AGENDA
City of Monte Sereno
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
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
1. Presentation of Certificates of Recognition to 2025 STEM Winners from the City of Monte Sereno
2. West Valley Recycles Presentation
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.
3. Approve the Minutes of the December 16, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting
Staff recommends approval of the Minutes of the December 16, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting
Staff Report -SR-22-148 - Pdf
6 - 15
4. Approve Warrant List Dated January 6, 2026 in the Amount of $229,720.58
Staff recommends the City Council approve the Warrant List.
Staff Report - SR-25-242 - Pdf
16 - 19
5. Adopt a Resolution Accepting Funds from the California Supplemental Law Enforcement Service Fund (SLESF) and remitting the funds to the Town of Los Gatos for various technology upgrades and specialized equipment.
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the draft resolution 20 - 27
accepting funds from the California Supplemental Law Enforcement Service Fund (SLESF), retaining $71,850 in funds for the implementation costs for the FLOCK cameras in Monte Sereno, and remitting the remaining $224,350.07 funds to the Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department for various technology upgrades and specialized equipment.
Staff Report - SR-25-236 - Pdf
6. Accept the Annual Approval and Signing of the City Council Code of Ethics
Staff recommends that the City Council approve and sign the City Council Code of Ethics.
Staff Report - SR-25-241 - Pdf
28 - 30
PUBLIC HEARINGS
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
7. Consideration to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with CliffordMoss, LLC for Consulting Services for a Potential Police Services Parcel Tax Including Public Opinion Polling, Public Outreach, and a Prop 218 Compliant Ballot Measure for an amount not to exceed $84,850 Plus a 10% Contingency for Program Costs.
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with CliffordMoss, LLC for consulting services for a potential police service parcel tax ballot measure including public opinion polling, public outreach, and Prop 218 compliant ballot measure for an amount not to exceed $84,850 plus a 10% contingency for program costs.
Staff Report - SR-25-237 - Pdf
31 - 57
8. Discuss and Provide Direction to Staff on the City Council Ad-Hoc Committees for 2026
Staff recommends the City Council review existing ad hoc committees and provide direction to staff.
Staff Report - SR-25-238 - Pdf
58 - 60
9. Discuss Selection of Meeting Date for Strategic Goal Setting Meeting Staff recommends the Monte Sereno City Council discuss selecting a date for the Annual Strategic Goal Setting meeting and direct staff in organizing this meeting.
Staff Report - SR-25-239 - Pdf
61 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.
Toren
Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority
Cities Association – Board of Directors
Cities Association – Legislative Action Committee
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 Craig
Monte Sereno Youth Commission
Santa Clara County Library JPA
Shannon
Santa Clara Valley Water Commission
West Valley Sanitation District Board
Cities Association - Cities Selection Committee
Allan
Association of Bay Area Governments
League of California Cities Peninsula Division
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.
10. Council Tentative Council Meeting Calendar 2026 62 - 66
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 - Jan 06 2026
Agenda Heading: CONSENT CALENDAR
Staff Contact: Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
Department: City Clerk
Title: Approve the Minutes of the December 16, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting
Recommendation(s):
Staff recommends approval of the Minutes of the December 16, 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:
12-16-25 Regular Meeting Minutes DRAFT
MONTE SERENO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
7:00 p.m.
Remote Participation
2540 Venture Oaks Way
Sacramento, CA95833
December 16, 2025
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
At approximately 7:00 p.m., Mayor Allan called the meeting to order.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Present – Chambers: Councilmember Craig, Councilmember Mekechuk, Vice Mayor Shannon and Mayor Allan
Present – Remote: Councilmember Toren
Absent: None
Staff: City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica, City Manager Perkins and City Attorney Powell
Staff – Remote: None
ORDERS OF THE DAY
Mayor Allan requested that item #9 under New Business be moved up after Orders of the Day at tonight’s meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
9. Recognition of Outgoing Better Streets Commissioners Barry Chaffin
Steven White
Omar Billawala
Mayor Allan presented a Certificate of Recognition to Barry Chaffin for serving as a Commissioner on the Better Streets Commission.
Commissioners who could not attend were also recognized and thanked for being volunteers and serving as Commissioners. City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica will be mailing the outgoing
Commissioners their Certificates of Recognition.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
PRESENTATIONS
None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approve the Minutes of the December 2, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting
2. Approve Warrant List Dated December 16, 2025 in the Amount $37,055.19
3. Adopt a Resolution Declaring Noxious and Dangerous Weeds and Rubbish, Refuse, and Dirt to be a Public Nuisance and Setting a Public Hearing Date and Time and Consider All Objections to the Proposed Destruction or Removal of Weeds, Dirt, Rubbish, or Other Hazardous Material
4. Consideration to Authorize the City Manager to Execute First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Dicar Networks Corporation for Information Technology Services
5. Consideration to Authorize the City Manager to Execute First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Maze and Associates Accounting Corporation for Annual Financial Audit Services
6. Consideration to Authorize the City Manager to Execute First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Municipal Resources Group for Finance Department Consulting Services
7. Adoption of Ordinance No. NS-249, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Monte Sereno Amending Section 9.07.035 (Mechanical Blowers – Gas-Powered Devices Prohibited) Vice Mayor Shannon requested to pull Item #3 and Item #6.
Councilmember Mekechuk requested to pull Item #4.
Mayor Allan opened the Consent Calendar for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Allan closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Craig to approve Items #1, #2, #5 and #7 from the Consent Calendar. Seconded by Vice Mayor Shannon.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
3. Adopt a Resolution Declaring Noxious and Dangerous Weeds and Rubbish, Refuse, and Dirt to be a Public Nuisance and Setting a Public Hearing Date and Time and Consider All Objections to the Proposed Destruction or Removal of Weeds, Dirt, Rubbish, or Other Hazardous Material City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica provided a staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Allan opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Allan closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Mekechuk to approve Item #3 from the Consent Calendar. Seconded by Councilmember Craig.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
4. Consideration to Authorize the City Manager to Execute First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Dicar Networks Corporation for Information Technology Services City Manager Perkins provided a staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Allan opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Allan closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Mekechuk to approve the agreement with Dicar Networks Corporation subject to the City Manager working to verify the number of equipment and the cost per unit and comparing that to what the City’s recent invoices have been. If there is a significant increase, it shall return to Council for review. Seconded by Vice Mayor Shannon.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
6. Consideration to Authorize the City Manager to Execute First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Municipal Resources Group for Finance Department Consulting Services
City Manager Perkins provided a staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Allan opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Allan closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Mayor Allan to approve Item #6 from the Consent Calendar.
Seconded by Councilmember Craig.
VOTE: Motion passed. (4-1-0 Noes: Mekechuk)
PUBLIC HEARING
None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
8. Consider Approval of Updated Job Descriptions and Adopt a Resolution Updating the Salary Schedule to Include a Part-Time City Planner Salary
City Manager Perkins provided a staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Allan opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Allan closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Mayor Shannon to approve the updated job descriptions and adopt a resolution updating the Salary Schedule to include a part-time City Planner salary. Seconded by Councilmember Mekechuk.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
NEW BUSINESS
10. Consideration and Approval of the 2026 City Council Meeting Schedule City Clerk Gonzalez-Langarica provided a staff report and answered questions from the Council.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Allan opened the item for Public Comment. With no one wishing to speak, Mayor Allan closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Mekechuk to approve the 2026 City Council meeting and event schedule and cancel the regular City Council meetings of July 7, 2026 and July 21, 2026. Seconded by Councilmember Craig.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
11. Consider and Approve City Council Committee/Commission Assignments for Calendar Year 2026 Council reviewed the City Council Committee/Commission Assignments for Calendar Year 2026.
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 approved City Council Committee/Commission Assignments for Calendar Year 2026. Seconded by Vice Mayor Shannon.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
MOTION: Motion by Councilmember Mekechuk to publish a notice that the Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority Board’s Alternative assignment is vacant and accept applications to fill the assignment. Seconded by Councilmember Craig.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
12. Consider Approving a Memorandum of Understanding with the Cities Association of Santa Clara County to Participate in the Santa Clara County Planning Collaborative and Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Memorandum of Understanding.
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 Councilmember Mekechuk to adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Understanding with the
Cities Association of Santa Clara County to participate in the Santa Clara County Planning Collaborative for 2026 and 2027 with the selection of Tier 1 for 2 years. Seconded by Councilmember Craig.
VOTE: Motion passed. (5-0-0)
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS
Councilmember Mekechuk shared Valley Transportation Authority Policy Advisory Committee was canceled. West Valley Stormwater Authority and West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority Board are scheduled to meet in the new year. Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority met last week for a regular and a special meeting. Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission December meeting has been moved to January due to the holidays.
Councilmember Craig shared that for Santa Clara County Library JPA, the nominating committee has put forth a slate of officers and hopefully, he will be appointed the board chair of Santa Clara County Library JPA at the next meeting.
Vice Mayor Shannon shared that West Valley Sanitation District Board met last week, when they approved their financial reports and a rebate program for residents that are on a septic system and want a line.
Councilmember Toren shared that the Cities Association had their holiday event instead of a formal meeting.
Mayor Allan shared that Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority just renewed their contract with the executive director.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Vice Mayor Shannon expressed appreciation with Mayor Allan for making the effort to get all the Councilmembers in the roles they wanted to be in with the Committees/Commissions.
Councilmember Craig thanked Dennis Varney for allowing the Council to use his bus at the Annual Children’s Christmas/Holiday Parade.
Councilmember Mekechuk shared there is going to be a “Lid Tipping,” which is a required waste audit where local haulers or their contractors inspect residents' and businesses' trash, recycling, and organics carts. Every jurisdiction is going to be measured to create a baseline. Between Monte Sereno, Saratoga, Los Gatos and Campbell, these cities should be on the higher end of the compliance stream.
Mayor Allan expressed that he and his wife Mary are looking forward to seeing everybody at the holiday party this coming weekend.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Perkins expressed happy holidays to everybody.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
13. A copy of the Tentative 2026 Council Meeting Calendar was included on the agenda.
Councilmember Mekechuk would like to have a presentation by West Valley Solid Waste at a
meeting in January.
ADJOURN
Mayor Allan adjourned the meeting at approximately 8:12 p.m.
Lionel M. Allan, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
December 10, 2025 Silicon Valley Clean Energy Board
Meeting & December 12 Special Board Meeting Follow-Up
Meeting Snapshot
At the December Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) Board of Directors (Board) meeting, the Board received an informational update on data center power needs, set direction for 2026 electric generation rates, and held a Board workshop on organizational priorities and strategies.
High-Level Item Summaries
1. Data Centers and How They Are Impacting SVCE Planning Efforts The SVCE Board of Directors received an informational presentation on data centers and their potential impact on SVCE. While data centers hosting web services and storage are common in the Silicon Valley region, new data centers serving artificial intelligence (AI) are distinct, growing rapidly, and creating uncertainty in future load. Drivers of this uncertainty include the pace of AI adoption, AI hardware efficiency, and actual grid infrastructure needs. This high level of uncertainty complicates load forecasting efforts and makes it challenging to procure the proper amount of power.
Data centers may ultimately reduce electricity prices by utilizing and paying for existing grid capacity that is currently available. This benefit will be particularly true if they can operate with some flexibility and shift usage to other locales during times of peak demand. Staff is closely monitoring data center development and its related impacts.
