City of Sunnyvale
Meeting Minutes
City Council
5:00 PM Online and Council Chambers, City Hall,
456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Special Meeting: Closed Session - 5 PM | Special Meeting: Study Session - 6 PM | Regular Meeting - 7 PM
5 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING (Closed Session)
Call to Order
Vice Mayor Srinivasan called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.
Roll Call
Mayor Larry Klein
Vice Mayor Murali Srinivasan
Councilmember Russ Melton
Councilmember Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember Richard Mehlinger
Councilmember Linda Sell
Present: 6 -
Councilmember Omar DinAbsent: 1 -
Public Comment
Public Comment opened at 5:06 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 5:06 p.m.
Convene to Closed Session
Council convened to Closed Session in the Council Conference Room at 5:07 p.m.
A 24-0227 Closed Session held pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957:
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT
Title: City Attorney
Adjourn Special Meeting
Vice Mayor Srinivasan adjourned the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
February 6, 2024City Council Meeting Minutes
6 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING (Study Session)
Call to Order
Vice Mayor Srinivasan called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.
Roll Call
Mayor Larry Klein
Vice Mayor Murali Srinivasan
Councilmember Russ Melton
Councilmember Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember Richard Mehlinger
Councilmember Linda Sell
Present: 6 -
Councilmember Omar DinAbsent: 1 -
Study Session
B 24-0226 Update Regarding the Levine Act (California Government Code 84308)
Interim City Attorney Rebecca Moon provided the staff report and presentation.
Public Comment opened at 7:00 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 7:00 p.m.
Adjourn Special Meeting
Vice Mayor Srinivasan adjourned the meeting at 7:01 p.m. 7 P.M. COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Klein called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Mayor Klein led the salute to the United States flag.
ROLL CALL
February 6, 2024City Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor Larry Klein
Vice Mayor Murali Srinivasan
Councilmember Russ Melton
Councilmember Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember Richard Mehlinger
Councilmember Linda Sell
Present: 6 -
Councilmember Omar DinAbsent: 1 -
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Vice Mayor Srinivasan reported that Council met in Closed Session held pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957: Public Employee Appointment Title:
City Attorney; nothing to report.
SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY
C 24-0087 SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY - Black History Month Mayor Klein spoke in honor of Black History Month.
Jeremiah Lineberger, Development Associate, African American Community Service Agency (AACSA), provided words in honor of Black History Month.
Leesa Riviere, Housing and Human Services Commissioner, spoke in honor of Black History Month.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Vice Mayor Srinivasan announced an upcoming Drive Electric Event and Sustainability Speaker Series webinar.
Alison De Geus spoke in support of Study Issue DPW 24-08 Explore the Feasibility of Converting the PG&E Lots Facing Ramona Avenue, Lois Avenue, and/or Dona Avenue into an Open Green Space Linear Park for the Community.
Andrea Wald shared their support for prioritizing Study Issue ESD 24-01 Evaluate the Use of Artificial Turf versus Living Groundcover.
Cortney Jansen communicated their concerns with the ongoing litigation between San Francisco Bay Keeper and the City of Sunnyvale and spoke in support for study issues ESD 24-01 and DPW 24-08.
CONSENT CALENDAR
February 6, 2024City Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor Klein pulled agenda item 1.G for separate consideration.
Councilmember Mehlinger pulled agenda item 1.F for separate consideration.
Public Comment opened at 7:30 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 7:30 p.m.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Srinivasan moved and Councilmember Melton seconded the motion to approve agenda items 1.A through 1.E. and 1.H through 1.I.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Srinivasan
Councilmember Melton
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Sell
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Councilmember Din1 -
1.A 24-0071 Approve City Council Meeting Minutes of December 12, 2023 Approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of December 12, 2023 as submitted.
1.B 24-0079 Approve City Council Meeting Minutes of January 9, 2024 Approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of January 9, 2024 as submitted.
1.C 24-0014 Approve the List(s) of Claims and Bills Approved for Payment by the City Manager
Approve the list(s) of claims and bills.
1.D 24-0016 Accept Fiscal Year 2023/24 Transportation Development Act Article 3 Funding in the Amount of $160,000, and Approve Budget Modification No. 12 to Appropriate the Grant Funding to Fund a New Project - Install Sidewalk on Poplar Avenue Accept Fiscal Year 2023/24 Transportation Development Act Article 3 Funding in the amount of $160,000 from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and
February 6, 2024City Council Meeting Minutes
approve Budget Modification No. 12 to appropriate $160,000 to fund a new project, Install Sidewalk on Poplar Avenue.
