CITY OF LOS ALTOS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Jonathan D. Weinberg, Mayor Pete Dailey, Vice Mayor
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2024 Neysa Fligor, Councilmember
7:00 p.m. Lynette Lee Eng, Councilmember
1 N. San Antonio Rd. ~ Los Altos, CA Sally Meadows, Councilmember CALL MEETING TO ORDER - Jonathan D. Weinberg, Mayor, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ESTABLISH QUORUM - All Councilmembers were present.
PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG - Jonathan D. Weinberg, Mayor, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
There was no reportable action taken during the Closed Session meeting of January 23, 2024.
CHANGES TO THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
Motion by Weinberg and Seconded by Fligor to move Item 11 on the agenda to the first item after the Consent Calendar. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
SPECIAL ITEM
Issue a proclamation recognizing February as Black History Month in Los Altos Jonathan D. Weinberg, Mayor, presented a proclamation recognizing February as Black History Month to Forrest Williams, a former San Jose City Councilmember and an educator in the STEM field promoting science and technology to students.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
The following members of the public spoke during Public Comments:
• Benjamin McCann
• Marjan Yahya
• Marna
• Jessica Behrmann
CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no public speakers who spoke regarding items on the Consent Calendar.
Lynette Lee Eng, Councilmember, requested to pull Item 4 from the Consent Calendar.
Jonathan D. Weinberg, Mayor, moved Item 4 of the Consent Calendar to before Item 7 of the Motion by Weinberg and Seconded by Dailey to approve Item 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 of the Consent Calendar. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 13, 2024
1. Approve the draft meeting minutes for the Special and Regular Meetings of January 9 and January 23, 2024
2. Quarterly Investment Portfolio Report - Quarter Ended December 31, 2023
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement for the General Plan Safety Element Update with Michael Baker International as the most qualified responsive consultant for the project with a project budget not to exceed $102,600 and up to a 20% contingency, if needed, in the amount not to exceed $20,520 for a total of $123,120
Item 4 was moved to Discussion Items on the agenda.
5. Adopt a resolution of the City Council of the City of Los Altos amending Tree Removal Permit Fee Structure and find that the resolution is exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15073 (Fee Exemption) of the State Guidelines implementing the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970
6. Receive the annual report on Development Impact Fees for the Fiscal Year 2023 and find that the project is categorically exempt from CEQ under CEQA Guidelines, §15273, which exempts from CEQA fees, rates, tolls, fares and other charges by the local agency for the purpose of meeting financial reserve needs and requirements, and none of the circumstances set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 applies
DISCUSSION ITEMS
11. Discuss the formation of an ad hoc subcommittee to discuss strategies for street maintenance, appoint members to such a committee, and determine a timeline for the subcommittee or provide other direction regarding street maintenance as appropriate Aida Fairman, Public Works Director, presented the report.
The following members of the public spoke regarding the item:
• Lili Najimi
Motion by Dailey and Seconded by Weinberg to provide direction to staff that the City should manage street maintenance in accordance to the current City Council priorities rather than previous City Council direction pertaining to CPI. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
4. Adopt an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Los Altos amending Chapter
11.08 Tree Protection Regulations and find that this ordinance is exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State Guidelines implementing the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 Lynette Lee Eng, Councilmember, explained why she requested the item to be pulled from the Consent Calendar.
City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 13, 2024
Neysa Fligor, Councilmember, suggested additional language to the ordinance under Section
11.08.150 "Delegation of Functions" to include: "Including any reasons for the waivers or exceptions". There was no Council opposition to including this language.
Motion by Weinberg and Seconded by Dailey to waive further reading and adopt an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Los Altos amending Chapter 11.08 of Title 11 Miscellaneous Property Regulations of the Los Altos Municipal Code of Tree Protection Regulations, as amended. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
7. Comprehensive parking regulations: Introduce and waive further reading of an of the 6th Cycle Housing Element
Nick Zornes, Development Services Director, presented the report.
