MONTE SERENO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
7:00 p.m.
August 19, 2025
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
At approximately 7:02 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, Councilmember Allan and Mayor Craig
Present – Remote: None
Absent: None
Staff: City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica, City Manager Perkins and City Attorney Powell
Staff – Remote: None
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approve the Minutes of the August 5, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting
2. Approve Warrant List Dated August 12, 2025 in the Amount $53,320.53
3. Consider Adoption of Resolution 25-3936.1 to Increase the Number of Youth Commissioners for the 2025-2026 School Year from Seven to Nine
Councilmember Mekechuk requested to pull Item #1.
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Mayor Craig opened the Consent Calendar for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Craig closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Mekechuk to approve Item #3 on the Consent Calendar. Seconded by Councilmember Allan.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-0)
1. Approve the Minutes of the August 5, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Councilmember Mekechuk expressed he would like the meeting minutes to reflect support or opposition of the public members during public comments.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Allan approve Item #1 on the Consent Calendar with the amendment of reflecting public comments with support or opposition on the item. Seconded by Councilmember Mekechuk.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-0)
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Shannon to approve Item #2 on the Consent Calendar. Seconded by Councilmember Allan.
VOTE: Motion passed. (3-0-1 Abstain: Mekechuk)
ORDERS OF THE DAY
Mayor Craig requested Item #6 under Unfinished Business be moved up after the consent calendar.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Allan to move Item #6 right after the Consent Calendar. Seconded by Councilmember Shannon.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-0)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
6. Consider Three (3) Applications and Appoint Three (3) Additional Members to the 2025-2026 Monte Sereno Youth Commission
City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica provided a staff report.
Applicants Spoke:
1. Stella Zeidler
2. Aradhita Singh
3. Daniel Matin
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 Appoint the Three (3) Applicants to the 2025-2026 Monte Sereno Youth Commission. Seconded by Councilmember Shannon.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-0)
PUBLIC HEARING
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4. Application 2025-3042 for a Tentative Parcel Map to subdivide one lot into two lots at 15541 Palos Verdes Drive. (CEQA: Exempt, Guidelines sections 15315) City Manager Perkins provided a staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Applicant spoke.
Mayor Craig opened the item for Public Hearing. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Craig closed Public Hearing.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Allan to adopt a resolution approving the tentative parcel map (2025-3042) for the 2-lot subdivision located at 15541 Palos Verdes Drive. Seconded by Councilmember Mekechuk.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-0)
5. Application 2025-3034 for a Site Development Permit for a single-story addition of approximately 829 square feet and a second-story addition of approximately 1,289 square feet and a Variance application for reduced side yard setback of 22 feet where 25 feet is required at 17951 Saratoga Los Gatos Road. (CEQA: Exempt, Guidelines sections 15302, 15303) Councilmember Shannon recused herself due to conflict of interest, as she has real property within 500 feet of the application.
City Manager Perkins provided a staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Craig opened the item for Public Hearing.
Councilmember Mekechuk moved to have this item continued to another meeting. Seeing there was not a second to this motion, and with no one wishing to speak, Mayor Craig closed Public Hearing.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Allan to approve a resolution of the City Council of the City of Monte Sereno approving the Site Development Permit of application 2025-3034 to allow for the construction of an approximately 829 square foot one-story addition and an approximately 1,289 square foot second story addition and approval of a Variance to allow a reduced second-story side setback of 22 feet where 25 feet is required for the property located at 17951 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road as amended. Seconded by Mayor Craig.
VOTE: Motion passed. (3-0-1 Recused: Shannon)
NEW BUSINESS
7. Selection of Vice Mayor to Fill the Recently Vacated Position City Manager Perkins provided a staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Craig nominated Councilmember Allan.
Councilmember Mekechuk nominated himself.
Docusign Envelope ID: 0BB8055E-C7A3-4B62-836E-59E033C19687 Seeing there were no more nominations, Council proceeded with voting the nominations in reverse order that the nominations were made, with the last nomination made voted on first.
