Monte Sereno City Council
June 16, 2026

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 adoption of the updated ordinance.

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. Redlined Changes to the Current City of Monte Sereno Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Public Meetings

2. Draft Resolution to Update Council Meeting Policy

REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES
FOR

THE CONDUCT OF PUBLIC MEETINGS
A. MEETINGS

1. Regular Meetings
Council of the City of Monte Sereno shall hold regular meetings in Council Chambers at 18041 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road in said city on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. (Council Meeting).

2. Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called at any time by the Mayor or by two Council Members by delivering personally, or by mail or electronic mail, written notice to each Council Member, and by posting notice in accordance with State law and by providing written notice to each local newspaper of general circulation, radio station and television station which has made written request for such notice. Such notice must be delivered and posted at least twenty-four hours before the time of such meeting as specified in the notice. The notice shall specify the time and place of the special meeting and the business to be transacted. No other business shall be considered at such meetings. Such written notice may be dispensed with, as to any Council Member who, at or prior to the time the meeting convenes, files with the City Clerk a written waiver of notice.

3. Place
All regular and special meetings of Council shall be held in Council Chambers, except that any such meetings may be adjourned to such other location as Council may from time to time determine.

4. Meetings to be Public
All regular, adjourned, and special meetings of Council shall be open and public; provided, however, Council may hold closed session from which the public may be excluded for the consideration of those matters permitted by the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code §§ 54950 et seq) to be held in closed session. No Council Member, employee of the City of Monte Sereno (City), or any other person present during a closed session of Council shall disclose to any person the content or substance of any discussion which took place during said closed session without prior authorization by a majority vote of Council. A Council Member who is found by Council to have made disclosure in violation of the foregoing provisions shall be subject to either or both (i) a motion of censure, or (ii) removal from any one or more of the offices which he or she holds by reason of election or appointment by Council, such as Mayor, Vice Mayor, representative of Council on an outside board or commission, or membership on a Council committee.

5. Chamber Preparation
The City Manager shall cause the Council Chamber doors to be unlocked at 6:45 p.m. for Council Meetings. In addition, the City Manager shall cause all preparations of the Council Chambers and of all available public facilities for the general comfort of the audience and efficiency of the meetings.

6. Quorum
Three members of Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Motions may be passed by a majority if only three attend, but ordinances, resolutions granting franchises and payment of money require at least three affirmative votes. Where there is no quorum, the Mayor, Vice Mayor, or any Council Member shall adjourn such meeting, or, if no Council member is present, the City Clerk shall adjourn the meeting.

7. Agenda
An agenda shall be prepared for each Council Meeting containing the specific items of business to be transacted and the order thereof. Items of business may be placed on the agenda by request of a any Council Member, the City Manager, or the City Attorney. The Mayor shall determine the scheduling of such items and in good faith will make every effort to place a Council Member requested item on the first available Council agenda in consultation with the City Manager. The City Manager may advise, but cannot override, on the placement of items for consideration and has discretion to adjust scheduling or add items if necessary to mitigate an operational, financial, or compliancerelated impact.

In addition, a Council Member may request that an item be placed on a future agenda during the future agenda portion of a Council Meeting as outlined in Section 9 below. A complete copy of the agenda shall be addressed to each Council Member and delivered to each Council Member at City Hall and each department head so as to reach the recipient not later than 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday preceding each Council Meeting.

All reports, ordinances, resolutions, contract documents, or other matters to be submitted to Council at the Council Meeting shall be delivered to the City Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m., on the Monday preceding the Wednesday on which the agenda is delivered to Council. The City Clerk shall prepare the agenda of all such matters according to the order of business, numbering each item consecutively. The agenda shall be available to the public in the office of the City Clerk and posted at the prescribed places no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday preceding each Council Meeting and in the Council Chambers during each meeting. During the day of the Council Meeting, the City Manager shall also cause to be available for public inspection in the office of the City Clerk one or more copies of all written materials concerning the agenda items, such as is also routinely made available to Council Members. The City Manager may exclude any materials that would not be a public record under applicable law, including, but not limited to, closed session materials.

8. Additions to Agenda
No matters shall be finally acted upon by Council other than those on the agenda; provided, however, items of business not appearing on the posted agenda may be considered in accordance with Government Code section 54954.2 and as it may be amended from time to time.

9. Order of Business
At the hour set by law on the day of each Council Meeting, the Council Members, City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk and such department heads as have been requested to be present, shall take their regular stations in the Council Chambers, and the business of Council shall be taken up for consideration and disposition in the following order:
a. Call to Order
b. Pledge of Allegiance
c. Roll Call
d. Orders of the Day
e. Announcements (Council Member announcements or individuals invited by Council to make announcement)
f. Presentations
g. Oral Communications from the Public
h. Written Communications
i. Consent Calendar
j. Public Hearings
k. New Business
l. Unfinished Business
m. Special Set Items
n. JPA/Committee/Commission Reports
o. Council Member Comments

p. City Manager Report
q. Future Agenda Items
r. Adjournment
The Mayor or a majority of Council may change the order of business under Orders of the Day. Council may set hearings for a specific time and, in that event, such hearings shall begin at the stated time, regardless of the order of business; otherwise, business shall be considered in the order shown above.

10. Council Member Absences
In the event a Council Member is unable to attend a Council Meeting, such Council Member shall so inform the City Manager no later than 12:00 p.m. on the Friday before the Council Meeting, unless such absence is due to an unforeseen circumstance beyond the Council Member’s control.
.

11. Remote Participation of Council Members
Council Members may participate in a regular or special meeting from a remote location if they meet the requirements of California Government Code section 54953. In the event a Council Member desires to participate in a regular or special meeting from a remote location, such Council Member shall so inform the City Clerk as soon as possible but in no event later than 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. In order for the City Clerk to determine if remote participation is permissible,to participate remotely, the Council Member shall provide the City Clerk with any information necessary to comply with the requirements of California Government Code section 54953 for remote participation in regular or special meetings.

12. Hybrid Meetings
All regular and special meetings of the Council shall include an opportunity for the public to attend via two-way telephonic or two-way audiovisual platform, unless adequate service is not operational in accordance with California Government Code section 54953.

13. Disruption of Remote Participation During a Council Meeting In the event of a disruption in two-way remote participation prevents members of the public from remotely attending or observing the meeting, the City Council shall recess for no less than one hour, during which time staff shall make good faith efforts to restore service. Following such efforts, the City Council shall adopt, by roll-call vote, a formal finding affirming that reasonable efforts were made to resolve the disruption and

that resuming the meeting serves the public interest more than further delaying the meeting to seek a resolution or may adjourn the meeting.

B. ADDRESSING COUNCIL

1. Right to Address Council
Every agenda for Council Meetings shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to address Council on any item of interest to the public that is within the jurisdiction of Council. An opportunity shall be provided for public comment at any special meeting on any matter noticed to be heard at that meeting.

2. Addressing Council at Other Times
Any interested person may request permission from the Mayor to address Council relevant to the subject matter under consideration. The granting or denial of such a request may be appealed to Council by a Council Member. In the event that more than one person makes such a request on any one item of business, the Mayor may forthwith designate and declare a period of time for such addresses and set a reasonable time limitation for it.

3. Manner of Addressing Council
As directed by the Chair, (see section D.1 below), any person wishing to address Council shall submit a written request, stand and approach the podium, or raise their hand and wait to be recognized by the Chair. Once recognized, he/she shall stand at the podium, if able, state his/her name for the record and proceed to address Council. All remarks and questions shall be addressed to Council through the Chair and not to any member thereof or the public. No question shall be asked of a Council Member or a member of the City staff without first obtaining permission of the Chair. Any member of the public shall request the Chair’s permission to approach the dais and may only do so after being granted such permission.

4. Time Limitation
The Mayor or a majority of Council may limit the time speakers may have to make oral communications to Council. When any group of persons wishes to address Council on the same subject matter, it shall be proper for the Chair or Council to inquire whether or not the group has a spokesperson, and if so, that the spokesperson be heard, with following speakers in the group limited to facts not already presented by that spokesperson.

5. Inclusion of Public Correspondence and Presentations in Agenda Materials

Any person wishing to make an audio/visual presentation on any agenda item must submit the presentation electronically, either in person or via email, to the City Clerk no later than 2:00 p.m. on the day of the regular or special meeting.

Persons wishing to submit written comments to be included in the agenda materials for a regular or special meeting provided to Council must provide the comments as follows:

For inclusion in the regular packet: by 11:00 a.m. the Wednesday prior to the Council Meeting
For inclusion in additional post packet correspondence addendum: by 11:00 a.m. the Monday prior to the Council Meeting
For inclusion as a desk item: by 11:00 a.m. on the day of the Council Meeting For a special meeting, for materials to be included in additional post packet correspondence addendum, they must be submitted by 11:00 a.m. the day before the meeting. For inclusion as a desk item, materials must be submitted no later than one hour prior to the special meeting.

This section shall not prohibit members of the public from directly presenting prepared written materials to Council during public comment. Copies of such materials shall be made available after the meeting for public inspection by the City Clerk in accordance with applicable law.

6. Removal of Individuals for Disruptive Behavior.

In order to ensure that meetings of the Monte Sereno City Council are conducted in an orderly, safe, and respectful manner while preserving the public’s right to participate in local government, individuals who engage in disruptive behavior during public meetings may be removed in accordance with the Government Code section 54957.95. ‘Disruptive behavior’ means conduct that actually disrupts, impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of the meeting. Examples include, but are not limited to:
• Speaking out of turn after being asked to stop
• Continuing to exceed allotted speaking time
• Yelling, profanity, or personal threats
• Preventing others from speaking or addressing the Council • Interfering with the Council’s ability to conduct business • Use or threat of physical force
These standards apply equally to individuals participating in person or through remote/teleconferenced platforms.’
Before an individual may be removed, the Mayor or presiding officer shall issue a clear warning that the behavior is disruptive and must cease immediately. For both in-person attendees and remote participants, the warning will be delivered verbally.

If the individual does not promptly cease the disruptive behavior after the warning, the presiding officer may order the individual removed from the meeting.

An individual who has been removed may be permitted to return to the meeting if the presiding officer determines that doing so will not disrupt the meeting. An individual who has been removed may be permitted to return to the meeting if the presiding officer determines that doing so will not disrupt the meeting.

C. MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR

1. Appointment of Mayor and Vice Mayor
On non-election years, theThe Council shall conduct a yearly reorganization at its first regular meeting of December, unless otherwise designated by the Council. On election years, the reorganization of the Council shall occur at the same meeting that Council certifies the election results and the newly seated Council shall select the Mayor and Vice Mayor. At the time of the yearly reorganization of the Council, the Council shall elect one of its members to serve one year as Mayor and one of its members to serve one year as Vice Mayor. The election of Mayor and Vice Mayor shall be placed at the end of the agenda. The Mayor will ask Council for nominations for Mayor. Any Council Member wishing to make a nomination may do so. A Council Member may nominate himself or herself. Nominations do not require a second. Council will vote on the nominations in reverse the order that the nominations were made, with the last nomination made voted on first. The Mayor shall be appointed by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of Council Member present. If no Mayor is chosen through the first nomination and voting process, the process shall be repeated. After the Mayor is appointed, the nomination process will be repeated for the selection of a Council Member to serve as Vice Mayor.

2. Term of Office
The Mayor and Vice Mayor shall each hold office until his/her successor is elected and qualifies.

3. Qualifications
Any Council Member is eligible to serve as Mayor or Vice Mayor who has not served in that position the previous year. In casting their votes for Mayor and Vice Mayor, Council Members may consider the candidate's leadership qualities, his/her ability to conduct meetings of Council expeditiously and fairly, and his/her willingness to represent and implement positions adopted by Council when such positions are at variance with his/her personal views, as well as other factors as they deem pertinent, including seniority, rotation, or prior service as Mayor or Vice Mayor. In making the selections, Council will also consider the principle of rotation to allow each of its members an

opportunity to serve as Mayor provided that the Council Member has the time to fulfill the duties of Mayor.

4. Mayor
The Mayor, or in his/her absence the Vice Mayor, shall be the presiding officer of the Council, chair all regular and special meetings and shall assume his/her place and duties as such immediately following his/her election. If the Mayor is absent or unable to act as Chair, the Vice Mayor shall serve until the Mayor returns or is able to act. During such periods, the Vice Mayor has all of the powers and duties of the Mayor. In the event the Vice Mayor is absent, the Mayor shall have the right to name any Council Member to perform the duties of the Mayor, but such substitution shall not extend beyond adjournment.

5. Authority
As Chair, the Mayor shall preserve strict order and decorum at all regular and special meetings of Council and announce its decisions on all subjects, and decide all questions of order, subject, however, to an appeal as herein as described. The Mayor shall sign all ordinances and resolutions adopted and contracts approved by Council at Council Meetings at which he/she is in attendance. In the event of his/her absence, the Vice Mayor shall sign such documents as have been adopted during the meeting at which he/she presided.

6. Joint Powers Authority, Council Committee and Commission Assignments The City is a member of various joint powers authorities (JPAs) and often has the ability to have a Council Member on the board of such JPAs. The Mayor recommends representatives on such JPAs, various standing committees and commissions to Council for approval. Council will vote on such appointments no later than the second Council Meeting in January each year. When making JPA, committee and commission assignments, the Mayor should consider the interest and knowledge of each Council Member in such JPAs, committees and commissions while balancing shared responsibilities and opportunities among Council Members. Upon approval of the assignments, the City Clerk shall notify the JPAs, committees and commission of such appointment by Council.

D. RULES OF PROCEDURE AND DEBATE

1. Call to Order
The Mayor, or in his/her absence, the Vice Mayor, shall take the chair at the appointed hour for the meeting, and shall call the regular or special meeting to order. In the absence of the Mayor and the Vice Mayor, and the failure of the Mayor to appoint a temporary Chair, the City Clerk shall call Council to order, whereupon a temporary Chair will be elected by the Council Members present. If the Mayor or Vice Mayor should arrive

after the meeting is called to order, the temporary Chair shall serve until the disposal of the item during consideration of which the Mayor or Vice Mayor arrived. In no event shall the temporary Chair serve beyond adjournment.

2. Roll Call
Before proceeding with the business of the Council, the City Clerk shall call the roll of the Council Members, and the names of those present shall be entered in the minutes. Subsequent roll calls throughout the meeting shall be made in the same order except that the Mayor shall always be called last.

3. Reading of Minutes
Unless the reading of the minutes of a regular or special meeting is requested by a majority of Council, such minutes may be approved without reading if the City Clerk has previously furnished each Council Member with a copy.

4. Chair May Debate and Vote
The Chair may move, second and debate as Chair, subject only to such limitations of debate as are by these rules imposed on all Council Members and shall not be deprived of any of the rights and privileges of Council Members by reason of his/her acting as Chair.

5. Getting the Floor
Every person desiring to speak shall address the Chair, and upon recognition by the Chair, shall confine him/herself to the question under debate.

6. Meeting Decorum
While Council is in session, Council Members and members of the public (whether appearing in person or virtually) must preserve order and decorum, and no person shall, by conversation or otherwise, delay or interrupt the proceedings or the peace of Council, nor disturb any Council Member while speaking, or refuse to obey the orders of Council or of the Chair, except as otherwise herein provided. Equitable access to the democratic process is essential. To ensure all members of the public feel free to participate, disruptive conduct is prohibited and may be grounds for removal from a meeting if it directly interferes with the conduct of proceedings. Disruptive conduct includes any conduct that directly interferes with the ability of the Council to deliberate and take action on agenda items, which may include addressing the Council without first being recognized, interrupting recognized public speakers, Council Member, or City staff, continuing to speak after the allotted time has expired and being requested to stop or failing to relinquish the podium when directed, and continuing to cheer, boo, jeer, clap, or repetitiously address the same subject in a manner that significantly interrupts or

interferes with the Council’s ability to deliberate or act on an agenda item after being asked to stop.

