CITY OF LOS ALTOS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 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 Councilmembers were present.
PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG – Neysa Fligor, Vice Mayor, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION
There was no report from the Closed Session meeting of May 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
CHANGES TO THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
There were no changes to the order of the agenda.
SPECIAL ITEMS
Present Awards to the 2025 Margaret Thompson Essay Contest Winners Pete Dailey, Mayor, presented awards to the 2025 Margaret Thompson Essay Contest Winners.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
The following members of the public spoke during public comment:
• Sergio Jimenez
• Connie Miller
• Maria Bautista
• Pierre Bedard
CONSENT CALENDAR
Pete Dailey, Mayor, pulled Item 3 of the Consent Calendar for a separate vote and moved it to be discussed directly following the Consent Calendar.
The following members of the public spoke regarding items on the Consent Calendar:
• Connie Miller (Item 10)
• Linda Ziff (Item 10)
• Myra Orta (Item 10)
• Carl Orta (Item 10)
• Jeanine Valadez (Item 4)
Motion by Lang and Second by Fligor to approve the Consent Calendar, excluding Item 3.
Motion carried unanimously by electronic vote.
City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 13, 2025
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes
Approve the Draft Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of April 22, 2025
2. Adoption of Resolution - Accept COPS Grant Funding
Adopt a Resolution and Accept grant funding from the Citizens Option for Public Safety/Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund (COPS/SLESF) and authorize revenue and allocate it to the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund for Fiscal Year 2024–25
4. Adoption of Resolution - Special Event Sponsorship Policy Adopt a Resolution Creating a Special Events Sponsorship Policy and Process The City Council made a motion to reconsider Item 4 of the Consent Calendar after it was approved. This action rescinded the approval of the item Motion by Dailey and Second by Fligor to reconsider Item 4 from the Consent Calendar, which was previously approved. Motion carried 4-1 by roll call vote with Councilmember Lang opposed.
The City Council directed the City Attorney to draft changes to the Resolution creating a Special Events Sponsorship Policy and Process, and return the item for adoption at a future Council meeting.
5. Adoption of Resolution - Solid Waste Collection Rates Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the increase of Solid Waste Collection Rates by 4.86%, effective July 1, 2025. The adoption of increased rates is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15273(a), in that CEQA does not apply to actions to set rates, tolls, fares, or other charges
6. Approval of Ad-Hoc Committee
Approve the formation of a City Council Ad-Hoc Committee for a Firearms Buyback Program
7. Adoption of Resolution - Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to execute the First Amendment to the Agreement for Countywide Household Hazardous (HHW) Waste Collection Program and Countywide AB 939 Implementation Fee with the County of Santa Clara on behalf of the City. Approval of the First Amendment to the Agreement for Countywide HHW Collection Program is exempt from environmental review under the Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15273(a) of the CEQA Guidelines because CEQA does not apply to the establishment, modification, structuring, restructuring, or City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 13, 2025
approval of rates, tolls, fares, and other charges by public agencies which the public agency finds are for the purpose of meeting operating expenses
8. Adoption of Resolution - Reject All Bids for Sanitary Sewer Video Inspection Project
Adopt a Resolution to Reject all bids for the Sanitary Sewer Video Inspection, Project WW-0101, at the City Council’s direction and authorize the City Manager to direct staff to rebid project. The proposed project is categorically exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301.b, involving the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public sewerage involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use
9. Introduction of Ordinance - Fire Hazard Severity Zones Waive First Reading and Introduce an Ordinance to Designate Fire Hazard Severity Zones
10. Status Update - Gas Powered Leaf Blowers
Receive status update regarding gas-powered leaf blower use within the City of Los Altos
DISCUSSION ITEM
3. Adoption of Resolution - Special Event Sponsorship
Adopt a Resolution Repealing Resolution No. 2015-23 and Approve Special Event Sponsorship Levels Pursuant to Los Altos Municipal Code Section 9.25.100 Motion by Weinberg and Second by Dailey to continue the item to a future meeting date.
Motion carried by roll call vote.
