Campbell Council Tackles Tobacco Permit Revocations, Housing Ordinance, and Labor Agreements
Campbell City Council had a busy week, with an executive session, a regular meeting, and a special meeting all scheduled for early July. However, minutes have not yet been published for any of the three gatherings, so it is not yet possible to confirm which agenda items were ultimately decided. What follows is based on the published agendas.
Regular Session: Tobacco Permits, Housing, and Compensation
The July 7 regular meeting agenda included several consequential items. The council was scheduled to hold public hearings on revoking business licenses and tobacco permits for five smoke shops: California Cigar and More #3, Haze Downtown, Haze Smoke Shop, Sage Smoke Shop, and Dreamy Exotics.
A separate public hearing was set for an interim ordinance that would supersede prior SB 450 regulations governing two-unit developments and lot splits. SB 450 is state housing legislation; the interim ordinance would update how Campbell implements those rules locally.
On consent, the agenda listed three items: adoption of Ordinance 26-2353, which would adjust City Council compensation effective January 2027; approval of a five-year agreement with HdL Companies for sales tax audit services; and ratification of a 2026-2028 memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Campbell Municipal Employees Association (CMEA).
New business included placing weed abatement costs on property tax rolls and authorizing a grant application, though the agenda did not specify the grant amount or source.
Executive Session: Evaluations and Labor Talks
Also on July 7, the council scheduled a closed executive session covering personnel evaluations for the City Manager and City Clerk. The session was also set to include labor negotiations with the City Manager and City Clerk compensation subcommittees, as well as with four employee groups: the Campbell Municipal Employees Association, Police Civilian Employees Association, Peace Officers' Association, and Carpenters Union. Litigation and real property matters were also on the closed-session agenda. Public comment was to be taken before the council moved into closed session.
Special Meeting: City Attorney Recruitment
On July 9, the council held a special meeting at the Doetsch Conference Room to interview executive recruitment firms and select one to assist with hiring a new City Attorney. The agenda allowed for public comment in person or virtually. No further details on the firms or the selection were available in the agenda.
What Residents Should Watch
Because minutes have not yet been published, residents should treat the above as scheduled agenda items rather than confirmed outcomes. Once minutes are posted, the official record will show which ordinances were adopted, which permits were revoked, and which contracts were approved. The tobacco permit revocations, if confirmed, would directly affect five local businesses. The council compensation adjustment, if adopted, would take effect in January 2027. The CMEA labor MOU covers municipal employee pay and working conditions for 2026 through 2028.
Coming Up
No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents interested in following up on these items should watch for the publication of minutes from the July 7 and July 9 sessions, which will provide the official record of what was decided.