MONTE SERENO CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
7:00 p.m.
December 6, 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 Leuthold, Councilmember Lawler
Mayor Pro Tempore Mekechuk and Mayor Ellahie
Absent: Councilmember Turner
Staff Present: City Manager Leonardis, City Attorney Rudin, Finance Officer Samoranos, City Planner Perkins and City Clerk Langarica-Gonzalez
Absent: None
ORDERS OF THE DAY
There were none.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
There were none.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
There were none.
CONSENT CALENDAR (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Consider and Adopt Resolution Extending Teleconferencing of City Council Meetings Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953 (AB 361)
2. Approve the Minutes of the November 15, 2022 Special and Regular City Council Meeting DocuSign Envelope ID: 2142E11A-B54C-4BD1-87F1-5D4F18CD118F
3. Approve Warrant List Dated December 6, 2022 in the Amount $66,813.00
4. Approve the attached response letter to the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury Final Report, "If You Only Read the Ballot, You're Being Duped."
5. Approve a Three Year Contract for Audit Services with Maze & Associates Accounting Corporation for FY 2021-22 Through 2024-25 In Amount of $93,600 Mayor Ellahie made a recognition to the efforts of the City to have the ADU letters of interest from residents. The City waved 50 percent of the permit fees for a resident how has agreed to build an ADU to help meet the State requirements.
Mayor Pro Tempore Mekechuk wanted to disclose that the Finance Committee reviewed the applications and agreed with staffs’ recommendation on the change of Auditors included in the Consent Calendar.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Lawler to approve the Consent Calendar.
Seconded by Councilmember Leuthold.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-1) (Councilmember Turner Absent)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were none.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There were none.
NEW BUSINESSS
1. Approve Additional Appropriations for 2022 Annual Pavement Improvement Project for $20,529 and Authorize City Manager to Execute Any Required Change Orders.
City Manager Leonardis provided a staff report.
Discussion commenced with regards to the report.
Mayor Ellahie opened item for Public Comment. Since there was no one wishing to speak, the Public Comment was closed.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Leuthold to Approve Additional Appropriations for 2022 Annual Pavement Improvement Project for $20,529 and Authorized City Manager to Execute Any Required Change Orders.
Seconded by Councilmember Lawler.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-1) (Councilmember Turner Absent)
2. Appointment of Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica to Position of City Clerk Mayor Ellahie administered the Oath to Appointment City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 2142E11A-B54C-4BD1-87F1-5D4F18CD118F
3. Recognition of and Remarks from Outgoing City Councilmembers Mayor Ellahie recognized both Councilmember Leuthold and Councilmember Lawler for their service and commitment to the City of Monte Sereno.
An award was also presented to both Councilmember Leuthold and Councilmember Lawler on behalf of Supervisor Simitian.
Remarks by Outgoing Councilmember Leuthold
Councilmember Leuthold thanked his fellow Councilmembers and City staff.
Remarks by Outgoing Councilmember Lawler
Councilmember Lawler expressed it being an honor and a pleasure serving the City of Monte Sereno. Spoke with regards to accomplishment of the Council and thanked the Councilmembers and staff and wished the incoming Council success.
Mayor Pro Tempore Mekechuk provided remarks.
4. Administration of Oath of Office and Seating of Newly Elected City Councilmembers City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica administered the Oath to Newly Elected Councilmember Craig, Wolsheimer and Ellahie.
Mayor Ellahie welcomed Councilmember Craig and Councilmember Wolsheimer.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmember Craig, Councilmember Wolsheimer
Mayor Pro Tempore Mekechuk and Mayor Ellahie
Absent: Councilmember Turner
5. City Council Reorganization
Election of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore
Councilmember Wolsheimer nominated Mayor Pro Tempore Mekechuk as Mayor.
VOTE: Mayor Pro Tempore Mekechuk was elected to serve as Mayor. (4-0-1) (Councilmember Turner Absent)
Mayor Mekechuk presented Councilmember Ellahie with a plaque. Councilmember Ellahie was thanked for his leadership and accomplishments in his year as Mayor.
Mayor Mekechuk nominated Councilmember Wolsheimer as Mayor Pro Tempore.
VOTE: Councilmember Wolsheimer was elected to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore. (4-0-1) (Councilmember Turner Absent)
DocuSign Envelope ID: 2142E11A-B54C-4BD1-87F1-5D4F18CD118F Remarks by Outgoing Mayor
Councilmember Ellahie provided remarks.
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
Mayor Mekechuk shared that at the West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority staff recommended entering into a 10 year contract for the hauling of waste and recycling in the four jurisdiction which are Los Gatos, Saratoga, Monte Sereno and Campbell. There will be an approximate 6% increase in July of 2023. After that, the other increases will be less than inflation.
He also shared going last Wednesday to the ribbon cutting for solar farm that will be providing electricity to Silicon Valley Clean Energy.
Councilmember Ellahie stated not having anything to report on this committees/commissions.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
There were none.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Leonardis spoke in regards to the efforts of the Monte Sereno Youth Commission and Councilmembers that attended the Annual Los Gatos Christmas Parade in the rain. He also recognized staff members that assisted with assembling the floats.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Mekechuk stated that in the upcoming meeting, the Committees and JPAs would be looked to being assigned to Councilmembers. Also, in the upcoming meeting there will be discussion of the 2023 City Council meeting schedule.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:55 p.m.
Bryan Mekechuk, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
DocuSign Envelope ID: 2142E11A-B54C-4BD1-87F1-5D4F18CD118F