Jonathan D. Weinberg, Mayor, opened the Public Hearing.
There were no speakers during the Public Hearing.
Jonathan D. Weinberg, Mayor, closed the Public Hearing.
The City Council provided the following amendments to the ordinance:
• Correct the word "utilizes" to "utilities"
• Provide clarification to section 14.74.030(A)
Motion by Weinberg and Seconded by Dailey to waive further reading and introduce an ordinance amending Chapter 14.74 of the Los Altos Municipal Code to implement Program 1.1, Program 3.A, and Program 3.M of the 6th Cycle Housing Element, as amended. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
8. Municipal Code Amendment to Section 6.16.070 of the Los Altos Municipal Code updating to reflect prohibited days of construction on City Observed Holidays Nick Zornes, Development Services Director, presented the report.
There were no speakers regarding the item.
Motion by Lee Eng and Seconded by Fligor to waive further reading and introduce an ordinance amendment to section 6.16.070 of the Los Altos Municipal Code to reflect prohibited days of construction on City Observed Holidays and find that the ordinance is exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15.061(b)(3) of the state guidelines implementing the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, and to replace the first Whereas clause in the City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 13, 2024
ordinance with the proposed language Council provided to staff. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
9. Review the City's Mission Statement and provide direction to staff on any potential changes
Jon Maginot, Assistant City Manager, presented the report.
The following member of the public spoke regarding the item:
• Eric Steinle
The City Council recommended that Neysa Fligor, Councilmember, work with staff on drafting a new mission statement.
10. Introduce and waive further reading of an Ordinance amending Chapter 2.04 to establish City Council salaries and adopt a Resolution adjusting the level of benefits offered City Council members
Jon Maginot, Assistant City Manager, presented the report.
There were no public speakers regarding the item.
Motion by Weinberg and Seconded by Dailey to waive further reading and introduce an ordinance amending Chapter 2.04 of the Los Altos Municipal Code to establish City Council salaries and find that this ordinance is categorically exempt from CEQA, with the addition of Government Code Section 365.615, that the salary council increase will not take effect until so allowed by law.
Motion carried 4-1 by roll call vote with Councilmember Lee Eng opposed.
Motion by Weinberg and Seconded by Dailey to adopt a resolution adjusting the level of benefits offered to City Council members in the City of Los Altos. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS ONLY
There will be no discussion or action on Informational Items
12. Tentative Council Calendar and Housing Element Implementation Calendar
13. Receive staff update on Community Center Café
14. Response to 2024 Santa Clara County Local Agency Formation Commission Countywide Fire Service Review Report
COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS AND DIRECTIONS ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Pete Dailey, Vice Mayor - Requested future agenda items:
• Discussion on directing staff to research extending benefits to former Councilmembers, including any potential costs and financial implications for the City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
February 13, 2024
city. The Council also allowed for staff to determine how to bring this information to Council. (Supported by Fligor and Weinberg)
• Report from staff on mitigation on power outages in Los Altos. (Supported by Fligor and Lee Eng)
• Neysa Fligor, Councilmember - Requested a future agenda item:
• Discussion to adopt the Cities Association by-laws in April. (Supported by Weinberg and Meadows)
• Lynette Lee Eng, Councilmember - Requested a future agenda item:
• Discussion to direct the Historic Commission to review the Historic Resources Inventory (HRI) and to provide the information to Council at a future meeting. (No additional support)
• Discussion about setting a policy on how Commissions should perform market research or surveys/outreach. (Supported by Dailey)
ADJOURNMENT - The regular meeting adjourned at 11:22 p.m.
The meeting minutes were prepared by Melissa Thurman, City Clerk, for approval at the regular meeting of February 27, 2024.
Jonathan D. Weinberg Melissa Thurman, MMC
Mayor
The February 13, 2024 City Council meeting recording may be viewed via the following external website: https://www.youtube.com/@CityofLosAltosCA
The City of Los Altos does not own or operate YouTube. The video referenced on these minutes were live at the time the minutes were published.