COUNCIL AGENDA : 8/25/2026
FILE : 26-905
ITEM : 2.13
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Toni Taber, MMC
City Clerk
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: August 19, 2026
SUBJECT: Request for Travel Authorization for Mayor's Staff Recommendation
A
s recommended by the Rules and Open Government Committee on August 19, 2026, authorize travel for Mayor Mahan’s Office staff Amber Kappagantula to Tampa, Florida on September 22- 25, 2026, for the Chamber Study Session. Source of Funds: Mayor’s Office Budget.
CEQA: Not a Project, File No. PP17-010, City Organizational and Administrative Activities resulting in no changes to the physical environment. (Mayor) [Rules Committee referral 8/19/2026 - Item B.4]
ROGC AGENDA: 8/19/2026
ITEM: B.4
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Mayor Matt Mahan
SUBJECT: REQUEST TO TRAVEL
DATE: August 13, 2026
Approved:
Date: 08/13 /202 6
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize travel for Mayor Mahan’s Office staff Amber Kappagantula to Tampa, Florida on September 22 – September 25, 2026, for the Chamber Study Session. (Source of Funds: Mayor’s Office Budget).
Purpose:
The San Jose Chamber of Commerce Study Mission trip is an annual gathering of Silicon Valley business and community leaders focused on learning from other communities and identifying practices that can strengthen San José’s economy, quality of life, and competitiveness. This year’s program examines how strategic investments in sports, entertainment, waterfront redevelopment, placemaking, and destination development have revitalized Tampa’s urban core and generated long-term economic activity. Visits to projects such as Water Street Tampa and the Tampa Riverwalk will provide an opportunity to examine the public-private partnerships, investment strategies, and implementation approaches behind these efforts.
This request adds a staff participant whose responsibilities were not represented in the original travel authorization and directly correspond to this year's Study Mission. As the Mayor’s Office Director of Innovation and Public/Private Partnerships, Amber Kappagantula will complement the Mayor’s participation by translating the mission’s public-private partnership and innovation lessons into City -specific opportunities, identifying applicable partnership and investment models, and maintaining staff-level relationships necessary for follow-through. Her participation will help turn the Study Mission’s lessons and relationships into actionable opportunities that strengthen San José’s economy, support innovation, and benefit residents and businesses.
Pursuant to Council Policy 9-5 Travel by Elected and Appointed City Officials , a memorandum was submitted and approved on the August 11, 2026, Council agenda for the Mayor and his staff, Jessica Barriga, for this travel. This memorandum is submitted late because Amber is a new hire joining the Mayor’s Office on August 17, after the original travel authorization was prepared.