Santa Clara’s new City Attorney Glen Googins will be able to hit the ground running with extensive experience in municipal real estate transactions, entertainment venues and public-private partnerships. Googins’ appointment was announced on the agenda for the Jan. 10 Santa Clara City Council meeting. He was termed out last year as the elected city attorney in Chula Vista after 12 years in the job.
Googins’ compensation includes an annual salary of $345,000, which is at the sole discretion of the Santa Clara City Council. He will also receive benefits provided in City’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with bargaining Unit 9. This is the same compensation package dismissed City Attorney Brian Doyle received. Googins will also receive $15,000 in moving expenses and is required to live within a “reasonable commute” of city hall.
The new City Attorney’s contract has a maximum of nine months compensation if he’s dismissed, with less if he’s dismissed within a year of his hiring. Unlike the contract with Doyle, there is no clause protecting him from dismissal for 90 days after a new city council is seated.
Before being elected as Chula Vista’s city attorney, Googins was lead counsel on many of Chula Vista’s major real estate business and franchise transactions. He worked on the development of the North Island Credit Union amphitheater and served as the principal attorney for Chula Vista’s redevelopment and housing agencies.
As city attorney, Googins guided the Chula Vista’s acquisition and operation of the 155-acre former U.S. Olympic Training Center, a transition to City-provided ALS First Responder and Ambulance Transport Services and a public-private partnership for the coming development of a 1,600-room Gaylord Resort Hotel and Convention Center on the Chula Vista Bayfront.
Googins graduated from Dartmouth in 1985 with a B.A. in political science and government and received his law degree from Berkeley Law School (Boalt Hall) in 1988. In 1992, he was hired as Chula Vista’s deputy city attorney and elected to the office of City Attorney in 2010.
An engaged community member, Googins is active in the Chula Vista Rotary Club and the Chula Vista Charitable Foundation. He has served on the boards of many local nonprofits. He has also served as President of the City Attorneys Association of San Diego County.
Originally from Connecticut, Googins has lived in the San Diego area for almost four decades with his wife and four children.
The City of Chula Vista has a population, square miles, police and fire force about 2.5(x) that of the City of Santa Clara. It appears Mr. Googins not only was served Chula Vista free of political mistrust, he also lead all city departments in complying with state laws regarding transparency.
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• Chula Vista transparency https://www.chulavistaca.gov/departments/police-department/senate-bill-1421
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The City of Chula Vista has always had an appointed police chief which likely helped the city avoid political shenanigans from the rank and file. Hopefully there will be no objection to the Santa Clara City Council putting an amendment on calendar to eliminate politics from policing.
Greg why self indulgence regarding your expected compensation formerly. San Diego county they seldom or never pay the extreme amounts which Bay Area has procure. To retain ideal staff justification Gregg your office majority of staff. Making your equivalency in salaries familiar with the personnel many. Never gotten employment beyond, civic status comparing to “White Collar” Hierarchy law firms usually. Where most required due there specialization also, those meager
legal proficiencies. Elaborate Gregg regarding law suits we lose abundance lady whom. Police damage her home without police warrant Santa Clara paid how much? Gregg to dispute incompetency of City Attorney office $6.7 million what? No wonder residents continue face disputes about public policies neglect of officials. Gregg the concern how are going dissuade majority liabilities in future plenty of misconduct of power and corruption. Not vague abuse is among Santa Clara presently, homeless whom using parks selling narcotics and smoking it! Annoyed (Franklin Mall) or drugs and drinking booze Hall phrase! Homeless continue to gather using as official signature location police ignoring area! Thay continue gather smoke narcotics “Open Containers” booze and volka bottles always sitting on beaches! Mary Gomez and Central Parks hottest were homeless selling narcotics not impress with. Your office Gregg you haven’t address this is Lisa Gilmor or Jovan getting worse. Failed to enforce civic code upon “homeless” living on streets in RV’s majority. Working ignoring the potential of receiving housing I pay taxes were. Greg Lawrence Plaza and Halford Ave, around Stevens Creek also across from City hall? Enough Jovan and Lisa have informed you of broken sidewalks near. Governmental facilities the city is held liable rising insurance more taxes! Greg are sure the efficient for the duties of City Attorney not vague okay!