2. SVCE Board Sets 2026 Rate Direction
SVCE predicts that energy bills will decrease for customers in 2026, offering some relief after energy prices have steadily increased in recent years. Given this decline in rates, driven by decreases in energy market prices, the Board voted to adopt a one percent discount to PG&E rates for 2026. Overall, bills will decrease slightly as SVCE generation rates account for one-third of total energy bills. In January, PG&E will make final rates available, and SVCE will implement them.
The Board also voted to provide a $12 monthly bill credit to California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) customers and reduce the rate premium for the 100% renewable GreenPrime product. SVCE has been committed to competitive rates and has saved all customers over $200 million since launching service in 2017.
3. December 12 Special Study Session: Board Prioritizes Needs Amidst Upcoming Market Challenges
Board Members and Alternate Directors participated in a two-hour workshop which covered the context of budgetary headwinds faced by the organization, potential levers to address them, and program priorities given the changing conditions. Board Members present emphasized the importance of a balanced approach that includes affordability, community investment, decarbonization, and innovation.
Directors also expressed support for ways to engage customers in program changes as they are developed. This workshop will be followed by further discussion in 2026 leading to incorporating the priorities into the agency’s integrated decarbonization roadmap and budget. A summary of the discussion, provided by facilitator Bluepoint Consulting can be found at the end of this summary.
Item Details
1. Data Centers and How They Are Impacting SVCE Planning Effort Al data centers are rapidly growing throughout the country. While most new data centers are being built outside of California, local development will impact SVCE load forecasting, energy affordability, and grid development.
Load Forecasting: Many forecasts anticipate that data centers will account for 5-15% of the current US electricity load by 2030. There is a high level of uncertainty about exactly how much they will increase electrical load and where the impacts will be experienced.
There are currently many “phantom data centers” being proposed that may never be built due to the actual demand for the services, development costs, and changing priorities. SVCE needs to ensure that a new significant load is real before purchasing energy to serve it. SVCE intends to utilize a combination of customer data and intelligence from member agencies to forecast data center load, with the goal of developing a defendable forecast that enhances the SVCE portfolio while minimizing risk.
Energy Affordability: Some forecasts also suggest that data centers will reduce energy prices, as the increased utilization of the existing grid is expected to lower the cost paid by existing customers for grid services. Since grid services now make up the majority of customer electricity bills, this benefit could be significant – particularly if the data centers sited locally can flex their load away from peak demand periods. Shifting a data calculation from Silicon Valley to the Midwest during peak demand may result in a mere millisecond delay in responding to the customer awaiting a response.
Grid Development: The raw amount of energy that can be delivered to Silicon Valley, in general, and to a particular data center location, is constrained by the ultimate capacity of the wires to the region and location. While the current transmission and distribution grid is adequate to meet current needs and the planned electrification of buildings and vehicles, it will not be able to serve an unlimited number of data centers. Therefore, utility planners are bringing additional capacity to the region. SVCE will advocate to ensure that existing customers are not unduly burdened by the costs of this grid expansion.
2. SVCE Board Sets 2026 Rate Direction
Since its inception, SVCE has been able to offer a competitive discount to PG&E generation rates that has ranged from one to one-to-ten percent, depending on many factors. SVCE first considers the forecasted costs to provide its service, including cost uncertainty under various scenarios, and then forecasts revenue to recover those costs.
Rates are determined based on the forecasted revenue requirement and overall projected load for all SVCE customers. The SVCE generation rate also includes the cost of the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA).
3. December 12 Special Study Session: Board Prioritizes Needs Amidst Challenging Conditions
SVCE Directors and Alternative Directors participated in a two-hour workshop on December 12th which covered the context of budgetary headwinds faced by the organization, potential levers to address them, and direction on program priorities given the changing conditions. As budget headwinds emerge this year, SVCE expects to begin drawing down from its reserves to cover a forecasted shortfall in the coming years. Staff identified three financial levers that would balance a projected drawdown of reserves with spending priorities that could be recalibrated to match existing needs. The three key areas are clean energy, programs, and affordability.
In a workshop exercise, board members chose between archetypes of core SVCE functions and discussed how they might change given projected budget conditions. A key theme that emerged from this exercise was the need for a balanced approach that blends affordability and decarbonization while maintaining community investment and promoting innovation.
In a second exercise, members focused on electrification support provided by the agency, with a series of trade-offs presented as examples of choices to consider for continued program implementation. Directors expressed support for moving with speed and unlocking electrification at scale for customers. Directors emphasized the continued need for balance, choice, and simplicity for customers among the potential solution options, including a tiered rate where customers can decide which offering suits their preferences based on the provided information.
SVCE staff will use the Board’s guidance to develop program and strategic financial proposals in 2026.
STAFF REPORT
Meeting: City Council - Jan 06 2026
Agenda Heading: CONSENT CALENDAR
Staff Contact: Diana Perkins, City Manager
Department: City Manager
Title: Approve Warrant List Dated January 6, 2026 in the Amount of $229,720.58 Recommendation(s):
Staff recommends the City Council approve the Warrant List.
Analysis:
The Warrant List includes payments to be made to vendors for goods and services procured by the City. The attached report lists each payment to be made by vendor, amount, and by accounting fund.
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 January 6, 2026
12/30/2025 12:56:05 PM ***The payables contained in this report are in an open packet, and have not posted to the General Ledger*** Page 1 of 3 Warrant List 01/06/2026
City of Monte Sereno, CA By Vendor Name
Vendor Name Description (Payable) (None) Post Date (None) Amount Vendor: Alana Consulting, LLC
Alana Consulting, LLC 09/30/2025-12/23/2025 01/01/2026 58,504.00 Vendor Alana Consulting, LLC Total: 58,504.00
Vendor: Cities Assn of Santa Clara County
Cities Assn of Santa Clara Cou… Planning collaborative Contrib… 11/25/2025 7,000.00 Vendor Cities Assn of Santa Clara County Total: 7,000.00 Vendor: Corodata Shredding Inc.
Corodata Shredding Inc. 11/30/2025 Shredding Services 11/30/2025 10.00 Vendor Corodata Shredding Inc. Total: 10.00
Vendor: Delta Dental of California
Delta Dental of California Jan 2025 Dental Insurnace 01/01/2026 363.03 Vendor Delta Dental of California Total: 363.03
Vendor: Kier & Wright Civil Engineers and Surve
Kier & Wright Civil Engineers … 10/27/25-11/30/25 Final parc… 12/16/2025 1,004.75 Vendor Kier & Wright Civil Engineers and Surve Total: 1,004.75 Vendor: Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore Attorney fees 11/30/2025 760.00 Vendor Liebert Cassidy Whitmore Total: 760.00
Vendor: M-Group
M-Group Professional Services SB10 Ord… 12/17/2025 3,333.75 M-Group City of MS - GPU 12/17/2025 1,657.50
M-Group Planning consultant 11/1/202… 12/09/2025 9,200.00 Vendor M-Group Total: 14,191.25
Vendor: Municipal Resource Group, LLC
Municipal Resource Group, LLC 11/03/2025-11/23/2025 Fina… 12/17/2025 3,071.80 Municipal Resource Group, LLC HR Consultant 10/01/2025-11… 12/18/2025 7,020.00 Vendor Municipal Resource Group, LLC Total: 10,091.80
Vendor: Pacific Gas & Electric
Pacific Gas & Electric City Hall Electric Service 11/06… 12/15/2025 693.27 Pacific Gas & Electric City Hall Electric Service11/06… 12/15/2025 39.48 Vendor Pacific Gas & Electric Total: 732.75
Vendor: Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Pacific Gas and Electric Comp… Refund for Encroachment Pe… 12/23/2025 2,228.59 Vendor Pacific Gas and Electric Company Total: 2,228.59 Vendor: Porter Capital Corporation
Porter Capital Corporation Accounting Consulting for 12/… 12/16/2025 3,150.00 Porter Capital Corporation Accounting Consulting for 12/… 12/22/2025 3,500.00 Porter Capital Corporation Accounting Consulting for 12/… 12/29/2025 2,100.00 Vendor Porter Capital Corporation Total: 8,750.00
Vendor: Regenerative Landscaping LLC
Regenerative Landscaping LLC Monthly Landscape Service 12/01/2025 255.00 Vendor Regenerative Landscaping LLC Total: 255.00
Vendor: Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
Santa Clara Valley Transportat…CMPA Agency fee 07/1/2025-… 12/23/2025 2,802.83 Vendor Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Total: 2,802.83 Vendor: Town of Los Gatos Finance Department
Town of Los Gatos Finance De… Police Services - December 20… 12/19/2025 121,526.58 Vendor Town of Los Gatos Finance Department Total: 121,526.58
Warrant List 01/06/2026
12/30/2025 12:56:05 PM ***The payables contained in this report are in an open packet, and have not posted to the General Ledger*** Page 2 of 3 Vendor Name Description (Payable) (None) Post Date (None) Amount Vendor: Tyler Technologies
Tyler Technologies Project Management- Financia… 12/09/2025 1,500.00 Vendor Tyler Technologies Total: 1,500.00
Grand Total: 229,720.58
Warrant List 01/06/2026
12/30/2025 12:56:05 PM ***The payables contained in this report are in an open packet, and have not posted to the General Ledger*** Page 3 of 3 Report Summary
Fund Summary
Fund Expense Amount
100 - General Fund 108,194.00
200 - Law Enforcement Fund 121,526.58
Grand Total: 229,720.58
Account Summary
Account Number Account Name Expense Amount
100-000-6045 Dental Insurance Premi… 363.03
100-000-6399 Miscellaneous Expenditu… 2,802.83
100-200-6289 General Plan Update 1,657.50
100-210-6205 Legal - Special Projects 760.00
100-230-6781 SBITA – Preliminary/Ong… 1,500.00
100-400-6070 Supplemental Services 8,750.00
100-410-6290 Professional Services 7,020.00
100-500-6070 Supplemental Services 19,533.75
100-510-6070 Supplemental Services 58,504.00
100-600-4320 Encroachment Permits 2,228.59
100-600-6070 Supplemental Services 4,076.55
100-800-6124 Landscaping Services 255.00
100-800-6357 Document Storage and … 10.00
100-800-6370 Utilities, Electricity 732.75
200-700-6170 Law Enforcement LG-MS… 121,526.58
Grand Total: 229,720.58
Project Account Summary
Project Account Key Expense Amount
**None** 229,720.58
Grand Total: 229,720.58
STAFF REPORT
Meeting: City Council - Jan 06 2026
Agenda Heading: CONSENT CALENDAR
Staff Contact: Diana Perkins, City Manager
Department: City Manager
Title: Adopt a Resolution Accepting Funds from the California Supplemental Law Enforcement Service Fund (SLESF) and remitting the funds to the Town of Los Gatos for various technology upgrades and specialized equipment.
Recommendation(s):
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the draft resolution accepting funds from the California Supplemental Law Enforcement Service Fund (SLESF), retaining $71,850 in funds for the implementation costs for the FLOCK cameras in Monte Sereno, and remitting the remaining $224,350.07 funds to the Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department for various technology upgrades and specialized equipment.
