HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/17/20231
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 17, 2023
Town of Los Altos Hills
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California
Present: Mayor Linda Swan, Vice Mayor Stanley Q. Mok, Councilmember Lisa Schmidt,
Councilmember George Tyson, Councilmember Kavita Tankha
Absent: None
Staff: City Manager Peter Pirnejad, City Attorney Steve Mattas, Assistant City Attorney
Claire Lai, Interim Assistant to the City Manager Cody Einfalt, Community
Development Director Bradley Evanson, Senior Planner Elaine Ling, Associate
Planner Jeremy Loh, Public Works Director WooJae Kim, City Clerk Deborah
Padovan
CALL TO ORDER (6:00 P.M.)
A. Roll Call
B. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Swan called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
Mayor Swan called for a moment of silence for the Maui wildfire victims.
1. AGENDA REVIEW
There were no changes to the agenda.
2. PRESENTATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
A. Reappointment to the Los Altos/Los Altos Hills Senior Commission
City Clerk Padovan noted that Jim Basiji had expressed a desire to be reappointed
to the Los Altos/Los Altos Hills Senior Commission.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Tankha moved to appoint
Jim Basiji to the Los Altos/Los Altos Senior Commission for a third, four-year term.
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Tyson.
MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Swan, Mok, Schmidt, Tankha, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
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RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
B. Reappointment to the Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee
City Clerk Padovan told the City Council that Jean Struthers would like to be
reappointed to the Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Schmidt moved to appoint
Jean Struthers to the Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee for a sixth, four-year
term. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Tyson.
MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Swan, Mok, Schmidt, Tankha, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
C. Appointment to the Los Altos Hills Emergency Preparedness and Response
Committee
City Clerk Padovan presented the application of Bill Ralston.
Bill Ralston expressed an interest in serving on the Emergency Preparedness and
Response Committee.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Schmidt moved to appoint
Bill Ralston to the Los Altos Hills Emergency Preparedness and Response
Committee for a four-year term. The motion was seconded by Councilmember
Tankha.
MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Swan, Mok, Schmidt, Tankha, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
D. Appointment to the Los Altos Hills Technology Committee
City Clerk Padovan presented the application of Rob Singh.
Rob Singh expressed an interest in serving on either the Emergency Preparedness
and Response Committee or the Los Altos Hills Technology Committee but said he
preferred the EPRC.
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MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Schmidt moved to appoint
Rob Singh to the Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee for a four-year
term. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Tankha.
MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Swan, Mok, Schmidt, Tankha, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
E. Mid-Year Status Update on 2023 City Council Work Plan
City Manager Pirnejad presented the mid-year status update on the 2023 City
Council Work Plan. No action was taken.
Public Comment
Allan Epstein, Los Altos Hills, commented that the work plan shows a
postponement for the audit for excessive permit fees. That audit has been completed
and he thinks the money should be refunded to the applicants who were overcharged.
Rajiv Bhateja, Los Altos Hills, thanked City Manager Pirnejad and the staff for
getting all of these items done. He would like the loop closed with the committees.
3. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Michael Grady, Los Altos Hills, talked about the multifamily zoning ordinance that will
be drafted in the upcoming year. He understands that an outside firm has been contracted
with the town. It is important that the outside consultants be fully apprised of the
residents’ interests regarding multifamily zoning and objective design standards. The
consultants should meet with town residents regarding these issues. He said it would be
helpful to have a committee of residents working with the consultants.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comment
Allan Epstein, Los Altos Hills, said that the proposal for the sanitary sewer program is a
list of pipes that the staff recommends. He doesn’t believe the Council has been given a
holistic approach to those efforts. He reviewed the process with the Public Works
Director, and he did not agree with his approach. He suggested Council defer this item to
another time so a more thorough investigation can be made. The list is not consistent
with the sanitary sewer master plan.
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Rajiv Bhateja, Los Altos Hills, addressed the AV project. The Technology Committee
said they were engaged to review the project and they worked with the consultant and
staff. Multiple rounds and their conclusion is that based on the size of the contract, they
reluctantly support the change. The cost is justified.
Mayor Swan said that she had planned on pulling item 4.L for discussion but now that
she has talked to the Technology Committee and others, she wants to make it very clear
that we have looked at whether this is a good use of the town’s money. The AV system
has a lot of problems, and she feels the project is worthwhile, although expensive.
