Suds Jain’s Santa Clara home, nestled in the core of District 5, now presents an 80-foot detour in his campaign for a seat on the City Council. A resident of the Old Quad neighborhood near Santa Clara University since 1998, the Planning Commissioner’s home is just under 1,000 feet away from the edge of the...
Candidates say Santa Clara City Council is underrepresented by minorities
Only 45% of Santa Clara residents are white, according to the 2010 census. However, out of six City Council seats, one mayor and one vice mayor, there is only one councilmember who is not white. “We are in a minority-majority city and not having a councilmember of color, of minority, for so long — it...
UPDATE: Santa Clara City Council caps food delivery fees at 15%
The city of Santa Clara now joins San Francisco, Santa Cruz and Berkeley in capping how much companies like DoorDash and Uber Eats can charge to drop off take out. Take out has been a saving grace for restaurants across Santa Clara County, which have been shuttered for indoor dining since March 17. But when...
UPDATE: Santa Clara City Council allocates $5.59 million windfall
The Santa Clara City Council breezily approved allocating $5.59 million Sept. 1 on transportation upgrades, small business assistance, affordable housing and general fund reimbursements. The funds include $1.59 million from the CARES Act, as well as $5 million from a development settlement from 2018 with neighboring San Jose, which come at a time when the...
Empty Levi’s Stadium getting $13.3 million in equipment, upgrades
Without much discussion, Santa Clara city leaders signed off on spending $13.3 million for equipment and upgrades at Levi’s Stadium, months before any San Francisco 49ers fans will be allowed back inside. Some $157,000 was budgeted for new body-worn cameras for Santa Clara officers covering games and events, $168,000 for portable license plate readers and...
Residents seek to remove courthouse blocking Santa Clara’s future downtown
The dream of recreating a downtown in Santa Clara has run into another roadblock — literally. Members of the grass-roots group Reclaiming Our Downtown petitioned the City Council Aug. 18 to take up the idea of moving the Santa Clara County Superior Courthouse, arguing relocation would open up more land to develop into a proper,...
UPDATE: Hilton expansion moves ahead in Santa Clara
A proposed expansion of Santa Clara’s Hilton Hotel moved one step further after the City Council approved a plan that exceeds current regulations. In a public hearing Aug. 18, the council green-lit a dense addition to the 3.86-acre property at 4949 Great America, which faces Levi’s Stadium. The development would replace an existing surface parking...
UPDATE: Santa Clara City Council extends eviction moratorium
Rent is due again in two weeks, but Santa Clara city residents who aren’t able to pay because of COVID-19 will be able to stay in their homes through the end of September. The Santa Clara City Council Aug. 18 approved a temporary eviction moratorium through Sept. 30 to protect public health, preserve affordable housing...
Santa Clara City Council candidate aims to push Republican principles
Gautam “Gary” Barve hopes to bring a business-centered perspective to the Santa Clara City Council. Running for the District 6 seat in the November election, the 35-year-old said he wants to represent Republican ideals if elected – starting with reopening the economy immediately. Although Santa Clara County public health officials make the final call on...
San Francisco 49ers and Santa Clara feud over million-dollar losses
Years-long finger pointing between the city of Santa Clara and the San Francisco 49ers has taken a bitter turn with both sides accusing the other of owing them millions of dollars. The 49ers say the city owes $2.74 million for losses resulting from non-NFL events this past year, such as the Pac-12 Championship and Monster...