Background Information:
In 1996, Assembly Bill 3229 established the Citizen’s Option for Public Safety (COPS) Program’s Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund (SLESF). The Legislature determined that there was a compelling need for additional resources at the local level for the purpose of ensuring public safety and established the COPS program to advance community policing in all counties. The COPS program awards non-competitive and non-matching grants to law enforcement agencies to fund frontline municipal police services. These funds are to be used directly and solely in the provision of frontline police services to the community.
Per Government Code sections 30061-30063, cities are allocated a proportionate share of COPS funds by the California Department of Finance, through Santa Clara County.
Proportionate shares are based on population estimates determined by the California Department of Finance.
The COPS/SLESF grant does not have any application or other requirements; the monies are transferred to local entities through the County by operation of law (Government Code sections 30061- 30063) and are to be expended in accordance with the requirements of those code sections. The Government Code contains the following requirements for a recipient agency:
The funds shall be used exclusively for front line law enforcement services. The funds cannot be used to supplant other existing funding sources for general law enforcement services.
The City Council shall approve the appropriation of COPS funds which authorizes that such funds can be expended by staff.
Once the appropriation of the grant funds is made, it cannot be subsequently altered by the City Council.
The funds cannot be used for a capital or construction project that does not directly support front line law enforcement services
COPS Funding Amount
This is not a fixed amount grant. Under the standard grant program allocation, the City of Monte Sereno is eligible to receive a minimum of $100,000 annually. Each fall, the California Department of Finance estimates the allocation for each law enforcement agency in the county; the actual amount paid varies from the projection and is unknown until the payment cycle is complete.
Analysis:
As the COPS/SLESF grant funds are required to supplement existing law enforcement resources or funding, the City of Monte Sereno has historically remitted the funds received to the Town of Los Gatos for a specified purpose for the Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department. In the current agreement for law enforcement services with the Town of Los Gatos, Monte Sereno is to remit COPS/SLESF grant funds to the Los Gatos for additional front line police services agreed upon by both parties as follows:
(c) Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund. In the event the City is awarded monies from the Supplement Law Enforcement Services Fund (SLESF) from the State of California, Monte Sereno will grant those funds to Los Gatos for additional front line police services consistent with the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund program and agreed upon in writing by the Parties within 30 days of receipt of the monies from the State of California. For the 2025 distribution, the Parties agree that Monte Sereno will retain the portion of the SLESF funds necessary to establish the Flock Camera system in Monte Sereno. The remainder will be paid to Los Gatos and used for those services agreed upon by the parties.
COPS/SLESF Grant Funds
The City of Monte Sereno has received the following COPS/SLESF grant funds which have not yet been allocated to the Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department:
COPS/SLESF Grant Funds to be Allocated
Received Date Amount
October 2024 $94,663.46
November 2025 $101,536.61
Various Dates FY 2025/2026 $100,000.00
Total: $296,200.07
As noted in the current agreement for police services, Monte Sereno and Los Gatos have agreed that Monte Sereno will retain $71,850 in funds from Fiscal Year 2025/2026 to cover the initial implementation costs for the 19 Flock cameras and one mobile Flock camera which were installed in July 2025.The remaining funds of $28,150 will be remitted to the Town of Los Gatos.
A total of $224,350.07 in COPS/SLESF grant funds are remaining to be allocated to the Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department.
Supplemental Services Received
The Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department proposes to use the COPS/SLESF grant funds for several technological upgrades and specialized equipment for officers.
Attachment 2 to the staff report includes a summary of the new equipment and software that the COPS/SLESF grant funds will support.
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.
Fiscal Impact:
No fiscal impact is anticipated as the COPS/SLESF grant funds which will be retained were previously budgeted and the remaining funds will be remitted to the Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department for upgraded equipment and software as noted in the draft resolution.
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. Draft Resolution - SLESF
2. Memorandum from LGMSPD
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MONTE SERENO
ACCEPTING SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICE FUNDS (SLESF) GRANT ALLOCATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 AND FOR UNALLOCATED FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 AND FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 6.7 of Division 3 of Title 3 of the Government Code, the City of Monte Sereno is entitled to receive a minimum of $100,000 annually which will be disbursed from the County Supplement Law Enforcement Services Account (SLESA) if specified requirements are met; and
WHEREAS, such funding cannot be used to replace other City funding for law enforcement and must be expended exclusively for front line law enforcement services; and
WHEREAS, on October 18, 2024 the City of Monte Sereno received Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Funds in the amount of $94,663.46 which have not been allocated; and
WHEREAS, on November 5, 2025 the City of Monte Sereno received Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Funds in the amount of $101,536.61 which have not been allocated; and
WHEREAS, the City of Monte Sereno will receive $100,000 in Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Funds in the amount in Fiscal Year 2025/2026; and WHEREAS, the City of Monte Sereno and the Town of Los Gatos have agreed that $71,850 of the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Funds be retained by the City of Monte Sereno for the implementation costs of 19 Flock Cameras which were installed in July 2025 and one mobile Flock camera.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MONTE SERENO AS FOLLOWS:
1. The City Council hereby accepts the allocation of funding set forth above and directs the City Manager to take all necessary actions for receipt and disbursement of money received from the SLESA Account, and to cause such funding to be deposited into the City’s SLESF account.
2. The City Manager is directed to promptly remit to the Town of Los Gatos all funding deposited in the SLESF fund to be used for various technology updates and specialized equipment as outlined in the Memorandum from the Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department dated December 18, 2025, with the exception of $71,850 to be used for the implementation costs of the Flock cameras.
REGULARLY APPROVED this 6th day of January, 2026 by the following roll call vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Abstain:
Absent:
______________________________
BY: Lionel M. Allan, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
1 Memorandum
To: Chief Field
From: Captain Albin
Date: 12/18/2025
Re: SLESF Funds Usage
Category: Improved Technology
Item(s) Requested: Skydio R10 Drone
As the Department expands its drone fleet and advances the Drone as First Responder (DFR) program, a capability gap has been identified in indoor drone operations. The acquisition of the Skydio R10 would address this gap by providing a viable platform for indoor flights, enhancing operational effectiveness during interior deployments such as clearing buildings, locating suspects, and identifying potential weapons inside residences or commercial structures. This capability would reduce unnecessary risk to personnel by limiting the need for staff to conduct these searches in person.
2 Category: Improved Technology
Item(s) Requested: Surveillance System Technology
With major global events such as the Super Bowl and FIFA competitions approaching, the need for increased situational awareness and visibility throughout the community is critical.
These events can present a range of public-safety challenges that require proactive monitoring.
Additionally, ongoing issues such as downtown retail theft and residential and commercial burglaries are often hindered by a lack of credible witness information or the absence of any witnesses at all. Strategic placement of cameras throughout the city would enhance investigative and preventive capabilities. While cameras alone do not prevent crime, they serve as an effective deterrent and provide valuable evidentiary support in cases where such information would otherwise be unavailable.
Category: Improved Technology
Item(s) Requested: NightHawk
NightHawk allows investigators to view time, location, and related information in one easyto-use workspace, displaying events on interactive maps and timelines that update automatically. Data can be added through simple drag-and-drop, eliminating the need for manual sorting, plotting, and cross-referencing of information that has traditionally required significant staff time. The system helps users quickly see connections between people, places, and events, review communications in order, and generate visual charts that support investigations. NightHawk also enables secure, real-time collaboration within and across agencies. By automating data analysis and visualization, the platform increases efficiency and allows staff to focus on decision-making rather than manual data processing.
3 Category: Improved Equipment/Safety for Staff
Item(s) Requested: Ballistic Plate Carriers, Ballistic Visors and Medical Pouches (IFAK Kits) for our SWAT Team
SWAT personnel face significant risk during tactical operations, often confronting individuals who pose serious threats to public and officer safety. It is our responsibility as Department leadership to ensure team members are equipped with reliable, modern safety equipment.
Several current ballistic vest carriers are significantly worn with at least one being held together with string, and others requiring similar temporary fixes. Replacing these carriers is necessary to maintain proper protection and operational readiness. In addition, the acquisition of Individual First Aid Kits (IFAKs) which contain lifesaving treatments options like chest seals, tourniquets and other traumatic injury treatment options, can buy an injured member of the team the precious moments they may need to make it to the hospital and ultimately increase individuals’ potential survivability.
Category: Enhanced Staff Efficiency
Item(s) Requested: Hardware & Software
Modern policing increasingly relies on timely, accurate information, yet outdated software and hardware slow daily operations and place unnecessary burdens on staff. Investing in updated technology allows personnel to complete tasks more efficiently, reduces time spent on manual workarounds, and minimizes errors caused by system limitations. Improved tools enable staff to access, analyze, and share information quickly, allowing them to focus on core responsibilities rather than administrative inefficiencies. Ultimately, modernizing software and hardware is not just a technology upgrade—it is a force multiplier that improves productivity, supports staff effectiveness, and enhances overall service to the community.
STAFF REPORT
Meeting: City Council - Jan 06 2026
Agenda Heading: CONSENT CALENDAR
Staff Contact: Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
Department: City Clerk
Title: Accept the Annual Approval and Signing of the City Council Code of Ethics
Recommendation(s):
Staff recommends that the City Council approve and sign the City Council Code of Ethics.
Background Information:
Every year, the City Council reaffirms and signs the City Council Code of Ethics. This typically is done at the first City Council meeting of the new year. The signed Code of Ethics will be posted on the City’s website under the City Council’s webpage.
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:
Attachment 1 - Code of Ethics
ATTACHMENT 1
Monte Sereno Code of Ethics
Adopted: 7/17/12
Re-affirmed: 2/4/14, 3/3/15, 5/3/16, 1/17/17, 1/16/18, 1/22/19, 1/21/20, 1/20/21, 1/4/22, 1/17/2023, 1/16/2024, 1/7/25, 1/6/26
Preamble
The Monte Sereno City Council holds itself to the highest standard of ethical conduct. The following pledges are not intended to supersede or override any Federal, State, or local laws relating to elected officials. These pledges are intended to supplement those laws to hold the Council to a higher standard of conduct than may be required by law. It is incumbent on the City Council to ensure that all ethical standards are understood and met, thus providing our citizens with the full confidence of the integrity of our City government.
Public Interest
We, as City Councilmembers, recognize that our duty is to act in the public interest of the citizens of Monte Sereno. This means that any actions that we take as members of the Council will have no private or personal interests whatsoever. Also, in this regard, all members of the public must be treated in a fair and equitable manner.
Comply with the Law
We, as Councilmembers, shall comply with Federal, State and local laws. This applies to all laws including but not limited to laws regarding conflict of interest, election campaigns, financial disclosures, and open processes of government.
Conduct of Members
Members of the City Council shall act in a responsible manner, which includes being respectful of the opinions, character or motives of other Councilmembers, commissions, committees, staff, and the public.
Conflict of Interest
City Councilmembers should not use their official positions to influence government decisions where they have financial or personal interests, where such influence would present a conflict of interest under State or Federal laws. If such a conflict of interest should occur, the Councilmember shall file a written disclosure of their economic interest or personal interest and then refrain from participating in that decision.
Gifts and Favors
We, as City Councilmembers, shall not accept any gifts, favors, or promises of future benefits that are prohibited under Federal or State law.
Use of Public Resources
Public resources, except those already available to the general public, shall not be used by any City Councilmember for his/her own personal gain which includes but is not limited to, office supplies, campaign materials or the use of staff time.