When necessary to enforce decorum, the Chair, subject to Council appeal, or Council itself may order a person removed from the public meeting (whether appearing in person or virtually), or the public meeting may be closed pursuant to State law. In the event members of the public participating in the regular or special meeting virtually desire to address Council, they shall raise their virtual hand and wait to be called on by the City Clerk before speaking.

7. Interruptions
A Council Member, once recognized, shall not be interrupted when speaking unless called to order by the Chair, unless a point of order or personal privilege is raised by another Council Member, or unless the speaker chooses to yield to a question by another Council Member. If a Council Member, while speaking, is called to order, he/she shall cease speaking until the question or order is determined and, if determined to be in order, he/she may proceed.

8. Points of Order
Only a Council Member may raise a point of order. Points of order shall be limited to cases where the discussion or debate on the floor does not pertain to the item of business before Council at the time or is in violation of any of the provisions of this resolution.

9. Personal Privilege
The right of a Council Member to address Council on a question of personal privilege shall be limited to cases in which his/her integrity, character or motives are questioned or where the comfort or welfare of Council, City staff and audience are concerned. A Council Member raising a point of personal privilege may interrupt another Council Member who has the floor, subject only to the power of the Chair to call him/her out of order.

10. Call for the Question
A call for the question is a motion to halt debate on a motion before Council. A Council Member calling for the question must receive a second to his/her motion. A properly moved and seconded call for the question must be voted on immediately and is not debatable. If the motion calling for the question passes, then the motion before Council on which the question was called must be voted on immediately without further debate.

11. Recognition of City Staff

Members of City staff, after recognition by the Mayor or Chair, shall hold the floor until completion of their remarks or until recognition is withdrawn by the Mayor or Chair.

12. Conflict of Interest
Any Council Member who has a direct personal financial interest in any matter coming before Council shall disclose said interest, and shall disqualify him/herself from discussing or voting on such matter. Where it is not clear whether such interest is of a disqualifying nature, the affected Council Member may request the opinion of the City Attorney. A Council Member who is disqualified by reason of a conflict of interest in any matter shall step down from the dais during the debate, may not participate or vote on the matter or attempt to influence the decisionmakers.

13. Failure to Vote
A Council Member who fails to vote without stating his/her abstention or without being disqualified shall be deemed to have cast a "yes" vote.

14. Change of Vote
A Council Member may change his/her vote only if he/she makes a timely request during the regular or special meeting providing said change does not affect the outcome of the vote.

15. Reconsideration of Prior Action
A motion to reconsider a vote on a prior action shall be in order at the same meeting or the next following regular or special meeting. Any final action taken on a quasi judicial matter shall not be subject to a motion for reconsideration. Such motion may be made only by a Council Member who has previously voted with the majority on the matter.

Tie votes shall be lost motions and may be reconsidered.

16. Robert's Rules of Order
The Council may elect, by majority vote, to adopt Robert's Rules of Order as a guide to matters of procedure and rules of debate, provided, however, that no provision of Robert's Rules of Order shall be construed to supersede any provision herein or in any other ordinance of the City, if the two provisions are in conflict. If the Council so decides, the Mayor or Chair shall designate a specific edition of Robert's Rules of Order to be used throughout his/her term, provided, however, that said edition is economical and readily available.

17. Failure to Observe Rules of Order

Rules adopted to expedite the transaction of the business of the Council in an orderly fashion are deemed to be procedural only, and the failure to strictly observe such rules shall not affect the jurisdiction of the Council or invalidate any action taken at a meeting that is otherwise held in conformity with law.

E. MINUTES

1. Preparation of Minutes
The minutes of regular and special meetings shall be made and kept by the City Clerk, with a record of each particular type of business transacted, with proper subheads; provided that the City Clerk shall be required to make a record only of such business as was actually passed upon a vote of the Council, and shall not be required to make a verbatim transcript of the proceedings, provided further that a record shall be made of the names of persons addressing the Council, the title and the subject matter to which their remarks related and whether they spoke in support of or in opposition to such matter.

2. Remarks of Council Members
A Council Member may request, through the Mayor or Chair, the privilege of having an abstract of his/her statement of any subject under consideration by Council entered into the minutes. If the Council consents thereto, such statement shall be entered into the minutes.

3. Protest Against Council Action
Any Council Member shall have the right to have the reasons of his/her dissent from or his/her protest against any action of Council entered in the minutes.

4. Synopsis of Debate
The City Clerk may be directed by the Mayor or Chair, with the consent of Council, to enter in the minutes a synopsis of the discussion on any question coming before Council.

5. Delivery of Minutes
As soon as possible after each regular or special meeting, but no later than the second Council Meeting following the regular or special meeting, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the City Clerk shall cause a copy of the minutes thereof to be forwarded to Council Members, the City Manager, City Attorney, and such other city agencies or persons as may be designated and posted on the City’s website. The minutes shall be deemed to have been forwarded to the Council Members, the City Manager, City Attorney and such other city agencies or persons when they are published in the agenda of a regular or special meeting.

6. Meeting Recordings
The City Clerk shall electronically record all regular and special meetings, when possible, to assist the City Clerk in preparation of minutes, and will retain recordings in accordance with the City’s record retention schedule. Council may order full recordings or portions thereof retained for longer periods. Said recordings shall not be an official city record but shall be available to the public.

7. Public Access to Minutes and Recordings
At least one copy of the minutes of each regular and special meeting, and at least one copy of the recordings of each meeting shall be maintained by the City Clerk in such a manner as to be readily available for inspection by members of the public, subject only to whatever reasonable conditions the City Clerk may require to avoid excessive interference with city business or misuse and destruction of City property.

F. DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

1. Considerations in Determining Disciplinary Action
Disciplinary action may be imposed by Council upon Council Members who have violated the Code of Ethics. Disciplinary action or sanctions are considered when a serious violation of City policy has occurred by a Council Member. In determining the type of sanction imposed, the following factors may be considered:

a. Nature of the violation
b. Prior violations by the same individual
c. Other factors which bear upon the seriousness of the violation.

2. Type of Sanctions
At the discretion of Council, sanctions may be imposed for violating the Code of Ethics or engaging in other misconduct. These actions may be applied individually or in combination. They include, but are not limited to:

a. Public Admonishment- A reproof or warning directed to a Council Member about a particular type of behavior that violates City policy. b. Revocation of Special Privileges- A revocation of a Council Member’s JPA, committee or commission assignments, including standing and ad hoc committees, regional boards and commissions, and community generated board/committee appointments. Other revocations may include temporary suspension of official travel, conference participation, and ceremonial titles.

c. Censure - A formal statement or resolution by the Council officially reprimanding a Council Member.

RESOLUTION NO. 26-###

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MONTE SERENO AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 1691 TO MODERNIZE SOME PROCEDURES AND

MAKE OTHER MODIFICATIONS
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Monte Sereno has adopted regulations and guidelines for the conduct of public meetings in Resolution No.1691; and
WHEREAS, the guidelines for the conduct of public meetings were amended in October 2008 by Resolution No. 1691.1, in September 2010 by Resolution No 1691.2, in July 2012 by Resolution 1691.3, in March 2014 by Resolution No. 1691.4, in February 2019 by Resolution No. 1691.5, In August 2019 by Resolution No. 1691.6, on February 4, 2020, by Resolution No. 1691.7, on December 5, 2023, by Resolution No. 1691.8 and on January 16, 2024, by Resolution No. 1691.10; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to further amend the guidelines to modernize some procedures and make other modifications, and WHEREAS, some of the updates are required to comply with SB 707 (Chapter 327, Statutes of 2025) which was passed on October 3, 2025, effective January 1, 2026, amending the Ralph M. Brown Act in Government Code Section 54950 et seq.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MONTE SERENO that the revised document entitled "Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Public Meetings" attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference is hereby approved.

