Joint Rules and Open Government and Committee of the Whole Meeting - October 7, 2026

The committee reviewed the draft agenda for October 20, 2026, approved a consent calendar of routine items, and discussed a proposal to study self-checkout safety and staffing standards for grocery and drug retail stores. Public testimony from retail representatives raised concerns about costs, customer preferences, and negative impacts from similar ordinances. The committee approved directing the City Manager to review policy options and return with an informational memo.

Consent Calendar

• Approved four items unanimously: receiving the public record (September 24 – October 1, 2026); setting a joint special meeting with Santa Clara Valley Water District on October 13, 2026 (1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.); approving the Auditor’s monthly report for September 2026; and approving a proclamation, flag raising, and lighting for Taiwan Retrocession Day as a city-sponsored special event, with funds and donations accepted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Multiple speakers representing retailers and business groups (California Retailers Association, Sprouts Farmers Market, Safeway, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, San Jose Chamber of Commerce, California Grocers Association, Tawa Supermarkets) urged the committee not to pursue an ordinance. Key points:
  • Customers value the speed, privacy, and convenience of self-checkout; eliminating it could drive consumers to online shopping or neighboring jurisdictions.
  • Grocery stores operate on thin margins (about 1.7%); increased staffing costs could double self-checkout operating costs, leading to higher prices or store closures.
  • Long Beach’s experience showed that similar regulations led to reduced self-checkout lanes, longer transaction times, lower customer satisfaction, and no reduction in theft.
  • Theft is already addressed through multiple layers of technology and trained staff; adding more attendants would not stop offenders who bypass checkouts altogether.
  • A private right of action would expose retailers to litigation.
• Councilmember Candelas acknowledged letters from grocery associations and expressed willingness to engage with stakeholders.

Discussion Items

• Self-Checkout Safety Standards: Referred from September 16, 2026, the memo (co-authored by Councilmembers Candelas and Cohen) proposed directing the City Manager to review policy approaches from other jurisdictions, engage Santa Clara County on worker safety partnerships, and return with policy options, scope, and implementation considerations before the FY2027-2028 priority-setting process.
  • Councilmember Candelas supported studying the issue to develop data-driven policy and collaborate with stakeholders.
  • Councilmember Doan noted concerns but agreed further study was warranted, adding that no one had reached out to his office regarding opposition.
  • Vice Mayor Foley opposed, stating she was skeptical the study would lead to an ordinance rather than a memo, and worried about cost increases for consumers and harm to brick-and-mortar stores.
  • Chair Cohen clarified that the action requested only an informational memo (not an ordinance), which would help inform future council decisions and constituent conversations.

Key Outcomes

• Draft Agenda Approved: The committee approved the draft agenda for October 20, 2026, with an ad sheet added. Councilmember Candelas requested that civil service interviews be scheduled to be heard last (not before 4 p.m.); the chair noted it likely would not occur before 4 p.m. due to a heavy agenda but did not set a time certain.
• Self-Checkout Study Approved: The motion to direct the City Manager to review self-checkout safety and staffing policy approaches and return with options passed. Vice Mayor Foley expressed her opposition; no formal roll call was recorded, but the motion carried with one stated dissenting vote.
• The meeting adjourned at 2:25 p.m.