REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Written Petition (Council Policy 030), Submitted by Kirk Vartan Requesting to Place an Agenda Item on a Future Council Meeting for Council to Review and Evaluate the Purchase of the Great America Theme Park
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
Council Policy 030 - Adding an Item on the Agenda (Attachment 1) sets forth the procedure for written petitions. Any member of the public may submit a written request raising any issue or item within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Council. Per the policy, the written request will be submitted on the agenda, in the form substantially provided by the requestor, without any staff analysis, including fiscal review, legal review and policy review. If a simple majority of the City Council supports further study of the request, then a full staff analysis shall be prepared within thirty (30) days, unless otherwise directed by the City Council.
DISCUSSION
The City Clerk’s Office received a Written Petition on June 29, 2022 from Kirk Vartan, requesting to place an agenda item on a future council meeting for Council to review and evaluate the purchase of the Great America Theme Park. (Attachment 2)
In the request Kirk Vartan states:
For the city council to review and evaluate the purchase of the Great America Theme Park. Specifically, if you could clarify what development could take place on the site given the current and general plan designations. Additionally, it would serve the public trust to hear from each councilmember if they had awareness of this deal before it was announced publicly. I would also like to ask the city council to discuss the kinds of forums and community meetings it would like to see regarding any changes the new owner is considering. I would also like to hear if any member of the council has spoken about this sale with San Francisco 49ers, or any lobbyist or entity about this property, and what those conversations are discussing. This is a big loss for Santa Clara and the region. This is part of the entertainment for the new developments happening in the area. I understand that it is important that I attend the meeting in the event there are any questions council wishes to ask me. I would also like to add: How will the recent update to the Great America use permit impact any future non-amusement park use? What are the potential implications? How could other uses take advantage of the changes?
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with considering the request to be placed on a future agenda except for staff time.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project" within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is an administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes to the environment.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any report to council may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Set a future Council meeting date to take action on the Written Petition received.
2. Take no action.
3. Any other City Council Action, as determined by the City Council.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff makes no recommendation.
Staff
Reviewed by: Nora Pimentel, Assistant City Clerk
Approved by: Rajeev Batra, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Policy and Procedure 030 - Adding an Item on the Agenda
2. Written Petition submitted by Kirk Vartan dated June 29, 2022