Vice Mayor Mok noted that although he was totally against the project at first, he now
realizes that it is necessary.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Tankha moved to approve the
Consent Calendar. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Mok.
MOTION AND SECOND AMENDED: Councilmember Tankha amended motion:
Approve the Consent Calendar with the exception of Item 4.Q. Vice Mayor Mok
amended his second.
MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Swan, Mok, Schmidt, Tankha, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
A. Approval of Special City Council Meeting Minutes – June 15, 2023
B. Approval of Regular City Council Meeting Minutes – June 15, 2023
C. Disbursements for June 1-30, 2023 $2,116,111.95
D. Disbursements for July 1-31, 2023 $1,433,364.01
E. Approval of Treasurer’s Report for the Month Ended June 30, 2023 (Staff:
Administrative Services)
F. Approval of Treasurer’s Report for the Month Ended July 31, 2023 (Staff:
Administrative Services)
G. Resolution 65-23 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Standing Purchase
Orders for Fiscal Year 2023-24 in an Amount not to exceed $6,494,432 and to
Appropriate $11,440 for Pooled Liability Insurance (Staff: Administrative Services)
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H. Resolution 66-23 Amending the Town of Los Altos Hills’ Salary Schedule for FY
2023-24 (Staff: Administrative Services)
I. Request to Reinstate the City Council Regular Meeting on September 21, 2023 (Staff:
D. Padovan)
J. Rejection of Claim Avelyn Welczer (Staff: D. Padovan)
K. Designation of a Voting Delegate and an Alternate Voting Delegate to the 2023
League of California Cities Annual Conference September 20-22, 2023 (Staff: D.
Padovan)
L. Resolution 67-23 Awarding a Contract to Coda Technologies for the 2023 City
Council Audio Video Upgrade (Equipment and Installation) and Lighting Project
(Staff: D. Padovan)
M. Resolution 68-23 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Fourth Amendment
to the Solid Waste Franchise Agreement with GreenWaste Recovery, Inc. Pertaining
to Designated Disposal Sites (Staff: C. Einfalt)
N. Resolution 69-23 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the First Amendment to
the Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction Technical Advisory
Committee Agreement (Staff: C. Einfalt)
O. Resolution 70-23 Approving Revised Position Descriptions for the Job
Classifications of Administrative Services Director and Assistant to the City Manager
(Staff: P. Pirnejad)
P. Authorize the City Manager to Engage in Discussions for Future Law Enforcement
Services for the Town of Los Altos Hills (Staff: P. Pirnejad)
Q. Resolution 75-23 Approving the Plans and Specifications for the 2023 Sanitary
Sewer Repair and Replacement Project and Authorize Staff to Advertise the Project
for Bids (Staff: W. Kim)
Mayor Swan said we are talking about specific leaks. The replacement is 300 times
the cost and we spend too much money. We should repair, and not replace.
Council discussion ensued.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Tankha moved to
Resolution 75-23 Approving the Plans and Specifications for the 2023 Sanitary
Sewer Repair and Replacement Project and Authorize Staff to Advertise the Project
for Bids. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Schmidt.
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MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Swan, Mok, Schmidt, Tankha, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Tankha moved that as we
move into the next round, when we go this through the process again, staff shall
involve experts in the field and residents like Mr. Epstein who have followed this
process for a long time so that we can make sure that as a town we are making the
best use of our resources and spending money wisely. The motion was seconded by
Vice Mayor Mok.
MOTION PASSED 3-2:
AYES: Swan, Mok, Tankha
NOES: Tyson, Schmidt
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
R. Resolution 71-23 Accepting Pathway Easement Dedications at 13781 Ciceroni Lane;
Lands of Vista Grande Trust; File #SD20-0083 & ER22-0009 (Staff: J. Loh)
S. Resolution 72-23 Making CEQA Exemption Determination Under Section 15061
and Approving a Time Extension of an Approved Site Development Permit and
Conditional Use Permit for a New Recreational Facility (Gym) At 13891 Ciceroni
Lane; Lands of Campo Vista Lane LLC; FILE #EX23-0005, SD20-0086 & CUP21-
0001. (Staff: J. Loh)
T. Resolution 73-23 Making CEQA Exemption Determination Under Section 15061
and Approving a Time Extension of an Approved Site Development Permit for a new
Residence and ADU at 13902 Campo Vista Lane; Lands of Campo Vista Lane LLC;
FILE #EX23-0006, SD20-0022. (Staff: J. Loh)
U. Resolution 74-23 Approving Final Map and Subdivision Improvement Agreement
Accepting Roadway Right-Of-Way Easement Dedication for Lands of Auqui and
Putnam at 27600 Altamont Road with Certain Conditions of Approval for
Recordation (FILE #FM23-0001) (Staff: W. Kim)
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. Resolution 76-23 Accepting the Broadband Feasibility Study and Presentation by
Government Technology Group, LLC on the Study’s Findings and Recommendations
(Staff: C. Einfalt)
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Interim Assistant to the City Manager Cody Einfalt introduced the item.
