ROGC AGENDA: 11/12/25
ITEM: B.1
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND FROM: Mayor Matt Mahan
CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: REQUEST TO TRAVEL
FOR MAYOR’S STAFF DATE: 11/06/2025
Approved Date 11/06/2025
Recommendation: Authorize travel, accept travel payments to the City of San Jose, and designate Mayor’s Staff, Stephen Caines, as the City representative to attend the Project on Municipal Innovation Fall Convening in Cambridge, MA from November 20–21, 2025
Location: Cambridge, MA
Meeting Dates: November 20-21, 2025
Source of Funds: Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University, 501c3 (airfare, lodging, meals, and ground transportation)
Purpose: The Project on Municipal Innovation is led by Harvard Kennedy School professor Stephen Goldsmith and consists of the chiefs of staff of the 35 largest cities across the United States. This conference is dedicated to bringing together mayors, city innovators, urban experts, and academics to uncover best practices and novel solutions to pressing issues. Bloomberg has long been a pillar in the civic innovation community and supports the community through grantmaking, publicity, and media creation. Bloomberg Center for Cities has historically invited Mayor’s and Chief Innovation Officers from San Jose to their programming.
Stephen Caines is the Chief Innovation Officer and Budget Director for the Mayor’s Office. He is a lawyer and published expert on the ethics and regulation of Surveillance AI. He will speak with other civic technology leaders, elected officials, and public servants throughout the conference. He will advance the development of San Jose’s AI ecosystem by continuing to build public-private partnerships. San Jose benefits from attending such conferences as it unlocks opportunities for fundraising, partnerships, and establishing best practices.