City of Santa Clara
MenuCharter Review Committee | Charter Project
Background
On July 15, 2025, the City Council took action to direct the formation of a Charter Review Committee (CRC) to assist with a comprehensive review and update of the City’s Charter (referred to here as the “Charter Project”).
The goal of the Charter Project is to work together with the CRC and City staff to:
- Identify provisions in the Charter that should be corrected, clarified or modified in order to be fully consistent with applicable state laws, aligned with best practices for City operations and generally easier to understand and apply.
- Develop a comprehensive Charter Amendment for City Council consideration and approval, ultimately presentation to the voters at the November 2026 general election.
- If a Charter update is approved, significant efficiencies and cost savings in City operations are expected to be realized; at the same time, checks and balances and government transparency will be preserved.
About the City Charter
The City Charter is the equivalent of the City’s constitution. It sets forth the basic rules for how the City is to be governed and operated. The City Charter was first adopted in 1951 and has been amended multiple times since. The City Charter can only be amended with the approval of City voters. The City Charter establishes the City’s authority over “municipal affairs,” provides for a Council/Manager form of government, provides the qualifications and process for electing and appointing certain City officials, assigns duties among those officials, sets up the process for City Council meetings and the process for the adoption of resolutions and ordinances, provides for the creation of certain Boards and Commissions, and provides rules for the City’s fiscal management, public works and procurement practices.
View the Current City Charter
Links to Charters of Comparable Jurisdictions
Comparable jurisdictions are defined for this purpose as Charter Cities falling within one (or more) of the following categories:
- Population of 100,000-200,000
- Municipal Electric Utility
- Home to a Stadium
- “Neighbor” city
Alameda: Key Documents | City of Alameda
Anaheim: City Charter | Anaheim, CA - Official Website
Berkeley: Berkeley Charter
Chula Vista: Charter of the City of Chula Vista
Gilroy: THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF GILROY
Hayward: Charter | Hayward, CA | Municode Library
Inglewood: City Charter | Inglewood, CA
Los Angeles: CHARTER
Mountain View: Mini TOC: PART I - THE CHARTER | Code of Ordinances | Mountain View, CA | Municode Library
Oakland: THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF OAKLAND | Code of Ordinances | Oakland, CA | Municode Library
Palo Alto: CHARTER OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
Pasadena: Mini TOC: CHARTER | Code of Ordinances | Pasadena, CA | Municode Library
Redwood City: City Charter (last amended November 8, 2022) | City of Redwood City
Roseville: City of Roseville, CA The Charter
Sacramento: CHARTER
San Francisco: CHARTER
San Jose: City Charter | City of San José
San Mateo: San Mateo Charter | City of San Mateo Law Library
Sunnyvale: City of Sunnyvale, CA Charter of the City of Sunnyvale
Charter Review Committee
At the meeting on September 11, 2025, City Clerk Bob O’Keefe administered the random draw selection for the six (6) members of the CRC to be selected by lottery. All selections were drawn from the list of applicants determined to be qualified by the Assistant City Clerk.
The City Council took action to appoint the following Charter Review Committee members at the September 16, 2025 City Council meeting:
Lottery Selections:
Holly Rhea Roberts, District 1
Mohammad Naveed, District 2
Joseph W. Sosinski, District 3
Burt Field, District 4
Lauren Diamond, District 5
Mark Boeckman, District 6
City Council/Mayor Appointed Selections:
Pat Nikolai, At Large
Bernard Thamsey, District 1
John Brooks, District 2
Eric Crutchlow, District 3
Steve Kelly, District 4
Eric Jensen, District 5
Susan Peters, District 6
For More Information
For more information on the Charter Review Committee for the City Charter Project, email the City Attorney’s Office at cityattorney@santaclaraca.gov or call 408-615-2230.