May 25, 2017
Santa Clara News
I attended the Santa Clara City Council meeting on April 16 to observe the curfew discussion regarding the 49ers stadium. From my ten years on the San Jose city council, I am keenly aware of the importance of curfews for places such as the airport, food/alcohol establishments, and sports and concert venues, and the impact they can have on adjacent neighborhoods.
Whether we as individuals agree or disagree with an established curfew, it was passed by a majority of council members and is, therefore, a rule that must be followed. I agreed with this decision back in January when it was last discussed. If this policy goes unchanged, and all other things being equal as far as the duration of concerts goes, then major performances should be scheduled for the weekend nights only.
Given the importance of this issue, I was surprised that the 49ers did not send a representative, and that not all councilmembers attended the meeting. I enjoyed watching the discussion unfold, and felt that Mayor Lisa Gillmor and the council majority exercised very sound judgment in delivering an outcome that is in the best interest of a majority of Santa Clara residents. I agreed with the council majority in their 4-2 vote that will put the 49ers on notice that future breaches in contract will not go unnoticed.
-Pierluigi Oliverio