By Robert Haugh

In June, the 49er Five continued their regular meetings with the team.

As our special report, we broke the news that the following Councilmembers meet regularly with the 49ers on matters that are pending before the Council:

Vice Mayor Raj Chahal, Councilmembers Anthony Becker, Karen Hardy, Suds Jain and Kevin Park.

Three of the five (Becker, Jain, Park) were elected last November after 49ers owner Jed York spent a whopping $3 million to back them. The three of them had previously lost multiple elections in Santa Clara.

The 49er Five either met individually or sometimes in groups of two or three with 49er team officials. Fewer than four members can attend the meetings or they would violate the Brown Act.

Sometimes they meet right before a Council meeting when the team wants them to take a position on a stadium issue.

Then, they routinely vote with the team even if it means less revenue for the Stadium Authority or the City.

In just the month of June, eight meetings happened. They were on June 2, 7, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28 and 30. 

Becker attended meetings on June 21 and 28 according to other Councilmembers.

But Becker did not report them on his own calendar as required.

The meeting topics included:

• Stadium Operations
• Non-NFL events
• World Cup
• Stadium Builders License
• Vaccine Program
• Panthers Game Fireworks
• Procurement Contracts
• CapEx Contracts
• Letters from Kenn Lee to Washington Trust and US Bank
• Stadium Signage
• Creek Trail
• Stadium Authority Budget

City Attorney Brian Doyle and the 49ers’ desire to get rid of him was not listed as a discussion item in the June meetings. Or maybe the 49er Five were told not to list it.

Mayor Lisa Gillmor and Councilwoman Kathy Watanabe did not meet with the 49ers in June.

No other special interest in Santa Clara meets as often with the City Council. 

Here’s a link to the City Clerk’s website that lists everyone’s calendars.