City of Santa Clara
Meeting Minutes
Neighborhood-University Relations Committee
Draft
6:00 PM Hybrid Meeting
Mission Branch Library
1098 Lexington Street
Santa Clara, CA 95050
07/11/2024
Special Meeting
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, pursuant to the provisions of California Government Code §54956 (“The Brown Act”) and Section 708 of the Santa Clara City Charter, the undersigned calls for a Special Meeting of the Neighborhood-University Relations Committee (NURC), to commence and convene on July 11, 2024 at 6:00 pm for a Special Meeting at Mission Branch Library , 1098 Lexington Styreet, Santa Clara, California, and via Zoom to consider the following matter(s) and to potentially take action with respect to them.
The City of Santa Clara is conducting Neighborhood University Relations Committee meetings in a hybrid manner (in-person and continues to have methods for the public to participate remotely).
• Via Zoom:
o https://santaclaraca.zoom.us/j/82990496428 or
o Phone: 1(669) 900-6833
Public Comments prior to meeting may be submitted via email to [email protected] no later than noon on the day of the meeting;
(Comments received after 12:00 PM on the day of the meeting will be made part of the public record but will not be read out loud during the meeting) and also before and during the meeting via eComment. Clearly indicate the project address, meeting body, and meeting date in the email.
Agendas, Staff Reports and associated documents for Neighborhood University Relations Committee items may be viewed on the City's website at https://santaclara.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
07/11/2024Neighborhood-University Relations
Committee
Meeting Minutes
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Councilmember Chahal called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
A motion was made by Councilmember Jain, seconded by Vice Mayor Park to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion was approved 3-0
CONSENT CALENDAR
1.A 24-602 NURC Meeting Minutes of May 22, 2023 Meeting Recommendation: Approve the NURC Meeting Minutes of the May 22, 2023 Meeting
1.B 24-603 NURC Meeting Minutes of October 16, 2023 Meeting Recommendation: Approve the NURC Meeting Minutes of the October 16, 2023 Meeting
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
None
GENERAL BUSINESS
07/11/2024Neighborhood-University Relations
Committee
Meeting Minutes
2.A Planning Division Update. Presentation by Community Development Department on Code Enforcement Activity
Community Development, Planning Manager, Lesley Xavier, presented on the long-range planning of major developments including 451 El Camino Real and the Santa Clara Station Area plan. Ms. Xavier also presented on the recently adopted Zoning Code update and provided current code enforcement activity and updated community outreach included on the NURC webpage.
Councilmember Jain inquired about the effects of the recent Zoning Code update and off campus housing issues. Jain also requested information on reporting violations, such as broken glass in the public right of way.
Vice Mayor Park mentioned allowing the public to speak on items not on the agenda. Park also requested additional information regarding citations and the outcome of citations.
07/11/2024Neighborhood-University Relations
Committee
Meeting Minutes
2.B Santa Clara University Update. Presentation by Santa Clara University Santa Clara University, Amanda Chavez, Off Campus Living Area Coordinator, introduced the new Dean for Off Campus Living, Steve Ross. Amanda presented on SCU upcoming updates and events including the Halloween Picnic on October 26, 2024. Sam Florio, Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Services, presented on housing updates for the new 2024 Fall quarter for both students and staff, and pedestrian safety including intersection improvements.
Councilmember Chahal inquired about student registration and inquired about current plans to add additional student housing on campus.
Councilmember Jain expressed concern for potential disruptive noise from older residential units due to lack of air conditioning equipment that may results in windows open at night.
Sean Collins, Associate Vice President for University Operations, mentioned the success of raising awareness for pedestrian safety around SCU. Sean expressed appreciation for the collaboration with the City and SCU to implement solutions near several intersections.
07/11/2024Neighborhood-University Relations
Committee
Meeting Minutes
2.C Santa Clara Police Update. Presentation by the Police Department Santa Clara Police Department, Sergeant Greg Deger, introduced Sergeant Rene- John Otico, Community Response Team
Supervisor. Deger presented on current activity, proactive steps taken, strict enforcement model with noise complaints, blue tag updates, SCU zone statistics, and citation updates. Deger presented information on neighborhood activity during specific sporting events and proactive steps taken to work with students.
