City of Sunnyvale
Meeting Minutes
City Council
4:30 PM Online and Council Chambers, City Hall,
456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Special Meeting: Closed Session - 4:30 PM | Special Meeting: Study Session - 5 PM | Regular Meeting - 7 PM
4:30 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING (Closed Session)
Call to Order
Mayor Klein called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m.
Roll Call
Mayor Larry Klein
Councilmember Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember Murali Srinivasan
Councilmember Linda Sell
Councilmember Charlsie Chang
Councilmember Eileen Le
Present: 6 -
Vice Mayor Richard MehlingerAbsent: 1 -
Vice Mayor Mehlinger’s absence is excused.
Public Comment
Public Comment opened at 4:32 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 4:32 p.m.
Convene to Closed Session
Council convened to Closed Session in the Council Conference Room at 4:32 p.m.
A 26-0688 Closed Session Held Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING
LITIGATION
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(Paragraph (1) of Subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9)
Name of Case: Esguerra, Anthony v. City of Sunnyvale
(Workers Compensation Appeal Board Case No.
ADJ13603849, ADJ17614359)
Adjourn Special Meeting
Mayor Klein adjourned the meeting at 4:41 p.m.
5 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING (Study Session)
Call to Order
Mayor Klein called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Roll Call
Mayor Larry Klein
Councilmember Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember Murali Srinivasan
Councilmember Linda Sell
Councilmember Charlsie Chang
Councilmember Eileen Le
Present: 6 -
Vice Mayor Richard MehlingerAbsent: 1 -
Vice Mayor Mehlinger’s absence is excused.
Study Session
B 26-0264 Artificial Turf Policy Study Update
Environmental Programs Manager Madeline Khair provided the staff report and presentation.
Public Comment opened at 6:02 p.m.
Daryl Jamgotchian provided a presentation about limitations with artificial turf at Fair Oaks Park and communicated support for highlighting limitations in the study.
Robert Belleci, Business Development Manager, TenCate Grass, shared information about Pivot Performance Turf’s sustainability, maintenance, and safety.
July 28, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
Haruko Matsuda voiced support for a blended turf case-by-case approach and an increase in availability of sports fields year-round throughout the City.
Kitlyn Seto, Sunnyvale Alliance Soccer Club spoke towards the limited availability of sports fields in Sunnyvale.
Mary Brunkhorst expressed concerns about restrictive park fencing in community parks and shared support for a dedicated sports complex and organic turf.
Tiffany Chui spoke about heat levels on artificial turf, the cost comparison data presented to Council, and communicated support for improving the maintenance of sports fields.
Carrie Levin spoke towards the cost comparison data presented and shared support for an organic field management pilot if installed over several high-use fields.
Andrea Wald voiced opposition to the study.
Susan Hinton, Conversation Chair, Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter, spoke towards usage of school fields, closure of fields and Pivot Performance Turf.
Cortney Jansen spoke towards survey results to Question 16 “What zip code do you own property in?” and shared support for prioritizing input from all communities.
Marius Roeude, Executive Director, Sunnyvale Alliance Soccer Club, communicated support for artificial turf.
Zachary Kaufman voiced opposition to artificial turf.
Margaret Lawson shared concerns related to artificial turf pollution, carbon footprint, and heat.
Bruce Paton spoke towards comparison of cost effectiveness and hours of play presented in the report.
Manny Diaz, Consultant, TenCate Grass, communicated information regarding improved technology with artificial turf.
Rika Gopinath, Beyond Pesticides, provided a presentation on concerns regarding
July 28, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
the report and operationalized decision tree.
Stephen Meier shared their experiences with artificial turf and support for a study related to the demand for sports fields.
Kristina Pistone, speaking on their own behalf, voiced concerns with the report’s focus on sports usage rather than other park usage.
Mei-Ling Stefan shared a presentation on environmental and human health impacts with artificial turf.
Public Hearing closed at 6:43 p.m.