Councilmember Mekechuk’s vote failed with a vote of 2-2.
Councilmember Allan’s vote passed with a vote of 3-1.
Seeing there was no one in Chambers or online, there was no Public Comment.
8. Filling the 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.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Allan to proceed with the application and interview process regarding filling the recently vacated City Council seat. Seconded by Councilmember Shannon.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-0)
9. Consider Establishment of and Appointment to the Monte Sereno City Council Potential Police Service Parcel Tax Ad Hoc Committee
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 Allan of a Police Service Parcel Tax Ad Hoc Committee and the appointment Councilmember Mekechuk and Mayor Craig. Seconded by Councilmember Shannon.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-0)
10. Update on the City Council Adopted Goal to Improve Wildfire Prevention and Preparedness and Provide any Direction to Staff
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.
Report was accepted by the Council.
11. Consider and Accept the City Manager's Quarterly Report Covering April 1, 2025 through June 30, 2025
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
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Report was accepted by the Council.
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
Vice Mayor Allan stated nothing to report.
Councilmember Mekechuk provided the City Clerk with a summary of the Silicon Valley Clean Energy Board of Directors meeting that will be included with the meeting minutes. Councilmember Mekechuk reported Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission is scheduled for a meeting at the end of August. Councilmember Mekechuk also shared his interest in having a special event where hazardous waste comes to the people rather than the people having to schedule an appointment to go to it.
Councilmember Shannon reported that the West Valley Sanitation District Board met last week and shared that the search for a new District Manager has begun. Councilmember Shannon shared that Santa Clara Valley Water meeting was cancelled, but instead all members were invited to go on a tour later this month.
Mayor Craig reported he attended the Valley Transportation Authority Policy Advisory Committee.
He shared the meeting touched on the competitive grant program for cities to have innovative transportation projects. Mayor Craig also shared there was discussion on the express lanes and how they are still planning to place them on Highway 85 and how they are being fought over them.
Lastly, Mayor Craig reported that the Youth Commission had a special meeting to discuss their participation in this year’s Annual City Picnic.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Councilmember Mekechuk commented that it is very important that when a resolution is passed it has all its supporting documentation attached as exhibits.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Perkins wanted to do a friendly reminder for this Sundays Annual City Picnic at Vasona Park starting at 11:30 a.m. She shared that Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga will be in attendance and will be presenting a recognition from the County for our Citizen of the Year. Lastly, City Manager Perkins shared that staff have begun working on the fall edition for the Peaceful Mountain Monitor newsletter and if any Councilmembers has preferences for articles or information for the newsletter to please contact her.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
12. A copy of the Tentative 2025 Council Meeting Calendar was included on the agenda.
Councilmember Mekechuk would like to see as a future agenda item the Insurance JPA and discussion on the resolutions and meeting minutes.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
Vice Mayor Allan recused himself based on a conflict of interest based on ownership of real property and indicated he will not be participating in the closed session. Vice Mayor Allan left the meeting at 9:14 p.m.
13. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- EXISTING LITIGATION
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Government Code Section 54956.9
Case Name: Calhoun v. City of Monte Sereno et al.- Santa Clara County Superior Court Case No.: 23CV424337
Staff Present: City Attorney Powell and City Manager Perkins
RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
The City Council reconvened to Open Session at approximately 9:26 p.m. with Mayor Craig, Councilmember Mekechuk and Councilmember Shannon.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Mayor Craig stated that there were no reportable actions.
ADJOURN
Mayor Craig adjourned the meeting at approximately 9:27 p.m.
Burton Craig, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: 0BB8055E-C7A3-4B62-836E-59E033C19687 August 13, 2025 Silicon Valley Clean Energy Board Meeting Follow-Up
Meeting Snapshot
At the August Silicon Valley Clean Energy Board of Directors meeting, the Board approved its fourth prepayment agreement, received an update on local agency reach code status, approved its 25th power purchasing agreement, and held a discussion item on the Fiscal Year 2025- 26 Operating Budget.
