Jose M. Sanchez is a dedicated and experienced attorney with almost 20 years representing municipalities ranging from 8,000 residents to over 220,000 in population. He currently serves as the City Attorney for the City of Modesto and the Town Attorney for the Town of Windsor. He also serves as special counsel to other public agencies and special districts. Jose advises his clients on the full range of legal issues facing public agencies, including the Brown Act, the Public Records Act, the Political Reform Act, other conflicts of interest laws, land use, rate setting, and public contracts and bidding.
Jose is often called upon to assist public agencies in navigating through a wide range of complex and high-profile matters/crises, such as officer-involved shootings, police reform, the transition and investigations of high-level employees/officials, wildfires, large litigation matters, ramifications of severe drought conditions, threats to public services, malware attacks, and other difficult and political issues. He is a trusted problem solver who understands the legal intricacies facing public agencies as well as the importance of crisis management.
In connection with Jose’s areas of expertise, he is often requested to speak on matters relating to the Brown Act, Conflicts of Interest, and the California Public Records Act.
Representative Experience
- Given the civil unrest after the murder of George Floyd in 2020 and an officer-involved shooting in the City of Modesto, Jose assisted the City in navigating through public demands for police reform. These events led to the creation of a City Council-appointed community committee named Forward Together, which was formed to provide the Council with recommendations related to improving police relations and oversight. Following the Committee’s recommendations, Jose assisted the City in creating a Community Police Review Board and hiring an independent police auditor.
- Assisted the City of Modesto place a 1 cent sales tax on the 2022 General Election Ballot. This sales tax has proven to be transformative in the City’s economic health and ability to provide its residents with quality-of-life related services.
- Assisted the City of Modesto to navigate through the amendment of their Charter, which involved a Charter Review Committee and ballot measure.
- Assisted The City of Cloverdale and the Town of Windsor in navigating through the impacts and litigation resulting from the Kincade fire and settlement against PG&E.
- Continues to assist the City of Modesto in managing litigation regarding tetrachloroethylene (TCP) and 1,2,3-trichloropropane and Perchloroethylene (PCE).
- Assisted the Cities of Livingston and Cloverdale navigate difficult drought conditions which involved negotiations with the Water Control Board.
- Alexander Valley Resort, City of Cloverdale. Assisted the City in negotiating a development agreement and processing the approvals for a 250-acre resort, housing, and commercial project, which is expected to bring in significant revenue for the City. A large component of the project is open space and parks, and involved a high-level analysis of the City’s options related to the potential closure of a municipal airport.
- Porterfield Creek Trails Open Space Preserve. Assisted the City of Cloverdale with the contracts and entitlements necessary to develop trails and make other improvements in the Porterfield Creek Trails Open Space Preserve, including advising on the environmental requirements, design agreements, and construction agreements necessary for the project. The construction portion of the project is estimated to be close to $200,000.
- Community Agreements to Improve Parks and Trails. Advised the City of Modesto on issues related to entering into agreements with community groups to improve sections of parks/trails, including an artistic tile project on a water well located within a park.
- Rio Del Oro Specific Plan, City of Rancho Cordova. Advised the City Council with extensive plan approvals, development agreements, subdivision issues, and an Environmental Impact Report Addendum for a 3,828-acre mixed-use project, the largest land development project in the City. The project includes 12,189 residential units, one high school, two middle schools, six elementary schools, 157 acres of commercial space, 90 acres of business park, 269 acres of industrial park, 510 acres of wetland preserve, 121 acres of community park, 57 acres of neighborhood park, and 16 miles of trails. Over the next 25 years, the project is expected to increase the City’s population by 40%. It will transform the site from mine tailings to a community of neighborhoods with schools, parks, and shopping.
- Mather Veterans Village, City of Rancho Cordova. Assisted the City with land use and planning issues regarding a three-story supportive housing project for homeless veterans with disabilities. The 50-apartment home community involves an innovative partnership among the City of Rancho Cordova, Mercy Housing, Veterans Resource Centers of America, and the County of Sacramento.
- Assisted the City of Rancho Cordova with the implementation of City’s First General Plan.
- Drafted moratoria for several uses, such as tattoo parlors, check cashing businesses, massage establishments, resale shops, recycling businesses, smoke shops, pawn shops and adult businesses.
Presentations and Publications
- Presenter, “Understanding the Brown Act,” California Special Districts Association Workshop, 2017
- Presenter, “Conflicts of Interest & When One Must Step Aside,” (Government Code Section 1090) California Special Districts Association, 2016
- Presenter, “Staying in Compliance: Understanding Fundamental Special District Laws,” California Special Districts Association, 2015
- Presenter, “FPPC – More Than Just Conflicts of Interest,” Lorman Education Services Seminar, 2014
- Presenter, “Government Code Section 1090,” Lorman Education Services Seminar, 2014
- Presenter, “Brown Act, Conflict of Interest and Public Records Act in California,” Lorman Education Services Seminar, 2014
- Presenter, “Responding to Requests for Public Records Under the California Public Records Act,” City Clerks Association of California, 2011
- Presenter, “Brown Act, Conflict of Interest and Public Records Act,” Lorman Education Services Seminar, 2008
- Presenter, “What You Need to Know About Public Records, Conflicts of Interest and Open Meetings in California,” Lorman Education Services Seminar, 2007
- Presenter, “A Primer on Public Records, Open Meeting Law (Brown Act) and Conflicts of Interests,” Lorman Education Services Seminar, 2006
- Presenter, “Code Enforcement and Moratoria,” MCLE Credit Lectures