Adjourn Special Meeting
Mayor Klein adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m.
7 P.M. COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Klein called the meeting to order at 7:21 p.m.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Mayor Klein led the salute to the United States flag.
ROLL CALL
Mayor Larry Klein
Councilmember Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember Murali Srinivasan
Councilmember Linda Sell
Councilmember Charlsie Chang
Councilmember Eileen Le
Present: 6 -
Vice Mayor Richard MehlingerAbsent: 1 -
Vice Mayor Mehlinger’s absence is excused.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Mayor Klein reported that Council met in Closed Session Held Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.6: CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL
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COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION (Paragraph (1) of Subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9) Name of Case: Esguerra, Anthony v. City of Sunnyvale (Workers Compensation Appeal Board Case No. ADJ13603849, ADJ17614359); nothing to report.
SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY
C 26-0285 Silicon Valley Pride
Mayor Klein and Councilmember Cisneros spoke in honor of Silicon Valley Pride.
Jamie Cabrera, Chief Growth Officer, Silicon Valley Pride provided remarks in recognition of Silicon Valley Pride.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Le announced details of the Lakewood Playground ribbon-cutting ceremony, National Night Out and Sunnyvale Goes Back to School notice.
Russ Melton, Chief Executive Officer, Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce provided a presentation announcing the Inaugural Golf Tournament, Breakfast with Congressman Ro Khanna, Safe Haven Sunnyvale Residential Care Facility for the Elderly Grand Opening, and Breakfast with California State Treasurer Fiona Ma.
Peggy Quillinan voiced opposition to installation of tall netting, field lights and a cricket pitch at Las Palmas Park.
Richard Parenteau shared concerns regarding air pollution and health impacts created by Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centers powered by natural gas or diesel generators and urged Council to enact ordinances that prohibit these types of data centers within the city limits.
Mike Cascone voiced concerns regarding the Las Palmas Park project and potential conflict of interest by a Parks and Recreation Commissioner.
Paula Jinbo shared a presentation introducing the Las Palmas Park Neighborhood Association.
Ami Ej shared concerns with a lack of protocols for child and human trafficking being followed by local police departments.
Mei-Ling Stefan shared a presentation on their concerns with the California Water
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Service well project at Carlisle Way.
Stephen Meier shared concerns regarding sewer infrastructure and test results from a fecal indicator bacteria monitoring and source identification program and with
CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comment opened at 8:00 p.m.
Henry Soong requested agenda item 1.A be pulled from the Consent Calendar.
Public Comment closed at 8:01 p.m.
MOTION: Councilmember Srinivasan moved and Councilmember Le seconded the motion to approve agenda items 1.B through 1.F.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Sell
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Vice Mayor Mehlinger1 -
1.A 26-0165 Approve the List(s) of Claims and Bills Approved for Payment by the City Manager
Public Hearing opened at 8:02 p.m.
Henry Soong communicated concerns about the lack of information available for the payments to RRM Design Group and questioned why sequential invoices were processed on the same day.
Public Hearing closed at 8:05 p.m.
MOTION: Councilmember Srinivasan moved and Councilmember Sell seconded the motion to approve the list(s) of claims and bills.
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The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Sell
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Vice Mayor Mehlinger1 -
1.B 26-0601 Amend an Existing Services Agreement With SCS Field Services, Inc. for Landfill Services (F26-546)
Take the following actions:
- Approve the First Amendment to the agreement with SCS Field Services, Inc. in substantially the same form as Attachment 1 to the report to extend the term of the agreement through August 22, 2028, and increase the contract amount by $125,000 for a new not-to-exceed total of $325,000;
- Authorize the City Manager to execute the amendment when all necessary conditions have been met;
- Authorize the City Manager to execute amendments to extend the term for the remaining two (2) optional two-year extension periods; and - Authorize the City Manager to increase compensation during the authorized extension periods subject to budget availability, need, and negotiated pricing.