REGULARLY ADOPTED AND PASSED this 16th day of June 2026, by the following roll call vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:

APPROVED:

Lionel M. Allan, Mayor
ATTESTED:

__________________________
Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk

REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES
FOR

THE CONDUCT OF PUBLIC MEETINGS
A. MEETINGS

1. Regular Meetings
Council of the City of Monte Sereno shall hold regular meetings in Council Chambers at 18041 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road in said city on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. (Council Meeting).

2. Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called at any time by the Mayor or by two Council Members by delivering personally, or by mail or electronic mail, written notice to each Council Member, and by posting notice in accordance with State law and by providing written notice to each local newspaper of general circulation, radio station and television station which has made written request for such notice. Such notice must be delivered and posted at least twenty-four hours before the time of such meeting as specified in the notice. The notice shall specify the time and place of the special meeting and the business to be transacted. No other business shall be considered at such meetings. Such written notice may be dispensed with, as to any Council Member who, at or prior to the time the meeting convenes, files with the City Clerk a written waiver of notice.

3. Place
All regular and special meetings of Council shall be held in Council Chambers, except that any such meetings may be adjourned to such other location as Council may from time to time determine.

4. Meetings to be Public
All regular, adjourned, and special meetings of Council shall be open and public; provided, however, Council may hold closed session from which the public may be excluded for the consideration of those matters permitted by the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code §§ 54950 et seq) to be held in closed session. No Council Member, employee of the City of Monte Sereno (City), or any other person present during a closed session of Council shall disclose to any person the content or substance of any discussion which took place during said closed session without prior authorization by a majority vote of Council. A Council Member who is found by Council to have made disclosure in violation of the foregoing provisions shall be subject to either or both (i) a motion of censure, or (ii) removal from any one or more of the offices which he or she holds by reason of election or appointment by Council, such as Mayor, Vice Mayor, representative of Council on an outside board or commission, or membership on a Council committee.

5. Chamber Preparation
The City Manager shall cause the Council Chamber doors to be unlocked at 6:45 p.m. for Council Meetings. In addition, the City Manager shall cause all preparations of the Council Chambers and of all available public facilities for the general comfort of the audience and efficiency of the meetings.

6. Quorum
Three members of Council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Motions may be passed by a majority if only three attend, but ordinances, resolutions granting franchises and payment of money require at least three affirmative votes. Where there is no quorum, the Mayor, Vice Mayor, or any Council Member shall adjourn such meeting, or, if no Council member is present, the City Clerk shall adjourn the meeting.

7. Agenda
An agenda shall be prepared for each Council Meeting containing the specific items of business to be transacted and the order thereof. Items of business may be placed on the agenda by request of a Council Member, the City Manager, or the City Attorney.

The Mayor shall determine the scheduling of such items and in good faith will make every effort to place a Council Member requested item on the first available Council agenda in consultation with the City Manager. The City Manager may advise on the placement of items for consideration and has discretion to adjust scheduling or add items if necessary to mitigate an operational, financial, or compliance-related impact.

In addition, a Council Member may request that an item be placed on a future agenda during the future agenda portion of a Council Meeting as outlined in Section 9 below. A complete copy of the agenda shall be addressed to each Council Member and delivered to each Council Member at City Hall and each department head so as to reach the recipient not later than 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday preceding each Council Meeting.

All reports, ordinances, resolutions, contract documents, or other matters to be submitted to Council at the Council Meeting shall be delivered to the City Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m., on the Monday preceding the Wednesday on which the agenda is delivered to Council. The City Clerk shall prepare the agenda of all such matters according to the order of business, numbering each item consecutively. The agenda shall be available to the public in the office of the City Clerk and posted at the prescribed places no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Wednesday preceding each Council Meeting and in the Council Chambers during each meeting. During the day of the Council Meeting, the City Manager shall also cause to be available for public inspection in the office of the City Clerk one or more copies of all written materials concerning the agenda items, such as is also routinely made available to Council Members. The City Manager may exclude any materials that would not be a public record under applicable law, including, but not limited to, closed session materials.

8. Additions to Agenda
No matters shall be finally acted upon by Council other than those on the agenda; provided, however, items of business not appearing on the posted agenda may be considered in accordance with Government Code section 54954.2 and as it may be amended from time to time.

9. Order of Business
At the hour set by law on the day of each Council Meeting, the Council Members, City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk and such department heads as have been requested to be present, shall take their regular stations in the Council Chambers, and the business of Council shall be taken up for consideration and disposition in the following order:
a. Call to Order
b. Pledge of Allegiance
c. Roll Call
d. Orders of the Day
e. Announcements (Council Member announcements or individuals invited by Council to make announcement)
f. Presentations
g. Oral Communications from the Public
h. Written Communications
i. Consent Calendar
j. Public Hearings
k. New Business
l. Unfinished Business
m. Special Set Items
n. JPA/Committee/Commission Reports
o. Council Member Comments

p. City Manager Report
q. Future Agenda Items
r. Adjournment
The Mayor or a majority of Council may change the order of business under Orders of the Day. Council may set hearings for a specific time and, in that event, such hearings shall begin at the stated time, regardless of the order of business; otherwise, business shall be considered in the order shown above.

10. Council Member Absences
In the event a Council Member is unable to attend a Council Meeting, such Council Member shall so inform the City Manager no later than 12:00 p.m. on the Friday before the Council Meeting, unless such absence is due to an unforeseen circumstance beyond the Council Member’s control.
.

11. Remote Participation of Council Members
Council Members may participate in a regular or special meeting from a remote location if they meet the requirements of California Government Code section 54953. In the event a Council Member desires to participate in a regular or special meeting from a remote location, such Council Member shall so inform the City Clerk as soon as possible but in no event later than 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. In order for the City Clerk to determine if remote participation is permissible,, the Council Member shall provide the City Clerk with any information necessary to comply with the requirements of California Government Code section 54953 for remote participation in regular or special meetings.

12. Hybrid Meetings
All regular and special meetings of the Council shall include an opportunity for the public to attend via two-way telephonic or two-way audiovisual platform, unless adequate service is not operational in accordance with California Government Code section 54953.

13. Disruption of Remote Participation During a Council Meeting In the event of a disruption in two-way remote participation prevents members of the public from remotely attending or observing the meeting, the City Council shall recess for no less than one hour, during which time staff shall make good faith efforts to restore service. Following such efforts, the City Council shall adopt, by roll-call vote, a formal finding affirming that reasonable efforts were made to resolve the disruption and that resuming the meeting serves the public interest more than further delaying the meeting to seek a resolution or may adjourn the meeting.

B. ADDRESSING COUNCIL

1. Right to Address Council
Every agenda for Council Meetings shall provide an opportunity for members of the public to address Council on any item of interest to the public that is within the jurisdiction of Council. An opportunity shall be provided for public comment at any special meeting on any matter noticed to be heard at that meeting.

2. Addressing Council at Other Times
Any interested person may request permission from the Mayor to address Council relevant to the subject matter under consideration. The granting or denial of such a request may be appealed to Council by a Council Member. In the event that more than one person makes such a request on any one item of business, the Mayor may forthwith designate and declare a period of time for such addresses and set a reasonable time limitation for it.

3. Manner of Addressing Council
As directed by the Chair, (see section D.1 below), any person wishing to address Council shall submit a written request, stand and approach the podium, or raise their hand and wait to be recognized by the Chair. Once recognized, he/she shall stand at the podium, if able, state his/her name for the record and proceed to address Council. All remarks and questions shall be addressed to Council through the Chair and not to any member thereof or the public. No question shall be asked of a Council Member or a member of the City staff without first obtaining permission of the Chair. Any member of the public shall request the Chair’s permission to approach the dais and may only do so after being granted such permission.

4. Time Limitation
The Mayor or a majority of Council may limit the time speakers may have to make oral communications to Council. When any group of persons wishes to address Council on the same subject matter, it shall be proper for the Chair or Council to inquire whether or not the group has a spokesperson, and if so, that the spokesperson be heard, with following speakers in the group limited to facts not already presented by that spokesperson.

