City of Sunnyvale
Meeting Minutes
City Council
4:30 PM Online and Council Chambers, City Hall,
456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Special Joint Closed Session Meeting of City Council and Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency - 4:30 PM | Special Meeting: Study Session - 5:30 PM | Regular Meeting - 7 PM
Public Participation and Access
4:30 P.M. SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (Closed Session)
Call to Order
Vice Mayor/Agency Vice Chair Sell called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m.
Roll Call
Present: 7 - Mayor/Agency Chair Klein
Vice Mayor/Agency Vice Chair Sell
Councilmember/Agency Member Cisneros
Councilmember/Agency Member Mehlinger
Councilmember/Agency Member Chang
Councilmember/Agency Member Le
Absent: 1 - Councilmember/Agency Member Srinivasan
Councilmember/Agency Member Srinivasan's absence is excused.
Public Comment
Public Comment opened at 4:34 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 4:34 p.m.
Convene to Closed Session
Council convened to Closed Session in the Council Conference Room at 4:36 p.m.
A 25-0195 Closed Session Held Pursuant to California Government Code
March 18, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
Section 54956.8:
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Transfer of 3 Parking Garages, 225 S Taaffe St, APNs
209-34-024 and 209-34-025; 325 S Taaffe St, APN
209-34-021; and 330 S Murphy Av, APN 209-35-014; from
RDA Successor Agency to the City of Sunnyvale. Agency
Negotiators: Tim Kirby, City Manager; Rebecca Moon, City Attorney; Negotiating Parties: Santa Clara County Counsel on Behalf the Redevelopment Dissolution Countywide Oversight Board of Santa Clara County. Under Negotiation: Terms of Compensation Agreement with Santa Clara County Taxing
Entities
Adjourn Special Meeting
Vice Mayor/Agency Vice Chair Sell adjourned the meeting at 5:29 p.m. 5:30 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING (Study Session)
Call to Order
Vice Mayor Sell called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m.
Roll Call
Mayor Larry Klein
Vice Mayor Linda Sell
Councilmember Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember Richard Mehlinger
Councilmember Charlsie Chang
Councilmember Eileen Le
Present: 6 -
Councilmember Murali SrinivasanAbsent: 1 -
Councilmember Srinivasan's absence is excused.
Study Session
B 25-0082 Sunnyvale Clean Water Project (SCWP) Update
Public Works Director Chip Taylor, Assistant City Engineer Marlon Quiambao, Environmental Services Director Ramana Chinnakotla and Assistant Finance Director Dennis Jaw provided the staff report and presentation.
Public Comment opened at 6:38 p.m.
March 18, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 6:38 p.m.
Adjourn Special Meeting
Vice Mayor Sell adjourned the meeting at 6:39 p.m.
7 P.M. COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Klein called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Mayor Klein led the salute to the United States flag.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Larry Klein
Vice Mayor Linda Sell
Councilmember Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember Richard Mehlinger
Councilmember Charlsie Chang
Councilmember Eileen Le
Present: 6 -
Councilmember Murali SrinivasanAbsent: 1 -
Councilmember Srinivasan's absence is excused.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Vice Mayor Sell reported that Council met in Closed Session Held Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.8: CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS Transfer of 3 Parking Garages, 225 S Taaffe St, APNs 20934024 and 20934025; 325 S Taaffe St, APN 20934021; and 330 S Murphy Av, APN 20935014; from RDA Successor Agency to the City of Sunnyvale.
Agency Negotiators: Tim Kirby, City Manager; Rebecca Moon, City Attorney; Negotiating Parties: Santa Clara County Counsel on Behalf the Redevelopment Dissolution Countywide Oversight Board of Santa Clara County. Under Negotiation:
Terms of Compensation Agreement with Santa Clara County Taxing Entities; nothing to report.
SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY
March 18, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
C 25-0400 Women’s History Month
Mayor Klein spoke in honor of Women’s History Month.
Sally Dupray spoke in recognition of Women’s History Month.
D 25-0401 American Red Cross Month
Mayor Klein spoke in honor of American Red Cross Month.
E 25-0036 Ceremonial Oath of Office for Board and Commission Member Agenda item not heard by Council.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Vice Mayor Sell announced an upcoming Sustainability Speaker Series event and Earth Day Festival.
Dr. Omar Torres, President, De Anza College, shared the De Anza College annual report and an update on De Anza College.
Ada Kuhn voiced their support for improving bicycle infrastructure safety.
Robert Schwiesow communicated their safety concerns with the speeding traffic on Aster Avenue.
Daniel Oneil communicated their safety concerns with bright headlights on vehicles.
Gregory Dibb provided a presentation in support of improving turf fields and providing additional artificial field options.
Cortney Jansen voiced their concerns with artificial turf fields.
Peggy Shen Brewster shared their concerns with the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) employee strike and its impact on students' commuting to school.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comment opened at 7:41 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 7:41 p.m.
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Vice Mayor Sell seconded the
March 18, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
motion to approve agenda items 1.A through 1.I.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Councilmember Srinivasan1 -
1.A 25-0320 Approve the List(s) of Claims and Bills Approved for Payment by the City Manager
Approve the list(s) of claims and bills.
