01-16-2026 Governance and Ethics Committee Meeting - Jan 21, 2026
meeting
Santa Clara Boards and Commissions
2h 29m
5 speakers
8 agenda items
transcribed 3 days ago
official recording ↗
Transcript
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Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
What are the opening procedural instructions for the Zoom meeting?
Him her was two highlights of
two highlights.
Okay.
Ready?
Yes.
Okay. Um This meeting will be recorded. The Zoom application will notify you that this meeting is being recorded. Please press continue on the Zoom application to stay in the meeting. Use the raise hand feature in Zoom when you would like to speak on an item and also to lower your hand when you are finished speaking. Please unmute when called to speak and mute yourself when you are done speaking. If you're calling by phone, identify yourself by name before speaking on an item. Press star nine on your phone to raise and lower your hand. Press star six if you are participating by phone to mute and unmute. Okay, I would like to call this meeting of the governance and ethics committee meeting on Friday, January sixteenth.
At uh Ten Sorry. At ten ten AM Um We're meeting in the Sparosino conference hall. Conference room. Uh we have um I guess I would like to ask for roll call.
Sarah Jane. Council Member Park? Yeah. Councilmember Shahal.
Okay. Um now We don't have anything on consent. So we're gonna move on to public presentations. So any person who would address like to address this body on a matter not on the agenda that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the body. The law does not permit action or extended discussion of any item not on the agenda except under special circumstances. Are there any anyone who would like to make a public presentation?
I have one.
Doctor Shanks, if you'll unmute yourself, you should be able to speak now. Yes, can you hear me?
Okay, good good morning. I'm Dr. Tom Shanks. Let me let me turn off my phone here. Uh Okay, um I I and I'm actually not sure whether this is public presentation or uh speaking to your agenda, but your agenda packet is so confusing that even I, who created these programs and advised them for 17 years, cannot tell what you're proposing to do. Is can you hear me?
Yes, we can hear you.
Okay, sorry. All right. Section one is labeled proposed edits to the city's code of ethics and values, but the city's code is the two thousand and one code. This section contains a replacement document, not edits to the city's code. Section two is labeled LCW's proposed city code of ethics and values. This appears to be what you presented in March. So is section one the edited version of section two? Uh are you voting on section one or section two? Which one is the actual proposal? Section three is labeled proposed edits to behavioral standards, but it just includes the original behavioral standards document. Section four is labeled LCW's Proposed Behavioral Standards, but it contains the ethics website pages, a yellow note saying no recommended edits until after others are approved, original commissioner standards, original council standards, the original code again, and the 2006 calendar insert.
I can't tell from the packet, are you voting on uh one or two for the code, what you're doing with behavioral standards, whether you're eliminating editing or keeping them, what no recommended edits means, why the same documents are repeated multiple times, and what you're actually voting on. And if I can't understand this, how can residents The Brown Act requires materials that are organized for meaningful public review. This packet fails that test. I request immediate continuance until you provide clarification, sections one or two, what you're voting on, proper side by side comparisons, accurate labels, explanation of cryptic notes, and a 60-day review period. Why are there no public um why is there
No public input into this whole process. Why is it now suddenly being rushed after being delayed for such a long time? And why is it so confusing? Uh I created these programs, I can't understand your packet. So that's either incompetence or deliberate obstruction or I'm an idiot, which I don't think is the case. So which is it? Because either way you can't vote on documents the public can't comprehend. Thank you.
Okay, uh that was actually related to item number two. And should have been taken during item number two, but
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Agenda
8 items
1
What are the opening procedural instructions for the Zoom meeting?
0:05–6:20
2
Who is called for roll call and what items are on the agenda?
6:20–17:20
3
What does the external consultant present about ethics commission models?
17:20–33:18
4
What are the pros, cons, and design considerations for a Santa Clara ethics commission?
33:18–1:22:13
5
Why is there no enforcement for council members who fail to disclose lobbyist information?
1:22:13–1:31:18
6
How can the ethics commission use subpoena power and what are the limits?
1:31:18–1:53:48
7
What are the concerns about transparency, trust, and the grand‑jury findings?
1:53:48–2:19:56
8
What motion is being proposed for an ethics‑commission report and how is the vote conducted?
2:19:56–2:29:29
Speakers
5 identifiedOfficials recognised by voice; public commenters shown as “Speaker N” unless they state their name.
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