5. Inclusion of Public Correspondence and Presentations in Agenda Materials Any person wishing to make an audio/visual presentation on any agenda item must submit the presentation electronically, either in person or via email, to the City Clerk no later than 2:00 p.m. on the day of the regular or special meeting.

Persons wishing to submit written comments to be included in the agenda materials for a regular or special meeting provided to Council must provide the comments as follows:

For inclusion in the regular packet: by 11:00 a.m. the Wednesday prior to the Council Meeting
For inclusion in additional post packet correspondence addendum: by 11:00 a.m. the Monday prior to the Council Meeting
For inclusion as a desk item: by 11:00 a.m. on the day of the Council Meeting For a special meeting, for materials to be included in additional post packet correspondence addendum, they must be submitted by 11:00 a.m. the day before the meeting. For inclusion as a desk item, materials must be submitted no later than one hour prior to the special meeting.

This section shall not prohibit members of the public from directly presenting prepared written materials to Council during public comment. Copies of such materials shall be made available after the meeting for public inspection by the City Clerk in accordance with applicable law.

6. Removal of Individuals for Disruptive Behavior.

In order to ensure that meetings of the Monte Sereno City Council are conducted in an orderly, safe, and respectful manner while preserving the public’s right to participate in local government, individuals who engage in disruptive behavior during public meetings may be removed in accordance with the Government Code section 54957.95. ‘Disruptive behavior’ means conduct that actually disrupts, impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of the meeting. Examples include, but are not limited to:
• Speaking out of turn after being asked to stop
• Continuing to exceed allotted speaking time
• Yelling, profanity, or personal threats
• Preventing others from speaking or addressing the Council • Interfering with the Council’s ability to conduct business • Use or threat of physical force
These standards apply equally to individuals participating in person or through remote/teleconferenced platforms.

Before an individual may be removed, the Mayor or presiding officer shall issue a clear warning that the behavior is disruptive and must cease immediately. For both in-person attendees and remote participants, the warning will be delivered verbally.

If the individual does not promptly cease the disruptive behavior after the warning, the presiding officer may order the individual removed from the meeting.

An individual who has been removed may be permitted to return to the meeting if the presiding officer determines that doing so will not disrupt the meeting. An individual who has been removed may be permitted to return to the meeting if the presiding officer determines that doing so will not disrupt the meeting.

C. MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR

1. Appointment of Mayor and Vice Mayor
The Council shall conduct a yearly reorganization at its first regular meeting of December, unless otherwise designated by the Council. At the time of the yearly reorganization of the Council, the Council shall elect one of its members to serve one year as Mayor and one of its members to serve one year as Vice Mayor. The election of Mayor and Vice Mayor shall be placed at the end of the agenda. The Mayor will ask Council for nominations for Mayor. Any Council Member wishing to make a nomination may do so. A Council Member may nominate himself or herself. Nominations do not require a second. Council will vote on the nominations in the order that the nominations were made. The Mayor shall be appointed by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of Council Member present. If no Mayor is chosen through the first nomination and voting process, the process shall be repeated. After the Mayor is appointed, the nomination process will be repeated for the selection of a Council Member to serve as Vice Mayor.

2. Term of Office
The Mayor and Vice Mayor shall each hold office until his/her successor is elected and qualifies.

3. Qualifications
Any Council Member is eligible to serve as Mayor or Vice Mayor who has not served in that position the previous year. In casting their votes for Mayor and Vice Mayor, Council Members may consider the candidate's leadership qualities, his/her ability to conduct meetings of Council expeditiously and fairly, and his/her willingness to represent and implement positions adopted by Council when such positions are at variance with his/her personal views, as well as other factors as they deem pertinent, including seniority, rotation, or prior service as Mayor or Vice Mayor. In making the selections, Council will also consider the principle of rotation to allow each of its members an opportunity to serve as Mayor provided that the Council Member has the time to fulfill the duties of Mayor.

4. Mayor
The Mayor, or in his/her absence the Vice Mayor, shall be the presiding officer of the Council, chair all regular and special meetings and shall assume his/her place and duties as such immediately following his/her election. If the Mayor is absent or unable to act as Chair, the Vice Mayor shall serve until the Mayor returns or is able to act. During

such periods, the Vice Mayor has all of the powers and duties of the Mayor. In the event the Vice Mayor is absent, the Mayor shall have the right to name any Council Member to perform the duties of the Mayor, but such substitution shall not extend beyond adjournment.

5. Authority
As Chair, the Mayor shall preserve strict order and decorum at all regular and special meetings of Council and announce its decisions on all subjects, and decide all questions of order, subject, however, to an appeal as herein as described. The Mayor shall sign all ordinances and resolutions adopted and contracts approved by Council at Council Meetings at which he/she is in attendance. In the event of his/her absence, the Vice Mayor shall sign such documents as have been adopted during the meeting at which he/she presided.

6. Joint Powers Authority, Council Committee and Commission Assignments The City is a member of various joint powers authorities (JPAs) and often has the ability to have a Council Member on the board of such JPAs. The Mayor recommends representatives on such JPAs, various standing committees and commissions to Council for approval. Council will vote on such appointments no later than the second Council Meeting in January each year. When making JPA, committee and commission assignments, the Mayor should consider the interest and knowledge of each Council Member in such JPAs, committees and commissions while balancing shared responsibilities and opportunities among Council Members. Upon approval of the assignments, the City Clerk shall notify the JPAs, committees and commission of such appointment by Council.

D. RULES OF PROCEDURE AND DEBATE

1. Call to Order
The Mayor, or in his/her absence, the Vice Mayor, shall take the chair at the appointed hour for the meeting, and shall call the regular or special meeting to order. In the absence of the Mayor and the Vice Mayor, and the failure of the Mayor to appoint a temporary Chair, the City Clerk shall call Council to order, whereupon a temporary Chair will be elected by the Council Members present. If the Mayor or Vice Mayor should arrive after the meeting is called to order, the temporary Chair shall serve until the disposal of the item during consideration of which the Mayor or Vice Mayor arrived. In no event shall the temporary Chair serve beyond adjournment.

2. Roll Call
Before proceeding with the business of the Council, the City Clerk shall call the roll of the Council Members, and the names of those present shall be entered in the

minutes. Subsequent roll calls throughout the meeting shall be made in the same order except that the Mayor shall always be called last.

3. Reading of Minutes
Unless the reading of the minutes of a regular or special meeting is requested by a majority of Council, such minutes may be approved without reading if the City Clerk has previously furnished each Council Member with a copy.

4. Chair May Debate and Vote
The Chair may move, second and debate as Chair, subject only to such limitations of debate as are by these rules imposed on all Council Members and shall not be deprived of any of the rights and privileges of Council Members by reason of his/her acting as Chair.

5. Getting the Floor
Every person desiring to speak shall address the Chair, and upon recognition by the Chair, shall confine him/herself to the question under debate.

6. Meeting Decorum
While Council is in session, Council Members and members of the public (whether appearing in person or virtually) must preserve order and decorum, and no person shall, by conversation or otherwise, delay or interrupt the proceedings or the peace of Council, nor disturb any Council Member while speaking, or refuse to obey the orders of Council or of the Chair, except as otherwise herein provided. Equitable access to the democratic process is essential. To ensure all members of the public feel free to participate, disruptive conduct is prohibited and may be grounds for removal from a meeting if it directly interferes with the conduct of proceedings. Disruptive conduct includes any conduct that directly interferes with the ability of the Council to deliberate and take action on agenda items, which may include addressing the Council without first being recognized, interrupting recognized public speakers, Council Member, or City staff, continuing to speak after the allotted time has expired and being requested to stop or failing to relinquish the podium when directed, and continuing to cheer, boo, jeer, clap, or repetitiously address the same subject in a manner that significantly interrupts or interferes with the Council’s ability to deliberate or act on an agenda item after being asked to stop.