Public Meetings and Decisions
City Councilmembers shall prepare for and participate in City Council meetings by reading materials
provided by staff, respecting public discussion, and making decisions based on all relevant and disclosed facts.
Communications
City Councilmembers, during City Council meetings, shall disclose substantive information relevant to the issue under consideration which is the basis or part thereof for such City Councilmember’s decision. This will include any written or oral information from sources outside the public decisionmaking process including, but not limited to, private residents, lobbyists, developers or any other individuals or groups that have an influence on the City Council’s decision-making process.
Confidential Information
Confidential information should remain confidential under all circumstances. No Council member shall have the authority to waive the attorney client privilege while on the council or after his/her term expires.
Advocacy
It is the responsibility of City Councilmembers to ensure that personal opinions or positions are not confused for the official policies and positions that have been acted on by the Council to the extent they differ. When presenting their personal opinions or positions, City Councilmembers shall explicitly state that they do not represent the City Council or the City.
Private Interests after Office
While in office, City Councilmembers shall not appear on behalf of private interests of a third party before the Council or any commission, committee or proceeding of the City. Former City Councilmembers shall not appear as a representative, lobbyist, or employee on behalf of the private interests of a third party regarding any matter pending before the Council or any commission, committee or proceeding, for a period of two years after their term on the City Council. As a private citizen, past City Councilmembers may represent their own interests in issues that may affect their residence or neighborhood.
Lionel M. Allan, Mayor Date
Lisa Shannon, Vice Mayor Date
Bryan Mekechuk, Council Member Date
Burton Craig, Council Member Date
Ken Toren, Council Member Date
STAFF REPORT
Meeting: City Council - Jan 06 2026
Agenda Heading: NEW BUSINESS
Staff Contact: Diana Perkins, City Manager
Department: City Manager
Title: Consideration to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with CliffordMoss, LLC for Consulting Services for a Potential Police Services Parcel Tax Including Public Opinion Polling, Public Outreach, and a Prop 218 Compliant Ballot Measure for an amount not to exceed $84,850 Plus a 10% Contingency for Program Costs.
Recommendation(s):
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with CliffordMoss, LLC for consulting services for a potential police service parcel tax ballot measure including public opinion polling, public outreach, and Prop 218 compliant ballot measure for an amount not to exceed $84,850 plus a 10% contingency for program costs.
Background Information:
Monte Sereno voters passed a parcel tax measure setting a $150 annual fee per parcel to support the cost of police services in the City at the November 8, 1983 election. As approved, the parcel tax did not allow for an inflationary adjustment and has not been increased. The $150 parcel tax currently results in approximately $187,500 in revenue to the City.
Staff was unable to obtain information regarding the costs of police services in 1983, the oldest costs that were found were from Fiscal Year 1993/1994 when the cost of police service paid to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department was $188,236. The cost for police services for the current Fiscal Year 2025-2026 is $1,458,319. While the exact expenses for police service in 1983 are not available, it is likely that the original parcel tax covered all the contractual police services at that time. In the current fiscal year, the parcel tax will cover only 13% of these costs.
At the August 19, 2025, City Council meeting, the Council established an Ad Hoc Committee for a Potential Police Services Parcel Tax (Attachment 1). Council Members Craig and Mekechuk were appointed to the Committee.
Analysis:
A Parcel tax for police services requires two-thirds voter approval and is a particular type of excise that is based on either a flat per-parcel rate or a rate that varies depending on use, size,
and/or number of units on each parcel. A parcel tax measure is generally put before the voters to support various City services and may be levied for general purposes or restricted to a particular purpose.
Due to the increasing cost of police services, the Council is considering exploring a future ballot measure to increase the parcel tax paid by Monte Sereno property owners.
In November 2025, the City issued a Request for Proposals for consulting services to assist with polling to determine the feasibility of an additional parcel tax as well as public education and outreach. Three proposals were received. After reviewing the proposals, the Potential Police Services Parcel Tax Ad Hoc Committee and staff recommend entering into an agreement with CliffordMoss.
Consultant Services
The City is approaching the consideration of a ballot initiative in two phases. Phase I is to conduct polling of the City’s constituents to test proposed parameters and wording for the public safety ballot measure. After Phase I is complete, the consultant will recommend to the City Council either (1) the parameters and wording for a successful ballot measure, or (2) not to proceed with the ballot measure.
The City Council will then decide on proceeding, or not proceeding, with Phase II. If City Council decides to proceed with Phase II, then that phase will include the implementation of the additional public education and outreach as required, and the ballot measure implementation.
The recommended contract cost amount of $84,850 is the estimated costs for both Phase I and Phase II. After the Phase I work is completed and presented to the City Council, if the Council elects to not proceed with Phase II, no additional consulting costs will be incurred from that point.
Staff is also recommending a 10% contingency for program costs which could include direct mail services, website design work, and video productions for a robust information and engagement effort. If the contingency is approved, all program costs will be confirmed by the Potential Police Services Parcel Tax Ad Hoc Committee before being authorized.
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:
The cost associated with this agreement will be absorbed into the current Fiscal Year 2025/2026 budget to the extent possible and any overage will be covered by the City’s reserves.
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 25-3940 Establishing the Potential Police Services Parcel Tax Ad Hoc
2. Draft Agreement with CliffordMoss
RESOLUTION NO. 25-3940
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MONTE SERENO
ESTABLISHING THE POTENTIAL POLICE SERVICES PARCEL TAX 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 a potential police services parcel tax ballot measure effective August 20, 2025 through August 19, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Potential Police Services Parcel Tax Ad Hoc Committee is to accomplish the following:
• Review options for placing a ballot measure on a general election; • Consider the amount to potentially increase the police service tax; • Discuss outreach options to inform the residents of a potential ballot measure; and
• Work with staff and any third-party consultants to complete the tasks noted above.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that City Council hereby forms the Potential Police Services Parcel Tax Ad Hoc Committee effective August 20, 2025, until no later than August 19, 2026, to work with the City Manager to advise staff on a potential police services parcel tax ballot measure; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Council Member Burton and Council Member Mekechuk NAME are hereby appointed to the Potential Police Services Parcel Tax Ad Hoc Committee.
REGULARLY ADOPTED AND PASSED this 19th day of August 2025, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: SHANNON, MEKECHUK, ALLAN, CRAIG
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
APPROVED:
Docusign Envelope ID: CC6D7E67-AE65-46E5-9689-D05AAF6023E2
Burton Craig, Mayor
ATTESTED:
Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: CC6D7E67-AE65-46E5-9689-D05AAF6023E2
1 AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
This Agreement for Professional Services (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of January 6, 2026 by and between the City of Monte Sereno, a California municipal corporation, hereinafter referred to as “City”, and CliffordMoss LLC, a California Limited Liability Company, hereinafter referred to as “Consultant”.
RECITALS
A. City desires to retain Consultant for certain professional services as set forth in this Agreement.
B. Consultant is specially trained, experienced and competent to perform the special services which will be required by this Agreement.
C. Consultant possesses the skill, ability, background, certification and knowledge to provide the services described in this Agreement on the terms and conditions described herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the recitals and the mutual promises contained herein, City and Consultant agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
1. Scope. City agrees to, and hereby does, retain Consultant to perform the professional services as outlined in the Scope of Work attached hereto and incorporated herein as Exhibit A.
Consultant’s work product shall be performed pursuant to generally accepted standards of practice in effect at the time of performance.
2. Responsible Personnel: City has relied upon the professional training and ability of Consultant to perform the services hereunder as a material inducement to enter into this Agreement. Primary personnel responsible for Consultant’s completion of the work described in this Agreement shall be Bonnie Moss.
3. Scope of Work: Consultant shall perform the services as specified in Exhibit A in a professional manner. Any optional tasks listed shall not be performed by Consultant unless separately requested and prior authorization is provided in writing by the City Manager.
Proceeding with such additional work without express authorization, or undertaking any other work not listed in Exhibit A, shall be at Consultant’s sole risk. Consultant will not undertake any work that will incur costs in excess of the amount set forth in this paragraph without prior written amendment to this Agreement.
4. Time of Performance and Term: The services of Consultant are to commence upon execution of this Agreement and shall continue until this Agreement is amended or terminated.
5. Compensation: Compensation shall be made for services performed as set forth in
2 Section 3, but not to exceed $84,850 for consulting services and an additional 10% contingency for program costs. Periodic payments to Consultant shall be made upon submittal of invoices by Consultant to City for review and approval by the City Manager or his designee. Invoices will be paid by City within a reasonable time after the invoices are received and approved. For purposes of this Agreement, a 30-day period shall be deemed a reasonable period.
6. Insurance: Consultant agrees to have and maintain, for the duration of the Agreement, the following minimum insurance requirements. Prior to the execution of the Agreement, Consultant shall provide proof of insurance required. Insurance is to be placed with insurers authorized to conduct business in the state with a current A.M. Best’s rating of no less than A:VII, unless otherwise acceptable to the City.
Consultant shall furnish the City with original certificates and amendatory endorsements or copies of the applicable policy language effecting coverage required by this clause. All certificates and endorsements are to be received and approved by the City before work commences. However, failure to obtain the required documents prior to the work beginning shall not waive Consultant’s obligation to provide them. The City reserves the right to require complete, certified copies of all required insurance policies, including endorsements required by these specifications, at any time.
Coverage shall be at least as broad as:
1. Commercial General Liability (CGL): Insurance Services Office Form CG 00 01 covering CGL on an “occurrence” basis, including products and completed operations, property damage, bodily injury and personal & advertising injury with limits no less than $2,000,000 per occurrence. If a general aggregate limit applies, either the general aggregate limit shall apply separately to this project/location (ISO CG 25 03 05 09 or 25 04 05 09) or the general aggregate limit shall be twice the required occurrence limit.
2. Automobile Liability: ISO Form Number CA 00 01 covering any auto (Code 1), or if Contractor has no owned autos, covering hired, (Code 8) and non-owned autos (Code 9), with limit no less than $2,000,000 per accident for bodily injury and property damage.
3. Workers’ Compensation: as required by the State of California, with Statutory Limits.
4. Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions): As appropriate to Consultant’s services, and not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence.
The insurance policies are to contain, or be endorsed to contain, the following provisions:
The City of Monte Sereno, its Council Members, elected and appointed officers, agents and employees shall be named as additional insureds on the CGL policy with respect to liability arising out of work or operations performed by or on behalf of Independent Contractor including materials, parts or equipment furnished in connection with such work or operations. General liability coverage can be provided in the form of an endorsement to the Independent Contractor’s
3 insurance (at least as broad as ISO Form CG 20 10 11 85 or both CG 20 10, CG 20 26, CG 20 33, or CG 20 38; and CG 20 37 forms if later revisions used).
For any claims related to this Agreement, Consultant’s insurance coverage shall be primary insurance coverage (at least as broad as ISO CG 20 01 04 13) with respect to the City, its officers, officials, employees, and volunteers. Any insurance or self-insurance maintained by the City, its officers, officials, employees, or volunteers shall be excess of the Consultant’s insurance and shall not contribute with it.
Consultant hereby grants to City a waiver of any right to subrogation which any insurer of said Consultant may acquire against the City by virtue of the payment of any loss under such insurance. Consultant agrees to obtain any endorsement that may be necessary to affect this waiver of subrogation, but this provision applies regardless of whether or not the City has received a waiver of subrogation endorsement from the insurer.