Jeff Lewis, Government Technology Group, presented the report.
Council discussion ensued.
Public Comment
Gautam Agrawal, Los Altos Hills, thanked the consultant for their hard work. He
pointed out that Los Altos Hills Community Fiber (LAHCF) is a community member-
owned entity. The value of LAHCF installed fiber is the town’s ability to own and
control the network’s future. When you subsidize an entity such as AT&T, that entity
would then own and control the network. He doesn’t like this approach.
Rajiv Bhateja, Los Altos Hills, thanked GovTech for their work. He said Starlink
may be a viable solution for those who can’t get fiber.
This will be the topic of a special City Council study session on Wednesday, August
23, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Vice Mayor Mok moved to approve
Resolution 76-23 Accepting the Broadband Feasibility Study and Presentation by
Government Technology Group, LLC on the Study’s Findings and
Recommendations. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Tankha.
MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Swan, Mok, Schmidt, Tankha, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
City Council Ex Parte Contacts Policy Disclosure
Councilmember Tyson:
Item 6.A: He received an email from Jim Waschura and suggested Mr. Waschura
send it to the rest of Council.
Item 6.B: Barry Smith texted him inviting him to visit the property. He replied to
Mr. Smith that “transparency of information is very important to me when making
decisions, and my first preference is for disputing parties to make their case in open
session where I’m seeing exactly what everybody else sees, including the
public. When I want to know more, I’ll visit a site either by myself or accompanied
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by staff. I earlier declined an offer to review the project from the applicant, out of
respect for you. I’m now declining your offer here out of respect for him. I’m
therefore declining both offers out of respect for the public and the transparency of
the process.”
He did go visit the property without speaking to anyone.
Councilmember Tankha:
Item 6.B: She met with Brendon and Teryn Merkley and Barry Smith. She walked
the neighborhood to evaluate it.
Vice Mayor Mok:
Item 6.B: He visited the property and met with Barry Smith as well as Jim
Waschura, Alisa Bredo, and Birgitta Indaco. He said he had to visit the property to
understand the issue.
Councilmember Schmidt:
Item 6.B: She met with Brendon and Teryn Merkley and Barry Smith and
appreciated the respectful way they expressed their views.
Mayor Swan:
Item 6.A: She talked to Birgitta Indaco and Alisa Bredo.
Item 6.B: She met with Barry Smith and Brendon and Teryn Merkley, and talked
to Birgitta Indaco, Alisa Bredo, and Jitze Couperus.
A. Conduct a Public Hearing, Waive Reading, and Introduce Ordinance 610 of the
Town of Los Altos Hills Amending Title 9 (Subdivisions And Plan Lines) and Title
10 (Zoning And Site Development) of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code to add
Article 16 to Chapter 1, and Article 15 to Chapter 1, Respectively, Establishing
Regulations for the Subdivision and Development of Qualified Senate Bill 9
Properties. (Staff: E. Ling)
Mayor Swan opened the Public Hearing.
Senior Planner Elaine Ling presented the staff report. Staff presentation included
additional proposed incentives language entitled “Incentives Approach 2” to the
proposed ordinance as follows:
“The maximum floor area (MFA) and maximum development area (MDA) permitted
on the parcel shall be calculated in accordance with the requirements of the
underlying zoning district per Sections 10-1.502 and 10-1.503.
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For parcels with a Lot Unit Factor (LUF) as defined under Section 10-1.202 less
than or equal to 0.5, the maximum size of one SB 9 Unit shall not exceed two
thousand (2,000) square feet. For parcels with a Lot Unit Factor (LUF) as defined
under Section 10-1.202 greater than 0.5, the maximum size of one SB 9 Unit shall not
exceed three thousand (3,000) square feet.
