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MONTE SERENO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
7:00 p.m.
August 15, 2023
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
At approximately 7:06 p.m., Mayor Mekechuk called the meeting to order.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Craig conducted the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present – Chambers: Councilmember Craig, Councilmember Ellahie, Councilmember Turner, Vice Mayor Wolsheimer and Mayor Mekechuk
Absent: None
Staff: City Attorney Powell, City Planner Perkins, Finance Officer Samoranos, City Engineer/ Public Works Director Jordan, City Manager Leonardis and City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica
ORDERS OF THE DAY
Mayor Mekechuk requested Item #1 under New Business be moved up after Public Hearing.
Councilmember Criag requested Item #2 under New Business be moved up right after #1 under New Business.
ANNOUCEMENTS
Mayor Mekechuk recognized the tragedy that occurred on Maui in Lahaina and expressed condolences to the people on behalf of the City of Monte Sereno.
Ken Toren, Chief Executive Officer of the Santa Clara Red Cross spoke on the help being provided in Hawaii due to the wildfires. Currently financial support is being requested, as it’s best used where it is needed the most and can be used right away. Ken also spoke on the blood drives and encourages folks to donate.
Mayor Mekechuk shared that he attended the PG&E Open House this afternoon in the Town of Los Gatos. There were 16 PG&E subject matter experts to talk about the power outages that Monte Sereno and other neighboring cities have experienced. Mayor Mekechuk expressed his appreciation for this informative meeting.
Mayor Mekechuk also congratulated City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica for earning her designation as a DocuSign Envelope ID: A998505A-F322-46A5-8AB6-6BD907BB29D3 $4b90066eb391$E9031EF8042E4AEE8CE4C6BABC30E9DB.docx
notary.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Former Mayor Allan spoke on how the City of Monte Sereno can be more prepared than it is today for an emergency. He would like to encourage Council to work with Caltrans and with the City of Saratoga to be able to remove the eucalyptus trees along Highway 9 and replace them with something that isn’t incendiary to help make the City of Monte Sereno as safe as possible.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
CONSENT CALENDAR (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION
1. Approve the Minutes of the August 1, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting
2. Approve Warrant List Dated August 15, 2023 in the Amount $138,086.54
3. Accept the Treasurer's Report for the Period Ending April 30, 2023
4. Adoption of Resolution Establishing and Fixing the Amount of Special Real Property Tax Levy for Police Protection Purposes for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Mayor Mekechuk opened the Consent Calendar for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Mekechuk closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Ellahie to approve the Consent Calendar.
Seconded by Vice Mayor Wolsheimer.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Consider Application 2023-3049 for a Use Permit at 18041 Saratoga Los Gatos Road to allow an existing building to be used as a community center and determine that the project is exempt from CEQA per CEQA Guidelines section 15303 – New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures
City Planner Perkins provided a staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Discussion commenced.
Mayor Mekechuk opened the item for Public Hearing.
Public Comment
Resident Mellissa Toren
With no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Mekechuk closed the Public Hearing.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Ellahie to Adopt the draft Resolution and approve Application 2023-3049 for a Use Permit at 18041 Saratoga Los Gatos Road to allow an existing building to be used as a community center and determine that the project is exempt from CEQA per CEQA Guidelines section 15303. Seconded by Vice Mayor Wolsheimer.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
NEW BUSINESS
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1. Discuss and Consider Nominees for Monte Sereno Citizen of the Year Nominee(s) and Make Appointment
City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica provided a staff report.
Councilmember Craig stated requesting to withdraw his nomination for the Citizen of the Year.
Discussion commenced.
Nominator Councilmember Criag spoke on his reason for nominating resident Mellissa Toren.
Nominee Spoke
Mellissa Toren
Mayor Mekechuk opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Mekechuk closed the Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Craig to appoint Mellissa Toren for Monte Sereno Citizen of the Year. Seconded by Councilmember Ellahie.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
2. Introduce an ordinance titled “An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Monte Sereno Amending Title 4, By Adding Chapter 4.22 Establishing The City’s Concealed Carry Firearm Licensing Process And Prohibiting The Carry Of Firearms In Sensitive Places.” City Attorney Powell provided a staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Captain Clinton Tada was present to assist with questions from the Council.