1.B 25-0007 Approve Budget Modification No. 17 to Appropriate $880,000 in Federal Funding for the Pedestrian and Safe Routes to School Improvements in SNAIL and Braly Corners
Neighborhoods Project and Authorize the City Manager to Execute any Related Grant Documents
Approve Budget Modification No. 17 to appropriate $880,000 in Federal Funding for the Pedestrian and Safe Routes to School Improvements in SNAIL and Braly Corners Neighborhoods Project and authorize the City Manager to execute any related grant documents.
1.C 25-0055 Approve Budget Modification No. 14 to Appropriate California Library Connect Grant Funds in the Amount of $135,977 to Fund Network Equipment Upgrades at the Sunnyvale Public Library
Approve Budget Modification No. 14 to appropriate California Library Connect Grant funds in the amount of $135,977 to Project 836720-CENIC Network Equipment Upgrades at the Sunnyvale Public Library.
1.D 25-0361 Award of Contract to Karbonous, Inc. in the Amount of $308,865.55 for the Repair of Dual Media Filters at the Water Pollution Control Plant (F24-228) and Find the Action Exempt Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(b)
March 18, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
Take the following actions:
- Award a Maintenance and Repair Contract to Karbonous, Inc. in the amount of $308,865.55 to provide repair services for one Water Pollution Control Plant dual media filter in substantially the same form as Attachment 2 to the report; - Authorize the City Manager to execute the contract when all the necessary conditions have been met;
- Approve a 10% contingency in the amount not to exceed $30,886.00; - Authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the contract to increase maximum compensation up to the not-to-exceed contingency amount if needed, subject to available budgeted funding; and
- Find the above actions categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(b).
1.E 25-0279 Receive and File the City of Sunnyvale Investment Report for Fourth Quarter 2024
Receive and file the City of Sunnyvale Investment Report for Fourth Quarter 2024.
1.F 25-0291 Adopt a Resolution Authorizing Annual Display of the Transgender Pride Flag from March 24 to March 31, the
Official Transgender Day of Visibility
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the annual display of the Transgender flag from March 24 to March 31, the official Transgender Day of Visibility.
1.G 25-0286 Approve Local Area Subsequent Designation and Local Board Recertification Application for Program Year 2025 to 2027 for NOVA Workforce Development Area
Approve Local Area Subsequent Designation and Local Board Recertification application for Program Year 2025 to 2027 for the NOVA Workforce Development Area.
1.H 25-0283 Approve Local Plan for NOVA and Regional Plan for Bay-Peninsula Regional Planning Unit
Approve the Local Plan for NOVA and the Regional Plan for the Bay-Peninsula Regional Planning Unit.
1.I 25-0398 Ratify Cities Association of Santa Clara County Appointments of Councilmember Richard Mehlinger to the Santa Clara
County Airport Land Use Commission and Councilmember
Murali Srinivasan to the Santa Clara County Emergency
Operational Area Council
March 18, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
Ratify the Cities Association of Santa Clara County Appointments of Councilmember Richard Mehlinger to the Santa Clara County Airport Land Use Commission and Councilmember Murali Srinivasan to the Santa Clara County Emergency Operational Area Council.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
3 25-0397 Proposed Project:
Introduce an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 19.67 (Inclusionary Below Market Rate Ownership Housing Program) and
Chapter 19.77 (Inclusionary Below Market Rate Rental
Housing) of Title 19 (Zoning) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code to Modify Requirements for Qualified Retail Preservation Projects, Adopt a Resolution to Establish a Retail Preservation Incentive Program for Certain Village Center Sites and Find that the Proposed Actions are Consistent with the
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Land Use and
Transportation Element (LUTE) and do not Require Additional Environmental Review Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15162.
Location: Citywide Village Center Sites
File #: PLNG-2025-0001
General Plan Land Use: VMU (Village Center Mixed Use)
Project Planner: Trudi Ryan, (408) 730-7435,
[email protected]
Community Development Director Trudi Ryan provided the staff report and presentation.
Public Hearing opened at 8:27 p.m.
Lenora Erblich spoke to their concerns with village center sites being built without retail businesses.
Saifullah Memon voiced their concerns with potentially losing retail businesses at the Fair Oaks Plaza
Nitesh Bhatter shared their concerns with the planned reduction of retail business at Fair Oaks Plaza.
Himanshu Sethi communicated their concerns with the potential loss of retail businesses at Fair Oaks Plaza.
March 18, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
Deanna Gonzales spoke to their concerns with the potential loss of retail businesses at Fair Oaks Plaza.
Chetan voiced their concerns with plans to redeveloped Fair Oaks Plaza without retail businesses.
Chuck Fraleigh shared their support for the proposed staff recommendation that balances new housing while encouraging retail.
Zainab Memon communicated their concerns with the potential loss of retail businesses at Fair Oaks Plaza.
Zubin spoke to their concerns with the potential loss of retail businesses at Fair Oaks Plaza.
Christina O’Guinn voiced their concerns with Fair Oaks Plaza being redeveloped without retail businesses.