1.E 24-0150 Award of Six (6) Temporary Personnel Service Agreements Totaling $2,200,000 for On-Call Temporary Staffing Services for Plan Check, Inspections and Permitting Support Staff Services for Community Development (F23-168)
Take the following actions:
- Award six (6) three-year Temporary Personnel Service Agreements to the following firms:
- 4Leaf, Inc. with a contract amount not to exceed $400,000; - BPR Consulting Group, Inc. with a contract amount not to exceed $400,000; - CSG Consultants, Inc. with a contract amount not to exceed $400.000; - Shums Coda Associates, Inc. (SCA) with a contract amount not to exceed $400,000;
- TRB & Associates Inc. with a contract amount not to exceed $400,000; and - Interwest, Inc. with a contract amount not to exceed $200,000 in substantially the formats shown in Attachments 1 to 6 to the report;
- Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreements when all conditions have been met; and
- Authorize the City Manager to amend the not-to-exceed amounts and to renew the contracts for up to two (2) additional one-year periods, subject to available budget, need and if pricing and services remain acceptable to the City.
1.F 24-0186 Amend an Existing Contract in the Amount to $419,916 with Solitude Lake Management LLC, DBA Aquatic Environments
for On-Call Maintenance of Vegetation for the Water Pollution Control Plant Ponds (F23-09) for a New Not-to-Exceed amount of $839,832
Public Hearing opened at 7:36 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Hearing closed at 7:36 p.m.
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Councilmember Melton seconded the motion to take the following actions:
- Authorize the City Manager to execute the first Amendment in substantially the same form as Attachment 2 to the report, to an existing Service Agreement with Solitude Lake Management LLC, DBA: Aquatic Environments; and - Authorize the City Manager to amend the not-to-exceed amount and to extend the
February 6, 2024City Council Meeting Minutes
contract for three (3) additional one-year periods, subject to available budget and if pricing and services remain acceptable to the City.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Councilmember Melton
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Vice Mayor Srinivasan
Councilmember Sell
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Councilmember Din1 -
1.G 24-0284 Review the City’s 2024 Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials
Public Hearing opened at 7:43p.m.
No speakers.
Public Hearing closed at 7:43 p.m.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Srinivasan moved and Councilmember Melton seconded the motion to reaffirm the 2024 Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials with no changes from the January 9, 2024 Code as set forth in Attachment 1 to the report and direct staff to return with additional language relating to the Public Disruptions section at a future date.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Srinivasan
Councilmember Melton
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Sell
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Councilmember Din1 -
1.H 24-0285 Approve 2024 Board and Commission Annual Work Plans Approve the 2024 Work Plans as submitted.
February 6, 2024City Council Meeting Minutes
1.I 24-0301 Adopt Ordinance No. 3223-24 to add By-Right Approvals (Chapter 19.73) to the Sunnyvale Municipal Code, Designate Parcels Subject to By-Right Approval, and Make Related
Amendments to Chapters 19.12 (Definitions), Zoning Districts and Specific Plan Districts - Areas, Residential (19.18), Commercial (19.20), Office and Public Facilities (19.24), Downtown Specific Plan (19.28), Moffett Park Specific Plan (19.29), Lawrence Station Area Plan (19.35), El Camino Real Specific Plan (19.36), Inclusionary Below Market Rate
Ownership Housing Program (19.67), and Miscellaneous Plan Permit (19.82)
Adopt Ordinance No. 3223-24 to add By-Right Approvals (Chapter 19.73) to the Sunnyvale Municipal Code, designate parcels subject to By-Right Approval, and make related amendments to Chapters 19.12 (Definitions), Zoning Districts and Specific Plan Districts - Areas, Residential (19.18), Commercial (19.20), Office and Public Facilities (19.24), Downtown Specific Plan (19.28), Moffett Park Specific Plan (19.29), Lawrence Station Area Plan (19.35), El Camino Real Specific Plan (19.36), Inclusionary Below Market Rate Ownership Housing Program (19.67), and Miscellaneous Plan Permit (19.82).
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2 24-0069 Introduce an Ordinance to Amend Section 16.62.330 (Installation of Manufactured Homes section within the
Floodplain Management Chapter) of Chapter 16.62 (Floodplain Management) of Title 16 (Buildings and Construction) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code and Find that the Action is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15268 and 15308 and Public
Resources Code Section 21080(b)(1)
Assistant Director of Public Works Jennifer Ng provided the staff report.
Public Hearing opened at 7:48 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Hearing closed at 7:48 p.m.
