By Robert Haugh
The City has done a lot of public outreach for a $600 million infrastructure bond. Santa Clara residents even received a slick mailer that lists a lot of projects.
But at last night’s City Council meeting the public learned that those projects may not be built with the bond money.
“This is not the type of bond where you will fund specific projects.” City Manager Jovan Grogan said.
Most Council members were surprised. And there was some pushback.
“A bond like any other measure needs to be about transparency and keeping promises to residents and voters,” said Councilmember Kathy Watanabe.
Watanabe said the public has lost confidence and faith in City Hall. In recent polling, the City Council’s approval rating is at a historic low point.
Watanabe proposed transparency and specificity. “So that people know what exactly this money is going to be used for,” she said.
Grogan said that the next month the City Staff would come up with an “Intended Expenditure Plan.”
That plan would include a list of projects in various categories.
But the list won’t be a guarantee because the City Council will make all final decisions on project spending.
A handful of public speakers also expressed reservations about an infrastructure bond measure being vague.
Some were concerned about bond money being siphoned off to be used for the stadium – a real possibility with the 49er Five making the final decisions.
Speakers representing the local swim community urged that the International Swim Center be included specifically in the bond. But they did not say if they would oppose it if it was not included.
According to the polling, the bond measure is near the 55 percent support level.
That would be enough for a November victory, but only if ACA1, a statewide measure passes that lowers the current threshold for local government bond measures.
According to pollster Ben Tulchin, local firefighters and police are two of the top trusted information sources.
Coincidentally, some residents were recently polled and asked about a smaller bond measure that would be dedicated to fire and police facilities.
That’s started some speculation the Santa Clara Police Officers Association and the Santa Clara Firefighters Local 1171 might be working on their own effort.
Independence Day is soon to arrive…
Our beloved City once provided spectacular Fireworks and great community spirit… but no longer with darkness that trails Jed and his minions–the 49er 5 and tweedleedee (Googins) and tweedledum (Grogan). Combined Googins and Grogan steal more than $1,000,000.00 per year from Santa Clara’s coffers to, for example, put forth a Power Point slide show as a “presentation” that a fourth grader could do. They’ll eventually move on to other cities to extract $$$ for their crappy deliverables elsewhere.
Thanks to the 49er 5 we have lost our community. No more 4th of July festivities. As for Jed’s 49er 5 crew, they are happy to spasmodically and verbally vomit: “Pay your taxes (and pay more) and shut up you dumb Santa Clarans.”
We are A MOMENT!
Remember this from our Glorious Declaration of Independence:
“But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.”
Just know that Suds, Park, Hardy, Chalal, Becker, Googins, and Grogan despise you as a Santa Claran and FAIL to uphold the principles in which Independence was fought and won.
Can we go back in time and press “reset’. I’m tired by all of this BS.
All I can think of is the stupid bumper sticker I saw years ago.
“The beatings will continue until moral improves”
I’m tired, I’m fed up, but none of us can give up.
Register to vote, then vote what is best for Santa Clara and its residents.
Our Mayor and lone Santa Clara City Councilmember need our support.
What’s really telling is no one even has to ask who that lone Santa Clara City Councilmember is.
My suggestion, let’s name a street after her. How about Watanabe Way, kind of catchy right?
Seriously, It’s time to take our City back.
Burt Field
Well when I was a Parks & Commissioner we did put together a list of the 50 parks that needed immediate attention and as fees came in from developers we started working on the park at the top of the list. My guess is that Staff will work on the same type of list. However, something could and usually does change during the year that may nessitate one project jumping another in order to keep that facility up and working. I know there are some firehouses that have to be addressed and of course the swim center. I feel confident that staff will provide the best recommendations on those projects that need immediate attention. Thank You
When the mayor and council aren’t trusted voices and you have a council majority (read 49er 5) pushing the buttons to pass projects to benefit Jed York – is this the right time for a $600m bond?