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MONTE SERENO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
7:00 p.m.
November 7, 2023
Vice Mayor Wolsheimer stated participating in tonight's meeting remotely under “Just Cause” circumstance and confirmed there was nobody over the age of 18 in the same room as him.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
At approximately 7:15 p.m., Mayor Mekechuk called the meeting to order.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chief of Police Jamie Field conducted the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present – Chambers: Councilmember Turner, Councilmember Craig, Councilmember Ellahie and Mayor Mekechuk
Present – Remote: Vice Mayor Wolsheimer
Absent: None
Staff: City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica, City Manager Leonardis, City Attorney Powell, City Engineer/Public Works Director Jordan and Facility Manager/Special Projects Chaffin
Staff – Remote: Finance Officer Samoranos
ORDERS OF THE DAY
Considering the applicants appearing in person for this item and as a courtesy to them, Mayor Mekechuk requested Item #9 be moved after Written Communications.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Monte Sereno Police Services Presentation Report January - June 2023 by Chief of Police Jamie Field, and Detective Sergeant Bill Hoyt.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Mekechuk opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Mekechuk closed Public Comment.
The Council thanked Chief of Police Jamie Field and Detective Sergeant Bill Hoyt for this evening’s presentation and for protecting the community.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
$d3f3ff4478ba$18D4D42BA2304E87BB897D0E48D28BAC.docx Page 2 Public comments received from the following:
Former Mayor Jack Lucas
Chancellor of West Valley College, Bradley Davis
West Valley College President Dr. Taylor-Mendoza
Resident Phil Levine
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
9. Consideration of Three (3) Applications and Appointment to Fill Two (2) Vacancies on the Monte Sereno Site and Architectural Commission
City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica provided a staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Applicants that spoke:
Resident Tam
Resident Evans
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Mekechuk opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Mekechuk closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Ellahie to Appoint Resident Tam and Resident Evans to Fill Two (2) Vacancies on the Monte Sereno Site and Architectural Commission. Seconded by Councilmember Craig.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
CONSENT CALENDAR (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
2. Approve the October 17, 2023 Special City Council Meeting Minutes
3. Approve the October 17, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
4. Approve Warrant List Dated November 7, 2023 in the amount $239,529.36
5. Adoption of Ordinance No. NS-239, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Monte Sereno Amending Section 10.06.140 (Accessory Dwelling Units) to address comments received from the California Department of Housing and Community Development
6. Adoption of Ordinance No. NS-240, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Monte Sereno Amending Chapter 10.05 (Zoning District Regulations), Chapter 10.08 (Site Development Permits and Planned Development Permits), Chapter 10.15 (Tree Preservation), and Chapter 13.06 (Urban Lot Splits)
7. Acceptance of the John Steinbeck Arroyo de Ajo Sign and $5,000 to design and fabricate the display case inside the Community Center
City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica explained of amendments made to the meeting minutes presented in Item #3.
$d3f3ff4478ba$18D4D42BA2304E87BB897D0E48D28BAC.docx Page 3 Mayor Mekechuk opened the Consent Calendar for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Mekechuk closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Craig to approve the Consent Calendar with the amended meeting minutes. Seconded by Vice Mayor Wolsheimer.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
8. Council Direction Concerning the City's Ongoing Membership in the Cities Association of Santa Clara County
City Manager Leonardis provided a staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Cities Association Executive Director Shali Sirkay and Legal Counsel Jannie Quinn responded to questions from the Council.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Mekechuk opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Mekechuk closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Craig to authorize the City to enter the Joint Powers Authority of the Cities Association and authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement with the understanding that the City will reconsider its membership in July 2025. Seconded by Councilmember Ellahie.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-1-0 Noes: Turner)
10. Consideration of Three (3) Applications and Appointment to Fill Three (3) Vacancies on the Monte Sereno Better Streets Commission
City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica provided a staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Mekechuk opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Mekechuk closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Mayor Mekechuk to Appoint Resident Chaffin and Resident White to Fill Two (2) Vacancies on the Monte Sereno Better Streets Commission to serve a term ending December 31, 2025. Seconded by Councilmember Ellahie.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
Councilmember Craig recused himself due to a conflict of interest regarding his employment relationship with applicant Billawala.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Ellahie to Appoint Resident Billawala to Fill One $d3f3ff4478ba$18D4D42BA2304E87BB897D0E48D28BAC.docx Page 4 (1) Vacancy on the Monte Sereno Better Streets Commission to serve a term ending December 31, 2025. Seconded by Councilmember Turner.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-1 Recused: Craig)
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
Councilmember Craig shared that the Library JPA concluded their meetings for the year 2023. During their last meeting, financial reports were accepted, as they demonstrated that the Library JPA is doing financially well. Councilmember Craig also shared that the Youth Commission is scheduled to meet next week. The Youth Commission will be starting their Annual Drive for Coats and Cans soon and are excited with their participation in the Holiday parade. Discussion on a theme will be had in the upcoming meeting.
Councilmember Ellahie shared viewing a presentation from Silicon Valley on artificial intelligence.
Councilmember Ellahie expressed interest in having someone present on artificial intelligence in government proceedings and how it will help improve the government structure using artificial intelligence.
Councilmember Rowena stated having nothing to report.
Vice Mayor Wolsheimer recommended Councilmembers to read through the distributed material from the October 25, 2023 Valley Water meeting. He explained there are interesting presentations and website links.
Mayor Mekechuk provided City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica with a hard copy of his Committee and Commission Reports, which is attached to the minutes.
Mayor Mekechuk shared he has a VTA meeting later this week. Mayor Mekechuk shared he had a meeting with West Valley Clean Water and West Valley Solid Waste last week, where they conducted an evaluation of the Executive Director. Silicon Valley Clean Energy will be meeting tomorrow, and their legislative action platform is going to be reviewed. The West Valley Mayor and Managers met a couple weeks ago and have the next meeting the week after Thanksgiving. The Mayors of Santa Clara County met. Mayor Mekechuk also shared he met with Boy Scout Pack 556 in Chambers, which was filled with Cubs and their parents; he expressed it was wonderful to meet with such an enthusiastic group from our community. Finally, Mayor Mekechuk said he attended a ribbon cutting of a newly commissioned solar farm and storage facility in Nevada on behalf of Silicon Valley Clean Energy. Mayor Mekechuk found it fulfilling to see power purchase agreements that were entered into years ago coming online.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
None.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Leonardis did a friendly reminder the next City Council meeting is scheduled on December 5, 2023. The Los Gatos Holiday parade is on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.
More details will be emailed out.
Mayor Mekechuk shared the City’s parade entry will include Silicon Valley Clean Energy’s all electric Ford Lightning F-150 truck in the parade, as well as a resident’s all electric Rivan truck, underscoring $d3f3ff4478ba$18D4D42BA2304E87BB897D0E48D28BAC.docx Page 5 the City’s commitment to reducing GHG emissions.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.
ADJOURN
Mayor Mekechuk adjourned the meeting at approximately 10:02 p.m.
Bryan Mekechuk, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk