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MONTE SERENO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
7:00 p.m.
February 4, 2025
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
At approximately 7:00 p.m., Mayor Craig called the meeting to order.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Council lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present – Chambers: Councilmember Shannon, Councilmember Wolsheimer, Councilmember Mekechuk, Vice Mayor Ellahie and Mayor Craig Present – Remote: None
Absent: None
Staff: City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica, Interim City Manager/City Planner Perkins and City Attorney Powell
Staff – Remote: None
ORDERS OF THE DAY
None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Mekechuk announced the passing of Former Councilmember Joel Gambord in January 2025. Councilmember Mekechuk shared he spoke with Former Councilmember Joel Gambord’s wife, Dena Gambord, and she expressed her willingness to come to Monte Sereno for the unveiling of the sign that was donated.
Mayor Craig announced that a meeting has been officially scheduled for Tuesday, March 4, 2025, for a discussion on community wildfire preparation. Santa Clara County Fire Department will be presenting the semiannual report and will be available to assist with questions after. This will be an opportunity to see what the community can do to better prepare in the event of a wildfire.
Councilmember Mekechuk shared he went to Sacramento on January 22, 2025 and met with Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, Senator Josh Becker and Senator Dave Cortese, and the first issue he discussed with each of them was wildfires, evacuation routes and the concerns the community of Monte Sereno has with Highway 9. It’s top of mind for them because of the passing of the $2.5 Docusign Envelope ID: 2DA5AB96-1FC4-42A6-920E-ADC64F72AA69 $b94d9585b87e$ED243CF3D51D4BA5AB1074C27D0BF082.docx Page 2 billion of aid.
Mayor Craig shared he, too, spoke with Assemblymember Gail Pellerin and reiterated that wildfire preparedness, safety and especially the ability to get everybody out of the city in a timely matter are at the top of everybody’s list right now. Mayor Craig also shared that at the first 2025 West Valley Mayor and Managers meeting, wildfire preparedness and safety were the top topic’s of the meeting.
Councilmember Wolsheimer shared that he met this morning with a group of residents, half of them former mayors. The topic of this meeting was fire safety. This group is very concerned about the future, as fire season is coming. The meeting was mainly a brainstorming session. There was discussion on all the different organizations that in some way involved in this issue. This group is very insistent on quick action. The group has also shared their interest in participating in a potential commission with significant resident participation. Several efforts are going on and the city needs to ensure everyone’s on the same page on fire safety.
Councilmember Shannon shared she attended a concert presented through the Los Gatos Community Concert Association. Councilmember Shannon said it was a very entertaining concert and reasonably priced. She’d like to encourage members of the public to look into this. Lastly, she shared she discovered the Los Gatos Community Concert Association was given a Community Based Organization (CBO) Grant by the City of Monte Sereno.
PRESENTATIONS
None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Former Mayor Allan spoke on fire safety. He expressed there needs to be a way to motivate Caltrans regarding Highway 9 having the eucalyptus trees cut down.
Resident Zeidler spoke regarding fire safety on behalf of Former Mayor Lawler.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approve the Minutes of the January 21, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting 1A. Approve Warrant List Dated January 28, 2025 in the amount $326,276.43 Mayor Craig opened the Consent Calendar for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Craig closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Wolsheimer to approve Item #1 on the Consent Calendar. Seconded by Councilmember Shannon.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Wolsheimer to approve Item #1A on the Consent Calendar. Seconded by Vice Mayor Ellahie.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-1 Abstain: Mekechuk)
PUBLIC HEARING
2. Conduct a Public Hearing on the 2025 Weed Abatement Program and Adopt a Resolution Overruling Objections and Determining to Proceed with Weed Abatement Docusign Envelope ID: 2DA5AB96-1FC4-42A6-920E-ADC64F72AA69 $b94d9585b87e$ED243CF3D51D4BA5AB1074C27D0BF082.docx Page 3 City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica provided a report and answered questions from the Council.
