Santa Clara · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Clara public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2026 State of the City and Community Recognition
Mayor Lisa M. Gillmor shared updates on the city's progress and celebrated local volunteers and organizations who make a difference in Santa Clara. The event brought the community together to highlight local achievements and honor outstanding residents.
Stadium Event Street Vendor Impacts
A local street vendor spoke out about being locked out of his business location during major events like FIFA and Super Bowl, causing severe financial hardship.
Downtown Revitalization Survey
Santa Clara is asking for your input on what's wrong with downtown. Take this survey to tell them if it's businesses, parking, or something else that needs fixing. Your voice matters in shaping the future of our downtown!
Utility Office Opening
Need to pay your water bill or have a sewer question? Good news! Santa Clara just opened a new, easily accessible utility office on Martin Avenue. It's all about making things simpler for you.
Utility Partnership
Santa Clara's power company, Silicon Valley Power, is launching a pilot program with Emerald AI. This partnership could change how our electricity is managed and potentially impact your bills.
Hazardous Waste Disposal
Got hazardous waste? Santa Clara's making you book an appointment to find out where and when you can drop it off. Better plan ahead so you don't get stuck with your old paint cans!
Stadium Signage
Get ready for a potential sign-up! The Santa Clara City Council is looking at new signage for Levi's Stadium. This could mean changes to what you see around the 49ers' stadium.
Behavioral Health Facility Opening
Santa Clara's new Behavioral Health Pavilion opens on August 5, but the city board wants the foundation to ramp up fundraising fast. This facility is a huge deal for expanding local mental health services, though keeping it financially stable is the next big hurdle.
Community Resiliency Grant
Santa Clara is getting a big chunk of change, over half a million dollars, to make the Lyndale neighborhood tougher against disasters. This grant means better infrastructure and readiness for emergencies.
Surveillance Policy
Santa Clara County is ditching Flock Safety's license plate readers. This means those cameras you might have seen around won't be collecting data anymore, changing how law enforcement can track vehicles.
Land Sale
Santa Clara just handed over 10,000 acres near Lake Tahoe to a local tribe in a massive, feel-good historic deal. It's a huge win for tribal sovereignty and local land restoration.
ICE enforcement criticism
A Batman impersonator crashed a Santa Clara city meeting to protest the city's cooperation with ICE. This stunt highlights ongoing concerns about how local law enforcement interacts with federal immigration authorities.
Surveillance Cameras
Santa Clara's considering its options on surveillance cameras, following a trend of other California cities ditching them over privacy concerns. Mountain View recently pulled the plug on its Flock Safety cameras, sparking debate about whether Santa Clara should do the same.
ICE policy protest
A person dressed as Batman crashed a Santa Clara City Council meeting to protest the city's perceived inaction on ICE policies. The caped crusader wants the city to do more to address immigration and enforcement issues.
Homelessness Increase
Santa Clara County is facing a significant rise in homelessness, with more people becoming unhoused for the first time. This surge is putting a major strain on the county's already stretched resources and services.
Lawsuit Against City
A former city employee is suing Santa Clara, alleging they're owed back pay and faced harassment. This lawsuit could cost taxpayers a lot of money and potentially lead to changes at City Hall.
State Law Implementation
Get ready for safer streets! Santa Clara is updating crosswalks to make them way more visible for everyone, thanks to a new state law. This means drivers will have an easier time spotting pedestrians, and folks walking will feel more secure crossing.
Former City Manager Lawsuit
Santa Clara's former city manager, who pulled in nearly $4 million, is now suing over a measly two weeks of benefits. It's a bizarre legal battle that could cost taxpayers more money.
World Cup contracts
Get ready, Santa Clara! The city just signed the deals to host the 2026 World Cup at Levi's Stadium. This means a huge influx of international soccer fans and major events are heading our way.
Municipal Power Utility
Santa Clara might get a new electricity provider soon! San Jose is exploring its own power utility, and this could change how we get our power, potentially affecting us too.
Ethics Investigation
Heads up, Santa Clara! Some council members with ties to the 49ers are under fire for allegedly trying to keep secrets. This could be a major City Hall scandal.
City Hall Politics
Ever wonder what's *really* going on at City Hall? This piece pulls back the curtain on the political games and decisions shaping Santa Clara, and it's more complex than you might think.
City Manager Salary
Santa Clara's city manager is once again the highest-paid in California, sparking debate about whether this reflects top-notch performance or just an inflated salary. This comes as the city faces budget considerations, making the manager's compensation a hot topic.