February 8, 2024
Subject: Request for Waiver of the Revolving Door Prohibitions Policy Mayor Matt Mahan and San Jose City Council
c/o Toni Taber, City Clerk
200 E. Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Honorable Mayor and Council:
As a former elected official and employee of the City of San José, I am requesting a waiver of the Revolving Door Prohibitions policy as provided under Chapter 12.10.070 so that as the Policy Director for the Latino Education Advancement Foundation in coordination with East Side Education Initiative (LEAF/EEI), I can partner with the City of San José on the issues that are critically important to the City and its residents. This includes addressing funding inequalities in education, lack of resources and support for our most vulnerable students and addressing the alarming college completion rate as experienced by our Black and Latino/x students.
I left the City on April 1st 2023, and started my new role on May 1st, 2023. The City's Revolving Door ordinance prohibits me, for a period of 12 months after leaving City employment, from:
• Working on any legislative or administrative matter that was within my area of job responsibility at the City; or
• Working on any legislative or administrative matter which I worked on twelve months prior to leaving the City; or
• Representing anyone else on any matter before the City. See SJMC § 12.10.030.
Under Chapter 12.10.07
The city council or redevelopment agency board of directors may waive the prohibition of Section 12.10.030 if the council or board finds that such waiver is in the best interest of the city or agency and that such waiver is consistent with the purposes of this chapter as set forth in section 12.10.010.
My duties include embarking on an educational campaign, identifying key stakeholders with common goals and vision for our children. As a result, I expect to work with City departments and City elected officials to help advance the welfare of our young adults.
A waiver would allow me to collaborate with city officials on a collective vision that will offer greater opportunities to young people in the City of San José. As I have connected with other nonprofit organizations and community stakeholders, there is great interest and greater need to ensure that our children are afforded every support and opportunity that we, collectively can provide. The work entrusted upon me through LEAF/EEI is in alignment with the Youth Master Plan and the Children’s Bill of Rights.
The waiver, if granted, would allow me to further the interests of our young residents by working with city officials towards a common goal.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Magdalena Carrasco
cc:
Jennifer McGuire, [email protected]
Lee Wilcox, [email protected]
Nora Frimann, [email protected]
Neelam Naidu, [email protected]
Jim Reed, [email protected]