https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts Summaries and topics from Mountain View's city council and committee meetings, sourced from the city's official YouTube channel. en-us https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/RW_J2rjkiEw https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/RW_J2rjkiEw Fri, 10 Jul 2026 18:36:55 GMT This required lesson for Mountain View high school students applying for parking permits covers safer driving behaviors as part of the Safe Routes to School program. It explains California's graduated licensing system, the DMV points system, and legal responsibilities for both students and parents, while emphasizing dangers like distracted driving, impaired driving, and speeding near schools. The lesson details common driving mistakes at drop-off, on the road, and in parking lots, what to do after a collision, and the steps required to complete a parking permit application. Parent and guardian responsibilities Purpose of the lesson Alternatives to driving Who driving affects Graduated licensing system Provisional license restrictions DMV points system Distracted driving Impaired and DUI driving School zone speed limits Drop-off and pick-up mistakes Residential neighborhood driving On-road driving mistakes Yielding and phone use Parking lot behavior What to do after a collision Parking permit application steps https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/hIof0LR5RLE https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/hIof0LR5RLE Fri, 10 Jul 2026 18:29:49 GMT This lesson, part of Mountain View's Safe Routes to School program, educated grade 11 students and their families on e-bike safety, laws, and responsible riding. It covered the legal definition and three classes of e-bikes, key differences from regular bikes (weight, speed, stopping distance), California and local Mountain View regulations, illegal e-motos, battery safety, and readiness checklists for choosing a bike and assessing rider skills. Students are directed to take the required quiz and have parents complete a consent form, with parking-permit seekers continuing to a separate safer student driving lesson. Lesson overview and audience Permit and quiz steps E-bike basics and definition Stopping distance differences E-bike classes and rules Illegal e-motos and modifications Statewide e-bike laws Parent responsibility and liability Battery safety Mountain View local rules Safe riding habits Pre-purchase readiness checklist Required rider skills Parent/caregiver assessment Next steps and quiz https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/ODNHS5qNKa4 https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/ODNHS5qNKa4 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 16:41:19 GMT The Visual Arts Committee received CIP public art project updates (Evelyn Park, Shoreline Boat House, train depot celebration, lobby gallery exhibitions), reviewed and recommended approving the FY2026-27 work plan with minor timeline wording changes. The bulk of the meeting was a detailed review of the draft Public Art Strategy, including community outreach results, findings, vision/mission, recommendations, and the implementation plan; committee members and the public gave extensive feedback (studio/community art space, waiving permit fees, pooled funding, a signature Mountain View art event, collaboration with other advisory bodies, and success metrics). The committee voted to recommend forwarding the strategy to city council with feedback incorporated. The meeting closed with an introduction to a proposed pilot artist selection panel procedure. Call to order and roll call Approval of prior minutes Oral communications Upcoming agenda topics CIP public art project updates Lobby gallery exhibitions and artist talks Advertising events / outreach FY2026-27 work plan Public Art Strategy draft review Community outreach results Strategy findings and recommendations Vision, mission, and goals Implementation plan and timelines Permit fees and barriers Pooled/centralized art funding Studio and community art space Signature Mountain View art event Collaboration with other advisory bodies Measuring success metrics Motion to recommend to council Artist selection panel pilot > on my phone. >> I think that's a little >> 601. Wow, we're on time. >> Yeah, first call to order. >> Okay, Joe, >> Susie Murhar, >> yes. >> Lacy Rathbun, >> y >> vice chair Bryant. Yes. >> And sickles. >> Yes. >> Then absent excuses Thompson and Stephanie Spade. >> Y. >> So next turn minutes the visual arts committee meeting minutes on April 8th. To approve them. >> I second that. And then >> we do a roll call. >> All in favor? >> All in favor? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Sure. >> Um and then next is oral communications from the public. We have anybody raising their hand online. We have four people online and two are in the Patreon conference and also two two additional attendees. >> Um and then five is upcoming agenda topics. So that's for us too. Uh I was just wondering when we get the art name. We should >> like have that as a >> piggy talk. >> Yeah, we'll have an update at the um at our update section later. >> Okay, that's >> and then go to six unfinished business 6.1 capital improvement program public art project dates. So then 62 is visual arts committee fiscal year 2026 27 work plan. >> We'll go through the CIP project updates first. >> Okay. >> Okay. So just a few quick updates. Um so Evelyn Park and Bill Chakita Park are both still going through um um review and planning and and engineering review. So, the artists are working closely with the public works project managers um to get their art projects finished. And for the Shoreline Boat House, uh the artist Steven Galloway, he just went and visited Shoreline with um the city's biologist and walked around and was able to talk about and learn about different animals and plants around Shoreline to get his rendering started and start submitting that to the city. See, you've already seen Fernanda Martinez's mural. So, it looks beautiful. That was done in March. And then, um, for Rumo Sato, um, we're still finalizing her schedule, but it sounds like it it will be fall of this year, potentially in September, but date once that's official. And then the train depot um public art project. So, we all know this has been done. Um, but we did have the celebration on June 11th and went really well. Um, was really hot though. >> Yeah. 97 degrees outside, but we had I think at least 50 people showed up and >> so it was really great attendance. People were really excited about the project. Um, the artist was there, the mayor spoke, we had multiple class workers there, BTA. It was a Yeah, very very fun. And just quick update on the lobby gallery exhibitions at the CPA. Um so right now the center for performing arts is kind of evaluating their public hours. And so kind of as a compromise to being able to um allow people to go in and see the exhibits um kind of get some special time with the art that's up on the walls, we're going to do one Monday evening per exhibit. Um that's the the evenings that are most available at the center. Um, and so we had our first open gallery hours with Champang on June 8th. We saw about 30 people come through for the three hours that it was open. And um, she had a ton of friends come and visit which was really nice. They did a little photo shoot in front of her art. Um, and then we'll have the next uh the next gallery exhibition or open gallery hours is going to be Monday, July 27th, 5 to 8:00 p.m. with John Whit Marsh. his art. When you just look at it from the windows, it's huge. It looks stunning. >> Oh, yeah. He's already up. >> Yeah, it's good. >> I've been in there. It's It's nice. So, open gallery hours means the artist is there. >> Yeah. Um, so for Well, it it it may depend. It may vary on the artist, but MC Shen Wang was there. John Whitwor will be there. Um, so we're scheduling um with the other artists um for the future slots, but um yeah, we're hoping that they can come and be there and just a chance to kind of casually meet with the artist and >> but it's not a speech by the artist. >> No, it'll just be within the lobby. Yeah. >> Yeah. We are still working on plans for um two additional pilots artist talks. So at the second second stage um like we did with Don Hirshman um that'll be I think planning one for the fall and early next year. >> How are you advertising these >> um these the so the first one we had kind of a short run to get it started. So we shared it out to our artist registry network, the public art strategy subscribers to um our social media. So a lot of it is online. Um we're asking the artists to share it with their network. We shared it with the visual arts committee to share with your networks. Um, and for this I'm I'm starting to send out invitations to our local organizations to artist organizations and we'll share it with the community school of music and arts, the freestyle academy, all the Yeah. All the different groups. >> Would it be an idea to bring posters and you just distribute them on Castro with the stores there? People are walking down up and down there anyways. Something else to look at. >> Yeah. >> You mean like one of those signs, right? >> Standalone signs. >> Yeah. Or just, you know, sometimes they have like post little posters in their windows. >> Yeah. A lot of the businesses will um I know um Books Inc. and East and West that they have um specific stops for flyers, community flyers. >> Yes. >> Those are the um project updates that I have. So there any other questions or any public comments? No hands raised online. All right. Then we go to visual arts committee fiscal year 26 27 work. Okay. So, we we um had a discussion about the work plan uh two months ago. So, this is um you know bringing back the work plan for a second time for official recommendations to bring to the city council for their approval this fall. Um just noting here all the accomplishments that we had this fiscal year. So we launched the public art strategy. Um a huge um huge effort and um a huge effort by the visual arts committee and um so we're really excited to have started that process and we selected the visual arts committee selected 10 artist exhibits for the Mountain View Center for Lobby. The Rangor Park mural by Fernando Martinez was completed. Um the VA BAC formed an ad hoc committee to support the selection of the train depot project. We got the Bullards done, the Bullard beautifification project. There was a pilot artist reception with Don Hirchman in February. Um we saw a 60% increase in exhibit applications um for the the lobby exhibits. And um and I think that was through all of our partnerships and increasing our reach through different local organizations. And then um just digital growth, we've expanded our social media engagement and have really seen an increased artist following on uh the economic development social media page. >> So the work plan is the um is the same as it was presented last year. The only addition um highlighted is that we added the uh to recommend public art for the public safety building and for the Thompson Mini Park. Uh so those projects will be introduced to the visual arts committee this fall. Um I think um public safety buildings should be coming to you in September. Um anticipating selection of the art next spring. Um so there's another um more specific project that's added to the 26 27 work plan. Um there are no other changes. So on board ongoing work items are you know recommending visual art exhibits for you center for performance loss program promoting this uh exhibit to the community providing city council recommendations on the selection of art. Um the two projects we have coming up are the public safety bas uh collaborating with other city advisory bodies artists businesses and just preparing the annual work plan. Then um the fiscal year 2627 work item is finalizing and it's initiating implementation of the art strategy. Um here for the key milestones, we kept it um pretty simple. The city council needs to adopt the strategy before we can get into more specifics on um what those key milestones look like. But um we included reviewing and providing input on the implementation plan. And so once that's adopted, you know, we'll we'll have discussions with >> there any questions? So I have some comments. Um this is really focused on the fifth class fiscal 26 27 and um we have one up here but given the work that we know is going to have the additional milestones like um you have in the strate 17 short-term projects. So I would expect that in 2027 you would have some deadlines or plans to deal with the committee >> or for yourselves to make harvest and loose to bear I mean by fall 2026 um have here to have some milestones along the way in 2027. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, until the city council adopts the strategy, we uh we don't necessarily want to identify exactly what those milestones are because what we present to them, they may end up changing some of that the order of operations of things. And so once the strategy is adopted, then it doesn't mean we can't start those projects right away. they can they will be started because once it's adopted we'll be under that specific short mid longterm timeline but it as far as the the work plan goes it's not an adopted document at this point and um so the the work items for visual arts committee are to initiate the implementation of the strategy once that's adopted include identifying opportunities to mark the strategy's completion reviewing and providing input on the imple implementation plan and timeline. And so I think that includes looking at those specific short-term action items that the council does adopt. >> That's why you don't want to put down now something in 2027 >> because it's not if you want to wait until approval to move forward back in >> and this is just starting fall 2026. So this will start in fall 2026 and carry us through to the end of the fiscal year. >> Right. Right. Okay. >> So, it it's inclusive of 2027, >> right? It's just because there's there's no date for 2027. Seems like we have no plan going forward. So that's >> yeah, I hear what you're saying and I think you know all a lot of these I mean maybe we could say all 2026 to ongoing if that helps to kind of make it feel like it's stretching into 2027 but we're assuming that we will initiate the strategy implementation starting in fall 2026 and then implementation will continue through the work plan. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Good. Yeah, we'll be ready and eager to jump into that. >> Well, I'm sure that the document shows we have a plan to go forward. >> Yeah, I think I think um I think that's good feedback and I think you can rest assured that from a staff perspective. This is we initiated in fall and we continue through the end of the work plan. Yeah. >> So, we can add ongoing to that. Oops. Yeah, same fall 2026 dash 20 spring 2027 if it feels like that will capture better. I think we just want to be careful that nothing is starting until >> until council adoption. Yeah. >> Comments. Yeah. Any comments from the public? Do you have any? >> Okay. >> Answer is not mine. >> All right. Then we move on to 63 review of draft publication packets. Um so the presentation package the large >> you can follow it. Is it? >> I think it goes up. >> Yeah, it's kind of awkward. >> That's the end. Okay. Like I think I go to this part. Oh, >> okay. So, I'm just going to run through the presentation afterwards take we'll take questions like clarifying questions and see if there's public comment and then um for a great recommendation we can go around I think is maybe have each committee member provide individual feedback to start and if you know if there's more feedback after that too if you have more thoughts we continue on but then just think just um a quick overview. I think this is going to be a little long discussion. So, we'll go over the public art strategy development uh and talk about the just the the table of contents, how the strategy is uh outlined, uh community outreach results, the public art strategy findings, vision, mission goals, recommendations, and action. We'll talk through what you know how how to look at and read the implementation plan um and our next steps. Okay. So, the strategy development. So, we initiated the project starting in June of 2025. Um, this included looking at all the city's existing artworks, uh, policies, funding mechanisms, finalizing arts community public art strategy that was started to develop and we went into community outreach engagement um, starting in September through February. So this included public outreach. We did online and paper surveys, community workshops, popup screening at a few different events. Um and um held a few different focuses too. And then we received um input from staff. Uh we talked to to staff in development, public works, community services department. Um we worked closely with um all these colleagues to help look at the strategy in a way that made sure it met all of our v various requirements and planning documents and um got some really lovely from everyone. Um and then you know we've been working on drafting the narrative uh since March. um taking all of our community feedback, the visual arts committees um drafted strategy and all of our internal staff feedback and for what what you received. Okay. So looking at the table of contents. So um the purpose of um kind of how or how we outlined everything is um to basically introduce the public art program today. Um we outline um the different programs that we have whether it runs through visual arts committee or it touches um comes from the community services department through their um different um their student or adult classes and workshops throughout the year. Um we talk about um the process to develop the strategy, best practices around public art um and the community engagement process and results. Um, and all of that takes us into the findings, the vision, mission, and goals, the recommendations and actions, which are really the beat of the document. Um, but it really, you know, if someone picked up the document, they could look at it and say, "Okay, this is where the program was at today or at the time they adopted this and then here's where we're going." Um, and then the appendices contain all the foundational documents. It has our current policies, the public art inventory, um the more details on the best practices, um and the different cities that we look to to benchmark um and then our implementation. >> Okay, so I'll quickly run through engagement um because we have we've all talked through these numbers before um but it is really fun to see. So we've got over 700 people um to participate in this. So that included all of our uh surveys, people who joined our workshops, who stopped at the booths, um people who engaged with us through the focus groups, um there was over 2,800 vision board stickers, which was really fun. Um 306 surveys collected, 206 map pins, and then we did 10 total events. Um when people, this is part of our survey question. So what's the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Mountain View? Um, so cultural culturally diverse was um the biggest one, a vibrant downtown um which if you walked through downtown before you came here, you could see how busy it is. Um, innovation and technology. Um, and then where would you like to see public art and cultural arts programs? Um, so downtown Mountain View, um, huge huge amount of people wanted to see more art there. Um and then parks and trails and trans and stuff as follow. Then what type of art would you like to see? Um so murals was a a big one. Then sculptures and functional arts. What do you think of the role of public art in Mountain View should be um providing opportunities for people to experience art that enriches their lives, bring a sense of literacy and delight to everyday spaces and then support the growth of the cultural arts. So this is another slide that you've seen before. Um just how this outlines how um we put the strategy together again. Um, so taking all of the community feedback and values, incorporating it with the visual arts committee, um, their vision, um, that you created, and then thinking about the practical application of everything, um, and how, you know, just making sure that everything aligned with all of our other requirements and >> Okay, so for best practices, um, so this is just a little snapshot that um from the best practices section of the public art strategy um there is a and you'll see in the implementation plan or sorry in the appendix um there's a larger best practices appendix that has much more detail um for for more cities than this too but it just helps show where we're at in comparison to our neighboring cities. So, um, we have, you know, we will have one full-time, um, employee, one full-time staff member. Um, and it seems like we're kind of in line with that with other cities. We do have a higher percent for art and public projects, but where we're lacking is that percent for art and private development, and we're missing those foundational policies um for maintenance, a specific policy around gifts um gifts of art and um de accessioning. Okay. So for the findings um so this is where we really tried to outline um outline all the feedback and summarize all the feedback that we received. So we broke it out into two sections and and kind of broke it out based on the two goals um which we'll talk about um in a few slides. But the first goal is really around expanding public art opportunities. Um so the different findings that we have um ones around public art collection. Um so right now there are um 122 artworks. Most of those are on private property. Um this section really talks about going from um incidental um art placement um just part of our CIP projects to more um proactive strategic um selection and then community priorities for location and typology. So in this section we talk about how um you know as you could see in this the survey results downtown Mountain View was a really big uh contender for where people want to see art. um art materials and transit areas were too. Um but you know in other conversations we heard um people want to see more like functional art in downtown. We can have artistic bike racks or benches but the shading structures um and having more um diverse cultural themes as well. And then um the next finding is around supporting the local creative um economy. So this is really focuses on technical training and this is something we heard in our artist focus group um was just providing more um resources and support for the artist community. Um making sure that they just helping them understand how they can work with the city, what's the permitting processes if they want to do art on private property. Um those different things. Um and we also heard that there's there is more demand for private murals or murals on private property. Um but people have um you know told us that the permitting complexities stopped them from moving forward with that. So um providing some some type of support with that. Um and then opportunities for downtown art activation. So, it's similar to number two, but we specifically heard from the downtown business association um and from community members, too. Um that there's interest in art in the alleyways, in the midblock throughways. Um so, there's more opportunity for those like art in unexpected places kind of in downtown and creating more fun placem options like the bowlers provide. Um and then more proactive placemaking. So again, just going more towards that strategic um strategic art selection and curation. So the second batch of findings is uh more focused on um administration funding and and policy. Uh so first um looking at policy and procedural modernization. So, as you saw in the best practices that table, and you know, as we all know, we're missing some of those foundational documents um that help support uh more mature art programs. Um so, around maintenance, conservation, de accessioning, art donations. Um so just being able to um standardize those types of policies um will help support help support and modernize our program. The second finding is around streamline streamlining procurement processes. Um so you know for lower risk projects um like murals or temporary art or the Bullards Bullard beautifification project. um thinking of ways that those projects could be done um not through the same type of permitting process that maybe a sculpture that requires engineering review or something um has to be done. So creating different levels of um procurement procurement processes um for different types of projects and different types of this would also include looking at insurance requirements for different types of projects too. And then the third is around centralized funding. Um so this looks at or talks about shifting from um more sight specific funding um which is our our current process um through the council policy K5. All of the the funding is for the specific project um to more of a a pool model. So creating a fund where um you know maybe there's a project where it doesn't make sense to include art but it is eligible um and so it does get that 2% funding but you could pull it and and use it somewhere else in the city. Um, so looking at ways to do that and then um thinking of how um >> Oh yeah, and just being able to use it then we could use um use that pulled funding to place art in areas where there's more of a need or there there isn't there's a lack of art. Then the fourth finding is about um the prioritization of long-term stewardship. So, um, again, as you think about all of these different policies and and how we're looking at funding for the city, it's just helping support a more long-term sustainable program. So the vision and mission um so I just want to note um so the visual arts committee vision was a little bit different than this but um and I think there was in the visual arts committee public art strategy there was there was no mission there was only one so we took some of this some of the same content um from the visual arts committee vision. Um we got some specific feedback from the city council uh at um the study sess study session that they held in October 2024. Um and so the vision and mission that you see it tries to encompass both both of those things. So, um, the vision, Mountain View is an arts destination with public art that enriches the city's innovative and creative culture and enhances the vibrancy of our diverse community. So, this is where we're going. The mission is to cultivate a public art ecosystem that enhances city livability, builds community, and fosters a sense of belonging with placemaking that reflects our heritage and diversity. This is the how do we get there? Um >> yes. So I mean really both um the VAC vision and and what you see here um they just both share the belief that public art helps to enrich Mountain View's innovation um and celebrate its community diversity and then we have two goals. So I'll go through the first goal. Um, so I'm not going to read the entire thing, but um, it's really to help um, so the VAC's goal, I think there it was focused on or there was one specific goal. Um, so cultivating and growing public art at Mountain View, enhancing the city's livability, fostering placemaking. Um, so you'll see that this is really all about um expanding our diversity and in artists and mediums um our programming, our branding. Um that's that's the focus of goal one. And we don't just touch on um city art, we also talk about publicly accessible art on private properties. And then the second goal is all about administration funding and policy. So, this is where we'll talk about staffing um how you know how are we paying for all of this um all of the the um collections policies and um and just making sure that the program can be sustained the long. Okay. So the recommendations and actions um so as you look through the document we can see we have um action opportunities and then guiding strategies. Um so the point of that is um the action opportunities are supposed to be more um discreet kind of check check the box um action items. You know as we look at creating a strategy it's a 10-year strategy. You want some things to be done as you go through it. But a lot of the things that we included in this document are just going to become part of um our everyday work as staff. And so um these guiding strategies are things that we're going to have to consider. Um they will end up being something that's part of the ongoing effort, whether it's an everyday thing or just part of every call for artist. Um it won't be a check check the box type of um type of action item, but something that we'll we'll continue to do. Um so just as you look at the as you look through the recommendations and actions that's the meaning for that. Okay. So these are I I included every single thing from these slides. So I apologize for the wordiness. Um but I just wanted to make sure you know as we're looking at this together we can just look at it all as one. Um so a few of the slides might be broken out by the action opportunities or guiding strategies but um for the most part we just have each recommendations one slide. Um so the first recommendation is around um diversity, inclusivity and equity. the action opportunities. These are our check off the um check the box items. So, um establishing new eligibility criteria to help diversify our collection. um whether it's based on um an artist coming in and they can only apply for so many projects or within so many years um or looking at specific types of medium for um different projects. and building a review framework for evaluating how a proposed art can expand our overall collection and developing temporary functional art program a toolkit with pre-approved locations and then uh for guiding strategies for recommendation 1A we look at um focusing on activating high visibility sites um either with gate big gateway pieces or small functional art pieces then um integrating ating community and and local historical or organizations into the selection process. So one B um this is focused on kind of the natural environment or how art can play play into the natural environment um and our key locations that people want to see art. Um so for action opportunities um you'll see for instance about the sidewalk studio program where people can say Boston was a really big one that we heard from community um creating a clear framework for volunteer-led projects. Um mapping exact target sites for unexpected placemaking so like the alleys or midblock throughways or mini parks um to help resolve geographic disparities. uh commissioning local artistled pilot projects focused on environmental preservation and then guiding strategies. Um we look at uh blending functional art into city infrastructure um emphasizing eco-friendly fabrication standards and to our commissions and celebrating both the city's tech innovation as well as its natural heritage. So 1C um this is focused on empowering local artists and providing support to them. So, um, launching a public art 101 professional development course or series. Um, and we we did talk with the community school of music and arts about this type of opportunity and they were interested in in um supporting that. Producing clear and accessible application toolkits or step-by-step instructions on how to get involved in city projects or how to apply for permits for public art. uh expanding rotating art exhibits um out of the Mountain View Center or looking for spaces in addition to the Mountain View Center for Performing Arts Lobby like in the city hall retunda area and then assessing the creation of a centralized um artist space. And then for guiding strategies, um so some of the guiding strategies include um building direct mentor or mentee pipelines and then um looking at um recruiting arts focused or finding um arts focused enterprises that are expanding um and and supporting them in finding space in the city. 1D. This is really focused on um branding and storytelling, educating the community community. Another thing we learned through our outreach is that people have seen public art in the city, but they don't know how it got there or don't don't know much else. Um and so, um some of the action opportunities are to launch a unique brand for the public art program. um upgrading our digital map uh to make it more interactive or downloadable or creating um just individual PDFs for for different sites in the city like North Bay Shore or downtown um to support people doing their own self-guided tours. Um and then creating more promotional items like stickers or coloring books. And I think we have our guiding strategies on the next page for this one. So some of the guiding strategies include um embedding arts activities at city events. So I know the community services department um does try to include different art activities at events. Um but we could support it through inviting local artists to help um lead those projects or um and um and having more of those educational materials at events too. and then focusing on uh using different city communication channels to help just educate the community more on on our program. So now we're getting into two which is so this is all focused on the administrative design and policy and funding. So recommendation 2A talks about staffing and governance. So this includes formalizing the public art administrator position and differentiating artist selection criteria by project complexity and budget. Uh piloting diversified artist selection panel model. Centralizing all public art policies on the city website. Then for guiding strategies, um this includes working with other city advisory bodies. So including them in that artist selection process. If you know it's a downtown project and you invite a downtown. >> So 2B um talks about um innovative funding model models. So just how are we get how are we paying for public art? So our action opportunities um include establishing a consolidated public art fund. Um so this is that pooling of resources um using the council policy K5 dollars or um potentially private contributions um down the line. Um and then for the guiding strategies um this talks about uh reviewing existing community benefit requirements for private developments reviewing um opportunities for that percent for art and private development requirement too and um pursuing regional partnerships. Um, so I think our examples are Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority who supported the the train depot project, Santa Clara County, Valley Water, SV Creates, and other agencies who's looking at expanding our public. So 2C um this is on policies um and kind of focuses on some of those best practices. So action opportunities include uh developing an annual work plan. Um so this will help support transparent tracking of funding milestones um and all of our art projects. Uh updating the council policy K5 to support that citywide pool of funding. um right now because the council policy K5 says we can only use it for specific projects that wouldn't updated um and adjusting the council policy K6 which talks generally about all of the gift gifts and policies or um how the city can accept gifts um and art is one little word in there. Um so updating that, removing art from that um and creating a specific policy around accepting art as a gift. um adopting a comprehensive public art collection management policy. This would include um talking about removal and de accessioning, maintenance, um all kind of the those broader pieces, the gift policy, then standardizing a maintenance plan template for all fabrications, for all new art projects, so we can more clearly track the maintenance of each individual art piece. Um some of the other pieces are enforcing a two-stage uh design review checkpoint. So doing that um RF request for qualifications followed by the request for proposal process where we might just invite a few people um pay them compensate them to create designs before making a final selection. Um and some others are um amending the zoning ordinance to clearly define where the mural is and um deviate that from our current general development permit process and there's lots more on policies. So down to the next so looking at the guiding strategies um around public art policies. So um this includes reviewing insurance. Um so this is going to be just a constant thing that we'll have to kind of monitor and see how other cities are um are how they uh enforce insurance requirements for art projects. And um and then facilitating closer collaboration between artists and and the capital improvement project managers and and contractors like I ran really quickly for it during discussion strategy a So, I'm just going to kind of describe to you what the implementation plan looks like, how to read it. Um, so every single one of those action uh opportunities and guiding strategies is listed in the implementation plan. And then for each item, we've identified um what we envision the kind of timeline to be for that that thing. um what the um estimated costs could be um and potential um community or even city department partners. Um so for timeline we have um short-term which is one to two years, midterm 3 to five, longterm five plus years. Um I will say like what you see in the appendix um it's um we we had to go through it once. You know a lot of things seem like they could be shortterm but then you have 50 short-term items that you can't get all of those done in one to two years. So we had to be really strategic and thoughtful and had to go back and update um all of them a few times to make sure that it it was truly realistic and and how we can get it done. Um and so so if you see something and you're like this can be done in a year, we we hopefully thought about that and um and had to kind of re-evaluate based on kind of some things we'll need to get done before we can do other things. So um there's a little bit of kind of order of operations and then estimated cost. So, $1 signs um under 10 grand. Two is between 10 and 50. Three is over 50k or 50,000. Um this was another one where you know some projects if it's a a single bike rack might cost under 10 grand potentially. But um if the action item says we want to see a bike rack or a giant sculpture, then it could be anywhere from 10 to over 50,000. So, um some of these you'll see a range and um and it will will really just depend um on kind of what we're able to get done and how we're able to get the funding for the projects and then potential partners. Um, I know we probably are not fully inclusive of all the the list of of groups and organizations that we could work with, but we really tried to focus on um including all of our internal departments so that when they see this document, they know, you know, we've identified you as a partner. We will need your support on this. And so we'll also need to work closely with them um to make sure that it can fit in in their schedules as well. Um, and then we tried to make sure we could include um, you know, just different arts organizations, local organizations that um, we thought could be a good partner. But it doesn't mean that's the end all be all. Um, we can add more people or it can be changed up um, as we move forward and then this slide. So, I just wanted to quickly note um so the document that was attached to the agenda tonight um that is mostly just written narrative. Um so we are completing the design now. There will be lots of pretty pictures in there and really great examples. So we'll do kind of a healthy mix of local examples um and um statewide, nationwide um from all over the place. So, we want to make sure we can point to things and and kind of give clear clear examples of things. I know when we um presented the draft narrative to some of our uh colleagues, they had questions on what's eco art, what does that look like? And so, we'll be able to have those photos in there to show this is what it could be. It doesn't have to be this, but um here's here's a good example. So, this is just a little snapshot. So you you got some of the appendix um the mostly final appendix uh pages and a little snapshot of the uh the actual meat of the document as it's in progress is kind of the way that the captions will look. Um we're going to continue to use the coloring that you see here on the right and the left with the um and and that that kind of size of font. So keeping in mind both printed and screen um readability and then um I already talked about the appendix but just reminding >> um so all of these documents are just kind of standing documents. The visual arts committee draft strategy is what was last presented to the committee. Um, council policy K5s are are our existing policies. The public inventory shows what we have today. Um, we made sure to include the city council study session as we reference it early in the dot plan and um we have the benchmarking city. So this goes into a lot more detail on um the staffing um the level of um percent or different requirements for percent for art in public and private development. Um and then there's a lot of um details about different programs that cities have too and different um some different funding, right? >> Um and then the community feedback. Um so we we do um we summarize a lot of the community feedback in the in the strategy narrative. Um this community feedback appendix just goes into um a lot more detail. Um it includes every single written response um from in the survey. Um, so we're making sure people see that they, you know, we we heard all of their feedback. We, um, and making it known and being very transparent and then we'll obviously have the implementation plan, um, as part of the campus. >> So, just before we get into questions, um, just quick look at next steps. So, um, July through September, um, after tonight, we'll finish the, um, finalizing the design of the public art strategy. um by October 1st um we intend to have the strategy posted on collaborate MB for public comment and review and then um we'll take the draft to city council for review feedback hopefully adoption October 27th and then after going get to work. Okay. So, I did fly through that. Um, before we take public comment, do are there any clarifying questions about process or just anything? >> So, the city council can then still change things or say we want this first or that first. >> Yeah. So they'll um I think it'll tech well it'll be a new business item I think for the council meeting October um but I anticipate discussion and um they yeah they can provide feedback on how things are worded or how things are organized whether to include any action items. Are you planning a study session? Um, city council is what it is. >> Yeah, but we got a lot of feedback in the from the study session in the fall. So, >> you know, everyone's really eager for us to >> get to to adoption. So, it'll be but but as Kristen said, you know, we are anticipating a robust discussion because it is a lot of interest. Um yeah, >> department directors reviewed >> so you know level staff definitely has reviewed the >> so to be able to communicate with you know >> form >> and council will get the same document right with all the appendixes and >> and they'll have the full design. >> Yeah. >> With the full design. Yeah. They're beautiful. >> Yeah. And I mean, as Kristen said, it's out currently for public >> public feedback. So there will be a, you know, it'll be a lot of time for people to absorb and provide public comment. >> Yeah. >> And in a way, this is the first time it's public, right? Because if people are following our >> our meeting tonight and the package, they can. >> Yeah. >> Exactly. >> Yeah. We did share um all of our public art strategy subscribers, which I think has gotten to over 600 people, which is nice. So that's a big step. >> Yeah, it is interested party now, >> right? >> So we sent out an email last week to all the that subscription list um just letting them know we're talking about this tonight. um give some of that high level overview of the feedback again and um >> see if there's any public comment >> um question like is there a timeline on my account obviously like it was like two minutes three minutes what the same >> um yeah I think we two minutes if that's you want our chair? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Well, fair enough. Like that's why I wanted to kind of make sure that we're first of all, I love what you guys do here. Um because honestly, like you know, the congratulations on 600 uh subscribers because hopefully I'll have to 6,000 in another year because what you guys do here develops the soul in the heart of the community. So what and I love how Mountain View really focuses on that. Um, well, on that note though, like I don't know if there could be something within your guys' like, you know, uh, strategic art plan to develop maybe a Mountain View Museum of Art kind of like they have in San Jose. They have a San Jose Museum. I know, you know, something sparked out in the budget. That's a big undertaking project, but it's just just an idea to, uh, put out there. And also um I know you guys have a lot of uh outreach projects for non artists like you have like workshops like the open studio workshop and then the thing that's going to be coming up uh which is like you know that you invite other artists and you look through some of the nonprofits to um spotlight folks who are professional artists but what about outreach to folks who aren't conditionally artists like for example folks who work in healthcare folks who work as policemen or military so so forth. But it would be a good way to like, you know, outreach to those uh professions and people to get them to entice their creative mindset and maybe implement that into your strategy. And finally, when you guys said uh the sidewalk studio, I immediately thought you guys meant individually sidewalk, not the the public like, you know, uh cubes, because I think that would be a good idea for you guys to explore. kind of like how we have uh a lot of public art in some of the larger cities or less Hollywood more like you know Brooklyn where you actually have sidewalks that are painted that represent like you know the community like where you have like you know individual like you know blocks on the sidewalk where it's like hey this looks like a school or this looks like you know a park and you could have a city build that or even like what you guys have with priv private public partnerships where you actually work with companies or even just children just like you know go on a sidewalk and just like you know establish art that's converted and that's another drawing effect to the city. So just a couple thoughts. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> You have one hand raised online too. >> Hi Jesse. Jessie. Jesse. >> Hey Jesse. >> Hey. How you doing? What's up? So um yeah, thanks for getting it to the stage. I just have a few uh additional comments. So, I wanted to support um removing barriers to public art, including permit fees um and uh just just permits in general that seem to pop up unexpectedly. We've had um opportunities in the past to have cool public art that were kind of derailed by permits um or at least delayed. Um, so for example, you're all aware of the uh additional structural engineering permit required by the cool tall butterfly sculpture going up at Evelyn Park. And that's just seems kind of wrong for me to say, "Hey, uh, congratulations. You're hired by the city. We're telling the artists, we're going to pay you to do this sculpture, but first you have to pay us a bunch of money for this permit that you didn't know that you would need that we made no mention of before." Um, so I also support a percent for public art. Um, for private development, that would be great. The public art fund that can carry over from year to year, um, instead of vanishing at the end of the year would be really helpful to build up for those kind of big gateway pieces, those iconic pieces of art. Um, we already discussed allowing uh the percent for art funding to be used in other parts of the city. So that's great. I think that's important. And pulling all the funding together would help. And um I support pursuing additional funding through grants. Um maybe having some actual grant writing done um by our new public art manager or city staff. Um because I think the only grant I can think of recently that has resulted in public art is through Anita Rosen doing all that work kind of on behalf of the city. Um and I think now there's lots of public money out there. We can we can write those grants too. So yeah, I'll talk again at the city council meeting, but um thank you and good luck and I hope this goes through goes well. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Thanks, Jesse. >> No one else online. >> Okay. So then we can >> Yeah. >> comment where you want to start commenting. So, Cliff suggested we just all just go around feedback. Go around. >> Um, yeah, I think Jesse brought up a good point with the um with the permits, you know, it's like it's bureaucratic. You have to fill out the forms and then the cost. I think if we can maybe even wave the cost for art permits, that would be great. just not a subsidy maybe to the artist, but you know, I mean, we get, you know, paid for the project and then they have to they don't know how much the the permits are, but I know building permits can be costly and pay $1,000 for say a structural permit. >> I'm I'm going to want to respond to all of you thing. I will say um I'll let you talk but um on the murals I will say we just got approved city council to create a a mural specific permit um that is um $300. So it's covering staff time to review it sure that it doesn't um conflict with any of our um rules on signage and advertisement. And um so that's reducing it from I think it was 1,00 um down to 300. So we were able to do that but I just wanted to say that but I'll like let you all continue talking maybe >> and um and just as a note I mean I I think we want to hear from you about you know obviously any questions but are the action items and the guiding strategies the right ones? you know, that's a perfect example of one that's in the it's in the strategy and we'll we'll be come back to um BAC with recommendations as we go into implementation. Um so we want we really want to make sure though that >> what's in the strategy reflects your goals and priorities and what you hope to see and make sure are we missing things? Have we approached something in a way a different way than we should? >> Um are there things that you feel should be prioritized? Um I think that kind of feedback will be really helpful. Um, you know, we part of creating this special meeting was to make sure we had plenty of time to take your feedback in and that we would have time to make modifications. If we're totally on the the same page and that all the better for us, but you know, um, we really want to use this as a working meeting to make sure that we're getting that we are we are aligned with the strategy that Yeah. So just as a a note, >> I also feel a little bit that the part of supporting artists in in a way like studio space or a gallery will be in here but a gallery here like kind of exhibition >> uh commercial exhibition uh space. Then we have this the the piece of the bowl going outside of a you know like a real gallery but >> there is a private one now. >> Well that's brand new. >> It's right next to that architect. >> Yeah the beginning surprising >> it's a beautiful space. It's beautiful. >> An artist that applied >> for activity here. >> He's in there now. The owner or what's in there now? >> No, an artist exhibit. >> Yeah. >> But that's going to be changing. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> But it's a gallery. >> Castro the I think >> they're going to have an open corner. It's like two down from Leone. >> Two down from Leone. like an article from Lex where this good I'm sorry have a question for that is are you are you talking specifically um >> I I'm just talking about prioritizing that more >> it's in here I know it's in here that's great >> that's what I'm asking city sponsored space or >> city sponsored space and connected to that maybe sort of I'm I'm seeing more like something like the center for creativity in Redwood City. >> So, you know, sort of studio slash >> show studio >> studio space jumping on >> you know like sort of a art art hub or art space. >> Not gallery specific. No, >> talking about like a full >> like a you know show gallery showroom but then >> studios you know like a an art space >> and then I have can I piggyback on that just >> why don't we let Regina >> I mean this is in here and that's great I just want to you know push that forward up up in the uh the food chain. Yeah, I think so. >> So, I I I completely want to jump on that and support that with the studio space. I mean, I've heard so much input from the downtown Mountain View. That's been the one main thing that I've heard over and over again besides murals. And uh to bring up what was just shared, uh I was just in Slovenia and that they had a exhibit that was art and health. And so healthcare workers were in doing art in the thread that comes through the connection of art and health. And so there were health workers in there and it was like an incredible experience that could be in the studio space bringing in like the police force just like it brings in this subtle connection that we all have that's not really um made available and I think that could be something really cool and that could be part of that >> if there was a studio space or a public space. So you can and you can have kids come in. So there could be different drawing in from our community and and integrating our community in addition to just artists, you know, that aren't >> they don't have you don't have to be an artist to be an artist like to to experience connection through art. >> And I watched what happened. It was it was incredible. These people were like >> a lot came up a lot of connection through the staff, you know, that they don't get to have that connection. So to provide that ability to connect through art in our community to me would be a really super cool thing to do. >> And where was the example from that you mentioned? >> I was in Slovenia. >> Yeah. And they actually recruited an artist from the UK who's a textile artist and she there were a bunch of healthcare workers that came together and explored just it was mostly intentional mending and how that actually mends like it creates a lot of healing >> and then they sort of stuff would come up and then they discuss it and so and then these people left like closer than when they came. Yeah. Really was. I was like, and this this is not new. This is going on all over Europe, by the way. We don't do a lot of it here, but it it art is a non-negotiable in most of the world. >> Oh boy. Um, sure. I guess I'll just quickly plus one um more collaborative space. Um, I just had a few I don't know if I had anything like to boost or to to priority on but I maybe just had a few clarifications or things that more were clear to me at least reading if that would be helpful but um I think a couple different places we the document refers to maintenance as well as conservation and I read it clearly enough to say that conservation wasn't you know in the like sustainability sense so are those terms clear to everyone else because I guess it was just a little I didn't understand why we're using one versus the together in certain context. >> We can provide definition in there just because it might that you're right that maybe that was just like a miss on our end in the sense of um being public art you know nerds over here. So um but typically those definitions are in a policy. So when the policies developed or you can look at other cities policies, it'll say the definition of public art, definition of what an artist is, definition of maintenance definition. So you know that would likely end up being in something developed down the line. But in in regards to this specific narrative, perhaps we should include that um as when we mention maintenance, this is what we're referring to, this is what this is it. >> Yeah. Yeah. And again, yeah, I understand there's different technical lingo for the core policies versus the communicate external communication. I was so clear about that. Um, >> maybe provide just a high level. >> Yeah. So, maintenance would be like um say uh Okay. So, for example, if you go to downtown San Jose and you see the ground the people with the ground works and they have like their trash can and they if they see something on um like a soda stain on a statue and they've already been communicated with the city person who works in public art, you can use this type of cloth and quick that's maintenance. Quick maintenance. Conservation is going in bringing in a conservationist to really review say an artwork that's part of the city's collection and understand the material that has been used. You know, uh is it in still is it still in good condition? What is the cost that it was when it originally was installed and what is the cost now if it were needing to be um needing to be you know fixed in some way, right? And so they really determine should this continue to still be part of the collection and give kind of a a um analysis on the artwork to the public art director and and share you know I would recommend maybe remove this from the collection because it may cost more. So it it really is more indepth >> more in depth um >> like a shortterm long-term well today. Um, I thought it was, this is more just a comment, but I thought it was interesting that there were, depending on how you counted, like four or five items that were just about um, like setting different criteria for selection, which um, I don't know. I guess I like that. I think certainly I was thinking, you know, when we were voting on our 10 things that and some sort of criteria would be nice and I assume it's obviously more broad than that, but like that stood out to me a bit. Um and then just one other minor comment. Uh 1D.4 I think was basically the one saying something along the lines of having you know people like tours or some such basically to promote uh taking people around to promote the art and talk about it. Um, I think the word framework is in there for like how that would work and but um I think specifically it'd be great if there was you know like a script you could follow essentially or like a resource for part of that being a resource people to just like know what to say about things because that sounds really exciting but I can't I assume even you know us on the committee wouldn't know all the interesting tidbits about such things. Excuse me. I think that's >> Hi. >> Well, this is huge. First of all, it's great. >> It's vast and I applaud so much of it. Um, I love the pooling of the funding because I think that's been definitely missing piece for a long time. And um I would definitely piggyback on the uh studio space and kind of c you know community community arts center that could draw different um groups and generations and backgrounds to an art collaborative you know um activities in a studio slash community center slashg gallery space like they're doing inwood city. Um, one question I kind of have is, well, uh, they're kind of related. Um, I did notice that, uh, the community picked downtown as definitely a prime area for putting art, but I also understand that, uh, focus, Mountain View's focus is to be equitable with its placement of art. So I I know you can't develop everything in this document right now or maybe the one that you're developing will be more um have more steps but like how just a thought and you don't have to answer this right now like how who and how are you going to come to terms with um what the public wants which seems to be you know downtown parks transit hubs which I I totally get um but also um spreading the art out into different communities um throughout Mountain View is our mechanism for that decision making. Um secondly, kind of related, it's so there's so much going on and I I get that it's a 10-year timeline. Have you thought about because I know you have included the public in so much of this and you would want to do that going forward. Have you thought about um how will you measure your rate of success with all this and show that publicly because so much of what we do is about marketing ourselves and you know showing that we are are are meeting what our promises are. Um, so that's that's a question, you know, h how do you share um is there an ongoing way to share your successes, your ongoing successes with with the public? And um because that if you did that then then people would start to I mean you can't do everything all at once, right? And I I know that Kristen talked about that with the timeline, but even even with the timeline, there are certain things that are going to get done before other things. And so it would be nice to be able to see that in in real time like you know these are done and we you know so just thoughts about how you're going to share that >> and then um yeah I think that that that's mostly the thoughts I had. I I really the pooling is so important. Are we expecting So is city council going to go through and like say yes yes like these discreet things or are they how are they going to do we know I'm that's not clear to me exactly how they will discuss I think it can >> they can they like red line this you know like can they like not 1D you know point4 but 1D.5 kind of thing can they be that specific >> um they can be as specific as they would like to be although they will be approving the document as a whole but there could be you you know, we're approving the document with the with the modify modification to 1D, okay, as it might be. So, we anticipate the discussion will could get into some great detail, but you know, the recommendation will be ideally having them recommend >> strategy with maybe some changes or modifications. >> It is completely within the purview to of the council to send it back to C um to staff for further refinement with direction. So, you know, they are empowered to approve or not approve or approve with direction or changes. Um, you know, staff's recommendation will be approving of the document, but um council is within their power to to do take an alternate >> take it all or take it or take >> based on the study session that we had last fall. You know, this is we had we got a lot of great feedback from them at that time. So, you know, I I think we're optimistic that the strategy will be if it will >> reflective of their comments. >> I see. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Yeah. And I think as you get into it, like my guess is that some of it is going to be like um as you go, you might have to develop like, you know, um subsets, substeps to some of this stuff. And I assume that there'll be a mechanism for that. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, and I can answer both your questions or give more context to it. So the sharing metrics um what we've done with the economic vitality strategy, we have a similar implementation plan, but they were all built in as just check the box items and we've realized that most of them have become ongoing work. Um and so that's kind of part of the decision and creating those um the differentiation in those action items. Um and so we've taken annual updates to the council. Um we just were on our year two update. So we um we'll do the same thing with the public art strategy. So there will be updates to the visual arts committee, updates to the city council um on our progress. So we'll, you know, we'll let you know where where we've started to make progress, whether it's just, you know, we've made a little step, but we have begun to we have begun this one action item or we've already checked this off or um so we'll be giving progress updates so that it'll all be public >> and that's with the within the committee setting >> and it's accessible to the public if they tune in. >> Yeah. And and available online and Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And so that same that um we have that public art strategy subscription list too. And so we'll continue to use that for all all public art updates. Um and so we can use that same um subscription list too to the people who have already told us they're interested in hearing about public art updates. They'll continue to get news. >> And I'll just say you know one for the economic vitality strategy we do report out on in progress. So we have, you know, something that may not be completed, but we note that we're working on it. So there's different language and labels that we use to communicate various ways that we're working on things. And then to your point, all the substeps, we've tried to really roll these up into, you know, higher level points. But obviously when we jump into any of these action items, we're going to have to create a whole plan and subset. Like each of those will require a little mini work plan for each action item. Um and so we'll be staff will be responsible for >> you know putting together a little mini work plan, soliciting feedback, um engaging stakeholders. I mean each of those will will be a a little project in their own. >> Yeah. And I mean just like we have the capital improvement project um monthly updates um we can do you know we'll do similar things like that whether it's bringing a full agenda item to the committee to talk through what you know creating a policy or whatever it is or um just providing updates on you know we've started looking into this um and we're you know we're figuring out where to go from here or kind of here's our work plan moving forward on on the different items. So you'll get up you'll get updates along the way, but we'll also have a more robust annual update. >> Yeah. And then you had the question on kind of the I think it was like balancing community interest for location and equitable distribution of art. Um so we have a few action items that talk about um prioritizing areas in the city. Um so a lot of like where we put art depends on the funding that we have. So, there's so many things that come into play. Um, there are a lot of grants available for downtown because we're close to transit. There's, you know, a main street. There's more funding opportunity for downtown, which then would help answer our community needs, but then there's the small parks that still need art that don't have it. Um, when we have that pool of funding and start developing that um the resource pool, then we'll have more money to be able to work through that priority list. Um and then being able to create more distribution. >> Got it. >> Yeah. >> I was just going to mention there is there is um you know the educating the public right and through a great marketing and development of you know campaign of of what this program is and I think that's going to be big as well. you know, really get eyes from LinkedIn, from, you know, um, Instagram, Facebook, all of those, as well as emails, I think, is going to be huge, too, to let them know updates. Got it. And they have a the city has a great relationship with Silicon Valley Creates, I'm sure, as you guys know. And Silicon Valley Creates is has content magazine underneath their belt and content, you they really push out what's happening in different cities throughout the county. So, there are other ways to go about Um, first of all, thank you so much. This is amazing. Amazing. I mean, Regina and I had the opportunity to see it like a couple of weeks ago because we were engaged in the VAC strategy and I think it it reflects that really well and there's so many and there's so much more to it. Um, and I think it's really it's really really >> nice to see it. >> It's so exciting that we're we're getting there. Um, I have three comments on the different action uh items. I mean what already said and thanks so much for already implementing the some of the things we discussed. Um but I saw because I had mentioned one thing that I had mentioned um that's one D create a signature event because for mountain you like something art related that is us uh because we had that in the original VAC strategy and that's something I had mentioned and now that everybody's saying like we're craving something like we want an art space we want a >> something happening a popup event or a like almost everybody said that so far. I just wanted to iterate that one more time. I I think what we're all craving is maybe also to mark the art strategy implementation like that we have something on our own that could be a museum. I I don't mean like a signature event that that might that that exactly what's going to happen. It could be an event, could a space like a new space that we don't have yet or a a popup event that keeps coming that has art as a collaborate like you said collaborative art in mind. Um that we are we are the city who does something highly collaborative for example or or or make a maker event. Maybe we're more the makers, crafters, >> explorer city, but just that we ex that we have an action item that maybe spells that out a little bit that we're explore going to explore. Uh something something we knew that for the city of mountain is art related that we that we hop to develop some. Um and then um Lacy and I had a feedback from a community member and she said she read through the because it was public, right? She read through the strategy and she said she would like to see more integration with music, dance, theater, poetry readings and then I saw which and she said that in in in relation to to aa engage other CD advisory bodies because that related to us as an advisory body to collaborate with other advisory bodies. But when she said that, what made me think is what maybe not enough reflected in the strategy yet is what the art coordinator's role is going to be because what she what she's kind of alluding to is maybe talk to Teresa right from the CPA like but that wouldn't be us right that would the art coordinator might get together has has ongoing meetings with her how can be you know how can can can can uh visual art in mountain collaborate with performing arts but that's wouldn't be the advisory body so what's here is is correct right like we would we would coordinate with other advisory bodies >> but what's missing because we don't have one yet or just have one yet what's the going to be the role of the visual arts coordinator right that could be because we had in our strategy a bit more spelled out. Collaboration was a bit more spelled out because we had less. So there was a whole block on just collaboration, marketing and outreach. And I thought maybe collaboration because that's what that's what I'm hoping would be one of the big roles of the art coordinator could maybe already be baked in in the strategy because we can't do that. There's a lot of things that one staff member who has a lot of other things to do and we as an advisory body can do. But maybe we should we should foresee already what the art coordinator can do, right? And have maybe some of the action items more also relate to that like what would that person do? Would that person have monthly meetings with the CPA or with other city other city entities and things like that and and then the only other action item feedback I have which I had mentioned already is because we're saying um on conduct a comprehensive review and update of city council policy K5 five to transition to um the dedic dedicated fund and I was hoping because we have because we have that cap in the in the K5 right now that it could the wording could a bit more also say because it says review and update the K5 policy that's the right direction but then it says to transition and what I would actually would like to say like can we review the whole thing because maybe it is not appropriate for our art strategy anymore? I don't know if I can express that correctly because it sounds like we only review and update it to transition it to an art fund but to me it feels what I would want to say is let's just review and update like just we have the whole strategy now um is what we have doing have been doing so far is that still thinking of the cap for example like just kind of saying yes we need to review and update review the the K5 five policy to see if it fits the strategy, not just to transition to that. >> Yeah. Any updates would come back to the visual arts committee. So the the modifications to the K5 policy we would get the DAC's feedback on before bringing it to city council. So I think um it doesn't have to be just transitioning to the fund when we have that discussion. We can talk about what the max um funding cap would look like. And I think as part of the staff the staff's person role, bringing that to the PC and council would be doing some analysis on what are our neighbors doing. And so I think we might not want to include a a number in there now. Um but it can be part of that. >> Yeah. Yeah. I wouldn't want to spell it out at all, but not just simply tie it to the transition. Just say we want to review it. >> Maybe it's just repeat the strategy >> part or just kind of going back to that specific item and saying reviewing K5 policy. >> We can look at ways to broaden the language. >> It just Yeah. or say or or or we keep the pulled in and just in front of it such as >> the language ambiguous or so it's included or >> such as but not too >> and then the only other comment I have is is on the implementation I I quickly checked like uh is the you know is the the explore expansion of public art opportunities in private development what what tag that has and it it says a lot a long-term project and I just want to give the feedback maybe hopefully that's not long-term project midterm or short term and maybe also is that something that the community can weigh in like like I mean this will all be public um you know when like what I just did right I'm hoping this might be more of a priority than in a long-term project are you seeking input from the community on that particular thing. What should be done first, right? Because part of why we wanted a closer look on the our strategy was to kind of see what what are our priorities? We have only limited time. What are we going to do first? What is the most important thing to us? And I haven't really had time to look through all like is it shortterm, midterm or long term? But hopefully that's something we can all look at together again and again and maybe also get community feedback that people tell us, "Oh my god, I want this first. I want this first." Like that we get a bit more of a sense what >> our community wants. Yeah, something we've I mean with the economic vitality strategy, we've seen you know some things have come up sooner that have been a long-term item and it's um you know we've been able to get it done sooner just um because of other circumstances. Um for the president for art and private development that is marked as longterm because we will need to bring on a consultant to do some sort of um like a a nexus study. um it it's considered an impact fee and so adding a an additional fee uh to to private developers. We'll have to complete a study on that. Um we'll have to engage with developers and property um talk to them about what that actually looks like, get their feedback. Um and so that it's a lot of money um to hire a consultant and it's going to be a big time commitment too. Um so as part of that nexus study, as part of um the outreach, there will be um opportunity for the public to engage with that, but there there are um there's a number of steps that are required. >> Yeah. No, no, I totally understand. And I'm sure you thought about it long hard. >> I just felt like that might be a very valuable community feedback. Let us know what is really pressing for them, what's less press. And we certainly got a lot of feedback during the outreach strategy. I mean, in creating the implementation plan, we took it all the public, you know, all the public community engagement, you know, what we heard from you uh in the draft strategy and and that we've heard along the way, input from council during um >> uh during the study session. And then we've as Kirsten said there was a lot of internal discussion with staff as we really look you know if we look at that ven diagram the practical application staff came in and re provided you know realistically um their feedback about how things could move forward because one of the things we have to be cognizant of is that every department has different strategies that they're moving forward and they've been been assigned different priorities. I mean our team of three has three strategies that we're moving forward and so it is a bit of a balancing act as we try and you know move all of these pieces forward. So we are looking at the practical application and balancing out capacity and resources and um and community feedback. So all of that gets got sort of pulled into how we approach the implementation plan. Certainly, you know, that's part of the feedback we want from you all is are there things we should prioritize further and we can look and see realistically how how how much we can move things up. >> Yeah, >> sounds good. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> So, overall I found it a beautifully written document. Really clear, just beautifully written. Um, and I think it marks a beautiful transition to a new paradigm from I think the document talks about we're in a reactive mode now going to see art as an asset to the city that's managed in a proactive way as a dramatic shift and starts really well. Um but um and such a big change um pick up a little bit of what this alluded to doesn't talk about how are you going to monitor it success um in other major strategies that have come council like on the parks for the parks plan and the biodiversity plan they've adopted a language called adaptive management they um which was used um on the salt pond restoration where you're basically taking steps along the way and learn what works and what doesn't work and then revise. So you don't have to have everything perfect at the beginning but you take steps along the way. You know you're going to take steps along the way to learn from them and uh change um goals based on what you've learned. sort of able to step forward. Um, and you might I I would add to the document how you're going to gauge success making strategy on implementing the strategy. Just just describe a framework so that you can report back to the public that you've had success and this is what we now are going to be doing. So because um it's such a big change and we want and we all want it to be successful but um it's okay to start going for we know we're going to start forward going forward we know we're going to make this we're going to learn something but we step forward and we're going to need to change and that when we do change we're going to report back and I would in here that you're going to report back like every year but you and and you mentioned it verbally to us but I would put it in document so people see it. Um I have a lot of I have a lot of feedback that page some of it is minor but some of it is more substantial if you have patience bear with me. And so on H3 you use the word modernize and use it 14 times the time and I do not know what you mean by modern you mean best practice cities can't define what what it is modern modernize it what does that mean I think I know what it means maybe make a little bus make it make it more like awkward looking cities but modernize modern I don't know what it means on page 13 um we alluded to before you had the FT um um the way it's present in the document it looks like we've had the FTE but we don't and you might put in put in a note that the FTE starts in Denver or some or or whenever it's something new, but in in when you we're comparing it to the other cities where the document show states it shows like we've had an FTE all all the law and it's and you know we have it and it's a big change but I I I would just >> um note that that that really is on um page 17 um you mentioned business owners but really the uh and and you mentioned other parts parts document. It's the property owners that's sometimes a blocking issue. And I know that the city um chamber went with downtown committee to contact the property owners discovered that the property owners one don't live here um don't know even what mountain view is because it's investment for them and their fear of doing changes to the property is change the assessed value of property hence increasing their taxes and so that gets a conflict between what business owner wants and the property owner wants I I I I would add in the property owner as a as an issue or as a as a topic too when I move. Um um on um page 18, you mentioned that the examples have it um reference for light which I was kind of surprised at. But you later in the document you're talking about kinetic art and that might be a better word. >> Use kinetic. >> Yeah, kinetic was light. It sounded like it was kind of a cool factor for what was um presented and people had seen that before gravitate but it might um issues around light pollution and all that stuff. word kinetic might be it might be better on um on pages 19 and 20 um utilizing art in the city. Um I would really recommend that you uh talk about using city buildings. City buildings are in the downtown a big one and outside city hall on Castle Street on Mercy Street. huge walls that can be used for murals. He owns it. We don't have property issues property. We're the property owner and um use that as a campus for moving our roads out through the city. to use the city city's own buildings as um add that as a method as a site for forming work. Um and I sent to as you mentioned on page 58 respondents wanted to see in the city plaza. So I I I I've been in that we're going to activate the city city hall um as a as a place to our east. Then on um 23 you say best national best practices >> national best practices. Yeah we talked about that. have >> um bill 23 um you mentioned innovative funding and I don't know what innovative funding means um I look at innovative funding and I'm thinking are you thinking bitcoins cryptocurrency what what are you doing so I I would I would clarify >> um 25 when you get on strategy 1 G again this is um using the facade is I would add that into one um as you can see it can what a wonderful way to show the research city of the city so that that would add to strategy 1 a um um you mentioned on page should trade age 27 the Silicon Valley identity and um so which mean more I think more into the tech world but um multiple cultures and over 100 years old as we have on the same thing but I would we cultures discussion Um so you um you mentioned the uh attempt or or I wanted to align art into new developments which is obvious because that's where the money is going going to occur. But we have a problem where um that then puts it into ISIS isolated unrested community and it kind of goes against the spreading out um art in the rest of the city as opposed to pockets where there's going to be development with Swiss men. Um but um we need to have mentioned before you know where people live now we get art into brainstorm not just where developers are going to come in developers also come from the outside and as we saw in San Antonio they think things are coming great place and so the industry innovation way to the media I think to us as as residents But we need to have hard copies where people live, not just where there's going to be future development. >> That's around page 27. covered. >> Um I would also then um ask each neighborhood association to create an identity in heart neighborhood that um leads into neighborhood associations. I would reach out to them, engage them, say, "What part would define your neighborhood and and identify your neighbor and put it into your park so that you're activating showing that we're reaching out to community agenc and the neighborhood associations could I think a good um work with presidents um and also I would work with school boards uh because school boards reach into young kids and it gets into all um all sectors of societ society and sometimes neighborhood associations are necessarily where some people like we're instructing today is a neighborhood association by working through the school board reach out to the parents and certainly the kids also it's a way to show with the school we had these issues in the past conflict superintendent city at times this opportunity perhaps to show collaboration with with child who um parents who may not um readily associate with the association or others. Um then on 28 with action C5 um I would really really really really really really like to see an event um that's kind of unique that's separate that celebrates mountain view like a paint a plane air event invite people artists to come out and this plane air painting in shoreline or Roger's son at San Antonio have examples in Annapolis where they do this as a city event. Um like I do that that's a wonderful way to celebrate art and celebrate the beauty and your goodness. Um and it'll be something that's marketable and attract folks and uh contribute to the can what's unique about um on page 28 um again um I would add in property owners along with the business owners um um so on page 33 you're you talk about activating the public trails some sidewalks bordering corporate headquarters and um so that's basically puts it out to where there's New York Bay shore where the big companies are at as opposed to where residents live. So, um I would look to is there a way to bring large where residents live and we a percentage of the street budget donate out for art for pedestrians where where parents of walking their babies. Um, so that not just focusing on the corporate world and the sidewalks where the workers work, but we're finding ways to bring art people in. And and if um can we use and in order to do that, can we use part of the budget that already exists for um street maintenance? there's an active transportation activities that goes on in the city. We piggyback on that in order to um as ways to unify the trails or bicycles or for pedestrians and um find out where pockets will have most impact. Um, so I'm basically can we use some of the active transportation funds in order to wave fair into the neighborhoods. Um and we're and also kind of emphasize I think the document talks about this a bit to where people gather obviously that's that's who the attract of the downtown is for sure but it's also um pioneer park it's also parks etc. um want to bring into those areas as well. Um now the uh implementation plan um um define um we had 17 short-term projects and um that's a lot. Um is there a way for you to um indicate getting short-term fun you break down this 17 into first priority second you know short short or what what's the priority with just so sense that actually accomplish something 17 is a lot um um and getting and my mind getting uh you mentioned in 2A1 the hiring boarding is going to be a real key to the successful public program that need that's um everything will rise and fall by by successful hire um also I saw um some word which you term But I think we're going to need them for public safety. Um so um one one C1 2 A2 2 C9 2C 10 C1. If you have a smooth >> one on page three on page six and then 22, page 8, 2C9, 2C, 2C1. Um also I would add into the document which you had here is the definition written in the document. >> Yeah, this implementation plan is not the final version. So there will be yeah a clear definition. Yeah, I I'm just what I was looking for it. >> Yeah, >> it'll be on the bottom of each page for the just so you so like as somebody's looking at it like they know through each page instead of just at the top. >> Good, good, good. >> So, so, so that's it. But overall, so so the these are more refined, but overall it's a fantastic. What a change. What a change from where I started seven years ago where we were just kind of responding to a part coming on it and thinking that we have to um focus on this one little issue broad perspective doing a fabulous job in shifting dialogue shifting the mindset beautiful couldn't be happier to you all and again beautifully written document just beautifully clear so congratulations your team effort about that. >> So I'm I'm hopeful that the city council will be behind it and deal with the funding issues. That's going to be obviously critical. The fact that they supported getting hiring somebody midterm is fabulous. Just it's just I'm not I've not seen that before. That's just trying to Hopefully you you gotten somebody. >> Just something came up. I didn't realize we were like going around just once. I just was piggybacking on her. I didn't even say what I was going to say, which is very short, >> but may I? >> Sure. >> So, uh, for and I you might have written this in there. I'm super brain dead right now. I apologize. And I just am wondering if we did mention the putting in the built-in opportunities to collaborate and strategize with other committees, namely performing arts, just because even the downtown committee, like with the way the chairs are and the aesthetics, I've gotten so many comments from people and they think it's us and I'm like, our decision. Because I mean when you see something that's visually not appealing your head goes to oh that's the art that's the people and I'm like we don't have anything say but it'd be really nice to be in relationship with these committees maybe by annually quarterly I don't know but just so we can kind of people don't think about things. It's like things are unconscious and they're not decided. These things aren't they don't make an opinion and decision. They just don't think about them. So if it's brought up, did you think about this or did you notice this in terms of an aesthetic or is this practical and what can we do to integrate both? And I know we've discussed this in our past meetings like oh that's a bench that's the that committee. Oh but if we integrated it into both like it could be aesthetic and a bench and ser periods purposes and that's even written you know in the public. So I just think that that's important. I don't remember if it's written in there. I think it was brought up, but just I I that that would be something that would be really helpful. And then um it was mentioned like to bring a project up that was specific to Mountain View. I second whatever that and I was just up in San Monteo. They have a mural that just went up was a pilot project and so I met what's the equivalent of your position the the woman who she's like worker. Her name's Amy. She's in >> Oh, she's new there. >> Yes. Yeah, I know. >> I spoke at length with her. >> So they had a pilot project for >> the new um public art director. >> Yes. >> And then so she worked with basically all the committees came together and they would it wouldn't have happened had the committees not come together. It was this huge project and it was a pilot. So they can now learn from it and they're going to continue it. And basically artists were invited their experience was irrelevant to come and paint. I think they had some sides. So a certain portion uh painting that was then going to be turned into a mural and then the public was out watching it and they chose the person. So what happened was this person was chosen. Incredible artist. He'd never painted a mural before like a huge wall. So, uh, someone stepped up and was his mentor and we went to the the um, whatever the ribbon cutting and I know this artist actually he was the one that was in here earlier today. Okay, >> that's he came in and he's phenomenal. So, another teacher who's painted mirrors all over the world was his mentor and he did most of it but just in terms of the size. So, what they decided was, and I think I heard this kind of pop up in these discussions tonight, that next time they're going to have a muralist and then that muralist is going to agree to mentor the person that's selected. So it will be a lot smoother because in any way again it's a integrating you know bringing in opportunity and community and then people see that and it spoke highly of like just Samonteo's philosophy and integrating diversity. So um I just thought it was a really interesting pilot project and that what they've learned how they're going to move forward. So yeah, >> can I just add one real quick thing just uh on the to piggy back off cliff? Um a particular word choice that just uh stood out to me um on page 26 uh recommendation 1b says utilize public art to enhance the user experience. So I realize or I assume I gather the the thrust of that is about the kind of the functional aspect finding way finding and such but I don't know maybe this is just me because I'm trained professionally a user experience designer and I feel like that word choice strikes me as not entirely correct just in terms like I don't know something about how visitors are experiencing how someone about the town is experiencing I think it's like it's a per using referring to the person as a user seems a little strange there even though I understand that they are interacting with these pieces of art in that context. >> In that regard, maybe the difference between art and design because there's signage for wavefinding and things like that which are not art, they're design. I think we also have to just really be clear you know what I I don't have a specific recommendation we do it or we do it not or or how that but we need to be aware that two different things what what is what is in in our area know and is somebody else in the city because that's what this is alluding a little bit too right like is somebody else uh responsible for design for the overall design and the branding city picss that are more designed items, right, than art item. And one idea I had for this event was a what we talked before was an artist residency or like have a city artist for a year that would be the new city artist and and that person would put up events or would do something like a public mural for everybody or or depending on the artist. this artist will do uh word art or reading for everybody that it would be up to an artist that we invite things things things for us uh during that year because um Palto has the coverly publicly art studios and they make their artists do stuff right in in return for for um subsidized rent and they give classes they do the open houses, they give talks like alongside that line. Maybe we we don't have studios to offer right away, but we could maybe invite one artist every year to piece things of that. >> And if funds were an issue, that could even be integrated with performing arts because we're, you know, it could be a visual, could be music, could be reading, could be, but if it's under the art umbrella and it that was something that >> might not even be a visual artist. >> Yeah. I mean just because that's what happens too with artists in residency. >> Um you can be an artist you know again a performing artist all those things but it that under the art umbrella and the richness and and the we have a interest in >> thinking along those lines searching for something. >> Yeah. So that's like why it might be nice to like have a meeting with performing arts, you know, just to kind of percolate some things so we're all working together a little bit because we're not separating arts was mentioned a few times and um I want to be mindful that they're they're a rental facility. They don't plan their own events and they don't put on their own event series. So they they operate solely as a rental facility. Um we do work with them quite a bit um tech showcase every year the exhibits um consistently throughout the year. Um and you know we work on the parchment artist talk they do have kind of limited as they currently operate >> limited scope. >> Yeah that's true. But the current director is really really great and I think she would be open. >> I noticed a couple questions add in um you mentioned on >> art professionals. What is that? Who are they? >> Which page? >> Page six 2832. >> Potential part of arts arts professionals. >> What is that? >> So that's that's the question. >> Bring the definition. >> I I don't know what that is because um >> you want to speak to what that >> Yeah. Can you read the whole thing for me? >> Sure. It's um use a pilot program to evaluate diversified art selection process which is fine. Um but then eventual partners public works department and the and the um our department advisory bodies arts professionals community. >> Oh, we could put like such as >> Yeah. >> you know um public art administrator. >> Yeah, exactly. So we could put like in in parenthesis what >> I mean yeah I just you know what I don't >> public because we haven't had a form of art administrator um how do they know the art professional but with um the um community members um well I I guess my comments are with advisory bodies um I was going to add in the JRC use. Um, but I'll bring that up safety building I guess when as you have advisory bodies. So that's basically everybody >> and that's in the partnership column you're talking about. >> Yeah, exactly. Yeah. And and also in the 10 again. Um on page four this is one um material activities for events. I I would also suggest you school boards for engaging the in partner. Okay, it's still it's still recording on there. >> Okay, >> with a two hour battery. >> Our laptop's been survived very long. >> Let's just pause for a second. I just want to make sure we're capturing is added as >> Oh, yeah. It has all the participants. >> Okay. Actually, I think Okay, Jesse's still on and it says we're still recording. >> Okay. >> All right. Are there other comments or perhaps a motion? >> Yes. So, so make a motion. >> Yeah. A motion to >> What do we motion? >> Yeah. What do What do you want us to motion about? >> Um, we had a whole bunch. Do you need from us? >> Yeah. >> We just had a bunch of >> So, I think we would like a a recommendation to move this forward to the city council. um >> with with the um after you've reviewed our comments and made changes. >> Yeah. Can we just globally say that you're going to review and adjust as you see appropriate? >> Yeah. So recommendation to move public guard strategy forward to city council after reviewing >> comments public comment >> changes as we motion to to bring to recommend this the feedback and comments be incorporated as needed into document and then bring that to city council. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> What a huge milestone. Congratulations. >> Beautiful to see. >> Huge feedback. >> It's beautiful. Thanks for listen to all our many comments back >> and you know I I do want to send a special shout out to Kirsten you know who has really been behind the scenes moving this along. I mean she's been she has >> really >> made this happen for for our community which is >> Yeah. Thank you all for your partnership with this. >> She's also been really easy to work with as a, you know, consultant coming in. I just have to say that. That's a really big deal for us. >> And I'm I'm so glad you you joined together. >> Oh, thank you. >> Me, too. >> We got so much more information this time around. So, >> absolutely. >> Yeah. Thank you, DBC. They've been amazing partners. >> Yeah. Yeah. I I'm Yeah. >> Oh, it's been great. I love >> one more item. >> New business, >> the artist selection pilot procedure. >> Okay. Um so you all just got the chance to go through the whole strategy and see that this is this is a big part of that. Um we have I think we've um identified creating some sort of artist selection panel in a few different spots in the document and talk about it as a best practice. Um we talk about um including that process the RFQ and RFP um asking for qualifications doing a short listing policy um for proposals um as part of the process. So, um this isn't the official update or presentation or um introduction to the public safety building, but um that will be coming in September. And before we um before we do that formal introduction to the project, we want to um to ask your your feedback and um and agreement to move forward with this uh artist selection panel as a pilot. So we can test it out, see how it works, and um and then when we have this art administrator on, we can get more feedback from them too and and see um you know, how we can change things moving forward. Um but just looking at what an artist selection panel is. Um so it would be project specific. Um so the selection panel for the public safety building will be different for a park, will be different for downtown or whatever plaza, maybe even the exhibitions. Um and uh the purpose is to um help um just bring the community in and um create more education and awareness around public art. Um have buy in on the types of art that's selected u more community feedback on that um and um and adding more adding professional oversight too. So um the different possibilities for an artist selection panel. So art professional. So that could be a public art administrator, an artist, um it could be um someone from Silicon Valley creates um from open val open Silicon Valley open studios. Um I you know I think for this pilot ideally we'd have another public art professional or administrator um from a different municipality come in and give feedback, someone who has experience kind of working through the selection process. Um so I think we can change it up for different projects too. Um we've already talked with the public safety teams um with police and fire um about having representation um from both of their departments and um and then inviting community stakeholders. So downtown committee because of the proximity to downtown or locationation in downtown um or downtown business association members. Um so we could have a variety of people. Um how this can go. Uh so the artist selection panel would be invited to participate in the review of um the request for qualification responses. So it would be helping narrow down um creating that short list of artists to then invite to their design proposals. Um so we could for this first pilot invite the artist selection panel to just attend visual arts committee meeting. So um attend that introduction meeting in September um and then follow alongside you as you all review the qualifications. Um, so it would be the whole visual arts committee plus this artist selection panel reviewing qualifications and helping um create that short list and then um and then they would be updated along the way. But that would essentially be their role is is helping um with that initial feedback and review. And then the visual arts committee would then um you provide the feedback and recommendation receive those from the short list and and make the recommendation to move forward to city council. Um I think that was a little bit of a change. We were going to talk about this last month and um I think in that memo I I had written um that the artist selection panel would just review the qualifications. I got some feedback from that and it sounded like maybe there's some hesitancy around um you know giving the a different panel full capability to review that. Um and so we can you know we can just kind of as it is and invite this other community group in to help her review. Alternative alternatively, we could um create another ad hoc subcommittee and it could be, you know, one or two people from the visual arts committee um participating in the artist selection panel um so that not all of you have to go through that full um review of all the qualifications initially. Um, so like I guess I'd open it up to feedback on kind of those one or two one or two options and um and then if you have specific feedback on um people to invite to participate in the artist selection panel um we'll be doing outreach um in the coming months to uh make sure people can have the time to to join the visual arts committee meeting to um take time to review the qualifications knowing that we can get we can and we can get 100. So, it's hard to know. Um, and so yeah, we'll be doing the outreach and and confirming with people. >> Any questions? >> Can you remind me what RFQ is? An RFP? >> Request for qualifications. Um, would be RFQ. So, that would just be asking artists to tell us what work have you done? Um, you what's your experience? what is your experience with public art particularly related to um the call that we um have and any criteria that we've set and then the RFP the request for proposals that would be the artists asking um the artist to create an actual rendering or something a design proposal um to bring forward to the committee. So, I don't think I've ever been here with one of the beginning of this kind of thing. And so, um, it's not a general call. It's not a call. We we investigate people and ask them >> typically. So, I think there's been maybe only one project. >> Correct me if I'm wrong because some of you have been here long. >> Okay. >> The RFQ is what we you've done so far on that platform. and you look for the >> This is for specifically for the public safety building though, not not just like 10. >> The RFQ would be open to anyone who wants to apply. And so we would get a big >> a big potential. Let's say we get 50 people and then the panel would would narrow it down and say we're bringing these five artists. >> Got it. >> To create proposals >> for this one project. >> For this one project. >> Got it. Okay. Got it. Yeah. It's sort of a two-stage process. house for some projects we have asked. We don't have a specific medium yet some location will come in September. Where is it? It's on >> but we're not sure what we're going to do with it. >> No, no, no, no. It's it's >> it's on um >> Villa and u between Franklin and Oak >> is the Asbestous um plate building where the police station is. >> Okay. >> And they're going to tear down >> the forest of redwoods there and put a new building in place. >> Big thing. They've been talking about it for years and now they're probably it's a huge huge huge project. >> So what00 the budget building tear out all the redwoods that are there build the blue building and then turn the old building into a >> so you'll get September an overview of the project and more information about where public art could go. But right now we're just talking about the procedure that we would apply to the project. >> Yeah. >> Do you want feedback? >> Do we Is there any public comment? >> Is no one online? >> Does he still? >> So yeah. >> So So regarding outreach which I think is great. Um I would really wonderful. I would add though because it's public safety. >> I would add from the HRC because the HRC deals with relationships and human relations. >> They deal with sensitivity towards uh public safety when we had ice and all that. I would also of who they are I would also suggest you somebody from theory committee because they're also have to be tamed and so so we have runs in also because of where it's located I would also suggest you reach out to the mountain view neighbors association Robert Cox is the current chair >> because it's located within the the neighborhood of of that neighborhood. It's located within Alna and reaching out to the residents way to engage folks who who live by it all the time answers my question about car professionals. the the other bring the other I'd like to or I'd like to make you bring it back to September since September have a definition from somebody what is public safety what is the theme of public safety >> what do you that we can give them to artists who portray you what is public safety is it community a community holding hands protecting each other. Is it an ICE agent beating somebody down? Is it statuto policeman? I mean, what what does public safety mean to what the city want to image that it wants to portray portray public safety with that theme that goes out? You give that to artists to say, can you portray community protecting itself? How would you do that? And that that'll kind of use that to gauge how good the artists are. >> Well, that would go into phase two though, right? >> Right. But first, but first first when I I >> we have that ready for the >> I mean ju just as a because of the sensitivity and the expense of this thing, you know, $400,000. We've never had it. I've never seen anything like that that big and and because of public safety and the political times we're in, we have to be conscious of what image we want to have, >> what we want to portray, etc. So, if they can think about the city can think about that really helpful for us when we go out to the arc. >> Is that okay? >> Um, I think what you're saying is correct. I think it'll be helpful for qualifications because they can say I'm a qualified artist because I've done work that actually responds to this type of theme. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. >> And these are these are some of like my examples. >> So they send the portfolio. >> That's usually >> we'll get serious art. >> That's usually what RFQs, >> right? >> Yeah. Yeah. And and then we also can direct them that this is what we mean by um public safety not this >> but again because it's such a sensitive issue >> and and and this is a big big big big >> and also it would be difficult for the artist without some direction right where do I go with this I mean it just clarifies it's takes the stress out of the situation Right, right, right, right. >> Yeah, we we will bring we'll bring a lot more information on at the introduction early tonight. It's talking about the um the selection panel process, but we will we'll have um yeah, a lot of background. >> This will be a slow project though, right? I mean, this building it's going to take five years to get it built. I think I it's not going to be in next year or so. Well, >> we'll provide a tenative timeline in September, >> but there's time to engage um public safety people and reach out. >> Well, yeah, we are working within a we're working within a timeline. So, um the um I think as you saw in the work plan um recommendation to city council and getting their approvals um we're scheduling that for next spring, spring of 2027. So, that's that's the timeline that we need to work with. And so, um I think this this um timeline here is a little bit of a it's a little tentative of like opening the RFQ fall 2026. Um we would like to open that in September after visual arts committee meets that project introduction. Um and then phase two so um inviting them inviting the short list of artists to prepare that design would be early by early 2027 if not. So, you wanted guidance on how to um formulate the selection committee with either the full visual arts committee plus the plus the um artist selection panel or an ad hoc small small subset of this committee plus that artist selection panel. Is that what you >> Yeah, exactly. Yeah. So there's a preference to just invite the selection panel to join the committee meeting >> and if I were to participate together >> the call the selection the process was that you assembled all of the um the calls that came in and we got on to that website that I can't remember the name of right now. Studio >> call for entry. >> Yeah, call for entry. and we rated things and then you picked the top like 10 and I thought it was a pretty straightforward process the last time we did it actually. Not a lot of discussion. >> Um so the question is how does having more or fewer people benefit that process? And I don't I don't really know. >> How many people would be on the artist selection panel? Would you we have like seven people >> potentially? Yeah. Could be upwards of upwards of seven. Um if we're just using these three groups, maybe maybe four. Um two one police, one fire rep, downtown committee, and professionals. >> Yeah. Plus the visual arts committee. And so um I mean the your question is you know benefit to >> to have more people or few people I don't I don't really know. I mean there'd be we didn't discuss that much last time. We >> we looked at the top 10 and you might do top five this time or something. >> You averaged there may be multiple locations for art. There there's there's a little bit more to consider per these projects. Um >> yeah. So the I suppose guidance in how to rate the selections would be good >> because I think at least within our this committee like I feel like everybody has a slightly different way that they rate like some people do like all or nothing >> hoping that you know if they give everything to their top 10 and their top 10 will make it and some other people do it slightly differently. I don't know I don't know if we should all have the same system or >> or not. But if >> yeah, for the introduction in September, I mean, or yeah, I think before the RFQ goes out and before those before the jurying happens, we can create that criteria, >> right? >> Yeah. So, it sounds like maybe for this first pilot, we just have the visual arts committee participate as you normally would. um invite the artist selection panel to join in on on that jurying for the first the request for qualifications and and they would be a part of that discussion too. Yes. So, so let me um um we've had problems meeting everybody can um would I um can this thing can this go forward if we can't meet as a body you know we can't get two need four people we can't get four if three people are available or two people are available can this thing still meet or do you uh >> all of us >> if it becomes a full body activity then it has to be a >> formed Brown act public meeting and so >> I do you know I think you're raising a good point and I would also you know with the recommendations of the various committees you may want on there to Kristen's point the art selection panel could be seven people you're also uh seven >> seven >> body I mean that means 14 people have to come together and and do the >> might be hard >> the reconciling of how you set it uh it up so it it could potentially be challenging um to Kristen's point we are operating on a on a set timeline so we don't have the flexibility to to not be able to I mean so it's something for you to keep in mind is how do we how do we move continue to move this along and an ad hoc committee could be a good middle ground because you have representation from your committee who gets direct exposure and input and again no the final art will be decided by this body. This is really looking at qualifications. So this is the work to see does the person have the expertise? Have they worked on projects like this before? Can they, you know, are they demonstrating that they can >> that they can effectively respond to the call? You're not looking at this. >> You're looking at you're essentially looking at a resume more or less of this is the work I've done. This is what I'm capable of. You will not be looking at >> exact art proposals at this stage. >> So, they are not picking the five. >> They will they will create a short list. They'll they'll pick the artist to do it and then those artists will render >> what they think come back without looking at >> it's kind of like what we transit center. >> So they're looking at examples of the qualifications and the experience because a lot of it has to do also with the ability to work with a budget like this, right? And so that's a huge that's a in all honesty there's not very many artists um in this area that like that can do that on their own. They usually have a team or they find a team so then they have to bring pay them. So for some artists that's a hard thing to do that are local and when I say local I mean regional. Um and for others it's not. So, and I think the other thing too is >> do you want this whole committee to spend hours on looking at people's qualifications that are I mean honestly not qualified but they're applying anyways because that's what artists like to do and you know when you can have you know this committee that's only going to be a part of it for a very short amount of time like all of you who are you know part of this visual arts committee for a long time >> to give this person definitely does not fit the these qualifications just put them on that pile. Yes, definitely. >> I'm wondering if the middle ground could be that you know that that that the artists are a bit more vetted than usually because we get usually just who clearly squarely doesn't qualify and then we need to look at everybody. But I feel like only have like then half the the selection panel already narrowing down to only five people and that's the first time we see those artists. That is a huge break to from what we've done so far and we have a lot of experience with both RFQS and RFPs and we are in contact with residents. We know what kind of art you already have. We have a lot to bring to the table as well, right? And so I feel like we should definitely be maybe not the whole committee but and I don't even think it might needs to be like particular people could at least always be three of us like in the in the selection panel or two of us but >> yeah those are the two options. So either working with the whole committee or having an ad hoc. >> That could be one thing. But the other one what I wanted to refer to is maybe just narrow down much more than usually but have the whole BAC still see maybe instead of just five artists that already developed an RFP say we see 20 people or like get the input of the whole BAC at some point in between right between phase one and two like have because what happened >> can you talk further about that when we do the introduction because at that time you'll see the different locations. Um we'll talk about kind of cost distribution. The um the money we're paying the artists for that design proposal will come out of the 400k budget. And so, you know, if we're paying 20 artists, how you know, how much are we paying for them? And so that you that you see that the RFQS um >> two phased >> that there's a one phase in between not 20 RFPs that in say like a 100 people apply you are like peran normal criteria you can only read out like five because they're not in the area or but that the the selection panel would say okay from those hundred people because we need to look at uh diversity we need to look that can people do this really? What? Like just like a bunch of criterias that panel has and says now we down to 20 or 50 or 30 or and we want to bring this to the VAC. Tell them these are the artists and we're thinking of of those five people. We want to do an RFP. give us feedback like let us know what you think because that would be the point where we come in with our experience right and and also the art we know in mount new the people tell us stuff that we could say this is the narrowed down list out of these 30 people we want to pick five feedback from you guys but the panel would still pick the five but like have like an extra kind of background I mean as a pilot because it's such a huge break from so far we've been trusted for good or for better or for worse to do the whole thing. I feel like what can we do to kind of harness both strengths, right? Because I think a selection panel is a very good idea and it's important to get other people in. And for the panel, I hope really hope it's very well balanced that there is enough artist representation in there and and not just stakeholders, right? this before with the murals in um brainstorm. We we had already select we did a similar process where we had the we had chosen the artists. We asked them to go and talk to the people who would be most impacted the BAC and the senior people but so that they could form the art based upon feedback that they got from the but we had already selected the artists. Here you're kind of reversing I kind of reversing it. You're asking public to select the artist, not what the artists are going to produce, not what not evaluate, but to the artist qualified, which um isn't going to know that. We would have visual arts committee representatives on there and um we intend to invite a a public art administrator um who's been working in the field and so you know and we'll have staff on board have an architect but but the the feedback from the police police guy the fire guy or the HRC person would they most importantly collecting the artist or what the artist is going to So would you rather the vis is are they do we want in this process it's the larger committee um evaluating piece that's going to occur being built or are they only evaluating of the artists? They're narrowing down the they're reviewing the qualifications and >> Okay. >> So, so so so so then so so so they're not giving feedback on is this a good art piece. It's it's more it's a good artist. >> Yeah. >> Um so playing devil's advocate is a is a cop able to evaluate whether it's a good artist. >> Yeah. I mean so I have I participated in um this very similar process in Sunnyvale and um for their community center and they had um you know a number of different community members with little to no experience in public art but have relationship with the community center or the neighborhood or um a city or um you know a city organization or related organization and um I mean what they provided was what what did they want to feel when they look at these examples of art you know about how does it make them feel when they're at the community center? Do they when they um enjoy the community center? Do they want shade? Do they want this? So they're they're seeing it from that sorry Joe user experience, but that was before you chose the artist or >> that was as part of the qualification review. So all we saw um you know the artist resume they provided um pictures their website um you know we we're everyone did a deep dive just like you all do during the >> coming back together. I'm just curious like do we all do is it like a big committee decision where you like present the website and everybody votes in the moment or or or do people have a list of >> Yeah, everyone would vote at their own time. So it's just like with so you've experienced the um voting for the exhibition. So um it would be just like that. Everyone um everyone applications on their own time >> and then scores everything one out of seven or whatever. >> Okay, I understand now. But it seems to me like there's some things that are subjective about this and there's some things that are very objective. >> Like does this person has this person ever dealt with a $400,000 budget? >> Yeah. And we can create so we can create you know um look how many years have they been how many years of experience do they have like this number like does does this meet the the vision and mission of like does does their work examples meet the vision and mission the public safety building I'm just throwing things out there like that the artist selection panel can >> that would be helpful >> have a you know three things or something that they will get to help we can't do that in cafe then but we can use a different system, >> right? That for nonvisisual people >> and be very very clear on what criteria is then to evaluate the artist. >> That's be Chris Chris will >> Yeah. That's just like we were saying you you people that aren't artists like they're not deciding on something they don't even know what to decide on. So it just has to be very clear. >> Yeah. like you have to explain it and not just assume. >> That's the >> And so I'd like to just sort of put you on the spot a little bit. So I I think we're building this off of best practice and experience that Kirsten has had in other places, but Amanda, can you speak to I mean, >> this is kind of building off of conversations we've had around recommendations >> around what other how other jurisdictions approach this. And we're we're testing out a concept based on best practices we're seeing. So, this is not a new process that we're creating. We're basing it off of what we've seen done in other places. >> Yeah. And I've been a part of them as well as um Kristen similar example. I've been a part of it for the city of San Jose for public art on a fire station and we had a police we had a police person on the panel and a fire station or a fireman on the panel. Um and their comments were very much I don't know art. I don't know art and but I'm here because I'm gonna use this space. And um we you know we came each of us came with our um notes um based off of what we looked at on our own time. So just like what you said, use your own time, write your notes, why you scored that. Um the public art administrator went through each each artwork and um kind of shared a little bit of who that artist was with us. And this is all through online. This is all not in person. Um and um you know what ended up happening was sometimes the it was oh I changed my score now and that was fine because that was part of the conversation in that group of eight people. No, we there was two people. There was one person from the city of San Jose does it different. They have a cultural they have a they have a arts commission and then a subcommittee public art subcommittee. And so they had one person from the arts commission, one person from their um from their public art uh subcommittee and then they had myself, they had another um an artist, they had like I said the city department people and I think a community member. So it really was this kind of bigger conversation like you're saying, you have to spell it out because some know and some don't. And then I'm not knowing what the firefighters needs are, right? And so it's the same thing, right? And experienced that for the city of San Jose, experienced that with the city of Palo Alto as well. I was on one of their panels. They do a very similar process. Um they spent a little bit more time. We came back twice um to be a part of a online conversation as panel members uh to have a deeper dive uh and agree to give it to the arts commission as a recommendation of these are the artists that we recommend to move forward. So it is it is very much common practice and um not just in our state but um simultaneously we worked on the Scottsdale public art plan very uh very conservative community um and Yeah. And um so we were present for the selection. They let they let us be present for the selection as a community member and there was people on that that panel did not work in the arts and it was very important to the public art staff to have that representation. I think another thing that we haven't talked about is um uh the the importance of that artist knowing how to go into community that they've never been a part of before. And when you look at the qualifications that they provide, you can ask that of them. How have you worked in community to make sure that that community reflects the art that you've created, right? And so, for example, I did a project with the city of Newark, worked with an artist, didn't really know anything about New York, but what she did was she did her research. She went into community, talked to them, presented us with um a proposal, she ended up getting selected, and a lot of think I believe was because of the research she did on her own to create artwork. So it's just >> I think based on all this I think it could be an ad hoc group. I think 14's too many things. I really do. I I think representatives would be fine, >> you know, for this stage. >> The other thing though I would ask is when we come down to selecting an art, I'd like these same people buy into the art that's selected, help evaluate it. to not just be part of the preliminary the artist when the artist. Yeah. >> Because they they the police guy is going to live with this piece, >> right? >> So he should be part of the >> maybe he comes back in at the very end or something not sitting through us all discussing >> well or or so so he's selected for sure. >> Exactly. And I think that >> that's huge. That's more important than anything. Yeah, >> that was part of the early conversations that myself and Barbara had with Amanda um in regards to selection panels and kind of changing it up because we brought that to the attention to for the uh as a recommendation in the strategy and um a lot of it was the fact that I think it also came out of we didn't have a lot of people at the community meeting and so how do we make sure people are informed about what is happening here because it's not just this group that needs to know it's the entire community not just people who live here but who work here. Um, and the having a diverse panel depending on the project is incredibly important for that reason as well. So, so and I I would what Lacy said make it clear what the criteria is for the non-arts participating and I would ask that same members continue on through the process that when we come down to finalizing the art they're there they there are too saying yeah I can live with that because then it'll kind of complete circle but but to your to your your earlier point I would second what Stephanie says I would say from from this I do that at all >> I mean Amanda also said right that the example >> should be arts you don't don't want to have this >> giant forum here >> too much too much no I mean my feedback was really about like I think the BC needs to still all along be involved But that doesn't mean it needs to be the whole >> that's just we're just talking about the selection phase one bill. act meeting >> I think even >> yeah there as well I think we need to be >> sorry where >> we we can provide >> I think it could along the way and I but I think again to clip's point earlier it we would be relying on if on the whole committee getting together and and not >> no no what I mean is >> yeah we should be involved but we can be part of this selection some of us >> yeah we have that's what I mean yeah ad hoc >> and that's what but I I mean but from phase one on from >> phase one on yeah everybody's going to have a say it's not in the initial step >> because as an advisory body our role is really representing citizens so it's good that we have different approaches to this process right I think that shouldn't get lost >> is there a recommendation for anyone specific to >> just so I just so I'm clear what we're talking about is having a um sub um an ad hoc panel join this um >> selection panel >> selection panel >> the phase one >> phase one and then phase two the small VAC is here >> is that what you're saying >> that's what I thought I'm just clarifying that >> and then maybe maybe the VAC's together without the public because then we can all convene get an update and then at the final part we bring back in that public pick a public person for like okay this is the finalists or two finalists and we can discuss it with them but there's >> the visual arts committee can't have a nonpublic meeting so it would have to be yeah so the the artist selection panel plus an ad hoc committee of up to three visual arts committee members um we can have a separate meeting um to discuss the the RFQ um and all all the juring and scoring ing. So, we'll do that. Um, and then, you know, we'll provide updates to the committee in between the issuing that RFP and inviting that short list of artists to um to give us proposals >> for for um just um um we have an ad hoc committee of three people from the panel here. Does it have to be always the same three people? >> No, this would be project specific. And can can it be I'm sorry. For this project, does it always have to be the same three people or does it can it okay? >> So there would only be one meeting where people would participate. So there wouldn't and then it would come back to >> be one meeting. >> I think there's going to have to because of the timeline. >> When is that meeting? Do we have a first of all is there a date for it? >> We won't be going back and forth. Um we're we're working on um a relatively tight timeline for a big project. And so >> okay, >> we it's either you know >> coming to the visual arts committee meeting or holding this separate ad hoc and so we have the September meet is our project introduction meeting. Yeah. >> And then when you're saying fall, would that one be in October or November or do we know yet? You know, we would intend to issue the RFP, you know, as soon as as we can after the introduction to the committee. >> So, >> or the RFQ, sorry. Sorry. >> So, the RFP would go out with so the RFP would be issued with clarifications and then it's the panel would meet through once to uh evaluate >> well. So, we would invite the panel to join that introduction meeting. So the whole VAC will get the introduction. It wouldn't just be the ad hoc committee. The whole visual arts committee will get that introduction in September. We'll invite the artist selection panel to that. So they get the same information that everyone else is getting. >> We'll issue the request for proposals. Once that >> request for qualifications, >> request for qualifications. Um and um once that you know that deadline hits, the artist selection panel, the visual arts committee, ad hoc committee, the up to three members um we'll review and jury and then we'll have time once once everyone's done juring. >> So then by October >> um probably yeah, we we'll need to work out the timeline a little bit still. And then once the RFPs come back then the whole visual arts committee sees that including if we want to invite the selection committee. So, so with the uh visual arts then the final approval let's say so I understand what you're saying is that the panel including the three here would be to evaluate the artists that have applied and select up to five artists to um to u move forward with a sample piece. >> Um, in those five, would that come back to the full EAC >> to basically be notified? These are the five people we're going to be and you you all agree these are the five. >> No, I think they're going to come back with a proposal. We're going to come back and we'll see the proposal. >> Yeah. So the the who that short list who yeah people who are invited to create a proposal um if we're going with you know what we're talking about the process that we're talking about now the artist selection panel including the VAC ad hoc um would make that selection >> the five artists >> we would give an update to the VAC at that point and then you'd see the proposals once those are done and then make a recommendation based on those proposals >> the proposed art pieces and we'll make a recommendation with the panel that was available to select the artists. >> Yeah, they could be. >> Yeah, >> I think they should. I think they should. is the expectation that the selection panel makes a recommendation like they get five RFPs and based >> RQs RF no RFPs >> and and then there's five RFPs come to us but do they come with a recommendation the election panel would like artist number three >> brought forward to that council? No, >> I thought we would then evaluate >> the pieces that that that have come full committee, right? >> Jury the proposal. >> We'll jury the the final >> and it'll only be five. >> So I think that's an I think we're sticking on a number and not even sure. >> Yeah. >> It's not going to be hundreds. It's not going to be hundreds. It's just it's going to be a shorter amount. before. >> Yeah. >> So, I I still want to bring it back. Would it would everybody would you guys see value in that we get an update before it's narrowed down to five people? >> I think again honestly I think >> we can provide that update but getting the feedback >> November December and the RVP by invitation is early 27. So there would be a meeting that we have where the panel for example could could say we're at this stage right now we have narrowed it down to only this many people like just get give a report and if we have feedback we have feedback and if we don't >> I mean here's here's a I question I would assume that as soon as the RFQ is made that you're going to send that back to those five or whatever artists and they're going to get started on their RFPs. That's the hope. >> That's the hope. And then and then early 2027, we're going to see the final RFPs. It's not that the RFP is going to go >> to develop. >> That's going to take them time. >> So I think ultimately >> no the final selection in >> so in spring. So let's just I think give we've looked at the timeline this this is what we have capacity for is a RFQ and and time for is an RFQ process and I agree you meet several times but there will be there needs to be time for during there needs to be time for discussion and then given the tight timeline we need to jump to RFP process because artists are going to need time to develop a concept so so I think this the recommendation that staff is bringing forward is an RF RFQ process and either has a full committee or the ad hoc. And to Amanda's point, you know, this sort of multi-phaseed RFQ process is not something we've seen done in other communities. And so staff has not had an opportunity to vet that as an option given that we don't have good examples of anyone taking that approach. And so I would caution you to not send us into our uncharted territory with such a tight timeline. But that that would be staff's recommendation. >> The artist selection panel is only meeting once, right? >> So they're meeting once looking through the artist selection which is the same process at the visual arts commission >> and select five people or however many >> fiveish all done in one meeting. >> They'll have homework >> and I've done this. I don't know if you how was for you, but like there's some where I've done where I had to spend two separate days to review them because I you know literally going through >> before the meeting by yourself. Yes. Because it's like >> it's I had to review like 20 between 20 and 30. I can't remember exactly the exact number but I know it was definitely at that 20 and they're submitting their you know a couple of examples. >> You have to read their statement, look at their qualifications and then you're scoring them. So you're really spending quality time, but when you come back with your panel and the panel's, you know, if somebody has say I gave a score of five and this person gave a score of 10 and then the staff says, okay, do you want to explain why you gave the 10 and give us a little bit of your reasons because most people scored five. That can affect, you know, the the final decision. Those are the kind of conversations that are important to have. That's why there's that's why you don't want to do that middle one because it'll really slow it down. That that singular one you're coming back with all that homework you did. I think that's incredibly important to take into consideration the amount of time that's going to be spent on panelists's own time. So what I've heard say is we recommend talk on this >> and then as you move forward bring it back as we have our scheduled meetings and report what's what's the status >> provide an update not have in any case is our own people coming back from the election panel just give a quick update Yeah, like you guys always >> I think an update is totally feasible. Bringing it back for further discussion and deliberation is not is not realistic. >> Yeah, because you want to move. >> Yeah. But an update absolutely it I mean as Kristen had said, we want to ensure along the way as she does at every meeting is she's providing updates on the cap project. So an update is reasonable. Further deliberation is is not feasible. So, do you want to nominate people to be on the committee >> or is that what you're seeking person is nominations? >> I'll I'll volunteer. >> Does he want to >> come on? >> I'm on so many committees. I don't you guys know you guys do it. >> I would do it, but I I think it's also valuable. >> I could be backup. I'm I've got my mom who's ill. >> I just I can't tell if I'm going to be around. >> Joe, do you want to >> uh Sure. Yeah. >> Okay. So, do we want to do >> Oh, >> I guess let me just Sorry. Just to clarify one detail. If it is in fall, will this be during our normal meeting or this be a separate meeting? >> Okay. Okay. I'm just going to be out for a week in October, but other than that, I'll be available. >> I'm No. No. I'm I >> We can have We can have two or or three. >> I'll be a backup. I'm gone from September. I'll go leaving after the VAC meeting in September. I'll be back October 8th. >> Yeah. I might not be around early September. >> That's a good point. Thank you. >> But it's October, right? What is it >> out? >> Sounds like it's more October, November. >> I'm going to be out um 3 weeks from lots of September to mid October. >> When when is when is the >> So we could have like alternates likely. Why don't we just don't know yet do it then we can I mean >> can we decide finally on the September >> the meeting our date September 9th >> we issue the request for qualifications a month >> midepptember if you know say we issue it a week after the visual arts committee meets um on about a month right >> would probably be late October >> the earliest mid October is the earliest >> you be asking them to to send your qualifications within a certain amount of time, then you have to gather all those and then you send them to everybody to review. >> So, you really wouldn't be meeting until a little bit >> maybe early November, but at the early late October >> in this process, >> I'm looking to you um ones that are clearly not appropriate. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Yeah. We will do them all first. We're working really closely with the police and fire chiefs too and so if there's any immediate concerns from them um you know we'll be working with them. Um so >> I mean because you the RFP >> architects >> the RFP will have qualifications have you worked on such and such and such. >> So when they apply and they clearly don't >> meet those you'll just you'll just >> it won't even come to the final. >> Yeah. Exactly. >> So you pre pre-screening screening. Yeah. >> Well, I'd like to do it as an alternate. I mean, I'd like to do it. So, if someone doesn't want to do it or isn't around, then put me on. >> So, it sounds like the three of us are the most likely who can do it, but I assume >> I can do I can do it from here. I kind of be somebody who >> I am available. So, >> yeah, >> I think that's good. >> You haven't been. >> No, I haven't. >> Whatever. >> So, you want to just >> What I mean, I think you guys are good. So I'd like to do it. >> Yeah. Noting Susie as members and then Lacy Stephanie alternates if available. >> Yeah. Let's >> Yeah, sounds good. >> Motion to that. >> Do you want to make a motion? >> Yes. Let's go. Go. >> Establish. We had established the ad hoc committee and three people. >> Uh yes, the ad hoc committee be part additionally to the artist selection panel for the RFQ uh phase one and uh we will provide three members from the visual arts committee. That's a motion. Second. >> All in favor? >> We have another item. >> We have another item. What >> item >> questions missing? I'll just provide a quick update about um unless >> no way. Okay. No. Um public art administrator um as you know the city's really been prioritizing the recruitment and we are in the recruitment process um hoping to have an update that we can bring to you meeting official news but I can tell you we've been we have we the candidate pool um the application process closed and we are moving forward with evaluating candidates. and good candidates. >> We received a lot of applications um and really high quality candidates. It was a really >> excellent excellent application applicant pool. Yeah. >> And sorry, just to clarify, that's the same person that we were just talking about in the in the plan, right? >> Yes. The title is public art administrator. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> And that's based on cities. Um it is a position that we based off of sort of uh regional other you know other regional positions. That's how we we look to our neighbors to build out the job description. Um and you know we had to kind of place it in the city organization since it's a brand new position. So it kind of >> you worked through the HR process. >> We did and the union process and all of that. We got a chance to look at it because it was a recommendation that we >> said should be done and >> great. Amanda said we're actually Yes, we're doing it. >> Okay. Send us some of your thoughts. >> Great. Great. Great. >> So exciting. >> Any other comments or questions? Oh, I have um because we talked about interesting art events um the Anderson collection at on Stanford campus, they have they had a artist in residence for a year and the artist um um got groups of two people together and they um discussed what connects them and what bonding means. And while they did that, they formed a ceramic vessel. So they both they it's a clay vessel and it's a room when you come in and they're all free, right? The the Caner Arts and the Anderson collection. And it's a temporary exhibit. I think it closes in August, so it's closes fairly soon. And the whole room is filled with small vessels and they all have a chip underneath. So you can pick up the vessel that speaks to you, put it on a console, and then you can hear the conversation those two people had when they made the vessel together. Sweet. So I thought we also have interesting art things around here. >> So I wanted to maybe you want to >> experience that. >> Wow. You should go. >> So that's the Caner. >> Uh the Anderson collect is right next to the Caner. It's their brand like fairly new style compar. >> Okay. >> All right. All right. >> Anything else? >> No. >> Will we join the meeting? >> Okay.]]> https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/CEazrb28_3g https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/CEazrb28_3g Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:11:14 GMT City staff presented a workshop explaining the one-time utility adjustment petition process under the Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act (CSFRA), which phases out fluctuating utility charges (like RUBS) and rolls a fixed utility amount into a tenant's total rent for covered units with tenancies beginning before March 1, 2024. Staff detailed the petition steps, including landlord filing, staff review, the 30-day tenant response period, and the notice of final determination, noting that downward adjustments take effect within ~60 days while upward adjustments wait until the next annual rent increase. An attendee asked clarifying questions about which utilities are covered, whether rents could be lowered, and how the rule affects new buildings, which staff confirmed are not covered by the CSFRA. Purpose of utility adjustment petition Covered units and utilities Ban on RUBS billing Calculating the utility adjustment Petition process steps Tenant response period Notice of final determination Upward vs downward adjustment timing Housing help center resources Possibility of rent decreases Application to new buildings > Oh no, I saw a notification that you wanted me to speak and uh I guess like I do have one thought. I thought. It's like um um So first of all, I love this whole concept. Like I think uh utilities should be rolled up in the rent and takes uh wind out of the sails of not PG&E. Um my question is like uh what about all the other utilities like when it comes to as you said we cover water, gas, and electricity, which is great. What about like you know, garbage that's managed by the city? I'm I'm guessing. Um what are the utilities that would not be covered like you know, in this uh uh adjustment? >> Yeah, so garbage would be included in this process as well. So um generally water, sewer, trash, gas, and electricity are the the utilities that this process covers. Something like, you know, Wi-Fi, um maybe like cable, those types of utilities are outside of the purview of what the um the regulations say. So like at at this time that's not something that we're able to kind of regulate or facilitate any sort of process, but um beyond yeah, the the five utilities that I just mentioned, we can't as city staff do anything at this time, but yeah. Does that answer your question? >> It does. Um I just have a follow-up like you know, question of curiosity. For affordable housing uh uh like you know, establishments run by the city like you know, would Wi-Fi potentially be considered like a utility for those properties or would that still be separate? I'm just uh >> You know, I I don't want to give incorrect information. I'm truthfully not sure how they manage Wi-Fi at those properties. I think it's likely property to property dependent. >> Okay, very well. Thank you. >> Yeah. Okay, so um during the tenant response period, you're going to receive multiple pieces of information in the mail. Um you'll receive the tenant response form from our office, which will have a unique ID. And then you're going to receive a PDF version of the workbook that your landlord submitted with all of the information. Um this process we're actually in the process of sort of transitioning away from the PDF workbook. And if you're watching this video, you might actually be receiving a document that has just the specific information from your unit, but we're still in the process of changing that. Um so for now, tenants will receive a PDF packet that is the workbook, the petition, and any any additional information. Um And what we need from you, the tenants, is for you to review the petition information and make sure the information about your unit is accurate because the amount of rooms in each unit changes what the amount uh the utility adjustment is for your specific unit. Um you have 30 days to respond to that also if you disagree with any information. Um and then this just kind of shows the current piece that you'll the things that you'll be receiving, but again, this might be changing shortly. So after the tenant response period, um staff will review the petition again and any tenant response or tenant responses to make sure that everything is accurate. If um something, you know, the tenant response changed something, which we've had in the past, some mistakes that have been, you know, administrative errors that have been caught, um that can change the outcome of the petition process for all of the units, so it's really helpful when tenants respond. Um we may request additional information such as like a lease or something along those lines. Um So we'll do a final review of the calculations and everything. Uh um Um Make any edits that are needed. Um and then what we're going to do is take the average utility charges from each unit. So, for the same period of time that uh we were looking at the utility bills, what we'll do is look at how much were was each tenant actually charged through the ratio utility billing system. So, then we'll compare those two and see is the amount that we are assigning that unit specifically, is it higher than what they had been paying previously or lower? And some of those differences come in just the difference in the calculations. Neither are specifically based on the usage because there's no submeters for these types of utilities. And so, it's yeah, just a different approach to the calculation. So, inherently there's going to be a little difference in um how much people are assigned. So, next we will be sending the landlord and then also the tenants a notice of final determination, which will state the final amount that you will be assigned. Um as you can see, it'll say if it's a downward or an upward adjustment. And you will be able to review the utility the like actual utility amounts that you paid to make sure that that's accurate as well. Um And so, depending on if the utility adjustment is higher or lower than what you've been previously paying, this will change when that adjustment can be implemented. So, if your utility adjustment is a downward adjustment, so it's less than what you had been pri- previously paying um through rubs, then that has to go into effect basically as soon as administratively possible. So, the landlord has about 60 days for that to go into effect. Kind of gets rounded up, but approximately 60 days. Um so, they have 30 days to send a rent decrease notice to the tenants. Um, and then after that there's 30 more days that will go into effect and then it will go into effect. So, once the one-time utility adjustment is added to the tenant's rent, they are no longer responsible for paying rubs, although there may be some prior month, like if you're billed in arrears, so if you're, you know, get the July bill a month after July, you may have a little bit of overlap, but beyond that you'll be not responsible for those rubs charges. If it's an upward adjustment, so the opposite, it's more than what you'd been previously paying, you the landlord cannot add that to your utility or to your rent until you're eligible for your next rent increase, which is 1 year after your prior rent increase. Um, so that wraps up the information about the utility adjustment petition process. If you need any additional assistance, um, have further questions, this is just a more, uh, another resource we offer. We have a housing help center for tenants where we have a legal aid organization that joins, community services agency, which has various resources for the community. Um, staff will be there to assist with any, um, other questions that you might have, such as habitability concerns, interest in filing a petition for decrease in housing services. If there's any of those things are applicable, we can help you out there. Um, and then sometimes we have affordable housing provider, um, House Keys also joins us every so often at the help center. And that's it. If you need to get in touch with us, this is our contact information. Do you have any final questions, Alexander? >> Uh, yeah. Uh, thanks, Amanda, for all of that. That was fantastic >> and really detailed. Um, so I did have um one or two items and then like uh we can call it quits. Uh So, um I found found that it was very uh interesting and also very uh exciting that um tenants are no longer responsible for utility adjustments. Like you know, that's good. But like you know, you mentioned something about um adjustments for like you know, costs in general. And even though like uh we're expecting uh annual rent increases for like you know, landlord, but is there a possibility like you know, with this adjustment and with involvement by the city that we could be looking at maybe lower rents or lower like you know, uh costs to things potentially? >> Yeah, so per the CSFRA, the Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act, there's no mechanism beyond the petition process to decrease rents. And so, generally like we release the annual general adjustment every year, which caps rent um between 2% and 5% every single year. Um the instances where rent would potentially be lowered is if you were for example experiencing a reduction in housing services. So, if you, you know, had a pool or like a parking spot or something like that and that was in your original tenancy, but then that was removed later, you could file a petition with the um the office and then we could decrease or there there would be a formal process where a hearing officer would hear the case and potentially um require a decrease in rent. Um generally the city can't necessarily initiate like a massive you know, a a like blanket rent decrease. That's not within our capacity. >> Yeah. Okay, fair enough. So, um and then I guess my uh my last question would be uh cuz it looks like you know, this this rule this law is or this rule is law uh up until 2024. So, like or from March 1st, 2024 onward. >> Mhm. >> Um so, like do you have any information on how this would affect like, you know, uh developer, landlord, and uh future renters' relationships with the new property coming up? >> Yeah, so the the Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act is only it doesn't apply to new buildings. So, it would be they are able to build the utilities as they will. We have no control over the um the rent increases um in those situations because they're not covered by our law. Um so, yeah, this it would not affect them. >> Mhm. So, in other words, like, you know, new tenants from new buildings, like, you know, some of the stuff that's being built around town right now, this would not apply to any of those folks. >> Yes. Yeah, that is correct. >> Interesting. Okay. Well, that's it for me, Amanda. Thank you very much. >> Okay. Wonderful. Thank you for joining us. I appreciate it. >> All right. Have a good night. >> Yeah, you too. Thank you, Alexander. Bye. >> Bye. Have a >> Thanks, Jason. Sorry you didn't come in or we didn't end up doing any interpretation. All right. Well, that concludes our presentation. So, thank you for listening. >> Oh, sorry. >> [laughter] >> I was listening, but I should have found the >> I can hear you good. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> No problem. Sorry that you um >> okay. >> Yeah, we didn't have any need for interpretation, but thank you for joining. >> I'm in that Sorry, I got to shut my camera off. Um yeah, no, that's no problem. I mean, that happens, you know. So, it's just good to have the you know, have interpretation available just in >> Totally. Just in case, yeah. >> Okay. >> Totally. Okay, well, thank you so >> I don't think we've met before, so it was nice meeting you. >> Yeah, I don't think so, either. Do you um work with MVP a lot? >> Uh-huh. Yeah. >> Okay. >> This is the first time I've done one of these uh workshops, but yeah, we do uh I do a lot of city council meetings. >> Oh, awesome. >> And addition hearings, that kind of stuff, so. >> Okay, super cool. That's great. Well, it's good to meet you. How long have you been with Mountain View? >> About 3 years now. >> Thanks. Awesome. >> Yeah. So. >> Cool. >> Well, I will see you next time. Bye. >> Yeah, thanks so much. I appreciate it. Good night. >> Good night. Yeah.]]