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MONTE SERENO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
7:00 p.m.
June 3, 2025
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
At approximately 7:00 p.m., Mayor Craig called the meeting to order.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present – Chambers: Councilmember Shannon, Councilmember Mekechuk, Vice Mayor Ellahie and Mayor Craig
Present – Remote: None
Absent: None
Staff: City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica, City Manager Perkins and City Attorney Powell
Staff – Remote: None
ORDERS OF THE DAY
Mayor Craig requested to move Item #6 after Oral Communications, and Item #7 right after that.
PRESENTATIONS
None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Former Mayor Allan expressed there needs to be more political force for and support in the tree removal of eucalyptus trees off Highway 9. He is encouraging the Council to pressure Caltrans.
Resident Mike Frangadakis shared that the City of Monte Sereno is one of two municipalities that do not have any kind of memorial for its veterans. He would like to be involved with the City to incorporate a veteran’s memorial, as he was with the former City Manager. The second topic he discussed was that on the corner of Blanchard and Winchester is a blind spot, where weeds keep growing. Lastly, he shared he would like to be considered as a candidate to fill the vacant council seat.
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Community Outreach Specialist with Silicon Valley Clean Energy, Juliet Pascual, presented the Community Impact Report to the Council.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Written communication received from Former Mayor Allan.
PUBLIC HEARING
6. Introduction and Waiver of First Reading of Ordinance No. NS-245, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Monte Sereno Designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones within the Local Responsibility Area
City Manager Perkins provided a staff report.
Santa Clara County Fire Department Assistant Fire Marshal, Jeremy Davis, and Assistant Chief Dennis Lollie were available to assist with questions from Council.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Craig opened the item for Public Hearing.
Public Hearing
• Former Mayor Allan
With no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Craig closed Public Hearing.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Mekechuk to Introduce and Waive the First Reading of a draft Ordinance, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Monte Sereno Designating Fire Hazard Severity Zones within the Local Responsibility Area as recommend by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE) pursuant to Government Code Section 51178.
Seconded by Councilmember Shannon.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-0)
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Craig recused himself due to a conflict of interest with one of the organizations.
7. Evaluate and Consider Community Based Organization (CBO) Grant Application Submittals and Determine Grant Awards
City Manager Perkins provided a staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Vice Mayor Ellahie invited the applicants to address the Council.
Applicants:
• Applicant Melissa Toren with KCAT
• Applicant Folake Phillips with AWO
• Applicant Karl Sprick with Los Gatos Community Concert Association • Applicant Jessica Johnson with Los Gatos Education Foundation Docusign Envelope ID: 0EF1C2CB-C49D-4F88-AD67-0291051A257E b094c622-70ff-49d4-8f38-ab00bfbe269f Page 3
• Applicant Phil Knopf with Los Gatos Youth Park
• Applicant Linda Lanzl with New Book Launch for Wildlife Conservation and Kids: Teaching Through Storytelling Program
Vice Mayor Ellahie opened the item for Public Comment.
Public Comment:
• Former Mayor Allan.
With no one else wishing to speak, Vice Mayor Ellahie closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Mekechuk to
Art Docents of Los Gatos- $1,500
AWO - $3,000
KCAT - $5,000
Los Gatos Community Concert Association - $1,000
Los Gatos Education Foundation - $2,000
Los Gatos Museum Association - $1,500
Los Gatos Youth Park - $3,000
SAFE Worldwide - $2,000
Sustainable Waze - $1,000
West Valley Community Services - $5,000
. Seconded by Councilmember Shannon.
VOTE: Motion passed. (3-0-1 Recused: Craig)
CONSENT CALENDAR (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approve the Minutes of the May 20, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting
2. Approve Warrant List Dated May 27, 2025 in the amount $126,844.88
3. Consideration of the Approval of an Updated Fee Schedule for User and Regulatory Fees
4. Consider Adopt a Resolution to Adopt a List of Projects for Fiscal Year 2025/26 Funded by SB1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017
Councilmember Shannon requested to have Item #3 pulled for discussion.
Mayor Craig opened Items #1, #2, and #4 for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Craig closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Ellahie to approve Items #1 and #4 on the Consent Calendar. Seconded by Councilmember Shannon.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-0)
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Ellahie to approve Item #2 on the Consent Calendar.
Seconded by Councilmember Shannon.
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VOTE: Motion passed. (3-0-1 Abstain: Mekechuk)
3. Consideration of the Approval of an Updated Fee Schedule for User and Regulatory Fees 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 Adopting an Updated Schedule of User and Regulatory Fees. Seconded by Councilmember Mekechuk.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-0)
PUBLIC HEARING
5. Accept a Report on the Status of the City’s Vacancies, Recruitment, and Retention Efforts Pursuant to Assembly Bill 2561
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 Vice Mayor Ellahie to accept the Report regarding the Status of the City's Vacancies, Recruitments, and Retention Efforts Pursuant to Assembly Bill (AB) 2561. Seconded by Councilmember Mekechuk.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-0)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
8. Filling Vacant Council Seat
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.
The Council would like to consider the vacant seat to be filled with an appointment by Council.
Applications will be accepted starting June 4, 2025 through June 20, 2025 and be considered at a Special Meeting on Friday, June 27, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Interview questions shall be determined by the Council and emailed to City Manager Perkins.
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
Councilmember Mekechuk shared that Vice Mayor Ellahie would be attending next week’s meeting with Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority on his behalf. He also shared that he was selected as Chair Docusign Envelope ID: 0EF1C2CB-C49D-4F88-AD67-0291051A257E b094c622-70ff-49d4-8f38-ab00bfbe269f Page 5
for the Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission.
Vice Mayor Ellahie stated nothing to report.
Councilmember Shannon stated nothing to report.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Councilmember Mekechuk shared that there was a good article in the Los Gatan newspaper referring to newly appointed City Manager Perkins.
Councilmember Shannon shared that the Tyler Technologies program is moving right along with training to be completed.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Perkins shared that the pavement management project that was approved last month for pavement improvements on West Ellenwood and Twin Creeks, as well as safety signage and striping improvements on Daves Avenue S-curve, is just about complete. She also shared that last week she met with the Los Gatos Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager and their new Emergency Coordinator. Together, they will work on an agreement for support services for emergency management operations.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
9. A copy of the Tentative 2025 Council Meeting Calendar was included on the agenda.
ADJOURN
Mayor Craig adjourned the meeting at approximately 9:36 p.m.
Burton Craig, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
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