CITY OF LOS ALTOS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025
7:00 p.m.
1 N. San Antonio Rd. ~ Los Altos, CA
Pete Dailey, Mayor
Neysa Fligor, Vice Mayor
Larry Lang, Councilmember
Sally Meadows, Councilmember
Jonathan D. Weinberg, Councilmember
CALL MEETING TO ORDER – Pete Dailey, Mayor, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ESTABLISH QUORUM – All Councilmember were present.
PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG – Pete Dailey, Mayor, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
No reportable action was taken during the Closed Session meeting of March 11, 2025, at 6:15 p.m.
CHANGES TO THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
There were no changes to the order of the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
There following member of the public spoke during Public Comment:
Dianne Connelly
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Weinberg and Second by Lang to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes
Approve the Draft Special and Regular Meeting Minutes for the Meeting of February 25, 2025
2. Contract Award for Hetch Hetchy ADA Improvements Project Two actions for Council consideration:
1. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to execute an Agreement with SAE Consulting Engineering for Construction Services for the Intersection Access Barrier Removal project in the amount of $97,923.00 and up to 15% contingency, if needed, in the amount not to exceed $14,688.00; and
2. Adopt a Resolution increasing the Intersection Access Barrier Removal, TS01058, project budget to $127,300 City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 11, 2025
3. Contract Amendment with Civic Plus LLC
Approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 with CivicPlus LLC. for an amount not to exceed $125,000.00 for development and implementation of a new city website
4. Adoption of Resolution - 2024 Annual Housing Element Program Report Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Los Altos Accepting the Housing Element Annual Progress Report for Calendar Year 2024 and Authorizing Staff to Submit the Report to the California Department of Housing and Community Development and find that this action is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5)
5. Independent Intake Official (IIO) Yearly Report for 2024 Receive the Independent Intake Official (IIO) Yearly Report for 2024
6. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
Accept the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and compliance reports for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024
7. Designation of Enforcement Officers
Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Los Altos Designating Certain Employees or Agents as Enforcement Officers
8. City Council Strategic Goals
Adopt a Resolution affirming the City Council Strategic Goals
9. Regional Board Assignments – VTA PAC Representatives and LAC Alternate Affirm Mayoral Appointment to the Valley Transportation Authority Policy Advisory Committee (VTA-PAC) and Santa Clara County Cities Association – Legislative Action Committee (LAC)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
10. Library Patio Appeal 1
Deny the appeal and uphold the decision of the Los Altos Historical Commission for Historical Alteration Permit (H24-0003) for a new library courtyard, and affirming that the proposed project is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15303 (New Construction and Conversion of Small Structures), of the State Guidelines implementing the California City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 11, 2025
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of 1970 and that none of the exceptions outlined in Section 15300.2 apply
Pete Dailey, Mayor, opened the Public Hearing.
Maria Bautista, Resident, requested the Public Hearing be continued to a future meeting date.
Pete Dailey, Mayor, denied the request for continuance.
Alice Mansell, Appellant, was absent from the Public Hearing.
The following members of the public spoke during the Public Hearing:
Jon Baer
Maria Bautista
Robert Specker
Catherine Nunes
Pete Dailey, Mayor, closed the Public Hearing.
The City Council deliberated, and due to the appellant’s failure to exhaust her administrative remedy and failure to appear, the decision was made to deny the appeal.
Motion by Weinberg and Second by Dailey to deny the appeal and uphold the decision of the Los Altos Historical Commission for Historical Alteration Permit (H24-0003) for a new library courtyard, and affirming that the proposed project is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15303 (New Construction and Conversion of Small Structures), of the State Guidelines implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of 1970 and that none of the exceptions outlined in Section 15300.2 apply, and further find that the appellant has failed to exhaust her administrative remedy by failing to appear for the Public Hearing. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
11. Library Patio Appeal 2
Deny the appeal and uphold the decision of the Los Altos Planning Commission for Design Review Permit (DR24-0002) for a new library courtyard, and affirming that the proposed project is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15303 (New Construction and Conversion of Small Structures), of the State Guidelines implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of 1970 and that none of the exceptions outlined in Section 15300.2 apply
Pete Dailey, Mayor, opened the Public Hearing.
Maria Bautista, Appellant, presented the appeal and requested to continue the item to a future meeting date.