For SB 9 Lots with a Lot Unit Factor (LUF) as defined under Section 10-1.202 less
than or equal to 0.5, up to two thousand (2,000) square feet or the maximum floor
area of the lot minus nine hundred (900) square feet, whichever is less, shall be
available for the development of one SB 9 Unit. For SB 9 Lots with a Lot Unit Factor
(LUF) as defined under Section 10-1.202 greater than 0.5, up to three thousand
(3,000) square feet or the maximum floor area of the lot minus nine hundred (900)
square feet, whichever is less, shall be available for the development of one SB 9
Unit.”
Council discussion ensued.
Jim Waschura, Los Altos Hills, said he doesn’t understand the focus on
basements. The floor area is relatively modest. Basements aren’t visible, but we
haven’t addressed what we are getting for these incentives. We attempted to gather
the development inside the normal setbacks to preserve the distances between homes.
Nick French, Los Altos Hills, said no one likes SB 9. He is excited about what he
just heard. As a real estate professional, he loves the idea of incentives with the ADU
and 30-foot setback.
Carol Gottlieb, Los Altos Hills, said if the basement stays within the building
envelope, that is fine. When you build a basement, you have to go two feet out to get
the foundation. If the basement can be built in the 4-foot setback, you’ll be building
right to the property line. She told the Council they should delay this until we see if
SB 450 passes. If it doesn’t pass, they can then add the basement incentive.
Birgitta Indaco, Los Altos Hills, we are dealing with RHNA numbers of 489 and 32
SB 9 units needed per cycle. We already have ADUs, and SB 9 properties and she
doesn’t us reaching the goal in the cycle. If you open Pandora’s box, you can’t close
it. Basements should be reviewed during the normal process. Think carefully, once
you go down a path, you can’t retract it.
John O’Connell, Los Altos Hills, shared his screen and he was attempting to put
some degree of accuracy to the statement of what the Council would allow. If
someone was to build within the setback, he showed what someone would see. The
idea of basements being approved ministerially is insanity.
Alisa Bredo, Los Altos Hills, urged caution regarding basements. There are a
number of things that could go wrong. Start smaller and allow larger later.
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Rajiv Patel, Los Altos Hills, SB 450 is coming, but it is not here yet. When it
comes, we will be here again discussing. Let’s not focus on that alone right now.
Incentives only work if there is some incentive that you are doing. Regarding ADUs,
we have an incentive to get larger square footage, if it is outside the setbacks. No one
has used that. Why? Because is not an adequate incentive. The PC suggested adding
basements as an incentive because it is clear that it is a large enough incentive that
could work.
Ann Duwe, Cupertino, the genuine travesty is the need for an SB 9 ordinance. It is
an extremely destructive legislation.
Gustavo, Last Name Not Given, Town Not Given, suggested that SB 9 should be
implemented just like Santa Clara County did.
Mayor Swan closed the Public Hearing.
Council discussion continued.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Tankha moved to waive
reading and introduce Ordinance 610 as shown in Attachments 1 and 1A to the
August 17, 2023 City Council staff report plus edits incorporating Incentives
Approach 2 as described in the August 17, 2023 staff presentation, to amend Title 9
(Subdivisions and Plan Lines) and Title 10 (Zoning and Site Development) of the Los
Altos Hills Municipal Code to add Article 16 to Chapter 1, and Article 15 to Chapter
1, respectively, establishing permanent regulations for the subdivision and
development of qualified Senate Bill 9 properties. The motion was seconded by
Councilmember Tyson.
MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Swan, Mok, Schmidt, Tankha, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Tyson moved to authorize
the mayor to sign a letter in opposition to SB 450. The motion was seconded by
Councilmember Tankha.
MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Swan, Mok, Schmidt, Tankha, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
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B. Consideration of amendments to Resolution 77-23 Updating the FY 2023-24
Planning, Building, and Engineering Fee Schedules to add and update deposit
amounts related to: NPDES Permit C.3 Review and Inspection; Sewer
Capacity/Impact/Rate Analysis; Sight Distance and Traffic Study Peer Review;
Traffic Control Plan Review, Miscellaneous Engineering Staff Review, and Peer
Review; Environmental Review; and Town Attorney Land Use Review, and
Determination that the Proposed Amendments are not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act. (Staff: W. Kim)
Director WooJae Kim presented the staff report.
Council asked questions of staff and received responses from staff.
Mayor Swan opened the Public Hearing.