MOTION: Councilmember Melton moved and Councilmember Mehlinger seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1: Find that the action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections
February 6, 2024City Council Meeting Minutes
15268 and 15308 and Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(1); and introduce an Ordinance to amend Section 16.62.330 (Installation of Manufactured Homes section within the Floodplain Management Chapter) of Chapter 16.62 (Floodplain Management) of Title 16 (Buildings and Construction) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code (Attachment 1 to the report).
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Srinivasan
Councilmember Melton
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Sell
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Councilmember Din1 -
3 24-0255 Adopt Positions on State and Local Ballot Measures for the March 5, 2024 Election
Senior Management Analyst Michelle Zahraie provided the staff report.
Public Hearing opened at 7:54 p.m.
Peggy Shen Brewster advocated for City Council to take a position of support for Measure C Sunnyvale School District School Bonds.
Michael Gallagher, Superintendent, Sunnyvale School District, voiced their advocacy for City Council taking a position of support for Measure C.
Public Hearing closed at 7:58 p.m.
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Councilmember Melton seconded the motion to adopt a position of SUPPORT - Measure C - Sunnyvale School District School Bonds.
The motion carried with the following vote:
February 6, 2024City Council Meeting Minutes
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Srinivasan
Councilmember Melton
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Sell
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Councilmember Din1 -
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Councilmember Cisneros seconded the motion to TAKE NO POSITION - Proposition 1 - Authorizes $6.38 Billion in Bonds to Build Mental Health Treatment Facilities for Those With Mental Health and Substance Use Challenges; Provides Housing for the Homeless.
Legislative Statute.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Srinivasan
Councilmember Melton
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Sell
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Councilmember Din1 -
4 24-0230 Adopt a Resolution Amending the City's Salary Resolution and the Schedule of Pay to Increase the Salary Range for the Director of NOVA Workforce Services
Director of Human Resources Tina Murphy provided the staff report.
Public Hearing opened at 8:17 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Hearing closed at 8:17 p.m.
MOTION: Councilmember Cisneros moved and Councilmember Mehlinger seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1: Adopt a Resolution amending the
February 6, 2024City Council Meeting Minutes
City’s Salary Resolution and Schedule of Pay to increase the Salary Range for the Director of NOVA Workforce Services.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Srinivasan
Councilmember Melton
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Sell
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Councilmember Din1 -
5 24-0282 Adopt a Resolution and Approve an Amendment to Housing Assistance Agreement for City Manager Kent Steffens
Extending the Home Loan Repayment Term
City Manager Kent Steffens recused themselves due to a conflict of interest – employment compensation.
Director of Human Resources Tina Murphy provided the staff report.
Public Hearing opened at 8:31 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Hearing closed at 8:31 p.m.
MOTION: Councilmember Sell moved and Councilmember Mehlinger seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1: Adopt a Resolution and approve an Amendment to the Housing Assistance Agreement for City Manager Kent Steffens extending the home loan repayment term from six (6) months to the number of months equal to the number of his full years of service.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Srinivasan
Councilmember Melton
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Sell
6 -
February 6, 2024City Council Meeting Minutes
No: 0
Absent: Councilmember Din1 -
City Manager Kent Steffens returned to the meeting at 8:35 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS REPORTS ON ACTIVITIES FROM INTERGOVERNMENTAL
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Vice Mayor Srinivasan reported on the National League of Cities IT & Communication Committee meeting.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS
-Council
Councilmember Mehlinger proposed the idea of agendizing a study issue on ambulance response times to emergency calls.
Councilmember Melton shared their support for agendizing a study issue to examine paramedic services in Sunnyvale.
MOTION TO AGENDIZE: Councilmember Melton moved and Councilmember Sell seconded the motion to agendize adding a statement to the Council Policy Manual that no new artificial turf fields be installed on City property.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Srinivasan
Councilmember Melton
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Sell
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Councilmember Din1 -
Councilmember Sell shared their experience attending the Lunar New Year celebrations at the Sunnyvale Library.
February 6, 2024City Council Meeting Minutes
Mayor Klein shared their experience attending the Lunar New Year celebrations at the Sunnyvale Library.
Vice Mayor Srinivasan shared their experience at the Lunar New Year celebrations and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) week program event at the Sunnyvale Library.
-City Manager
City Manager Kent Steffens provided an update on the City’s response to the recent storm.
INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS
24-0165 Tentative Council Meeting Agenda Calendar
24-0187 Board/Commission Meeting Minutes
24-0188 Information/Action Items
24-0278 Mayoral Announcement of Mayoral Appointment of
Councilmembers to Intergovernmental Assignments
(Information Only)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Klein adjourned the meeting at 8:54 p.m.