AGENDA
City of Monte Sereno
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
City Council
7:00 PM
Monte Sereno City Council Chambers - 18041 Saratoga -
Los Gatos Road, Monte Sereno, Ca 95030
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Page
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
ORDERS OF THE DAY
The Mayor, or a majority of the Council by vote, may change the order of business, except for public hearings on the agenda for a set time.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRESENTATIONS
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Persons wishing to address the Council on any matter of City business not listed on the agenda may do so at this time. Each speaker will normally be allotted three minutes, subject to the Mayor or a majority of the Council’s ability to limit the amount of time allocated to speakers based on the number of speakers and the need for expedient administration of City business in light of the number and length of items on the agenda.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Copies of communications have been provided to Council for review prior to this meeting. Council Members desiring to read or discuss any written communication may do so at this time. No action may be taken except to place a particular item on a future agenda for Council consideration.
CONSENT CALENDAR
It is recommended that all items listed below be acted on simultaneously unless separate discussion and/or action is required by a Councilmember. One public comment period will be provided, although speakers speaking on more than one item may be allocated additional time by the Mayor or a majority of the Council.
1. Approve the Minutes of the August 19, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting
Staff recommends approval of the Minutes of the August 19, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting.
Staff Report -SR-22-148 - Pdf
5 - 15
2. Approve Warrant List Dated August 27, 2025 in the Amount $288,269.98
Staff recommends the City Council approve the Warrant List.
Staff Report - SR-25-168 - Pdf
16 - 18
PUBLIC HEARINGS
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
3. Update on the City Council Adopted Goal to Increase Civic Engagement and Provide any Direction to Staff
19 - 22
Staff recommends that the City Council receive the status update on the City Council adopted goal to Increase Civic Engagement and provide any direction to staff.
Staff Report - SR-25-167 - Pdf
NEW BUSINESS
4. Consideration of a Letter of Opposition to SB 707 (Durazo) Open Meetings: Meeting and Teleconference Requirements
Staff recommends that the City Council consider whether to authorize the Mayor to send the draft letter of opposition to SB 707 (Durazo) to the appropriate legislators.
Staff Report - SR-25-165 - Pdf
23 - 30
5. Receive the Informational Update from the Improving Finance Controls and Reporting Ad Hoc Committee
Staff recommends that the City Council receive the informational update from the Improving Finance Controls and Reporting Ad Hoc Committee.
Staff Report - SR-25-166 - Pdf
31 - 33
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
This time is set aside to allow Councilmembers serving on Council committees or appointed by the City to serve on the boards, commissions or committees of other agencies to present a verbal report on the activities of the respective boards, commissions or committees on which they serve. No discussion or action may be taken other than to place the matter on a future agenda.
Pending Reassignment
Cities Association – Board of Directors
Cities Association – Legislative Action Committee
Cities Association - Cities Selection Committee
Allan
Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority
Association of Bay Area Governments
League of California Cities Peninsula Division
Mekechuk
Valley Transportation Authority Policy Advisory Committee West Valley Stormwater Authority
West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority Board
Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority
Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission Shannon
Santa Clara Valley Water Commission
West Valley Sanitation District Board
Craig
Monte Sereno Youth Commission
Santa Clara County Library JPA
West Valley Mayors & Managers
Mayors of Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County Mayors Group
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
This time is set aside to allow Councilmembers to make brief announcements or reports on the Councilmember’s own activities. No discussion or action may be taken other than to place the matter on a future agenda.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
This time is set aside to allow Councilmembers to make a specific request for an item to be placed on a future agenda. No discussion or other action may be taken.
6. Council Tentative Council Meeting Calendar 2025 34 - 43
ADJOURN
* All items on the agenda are subject to action/or change by the City Council In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk (408) 354-7635. If requested of the City Clerk, agendas and documents in the agenda packet can be made available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with a disability.
Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. [28CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title II]
STAFF REPORT
Meeting: City Council - Sep 02 2025
Agenda Heading: CONSENT CALENDAR
Staff Contact: Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
Department: City Clerk
Title: Approve the Minutes of the August 19, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Recommendation(s):
Staff recommends approval of the Minutes of the August 19, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting.
Fiscal Impact:
There are no unbudgeted fiscal impacts with this agenda item.
Public Noticing:
The City Council’s agenda was posted at City Hall and the agenda and this report appear on the City’s website.
Attachments:
08-19-25 Regular Meeting Minutes Draft
08-19-25 Regular Meeting Minutes Draft.docx Page 1
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.
08-19-25 Regular Meeting Minutes Draft.docx Page 2
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
08-19-25 Regular Meeting Minutes Draft.docx Page 3
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.
08-19-25 Regular Meeting Minutes Draft.docx Page 4
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
08-19-25 Regular Meeting Minutes Draft.docx Page 5
closed Public Comment.
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
08-19-25 Regular Meeting Minutes Draft.docx Page 6
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
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
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
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.
This change reflects the figure below:
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.
RSVP: https://stacksavings.eventbrite.com
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
STAFF REPORT
Meeting: City Council - Sep 02 2025
Agenda Heading: CONSENT CALENDAR
Staff Contact: Diana Perkins, City Manager
Department: City Manager
Title: Approve Warrant List Dated August 27, 2025 in the Amount $288,269.98 Recommendation(s):
Staff recommends the City Council approve the Warrant List.
