By Robert Haugh
A community meeting meant to inform residents about a possible paid parking program at Franklin Square went badly for City Staff – and, worse for Councilmember Suds Jain.
The July 14 meeting was held both in person and online. About 50 people, mostly Old Quad residents and Franklin Mall business owners, participated.
Nearly all who spoke opposed the idea of paid parking, calling it a threat to small businesses and unnecessary for the neighborhood that will have to deal with parking problems.
“This is just a stupid idea,” one attendee said. The sentiment was echoed throughout the night.
Jain skipped out on the previous meeting about Franklin Mall parking. To his credit, he was there this time. But he avoided taking any responsibility for the proposal.
When residents pressed him to explain where the idea came from, Jain stayed silent. Yup, no kidding.
David Kertes, who ran unsuccessfully against Jain last year, was in the front of the room. He stood up to point out that it was Jain’s idea.
But still crickets from Jain.
City staffer Michael Lew attempted to clarify. He said the proposal had not been formally voted on by the Council.
It had merely been listed as one of many items discussed at the Council’s priority-setting session earlier this year.
That answer didn’t sit well with a lot of the attendees. Dan Ondrasek, a Reclaiming Our Downtown leader, seemed to give Jain a public ultimatum: 30 days to put this on the Council agenda for a vote.
When Jain broke his silence, he asked City staff questions about paid parking at Santa Clara Square and the Target shopping Center. Those are private lots and private developments. Franklin Square is a city-owned parking lot. His questions left some attendees wondering if Jain was genuinely confused. Or was Jain deliberately trying to muddy the waters?
Former Councilmember David DeLozier, who owns property at Franklin Mall, reminded the crowd that the current parking lot was funded decades ago by the property owners. They paid for it through a self-imposed bond by local businesses. DeLozier said that the property owners have always kept their end of the deal. Now, it looks like the City won’t keep theirs.
Resident Carmen Pasqual didn’t hold back either. She accused Jain of selling out the neighborhood, “Suds — this is your District. Why did you think this would be a good idea? Maybe the 49ers can sponsor the parking lots like they do elections.”
City staff is preparing a request for proposals to formally study the paid parking concept.
It’s clear the Suds Jain Pain Parking Plan faces steep opposition. It’s not clear if Jain will take ownership of his own idea or put it on the Council agenda for a vote.
RECALL Suds. He’s trying to kill the mall. Suds idea is a dud and he should act interested when being asked about it. You’re outta here pal.
the meeting was a bit disappointing, as calling in for the meeting we could not hear everyone, and there was no video.
No one mentioned it, and I am posting anonymously because Suds has been known to hold a grudge. But I can’t help but wonder that Suds has a vendetta against Lisa Gillmor and that is why he has targeted Franklin Mall, since Lisa has an office there. Obviously paying for parking is not a popular opinion amongst property owners at Franklin Mall and the residents. Both of whom Suds has been elected to represent. Hopefully the city employees that were at the meeting take their jobs seriously and report back that this is a no-go. I would hope that Suds would also put it on the city council agenda too but I have very little hope that his will happen. We watch city council meetings regularly, and I do know that Suds is the one that brought this up at a city council meeting. I can take the time if need be to research it and come up with the exact sound bite of when he did request that the fountains be turned off and parking be charged.
On another note, it is refreshing to see Bob O’Keefe at every city council meeting with a jacket and tie on, showing the respect to the residents that voted him in.
Obviously I did not vote for Suds. And I am very sorry that the 49ers are involved in city elections that make it very hard for anyone opposing one of their candidates to win. I would hope that this is a wake-up call for Suds, but I don’t think anyone can convince Suds that he is wrong. Suds is not open for discussion.
And why wasn’t David Kertes elected? Can anyone explain that?
49er money and flashy campaign lies. But that’s JustMyExpertOpnion.
Because he didn’t have the 49ers money coming add him like Jain did
Suds Jain also threw away $600,000+ by having a “special” election that was Dead On Arrival. Way to screw over Santa Clara taxpayers, Suds. Sud’s personal agenda is not what is best for Santa Clara Citizens. I hope he is recalled.
Great Night for the Residents of our City.
Sorry I was not there…. but total respect for all that could, …. and did.
To think that if just another 264 people voted for David Kertes… Suds Jain would not have the seat or voice to waste so much of our time and money.
Let’s not forget Teresa O’Neil who was running to represent our District 4. I was so confident she would crush “What’s his name” Park I barely offered to even help her…. shame on me.
I was wrong…that said, I was doing something, I was focused on helping newbie to the world of local Politics Kelly Cox crushed her district.
I see great things in the future for her, I really think she is fantastic and can really help us going forward.
Apologies must go out to Satish Chandra as well. We missed allowing him to help save our City.
Know one thing, we can’t out spend the 49ers. But we have a vote…..Always vote what is best for us.
When in doubt ask one question. What do the 49ers want? Then just do the opposite.
Better Days are ahead.
Burt Field
78′ Buchser Grad
I hate to always be bringing up dollars and cents, but: If no one expressed any favorable opinion, why would the City spend any more money on this by preparing and issuing an RFP for a consultant? This should be a a very short report back to Council stating that there was no interest in pursuing this, with a recommendation to “note and file”. If any Council members have any objection, they can bring it up during the vote on the recommendation.
Well we know what happened with Measure B and the issue about elected police chief. It failed and wasted taxpayer money. The initial surveys of people’s voices said don’t do it! Those same voices are saying same thing. Time to listen city council!
But that’s not fair, Jain loves to spend our money. The more he spends the more important he feels. Yeah, that would be a waste of money and should be squelched.