San Jose retirement board adopts new operations policy, approves committee rotations

The San Jose Retirement Board on Jan. 29 adopted an updated board operations policy that incorporates portions of the San Jose Municipal Code on excused and unexcused absences and adds guidance intended to encourage—but not mandate—rotation through committee assignments.

Governance committee staff told trustees the revisions were reviewed by outside counsel (Reed Smith) and Aon for best practices. The policy formalizes an administrative process for trustees to request that absences be found to be "reasonably good cause," and reiterates a city-charter provision that missing 20% of scheduled meetings (three meetings in this boards case) can trigger automatic resignation. The policy also clarifies that missing more than 50% of a single meeting counts as an absence.

Trustees debated wording that had used the term "ensure" for committee exposure, with several members arguing for softer, aspirational language so the chair has discretion in assignments. After discussion, Trustee Abbot moved to adopt the policy and Trustee Nakagawa seconded. The board took a roll-call vote and the operations policy passed with all present trustees voting aye.

Separately, the board approved a slate of standing committee assignments intended to balance continuity and rotation. The chair presented a proposal naming committee chairs and members across the Investment, Audit & Risk, Governance, Disability and Joint Personnel committees; Trustee Abbot moved and Trustee Nakagawa seconded the motion, which passed by roll call. The chair said the desire for rotation would be reflected in forthcoming committee appointment proposals.

The board recorded no public comments on either item and no amendments were adopted at the meeting.