By Robert Haugh

During the Study Session, the Council reviewed the Proposed 2020/21 and 2021/22 Biennial Capital Improvement program budget and the 2020/21 Operating budget.  

Because of revenue declines caused by COVID-19, City staff recommends using $22.7 million from the Budget Stabilization Reserve to balance the budget as required by July. 

Then, City staff will evaluate and recommend other options in September and December.

The next budget study session is on June 23. 

Dan Winter Retires

The City Council thanked Assistant Chief Daniel Winter for his almost 21 years of service to the City. Winter is retiring and will receive his pension as he works as the security operations manager at Intel in Santa Clara.

Winter was former Chief Mike Sellers pick to succeed him. But Winter couldn’t really put together much support in his brief campaign to win the job against current Police Chief Pat Nikolai. Of the current council members, only Raj Chahal supported Winter.

We wish Winter good luck in his new career. 

Winter shared an interesting photo at the meeting. It’s a sign that was put up by some residents to support the police department.

Pride Month

The City Council Proclaimed June 2020 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride month in Santa Clara.

This time, all councilmembers showed up for the event. Chahal skipped the Memorial Day flag raising two weeks ago because of seasonal allergies he told us.

The Billy DeFrank Center’s President Gabrielle Antolovich represented the LGBTQ community and helped raise the flag.

Other Stuff

We’ll be writing in more detail about these items in the next few days:

• The City Council announced new rules to help Santa Clara restaurants with outdoor dining.

• The City staff is working on an emergency rental assistance program for Santa Clara residents impacted by COVID-19.