California Environmental Quality Act:
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(4) in that it is a fiscal activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potential significant impact on the environment.
Public Noticing:
The City of Monte Sereno's Council meeting agenda was posted on the bulletin board outside of Monte Sereno's City Hall and the agenda with this staff report can be accessed on the City of Monte Sereno's website located at www.montesereno.org.
Attachments:
1. Warrant List August 29, 2025
Check # Payable to: Description Amount
21511
AIM Engineering
Consultants, Inc.
City Engineer Consulting from 7/30/2025 to 8/27/2025
(Invoice 208) $ 13,600.00
21512 Alana Consulting, LLC
Building Department Consulting from 7/28/2025 to
8/24/2025 (Invoice 2511) $ 14,317.50
21513 Bryan Mekechuk
Reimbursement for Travel Expenses for Cal Cities Annual Conference October 2024 $ 453.58
21514
Cities Association of Santa
Clara County Membership for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 (Invoice FY26-08) $ 6,523.00 21515
Contract Sweeping
Services
Street Sweeping Services for January and March 2024
(Invoices 24000347 and 24000168) $ 3,665.60
21516 Corodata Shredding, Inc.
Secure Container Rental for January and July 2025
(Invoices DN1534366 and DN1507195) $ 20.00
21517 Diana Perkins Reimbursement for Annual Picnic Supplies $ 148.63 21518 Flock Safety
ALPR Installation and Setup for 20 Cameras (Invoice
(Invoice 68826) $ 71,850.00
21519 Frontier Communications
City Hall Phone Service for 8/196/2025 to 9/18/2025
(Account 4083549387) $ 58.23
21520 M Group
General Plan Update Consulting for 7/1/2025 to
7/31/2025 (Invoice 2005219) $ 8,022.50
21521 Pacific Gas and Electric
City Hall Auxiliary Building Electric Service for 7/9/2025 to 8/6/2025 (Account 9204198567-9) $ 29.32
21522 Porter Capital Corp
Accounting Consultant Services for 8/18/2025 to
8/24/2025 (Invoice 9215) $ 3,300.00
21523 Town of Los Gatos Police Services for August 2025 (Invoice 497) $ 121,526.58 21524 Tyler Technologies
Financial Software Implementation (Invoices 025-
524395, 025-523214, and 025-523215) $ 28,058.50
21525 US Bank
City Credit Card Statement for 7/25/2025 and
87/25/2025: City Hall Utilities ($423.34); Office
Supplies/Hardware ($2,087.00); Field Supplies
($203.79); Updated Code Books ($1,745.32); Staff
Membership/Conferences ($895.00); Picnic Supplies
($7,077.23); Software/Server Services ($2,671.74);
Postage/Supplies ($1,482.97); Council Member
Conference ($675.00); Previous Payment (-$4,138.76) $ 13,122.63
CITY OF MONTE SERENO
CHECK REGISTERS
CHECK DATE: AUGUST 27, 2025
21526 Corodata Shredding, Inc.
Secure Container Rental for May 2025 (Invoice
DN1525305) $ 10.00
21527 International Code Council Membership Fee for Three Years $ 405.00 21528 Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Attorney Consulting Fees for 3/3/2025 - 3/26/2025
(Invoice 292000) $ 1,755.00
21529 Pacific Gas and Electric
City Hall Electric Services for 7/9/2025 to 8/6/2025
(Account 382462834-6) $ 217.87
21530 Pacific Gas and Electric
City Hall Electric Services for 7/16/2025 to 8/13/2025
(Account 1826391492-3) $ 197.89
21531 Pacific Gas and Electric
Rose Andrews Lighting District Electric Services for
7/16/2025 to 8/13/2025 (Account 1951391484-6) $ 52.08
21532 Pacific Gas and Electric
City Hall Electric Services for 7/9/2025 to 8/6/2025
(Account 382462834-6) $ 936.07
$ 288,269.98
STAFF REPORT
Meeting: City Council - Sep 02 2025
Agenda Heading: UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Staff Contact: Diana Perkins, City Manager
Department: City Manager
Title: Update on the City Council Adopted Goal to Increase Civic Engagement and Provide any Direction to Staff
Recommendation(s):
Staff recommends that the City Council receive the status update on the City Council adopted goal to Increase Civic Engagement and provide any direction to staff.
Background Information:
The Monte Sereno City Council conducted the annual Goal Setting Session on March 18, 2025 and provided direction on the goals to be adopted for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026. The adopted goals include a program to:
Increase civic engagement and resident involvement in the community, including possible partnership with leadership Los Gatos.
At the August 5, 2025 City Council meeting, the Council approved the expenses for up to two Monte Sereno residents to participate in the 2025-2026 Leadership Los Gatos Program. This portion of the Civic Engagement goal was considered earlier in order to meet the application deadline for the Leadership Los Gatos Program which was the end of August.
Analysis:
Several opportunities to increase civic engagement and to build community have been suggested including the following items:
Veterans Memorial – A Veterans memorial was planned to be included in the Community Center remodel project. However, since that project has been placed on hold, an alternative Veterans Memorial could be considered. Community Benches – A program fund benches in the front yard of properties in Monte Sereno could provide an opportunity to build community relationships by providing an opportunity for residents to meet each other while on walks or in their front yards.
