By Robert Haugh
Multiple City Hall employees have complained about Santa Clara City Councilmember Kevin Park bringing his daughter and another child to City Hall.
According to sources, Park frequently leaves the children unattended when he goes to meetings. The children are approximately 7 to 8 years old.
Park has even left his daughter at City Hall when he runs errands outside of the building.
On at least one occasion, Park had to be called to return to City Hall because he had not returned by closing time.
Santa Clara News Online (SCNO) confirmed the stories with multiple sources who requested anonymity because they fear retaliation.
City Manager Jovan Grogan would not comment on the claims specifically against Park.
“The City does not have a formal policy that prevents staff or elected officials from bringing family members into the workplace,” Grogan stated in an email.
“As an employer that recognizes extenuating circumstances can occur, we have allowed employees to bring minors and adults that require care, into the workplace for short periods of times [sic] as long as it did not negatively impact business operations.”
City employees say that the policy Grogan outlined is not evenly applied across departments. Most employees do not feel they can bring their children to work even for emergencies.
Some sources say Park is being given special treatment.
In May, Park attended Librarypalooza, the Santa Clara Library Foundation’s annual fundraising event. Park brought his daughter and another child with him.
That created some controversy because Park did not pay for himself or the children when he attended the event.
Park sent a message to the event organizers that a check was in the mail but only after SCNO inquired about Park’s payment 10 days after the event.
But Park only paid for himself and paid the early-bird discount amount, according to sources. He did not pay for the children and still owes the Foundation money.
As of late yesterday, Park did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
SCNO will update the story if Park responds. SCNO has also offered Park an op-ed opportunity to share his story or opinion.
There may not be a written city policy, but every single police officer and first responder that is in City Hall either for council meetings or just passing through is a mandatory reporter for child abuse and neglect under California Penal Code Sec. 11165.7. Notably, this penal code also requires that “computer technicians” and “human resources employees of a business that employees minors” also fall under mandatory reporting requirements for abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Last time I checked the city DOES employ minors. So, HR professionals: Are you going to continue to dance around the issue or listen to the complaints of your employees? And step in and protect the employer (i.e. the city and the public that funds it) from any undue liability and bad press caused by this situation? No one is above the law. Not even a councilmember. Do your job.
Robert,
How “frequently” has Park allegedly left his children in city hall while in chambers for meetings? Or how many times roughly has he done this? Where in city hall does he leave his children?
All good questions. This should be a topic for another investigative story. Might need some whistleblowers to tell the story.
As a mother and a business woman, leaving a young girl unattended at city hall, an unsecured public building that anyone can access multiple times for unknown hours is not only incredibly risky for the child, but is a huge liability for the organization, the City of Santa Clara. Aren’t there protocols in place to disallow this? Where is the management on this issue. God forbid anything happens to that innocent child. This is a disturbing situation to say the least. This unequivocally needs to be reported to children’s protective services.
John,
I really don’t need to walk in Kevin’s shoes to see there’s a problem. If Kevin is financially desperate, he is a target for corruption. And as we’ve seen in the great city of Santa Clara, corruption is around every corner.
Y’all should feel sorry for Kevin and not condemn him.
He can’t afford child care. He can’t afford to pay for events he goes to. He is probably unemployed and needs the Council job for the money
Walk a mile in his shoes before casting stones please
Maybe the 49ers could buy him some new shoes? That’s quite a road he is traversing.
John 8:7,
I cite your reference (John 8:7): “When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’”
You say: “He is probably unemployed and needs the Council job for the money.”
You assume he is a pauper. NO ONE ought to seek a position of government for selfish personal MONETARY gain.
I say: during the vibrant growth of this country, which is based on solid constitutional grounds, there were mere lowly to middle class peoples that GAVE UP their prosperity and wealth to serve a greater good. As a public servant in the foundational framework upon which Park availed himself–he does so WITHOUT graciousness, and unlike an aim of a PUBLIC SERVANT—taking a governmental position as a cash cow. ($$$$$)
Same as Tony.
Loyalty and Honor over Disrespect and Thievery!
In the day, Farmers after the glorious Revolution (1778+) reluctantly(!) served in government knowing their crops and family livelihood were at risk.
Nowadays, being a “public servant” has transmogrified as being a “public tyrant.”
I’ll walk a mile in Park’s shoes so long as Park’s shoes aren’t stolen from taxpayers.
So the CM is protecting Park?
Gotta walk lockstep. Despite
being a loser, park has power
to hire and fire CM. What a
dysfunctional system.
https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/SantaClara/html/SantaClaraCH.html#807
Sec 807 council manic interference
If the children (7-8year olds) are left attended, the police should be notified and they should investigate. Especially after hours. City Hall is not a day care center.
I think, someone should call the cops the next time this happens. Child abandonment.
Where is this child’s mother?
Is a wellness check in order?
This is unacceptable behavior from Park and CM.
Call social services and report.
Kevin Park
Client of LG campaigns??
Not listed on his campaign documents.
LG campaigns was the 49er consultsnt in 2920.
COORDINATION