Allan Epstein, Los Altos Hills, wants to be sure that the fee schedule that the sewer
fee schedule only applies to multi-family homes, not single-family homes. It needs to
get on the fee schedule.
Mayor Swan closed the Public Hearing.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Schmidt moved to approve
amendments to Resolution 77-23 Updating the FY 2023-24 Planning, Building, and
Engineering Fee Schedules to add and update deposit amounts related to: NPDES
Permit C.3 Review and Inspection; Sewer Capacity/Impact/Rate Analysis; Sight
Distance and Traffic Study Peer Review; Traffic Control Plan Review, Miscellaneous
Engineering Staff Review, and Peer Review; Environmental Review; and Town
Attorney Land Use Review, and Determination that the Proposed Amendments are
not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act. The motion was seconded by
Vice Mayor Mok.
MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Swan, Mok, Schmidt, Tankha, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
Recess at 8:34 pm
Reconvene to open session at 8:45 pm
C. 25851 Estacada Drive – File #APL23-0003, CDP23-0002, SD22-0066 & VAR23-
0001 – Lands of Merkley - Appeal of Planning Commission decision on a Site
Development Permit and Conditional Development Permit for a 1,241 square-foot
addition to an existing 2,731 square-foot residence, including a new attached 528
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square-foot garage where there previously was no garage; new 657 square-foot
swimming pool; new hardscape improvements; detached 699 square-foot ADU; and
Variance request for 707 square feet to encroach 15 feet into side yard setback with a
maximum height of 20’-11”. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Sections
15301(e); 15303(a); 15303(e); 15305(a) (Staff: J. Loh) (Resolution 77-23)
Associate Planner Jeremy Loh presented the staff report.
Council discussion ensued.
Homeowner Brendon Merkley presented his application.
Mayor Swan opened the Public Hearing.
Taryn Merkley, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of denying the appeal.
TJ Mueller, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of denying the appeal.
Sterling Anderson, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of denying the appeal.
Janna Land, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of denying the appeal.
Paige Bennion, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of denying the appeal.
Christine Bruckner, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of denying the appeal.
Uyen Nguyen, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of denying the appeal.
Craig Johnson, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of denying the appeal.
Anand Kannan, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of denying the appeal.
Marissa Goodger, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of denying the appeal.
Carol Gottlieb, Los Altos Hills, speaking as a former Planning Commissioner, said
that this property has four or five areas that will need a variance if you take each
piece one by one. She requested that the Council remand the project back to the
Planning Commission for further review.
Nicholas French, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of denying the appeal.
Name Not Given, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of denying the appeal.
Abbie Bourgon, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of denying the appeal.
Norman Happ, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of denying the appeal.
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Robert Wheatly, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of denying the appeal.
Joe Field, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of denying the appeal.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Tyson moved to extend the
meeting past 10:00 p.m. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Mok.
MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Swan, Mok, Schmidt, Tankha, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
Rajiv Patel, Los Altos Hills, explained the process at the Planning Commission.
Christopher Anderson, the architectural designer for this project, spoke in support
of denying the appeal.
Barry Smith, Los Altos Hills, spoke about a broken process in Los Altos Hills.
Name Not Given, Los Altos Hills, called the process a sham. He spoke in support of
denying the appeal.
Mayor Swan closed the Public Hearing.
Council discussion ensued.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Schmidt moved to approve
Resolution 78-23 DENYING the Appeal of Planning Commission decision on a Site
Development Permit and Conditional Development Permit for a 1,241 square-foot
addition to an existing 2,731 square-foot residence, including a new attached 528
square-foot garage where there previously was no garage; new 657 square-foot
swimming pool; new hardscape improvements; detached 699 square-foot ADU; and
Variance request for 707 square feet to encroach 15 feet into side yard setback with a
maximum height of 20’-11”. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Sections
15301(e); 15303(a); 15303(e); 15305(a). The motion was seconded by
Councilmember Tankha.
MOTION PASSED 4-1:
AYES: Mok, Schmidt, Tankha, Tyson
NOES: Swan
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
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7. STAFF REPORTS
A. City Attorney - No report.
B. City Clerk
City Clerk Padovan reported that the History Committee will be hosting an
interactive history walk on Sunday, September 10, 2023. The walk will be led by
History Committee member Bernardo Ferrari and other residents are encouraged to
join them and share their memories as well. Sign up on the town’s website. She also
reminded the Council that we are looking forward to seeing all the committee
members at the volunteer dinner on Wednesday, August 30, 2023.
