REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Council Written Request (Council Policy 030) Submitted by Councilmember Jain to Place an Item on a Future Council Agenda Regarding a Policy Limiting the Type and Quantity of Water Used by Data Centers
Report
BACKGROUND
Council Policy 030 (Adding an Item on the Agenda) sets forth the procedure for written petitions. A member of the Council may submit a written request for inclusion of an item on a future City Council agenda. Prior to submitting a Council Item Request form, the Member shall discuss the proposed request with the City Manager (and/or the City Attorney, as appropriate). If City staff’s response does not satisfy the Member’s request, the Membermay submit the Council Item Request form for placement on a future City Council agenda. Once the City Clerk’s Office receives the Council Item Request form, it should immediately be forwarded to the City Manager for placement on an agenda, if possible, within two (2) Council meetings after original receipt of the original request by the City Clerk’s Office.
DISCUSSION
The City Clerk’s Office received a Council Written Request on June 29, 2026, submitted by Councilmember Jain requesting than an item be placed on a a future meeting agenda to discuss the creation of a policy limiting the type of water used by future data centers. The request also calls for discussion regarding the City’s potential participation in any future Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) program administered by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) or State of California.
As a reminder, this item is for purposes of discussing whether or not the Council wants to agendize this item on a future Council agenda for a report or action. It is not for purposes of discussing the substance of the item itself. Specifically, the policy provides as follows:
1. At the meeting where the request to add an item to a future agenda is heard, Council discussion is limited to whether the item should be added to an agenda and a date, not the merit of the item. Valid considerations that can be discussed include whether the matter is within the City’s jurisdiction, being addressed in some other way, City resource requirements, legality, timing, and prioritization.
2. Council may take the following actions when a request is made:
a. No Action
b. Refer the request to City staff for further study and a timely report back to Council
c. Refer the item to a future annual Council Priority Setting session meeting
d. Placement on a future Council meeting agenda for further consideration or action
3. At the meeting where the item is first considered, if a majority of the City Council supports further study of the item, then a full staff analysis shall be prepared within thirty (30) days, unless otherwise directed by the City Council. If the request requires more than thirty (30) calendar days to prepare, status updates will be provided to the City Council every sixty (60) days as an informational memo.
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 a administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes to the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with considering the request to be placed on a future agenda except for staff time.
COORDINATION
This item was coordinated with the City Manager and the City Attorney.
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.
ALTERNATIVES
a. No Action
b. Refer the request to City staff for further study and a timely report back to Council
c. Refer the item to a future annual Council Priority Setting session meeting
d. Placement on a future Council meeting agenda for further consideration or action
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff makes no recommendation.
Staff
Reviewed by: Nora Pimentel, Assistant City Clerk
Approved by: Jovan Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Policy Procedure 030 - Adding an Item on the Agenda
2. Written Petition dated June 29, 2026, Submitted by Councilmember Jain