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MONTE SERENO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
7:00 p.m.
December 2, 2025
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
At approximately 7:01 p.m., Mayor Craig called the meeting to order.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present – Chambers: Councilmember Toren, Councilmember Shannon, Councilmember Mekechuk, Vice Mayor Allan and Mayor Craig
Present – Remote: None
Absent: None
Staff: City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica, City Manager Perkins and City Attorney Powell
Staff – Remote: None
PRESENTATIONS
1. Commendation for Mayor Craig on behalf of Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga presented a certificate of appreciation to outgoing Mayor Burton Craig.
2. Youth Commission Update
Chair Jacob, Vice Chair Singh, Commissioner Zeidler and Commissioner Stauch provided Council with an update on what the Youth Commission has done since the beginning of the term and a preview of the upcoming events for next year.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Mekechuk expressed deep sympathy for Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company Founder Teri Hope after the devastating event that occurred to this business on Thanksgiving Day.
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ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Former Mayor Lawler expressed she would like Council to send a letter of opposition to the latest Environmental Impact Report as it would create hardship for the Monte Sereno Community in terms of addressing housing needs.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
3. Approve the Minutes of the November 18, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting
4. Approve Warrant List Dated December 2, 2025 in the Amount $176,682.24 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 the Consent Calendar.
Seconded by Vice Mayor Allan.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
PUBLIC HEARING
None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5. Adoption of Health & Safety Element
M-Group Consultants, Asher Kohn and Hannanah Meeks, provided a report to Council and assisted with answering questions from the Council.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Craig opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Craig closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Shannon to approve the resolution adopting the revised health and safety element. Seconded by Vice Councilmember Toren.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
NEW BUSINESS
6. Consideration of Three Applications and Appointment to Fill Two Vacancies on the Monte Sereno Site and Architectural Commission
City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica provided a staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Applicants
• Applicant Lawler
• Applicant Tam
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.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Mekechuk to Appoint Resident Lawler and Resident Tam to fill the Two (2) Vacancies on the Monte Sereno Site and Architectural Commission to serve a term ending December 31, 2027.
Seconded by Vice Mayor Allan.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
7. Consideration of Two Applications and Appointment to Fill Two of the Three Vacancies on the Monte Sereno Better Streets Commission
City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica provided a staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Applicant
• Applicant Craig
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 Resident Craig and Resident Duflock to fill Two (2) Vacancies on the Monte Sereno Better Streets Commission to serve a term ending December 31, 2027. Seconded by Councilmember Toren.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-0-1 Abstain: Craig)
8. Introduction and Waiver of First Reading of Ordinance No. NS-249, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Monte Sereno Amending Section 9.07.035 (Mechanical Blowers – GasPowered Devices Prohibited) City Manager Perkins provided a staff report and answered questions from the Council.
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 introduce and waive the first reading of Ordinance No. NS-249 to revise the responsible party. Seconded by Councilmember Mekechuk.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
9. City Council Reorganization
Remarks by Outgoing Mayor Craig
Vice Mayor Allan presented Mayor Craig with a plaque.
Election of Mayor and Vice Mayor
Mayor Craig nominated Vice Mayor Allan as Mayor.
Mayor Allan nominated Councilmember Shannon as Vice Mayor.
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Mayor Allan opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Allan closed Public Comment.
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
Councilmember Mekechuk shared that the Valley Transportation Authority Policy Advisory Committee meeting was cancelled. He did express he is looking forward to the new City Engineer to be able to look into potential grants for the City of Monte Sereno. West Valley Stormwater Authority and West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority Board meet only every three months and there is nothing to report. Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority is scheduled to meet on December 10th.
Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission is scheduled to meet in January 2026.
Councilmember Toren shared he didn’t attend any Cities Association meetings, but he did express interest in serving on the Silicon Valley Animal Control.
Councilmember Craig stated nothing to report.
Councilmember Shannon shared that Santa Clara Valley Water Commission did not meet. Tomorrow West Valley Sanitation District Board will begin interviewing for the District Manager position.
Vice Mayor Allan shared Silicon Valley Animal Control met last week, and the Executive Directors contact was renewed in this meeting.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Mayor Craig was thanked for his leadership and accomplishments in his year as Mayor by the Council.
Mayor Allan expressed everyone’s prayers have been successful, he shared his wife Mary is cancer free.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Perkins shard of the upcoming office closure for the holiday, starting Wednesday, December 24th through Thursday, January 1st. City Hall will reopen Friday, January 2nd.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
5. A copy of the Tentative 2025 Council Meeting Calendar was included on the agenda.
Councilmember Mekechuk would like to have item on the agenda regarding having an alternate for Silicon Valley Clean Energy. Councilmember Mekechuk would like to propose to move to automated payment for some of the utilities bill and have a policy come to Council for consideration.
ADJOURN
Mayor Craig adjourned the meeting at approximately 8:31 p.m.
Lon Allan, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
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