City of Sunnyvale
Meeting Minutes
City Council
8:30 AM Online and Council Chambers, City Hall,
456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Special Meeting: Budget Workshop - 8:30 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Klein called the meeting to order at 8:32 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 -
OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL REGARDING
BUDGET WORKSHOP
Public Comment opened at 8:34 a.m.
Tony Spitaleri urged Council consider funding the Sunnyvale Pet Parade event as part of the City budget.
Andrea Wald voiced support for Study Issue ESD 24-01 Evaluate the Use of Artificial Turf versus Living Groundcovers.
Martin Schmidt, Vice President, Sunnyvale Employees Association, communicated support for funding administrative support staff for the Department of Public Works at the Corporation Yard.
Mary Brunkhorst, President, Sunnyvale Urban Forest Advocates (SUFA) shared support for funding of staff for the Department of Public Works Trees Division, 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, and Study Issue ESD 24-01.
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John Patton, SUFA voiced support for Study Issue DPW 22-04 Explore the Feasibility of Planting 2,025 New Trees In Sunnyvale by the Year 2025.
Jonathan Blum communicated support for Budget Supplement No. 5 Hire an Active Transportation Planner and modifying Study Issue DPW 24-09 Pedestrian Scramble During School Peak Hours at Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road/Fremont Avenue and No Right Turn on Red at Homestead Road/Kennewick Drive to include the study of a pedestrian scramble.
Tara Martin-Milius, Executive Director, Leadership Sunnyvale shared support for funding of Sunnyvale Leadership scholarships.
Courtney Jansen voiced support for Study Issue ESD 24-01, Budget Supplement No. 5, and for funding of park maintenance staff for the Department of Public Works.
Kevin Jackson communicated support for funding Budget Supplement No. 5 and Study Issue DPW 24-09. They urged Council consider including the study of a pedestrian scramble.
David Kesting, Parks and Recreation Commission Chair shared support for Study Issue DPW 24-04 Evaluate Late Night Lights at Public Parks.
Eric Krock voiced support for Study Issue DPW 24-08.
Doug Kunz, Chair, Sustainability Commission communicated support for:
- Budget Supplement No. 2B.1 Add Term Limited Librarian and supplies to support sustainability and climate education through library programs; Game Plan 2028; - Budget Supplement No. 2B.4 Add Community Development Department Administrative Aide and goods and services to support Game Plan 2028 electrification Moves;
- Budget Supplement No. 1, specifically Study Issue ESD 24-01; and - Budget Supplement No. 5.
Graham Clark, Superintendent, Fremont Union High School District shared support for Study Issue DPW 24-09. They communicated support for including Kennewick Drive in the study.
Sharlene Liu voiced support for Budget Supplement No. 1, specifically Study Issue
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DPW 24-09. They communicated support for including Kennewick Drive in the study.
KimChi Chen communicated support for Study Issue DPW 24-08.
Peggy Shen Brewster urged Council to fund priorities that support the Climate Action Plan, Safer Routes to School and the unhoused population. They voiced support for Budget Supplement No. 5.
Public Comment closed at 9:03 a.m.
WORKSHOP
City Manager Kent Steffens provided an overview of the budget and presented the budget message.
Council took a recess at 10:01 a.m. and reconvened at 10:15 a.m. with all Councilmembers present.
CITY-WIDE BUDGET OVERVIEW
Finance Director Tim Kirby provided the budget report and overview presentation.
Finance Director Tim Kirby provided the General Fund presentation.
Assistant Director of Finance Dennis Jaw, Budget Analyst II Jin Xu and Budget Analyst I Jackie Tsao provided the Special Revenue Funds presentation.
Assistant Director of Finance Jaw provided the Enterprise Funds presentation.
Budget Analyst II Xu provided the Internal Service Funds presentation.
Council took a recess at 12:01 p.m. and reconvened at 12:45 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
OPERATING BUDGET BY DEPARTMENT
Office of the City Manager
Assistant City Manager Sarah Johnson-Rios provided the staff report and
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presentation.
Office of the City Attorney
City Attorney Rebecca Moon provided the staff report and presentation.
Community Development
Community Development Director Trudi Ryan provided the staff report and presentation.
NOVA
NOVA Workforce Services Director Marléna Sessions provided the staff report and presentation.
Human Resources
Human Resources Director Tina Murphy provided the staff report and presentation.
Finance
Assistant Director of Finance Dennis Jaw provided the staff report and presentation.
Environmental Services
Environmental Services Director Ramana Chinnakotla provided the staff report and presentation.
