REPORT TO CITY HALL COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Discussion and Input Regarding City Hall Existing Conditions, Facility Needs, and Future Options
Report
BACKGROUND
The City Hall facility located at 1500 Warburton Avenue was originally constructed in 1962 and has served as the center of municipal government operations for nearly seven decades. While the facility has undergone modifications and improvements over time, many building systems, operational layouts, and public service functions reflect standards and requirements from a different era. As municipal service demands continue to evolve, the City must evaluate whether the existing facility can effectively support current and future operational needs, public accessibility requirements, customer service expectations, technology infrastructure, sustainability goals, and workplace standards.
The current discussion regarding the future of City Hall was initiated following a proposal from Valley Oak Partners regarding a potential City Hall opportunity at the current Oracle Campus located at 4220 Network Circle. The proposal generated discussion regarding the long-term needs of the City's administrative facilities and whether relocation, renovation, reconstruction, or adaptive reuse opportunities should be considered as part of a comprehensive evaluation process.
In response, the City Council directed staff to undertake a public process to evaluate all reasonable alternatives for the future of City Hall rather than focusing on a single site or proposal. Council emphasized the importance of conducting a transparent, community-driven evaluation process that considers the operational, financial, and community implications of multiple alternatives before any decisions are made regarding the future location or configuration of City Hall.
Consistent with that direction, staff proposed a comprehensive City Hall evaluation process that considers the following alternatives:
• Renovate the Existing City Hall;
• Build new City Hall at the existing Civic Center;
• Build a new City Hall at another location; and
• Acquire and convert an existing Property for use as City Hall.
The evaluation process includes technical, operational, financial, and community considerations. Staff anticipate retaining professional consultants to conduct property market research, a Real Estate Market Analysis, Space Needs Assessment and Fit Plan, conceptual planning studies, feasibility analyses, and cost analysis evaluations for the alternatives under consideration.
Recognizing that any future City Hall investment will have long-term impacts on residents, businesses, employees, and taxpayers, the City Council also directed staff to develop a framework for a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to support the evaluation process. The CAC represents an important component of the City's broader public engagement strategy and will help ensure that community values and priorities are considered alongside technical analyses and financial considerations as the City evaluates future City Hall facility options.
At the July 28, 2026, City Hall CAC meeting, staff provided presentations on the Committee’s roles and responsibilities, Brown Act and Public Records Act requirements, and the project’s goals, evaluation criteria, and schedule. The Committee also elected its Chair and Vice Chair.
DISCUSSION
At the September 21, 2026, City Hall Community Advisory Committee meeting, staff will present and lead discussions of the following topics with the Committee Members:
1. Existing City Hall Conditions
2. Existing Facility Needs and Service Delivery Challenges
3. Initial Discussion of Alternatives and Information Gaps
4. Development of Public Engagement Plan
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is an information report only and no action is being taken by the Committee and no environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City other than staff time.
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
1. Discuss and provide input on the information presented by staff regarding existing City Hall conditions, current and future facility needs and service delivery challenges, the range of alternatives to be evaluated and additional information needed to support that evaluation, and the development of a Public Engagement Plan.
2. Confirm, based on the information presented to date, including observations from the City Hall facility tours, that the existing conditions, operational needs, and service delivery challenges warrant continued evaluation of options for the future of City Hall.
3. Provide direction regarding any additional information, issues, or considerations the Committee would like to discuss in the next phase of the City Hall evaluation process.
Staff
Reviewed by: Aimee Escobar, Management Analyst, City Manager’s Office
Approved by: Elizabeth Klotz, Assistant City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. EMG Facility Condition Assessment - March 15, 2018