Consultant shall require the insurer to provide City with 30-day prior notice of termination or material change in coverage and ten (10) days prior notice of cancellation for non-payment.
7. Indemnity: To the fullest extent permitted by law, Consultant shall hold harmless, indemnify and defend City, its elective and appointive boards, commissions, officers, agents, servants, volunteers, and employees (the “Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all claims, costs, damages, liability, losses, or suits (including court costs and attorney fees) for personal injury (including death), property damage and any other damages of any sort whatsoever, arising out of, or alleged to have arisen out of, the willful or negligent acts, errors, or omissions of Consultant or Consultant's contractors, subcontractors, agents, or employees in the performance of this Agreement.
For design professionals (as that term is defined by statute) acting within the scope of their professional capacity, to the fullest extent permitted by law, Consultant shall, at its own expense, indemnify, protect, defend (by counsel reasonably satisfactory to the City) and hold harmless any Indemnified Parties from and against any and all Liability, whether actual, alleged or threatened, which arise out of, pertain to, or relate to the negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct of the Consultant, or as may be provided by statute in Civil Code § 2782.8, as may be amended from time to time.
Consultant’s duty to indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless as set forth in this section shall include the duty to defend (by counsel reasonably satisfactory to the City) as set forth in California Civil Code § 2778. The Consultant’s responsibility to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Indemnified Parties under this section shall not extend to the active negligence or willful misconduct of the Indemnified Parties. This section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
8. Termination: This Agreement may be terminated by the City immediately for cause or by either party without cause upon fifteen days’ written notice of termination. Upon termination, Consultant shall be entitled to compensation for services performed up to the effective date of
4 termination.
If Consultant fails to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement within the time and in the manner herein provided or otherwise violate any of the terms of this Agreement, in addition to all other remedies provided by law, City may terminate this Agreement immediately upon written notice. In such event, Consultant shall be entitled to receive as full payment for all services satisfactorily rendered and expenses incurred hereunder, an amount which bears the same ratio to the total fees specified in the Agreement as the services satisfactorily rendered hereunder by Consultant bear to the total services otherwise required to be performed for such total fee; provided, however, that the City shall deduct from such amount the amount of damages, if any, sustained by City by virtue of the breach of the Agreement by consultant.
In the event of termination, Consultant shall deliver as a condition to the payment of the compensation provided for above, or otherwise make available to City, all research data, reports, estimates, summaries, and other such information and materials as may have been accumulated by Consultant in performing this Agreement, whether completed or in process in accordance with Section 9 of this Agreement.
9. Documents: Notes, studies, chain, computations, electronic files, and other data and information obtained by Consultant for this project shall, upon receipt of payment for services rendered, be made available to City by Consultant at City's request and shall become the property of City. In the event City alters the document, City agrees Consultant shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any claim arising out of, or alleged to have risen out of, use of the altered document,
All plans, studies, documents, charts, computations, and electronic files prepared by and for Consultant, its officers, employees and agents and subcontractors in the course of implementing this Agreement, except working notes and internal documents, shall become the property of the City upon payment to Consultant for such work, and the City shall have the sole right to use such materials in its discretion without further compensation to Consultant or to any other party. Consultant shall, at Consultant’s expense, provide such reports, plans, studies, documents and other writings to City upon written request.
10. Independent Contractor: Consultant is an independent contractor retained by City to perform the work described herein. All personnel employed by Consultant are not and shall not be deemed to be employees of City. Consultant shall obtain no rights to retirement benefits or other benefits that accrue to City’s employees, and Consultant hereby expressly waives any claim it may have to such rights. Consultant shall comply with all state and federal laws pertaining to employment and compensation of its employees and its agents, including the provision of Workers’ Compensation.
11. Licenses and Standard of Care: Consultant represents and warrants to City that, for itself and any subcontractors, all applicable licenses, permits, qualifications, insurance and approvals of any nature which are legally required of Consultant to practice its profession have been obtained any will be maintained during the performance of the Agreement. Consultant shall
5 procure and maintain a City of Monte Sereno business license. Consultant shall use the standard of care in its profession to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations.
12. Assignment: The parties recognize that a substantial inducement to City for entering into this Agreement is the professional reputation, experience and competence of Consultant.
Assignments of any or all rights, duties or obligations of the Consultant under this Agreement will be permitted only with the express consent of the City. Consultant shall not subcontract any portion of the work to be performed under this Agreement without the written authorization of the City. If the City consents to such subcontract, Consultant shall be fully responsible to City for all acts or omissions of the subcontractor. Nothing in this Agreement shall create any contractual relationship between City and subcontractor nor shall it create any obligation on the part of the City to pay or to see to the payment of any monies due to any such contractor other than as otherwise required by law.
13. Binding on Successors: This Agreement is binding on the heirs, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.
14. Amendment: This Agreement may be amended, modified or changed by the parties, provided that said amendment, modification or change is in writing and approved by the authorized representative of the parties.
15. Applicable Law and Attorney's Fees: This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California, and any action brought relating to this Agreement shall be held exclusively in a state court in the County of Santa Clara. Should any legal action be brought by a party for breach of this Agreement or to enforce any provision of the Agreement, the prevailing party of such action shall be entitled to recover its reasonable litigation expenses, including attorney fees.
16. Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the complete and exclusive statement of the agreement between the City and Consultant and shall supersede all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements, either written or oral. All provisions of this Agreement are expressly made conditions. For all purposes this Agreement shall be deemed to have been drafted jointly by all parties.
17. Waiver: Waiver of a breach or default under this Agreement shall not constitute a continuing waiver of a subsequent breach of the same or any other provision under this agreement.
18. Severability: If any term or portion of this Agreement shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or otherwise unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.
19. Equal Employment Opportunity. Consultant is, and warrants to the City that they shall be during the term of the Agreement, an equal opportunity employer and agrees to comply with
6 all applicable state and federal regulations governing equal employment opportunity. Consultant will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, age, sex, creed, color, sexual orientation, marital status or national origin. Consultant will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are treated during such employment without regard to race, age, sex, creed, color, sexual orientation, marital status, or national origin. Such action shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: employment, upgrading, demotion, or transfer; recruitment or recruitment advertising; lay-offs or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training, including apprenticeship. Consultant further agrees to post in conspicuous places, available to employees and applicants for employment, notices setting forth the provisions of this nondiscrimination clause.
20. City Not Obligated to Third Parties; Subcontractors; Oversight. The City shall not be obligated or liable for payment hereunder to any party other than the Consultant. Consultant shall ensure the following requirements are satisfied in the performance of the Agreement with respect to its own employees:
A. Workers’ Compensation. Consultant certifies that it is aware of the provisions of the California Labor Code which require every employee to be insured against liability for workers’ compensation or to undertake self-insurance in accordance with the provisions of that Code, and Consultant certifies that it will comply with such provisions before commencing performance of the Agreement and at all times in the performance of the Agreement.
B. Prevailing Wage. Consultant and Consultant’s subconsultants (if any) shall, to the extent required by the California Labor Code, pay not less than the latest prevailing wage rates to workers and professionals as determined by the Director of Industrial Relations of the State of California pursuant to California Labor Code, Part 7, Chapter 1, Article 2. Copies of the applicable wage determination shall be available on file at the City’s office of the City Clerk.
C. Injury and Illness Prevention Program. Consultant certifies that it is aware of and has complied with the provisions of California Labor Code § 6401.7, which requires every employer to adopt a written injury and illness prevention program.
D. Consultant shall pay all taxes, assessments and premiums under the federal Social Security Act, any applicable unemployment insurance contributions, Workers Compensation insurance premiums, sales taxes, use taxes, personal property taxes, or other taxes or assessments now or hereafter in effect and payable by reason of or in connection with the services to be performed by Consultant.
The City is not responsible or liable for Consultant’s failure to comply with any and all of its requirements under this section and Agreement.
21. Political Reform Act Economic Interests. If City determines Consultant comes within the definition of Consultant under the Political Reform Act (Government Code §87100), Consultant shall complete and file and shall require any other person doing work under this Agreement to complete and file a “Statement of Economic Interest” with the Clerk of the City of Monte Sereno
7 disclosing Consultant and/or such other person’s financial interests.
WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement is executed by City and by Consultant on this 6th day of January 2026, at Monte Sereno, California.
CONSULTANT: CITY OF MONTE SERENO:
___________________________ ____________________________ By: Bonnie Moss, Diana Perkins, City Manager
CliffordMoss, LLC
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST:
______________________________ ______________________________ Kirsten Powell, City Attorney Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
8 EXHIBIT “A”
CliffordMoss Proposal
From
CliffordMoss
5111 Telegraph Avenue No.307
Oakland, CA 94609
Laura Crotty, Senior Vice President
Cell: 408-839-5556
[email protected]
www.cliffordmoss.com
November 25, 2025
Proposal for Public Opinion Polling, Public Outreach,
Prop 218 Compliant Ballot Measure
Prepared for
City of Monte Sereno
In partnership with:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Cover Letter 1
2. Profile on Proposing Firm 2
3. Qualifications of the Firm 3
4. Approach and Work Plan 4
5. Project Schedule 10
6. Project Staffing 11
7. Proposal Exceptions 11
8. Proposal Cost and Rates 12
1 November 25, 2025
Diana Perkins
City Manager
City of Monte Sereno
18041 Saratoga-Los Gatos Rd.
Monte Sereno, CA 95030
RE: Proposal for Public Opinion Polling, Public Outreach, Prop 218 Compliant Ballot Measure Dear Diana:
CliffordMoss LLC is pleased to present this proposal to support the City of Monte Sereno with election consulting and related services for a potential local revenue measure on the upcoming November 2026 local ballot. Working in partnership with the polling firm True North Research and the City, our goal will be to help you build consensus with your community on your needs and ballot measure solution. With CliffordMoss serving as lead consultant, we hope this proposal demonstrates that our team is the right fit for you.
Preparing for and passing revenue measures in today’s turbulent political environment is a strategic exercise with many moving parts. It’s also a team effort. You need an experienced team that can hit the ground running, quickly develop high trust, work well with others, and bring best-in-the-industry expertise, capabilities, and commitment to your cause. We believe CliffordMoss and True North Research is that team.
CliffordMoss LLC, is a boutique, majority women-owned, California-based election consulting and strategic communications firm based in Oakland, CA. Founded in 2012 and now in our 14th year, we enjoy a 91%+ tax election win rate. CliffordMoss has helped secure billions of dollars in funding to improve the quality of local public services and infrastructure for cities, schools, libraries, parks, fire and healthcare districts, transportation, housing, childcare programs, and other essential public services across California. True North Research joins us in leading the research work needed for your project. They are a leading market and public opinion researcher. True North has acted as researcher and strategic advisor for hundreds of cities, counties, schools, and statewide agencies. Our team is comprised of industry leaders who share your passion for building a better future for the City of Monte Sereno.
CliffordMoss and True North Research are well-suited to help the City of Monte Sereno prepare for a measure in the November 2026 election. If the City chooses to pursue a separate Proposition 218 Ballot Proceeding, that is typically conducted at a different time than the November election, and would require separate ballot printing, mailing, and tabulation. We would be more than willing and able to assist in ensuring additional expertise is brought on board to handle the analysis and logistics required for a Proposition 218 Ballot Proceeding.
