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MONTE SERENO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
7:00 p.m.
June 4, 2024
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
At approximately 7:01 p.m., Mayor Wolsheimer called the meeting to order.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
FireSafe Council CEO, Seth Schalet, lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present – Chambers: Councilmember Turner, Councilmember Ellahie, Councilmember Mekechuk, Vice Mayor Craig and Mayor Wolsheimer
Present – Remote: None
Absent: None
Staff: City Engineer/Public Works Director Jordan, City Clerk GonzalezLangarica, Finance Officer Samoranos, City Manager Leonardis, City Attorney Powell
Staff – Remote: None
ORDERS OF THE DAY
Mayor Wolsheimer requested to move Oral Communications right after Orders of the Day and reopen it after today’s presentation.
Council agreed.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Patrick Kearns expressed gratitude to the City of Monte Sereno for supporting the volunteer organization WRATES - Water Rate Advocates for Transparency, Equity and Sustainability. He shared in front of Council this evening, requesting that citizens address the Commissioner and Administrative Law Judge in a public participation hearing happening on June 13, 2024, so that the CPU (Public Utilities Commission) can gather opinions about a request from San Jose Water Company to increase their water rates.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5D0F1B67-848E-4D40-819D-56BC98AB25E2 $08c8e4df1d08$F350882373244E6CA3ED0692B47EA77E.docx Page 2 Councilmember Ellahie shared the Cities Association is hosting their Annual Summer Membership Event on June 6th and would like all Council to attend as it is in collaboration with El Camino Heatlh on mental health and how to help address mental health in communities.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Santa Clara County FireSafe Council presentation by FireSafe Council CEO Schalet and FireSafe Council Program Director Cannon.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
2. Approve the Minutes of the May 7, 2024 and May 21, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting
3. Approve Warrant List Dated June 4, 2024 in the amount $135,125.44
4. Consideration of the Approval of an Updated Fee Schedule for User and Regulatory Fees
5. Review and Accept Biennial Review of the City of Monte Sereno's Conflict of Interest Code
6. Adopt a Resolution to Adopt a List of Projects for Fiscal Year 2024/25 Funded by SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017
Councilmember Ellahie pulled Item #4 and Item #6.
Mayor Wolsheimer opened the Consent Calendar for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Wolsheimer closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Mekechuk to approve Items #2 and #5 on the Consent Calendar. Seconded by Vice Mayor Craig.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Craig to approve Item #3 on the Consent Calendar.
Seconded by Councilmember Ellahie.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-1- Abstain: Mekechuk)
4. Consideration of the Approval of an Updated Fee Schedule for User and Regulatory Fees 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 Ellahie to Adopt a Resolution to Update the Fee Schedule for User and Regulatory Fees. Seconded by Council Mekechuk.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
6. Adopt a Resolution to Adopt a List of Projects for Fiscal Year 2024/25 Funded by SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5D0F1B67-848E-4D40-819D-56BC98AB25E2 $08c8e4df1d08$F350882373244E6CA3ED0692B47EA77E.docx Page 3 City Engineer/Public Works Director Jordan 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 Turner to Adopt a Resolution to Adopt the List of City Projects to be Funded in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/25 by SB 1: the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. Seconded by Councilmember Mekechuk.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
PUBLIC HEARING
None.
City Manager Leonardis suggested the Council move up Item #10 in consideration of Auditor Alvey’s time.
Council agreed.
NEW BUSINESS
10. Consider and Accept the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Audit Report Auditor Alvey provided a 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 Accept the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Audit Report. Seconded by Mayor Wolsheimer.
VOTE: Motion failed. (2-0-3 Abstain: Mekechuk, Ellahie, Turner) MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor to Accept the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Audit Report to understand where the deficiencies are and go forth and fix them. Seconded by Councilmember Turner.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-1 Abstain: Mekechuk)
City Manager Leonardis suggested a brief recess before proceeding with the meeting.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
7. Study Session #2 - Fiscal Year 2024 to 2026 Proposed Budget Finance Officer Samoranos provided a staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Discussion was held on the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2026 Budget.
