City of Sunnyvale
Meeting Minutes
City Council
8:30 AM Online and Council Chambers, City Hall,
456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Special Meeting: Study Issues/Budget Proposals Workshop - 8:30 AM 8:30 A.M. STUDY ISSUES/BUDGET PROPOSALS WORKSHOP
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Klein called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Larry Klein
Vice Mayor Linda Sell
Councilmember Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember Richard Mehlinger
Councilmember Murali Srinivasan
Councilmember Charlsie Chang
Councilmember Eileen Le
Present: 7 -
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comment opened at 8:32 a.m.
Danny Mangan Union Representative, Local 583, spoke in support of Study Issue DPW 24-07 Explore the Benefits and Costs of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) to establish the Terms and Conditions of Employment for Specific City Construction Projects.
Anthony Viscuso, Business Agent, Heat and Frost Insulators Local 16, voiced their support for Study Issue DPW 24-07.
Jason Hutton, Business Representative, Sheet Metal Workers Local 104, shared their support for Study Issue DPW 24-07.
Frank Hewett, Business Representative, Painters and Drywall Finishers Local 507, communicated their support for Study Issue DPW 24-07.
February 13, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
Daniel Howard spoke in support of Study Issues DPW 25-01 Fair Oaks Avenue Signalizations at Three Locations and DPW 24-02 Complete Streets Redesign of Fair Oaks Avenue.
Kerry Haywood, Moffett Park Business Group, voiced their support for dropping Study Issue OCM 20-01 Service Worker Retention Ordinance.
Erica Valentine, Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Local 393, shared their support for Study Issue DPW 24-07.
Edmundo Escarcega, Representative, Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union Local 393, communicated their support for Study Issue DPW 24-07.
David Bini, Executive Director, Santa Clara and San Benito Counties Building and Construction Trades Council, spoke in support of Study Issue DPW 24-07.
Kathryn Filley, Chief Executive Officer, Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce, voiced their support for dropping Study Issue OCM 20-01.
Tony Spitaleri shared their support for Study Issues DPS 25-01 Evaluate the Addition of Paramedic Services to Supplement the County Provided Services for Sunnyvale Residents and Businesses and DPW 24-07.
Devin Klein, Sunnyvale Public Safety Officers Association, communicated their support for Study Issue DPS 25-01.
Kristel Wickham spoke in support of Budget Proposals 2025-03 Safe Parking Program Community Capital Grant, 2025-04 Funding Sweeping and Maintenance of Class IV Bike Lanes, 2025-01 Clearing the Sidewalk Maintenance Backlog and Study Issue DPW 25-01.
Sharlene Liu, Sunnyvale Safe Streets, spoke in support Budget Proposal 2025-04, Budget Proposal 2025-02 Implement Homestead Road Full-Time Bike Lanes and Study Issue DPW 24-02.
Deborah Goldeen shared their support for Study Issue DPW 24-02, Study Issue DPW 25-05 and Budget Proposal 2025-02.
Doug Kunz voiced their support for Study Issue DPW 25-05, Study Issue DPW
February 13, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
24-02 and Budget Proposal 2025-02.
Public Comment closed at 9:08 a.m.
INTRODUCTION BY THE CITY MANAGER
City Manager Tim Kirby provided an overview and update on the status of current and prior year study issues and budget proposals.
REVIEW OF CONTINUING STUDY ISSUES
City Staff and Council discussed and reviewed the continuing study issues.
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to drop Study Issue DPW 22-03 Research Possible Causes of and Potential Mitigation Measures for Nuisance Bird Populations in Sunnyvale Public Spaces.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to drop Study Issue CDD 24-03 Establishment of a Sanctioned Encampment for Unhoused Individuals in Sunnyvale.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
February 13, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to drop Study Issue LRS 24-02 Benchmark Sunnyvale Public Library Collections and Budget to Understand the Effect of the Cost of Digital Materials and the Addition of New Branch Library.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Mayor Klein seconded the motion to drop Study Issue DPS 24-04 Explore the Creation of a Disability Awareness Program.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Councilmember Le seconded the motion to drop Study Issue DPW 20-15 Feasibility of Establishing of a Cricket Stadium at Baylands Park.
February 13, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
The motion failed with the following vote:
Yes: Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Le
2 -
No: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
5 -
MOTION: Councilmember Srinivasan moved to drop CDD 19-04 Update to the Historical Context Statement to Include Historical Contributions Made by Asian Americans and Other Minority Groups. The motion failed due to the lack of a second.
OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY ISSUES/BUDGET PROPOSALS PROCESS
Senior Management Analyst Michelle Zahraie provided an overview of the process for ranking of study issues.
City Council took a recess at 10:25 a.m. and returned at 10:35 a.m. with all Councilmembers present.
REVIEW, DISCUSSION AND RANKING: STUDY ISSUES/BUDGET PROPOSALS
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to drop Study Issue OCM 24-01 North Sunnyvale Quality of Life Improvement Master Plan.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
February 13, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
No: 0
Council ranked the following Study Issue:
- OCM 25‐01 Explore Establishing a Japanese American Incarceration Memorial in Sunnyvale
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
MOTION: Councilmember Srinivasan moved and Councilmember Mehlinger seconded the motion to drop Study Issue CDD 24-05 Review of Appeals Fees and Processes.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to drop Study Issue CDD 18-02 Update and Review of the Heritage Resource Inventory.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
February 13, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to defer Study Issue CDD 22-05 Consider Modifications to the Sunnyvale Municipal Code Related to Undergrounding Utilities.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to defer Study Issue CDD 24-04 Peery Park Specific Plan Amendment (area east of Mathilda Avenue).