High-Level Item Summaries
1. Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) Moves Forward to Finalize its Fourth LongTerm Energy Prepayment Agreement The SVCE Board of Directors (Board) authorized SVCE’s Chief Executive Officer to finalize SVCE’s fourth prepayment agreement with the California Community Choice Financing Authority. If successful, the almost 30-year deal is estimated to save SVCE $4–6 million annually and at least 8% in the early years of this agreement. This will help keep customer rates stable, free up funds for other clean energy programs, and provide more certainty on energy procurement costs. To date, SVCE has saved $14.3 million per year from the three previous prepayment agreements.
2. Jurisdictions Move to Adopt Reach Codes with SVCE’s Support The Board received an update on the 13 member agencies’ actions in adopting reach code policies and modernizing permitting. While local reach codes remain the most effective tool agencies have in reducing emissions, the recent passage of AB130 limits the ability of local jurisdictions to adopt reach codes after October 1. SVCE is supporting agencies with technical assistance to help them adopt ordinances that suit their jurisdictional needs in compliance with AB 130. It is expected that at least eight SVCE member agencies will adopt reach codes this year.
3. SVCE Approves 10-Year Solar + Battery Storage Power Purchase Agreement The Board authorized a 10-year Power Purchase Agreement with IP Darden III for up to
93.01 megawatts of solar photovoltaic energy paired with a 91.48 megawatt, 4-hour battery energy storage system. This power purchase agreement would be SVCE’s 25th, growing SVCE’s lifetime investment in clean energy to about $4.2B.
4. Fiscal Year 2025 - 2026 Operational Budget Update and Strategic Planning The Board provided feedback on the SVCE Fiscal Year 2025 – 2026 operational budget and strategic planning in preparation for adoption at its September meeting. No major changes to the budget are proposed and customer discounts are planned to remain at 4% at this time as SVCE adjusts to anticipated falling energy prices over the next several years. Reserve funds, which have been conserved for several years, will be accessed to ensure that SVCE can continue to provide clean electricity while offering robust customer programs that reduce emissions. The Board also provided input on the agency’s strategic focus areas and move towards adopting a biennial planning process.
Bonus Message: SVCE is hosting two webinars to educate customers on maximizing their savings using the federal tax credits that expire on December 31st. Register Here Docusign Envelope ID: 0BB8055E-C7A3-4B62-836E-59E033C19687 Item Details
1. SVCE Moves Forward to Finalize its Fourth Long-Term Energy Prepayment Agreement
The Power Supply Contract with the California Community Choice Financing Authority (CCCFA) enables SVCE to complete an approximately 30-year energy prepayment deal.
In this structure, CCCFA would issue up to $1.25 billion in tax-exempt bonds to pay a supplier upfront for long-term clean energy, allowing SVCE to purchase that energy at a discounted rate.
It also positions SVCE to hedge against future price volatility and regulatory changes, since the cost and source of much of its energy would be locked in for decades. The structure shifts financial liability away from SVCE (the bonds are CCCFA’s obligation), which reduces direct risk while still delivering the benefits of a large-scale bulk energy purchase. The graphic below illustrates the structure of how prepayment agreements work:
2. Jurisdictions Move to Adopt Reach Codes with SVCE’s support In 2023, SVCE launched two complementary programs to help member agencies expand decarbonization of local buildings and prepare for upcoming rules that will limit the sale of gas appliances. The programs, Permit Modernization and Policy Experimentation, dedicate $4M in technical resources to help member agencies adopt local policies such as reach codes, improve permit practices, and provide free training for building department staff.
