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MONTE SERENO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
7:00 p.m.
March 28, 2023
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
At approximately 7:03 p.m., Mayor Mekechuk called the meeting to order.
Councilmember Turner stated participating at tonight's meeting remotely under Emergency Circumstance.
By unanimous vote the Council approved Councilmember Turner to participate in the meeting remotely under Emergency Circumstance.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Acting Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Captain Nylander conducted the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present – Chambers: Councilmember Craig, Councilmember Ellahie, Vice Mayor Wolsheimer and Mayor Mekechuk
Present – Remote: Councilmember Turner
Staff: City Manager Leonardis, Assistant City Attorney Bazzano, Finance Officer Samoranos, City Planner Perkins and City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica
ORDERS OF THE DAY
Mayor Mekechuk stated receiving a message from Ryan Coonery stating he was unavailable for his presentation of this evening.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Monte Sereno Police Services Presentation Report July 2022-December 2022 by Chief of Police Jaime Field and Acting Captain Nylander.
Mayor Mekechuk opened the item for Public Comment.
Public Comment
Former Mayor Shawn Leuthold
With no one else wishing to speak, Public Comment was closed.
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2. City of San Jose – Intergovernmental Affairs Presentation by Ryan Coonerty CANCELLED
PRESENTATION
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Vidya Rangasayee spoke on the recent power outages that lasted over 55 hours and the difficulties it caused to many Monte Sereno residents. Resident Rangasayee expressed PG&E failed its customers and questioned what cities and counties are doing to hold PG&E accountable.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approve the Minutes of the March 7, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting
2. Approve Warrant List Dated March 21, 2023 in the amount $72,945.95 MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Craig to approve the Consent Calendar.
Seconded by Vice Mayor Wolsheimer.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously. (5-0-0)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Introduction and waiver of first reading of Ordinance No. NS-234, and ordinance of the City Council of the City of Monte Sereno Amending Section 10.01.020 (Definitions – Specific Terms) Mayor Mekechuk read a public comment received by Former Mayor Lawler into the record.
City Planner Perkins provided a staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Mayor Mekechuk opened the item for Public Comment.
Public Comment
Stanley Watt
Michael Benison
Former Mayor Shawn Leuthold
With no one else wishing to speak, Public Comment was closed.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Craig to move the Introduction and waiver of first reading of Ordinance No. NS-234, and ordinance of the City Council of the City of Monte Sereno Amending Section 10.01.020 (Definitions – Specific Terms) to another meeting for continuation. Seconded by Vice Mayor Wolsheimer.
VOTE: Motion passed. (3-2-0 Noes: Ellahie, Turner)
Council directed staff to (1) analyze structural coverage and recommend changes to the structural coverages that would compensate for the removal of swimming pools from structural coverage by appropriate reduction in the impervious coverage to allow the absorption of water into the underground aquifers to maintain sufficient water in the City; and (2) collaborate with DocuSign Envelope ID: 9991E044-89A4-4452-B989-DA67DA3918F8 $bf26cfb6ff5a$CD87BA26353D4E4B8AEFAC3914143C47.docx
Former Mayor Shawn Leuthold in reviewing alternatives and performing coverage calculations.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Discuss Installation of a Neighborhood Incident Command Post (NICP) for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
City Manager Leonardis provided a staff report.
Discussion commenced.
Mayor Mekechuk opened the item for Public Comment.
Public Comment
Edgardo Laber
Stanley Watt
Omar Billawala
With no one else wishing to speak, Public Comment was closed.
Council directed staff to bring this item back in a future meeting (in 60 days or so) after gathering more information or alternatives.
2. Consideration of Two (2) Applications to Fill One (1) Vacancy on the Monte Sereno Better Streets Commission for an Unexpired Term Ending December 31, 2023 Councilmember Craig recused himself because he has a professional relationship with one of the applicants.
City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica provided a staff report.
Applicant Omar Billawala spoke.
