Thanks to the persistence of two council members — Robert Garcia and Gerrie Schipske — the City Council had to deal with the registration of lobbyists again. Garcia was not on the City Council when a lobbyist ordinance was first brought to council by then Councilwoman Bonnie Lowenthal. Lowenthal and Schipske were the only members of the council to vote for the proposal on the first go around.

Garcia joined Schipske in calling for a lobbyist ordinance and all nine council members voted in favor.

Schipske, who had set a policy in her council office from the day she took office in 2006 that no gifts would be accepted from lobbyists, again pushed the issue and this time the council went along.

Schipske was also the first councilmember to publicly post her official schedule on line so constituents could read who she meets with. Garcia joined Schipske and is publishing his calendar as well. Both councilmembers are calling for all elected officials to post their schedules.