Weed Abatement Inspector with County of Santa Clara Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency, Madeline Wien, made herself available to assist with answering questions.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Craig opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Craig closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Mekechuk to hold a Public Hearing on the 2025 Weed Abatement Program and adopt a resolution overruling objections and determining to proceed with Weed Abatement. Seconded by Vice Mayor Ellahie.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
3. Consider Hosting a City Picnic and Consider a Budget for the City Picnic Interim City Manager/City Planner Perkins provided a report and answered questions from the Council.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Craig opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Craig closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Mayor Craig to Host a City Picnic Sunday, August 24, 2025 and Consider $20,000 Budget for the City Picnic. Seconded by Councilmember Mekechuk.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
4. Consider Community Based Organization Grants for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Interim City Manager/City Planner Perkins provided a report and answered questions from the Council.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Craig opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Craig closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Mekechuk to proceed with offering the Community Based Organization (CBO) Grants for FY 2025/2026 with a budget of $25,000 to be awarded. Seconded by Council Wolsheimer.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
Councilmember Shannon reported attending the Sacramento New Mayors and Councilmembers Academy along with Mayor Craig. She shared it was informative and nice to meet other Councilmembers for other cities.
Docusign Envelope ID: 2DA5AB96-1FC4-42A6-920E-ADC64F72AA69 $b94d9585b87e$ED243CF3D51D4BA5AB1074C27D0BF082.docx Page 4 Vice Mayor Ellahie reported on the Cities Associations meeting and shared the City of Gilroy has joined the Cities Associations. Vice Mayor Ellahie shared that the Cities Associations also adopted a priority of fire safety.
Councilmember Wolsheimer stated nothing to report.
Councilmember Mekechuk reported the West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority Board and Silicon Valley Stormwater Authority Board have a meeting this week at the City of Monte Sereno Chambers. Councilmember Mekechuk also reported he and Councilmember Shannon had their first Finance Ad Hoc Committee meeting and will be reporting back periodically on it.
Mayor Craig reported he attended the Sacramento New Mayors and Councilmembers Academy. He shared there were two main topics discussed during this training: housing and budget for a fire prevention program. Mayor Craig also reported he attended the Annual Santa Clara County Library Friends and Family presentation. Mayor Craig expressed the library has an aggressive plan to educate, entertain and inspire. Lastly, Mayor Craig reported attending the West Valley Mayors and Managers Mayors meeting, where wildfire safety was the main topic.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Councilmember Shannon shared there was some work done off Highway 9 a few nights ago, now leaving what seemed to be speed bumps on the road. She is wondering if there was any recourse to get PG&E to repair the road.
Mayor Craig shared he discussed this matter with Interim City Manager/City Planner Perkins, and she is currently looking into it.
Councilmember Mekechuk shared that some of the reports he read about the Southern California wildfires had to do more with the building materials used and the fact that the buildings were not using fire-resistant components. Councilmember Mekechuk stated he believes certain materials will prevent fires from happening. Councilmember Mekechuk also shared that Former Mayor Walter Huff flew to LA and rented a Hummer to rescue his daughter.
Mayor Craig suggested a spreadsheet be created with all the business licenses issued and be accessible online.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Interim City Manager/City Planner Perkins shared that over the last few weeks the city has sent several emails, as well as social media posts about different wildfire safety and prevention. She also shared that due to recent rains, there have been requests from residents for sandbags. A list of locations where sandbags are available throughout Santa Clara County is now posted on the City website.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Mekechuk would like a special meeting to present the unveiling of the John Steinbeck sign.
ADJOURN
Mayor Craig adjourned the meeting in honor of Former Councilmember Joel Gambord at Docusign Envelope ID: 2DA5AB96-1FC4-42A6-920E-ADC64F72AA69 $b94d9585b87e$ED243CF3D51D4BA5AB1074C27D0BF082.docx Page 5 approximately 8:41 p.m.
Burton Craig, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: 2DA5AB96-1FC4-42A6-920E-ADC64F72AA69