Discussion commenced. Vice Mayor Wolsheimer stated that having Commissioners from various neighborhoods in Monte Sereno would bring a full perspective on the streets to the Better Streets Commission as compared to having Commissioners concentrated in a smaller geographic area. Mayor Mekechuk thanked the three qualified candidates for their interest in volunteering to serve on the Better Streets Commission.
Mayor Mekechuk opened the item for Public Comment. Since there was no one wishing to speak, the Public Comment was closed.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Wolsheimer to Appoint Omar Billawala to Fill the One Vacancy on the Monte Sereno Better Streets Commission. Seconded by Councilmember Ellahie.
VOTE: Motion passed. (3-1-1 Noes: Turner, Abstain: Craig)
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
Councilmember Craig reported on the Youth Commission meeting held earlier this month. He shared KCAT presented at the meeting and extended an invitation to the Youth Commission to participate in a media project around Monte Sereno.
Mayor Mekechuk stated the Youth Commission will be starting recruitment.
Councilmember Ellahie reported in his last meeting with the Cities Association, they went through upcoming housing bills. He also spoke on two bills sponsored by Valley Water. AB 939 (Pellerin) DocuSign Envelope ID: 9991E044-89A4-4452-B989-DA67DA3918F8 $bf26cfb6ff5a$CD87BA26353D4E4B8AEFAC3914143C47.docx
Smart Financing for Valley Water Infrastructure and AB 1469 (Kalra) Valley Water – Assisting Unsheltered People. Councilmember Ellahie expressed some concerns around bill AB 1469 (Kalra) Valley Water – Assisting Unsheltered People.
Councilmember Turner stated nothing to report.
Vice Mayor Wolsheimer reported on the Silicon Valley Animal Control meeting and explained it was mainly a financial meeting. There was discussion on increases on the Fee Schedule and discussion on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. This was their first in-person meeting in 3 years.
Mayor Mekechuk stated having nothing to report on the Cities Association - City Selection Committee. The Valley Transportation Authority Policy Advisory Committee meets next month in April. Unfortunately, neither Councilmember Craig nor the Mayor could attend the last meeting.
West Valley Clean Water Authority Board and West Valley Solid Waste Joint Management Authority meet on the same day and the next meeting is in the first week of May; therefore, there was nothing to report on either of them. For Association of Bay Area Governments, there was nothing to report.
Mayor Mekechuk shared he is now on the Santa Clara County Recycling and Solid Waste Reduction Commission. Next meeting is going to be next month in Morgan Hill. Mayor Mekechuk plans on hosting a remote meeting from the Monte Sereno Council Chambers.
The Mayors of Santa Clara County are asking for signatures from all Mayors but, before that, Mayor Mekechuk would like to have Ryan Coonery present to the Council and ensure consent from all Councilmembers.
West Valley Mayors & Managers met last week. During this meeting, there was discussion on concealed carry. Mayor Mekechuk would like City Manager Leonardis to coordinate with Town Manager Prevetti to ensure Monte Sereno is moving in the same direction as Los Gatos.
Lastly, Mayor Mekechuk reported on the Community Center Committee that met this morning. The Committee discussed coming back to have the Committee talk about the finalization of what the design is for the Community Center and having the Committee then present to the City Council.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Councilmember Turner would like a report on the See-Click-Fix.
Councilmember Ellahie would like the Council to be part of the Chefs of Compassion event hosted by West Valley Community Services, next year. Councilmember Ellahie sent an invitation to all City Councilmembers, but tickets were sold out. He encouraged Monte Sereno Councilmembers to attend this function next year.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Leonardis gave a friendly reminder to the Council of this upcoming Saturday, April 1, 2023, Special Meeting for the Annual Goal Setting Session. Also, he shared that the Social Justice Award has been launched to the community for applications.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Ellahie would like to invite the service provider for Monte Sereno’s water needs to a future meeting to touch on the topic of swimming pool water usage.
Councilmember Turner stated she is interested in seeing a report on the Builders Remedy Act.
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Mayor Mekechuk would like an analysis of cash balances and short-term investments, and involvement of the Ad Hoc Finance Committee on this matter.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:14 p.m.
Bryan Mekechuk, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
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