Discussion commenced.
Mayor Mekechuk opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Mekechuk closed the Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Craig to Introduce an ordinance titled “An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Monte Sereno Amending Title 4, By Adding Chapter 4.22 Establishing The City’s Concealed Carry Firearm Licensing Process And Prohibiting The Carry Of Firearms In Sensitive Places” and wave the reading therefore. Seconded by Vice Mayor Wolsheimer.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-1 Abstain: Turner)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Introduction and Waiver of First Reading of Ordinance No. NS-236, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Monte Sereno Amending Section 9.07.040 (Mechanical Blowers – When Prohibited for Contractors) and Repealing Section 9.07.050 (Mechanical Blowers – When Prohibited for Homeowners and Tenants) to Revise the Allowable Hours for Leaf Blower Usage City Planner Perkins provided a staff report.
Discussion commenced.
Mayor Mekechuk opened the item for Public Comment.
Public Comment
Jo
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With no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Mekechuk closed the Public Comment.
The Council suggested this item be continued at in the 2nd meeting in the month of October and have Silicon Valley Clean Energy attend the meeting.
1. Update from Public Works Director/City Engineer on Capital Projects Public Works Director/City Engineer Jordon provided an update report on the S-Curve, the Community Center project and GSI project.
Discussion commenced.
Mayor Mekechuk opened the item for Public Comment.
Public Comment Received from:
Resident Shannon
With no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Mekechuk closed the Public Comment.
Informational only. No action was taken.
NEW BUSINESS
3. Designation of Voting Delegates and Alternates
City Manager Leonardis provided a staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Discussion commenced.
Mayor Mekechuk opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Mekechuk closed the Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Craig to appoint Mayor Mekechuk as the voting delegate and Councilmember Craig as the voting alternate to attend the League of California Cities 2023 Annual Conference. Seconded by Vice Mayor Wolsheimer.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
Councilmember Craig stated having nothing to report.
Councilmember Ellahie stated having nothing to report.
Councilmember Turner stated having nothing to report.
Vice Mayor Wolsheimer stated having nothing to report.
Mayor Mekechuk shared that he submitted a written report that is attached to the agenda.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Councilmember Craig would like for the City Clerk to look into having the agenda items numbered consecutively on the agenda.
Mayor Mekechuk shared he has been working with City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica and under Councils authority inviting elected officials. He shared the theme for this year’s picnic is Building Community in Monte Sereno. The vision for the picnic is to formally recognize the Citizen of the Year and the recipient of the Social Justice Award. He would also like to recognize elected officials and the City Service Providers.
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CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Leonardis did a friendly reminder on the upcoming City Picinic scheduled for Sunday, August 27, 2023 from 11:30am to 2pm. Many community partners as well as local officials will be attending. Lastly, he shared City Engineer Don was in communication with Caltrans regarding Highway 9 and getting it cleaned up.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Vice Mayor Wolsheimer addressed former Mayor Allan’s comment on Highway 9. He believes there is a disaster waiting to happen. He would like to know how the City of Monte Sereno can address this. A combined effort between the Town of Los Gatos, City of Saratoga, City of Monte Sereno, PG&E and Caltrans is needed. He would like to request this be forwarded onto a future agenda.
Councilmember Craig would like a discussion on alternative safety exiting routes from City of Monte Sereno onto a future agenda.
Councilmember Ellahie agrees with Councilmember Craig.
Mayor Mekechuk would like to have staff review Highway 9 as an escape route, including how Cal fire would stage equipment while there is a high-risk wildfire condition. Mayor Mekechuk would like staff to present a staff report to better understand how to work with Caltrans and PG&E reduce eucalyptus trees as fire hazards.
Councilmember Turner stated she would like the City to revisit the topic on the NICP. She suggested the City not only look into wildfires but earthquakes too.
ADJOURN
Mayor Mekechuk adjourned the meeting at approximately 9:15 p.m.
Bryan Mekechuk, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
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