Mayor Wolsheimer opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Wolsheimer closed Public Comment.
NEW BUSINESS
8. Consider and Appoint Members to the 2024-2025 Monte Sereno Youth Commission DocuSign Envelope ID: 5D0F1B67-848E-4D40-819D-56BC98AB25E2 $08c8e4df1d08$F350882373244E6CA3ED0692B47EA77E.docx Page 4 City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica was available for 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 Turner to Appoint the 5 Applicants to the 2024- 2025 Monte Sereno Youth Commission. Seconded by Vice Mayor Craig.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
9. Consider and Confirm the 2024 Monte Sereno Social Justice Award Winner Selected by the Monte Sereno Youth Commission
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 confirm the selection of the 2024 Monte Sereno Social Justice award winner selected by the Monte Sereno Youth Commission at their May 28, 2024 special meeting. Seconded by Councilmember Turner.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
10. Consider Resolution Setting Appropriation Limits for Fiscal Year 2024-25 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 Adopt a resolution setting the Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 based upon the Price Factor and Population data provided by the State of California Department of Finance. Seconded by Councilmember Turner.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-1)
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
Vice Mayor Craig stated nothing to report.
Councilmember Ellahie stated nothing to report.
Councilmember Turner reported San Jose/Santa Clara Sewer Treatment Plant TPAC operation increased their operating budget by 11.7%. The burden of this increase would fall on the residents of Monte Sereno, Los Gatos, Saratoga, members of the West Valley Sanitation District. However, WVSD is not raising rates this year and will absorb the cost to shield rate payers of Monte Sereno from TPAC’s cost increases.
Councilmember Mekechuk reported that the meeting for next week with the Valley Transportation Authority Advisory Committee can been canceled. West Valley Clean Water Authority is considering DocuSign Envelope ID: 5D0F1B67-848E-4D40-819D-56BC98AB25E2 $08c8e4df1d08$F350882373244E6CA3ED0692B47EA77E.docx Page 5 changing its name and that is in motion now. West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority had a recommended increase in rates that will be going onto two bills that are coming out in July. Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority is scheduled to meet next week, and Councilmember Mekechuk will be attending remotely.
Mayor Wolsheimer reported on Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority and how everything is set for Los Gatos to join the organization. There will be an update on the JPA and presented at the next City Council meeting, as all five cities will be taking this to their Councils for approval. Mayor Wolsheimer shared that he and City Manager Leonardis attended the League of California Cities a few weeks ago and the main topic was a $20 billion bond that the League wants to issue for affordable housing.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Councilmember Turner shared that Monte Sereno resident, Tracey Enfantino, and chair of the Silicon Valley Business PAC--the leading group advocating for local small and medium businesses--is supporting the Doan/Batra city homelessness audit.
Councilmember Mekechuk shared that the Finance Ad Hoc Committee will be having a meeting.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Leonardis reported that there were a couple new speed bumps installed on Daves Avenue and they seem to be working well. City Manager Leonardis also shared that the Cities Association dropped off a couple of signs for a new 988 Mental Health phone line. The public is welcome to come and request a sign.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Wolsheimer would like the Animal Control JPA agreement reviewed at the next city council meeting.
The Council would like to see the Finance Policy brought to the next city council meeting for review.
Mayor Wolsheimer opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Public Comment was closed. The City Council adjourned to Closed Session at approximately 11:33 p.m.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
12. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9
Case Name: Padgett v. Curtis Wright, et al. - United States District Court, Northern District of California - San Jose Division
Case No.: 5:04-cv-03946
Staff Present: City Attorney Powell, City Manager Leonardis
13. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Manager Leonardis
Staff Present: City Manager Leonardis, City Attorney Powell
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
The City Council reconvened to Open Session at approximately 11:50 p.m. with Mayor Wolsheimer, Vice Mayor Craig, Councilmember Mekechuk, Councilmember Turner and Councilmember Ellahie present
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CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Mayor Wolsheimer stated that there were no reportable actions.
ADJOURN
Mayor Wolsheimer adjourned the meeting at approximately 11:51 p.m.
Evert Wolsheimer, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
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