Birdhouses – Encouraging residents to put up birdhouses in their yards as well as installing birdhouses on street sign polls could be an opportunity to build community.
Walkability – Several areas of Monte Sereno have limited walkability and connection to other portions of the city due to the layouts of the streets, which includes many dead end streets. Looking into ways to improve walkability within the city, including connecting dead end streets could be another way to improve community connectivity.
Council may want to consider the above items as well as other opportunities to increase civic engagement and provide any direction to staff.
California Environmental Quality Act:
This is not a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment (CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5)).
Fiscal Impact:
No fiscal impact will occur in reviewing the status of this City Council goal.
Public Noticing:
The City of Monte Sereno's Council meeting agenda was posted on the bulletin board outside of Monte Sereno's City Hall and the agenda with this staff report can be accessed on the City of Monte Sereno's website located at www.montesereno.org.
Attachments:
1. Council Adopted Goals for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Council Adopted Goals for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Goals
I. Provide Quality Public Service
1. Plan the Green Stormwater Infrastructure project required by State law.
2. Review and amend City of Monte Sereno Financial Policies:
a. Review and amend, if required, the City of Monte Sereno’s investment policy. b. Develop and implement timely updates to the financial transparency system for residents.
3. Implement a cloud-based, fully integrated financial reporting and human resource information system for government entities to:
a. Improve financial reporting and human resources management at the City of Monte Sereno. b. Utilize time reporting functionality for all personnel and support human resources requirements. c. Address and resolve internal control weaknesses.
d. Develop, document, and implement financial accounting policies and procedures with the new financial reporting system. e. Convert and migrate minimal, yet sufficient, data to the new financial reporting system and human resources information system.
4. Increase civic engagement and resident involvement in the community, including possible partnership with leadership Los Gatos.
5. Review and improve the City of Monte Sereno website with easier access to historical minutes and recordings.
II. Maintain Community Character
1. Update the General Plan.
2. Continue to implement programs in the adopted Housing Element.
III. Enhance Mobility for Residents
1. Improve walkability throughout the City.
Council Adopted Goals for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Goals
IV. Maintain Community Safety
1. Improve wildfire prevention and preparedness:
A. Establish evacuation routes, inform the community of these locations, and plan for their maintenance.
B. Increase awareness of fire danger due to poorly maintained vegetation and promote the importance of defensible space around structures.
C. Work with Saratoga, Los Gatos, and elected officials to coordinate efforts to reduce fire hazard risks on Highway 9.
D. Consider requiring any eucalyptus trees on a property to be removed when an application for a new house is received.
E. Consider expanding the exterior home hardening requirements of the California Residential Code to apply to all properties in the City and not just those within the High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Area.
F. Adopt an updated Annex to the Santa Clara Wildfire Protection Plan to plan for programs in Monte Sereno.
G. Recruit 10 additional CERT members, with a focus on residents that live near City Hall.
H. Consider outfitting the shed at City Hall to serve as an NICP.
I. Consider establishing a commission or committee to work on wildfire prevention and preparedness issues.
2. Install of Flock cameras citywide.
3. Finalize the agreement with Los Gatos for law enforcement services.
V. Enhance Environmental Sustainability
A. Promote low-water and low-fire landscaping alternatives for residents.
B. Encourage water conservation and support the move to lower carbon emissions in Monte Sereno.
STAFF REPORT
Meeting: City Council - Sep 02 2025
Agenda Heading: NEW BUSINESS
Staff Contact: Diana Perkins, City Manager
Department: City Manager
Title: Consideration of a Letter of Opposition to SB 707 (Durazo) Open Meetings: Meeting and Teleconference Requirements
Recommendation(s):
Staff recommends that the City Council consider whether to authorize the Mayor to send the draft letter of opposition to SB 707 (Durazo) to the appropriate legislators.
Background Information:
On February 23, 2025, SB 707 was introduced to the California State Senate. If adopted, SB 707 would significantly modify local government meeting requirements under the Ralph M.
Brown Act.
The full text of the bill, as currently amended, is online at:
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB707#95AMD Analysis:
Among its requirements, SB 707 would require City Councils to:
Provide two-way telephonic or audiovisual access for all meetings and halt business during service disruptions.
Translate agendas into all “applicable languages” spoken by 20% or more of residents with limited English proficiency.
Provide a space for community-submitted translations, even if they are inaccurate or misleading.
Create and maintain multi-language webpages with agendas, instructions, and meeting procedures.
Expand outreach and electronic systems for agenda access.
These mandates would create significant new costs including potentially new audio-visual equipment, staff training, website redesigns, and facility modifications. As compliance with the Brown Act obligations are not eligible for state reimbursement, Monte Sereno would be required to absorb the full cost of compliance.
SB 707 would take effect on January 1, 2026, giving the city just a few months to meet these new obligations, without dedicated funding
The League of California Cities opposes this bill unless it is amended. Attachment 1 includes the opposition letter from the League of California Cities.
California Environmental Quality Act:
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(4) in that it is a fiscal activity that does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potential significant impact on the environment.
Public Noticing:
The City of Monte Sereno's Council meeting agenda was posted on the bulletin board outside of Monte Sereno's City Hall and the agenda with this staff report can be accessed on the City of Monte Sereno's website located at www.montesereno.org.
