Santa Clara had a busy year, from committing to the construction of hundreds of homes, to accusations and legal troubles among officials, to millions of dollars flowing into the city from headliner events at Levi’s Stadium. Here’s a look back at 2023 and what transpired: Thousands of homes The Santa Clara City Council took its...
Santa Clara reserves fall short of revenue needs
Santa Clara’s budget deficit has shrunk dramatically, but city officials warn that new tax strategies are necessary to build up long-suffering coffers. City officials told the Santa Clara City Council this month the $27 million deficit has dropped to about $9 million. But to maintain this downward trend, city employees recommended some adjustments to the...
Santa Clara council approves plan to revive downtown
Santa Clara is planning a major facelift of its five-acre downtown after years of neglect, thanks to a determined group of residents. The Santa Clara City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved rezoning for a new downtown plan and environmental impact report. Mayor Lisa Gillmor recused herself. The plan revitalizes the downtown grid, which can accommodate...
Santa Clara officials may release investigation into closed-door blowup
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...