City of Sunnyvale
Meeting Minutes
City Council
8:30 AM Online and Bay Conference Room (Room
145), City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave.,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Special Meeting: Council Strategic Workshop - 8:30 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Klein called the meeting to order at 8:37 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Larry Klein
Vice Mayor Murali Srinivasan
Councilmember Russ Melton
Councilmember Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember Omar Din
Councilmember Richard Mehlinger
Councilmember Linda Sell
Present: 7 -
Councilmember Mehlinger participated via teleconference.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comment opened at 8:40 a.m.
Tara Martin-Milius communicated their support for climate action related initiatives, Sunnyvale Library modernization, and to continue supporting local non-profits.
David Kesting spoke in support for study issues DPW 20-11 Evaluate Feasibility of Dog Off-leash Hours in Select Sunnyvale Park(s), DPW 24-04 Evaluate Late Night Lights at Public Parks, and DPW 24-05 Explore Making the City-Owned Property at East Evelyn & West Mathilda Place Open and Accessible to the Public with a Rehabilitation of the Existing Bus Terminal Sign Abandoned at that Location.
David Wessel provided comments on how to fund and use funding for active transportation projects.
January 25, 2024City Council Meeting Minutes
Rod Sinks voiced support for a citywide micro transit service.
Sharlene Liu communicated their recommendations for how the City can handle climate and transportation initiatives.
Stephen Meier voiced their support for prioritizing active transportation projects and programs.
Jonathan Blum spoke in support for Budget Proposal 2024-01 Hire an Active Transportation Planner and provided comments on how to fund and use funding for active transportation projects.
Peggy Shen Brewster, Sunnyvale for Equity and Education (SEE) voiced their support for a budget modification for the Silicon Valley hopper transportation service.
Dashiell Leeds, Conservation Coordinator, Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter, spoke in support for study issues CDD 24-02 Explore the Creation of a Dark Sky Ordinance for Single-Family Dwellings, LRS 24-01 Examine the Permanent Closure of the Interior Levee Trails Surrounding Sunnyvale’s Wastewater Treatment Ponds for Public Recreation, and ESD 24-01 Evaluate the Use of Artificial Turf versus Living Groundcover.
Agnes Veith communicated their support for Study Issue CDD 24-03 Establishment of a Sanctioned Encampment for Unhoused Individuals in Sunnyvale.
Public Comment closed at 8:52 a.m.
OVERVIEW
Mayor Klein provided opening remarks.
City Manager Kent Steffens provided opening remarks and welcomed facilitator Shawn Spano.
Finance Director Tim Kirby provided the fiscal report and presentation.
Human Resources Director Tina Murphy provided the staffing review report and presentation.
January 25, 2024City Council Meeting Minutes
Council took a recess at 9:40 a.m. and reconvened at 9:50 a.m. with all Councilmembers present; Councilmember Mehlinger participated via teleconference.
FOCUS AREAS: COUNCIL PRIORITIES UPDATE
Council met with the Executive Leadership Team in a facilitated workshop format and received information on strategic focus areas.
STRONG, DIVERSE COMMUNITY
Community Development Director Trudi Ryan, Public Works Director Chip Taylor and Deputy City Manager Jaqui Guzmán provided the Strong, Diverse Community report and presentation.
VIBRANT AND INNOVATIVE LOCAL ECONOMY
Ms. Ryan and NOVA Workforce Services Director Marléna Sessions provided the Vibrant and Innovative Local Economy report and presentation.
REGIONAL LEADER IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Environmental Services Director Ramana Chinnakotla and Mr. Taylor provided the Regional Leader in Environmental Sustainability report and presentation.
SAFE, SECURE, AND HEALTHY PLACE FOR ALL
Mr. Taylor and Public Safety Chief Phan Ngo provided the Safe, Secure, and Healthy Place for All report and presentation.
RESPONSIBLE AND RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT
Chief Information Officer/Information Technology Director Kathleen Boutté Foster-Gee and Mr. Kirby provided the Responsible and Responsive Government report and presentation.
COMMUNITY WITH A DISTINCTIVE IDENTITY
Mr. Taylor, Ms. Ryan, and Library and Recreation Services Director Michelle Perera
January 25, 2024City Council Meeting Minutes
provided the Community with a Distinctive Identity report and presentation.
Council took a recess at 12:08 p.m. and reconvened at 12:45 p.m. with all Councilmembers present; Councilmember Mehlinger participated via teleconference.
STRATEGIC TOPICS DISCUSSION
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN
Deputy City Manager Connie Verceles and Economic Development Manager Christine Velasquez provided the Economic Development Strategic Plan report and presentation.
Councilmembers posed questions for staff and provided comments regarding the Economic Development Strategic Plan.
STAFFING AND SERVICE LEVELS
Finance Director Tim Kirby provided the Staffing and Service Levels report and presentation.
Councilmembers posed questions for staff and provided comments regarding the Staffing and Service Levels.
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION AND VISION ZERO
Public Works Director Chip Taylor provided the Active Transportation and Vision Zero report and presentation.
Councilmembers posed questions for staff and provided comments regarding the Active Transportation and Vision Zero.
Council took a recess at 3:08 p.m. and reconvened at 3:25 p.m. with all Councilmembers present; Councilmember Mehlinger participated via teleconference.
DISCUSSION ON COUNCIL PRIORITIES
MOTION: Councilmember Melton moved and Vice Mayor Srinivasan seconded the motion to approve the following 2024 Council Policy Priorities:
January 25, 2024City Council Meeting Minutes
1. Civic Center Campus Modernization;
2. Ability of Infrastructure to Support Development and Traffic;
3. Accelerating Climate Action, the Active Transportation Plan and Vision Zero Plan;
4. Support the Unhoused Community;
5. Downtown Sunnyvale; and
6. Equity, Access and Inclusion.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Srinivasan
Councilmember Melton
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Din
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Sell
7 -
No: 0
Councilmember Mehlinger sponsored a study issue to examine improving innovation and agility in the study issue process. Mayor Klein, Vice Mayor Srinivasan, and Councilmembers Melton, Cisneros, Din, and Sell co-sponsored the study issue.
Mayor Klein sponsored a study issue to evaluate a program to receive requests from residents for painting curbs red. Mayor Klein, Vice Mayor Srinivasan, and Councilmembers Melton, Cisneros, Din, and Sell co-sponsored the study issue.
City Manager Kent Steffens and Mayor Klein provided closing remarks.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Klein adjourned the meeting at 5:37 p.m.