Santa Clara has paused its ban on natural gas in new buildings and is looking for other ways to lower its greenhouse gas emissions. The Santa Clara City Council voted 5-2 Tuesday to suspend the city’s ban on natural gas in new construction over potential legal issues, with Councilmembers Kevin Park and Suds Jain voting...
2024 in review: Santa Clara’s top stories
From a shakeup on the city council to an elected official’s conviction, Santa Clara had no shortage of major stories this year. Here’s a look back at what happened in 2024 in the Mission City. A councilmember’s legal woes A jury found former Vice Mayor Anthony Becker guilty of perjury and failing to uphold his...
Santa Clara official’s lawyers request mistrial in perjury case
As Santa Clara Vice Mayor Anthony Becker’s perjury trial nears its end, his lawyers are asking the court to reconsider evidence previously excluded or redacted. Becker’s perjury trial began Nov. 6 and centers on accusations that he lied to the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury about whether he leaked a 2022 report on the...
Santa Clara electricity rates are going up
Santa Clara residents will see their electricity bill inch upward in the next year, as the city works on improving its power grid. While much of Silicon Valley relies on Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the vast majority of Santa Clara residents get power from Silicon Valley Power. The Santa Clara City Council on Nov....
Major Santa Clara housing project clears development hurdle
Santa Clara has been bulking up housing in its northern neighborhoods and officials just approved plans for thousands more homes. The Santa Clara City Council unanimously approved an environmental impact report, rezoning and a developers agreement for a 48.6-acre mixed-use development in North Santa Clara on Nov. 19. Real estate firm Kylli Inc. has owned...
Santa Clara official testifies about colleague leaking 49ers report
Santa Clara Vice Mayor Anthony Becker’s perjury trial has gone on for nearly two weeks — and the judge said it’s running behind schedule. Becker is accused of lying to the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury about leaking a 2022 report on the city’s relationship with the San Francisco 49ers to former team executive...
Santa Clara voters approve multimillion-dollar infrastructure bond
Santa Clara’s $400 million infrastructure bond looks to be passing, giving the city a much needed cash infusion to tackle infrastructure repairs. As of 5 p.m. on Monday, Santa Clara’s Measure I had 69.1% approval, squeaking past the 66.7% needed to pass. The 30-year bond will levy $19 per $100,000 of assessed property value. Officials...
Santa Clara official’s perjury trial sheds light on alleged lies
Santa Clara Vice Mayor Anthony Becker’s perjury trial is underway, with witness testimony alleging he leaked a 2022 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury report. Becker is on trial for allegedly lying about whether he leaked an early copy of a grand jury report about the 49ers’ relationship with the Santa Clara City Council to former...
49ers spend millions in Santa Clara council races
Special interest groups have sunk millions of dollars into November’s Santa Clara city elections to decide its future government. The San Francisco 49ers have spent the most money supporting who the team wants sitting on the City Council, burning $2.3 million so far. Other special interest groups include the Santa Clara Police Officers Association, Santa...
Fired Santa Clara officials can’t stay away from city politics
Santa Clara political observers worry that former officials are making moves to return to City Hall. The Santa Clara City Council fired City Manager Deanna Santana and City Attorney Brian Doyle in 2022, but they’re still sticking around. Santana recently donated about $100 to each of the four council candidates backed by Mayor Lisa Gillmor. The move...