MONTE SERENO CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
7:00 p.m.
June 21, 2022
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
At approximately 7:00 p.m., Mayor Ellahie called the meeting to order.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Lawler conducted the Pledge of the Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmember Lawler, Councilmember Leuthold, Councilmember Turner, Mayor Pro Tempore Mekechuk, and Mayor Ellahie
Absent: None
Staff Present: City Manager Leonardis, City Attorney Rudin, Finance Officer Samoranos, City Planner Perkins, City Clerk Estabillo and Deputy City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica
Absent: None
ORDERS OF THE DAY
There were no changes.
PRESENTATIONS
There were no presentations.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Oral communications were provided by Ms. Philips and Philip Levine.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
There were none.
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CONSENT CALENDAR (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approve the Minutes of May 17, 2022 and June 7, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting
2. Approved the Warrant List Dated June 21, 2022, in the Amount of $97,440.04
3. Accept the Treasurer’s Report for the Period Ending April 30, 2022
4. Accept Revenues and Expenditures Report for the Month Ending April 30, 2022
5. Accept the Significant Full Year to Date Variances to Mid Year Budget Narrative for the Month Ending April 30, 2022
6. Accept the LAIF Investment Report for April 30, 2022
7. Authorize the City Manager to Submit Applications for the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) Cycle 3 to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) for Three Candidate Projects MOTION: Motion by Mayor Pro Tempore Mekechuk to approve the Consent Calendar as amended. Seconded by Councilmember Lawler.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously. (5-0-0)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were none.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There were none.
NEW BUSINESSS
2. Consider and Approve the First Amendment to Agreement Between the City of Monte Sereno and Steven Leonardis for Employment as City Manager
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Turner to approve the First Amendment to Agreement between City of Monte Sereno and Steven Leonardis for employment as City Manager. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Mekechuk.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously. (5-0-0)
4. Discussion and Provide Direction to the Mayor on the City of Monte Sereno’s Position on Legislation Being Considered by the Santa Clara County Cities Association Mayor Ellahie provided a report on the legislation being considered by the Santa Clara County Cities Association and stated at AB2181 (Berman) regarding Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Board of Directors has been withdrawn and will not considered by the Cities DocuSign Envelope ID: D05649F8-0104-48D9-A305-3AF3A95B088F Association.
By consensus, the Council agreed to oppose AB 2011 (Wicks) Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022; to oppose AB 2097 (Friedman) Residential and Commercial Development Parking Requirements; and to oppose SB 897 (Wieckowski) Accessory Dwelling Units
1. Consider and Approve Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Operating and Capital Budget and Adopt a Resolution Adopting the Proposed Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Operating and Capital Budget RESOLUTION NO. 22-3854
Finance Manager Reynold Samoranos presented the fiscal year 2022-2023 Operating and Capital Budget to the Council and discussion ensued.
MOTION: Motion by Mayor Pro Tempore Mekechuk to approve the FY2022-2023 Operating and Capital Budget. Seconded by Councilmember Lawler.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously. (4--1-0; Noes: Turner)
3. Discussion and Provide Direction to Staff Regarding Reducing Building Permit and Plan Check Fees for Accessory Dwelling Units When the Property Owner Has Formally Notified the City of Their Intention to Construct an Accessory Dwelling Unit for the Next RHNA Cycle City Planner Diana Perkins presented the staff report and discussion ensued.
Public Comment was received from D. Lively, Steven Walker, By consensus, the Council directed staff to reduce building permit and plan check fees for Accessory Dwelling Units and return to Council in a Special Meeting in July to consider staff’s recommendation.
5. Housing Element Update: Draft Programs and Project Schedule City Planner Diana Perkins provided the staff report and discussion ensued.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
The Council adjourned to Closed Session at approximately 8:45 p.m.
1. LIABILITY CLAIMS
(Government Code § 54956.95)
Claimant: Rowena Turner
Agency claimed against: City of Monte Sereno
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RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
The Council reconvened to Open Session at approximately 9:22 p.m. with Councilmember Leuthold, Councilmember Lawler, Mayor Pro Tempore Mekechuk, and Mayor Ellahie present.
REPORT ON ACTION TAKEN DURING CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Ellahie reported that the Council voted unanimously to reject the claim filed by Rowena Turner for untimely filing.
Mayor Ellahie also reported that Councilmember Turner recused herself from the Closed Session.
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
Councilmember Leuthold stated there was nothing to report for the Santa Clara County Library Joint Powers Authority (JPA) and spoke about the newsletters the JPA sends out. He also stated the Housing Ad Hoc Committee met but spoke about its meeting in a previous agenda item tonight.
Councilmember Lawler stated there is nothing to report.
Mayor Pro Tempore Mekechuk reported that he and Mayor Ellahie and Silicon Valley Clean Energy had a meeting to discuss a new grant program for the Annex. He also spoke about at Valley Transportation Authority for AB 2181.
Mayor Ellahie attended the Cities Association meeting held at the Winchester Mystery House. He reported that the West Valley Mayors and Managers meetings are now being held in person and that the City of Saratoga is this year.
Councilmember Turner attended the meeting at approximately 9:32 p.m. She reported that the Monte Sereno CERT group is holding a Neighborhood Watch meeting and stated that the proposed Community Center will not be used an Emergency Operations Center.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Mayor Pro Tempore Mekechuk congratulated Councilmember Lawler in her strong showing in the State Assembly race.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Leonardis thanked the Council for his pay increase in an earlier agenda item. He also reminded that the City Picnic is scheduled for August 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
There were none.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:41 p.m.
DocuSign Envelope ID: D05649F8-0104-48D9-A305-3AF3A95B088F Javed I. Ellahie, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Michelle Estabillo, City Clerk
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