C. Planning Director
City Manager Pirnejad introduced the new Community Development Director,
Bradley Evanson.
D. Administrative Services Director - No report.
E. Public Works Director
• Working with the ad hoc Subcommittee established at the last regular Council
meeting in June, the construction of the pathways at Concepcion Road and La
Paloma Road was awarded to the lowest responsible bidder C2R for
$293,910. The subcommittee and staff decided to have the town maintenance
staff construct the pathway on Briones Way in an effort to build more pathways
in-house. Construction of all three pathways will start in September.
• Staff issued an RFP for the Pathway Fee Nexus Study this past Tuesday. It is
available on the Public Works website for viewing. The proposals are due
September 12th.
• Staff is working with Kit Gordon and the Open Space Committee on the annual
stinkwort spraying. The spraying is tentatively scheduled for early to mid-
September. Once the spraying locations are established, the residents at the
locations will be notified. As Mayor Swan and Kit Gordon pointed out, Yellow
Star Thistle is another prolific and noxious weed in the town that needs to be
addressed, and staff will investigate how to best control Yellow Star.
• The town’s contractor is now finishing up fence repairs to Baseball Field 3 at
Purissima Park as part of the Purissima Park Improvement CIP.
F. City Manager
• Dinner and Movie Night at Purissima Park achieved a fivefold increase in
attendance compared to last year.
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• Los Altos Hills vs. Los Altos Adult Softball Game on Saturday, August 19, 2023
from 10:00 a.m. to 12 Noon at Purissima Park.
• The Los Altos Hills Hoedown will be held at Westwind Community Barn on
Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• The finish date of the Battery Energy Storage System Capital Improvement
Project has been postponed to at least the end of September.
• In-person/virtual meeting at Town Hall on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 10:00
a.m. for the Los Altos Hills County Fire District (LAHCFD) course to hear about
what you can do to be prepared for wildfires.
8. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES, AND
COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES
A. Report by the Undergrounding Subcommittee (Councilmember Tyson)
Councilmember Tyson reported that we are waiting for Comcast to finish some design
work and will submit to PG&E next week. No action was taken.
B. Report from the Council Ad Hoc Committee Focusing on Broadband
(Councilmembers Mok and Tankha)
Vice Mayor Mok reminded that a special study session to discuss broadband will be
held on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. No action was taken.
C. Report from the Council Ad Hoc Committee on Residential Burglaries
(Councilmembers Tankha and Tyson)
No report as the topic was covered by the City Manager previously in the meeting.
No action was taken.
D. Report from the City Council Ad Hoc Committee to Review the Changes to the
Standing Committee Resolution (Councilmembers Schmidt and Tyson)
Councilmember Tyson reported the ad hoc committee has been working for several
months on revising the code of conduct. We have a viable draft, and we will be
sending it to committee chairs and council members in the next week. We have a
listening session scheduled. We will aim to be voting on a revision at the November
City Council meeting. No action was taken.
E. Status Reports from All Councilmembers on Committee Liaison Assignments and
Outside Agencies Activities
Councilmember Schmidt commented about EPRC and has been discussing
communications and evacuations in town. She will be encouraging plans to make
evacuations safer.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 17, 2023
Councilmember Tyson reported that the SVCE credit rating has been raised by
Moody’s. Further, he said that the County is helping support CHAC and they
rearranged the budget for sustainability.
Mayor Swan announced that the History Committee is holding an Old Timers’
Reception on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at Town Hall.
9. COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
A. Request for the Mayor to Attend the National League of Cities Meeting November
16-18, 2023 in Atlanta, GA (Mayor Swan)
Mayor Swan presented the report. She requested that the Council allow her to attend.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Tankha moved to allow
Mayor Swan to attend the National League of Cities Meeting November 16-18, 2023
in Atlanta, GA. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Tyson.
MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Swan, Mok, Schmidt, Tankha, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
10. ADJOURN
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION OF THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2023 – 4:00
P.M.
City Attorney Mattas stated that reportable action resulting from the closed session is
that the Council by a 5-0 vote authorized the retention of Nadine Levin to facilitate the
City Manager evaluation.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah L. Padovan
Deborah Padovan
City Clerk
The minutes of the August 17, 2023, regular City Council meeting were approved as presented at
the September 28, 2023, adjourned regular City Council meeting.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
August 17, 2023