REPORT TO NEIGHBORHOOD UNIVERSITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Updates from October 20, 2025 NURC meeting
Report
BACKGROUND
On the October 20, 2025 Neighborhood University Relations Committee (NURC) meeting, members of the public and Committee members raised questions which were not able to be fully addressed at the meeting.
The topics raised included:
• Questions about setting up a public email address for the NURC
• Questions about traffic and pedestrian safety in the neighborhood surrounding the Santa Clara University
• Questions regarding how the Police Department equips Officers to handle public complaints
• Questions regarding how the Police Department enforces parking, with specific areas of concern including Alviso Street, Benton Street, Fremont Street, Harrison Street, and the neighborhood streets adjacent to Santa Clara University overall
• Questions regarding how Santa Clara University approaches off-campus housing and handles conduct by students who live off campus.
DISCUSSION
Staff has compiled responses below to the questions that were raised. The responses that referred to questions about the Police Department and Santa Clara University will be provided in presentations at the March 2, 2026 NURC meeting.
Public Inquiry Email Address to Support NURC Communication
The Committee discussed establishing a public inquiry email address to support communication between the community and the NURC. Staff worked with the IT department to create this dedicated email address, which is now active and posted on the NURC webpage. As of now, inquiries sent to this address will be received by staff, who will review and direct relevant messages to the appropriate committee members for follow-up. Staff is working with IT to incorporate the NURC members so they are also recipients of the email inquiries. In the event the address changes from what was recently established, the email address will be shared at the next NURC meeting.
Neighborhood Traffic and Pedestrian Safety
A question was posed regarding if the City has reviewed the Benton Street & Alviso Street intersection, which has been shared previously as an area needing safety upgrades. The Public Works Traffic Division has reviewed this intersection and recommends pedestrian safety enhancements. Public Works will collaborate with Santa Clara University on this directly. It potentially will need a funding contribution from the University.
A question was posed regarding the review of the Poplar Street & Alviso Street intersection, including consideration of a 4-way stop, and speed bumps due to ongoing concerns about speeding. The Public Works Traffic Division has confirmed that they are in the process of collecting traffic data for the evaluation. Public Works believes the concerns were raised about Poplar Street specifically; however they welcome any additional clarification if there were speeding concerns related to Alviso Street as well.
A question was raised regarding the evaluation of red curb painting at all neighborhood intersections off Alviso Street to prevent vehicles from parking too close to corners and obstructing visibility. Public Works Traffic Division has shared that the Statewide Daylighting law (AB413) is applicable and those intersections immediately adjacent to SCU have been addressed with red curb at locations with marked crosswalks and higher pedestrian activity. Regarding Alviso Street in particular, Public Works Traffic Division has noted that there is substantial red curb that already exists but they will confirm compliance distance requirements with AB413. Since Alviso is a long corridor, any insight from the community on particular segment(s) or intersections of concerns would be useful. The Public Works Traffic Division has also shared that AB 413 restrictions apply regardless of the presence of red curb markings or “No Parking” signs. Staff will coordinate with the Police Department (PD) on enforcement, and residents are encouraged to contact the PD Communications Center at (408) 615-5580 to report real-time violations.
There was a question regarding existing crosswalk conditions and potential safety improvements in the area. As this was a broad request, and more precise feedback is specifically requested and can be shared at the March 2, 2026 NURC meeting or afterwards with staff. As noted above, Public Works Traffic Division has been working to assess and identify improvements for Benton Street/Alviso Street intersection.
Police Department Training and Parking Enforcement
The Police Department will provide information at the March 2, 2026 NURC meeting within their presentation on general updates that address the questions raised about how training is provided to officers to address community complaints as well as how parking surrounding the university is enforced.
Santa Clara University information on off-campus housing and student behavior
SCU will provide a presentation at the March 2, 2026 NURC meeting during agenda item on updates by PD, CDD, and SCU, to share background on SCU off-campus student housing and student behavior expectations.
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(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City other than staff time.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Public Works Department and City Manager’s Office.
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 agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Note and file the staff report.
Staff
Approved by: Reena Brilliot, Director of Economic Development and Sustainability