Attachments:
1. League of California Cities Opposition Letter
2. Draft Letter of Opposition to SB 707
1400 K Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814 • 916.658.8200 • calcities.org August 25, 2025
The Honorable María Elena Durazo
California State Senate
1021 O Street, Room 7530
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE SB 707 (Durazo) Open Meetings: Meeting and Teleconference Requirements.
Notice of Oppose Unless Amended
Dear Senator Durazo,
The League of California Cities must respectfully oppose SB 707 unless it is amended.
This bill would make numerous changes to the rules governing local agency public meetings pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act (Brown Act). We want to first share our appreciation for your willingness to work with local government stakeholders in developing this bill. SB 707 would represent the most extensive changes to the Brown Act in several years and includes many positive provisions providing local government additional meeting flexibility. Unfortunately, the bill as drafted is imbalanced and would impose sweeping and costly new mandates on cities without adequate resources, flexibility, or time to implement them.
We agree with the intent of the bill and believe government should be accessible and that participation in it is critical to our democratic process. However, the layers of complexity in SB 707 go beyond what is generally found in the Brown Act. The Brown Act contains baseline requirements that ensure transparency. A bill with directive, granular language will have difficulty in real world application. The bill’s prescriptive requirements on translation, technology, outreach, and website redesign exceed the Brown Act’s role as a framework statute and would create serious fiscal and legal challenges for cities already struggling with constrained resources.
Cal Cities recognizes the need to conduct the public’s business in public and to this end, Cal Cities supported and was a co-sponsor of the original Ralph M. Brown Act.
That being said, the Brown Act was enacted in 1953 and is due for modernization.
Brown Act modernization, however, must also be balanced in its approach and cannot overburden a city’s ability to conduct business.
As you know, local agencies are facing significant fiscal uncertainty due to state budget pressures, new unfunded state mandates, declining or flat revenue, and threats by the federal government to withhold vital funds for the social safety net and disaster response, among others. These pressures are occurring at the same time that local governments are being asked to do more with less, implementing bold new changes to state law without adequate funding and growing fiscal risk. Unlike other unfunded mandates, due to the passage of Proposition 42 in 2014, the Brown Act is no longer a
reimbursable state mandated program, meaning that local governments are required to absorb all the costs of new requirements under the Brown Act.
As a result of Prop 42, when the Legislature expands open government requirements under the Brown Act, local governments must absorb all costs of implementation, whether that means purchasing equipment, hiring staff, or redesigning systems without financial support from the state. SB 707 layers substantial new obligations on cities at a time when budgets are already stretched thin.
Adding to this imbalance, the state itself is not subject to the requirements being imposed on cities. For example, the Legislature does not require two-way teleconference participation, the same translation of agendas, or public posting of unofficial third-party translations. Similarly, state boards and commissions retain greater flexibility in managing public comment. It is inconsistent for the state to exempt itself from requirements it mandates for cities, especially when those mandates carry significant fiscal and operational consequences.
The bill also creates inequities by tying its mandates to population thresholds. SB 707 defines “eligible legislative bodies” to include:
• A city council of a city with a population of 30,000 or more; • A county board of supervisors of a county, or city and county, with a population of 30,000 or more;
• A city council of a city located in a county with a population of 600,000 or more; or
• The board of directors of a special district whose boundaries include a population of 200,000 or more and that has an internet website.
This definition means that cities of similar size will be treated very differently. For example, approximately 100 cities with populations under 30,000 would be exempt. Yet another 100 cities with the same population levels would fall under the bill’s mandates simply because they are located in larger counties. Governor Newsom highlighted the same problem in his 2021 veto of AB 339, noting that population-based mandates create unnecessary complexity and barriers to participation. The undue burden of the requirements is compounded by their inequitable application.
If a city council qualifies as an “eligible legislative body,” it would face a broad range of new requirements under SB 707. These include:
• Providing two-way telephonic or audiovisual access for all meetings, with business halted in the event of service disruption that can seriously hamper important, time-sensitive proceedings;
• Translating agendas into all “applicable languages,” defined as those spoken by 20 percent or more of residents with limited English proficiency;
• Designating a physical location for “community translations” and allowing members of the public to post their own translations without any standards or limits;
• Expanding outreach efforts to groups that do not traditionally participate in public meetings;
• Creating and maintaining a dedicated, multi-language webpage for public meetings, prominently linked from the city’s homepage, with translated explanations of meeting procedures, calendars of all meetings, and links to agendas and participation instructions; and
• Developing and maintaining electronic systems for agenda requests, either through email or integrated agenda management platforms.
Taken together, these obligations will result in a significant new cost and workload for many jurisdictions. Specifically:
Remote participation systems require expensive audiovisual equipment, software licensing, internet upgrades, and facility modifications, along with new staffing and training to manage hybrid meetings.
The bill’s language translation requirements also present implementation questions. SB 707 requires agendas to be translated into all “applicable languages,” defined as those languages spoken jointly by 20 percent or more of the population in the city or county in which the eligible legislative body is located that speaks English less than “very well” and jointly speaks a language other than English according to data from the most recent American Community Survey. This could require the translation of materials that may never be requested or used, resulting in significant costs and administrative burden, and diverting resources from other critical needs within the city.
