Jose to voice and address their issues.
The
commission is also to provide an independent, fair, equitable, and confidential venue for disputes arising from discipline.
In addition, the Commission is to appoint members for the City Salary Setting Commission.
Please list three issues facing the City that you feel the Commission should address.
Openness by City officials in making decisions affecting the employees of the City. Continue to assure that the employees have a venue where they can bring concerns or issues without fear of retribution.
Making sure that the disciplinary process is fair and equitable and based on facts.
Question applies to
Civil Service Commission
Council Policy prohibits former or current City employees to serve on the Civil Service Commission. Have you previously been employed by the City of San Jose?
Yes
No
Sharon Hightower
(Optional) Please upload a resume.
Question applies to multiple boards
Do you meet the requirements for appointment to this commission?
Yes
No
Anything else you would like us to know?
Retirement Board Questions Only
Verification
Sharon Hightower
By checking the box below, you agree with the following statement.
I agree that all of the information contained in my responses to the questions on this application are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I further agree that, by checking the box below and submitting this application, online or otherwise, I am affixing my digital signature to this form as of the date submitted.
I Agree
*
Sharon Hightower