City Council Preview

By Robert Haugh

After a two-week hiatus, the City Council returns with another jam-packed agenda.

Budget

The adjusted 2017-2018 operating budget ($729,056,031) and adjusted 2017-2018 capital improvement budget ($127,387,298) will be reviewed and approved.

Stadium Matters

Resolutions approving an amendment to the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for the Santa Clara Stadium Authority will separate duties of the Stadium Finance Director/treasurer/auditor into two positions – Stadium Authority treasurer and Stadium Authority auditor. This was a recommendation of  the Civil Grand Jury over a year ago. What took so long? Maybe this is a reaction to the audit which does not make city staff look good.

Other items:

The Police Chief wants a five percent salary increase, retroactive to Dec. 18, 2016. This will be an interesting vote considering what the audit says about police department money being used for Measure J.

A number  of agreements and contracts will be considered, including several contracts totaling over $8 million in items originally included as consent calendar items that were pointed out by community watchdog and Charter Review committee member Hosam Hoggag.

In Closed session, the Council will discuss several  legal and personnel items, including labor negotiations, City manager employment, David’s Restaurant, City of San Jose, 981 Fremont Street aka Kappa Alpha Theta and negotiations over the 90 N. Winchester (BAREC) site.