Councilmember Jain inquired about additional information regarding the recent couch fires. Jain also expressed concern about non-students attending student parties/events. Jain inquired about the Blue Tags and property owner involvement.
Collin Forgey, Property Manager, spoke about the properties, tenants, and the negative effects of the Blue Tags that stay with properties after the tenants move out.
Vice Mayor Park inquired about the long-term effects and penalties of Blue Tags on the individual tenants. Park also inquired about the process for receiving Blue Tags and expressed the need for stricter penalties for the students and property owners.
Sam Florio, Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Services, explained the restrictions for on campus residents and the matrix for violations for various offences. Sam also explained the sensitivity regarding evictions and the impact to students.
Councilmember Chahal commended the progress that has been made with increased Police efforts.
City Manager Jovan Grogan expressed appreciation for the efforts and tools used by staff. Jovan commented that the information relayed provided a good update to understand the current progress and accomplishments made in the University area.
07/11/2024Neighborhood-University Relations
Committee
Meeting Minutes
2.D Discussion on the Scope and Purpose of NURC
Community Development, Planning Manager, Lesley Xavier, presented information for discussion on the scope and purpose of NURC, including the background of NURC and Team 300 established to address issues in the University area.
Public Comment issued via email by resident, Mark Kelsey.
Councilmember Jain commended the efforts of the Committee and recognized the improvements made. Jain mentioned that there is still frustration concerning the student’s behavior and expressed his willingness to explore alternate mechanisms to mitigate the behavior.
Vice Mayor Park mentioned the Committee meetings are productive and comments of the residents are taken seriously by staff. Park feels that more resident engagement would benefit the NURC meetings. Park also expressed the need for an alternate approach to issues in the neighborhood and inquired about the tools available for mitigating the issues.
Acting Director of Community Development, Reena Brilliot, explained the current resources dedicated to the University area and the process that is required for City Council to allocate additional resources.
Councilmember Chahal recognized the improvements made in the University area.
City Manager, Jovan Grogan, explained the purpose and focus of all Committees, and explained that currently the City lacks the available staff to support additional tasks requested by Committees. Jovan inquired whether the Community Development Department is the appropriate department to staff the NURC. Jovan also explained that the City Manager’s office has plans to assess all boards and commissions this year which may allow them to include committees.
SCU Associate Dean, Matthew Duncan, expressed the NURC’s commitment and efforts to the SCU neighborhood issues. Matthew also expressed the need for this discussion to be held during the regular school session to allow more student involvement.
07/11/2024Neighborhood-University Relations
Committee
Meeting Minutes
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
The next regular scheduled meeting is October 21, 2024
MEETING DISCLOSURES
07/11/2024Neighborhood-University Relations
Committee
Meeting Minutes
The time limit within which to commence any lawsuit or legal challenge to any quasi-adjudicative decision made by the City is governed by Section 1094.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure, unless a shorter limitation period is specified by any other provision. Under Section 1094.6, any lawsuit or legal challenge to any quasi-adjudicative decision made by the City must be filed no later than the 90th day following the date on which such decision becomes final. Any lawsuit or legal challenge, which is not filed within that 90-day period, will be barred. If a person wishes to challenge the nature of the above section in court, they may be limited to raising only those issues they or someone else raised at the meeting described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Santa Clara, at or prior to the meeting. In addition, judicial challenge may be limited or barred where the interested party has not sought and exhausted all available administrative remedies.
If a member of the public submits a speaker card for any agenda items, their name will appear in the Minutes. If no speaker card is submitted, the Minutes will reflect "Public Speaker."
In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), the City of Santa Clara will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities, and will ensure that all existing facilities will be made accessible to the maximum extent feasible. The City of Santa Clara will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities including those with speech, hearing, or vision impairments so they can participate equally in the City’s programs, services, and activities. The City of Santa Clara will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities.
Agendas and other written materials distributed during a public meeting that are public record will be made available by the City in an appropriate alternative format.
Contact the City Clerk’s Office at 1 408-615-2220 with your request for an alternative format copy of the agenda or other written materials.
Individuals who require an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or any other disability-related modification of policies or procedures, or other accommodation, in order to participate in a program, service, or activity of the City of Santa Clara, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at 408-615-3000 as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.