Rose Gregorio shared their concerns with the planned reduction of retail business at the village center site at Fair Oaks Plaza.
Mari communicated their concerns with the potential loss of retail businesses at Fair Oaks Plaza.
Gail spoke to the need to address all village centers with similar policy proposals that protect retail businesses.
Cortney Jansen spoke to their concerns regarding the loss of retail businesses at village center sites.
Peggy Shen Brewster spoke in support of the staff recommendation and to their concerns regarding the loss of retail businesses at village center sites.
Valerie Suarez shared their concerns with the planned reduction of retail business at the village center site at Fair Oaks Plaza.
Ashish Thussu communicated their concerns with the potential loss of retail businesses at Fair Oaks Plaza.
Apra Pandey voiced their concerns with Fair Oaks Plaza being redeveloped without retail businesses.
March 18, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
Leah Groppo spoke to their concerns with the potential loss of retail businesses at Fair Oaks Plaza.
Mohi shared their concerns with the planned reduction of retail business at the village center site at Fair Oaks Plaza.
Public Hearing closed at 9:19 p.m.
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Councilmember Cisneros seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1: Introduce an Ordinance to amend Chapter 19.67 (Inclusionary Below Market Rate Ownership Housing Program) and Chapter 19.77 (Inclusionary Below Market Rate Rental Housing) of Title 19 (Zoning) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code relating to modified requirements for qualifying retail preservation projects in Attachment 2 to the report, Adopt a Resolution (Attachment 3 to the report), and find that the Actions are consistent with the certified Land Use and Transportation Element (LUTE) Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and no further environmental review is required under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines 15162.
City Clerk David Carnahan read the ordinance title for the record.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Councilmember Srinivasan1 -
City Council took a recess at 9:55 p.m. and returned at 10:03 p.m. with Mayor Klein, Vice Mayor Sell, and Councilmembers Cisneros, Mehlinger, Chang and Le. 4 25-0221 Notification of Committee Resignation, Appoint Applicant to the Charter Review Committee (CRC) or Provide Alternate Direction Regarding CRC Vacancy
City Manager Tim Kirby and City Clerk David Carnahan provided the staff report.
March 18, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
Public Hearing opened at 10:06 p.m.
Zach Kaufman spoke in support of appointing Stephen Scandalis to the Charter Review Committee.
Martin Pyne provided additional information on the current progress of the Charter Review Committee.
Gail shared their support for not appointing a new member to the Charter Review Committee.
Public Hearing closed at 10:11 p.m.
MOTION: Councilmember Mehlinger moved and Councilmember Cisneros seconded the motion to approve alternative 4: Take no action and leave this seat vacant.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Councilmember Srinivasan1 -
2 25-0013 Approve the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report Housing Specialist Ryan Dyson provided the staff report and presentation.
Public Hearing opened at 10:38 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Hearing closed at 10:38 p.m.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Sell moved and Councilmember Cisneros seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1: Approve the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report and direct staff to submit it to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
March 18, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Councilmember Srinivasan1 -
5 25-0396 Approve a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Sunnyvale and the Public Safety Officers Association; Adopt a Resolution Amending the City's Salary Resolution to Update Certain Benefits and the Salary Schedule for Pay Plan Category C (Employees Represented by the Public Safety
Officers Association); and Adopt a Resolution for Paying and Reporting the Value of Employer Paid Member Contributions to the California Public Employees' Retirement System for Employees of the Public Safety Officers Association
Human Resources Director Tina Murphy provided the staff report.
Public Hearing opened at 10:49 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Hearing closed at 10:49 p.m.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Sell moved and Councilmember Chang seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1: Authorize the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Sunnyvale and the Public Safety Officers Association; Adopt a Resolution amending the City's Salary to update certain benefits and the Salary Schedule for Pay Plan Category C (Employees Represented by the Public Safety Officers Association); and Adopt a Resolution for paying and reporting the value of employer paid member contributions to the California Public Employees' Retirement System for employees of the Public Safety Officers Association.
The motion carried with the following vote:
March 18, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
Yes: Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Sell
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Councilmember Srinivasan1 -
COUNCILMEMBERS REPORTS ON ACTIVITIES FROM INTERGOVERNMENTAL
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Vice Mayor Sell commented on the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) employee strike.
Councilmember Chang reported on a recent City Association Legislative Action Committee meeting.
Mayor Klein reported on a recent Silicon Valley Clean Energy committee meeting.
Councilmember Mehlinger expressed interest in more details about the recent City Association Legislative Action Committee meeting.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS
-Council
Councilmember Le offered their concerns with the ongoing Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) employee strike impacting residents and students.
Vice Mayor Sell shared their experience attending the National League of Cities conference in Washington D.C.
Councilmember Mehlinger offered their concerns with the ongoing VTA employee strike impacting residents and students.
Mayor Klein offered their concerns with the ongoing VTA employee strike impacting residents and students.
-City Manager
None.
INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS
March 18, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
25-0193 Tentative Council Meeting Agenda Calendar
25-0155 Board/Commission Meeting Minutes
25-0175 Information/Action Items
25-0399 Council Advocacy Letters
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Klein adjourned the meeting at 11:03 p.m.