Santa Clara has taken the first step in addressing its crumbling infrastructure.

At its most recent meeting, Sept. 16, the Santa Clara City Council approved the work plan for $100 million in projects as part of a voter-approved bond measure.

In late August, the bond oversight committee approved phase one of the projects slated to be part of $400 million in work aimed at addressing more than $600 million of deferred maintenance. 

“These funds are going to fund our unfunded need … really a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in our infrastructure,” said City Manager Jovan Grogan.

Among the $400 million worth of work is $41 million earmarked for streets and transportation, $142 million for fire stations and emergency response, $44 million for police facilities, $46 million for storm drain rehabilitation and $115 million for recreation such as libraries, parks and repairs to the George Haines International Swim Center (ISC).3

Projects are broken down into three categories, said Elizabeth Klotz, assistant city manager.

The first are projects ready for consultant selection, design or construction. The second type are those that still need design specifications, and the third are those still lacking definition, planning or feasibility.

“This really reflects the community’s priorities in updating and modernizing our public facilities,” Klotz said.

Mark Freitas, deputy city manager, called the undertaking a “milestone.”

For the first phase, the city has outlined four street projects that include resurfacing streets and rehab as well as Americans with Disability Act (ADA) upgrades, totaling $27 million. Replacement of two fire stations will cost $12 million. Initial work at the ISC is projected to cost $22 million, with construction slated to begin in February next year.

Kenn Lee, the city’s finance director, told the council that the bond money must be spent within three years of its issuance unless the city obtains an engineer’s certification, which would extend the shelf life by another two years.

Mayor Lisa Gillmor approved of the plan, calling it “good” and “fair.” The rest of the council seemed to agree, approving it unanimously.

SVP Battery Storage Raises Issue of Who Pays for Expansion

The council also approved a two-decade-long $983 million contract for battery storage for Silicon Valley Power (SVP).

“This project provides a number of benefits to SVP, and it really complements our renewable portfolio,” said Nico Procos, director of SVP. 

Basil Wong, joint powers coordinator SVP, told the council that the city’s load growth will see a spike in the need for capacity starting in 2029. The addition of the battery storage agreement allows the city to charge the batteries when energy costs are low and discharge them when energy costs are higher.

Council Member Kevin Park said he worried that large industrial customers, namely data centers, are driving the need for expansion and that residents are left holding the bag.

“You are kind of holding ratepayers accountable for power needs that aren’t driven by the residents, and you’re charging them appropriately for power usage that the residents have covered but is not being covered by the larger energy users,” Park said. “I find it hard to believe that [residents’] costs wouldn’t change when we have costs to implement the battery storage.”

However, City Manager Jovan Grogan challenged Park’s assessment, saying city employees felt it was “not accurate.”

“This concept that residents are somehow paying more for power because of data centers is actually just not true,” he said.

But Park persisted, accusing Grogan of “avoiding the question” and giving “squiggly” answers.

The item passed in a 6-1, with Park dissenting.

Consent Calendar Spending

The council approved the following spending in one motion via the consent calendar:

• A $107,880 amendment to a contract with West Yost & Associates, Inc. for preparation of the water supply master plan and 2025 urban water management plan. The total contract is now $1.16 million, but it also allows the city manager to execute another amendment up to $50,000.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1500 Warburton Ave. in Santa Clara.

Members of the public can participate in the City Council meetings on Zoom at https://santaclaraca.zoom.us/j/99706759306; Meeting ID: 997-0675-9306 or call 1 (669) 900-6833, via the City’s eComment (available during the meeting) or by email to PublicComment@santaclaraca.gov

Contact David Alexander at d.todd.alexander@gmail.com

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