> https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/orPLFjyZgvw https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/orPLFjyZgvw Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:21:02 GMT A Mountain View city staff member led a workshop for new landlords and property owners, providing an overview of the Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act (CSFRA) and related tenant-landlord laws. The presentation followed the tenancy lifecycle—covering tenant screening and lease agreements, rent rules and increases, compliance requirements, petitions, habitability, evictions, and post-tenancy issues like security deposits. Attendees asked questions about parking requirements, CPI/rent increases, noise habitability issues, and normal wear and tear, and staff shared resources including mediation, help centers, and upcoming workshops. Workshop introduction and disclaimers CSFRA overview and coverage Exempt properties Landlord rights and applicable laws Tenant screening Rental agreements and lease terms Definition of rent and base rent Utility billing and RUBS petition New rental laws (AB 2219, AB 2747, junk fees) Rent increases and annual adjustment Banked rent increases Vacancy decontrol and roommate swaps Compliance with CSFRA Rental housing fee and registration Non-compliance remedies Landlord and tenant petitions Fair rate of return Habitability responsibilities Normal wear and tear Providing habitable conditions and inspections Landlord entry to units Just cause evictions Formal eviction process Termination noticing requirements Anti-retaliation and anti-harassment rules Tenant buyout agreements Security deposits and move-out Resources and upcoming workshops > Hi, thank you. Um, I was always wondering how to uh be objective about uh wear normal wear and tear >> because um I have experience living in other places for example Florida it's very um assumption they assume that wear and tear is normal. In California, I always see landlords uh going after every little thing and charge arm and a leg and it's just a different of culture and maybe different of law that I would like to understand better maybe with your help. >> Perfect. Thank you so much. Great question. Um yeah, and again that's a tricky one and that's because in in California the law is not super specific about what normal wear and tear means. Um so it is a little bit up to interpretation about you know what landlords might consider normal wear and tear. Um, generally speaking from experience, again, this is not legal advice or anything like that. Um, but you know, some holes in the wall from hanging pictures on the wall generally has been okay. You know, a lot of people in California use like those plastic blinds. If blinds are broken, obviously um they would charge to replace those. Um, I've seen especially with carpet cuz that's a a tricky one and in in California carpet doesn't have like an expiration date. As long as it's clean and safe, then the carpet is okay. Um, so a little bit dirty, they may charge the tenant to do like a a professional carpet cleaning. Um, but for the most part, you Yeah, it's kind of up a little bit to interpretation. It should look close to when the tenant got it, I think, is what most landlords um that I've talked to, that's sort of what they're looking for. Um, and then in Mountain View specifically, we do have a mediation program and and a lot of people do go to mediation with their landlords over um disputes about security deposits and cleaning. Um, so I don't know if that's super helpful, but that's sort of what I've seen over the last 10 years or so that I've been working here. So, you know, small wear and tear, but nothing major. Let me see if I missed anything. One second. Okay. Okay. All right. Yeah. So, here we are. Landlords providing a habitable condition. So, some of these are recommendations, some of these are law. Um, perform a thorough walkthrough inspection. So, starting last year, this became law that at the beginning and the end of the teny, a walkthrough needs to be done and it needs to be done with pictures. So, um, that was always a good idea. Now, you must do it. Um, so that should hopefully help any kind of security deposit disputes because you have photo evidence or video evidence. Um, some landlords decide to require renters insurance in their lease. Again, you need to do that right when the tenant is first entering the lease because that's not something you can add mid lease or yeah, mid teny. Um again I just mentioned uh the mediation program that we have in Mountain View is great for tenant landlord um disputes. So keeps the relationship lets people kind of create solutions that work for both parties. So we always highly recommend mediation for tenant landlord issues. All right. And then speaking of habitability, um often times there will be something in a tenants's unit that you need to fix. So you need to enter the unit. So as a landlord, you do have a right to enter the unit. However, it must be done lawfully. So it's only necessary for like the repairs or services. So, if you have an annual fire alarm inspection, that would be allowed and that would be necessary because, you know, especially in California, we want to make sure our fire alarms are working. Um, you must give 24-hour written notice. So, that's a state law. Um, and then must be clear about the state, the sorry, the date, the time, and the purpose of the entry. And then that's applicable unless it's an emergency. So, fire, flood, earthquake, that type of thing. And you want to make sure it's during normal business hours. So, you're not entering anybody's unit at midnight, but maybe, you know, like right when they get off work. If they're there at 7:00 and they want to be there for the inspection, they can be. Um, but it's not required. All right. So, um, let me see if we're going. Okay, this is a perfect transition. So, um, if the tenant is refusing to let you in the unit, um, or they've, you know, done something like change the lock so you can't get in the unit, that is not allowed. So, under the CSF, we have what we call just cause evictions, which are nine specific reasons that a landlord is allowed to terminate a teny. Um, if it is outside of these nine reasons, it is not a an allowed reason to terminate a teny. So, I like to break these up into two categories. One is tenant cause. The other is landlord and under the tenant, the most common one of course is failure to pay rent. Next is breach of lease, nuisance, criminal activity, and that failure to give access. And then you'll notice reasons two through five have the asterisk next to it. And that's because you're required to give a notice to cease before you give the actual termination notice. If you do not give that notice to cease, the tenant um can use that as a defense against any sort of unlawful detainer that may come in the future. So, um, if you want to, I think we have a form on our website for notices to cease, but the main takeaways is that it should be very specific in what happened and what the tenant needs to correct and how long they have to correct it. Um, it also should give the phone number of the city in case the tenant needs support. Um, so that's it all included on the template that we have. So, you can use that might be a little bit easier. Um, then we move over to these more landlordcaused reasons a tenant might need to leave their unit. So, if there are repairs that may cause a vacancy, um, the tenant can give a termination notice if that repair is going to take over 30 days if there is an owner moving situation. So, the owner, their parent, their spouse, their child is going to move into one of the units. Um, that could be one reason to issue a notice. If you're withdrawing all of the units from the rental market or if you're demolishing maybe one or two units from the property, um, those are allowed. However, all of the reasons under the landlord cause uh will trigger tenant relocation assistance for those tenants that income qualify. Now, if you get as far as giving a notice to cease if applicable, giving a termination notice, and then the tenant still doesn't move out, the only way to get the tenant out of the unit is to go through the formal eviction process. Um, and there's just like kind of a little flowchart here, but you'll give the tenant the notice. You give a copy to the city as is required. You serve the court paperwork. Um, the tenant has uh the option to provide an answer to the court. If they do not file an answer, it goes straight to a judgment. If they do file an answer, you will get scheduled a court date and then it will be heard and a judgment will happen. And if the judgment is in the favor of the eviction, then a sheriff's notice will be placed on the tenants's door. And if necessary, the sheriff is the one who will do the escorting and the locking out. Not the landlord, it will be the sheriff. Um, anything else is not allowed. So, any kind of constructive eviction would be totally against the law. Um so changing locks, cutting off utilities, harassment, um preventing uh tenants from entering the unit or making the property fall into such disrepair that the tenant wants to move out. Right? So you don't want to do any of that. Go through the formal channels. Um I don't have a lot of time left. I'm trying to get through this, but there is always the story that pops in my head that was in the MV voice a couple years ago when a landlord hired someone to block a tenant out of their unit. It made the news, so don't do that. And it was a CSF covered property. Okay. So, noticing So, specifically talking about termination noticing and and notices to cease. So depending on the type of termination notice you're going to give it will be three days for three days to to not pay rent or quit 30 days 60 days or in the cases where you may be withdrawing the units from the market 120 days or a year but those are very specific. So most cases it's 3 days 30 or 60 days. Um so on the notice again you want to have your very specific reason. I mean, list out the exact reason out of those nine reasons. Make it super clear. Notify the ten the tenant if they have the right of relocation assistance. And then you have to give a copy to the city within 3 days of serving that to your tenant. Um, for those other ones that we talked about earlier, give that notice to cease with the proper information and then the city will get involved if you are having um a a termination notice with a tenant where tenant relocation assistance is triggered. It's sort of a collaborative process that we we will work through together. All right. Okay. Okay, so this is kind of new. So just recently earlier this year, the rental housing committee passed anti- retaliation and anti- um harassment regulations. And so it's just really to further clarify what the state law already says, but it gives a lot of examples um and a process where tenants can file something with the city, but the city um holds that information. And they don't necessarily, you know, file any lawsuits or or any fines or penalties to landlords, but it's just more of an option for tenants to record that type of um behavior if it's happening and to give landlords, you know, a better definition of what that type of behavior is. Okay. So here are the examples. So tenants would be protected from retaliation. So if they requested repairs, um if they're reporting any kind of unsafe condition, filing a petition on their behalf to decrease the rent for some other reason. if they are joining organizations requesting reasonable accommodations um or if they have to call law enforcement in any kind of emergencies like especially domestic violence type emergencies or any other type of emergencies um they would be protected against retaliation um if those things came up. Um, and then bad faith. So, ill types of interactions or what could be seen as a harassment would be threats of eviction without one of those just cause reasons. Coercion for a tenant to vacate the use the unit. Verbal or written threats. uh failure to provide any kind of housing service or eliminating any of those housing services. Um removing any of the tenants property from inside their unit or outside their unit um or their storage units, anything like that. Unnecessary late night repairs, refusing to accept rent that is lawfully being given. And then any other sort of discrimination against the tenant, you know, for race, sexual orientation, um, heritage, language, uh, anything like that, just to name a few. Um, just be super careful of, which I know, you know, I know most people are. So if you want to sort of read more about that, there are new regulations out and those are up on our website. There is also a separate page on our website related just to uh more information about anti-harassment and uh anti- retaliation. All right, give me one moment to take a sip of water. Oh, thank you. Okay. So, kind of going through everything we just went through. If the tenant was terminated, um, that's one option. However, there is also this other thing that I like to talk about and make landlords aware of, which are tenant buyout agreements. Um, and they sometimes are a good option, especially I've seen new owners be very interested in them, um, when they're coming in to a new property that has existing tenants. So, there might be some sort of incentive to offer the current tenants to have them voluntarily leave. So the buyout agreement is an agreement between the landlord and the tenant that the tenant gets pro usually a payment of some sort and then they say on of my own valition I'm choosing to vacate the unit. So the there's no termination notice needed. There's no UD court needed. Um nothing like that. It's just sort of easy peasy. So, um, how the process works is obviously first get in talks with your tenant. Um, and if they're agreeable to the idea, there is a disclosure form that the tenant signs um, before you guys really start getting down to the nitty-gritty of negotiating um, prices, vacate dates, things like that. Um, and this form tells the tenant their rights and it also gives them an example of what is required under tenant relocation assistance. Um, not that that's the number you have to use, but it's just sort of like a good maybe starting spot or some spot for them to kind of acknowledge as what they might be getting if it were like an owner move in or if you were withdrawing the units from the market. Um, so that information is on that disclosure form. And then you're going to want to make sure that you have an agreement. So, a contract that spells out specifically how much, when the payments are going to happen, when the tenant needs to move out, um, and all those good details. So, once you have all that, a copy of the disclosure form and the agreement amounts and details is submitted to the city. Again, you can do that through the portal. And as a final step, the tenant has a a built-in 10 days after signing the agreement to resend it. Um, in case they they misunderstood something or they changed their mind, they have 10 days to do that. Um, so that's a process that you can use as an option. Um, if a tenant wants to move out. Okay. So now from all different scenarios, our tenant is out of the unit, whether that was a termination notice, a UD eviction, or a tenant buyout agreement. So we're just wrapping up now with what happens afterwards. So security deposits, which we kind of already touched on a little bit, but they can be used for unpaid rent, damage to the property, or cleaning. I know. Um, like I was saying, carpet's a big one. Um, applian deep cleaning of appliances can be a big one. Blinds is always a big one. I think it's cuz they're so difficult to clean. Um, but anyways, you want to do that inspection uh at least within 14 days um before the tenant moves out for a pre-insspection if they're willing to do that. Some tenants don't want to do that and that's fine. Um, but then they move out. You need the final inspection. Make sure you have your checklist. Make sure you have your pictures. And then, um, return the deposit within 21 days after the tenant moves out. And if there was any items, and maybe correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's over $150 or $200, then you do need to have the receipt attached to that. Um, oh, you know what I'll also include? I'll also include the landlord tenant handbook. It's such a good resource and it has all of this. I'll include that in the email or you can just Google California Tenant Landlord Handbook and it's a great resource. All right, so that's that. I don't see any other kind of questions there. So, I'll just go ahead and wrap up. So, anybody who wants to kind of take off can do that. Um, again, mediation is a great resource. All you have to do is reach out to our program and we can connect you directly with the mediators. Um, great for tenant landlord, but also if you have two tenants going at it, it's great for neighbor to neighbor uh conflict as well. For landlords, you can if you need a lawyer, which is um never a bad idea, especially if you're uh dealing with termination notices or the court system, you can look that up at Santa Clara County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service. Or if you want to sort of try to do some things yourself, you can take a trip to the Superior Court Self-Help Center. And that's in San Jose. Uh if you have questions directly about Mountain View program or um a property you have here, we have a landlord help center that we hold every Thursday from 1 to 300 p.m. and that's virtual and online. So you can come to our office at 298 Equal Avenue. We are next to the senior center. You actually just park in the senior center and walk up um to our looks like a house but it's converted into an office or join us online mountainview.gov/housinghelp clinics. And then if your tenants need help with anything, you can always refer your tenants to come to us, especially if they're having trouble paying their rent. Um, at our housing help center for tenants, we have a representative from CSA, uh, who can help them apply for rent relief. Um, so that could be a good resource for them. That's every first and third Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. both online and in person. All right. And so, some upcoming workshops for landlords. Um because September is coming up and it is the next time to increase the rent. We have how to lawfully increase your rent. So we'll be going over the allowed rent increases, the forms, and uh the noticing requirements. Then we have next month next month in September, uh how to comply with tenant eviction protections in Mountain View. So, if you find yourself in a situation um where you're considering terminating a tenant or you just want to kind of know in more detail than we went into today what the steps are for that, we'll be focusing on that on that day. And these are all online. So, you register through the same link and mountainview.govrsp webinars, rentstabilization program webinars. If you want to just reach out to us for a very specific question, um you can contact us at our phone number, email or stop by our office Monday through Friday 9 to5. Uh we have plenty of information on our website. And then also we on top of the landlord housing help center, we also have Tuesday office hours online only from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. So that happened earlier today. Okay. So then I'll stay around. Let me leave this up. Couldn't stop.]]> https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/bST-sCZ6I8E https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/bST-sCZ6I8E Mon, 29 Jun 2026 16:11:53 GMT The Mountain View Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee reviewed an active transportation collision report from the police department, discussing dashboard data limitations, e-bike safety education programs, and enforcement of wrong-way riding and red-light violations. The committee provided feedback on complete streets checklists for two OBAG grant applications involving El Camino Real intersection improvements (Calderon/Phillips and Castro), focusing on protected intersections, pedestrian safety, lighting, no-right-turn-on-red policies, and bike lane protection. They approved the consent calendar and the draft FY2026-27 work plan, and received informational updates on the SR-237/Middlefield interchange project, community shuttle service suspension, and VTA policy advisory committee meetings. Public comment on shoreline path repairs Consent calendar approval Active transportation collision report Dashboard data and PCF tracking E-bike safety education and enforcement Wrong-way riding and red-light citations Senior citizen education concerns Stolen bike statistics Jaywalking enforcement rules OBAG complete streets checklists El Camino intersection projects Protected intersections and safety islands Castro Commons parking and bike lanes Pedestrian crossing and lighting concerns No right turn on red policy Grant application process and competition Draft FY2026-27 work plan SR-237/Middlefield interchange project Community shuttle service suspension VTA PAC updates and SB63 OBAG 4 checklist review meeting > Yes. Uh I will do the roll call. Are we online yet? >> Okay, great. Um so, uh chairs >> vice chair Bonte. >> Okay. Member Wang present. >> Barton absent. Member Stone. We have a quum. With that we will move on to item we have oral communication to the public. This portion be reserved for person wishing to address the committee on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers will be limited to three minutes. State law prohibits the committee from acting on non-aggenda items. Do we have any members of the public in the room? Please come to the lecture. But I need to we need to now figure out how to unshare this card. >> Well, >> you need to see it. >> Yeah. >> Share. Sorry about this. You're taking it for three minutes. No, no, we're not. We haven't started timing you yet. >> You have to see it. So, >> I want to make sure that everything set up properly. Anyways, >> there it is. >> Awesome. >> Okay. So, I think you just do it that way, right? Go ahead. >> Hi, I'm Becky Wright, 30 plus year of Mountain View and I love riding my bike and I'm very happy that you all are serving on this committee. But tonight, what I really wanted to say was thank you for whatever input you had on the shoreline bicycle pedass construction that's going on now. that since I live over in Rex Manor, I take those paths and they have been bumpy forever and ever and horrible and I'm just so thrilled that that work actually taking place and so what for whatever part you all had in it to advocate for bicycles and pedestrians, I thank you very much. That's it. >> Thank you. >> Do we have any members of the public online? You can raise your hand or press star 9 on the phone if you want to speak. No. With that, we'll move to item four, the consent calendar. Um, otherwise it's just the meeting minutes. Does anyone want to pull anything from the consent calendar? No. Okay. Do we have any public comments on the consent calendar? I assume no one in the room. Do we have anyone online? All right. A motion to approve the consent calendar would be in order. >> I move that we approve calendar. >> I did. I'm sorry. >> And number one seconded. Uh all in favor. >> That passes unanim unanimously with the three present here. That moves us to item there's no one finished since that moves us to item 6.1 active transportation collision report and I believe we have present from >> this is Lieutenant Goth from department and you have a presentation right both Oh, you have it up. Thank you. >> As in the past, we've compiled the questions and used crime analyst majority of the answers. So, you want to go go to the first one? First question. So, first one was part of the problem with our uh dashboard. So one of the questions was about it was there was a answer for null. It was our rims database our current report rating system is uh rims and the data that transfers over is not uh working well. So that's been fixed on the dashboard. >> Did you um say what the acronym is PCF for members of the public? >> Sorry for beback members too. numbers >> uh PCF is primary collision factor which is what is the cause of the accident. So what we attribute the primary cause of the the collision sorry and go to the next one. Uh using the dashboard as example could MBPD provide PCF by type of vehicle primary glitch factor by type of vehicle. Since wrong way is only shown for vehicles versus bicycles and based on observations I would assume the bikes were the wrong way. But it'd be good to have the actual data. And uh the analyst said that we can add that as recommendation for future iterations of the dashboard. And I think I'm probably repeating myself from last time I was here, but our Crossroads report writing software, we're still working out the kinks. >> We're hoping to have that all turned on on July 1st. Right. >> So there's been a lot of I'm not tech savvy so there's a lot of coding and language that needs to talk to each other. Our RMS system is the record maintenance system is how we keep track of all of our contacts and crossroads is having language digital language issues with providing that information. So we're hoping that turns on on July 1st and then a lot more of our analytics will be available and it'll be a lot better information. So uh we go next one the dashboard related bikes does MBPD have a breakdown on the type of bikes regular class one to three electric and motos and we don't and that's mainly due to the fact that the CHP collision form does not it up until recently it did not have a category for those different vehicle types. So the crossroad software is going to include this and CHP has their iterations of the the format change every year and they've added goheadeds like the electric goheaded they've added a category for onehe motorized boards. So, we're able we're going to be able to better analyze all that data going forward, but we're continuously getting new forms from CHP, including uh self-driving categories now for self-driving. So, all that data will going forward be available for us to pull from. Part of it too is the education for our officers on the class one to three. That's not an easy thing to comprehend. And we have >> we're sending an officer software Hammond who's been here before I presented is going to a 40hour e device class to become an instructor. We're going to stand up a a pretty significant e device class that we're going to do town halls. We're going to do schools. Uh we're really starting to push forward on the schools. We're trying to get permits for the kids to to be able to bring their bikes, their ebikes to school and at the same time prohibit e motorcycles from coming to school. So that's all going forward. That's the stuff that we're it's working in the process. So next question. Uh what is MVPD doing to educate or enforce not writing wrong way? So this mainly stems or starts with our schools. So our school resource officers and our motor officers conduct uh bicycle education, bike rodeos with safe routes. We're working on that. We're trying to to coordinate with them. It's a partnership with them where we participate in their program. Uh that along with heavy enforcement the first week of school at the intersections majority of the kids are riding through. Uh other than that adults honestly we don't really usually it's more of like a motor officer with a PA getting on their PA speaker and telling them road. Uh I can't think of any times where we've been writing citations for that but it's usually verbal points. Uh how many traffic tickets have been issued to bikes, scooters, hoverboards for running red lights, etc. stats for the last six months. Again, this is not we don't have a a method for dividing the driver type on a citation. It's handwritten in that it's a bicycle instead of a car. So, that box is not populated into our data tracking system. The new crossroads e tickets that we're going to be getting, we're going to go away from paper tickets. We're e tickets and that has a category for bicyclist or every every different kind of category pedestrian driver bicyclist. So that will allow us to track that data better for that. I know that we have written I've personally written red light tickets uh to bicyclist on our targeted bicycle enforcement days. We're looking for and usually that's usually the kids at the schools but that was an adult. So I can't give an exact number of how many and do we have statistics on the overall number of traffic collisions for minor major injuries and deaths over the past several years. Uh this is what we're able to pull from our OTS office of traffic safety data that we've reported for the last three years. Uh there is some if you look at the dashboard there's probably some conflict in fatalss. We don't work fatal accidents that happen on private property and we've had a couple of those. One in particular was in the Walmart parking lot on a foggy day. Somebody was covered in a black blanket and was hit in the parking lot. So the RMS uh the record maintenance system data may show a fatal, but it's a fatal for vehicle collision, but it's not on a roadway and so we don't report that on a CHP form. So you may see a number that says three for uh 2023. I think the data said three, but it was really two that occurred on the roadway. And then just an update on our ebike safety. Like I was saying, uh they've recently developed a class for police officers. It's a 40-hour class. They just basically inundated everything that's e device related and it teaches the uh student how to put together their own program for the police department. Huntington Beach has kind of spearheaded this. They developed the program. So officer Hammond will be going to that. He'll be coming back and partnering with school resource officers to put together a fairly significant class. It'll probably be it'll coincide with a juvenile diversion. So, we'll issue juvenile division diversion tickets to the juveniles who are riding without helmets riding the wrong way. Then, they'll be required to come to a class with their parent. Same thing with the e uh the e devices. And the plan is to have town halls and required training. All the questions that come up with. Do you have other questions? Some of them were kind of together kind of long longer question. You know these implementations of these tickets you know for teachings only to children. I mean have you considered for seniors also the senior citizens? I see especially a lot of them from different countries who probably don't even speak English you know they just go the other way and then you know and then you know and then how you guys going to really you know teach them so I mean they're seniors too they're going to you know if I get into an accident not knowing where to go >> so on the adult so the category for that type of stuff there's we have a program called live 25 so that's one avenue where anybody who's on the roadway and commits a violation if they're under 25 we can send them to the live 20 program live 25 program that's an online class requirement where if they complete that then this the citation doesn't get submitted to the court but that's within the constraints of the age and we don't we don't have anything for uh senior citizens for that would probably be more a warning and so the new the new e citations will have a warning option also so we don't we have written warning tickets but I don't think anybody uses them so it's usually they get a ticket they just get a verbal warning with the new system will be able to enter it as a warning in the system. It will track that that person's been given a warning and it'll go into our record maintenance system so that if we check them find out that they've already been warned for that. But as far as an education, there's not something that would we can offer that >> any um I had a couple I realized at least one of them that I asked in advance didn't seem to me through. So um but actually first related to what you're mentioning, will the will officer Hammond's um e device instruction coordinate with our safe routs to school or any other things involve interacting with the students at our school with regards to active transportation. So as if those classes are held the bike ros are held prior to September. We the f soon as we can get them into the class in September. He's already kind of spearheading all of the so all the brochures that we put out recently the social media push that we've been doing he created those and he's been running that program. So he will be having additional training to do that. If the safe routes bike rodeos are occur before that it'll be him that's participating. he just won't have that class under his belt where he's created the whole program yet. >> Right. That's good. I think the thing I'm more asking about just in general like I don't want for instance to end up with brochures going out that say one thing from the MBPD and then our safe routes school program putting out a brochure that says a slightly different thing that might confuse people or cause problems. Is there coordination going on? >> We have a meeting with them. >> Okay. Going up. I think >> there is coordination. the safety officers are really engaged with the the school community. So we'll make sure we do have a meeting with them until >> Okay. >> to kick off our new contract. >> Oh, with the safe practice schools. >> Okay. Consultants. Yeah. >> Um the I think I had a couple questions in mind about tracking of stolen bikes. I saw on the transparency dashboard that it looked like some had there was maybe a reduction this year and I had trouble telling if that was a real reduction or just it varies a lot and so maybe I shouldn't read anything into it. Do you have any I looked at the dashboard it did look it started out high. >> Yeah. >> And then it looked like it trended a lot lower. >> Yeah. >> Um I don't have the data from that. There's not a I couldn't get into that data. Okay. So, but the numbers, the total numbers I can access. Uh, if the question was which bikes are being sold more often, it's in my just in my experience as I'm seeing stuff come out, it's more almost 100% e the ebikes the the context is is the rate of like that trending up, trending down, is it something that we should be worried about? Should we be should we be paying more attention to providing secure bike parking or is it that things are actually working fine for most people and that there is albeit with some always persistent um uh that and so it's that's something where I I don't know if I should be reading too much into the statistics. So that's where I'm coming. >> Statistics I believe are accurate and it showed to me it was a significant reduction across the last four four or five months. the beginning of the year was it was higher. January was higher. >> But you do think it's it's focused more on bikes in the last couple years. >> Yes. Okay. >> And we had I think we had a fairly significant arrest recently. Somebody who was going into garages. Don't know if I got pushed yet, but I know our detectives. Do do you have any other? >> Well, so I have one talking about collaboration making sure that you know safer to school and FPD has the same message. Is there coordination because there are thousands of kids from Mountain View go to school in Los Santos Mountain kids that could be confusing for them to hear different stories like you know based on >> I'm not sure if Los Altos has save program >> they have one I'm not sure if it says rout >> and we've been in talks with them to make sure that our safe routes programs are coordinated um but for I don't know if the PD is talking to PD >> so I know they don't have school resource officers I know our school resource officers help the city >> with uh the school I'm not sure if they're in coordination with safe routes for Los Angeles >> between departments I mean like like you know like sharing resources on training I couldn't speak to I don't know that would probably be the school resource sergeant would be able to answer that what what their participation is at Los Altos follow >> yeah just you know I know jaywalking is permissible is jiking permissible I think >> uh so the way that reads is if there is a collision caused by jwalking if the primary collision factor is jwalking then we can attribute it to that violation. But peace officers are not able to stop people who are jaywalking. We're prohibited from doing that now. >> Right. >> Any of it. If you're in the street, it's it's an unclear section. It's got to be the way it's defined is that if the person in the roadway is a hazard to passing traffic, then it's it's a violation. But if they're crossing and they're not causing the car to slow down or swerve or anything like that, then it's not a violation. We're not able to stop them. >> Yeah. I mean, these bikers sometimes they just think that they're, you know, they're all that and so then they could just pass so fast and when they're not as careful. So, >> so if if a bicyclist is operating the bike in an unsafe way, the vehicle code does allow for them to be stopped for a violation. If they're making an unsafe lane change just like a car would, then it would apply. then we can stop them and they can begin citation. >> Right. Moving to public comment on the active transportation collision report. Do we have any members of the public in the room wishing to comment on this? We have any members of the public online. All right. Do we have any comments from the committee to uh or I guess if there are any questions to Lieutenant Go. Thanks for you know answering our questions. Hopefully we don't repeat ourselves too much. >> Yeah, thank you for the responses. Uh it is it is helpful. I want to make sure we're maintaining our relationships. Um I would if if once that data becomes available from Crossroads, I won't be surprised if Deepak and other members of the public are interested in going to look at that. So if that gets forwarded or noted somewhere that beans or through Lauren >> it will probably make its way out of the dashboard in a more uh tangible way of understanding information. So >> yeah there are some people in this community who love to get at the raw. So, it's it's going to be much better. >> And yeah, I and I appreciate the attitude towards uh e devices of making sure that we try to make it so that kids and adults can use ebicycles that they're allowed to use to not have to drive as much, but getting people who are riding motorcycles around illegally. There's going to be there's going to be a very clear enforcement effort and I encourage a continued collaboration with our transportation department all that. Um, with that I think we're good on this item and we'll move to item 62 the OAG for complete streets checklists. I believe we have our presentation from >> Yes. But we also have Robert Gonzalez here who can speak to the actual projects if you have questions about the projects. So um this is not an action item. is a discussion and um >> photo right um so we're asking the BPAC to review and provide comments on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission complete students checklist for the one Bay Area grant applications to be submitted by city view. So, um, one Bay Area grant is a transportation funding source that's administered through BTA. It is administered or it opens up, uh, in this county, it's administered by VTA. It opens up about every four years. and um the city of Mountain View took a look at projects that were in the pipeline, the scoring criteria for the OAG grant and where the projects were in their in their phasing and their ability to get completed within the timelines required by the grant. And we selected two projects. Um everything is in your packet. There are two intersection projects on El Camino. One is the El Camino Rial Cauldron Avenue Phillips Avenue intersection improvements. We will be asking for funding for design and construction for that one. And the second one is El Camino Rial Castro intersection Castro bikeway improvements and we will be asking for construction funding for that because we already have funded the design. Um rather than go through the projects, I'm just going to point out that we have in the packet um checklists for each of the projects. So, the MTC, which is the ultimate uh entity that has the funding source, requires that part of the grant application, we fill out a complete streets checklist for each project and bring that checklist to the BPAC for review of the checklist. And the primary goal of the DPA review is to look at the project itself, look at the checklist and make uh see if there's anything we are missing in terms of um different plans and and efforts that the city has that relate to the project and also are there any components in the project that um don't meet the the goals of So, it's really to provide feedback on the checklist and make sure what we've developed is is reasonable, make sure it's something that the lay person can understand and comments on the checklist. If you want to also provide comments on the scope of work or have questions about the scope of work, Robert's here to provide uh responses to that. And um with that, I will open it up for conversation. And if you want, I have the checklists uh on my computer and I can share them if you want to point out a certain area in each checklist. questions on the clarifying questions on each me. Well, I actually um have a view about the you know because another you know I run a bike and it's safety thing for me about about seeing other you know bikers you know running the red and um and also I mean part of the plan is about age and visibility kind of the plan that should be incorporated into the I'm sure you know that already but so I mean the the new the two the two the two projects that's going to go in how How is it uh going to have some sort of like a a signal to the to the pass to the driver to the bikers and also it'll help the drivers too if there's a signal about that this is actually a one lane pathway bike path you know rather than rather than just you know let's just have a green lane and then a lot of the bikers don't know that it's just you know one way and they think that they can go to the other way. Uh is there any kind of some sort of sign or some sort of a notice to them? Uh trying to share follow through. >> Yeah, thanks for the question. Robert Gonzalez, I'm principal civil engineer at the civil infrastructure group. Um at this point in the project, we are really starting out the design process. So um um Lauren Leb better mentioned kind of the the competitive competitiveness in selecting projects that were uh could be delivered in that one to four year time frame. So the Alamina Royale um patrol project is just starting out on the design and the Cderon Alamina Royale project has not begun yet on the design. So, I think that's actually a really good design detail that we can go into in the design process and evaluate that. You know, a class two bike lane is a class two bike lane. So, it's going to be striped as a class two bike lane, but there may be options to look at signage that in addition to that show, you know, wrong way. I know on California if you're cycling the wrong way, um if you if you're if you're opposite traffic, you could you'll see a sign that says, you know, bikes wrong way. So we can look at adding that type of signage into >> lane the lane is so small and then you know it's so easy for one yeah then the yeah the other thing is besides this just that okay and also you know no for the bikers the drivers I think that there should be some sort of a fairness too for the drivers so that they don't feel like you know because I talked to a lot of drivers they hated when that they the bikers they just run the red run the stop you know and so that maybe there's some sort of some sort of like a sign for the bikers to also let them know that they should follow the rules too and not just be, you know, arrogant driving thinking that they're, you know, being good for the society and for the air. >> So, and we can take this as a general comment as well because these are two intersection improvements. There's only so much you can do at one intersection to to manage this sort of behavior. But this is this is something that we can take in as a general comment and look for ways to explore that through our educational pro projects and through our corridor projects our delivery cycle bike infrastructure. >> That'll happen. >> I want to note that I was able to finally screen share. So this is one of the projects. This is the Castro Street project. And so these are in your packets. The other one, this is the um Cderon Phyllis Avenue one. So this red is the ext the the limits of the project itself. And then this is a concept that was developed through the um El Camino Royale Streetscape plan. I'll try to zoom in a little bit so you can just see these are very conceptual and we're putting these in the grant application and then you know if we receive the funding we'll do the design work to validate that that what's proposed here is something that's feasible >> questions. Yeah. So I mean thanks for answering questions I had one around you know who who owns what and who's in charge of what on you know Um so you know the there is talk about changing some signal signs you know lights and and things like this. So you know and and for my experience when whenever I see a broken light I mean I've tried to reach sometimes Los Altos sometimes view and every time I'm I'm sent back to Calrance. >> Yes. So I'm wondering if for for all this money that we're going to put here to put new signals or things like this if we're going to still be dependent on on CLR to to kind of manage it or fix it or uh so this project won't change the fact that is Calr's right away. We don't want that to to change the fact we want them to take responsibility for the rightway that they own and operate. Um we have proposed projects along El Camino that the the city is sponsoring it we're investing in. So for example when u Calrans did the pavement maintenance u a few years ago last a couple years ago um we approached the the CALR and volunteered to contribute to put in the bike infrastructure. Uh they will maintain the bike infrastructure if it is to their design standards. Um same thing with the signal infrastructure. We would voluntarily improve that uh bring in grant funding or city funding to upgrade those that signal infrastructure but we would still be reliant on CALR. They would be responsible for the maintenance and operations of the signals. >> Yeah. Because I mean for the public it's a bit challenging to know who to contact. There's there are >> once you contact trans >> there are very few local jurisdictions that have voluntarily take on trans right away. Um I can there's just a handful and many of them just see that as an additional budgetary burden that we're already struggling to to find um uh the budgets the operating budgets that we need to maintain the infrastructure that we have and taking it on whether it's county infrastructure or CALR infrastructure we need them their their help and their funding to instruction that they have that would be several signal have to take Um could you since it's not mentioned briefly the verify questions is there anything to elaborate on the um infrastructure elements being considered for these I saw that was in terms of store water retention for at least the phyis one but I wasn't sure if there's any more detail to call out Yeah, I I mean I'll start and Robert if you want to jump in. I for the Phyllis and El Camino Phyllis Cauldron El Camino one there may be some space or opportunities to be able to provide green infrastructure. We'll have to get into that with the design. I do believe that with the Castro one there's less space. Uh you want to confirm? >> Yeah, that's correct. So like I said before, we're early in the designs. We don't have details. I will mention that um going back to the CALR element here. One of the more more important things is to understand um who would who would maintain the infrastructure and whose property would that infrastructure ultimately be on. So at some intersections, I'm thinking about the Elmont Esquea intersection, the um the Calrans rideway is much is very expansive. So much of that intersection we're we're considering putting in green infrastructure and we're we're actively talking to Calrans about taking credit for the investment that we're putting in there. This one is a little a little bit simpler. I think the um the ride ofway is very close to the crosswalk on both sides on the north side and the the Calderon side and the Phillis side. So I think it's it's pretty clear that the infrastructure the green infrastructure will be on city property but that is something that we want to confirm as we go through the design process. Um don't know who will answer this question but pulling on the thread of the uh I asked a clarifying question about the Castro Commons project I wanted to understand my impression when this project originally so just to make sure that we all understand what the current this diagram is showing that is showing a maintenance of or parallel parking along the northbound side of Casture Street for that entire block and once Castro Commons implemented there will no longer be that road that's in the middle in the satellite imagery anymore and instead just be a PO and so that's why the the parking is all the way along there. Is that all a correct description of the what this diagram is showing? >> I'm gonna ask. >> Hi, Ed. Orango, the worst director. Um, so this concept um that you're looking at here is I want to say it's four or five years old. >> Can I get um manager letter better to help me? Is it 2021 2022? >> I think I think that's where it started but I think it last I think it last had some public meetings in 23 but I think got started before this. >> I think that that states this um well before the Castro Commons project. >> So when the Castro Commons project came in I mean we were looking at this frontage and we were trying to align what we want to do here with what they want to do along the frontage. So this isn't exactly how it's gonna the number of parking spaces that are parallel. They're they're needing some parking spaces taken away so they can provide uh a trash loading and unloading for their facility. Um so it's kind of closer to Yusede. Those spaces were looking at removing and making that trash pickup drop off area. Um and so and other revisions along it. generally it's close to it but it's not this exactly. So I just want to kind of provide that context that during the castro common view of the development entitlements we did working with the developer manipulated this just a little bit it's still the intent but it's not exactly like this number of spaces may change. >> Okay. And does the does the city have any commitments to the developer regarding the number of street parking spaces that are along this frontage or is that just regarding the the city's making sure to provide the access for trash pickup and the such? >> Yeah. No number of spaces are there's a commitment that so we we have flexibility. We we try to avoid taking away parking spaces because we know there's a large demand in downtown. Um so we limit that. So we were very um prudent about confirming how many spaces we removing. Can we limit that for what they need? >> And but the expectation is the expectation that the the spaces here would predominantly be used by tenants whether commercial retail or customers of that Castro commerce project which will cover the whole that whole block. Right. >> Yeah. Yeah, we really envision that the um the use of the parking spaces would be by customers, you know, because it's going to be mixed use um as well as just those who just want to visit further down and they can't find parking right in front of um other blocks, the retailers, they might park here as well. >> Okay, I have things to comment on in that regard, but I'll say that for a comment section. >> Clarify on the current setting. Is the parking parallel or or is it angled? >> It's angled today. And if I'm not mistaken, it's a little bit off straight, right? In a way. So, so I mean, it's not flush with I mean, you know, right now that it's angled, but it goes inside the the sidewalk kind of. >> Yeah. The parking stalls and the sidewalk are separated by um stairs. >> Yeah. >> Uh and so it's separate, but it's it's an area of um off street. Sorry. Outside of the vehicle lane. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, so that's kind of off street parking. >> Yeah. And then um then the sidewalk. So, >> so would it be the same setup here or in other words, would it be it would be parallel parking instead of angled? So, you can see here all the >> would it be kind of encroaching on the sidewalk kind of? >> Oh. Um I I think what we for the Castro comment >> we reclaimed the sidewalk and then it's going to be >> we reclaimed um so we were reallocating space recognizing that we wanted to provide a bike lane on Castro and so we had to reallocate the space. So um the sidewalk I think generally is going to stay about the same. Um, but now we we get a bike lane on both sides of the street out of it and then we can only fit parallel parking there instead of the angle. I think that's all I had on that. One more question. Oh. Uh, the nature of those city- owned lots near the both sort of Phyllis and that small side street whose name I'm blanking on and at the corner building is the plan basically just for those do those have any special reservation for things in city's plans or are they basically just we may use them for green elements or storm water retention or whatever? >> I do not know the answer to that question. I just had no idea those were even sitting on property. So that surprised me. >> Okay. >> All right. In that case, we have another you know those corner corner islands that people put right. So I mean have they been shown to be effective? Do you guys know anything about that? I don't I don't know. So I don't know why um you know these corn islands would it be safe for the pedestrians? I know they would probably just want to jump onto it, you know, in terms of street lights or anything. >> Go ahead. >> I can start, but I'm going to defer to my transportation um managers expertise here. My understanding is that these are very protective elements there. They they they are places for refuge in the same way that you would have a refuge island whether used to be just in the median um when you were crossing a street but these are places where particularly if you have a raised curl at one point to the Charleston um Shoreline Boulevard intersection uh that was improved eight years ago um but that has raised med that has raised protective islands and it provides uh both bikes and peds a place to kind of uh stage themselves as they're waiting for for a light. So, yeah, it would take it would take a much higher design speed for a vehicle to actually mount that and get get through it. So, it's very protective compared to somebody who may may not really have a space in a in a conventional corner. They might be sharing space between the bikes and the pedest of space or a bicyclist who is in a class a class two um uh bike lane waiting for waiting for a light. I would I would just say yeah they they definitely provide a lot of protection. >> So there's a ramp too going up. There should be like there will be a bicycle ramp. >> There's different there's different ways to to design some I've seen I've assumed them with or with and without ramps. >> Yeah. I mean, you can you can see they're just between these two, they're slightly different. This this one here is very very conceptual, right? Just um this is approximately what it could look like in terms of how the pedestrian would use it. If I zoom in a little bit, the pedestrian will be waiting on the sidewalk and then when they get the green, they can cross here. Right? So, this is not really a this is not big enough really for pedestrian to wait out here. They may, but um this type of design, the intention is the pedestrian would still be waiting at the corner, but this this area is a little bit less of a a conflict between the motorists. And then you can see this is slightly similar but slightly different geometry. It's really you really need to customize the design and the and everything based on every individual corner. So, this is fairly similar where the pedestrian would cross the bike lane here. Um, they could potentially wait here and then cross. So, this would be the most likely raised area. So, for the motorist, this would this would read at the edge of the the edge of the corner right here. >> The push button would be on the sidewalk. >> It would be on the sidewalk. Yeah, that's typically how it's done. Other ones might clear this one. Yeah, probably design. I'm not too sure. Okay. Yeah, if I could add two more benefits. Um so, um protected intersections as we're learning more about them and implementing them. Um so, one of the major focuses of safety is speed. Another one is visibility. Um, and so when you as a vehicle and you're trying to turn the corner, um, your ability to navigate that corner, um, changes with the reduced amount of space you have to navigate. So, thus reducing your speed. You can't navigate it as quickly. So, you will slow down to take. So, that helps um also um safety horizontal speed, but as well as um where bicycles place themselves as they're waiting for the light. So there's a red light, the cars are stopped, the bicyclist are stopped, but the bicyclists can put themselves ahead of the vehicle. So you can see it if you're left right is El Camino. And if I was traveling from left to right and and there's a red light, everybody stops, but then the bicycle can go all the way up to that point right there and they can wait there for the green light, giving them a head start if vehicle wants to turn right. It really provides that visibility. And even when it's green, that vehicle needs to turn at a slower speed and face that um bike lane at a more perspective at a um straight perspective. >> Just kind of at an angle. So uh again, speed and safety is, you know, is the the premise behind this and those um uh elements help provide reduce speed. Yeah, I see that definitely. Clear about that. >> In a scenario, wouldn't be like wouldn't the bike be crossing red? >> Um so in the scenario pedestrians, >> they're not crossing the red unless um until they get the green. So um there's no intersection that they're crossing. There may be be a bicyclist coming from the top to bottom. There is a green signal for pedestrians there, right? So they >> they have to have to right. So I mean it's road they have yield to pedestrians >> but it's a red light so it's really stop >> a lot of conflict with the answer. No, I mean a lot of I agree with all. I'm just thinking, you know, a lot of times I maybe DMV sometimes really need to tell drivers on, you know, how to change their because they have they implement the rules on the DMV. I It's not the California's job. And so maybe the drivers really also need to know to tell these drivers to stop down stop a little bit when they see the junction. Yeah, it's a good Yeah. Let's move on to public comment on refill bag for the street check. I do have any members public. This is kind of a sidlight, but his comment just brought out. I rode my bike over here to the beach today and when I got to the El Camino Castro intersection and I'm waiting for the light to turn so I can cross Al Camino, there were pedestrians there as well. Very crowded actually. The pedestrians started out as soon as the green light was there. But the car that was also waiting to turn right, which we get much more now, can't cross, hardly saw that pedestrian. And actually, a pedestrian got across, but then the car went and then the rest. And so your comment about visibility and having islands and things that help the drivers remember to slow down I think are a very vital part of it because it's that visibility and we all as drivers have to remember it. I'm working right now on the what do they call it Dutch door opening where you turn around to look and see if a bicycle is coming before you open your door as you're parallel parking. So, I really appreciate that you're looking at these kinds of issues to make sure that pedestrians, bicycles can be safe. Thank you. >> Do we have any members of the public on Zoom wishing to speak? All right, then we'll move any comments. if there's anything you would wish to comment on regarding actually could we put up that do you have that like list of four questions or bullets that you want us to be addressing not we can't >> see I don't think I have it here I can tell you what they are though >> just to remind us about action Okay. Are the answers to the checklist clear and understandable to a lay person? Has the project sufficiently incorporated complete streets recommendations outlined in adopted plans? Um, one is if an exception of the complete streets checklist is requested, is it reasonable? But we are not asking for any exceptions. And then so there's really just three. The third one is are there any additional comments related to the project if the committee had any additional things to comment on >> additional um so first on the checklist I had asked some clarific questions you know that pointed to some inconsistencies sometimes on the documents referenced and maybe adding >> that >> there's the preise quite a bit of things and and pertinent to the alamino preise plan is also the growth that's projected for for so you know I think it's a plus for the application in fact we can see the effect of densification at the Castro at Camino because we currently have multi-storyries residential and multi-story business and then the the other two corners will soon have multi-story. So it's going to look more like a northern intersection which is kind of rare even though it's a city growing city I guess. Um and then um my comments are more in general about the intersections. So um and and mostly from the pedestrian standpoint. So um if I look at the intersections of on across El Camino uh they are some of the most challenging ones for pedestrians in the city. There there was a lot of work that had been done by catrans by repaving and and then providing things but very little anything anything really was done for pedestrians. There were a few midblock crossings but nothing was done really for pedestrians on there. There was restriping maybe some signals got improved even though they broke a few times since but there is nothing really talk about I'm going to go first to the issues with the intersections as a pedestrian on >> okay >> I work through these inter sections at least once a week to go to do a shift at CSA and then whenever I come here for bank so today I work wise for biggest interactions. Um the the first thing is that they are very long for for you know in distance for for pedestrians to do this. So that's not an issue for me, but I've seen many times people are kind of stuck in the middle >> because they couldn't make it through in the amount of time. And if you look at most events and that's a very scary thought because except for Castro and they are not perfect. There are pretty much no safety ions there. So when people get stuck in the middle, they kind of try to go as close as possible to the sign. some for for some of them there is still a push button to try to get back in the signal of course you're stuck uh and an aggravating things is that in in a lot of intersection you know people can do U-turns so you're pretty much stuck in the middle of the intersection and with cars doing U-turns there so that's that's a scary thing the other thing that that's not ideal intersection is that it takes a very long time to cross them. Not not by distance, just waiting for the signal. So, so every time I walk, if I'm lucky, you know, everything works fine. But if I'm not lucky, it's easily five minutes to to to cross El Camino. And and crossing El Camino is often a two two-step process because I when I come here, I I kind of do a diagonal, if you will. Mhm. >> I I typically cross by shoreline, but it means waiting for a phase for ever crossing shoreline and then waiting for another phase for for bit and usually I press both directions, you know, hoping that it works, but there's nothing synchronized. So you press one button, it's not coordinated to the other even though what you you want to do is there. So and five minutes it's quite a long time. uh especially if you consider that people you know need to cross at you know to go catch a bus or something like this five minute delay it's a bus um the other thing that that's far from ideal is is the lightning on the the intersections on the crosswalk so um and it's kind of a typical design I think at least in California where um you're going to have one street light of typically a signal sign uh that's going to be on one side. Um and the street is not very wide and that's sufficient to illuminate everything. First of all, it's not always really lined up with a sidewalk with a crosswalk. So sometimes it's a bit off. But with a street as El Camino with so many lines, what you wind up is to have good visibility on one side of a crosswalk and pretty much diminishing uh visibility as you you go to to the other side and sometimes it's quite dark which is not not not a good thing. The other thing that's missing on El Camino in general is also pedestrian level type of lighting. Uh, and that's important as you approach the intersections because it's a way first of all not to trip yourself to feel safe. I mean, you I work at night and you know I'm fine, but you know I'm not really somebody who you would want necessarily attack but I I can see that's a deterrent for for people that's a question of safety there. So there are a few places where you have pedestrian level I think. So that's on one side of the castro on this side I guess of the castro can do intersections. There's nothing on the other side. There's nothing really on by shoreline or by rainf pedestrian lighting. Uh and then and the pedestrian level lighting is also important to have better visibility for for bikes on the bike lines because the same issue that I described where the light is on one side and fails to eliminate everything. It means that it's pretty dark on the back line on on the opposite side of the lot. The lights are also typically pretty high up. So they are above the trees. So you pretty much you eliminate whatever lives in the trees, but it doesn't reach the pedestrians or the bikes. So So pedestrian level type of lighting is is very important for both bikes and pedestrians on on on the approach to this intersection. So um and so when I look at the the projects I I don't see much being done to address these issues. uh and uh I don't want to really script what you should be doing but I think there needs to be much more emphasis on on pedestrian >> okay >> for being proposed because I I don't see much benefits from for pedestrians in there um there could be a little bit protected things you know for for the safety there uh I think in one of the checklist it mentions kind of reducing the the length for for crossing, but I think it's that's not accurate because as a pedestrian, you'll still be waiting on the sidewalk. Um, you know, and the distance will be the same. You'll just have to cross six or seven lines of traffic and two bike lanes. Um and then um one comment I wanted to provide about these treatments where um you kind of have to also cross a bike line essentially uh there I was in in in France in Paris and Paris has done great things for bikes and so on u but um and it's still wonderful to work things like this except on crosswalks because now you a similar type of treatments where you can have a bike line little island then crossing the traffic and things like this and maybe it's specific to Parisians. I'm not from Paris so I can match them there but they never never stop. You can try eye contact, you can try arguing, you know, and I've got plenty of French people on that, but it's like they just don't stop and and it's it's actually dangerous and and frightening and and stressful, which walking shouldn't be. So So um if we go for something like this, I I would want very strict rules where, you know, red is red. uh pretty much you know the pedestrians have waited five minutes to get their their right to go. It should be respected. uh no no exceptions and and pretty much strict informant on this enforcement on this because it's it's crazy and and I'm hoping mont residents are not parishians but but some of them may be from just >> agree >> can I ask two clarifying things about your confidence I just share first off I was realizing this as you were mentioning some of the special things I don't walk through these intersections pull that frequently myself when it rains. Do we currently have problems with um ponding at the curb cuts? >> I I don't think at the curb cuts. >> Okay. So, people aren't having to step through water when it rains to >> it also. This is California. Um, >> and I also don't walk. And I'm trying to make sure that I understand what your comments about um conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians in the crosswalks are related to is that the the only conflict I see, which I'm not I'm not saying it's not a conflict, but the only conflict I see is that basically as cyclists are arriving at the intersection at a red light, they will cross the crosswalk where there may be pedestrians or pedestrians may have the right of way at that time to get up ahead of the drivers where they're where cyclists are supposed to stop. Is that the main spot you're referring to? >> Yeah. And and the spot is really that they should be stopping to let pedestrians go. That's you know that's the rule of the road. the minutes, you know, because from again from my experience in in Paris, I mean, you know, cyclist will not stop or not or they just grace you or try to, you know, will them to to do that's just, you know, it's it's putting for good behavior and, you know, >> okay, I guess my comment on that will be at similar style intersections. I've seen in downtown San Jose. I don't get the impression I've seen too many issues in that regard, but I'm also not there perhaps at the peak hours. So maybe I am I am missing something that happens when it gets really busy. Uh but I at yeah at existing protected intersections I haven't I guess I'd be curious if there's any issues people have had at that um line amphitheater or whatever we some of the Google North there are extremely high volumes of cyclists and pedestrians. I I would be curious to know if we have any issues there or if it's just working fine. If it's just working fine then I won't need to stress about these. >> I think it's a different setup than this. It's more staging area. >> Uh, no, that that one has it's it's it's slightly different, but I think it's a very slip style. Um, >> so >> yeah, >> um, just to respond, I think this is really helpful input for us when we're starting to go into the design phase because I think believe that there can be treatments that we can put in that make it clear to bicyclist that they either have to stop or yield. Um, and I don't want to I mean, one one option is you could actually have it set up so that the bicyclist had to ramp up and it was almost like this the crosswalk was at. That's one example. But um you know, I don't want to promise one design or another because we haven't gotten to into that. But I think noting that we should look at designs that reduce conflicts between pedestrians and bicyclists is going to be important to put put in our notes when we're moving forward with the project. Does that make sense? >> I'm going to run through a few of my comments and try to Yeah. But what what anything I want to mention on design for it gets too far along but what I think will be important for the applications themselves. I do think these are both projects these intersections as the pulls out are high priority ones for the city in terms of safety. Um and the protected elements like uh what assisted public director was calling out about reducing uh turning speeds and proving disability will help a lot for both and cyclists. I I don't use these intersections every day. I do use Central and Castro/Moffet every single day basically. And at least one of the right turns there is not great and would do a lot better if we had something that looked like this. I believe at least the Phyllis Cderon one already has no right turn on red. Um I don't know if that's I can't right now. I think that goes well with protected intersections. Um so I hope we do that. I think in terms of the project applications um I didn't have any glaring things about the nature applications themselves. Um I do I think mentioning the storm water stuff. I don't know if that actually matters for what the nominal stuff on the complete streets checklist if I can't remember if the complete streets criteria currently includes a do you have lots of letters from local organizations I know some of these grant applications do but if you're explicitly pulling out those sorts of storm water treatment things that may and reach out to like the local uh green species group or the such you might be able to get um additional support to get help Um, and it would presumably be good to do, but on its own mers. Um, but just for for the uh uh brand side itself. Um, regarding the protected intersection, I might have found myself helpful for the past few years doing a lot more two-stage left turns, which wasn't mentioned, but is actually doesn't really lose you that much time and sometimes gains you time as a cyclist just crossing in the bike lane than turning and crossing in the other bike lane. and it's a lot safer and protected intersections make that a lot nicer. Um, design element I would like to see paid attention to is whether any of the protection corners end up in a way that is hazardous to cyclists riding through. Um I I have heard I guess minor complaints about the some of the California street intersections and I've sort of felt that when I've ridden through it a few times of that the um plastic ballards can feel a bit abrupt when you're riding through and sort of force people to veer in the bike lane more sharply than they are entirely comfortable with. I don't think that's the biggest design issue. I think that those are that's still a good project to have done. I just want to pay attention to it as we go forward with this. Um I think one thing that will make the application strong and make make the projects better would be basically getting more of the bike lanes protected. Um and the spots where I see that are on northbound Castro. My impression is that a lot of the reason for retaining that parking at in those original plans was because there were businesses there at the time who were expecting customers to be able to use that parking because it had been there for a while with the Castro Commons project. That is no longer the case. There's not there are actually businesses I believe there's at least one business still there right at the moment but once it's rebuilt presumably that will correspond to a lot of change and that bike lane I'm not I'm not convinced it it I think it'll get a lot of double parking if we have it retained in its current form because that bike lane is basically wide enough to park another vehicle there a delivery vehicle or a drop off um it's you'll have people pulling in and out of parking spaces and I don't it's only like 10 to 15 spaces once you uh deal with whatever trash and recycling drop off and that sort of thing we need. So getting some way to make that protected would be amazing. Um but yeah that a lot a lot safer be make a lot safer make that stronger. Um the other spots I noticed for additional protection were potentially along Phyllis on the approach to El Camino. um where I think there might even be enough rightway to just make the northbound. I have no idea. Southbound, it looks like we probably have the right of way to do some parking protected bike lanes. I don't know if that parking is even used much right now. Um but that I think would make that project a bit stronger. Um and then I don't know what the rightway situation is for the bus stops that would might be affected by either project. I think it's mostly the Phyllis one though. But if we can make those be some form of island so that the buses that are going through are not pulling across the bike into the bike lane constantly that would make things better. I don't I don't know what the right way constraints are. >> Yeah. >> Um I don't know if that's something where moving the bus stop 100 feet would make the rideway better. But >> yeah, the um there's a bus stop here. >> Yeah. I believe actually >> I think they're both on the eastern side >> and then Castro. All right. Getting oriented. >> Castro, it's by the >> It's on the upper side. Oh, >> yeah. >> That's by the early design >> on that top side, right side. Yeah. There. >> Yeah. And then there's on the reverse. I don't know if either of those are covered by project boundaries. I also don't know if the ones that are along Castro are covered. I think there's only one on that's on southcaster that might be covered by project boundaries, but >> so the the complete streets checklist also requires coordination with VTA. We submitted this exact package to VTA at the beginning of the month and be hearing back from them by the end of the month. >> Um we talked about that exact question. Should we consider this? Um, and we generally felt that that would make it a much much bigger project. And it also would need a lot of approval from VTA if they weren't. We don't even know if ETA is willing to move forward with that type of design. You would most likely need to take right away in order to provide the full transit boarding island width. It just becomes a much bigger project. So, we're we're waiting to see what what EPA says, but at this point in time, we were not intending on building transit boarding islands with these projects, even though there's there's transit right adjacent. >> I don't know if you can put back the pass. >> So, that would be pretty much the the left side for, you know, at the bottom left there. of things there. There is you know where where the chess building is. I think part of it is also part of that project will move the bike kind of inside and separated from from the bus. >> Yeah, there there is a design there is a project >> kind of thing but it's >> so will this design will integrate into the development that's happening on that corner. And I know that the the bus stops at Castro are more important than the ones at Phyllis because they are also 522 stops. >> Yeah, >> they are. >> So, but anyways, that is it's good to at least that discussion is happening. It's happening. Um but yeah um other things I want make sure you touch on uh for the project I mean the uh along Phyllis itself there's currently just some striping that sort of provides the lane width. I'm not sure if it would make sense to uh sort of on southbound Phillis coming out of the intersection there's just striping to to define the width of the southbound lane. I'm not sure if it makes sense to try to provide some to make sure that lane was narrow enough that people were less likely to speed down Phyllis the stop sign. I don't I don't know how necessary that is. I'll mention an essay thing to consider. Um >> could you just repeat the >> southbound Ph. Yeah, >> there's one lane of through traffic for vehicles. >> Um the asphold itself is quite wide. Um, and so there's just some diagonal striking to to define where cars are not supposed to go. However, that means that there's physically sort of a car can still go pretty fast through there even though the lane I don't know how exactly there the lane's going to be. So I don't I don't >> I will point out that this is a very conceptual sketch. >> Yep. I know. >> And >> it may not look exactly like >> Yeah. So note it. >> Understood. Uh And then >> what what I heard from that is you want to ensure that there's not excess pavement in the >> excess pavement. There's not that the we've had a couple discussions at recent meetings about about lane narrowing like making sure that we are we're doing what we can to reduce the speeds like we're checking all the boxes the the different tools we have to reduce vehicle speeds to improve safety. So, your primary goal is to reduce vehicle speeds through geometric measures. >> That that is what I'm getting at. Yes. And I'm calling out specific sign outs that >> that could could potentially do. >> Yep. Um, thank you for that summation. Um and the last thing that was on my mind was that I don't know it for integrating with other plans making sure that we have whatever good access is for that po that or place um Fairmont I believe on the Castro project. Um I I don't know if some curb cut is in order of the session by good access between the bike path and the sale but having good access so that we have a good network will be desirable I'm sure >> I suspect that will be part of the development project as opposed to this project but not >> anything addressing there >> but as as I said good project to be doing I I ride through circle right through the castron upon regularly I don't walk through these intersections was quite as strict of myself but >> yeah to the picture weird >> um I'm wondering whether it's I mean part of the obligation to get this funding >> that you know or even you know whether Mountain View or any other city has even thought about these the green lines green lines on the streets >> but for those and also these uh these laws also permit these bicyclists to make left turns. So once they get out of these green green pathways and then for El Camino such a busy path they want to go into the left cast that Castro I'm not sorry. >> Yes. >> Yeah. They want to go into there and then so they have to make a you know they have to do their hand signals you ebikes have to go do go hand signals and then pass all these cars in order to go into the left line I mean left lane and then and so is it part of obligation for mountain view or or any kind of or even just rule some kind of rule to say to make that facilitate that kind of a >> well I would say a design like this with a protected intersection it facilitates a different way of making that turn. So, it allows the bicyclist to come across the street and then wait. And actually, there's typically the way you design it is there's enough space for a bicyclist to wait out of the way of the through bicyclists and then set themselves up to go across the street when they get the greed. So, it's a two-stage left turn like James was mentioning. Um if you that doesn't preclude someone who is a very um avid adventurous you know vehicular cyclist from crossing the three lanes of traffic and and waiting at this at the at the left turn lane and all of the left turn lanes should have a detection that would detect bicyclist so they would trigger the left and they could go on the green. Um, I haven't biked enough on El Camino to see how many people do that in Mountain View, but my experience is that very few people will actually do that because of the volumes, because of the speeds and because of the number of lanes and most people typically do that that that left, >> the two stage >> when there's that many lanes, the the two two stage left turns. And if this was a one one and one, yes, you'd see more people doing that. about it at something with this traffic volume and volume number of lanes. So exactly so to facilitate that for the bicyclists who feel comfortable doing that if you know you can see I I don't remember exactly what it looks like now with the at this particular location. But if there's a break in advance, you know, of the intersection, they could then get out of the class 4 bike lane, safely move across, and then of course there's the, you know, the the detection that allows them to turn. And that is the limit of the facilitation that typically provided on a road like this >> with with a with a you know with a long-term kind of a perspective uh with common street that they want to implement and then you know for more bikes you know more bikes on the street uh all over the place and then in groups a lot of kids you know that bike and there's all squish there and then they just want to make a left turn going through that way you know >> this is a this is the student um this is a school intersection. There's a lot of students who use this and so we're going to be looking even more closely at the how people are currently using this and what >> what types of behaviors we want to accommodate and facilitate when we're doing the design. Yeah, that's one thing I want to make sure I mention that in my question. Yeah, people may come from apartment complex like right on the corner and so kid may come out on the sidewalk on their bike because they're coming straight out of the apartment complex or the such >> and so making sure that's safe is I think but anyways >> so I had one question on this diagram actually. So if you look at the the kind of dotted kind of black line next to the crosswalk across El Camino, >> right? like the cross one way or >> these would be one way. Yeah, that's the intention. >> Yes, I've seen some like this on by Rangorf that are used both ways and I don't blame them because there is no crosswalk on the other side but >> you know that's not right. >> No. Yeah. >> Yeah. Rang has only one. So I can see that. But they wind up on and then they keeping >> on door. >> It's certainly possible to do that given the the appropriate signalization and the appropriate infrastructure going in in either direction. But I don't think we had considered that for this or or Castro because they're crossing. >> Yeah. I think it's why not with you know. >> Okay. Thank you. >> What I'm hearing is >> describing a possibility. >> He likes having it on both legs. >> Yes. Okay. And you like one one way crossbite. >> And then I had two two more comments if I may. So one is to reiterate that whenever possible we should put no right on red. These are very busy intersections. Both of them have school you know part of a lot of school. I mean if we have to put it anywhere that's there and and I don't know Kran seems to be okay with putting some you know they let us put some there and I think these are great places to do this and then the other thing too is it's pretty inconsistent across El Camino regarding turns there are like at shorine you cannot do one but you can do one at Castro which to me doesn't make any sense I mean it's a much busier and much more open things and and honestly I I don't I don't think another of another city where we will have like this type of dubs on >> such a on such a street. So, and I'm not sure what leeway, you know, Mountain View has to to kind of ban that because I think it would simplify uh you know, pretty much the movements there wouldn't be as scary when people get stuck in the middle of crosswalk, you know, because people can can do that type of thing. And I think it may actually speed up traffic because when somebody does a U-turn, they kind of prevent people want to do a left turn because they have to do it very slowly. >> I think it's and anything that that can reduce the type of movement is a good thing. I think sections there's anything they want to move on to the next item. >> All right. >> Okay. Great. So, >> did you want to summarize? I need >> I have lots of notes. I'm not going to summarize all of them, but I will tell you the next steps. I'm going to take these notes, put them together, um, and attach those notes to the final checklist that we submit to MTC through their online portal, >> right? >> So, this information is going to be packaged and sent with the grant application. >> And then we find out if we did or did not receive this grant. >> Probably in like the initial would be, so it's a little weird. initial would be probably September time frame. Oc probably September time frame >> we get selected by VTA to go to FT. >> That's that's the first cut. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So VTA is nominating projects. They're nominating 120% of the total amount of budget that is expected to be allocated to VTA and then that goes up to MTC and MTC makes the final decision. >> So we'll know if we make it past round one. Yeah. >> But then we go to round two. Yeah. So I would say final I think it's probably going to be January, February, so maybe December. So in the winter >> um >> is it decided by the vote or >> No, it's decided by the MTC. >> Yeah. Well, it's two steps. The answer is yes. The first step is it's it's basically like round one and round two. So first we have to pass round one with VTA and if we do that VTA will move it up to MTC and then MTC will select from what what VTA provides. Southern California. >> I think these are very good projects, but I think we are also competing against some other very very strong candidates. And I think there's probably going to be about 30 to 35 projects that are submitted to VTA. And um >> it's very competitive. >> Yeah. But I I think there's a lot going for these projects um well where they will be really compelling and we're going to do our best to write an exceptional grant application. >> Do we allocate a bit by geography like >> technically? Yes. Well, you can >> there's a provision specifically in BT's grant guidelines about how many applications they can nominate from San Jose itself. Well, I think >> it doesn't say from San Jose. >> I think we they can't end up nominating more than half of their 120% from any one jurisdiction. Um and my understanding is that that exists because San Jose uh presented a lot of good projects one year and got a very large percentage of the projects who were nominated >> but there's no minimum requirement be able to get a project. However, for the SB 63 did make that request that when BTA gets to distribute if that passes ballot that that was one of the recommendations from Mountain View was that it was allocated by into jurisdictions it was competitive more competitive is it is to get back anyway. Anyways, let us move on to item 6.3, the draft fiscal year 2026 to 27 and tentative agenda list. >> Thank you. All right, my item as well. So, we do this every year. This is the first time I've done it. Um, this is an action to accept the bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee's draft fiscal year 2026 2027 work plan. And then my understanding it then goes up to city council for the final approval for all of the all the committees. So um as you know I did email thank you uh to the chair to suggest that I do this. I emailed the committee asking if you would be want to submit one to potential requests for the work plan. um specifically looking at requests that are within the purview of the BPAC and um you know the BPAC bylaws as well as BPAC's advisory role to city council and we did get some requests and I'm going to walk through generally >> yeah it's pretty good >> so yeah I guess you can read that um so I just wanted to kind of uh share you how I addressed in the work plan because of the timing I didn't have a lot of time to circle back with individual steps staff to confirm. Can I put this specific item in the work plan? So, what you'll see is I have a general item, but I don't have bullets underneath it saying we'll do this, we'll look at this, look at this. And that's purely because I did not actually have the time to confirm and I didn't want to promise something. Uh, right. But, um, so we'll start just uh this is in no order. The on the left is a summary of the request. On the right is how uh we accommodated it in the work plan. So uh establish a no right turn on red policy and start implementation. So I added to the work plan item nine update BP on implementation of the active transportation plan policies and programs. The no right turn on red. That acronym is not the right acronym. Sorry keep on doing that. >> Turn on red. >> That's what it is. Red. >> Thank you. um it is recommended by the public review draft uh to to uh evaluate a policy for that. So I thought that could fit under that and that's true with many of these things as well. Um so small scale projects that can be implemented quickly without full roadway repaving. We can we can look at um I think we could potentially put something like that under the uh update BPAC on the implementation of the ATP. we can potentially explore this would this would be in future CIPs. Uh is there a a mechanism or an opportunity to have a a funding source to do those types of projects? Um there was a request on the project tracking dashboard status. So I talked to Allison about that and she indicated there is a larger citywide effort to have a project dashboard. So, we would update on a under like a staff um staff update when and if that I should say when that gets developed. So, we didn't add it to the work plan because it would just be a staff update. Um we had some questions on bike parking. So, converting some street parking into secure bicycle offers and then best practices for bicycle parking ordinances. We do have under the um ATP policies and programs a recommendation to update the bike parking standards. So I think these two fit really nicely under that. Um a study session to compare students cycling education encouragement programs across local cities. We are going to be developing a safer to school program for adoption in the upcoming year. And so I think we can we can wrap um how do I want to say this? I don't think we're going to be doing a full-on study session to do this, but certainly there will be some looking at how different cities are implementing their education and their encouragement programs and how they're being or not being effective. And that can get wrapped into the development of the of the program. I also want to mention that the Santa Clara County Public Health Department does convene in quarterly meetings with safe school providers. Mountain View participates and this type of cross agency evaluation is completely in their wheelhouse. So we can reach out to the county public health department and see if they have something moving forward, some information. Perhaps they would even have a webinar, something we could invite the BPAC to. So, I think there's opportunities to provide um uh to rely on other agency efforts to give the BPA um some of this information that doesn't um fully burden you know staff because this would be a lot to put together a full comparison. >> All right, the last two um I think these two uh we were able to slip in specifically. So, coordinate with city departments and advisory bodies and other jurisdictions within the county on trans uh and other agencies on pedestrian and bicycling matters. So, um we already have item G in the work plan and we added a a bullet talking about better communication and coordination between commissions. Um so if you are interested in having conversations with individual members of other other city committees we can certainly make introductions and and start having you can have those those informal conversations. So um and we can look into if there's an opportunity if if there makes sense to have some sort of joint meeting. I don't think in our recent past we are aware of a joint meeting that's happened but um all right and then last was a request to share more opportunities to volunteer at city- le education encouragement events and also include some more walking events. So, we did add to the list the walk to school day that we host. And so, if we have other uh walking related opportunities, we'll certainly make those aware to this committee. So, that said, that summarizes what you see in the work plan. Um, and this is the recommendation. The work plan is in your packet. And I guess we can that's the end of my presentation. Is there is there anything notable to share on the towel? >> I think one thing I'd like to point out on the towel is that our next meeting would be on the 18th which was is a little bit of a shift there and we appreciate you guys working with us there. Um there are some uh meetings that are lighter or don't have anything quite on the agenda yet. So, we'll continue to populate that um or cancel it if not. Um is there anything else? >> Oh, we did add a column for se consent information and action to kind of give you guys an idea of what we're envisioning. If um there's something you're thinking differently, we're open to that. That's it. Do we have any clarifying questions on the draft board and how do you have any comments uh in person comments from members of the public on the the draft work or this physical physical? >> Do we have any public comments online regarding the draft work? Okay, then I guess we'll move to any DAG comments and a motion will be in order for um uh accepting or accepting the draft for is it recommending it to council whatever or accepting the staff recommendation or >> oh I'm sorry >> put that back up >> actually sorry I did have a different question will the the slides from both this and from the um PD presentation will any of those be shared or made available after the meeting or just in the recording >> after the fact as part of the attachment legisl I I appreciate the uh doing some of those like advance to get some input. I think that's made this more uh a bit more useful than some prior years when we've tried to have the discussion about this. I obviously not everything got committed to but I think that hopefully that represents some sense of what I think that we're interested about that >> and and I will say it's helpful too as we get into our CIP here knowing where you'd like to see time and what comes back. >> Yeah. And I note a couple of those are things I've heard BPAC members either myself or others uh ask for multiple times over the years. The uh the the having a consistent dashboard of ongoing projects has been a request for longer than I've been on BPAC. Um >> it's in the works. We are working. I I don't know exact timing on that, but we it's it not as easy as we would like it to be, but we are working through it. I I I think we figured that out from how long for people asking for it. So I provide some context there. I know I've heard in the past um requests for more discussions with with parks because so many of our trails and critical back infrastructure on parks. Um and I know I was personally interested in the uh more any more uh projects built so we can get more quickly. Um, and that I don't know if that goes to the TDA3 funding or other internships, but I'm I'm happy to accept the uh uh staff recommendation. Anyone wants to move that? >> So, we need a motion. >> Motion, a second, and a vote. Sure. So I move that we approve both the draft 26 27 work plan and adoptive agenda. >> Second. >> I can second that. >> Okay. And all in favor of vote I >> passes and unanimously with three. Um >> and I believe that moves us to item 7.1 of staff comments. >> Right. So we do have a presentation Joy Hen on the route 237 middlefield road interchange improvements and Robert do you want me I can I can just open it. Yeah since I'm already up in the And I guess as a as a note, I believe we're not expecting like in-depth discussion on this or the substance. That's anformational update. >> Yes, it is. And oh it >> yes I will good evening chair and committee members. My name is Joey Hton, senior civil engineer, joined tonight by Robert Gonzalez, principal civil engineer in public works, and we're here to present updates on the State Route 237 and Middlefield Road interchange improvement project. To start with a little bit of background, Middlefield Road shown vertically on this slide in a north south direction um between Log Avenue and the eastbound 237 offramp is very challenging due to the number and close proximity of signalized intersections in a relatively short stretch of roadway. This results in a high collision rate and a challenging environment for pedestrians and bicyclists. The intent of the project is to reduce collision conflicts and improve pedestrian and bicycle mobility and connectivity. This project started two decades um ago starting in 2005 um whoopsie sorry where am I going? In 2005 when Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority or VTA um solicited city support regarding highway projects in their valley transportation or VTP um VTP uh valley transportation plan or VTP 2023 um which includes the state route 237 and middlefield road interchange. Cal Trans approved the project study report that included this same interchange um in 2013 and up to this date the project was theoretical with no funding available for the subsequent phases. Um, whoopsie. Why did it do that? Sorry. um until 2019 when city council approved the capital project the state route 237 and middlefield road interchange improvements project um and appropriated 5.5 million from um of the community benefit funds received from the first phase of a development project in the area and authorized execution of a funding agreement with VTA for project management services for the project approval and environmental document and final design phases of the project. In 2020, VTA initiated the project and developed preliminary alternatives. And since then, the project initiation uh since project initiation, the project team has been in coordination with CALR since u the project impacts their rightway and operation to gain approval prior to starting the final design phase. And to set the stage, uh, Middlefield Road is a four-lane roadway with four signalized intersections, um, spaced approximately 300 ft apart in the project area between Log Avenue and the eastbound 237 offramp, which contributes to a high rate of broadside collisions. In particular, the collision rate at the westbound 237 middlefield and frontage road intersection exceeds the statewide average for an intersection of this type. The 237 um intersection operates as a partial interchange only having an eastbound off-ramp and a westbound on-ramp um compared to a full interchange with on and off ramps in both directions um with the other interchange movement happening at the partial interchange at Mod Avenue. There are continuous bike two class 2 bike lanes and four to six foot wide sidewalks on both sides of Middlefield Road within the project limits. Um and then east of Middlefield Road sidewalks, the class 2 bike lanes do exist along the north and south side of the westbound and eastbound frontage roads um respectively. And the project area is located near the Wisman light rail station um shown at the top of the spa uh top of the page and is significantly constrained for bikes and peds um with the Cal Train corridor acting as a north south barrier while the 237 acts as an east west barrier. The project objectives and goals include reducing the frequency and severity of collisions along Middlefield Road between Log and the eastbound 237 offramp intersections. improving pedestrian and bicycle accommodations and access, enhancing accessibility and connectivity to transit, strengthening connections to local roadways and plan developments in the area, and optimizing the use of the existing right of way. In 2020, the project team completed the preliminary investigative phase of the project to support the development of the anal and analysis of six alternatives. The alternatives were reviewed and scored by the project team and um and VTA and CALR by TED subject matter experts um based on categories including pedestrian and bicycle improvements, safety, environmental, traffic operations, rightway and geometrics. the the criteria categories were weighed based on their alignment um with the goals and objectives of the project and based on various reasons um such as Calrans did approval of a new connection to their main line. Um some of those alternatives were eliminated and staff is recommending alternative three. The conceptual design for the staff recommended alternative um alternative three shown on the screen here includes the following improvements. Um installation of traffic calming features along the westbound frontage road including raised medians, pavement markings, radar feedback signs, landscaping in narrow travel lanes. Construction of class 4 bikeways and widened sidewalks along the westbound frontage road between Middlefield Road and Ma Avenue. Installation of class 4 bikeways and six foot wide sidewalks on Middlefield Road and protected intersection improvements at the intersection of Ferguson westbound 237 on-ramp and the eastbound 237 offramp. In addition, um this alternative includes what we refer to as technology improvements at the intersection and they include signal interconnect, signal timing optimization and modified traffic signal operations with separate um phases for bikes and peds. Um these improvements will help reduce vehicle speeds, improve visibility and predict uh predictability of bicycle and pedestrian crossings and reduce exposure areas and conflicts between turning vehicles and vulnerable road users. With the completion of the bio biodiversity and urban forest plan, the project team will look for opportunities for inclusion of landscaping and green storm water in the project and continue in the final design. Project is currently in the project approval environmental document or P AED phase which is anticipated to be completed by the end of this year. This phase will be followed by the final design phase expected to begin next year and conclude in summer of 2028 which will be followed by a two-year construction period. The project cost for the staff recommended alternative is 24.8 million as summarized on the screen. The project is fully funded um through final design utilizing measure B VTA measure B funds um and city community benefit fund. The project budget includes a total of 22.5 million in VTA measure B highway program funds. Um this combined with the city funds is sufficient to support the construction of the project. Staff did present the project update and the staff recommended alternative to the CTC just last week on June 16, 2026. and the CTC um recommended that the city council approve the staff recommended design concept for the project as our next step. Um staff will forward a recommendation to city council for approval of the recommended alternative in fall of 2026 and once approved by city council staff will proceed into final design upon completion of the PAED fee. And that concludes my presentation. And is this the extent of the sort of staff presentation section? >> I will have to under staff two very quick things so you can have the conversation about this item and then at the end >> if we have any brief questions since this is not sort of a normally scheduled item it's just update we can take some questions if >> you could show the yeah this diagram here. So I had one question. I I see that there is kind of a safety island at the the crosswalk at the bottom but not that you warm on top. >> Um >> what I'm noticing is that there are left turn movements at the the top and the middle islands versus the bottom one doesn't have the left turn movements. uh going north. >> So it may be to accommodate those turns >> from from Ferguson to north or not but onto middle field. >> Off middle field. >> Off middlefield. >> Yes. Because what's on the bottom left here is an eastbound off ramp. So it's only going in what direction. >> No left turns into that uh roadway from Middlefield Road. So, you know, having a safety island, >> it may be hard to to accommodate those turning movements if there were refuge islands, but that's something we can take a look at >> design a bit further up. So, I just it just caught my eye. Uh and then the the other thing too is that you you mentioned that one of the reason for this project is that there were lots of broadside type of crashes. So I have to assume that some of them are because people ride on red, you know, and and I'm wondering if that would be a good opportunity to kind of ban those because they that's a dangerous maneuver. uh when you have that many lanes and speed it's a very costcentric stretch of road >> a lot of the vehicular conflicts were that were identified are just a combination of vehicular speeds and I think driver behavior with the closely spaced signalized intersections. Um the improvements are meant to address um lowering vehicle speeds at the at the intersection and also shortening those crossing distances for for bikes and peds. But if there are desires for no turn on right, that's something we can bring up. These intersections are owned and operated by CALR. Um so they would be subject to CALR approval. Anyway, I would be to have no right on right anywhere because it's that's the way works. >> It's much safer. And you said the pling is coming from the 2016 metrop highway >> highway because it is an interchange. >> Yeah. just you said I wanted to make sure I answered that correctly and I yeah I think he didn't call out here but I believe this is the literally the intersection that has the highest number of like vehicle fatalities in the city or something like that in division zero or local road safety plan it is quite high >> I don't know if it was the highest but it was yes it was substantial >> yeah so it's it's I think it's actually pass I think these will reduce vehicle speeds I think it's significant did I interpret this report to CTOC correctly that a significant number of collisions were people running red lights just straight through the intersection >> due to red light violations. >> Yeah. Yeah. And not like turning right. It's just people just driving straight through. Correct. >> Yeah. You're trying to make the light. >> Yeah. >> Um I would going back to the median comment, I would just add that along with looking at incorporating a median island or refuge island. Um the other kind of other other design alternative that is also al also looked at is simply giving pedestrians a longer green light to cross the intersection so they're not stuck in the bus. We don't get pedestrians having to wait through an entire cycling. So that's another design accommodation. It's a little bit different than El Camino because El Camino is so preferential to volume going up and down El Camino. Those crossings can be very long. This one here, we have a little bit more latitude to complete. >> Reminds me also something that could occur there that has happened on camera is that sometimes the the lights go on the fridge and that's pretty much you pretty much have to do two step crossing by foot if you crazy enough to to have to do it. But it's there's no way to cross in one one sitting because when when the lights don't work, it's very much a four-way stop. >> Yes. Just Yes. >> Yeah. So, this project does include updating as as Joy mentioned the technology. So, hopefully we won't have those same same considerations. >> We will make sure that the pedestrian phase um is accommodated with the appropriate amount of time to >> defin and I don't know what >> that was not fun at all that is that's an electrical or or what happened there but upgrading the signals will help >> make sure that we've got the right there >> and my one other clarifying question was just on the cost I know in the CTC member I think I may have emailed you about there was some numbers that maybe I just they mapped different things I expected I saw Some spots alternative to three said construction cost of 2.4 million and then the table you showed had like construction cost was 11 point something and the total was 24. Was I I that confused me? um is >> the I don't recall if it was two or three million um but that was the original that was the cost for the original alternative three which only considered the cost of technology only improvements. When the other alternatives were eliminated, we refined alternative 3 and included um improvements, bike pit improvements along Middlefield Road as well as the westbound frontage road because that was part of um the con one of the conflicting movements that was creating the higher than statewide average um okay >> conflicts at the intersection. >> Okay, that that helps. So that's where we have the 11 something million construction cost and the 24.8 includes divine costs and right away and other things. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Anything else? >> Just curious here is no term no right of bread. Is that just um it's just only existed or only based on you guys' likeness that uh only because it should be there only because bicycles are are riding or is it just is it common to going to be for the future >> for try and interpret. >> So I think uh the question is when do we apply right no right on red. Yeah. What would it >> And um so that is one of the policies that we have put forth in the active transportation plan and we will further evaluate a more a metric for what what we look at as we um add signage and enforcement for no ride on red. No ride on red is can be safer for pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles. So it we'll have to look at all that. based on speed, but it also can change traffic patterns. So, all of that will have to be evaluated at location. So, it's not a blanket. We can put it everywhere. We will have to evaluate on a case by case basis. And as part of the ETP, we're going to come up with some sort of more um scientific method of how we uh apply those that signage. So, study is going to be done. >> Should we move to the remainder of our presentation? Thank you. >> What's up? Yeah, the parks and buildings probably. >> So, two updates. First one, I want to provide an update on the community shuttle service. Okay. And I'm going to read. So, uh, the shuttle services for Mountain View Community Shuttle and MVGO have been suspended since June 18th due to the expiration of the shuttle operators California Public Utilities Commission License, CPU. The shuttle operator, Drive View, is taking steps to restore their state certification. The Mountain View Transportation Management Association, who manages the shuttle operator, does not have a firm date for when the shuttle services will be restored. Um, per the uh Mountain View Transportation Management Association, Uber vouchers are available to riders due to the service disruption, the Uber vouchers for shuttle riders are only usable for trips within Mountain View and during the shuttle service operating hours and that is the completeness of the information I have for you. Um, I also wanted to mention that the council neighborhoods committee meeting is happening tomorrow night uh serving the bringstof uh shoreline San Antonio >> San Antonio community. It will be held at the Redwood Room Mountain View Community Center at 6:30 p.m. This is an opportunity for community members to ask questions of staff and have staff answer those questions live and in person. And those are my two staff updates. >> The remainder of the staff update. >> I'm wondering how an operator can use their license, but it's not the question for you. So >> yeah, there will be there will be a full postmortem once in transportation. That seems to be there. >> Yes, you must be happy about this, right? >> All right. Um, then do we have any public comments on any of the staff report? >> Anything online? >> No. >> No. >> All right. Uh, and there's no action required, I guess. Any um Okay, then we'll move to item 7.2 two committee uh comments. So, I will provide the DAP pack update. >> I have your slides. Let me open them up. Thought I had your slide. >> There were two meetings since our prior meeting since we did not I believe have a May pack meeting. My memory is gone. >> Oh my gosh. Okay. I don't want Hold on a second. Oh, it did. Okay, this is actually good because I'm I'm going into teams to get the slides and I just didn't want to There it is. Apologies. I download this. just never mind authenticator. It's just couple more steps. >> I'll do it. I can do it. >> I can just give this verbally. We will figure out the technology for the next meeting. We'll do practice run through figure out how to do this. Um, okay. So, I have it open and move it over. Can I actually move it? Oh, >> all right. So, at the May BGTA meeting, there were a variety of items. I tried to call out the interesting ones here. Um, they included a update on the congestion management program reporting on consent which is interesting because there's some funding for the VTA sauce to maintain level of service standards regarding congestion. Um even though other aspects of state law have made it so that uh there's less reliance on the whole service standards I'm not actually entirely clear myself on how much flexibility VTA has to define those standards itself bill. There's also an update on some of the OPAC 3 funded projects including um our I believe our Moffett and middlefield streets projects which are receiving OAC 3. Um there's another SB633 uh local funding plan update. SBD63 is the refers to the uh transit sales tax ballot measure which I'm not actually sure if it's officially qualified for the ballot in November yet, but it I believe it's expected to because they submitted a large number of signatures. Um and it is SB63 is not as immediately relevant for um like active transportation infrastructure projects since it's mostly focused on transit itself. Transit obviously tends to interact well with active transportation. Um and most of the BPAC input on that was encouraging the focus on uh transit overall transit service levels like running lots of buses and trains and transit speed and things like transit signal priority. um which is indeed most a lot of the focus of the draft. Um there are some items in the local funding plan about uh innovation based programs though that are not necessarily just focused on uh the service itself and more focused on exploring new technology. Um there was then a update on a very preliminary or like not a yeah not a real finalized thing related to the PONA corridor which is a rail corridor that serves the permanent quarry peront shutting down the rail line is less need to exist but it turns out that it'll actually still exist for a while because uh the part phase 2 extension is actually using the rail corridor for uh dumping dirt from the tunnels as far as from what I understand. Um, but >> so are they going to dump it over here? >> I think so. I'm not I didn't ask I I think it was mentioned at the meeting, but my memory is not serving me quite well enough right now. >> I don't know. >> There was some discussion at the preack meeting about whether it would make more sense, whether it's we should be preserving the rail corer for transit in spots where the rightway is really narrow and not trying to actually decommission the rail line entirely. But that was not really the VTB call to make. So as I said, that project is various. If you're interested in it, go look up the project. Uh and the next slide, the June meeting was a special meeting for reviewing OAG 4 complete streets checklist like we did earlier in this meeting, but for any cities or projects that were not able to make it to their city specific packs. So, we had 13 total items, I believe, and we just ran through them as quickly as we could. Um, uh, it helped that there was a batch of five projects for each of the county expressways for doing feasibility studies on class one bike paths along those corridors. Um, and there are a variety of projects that listed there. Um, some of all of which are at slightly different stages. Um, I will say one of the things that made many of the checklists weaker was that some of them lacked the detail to even make it clear what the scope of the project was when you were reading the checklist or the checklist plus the attachments that were provided in the meeting. Um, and some of the projects also uh seemed like they were delayed or put in infrastructure that was less old and abilities due to community input. There was a relatively interesting one in the case of Saratoga Mayale Road where the staff specifically referenced not putting in vertical delineation due to some local uh the local feedback they got from some cyclists was that they actually prefer not to have delineation. That is a corridor that is currently primarily used by recreational cyclists. Uh which was interesting to hear so I called it out here. Um, and I'd say the best looking applications were generally those that seemed like they would be most likely to get to construction quickly, had well- definfined scope, so you knew what was going to happen uh when the project happened and which also clearly focused on safety improvements uh rather than I don't know being a bigger project that only had safety or such as a small piece of it. Um, I I guess the ADA transition plan actually was a strong one that wasn't necessarily safety improvements per se, but actually I thought was a very strong project because it had planned scope. >> Yeah. And I think to I think uh Lauren's assessment of our projects earlier is probably fair in terms of where we were standing relative to what at least I've seen. We have some good projects in our OPAC in our bag applications, but there's a lot of other projects out there. So, we'll see. But also, how you fill out the grant application clearly does matter >> to give grace to the applicants. The timeline >> Oh, yes. >> The timeline for filling out the streets checklist was kind of very short. >> Yeah. Um because I think the application it was it was just a few weeks like three weeks or something. >> Yes. We also heard concern mentions that apparently the MTC portal was actually very difficult to use. Um so there was it sounds like literally it was difficult to go in and reword things or revise things. >> Oh interesting. Okay. >> That may have varied by applicant. I don't know. >> I think it might have varied by applicant. I haven't had those issues, but I it does take, you know, that Thank you. Yes. You're like, plan for it and we will. Um I I think MTC is understanding what it means to review and accommodate I don't know what do you think 200 250 projects. So because it's the whole nine county Bay Area that's applying for the projects going through that portal >> in a very short amount of time they I mean >> yeah it was self-inflicted. >> Yeah. Yeah. Maybe on purpose. >> Yeah. The the San Jose project was listed there. I think that was a situation where Santa went through most of their check with the V pack. Then this project they realized last minute that they wanted to apply for funding because it was a good opportunity. So they sent it to the VTA BP pack and that one included very little detail in the in the checklist. I suspected but I suspect that's SOA. They may have just the week or a few days before basically to do it. Anyways, >> they'll fill out they'll fill out by the time they're due. >> Were there any questions on on BTV? >> I've been surprised about the expressway projects. I mean are were they like for >> it's for feasibility studies so it's a very early stage it was a explore class one bike as along >> oh okay so so it's to provide and pedestrian improvement on expressway funding on express >> yeah sorry I didn't make that clear in my >> yes it was it was for bike and uh pen projects >> and then to the extent that DTA can propose projects and they or be one deciding do they get kind of they get >> um so the way the way the >> I've I've participated in several of the scoring committees FTA and if your jurisdions's project comes up you recuse yourself you don't even you don't even speak about the project and you often will leave the room or leave Zoom >> and so you will not actually score or have the ability to >> defend your project and that's for they do that for any of them. >> So that's at VIPC level or you know >> well that's at the first >> yeah BT does the first round of scoring and so they'll convene a scoring um group to do the work and they'll ask people to recuse themselves from their projects. Remind me though usually when PTA has it they it's not made up of only BT staff. >> Oh okay. >> Yeah. Sorry. We've had members from Mountain View. We've had staff from Mountain who who participated as scoring members of grant applications. So when our grants go in, they can't score ours just like BTA members can't score theirs. But it is made up of all of the >> county represented. That makes sense. >> And I didn't Yeah, I should have clarified. >> You were completely right. They request volunteer staff to do. >> So we try as Mount View, we try and pull somebody on there. Okay, I can do it. >> We We've had >> It's actually really excellent. If you're ever getting into transportation as a career, it's a really excellent way to sort of see how grant applications can be done really well and not so well. Yeah. >> And then it helps us as we move forward. We know what our >> college is a majority Republican or Democrat. >> Yes. >> All right. Um, is there any are there any other committee updates regarding things in the community or the >> Yeah, I had one. I think I heard that there was a a big grants that the city got for uh both housing and and transportation and I'm not sure if you have details on on what the transportation part is. >> I do and I don't have them right in front of me so I I want to be careful. Um, I believe you're referring to the AS6 grant that we receive. >> Yeah, whatever. >> It is a large It is a large grant. It is for a development on a city-owned property that will be be primarily low um income. I believe we are using some of that money for Middlefield, but I'm not I'm >> we'd have to go back and look, but basically, >> yeah, um the way it worked is it had to be a project within a half mile radius of the development and we got additional points in the grant application for adding um bus stops. So, I think we added there's several bus stops being added. There's a couple shuttle stops being added as well. And then it aligns with a bike project we already had as part of our CIP. So, that helps on some of our funding for other projects now that that freeze up. >> So, the housing is on Evelyn. So, >> it is it is on Evelyn. That is correct. Yeah. Um I guess procedurally any members of the public online to comment on this committee comments. >> Nope. Okay. With that we will move to item eight. The date and time of the next meeting is at is August 18th a Tuesday which is abnormal. Um so make sure that's on your calendars. We then have additional meetings in September and future months as normal. Um, and with that, we are adjourned at 8:40 p.m. >> Great. Thank you. >> Very good job on the time. >> Thank you.]]> https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/l8wgsiJg-Sw https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/l8wgsiJg-Sw Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:56:54 GMT The Performing Arts Committee approved its FY 2026-27 work plan with amendments, reorganizing community connection items (participation in council neighborhood meetings, Art & Wine Festival review, and Make Music Day) into subitems and adding a new client impact report and a 35th anniversary line item. Staff announced the 35th anniversary celebration was moved to January 2027 due to a main stage floor replacement, and members discussed strategies for community outreach, targeting younger audiences, and youth engagement. The committee also planned a tour of the Lesher Center in Walnut Creek and shared positive feedback from the recent volunteer appreciation dinner. Minutes approval Public communications FY 2026-27 work plan Community connections strategy Art and Wine Festival participation Targeting younger demographics Council neighborhood meetings Lesher Center facility tour 35th anniversary celebration Main stage floor replacement Youth engagement Volunteer appreciation dinner Next meeting scheduling > Yeah, that looks like a Hollywood uh screenshot for a potential [laughter] edition, doesn't it? >> What needs to get past offline or >> online? Needs to stay. Can >> we start over? >> No, pretty much. Depends. >> Okay. [laughter] >> Or by email at memountview.gov. Um, this meeting is being conducted with a virtual component. Anyone wishing to address the committee virtually may join the meeting online at https polling back mountainview.zoom. us back slashj back slash8284578889 or by dialing 669900 9128 and entering webinar ID 82884578889. When the chair announces the item on which you wish which speak, click the raise hand feature on Zoom or dial star9 on your phone. When the chair calls your name to provide public comment if you are participating via phone, press star six to unmute yourself. Okay, staff, could you do the roll call, please? >> Chair Donahghue, >> here. Vice Chair Fenwick >> here. Member Bara >> here, >> member Garcia >> here, >> and member Chrome is >> okay. So the uh next item of business is minutes approval uh 3.1 minutes approval recommendation approve the May 226 meeting advance. The minutes are there any corrections or changes to the minutes. I seem to recall there was some discussion about sub subcommittees and and uh future work, but I think that was probably all part of the work plan. >> So um and I think we have on tonight's agenda to see the changes from the work plan. So I think otherwise that matches my memory. >> That's a motion. I move to approve. minutes vice chair uh to approve the minutes from May 20 26. >> Do I have a second? >> I second. >> Okay. All in favor? I >> I >> The minutes are passed as submitted unanimously. All right. Next order of business is number four, oral communications from the public. This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the committee on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are limited to three minutes. State law prohibits the committee from acting on non-aggenda items. Do we have any comments from members of the public? Any online? Hands raised. Okay. There being no comments, we'll move along to number five, new business 5.1, Performing Arts Committee fiscal year 2026 27 work plan draft recommendation review and approve the fiscal year 2026 27 performing arts work plan [clears throat] to be forwarded to the city council for approval. The works attached [clears throat] any comments on those revised work plan. >> I just wanted to bring it back to the group because those already um mentioned there was a lot of conversation about sub ad hoc committees and various wanted to make sure that everything got factored. We have four ongoing birth items and we have four um continuing and new birth. Okay. On page two under 2627 increase community connections under milestones I think we should be participate in community. I know I wasn't here for this last meeting. If we have a reason for the to participate in the neighborhood community, what was the rationale behind um participating in the neighborhood community meetings then who is doing that members? >> I think the who would be members as they arise staff would let us know. Um someone from Mountain View Teresa would let us know when they're coming up. And um I had I think I suggested that as because it's an ongoing regular event as a way for us to make awareness about the performing arts center and also this committee in front of the neighborhoods where we don't have to as a committee ask Teresa or anyone else from the city council to put on a special event for us. It's something we can ride on the coattails of that someone else is organizing. And when I was on BPAC, we would often send a member there to talk about some of the pedestrian topics and awareness to rotate it around and the city has already all the setup and invites to the new that was I think we as a committee we were open for other things. It just seemed like a easy start. >> Okay. >> So, did you notify the city beforehand that you were coming because they generally have speakers and whatever? >> We were. So, um we were invited by our our staff. Okay. >> Uh which is wouldn't be the director of a transportation and we would sit at a table. We didn't speak. it. Um, and then after the council members speak, the college representative speaks and a couple of people speak, then you're kind of there to answer. There's like open Q&A and those committees answer and then you also sit at a table. >> Okay. >> Okay. I have to confess I haven't been to very many >> and it was it was pretty low effort and opportunity to put some of those beautiful flyers that we make on the table and talk to people about what's coming up at the center and the work we do in the committee and >> I'm all about it. I mean I pass out flyers in my bank for the last 10 minutes. [laughter] But that was yes it was coordinated by the city so that not like the whole committee doesn't show up but >> right >> we don't break ground act and >> if it's like hey we already have too many people at tables it's not going to work that better than we as individual >> absolutely >> so that was just as a lightweight get started community outreach >> um and then I see that we still have the art and wine festival festival um on here as well. Just a comment on just thinking about history of we haven't we we've tempted to do it for I think three years now and have not >> um and I'm kind of curious also as we move forward on initiatives to the leverage that they will produce. I understand doing the RN1. I understand going to to um increase community increasing communic community connections, but um I mean we can keep keep on saying that we will review art and wine. We will review art and wine. Um it's kind of curious if we will actually we should continue to put it on our work plan. We have not done it after three years. But I don't think we've come up with an idea either. I don't think we've come come up with um a next a next step other than we want to >> so it's kind of just a discussion of we we haven't done it but we haven't also quite located the bene our our overall benefit in community connections that we would like to cultivate more deeply so just kind of the thought as we talking about community connections as well >> I didn't realize that this has been three years of that action item >> time flies >> well I haven't been here three years. So, I only saw it one year. So, this is the second year. >> We just had it for for a while. When we get to the community connection things, we we tend to have a lot of great ideas and we approach them, but on the end of actually seeing them to fruition, we haven't quite ne that's what I'm saying. We haven't quite found our our mouthpiece yet in the city um is the thing that I'm thinking here. Um so and it's also the difference of we can go out to the community and have just just analyzing our approach. Um I see that the participating in community meetings uh neighborhood meetings as we are like pushing ourselves out and also are we pulling people into the committee as well the date and time and things like that is kind of the interesting thing. So doing a multi-prong approach as well as we're talking about increased community connection. So kind of a second order question, not just you know what is Greece community connections and how are we going to do that? Um but we have a series of first order titles and descriptions here and not quite a second order there. So just kind of an internal kind of question for how we are constructing this. >> Well I suppose the only way to move forward on it is to have a sub. >> Well, we created an ad, >> right? But >> who was on that committee? It was me and Antara but >> Oh, that's right. >> But I wasn't able to make it to the festival. So, it was not a great Okay. Observation opportunity and I >> based on our schedule there wasn't I probably should have reached out a good way to hand off uh for another person. >> But I mean that's fine. I mean are we keeping the same subcommittee or do we want to next time do a new subcommittee? >> I think also providing the subcommittee with a greater objective. That's why I was saying I think we just need a a slightly more honed objective for the community connections. I think we all agree because I mean we keep on putting it on the on our work plan. So I so it's a good idea. I'm just asking um if we are going to create an ad hoc committee, what specifically what objective are we providing them essentially um in in all the things that we same thing with with the with the the community neighborhood meetings. What what objectives do we go with beyond the idea of like the center exists, come join, you know? So that's my thought. How do we make it engaging and and relevant for us to be there just beyond moving our as an extension of the building, you know? >> Well, it sounds like you're suggesting a community connections committee as opposed to >> perhaps one targeted just for one event. >> Yeah, I mean, we could do it that way, too. We could also discuss it now. Well, I feel like um I mean, especially hearing after what you've said about the Art and Wine Festival that it kind of doesn't make sense to just do observations. I feel like we've all been to the Art and Wine Festival last years. It would be more effective if we decide let's actually sit down in a room with whoever people from the city are for the Art and Wine Festival and be >> chamber. >> So, chamber. Okay. Chamber. and then be like, "Hey, what can we do?" Like actually have that discussion as opposed to us. >> So, I already had that discussion and basically what I get told is you have a building that's in the middle of the art and wine festival. So, >> there's something there >> like [clears throat] open up the building and >> was that something? >> It becomes a restaurant. >> Well, it becomes a restroom. But um when they say open up the building, do they mean like hold a little vent there? Like not say. >> So we don't really know what we want either then. >> We don't want it to be a bathroom. We know that. >> Well, we know the first like again the first order of like we know that something with community presence in a large crowd sounds like oh that sounds like a good idea. But then we can't quite figure out the detail in that, >> right? Um, so that's >> well and the problem with the art and wine festival is that the the stage as you see right now is right at our front yard. So yeah, >> it's it doesn't >> it's not conducive for us to have something inside the building. It's just in competition with the art and wine festival. And what I'll say is it's a big enough event. There's very few clients that we have that can compete with that. So >> right, >> it's we we try and we take it off as a prim as a primary date. >> Yeah. Yeah. I've only got one client that can compete with my festival >> and even if we were to like ask someone to put on like many shows, it's just there's there's already the band that stuff. So there's again also can't compete. >> Yeah, >> maybe that we're trying to juggle also the the staff the labor required to do such an event. And so it's kind of from um for us to make an informed decision. And I think the question also is um from the staff and labor side of hosting something what would be an appropriate course just to say that one limitation in our decision-m what would be um from your perspective on on staff what would be somethingable at a staff level just for the art and wine I think is a question and then we'll take this into our strategic like howto >> I I think it's how do I say this it's one of those large you know the festival is just is bigger than the whole downtown and and us as a as a center >> and then we end up being a bit of a backdrop to it, which is fine. >> Um but I think if you're going to participate in the festival, then you need to be out in the festival. >> Yeah. >> As a vendor, which costs. So, but if that's what the committee agrees to, then then that goes in the budget. That's just a request. >> Um but I think I think you know trying to do something at the center >> Yeah. when it's really a canvas backdrop to the band and everything else that's going on >> um becomes problematic. I I don't know when one is supposed to discuss this, but I would love to see if if this is on our agenda on our work plan if we can make like an agenda item of it where we like sit and discuss like what is it really that we want you know because I feel like that's where I have like the lack of clarity on what we're trying to achieve with this in our f and the festival right like we [clears throat] don't want to be a public bathroom we don't want to have a competing event But we want people to know that we exist. So, does that mean making a booth? And you know, it probably won't happen for this year obviously because it's tomorrow. >> Tomorrow, [laughter] but um I'd love to make an agenda item of it and be like, okay, if we were to have a booth, what are we achieving with that? Like, are we having a raffle? People can come sign up for our mailing list and then, you know, you get two free tickets if your name is selected. You know, like what's the purpose? um you know >> uh >> so rather than having an ad hoc committee meaning have it an agenda item so that the whole group can talk about it and figure out as a group like what the direction maybe that the ad hoc committee would would then you know like if >> if we need a >> I would like that. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Now additionally so because we're using the art and wine example right now since it's about the work plan as just a general example about increased community connection. One thing I think that would that this is your line of thought is making me think on is um if we were to have just hypothetical a somewhere um so if we had a booth and we were picturing a booth what audience are we trying to appeal to the general and because this also helps with when we say um community connections do we have domains of of audiences of who are we addressing who who do we wish to speak to and we can say all >> but but when we say all what do we mean by all. Um so that's a thought too because um are we talking general public? When we were talking about the chamber that's people who mediate the the general public. So at what levels are we trying to articulate might also help um clarify our work plan? Um so just kind of like posing to the committee while we're thinking about um the wine as an example when we say we would want all comm community or like come in contact who specifically are we targeting right now and to what purpose is the thing that follows because we can bring people in say a couple things too just to I know sorry a lot of different parts to hold here but we can say we are a committee come join this committee come see our meetings or we can also say we are the performing arts center come to the performing arts center which are different messages. So that's kind of just want to float these different thoughts and start separating them. >> I assumed we were doing the ladder, but >> what was the ladder again? Could I ask >> the that we're trying to get people to come to the center as opposed to the committee? >> That was one thought. Yeah, >> because I feel like people were walking in a festival aren't necessarily like in the mindset of become a volunteer on a long-term >> but also broadly a glass of wine >> also broadly for the work plan as well though is the thought too, >> right? Yeah. Yeah. Well, I'm hearing a lot on the news during our polarized time, people saying, "Well, both can be true." [laughter] >> Both can be true. >> Two hands to hold your thing. >> I'm, you know, those are both, you know, worthwhile messages to deliver. You just read your audience, I guess. And I would say that who to target it would be a younger demographic. And what we learned when we did the resident company review is a younger demographic is like 40 and up instead of [laughter] >> some of it's true >> 40 and up is considered younger >> as opposed to who's going for the majority of the performances for the audience >> remember come from away. >> Oh yes I was one of the youngesters in the audience. >> There you go. So get more people like you, right? >> More youngans like me. Young spring chickens. [laughter] >> I'm actually getting like eight kids or something to go to UIT's show tomorrow with me. >> So yeah, six. >> Yeah. Yeah. One of my girls, one of my students is performing in it. So I just rallied all the students. I was like, "Let's go support her." So yeah, we got a group like eight of us going to watch tomorrow. >> So cool. >> I see three messages actually that are coming about. So I see come to the center message. The younger demographics might be a message in and of itself. That might be its own setting, place project. And then come to the committee is another messaging that we're doing >> just to kind of extrapolate. So, and then I don't know do other people have thoughts also on audience again messaging and then who we're directing the messaging at. >> Well, are we bringing this back? [clears throat] >> Yes, we are. >> Yeah. >> Okay. But the question is also for the work plan how we wanted to that's why I was wondering are we set on this work plan or are we going to augment >> I think it's our second time seeing it and I think it's vague enough that and I think um we've already kind of given feedback we'd like to see it as an agenda item obviously like we're not meeting again till August right so it'll be more um but we can have a broader discussion about the Right now the agenda item here is to discuss the what like if we agree with what's on the work plan. Yeah. >> To dig in with those questions which I think are super important like who are we targeting? Well what that's true that sounds like an agenda item that we should >> the other problem of attracting people to come in our committee and give us input. Um maybe there would be you know we can do I don't know something >> people to come and give us input on what they think would be valuable. Okay, >> that sounds to me like just a slight adjustment for this work ahead. >> And then the thing I would say is that I don't under increased community connections, I don't see review Mountain View Art and Wine and review of Make Music Day as independent from item two. I can see [clears throat] how, but I do see them as subsets to A to B. Um, I think [clears throat] two is about finding additional community >> and then three and four are like specifically honed on events that were community events that we're already targeting. >> Are are you thinking Devid that like three and four should be um >> Well, we could do B and C or I was going to say, you know, it's like increase community connections. Um and then maybe maybe the title to number three would be um find a way to increase community connections through >> Yeah, that's my thought. Yeah. >> Review of the Mountain View >> because I don't see the intention as independent either. >> But then we do end up having two items on the word. No, >> that's up to you guys. Yes, I mean I can make my thought I can make them A and B and underneath two or I can >> them independent and just add the community connection into the title. >> Number four is quite different like it doesn't feel like an increase. >> That's more community participation. >> Yeah, because that's like a whole new event we're trying to create. It's not >> It depends how you think about it because it's one of those things like more visibility means more participants which means more people to volunteer and then commit to I do see it as within the feedback loop of increased community connections. >> We can't do it with we can't do make music day without community connections >> that we don't currently have. >> That's my thought. That's the only But I mean we can keep them separated but >> I'm okay doing two ABC or whatever >> because then increased community connections becomes general broad and then we have specific directions underneath it. So it does create the hierarchy of [snorts] our our main mission would be to increase these community connections and this is how we're going to do it >> and then we get we can move from there more detailed into each project which is why I was thinking organize it as such. >> I'm fine with that [snorts] as well. And I think I I think I heard um say earlier is do we so I think on u it's currently just two do we have any known dates for CMCs? Yeah. for this fiscal year. This is not [clears throat] >> I missed that comment by ask >> I don't have a direction here. Somebody make a motion. [clears throat] >> No, I like do we know has the city count well whoever schedules it by this city council but someone from the city have they scheduled the DNC meetings at all so they would know when the dates are for next year's >> Yes. But until this is approved as a work plan then I you're wanting to participate in something that hasn't been part of I don't think I'm phrasing my question right you were saying it earlier do we know what those dates would be that because like maybe like >> because if we're talking about going on the coattails of some other organized event the community neighborhood meetings that um >> no once this is approved then I'll find that out >> okay >> that's where I'm okay okay I just >> I don't have an You don't you don't >> you don't know because you haven't because it's okay. I understand. All right. >> Yeah. >> Well, before we make a motion on this, we could ask for comments from the public. So, >> good. >> Are there any comments from the public? I knew it. [laughter] [clears throat and cough] >> You know, I just happen to be the chair of the CNC and we have a meeting tomorrow night at the river room at the uh community center. So, Devid, you are invited to come talk. >> I'm sorry. Wait, I don't do acronyms though. What's the CNC? >> Yeah. What is it? [laughter] >> Council neighborhood. >> That's what the the this two is. Council neighborhood. >> You guys been rattling it off. So, I got me on that. So, you're welcome to come talk and I will be a pleasure to introduce you to all the people that come. So, that's one thing. Uh, another thing, you know, they have two uh stages during the um Mount Downtown Chamber of Commerce. There's a youth one over in the Wells Fargo parking lot. Are you aware of that? >> Have you ever thought of saying maybe move them into the second stage and say, "Hey, we got the second stage here. You may want to be inside instead of outside." Yes. I don't know how much the noise filters in, but you have a potential stage there that maybe could work out. And you do have a back door entrance that could bring them in that way. So, you could have people just come the back way instead of coming through the front way. That would cut off the bathroom. That's just a thought. Another thing that you could do for that is take highlights of all the various plays and put it on a loop and just show it in the theater so people could stop in see all the excitement of course the best shots and then you know they'll circulate out. Just a thought that >> okay >> uh you're working on those work plan. >> Well that's good. I don't know anything about copyright things for clips from these companies. >> Oh yeah that it's usually Okay. >> Once once they once they've produced it, then they have a clip. >> So, >> okay. >> May I ask this is the >> um some children's book. What is this book? This um >> they have the youth. Okay. So, I just noticed it last year. Very young bands, teenagers, whatever. >> You ask the chamber, ask you know Peter Catz what they're doing over there >> at the wine festival. >> Yeah, it's at the wine festival. They're not the main act. >> Okay. But they're over at the say if you go to the art wine festival there's the young people's part. >> Yeah. >> And in fact they back well they're right across right where the chamber office is and they have a stage. >> Okay. >> So you may just say hey would you like to maybe come here one or two groups or just you know if it's 103 degrees but then you get to show the younger demographics. And yes at 40 you're extremely young. [laughter] Um, but I'm just throwing, you know, >> just observations. I I you guys are better at this than I am. So, I'm just throwing some ideas out. >> Well, I'm thinking whoever these kids are, they'd be a great um demographic for the make music day. When would you start doing right that they could give them a park space or that space? You know, >> I think this is a point of order that I'm not sure we can >> Yeah. Yeah. We can't we can't um discuss that, but I'm just thinking that it's >> okay. Thanks for seating us with that idea. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Uh Mr. Cox. >> Okay. My comment is I think it's great that we've been reaching out to younger people because there's so much of the involvement that I've had over the last 16 years. It's been mostly with people even older than me. And and it's uh it's interesting because I talked to um I talked to Allison Hicks about this once and and she said to me, she said, well, she said, you know, I said, I see lots of young people that are um ice cream social and other ice cream social stuff like that, but I don't see them getting involved beyond this. And she said, well, she says the people who get involved, that's how they are able to influence what they want in the city. So, I'm I think that's a great idea you have, but I want to justice it. >> Thanks. >> You could have an ice cream social inside and that would bring me [laughter] >> to get ice cream. >> Okay. Um, so where are we on this? Any other >> the the only thing that we've talked about is just taking two and making ABC. That that was the only thing. >> Taking what? taking uh item two and making it ADC. >> Oh, right. >> This is small at the end led to big discussion though. >> Very cool. >> Well, I just noticed I made a note though that under quarterly impact report. So, we've been doing that uh spreadsheet for a while, but um I think it' be nice to add a statement about new client impacts. Well, so the 35th anniversary is not on the work plan. >> It's happening before. >> Well, not necessarily. [clears throat] >> New what did you say? K. >> New client impact >> new client impact report. That's also vague and the um format or whatever can be decided on later. >> Um no, you're right. It's not >> because initially it wasn't going to >> initially. Yeah, I didn't Initially it wasn't. It was going to be in August and now it's going to be in January. So, um >> Oh, >> additionally, I thought >> that's later on in the agenda. So, [laughter] We can't put it on the plan or do we need? >> No, you can. You most definitely can. I'm just saying like Valerie didn't know. So I was like, >> and which last our last meeting because it was going to be in August and we'd be back in August. It didn't make sense to have it on our work. >> It's going to be January. >> It probably should be. >> So where where would it go? >> It would go in >> Well, it's a work item. It's [clears throat] not an ongoing. Number three, if we do two a >> number three, >> yeah, we have to approve that. But would tenatively become three would be our 33. >> Um, additionally, one more thing I wanted to note that we also don't have the um do we have the >> the what >> uh joint the gallery walk again on our work plan? It's up um at the top one ongoing >> gallery talks Wednesday nove it's right there >> on a ongoing work >> ongoing work a [clears throat] >> oh season >> we've got two scheduled So yeah, I just crossed it off from last month. Um >> well, >> so we can put it back on. [laughter] Um uh 35th anniversary celebration planning uh January of 27. Um we had roundt discussions. So you tell me like >> So it sounds like the milestone date that we would discussing would have to be earlier than January 2027. >> Yes. [laughter] >> Um you have a date for it set, right? >> Oh, right. It's a >> That's right. >> It's a month long. Um, >> so >> because we we had an ad hoc committee for that too. >> Yes. >> My apologies. I just don't >> we will have to put a line through it. It's done. >> Yeah. Um, [clears throat] >> so if I just for clarifying question, it sounds like there would be a need for a work item to like maybe review the plan like I know we're about to do that our next agenda item, but what would the work item be for this committee for the >> that we're talking about? So, so we had an ad hoc committee and I got great ideas from the ad hoc committee meeting. Um, and those can move forward. I think it's just continuing with the ad hoc committee and then bringing the information to the as we move moving closer to the event and so as folks will get more involved amending this would be an item to have the ad hoc committee committ continue to ad hoc committee and uh bring uh updates back to the committee on a regular basis. That sound about what you were thinking? Just a quick question because I'm curious when we when we changed to to A, B, and C, how will it end up getting um formatted? Will they each are we going to put milestones ABC or are we doing underneath it ABC? >> They probably like ongoing. >> That's what I was wondering. going to be like the ongoing work items. >> That would be my proposal is to format it. So as the you can see it's on there still kind of their own sections but they're tied together now with that connection. >> Okay. Just checking. I just wondering. >> Okay. Great. So now we have one two BC two ABC and three is a three bitter >> and we added new client impact reports to C and on. So, I would like to move that we accept this draft uh work plan with the amendments on page. Ongoing work item C have new client impact report fold in that two what's currently is two three and four be numbered as 2 A 2B 2 and then we add a number three related to the 35th anniversary >> except for I have >> I'm amendment that I just saw from last planning to tack on or do I have to amend your the entire motion? But I only have one amendment. >> Why don't you tell me then maybe I'll make the whole >> I forc increase communication um community connections. The only thing is to um that I have is to um that I noted was to gather community input on various topics was just a language I wanted to add. That's one of the intentions of of um increased communications to gather community input because each one requires gathering community input. So I just wanted to so does the 35th. I just wanted to add that somewhere that language just to be clear. >> You agree that you want to gather community input for >> yes it's on various topics for the increased community connections >> and gather >> and it gives us it's a little bit of elasticity. >> So let me try this as a rephrase of my motion. So I move to accept the the draft work plan um with the modifications of ongoing work item C adding new client impact report to that um on work items uh leaving one alone changing two to be a broad increase community connections to gather community input and spread awareness under that 2 A would be participate in community neighborhood meetings, etc. 2 B would be review Mountain View Arts and Wine Festival on Castro Street. 2 C would be review make music day. The new item three would be the 35th anniversary uh updates from the ad hoc committee and from that. >> I second that. >> Okay. Everyone in favor? [laughter] >> Okay. It passes. Motion passes. um unanimously. Um okay, we move along to tour of less. Tell us what next. Well, back in the day when we had other committee members, we did a tour to the Leer Center influence group and that's important to this facility because one, it's the same architect, so it's very similar in um they have they have three stages, but it's also the same age. It was built about the same time. So, we're only about a year off from each other. Okay. And it's a very good um sense of gives you a very good sense of like how they operate and care for their facility and what the operations are there and kind of gleans what the potential is here >> for this center. So basically it would have to be um and you guys can add in I mean you do >> I didn't go last time well then we got to take you this time. Um uh so what I'm thinking is you know we can it'll have to be a posted meeting but we can go and tour the facility. Um Carolyn Jackson is the managing director there and she's very gracious. So um we can figure this out and I'm thinking that summer a little less busy. um for you know early fall we can pick a date and everybody can a van and we went over and they gave us a tour and took us backstage and showed us you know where everything was and and it really kind of gives you um just a good sense of kind of how we compare at 35 years old to another facility that's equally the same age comparing a new facility to us >> and the potential of what this facility I love it. >> Oh, it sounds great. I've seen shows there and I'd love to see >> Did you prefer a Saturday? >> Saturdays tend to be better. >> And I'll reach out to everybody and we'll figure out I'll reach out to Carolyn first. I'll reach out to Caroline to figure out like what timing works for them. >> Sure. >> It'll show up about happening. [laughter] Hi, we're here. >> Um, yeah. And then we'll figure out and and I'll include you even though you're not a new committee member. I've forgotten that you didn't you went to the other one. >> Yeah, I went to Yeah. Livermore. >> Yeah. >> Walnut Creek. >> H >> center is where? >> Walnut Creek. >> Okay, great. Yeah, I did not go to Walnut Creek. >> Is Walnut Creek a similar size city? >> It's smaller. Yeah, it's not it's not the same demographic at all like or or composition. >> So, I wouldn't >> but I think it's kind of one of the bigger theaters in that area. Attracts um groups from a lot more. >> It's a charming town. >> Yeah. >> An old sunset town. >> Old sunset town. Yeah. Don't get caught in Walnut Creek. >> Oh, really? Yes. Back in the day. Yes. >> Oh my. >> But times have changed. >> Times have changed. [laughter] Thank goodness. >> Thanks, Janelle. >> Yeah, I've really enjoyed it and it was eye opening. So, I think you'll enjoy it. >> Okay. Is that all for that? >> That's all for that. >> We'll just make it happen. >> Yes. >> Six. Item six, committee staff announcements, updates, reports, and committee reports. >> Yeah, that's me. [laughter] Um, so update on the 35th anniversary celebration. Um, as I alluded to earlier, uh, we've moved the dates. Um, I have an explanation for it. We uh as you all know are spending our money to update and um take care of some safety items in the facility and just improve the overall uh facility and our main stage deck as we call it. Our floor is in serious disrepair and we were able to get the RFP out. It's posted right now. Have time in August to make the repairs. So what that meant is we were going to do repairs and three day late three days later we were going to do a 35th anniversary and that felt a little uncomfortable because if they need an extra day or two days um that's a little too tight. So I felt in my due diligence for the facility that we needed to move forward with replacing the deck and getting that repaired. We'll have a brand new stage floor coming season that launches in September. And we actually opened in January, 35 years ago. >> Okay. >> So, it's a little, you know, we're going to have to do some marketing on it, but if we have an anniversary celebration in January, it's, you know, celebrating the past 35 years of operations. Um, so, and we pretty much have the entire month of January. I blocked it off because I was going to be doing repairs in January, so I kind of just flipped it. Um, so I'm going to put together basically a couple things. A little bit of a mini presenting season. I'm already talking to some artists. And then we have an entire weekend that will of course do what I will call open house and it'll be free and open to the public to come. And that'll be our community groups. And that's kind of what we had already talked about with um Carol and Steve with like a community committee level of doing a um community day and having you know our community groups come and perform and having all the stages going on and giveaways and just the general free and open for everyone. But we're looking at bringing in um hopefully a headliner. I'm having a little conversation with some folks and then I'm going to the W conference in September. Um, but I'm also everyone's already launching their seasons right now. So, I'm looking at my um counterparts seasons and looking at who they have around December, February. And might I be able to um pay you some gas money to come hang here for weekend in January. So, more to come on that. [clears throat] More to come. Lots more to come. >> Very exciting. So, >> I have a facilities question. >> Yes. I told a friend that the floor was being ripped up and she wanted to know what you were going to do with the room. >> Um because it's been painted probably 150 times by now. Um and it's very damaged. It'll get rid of the dumpster. >> It's it's basically toxic too because it's not wood. It's been painted. So yeah, >> I guess she was thinking it was a pristine hardwood floor which why would they rip it up? >> Yeah. No, no, no, no. Um yeah, so it's basically, you know, but the sprung the the other part of it is because it's also a cushion sprung, um that has long been doesn't give our dancers any cushion stage. So I felt it was irresponsible I need to not fix that when I have the opportunity fix it now and then we have a nice fresh new stage and first one that'll come in and dance on it. So great then >> yeah so you know >> how long does a stage supposed to last? >> It depends on the pounding but yeah it should probably be replaced about every 20. >> Okay. >> Is this our first replacement? >> Yes. Yeah. So pieces and parts of it have been replaced and bandated in various spots, but you can only do that for so long before it's just not it's not safe because you know you keep tearing it up and screwing things down and then you get uneven just for the 35th too just a little bit. So then I was put in contact with the with the coord the staff le on for the youth advisory committee. advisor at some capacity just regarding youth very fit which we have I mean see however that moves forward you know but um that's just one one thing I wanted to know >> ice cream social >> no they're hopefully they get to have some autonomy as to an open mic or something like that but that's the idea help them coordinate >> I will surely make sure that they are happy to help on that >> well I'd like to compliment Teresa's is management of center because she's made many upgrades since I've known her. >> I met you what a month after you came on or something like that, right? I've been hearing all the >> I started in um it'll be four years this August. >> Yeah. >> The whole the whole place is much safer now that she's in the building. >> That's fantastic. Thank you very much, Carol. I appreciate that. Yeah, it's been a labor of love, but she's um I've I've called her in in days previous in in and I I hope there'll be a day when I won't say this. I call her the grandma house. She's a little bit like your grandma's house in that there's nothing wrong with the bones. She's a great house. She's beautiful, but you know that olive covered stove needs to go. [laughter] Just some things that need to be updated. So, you know, I think everybody's been through that house at one point in their life. So, that's I kind of refer to her that, but you know, as we replace the deck and then we will the second stage will be next. So, we'll replace the floor and second stage seats. So, there's a lot of things lined up. >> This was important to go. Too bad you can't put in a third floor like it was supposed to have. >> So, there'd be rehearsal space and all that. that in a a full fly. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. A couple things. >> Okay. >> I have a question. Is there anything that we as a committee are doing for the 35th that we need need to be involved in um since we meet back in August? I mean you guys already have an ad hoc committee for the January presenting thing. >> At this time I don't think we have anything to come back with for the committee specifically right now. Not for January. Well, now for January, but Not not specifically. We kind of just plotted out um >> uh I guess a few things that we could share, you know, the committee could share is that um >> we agreed to like 4 to 8:00 p.m. You know, not an all day event, but very very tight nice event, tight line. >> Okay. >> Um and both stages running at the same time. I think in January we may lose the park stage depending on weather, but right, you know. >> Okay. >> Yeah. It's not that's you know that's a minor you know grabbing >> this is the weekend the openhouse weekend that you're talking about and yeah you're you haven't set that date yet because that's going to be contingent on what you're able to fill up with the other people. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Right. >> So and hopefully hopefully like I said I'm having conversations right now. Um so hopefully by August I should be able to tell you that this this is the open house weekend. >> Yeah. Then um the others will be contractually driven. >> Okay. And Davidid, what were you saying about the youth contingent of this? We're trying to connect. >> It's for the open house situation as well, I believe. >> Well, whatever. >> Well, it was kind of kind of a way to give them like an an, you know, an an hour at on the second stage for open mic and be able to just have the teens come in and just do >> what teens do. And and I was just wondering how our work plan of reaching out to the community is connecting with that. Is that something that be an agenda item for August? Like if there's >> it's been through the ad hoc right now. Um but um agenda item had one specifically. >> Well, I would think that you know if we're we're not going to meet in July and the ad hoc now that we've moved the date, we can get back at it. Um and then you know there there would be an update definitely in August. >> Are you thinking of something specific? >> I mean I'm just thinking the teens to come do something or present something. >> No no I was just thinking about like you know using this as an opportunity to kind of set the stage for community partnerships that would eventually also feed into Make Music Day. Like I'm thinking like you know like CSMA is such a great um you know institution near in the area if like maybe it's as simple as like inviting them all getting them somehow involved where it's not just an event that they're attending or I don't know I'm just thinking like CSMA as as an organization and then obviously we already have like PIT and stuff but there's um >> I'm just thinking all the different youth um organizations that are out here you know. >> That's true. I think we're still on just six on announcements. >> This Well, this is Yeah, >> this is six >> 6.1. >> We've kind of skipped over to 61. >> We are in six1, I thought. >> Okay. >> I wanted to also bring up the dinner. >> I did, too. I was waiting for that. >> So, do we also >> can we tie off the wonder? >> Can we tie off the um >> 35th anniversary session >> real quick? Go back. Okay. >> So there's no action item to be taken right now for no for general committee >> and you guys will just give us an update in August. That's the >> as we the next time we meet. Yeah. >> As the ad hoc meeting and we meet. >> Okay. So that's that. >> Um >> I just wanted to comment on the I we we hadn't discussed just as an ad hoc because while we're in discussion about general things, we hadn't discussed the idea of of reaching out to a non- city entity. I think that we hadn't thought in regards to being present in that capacity was just >> be present on the stage. No, we had >> and which like and or like CSMA in some way to be um it's an interestically kind of intrigues me because I feel interesting. >> I just wanted to comment just like that to my mind. >> I I heard that and I agree. very excited to hear an update from all in August plans and if there's ways that the rest of us can help with certain things that the ad hoc committee would like us to let us know. Okay. >> Yeah. I I would love to help in whatever youth engagement we're looking like this whole trying to get younger demographic, 40-year-old younger demographic, like you know, if there's ideas or whatever that come up there, I'd love to I don't know what it looks like, but I'd love to brainstorm it. >> Yeah. and August. Um what if we meet that hot committee meets then we can present something and have a discussion. [laughter] >> So can I move back to the dinner then the volunteer dinner? >> So Antar and you went and went. So What did you think? >> I thought it was such a lovely event. It was so nice to um I was amazed at how many volunteers we have and not just the number but the sheer number of years that all these people have volunteered. You know, I thought they did such a great presentation saying like this many hours in, you know, or this many years and toting like just how much how much support that um this center has had and a shock that they had people who had been volunteering as far back as the inauguration of 35 years ago. Like the fact that somebody has continually volunteered for 35 years is insane, you know, and um it it just I don't know. I thought it was quite amazing and I I thought it was very cool when we all sat on the stage and had um the meal and it was very smooth flowing like it wasn't like you know like one of those weddings where people are like when is my table going to get called >> they are the ushers >> yeah they are [laughter] very good at that you know so um and and the food was good and it was nice to just chat with you know different people so um I thought it was really inspiring and um and like I like that they acknowledged some people who were first year like within their first year that they had done a lot of colors. It's kind of good to see like the benchmark. Um so I just really wonder how you get all these volunteers like that was my like how do people end up joining that? like how does that word of mouth like >> it's a bit of word of mouth and then I will be honest like a lot of our volunteers um volunteer >> um here they volunteer at the hammer or they volunteer here and they also volunteer at Lucy Stern. >> Yeah. >> Um you know it's a way to be able to see most of the performances. So >> you know there's that and it's it's kind of its own little circle of folks. So there's that you know that kind of pod of folks. Okay. >> And have other folks that you know sign up with the city. >> Okay. >> Just recruit. >> Is it like 18y old minimum or like 16? >> Yeah. >> 18. >> Yeah. >> 16. We we can take I mean we don't >> we don't we don't have anybody under 40. So like we're not going to get 16 year olds. But not it's not that we couldn't take them. We just have to have a um the hourly work because they're after hours, you know, like the shows will go. Okay. >> Be there till 10:30. >> I was just thinking for high school kids who need like their >> volunteer hours. >> Yeah. >> And and if they're [clears throat] already like theater arts kids who are into it, it's like a good fit. >> Yeah. No, that's great. >> Yeah. >> Is that a pipeline? I don't know. It's kind of interesting. >> We could do >> Well, I started volunteering in Chicago because I then I didn't have to pay $100 to see your production. Exactly. >> This occurred to me at the dinner. This occurred to me at >> That's what I realized. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> I think so. They can see all the shows. >> I think somebody was joking that she had seen Come From Away but like eight times at that point. [laughter] >> Kind of interesting. Yeah, it was kind of interesting. >> Well, because we had such full houses for that one, we needed a full compliment and so we were short. So, we were sending out emails like if you have time and can do this and she's like, "Yeah." I ended up seeing it six times. [laughter] And I thought Orin Orin Yes. Um did a great job speaking and um clearly also the camaraderie that is built in just his his language was. How long has he been with the center? Because he's he's >> he's been there six years now. >> Okay. So um so that was also lovely to hear him at the beginning and how he coordinates the the um lecturers and a lot of the volunteers had great um praise for how he handles a lot as well. So that was something. Yeah, that was good to see that they all really admired him and enjoyed his work. >> Well, I moved here 12 years ago and that is actually one of the first things I did was the usher training because I was so new at that sort of thing >> in Chicago and the training was kind of ownorous at that time. It was very very detailed and all that way more details you need [laughter] to know because [clears throat] in my opinion if all these weird scenarios come up that people were asking about the answer is go find the house manager you know because >> right yeah >> volunteer >> contact staff [laughter] >> like yeah whatever so um it's all streamlined it's you know runs very smooth and uh the same thing with the awards ceremony and having it on the stage was a a pretty brilliant uh stroke too because it's a lot more spacious than the lab the lobby everybody was just jammed in there >> was a lovely event. >> Yeah. So more kudos for Teresa. [laughter] >> I um was speaking with some of the ushers too with some of the changes whether it's code of conduct or different things they actually there was um the adjustments they noted are going well as well. So in in their compartment as ushers as well and so that was lovely to hear whatever changes are happening have been um the users are in full support of that. So from top to bottom seems to be a welloiled machine. >> Fantastic. Congratulations [laughter] me in there. >> And and I assume that ushers get to see the shows for free. >> Yep. >> They do. >> There's an organization I volunteered ushered for different theater group in the Bay Area, South Bay. Um and that if you wanted to see the show, you had to buy a ticket at Musher. >> Oh, so I I did that twice. >> Twice. Two [laughter] times too many. So that's a seems like a better way of getting volunteers. >> It's a little easier that way. >> It's fantastic. >> Yeah, that's unusual. I also volunteered the user's best day by day or that you see players as well. >> I did it as a kid in the Fort Wing Pacific theater [clears throat] with like but >> and it was impromp experience like they I think we became like an hour and a half before the show basically just familiarize ourselves with the map. Yeah, that was our main responsibility to direct people to the right seats and stuff. So, it wasn't like advanced, >> not like Chicago, >> advanced ushers, >> advancing theater, >> advancing downtown. >> Actually, it was my experience when I moved here. This Chicago was a lot more laidback than Mountains. [laughter] That's funny. >> Made no sense to me. >> You were in California. [laughter] What is So, as far as I can tell, our next meeting is scheduled for August 19th. Can we just confirm that people might be available to go to the next forum? >> Yes. >> Exciting updates. >> I know. I'm so excited. >> Well, I'm on a wait list for my free shoreline tickets that [laughter] haven't picked tickets yet. Yeah, I should be here. That's Neil with Acon. >> Okay. So, >> it looks like we will have quorum. So, I think we are good to go. So I this performing arts meeting of June 24th is adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Thank you.]]> https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/-LJuS_KI4fU https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/-LJuS_KI4fU Wed, 24 Jun 2026 21:16:38 GMT This instructional video demonstrates how to use the online map for the Mountain View Citywide Garage Sale, accessible at mountainview.gov/garagesale. It walks through map features including the legend, locate-me button, category filters, individual sale details with Google Maps directions, and locations where paper maps are available. Accessing the online map Map legend Locate me feature Category filters Individual sale details Google Maps directions Paper map locations https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/BVtz0hI2SBA https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/BVtz0hI2SBA Wed, 24 Jun 2026 06:24:08 GMT The joint meeting covered closed session actions (including authorizing the city to join an amicus brief opposing a proposed ICE detention facility near Gilroy), three proclamations (Immigrant Heritage Month, the Kiwanis Club's 100th anniversary, and honoring departing City Attorney Jennifer Lo's judicial appointment), and a 34-item consent calendar. The council unanimously adopted the Biodiversity and Urban Forest Plan after refining species definitions (replacing 'near native' with 'functional species'), and began discussion of the Community Ownership Action Plan for tenant displacement response. Public comment focused heavily on immigration enforcement concerns, RV parking issues on Gemini Avenue, and native plant advocacy. Closed session and ICE facility litigation Immigrant Heritage Month proclamation Kiwanis Club 100th anniversary City Attorney judicial appointment Consent calendar approval North Bayshore trip cap monitoring RV parking on Gemini Avenue Evelyn Park parking concerns Biodiversity and Urban Forest Plan Native vs functional species definitions Community Ownership Action Plan > Thank you. Now, would any member of the public joining us virtually or in person like to provide comment on the close session items listed on tonight's agenda? If so, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or submit a speaker card to the city clerk. We will take in-person speakers first. Each speaker will have a minute and 30 seconds. All right. Um, we'll have Monica come up and then Brandon after that. Hi, my name is Monica Tyisher and I have been a resident of Mountain View for over 27 years. Thank you for making sure our city remains a community for all. I commend city council for drafting the no staging policy and presenting it to you in such short time. I also want to congratulate city attorney Jennifer Lo for her appointment to serve as a judge on the Contraosta County Superior Court. I am speaking today to urge you to join the amicus brief with local jurisdictions throughout the Bay Area and Central Coast to support and strengthen the lawsuit filed jointly by Santa Clara County and AG Bont to block the illegal development of the ice facility near Gilroy. The amicus brief is being prepared by the county of Monterey with the public rights project. They plan to file by the end of June, so you must act promptly. Hollister, San Jose, PaloAlto, Alamita, and the counties of Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Mateo have already signed on. If you're here in support of filing this amicus brief, please stand up. Adilanto and California City are concentration camps, prisons for profit, run by corporations that ICE uses to shuffle and hide detainees to deprive them of their legal rights. We need to block what will most probably become an enforcement and removal operations office in our vicinity. ICE continues to violate human and constitutional rights and we should not allow them to do so in our country in our county. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next we have Brandon. >> Hey there, my name is Brandon. I've lived in Mountain View for more than 20 years. I'm here tonight to also comment on the proposed lawsuit against the Gway facility and I'm asking the city to join the amicus brief. I'm here to comment because I've seen what ICE and the federal government are doing to our neighbors and I don't like it. Um I don't know how to say this in a way that is uh not it doesn't sound like it hasn't happened to me. It's so crazy. But um the same agency that shot a nurse in the face or excuse me, a poet in the face, a nurse in the back and left a 5-year-old boy in the snow to act as bait to grab his mother wants to open a concentration camp in Gilroy, a place I previously had known for its garlic ice cream. Um I'm glad that you passed the resolution recently to not help ICE with staging and now I'm asking you to do more. Um, as a citizen, I I know what I'll be doing. I'm going to be there with my sign and I'm thinking garlic, not goologs. But, um, since you're our elected officials and I know you can do more, I'm here tonight to ask you to do more. Um, tonight, I'd just like you to ask you to help our neighbors join this lawsuit. Thank you. >> Thank you. We will now take virtual speakers and I am seeing none. So, council will now recess to the plaza conference room for close session and return to council chambers at the close to continue regular session. Do I read this part? Okay. All right. To close session we go. Yeah, I forgot All right, we're going to get started again. Good evening everyone. Welcome to the joint meeting of the Mountain View City Council, Shoreline Regional Park, and City of Mountain View Capital Improvements Financing Authority of June 23rd, 2026. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. All right. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right, the city clerk will take attendance by roll call. Council member Hicks >> here. Council member Kame >> here. Member Mallister. Council member Ramirez >> here. >> Council member Sha Walter >> here. Vice Mayor Clark >> here. >> Mayor Ramos >> here. You have a quorum. Thank you. In recent weeks, the city along with a few of our neighboring elected decision-making bodies have been subjected to disruptive racist verbal attacks by anonymous callers during virtual public comment. The city of Mountain View is fully committed to racial, religious, and cultural equity and justice as we strive to create a welcoming, safe, and inclusive community for all. The council welcomes respectful, non-threatening public comments on matters within our jurisdiction. Comments deemed otherwise pursuant to the council code of conduct and the government code may be grounds for terminating a speaker's comment period. I will also say in advance that all public speaking comment periods tonight will be limited to 90 seconds or 1 minute and 30 seconds. Um so now we will move on to item two, close session report. City attorney log, do you have a close session report? Yes. Um good evening mayor, vice mayor, and council members. In close session this evening, the city council took final action on item 2.4 four on the close session agenda which was a conference with legal counsel pursuant to government code section 54956D4 regarding the initiation of litigation. Council voted with four eyes's, zero nos, and two two abstensions by Vice Mayor Clark and council member Mallister to authorize the city to join a legal brief with other Bay Area local governments supporting a request for a court order to halt construction of a proposed US immigration and custom enforcement detention facility in Gilroy. >> Thank you, city of I believe it was five eyes. >> I apologize. That's right. It was Five Eyes. >> Thank you. All right, we will now move on to item three. Please note, these are presentations only. The city council will not take any action. Public comment will occur after the presentation items. If you would like to speak on these items in person, please submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk. Now, so we have item 3.1, National Immigrant Heritage Month Proclamation. We are happy to be joined this evening by Maria Marin, executive director of the dayworker center to accept this proclamation. Maria, would you join me at the lectern? >> Absolutely. >> Thank [applause] you. >> Okay. >> All right. So the proclamation reads, "Immigrant Heritage Month provides an opportunity to celebrate our origins as a society built on the strength and diversity of immigrants from every corner of the globe. And whereas generations of immigrants have courageously left their homes, lives, and loved ones in search of refuge, opportunity, and freedom in the United States, driving our economic innovation and enriching our cultural fabric." And whereas immigrants continue to build businesses, strengthen our workforce, and create jobs, significantly contributing to the vitality and success of our community. And whereas this month allows us to celebrate this rich diversity, reflect on the essential contributions of newcomers, and reaffirm our commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable environment for all residents. And now therefore, I, Emily Anne Ramos, mayor of the city of Mountain View, the best city, along with my colleagues on the city council, do hereby proclaim the month of June as immigrant heritage month in Mountain View. And I encourage all residents to celebrate their diverse backgrounds, cultures, and contributions that make our community a vibrant place to live. Miss Maria, would you like to say a few words? >> Most definitely. Good evening, Madame Mayor and members of the council. Thank you for this proclamation. Receiving this recognition during National Immigrant Heritage Month is a profound honor. But not just for me, but for the entire community I stand here representing. The heritage we celebrate today is not just about the traditions we bring or the hard work we perform. It is about resiliency. is about the courage of who came before us who sacrificed everything to build a foundation so that we could stand here today. But heritage is not just a gift for the past is a moral responsibility for the present. Do you remember the moral responsibility from H Lopez? I know you do. >> [snorts] >> Um, as you move into today's agenda, you will have the power to make decisions that directly impact the stability and prosperity of our community's most vulnerable members. Those who are too often overlooked, but yet form the very backbone of Mountain View. We honor our way history not only with words on paper but with the legacy we leave for those who will come next through leadership means ensuring that the doors and opportunity and stability remain open and secure. Therefore, I urge you consult to honor our shared history, but making choices tonight that protect, lift up, and guarantee the dignity of our community. Let's build a legacy that we all can be proud of. Thank you so much. [applause] And we have the proclamation right here. We're going to take a picture with the >> [applause] >> All right, we have lots of proclamations, lots of things to celebrate this uh evening. So, item 3.2 is the 100th anniversary of the Kiwanis Club, a Mountain View proclamation. Yay. We are happy to join be joined this evening by Marina Marino, the foundation's grants committee chair with the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View to accept this proclamation. Miss Marina, will you join me at the lectern? [applause] >> All right. So the you can be right here. It's better for the pictures. [laughter] All right. So the proclamation reads, "Whereas the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View was officially chartered on March 15th, 1926, beginning a century of service dedicated to improving the lives of children and strengthening the Mountain View community. And whereas the Kiwani Club of Mountain View is part of Kiwanis International, a worldwide organization of volunteers committed to improving the world one child and one community at a time. And whereas for nearly 100 years, members of the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View have volunteered their time, leadership, and resources to support youth programs, local nonprofits, educational initiatives, and community projects benefiting the residents of Mountain View and neighboring communities. And whereas through the Kiwanis Foundation of Mountain View, the club has provided significant grants and financial support to dozens of local organizations each year, helping expand programs that serve children's families, and those in need. And whereas members of the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View have actively supported community engagement through events, partnership, and volunteer service, including youth leadership, development, and programs that encourage civic participation and community pride. And whereas the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View continues to bring together civic-minded volunteers dedicated to improving the community and creating opportunities for future generations through service, leadership, and fellowship. Now, therefore, I, Emily Anne Ramos, mayor of Mountain View, along with my colleagues on the city council, do hereby proclaim Kiwani's Club of Mountain View Centennial Day in recognition of 100 years of service and commitment to the Mountain View community. We extend sincere appreciation to all past and present members for their lasting contributions to the well-being of the city and its residents. Now, before I ask you to say a few words, I'll use this opportunity for our mayor's um call to service, call to community, and call to action. So, as you take this mic, please let people know how can people join and support the Kiwanis Club. >> Okay. Well, thank you so much, Emily. I'm going to call a couple different members up for this. Dee is our president here. First of all, thank you so much. City of Mountain View and everybody that's served. We've all been to the Harvest History Festival and the city of Mountain View's helped so much collaborating with that and um anyway, come up Dei and um thank you. Okay, just say a few words. [gasps] >> Hello and welcome. Um, the Kuanas Club of Mountain View is, as I said, a group of volunteers. Um, we have been in service now for a hundred years here. Um, Kuanas International is our I don't know what you'd call it, like >> umbrella. >> Umbrella group. Thank you. Um, and that has been in service now for 110 years. And Kuanis is in over 80 countries around the world. and we do quite a bit of um different things. I'm sorry I'm not prepared for [laughter] this. >> Come on up. >> But if you would like to join us um we would love to have more members. Um you can contact either myself or Marina um we have a website so you can go to that and find outm.org. >> kabanasmountview.org. Yes. Um, and we will be having a lunch meeting this coming Friday if anybody's interested and you'd like to join us. Um, it will be held at, uh, Restaurant Don Giovani's at noon here in Mountain View on Castro Street. >> The first lunch is on us. >> Yes. So, if you're interested in joining, we will buy your first lunch there. It's very good. So, please come out. >> Okay. Robert, >> our vice president. >> Yes, Robert. >> I'm I'm the vice president of the local chapter, and I'm just here to tell you about our century of service here in Mountain View and our big celebration that's coming up. The Kuanas Club of Mountain View is proud to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026. Since 1926, local Kuanas volunteers have worked quietly behind the scenes to strengthen our community through scholarships, grants, youth leadership programs, service projects, and support our local nonprofits. Over the years, we have given away more than $4 million to the community through these efforts. To commemorate this historic milestone, the club will host its 100th anniversary gala on Saturday, August 8th, 2026 at Don Genevanis in Mountain View. We especially would love to hear from and celebrate with individuals and organizations that have been touched by Kuanas over the years. If your school, nonprofit, family, child, or community group has benefited from a Kowanas grant, scholarship program, or volunteer effort, we warmly invite you and the entire Mountain View community to join us. This will be an evening of community memories and appreciation for the generations of volunteers who have helped make Mountain View a better place. And there will be a live band featuring Marina and her uh her band >> and her husband Jeff. [laughter] Okay. We will only be selling 100 tickets, so early reservations are encouraged. We hope to celebrate with many of our neighbors and community partners who have been part of our remarkable 100-year journey. Thank you and we look forward to your attendance. [applause] >> Shall we take a picture with the proclamation? >> Okay, come on. >> Kiwani. >> We got other Kiwanis here. You call them or likew [laughter] >> are we balanced? Are we good? >> And [applause] it took so long. All right. Now, we're at our final proclamation of the night. Um, it's item 3.3, proclamation honoring city attorney Jennifer Log's appointment to the judiciary. We are happy to be joined this evening by city attorney Jennifer Log to accept this proclamation. City attorney log, would you join me at the lectern? >> [applause] >> All right. The proclamation reads, "Whereas city Attorney Jennifer N. Log has been appointed by Governor Gavin Newsome to the Contraona County Superior Court and will conclude her service to the city of Mountain View on July 3rd, 2026. And whereas Jennifer has served the city of Mountain View for 4 and a half years as city attorney. And whereas Jennifer earned her jurist doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center. And whereas Jennifer has dedicated her legal career and to public service. And Jennifer strengthened the city attorney's office by building an experienced team of legal professionals by incorporating new technology and best practices into the city attorney's office. And whereas Jennifer has assisted in the city in navigating complex legal issues with a calm demeanor, sharp intellect, and unwavering commitment to the city of Mountain View and its residents. And whereas Jennifer possesses the rare combination of intellectual proudness and compassion that makes her uniquely qualified both as a Mountain View city attorney and as a judge. And whereas city attorney log leaves a lasting legacy and impact on the city of Mountain View and will always be appreciated by the city council executive team and city attorney's office. Now therefore I Emily Anne Ramos, mayor of the city of Mountain View along with my colleagues on the city council do hereby express gratitude and appreciation to Jennifer N. Log for her special exh exceptional leadership, service, and dedication to the residents of Mountain View. City Attorney Log, would you like to say a few words? >> Yes, please. >> I wrote this down so I didn't forget or get nervous or cry or get overwhelmed. >> Um, [laughter] thank you, mayor and coun council members, for this incredible, incredibly meaningful proclamation. I am deeply honored to have have been selected to serve as city attorney for the city of Mountain View. Serving this community has been one of the greatest privileges of my career and I have truly enjoyed the opportunity to work on behalf of the city, its residents, and its elected and appointed leaders. As I prepare to begin my new role, I am overwhelmed by the many warm wishes, kind words, and expressions of support I have received regarding my judicial appointment. They mean more to me than I can adequately express in words. I also know that whatever success I have had during my time here was only possible because of the remarkable people with whom I have had the privilege to serve and work with. I am especially grateful to my fellow appointees and city colleagues whose partnership, dedication, and friendship have made this work both rewarding and enjoyable. While I have been fortunate to work on many complex, challenging, and interesting matters during my tenure, I believe my greatest achievement has been helping to build a strong and talented legal team. I am confident that this team will continue to provide the city with outstanding legal representation and the support it deserves for many years to come. Leaving Mountain View is truly bittersweet. Although I'm excited for the opportunity to serve the public in a new capacity, I will greatly miss the many people who have made my time here so meaningful. And there are many of you that I will not forget ever. Alex, I'm talking to you. [laughter] Thank you again for this honor and for allowing me the privilege of serving as your city attorney. [applause] >> [applause] [applause] >> Alrighty. So, would any member of the council like to say a few words? >> Council member Hicks. >> Well, I'll keep it short and sweet and just say to uh city attorney Low, welld deserved. >> Thank you, Council Member Hicks. Council member Kame. Great. Thanks, Mayor. Um, I love all of our proclamations because I think it shows how we're a community for all. We're a community of immigrants. We're a community of community servants and soon to be judges. It's very exciting. Congratulations most especially to city attorney log. It's hard to believe that half of our time has been together for for some of us. Um, and it's been so wonderful to work with you. Uh, I'm happy that um you you know me and and you know in case anything ever comes up, I don't want to be on on any side of that. Um but um the the hardest working person um the the court is lucky to have you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Kame Council Member Mallister. >> Here's a phrase that you'll probably enjoy for the rest of your life. Here come the judge. Here comes the judge. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Mallister, Council Member Joe Halter. >> It's been a pleasure to work with you. I've really enjoyed all those explanations you've given me over the years. So, thanks very much. We'll miss you. >> Thank you, Council Member Scho Walter. Uh, city manager Kimber McCarthy. Thank you, Mayor. So, uh, many of you may know and council will know that when we have one of our executive team members or department head, uh, or someone who's been with the city a very long time retire, they get the privilege of having their very own, uh, official street name sign. And, uh, we felt that even though this is not an official retirement, that you certainly have earned the right to have your own official street sign. So, I just want to thank you on behalf of the whole organization. Thank you for your partnership, for all of your hard work, unwavering dedication to all of the residents, to the organization. It's just been a pleasure working with you. I'll I'll tell everyone when I uh talked to uh one of the folks that that was vetting you and they asked uh what I thought you would be like as a judge um and I just said that this role was suited for you. you know, your temperament, your your commitment to fairness, uh, to rigorous research of the law and making sure that you're applying it in a way that, um, is fair to all and also with compassion and empathy. You're going to be absolutely fabulous. And let's hope none of us have traffic tickets in Contraosta County or do anything else. So, without further ado, I want to congratulate you and present you with your sign. And you do have to open it in front of everyone because it's very fitting. >> [applause] >> If I may say, this is going up in chambers for sure. >> Our staff are so clever. All right. Um, Vice Mayor Clark, >> just to briefly say what a pleasure it's been to work with you. And when I was filling out the I received a uh similar feedback form um when we found out um that you uh that you were up for the appointment, it was really really hard to fill that out knowing that it was basically um ensuring that you were going to move on to bigger and better things, but we were really going to miss and I but but then you know it hits you that what a feather in our cap to have someone who not only has worked so hard for the for the residents of Mountain View um not just for for us but for all the residents of Mountain View to um you know to be at a in a branch of government um judiciary where I think you're just incredibly well suited because of all the characteristics that our city manager articulated. You're going to do an incredible job and we're so proud of we'll be able to say we knew you. So, thank you so much for all you've done and good luck. >> Thank you, Vice Mayor Clark. Uh any other comments? We are good. Congratulation again, uh city attorney log. All right. Um we will now take public comment for the presentation items. Would any member of the public joining us virtually or in person like to provide comment on the presentation items listed on the agenda? If so, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or a blue speaker card on to the city clerk. We will take in-person speakers first. Each speaker will have 90 seconds. um or one and a half minutes. [laughter] All right, we will take our only uh speaker in person, Alex Brown. >> Uh your honor and may as of the council. Uh congratulations. Thanks. [laughter] >> All right. Thank you. We will now take virtual speakers. Seeing none, this ends our presentation items. We will now move on to item four, consent calendar. So these items will be approved by one motion unless any member of the council wishes to pull an item for individual consideration. If an item is pulled from the consent calendar, it will be considered separately following the approval of the balance of the consent calendar. If you would like to speak on these items or the next items, oral communication on non-aggenda items in person, please submit a speaker card, a blue speaker card to the city clerk now. Would any member of the council like to pull an item? Okay. It's a very large consent calendar, y'all. Um, Council Member Ramirez. >> Thank you, Mayor. Sorry, I have to pull 4.14. >> Why do you do this to us? >> 4.14. >> Yes. Council member Shoalter. >> Well, I'm [clears throat] not going to pull an item, but as is my um my custom, I do go over the consent calendar very very carefully and I've there [clears throat] were a mere 34 items this time. So, I felt the need to make a chart and I divided that chart into eight categories which I'm going to share with you. So, uh, clerk, can you open it up? And there are a few that I thought were particularly meaningful, so I made them red. Anyway, uh, every [clears throat] every year at the end, the last session before we go into summer, there is just a plethora of consent calendar items. And that's because the the city staff needs to get things finished and they needs to get they need to get approval for all of the contracts that they may want to carry out during the summer. So we expect to have a lot. Last [clears throat] year we own I think the last the most I have ever seen before is 28. So this is this is a new record. Okay. Next uh this this also means that the city staff is and your city is doing a lot of work. Um, so the first category I made was ballot issues and and policy changes. And there are five of those. Um, and I think in particular the one that's probably of most interest to people is the prohibit the use of city property for federal civil immigration enforcement activities. Um, but there are other ones that are um, uh, for instance, I think the last one, 416, Mountain View employee home buyiner assistance. That's an idea to um allow uh employees to get loans to help them live closer. And that's for our retention uh program. Okay. Next one is housing. We all care a lot about housing. We've been um we've been recognized as a pro-ousing city, but this is uh the largest um affordable housing grant that we've gotten. Um [clears throat] the total award is from this program which is for affordable housing and sustainable communities is um is $50 million and 35 million of it is for the Evelyn Avenuef affordable housing project and then 14 million is for sustainable transportation. That's pretty amazing. Then we go on to budget. This is the final um uh meeting of the session and we will approve the budget later on but there are some se some separate budget items. Then public works public works took took two screens. Um lots of nine consent calendar items. uh the urban water management plan which is a a an important regulatory requirement uh we do every five years and um just all sorts of other things that we have to do to keep our uh our infrastructure in good working order. So the next one uh next one. So some more thing building plan checks. We one of the things that we do is inspect things and check plans and make sure that what we build in Mountain View is safe. And also we have to do things that um like keep up the uh uh with with getting our keeping our sewer mains re repaired. Not necessarily sexy work but very very important. Next, transportation. We all care a great deal about transportation in particular. We talk about the importance of um repaving our streets, having active transportation, all that sort of thing. So, $14 million of this grant that was um the 50 million grant goes to sustainable transportation. We also every year get a report on the North Bayshore um trip cap [clears throat] and we're well within those thresholds. Next uh category is sustainability and climate change protection. We do a lot of work on sustainability and climate change protection. We we don't just plan, we actually do it. And so um the last three uh items on this are literally things that are related to our sea level rise protection program. and we completed uh the construction on pond A2W. I hope most of you have gone out there and enjoyed the area and the new um and the new trail that's there. Next slide. Um everybody in Mountain View seems to love parks and we don't think we have enough of them. Well, now we're getting two more and that is really something to be to celebrate. One of them is the purchase of property of 2.4 acres um on San Rafale Avenue in in the Tirabella area. And this is an area that's park deficient, but at the same time, we're expecting to build some more housing there. So, there'll be more need for parks. So, this is it's this great news that we were able to purchase these properties. And um for those of you who live in the area, you might want to think about taking part in the um the design of the park which the parks and wreck department will be initiating um shortly. And then this is one uh the back back. Yeah. The other one I think is is caused for a great deal of celebration is the city has made arrangements with Google to lease uh a facility on Clyde Avenue to make a new pickle ball facility. And that is um pickle ball has been something that this uh this community has been tossing around for three or four years about where we should do it. So we've come upon this this facility has been identified and um we should have room for I believe it's 12 or 20 um pickle ball >> 12 >> up to 12 uh pickle ball uh courts there which which should be great fun and I couldn't resist saying pickle ball pickle resolved. Okay. So then the last one is just administrative things. They're always administrative things. The minutes, the youth advisory committee appointments, uh we always have to advertise for um uh legal things. And um this is the first this land management assessment advisory service item. That is the first uh uh consent calendar item of our new IT director, Michael Seenor. So with that, I think that's more than enough. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Shoalter. Council member Hicks. >> So, I'm not gonna I am not going to pull anything. I do want to uh make a comment on 4.27. So, mayor, just tell me when you would like me to do that. >> We could do that after public comment. >> Okay. All right. Would uh any member of the public joining us virtually or in person like to provide comment on these items? If so, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk. We will take in-person speakers first. Each speaker will have 90 seconds. So, our first speaker is Alexander Amaroso. Let's see. Evening, uh, madame mayor, evening, council. Um, so I only really had, uh a couple thoughts regarding, um, items 4.7, 4.8, and 4.13. So, in regards to, uh, 4.7. Um I very much enjoyed the strategic energy innovations and climate core um strategies to to those that end and even with [sighs] representative uh or sorry council member uh Sha Walter said about again this being a sustainable um city let's keep going that direction and I would actually suggest when plans are made on these items let's look towards uh regenerative agriculture because we have the gardens for it we have the local um the local uh what do I look for? Um farmers market folks to work with and let's keep uh rolling that direction. Now, a couple concerns I would say for 4.8 is um when we're looking for uh plans for development towards like you know these parking structures and these parking areas. There has been some complaint and some constraints over where folks are going to park in places like the spot in front of 24-hour gym. So maybe we can work on possibly helping folks find better parking in that sense. And also when it comes to the Mountain View Go uh missing the mark on that uh contractors uh contractor's uh deadline, let's see what we can do proactively to prevent that from happening in the future. Thank you. >> Thank you. Seeing no other in-person Oh, we have an inperson uh Miss Joan. Hello. I live at Sunset Estates, a mobile home park for seniors on Silvin Avenue. We always are uneasy about our stability since we own our homes, but we just rent the space that they sit on. What are we going to do if Mountain View one day allows our spaces to be sold from under us? So, on page 18 of the COAP, the community ownership action plan, uh, that is included, >> Joan, this is the wrong item that that item is, uh, item 6 >> 7.1. >> 7. Oh, we're on only on the very first one. We're still on consent calendar. >> Okay, I will come back then. >> No problem. Thank you, Miss Joan. Um, now we will have we will take virtual speakers and we have one online. Bruce England. >> Thanks, Mayor. This will be really quick. I just wanted to call out the item um 415 Pat already brought up prohibition on the use of city property for federal civil immigration enforcement activities. might be a no-brainer to approve that, but I just want to at least voice one person's support for your approving that. Thanks. >> Thank you so much. We will bring the We will uh now bring the item back uh for Oh, here we go. We will now bring this back for council action and note a motion to approve to a motion to approve the consent calendar should also include reading the title of the ordinance and resolutions attached to consent calendar items 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.8 uh through 4.18 not including item 4.1 uh 4.14 and 4.22. 22. Please note that the adoption of items uh 4.4 reflect the updated policy text attached to the council Q&A document and posted online. I see um I see a motion by council member Ramirez, seconded by council member Kame, and I will let you be a mass. Oh. Oh, council member Hicks, go ahead and have your uh comment. >> Thank you, mayor. Um, so I just wanted to bring I I wanted to thank first uh council member Sha Walter for bringing some of the among these 30ome uh consent items. There were some that were I think um really notable and that uh members of the community have been uh very interested in or would be including the the large um $50 million grant and the two perks. I was just going to bring I will be um voting for this motion and accepting everything including uh 4.27 but I wanted which is the North Behore trip cap monitoring where we count how everybody is using how everybody's going into uh North Beayshore. I did however want to bring up um I wanted to bring that to people's attention as well um because since 2015 um transit use is down by half biking is down by 2/3 car pooling is down by one quarter and single occupancy vehicle cars are up but use is up by onethird so at the same time there's a lot of change going on in the transportation arena, you know, positive things like micromobility, electric cars. There's also automatic vehicles, which you may deem positive or not positive. Um, so and also I believe that our Stevens Creek trail use is way up. So I just wanted to d bring the trip not continue to ignore I mean I'm sure you're all reading it, but not ignore the trip cap monitoring. I think it's really time for some creative thinking around this to turn those numbers around. Um, you know, I think that uh we should incorporate that into future agenda items. And with that, I'm ready to um I'm ready to vote. >> All right. And that brings us to Council Member Ramirez. Take it away. >> Thank you, Mayor. I have to read a short Steinbeck novel, so if you have to use the restroom, now's the chance. Uh, I move to approve the balance of the consent calendar, including item 4.2, adopt an ordinance of the city council of the city of Mountain View, amending chapter 2, article 8 of the Mountain View City Code, to add section 2.86.25, governing the selection of arguments for city ballot measures and to make other clarifying modifications to be read in title only. Further reading waved. Item 4.3, adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View establishing the fiscal year 2026 to 27 appropriations limit to be read in title only. Further reading waved. Item 4.4 adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View modifying city council policy A-11 financial and budgetary policy to be read and title only. Further reading waved. Item 4.5. Adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View adopting the city of Mountain View 2025 urban water management plan to be read and title only. Further reading waved and adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View adopting the city of Mountain View water shortage contingency plan to be read and title only further reading waved. Item 4.6 Six. Adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View adopting the recommended fiscal year 2025 to 27, sorry, 2026 to 27 capital improvement program, including all amendments to existing projects excluding the shoreline regional park community to be read and title only. Further reading waved and adopt a resolution of the city council of uh adopt a resolution of the board of directors of the shoreline regional park community adopting the recommended fiscal year 26 to 27 capital improvement program for the Mountain View shoreline regional park community including amendments to existing projects to be read and title only further reading waved. Item 4.8 Eight. Adopt a resolution of the city council of uh of the city council of the city of Mountain View authorizing temporary closure from public access to parking lot number 11 for a minimum of 66 consecutive months beginning October 2026 to be read in title only. Further reading waved. Item 4.9, adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View authorizing the city manager or designate to amend the professional services agreement with Opttony uh incorporated to increase compensation by $32,950 for technical and financial advisory support services for municipal solar and battery storage projects for a total not to exceed amount of $285,950 to be read and title only. Further reading waved. Item 410. adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View finding that the action taken and activities approved herein are not projects subject to California Environmental Quality Act procedures and authorizing the city manager or their designate to one enter into a memorandum of agreement with the resilient facilities coalition or RFC a multi-organization coalition for climate and community resilience projects and two apply for grant funds available under California Proposition 4 and related programs in the in an amount estimated to be a maximum of $35 million including as a lead or partner agency for a not to exceed amount of $285,950 to be read and title only further reading waved. Uh 411 adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View declaring that the city is authorized to accept and incur an obligation of the affordable housing and sustainable communities grant funds and enter into and execute standard agreements uh 213 with the California Department of Housing and Community Development for a total not to exceed amount of $285,950 to be read and title only. Further reading waved. Um for 12, adopt a resolution of intention of the city council of the city of Mountain View to vacate the public street and street easement known as Gamma Way in its entirety to be read in title only. Further reading waved and set a date for a public hearing to consider the vacation for September 8th, 2026. 413. Adopt a resolution of the city council of the uh of the city council of the city of Mountain View authorizing the public works director to execute program supplement number F0 uh 027 to administering agency state agreement for federal aid projects number 04-5124F15 with the California Department of Transportation for the city of Mountain View Transit Center mobility hub pilot project 23-27 to be read in title only further reading wave saved. Uh 4.15 adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View adopting council policy A-24 prohibiting the use of city property for civil immigration enforcement activities to be read in title only. Uh further reading waved 4.16 adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View amending city council policy D-13 Mountain View employee home buyer and relocation assistance program to be read and title only. Further reading waved. 417 adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View appointing 15 members and nine members at large to the youth advisory committee for the 2627 school year term to be read in title only. Further reading waved 418. Adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View authorizing the acceptance and appropriation of a cannabis tax fund grant from the state of California in an amount up to $498,397.20 20 cents contingent upon award and receipt of the grant funds to help reduce and mitigate the impacts of impaired driving in Mountain View and authorizing the city manager or designate to take all steps necessary to receive the grant funds to be read and title only. Further reading waved. Uh and 422 adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View. One, approving a special event permit and sound amplification permit for the October Fest special event subject to conditions. two, approving the closure of certain public streets in the downtown area on Saturday, October 10th, 2026 at 2:30 a.m. through Sunday, October 11th, 2026 at 10 p.m. for the October uh October Fest special event pursuant to California Vehicle Code section 21101E and 3 delegating authority to the community services director for future Octoberfest events to be read and title only. Further reading waved. And I think I forgot to include the staff recommendation for item 4.4. This is council policy 8-11, financial and budgetary policy to include that last underlined sentence. Under 4G, the use of proceeds from the sale of excess city-owned properties shall fund this reserve as directed by the city council. >> Thank you, Council Member Ramirez. I hope people record that for their own ASMR. Um, all right. And it was seconded by council member Kame. We are ready for a vote for the balance of the consent calendar. The balance of the consent calendar has passed unanimously. We will now move on to item 4.14, which was uh pulled by council member Ramirez. >> Uh, thank you, Mayor. Uh, and I'd like to remind the public that the charter requires us to read all of these things. So, if you don't like that, do something about it in November. Um, so item uh 4.14 um is uh council policy A-13B governing community engagement uh in public meetings. I was conferring with the city manager and uh city attorney earlier. Um I think there needs to be a little bit more time to um uh review the language and the policy. So, I'll I will request that we uh defer consideration until um September. I think that was Okay, that would be the motion. We have a motion by Council Member Ramirez, seconded by Council Member Scho Walter. Uh let's take it to a vote. Motion passes unanimously. We have now completed our consent calendar. Thank you so much everyone. We will now move on to item five, oral communications. This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons speak wishing to address the council on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are allowed to speak on any topic within the city council's subject matter jurisdiction for up to three minutes during this section. State law prohibits the council from acting on non-aggenda non-aggenda items. If you would like to speak on this item or the next item in person, please submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk. Now, Spanish translation services are available for this item. We will hear from our interpreter. Fore in Persona consecut. >> Thank you. Would any member of the public joining us virtually or in person like to provide comment on this item? If so, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk. We will take in-person speakers first. Each speaker will have 90 seconds or one and a half minutes. So, um we have our first speaker. I'm going to start listing them all. So, you can go run right after the other. So, Eric Pon is our first speaker. Then, Deborah uh Tabalof uh Gianen Sun and Elizabeth O'Grady. So, Eric, please make your way up to the podium. Good evening, Mayor Ramos, Vice Mayor Clark, and council members. My name is Eric Bon. I'm a member of the HRC as part of and part of the rapid response network here as myself along with IPEN and many community leaders. First, I want to thank council member Kame for leading the no enforcement zone conversation. It has meant a great deal for our impacted community members and it's the kind of leadership we need right now. Many others and I are glad to see this policy passed on tonight's consent calendar keeping the city property off limits for immigration enforcement uh protecting our neighbors and our city employees. And we're grateful the council took this step. If anyone in the audience who supports this work could stand with me for a moment. and there's so many more who couldn't be here tonight but emailed you to say the same thing. We all stand with you in these decisions. We are also here to thank council in joining the amicus brief supporting the lawsuit from Santa Clara County and the attorney attorney general to stop the ice facility near Gilroy. This one matters. It's not one of a symbolic gesture. It adds real legal weight to a case that could keep the facility from ever opening. and it tells people in our community something they need to hear that mouth view isn't going to stay quiet while families in this region are under threat when the city signs onto that brief. Immigrant families here know the city is standing with them. As many already know, our community is living in fear of losing their families with facilities proposed in both Gilroy and Dublin. That fear is going to grow in Mountain View whether we want to or not. Cities and counties across the region are >> Thank you, Eric. All right. Next we have Deborah followed by J E and then followed by Elizabeth O'Grady Deborah. Okay. Uh we'll go back to you Deborah Gioen or J E. Oh >> so do I have like three minutes or like one and a half? >> You have uh 90 seconds. Okay. Um, hello. Um, I'm here to talk about a problem on Gemini Avenue that keeps getting worse. Uh, Gemini Avenue is one of the roads where the oversized vehicle are allowed to park, but still 72-hour parking rule applies. Um, which meaning uh they are not allowed to park in the same spot more than 72 hours. But this is not the reality. Um, RVs are sitting in the same spot for over a month. Um, so last week, you know, there is a RV parked directly in front of my own front door. It was so close I could almost touch it. So it took like more than five days to to move. So this morning when I was leaving my house for and work another RV parked right in front of my neighbor's house as well. I have lived here uh for two years, but it keeps getting worse. Here's what enforcement looks like. Um they come uh to check the tires uh once or twice a week, but the Arby's don't move. I've talked to the officer in charge myself, but after more than a month, the city finally post a towing warning. I was told from the officer it's the first observation of violence after a month. So this is the happening on Gemini Avenue. Gemini Avenue is a quiet street of family homes. It's a 100% pure uh residential area. How did it end up like this? And why is the city not just failing to enforce its own rule, but actually adding more RVs parking spots? Um making rooms for RV dwellers not listening to the residents who actually live here, who own these homes, uh rent these homes and pay taxes here. I know a lot of this comes from the Navaro settlement which is set to expire in early 2027, but will it really end? >> Thank you so much for your time. Next, we have Elizabeth O'rady and then uh we'll bring it back to Deborah if she is still there. Elizabeth? Um is Deborah here? Okay, we'll what we'll do is that we'll move on to our virtual speakers. Um and then from there we'll try back to Elizabeth and Deborah. Um so our first virtual speaker is um uh Bruce. >> Thanks again, Mayor. Bruce England Wisman Station Drive. Very quickly, just want to uh voice my support for Eric's uh points that he made earlier in person. Thank you. Um, we're going to circle back to our in-person speakers, Elizabeth and Deborah. Are are you here? If not, we're going to have to move on to item six. Oh, wait, wait, wait. We have >> uh Jason feel free to you will have uh 90 seconds. >> Yes. Thank you very much u mayor and council members. I just wanted to say that I live near in sunset states mobile home park near the new Evelyn Park that was made. Um it's a wonderful park but I mentioned earlier too there is no parking. So no parking for people to visit. the park is surrounded by a a private residential building and there is no um no parking whatsoever and also when cars unload they block the bicycle lane which I've also mentioned a couple times. So I really wish you would consider doing what Sunnyvale has done make that road a one lane road at theart and to be able to allow temporary parking for people who visit the park and for vehicle loading and unloading when trucks come to move people in and out of the facility. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um that ends our oral communication on non-aggendaide items. We will now move to item six, 6.1, the biodiversity and urban forest plan adoption. Assistant community service director Brenda Sylvia and senior management analyst Lindseay Wong will present the item. If you would like to speak on this item in person, please submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk now. and we are ready for your staff report. >> Thank you. Good evening, mayor, vice mayor, and council members. My name is Brenda Sylvia, assistant community services director and project lead for the biodiversity and urban forest plan. I'm joined this evening by Lindseay Wong, senior management analyst, John Marshant, community services director, and Russell Hansen, urban forestry manager. Also joining us virtually this evening are Selena Pang, environmental scientist, and Sasha Heath, senior ecological scientist, both with the San Francisco Estuary Institute, SFBI, which supported the development of the plan. Tonight, staff is bringing the updated draft plan forward for council adoption following the April study session and subsequent refinements. The biodiversity and urban forest plan updates and expands the city's 2015 community tree master plan into a larger and broader, more integrated framework. The plan focuses on biodiversity, urban forestry, habitat connectivity, climate resilience, and community well-being. It is intended to serve as a long-term policy and implementation framework to help guide future city projects, programs, investments, and decision-making. The plan also supports the city's broader sustainability and resilience goals while helping foster a healthier, more connected and climate ready urban environment. The plan was developed in partnership with SFI and a cross-d departmental city and project team through a multi-year planning process. The process included technical analysis, interdep departmental collaboration, and review by both the parks and recreation commission and environmental planning commission, as well as city council review at the April 2026 study session. The project also included extensive public outreach and engagement through community workshops, multilingual engagement opportunities, pop-up events, surveys, a stakeholder meeting, and neighborhood-based activities. On April 28th, 2026, city council held a study session to review the draft biodiversity and urban forest plan and provide feedback and direction. Council expressed overall support for the plan and gave input related to implementation accountability and staffing, adaptive management and reporting, integration of plan concepts into city projects and green infrastructure efforts, expanded native planting where feasible, and support for partnerships, volunteerism, and community-based implementation. Council also directed staff to consider input from community partners and stakeholder organizations and emphasized that the plan should serve as a foundational city policy document to guide future projects, programs, and investments. In response to council feedback and additional stakeholder input, staff and SFBI refined the plan for ease of review. Updates made to the draft plan are highlighted in yellow throughout the attached document. In response to council feedback, the implementation framework was strengthened to support long-term coordination, accountability, monitoring, and adaptive management. The updated plan identifies a designated staff lead to oversee the city implementation team and coordinate plan efforts across departments. Annual reporting was also expanded beyond the parks and recreation commission to include city council and the public along with additional community-f facing engagement opportunities. The adaptive management approach was further reinforced to support adjustments and responsiveness to evolving funding opportunities, scientific knowledge, community priorities, and lessons learned over time. The revised plan further clarifies its role as a foundational city policy document intended to guide future projects, programs, investments, and decision-making. Updates also support incorporating plan concepts into future objective standards. roadway design approaches and green infrastructure strategies were feasible and appropriate. The plan also recognizes opportunities to incorporate greening urban forest and green infrastructure improvements into future capital improvement program projects and broader infrastructure investments over time. Overall, these refinements are intended to support long-term coordination and alignment across departments. Revised language places additional emphasis on the use of native and regionally appropriate species, including refining definitions to better clarify ecological compatibility and regional applicability while continuing to balance site conditions, maintenance considerations, species diversity, and long-term resilience. Refinements also underscore the protection and retention of mature trees, habitat features, and ecological resources alongside future enhancement efforts. You may recall the discussion of the term near native during the adoption of the parks and recreation strategic plan. Staff subsequently updated the biodiversity and urban forest plan in response to that direction. After receiving additional public input following publication of the council agenda materials and draft plan, staff is recommending several refinements to the definition section to improve clarity and better distinguish native species. We will discuss those refinements shortly. Overall, these updates are intended to support a healthier, more resilient and ecologically connected urban environment over the long term. The updated plan strengthens language recognizing the important role that community partnerships and volunteer efforts can play in supporting implementation and stewardship throughout the city. As implementation moves forward, staff will explore funding opportunities to support these collaborations and stewardship efforts. The revised language also acknowledges opportunities for community science and biodiversity monitoring efforts, including the use of publicly contributed ecological data where appropriate. Staff also considered and incorporated select recommendations from community partners and stakeholder organizations, oh, excuse me, that were received during the study session process. Following publication of the council agenda materials and draft plan, staff received additional public input and is recommending the following refinements for council consideration as part of the adoption action. We removed the definitions of near native species and non-native species from the native species category. We added the term biodiversity anchors as defined in the parks and recreation strategic plan to the native species section. And we replace the term near native species with functional species to better describe species that provide biodiversity benefits. This slide shows the specific updates made to the definition section. Native species are now defined by a given species status as being native to or having a long evolutionary history within a specific local. Native species can contribute to biodiversity anchors defined in the Mountain View Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan, supporting ecological relationships and functions in native ecosystems. Functional species are not included in the native species category and are defined by species that are not regionally native but are native to a nearby ecologically similar region. Functional species as defined in this plan, particularly those closely related to regionally native species, can be selected for planting to provide specific desired functions such as climate resilience, pest resistance, urban compatibility, or native biodiversity support. These revisions clarify terminology, incorporate the concept of biodiversity anchors, and more clearly distinguish native species. Staff believes these changes improve clarity and consistency while maintaining the intent of the plan. Following plan adoption, staff will establish the city implementation team to support long-term cross departmental coordination. Early efforts will focus on advancing actions identified as in progress and upon plan adoption while continuing to incorporate plan concepts into ongoing city projects, programs, and initiatives. Staff will also begin developing baseline metrics, monitoring approaches, and reporting procedures to track progress and support adaptive management. In addition, council will also consider a CIP funding request this evening to support the development of a web-based tree selector tool in partnership with SFI. The tool is identified in the plan as an early implementation action and will support future city projects, development review, and community tree planting and educational efforts. In summary, the biodiversity and urban forest plan establishes a comprehensive long-term framework to guide biodiversity, tree and habitat preservation and enhancement and climate resilience efforts throughout Mountain View. The plan supports coordinated implementation across city departments, projects, partnerships, and future planning efforts while advancing broader sustainability and well-being goals. The updated draft plan reflects extensive community engagement, technical analysis, interdep departmental collaboration, advisory body review, and council direction. This plan positions Mountain View as a regional leader in biodiversity and urban forest planning and helps establish a strong foundation for long-term environmental resilience and stewardship. staff is recommending that council adopt the biodiversity and urban forest plan including the additional refinements outlined in this presentation. We appreciate your time and consideration and we are happy to answer any questions. Thank you. >> Thank you. Does any member of the council have questions? Council member Hicks. Okay. Thank you very much. So my only question is I um like you have been contacted by a number of uh local and regional groups um too numerous to name right now. Uh and I just want to make sure that with I really appreciated the slide on refinements and the recommended uh recommended staff recommendation. I just want to double check because I've been contacted so many times um that uh in your refinements the native is uh only used with regards to regionally native and California native now. >> Correct. And near native no longer is in the plan. Instead you are using functional species. >> Correct. >> That's what I was told to check for. >> Thank you. Um and you also have modifications uh regarding the uh biodiversity anchor. Is that true or not true? >> We added that on slide is that slide 10? >> It [clears throat] highlights uh how things will be laid out in the plan. Native species is now defined as a given species status as being native to or having a long evolutionary history within a specific local. Native species can contribute to biodiversity anchors defined in the Mountain View parks and recre recreation strategic plan supporting ecological relationships and functions and native ecosystems. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you, Council Member Hicks. Council member Mallister. >> So, I have a couple of simple self-centered questions. So, if I wanted to improve the butterfly population that once was here when I grew up, what plants would I grow and would that information be in this plant? >> I'm going to let SFBI specifically answer that. They're on the line virtually. Um, they're going to give you a better list than than I can. If you are there, please raise your hand so that our our city clerk can bring you up. Oh, here we go. Is it? >> Thank you. Hi, this is Selena Pang at the San Francisco Eststerary Institute. I'm sorry, I didn't realize I had to raise my hand. So, um yeah, thank you for that question. Um I think the plan does address the um biodiversity benefits um for insects and pollinators. Um but we do not it does not get as specific as like telling you exactly which um plants you would want to plant. And as Brenda highlighted, um the next step of this work is to look at um a virtual plant selector tool which is highlighted in several um actions of the plan. And um yeah, the work on that it hasn't been funded. So um it's not quite underway, but um but that tool would be um I think the next step in in answering your question. >> So it is coming. Yes, >> council >> is voting on that tonight. >> Oh, okay. Well, okay. >> Hopefully, it's coming. >> And my next question is, which is a long stretch. So, in Arbor Day, we get free trees we can request. Can we apply that type of program to the plants? So if somebody wanted to put in a native plant that the city have some stockpile or options to be able to go down the city MOC and say, "Okay, I want a few plants to put in their yard to be part of this uh program." >> Well, we currently don't have the the the space or the funding for that, but we can certainly explore it. I I like the idea. >> [laughter] >> Well, I mean, you're doing trees and so, you know, this is this is implementing the program faster than if we relied. Everybody would have a piece of opportunity to do that. So, >> when we do the tree program, we take requests and then we go purchase the trees and deliver them right away. >> So, is that what you're saying you're going to implement? You'll purchase. >> We will take a look at that and and look at our space and capacity and resources for that. >> Okay. I'm looking forward to it. Thank you, [laughter] >> Council Member Mallister. if you could join me in volunteering with the pollinator habitats. They always have wonderful plants. >> I'd like to do that in my front yard. So, thank you. You could come by because we used to have the bees and the the uh caterpillars in my front yard and the butterflies and all the other birds. So, let's see if we can get that going. So, >> all right, Council Member Shoalter. >> Yeah, I'm going to go back to the these definitions. I'm [clears throat] a little confused about what would be a functional species. Can you can you tell me an example of a tree you know about that we use a lot that's a functional species? >> Sure. I'm going to defer to SFI and possibly our urban forest manager on that. >> And SFI you're able to unmute now. >> Thank you. Um I'd like to invite Sasha to answer that question. Um she has a very strong ecology background stronger than mine. >> Hi, thank you. Do you have me? Okay. Um so what we mean by functional species was specifically these used to be non the near native species and so these are um excuse me the chat's in the way. um species that aren't regionally native but that might provide a similar function to a near to a species that's either phoggenetically related by genus or is near and um from an ecosystem that is similar to the ecosystems in Mountain View. So specific species um are listed in the tree selector tool um or I'm sorry in the tree plant list and in another Santa Clara or Santa Clara Valley plant list that could provide some options. Um it would be a species that would provide fruits um nectar um that is associated with that has been demonstrated to be associated with some of the butterflies that that um the other council member mentioned. um support for bird nesting. Um might help improve soils in a particular habitat by bringing water into the area. Um acts as a refuge for bird migrants during migration because of the foliage and the insects that might um be foraging on the tree. So functional species meaning it is still providing some of the functions that a native species would provide but um is planted is not a regionally native species and is planted perhaps because of not difficult growing conditions or that sort of thing. That makes sense. >> Well, you're not quite getting to what I'm interested in. So I'll I'll try and ask it a different way. When I think about the plants that we plant here, we we we talk about native plants. We talk about lowwater tolerant plants. Those are things that we often try and promote the planting of. Um [clears throat] the uh the low water tolerant plants are often from uh New Zealand and Australia. They're not near they're not near at all. And that doesn't mean we're saying you should never have these in our in our area, but they're they're not near native to a close by area. We're not and we're not trying necessarily get rid of them except maybe eucalyptus because they you know they're like they burn. >> But um but so I so I'm having a little trouble with this. And then the other thing is that the truth of the matter is um the root tree cultivars that we've used in agriculture for decades aren't native anywhere. Um they're you know they are produced plants that um uh were um uh humans uh um morphed over many many generations into things that were wonderful agricultural producers like orange trees and apple trees and that can have blossoms etc etc. So, so this inclusion of the word native in here I think is a little I mean I'm confused by it. What what um >> I'm going to have our urban forestry manager Russell Hansen take question. >> So thank you first first and foremost Russell Hansen urban forest manager with CSD. Um, yeah, it we we could get into a lot of different species, but just to kind of put a few examples out there when we talk about our native coast live oak, quirkus agrioglia that we have within our community. Um, where I go to when we talk about these functional species is I go to like Quirkusi. It is not native to California, but it is from I'll say the southern desert areas from Arizona, New Mexico, Mexico on over even into Texas. We have several other species of oak trees that we can draw upon that we feel will be adaptable to our climate and it's about getting them here, trying them out, making sure that they absolutely will survive within our community for the life expectancy that we're really truly looking for. And so that's the first example. I I could come up with a lot more, but you're absolutely correct. The hybridization of our fruit trees, of all of those other types of plants that we have done over time, has shown that they do adapt to our climates, that they do provide some benefits or otherwise. And that's where we're going with the functional species, >> but they're not native, >> not native to California. Correct. >> They're, you know, those those hybridization those hybridized trees are really aren't native anywhere. you know, they're they're an architect. They're an architect ar agricultural [clears throat] product, which is great. I love them. I I don't I but but they're not native. So, I think that that term in here is um I I think it's misplaced. >> It's it's not it's not under the native species category. >> It says, yeah, it's not under the category, but are native to a nearby ecologically similar region. That's not necessarily a requirement. You want functional trees, but they don't have to be native. Um that that you want trees that are going to do well here. That we're we're when we get to this functional species, we're kind of out of the native category. We're we're talking about other things. And um and that's okay. you know, there's lots of great trees, but I just um I think that we're when we when we keep this native nomenclature in here, we um it's it's just it it it's uh it just strikes me as as um being incorrect and and this and I have to say I am so excited by this plan. You know, I've read it a couple times and um I've been working in restoration work for many many years and we are doing a great job. This is the only thing that's kind of sticking in my [laughter] and when I and I and I just feel like this utilization of the term native here is um is uh unnecessary and um and and kind of negative. So, so I would um in the in in the functional species part everywhere else we want to have it be at the forefront. Um thanks. That's my >> Thank you, Council Member Shoalter. I see Council Member Hicks, you're back in the queue. >> Yes. So, I'm going to ask uh Council Member Shoalter because this is kind of the core of what a lot of these organizations are are getting at. Maybe they will speak up for themselves after our questions. Um, but I know not all of them could be here tonight. So are what I want to make sure that I understand the change you're asking for in so what you're asking for is on slide 10 under in the small print under uh functional species that it say you're hoping that it would that when it says functional species as defined in this plan um particularly those closely related to regional native species I'm I'm not sure what word you wanted you want taken out of that because it seems that it's saying functional species are not regionally native which you are also saying oh you want the part that says but are native to a nearby ecologically similar region you want that half of the sentence taken out. >> Yes. Okay. That sounds fine to me. If it's fine with staff, I just wanted to make sure I know what you're saying because it is kind of the core of what a lot of people have been asking about. >> I'm gonna uh also SFBI just chimed in. They'd like to to address that and answer a few questions now that they they said they better understand what you're what you're asking for. So, if we can go ahead and have Sasha on the line. >> All right. >> Hi. Thank you. Yes, I think I understand. The reason we have um native to another region in that section is just to point out the idea that nativity is defined by the region it is native to, right? So we are defining native species to this for the Mountain View biodiversity plan as being those that are either within California or those that are regionally native. And so when we use that term in the way that you're describing in a functional species section, we're saying these individual these species may be native to another region. So like Russell explained, maybe south of California in Mexico, they might be able to move further north, that sort of thing. They're native there. They're not native here. I do understand your point that the horicultural trees like fruit trees are so long from being native from a given place but they did originate let's say in Asia or Europe that sort of thing. So when we're using the word native we're saying you know everything is native to its location wherever it happens to be. We're just differentiating between what's native here regionally versus elsewhere. But if that's confusing um I'll leave it to Brendan to decide whether to change that. Yeah. Well, I guess my question would my additional question would be is what are we trying to do with this functional? We're trying to say that there's other trees that aren't or species that aren't native that are still valuable here, right? Isn't that really what we're trying to say? That's exactly what we're trying to say. There are other the plan is called a biodiversity. The word diverse is in there. So, we're trying to say that there's other species that may not be native, regional, or California that provide functions that support biodiversity. >> Stop. That's it. Just Just say that. >> No, it says >> you got it. Yep. >> You're native. Get out. Yeah, that's You got it. >> I saw you going up to the podium, Mr. Marsh. Was there anything you needed to add or you're good? Okay. Um, is that it? Council member Sho Walter on your end. >> I think so. Yes. Thank you. >> Council member Hicks, you're back in the queue. >> No, I I just didn't but but I'm fine with taking out, but that's a comment. So, that's really >> Okay. So, do we have any more questions? >> Quest. Council member Kame. >> Thanks, Mayor. So, apologies. I'm just seeking clarity. So this this will come up when we take an action if there's an edit to you'll you'll clarify for us before we take the >> Yes. Okay. All right. And just to further clarify it's the the the kind of link like the nomenclature of the word. It's not the use of these trees. That's it's it's more Okay. Thank you. I have species that can be selected for planting to provide specific desired functions such as climate resilience, pest resilience, urban compatibility, or native biodiversity support. Simple. >> I think that's much better. Thank you so much. >> You got it. All right. Do we have any more questions from my colleagues? Questions? Questions? Seeing none as um some of the members of the public seen that back and forth of questions please let us know in your public comment if we are in a good place. Uh so we will now uh with any member of the public on the line like to provide comment on this item? If so, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or press star 9 on your phone. A timer will be displayed on the screen. Each speaker will have 90 seconds or one and a half minutes. We are going to start with our in-person speakers first. Uh Robert Cox, followed by Daniel Shane, followed by Tracy Faria. >> All right. Thank you, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council members. For the years of work that have gone into putting this plan together, I recently completed for the second time our local LMA Prietta CR Club environmental sustainability program. At our last spring session this year, one of the program directors announced Mountain View is the first city in our chapter area that has a biodiversity plan. This plan is one more example of how our city is leading the Bay Area in the adoption of programs that support and sustain our environment. In particular, I appreciate the parts of the plan detailing the ecosystem surrounding the Stevens Creek Trail near my home. I would like to add my support to the letter sent by Shaunie Klein House from the Silicon Valley Bird Alliance and a host of local environmental groups recommending some final changes to the plan document that you've just discussed. In particular, I do support removing the reference to near native species and support strict advocacy for true local native species. the near native language could be used as a loophole excusing us from using truly local native plants while planning our biodiverse environment. But I appreciate the discussion that you just had and I think you're all on the right track. So just keep going. Thanks for listening to my concerns and thanks once again for a great job on this biodiversity plan. >> Thank you Mr. Cox. Uh Mr. Shane >> and I agree with Mr. Cox. you've done a great job on this plan. Um, I'm really happy to see that the planting of trees in public spaces for increasing urban canopy was expanded to incorporate private lands and development. That was really really great to see. Thanks. Uh the plan will will hopefully increase the chances and opportunities to protect, preserve, and enhance natural urban forest ecosystems by requiring developers to consider these important natural resources early in the planning and design phase of proposed housing, commercial, and transportation projects. And sometimes it's not just the tree that's important. I said most times it's not what's most important. It's the ecosystem that they're in. And so native trees and plants provide the food and the shelter, sources of food and shelter for native animal species. And that's one of the key things about why we are promoting native species maybe over other types of species. But I agree with Councilwoman Shoalter that, you know, I love fruit trees, too, and we should uh be very diverse in how we think about planting more trees. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Daniel. Miss Tracy. >> Okay. I'm Dr. Tracy Faria. I'm a Mountain View resident and um I just want to say these revisions They really created a clearer and more transparent framework and preserve the distinction between native and non-native plants that helps ensure that biodiversity anchors remain focused uh on supporting local ecological um relationships and food webs. Now that we have a plan or hopefully will soon have a plan and I like the wording. Um, I just want to say that I think this is going to help us to have a city where the next generation will be able to sit underneath the trees, enjoy the birds and butterflies with Council Member Mallister. And uh, I want to thank all the staff, the council, the commissioners, and all the people who had input on this. And um Council Member Mallister uh in the bottom definition of natives that they had here, they have Cowscape and you can put in your you put in Mountain View. You can look up all the plants that are in Mountain View and they will list the butterflies that are uh that will use those plants as host plants. So it's by California Native Plant Society. Thank you all. >> Thank you so much, Dr. Tracy and we will now move on to our virtual speakers. We have Dasha Leeds. >> Hello, my name is Dasha Leeds. I'm the conservation coordinator for the Sierra Club LMA Pria chapter. I'd just like to thank staff and council for all your work on this plan. Uh we do appreciate the recent modifications that have been made and we just hope that as you proceed forward that you do everything you can to ensure that we're prioritizing the use of native plants uh locally wherever possible. Um native plants have vastly superior uh biodiversity benefits as opposed to non-native even functionally non-native plants. Uh so we hope that where you wherever you have the discretion to use native plants that you do so. Uh thanks and we look forward to revisiting this in a year. Thank you. Uh we will now move on to Bruce England. Bruce England again. Can you hear me? Okay, >> we can hear you. >> Great. Okay. Uh short, but I got a couple of questions. I know you can't answer them directly, but I'm going to raise them anyway. So, the question about turf, artificial turf versus natural. um wondering what the changes are that we should be looking for because a lot of times the discussion around turf doesn't make it clear whether they're talking about plastic fake grass or natural grass and even if it's natural grass whether the grass choice is appropriate for our area just like the native plants and trees discussion that um you already have been talking about. [snorts] Second is um I'm just not sure if you're going to refer over to the plan from the active transportation plan as well as the parks and wreck plan which was mentioned. So as you know green streets are called out in that plan as it stands the act transportation plan that is and they do cite the biodiversity plan there but with no explicit direction regarding tree choices at least that I'm seeing. So are they shooting for something more explicit in the parks plan to point that out? I'm I'm sorry. In the U active transportation plan. Just wondering about that. Thanks. >> Thank you, Mr. England. Uh Ronit Bryant. >> Yes. Thank you very much. Uh mayor, council members. Uh this is a culmination of a long process to position our city as a place where people in nature can thrive together. Biod diversity means supporting our native wildlife, birds, butterflies, and all forms of life that call California home, not planting a wide range of plants from across the entire globe. And so biodiversity anchors must be based on native plants, preferably locally native plants, or else they will not be supporting biodiversity. I thank staff for for clarifying the definitions and and listening to the community and making changes even at this late late uh late stage. I'd like to say that functional species provide environmental benefits such as canopy and water and soil retention, but not the kind of biodiversity that native plants can supply because our local wildlife has evolved with native plants, not with functional plants from elsewhere. Uh so I hope that that helps the discussion that that council had earlier and I look forward to next year's PRC meeting to hear how the plan has been implemented and what adaptive changes might be necessary though. Thank you very much. >> Thank you former mayor Bryant. Um next we have Rashmi. >> Hi can you hear me? >> We can hear you. >> Great. Thank you. Yeah. Rashmi Sahai, a member of green spaces Mountain View. And I just want to echo something um some of the things other folks have been saying. Uh thank you so much to staff and council for moving this plan forward and staff all your hard work in um incorporating feedback along the way. Um I really have seen that and appreciate it especially in this late stage process and I um I strongly support the changes in the definition and like Ronit said um the reason we're focusing so much on native is that they provide to they provide the biodiversity of all the other life um within within Mount. So, it's less about diversity of plant species, but diversity in the ecosystem that we have. And we just want to make sure that when we're saying native, we're we're when we're talking about protecting biodiversity, that's what we mean. And we're not confusing it with other functions that plants can provide. Um, and um, yeah, I don't have too much else to say. I wanted to say one more thing for Council Member Mallister. Um, the library has seeds and there's native seeds there. So maybe if the city is not giving out plants, you can always get seeds at the library to start your garden um once you look at that plant list. So hopefully with that, that'll get you started. Um thank you so much and looking forward to um seeing the PR plan implemented. >> Thank you. And our last virtual speaker is April Webster. >> Hi, thank you. Um I also like the other speakers um want to um give a huge shout out to staff um and consultants for putting in all the work to in integrate um the comments from the various community groups. Um the final into the final um buff plan. Um the final plan is a lot stronger for it. Um and uh yeah just really excited about it. Um, I also just related to the the previous letter, the the draft that was sent in. Um, I want to uh say that I I appreciate that the plan now more clearly recognizes um this document as a foundational city policy document. That action one better integrates biodiversity and um urban trees into transportation and capital improvement projects. that active action 17 now includes a shade goal for active transportation corridors, not just parking lots, and that action 22 creates a stronger annual implementation and reporting framework. Um I also um support the joint letter around the definitions for um native. I think that's really important as well. And um just finally I want to say I you know moving forward I think um the focus should be implementation um and I hope that um this plan and the goals can be considered early in transportation and the parks and public realm projects. Um thank you so much. >> Thank you April. And that was our speakers. I will now bring the item back for council deliberation and action. Uh Council Member Ramirez. Thank you, mayor. I'll allow uh another council member the privilege of making the motion to um approve uh the plan, but I did want to share a few hopefully quick uh reflections. Um first, uh and I think every council member uh will agree with this. Um this is a remarkable work and it would not have been possible without uh the persistent advocacy from our very well-informed community uh and also um the the remarkable work by our staff who I feel have been very proactive in uh working with our community including right up until the very last minute uh to address some of the the concerns that we've been hearing. Um, uh, you know, we we take all the credit sometimes as as council. Um, but but really I think the credit goes to to all of you who have been engaged, uh, in the development of this plan for for so many years, and it's been a privilege to sit here and watch you all do the work. Uh, and I'm grateful I have the opportunity to to vote yes before I disappear uh, at the end of the year. Um, uh, there were a couple of things in the plan that I did want to uh, elevate though. Um, uh, I think me members of the council will talk about the the different, uh, forms of advocacy that we've seen, but I I I love to call out, uh, my friend Daniel Shane, uh, who I've met with, uh, over the years. Many of us have met with. Um, there are, um, I feel the plan meaningfully incorporates a lot of the specific concerns I' I've heard from you and from others that you've worked with. Um, and I I plucked out uh sections and put it on on a word document. Um, one of the actions, uh, includes a specific, uh, commitment to reviewing the general plan, um, uh, the municipal code and capital project requirements to identify opportunities to codify plan commitments, uh, such as pursuing canopy cover, uh, or landscaped area targets. And I think that's remarkable that to have objective standards that go beyond the things that we've historically included like setbacks. Um but uh now uh objective standards uh and roadway design approaches, green infrastructure strategies that incorporate biodiversity elements too. That's really cool um and worthy of emulation. And so I'm excited for uh future councils to uh implement this plan um and and I think help View become even more of the role model that we already are in doing this work um uh incorporating objective standards that apply to private property as well. Um the biodiversity strategies that we've worked very hard to to bring to fruition. Um I don't want to belabor the points. There's a lot of cool stuff, but two other things that I thought were really neat. Um, uh, I've, this strikes me as a a really hard thing to do, but, uh, so important and wonderful if we could achieve it. Uh, there's a a line item here about, uh, Permanente Creek and Stevens Creek. Uh, and the plan, uh, includes recommendations, uh, to, uh, pursue restoration efforts like daylighting stream sections, softening channels, planting trees, and building green infrastructure. Uh, that would be great to see. I would love to see it uh in my lifetime. I know that's not easy to do. Um but I would love uh for us, you know, for for the future council as you implement the plan to consider uh opportunities to to uh elevate that that action item. And I think uh we we once upon a time had a part of that in uh development uh proposal from a major uh employer in the area and unfortunately that didn't move forward. But that's the kind of innovative thinking that I think we ought to to to continue to explore. Um, and the last thing I'll leave you with is um there are a lot of um interesting opportunities uh that more clever people than I u hopefully can help uh realize and that's looking at um uh challenging properties or or private properties where we've long had an interest in finding you know uh useful ways to uh to make that property uh valuable to the community. Uh Quest to Annex comes to mind. I think that's hard work, but with a lot of uh community outreach, I think we could find something that has lasting value that helps fulfill the strategies in this plan. Um, but also I think about the Francia property, which some of you on the council for for many years have been looking at how can we do something that's a lot of land. Uh, and it's it's it's in a strategic location where there will be some uh growth probably in the near future. And uh wouldn't it be wonderful to see that land um uh utilized for some purpose that helps achieve the goals in this plan? Um and there are I wrote a few other examples down, but I think the long and short of it is um as as the staff report I think I I put it away now, but I think there was a commitment to ensuring that this becomes a foundational document. It's not a regulatory document per se, but it helps influence a lot of the work that we we will do in the next few years. Right? So when there is private property that's redeveloped, biodiversity elements are incorporated or when we look at strategic property acquisitions uh or partnerships with governmental agencies or or um you know developers, we can help achieve many of the goals and the action items that we have listed here. So I'll stop there. Uh very exciting. Um kudos to everyone except for me. I've done nothing except vote yes. Um but uh very excited for you uh and and those of you who are um who who will replace me on this council to to see this this work to fruition. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Ramirez, Council Member Shoalter. >> Yeah, I am very excited about this plan. It it has been a long time coming and you've done a really good job of it. um uh you've brought together uh a very diverse group of experts to work on it both in our community and and um uh in the staff and and in our consultants and and it just shows. It really shows and I really appreciate your just a few minutes ago correcting that that um uh definition that had really been bugging me for a long time. So, thank you for that. um kind of uh ditto to everything Council Member Ramirez said and um I um one of the things that I'm really happy about with this is to see the impact it's already having. Uh we um for instance one of the things that was on the consent calendar, the 34 items was um some actions related to the public safety building. And one of those was that um instead of going with the selection of plants that had been made initially that that many people working on the biodiversity plan had said no we don't like that. Um a a new um a new process was put in to send that list back to the PRC and come up with a list that is much more in line with what we are doing with the biodiversity plan. That's just perfect. I mean, that's really the kind of thing that we're supposed to do be doing and integrating these programs. So, I'm so pleased to see that. The other thing I think that's important to recognize is this kind of science is really kind of new. I mean, for for cities, it's new. And so, it isn't going to um everything that we have in this plan that we we want to um the actions we want to take, they're not going to all go just as planned. We're going to learn a lot as we go through. And so I think the fact that we've built in this adaptive management, which means that we will bring back every every year, every few years to the PRC to to look at how the plan is going, that's just really healthy from a point of um view of our uh of our transparency as a community and it's also just best scientific principles. So, I'm really delighted to see that going on and I think that it will be a wonderful way for um our the experts [clears throat] in our community to stay involved and and kind of make sure that we we keep on task with this. Um and uh then I I guess I feel the same way in a sense that my colleague uh Mr. RmIrez does. We we've sat back for years and watched this go on and not really done very much. So, [laughter] um uh we recognized that that's that that there were other people who were really really um working hard and that's just very appreciated. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Shoalter. Do we have any other comments from my colleagues? Council member Hicks. So, I'll just say very briefly, a deep thanks to all the staff and all the community members who've been working so hard on this. I remember when I I first heard about uh the the possibility of having a biodiversity plan. Um it it seems almost counterintuitive to have a biodiversity plan within an urban place. Um but but uh I have I have read that with aggro business and heavy use of pesticides actually urban places are some of the best places to make sure we have biodiversity not only of plants but of the small creatures that keep keep everything going for us. But one of the things that I like best reading in the plan was it said it's not just for uh habitat and species well-being that it's also for community well-being because I think it does come. I think people thrive not just small creatures but larger creatures like ourselves thrive more when we have um when we have live among diverse plants and tree canopy. Um so thank you again. I hope I understand uh council member Sha Walter what the actual motion you're making is because you made a few changes. >> Um it yes it's it's just the to approve the um the plan. That's what we're supposed to do, isn't it? >> So as on the last slide on the last >> we actually updated the slide based on the recommendation that council was looking for. >> Okay. Recommendation to adopt the biodiversity and urban forest plan, including the additional refinements outlined in this presentation with a revised definition of functional species that reads species that can be selected for planting to provide specific desired functions as climate resilience, pest resistance, urban compatibility, or native biodiversity support. That's it. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Hicks. So, we have a motion made by council member Scho Walter, seconded by council member Hicks. I will also like to echo the thanks uh of that my colleagues have made to staff and the community at large. Um there are a lot of items that go before council. It's not a reasonable expectation of all seven of us to be absolute experts at all the things that come before our council. Um, we rely so heavily on the experts in our community for this and we rely on you to care very strongly to go through the rigomearal of government bureaucracy uh to to get something quite amazing through. This is a a a plan that has been um really really worked through through community engagement. I thank staff for their work and their willingness to incorporate so many of the suggestions from our community like um I've had the opportunity with a number of the people who volunteer with the pollinator habitats green spaces mountain view I I have not met with uh Mr. Shane that is not his fault that's my fault um and but I see your emails and I read your emails and then try to reread it again to understand it and I still have to reread it again to understand it. um but is because uh people like that in our community are just so um determined to making sure that this plan is something truly special and truly worthwhile for essentially the best city and um essentially true very much so. Um and I say that in other cities too. Um, but thank you so much to our community for for getting us through this finish line to through the very end because there were changes uh right there at the end. And thank you to staff for your work on this. So with that um we are all ready for a vote. And that motion passes unanimously. Congratulations everyone. And with that, I'm actually going to call a 10m minute break. Um, and we will reconvene back at 8:51. And I have a surprise for my colleagues in council in the break room. All right, let's head back to our seats, y'all. We have one uh >> No, we are not going to get We have one, two, three, four. We have five items left tonight. Let's Let's get this done before 1 1 a.m. tomorrow. Let's go. >> Oh, we lost our quorum. >> So, if you all can make your way back to your seats. Uh, we're calling this meeting back to order. I really like using that. Um, all right. We are item seven. 7.1 adoption of the community ownership action plan housing element program 3.2 too. Spanish translation services are available for this item. We will now hear from our interpreter. Interpreter. We're back. >> Oh, but they're not going to make an announcement. >> Hi. Oh, there we go. >> Thank you. Thank you. Uh, housing director Wayne Chen will present the item. If you would like to speak on this item in person, please submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk. Now, Miss Joan, this is the item. Um, go ahead. We're ready for your staff report, Mr. Chen. >> Uh, thank you very much, uh, mayor and council. Uh, Wayne Chen, your housing director. Um, I'm very pleased to be here tonight after a two-year process to present the community ownership action plan or the COPE, uh, for your consideration. Um, I'd also like to note that, um, our consultant, uh, David Driscoll with Community Planning Collaborative is also on the line in case questions come up. I'd like to thank him and his team along with Echo Northwest, the joint consultant who helped us get um to this stage here today. Um I'd also like to recognize the COPE advisory committee who spent many hours of their time to participate in uh advisory committee meetings as well as meeting individually and with other stakeholders to talk about and provide input about um how we can be successful in supporting uh groups to achieve successful community-owned projects. Sorry, this mouse is very scrolly. Um just very quickly an overview of the recommendations is um for your consideration to adopt the uh the cope u to consider additional uh project funding to consider additional capacity building funding and to um authorize the city manager designate to establish a more streamlined funding process to uh meet the requirements of acquisition preservation projects. The um as a reminder, the COPE is part of housing element program 3.2, which is the city's comprehensive tenant displacement response strategy. And the uh goal or the requirement in the housing element is to facilitate the acquisition and preservation of at least 50 community-owned housing units. And as discussed with uh council in previous meetings, um the focus of these 50 units would be on uh units covered under our community stabilization fair rent act or CSF uh units because those um have been the units that are most susceptible to um market rate development pressures and redevelopment causing tenant displacement. Just a brief overview of the um timeline. Um shortly after the housing element was adopted in 2023, we held a study session with council in early 2024 to talk about the COPE and other items. Um that's where we also recommend the um allocation of $4 million of funding which was later appropriated um of October that year. Um we um started the process with our consultant team, convened an advisory uh uh committee um and then brought back uh guiding uh principles and vision and an initial $75,000 to support um technical assistance um grant funding uh last year. Since that time, we've been working to develop the COPE um and other um program requirements. And here uh we are tonight for your consideration. U the cope has five sections. Um it is informed by council direction and the copact the advisory committee uh input and I'm going to go over uh each one very briefly. The first section is uh essentially an overview of um how we um got here and the process um talking about the underlying reasons and causes for the need for this type of uh plan which to our knowledge is really one of a kind at the local level and the redevelopment pressures that exist because of the strong economy here. Um the cope can help um create more market stability and stability for residents and it's part of a larger response by the city including production, preservation and protection. Um the notion is that the cope can lay a foundation and a framework to not just achieve 50 units but with um all the extensive work that is being done it lays a foundation for scaling up uh potentially well beyond uh 50 units uh pending uh funding availability and really developing the capacity of the system to do this work. Section two is focused on people centered housing and uh further uh explaining what that means. Um the concept was presented and unanimously supported by council back in September of last year, but it is really about starting with people first and figuring out the financing needed to make it sustainable over time. Um three levels of change of at the household level of integrating the community and finding new ways of doing things. And so that's the system levels change. And uh the notion that community well-being, health, and these other items that are typically not part of real estate um conversations is really central to this type of real estate um development, this type of housing uh development. It's guided by six key principles and conditions for success. Those six guiding principles um are shown here with the first three decommodification resident roles in governance and community stewardship as definitional to what community ownership housing means in Mountain View. The remaining three items are key ways in which we would need to undertake in order to make community-owned housing successful. That includes capacity building, systems transformation, and continuous improvement. uh the conditions needed for success are somewhat straightforward but we need um a lot more funding. We need the funding to be more flexible. We need to build up the capacity of the organizations missiondriven organizations who want to undertake projects and the ecosystem of the partners and um other organizations that help support that process. um we uh need to have sort of a new way of looking at um what compliance and accountability might mean because these projects might be operated differently from the traditional affordable housing projects that we may be used to. Um the partnerships and ecosystems are foundational and resident education and participation is critical. Um most folks um as residents may have never participated in uh governance or making policies about the housing that they live in. Um, that's both an amazing opportunity and also an area that will need to be supported. Section 3 defines community-owned housing. And one of the things that really stood out certainly for me is that as we went into this research and talking with folks um is that there's not one form of community owned housing. And many folks use community owned housing or um even referring to organizations like community land trusts or co-ops interchangeably and in different terms. And so what we wanted to do with the cope is to create a framework that we understand what these terms mean in Mountain View. Um at the core it's the three core elements of decommodification, resident governance and community stewardship. The actual housing project can be structured in many different ways. It can involve different organizations. Um and there are generally four models that I'll go over in just a moment. Um but the cope is intended to be flexible and allow organizations to propose the type of housing project that generally would fit into one of these four models but variations can also be supported. Uh so the cope is intended to be clear but flexible. Um the four common models overall um there's sort of a rental model and then um there are many types of ownership models that we we came across. So, um, largely speaking, ownership has been a focus of these community-owned housing projects. Um, in Mountain View, the conversations that we've had have really been centered on having a rental project, and certainly want to be able to support that. And even having rental projects that could evolve over time to become ownership units. By ownership, we mean the residents ownership in the building, whether it's the individual units or shares in the building. Um, if it's numbers two, three, and four. Section four is talking about making communityowned housing work. Um the importance of having organizations that can undertake a project for the entire life cycle and all the aspects needed to acquire, own, operate for the long term are really key and gaps in any one of those areas can u really impact the viability of a project. Um the ecosystem for this type of work is very nent. there's a lot of interest. There are projects throughout the region, but as a percentage of all the types of housing um that is being done, it's very very small. And so um this requires some sustained long-term investment. And the city has already undertaken the roles of being a convenor, a funer, capacity builder, and policy leader. And the recommended goals and actions will continue to support those those roles. I'll talk about the funding in a moment. Uh very briefly, these are the different categories and areas that we see as the project life cycle in a missiondriven organization that wishes to do this work if u they're requesting city funding is to be able to demonstrate the ability to execute on these different functions um over over time. We did want to note that um we felt that was very important to be able to support different types of organizations whether they are locally created and formed in uh Mountain View which are community- based organizations and are very key um they bring uh much of the relationships the trust with the local community and tenants but may be new to development and wanted to uh note community oriented organizations who may not have developed uh in Mountain View to that extent. but um are oriented in a way where they do projects elsewhere that have the values of um the cope. Um they could bring a lot of technical knowledge and expertise of the various parts of a project life cycle that can really help support build up our ecosystem and the recommendation is have the cope be able to support both types of organizations. Um, regarding the project funding, a couple of years ago when staff made and council approved the recommendation to allocate $4 million in project funding, that was based on this idea that it would require $20 million of subsidy to be able to achieve the 50 units. Um, and we recommended this 4:1 ratio. Um, last year when we came to council, that amount um had increased to 25 million and we didn't make any changes to project funding at the time. Tonight, we're recommending uh increasing that amount by 1 million for a total of 5 million to achieve and maintain that same 4:1 ratio. And we would continue to undertake efforts to um fund raise, establish partnerships, or um apply for grants in order to try to achieve u growing that fund. the capacity building efforts. The recommendation tonight is increase the initial $75,000 um by $425,000 for a total of of 500,000 to support capacity building. Um after the meeting last September, we had identified um three additional options besides providing grants to missiondriven organizations to build their capacity and identified partnerships as being really critical for transferring knowledge and supporting projects and that requires more resources. Section five are uh five-year goals and an action plan. Um the intention for this is to provide again a clear actionable framework but provide some flexibility to allow us to um be able to implement see what works uh modify or update as needed and iterate over time. Um we along with our partners are doing this really for the first time in this region and in the city and there will be learning involved and so uh we um have provided this clear and hopefully flexible framework but with clear actions that we would implement uh over time and it is intended to be a five-year uh time frame. Uh these are the goals where we um again hope to have very sort of clear goals. But the first one is achieve at least 50 units by the end of the five-year period um uh in partnership with our um local um organizations and our regional organizations and to uh create the ecosystem that can allow us to increase that over time is to continue to build the community owned housing fund to try to achieve the $25 million. um building capacity within organizations and the and our partners in the broader ecosystem with a goal of being able to stand up at least one organization uh locally formed and founded in Mountain View to be able to um stand up projects on their own. Um number uh goal four is to um transition the city-led uh leadership of this process into a more shared and regional uh process. we would remain a vital part and play a leadership role but um it would be more sustainable to do this if the regional if the leadership were shared. The goal five is that once a project is up and running that there would be uh metrics and accountability measures to uh monitor um if the projects are being operated according to the the cope requirements. Uh regarding recommendation four for streamline funding approvals. Um last September we had made a recommendation to um identify and work with a third party agent to allow us to um transfer the funds allow that party to be able to receive funding requests and uh underwrite and approve the the requests. because of the nent nature again in our county, we have not been able to identify an organization that could fulfill all of those roles. So, we will continue to look. Um, however, we are also recommending to um allow staff to identify um another option, which is to um keep the funding process within the city and identify a more streamlined process that could meet the timing and the needs of community um owned housing um and to delegate that authority to to the city manager designate to identify and then to approve uh projects and funding requests. Um we would um recommend in doing so that there would be the appropriate safeguards and transparency measures and be able to provide um uh sort of uh very current updates to the public and to the city council if a funding recommendation um is made. In terms of next steps, um we would update and finalize the cope um any um identified cleanups um but also updating the funding amounts um um should council approve them tonight. and then we would uh begin implementation and continue to convene the cope at least for uh a period. Again, these are the recommendations here and that concludes staff's presentation and very happy to answer any questions you may have. Thanks very much. >> Thank you. Does any member of the council have questions? I'm >> staring you all down. Seeing no questions, we can move on to public comment. Would any member of the public joining us virtually or in person like to provide comment on any item on item 7.1? If so, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk. We will take in-person speakers first. Each speaker will have 90 seconds. So, our first speaker, Joe Bowski. Thank you, council. Um, as you know, I live at Sunset Estates, which is a mobile home park, and uh, I was already telling you about how uneasy we are, which isn't very uneasy, but it's always there, uh, about the fact that we only own our homes and not the land under it. And then I saw on page 18 of the COAP, the community ownership action plan, that is included in today's agenda. Uh the mobile home community ownership is actually mentioned specifically as eligible for support under this plan. And I thought that's really great. So that's what I'm here to say. Um I it might not apply to us because as I understand this all of this is uh for new housing, not for what's already there like us. But in any case, thank you very much city council for remembering that mobile home parks are a a place where a lot of place people live and uh we hope that you make this plan work for us mobile home owners or renters. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Joan. Uh Jason Clark >> followed by I'm assuming Alex Brown. >> Yeah, thank you councel. So before moving from New York and Washington DC, I think we have never seen home ownership on rental property and hope we can end it in favor of housing stability. Um I too live in a mobile home park sensitive states. Uh rent increases without justification with no positive changes into the park have been happening. Um, I don't thank you for your work to reducing the annual increases, but let's work to have all 1130 mobile home owners in our six parks own the land. Um, current problems fix incomes. I live in a 55 plus park uh supporting my mother. Fear of park sale, fear of retaliation and eviction. Mobile homes are considered affordable, yet the owner is able to raise rents annually and when sold substantially. Currently, Sunset Estates has many homes for sale with rents that make it hard or impossible for 55 plus, often retired buyers. Many applicants fail to meet the income requirements of the owner. Some have returned to work to help cover their rents of more than 2,000 a month. Ownership would stop unnecessarily for profit rent increases if we owned it. Um, it would also support owner renter conversations. We have had no input in any decisions that affect our park. For example, we have wanted a ADA automatic door and uh accommodable restrooms and have been denied that. Since rent control, the owner has been able to pay for a monthly magazine, the directory, annual holiday party, which was hosted by his family for 50 years. I'm thankful neighborhood grant has helped us to continue to offer that free and um and for a summer bash. So, thank you for that. >> Thank you, Alex Brown. >> Hi, friends. Uh, Alex Brown, president of San Diego Villa Mobile Home Park in North Behore. Uh, guy who does stuff sometimes, I guess, for the Mountain View Mobile Home Alliance. Uh, thank you for including us in the process. I really appreciate being a part of the COPAC. Uh, I'm excited to see this come to council and to have progress because knowing that we have the the support of the city is huge. Uh, it helps people feel much more secure. Uh we've had a lot of fear in the mobile home communities of that the parks are going to get sold for redevelopment, people are going to get forced out and this gives us a much stronger chance to be able to use that as an opportunity to make it better to actually take control of our homes, our lives. Uh so thanks and also thanks to the consultants who are I assume on the call uh for putting up with me in all the meetings. >> Thank you Mr. Brown. We will now move on to virtual public comment. Um Sandy Perry. >> Hello. Thank you. Um my name is Sandy Perry. I'm a vice president of the board of South Bay Community Land Trust and we were privileged to be part of the community ownership action plan advisory committee in Mountain View. South Bay Community Land Trust was the first CLT uh that was formed in Santa Clara County and we're very happy to be joined by now not just one but two. We have Mountain View CLT and Soul CLT uh that are emerging in Mountain View. Uh we're very pleased to support this uh Mountain View community ownership action plan initiative. Um, last week in San Jose, we just closed on a $6 million rehab loan from the city of San Jose for our second property, which is a 18 unit apartment building in East San Jose. Preservation creates affordable housing by taking unsubsidized affordable housing units permanently off the speculative market, which prevents people from being displaced and prevents those units from being lost as affordable housing. when uh rent increases uh drive up the rents and make them unaffordable. Preservation is more economic uh than new construction. Uh it it's uh much faster and it's easier to win over public support and I'm running out of time. It's also an opportunity for ownership that >> Thank you Sandy. Next we have Bila B, are you there? >> Yes, I'm here. Can you hear me? >> We can hear you. >> Uh, hello, council. Uh, this is B. Hansen from the mobile home alliance. Uh, and I'd just like to start by thanking you for directing city staff to work on COPE over two years ago. uh their current task is to find funding and develop processes to implement cope for Mountain View residents who are most vulnerable to displacement. And I hope you'll direct staff to continue that work. Uh as you know, Mountain View's six mobile home parks are naturally afforded affordable housing, but have a large proportion of residents who are seniors living on fixed incomes. Some have heard rumors that one of our parks might be sold and two years ago another one did sell. Uh our carefully crafted MHRSO which passed in October 2021 helped our entire community immensely. But it's time to start thinking about future challenges. Because our ordinance could be weakened by a future council. Having a co-op housing model in one of more of the parks would assure mo mobile home residents that they won't be displaced. One of the current v uh goals starting with uh 50 CSF units is a good start and I hope you'll keep cop moving forward by approving all of the recommendations in the council report. Thank you. >> Thank you be and our final speaker online is Anna Marie Morales. Hi, can you guys hear me? >> We can hear you, Anna Marie. >> I thank you so much. Good evening, mayor and council members. Uh, my name is Anamarie. She her from the mobile home alliance as well. I'm definitely going to echo what B and Alex just said. I'm a lifelong resident of our beautiful city and I'm speaking in strong support of the community ownership act plan being adopted tonight. I hope all of the in in its entirety. I appreciate the direction and goals outlined in this plan. I also deeply appreciate that our mobile home communities received due consideration throughout this process. It matters to see us recognized as a vital part of Mountain View's housing landscape. This plan represents a crucial step toward greater stability for our neighborhoods. None of you residents of all incomes and all types of housing deserve to live with stability and dignity. For many of us, the goal is simply to stay in our homes without fear of displacement. Please give us the resources and support we need to be active partners in shaping the future of our homes. Whether through ownership or other models of community control, we want to ensure that our communities have security, dignity, and a real say in where we live. Thank you so much for your lead leadership on this critical issue. >> Thank you, Anna Marie. That was the last of our speakers. I will now bring the item back for council questions and deliberation. Please note that a motion to approve the recommendation should also include reading the title of the resolutions attached to the report. Uh do we have any deliberations? I know that we have a motion uh by council member Kame and it's seconded by council member Ramirez. I will let council member Kame go first. >> Great. Thanks. Thanks so much, mayor. Okay. Well, it's very exciting we're here. Um, and I um it's uh I feel so apt that the secondary is council member Ramirez because I feel like this work um was motivated by the very painful experience happening in our community where we saw um naturally affordable units um getting demolished, our residents displaced, and a real frustration on our council on what we could do um to to help our residents. um m stay in Mountain View, but also how to how to preserve housing affordability generally overall in our city. And over the seven and a half years, we've been grappling with that. And part of that um comes to fruition tonight with our community ownership action plan. I think similar to the biodiversity and urban forestry plan, you know, these are plans, but it's all about the actions that that go along with it um to bring it into reality. But I think that um what we can really be, I think, excited about is how staff and the incredible work of Mr. Chen, his team, and how he has really tried to um not only bring I think guiding principles but also the five-year goals. Um and I appreciate um how um the the different models it start you know one of the models is is rental but there's also you know three opportunities for potential ownership which I think we've often heard as a council our residents goals. So um very excited um that we're here tonight. I want to thank the co-op is that and uh our residents for their input, their collaboration on um how we can both preserve and create more affordability um in the city of Mountain View um while putting our residents first. So, it's just very exciting. So, just want to keep it brief. We still have a ton of other items um but just wanted to add that. Thanks. >> Thank you, Council Member Kame. and uh you were the one that made the motion, seconded by council member Ramirez. Council member Hicks. >> Yes, I will be supporting the motion. And I just want I wanted to thank staff and and everybody who worked on this. I I also wanted to say that so in in another life before uh before I lived in Mountain View, I worked for a community land trust for 10 years. And so going over this work um you know it's really heartening to see that for example the guiding principles are very much speak to the work I did in the past so I think we're really on the right path in particular I will not read all six of them but de decommodification resident roles in governance etc. You know, these are all the things that I worked on successfully in in the past and did see that preservation can be more affordable than starting from scratch. So, I hope that will happen here as well. Um I also wanted to highlight another thing that seems like going on the right path is um I asked in our council written questions whether uh uh staff or community- based organizations have been talking to any potential um community oriented organizations or developers because I think that's really key and the answer I got was that it's a long answer which I won't read but um that uh staff has spoken with at least three communityoriented developers who've expressed interest in supporting this. So that's another thing that tells me we can be on the road to success. So I will be supporting the motion. >> Thank you, Council Member Hicks. Before we go to the vote, I'll just like to say thank you to staff and thank you to our community for pushing this. a lot of programs relating to um this kind of preservation strategy of community land trust, limited equity co-ops and and um the other one is a community development corporations. Um a lot of the ones that exist now existed without a a lot of help from their local government or cities. This is this is a way Mount View can lead to create that ecosystem that that is needed especially in the time where the the recovery of our our economy is is very K-shaped has been really since even before the pandemic but then not supercharged after the pandemic. Um and and it has been getting worse. One of the ways to really negate a lot of that um pressure is essentially looking into housing. And as we look into housing, you have the three P's framework. And this is very much in the preservation of the P's, which has always been the squishiest of the P's. Um, a lot of us know the production, a lot of us know tenant protections. Um, and we we've also led on that. We have records of leading that. very few cities lead on preservation because it's hard to do. It's it's hard to grapple with. Um and this is where where Mountain View is leading. This is an incredible framework that other cities have not even looked at that don't even know where to even begin. We are beginning it. And I'm really proud of the work of our staff and our community because there's no way we can make this happen without the community pushing. very similar to the item before this, the um the biodiversity strategy. This is where not necessarily the we're relying on our community to be experts, but we're relying on our community to really carry a significant amount of work to make this happen. And so I am I'm really grateful to having the community do that. Particularly, I'm also highlighting this does cover the mobile home parks. So it's not new development. It's it's existing. So all our wonderful mobile home parks are uh would be under this framework. So um I remember a long time ago there was a a great documentary about how vulnerable our mobile home parks um just in general because it was a it was a national doc it was a documentary that covered mobile home parks nationally. However, they did do a focus on some of our parks here in Mountain View and interviewed some of the residents there. This was before we had our our rent stabilization program for the mobile home parks. But they it did cover not only getting protection set but the next step. This is that next step of the possibility of the mobile home park residents owning their park. What kind of system that would take and there are resources out there on a national level. But it is so important to really highlight how much our city is looking at putting that investment ourselves. We are taking that step forward. So I'm really glad that this is a big step forward for everyone in our community to really addressing um preservation and protecting our naturally occurring affordable housing. So with that, let's take it Oh. Oh yes, Council Member Kame. >> I'm so sorry. Resolution. >> Adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View to transfer and appropriate $1 million from the below market rate housing fund to the acquisition and preservation sub fund to help fund communityowned housing projects as part of the community ownership action plan to be read in title only to be read in title only. Further reading waved and adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View to appropriate 425,000 from the general housing fund to fund capacity building efforts as part of implementing the community ownership action plan to be read and title only. Further reading waved >> and just the motion also includes the the items you didn't have to read just the it's the staff recommendation plus those items. >> Yes, correct. I just didn't read the things that we need to read right now, but pretty soon not. Yep. The voters can decide that this fall. Um, all right. So, let's take it to a vote. And that po motion passes unanimously. Thank you everyone for your work on this. All right. So, we have our next item, item 7.2. Call for a municipal election for November 3rd, 2026, and place a measure for the transit occupancy tax on the ballot. City assistant city manager Aron Andrews will present the item. If you would like to speak on this item in person, please submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk now. And we are ready for your staff presentation. Good evening. Thank you, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and City Council. Tonight's item is the culmination of one of council's strategic priorities. The fiscal year 202526 and 2627 council work plan included a priority item which was pursue a 2026 revenue measure to seek additional funding for priority community projects and services. To that end, in September of last year, the council approved a 2026 revenue measure ad hoc subcommittee and assigned the members of the council finance committee to meet to review revenue measure options. The subcommittee met five times between October 2025 and June of this year and tonight is the culmination of their deliberations with a recommendation that's coming forward this evening. One of the other things that have transpired since the ad hoc committee has been meeting is we also wanted to engage our community and let them know that this was a conversation that the council was going to have. And to that end, we did a mailer of about 40,000 of the homes in Mountain View, to which we actually got, from a marketing standpoint, a pretty good response. We actually received over 1,200 online responses and about 300 write-in responses. So, we actually heard from about 1,500 of our residents. In addition, uh the finance director sent an email to all 19 of the hotels in the city. We have heard from two of them. Uh basically their responses to us was they would be interested in meeting and speaking at some point. And so we've offered to meet with any hotel year that decides they would like to meet with us. From the resident survey, we asked them to look at six different priorities and rank them. And so you can see that the responses from residents, lot of interest in streets and roads, a lot of interest in public safety, affordable housing. We just heard the item before us, the interest in maintaining affordability in Mountain View. And then local parks, either the addition of new ones, the maintenance of existing ones, and then we also heard quite a few people just talk about infrastructure in general. There was the ability for residents to also just add other. And so we had a lot of residents that talked about other issues including oversized vehicles, commercial vacancies, appliance electrification, parking, pickup. We heard about that this evening as well. And then interest or lack thereof in road diets. So the item before you is a recommendation to update our transient occupancy tax or what we refer to as toot. A toot is a tax that assessed on hotel or motel room occupancy. Some call it a hotel room tax. The city's transient occupancy tax was last amended in 1991 and at that point it was increased from 8% to 10%. Since that time, almost all of our neighboring jurisdictions have updated their toot to rates higher than where we currently are. So, as a result, we have one of the lowest rates in the surrounding area. and also just looking at other large tourist and hospitality destinations in the state. The proposed increase because of how low we are would likely not have any impact on our competitiveness in the hospitality industry. And you can see that in the table that was included in the staff report and also before you here, our 10% is clearly one of the lowest in the area. And so the recommendation before you this evening, which we'll get into a little more detail later, is an up to recommendation which provides first the electorate to decide in November if this is something they want the council to have the latitude to do. And then if they agree, then ultimately the council could decide what they think an up to increment could be between the current 10 and up to 15%. staff went ahead and did some analysis on what this would have meant retrospectively and what it could have al so what it could mean prospectively. One of the takeaways if you just look at the baseline toot from 2023 24 to the current estimate you can see that it's increased from about 8 million to 11 million which shows that we do have strength in the hospitality sector coming out of COVID going from the 8 million to 11 million and retrospectively if somewhere between the 2% or a 15% rate were in effect it would have been an addition of about 1.6 6 million to about 5.5 million. And prospectively that same analysis, any increase from 12% up to 15% would be an addition uh estimated revenue of about 2.1 million to about 5.4 million. I mentioned that we're recommending what's referred to as an upto model. So you can see the recommended ballot question which talks about the areas that the community mentioned were of importance to them. and then compotes to what is known as an upto model. And you can see the language actually authorizes the city council to increase that at a point in the future. Working closely with the city attorney on this ballot language. So next steps uh August 7th is the last day for resolutions calling a measure. At a date to be determined, there will be a deadline for submitting primary arguments in favor of or against a measure. August 12th would be the last date to amend or withdraw a measure. A date to be determined would be the deadline for submitting rebuttal arguments to primary arguments in favor of or against the measure. And at a date to be determined that would be the deadline for submitting an impartial analysis by the new interim attorney. And then as I mentioned in the November December time frame, depending on the outcome of the election, staff would return to council to see what if anything action council would like to take to move from the current 10% to something up to 15%. So before you tonight, you have four actions. Adopt a resolution of the city council of Mountain View. First, calling a general municipal election and ordering consolidation with the statewide general election for the purpose of submitting to the voters a ballot measure to amend Mountain View City Code section 33.2 to authorize city council to increase the city's transatom tax. The second, authorizing members of the council to author an argument for the ballot measure. The third is directing the city attorney, as I mentioned, to prepare an impartial analysis. And then finally, authorizing the city clerk to contract with the county of Santa Clara for services to be performed in connection with the general municipal election to be held on Tuesday, November 3rd. It's supposed to say 2024 instead of 202 to be read in title only. Further reading waved 26. Thank you. I'm still back with measure G for brains. So that concludes our presentation and with that we're available for any questions. >> Thank you. Does any member of the council have questions? Staring down. Staring down. I am seeing no questions. So we will go to public comment. Would any member of the public joining us virtually or in person like to provide comment on any item on the consent calendar? If so, please click the raise hand button in Zoom. Sorry. Would any uh person like to provide comment on this item? If so, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk. Each speaker will have 90 seconds or one and a half minutes. I am seeing no speakers in the queue. I am seeing no speakers online, so I will bring it back to the council uh for questions and deliberation. Please note that a motion to approve the recommendation should also include reading the title of the resolution attached to the report. I see um Council Member Ramirez. >> Uh thank you, Mayor, and I appreciate Council Member Mallister making the motion, so I don't have to read it. Um but there are two quick things. First, um uh I want to uh express um my appreciation, and I I I'm confident this is true also of the uh other ad hoc committee members. Um the appreciation to staff and the city attorney's office for the quick pivot. I know there was um a lot of work down a particular direction and um I think that was that was important work and I think that will have lasting value but I know the the toot increase was was not the thing that we were contemplating when we first started this journey. Uh so thank you for for putting this together in a relatively quick uh period of time. Uh and then second uh for uh the motion uh part two is authorize members of the council to author an argument. Um, I would request uh if the other members of the uh ad hoc uh uh revenue subcommittee would would join me. So, uh I request to council member Mallister to include um Mayor Ramos, Vice Mayor Clark, and and myself as uh the members of the council who would be authorized to um prepare that argument for the ballot measure. Thank you. >> All right. See no other speakers. Council member Mallister. >> Well, you know, Council Member Ramirez, you work so hard on it. I I think it's a disservice for me to read it. I think you should take the motion and and it's your honor to have it if you like. >> Thank you. You can take it. >> Is the seconder okay with that? [laughter] >> Okay. Thanks, council member. Um, I will move to approve the staff recommendations, including uh adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View one, calling a general municipal election and ordering consolidation with the statewide general election for the purpose of submitting to the voters a ballot measure to amend Mountain View City Code section 33.2 to authorize city council to increase the city's transient occupancy tax. two, authorizing uh Mayor Ramos, Council Member Clark, sorry, Vice Mayor Clark and I uh to author an argument for the ballot measure. Uh three, directing the city attorney to prepare an impartial analysis. And four, authorizing the city clerk to contract with the county of Santa Clara for services to be performed in connection with the general municipal election to be held on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026 to be read and title only, further reading waved. >> Thank you for the motion. Council member Ramirez. It has been seconded by Council Member Hicks. Uh thank you to my colleagues on the ad hoc uh revenue measure committee, whatever it's called. I look forward to trauma bonding with you on the election camp on the election uh campaign trail. Um with that, let's bring it to a vote. And that motion passes unanimously. We're going right through these. Um, so now we will move on to item 7.3, resolution appointing a retired anuitant as interim city attorney under government code section 21221H. Human resources manager Lindseay Bishop will present the item. If you would like to speak on this item in person, please submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk now. All right. Good evening, mayor, vice mayor, members of the city council. Uh the item before you this evening is a resolution appointing Janney Quinn as interim city attorney. Earlier this evening, council recognized current city attorney log uh for her service and her appointment to the judiciary. At the direction of council, city staff is working with Terry Black & Company to identify a successor and to fill the position. Recruitment is underway for an anticipated appointment in the fall and onboarding of a new city attorney, excuse me, in this calendar year. Until the vacancy is filled, the city needs to appoint to appoint an interimm city attorney. Janney Quinn retired in 2019 after 24 years of service with City of Mountain View. In addition, Miss Quinn served as the interim city attorney in 2022 during the recruitment search that resulted in Miss Loe's appointment. Miss Quinn is available and possesses the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to serve as interim city attorney until council makes a regular appointment. Government code 21221H permits the city council to appoint a Kalpers's retired annuitant to a vacant position during a recruitment with several restrictions which include the following. The interim assignment is required to be a single appointment and may not exceed 960 hours in a fiscal year. The proposed interim assignment complies with all applicable Kalpers's requirements. Staff recommend appointing Miss Quinn as interim city attorney with an hourly rate of $17966 effective July 6, 2026. This concludes my presentation and human resources director Maxine Gulo and I are available for any questions. Thank you. >> Thank you. Does any member of the council have questions? Seeing none, we are moving on to public comment. Would any member of the public joining us virtually or in person like to provide comment on this item? If so, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk. We will take in-person speakers first. Each speaker will have 90 seconds or one and a half minutes. I am seeing no public comment. And I'm seeing no virtual public comment. So, we will now bring this item back for council questions and deliberation. Please note that a motion to approve the recommendation should also include reading the title of the resolution attached to the report. Council member Sho Walter. >> Yes. Um I uh I had the pleasure of working with um Miss Quinn for many years um in earlier terms and she was a delight to work with. um very knowledgeable about the city and the law and very good at um explaining [clears throat] um to anybody who needed explanations and that's a major part of her job um how uh how that we could best go about doing things. So, um I think that it's wonderful she's been willing to step up and join us for a few months in this our time of need. And um so I'm very pleased to uh to um move the staff recommendation which is to adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View appointing Janney Quinn as an interim city attorney under government code section 21221H to be read and title only. Further reading waved. >> Thank you, Council Member Shaw Walter. And it looks like it was seconded by Council Member Mallister. Uh with no other speakers in the queue, uh we will now take it to a vote. And we are just zooming right through this y'all. Um we will now move on to item eight, public hearings. Public item. Yes. Yes. Public hearings. All right. So, we have item 8.1, residential development project at 333 Franklin Street. Would any member Would any council members like to make disclosures? No disclosures. No. No one met with any. Okay. Um >> Oh. Um, planning member George Schroeder. Schroeder, is that that correct? Okay. Um, and senior planner Philip Brennan will uh present the item. If you would like to speak on this item in person, please submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk now. And we are ready for your presentation when you are. Okay. Uh, good evening, honorable mayor and members of the city council. My name is George Schroeder, planning manager, and I'll be presenting a residential development project for your consideration at 333 Franklin Street. Okay. The project site is located midblock on Franklin Street between California and West Dana Street in downtown Mountain View. The general plan land use is for mediumigh density residential which allows for 26 to 35 dwelling units per acre. Project site is located within the downtown precise plan and specifically it's within area B or the Franklin Street residential transition area. The project site is 7500 square feet in size and currently the site is vacant but previously contained an 8unit apartment building. Surrounding land uses consist of single family and multif family residential buildings. The applicant Silicon Valley Custom Homes is requesting a planned community permit and development review permit to construct a three-story residential building with 11 apartment units and two two-story detached accessory dwelling units or ADUs. DEP can also request a heritage tree removal permit to remove two heritage trees from the site. The site is comprised primarily of the residential building fronting the street and two ADUs located at the rear. The site is accessed from Franklin Street along a shared driveway with the adjacent multif family development located at 325 Franklin Street. Along the south property line is a pedestrian walkway to allow for access to the units. At the rear are two detached ADUs with parking spaces located beneath the ADUs. The project is providing eight below market rate or BMR units comprised of seven low-income units at 80% of the area median income or AMI and one very low income unit at 50% AMI. This exceeds the city's 15% BMR requirement. The project also meets SP330 replacement unit requirements for the eight previous rentstabilized units. I want to note that the city red tagged the previous apartment building in 2024 due to unsafe conditions. The city's tenant relocation assistance and right of fierce refusal provisions do not apply to previous tenants of the project site because of the timing of the formal planning application submitt which was submitted after the previous building was already vacated and because the city's previous tenant relocation assistant ordinance or TRO as applicable to the project exempted displacements due to a city enforcement order such as the red tagging. Aside from the concession requested, which I'll go over in a moment, requested for the unit distribution between the the main building and ADUs, the project complies with all the other requirements of the BMR ordinance. The project is eligible for a 50% density bonus because it provides more than 24% of the base units for low-income households. The applicant is requesting one concession under the state density bonus law to locate two BMR units in the ADUs in lie of the main apartment building as required by the city's BMR ordinance. The applicant also requests five waiverss that would otherwise preclude the construction of the development for open space floor area ratio landscape planting building eve height and trash enclosure dimensions. The design of the project is considered contemporary craftsman designed in conformance with the downtown precise plan design guidelines. Traditional building elements include horizontal and vertical cement plaster sighting, a street facing gable roof, an angled dormers integrated into the roof form. The design intentionally integrates the third floor massing of the roof dormers to serve as a better transition between downtown and the surrounding single family neighborhood. Here's a view of the project from the shared driveway showing the main apartment building to the right and the detached ADUs to the left with parking spaces located beneath the ADUs. The site contains two heritage trees, one redwood and one silver maple tree. The project will require removal of both trees to accommodate the new buildings and site improvements. Appin is proposing a total of four 24inch box replacement trees to offset the loss of the two heritage trees. The new tree replacements are anticipated to increase the on-site county coverage by 6% in full maturity. Auto parking is not required for residential uses located within the downtown precise plan. Akin is voluntarily providing two parking spaces on site, one electric vehicle or EV parking space and one accessible space located at the ground level beneath the ADUs. The project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act or SQUA under the class 32 infill development exemption and several public meetings have been held for the pro for the project. Project was reviewed at the design review consultation meeting in May 2025 where the applicant made some design changes in response to the DRC's recommendations. The applicant also held a neighborhood outreach meeting in February with 12 members of the community attending. Lastly, the zoning administrator reviewed the project on May 27th and recommended it approval to the city council. In conclusion, the project is found to be consistent with the applicable objective develop plan and housing element goals by increasing affordable housing opportunities in the city within close proximity to downtown and major transit routes. Therefore, staff recommends that the city council adopt a resolution conditionally approving the plant community permit, development review permit, and heritage tree removal permit pursuant to the conditions of approval for the project. And this concludes staff's presentation, and community development, housing, and public works staff are present here tonight to answer any questions. Thank you. >> Thank you. We will now hear from our applicant, CEO Jenny Kang and chief architect Haqing Liao with the Silicon Valley Custom Homes, Inc. You will see seven minutes on the clock. >> Okay. Um I think most of the topics are well covered by George, so I'm just going to take a couple minutes just to reiterate some of the highlights of the project. So, just want to mention that this project replaces um deteriorated building that was old and unsafe and structurally um uh unsafe and with a a very safe and modern and code compliant uh building for the Mountain View downtown area. And this project also increases the housing supply from existing 8 units to 13 units which I believe it's making um more efficient use of the uh valuable downtown site and more than twothird of the units are affordable and the affordability levels ranging from low income to very low income which I believe is going to be contributing to the housing um issues in the in the in the city and the Mountain View downtown [snorts] and the site is located within excuse [clears throat] me located within the walking distance from the downtown Mountain View and uh less than half mile uh from the Cal Train station and which I believe it's going to make excellent transit oriented housing project and this is um uh in a nutshell the project turns a in my opinion safety concerns into a community asset and which uh also provides affordable housing and uh supporting local businesses and boosting the vitality of the downtown. Um and with that I encourage the council to uh support the exciting and responsible housing production project in Mountain View. Thank you. Any any questions? I'll be here to answer. >> Thank you. Does any member of the council have questions? Uh, Council Member Shaw Walter. >> Yes. I was just wondering why um you chose to build ADUs at the back instead of making the building larger. It just seems like an unusual decision. Um, I [clears throat] think the idea was that the city would allow detached ADUs, but in the new development, George can correct me wrong, but um, the attached ads, there's limitations of adding that in the new development. >> So, it just allowed you to have a little more development. >> Only in the detached building, the ADUs were allowed. That's how we were we were able to add more units. Okay. So, you couldn't have just made the other building larger. >> No, then it becomes the attached ADUs which is not allowed in the new development. >> Okay. Thank you. I get it now. >> No problem. >> And and council member, just to clarify, the the main building is limited by the limitations on the allowable density by the general plan and then the ADUs the state ADU law essentially gives more uh density with the just through the ADU development. They took advantage of the um the amount that they could build on with the regular building and the ADUs are additional to that. >> Correct. They've they've maximized what the general plan density allows. >> That's what I thought. But okay, thank you. >> All right. Thank you, Council Member Sha Walter. Council member Hicks. >> So, I'm just curious with 13 units and two parking spaces on site, how will you determine who gets those spaces? So those two, thanks for the question. Those two spaces are one for ADA parking and the other one is EV charging. So there's no tenant parking on site and um there has been some concerns raised around the lack of tenant parking spaces and um the because of the ROI of the project and also we looked into the options of putting in a basement parking and because of the narrow width of the lot um the clearance that requires to have a cars go in and out with the ramp down. It was not only not visible from the um layout perspective but uh it was very uh difficult to pencil um in the project just because of the um the affordability level that we had to take into consideration. >> So maybe I missed something but who will get the who will get the parking spots? So the ADA parking will be more of a first first come first serve for the uh handicap individuals. Um and then the um EV parking charging station will be available for any tenant who wants to charge their >> So the charging one will be rotating and the ADA one will be if there's a disabled person otherwise >> correct >> to be determined. Okay. >> Yes. Thanks. Thank you, Coun. Thank you, Council Member Hicks. Um, do we have any other questions from council? Um, seeing none, um, would any member of the public on the line or on the line like to provide comment on this item? If so, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or press star 9 on your phone. A timer will be displayed on the screen. Each speaker will have 90 seconds or one and a half minutes. I am seeing no speakers and I am seeing no virtual speakers. So we will now bring this item back for council questions and deliberations. Please note that a motion to approve the recommendation should also include reading the title of the resolution attached to the report. Council member Ramirez. >> Thank you, Mayor. I'm happy to move to approve the staff recommendations, including adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View conditionally approving a planned community permit and development review permit to construct a three-story multif family building with 11 apartment units and two twostory detached accessory dwelling units or ADUs on a vacant site which previously contained a multif family building utilizing state density bonus law and a heritage tree removal permit to remove two heritage trees on a 0.172 acre site located at 333 Franklin Franklin Street, EPN 158-12-069 and finding the project to be categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act or SQUA uh pursuant to SQA guidelines section 15332 infill development projects to be read and title only further reading waved and I'll only add um appreciation to staff for their work on the project and also to the applicant. Uh I am I think all of us are impressed with the uh high percentage of affordability uh in the project uh which is always good to see uh and all also note that um the project um if it's constructed will help achieve our AFH goals affirmatively furthering fair housing um which is one of our uh critical housing element uh programs and if memory serves there's a specific call out for downtown um uh above and beyond lot 12. So, uh, this is a project that will help us achieve that housing element program as well. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Ramirez. Council member Hicks, >> I will be supporting the motion and I I agree with the the merits that of the project that uh, Council Member Ramirez mentioned. I do want to say the one thing I'm disappointed about is that even that despite the low level of parking provided, the much of the site is driveway and hard and hardcaping on on all sides. So, I'm hoping that in the future we can get some objective design standards that can maybe reduce that. Um because I I personally don't want housing all surrounded planted in concrete in our our downtown or anywhere else in in the city for that matter. