CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
7:00 PM - Tuesday, March 22, 2022
via Teleconference
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
At 7:28p.m., Mayor Enander called the meeting to order.
ESTABLISH QUORUM
PRESENT: Council Members Fligor, Lee Eng, Weinberg, Vice Mayor Meadows, and Mayor Enander
ABSENT: None
PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Sia Gupta, Girl Scout Troop 60045 led the Pledge of Allegiance.
REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
Conference with Legal Counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(3) - 1 case Allegations of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation against Cities Association of Santa Clara County.
Mayor Enander stated that a Closed Session had been held earlier in the evening and reported that there was no action taken and nothing to report.
SPECIAL ITEM
A. Commission Appointments: Consider Commission applications and make appointments as appropriate
Mayor Enander provided background information on the interview and selection process. Several Council Members commented. The Council Members were provided preprinted ballots and asked to complete the ballots and email them to the Assistant City Manager.
While the ballots were tallied the meeting proceeded
CHANGES TO THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Teresa Morris, Jeanine Valadez, and Ning provided public comment. 3/22/2022 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 2 of 6
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Fligor requested that Item # 3 Housing Element Annual Progress Report be removed from the Consent Calendar.
Minutes: Approve Minutes of the March 8, 2022, City Council Meeting Design Contract Amendment:-Annual Storm Drain Improvements, Milverton Road, Project CD-01012: Adopt Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment on behalf of the City with Schaaf & Wheeler Consulting Civil Engineers in the amount of $13,665 to provide additional consulting services for design validation for the Annual Storm Drain Improvements, Milverton Road Drywells Project and up to 10% contingency funds of the total design cost in the amount of $10,245 for additional construction support, if needed.
There was no public comment on the Consent Calendar Items #1 and #2. Upon motion of Council Member Weinberg, Seconded by Vice Mayor Meadows, Consent Calendar Items #1 and #2 were approved 5-0 with the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members Fligor, Lee Eng, Weinberg, Vice Mayor Meadows, and Mayor Enander
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
3. Housing Element Annual Progress Report: Receive Housing Element Annual Progress Report For Calendar Year 2021 and adopt Resolution of the City Council of the City of Los Altos accepting the Housing Element Annual Progress Report for Calendar Year 2021 and authorizing staff to submit the report to the Governor's Office of Planning and Research and The California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Interim Planning Services Manager Golden provided information and answered questions from the Council.
The Mayor opened the floor for public comment. Anne Paulson commented Following discussion, Council Member Lee Eng moved that the Council receive the Housing Element Annual Progress Report For Calendar Year 2021 and adopt the resolution of the City Council of the City of Los Altos accepting the Housing Element Annual Progress Report for Calendar Year 2021 and authorizing staff to submit the report to the Governor's Office of Planning and Research and the California Department of Housing and Community Development with the addition of language in the Resolution that acknowledges that prior year data has yet to be corrected. The motion was seconded by Mayor Enander and the motion passed 5-0 with the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members Fligor, Lee Eng, Weinberg, Vice Mayor Meadows, and Mayor Enander
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
3/22/2022 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 3 of 6
SPECIAL ITEM (continued from earlier in the meeting)
Assistant City Manager Maginot announced that the Commission appointment ballots had been tallied and the following appointments had been made:
Parks And Recreation Commission: 1 partial term expiring in March 2025 • Scott Jacob Pietka
Complete Streets Commission: 3 full terms expiring March, 2026 • Stacy Banerjee
• Tom Gschneidner
• Nadim Maluf
Public Arts Commission: 1 partial term expiring September 2025 • Dana Tasic
Environmental Commission: 4 Full terms expiring in March 2026 • Shiao-ping Lu
• Donald Weiden
• Carl van Reis
• Tom Hecht
DISCUSSION ITEMS
4. Story Pole Exemption Request PPR21-006: -330 Distel Circle - EAH Housing - The City Council will consider a request for an exemption from the City's Story Pole policy for a for a 5-story, 64 feet tall, 90-unit, 100% affordable development proposal at 330 Distel Circle and if approved, adopt resolution granting an exception from the City's story pole policy and making findings of CEQA exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15303 and/or 15061(b)(3) The applicant has submitted a pre-application for the proposed project.
Planner Hayagreev introduced Welton Jordan and Lily Ciammaichella of EAH Housing who provided an overview of the project and the request for the exemption as well as answered questions from the Council.
The following members for the public provided comments: Teresa Morris, Rick Gonsalves, Eric Steinle, Freddie Park Wheeler, Roberta Phillips, Debbie, Jon Baer, Daniel Hulse, Joe Beninato, and Anne Paulson.
Council discussion commenced. Council Member Lee Eng and Mayor Enander expressed interest in attachments to the roof of the existing building to depict the proposed project height and concern for the view from the residential properties to the rear of the proposed building.
Upon motion of Council Member Fligor, seconded by Vice Mayor Meadows, the Council adopted the resolution granting an exception from the City's story pole policy and making findings of CEQA exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15303 and/or 15061(b)(3) and directed staff to work with the applicant to create alternatives that show different angles of the building including dimensions at pedestrian eye level renderings, particularly to include a rendering from the residential neighborhood behind the proposed parcel to be showcased on the on-site billboard for noticing. The motion passed 3-2 with the following roll call vote:
3/22/2022 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 4 of 6
AYES:Council Members Fligor, Weinberg, and Vice Mayor Meadows NOES: Council Member Lee Eng and Mayor Enander
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
At 9:19 p.m., Mayor Enander called for a brief recess. At 9:30 p.m. the meeting was reconvened. The Mayor announced that Agenda Item #8.Council Legislative Subcommittee Update And Potential Council Action would be deferred.
