By Robert Haugh
The big news from last night’s City Council meeting is the sudden resignation of City Clerk Rod Diridon, Jr. This is eerily similar to how former Mayor Jamie Matthews resigned suddenly after the Mission City hosted Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium two years ago.
Matthews held a press conference the morning after the Super Bowl, announced he was stepping down, then cleaned out his office and was gone before the end of the day.
Diridon left just as hastily. He announced at the beginning of the council meeting that he’s leaving for a position in the hi-tech sector. (Rumors are he’s headed to either the Silicon Valley Leadership Group or a major tech company.) Diridon shook hands, took a photo with the council, then left the meeting immediately — before the first agenda item.
The Council was clearly surprised. They made impromptu comments thanking Diridon for his service. Only Councilwoman Debi Davis didn’t speak following the announcement.
Rumors have been circling for months at Santa Clara City Hall about high turnover in the Clerk’s office and a pending evaluation of its operations under Diridon.
Diridon was serving his fourth term as Clerk, elected in 2004. Prior to being elected Clerk, he served two terms on the Council. He also served on the Board of Library Trustees.
The Council voted unanimously to accept his resignation and his recommendation to have Community Relations Manager Jennifer Yamaguma temporarily fulfill the role, serving as Acting City Clerk until the Council takes further action. Yamaguma, who holds a CMC (Certified Municipal Clerk) certificate, worked with Diridon for eight years before transitioning into her current communications role.
Study Session: Tasman East Specific Plan
Director of Community Development Andrew Crabtree made a study session presentation about the 45-acre Tasman East area near Levi’s Stadium.
The early plans include:
- creation of 38 acres of usable space, not counting roads and infrastructure.
- Density of approximately 100 units per acre, with some micro units included.
- 10 acres total of open space.
- an area for a future school.
- Santa Clara Unified School District Director of Facility Development and Planning Michal Healy said SCUSD anticipates need for another school in the area, particularly for younger students.
He presented a lot of information, but omitted one hugely important item during his presentation – the fact that there are CC&Rs on many of the properties, in particular, the “center district.” It was only brought up during the study session when a commercial real estate broker and Ron Patrick, a current owner of one of the businesses, brought it up during public testimony. So only 60 percent of current tenants/owners are onboard with the vision and planning for the site.
According to Patrick, many of the business owners are feeling pressure to sell their property. “We don’t want to be forced to move to Gilroy, he said.” Patrick believes he’d have to pay a lot to find industrial property to move his business.
[…] City Council seems happy with Yamaguma’s work after she replaced Rod Diridon, Jr. who suddenly resigned last month. Yamaguma did an excellent job at the meeting last night, especially using the new Granicus system […]
[…] the City code and the process and said there is no debate on how the process is happening. The City was put in a bind when former Clerk Rod Diridon, Jr. resigned suddenly, creating a need for someone to fill the role until an election or appointment can be […]
You guys are so blind to the actual root of the problem. His resignation was not by choice. Council and the City Manager received a letter with detailed info accusing Rod of various things including harassment of a employee.
I’m surprised nobody else has read the tea leaves on this yet. He abruptly resigned on Feb 6, precisely 4 months before the June primaries. Which indicates he’s making a run for public office.
The good news is that if he decides to run for Board of Supervisors we’ll finally have a Santa Claran who represents the people of Santa Clara and not some hack who only cares about himself and his political career.
With Rod’s connections and his proven ability to fundraise, he’ll easily max out his $250k limit. And with his name recognition and years of public service he will quickly rise to the top of the pack.
He’s likeable, approachable and even-tempered – all things you couldn’t say about the other Santa Claran running for Board of Supes.
I think the whole tech job thing is a ruse so as to not tip his hand on his big announcement.
I say run Rod, run!
[…] TT95050 on City Council Recap: Another Po… […]
Not really a surprise. Santa Clara city hall has become a lot more professional since Jamie Matthews left. Every change has been an improvement.
Lisa Gillmor is better than Jamie Matthews.
Deanna Santana is better than Rajeev Batra and Julio Feuentes
Brian Doyle is better than Ren Noskey.
And the second level changes and adds to the city staff have all been superior to their replacements.
For those of us watching from the outside, it’s clear that Santa Clara is no longer a sleepy little town where people could just coast by and do nothing. That was the rap on Diridon. He was one of the laziest dudes in the building. The joke was that his reserved parking space had cobwebs.
There may have been an investigation into his office. But it was likely to conclude that he was lazy and absent rather than abusive.
Okay, Rod’s resignation surprises me. It does make you wonder about the lack of notice.