Tensions on the Santa Clara City Council flared over how to officially respond to reports calling it “dysfunctional” and suggesting the city did a poor job negotiating its Levi’s Stadium contracts.
Councilmembers met on Tuesday and Wednesday to approve official responses to two reports from the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury. They disagreed on numerous draft responses prepared by city employees, and Mayor Lisa Gillmor and Councilmember Kathy Watanabe rejected the notion that suggested all councilmembers can be petty on occasion.
Officials over two days voted to approve dozens of grand jury findings and recommendations. The city council approved some unanimously, including agreeing there has not been an employee satisfaction survey since 2019 and that the city will aim to conduct one within the next six months. The rest were approved by a 5-2 majority on Tuesday and 4-2 on Wednesday with Councilmember Raj Chahal absent. On both days, Gillmor and Watanabe cast the dissenting votes.
After the votes were finalized, Gillmor said she and Watanabe will be sending the grand jury a dissenting response.