The 2025 reach code cycle has been challenging, given the passage of AB 130, which limits reach code adoption. SVCE staff are committed to providing technical support to member agencies considering adopting reach codes and jurisdictions are taking the following actions:
• Two agencies likely acting before October 1
• Four agencies likely acting after October 1
• Five agencies are evaluating further actions
Overview of the Prepay structure
Structural Overview of Power Prepay
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3. SVCE Approves 10-Year Solar + Battery Storage Power Purchase Agreement IP Darden is a 1,150 MW solar and 1,150 MW storage new-build resource in Fresno County. SVCE will contract to receive a portion of this energy with a share of 91.48 MW of battery energy storage and up to 93.01 MW of solar energy. With an annual total of 250,000-270,000 MWh of qualified energy and renewable energy certificates, this agreement will account for approximately 6% of SVCE’s retail sales and count towards annual and long-term RPS requirements.
Resources such as Darden, which pair solar and storage, provide a profile that is beneficial to SVCE’s portfolio under the state’s Slice of Day Resource Adequacy program.
The project also meets many of the SVCE’s Project Selection Policy requirements, including the payment of prevailing wages.
4. Fiscal Year 2025 - 2026 Operational Budget Update and Strategic Planning The fiscal year 2025-26 operating budget is balanced and presents SVCE in a stable financial condition. The SVCE budget is informed by the agency’s annual exercise to evaluate its risks in the market and to meet its strategic goals.
In previous Committee and Board meetings, staff discussed the high volatility in the energy market prices, Resource Adequacy (RA) prices, and RPS prices, which added additional uncertainty to financial projections. Staff also discussed that the prices that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will set for Market Price Benchmarks (MPBs), issued in the fall, and used to set PCIA Rates, substantially impact the budget.
Key highlights of the budget changes include:
• Withdraws $40.1 million from the reserves
• Maintains an average of four percent (4%) customer discount to comparable PG&E rates through December 2025 and reduces it to one percent (1%) in January 2026
• Continues to provide additional monthly dollar bill credit to California Alternate Rates for Energy2 (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) customers, which in the aggregate is equivalent to a one percent (1%) discount for all customers
• Proposes no changes to the current financial reserves targets and policy Annually, coinciding with the development of the operating budget, staff go through a process of reviewing external changes in the landscape, threats, opportunities, new directives, and priorities. Through this effort, a review of the current Board-approved Strategic Plan (including the agency’s mission) is conducted to ensure that priorities, goals, and resources are properly aligned. At its September 2024 meeting, the Board adopted the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Strategic Plan (September 11, 2024 Board of Directors Meeting – Item 4).
The Strategic Focus Areas for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 are as follows:
• SFA1: Expand Affordability Efforts
• SFA2: Expand Clean and Reliable Grid Actions
• SFA3: Expand Offerings to C/I Customers
• SFA4: Prepare Region for Electrification at Scale
• SFA5: Attract & Retain Employees
Given these focus areas and goals remain relevant, it was suggested by the Executive Committee that the Strategic Planning process move to every two years as opposed to annually. The SFAs and Strategic Plan goals would remain the same, but the associated measures and workplans could change internally to adapt to the needs of the fiscal year.
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Bonus Information:
Learn how to take advantage of federal tax credits for electric vehicles (EVs), efficient heat pumps for heating and cooling, heat pump water heaters, and solar and battery systems before they expire. Combine these credits with our rebates to maximize your savings! Join our free webinar series in August and September:
EV Discounts and Tax Credits Webinars
When: Aug. 19, 6 p.m., Aug. 22, 12 p.m., Sept. 11, 12 p.m., and Sept 17, 6:30 p.m.
RSVP: https://svce.info/EVdiscount
Stack Federal Tax Credits with Rebates for Home Upgrades Webinars When: Thurs., Sept. 4, 12 p.m. & Tues., Sept. 9, 6 p.m.
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Strategic Plan -SFA & Goals
May 2025 Sep 2025
April 2025 August 2025
Board
Discussion on
SFAs & Goals
EC Review SP
Executive
Com
Feedback on
SFAs
Board
Approval of
FY 25-26
Strategic Ptan
ERM
Internal Staff
Review of SP
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