When necessary to enforce decorum, the Chair, subject to Council appeal, or Council itself may order a person removed from the public meeting (whether appearing in person or virtually), or the public meeting may be closed pursuant to State law. In the event members of the public participating in the regular or special meeting virtually desire to address Council, they shall raise their virtual hand and wait to be called on by the City Clerk before speaking.

7. Interruptions
A Council Member, once recognized, shall not be interrupted when speaking unless called to order by the Chair, unless a point of order or personal privilege is raised by another Council Member, or unless the speaker chooses to yield to a question by another Council Member. If a Council Member, while speaking, is called to order, he/she shall cease speaking until the question or order is determined and, if determined to be in order, he/she may proceed.

8. Points of Order
Only a Council Member may raise a point of order. Points of order shall be limited to cases where the discussion or debate on the floor does not pertain to the item of business before Council at the time or is in violation of any of the provisions of this resolution.

9. Personal Privilege
The right of a Council Member to address Council on a question of personal privilege shall be limited to cases in which his/her integrity, character or motives are questioned or where the comfort or welfare of Council, City staff and audience are concerned. A Council Member raising a point of personal privilege may interrupt another Council Member who has the floor, subject only to the power of the Chair to call him/her out of order.

10. Call for the Question
A call for the question is a motion to halt debate on a motion before Council. A Council Member calling for the question must receive a second to his/her motion. A properly moved and seconded call for the question must be voted on immediately and is not debatable. If the motion calling for the question passes, then the motion before Council on which the question was called must be voted on immediately without further debate.

11. Recognition of City Staff
Members of City staff, after recognition by the Mayor or Chair, shall hold the floor until completion of their remarks or until recognition is withdrawn by the Mayor or Chair.

12. Conflict of Interest
Any Council Member who has a direct personal financial interest in any matter coming before Council shall disclose said interest, and shall disqualify him/herself from discussing or voting on such matter. Where it is not clear whether such interest is of a

disqualifying nature, the affected Council Member may request the opinion of the City Attorney. A Council Member who is disqualified by reason of a conflict of interest in any matter shall step down from the dais during the debate, may not participate or vote on the matter or attempt to influence the decisionmakers.

13. Failure to Vote
A Council Member who fails to vote without stating his/her abstention or without being disqualified shall be deemed to have cast a "yes" vote.

14. Change of Vote
A Council Member may change his/her vote only if he/she makes a timely request during the regular or special meeting providing said change does not affect the outcome of the vote.

15. Reconsideration of Prior Action
A motion to reconsider a vote on a prior action shall be in order at the same meeting or the next following regular or special meeting. Any final action taken on a quasijudicial matter shall not be subject to a motion for reconsideration. Such motion may be made only by a Council Member who has previously voted with the majority on the matter. Tie votes shall be lost motions and may be reconsidered.

16. Robert's Rules of Order
The Council may elect, by majority vote, to adopt Robert's Rules of Order as a guide to matters of procedure and rules of debate, provided, however, that no provision of Robert's Rules of Order shall be construed to supersede any provision herein or in any other ordinance of the City, if the two provisions are in conflict. If the Council so decides, the Mayor or Chair shall designate a specific edition of Robert's Rules of Order to be used throughout his/her term, provided, however, that said edition is economical and readily available.

17. Failure to Observe Rules of Order
Rules adopted to expedite the transaction of the business of the Council in an orderly fashion are deemed to be procedural only, and the failure to strictly observe such rules shall not affect the jurisdiction of the Council or invalidate any action taken at a meeting that is otherwise held in conformity with law.

E. MINUTES

1. Preparation of Minutes

The minutes of regular and special meetings shall be made and kept by the City Clerk, with a record of each particular type of business transacted, with proper sub-heads; provided that the City Clerk shall be required to make a record only of such business as was actually passed upon a vote of the Council, and shall not be required to make a verbatim transcript of the proceedings, provided further that a record shall be made of the names of persons addressing the Council, the title and the subject matter to which their remarks related and whether they spoke in support of or in opposition to such matter.

2. Remarks of Council Members
A Council Member may request, through the Mayor or Chair, the privilege of having an abstract of his/her statement of any subject under consideration by Council entered into the minutes. If the Council consents thereto, such statement shall be entered into the minutes.

3. Protest Against Council Action
Any Council Member shall have the right to have the reasons of his/her dissent from or his/her protest against any action of Council entered in the minutes.

4. Synopsis of Debate
The City Clerk may be directed by the Mayor or Chair, with the consent of Council, to enter in the minutes a synopsis of the discussion on any question coming before Council.

5. Delivery of Minutes
As soon as possible after each regular or special meeting, but no later than the second Council Meeting following the regular or special meeting, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the City Clerk shall cause a copy of the minutes thereof to be forwarded to Council Members, the City Manager, City Attorney, and such other city agencies or persons as may be designated and posted on the City’s website. The minutes shall be deemed to have been forwarded to the Council Members, the City Manager, City Attorney and such other city agencies or persons when they are published in the agenda of a regular or special meeting.

6. Meeting Recordings
The City Clerk shall electronically record all regular and special meetings, when possible, to assist the City Clerk in preparation of minutes, and will retain recordings in accordance with the City’s record retention schedule. Council may order full recordings or portions thereof retained for longer periods. Said recordings shall not be an official city record but shall be available to the public.

7. Public Access to Minutes and Recordings

At least one copy of the minutes of each regular and special meeting, and at least one copy of the recordings of each meeting shall be maintained by the City Clerk in such a manner as to be readily available for inspection by members of the public, subject only to whatever reasonable conditions the City Clerk may require to avoid excessive interference with city business or misuse and destruction of City property.

F. DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

1. Considerations in Determining Disciplinary Action
Disciplinary action may be imposed by Council upon Council Members who have violated the Code of Ethics. Disciplinary action or sanctions are considered when a serious violation of City policy has occurred by a Council Member. In determining the type of sanction imposed, the following factors may be considered:

a. Nature of the violation
b. Prior violations by the same individual
c. Other factors which bear upon the seriousness of the violation.

2. Type of Sanctions
At the discretion of Council, sanctions may be imposed for violating the Code of Ethics or engaging in other misconduct. These actions may be applied individually or in combination. They include, but are not limited to:

a. Public Admonishment- A reproof or warning directed to a Council Member about a particular type of behavior that violates City policy. b. Revocation of Special Privileges- A revocation of a Council Member’s JPA, committee or commission assignments, including standing and ad hoc committees, regional boards and commissions, and community generated board/committee appointments. Other revocations may include temporary suspension of official travel, conference participation, and ceremonial titles.
c. Censure - A formal statement or resolution by the Council officially reprimanding a Council Member.

Changes to the Brown Act
SB 707- Effective January 1, 2026
June 17th Monte Sereno City Council Meeting

SB 707
● SB 707 is intended to diversify and increase public engagement in local government, and also modernize the Ralph M. Brown Act in the face of technological advancements.
● SB 707 amends numerous provisions of the Brown Act and places new restrictions, expectations and duties upon legislative bodies. ● Signed into law October 3, 2025
● Some provisions effective January 1, 2026
● Other provisions effective July 1, 2026

Eligible Legislative Bodies
An Eligible Legislative Body is:
§ City Council of a City
• with a population of 30,000 or more
• in a county with a population of 600,000 or more
§ County Board of Supervisors of a County (or City and County) • with a population of 30,000 or more
§ Board of Directors of a Special District that has an internet website and one of the following:
• boundaries include entirety of county with a population of 600,000 or more, and special district has more than 200 FTEs; or • over 1,000 full-time equivalent employees; or
• annual revenues of over $400 million and over 200 FTEs

Monte Sereno is an Eligible
Legislative Body Based on the
Population of Santa Clara County

SB 707 – Copy of the Brown Act
● Local agency must give a copy of the Brown Act to every elected/appointed member of a legislative body of the local agency. ● This was provided to the City Council and Commissions in January 2026

SB 707 – Social Media Exception Now Permanent
● Existing law temporarily permitted Council Members to engage in separate conversations or communications outside of a meeting using an internetbased social media platform for specific purposes, so long as the majority of Council Members do not use the platform to discuss business of a specific nature that falls within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council. SB 707 has made that provision permanent. ○

SB 707 - Alternative Teleconferencing
Rules
SB 707 - Reorganized / recast teleconference rules – applicable to legislative bodies – Government Code Section 54953.8 (and subsections), sunsets January 1, 2030.

