REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Councilmember O’Neill’s Request Related to the City’s Participation in an “Innovation Zone”
Report
BACKGROUND
On April 30, 2019, Councilmember O’Neill (Attachment 1) sent an email to the City Attorney, City Manager, and Assistant City Clerk requesting an item be placed on a future City Council agenda to adopt a resolution related to the City’s participation in an “Innovation Zone” to test emerging technology.
Per Council Policy 30, “Adding an Item on the Agenda” (Attachment 2), the Mayor or any individual Councilmember may submit a written request to the City Manager’s Office for inclusion of an item on a City Council agenda, provided the request is received two (2) days prior to the public release of the agenda packet. It is worth noting that the City Council Policy does not require a staff report on the matter, rather the request for it to be added for future consideration.
DISCUSSION
The Office of Vice Mayor Charles “Chappie” Jones in the City of San José has been working to designate a portion of West San José (Districts 1 and 6) as an Innovation Zone. The Innovation Zone will allow companies and groups to test anything within its boundaries that provides a large benefit to the community. Companies and startups will work directly with the Office of Vice Mayor Jones to facilitate these partnerships.
His office is requesting the City of Santa Clara to participate by designating a portion of Santa Clara as part of the Innovation Zone through the adoption of a resolution. The proposed boundaries for Santa Clara are Pruneridge Avenue from the North, Interstate 880 from the East, Interstate 280 from the South, and Saratoga Avenue from the West (Attachment 3). A point of contact will need to be assigned to work with the Office of Vice Mayor Jones to process and coordinate requests for testing within Santa Clara’s portion of the Innovation Zone if the City decides to participate.
At the January two-day City Council Operational and Strategic Priority Setting Session, staff discussed departmental workplans and major strategic issues our organization is facing. After the two-day session, the City Manager received input of individual Councilmember’s priorities. 48 of those priorities were submitted and 29 of the 48 priorities were funded as part of the FY 19/20 and FY 20/21 Proposed Operating Budget, including one on intelligent traffic lights using IOT. This item was not included in the Proposed Budget as it surfaced after that discussion and has not been considered against other work schedules or priorities.
Therefore, if the Council would like staff to explore the topic of participation in the Innovation Zone, staff recommends adding this item to the list of Council priorities for consideration as part of the current budget cycle. It would be expected the Department of Public Works would be the staff lead in supporting this process. This would be an unplanned assignment, and staff would need to determine the level of support needed. Depending on the level of effort this could require delaying other projects or funding for consultant support.
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 governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact other than staff time for preparing this report. Depending on Council action, a fiscal impact will be determined in the future.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office 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 <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff makes no recommendation.
Staff
Reviewed by: Manuel Pineda, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Email from Councilmember O’Neill
2. Council Policy 30 Adding an Item on the Agenda
3. Proposed Map