The City Council did not provide a motion to continue the item.
City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 11, 2025
The following members of the public spoke during the Public Hearing:
Robert Specker
Catherine Nunes
Maria Bautista, Appellant, provided a rebuttal.
Pete Dailey, Mayor, closed the Public Hearing.
Motion by Weinberg and Second by Meadows to deny the appeal and uphold the decision of the Los Altos Planning Commission for Design Review Permit (DR24-0002) for a new library courtyard, and affirming that the proposed project is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15303 (New Construction and Conversion of Small Structures), of the State Guidelines implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of 1970 and that none of the exceptions outlined in Section 15300.2 apply, and as a separate and distinct grounds for appeal, find that the appellant lacks standing to bring the appeal. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
12. Library Patio Appeal 3
Deny the appeal and uphold the decision of the Los Altos Historical Commission for Historical Alteration Permit (H24-0003) and the Los Altos Planning Commission for Design Review Permit (DR24-0002) for a new library courtyard, and affirming that the proposed project is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15303 (New Construction and Conversion of Small Structures), of the State Guidelines implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of 1970 and that none of the exceptions outlined in Section 15300.2 apply
Pete Dailey, Mayor, opened the Public Hearing.
Catherine Nunes, Appellant, presented the appeal.
The following members of the public spoke during the Public Hearing:
Chip Lion
Maria Bautista
Teresa Morris
Catherine Nunes, Appellant, provided a rebuttal.
Pete Dailey, Mayor, closed the Public Hearing.
Motion by Weinberg and Second by Dailey to deny the appeal and uphold the decision of the Los Altos Historical Commission for Historical Alteration Permit (H24-0003) and the Los Altos Planning Commission for Design Review Permit (DR24-0002) for a new library courtyard, and affirming that the proposed project is categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15303 (New Construction and Conversion of City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 11, 2025
Small Structures), of the State Guidelines implementing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of 1970 and that none of the exceptions outlined in Section 15300.2 apply, and that as a separate and distinct basis for denial that the Council find that the appeal is untimely.
Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
The City Council recessed at 9:35 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 9:52 p.m.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
13. AB481 Military Equipment Use Annual Report for 2024 Waive the first and second reading, affirm and adopt the Ordinance approving Los Altos Police Policy 709 pertaining to the funding, acquisition and use of military equipment as mandated by Assembly Bill 481 and approve the acquisition of new military equipment, removal of training items and addition of new uses for drones Katie Krauss, Police Captain, presented the report.
The following members of the public spoke regarding the item:
John Lindsay-Poland
Toni Moos
Brian Jones
Jeanine Valadez
Freddie Wheeler
Motion by Dailey and Second by Meadows to waive the first and second reading, and affirm and adopt the ordinance approving Los Altos Police Policy 709 pertaining to the funding, acquisition and use of military equipment as mandated by Assembly Bill 481, and to approve the acquisition of new military equipment, removal of training items and addition of new uses for drones.
Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
14. Introduction of Ordinance - Underground Utilities
Introduce an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Los Altos Adding Chapter
11.25 Underground Utilities to Title 11 Miscellaneous Property Regulations of the Los Altos Municipal Code and find that this action is Exempt from Environmental Review Pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State Guidelines Implementing the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970
Nick Zornes, Assistant City Manager of Land Use, presented the report.
The following members of the public spoke regarding the item:
Les Poltrack
Gaurav Jain
City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
March 11, 2025
The City Council directed staff to conduct further research and determine if the item should return at a future meeting date.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS ONLY
There will be no discussion or action on Informational Items
COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS AND DIRECTIONS ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
15. Tentative Council Calendar and Housing Element Update Implementation Calendar
COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS AND DIRECTIONS ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Jonathan D. Weinberg, Councilmember – Requested a future agenda item:
Discuss the raising of the Juneteenth and Progress Pride flags in June 2025 (Full support) ADJOURNMENT – The regular meeting adjourned at 12:10 a.m. on March 13, 2025.
The meeting minutes were prepared by Melissa Thurman, City Clerk, for approval at the regular meeting on March 25, 2025. _________________________________ __________________________________ Pete Dailey Melissa Thurman, MMC Mayor City Clerk
The March 11, 2025, 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 in these minutes was live at the time the minutes were published.