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MONTE SERENO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
7:00 p.m.
February 20, 2024
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
At approximately 7:02 p.m., Mayor Wolsheimer called the meeting to order.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The City Council lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present – Chambers: Councilmember Mekechuk, Councilmember Ellahie, Vice Mayor Craig and Mayor Wolsheimer
Present – Remote: None
Absent: Councilmember Turner
Staff: City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica, City Manager Leonardis, City Attorney Powell
Staff – Remote: Finance Officer Samoranos
ORDERS OF THE DAY
None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Remembrance of Former Mayor, Doctor Jack Lucas
City Manager Leonardis introduced a short video honoring Former Mayor Lucas.
Mayor Wolsheimer invited the public to share a few words about Former Mayor Lucas.
Public Comment Received
Former Mayor Curtis Wright
Resident Melissa Torren
Former Councilmember Dave Backster
Former Mayor Liz Lawler
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Mayor Wolsheimer requested a brief recess after the presentation.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
2. Approve the Minutes of the February 6, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting
3. Approve Warrant List Dated February 20, 2024 in the amount $52,113.81
4. Accept the Treasurer's Report for the Period Ending October 31, 2023
5. 2023 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
6. Discussion and Consideration of a City of Monte Sereno Community Grants Deadline, Selection Dates, and Budget Amount
Mayor Wolsheimer requested that Item #6 be placed under New Business.
Councilmember Ellahie pulled Item #5.
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 Item #2 on the Consent Calendar.
Seconded by Councilmember Ellahie.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-1 Absent: Turner)
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Craig to approve Items #3 and #4 on the Consent Calendar. Seconded by Councilmember Ellahie.
VOTE: Motion passed. (2-0-1-1 Abstain: Mekechuk, Absent: Turner)
5. 2023 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
City Planner Perkins 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 Item #5 on the Consent Calendar. Seconded by Councilmember Ellahie.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-1 Absent: Turner)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
7. Application 2024-3009 for a Use Permit for exterior alterations to an existing house on the City’s historical inventory at 16202 Serena Vista Court. (CEQA: Exempt, Guidelines sections 15301) City Planner Perkins provided a staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Discussion ensued.
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Public Comment Received
Architect Alexandra Saikley
With no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Wolsheimer closed the Public Hearing.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Mekechuk to approve Application 2024-3009 for a Use Permit for exterior alterations to an existing house on the City’s historical inventory at 16202 Serena Vista Court. Seconded by Councilmember Ellahie.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-1 Absent: Turner)
8. Conduct a Public Hearing on the 2024 Weed Abatement Program and Adopt a Resolution Overruling Objections and Determining to Proceed with Weed Abatement City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica provided a staff report.
Weed Abatement Inspector Chris was present to answer questions from the Council.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Wolsheimer opened the Public Hearing. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Wolsheimer closed the Public Hearing.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Mekechuk to Conduct a Public Hearing on the 2024 Weed Abatement Program and Adopt a Resolution Overruling Objections and Determining to Proceed with Weed Abatement. Seconded by Vice Mayor Craig.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-1 Absent: Turner)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
6. Discussion and Consideration of a City of Monte Sereno Community Grants Deadline, Selection Dates, and Budget Amount
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 Vice Mayor Craig to approve the City of Monte Sereno Community Grants deadline, Selection Dates, and Budget Amount as recommended by staff. Seconded by Councilmember Mekechuk.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-1 Absent: Turner)
9. Discuss and Provide Direction to Staff Regarding Possible Modifications to the Tree Preservation Ordinance
City Planner Perkins provided a staff report and answered questions from the Council.
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Mayor Wolsheimer opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Wolsheimer closed Public Comment.
Directions were provided to staff.
10. Discuss Hosting a City Picnic and Consider a Budget for the City Picnic 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 Ellahie to Approve hosting a City Picnic and allocating $20,000 for the event. Seconded by Vice Mayor Craig.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-1 Absent; Turner)
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
Vice Mayor Craig stated nothing to report.