5. El Camino Real Bike Lanes: Consider and Adopt Resolution supporting Class IIB - Buffered Bicycle Lane Installation on El Camino Real - City Limits between Adobe Creek and ~500-FT South of Rengstorff Avenue as part of Caltrans Street Resurfacing Improvements scheduled for Summer 2023; Approve Removal of Street Parking to Accommodate this Improvement. Lane restriping along El Camino Real for bicycle traffic is exempt from review under CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) in that it entails minor alterations to existing public facilities involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former uses, it would not create additional automobile lanes, and none of the circumstances described in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 would apply.
Engineering Services Director Sandoval introduced Transportation Engineer Lee who provided an overview of the project and answered questions from the Council.
The following members of the public commented: Leia Mehlman, Sharlene Liu, Bryan Johnson, Susan B. Teresa Morris, Chris Hoeber, Lada Adamic, Eric Stienle, Tim Oey, Gary Hedden, Terry Barton, Roberta Phillips, Jon Baer, Jim Fenton, Kevin Ma, Ning, Daniel Hulse, Anne Paulson, Annie Franco, Ari Feinsmith, Jeanine Valdez, Salim, Don W.., Joe Beninato, Emily Ramos, Bill Sheppard, Delia Kreitter and Sandhya Laddha.
Following Council discussion, Council Member Weinberg moved to adopt the Resolution supporting Class IIB - Buffered Bicycle Lane Installation on El Camino Real - City Limits between Adobe Creek and ~500-FT South of Rengstorff Avenue as part of Caltrans Street Resurfacing Improvements scheduled for Summer 2023; Approve Removal of Street Parking to Accommodate this Improvement and make findings that Lane restriping along El Camino Real for bicycle traffic is exempt from review under CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) in that it entails minor alterations to existing public facilities involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former uses, it would not create additional automobile lanes, and none of the circumstances described in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 would apply. The motion was seconded by Council Member Fligor and the motion passed 3-2 with the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members Fligor, Weinberg, and Vice Mayor Meadows NOES: Council Member Lee Eng and Mayor Enander
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
6. Housing Element: Receive staff update on the status of the Housing Element Update (2023- 2031) community engagement process, consultant contract, and next steps, and approve the expansion of the role of the Housing Element Council Subcommittee. 3/22/2022 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 5 of 6
Interim Community Development Director Simpson introduced consultants Jen Murillo, David Bergman, and Stefano Richichi, of Lisa Wise Consulting, who provided a detailed overview of the Housing Element Update and certification process. They also answered questions from the Council.
Mayor Enander opened the floor for public comment. The following individuals commented: Nancy M., Joe Beninato, Anne Paulson, Jon Baer, Roberta Phillips, Salim, Teresa Morris, Jeanine Valadez, Debbie, Mehruss Ahi, Emily Ann Ramos, Freddie Wheeler, and Agnes Caufield.
Council discussion commenced. in which the Council provided input and feedback with regard to the Housing Element process, timeline, number of meetings and outreach.
Council Member Fligor, with Mayor Enander indicating agreement, clarified that any Housing Element related policy questions or decisions would be brought to the Council and not be handled by the Housing Element subcommittee.
Council Member Lee Eng moved that the Council approve expansion of the term and scope of the Council Housing Element Subcommittee beyond community outreach to include involvement in the Housing Element process through its final completion/certification. The motion was seconded by Mayor Enander and the motion passed 5-0 with the following roll call vote:
AYES: Council Members Fligor, Lee Eng, Weinberg, Vice Mayor Meadows, and Mayor Enander
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7. City of Los Altos Compensation Philosophy: Consider proposed Compensation Policy and adopt or provide direction to staff.
Human Resources Manager Silipin provided a staff report and presentation and answered questions from the Council.
There were no members of the public wishing to comment.
Following Council discussion, Council Member Lee Eng moved to adopt the Compensation Philosophy with the addition of language suggested by Council Member Fligor relative to diversity and inclusivity Vice Mayor Meadows seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0 with the following roll call vote Council Members Fligor, Lee Eng, Weinberg, Vice Mayor Meadows, and Mayor Enander
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS ONLY
Tentative Council Calendar
City Manager Engeland reviewed the tentative agenda for the April 12th City Council meeting.
COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS AND DIRECTIONS ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 3/22/2022 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 6 of 6
Council Member Fligor suggested that staff follow up regarding the point she made during the El Camino bike lane item discussion that the city look at different solutions to support the business community, understand the impact, and identify ways the City can support them, for example, signage pointing to parking areas. There was support for staff to do that and since the bike lane is scheduled for Summer 2023, staff's follow up did not have to be immediate.
Council Member Fligor, with support from Council Member Lee Eng, requested a discussion matter on creation of a Grant Writing Subcommittee.
Council Member Weinberg, with support from Vice Mayor Meadows and Council Member Fligor, requested initiation of review of the City's Story Pole Policy. There was discussion as to the appropriate body to begin the review. City Attorney Houston advised that the review should start in the Open Government Subcommittee.
ADJOURNMENT
At 1:17 a.m., Wednesday, March 24, 2022, Mayor Enander adjourned the meeting.
Quto вник
Anita Enander, MAYOR
Attest:
Aubrea Chelemengs
Andrea Chelemengos, MMC