Under SB 707, an eligible legislative body would be required to provide a physical location under its continuous control where public-submitted translations of agendas may be displayed. While the bill attempts to shield agencies from liability, members of the public are likely to view third-party postings at official locations as sanctioned by the agency, leading to confusion, criticism, and erosion of public trust if inaccuracies occur. This risk is compounded by the possibility of bad actors intentionally posting misleading translations to influence non-English-speaking populations on controversial issues. Given that public translations can already be submitted as communications under existing Brown Act processes, the mandate to allow public postings at official sites creates significant logistical, financial, and trust-related challenges for local agencies without providing meaningful new benefits.
SB 707 would also require local agencies to create and maintain translated versions of a public-facing webpage, with prominent links on the homepage for each applicable language. This could pose practical challenges, especially for agencies with limited homepage space already used for mandated notices and critical community updates.
Managing multiple translated webpages also requires technical capacity that many smaller agencies may not have.
Other provisions add further burden without meaningful benefit. SB 707 eliminates flexibility that allows councils to limit public comment on items already heard by committees. Existing law applicable to state agencies expressly provides that a state agency is not required to permit repeated public comment for items already considered by a committee composed exclusively of members of the state body at a public meeting where interested members of the public were afforded the opportunity to address the committee on the item. SB 707 does not afford cities the same rights.
SB 707 is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, providing agencies with only a few months to implement significant operational changes. Cities would have only a few months to complete procurement, redesign meeting procedures, and train staff, all without dedicated funding. Because municipal budgets are generally adopted each June for the following fiscal year, most jurisdictions will not be able to allocate resources until at least July 2026. For these reasons, a delayed implementation to January 1, 2027, is the minimum necessary accommodation to give cities the opportunity to plan, budget, and comply. Anything sooner risks failed implementation despite cities’ best efforts.
We remain committed to the goals of transparency and public engagement and hope to continue working collaboratively toward practical, effective improvements to public meeting processes.
For the reasons discussed above, the League of California Cities respectfully opposes SB 707 unless it is amended to address our concerns. We look forward to continued conversations to modernize the Brown Act. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss this in greater detail at (916) 658-8214.
Sincerely,
Johnnie Piña
Legislative Advocate
League of California Cities
[email protected]
18041 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road
Monte Sereno, California 95030-4299
Telephone: 408.354.7635
www.montesereno.org
September 3, 2025
María Elena Durazo
California State Senate
1021 O Street, Room 7530
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: SB 707 (Durazo) Open Meetings: Meeting and Teleconference Requirements - Oppose Unless Amended
Dear Senator Durazo,
The City of Monte Sereno must respectfully oppose SB 707 unless it is amended. While our city strongly supports public transparency and accessibility, SB 707, as currently drafted, would impose costly and inequitable new mandates on cities like ours without providing the resources or flexibility needed for implementation.
SB 707 contains positive elements that recognize the need to modernize the Ralph M. Brown Act. However, its prescriptive requirements would create significant fiscal and operational challenges for our city, including:
• Providing two-way telephonic or audiovisual access for all meetings, halting proceedings during any service disruption.
• Translating agendas into all “applicable languages” spoken by 20% or more of residents with limited English proficiency.
• Designating a public space for community-submitted translations, even if inaccurate or misleading.
• Creating and maintaining multi-language webpages for agendas, instructions, and meeting procedures.
• Expanding outreach efforts and electronic systems for agenda access.
For the City of Monte Sereno these obligations would mean significant on-going additional costs and staff time expenses. Because of Proposition 42 (2014), none of these requirements would be reimbursable, forcing our city to absorb all costs.
The bill also applies unevenly across California. Cities of similar size would be treated differently depending solely on county population. Adding to the imbalance, the state itself is not required to comply with the very rules being imposed on cities.
Finally, the January 1, 2026, implementation date does not give local governments sufficient time to budget, procure, and train for compliance. A minimum extension to January 1, 2027 is essential to ensure cities can meet these requirements responsibly.
The City of Monte Sereno remains committed to transparency and engaging the public in meaningful ways. We respectfully urge you to amend SB 707 to remove the most burdensome mandates, ensure equitable treatment of cities, and provide sufficient time and resources for compliance.
For these reasons the City of Monte Sereno respectfully opposes SB 707 unless it is amended to address our concerns.
Sincerely,
Burton Craig
Mayor
CC: Gail Pellerin, Assemblymember
Josh Becker, State Senator
Montana Cruz, League of California Cities Regional Public Affairs Manager League of California Cities, [email protected]
STAFF REPORT
Meeting: City Council - Sep 02 2025
Agenda Heading: NEW BUSINESS
Staff Contact: Diana Perkins, City Manager
Department: City Manager
Title: Receive the Informational Update from the Improving Finance Controls and Reporting Ad Hoc Committee
Recommendation(s):
Staff recommends that the City Council receive the informational update from the Improving Finance Controls and Reporting Ad Hoc Committee.
Background Information:
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-3922 to establish the Improving Finance Controls and Reporting Ad Hoc Committee on January 21, 2025 and appointed Council Members Mekechuk and Shannon to the Committee (Attached). The Ad Hoc Committee members will provide an informational update on their activities and accomplishments.
California Environmental Quality Act:
This matter is not a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment (CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5)).
