It is important for San José residents to have confidence in their government. The special interest groups, the lobbyists, the influence peddlers, and the fixers will not run City Hall.
Sunshine Ordinance
In January of 2006, then-Councilmember Chuck Reed was one of the first city leaders to call for the creation of a new Sunshine Ordinance. Outlined in Reed Reform #4, he envisioned a comprehensive set of regulations that would make it easier for the public to know their rights and find out what the city is doing.
Since then, Mayor Reed has kept a sunshine ordinance at the top of his agenda. With the help of the Sunshine Reform Task Force and the Rules & Open Government Committee, Mayor Reed and the City Council have adopted numerous new reforms around Public Meetings, Closed Session, Public Information, Public Records and Ethics & Conduct. As a result, the city’s new Sunshine Ordinance includes numerous provisions that:
Require agendas and related staff reports to be posted online at least 10 days before public meetings.
Limit the type of decisions can be made in Closed Session and increase disclosure about what happens in those sessions.
Mandate that the Mayor, City Council and Council Appointees maintain updated calendars online.
Clarify what type of public records should automatically be released and allow the public to appeal to the Rules & Open Government Committee when a request is denied.
These reforms are a significant step forward to bring more transparency to City Hall and restore public trust in our local government!
The Sunshine Reforms are currently being implemented on a pilot basis and the City Attorney is working to integrate these measures into a single city ordinance.
Office of Mayor Chuck Reed
200 East Santa Clara Street San José, CA 95113
tel. (408) 535-4800 fax (408) 292-6422 mayoremail@sanjoseca.gov
The City of San Jose is committed to open and honest government and strives to consistently meet the community’s expectations by providing excellent service, in a positive and timely manner, and in the full view of the public.