1.C 26-0054 Approve Budget Modification No. 1 to Appropriate $499,664 in 2010 Measure B Vehicle Registration Fee Countywide
Program Funds - Cycle 5, for Intelligent Transportation Systems from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, and Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Grant Funding Agreement and any Other Grant Related Documents
Approve Budget Modification No. 1 to appropriate $499,664 in 2010 Measure B Vehicle Registration Fee Countywide Program Funds - Cycle 5, for Intelligent Transportation Systems from VTA, and authorize the City Manager to execute a Grant Funding Agreement and any other grant related documents.
1.D 26-0014 Approve a Median Improvements Cost Sharing Reimbursement Agreement with The New Home Company Northern California, LLC for Construction of Sunnyvale Saratoga Road Median
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Improvements at 777 Sunnyvale Saratoga Road and Approve Budget Modification No. 2 to Appropriate $222,300 to a new Project, Median Improvements at Sunnyvale Saratoga Road Approve a Cost Reimbursement Agreement, in substantially the same form as Attachment 3 to the report, with Developer for the construction of Median Improvements at Sunnyvale Saratoga Road and authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement, and approve Budget Modification No. 2 in an amount of $222,300.
1.E 26-0626 Authorize the Issuance of a Two-Year Contract Purchase Agreement to Badger Meter in the Amount Not-to-Exceed
$1,000,000 for Ultrasonic Water Meters (F26-282) and Finding of Class 1 Exemption Under the California Environmental Quality Act
Take the following actions:
- Authorize the issuance of a contract purchase agreement for two years to Badger Meter of Milwaukee, WI in an amount not-to-exceed $1,000,000 for the purchase of ultrasonic water meters;
- Find that this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the Class 1 CEQA Exemption (CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(b)); and
- Authorize the City Manager to renew the contract purchase agreement for up to four additional one-year periods and increase the contract amount, subject to available funding and acceptable pricing and services.
1.F 26-0697 Adopt Ordinance No. 3258-26 to Amend Title 19.32 (Building Heights, Lot Coverages and Floor Area Ratios) and Repealing and Replacing Chapter 19.80 (Design Review) of Title 19 (Zoning) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code Related to the Implementation of Lower Density Residential Design
Standards and Make Other Minor Corrections, Clarifications and Technical Changes, and Amending Chapter 19.79
(Accessory Dwelling Units) of Title 19 (Zoning) of the
Sunnyvale Municipal Code to Confirm with New State ADU
Law (AB1154 and SB 543)
Adopt Ordinance No. 3258-26.
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
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2 26-0699 Introduction of Ordinance Amending Section 2.04.030 of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code Relating to City Manager Claims Settlement Authority
Assistant City Manager Connie Verceles provided the staff report.
Public Hearing opened at 8:13 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Hearing closed at 8:13 p.m.
MOTION: Councilmember Srinivasan moved and Councilmember Sell seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1: Introduce an Ordinance Amending Section 2.04.030 of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code Relating to City Manager Claims Settlement Authority, to Become Operative Only if the November Ballot Measure Proposing Amendments to Charter Section 1314 Passes.
City Clerk David Carnahan read the Ordinance title for the record.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Sell
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Vice Mayor Mehlinger1 -
3 26-0700 CONTINUED FROM JULY 21, 2026
Review and Approve Arguments Drafted by Mayor Klein and Vice Mayor Mehlinger in Support of Three Charter Amendment Ballot Measures or Provide Other Direction to Complete the Arguments
Mayor Klein provided the report.
Public Hearing opened at 8:20 p.m.
Steve Scandalis shared a presentation on their concerns regarding the proposed
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Council Vacancies ballot measure argument.
Zachary Kaufman spoke towards the proposed Council Vacancies ballot measure argument.
Public Hearing closed at 8:25 p.m.
MOTION: Councilmember Cisneros moved and Councilmember Sell seconded the motion to approve as amended the ballot measure argument for Council Vacancies (Charter Section 606).