Fiscal Impact:
There are no unbudgeted fiscal impacts with this agenda item.
Public Noticing:
The City of Monte Sereno's Council meeting agenda was posted on the bulletin board outside of Monte Sereno's City Hall and the agenda with this staff report can be accessed on the City of Monte Sereno's website located at www.montesereno.org.
Attachments:
1. Reso No 25-3922 Establishing the Improving Financial Controls and Reporting Ad Hoc Committee
RESOLUTION NO. 25-3922
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MONTE SERENO
ESTABLISHING THE IMPROVING FINANCIAL CONTROLS AND REPORTING AD
HOC COMMITTEE AD HOC COMMITTEE
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Monte Sereno (“City Council”) may establish project specific subcommittees to address an explicit purpose or need; and WHEREAS, project specific subcommittees are of a limited duration and should be active for no more than one year; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish a project specific ad hoc subcommittee to advise staff on improving financial controls and reporting effective January 22, 2025 through January 21, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Improving Financial Controls And Reporting Ad Hoc Committee is to accomplish the following:
• Review alternatives to replace the City’s existing financial reporting system and recommend a system to City Council;
• Ensure that the recommended financial reporting system has appropriate cybersecurity features and reduces the City’s exposure to cybersecurity threats; • Propose improvements to the monthly close process using the recommended financial reporting system;
• Update internal controls over financial reporting;
• Investigate collaborative and cost-effective finance and accounting alternatives with other small cities/towns; and
• Work with staff to engage with third party consultant(s) to complete the tasks noted above.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that City Council hereby forms the Improving Financial Controls and Reporting Ad Hoc Committee effective January 22, 2025, until no later than January 21, 2026, to work with the City Manager to advise staff on proposed modifications to current financial systems and processes; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Council Member Mekechuk and Council Member Shannon are hereby appointed to the Improving Financial Controls and Reporting Ad Hoc Committee.
REGULARLY ADOPTED AND PASSED this 21st day of January 2025, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: SHANNON, WOLSHEIMER, MEKECHUK, ELLAHIE, CRAIG
NOES: NONE
Docusign Envelope ID: 39948E81-75C1-49A8-987B-437CB7D785FF
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
APPROVED:
Burton Craig, Mayor
ATTESTED:
__________________________
Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: 39948E81-75C1-49A8-987B-437CB7D785FF
Monte Sereno City Council
2025 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: August 28, 2025
Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
January 7, 2025 Presentation of Certificates of Recognition to 2024 STEM Winners from the City of Monte Sereno
GGL N Presentation
Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Accept the Annual Approval and Signing of the City Council Code of Ethics GGL N Consent Calendar Revisions to City of Monte Sereno Council Ad-Hoc Committees DP N New Business Discuss Selection of Meeting Date for Strategic Goal Setting DP N New Business Flock Cameras DP N New Business
Consider and Approve City Council Committee/Commission Assignments for Calendar Year 2025
DP N New Business
Review of Municipal Code Chapter 10.09 (Personal Wireless Service Facility and Antenna Criteria) and Discussion of Draft Revisions
DP N New Business
January 21, 2025 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Consider Establishment of an Appointment to the Monte Sereno City Council Improving Financial Controls and Reporting Ad Hoc Committee DP N Consent Calendar
Hold Public Hearing and Adopt a Reso Overruling Objections and Determining to Proceed with Weed Abatement
GGL Y Public Hearing
Review Options for the Use of the Auxiliary Building DP N Unfinished Business
Flock Cameras DP N Unfinished
Business
Accept the FY 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Report DP N New Business City Manager’s Quarterly Report DP N New Business
Consider and Appoint One Additional Member to the 2024-2025 Monte Sereno Youth Commission
GGL N New Business
February 4, 2025 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Hold Public Hearing and Adopt a Reso Overruling Objections and Determining to Proceed with Weed Abatement
GGL Y Public Hearing
Monte Sereno City Council
2025 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: August 28, 2025
Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
Discuss Hosting a City Picnic and Consider a Budget for the City Picnic DP N New Business Discussion and Consideration of a City of Monte Sereno Community Grants Deadline, Selection Dates, and Budget Amount
DP N New Business
February 18, 2025 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Receive Information Regarding the CalPERS Unfunded Pension Liabilities DP N New Business March 4, 2025 Santa Clara County Fire Department Semi-Annual Public Safety Report Fire N Presentation Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Wildfire Prevention, Preparation, and Response Discussion DP N New Business March 18, 2025 Closed Session
Special Meeting POTENTIAL LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(b): Two Cases Staff present- City Attorney and Interim City Manager
PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE
EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Title: City Manager/Interim City Manager
Staff Present: Interim City Manager, City Attorney
March 18, 2025 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Consideration to Authorize the Interim City Manager to Execute Amendment #1 to the Professional Services Agreement with AIM Engineering Consultants, Inc. for Public Works/City Engineering Consulting.
DP N Consent Calendar
Consideration to Authorize the City Manager to Execute Amendment #2 to the Professional Services Agreement with DKG Consultants for Financial Services Consulting.
DP N Consent Calendar
Monte Sereno City Council
2025 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: August 28, 2025
Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
Authorize the Mayor to Send a Letter to Assemblymember Gail Pellerin Regarding Wildfire Safety Concerns Regarding the Eucalyptus Trees Along Highway 9
DP N Consent Calendar
Application 2024-3086 for a Site Development Permit for a single-story addition of approximately 554 square feet and a Variance application for reduced front of five feet where 25 feet is required.
