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Santa Clara council to consider labor talks, two lawsuits and university property in closed session; mayor to recuse
Summary
The Santa Clara City Council read closed-session items including labor negotiations with the unclassified fire management unit, two potential litigation matters and real estate talks with Santa Clara University over 990 and 777 Benton Street; Mayor Gilmore announced she will recuse from the university property item and the council adjourned to closed session with the city attorney promising a report out.
The Santa Clara City Council opened a special meeting and read five closed-session items that will be discussed behind closed doors, including labor negotiations, anticipated and existing litigation, and real estate negotiations with Santa Clara University.
City Attorney: “conference with labor negotiators … unclassified fire management unit 9B,” the attorney read, and also listed “anticipated litigation, the potential for initiation of litigation with two potential cases,” existing federal litigation in “Adam and others versus the city of Santa Clara,” existing superior court litigation in “Shalamontes versus the city of Santa Clara and others,” and a real estate negotiation concerning 990 Benton Street and 777 Benton Street with Santa Clara University over purchase and sale price and terms of payment.
Mayor Gilmore said she would recuse herself from item number five, the real estate negotiations involving the two Benton Street properties. The council solicited public comment on closed-session items, then voted to adjourn to closed session; the meeting would not return to open session unless the city attorney returned to report out. City Attorney: “I will return to report out no matter what. Even without reportable actions.”
Why it matters: The closed-session agenda covers topics that can affect labor contracts for fire management staff, potential new litigation and the city's interests in two downtown properties where negotiations with Santa Clara University are planned. A mayoral recusal on the real estate item narrows the number of elected officials who may participate in that discussion and could affect later public disclosure of decisions.
What was not decided: The council did not take public votes or make public decisions on any of the items during the open meeting; the transcript records only the reading of the closed-session agenda and the adjournment to closed session. The meeting date and other scheduling details were not specified in the transcript provided.
Next steps: Officials said they would move into closed session to discuss the listed items and that the city attorney will report back to the chambers and at the next council meeting even if there are no reportable actions.
