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MONTE SERENO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
7:00 p.m.
May 20, 2025
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
At approximately 7:05 p.m., Mayor Craig called the meeting to order.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present – Chambers: Councilmember Shannon, Vice Mayor Ellahie and Mayor Craig Present – Remote: None
Absent: Councilmember Mekechuk
Staff: Management Analyst Planner Kwong, City Manager/City Planner Perkins and City Attorney Powell
Staff – Remote: City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica
ORDERS OF THE DAY
None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
PRESENTATIONS
None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Former Mayor Allan publicly thanked Evert Wolsheimer for his many years of thoughtful and caring service to the Community of Monte Sereno.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
1. Written communication received from Former Mayor Allan wishing to acknowledge the many valuable contributions that Evert Wolsheimer made to Monte Sereno as a Commissioner on the Site & Architectural Commission, as a member of the City Council and as Mayor.
CONSENT CALENDAR (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
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2. Approve the Minutes of the May 6, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting
3. Approve Warrant List Dated May 14, 2025 in the amount $837,012.31
4. Consideration to Authorize the Interim City Manager to Execute Amendment #3 to the Professional Services Agreement with DKG Consultants for Financial Services Consulting.
5. Consider a Resolution Setting Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2025-26 and Adopting Amended Appropriations Limits for Fiscal Years 2023-24 and 2024-25
6. Consider Adoption of a Resolution Declaring Hazardous Vegetation (Brush) a Public Nuisance
7. Approval of City Manager Employment Agreement with Diana Perkins Vice Mayor Ellahie requested to have Item #7 pulled for discussion.
Councilmember Shannon pulled Item #5 for discussion.
Mayor Craig opened Items #2, #3, #4, and #6 for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Craig closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Ellahie to approve Items #2, #3, #4, and #6 on the Consent Calendar. Seconded by Councilmember Shannon.
VOTE: Motion passed. (3-0-1 Absent: Mekechuk)
5. Consideration to Authorize the Interim City Manager to Execute Amendment #3 to the Professional Services Agreement with DKG Consultants for Financial Services Consulting.
City Manager Perkins provided a staff report.
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 Shannon Authorize the City Manager to Execute Amendment #3 to the Professional Services Agreement with DKG Consultants for Financial Services Consulting in an amount not to exceed $81,250 from June 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Seconded by Vice Mayor Ellahie.
VOTE: Motion passed. (3-0-1 Absent: Mekechuk)
7. Approval of City Manager Employment Agreement with Diana Perkins City Attorney Powell provided a staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Craig opened the item for Public Comment.
Public Comment
Former Mayor Allan
With no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Craig closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Shannon Approve the Employment Agreement between the City of Monte Sereno and Diana Perkins to name Diana Docusign Envelope ID: 58329188-8787-45B0-A18E-D8D844BC3F1B $2f8de915792a$728EF977D4974FB298436C59ECA2172E.docx Page 3 Perkins the City Manager effective May 21, 2025, and authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement. Seconded by Vice Mayor Ellahie.
VOTE: Motion passed. (3-0-1 Absent: Mekechuk)
PUBLIC HEARING
8. Application 2023-3073 for a Site Development Permit for a new approximately 5,997 square foot two-story house and an approximately 977 square foot detached accessory building; a Grading Use Permit for 2,934 cubic yards of cumulative grading; and a Tree Removal Permit to remove 13 trees at 18340 Lexington Drive. (CEQA: Exempt, Guidelines sections 15302, 15303) City Manager Perkins provided a staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Craig opened the item for Public Hearing.
Public Hearing
Homeowners Nelson
Architect Spaulding
With no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Craig closed Public Hearing.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Ellahie Approving Application 2023-3073 for a Site Development Permit for a new approximately 5,997 square foot two-story house and an approximately 977 square foot detached accessory building; a Grading Use Permit for 2,934 cubic yards of cumulative grading; and a Tree Removal Permit to remove 13 trees at 18340 Lexington Drive. Seconded by Councilmember Shannon.
VOTE: Motion passed. (3-0-1 Absent: Mekechuk)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
9. Evaluate and Consider Community Based Organization (CBO) Grant Application Submittals and Determine Grant Awards
Mayor Craig stated that due to having two councilmembers recuse themselves and then having a lack of quorum, this item will need to be postponed for the next Council meeting.
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
Councilmember Shannon shared that the West Valley Sanitation District Board meeting was canceled and had nothing to report.
Vice Mayor Ellahie shared that he attended the Cities Association meeting. He shared that Councilmember Albert Gonzalez with the City of Santa Clara was appointed as the Member Adviser of the Recycling Waste and Reduction Commission. He also shared there were presentations made by the Center County Planning Collaborative and the Santa Clara County Fire Department. Vice Mayor Ellahie shared there is a useful app that tells people what fire zone they are in. He also shared that Vaishali Sirkay was reappointed as Executive Director for another year. The Vice Mayor shared the Cities Association has a legislative committee that discusses all the legislations; he mentioned Docusign Envelope ID: 58329188-8787-45B0-A18E-D8D844BC3F1B $2f8de915792a$728EF977D4974FB298436C59ECA2172E.docx Page 4 Bill 650, that has to do with the Housing Element, to eliminate or control the Builder’s Remedy. Vice Mayor Ellahie would like the City to collaborate with other cities or other jurisdictions with regard to the Housing Element. He also spoke on Bill 79, that requires cities to upzone land near rail stations and rapid business lines.
Mayor Craig shared he had nothing to report.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
None.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Perkins shared that in February of this year, the Council approved an agreement with Flock Cameras for the installation of 19 cameras throughout the City. With that approval, the installation will begin after July so that funds for the next fiscal year can be used. Flock staff has obtained the encroachment permits from both the City of Monte Sereno and Los Gatos for the cameras located in the Town. Lastly, she shared that there was an eblast sent out last week about an update to the general plan project and did a friendly reminder of the Special Joint meeting with Site & Architectural Commission and City Council on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 7:00 pm, to review the draft of the safety element.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
10. A copy of the Tentative 2025 Council Meeting Calendar was included on the agenda.
ADJOURN
Mayor Craig adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:51 p.m.
Burton Craig, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
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