Santa Clara council excuses mayor, moves to closed session on labor talks and easement acquisition

The Santa Clara City Council at a special meeting voted to excuse Mayor Gilmore and Council member Hardy and then adjourned into closed session to discuss labor negotiations and possible acquisition of easements for a city transmission project.

The excusal motion was made by Council member Park and seconded by Council member Shahal. The city clerk recorded a 5-0 roll call vote to approve the excusals: Council member Gonzales — yes; Council member Shahal — yes; Council member Park — yes; Council member Jane — yes; Vice Mayor Cox — yes.

After the roll call, the City Attorney summarized two closed-session items on the meeting agenda. Item 1(a) was described as a conference with labor negotiators concerning city employee organizations including the Santa Clara Firefighters, Unit 1; the Electrical Workers, Unit 3; and the Engineers of the City, Unit 4. The City Attorney noted City Manager Grogan would not be in attendance for that item.

Item 1(b) was described as a conference with real property negotiators regarding acquisition of easements related to the city's proposed transmission project. The property identified for discussion was 881 Duane Avenue in Santa Clara, owned by Storage Equities Inc.; the City Attorney said negotiators would discuss purchase of real property interests, provisions, price and terms of payment. The transcript references an APN for the parcel but does not specify the APN number in the meeting record.

The City Attorney asked whether any members of the public wished to speak on the closed-session items; the city clerk reported there were no in-person or online speakers. The Council then adjourned into closed session, and the City Attorney said the office would announce any reportable action at the conclusion of the closed session.

No reportable actions from the closed session were announced on the record in the provided transcript excerpts.