TO: RULES AND OPEN FROM: Councilmember Candelas
GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE Councilmember Ortiz
Councilmember Cohen
Councilmember Casey
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: 05/07/2026
Approved Date
SUBJECT: Reinstate Remote Public Participation
RECOMMENDATION
Direct the City Clerk to reinstate remote public participation to Council in time for the FY 2026- 2027 June Budget deliberations.
BACKGROUND
In preparation for the upcoming fiscal 2026-2027 June budget deliberations and the July 1, 2027, state deadline related to SB 707 teleconferencing and public access requirements, we believe as the Capital of Silicon Valley we should reinstate remote public participation for City Council meetings and public hearings.
Reinstating remote participation in time for the June budget hearings would meaningfully improve public access during one of the City’s most important decision-making periods. It would also allow San José to implement tested safeguards already used successfully by the City Clerk’s office.
Experiences from peer California cities demonstrate that virtual public comment can continue successfully even in jurisdictions that previously experienced hate speech or disruptive conduct when paired with clear procedural safeguards, and active moderation practices. Many cities have retained remote participation because it expands access for seniors, working residents, caregivers, people with disabilities, and community members who cannot consistently attend meetings in person.
RULES COMMITTEE: 05/13/26
ITEM: C.2
RULES AND OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
05/07/26
Subject: Reinstate Remote Public Participation
As a city that values inclusiveness and transparency, taking this action promotes more participation in the democratic process. It gives us as policymakers the full breadth of input that we need to make fair and informed decisions.
The signers of this memorandum have not had, and will not have, any private conversation with any other member of the City Council, or that member’s staff, concerning any action discussed in the memorandum, and that each signer’s staff members have not had, and have been instructed not to have, any such conversation with any other member of the City Council or that member's staff.