DP Y Public Hearing
Consider and Appointment of Betters Streets Commissioner for Unscheduled Commission Vacancy
GGL N New Business
Annual Council Goal Setting Session for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 DP N New Business Receive the Informational Update from the Improving Finance Controls and Reporting Ad Hoc Committee
DP N New Business
Accept the Resignation of Council Member Shannon as Alternate Director of the Silicon Valley Clean Energy and Appoint a New Alternate Director DP N New Business
April 1, 2025 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Adoption of 2025-2026 City Council Goals DP N Consent Calendar Consider Modification to the City Council’s City Manager Search Ad Hoc Committee to Extend the Effective Date of the Committee to October 1, 2025 DP N Consent Calendar
Housing Element Annual Progress Report DP N Consent Calendar Adopt a Resolution Declaring Support for Efforts to Provide Universal Child Care DP New Business Authorize the Interim City Manager to enter into an agreement with the West Valley Cities to conduct a feasibility study for the possible development of temporary and emergency housing facilities and programs to service the unhoused population within the five jurisdictions.
DP N New Business
Consider Amending the Purpose of the Improving Financial Controls and Reporting Ad Hoc Committee
DP N Consent Calendar
Special Meeting
Closed Session
Discuss revisions to the Agreement for Law Enforcement Services between the City of Monte Sereno and the Town of Los Gatos
DP N New Business
Monte Sereno City Council
2025 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: August 28, 2025
Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
Special Meeting
April 11, 2025
Consideration to Authorize the Interim City Manager to Execute an Agreement for a Financial Services Program (title will be updated once a vendor is selected) DP N New Business
April 15, 2025 Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department Semi-Annual Report Police N Presentation Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Introduce and waive the first reading of Ordinance No. NS244 to Amend Municipal Code Section 10.09 Personal Wireless Telecommunications Regulations.
DP Y Public Hearing
Adopt a Resolution Declaring Support for Efforts to Provide Universal Child Care DP N Unfinished Business
Approve Agreement for Law Enforcement Services between the City of Monte Sereno and the Town of Los Gatos
DP N Unfinished
Business
Adopt a Resolution to Update the City’s Financial Investment Policy and Become Shareholder of California Asset Management Trust
DP Y New Business
Discuss the Possibility of Establishing a Wildfire Prevention and Preparedness Commission or Committee
DP N New Business
City Manager’s Quarterly Report DP N New Business
May 6, 2025 Steinbeck Sign unveiling and Ice Cream Social Special Meeting
May 6, 2025 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Adopt Ordinance No. NS-244 to Amend Municipal Code Section 10.09 Personal Wireless Telecommunications Regulations.
DP N Consent Calendar
Measure B Bicycle/Pedestrian Education and Encouragement Program Funding Amended and Restated Agreement with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
DP N Consent Calendar
Authorize the Interim City Manager to Execute the First Amendment to the Agreement with the County of Santa Clara for the Countywide Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program.
DP N Consent Calendar
Award of contract to Radius Earthwork, Inc. for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 DP N Consent Calendar
Monte Sereno City Council
2025 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: August 28, 2025
Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
Pavement Improvement Project in Total Amount Not to Exceed $398,507 and Determining Project Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301
First Study Session for Review of Proposed FY 25/26 Budget DP N New Business Discuss Civic Engagement Goal for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 DP N New Business Foster Care/Resource Parent Awareness Month DP N New Business May 20, 2025 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Adoption of a Resolution Declaring Hazardous Vegetation (Brush) a Public Nuisance and Set Public Hearing (SCCF)
GGL N Consent Calendar
Adoption of a Resolution Setting Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2025-26 and Adopting Amended Appropriations Limits for Fiscal Years 2023-24 and 2024-25 DP N Consent Calendar
Consideration to Approve and Authorize the Interim City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with DKG Consultants for Financial Services Consulting.