THIS work is our passion! CliffordMoss stands ready, willing, qualified, and eager to assist you and your cause. And - we’re ready to hit the ground running immediately. It all starts with a story – your story. Our job is to bring that story to life. Let us tell your story. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Bonnie Moss, Principal
510-757-9023 | [email protected]
Laura Crotty, Senior Vice President
408-839-5556| [email protected]
CliffordMoss LLC | 5111 Telegraph Ave., #307 Oakland, CA 94609 Page 46 of 66 2 2. Profile on the Proposing Firm
About CliffordMoss - Lead Consultant | www.cliffordmoss.com CliffordMoss is a leading California strategic communications firm, specializing in election consulting, political strategy, and public communications services. Based in Oakland, our firm’s leadership team includes Bonnie Moss, Tom Clifford, Amanda Clifford, and Laura Crotty. To stay nimble and responsive, we currently employ eight team members and engage a network of highly qualified associates across the state that join us on projects when needed. We are not the typical political strategy corporation. CliffordMoss is a boutique strategic communications firm whose principals and project leaders stand ready to bring a fresh approach to the City of Monte Sereno enriched by over 50 years of directly relevant experience. We’ve built our firm on three core principles:
Your community is unique u Listening is a lost art u People support what they help create We use these principles to help you tell your story in an honest and compelling way. We use them to help you engage, listen, and build relationships. Most importantly, we use them to help you see opportunities through a win-win lens, so you inspire others to rise and champion your cause from the outside in. We understand that your primary focus is the day-to-day operations of your city. With that said, our job is to help facilitate, train, and coach you in navigating wisely so you can successfully navigate the political terrain.
Competitive Strengths of Our Team:
1. Smart, Reliable Foundational Work. We will help focus you on two proven tracks: 1. Public Opinion Polling to get an accurate read on your electorate’s readiness to support your desired measure. 2. Strategic Communications Work (on a parallel track) to inform future work, educate, and engage your Monte Sereno community on itsterms, and finally, build the evidence that we are LISTENING and truly interested in what your community thinks. As we move down these two tracks, we will maintain our allegiance to the revealing data, letting the evidence tell us where we need to go next.
2. Creative Communications and Messaging “Edge.” We respect your community’s UNIQUENESS. We work hard to combine old-school direct mail, flyers, and door-to-door communications with new-school video and online and social media messaging, content, and placement to achieve maximum impact.
3. Our Style - Invested in YOU. CliffordMoss is client-centered and client-driven. We invest deeply in you, guiding you through a potentially complex, organic, uncertain process to achieve your goals. We don’t tell our clients what to do. We practice the higher art of “facilitating, training, and coaching.” We make the effort to LISTEN and get things right the first time. We are not rigid or stuck in a routine or past templates. We are not afraid to take calculated risks when conditions require it. Our commitment calls on us to stay on the cutting edge of innovation, and you will see us bring that value to you in thought partnership, communications work, service orientation, and results.
4. Outstanding Work Products. We work with peak-performing industry vendors to deliver results. Our network includes creative graphic designers, leading print production and data services providers, cutting-edge online advertising and communications firms, and media practitioners.
5. Strategic Approach. At our core, we are strategists and community organizers. We focus on building the right strategy for the right ballot package for the right election. We are successful because we invest in building strategies that deliver results, whether in “blue sky”, cloudy, or turbulent political environments.
Note: In the State of California, CliffordMoss has never been the plaintiff or defendant in any civil or criminal litigation for the past five years. CliffordMoss is not currently involved as a plaintiff or defendant in any civil or criminal litigation.
3 About True North Research – Polling Firm and Subcontractor to CliffordMoss | tn-research.com True North Research is a full-service survey research firm that is dedicated to providing cities, counties, special districts, school districts, and other public agencies with a clear understanding of the opinions, perceptions, priorities and concerns of their residents and voters. Through designing and implementing scientific surveys, focus groups and one-on-one interviews, as well as expert interpretation of the findings, True North helps its clients to move with confidence when making strategic decisions in a variety of areas—such as planning, policy evaluation, passing revenue measures, and developing effective public information campaigns.
To date, True North has designed and conducted more than 1,500 survey research studies for public agencies in California, more than 500 of which were revenue measure feasibility surveys that were designed to gauge voter support for capital and service initiatives, identify the factors that shape voters' opinions regarding a proposal, develop effective public education and engagement strategies, and help agencies position a measure for voter approval. Our experience includes all types of revenue measures including general and special sales taxes, parcel taxes, bonds, transient occupancy taxes (TOT), utility users taxes, benefit assessments, and property-related fees.
One testimony to the accuracy of our research and the reliability of our strategic advice is that we have the highest verifiable success rate in the State of California for revenue measures that we’ve recommend for ballot over the past decade (93%), and a 100% success rate in seven of the past ten election cycles. To date, we have helped our clients raise over $42 billion in voter-approved revenue measures at the local level.
3. Qualifications of the Firm
CliffordMoss Qualifications & References:
CliffordMoss brings together over 50 years of political communications and strategy, and puts the experience to work for each client to help them achieve their goals. Please see below for a list of references, along with a description of the work provided and type of engagement for each project.
Woodside Elementary School District – San Mateo Co.
Steve Frank, Superintendent, 650-851-1571 ext. 4005 / Email: [email protected] 2014 $13.5M GO Bond | Tax Rate: $24.05 per $100,000 | WIN (64% YES) 2017 $290 8 yr. Parcel Tax WIN (72.9% YES)
2024 $36M GO Bond| Tax Rate: $30 per $100,000 | WIN (65% YES) 2024 $366.66 12 yr. Parcel Tax WIN (77% YES)
*Bond and Parcel Tax Pre-Electoral Public Engagement, Bond Campaign, & Parcel Tax Information-Only. 2024 Program Budget: $7,500-$10,000 (not including consultant professional service fees and polling fees) Outcome: Successful passage of both a Bond and Parcel Tax in the same year.
City of Malibu – Los Angeles Co.
Joseph D. Toney, Assistant City Manager, 310-456-2489 x224 / Email: [email protected] 2022 0.5% Sales Tax WIN (52.53% YES)
*Provided Pre-Electoral and Info-Only Services
Program Budget done by Malibu separately with existing staff/vendors for design, mail, website, & social media.
Outcome: Successful passage of a 0.5% sales tax in 2022 for the City of Malibu general fund.
The City of Arroyo Grande – San Luis Obispo Co.
Matthew Downing, City Manager, 805-473-5418 / Email: [email protected] Bill Robeson, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director, 805-473-5485 / Email: [email protected] Jessica Matson, City Clerk/Dir. of Leg. & Info Svcs., 805-748-7736 / Email: [email protected] 2024 1% Sales Tax WIN (64.95% YES) – Measure E-24, New Sales Tax Measure
4 *Engagement/Information-Only Services
Program Budget: $55,000-$65,000 (not including consultant professional service fees and polling fees) Outcome: Successful passage of a one-cent sales tax increase (after losing a previous similar local revenue measure attempt in 2022 with a different firm).
True North Research References
City of San Mateo – San Mateo Co.
Alex Khojikian, City Manager, 650-522-7000, [email protected].
Address: 330 W. 20th Ave., San Mateo CA 94403
True North has designed seven surveys for the City of San Mateo in recent years to gauge satisfaction with municipal services and inform the City’s General Plan Update (2020, 2022, 2024 & 2025), gauge the feasibility of increasing the transient occupancy tax (successful in 2020), assess the feasibility of increasing the City’s real property transfer tax (successful on November 2022 ballot), and amend the City’s General Plan (successful on November 2024 ballot).
City of Manhattan Beach – Los Angeles Co.
Steve Charelian, City Councilmember/former Director of Finance, 310-802-5053, [email protected] Address: 1400 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
True North has designed and conducted 15 surveys for the City of Manhattan Beach since 1999, including multiple revenue measure feasibility surveys that have led to successful Prop. 218 measures for utility undergrounding (2000), a sales tax measure (2024), and a stormwater revenue measure (2024).
City of La Mesa – San Diego Co.
Lyn Dedmon, Assistant to the City Manager, 619-667-1339, [email protected].
Address: 8130 Allison Avenue, La Mesa CA 91942
True North has designed and conducted seven community priorities and satisfaction surveys for the City of La Mesa using a large sample of 800 residents to allow for analysis within geographic subregions of the City, as well as a revenue measure feasibility survey that led to a successful sales tax measure on the November 2024 ballot.
4. Approach and Work Plan
Understanding the uniqueness of your Monte Sereno universe of voters – and in particular, their willingness to support the measure you propose – will be critical to achieving your goal. To that end, we dig deep into voter data to understand your voters. Accordingly, here are the preliminary essentials:
Descriptor Voters - # Voter - %
ALL Voters 2,820 Voters / 1,154 Households
Early Voters: 27.1% | Late Voters: 19.7 % 100%
Likely Nov. 2026 2,272 Voters / 1,049 Households
Early Voters: 29.4% | Late Voters: 20.9% 80.6%
5 As we begin our work, FIRST, we will make the time to listen to you. At CliffordMoss, we believe LISTENING is a lost art. Many firms will come in and tell you exactly what you should do without getting to know who you are and what makes your city unique. We won’t do that. We will sit with you – and others you think we can learn from, including your city manager and city staff leadership team, mayor and councilmembers, and other key communicators until we understand you, your needs, and the conditions that you believe will drive success in today’s election environment.
We will proceed along two deliberate tracks using proven tools to navigate the way forward:
PHASE I: Feasibility to Move Forward with a Measure. Launching ASAP. • Task 1: Strategic Electoral Planning, Financial Analysis, and Early Listening • Task 2: Public Opinion Polling
PHASE II: Public Education and Ballot Measure Preparation By Age
All Voters November 2026
By Party
All Voters November 2026
6 Here, in greater detail, is what you can expect from our team:
PHASE I
Task 1: Strategic Electoral Planning, Financial Analysis, and Early Listening Timeline: ASAP
Most city projects start with an election Feasibility Analysis (Task 2) emphasizing polling and research. At CliffordMoss, we propose to go a step further, to enrich your Phase I work with strategic listening and communications work as well as financial analysis (as needed) on a parallel track that will help INFORM the poll, better understand your current political playing field, and provide more clarity on your best revenue measure options. (This is our proven approach working with cities and other public agencies in this space.) Political Analysis. One of CliffordMoss’ most important responsibilities in the Phase I process is to analyze and anticipate with you the political terrain ahead to help you navigate the future successfully. No two communities are the same. We will work with you to conduct a series of political diagnostic exercises to improve our collective understanding of your political playfield and dynamics.
People Support What They Help Create. We must build a “community conversation infrastructure”, including face-to-face (or Zoom) meetings, where your ballot measure emerges out of intentional community engagement and LISTENING work along with your expertise as city leaders, managers, and staff. In this way, we expect your potential ballot measure will be supported by the Monte Sereno community because opinion leaders, community members, and voters see that their input actually helped build the plan.
Listening Strategy. We deliberately make time to listen and learn from those most likely to influence the outcome of your measure. By employing our proven diagnostic tools, including opinion leader interviews and stakeholder meetings (whether in-person, via zoom technology, or conference call), we are better able to understand your stakeholders, and, most importantly, get an early understanding of your voters (the ultimate decision makers in the exercise ahead). We will also look at more recent political or electoral events, including high visibility Santa Clara County and/or statewide revenue measures.
