COUNCIL AGENDA : 8/25/2026
FILE : 26-908
ITEM : 2.14
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Toni Taber, MMC
City Clerk
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW
DATE: August 19, 2026
SUBJECT: Retroactive Purchase of Tickets to “40 under 40” Awards Event Recommendation
As recommended by the Rules and Open Government Committee on August 19, 2026, retroactively approve the Mayor’s Office purchase of tickets to Silicon Valley Business Journal’s “40 under 40” Awards event for $900.
CEQA: Not a Project, File No. PP17-011, Temporary Special Events resulting in no changes to the physical environment. (Mayor)
[Rules Committee referral 8/19/2026 - Item B.5]
RULES AGENDA: 8/19/26
ITEM: B.5
TO: RULES AND OPEN
GOVERNMENT
COMMITTEE
FROM: Mayor Matt Mahan
SUBJECT: Retroactive Purchase of
Tickets to “40 under 40”
Awards Event
DATE: August 13, 2026
Approved:
Date: 8/13/2026
Recommendation
1. Retroactively approve the Mayor’s Office purchase of tickets to Silicon Valley Business Journal’s “40 under 40” Awards event for $900.
2. Place the item on the August 25, 2026 City Council Agenda for action.
Background
The Silicon Valley Business Journal “40 under 40” Awards recognize rising leaders shaping the Bay Area and paving the way for what comes next. This year, City employees David Tran and Kate Ziemba were honored by the Business Journal at their awards event on August 13, 2026 . David has been a City employee since 2016, and is currently an employee of the Department of Transportation supporting Mayor Matt Mahan in his role as Vice Chair of the Valley Transportation Authority Board. Kate Ziemba is Deputy Director of Account Services, Marketing and Customer Programs at San José Clean Energy .
Analysis
The Business Journal’s 40 under 40 Awards is highly competitive and an honor to be selected, enhancing the City’s public image and recognizing our employees’ presence as regional leaders in transportation , clean energy and public service.
The Department of Transportation, Community Energy Department and Mayor’s Office jointly purchase d 10 tickets for $1,900, with contributions of $810, $190, and $900, respectively, based on each department’s connection to the honorees. Ticket distribution and reporting complied with Council Policy 9 -11, Distribution of Tickets or Passes to City/Agency Officials . The Department of Transportation and Community Energy Department contributions do not require Council approval . This expenditure for the Mayor’s Office is not covered under any of the permitted categories outlined in City Council Expenditure and Reimbursement Policy 0 -38. Approval will allow the Mayor’s Office to participate in recognizing City employees and supporting the City’s engagement with the regional business and civic community.