Santa Clara’s City Council made two significant policy decisions during its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The council approved a revised travel policy that will allow city council members greater flexibility in attending official functions while emphasizing fiscal responsibility. Additionally, the council voted unanimously to grant an exception allowing David Staub, a retired annuitant, back into temporary service with the Public Works Department.
Updated Travel Policy for City Council Members
The updated policy allows city council members to travel without being limited by trip counts, such as two or three trips per year depending on whether they are in-state, out-of-state, or international. The changes also simplify the preauthorization process and expand eligible expenses, while revising reporting requirements.
Council Member Cox criticized the lack of guardrails for this policy, arguing that removing travel limits would be unethical given fiscal constraints. She raised concerns about public perception and questioned whether unlimited travel could lead to abuse of city resources. However, Council Members Gonzalez, Hardy, Jain, and Park supported the revised policy, emphasizing the importance of learning opportunities for council members through conferences and professional development.
The revised policy passed with a 5-2 vote: Ayes were Mayor Alberto Gonzalez, Council Member Karen Hardy, Suds Jain, Kevin Park, and Kelly Cox. Noes were none; Absentees were none.
Granting an Exception to Rehire Retired Employee
In another significant decision, the council voted unanimously (6-0) to allow David Staub, a retired annuitant with over 30 years of experience in public works and project management, back into temporary service. This rehire is intended to address critical operational needs caused by recent retirements.
Council Member Park criticized the timing of this request as it was only discussed after Mr. Staub had already announced his retirement. She also questioned whether bringing him back would create double dipping in compensation. Despite these concerns, Council Members Hardy and Cox supported the move, arguing that rehiring Mr. Staub could help maintain institutional knowledge and support succession planning.
Council Member Gonzalez proposed a motion to approve the resolution unanimously, which was seconded by Council Member Hardy. The vote resulted in a 6-1 approval with Council Member Park voting against it.
Fiscal Responsibility and Community Impact
Both decisions aim to balance fiscal responsibility with the educational and operational needs of the city. The revised travel policy is expected to save the city approximately $60,633 annually by allowing greater flexibility in travel expenses, while the rehire of Mr. Staub can help mitigate critical workforce shortages.
Mayor Gonzalez emphasized that the new policy would provide clarity and consistency for future planning and implementation. Council Member Cox highlighted the importance of maintaining public trust through responsible financial management, which is a key consideration for both decisions.
Future Implications
These actions are expected to have long-term implications for city operations and represent a shift towards more flexible policies that enhance council member professional development while addressing immediate workforce challenges.