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to defer Study Issue CDD 25-02 Identify Opportunities for Allowing Neighborhood-Serving Commercial Uses in Residential Zoning Districts.
February 13, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to defer Study Issue CDD 24-02 Explore the Creation of a Dark Sky Ordinance for all Private Property.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved to add lighting and sign lighting intensity to be studied in Study Issue 24-06. Following discussion Councilmember Mehlinger withdrew the motion.
Council ranked the following Study Issues:
- CDD 24‐06 Re‐evaluate Nonresidential Sign Code Standards and Compliance with the First Amendment
- CDD 25‐04 Expanding the Role of the Heritage Preservation Commission
February 13, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Councilmember Srinivasan seconded the motion to drop Study Issue DPS 24-03 Evaluate Vehicle Abatement Program Service Delivery and Explore Ways to Improve Service.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
Council ranked the following Study Issues:
- DPS 24‐01 Evaluate an Ordinance or Resolution Allowing Traffic Enforcement on Private Roadways in the Moffett Park Specific Plan Area - DPS 25‐01 Evaluate the Addition of Paramedic Services to Supplement the County Provided Services for Sunnyvale Residents and Businesses
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to drop Study Issue DPW 20-03 Waste Reduction Initiative in Sunnyvale Parks.
The motion carried with the following vote:
February 13, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to drop Study Issue DPW 22-08 Evaluate the Council Policy for Naming City Parks to Incorporate More Diverse Cultural History and Develop a Policy for Renaming Existing Parks.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Councilmember Chang seconded the motion to drop Study Issue DPW 23-07 Evaluate the Feasibility of an Ordinance to Ban the Use of Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers and Other Small Two-Stroke Motors Within the City Limits of Sunnyvale.
The motion carried with the following vote:
February 13, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Councilmember Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to drop Study Issue DPW 24-01 Evaluate Feasibility of an Arts Crosswalk Program or Policy and add an item to the unfunded project list.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to drop Study Issue DPW 24-10 Evaluate a Red Curb Painting Request Process and Utilization of Volunteers to Paint Curbs.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
5 -
No: Mayor Klein
Councilmember Srinivasan
2 -
February 13, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to drop Study Issue DPW 24-03 Create a Council Policy Framework to Establish a Process for Evaluating Requests for City to Take Over Private Infrastructure Based on Potential Offers of Dedication in the Moffett Park Specific Plan Area
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Councilmember Srinivasan seconded the motion to drop Study Issue DPW 25-03 Evaluate and Improve Sidewalk Maintenance.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to drop Study Issue DPW 25-05 Sweeping Protected Bike Lanes.
February 13, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to drop Study Issue DPW 25-08 Evaluate Expanded Downtown Sunnyvale Pedestrian Mall.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Le
6 -
No: Councilmember Chang1 -
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to defer Study Issue DPW 25-06 Assessment of Underutilized City-Owned Real Estate Parcels for Short or Long-term Use.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
February 13, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to defer Study Issue DPW 25-04 Closing the Sunnyvale Avenue Caltrain Crossing to Vehicles.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to defer Study Issue DPW 24-04 Evaluate Late Night Lights at Public Parks.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to defer Study Issue DPW 24-11 Sunnyvale Gateway Program.
The motion carried with the following vote:
February 13, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Councilmember Srinivasan seconded the motion to defer Study Issue DPW 24-02 Complete Streets Redesign of Fair Oaks Avenue.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
Council ranked the following Study Issues:
- DPW 24‐07 Explore the Benefits and Costs of Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) to Establish the Terms and Conditions of Employment for Specific City Construction Projects
- DPW 25‐01 Fair Oaks Avenue Signalizations at Three Locations - DPW 25‐02 Improved Street Sweeping Pilot
City Council took a recess at 12:06 p.m. and returned at 1:00 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
February 13, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to drop Study Issue ESD 25-01 Harnessing the Potential of Community Art to Further Community Sustainability Goals.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to drop Study Issue ESD 25-03 Improving Climate Resilience in Sunnyvale .
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to defer Study Issue ESD 22-02 Promotion and Assessment of Sustainable Landscaping Strategies.
The motion carried with the following vote:
February 13, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
Council ranked the following Study Issue:
- ESD 25‐02 Cigarette Butt Abatement Program
LIBRARY AND RECREATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Councilmember Srinivasan seconded the motion to drop Study Issue LRS 25-02 Aligning Public Art with Sunnyvale's Sustainability Commitment.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
No study issues remained in the Library and Recreation Services Department for Council to rank.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
February 13, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
Council ranked the following Study Issue:
- ITD 25‐01 Cell Coverage Mapping
BUDGET PROPOSALS
City Manager provided an overview of the Budget Proposals.
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to defer Budget Proposal 2025-01 Clearing the Sidewalk Maintenance Backlog.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved to defer Budget Proposal 2025-05 Redesign of the Sunnyvale Website. The motion failed due to the lack of a second.
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the motion to refer the following Budget Proposals to the Recommended Budget:
- 2025-02 Implement Homestead Road Full-Time Bike Lanes; - 2025-03 Safe Parking Program Community Capital Grant; - 2025-04 Funding Sweeping and Maintenance of Class IV Bike Lanes; and - 2025-05 Redesign of the Sunnyvale Website.
The motion carried with the following vote:
February 13, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
7 -
No: 0
AVAILABILITY OF RANKING RESULTS/NEXT STEPS
Senior Management Analyst Michelle Zahraie provided closing remarks and reported the Study Issues ranking results would be made available on the City website.
CLOSING REMARKS
City Manager Tim Kirby and Mayor Klein provided closing remarks.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Klein adjourned the meeting at 1:53 p.m.