This item was moved from the Consent Calendar.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
11. Introduction of Ordinances - Sherwood Specific Plan Three separate actions for Council consideration:
Waive first reading and Introduce Ordinances, and consider the unanimous recommendation of the Los Altos Planning Commission April 3, 2025 decision of:
a. An Ordinance of the Los Altos City Council of the City of Los Altos Amending Chapter 14.50 of the Los Altos Municipal Code; and
City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 13, 2025
b. An Ordinance of the Los Altos City Council of the City of Los Altos Repealing in its Entirety the Sherwood Gateway Specific Plan of the Los Altos Municipal Code; and
c. An Ordinance of the Los Altos City Council of the City of Los Altos Amending Chapter 14.88 of the Los Altos Municipal Code and Rezoning Certain Parcels Located along San Antonio Road and El Camino Real in the City of Los Altos to Commercial Thoroughfare (CT) Zoning District; and
Find that the proposed zone change and amendments are exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15183 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines since the zone change and amendments are consistent with the adopted General Plan
Nick Zornes, Assistant City Manager, presented the report.
Pete Dailey, Mayor, opened the Public Hearing.
The following members of the public spoke during the public hearing:
• Udom Dwivedi
• Ruby Huo
Pete Dailey, Mayor, closed the Public Hearing.
Motion by Weinberg and Second by Dailey to waive the first reading and introduce an Ordinance of the Los Altos City Council of the City of Los Altos, by title only, Amending Chapter 14.50 of the Los Altos Municipal Code, and find that the proposed zone change and amendments are exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15183 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines since the zone change and amendments are consistent with the adopted General Plan. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Motion by Weinberg and Second by Dailey to waive the first reading and introduce an Ordinance of the Los Altos City Council of the City of Los Altos, by title only, Repealing in its Entirety the Sherwood Gateway Specific Plan of the Los Altos Municipal Code, as amended with the Council Q&A, and find that the proposed zone change and amendments are exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15183 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines since the zone change and amendments are consistent with the adopted General Plan. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Motion by Weinberg and Second by Dailey to waive the first reading and introduce an Ordinance of the Los Altos City Council of the City of Los Altos, as amended and by title only, Amending Chapter 14.88 of the Los Altos Municipal Code and Rezoning Certain Parcels Located along San Antonio Road and El Camino Real in the City of Los Altos to Commercial Thoroughfare (CT) Zoning District, and find that the proposed zone change and amendments are exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15183 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines since the zone change and amendments are consistent with the adopted General Plan. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 13, 2025
The City Council took a recess at 8:39 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 8:50 p.m.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
12. Non-Profit and Civic Organization Contributions FY 25-26 Review non-profit and civic organization contribution applications and direct staff to incorporate funding into the budget for FY25-26
Anthony Carnesecca, Assistant to the City Manager, presented the report.
The following members of the public spoke regarding the project:
• Abi Karlin-Resnick
• Maddy McBirney
• Karen Zucker
• Alis Whitman
• Leslie Carmichael
• Jeanine Valadez
• Marc Sidel
Through a motion, the Council provided funding to the following non-profit organizations:
Motion by Dailey and Second by Fligor to authorize funding of $5,500 for Compassion Week.
Motion carried 3-2 by roll call vote with Councilmembers Meadows and Weinberg opposed.
Motion by Lang and Second by Fligor to authorize funding of $27,920 for the Los Altos Chamber Foundation, for one year. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Motion by Dailey and Second by Lang to authorize funding for the Los Altos Mountain View Community Foundation. Motion carried 3-2 by roll call vote with Councilmembers Fligor and Meadows opposed.
Motion by Dailey and Second by Lang to re-consider the motion for funding for the Los Altos Mountain View Community Foundation. Motion carried 4-1 by roll call vote with Mayor Dailey opposed.
Motion by Meadows and Second by Fligor to authorize funding of $5,500 to the Los Altos Mountain View Community Foundation. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS ONLY
There will be no discussion or action on Informational Items
13. Tentative Council Calendar and Housing Element Update Implementation Calendar City of Los Altos
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
May 13, 2025
COUNCIL/STAFF REPORTS AND DIRECTIONS ON FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT – The regular meeting adjourned at 10:34 p.m.
The meeting minutes were prepared by Melissa Thurman, City Clerk, for approval at the regular meeting on May 27, 2025.
_________________________________ __________________________________ Pete Dailey Melissa Thurman, MMC
Mayor City Clerk
The May 13, 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.
Melissa Thurman (Jun 10, 2025 10:17 PDT)