Task 2: Public Opinion Polling
Timeline: Shortly after initial diagnostics above
PROJECT GOAL & APPROACH
The purpose of this project is to provide statistically valid quantitative data regarding attitudes and opinions of City of Monte Sereno voters, alongside ballot measure development consulting services regarding a potential local revenue measure on the November 2026 ballot.
If the ultimate goal of the baseline survey is to enable the City of Monte Sereno to make sound, strategic decisions based upon the data that is collected, it is critical that the data be collected according to rigorous methodological standards. Indeed, although it may be easy to conduct a 'survey', it is quite challenging to design and implement a survey that A) produces valid and reliable measures of the opinions and behaviors of interest, and B) produces data that is representative of the population of voters that is the focus of a study. Only by satisfying each of these conditions will the proposed study produce data that is trustworthy and thus a sound basis for making decisions.
To accomplish this, we propose to use a stratified & clustered random sampling methodology that ensures a representative sample of Monte Sereno voters who are likely to participate in the election of interest (November 2026) that matches the electorate profile on all key characteristics including partisanship, household party type, age, gender, and ethnicity. We also recommend using a four-pronged recruiting strategy of mailed invitations, email invitations, text invitations, and telephone calls to recruit participation in the survey and a mixed-method data SWOT ANALYSIS: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
7 collection methodology that allows sampled respondents the flexibility of participating by telephone or online at a password protected web site. Designed, tested and refined by True North over the past 15 years, our recommended survey approach has proven to maximize participation rates, reduce response bias, better engage traditionally hardto-reach subgroups, and increase the overall accuracy and reliability of revenue measure surveys.
The specific scope of services for the polling process includes all tasks associated with designing, conducting and analyzing the survey, as well as presenting the results. Briefly, the scope of services includes:
• Meeting with the City to thoroughly discuss the research objectives and methodology for the study, as well as discuss potential challenges, concerns, and issues that may surround the study. • Developing a stratified and clustered sample of voters who—based on their voting history and registration status—are likely to participate in the election of interest on the natural or through targeted outreach efforts.
• Developing a draft questionnaire for the City’s review and make revisions as needed until all parties approve of the instrument.
• Pre-testing the survey instrument to ensure its integrity. • CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) programing the finalized survey instrument to ensure accurate and reliable data collection using live telephone interviewers. It is expected that the average telephone interview will last up to 16 minutes.
• Web programing the same survey instrument to allow for secure, password-protected online survey participation and data collection.
• Recruiting participation in the survey using a combination of mailed invitations, email invitations, text messages, and telephone calls.
• The City of Monte Sereno has a comparatively small number of voters (2,820), which naturally limits the number of completed interviews that is possible when using proper random sampling methods.
Although we can guarantee 150 completed interviews, we will attempt to maximize the number of completed interviews by using four recruiting methods (see above) and executive-level interviewers, which is a process that has worked well when we’ve interviewed in similarly small, affluent communities including Atherton and Belvedere. All interviews collected beyond 150 will be provided to the City at no additional cost.
• Processing the data, which includes conducting validity checks, cleaning, recoding, coding open-end responses, and adjusting for strategic oversampling (if used) through a statistical procedure known as ‘weighting’.
• Preparing an initial topline summary which presents the overall findings of the survey. • Preparing a thorough report on the findings, including a detailed question-by-question analysis, description of the methodology, an executive summary of the key findings and conclusions/recommendations, as well as a comprehensive set of crosstabulations showing how the answers varied by subgroups of voters. The report will include extensive full-color graphics displaying the findings, as well as insightful narrative discussion of the results and their implications. • Preparing an electronic copy of the final report to allow the City to reproduce the report as needed. • Preparing a PowerPoint presentation of the results and present the results to the City. • Being available to assist and provide advice to the City after the survey is complete.
8 Our early Feasibility work together provides the CLARITY needed to navigate the way forward. As we move through early listening, including polling and other strategic communications work, we will always refer back to the revealing data, letting the evidence tell us where to go next. This is why we resist making judgments on what will or won’t work until we have concluded all aspects of early feasibility work.
There are 3 possible outcomes of the Feasibility Phase:
◆ BEST: PROCEED TO BALLOT. Feasibility is present. Continue to get “election ready.” ◆ PROCEED WITH CAUTION. Some but not all signs of Feasibility are present. In this case, we may move forward; however, we may face some tough decisions in order to stay in alignment with what we know your Monte Sereno voters will support.
◆ STOP – REGROUP. If significant risks emerge out of the Feasibility process, we will tell you so – even if it means telling you that your vision to go to the ballot is overly ambitious and more time is needed to prepare your community for electoral success.
If feasibility is determined and the evidence shows a ballot measure is winnable, our process continues… PHASE II: Public Education and Ballot Measure Preparation Timeline: Begins when Polling Confirms Feasibility for a November 2026 Election It will be CRITICAL to plan ahead and tailor your informational communications so that they address the uniqueness of Monte Sereno EARLY in the process and do not confuse your voters. In our experience, confused voters tend to VOTE NO. Our narrative must fully explain the purpose of your measure, the reason it’s been placed on the ballot, and the importance of this measure to your community. We look forward to further discussing the unique factors of this situation with you if given the opportunity to work with you.
Our goal will be to get you “election-ready.” Expect the following:
1. STRATEGIC CONSENSUS AS WE BEGIN PHASE II – i.e. internal team agreement about where we stand, what package and schedule we’re aligning with, and which election we’re targeting. There is a particular science to the work we do. Armed with results and data from Phase I, the CliffordMoss team helps you plan for a Phase II effort that helps you build the public awareness and interest you’ll need for the future.
2. EFFECTIVE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT, MESSAGING & INFORMATIONAL OUTREACH. We employ messaging strategies to engage voters and stakeholders in compelling, memorable ways. We help you take the time to listen and learn from those most likely to influence the outcome of your election. PROVEN STRATEGIES we use (especially with voters!) to engage, listen, educate, and build awareness include:
“Outbound” Public Information & Communications Support. We will review your existing communications operation at the City with a strategic lens to identify opportunities for improving educational impact; rapid-response capabilities/results; reaching additional audiences; engaging grassroots organizations and leaders to participate in the discussion through micro-networks; and customizing communications tools to facilitate more participation in the conversation, especially at the ground-community level.
9 CliffordMoss has many proven tools in our communications “tool kit”, including strategies to hold down costs while communicating effectively in a robust public outreach plan:
• Opinion leader and stakeholder work.
• Public meetings (virtual if necessary).
• City-sponsored informational outreach.
• Direct mail.
• Traditional media.
• Web / online / social media.
• Messaging around key specific stakeholders.
• Messaging around key specific stakeholders.
3. TRACK AS WE GO. Our proven systems and tools will help you track strategic highlights of the input obtained and which areas of the City are getting attention. Beyond research to be conducted by True North, the live stakeholder and opinion leader feedback gathered in our proposed process will be critical to building and validating the final “packaging” for your measure.
4. A WRITTEN SUMMARY presenting the results of early public engagement with a broad recommendation to lead to a ballot measure, including public information for City Council.
5. WORK WITH YOU TO EFFECTIVELY PACKAGE YOUR MEASURE. We will work with you to complete the following ballot measure preparation essentials:
• Collaborate with you, your city attorney, and other consultants on final ballot package components. • Finalize core messaging (we know the words and format that works best with voters!) • Prepare your ballot language, including the all-important 75-word Ballot Question • Provide input to/support your city attorney and/or city clerk, and the County Registrars of Voters (ROV) to ensure that your ballot measure package filed is the right package. • Provide guidance on media efforts to help position the City effectively. • Provide ongoing strategic counsel to help you navigate the political terrain.
In short, our role is to bring the unique, neutral, and experienced tax measure election expert perspective to your team, working with you to customize and drive your process in ways that form the foundation to mobilize support and ensure that an informed public is voting on your ballot measure.
Citizens’ Initiative - We have seen groups of citizens come together for cities, special districts, and counties for a citizens’ initiative (a measure not originally sponsored by a City, County, or District). This is a separate exercise and cannot be part of what the City (public agency) is doing. We'd be happy to discuss this with you should you have any questions regarding this as an option.
10 5. Project Schedule:
TIMELINE: November 2026 Election Scenario
Assumption: November 2026 Election. County filing deadline for this election: August 7, 2026.
Winter 2025/26 PHASE I_ Feasibility Priorities: Strategic Launch, Polling, and Early Communications.
Dec-Jan 2025 Task 1. Strategic, Intentional Launch
- SWOT Alignment - Core Team confirms Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats - Agree on benefits and risk factors to approach to feasibility work. - Discuss communications strategies RE past election environment - Integrate into communications your plan to maintain public trust Taks 2. Research/Public Opinion Polling: Prepare/conduct/analyze poll.
Diagnostic/analytical work – evaluate community input.
Deliberate, Early Communications Work. On parallel track with polling. Define your story, conduct political analysis, LISTENING recommendations & community engagement strategy.
Early Feb Feasibility Results show if NOVEMBER 2026 election is FEASIBLE.
Late Feb Report EARLY Poll & listening results to the Council. Team alignment on path forward. * If feasibility is present, City Council gives direction to move to Phase II Winter-Spring 2026 PHASE II_ Tasks: Public Information & Ballot Measure Prep Assessment & Communications Planning/Calibration and Prep for Round 2 Work March – June Community Communication Work – (VIRTUAL if needed with stakeholders) More…..Stakeholder work. More online engagement. City Speakers Bureau – service clubs, civic and community groups, etc. EARLY e-communications (web, email, social media) + local EARNED media
April 2026 Conduct public opinion poll #2. Prepare/conduct/analyze poll.
April/May Core ballot measure package defined – informed by opinion research + needs community input and consensus (as identified in community engagement work).
May Present Ballot Measure Plan to Community.
Mid-May City Council workshop (info-only item) to review/discuss measure “package” + Q&A We recommend an information only / no-action meeting for this step.
Late May/Early June City Council Action calling for the election. Final document preparation and filing.
June __, 2026 Filing Deadline: 5pm. If you haven’t filed by 5pm, you won’t be on the Nov 2026 ballot! August 7 – Nov 3 PHASE III_ Election Window – For a November 2026 Election (NON-City Funded) Early October Ballots MAIL.
November 3, 2026 Election Day!
11 6. Project Staffing
CliffordMoss Team
Our team is well suited to help you achieve your electoral goals. Together, we have decades of experience in all aspects of helping communities prepare for local ballot measures. Here is more about us:
Patrick Falzer, Assistant Vice President, will serve as a CliffordMoss day-to-day Project Manager for this project, assisting with strategy, logistics and execution, as well as driving project pacing to keep the overall team productive and making sure your project stays on track. Patrick is an experienced political and campaign strategist who has worked on multiple city projects facing differing levels of challenges. Patrick worked with and led multiple cities and clients in the November 2024 election cycle navigate to success at the ballot box.
Laura Crotty, Senior Vice President, specializes in guiding local city, county, transportation, education, and environmental public engagement strategy. Her successes include multiple cities and districtsthroughout California including City of Malibu and Woodside School District. Raised in Saratoga, Laura is especially familiar with the City of Monte Sereno. After graduating from Presentation High School, Laura attended UC Santa Cruz, receiving her B.A. in Environmental Studies. Following graduation from UCSC, she became a Senior AmeriCorps team leader ‘filling the gap’ in inner-city public schools and working to improve neighborhoods in Harlem, NYC. Later, she worked with Spectrum Community Services in Hayward, California, improving energy efficiency for low-income homes and vulnerable populations in Alameda County. Laura understands public sector organizations well, and brings creative, innovative problem-solving expertise to support CliffordMoss and our clients.
