REPORT TO STADIUM AUTHORITY BOARD
SUBJECT
Title
Action to Approve a Municipal Law Enforcement Services Agreement between the Santa Clara Stadium Authority, City of Santa Clara and San Francisco County Sheriff’s Office
Report
BOARD PILLAR
Ensure Compliance with Measure J and Manage Levi’s Stadium
BACKGROUND
Prior to the opening of Levi’s Stadium in 2014, the Police Department worked with the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security and the Department of Homeland Security to develop comprehensive safety and traffic management plans for the venue and surrounding area.
Through the planning process, the Police Department acknowledged our organization did not have the specialized expertise (e.g. ability to close highway off-ramps and corresponding traffic management skills), resources (e.g. air operations, crowd control, SWAT, etc.), and volume of sworn and civilian personnel necessary to implement these plans. As a result, agreements were formed with local, State and Federal law enforcement partners to provide these additional services.
The Police Department relies heavily on sworn and civilian professionals to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for stadium personnel, athletes/entertainers, event attendees, surrounding businesses, and nearby residents. The staffing needs vary from event to event based on event type, day of the week, time of the day, anticipated attendance, dignitaries present, intelligence gathered from similar events, etc.
DISCUSSION
Levi’s Stadium has been the host to 120 public events with attendance of 20,000+ since its’ opening, plus two nationally televised events without fans in 2020.
As the lead law enforcement agency, the Police Department secures local, State and Federal resources, as necessary, to support efforts to mitigate traffic congestion for event patrons and local traffic, provide a safe venue for attendees, performers and stadium personnel, as well as prevent intrusion into neighborhoods while maintaining access to adjacent business properties.
While the State and County Public Health Department’s Health Order does not currently allow for fans to be in attendance at these events, the Police Department continues to work hard behind the scenes to prepare the organization for a time when fans return. This includes expanding the number of municipal law enforcement services agreements between the Stadium Authority, the City of Santa Clara, and partner agencies.
The proposed agreement allows the San Francisco County Sheriff’s Office, as called upon and available, to provide supplemental special detail law enforcement services for events taking place at the stadium and surrounding areas. Requests for services could include personnel, helicopters, tactical vehicles, equipment, and associated supplies to provide the services rendered. The agreement also allows for San Francisco County Sheriff’s Office personnel responding to requests for services to transmit and broadcast communications on the Santa Clara Police Department’s dispatch frequency, licensed by the Federal Communications Commission.
Currently, the Police Department has various agreements with multiple agencies throughout California to provide Per Diem Special Event Police Officers. Locally, the following agencies can be called upon to provide services, as needed, at Levi’s Stadium:
• California Highway Patrol
• City of Campbell Police Department
• City of Gilroy Police Department
• City of Milpitas Police Department
• City of Morgan Hill Police Department
• City of Mountain View Police Department
• City of Palo Alto Police Department
• City of Santa Cruz Police Department
• Los Altos Police Department
• Santa Clara County Gang Task Force
• Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office
• Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety
• Town of Los Gatos Police Department
In addition, the Police Department is in the process of preparing agreements with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.
The Santa Clara Stadium Taxpayer Protection and Economic Progress Act, commonly referred to as Measure J, requires all public safety costs related to stadium operations to be reimbursed to the City by the Stadium Authority. In addition, the contractual arrangement between the Stadium Authority and the team requires that the team reimburse the Stadium Authority for public safety related expenses incurred for NFL events.
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 fiscal activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potential significant impact on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
This agreement allows the San Francisco County Sheriff’s Office to provide support services for Levi’s Stadium, as requested and available.
Any expenses incurred by the City for the use of the San Francisco County Sheriff’s Office would be billed by the City to the Stadium Authority, and by the Stadium Authority to the Forty Niners, in accordance with the applicable contracts and with Measure J.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the Finance Department and City Attorney’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
Approve a Municipal Law Enforcement Services Agreement between the Santa Clara Stadium Authority, City of Santa Clara, and San Francisco County Sheriff’s Office for support services associated with special events at Levi’s Stadium.
Staff
Reviewed by: Patrick Nikolai, Chief of Police
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager/Executive Director
ATTACHMENTS
1. Municipal Law Enforcement Services Agreement between the Santa Clara Stadium Authority, City of Santa Clara and San Francisco County Sheriff’s Office