By Robert Haugh
Tomorrow’s Santa Clara City Council meeting has a packed agenda, including several deferred from earlier meetings.
Agendized items:
- Closed session — Conference with Legal Counsel-Existing Litigation — Related Santa Clara, LLC vs. Jennifer Osborn, et al, Santa Clara Superior Court, Case no. 26CV489245
- Closed session — Conference with Labor Negotiators — City representatives: Jovan D. Grogan, Aracely Azevedo, Marco Mercado, Ashley Lancaster, Glen Googins and Su Reuter Employee Organization(s): Santa Clara Firefighters, International Association of Firefighters, Local 1171 (Unit #1) Police Officers Association (Unit #2) International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 1245 (Unit #3) Engineers of the City of Santa Clara (Unit #4) City of Santa Clara Employees Association (Unit #578) American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Local 101 (Unit #6) Unclassified Miscellaneous Management (Unit #9) Unclassified Police Management (Unit #9A) Unclassified Fire Management (Unit #9B) Unclassified Electric Utility Management (Unit #9E) Public Safety Non-sworn Employees Association (Unit #10)
- Proclamation of August 24, 2026 as Ukrainian Independence Day
- Recognition of a $15,000 Grant from the Forty Niners Football Company LLC for Youth Sports in the City of Santa Clara and Approval of the Related Budget Amendment
- Action on the May 5, 2026 and May 19, 2026 Joint City Council and Authorities Concurrent & Santa Clara Stadium Authority Board Meeting Minutes, and the May 6, 2026 Special City Council Meeting Minutes and May 26, 2026 Special Joint City Council and Authorities Concurrent & Santa Clara Stadium Authority Board Meeting Minutes (DEFERRED FROM JUNE 23, 2026)
- Public Hearing: Waive First Reading and Introduce the Third Zoning Code Cleanup Ordinance, and Adopt a Resolution Rezoning Properties Currently Designated TN (Transit Neighborhood) to R6 (Transit Neighborhood Residential); Continued from the July 14, 2026 City Council Meeting
- Staff Update and Solicitation of Council Input or Direction on a City Council Request (Council Policy 030) to Revise Chapter 17.15 of the City Code (Property Developments) related to Required Street Improvements (DEFERRED FROM JUNE 23, 2026)
- Action on a Council Policy 030 Request for Information on Public Participation Options, and Audio/Visual (A/V) and Broadcasting Requirements for Potential Offsite City Council Meetings, and Direction to Staff (DEFERRED FROM JUNE 23, 2026)
- Action on a Council Written Request (Council Policy 030) Submitted by Councilmember Suds Jain to Place an Item on a Future Council Agenda Regarding a Policy Limiting the Type and Quantity of Water Used by Data Centers
A few quick facts about data centers and water usage:
– Though MORE data centers use closed loop water cooling, closed loop is not universal
– Closed loop use is not 100% recirculating. In other words it is not fully a closed loop.
– 1% to 3% is replaced daily, so 100% is replaced in 33 1/3 to 100 days. Stipulating annual water usage is not automatically a bad idea
– Closed loop water contains additives, specifically corrosion inhibitors, scale inhibitors (stop mineral buildup) and biocides to kill bacteria & algae
– Data centers need to treat or neutralize additives before water exits the system as the additives are highly toxic to fish and aquatic life if untreated
– Water release is partly deliberate, blown-through the system to clear mineral build-up, and partly accidental, through minor leaks and evaporation
Electricity is also a consideration when it comes to water as about 3% to 5% of the entire facility use helps to cool & circulate the water. The City of Santa Clara currently has data centers that are not running because there is not enough electricity to power every built data center and the rest of the city. (And when/if electricity becomes available 1) is it renewable energy? or is the added electricity from a greenhouse gas emitting source? 2) do citizens pay for the added electricity use? or do only the companies pay for the increased electricity needed by Santa Clara?)
But the bottom line is that it’s not ridiculous to think about water usage and data centers, even when there is a closed loop system.
Robert, are you serious about this number?
Recognition of a $15,000 Grant from the Forty Niners Football Company LLC for Youth Sports in the City of Santa Clara and Approval of the Related Budget Amendment.
A MULTI-BILLION $$$ company wants recognition for donating $15k for youth sports? How insulting. They need to put another zero in that amount. SMH.
Totally agree.
Is there a typo in that #?
I’m guessing they are saving their money to funnel several more million to back candidates and influence the upcoming election.
The return on investment is far greater to them.
We have the power to make change this November. Vote for candidates that are not backed by the 49ers.
Send a message that their influence is ending.
Take back our city!
Staff can not only report on the $15,000 payment from the 49ers, but they can give them some PR for it. Meanwhile, staff is unable to report on the status of the reimbursement payments required under the Super Bowl and World Cup agreements. Staggering effort to coverup and reverse the narrative. Whose side are they on?
Brian, I assume that was a rhetorical question, since it is obvious whose side they are on. And it isn’t Santa Clara’s.
One thing I legitimately don’t understand. AI data centers use a lot of water. This is not in question. But why? Cars use a closed loop cooling system. So why not data centers too? Water use would be minimized.
AI data centers increasingly utilize closed-loop cooling systems to enhance efficiency and reduce water consumption. These systems circulate a cooling fluid without direct contact with the servers, minimizing water loss and improving thermal management
.
Overview of Closed-Loop Systems in AI Data Centers
Closed-loop cooling systems are becoming standard in AI data centers for several reasons.
Water Conservation — Closed-loop systems significantly reduce the need for fresh water by recycling cooling fluids, thus minimizing local water consumption.
Efficiency — These systems can maintain optimal temperatures for servers, improving overall operational efficiency.
Reduced Evaporative Loss — Unlike traditional cooling methods, closed-loop systems eliminate evaporative losses, making them more sustainable.
Scalability — As AI data centers grow, closed-loop systems can be scaled effectively without increasing water usage.
So Jain, the Political Bonelesss Wonder is now mandating water use. HAS HE EVER MANDATED ETHICS?