By Larry Sacks 

 

The City Council granted a one-time exception to the Championship Team Fund Guidelines and granted $10,000 to the Santa Clara Symphonic Youth Honor Band (aka "The Ambassadors") for its trip to Japan.  The Council also approved the purchase of 160 City pins, donation of 12 "A Place of Promise" books and a gift for the City of Izumo.

Parks and Recreation Commission: 

·         The commission recommended the inclusion of a Multi-Purpose Community Center into the proposed North Side Library Project be listed in the fiscal year 2010-2011 Capital Improvement Five Year Plan. Several members of the Rivermark Community spoke in favor of the multi-purpose room. 

Youth Commission: 

·         The commission recommended to direct the City Manager to prepare a preliminary report and budget to be included in the budget cycle for the five-year plan regarding the development of a BMX (Bicycle Motocross) Bike Park in Santa Clara.

·         The commission also recommended to direct the City Manager to prepare a preliminary report and budget to be included in the budget cycle for the five-year plan regarding the development of a Transportation Shuttle System to assist teens and senior citizens to get around in Santa Clara.

The Council voted to refer these items to the City Manager to include in budget review and note and file the minutes.

An ordinance to prohibit camping in Public Parks, on Public Streets, Publicly Owned Property and other prohibited public places was proposed be added to the City Code This was pulled from the Consent Calendar out of concern it would be used indiscriminately and that it could be applied to someone that brings a blanket along to the City’s 4th of July Festivities. 

 

City Manager Jennifer Sparacino explained this ordinance was requested by the Santa Clara Police Department and that it would not be used to merely move the homeless along, but rather to give the Police one more tool in extreme cases.  According to the City Attorney, this type of ordinance is currently being used in other cities and would be used in working with the homeless.  

 

After extensive discussion from both the public and the Council, the ordinance was passed to print.

 

A presentation was made concerning the installation of stained glassed windows in Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church.  Since it was a public presentation, the Council was not allowed to take action but directed the people to talk to the Director of Planning.