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MONTE SERENO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
7:00 p.m.
February 6, 2024
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
At approximately 7:03 p.m., Mayor Wolsheimer called the meeting to order.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2023 STEM Winners lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present – Chambers: Councilmember Turner, Councilmember Mekechuk, Councilmember Ellahie, Vice Mayor Craig and Mayor Wolsheimer Present – Remote: None
Absent: None
Staff: City Engineer/Public Works Director Jordan, City Clerk GonzalezLangarica, City Manager Leonardis, City Attorney Powell Staff – Remote: Finance Officer Samoranos
ORDERS OF THE DAY
Mayor Wolsheimer requested that announcements go before presentations at tonight’s meeting.
ANNOUCEMENTS
Mayor Wolsheimer announced the passing of long time Monte Sereno resident and former Mayor, Doctor Jack Lucas on January 25, 2024. It was shared that former Mayor Lucas served the City of Monte Sereno for 18 years as an elected member of the Monte Sereno City Council.
Councilmember Mekechuk and Mayor Craig spoke about fond memories of former Mayor Lucas. It was shared that the funeral will be held on February 17, 2024.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Presentation of Certificates of Recognition to 2023 STEM Winners from the City of Monte Sereno Mayor Wolsheimer recognized Yash Sharma, Mina Nakamura and Victoria Anderson as the 2023 STEM Winners from the City of Monte Sereno.
Each STEM Winner spoke about their project and received their recognition.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
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WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
2. Approve the Minutes of the January 16, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting
3. Approve Warrant List Dated February 6, 2024 in the amount $140,263.01 Mayor Wolsheimer opened the Consent Calendar for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Wolsheimer closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Craig to approve the Consent Calendar. Seconded by Councilmember Turner.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
4. Approve Resolution No. 1691.10 Modifying the City of Monte Sereno Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Public Meetings to Modernize Some Procedures and Make Other Changes City Manager Leonardis provided a staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Wolsheimer opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Wolsheimer closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Mekechuk to Approve Resolution No. 1691.10 Modifying the City of Monte Sereno Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Public Meetings to Modernize Some Procedures and Make Other Changes. Seconded by Vice Mayor Craig.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
NEW BUSINESS
5. Discuss and Provide Direction to Staff Regarding the Scope of the Community Center Project City Engineer/Public Works Director Jordan provided a staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Wolsheimer opened the item for Public Comment.
Public Comment Received
Resident Shannon
With no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Wolsheimer closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Craig to recommend that the 2024 design for the Community Center Project move forward to the bidding process. Seconded by Councilmember Ellahie.
VOTE: Motion passed. (3-2-0 Noes; Turner, Wolsheimer)
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6. Consider and Accept the City Manager's Quarterly Report Covering Dates 10/01/2023 Through 12/31/2023
City Manager Leonardis provided a staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Wolsheimer opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Wolsheimer closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Mekechuk to Accept the City Manager's Quarterly Report Covering Dates 10/01/2023 Through 12/31/2023.
Seconded by Councilmember Ellahie.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
Vice Mayor Craig shared that he attended the Santa Clara Library JPA and informed everyone the local libraries will be having an Educational Library Place Basis coming soon. It is expected they will all be done by the end of year 2025.
Councilmember Ellahie shared that he attended the Peninsula Division meeting where Senator Becker and Assemblymember Marc Berman were present and spoke about their priorities in the legislature. The four discussed priorities were homelessness, affordable housing, public safety transportation and climate. Councilmember Ellahie also shared that he attended the 2024 Mayors and Council Members Academy with the League of California Cities. He shared there are 105 cities in California with a population of less than 10,000 and expressed small cities aren’t represented well.
Lastly, he shared he will be attending in the upcoming Thursday a meeting with the Cities Association JPA.
Councilmember Turner stated having nothing to report.
Councilmember Mekechuk shared that VTA Policy Advisory Committee canceled their January meeting. Next meeting he had scheduled was for this upcoming Thursday and he will be reporting on the meeting at the next City Council meeting. West Valley Clean Water and West Valley Solid Waste met in the Monte Sereno Chambers last week. One of West Valley Clean Water initiatives is mapping out the storm water drains for all the West Valley Clean Water JPA jurisdiction. Regarding West Valley Solid Waste, there’s some bad news coming, in terms of rates going up. Councilmember Mekechuk shared that he was elected chair on both the West Valley Clean Water JPA and West Valley Solid Waste. Councilmember Mekechuk was also elected vice chair on the Executive Committee with Silicon Valley Clean Energy.
Mayor Wolsheimer shared that he attended the Silicon Valley Animal Control meeting a couple of weeks ago, but there was nothing to report. Mayor Wolsheimer expressed it’s a well-managed organization and he is happy to serve on the board. Mayor Wolsheimer reported the Santa Clara Valley Water District Commission met last week and shared there will be significant rate increases over the next couple of years.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Councilmember Mekechuk shared that the annual Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Foundation Police Officers Ball will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and encourages everyone to attend.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 027E74B3-7FE8-49D6-8FB8-5C06CCD68B11 $a401c5e708ac$DE8706C985F645D3B27FE47948A519A9.docx Page 4 Councilmember Ellahie suggested that all incoming emails from residents should be forwarded to the City Manager.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
None.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Vice Mayor Craig would like an agenda item to honor Former Mayor Jack Lucas.
Councilmember Ellahie would like to see a status report on the Housing Element.
ADJOURN
Mayor Wolsheimer adjourned the meeting in memory of Former Mayor Jack Lucas at approximately 9:10 p.m.
Evert Wolsheimer, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
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