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Mayor Klein offered a friendly amendment to replace the placeholder dollar amount in the ballot measure argument for City Manager Authority to Settle Claims (Charter Section 1314) with $250,000. After discussion, Mayor Klein withdrew the friendly amendment.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Sell
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Vice Mayor Mehlinger1 -
MOTION: Councilmember Sell moved to approve as amended the ballot measure argument for City Manager Authority to Settle Claims (Charter Section 1314).
Motion failed due to lack of second.
MOTION: Councilmember Srinivasan moved and Councilmember Cisneros seconded to approve as amended the ballot measure argument related to City Manager Authority to Settle Claims (Charter Section 1314).
The motion carried with the following vote:
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Yes: Mayor Klein
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Sell
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Vice Mayor Mehlinger1 -
MOTION: Councilmember Srinivasan moved and Councilmember Sell to approve as amended the ballot measure argument for Public Works Contracting (Charter Section 1309).
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: Mayor Klein
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Sell
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Vice Mayor Mehlinger1 -
4 26-0150 Adopt a Resolution to Cause Charges for Non-Payment of Delinquent Utility Charges to be Placed on the Fiscal Year 2026/27 County of Santa Clara Property Tax Roll
Director of Finance Matt Paulin provided the staff report.
Public Hearing opened at 9:25 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Hearing closed at 9:25p.m.
MOTION: Councilmember Srinivasan moved and Councilmember Sell seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1: Adopt a Resolution to cause charges for non-payment of delinquent Utility Charges to be placed on the Fiscal Year 2026/27 County of Santa Clara Property Tax Roll.
The motion carried with the following vote:
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Yes: Mayor Klein
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Sell
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Vice Mayor Mehlinger1 -
Council took a recess at 9:14 p.m. and reconvened at 9:20 p.m. with Mayor Klein and Councilmembers Cisneros, Srinivasan, Sell, Chang and Le present. 5 26-0007 Introduce an Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 3248-25 and Title 16 (Buildings and Construction) of the Sunnyvale
Municipal Code to Supplement the Findings and Revise the Recently Adopted 2025 Triennial California Building Code Amendments with Clarifications Related to the Energy Code and Green Building Code and Make Minor Corrections
Chief Building Officer Suzanne Park provided the staff report and presentation.
Public Hearing opened at 9:33 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Hearing closed at 9:33 p.m.
MOTION: Councilmember Srinivasan moved and Councilmember Sell seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1: Introduce an Ordinance (Attachment 4 to the report) amending the Findings of Ordinance No. 3248-25 and make other amendments providing clarifications and minor corrections.
City Clerk David Carnahan read the Ordinance title for the record.
The motion carried with the following vote:
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Yes: Mayor Klein
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Srinivasan
Councilmember Sell
Councilmember Chang
Councilmember Le
6 -
No: 0
Absent: Vice Mayor Mehlinger1 -
COUNCILMEMBERS REPORTS ON ACTIVITIES FROM INTERGOVERNMENTAL
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Councilmember Srinivasan reported their attendance at the National League of Cities’ Summer Board and Leadership Meeting.
Councilmember Sell reported their attendance at the National League of Cities’ Summer meetings and Bay Area Air District Board of Directors Meeting.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS
-Council
Mayor Klein disclosed that an inadvertent Brown Act violation occurred on June 29, 2026. The violation occurred when a member of City staff forwarded an email thread between staff and one Councilmember to the whole Council. The subject of the email thread was a request for diagonal parking on Vienna Drive. None of the other Councilmembers replied to the email thread.
Mayor Klein shared their experience attending the 4th of July Celebration, shared feedback, and offered their appreciation to City Staff for their work.
Councilmember Le offered their appreciation to City Staff for their work on the 4th of July Celebration and shared feedback.
-City Manager
None.
INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS
26-0377 Tentative Council Meeting Agenda Calendar
26-0384 Board/Commission Meeting Minutes
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ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Klein adjourned the meeting at 9:44 p.m.