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MONTE SERENO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
7:00 p.m.
October 21, 2025
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
At approximately 7:02 p.m., Mayor Craig called the meeting to order.
Councilmember Shannon stated participating in tonight's meeting remotely under “Just Cause” circumstance and confirmed there was nobody over the age of 18 in the same room as her.
ROLL CALL
Present – Chambers: Councilmember Toren, Councilmember Mekechuk, Vice Mayor Allan and Mayor Craig
Present – Remote: Councilmember Shannon
Absent: None
Staff: City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica, City Manager Perkins and City Attorney Powell
Staff – Remote: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Craig shared that since Dolly Parton’s Imagination Program started, it has received about 10,000 sign-ups.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Services Presentation Report January - June 2025 by Police Captain Albin.
Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Captain Rebecca Albin provided the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Services Presentation Report January - June 2025.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
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None.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
2. Approve the Minutes of the October 7, 2025 Special and Regular City Council Meeting
3. Approve Warrant List Dated October 21, 2025 in the Amount $148,053.19
4. Approve Settlement Agreement with Reynold Samoranos
Councilmember Mekechuk requested to pull Item #4.
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 Items #2 and 3 on the Consent Calendar. Seconded by Councilmember Toren.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Allan to approve Item #4 on the Consent Calendar.
Seconded by Councilmember Toren.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-1 Abstain: Mekechuk)
PUBLIC HEARING
5. Introduction and Waiver of First Reading of Ordinance No. NS-247 an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Monte Sereno amending the Zoning Code Sections 10.08.040 (Site Development Permit Required) and 10.15.100 (Eucalyptus Tree Removal Required) City Manager Perkins provided a staff report.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Craig opened the item for Public Hearing. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Craig closed Public Hearing.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Allan to Introduce Ordinance No. NS-247 with the amendments of eliminating the second recital related to the gum varieties of eucalyptus trees and amend or remove section three of the ordinance and wave the reading thereof. Seconded by Councilmember Mekechuk.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
6. Consider and Accept the City Manager's Quarterly Report Covering July 1, 2025 through September 30, 2025
City Manager Perkins provided a staff report.
Discussion ensued.
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Mayor Craig opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Craig closed Public Comment.
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
Councilmember Shannon stated nothing to report.
Vice Mayor Allan stated nothing to report.
Councilmember Toren stated nothing to report.
Councilmember Mekechuk stated he was unable to attend the Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority meeting due to attending the League of California Cities Annual Conference. Other meetings were canceled, but he is scheduled to attend upcoming meetings at the end of the month.
Mayor Craig reported he attended a meeting with the finance subcommittee of the Santa Clara County Library JPA and voted to push the full board budget of $81 million dollars. The budget looks like a strong budget.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Councilmember Mekechuk shared that the League of California Cities Annual Conference was very good. There were several thousand in attendance, and one of the best things about the conference was being able to meet with other Councilmembers and network. Councilmember Mekechuk also shared a picture from Sunday afternoon with the neighbors of Via Sereno at a block party. Twelve of the sixteen families were there.
Vice Mayor Allan shared he will not be able to attend the next Council meeting due to a family matter.
Councilmember Toren shared he had the pleasure of attending the Police Foundation luncheon along with his wife Melissa Toren and Vice Mayor Allan. Councilmember Toren shared he will be attending the upcoming meeting with the wildfire advisory group in the Town of Los Gatos. He also shared that he attended the Silicon Valley Community Foundation annual meeting. Councilmember Toren stated it is a great organization that does a lot in the community. Councilmember Toren shared he and his wife will be attending the Senators Regional Center Service. He also shared he attended the Youth Commission last week and expressed being impressed with them. Lastly, Councilmember Toren shared he also met with John Tang, who had reached out to him, and shared he has invited Mr. Tang to come out and speak to the Council in the near future.
Mayor Craig shared he ran into former Vice Mayor Ellahie and shared he is slowly recuperating.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Perkins made a friendly reminder that the City will be issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) this week, requesting consultant proposals to assist with a potential ballot measure for police services to cover police services costs, which would be on the November 2026 General Election. The proposals received will be evaluated by the ad hoc committee. There is a goal to bring a contract for councils’ consideration before the end of this year.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
7. A copy of the Tentative 2025 Council Meeting Calendar was included on the agenda.
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boards.
ADJOURN
Mayor Craig adjourned the meeting at approximately 9:34 p.m.
Burton Craig, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
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