New/revised requirements if body holds non-traditional teleconference meeting § Must allow public to remotely hear and observe, and provide public comment by way of two-way audiovisual platform; or § Two-way telephonic service and live webcasting
§ If disruption that prevents (a) observation through call-in or internet service or (b) public comment (if within agency’s control), body prohibited from taking action on agenda items until service is restored or one hour after which certain findings must be made to continue meeting § Must list in meeting minutes the identity of teleconferencing member of body and “specific provision of law” allowing teleconferencing
§ Teleconferencing member must publicly disclose
§ Whether any other individuals 18 years of age or older are in the remote location room; and § Member’s general relationship with those individuals

SB 707 - Alternative Teleconferencing Rules
§ Quorum required in single physical location
§ Teleconferencing member must
§ Notify of need to participate by “just cause”– no vote required § Participate through both audio and video
§ Annual limits on teleconferencing
§ Two meetings – if body regularly meets monthly or less § Five meetings – if body regularly meets twice per month § Seven meetings – if body regularly meets three or more times per month

SB 707 - Alternative Teleconferencing Rules
§ Permitted Reasons for Just Cause Remote Participation § Caregiving for Family
§ Contagious Health Illness or Health Needs
§ Official City Travel
§ Physical or Family Medical Emergencies
§ Protecting an Immunocompromised Close Relative from Exposure to Illness § Military Service Obligations

Traditional Teleconferencing
Still Available
● City Council Members can also attend meetings remotely subject to the traditional teleconferencing rules:
○ Location of City Council Member attending meeting remotely must be included on the agenda and meeting the required posting timelines ○ Remote meeting location must be open to the public
○ Agenda must be posted in the remote location within the required posting timeline
■ 72 hours for regular meetings
■ 24 hours for special meetings

SB 707 – Technical Disruptions
§ Effective July 1, 2026
• Adopt policy on disruption of service, including good faith attempts to restore service for 1+ hour
▪ If cannot remedy within 1 hour, MAY reconvene in open session, but MUST adopt a finding, by roll call vote, that:
(1) good faith efforts were taken to restore the service; and (2) the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the public interest in remote public access
▪ Policy cannot be approved on consent

Disruptive
Behavior
● Removal of disruptive
virtual attendees ○ Authorizes removal of
virtual attendees causing
disruption under Brown
Act
○ Must still provide warning
before removal, unless
behavior constitutes use
of force or true threat of
force

SB 707 - Subsidiary (Advisory) Bodies
● Teleconference meeting requirements for “eligible subsidiary bodies” ● Definition of “eligible subsidiary body”
○ Exclusively advisory
○ No final action on legislation, regulations, contracts, license, permits, or any other entitlements, grants, or allocation of funds
○ No primary jurisdiction that focuses on elections, budgets, police oversight, privacy, public library material access, or taxes/related spending proposals Monte Sereno Subsidiary Bodies- Site and Architectural Commission, Better Streets Commission, and Youth Commission

SB 707 - Subsidiary (Advisory)
Bodies
● Teleconference meetings permitted where:
○ City Council makes certain findings to allow the eligible subsidiary body to teleconference – and make findings every six months thereafter
○ City Council may prohibit teleconferencing at any time ○ Physical meeting location required where (a) members not remote are present; (b) public can attend; and (c) at least one staff present
○ Meeting agenda posted at physical meeting location
○ Teleconferencing members must be on camera, unless need to participate off camera due to physical or mental condition not covered by ADA reasonable accommodation ○ If teleconferencing member has lack of reliable broadband or internet, may join without video if it would remedy issue
■ Announce reason for lack of video before turning off camera, if connectivity issue

SB 707 – Closed Session- Personnel
● Existing law requires that prior to taking final action on executive benefits, the City Council must orally report our from closed session.
● SB 707 expands that requirement to include “officers and department heads”

Translations
● Reasonably assist translation /
interpretation requests (e.g.
sufficient space, extra time, NOT
actual service)
• Translate and post agenda,
including remote attendance info,
into any language spoken by >20%
of jurisdiction that also speaks
English less than very well
▪ Use most recent American
Community Survey, published by U.S.

Census Bureau
● Monte Sereno does not meet
the standard for this
requirement; therefore, no
translation is required

SB 707 - Emergency Teleconferencing
● Existing law: allows
teleconferencing during a
proclaimed state of emergency if
meeting in person would present
imminent risks to the health and
safety of attendees. State of
emergency defined as one
declared by the governor.
● SB 707: teleconferencing
authorization is extended to a
locally declared state of
emergency (including a local
health emergency)

SB 707 - Zoom Bombing
● Existing law authorizes the
presiding member of the
legislative body conducting a
meeting or their designee to limit
or remove an individual
disrupting the meeting
● This bill specifies that these
rules are also applicable to any
teleconferenced meeting

Questions?

STAFF REPORT
Meeting: City Council - Jun 16 2026
Agenda Heading: NEW BUSINESS
Staff Contact: Gloisy Gonzalez-Langarica, City Clerk
Department: City Clerk
Title: Consideration and Appointment of a Resident as a Monte Sereno Representative on the Valley Transportation Authority Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Recommendation(s):

Staff recommends that the City Council consider and appoint a resident as a Monte Sereno representative on the Valley Transportation Authority Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

Background Information:

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) is an advisory committee established by the Santa Clara County Valley Transportation Authority Board of Directors that advises the Board on funding and planning issues for bicycle and pedestrian projects. It also serves as the countywide bicycle advisory committee for Santa Clara County. The committee is comprised of 16 members representing each of the 15 cities and the County. Each member serves for a term of two years.

The term of the City’s current representative, Barry Chaffin, is expiring and the City must make an appointment to this position for the two-year term that begins on July 1, 2026.

As a result of the City's recruitment, only one (1) application was received. Below is the name of the applicant:
 Barry Chaffin (incumbent)
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:

Correspondence from VTA

4/21/2026
Diane Perkins
City Manager
City of Monte Sereno
18041 Saratoga-Los Gatos Rd.

Monte Sereno, CA 95030
[email protected]
Subject: Appointment to VTA BPAC for the 2026-2028 Term Dear Diane Perkins:

This is to request that the City of Monte Sereno appoint its representativ Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) for the two-year term.

The BPAC is a 16-member committee that advises VTA’s B
funding issues for bicycle and pedestrian projects in the county. As a VTA Member Agency, the City of Monte Sereno has one voting position on this committee.

The BPAC bylaws specify that each Member Agency appoints one individual as a representative of its local bicycle advisory committee. Member Agencies that do not have such a committee may appoint an individual interested in bicycle or pedestrian issues. BPAC Members are appointed for a two-year term that ends on June 30 of even-numbered years and may be re-appointed to multiple and consecutive terms. Members must live and/or work in Santa Clara County during their term, and cannot be staff of either VTA or the Member Agency they represent. All BPAC appointments require ratification by the VTA Finance, Audit, and Administration Committee. A copy of the BPAC bylaws is attached for your convenience.

The term of the City of Monte Sereno’scurrent BPAC representative, Barry Chaffin, expires on 6/30/2026.

We request the City of Monte Sereno initiate the action necessary to either reappoint Barry Chaffin or appoint another representative for the two-year term that begins on July 1, 2026. As a reminder, the appointing authority may remove or replace its BPAC representative anytime during the term, subject to the replacement appointee meeting the stated eligibility requirements and ratification by the VTA Finance, Audit, and Administration Committee.