Bonnie Moss, Principal, will serve as a strategic advisor, acting as an on-call troubleshooter and 40-year battle-tested strategist as needed. Over her career, Bonnie has earned a reputation as one of California’s leading local revenue measure and strategic communications experts, guiding numerous must-win projects to success. Most recently, Bonnie guided multiple 2024 city projects throughout the Greater Bay Area that succeeded on election day.
True North Research Team
Timothy McLarney, Ph.D. -- President of True North
Dr. McLarney will lead all design, analysis, reporting, and presentation tasks for the revenue measure feasibility survey. As President of True North, Dr. McLarney has more than 25 years of experience in survey methodology, statistics, public opinion analysis, and providing data-driven strategic advice to public agencies. During his career, he has occupied a lead role in over 1,500 research studies, including more than 500 revenue measure feasibility surveys.
To date, Dr. McLarney’s research has led to over $42 billion in voter-approved revenue measures at the local level in California.
Dr. McLarney is a nationally recognized expert in survey research methodology, sampling theory, weighting, and the use of statistical methods to generalize survey results. His research has been published in academic journals and has earned him honors including the Andrew Mellon Fellowship (Cornell University), Sage Fellowship (Cornell University), and the title of Visiting Scholar at the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley. He has also served as an independent expert witness in survey research methodology for California legal cases. Dr. McLarney earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in Government from Cornell University with an emphasis in survey methodology, sampling theory, data science, and public opinion analysis, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Politics from UC Santa Cruz
7. Proposal Exceptions
CliffordMoss has no exceptions of deviations for the Request for Proposal, including but not limited to Exhibit “E” Agreement for Professional Services.
12 8. Proposal Costs and Rates
CliffordMoss Fee Proposal
Our fee structure is specifically designed to bring the very best strategic guidance to you to achieve YOUR strategic and electoral objectives, while also meeting predictable and prudent cost control requirements. Our clients tell us the investment in CliffordMoss is well worth it, given our record of doing the job once, doing it right, and getting it done. Our standard fee arrangement is a monthly retainer. We have very few projects where CliffordMoss bills hourly rates – our clients benefit from an all-inclusive monthly rate, which is not affected by how many phone calls, meetings, or emails a project or task requires. We want to be there for our clients without them having to worry about incurring a potential cost. Accordingly, here is our cost proposal to the City:
CliffordMoss Fee: $8,000/month – Monthly Retainer (plus approved business expenses).
As requested in the RFP, see the table below for our team’s hourly rates for 2025-2026.
CliffordMoss Hourly Rates
Staff Level Rate
CliffordMoss Team
(Blended Rate)
$187.50/hour*
EST. 40-50 hours per month
*NOTE: CliffordMoss works on a monthly retainer. Hourly rates are included for reference per the request in the RFP.
RE a “Not to exceed” amount: Assuming a consulting engagement of January through July 2026 (7 months), our fees would not exceed $56,000. This does not include optional program costs that we would agree on together if we were to work with you. See below.
RE Program costs: It is too early to tell at this time what exactly additional Phase II program costs will be needed here, but direct mail, online design work, and video production for a robust information and engagement effort would be good examples of the kind of costs we expect. This is where a robust public information effort telling your story of need is essential to beginning the process of preparing for the ballot. Our commitment is to collaborate with you to build a smart stakeholder and public engagement program budget if/when we get to that point.
RE Estimated number of meetings, conference calls, and other work: We align to the needs of our clients first and foremost. We advocate for Core Team meetings at least once a month. We are big believers in using the full spectrum of communications channels to accelerate progress outside of core team. We strive to be 100% accessible to you.
True North Research Fee Proposal
The all-inclusive cost for True North Research to conduct a statistically reliable survey to evaluate the feasibility of a measure, including research design, questionnaire drafting, sample acquisition, data collection, data processing, analysis of results, and preparation of reports, memos or presentations as needed, is $28,850**. **the costs above assume remote participation in meetings and presentations. If in-person presentation is required, additional travel expenses will apply.
STAFF REPORT
Meeting: City Council - Jan 06 2026
Agenda Heading: NEW BUSINESS
Staff Contact: Diana Perkins, City Manager
Department: City Manager
Title: Discuss and Provide Direction to Staff on the City Council Ad-Hoc Committees for 2026
Recommendation(s):
Staff recommends the City Council review existing ad hoc committees and provide direction to staff.
Background Information:
The City Council of Monte Sereno utilizes ad hoc committees as subcommittees of the City Council for special assignments to complete work tasks on projects later presented for Monte Sereno City Council consideration. Ad-hoc committees are project specific committees established for a limited duration of no more than one year.
Under the Brown Act, ad hoc committees are advisory only and created to address a specific issue for a limited time. As such, they are not subject to the requirements for open meetings in the Act. Any permanent or standing committee created by the City Council would be subject to notice/posting requirements for open meeting of the Brown Act, even if less than a quorum of the Council sits on such committee.
Analysis:
The Council currently has two active ad hoc committees as detailed in Attachment 1. The Improving Financial Controls and Reporting Ad Hoc Committee will expire later this month. If there is need to establish new ad hoc committees, they must have a new charter and members would need to be appointed.
The Potential Police Services Parcel Tax Ad Hoc Committee will expire in August.
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.
Fiscal Impact:
No fiscal impact is anticipated with the establishment of Council Ad Hoc Committees.
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. Ad Hoc Committees 8-19-2025
Monte Sereno City Council
Ad Hoc Committees
Updated: August 19, 2025
Title Resolution Number Charter Members Expiration*
Improving Financial Controls and Reporting Ad Hoc Committee 25-3922.2 • Review alternatives to replace the City’s existing financial reporting system with a system that includes integrated related human resources management functionality, and recommend a system to City Council; • Ensure that the recommended financial reporting and human resources management 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;
• Update related human resources activities including timekeeping, payroll, and employee pay and benefit tracking.
• 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.
Councilmember Mekechuk Councilmember Shannon
January 20, 2026
Potential Police Services Parcel Tax Ad Hoc Committee
• Review options for placing a ballot measure on a general election; • Consider the amount to potentially increase the police service tax; • Discuss outreach options to inform the residents of a potential ballot measure; and
• Work with staff and any third-party consultants to complete the tasks noted above.
Councilmember Craig Councilmember Mekechuk
August 19, 2026
* Ad Hoc Committees expire 1 year after date of establishment
STAFF REPORT
Meeting: City Council - Jan 06 2026
Agenda Heading: NEW BUSINESS
Staff Contact: Diana Perkins, City Manager
Department: City Manager
Title: Discuss Selection of Meeting Date for Strategic Goal Setting Meeting Recommendation(s):
Staff recommends the Monte Sereno City Council discuss selecting a date for the Annual Strategic Goal Setting meeting and direct staff in organizing this meeting.
Background Information:
Monte Sereno City Council meets annually to establish strategic goals for the next fiscal year and create a work plan. Historically, the Strategic Goal Setting meeting has been scheduled prior to annual budget adoption so funding for the strategic goals can be incorporated into the annual budget. Last year, the Strategic Goal Setting meeting was held on March 18, 2025 as part of the regular City Council meeting.
Staff recommends the Strategic Goal Setting meeting be scheduled for March or April to allow sufficiency time for the established goals to be incorporated in the proposed FY 2026/2027 proposed budget.
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.
Fiscal Impact:
No fiscal impact is anticipated with setting a date for the Strategic Goal Setting Meeting.
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.
Monte Sereno City Council
2026 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: December 30, 2025
Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
January 6, 2026 Presentation of Certificates of Recognition to 2025 STEM Winners from the City of Monte Sereno
GGL N Presentation
West Valley Recycles Presentation 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 Supplemental Law Enforcement Service Fund (SLESF) 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 Consideration to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with CliffordMoss, LLC for Consulting Services for a Potential Police Services Parcel Tax Including Public Opinion Polling, Public Outreach, and a Prop 218 Compliant Ballot Measure for an amount not to exceed $84,850 Plus a 10% Contingency for Program Costs.
DP N New Business
January 20, 2026 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Application 2025-3089 for a Variance application for reduced rear yard setback of 25 feet where 30 feet is required at 18113 Bancroft Avenue. (CEQA: Exempt, Guidelines sections 15302, 15303)
DP Y Public Hearing
Accept the FY 2025-26 Mid-Year Budget Report DP N New Business City Manager’s Quarterly Report DP N New Business
Silicon Valley Clean Energy - Application for Alternate GGL N New Business February 3, 2026 Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department Semi-Annual Report Police N Presentation Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
February 17, 2026 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Monte Sereno City Council
2026 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: December 30, 2025
Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
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
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
March 3, 2026 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
March 17, 2026 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Annual Council Goal Setting Session for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 DP N New Business April 7, 2026 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Adoption of 2026-2027 City Council Goals DP N Consent Calendar April 21, 2026 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
City Manager’s Quarterly Report DP N New Business
May 5, 2026 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
First Study Session for Review of Proposed FY 25/26 Budget DP N New Business May 19, 2026 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Monte Sereno City Council
2026 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: December 30, 2025
Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
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
Consideration of Awarding Community Based Organization Grants DP N New Business June 2, 2026 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Annual Street Maintenance - Adoption of Projects FY 26/27 DP N Consent Calendar Updated Fee Schedule for User and Regulatory Fees DP N Consent Calendar Adoption of a Resolution Setting Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2026-27 DP N Consent Calendar June 16, 2026 Finance Reports 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 2026-2027 GGL N Consent Calendar
Adopt a Resolution Overruling Protest Regarding Brush Abatement GGL Y Public Hearing Adoption of the FY 26/27 Budget DP N Unfinished
Business
Appointment of 2026-2027 Youth Commissioners GGL N New Business July 7, 2026
July 21, 2026
Meetings Cancelled
August 4, 2026 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL 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
Consideration of Nominees Citizen of the Year Award GGL N New Business
Monte Sereno City Council
2026 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: December 30, 2025
Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
League of California Cities Annual Conference Voting Delegate GGL N New Business City Manager’s Quarterly Report DP N New Business
August 18, 2026 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
FY 25/26 Pavement Improvement Project Acceptance DP N Consent Calendar September 1, 2026 Finance Reports Warrant list DP N Consent Calendar Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
September 15, 2026 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
October 6, 2026 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
October 20, 2026 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
November 3, 2026 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Monte Sereno City Council
2026 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: December 30, 2025
Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
November 17, 2026 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
December 1, 2026 Youth Commission Report GGL N Presentation Finance Reports Warrant list N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Better Street Commission & S&A Applicants GGL N New Business Council Nomination of Mayor and Vice Mayor DP N New Business December 15, 2026 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Declaring Weeds a Public Nuisance GGL N Consent Calendar Consider and Set City Council Meeting Dates for 2027 GGL N New Business Recognition of Outgoing Betters Streets Commissioners and Site and Architectural Commissioners
DP N New Business
Consider and Approve City Committee/Commission Assignments for CY2027 DP N New Business Supplemental Law Enforcement Service Fund (SLESF) DP N New Business