The Valley in general
Campbell Community Center
Contact Information
70 N. First Street,
Campbell, California 95008


Cupertino City Hall
Californians govern themselves by two sources of power. One way is to adopt a charter or constitution, which sets forth the basis and authority for all future actions not in contradiction with State law. The other way is to follow the provisions and requirements established by the State as General Law for cities. Cupertino falls within this latter category and is classified as a General Law City, as are about 80% of the cities in California.
Gilroy City Hall
Gilroy is a charter City (City Charter) operating under the guidance of an elected City Council consisting of seven members. The City Administrator is the chief operating officer for the City. The public is encouraged to participate in City Council meetings.
Hacker Dojo Community Center, Mountain View
Mountain View City Hall
Mountain View has a council-manager government system. An executive city manager is in charge of several departments, while the city council, supported by several boards, commissions, and committees, is the legislature responsible for the ordinances of the city code. The executive in turn enforces the code and promulgates administrative regulations to execute it. The city clerk and attorney perform supporting roles. The Community Development Department is the agency responsible for planning and zoning. In the state legislature Mountain View is located in the 13th Senate District and in the 22nd Assembly District. Federally, Mountain View is located in California's 14th congressional district.


Palo Alto City Hall
Palo Alto was incorporated in 1894, and in 1909 created, by municipal charter, a local government consisting of a fifteen-member City Council, with responsibilities for various governmental functions delegated to appointed committees. In 1950, the City adopted a Council-manager government. Several appointed committees continue to advise the City Council on specialized issues, such as land use planning, utilities, and libraries, but these committees no longer have direct authority over City staff. Currently, the City Council has only nine members. The terms of the Mayor and Vice-Mayor are for one year and expire at the first meeting in January. The General Municipal Election is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, in odd-numbered years. Council terms are for four years.


San Jose City Hall
San Jose is a charter city under California law, giving it the power to enact local ordinances that may conflict with state law, within the limits provided by the charter. The city has a council-manager government with a city manager nominated by the mayor and elected by the city council. The San Jose City Council is made up of ten council members elected by districts, and a mayor elected by the entire city. During city council meetings, the mayor presides, and all eleven members can vote on any issue. The mayor has no veto powers.
Council members and the mayor are elected to four-year terms; the even-numbered district council members beginning in 1994; the mayor and the odd-numbered district council members beginning in 1996. Council members and the mayor are limited to two successive terms in office,

