By Robert Haugh
Many residents called for the Santa Clara City Council to have an open public meeting to discuss the 49ers settlement deal.
They didn’t want an important decision decided in a back room.
The 49er-friendly Council majority rejected the idea on a 4-2 vote.
Councilmembers Anthony Becker, Suds Jain, Karen Hardy and Kevin Park voted to go into closed session.
Mayor Lisa Gillmor and Councilmember Kathy Watanabe voted for a public discussion.
Councilmember Raj Chahal was absent for family reasons.
Two weeks ago, Chahal voted to participate in a closed-session settlement meeting even though numerous residents said that he and Hardy should recuse themselves.
They’re both being investigated by the FPPC for possibly accepting gifts from the 49ers.
After the closed session meeting, Interim City Attorney Steve Ngo said there was “no reportable action” taken in closed session.
So it looks like the settlement deal is still being discussed.
During the public comment period, two former Councilmembers spoke.
Former Councilmember Will Kennedy warned the Council not to waive future claims if they settle.
Kennedy also warned that the 49ers are threatening people with their political spending.
“I think that this state of affairs is the most concerning thing to come out of this whole stadium deal,” Kennedy said.
“Let’s do what many of you (Councilmembers) wanted 10 years ago when the idea of an NFL stadium in Santa Clara was proposed, said former Councilmember Teresa O’Neill.
“Stop private meetings and have open public discussions to review the litigation.”
Two current City Council candidates weighed in.
“I’d like to suggest that any Council members that have had private meetings or accepted gifts from the 49ers should recuse themselves from votes this afternoon,” said Larry McColloch.
McColloch is running in District 2 against Chahal.
Christian Pellecchia pointed out that Becker, Jain and Park pledged to be more transparent during their 2020 campaigns.
“All of the newer City Council people are trying to accomplish a backroom deal with taxpayer money,” said Pellecchia.
“I asked that the newer city council people live up to their campaign promises and be more transparent, especially with this issue at hand.”
Pellecchia is running in District 3 against Hardy.
Hotel representatives for various Santa Clara hotels showed up to support the 49ers.
They touted how concerts help fill their rooms on the weekends even though the settlement has nothing to do with concert activities.
This message was part of a deceptive ad campaign run by Santa Clara Now, a fake grassroots “non-profit” organization run by the 49ers.
Their ads were suspended by Facebook.
Santa Clara Now spent thousands of dollars and months asking people on social media to send in postcards to support the 49ers and concerts.
According to City staff, 300-400 cards came in.
Stand Up for Santa Clara created a Change.org petition two days ago to push for an open meeting and independent review of the settlement numbers.
At the time of the Council meeting, the petition had 234 signers.
[…] City Council approved a legal settlement for a couple of the 49ers lawsuits. But the 49er Five refused requests to do it in open session. So no one knows if it’s a good deal or bad deal for Santa […]
When did Jain get the idea to fire Santana, who certainly was NOT a source for Mr. Haugh (so that was a lie slandering both)?
Well, 49ers, yes. But who else
DOMINIC CASERTA!!
jain in his first week gets a text from caserta
FIRE SANTANA
Jain gets orders from noted alleged criminal/abuser
Make sure these 49er friendly council members know how you feel. Make sure next time you see them in public you let them know. They all say they’re open to transparency.
It’s your duty to let them know how you feel!
All the Mayor wanted was a vote to discuss the information already out in public. (Most likely released by the 49ers to paint their narrative) Any info that has not been released should remain private. There is enough info out their to merit a public discussion. However the 49er 5 (minus 1) were quick to vote it down citing privacy concerns. What are they hiding? I found Councilman Beckers comments and accusations towards the Mayor disgusting (and this guy wants to be Mayor?) His behavior is almost as bad as councilman Park. These guys want to talk ethics? I have more ethics in my pinky finger!
Becker is clearly rattled by the Chronicle article as he referenced it multiple times and stated he had been contacted by the reporter for comment on multiple occasions only to refute their efforts to interview him. While I understand the need to keep the details of negotiations under wraps it seems the 49ers don’t share that same viewpoint.
The walls appear to be closing in on all of them. Keep up the pressure!