REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Written Petition submitted by Dan Ondrasek Requesting to Initiate the Relocation of the County of Santa Clara Courthouse (1095 Homestead Road. Santa Clara, CA) [Council Pillar: Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency]
Report
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.
As background, relocating the County of Santa Clara Courthouse was raised by Mr. Dan Ondrasek at the 2020 City Council Priority Setting Session held January 30-31, 2020. Specifically, at that meeting Mr. Ondrasek requested that the Council start the conversation about relocating the courthouse, but the Council did not take action on the request. Following the two-day session, Facilitator Shawn Spano reviewed the Council Priorities with the full Council and confirmed that Downtown Revitalization was already in progress and that the relocation of the courthouse was not part of this effort.
DISCUSSION
The City Clerk’s Office has received a Written Petition (email) for Council consideration from Dan Ondrasek dated August 9, 2020 (Attachment 2) to begin discussions with the State of California and County of Santa Clara on the feasibility of relocating the County Courthouse (1095 Homestead Road. Santa Clara, CA).
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)(4) in that it is a fiscal activity that does not involve commitment to a specific project which may result in potential significant impact on 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>.
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: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Policy and Procedure 030 - Adding an Item on the Agenda
2. Written Petition (email) dated August 9, 2020 from Dan Ondrasek