More than a year after three Santa Clara City Councilmembers had a heated verbal altercation during a closed door meeting, city leaders will consider publicly sharing more details about the investigation into the incident. The council supported a request submitted Tuesday night by Councilmember Anthony Becker to discuss at a future meeting whether it would release the full investigation...
‘A dedicated public servant’: former Santa Clara mayor dies
Former Santa Clara Mayor and Councilmember Patricia Mahan died Saturday. Mahan, age 71, died from liver, kidney and heart failure. She fought cancer five times, according to her sister, Jeannie Mahan. After becoming a lawyer in 1980, Mahan opened a private practice, specializing in tax and estate planning, later becoming a consistent presence on the...
Santa Clara might change how it chooses a police chief
Santa Clara residents may soon decide if the police chief should be appointed to office rather than elected. The Santa Clara Charter Review Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend putting two ballot measures before voters to make the police chief and city clerk appointed positions. Santa Clara is the only California city to elect its top cop, with...
Santa Clara raises hotel tax to tackle deficit
Santa Clara is brainstorming strategies to improve the city’s economic future while grappling with a budget crisis. The Santa Clara City Council unanimously voted last week to raise the transient occupancy tax from 11.5% to 12.5%, up to a maximum of 13.5% within the next two years, as a way to tackle the city’s deficit....
Report: Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara has $2B economic impact
Events at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara have generated $2 billion in total economic impact for the region in the last decade, according to a report commissioned by the San Francisco 49ers. The report was prepared by Daniel Rascher, a professor of sports economics at University of San Francisco and head of consulting firm SportsEconomics....
Santa Clara urban farming community springs to life
A specialized urban farming community in Santa Clara offering affordable housing for low-income seniors and veterans celebrated its grand opening Wednesday. Attendees, including Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gilmor, toured Agrihood’s communal garden—the centerpiece of the housing development—and main complex with 165 apartments. One of the main goals of urban farm communities across the country is...
Santa Clara mayor accused of ties to ‘dark money’ group
A group of Santa Clara councilmembers have filed three ethics complaints against a political organization linked to Mayor Lisa Gillmor, including a state complaint naming her. Councilmembers Anthony Becker, Suds Jain and Kevin Park are raising concerns about Stand Up for Santa Clara, claiming the 501(c)3 nonprofit is violating the city’s “dark money” rules by...
Fired Santa Clara attorney sues city
Santa Clara is being sued by its former city attorney who claims officials fired him unlawfully as part of a hushed agreement with San Francisco 49ers owners. Brian Doyle—who helped lead several city actions to control 49ers management of Levi’s Stadium—said in a lawsuit the Santa Clara City Council majority terminated him in September 2021, as...
Levi’s Stadium events pump millions into Santa Clara
The recent uptick in big-name performers at Levi’s Stadium is bringing fans from across the country and an economic boost to cities in Santa Clara County. Between singers Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran, the tally looks to be more than a $50 million economic impact. This comes as the city of Santa Clara grapples...
Santa Clara officials approve more housing near university
A decades-old blighted corner that once housed a gas station near Santa Clara University will be transformed into high-density housing. The Santa Clara City Council voted 6-1 earlier this week to approve a new housing development near the university. Councilmember Kevin Park was the sole no vote. The approval is key to breaking ground on...