Councilmember Ellahie stated nothing to report.
Councilmember Mekechuk shared the Valley Transportation Authority Advisory Committee had a closed session that had to do with security on the VTA properties and it was a very interesting, closed session. Councilmember Mekechuk reported he met with the new General Manager and Executive Director of West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority and stated new communication will be coming soon. Councilmember Mekechuk reported Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority has created several Ad Hoc Committees. He shared that he is serving on the Legislative Ad Hoc Committee and the Audit Ad Hoc Committee. He shared they have a new Director of Power Resource, Monica Padilla. He shared that she attended last year’s City Picnic.
Councilmember Mekechuk shared the Valley Transportation Authority Policy Advisory Committee had a closed session regarding security on VTA properties and it was an informative and interesting, closed session. Councilmember Mekechuk reported he met with the Executive Director of West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority and the new General Manager of West Valley Collection & Recycling, which is the hauler of waste in Monte Sereno. Communications are forthcoming regarding an increase in waste collection charges. Councilmember Mekechuk reported that he is on several committees of Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority. He shared that he is serving on the Legislative Ad Hoc Committee, he is Vice Chair of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Audit Committee. He further explained that SVCE’s current COO and Director of Power Resources, Monica Padilla, will become the CEO on April 1, 2024 and there is a new Director of Power Resources. He shared that Ms. Padilla attended last year’s City Picnic.
Mayor Wolsheimer shared he attended the Mayors of Santa Clara County last Friday where 13 Mayors attended. The topics of discussion were the statuses of their Housing Element and artificial intelligence (AI). San Jose is using AI to monitor their streets to help identify cracks and potholes, it looks to be a promising program. Cities also use AI for speech and grant writing. Another topic was that the Ninth Circuit rejected Berkeley’s natural gas ban. Palo Alto announced they are reverting back to their natural gas ban for certain buildings. It is unclear if Monte Sereno is ok or needs to change our policy.
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COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Councilmember Ellahie stated he would like the City Manager to participate in future meetings held by the Cities Association for City Managers.
Councilmember Mekechuk inquired what the deadline for submitting goals for the goal setting meeting is. Councilmember Mekechuk wanted to also remind the Community that the Police Foundation Fundraiser is coming up on March 3rd. Lastly, Councilmember Mekechuk shared that the Stars and Strides early reduced cost admission fee is tonight at midnight.
City Manager Leonardis set Tuesday, March 5th as the deadline for submittals of goals for the Goal Setting meeting.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Leonardis shared he met with the Santa Clara County Fire Department earlier this week and was given copies of their 75th yearbook that will be provided to each Councilmember. City Manager Leonardis also reported that at the last Youth Commission meeting, it was decided that the Youth Commission will be participating in a Community Cleanup Activity, “Keep Our City Pretty.” This will take place before Earth Day.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Vice Mayor Craig would like to give a report on a presentation he attended on Flock security cameras. He is also interested in possibly discussing a ban on artificial turf.
Councilmember Mekechuk shared San Jose Water Company has filed for a rate increase, and it is significant. He is interested in getting authorization from the City to speak on behalf of the City at the Public Participation Hearing.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council adjourned to Closed Session at approximately 9:46 p.m.
11. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Manager
Staff Present: City Manager Leonardis, City Attorney Powell
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
The City Council reconvened to Open Session at approximately 10:56 p.m. with Mayor Wolsheimer, Vice Mayor Craig, Councilmember Ellahie, and Councilmember Mekechuk present. (Absent:
Councilmember Turner)
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Mayor Wolsheimer opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Public Comment was closed.
Mayor Wolsheimer reported that a contract for the City Manager will be presented at the next City Council meeting for approval.
ADJOURN
Mayor Wolsheimer adjourned the meeting at approximately 10:57 p.m.
DocuSign Envelope ID: E15A83D8-A603-4D7A-8A70-9241D512B377 $86edf0228d87$2DE91C1CAD4F4C0190707F5E2FDF98D6.docx Page 6 Evert Wolsheimer, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
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