When the City of Monte Sereno has selected its appointee, please notify VTA in writing indicating your appointee’s name, full address and contact information. If appointing a new member, the memo should also include the appointee’s daytime telephone number, email address, and a brief

Diane Perkins
4/21/2026

biography (usually one or two paragraphs maximum that indicates their background, occupation, education, employer, how long they have lived in the area, etc.).

For expediency and surety, please scan and email the signed letter and/or mail the original to:
e-mail: [email protected]
U.S. Mail: VTA Board Secretary
3331 North First Street, Building B
San Jose, CA 95134-1906
Your assistance with this appointment will be greatly appreciated. If you have questions, please contact either Michelle Oblena, Advisory Committee Coordinator, at [email protected] or (408) 464-7874 or myself at (408) 321-7578 or (408) 464-7740.

Sincerely,
Elaine F. Baltao
VTA Board Secretary
cc: VTA Office of the Board Secretary file

Monte Sereno City Council
2026 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: June 9, 2026

Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
January 6, 2026 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 Presentation of Certificates of Recognition to 2025 STEM Winners from the City of Monte Sereno
GGL N Presentation
Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Authorize the City Manager to Establish Automated Payments for City Hall Utility Bills
DP N Consent Calendar
Consider Establishment of an Appointment to the Monte Sereno City Council Financial Implementation Support and Audit Support Ad Hoc Committee DP 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
City Manager’s Quarterly Report DP N New Business
Consideration and Appointment to Fill One Alternate Representative Vacancy on the Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority Board
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

Monte Sereno City Council
2026 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: June 9, 2026

Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
February 17, 2026 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Hold Public Hearing and Adopt a Reso Overruling Objections and Determining to Proceed with Weed Abatement
GGL Y Public Hearing
Discuss Hosting a City Picnic and Consider a Budget for the City Picnic GGL N New Business Discussion and Consideration of a City of Monte Sereno Community Grants Deadline, Selection Dates, and Budget Amount
DP N New Business
Discuss a Potential City Council Ad Hoc Committee to Analyze Existing City Hall Property
DP N New Business
Discuss the Creation of Leadership Monte Sereno 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
Adopt a Resolution to Authorize the City Manager to Accept or Not Accept Applications for Annexation to the City of Monte Sereno DP N Consent Calendar
Adopt a Resolution to Extend the Memorandum of Understanding with the Monte Sereno Association of City Employees for One Year with an Expiration Date of June 30, 2027
DP N Consent Calendar
Discuss the Creation of Leadership Monte Sereno DP N New Business Council Goal Setting Session for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 DP N New Business Accept the Resignation of Council Member Mekechuk as Primary Director of the Santa Clara County VTA Policy Advisory Board and Appoint a New Primary Director
DP N New Business
March 17, 2026 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report DP N Consent Calendar Adoption of 2026-2027 City Council Goals DP N Consent Calendar Establishment of a City Council Ad Hoc Committee to Analyze Existing City Hall Facilities and Needs
DP N Consent Calendar
Discussion and Consideration of a City of Monte Sereno Community Grants DP N Unfinished Business

Monte Sereno City Council
2026 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: June 9, 2026

Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
April 7, 2026 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Review potential SB10 Multifamily Zoning Overlay DP Y Public Hearing Appointment to Fill One Vacancy on the Monte Sereno Site and Architectural Commission for an Unexpired Term Ending December 31, 2027 GGL N New Business
April 21, 2026 Meeting Cancelled
May 5, 2026
Special Meeting
General Plan Update Study Session DP N Unfinished
Business
May 5, 2026 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Adoption of Ordinance No. NS-247, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Monte Sereno Amending Title 10, Chapter 10.05 by Amending Section

10.05.010 (Zoning District Designations) and Adding Section 10.05.044 (MultiFamily Residential Overlay Zone) and Chapter 10.06 by Amending Section

10.06.140 (Accessory Dwelling Units; Junior Accessory Dwelling Units; Standards And Requirements) and Chapter 10.08 by Amending Section 10.08.040 (Site Development Permit Required) and by Amending Section 10.08.050 (Permit Process); and Chapter 10.11 (Amendments, Annexations and Enforcement) By adding Section 10.11.016 (Multi-Family Overlay District Amendment Process).

DP N Consent Calendar
Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Second Amendment to the Agreement with the County of Santa Clara for the Countywide Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program.

DP N Consent Calendar
Application 2024-3066 for a Site Development Permit for a new approximately 4,915 square foot two-story house, a Tree Removal Permit to remove one tree, and a Variance for reduced front, side, and rear yard setbacks at 18571 Withey Road.

DP Y Public Hearing
Application 2026-3001 for a Variance for a detached Accessory Dwelling Unit DP Y Public Hearing

Monte Sereno City Council
2026 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: June 9, 2026

Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
(ADU) in the front yard that is 992 square feet in floor area where a maximum of 800 square feet in floor area is allowed at 15391 Winchester Boulevard.

City Manager’s Quarterly Report DP N New Business
Receive the report and provide feedback on the West Valley Homeless Services Feasibility Study and adopt a Resolution of Intent to support participation in a West Valley Homeless Services Implementation Task Force DP N New Business
May 18, 2026
Special Meeting
Receive an Informational Update on the Potential Police Services Parcel Tax and Provide Direction to Staff
DP N Unfinished
Business
May 19, 2026 Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
Adoption of a Resolution Declaring Hazardous Vegetation (Brush) a Public Nuisance and Set Public Hearing (SCCF)
GGL N Consent Calendar
Consideration to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with The Pun Group for Annual Financial Audit Services for Fiscal Year 2025/2026.

DP N Consent Calendar
First Study Session for Review of Proposed FY 26/27 Budget DP N New Business Discuss Monte Sereno Residents Participation in Leadership Los Gatos and Provide Direction for Next Year’
DP N New Business
June 2, 2026 VTA Local Investment Plan Presentation VTA N Presentation Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Accept a Report on the Status of the City’s Vacancies, Recruitment, and Retention Efforts Pursuant to Assembly Bill 2561
DP Y Public Hearing
Appointment of 2026-2027 Youth Commissioner GGL N New Business Discussion of Japan Friendship City DP N New Business
Consideration of a Letter of Opposition to SB 866 (Blakespear) Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program: Housing Element DP N New Business
June 16, 2026 San Jose Water Presentation by John Tang Water N Presentation Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar

Monte Sereno City Council
2026 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: June 9, 2026

Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
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
Calling of Election Resolution GGL 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 Annual Street Maintenance - Adoption of Projects FY 26/27 MW N Consent Calendar Consideration to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with Eide Bailly for Annual Financial Audit Services DP N Consent Calendar
Consider Terminating the Potential Police Services Parcel Tax Ad Hoc Committee DP N Consent Calendar Adoption of the FY 26/27 Budget DP Y Public Hearing
Accepting changes of the Council Policy for Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Public Meetings with SB707 Updates
DP N Unfinished
Business
Appointment of a member to the 2026-2028 VAT BPAC GGL N New Business June 30, 2026
Special Meeting
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 League of California Cities Annual Conference Voting Delegate GGL N New Business City Manager’s Quarterly Report DP N New Business
Discuss Maintenance of the Wimberly Walkway DP N New Business Adoption of Updated General Plan DP N New Business
August 18, 2026 Midpen Presentation N Presentation
Finance Reports DP N Consent Calendar

Monte Sereno City Council
2026 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: June 9, 2026

Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
Meeting Minutes GGL N Consent Calendar
FY 25/26 Pavement Improvement Project Acceptance DP N Consent Calendar September 1, 2026 Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Department Semi-Annual Report Police N Presentation 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
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
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

Monte Sereno City Council
2026 Tentative Council Meeting Calendar
Updated: June 9, 2026

Council Meeting
Date
Agenda Item Staff Public
Hearing?
Agenda
Category
Better Street Commission & S&A Applicants GGL N New Business Council Nomination of Mayor and Vice Mayor DP N New Business Discuss Committee to Review Police Costs and Potential Revenue Sources 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