By Robert Haugh
The City sent out a press release about the settlement of the lawsuit with the 49ers on public safety costs at the stadium.
In an unusual move, it was sent late last night before a long Holiday weekend.
The team had sued the City because it wanted to pay lower public safety costs. The 49ers also want the Stadium Authority, a public entity, to pay for the VIP buffet at games.
Mayor Lisa Gillmor responded to the press release on Twitter/X:
Councilmember Kathy Watanabe who represents the Northside neighborhoods around the stadium also didn’t like the settlement. Here’s what she wrote on Twitter/X:
The City Council has been meeting to discuss the settlement for years.
The San Francisco Chronicle wrote a story about the deal points in early April when the 49ers gave the City their “best and final” offer.
They concluded that the team’s offer was deceptive:
The San Francisco 49ers are pushing the city of Santa Clara to settle two multimillion-dollar disputes over the team’s operation of Levi’s Stadium, but a Chronicle review of city documents shows much of the $18 million in promised benefits would not actually come from the 49ers.
Instead, the team proposed tapping the publicly owned stadium’s demolition fund, money set aside for the expensive task of demolishing the structure at the end of its useful life, and transferring that money to the city.
The 49ers’ proposal also would double the city ticket surcharge on non-NFL events at the stadium from $4 to $8, according to the documents. That money would be spent on police protection at 49ers home games.
The City ended up rejecting the 49ers’ April proposal.
The City’s press release says the promised benefits are now $20 million. But the press release provided no details.
There’s a City Council meeting next Tuesday, the day after Memorial Day, where this issue should be discussed in more detail.
[…] the results weren’t much of a mystery. The City staff sent out a press release on Thursday that touted the signing of the deal. The vote happened in closed session last […]
[…] It’s one that Mayor Lisa Gillmor called a “loan shark type deal.” […]
Meanwhile the kids have to be driven to another cities (for the most part) for swimming lessons, and long time residents fly the coop.
i simply can’t believe that the National Media hasn’t put in any investigation into this?
Federal Law must be changed! it should be illegal for public funds to go to any private entity or business No subsidies or abatements!
Who is on the stadium authority? Is it an elected position?
The stadium authority and the city council are one and the same. Same 5-2 vote. Same idiots giving millions of bennies to Jed the Benefactor!
I guess the 49er five have to pick up the pace on their giveaways to Jed. November is getting closer and the cash cow votes are in severe danger of disappearing.
Another 5-2 screwing of the residents of Santa Clara.
Is Jed is using this debacle of a settlement to fund his puppets PAC campaigns? Nice haul.
Why the heck is Becker allowed to give an opinion to SJSpotlight on this settlement? Why was he allowed to vote? Isn’t he going to trial for committing a crime that helped Jed York? Isn’t a gag order warranted? Robert any insight on all these whys?
Reading some of the lurid details of this supposed agreement makes you wonder how anyone who represents the City/stadium authority said okay! Were they forced to bend over? This settlement is far from done. Read between the lines. Public safety has taken a big hit and there’s more to come.
Howard, at this point I would gladly accept and even welcome “just getting old”.
Even the worse parasites does not kill its “Host”.
Santa Clara Mayor and our Lone Santa Clara City Councilmember need to be recognized for their continued support for the residents, and the City’s long term “Best Interests”.
It has not been easy.
The strong defeats of two 49er backed Measure’s (A and B) during our last election is a great sign. These two defeats only cost our City $600k.
Wonder where that money could have been better spent?
How about Anywhere!!
SC International Swim Center… “Un House” Community, even a dozen Glazed Stan’s Donuts for Becker would have been a better use of that money.
Bottom line….
$600K gone…. Everyone even said it was a waste of time and money, yet the 49er 5 were just following their orders.
Our only real way out of this mess is through the Ballot Box.
Keep talking to your family and friends.
Better Days are ahead, granted with each passing day that bar is lowered.
“Santa Clara should get a “DNR” on record, that’s how bad this is going.
Burt Field
Yeah, when I first heard about this deal it didn’t sound good. Then when I was reminded this was coming from the demo fund it stunk even more. And the money we do get doesn’t come from the niners it comes from increased ticket prices. Wow, we got stung just like when prop J was approved. This is getting old.