Santa Clara City Council Adopts Grand Jury Recommendation Limiting Stadium Tours, Prompted by Chahal and Hardy Taking Free Tickets from 49ers

By Robert Haugh

After attacking the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury on numerous occasions, the Santa Clara City Council adopted one of their recommendations. But only sort of.

The new policy put together by City staff allows Councilmembers to each attend two private tours of Levi’s Stadium or the Convention Center annually. 

Current City Manager Javon Grogan even suggested in the policy that Councilmembers be allowed to invite guests to games or concerts. Wow.

In the past, under former City Manager Deanna Santana, the tours were considered a public event, not a private tour, and subject to the Brown Act.

The Grogan recommendation was controversial and split the Council, with some saying it was weak and had loopholes.

“It smells, said Mayor Lisa Gillmor. “We want to be above all of this. And be transparent, open, ethical, reasonable, and show our public how we’re doing our business.”

Last October 2022, the Grand Jury issued a blockbuster report. It concluded that the 49er Five were selling out the Mission City to the 49ers.  

One of the recommendations focused on how City Councilmembers Raj Chahal and Karen Hardy received free tickets from the 49ers. They claimed they were on a private “operational tour.”

The Chahal and Hardy visit was different than the one organized by former City Manager Santana.

Former City Attorney Brian Doyle documented how Chahal and Hardy violated a Santa Clara law that prohibits lobbyists, like the 49er execs, from giving any gifts of any value to any Councilmember.

Doyle also documented how they violated Santa Clara’s Council gift policy. But the Council refused to discuss the topic, even though there was physical evidence that Hardy attempted to cover up (literally, no kidding).

Last night, the Council adopted the City Staff recommendation on a split vote, 4-3.

Indicted Councilmember Anthony Becker voted yes. He was joined by Councilmembers Chahal, Hardy, and Suds Jain.

Gillmor, Councilmembers Kevin Park, and Kathy Watanabe voted no.

Watanabe said that the previous plan put together by Santana worked because Councilmembers got information at the same time and the process was open and transparent.

According to Watanabe, the policy that Grogan proposed “does nothing more than validate (private) meetings and visits to the stadium.”

City Manager Javon Grogan

17 comments

  1. It is a beautiful, cool dimming summer night in Santa Clara. And I must ask, where is the evidence re: FPPC. Here is the link I searched:

    https://www.fppc.ca.gov/enforcement/complaint-and-case-information-portal.html

    Searches on Becker did NOT show some kinky threesome of Becker, Jain, and Park sitting in a parked car. If they wanted pictures of Gillmore, they likely would hire someone else, like a P.I.

    Please help me understand what the ‘ell is going on. Thank you!!!!

    • I finally get the ‘pictures’ allegation. And SO MUCH misinformation by that rag at 3000 Scott Blvd #105, Santa Clara, CA 95054.

      I know what I know, but thank the Almighty to push back against evil. I miss the days reading Santa Clara Weekly to learn about, for example, when the fireworks at central park would start. Sadly, no more.

      Carolyn Skunk is in rare form and clearly writes as an assassin with an agenda. And that reflects on SC Weakly 49er Pravda. Skunk punches out at reality and adopts anti-Santa Claran views, which drip disdain in each word. Nowhere does Skunk provide a counter-point.
      Skunk is not neutral and not objective. Just a moon bat. But that is par for course with Publisher Miles Barbarous.
      .
      Da’ Skunk writes only one way—for the 9ers. Totally partisan and in the bag. As the kids say, cra-cra
      :
      http://www.observeris.com/2023/

      https://sccdp.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Jul-9-2020-SCCDCC-agenda.pdf

      “Respectfully Submitted by South Bay Democratic Coalition Board Members: Bill Barmettler, Sonia Barnes, Paul Chummers, Dixie Johansen, Jeannie Mahan, Carol Miller, Shirley Odou, Ellie Pedraza, CAROLYN SCHUK, Kathy Stoken and Richard Stoke”

      BTW, Skunk. I don’t who this James Rowan guy is, so please don’t lump me in your claim of ”pen” names in your hit pieces.

    • Standard joke: An MIT grad, A Cal Tech grad, and an Indicted criminal walk into a bar…

      C. Skunk doesn’t write poorly to draft the linked complaint–as he/she usually writes for the quisling 49er 5.

      What is with the numerous question marks???????? Gotta wonder why the kinky threesome apparently signed this document. I have not viewed an “FPPC” complaint before. Is this all what is required? I am OK, I guess, to allow minimal standards to voice an issue.

      Jed Jerk hired a poor writer to convey that complaint….

      Surprised MIT and Cal Tech grads would put their integrity behind that dumpster fire of a complaint.

  2. Deanna is doing quite well. I heard that Deanna’s office has a wonderful view of the United States Capitol. Life is Good!!!

    • News Flash.

      Becker, after he was indicted, after Jain confirmed that Becker did admit he sent report to 49ers, LIED AGAIN.

      BECKER RESPONDED TO CITY REQUEST FOR REPORT.

      “I HAVE NOTHING”

    • What do you expect? He was hired through the majority vote of the council. Of course he’s going to do what they want or face getting fired.
      That’s why we need to keep the elected Police Chief position and not allow the council to appoint one that will be their lapdog.

    • CM was hired on a 4-1 vote on February 7. Not unanimous. Not a convincing hire. Hmmmm…..

    • There are some good people that read this blog. Obviously, there are.

      Ok

      FROM BECKER FPPC COMPLAINT

      BECKER. JAIN, PARK SAT IN A CAR IN FRANKLIN SQUARE PARKING LOT. TAKING PICTURES OF LISA’S OFFICE.
      HANG ON
      IMAGINE YOU ARE WOMAN WHO READS THIS BLOG.

      YOU OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS.

      THREE ADULT MEN ARE CAMPED OUT IN A CAR WATCHING YOUR OFFICE.

      WITH A CAMERA

      What is your action?

  3. I notice there is no provision for who gets invited. This leaves an opportunity for the niners to reward their favorites. I miss our city Mgr and atty.

    • NEWS FLASH

      BECKER has filed a massive fppc complaint on his critics. Instead of raising money for the Swim Center, Kevin Park has been driving by Franklin Square taking photos of offices to add to complaint. This is juvenile!!! Almost pyschotic.

      I have had issues with some local interest groups for years. So I write letters to the editor and speak out. I dont write down blog posts and submit them as evidence.

      New classification for becker, park, jain

      WEIRDOS

    • WB, wow! “Does it apply to City staff too? Because Jovan has been to A LOT of events in his short tenure.”
      This is scary. Brenda, I guess he is on the side of the niners!!! This sucks and should stop. We want our city back!!

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