DP N Consent Calendar
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) DP Y Public Hearing
Consideration of Awarding Community Based Organization Grants DP N New Business June 3, 2025 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Annual Street Maintenance - Adoption of Projects FY 25/26 DP N Consent Calendar Updated Fee Schedule for User and Regulatory Fees DP N Consent Calendar Introduce and waive the first reading of Ordinance No. NS-245 to Adopt Updated Local Responsibility Fire Hazard Severity Maps
DP Y Public Hearing
Accept a Report on the Status of the City’s Vacancies, Recruitment, and DP Y Public Hearing
Monte Sereno City Council
2025 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: August 28, 2025
Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
Retention Efforts Pursuant to Assembly Bill 2561
Consideration of Awarding Community Based Organization Grants DP N New Business June 17, 2025 Warrant List DP N Consent Calendar
Treasurer Report DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Adoption of Resolution Establishing and Fixing the Amount of Special Real Property Tax Levy for Police Protection Purposes for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 GGL N Consent Calendar
Adoption 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
DP Y Consent Calendar
Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Los Gatos‐Monte Sereno Safe Routes to School, Inc. for Providing Services Eligible Under Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s 2016 Measure B Bicycle and Pedestrian Education and Encouragement Program
DA N Consent Calendar
Adopt Resolution No. 25-### Approving the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Salary Schedule to comply with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Statutory and Regulatory Requirements for Compensation and Publicly Available Salary Schedules
DP N Consent Calendar
Adopt a Resolution Overruling Protest Regarding Brush Abatement GGL Y Public Hearing Adoption of the FY 25/26 Budget DP N Unfinished
Business
Introduction and Waiver of First Reading of Ordinance No. NS-###, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Monte Sereno Amending Municipal Code Section
12.03.020.A to Reduce the Number of Youth Commissioners GGL N New Business
Appointment of 2025-2026 Youth Commissioners GGL N New Business July 1, 2025
July 15, 2025
Meetings Cancelled
August 5, 2025 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Monte Sereno City Council
2025 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: August 28, 2025
Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
Adoption of Ordinance NS-246, and Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Monte Sereno Amending the Municipal Code Section 12.03.020.A and 12.03.020 to Decrease the Number of Youth Commissioners and Amend the Appointment Process
DP N Consent Calendar
Adopt a Resolution Confirming a Weed Abatement Report and Assessment List to be Entered on the Tax Assessment Roll
GGL Y Public Hearing
Consider and Appoint One (1) Additional Member to the 2025-2026 Monte Sereno Youth Commission
GGL N Unfinished
Business
Consideration of Nominees Citizen of the Year Award GGL N New Business League of California Cities Annual Conference Voting Delegate GGL N New Business Discuss Potential Police Service Parcel Tax Ballot Measure DP N New Business Appointment to Fill One Vacancy on the Monte Sereno Site and Architectural Commission for an Unexpired Term Ending December 31, 2026 GGL N New Business
Consider and Approve City Council Committee/Commission Reassignments for Calendar Year 2025
DP N New Business
Consider the Opportunity for up to two Monte Sereno Residents to Participate in the 2025-2026 Leadership Los Gatos Program
DP N New Business
Consider and Accept the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Financial Audit Report DP N New Business Consider Approval of Updated Job Descriptions DP N New Business August 19, 2025 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Consider Amending Resolution 25-3936 to Increase the Number of Youth Commissioners for the 2025-2026 School Year from Seven to Nine GGL N Consent Calendar
FY 24-25 Pavement Improvement Project Acceptance DA N Consent Calendar 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)
DP Y Public Hearing
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) DP Y Public Hearing
Consider and Appoint Three (3) Additional Members to the 2025-2026 Monte GGL N Unfinished
Monte Sereno City Council
2025 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: August 28, 2025
Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
Sereno Youth Commission Business
Selection of Vice Mayor to Fill the Recently Vacated Position DP N New Business Filling the Vacant Council Seat DP N New Business
Consider Establishment of and Appointment to the Monte Sereno City Council Potential Police Service Parcel Tax Ad Hoc Committee
DP N New Business
Update on the City Council Adopted Goal to Improve Wildfire Prevention and Preparedness and Provide any Direction to Staff
DP N New Business
City Manager’s Quarterly Report DP N New Business
September 2, 2025 Proclamation recognizing September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month N Presentation Finance Reports Warrant list DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Discuss Civic Engagement / Building Community DP N Unfinished Business
Consideration of a Letter of Opposition to SB 707 (Durazo) Open Meetings:
Meeting and Teleconference Requirements
DP N New Business
Receive the Informational Update from the Improving Finance Controls and Reporting Ad Hoc Committee
DP N New Business
September 16, 2025 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
October 7, 2025 Santa Clara County Fire Department Semi-Annual Public Safety Report Fire N Presentation Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Consider Approval of Updated Job Descriptions DP N New Business Consideration to Authorize the City Manager to Execute Amendment #2 to the Professional Services Agreement with AIM Engineering Consultants, Inc. for Public Works/City Engineering Consulting
DP N Consent Calendar
Consideration to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement to Continue Participation in the Santa Clara County Planning Collaborative at a Cost DP N Consent Calendar
Monte Sereno City Council
2025 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: August 28, 2025
Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
of $14,000 for Two Years
October 21, 2025 Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department Semi-Annual Report Police N Presentation Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
City Manager’s Quarterly Report DP N New Business
Introduction of an Ordinance to Review/Reconsider projects that require a Planning Department Site Development Permit
DP Y Public Hearing
Review of the Council Policy for Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Public Meetings
DP N New Business
November 4, 2025 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Adoption of an Ordinance to Review/Reconsider projects that require a Planning Department Site Development Permit
DP N Consent Calendar
November 18, 2025 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Appointment of Betters Streets Commissioners GGL N New Business Appointment of Site and Architectural Commissioners GGL N New Business December 2, 2025 Finance Reports Warrant list N Consent Calendar Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Better Street Commission & S&A Applicants GGL N New Business December 16, 2025 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Declaring Weeds a Public Nuisance GGL N Consent Calendar Supplemental Law Enforcement Service Fund (SLESF) GGL N Consent Calendar Consider and Set City Council Meeting Dates for 2026 GGL N New Business
Monte Sereno City Council
2025 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: August 28, 2025
Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
Council Nomination of Mayor and Vice Mayor DP N New Business Recognition of Outgoing Betters Streets Commissioners and Site and Architectural Commissioners
DP N New Business
Committee/Commission Assignments for CY2026 DP N New Business