by Larry Sacks 

 

Georgina Aguiar Dinh was appointed to the Board of Library Trustees for the full term ending June 30, 2011 and Janice Lieberman was appointed for the partial term ending June 30, 2009.

 

Keith Stattenfield was appointed to the Planning Commission for the term ending June 30, 2011.

 

Joint Council and Redevelopment Agency “Committee of the Whole” - 49ers Stadium

·         Possible financing methods to help fund the City’s $160 million contribution to the $853 million cost of stadium construction were discussed.  All involved land the City bought during the 1960’s and 1970’s in the North Bayshore Area.  The Council referred to the City Manager/Executive Director to include the Keyser Marston Associates study in the stadium feasibility study.  KMA prepared a study of the potential valuation of the 7.6-acre parcel in front of the City’s Golf and Tennis Club.  This area is made up of a 3.2 acre parcel to the west of Centennial Blvd and a 4.4 acre parcel to the east of Centennial Blvd. 

 

·         A $50,000 consulting contract amendment with Goldfarb Lipman for legal, redevelopment law, land use and negotiating expertise was approved.  A $65,000 consulting contract amendment with Keyser Marston for fiscal and economic land use issues, economic benefits analysis and stadium financing options analysis to assist staff in the 49er Stadium Feasibility Study was also approved.

 

At the June 19 City Council Meeting additional information was received the by the City Manager’s office approximately one hour before the start of the meeting.  Additional information was received during the meeting as well. Given the lack of time to look over the volume of information submitted, the City Council voted to have the City Manager report back at the July 10 City Council Meeting if any new relevant information was submitted.  Staff and EDAW determined no new significant information has been received since May 14. 

 

In the June 18 edition of Time Magazine, Santa Clara was named as the 10th Safest City in U.S. with Population of At Least 100,000.  Other California cities named were:  Irvine (1), Sunnyvale (5) and Thousand Oaks (7).  According to the report from Chief of Police Steve Lodge, “Many factors contributed to this coveted position including: the support of our community and their willingness to report suspicious behavior; the support for personnel and equipment received from the City Council and City Manager’s Office; and most certainly, the day-in and day-out vigilance and hard work of the men and women of the Santa Clara Police Department. 

 

In response to the negative effects of global warming, the Sierra Club initiated its national Cool Cities Campaign seeking to have every mayor sign the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and implement it with a Climate Action Plan to reduce emissions.  The Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club led the way starting in November 2006 by forming Cool Cities Teams in eight Cities.

 

The City of Santa Clara received a 2007 Silver Anvil Award of Excellence in the category of Public Affairs – Government for the City’s 2006 Vote Ethics Campaign.  The Public Relations Society of America sponsors the award.  According to the staff report, “Since 1946, the Silver Anvil awards symbolize the ‘forging of public opinion’ and are usually awarded to organizations which ‘have successfully addressed a contemporary issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness.’  The national award recognizes ‘complete programs incorporating sound research, planning, execution and evaluation.  The must meet the highest standards of performance in the profession.’  The were 85 entries competing in 56 categories.”