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Council appoints Jennifer Tsang Singh and Colin Forgy to restructured Neighborhood‑University Relations Committee
Summary
The council appointed an Old Quad resident and a property‑owner landlord representative to the city’s newly restructured Neighborhood‑University Relations Committee (NERC) on Oct. 7. Jennifer Tsang Singh was selected as the Old Quad resident representative; Colin Forgy was appointed as the property‑owner representative.
The Santa Clara City Council on Oct. 7 conducted interviews and appointed two members to the restructured Neighborhood‑University Relations Committee (NERC): Jennifer Tsang Singh as the Old Quad resident representative and Colin Forgy as the property‑owner/landlord representative.
Background: The council restructured NERC on April 8 to include two council members, two Santa Clara University staff representatives, one Santa Clara University student, one Old Quad resident and one property‑owner/landlord representative. City staff reported the university designated two staff members and a student, and the council interviewed applicants for the neighborhood resident and landlord slots.
Selection process: For the Old Quad resident seat, four candidates were interviewed in a public process. After an initial vote produced a tie, the council held a runoff. Jennifer Tsang Singh received the most votes in the runoff and was appointed to a four‑year term beginning Oct. 7, 2025; Mark Kelsey was placed on the six‑month eligibility list. Council members explained the council historically maintains an eligibility list for six months to fill vacancies without restarting recruitment.
Property‑owner appointment: Two property‑owner candidates were interviewed; Colin Forgy was appointed to the landlord representative seat following council votes. The council also created an eligibility list with the other applicant (Berenna Sedic) in case of future vacancy.
Why it matters: NERC is intended to be a forum for structured conversation between the university, student representatives, property owners and Old Quad residents about housing, noise, student move‑in/out, enforcement and neighborhood safety. Council and staff framed the appointments as part of a multi‑party effort to reduce neighborhood conflicts and improve communications between the university and adjacent neighborhoods.
Vote tallies (as reported during the meeting): - Old Quad resident (runoff): Jennifer Tsang Singh appointed (Jennifer highest vote getter; Mark Kelsey placed on six‑month eligibility list). - Property‑owner/landlord representative: Colin Forgy appointed; Berenna Sedic placed on six‑month eligibility list.
Speakers who participated in the interviews included applicants Chris Castle, Grace Chiarella Jensen, Mark Kelsey, Jennifer Tsang Singh (Old Quad candidates) and Colin Forgy and Berenna Sedic (property owner candidates). Rena Bridal, the city’s Economic Development and Sustainability director, presented the staff report on the restructuring and recruitment.
