Santa Clara officials said they’ve used ChatGPT at two public meetings, sparking concerns about the use of artificial intelligence to inform decision makers. Artificial intelligence tools have been growing in popularity as cities like San Jose use it to improve road safety or translate public meetings. But the technology is still plagued with misinformation problems,...
Santa Clara approves another 1,000+ housing project
North Santa Clara is slated for more than a thousand new homes over the next few years, with whole neighborhoods under construction. The Santa Clara City Council gave its final approval March 25 on a 25.7-acre development at 2518 Mission College Blvd. The project will bring in 1,792 apartments, 268 of which will be affordable...
Santa Clara to spend millions fixing community swim center
Santa Clara is scrapping plans to temporarily reopen its swim center this spring, and instead is pushing forward with a broader renovation. The Santa Clara City Council has unanimously approved an additional $8.1 million to repair all three pools at the George F. Haines International Swim Center, along with the dive tower, boiler and other...
Santa Clara makes it easier for youths to play sports
Santa Clara wants to make it easier for low-income youths to play sports by paying their fees. The Santa Clara City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, with Councilmember Raj Chahal absent, to make the Wade Brummal Scholarship program easier to access and more streamlined. The program helps low-income families pay sports-related fees. Changes include a streamlined...
Santa Clara finalizes World Cup contracts
Santa Clara officials are paving the way for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by finalizing responsibilities. The City Council approved various agreements with the Bay Area Host Committee and the 49ers’ stadium management branch, ManCo, Tuesday in a 5-2 vote, with Mayor Lisa Gillmor and Councilmember Kelly Cox voting no. The agreement details operational and...
Santa Clara swim center closure ripples through community
Santa Clara’s George F. Haines International Swim Center has been closed for more than a year, leaving the city’s aquatics community and legacy foundering. The city closed the swim center in January 2024, citing structural safety issues after years of neglect. The renovations are so extensive that the complex needs to be completely overhauled, city...
Santa Clara tackles gas emission reductions
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....