Information Technology
Information Technology Director/Chief Information Officer Kathleen Boutté Foster-Gee provided the staff report and presentation.
Library and Recreation Services
Library and Recreation Services Director Michelle Perera provided the staff report and presentation.
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Council took a recess at 2:44 p.m. and reconvened at 3:00 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
Public Safety
Chief of Public Safety Phan Ngo provided the staff report and presentation.
Public Works
Public Works Director Chip Taylor provided the staff report and presentation.
USE OF RESERVES
Finance Director Tim Kirby provided the Use of Reserves presentation.
DIRECTION ON BUDGET SUPPLEMENTS
Finance Director Tim Kirby provided the Budget Supplements presentation.
Budget Supplement 1: Funding for Study Issues for the FY 2024/25 Recommended Budget
MOTION: Councilmember Din moved and Councilmember Melton seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1: Approve the supplement as proposed.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Councilmember Sell offered a friendly amendment to modify Study Issue 24-09 to analyze feasibility of a pedestrian scramble at Homestead Road and Kennewick Drive. Councilmember Din accepted the friendly amendment. Councilmember Melton declined the friendly amendment.
FORMAL AMENDMENT: Councilmember Sell moved and Councilmember Din seconded the motion to amend the motion to modify Study Issue 24-09 to study the feasibility of a pedestrian scramble at Homestead Road and Kennewick Drive instead of a “no right turn on red” light.
The formal amendment carried with the following vote:
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Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Srinivasan
Councilmember Melton
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Din
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Sell
7 -
No: 0
MOTION AS AMENDED: Councilmember Din moved and Councilmember Melton seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1: Approve the supplement as proposed and revise Study Issue 24-09 to study the feasibility of a pedestrian scramble at Homestead Road and Kennewick Drive instead of a “no right turn on red” light.
The motion as amended carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Srinivasan
Councilmember Melton
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Din
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Sell
7 -
No: 0
Budget Supplement 2: Potential Additional Services or Reductions to be Considered for the FY 2024/25 Recommended Budget
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Councilmember Din seconded the motion to fund:
- Budget Supplement No. 2B.1: Add Term Limited Librarian and supplies to support sustainability and climate education through library programs; Game Plan 2028 to be funded from the Budget Stabilization Fund;
- Budget Supplement No. 2B.2: Increase subsidy for Recreation Scholarship Program to be funded from the Service Level Set Aside; and - Budget Supplement No. 2B.3: Add ongoing organizational development funding to
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be funded from the Service Level Set Aside.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Vice Mayor Srinivasan offered a friendly amendment to increase the funds for the Neighborhood Grants Program by $10,000 to be funded from the Service Level Set Aside. Councilmember Mehlinger accepted the friendly amendment.
The motion as amended carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Srinivasan
Councilmember Melton
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Din
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Sell
7 -
No: 0
Budget Supplement 3: Increase the Service Level Pertaining to City Legislative and Funding Advocacy
MOTION: Councilmember Din moved and Councilmember Sell seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1: Approve the supplement as proposed.
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
Budget Supplement 4: Purchase and Install Fixed Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) Devices
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MOTION: Councilmember Din moved and Councilmember Mehlinger seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1: Approve the supplement as proposed.
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
Budget Supplement 5: Hire an Active Transportation Planner MOTION: Councilmember Melton moved to approve Alternative 2 Approve the supplement to hire a Transportation/Traffic Engineer dedicated to Active Transportation Plan (ATP) project delivery. The motion failed due to lack of a second.
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Councilmember Din seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1: Approve the supplement as proposed.
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
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Budget Supplement 6: Curb Painting Program
MOTION: Councilmember Din moved and Councilmember Melton seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1: Approve the supplement as proposed.
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
Budget Supplement 7: Increase Department of Public Safety Authorized Sworn Staffing Levels
MOTION: Councilmember Melton moved and Councilmember Sell seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1: Approve the supplement as proposed.
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
MOTION: Councilmember Din moved and Councilmember Sell seconded the motion to direct staff to agendize an item to consider increasing funds for the Heritage Museum.
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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
MOTION: Councilmember Din moved and Councilmember Mehlinger moved to direct staff to agendize an item to consider the City taking over the Pet Parade event.
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
MOTION: Councilmember Din moved to agendize the Colleagues Memorandum related to the Study Session on City Support for Organizing Community Events. The motion failed due to lack of a second.
City Clerk David Carnahan noted that Council will consider the Colleagues Memorandum at their next meeting.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUDING REMARKS
City Manager Kent Steffens and Mayor Klein provided closing remarks.
ADJOURNMENT
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Mayor Klein adjourned the meeting at 5:32 p.m.