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Hicks. Council member Mallister. >> Yeah. Uh this project, when I look at a project, I always like to see how it enhances the neighborhood. It benefits the neighborhood. It doesn't impose anything on the neighborhood. And unfortunately, this unit, this project does not supply parking for those units. So, they're going to have to be parking on the street. And I go, "Oh, we got all this transit." Well, if we're looking at the demographics that are going to move in there, most of them will probably need cars to get to work. And so, it's just going to be an additional burden when lot 12 opens up that there are more people are going to be parking on the street. And it's going to detract from the neighborhood. It's not going to make the streets safe because there's visibility will be impacted. And I got a kick out of it that they're going to have an EV in there. And again, looking at the demographics, I don't don't I could be wrong that they're going to be buying EV vehicles to park in that area. So, because of that, I'm not going to support this motion. Uh I know it's it's um they're allowed not to do it, but they were also allowed to do it. And going forward, I will always continue to make sure that the neighborhoods are protected from unnecessary burdens. And you think of parking as an unnecessary burden, but I think it does because it affects the quality of life for the people walking around and just looking for the visual aspects of seeing when we were talking about the urban forest and so forth, all the cars out there and and not actually to see some open space. >> Thank you, Council Member Mallister. I am not seeing anyone else in the queue. Um, so thank you staff for your work on this. I am like council member Ramirez. I'm actually impressed by the percentage of affordability on this. I'm a little annoyed about the um the tenants who were evicted because of the red tag that don't have that right of first return and that are the the recently adopted Treyo that we had uh doesn't affect them because we passed it a little later. Uh too late for these residents to um develop that that's that's on us, not on our not on the applicant. Um but uh I will be supporting this development. Um and with that, let's bring it to a vote. And that motion passes 61 with council member Mallister dissenting. Um it did is it 10 o'clock now? Oh, it's right there. 10 o'clock. Let's go. Um, do we have uh I'm assuming Council Member Clark, I already seconded it. Um, uh, go ahead and make your motion. >> Yes, we only have one item left and it's a really important one. So, I'll move that we continue past 10 p.m. >> Thank you, Council Member Clark. I will second that. Um, unless we don't want to do our budget. That's always an option. All right, we'll take it to a vote. And that motion passes 52 with council member Mallister and council member Ramire is not wanting to have a budget. All right, we will now move on to item 8.2 Two, adoption of fiscal year 2026 27 budget fee modifications and funding for fiscal year 2026 27 capital improvement projects. City manager McCarthy will kick us off and finance and administrative services director Derek Ramponyi and Assistant Finance and Administrative Services Director Grace uh Jen will present the item. If you would like to speak on this item in person, please submit a blue speaker card to city clerk now. >> Thank you, mayor. I'm sure glad that you uh voted to go past 10 since we are legally required to have a budget by July 1st every year. So, uh with that, this is the culmination of many months uh that council has considered the budget, provided uh good feedback to staff, and so tonight is the official adoption of the budget. um and various regulatory things that we have to uh pass with the budget. So, with that, I'll turn it over to our finance director, Derek Rampone, to walk you through uh the changes that we've made and all the elements of this budget. >> All right. Good evening. Thank you, city manager McCarthy. Uh good evening, Mayor Ramos, uh Vice Mayor Clark, and council members. Derek Grampon, your finance and administrative services director. And joining me is Grace Singh, the assistant finance and administrative services director. Um what the item you have before you tonight is the last step in the recommended budget process for 26 for fiscal year 2627. Uh the recommended budget is structurally balanced. Uh we have some new ongoing staffing requests that are limited and targeted. The budget focuses on maintaining strategic service levels and advancing council priorities. Investments are also included in the budget to improve operations and support economic vitality. Overall, this budget really balances fiscal sustainability with strategic investments in city services and priorities. This slide provides a highlevel overview of the fisc year 2627 budget development process. The process really begins each November with the budget kickoff and department budget request development. Throughout the winter, the budget team works closely with departments and the city manager's office to review requests, evaluate priorities, and develop funding recommendations. In February, we presented the midyear budget update to council, followed by the preliminary review of the recommended budget in April. The recommended budget was then published in May, providing the public and council time for review. On June 9th, the city council conducted the bud budget public hearing and tonight represents the final step in the process with consideration of the CIP budget and adoption of the operating budget as well. As a reminder, the general operating fund budget has an operating balance of 145,000. This is down slightly from the last time you saw this item, which was at 150,000. That's due to the the additional $5,000 of expenditures that are being appropriated for increased multicultural engagement programming which was discussed on June 9th and will be further discussed later in this presentation. This slide shows the 5-year general operating fund forecast. Fiscal year 2627 is uh structurally balanced with the projected operating balance of 145,000. Looking ahead, staff does project some modest operating deficits beginning in fiscal year 2728 as expenditure growth does outpace revenue growth. The forecast does return to a positive balance in 203031 and that's largely due to some projected reductions in pension costs and that's as of today. Um there were three adjustments since uh that were made after the recommended budget hearing on June 9th. The first one is to appropriate $100,000 for lease payments for property located at 485 and 495 Clyde Avenue, which was approved in item 4.31 this evening. The second one is to finalize the increase in the perterm stipend that council members receive from 3,800 to $5,000 per term as also discussed at the June 9th meeting. That has a cost of $12,000. And then the third one is the $5,000 increase ongoing uh increase in multicultural engagement programming that was discussed at the June 9th meeting. Before concluding, I'd just like to thank the city council for the guidance throughout the budget process and for the opportunity to present the fiscal year 2627 recommended budget this evening. I'd also like to stay thank the many staff members across the organization who contributed to the development of this budget. um with spe special recognition to the budget team for their hard work and dedication throughout this process. All recommended budget actions are detailed in the staff report before you tonight. Staff respectfully recommends that you approve these actions and adoption of the 2627 budget with the related appropriations. And with that, we are happy to answer any questions. >> Thank you. Does any member of the council have questions? Let's bring it home, y'all. No questions. No questions. All right. So, now we'll move on to public comment. Would any member of the public on the line or in person like to provide comment on this item or if so, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or press star9 in your phone or turn in a blue card. A timer will be displayed on the screen. Each speaker will have 90 seconds or one and a half minutes. So, it looks like we have uh two inerson speakers. Uh Lauren Hatton, followed by Daniel Kelly. Good evening and thank you so much um for the opportunity to speak. My name is Lauren Hatton. I'm the managing director of Peninsula Youth Theater. We are a resident company of the Mountain View Center for Performing Arts and have been with MBCPA for decades now. Um, in the last few years, our expenses at MBCPA have increased astronomically and as part of this budget plan, you are projecting further increases, including increases to our patrons by eliminating the tiered facility use fees. We are doing everything in our power to absorb those increases and keep our programs accessible to our community, but when those fees go up on the side of the center, we have no control over that. So, we are asking that you please reconsider the facility use fee elimination at the $2 level. Um, and to just keep in mind how these fees impact um the organizations in your community. We are effectively being priced out of Mountain View by the raise in fees over the last several years. And we want to stay. We love it here. It's our home. Um we love the center. We love Mountain View. But um the fee increases have been really, really detrimental to our organization. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next, we have Daniel Kelly. >> Hi. Uh thank you. Uh, my name's Dan Kelly. I'm a longtime Mountain View resident. I'm a board member of PYT. I want to echo much of what Lauren said and add that I think PYT is a real asset to the community. My children participated. They're too old now. Um, but they got a lot out of the program and I think many, you know, the people who participate, you know, they we serve a lot of children over the course of the year and they all get a lot out of the program. Um, the the Center for the Performing Arts is a is a beautiful resource that the city has and the city can choose who uses it and in the choices they're making, they're pricing PYT out of using that space, which I think is a real shame. Um, that's all. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, I see no other inerson speakers in the queue. Um, we will now take virtual speakers. I am seeing none. We will now bring the item back to C for council questions and deliberations. Please note that a motion to approve the recommendation should also include reading the title of the resolutions attached to the report. Um so it looks like we do have a motion and a second. Uh before we get to that, I do have a question because I do want to address what was just in public comment. Um, it might be too late to do any action at least for this upcoming budget, but is there um is is it something that we can look into? >> Um, mayor, I would ask that we hear from our community services director about about this. Um, I know the participants uh pay to participate in PYT. >> Okay. >> Good evening, council. John Marshant, community services director. And I first want to start by thanking PYT for being here and bringing this up. Um they certainly are a valued client of and user of our facility and have been for a long time and we want to continue uh that relationship um over over the time. So what we are recommending is that there is basically it's called a facility use fee. Think of it as a convenience fee. So we the city pays to have um as charges go through for the purchase of a ticket we have to pay for that service through the software company that provides that service. So previously the what we are um recommending to eliminate which was discussed the that tier any ticket that was under $30 would pay $2 as that convenience fee. Any ticket over $30 would pay a convenience fee of $3. What we're recommending is that everybody, no matter what the price of the ticket, to pay that $3. This fee has not been raised since 2009. So 17 years of not increasing that fee of which our costs go up and that's why we're making that recommendation. Do we have any follow? Oh, council member Hicks. >> So, what are we talking in ter in terms of like if we for example, if we kept it at $2, what would we be talking about per year in terms of >> I don't have that math in front of me and I'm sorry. Um, I also want to to highlight that as you're probably aware PYT offers a number of matinea programs for students and we do not charge that fee on on those tickets. Um, and so it is just the tickets that are available to the general public. >> Okay. So, nobody knows like even roughly per year whether we're talking several thousand, 10,000, 50,000 like >> I I just don't have the volume off the top of my head. I'm sorry. >> Uh, council member Mallister, do you know the rough fee? >> No, I don't. But, uh, I have a question for So, that's pass through fee, right? To the consumer, >> correct? not to pa >> that is that is that the consumer is charged that not not PYT as an organization >> I one other follow-up question to that so uh the public comment speakers were talking about inreased fees so it was more than just this fee was there another fee that is affecting them in the increase >> so over the past couple of years several actions have been taken with that program of which yes there have been some uh fee changes to bring us in line with what the market um average is um or even below. But we have been making changes so that we can staff appropriately. And when you staff appropriately, we're passing on some of those costs, which is the the greatest impact that they're they're seeing right now. >> Okay. >> Uh Council Member Kame. Great. Thank you. C would it be possible for council to get a off agenda memo with the information on maybe in aggregate what we've been doing related to the different fees and the costs and things like that. I think it' just be helpful for all of us to have that information if that's okay. >> Sure. Absolutely. >> Wonderful. Thank you. >> Thank you council member committee. I didn't know how I was going to go with that. Um, so we do have the motion by Council Member Mallister and is seconded by Council Member Shoalzer. Did you already read the thing? >> Oh, he did not read the thing. >> All right. >> I I figured I'd give him a break because I saw the length of this and I go, "Do I really want to make the motion on this one?" But you want me to read it now for you? >> Yeah. >> Okay. [clears throat] To in memory of Lucas Oh, I'm sorry, wrong line. Adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View. One, adopting the fiscal year 2026-27 city budget. Second, appropriate appropriating funds for to cover expenditures approved by said budget. Three, authorize the city manager or designate to execute funding agreements consistent with the nonprofit funding appropriations in the adopted budget. Four, adjust the budget license tax amount by the annual CPI. And five, authorize the finance administrative service director to adjust appropriations in various funds as needed to align with actual reserved earned and received as specific pacification. specifically set forth herein, make final adjustments to the community stabilization and fair rent act and mobile home rent stabilization ordinance budgeted and fees. adjust appropriations related to the Graham Middle School site based on bill invoices and determine final budget amounts based on council direction to be read entitleing wave and adopt the resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View amending the city of Mountain View master fee schedule to be read entitled only further reading waved adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View amending the fiscal year 2025 526 salary plan for hourly employees and adopt a physical 2026 salary plans for regular and honored hourly employees to be read in title only. Further reading wave and as acting as and acting as a Mount View Shoreline Regional Park Community adopt a resolution of the board of directors of the Shoreline Regional Park Community. One adopting the fiscal year 2026 27 Shoreline Regional Park Community Budget. Two, appropriate funds to cover expenditures approved by said budget. And three, authorize the treasur to adjust appropriations as needed to make payments in accordance with the tax sharing agreement with the Santa Clara County and the educational enhancement reserve joint powers agreement to align appropriations with actual reserves earned and received a specifically set forth herein and determined final budget amounts based on board direction to be read and title only. Further reading wave and acting as the city of Mountain View capital improvement financing authority. Adopt a resolution of the city of Mountain View capital improvements financing authority MVCA adopting the fiscal year 2026 27 budget for the debit service payments appropriating funds to cover expenditures approved by said budget and authorizing the MVCA treasur to make budget adjustments and determine final breathing amounts. based on FM MFCA board directed to be read and title in further reading wave. >> Thank you, Council Member Mallister. And that has been seconded by Council Member Shoalter. I see Vice Mayor Clark on the queue. >> It was just the same thing again. Um the just to clarify, the motion covers all of the recommendations printed in the staff report, including those that you read. Um for a few of these, it's you didn't do anything wrong. It's it's just the um um the staff recommendation includes things in addition to what what was read. So just just clarifying we're approving the staff recommendation plus everything you read. >> Hey y >> this is what I this is what I was told to read by the mayor. So I did >> it's in the record. It's >> it's in the record. >> All right. Um with that I see no other people in the queue. Let's get this vote on. passes unanimously. We have a budget, y'all. All right. Now, we will go to item nine, >> council, staff, and committee reports. Do we have any council, staff, and committee reports? I see council member Sho Walter. I'm going to let everybody else talk about all the fun stuff in Mountain View, but I wanted to share with you that last week on Monday and Tuesday, I traveled to New Mexico as your representative from Silicon Valley clean energy to take part in the celebration of the completion of the Sunzia wind farm and um transmission uh project. This is the largest wind project in the United States. It's literally [clears throat] um three times larger than the next two largest wind farms combined. It's huge. and includes um 3,650 megawws, nine um 9116 um wind turbines that are spread over 90 miles and 550 miles of high voltage direct current line that enables uh [clears throat] this this power to be transmitted over such a far distance. Normally when you use AC um lines you lose a lot of power as you know over over time but with the use of this AC um I mean use of the DC that that those power losses are are much much much smaller and so this was new technology um was developed in Sweden it's been used there but it hasn't been used here before and um so [clears throat] it uh went 550 miles from New Mexico to Arizona. Then it switches over into AC and it goes into California. And we and um uh Silicon Valley Clean Energy and a number of other CCAs or early customers in this. And one of the things that makes this so cool is that well the time, you know, we're in a time when wind power isn't really popular with everyone. So [clears throat] to have um to have completed this project is quite you know quite quite an accomplishment. It took 16 years uh to get through all the permits, the financing, a mere 11 billion dollar of financing and construction for three years. Um, and it's really a fabulous proof of concept that huge quantities of clean energy can be transmitted many miles from where they're produced to where they're used, which is which is just vital for us to transform into a clean energy country, which is one of the things I think most of us want to do. So, um, so I wanted to share that with you and say that really we should all be proud that we're part of this CCA movement that has been so effective at at um inspiring clean energy projects to be produced and this is just a great example of one. So that's that's what I wanted to share and we went to a lot of fun stuff but other in locally but other people can talk about that. >> Thank you. Uh council member Kame. >> Thanks Mayor. Um so I just wanted to um clarify when we were talking about item 7.1 about our community ownership action plan. I failed to highlight Council Member McCollish's advocacy that we we the city should own our own housing units. Um and and I I really um I'm so sorry that I omitted that and I've tarnished his legacy related to uh the city owning housing because I forgot. Is that good? You happy now? Okay. [laughter] >> Ready? Perfectly. >> Thank you. Okay. Um and now that he has his flowers, so um on June 10th, um Microsoft invited uh the council to and I attended um their data center grand opening. On the 11th, I attended the city's association um annual summer meeting. It was related to a resiliency. Really fascinating, really great. I think a majority of us attended. On the 16th we had our council transportation um committee and on the 18th I um attended the futurep proof your business our collaboration with like VTA and the chambers and then this past Saturday we had our pride. >> Thanks Mayor. >> Thank you council member Kame. Council member Mallister. >> Uh well I guess I'll since she you she did mention a couple items. I did attend the city association and that was interesting to hear. Uh the uh response that the emergency response I we had a CTC meeting where we went over the ATP and I thought we gave some very valuable information uh our some of our thoughts on that one. And I was al also was uh honored to be with my fellow council members, most of them actually. [laughter] Uh, and that was that was my first attending to that meeting and it was quite impressive to see the the the activities and how it was set up. So, but I also wanted to bring up an item nine uh that uh it's been kicking around for a while, but we haven't addressed it. Um, I responded to a customer's uh consu uh constituent's concern about RV parking over on Gemini. So I went over there to look at it uh to talk to the lady and and for and it was interesting that when I was there the the what is it the NEP >> NES >> NEES the neighborhood >> event services >> services were there uh checking on some of these RVs and uh I got a glimpse of what was actually taking place and what they did and how they went in there and tagged them. What was interesting is that there was about three unhitched trailers there and I asked them what could they do and I said could can since they don't move and I said well that's not part of your ordinance so we uh we can really can't do much med except registration or something like that and I go well that's that's interesting and uh I said are we getting a lot of those and they said yeah we're getting a lot of them coming from Powalto and other cities and I go oh um because they're they're putting in the regulations to do it. And in fact, there was one trailer that was sitting about 5 feet away from a fire hydrant. And I said, "Can we do something about that?" and um I left at the time so I'm not sure exactly what took place but I'm bringing this up now because uh we are increasing with a lot of unhitched trailers are coming along and I think that we've and also we just got a report from our assistant city manager uh giving us an update on the memo that we asked about going down and I was wondering is the council feels like should we adopt some new regulations to fill in the gap, especially like the vanlords that it was interesting how they said the the police said, "Well, I said, can you tag the register uh registr owner of the RV or the trailer?" And they said, "No, we have to go after the we we tag the person that lives in there." And I go, "Well, how do you get to tag the person if they're not around?" And there was a cat and mouse range that was always confusing on who was going to be responsible for moving the RV. And so, but since it wasn't in one of our agreements, and I could be soft on that idea, but I go, okay, whatever. But it would be interesting to maybe consider having staff because this last one was a memo to maybe write up a memo of saying as we move forward that we might have an action plan. And I just wonder if other people are interested that or had they gotten comments from the our constituents talking about the RVs up there. I I know I got a couple emails from businesses were saying that the people are their tenants are not coming in. The employees don't feel safe. The vacancy rates are up in that area. So there's is some economic uh hardship on the people that are in that area and some of the neighbors. So, I'm putting that out there to see if uh we can maybe look at having staff again spend about an hour or so writing up a memo potentially doing something about the unhitched trailers and the vanlords. So, I'm just opening it up for discussion and if I mean I was swer maybe you know if we should we ask the staff to look into some uh ordinance going forward with and hitch trailers. >> I'm not entirely sure how we move forward on this. Um I guess this is a question if we want to add something to our work plan essentially um in this last six months now. Um do we do we want to take a straw poll to add an item onto our work plan? Will we have to remove items from our work plan in order to move this forward? A memo. Okay, we want a memo. Council member Hicks. So, I'm just a little unclear on what a memo a memo that is an action plan. How that's different than putting it on that's putting it on the agenda. Maybe spell out somebody can spell out what that is. >> Well, okay. My thought is because we're going to be coming up on February and I rather have something in place that everybody has an idea what's happening the people out in the RV parks and the in the trailers that they all of a sudden they don't something happens but here they they're giving them opportunity to give input to what's going on and understand what's happening out there. Vice Mayor Clark, >> I think what would be helpful, and I'm curious for feedback, um, after reviewing the memo that we received, and thank you for all the time and effort that went into that, the the one thing that I'm most concerned about, um, having some sort of semblance of either conversation or at least knowing what our options are is what exactly happens in February when the settlement expires because I don't think unless I missed it because I have I I I might have missed it in the memo but I think understanding exactly what happens in February you know one assumption is that measure she ma basically we go back in time to what August of 2022 where measure C governs and um the settlement expires and we're we're basically transported back in time then to when what the voters passed governs. I'm not sure everyone sitting at this day is necessarily wants that to happen. Um and but maybe I'm wrong uh as to what actually happens then. But I think understanding from a legal perspective what will happen if we take no action between now and February would be helpful for us to know and that can be a confidential memo maybe if it if it pertains um to the settlement. But I that aspect of it is kind of what I'm most curious about because that assuming we don't want to just sit here and do nothing and have everything expire and have an outcome we don't want, then we probably should start thinking about that. And I assume we probably don't necessarily need to authorize staff time. We would naturally, I would hope as a proactive city, think about these things in advance, but um I see Audrey, so I'll stop talking. >> Uh thank you, Vice Mayor Clark. Um, uh, Mayor Ramos, members of the council, Audrey Seymour, assistant city manager. Um, what will happen at the end of February when the Navaro settlement agreement expires is that there will no longer be a requirement that the city maintain at least 3 miles of street where the parking of oversized vehicles is not prohibited. And we will no longer be required to provide a map that shows parking restrictions throughout the city and those segments where there are no restrictions that limit oversized vehicle parking. Nothing else. Well, and there are some noticing requirements regarding when the city does um its uh street cleaning program and also if a vehicle is uh oversized and parked um illegally in an area covered by the narrow streets ordinance or the bike lane ordinance. There are special noticing requirements for um how the police interface with those vehicles, letting giving them a copy of the map, for example, and not immediately citing. Those are the things that will discontinue with the expiration of the the settlement agreement. There will not be and so and that will mean that the narrow streets ordinance and the bike lane ordinance will continue to be enforced and in place. um and nothing else will change in the areas that aren't covered by those two ordinance um absent uh further additional direction from council. So, there were some things that happened around the same time as the Navaro um settlement agreement that related to specific criteria adopted by the council for where there would be the posting of no 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. parking. And um that criteria resulted in some changes to where that restriction um would apply. and there were signs removed in the areas where there once had been signs, that does not revert back to anything um automatically as a result of the the settlement agreement expiring. >> Okay, that makes sense. >> Okay. Yeah. I I think if there's a general understanding that it's okay for us to have conversations with staff and to start thinking about this before February without, you know, a giant study session or work plan. I think that's one thing because that's I don't necessarily desire that, but I I just don't want to be in a world where we have really kicked the can down the road to the point where we've created a mess for um we've just created an enormous amount of uncertainty for folks who are on our streets and living in streets and who who deserve to know what is or isn't happening on what timeline. And that's that's my concern and which I think council member probably shares too. >> Uh, so that was Vice Mayor Clark. Council member Ramirez. >> Thank you, Mayor. I I think I'm um leaning more in the direction that Vice Mayor Clark just expressed that um I guess I I have two concerns. One is I don't want to uh delay or um remove existing work plan items that would might otherwise be completed by the end of the year um for for a new priority like this. This is not something that I'm personally um interested in spending a great deal of staff time on. Um, so I I wouldn't support um a proposal to have staff do new work that they hadn't been contemplating uh that would displace existing, in my opinion, higher priority work. Um uh but I also uh appreciate and agree with um the vice mayor's comment or observation that we don't necessarily want to leave uh everything in a state of total unc uncertainty. Um I think the the two memos that we've received from staff um are I thought pretty comprehensive. There's a lot of analysis, a lot of uh suggestions for u next steps including a significant amount of um activity ongoing right there. I don't know how much of this we can talk about because was it was I can't remember if the memo was confidential or not. Um it was not um but like there you know the there were tables uh with information about citations and toes and that kind of thing. um a significant amount of outreach and then um from what I recall staff working with major employers who are proactively um conducting capital improvements, right, installing bike lanes, which would also then trigger the bicycle um lane ordinance, the parking prohibition for for streets with bike lanes. So, I I I feel like there is a significant amount of attention being paid to this. Um but if there's something along the lines of what Vice Mayor Clark was describing where um especially the members of the council who are going to continue to serve um you know can work maybe at a more informal level with staff and talk about you know here are things that maybe some of you would would be comfortable with and also where are your red lines that would at least provide some clarity and then maybe even some guidance for staff you know come the end of this year or January February where have a pretty good sense of where the council's leaning. I mean, you're already very good about this, city manager. Um, so I'm I'm I I would agree. I'm not really interested in a big study session, but um some way for for the council to continue to receive the information that staff has already been providing, I think, very well. And then also maybe informally getting some guidance from the council members who are going to be staying on about what what might make sense for immediate term or near-term actions. Council member Mallister. >> Yeah, I just had a question. Um, so the Navaro uh settlement that didn't include the unhitched trailers, did it? Is that I mean it's >> include them in what? In in what way? The Navaro settlement didn't really it it just defined oversized vehicles and and references oversized vehicles. So, it didn't really um I I wouldn't when when you say did it include the unhitched trailers, do you mean in specifically allowing them to park? >> Well, do they have the same 72 hours because it's a trailer and not a RV and not a vehicle? I'm a little confused of that. There may be some part of the thing, but it's not part of enforcement or they have their own type of enforcement. So, I wasn't sure how that actually worked. So, the Navaro settlement did not impact the 72-hour parking requirement that was left intact as even as a result of the settlement agreement. And um I'm not certain why unhitched trailers are not subject to the same 72-hour rule. I believe they are. >> Here's somebody. Madame Mayor, Vice Mayor, Council, uh Mike Canfield, Nom's Police Chief to answer the question specifically related to uh unhitched vehicles. They are required to follow the same 72-hour enforcement as vehicles with motors or if they were hitched. There is no exception. >> What about notifying the person in it or the the register owner of the vehicle? Is there some confusion on how they somebody gets notified who in it or rents it so forth? >> There is challenge associated to it. Specifically, if it is rented, it becomes harder to move. You have to find somebody that's then able to move it. Um, but the the complexity is more in the application of enforcement than the the law itself. But there is no carve out that that protects unattach uh unattached trailers. >> Yeah, I was confused a little bit. That's why I asked for clarity because but it is more complicated to do whatever you have to do than >> enforcement is a challenge has its challenges. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Vice Mayor Clark. >> I think if it's clear and I see council member Hicks in the queue. I think if it's clear that we're um individual council members or um you know a group short of a brown act is is okay to explore concepts or things that came out of the memo more deeply with staff especially um concepts like um you know there there are more than just enforcement actions you know there are um there are incentives that I think other communities have explored um as long as I think there's an understanding understanding that it's okay to do that as long as we're not taking up so much staff time that we're taking them away from other things and other priorities and that they are very much authorized to say to close the door in our face and say we've we've got other things to do. That's that's all I'm asking for and maybe that's all always been implied. I just want to make sure that that's okay and we don't I don't get my hand smacked by my colleagues at some point later on. But um [laughter] I try not to do that every but every every now and then I deserve it. But >> all right. Uh city manager McCarthy. >> Thank you, Mayor. So So staff has an obligation to be preparing for the end of this settlement as it as it is now. So there's only a few months left. Um, as you all are aware, as you've heard from our assistant city manager, uh we have been uh working with and have been contacted by various uh businesses and residents. And so we are working with uh various people um to try and help solve some of the challenges that we're facing. So that will continue. And we do have our human services division. Um obviously our police department um is also working via the the neighborhood and event services division. So this this work will continue because we have to be prepared for what's happening um in February. So we don't necessarily need council direction for that. I believe that uh if there is interest in seeing what other options there are, that is something that staff can can work on. I don't necessarily see this as a work plan item because it's it's just part of, you know, kind of some of the day-to-day things that staff's having to address along with multiple other things that that we're working on. Um, if there is a desire tonight for council to give specific direction though for staff to look at anything specific, then I would ask that you take a straw poll. Otherwise, just know that uh I think what the vice mayor has suggested um could also work and staff's already working on various actions. >> Thank you, city manager McCarthy. Council member Hicks. >> Well, maybe what I was going to say is redundant at this point as several other people have spoken, but since I pressed my speaking button, I'll go on. Um, so I I think it's pretty clear that things are not going to go on. They're not going to continue the same. There are multiple things that we're facing that are very different. The expiration of Navaro, a pretty big change in council and uh legislative changes that are having, you know, having vehicles uh lived in vehicles stream into Mountain View. So I think for all those reasons we we all know there going to be changes and increasing comments from uh residents and companies here and so I just encourage although I don't want to displace items that um are on the as other people have said they're on the uh our work plan for the next six months. I also don't want to I think coming next year we're going to be seeing some changes and should be preparing for that. And um so the various things that people have mentioned to move that on and and be informed so that we can ramp up to those changes and and make those changes in a thoughtful way that I think our next council council should be engaged in. I think and also the comment that was made that the people living in vehicles on our street, I mean, this is the vast majority of our homeless individuals that they should have some hint as to what's coming so they can prepare because everything will not stay the same. >> Thank you, Council Member Hicks. Council member Kame. >> Great. Thanks, Mayor. Um, so I just had two questions kind of one, what what what did did we decide on anything yet? >> Okay. >> I don't know. >> No. Okay. Um, the second is I I did want to follow up on one of the items. It had been of interest when um we spoke about this back in 2019 was the kind of the predatory practices that we're seeing related to those who um are unstably housed. I mean, lack of a better word, and in the memo, it's, you know, vanlords. Um, I know that there's three cities that have taken action against the type of predatory behavior. I think this like state legislature had like looked at maybe a bill or two about regulating that. Just kind of not sure um where we are with that. I think to me it's just kind of bifurcating the the issue a little bit. I think one of them is obviously related to the the three miles of parking, but the other is kind of more predatory practices and I think one of the actions we took this evening talking about, you know, um community opportunities for people to to purchase and um the the co-op co-op. Um, you know, I think this is another area I've personally been interested in trying to protect folks who are in um the situations where they're being in these um doiciles which cannot move and adhere to the 72 hours. um and they're the ones getting the you know notices and and perhaps ticketed and so I just I don't know how colleagues feel about that. I think that's one of the things that the councils whether this one the ones prior haven't been able to tackle. Um and I'm not sure as February approaches if that might increase. I don't know, you know, I don't know what could happen as people may feel um the strain of Navaro coming to an end. I don't know. I don't know how how else the council can tackle that, but that's one of the things that had been on my mind back in even 2019 that we've never spoken about. >> I don't even know where to go from here. Um, did you want to make >> Well, I don't I don't know. I mean, I think there's many different ideas getting floated and that's the and so I'm just bringing it up. There are cities which have already had that. I don't know if other people are curious for more information. I only saw a parag, you know, a short paragraph in our briefing. I don't know if there's more there if people are interested in that. I think that, you know, obviously there's another issue um which we're talking about is like the sunset of the settlement. So, >> all right, Council Member Mallister. >> So, were you interested in exploring how to prevent the landlords taking advantage? >> Okay. because there are examples that you know I know some people are concerned about the work plan but if we already have examples you could ask city managers if they look at other uh cities what they do with their landlords that's what you'd like to explore or get get some answers on I I'm with that too. Yeah, because that is people are being taken advantage and some of those units if you look at them and they're rented, you go, how can anybody live in those things? >> Council member Hicks. >> Uh, so I don't know whether the previous two council members who spoke, are you talking about an expanded off an off another off agenda memo with more detail on that particular issue? It it can be. I just I think that council member Kalo started the conversation with a with quite a few different topics and this is the one I'm of interest to me which is you know we have made a lot of our work as a council protecting the most vulnerable and I have been out because residents and other businesses have reached out to me. So I have been out in different parts of the community and I have seen it. I went this morning. Um, and so it is something that concerns me. We do have three cities that are examples. There wasn't a lot of information in the off agenda memo, so we could get more, but I don't know how other people feel, but of the different topics that council member Mallister put forward. Um, you it sounds like staff's preparing for February and the sunset, but this was one topic that the c the council's never tackled this council or prior iterations. Council member Ramirez. >> Thank you, Mayor. My my preference right now would be um what city manager was suggesting. I think there's there's I I feel like there's a substantial amount of work that is occurring sort of at an operational level on this including some preliminary investigations of policy approaches. Um some of I think vanlording was mentioned if I'm not mistaken in that memo. Um I I have a different perspective about the van llording proposal. um in part because of the the as a practical matter right when San Jose looked at it last year the ordinance it was ostensively about vanlording but it's it's very difficult to enforce and the primary enforcement mechanism is basically a prohibition against living in RVs. So like I I think it it is not a good thing and I don't think we should be encouraging it but you know if if you know moving too far down the road basically is just it's it's a de facto RV ban and I think that's something that a council can consider you know I'm not going to be on the council for very much longer but I I personally would be reluctant to you know suspend existing work to elevate that. That's just my opinion. um about any of it. Um my general preference is to not displace any of our existing workload. Uh that's kind of first and and foremost because a lot of the workload if if if we add this into a workload, it's going to change just by the nature of we're we're losing people on our council that may have different ideas about it. Um, I don't know when when this item will come back to council relating to the Navaro settlement. I'm assuming it will eventually. Um, and we could probably guide some feedback to staff. um as um council vice mayor Clark was mentioning um about like things that the policies that were in the off agenda memo that we recently had and there are still more policies that uh city staff are exploring when it eventually comes back to us. Um, and we probably are hearing from our counterparts in other cities about the different policies there, which we can also direct staff to consider when it comes back. I don't anticipate it coming back anytime soon. Well, I mean, I guess it depends on what you mean by soon. Um, I think if if if something is coming back to us, I wouldn't mind looking into vanlording. Particularly what I'm kind of interested interested in vanlording is how how prevalent it might be. I've been hearing different stories about it um from different contacts. I've been hearing from when we we did a while back um I I was with Vice Mayor Clark. I don't know if I was mayor yet at that point where we were just hopping into a vans and uh with the MVPD on a ride along. Um I don't remember when that happened but like it was a year ago um where there was discussion about vanlording and there were some stats that uh MVPD gave us. I don't think it was in the memo about the stats of like the percentage of how many our residents uh the RV residents were um renting the van from renting the RV from someone. Uh I've heard different numbers from like the law foundation on how actual prevailent it is. Um and they are different numbers. Um so it it would be kind of interesting uh to understand that when it becomes something. Um I see council me not council member um city manager McCarthy on the line. Save us. >> Yes. Thank you mayor. So um to be clear about what's going to happen in February. So what will happen in February is everything will revert revert back to what the status quo was before. So the terms of the settlement that we're under now we will no longer be under the terms of those settlements. Um that also means that the city could explore options like looking at the predatory practices, um looking at the unhitched trailers, which um are problematic uh for reasons that the police chief said and and also um the restrictions that we're under in providing warnings. And then if no one's there, you don't even know who you're giving a warning to, who the owner is, who has it there. and we could have our officers spending hours or even days chasing down trying to figure out who a trailer belongs to. So, I think there is some lowhanging fruit there that would be more uh simple ordinances um that wouldn't displace the work that you all have prioritized for us to do. We are still working on all of that work plan and and that will not stop because of this. Um but I think just uh realistically from an operations level as folks have mentioned uh we just have to be prepared for um the messaging, the noticing u some sort of transition plan so no one is caught off guard um and especially those that are the most vulnerable. So perhaps what the easiest thing might be is for you all to just provide a general, you know, thumbs up or agreement um that staff will continue uh to work on options um that are related to the settlement ending. And then as far as timing goes, I think that can be a conversation that that I have with council members um and what's realistic with what the work plan is versus how long some of these things might take because we are still in the settlement until February. So, um we can be working on things, but there's still some things we just cannot change at this point. So, if council's comfortable with giving that direction, um it could be kind of a a medium between what all of you have said, knowing that we're going to be working on uh these items and then um coming back to you all at some point in the future. >> Does that does that sound good to people? >> Okay. [clears throat] Uh so uh next um I guess if that um council member committee you're still in the queue. Should we do this? Oh, go ahead. >> Thanks. Um thanks city manager McCarthy. Thanks Mayor. I think that sounds fine. I just want to be explicit and clarify that my interest in and even discussion of vanlords was not to was not the same purpose as it sounds like perhaps the city of San Jose. Council member Ramirez, you know, I just wanted I think it's really important to to clarify that. I think mine is specifically related to predatory practices. I am seeing firsthand and how we're helping all of our residents, housed or unhoused, who are the most vulnerable. And I just wanted to clarify that it's not to obstensively do what other jurisdictions may have done. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Kame. Um, with that, should we thumbs up on on what uh city manager McCarthy All right. All right. Right, we have mostly thumbs up. Um, which is good enough. And, uh, with that, I don't see, um, anyone else in the docket for item nine. Um, so with that, I will, uh, report out that I, um, I went to the public art ribbon cutting. Um, there's a new public art at our transit station. Yay us. And I probably suffer from heat stroke. And this is why I don't go outdoors. Um then after that I uh joined uh several of my colleagues for the city's association Santa Clara County where we went over like emergency response essentially. Um and then I went to the wagon wheel ice cream social which was partially paid for by our neighborhood grants and they are very appreciative of that. On the 18th I went to the AAG general assembly. Um, and then on the 20th, we had our together in Pride event with these lovely t-shirts that are being modeled spectacularly by my two colleagues right next to me. Um, and then we had a another ribbon cutting for the breakfast club. Um, which is delicious. We ate so much food. RIP my diet. Um, and with that, um, thank you so much for joining us. Um, the council will enter summer recess. So, our next council meeting will be held on August 25th, 2026. And this meeting is adjourned at 11:05. And we are halfway through my mayor administration.]]> https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/5jVf9gA_Cos https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/5jVf9gA_Cos Tue, 23 Jun 2026 18:03:43 GMT The Parks, Recreation, and Urban Forestry Board approved June 10 minutes and then heard two heritage tree removal appeals. For 560 Franklin Street, a London plane tree, the board voted 3-2 to deny the appeal and uphold staff's decision to approve removal, citing poor structure from PG&E pruning, driveway construction needs, and forestry practice, over objections about lost canopy and parking. The second appeal for a Monterey pine at 2714 Preston Drive involved beetle infestation and pitch canker, where the property owner sought removal but staff recommended treatment and preservation; discussion was ongoing when the transcript ended. Roll call and quorum Approval of June 10 minutes Oral communications from public Audio issues from outside music 560 Franklin heritage tree appeal London plane tree condition and pruning Driveway redesign and parking impacts PG&E improper tree removal Tree species and biodiversity concerns Board deliberation and vote 2714 Preston heritage tree appeal Turpentine beetle and pitch canker Chemical treatment options Root stability and removal concerns > Okay, we have Commissioner Bryant, Commissioner Davis, >> Commissioner Sylvester, >> Vice Chair Summer, and Chair. We have since our last meeting of the year, we have a little musical company >> behind behind us. Um, let's see. Uh, we'll now go on to the approval of the minutes from the June 10th meeting which was just last week. So, this we remember them pretty well probably from then. Um, first of all, I just want to see if there's any public comment on the June 17th or June 10th. With that, I'll bring it back to the commission to see if anybody would like to make a motion. >> So, comment first. >> Tell me if I'm wrong. The minutes indicate a campus approval or motion to postpone the meeting. I think so. >> I probably mumbled it. So, if you didn't update that and I can bring them back the next time. >> Yeah, I can change that. >> I'm sorry. I did not hear that. >> Clear on which which vote it was. >> Um, it was to continue item 5.1 to a date to be determined and you voted no. >> Okay. So I'll make a motion to approve this as amended. >> Second. >> All right. >> Okie dokie. >> And we Okay. We have Commissioner Bryant. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Davis. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Sylvester. >> Yes. >> Vice Chair Summer. >> Yes. >> And Chair Mitch. >> Yes. >> Passes 50. Okay. Okay, we'll now move on to oral communications from the public. Uh, this portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the commission on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are limited to three minutes and state law prohibits the commission from acting on non-aggenda items. If you're in the room and would like to speak, please fill out a blue card. And if you're online, please use raise hand feature Zoom. Allison Flynn will recognize you. So this first one again is the items that are not on the agenda. So this is one of the two tree appeals. This would not be the time to speak. So is there anybody? >> Yeah, you'll have an that's not for now. >> Not now. >> Yeah, later. Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. Okay. Any there anybody in the room? >> All right. We'll now close public comments. >> Um, someone Diana is on and she said the music. It's not loud. here. What's happening at um >> hi board. Um it sounds a bit garbled. I will say that. Do we have any opportunities? Um, I'm checking with it. We have somebody here comes to our rescue. So, we pause for a second. >> Yeah, maybe we can pause those online. We're going to pause for a minute or two to see if we can uh we have band music outside and just want to see if we can make this as clear as possible for people online. If we can't find the micro business here. Are we sure they go to eight? >> That's what it says online is it says 4 to 8 p.m. >> does. >> Oh yeah, that I could not tell. half hour. >> I guess the alarm is building across the street. If I can ask myself as a result of these like I any uninvited. >> It's not working out. It's not you, it's me. >> Sorry. >> No more tree for a >> I can't do anything else. Yes, they asked me not to >> bad something rect. >> Sorry about it. I don't know. >> I don't know if we put something on such a nice pan last time. >> Well, there is a here. Let me show you. We have two microphones in the ceiling. >> One is >> you see how that one's red now. >> So that one's muted. So the sound is only going through this one microphone. That's one option you guys have. >> When the audience does talk, you may want to talk. Okay, >> it's really the only audio option I have for people. Unfortunately, we don't have any like handful next weekend. That's right. >> Okay, >> Diana, can you hear me very well right now? >> Yeah, the sound actually sounds much better. >> Break right now. When they start back up, they will turn the volume down. >> Oh, wow. lot of gold. >> We'll see how low how much lower. Even the staff working out there said it was loud. So, >> thank you. Appreciate it. >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> All right, we're going to proceed to item 5.1 on the agenda. We'll try to speak up just to be clear right now at the end of the break, but we'll speak loudly. Um, this is a heritage tree removal application appeal at 560 Franklin Street. Um, before we start, I'm going to go through the procedures on this one. And I also want to introduce our two city attorneys. Um, so first of all, our city assistant city attorney Francesca Serrano will be representing city staff and senior assistant attorney Dave Wilggas will be representing the urban forest report. The process on this one is we will start with a staff report. We will then move on to the appellant who will have 10 minutes. We will then go to the applicant who will have 10 minutes. Then it will come to the urban forestry board for questions. We'll then open it up for public comment and then staff will have two minutes and this time the order gets flipped and so the applicant will have two minutes, the appelllet will have two minutes and then PRC will uh deliberate deliberate and make motion and vote. Um for the just to introduce the players on this um the owner is Michael Hock and Robin Lynn. The applicant is Kyle Smith and the accountant is Timothy Lee. Um the applicant um Kyle Smith I don't know whether he is here or not but whether he is here or he wants to allocate some of his time to the owner that would be that would be fine because he's probably representing the I will turn it over to forestry manager Russell Hansel. >> Thank you commissioner. Um so again we're here this evening to talk about 560 Franklin Street Heritage Tree appeal. Um, on the slide that's currently visible, you can see the overall layout of the property. The yellow dot with the red circle around it is the location of the tree in question that we're here for the appeal hearing. Um, that tree itself is one London London plane or platinus acerogia. It has approximately a 24 inch diameter. Um, it has good to fair health. um when we investigated or we inspected it and ultimately it had what we felt was poor structure. Um the application itself from the property owner or excuse me from the property owner's representative um check the box for the tree is in poor health and that the tree removal is necessary to construct new improvements. Um I'll get to that in a second. Um on the photographs that we can see on the screen here um it shows the existing condition before the prior it shows the condition at the time of the application which shows the prior home behind it. The tree to the left is the tree in question again that we're here for an appeal hearing on. And then there was some question about the tree to the right. Ultimately that tree was removed by PG& improperly. they did not have proper permits for that tree and we are currently working through that resolution with them and the owner that once we figure out where we're going with everything else we'll figure out where that replant or otherwise may go. Uh but P Gen has committed to removing the remaining stump as well as giving a replant to the property owner so that they can replant it properly. If we look on the photo to the right um that shows kind of the alignment of the tree to the home. Um, it's a little bit difficult to see here, but basically as you're standing on the street and you're looking at the tree, it comes approximately, I would say, three feet in front of the existing garage. It still does have, you can't see it in this photograph, um, because the black car is there, but ultimately the existing um, driveway approach was maintained during construction. Um, so that is still an option to maintain that driveway path. It just doesn't line up really easy. It makes it challenging for visibility for pedestrians or for cars that may be passing by as somebody's trying to back out. You know, there's just there's ultimately a little bit of challenge in terms of the alignment. Um, if we go to the rendering that was provided to us from the property owner and their u developer or their contractor, um, we can kind of see the overall scenario that we're talking about where that driveway approach currently is lined up with the property line to the left. as you go to the right, I believe that driveway is nine feet across currently, um, is what the measurement on that one was, where the driveway that's behind it, they're trying to expand that to 18 feet to accommodate two cars in the actual private property portion of the driveway. Um, and so you can see that creates some alignment issues where trying to pull in, especially if you were coming down towards the driveway and turned right into the driveway to almost make a U-turn to get back into that second spot. There's just some challenges there ultimately. And so, um, to widen that driveway apron, we're already at the point where we're concerned about root loss or otherwise. And so it's really a scenario where we feel like either that current driveway approach is maintained or we actually take the tree and we allow them to expand it to 18 feet. Um again another drawing that's kind of representative. You can see I've got the 18 ft circled in the middle of the driveway in the red circle. You can see the two lines in red that are the driveway um as it's proposed. And then as we get to the approach at the bottom, you can see that yellow is where we've highlighted the existing approach. The green circle is where the tree is located. And then that red circle or the red line, excuse me, would be where that apron feathers out a little bit. We always feather out our aprons just a little bit to provide some turning space as they go into that. And so that's for the angle or that's the reason for the angle on the line or the red line to the right there. So, those are the overall scenarios that we're looking at in terms of the layout. When we get to the tree itself, the photograph on the left, um I've got a couple three arrows there showing um where basically the tree has previously been headed as well as that you can see that it has been what we call V-shaped pruned to provide adequate clearance. PG& has certain um requirements that they have to meet for the electrical grid. Typically that means at least three to five feet of direct clearance. They also tried to prohibit anything from growing over the top of the lines that could fall and actually cross phase those lines, create power outages or otherwise. And so that's the concern we have with the existing tree is just that V-shaped pruning and the overall lateral limb structure is just less than ideal. It is more prone to limb failures or other issues. Um, if we look at the tree to the right or the photo to the right, I've taken a couple uh arrows as well to show where we have made some structural cuts on those limbs in order for them to proceed um with the construction of the home while all of this was kind of considered and and so forth. Um, they did need to gain access to that because they had their building permit. We worked with them to actually take those pruning cuts back to where we could as best we could to match up with the prior heading or reduction cuts. Um, but in at least one of those cases, you can see the the one to the top of the screen there. Um, we actually had to come back an extra foot or so um to provide adequate clearance for the crane to be able to lift the modules um or the panels for the home itself. So overall, the work that was done doesn't really impact or doesn't affect the way that we're looking at the structure of the tree because they are simply reducing some end weights that we would have been concerned about anyway. So that's why we allowed them to proceed with those pruning cuts. Um and so ultimately where we ended up with is that we found the condition of the tree required its removal because of the V-shaped pruning by the pre by the PG& contractor. Um, we felt that the tree that the staff's evaluation found that the removal of the heritage tree was necessary to construct improvements under building permit 25 11295. And then as the tree um as the tree impeded construction of the new driveway. Um staff's evaluation found that the tree or found that the aesthetic qualities and function of the trees do not provide significant benefit because of the reductions and so forth that are being done for the electrical clearance. And then lastly staff's evaluation of the tree found that the tree should be removed due due to good forestry practice as ultimately that tree itself should typically grow to 70 80 feet plus just doesn't have the space underneath the lines etc. it will be requiring ongoing maintenance by PG to maintain that. The tree ultimately just will not fulfill its full potential and so kind of all of those factors we felt that it met more than just one of those criteria. That's why we have approved the tree. There is one additional note that I wanted to provide this evening. Um there were some questions about um kind of the uh pro how the property owner proceeded with construction under the permit and if it would have been affected if we hadn't or if we'd have done the appeal previously. Long story short, property owners originally filed this appeal or filed this application. Um we did allow for the removal of the magnolia in the backyard. Um that that one ultimately was right within the footprint of the building or otherwise and it just couldn't be saved and also had some other issues. So, we approved that one. This second one was approved, but it was appealed because of the delays. When we had talked to the property owner about when we were going to be able to conduct the hearing, they were concerned about cost overruns. And so we had a conversation with them, actually multiple conversations with them. And ultimately through those conversations, we kind of agreed that they could in fact proceed with construction knowing full well that we may not finally approve this tree and they may be dealing with the current design and they willing to accept those consequences knowing that ultimately it may be denied and they have to work around it. So, I just wanted to be clear with that that the owners did work with us very closely to kind of get to that point as well. So, that's where I'll stop and see. >> Thank you very much. Um, we'll now move on to the Helen. Uh, Timothy Lee has your time. You'll have up to 10 minutes. And again, you'll have two minutes two more minutes later on. >> Hold on a second. You want to turn the microphone on? >> Oh, there it goes. >> Thank you for your time. Uh, consideration. First of all, I'm really a proponent of all our city chapters regarding street trees and heritage trees. I believe in the benefits of the air or handling the air quality oxygen, the absorption of carbon dioxide and oxygen gas. And I firmly believe that those issues have been exposed to or in chapter 32. part about the existing driveway. I I looking at it and it's on the side of where the deep driveway is. So that although it might be awkward in it's accessible. The other thing is by widening the existing driveway or allowing a driveway >> may actually reduce on street parking on street parking at the library very limited. So I I said well the use of datacing goons to London plane streets within a year. And these London trains have survived under these very adverse conditions under the under the wires inadequate. They have survived and they are living and they're producing. oxygen gas that they are trading living organism contributing to the community and the environment for a driveway. So basis of my appeal is that should have idea of the wise use of alternatives. It's a new driveway wise use for the life plane tree which has survived many years. Incidentally, I wonder if the ring fountain done the one that was cut down and so that it's it has survived all together and I think that allow it to survive more that thank you. Thank you. >> All right. Uh, we'll now move on to the >> and I don't know whether that's going to be Kyle Smith, Michael Hock, or Robin >> Lynn. Okay, go ahead. And if you wanted any of those other folks are here and I'll just start you um >> yeah thank you so much um forestry department Russell and Matt um thank you so much for your thoughtful work preserving and expanding forest slightly Louder. >> Yeah, >> thanks. >> Louder. Okay. >> I'm sorry. Uh your job looks hard from the outside, so I'm sure it's much harder on the inside. So, really appreciate uh you both she separating us through um this process and still trying to honor uh the charter of the department. So, thank you very much. Also, thank you so much again to the uh commission, the committee for your time and consider consideration. Uh, I know there's so many competing community priorities and as a longtime lurker, uh, I I find that it's been very, uh, you've deliberated them very thoughtfully. So, thank you again for, um, taking the time to consider this. >> Uh, yeah. Okay. So, I'm, you know, Robin, I'm the homeowner and applicant. Um, in the past, I've spent quite a bit of time advocating for parks and open space in Mount View. So, I appreciate um kind of the challenges related to that. Um I'm also a woodworker, so it's not like I, you know, want to burn trees down or anything. So, I appreciate the value of our our precious um uh trees and forest. Um so, this isn't so this is to say I didn't come to this application lightly. Um next slide, please. Uh but ultimately I think for three reasons um we decided to file this application. Um mainly uh the first is community safety, the second is around biodiversity and the third is the need to create a compliant site design. Next slide please. So I'd like to really talk about the concept of right tree, right place. Um I absolutely support preserving heritage trees where possible. Um I whenever possible. I think we should also really consider >> we think about heritage the heritage trees today. We also need to think about what are the heritage trees that our future generations will inherit. You know a tree planted today um can become the heritage tree of tomorrow but only if it's given the opportunity to thrive. Um the London plane tree in question um is you know it's a little small here but it's classified by on the city tree list as a large scale tree not suitable to be planted under oh thank you under high voltage lights um and and as a result of that that's why PG& has come um periodically to I guess it out orally pruning. Um, in contrast, the types of trees that are allowed under high high voltage power lines are small scale trees. Um, and the one that we would replace this tree with is one of those trees. Um, in other words, I think if if we think about today, if I were to apply to plant a London plane tree under in that same location, I city policy nor staff would approve this application. They'd be like, no way. Um, next slide, please. And rightfully so. Um I think both the arbor our arborist and the staff reports describe a tree that has required this repeated directional pruning by PG because of its location. Uh yes, the tree has survived, you know, all these repeated interventions, but I would say survival isn't the same as thriving, right? If you look at this tree, I mean, even with less on it, um it's still not like how we would want a tree to be represented in our city, right? Um and you know as as uh as has been stated um this directional pruning can contribute to weak attachments and long-term structural concerns. >> So I guess I wanted to take us through a little bit of what it would look like if the appeal was granted and the and the tree was allowed to remain which is totally you know fine as well if that's the decision of the committee. Um, I think what it would mean is that we would continually have to have ongoing intervention in order to make this coexistence work between the tree and lines. U PG& would have to we would rely on PG& to come make sure that they continually uh directionally prune it. um and the city would have to continue to manage the remaining canopy and monitor it for potentially um the remaining branches. >> In other words, like commits us to a status to an ongoing cycle of maintaining the situation or a species of tree that isn't well suited to the site. Um again, this is right tree, right place. Uh and this is why that concept is so important, right? Rather than relying on indef indefinite pruning or maintenance to manage the conflict between the tree and power line, we have an opportunity right now to replace it with a species that can thrive, mature, that can become tomorrow's heritage tree. And I believe this is a better long-term outcome both the community and our urban forest. Next slide, please. Um, so in other words, this isn't like a choice between tree today or no tree. It's actually a choice between maintaining a large tree in a location where it's going to require ongoing intervention that will potentially eventually weaken it to the point where it needs to be removed or replacing it with a species that's suited to the site that can mature that can really contribute to our urban um can urban forest and the canopy that we all want. Um next slide please. So I think the second thing that um you know in following along with silently what the committee what the committee have gone through are kind of been working on over the years is um looking at the biodiversity plan which I guess will be reviewed next week or so um by city council and looking at London Plains it's actually pretty close to I guess the 10% limit biodiversity kind of guardrails that we've put on the city. Um and so, you know, it represents a significant share of the city's tree population while our proposed um replacement is still, you know, a little further behind. So I think approving this application would not only reduce our commit or would would not reduce our commitment to the urban canopy would actually strengthen it and create a more diverse and resilient urban force for future generations. Uh next and yeah so the last reason is in order to create the code compliance site right we worked with the urban forestry public works department we tried to find alternative site designs that would not only meet um city code construction codes but also preserve the tree I think if we had found such a solution we would have obviously ly found it. Uh we would have al obviously pursued it. I think it was very unfortunate that during this time a gening contractor came and randomly chopped down the other tree for unknown reasons. Um so that's probably what's you know not not helpful for any of us right. Um but I think given the fact that public group public works determine that there are no other uh driver configurations and um urban forestry ultimately the removal. Um and next slide lastly I wanted to just kind of touch on the impact to our build. like our build is relatively small. Um, but even small delays have had meaningful impact. All total, this has in a 20-month project, this has represented a three-month delay, which sounds like a little, but it's actually 15%. There's all the carrying costs, the um the work that city staff, that our engineers, architect, builders, additional work that they've had to undergo. Um, I raised this not because I want to complain. It's more just a real example of the impacts that our policies very well-intentioned can have financially on um myself and potentially builders, right? Mountain View is under a lot of pressure build and um I think it's really uh just indicative of the challenges that people face. Um next slide. So anyway, I wanted to really just thank you all. I think the main point is thriving urban forest is what we all want and I think this is uh one of the ways that we can >> accomplish it. Thank you. >> Thank you. And you'll have a little bit more time later. Um, so now I'm going to bring it back to the urban forestry board for questions. And I think let's for questions let's start on this end and then when we do the other maybe the I'll just start talking while you're doing that. >> Thank you. Sorry. It's my understanding that the lower wires, the thick ones are phone and cable and those are the ones that are Jason the tree power lines with the high. Is that correct? >> That is correct. Yes. >> Sorry. >> Yes. tree is actually quite wondering about driveway variations that were not city standard. Do we have any information? We know what those variations were. Share with us what are >> in terms of kind of the different designs that were considered or what's to bring it into compliance or both. >> Right. >> Okay. So ultimately what we were trying to do is figure out how closely we could shift it towards the tree without cutting so many roots that we basically became concerned. We also talked about even shifting it to the other side now that that other tree was gone and if we could get alignments. There were multiple kind of discussions that we had in terms of that. Um, in terms of code compliance, the only one that I'm going to speak towards that I'm aware of was that typically we want driveways approximately 5 feet from a property line. We don't typically want them right up against the property line any longer. We try to create that, but they do allow variances. They do allow them to remain right up against the property line. >> In terms of the driveway, five feet from the edge. >> No. Well, yes, that is a forestry practice as well, but what I was what I was meaning to say is five feet from the property line to the start of a driveway approach. So, right now that apron is right at the property line. We were trying to shift that over even as little as three, four, five feet to get that accomplished. When we did that, we were still just to even get a little nine foot driveway or otherwise that was usable that would meet code requirement. Um, we were still way too close to the tree. we were going to be cutting into roots or otherwise that we were further concerned about the structure. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, um I know lots of driveways that are on the property mine including mine and it's very my neighbor and that's it done in commercial areas. Um, so talk to me about this variance, driveway variance process that all is occurring at the staff level. >> Again, I won't speak to that because that's typically something that's handled under the permit with public works, but I would say yes. It's, as far as I know, that never rises to council or commissions or >> Okay. So they just make a discretionary decision based on what they're seeing and decide about what what to uh you know what makes sense given the parking or I assume it's >> again I can't speak to that other than to say that is my understanding that staff based on what they know have been approved previously or otherwise is allowed to do that at the staff Think about a couple other ways to do it and still >> um that you saw provided to those conversations with the idea of switching down to a 9 foot. So they would have to the car that's the farthest to the right would have to kind of make a hard maneuver to get to that. >> That is correct. Yes. Um, that's all I have. Thank you. >> My mind once again is the villain here. Um, is there nothing more the city can do in terms of demanding accountability than having can we demand a little more satisfaction? >> There are mechanisms within the ordinance that we can do that. The problem is is that they are somewhat subjective based on appraised values which can be very difficult to assign especially for a tree that's been removed. While we may have street views, it's about how current those street views are, etc. And kind of establishing that value because it's heavily weighted on health, structure, all kinds of other things that we may not be able to actually assign good values to. And so >> that's not even question. Question for the property. Were you the property owner when that uh tree was removed by >> uh yeah I went there and happened to be there that day. They were and then by >> with no notice and >> no >> it was a contract. So data >> yeah ultimately PG&E had gone through a transition with contractors that they do that frequently every year or two they rebid their contracts and that frequently results in new contractors coming in. One of the things PG& does is they hire one contract uh consultant company to do all their auditing and put I'll say temporary um work assignments into their database for what should be done. In this case, they did that. They called it out for removal. What typically happens is PG then reviews all of those decisions before they get reassigned to a contractor. In this case, that P Gen step got missed. The original consultant identified it for removal and their contractor immediately jumped on the removal and took it down. um >> they identified health >> don't know but typically yes it's health and and just overall risk presented okay um you a number of times staff report that the condition of treat removal is required as structure is poor due to the shade. So all the way down the street you've got identical tree forms. So anybody along Franklin? >> Negative. >> I would not. >> There are additional considerations. I the form of the tree is significant. Okay. Um is it true that the city just think that the city is responsible? >> Again the way property owners are responsible for the tree. That's the bottom line. By code property owners are responsible for the tree and its maintenance. The city does try to supplement those services or supplement that by providing services such as pruning, removal or planting so that we have better control over that and that we know that it's being done proper. >> That is correct. And in a testing situation like before the commission for a home, you would come and do that if there was a safety issue potentially. Yes, we we would ultimately default back to PG& to make sure the lines are cleared and everything first. Well, but just the line clearance aspect of it. Once we know that it's clear and it's safe, that's typically when we send our guys in. um they are trained in electrical hazard. I feel comfortable with them working there, but we just typically it's a default. It helps us to kind of have them do that first. When we have done that in the past, we actually have staff out there on site talking with the contractor from Pen working through the tree as they do. >> Thank you. That's it. >> Yes. Thank you. Sorry, I'm breaking the sound. I have a number of questions uh for staff. Um we're looking at this tree. Um you mentioned that there are concerns about its structure. Um questions about its health. You said it could be in poor to mix condition. So I have a few questions around that. How risky is this tree in terms of uh limb failure? especially the ones over the street or that might go over the new house like how how bad is this? >> Sure. So, within our industry, we have a tree risk assessment formula um that we use. In this case, we did not use that formula. So, I don't have a hard answer for you, but just as a quick evaluation off of this, I would put it at probably a high risk. Okay? What we have is limited um moderate, high and extreme that those are typically so it would be high but not extreme. Typically on the extreme because it's a balance as well. That risk assessment also takes into consideration not just the tree itself but any potential targets. And so ultimately that's where we go with this one is that not so much targets um a little bit over the street because it's a fairly significant parking on that street because of the library and some of the other activity in downtown. There's frequently cars that are parked underneath that. If you look at the street views, almost every one of them has cars there. Um and so that's one of the targets we would look at. The other target at least for well other two would be sidewalk. We don't see that one as as high of a risk because the structure of the tree, the issue is more further out from the tree itself. But then as well once that new home was constructed, the branches as they existed previously would have presented a opportunity to strike that home or otherwise which would have increased that risk break. >> Thank you. And in terms of the health tree, is there um evidence of disease or infestation or anything else that makes you rate it potentially poor? >> Um absolutely. Um, sycamores in general do have um, disease issues, anthrachnos, leaf, pest, leaf scale, um, etc. So, they have all of those. This is one of our I'll say non-cultivar trees. This is the standard um, London plane. Um, that ultimately in that case um, it is susceptible. Powdery mildew, anthrachnos, leaf scale. Um, I'm sure there's a couple of other ones that I could probably list, but yes, um, they were present. I would simply say those are not always fatal issues. They do create stress. They do create other issues. Um, but typically they will not kill the tree. So with that said, um what do you think of the potential longevity of three eggs given there's a lot of unknowns but >> sure >> is it towards the end of its life. Is it potentially in the middle of its life? >> I'm not precisely sure on when it was planted. >> Um and so it's always very subjective to kind of say that. Um, I'll answer that by saying that I do feel the tree would be around maybe not thriving but surviving likely for another 10 to 15 years. I think that is fair. >> And one more question for you. Um, I know we last week we talked about our concern about the overall canopy on Franklin given the trees cross on the >> at the library. >> Would the creek burrle be the best choice of tree to provide enough canopy. >> It it in terms of canopy, it's going to be very similar to anything else we would recommend. I would simply say we are not as big of a fan. While it is only 5% as the property owner presented, we still we like to keep those numbers as low as possible and there are a lot of crepe myrtles. Um the other concern with crate myrtles in general is there is a pest glassywing sharpshooter. Um I don't know if you guys watch the news much about Costco lately. Costco brought in a bunch of vines that were infested with this pest and they are scrambling to find them and get them back out because very very dangerous to our wine industry. They carry Pierce's disease and can absolutely devastate an entire vineyard very very quickly with the fungus that they carry. So crank myrtles would be typically avoided but we would try and find something similar that the property owner would be supportive of. >> And then I just have one more question and this is for the applicant. Um, I know the report talked about the potential for redesigning the driveway, moving it, maybe shaping it, curving it. Um, I'm curious if you have estimates on the cost of doing that and also how much delay it would cost for overall projects if you had to change the shape of the driveway. >> Yeah, we did consider flipping it. Unfortunately, um I think her older that would have sent us back half a year and some of it um since it's a they already kind of fabricated some of it >> and so they would have had to scrap that. Um, and also I believe public works since all the driveways on that on the Franklin are on the left. They didn't necessarily want for those reasons. >> Thank you. >> Yes. A couple of questions. Um ju just looking at at the structure of the tree. to the house statement or question. >> Uh statement and you say yes or no. >> So yeah, absolutely. Um pruning is an option to mitigate some of the risk that it is presented to the home. I would simply say anytime we take a large canopy tree and we try and maintain it smaller, it doubles or triples our maintenance cost because the frequency in the tree response and and and >> then just just following up on what Commissioner Davis said about >> what is the difference with Sure. So, ultimately it was really kind of that combination of factors. Um, you know, health and structure were part of the consideration. Obviously, the driveway construction and so forth were also something that we consider. Doesn't have to be done that way and we fully recognize that. But that's where we kind of went, well, the health and structure is bad. They're trying to get this driveway into their home so that it makes it, I'll say, less intrusive to their drive path or otherwise. And then as well, just the overall structure because this one again, if we look at the picture here, you guys can't I guess you can see my mouth when it's not in presenter, but you can see that it was previously headed right here. This is an old cut. There were also old cuts that were made over here, here, and here that ultimately those create structural weaknesses. Any branch that grows from that point out is going to be weakened. And so those were I'll say the kind of cumulative effects is that the health wasn't necessarily the best. It was good to fare and then ultimately the structure was an issue because of the driveway construction or otherwise. We just felt this one was kind of rising to that level of is it contributing much to the forest given we're going to have to keep it headed back down to keep it under the lines off of the house etc. Is it really going to do that? And so that was the other criteria where good forest practices is kind of where we relied on that as well. But it just made more sense in this case to go ahead and allow for removal. Um, another question I'm not sure about that is highly desirable for So what you're referring to is then if we did enlarge the driveway to the 18 foot plus that's going to take one additional parking space away from the community in terms of that we did not consider that. No is the only thing I can tell you. >> Absolutely. Yes. By by taking another nine feet or so, it is going to change the parking layout where you may lose a parking spot. >> So, I submitted a lot of questions. All right. I just I I want to drill down on the driveway. >> Okay. >> Could you put up the slide? >> That one >> the driveway just because >> or that one >> at least on my computer is a little bit blurred. So, can you show me where the new driveway would be under the plan and where the pad for the second part? Oops. Sorry. And so in this case, what we have currently is these two yellow lines at the bottom is the existing apron or driveway approach that goes across the park strip. Right. >> And so then if you follow this yellow line here straight up, that is basically the existing driveway as it sits now. >> And so what they're looking to do is shift it further over to where they get some additional space, not just the limited eight or nine feet here where they get the full 18 feet out of that driveway. And then we would have this other apron kind of installed right here at this red line. Does that answer your question? >> Yeah. So, so the the left side wouldn't be changing at all. >> Correct. That's the property line. >> So, that would still the ramp that's there is still could still be there, but it would be a bigger it become wider or something like that. >> Correct. As it's been presented to date. Yes. So car in theory would try to see where the garage is the one garage. >> It would end right about here at the we're between set back and line that that's going to be the approximate location of the garage. >> Okay. So the second car would park where allow the first car. >> Correct. that that was part of the challenge is that ultimately if you have one car parked in the driveway that garage becomes inaccessible. So it would be a shuffling situation. You would either have to be in the garage first and then park in the driveway or shuffle cars to be able to accommodate it because it doesn't as it existing now you would have to shift a little bit to get into the garage. >> Is that still the case? I mean where would under the new I'm looking at old red lines. Where would the new car where would the second to get through >> side by side 18 feet across. That's that gives you nine feet each for both parking spots, >> right? I just >> into the garage. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Again, I think that one maybe this is the better drawing. And let me kind of zoom back out a little bit that this one's the better kind of drawing where you can see if you have a car parked that goes halfway across the driveway, it's blocking at least one of those panels. This set of panels would ultimately be blocked by that car that's parked here. If you parked it here, it would be a similar situation because it's a very short distance from that edge of garage to where the sidewalk is. There's not a lot, you know, it's not a 50 foot driveway where you can pull in, go around the car, and then come back. >> It literally you're just right there. >> How's it different? >> Use that picture. I mean, if the driveway extends where black circle is, how is you're still going to have to >> ultimately the car that parks Well, true. Perhaps in terms of the garage, you're absolutely correct. There is still some alignment issue there, but it does allow them to park two cars in the driveway where next to the library, otherwise where parking is somewhat limited, it accommodates them putting two cars there. I mean, you know, one of the questions was just whether um whether there was an alternate potentially an alternate driveway layout that could maintain the existing driveway added adjacent concrete area second thereby designing around the tree and the response was there is or was a second driveway design that was considered. So, I mean, I guess can you tell me what that other one was that was considered? I mean, was it just this? >> Sure. >> So, the the biggest difference that you're going to see that we considered was the swapping of the driveway from that left side to the right side that to accommodate it even on the leftand side. You're absolutely correct. It's still not a perfect scenario because any car that kind of parks where my cursor or that yellow or orange arrow is is still going to create a little bit of an obstruction for somebody coming into the driveway. And so that was the reason kind of widening that driveway allowed both cars to pull in and at least park in the driveway without obstructions or otherwise having to shuffle. >> All right. Any other >> I was just wondering there was a garage >> there is a garage door. >> Yes. Correct. Yeah. That if we go back to this photograph and then I'll zoom back in for you here >> with a onecar garage. >> Correct. Correct. >> So we're basically trying >> ultimately yes. It would be one in the garage, two in the driveway. It could be potential to hold three cars. Yes. >> So I have a question might be familiar with the don't know what that is. UC Berkeley's Brow Plaza they sycamores are cut down to these nubs every year. It's actually a technique. So is that something we can do with a mature tree or do you need to start with it small? >> It is better to do when they are younger but no you absolutely you absolutely could start that with an older tree. The issue is is that when you polard those they tend to grow very very fast. Um bub uh park we have an area that's in that park where we have polararded those. We let them go a maximum of two years um between polardings that we're trying to do and they literally grow 40 to 50 feet if we do them any longer. >> Correct. Yeah. Very narrow branches, very tall upright. >> Yes. Correct. And that's where we went with the doubling and tripping of costs. >> Sure. >> All right. Any other questions before we go through our second rounding pondering questions. Any any other questions? >> All right. Uh we'll now open it for public comments. And is there anyone in the room? If you are, if you could fill out a blue card. Uh, and if there's anyone in line, use the raise hand feature. See Mr. Make his way to >> My name is Bill Lambert. I'm speaking as a homeowner and a resident of Mountain View. Um I have to say what I have to say is very short. Just go to the next slide. I won't use this one. Work this over. Um I am uh supporting the staff position and I want to say also that I'm good friends with Michael Howlet and Rob Lynn. Um so to me this is a very simple case. Uh the uh uh there's criteria in the heritage tree ordinance uh for that must be met to remove a heritage tree and not all four of them need to be met but it's a balancing act as you've uh heard. Uh this is a rare case where the staff has found that all four criteria are met here for removal of a heritage tree. We have the condition. Uh we have the necessity of uh of uh uh um improvements which is uh in construction. Um the poor form of the uh of the tree and uh forestry practices addressing the high voltage lines. Um and what we have here from the appel uh the appellant Mr. Lee what he has argued is really that heritage trees form a very important natural resource for our community and he's absolutely right about that and that's exactly what the heritage tree ordinance recognizes and addresses. As you know the threshold for moving a heritage tree is very very high. It's very rarely that purse removing a heritage tree. So this is not um you know I don't think that the staff is being remiss in um in you know exercising their their analysis. But I also would say too that the appellant really has not provided any facts, has not provided any expert uh uh analysis to counter the arguments made by the city staff and I think that really is required. Um I also want to uh mention something about uh uh Robin Lynn's presentation where she really emphasized how much you supports her tree. Um you you should you should be reminded that Robin and I worked together with Friends of Mountain View Park and that organization was really responsible for uh keeping um the Monaloma field open and preventing the Mountain View Wisman School District from completely fencing that thing off. So recognizing the value of the parks, the canopy, um and the environment in Mountain View, you know, Robin has worked hard in supporting. So really that's all I have to say and I I would request that uh permission the uh appellants uh to uh um reverse the uh decision of the city staff. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else in the room wishing to provide public comment on this? Is there anyone in the line? >> We do. We have a mayor screen here. >> Hello everyone. Um first of all I want to thank everyone for the time today. I am the builder for Robin and also representing the architectural side. Um the staff had really valid questions and I just wanted to point some fact around them. Anything in the design that we offered and we tried to change and find different solutions during the process had to be coordinated between the different departments of the city. If it's public works, if it's the arborist, if it's planning department and also building department and all the solution that we were able to receive and which was presented today, it's the best solution was after following all the building codes all across um to one of the questions um that I heard is if we can expand the concrete path in a different way and that's following under an issue with the planning department because you have a ratio that need to be applied between heartscaping and landscaping. and the location of the driveway have to be following based on the public works requirements. So we have done our best to find the best solution for this house and the community and of course offering a replacement for the tree. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Greenberg. >> Anyone else online? >> All right. Uh we'll now close public comment and bring it back to the staff for up to two minutes for any final words. >> Sure. You know staff really doesn't have any additional comments. Um it truly for us just came down to the cumulative kind of criterias when we saw so many criteria were being met that this was an opportunity to replace a tree that could present problems, challenges or otherwise with something that's better suited, perhaps accommodate two new replants along that park strip um as it sits currently um with the other tree. You're going to have competing canopies. even though we may put a smaller tree back in that park strip, it's still going to be competing with that sycamore kind of a thing. And so it just ultimately we had a lot of different factors that we were looking at and we just felt that this was a good forestry practice to replace a tree that could be problematic with something better. >> Thank you. Okay, now we flipped the order from the first time through and we'll go to our applicant Lynn for up to two minutes if you have anything else. I just wanted to thank you all again for and Russell and Matt for for shephering us through it. It was uh I know there was a lot of shephering just and thank you for your great questions trying to decision. >> Thank you. Okay, we'll now move to the Mr. Lee. You have an extra two minutes if you would like. That's a difficult decision. Okay. However, I I feel still feel that it's easy for people to deal with a clean canvas and so they could bring in new ideas. How we are dealing with a canvas which is existing as it's existing tree existing organism. The other thing is London tree street trees are quite resilient to pruning and I I believe that there lifespan some of these have been 200 years and so that in any kind of a treatment of a London plain tree and I believe some have been survived severe pruning and trained in a heart situation and with that I leave it to you to make the decision. And uh I hope that you do well. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Uh we'll now there's definitely a lot to unpack in this in this uh in this this item. Um and I'll as promised um now I'll go back to urban forest board deliberations and that's okay. >> Sure. Um, so, um, I walk down this block five at least a couple times a week, and I had actually never realized as I walked down the the block and enjoyed the shade that the trees had taught that that they were only so tall and no taller. I truly never realized it until I went and looked at it from a distance because the pedestrian experience on that block is wonderful. There was plant strip, there was shade. Um, and uh, this is what we want in terms of the kind of pedestrian space where we can walk pleasantly and in shade. And and no amount of prick myrtles is going to give us that kind of canopy. And no prick myrtle is a heritage tree. it it's just not that kind of tree. I have two of them myself. Um, so this is very difficult because the house is there and a few months ago we had a similar situation on Questa Avenue where there was also a a pre-planned previously approved house where a we were asked to approve a tree being taken out. It was a driveway. absolutely had to be there. But the house was hadn't been built yet and we said no. And the house was built and the tree is thriving and there we go. And now we're presented with a the house is there. Uh and you know I I also asked a lot of questions and my questions must have been very similar to yours because the answers that you received answered my questions. Uh to me it seems like that tree was condemned before it could come to the PRC for asking for help. Um there is also for me if this is true there is basically a taking of public space. There is a taking of shade and now there is also taking of a parking spot which doesn't belong to the homes. Uh and that's a parking spot in front of the library and it's shaded. So this this is basically a taking from the public. Uh, also all the trees along that block, it's the same kind of tree. I'm sure they're all more or less the same age. They must all have been planted more or less at the same time. They're all pruned in a similar way. And although one of the commissioners asked asked uh the attorney last week about whether our decisions created a precedent and he said, "No, every case by itself." Nevertheless, when we talk, we frequently say,"Well, last year we decided so, so we should be consistent." And to me, saying, "Yes, this tree is not in the right place, so let's take it out." Is basically saying to all the homeowners both along that street and in many other places in town where you have old trees, "Yes, go ahead. This tree shouldn't be here. Let's just put in a lot of great myrtles and the canopy will not happen because the power lines are more important, our parking spaces are more important, our driveways are more important. So, I have very serious problems with this. Uh, and I was very interested in hearing what my fellow commissioners think about this and where where you land on it because this to me it's really critical that it's it's a whole blog and that's only the first step because there's lots of other blocks that are simple. Um so I I will have more things to say later but I I wanted to start there. >> Um well first of all I want to thank um the passion that that both parties have shown for trees and for heritage trees and their role and their value in our society. Uh it all it always makes this decision so hard when everyone cares so much. Um, I am leaning towards supporting the staff recommendation to deny the appeal. Um, there are a lot of challenges in this discussion, but I really think that this tree, especially given that it's high risk for failure, uh, and damaging cars parked that are going to the library or other people who live in the neighborhood or potentially falling on a person. I take that very seriously. I also think the tree is probably as we look at it overall is end is nearing the end of its life. Um, and it would be good to start with a new tree that could become a a heritage tree in the future. Um, unfortunately I I do not like the idea of having a great myrtle there. I don't think that's a great choice in terms of a future heritage tree, but that is something I think we could work on. So that's where I'm landing here. Commissioner Davis, first of all, just say I appreciate the step. I know you guys have to balance a whole set of issues and are doing everything you can individual residents of the community and as much as I antagonize you. I know it's hard and appreciate the homeowner for the work that you've done in Mountain View. And uh I completely agree that you know this that you wouldn't put that tree you wouldn't approve that tree under um it's not the ideal um but the tree has been there for 60 years and for all the reasons that Mr. what I have stated. I think it does sort of I think I don't know maybe misreading it but I think a lot of what I saw in the staff report was okay how do we accommodate this problem to me the as I said the thing that really gets my PG& I think PG& should pay it's redone list but Um because I think had it not been for that action other designs could have occurred flip the driveway the other side. Um, but at the moment I decided I'd like to see if rethink how we uh I I think the city code requires a 9 foot highway. Anything above that is advantageous but again it's at the expense of community parking a little bit. exactly know whether it's a full parking space or half a parking space but yeah at the moment I would lean towards this be an interesting one Um, it always feels very uh we're always so very particular and and almost precious talking about a a one tree for an hour and you know and then I then I remember that our heritage tree ordinance is asking us to think this hard about every tree we remove and I also believe that it's important for the appellent to get through process. And so, while it may seem like we're nitpicking, I think that's what we're we're um there's a lot a lot here that uh you know, it's troublesome. Um I feel like the tree removal permit having been delayed to the very end till after building permit issuance until after construction is always has already started. Um that that's not how this process should work. The the horse left the barn there. Anything that we could have done to save the tree, those options are gone. And that's not how it's supposed to be. I think some of that has happened because there was not the same level of planning review given that the state approved that building. It wasn't as much staff discretion there or maybe there was none. I I you know haven't dug into that issue. Um but I I I personally think that the the forestry board has has no discretion here. I think that um removal It's a done deal. Um there is no question that this tree serves the community purpose. I completely think that it does. And I also agree with some of the other commissioners observations that you know there's similar situations just a couple of houses down where this this same tree species has the be pruning but the difference is they're not building a home. And uh this tree because of what pruning was needed in order for the crane has now got a very inferior form. And so I do think this is an appropriate situation to hit reset, move the tree and plant something that belongs under those power lines. Um there there's so many situations where a large tree was standard under a power line in Mountain View and those trees have to be in order to um you know allow for the functioning utility and we should be planting species under there that that don't require mutilation. And you know, yeah, you could continue to prune this, but for in my mind, it's better to have a situation where your your maintenance is reduced so we aren't spending all our money pruning the these silly trees. So, I think I'm going to support the um deny the appeal and um support staff's decision. That's I'm doing that reluctantly. But I think in this case the combination of factors which um include the poor form nature of the improvement and um the other factors discussed in the that report that that leads me to support the denial of the >> right. Um, so I guess that brings it to me. Um, you know, I I've looked at this a couple different times. You know, it's a it's a fairly mature London plane tree that seems generally healthy. Um, I think it would be a beautiful tree if the main central limb hadn't been topped off at a fairly low height. Um, but unfortunately it has been. Um I the exaggerated E-shapes probably not a great structure long term. Um you know I was going to comment on on you know the arborist protection plans didn't account for brain mobility. Um but now it actually sounds like maybe cutting those limbs actually might have been good for the tree. Um anyway, I just I think it's sad that this tree has been topped off the way it was. You know, other similar trees on the block and and I really tried to look at them seem to have had less aggressive pruning which let them develop more completely while still avoiding the PG& wire. Um, you know, it's certainly possible this tree was growing in a different way than the others at the time of the topping and it didn't have other pruning options. Uh, we don't know. But I I you know, you got to get fine on this, but I I don't see all those trees as being the same. and they're they're all a little bit different and I I think each one would be a different um situation. Although I did consider the whole precedent precedent thing. Um, I do sympathize with wanting a driveway space for a second car because the sort of the opposite of this is that being across the street from a public library probably makes on street parking difficult for the owner or if the owner is having anybody come come visit them. I'm not, as I sort of harped on it, I'm not entirely swayed by the necess necessity of relocating the driveway. I think that if this were a magnificent tree, there would probably be a way to build onto the existing driveway to allow path for a second car. But that alternate option um is far less preferable for the owner who's now pretty far along in their development plans. So for me, the driveway argument isn't totally compelling in itself, but as with the um staff report, it's an element in this whole thing. Um, so for me, you know, again, a lot of this comes down to bits and pieces of different things. Um, you know, when I look at the straight of the the state of the tree, you unfortunately it's in a poor location and it's a victim of its pruning history. Um, it just seems like and it's it's it's a nice tree. Um, but again, it may be getting towards the end of its life. when you have extended weight on some of those ve branches, it I don't know how that how that would be. Um it just seems like this might be a situation where we're better served by replacement trees that could be located where they could flourish or it could be a different species of tree um planted under the fire. Um, so I will probably be leaning towards denying the appeal and upholding the staff decision to approve removal. Um, but I wanted to make a couple of extra other comments. Um, first I absolutely want to thank Mr. Lee um for his concerns and the points he made about wanting to save this tree. I think in the meetings in the, you know, seven plus years that I've been on the commission, um, I'd estimate that 90% or more of the time, this commission leans on the side of preserving heritage trees for a lot of the same reasons that that he made in his appeal. Um, this one to me just has a lot of things going against it. Um, but I I don't know how the final decision will go for sure, but thank you for caring and for taking the time um to speak on behalf of of a Heritage Tree. Um, and I'll probably maybe echo a little bit of what Commissioner Summer said. You know, I don't feel great about many of the events that transpired along the way to getting where we are. um you know the retraction of the removal application to facilitate building approvals um significant limbs needed to be cut um in order for the crane to move materials um you know that the PG& removing a nice tree well who know I don't know whether it was nice or gone because wasn't there for me to look at um you know and to me the the driveway plants seem to say almost got a gentle nod um before the tree decision was final. It just I think you said pre-ordained and I I just think that um you know um in a lot of ways it felt like it was going to be a foregone conclusion that this tree would be removed. So anyway, those are those are my thoughts. Um it's a difficult one. all these ones are difficult and we we have to try to look at them case by case. Um so that's where >> so having started I'd like to uh take my my turn now. Um, in this case, the way I look at it, I we've all said that the process was really bad. The the PG& is just another obviously thing that should not have happened. Uh, the the wink and the nod of yes, go ahead. of course will you'll be able to take out the tree is is it's difficult not to believe that that must have happened. It's very sad that the applicant in the middle of a building process of homeowner, I don't know if you were the applicant, the appellant, whatever, but you should not have had to wait so long that once the process starts, it should continue smoothly. Absolutely. Uh on the other hand, saying, well, we'll think about the tree later on, but of course, it will have to come out is kind of asking the trouble. So I think the city the process should have been improved upon rather than saying oh just continue with it will be fine. That that's really problematic. Um we're supposed to look at these issue tree by tree but I can't look at this tree by tree in this case. This is not tree by tree. This is block by block of any number of four blocks to say a tree that will thrive or a tree that will be able to grow into a heritage tree in that location. A new tree will never be more than a tiny little tree that will not really as far as biodiversity. critters that it will support the birds, the butterflies, it won't support anything. Create merch. What it will be is a tree because the city said we need to put a tree in. So, let's not talk about thriving trees or biodiversity or canopy. That will not support anything. As we widen the driveway, I assume instead of two trees, there'll be one tree. another loss for the community as we say, well, it's too big a tree. It shouldn't be under the power lines. One option is to underground the power lines. When we have new buildings coming in, new blocks being developed, the power lines aren't up in the sky. They're underground. And then the community can have the blessing of a liveable environment of of canopy of shade of of of mitigation. >> If if we agree on this then on any of our straits where there are old trees, we're saying take out the old trees. They really shouldn't plant it here. Plant the gravel. It'll be that I mean they bloom very brutally when they're not covered in mold which they frequently are. Um, so I don't think I can support this, but but I ask the commissioners who if you vote for it, look at the conditions that you agree with. And if you're saying yes, this tree shouldn't be under the power lines and it has been pruned to be away from the power lines and therefore its structure is poor and good forestry conditions required to be taken out because it won't have room to thrive. You're basically saying take out trees on the old trees and you're taking away canopy. So be careful about what you're proving. Okay. If if and I was trying to decide how how would I vote on this, it seemed to me though I don't think I'm going to vote for it. It seemed to me that the only thing I could agree about with what staff has been saying is they want to put in a driveway so if they got the tree. So that's the condition of adding improvements. That's the only one that I would have felt in any way comfortably voting for. And then as I believe said what's more important the old tree or winding drive you know in new developments the standard parking you park one car after the other and although it's not always the most convenient thing though it's really inconvenient that's what new developments have. Um, so that's for the members of thinking supporting this to think about, but you can you can if you want to vote for it needs to be taken out of the driveway, but I would ask you not to drive. Yes, it's under power. Let's take it out. Any other commissioner comments or if not um I 100% agree that the process was broken here and I hope we don't um regarding undergrounding. There is a P gen undergrounding fund that I think the rate payers pay into and it accumulates up and then they can underground blocks. But it's in a community like Mountain View, it's always completely over subscribed. It'll be 50 to 200 years before these residential neighborhoods get underground. So that that is a uh you know wouldn't it be wonderful kind of thing but it really only is happening in new development wholesale subdivisions. Uh this is this situation is the exact reason that I remember 18 months or two years ago I asked that we do some case studies in the urban biodiversity and forest plan to so that we could start to confront the tradeoffs in these types of issues. Um, in my mind, a large tree doesn't belong on the side of the street that has a power line. You need to do them on the other side. And yeah, okay, we're dealing with an existing condition. But here we have an applicant coming along uh building their dream home as they're allowed to do. And um reality is the power lines are there and we have to figure out how to accommodate development. I don't think it's this is that different than the subdivision plans that we never see that are all decisions made by the community development department where they remove every single tree on a 20 acre property to build a large apartment building. this is not that different. And that happens all the time. And I hate it. I hate it that there's such a big difference between how we decide things and how they decide things even though we're all looking at the same ordinance. But ultimately, I think it comes down to, you know, what's reasonable and what, you know, where we should be spending our money. So in my mind with this situation, the um with the construction of the driveway and then the realization that the power lines are in fact actually there and it's one lot um big tree, especially one that is mutilated beyond recognition. Um in this case, I do support fellow commission and I guess that's why we have people on the commission I reject the the foregone conclusion has been you know a travesty of bad decisions power lines but you know what Franklin Street is ripe for um a lot of redevelopment and every single house on has already been rebuilt there to pull the same thing as build a house and take out the tree. U there's a there's a lot of unfortunate aspects to this, but Commissioner Bryant on this that you know our I'm here to preserve the trees even when there are circumstances that that are less desirable. I think I think we're taking the tree out to I think a modification to the driveway and even that sounds like it's not an ideal situation. So, um I I think I the the votes already cast as far as I can tell, but I will I'll be around those supporting staff. Any other comments from commissioners? >> Um for me, it's not about removing the tree to make room for the driveway. I think the tree is in worse structure for golf and presents risk. Um it is pretty clear that moving the driveway that you said that or seems to be out of the barn at this point. So I didn't hear any compelling ways to move that driveway um or or make a parking pad somewhere else that would work. Um so my vote to go along with staff recommendation is based almost exclusively on the health of the tree. um and not about trying to create a driver um and not my concern is also not about it being under the power lines per se. It's how this tree exists right now. >> I disagree with the health of the tree issue. I disagree. There's a thousand trees in Mount that exact form under power lines and deal with it. U tree 60 years old. Uh I think it's got much more than a decade left to live. I I uh my my judgment is the health of is it most beautiful form? No. But that's because it's been closed. >> So we'll agree to this degree. >> But let me add that when you walk along Franklin and you walk tree, you don't see the structure. You feel the canopy protecting you. Uh it's not about the structure of the tree. As far as I could I can see taking it out. It's completely about the driveway. But you know, we each make our own. >> So I I don't have a whole lot to add. I guess I want to clarify that when I said foregone conclusion or whatever, it wasn't foregone for me. I would have been totally willing. I mean, it didn't matter. >> I mean, no, I mean, no, I'm saying it it might have been a foregone conclusion in some people's mind, but I would have been completely willing to go against this foregone conclusion. Um, this was a this was a hard one, David. And uh, and for me it's the it's the combination of of game. It's it's a combination of multiple criteria um, bits and pieces on on each one. And uh I I don't have more to I don't know if there's more comments or if somebody wants to make a motion. >> I'm ready to make a motion, but there's comments. I don't want to cut anybody off. >> Regret. I move that we adopt a resolution of the urban forestry board of the city of Mountain View to deny the appeal uphold staff's decision and approve the removal of one heritage tree at 560 Franklin Street be read in title only further further reading waved that one to the memorandum resolution >> motion by commissioner summer is there a second >> I'll second with I guess regarding as well. >> A motion and a second. Is there any further discussion before we have a vote? >> Commissioner Bryant, >> no. >> Commissioner Davis, >> no. >> Sylvester, >> yes. >> Summer, >> yes. >> And >> yes. >> All right. Think of a time. for the time when that concludes that one. I >> I thank everyone who uh spoke on this and uh I think a lot of people are passionate and um their views on this is a difficult difficult difficult one. All right, enjoy your new house. Are we ready to move on to the next one or should we take Did you want to take a break? >> I'd like to take a >> Let's take a brief break. Also, what time do you have? >> We can come back at 7. That'll give us about five six minutes. >> Okay. So, I have about It's about 7:42 or 7:43 now. We'll reconvene at 7:50. So, seven minutes. help people know all are we on being recorded or >> you are good for So yes, video is active All right. There's no >> I know. Actually, let's >> looks like we have everybody back. Allison, are we good by the way? >> All right. Uh, we're going to reconvene and we have item 5.2, uh, the heritage tree removal application appeal from 2714 Preston Drive. And um I'm going to start by just to have a clean uh ape of everything. I'm going to reintroduce our two attorneys. I think everybody was here the first time, but um assistant city attorney Franchesca Serrano will be representing city staff and senior assistant city attorney Dave Wilggas will be representing the urban forestry board. Uh the process on this one is a little bit different just because it's slightly different. Um so the uh order on this is staff will have uh will make their presentation. The appellant will then have 10 minutes. Uh the urban forestry board will then have questions. Uh we'll open it for public comment. Staff will have two more minutes. The appellant will have two more minutes. And then it'll come back PRC. Um, the players on this one, I have the owner, Norm Steinberg. Uh, I have the applicant, Ty Williams, who was probably acting on behalf of the owner, and the appellent is Richard Steinberg. So um for the purposes of this Richard Steinberg will be the person who uh will have the time but he is he can um allocate time to any to any of the others who might >> yeah I'll be speaking to family. >> Okay. >> Um so with that I will turn it to forestry manager Russell Hansen. >> Excellent. All right. So, again, we're here this evening to talk about uh tree appeal hearing for 2714 Preston Drive. in the overview that we have here to the left. Um, I just want to clarify, there was some confusion in the staff memo that you guys had received. And so I just want to clarify when we're talking about the trees here, there was one pine tree located very close to the side fence at the top of the picture and then another tree just adjacent to that to the left of that. The numbers one and two got reversed, but in terms of the presentation, we're trying to clarify that. So, the tree that is listed in yellow that we are here for the appeal is actually labeled tree number one on the application. Tree number two was the one closer to the street that had half dead. Um, one of the main leaders was dead. That one would be identified as tree two in this. And so, we're considering tree number one. We'll go there. If there's confusion or otherwise, please let me know. We can do what we can to clarify that to make sure everybody's on the same page. But ultimately, so tree number one is the tree to the left. Um, as you can see in this photograph, the tree is a pinus radiata, otherwise known as a moderate pine. It has an approximate diameter of 38 in. It's in pretty good health and ultimately the structure is fair on the tree itself. Um on the application that we received for this tree, the property owner checked the boxes um that the tree is dead and that removal for was necessary to construct improvements. Um unfortunately that second box was checked in error. So it really is just related to the health of the tree and the tarpentine beetles and the potential that this tree is going to die. So, as we look at the trees individually, tree number one, again, the one under consideration here. Um, you can see on the left a little bit better angle, a little bit better color on the tree itself. So, you can see that it's fairly healthy. Um, the closeup to the right that we're looking at is evidence of red tarpentine beetle being present on the tree. However, we felt that the number of strikes or otherwise were still fairly low that the tree could potentially be saved, could be treated to reduce the potential future infestations or the accelerated, I'll call it decline of the tree. Um there's also at the bottom of that tree significant amount of surface roots that are there. Um it does prohibit use of that turf a little bit. Um there are some tarpentine beetle strikes on those roots but again our feeling is that they were far more limited than on the other tree that that is something that could potentially be treated or otherwise to allow for preservation of that tree. When I talk about tree number two as it should have been presented this is the tree closer to the fence line or that exterior street. You can see on this one far more dieback in that one entire leader of the tree leaving just the other one. And then if you look at the photograph on the right, we had multiple strikes on that one. I'm going to say probably close to a couple dozen strikes that we were easily able to identify. Once we start to reach infestation levels like that, there really isn't much we can do. There's a lot of activity that's occurring inside of the tree that we cannot see. And basically what this insect does is it creates what we call galleries or tunnels inside of the tree, inside of the wood, similar to termite damage or otherwise where they literally carve out sections. They live in those tunnels. Ultimately what they truly do is they strangle the tree because they attack that cambial layer that not directly responsible for the moving of water. That's the xyllem and the phum. Um but ultimately it impacts the flow of water or otherwise through the tree so that it leads to their decline. And so in this case we agreed tree number two was far enough gone. It had far enough strikes etc. We allowed for removal of that one but on tree number one he denied it that ultimately in this case that a second so I can read them well enough. Staff's evaluation of tree number one did not find that the condition of the tree required its removal as health and structure are good and there is no evidence of nuisance damage or interference that cannot be addressed through corrective pruning or other means. To that extent we're talking chemical treatment to prevent future infestations or at least significantly reduce them. Um second criteria that we were talking about staff's evaluation of the tree did not find the tree needed or the tree removal of the heritage find that removal of the heritage tree. Let me slow down and start over. Staff's evaluation of tree number one did not find that removal of the heritage tree was necessary in order to construct improvements as there were no improvements in proposed and the applicant acknowledged that this check box this box was checked in error. In terms of criteria number three, staff's evaluation of tree number one found that the tree and structure are good, health of the tree and structure are good and that the tree provides significant value and benefit to the neighborhood. And then lastly, staff's evaluation of the tree did not find that the tree should be removed to good forestry practices as no facts support this criteria were provided. And so again, our general feeling to kind of summarize all of that is that while we do agree there is beetle activity on the tree and that there is potential for this tree to decline and die, we also felt that the tech attacks were fresh enough that if that other tree were removed in a timely manner, that would remove some of the beetles that were in the area and hopefully reduce the likelihood of infestation. We also feel like there are applications of chemicals or otherwise um that can be applied to the tree that if beetles do decide to attack the tree or otherwise that it would prevent them from doing that because it would ultimately kill those bugs that were trying to attack the tree. So that's what I have for you this evening on this one. >> Thank you. Uh we'll now move on to the appellant Richard Steinberg. up to 10 minutes and you can allocate any money you think. >> Appreciate that. Um I'm Norm Steinberg. I'm um the son of Steinberg, my dad and wife Marty over there. So anyways, uh and my brother's on the line as well. Um so first we want to thank you and express our appreciation to the urban forestry board for hearing our heritage tree appeal. I'd like to begin with a brief background. quest of providing the best quality of life for their children. Our parents, Richard and Harriet, moved to Mountain View in 1971, buying a house at 2714 Preston Drive that has been our home for 55 years in counting. Growing up at 2714 wasn't only great because of the friends we made and continue to keep, but also notably watching a mini forest develop before our eyes, including three redwoods that continue to stand tall today. With our parents originally coming to California from New York, having several trees in the yard was gratifying as we still recall our dad comparing the climate and scenery of Mountain View to the uncomfortable humidity and concrete dominated landscape prevalent from where they grew up. Not surprisingly, not surprisingly then, we were exposed to nature, particularly the Sierras, at a young age. And it was not by accident that when I first became eligible, I purchased a lifetime senior pass to the national parks. I mention all this to let the board know that our family do not view the outdoors and in this case trees as something to be taken for granted. Rather, we appreciate its beauty, its purpose, and what they provide. In the many decades residing on Preston Drive, the family have been outstanding and responsible stewards, providing regular maintenance services to the trees on our property. We don't come here to make an appeal haphazardly or based on lack of respect or convenience. Quite the contrary, our appeal to remove the pine in question along with its closely neighboring pine which has been approved to come down is about acting in a safe, responsible, practical manner. How did we get here today? Last year we noticed two pines not look healthy and upon more observation became very concerned. The trees are not only close proximity to our home, but also the homes behind and to one side of us. Should this tree fall, the structure hit would not only cause extreme damage to it, but more importantly could result in death if people are present at the time. Equally, if the tree were to fall to the side where the street and sidewalk sits, pedestrians, including children, will positively be in harm's way, again, likely resulting in death. He contacted a certified arborist, Ty Williams, with urban tree management to examine the health of the trees in question. Mr. Williams inspected the trees in February 2026. As you know, Mr. Williams prepared a letter which was included in our appeal application as well as submitted to you by Mountain View staff in advance of this meeting. The staff's the Mountain View staff's recommendation to deny our appeal is based on city's inspection by arborist Matt Feheiml back in March of this year. Although both trees have beetle infestation, Mr. Feistl said tree one might not be approved. This came as a surprise as just a month earlier arborist said both trees should come down due to pitch canker, a disease leading to tree death. Mr. Feimma went on to say that if we observe changes to the tree in question to contact him and he would come out to the house again. There have been highly noticeable and increasing disease to tree number one since the time Mr. Feimo visited. This strengthens our position. The denial notice refers to tree one as a quote tree without major signs of decline or drought stress that there is minimal evidence of bark beetle attacks on the tree. staff letter states its reasons for their recommendation to deny our appeal. I will go through these reasons now with our response. Mountain View staff notes boring insect holes were identified on two roots. Our response, there are now at least three roots showing bore insect holes. Number two, staff identified evidence of bark beetle frra on both trees. Tree one has significantly less damage with only one section of the lower trunk exhibiting evidence. Our response, there is pitch canker disease and additional crass has been discovered. Three staff notes the pine did not appear to contain any major dieback or dead branches that usually result from a bark beetle attack. Our response is that today shows a noticeable increase of dieback and dead branches. Fourth staff disagree with the claim that removing only tree two will expose tree one to more beetles. If tree two is removed in a timely basis, it will reduce the potential spread of beetles to tree one. Our response is that tree one already has beetles and will get hit uh hard by more beetles and multiply as soon as the first tree gets removed. Just don't believe tree one will make it much longer. and thus it makes sense to remove them both at the same time. And fifth, staff believe that tree one may remain in good condition for several years providing continued benefit to the community. Our response is when Mr. Feist and I spoke in March. It's more like a couple three years. And admitting this is subjective, he told me kindly uh to keep an eye on tree one, especially when the weather gets warm. Although the city's initial inspection reported the pine to be overall healthy with minimal pest and no disease issues identified, this is clearly not the case today and thus makes practical sense to remove both trees at the same time. I recently took pictures of the tree which I'll show now. Um, also included is a photo of the root system as there is concern that roots from both pines could be intertwined or interconnected. Um, a definitive answer cannot be given understandably affecting the stability of tree one once tree two is no longer there. And this is the reason for the denial letter calling for the careful removal of tree number two. Okay, we're ready for Okay, so here's um uh the fir these three p next three first three pictures show a dieback on uh tree number one. So we can go to the next one and the next one. Thanks. And now the next slide um uh just a sample of frra uh that is is now seen. Uh next please. Some more FRA. Uh next please. Okay. So these um so two of these uh root areas is what um where the bore holes were noticed initially. I want to take a picture of all three the same. And now I'll show you how it's it's visible on three areas now. So we go to the next one. There's one. The next one different route. Next one. You can see the bore holes on on that one. So we got at least three that we're aware. Okay. Next please. Okay. Okay. So, now we're going to see SAP and symptoms of um of the canker uh uh the pitch canker disease. Um there's that. Next, please. That please. Next one, please. This is throughout the tree and and I don't I don't believe this was the case when Mr. Bry was there. Um okay. Okay. And then and this is the final slide where I tried to capture the roots to show you that it's a crazy maze. And uh so just we I just don't know um if we're going to be able to do a proper, you know, cutting down of tree number two, what that might do in terms of tree number one. So wanted to point that out. The stability factor is unknown and I don't know how we would be able to assure it would be okay. All right. So that was that concludes my 10 minutes. I guess I went over it looks like. >> Still got a minute or two. Still got 10 minutes. >> Okay. Well, I'll save my closing remarks for for the end. But but if you have any questions and again I just want to thank you having sat through since I do have a few seconds. Having sat through the first or listened through the the first presentation and deliberations, uh I can I can say firsthand I really appreciate everything folks do. So, >> thank you. >> All right. Um we'll now up for questions and flip this time. >> Sure. I just ask staff to respond to to what you just heard. This is the health of the trees is is not something I can have opinion about. So I depend on staff to tell me if you are the slice that we thought does not present evidence of of like progressive problems that is more than would be expected. what how does that respond? >> Sure. So, first and foremost, I I just want to kind of bring up the fact that we're talking about two different pathogens. Um, when we talk about pine pitch canker, that is typically something that is not not as commonly fatal. I'll say um that trees can absolutely live with pitch canker for dozens of years, decades ultimately. Um it really just depends on how healthy they are, the conditions that they're growing in, etc. So absolutely some of some of the photographs they showed that showed that kind of blister or bubble would be what I would consider that pitch canker. That is that that is a sign that that's what we're dealing with ultimately. That is basically a plugging of the vascular system right adjacent to that strike that causes it to ooze out that sap and form that bubble. Um but it typically is very localized and again not problematic unless you get hundreds of strikes across the tree. In the case where we looked at the tree, we did not feel that it was rising that absolutely there are dozens of pitch cankers or otherwise in the tree. Um but just don't feel like it rises to that level that pitch canker is a problem. When we talk about the tarpentine beetle that is a far more aggressive, far more problematic pest or pathogen. um absolutely attacks the tree, gallerizes the tree and creates a problem for the vascular system where it just can't transport water or sugars and starches within the trunk of the tree any longer and so the tree completely collapses in very quick order. Um not unexpected that the tarpentine beetle has seen some additional activity um especially given the warm spring that we had. the beetles um in general this year we find have come out far earlier than typical and so to see them restriking that next tree or otherwise is to be expected. Um again we haven't seen or heard anything that gets us to the point where we feel like it has risen to the point where that tree is going to die in the near future. That's where we went with if we actually get that other tree out, remove some of that pest or otherwise it reduces the likelihood, then we do the chemical applications or otherwise any that are remaining or even the ones that are already in the tree should they reemerge as a part of their normal life cycle to go infest another tree or otherwise they will chew through those chemicals. Those chemicals, it's a trunk application typically um that we use. you can do a systemic um injection on it as well. Ultimately, what ends up happening is the pest chews through that wood that has been treated. It kills the pest. So, it can actually emerge from the tree and fly and infest another tree or come back and get on this tree even in a different location higher up or down lower otherwise. And so, not disputing either of those cases. It's just staff's opinion ultimately that they don't rise to the level just yet. And if we take these proactive steps as soon as possible, there is the potential that we can save that tree for a number of years. >> So I so the chemical applications of the tree that is taken out or to the tree >> free to be preserved. Sorry. Um and and another question about the stability. If if one trade truly is taken out, does that directly impact the stability of the treatment space? >> It will have an impact, but staff does not believe it's going to be a significant impact. If we think about tree roots are not uniform, right? That's the first place I will start. But if we think about them in a somewhat uniform way like we do the upper canopy of a tree, typically it's fairly uniform. It just depends on where it's grown. In this case, not too many obstructions on that ground plane where we feel that it would been prohibited like it would be against a roadway or otherwise where water is not getting into a soil. The tree will adapt by putting more roots in another direction kind of a thing. So in this case, we felt like it was fairly uniform. If you consider that circle of the canopy to be kind of equivalent to the root system of that same tree and you simply take out a tree that is within that circle because we absolutely agree that these roots are going to be intermixed that ultimately that stump is within the root system of the tree that's to be preserved. We don't necessarily have to grind that entire area where all of their roots are for the tree being removed. we can just simply grind the stump and any of the directly adjacent surface roots. So our area becomes much smaller. If you think about the full canopy is 100% you're talking five or 10% of the root system that's going to be impacted. It's going to be impacted. It's going to have an influence especially a tree that's being infested or infected with this pest. We don't have the scientific research behind it 100%. But we are convinced that that these trees when they become stressed or otherwise reduce release pherommones or otherwise that are attractive to these pests. And so by doing that stump grinding there is the potential that that fresh wood chip or otherwise may attract some pests. But that's where we went with that chemical treatment in conjunction with the removal is that would prevent any new pest from arriving and in further infesting the tree that's to be preserved. >> Okay. Thank you. Those are questions. >> Um, how long will it take if the beetles are not treated for it to become an infestation that may impact the livelihood longevity of the tree? >> Very subjective. It's going to be different for every tree. But I will say I have seen trees get infected their very first year die. I have seen that more typically it's three to four years. is a chemical the only way to treat the beetles because it's expensive and it's also toxic. >> Absolutely. Um yes, ultimately um one of the chemicals that can be used is less toxic. It is more directed towards the specific insects or otherwise. So not necessarily toxic to humans or otherwise. Um it's based off of the chrysanthemum plant that that is used. They use an extract of that is what we use >> like a pythian type >> prime prime. Yes, correct. Pythoid is what we also use. Um ultimately the problem with that chemical is we do fear that that is more of a broad spectrum where it will potentially affect bees and other beneficiary in insects that we don't want to impact. And so it's that balance again of using something that's more isolated. The other chemical typically is done as a trunk application bottom 10 ft. Um, and it doesn't get up into the canopy or otherwise. So, it's not as impactful to these other insects or otherwise typically because you don't get a lot of bees that land on the trunks. They're typically up where the flowers or the pollen or other things are. Um, and so yes, um, those are really the only two treatments. There are no um I am not aware of any other beneficial insects or otherwise that are predatory to towards this insect towards this pathogen. Um and then beyond that no mechanical controls or otherwise we you know we can't put metal bands around the tree or anything along those lines to kind of prevent that. They will find a way around that and still attack the tree. >> Um and on the canker I know you said it's usually not fatal but should that be treated and is that also a chemical? There is no treatment for the pine pitch canker. >> Um, one more question. Are there other species nearby that could also have these beetles or get canker infestation? Anything in the yard or nearby? >> Not that I am aware of. Um, and again, this is more of a pine problem. It would not go after redwoods that they also have in the yard. It would not go over most of our broad leaves or otherwise. It's good to know. >> Very unique to our pines. They are a pine beetle >> and the canker is also a pine. >> Yes, pine pitch canker. >> Thank you. >> Question. I think my question is over answered just to so there's not a concern of spreading to surrounding trees because they're for the most part. Correct. the longer we leave these in here. This insect is not like some of our others. It does have a good flying range, so it can go several miles while it's spreading. So, absolutely, there are other trees that could potentially be impacted, but that goes back to removal as soon as possible and treatment of where we do see it occurring otherwise to prevent it from spreading further. >> My questions were answered. >> Um, >> okay. Um, maybe I have one or two. Um just a question for the applicant. Have you ever treated either of the trees um for any of the disease or anything like that? So like even when you saw the first one progressively getting a tree number >> well we just yeah we just noticed it last year and that's when we immediately called an arborist up. Um, yeah. >> Um, yeah. I guess the question for you, I mean, if this was your tree, would you would you treat it immediately or Yeah. I mean, if you were to keep it. >> Yeah. I it typically when we're reviewing these applications um you know I hard to say this completely but I always look at a tree and go well if this is my tree in my yard what would I be doing with it? Would I be seeking to treat it or would I be seeking to remove it? That that is one of the questions that I ask myself about every single tree. And in this case I likely would make the decision that yeah, we can save it. We can get the other tree taken out, get a replacement, let it grow for a couple years. Then if this one does continue to decline or die, even if they treat or don't treat, you have the ability. You've got one that's already started to regrow, now you can take this one out and replant. Yes, it is going to result in additional cost. The two mobilizations for the contractor, it all comes at a cost. Um, but again, the benefits that the tree provide, we felt were sufficient enough to act on preservation for now. >> All right. Any other questions? Yeah, that that treatment is brought competency in the arborist community. That's a common thing to deal with. >> Yes, 100%. Most pest control companies, so pi piper and those types of organizations don't even have to be tree companies, >> but the pest control companies can treat that. It's very common. >> And is there a way to uh determine the efficacy after treatment? You have to wait and see. Yeah, ultimately it it is effective. I know that just from personal experience that these are chemicals or treatments that I have applied when I was private sector treating trees that allowed us to reduce the amount of additional infestations or otherwise. So anecdotally, yes. Scientifically, yeah, I could probably come up with a research paper when they originally did it because they can't label it for a tree unless they've tested it against a pest on a specific tree or otherwise. And so you would be applying off label which is illegal and and and and so typically yes they've been proven to be effective but I don't have that research at hand. Any other questions? All right. Uh let's open it up for public comment. First checking in the room if there's anybody who would like to speak who's not. All right. Is there anyone online who would like to speak? >> Yes, I like to speak. Can everybody hear me? >> Yes. >> Hi, I'm Brett Steyberg. I'm the youngest uh son of uh of uh Richard Steinberg and and Harriet Steinberg who passed away uh a few years ago, my mom. Uh the biggest concern I have is safety. If those if that tree were to fall as a result of being unstable either from the beetles or for the removal of the tree next door or or even weather for that matter, uh it is extremely tall. It's going to take out the neighbor's house. It's going to cause loss of life. And listen, I love trees. I mean, I I I live in the hills. I'm surrounded by pine trees. Uh, I'm all about, you know, saving trees, but this is a scary situation. God forbid that tree were to go and there's nobody can tell us that it that that can guarantee that tree would not fall sometime uh in the near future. And I'm the one who discovered uh you know the the original you know sap uh on the tree when I was you know visiting on the tree that has been approved and by the you know from the time we called the arborist you know to the time you know he came out to see it you know half the tree was already dead. It moved pretty quick. Uh and and every time I visit my parents' house, I've always looked at those trees and up and until that one time, they were totally healthy and and it moved quick. So my biggest concern is safety, safety, safety, safety. Thank you. I appreciate your time. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else online? >> No. >> All right. Um, we'll come back to staff to see if they have you have another two minutes if you'd like. >> Sure. I >> No, I don't have anything further to add. I'll stop. >> Great. Um, back to to you guys. Okay. Thanks. Thanks again. Okay. The closing statement here. Although the arburous inspection from earlier this year shows tree one is having less infestation than tree number two, it is clearly diseased is rapidly increasing as evidenced by pitchkanker disease, increased dieback and frra and additional root exposure to insect bore holes. Rather than wait some period after tree number two has been removed to begin the process to remove tree number one. makes practical sense from a safety and economic view to take this action at the same time. As noted earlier, should tree number one fall, it will not matter which direction it goes. Barring a miracle, it will either crush our house, a neighbor's house, or land in the sidewalk and street where families and their pets regularly pass by. This very real potential of human tragedy and devastation can be completely eliminated by removing both trees. Now, tree one already has beetles. We believe the infestation will substantially worsen when tree two comes down and the beetles as the beetles go to tree one and then reproduce. Additionally, it is unknown what effect the root system may have on the stability of tree one when tree two is removed. Not taking both trees now places human lives at risk. We respectfully ask the board to grant our request to remove pines one and two at the same time. Thank you again. Thank you. >> Okay. Um we'll come back to the urban forest board um for deliberation comments and Sandy if you'd like to start. Sure. Sure. I I enjoyed hearing the applicant's story of living in Mountain View all these years and growing up on the property and it's clear that um you all love the place and care deeply for it. Um and thank you for your concerns urban forest. Um I looked at all the materials that provided um visited the site as much as we could. Obviously we didn't you know get permission to go into the backyard but looked at it from uh multiple viewpoints on on the neighboring streets. Um, thank you for sharing the photos of the current condition and it's clear that things have changed a little bit since SAS um, evaluation a couple months ago. Um, I do find myself uh thinking that um, it would be best to um, deny the appeal and support staff's decision. Um, and uh, lot makes a lot of sense when I'm hearing from from the city's urban forester that pesticide treatment as soon as possible. Um, is the way to go and then we'll we'll see how things um, move forward. um don't think that we've met the criteria for removal in the cartridge tree ordinance and um the tree is healthy um showing minimal decline and uh uh with the removal of the neighboring tree um what I'm hearing ing is that we don't have concern for any um sudden you know tree loss or falling down. Um so I'm going to move on from there and would like to my fellow commissioners have to say what I have to say is a question. So, procedurally or policy wise, uh should should the commission agree with the staff decision, but the homeowner was to find a rapid deterioration deterioration of the tree soon. Could from procedural standpoint, would you then quickly approve a removal or would it have to necessarily go through the whole or could our our resolution stipulate agreement with staff contingent upon the ability to quickly make another determination of exists that detective is Sure. Good. >> So, well, I don't want to burden the homeowner with other lengthy process. You know, my inclination is I mean, I think this we're we're kind of in a position where this is true argiculture. You know, probably beyond our understand. But I if if in fact danger became more evident because there was a rapid investation, I'd like to see them take action. Well, yeah, I can answer that. And under 32.31 um you know if there is a material change in circumstance like you're suggesting um they could appeal to the director and have this reassessed. >> Could it be fasttracked and and not get in a long queue um take six months or something? >> Right. So the the reason we're here tonight for the process was because of the denial of the removal and so if there were if there was enough evidence for staff to make that recommendation then that process would be faster. >> So Mike I I greatly appreciate the homeowners concerns and and appreciate your your residence about you. Uh but I also really respect the professional capabilities of staff and go with the staff recommendation contingent upon the fact that if the situation changes quickly >> um I too was was deeply moved by the family's story and their commitment to the safety and beauty of their neighborhood. It is beautiful neighborhood. I got to try to visit the tree, too. It's a little hard from the outside, but u definitely understand what it it was like to grow up with that tree and see olive over 50 plus years. Um with that said, I think I will be going along with staff's recommendation. I am a little concerned about treating the tree with pesticides of either the more natural type or the more chemical type. Uh, but I think in this case it might be a good first option. But I also second Commissioner Davis's idea that something goes wrong and a tree declines very quickly that can this be fasttracked for a discussion with Russell's team to if the tree goes a rapid decline versus going through a really long process to review the tree. That would be my where my concern is right now. Um, yeah, that's what I have to say. Yes, I I too from outside your two trees. One clearly needs to go and the other one at this point looks great from the outside. I understand your your your concern that that tree should should uh should progress as rapidly as the other tree. And obviously since one tree progressed so quickly, you would like to just deal with it. Easy to understand that. And yet the tree looks fine at this point. I don't have the professional knowledge to to judge what should be done and what will happen. I have to trust our our judgment on that. I think it's been our experience that if a tree is in rapid decline, staff will deal with it expeditiously because the matter of of safety is is obviously everyone's main concern. Uh so committee is is charged with trying to protect uh our heritage trees and in this case I don't the right be for taking out. So I will be supporting staff's recommendation. So for myself, you know, when I visited the site, again, we can't get into the backyard, but I did maneuver around to different vantage points. Um, tree looked to be in pretty good health. Um, it's definitely one of the larger trees on the block, you know, and together with the adjacent redwoods, you know, that cluster of trees definitely stands out in the neighborhood. And you know, I would say that, you know, if the pine weren't there, the redwoods, which are even taller, would remain standout trees in the neighborhood. So, so that's um a good thing. Um, you know, just from my vantage point, um, you know, I thought the tree was mostly lush. Um, I thought that there were some brown needles. Um, but it didn't appear to be entire branches. Again, I couldn't get to every spot of the tree. Um, so that just seemed to me to be sort of normal sort of seasonal die off, but again that was just from my vantage point. Um, there were plenty of new green sprouts and needles on all areas of trees. So it did appear to be generating new growth. Um so at the present time, you know, again, we're relying like others on staff opinion um that the tree remains healthy and that the beetle infestation at this point isn't pervasive and it's treatable. And so I think it would be important to to try to to try to treat it. Um, I did ask myself as as I was leaving, you know, if the dead pine didn't exist and we were only looking at this tree in a vacuum, would we be contemplating removing it? And I again, that's probably not a perfect question, but but I don't think we I don't think we would be looking at removing that tree if it was just but there are interdependencies, so it's a not completely a valid question. Um but again as as has been stated if if conditions change and the beetle starts to kill off significant portions of the tree um that would constitute a change in circumstance and would allow for a uh reapplication and I would hope that um you would apply immediately and I hope that it would be addressed um immediately. Uh and again, you know, the city code states that we need to uh render decisions with the emphasis on preserving heritage trees. Um so again, we want to try to do everything possible at the current time to try to preserve the tree. So like others, I I will be siding on the side of denying the appeal and upholding the staff decision to deny removal at the present time. I don't know if there's any other comments or if somebody wants to make a motion. I'll do both. U Mr. Greenberg, you have a really impressive I'm sorry. Sorry. You have a really impressive family and everyone's really well spoken. So, congratulations. Uh however uh I'm going to move that we adopt the resolution of the urban forestry board of the city of Mount V to deny the appeal and uphold staff decision and deny the removal of one heritage tree at 2714 drive to be read only further. So, uh, we have a motion by Commissioner Davis, second by Commissioner Summer. Any discussion before the vote? >> Bryant. >> Yes. >> Davis. >> Summer. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> All right. So, that concludes that item. Thank you very much for everyone participating in that. >> Well, thank you for hearing us. >> I wish you luck. I mean, I hope that the tree >> only a matter of fact >> survives. >> I hope enough to realize your sons. You have your sons that'll help. >> That's right. Goodbye, Russell. Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Have a good night. All right. Uh we'll move on to item 5.3 which is the fiscal year 2627 parks and recreation urban forestry board work plan. um the process on this just quickly. We'll have a staff report. Uh we'll take questions. We'll open it for public comment and then it'll we'll bring it back to the PRC for discussion and a motion um of some sort. So, I will turn it over to Director John uh to take this. >> Good evening once again, commissioners. Uh so as you're aware this time every year we come forward with uh our annual work plan for the next fiscal year and that is attachment one to the staff report. Um at the top of our uh of the attachment shows our ongoing work items and then our fiscal year specific items that we've identified so far. And again, as you are all aware, this is a continuing process of of adding and moving as we go, but this is a a snapshot as of today of what we have uh upcoming. And so, some of the things I want to highlight is the uh Thompson Park concept and and name recommendation moving forward. Uh we've talked about getting together with the visual arts committee and I'm not sure if you've noticed that uh the city council is approving the a new position uh for leading that effort. So that's exciting. um as well as um the review of the recreation financial assistance program that we are looking at May. That is one of the um short-term items that are identified in the um parks and recreation strategic plan. So looking forward to to bringing that and I we have the ability uh for some of those other short-term items to bring more of those forward within the fiscal year. Um and as you'll see at the end of the the end of uh June coming forward with the biodiversity and urban force plan implementation progress update and then uh it is staff's uh plan to come back in September when we come back into um after the the summer break to bring the parks and recreation strategic plan uh for that update as well. That's why you don't see it on this um on this work plan item so that we're not um doing too much in one and allowing the the fiscal year to end and we're able to bring a full plan of um data and um information to you. So, uh with that, I'll turn it back to the chair and I'm happy to answer questions. >> All right. Uh well, we ask questions and we can be a little less formal on this one. So, anybody who has questions, feel free. Well, really my question was about the strategic plan. So you're saying it it doesn't appear here because it's outside the fiscal >> the fiscal year. So it'll be in the calendar year but not in the fiscal year. >> Okay. So >> yeah. So again, the the plans are getting parks and recreation strategic plan was just adopted coming up on the end of the fiscal year. Same thing with the biodiversity plan. And so in theory, we want to be in a place where we can get on a fiscal year cycle to report. >> So this veres comment, but I'll say it anyway. It would give many people less heartburn if you made a little note saying the strategic plan will be coming in that calendar year but not just to be clear. Yeah. And >> can I repeat that? Not to leap over everybody, but so are you saying that it's because it was just adopted, you would go a year before any kind of reporting? >> And not to say we won't be bringing information to you at the end of the meeting and and providing updates. But for the for the formal >> annual report which is pro which is designated within the the plan itself, that's when we would be bringing those. Again, we're creating dashboards um and other ways for the public and you to see our progress moving forward. And so as the the timeline moves on at the end of the meeting, if there's a question, we can answer those. But we are actively in the process of developing how we can introduce the dashboard so that we're providing ongoing updates through the process. So, are you saying that it wouldn't it would be after June 2027 that >> for the parks and rec strategic plan would be after this the summer break in September which is after this? >> Yeah, because this work plan goes all the way till June of 2027. You're saying something like July a September 2027, right? Okay. Well, Can I make a comment about that? Let's >> We'll do the comments. >> Okay. All right. >> Only questions. >> Yeah. I mean, that's questions and then we'll do the question is weather. >> Yeah. >> Couple question. It's interesting the uh the range of great separation. I had thought that was like way off in the future. Is that is that more our design that they are? snowware. >> You'll learn more as this comes comes to you. I am not in a position to provide much detail on that one at the moment. >> Okay. And then um so again congratulations on the terabella acquisition. There will will there be anything to share or talk about on that next year and a half? >> Could be. So that possibly could work. Okay. And now for my traditional rant here. >> So >> yeah, this is just questions. Come back. Bring it back. >> Can can I conclude my comment with the why can't >> this isn't comments. This question still come. >> Yeah. So this gonna end as a question >> going to make a question. as an urban forestry board whose um apparently sole function is to adjudicate an ordinance which is presumably being updated but for which we have absolutely no visibility into the timing the scope the wouldn't it question wouldn't it be good to share at least at some level with the commission there's stensible role is to uh manage this topic. I have some understanding of the update on the heritage tree ordinance. >> So the and I will look to the assistant director for clarification if necessary. The biodiversity urban forest plan has that as an action item. >> Okay. And so that's getting adopted next week in theory and that puts us in a position to start working on those and putting together the overall plan, right? I don't know if you have any anything else to to add to that. >> No, it's a big it's a big ordinance. Like I said before, we're going to phases and actually I was just mapping out my suggested suggestion for phases. we're meeting with the city attorney next week or the week after before she goes out on maternity leave to talk about what that looks like and how we're going to map that out. So, we're already working on it. Um going to be a big lift, but it's important we need to do it and get started. >> And so, yes, once we have a that mapped out, we can give some general milestones and timelines >> through this group of be willing to share some input. All right. Uh, other questions? >> I'm sorry, I just had a couple questions. Pickle ball. Is that just going to be sort of a pleasant surprise? It'll happen and we don't want to put it on the official because talk to me about >> pickle ball is the fastest growing sport in America. >> How's that for an answer? very quiet. >> I mean, I would assume that sometime the next year, right, there might be a pickle ball. I don't know. Is there a reason to not? >> Uh, it's too early to say. Um, keep an eye out on future council agendas. >> Sorry. So, it could be a pleasant surprise. We're not gonna count. >> No, if it's coming to us anymore, >> that's true. too. Um, and then just another question you probably won't be able to answer, but when I saw the grade separation, you know, it it struck me that Cal Train is talking about all sorts of potential cuts and, you know, if things don't pass, um, you know, they're going to cut service and Yeah. So anyway, just a question that you might not be able to answer, but are cities Powalto and Mountain View going to move forward a little slower on grade separation because they want to make sure that Cal Train is a ongoing although maybe the grade separation should happen regardless of the train. If you have any comments on it, >> all I can really say is uh that design from what I understand is funded Um, as far as construction goes, the city's interested in looking at a number of a variety of funding sources, um, state and otherwise. Uh, and where they are on that, I don't know. Um, and that's going to have to be part of the the staff report that moves forward. >> Any other questions? All right. Uh, public comment has left. Is there anybody Is there anybody on >> online that uh >> has questions? Okay. So, I'll just bring it back to us if any other comments before we uh move to push this along. Well, I do have a comment that it feels like too long to go till September 2027 before we have any discussion or agenda item about the strategic plan. >> I guess the question could be could there be an item on here? Would you not want to put it on here um to not have the full annual report, but to just have a midyear progress update or something like that? I'm thinking it's kind of a good opportunity to put some of the work, you know, the behind the scenes staff work in front of the public and I mean because otherwise it looks as if it's on a shelf, but I mean I obviously it's a part of this is setting fast work plan too. So >> I'm gonna look at assistant director to see if she has any comments. I I can add color, but do you have anything to say in response to that? >> Yeah, I do. I thought both plans should be on and that's why biodiversity plan is on. I think even if I don't have all the data, which is going to take a while to produce, I know the opportunity to provide that feedback to you. Um, that's why it's on there. So, I'll be coming with an update as much as I can whatever we're working on behind the scenes. um it may not be pretty, you know, we might not have a dashboard up and running quite yet, but um at least it's it's a checkpoint. It's an opportunity to have that dialogue and ask questions and um so I I I suggested speak on there to add. >> Yeah. So, thank you. Number one, >> I don't really know. Oh well, like I said, I don't know anymore. >> So, I think what we can do is because we I think it's on a quarterly basis, we give some highle updates um up to the city manager's office of where we are on certain items. So, um whether that's within the um monthly report or we can provide those to you. Um you can ask questions as we forward. Um, but that's another way that we can provide those updates uh where we're at and then if at the end of the meeting you have questions regarding what we submit can we can chat about those. So that would that would kind of get the the report that you prepare for the city manager out in the public and the public could read it, but then there really wouldn't be any opportunity for them to comment or share their feelings about one direction or another. >> At a starting point, we're going to be bringing some of those initial items moving forward as we can. And >> well, I know there's a ton of short-term Yeah. projects that you know aren't that are that are going to be moving forward and it's going to start showing up on capital programs and things like that and in budgets and such but feel like we ought to be able to tie it back to the strategic plan at about the one-year level and not because that summer break is what sort of bothering me. I feel like June would be perfect. Perfect timing page of 27. I mean, I feel even the uh something more like a free dash that's kind of like the implementation plan piece that you're going to build the dashboard out of. >> We're so early in that process. Uh yeah, I see I see >> I don't know what what commissioners think. >> I mean I just you know I'm just you know I see your I wouldn't want to do it in June. It looks like we have a lot of stuff in June and we're probably going to have heritage free appeals. Um but in May there is the review of the recreational financial assistance program which is part of the strategic plan and I don't know if maybe there could be a piggyback on that. Just a brief I don't know I'm just throwing it up. I don't want to create. Well, anyway, that's >> that was going through my head, too. Back to one of the action items, >> other comments. >> Yes. U so I won't be here next year. Um, I think it's it's a great idea to have um to have updates coming up along the way, but I hope that there will also be a PRC meeting both for the biodiversity plan and for the strategic plan to you know, council member Schultter was talking about adaptive management. the lessons learned and adaptations needed or maybe adaptations not needed but presumably this is new presumably there will be adaptations needed and having that as as kind of a working PRC meeting to look at what has h at what has happened there been roadblocks that were not expected uh things that went a lot more smoothly or things that need to be changed for for years. So I'm hope those are two completely separate things from the updates versus the the working us through. Um, just to to to continue what was being said about the heritage tree ordinance, I I hope one of the lessons learned for me from two humongous plans on is let's not give the PRC and the community finish. Let's not go have staff or consultant work with it and then present the community and the PRC with the finished product and say do you like it or don't you like it? uh I hope the PRC can be part of a process like for example the process that hasn't been talked about in the whichever two plants which is very difficult for me to keep separate which plants is what the the idea of the the tree plet and the plant plet of of having like a group that will work on it with representatives from advocacy groups um that kind of work with the community and the PRC should be done for the street or too because it'll just make the whole process rich and much easier to deal with the results. I'm hoping that becomes part of the work plan you're seeing and I'll be watching listening to you guys. >> Any other comments? >> Okay, >> I I'll just kind of um you back on what Commissioner Bryant just said. Um I mean, you know, I love co-creation type processes. Um they do however take away the council discretion and except that I think so does delivering a completed product. So I know that it's a constant struggle to figure out where to gather public input, how how you know much to involve people in things. Um, ordinances are the last place you want to have a big giant committee process. But there might be something that could preede the ordinance development because you know ordinances are technical and legal technical expertise and legal expertise to write them. But as to the policy p perspective, you know, separating that out, having some kind of workshop proceeding, ordinance development might be a good way to go, but I'm not sure that belongs in PRC meeting. So with the legal language, of course not. That's what the lawyers are for. But what do we want? What trees do we want? What is the result we want? That is work for the PRC. And it it doesn't take away for the PRC to be working on this doesn't take anything from council for staff to to work on it. bring it to the PRC then work on it together. That council wants that because they are so so pressed with all everything that they need to do that getting a product that the the advisory body has looked at is is helpful to them. And if they don't like it, they can say no and they frequently have. That's not a problem. We are advis. But the product will be better if it gets around of the advisory body as community representation and the legal language. For goodness sake, that's for the lawyers. >> All right. I don't know if there's more comment. I don't know if we want to move this forward. I don't know if director Marant has um are you going to maybe add a line about the strategic plan or you know >> Yeah, we within number 13 review part of the review of the financial assistance program state a high level uh parks strategic plan update in advance of the annual update in September. That way it's being weaponized as >> okay with that amendment. >> Um the one unless there's other comments um does anybody know you want to make a motion to approve this amended work plan and forward it on to city council? >> I'll make that motion. Um I move we approve the fiscal year 2627 parking commission and river plan um shown in attachment with the addition line item 13 as a moment ago and uh to be forwarded to council questions. We have a motion. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Any further discussion? >> Yeah, I'll I'll support this and vote for the motion. Um I just editorial will say I don't feel like there's any heavy lifting and I don't feel like I feel we're a sounding board. There's arguably three things here that you know are calling for advisory input. The election of office, the acknowledging annual report, acknowledge annual report, acknowledge annual report. That's a lot of listening. You know, can presentation that's just a lot of listening to stuff and we're not advising anyone really. So, I mean, this is great. Send it to council, get it approved. I realize this is just this is a procedural thing you have to do. um just I I don't know that we're functioning as an advisory body by providing much advice except we may talk more than you want but I'm not sure >> give us five minute time limit or something like that. >> I mean item two on on on work items. I mean I think that showed up here because of discussions we had here last year. Okay. at this time >> and I I think that the uh park design will be uh substantive >> and I will I as I looked at this as well I I thought the same thing it is it's likely however we have a lot of irons in the fire right now >> and there are some things that I can't that I can't speak to because council has not taken action yet and that I know that those as long as council approves that those are going to be part of a additional work items. >> And so I'm in this difficult place right now to put everything into the work plan. >> My little editorial comments. >> Be careful what you wish. >> All right. Um if there are no other comments, let's uh vote. >> Mr. O'Brien. Yes, Davis. >> Yes. >> Sylvester. >> Yes. Vice Chair Summer. >> Yes. >> And Chair Mitch. >> Yes. >> All right. Uh that takes us to item six. Uh commission staff announcements, updates, requests, and committee reports. Director. >> So, this is our last meeting before our summer break. We'll be back in September. Hope you enjoy some time off. Um just a reminder this Saturday is Pride event. So hopefully you are able to come out and see it for our second annual. Um obviously our summer concerts on the plaza and others are taking place. We this will be the end of our first week of summer camps. So far so good. Everything's been going well. Um and it's great to see all the activity at the pools and parks and and everything else. So, it's great to see. Um, above and beyond that, I mentioned council will be meeting uh for their final meeting before break as well on Tuesday next week. Um, that agenda should be posted by the end of the day tomorrow. I suggest you take a look at it. Um and uh within that is also um the fiscal year budget. Um that's coming forward. Um >> will you be presenting at that meeting? >> I will not be presenting. No, I will be I will be present at the meeting. Yes. >> Even in closed session, >> I will know. Um uh there is a long list of uh items coming toward the end of the fiscal year that typically happens. This one is even longer um with almost 30 incent items I believe um to to bring forward. Um so I I do encourage you to to look at the agenda when it's out. If you have questions once that is out here, feel free to reach out to me. Right. Any other >> announcements? What about commissioners? Well, I I just have a question comment. We we were discussing the situation in Dyn and in the worst in the worst uh scenario is going to look extremely different from what it is right now as in Franklin Street. the both the back and the front of the library. And I I hope I hope staff is beginning to think about what the options will be. >> Yes. I want to preface with we don't have all the facts and we need to look at what options there are um moving forward and um while I trusted Russell we also need to verify right of what what's happening and and whether there's options to um to look um and as we go through this process, yes, of course, there's there has to be some some plans in place to start preparing for what might be >> right. Well, I I mean even things like the the climbers on the library, the planting spaces in front of the library. If if if lots of if even more trees grow, uh then something to make the place pleasant again, even temporarily while staff figures out the the long-term implications. That will require both budgeting and a lot of creative thinking. And it will it's not something to do immediately. It doesn't require a lot of thinking. So I I hope you you will put that in process. Any other commissioner comments? >> Right. Uh our next meeting is Wednesday, September 9th at 6 o'clock back at Rankstar presumably. Yes. And uh with that I hope everybody has a nice summer and we will adjourn >> over the summer break.]]> https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/Iczt3JgeP-E https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/Iczt3JgeP-E Tue, 23 Jun 2026 17:37:12 GMT The Council Transportation Committee reviewed the public draft of Mountain View's Active Transportation Plan, hearing a staff/consultant presentation on the plan's four chapters, guiding principles, community engagement (600+ comments), 23 priority projects, and phased implementation (resurfacing vs. reconstruction) and funding options. Public commenters and committee members praised the plan's readability and outreach while requesting clearer definitions of protected bike lanes, adoption of NACTO standards, stronger pedestrian/shade/equity emphasis, bike boulevards, and integration with other city plans. Staff will incorporate comments and bring a final plan back to the BPAC and CTC in August before council adoption in September. No vote was taken; the committee provided review comments and asked staff to categorize incoming feedback. Oral communications and public comment Protected/separated bike lane definitions Consent calendar (minutes) Active Transportation Plan overview Plan chapters and guiding principles Community engagement and comment mapping Priority projects and scoring criteria Policies and programs recommendations Implementation phasing and funding Sidewalk widths and lane standards Safe Routes to School coordination Bike share and scooter share programs Access and equity scoring Shade, trees and greening Regional agency coordination Resurfacing vs. reconstruction triggers Bike boulevards and slow streets Living document and future planning Multimodal and mass transit integration > here. >> Acting chair Mallister >> here. We have a quorum. >> Okay. Thank you sir for that. So uh oral communication. This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the committee on any matters not on agenda. Speakers are allowed to speak on any topic for 30 minutes during the section. State law prohibits committee from acting on non-aggenda items. Would any member of the audience like to provide comment on a non-aggenda item? >> Hang on. We'll get there. Would any member of the public like to If so, please raise your hand or and we'll take and anybody virtually will zoom in. Please raise your hand. The staff will wait the timer on the screen and we will take Yes, sir. >> Yeah. Members of the committee, my name is Gary Burr, um member of the VAC from about 2005 to9. Um I'll specifically address the middlefield proposal later, but in general, I'm seeing what I'm going to call tragedies waiting to happen because of a vagueness in the definition of segregated or separated bike lanes. my call to action. I haven't spoken or got involved because I'm pretty pleased in general with the state of bicycle pedestrian advocacy in town, but if any of you with maybe 60s something year old eyes um come in El Camino before or after, you know, sunset, sunrise, you will be blinded by sunrise off of these paddles. This highlights the uh lethal nature using these paddles and in driving down through uh >> yes call them ballard or paddles the density the shortness between them is getting closer and closer. The basic tragedy waiting to happen many places I'm noting that these paddles have already been hit by cars. Um the curbing the strip up the asphalt it's a solid dedicated strip. I was part of the safe uh Mountain View group that uh took on upper Castro section up to the school with the reconfiguration. That is my idea of an ideal separated segregated bike lane because we just have rubber strips. There's full visibility in and out and there's rubber. bicycle hits that they're reflected in. In in the gap, they're safe. Car comes over, same thing. Their tires. So, this looseness in what's being called segregated and separated bike lanes itself, I'd like the council transportation committee to address and define before any other action moves forward that implements what's being called generically a separated or segregated bike. That's my request to the committee. >> Thank you. I remembering Councilman Mallister from my first time on and these issues to have segregated and separated bike lanes back then we were told were dreams but look at what the dream has turned into great in concept but now let's put them in practice so that you know I don't feel safe bicycling on El Camino or where these ballards are anymore I live right near the middlefield stretch so that's my call to action thank you and appreciate your consideration Anybody else in the audience would like to speak? >> Do we have any virtual people like to speak? >> Um, yes, April Webster. >> Okay. Hey, April, you know, this is a non-aggenda item. >> Yeah. Um, hi, April Webster. I am a member of the California uh walk and bike technical advisory committee. um vice chair of the CALRD D4 bicycle advisory committee, co-chair of the MTC active transportation working group and a member of the VTA um BPAC. I am speaking of my own accord tonight, but I just wanted to share my affiliations. Um I have been a strong supporter of ECR for several years. It's actually what got me involved in advocacy and um and as part of my role on Calrans, I have been pushing hard for those bike lanes that we see. Um those bike lanes and the type of separation quick curb are actually very there are that kind of separation stronger separation and even stronger than that is what you need to see to have um a real modality shift. Um it's the type of protection that people who tend to be interested in biking but more risk averse and cautious um you know some of us don't have a death wish and so that more substantial protection is what a lot of people need to make that shift and there's research that's been done by Jennifer Dill out of Portland Trek um uh group that has shown that about 60% of people fall into that bucket. A lot of those are, you know, are people who are covered by all ages and abilities. Knack under NACTO's um guidance. And, you know, you take that away and you have more insubstantial type either paint or vertical paint which are the um the standard um flex posts and it becomes a lot less safer. You know, think about a 4,000B car that's barreling at you. It's basically like a tank in some ways and cars are getting a lot bigger now. Um when you have that coming at you um and the way that people are now distracted um it doesn't feel safe and it isn't safe um and a lot of cities are doing a better job in CALR included in terms of um building better infrastructure. So, um I would like to give my full support um and on El Camino Royale and I hope to see that extended along the entire extent of it and work has been done is being done at the Calrans level to make that happen. Um and yeah, I just want to say thanks. I'm glad that Mountain got involved really early. Um we were we actually made that happen. our staff and um uh both Don and Ria were um very heavily involved in making sure that happened and and worked with CALR in advance to make sure we got that what we needed in place to make um Alamina Rail a protected have protected bike lanes. Thank you so much. >> Thank you, April. Anybody else? Any more uh virtual speaker? >> Bruce England. >> Bruce. >> Hi all. Um happy to attend any of these meetings where we're talking about the active transportation plan. This is been a long time coming and um we're still keeping track of it and um hoping for the best when it becomes uh part of the city regulations and rules and guidelines. Uh just a few things echoing pretty much what April said, but also um just a few things that she might not have said or that weren't in the letter, which I support by the way. Um I think that timing for when we bring our comments in, this isn't just for the ATP, but for a lot of the plans, we're often told early on that it's too early. Don't tell us your comments yet. And then later on, we make our comments and we're told it's too late. and being clear with the public about when you want to hear our comments. We'll make them every time. Believe me, if we're not told one way or the other, then we're just going to make our comments at every meeting. And that might not always be useful. Uh second, I have four things to say. Second is, and I don't know if it's appropriate for the ATP, but I'm just going to bring it up, that we've got at least two paths, uh, bike ped paths in Mountain View that lead to abrupt curbs where they just cut off and you have to hop your bike or stroller or wheelchair, whatever, over a straight up curb to get down to any other thoroughare like to a bike lane, let's say. um those haven't been corrected yet and I worry that um maybe we'll see more of those and it's better just to head them off. That should be part of the project. In any case, anytime there's a path uh that's constructed, whether it's private or public, uh we shouldn't be leading to abrupt curbs like that. That should just be part of the project. Um third of four, one of the qualities of our walkways and bikeways is making them inviting to people. So having them be safe and all of that. As April mentioned, this is important. Um, but we also want to get more people out of their cars and enjoying walking and biking around Mountain View. It's a great place to walk and bike if you feel uh that it's comfortable and safe and inviting. So, I like the word inviting for that reason. And last, I just want to emphasize the NATO uh guidelines and standards that that April mentioned. This is really important for us to move forward into the modern age of active transportation and transportation in general in Mountain View. And that's it for me. Thank you. >> Thank you, Bruce. >> Need more virtual speakers. >> Yes, Cliff Chambers. >> Thank you. Uh Cliff Chambers, resident of Mountain View. Um I'm also part of MVCSP in the letter. I just want to emphasize a couple of different points than what C April and Bruce talked about. First off, I think um the NACTO standards that Bruce said is really important. I just want to emphasize that. Secondly, I'm really happy about the network of protected bike lanes. But one of the things and the extensive output that we that was held and and provided comments on bike rides and public forums on surveys. There were a lot of opportunities for input and but for one of the excuse me >> yes >> are you gonna be addressing you're sort of touching on the line of the ATP so this is for content item so >> oh I'm sorry I thought this was I I apologize I'll stop >> that's okay keep those thoughts though >> I no uh I I'll do it when we go to the ATP so I'm sorry I I thought they were talking about the ATP I came in late I I'll stop and and Wait. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Any other people that would speak on non-aggenda items? >> No, that's all. >> Okay. We will now go to consent calendar. We're on item four. 4.1 approved. Minutes >> and Oh, 4.1 approved. Yes. Are there any corrections, additions to the minutes? Okay, see none. Any public like to make comment on our minutes? Okay. Uh then we also have a consent item for we'll take them all vote all at one time. That's okay. 1.2 Council Transportation Committee revised minutes schedule. Any comments? It's interesting because this committee in six months will be a new committee. So >> as long >> Yeah. Okay. Uh we approve that. Is there a >> Okay. Take a vote on the consent calendar. >> Uh I'll move consent items 4.1 and 4.2. >> I'll second that. Okay. Do we need roll call because we're virtual? Thank you for that reminder member >> here. Oh yes. >> Is there Yes. >> Okay. It passed. We will now go to new business. We will take up the 5.1 the major topic of tonight act transportation public draft public draft oh okay for review um item one is an act of transport public draft for review the staff presentation will be provided by transportation manager and Alison Boyer assistant public works Tracy McMullen project manager of theation plan and Nelson Ngard is available to answer questions after the presentation. >> Okay, we have a presentation. It's done. There we go. Okay, >> great. Good evening. Um, as acting chair Mallister mentioned, we have Nelson Nygard on the phone to help answer questions at the end of the presentation, but tonight we are here to discuss the Mountain View Active Transportation Plan, the draft plan, and staff is requesting CTC pro review and provide comments on the plan. So, quickly a little bit of background. The agenda is we'll do a quick project update. Um, walk through what the Mountain View Active Transportation Plan components are and then we will go into what we heard um through our outreach process and then move into resolutions and next steps. Um quickly on the project update. So this project has been split into three phases. Um we are currently here in phase three which is reviewing the draft and moving into plan adoption. Um as I think it was previously mentioned this project has been in the works since 2022. So we are happy to be moving forward to a plan adoption. Um this project has gone through multiple engagement rounds with various support uh types of support throughout. Um we had multiple working groups, outreach surveys and we are happy with where we've landed and all of the community what we've received through this last round. And with that I'm going to pass. >> Great. Thank you. Good evening. Can you go to the next slide, please? And then the next slide. So, I'm going to walk through first the components of the plan, give you a overview of it, and then I will at the tail end, I will summarize the um themes that we received from the outreach and engagement we just conducted. So, the active transportation plan uh was developed using both data and community input. It proposes projects, policies, and programs to support promote walking in the city. And it also supports the city's sustainability and greening goals. It builds on multiple previous plans that were adopted by both the city as well as uh countywide, regional, and state agencies, including the prior bicycle and pedestrian plans that were adopted by the city. uh CALR complete streets action plan, the MTC regional active transportation plan and other local plans such as access MD and the vision zero action plan and the local roadway safety plan. Go to the next slide please. So the plan is divided into four sections, four chapters. The first chapter, the introduction, it introduces the plan. It describes the process that we used to develop it, summarizes the public and stakeholder engagement and outlines the vision and the guiding principles which were adopted by city council. Chapter 2 is essentially the existing conditions chapter. It describes travel patterns, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, safety data and it also includes holistic maps of existing and proposed pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Chapter 3 presents the recommended policies and programs and identifies the high priority projects for moving forward uh in implementing the plan. And then finally, chapter 4 describes how the projects can be implemented. It covers phasing options. It discusses ways to incorporate green infrastructure into roadway improvement projects and it also summarizes funding opportunities. There are also several appendices associated with the plan including appendices that list all of the recommended projects not just the priority projects you want to make you can go to the next slide. Okay. So the vision and the guiding principles I mentioned um that was adopted by city council but it was also brought to this uh committee as as well as the bicycle pedestrian advisory committee for review and comment. Uh I won't read the vision to you but you can take a look at it in support of and and to implement the vision we have those five guiding principles listed there on the slide. Mobility and connectivity refers to streets that are easy to use and well connected for walking, biking, and rolling. Safety and comfort refers to trails, sidewalks, bikeways, intersections, and crosswalks that are safe, inviting, and easy to use. Access and equity refers to policies and programs that engage and protect vulnerable populations and increase mobility choices. Sustainability and biodiversity refers to green streets that improve access to nature and open spaces and promote sustainability and native habitats and storm water management. And finally, actionoriented and forward thinking refers to an implementable plan with clear standards that are updated and aligned with adopted policies. So we refer to these guiding principles in the vision throughout the development of the plan. You can go to the next slide. So a quick summary of the internal ex external engagement activities. Um internally we convened a technical advisory committee to review and comment on the key deliverables. We also formed an external active transportation public advisory committee the ATPAC which consisted of community- based organizations and public agencies such as the county public health department and BTA. They also reviewed and provided comments of key deliverables. Uh we presented key deliverables to the BPA and PTC as well council. And then in terms of engaging the general public, we used a variety of means, a variety of events including um multilingual focus groups, walking and biking tours, popups at community events. We had an online map and survey which uh received over 600 individual comments and we also hosted um public workshops for people to review plan deliverables comments and you can see some of the pictures some of the activities here and go to the next slide. Okay. So, I mentioned we received over 600 comments um through these engagement activities and really the the key topline findings are that Mountain View is already a very active community. Residents want access to key destinations. They want to be able to walk and bike to more places and have safer uh walking and biking conditions. Um, and the city system for walking and biking is already rather robust, but there are gaps that exist in the network. And so this plan used uh this input from the community as well as I mentioned the data to identify places to make improvements. So we can fill in gaps in the network for both advice lists. We can improve the quality of the walking and biking infrastructure and generally increase connectivity across the city and enhance safety and comfort and look for opportunity to incorporate greening into these projects. Go to the next slide. Thanks Laura. All right, I'm going to show the recommended improvements the holistic maps that I mentioned earlier in the presentation. Uh these are in chapter two of the plan. Uh this map here is the bicycle the holistic bicycle network. It includes both existing bikeways and proposed bikeways. And it was built off of prior planning work including precise plans and other uh citywide efforts that identified particular bikeway pipes for different roadways. We reviewed this and identified gaps that could potentially be closed and identified reviewed and recommended different types of bikeway facilities based on variables such as roadway with the safety and operational characteristics of the roadway land uses and who was expected to use the roadway for example students or seniors. The table here uh describes how many uh recommended new uh or upgraded bikeways there are by bike recite and you can go to the next slide. So for the holistic pedestrian network the plan includes two maps. Um the first map is the existing conditions. So what pedestrian infrastructure already exists? The second map, the one I'm showing here, are the proposed improvements to the pedestrian infrastructure. Just like the bikeway, we built off prior planning work. In this case, we focused a lot on the local roadway safety plan, the vision zero plan. Again, we looked at the recommendations in precise plans and the previous pedestrian plan. We identified where there were gaps in the sidewalk network and where there were opportunities to provide crossing improvements uh such as new crossings or reducing the overall length of you can see here the summary of the pedestrian improvements that are included in plan includes 30 individual locations as well as several areas for widening. We're providing sidewalks. Go to the next slide. So with that holistic map assessment, we ended up with a hundred individual projects. We combined bicycle and pedestrian components along a corridor into an individual project and then we used scoring criteria to support the guiding principles to score those individual projects. Um the document itself has the criteria and uh under that that we used underneath the the different guiding principles and I can go into that in Q&A if you'd like. Um but essentially we scored all hundred potential projects. We came up with uh we were looking for 20 because of ties. We came up with 23 projects that that made the cut and we developed cut sheets which are included in in the planning document to show what could potentially be done along those corridors. We didn't include cut sheets for the projects that were already in a dice plan or already had work conducted on them because the designs had already been moved forward a bit. So we didn't want to redo work that had already been done. You can go to the next slide. Actually, go back one just one. I just want to mention a point on this. Sorry. In that map, the the lines are all linear corridors. Can you go back the other way to the map? Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. I'll talk she does that. I shouldn't I shouldn't have messed up the the system. the lines. It's linear quarters, but I just want to to make sure folks know that there are crossing improvements included along corridors. So, uh in the map, it may not pop out as having pedestrian improvement, but there are those projects. Yeah. There you go. Thank you. Okay, I'm done talking. You can move forward. Thank you. So, the plan also includes several recommendations for new policies or new programs or in some cases expanded existing programs. I've listed some of these here. We've listed all of them on the slides and again if we can go into them in Q&A if you have questions. Um some of the ones I want to I want to highlight as what we've seen pop up uh repeatedly in the community comments are looking at ways that we implement no right on red. Um consideration of pedestrian connectivity via POS updating the B parking standards. can go to the next slide. We've heard several comments on greening and tree canopy encouragement, social walks and rides and maintenance of the active transportation facilities. So you go to the next slide. So when we talk about implementation and this is um the final chapter of the plan, the plan presents an approach for these priority projects that looks at both a near-term lower cost way of implementing improvements and a longer term higher cost way of implementing improvements. So there's the resurfacing which is a lower cost. This is something done during the seasonal routine maintenance of a roadway. It could include include pavement markings, signage. There's opportunities to put in glass four elements, but not the type of, you know, not uh curbs per se. Generally, not green infrastructure and no curve line changes, those improvements. And you can see this uh illustrated in this example in number two, the resurfacing. The second way of implementing this design approach is reconstruction. So this is not something that you can do with the the standard repaving and the maintenance. This takes a lot longer of a lead time. You're required to do feasibility studies and more design work could um so this reconstruction does allow for demolition and rebuild of curb lines. allows for perm line adjustments and the opportunity to provide street trees and other green structure. So for any given project you can potentially go from you know existing to resurfacing and then to reconstruction. But for a project if you were to get a grant opportunity and move it forward you could actually skip from one to three. It's just a question of do you have the money to staff the past time uh to do to do the work because these take quite some time. Uh the implementation plan or the implementation chapter also has uh several pages describing green streets the the benefits and the challenges of implementing green street infrastructure into roadway changes. Um it talks about the benefits and the tradeoffs. It has cost estimates for different types of materials and um provides some basic information that will be helpful for both the city and the public to understand when developing and implementing green infrastructure. So we can go to the next slide. Finally, the implementation plan includes section on funding and uh we've listed here some of the funding opportunities that are available to the city. Several of these, most of these are competitive grant programs you'd have to apply for. Some of them are funding that the city receives by formula and has a little bit more flexibility for inland. The plan also talks about the need to collaborate with different agencies when delivering improvements. Central Expressway and El Camino Riale are owned by uh the county of Santa Clara and Calrans respectively and we received a huge number of comments and concerns on that those roadways and and intersections along those roadways. The challenge for us is that we don't own those roadways and so in order to make improvements there we need to collaborate very closely with these agencies and we we do do that and we are continuing to do that. Calra is another agency we need to and are currently collaborating with when we're talking about things they're larger than the ATP for example the greatations go to the next slide. So I just gave an overview of what's in the plan. We presented the plan that you have in your packet to members of the public. Um we uh made it available to the public on I believe it was April 20th and it was out for about a month on collaborate MV. During that time frame we held a bic pedestrian advisory committee meeting where we presented the plan and received comments. We also um had a public meeting where we had members of the public attend and provide comments and had a nice discussion about the plan. So the themes and the comments that I'm going to talk about in the next two slides are what we received from that very recent public engagement. And uh we received received over 200 individual comments and that um that doesn't represent the total number of people. It was fewer numbers of people because people had multiple comments. So, one of the key themes was the BPAC wanted to make sure they could Oh, I'm so sorry. Thank you. Uh, the bicycle pedestrian advisory committee requested that we bring the final plan after we've made changes back to them. And so, we have scheduled a review by both the BFAC and this committee in August. So, you will see the final plan before it goes to city council in September. there was a desire to strengthen and add to the programs and policies section. There were some questions about um policies that were in the vision zero and the roadway safety plan and so we'll update the plan to make it clear that those two plans work together. there was a desire to provide more focus on pedestrian improvements in the active transportation plan and so we've identified some we we reviewed the plan we believe that there are strong pedestrian require or improvements and recommendations in the plan but they could be the plan could be revised a bit to highlight those uh there was some questions about inconsistencies particularly on the cut sheets for the priority projects and so go in and make sure those the narrative and drawings are consistent. Can you go to the next slide? And there was a desire for us to better highlight how the active transportation plan advances and um specifically we'll add some language about how it can coordinate the biodiversity and urban forest plan and other sustainability related. There was also a request to add performance metrics and outcomes and to uh report back on how well we are doing in implementing the plan. So we're going to be adding language policies program section that and I did not include it in here. It was an oversight. There was desire for us to add some practices to the plan including an existing conditions uh report that or brought to the BPAC several years ago and so we are reviving that updating it. Well, not updating it but revising it and are planning on. So with that you can go to the next slide please. terms of the timeline um for the last the tail end of the plan I mentioned the community engagement that we did in April May we are here in that sunflower colored line in June after we receive the comments here from you and any members of the public staff are going to be using the month of the rest of June and the month of July to revise and update the plan so that we can deliver a final plan to BPAC to the CTC to the public and to council for adoption September. So we are the end of my presentation. We are here tonight to request that the crew review and comment on the public draft of >> if I may before um the committees both the committee and the public um I just wanted to note that Chair Hicks is now present and all committee members Thank you. So with that um the next question is do any members of the committee have questions on >> I didn't get a chance to read um questions. Yes. So, I've read them. So, I guess we could proceed in one of several ways. Um, member Mallister, you could uh summarize a question or two or >> Yeah. No, I'm not gonna Yeah, I would follow up on some of the questions. Okay, let's put this in context where I'm coming from. So, uh, so this starts 2022. Lots been going on. Uh, new new terminology, new focus on certain a lot of things. So, I'm coming into it sort of, okay, what's what's going on? Still getting my footing up. So my perspective will be different than what these folks have had. So it's it's so it's just trying to help me analyze it. So going forward and my position on the council, what I look for, how it will benefit the entire city of 85,000 and how we use our limited funds to projections like that. you know, I'm data driven and I always like to see that to justify your project and type my So that being said, I'll follow up with a few of my questions. U we can take off one. So I had a one particular well one question the uh no particular order. There was one street put on your list as Carol. I've been watching Carol thinking for 65 years almost basis. I grew up in that area. Has anybody proposing two sidewalks on both sides? And one of my questions is >> I can save comments. I'll save. So I think we would we would need to go back into some of the the project files to understand if one of the walk audits went along that area um that addressed Carol. One of the things I want to note is that at the master plan level like this, the recommendations are based on generally data that we have say GIS maps information that we can evaluate at a citywide level. So looking at the width of roadways, looking at destinations for example Carol School and I believe that is why the recommendation was put in for the sidewalks and When the city moves forward with a project, they'll use the master plan as a starting point needs to validate tenant. So there are going to be opportunities as a project moves forward for us to look at conditions, the actual conditions on the ground. Um and we may need to revise some of the recommendations but this is our very good estimate what we believe was possible given the data sources given the fact that we're doing it. So when those priorizations sorry was you're going to wait until you get to that point you're ready to do it >> general view that you plan to go through just validate >> yeah as we bring them on online as part of the CIP process and start funding individual projects a good idea by more of the exact scope about these. >> Okay. And I also asked the question about landing major roadways. I asked the question about you know our public transit again being big picture our shuttle and it was that you show the runs but was that maybe it wasn't the police to make the discussion but I would think our goal is somebody said we'll get people out with cars I would think this would be overriding consideration is that if we get our shuttle going a lot of these projects won't accomplish I mean shuttle accomplished a lot of concerns. So that's why I didn't see anything saying, you know, if we do this, you know, if we put more money into public transit, this will solve this problem. So that was a question. >> Okay, if I get to a comment, let me stop because I might get to the comment. Um the focus of this active transportation was on bike and pedestrian uh transportation relapse in a lot of different ways. We you know we have the TDM, we have the active transportation. We will be evaluating the shuttle moving forward. Um, shuttles are difficult when somebody wants to just get down the road to go to the library quickly and by the time they wait for the shuttle, they could have gotten on their bike and gotten there or maybe like stroller onto the shuttle is not as easy as walking there. Um we want to make sure of our wide transportation approach but we will continue the shuttle more often. Um the other question there was I asked about the benchmark number of comments that were considered to particular item and I said what is the high concentrate? You mentioned that you used the heat map to identify locations that high concentration just trying to quantify it for me considered high concentration 5 10 20 30 40. >> So um we reached out to the consultant who had developed the map to understand the math behind developing that map. uh we received about approximately 600 comments, right? And the consultant took those 600 comments and basically broke it into equal groups of three. So higher areas would say have um you know 200 comments, 200 comments, two >> that makes sense. I don't know if we have heat map >> you put a heat map up there more than I was just wondering how >> right right the heat map so it's a relative rather than an absolute number if I if I can explain it so it's it what the way the map is developed is you take the individual points where people had a question and a comment and then you see how many points are in that area and you blend together into what you saw as the heat map >> Lauren this is you >> Tracy do you want to comment because you were the yeah this is Tracy from from Nelson Nyart and they developed the maps. >> Hi everyone, how are you? uh the the heat map as Lauren was discussing that is presenting the the challenging the in the sense the density of responses that any given area within the city um I'm sorry I just had a brain fart the word I was looking for received that's it received any given area uh in the city received that was during the existing conditions component of the project that we conducted this uh mapping activity. Uh it also contained all comments that have come in through um ask and uh as well as comments from walk audits, small group meetings and all the engagement activities that we conducted are compiled in that map. Um so the the as a heat map works the higher concentration of comments that um came in in any given area um is reflected in the heat map by a darker color. And if it's a lighter color then it was a lower concentration of comments. uh we'd have to go back into the um the map itself to look at the the absolute number of comment for any one given area. Um but again the the map reflects the um number of comments through the intensity of the color for any given area. And then what Lauren was referring to in terms of three um relatively equal groups was referring to the um when a project was scored. When the projects were scored um community the the density of community comments in the area of the project was one of the scoring uh criteria. So if an area had a high density, if a project area had a high density of community comments, um that put it into the the third like the highest category of community comments in a given area then it received the highest uh school points for that particular category. So I think you had comment you had questions um regarding the map and then also the scoring criteria >> comments. I want to try to sense get a sense of how you got how this plan would evolve and was it 20 comments? Was it 100 comments? I would like to know how many comments became higher density or low density or so. >> We can we can figure that out. But I guess the the heat map is a translation of the number of plummets relative to each other and you're wanting the absolute per for the density of the area. >> We can get that for you. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. Um and then there was um on the California street clean street program I asked if there was a midway progress report and it'll set post construction. So there is no midweight report. It's just at the beginning that you'll ever report. >> I mean, so I'll let either either one Ed or or Robert jump in here, but it because it is a pilot, we are taking precount numbers and post uh count numbers. With that data, a determination will be made and we will see how that project uh change the area and the use and and make it and that will be reported out. My understanding is at the end of summer early fall time frame as we finish collecting the data. >> Okay. So, we're getting and one comes about the uh or question question that and I guess that also reply to number of accidents and stuff so >> well the evaluation I did for structure projects and it was came of thought so I asked will this has this been done yet or is it done before because it was supposed to say did it uh did it actually the project actually get the intended impact of travel. So caps is going to go forward but it says and post construction is that going to be part of policy then >> that is one of our recommendations. Um and other questions sort of technical ones. Yeah, we're getting the final review in August package. What do you expect from us CTC since it's a final project? >> So, we're taking all the comments that we received. We're going to incorporate them in the plan. We will bring it the plan to both BPAC and CCTC prior to going to council. So we will be looking for recommendation from CTC that council will adopt the final act of transportation plan. >> So that will include but you'll just we'll accept the document. You're not looking for any additional information or corrections or thoughts on that with that? >> Not at that time unless there's some glaring issue. >> Okay. Uh and then my one question that I said I would ask figure 14 distance between district crossings and I kind of understood how what do you mean from crossings street? No, it's the it's the length of a roadway between places where pedestrians are leaving. So, it's basically block length. >> Okay. So, I see a lot of blue. 500 ft. Okay. I was just looking at my neighborhood and I saw So, I see a lot of blue. But that means distance between pedestrian crossings is are these uh marked crossings? >> No, it just means where you are legally allowed to cross. So, it wouldn't be classified as jaywalking, right? So at the corner of your block you can cross at a legal >> you can cross any okay >> so the idea is some of the bigger stretches an example would be a rank store right which we're working on right now as a project there are ver some very long stretches where there is no way for a pedestrian to cross from one side of the street to the other and so that's that's what that length is identifying where those gaps are in our pedestrian network. Okay. Yeah, that Yeah, that makes sense. The person I'm looking at. Those are the my questions for those questions. Okay. Council member. >> Okay. Um trying to organize myself. Okay. So um we received quite a few different letters with a bunch of different comments and so I just wanted to give staff opportunity. Well, so for example, the letter that um the committee received from um not US middle school district had like five items that they could highlight commented on any of those or would it be similar to I guess I'm trying to understand how we will incorporate the comments. So you shared with us deep hat um but we've also gotten other >> Yeah. So I'll just quickly say the comments that we summarized were what we received during outreach. So it wasn't just PPAC comments. Those are comments we received from uh collaborate MV of APAC our outreach meeting. We also had our ATP pack acronyms at PAC and PAC are included in in these. I will say the letter is newer than than this list that we provided, but we will go back through those that we were trying to um categorize the comments received into kind of themes and they're they they seem to fall in these same groupings and I think that the letter from the school district is similar. Um we it has obviously a focus more on the schools and getting the kids safely to school. Um, safe routes to school is a program that we will continue to support and we'll be bringing to BPAC and every and CTC later next fiscal year. Um, but it was part of our scoring criteria that those projects have um risen to the the top of our priority list and we'll incorporate those components as we move through. Yeah, I think you know the and I was just going back because I think the AT but the the ATP does reference safe routes to school. >> Um perhaps just I'm trying to think about I know we have our safer to school program. We also have the ATP we're trying to adopt. the staff feel that it kind of peppered throughout the document is the best route or to staff think that writing like a little section that says if you're school that puts like encompasses I I just looked at staff because I think when people think of the ATP they might and what I not too much but the ATP is very readable. >> Yeah. >> And so I wonder if there might be if staff is open to like a call out section on that. >> Absolutely. since we got >> Yeah. And we we can do that. We also have education as part of our policy or policies and programs that we want to continue to promote not just in the schools but throughout the city. Um I will say our safe rout has not officially been adopted by council. >> So we will be bringing that next year with for adoption. Um so with that we're exists but it's not adopted. It was yeah we >> sorry that's a question >> yeah so it's been identified as a program >> and a priority but was the plan has was never adopted so we will be bringing that to council where we're we're going to strengthen it and bring it to council as an adoption to ensure that it continues to support funding as we move forward. So >> it wasn't adopted as in conjunction with our vision zero plan >> no they're separate vision zero and local roads and safety are paired together. Okay. Thank you. All right. >> Yeah. >> Thanks. Okay. >> Start fishing my head. I know very little, but I do have >> Okay. There are a lot of smaller transportation plans to help us try and wrap our arms around >> transportation city. >> I put those three together >> in my mind. >> They have the same PM >> usually. That's probably why >> and I thought we had adopted that. Okay. >> Yeah. Um, I had a a question about um how the ATP can address the last what the last 12 mile issue that I think the city's been facing for a very long time. So, one of the things in here is about or one of caser's question um was uh related to our sharing programs. So, um I know that we our our bike share program is open for applications, but we haven't received any, but we have received a scooter share. Is staff seeing that people are mode shifting from like bike share to a scooter share program? Is that just like the current climate? Did that help address the half half mile issue a little bit better? Sorry, just kind of that broad. Yeah, I I wouldn't say that it's one or the other, but what we have found is the vendors want to be able to provide both at the same time. So, um it's not one or the other, but they want to do both. And right now, there is the moratorum on the scooter share program. So, we're in the process of updating that. We're hoping that with the update of and repealing of that that will hopefully get both bikes and scooters back. Okay. Um when talking about the guiding principle um related to slide 13 and I was trying to find all that. So when we're talking about access and equity define kind of the rubric. So when we're talking about the guiding principle, what does access and equity mean through the lens of the AT? >> So I I it's in the appendex in appendix A if you want to take a look at it. Um access and equity is defined uh or appendix. >> It's the it's appendex A. >> And then there was one attachment to this all in one. Yeah. And I don't actually it would be page 79 in the PDF. >> So it uses three >> table one. >> Table one. Yeah. It uses three scoring criteria. So the first one is supporting lower income residents. And you can see under the metrics what it looks at. It's US census data and it's looking at household income. It also looks at filling a gap in an existential sidewalk network by Carol. >> So that's a yes no >> that's a yes no and the reason why that I mean that's under access but it's also under equity because that devices okay >> and then it also looks at whether it fills a gap in all ages and abilities bicycle and so that would be the low stress network you're looking at. So class four bikeways or um class two bike lanes on low streets or bicycle could be considered about all ages bikeways. How do you feel that ATP and I one of the things I was like reflecting on is the I like the guiding principle. I think when it comes to the score scoring criteria, I think it doesn't necessarily feel like there's gap in safety when it comes to access particularly for some of the neighborhoods that may fall into scoring the first scoring criteria when I talk about lower income residents because they might be in um higher volume like area where the state feel as And so I just wasn't sure how we can incorporate that into um you know we've been trying to make improvements on like California store but I think the speed with which cars go um may still feel like an impediment to I forget the categorization But you know like there's the confident biker the less sorry but concerned maybe yeah and I those folks might um alone and I don't know how we can talk about how as we're doing the ATP we're making people feel like that's a gap but I don't know if you feel that feels like that ATP can address that in a different guiding principle or how we might address that. We can circle back to it, but I just thought part of the the AT is to address mode shift, but it's also I think ideally a way for people to feel more confident or safe to do so. >> And I'm just trying to figure out and to me that's a bit of like equity for everyone to feel that. You know, some neighborhoods you may feel safer to do so than in others. Um I'm not sure how >> so the the scoring criteria also includes the safety and comfort >> uh guiding principle and that that uses data that directly addresses crash history and other safety concerns. >> Um >> like the second >> yeah the second the second one. So if you think about two projects that are exactly the same with all the other scoring except for the access and equity particularly the lower income with this scoring metric this the the project that is in the lower income neighborhood will bump up >> if that makes sense as we're looking at the project >> and as we're looking at the ATP to be able to help inform the behavior Correct. Also, I would add, it's not exactly the same, but there's also the supporting uh under mobility and connectivity, there's also supports the school children. So, if it's within a certain uh uh radius of a school, so it's not it's kind of peppered throughout it. So, >> but I just, you know, I think that's one of the uh themes or that I was >> Yeah. thinking about. >> Yeah. The other thing I would I do I look here is how many maximum points do you have for each guiding principle. So for the for the access and equity guiding principle it's a maximum of 27 points and then for the safety and comfort it's a maximum of 3. So in this situation safety and comfort weighs heavier than access equity but those are really that and then mobility connectivity which is 22 points. Those are really the top we were looking at >> and the scoring criteria went through BPAC. >> Yeah, >> it's just been last year with other projects. Yeah. And I'm thinking too like how does this document or the guiding principles are for current but also future as we're adopting project after project in relation to the housing element >> you know and I'm also thinking about how the 10th school site is going forward and the infrastructure that we can create there to um make it a heard it most questions. >> Yes. >> And then and then lastly had a question about the funding and collaboration. So um one of the things that this is about coordination related to funding but how um might we be able to highlight coordination related to projects. But sometimes a user is on a city street that goes to town that goes to just thinking about the comments we've been hearing recently from residents about their user experience on certain um areas they they are moving from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. How do we a way that we can address that in the ATP or make that work? How do we share that with residents? So yeah, um I think sometimes the feedback comes our way, but the city isn't able to do anything because it's right away, EA right away. Um they're traversing over the county expressway onto the city street. Um and address that or how do we because I feel like that's an like a so we looked at the projects together, right? you know, a person is going to travel and processed from what we know and um what where it would have been affected if they might not have scored so as high and how quickly we could deliver the project. So, it doesn't mean we didn't consider these projects. It's just it it makes a project a little hard to deal with. Uh we will continue to look at them. a lot of them are on our our busier streets that are used more regularly. So, um they're it's it's part of the projects. The reality is we are in an area where we are crossing um other jurisdictions. So, so we will continue to work and partner with agencies to deliver these projects. They they ask, it's just that there's some patience and understanding that they're they're not as easy as the projects that are solely in our jurisdiction. Um we do also have in there scoring criteria gap um completion. It's not quite the same thing but it's where you know you have a route from Sunnyvil that drops you into not the same type of mountain. Um an example would be what's happening along Evelyn. Um Sunny is in the process of completing Evelyn. We're going to pick it up and try and complete it on our end. So we will continue to work with projects like that as well through this process. You think that we could in the AT could like the different jur like I know the different jurisdictions are called out but could we put like as an contact information different juris like different entities I don't know I'm just I'm gonna ask I'm gonna ask the why the benefit of putting the contact information >> well I I because I think we highlighted it and we touched upon it, but the city because of because our roadway is so shared. I think that residents often express comments and do not know where to turn. And if this is an active transportation plan, it may I think it would be helpful for an appendency to say like our collaborative partner, oh CCA, this is like their website here or like I have a question about whatever, right? I almost like you know like wayfinding but for like >> right >> but in a different type of way. And so I think one of the things we've been trying to do is is in our education is make it easier for our residents to understand what the resources are, what the roots are, etc. You know, and part of it is what are the different partners so they can understand some of the constraints we're under because um >> yeah okay that helps that helps to understand the background behind that. Um >> I mean it's just a question and staff would put into it but if not that could be too um >> and then um we we can look into it. The reason why I asked the question is I didn't know if something like that would be a plan that's not be updated very frequently right because those things sometimes change. So maybe it's another mechanism. >> There might be another way to share the information >> and that's fine too. just asking staff because I I feel like recently there's just been an uptick in comments that I've been receiving >> and so you know and I live in a neighborhood where I'm welcome. So like you know I think there's different things people are experiencing and I and I want to have a more satisfac I want residents to feel like they have a more satisfactory answer and I want to provide a vehicle for that. I'm just asking that what you might think as we're talking about adopting if there's room there somewhere else. Um, look forward to that. >> Yeah, those are my question. Thank you. Okay, >> think of more while I'm asking. Um, so my question is the good thing about going last is a lot of good questions have been asked. First, I'm gonna circle back and ask in a slightly different way what member Kamay said about how we incorporate these latest comments. um because I think people we and the various people who sent us letters, groups mostly um over the past day or two uh have put a lot of thought and work into it and I want to make sure that that we have a rubric to capture that work and not just have it all slipped away somewhere. And so um at the same time often we take straw holes for this kind of thing. And I think there may be two men I I'm asking for your suggestions but I think you know we may come up with 30 different can you include this and can you include that and it may not be best to do straw hold on all of those. Um I'm thinking that a possible rubric would be I thought you had excellent categories. um you know when you the categories I forget how many there were maybe five um and they were having memorized the names of the category I put it right here but they were uh more on pedestrianism uh more on metrics more on including sustainability and there were several others perhaps we could put our our comments under those categories and you could consider them but not for example like member Kame's latest um comment question which I fully support of uh you know giving a little more information on our adjacent and regional agencies transit a transportation agencies um you know maybe that it feels to me like you don't like we don't have to vote on that and you say yes or no tonight but it could be put under some rubric one of the titles And then you go back and decide whether it's possible, impossible, or possible to do in a slightly different way than member may suggested. >> Is that what >> we're not voting right? But I want to make sure that the comments don't evaporate. So do you have any suggestions to make sure that is putting them under those categories a helpful or do you have another >> I think that's helpful. If there are broader categories that you think we should also consider that we didn't categorize, I think that would also be very helpful. >> Yeah, I think we've received I we received a high volume of comments for these categories. So, if there's something you think is fitting that would be really helpful for us to make sure that that gets included in the plan. Uh and then yes, if there's specific addition additional comments, yeah, please um and I have to think on the way to convey back to public where they're addressed. I think I think we've come up with some, you know, very clear ways how we plan on assuming the plan and the public sees that. that I I hear you and making sure that they understand we we received the comments and um logging those appropriately. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I don't >> Okay, good. I don't think I have to ask on any further. Um so, and then I have a question. Um I agreed with the the people who commented on uh that the plan could be stronger in terms of pedestrianism. Um and uh related to that um in particular there's an area that talks I'm going to come up this question from multiple angles. So, I don't see I see a there's a table with a minimum of different lane widths and sidewalk widths and it says that sidewalks will be a minimum not but a minimum of five feet. Um I and then it said sidewalks should be widened in certain places. My um experience with widening sidewalks is that one of the big triggers is building height. So this relates to council member Kay's comment on we in large part the um the ATP is talking about conditions now but we expect conditions to change and then you also mentioned things that are have been specified in precise plans are not specified here but I'm still left wondering how we're addressing um because not all additional building height will be in um size plan areas. So, how we're addressing the need for like I'm a huge I'm a huge advocate for improved pedestrianism. I don't think every sidewalk needs to be more than five feet in the whole city. I I even think unincorporated areas can have no sidewalks sometimes. So, what is there a mechanism anywhere in here for higher building and desert development to trigger wider side? because I didn't catch. >> And I I'm trying to understand your question just a little bit more clearly. Um, by higher buildings, you mean I'm sorry, this is me being the engineer here. Are you talking where the building hits the sidewalk or are you talking that there's just more people in a building and so therefore more need for sidewalk? >> Yes. Where there's more people? >> Yes. Okay. If we just wanted to clarify warehouse in the middle of a single family neighborhood, which I don't want us to do, but if we were, it would not be more the sidewalks, right? But yeah, we have >> got it. >> Multi-story apartments >> um are what triggers the need for you know I go to Chicago they have 30 foot sidewalks because they have because it's next to a tall building. >> Yeah. Okay. Sorry. Just needed to to understand there a little bit more. Um so yes, you're correct. If there's a precise plan, we're not trying to change a precise plan. And the event is when those projects come on board, we follow or come online, we follow that. >> As projects um are identified in the CIP as becoming a project, the plan is that they'll go through transportation planning first. That will involve outreach. that will involve conversations with our CDD partners um and others in the understanding what's going to happen and what we expect to happen based on zoning and just the conditions that we see um housing element changes whatnot before we kick this project off the first thing we will be doing is validating that the assumptions made and the ATP are still correct this is a plan that will probably be updated between every 5 to 10 years View is going to change a not in the next 5 to 10 years. And a project that isn't touched until year eight, the assumptions will likely have changed. And so the first thing we will do as we bring these projects on board is do that validation. Talk to the neighbors is, you know, is it the street parking? Is it the sidewalks? And just identify what the intent for buildout is in that area and if zoning has changed, housing element affects that area. So, um, where the five foot comes into play is that is the current, um, recommended standard for the city as new projects are coming online. Um, new developments in our right away are being asked to put in five foot sidewalks, though. We're not just going to create a project just wide a sidewalk, 5T. I think what I'm asking in addition to this is is there anywhere I didn't see anywhere in the ATV a recognition that as we densify which we're doing a great deal of and we're doing a great deal of through the housing element and through legislation from Sacramento for example SB79 I see no reference anywhere to the fact that when you densify when you add more people you need wider sidewalks in the areas that you're deathifying unless everybody has an underground garage and a home. Um, so I see not a sentence in here about that, but I I read a lot. So maybe it is in there. And that's what I'm asking. Is it in there anyway? In any way. >> It's not. >> Okay. >> It is not in there in that in that in that. Yeah. >> Yeah. And I don't think well now I'm going into the points but I don't think we wait until the 20 foot building is built and assess and then say we do more than a foot. Okay so that was one question. Um and then uh my second question, so also in that same table of minimum lanes and sidewalks and so forth, it said that the minimum roadway lane was 11 ft, but I'm reading NACTO guidelines and also hearing that El Camino Rail has narrower. So why is our minimum when I'm hearing about nine 10 and a half why is our active transportation plan arguing for a minimum of 11? So 11 ft is what is needed for trash trucks, buses, emergency vehicles. So if there is only one lane provided and then there's a vertical barrier, they need that space to to transit. I'm not going to say that that's an everywhere situation, but that is our starting point for most situ for most projects. If there are multiple lanes, like on El Camino, um they do go down to 10 feet, but at least one of those lanes is on the 11th lane. So, if we have multiple lanes, we will definitely um shrinking the lane width, but 11 feet is what we used for our planning purposes again because we don't have exact survey data everywhere. We also didn't want to put in a 10-ft lane. Then we get out there and now we have a 9 foot lane and I can't get the trash truck through or the VTA bus can't make it through. So, um it is our our starting off point. It doesn't mean that we can't look at areas where 10 feet makes sense, but we're starting with 11 feet as our So to me, the if you say 11 ft, it doesn't even say 11 ft is the minimum for lanes that are going to have emergency vehicles. It says it it reads that it's the minimum for all roadways. So maybe I mean I'm bleeding into comments, but perhaps we could there could be two lines. one for emergency vehicles and one for second second third floor plan which I hope >> could I ask a clarifying question are you referring to table two the basis of design that is >> on the screen >> oh thank you >> on the screen I it's a little hard to see that so that's in appendix B which talks about the pet sheet development >> right >> so just so everyone knows this was the basis of design that we used when we were developing concept plans for the priority projects. So that that table just describes these are the parameters we were looking at when we were estimating what we thought could fit in each of these corridors. >> So it's not for everything, but it's for those cut sheets examples. >> Okay, since I'm asking questions, I'm not going to go into great detail on how it confuses. Um, uh, okay. So, and I generally thought it was great, by the way. It feels bad to start with questions because it's always the parts that you love out of the hundreds of pages. Um, so also, now I know what your answer should be to me on this is that I voted for it. So, but also uh in scoring uh priority projects, there's a category of safety and comfort. And to me, the for me one of the largest elements of safety and comfort. And this actually links to council member Kit's question on equity because it's also what you find most in the lower income areas of mountain cities as well is a lack of shame to the point that you just feel like you can't walk anywhere. Um yet that I mean I would say that's almost the number one thing that stops me and people who refuse to walk uh places uh is a is um you know a lack of shape. So I was a little confused about why that didn't it appears somewhere else. It appears under I think biodiversity I think under biodiversity biodiversity but I I actually think I actually think this is a problem that runs through all of our plants. We talk about biodiversity for animals which I'm all for ahead of needs of people. And I really think that in terms of trees we're doing it mostly so that people in lowincome areas can walk horses. I mean, I have to say the place people refuse to walk with me most is when I go to visit my friends who live in an affordable housing development and nobody's working any street on large stretches. So, that was a I get that's a question. Why is why is shade not a part of comfort? And you can tell me because I voted for it that way. I don't know that I have a great answer for you. I'm going to be completely honest. Um I think that greening has just always by default gone into sustainability. Um I'm not saying that that's the right answer. Um I do think that you're correct that a mind should change when we're talking about active transportation. is probably necessary, but it for this one it fell under sustainability. Um, >> oh, I like that answer really a lot. >> Um, you know, I think we've always always just thought of greening is how we make something more sustainable or it's part of our greenhouse gas or something of that nature. And I think we just need to understand there needs to be a shift in kind of the approach as we develop these projects. Okay, that's that's fabulous answer because I really think we need to think of it how it's useful or not useful at all. Um, and then this getting towards my last questions. Uh can you tell me this may relate to uh member Mallister's question on how uh when you're going to walk the streets and know because on some of them the conditions really change block to block or even within one block. Um, so the one I'm thinking of that I'm really familiar with, but I think it re I think that many of the streets are probably in this condition is um, Leam. I used to when I had children in grade school, which was quite I would take them down um, the downtown to Castro school all along them. If I read the ATP, right, it says that that's going to be um the sidewalks are going to be wide. But in many of in much of that, not all because it really changes even midb block it changes. If we widen the sidewalks, first I don't think sidewalks need to be widened there because because I have never experienced walking to school. I've never experienced or we scooted out of school. I never experienced any problems with conflicts with anyone or difficulty using it. But secondly, if you widen the sidewalk, you're going to either take away somebody's front yard, which I don't think is going to happen, belongs to them, or you're going to take out the planting strip and the trees, which I also don't think is going to happen, or you're going to take out the parking, which is also probably not not going to happen because there's not a lot of parking there, and there's cars all over the place. So, I don't understand how and where that street is going to be wide. I not street, sorry, where that sidewalk. It's one of the main places that it says there's going to be sidewalk widening all along the way, but honestly, I don't see it. I don't see it. Um, so I'm looking at the cross-section for leam, which I'm assuming is where this colony is coming from. um one where it is coming from. It doesn't mean it needs to happen this way and we would evaluate it as we go through because widening a sidewalk is not a cheap endeavor. Um but Laam currently has a 12 foot lane and an 8ft parking strip. And so the end result would be an 11t lane and an 8 foot parking strip. So you you end up with one foot on each side. So they have given it to the sidewalk from the lanes. The idea is in narrowing the road, you're slowing the traffic down. We can explore other ways to use that two foot buffer. Um as we we look at it and does that make sense? >> It does except when you're actually there uh you would be taking out all their trees and removing their planting. Yeah. >> So I don't know. I mean, yeah, on a piece of paper it sounds good, but in reality, I think >> we would take it look good. Yeah. >> Yeah. And so that would happen as part of our our validation. >> So, okay. Yeah. So, I'm that's probably that is the street I'm super There's also there are other places along there. One is like a civic block next to Eagle Curb with with beautiful. I don't think we're going to take them out and ride the sidewalk. And there's very few people ever. So there's no need for >> Yeah. I don't I don't think we would take away our greening, >> right, >> to add a foot of sidewalk. That is if we're prioritizing our our um as we're moving through this um a width one one foot of sidewalk width is not going to go for the uh historic or trees or any of we are not going to replace imperous area with purpose area >> is the engineering way of saying >> there's no reason to widen that sidewalk. No. >> So, so I believe Okay. So, I will not go into comments on that. Um, and let's see if I had any more. Um, I guess my last question is, but maybe maybe you kind of answered this. How or when do we go from the resurfacing improvements to the reconstruction improvements? Um because the reconstruction improvements were really good and added canopy made sidewalks and bike lanes uh usable which I believe with you know extreme heat they pretty much um in some. So those are great, but are they so like how do we ever get there? Are they really pipe dreams? Are they are we going to end up in the in the resurfacing area where everything has boards everywhere and we never get any trees or how do you see that? So right now the quickest way for us to do reconstruction project is getting either grants or funding from from other partners. An example would be the Rankstar great uh the Rankstar project that we just kicked off recently in transportation that includes um CALR money that helped us do the the design and planning for that. Um another example would be our Evelyn portion which we just recently got a >> is it measure B? >> It's a VT measure measure planning grid. So, so what is really nice about these cut sheets is it shows that we have public engagement. It shows that we have a plan and it helps us as we go for these funding um grant applications that are competitive. Those are two big of two big scoring areas and so we will continue to go after a lot of those to help um accelerate though the process is still long those projects. Um, in the interim, Robert will have his annual paving projects and the goal is to to make to continually make things better as we're going through this process. >> I'll add to public works director Boyer's answer here, Robert Gonzalez, principal civil engineer, civil infrastructure group. So along with looking for opportunities on the grant side, I'll just explain a little bit about the pavement maintenance side to see what opportunities that provides as well. Um so when a when a when a street segment is first placed, it's at 100%. And the the goal here from a from a city perspective is to maintain the condition of that for as long as possible before you get to a state of deterioration where it's failing and kind of trigger a reconstruction. So in between the time where it's newly constructed and the time where it's failing from a pavement management perspective, you want that as long as possible. You want to preserve that. that we are doing overlays and preservative treatments all along the way. Five years, 10 years as the need arises. You're doing the crack sealing, simple snakes on the ground, you're doing a slurry seal, you're doing cape seal, you're doing all kinds of these maintenance efforts such that you delay that. So that's the the on my side of the coin. I I want to delay that so I can reverse preserve that infrastructure at the end. But at the very end of that, yes, there will be a point where the PCI gets to a point where I cannot do any more maintenance to that road without reconstructing it. And that would that would trigger these crosses as you see them. So if we're going to do a reconstruction, then we would be pulling this out and say, what opportunities do we have to deliver these these images? So there's there's there's obviously two conditions here that we're talking against. One is maintaining the condition of pavement and then the other one is if we have an opportunity such as a grant we would look at those are really better. >> Yeah. And um Edango's work director I just wanted to add that um you're hearing multiple avenues how we could get there. Um we may you know as director Ber mentioned we may get there by just skipping ahead going from existing right to construction if we find a grant or there's a priority to really identify work because we do this on a corridor basis. It's not a lot by lot u it really needs to be identified as block by block efforts. So these are usually longer stretches. >> Would you say corridor or block by block? >> No we do this on a corridor basis. >> Okay. And uh a quarter could be we're looking at this one quarter but we're going to implement a block at a time. We can't do it by parallel basis. We can't just do a little incremental. Um so there's that element. Um when resurfacing happens and we are implementing some temporary improvements sort of this resurfacing effort. Um we are already implementing a component of what the reconstruction is going to look like. And so the vehicle lanes which may already be accommodated and then it could be later that we come back and we're doing the reconstruction effort for those elements outside the vehicle lanes to put in the uh the upper protected headwinds next to the bike and the landscaping at that time. So it could be a phased approach. We've done the resurfacing. Now let's come back and redo the portions of the bike lanes and the protected Okay, but we should move on. U did uh any members come up with additional questions while we're okay. Uh if not, believe we are now uh to the public comment uh portion of this this agenda item. Uh would any member of the public joining us virtually or in person like to provide comment on this item? If so, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or approach the lectern. Uh we will take inperson speakers first and each speaker will have three minutes. Are there any speakers in person? >> Yeah, I'm Barry Bur 325 Walker Drive. Been in town for 30 years about now. Some of you know a former member of the BPAC. my view to be back actually got things done instead of let's say a mouthpiece for wellfunded lobbyists designers and infrastructure salesman and so on. It's my view of where things are now. So with regards to this this will played out over the next many years. It is my intention to get myself back on feedback so I can be part of what I'll hopefully be a levelheaded moderate you. I will really get things done with benefit and satisfaction. Now, you weren't here, Alison, and so before council person, um I stated that frequently we're seeing protected bike lanes being mentioned, except that's a big hole because what is a protected bike lane? And as I requested to the others, I request that you as chair especially bring in initiative to the committee to define what a protected bike lane is, should or shouldn't be versus the widely diverging view of protected bike lane 10 and 20 years ago versus what's being built in town. So that itself is a loose hole which needs to be better defined. Okay. Now, and also I feel that the best resource in Mountain View for consulting bicycle and pedestrian safety is the Mountain View police, the bicycle patrol. I've had conversations with them. They don't seem to have been consulted but their views on particular pieces of infrastructure in town. I think you know picture you know fully office fully equipped Mountain View police officer on a really nice mountain bike with their mountain bike but fully equipped cop on a mountain bike around town. Their view of safety is unique and I would urge greater engagement and involvement that the Mountain View Police Bicycle Patrol and Traffic Patrol be engaged and consulted on all of this because just in reading what you posted, which is great detail, I'm not seeing anywhere listing Mountain View Police Department and their bicycle patrol having input or being consulted on Thank you. Do I see no more inerson commenters? Are there any virtual comment? >> Bruce England. >> Hi all again. Bruce England. Uh you know I made comments earlier and I uh didn't catch that you were not already in the ATP section. I hope that you can just take those comments from there. you know, whatever notes were taken and apply to this, so I don't need to repeat them. If you want me to, let me know. Um, but I do have one additional comment. I didn't use my all my time earlier. So I have an additional uh comment which is that an important detail to me is that all of our parks and open space areas covered in the parks recreation strategic plan should be tied together in such a way that anybody who is walking and biking through Mountain View uh whether it's a longer or shorter route can stop at those locations and get water, use restrooms and things like that. The amenities that are needed to support a strong active transportation network. So, I'm not sure that was really covered as well as it should have been in the parks plan and if needed to have it covered in the ATP plan and tie together with the parks direct plan. That would be great. That was my additional comment. Thank you. >> Thank you. So, more virtual commenters, >> April Webster. >> Thank you. Um, I want to start by thanking staff for bringing back the ATP to the BPAC and CTC in August. Um, I also want to say I support the overall direction of the ATP, but I'd like to see some key gaps addressed, especially around implementation, equity, pedestrian safety, community engagement, and climate resilience. First, um, adopt the complete streets and green streets implementation policy. Mountain View already has complete streets language in the general plan, but it's broad and that's not enough. um without implementation triggers, updated standards, delivery requirements, accountability, um complete streets can remain discretionary rather than the default way of building our streets. Second, adopt NATO's urban bikeway design guide, not the general guide as a city's default. Um, state-of-the-art has moved beyond paint onlyly bike lanes and the minimal paint and post separation, especially on high-speed or higher volume streets to make biking feel safe for families, older adults, um, new riders, people who are interested but cons but concerned, we need stronger protection. NACTO's um guidance says that in quotes motor vehicle lanes should be narrowed to support the widest feasible bike lanes and that again in quote general purpose travel lanes can be 10 feet at posted speeds of 35 mill um miles per hour or less while still supporting transit and truck use. Moreover, in constrained transit and bikeway context um that also says safety benefits um the protected bike lanes can outweight the slight risk of clipped bus mirror. Um, NACTO is built by cities for cities. It's recognized by FHWA and it's updated more frequently than local standards. So, adopting it would help Mountain View stay current with modern urban bikeway design. Third, update the city standard details because those engineering templates to determine what actually gets built. If those don't change, the plan won't fully translate into implementation. In addition, I'd like council to direct staff to add several supporting policies identified in the MBCSB letter, including a quick build program of policy, a traffic pling policy that prioritizes multi-ben treatments like roundabouts, curb extensions, and landscape bulbouts, and a bicycle boulevard and slow streets program to create a lower stress neighborhood network. I'd also like the city to use pavement reservicing as an implementation trigger for lowcost safety improvements. These include um paintonly changes like lane narrowing, lane reduction, buffers, daylighting, and interim curb extensions. Consistent with committee member Mallister's focus on efficient, cost-effective project delivery, piggybacking on plan re um surface resurfacing work is one way to make meaningful safety improvements when the streets are already being touched. This is what CALR does through their shop project. Finally, um the plan should bring back more of the pedestrian and equity context and shade and heat resilience should also be treated as active transportation and climate infrastructure and first class infrastructure. Um without canopy and shade, streets can become effectively unusable during the hottest part of the days, especially for people walking and biking. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Are there more virtual speakers? Yes, Cliff Chambers. Okay, Cliff Chambers. >> Thank you. Uh, Cliff Chambers, resident of Mountain View and member of the Mountain View Coalition for Sustainable Planning. First, I got to give incredible kudos to staff and the consultants for an excellent outreach process. I've been involved with a lot of plans and I think this gets a an absolute gold star. Uh, April has set set forth a lot of the policy recommendations that we'd like to see. I'd like to talk about a couple of other areas. First, I think during the public process, we we talked a lot about protected bikeways, and I'm really happy with the broad network of protected bikeways, but we also talked about just bicycling and walking and neighborhood streets. And there was a lot of discussion about having a bicycle boulevard that's more like Bryant Street where bicycles have uh a priorities and uh it it gets incredible use and uh council member McAllister really talked about a numbers the generation of trips on bicycles for that very lowcost uh improvement in PaloAlto has been great. It's really disappointing that in the last bicycle plan we had a Monteceto bicycle boulevard that would go along that track. It really didn't go forward. It could have been Monteceto to Sterland to downtown uh Mountain View and on the other side towards Rankstoorf and Jane towards San Antonio Calra station. I'd really like to see that really uh evaluated more and included in the plan if at all possible. The other point is I I I do walk a lot and I I have really found that there is an absence in many key air intersections of accessible pedestrian signals particularly for low vision people like myself to get across the street. the crossings is really important and I I'm I'm glad that it's the theme for more pedestrian um improvements in the final plan, but I'd like to see that included. I'd also I think you know the placement of trees where there's really gaps because I really agree with council member Hicks when when there's more trees you're going to walk that path and I think the canopy placement and recommendations in the plan would be really important. And then my final point is on the policy that was talked about on the middlefield road about the temporary uh bike lanes on middlefield road. It's a safety hazard. I live right adjacent to uh Middlefield Road. I've seen a lot of near misses. That needs to be treated sooner than later so that we don't have an unfortunate accident in our city. Again, thank you for this excellent plan and I appreciate the time. >> Thank you. Are there more virtual comments? >> Yes, Daniel Hy. Daniel, >> hello. Can you hear me? >> Yes, we can. >> Okay, thank you. Okay, so uh I just have a couple comments. I I really like the direction that the city has gone with the active transportation plan. I think that uh you know, it's it's a really good vision for what the future of the city should look like and where where we can go. And I I really appreciate all of the uh really the the strategy for how do we start protecting our uh cyclists out there. Um keeping in mind of course that uh good protected bike infrastructure is safer for all road users including motorists and pedestrians. Um so I think uh you know commenting in support there there are a few things that uh I really I think want to call out there there was a uh feedback session uh just just among some of us um a few months ago that I think was really productive and I I really appreciate every uh every opportunity where the city is able to engage directly with uh road users like like cyclists. And I I would almost like to see this a little bit more formalized in in our process uh where we can push a little bit early into the project conceptualization process. Just a little bit just not a huge year-long process, but just the right a little little bit amount of you know what what is a cyclist actually going to want to see here? Um so wanted to call that out. Um, I think in terms of projects, we have a lot of really good ones identified here. Uh, one thing that kind of pops out at me as something that is not really addressed very well is the downtown Castro pedestrian mall where we have kind of a blockage almost where we have a place that is in theory a very good cycling facility where we are not allowed to ride and then we have a lot of very bad places where you don't want to ride but where it is legal. Um, and so I I think we need to figure out a solution to that somehow. Um and uh you know there's a lot of other projects that that I'd like to see um in here you know just focusing on how how do we solve details you know after we've gone through and done corridor work we've created a whole strategy you know and there's just some problem that people identify a year later like how do we go uh ahead and sort of fix that that problem for those those users and be agile um to that. Um so that that's really uh that's really my comment. Thank you so much uh to city staff for putting this all together and uh that's my comment. Thank you. >> Thank you. Are there more virtual commentators? >> No, that's all. Okay. So, last call for public comments and I will now bring it back for committee member comments. >> Callister, are you going to start us off? >> Oh, I'd like to hear you first. >> All right. Um, yes, I want to echo the thanks to staff. Um, it's been quite the journey figuratively and literally to to get to this point. Um, and I'm um just really grateful uh that we're here have we have the people before us tonight. Uh, one of the things I just wanted to highlight was I think some of the speakers mentioned the robust community engagement has been really critical I think between the popups working with our multilingual um outreach program to kind of going to these bespoke different groups um to get the input. We've gotten a lot of collaborative uh unique math map reviewviewes insight which is was really fun to read. I think overall this document was I would say like the most readable document I've read the city put together in my seven and a half years just which is wonderful because I think um it truly highlights kind of where we were where we're going and and our vision. Um the appendices are very helpful in terms of just kind of reaffirming what the document says, being able to go back. Um one of the other things that stood out to me as I was reading was um how this plan will talk to the other plans that the city is pursuing or has. I think that's really critical and thank you for highlighting for me the issue with our safe roots at school um plan that is uh needs to be adopted. I think um if there are and I can't remember in my reading you referenced the different plans but I don't think that they were out there on where they were out sorry um in the plan itself. Yeah, but I um >> Yeah, but I but if if we're doing it, we might as well. I think the Sorry, if I can just So, they're called out plans we've taken to use to make this new one, but the other plans that we will work with is not so we can Yeah, I think I think so. Yeah, >> especially >> the puzzle pieces, how they work together is is great. Um, thought it was I don't know. I I enjoyed how it was broken up, like how do we get around, what are we doing, um, the demographics, um, the different like data points and resources, um, was was helpful. I do think um one of the things that I hope we can find a way to address is you know some of the I I think I I see two things before us. One is kind of if people have input as they're continuing to be users of our streets and and roads um transit, how they can provide that kind of continual feedback in a way that might be helpful. Um I you know I feel like right now residents have to put it into app mountain view but there has to be like a better repository for feedback on I liked this treatment but maybe not this and so folks don't need to come to CTV to tell us which one they do or don't like. Um and then I think the other is how we can um have like uh incorporate our our long-term planning. The city is changing and growing at such a rapid pace. It's great to adopt the ATP for now, but just thinking about the ATP for the future. you know, as I was mentioning, finding out that LSD is building the Los Altos district is going forward with that 10 school state and they're kind of moving at a pace that feels like to me faster than they had before, right? Although they think they they think that they're at that same um we need to be planning for that. um in addition to the different planning areas I would call within the housing element and I think over the next you know 5 to 10 years we're just going to see an increase in residents and so how does the infrastructure we're creating or the ATP going to be able to help accommodate that that's the only thing that I'm but all in the right direction I also appreciated like the rolling aspect of it, right? Like kind of anything with field and that can be, you know, a scooter, a bike, a stroller, a wheelchair, right? Um, and how we're thinking of all ages, all abilities, all backgrounds. Um, really speaks to the city's community for all spirit. So, thank you again. Thanks, Chair. You >> So, member Mallister, are you ready now? Uh first this is one of the report and I've seen that throughout the city since my time here that it's thorough, it's comprehensive. I've always looked for funding. So if you're going to implement it, are you going to pay for it? And so we I think there was one report that was aspirational. I see some parts of that in here, but I I appreciate the time that put into it and it answers a lot of questions and it's good. It's a good report. It's one of the best reports I've ever seen on this one. And again, I haven't been through it, so it helps me get it on going. So, I appreciate the time for it. It does touch on areas that I find important. Now I'm not necessar I appreciate I voted for white things in the past. I understand they are helpful but I also want to put things in context from my perspective that there are many plans over the last month that I've seen that I got a you know we got decarbonization plan we got ATP plan we got biodiversity plan uh we got a bunch of plans and they're all going to be competing and they need to and they get them out of the aspirational implementation plan and this one uh you have a group, a community that's very passionate on bicycles and very outspoken bicycles and very supportive of bicycles. But I'm looking at the city is forward. I look at again I like the shuttle service. I like that we are not all bicyclists. In fact, I asked the first question was how many bices of Mountain View and you guys are working on that. So, I got to see how it integrates with everybody the traffic coming through. So, I'm putting this in my context is how I look at and going back. I asked one of the questions. Do you look at the road? So, let's go to Carol. Now I would like to have seen but as you go through here maybe it would be good to actually look at the streets because I said Carol I've been walking on that for 65 years is an account it is right going to a school so there are no sidewalks in my part of town but if you go to Carol and you walk down to the very end you will see a sign that has been respected by community members since no 2006 that says please do not travel down Carol park your cars people do that no one drives down Carol they all stop at sleeper and and park there and they all walk through so if somebody took the time to look at that said do we need sidewalks one I saw you had to do an improvement district sure that would have been interesting but by looking at the street and seeing it you would have saying we don't need to do this. I am fiscally more conservative by other people on the council wherever and when I see something like that I go we don't need to put a sidewalk in because there's no need to put a sidewalk in and that aspect of you're doing a lot and it seems going forward that to look at it do we need to do it so that we can really get the projects done that that want to get that you came up with 23 projects I really like that. I like you're saying, "Okay, we got a limited fun. We know it." This is where the demand is. And that's why I always ask you, show me the demand that needs this project. And so, yeah, I support things that will show that we people really need to do something to do it instead of we don't need cars in city mount. And I hear that sometimes from other from the your advocates or we don't need car, you know, let's get rid of the cars. That's not going to happen. And so we got to ask I asked early on the blending of this with the roads. And if I looked at all your things, there would be basically uh class three bike lanes throughout the whole city. So I'm just asking that there is a little more depth or data to that's acknowledged in here because you there's a couple things that you go like when I asked about the history and the response was the project's team did not consider history of the roadway or original intended use but we have a lot of people privacy and so I think that needs to be in consideration and not put in there and I appreciate the honest answer but instead instead of future use in the city school regarding sustainability. Well, we're not going to get there, but it's it's a there's a mechanism that there environment out there that they're all integrated and you have the task of integrating it with other things. So, that's when I say you've done a great work. Now, how are you going to benefit rest of the demands in the city going forward? That's why I ask her. Yes. Um the school district, you know, I've been asking the school district since 2012, put in buses and they say we can't afford it. So, u they won't even talk to the superintendent. I bring it up when he was over at Los Altos. Oh, no. I don't want to talk. There's a simple solution that if they did those, then all the things that they were worried about would be solved. or if we used our shuttle service to transport kids in the morning, that would solve a lot of the issues of safety. So, I'm looking at integrating all the other things to make things happen. So, that's it. I just please consider that there's a small group advocating really want it. they have the right to, but there's others people out in the in the city that say, "I need to get from point A to point B, or I'm going from there, and I don't want to buy. I don't want to drive." Uh, the cycles, e cycles, there was a small part in there about, you know, that's going to be big. I'm sure that's going to come out before you get going on anything else because there's a lot of concerns about bikes and you haven't addressed how you're going to come back to CCT with a policy on I recall ebikes and how they're going to be integrated into bike lanes and how they're going to be regulating. So that could be an interesting concept. But no, I for those people that are adamant about bike lanes, I think this is an excellent report. No comments, John. >> That's it. >> Okay. So, I will make my comments. You committee members can circle back and add comments of course if thought of any since then. Um, first I'll second what other committee members have said that this was an excellent really readable report. I think it it uh puts us um you know many steps ahead of where we where we were before um at least on paper and uh and I I guess the history of it from what I if I remember right is there was a separate pedestrian and bike plan and we're putting them together. I do agree with I agree with at least 90% of what our my committee members have said, if maybe a hundred. Um I uh I do agree with what uh member Mallister said that even though we're putting together what uh we need for bikers and pedestrians, it does have to that makes it kind of lack a little bit of the connections with the many other ways that we use our streets. Um, so I think that comment was well taken and maybe we can in the future combine this with a mass transit plan and you know uh other street use plans >> multimotal >> our multimodal for example. Um that said, um I so I guess my opening comment myself is that I believe we're in the midst of or we're on the verge of a bit of a revolution in transportation between um so that so that uh even though I like this plan very much, I think when we finish it, it'll seem immediately if not already update. Um, for example, there's a lot of talk of uh cutting our carbon footprint through more active transportation, but EVs in and of themselves are not not perfect, but there's something we didn't have really when we started this. Um, so we have to kind of put those into the calculus. Um so but between uh virtual commuting which is really change and hybrid work which is really changing when people use the streets um micromobility AVs automatic vehicles that may change mass transit a lot. I think depending on our public how we as policy makers address them, they could either make uh our streets more overused with ABS just cycling around all the time or um they could really uh help out with that first and last mile and strengthen mass transit. Um and then the whole delivery bots and drones and extreme heat. I just drove up through the Central Valley, so I've experienced it firsthand yesterday. um and extreme storms and flooding in the winter. I think the way we use our streets is really going to change. Oh, plus density. Uh you know, our various plans say that by 2050 we'll have between 100,000 and 150,000 people. You can believe that or not believe it, but we are taking you know steps to densify. So those will all massively change the use of our streets. So my first request is that in the same way we looked at our um council sustainability committee documents that this plan be a living document. I think that we're going to have to um continually refresh it and like uh council member Kame said give our residents ways to uh help refresh it continually and be open to that. I think it can't be a closed document. Um so and I on I would also like to include since much of it is uh related to sustainability I would like to include our uh sustainability staff in that it's you know I don't know how much you interfaced with them but I think part of our technical advisory committee >> that and more. >> Yes. Um so um and also uh as we do in the sustainability program uh do more pilots and I would like pilots that are more than just green paint and ballards and and plastic wear on the street. You know uh maybe uh things that are block by block or done in small pieces. Um but I would like to be open to pilots. Um in addition to that uh I'm going to highlight mostly things that various uh various groups and and individual holders uh have said that uh that I thought were very important. Um and I could go on for hours because there was a lot of good commentary but narrowing it down. One is that I I feel that bike boulevards and slow shared neighborhood streets could be emphasized more than they are. The um our school district MVWSD uh and um various individual commenters brought that up uh in various capacities. I think they're one of the least expensive things we can do uh is to highlight slow shared streets. I think there models out there in other cities um and that we could get a lot of that done and that a lot of people enjoy those more than the you know the green painting strip with the bollocks next to it. Um so that's one and uh yeah there's a lot of reference to that in the MVWSD letter. So in various ways. Um another thing is that has been mentioned several times and this was a subcategory. Uh one of the categories that you said that uh people members of the public made a lot of comments on is um kind of honing the metrics that are used. I've read that use is safety. In other words, a sidewalk or pedestrian route or bike lane that a lot of people are using makes those people in and of itself safer rather than one that that you know just a stray person here and there uses. So I would like us to observe what's working well and where do we see very few people and maybe in terms of using our resources wisely put more resources into the kinds of be they pedestrian improvements or bike improvements that um seem to be more popular. Um uh and I do agree with some of Council Member Mallister's comments on that that we really want to see the infrastructure that we that we put in well used. Um I agree with the there was a category about more focus on pedestrians. I've even heard some people tonight refer to this as a bike plan. And um it really it really has to be in terms of getting people out of their cars in cities that connect uh pedestrians with transit. There's a much bigger reduction in car use than in cities that don't. So I really want us to recognize pedestrians more, give them more, and not think of pedestrians as kind of the poor invisible siblings of bikers. Um because uh so some of the things I think we need to think more in terms of walk score. People walk more when there are things to walk to and that could be mass transit. It could be increased use of shuttle but it could also be neighborhood serving businesses. Making sure that we're not losing all of those. Um, it could be, um, I it could be wider so sidewalks where we're putting in denser buildings and there and vehicles like Cantalver buildings and so forth that allow us to do that in our objective design standards. Um, so just I think there are a number of things we could do to really think about pedestrians as having different needs than bikers. um often not always. Um let's see. Uh we had a someone emailed us on the subject of delivery bots and I think that's a really important and underappreciated topic. Um, I was just down in the UCLA area in a place where they have sidewalks that are probably four times the width of the ones we have in Old Mountain View and they have delivery bots that are um way bigger than the ones we used to have on the sidewalk. It's okay because their sidewalks are so wide and they're very few delivery uh bots, but they move along in jerky ways and stop in the middle of the sidewalk constantly. And if the sidewalk weren't 15 to 20 feet wide, you wouldn't be able to walk down the sidewalk. And the the report that we were given the last time we talked about delivery bots on the CTC, there was uh sort of the prediction there was going to be multiffold. There were going to be many more of them, many times what we now have. one or two delivery buss going down a a narrow sidewalk is not doesn't stop up traffic, but um you know, dozens and dozens of them not able to go move along very efficiently. Um they're motor vehicles and they're very heavy, too. And we have two companies in town that are doing delivery bots that if I if I remember correctly purely work on the streets, which is probably where delivery bots where large vehicles go basically. I think large vehicles belong on the street. Um so, uh let's see. And then I I guess the last thing I'll bring up is cost tradeoffs. Um, you know, I I really liked your cut sheets. I like the eventual place we would get to. Um, and I'm hoping we can find ways ways to get there. I'm thinking uh as member Mallister said if you walk a lot of these streets I think we'll find that some of the suggestions are really appropriate would really enhance the street and in other places maybe like Carol that you mentioned and Laam that I mentioned in other places we may not need to do them at all which would save us a lot of money. Um, so that may be a good next step to have some eyes on the street and see um which ones would really work and and which ones wouldn't. And the other is to combine it with our sustainability work. A lot of these things have multiple benefits. So if you see them as just an part of the active transportation plan, you might say it's too expensive. But if you see it as part of our sustainability plan or our community for all and equity or you know any number of other things or making density work um then it may be worth the cost. So I think that you know there were and I guess the last thing I'll say is we got a tremendous number of really good comments from the community and I'm hoping that all the letters we got with it from the various groups um uh like the mountain view coalition for sustainable planning and uh MVWSD the school district and various individuals that you'll put those under the categories because I'm not going to We have all so are there Oh, and I'll just highlight one thing that one of them said. Uh, somebody commented to me that we really need to make a distinction between um objective design standards, which are both the private portion developments and the um am I going to say wrong? Yeah. And the standard details for roadways, which are for public spaces, and that we need both. and that you're probably clear on it, but that the rest of us all have to be kind of more clear on the distinction. Um, oh, and somebody also said it's very important that we uh use the NACTO's book on uh pedestrian guidelines, bike and pedestrian guidelines, not general guidelines are more autom. >> So, do committee members have additional thoughts? Okay. Okay. If there are no additional thoughts, I will um we're just taking feedback. So, I will move on to the next item, which is 5.2 uh State Route 237 and Middlefield Road Change improvements. This is project 65. Uh the staff presentation will be presented by Joy Hton, senior civil engineer and Robert Gonzalez, principal engineer. I don't need this Santa, she's already plugged in. So, I'm just gonna go first. You're going to try to steal my >> Sorry about that. >> You need to update photos. >> We like the little ones. I know it's not show >> on your screen. >> Well, you got to start explaining each one. >> I have two kids and so I'm my youngest one just turned. The other one will be 11 soon. Okay, let's do this now. active participants in the city's summer summer program. I can't Yes. Can we take a break? >> Can we take a break for five minutes and then >> let's take a break. I just want to be sure. Okay. So, sorry to those of you who are uh listening virtually or listening online. Um we are now back uh to F 5.2 which is State Route 237 and Middlefield Road interchange Improvements project 1965. Uh, and we're ready for the staff presentation. >> Good evening, chair and committee members. My name is Joy H, senior civil engineer. I'm joined here by Robert Gonzalez, principal civil engineer. Um, and we're here to present updates and staff recommendation on the state route 237 and Middle Road interchange budget. Sorry to start with a little bit of background. Middlefield road between Log Avenue and the eastbound 237 offramp is very challenging due to the number and close proximity of signalized intersections in a relatively short um stretch of road. This results in a high collision rate and challenging environment for pedestrians and bicyclists. The intent of the project is to reduce collision conflicts and improve pedestrian and bicycle mobility and connectivity. This project has been in the works for close to two decades. Starting in 2005 when the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority or BTA solicited city support regarding highway projects in the Valley Transportation Plan or BTP 2023, which includes the State Route 237 and Middlefield Road Interchange. In 2006, the city entered into a co-op agreement to fund a project study report which included the state route 237 and field road interchange. In 2012, this project study report was completed and was approved by CALR in 2013. Up until this date, the project was theoretical without available funding for the subsequent phases. In 2018, city council accepted 11 million in community benefit funds from a development project at 700 metal field. The project entered the development phase when funding became available starting in 2019 when city council approved the capital project, the state route 237 and middlefield road interchange improvements project and appropriated 5.5 million of the community benefit funds received from the first phase of the development project and authorized execution of a funding agreement with VTA for project management services for the project approval and environmental document. and final design phases of the project. In 2020, the project was initiated and preliminary alternatives were developed. And since project initiation in late 2020, the project team has been in coordination with Calrans. Since the project impacts the rightway and operations to gain approval prior to starting the final design. Just at the stage, Middlefield Road is a four-lane roadway with four signal lines intersection approximately 300 ft apart in the project area between Log Avenue and the eastbound 237 offramp which contributes to a high rate of broadside collisions. In particular, the collision rate at the westbound 237 Middlefield Road frontage road intersection exceeds the statewide average for intersections of this type. The 237 Middlefield Road intersection operates as the partial interchange since they only have an eastbound off-ramp and a westbound um on-ramp compared to a full interchange with on and off ramps in both directions. Um, and with the other interchange movements happening at the Ma Avenue commercial interchange, there are continuous bike lanes, class 2 bike lanes, and four to six foot wide sidewalks on both sides of Middlefield Road within the project limit and east of Middlefield Road sidewalks and class 2 bike lanes do exist along the north and south sides of the westbound and eastbound frontage roads respectively. The project area is significantly constrained for bicyclists and pedestrian with Cal Train corridor acting as a north south barrier while 237 access. In 2012, traffic operations analysis was prepared to support the 2013 project study report. The analysis identified two locations that eastbound and westbound 237 experiencing collision rates higher than the statewide average collision. >> You I just trying to get the logistics. >> So Middlefield Road is actually left right on the page and then the 237. >> So that's 237 is southbound. >> Say that again. um westbound east middlefield is left to right on the page. >> So they're left to right >> and then the frontage road is at the >> top and then the on ramp is >> westbound on the 237. >> Yes. So the north side >> I look at 237 going north sidefield going east west. >> So if you can go back one slide I think that'll help. Yeah. >> Go back one more slide. >> It's not there. >> There it is. >> It says location. >> That's the west. Okay. So they're coming from >> Okay. >> And the next slide we we turn it on. >> Turned it. >> Yeah, that's why it was confusing. That that middle field is going left to right in the next slide. And then that apprentice road on ramp is going up and down. That's the slide. >> Different orientation. We turned it 90 degrees to the left. >> Challenge. >> Go ahead and advance. >> Keep awake. Okay. We are >> um the >> um so the collision data showed that approximately 75% of collisions in the study area occurred at the middlefield road and the 237 ramps, specifically the southbound traffic on Middlefield, um which includes three types of conflicting movements, southbound through and westbound 237 ramp through movements, southbound through and westbound 237 left turning traffic movements and southbound through and northbound left turning traffic movements. As the project began in 2020, the project intersections were also analyzed for key performance metrics including level of service or LOS instead of vehicle miles traveled. The level of service measures the quality of traffic flow and the driver's experience on the road and at intersections based on the speed and number of cars using the road. The LOS of a road is designated by a letter grade of A for free flow and to F for most congested conditions. on Middlefield Road. All intersections within the project area currently operate at the level services or better during both AM and PM peak hours. And this is according to the analysis conducted for the medical field group traffic operation study completed in 2025. An LOS fee indicates there's stable flow and operations is um and operates with a very average delay which is within the city's threshold of acceptable LOS. The project objectives and goals include reducing the frequency and severity of collisions along middlefield road within the project limits, improving pedestrian and bicycle accommodations and access, enhancing accessibility and connectivity to transit, strengthening connections to local roadways and plan developments in the area and optimizing the use of existing rightway. In 2020, the project team completed the preliminary investigative phase of the project to support the development and analysis of six on step alternatives, including two from the original project study report that will meet the project purpose and need. The project team developed six alternatives which I will be sharing on the next few slides and staff is presenting the project to the CTC first as we are seeking policy level direction on the approach of selecting the preferred alternative based on available funding for the project. The alternatives were scored um based on categories including bike and pet improvements, safety, environmental traffic operations, rightway and geometrics. The criteria um categories were weighed based upon their alignment with the project purpose and need and were ranked in the following order. Starting with the lowest ranking alternatives, alternative 5C, alternative 5B and alternative 2. These alternatives include new points of access to the state route 237 which was not supported by CALR as the highway safety analysis um predicted higher crash frequencies at the mainline connections. Calr had known new mainline connections to WPA. Alternative one ranked the highest but was not approved by CALR as it also introduces a new point of access to state route 237. With alternative one eliminated by CALR, the project team refined um the second and third highest ranking alternatives, alternatives three and four for Calrans review. In 2023, CALR expressed support for advancing these two alternatives for further consideration. In 2024, the project team um developed preliminary design concepts for alternatives three and four to further evaluate their feasibility due to the rightway acquisition requirements associated with alternative 4. Alternative 3 was subsequently refined to include improvements along frontage road, including traffic calming measures to reduce vehicle speeds approaching Middlefield Road. The additions of um the additions of improvements along the westbound frontage road increase the project costs from the previous cost estimate in 2020 but are still within the project budget. The conceptual design for the refined and the staff recommended alternative three includes the following proposed improvements. installation of traffic calming features along the westbound frontage road including race medians, pavement markings, radar feedback signs, landscaping and narrow travel. Also includes construction of class 4 bikeways and widened sidewalks along the westbound frontage road between Middlefield Road and Ma Avenue. installation of class 4 bikeways and six foot wide sidewalks on Middlefield Road and protected intersection improvements at Ferguson westbound 237 um ramp on ramp and the eastbound 237 offramp intersection. In addition, alternative 3 also includes technology improvements at intersections, including signal interconnect and signal timing optimization and modified traffic signal operations with separate bicycle and pedestrian signal phases. With the completion of the final draft of the biodiversity and urban forest plan, the project team will look for opportunities for inclusion of landscaping and green storm water infrastructure as we progress in the project and continue into the final design. The project is currently in the project approval and environmental document phase which is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026. This phase will be followed by the final design phase expected to sorry expected to begin in 2027 and conclude in summer 2028 which will be followed by a 2-year construction period. The project cost estimate for the staff recommended um alternative is 24.8 million as summarized on the screen. The project is fully funded through the final design utilizing TA measure B highway um program fund. This combined with the city fund is sufficient to support construction of the project. As our next steps, staff will provide the BPAC with anformational update on June 24, 2026, including a summary of feedback received and policy level direction received from the CTC. Following evaluation of CTC feedback, staff will forward the recommendation to city council for approval of the design concept in fall 2026. This brings us to the staff recommendation for the CTC to receive an update and recommend that the city council approve the staff recommended design concept for the state route 237 and Middlefield Road interchange improvements project and this concludes our presentation and be happy to answer questions. Thank you. >> Thank you. So, do committee members have questions? started raising your hand. >> Yeah. Why are you rushing us through this broad? So, yeah. Okay. The the question that you kept referencing to collisions. How many collisions? And you said it exceeded the collisions total. So, how many collisions were there? >> I'm sorry. >> You kept referring to this was a high collision area. So, how many collisions were there? uh while joy looks for that through part of the traffic analysis there were identified as 87 near miss events. So that was identical analysis. Was there a particular spot that or was it just the or the near misses? >> Yeah. Was it all just the one general area? >> Well, so from the project area goes from LO and it covers three three those three intersections. The 237 westbound middlefield intersection. So they had intersection there where 87 >> I think the report said 87% were within the just that okay because I saw something when you mentioned McFergus ago. So, okay. And so, that was the only I was just curious how many there were. And >> so, when we approached the project, it needs to be looked at as a complex um as a set of intersections because that's how Cal Translate looks at it. So, we know that if it were a city project and a city intersection, we might just be looking at one intersection, but these all work together. It's really system we need to be. So the project footprint grows a little bit. Um but 87% issues really are really and our solutions are really focused on that on that conversation. >> 87 percentages are tough but I do remember when we were working too. >> Yes, >> you were. >> I was not but I know that intersection I drive through there. >> That was also okay. No more questions. >> Council member, can I do you have questions? >> Yeah, I mean I think so. Um, so I guess just trying to find a way. So Alan is the the option for basically trans just agree the funding. option for alternative four. Um it's that was not it was alternative one that trans did not support. >> Um we and we are recommending alternative three because that's within our reach um to be able to support through construction. If we go with alternative four, it does require um right away and we just don't have the funds to be able to move that forward to construction at this time. what aside from the funding issue and I was like I was trying to understand how might do we feel that going with option three will be able to withstand the amount of change that's going to be coming to that area. So, for example, council a few months ago adopted a 600 plus unit apartment complex go on the corner of Middlefield. And when I think about the frontage and the alignment with Ferguson Drive and what may or may not happen in the Middlefield Park area as well as the project we adopted at Ellis and Middlefield, we're just going to see a really high increase, I think, in bicycle and pedestrians, more so than we do now. And I live in that area, so I I see it firsthand. But so I'm just, you know, I'm comfortable with the staff recommendation, but I'm curious if staff feels like in >> sure >> a decade we're going to be needing to go for something like option four or sorry alternative four just because of the high volume and as and I think even at the we've discussed how it's very difficult to narrow middle field because of the high volume that Middlefield has. So, I just it's difficult to future proof a project, but just seeing where we're going and knowing the cost of the increase of cost if we don't tackle with the, you know, 2026 pricing. So I'm just curious if we feel like alternative three is just going to be the bandaid for alternate for the future where >> so senior engineer help mentioned a traffic operations analysis that was done uh there was one done in 2012 there was another one done in 2025 and the one was that was done in 2025 several analyses were performed on that so existing conditions was one baseline but the about the work evaluation that was done was incorporating all of the planned uh known planned developments in the area that affect. So we kind of loaded up that those known future conditions including the one on low >> that front and low. So we know the traffic volumes because that will now be a fourleg intersection at low >> um with the the new development coming in as the fourth one. Uh, so I believe if I'm not mistaken that all of those all those traffic counts were accounted for in this analysis. So it didn't look like there was substantial degradation um from that from that development from from the known from the known developments that were loaded. Am I saying that correctly? >> Um I believe so. But there's also no difference in capacity between alternatives three and alternatives four. both alternative project purpose and need. Um it's just that alternative three would give us the most bang for our buck. >> Thank you helping with that. That's where I was trying to go. >> Okay. Well, great. That was that was the first that was half of my question. I can now ask a smaller question. >> Okay. Um so yeah again with the development around there particularly I don't remember the the Prometheus project I don't remember the the names of all the projects but um how so how does that interface with how does this interface with the like you talked about wide sidewalks with the uh with the improvements near the streetscape that the developer the developer was going to do. >> Which one? >> This is the the middle fieldment front to both streets. >> The west corner of the project area. >> Yeah. So we would expect the project status here is that we are in the preliminary phase of the project. So we are at the project selection phase. From here we move into design. So, we are really um I'm sad to say this, Council Mallister, but we are not at near the finish line yet. We are we are we will be kicking off the design for this project. If council approves it, we can move forward VTA as um so we would expect that the development is going to be an existing condition. I think that that's going to move advance forward sooner. Um so, we would be as we go into design, we would be providing that back that information as a background condition for the designers. they would see the improvements that we're showing here. We could actually have the developer um deliver some of those so they would be in place such as the sidewalk on that front that development. >> Okay. So, let me see if I understand the sequence. Seems like a complicated sequence of events to make uh because there's so many moving projects at the same time. So tonight we'll point to a particular option and it'll go on to council and then you'll go through design which will include interfacing with the developer and I imagine whoever you expect them to go forward quicker than this particular project. But if it doesn't, they'll be contact to make sure you're not like and ripping them out. Okay, that sounds good. Um, and then also like the uh the picture. So my question was going to be about traffic volume and traffic in the area, but you kind of asked that. So now I'm narrowing it down just to the sidewalk. It seems like this is an area we want to make it much more in addition to much safer for for cars and and bikers, we also want more people be walking and it is a barrier that area right now. So, how does this connect to the rest of the the middlefield improvement project that we talked about and then also individual developments? Like, can we expect between those two things and then this project to see dramatic improvements that'll make everybody really want to walk a bike through this area and drive their electric cars? Right there. >> Yeah. Go ahead. >> Um for for the existing pedestrian infrastructure in this area, it's uh four to six and we want to make that we want to make six foot kind of the the minimum in this area at least within the project area on Middlefield Road. Um and then also widen the existing sidewalk >> um and include a bike lane on the north side of the west frontage road. >> Yeah. I mean that sounds appropriate to me. >> We do want to improve the pedestrian facility and not just maintain the exist. >> Are you going to be able to add tree canopy? >> That is something that we will be exploring as we progress final design. >> Okay. I'm getting more of a picture of how the sequence is. Thank you. And >> can I have um principal engineer speak to the field question? >> Yes. Um so both answer your question about the >> Yes. >> Yeah. So both projects are programming class 4 protected bike lanes. So that gives some separation between vehicle traffic and bike traffic. So as if if you are traveling downfield after both these projects are complete, you will have a much more comfortable ride going say from um shoreline all the way down to parts of sunny. So all the way down to Bernard through this through this >> and then this included some lane narrowing. Uh I think if I remember reading >> we are considering lane reduction or lane width reduction on westbound frontage road. Um we >> plan to be consistent with the lanes the lane width proposed as part of the middlefield complete streets which is currently 11 um feet wide >> and frontage is wider. >> It's wider and we propose to make them 11 ft as well. The challenge here is that most of the middlefield road within the project area as well as the frontage road those are all operated by Calrance. So Calr would have to approve um the the final dimensions proposed for the lane >> and council member Mallister you had an additional question. >> Yeah. Okay. I'm trying to what problem okay you're what's the problem you're trying to resolve number of crashes and if it's the number of crashes shouldn't cal so the issue is with the signalized the three signalized or four signalized intersections within close proximity does result in a higher collision rate higher than statewide average and to answer your question earlier it is in the memo it just wasn't in the table format at um but between 2005 and 2010 there were 26 total collisions between um just at the intersections of the on and off ramps on Metalfield and then between 2011 and 2015 that went up to 31. Um between 2016 and 2020 that went up to 44. Um the city saw an opportunity when we received the community benefit funds. um those funds usually typically get um used on improvements within the area and this was kind of the bigger project that we could tackle um of course with coordination and collaboration with Cal Trans. >> So and it also adds your question related to like why isn't Calrans delivering these projects. So, um I I'm I'm very proud to say that Mountain View is more proactive in delivering uh transportation improvements on a faster scale, more efficient than Calrans. While Calrans does do this, um they have a a enormous network to maintain. You know, respectively, I understand that we have a a smaller network to maintain and we're very proactive in applying these PE bodments throughout the city. So we saw an opportunity here as we did we do with other projects we're doing within Mountain View such as the recently completed real wet lanes the El Monte intersection um improvements that we alino pestro protected intersection improvements so there's a lot of projects that we are implementing because it's a priority for our community um and we can deliver faster than >> oh so the initial thing with the community benefits was get the bike lanes and that also that was our main goal at the time was bike. Okay, that's what I thought. And so Calrant said, "Well, while you're at it, do this for us." Make sense? >> The original objective also was to reduce the collision because that was known from the 2012 2013 project study report that was completed also in coordination with Calrans at BTA. Having the interchange um included in that project study report means that CALR commits staff to work with us and VTA to deliver this project without costs to the city or the project. >> So what actually is changing on the the intersection? >> There are some protected uh intersection treatments that is that's proposed at the Ferguson the on and off ramps. Um, so that would help reduce the vehicle speed as well as make the turning movements more predictable at the intersections, which then could result in a lower uh potential collision or lower conflicting movements in the area because now we're combining improvements along Middlefield Road and Frontage Road really to target the intersection that has the most conflict. I'd also add that um the frontage road uh senior engineer Hton pointed out a couple of medians that we're proposing along that frontage road. Uh this is new so they're not there today and that's also in an effort to reduce speeds, create an element that would narrow the lane uh and another element that could help visual indicator that this is a little different. Um I need to slow down to be able to navigate this. Okay. I'm going with your record based. I was just curious. I'm all for what you're doing. >> Sure. The the >> and I was just curious of what exactly is occurring. >> Yeah. The the report also outlines installation of reflective backlights, installation of uh near side signal heads, mod modified traffic signal operations um to provide a bike and ped signal signal phases. So dedicated phases for bikes and pads. All of these support the two biggest factors, the collision factors for speeding and red light run. All of these kind of fall in line as modifications that you could do really kind of uh lowcost modifications to change driver behavior. >> Were any collisions including bicyclists or was it just car? >> These are people because I know models. Now that's confusing to me. When you turn on a green light, is your lane or somebody else? But that's that's >> okay. Last call for questions. Okay, we will move on to public comment. Would any member of the public joining us virtually or in person like to provide comment on this item? >> Yes, it's Barry Burr from 325 Walker Drive. really the issue of Middlefield Road risks of this undefined uh approval of a class for bike lane right in my backyard, a place I bike and drive through sometimes commute to work or elsewhere. Really kind of woke up a sleeping dog. Some of you remember me from 15 to 20 years ago on the BPAC or my most recent civic engagement was on the mountain police citizen cohort group uh two or three year three years ago. But relevant to here was that this middle middle field and 237 interchange was major topic that the police traffic officers that spoke with us have brought up that they had been working on light timing. This was a known high collision area and that when they got done with a lot of the light timing and adjustments, they felt that they already had dialed back from a lot of the additional collisions. The primary cause of majority of the collisions is cars coming down the ramp off of 237, I'll call it southbound with third Mus where they're coming down in the 60s, 70s or 80s miles per hour within a quarter mile or less needing to slow down sometimes to a stop. Well, a few rumble strips across or bots dots, that's a standard way of slowing cars down in transition. I'm not seeing that mentioned or hearing that brought up, but if you can amend in to have a few rows of bots dots and rumble strips coming down that ramp, I venture a guess that uh closing speeds by the time they get to the light could be 10 to 20 miles an hour slower just from all the traffic needing to go over that. So that's when rumble strips. Now there with the class 4 bike lane um proposals being so vague, Calrans and I think BTA2 has a wide range of options how to design them, how to implement them. They show many pictures for many areas around the state which widely range in what's done including the reflectivity or lack or not using reflectivity. Um, one example I'd offer is Europa down in San Jose where there's no filler. It's just round holes, somewhat vertical round green tubes. Cars and bicycles all see each other really well coming in and out. Now, precedent for the city to hold back on not moving forward until the class 4 definition is further defined goes back to 2006, seven, eight, nine, 10, and 11. the six years it took me along with VTA and the VPAC's involvement to get the striping of bike lane ingress and ingress on the overpass from shoreline over 101. Eventually, CALR and VTA approved the Safeway and they refined it and then they moved forward with the next city striping contract. I'm just about out of time. That's pretty much what I have here. Um you can contact me personally privately in the email if you >> thank you very much. >> Are there any virtual speakers? >> Yes, April Webster. >> Hi um April Webster. I'm vice chair of the D4 CALR uh back and also on the um California walk bike technical advisory committee. So I see a lot of this projects and what CALR is doing. I'm speaking of my own on my own capacity. Um interchanges I like intersections are among the most dangerous and high stress locations for people walking and biking. They combine high speeds, turning and merging movements, long crossings, driver expectations shaped by freeway conditions, etc. They also separate communities for people in cars. It can feel like a connection for people walking, biking, or taking transit. It feels like a wall um or like a place you have to survive passing through. It's especially important here um on 237 because it's a Cal Train corridor. The Middlefield light rail station is right there. Um Wisman Station, LinkedIn um is right at this nearby employer. Other nearby employers um they all shape how people move or can't move through this area. I would like to ask staff to evaluate this design from the perspective of an interested but concerned bicyclist, including children, family, older adults, people who don't feel confident riding next to freeway ramps, which probably a lot of us. Um, riding alongside something like this, um, even like a highway on-ramp, I'm not sure if any of you have done it. I have, it takes nerves as steel. If the design only works for these confident adult cyclists, then it's not going to be an all ages and ability facility. Um, I would like staff to clarify whether the proposed bike way um has been evaluated against CALR District 4 current bicycle best practices. This just came out in the past couple years. They have information in there for interchange crossings um etc. I would also like um you know all the parties to think about future proofing this um and trips that people want to make over the next several day um decades. That means evaluating it um the most protective form of class 4 facility feasible including raised um or sidewalk level bikeways are appropriate. San Jose um King Road complete streets project is doing this. Um they just presented at the VTA BPAC um for an OBG for um funding. It was an excellent project. Um I would highly recommend you look at that. Um I don't think flex posts or modular curb linear treatments will be sufficient here especially this kind of environment. um they could be interim but they're not great. Um finally, VTA is beginning an interchange research right now um funded by Calrans. They're still in the data and background phase. Um but because this project is in PA and DD before it enters into PSN final design, I think this is the time to keep that design window open and coordinate with BTA's research and also CALR best district for best practices. Um this is being presented tomorrow morning at the BPAC at 10:00 to 12. I encourage you, it's open to the public. I encourage you to attend. I'm happy to share details about that meeting. Thanks. >> Thank you. Are there more speakers? >> No, that's all. >> Okay. Thank you very much. So, we will now uh bring this back to the committee for comments and action. I'll make >> Are there any comments before we >> are your comments? >> I apologize. I didn't read the staff report. I didn't know I I was concentrating so much on this. I go that's the whole meeting and so I apologize. I did not That's why I asked some quick. I apologize for so much. I'll trust in staff on this. We're going to get it done. Okay. Well, I will I will make my comment. Do you have any comments? I'm just excited that we're here 20 years later. This area really needs improvement. So, thank you for that for your persistence and also creativity in terms of all the different alternatives you looked at. And then I think what council member or committee member like is that you know it would be fully funded and we could get that. you know, but I added, you know, I just, you guys ever gone through Carson City? If you go through Carson City, they do a lot of the freeways have >> any that can be incorporated in the underpass, I think. >> Actually, actually, I have to second that. That would be this is such a barrier in this neighborhood. This is not for now but but anything so my comment is just you know what the public speaker said anything since we're at such an initial phase and this is such a barrier in this area and it's going to develop so much and it has been a place where people just drove to the office and then drove away and stayed inside their offices and we're trying to transform it into something else. you know, anything you can do along those lines or what the public speaker said about coordinating with BTA research. Just anything you can do to turn it into more of a real neighborhood where people be outside >> even downtown San like the trains. Yeah, the trains have like a train going through part of it. >> I know we have an unlimited budget for that. Yeah. you know, hey, this could be >> this is out of our public art. >> Well, let's call. >> Okay. >> But no, that's >> So, I'm not going to say no. >> Okay. >> We will look into it >> later. So, for later. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Are we ready to take the vote? >> I'm hearing no more comments. I think we're ready. Um, so we'll member Mallister and second. Um, committee member May. >> Yes. >> Member Mallister. >> Yes. >> Chair Hicks. >> Yes. >> Passes three. >> Okay. We are now on item number six which is committee staff announcements, updates, requests, and committee reports. Uh 6.1 is committee comment. Do any of the committee members have comments or reports to share? Taking that >> trouble. >> Okay. Um okay. So now uh would any member of the public joining us virtually or in person like to provide comments on this item? If so, please there have been items. So um are there any public comments on our lack of comments? Um in that case uh thank you. We're now on item number seven which is adjournment. Our next uh CTC meeting will be August 31st uh 2026 and we will adjourn at 9:20 p.m. Thank you.]]> https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/q0n9I1zs7ls https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/q0n9I1zs7ls Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:33:47 GMT The Mountain View Parks and Recreation Commission, acting as the Urban Forestry Board, heard two heritage tree removal appeals. The 500 West Middlefield redwood appeal was denied (upholding staff's decision to preserve the tree), while the 961 Ikeler appeal was continued to a future date because the appellant was absent. The board also received Canopy's annual report on tree planting and education, an update on the invasive shot hole borer pest and unexplained tree die-off, and the start of the fiscal year 2026-27 operating budget presentation. Approval of prior meeting minutes Public oral communications 961 Ikeler Drive tree removal appeal 500 West Middlefield redwood appeal HOA fence and patio conflicts Root pruning and tree stability Motion to continue Ikeler appeal Canopy annual partnership update Tree species selection and biodiversity plan Canopy funding model Invasive shot hole borer pest Tree die-off and possible herbicide damage Fiscal year 2026-27 operating budget > Um Allison, could you please conduct a roll call? >> Commissioner Bryant >> here, >> Commissioner Davis >> here, >> Sylvester here, >> Vice Chair Summer, and >> here. Okay, all five are present. Uh we'll now move on to minutes approval. These are the minutes from the May 13, 2026 meeting. Um, and before we get to the commission, is there any public comment on the minutes from May 13th? >> Nobody online. >> All right. Um, bring it back to commissioners if anybody has a comment or would like to make a motion. I was the outlier. All good. Uh, that we accept minutes. Okay, >> I'll second. >> Motion by Commissioner Davis and second by Commissioner Summer. >> Go ahead with the vote. >> Commissioner Bryant. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Davis. >> Commissioner Sylvester. >> Yes. >> Vice Chair Summer. >> Yes. And >> yes. >> All right. Uh oral communications from the public. Uh, this portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the commission on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are limited to three minutes and state law prohibits the commission from acting on non-aggenda items. If you're in the room and would like to speak, if you could please fill out a blue speaker card and if you're online, uh, please use the raise hand feature in Zoom and Alison will soon be >> I don't think about this. >> Oh, no problem. >> Okay. So, are you wishing to you can turn in the card in a moment if you want to >> speak in my neighbor to >> go ahead. >> Um, well, thank you. I'm Linda Jackekal. I'm a longtime resident at Billow condos. There used to be a turn. >> This is about the appeal. >> If this is if this is about the appeal that's on the agenda, this is this is not the time to >> I had no idea when you said on the agenda. I didn't know if it was on the agenda or not. >> Yeah. No, that if this is about the um 500 West Middlefield Heritage Street, that'll be coming up later in the 11. >> Okay. So, so this part is for people that have other things that aren't >> I think chance to get myself. >> All right. Is there >> That's what I'll say while I'm standing here. Is there anybody in the room who uh wishes would like to speak on a non-aggenda? Okay. Anybody online? All right. I will close uh public comment and we'll move on to new business. Um our first item tonight is uh item 5.1. It's a heritage tree removal application appeal uh from 961 Iller Drive. And before we start, I I want to introduce we have two city attorneys here today. Um the assistant city attorney Diana Fiselli will be representing city staff and I believe she's online. And >> hi. And yes, I I wanted to also introduce assistant city attorney Franchesca Serrano who is there in person. >> Hello. >> Thanks Diana. >> Thank you. and uh senior assistant city attorney Dave Wilggas will be representing the urban forestry board. So the process uh for this appeal uh we'll we'll start off with a staff report then the appellant will have 10 minutes and then uh the PRC uh also in a role as urban forestry board will have an opportunity for questions. Then there will be public comment. Then staff will have two more minutes. The appellant will have two more minutes. And then it'll come back to the urban forestry board for deliberation, a motion, and a vote. Uh for this appeal, I believe we have one appellant and one and it's the same as the owner and that would be Elizabeth Mcnage. So let's start. I will turn it over to uh forestry manager Russell Hansen uh to present the staff report. >> Thank you, Commissioner. Sorry, I got lost my presentation. So, I'll try to get that back up for you here, but All right. Oh, got to play it. Okay. So, um again, thank you, commissioners. Um we're here this evening to talk about 961 Iber Drive. Um, as you can see from the photograph here, we're dealing with a tree that's in the front of the property, um, but is not considered a street tree in this case. Um, the particular details for this one, um, get rid of that, sorry, is H1 Circus Kogi, otherwise known as a California black oak. Um, we estimate it to have about a 20 inch diameter at standard height. Um we believe that it has overall good health at the current time and that the structure is fair. Um ultimately the applicant when they apply for removal of the tree um the statements they made for the application was the tree is in poor health, the tree is in danger of falling, the tree is diseased with pests, insects or beetles and the tree is growing in close proximity to structure and causing damage or will do so in the near future. So when we actually look at the tree in question, um the photograph on the left is representative of the trenching that was done. The property owners prior to applying with us or at least prior to us inspecting it had done some trenching um adjacent to the tree. Um uh you can see the one trench that comes from the home out towards the street gets to within about 12 to 18 inches I'm going to say from the tree. Might be a little bit more than that. um and then also makes a turn and goes over towards the driveway. And so some significant trenching. Um you can see the photo on the right is after they backfilled it um to where you can't see the trenches any longer. So if you didn't get a chance to see it while you were on site, we wanted to make sure you had these. Um when I look at the photograph on the left, um that's representative of all the roots that were cut. Um you can just barely see in that same picture kind of the top left there's one small root um that's starting to come down off of the root flare right there that there that very left hand um arrow would ultimately indicate that appears to be a clump of about three roots. It's not actually one large route, but that is three smaller roots. All I'm going to say two to three inches and then it's kind of equivalent on those other arrows. There were I'm going to say estimate 12 to 15 roots that we feel like were cut as a part of that trenching. Um again, what I would say is to the left side of the tree. Um, above and beyond that, the reason we're saying the structure is fair, the poor is ultimately because it has poor live crown ratio. Um, you can see on the photo to the right, the majority of the canopy, there's only about 40% canopy at the top and then there's 60% of the stem that has no structural branches, that has no leaves, etc. Again, that's problematic just simply because it creates some additional stresses on those branches um to where when the wind blows or otherwise that union at the bottom is going to be a little bit more pressured and ultimately the tree has a harder time I'll say compensating because without the foliage or otherwise those structural branches we're not getting as much sugar and starches. we're not getting getting that diameter to develop the way we typically would to support the branches because the sugars and starches just aren't coming from the leaves that are no longer there. And so that's the real issue we're talking about with the live crown ratio is not only does it set it up poorly, but then it doesn't recover as well either. So, um, when we looked at the tree as well, the photograph on the left, it's kind of hard to see, but just about where the skyline starts over the roof of that house in the background, there was about an 8 inch limb that was removed from that location um that ultimately pretty sure yes, that is the one that was pre-existing um from when we got there. Yes. Um, would you please check and see if the appellant is online? >> Yeah. is good question. Um, >> so the only two people I see online are an A+ tree arborist, which I think is from Middlefield, and then Gina, who I also think is from Middle. >> Yes. >> So is >> so Elizabeth Mcnage, is she here as I'm her? >> Did she say she's going to >> We had confirmation originally, but we haven't talked to her this week. >> In person, >> correct? So, should we pause this one and maybe do the other? >> What are you thinking about, Dave? >> Well, um, this came up previously and if it was properly noticed and if Helen got noticed, you know, it's a proper meeting. How would you proceed? >> Absent some indication that she didn't get proper notice. Yes. >> Director Mar, do you have an opinion? >> They're here. >> Oh, legal advice. >> I don't I don't There's no legal issue with doing the other one first to see if she comes, is there? >> No legal. No. >> Yeah. No. Well, I mean it's just I don't think we have to legally, but >> but I think in that case you would just make a motion to hear item 5.2. >> Yeah, I mean >> people are okay with it. I I guess I I could flip-flop them and and give the appellent an opportunity to actually be I mean if she isn't here, we'll continue it like we would. Um is that okay with that? >> Definitely. that I don't we know how to reach them and we >> that's what I'm trying to do is see if I can >> maybe she went to city hall >> I would hope not >> that was the one for next week that we did a double followup on >> so that means that maybe switching that'll give us time to reach out >> switch to 52% All right, let's do that. Let's let's let's flip-flop. Sorry. So, >> I I think you might have to make a motion. >> Yeah, I would make a motion to take it out of order. Okay. So, I'll make a motion that we flip-flop items 5.2 and 5.1 to give um the appellant in 5.1 a little bit more opportunity. >> Excuse me, comment. Are the people from 500 middlefield all here? >> There's two of us here physically >> and there's two online >> and the other two >> is the eval. Is not here either. >> No online. >> Gina is the appellent and she confirmed that she was online. So for Evan, I believe you're here on behalf of the applicant for 500 Middlefield. >> Uh yeah, that's correct. She just asked me to be present to try to clarify any uh any questions or concerns you guys might have about the application. >> All right. >> Yeah, I'll go through I'll go through >> is he the only one that's representing them or is she planning I'll I'll let's let's bring it back. >> So, did you make a motion? >> Yeah, I'm going to make a motion that we flip-flop 5.2 and 5.1. >> So, I guess the clarifying thing is is this gentleman the only person that's planning on speaking on behalf of the applicant for 500 middle field. Maybe the applicant would know that and we can ask the applicant because it's not supposed >> Well, it's the appellent and the appellent is on. So, so that's >> no Gina has raised hand. >> Yeah, I mean is on >> Yes, this is the appellent. >> That's the >> And Gina, are you prepared if we take this item now? >> Sure. >> Yes. Me and my husband are prepared. >> Yep. >> Okay, great. Thank you. >> All right, so let's I made a motion. >> Okay, I'll second. Okay, >> we can just take a we just take a verbal vote. >> Uh, yeah. So, Commissioner Bryant, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Sylvester. >> Oh, sorry. Vice Chair Summer. >> Yes. >> And Chair Mitch. >> Yes. Okay. So, switching again and I so I want to start this and and go through all the formalities since this is a different appeal. Uh, I want we are taking 5.2 two um a heritage tree appeal 500 West Middlefield Road. Um again, I will introduce the attorneys. We have assistant city attorney Diana Fiselli representing city staff. And I didn't jot down the name, so Diana, if you could reintroduce. >> Sure. >> Assist. Okay, go ahead. >> Assistant city attorney Francesca Srano. And are you also representing city staff? >> Yes. >> I'm just writing this down for the next one. Okay. And then um senior assistant attorney Dave Wilggas will be representing the urban forestry board. Uh this uh the process on this one uh we will have a staff report. Uh the appellant will then have 10 minutes. Uh the PRC urban forestry board will ask questions. uh will then take public comment. Then staff will have an additional two minutes. The appellent will have two minutes and then the urban forestry board uh will deliberate, take a motion and vote. For the purpose of this, I just want to um clarify all the players on this. Um the appellant are is Gina and Dave Wyn. Um, so they are the ones that that actually have status in this uh on this this item. However, uh if there are if they would like to seed some of their time to the HOA board or to the uh owner um uh they're they're welcome to do that, but it would flow through the appelllet on this. Okay. And with that, uh, Russell Hansen will kick off with the staff report. >> Thank you, Commissioner. All right, share. Okay. So, we are here this evening uh to talk about 500 Middlefield Road, Heritage Tree Appeal, which is ultimately an HOA complex. Um you can see in the photograph here, the redwood tree in question that we're talking about this evening is internal to the complex. So it is considered a private tree. Uh the tree itself is a sequoia sevy, a coast redwood that has approximately a 30-inch diameter. We considered it to be in good health with fair structure. Um the applicant themselves listed that the tree does not have proper growth space as well as the tree is growing in gross close proximity to structures and causing damage or will in the near future. So we're talking about basically grow space and damage. Um little bit more closeup. Um what we did is we took a patio or shot from the patio and that photo to the left looking back at the tree. the tree is actually outside in the common area of the HOA. Um that this is a private patio for the property owners themselves. Um so you can see the tree on the left with condition of the fence. You go to the right that is actually taken from the outside that you can see um there is still some few inches maybe of clearance as it goes up the stem of the trunk. Um but that ultimately um you can kind of see that bend at the base where the root flare has started to kind of displace that fence a little bit. Um when we go back to the inside, you can see on the photograph to the left that we're talking about damage in that kind of far corner um of the patio. It is paper bricks or otherwise. Um, and then that photograph on the right, you can get a little bit better closeup of it that you can see that there's approximately a one inch lift on that patio. If I were to estimate distance of lift, we're probably talking about 24 in or so of patio that has started to lift. And so ultimately, um, go back to that. Our belief was um that based off of the damage that we're seeing here, the fence still could be cut or slightly modified to accommodate that root flare at the base without creating any major security or access issues um kind of a thing for the property owner. And then as well when it came to the pavers ultimately we decided that because in fact they are pavers um that it would be fairly simple to be able to remove the pavers examine whatever roots are there likely be able to cut them. Our guess is that this is likely one root that is causing the damage and it is almost completely adjacent to the tree itself where we saw that root flare coming down. And so ultimately um again our feeling is it was just one route um that is likely to need to be cut at this point. Um but again we would hope to be able to remove the papers make a better judgment call on that in the future. So our final findings were that we did not find that the condition of the tree itself required its removal at this time. We did not find that removal of the heritage tree was necessary in in order to construct improvements. um we did not feel that the tree or the structure of the canopy was in such condition um that it needed to be removed. We felt it could it was good and could be managed with proper care and then ultimately we did not find that the tree should be removed due to good forestry practices because there was not any kind of significant density or otherwise that this was creating any other conflict or otherwise. That's all I have for Thank you. All right, we'll now move on to the um Helen and that would be Gina and Dave Gwyn. Again, you have 10 minutes. If you want to allocate some of that time to others, uh you're free. And if I'll let you go ahead and if you could just clarify whether you are the owner of 149 or whether you're a a um renter. I'm not sure what those statuses on on this um complex. So, I'll turn it over to you guys. their owners. >> Hi. Uh yeah, so uh thank you for giving us this time. You know, part of it we would like to allocate um to A1, you know, for the the tree service, you know, just for the arborist to give his kind of overview, but um we are the homeowners. Um my wife actually owned it before we met. Um, she's lived at the complex or owned the the the condo for about 14 years. And we don't have we're not someone, you know, we're not a couple that doesn't like trees. We like the tree, the redwood tree next to that um that is very much separated from the fence. The biggest issue for us is that it's, you know, a risk to our safety. It's a risk to the safety of of other residents in the within the community and also the damage that it's doing to our property. So, what what started this was the uh there was a bunch of debris underneath the aggregate uh patio that was originally there. And when we removed a lot of that debris, we found that it had completely lifted about a 4x6 foot section and cracked the aggregate and lifted it up. So that's what started this whole project of redoing our whole patio. So, the HOA agreed to cover that cost and they suggested that we put in a paper brick patio so if in the event something happened, we could trim the the root system down. Um, when they did all of that stuff in preparation for the new pavers, we also paid to have a whole brand new fence put in. The new fence cost us just under $8,000 um with the lattice work and everything like that. And that was only a few years ago. And as you can see the damage from the root base uh the base of the tree, it's already putting pre additional pressure and it's bowing that whole um uh 10-ft section of fencing. There was a cutout that was done at the bottom to compensate for any type of future growth. And when they were doing the cutting prior to installing the pavers, I tried to get them to cut deeper. Um, because it, you know, I already knew that it this was going to happen in like a year, year and a half or something like that that it was going to start lifting things back up and they didn't feel comfortable doing anything more just cuz they felt that it would destabilize the tree and it would affect the anchoring of the root system. Now, I know the staff has suggested that there could be, you know, they could offset that by, you know, if we did do some more pruning on the the root system on the the patio side that we could do more watering on the HOA side to get more growth and help with um balancing the stability. But there isn't any sprinkler system right there on that side. plus on the HOA side. Plus, it is on a like hill side that goes right down into the um into the uh common uh driveway area. So, there's no way to really balance that side of it. So the only option then is to every like 2 to 3 years lifting up the you know the pavers trimming the roots as much as can be done and then we're going to have to replace the that section of fence probably I'd say maybe every five years at you know more like it you you know it because right now it's already bowing a bunch >> well and I included photos in um the letter Yeah. And my wife included photos >> how worse it got just in a matter of a few months. >> In a matter of a few months, I mean, you can see that it's completely arked and bowed and um I mean, it's just going to keep getting worse and worse and and it the the thing is is is it's butdding up against the fence. It's only within 10 ft of of our windows, but within less than 10 feet of the roof line um and the gutter side. So, it's probably about 8 ft from that. And it's just it's it just it scares us having it that close, the damage that it's con uh continually doing. And we have no problem putting in a tree to replace that tree, just a little bit farther away from the fence and with a tree that won't grow as large of uh trunk or as wide of trunk. Um, and uh, and also in the CC and ours too, I forgot to mention earlier, the HOA doesn't allow for any type of modifications to the fencing system. So, we need to keep the fence the same. So, the only other option would be to keep making cutouts and to actually take away part of our property line and move the fence in, >> which we can't do, >> which we can't do. So um and the other thing too is like you know based off this evaluation there was no um looking from the staff from the city of the actual root system and how and and how that looks underneath the pavers. So we feel that this was just you know a quick um you know visual scan and looking at you know the elevation and lift in the the pavers but not actually you know seeing what's underneath the hood. So um that's kind of like where we stand. Um and I'd like to give the rest of the time um to the arborist to give his input um from his evaluations. >> Thank you. Just to let you know in case you can't see the clock, we have 4 minutes and 15 seconds left. >> All right. Well, if it's okay, I'll I'll jump in. Um, can everybody hear me? Okay. >> Yes. >> So, my name's Evan Fuller. I'm an arborist with A+ Tree Service. We've been working with the HOA for a number of years. So, when this project came up, uh, they reached out and contacted us because we're familiar with the permitting process. And uh so as part of the quote that they requested for potentially removing the tree um we were also contracted to write the arborist report and and uh facilitate the application for the removal. So my main concern with the tree in this case is really just the root pruning. Um I wasn't aware of the issue with the the HOA requirements and the fencing and all that. Our bora culturally I would normally recommend just making a larger cutout in the fence to accommodate the trunk growth. Um, but when it comes to the patio, I mean, short of pruning the roots, um, you you'd kind of just have to have the, uh, the owner sacrifice some element of their patio space, either by building like a a raised porch there or something instead of pavers or to just let the tree continue to lift the pavers. Um, I personally am not comfortable cutting roots that close. If that's the determination that the city makes, um, then I'll I'll work with the HOA and the resident to, you know, kind of advise on the best way to do that. But from a liability standpoint, my company would not be comfortable cutting a a route that close to the base of the tree. We'd essentially be cutting into the root flare of the tree if we were to cut it all the way back to the fence line. Um, and my concern there would be just compromising the tree stability. Redwood trees are very good typically at compartmentalizing decay. So I'm not necessarily concerned about uh you know making an underground wound that would become infected and start to decay the the base of the tree or anything like that. It would really just be the mechanical uh weakening of the root system on that side could potentially lead to the tree at some point toppling over. Um and there's not really any way to understand that for sure without excavating the patio. um and really exposing the main root system on the patio side. And even in that case, we'd still be either shaving down a root or severing a root completely uh to facilitate the patio repairs. So that was kind of the my concern arborulturally with the tree. And that's why I would recommend removal in this case. I understand the city's uh you know hesitancy to lose such a large tree like that. Uh but I I feel that the alternative is asking the the property owner to make some kind of sacrifice with their property which which may be the the city's position. Um but that would be my input from an arborist standpoint >> and I'm happy to take questions as well. But >> yeah, we'll have an opportunity. Is there anybody else? Uh appellent, do you you got another minute? Do you want to use your time or are you done? >> No, no, I think we're we're good. I appreciate though the offer. >> Okay. And you'll have you'll have you'll have two minutes more later on. All right. Uh I'll now bring it back to the uh PRC Urban Forestry Board to see if we have any questions of anybody. >> I have a question um for staff. Have we uh requested a review of their HOA CCNRs or anything like that? >> Good question. And I'm not 100% certain that they shared that information. Um but I think they may have shared that with us. Um and it I'll just say was general language that says, you know, modification offense isn't allowed or otherwise. I don't I don't know as though we read anything that ultimately weren't changed our thought process. >> It wasn't your job to >> right >> but I was just wondering if there was some exception language because very often there is. >> Yeah. >> So to your knowledge did they take this matter to their board of their HOA? >> Um I believe they had to take it to the HOA because it's an HOA tree and that the HOA kind of encouraged them. I think that was their statement as well is that the HOA encouraged them to submit the application or otherwise based on the prior repair, >> but it's not technically on their property. It's on the common area. >> Correct. >> And so is the fence their property line to your knowledge? >> Again, to my knowledge, I would say yes, but I do not know that. >> All right. Thank you. Just following up on that, a U HOA CCR would not trump a city ordinance. >> No. >> Yes. No. Questions. >> My questions would be about the fence as well. Um, the appellent mentioned not being able to move the fence because of the HOA, but I also thought I heard them say something about not being able to cut more of the fence. Maybe I misunderstood. I'm just trying to understand what to be done with the fence. >> Question, but still there. >> Go ahead. So, so to so to address that, uh we're not allowed to make any type of visual uh modifications that you can see from the outside. So, um where where the fence is, we made that a little cutout, which you can see in the image that that uh Russell Hansen shared. At the very base, we had some cutouts which we weren't happy with, but we, you know, we had to do what we had to do to to make it straight uh when we had the new fence put in. But, um, but that you can't see from the from the outside. Um, but anything that was higher where it's boeing, that we wouldn't be able to cut from our understanding. Um, based off of the CCNRs. Um, so I just a question I'll start with Russell again. I just if if root pruning were to happen in the patio area um given sort of what you can see in terms of how much things have have been raised um would we be looking at I mean you again I think I think you said maybe it might be one route I mean you wouldn't know for sure I mean you know would you actually have to cut a major route would I mean is it likely that this tree has lots of roots um So, one route wouldn't um be as significant. Um, and would you actually have to cut it or would you have to maybe shave it down a little? I guess it depends on how close it is to the the surface of the if you could extrapolate on that a little bit. Expand what you can out of my question. >> Yeah. No, absolutely. And so trees are always I'll say difficult because where we would like to have uniformity, we don't always get that. So I can't really say with any certainty how evenly spaced any of the roots are around the tree, but they do serve as structural support etc to fight against winds etc. And so typically they're going to try and find a balance point where they are spreading their root system evenly. Um having said that I typically operate on a general rule of about three feet from the trunk, ideally five feet from the trunk. you're going to get outside of the majority of the bigger structural roots. Once you get past about five feet, they start to taper down enough into those other feeder other structural roots and feeder roots that are out much further, I'll say. And so this one, the tree itself is about two to three feet. So I feel like there's a chance we're going to hit some of the larger structural roots. What that feeds to, I can't really say. I would just simply add that because this patio I think they'd mentioned that this was concrete before and they changed it to the p the pavers. Um that might even be contrary, not necessarily their fault. Um but by ultimately allowing that additional water and everything else to filter through those pavers, now the roots are going to expand into that area. They're going to grow a little bit bigger because they have the water they have that they that they need. And so it's kind of a double-edged sword that they did those favors. Um, but it was the right thing ultimately in terms of saving these trees longer term in terms of cutting of the roots or otherwise. Again, it is so subjective that I can't really give you good advice as to how big of a root and how much of an impact it's going to have. Um, but I feel like it's going to have maybe 20% of the root system if I were to pick a larger number. um and just say that that is one large structural root that comes out and feeds a bunch maybe a 20% of the root system is kind of being impacted because there should be a fair amount of it on that other side where we have landscape and turf and everything else. Um and so I think that's kind of what we're looking at in terms of cutting them. Just like a tree branch typically you want to make a clean as round a cut as possible. So you want to make it perpendicular to the root or otherwise. And you want to cut that root entirely only because the tree's natural response is to form wound wood to kind of seal that off and prevent additional decay or otherwise from occurring significantly. Um and so by doing it that way, you reduce the amount of decay or otherwise that can impact the tree long term. You absolutely can shave a root down. You do not have to cut that entire root. the problem becomes the bigger the wound, the slower it closes, the more potential that has to have a long-term impact on trees don't heal, but they seal, they close. It's going to have an impact on how well that closes and how well it's able to defend against disease or other pathogens longer term. So, that's why we typically don't recommend shaving, but we absolutely do it on occasion. I I don't want to imply that don't do it because there are some instances we get into a 12 or 18 inch fruit and we're really trying to save that tree. We will shave that down because we want to save the tree kind of a thing. So it can be done it's just not best practice. Okay. Um then my my other question I guess would be for the um appellent. Um and that is it it goes a step further on the uh you know since this tree is actually outside of property line. Um if there were fence work well first of all you did some fence work. Um both on that fence work and on any future fence work. Is that a a um an owner expense or is that an HOA expense? And if the tree were to be removed, would that be or any work done on the root system of the tree, would would that be an owner expense or an HOA expense? >> Yeah, I can Yeah, I can address that. So, the fence is uh the homeowner's expense. Um, like I said earlier, the patio and the fence are all brand new. Um, as of like two and a half, three years ago. Um, the pruning of the root system and the removal of the tree would be on the HOA. Um, and oh, half. Sorry. So, my wife said it would be half. we were willing to split the cost to help the HOA. But the other thing too that I wanted to address is uh the the thickness of the root system. Um, I do know when they did when they put the pavers in and it was fully excavated, the base of the route, it was probably that encroaches on our property is probably about 2 to 3 feet in and it's a very thick piece of wood that is probably I' I'd say maybe like 24 in wide and it goes in a couple feet. And they had to like shave it down and shave it down and they got as they did as much as they felt comfortable doing. But there's only a very thin level of sand, probably a half an inch at the most in between that big heavy piece of wood on our property and those pavers. So it's not like it's lifting like, you know, a bunch of soil and stuff like that. I mean, it's a very small margin in between the wood and the pavers. Thank you. >> Do one more. >> So again another hypothetical um a route like a a major route how much does that grow in in the course of five years or 10 years? I mean, you know, I mean, I don't know. Understood. Ultimately, where I go with that is it's going to be very similar to what we see in the branches of the canopy. And it's just there's a lot of factors that are going to change. Um, but typically, you're going to see about a half an inch to an inch in a really aggressive year where it's growing really strong. You might see about an inch of growth overall um diameter. So a half inch on either side real aggressive little bit less aggressive maybe a quarter inch or so that's typical can exceed an inch it can be less than that I just it depends on a lot of factors thank you commissioner >> I have a question for um assistant city attorney Wilus so I'm looking at the city's ordinance in the criteria for removal number two talking about the necessity of the removal of the heritage tree in order to construct improvements or allow reasonable and conforming use of property. So obviously there's no improvements being proposed for construction. So I wanted to ask you about this idea of um allowing reasonable and conforming use of the property and this would be specifically the the appellants property the condominium. So, um, if they were to, let's say, relocate relocate the fence in order to accommodate the tree, that would presumably be putting some of their property on the outside of the fence. How do you see that whole reasonable and conforming in relation to this sort of idea? Is that making that I mean because they no longer have use of that part of their >> Yeah. Generally reasonable and conforming there's two >> concept here. A conforming use is just the property conforms to things like zoning laws. Okay. >> Reasonable use is a little more subjective as far as you know does is the use of the property uh does it fit within the characteristics of the neighborhood. So I'm not I'm not sure how it really applies here. >> Okay. Um >> because the patio is pretty small that would make it smaller. Is that unreasonable to ask of them >> from the point of view that I know that reasonable for me is sort of a legal term and I want that >> right and I I think we're on we all agree it's a conforming use. I think it's reasonable use of the property which is does it conform with the general characteristics of the neighborhood or the area where they live. >> Um >> so >> so it seems it seems like unreasonable >> it seems like it's a and it's more of an an HOA versus resident Yeah issue. >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you. That gives me some perspective. >> Go ahead. Just um what was there any indication of um impact on the structure itself? I understand the fence and the the papers the patio but anything related to the structure in terms of the house structure. >> Yes. >> Not that I am aware of. No. >> Um here's another legal question Dave. um like the Supreme Court, but how does precedence play into the decisions of this commission because we've had many uh cases before us that are very similar to this in terms of offense and uh pavement. >> Well, um I mean I I don't think you're bound by any particular precedence. number one because they're I I mean they're each case is so different even though they're similar cases, right? Each case turns on its own individual facts and so it's it's hard for me to say, well, you have precedents for this because every case is just so different. Okay. I presume consistency of judgment would be a desirable commission. >> It's a little better. Yeah. Concept, but again, you know, everything turns on the individual facts and circumstances of each individual case. Any other questions on this side? >> Anyone over here? All right. Um, we will now open up public comment. This is your time if you if you'd like. Um, >> should I stand? >> Yes, please. But did you want to speak on Middlefield or Ikeler? Because you were here for Iller original. Okay. >> And there's two neighbors here, too. But I can't speak. >> First of all, thank you. Um, I I heard some suggestions here that made me think about how we really need to view this. I think you may be thinking it's a tree and another tree on a flat piece of land, but if it's a slope like this that's this high. So, some of the tree branches go beyond this into the fence. The rest of it cascades down into a dirt pile before the cement base. So, the two trees are very close together. My question to you would be they've probably got their root system somewhat intertwined like the two trees are supporting each other. Is that a reasonable assumption? >> That is reasonable. Yes. >> Yeah. So, and from what you said that the cobblestone was put in and that allowed more water get to the roots. Correct. >> I'm not supposed to answer any questions. Yeah. You're you're allowed to speak, but technically I'm not allowed. I'm saying that I heard what you said and that's what I thought you meant. So it sounds like we could make it worse by standing out there and watering it and giving these trees more water than maybe they need and hence increasing their growth and impinging on the patio. It's just a thought. But anyway, I don't want to be at odds with my two neighbors because I just adore these people. They are my friends. But I've lived there for since the 1970s and we've had trees trees growing. It's called Willow Park. It's all about trees. Um, and we got an award years ago for some of the best landscaping in the city back when it was first there as condors. Um, I'm sort of a tree hugger. I hate to see any trees taken down unnecessarily. These trees I see from my patio and they are majestic. They're huge, beautiful, green, healthy trees side by side like twins. It's not like a tree here, a tree there. They're like a set. And then Ren Hampton is this unit that our my lovely neighbors have and the young man that moved over here. Two trees are like right where the divide between the two patios are. So the trees affect both of those units. Although the other gentleman hasn't I to my knowledge had any verbalized complaint. I like the suggestion you made about working on the fence. The board of directors which I was on for 10 years and five years as president not in the very current day but seemed like forever. Um, we've had a lot of discussions about trees and a lot of it weighed heavily on how can we preserve our wonderful tree surround area and saying we're like living in a little big basin. It's really beautiful in there when you walk around and I don't think that you can really even think clearly about what to do with this situation without standing there looking at the situation first, you know, right with you there. And um >> that's sorry time is time is up. So >> okay >> so thank you very much. >> Um >> I have um a relatively short um comment. I want this >> if you would be comfortable >> because that's where the microphones cameras >> um first. Thank you for the opportunity and uh the I want this tree to stay. So that's the basis for my coming tonight. Um from all the things that have been said, I'm thinking we could delay this. We could delay the decision um for I don't know three, four years, five years. That's one suggestion. The other suggestion is and I don't know whether this is technically possible but with um one of your um members here sort of indicated it the idea of changing the border of the um of the cond of each condominium is it's self-contained and uh outside that perimeter is the common area. So this tree is sort of encroaching on a private area. Presumably there is the possibility that uh the patio becomes smaller and the whole the condo unit has a smaller footprint and the um common area expands. I don't know how that's legal or possible and everybody would have to be in agreement, but that's all I can think of because I love this tree. Um, and uh there's been a lot of uh want and removal of trees on our on our property and uh this would be pretty bad I think to take down. So that being a spoiling a spoiling sorry I'm not very energetic at this time of night but >> thank you very thank you very much for coming and sharing. >> Is there anybody else in the room who would like to speak at your convenience afterwards if you could fill out blue a blue card. >> My name is Sher Dubarl and I live there also. Um, I'm trying to be as objective as possible because I understand that a homeowner does not want to lose any space because our our condominiums are small, especially these units are onebedroom and so people do utilize the outdoor space. And I love redwood trees also, although I think this one does look a little sparse. I think a lot of the redwood trees on our property look like they are um needing more water and this does not get that much water because there's pavement and then there's the patio next door. So um I understand why the tree is going to the area where there's more water which would be the patio. I do have some suggestions though. I would be very leerary about removing the entire route because the tree is very tall and right across the driveway there's a whole group of other apartments and it would be and with that removal of that root I think it would damage the integrity of the tree. However, if the tree maintains that root, I think that possibly rather than using pa pavers, you could use decomposed granite or gravel, something like that. Yes, it would be permeable to water. So then that root would continue to grow. But I would be very cautious of removing that major route right there with the other buildings of apartments right of condominiums right across the street. But it's a lovely tree and I love redwoods and um so I um it's a difficult decision. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else in the room who would like to speak? Um, also, do we have anybody online who would like to speak? >> No. >> All right, I will close the uh public comment portion and uh bring it back to uh staff for two more minutes if you'd like. >> Sure. I again, I don't think I really have anything significant to add. I just our feeling is is that we're more than happy to continue the engagement with the property over owner have conversations between them and the acrea their arborist and kind of come to a resolution to this in the future when they start to make these repairs when they start to make some adjustments or otherwise. Ultimately, if the damage is significant and the new dumps does come out, we do have that ability to revisit this permit and make a different decision at a later time or they can reapply at a later time and we can ultimately make a separate decision at that point. That's kind of where staff is going. Again, I just think there's more time that could be done with this tree to have more conversations if nothing else. >> Thank you. Um, Gina and Dave, you have two more minutes and you can take it or allocate it, whatever you like. >> Should be able to >> I think they you should be able to unmute if >> Can you un Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. There we go. Um, >> start. Yeah. So, something that, you know, I guess just to address, you know, the last comment that was said, um, we did actually submit um a request to remove the the tree based off of the lifting of the the previous um aggregate uh patio. And that was about two and a half, three years ago, some probably three years ago. Um, and then we did this whole project, you know, with the with the pavers and the fence. Um, and now we're revisiting it again. And, and this is because it's getting to a more, you know, substantial, you know, point in damage. But really, it's something that, you know, should probably be addressed every year, year and a half, you know, something like that based off of how quickly the roots growing and also the fact that there's a small gap between the big piece of the root on our side. um and you know, next to the pavers. The the thing that I wanted to say too is that um in the bylaws, it doesn't allow us to um um for the homeowners association, it doesn't allow us to adjust the size of the patio. Um so there's we're not going to be able to shrink the patio or expand it and encroach onto the HOA's property. Um, as everyone knows here, I mean, real estate's very expensive in the Bay Area. So, obviously, like, why would we want to just move our patio in another foot just for this tree? Um, and then shrink our patio. And we're not going to do like a gravel patio or anything like that. Um, and you know, something I just want to leave everyone with, it's we're not against having a tree. We want to replace it with another tree. And one of the things that makes the the whole development and you know and why my my wife fell in love with the area is such is the variety of the trees that are in the complex. We have Japanese maple, we have um you know birch trees, we have a bunch of different trees. So >> thank you. >> Okay. Um >> sir, may I ask you one question? >> Probably not. Actually, no, you can't. I'm sorry we the public comments closed. I don't mean to be rude, but we have to legally stick to what we do. Sorry. >> Um, so we'll now come back to the uh to the urban forestry board and uh discussion if anybody wants to uh start. >> Sure, I can start. Um so so your complex just beautiful. I went for a brief walk because I was there like a year or two ago. So I actually found my way not to without too much difficulty so I could enjoy the bird song and think how love how lucky you are to live there. It's a beautiful place. Um, so there's and it's beautiful because of the trees and the thought of cutting through the roots of a heritage redwood so as to preserve papers in a patio. It it's those are two completely different things. A few papers are one thing and the root of a majestic tree is a completely different universe. uh the the compound complex is is designed the way it is and the trees are there and I think one needs to make the judgment of what what uh what is the relative value of of the various uh things we're looking at. It's always very painful when a when a rent when a heritage tree is destroying the foundations of a house and we have to say ah it's a wonderful tree but the house is a house. A patio is something completely different and sometimes you have a roof and you can't put papers onto it. So you have a patio with the root in it with a different kind of surface. Uh so the the the recommendation to shave a road or to cut a road so we can preserve papers is uh is something that I would object to that I really do not like. Uh the fence walking around the complex I thought oh my this is so beautiful. Look at the trees. Look at the plants in front of the houses. taking out a tree would make a serious difference to the look of the area, but making a cut in the fence, I don't know. I personally would not notice. Maybe other people would, but it seems to me like a a conversation to be had with the HOA and the directors of the HOA. Besides that, reading through staff's analysis, the one thing I disagreed with was cutting the roots at all. But otherwise it seems to me that this does not rise to the requirements for taking out the heritage tree. So for me this was not a difficult decision to me. I agree staff's recommendation to to deny the name who wants to go. Would you like to >> Sure. I'd be happy to go next. >> Um I I find myself uh in full agreement with Commissioner Bryant. Um yeah, I what a lovely neighborhood. You all are so lucky to be there. Um just almost an oasis. I would have never thought that it was so beautiful in there. Um I'm having trouble finding the justification in the city's ordinance to remove this tree. Um I I feel like the the treaty which is in the common area and the responsibility of the homeowners association to manage um some compromise needs to be made at at that level. Um in terms of you know shaving a notch out of the fence um changing the shape of the patio those are all completely possibilities. um that are would not really have any visibility from the the public area of the public portion of the common energy hidden behind a giant redwood roof flare. Um and I feel like the true exploration of the details of what needs to be done just has not happened at that level. And if it were to happen and still not be able to arrive at a solution, then I think that is time to come back to staff with a another application and and there could be a case made that there's damage that we not be able to but I think at at this point that there are still many options that would not violate the CCNRs and they need that needs to be played out before we remove this tree. >> Thank you. I go ahead. >> I agree with everything you said. I think the real conversation needs to happen with the the homeowners association. Um it's their treat. I mean, if anything, you should sue the homeowners association, have them build you a new fence. That's a non-legal opinion. But I sympathize with the applicant. I too have a, you know, a fence that's getting leaned over by a redwood tree. It's not on my property. Um, and it is um it's challenging. It's frustrating. It's difficult. Um, but the ordinance been around for half a century. Uh it's pretty clear in its intent and and purpose and um you know to be consistent with the many other judgments that we have made and situations where it is impacting a fence or a pavement area. Um I agree with the commissioners that have spoken so far that I think we weigh in favor of the tree on this. Um, not that that's a necessarily easy thing to mitigate and I hope your association uh board will assist you in coming up with a solution. So, um, long story short, I will uh agree with the staff position. >> Um, I definitely have much empathy for the homeowner here. Um, it is a small space. Um, and I hate to see it impinged upon. I also understand that the the owner is is really can't really do much with the fence even if they they wish to. So, um, I go back to the I was actually thinking that some of the HOA representatives would have been here to talk about it too because it does feel like some of this decision and who should be appealing for uh, applying to remove the street would be the HOA. So, I'm a little confused about who who was in the room here. Um, I do want to point out though, um, of all the tree fields I've been in, I've never I don't remember ever having so many neighbors come and talk about a tree and the love of the tree, and it is a reminder why we have a heritage tree ordinance in the first place. It is the love of trees. It is the fact that trees become common goods. Uh, not just in an OA in an HOA, but among any of the people who can actually see that tree and experience it. Um, I do also want to applaud the neighbors for being so kind and saying how much they care about the relationship with with the appellant. Um, I got to meet one of the neighbors walking around trying to find the tree and there there is a certain kindness in your in your community that is that is unique and wonderful. So, I want to applaud you for all being so kind about that and sharing your thoughts. Um, I do have a lot of concerns about what's going to happen to this tree if the root the if it is one major root and if it's pruned or cut. I don't know what happens to the stability of the tree in the long run. Um, and I suspect that that would be something that the HOA might want to come back and discuss at some point, especially if it turns out that there's a more extensive root system or it is infeasible to actually proning the stock recommendation, but with all of those caveats. >> Thank you. Um, so yeah, turning to myself, you know, again, it's a it's a mature redwood tree. Um, it looks like it's in pretty good health. It's lush. It's fairly well balanced. It has a nice canopy. Um actually think it's nicer than the one that's next to it. Um although they're both nice, but they seem to be playing well um together in terms of sharing sharing space. Um so redwoods u fall in a special mountain view protective category of only needing 12 inches of circumference to be deemed heritage. So, we have I think there's three uh species of trees that fall into that category. And this one has a 95 inch circumference. And uh the city code specifies that a single removal criterion is just a minimum and that additional criteria shall be considered with the emphasis on preserving heritage trees. Um so that's sort of a little bit our mission our mission statement. Um so you know after reading the materials and spending time at the site you know the only criterion for removal that I find partially satisfies number one again proximity to structures. >> I did climb around a bit um to examine the you know it was a little treacherous on the hillside. Um but I I wanted to sort of see how close the tree was at at different parts of the tree to the fence. um you know the upper part of the fence it looked like it was about 10 inches away. Um I was also able to take a brief peek at the patio. Hopefully that's okay to sort of glance over the fence a little bit with regard to that because that is a frustration some we can't get into certain certain parts of yards. We have to rely on photos. Um but with regard to the patio the paper uplifting I saw was was fairly you know I'm going to call it minimal. we we see a lot of these. Um, and in in the context of of that, um, I didn't think the the lifting was was too substantial and it was consistent with what the picture showed. Um, with regard to the fence at this point, and I I fully acknowledge the owner has already made some uh repairs and put in a new fence, but uh the damage to the fence is mostly a future possibility um rather than a significant current condition. So, you know, to me, if and when the tree begins to push up against it or impact the structure of the fence, modification of the fence seems possible. And I would hope that for a minimal modification that might buy 10 to 15 years or more of a mature redwood that the HOA would be amendable to those modifications and would work um to try to preserve the the tree. I you know I where I live in Mountain View there isn't an HOA but in in another location where I'm at people are trying to get me on the HOA and uh which I've resisted to to this point but but HOA rules I think they could be you know things could be modified a little bit. So, I would hope that um the HOA would be open to uh working with people to uh to try to try to preserve this tree as best they can. So, anyway, um because the removal criteria for me aren't sufficiently satisfied and because mitigation options exist, I'm also going to lean towards denying the appeal and upholding the staff decision to deny removal of this um regulatory. Chair Mitchner, I think I detect consensus, so may I make a motion? Yes. I make a motion that we adopt a resolution of the urban forestry board of the city of Mountain View to deny the appeal and uphold the staff decision to deny the removal of her Heritage Tree at 500 West Middlefield. Title further reading. >> Second. >> Uh we have a motion by Commissioner Davis, second by Commissioner Bryant. Is there any discussion before we vote? >> Commissioner Bryant, >> yes. >> Commissioner Davis, >> yes. >> Commissioner Sylvester, >> yes. >> Vice Chair Summer, >> yes. >> And Chair Mitch, >> yes. >> Okay. Thank you for everyone who um participated and spoke on on that tree. And we will now I have an update. Okay. So, I talked with property owner. Um, I managed to get our troop proceed with the one for we can I think it would be my recommendation under the circumstances uh you may want to consider uh continuing this to give the appellant due process to present the claim. Um, you could also since it was properly noticed, you could also proceed, but my recommendation would be to continue it to give her new office. >> I think I would be more comfortable with a recommendation to continue it. >> Okay. You okay with that? continue so I can go home and watch basketball. >> Yeah, good with that. I get I I hope that >> you know there's construction going on on that site and I I hope that um >> that we don't um mandate it, but I would prefer that there not be further modifications to the tree in the interim period um between today and when we uh >> that's a serious issue. >> Yeah. And part of what's come up, part of what I was willing to object to, what I receive, I think I think the city ordinance has already been violated. >> Um, and so I'm reticent to um, >> so we shouldn't discuss it now, okay? >> Because it's not it's not an issue right now. >> I'm just telling you my reservations about pushing up the meeting. not trying to >> Oh, I'm so I'm sorry. I thought we were just getting into the merits of of it, but I think you were expressing something different, but I was just going to say my recommendation would be to make a motion to continue it to a date to be determined. Um, and that's how you that's what you want to do, which it sounds like that's what it takes. >> Okay. >> Can I ask a question? Um so that is there what is going to protect the tree while construction work is happening? >> Yes. Is there a way for the city to make clear that the process is the process is in process and nothing further should happen to the tree? Um, so just so we're clear. >> Yeah. Well, potentially a notice from the forestry board, which you know, Russell can address with with Diana that, you know, here's a here's the uh code section that says you not to damage trees. That might be that might be something that they would want to do. and is public. Will the public be renotified? Will new sign be put up? >> Yes. >> So, is there an active roofing permit? Because if there is, you know, the permit would have requirements, >> right? Ultimately, I'm not aware if there was a permit pulled. >> All right. So, do we want to make a motion to continue this to a future meeting? >> Good question. The appellet said she was okay with pushing it till September, October. >> Yes, correct. >> Make sure I understand. >> The exact response, let me read it to you, was, "Would you like me to ask the commission if they would like to reschedule? It may mean we wait till September." The response was, "Sure." That would be amazing. Thank you. >> Okay. Well, I move that we continue item 5.1 through a date at uh it took to be determined by staff and working with the appellent. >> Okay, a motion. >> Second. >> Second. Motion Commissioner Summer, second by Commissioner Sylvester. Um >> so let me let me just continue the the question that that you were mentioning that Russell could um work with the appellent to clarify the expectations of the protection of the trade until it comes before the PRC again. What what um what would cause that to happen? Would we need to say something about it? become something that staff would just do. >> Well, I'm gonna leave that up to them. I'm putting that forth as, you know, potential option that may or may not happen. Regardless of the motion, I'm happy to do that. That would be the intention anyways, just to follow up, let her know it was continued, and ultimately I can share that additional information. Well, I would prefer to have the volunteer while we're discussing the tree. >> Okay. You want to conduct a vote then? >> Commissioner Bryant. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Davis. >> Commissioner Sylvester. >> Yes. >> Vice Chair Summer. >> Yes. >> And chair. >> Yes. >> If we might be able to take a quick break. Sounds like might be video issue. >> Okay, >> sound is okay. But >> thank our attorneys for >> being here tonight. And um we'll reschedu this item 5.1 for future date. Let's please not add an extra meeting. Okay. And we'll take a it is 7:20. >> 7:35 7:35 7 The sound is still on. >> Okay. >> The sound is still on. Well, let me go out and look at these sites. It sounds like you did >> to that. I want to say that's why I want to ask the question because I want to say thank you. >> That really shows such good interest. >> You're letting your neighbors stop and want to talk. Thank you very much. They're not even living. They just had a baby. I don't know if they would all directly across Do I have to when I first got married? I was nine years apart. just call and say hello to him from he likes that among friends. >> Oh, I'm so sorry. Well, I mean trees are just Yeah. >> You sound like a bush a tree. I went up there Monday this week and saw the construction saw that all the materials are stacked around. >> I know. I know. I'm actually um So my role is language the standard and all over. >> Yeah, for sure. season. There's no >> love. Yeah. I will comment. I don't want to be Yeah. burning people and now I'm just like you know what I'm going to hang out with people I don't want to deal with something like my I know. Okay. What's that? Yeah. No one should find you. He's going to pass it over to me. I will talk just like all the other ones. Stand up when you're standing. So this is my >> the two on So that's >> yeah heard I heard between the lines I like to totally just Yeah. >> Believe it or not, Is there more people that's like And then I saw It was funny people. Um, she's social media >> super >> because >> yeah just reaching out to people who aren't by doing that >> you found more of your time >> doing it's a good group of people >> they don't have parks some of those. >> Yeah. People that went to county parks which are retired by now. All right, we're going to reconvene. Uh, it's about 7:40 and we will now move on to item 5.3, which is our annual update from the canopy organization and have we will let our forestry manager Russell Hansen introduce today's speaker. Sure. Thank you, Commissioner. I, as you know, I tend to keep things a little bit short, but I'm going to keep this one even shorter and just say that, you know, Canopy is a very valued partner um for the city of Mount View. We've done a lot of hard work with them over the last couple of years to really expand and kind of refine what we're doing with them. And so, tonight is just their opportunity to kind of come and share with you all of the accomplishments that we've had over this last year or so. So, with that, I will turn it over to Aubrey to share kind of their starting point for us. Good evening everyone. Thank you for having us um at your meeting this evening to have the opportunity to present to you all the work that we've done or really proud of in partnership with the city of Mountain View. Um I'm Aubrey Kadir and I'm the community forestry manager at Canopy and we have Ebony Wang, our lead community forester, Ude Buma and Michael Drock. They all um work with the city of Mountain View in either planting or caring for trees. So this was the incredible teeth doing the work this last planting season. >> Believe we have some slides. I'll just wait a second. >> Oh yes, we do. >> And Alice, if I'm correct, the slides will not be >> um the slides should work. It's just the video feed. So I think that when I share these, it should be okay. can't speak at all. We can advance to announce for action. Yeah. So, thanks for kicking us off, Russell. We've um had an incredible planting season, and we've seen our community forestry model that we value at Canopy really flourish this past season. And that really happens with this public, private, and nonprofit partnership. Really um growing our community forest together through all of our different resources, things that we bring to the table. And that's where that's what really moves the needle. So, uh, on the public sector, of course, the city of Mountain View's urban forestry and parks division providing the planting locations to us, helping us procure the trees, deliver them, and, um, having us having them with us on on the day of the event was awesome as well. And then, uh, private, we have our Mountain View residents that bring the passion. They, um, they accept trees on their property. They come help us plant trees, care for them. They're, um, open to learning more about how they can continue supporting the urban forest. And then the nonprofit partner, US Canopy, where we bring the community together to grow the urban forest together. Um, yeah. >> Yeah. So, here on uh this slide, you can see a visual map of all the trees that we've planted in the LA or within the last planting season. Uh this metric is just on public parks alone but this map does include our residential food plantings as well. Next slide please. So we started this year with a goal of 49 trees, but through this visionary plan in partnership with the city of Mountain View's urban forestry and parks division and the belief that the community forestry model of planting trees is the standard all cities should adopt. We were able to increase that limit to 249 with a focus on our public parks. And like Aubrey mentioned, this incredible number can only be made possible uh because of the community support and the city of Mountain View support as well. Next slide, please. Oh, I got through there. Um just this past planting season alone, we were able to plant over two over 200 trees, which is almost double last year's numbers. Um some of the metrics that you see on this slide here. Um the one I want to point out is in that planting season we were able to plant or within these last three months we were able to bring out 320 unique volunteers many of whom came back to multiple events. Um and then again the oh the next slide please. Uh, one of the one of the pride and joys that I had um the opportunity to to put together was um a new avenue of community engagement, specifically our youth urban forest stewards. Uh this program, as you can see, uh was designed to engage youth to come out uh on their time, create a youth only space for them to build their own communities, get to know each other, and we're talking students from all across the Bay Area um to come to Mountain View. >> Yes. Uh I'm the tree coordinator, so if you guys see problematic trees, let alone know. He'll let me know. Um but in general I've been really grateful with how much the city has been investing in their own people. Um this year we had two trainings with the city park staff. We had 20 of them come out and at each and even were able to include three of the staff from the Mountain View Wednesday District. Um in some of these trainings and through the gradual process we seen an increased care for a lot of our trees in our public spaces including a lot of the young trees may have been planted by canopy that are going to provide the shade and benefits for future generations. These trainings then transitioned into public workshops and we had 12 volunteers come help us and our experienced volunteers with the majority of them being Mountain View residents. Um we were able to get through I believe a total of around 27 trees cared for just in these workshops. Um again it's been a joy and we view that tree care as tree trust. We try to come back and show that we are committed. Uh next slide. Yeah. So this year alone the county hosted five hours led prewalk interactive tree walks in parks across the mountain view and prewalks are the great which paves a way for the community members to engage with mountain view urban forest and also canopy and many of our volunteers first started with canopy through walks and apart from the uh contract with canopies both in field and also in classrooms beyond the scope of this contract like canopy education team at delivered 50 bilingual uh lessons to Mistl and Castro elementary schools teaching our young generations how importance of urban forests. Next slide please. And also Canopy participated in two special events where with one is one of one is harvest uh history festival and our birthday celebration at park. And canopy also supports community education to relevant and also pertinent urban forestry topics through the development of education flyers on press uh tree root conflicts clearance and property owner tree maintenance responsibilities. Next slide. And also please enjoy some of the clicks we had from the uh previous events. One is the tree walk and also tree care work. Next slide. And it's all like thanks to Mayor tree planting in honor of Mayor Emily Roma Ramos and also like a day where our young urban forest stewards participated in youth replanting. >> Uh this was I was late on this one. One of the largest events of the year, 20 trees requested park. I would like to have a personal shout out to Russell and Matt and the city crew who came out helped us deliver the trees, stage the trees, and even a shout out um to Abby Trudeau, my predecessor in Canopy came out as our arborists for the food walk that day. Uh we were actually just back at the park um yesterday and the trees are looking really good, which is going to be nice for the summer. Next slide, please. Yes. Uh on the left you'll see our Valentine's Day planting. What should you be my Valentine which was probably our most logistically complicated one. 16 trees over 14 houses in one day. Um it was a lot of fun. Um but on the right you can see our Ys helping us in one of them. >> Great. So, um, as you can see, we have a lot that we're really excited that we're able to accomplish this last season, and it really still just feels like the beginning of an incredible partnership that we keep growing with each season. So, looking ahead to our next um, fiscal year, our next planting season, we're just so excited to plant more trees in Mountain View, more education, more community engagement, and just keep deepening this great partnership. And thank you. And if you have any questions, I'll take them. >> All right. Um, let's do questions and then we'll do public comment and then it'll come back to us if there's anything else. Any questions? Go ahead. >> Question. As you heard earlier, there may be an audience for your messaging uh with the homeowners association. I wanted to ask, are they sort of on your list of who you might interact with and provide some of your flyers and expertise to? >> Yeah, it's a great question. We've um certainly had similar situations where um you know, working with the HOA um also helps us get more trees in the ground too. Um but also Canopy our role um in the community and partnership with the city is I think to really provide that education and um be a sort of liaison so that we can all enjoy the the urban forest but in a way that um also works for the people living in it. Um, we currently don't have specific um, HOA guidelines. Um, but I'd be happy to next season um, talk about, you know, if that's a a priority for the city to provide resources to help navigate um, those situations where, you know, the permissions or who owns what or or you know, what should we do in the situation can be a bit unclear. >> Thank you. um last year or where you're planting now. Um what is the mix of trees? Like what are your top three to five tree species you're planting and why did you choose those? Uh the um mix of pres were like um uh uh most of them are oaks the first one and then we went for some grape metals and also uh Chinese fish. So those are I would say these are the top three and the reason we selected was like um most uh the all trees were giving like more amount of canopy since our goal is to increase urban canopy within urban areas. So and uh they're like mix of native and also adaptable species which are we don't have any non-invasive and also like non-native which are like invasive species. Other questions? >> Yes, this is actually maybe a question more to staff. Um, what is the when canopy plants trees does the list go through staff first? Do you like at the start of the year a list of these are the trees canopy will plant or how does it work? >> Sure. So ultimately this year, yes, we were the ones that were responsible for identifying locations, identifying species, and kind of providing that information to Ken. In the future, we kind of were talking before the meeting or otherwise. There's a lot of things we're going through, get off topic a little bit. It's looking like we're finally going to have our funding for Canopy converted to a more permanent SAS. we've been operating on one-time funding for the last couple of years. So, it looks like we're finally getting that permanent. Knock on wood that passes in the budget that's upcoming. Um, if that is the case, we're going to be taking another entirely kind of different approach um not just to the tree planting, but to our whole agreement um in terms of some of the tree walks, in terms of some of the other outreach they're doing, we want to just kind of go back and have another conversation. So, we're expecting that next week we'll be sitting down with them and kind of revising our scope and kind of figuring out where we want to go as we forward. Um, but yeah, the hope would be again because we're somewhat limited with resources or otherwise to perhaps be able to rely on canopy if we give them locations or otherwise I'll say general locations, parks or otherwise that maybe they are the ones that are going out there identifying the specific location species or otherwise. And yes, we would still have that come back to us for approval. If I may add a little of that, we uh for a lot of the street trees, we're pretty much always going with Matthew Feist animals are basically our close confidant. He always does a stamp of approval on the trees we choose. And we're still picking from a list that the city has provided ones that you guys are down to have in your parks and on your street tree locations. >> Yeah, street trees is a more challenging conversation with property owners to make sure that they're happy with what's going to be planted in front of their home. >> We like to provide options so they take ownership of their tree. Right. to to that point are how familiar are you with the city of Mountain View's draft biodiversity plan which helps informing public u plannings but it's certainly a document that we'd like to assume well educated on. Yeah, we are familiar and we were involved in the community surveying portion of it. So, um about a year or two ago, I think we were um tableabling at Mountain View events, collecting input um through the surveys which were then used to inform um the outcomes and the recommendation of the plan. And um I see that being a goal is for Canopy to help uh execute and enhance the community education um goals and having the community members be aware of this incredible document that was just made and then also supporting the urban forestry goals within it. >> Great to help convey those. You you work with Palo Alto also, right? >> Any other municipalities? >> East East Palo Alto. Um and we recently are contracted with the city of Menlo Park as well >> for Bell Haven neighborhood specifically. >> A good regional canopy. >> Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. >> Thanks a lot for your work. >> Ah individual beneficiary canopy three or two. >> Commissioner Brian's going to continue with question. >> Yes. So it's um the role of canopy in mountain viewers is still I mean it's it's clearly evolving. It started very small. It's evolving. Maybe it will become a permanent part and and will be so easy to really structure it to the specific needs that that MU has. At this point, Canopy would be more responsible for working with volunteers with doing the tree walks with the educational part because the 200 trees well wonderful and every one of them is welcome. That's not the quota that Mountain View sets itself for planting trees per year. So the planning is also being done by the city or by other contractors whereas canopy is like the the educational volunteer outreach that that's the definition of the role. Am I correct in that >> historically? Yes. But that is part of what we've been transitioning them to be more active in the tree planting because ultimately when we plant by contractor or otherwise we just don't see the same level of results. we see more tree fatalities, um, decline challenges that by working with Canopy who do the majority of our tree planting, they get that education to the property owners as a part of the planting process. They follow up with that owner to make sure that they're maintaining that it's watering if they have any other challenges. And so, yes, the education part of that is the most critical piece for the planting as well. Um, but yeah, that was part of the conversation we had with them earlier is that looking at what we have going forward, canopy, uh, excuse me, per the bio plan, um, ultimately we have a goal of planting 300 new unique trees every year. That is kind of what they've accomplished this year. There were a few of those that were replants, but going forward, we really need to be able to separate that. Our mitigation money is strictly to plant replacement trees, to plant new trees, the 300 trees we're talking about. It's going to be a challenge for them to ramp up and kind of achieve some of that with the volunteers or otherwise. And so there may still be some instances roadway medians or otherwise where it's challenging for volunteers, etc. Those are still likely to be done by us, but in those cases, we ultimately have more control over the irrigation. we have more control over monitoring them with our contractors that are doing the landscape maintenance, etc. And so it's going to be a balance. Um, but ultimately any of the plantings that they're able to achieve, I want to try and use that as much as I possibly can because of those extra outreach, because of that extra educ education. I just think it's invaluable. >> So, this goes a little beyond pen, but I'm turned out this year. Um, and moving forward, I hope that the PRC will will get a clear understanding and participation with the city in in how this is all going to be structured so we all have a clear idea of how how this is working, how achieving our goals for biodiversity. And thank you. >> And I'm going to chime in just a little bit so I can fill some of the gaps as well. Um each year we do a scope of services with Canopy and each year it's evolved a little bit based on the need based on the need of the community based on our needs based on what we're seeing. So we're going to be taking a look at the biodiversity plan and once again taking a look at where those gaps are and where we can you know partner with Canopy to help fill those gaps. We had education for a while. Now we're seeing a need for planting. It will continue to evolve. Um, but so that's I'm just tagging on to that. But the bio plan will be really important in taking a look and partnering with Canopy and and having them take a look at it and say, "Hey, we can help with this and we need help with it, too." >> Yeah, I think I think you have on your website a arborist referral link. >> Yes. >> Is that something that you consult with them on? >> No. >> Should you? we could stand up. >> Ultimately, it just depends. It's it's challenging for us as a city agency to provide recommendations or otherwise on private property and the liability that that presents. Doesn't mean I can't be a sounding board. If they have questions that I can have conversations with them, etc. But it's a challenge and they do have our on staff or otherwise that should be able to answer most of the questions. >> Yeah. Certainly. >> Yeah. Traditionally, it's um been a helpful tool to point residents to because like Russell was alluding to, cities are uh a bit limited in providing a recommendation for an arborous service. So, if um and we get a lot of people like I have a street problem, um do you have recommendations for an arborist? That's when they can come to Canopy as a nonprofit. We then have the list that has extensive filters that we keep updated with local certified arborists. Okay. And you somehow qualify those artworks or just go off of AI. What's your association? ISA. ISAs. >> Oh, I was like not AI. ISA. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. So, they're ISA certified arborists and then they're researched like what they're specialized in. Um, and then the user can filter and then it just shows a more concise list of local arborists that might be better for their situation. Another question. I just wanted to ask a question sort of about your funding model. Um, you know, sounds like I was I would have asked about the other cities, so it sounds like you have contracts with two or three other cities. Um, but in terms of revenue, what are and I haven't looked at your annual report, but but what are your other sources? Do you have like a couple major benefactors? Do you just rely on hundreds of small donations? Um what are what are your sort of sources? >> Yeah. Um and I think lucky that we have a pretty healthy diverse portfolio. So there's the city contracts, but we have um substantial state contracts or state grants from CalFire and as well as um private uh foundations, individual donors. So it really is um expansive and diverse. So, our work that you're seeing here, we even are able to go a bit above beyond like the um educational lessons that Uday mentioned. That's from a private um a private uh foundation. So, our work uh never funded entirely in a vacuum. We have um we're always seeking and acquiring additional funding to keep the organization healthy. >> Good. Well, I mean, it's good to have a >> Yeah. Um, so is there any um public comment? Is anybody in the room want to talk? Anybody online? >> I don't see anybody online. >> So, I'll close off public comment and see if we have any final points. Y >> well, thank you very much for all you do. I've been on one of your walks and um I've also been with you on a I think I joined leadership you with one other question every I still go back to the tree >> see how it's see how it's doing >> that's what we hope for >> well we're thank you so much for for being here tonight >> for Thank you. >> All right. So, if I can really quick, I also kind of having a conversation on the side here, not necessarily rated related to canopy, but we kind of passed along some information about invasive shackle board. You all, and I just wanted to kind of throw out some additional information. Um, ultimately, we believe we have found one tree um out towards Mataloma. San Ramon specifically is a street um that we believe is infected. Unfortunately um the first results that we've got back for the pest actually comes back to something different. It may not be the invasive shot bore, but we have a secondary test that there is a very specific fuserium fungus that they carry. That test for some reason has been delayed and we're not quite sure. So we're trying to figure out what's going on with that test because that's going to be the more definitive. Um, but ultimately kind of that was already we already had a plan in process. We knew that this pest was coming having come from San Jose. It was a pest that we discovered in San Jose literally about six months before I left. Um, it has exploded in San Jose to hundreds and thousands of trees that they're currently trying to manage. Um, it has also moved up to Sunnyville. They have confirmed the presence in Sunnyale. We believe we have it on that one tree, but we got to confirm that. In the interim, we started a trapping program. Those traps were actually set out on Monday. If you go to our urban forestry page, we actually have that map up on the page. Um, so we'll show those trap locations. As we start getting results from those, we will be posting those results on that very same web page. So each day that we every two weeks or so, we're going to be inspecting those traps. those results that we get, we will then put back up onto the website. We're going to be tracking that trap as well as we're going to be physically monitoring that area around stand because again, we're just not confident that those test results um are accurate, I'll say. Um so, we may do u some again some monitoring of that specific neighborhood, looking at specific trees, making sure it's um not expanding at a rapid rate. Ultimately, it is a pest that is very very difficult to control. Um, everywhere else that it has come in, it has been just simply managing the decline of some of these amplifier trees or otherwise that really start to spread the pest. They are so infested. They're laying so many eggs that they're kind of amplifying that presence of that. So, the key is when we get to that state, um, this will all be on the website. Again, less than 50 trees we consider a minor infestation. Up to 100, excuse me, less than 50 strikes we consider minor. Up to 100, we consider it as moderate. More than 150 strikes on a tree, it becomes excessive, more problematic. There are treatments, there are chemical applications that we can do to kind of reduce those spread that infection process. um always trying to be very cautious with that because of our inter integrated pest management practices etc. Um beyond that we know this is going to have an impact on the trees. Um we know we are going to lose some trees to this pest. It is about staying on top of it getting them out as quick as possible if needed or treating them so that we can reduce how fast it's moving so that we can continue to keep our canopy. um primary species I think as we kind of have said sycamores, oaks, um ash trees, um several other species, um maples, acernos in particular, box elders, um are considered an amplifier. They are one of the worst trees for this pest. They find those trees, they infest those trees. Decision has been made previously in most the other areas that this has come in. Just as soon as you see them on the Easter, those box elders, get them out. just take them out because you're not going to be able to control it. You're not going to have that success rate that you have with some of those other species. So, you know, bottom line, there's a lot for us to still learn. They are acting a little bit differently here in Northern California than they were in Southern California where they were first identified, but we'll kind of see how this progresses over the next several years, but this is something that we're going to have to manage um as we move forward. It it there's no way to control it or the short answer. So any questions that you have specifically about that for us this evening? >> Can I? >> Sure. >> I was in Pioneer Park. Well, I'm in Pioneer Park all the time, but several of the or especially our our centennial or look absolutely terrible. What does is there another disease going on? Is it stress? I'm attributing most of those because I'm aware of a lot of those trees, especially there's one big valley oak kind of towards the south end of the building there that I've been watching the last couple of years. Um I think the majority of it is just sight stress related. Um where water has been changed, where construction has occurred for that parking lot on the south side of the library. um different factors for each of those, but absolutely we are monitoring them and if needed we will step in do some supplemental uh fertilization, watering, whatever we need to do to kind of keep them moving. Um I I don't want to raise an alarm bell on this one. If you're there at Pioneer and you get the opportunity to walk along Franklin Street, all of the sycamores along Franklin in front of the library have died. Um we're not sure why on that one. We're not seeing the ISHB. We're not seeing any of the common problems. Um what we've kind of thought is there may be some herbicide damage. There may be some other things that are affecting them. So we're looking at testing or otherwise. Um but there's about a dozen trees on that site that we're going to have to remove because we haven't been able to pinpoint it. That's why I'm watching those oak trees or otherwise because we have seen in a couple of otherations where it's not just the sycamore where we are seeing it at oaks. We are seeing it on Asteries that this is a similar dieback >> and we just haven't gotten to the bottom. We've been looking at it for probably two to three months now talking to the different testing um companies to see what they can test and how we can get that and samples that we need to take. So, we're just trying to kind of figure it out, but they absolutely on our radar screen and we see the value in those. So, we want to do everything we can to try and keep them. the centennial of uh it looked fine like till a couple of weeks ago and I was there just a few days ago and it looks >> okay. I haven't been there in the last couple weeks. Is it defoliated or are the leaves not browning and dying off? >> It's hard to tell if it's just awful. >> Okay. >> The the partly defoliating I think partly the leaves are browning this. Yeah, they're brown. >> So there there's a couple of things that come to mind immediately on those. One of them is we we have absolutely had a I'll say significant um occurrence of tusk moth this year. Um tusk moth is very much favorites or oaks are very much a favorite of the tusk moth. Um it's quite possible. That's why I ask about defoliation because if we get enough of a population in the tree, they can almost defoliate that in a favorite tree. Um so that's the first place I go. Second place that I go um is ultimately I lost track of my thought here. um the Pusk moth and then the other place that I went was anthrachnos. That's what I was trying to say is that because of the later rains that we've had this year, oaks are sometimes susceptible to anthrachnos or otherwise. And so that would be the other place I go if they're browning and kind of staying on the tree initially. It may be an anthrachnos fungus, bacteria type problem as well. So bottom line, I will get out there um sometime this week or early next and take a look at that and see if there's something we can do more immediately. >> Thank you. >> Go ahead. >> Is all this going to change what trees you're recommending for planting >> potentially? Yes. >> Okay. >> Sycamores are already on that list. One of the things we also did that I don't believe is up on the website yet, but because sycamores are the predominant species that they saw affected in LA and that's predominantly what San Jose saw, what we did is we created a heat map where basically we map the density of the sycamores throughout the city. That's ultimately where we decided to place those tracks is where we knew we had a large amount of hosts or otherwise. Um, and yes, we have to hedge our bets. If we know that that sycamore is a favorite, we need to try to avoid them somewhat. Again, I don't want to completely eliminate them from our pallet because it's not their fault and they may not get infected. Um, but we have to be careful. We don't want to plant too many more of those knowing that it may wipe out the majority of them. >> Let me jump in. The native sycamore tree in your apartment is dead. >> Okay, >> I planted that as mayor looks dead. Okay, I will get over there and take a look at that. But at the same time, that that definitely has me nervous about the ones that are out um along Franklin Street that it could be tied to that same trees. >> Yeah, we >> Yep. >> Again, Commissioner Sylvester has a question. >> I'm going to say we probably identified almost 200 trees in the last three months that aren't leaking out, that aren't performing the way that they should be. And so, we're really scrambling to try and figure out what these issues are. Um, two questions. What is the fatality rate of the boar or is is that a metric you have? >> We do not. Um, it is significant. I'll say as much as I'll say 30 to 40%. >> Long long term, it is almost always fatal. Even management, all you're doing is slowing the progression of it. The way that the pest operates is ultimately it it bores into the tree and then it lays this fungus down. Once it's in the tree and it lays that fungus, we're not getting rid of the pest and we're not getting rid of the fungus. And so it's just about keeping the populations low enough to where they don't gallerize the tree so much that it completely shuts down and dies. But I'm going to say it's 100% mortality, but ultimately it's about managing it to where you know quick death I'll say less than 30%. >> That's still really high. Yes, absolutely. This this is a problem. They they lost hundreds of thousands of trees down in the San Diego LA area. >> Um and a quick question. You mentioned the trees on Franklin. One thing you're looking at it might be herbicides >> potentially. Yes. >> City's IBM program. It's just that it's not from the city. Where would they become? >> Sure. Absolutely. And so one of the things it's not that we don't use herbicides because we do. We've eliminated the use of Roundup, right? >> And so what we've done is we've gone through and we started using two or three different chemicals that were recommended to us by Target specialty as alternatives. >> What I fear is that one of those alternatives was used in an inappropriate location that typically one of those chemicals should be used away from I'll say plants, shrubs, trees, etc. Absolutely. Kills everything. It is a broadspectctrum herbicide. >> So because it was new, somebody just >> they may have made a recommendation. Somebody may have grabbed the wrong thing. Again, I don't want to point fingers because I just don't know yet. I don't want to imply that this has happened. >> But it wasn't like >> but we have to rule it out. >> Yeah. >> When I look at these trees and and ultimately I I rely on my colleagues. I was at a conference about three weeks ago and well actually four or five weeks ago now. Um, and I was going around to all of my industry professionals from LA that have dealt with the ISSHB, that have dealt with all kinds of things. Almost unanimously, all of them were pointing towards herbicide damage. That's what's got me looking at herbicide damage. Um, the problem is it's not easy to test for herbicide damage. It's very, very expensive and you have to know specifically which chemical was used. >> It's almost like you have to rule everything else out first. >> Almost like Yes. And so, again, we're working on that. I just got an email today from the testing company where I feel like we're finally going to be able to test for the one chemical in particular that I'm concerned with. >> I just don't know if it's going to give us the results because they say that they can only test water and we don't have water per se. And so what we're talking to them about right now is is it possible that if we take a gallon of soil and we put in three gallons of water and we make oursel a nice compost tea or otherwise and then we filter that into just a solution of water, are you still able to test? And they feel like they're going to be able to do that for us. And so again, that's my challenge is I just I have to start ruling things out one by one and trying to get this under control because knowing the ISB is here, we do not feel any of these trees are related to that. We're not seeing the strikes. We're not seeing the pest. We're not seeing anything, but it it's a problem. It it a year and a half from when we first saw symptoms at the Franklin Library to where they are completely dead at this point and we have to remove and place them. That is not typical. There's something going on. >> Do you know what you'll replace them with? Are you going to >> We haven't even gotten that far yet. >> You don't know if there's a s susceptibility to of a certain tree. >> Correct. That that's where it goes back to where we're likely to remove them over the summer that we're going to get them out and the hope would be we're going to replant them this fall as a part of all of our planting this winter. Um but haven't made any decisions on species because I just don't know what my problem is yet and I have to pick appropriately to avoid future problems. Okay, unless there's compelling extra questions, I'd like to move us along to our next agenda item. Um, thank you very much. >> Absolutely. Thank you all. And, um, Alison, do we still need time to set up a minute or so to get connected to the Z? All right. Our next item is item 5.4 4 and this will be the fiscal year 2627 operating budget and Wong will be our presenter and she's just getting set up now. So >> just one second. Thank you. >> Give it a second. Just one second. This happened last time, too. One sec here. Just Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you. One of these days I'm gonna get it back. Um, okay. Good evening, commissioners. I'm Lindsay Wong, senior management analyst for the community services department, and tonight I'm here to present to you CSD's recommended operating budget adjustments for fiscal year 2627. Um, the recommended budget was presented to city council last night and the final budget will go to council for adoption later in June. Next slide. Um tonight's presentation I will go over recommended budget adjustments for parks, forestry, shoreline, and recreation programs and services. So first are CSD's recommended non-discretionary expenditure adjustments. So non-discretionary adjustments are typically related to contractual rate increases or um other adjustments that are considered necessary to continue existing levels of service. So the first non-discretionary budget item for CSD is the actinet fee increase. So Acttonet is the department's registration software system that we use to register participants for classes and programs, reserve facilities, and process point of sale transactions. Um, Active charges us a processing fee per transaction, and that fee typically increases annually. So we're requesting to add 77,000 for that line item. And then the second non-discretionary budget item is an increase to CSD's landscape maintenance contract. So this contractor performs maintenance uh service on roadway medians and other landscaped areas throughout the city. And this budget adjustment covers rate increases as well as the addition of new parcels that previously had no formal maintenance plan but now require landscape tariffs and uh continued safety, compliance, and aesthetic standards. Um now we have uh CSD's recommended discretionary expenditures. So for recreation we have the pride celebration event. Um the inaugural pride event was held last year and CSD will be hosting the 2026 event next Saturday, June 20th. Um which we hope you can all attend. Um the ongoing cost for this item includes um vendor and contractors, supplies and materials and part-time staff costs. And then also in recreation, we have Magical Bridge programming. So starting in 2025, the city has had year-round inclusive performances at Magical Bridge playground at their community stage. And the ongoing cost for this item also includes uh performers, supplies, materials, and part-time staff costs. And then moving on to shoreline. Um CSD is recommending the addition of one full-time park maintenance worker, three to oversee maintenance of the Stevens Creek Trail and Permanente Creek Trail. Historically, trail maintenance has been divided among different work groups within CSD with no dedicated staff person. And so the addition of one dedicated park maintenance worker three for the trail system means that one staff member can ensure a consistent maintenance schedule, look for opportunities to enhance the trail and oversee hourly maintenance staff and coordinate with other crews and purchase supplies and materials for the trail. And then next in the urban forestry division, we have the youth forestry outreach and education services item, which is your our canopy contract, which you just heard a lot about, and you got to see all the awesome work that Canopy does with us. Um, and I think Russell touched on this a little bit, but this contract has been funded on a one-time basis for the past few years, and we are recommending that this be funded on an ongoing basis. So $125,000 is the recommended ongoing amount. And then we're also recommending an additional $200,000 for the tree planting that will take place in fiscal year 2627. And then lastly, we are recommending additional funding for training and conferences throughout the department. So this adjustment, budget adjustment ensures that CSD staff are able to attend necessary specialized trainings and conferences as new staff have been added over the past few years and also as the costs of training, conferences and travel have continued to rise. So this includes um safety trainings and trainings required to uh maintain technical certifications for certain staff as well as industry specific conferences that support professional development for staff. And then next we have limited period budget items for fiscal year 2627. So limited period is just what the city calls um items that are funded for one year at a time rather than ongoing. And these are typically requests that are either one-time in nature or these are newer programs or pilot programs or things like that. Um so first for parks we have power washing services. So this funding is specifically to continue uh monthly power washing services along the 100 to 300 blocks of the Castro Street pedestrian mall corridor and specifically is for all outdoor restaurant and business patios, crosswalks and the center walkway including the street mural. Um and this power washing service has been funded on a limited period basis for the last couple of fiscal years. Next is ellipticals at the senior center. So, this funding is to replace two um aging commercial grade ellipticals at the senior center in the uh exercise room. Uh the exercise room in the senior center is free to use and it's heavily utilized by our uh senior community. So, this is just to kind of replace these older pieces of equipment. Next is teen and college and career programming. So these programs were initially funded through a donation from LinkedIn uh multiple years ago and then once that donation was fully expended, we continued to fund these programs through limited period funding. And uh these programs are offered at the VU Teen Center and include college and enrichment trips, um adultting 101 workshops, career day events, and other free programs that enable teens to build crucial skills to prepare them for their future. And then last we have the biological services contracts at Shoreline. So this request is to continue existing contract services into the new fiscal year. Um at the same time CSD is currently working with a consultant and our HR department to review and update the job description of the wildlife preservation coordinator in order to establish a plan for ongoing um biological and environmental support at shoreline. Um the contractors are currently responsible for surveying and monitoring wildlife, developing monitoring plans for habitat enhancement projects and other services required to support the goals outlined in the Buring owl preservation plan and the shoreline wildlife management plan. And then lastly, we have capital outlay items. So, capital outlay items are um typically pieces of equipment or sometimes minor building improvements um that are basically less costly than a a full capital improvement project. Um so, first we are recommending wood chipper safety shield devices. These are devices that will be installed on the forestry division's three existing wood chippers. Um, as you can imagine, wood chippers are a very dangerous piece of equipment. So, these are these devices use new technology, um, new magnetic technology as an added safety measure for staff. And then next, we're recommending a new projector here at the community center in the Redwood Hall to replace the current projector and just enhance AV capabilities for events. Um the current projector has had it's been here since the new community center opened and it's just had issues with the lamps or the bulbs um having to be replaced a lot. So the new projector is like state-of-the-art and um more efficient as well. Um so those are all of the recommended requests that were included in the budget item last night. So um as far as next steps on June 23rd will adopt the fiscal year 2627 budget and then on July 1st the new fiscal year starts and that is the end of my presentation. So I'm happy to answer any questions that you might have budget. >> Great. Thank you Lindsay. Um questions start on this side questions. Yeah, the thing that stood out to me was the active net uh increase 50 something%. How do they justify that? >> Um, so the active net fees, so they do uh vary based on the type of transaction. So basically the the per transaction fee, it's anywhere from like 2% to 5%. So there's different fees based on if it's like a on-site transaction or if it's an online transaction, credit card transaction. So they kind of vary. Um, but they have we have had to pay the the per transaction fees since we implemented the software and I presume that other registration softwares probably charge similar fees. >> Um, but it's not just that the fee itself is going up like they're charging us a slightly higher percent but also because the number of transactions that we process every year increases we have to kind of continue to >> Yeah. So the revenue also goes up and and kind of offsets that. So um just like some rough numbers, we process around 42,000 transactions annually. And then the total revenue just for the recreation division alone last last fiscal year was around $3.5 million. So we do bring in a lot of revenue with those added transactions. But um >> and that's not a single year increase. So we don't look at a we haven't increased each We haven't increased it. I don't think we increased it last year. We kind of increased it like every couple of years. Um just so that we don't have to come back every year and and do this rate increase. Um >> just a poll your question. I'll let you go back. But when you make this presentation, >> are you also showing the revenue offset as part of this? It's not just a $77,000 incremental expense. You're also saying it's also going to increase revenue by 30 or something like that. >> Yeah. So, we do adjust our revenue lines as well when we uh when we so the process of like we submit our budget requests with to city leadership to finance. We work with them and then they kind of, you know, balance the city's budget, but we do work with them to adjust those revenue lines as well. So, the added revenue is also built into the the revenue budget so that, you know, we can show that we're we're meeting those revenue targets and exceeding our revenue. Go ahead. And then the biological services consultant. >> Do I understand that to the placeholder until FT is so it's basically paying consultant until you hire something? >> Correct. And then u based on the outcomes of the job description there may be certain we have some lessons learned through this. So there may be some helpful aspects of what they're doing now as consultants to keep them on for certain things, but not not to keep them on as a to um basically be the full-time employee. So yes, we'll bring on a full-time employee and determine what type of additional assistance they may provide, but we'll see how how those come together. And then I recall last night the council member Kame was asking you to look at lactation station. Are you going to do that? >> So the council did not give us direction last night that what we were asked to do is to look at it for future reference. And so um the library um director emailed me today with a little more information. I have to look at how large it is. Can we accommodate it? Um and what the the best location would be. Um, and so we'll we'll look into that. >> What What does that require other than just privacy? Is there >> That's big. >> Yeah, that's You've seen the one at the library. >> I've seen like airports and everything. >> Yeah. Yeah. So there >> little mini trailer. >> Yeah. It's a It's a capsule if you will. >> Place to Yeah. >> Yes. Yeah. Interesting. >> Other questions? So I just couple questions. So one, you know, I just again this it would be great to do this before it actually went to council and I know that we've discussed that in the past and I thought we were going to try to get this first. I don't know if you can comment on the timing of this because once it's gone to council there's we did not we could do and we would probably be a great test audience for you as as well on some of these things if we could. So there's a balance of bringing requests to the commission in advance of council. Um I think we are trying again the timing of when items are going to council has changed. So last night was not their first shot at the budget. they did back in April as a as a precursor to what was coming. And so the timing has changed for us of a good time to come to you. And so we're coming to you tonight. If if there was something that is was of significant concern, we would be able to have time to turn around and move on. Um given the what I would call limited requests this year, I didn't think it's anything on there is significant um that requires a lot of dialogue um from the commission. If I did, we we might look at doing things differently, but this really was a a pretty lowlevel year for us. >> Yeah. I mean I guess you know one question that I would have is is given that the uh strategic plan is now passed and and biodiversity will probably also pass and we have headcountish things in those plans whether it would have been appropriate or is it too early to introduce those things because you don't know exactly what what they're going to look like but >> we >> hopefully for next year's budget >> right and so that we have not had time to do the analysis and appropriate work to make a budget submitt. I want to remind this group that we as the department start submitting our requ budget requests in December. And so we are starting in October. Everything funnels through me before it gets moved on. Then we submit it. We come back in January, February. We meet with finance. Then we meet with city manager and others um and through that process our you know our roofs start coming down even more um to get to this point and so um looking at that timeline it impractical for us to be in a position to uh make those requests right >> okay yeah maybe I don't know if there's midyear opportunities to because I do do a midyear >> yes correct look um and then just one question you sort touched on it. So, you watched, but how did council react to the um community service division request? >> Other than the the question regarding the lactation um area, uh there were no questions. I have not received any specific questions through the process related to our requests. >> Okay. And the budget overall for the city that was presented was okay. I mean there was Yeah. I mean there wasn't some top down thing that says hey you know this is a little too much. We need to cut 10% or something. >> No. Okay. >> Fig question. Go ahead. So soon would you be able to share how you perceive working with us on in developing budget related matters for the strategic plan and the biodiversity plan. I I realize you might not be able to sit here and answer that question right now, but I mean just looking out over the next year, it would be really nice to know whether there's any input points where there's decisions or you know things that we could assist you with. >> So because it would be a shame to be in the same place next year. >> Understood. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. um in relation to the plans and the way the world moving forward. Um a couple of things to to respond to the question. Number one is some of the short-term action steps that have been identified specifically with the park strategic plan. Um many of those are almost costneutral looking at our existing um codes, policies, that type of thing. staff time but not a lot of expenditure. Um, as we look to looking at fulltime um and headcount um there's still a lot of work that needs to be done to be able to to bring forward a a good solid plan of what that looks like. And so um as we move forward on that we'll continue that conversation. >> Yeah. Yeah, I mean I think you know this group is interested in the budget implications as well and I'm sure the public is too >> and and we'll be bringing specific actions those actions that are identified we'll be bringing those to you as they're being worked on produced. Um I see a lot of them just being one at a time that we're going to be bringing some of those items >> because you're they're revenue neutral and you're able to find the staff time or piggy back on something else. Yeah. Yeah. So it's just more thinking about like how you might change how how you would be you know changing your processes because now you'll be working with these other departments and you know it's all that >> and some of it may require some initial effort and so that we can determine the type of help we need. Right. And so Brenda for the biodiversity, she she'll be taking the lead in working with the cross departmental team looking to identify what those actions are. And then there's going to come a point she's going to be able to identify this is the type of um position we're going to need to support that. And so it's going to be a little >> not necessarily it it's not necessarily going to all be capital improvement budget. It's going to some of it fall into the headcount. >> Yes. departmental >> anything else. No, just sounds like you're gonna need some money to combat that whole boring 10 grand for that. So, let me check and see if there's any public comment. >> Anything online? >> No. >> All right. So, unless there are any other comments on this one, we'll close this one off. Thank you very much, Lindsay. Um, we'll now move on to item six, commission staff announcements, updates. Director Marsh, you're going to be quick. Uh, just a reminder, we are meeting again next week. We'll be at city hall. Um, it is two more um heritage tree appeals plus we'll be looking at our um work plan for the upcoming year. Um, I emailed uh I sent out an email to the group um in advance of the council meeting. Um, last night council did approve the purchase of the additional property at 975ella. Um, so that is the 0.86 acre parcel to take what was um the parcels we had already taken uh and brought together that was that was 2.4 four. With this addition, we are now at 3.2. So, really bringing us to what the size of Pyramid Park is. >> Um, and that's significant. So, being able to um bring a multiple properties together in this area was significant for us. And um in addition to that area being um in need of of parks, that area is going to be expanding as we look at what type of development is on the horizon. There's um some um pretty significant development that's scheduled to to go in that area. So this is certainly uh much needed. As uh Lindsay stated, um pride event June 20th downtown. Uh please join us. Um this week was and is um our training week for all of our summer staff and lifeguards. So it's been busy here and then um all of our um city sponsored and supported um camps start next week. Um, and there are a number of events and and games taking place out at Sailing Lake. The Sailing Lake Cafe is under construction right now. That continues to stay on track. Um, but the Sailing Lake itself continues to be operational and supporting um, summer camps out there. So, um, those are my my updates. >> Let me ask you a question on World of Top. Yep. Are you involved in the down any of the downtown uh festivity for world cup? And then I also think I saw there's something happening at Qua Park. Is that something that you guys are overseeing? >> I have staff involved with economic development. Yes. And so uh foot golf um believe that's kicking off tomorrow. Um and um so that was from um uh recreation manager Paul and James has been involved in that. Um and then downtown um I forget the dates but um where the old Wells Fargo was next to City Hall and that parking lot is currently closed to public access. um that property owner has allowed the city to install a um a soccer pitch, if you will, like a five on five soccer pitch for the the duration of the World Cup. Um and it'll be available um to use and participate in that way. Um, and so yes, staff has been involved in the development of these activities, >> and I know that they've been trying to work with the uh with businesses to get them involved >> as well as the youth sports organizations. Um so um believe it's AYSO is doing some outreach to the community actually doing some free soccer camp type of activities drop in um to support the activities. Um the San Jose Earthquakes actually their mascot Q will be coming out and um playing some foot golf out at Qua one day. Um so >> does that Questa thing I mean is it run sort of like multiple hour? I mean, I went on the website and it wasn't there yet or something like that. >> It will just be dropping and available. Bring your own ball and >> Okay. So, >> play is it is not an organized back. No, drop in and enjoy. >> Go ahead. >> Um, someone last night of council, I think it was a member of the public mentioned that there was another property that just came for sale near the Terabella Park. >> That's all that was mentioned. It would it would have been so if the the new property is sort of in the middle, I think it was on 965 is available. Um so when it comes to property acquisition, I will say that um this was a um getting 975 was um what's the word? Opportunistic. The perfect storm came together. Um, and the funds available were in place. We were able to take advantage of at this time. I don't have the available funds to purchase an additional property in this location. Uh, I basically used the the funding we had left in this area to um put towards uh the purchase and then also the um design and construction as part of the overall. So, at the moment, as much as I would like to, um, that's just not in the cards right now. We know the property owner. Um, and I don't think it's going to be picked up anytime soon. So, it is an it's an opportunity for down the road. If nothing else comes to fruition, we will keep our eye on it. Um if and when we have some additional funds to put that >> can can you do a loan internal transfer from another plant understanding that development is coming in that area and there will probably be placement fees can you have other >> we are having some of those conversations now >> you know so for example that measure measured >> measure G you know we got 1.5 million yard is that 1.5 already used for this. >> I mean, it's just I will tell you as soon as anybody heard I had $1.5 million everybody wanted to spend. >> Um, so yes, and it's the new community development director came up with this term was, you know, a lot of times we have money that is very strictly available for certain things. Um the 1.5 is almost what we what he calls uh rainbow color. We can use it where we need to and when we need to. Um one of the items that I don't have funding for right now and I am trying to save a little pot of money is to design and construct Calon Park. So, I'm trying to be the trying to keep hands off because we've had the property for a while. It is a location that is visible. We want we want to bring that to fruition. And so, I'm using I'm I'm prioritizing that right now unless a greater priority pops up. And at 1.5, we're not even purchased another piece of property. >> No. With all due respect though, the chances of buying buying land where we want it that will make it a really almost unthinkable a large part seems to take priority over everything. So you were saying that you you you have the money for buying and planning and building. It seems like it's better to wait a little with the design maybe and just get the land together because those >> it's still not enough funding. >> I would if I could if if it made sense right now that and the timing that we need to use some of the funding, it's just not coming together. >> Strategic acquis strategic acquisition fund and all the rest everything used up. If you think the price is too high, it's better to let it marinate a while. True. >> Again, it we we know these property owners very well. Um, and I will say they've been they have been great to work with and um feel their pricing has been it's been good. >> Okay. It's been fair fair market value that we we've been picking up. Yeah. Okay. >> Given the type of >> still marination may may not be a bad thing. >> Yeah. >> Any other commissioner questions or announcements? >> I I have one one comment. Um I was actually going to >> to ask whether the city was investigating the condition of Pioneer Park. So >> now now I hear uh but but a couple of days ago when I was there I told Cliff that I just didn't want to go to Pier Park again for a while because it's really depressing. There's like five or six students dying and the fact that her centennial o looks close to death. Uh and then clearly Russell is working on it. I think it's a really high priority, but also when he was mentioning taking out the tree in Franklin, it would be really useful for the community to know about this. >> Absolutely. >> Because that there there is I mean I now feel better knowing that he's looking at it. But for more community members walking there and seeing dying trees and seeing all the street trees going out, you know, on the website or sign to explain what's going on. You know, the city knows the city is working on it would be really, >> you would absolutely do outreach before trees are removed. >> No, not before tres. But but just yes before Theresa removed but the parting just even on the website to say there is something going on. We're working on it. We're doing our best. >> Okay. Anything else? All right. Um our next meeting is next Wednesday 6 o'clock uh plaza conference room at city hall and then uh tenatively we are off for three month and we will meet here again on September 9th at 6 o']]> https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/3iDsbIHd2T0 https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/3iDsbIHd2T0 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:35:17 GMT The Environmental Planning Commission reviewed the proposed FY 2026-27 work plan, which includes ongoing and carryover items such as the R3 zoning update, Dark Sky Ordinance, historic preservation ordinance, and SB 79 implementation. Staff explained delays in certain housing element programs (1.4 and 2.6) due to expanded council direction, staffing constraints (with one new hire expected in 2027), and the seismic impact of SB 79, including the potential for a transit-oriented development local alternative plan pending future council direction. Several commissioners expressed frustration over the commission's limited ability to influence priorities and timelines, with some advocating to urge council to move up items 7 and 9. The commission ultimately approved the work plan as presented (4 yes, 2 no, 1 absent) to forward to City Council. Approval of prior meeting minutes EPC work plan overview SB 79 alternative plan and standards Historic preservation ordinance and register Housing element programs 1.4 and 2.6 Dark sky ordinance and outreach State consequences for housing element delays R3 zoning and objective design standards Council prioritization process Commission role and influence Staffing capacity and new hire Deliberation and motion to approve Staff announcements and next meeting > Uh Commissioner Subramanian. >> Here. >> Commissioner Fenn. >> Here. >> Commissioner Gutierrez. >> Here. >> Commissioner Dempsey. Um Commissioner Cranston. >> Here. >> Vice Chair Donahue. >> Here. >> And Chair Nuñez. >> Here. >> Um All commissioner pres- are present present except for Commissioner Dempsey. >> Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Uh having done that, we will now move forward to item number three, uh 3.1. Minutes approval of the Environmental Planning Commission meeting notes of January 21st, 2026, February 4th, 2026, and February 18th, 2026. I'll open the floor up for any EPC discussion on those minutes if any. Nope. All right. Uh public comment. If anyone would like to provide comments on the minutes, please fill out a yellow speaker card and provide it to the EPC clerk. If anyone on Zoom would like to provide comment on the minutes, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or press star nine on your phone. Phone users can mute and unmute themselves with star six. Mr. Clerk, do we have any yellow speaker cards or attendees in the queue? >> Uh there are no uh speakers in person, and there's uh no no one no one raising their hand on Zoom. >> All right. Thank you very much. Uh I'll entertain anyone who wants to make a any motion. >> I'll make a motion to approve the minutes. >> Okay. Got a motion from our vice chair. >> I'll second. >> Okay. All right. We've got a second from Commissioner Subramanian. >> The motion carries with six yes and one absent. >> Thank you, Mr. Clerk. All right. Having completed the minutes approval, we will proceed to item four on the agenda. This is the oral communications. The portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the EPC on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are allowed to speak on any topic for up to 3 minutes during this section. State law prohibits the commission from acting on non-agenda items. If anyone in attendance would like to provide comments on non-agenda items, please fill out a yellow speaker card and provide it to the EPC clerk. If anyone on Zoom would like to provide a comment on non-agenda items, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or press star nine on your phone. Phone users can mute and unmute themselves with star six. Mr. Clerk, do we have anyone with a yellow speaker card or raised hand on Zoom? >> Uh there are no members in person and no uh raised hands on Zoom. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Having no public comment, we'll proceed to new business. So, uh this is item 5.1, the Environmental Planning Commission Work Plan for the fiscal year of 2026 through 2027. Uh we'll first have a staff presentation, then questions by the EPC, and then followed by public comment. At the closure of public comment, the commission will then deliberate and take action. Uh before that, we'll begin with a staff presentation from our principal planner, Ms. Diana Pancholi. >> Good evening, Chair and the commission. Uh tonight, staff is presenting EPC work plan for fiscal year 2026-2027. Uh my name is Diana Pancholi, principal planner with the city's planning division, and I'm joined here tonight by planning manager Eric Anderson. Every 2 years, the city council adopts a work plan that establishes council's top priorities, uh initiatives, which along with other special projects, and ongoing core services, contribute to the city council's seven strategic priorities and fiscal year 2025-27 council work plan. In addition, all council advisory bodies are required to annually prepare work plans that are submitted to the city council for review and approval, tentatively scheduled for September 2026. Generally, work plan items are referrals from the city council, and uh aligned with the city council's adopted 2-year work plan. The Environmental Planning Commission previously prepared its work plan for fiscal year 2025-2026 in the June of 2025, which was subsequently submitted to the city council in September of 2025. In preparation for the fiscal year 2026-27, staff has updated the EPC work plan to reflect carryover items and revise schedules for ongoing projects, consistent with the city council's direction on the fiscal years 2025-27 council work plan. So, as you can see, um some of the items in the work plan are ongoing, uh which include general plan and housing element annual progress reports, general plan zoning amendments, minor code cleanups, etc. Then there are several items, as I mentioned earlier, which are a carryover from the previous work plan, such as the Moffett Boulevard Precise Plan, Downtown Precise Plan Comprehensive Update, and the R3 Zoning Update, along with Dark Sky Ordinance and the Historic Preservation Ordinance and Register Update. The revised work plan includes estimated timelines for the key deliverables to track the progress of each project. Staff anticipates that most of these projects will be completed during the next two fiscal years. However, it is possible that certain projects may exceed the two-year time frame due to the staff capacity constraints and the need for further public outreach or additional studies. So, staff is recommending the EPC submit the attached fiscal year 2026-27 work plan to the City Council for their approval. After this action by the EPC, the work plan, along with the work plans of other city advisory bodies, will be coordinated by the City Manager's Office for submission to the City Council um in September of 2026. This concludes staff presentation. Staff, including uh Community Development Director Murdock and Assistant Community Development Director Blizinski, are present here tonight if you have any questions. >> Thank you very much, Ms. Pancholi. All right, we'll take it to the commission for any relevant questions. Or non-relevant. >> [snorts] >> It's been a few weeks. All right. uh Commissioner Donahue, Vice Chair Donahue, Vice Commissioner. >> Thank you. Um so is item 10 the SB 79 implementation standards ordinance, is that the alternative plan? >> Uh no. So the at the council meeting back in January, the city council directed us to actually take three separate actions related to SB 79. One was the alternative plan. The second was the historic property exemptions ordinance, and the third was to review for example the R3 zoning update and other uh uh uh uh ordinances that are applicable to the area for standards that could apply to SB 79 projects as the city's right to adopt local standards that that would that don't conflict with the densities of SB 79. >> Okay. And so I saw the the historic property. So that's that's number eight. This is the third thing that you talked about, but that is the alternative plan in here or is that further out than the timeline of this work plan? >> Uh the it it could come to the Oh. Go ahead, Director. >> Good evening, Chair, Vice Chair, Commissioners. Christian Murdock, Community Development Director. Um at the January council meeting related to SB 79, um the council expressed interest in potentially pursuing a local alternative plan for the downtown area. And also realized there may be um it might be desirable to prepare alternatives for other areas affected by SB 79. Where we ended up is likely support for a downtown focused plan, but a need for council consideration during the work planning process for the next 2-year work plan to consider whether local alternatives should be prepared beyond the downtown. So, we don't know the scope of that effort yet and therefore we haven't programmed it in the work plan. I think we really need to wait for further direction from council before understanding what that would look like and and the potential timing for that. >> Okay. Is there a timeline for for getting that that input from council? >> The work planning process I think typically starts in February and so maybe early conversations would begin then, but we wouldn't know until likely June when the budget and the work plan adoption would be complete. >> Okay. Okay. Um the Okay. Next question. Um the uh Mountain View YIMBY and the League of Women Voters sent letters regarding housing element basically item nine here as housing element program 1.4 and 2.6 uh that were as they pointed as I'm sure you saw they're supposed to be done by the end of 2024. Uh this is um proposing to have them done by the end of 2027. We discussed it at at the end of 2024 in the study session. Um what is the status of that or why why is that taking Why is this timeline what uh here? >> Sure. Uh The it's a conservative timeline. Uh we are continuing to work on these projects as we have time available amongst our other obligations. Uh but um our focus for the remainder of this year is on the uh, very large and complex R3 zoning update project, uh, as well as, um, dark sky ordinance and the historic ordinance update. Uh, in addition, there are several, uh, large and complicated development projects that we need to bring through the process, which also are using some of our long-range planning teams, uh, time and effort, as well. Um, so, as I said, there's this is something that we are continuing to work on. Uh, this is a conservative timeline, um, but, uh, our ability to really focus effort on it really likely won't begin until, uh, we either, uh, we are planning on bringing more staff on board, but that likely won't happen until, uh, early 2027. >> Okay, right. So, next year's budget has an additional person. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And and, Vice Chair, I'll just add as well, um, specific to program 1.4, the scope of that program has expanded since the housing element was adopted, um, when this came to Council for discussion, Council asked us to look at removing single-family residential development potential for those sites to help take away other incentives for non-affordable housing development from those sites. So, that's an additional branch of work that's taking additional time and staff resources. Council also asked us to look at a broader range of density alternatives, which is, again, more time and staff resources. So, the scope of that program expanded, uh, making it difficult to rely on that originally adopted, uh, housing element timeline, uh, as well. >> Okay. Um, I I guess the the rest of my thoughts are are more appropriate for a for the comments period. Um, I I that those are all my questions. >> Thank you, Vice Chair. Uh Commissioner Pham. >> Thank you. I have a few questions. Um for item one, the historical ordinance, um I believe that was seen by EPC last October. Um remind us uh kind of where that ended and what the work would be between now and Q3 2026 regarding that. >> [snorts] >> Uh so, the um EPC provided recommendations and then council provided direction to staff based on those recommendations on uh the ordinance framework. Uh for the um for the ordinance that will ultimately be brought forward. Um we're planning tentatively in a couple of months here. The The ordinance is is quite far along and we're um uh really the the remaining steps between now and um an early fall adoption meeting uh would be uh just some uh additional publicizing and outreach, especially to property affected property owners, um as well as just kind of developing the final policy questions for the staff reports. >> Um follow-up question for that. Will we expect to see a lot of different change in direction from what was discussed in October or more along the same lines? >> No, it it's largely consistent with what was presented to the EPC and council. I mean, as you're drafting ordinance, little things come up uh for sure, but um the we have taken council's direction as our North Star for um what the ordinance will ultimately contain. >> I think the the main thing that may be different or may feel different when this comes back um through for recommendation is we likely will need to bifurcate the ordinance update from the register update due to some administrative and technical reasons. Um the concern is that um the function of the ordinance concurrent with the register, there might be an intervening period where people could de-list their newly listed properties um until the the new opt-off provisions are effective, and then we can update the register subsequent to that. So, it's not it's not perfectly captured in here. Likely that register update would come back through to council by uh December of this year. >> Thanks. I had um another question related to the dark sky ordinance. Um you also mentioned that there is going to be a lot of focus in terms of your work on that effort this year. Um I noticed from the last work plan that there were a few more rows. Um for example, outreach. Um can you give an update on how that's been going? >> [snorts] >> Thank you for the question. Yeah, so as presented in the last year's work plan, we actually did a lot of outreach in starting in last summer uh and a little bit into the fall, after which the staff efforts have been more focused on, you know, digesting what um input we received uh and then drafting an ordinance. So, we are hoping to bring it to the city council for adoption by the Q4 of this year. >> Okay. Um I'm curious of um who was targeted in the outreach efforts. >> [snorts] >> So, um it was a mix of uh stakeholders. >> Uh some of the stakeholders were the uh neighborhood associations. We um sent out invitation to a lot of neighborhood associations to participate, and then a lot of uh local advocacy groups, and a lot of uh planning groups which are active in the city, such as uh um the coalition of uh sustainable planning, Mountain View Coalition for Sustainable Planning, um and the old Mountain View Neighborhood Association as well. So, um in addition to those, there were some stakeholders which are specifically interested in the topic of dark sky, who have been giving us input at various council meetings. Those were individually contacted as well to participate in the outreach efforts. >> Okay, thank you. That's all my questions. >> Thank you, Commissioner Pham. Commissioner Soramaian. >> Thank you, Chair. Um I'll start with item seven. Um in our last meeting in April, staff had noted that a recommendation would be provided to council in May. And then the code amendments would be effective 30 days after the second hearing, which was anticipated in June. So, what's causing this delay? And um I maybe tack on the second part to it just so you can answer it all. Does this mean that the administrative process that was recommended um will be in place till the ministerial approval procedures get adopted? And does that expose us or open us to any other legal ramifications if the ministerial process isn't put in place just because that was what was really being pushed by state law, right? >> Uh so, just to clarify, the process by which these projects are approved is fully within the city of Mountain View's jurisdiction. Uh the state law uh sets a um CEQA specific procedure. Uh it's a CEQA exemption for a certain type of project. Um and it sets a timeline by which those projects need to be acted on um because of that change in CEQA. So, there is no uh legal jeopardy if we uh for uh simply implementing these administrative approval um uh ordinance that we that that uh we adopted. Um however, uh the city council made it very clear that their ultimate goal is uh ministerial approval for these projects that were um affected by AB 130. And uh so we are going to continue to work on that ultimate outcome, uh which does require some um uh a lot of little changes to the ordinance. Like there's a lot of little things all throughout the ordinance that need to be teased out, uh find solutions for, you know, find ministerial objective solutions for, and and rewrite. And so it is um a fairly laborious process to do so, uh with a lot of potentially interconnected um language and decisions. Uh and so that's really the challenge in going from uh an administrative process, which continues to allow some discretion, to a purely ministerial process in which there is no discretion. >> And for the public, uh CEQA is the California Environmental Quality Act. >> Thank you. Next question on item eight, the historic preservation. Um So, with the work on SB 79 on identifying sites that are in compliance, when is that going to be ready along with the SB 79 project? And when will you probably will you bring that to present to EPC and then council, or what is the process there? >> Um we have uh in our in our internal draft ordinance for the historic update, we've included language to implement this um this provision, this exception provision. Uh so it's it's not particularly complicated. Really all you need to do is have language or looking at what other cities have done, they have basically adopted a paragraph in their zoning ordinance and then an adopted an iconography in their zoning map. And that's really the extent of the work um as far as we've seen what other communities have done. So given the overlap with the historic ordinance, uh we think that there is an opportunity to do both of those with the same ordinance in the same project. >> So somewhat tied to that with item 10 and the SB 79 implementation standards, there was earlier reference that that would refer to the R3 standards that would be adopted and use them as a baseline. Is that still what is being considered in terms of the work plan and the scheduling for the SB 79 work? >> Uh so I'll clarify, you know, as was uh put forward to council which council supported, um we were talking about building off of the R3 standards. The challenge is uh we are obligated as a city to allow development at the intensities, heights, floor area ratios, et cetera that are provided in SB 79, but we don't have development standards for all of those types of development currently. Um the R3 zoning update will get us as close as we've ever been uh in large part. And so the thinking and and the process is to build off of what's adopted ultimately with R3 and then to craft standards that will allow SB 79 projects to be carried out in the best way for our community. So essentially to facilitate SP 79 projects in the best way for Mountain View. Not to just throw a bunch of additional standards at the projects. It's really to fill in gaps in a helpful way for the community and to allow the projects to have clarity to carry out the projects. >> Thank you. That's helpful to understand. So just to expand on that a little bit. It took us a long time to get to the R3 standards. Given that SP 79 requires such a quick leap forward, do you see that the effort required to bridge that gap as you spoke of can be achieved in that timeline? >> It's going to be challenging. We're going to have to be economical with the decisions we make in the standards we pursue. We've learned a lot through the course of the R3 update process and a lot of the time associated with the R3 zoning update wasn't necessarily related to development of the standards. It was bigger policy questions about whether and where to intensify for example. And so I think we'll we'll manage it. It's just we may not have every standard we would like, but getting some critical standards in place since the law will be in effect relatively soon is really important for our community. >> One last question. Um My colleagues had touched on item nine with the housing elements. Just wanted to understand a little bit more as to what has made this challenging in terms of adoption and what if anything have you learned that you think you might be able to go back and apply to making those feasible? >> I think one of the big challenges we've had with this project is just um getting clear communication with the the affected stakeholders. I mean, these these religious organizations can have very complex leadership. They can be very hard to find the right person. Uh and so we've committed a lot of time and effort to trying to just trying to reach you know, these uh you know, the right the right people in these organizations. So, that's been a big challenge. Um the uh the uh as uh the director said, the additional direction that we received from council to uh prohibit single-family development has been a little bit challenging uh just because many of these sites are zoned R1. So, it's not just a matter of saying churches can't build single-family cuz that's the whole point of the district. There are a lot of legal requirements there about having um principally permitted uses in every zoning district. And so, what are the principally permitted uses in this zoning district? What's it for? Uh and so, that's been a little bit of a challenge to kind of tease out and and um and develop. Uh which we are making great progress on now. Um the um as far as lessons learned uh moving forward, I think, you know, like I said, um finding the right people to talk to on these sites, uh understanding what would help them move the needle on potential affordable housing projects. Uh they often just are not thinking about this at all. It's just not not part of their um uh their goals. Uh so, really thinking about it from kind of looking at what other communities are doing and what what projects have been successful in other communities. Uh so, those those are some of the I I the learned that we've been getting out of this process. >> Thank you. Those were all my questions. >> Thank you, Commissioner Gutierrez. >> Yeah, um >> [clears throat] >> thanks. So, help me to understand five. Just the basic question, why so many to be determined? >> Uh so, when we took the uh item to council that was kind of the overview of SB 79, um the direction from that was to, as the director said, once the council comes back, once there's a new council in 2020 uh 2027, to look at a local alternative plan. Um and that local alternative plan is really the big picture of density and intensity, and we are constrained under state law about how much we can downzone certain areas or upzone certain areas because we have to ultimately reallocate density that is the baseline in SB 79. So, we are highly constrained in the downtown precise plan process by the ultimate direction that the city council takes in this SB 79 local alternative plan imple- implementation. So, we really, as he's as the director said earlier, uh we can't even really set a work plan for the SB 79 local alternative plan until we hear from council next year. We can't even set a work plan for the downtown precise plan because it's so deeply dependent on the the form that that TOD local alternative plan takes. >> Thank you. And then help me to understand number nine. The timelines Q4 2027, and in the big picture, how often do we give updates to the state about where we're at with uh housing element plan? >> Sure. So, until, you know, before Q4 2027, we'll have one uh housing element update that we'll we'll give to the state. Um I will say that they're not shy about reaching out to us for updates if they hear things from the community or concerns about the pace of our implementation. Uh so, we they are definitely watching, and and we uh it's not just at the um at the uh annual progress report that we provide updates and information to them about our progress. Uh so, that's an ongoing uh relationship that we have, and um so far in the past, those conversations have been very positive about um the city's um efforts and our priorities. >> Just a follow-up question to that. Being that we just don't give the state an annual progress report, but it seems like we have a relationship with them as well we should, how often do you think you've had updates with them this past year? >> Um we had one series of conversations. I think there were probably three or four conversations with them specifically about implementing certain housing element programs uh and whether we had um made sufficient progress on those programs. >> Great. And then, my final question, do you think that by having one more person, the timelines will help you here uh well, that person will help you to meet the timelines a little bit faster, or do you really think you need more than one person? And have you brought that up with city council? I don't really watch those meetings all the way through sometimes, so if you discussed that already with them, bless your heart. >> Um so, the addition of a a new staff member to we can focus on long-range planning activities, which is the scope of work that we're talking about across this range of work plan items, will help greatly. How much it will allow us to accelerate individual work plan items is difficult to say. Some of them have timelines that just require time to do the work. Um but what it will allow us to do um is take on any new contingent work that comes up to respond to community needs, for example, without slowing down work in many cases, which is one of the challenges we have now with our current staffing level is new things come up like Assembly Bill 130, Senate Bill 79. We're scrambling and redirecting resources to respond and react, impacting timelines for other work that's already been underway. So, I think it will help accelerate in some cases and help avoid decelerating in other cases. >> And one person is enough or do you need another person? >> More can often be better. I think in this case we're grateful to get, you know, one additional staff member. We're looking for someone that's got a lot of experience and skills and can really make an impact right away when they join the team. That's our focus for right now. >> Great. Thank you, everyone. Let's turn to Daniel. >> Yeah, I have a a couple additional questions. So, on the following on to the the question about giving updates to the state, what if we don't meet the timelines that we originally agreed to, are there any I've actually asked this question before, but are there any downsides or are there any penalties? Could the state decertify our housing element, for example? That seems like that would be a pretty heavy hammer. >> Sure. So, there there absolutely can be consequences for a city's failure to effectively implement its housing element. Um it is it is not likely to be the result of delay in implementing a single program or even a small number of programs. Typically, this results from a broad record of failure to act. Bad intentioned actions by a city, efforts to undermine the commitments in a housing element, none of which are applicable here in Mountain View. Um I wanted to add in the course of these frequent conversations we have with the Housing and Community Development Department at the state. Uh it allows us to reiterate the broad range of actions that we take as good actors in the housing realm in trying to work through solutions to harmonize state law requirements with local requirements in a way that's facilitative of housing. And so, I value those opportunities to engage and sort of provide the other side of the story um to supplement what an applicant's engaged with the state on, for example. And we've uh you know, knocked on wood, been very successful in our engagements thus far with HCD. Based on our demonstrated record of of pro-housing, you know, and housing supportive actions. >> Okay. >> Yeah, I I'm glad I mean, I know that we're trying to do the right thing and I'm glad that that they that it sounds like they see that as well. As far as the um the implementing these these uh these uh actions at 1.4 and 2.6 um and then the the the layered on council direction to relate us to the R1 zoning. Um could that be done in phases? Could we could we do meet our uh commitments under the housing element and then as a second phase uh eliminate the the R1 option or Do you see what I'm saying? >> I I think it's I think it's difficult to do that in my mind and I think it may be counterproductive. Um, in effect, we'd be doing two scopes of work. Um, and they're to some extent apples and oranges of what the minimum requirement is versus what council's desire is. I'm not sure that it would be cost-effective across a range of resource considerations to do that. Could it technically be done? I think so, but for a variety of reasons, I would very strongly recommend against pursuing that. Okay. >> Just just thinking. Um, and one other thing is so the the dark sky ordinance is an important item, but it it's coming before the this meeting our housing element obligations. W- Why is that? In the work plan, it's just in time. It's happening earlier. >> Sure. So, I think, you know, one of the the interesting parts of my job is trying to maximize the output from the resources we have. And so, given the stages and phases of work and sort of ebbs and flows or peaks and troughs of active work periods and maybe consultant-driven analysis, we have the staff oriented in a way where they can focus on the dark sky work without having a detrimental impact on the housing element 1.4 program. So, they are structured in a way where it's not mutually exclusive where you have to, you know, stop doing one to do another, for example. Um, and we have the ability to finish this by the end of the calendar year and make progress on the council's priority work plan. And so, that's an opportunity that we're going to take advantage of and not arbitrarily delay dark sky to signal focus on 1.4, for example. >> Okay. I I don't envy your balancing all the the the requirements from the state and the council and then all these things. So, uh, thank you. >> Commissioner Cranston. >> Just one question. Um it's not explicit in number two on R3, but my expectation was that part of R3 will be um objective design standards. It's I I guess I'm can you clarify is our is item four going to then go back and look at all those objective design standards? I thought it would the intention was that we were going to focus on the R3 objective design standards, kind of get those buttoned down as part of R3, and then that goes forward, but it's it's not item four doesn't say, "Oh, and we're not going to go back and re-look at all those all over again." So, I'm just I'm and then and that those standards under R3 were supposed to inform a lot of other things. So, it's not it kind of looks like number four reopens the objective standards that we think we're going to be I think we're going to be working through in R3, and I want to make sure that's not the expectation. >> Right, it's absolutely not the intention to reopen what's being done with R3. Quite to the contrary, similar to the question from Commissioner Subramanian about the SB 79 implementation plan or standards rather. The objective design standards are meant to build on the R3 standards. They're a significant platform, a great foundation, great body of work, and a lot of time and thought being put into those, but they don't do everything, and there are a range of development types that we're intending to prepare objective design standards for that are not specifically addressed in the R3 standards, for example. So, it's a yes and not a reopening type process. >> Commissioner Gutierrez. >> Yeah, one more follow-up question. I it just dawned on me when you you were mentioning when it was mentioned about local alternative plan to SB 79. Is that a reference to SB 79 or local alternative plan that we wanted to propose sooner rather than later. Is that what you're referring to by the local alternative plan? >> So, SB 79 provides an option for cities to prepare what's called a transit-oriented development local alternative plan or TOD alternative plan. And so, um that allows us to reallocate density uh in a way that meets our local needs without uh falling below the overall development capacity that's increased by SB 79. That's different from the SB 79 implementation standards. Uh and so, the SB 79 implementation standards are meant to come first, and then a longer-term solution with the alternative plan uh secondary to that. >> So, it's not part of the same thing? >> No, they're different different items. >> Okay, cuz that's important to clarify, I think, for the most part because then I can just hear certain people say, "Well, that's why we told them to do that sooner rather than later." So, thank you. >> All righty. Uh are you Do you have any questions? No. Cool. Um I guess I have some questions. Um when it comes to the milestone dates, um to what extent, aside from like staff's own inference um around kind of like um like direct and indirect inference around um kind of like how council views these work items, um I guess like I'm curious to what extent does the city council provide direct guidance, feedback, whether as a collective or maybe by proxy through the mayor, um or or with the mayor as a conduit for um how these dates and milestones get um proposed by staff. Like Yeah. Can you describe for us the level of direct involvement from council or the mayor on this. >> Sure. Um one of the the key roles for council is to prioritize resources, right? Um from a prioritization standpoint, uh this is more important than this other thing, and so city manager and staff, please figure out how to deliver in that order, right? Um it's not often that the council's looking at a work plan like this and says, "Ah, shift this here, shift this there." But as items come to them and we lay out a broad framework in the context of a housing element timeline commitment or an emergent legislative deadline or effective date, we provide that context to the council and ask them, you know, "Do you want us to prioritize this new thing and identify the things that would be deprioritized, or do you want us to take this on once we finish the things we already have in process?" So, it's more of that qualitative prioritization, and then the staff has to work out the timelines over which these various work items can be completed. >> So, um can you describe a little more um add add a little more color or specificity to that? When you say um if I'm hearing correctly, um that yes, the council does, you know, set the prioritization collectively as the body, and then you guys say, "Hey, here's what we're hearing. Help prioritize this for us." Like, can you describe either the formal or informal channel, means, method on which that happens? Is it like a closed session? Is it a every 3-month kind of update? Is it a mayor-city manager thing? Can Can you just walk us through like how that happens specifically? >> Sure. So, um most often um these major items will come to council at some intermediate stage uh as a new business item or as a study session item. And so, it's a public process where the report describes the context, the staff presentation describes the context, and we answer a lot of questions from council about, you know, "Why is this difficult? You know, why would you need to stop this other item? I think the SB 79 discussion in January is a good example of that where there was community angst over the impending effective date of the legislation and a desire from some in the community to really drop everything and prioritize a local alternative plan. The council weighed that course of action with the broad council work plan set of priorities that many of which had been in in process for multiple years and would have been meaningfully delayed had we prioritized as a city a local alternative plan. And so council weighed those factors and said, "We're not going to stop everything else that we've been doing. Keep going on those, finish them as quickly as you can. Do these incremental things for SB 79 like a historic resource protection ordinance, implementation standards so we get the best projects we can. And then we may get around to doing these local alternatives. But let's talk again about that because that's going to be a significant draw on resources over the next 6, 12 months or more depending on the scope and extent of those local alternative plans. So, I think that's a good case study, that the January 27th discussion about SB 79. >> So, then if I'm hearing and playing that back correctly or and correct me if I'm mistaken, it sounds like within study sessions or council feedback sessions just you know, there are specific to some of these media items or or or maybe even not. It sounds like there is an informal check-in or you know, raising of the hand that staff might do and say, "Hey, just so you know, if we do this, it's going to impact this and that." Is and that's kind of like the main mechanism for how staff receives, interprets, designates council prioritization. Is that Am I hearing that correctly or >> That's correct. Yeah, by and large it's done in this public process through that new business or study session process discussing one or more ongoing priority items or emergent priority items and asking council how they would order the priorities for staff to work on those items. >> Thank you. And so then um as we're moving over time, right? Um what's like the systematized manner in which um that sentiment direct feedback guidance um you know or or even like criteria for um how you guys are over time kind of like saying oh well, you know, council knocked this one down a peg or elevated this, you know, like can you walk us through like um staff's like system or you know, procedure or like repository of um tracking the sentiment over time such that when work plan um you know, prioritization and decision making um comes up um you have uh you know, like uh agreed upon method, data pool, um indicators, whatever that then you guys used to process and create the um the date prioritizations for work if I made any sense. I hope I did. >> Sure. So, I'd say the the main recalibration occurs every 2 years when council adopts its 2-year priority work plan. Um we do our best to provide the context of existing and ongoing work. Um you know, it's often the case that priority items from prior work plans are not yet finished and are underway and they may be continued, they may be discontinued. Um we lay out other key, you know, non-discretionary items that staff feels it needs to work on due to legal requirements um or other, you know, key priority needs that we've assessed and we present that information to council in our recommendations in reaction to their work planning process and so council has that full information to then say great, we understand and here the things we want to put on our work plan, and they may add more or fewer items based on the other background circumstances that I described of prior year work plan items or emergent legislative responses and what have you. >> Okay, so if I'm hearing correctly then um it the the the approach that staff takes when um determining kind of like what dates and milestones are going to get proposed on a work schedule like this um is a um more qualitative um feedback-based approach where um within meetings um you know council um may express sentiment indicating that um something is um you know rising to some level of priority where staff um then um you know under your prerogative might say, "Hey, um if we do this then it impacts that. Um can you give us guidance on XYZ?" Um staff kind of goes away and kind of like captures that and as a collective kind of like staff um has almost like a you know like a shared um you know almost like oral tradition um not to but yeah like a shared understanding um you know of kind of like what is the council priority level for different things. Um and is that am I characterizing that kind of like >> I think that's a pretty fair summation. I think we we combine qualitative and quantitative methods. So for instance back to the January example for SB 79 and Assembly Bill 130, we described the work that we're doing, but we also put in graphic form the estimated amounts of time and how those different periods of work overlaid with one another and showed greater and lesser periods of intensity for staff work and allowed us to focus on areas where we would have additional capacity to take on new work. And so we try to bring a variety of methods to tell the story about our existing capacity, our potential future capacity, and how that relates to additional demands that are desired to work on new things, um, and whether or not we think we can take them on and uh, at what point in time. >> That's helpful. And so then this um, quantitative element that you're um, mentioning around the the process, um, I'm hearing that it accounts for kind of like um, dates in the future, accounts for um, current staff. Um, you know, capacity, um, maybe like something like skill level even. Um, that quantitative a part of the equation, does it also um, account for things like um, you know, like benefit like to the city, perceived public good, um, you know, the public sentiment, um, you know, um, like Yeah, can can you kind of like describe the quantitative aspect of it and to what extent um, you know, the like the substance of you know, impact like you know, transformational benefit, um, you know, moderate benefit. Like can you just help us understand if and to what extent that's part of how the time frames um, that staff proposes get um, you know, processed. >> Sure, that's a it's a great question. I think it's hard to give you a a very direct answer, uh, but those are all of the complex kinds of considerations that council needs to consider when weighing the policy priorities. They're the elected representatives that are hearing from the community, they're getting expert opinion and recommendations from staff, from the city attorney's office, and they have to weigh all of those in addition to budgetary considerations as well about what can be taken on and over what time span. Um, some of the ways that we try to look at sort of quantitative impact is um, some of these items in the housing element may be very high intensity work, but may only have the potential to yield a few dozen housing units. When you compare that to delaying the R3 zoning update for example, which can implement uh, standards to actually unlock development capacity for 10 to 16,000 housing units. That's a that's a factor that council can weigh as to whether we should delay completion of R3 versus doing some other programmatic work. >> Okay. So, if it's going back to council then, and they're the ones that, you know, provide the sentiment and that quantitative So, it sounds like the quantitative aspect almost cycles back into council, which if I heard correctly, like staff takes through a kind of qualitative within meetings kind of inferential approach. And so, um yeah, I guess that's I I won't have to hammer that horse further, but I guess I am also um kind of like curious about what we're able to kind of like do, discuss, or propose here. So, for example, you know, I guess A, are these dates locked in stone? Are they coming from staff as proposals? Are they coming from council as, you know, you know, we like some formal process where they made the priority and, you know, these dates are in there? Are we able to say, "Hey, you know, collectively we suggest to council that maybe they move up item X up to, you know, like this?" Like, what are we able to actually suggest or propose when it comes to the dates of the work plan or or the work items themselves? >> Sure. So, I'd say it's it's uncommon for council to say, "Do this thing by this date." Council says, "This is really important and we would rather have this than something else." And that allows us to lay out those work items across the range of actions and activities we have to undertake. Um as far as, you know, doing Are these dates set in stone? We do the work as quickly and efficiently as we can and we don't benefit from delaying completion of work items. >> Sorry, guys. I meant the proposed dates as proposed like um I guess what I'm trying to understand is more oriented around is the um you know, commission able to say, "Hey council, um we think this should be you know, moved down a year, like a crazy example here, but um a quarter, or this should be moved up uh a quarter or something like that." Like, are we able to, you know, make those suggestions and recommendations? Or um another way of asking the question is like, "What's our actual discretion around um the dates, the um work items?" Like, what can we actually suggest here? >> Sure. So, I don't know that the commission's in a good position to say this should be Q2 instead of Q3. You don't know all of the considerations that me and my staff know that go into doing the work. What you could communicate is, "We're concerned about the timeline that's shown for completion of this, and if there's a way to prioritize it, we would strongly urge the council to do that." That may allow the council to deprioritize something else that's on here, or something else that's not on here, and maybe allow us to do it faster. Within the body of work that's shown here, there's nothing we can do faster without something else being delayed or or canceled. And so, um if there's an opportunity, something progresses more quickly in our work than anticipated, by all means we will bring it faster or sooner. Um but those opportunities tend to be few and far between, and so these are the the estimates with our best judgment with a little bit of conservatism as to when we think we can realistically complete the work. >> All right, sounds good. Thank you so much, I appreciate that insight. Any other questions? Nope. Okay, then I will go ahead and uh move this into the public comment. If anyone in attendance would like to provide comments on this item, please fill out a little speaker card and provide to the EPC clerk. If anyone on Zoom would like to provide comment on this item, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or press star nine on your phone. Phone users can mute and unmute themselves with star six. Mr. Clerk, are there any yellow speaker cards or uh speakers on the queue? >> Um there are none in person and there's no one raising their hands on Zoom. >> Okay, going once, twice. All right. All right. Uh then we will proceed to uh the next phase of this, the EPC deliberation and action. Um I guess the staff recommendation um is to review the fiscal year '26, '27 environmental planning commission work plan um and forward it forward it to the city council for approval, but um yeah, I guess we'll take um commission deliberation and action on that. Before any motions, kind of thing. Oops. Uh Commissioner Cranston. >> It's what's recommended and ready to make a motion whenever >> Wait, else is >> Okay, thank you. Uh Commissioner Gutierrez. >> Yeah, no, I'd like to deliberate. So, I'll share my opinion. So, when I looked at this, it said the EPC work plan for the upcoming year. And now I just heard something different mentioned to us in terms of like the prioritization of what these things are based on city council's perspective. Which begs the question, why are we here? Why do we even bother to review this? If we don't have the ability to really per se move things ahead, what suggestions can we make that would be viable for city council to listen what the EPC thinks of A, B, C, D, or E? The example back from January came back about SB 79. We prioritized that, guys. We were the ones that got the feedback from the community. We shared the urgency. We saw Palo Alto take the initiative. Regardless of how many members of staff they have compared to us, I don't care. They were on it. They submitted. So, I ask you to just reanalyze why we're here and how we can make an impact. Because right now I just heard that it's very limited. Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Gutierrez. Vice Chair Donahue. >> Yeah, it does seem somewhat limited. Um I'm really a process guy. Uh I really I >> [laughter] >> Okay. People are laughing I guess cuz they they know it to be true. Um I really uh like to have If we If there's a process in place, I like to follow the process. Um and one of those things is meeting uh if we make an agreement to do something that I I think that we should um do it. Um so, I am concerned about the slippage of the the schedule on on meeting some of these housing element obligations. I understand that there there are reasons that um there often are and and I can't say that I have never had a job where we I mean, I don't know if I've ever had a job where we didn't uh slip the schedule. >> [laughter] >> But, um uh but that's me. Um but but but still there's there's there's processes to be followed. So, that does concern me. One thing that I heard that the director say was uh that there are some programs that can yield thousands of units and there's some that can yield dozens of units. So, I went and looked at the housing element and it actually says that by the end of 2027, the goal for one of them is 65 and the goal for the other is 40. So, that's we're talking about 100 units. And so, um I can see how that might not be the most important thing. Uh still, if we make a commitment, I like to to follow that, but all things uh other things being equal, I would like to at least express uh some concern to the city council, but uh I am uh willing to to to move forward with the staff recommendation. >> Commissioner Subramanian. >> Thank you, Chair, and thank you, staff, because I I think I fully understand and appreciate um all that all cities, not just ours, are dealing with, particularly with this big torpedo that was thrown into our laps with SB 79, and the dramatic shift that it has caused in work plans across the board for not just our city, but every city. Uh so, I appreciate the um the shift that you've had to make. It's pretty seismic. And I appreciate that you've been able to walk through and explain which threads are intertwined, and hopefully what work we can use from one sort of work stream to address SB 79, and maybe use some of that to inform and speed up the delivery of other intertwined elements. Uh with that said, I do ask, and I think you've heard it from several of my colleagues here, that you come to us with at all the appropriate times, not just this, when coming up with the report, but um questions as to how we can qualitatively inform and speed up maybe some of those work streams and in turn provide guidance and recommendation to council. That's helpful for them to then make the hard decisions on um helping you prioritize and figuring out which have like material impact. And again, as um Commissioner Donahue pointed out, I think rather than sweating it out for a housing element that's going to impact 100 units, by all means please let us focus on the big alternate TOD plans and figure out how we can release that the wheels of development in motion. Thank you. >> Commissioner Pham. >> I echo a lot of the comments that my colleagues here have mentioned. Um I also want to say it's great to see some of these items from previous work plans move forward. So, I applaud staff for keeping with it and um moving them to the finish line. A lot of them um like earlier on the list. I also have some of the same concerns um regarding some of the intertwined work for SB 79. Um it seems to me that uh additional study sessions or input from council seems necessary to be able to move this forward. So, even if you're not able to bring forth um you know, substantial recommendations, um potentially more engagement may help. And so, that may be something you want to highlight um when this work plan and other work plans from other commissioners commissions go to council um in the future. Uh it sounds like that's happening in the near future, say September. So, that might be something highlighted. Um and then last thing I want to say is happy to hear that there's another um planning staff joining your team to help move some of this forward. That's all. >> All right. Um I'll make some comments. Um, I guess one thing that comes to mind is that, you know, 60 100 units, um, I guess I'll, um, put forward the idea or position that, you know, not all units are created equal. Uh, location matters. If, um, that wasn't the case, then, you know, all the battles over, you know, like segregation in the '60s, like redlining, um, those concepts wouldn't be something that, um, you know, we'd all be familiar with, nor would the actual fact that there is a housing element requirement called affirmatively furthering fair housing. And so, um, I do care about those 40 65 100 units in the south of El Camino. Um, I know that the dark skies element has, you know, um, very strong champions, uh, uh, around that, and, you know, I'm not here to like, you know, say that I know what the prioritization level is for, um, that or for, um, historic preservation or objective design standards. I think they're all important, um, to be quite honest with, um, with everyone, I guess. Um, And so, for me, um, you know, when I read the, uh, housing element uh, 2.6 program as well, um, you know, with very clear timelines, and, um, I think with, uh, another indicator or another kind of like, I don't know what you would call it, a clause text commitment there, um, that says that if, um, 40 units or something like that aren't developed by 2024 or some or 2027, um, that then we're just going to go back and get more feedback. And that then will have uh you know uh incentivization you know, framework or you know, zoning whatever that you know, mechanism would be in place by December 20 uh 31st, 2028. Um I guess like to be quite honest um not in a in a cynical way, but more in a just purely logistical way. Like I don't really have faith that that will actually happen if you know, the like first part of that commitment um is 3 years delayed. Um you know, by the time we get boots on the ground or you know, clipboards in front of doors and they're knocking and you know, have all the feedback. Like that can be 3 to 6 months. And then we're going to cram that through you know, a city council priority like to be delivered by 2028. I just I don't personally see that happening. That doesn't mean it can't. That doesn't mean it wouldn't, but I personally don't see that happening. And so the only controllable moment I have to say something about that um is right now. And um yeah, I actually um you know, I don't know what the best practice is for quantifying uh the prioritization level of um municipal governing body such that staff has clarity on why what like like deep clarity, right? Like the line of sight and can you know, clearly articulate and understand you know, in measured way which items are priorities and like the specific factors for why that's the case, right? Like I don't know I don't know what those models look like. I don't know if it's a thing that exists um in your line of work. Um I'm not like trying to pretend like I I I do know. Um but along those lines um I'm just going to get to the point here. I think that um you know, based on my understanding of you know, our very limited ability to say you know, something here apparently around like this work item. Like I I still think that, you know, I'm interested in exercising that. I'm interested in saying um you know, to the city council if if if there's any commissioners that agree with me that yeah, like I think they should you know, like I don't know if it's go back to drawing board, you know, check in with you know, themselves as a body um and think about directing staff to move item work item number nine upward on the priority list. I actually do um have that interest and so I'll toss it out to the commission for um and again, I understanding something will have to get moved down. Something will have to like it in prioritize it. That's not the call I'm here to make. That's not like that's for council to decide um and to work with you guys on that. But I am interested in saying I think item number nine um if three or more other commissioners agree with me should you know, be reconsidered by council as something that should move up in terms of the um milestone date. Um so I'm also interested in moving forward with the um with the motion that Commissioner Cranston has put forward, but um with uh I'd like to see if the commission is interested um in appending that level of guidance um or or you know, appeal to the council to please reconsider um item number nine uh in terms of escalating up the priority timeline. Commissioner Cranston. >> So I've I've watched the commission of the council's review of priorities and you know, ultimately council's responsibility is to say "City manager, go do this." And then staff does that. So, the staff has brought us how they're going to implement the what council has brought to them as the as the priorities. Um I think they've looked at and tried to make those trade-offs. And I think this work plan reflects those trade-offs. Um couple commissioners have asked about the Dark Sky plan. It's 2 months away from being done, for goodness sake. Okay? If if I was putting new resources in it today versus something else, would I put it on that? No. But it's 2 months away from being done. So, let's just finish it. Okay? So, I I don't I don't disagree that if all things being if we had a clean slate, maybe you'd do something differently, but it's 2 months away from being done. So, let's finish it. Um I am not in support of looking more closely at going back to council and saying to re-prioritize things. I think they've done that diligence, and they provided that guidance to staff and to the city manager and her team. And they're they've brought to us what they believe is a the best way to accomplish those goals that were communicated by council. And I'm comfortable that what they've shown will accomplish what they've communicated as the priorities. So, I am I would not be supportive of asking council to go back and reconsider priorities at this point. Um that's why I'm comfortable with what's been staff has proposed. I think it's a reasonable It's It's never perfect. We we don't have the ability to go to the city manager and say say change this item. That's That's her job and her staff's job to do that, not ours. It's if So, I don't I And I don't believe council looked at the the the church's situation lightly. They asked for things to make it, quite frankly, stronger, which makes it more complicated. So, they I'm sure that was part of the discussion. I'm sure they understood that. So, I don't I've watched them None of the members of council take this stuff lightly. I don't believe the prioritization they provided are in any way misguided or or you know, they're they're they're well thought out and I am comfortable with that. So, I am comfortable with what staff has proposed as an approach and I support the work they've done to get to this point. So, I I guess again I I support what's presented here as is and with no other recommendations at least from my standpoint. Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Cranston. Commissioner Harris. >> Well, this is the strength and the weakness of public policy, right? This is the way government works at the local level. I agree and disagree with Commissioner Cranston and everyone else on this dais. And that's fine. But the bottom line is that you're seeing the inherent tension between the policy-making body and that one that makes recommendations. We're all in with what we do when we have the chance to actually preside over something meaningful. And we actually give our input in terms of updates to zoning laws, land use regulations, our relationship with state governance in terms of a housing element plan, commitments that we adhere to because we were part of the process from day one. Not saying that staff wasn't. I'm just talking about us here as a team. And so, when you look at it from that perspective and then when I hear from my perspective, a couple city council people tell me, "This is your chance to be able to have input in terms of how your schedule is going to be for the upcoming year." But in reality, it's not. Then why am I here? Why are we here? This is why I beg the question for the team to analyze and ask yourselves, "What's the meaning behind how we look at this?" It's very limited in terms of what we can do and what we can change. And when it comes down to this, I look at it more as a simple symbolic act of it's your turn to look at this document. Do you agree or disagree? Knowing that we have limited involvement with what we actually can make change. So, I don't want you too much into this. Um it is structured this way because that's the way the charter works. It's structured this way because that's the way it traditionally has been, but during the last time when we had the work plan um come to EPC, I thought we had been able to make change on a couple of items. Here it doesn't seem like we are able to do that for whatever reason when it's already been explained as to why. So, it's just that vantage point between how we look at things that makes a big difference. Um so, finally, in conclusion, I agree with you, Alex. I think this is one of the reasons why I brought up what I brought up. Now, do I know if this will happen or not? I don't know, but here's my chance to do it. So, I'm with you. I would like to move up number nine. I would like to move up number seven. The things that are going to be realized in Q4 2026, that's great. But I'm not saying don't do it. I haven't heard anyone say that. But if you look at the timelines for those seven and nine, I think it could be a little faster. But why? Because I'm not part of the policy making body of the City Council. I'm part of the EPC. And that's my right and that's my opinion. So, I'm with you, Alex. I'd like to see that be moved up. How the staff, if it ends up being something that we could recommend that recommend with the recommendation that's been presented to us, great. If not, no problem, but at least I've done my due diligence to participate and to say this is why and this is how. How you get it done is something else. >> Thank you, Commissioner Gutierrez. Do we have uh I'd like to invite thoughts from other commissioners on the current line of thought. Commissioner Seferian. >> Um I think I've made my point of view pretty clear, but I will restate it to say that I'm in agreement with Commissioner Cranston because I do think this has been much deliberated, thought out work plan with explanation from staff as to like the key items that are taking up space and time and uh with input from council getting the right priority that would they should and therefore I'm inclined to not change anything in the recommended recommended uh work plan. >> Thank you, Commissioner Silverman. Any thoughts? Vice Chair, Commissioner Pham, anything you'd like to share? Not sure, it's fine. Vice Chair. >> Um it it is frustrating that the plan comes to us kind of fully baked and we can't really change anything or seemingly so. Um so fundamentally, I think I I stand by what I I said earlier where I expressed some concerns um but I think that uh given the totality of the circumstances that we uh should move forward with this this uh this work plan and and presumably the so I know at least some members of the city council are probably are watching this and and have heard our thoughts and and will take that into consideration informally. >> Thank you, Commissioner Pham. >> Um I appreciate all the comments here with the fellow commissioners. Um I'm in line with Commissioner Cranston. I feel that staff based on council's advice and and thoughts have put a lot of work into this work plan and so I'm inclined to move it forward as it is. >> All All thank you. Any other deliberations, thoughts? Uh Commissioner Gutierrez. >> Thank you everyone for sharing and for actually contributing to the discourse of how we agree to disagree and our roles as members of the EPC. That's what we're supposed to be doing, so thank you. Even though we don't agree, that's fine, but I'd rather deliberate and speak our perspectives on these things so that we can have a better understanding of how we can move forward and how we're going to make an impact further on. Thank you. >> You barely uh Commissioner Cranston. >> Move that the Environmental Planning Commission approve the work plan as presented by staff and forward to the City Council for approval. >> Do we have any seconders for that? >> second that. >> All right, Commissioner Subramanian is second. >> The motion Oh. Oh, I thought it sorry. Um What? I can uh >> It was a tough one. It was like It was like, do I vote Xavier or Tom Star? I couldn't tell. It took me a took me a while. All right. Yeah, I'm going to All right, um >> The motion carries with four yes, and two no, and one absent. >> All righty. Then we are moving forward with item number six, staff announcements, updates, requests, and committee reports. No No action will be taken on questions raised on any questions raised by the commission at this time. Does anyone have announcements, updates, requests, or committee reports, or dates of next meetings, etc. Staff or commission? >> Okay. So, um of course, we're going to go into the summer break um along with council. EPC's next meeting is tentatively scheduled for August 19th uh when we'll have uh the next agendas. I also wanted to just um update EPC that couple of things that came across EPC's um uh this past year's agendas and where EPC has provided input, the uh transportation demand management ordinance got adopted uh by city council on May 26th. The parks and recreation strategic plan was also adopted May 26th. And then the biodiversity and urban uh forest plan is scheduled for June 23rd, 2026 council agenda um for your reference. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other announcements? No? Okay. I have some announcements. Um it's an El Niño year. It's going to be pretty crazy. Um so, if anyone's watching and um look out for like summer heat. Um it could get um especially when it's humid, pretty dangerous really quickly. Um and then also um the World Cup's going on um for those of you who didn't know. Um and uh whoever out there has any rooting interest, may your team find success unless they're playing Mexico or they are Argentina. So, uh having said that, I believe I can now adjourn the meeting at 8:19 p.m.]]> https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/cky-JOQ832M https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/cky-JOQ832M Fri, 12 Jun 2026 01:33:44 GMT The Rental Housing Committee approved the May 20, 2026 meeting minutes and unanimously approved two contract renewals for fiscal year 2026-27: Goldfarb & Lipman LLP for legal and litigation services ($250,000 CSFRA, $35,000 MHRSO) and Project Sentinel for administrative and hearing process services ($125,000 CSFRA, $13,000 MHRSO). Staff shared upcoming office hours and workshop schedules for landlords and tenants, and noted there is no July meeting. The chair announced he likely won't attend the August 27th meeting due to a conflict with a Chamber of Commerce candidate forum. Consent calendar and minutes approval Goldfarb and Lipman legal services contract Project Sentinel administrative services contract Office hours and workshops schedule Housing Help Centers Future agenda items and RUBS update Chair's scheduling conflict > All right. Good evening and welcome to the June 11th, 2026 Rental Housing Committee regular meeting. This meeting is called to order at 6:03 p.m. Now I will proceed with the roll call. I see all members present here including the alternate. Okay, let's move on to uh the consent calendar. These items will be approved by one motion unless any member of the committee wishes to remove an item for discussion. The purpose of the consent calendar is for the committee to efficiently and quickly consider routine or administrative business items with one motion. Public comment will occur after discussion. We invite you to submit a speaker card now if you would like to speak on this item during public comment. Would any member of the committee like to pull an item? Seeing none, uh I now invite public comments. In-person public comments will be called to speak first. Any member of the public wishing to provide a virtual comment on this item, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or press star nine on your phone. Okay. I do not see anyone in the room and I do not see any attendees online. Okay, so >> Raising their hands. >> Raising Well, raising their hands, yes. Okay, so now I will bring the item back for committee action. Would any member like to make a motion? I recognize Alex Brown. >> The button isn't there, but I move that we approve the rental housing committee meeting minutes for 20th May 2026. >> Okay, is there a second? Yeah, these are not being registered here. Oh, click this and then this and then Okay. Okay, are you done? >> Yep. >> All right, and then how about click Oh, clear current speaker. Got it. >> Give us one moment, please. >> Oh, they need to sort something out. We're going to take a break for technical uh duty now. Okay. So, here Okay, I need a seconder. All right, it's Oh, there's no current speaker anymore. Okay, so I see a motion by committee member Alex Brown and a second from Okay, it's up there. And a second from Vice Chair Emily Stats Slab. Um so, I guess we can move to a vote. All right, that passes unanimously. All right, we're done with consent calendar, and now let's move on to oral communications from the public. We will now open the meeting for oral communications from the public. This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the committee on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are allowed to speak on any topic for up to 3 minutes during this section. State law prohibits the committee from acting on non-agenda items. Would any member of the public like to provide comments on non-agenda items? If you would like to speak on this item in person, please submit a speaker card to city staff now. In-person public comments will be called to speak first. Any member of the public wishing to provide virtual comment on this item, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or press star nine on your phone. So, I'm looking at I do not see anyone in the room. I do not see any attendees online. So, uh raising their hands. So, uh so I will dispense with this item. Now, we will move on to uh number five, new business. Um and we will start with agenda item 5.1, contract renewal with Goldfarb and Lipman LLP for fiscal year 2026-27. Public comment will occur after the presentation item and committee questions. We invite you to submit a speaker card now if you would know you would like to speak on this item during public comment. We will begin with a presentation from staff. >> Thank you, chair. All right, so we'll begin with agenda item 5.1. Again, that's fiscal year 2026-27 contract renewal for Goldfarb and Lipman. The purpose of this presentation is to authorize the rent stabilization manager or designee to execute an agreement for the coming fiscal year 2026-27 with Goldfarb and Lipman for legal and litigation services. And so, we have two contracts here that need approval. So, first for CSFRA for a total amount not to exceed $250,000 and for MHRSO the total not to exceed amount is 35,000. All right, so for background, uh Goldfarb & Lipman provides legal counsel and litigation services for the RHC to assist with implementing and administering CSFRA and MHRSO. And so, on the screen here you can see some of the services. So, implementing and administering the laws, um providing subject matter expertise, attending meetings, drafting regulations and staff reports, and just assisting with general issues and questions of the implementation of CSFRA and MHRSO, and representing the RHC in litigation. Um so, the physical impact would be just those contract amounts of $250,000 for CSFRA and $35,000 for MHRSO. And we do bring this item to the RHC because any contract that exceeds $50,000 does require authorization from the RHC for execution. So, the recommendation is to approve the uh Goldfarb & Lipman contract for 250,000 for litigation and legal services, and then for MHRSO at 35,000, and it would be um okay to approve those in one motion. And that concludes the presentation. Any questions? >> Now, we will move on to questions from committee members. Are there any questions from the committee? Don't see any questions. Since there are no questions, I will now invite public comments. In person public comments will be called to speak first. Any member of the public wishing to provide virtual comment on this item, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or press star nine on your phone. I don't see anyone in the room and I don't see any attendees in the queue. So, I think there will be no public comment on this item. Uh next we will go into committee deliberations and feedback. It would be appropriate at this time to entertain a motion for discussion by the Rental Housing Committee. And I all Oh, Kevin Ma, I recognize you. >> Thank you, Chair. I'm make a motion to authorize the Rent Stabilization Manager or designate to execute an agreement with Go Forward Mountain View LLP for legal services related to community stabilization for rent act for fiscal year 2026-2027 and to represent the Rental Housing Committee and the City of Mountain View in litigation related to the CSFRA for fiscal year 2026-2027 for a total amount not to exceed $250,000 and to authorize uh similar legal services related to the Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance for fiscal year 2026-2027 and to represent the Rental Housing Committee and the City of Mountain View in litigation related to the MHRO for fiscal year 2026-2027 for a total amount not to exceed $35,000. >> Second. >> All right. Okay. So, we have a motion and a second. A motion by uh Committee Member Ma and the second by Committee Member Brown. Let's move to a vote. And that passes unanimously. So, now we will move on to item 5.2, contract renewal with Project Sentinel for fiscal year 2026-2027. Public comment will occur after the presentation item and committee questions. We invite you to submit a speaker card now if you know you would like to speak on this item during public comment. We will begin with a presentation from staff. >> All right, perfect. Thank you. So, agenda item 5.2 will begin um with the purpose of this item is to authorize the rent stabilization manager or designee to execute execute an agreement for fiscal year 2026-27 with Project Sentinel for administrative and hearing process services. And so, the amounts for that for CSFRA are not to exceed $125,000 and for MHSO it's a not to exceed amount of $13,000. And for some background here, Project Sentinel provides administrative support services to assist with implementing and administering both CSFRA and MHSO petition process. So, that includes these uh administrative support, uh invoicing and things like that. Um deploying and reimbursing facilitators for the pre-hearing settlement conference process and then also for the actual hearing officer um petition hearing process. And I'll show a breakdown of that in a second. The fiscal impact for this again would just be those amounts of 125,000 for CSFRA and 13,000 for MHSO. And again, we come to you all with um with this because any contract over 50,000 requires RHC approval. And so, on the recommendation here, you'll see the breakdown for each one of those services. So, for um the CSFRA, the 125 uh breaks down as follows. So, for the administrative support it's 10,000, facilitators 5,000, and the bulk of that is hearing officers which 110,000. And then with um mobile homes, you'll see a number two. 13,000 is the total, 1,000 for administrative, 2,000 for facilitators, and 10,000 for hearing officers. Um and then these costs were based on the volume of petitions in the current year and sort of past year. So, we looked at that and incorporated that those numbers into this budget, which you had previously approved. That concludes that presentation. If there's any questions there. >> All right. Now we move back to questions from committee members. Are there any questions from the committee members? I recognize committee member Ma. >> Thank you, chair. Um for clarity, on the agenda document, it mentions division manager. Do we treat division manager as equivalent to rent stabilization manager? >> We do. >> Okay, thank you. >> And I recognize committee uh sorry, vice chair Statsas Lab. >> Thank you. Um approximately how many cases uh does 125,000 that excluding the MRO side. I know you made that calculation, just wondering what it was. >> Sorry, I'm not my speaker's on. Um so, it's probably close to maybe 50 or so. >> Okay. >> Are there any more questions? All right. Not seeing anybody in the queue. Since there are no more questions, I now invite public comments. In-person public comments will be called to speak first. Any member of the public wishing to provide virtual comment on this item, please click the raise hand hand button in Zoom or press star nine on your phone. So, there's no one in the room and I do not see any virtual commenters online. So, therefore we will now move into committee deliberations and feedback. It would be appropriate this time to entertain a motion for discussion by the RHC. Does anyone Does anybody want to make a motion? Uh chair recognize committee member Ma. >> Thank you, chair. I move to authorize the division manager or designee to execute an agreement with Project Sentinel to provide administrative and hearing process services for the Community Stabilization Fair Rent Act for fiscal year 2026-2027 with a total amount not to exceed $125,000 as follows: administrative support services in an amount not to exceed $10,000, deploy and reimburse facilitators for the pre-hearing settlement conference process in an amount not to exceed $5,000, and to deploy and reimburse hearing officers for the petition hearing process in an amount not to exceed $110,000, and to authorize the division manager or other designee to execute an agreement with Project Sentinel to provide administrative and hearing process services for the Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance for fiscal year 2026-2027 with a total amount not to exceed $13,000 as follows: administrative support services in an amount not to exceed $1,000, deploy and reimburse facilitators for the pre-hearing settlement conference process in an amount not to exceed $2,000, and to deploy and reimburse hearing officers for the petition hearing process in an amount not to exceed $10,000. All right, so we have a motion made by committee member Ma and seconded by Vice Chair Stats Hislop. Uh let's have a vote. >> [laughter] >> All right, it looks like that passes unanimously. Okay. All right. Okay, moving on to item number six. Committee staff announcements and updates. Thank you, committee members and staff. We will now move to committee staff announcements and updates. I will hand it back to staff for some presentations. >> Thank you, Chair. We'll be sharing our upcoming office hours and workshops. We continue to host our virtual office hours on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. virtually or at our office, which is located at 298 Escuela Avenue. We also refreshed our workshop schedule for the new fiscal year, and our upcoming workshops will be July 7th at 2:00 p.m. and that will be a workshop regarding new landlords in Mountain View and what to know about tenant protections. That is landlord focused and will be hosted virtually. We are also having a workshop that evening and that will be for tenant focused at 6:00 p.m. regarding the one-time utility adjustment petition. And then in August, we have two occurring. Um one being August 11th at 2:00 p.m. and that would be landlord focused hosted virtually. The subject is how to lawfully increase rent. And then on August 14th at 6:00 p.m., we have a tenant focused virtual workshop. Topic being I got a rent increase, what's next? We also are still hosting our Housing Help Center for landlords every Thursday at our office, 298 Escuela Avenue, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. And there we're still giving support for rent stabilization and eviction protections, property registration and fees, compliance, and petitions. And still on the first and third Thursdays of the month, we are having our Housing Help Center for tenants, and that's where we have housing programs like affordable housing is there to speak with tenants, eviction help. We still have CLESPA present at some of these for assistance, and they also provide legal resources, and we have support services there with Community Services Agency CSA, and they provide information on food distribution, financial assistance, mediation, and homelessness prevention, and Project Sentinel is in attendance as well. >> Okay, thank you for that presentation. Are there any questions or comments from committee members on the presentation? Uh chair recognizes vice chair Stahlecker. >> Thank you. Um the virtual you're welcome new landlords workshop, is that open to anyone to attend? >> Yes, so all of our workshops are open to anyone. Um we do separate it out by tenant and landlord just because we think maybe one group um we focus the information towards them. However, anybody is welcome to attend, and we also found that landlords prefer sort of during office hour during work hour times, so 2:00 we picked that time, but of course anybody is welcome. >> So you don't have to be a landlord or a tenant if you want to just learn. >> Yes. And if you are interested in learning, please come. Thank you. >> They are also posted on YouTube after, so they're available. >> Um are there any other committee members that would like to ask questions or make comments on this item? All right, seeing none. Um I I'll ask the staff to move on to the next uh presentation. >> So, agenda item 6.2 is just looking at future expected agenda items, but there is no meeting in July. So, hopefully people will take some time to refresh. There is August. August 28th. Uh August 27th. We don't have the items for that yet. >> Okay. Are there any comments from committee members on that? >> Do you know when um we'll get an update on rubs? >> Yeah, I can make sure we have some information for you on rubs during the next meeting. Um and then we can look at putting together maybe a presentation for you all to look at where we are and how it's going. >> Okay. That'd be welcome. >> All right. And are there any other committee members that would like to ask questions or make comments on this item? Seeing none, I will ask if there are any additional comments or announcements from committee members or city staff. I have one. Okay. So, it turns out we after we passed the schedule for uh the year that I was informed later that the Chamber of Commerce will hold their city council candidate forum on the night of our next scheduled RHCC meeting. I did reach out to the CEO and ask if that was a firm date from them and he said any date we pick somebody will have a conflict, so yes. >> [laughter] >> Um I did reach back to staff, but staff reminded me we've already passed that item. And so, I can only be in one place. And as I was mulling it over, my cross the street neighbor says to me, "You know, Robert, this is an easy one. Somebody else can substitute for you on the RHC, but nobody else can substitute for you as the candidate of the forum." So, I'm likely not to be there unless some there is some strange change in either of the two schedules. I just want to give you guys a heads up on that. Uh are there any other uh comments or questions? Not seeing any, then I will move on to item seven. And I will announce that the meeting is adjourned at 6:24 p.m. The next Rental Housing Committee meeting is scheduled to be held on, as I said, Thursday, August 27th at 6:00 p.m. Thank you all for attending. What? >> I'm just surprised. >> Yeah, I think that p.m. Thank you all for attending. What? >> I'm just surprised.]]> https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/xUqfvz9ZHKQ https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/xUqfvz9ZHKQ Wed, 10 Jun 2026 17:25:24 GMT The joint council meeting opened with Pride Month and Juneteenth proclamations, followed by approval of an 11-item consent calendar covering ordinances on housing, zoning, police military equipment, a shelter crisis extension, heat pump rebate funding, election resolutions, and a park land acquisition on Terabella. The council received the AB2561 workforce vacancy report (overall vacancy below national benchmarks) and held a public hearing on the structurally balanced FY2026-27 recommended budget, which emphasizes core services, infrastructure, economic vitality, and a potential November 2026 revenue measure. Public comments addressed greenhouse gas emissions, utility rate increases for mobile home residents, surveillance cameras, native plant biodiversity, and a dog park; the council moved to approve the budget with a modest addition for multicultural engagement programming. Pride Month proclamation Juneteenth proclamation Consent calendar approval Terabella park land acquisition Workforce vacancy and recruitment report AB339 permanent union positions FY2026-27 recommended budget Economic uncertainty and revenue forecast Measure G and revenue measure Fire inspection and safety programs Construction and public works inspections Greenhouse gas emissions and energy taxes Utility rate increases for mobile home residents Downtown office vacancy Library lactation pod Multicultural engagement funding > I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> The city clerk will take attendance by roll call. >> Council member Hicks here. >> Council member Kame here. Council member Mallister >> here. >> Council member Ramirez >> here. >> Council member Sha Walter >> here. Vice Mayor Clark >> here. >> Mayor >> here. You have a qu. >> Wonderful. City attorney log, do you have a close session report? >> No final action was taken in close session this evening. >> Great. That leads us to item three, presentations. Please note that these are presentations only. The city council will not take any action. Public comment will occur after the presentation items. If you would like to speak on these items in person, please submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk now. So, we will now go on to item 3.1, Pride Month Proclamation. Yay. Um, we are happy to be joined this evening by Sali Surubin, Sarah Fernando, and Becca Pon from the Santa Clara County Office of LGBTQ Affairs to accept this proclamation. Would you all join me at the lectern? All right. The proclamation reads, "Whereas the city of Mountain View is committed to supporting dignity equity and visibility for all people in the community. And whereas Mountain View celebrates the history and diversity of our city's LGBTQIA+ community and promotes a society in which all residents can live free from discrimination. And whereas the city will host its second citywide pride celebration called Together in Pride on June 20th. The event will feature a flag raising ceremony. Other activities will include performances by artists, community booths, roaming uh yeah, roaming entertainment, family fun zones, and a community art project. And whereas flying the rainbow flag at city hall throughout the month of June further symbolizes the city's celebration of diversity and support for the city's LGBTQIA plus residents. Now therefore, I, Emily Anne Ramos, mayor of the city of Mountain View, along with my colleagues on on the city council, do hereby proclaim the month of June as Pride Month and encourage all residents of Mountain View to celebrate the rich diversity of our commun community. Saldi, would you like to say a few words? >> Yes. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, good evening everyone. Uh, my name is Sali Serbin. My pronoun is he, him, his. I'm with the county Santa Clara Office of LGBT affairs. Uh thank you for being here as we celebrate Pride Month. Pride is a beautiful reminder of the power of visibility and the strength of united community. It's a time to honor our past, celebrate our joy, and reaffirm our commitment to full equality. Uh but real support extends far beyond the flags and festivals. It lives in our policies and resources. If you are someone you love looking for support, advocacy, or community connection, I want to remind you about an incredible local resource, which is our office, Santa Clair County Office of LGBT affairs. Um, established as a historic first in the United uh United States. This office acts as an dedicated champion for the health, safety, and well-being of the LGBTQ plus residents right here in Santa Clair County, including the city of Mountain View. From connecting community members to affirming health care and housing to providing a cultural competency training, the office work uh to work tirelessly to make sure our county is a safe to call home. Also, uh this June 12, I want to invite you all um we are turning a 10year um 10y year anniversary um since the establishment in 2016. Um it's happening on June 12 from 5 to 8:00 PM at 70 West heading um in San Jose. This June, let's seate let's celebrate our diversity and make sure no one walks dur their journey alone. Check out the office of LGBT affairs. Stay connected and have a beautiful safe pride month. Thank you. [applause] All right, for our next proclamation 3.2 to Junth Proclamation. We are happy to be joined this evening by Jamal Williams, uh, Kima Egg Buhoo, and, um, Joselyn Dubin, co-chairs of the Black Leadership Kitchen Cabinet of Silicon Valley to accept this proclamation. Would you all join me at the lectern? >> Hi, Mayor. >> Thank you for having us. Absolutely. All right. The proclamation reads, "Whereas President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1st, 1863, declaring slaves in the Confederate Territory free, paving the way for the passage of the 13th Amendment, which formerly abolished slavery in the United States of America. And word about the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation was delayed by some two to two and a half years to June 19 uh 1865 in reaching authorities and African-Americans in the south and southwestern United States. And whereas this day has a special meaning and is called Junth combining the words June and 19th. And Junth is an opportunity to acknowledge a period of our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today, a time to honor and pay respects uh for the sufferings of slavery. And whereas the city of Mountain View strives to be a community for all, which is to support its socioeconomic and cultural diversity. Whereas the city of Mountain View recognizes the historical significance [laughter] of the Junth day to the United States supports the continued nationwide celebration of the Junth day to provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about the past and to understand better the experiences that have shaped the United States and recognizes that the observance of the end of slavery is part of his part of the history and heritage of the United States. Now therefore, I, Emily Anne Ramos, mayor of the city of Mountain View, along with my colleagues on the city council, do hereby proclaim June 19th as Junth day in the city of Mountain View. Would someone like to say a few words? >> Absolutely. >> Sup everybody. Thank you for having us, Emily. And um let me first say that I was given permission to speak by these two wonderful women. This is not this is not patriarchy or misogyny at play. Um, >> and it's Kim G. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I just wanted to bring >> um we the Black Leadership Kitchen Cabinet continues to work tirelessly on behalf of black residents throughout the county as a coalition. We give our time and dedicate our our our our lives and our professions to make sure that we are advocating, fighting for policy, and building community that supports and uplifts the black community. We recognize Junth as our independence day. Um if we can imagine what it's like what it was like during the actual independency independence day um our ancestors were enslaved but on June 19th uh 196 1865 they finally were able to gain some semblance of freedom and we think about Junth not just as a special day for black Americans um who were enslaved but also that set the course for all underrepresented n uh populations in this country and we want to make sure we recognize that um that that that milestone. We think about today and we recognize that um there's a lot of uh a lot of our civil rights and liberties being under attack. And even at a as a reflective time such as this, we want to make sure that we're fighting against those that are continue to oppress and try to rewrite history. The systems and protections that black people fought and died for are under renewed threat and social progress that communities achieved not only for themselves but for countless others are continuing to be rolled back. We've seen black folks continue to be um uh we've continued to lose black folks in this county and we have continued to see um black women being attacked over this past year. And so I ask that when we think about how we choose to move forward with policy that we not only observe Junth as a historical time, but we recognize that it sets a course forward for us in our policy decisions and our choices with our funding and support for the community. So thank you again for this proclamation and we look forward to continue working with y'all in the future. [applause] All right. Would any member of the council like to say a few words? Council member Shoalter. >> Yeah, I really would like to say a few words about Junth. Um, growing up in the Capitol Confederacy, I was um really uh educated about uh the Civil War in in a way that was just uh a fairy tale. And in the last 30 years, there's been an incredible movement to um bring back the real history of what happened and share it with everyone so we can all learn about our past and think about the implications of it and move forward from there in an honest manner. And so it just really does my heart good to see this. When I was a kid growing up, nobody ever talked about Junth. I don't think it became a very popular um uh holiday until the uh the last 20 25 years, but it's a very welcome one. And particularly this year as we celebrate our 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it's so appropriate that we remember the other parts of our history, all of them, the good, the bad, the wonderful, the ugly, and um and think about the whole. And uh so I I just I just wanted to mention that this this when we talk about we the people um there were a lot of people included throughout our history that didn't get their story told and um this is about telling a very important story and not letting it die. So thank you. >> Thank you Council Member Shoalter. Any other comments from my colleagues? Seeing none, uh we will now take public comment for the presentation items. Would any member of the public joining us virtually or in person like to provide comment on the presentation items listed on the agenda? If so, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk. We will take in-person speakers first. Each speaker will have three minutes. Do we have any inperson speakers? All right, no inperson speakers. We will now take virtual speakers. All right, we have a virtual speaker. Judy, can you unmute yourself? Judy. Oh, when Judy disappeared. All right, seeing that there are no other uh public comments, we will end item three, but with just one reminder for your call to action, call to service, call to community. On Saturday, June 20th, we're going to have our Pride event. So, yay. We're so excited. So, please come out for that. Um and and show uh support and and celebrate our diversity in our community. Um, that will be at city the city hall plaza. Um, and it will begin at 11:00 a.m. So, yay. Now, we'll move on to our consent calendar. These items will be approved by one motion unless any member of the council wishes to pull an item for individual consideration. If an item is pulled from the consent calendar, it will be considered separately following approval of the balance of the consent calendar. If you would like to speak on these items or the next item, oral communications on non-aggendaite items in person, please submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk. Now, would any member of the council like to pull an item? Seeing none, um we will now go Oh, is this this Okay, we will now Do you want to speak now or do you want to speak after public comment? Okay. So, would any member of the public joining us virtually or in person like to submit a comment on these items? If so, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk. If so, um we will take in-person speakers first. Each speaker will have three minutes. This is for consent calendar. Do we have any speakers? No inerson speakers. All right. All right, we will now take virtual speakers. Uh Judy, >> yes. Hello. Um can you hear me? I got disconnected on my public comment earlier. >> I can hear you. >> Okay. Um I I got disconnected on my public comment earlier. Um and I wish you would uh make a disruption policy to cover the disruptions in virtual comments. Uh that is a state law. By the beginning of July, you need to do that. Um because I would like to be able to speak on the um the last section where they were talking about the um the Black Pride Day and the Gay Pride Day. Um will you still let me speak about that? >> No, this is no longer that item for this public comment, but thank you so much. >> Okay. Well, thank you and please work on that disruption policy because you cost me my speech tonight and that is uh viewpoint discriminate. >> Thank you. Um, next up we have Albert Jeans. >> Hi there. Just a quick comment on 4.10, the acquisition of the property at Terabella. Of course, that's a really great, you know, it's a great opportunity to add to the park. There's a big difference between, I think, a twoacre park and a threeacre, but I just wanted to point out, as Mr. Gene did in his email that the lot next to that at 965 Terabella also appears to be available and if we could add that you know we could we're looking at a 4 acre park which is a really decent size. So you know it's pretty rare I think that the city can put together so many lots to make a decent sized park. So I really hope the staff and the city council will move forward on that. Thank you very much. Thank you, Albert. Um, we will now bring this back to council um for council action and note that a motion to approve the consent calendar should also include the reading of the titles of the ordinance and resolution attached to the consent calendar items 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, and 4.9. Good luck with that. Um, the city clerk will take roll call as we have a council member participating remotely this evening. Council member Shoalter. >> All right. I guess I should have looked at how much I had to read. I'm happy to do it. >> No, that's okay. I'm just kidding. I I also want to make a couple comments. Um, one, uh, you know, when we get to the end of the, uh, the sort of the sessions, we we have two more meetings in this session before we have our summer break. There are always a lot of consent calendar items and that's just kind of indicative of um of all the work that the city is doing and they want to get things wrapped up enough so they have our um approval to get through the summer. So there's always a spade of them. I think the the most I ever observed was 28 in one meeting. That was that was that was definitely a record. But so this time I think we have 11. And next time I bet we'll have more. We'll see. But anyway, um it's it's interesting to note that three of them are second readings of ordinances or resolutions that we've passed, which is also an indication of something that we've finished. We've completed and that's that's a good thing. And um I I particularly wanted I also want to mention 4.4. That's the extension of our shelter emergency. And that allows us to continue our um our programs to assist the homeless. It's very important um in the social fiber of our community. Um on a a very happy note, we are um putting more money into the heat pay heat pump rebate program. It was so popular that we used up all the money. And so by putting another $500,000 in, we'll be able to take 250 more heat pumps out of um out of people's houses in Mountain View. And the reason it's so important to take a heat pump out is because uh a water heater in a in a typical single family home uses about the same I mean produces about the same amount of greenhouse gases as a car does a family car. So so these reductions are are very important and it's it's something to to be proud of. Um also as Albert Jeans mentioned 4.10 10. We're purchasing some land that's going to allow for um uh an a park that's a little larger than three acres in this area. That is definitely something to celebrate. And and also um I just want to um to thank uh the the uh BPAC and James Kusmal congratulate for being willing to step up and serve on the Santa Clara Transportation Authority bike ped um uh uh advisory board. That's that's an important way to bring the Mountain View concepts to uh county uh county issues. Okay. So, with that, I'm going to have to um probably have a few sips while I do this, but I'd like to move the uh the uh consent calendar. Item 4.1, adopt an ordinance of the city council of the city of Mountain View, amending chapter 36, article 9, division 2, residential development below market rate housing program of the Mountain View City Code to modify the belo below market rate program and add section 30.40.32 40.32 governing graduated fee reduction for small projects and finding that these code amendments are not subject to the fall California environmental quality act to be read and title only. Further reading waved item 4.2 Two, adopt an ordinance of the city council of the city of Mountain View amending chapter 36 zoning of this the Mountain View City Council Code to authorize streamline administrative approval of housing development projects that are statutoily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to public resources code section 2180.66 66 and to make other minor modifications to chapter 36 to align land uses in the recreation, I mean in the residential and commercial zones with state laws and finding that the amendments are exempt from review under SQUA as recommended by the environmental planning committee to be read and title only. Further reading waved. Adopt an ordinance of the city council of the city of Mountain View amending chapter 28 subdivisions and chapter 41 parkland dedication or fees in lie thereof of the Mountain View city code to authorize streamlined administrative approval of housing development projects that are statutoily exempt from SQA pursuant to public resources code section 2180.66 66 and make other minor minor modifications to chapter 28 and 41 to achieve greater consistency with state laws for internal consistency within the city code and to align the city code with current permitting procedures and practices and finding that amendments are exempt from review under SQA to be read and title only further reading waved. Item 4.3, adopt an ordinance of the city council of the city of Mountain View, renewing approval of the Mountain View Police Department military equipment use policy, adopting updated military equipment use policy, and finding that this action is not subject to SQUA to be read and title only. Further reading waved. Item 4.4, Four, adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View authorizing the city manager or designate to execute fiscal year's 2026 27 funding agreements with the community services agency of Mountain View, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills for housing related services and an amount not to exceed $177,000 for a homeless prevention direct financial assistance program and an amount not to exceed $150,000 to be read in title only. Further reading waved and adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View amending resolution 18301 to extend the declaration of a shelter crisis in the city of Mountain View through June 30th, 2035 to be read and title only. Further reading waved. Item 4.5. Adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View approving a request to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the allocation of fiscal year 2026 27 transportation development act article 3 pedestrian bicycle project funding to be read and title only further reading waved. Item 4.6 Six, adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View authorizing the city manager or their designate to amend an agreement with Silicon Valley Clean Energy to increase funding for the heat pump water heater program um by $500,000 resulting in a total not to exceed amount of a million dollar to be read entitle only. Further reading waved. Item 4.7 adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View calling a general municipal election for the purpose of electing three members of the city council requesting the board of supervisors to authorize the registar of voters to contract for election services. Authorizing the city clerk to contract with the county of Santa Clara pertaining to services to be performed by the county in connection with the general municipal election to be held on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026 and related actions to be read read and title only. Further reading waved and adopt a resolution of the city of Mountain View um city council of the city of Mountain View adopting a 200word um wait a minute 200word maximum. I've got to flip the page here, guys. So, sorry. 200word maximum for a candidate statement of qualifications and charging each candidate for a fixed share of cost for the printing, handling, translating, and mailing for the general municipal election to be had on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026 to be read and title only. Further reading waved. And last but not least, item 4.9, introduce an ordinance of the city council of the city of Mountain View, amending chapter 2, article 8 of the Mountain View City Code to add section 2.86.25 governing the selection of arguments for city ballot measures and make other clarifying modifications to be read and title only, further reading waved, and a set a second reading for June 23rd, 2026. Great job. All right. So, we have a motion by Council Member Shoalter, seconded by Council Member Hicks. Uh, city clerk, will you mind taking the roll call vote? >> Council member Shoalter, >> yes. >> Council member Hicks, >> yes. >> Council member Kame, >> yes. >> Council member Mallister, >> yes. >> Council member Ramirez, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Clark, >> yes. >> Mayor Ramos, >> yes. Motion carries unanimously. >> All right. So that concludes uh consent calendar. We will now move on to item five, oral communications. This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the council on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are allowed to speak on any topic within the city's council's subject matter jurisdiction for up to three minutes during the section. State law prohibits the council from acting on non-aggendaized items. If you would like to speak on this item or the next item in person, please submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk now. And in recent weeks, the city along with few other neighboring elected decision-making bodies have been subjected to disruptive, racist, verbal attacks by anonymous callers during virtual public comments. The city of Mountain View is fully committed to racial, religious, and cultural uh equal e equity and justice as we strive to create a welcoming, safe, inclusive community for all. The council recommen welcomes respectful non-threatening public comments on matters within our jurisdiction. Comments deemed otherwise pursuant to the council code of conduct and the government code may be grounds for terminating a p a speaker's public comment period. Um so we will now move on to our public comment. It looks like we have one, two, three, four, five people in the queue. So we'll go for two minutes. Um, so would any member of the public uh joining us virtually or in person like to provide comment on this item? If so, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk. We will take in-person speakers first. Each speaker will have two minutes. Our first one is going to be Bruce Carney, followed by Kristen Anderson, followed by KBT, followed by Shaunie Klein House. >> Good evening, mayor and council members. Miss Glazer, would you please show the slide for public comment I submitted earlier? Thank you very much. I want to take just one minute of your time to make sure you are aware of the greenhouse gas emission report released earlier this year by Silicon Valley Clean Energy. They prepare reports each year for all of their member agencies. The clerk is showing the latest slide for Mountain View. As you can see, emissions in 2024 were higher than uh in 2019. the the year before the pandemic. In fact, 5% higher. Um the reason for the increased emissions is that in 2024, Silicon Valley clean energy was unable to meet its goal of providing 100% carbon-f free electricity. I have been assured that SVCE returned to being carbon-f free in 2025 and will strive to be carbon-f free in the future. But what happened in 2024 should serve as a reminder that we can't take it for granted that the electricity we consume will always be as clean as we hope it will be. >> Thank you, Mr. Carney. Kristen Anderson, followed by KBT, followed by Shaunie Klein House. >> Good evening. Thanks for hearing me. Um, I just have two things I want to bring to your attention. One of them is the City of Mount View dog park over off of Shoreline by Shoreline. Um, across from Shoreline Amphitheater by, you know, by the golf course, there's a dog park has both for large dogs and separated for small dogs. It is barren. There's like one um covered bench for someone to sit in and then another one h has like a second bench or you know it'll have some benches but it's just plain plain gravel type of you know dirt. Nothing for the dogs to do and run around or have fun with. And so I would like to see you guys kind of spruce it up. It's been this way for decades as long as it's been there. So, it would be nice to have some fun um added to it. The other one is the issue on for Charleston entrance onto southbound 101 highway. There is right there. It's by the Costco and there's also an exit from southbound 101 to Ringorf and they are within 100 ft of each other. There's also in addition to that, there is the ringorf entrance to 101 that's right after that. And this clogs up 101 all the time all day, you know, all day. There's no give from that. And I'm surprised honestly that there's not more accidents right there. It's very hazardous. And um I would like to see when last year you guys closed that entrance from Charleston and it just made the flow on southbound 101 so much easier. It's just it was amazing. So if there's a way that you guys could actually just close that entrance because there is a ring storef one and if you do need an additional >> Thank you. All right. Um, next we have KBT, followed by Shaunie Klein House, followed by Alvin Kerr. I'm with the coalition of community organizations called SOS, safety over surveillance. And I want to commend the council and the Mountain View Police Chief for taking the groundbreaking step of cancelling the Flock AI enabled cameras to protect our citizens from outside surveillance by federal agencies like ICE and from violations to our Fourth Amendment rights, protecting us from warrantless searches and invasions of our privacy. This is so incredibly important also for our immigrant community as well. Uh while other cities drag their feet, Mountain View leads the way by cancelling these cameras. I was overjoyed to see the cameras near my neighborhood removed and some other ones as I drive around um in the last couple of weeks or so. I had thought from the February 24th meeting that there was going to be an official announcement to the public of when these cameras were going to be removed. Um, so I hope that that can be considered soon uh to be announced because I would love to see our city stand firm for the individual civil li civil liberties and a safe surveillance-free zone for our city. Additionally, I hope the council continues to reject the use of any AI enabled ARPR cameras uh from any company in the future because there is still so much evidence of increased misuse and abuse and lack of data protection. So, I hope we can continue to protect our citizens from overreach by the federal government by doing so. Thank you again so much council for cancelling the contract. >> Thank you, Shaunie Klein House, followed by Alvin Kerr. >> Good evening, Shaunie Klein House with the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance. I wanted to thank you for adopting the uh parks and recreation strategic plan. The biodiversity anchors in the plan are really great to see and thank you for that. Um it's more than just a park feature. It really looks forward to integrating nature into the fabric of the city. So it's really important to know that one the plan does not require every new plant in every park to be native. Not at all. You only have to have one area or one tree or in a few trees that provide biodiversity value. And by biodiversity value, I would take the California Native Society uh definition that talks about what are what is biodiversity and that's the web of life that co-evolved together. native plants that evolved along native insects, birds, and other wildlife providing food, shelter, and ecological relationship altogether. So, we're not talking about a lot of trees from a lot of places. That's not biodiversity that's relevant to this landscape here. So, we really need to look at how do we bring a biodiversity anchor that has biodiversity value. So, a tree from Nevada or New York or Pennsylvania doesn't have that value here. And we need to remember that in the definitions. And now you look at the uh next plan which is going to come ne next time and I can't come and speak so I'm here today. Um and you know there is a city in Senas that just adopted the native plant ordinance 100% of all plants planted on city properties have to be native and in other project that they permit 50%. Not asking you to do that today, but I think keep in mind there's an importance to bringing back and supporting our local bio [laughter] ecosystems and our local native plants. These are our butterflies. [laughter] >> Thank you. Next up, we have Alvin Kura, >> Mayor Ramos, Vice Mayor Clark, uh council members, city staff, Chief Canfield, uh [laughter] Alvin Kilvin, Park Neighborhood. Uh just three quick things. One, uh thank you, Mayor Ramos, for the state of the city. Um I just I don't know if you've been told, but I wanted to mention it's really important that these things be sent on the internet so that those of us who can't be at at on site for those kinds of things are able to watch. very grateful. Um, city attorney log, uh, congratulations. I hope that it's something you're looking forward to, not just something you feel like you have to do. So, thank you. And, uh, finally, uh, particularly mention Chief Canfield. I'm an active parishioner at St. Joseph Parish, and I wanted to thank you all for being supportive of the activities that we do just like this last weekend. Especially if your support is your patience. Um, I'm pretty sure my pastor appreciates it. I'm I can tell you for sure that I do and I yield back my time. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. We will now take virtual speakers. We have one virtual speaker, Judy. >> Okay. Can you hear me? >> We can hear you. >> All right. Is this for uh non-aggenda items? It is for non-aggenda items. >> Okay, great. Because uh it's within your purview to discuss this. You give these special days for special groups like the gay group and the black group. So on uh you don't have the right to cut me off just because I'm white and I want something for my group. Um just recently the SPLC has um been under uh a lot of investigation now um indictment or some kind of charges put on them for basically giving Jewish actors the assignment. >> All right. Okay. We're we're going to stop that. The council rep welcomes welcoming um respectful and non-threatening public comments on matters within our jurisdictions. Comment deemed otherwise pursuant to the council code of conduct and the government code may be grounds for terminating a speaker's comment period. Thank you so much. And we will now move forward uh to item six, the um public hearings. So item 6.1, City of Mountain View vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts government code section 3502.3 human resources director Maxine Gilo will present the item. If you would like to speak on this item in person, please submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk now. Did I pronounce your name wrong? I'm so sorry. >> Maxine Gulo. >> Gulo. >> Correct. >> All right. And we are ready when you are. All right. Good evening, Mayor Ramos and members of the council. I am Maxine Gulo, human resources director, and tonight I'll be presenting Mountain View's annual workforce transparency report under AB2561, covering our vacancy data, um, what we're doing to address it, and how we're investing in our workforce for the long term. AB2561 took effect January 1st, 2025, requiring public agencies to report vacancy and recruitment data at a public hearing at least once per fiscal year. If any bargaining unit exceeds a 20% vacancy rate, a formal remediation plan is required. Tonight's presentation fulfills that obligation and I'm very pleased to report that no bargaining unit is in that territory. Yes, AB28561 took um sorry about that. So, let's go into our four recognized labor organizations. We have Eagles, SEIU, the Mountain View Professional Firefighters Local 1965, and the Police Officers Association, known as POA, representing nearly 640 positions that deliver essential services to our community every day. Their work is the foundation of everything this council prioritizes. At the time of this report, I'm very happy to say that we have four new hires scheduled to start by the end of the fiscal year, which improves the vacancy rate to 9.04%. Which is below the national public sector benchmark of 10 to 11%. And I want to say that that is not a coincidence. It really reflects the years of deliberate sustained investment in our recruitment and retention efforts that this city has done. vacancies by a snapshot. So, breaking it down by unit, public safety is performing really well. Firefighters at 4.4% and POA at 3.3%. Our Eagles group is at 10.5% and SEIU is at 14.54%. Both are below the 20% threshold requiring additional disclosure under the law, but both are numbers we take seriously and are actively working to bring that number down. I'm happy to report that even since this report has been done, um we actually have six new start dates for positions in our Eagles uh bargaining unit. So our our numbers continue to change every day. So for our recruitment and retention efforts, our recruitment efforts really begin with a community for all approach where we recruit individuals who reflect Mountain View's diversity and values, prioritizing quality over speed. Also, we are recruiting smarter. We are expanding our use of NEOGV, which is our online applicant tracking system to reduce time to hire. We offer a great competitive package. We have targeted hiring bonuses for hardto- fill roles and we continue to build from within our organization through succession planning, internal ad advancement um pathways. On the retention side, we um we provide paid parental leave. We offer hybrid work options and we also provide mental health and wellness resources. And these are just a few of all the wonderful things that the city of Mount Mountain View provides to our to our employees to contribute to our retention efforts. Also, I want to highlight that we continue to invest in our workforce. Over the last decade, Mountain View has grown by 129 FTEES, and that's a 22% increase. The fiscal year 2026 27 recommended budget, which comes on next, uh, proposes 714.75 regular positions, and this is the highest in city history. But I'd like to be clear about how we've gotten here. That every position added has been tied to a specific service need, a funded budget line item, or a deliberate council decision. This growth has been fiscally responsible and calibrated to what our budget can sustain. Not adding, not simply adding headcount. And I believe that this is part of the fiscal prudence of Mountain View is what makes us so fiscally sound as an organization. Through the last several years, the city has converted multiple temporary and limited period positions to permanent. I will even say that in HR last year, we had a limited term administrative assistant funded from limited term to regular, which really helps um continue capacity in HR to support services such as recruitments. All these great things, there's also some challenges. We still continue to find challenging in the technical and specialized roles such as engineering, planning, utilities, and dispatchers. They continue to remain one of the hardest to fill because the credential pipelines are long and everyone's competing in this market space. Public safety hiring requires multiplestep post standards and that can't be shortcut. We're also planning proactively for some anticipated retirement waves in the next three to five years. And so we continue to build our investment in HR um such as hiring a limited term recruitment analyst that the city council approved in midyear. and she's actually training this on her first week so that she can continue to assist and support us in recruitments. In summary, Mountain View continues to be below the national vacancy benchmark. Um we continue to grow our permanent workforce responsibly and add and convert temporary roles to permanent positions. And so this concludes my presentation and if you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you. We will now hear from Kevin Hoe, analyst 2 and president of our Eagles union. >> Welcome. >> All right. My name is Kevin and I uh work for the city in the public works department. Uh good evening council members. [gasps] Um first we'd like to uh give appreciation to the city for their continued transparency and partnership as well as their commitment to strengthening recruitment and retention efforts. So thank you. However, with the passage of California Assembly Bill 339, we are asking the city to prioritize filling vacant full-time positions and to convert more hourly, temporary, and contract roles into permanent union positions. AB339 has made it clear how many positions remain vacant and how much work relies on temporary and contract staff. work that permanent union represented employees could and should be doing. Our goal moving forward is simple. Transition these hourly contract and temporary roles into permanent positions to strengthen our workforce and better serve the people of Mountain View. Doing so has many benefits for the city and its employees by allowing the city to retain institutional knowledge and increase accountability and oversight. It guarantees coverage for crucial 247 operations. It promotes stability and because uh permanent roles are stable they strengthen workforce reliability and encourages commitment uh by supporting career growth and providing access to essential benefits like Kalpers and healthcare. All these reasons and many more underscore the importance of making sure union jobs are done by union workers. We support thoughtful limited use of non-permanent staff when truly needed. However, over reliance on temporary workers weakens long-term workforce capacity and union representation. Thank you for your time and we look forward to working together so we can build a more resilient, invested city workforce. >> Thank you. Um, does any member of the council have any questions? Seeing none, um would any member of the public on the line like to provide comment on this item? If so, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or press star 9 on your phone. A timer will be displayed on the screen. Each speaker will have three minutes. Do we have any speakers in person? We will now take virtual speakers. Do we have any virtual speakers? Seeing none, thank you. I will now bring the item back for council deliberation. any deliberation. It doesn't look like there's any motion. So, with that, go ahead, Council Member Hicks. Well, I'll just say although I know this is a a proforma thing that we didn't put it on the agenda ourselves, uh I I find it quite useful actually to check in and I found the the written staff report and then the two the two uh the report from the union from you Maxine um I find it helpful to go over these things every year um and and think about them and think about staffing. So, um, so thank you all for taking the time. >> Any other comments from council? Council member Sha Walter. >> Yeah, I think it would be interesting to see um how the number of staff has varied with the population because although our staff numbers have gone up um over the last 20 years, our population has gone up a lot too. And so I mean it's not it would just be interesting to see how that changes over time, how that's changed. >> All right. Go ahead, Council Member Hicks. >> Okay. And I'll add to that. It would it would be interesting taking the point of the um gentleman from Eagles who spoke that it would be interesting also to see the uh temporary and part-time how whether that has been uh constant over the past several decades or whether it has grown. That would be an interesting thing to track as well. Uh, city attorney log, >> when you're done deliberating, can I just uh recommend that you make a motion to receive and file the report just so that we can close out the minutes and it's clear. >> All right, it looks like we have a motion by Vice Mayor Clark. Uh, seconded by Council Member Hicks. Go ahead, Council of Vice Mayor Clark. >> Yeah, the motion is what the city attorney said. >> Can we get a roll call vote? City clerk. >> Vice Mayor Clark. >> Yes. >> Council member Hicks. >> Yes. >> Council member Kame. >> Yes. >> Council member Mallister. >> Yes. >> Council member Ramirez. >> Yes. >> Council member Shaw Walter. >> Yes. >> Mayor Ramos. >> Yes. >> Motion carries unanimously. >> All right. And that concludes our public hearing. We will now move on to item 6.2. City Manager McCarthy will kick us off and Finance and Administrative Services Director Derek Rampony and Assistant Finance Administrative Director uh Grace Zang will present the item. If you would like to speak on this item in person, please submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk now. Let's go. All right. Thank you, mayor. Good evening, mayor and council members. I'm very pleased to be here before you tonight to present a structurally balanced budget. And as the mayor said, I'm joined by our finance and administrative services director, Derek Rampone, and assistant director, Grace Zang. And I just wanted to highlight a couple things before we launch into the presentation. And the first thing that I want to say is you all heard uh during the April budget workshop, how this recommended budget before you this evening is focused on providing core city services, long-term service delivery. uh there's a real concerted focus on uh putting funding and recommendations in those council priority areas, the strategic priorities and projects. And then obviously one thing that we really pride ourselves on is still uh trying to be the first at many things and innovating, doing things differently um and really uh doing these important projects for our community members. So, uh, that is kind of the baseline for what we present to you this evening. But one thing that I do want to, um, underscore is the fact that our revenues although stable, they are not growing as fast as what we have seen in the past. And so what that means is that we have a lot of bold initiatives. We have a lot of projects and priorities that uh council and the community are wanting us to do and we are seeking to fund and we just simply do not have all the money that we need to do all of these things. So coupled on top of that is this economic uncertainty that we all know that we're in right now and we just really can't look uh that far ahead in our crystal ball right now to know what's going to happen. certainly by the end of this year and into next year. So, as with a lot of cities, we're very focused on our infrastructure, improving our streets and our roads and our facilities. Um, but it doesn't stop at that. We have a lot of important priorities related to affordable housing and sustainability and new parks and also making investments in technology within the city organization because there's been a lot of things over the last several years certainly since the pandemic and before where uh we just need to upgrade our aging systems and so that's something that we're really focused on as well. So, um, talking about our revenues not growing as fast as they should be and needing more money, uh, to do a lot of these really important projects, we are looking at, uh, revenue measure in the November 2026, uh, ballot, which the council will discuss at your June 23rd meeting. And really this is to help meet uh those needs that our community has identified and also think about how we can build uh the mountain view of tomorrow together. So you will see that phrase in a lot of the infrastructure projects uh we have uh tried to talk about that um not just with community members but uh with conversations that we're having individually with people. And then you'll also start seeing those signs around town so people can actually see the things that we're working on and they know that these dollars are being invested in this important work. Um so I also want to talk about how this budget making strides towards improving our internal city operations. Some of the things that uh council has highlighted both at the mid-year budget and in the April budget workshop are uh things like uh the reorganization of our transportation division. Um hiring uh and you all approving a new chief transportation officer position. Um we have also expanded the weekend hours of our library and added more staffing and security. We're prioritizing long range planning. We're making investments in our objective design standards, uh, which I know is a very important council priority project, um, in parallel with updating the standard details for our roads and sidewalks and, uh, really looking at uh, green street infrastructure. So, that's something that we'll really be focused on um, in the next budget cycle and beyond. And then uh one of the other things I'll want to point out with this budget is we've made a very concerted focus to um place a lot of resources on economic vitality and small business support. So we've implemented a lot of different um updates like small business zoning code updates the business ambassador team. We've created uh we've launched the facade improvement program. And so in this budget, we also have recommended the creation of what's called a propertybased improvement district or a PBID, uh, which will really help improve the downtown district. Um, also more frequent cleaning of the parking garages downtown and also the actual ped mall, the Castro Street. Um, so those are recommended in the budget as well, along with a brand new storefront activation program along the ped mall. And I also want to say that we're really excited about investing in the summer of soccer. So really supporting those World Cup activities and uh helping activate u our businesses and bring people downtown um both spending money and eating downtown. Um we've also made an investment in this budget in our public art and culture. And part of that is hiring or um I guess you all approving a brand new public art administrator position for the first time. And we are in that hiring process right now this month. Um so that's very exciting. And then we'll also be celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Center for Performing Arts this year. So we're very excited to recommend funding towards that project. And then lastly, before I turn it over to our finance director, um really at the foundation of all that we do in this budget and in everything we do every day is our focus on being a community for all. Uh we've heard about it tonight, we've talked about it and it really is um our foundational uh principle in Mountain View and our funding of our programs and initiatives, all the various events is really rooted in this belief that um Mountain View is a city that serves a very diverse community and that we are a welcoming, safe, and inclusive place for everyone, not just to live, but to work and visit. So that is also at the foundation of our budget. So with that, I'll turn it over to our finance director, Mr. Rampone, to walk you through some of the details in the budget. >> All right. Thank you, city manager McCarthy. Good evening, Mayor Ramos and Vice Mayor Clark, council members, Derek Rampone, your finance and administrative services director. Joining me this evening is Grace Sang, the assistant finance and administrative services director. The item you have in front of you tonight is the public hearing for the fisc year 2627 recommended budget. Here is a road map of the budget development process. As you've seen before, um, as you know, the process really begins in November with a kickoff memo distributed to departments. Departments then prepare and submit their budget requests to the finance department around the December holiday time frame. In January, the budget team compiles and reviews those requests. And in February, the budget team and the city manager meet with departments to discuss priorities and proposed funding. Also, in February, we provide the midyear budget update to the city council. On April 14th of this year, we provided the preliminary review of the fiscal year 2627 budget. Um the recommended budget that you have before you this evening was actually published early this year on May 22nd. And then here we are now at the public hearing for this recommended budget. And then the next and final step in this process will occur on June 23rd when council considers adoption of the budget and including in that will be the capital improvement program. As we've discussed previously, the city has a long history of sound fiscal practices. We consistently adopt structurally balanced budgets, aligning ongoing revenues with ongoing expenditures and using one-time funds for only one-time costs. In recent years, strong revenue growth has generated operating balances that have allowed the city to make additional payments towards our long-term liabilities, such as paying down our pension obligation through Kalpers and fully funding our retirey health benefits. The city also prioritizes maintaining healthy reserves to prepare for economic uncertainties. Uh these practices have helped support the city's AAA credit rating from standard and pores which is the highest possible rating and this has helped reduce our borrowing costs as we saw last just last month when we issued our lease revenue bonds. And finally, the city has received national recognition for excellence in budgeting, financial reporting, and procurement. As we look at what's changed since our our last uh touch point in April, we still have a lot of economic uncertainty. It remains elevated which makes revenue forecasting more challenging. Growth continues but at a slower pace than previous years. Inflation has actually shown some signs recently of reacelerating which have increased cost pressures for both residents and local governments. Consumer confidence has softened as households grapple and face affordability challenges. The labor market remains resilient, but is showing signs of moderation recently. And interest rates are expected to remain higher for a longer period of time, which may affect development, investment, and economic activity. Overall, staff continues to recommend a prudent and cautious fiscal approach while closely monitoring economic conditions and revenue trends. As we turn to the local economy, the local economy continued to show signs of slowing, though growth does remain positive. Revenue growth is expected to be modest in future years. Unemployment remains low, but is expected to rise slightly. Sales tax has been impacted by business relocations and closures. Affordability, as spoken about previously, remains a challenge for residents and businesses. However, there have been some new employers that continue to locate in Mountain View, which will support the city's long-term economic vitality. Overall, I would say the local economy remains resilient, but growth is really expected to be more moderate going forward. The forecast assumes moderate growth and a stable local economy. Property grow property tax is expected to grow at 2.9% while sales tax is forecast to remain flat. Lease revenues for the city have been projected with a 2% annual increase. Expenditure increases are expected um to grow faster than revenues which creates an ongoing budget pressure. Key risks um for the forecast include inflation, the federal policies uncertainty, and the potential for an economic slowdown. The forecast that we have prepared does not include or assume a recession. So overall, the budget remains balanced, but there's definitely uncertainty and expect and expenditure growth that continues to require close monitoring. Here's the recommended budget for fiscal year 2627. It's structurally balanced. We have new ongoing staffing requests that are very limited and targeted. The budget focuses on maintaining service levels and advancing council priorities. Investments are also included to improve operations and support a lot of economic vitality. The budget balances fiscal sustainability with strategic investments in city services and priorities. Included in the recommended budget, as city manager McCarthy previously indicated, um are various continuous improvement efforts. These recommendations focus on improving service delivery and operational effectiveness. Uh key initiatives here include the transportation division reorganization, expanded library hours, and enhanced longrange planning. Investments in public safety, health and wellness, and technology improvements support employee effectiveness and community service. Overall, the budget includes these targeted improvements that improve that strengthen city operations and service delivery. As we previously spoke about with e economic vitality and small business support, this budget includes targeted investments to support small businesses, downtown activity, and economic vitality. Funding supports grants, loans, business promotion, and storefront activation programs. The budget also invests in public art and cultural programming, including a new public art administrator position and the uh MVCPA's uh 35th anniversary celebration. These investments will support a vibrant economy, an active downtown, and a strong cultural community. Now, we turn to some of the recommended uh items in the budget for 2627. The recommended budget includes a limited number of targeted staffing changes. These positions focus on legal services, planning, transportation, and public safety operations. One GIS position is being converted from limited period to ongoing. And one uh a warehouse staffing position is being modestly increased to meet operational needs. These position changes are strategic and focused on maintaining service levels and addressing key workload demands. As we look for uh look towards building the mountain view of tomorrow, I'd like to take a moment to again highlight a new revenue source that's now available to the city. Measure G was approved by more than 72% of voters is now generating dedicated funding for community priorities. In fiscal year this fiscal year 2526, Measure G is projected to generate over $5 million in revenue. These funds will support the public safety building, parks and open space, affordable housing, and other community investments. Measure G provides an important local funding source to help advance council priorities and invest in Mountain View's future. So, as we continue building the Mountain View of Tomorrow, we're asking the community to help shape our future priorities. A community survey is now live to gather input on potential investments in public infrastructure, public safety, parks, affordable housing, among other things. The survey results will help inform council discussions regarding a potential revenue measure. And this survey is a good opportunity for residents to provide direct feedback on the services and investments that matter most to them. Now, we'll get into a little bit of an overview of the numbers in the actual recommended budget. First, we'll turn to budgeted revenues. This is citywide all funds. Uh just over $520 million. As you can see in the pie chart, the general operating fund, enterprise funds, and the shoreline regional park community fund make up nearly 80% of the city's budgeted revenues with special revenue funds, capital project funds, internal service funds, and other general fund related funds comprising the rest of the balance. Switching to citywide expenditures, the fisc year 2627 recommended budget includes nearly 598 million in expenditures across all funds. The general operating fund remains the largest component at 36% of total expenditures, followed by enterprise funds, special revenue funds, and the shoreline regional park community. Together, these four fund categories account for over 80% of citywide expenditures. Expenditures exceed revenues on a city-wide basis because certain activities such as capital projects and affordable housing loans are funded from accumulated fund resources and balances um rather than current year revenues. So you may notice that the total expenditures exceed revenues but that's why. Now turning to the general operating fund which is the city's primary operating fund and supports core services. Uh in fiscal year 2627 revenues in the general fund are expect operating fund are expected to increase by 11.9 million or approximately 6%. Compared to the fisc year 2526 adopted budget. Uh this represents uh healthy revenue growth particularly given the economic uncertainty and slower growth environment discussed earlier and this projected revenue growth will help support city's service commitments and a structurally balanced budget. This slide really highlights some of the major economically sensitive revenue sources and how they compare both to the current year's budget and current year's projections. Property tax remains the city's largest and most stable revenue source. It's expected to increase approximately 3% over current year uh estimates. Utility users tax continues to face some pressure. It's projected to be below budget assumptions which really reflects changing consumer behavior and utility usage patterns. business license tax continues to to perform well while sales tax is projected to remain relatively flat as the local economic growth moderates. It is important to note that comparing current year's adopted budget uh shows a 6% increase but comparing to what we now expect to actually receive for this year growth is a more modest 2.6% in the bottom right corner. I wanted to give a little bit of context for how our major revenues are growing. Uh this chart really shows the historical growth rates of the city's major general operating fund tax revenues. Revenue growth has generally been positive but has definitely varied based on economic conditions. The current year 2526 and fiscal year next fiscal year projections are below historical averages as you can see on the this chart 2.8% 8% and 1.5%. This really reflects the more moderate growth assumptions that are included in our forecast. Overall, we continue to project revenue growth, but definitely at a slower pace than the city has experienced in many prior years. Now, we'll turn to expenditures in the general operating fund. They are expected to grow by 6.4% or 12.5 million in fiscal year 2627 when compared to the 2526 adopted budget. As you will recall a few slides ago, revenues are expected to increase by 6.1% or 11.9 million. So you can see there is a slight gap where expenditures are definitely growing at a higher rate than revenues. This slide shows the 5-year forecast for the general operating fund. As you can see, the um 26 27 years is structurally balanced with a projected operating balance of $150,000. However, looking ahead, you'll see the red numbers. Um, those are modest deficits beginning in 2728 as expenditure growth really starts to outpace revenue growth. The forecast does return to a positive balance in 203031, but that's largely due to projected reductions in pension costs, which are very variable, which are variable and can really change. So still focusing on the general operating fund. This is the revenue by uh function or by type. Uh with property taxes being the the number one uh source, the largest source and use of money and property being the second uh use of money and property is investment earnings and lease revenues that the city receives as a land owner of numerous ground leases. Having a higher percentage of revenue come from lease revenue is a rather unique situation which the city has historically benefited from uh especially during economic slowdowns. Most cities usually have sales tax as their number two uh revenue source but in Mountain View it's actually our number four largest revenue in the general operating fund. Turning to expenditures in the general operating fund, approximately $217.7 million. These uh this chart shows how expenditures are distributed across major service areas. Police and fire account for 46% of the general fund expenditures. Uh this is typical for California cities as public safety services must be staffed and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are generally funded through broad broad-based city revenues rather than user fees. As detailed in the recommended budget document, this slide summarizes the ongoing general operating fund recommendations for next fiscal year. The non-discretionary items, it's about $1.5 million. Those are required cost increases to maintain current operations such as citywide utility costs, fleet maintenance, investments in technology, and the janitorial services contract, among other things. There's 3.1 million in discretionary funding that supports the six ongoing position changes discussed earlier, as well as other high priority programs and services. We also have limited period funding uh included in the 26-27 recommended budget. These are one-time strategic investments. We're prop the staff is proposing 7.9 million in limited period funding for fiscal year 2627. Uh those key investments really are staffing support um upcoming election costs, contract services for pro for various programs and grants. Additional funding will support firefighter recruits attending the academy and also some limit other limited period support for various departments including consulting services to evaluate and improve some of the city's planning permitting and land use processes. So at the April preliminary review uh council did provide some direction regarding right sizing council member travel and training budgets. It should be noted that council budgets have not been adjusted in 10 years. Um the recommended budget does include increased travel and training budgets as you can see on the first bullet point there. What's not in this recommended budget but we will be including in the adopted budget is an increase to the perterm technology and office equipment allowance. Um so that will be included that's per term for four years. So, we're going to recommend increasing that from 3,800 to 5,000 total for the four years. So, I'd like to close with just next steps of the budget process. We will return to the city council on June 23rd with any updates or modifications that are discussed tonight. Um, including we will have the capital improvement program budgets. In addition, we will be seeking approval of utility rates and other fees charged to customers. And we'll also have the GAN appropriations limit as a separate item for approval. And with that, we're happy to answer any questions. Thank you. >> Thank you. Does any member of the council have questions? Let's go. Questions? Question. No one. >> Council member Ramirez. >> Thank you, Mayor. I just have a couple of quick ones. Um, first, thank you, staff, for the presentation. Uh nothing surprising because uh we've had many opportunities to provide input. Um I have a question for the fire chief. I'm sorry to to burden you, but this I hope will be easy. Um I'm curious why um the fire protection performance measures uh use averages rather than um median figures. Good evening, council, honorable mayor, vice mayor, council members. Brian Jones, uh, currently serving as the fire chief for city of Mountain View. Uh, because our performance measures provided for a 4-minute travel time, which is the most common uh, measure that we don't meet due to traffic, road closures, um, other variables that are beyond our control. Uh providing an average gives you a good example of uh where we most often meet which is around 5 minutes and 55 seconds which is very good for the city. Um answering your question on median, uh we we've did in uh response to your question that you uh asked earlier this week. Um we our median for uh EMS incidents and small fires is 4 minutes and 52 seconds. Um and median uh median response times for or median travel times for building fires is 4 minutes and 11 seconds. Uh as far as why we did average over median, uh it was just a staff decision at the time. Uh but we're we are more than willing to provide both in the future. >> Great. Thank you very much. Very helpful. >> Um I think that's good for now. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Ramirez. Council member Schoalter. Yeah, I asked a couple of questions about um inspections because when I um hear complaints from uh residents, it's often about things that are related to an inspection of one sort or another. And so um I it was very helpful for uh the staff to answer questions about specific kinds. But yeah, why don't you come back up Brian because I was going to ask about the code and um enforcements. One of the one of the things I think that uh people have questions about is is how uh just kind of how a code enforcement um uh how how a code enforcement procedure works. You know, how do you hear about it and and when you when it comes in uh where does it usually go? That kind of thing. >> Um so to start in the city of Mountain View, we uh adopt the California Fire Code. So that's our standard for our fire inspections. Um we also have a municipal code uh item which has several uh Mountain View specific fire code adoptions that we've made. Uh so our inspectors have several mandated inspections. Uh the majority of those are what we call R2 occupancies. So those are multiple family occupancies. a lot of your apartment buildings, uh, residences that house four or more occupancies, um, forplexes as such. Um, so all of those are mandated that we go to each year, as well as hospitals, schools, uh, and those types of facilities. And then we have all of our permitted occupancies. Uh occupancies that uh hold hazardous materials, restaurants, uh assemblies where a large uh large people gather. Um large amounts of people gather. So all of those require annual inspections. So we have an inspection list and a database. We hit all of those uh inspections annually and our inspectors go out um they on their first inspection, they will note any violations. Uh the most common ones we come into are housekeeping. So a lot of clutter around um exits blocked uh electrical boxes that are blocked by high piled storage. Um storage that is piled within 18 in of a sprinkler head uh that would prevent the sprinkler head from dispersing adequately to put out a fire. Those are the most common things that we see. Also exit lighting that is commonly uh out that we just asked to replace. Our priority is always in fixing an an issue in addressing an issue. So, we'll write up a notice of violation. Uh we come back out 30 days later and our focus is really on helping those uh property owners or um business owners address the issues. Our ultimate goal is safety. Um and through if they don't address those uh on the first round, we usually go out one more time um and really help them understand what the issue is. uh and address the importance of it. Why this is such an important issue. Almost every fire code uh item that you'll run into is because there a fire that had multiple fatalities. Um you look back in the 50s,60s and 70s there was a huge fire problem in the United States. We had a lot of uh large assembly fire or fires that occurred in assembly occupancies. a lot of nightclubs, hotels, um multiple family dwellings, apartment fires. All of those fires that resulted in a lot of fatalities is what led to a lot of these fire code items. So, we stress the importance of those and through that education campaign, a lot of people make those fixes right away. Very rarely um will somebody refuse to make a make a change. Um when that happens uh then we go to an administrative hearing and there's sometimes a fine involved um with it but ultimately our goal is always safety >> and basically this year there weren't any of those >> if I understood reading the >> the table properly. >> Correct. We well I'd have to go back and review the performance measure but we hit 100% of all the inspections. >> Right. You hit 100% all the inspections. Yes. Well, one of one of the another reason I'm bringing this up is that I think that um you know, it's really important for us all to understand all the many layers of of um government and um kind of what we do and what what we do to keep us safe. So, without any complaints that anybody makes, all of these things get inspected by the city of Mountain View by a professional every year. >> Yep. that's a just a very important service that um you know that we offer and so that's why I'm asking these questions to kind of bring it you know bring it forward because I do think it's a very important service and people should be aware that you know that we are really you know actively involved in promoting their safety >> and um and I know that in previous times uh uh previous chief mentioned um the calls that the fire department gets And the vast majority of them, of course, are are are for medical, right? And that, you know, and he attributed it that to you this very um extensive inspection program that that we have that that means that the number of fires we have is is less than it might otherwise be. >> Yep. >> So, Mountain View has always been very proactive in fire prevention since the early 80s. It was one of the first cities to adopt a full city code uh fire sprinkler ordinance. Um, and then I would also add in addition to those mandated uh inspections, the city and the fire department are very proactive in other events. So, for example, for the Super Bowl event where we knew uh different uh assemblies were going to have festivals or um events, we went out and proactively worked with those business owners, offered an inspection, made sure that those uh assembly occupancies were were safe. We also do that uh we're at every shoreline concert uh doing prior technic inspections making sure all of the exits are clear throughout those concerts. So we're very proactive in safety uh throughout the city not only on our mandated inspections but anywhere where we believe there's a a safety hazard. >> Thank you. Okay. And then I have another question about um inspections and that's probably related to public works or or um planning and I wanted to hear a little bit about the distinctions between the inspections that public works does and um the planning department does in the construction uh of a of a of a project. Good evening, honorable mayor, vice mayor, council members. Christian Murdoch, community development director. Um, one of the divisions within the community development department is the building division, and there are a number of inspectors we have on staff that go out and primarily focus on the private property components of developments. So things all the way from the underground utilities, uh, excavations, foundations, all the way up to the multiple levels of construction above grade. Um, I'll defer to the, uh, public works director to describe the scope of her team's inspections, but primarily those involve issues typically related in the public right ofway, utilities connections, uh, street design, curb, storm water, and so forth. >> Okay. to make sure that that's all um produced uh properly and it will um function as built as designed. >> That's correct. So the building inspectors are there making sure that the field conditions and construction is occurring consistent with the approved plans which have been reviewed for California building code compliance. Similarly, the public works inspectors are making sure the uh public realm improvements are meeting city standard details and other standards for connections to the city infrastructure. Thank you. Okay. You want to talk a little bit about public works uh inspections? Educate us a little bit about that. Always happy to talk public works. I'm Jennifer Ing. I'm the public works director here at the city of Mountain View. Um, as Christian described, when we do a inspection on a private development project, public works as realm is really related to everything that's in the public right away. So, any sort of frontage improvements, those could include um sidewalks, curb and gutter, uh the street itself, uh the street trees that are installed, the utilities that are in the street, um those all fall under the realm of the public works inspector. um any sort of um I call it mitigation uh if we have to do anything to touch a traffic signal etc that is also in the public right ofway and falls under uh the public works uh domain as it relates to private development CDD is really in the driver's seat with respect to that and so the public works inspections fall um under the general umbrella of the um overall building permit and so um my team in public works interfaces very closely with the building division and the building division's inspectors so that at the end of the project everything is wrapped up nice and tidy and everybody agrees that the project is ready to be um accepted um as public improvements for the city to then take on maintenance >> and also just that things are built safely you know >> always to make sure that things are built safely and and I think that's another thing I I you know I I try and stress when I talk to people is that you know we can't necessarily um control what is built here because um that has a lot to do with what developers want to build. Um we can but we can make sure that it's designed well and we can certainly make sure that it's built safely and that's really what all these inspections are about. So that's why I wanted to bring this up because I think this, you know, this this um production of a safe uh city infrastructure is is just a major um function of uh a government service that we provide. So thank you very much. Those are my questions. >> Thank you, Council Member Shaw Walter. Vice Mayor Clark, >> it's just a clarification question on the um [snorts] the the council budget changes for um travel training per term. So I think with um with with travel training that's annual. So I think and that's typically for either brand new council members because the fiscal year doesn't match our terms. Um typically your first and last year it's prrated to like 50%. So that would that would that will be a natural pration that occurs in July. >> Yes, that's correct. >> And then um the per term are different because that's for the the um that is an annual. So, I'm just curious if if you plan to in what comes back to us in a couple weeks have a sort of a proration formula there that you'll just take care of or if you need direction from us tonight as to how to how to think through that. >> Yeah, our plan was to do a proration based on the years left for the 5,000. >> Okay, got it. That's perfect. Thanks. >> Thank you, Vice Mayor Clark. Council member Kame. Great. Thank you. Um, and apologies. These questions came to me um, as we were s as I was sitting here, not ahead of time. So, apologies to staff. Um, so one of my questions is about the nursing pot at the library. I know that that came forward because of community feedback. Has staff heard about community feedback, for example, at our community center or anywhere else where council might be able to explore that? I don't I'm sorry. Sorry, I don't know who to direct the question to. [laughter] Thank you. >> Good evening. John Marshant, community services director. Specific requests for that service at the community center. We do not get that on a regular basis. There's a interest on the part of council. We can look into it, but that is not a typical request that we're we receive um to date. >> Yeah. I just I was curious. I think we're we were getting we have so many programs at the community center and I know that's how it came about at the library. Uh I'm not sure if staff can look into if there the cost on it and come back to council when this returns and just would be curious if it I know that times are a constraint but if there that could be possible. Great. Thank you. Um and then my second question um unfortunately came to came to mind because of news. So today the the voice uh said that the vacancy office uh office vacancy rate I think more specifically to downtown is over 30%. But when we're talking about our budget we were talking about how we've reduced um our vacancy rate. I'm assuming that's uh across uh our whole city or maybe we can provide some clarity on those numbers or or what we're doing. I'm uh you know not to get into too many comments but I know we've as the city manager mentioned economic vitality has been of one our pillars and I just wanted to ask a question so we can provide clarity if necessary. Thank you. >> Sure. So I think the story in the voice was highlighting um the vacancy rate that resulted from a single uh large uh tenant uh vacancy uh and that resulted from a broader um corporate restructuring and acquisition that occurred. So, I'm not taking that as an indication of uh particularly challenging conditions in our downtown related to office vacancy. There's a broader regional uh challenge with that as business continues to change uh postcoid and reimagining um uh office work versus remote work and so forth. And so, um I think it's difficult to sort of uh draw a trend from that particular uh single vacancy. We are continuing to pursue strategies across a range of activities to improve the conditions for for office vacancy in the downtown. >> But overall, I would say, you know, what our budget is showing is that we've been tackling that and reducing overall office vacancy throughout the city. And I think that uh distinction is important clarity, but that's how I read. >> That's right. And we reported extensively on that in the economic vitality strategy update. And so um I feel confident we're trending in the right direction across. >> Thank you. Um, Council Member Kame, I'd like to ask our library director to come up here just to provide uh further context about your question and the library's experience and the cost. >> Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Council. Thank you for the question. Tracy Gray, library director. So the lactation pod at the library was installed in October and in the last uh update that we got statistics. So for about 6 months of use you six month our usage has been about 140 uses which is quite a lot compared to several other libraries who do have them in their um in their libraries. So, the cost would there's some inspection components and public works uh [laughter] uh that piece, but probably the cost ranges from $30 to $60,000. Okay. >> Thank you, Council Member Kame. Council member Hicks. So, first just sort of a big picture question of clarity. One of the things that jumped out to me was that the and correct me if I'm wrong is from because I'm saying this from memory is that the expenditures were over revenues, but then there's a little asterisk that says um that this is because of fund balance equity use. And I was want I thought maybe that jumped out at other people and maybe you could give sort of a little more clarity on what all that means. >> Yeah, thanks for the question. So over the years as fund balance as as revenues may have exceeded expenditures in years past, especially for a capital projects fund or other type of fund, not necessarily the general fund, but the other fund types, enterprise funds, same things. As they build reserves, we will use those in subsequent years. And so our expenditures will look like they're higher. Well, they will be higher because we are using accumulated balances from prior years basically. >> Yeah. And I'm asking that because at quick glance when you're thumbming through the report, it just looks like we're being really irresponsible. So um and I guess the other question and I feel like this is a big picture question too and I feel like I should know the answer but when you talk about the process for developing the budget you talk about asking the different departments what they need. Do you also ask kind of uh as we're hitting somewhat harder times than we were when I was first on council. Um, do you ask what maybe do you do what we do in our family of ask like are there some streaming services we don't need anymore? You know, do you also ask is there anything that's kind of built up that we don't need because it seems like that's a good practice. >> Yes. Uh I I think if you were [laughter] if you were to ask the department heads um they would tell you yes there there are certainly discussion about uh whether it's requests that come in for maybe minor adjustments or things that may have been going on for a long time that may not necessarily be needed anymore. Um and the budget team has discussed uh the process for next year as well. Um, and depending how revenues come in, uh, we may need to ask that question even further. >> Exactly. That's where I was going to go, but I won't need to say that in comments now. Thank you. All right. Any other questions from council? All right. We will now move on to public comment. Would any member of the public on the line like to provide public comment on this item? If so, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or press star9 on your phone. A timer will be displayed on the screen. Each speaker will have three minutes. We will take in-person public comment first. So, uh, we will start with Bruce Carney, followed by Kristen Anderson. >> Hello again, Mayor and Council. Miss Glazer, would you put up these slides? Thank you so much. This first slide shows how the prices of residential electricity and natural gas have changed over the last six and a half years. Both have increased by more than 7% per year, but the price of electricity peaked two years ago and has since fallen. Over the period shown, gas prices have risen faster than electricity. Next slide, please. This second slide shows how the rising cost of energy is increasing our city's revenue from its 3% tax on electricity and natural gas. Tax receipts in the last three fiscal years were almost 50% higher than in the preceding years. It's my opinion that the rising price of gas and electricity has created a windfall that should be returned to the community from which it came. The windfall should be returned in ways that will help reduce future energy bills. Next slide, please. If windfall is defined as the portion of the energy tax revenue exceeding $5 million per year, you can see how large the windfall has been. The windfall is almost $7 million in just the last three years. Future windfalls will be larger. In fact, they are likely to be far larger. shockingly larger. Next slide, please. About a year ago, the California Public Utilities Commission hired PG&E to produce a 30-year forecast of natural gas and electricity prices. The report included two scenarios. In scenario one, it was assumed that the use of natural gas would decline quickly. This would leave fewer customers to cover the gas systems fixed costs. Thus price the price of gas would rise rapidly and continuously until the late 2040s. In scenario two, the assumption was that a slower pace of decarbonization would lead to less cataclysmic increases in gas prices. But even in scenario two, natural gas prices are projected to increase three times faster than electricity prices. Many Mountain View families have seen the writing on the wall and replace their gas water heaters, furnaces, furnaces, and other appliances with electric equivalents. But most have not, and those families need your help, especially families who are renters. Final slide, please. My first conclusion is that the last households to decarbonize will be burdened by shockingly high gas bills for years and years. My second conclusion is that it would be prudent for the city to begin earmarking the windfall portion of its energy tax receipts for decarbonization incentives and investments while letting the rest flow to the general fund. Finally, I would love to see the council add significantly to the coming year sustainability budget. In the words of Oliver Twist, please good council folk, I want more. >> Thank you, Mr. Carney. Kristen Anderson. >> Hello. So, I'm a resident at the Santiago Villa uh mobile home park and we have approximately 358 um homes there. And so with your utility rates increase proposed, I would like to remind you that mobile home parks are, you know, lower income and your increase is or not the increase, but your your proposal is $2255 per month per household. So with that with 358 units that's over $8,000 that you're going to be getting a month over 96,000 for our at per year for our park alone. And this is to pay the someone to read the meter and so and I guess to look at the lines once a year. I feel like that needs to be addressed that that's too much for lowincome housing. And so if you could just look at that and adjust that price accordingly cuz I know that it was raised last year and then I thought it was reduced. Um so can you look into that because that's just a lot. I know it might not seem like a lot for some people, but just look into that rate increase, okay? For utilities, for the low-inccome people, the other guy for the with with the gas. I went all last winter not using my gas heater and using electric heaters just because of the price of gas. >> Thank you. Uh we will now move on to um uh we will now move on to virtual speakers. Um we have um [snorts] Judy back. Um I will say before we uh unmute you that um we are a very welcoming community here in Mountain View. We are proud of our diversity. We are a community for all and we will not accept comments that will deviate from that. So with that, we will go ahead and call upon you, but keep in mind um we will mute you if this gets out of hand. >> Yes. Um and and I am transcribing this and you will hear from me and nothing's gotten out of hand. you have not allowed my viewpoint and I think that's on full display and you will have to account for that. Um I'm going to say that as far as it goes with the other people who spoke I approve the gas as well. Um, and then I would say, um, as a white person, I believe I have the right to express myself. And I think that the the rates on these, um, on the financing of this money is, uh, you know, by nature a Jewish um, youth. >> And we're done here. Um, that ends our virtual public comment. Um, we will now bring it back to council for deliberation. Council member Ramirez. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um really appreciate most of the public comments. Um but uh I have I've I guess I I was sort of uh um becoming introspective earlier today because this will be the final budget I have the opportunity to work on u with um council members Kamehay and and Hicks. And um it's also an interesting day because I've I've had to contend with the budgets of two cities and you can guess which one was more satisfying to deal with. Um uh but uh I'm I was sharing with the city manager earlier. I I feel um very uh optimistic about the future of the city. I feel like we're leaving uh the incoming council uh with a remarkable set of um um programs and uh and investments uh supporting many of the community priorities that we've heard over the years that we've worked together. Um an exceptional staff um some really strong uh uh bones, right? A wonderful wonderful foundation to to work from. and many other cities can't say that. U and we're also working on some things that may come up in the next council meeting that I think will strengthen the city's position. Uh so I'm I'm just want to share my gratitude to staff for uh having worked with me over the years to uh incorporate many of the the priorities I've been interested in um in collaboration with my colleagues. Uh I I I feel really good about the work that we've done. Um I have just a few quick comments. So I'm going to move to approve the staff recommendations with some very minor tweaks. Um first uh I'm I'm grateful to the staff for the responses provided in advance in the meeting. Um and in particular um Fazd's I'm guessing it's Fazd's response to question three about thinking about um a different way of presenting the you know other local taxes or major revenues uh uh information and not not for this budget obviously but in the future I think um some of this the the way it's been presented made sense when a lot of these types of revenue were comparatively trivial, right? So, the the previous version of the business license tax um even the UUT uh you know the cannabis c tax continues to be minor, right? U and then we also have taxes that are not included here for the reasons you've explained, but I think you know still merit some level of transparency, right? The construction tax is minor. Um but I think something that is worth elevating to the community. It exists. It generates revenue. Here's how we use it. Here's projections over time. Um, but now the the real property transfer tax is is significant and even though it's a volatile source of revenue, we are now using it for uh an ongoing purpose, right, for for debt service and I think that also merits some some level of transparency. Um, so I I don't want to be prescriptive in and how you choose to present that information information, but I do think I do think it will be increasingly valuable particularly for the incoming council. I think one of the things I've really appreciated about our budget presentations is the the budget is an educational document as much as it is a you know financial planning document. Um I always learn a lot reading through it even though I you know been monitoring the council for a long time and now I've had the privilege to serve for nearly eight years. uh every time I read through the budget, I learned something and and probably some of that is because I've forgotten over the the year, you know, uh what I recall uh reading from from, you know, previous previous budget cycles. Um so I I'm I I'm grateful to you for for that that consideration. Um I also don't want to provide explicit direction but you know I've learned um recently about uh there there is value in presenting both in in our performance measures averages as well as median figures. So I'm I'm I appreciate the fire chief's responses to the questions earlier and you know I'll leave it up to you if it makes sense to present both. We can learn something from each of those. Um but uh I I thought it was uh useful to to understand uh your perspective in in choosing the performance measures uh as you have. Um really the only thing I wanted to suggest or change uh was uh based on an experience that um I had at the recent uh civic leadership grad academy graduation. I had the opportunity to attend with Mayor Ramos, with Council Member Kame and Council Member Shoalter. Uh, and uh, I you I think many of us have been going for years and it's it's always uh um a wonderful experience hearing um the enthusiasm um and uh I guess the you know the excitement to continue to be engaged um from from the graduates of of both the Spanish and and Chinese leadershipmies. As we were speaking with many of the graduates, um I think what what I took away was uh there there's a strong desire for uh for more uh opportunities to you know engage the city uh and in particular for things like mixers for uh graduates from previousmies or um uh some of the the the like c cultural programming that that we've been doing. um uh a lot of investment in in uh over the past several years that that we've been on the council uh the Dia de diutos the the um uh lunar new year festival I think those those were some of the the uh events that have come up repeatedly as a desired uh wellreceived enthusiastically by by our community. Uh so again I don't necessarily want to prescribe exactly how um uh staff would like to do this but I think um uh you know a very modest increase to the multi- multicultural engagement program um for something like um regular uh you know alumni mixers or expanding some of the existing events um to uh provide additional volunteer opportunities or something like that, you I'd welcome the input from from my colleagues, but I'm thinking based on the analysis that you provided us and the first two questions. Um, you know, in the realm of 5 to$10,000. Um, and I, you know, I don't want to be specific about a figure because I I would be interested in staff's perspective on how best to to use that money. Um but uh that's so I would move the staff recommendation with um the addition of some some amount recommended by staff between maybe5 and $10,000 um for uh additional multicultural engagement um program um events and activities. Uh and I think I'll I'll leave it at that. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Council Member Ramirez. Council member Shoalter, >> thank you. Yeah, I think having a little more extra money for that is a great idea. Um, uh, it could conceiv well staff can put it where they want to. I couldn't imagine it could also be part of community services, you know, ongoing a recreation program. Um, but, uh, I I just wanted to well, thank thank all the staff having, you know, served in local government for many years. um not not at mount not as an employee at Mountain View, but as as as an employee of a you know a local uh special agency. I I know how much work goes into budgets and boy it's not just one or two people. I mean we see one or two people up here. You're I know you've devoted hours and hours and hours to this, but you're not the only one. I mean there have been people throughout we have we have over 700 employees and I I would um I would venture to say that probably at least a hundred of them and maybe 150 of them have been actively involved in getting this budget together. So you know um thank you all for working together to do that. And um uh I I also want to talk about how a little bit about how you know budgets are kind of a story. They're a story of how we're going to spend our money and they're a story of what we value and what we care about. And um uh and I think that one of the the parts of the story that I think are so important now is that we're really trying to focus on the things that we can control. And um uh and uh we are um you know, we're we're working on affordable housing, things that we we can help get built. We're working on getting more parks for people. We're working on the inspections that keep people safe. [laughter] Um, you know, th those are we're we're concentrating on what are the things we can control because we know that some of the assistance from other um from the federal system. It's just not what it was before. And so we we have to stand um by ourselves and we have to collaborate internally to do that. And um and I see that the staff is doing that. And I really I really appreciate it and I hope you're having fun doing it and and you're learning more about what each other's jobs are and and that that can be, you know, really a great growth um professional growth experience as well as and and it also saves money because if you know you find out by working together that um you can have one process that can meet a certain subject instead of having 10 of them, well, you've saved a lot of money and that's that's a good thing. So, um then I also wanted to talk a little bit about revenue and how how we are really working to get um some increases in our revenue like um we we fixed the minimum purchase agreement issue um with our water bill that has amounted to um upwards of $3 million a year. I mean, we have a that's not a lot in terms of our budget, but it all adds up. So, I think and that goes into our water fund um which um we will need money in forever to maintain our infrastructure. We have measure G, which is uh bringing up new um money. We've had the business licenses. Um we did a new funding uh study to evaluate I mean a fee study. We had did a new fee study to evaluate what was appropriate in terms of charging people fees for services that we provide particularly with respect to development and some of those fees went up a lot which was appropriate because they hadn't been changed I mean some of them hadn't been touched in 20 years or so. So you know there's been a lot of inflation over that time and then we are also working to bring um uh new businesses to our community. one that um we're all looking forward to for many reasons will be the new Toyota dealership which will open its stores in a few years and I think that's that that will help our sales tax revenue go up. So um all of these things I you know do add together and um I would also say that considering the um the windfall nature of the uh of the um UTT is is really an interesting idea because it in a sense it's sort of an internal collaboration between our desire to meet our climate goals i.e. reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, the the less um uh you know, the less gas is used, methane gas is used, the less greenhouse gas emissions we produce, the closer we are to um to meeting our standards. And at the same time, while we um you know, while we while gas gets more expensive, you know, we can utilize that money to help people um do things that reduce their greenhouse gases locally, like get a heat pump or buy an electric car or um uh other things that might help. Plant lots of trees. I mean, there are many things we've heard that that would be valuable. So, um I just I thought that was a really good suggestion and um but mostly I just want to say thank you and I appreciate the time and effort that's gone into this and I also appreciate how you keep reorganizing this and it keeps getting better and um having been reading these for 10 years now um I I couldn't agree more with my colleague uh Council Member Ramirez, every time I read the budget I learn um just a lot like I don't know 20 or 30 new facts about the city that I um I either had not known before or I had forgotten. So um it's really good to have these all put together. And I particularly love these little vignettes on every department and what they're supposed to do and how many people they have and you know what the org chart all of that information brought together. it really does provide a great story of, you know, how what what's the organization of the city. So anyway, thank you for all that work and um yes, I'm very happy to um be seconding this motion. >> Thank you, Council Member Shaw Walter, Council Member Hicks. >> Yes, I'd like to express my thanks as well. I actually wasn't going to speak. I was just going to support the motion. Um because for members of the public who don't come to every council meeting, we actually go over the budget multiple times and we kind of hopefully make all our big changes. I'm not going to propose a big change now. Um all our big changes earlier. Um uh and also I made my main comment which was because we're not as flush as we have been in past years that we're going to have to it's a good time to take a look and see if there there are any things that uh have kind of grown unnecessary. Um but I made that comment already during questions. Uh so I wasn't going to say anything additionally. And then council member RmIrez uh talked about more money for cultural events and I have to say uh and I agree I I will support that. Um and I've been to the the Lunar New Year and the Dia de los Muertos and enjoyed them a lot. Um, and uh, I just I I agree with you that con that staff can figure out how to use more money and make them better. But I do want to encourage good music because I have to say the music has been uneven from year to year. There have been times when there have been really great bands and that's to me that's that's what gets me out. So, um, and a lot of other people. So, I want to encourage that that uh, be taken under consideration. And then lastly, I agree with uh what council member Sha Walter said about the uh UU uut that it might be good to put it towards electrification and um you know reducing uh people's carbon footprint in the future. That's it. >> Thank you, Council Member Hicks. Council member Kame. >> Thanks, Mayor. Okay. Um, so I just want to uh thank staff. I um I look forward to reading the budget now. Um and I I think when we talk about building the mountain view of tomorrow, uh council is able to um be forward thinking and to be creative and to do all these things because of staff. um because you are working with us. Not only is staff doing that, our community I feel like the way that we've been able to engage with our community has been much more robust. Each year we improve whether it's the budget in brief or it's the video or other ways to de demystify um honestly local government and what we are spending um city funds on. I think that helps us tell the story of Mountain View. And so budgets are, you know, testament of of our values and our greatest value is how we're a community for all. And the everything in our budget helps showcase that. And it uh makes me feel very proud to be able to vote and support this budget. And hopefully colleagues feel this way and our community um feels that as well. I think it's also um so timely that we're talking about recruitment and retention efforts and our budget same night backtoback because I also feel like we've made a lot of progress um as a city and as a council and just to kind of give a couple like vignettes of how I've seen that when council member Hicks and Ramirez and I started our um budget for multi uh multiculture engagement I think was like 0.5 FTE and now it is this robust program. We've been able to support expansion and create our Mandarin Chinese civic leadership program and that's just one example of of what we've done and I and as I reflect back on nearly eight years there's so many instances where we're able to to say that and um those wins are all because of of staff. So, I just think it's um really important for us to to highlight. Um, one other thing, and it'll be a seed I plant because I know better than to try to sneak something into the budget last minute, is uh the mayor's like, "Oh, you need a match." Um, no. I I think that one of the things I've seen our city do and this ties into the recruitment and retention is how we have become an all-incclusive familyfriendly city. Um and we have done that in how we've approached paid leave, our commitment towards child care, how we're including it in one of our all affordable housing projects. I am it heartens me that we have seen such high usage of our nursing pod in our library just over a short amount of time of six months. Um I I feel a bit surprised that um because our aquatic center and community center are right there and I see so many families utilizing it that it hasn't come forward. But I also remember when I was, you know, a new mother, how overwhelming and kind of shy you can become for making those kind of requests. Um, and you're and so I would just ask council to, you know, if maybe not this budget, but in future-looking budgets, how we might be able to do that. Rangor Park is so heavily utilized. I'm sure, you know, thousands of people use it every day, especially we have Magical Bridge. um providing that opportunity um would I think would be really great. So I just want to plant that seed. Thank you, Mayor. >> Thank you, Council Member Kame. I don't see anyone else in the queue, so I will use this time to thank staff for their amazing work in the budget. Um thank you to my colleagues for putting in all the the things that you want to put in our budget. One thing I would also like to point out with our multicultural engagement program, I see throughout the state and our local um region, how uh all these councils want to talk about like we care about community engagement and I'm sure there are several candidates for council here. I'm just going to be just like council member Ramirez. um who who who will who will say how much we care about community engagement. But this budget is one of those things where you show where where we invest in that community engagement and it has really paid dividends um not just with the multicultural engagement program with our neighborhood council neighborhoods committee grants. There are a lot of things that our city does that that really not only says that we care about our community and having them having a voice, we invest in it and we invest in the megaphone that they have for us. So, thank you to staff, thank you to my colleagues. We are ready for a vote. Uh, city clerk, feel free to do the roll call vote. Council member Ramirez, >> yes. >> Council member Schultzer, >> yes. >> Council member Hicks, >> yes. >> Council member Kame, >> yes. >> Council member Mallister, >> yes. >> Vice Mayor Clark, >> yes. >> Mayor Ramos, >> yes. >> Motion carries unanimously. >> Thank you, city clerk. Uh, we will now go into item seven, new business. City Attorney Jennifer Log and Assistant City Attorney Francesca Serrano will present the item. If you would like to speak on this item in person, please submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk now. And we will it'll take a few minutes to to shift around. Thank you to all our department heads who uh made sure that they got funded. Just in Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Council. Franchesca Serrano, assistant city attorney, here with city attorney log to present uh the 2026 proposed ballot measure for the charter modernization. Want to start with a little bit of background, how we got here, uh what the initial directive was for this first uh ballot initiative regarding the charter modernization. Charter modernization was included in the 2025 to 2027 work plan item. Uh the plan is to have two separate ballot items. The first of which would be the 2026 proposed ballot measure. This proposed ballot measure would include non-substantive and non-controversial updates. The purpose of this first ballot measure is to modernize and clarify the city charter. And it is very limited in scope to typographical errors, clarifying existing language, revising archaic terminology, improving internal consistency, and getting us aligned with charter and state law and current operational practices. There was a February study session with the council in this issue and uh city attorney log did comprehensive benchmarking with several other cities looking at their charters and the nine cities are listed on the slide and after the study session council uh gave majority support to correct typographical errors to replace gender specific terminology with gender gender neutral terminology. To clarify a reference to qualified elector to align with state law. Uh to amend the deadline to fill a city council vacancy from 30 to 60 days. To remove the requirement that ordinances and resolutions be read or have their titles read prior to adoption. [laughter] to require a roll call vote on the adapt adoption of ordinances and resolutions only when requested by a council member or required by law. To remove some outdated references to maintaining books and uh update that language and make changes to charter section 900 to address requirements for boards and commissions. And then finally to clarify the requirement that stagger terms uh of stagger terms for boards, commissions and committees. So we uh will go through the changes that we are proposing for the charter myself and city attorney log and we will not be going through them in chronological order. Instead we'll start with the simplest changes and then go to the more complex changes. So the first change is section 504 in regards to vacancies. And currently the 30day charter deadline to fill a city council vacancy creates a very constrained timeline particularly when vacancies arrive unexpectedly. And so this gives us a little bit more time um when when there are vacancies particularly unexpected vacancies to fill them. Again, at the study session, a majority of council indicated support for amending the charter in section 504 to extend this deadline. Section 602, powers and duties. Um, this is one of the replacements to gender specific language into a genderneutral alternative. Um and and making these changes helps to modernize the charter, improves clarity and inclusivity, and ensures that the document reflects contemporary drafting standards. And again, at the study session, this was another change that the majority of council supported. Section 711, powers and duties of the city attorney. This is another section wherein and if you'll note it's just in uh subsection H that we change his or her to there. So again that genderneutral language section 1107 contracts for public works. This was a very minimal change and this was just a an error uh changing noting to nothing if you'll see at the very last paragraph of section A. very straightforward. Uh section 501 eligibility. So this the term qualified elector that was referred to in this section did not actually exist in the California elections code. So, in order to make very clear that we were referencing the California Elections Code and the term that they use as elector, we wanted to clarify. And so, this language clarifies and where you see that there's additional changes, that's just to clean up and streamline language, nothing substantive. Section 514, adoption of ordinances and resolutions. Uh again, this was to streamline council meetings and align with current practice. The substantive portion of the changes here remove the requirement that the title of the ordinances and resolutions be read in full. [laughter] [gasps] And again, the additional changes uh are just to clean up some of the language and streamline. Um, and I will say that at the study session, this was enthusiastically [laughter] indicated um as as something that council supports. Section 515, eyes and nos. Uh, this streamlines the council meetings and aligns with current city practice. It revises the current roll calling voting requirement so that a roll call vote is required only if requested by a council member or required by law. Again, this was a change that the majority of council indicated support for at the February study session. Section 709, powers and duties of city clerk. Um, this refers to what I referenced previously, some outdated language. There was many references to keeping books, which is not something we do any longer. And so this modernizes the charter while preserving the substance of the city clerk's duties and responsibilities. And it's rewritten to make the language clearer and more concise. And these changes were also supported by the majority of council during the February study session. Section 16003, the construction of the charter. So in addition to fixing the specific instances of gender specific language, we also included this uh amendment to this section to address kind of a catchall so that going forward it we can indicate that we are our intention to use genderneutral language. Section 1702 definitions. This was a section that at the study session, council directed staff to confer with the rental housing committee to determine whether it supported amending this chapter. I'll refresh council's recollection. The reason for amending this was that it was actually an incorrect citation to the code section. However, because of where it falls in the charter and kind of how it can be controversial, council did want to get that input from the rental housing committee. We did get that input and they are in support of this amendment. And I will hand it over to city attorney log. Good evening, mayor, vice mayor, and council members. Jennifer Log. Um I'm going to take you through the section 900 changes. Um if you recall section 900 um at the study session you were given three options for section 900. This is a section that had the residency and qualified elector requirements for members of boards, commissions and committees. And the three options was one to maintain the status quo and require the residency and qualifier elector um for all boards, commissions and committees. Option two was a partial delegation where uh charter created bodies had to have the qualified elector and residency requirements while council created bodies did not. And then the third option was full delegation to city council so that you could decide for everybody whether or not they needed to be a resident or qualified elector. Um the majority of council supported um option two which is partial delegation that preserves the residency and elector requirements for boards and commissions created by the charter unless the charter itself otherwise provides. and uh while granting city council authority to establish membership and qualifications for bodies created legislatively and then you also supported making corresponding clarifying and conforming amendments to other um sections within article 9. I will now take you through each section. So section 900 begins article 9. This is the one in where we are now um implementing option two. Um you can see clearly that at the top in addition to the boards and commissions that are established by that article that council is now authorized to create by ordinance or resolution additional boards, commissions and committees as you deem necessary. And then any ordinance or resolution creating such body shall shall prescribe its functions, duties, powers, jurisdiction, membership qualifications, any other and any other terms or conditions council deems appropriate. So now you are fully delegated the authority to establish those other bodies. Um the rest of the this section um maintains requirements that were already in it. It's just cleaning it up. Um it maintains the requirement that members of board commissions and committees shall not hold paid offices or paid employment with the city um during their term of employment. And it also maintains the requirement that um every member of a board, commission or committee established by this article only um shall be a qualified elector of the city. And the reason why I put the word established by this article is to ensure that we are not impacting the requirements that are already set forth um in the CSFR with regard to their membership requirements. So this qualified elector um requirement is only going to apply to the boards and commissions and committee established by article 9 which currently stand as the EPC or environmental planning commission, the parks and recreation committee and um the library board of trustees. Those are the only three that are in article 9 and those are the only three that will be um affected by this um qualified elector and and residency requirement. The CSFR stands on its stands on its own terms. Okay. Um section 902 um in this section I have just added the word before it only referred to boards and commissions. I've clarified that it um applies to boards, commissions, and committees. Um I cleaned up the first sentence just to uh clarify that it's the affirmative vote of at least four council members. Um and then with regard to terms, I said unless otherwise provided in this charter, members of boards, commissions, and committees shall serve four terms. That literally is only if every document relating to these boards, commissions, and committees is silent. There is at least a term somewhere. But you in the next sentence you see that you have the power to establish the terms unless the terms are created in the charter. That is once again to preserve what is in the CSFR. They do establish terms for their members. And so I didn't want to take away what was already existing in the CSFRA, but you otherwise have the authority to establish terms as you as you deem appropriate. And then it also clarifies the staggered term assignment. There was a requirement that um staggered terms begin on January 1. Um I clarified the language um to establish the uh terms in accordance with the body's established appointment cycle because some of the bodies have different appointment cycles. So this just provided a little bit more flexibility. Section 904 um in the title you see that I made it gender neutral to presiding officer as opposed to chairman. Um, again, I cleaned up some of the language adding boards, commissions, and committees. Um, and then I don't think there were any other changes in here other than just to clarify the language. Oh, in the third paragraph, um, we clarified some language. It was very difficult to determine, um, the vote requirement when there are vacancies on the body. So we made it very clear that it's incl excluding vacant positions provided that the members then in office is not less than a quorum. So as long as the body has a quorum they can move forward and now we know what their vote requirement is. And so there was a lot of confusion over that. So we've clarified that language. Um, and then you see the rest is just adding um the term committee to uh the rest of the the um section um section 905. The major change that I made here is to clarify that a vacancy is not created simply because someone is no longer a qualified elector or a resident unless that is a requirement of their membership. So before a vacancy was automatically created when that happened, but now it's it aligns with the the option two that you chose and so now it does not automatically create a vacancy. The other things that create a vacancy were existing um already existed in this section and all I've did is I've cleaned it up a bit, but it's the exact same requirements. Okay. So, this is the language that will show up for voters of the proposed uh ballot measure. Um, and it includes a summary of all of the changes that we just went through. And so, this is our recommendation to the council. In addition, we want to note that uh the resolution in section 13 uh allows for council to select and authorize up to three members of the body to file a written argument in favor of the proposed measure. So any motion um on on this matter should include adoption of not just the resolution, but also identify the members you select to file arguments in favor. And so with that, we're happy to answer any questions. Thank you. Does any member of the council have questions? Vice Mayor Clark. Right. It took me a minute. Um, two hopefully simple questions. Um, section 902, the appointments and terms. [snorts] um the affirmative vote of at least four council members. Uh what if we only have a quorum of five and three? Can it just be a simple majority instead of requiring four people to be affirmative in the affirmative? >> If you >> It's slide 16 at the top if that helps. >> Yeah. Um if you if you want to change that, you can. That was just the requirement that already existed in the charter and so I did not change it. Affirmative votes was it was it was always had to be four. I just cleaned up the language. So if you want to change that that's fine. Just >> I think it would be a rare occurrence. I'm just thinking if we only have five members for whatever reason the simple majority is three. Then you have to basically have a supermajority to do something. But um okay. But it it sounds like it was that way before. There were four at least four affirmative votes. And then for slide 18, section 9005, the there's no world where um I think this is another case where it's not necessarily any more restrictive than it was before. But if a if a vacancy occurs, you know, two months before the person's term would have expired, there's no requirement that we appoint someone on short notice for that two-month period. We could do we still have the authority to just leave it vacant and fill the next or full term. >> You do. I don't think there's anything in your charter that requires you to fill a vacancy in any certain period of time >> because I think I saw elsewhere in the charter it says until their successors are qualified and or I guess maybe that's mostly elected officials but >> and that that successors qualify that was the term that was in the four-year term but that language has actually been scratched and I just clarify the I didn't say until the successor is qualified. I just it was it didn't really have a purpose. It was It's in the term section. Um, let's see. Section I believe you don't spend a whole bunch of time. [laughter] [snorts] >> Okay. Did that read before? So, it used to say it it said serve a four-year term until their respective successors are appointed and qualified. So, it just says so it was a little bit weird. Um, they just serve a four-year term period, but then if they leave early, there's just a vacancy and it gets filled whenever you fill it. So, I just clarified their language that it's it's a four-year term, but clearly vacancies can be created by retirement or, you know, resignations or other reasons, but then your charter has never had any deadline for you to fill those vacancies. >> Got it. Okay. >> Okay. Uh, Council Member Scho Walter. >> Yeah. Um, I have a a question about uh section 900. Um that's basically talked about on slide 14 and 15. And um the idea is uh of option two is that the city council gets to um set the qualifications for new committees. Right. >> For Yes. for any legislatively created committees. So all the committees other than those that are created by this charter. Correct. >> Okay. So, so um maybe it might be a little clearer if um on uh slide 15 in the second paragraph we inserted um established by this article uh after no members of any boards, commissions or committees established by this article shall hold any uh paid office or paid employment because uh that is a qualification and we would like to um give that authority to future councils to um to make that. Okay, if you give me a moment, I actually prepared a backup slide so I can show if that is if this is what your Yes. Is that what chair I think that would be clearer and um uh I can imagine that there might be a um for instance if we wanted to have a uh a committee sometime related to um the uh the way the sevens was working. um we you know the people who live there are we would want some of them to uh to be city employees because that's who lives there. So I I can imagine where that's the only one I came up with but I can imagine where that would occur. So I just like to leave it open. That's it. Thank you. >> So I think that's fine. And I think we would just want us uh the motion maker if that is supported by a majority of council could just if it's if supported would need to make that motion for us to amend this. All right. So since we're still in questions um does anyone else have any questions? All right. Moving on from questions, we will now go to public comment. Would any member of the public joining us virtually or in person like to provide comment on any item on the uh uh provide comment on this item? If so, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or submit a blue speaker card to the city clerk. We will take in-person speakers first. Each speaker will have three minutes. Do we have any speakers? No speakers. We will now take virtual speakers. Seeing none, we will bring it back to council. So, um, I will now bring the item back for council questions and deliberation. Please note that a motion to approve the recommendation should also include reading the title of the resolution attached to the report. The city clerk will take a roll call vote as we have a council member participating remotely this evening. Next, uh, looks like we have a motion by council member Ramirez. Bring it home. >> Thank you, mayor. Let's go home early tonight. Um, you I will know we probably would have gone home five minutes earlier if Pat didn't have to read all of that stuff into the record during the consent calendar. [laughter] >> I move to approve. Uh, thank you very much uh for for your work on uh the charter modernization. I know it's been um something that we've talked about for for quite some time and um it it takes uh time and effort to just make time to figure out how we should modernize the the provisions of the charter. And I I'm grateful to uh the city attorney's office um which I'm sure worked in collaboration with the city manager's office and city clerk's office to uh uh come up with these uh recommendations. So, I'll move to approve uh the staff recommendations, including uh adopt a resolution of the city council of the city of Mountain View. Uh one calling a general municipal election and ordering consolidation with the statewide general election for the purpose of submitting to the voters a ballot measure to amend the city charter to modernize and clarify its provisions. Two, authorizing members of the council to author an argument for the ballot measure. and three, directing the city attorney to prepare an impartial analysis. Uh, and four, authorizing the city clerk to contract with the county of Santa Clara for services to be performed in connection with the general municipal election to be held on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026 to be read entitle only further reading wave. Just to clarify, do we have to as part of the motion determine which council members are um okay? So, we might need to think about that. Um, I'm uh okay including council member Shoalter's recommendation uh or suggestion noting that the council will retain the authority to determine the membership uh requirements by resolution and ordinance for legislatively created uh bodies. Um I'm uh happy to suggest and and we can sort of figure this out later, but uh as a starting point um that um the mayor uh if you're comfortable, the vice mayor uh and um yes. Well, ju just this is for the the arguments. Um and I'm happy to volunteer as that third person um uh be the the members of the council who are authorized to author an argument. If someone else would like to work with us or, you know, replace one of us, I'm totally comfortable with that, too. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Ramirez. It looks so he made the motion and seconded by Council Member Kame. We also have uh Chris uh Vice Mayor Clark on the in the queue. >> I just have two more questions. Sorry. one is what is the practical impact of council member Sha Walter's addition. So it's um so it it has to do with commissions or committees shall the members of such um shall not hold any paid office or paid employment with the city during the time of their appointment. Um I I just I'm trying to figure out what the practical impact of it is because it does have one. >> Yes. So the charter as currently written right now prohibits um any member of a board or commission from holding a paid office or paid employment. So it's any border commission um with and so I kept the original language with this modification made by council member or proposed by council member Sha Walter. You are now only saying that members of boards and commissions and committees established by article 9, which is only the environmental planning commission, the library board of trustees and the parks and recck body um cannot hold paid offices or uh paid employment with the city. every other legislatively created body by you. You can allow employees, paid employees or paid officers to be on those bodies or you can prohibit it in your ordinances and resolutions establishing those bodies. To the extent that you are going to allow um paid officers or employees to be on those, there is obviously going to need to be some conflict of interests um assessments done because there are FPPPC requirements and regulations governing incompatible offices and things like that. So that is something that would need to be assessed as you are establishing those bodies. if you carve this out for yourself when you're creating new bodies legislatively. >> So with with the proposed change, the the the article 9 bodies still have that prohibition. >> Correct. And then we can decide for everything else whether to allow it on a commission by commission basis or overall which I think we've done previously or we've at least had that debate at some point but um basically we have flexibility but we're not modifying the the the chapter 9 or whatever article 9 or whatever it is. >> That's correct. >> Bodies. Okay. And then just back to 905 um or um or whatever it was. Maybe it was 902, I think. Um I guess the the only reason I I I recoil a bit from four votes is in my mind there's kind of three there's three things. There's like six votes required. I don't and I can't remember in the charter if it's six votes or if it's a percentage threshold, but there's like urgency ordinances that require typically six votes. There's appropriations that typically require five votes, which I think is just a twothirds. Um, it doesn't specify five. And then most everything else that we can do is just simple majority. And we have conflicts of interest in those present in voting. And um I'm just trying to avoid creating arbitrary um numeric thresholds any any more of those than are necessary even if they already existed as opposed to just sticking with simple majority. But maybe that's not the right thing to do. I don't know. Does are urgency ordinances and appropriations a fraction or a percentage or I can look it up, but >> I don't recall. I would have to pull up Let me pull up the charter. I don't know if urgency ordinances had a different vote requirement. they have the ability to be adopted without a second reading, but I it's possible that the vote requirement is the same. Um, let me see. Might be called emergency ordinance. Let's see. Okay. Adoption of ordinances. I see a few different four fifths. I just see no ordinance or resolution shall be passed or become effective without receiving the affirmative votes of at least four members of council. >> Okay. >> So, you even have >> it's there all over the place then. Yeah. Okay. It is. >> Yeah. Just ignore me then, right? [laughter] Um Okay. >> Thank you, Vice Mayor Clark. Council member Mallister. >> Yeah. Could I get clarity on what uh council member Scho Walter is asking because um I years ago on my first term of council, this came up before and we discussed it that no employee could be no city employee could be on a commission board because of conflict of interest and it was already talked about and we kept that in the uh the law the bylaws. So there's could I just get some clarity on what he's asking again please? >> Certainly. Currently the charter prohibits um paid employees and paid officers from being on any board commission or committee. With this change proposed by council member Shoalter, that prohibition would apply to only the um boards and commissions created by article 9, which are currently the environmental planning commission, the library board of trustees, and the parks and recreation commission. So that prohibition would apply to those three only. every other board, commission, and committee that would be created by council by legislative action. So, you'd either be creating it by ordinance or resolution, the council would itself have the authority to decide whether or not to prohibit paid officers and employees from being members of those bodies. So what it does is it gives council the right to decide for those legislatively created bodies, but for those that are created by the charter, the prohibition remains in place. >> Thank you. So um I I can't support that part of the motion. So if you want to bifrocate it, um I still see a conflict of interest and it could be minor, it could be big, but there could be u consequences to other members of that he works in a department that he wants something done and it would be opening up a can of worms. So those are my thoughts. >> Is that all your comments? >> That is it. All right, Council Member Hicks. >> So, my understanding, and correct me if I'm wrong, is that uh the purpose of council member show Walter's modification was in case there were cases, and you brought up the sevens, which is uh portion of it is affordable housing for city employees. If you wanted to make a board, you would have to have city employees on it because that's what that housing is for. But do we not have other options for that? Could we if we were going to make some sort of board for the sevens, couldn't couldn't it not be a Brown Act body? Could it be some other sort of body? So maybe the modification that council member Sha Walter is is talking about is not as important as it would seem. And I I'm thinking I may agree with council member Mallister that it's just easier to make sure because council changes, you know, although this current council has talked about conflicts of interests and we might any body we create, we might make sure that there are no there appropriate guard rails for that. Future councils may not have had that conversation and you might want it built into the law. [snorts] So, I'm thinking maybe we I'm thinking what council member Mallister has said that maybe we should go back to um the way it was originally written. Um but there are other ways to address what council member Sha Walter was worried about, which is, you know, what if there's some exceptional committee that we want employees to be on. So, any comments on that? Welcome. City Attorney Lo, do you have an answer to that? >> Yeah, I can respond. Um, yes, you can create bodies administratively. So, if they're not legislatively created bodies, for instance, you have the deferred compensation committee. That is all city employees with some investment advisors. that is an administratively created body that is staffed by members of the union, by employees because it's it's governing investment of our funds, right? Our retirement funds. And so that is a body that has employees on it and was is created administratively. So you could have bodies created administratively which essentially would happen through the city manager's office and you can create these bodies and employees can be can be on them. Um you just run into the problem if it is a legislatively created body or directed a body directed by council. So I'll say that's my preferred route and um and I I think there's I think administrative bodies are are great. Everybody doesn't have to be a brown active body. They might be appropriate for other things and I think we've used them for other things. Anyway, that's my comment. >> Thank you, Council Member Hicks. Vice Mayor Clerk. >> So, I think I agree with you in principle, Council Member Hicks, and Council Member Mallister. The reason that I'm okay with council member Sho Walter's change is that my goal here is to have the charter be the charter should cover it should be our constitution. It should cover the most basic fundamental things and everything else should be left to the council because the charter is very difficult to change and all sorts of other things like FPPC regulations and what constitutes you know does someone getting $250 from the city are they treated the same as someone who's a full-time employee? I think that should be reserved for us in our judgment. And so I think what we could do is address the concerns around um you know a paid employee being on a body that can be a resolution that we pass that or rules that we have in place that we could put in place now and future councils would be you know unless they make changes to it would have that as the default. Um, I think putting I think having any sort of prohibition without any thresholds or anything like that on every single body that we create at the charter level, I think the charter is the wrong level to set that at. I think we need to be able to um respect the principle that I think everyone is or especially council member Mallister and and Hicks have articulated but not tie our hands to the extent where we actually have to go to the voters and ask permission to make a change for something like um yeah for a committee that we might want to create at some point in the future that may very well need to have an employee or two from the city on there. Thank you, Vice Mayor Clark. Council member Ramirez. >> Thank you, Mayor. I appreciate the vice mayor's comments, and I was going to [clears throat] say essentially the same thing, but sometimes it's helpful to think in terms of example. Um, and the example I I I had been noodling over is do we want to prevent, you know, a high school student who happens to be a compensated lifeguard, right, paid by the city. do we want to prevent that high school student from serving on the youth advisory committee? Like, is that really what we care about? You have to pick. You could only you have to either be on the youth advisory committee or be a lifeguard. And I think that's the the kind of example where it gets into exactly what the vice mayor is suggesting that by resolution or ordinance as we establish these committees uh we we at that level decide it's not appropriate for you know a city employee to to also serve on the spot. Um, and I would imagine that's probably the case for most of the bodies that we create, but there are some, and I think the youth advisory committee is a good example, where the the conflict of interest is is essentially non-existent, you know, and all we've done with this charter language is prevented that high school student who happens to be a lifeguard from serving on our youth advisory committee. Um, you know, I I I I'm reflect sometimes on the vote we took a few years ago where uh it was a 4-3 vote. We decided to retain the senior advisory committee. Uh I uh supported dissolving it because I felt that it was appropriate to have that as a non-brown act body that staff can assemble seniors in our community to solicit input and you know I think they would have the flexibility to meet as they wanted whenever they wanted. But a majority of the council disagreed with me and felt that it was appropriate for that to be a Brown Act body. And um you know I I think that's something to to consider here, right? Like do how much do we want to shackle our Brown Act bodies? Um, so, uh, you know, Council Member Hicks and Council Member McAllister, I I understand, uh, your your philosophy and I I would support by resolution or ordinance generally not permitting city employees to serve on most of the legisl uh, established bodies, but there might be some instances where it is appropriate. Uh, and I think that as the vice mayor suggested, that flexibility might be valuable for the council to uh to benefit from. >> Thank you, Council Member Ramirez. Council member Mallister. So um everybody's bringing up uh scenarios and so right now we have a appointment committee of three people and so would they be even though it's supposed to be ratified by the city council or does it have to be ratified by the city council of everybody that with those three members appointing someone to a body and saying uh is there a situation where the three could do it without the whole consent of the council. >> No, it requires four votes. >> Okay. >> And if I could just jump in real quick, John, it would also require that the establishing resolutions provide that that can happen and currently you don't have that in any of your resolutions. >> Okay. What can happen with Okay. Again, I'm What can happen without a resolution? So, right now, none of your resolutions allow for paid city employees to serve on any of your committees. >> Well, that Yeah. Okay. So, that goes back to when we've had the discussion years ago, it was yes, there's exception to all these things, but I remember the discussions that we had on back then was, well, should we or shouldn't we? And the path sounds like we're going down again that there could be potential conflicts. Uh, Council Member Ramirez's uh, scenario is also rare, but you know, we do have other things. So, um, I appreciate everybody's input, but I I still feel that the clear-cut case is usually a little easier to to work with. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Mallister. Council member Hicks. So there are things I feel strongly about and won't vote for, but this is not one of them. So I will be supporting it no matter which way it goes. But um but uh that said, isn't the youth advisor is the youth advisory commission currently uh a Brown Act group or not? It currently is, but we have talked about making it not a Brown Act, but >> for exactly the reason we're talking about the whole lifeguard thing >> that and also because they like they've wanted to have meetings outside of the city boundaries and are prohibited from doing that right now. >> Okay, thank you for the clarification. >> All right, anyone else in the queue? >> Council member Mallister, you still have your hand up. Okay, I'll bifrocate that just to uh or do you want to I would like to support the whole mo the motion but except for the uh except >> I'm not sure there's a technically feasible way to do that because we're we're placing the uh charter uh we're placing placing all of this on the ballot. City attorney, any thoughts? >> Well, I I I I think one one thing to consider, council member, is to just state in the public record your your general support and then with the object the specific objection and then I think that's very clear for for everyone how you feel about the balance of of the amendments. I think that is probably the Oh, sorry. >> No, I was going to say in respect to council member for as persistent and encouraging to get this thing cleaned up, I will go along with his suggestion. >> All right, seeing the queue empty, let's do a roll call vote. >> Council member Ramirez, >> yes. >> Council member Kame, >> yes. Yes. Council member Hicks. >> Yes. >> Council member Mallister. >> Yes. And my gratitude to Council Member Ramirez for staying on top of this. >> Council member Sha Walter. >> Yes. >> Vice Mayor Clark. >> Yes. >> Mayor Ramos. >> Yes. >> Motion carries unanimously. >> Thank you so much. And now we are on item eight. Council staff and committee reports. Do we have any council staff and committee reports from any of my colleagues? Anyone? Council member Kame. >> Great. Sorry. Sorry, Mayor. I think that since the last time we met, we had the law 12 ribbon cutting, now known as Corso. Um, yeah, we were all there. Well, I'm It's item eight, so I'm just reporting, right? Um, but I can I don't know if I'm allowed to do it for all of us. I don't know. Is that in the the charter amendment, Lucas? Um and then um I attended the the Chinese um leadership academy graduation. >> Thank you, Council Member Mallister. >> Um a couple of transportation deals. VTA is actually going to start working on the Whisman station. Uh it's taken a while after the CPU approved it. Now they're going to give us a guideline to take care of some of the whistles and bells. So hopefully that will take those people. Uh I also attended the VTA meeting, board meeting where they discussed some money for Mountain View and they also were talking about express lanes um and SR85. I know Chris is eager to jump on the 85 corridor committee again, but they're thinking of trying to modify what was uh done about six years ago. So, well, we'll have to keep tune on what they plan to do with that. >> Thank you, Council Member Mallister. Vice Mayor Clerk, >> I just wanted to note that I um filled in for you, Mayor, while you're at the US Conference of Mayors, and I just wanted um so I just wanted to uh we cut the ribbon at uh Lungo uh Thai, which is at the Grant Road Shopping Center. Um, and it was a great opportunity for me to scrape off some of the rust uh from [laughter] and uh I was so rusty that I wanted to apologize to my colleagues that I Cardinal rule number one when you're doing a ribbon cutting is to introduce your colleagues and um I was so rusty that I failed to do that and our chamber CEO had to do that right after me. So, I'm sorry for my colleagues that I'm so rusty that I didn't do I didn't follow rule number one, but I have learned from that and I will try not to be so rusty in the future when >> this is why it's vice mayor and then we build up again. >> Uh, council member Sha Walter. >> Well, I attended a um afternoon workshop at BCDC on sediment. You've heard me talk about sediment a lot and this was pretty exciting because we are putting forth policies about uh changes in um the use of uh dredge material and um this is just an important step in it becoming California law. And that the reason that's important is because for sea level rise protection there's sort of three basic things we got to do. We have to um change our policies to allow the things that we need to to build to protect us like the restoration of Paw W. We need to we need to change those policies. We're working on that. And um we need to have the building products to do it. And one of the major building projects, the building blocks is just dirt. And where do we get that dirt? Well, we get a lot of it from dredging and we get a lot of it from construction sites that um instead of sending it to a landfill and paying for a tipping fee, they um they can take it for to a construction site which which we did for Pande A2W and we're doing it now. So, and then the third thing of course is we have to figure out how to pay for it. That's that's a whole another story. But then I wanted to end on a happy note, a exciting fun note is uh I had the pleasure of being at the um the first concert on the green. I mean a concert on the plaza for that we do every Friday night during the sort of the long hours of the uh of the year. And so there will be um music and dancing every Friday night from 6:00 to 7:30. >> Thank you, Council Member Shoalter. Um I will I've also went to the lot 12 affordable housing groundbreaking and the Chinese language civic leadership academy. Um on the on May 30th I presented the Oddfellows Lodge their anniversary celebration with a little commenation. They are celebrating I believe 150 years. Um, you have the Springer Trees Neighborhood Association ice cream social that was on the 31st and then the Montaloma Association annual meeting on January 3rd. And then I also went to the US Conference of Mayors this past week and it was incredible experience. I'm I'm really so privileged to be a mayor. It's crazy. Like every once in a while I'm there and I'm surrounded by all these mayors and being like, am I really here? But um thank you so much. There were really great panels, a lot of meeting other mayors, um all different kinds of mayors um and and it was it was really quite an experience. So with that, um we are on item nine, the adjournment. The next city council meeting will be held on June 23rd, 2026. This meeting is adjourned at 9:45.]]> https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/4r1EVpw0iv8 https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/4r1EVpw0iv8 Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:19:38 GMT The Human Relations Committee approved prior minutes and received updates from ad hoc committees on know-your-rights trainings, civic participation surveys, LGBTQ+ Pride outreach, and language translation availability (including Russian). The main agenda item was a detailed presentation of the Mountain View Police Department's 2025 Annual Report by Chief Canfield and Captain Crowell, covering department demographics, crime trends, dispatch operations, youth and outreach programs, K9 units, technology, and officer wellness. Significant discussion focused on the department's decision to terminate its Flock Safety license plate reader contract after the vendor improperly shared data, as well as immigration enforcement policy, homelessness/RV enforcement, traffic safety, and requests for year-over-year data analysis. Meeting welcome and roll call Approval of prior minutes Oral communications from public Know your rights ad hoc update Civic participation ad hoc update Russian and language translation services LGBTQ+ outreach and Pride event MVPD 2025 annual report overview Department demographics and hiring Property and personal crime trends Emergency communication center Special events and community outreach Immigration enforcement policy Professional standards and use of force Traffic division and citations K9 program Youth services programs Homelessness and housing referrals Investigative services division Department technology and AI Flock Safety license plate reader termination Body camera data storage Officer wellness Social media presence Requests for year-over-year data analysis Pedestrian right-of-way and crosswalk safety Traffic stop data by demographics Mental health crisis response > I know, right? Wonderful. All right. Welcome everybody. Um, see here. Welcome to the June 4th, 2026 meeting of the human relations committee. Um, we are beginning at 6:34 p.m. My first meeting. A special welcome to Mary. >> Sorry. Sorry. >> Um and if there are any attendees are not but I there's agenda copies available and I will now ask the principal management analys analyst to take attendance by roll call. >> Thank you chair committee member McDonald. >> Committee member >> here. >> Committee member Smith >> here. >> Committee member whip >> here. Uh, committee member Yan excitedly have vice chair Lester here and chair pa here. All right, moving on to minutes approval. The minute for the May 7th, 2026 regular meeting have been delivered to committee members and posted on the city hall bulletin board. Would any member of the public like to comment on the minutes? Seeing none. Uh if there are no corrections or additions, a motion is in order to approve these minutes. Um we do have one online. Oh, >> no. We do not. Okay. On the city logo, I figured um Okay. So, no comments or corrections from either the public or my fellow committee members? >> Move to approve. Seeing none, we will uh a motion is ordered to in order to approve these minutes. Um we can just do a show of hands. Let's see. We do a show of hands or all those in favor. Seconded. >> Seconded. >> Okay. >> All righty. Let's see. All those in favor say I. I. >> I. I've decided I'm going with All right. We'll move on to four oral communications from the public. This portion of the meeting will reserve for persons wishing to address the committee on any matter that is not on the agenda. Each speaker has up to three minutes to make a comment. State law prohibits the committee from acting on non-aggenda items. For those attending the meeting via Zoom, please use the raise your hand function or press star 9 on your phone to make a comment. The committee will receive inperson comments first. And seeing none and none online, we can move on to item five, unfinished business. Uh the know your rights ad hoc committee will now present an oral update. >> Thank you, chair. Um so we're still working on uh finding part partners for uh plausible know your rights uh trainings uh in post September um for the new committee member. for uh forming I know your rights trainings uh with respect to senior rights um labor rights and uh we've been uh working with the youth advisory committee to find what kind of uh know your rights training we would uh want to do there which would most likely be like freedom of speech assembly or first amendment rights um in that respect but uh hoping to have more information for you soon um or after the Wonderful. Thank you, committee member. Are there any committee member questions? No attendees for public comments. I'll move on to the civic participation ad hoc. Uh the civic participation ad hoc committee will now present an oral update. Uh no action will be taken once. >> Thank you, chair. Um I'll also give a brief description of uh the civic participation ad hoc committee. Um this work is focused on um collecting feedback from residents on um their engagement with the city or what is keeping them from engaging with the city. Um originally we were doing this person with various groups. Um but we've um over the last year since since I've been on the HRC have embarked on a journey of trying to uh reach folks that normally would that aren't already engaged. Um so instead of um targeting neighborhood associations or other groups that are already familiar with the city, um we decided to pivot to survey distribution. Um so we have that information that we initially collected verbally and in person um via interviews with um those uh groups and then we also have um now online surveys uh Google forms that were distributed in Spanish and Mandarin as well. Um and so I don't have any substantive updates since last month. Eric and I are still working to find a way to um we we have the data collected, but we're in the process of organizing it so that we can present it to the committee uh and so that it could be used as a tool by staff and by council on how to improve civic participation with the city. >> Several questions. >> Yeah, thank you. >> Uh first would you want to go? >> Oh, sure. I my question number one is can you share the Google form with me us just so I know where the questions are. >> Um Lauren is that something that we can do? >> Okay perfect. >> And question number three was in terms of the survey target demographic are we sort of aiming to diversify the folks getting the survey right versus just like friends passing to their friends who are already civic engaged etc etc. Do you know what I mean? Like my friends are already civic engaged. It's not the people that you're looking for. >> Exactly. >> Yeah. So like what are the mechanisms to sort of help get to the people that usually would not respond to these type of service? >> Yeah, there were a few different mechanisms. I I think it did start with like just folks that we know and like you know share this with your neighbors, share this in u your distributions. Um and then I know that we did do survey collections at an event at city hall uh plaza um that you know caught people walking by. Um and so yeah, I think in terms of um reaching folks that have like no engagement, no contact with the city whatsoever, that's where we kind of hit a barrier. Um and eventually um we we did hit a a deadline and we didn't want to skew too far from what the project originally was. So we kind of had those confines there. Um but yeah, definitely would love to uh I think this is like what we've realized is that this is ongoing work and obviously the participation is not going to be solved in one project. And so um I' I'd really like to see the committee revisit this and like consider that factor specifically of how do we get to folks that um are not even friends with somebody who's typically engaged with the city. So thank you Then McDonald a long time ago I was asked whether um important things from the city could be translated to into Russian. And I said I would ask and I asked a number of different people in different uh departments and none of them seemed to know whether that was being acted upon or not. So I did thought I'd bring it up again. >> Um principal analyst James I think perhaps you can speak to that. >> I can. Thank you, chair, and thank you, committee member McDonald, for the question. Russian has been in the past a part of the city's defaults languages for translation of key documents. Um, that is based on thresholds that were established in federal and state law guidelines. Um, since the time that the city has offered Russian as a default language for translation, the Russian community uh population in Mountain View has decreased. So, Russian language materials are now available on request. Um, and we do rather than having hourly part-time interpreter staff on on staff, interpreters on staff rather, we do send it to a third party agency that we work with for translation services. So things can be translated into Russian upon request. uh program staff who work specifically with Russian speaking or groups with large Russian speaking populations mostly at the senior center and in the rental housing um division do regularly request that translation or sometimes interpretation for example for rental housing hearings into Russian. >> So it is available but it's no longer the default. So if somebody wants to request translation even in writing work or somebody at a meeting who would do they ask >> any staff member that they're working with that offers the program and they will go through our internal process to make that happen. >> Thank you. Yeah, thank you for that uh little sharing with James and I'd like to add a another comment on that. Um I it's good to good to be reminded that Russian used to be a um default language for the city and as um as part of my I'm on the the know your rights ad hoc committee focusing on the senior rights and so I'll keep in mind um the need for Russian translations because I also I remember from my past work with recycling outreach that uh by far the most requests for Russian translation were um from the senior comm community and especially the um the senior housing community. Um so thank you for bringing that up and good to know that sounds like anybody can reach out to the city staff contact um for program and they will be able to go through the both panels but it will take time. Okay, wonderful. Um moving on to the LGBTQ plus outreach committee. Uh, the LGBTQ plus outreach committee will present an oral update. No action will be taken on this item. Did we decide was going to do the update? >> No. >> Uh, uh, first of all, analyst James, would you mind helping helping us with the update real quick on uh, >> Absolutely, Chair. So, the LGBTQ plus outreach committee had their kickoff meeting uh in May and began discussing strategies for uh having an outreach table at the city's pride event together in Pride on June 20th here at City Hall Plaza. Um, additionally, they began discussing which organizations they could reach out to to partner with and extend their outreach into the community. um including informal more informal gatherings I should say like the book club at books inc that meets regularly. Um, additionally, as part of that tableling station, the com ad hoc committee discussed potential questions or brainstorming station ideas for something creative. Um, like pinning an idea on the rainbow, I think, was brought up as an option. Um, or having interactive questions or some kind of giveaway to attract people to the table. and then also in looking for a giveaway to potentially research and reach out to queer owned businesses in the state. Um, so that's the direction that the committee is currently headed with the purpose of getting information on how the HRC can better support the LGBTQ plus community with programming in the coming year and then also in letting the LGBTQ plus community know about HRC's work. Thank you very much. I appreciate that medical committee member. Yeah. >> Yeah. Um the Chamber of Commerce maintain a list of um queerowned businesses that we can access. That seems like something. >> Thank you for the question, Committee Member Yen. I won't answer for the ad hoc committee members, but I will say that I did pick up their business directory brochure for that purpose at a training. Thank you. All right. Um, and I I also have a comment regarding that work. Um, I know that the booking is hosting a um clear meetup group right now. It was Thursday at 6:30. So I was unable to attend unfortunately >> but um I have a friend who was planning on attending so I'll hopefully recap with him and see if there was any interesting topics brought up. Um wonderful. Okay. So I believe we can now move on to item six, new business. And our hot topic is the Mountain View Police Department 2025 annual report. Uh the commission will now receive a presentation on the from Chief Michael Canfield. No action will be taken on. >> Thank you chair. Thank you vice chair committee. I'm Mike. With me is Captain Ev. We will be presenting the 2025 annual report. Um I' I've let the uh HRC know and the community to know that we are very happy to be here. This is our second year presenting our annual report. Think it's beginning to be a tradition and I fantastic. Um we do save this annual report uh for this HRC meeting. So it is now as of this evening uh on our website and we will distribute it through our robust social media network and I will send it directly uh to our stakeholder groups as well as chief's advisory bodies and we will put it in our city's uh email distribution list but we saved it first uh to share with the HRC and to be on your agenda. So it is significant to us and very grateful to be here. Uh it is a a high level summary of frankly the life's work of 143 and a half people uh that work very hard to provide uh incredible public safety service to our community. It was a large focus for 2025 to ensure that we very responsive and aware of the needs of our community. uh that we were listening to fears and concerns related to policing whether it be uh local or national and that we were really leaning in and engaging even more significantly uh than we have in the past which is saying something uh frankly. So you will see in here significant hiring a lot of uh new faces in our command staff ranks but there's also a lot of movement within the organization that will greatly affect the long-term culture and and development and continuity of operations with our staff. So very purposeful selection with promotions but also specialty positions and very important professional development focus to ensure that for many many years to come we have exceptional people that are well trained and positioned to take on leadership roles within. With that um I will turn it over to Captain Crowell and we'll continue with the presentation. >> Thank you Chief. Uh good evening again like chief said very excited to be here to share this information with you. Obviously there's a lot of information in this packet. Uh this is going to be like chief mentioned a very high level summary. So um hopefully we get everything in here that we want to. Um I guess I'm the next slide. >> Next slide. >> Um so first uh just go over a quickly what we're going to cover tonight in a few of our categories. Um, as you can see, we're going to cover um some a little bit about our department demographics. Uh, we'll go over some crime trends uh throughout the city, uh, calls for service, we'll go over our professional standards unit, um, some division updates with some of the different divisions we have within the department, um, some technology and then kind of finish it off with an officer wellness and obviously be able to answer questions uh, once we finish up at the end. So, with that, you can go next slide. So, we'll start out with our department demographics. Um, the Mount View Police Department is incredibly diverse workforce. Um, we have employees who speak several different languages and I'll highlight a few of them as you can see on the screen. Um, a lot of these languages are also our uh officer's primary languages. Um, which is very nice to be able to connect to the community with all these different languages. U so you can see there's American Sign Language, Arabic, Cantonese, Hindi, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, uh times two actually, uh Russian officers that speak uh Spanish, Tagalague, and Vietnamese. So you can see we have a lot of languages spoken and this is just a testament to how we're able to uh communicate and interact with our community. Um, from a recruiting standpoint, we continue to hire recruit the best possible officer officers that we can uh to go out and serve the community every single day, not only from our sworn staff, but also our professional staff as well. Um, recruiting, like I mentioned, it's a very high priority and uh in 2025, we were able to hire 12 full-time officers and additionally two uh reserve officers as well. Um, it's also worth noting, as you can see, uh, we have more female sworn officers now than I can remember. Um, and in 2025, that number actually jumped from 15% in 2024 to 20% in 2025. And Chief, do you want to elaborate a little bit on that? >> Yeah, I mean, I can just say that uh, both personally and professionally, this is the most diverse both by gender and ethnic makeup of our department has ever been. uh 20% is gender diversity at our sworn ranks. So our officer ranks is significant. It is the the type of numbers that agencies aspire to and don't reach. And I'm just thoroughly impressed with the exceptional uh candidates that are coming in. It's a really great sign and a great bell weather for for our industry, but really for our department. >> Apologies for a dumb question. Um, is the Mountain View Police Department for not fully staffed or are there still openings? >> Yeah. So, I um we will take questions at the end, but I'll answer that one. We have virtually no, we have a couple of openings related to recent retirements. Uh, but we do not really have a a functional vacancy rate right now. I think we have three vacant officer positions. Um, but we filled up all of them with the last hiring process and a few people retired. I will point out when when Captain Carl's talking about the 12 hires uh of full-time officers that we hire, we're an agency of 97 sworn officers. That's not great at math, but I know that that's that is over 10% of hiring of our ranks. In addition, uh we had six probably uh maybe seven officers that carried over began their their field training, their practical hands-on training with our officers in the previous year that continued into this uh 2025 year. Uh meaning that our our officers were training not just those 12 uh but but easily another six from the previous year in 2025. >> Thank you. And just to touch on that as well, it it's also an incredible testament to our field training officers who train all these new officers. And I think at one point we had 10 officers and reserves in the training program at once, which is unheard of. Um, and it was an incredible amount of work, but just a testament to our staff and the work they do to train uh these officers and get get them out to serve the community. Um, and just finishing up a little bit about our department demographics. Um, you can see also there's uh info from the 2020 census. Um, and you can see that our racial demographics align fairly well with the city and the census that was taken in 2020. Um, with uh go through a couple of the numbers. So, white we have 46% a little over 46%. Hispanic Latino we're at 26.1%. Asian Pacific Islander is about 19.4% and then black African-American is at 2.4%. So, I just wanted to kind of highlight that that is uh aligned with our demographics from the uh this play. Thank you, Captain Carl. If I can jump in. Um, these are large umbrellas that uh, you know, we we draw from and try to mirror what our census says. So, you'll see 2020 census data in in the pigraph to the right. Um, the the Asian Pacific Islander category includes East Asians. That is an area that I believe uh, we would value in in growing our officer ranks. We have uh, one native Hindi speaker within the department. Uh but certainly we would love to see more applicants from that group. We've spoken with some community uh leaders in the past and have been invited to recruiting organizations, but it doesn't tend to be a group that applies significantly to police agencies in the Bay Area. I hope to see that change and we're certainly uh uh interested in seeing those demographics kind of in a more nuanced way reflect our community as well. See, next slide. Next slide, please. So now we're going to get into some of our crime trends throughout the city. Um crime trends are going to be broken up into this slide and the next slide. So first is we're going to talk about property crimes. Um and you can see in 2025 we actually had a slight decrease in our reported property crimes. Um from 2024 we had 2855 reported property crimes and then in 2025 we saw a slight decrease down to 2842. Um all of this data in our crime trends is also available on our uh public facing uh transparency dashboard and I really really encourage everybody to go look at that. Um it will have this stuff on it but it will allow you to get a real granular go. >> Um this room is um a little special right now. >> Do you want us to pause here? Shall we pause while the reboot happens or do we continue? >> Do we know how long it'll take? Is it like a real quick thing? >> We're still connected. >> Oh, yeah. >> Uh >> either way, >> this happened to downtown >> um I guess maybe question or pause. Yeah, I guess pause appropriate thing. Oh yeah, because if people are not able to access >> that was going to be my question about whether or not the Asian I did. feel like number >> we don't have a lot of East Asian officers but you won't find a lot of East >> No I'm actually I'm actually shocked that >> yeah I'm actually shocked that officers >> I think there's a lot to be learned next generation will help pres >> I'm actually impressed you many officers about it. Is that considered a high respect profession in the Asian community speaking at the first generation immigrant or someone police officer or is that your stepson? >> There we go. >> I love it. >> But much less so. >> All right, folks. We seem to be reconnected. um confirming that if anybody were to join online they would be able to see and uh we can now continue >> continue. Thank you chair. Um so I think I left off talking about our transparency dashboard. Um so again just want to reiterate and uh plug that that it is something that our crime analyst works tirelessly on um to be able to not only have this basic data but give you the ability to really dive into it and see maybe just around your neighborhood or something else you're interested in. you could really break it down to interact with it. It's really nice. Um so I encourage everybody to check that out. Um a little bit more info about prop property crime trends uh from 2025. Um you can see that um just under 29% of property crimes fall into the most general category which is lararseny. Um and this includes package thefts, mail thefts, bicycle thefts. So as with years past they generally fall the majority into that category. Um however um we can >> No, I turned it off. >> Okay, we're looking at >> Okay, um we obviously continue to see uh people thefts uh predominantly in the higher density areas like downtown. So that is still something that that is a large number um that we're constantly looking at um to try to bring down. Um and going through a couple more of the categories and some of the information that you see on the slide. Um a little over nine% of our cases involve burglaries. Um which is actually an almost 10% decline from last year with that about 17%. We're happy to see those numbers go down. Um, and these types of cases and burglaries, these can be kind of what traditionally you would think of of somebody breaking into your home as a type of burglary, but it also includes um any home that's above like a parking structure underground garage, those are considered burglaries as well. If somebody's breaking into like a secure bike locker in a parking com parking garage underground, that is also considered a burglary. So, those are all in that same category as well as the traditional what people I think are more accustomed to is somebody breaking into your house. So those are all in one category. >> Are these data broken down by year? Sorry. On the on the website question. Sorry. >> Um so uh and obviously our detectives work tirelessly on the property crime in terms of burglary. So including the burglary sprees into people's homes. So um that's hopefully why we're seeing some drops in these numbers. Our detective working really hard to stop some of the burglary groups. Um just a quick note about the category. These categories are all uniformed uh by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. So these are the categories that we report to. So they would uh made universal universal so it's easily to easier to report these crimes have fall. Next slide. So the next division update or excuse me next update crime trends wise we're going to go into our person crimes. um a little bit from 24 to 2025 we did see a slight increase but that increase um was only from 739 to 742 um so it was it was an increase but obviously however slight um >> three yeah I'm going to check not that quick um so as expected also a lot of the majority of these offenses felt fell into our cyclical assault category um which includes assaults with injuries um unknown um assaults and unknown parties in those assaults and also assaults with intimate partners violent as well fall into the simple assault category. Um, every one of these cases is obviously very important deserves our intention. However, it's important to recognize that some of the percentages represented by the more serious uh offense categories account for a very very small portion of the incidents compared to the overall um number. So, just wanted to point that out. Um it's also important to note that some of the incidents may meet a legal definition of a category like kidnapping is one of those examples. Uh but yet they differ significantly from what someone would think of like a stranger abduction. Um so the category may fall into that but that obviously the word is is very alarming but there is a difference in some might I probably might fall into that category but it is not what we kind of associate with that's the worst case scenario. Um, and again, I'm going to plug our transparency dashboard on this to go. This info is on there where you can take a look at it, refine it, um, dive deep into the data so you can really see what's going on. >> Yeah, I would just say that in addition to that transparency dashboard, that access portal, we want it to be a living document. So, when you when you go online, please provide feedback. That feedback is looked at by our staff and and document is updated regularly based on the feedback what people are interested uh and how it's working and what they're finding value in. My recommendation although we hoping to have it really functional in a mobile format there is so much data that it really becomes difficult to use on a mobile device. So an iPad or computer is best but you can use it in a mobile device as well. Next slide. Yes, please. >> Um, in our crime analyst who runs our transparency dashboard, I believe there is a um person on there for feedback. So, if there's something you see uh your words are try to break it to see what you uh if there's something else that you want on there um and she had it. >> All right. Uh next we're going to talk about our emergency communication center. I made it refer to the ECC. It's just kind of my brain. So, but it is our emergency communication center which is our dispatch center. Um, obviously our our emergency communication center is 24/7, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Um, they are very very highly skilled at what they do and what they have information they have to take in. Um, they're proficient in multiple dispatching disciplines um which obviously includes answering emergency calls. Um that also includes um dispatching our police personnel just to call for service that come in that might not fall under an emergency, dispatching our fire department um to emergency situations and also providing uh emergency emergency medical dispatch for our um mid peninsula park rangers as well. So they're doing all that at one time um which is it's an incredible amount of information that they take in and are able to decipher and put out correctly. Um, in 2025 we had almost 98,000 calls into our dispatch center. Um, with almost 24,000 of those being 911 emergency calls. Um, very proud to say that um, over 98% of those emergency calls, the 911 calls um, were answered within 10 seconds. Um, as high of a number that is, it's even higher than 2024 um, which was just under 98%. So they actually improved on that already. Incredibly high number um with that amount of call volume. It is just incredibly impre impressive and just a testament to um their professionalism and their dedication to what they do um every single day. >> Right. And I will just say when when they're not able to get to a call in 10 seconds, which is very rare, it generally is because we're getting 50 or 60 calls flooding the 911 line for some significant incident, and they're literally just transferring from one to the other, making sure there's not a new, which is its own art form. There we go. Okay. Special events and community outreach. Um, yeah, this wasn't an initial slide that we had in frankly, but it's so significant to what's important to our community in 2025 that I wanted to make sure that we included it. Of course, it's in our annual report, but I wanted to make sure that we at least discussed at a high level of many things that our offices do to engage and connect with our community. You will see everything from motor officers driving in Santa Claus. It's on a firet truck uh for a tree lighting ceremony uh to our officers teaching women self-defense classes. Us teaching classes at St. uh church uh on Sundays to to parents, including answering questions about pressing issues related to child safety, uh youth safety, and uh how they relate to immigration issues in the Mountain View Police Department. We held many special meetings with community organizers and community groups uh specifically related to immigration enforcement and the role of Mountain View Police Department. Just to circle back to that topic, Mountain View Police Department does not engage uh or support civil immigration enforcement. That has been our practice for way before it was state law or at least 28 years. the time that I've been here. I suspect it's somewhere around 38 years. Um, but we don't know for certain because it goes back beyond our records. But sharing that information at numerous community uh meetings and groups was significant. We were listening to what was important to our community and finding ways to make sure that those messages were being shared. That includes uh having a a sergeant who was actually on the board of the dayworker center and attended all 12 of the dayworker center meetings. uh being present with me uh attending capacito meetings uh you know the it's a very very long list of the community outreach and engagement that we do but what I want you to know is that we both tailor it to the needs of our community uh and we bring in a lot of our staff to be part of it so it's not you know the the Chief Canfield and Captain Prowell show it is a broad representation of our organization and it reflects our organization's values and culture when we do That that is one way that I believe that we continue for many many generations the exceptional work that our police department does and how we are and reflect how we're woven into our community's tapestry. That's very important should double in case it's slow. We're good. Um, thank you, Chief. Uh, we'll move on to talk about some of our divisions. Um, talk about first our professional standards unit. Um, our professional standards unit reported directly to Chief Canfield. Um, and it's occupied by one police sergeant. Um they handle both our awards and accommodations uh for our MVPD staff as well as a thorough review and investigation of complaints and policy v violations along with significant incidents such as use of force and also vehicle pursuits all put through our professional standards. Um, in 2025, you can see that we initiated or responded to over 37,000 incidents, um, or calls within the city. Um, and in total, there were 13 uses of force within those 37,000 or over 37,000 incidents. Um, which obviously equates to, again, math isn't my strong suit, but uh, it is uh, about 300th of a percent of those uh, roughly 37,000 calls that resulted in any type of use of force. Um, our officers initiated 10 pursuits in 2025. Um, six of those pursuits resulted in apprehensions. Uh, one resulted in a collision unfortunately by a suspect where they intentionally rammed one of our patrol vehicles. >> Um, >> no, I saw it at the vehicle day when they had it out and displayed. >> That's why not pushed. Um and lastly on this slide of our eight personnel complaints uh two were sustained, five were unfounded and one is still pending. Slide please. Uh some further division updates. We're going to go into our traffic division. Um traffic obviously continues to be an a very high priority for not only the police department but also for the city. Uh we work um closely with our traffic engineering and transportation division um and make sure that we're collaborating and very as comprehensive as possible in our approach to traffic safety knowing how much of a priority that is with all of our drivers um going through the city um every single day. Um in 2025 our department issued um 7,764 I'll just read the exact number traffic citations. Um over 2,000 of those were actually traffic citations and the remaining were parking uh violations for that number. Um in terms of accidents, we had 357 accidents that reported in the city in 2025. Um and one of those collisions unfortunately did turn out to be fatal. Um but we did have a little over 350 total accidents that were actually reported to us in 2025. a lot of people it away push it twice, but I know it's going to happen. >> Yeah. >> Uh what tends to be a lot of people's favorite topic is talking about our canines and our dogs that we have here at the police department. Um you can see two of our canines are pictured here. We have K9 Maya who is with officer Schaw and then we have K9 Atlas who is with officer Einfall. Um very proud to say that our uh K9 program is one of the longest running programs in Santa Clara County. I don't know the exact number chief of >> the longest running in the whole of all of Northern California. I believe it is the longest in Santa Clara County continuous program. >> That's a math program. I have a lot of questions. >> That was great. >> Get the mold. >> So, what's uh in 2025, we had 93 total uh deployments by our K9 teams um in calls for service. Um and I'm going to give a little bit of a preview here. There's no picture yet. You'll have to wait for that one. But we do have a new K9 who we just brought on board. His name is Doc. Um picture is not out there yet, but he just recently uh with Officer Laauo finished his training. Um and he is out on the street working with officer LA as we speak actually. Um so very proud of that. Uh Chief, do you want to give a little more about our can program? >> Yeah, maybe just a little bit about those deployments. Uh we utilize our canines for a number of different skills. They look for missing persons. They can track somebody that we're looking for. They can and we use them to look for discarded items. So if someone threw a stolen item into the bushes, it's very very hard to find, but not for a dog, not for a very well-trained dog. Uh so we utilize those our dogs for many many things. They are also uh although not Maya on the left, but Atlas on the right, they are trained in apprehension uh which is biting potentially uh but we are very purposeful about the the use of our dogs. We actually train our dogs to a very high standard. They are trained to what's called find an alert or find and hold. Uh so they will search for someone when given a command to search for a missing person. They will or a person that we're seeking rather not a missing person. Uh a person that fits our criteria u that fits a very robust criteria required for using a dog in this manner. We will search for them. If a dog finds that person, they don't find them in bite which is the industry standard. Our dogs will find and bark or alert. So they will find them, sit down and stare at them and bark very loud and intimidating bark. Uh and that first of all the handlers are within a rope's line. Uh anyways, but that alerts the handler that we found the person. That takes a lot of extra training. In fact, I'll tell you just frankly, uh some agencies don't think that it can be done, which is why we film our training in this category because our dogs do it. They're doing very well and it takes a lot of training. We document it and we keep very uh very tight K9 training records but specifically for our searching and alerting uh because it's such an impressive skill. It's a high level of training that you don't find in very many other agencies. Uh it is very very chief. Next slide. Um another one of our division updates we'll talk about is our youth services unit. Um, our youth services unit has really been focused on supporting our youth in the community since about 1962. So, it's we're very very proud of this program and what our uh youth services unit does, which uh it encompasses our school resource officers. So the unit uh consists of one sergeant um three school resource officers and then we have some part-time police assistants um who are obviously all trained and dedicated to be responsive to our youth not only at school but at home as well at the direction uh in working collaborative with the school districts. Um, in addition to being the resources to the schools, um, youth, uh, and their parents, um, we run a couple of programs that are highlighted here, um, that I I can imagine that some of you have heard of, but they're very very proud of these programs, very longunning programs. Um, the first one I'll talk about is COPS Care. Um, so COPS Care in 2025 served almost 900 children. Um what this is is um the in the holiday season get together, get donations uh and lots of stuff for these children um that they might not normally have uh if they're underserved in the community. Not only is it gifts for the holiday season, but it is also essentials um or uh children that need diapers or families that need diapers, hygiene kits, toothbrushes, toothpaste, all that kind of stuff that goes along with the gift. So, you can imagine the joy on a kid's face when they get a present that they might normally get and they get to pick it out um from this event, but the parents also get the things that they that they just need. So, it it we're very proud of this program and our our youth services unit does a phenomenal job every year um serving this um almost 900 kids um in 2025. Um >> tell me what roar stands for. >> Oh, I knew somebody was gonna ask and I can never remember it. >> Oh, I used to know it. Um, >> I will find it. >> I want me to talk about the ROAR program or do you want to talk about it? >> Uh, you can talk specifically about the RO program. I'll get it. >> So, the ROAR program, and I'm disappointed that I can't remember the acronym failing under the pressure. Um, but the ROAR program is a youth mentoring program that was created specifically to address concerns and issues uh at uh Graham Middle School uh where we bring in we utilize eighth grade students to be uh hands-on mentors uh for sixth grade students uh who later graduate through these uh development programs and then go on to be the mentors in the eighth grade. So, our school resource officers work on life skills, mentoring, uh, modeling good behavior, and that ROAR program, uh, is a modeling of kind of the big eighth graders that model these brand new kids in sixth grade. really uh the focus was to reduce the number of middle school bites to increase attendance to help uh youth not vape in the middle schools and to increase like overall kind of healthy behaviors and responsible behaviors but not just because a school resource officer told these kids to do it but because a kid that they're also looking up to. So it it both feeds the confidence of those counselors but also enables the younger kids to to look up to these youth. >> Yeah. I can remember when this was a long time ago when my son was in third grade I think it was and um police came with K9 and one kid in my son's class was petrified by the boy didn't do anything but scared apparently had either, you know, involvement with dogs and and was frightened by them or had some negative experience one way or the other. And the officer who brought the dog was so patient with this boy that before he left, the boy hugged a dog and the officer. And I thought that was just the best thing that could happen because I love dogs and they do so much for kids. They're the kids love our dogs. Uh our our generally our kids come to our dogs. Our dogs don't go to the kids, but it depends on the community event. Uh, but the dogs are always a big big hit. And you to your I've seen your experience and firsthand as well. It's a problem. >> To answer your question, ROAR stands for responsibility, ownership, ambition, and respect. >> Got it. I will not forget that ever again. >> Responsibility, ownership, ambition, and respect. There you go. Um, so that was that was our uh copy care program. Next I want to talk about which is actually our award-winning dreams and futures program which provides more of a fun and constructive character building activities for kids uh during the summer months um when they may not have that structure um and uh school life every single day. It's it pretty much runs the entire month of July um every year. It's broken up into two two sessions. One is for our elementary school kids and one is for our middle school kids. Um so each is two weeks where they do a variety of things from they talk about healthy eating habits, they do outdoor activities, they do field trips. Um it's really a phenomenal time. Um it's a it's an intense selection process where um these kids are selected to participate in the program with input from the school district, our school resource officers who work with staff every single day to really um identify these kids that really need it. Um, and it it it's really a fun program to end. It's very very soughta. Um, and our school resource officers and our youth services unit did a phenomenal job. Um, and you can see that that served um, a little over a 100 kids last year in 2025 throughout those two weeks um, campus summer month. Um, it's it's very rewarding. We also have a lot of assistance from our great partners um like the rec department mental health Google and also our public safety foundation um program you um we've talked a little bit about the mentoring programs that also our u school resource officers run including ROAR which we all now know what it means or what the acronym stands for. Um and we also have our the general pal mentoring pal mentoring program along with our pow gals which is a mentoring program specifically for female uh students as well. Um that was uh created by female school resource officer uh specific to some needs that she was seeing at Kittinden Middle School uh working with the the school counselor and the school administration and created a really phenomenal Um, the next division update we're going to talk about >> one more back. Oh, there we go. You're good. You're good. >> The next division is our neighborhood and event services division. So, our neighborhood event services division um is really it collaborates with our city manager office, the human uh services division um and our community based organizations um to really address and tackle the complex needs of our unstably community members. Um this is their primary focus of this unit um which consists of a sergeant and an officer along with um police assistants as well as our community service officers as well. Um, our current community services, uh, excuse me, community outreach officer. Our COO is officer Jesse Medina, who does a phenomenal job in that unit with Sergeant Bora. Um, they to serve as that conduit between our unsafeely house community and community based organizations and resources. Um, and you can see that in uh 2025, um, Officer Medina and Sergeant Modora and everybody else in our neighborhood event services unit referred almost 100 people to uh, our um, permanent housing through the county to try to get them permanent housing um, for their situation. So, they really do a phenomenal job at this every single day. Um, they really deploy a balanced approach of um, compassion, case management, enforcement of applicable laws and violations. Uh but really try to do that balanced approach to understand the situation and really um try to cater to their needs as well. Um with the situation that they're going through >> I hit two buttons at once. We'll next move into our investigative services division, which is essentially all our detectives that we have within the department um that take the cases that start with patrol and then they take it to um where it needs to go after that um with their skills and abilities. Um our crimes against person detectives, um obviously they're the ones that investigate our most serious crimes that we have in the city, probably including homicide, crimes against children, robberies, and any sexual crimes too. um those detectives handle all of those cases um when they when they come up. Um in 2025, obviously, we had a lot of major investigations. Um but one of the ones I wanted to highlight was a successful arrest of a sexual assault and drugging suspect with over 60 victims um that we were able to successfully extradite and arrest um here in Mountain View. Um our other investigative unit is our crime suppression unit. So, our crime suppression unit, if you think it, our crimes against persons unit obviously is crimes that happen against people. Um, our crime suppression unit is really more of the burglaries, um, any drug offenses, um, and those those type of investigations as well. Um, burglary crew crews that are targeting our residential neighborhood. So, this is really the focus of that side of the house, which is our current suspension unit. One case I want to highlight from their side is in 2025 we were able to arrest um call it a crew uh they were conducting mail thefts and they actually we were able to identify over 500 victims of mail theft not only in Mountain View but also surrounding counties as well. Um, also encompassed in our uh, investigative services division is our cyber and financial crimes unit. Um, which is really something we're incredibly proud and lucky uh, frankly to have and not view. Not a lot of departments are able to have this in-house kind of digital Brendick unit um, which they can uh, obviously analyze and download and all the types of devices. Uh, they come through from computers to cell phones um, to any tablets anything else. um that highly trained staff. Um in 2025 they were able to examine 434 devices. Um they investigated 150 fraud and cyber financial uh cyber crimes investigations and also 71 internet um crimes against children investigations as well which is our unit is part of the national internet crimes against children task force um which obviously is responsible for um protecting children both obviously in Mountain View and outside of Mountain View as well with our partners at the task force. Um we our officers in our investigative services division are also part of several other task force um including CEST which is primarily responsible for fentanyl related um deaths and overdoses and also other drug related uh crimes throughout the county. Um our REACT task force which is our high-tech and cyber crimes task force. Um, also the last task force that we were a part of is called RADIFF, which is our regional autotheft task force in the county and they're obviously responsible for investigating stolen cars, auto theft rings, um, anything that goes with cars uh, or vehicles. Um, not only do they do phenomenal work every single day, but it also gives us the opportunity to pull from those resources from the county task force to help us when we have something in Mountain View that maybe we need some more uh, help with or just specialized training. Will you advance the slide please? >> We'll next move to uh department technology. Um as we all know especially living in Silicon Valley technology is advancing rapidly every day it seems like with everything that we encounter. Um, obviously we have the importance of AI, artificial intelligence and other advanced innovations that are just changing the landscape of everything we do. Uh, and try to keep up as fast as it's growing and evolving. Um, from unmanned aerial systems, which are drones through data collection, through our transparency dashboard, body cameras, automated uh license plate readers. We're continuously evaluating all of this um to make sure that we obvious give our staff and our officers the best possible technology to do their job and serve the community. um which is wide technology anywhere but especially here and if we have opportunities to um use that technology um obviously using that it's can be sensitive and we want to make sure that we're protecting everyone's privacies privacy and ensuring that technology really aligns with our department standards and community expectations with any type of technology that we we bring on board here at the department achieve >> yeah I don't think so go ahead You mentioned the flock. >> Oh, I'm getting the license plates. And I do recall reading about reported use of those so that the police didn't even know that information was somewhere else. >> Absolutely accurate. And Captain Crow was kind of burying the lead for me to to fill in. Um but it is yeah it we would be remiss if we advanced to the next slide. Absolutely. So uh I will say that although our our our automated license plate reader program which was used which we use a vendor named Flop Safety uh that onboarded really in 2024. The program didn't really start in earnest until 2025. So the the cameras really started going up other than one camera. They started going up in 2025 and we just finished uh putting in our 30th camera by the time we we discovered that although we had held up our end of the bargain and our audits of our staff use of those cameras showed consistent uh policy adherence, exceptional crime fighting investigative use uh harm reduction to our community. The vendor's use of that technology did not meet our expectations. They fell short of my expectations. They fell short of our policy and they fell short of their promises. That's why I made the decision to turn off our cameras. It it was not because I don't believe that it is an important technology that can reduce harm in a community, but when utilized wrong and when a vendor uh does not follow through with their end of the bargain, I believe it creates more harm. That decision was made by me. I then uh paused our turned off our cameras, allowed our city council time to to have a staff report and frankly allowed Captain Travel and I time to write a a comprehensive staff report with uh with additional city staff help. Uh presented it to city council with a recommendation to turn off our or to end our contract with flock safety. City Council uh did affirm that decision and ended our contract with Flock Safety. Um I can tell you that that uh I support that decision. I was deeply disappointed to learn uh not only that Flop Safety was sharing information against our policy, against our program, against how we had designed the system with them outside of the state of California, but also against potentially state law. they were sharing it with non-C California law enforcement agencies. Perhaps even more concerning than that was that Flock Safety when they became aware of it didn't notify myself or other chiefs in the state. They just decided or maybe I don't know what they decided but I do know what they did. What they did was they fixed it without notifying myself and other chiefs that I've spoken to. That resulted in uh eventually us discovering it on our own uh and our program being in place for significantly longer and really a sense of harm uh to our community greatly being uh magnified than had they have uh been straightforward and communicated to us in a timely and reasonable manner which my understanding would have been maybe the end of 2024 or very very early 2025. I believe at that timeline, had they have been a uh had they have acted in aligned with our policy and their and their promises, um we likely could have salvaged that relationship and move forward. I don't see how there's that, you know, after that action, after we had to discover their decision to hide that from us or not share that with us, I should say, uh, it became untenable for me as a police chief to leave those cameras on without our city council making that decision. I do want to point out, use that technology to apprehend those the male thieves that have targeted 500 people to make apprehensions in residential burglaries that I believe were targeting people because of their race. uh to locate a a woman who had been kidnapped by her boyfriend who had uh the family was concerned for her safety or all concerned for her safety to find a a missing person who was at risk. Uh the technology is incredible. Um but I believe that there's a great amount of responsibility that needs to come with it. Uh so we are we are uh examining and learning and and researching what is out there. We have learned quite a bit from the experience with this vendor and that is uh certainly will shape any future recommendations dramatically as we move forward. >> Sorry, it's a little loud. No, >> one one more thing I want to add on our technology. Um, for unmanned aerial systems, our drone program, we do have a a program that's been running for quite a while now for drone system. We were early adopters of body warn cameras for officers. Um, one of the things that significantly changed for our body warn cameras in 2025 was our ability to watch live um during significant or emergency events. so we can see what's going on in real time from our officers point of view um while they're dealing with it. So it'll help not only with audits and but it will help with decision- making and just being able to have that information in real time as opposed to kind of after the fact. So um that that's a really important update that gives us a lot more information in real time to help with that. Yeah, I can say one of the a SWAT operation that was a a arrest of one of the the crew members from one of those large-scale residential burglary crews. Uh I was watching the officers on the front of the house, the officers on the back of the house their their officer warn cameras. Um so I can see in real time at the same time we were uh displaying on the same monitor our drone footage. So you can see an aerial as well as both sides from a tactical and safe decision making uh platform that's just incredible technology that really allows for information sharing the best safest outcomes and it's really phenomenal for just safe uh harm reduction and tactical decision making. We're going to hold up questions till we Oh Sorry. They're all really good questions, but I know everyone has a lot of questions and we want to get through the presentation. >> Okay. Um we'll move on to talk about some of our officer wellness. Um officer wellness is a the top priority of the department. Um policing is obviously a very demanding profession that exposes officers and staff to very unique physical, mental, and emotional challenges throughout the daily um throughout every single day they go out on the field to support the community. um to support their well-being. Um along with being really an investment in our people um with some of the programs and things that we've had going and newly uh adopted programs that we think are really going to serve not only officers but staff in general very well. Um we have a newly uh open uh department wellness room for staff to use. We have comprehensive health screenings. Um we have a long-standing peer support team um to help our officers and staff in general. Um a chapy program. We also have a financial wellness component um for our staff and also wellness app that is be that is accessible 247 with a a large amount of resources that anybody can access at any time. Um so we all know the benefits of this and it's really important for us to have healthy supported staff um for the long run and to better serve the community every single day. >> I think it was it was here. Now we know who to blame. >> That's amazing. >> Um, lastly, I want to talk a little bit about our social media real quick. Um, obviously we continue to be uh have a large presence on social media. It really be an opportunity to connect with our community that may not uh be seeing things otherwise whether it's any of these platforms listed on here. I'm not going to go through each one. I think the uh the logos and uh speaking for themselves, but it's really important for us to be able to get those updates out and get that information out to everybody, not just about things that are happening, but also about things that are just going on in the park so everyone feels connected. I mean, we really encourage people to connect um on any of our social media channels or or other pages so we can engage and really keep a good um not only have a good understanding, but just to um understand what's going on every single day within the city. And with that um on behalf of Chief Camp and myself, I just want to thank everybody for the opportunity to present. Um it's just obviously a very quick snapshot and like Chief mentioned earlier of a very large amount of work over the entire year. Uh but we are grateful to be able to share some of this information and Chief Campfield unless you have something else to add to turn it back to the chair. Yeah. >> Thank you very much. really appreciate that uh in-depth presentation. I know we all find it very interesting. Um I would I would open the floor for public comment but I don't see any attendees. So >> one person online but there's no comment. >> Okay, thank you for that. Um so barring any public comment um we will now questions and comments from the committee. Oh, sorry. I have four. We're gonna get through this fast. Um, >> I have nine. >> All right. Uh, first I want to suggest because I had this when I lived back in Boulder, Colorado. Um, an emergency magnet or an emergency sticker, and it just had the non-emergency line phone number, the emergency line, like other options, you know, gas, some other things. It was great. I had it on my magnet and when I had something come up weird late at night, I didn't have to like go do a Google search and make sure that I got everything right. I was just like, "Oh, yay. I can call these people and that kind of stuff." It was very helpful. And I think you could probably get one between some different departments and all that jazz. You've been talking about field training. So, are you guys field training your dancing choreography for the 20th at Pride? >> Yes. I want to see I want to see the move like you guys I mean you guys have this like the exercise room. I mean you guys obviously have the mirrors for the choreography coordination. I'm excited. Okay. >> 27 Pride. Get those wheels rolling. We can get those. Put it on the list. >> Um you guys need new stickers. I have a one-year-old. We have all your stickers. We need some We need some We need some refresh. Some variety. >> What you got for me? >> Aware of our stickers that come out every single month. >> Well, I have been getting a jacko'lantern for the last three months. So, what was you telling me about? H >> not a program that we have now. We we received funding from the public safety foundation for this, but we do a monthly sticker. They're often themed. you I I wonder Mr. Smith if you follow us on social media. >> I don't have social media so I don't >> that's the best possible answer but >> exactly >> we'll have a K9 sticker. I don't know if I have enough soccer ball >> perfect. Oh so seasonally we have we have stickers. We do a monthly sticker special for kind of the theme of the month or different units. Uh last month's was our uh Special Olympics torch run. So, we did a a die-cut torch that was kind of a shiny, if you will, like a shiny sticker. Our most probably one of our most expensive, but also one of our most popular stickers. Um, so we still have some spare ones for those. I would encourage or >> Yeah, let's see. Let's see. >> Come on. Just go one yesterday. It was Jack. >> We do a uh a fundraiser, but also the Special Olympics torch run to support Special Olympics. It is a big fundraiser for them. We raise a lot of money every year for an incredible program. So that was a great sticker. >> All right, >> last one is on the dogs. Uh, a lot of other agencies have dog trading cards and I want to see if you guys are interested. Dog trading cards. >> Trading cards. >> Yeah, I'm I'm not Well, trading cards that could be cards. That would be even more interesting and very impressive training for dogs. But um trading cards of dogs is is it's it's hot news on the kid front um and and the adult front. Actually, I have I have multiples from Malaysia. They're they're really awesome. Um just one >> Oh, patrol officer. Yeah, they >> Oh, you're right. Just saying. Just saying. Mhm. Mhm. I mean, if you guys want to stay cool. >> Yeah, >> I'm like stay cool if I can stay. >> Yeah, well, >> I I am not. But these are >> back to the tread report. If you guys want to go back to that the trend that's um property crimes versus personal crime. I wanted to know if there are trend, this was just 2025. I just wanted to know if there are trends broken down by year, meaning going back 2024, 2023, etc. on the website, meaning you can reference it across dashboard. >> Thank you. See, that's that's just a yes and no. >> They go back to 2021, which is when those data categories changed from the FBI. So there categories beyond that. >> Great. Next question. Sorry. The breakdown of crimes, property crimes versus crimes, uh, traffic issues, accidents, etc. Is that part of that crime data or is that a separate category? >> That'll be separate. >> Traffic has its own category. >> Somebody's using a vehicle as a correct. >> Got it. Thank you. >> So classic assault with a deadly weapon which can't include. >> Okay. Okay. Any peak by interest call from a park ranger like what other crimes are we talking crimes like >> or our public safety dispatchers dispatch for the mid peninsula park rangers right uh they have anything from you know missing persons or or an injury on a trail. It can be a number of different needs. It can be carb or against definitely don't leave things in your car in parks or anything. Uh but it can kind of be whatever their public safety needs are. If they contact someone or they stop a car, they do have police officer powers. My understanding is believe that the rankers are not armed, but they are peace officers in the state. So if they contact or detain somebody to issue them a citation maybe for biking in an area they're not allowed to. Uh they would radio that into our dispatchers just like our officers. >> Great. Thank you. And then regards to community events, you mentioned some number of community events which is a lot. Um do these include neighborhood events like the CPNA does a ice cream social every year. We always get three officers and things like that. >> Yes, but I'll be honest there is not a great recording mechanism. I believe that we probably do 30% more, maybe more events that aren't recorded in some way, shape, or form because when the request comes in, we always want to get to yes. Um, if it's if it's a standard kind of uh public event that we do, then we know to stat it. But if it's a kind of a a neighborhood meeting that that isn't recorded in some other way, sometimes they do fall off of our data logs. >> Okay. Yeah, I think be great to add those because, you know, officers do a ton of work. engagement and donuts. Very good point. >> Passing off stickers. >> Yeah, we do coffee with coffee. >> I love coffee with great. >> Okay. And you mentioned um where there's complaints to where substantiated some were the other were how are these investigations handled internally in the police department or is it handled externally through like a third party? >> Yeah. So, uh our so they're handled primarily by a professional standards unit. That unit reports directly to me. So there's a professional units uh professional standard unit sergeant. Now they they're not the uh complaint sergeant because they also handle a lot more accolades and and thank yous that come in for our officers. Uh but they do handle all complaint investigations whether they're internally initiated or externally. Now we work we're not siloed off. We work very closely with the city attorney's office and with our HR department. uh any in fact any significant what we would call a a major internal affairs investigation or a major IIA meaning that if substantiated somebody might lose a day off or even an hour of work you lose something other than you get something um those punishments and those investigations are collaboratively what the front department the daylight if you will the city attorney's office >> and then you mentioned >> if I may also just to I didn't quite answer one thing you specifically asked. If it's too challenging or too cumbersome of an investigation, we can have external uh uh investigators handle those. That would be something that would be collaboratively done between the HR department. >> And then you mentioned the um resource officer also deals with housing referrals, 99 housing referrals. Are those cases followed up? because I imagine there's recid recidivism in in some of those sort of recurring personal personalities, right? So housing referral was made and then the next time we see the same people over and over again. >> Yeah. So that that's uh not those are not handled by our school resource officers by our neighboring event. Yeah. I just want to make sure. Okay. Yeah. So they there there is some followup um after the referral. Obviously, it can become a little bit challenging in terms of if there's a referral made, but there's some onus on the person to follow up if there's some assistance us to help them get to that referral, get to that agency. We offer whatever we can to help in those situations. Um, so yes, there is some follow-up with it. Um, it's not just a here's where you go and hopefully you get there. It's this is how you can get there. This is how we can help you get there. And we do have other outside resour resources with the county that they can reach out to to help with those situations that may be a little more complex or maybe just a little bit more than our officers in the unit can handle, but they do keep their finger on the pulse of those to make sure that they they they have that opportunity to get there resources are provided. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, I I'll just chime in if you don't mind. They serve as a bridge. So, you know, we we don't have a few resources. We don't have a lot of resources. We bridge to resources. our our community outreach officers know the people that have the resources and because we're police officers frankly we come in contact with people who need those resources. So their their purpose in that regard is to connect those folks. Uh it's 99 permanent housing referrals which means there's a formal county form. There's a process that's done. It's um it is purposeful. Uh it's not 99 conversations. There's probably a thousand conversations. There's 99 of these people that have agreed and they connected to these services, but it's not adding a thousand. They're not 99 people that they filled out the form and then they all get housing. It is a long-term relationship and a lot of times it's a lot of conversations, a lot of engagement and finding the person when they're at a point they're ready for those those services. >> Two more body cam. You mentioned you can see the live stream etc. How did that data stored in terms of security? >> It's through uh Amazon Web Services. So, so I will say um having lived through a vendor nightmare with um Amazon web services is is where our apps on officer warn camera footage is stored. It is the gold standard for officer warn cameras for data storage. It goes directly to the district attorney's office. They have a portal access. Uh, as many problems as there have been with other types of of data access, uh, the the footage has not been leaked has not been hacked out of AWS anymore. Now, could somebody burn it on drive and then leave it somewhere? >> We have protocol. We have protocols for how this is distributed. There's records and logs. Unlike uh flock safety, there are access logs that record everyone who looks at uh accesses and shares and touches it in any way, shape, or form. And uh they're not you can't change them there. We do have the ability to race an image. Let's say a camera was turned on in the locker room or something like that. It is a very strict process uh that has daylight by myself. That doesn't mean I looked at it, but I made aware we have one specific designated personnel within the organization that is in charge of erasing those when very rarely but when needed and they also are the ones that share those attorneys office. >> Thank you. Last one. Um do you guys get calls coming in or requests coming in from the ask because a lot of times these questions are asked on like the mount mom site and people just say go to ask even though it's actually a PD issue and then do you track that right as part of the call process? Yeah, through the ask MB there's yeah you can if they go to there they can actually specifically select the police department. Yeah. So it's depending on the type of question it will get get uh farmed out within the department to the correct area whether it's something for our uh paper services whether it's our school resource offic that that goes to that they can answer it and yeah all that >> additional question >> you've already had your That's right. That's right. >> Like nine. I don't fun. >> We can go back around, guys. >> Go ahead. >> All right. Um, thank you you two for coming. Uh, evening to meet with us. I do have several questions. Uh, first, uh, Chief, you and I have been in several spaces talking to community members, respectively with immigration enforcement. We're just a few days away from the World Cup. Uh my question to you is or to both of y'all really is is there any plans of future outreach that are going to be conducted to let uh community members know pathways for reinforcing statements that our MVPD has made on not collaborating with ICE on civic matters and such or or how to get connected with the rapid response network. Um, so I I don't know about the rapid response network specifically, but I do know that the city was working on as a a larger city uh communication uh a reaffirmation very similar to what was done with Super Bowl uh related to FIFA to reaffirm and to make clear the the Mountain View Police Department's role uh in uh in public safety and our LA our prohibition if you will on civil immigration enforcement. So, I I believe that was in works and I could ask Miss James if she knows if it's come out yet. Are you familiar with anything coming out of the the either the the CMO or not? >> Thank you, Chief. I can't speak to that unfortunately. >> Uh we will take a look. I'll follow up and see where where that is, but I know it has been discussed. Okay. Um no, thank you for that. Um I think uh one of the our committee members asked questions about this with respect to flock um you know there prior to the flock implementation for real estate uh residents were concerned about its implementation especially when it came to privacy uh unfortunately right we got to witness what happens when a partner acts in bad faith or doesn't really uh communicate with us but I guess like on top of it being like a a a fail failure from the vendor. Uh could is this also part in our part for leaning too heavily on settings that we couldn't independently uh verify? Uh because my concern is that if that's the case then it MBPD is proposing uh new surveillance systems and if so what are the new criteria that that's going to fulfill and when do public when does the public actually get to weigh in on that? Yeah, if it's okay, I'll I'll answer the last portion first. I'm not proposing not police department is not proposing uh either internally or externally to have a new program. Really uh reviewing and looking at what is out there, what would meet our expectations, what community expectations would be related to uh if we did have another program. But I am unwavering in my belief that the technology when used correctly reduces community harm. Uh it was technology that was actually requested from me from to me at cafetto meetings and and at other community meetings because of the disproportionate impact of crime on our marginalized communities. It it is very impactful to have one's car stolen or your tools broken taken out of your car uh if you're living in a kind of paycheck to paycheck situation. Um so it is a significant impact. It is a valuable tool. It's not something that we are going to rush into and certainly not something that I would be interested in proposing without having significant community feedback. Um I I think that uh I am deeply disappointed that we did not see the the access leaks sooner. Um having said that, I'm not familiar with anyone finding out before we did or or much before we did. Uh and I'm very proud of how we handled it when we did discover it. Just I'll give you an example. when we first got our data, we're doing our our external audits. So, our internal audits were happening very regularly, external less frequently uh because we would look at uh the agencies that had access and we would ensure that the agencies that had access had signed an MOU with Mountain View Police Department, which was a much higher level of standard. When we first got data to start looking at our our external access, it came in a raw data form. That's a pretty very challenging for lay persons to be able to navigate through that. Now, we were able to request it and have it changed and put in CSV format so that we could do those audits and so they found those audits, but it speaks to the the fact that we were pushing to make sure that that this was being done right. I wish we would have done it sooner. Uh certainly, and I'm very sorry that we did not. Um there are lessons learned and very highlight highlighted at a very detailed level and a a staff report that we submitted to city council and I would encourage everyone to take a look at it. Uh it will also highlight a lot of the steps that I think would be necessary before we move forward. So it's speaking with uh community groups, creating programs to uh ensure methods to ensure that the data is being utilized uh in the manner in which a vendor would be telling us that it is assuming that there's a this is a vendor based program and not internal. So there's there's a lot to unpack uh commissioner um and we're certainly not proposing that we just jump into some other program. >> Yeah, for sure. For sure. Quick follow up with that. I keep hearing, you know, about we're moving forward. The one thing that I'm want to make sure of is are we being compensated for this? Was this a breach of because you kept saying promise, promise, promise, they promise, they promise. If we don't have a new language, promise is made. And if it is in the language, we need recourse because we spent a lot of money on her work. We need to make sure that we get recourse with the state bridge. >> Yeah. Though I would say that those are issues that the city attorney's office looks at and was discussing. I can't speak to and and honestly if unless there was some kind of uh something that been made publicly, it really would be inappropriate for me to comment on it. Um but th those would be issues that fall under the city attorney's purview. Um and would be their responsibility. I I think that um the the review of the contracts, uh determination if there is a a breach of contract, uh those are all standard and appropriate questions for the city attorney's office to review, but I'm certainly not capable of providing an answer, but I I appreciate your position. I think it's a very reasonable position uh opinion to to support. So, I'm hoping that going forward since you are the person that's very close to this program, you're in that contract, making sure that language is there. I read contracts every day, so I know how painful it is. But the devil is in the detail. If you live it, you know it, you're the one that can redline it. So, hopefully that happens. But if not, I want to make sure the city attorneys cover that because that's our money. That's our tax dollar system in question. >> I appreciate that. >> Sorry. >> No, no, you're fine. Thank you for that. Um, I wanted to talk on the uh homelessness enforcement, especially with the RV situation. So, I I think if I heard correctly, the 99 uh housing referrals were the successful ones that were being uh related to us through the this uh public. Is that correct? Those are ones that were um done directly through the county's required process filling out the form uh entering it into the system. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. For for sure. So like I guess my question is is the enforcement of you know people who are either overextending or stay in a 72-hour zone uh far exceeding the amount of resources that we're able to offer the individual. were even able to provide like shelter services. >> Can you can you >> Yeah. Yeah. I'm trying to find I I guess what I'm saying is is the enforcement of the possible policy I I think there's withdrawal go on to with like the case, right? Because that's my concern with the upcoming year is that's about to uh come on. Um, are we able So, I saw that we had 1,300 citations, right, for folks who violate that. Are we able to offer just as many resources to those individuals who got those citations at at that rate? And if we are, like is there anywhere reporting that data? Uh, one, how many have actually received uh resources? two of those how many actually got help through services whether locally or countywide and three of those reach referrals how many of them were actually >> yes um so I'll say that uh as part of that Navaro settlement we do provide resources and information to everyone that receives a warning or citations through our enforcement there are recommendations that the community outreach officers are are not just parking enforcement officers service. We say, engage, communicate, and maintain relationships with their living vehicles. It is not illegal to live in a vehicle in the city of Mountain View. It is illegal if it's leaking sewage or if you have items in the the uh the right of way like a generator. So they try to educate folks first uh when if that's not successful or if it's something like suicide enforcement actions but it is not going to all one and not the other. There are resources available certainly uh you know I don't think that that anyone could could say in good faith that there are as many resources readily available as the people that that need those resources. Uh but there are we are lucky enough to have a lot of great uh community partners uh and our our community outreach officer and his sergeant uh they work hand inand to make sure those resources are available. So whether it's home key, uh our safe lots, uh a number of different services that are available for folks to make make those house withdrawals. And so again, and then I guess part of my question, sorry to me, um was like, are we recording the data too, right? So especially with the vehicles that aren't operable or are just faulty because of whatever reason, right? Are we tracking that data of actually getting shelter services as they can know again it's not illegal to live in RV vehicle but it might be unhabitable at certain point so are we that is or are we not is it is that just I think yeah if I were to answer it I could say with a fair amount of confidence that every person that guard that unit contacts whether it's just doing throughout the course of a day or there's some enforcement action or the formal referrals they are offered and that those services are trying to get to them. In terms of a formal tracking that I don't know if there's that the tracking that says that every time it's offered because I think offered is the formal sense like we talked about but also like hey can we help you with anything? Is there anything that we could get to you today? What do you need right now? And they can tell us no. Um so I don't know if that specific getting that granular is tracked. I I don't believe the outcome like the kind of wraparound outcome is tracked. Uh I could be wrong but folks fill out related to in terms of enforcement. So if they go out for enforcement or a contact, I don't think that there's a clean way to come back and say um this person received it on this day versus denied it on another day. I don't think we don't have any systems that are in place uh that can track that. We've had we've been building data systems to better track >> uh but but there are not great programs out there that we have seen that >> for sure for sure that would likely probably probably like an AI blending data from different systems and then being able to bring it back together that otherwise it would have to be manually done which would take our folks out of the field. So we really look for autopop populating as much as possible or staff frontloading very quickly data entry but a significant amount of like pouring through data to look for those outcomes could literally impede the ability to get those outcomes. >> Yeah, thank you for that. And I'll I'll pause right there. >> You have one >> one last one. Um are we increasing uh personnel at the downtown crossings? Because I've almost been hit three times. because people are treating it more like a stop sign, red lights, like a stop sign rather than a red light and it's getting like it's getting bad. >> So the intersections downtown like coming by Castro Street or where would you >> up and down Castro? >> Uh we do have targeted enforcement that is downtown. However, >> it's targeted in a large portion of how we determine where it's targeted is based on feedback from the community. So you don't have to do an ask mountain view right now. We'll make a note of it. Um, but the more of that feedback we can get, the better. But I can tell you, we get feedback from bus drivers who talk about not being able to make right-hand turns from from Villa Street because cars are parked in the red and then we really look for red uh curb violators to address those safety issues because then it pushes the bus out wide. So, we are looking for safety issues specifically in our downtown area, but really we want to deploy the resources to where people are seeing Okay. So, you want that? >> I I wrote it down and I'm going to ensure that information gets directly to our traffic unit, especially with a heavily populated pedestrian area like like what you're talking about. >> Nothing scary. >> We'll make sure that information gets gets to the traffic team so they can do some uh >> some uh focused enforcement. >> Thank you. Um, in the last month or so, I've had a number of people talk to me about the fact that pedestrians legally have the right of way, but drivers around here don't know that or don't care. One of the two. and and I've talked with a number of different people asking if they have some kind of solution that they'd like to offer and interestingly recently a number of people have said ped we have signed saying pedestrians have the right of way at intersections that are experienc eriencing a lot of violation of that law. >> Um that that's something we'll share with with our transportation division. Um that would not be a decision by the police department. Um I will say it can be a little bit confusing if a if a vehicle has started first and has crossed the threshold of the essentially the crosswalk and they're starting into the intersection. Once they start, a pedestrian can't step into the roadway and then have the right away. The car actually if they're there first, whomever is there first has the right away. Um, in when a pedestrians there, you still can't hit them. But, but if the car starts, uh, the pedestrian is supposed to wait for the car to pass and then go. Uh, and I have seen I've been on the receiving end of vehicles not following the the uh right away and and not not giving the right away to pedestrians. But I've also been driving downtown. I have also been driving downtown even in a a police vehicle and have as I'm starting have people walk out into an intersection and then I have to stop in the crosswalk or or in a kind of a gridlock situation and of course you have to allow a pedestrian to cross but they have actually committed a vehicle code violation violated my right of way. I see both of those far too frequently. Wow. >> Um, one of the things that I've seen is that the pedestrian starts across and the driver come after the trajectory had started and instead of just stopping and letting the Michigan. The driver edges around, especially if they're making a turn or something. Edges around me around and it almost looks intimidating, deliberately intimidating other pedestrian. >> It is very illegal. That is that is absolutely illegal. Even if even if the pedestrian could have taken more time and let the car go, you're not allowed to go through the intersection when the pedestrian is walking there. Those are we do significant amount of OTS or office of traffic safety uh targeted enforcement uh where we're wanting to look for if we look specifically for often uh uh the main indicators or causes of accidents. Pedestrian uh stop sign violations and pedestrian crosswalk violations are a frequent one that our traffic officers look for and often write citations for. Who did you suggest or what agency did you suggest that that I have people check about signage? >> So they can do an ask mountain view. So we will so uh it would be the transportation department. They can go into ask mountain view and make a request. However, um uh the request that you're relaying, certainly we can speak with our our traffic engineers and let them know that the request has been made. They may want more specifics related to which intersections and where so they can give a more thorough uh professional evaluation of it, but at least at a high level, that's something that I can relay or Kathy Carl can relay to to our traffic engineering. >> Thank you. My turn now. >> Go ahead. >> No, go ahead. >> Um I just have two quick questions and thank you for speaking specifically about um the situation with flock. Um for context, I work for the city of San Jose and so we've had a lot of conversations about um Mountain View and what you guys do with your flop contract versus how um we work with that specific vendor and AI tools generally. So I wanted to ask what other AI tools department has adopted. >> So we are not deploying AI tools right now. I'm certainly interested in AI translation services. That is a a a tool that our officer work cameras can do where they can uh translate in real time any number of languages. uh there so I think there is a test case or application I know from others on that we are not rushing into the technology without giving very honest thorough review there are technologies related to cold case investigations reviewing of you know copious amounts of data that are AI driven that I I believe uh and I believe district attorney's offices and others that are very thorough with their processes as well are using those are things we'll look at but not things that we're going to rush into but I believe that there is a place for that type of technology uh with very thoughtful >> awesome and yeah I know that um other departments have also adopted um automatic transcription for police reports as well. And there have been some concerns expressed in the community about um mistransation with you know the body cams and u potentially escalating a situation because of a mistransation or similarly a police report. Um you know AI is not perfect. Um, and I think on and on camera usage specifically, um, has the Mountain View Police Department, um, uh, entered in any agreements with local businesses or small businesses to connect to, um, their cameras in, uh, in real time in case of emergency or do you guys have like any kind of real-time intelligence system? We do not have any written agreements with um private parties or or corporate parties to allow us to have 247 access or be able to log into their their data systems. >> Thank you. >> No, we'll and once this item is over then head out. But certainly if if there are questions or things you want to discuss that are unrelated to the annual report or um or if you just want to reach out in general by all means please reach out to me. >> Thank you. >> My turn. >> Uh want to pull the deck up for me please. >> I won't be long. Forward. Forward. Yeah, right there. Thank you guys for doing this. And I was here last year for your first one and I got a little time to digest what was going on. One thing that I would love to see from you guys going forward is some yearoveryear analysis, right? So, if we're seeing this in that way to help us understand what's going on. Case in point is um if you're doing like the NAS activities and you're doing the violations, you know, we just implemented the street signs, right? So, we want to make sure that how effective are they? Is it is it this year to last year went from 500 to,300? Is that a problem? Is there a solution? Then we can get deeper into the data. So, we definitely want to have that One of the other things I'd love to get from you next year for the committee and especially for new people is a small demo of the tool. You saying get into it just a slight demo. So see people how to navigate. Not everyone is text. So just say hey log in here point click you know and maybe say these are some of the things that you can do with data. Maybe a simple download of like CSV file or what you want to do it into a PowerPoint or whatever the case may be. That would be amazing, right? As you I live and breathe data all day long, >> right? >> So, this stuff is easy for me and I'm thinking about it constantly and especially since we're artists committee and we're going with you every single year, we're going to have that history, >> right? So if you're gonna if you're loading it up, it's like we remember the conversation about the flock system. >> So I remember seeing that hearing you talking to you about it and then seeing about favorite seeing what's going on. You know, I'm on some chat groups and I'm hearing the chatter about it, right? So we know so we want to see that trend now. This is our second time doing it. Three, four, five years. Once you hit five years, do a fivey year recap. you know those kind of things so that we can digest it all uh together. Uh see I'm not negative. I'm just say giving a little bit of feedback. Uh property crimes all other lararseny is a black hole. >> Never want to see a black hole with so much a large percentage of it. We need to figure out what it means. you guys know, we don't know, right? And again, it's just about what what's in the data. Uh and if it means less than 1% of this that and the other, I'd rather see a long line of percentages than some that's so we're just so vast. That's a great point. There's a way for us to break out and describe what would fall in there to help. >> Yeah. It is unfortunately the manner in which some of that data is reported is wrote and structured by the FBI. But we can do better with that. I don't think I can break it down with all the different types because they don't they don't correlate it differently. But we can definitely explain in a better way but that all other lion is >> and if there's something in it that's higher if there's something that dominates that call it out. >> Uh let's see. crimes, trans property crimes. I also picked out uh when you're doing this now, we want to see or I would like to see like your per capita in comparison for other cities same size, >> right? You need to do the same size or also do within our area as well. are we compared to Palo Alto but also how are we compared to Kalamazoo which is the same size you know those kind of things are important and also when I'm looking at these numbers you know I want to be able to speak to hey 2285 or 28 25 and 2942 that's a half of six change right why isn't that going down more right I don't want to see crime city I don't want to see it. Why is it not changing? If it's flat, that's great. If it's going up, that's horrible, but I want to see it on the down. What are you guys doing to change that? And what programs are you putting in place? This is something that the citizens want because I want to feel safe when I see this. I'm especially when I walk around here. I don't feel comfortable when I see numbers like that. Said nothing's changing. Nothing's changing in my city to make me feel safe. Same thing with the crosswalks. I wouldn't feel safe and the data tells me I'm not safe. >> Yeah, I I I want to very respectfully we are a very safe city. Uh there is crime in our city, but it is a very safe city. Uh >> but if you don't say it in comparison to other cities, how do I >> That's why I'm saying the data would help us understand that. >> Yeah, I hear what you're saying. I This is a standalone. This is a Mountain View annual report. I think there's a place for that. Some of that is done uh in our budget report where we list within the larger city. So we can we could perhaps highlight that. >> Just like you said this is high level just a little you know we want to just be frank all agencies do not report data >> in the exact same way. Uh and don't speak reports. So I just want to kind of throw that out as a as an acknowledgement. Um, no. I I I see data in all different forms all the time. >> Yeah. >> And but what I'm asking for our committee and if they if anyone else has other ways of saying it and this is trial and error. You try it, we don't like it, we say, "Hey, we don't need that." But if we say put it out there and then it works, then we continue on, right? because these are concerns that we constantly have and we're glad you're here telling us this so that we can give you that feedback so that we can all sit back and talk later on say yeah I like that now I can go out and tell because I'm conveying this I'm on a chat group with people in my when I get done I'm going to go back to them and I'm going to tell them so I'm helping them to make sure that Mountain View is a great place to live our city our our our police department is working hard They gave us the data. They talked to us about it. And I want to be able to answer the questions because those questions are going to come. Yeah. When I was sitting down, my neighbor by the by the mailbox that was just broken into that, you know, we had to go pick up our mail over somewhere somewhere for like a month and a half. Uh they've already asked me when's that gonna get fixed. What are they gonna fix it? And I said, "Oh, wait. I think that was part of that crew that we caught through the track and city was on it and they said this is what's gonna happen right anyway last one so because I don't want to win which can everyone loves dogs etc etc one thing that I understood that I I really liked was where you they don't hack. That should be a best practice. I'm wondering if you guys are going to because I know you guys go to a lot of events or um conferences. If you're sharing that information at your conferences in some way, shape, or form, that would be good for us to hear back because I know you say, "Yeah, we we do this, not others do it." But we're trying to encourage them to do it. So that that's something that I think would be great to to if you guys are promoting that. Lastly, >> maybe through training cards. >> Yeah. Yeah. Uh AWS, what was that contract? >> No. Um, so the AWS is uh the the service that Axon, which is the company that secures that makes the device uh charges us for the data storage. >> They make good devices, but they're a data storage company. >> Yeah. >> And they use AWS. I don't So we have contracts with Axon. We don't have contracts with AWS for the Axon content. >> Okay. How long is that contract? Our axelon contract they come generally it's kind of industry standard to either be five or 10 year contracts and I think we have seven I think it's seven years left on a 10-year contract >> and then you'll start your RFI your RFQ about two three years before that >> in seven years uh Chief Cra will be >> well chief >> yeah there will be it'll be very interesting to see what technology with vendors right now. I'll be frank, the uh quality of the technology, the ability to share data in a secured manner is not rivaled by any competitor. Axon is by far the best product, the most secure, the best to use um that supports our work. Uh so right now uh that's the case. In seven years, we'll be looking to see who else is a player, what their costs are. uh and how we can be responsible with our our our city funds. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> No, Eric. >> Sure. Uh thank you, chair. Um so on page 26, the uh it's mentioned that transparency portals data by demographics and reason contact wasn't provided here. Is that something that will be provided in the larger report that will hopefully go in depth or is that something that could also be provided uh to this body on it being broken down by race and outcome of those uh stops like as a separate page in the future or is that something? >> Yeah, like something you're asking for in the future. something in the future or I'm also asking for like 30 that's that information I know we Javier had committee member webb had mentioned about like kind of the navigation of it navigation of it but also the transparency portion of it as well just having those numbers in front of us uh being able to see like how are we doing especially giving the diversity of this uh community mountain view tend to be the outliers that we should be taking note in order to ensure like the city's welcoming for all. Right. So that's kind of like my thought process on that that's a plausible avenue or information that can be related to brought back to the commission at the next years. Staff can take that recommendation on submission. It's an interesting we can look and see how we can look to apply that with data data is complex traffic stop data. Uh there's a lot of analysis. One of the things that we have done in the past is apply what I believe and what we believe is the gold standard for for contact and stop data which is the veil of darkness tests. So that is the stop are during daylight savings time or ordinary time. Um and look at the the stop data when you can see what somebody who looks like inside the car and then during the time of the year when you can't see if there's a change. So if you're stopping folks when you can see what they look like and then what those outcomes are that is something research that we had done in the past uh and they're proud of the results that came from that our transparency portal does have a lot of this data so I think there's probably a way where we can break out away break out some of that into either the presentation uh or the annual report or at least the annual report steer folks to it should they be interested in that specifically That'd be great. Thank you. And then my last question uh was on the uh crisis response section. So I'm glad to hear and I've also experienced how RDPD interact with folks with mental health which has been like superb honestly. Uh but I guess my question is since is going to be like who responds on in in a situation where it's dealing with someone with mental health crisis? um is it usually an officer officer or a clinician and and is there any uh plan to expand to a co responder model in future? >> Yes. So um there are a number of services available at and organizations that we work with. Um global crisis response team when we uh respond with them that is a co-responder model but there's also the trust team and they have although we collaborate with them uh they're not a co-responder model where they will respond independently and if they believe that we are needed then they will reach out and elevate their requests. uh our dispatchers are able to transfer now uh folks to 988 for mental health services as well as dispatching police services. So there's a criteria system uh and then they evaluate if it's a 988 available or appropriate or if it's uh a police department services dispatch being dispatched to those in. >> So this is all like over the phone. There's not with the exception of trust. >> Well, mobile crisis response team uh is in person. There's also um uplift services, so youth services for something similar. Um but we do not have a I guess these acronyms, but like a per model where we have a clinician in a car with an officer. We don't have a per model. If we did look at it, I don't think that we have the volume of calls to justify it very thankfully. Um and I know that there have been some real significant challenges in agencies being able to staff and maintain their teams because uh shift work and essentially field pseudo police work is very difficult and many of the clinicians establish themselves and then move to um more regular hours, more safe working conditions. So they build that resume and then they would leave and that created a lot of challenges but also very hard to fill in the very first place. So very hard for for many agencies that had on paper per teams uh but did not they were not able to fill those positions. My understanding and this is not my subjective expertise but the county has some really significant uh financial challenges and that has been a a struggle for for uh per teams as well. I know that they did approach and ask if we were interested in funding a a program for a number of years. The staff uh the call volume didn't didn't justify full-time staff for that. Uh but certainly we're continuing to leverage those relationships, train and and communicate and work with our mobile crisis response team and the other services that are available. >> Thank you, Chief. >> Um I'd like to just take a moment to do kind of a temperature check for our meeting. We're approaching the twohour mark. Um and I really appreciate the presentation and all the information. I want to make sure that we're all um getting all of our questions answered. I guess I just want to um suggest that maybe we take uh the five minute break after after um after the presentation just kind of so plan for that. Um and then do you guys have any particular like time or I mean I'm not saying we're we're going to keep you here another two hours but uh >> sure when your questions are >> No, I think Okay. Um Okay. Well, I just want to make sure um I would like to ask some of my top questions and then if anybody else has any burning ones, then maybe we could do like a >> Would you like to go? of the page that's prime trans person and I think it would be helpful the char to the valuation of those 33 24 25. So we have a sense of whether the property crimes are actually lower relative to the population or the the reverse. Um so one of the interesting things about crime is that it affects people who live here don't live here. Uh it is committed by people who visit uh and who live here. So the population you know that's a tough one to tie but we do we can find we can uh tether uh crimes per thousand residents etc. We that is something that we can provide. Uh but just want to point out that that a lot of folks unfortunately that victims of crime may be visiting uh and folks committing those crimes may be visiting. >> Police on the daily post in other places um indicate where the people who were arrested or actually resident. So that We get a sense that all these crimes >> that's information that we share with them that we provide to them. >> Exactly. We'll say like a Mountain View man was arrested for or a Palo Alto resident was >> um I'd like to ask a top what are my priorities here? Um, and first of all, thank you very much for the presentation and um, I really appreciate uh, getting to hear everyone's questions and the detailed answers. Um, something that I was wondering, it sounds like I mean clearly um, police a very desirable place to work. Um, we're doing great on uh, filling staff roles and I imagine we you pull recruits from a wide area, very highly qualified. Um, I'm wondering how many staff members, what's your estimate, uh, live in or near Mountain View? And by that I mean is sub one hour >> far fewer than I would like. Uh, frankly, um, is and also some of those officers may start closer but then move closer. It's not uncommon. um not just live and not be able >> um I I think more of the challenge is in the cost of living and the the the reality of of housing >> in the Bay Area. So it's less about wanting to live in Mountain View. perhaps maybe at you know at a point in the the 90s or or different time that was a concern but I think if I was to pull my folks they would say it's the cost and if the housing was more affordable enough they would like to be more inclined to I have also noticed a pattern where uh folks are want to buy single family homes so when they're buying residences they're they're less inclined to buy um you know multi- multi-unit buy into a multi-unit dwelling by small and that that tough if not impossible to do in the city of Cont a police officer south. >> Thank you for that. >> It is a a concern. Um we have sleeping quarters. We have shifts that are uh amendable for longer commutes, Friday, Saturday and Sunday shifts that are longer shifts that have more time off. It is a it is an industry problem at least in the Bay Area and large parts of Los Angeles. So I think really anywhere where there is high cost of living it is an issue. >> Thank you for that. And then um regarding um person crimes at a glance of prostitution offenses um does this number or I guess what I'm wondering about is how does this number reflect or not reflect cost? And I I'm, you know, I'm not because I the the reason it's a top of mind for me is because there was recently a brothel busted into my townhouse complex. Um, and I was like, "Oh, hey, that's what all that was about, you know, like, boy, there sure were a lot of weird dudes around." >> Um, but anyway, I and reading about it, I saw that it's um a general practice to not um arrest the women who are there because and I agree with this, they are most often victims of human trafficking. But I'm also wondering, you know, what can you tell us about the trend of that in Mountain View? Because it seems like that statistic might not be the full picture. I know that um there was that bust recently. There was two massage parlors in December. I'm just wondering kind of what's the uh what's the current um trend on that issue in Mountain View. >> Yeah. So that's a really astute nuanced observation. Um I appreciate that. So the the shift has been uh to not necessarily arrest all those folks who are working as sex workers in a home with prostitution term is actually a house of refute in the penal code. Um but it doesn't mean it really is a work we work in collaboration very closely uh with with our human trafficking task force. Um, so those are things that we we lean both on a um county protocol but also on subject matter experts that are going to come out in the field whenever possible with us to collaborate. Um, but you're right uh one that the title again is coming from the federal government. So, we don't get to pick the title, but it does not encapsulate folks who in one of those res uh and and working as sex workers uh but not arrested for prostitution but are contacted. Also, one can be contacted but so there could be challenges to making an arrest. So there's without getting into all the details of vice work for lack of a better term um it's more common to contact one and believe that they're engaging in that enable activity than it is to be able to thank you. Um and then final question actually one is just a comment. Um you mentioned the women's self-defense classes as outreach. I took one of those. I really enjoyed it. You >> Yeah. And um last uh I appreciate all the um information about the flock contract and all that. Um I'm wondering are there flock cameras on private property um that are operating or is that like is it something that apartment complexes could install their own? And if so, are they still operating? Because I remember last year when I asked you about mail theft, um, you had re you mentioned that, you know, that one of the only things that you like really concretely suggest as a something they could do is to install a camera such as Flock. This obviously was for, you know, all we knew more about that company. I'm wondering um, to your knowledge, are there any Flock cameras operating on private property or under private property contracts? And if so, what is your outreach and messaging to them or to those? So, >> it wouldn't be appropriate for me to reach out to a business if they did have a flop contract and make a recommendation. Either way, that's not my position. My position is is formed by my experience uh and my disappointment. >> Um I I don't know if any private businesses have bought uh license plate reader cameras. I do think that having uh cameras up on the property is a great way to prevent crime or at least help us to to that crime in the future. Whether it be a license plate reader camera or just a standard camera that every driveway those are powerful tools but we don't we don't have access to any there was one uh one private party vendor when we had a license program they had they had cameras they provided us with those access to those cameras that is no longer in place but we haven't asked them what they're doing >> probably that I'm not aware of either. I know there's been some headlines um about specific companies that have them, but I'm I'm not aware of any have those. >> Well, thank you. I appreciate that. >> That's the end of my questions. I don't know if anybody has any burning last minute ones. Um or if not, um Oh, wait. Sorry, one last thing. Can you text 911? You can text 911. >> Okay. You can >> Does that help you or does that just go to >> I would recommend calling and not >> Yeah. But like if you're in a situation where you don't, you know, you'll be quiet. You can text 911. >> Text 911. It should go to us. But with all things cell phone, I can't guarantee that. Is that consistent in most cities around here or is that like a city by city situation? Okay. And that's certainly something we can circle back on if you and maybe that to that point if there are other questions that think of later or that you just want to reach out and communicate but Cath by all means we're it's the same thing I tell everybody in the community but certainly with your even more so please reach out to us with questions we want to hear it uh and we want to be able to to whether they're things you're curious about or things that other people are curious about it really does inform form the the the work product or the the things that we do. Please reach out >> in my community chat. We're over by the Crest Motel area and there's a Enterprise rental car and it's now a parking lot on all rentals and they're wondering what can they do to because there's no parking. >> They basically their fleet park. >> Yeah. So that's one of the concerns that people in our area >> I can see why that would be very very frustrating. Um that's something that we will follow up with CDD with community because it would depend on their their licenses. I don't know. Uh, you know, certainly vehicles businesses can park in the public right of way. Can't do business out of the public right away, but you can park vehicles in the public right away, but there may be more recourse that's non kind of criminal more applicable, but uh that that doesn't sound like a a a great way to live. If you can't park on the street because it's full of rental cars, I would be very frustrated as well. came up in one chat. So, that's a great question. >> Well, thank you very much, uh, Chief Canfield and, uh, Captain Prowl. I really appreciate you coming out. Um, and I guess, uh, analyst James, how wait, let me see. Can I can I make a recommendation? Uh, sure. Can I recommend that we skip the work plan and uh wrap up the meeting with the with the meeting for next year and then come back to the work plan at the followup meeting? >> Um thank you committee member Yan for that question. Unfortunately no. The work plans will be going to council for approval on September 8th. >> But I would like to propose that we take a fivem minute break get some water. >> Thank you Chief. >> Thank you guys very much very much. We'll see you back here at our I wanted to play music. >> Okay, folks. Uh we are now resuming the uh human relations at 8:54 p.m. Um okay, moving on to our next item, the fiscal year 2627 work plan. The committee will now receive a presentation on this item from principal management analyst James. the committee may take those. >> Thank you, chair. I will keep my oral presentation brief. Um, city council policies require every board commission and committee to submit a recommended works plan for approval annually. Uh and at the last HRC meeting on May 7th, committee members had the opportunity to explore potential projects for the fiscal year 2627 work plan including outreach and events capacity building civil discourse workshop and the valid celebrating women community lived experience survey. Uh two projects related to child and parent care, a new parent and family roundt or childcare resources package. a project on community stability and affordability and a partnership with schools. Since that meeting, staff has prepared a brief analysis based on criteria that the committee approved which is included in attachment two to the memorandum for this item. Um and in short, the projects recommended for consideration for inclusion in the work plan are outreach and events capacity building and the civil discourse workshop. item that may be recommended for consideration with amendments is the event in celebration of women and the remainder of the projects are not recommended for consideration on the basis either of their um lack of alignment with the HRC specific scope or the high capacity or the high capacity required to continue um or projects. With that said, this is a reminder that staff recommends adding up to two projects to the current work plan given the current workload and carry forward projects with potentially the second added project being started following the completion of one of the current work plan projects. The recommended work plan um as prepared by staff is available in attachment one to the item memo. And with that, I will open it up. >> Thank you. Any members want to kick off with questions? Oh, sorry. >> Oh, yeah. >> Thank you, chair. So just clarify if you for project idea if we accept the alternative which is to work with an extern partner it would move to medium meaning it would we could approve it as a potential item that HRC could work on. >> Correct. Staff currently recommends if the committee gives a strong preference collectively for holding an event in celebration of women in fiscal year 2627 that they consider swapping that event for the civil discourse workshop or consider staggering the events so that the active work plan projects are never more than three projects at a time. So, so we can do both, but like it would just have to be offsite. It wouldn't be something that after one finishes we could potentially on the other >> that would be st. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you. >> Me, too. Okay. So, do you want to make a note? Uh, which Oh, but after if anyone has any questions, right, I've been gone from chair so long. >> Seeing no other committee questions. Sorry. So when you were saying if we stagger this, let's say we do something for celebrating on the community and the event takes place in 2027. Would that count fiscal year? Yes, that would be in the fiscal year for Quinn which will run from July 1st 26 through June 30th 27th. Um that said there are several work planned projects that are carrying forward that are currently planned >> to completed in the first half of this. So there may be the opportunity to stagger the other two. And so is this they're not recommending the child and parent care. Is that what they're saying? >> That's correct. Um per staff's analysis, those projects are not specifically aligned with the HRC's scope. Um and they are focused on a policy area the council has not delegated to the HRC and has um continued to work on at the council level. And in addition with regard to the child care resources package, um there are several programs that fall into a very similar category. For example, a new state diaper distribution program that provides, I believe it's 400 diapers to all families leaving with a newborn. Um, as well as the Mountain View Public Libraryies new collaboration with the county to deliver free read books to children from birth through age five with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library as well as services provided through Pacific Clinics at two locations in Mountain View at their family resource centers. Could we adjust this instead to say to do something where we're helping to this these organizations? >> What I would recommend is to consider including those materials for those programs in the outreach toolkit program project. So, uh, in the process of creating an events list and an outreach toolkit, the outreach tool kit toolkit, pardon me, could potentially include um collateral or material for different programs that the HRC would like to share information about. >> Is there no other questions or comments? Can I can I move forward with motion to approve the >> We need to work acknowledge. >> Okay. >> Um Okay. So, seeing no other questions or comments. Um and there are no members of the public present. Open the floor for public comment. No members of the present. Of the public present. Um we can now move on to um Motion to approve except to remove the child care care and the partnership with schools projects from the work plan given that we are not on those two items. It seems great. >> Thank you committee member web Yen. I would like to clarify that the attachment one is the recommended work and so the the attachment with the yellow headers attachment two includes all of the projects that were analyzed. Um with currently only two are recommended. Sorry to approve the work. >> Second. >> Okay. Um do all those who say? >> Yeah. Roll call. There we go. Or would you recommend roll? >> We can do hands raised. For a point of clarification, did the committee members want to also include the event in celebration of women? >> Did we want to vote on both of those options? M then a friendly amendment may be in to that motion. >> Yeah, I'll make a friendly amendment to include the celebrate women event uh in the staggered effect that you mentioned upon completion of um the two other projects that rolled over from last year. Okay, I show hands to take a vote on the proposal to accept the short plan as proposed with the friendly amendment to include the um celebrating women's event in the stagger detailed by >> Joan, how you do Thank you. >> And to clarify for the minutes for the next meeting, I will uh committee member Lester. >> Sorry. To clarify for the minutes for the next meeting, Committee member Lester, can I take your friendly amendment as a second to the motion? >> Yes. Thank you. We will now move on to item 6.3 uh fiscal year 2627 meeting schedule. Thank you chair. In brief committee is required to adopt a regular meeting schedule. Jersey's bylaw state that meetings shall be on the first Thursday of the month. Uh this memo includes a recommendation that the committee not meet on September 8th because there are no substantive agenda items and the uh fiscal year 2627 work plans will not yet be approved by council meaning that we will not need to form ad hoc committee committees before that date. Um I do want to clarify that there are two pairs on memorandum. So any motion should include an change to the staff recommendation which is that the first Thursday in October 26. It's October it's not October 7th and that the first Thursday in May 2027 is not May 7th and I apologize for the made a note. So I understand that correctly. If somebody wants to motion to approve the schedule as written, we should add the um the amendment with state corrections date corrections. >> Y so moved with the amendment by staff that public comment. Oh yes. Um open for public comments. Seeing a there we'll move on to voting. Uh yeah. Okay. So sorry motion has already been made and seconded. Show of hands vote. All right. All right. All right. Uh we are almost there guys. We are now moving on to committee and staff comments, questions, committee reports. Um no action. Committee member do need a break or >> No, no, no. Sorry. I was just throwing stuff away. Sorry. We're not done yet. I know. I know. In DT, we always walked around. Um, no action will be taken on any questions raised by the committee at this time. State law prohibits the committee from discussing or acting on substantive non-aggenda items. Um, does anybody have any comments, questions, or reports from the committee? >> I have too many to at this. Do you do you want to pick a favor maybe or >> I think we need to have some time to study this and come back with some ideas next meeting >> that'll be in >> by this. Do you mean the work plan or >> the work plan? Um if if I may uh try to understand I I the work plan we have already passed >> not in this detail. >> Um me >> yeah to clarify committee member McDonald's the committee including you just voted to approve the work plan with the addition of an event celebrating women. So the majority has passed the work plan for the next fiscal year. So we've we've accepted the the high level >> I think the page you're looking at is >> staff analysis. >> Yeah, that's the project >> the staff analysis. >> That's why it's so detailed. >> What we passed was proposal. >> I should have brought last >> the draft. Draft one right there. Yeah. Flip it. There you go. Draft. >> Yes. Um, this this is what we passed. >> Yes. >> And this is a whole lot more. I mean, it it start This is up here. This is all the underpinnings. >> That's correct, Committee Member McDonald. It was included in the agenda packet to provide context for the recommendation, which is that draft work plan. So, the analysis provides feedback and context for the recommendations that were made in the >> in a way we passed a blank check those time. >> I would that the amounts in the analysis >> the the amounts. So the analysis the projects included in the analysis are not all in the work plan. Only three three of those projects are in the work plan and the committee members on the ad hoc committee get to work on developing the scope of those projects. Thank you. >> All right. Um, staff. Um, very very briefly with my apologies, I do want to highlight that for those of you who are interested in a comparison of City of Mountain View crime statistics with other jurisdictions on page 255 of the recently released proposed fiscal year 2627 budget document, which is both on the city website and attached to the budget item that will be going to council on Tuesday. And the agenda was just posted this afternoon. There's information about the city of Mountain View's crime counts for this past year in comparison with the county's crime statistics. Um, and you may want more context. Uh, but that is a starting place where we do have information that's relevant to that question. Um, that we wanted the detail, we wanted a snap a snapshot of it. when they do their presentation. >> Thanks. >> Well, if you are interested, it is there um as well. And >> great, thank you. Um, we will now move on to item nine, adjournment, where we will adjourn the next regular meeting of the human relations committee scheduled for October 1st, 2026 to 6:30 p.m. Conference room. Thank you very much to everyone. marathon. So,]]> https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/nP06c9UqeoA https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/nP06c9UqeoA Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:02:28 GMT The Downtown Committee approved the May 5 minutes and discussed several updates including Castro Street events (music nights, concerts, makers market, tech showcase, art exhibits), the Summer of Soccer World Cup activations with watch parties and the first entertainment zone test, and the annual economic vitality strategy update showing declining vacancy and rising downtown sales tax. The committee amended and adopted its fiscal year work plan to include studying public restrooms downtown. Future agenda topics raised included downtown condo development, recycling/composting bins, and fire access on Castro Street, and the committee will recess until early September. Approval of minutes Downtown condo development Recycling and composting bins Fire access on Castro Street Castro Street events update Entertainment zone activation Mountain View Makers Market Tech showcase Art exhibits and ribbon cutting Summer of Soccer activations Economic vitality strategy update Success metrics and accountability Downtown committee work plan Public restrooms Wayfinding signs Downtown storefront updates September meeting date and recess > Baircasters >> present. >> And then Marisol is absent on her way. [laughter] >> All right. Item number three is approval of the minutes and minutes of May 5th, 2026 were sent out. And I don't know if any corrections were made, but um a um motion to approve. >> Motion to approve >> and second. >> I'll second moved by Kat, seconded by Bair. All any public input? >> Okay. Um in which case, all in favor say I. >> I. Those opposed? Nay. There are none. The motion carries unanimously. Item number four is future agenda topics. And uh as everybody knows, this is not to talk about topics that are on the list, but if there are things that people would like to talk about um getting them added to the list. Are there any additions? Pamela. >> Yes. So this uh is a result well going back. I used to be on the planning commission. I used to rail from the bias about we needed to have more condos built, single left with for sale ownership projects. And um as some of you know, my husband is um has been ill with Parkinson's and we should have moved to a single level house two years ago when he was diagnosed, but we didn't. Um and he's having some difficulties now. So getting upstairs at our >> We can't really talk about it. I know. I know. I'm laying [laughter] I'm laying the groundwork. I'm laying the groundwork. So, this is now my the new bee in my bonnet. So, anyway, um >> so I was downtown Los Al was walking around and I noticed that there are a lot of for sale or condos downtown. So, there are 57 units that were built um between 2013 and 2023, most of them in 23 and 24. 57 units. There's a project that is entitled for 50 units and there's one under construction for 15 units. So, um I would like to have a discussion or suggest a discussion or at least information about why can't we build condos downtown would help with revitalization. We would have more bodies downtown. There is a project to overs to the uh police station. I mean the post office. Those are really expensive. Um, but in any case, that would be something I would like um for us to recommend or ask staff. Is there good explanation of why we can't build? >> Okay. No, no. Downtown condos is an item on that agenda. >> Can I ask a quick question? I know we don't discuss at this point but you know Vince has been doing these presentations on mid and low low income house. Did he ever present to this group? I know he presented to BIP. >> Yeah. Well, he just in the reviews he doesn't really get into that. >> Okay. Because he did a formal presentation for BIP. So I know he done it for this group. >> Okay. >> No discussion. >> All right. Um >> Oh yes. I think because we got an email on the committee about which I thought was a good idea about potentially putting in like recycling and composting bins on Fastro as opposed to just trash cans or that's sorted off site. We're having a discussion about that >> learning more about what that was. I think that was one thing that had come up. >> Okay. >> And then I had another thing which someone brought up recently which is uh concern around how quickly fire could get down Castro. They're like if there was an emergency like how fast can someone actually the fire department actually get down through those gates and like have we tested it? What's the you know game plan? So understanding that >> those are >> that might be like where just a report that's not really >> Yeah. >> Um [clears throat] >> good evening comm or good morning committee. Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Hi um Amanda Amanda Rotell, economic vitality manager. So um I'm working from home. I'm a bit under the weather, but uh just an update on the fire piece. So, the fire department has tested response times and I'm actually working with them to do some additional training um uh this summer uh so that they can continue to be proactive in addressing any issues that come up on Castro Street. So, um they're being super proactive. They have run tests and they're continuing to run tests and train. >> Can we get a report on that then? Uh we can definitely ask the fire department to come present. Yeah. >> Because you notice the ballards are not in the middle, you know, they're they're spread out. So all they have to do is open up the gate. >> Right. Right. But then like can you turn like where do you have to turn to get onto that? Like >> they go right over the curb. >> So I want to just caution us. I want to caution us not to get into a discussion on this. Um but I do want to say they have done multiple tests of fire trucks getting onto Castro Street. Actually, there was quite a audience the last time we tested. It was quite fun to watch them >> turning the big trucks onto Castro Street. So, they have run multiple tests and and the ped mall was specifically designed to accommodate a fire truck and accommodate turning radiuses. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um seeing no other hands, we will move on to item number five, oral communications [clears throat] public. And this is item is reserved for people wishing to address the committee on items not on today's agenda. Um and the committee cannot act on anything raised during oral communications. Is there any member of the public wishing to address the committee and still nobody online? All right. We will close all communications from the public and move on to item number six unfinished business. And item 6.1 is Castro Street update. Who's presenting? >> There are slides. Bear with me for a second since we just got here. Are you connected to the room? >> I don't have a copy of the slides. >> Okay. >> Do you have them? >> Yeah. >> Do you want to send them on Teams? Because I'm not connected to VPN. So, >> okay. Just do this. >> Maybe. >> Can you see them? >> There they are. Oh, Amanda saving the day always. These are downtown updates. Uh, music on Castro is happening now. Uh, encourage you guys to get down there. I had the chance to go last week. It was so cute and there were so many kids dancing in the street um with bubbles and stuff. It was very charming. Um, and these are some of the upcoming um dates and who's performing. Go to the next slide. Uh, we have concerts on the plaza coming up June to September 6 to 7:30 and these are the upcoming performers. Got an 80s band. Um, should be fun. Um, tell your friends. >> Yeah. >> Quick question. Are we doing entertainment zone on music nights or first Friday nights? >> No, not at this time. >> Why not? [laughter] I think because they're in I mean Amanda can correct me but I think because the plaza doesn't h really have anyone who would maybe participate but um downtown I think that the the event is so small that it would require just like a heavy amount of um staffing and regulation and implementation in order for like such a small event would probably be um a lot of cost for what it's worth. I'll I'll just note for like in downtown Los Altos. So on first Fridays when they have the music all over town again they're an open carry city but you know part of the charm of it is people can have a drink and walk around and it draws people downtown. So >> as we go through the pilot that definitely considered to expand the first um activation of the entertainment zone will be the July 18th and 19th summer of soccer and weekend festivities. So that'll be our first first activation first kind of test case. [laughter] >> And and the big difference with Los Altos too is they have a band every every block kind of thing. So that's a very different thing than a centralized band here. >> Right. But you could make it the entertainment zone like two blocks. I mean, I I suspect that it might draw more people downtown if if you doing that. So, I would really encourage staff to sort of really try and try it at some point during the summer um and see if it works on a smaller scale than the big event and see if it does draw people downtown. And of course, I have to do that a couple times because people may not see the notice. What's the entertainment zone? So anyway, >> this is not enough. >> Good feedback. Yeah, Mandy, can we go to the next slide? >> Oh, J. >> So there's some discrepancy in this distribute and this who is playing in that time. At least for that one, when I was there, I thought I did a search on them. I said, "Wow, they're good. Let me go." But there's somebody else was playing there. >> Oh. >> So there was a problem. So just something is is connecting the >> Oh, definitely. [clears throat] >> Yeah. >> All right. We're going to be hosting downtown office hours to um evangelize the entertainment zone and answer anyone's questions. Um uh we'll be in front of Red Rock Coffee, Kristen, Amanda and I, um starting today and going into next week and the following on Tuesdays from 11 to 1. And we're hoping to just create a space where people can come ask questions about the entertainment zone, but we also expect to field questions about the patio renewals, grants, other um things that we're working on right now. So, um, I encourage you if people have questions about the entertainment zone to send them our way during these hours. We're happy to have questions or answer questions and be in conversation and be available out there. >> So, do you have a table and a little little portico that says here I am or you just stand there? >> We're just going to use the blue Mountain View the table that's out there in front of Red Rock, the picnic table. And I I imagine we we'll have some materials and our badges on and our name tags. And you know, I can't leave this office without someone stopping me and saying, "Oh, Tony, and I've only been here for three months, so people know who we are." [laughter] >> Okay. >> And uh yeah, but um a sign is a good idea. I I'll think about how we can potentially put up a sign. >> It say DTMV or something. >> Yeah. Um Okay. So, the Mountain View Makers Market, we're really excited to be launching this event and accepting applications right now. Uh we've received over 30 applications for the market and we're expecting um more than 60. Uh we're doing an info session this Thursday uh for any vendors who are interested in being part of the makers fair. just going to do rapid fire, answer questions, see what people's concerns are, see if they have other ideas for how to improve kind of the concept. And so we'll be hosting that on Zoom this Thursday. And then there will also be a session on Monday, uh, June 8th that will be presented in Spanish. And um, I will follow up with all of you with the flyers for all of these events if you're interested in sharing them with other people. >> Have you told Fatmo about this? >> Oh yeah. >> Okay. I was like they Okay. As long as they know and they're distributing it to their people. Definitely. I've met with Fabmo twice now. They're great. >> They're really demo. >> So, are these going to be under canopy or is this going to be in an empty storefront or where will these things be set up? >> Good question. It's on along the 300 block of Castro and we anticipate that all of the vendors will be bringing 10 by10 uh booths, but we aren't requiring them. So, if somebody wants to just have a little table, that's acceptable, too. I would think more down home craft fair, less like renegade craft, uh, you know, big fancy show. We're we're really trying to have local makers uh, feature their products and encourage people to shop small and support those local artisans and art entrepreneurs this fall. The beer garden does like Saturdays or something. They have >> Oh, I had the one the beer garden. >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Lovely. They have like I want to say it's like once a month or something. They have they have like on Sundays or Yeah, they have like jewelry and crocheted items and they have vendors that come by. >> Okay, I'll have to connect on that. Thank you. >> And Tony, can I just interject? Um for um the tech showcase which is July 30th um we also are partnering with the makers community. Um but these are electronic geared or technology geared technology um makers that will be in city center plaza. And more importantly is that nothing is for sale. This is all for demonstration to show off their technology. This isn't a vendor type of thing, but it's another way for us to kind of test out our relationship with the with the maker community's kids. >> Yeah. How was uh the repair cafe fit in this thing? >> They don't charge anything. They repair things for people. >> Oh, repair cafe. >> Repair cafe. Uh we've actually or which one are you talking about? Which one are you recommending? >> Showcase or the makers? >> Showcase. >> So we've actually um reached out a number of times and haven't received a response. So if anyone has a special connection, please tell them to respond to me [laughter] because we have uh reached out three or four times in the last month. So >> that's a they're a big deal. And they I mean they have multiple people there working. They have huge crowds waiting to get in. So it's it's an event in and of itself. It's not like a >> somebody for sure. >> But for the makers market um I mean makers I'm confusing them now. For tech showcase um it's just a little bit different than a a vendor opportunity. Um, and we are actually really encouraging Repair Cafe to be there to bring something that people can touch and play with, pull apart, put back together, which is my understanding of what they do in their doors in the first place. So, um, we think it would be a great opportunity for them. Um, but, uh, they got to answer the >> Greg Cola Donado is involved in that, but >> yeah. >> Okay. We have two art updates. So, um we have two fun events next week. First on June uh Monday, June 8th from 5:30 to 8:30, we're holding um just open gallery hours to go see Cian writing um and her exhibit's perseverance. Um so, you can peek at it through the Mountain View Center for Arts windows right now. Um but this will just be a chance to kind of walk in and out. Um the artist will be there. You'll be able to meet her. Um get a chance to look at her art. um just be able to meet pe other people who are interested in art. Um and so we're really excited about this. This is going to be um this is a part of kind of a pilot test um to hold um these kind of open gallery hours once um during every exhibit because we rotate these exhibits every about six to eight weeks. And so this is our first um open gallery hours evening. Um, and then we'll post more. I think our next one's going to be in late July with But next Monday evening, um, at the Mountain View Center for Performing Arts, you can just hop in and out um, as you're available. And then we're also hosting a ribbon cutting on Thursday, June 11th, um, to celebrate the panels, the art panels that were installed at the train depot. Um, so this is going to be at 300 PM next Thursday afternoon. Um, and so just a chance to again meet the artists, celebrate the art. This is a huge collaborative effort between the city, Arts, Mountain View, Mountain View Historical Association helped provide a lot of great feedback and we contribute to the panels that represent kind of the history of Mountain View. Um, and then there was a grant issued by um, the Valley Transportation Authority. So they'll be there as well. So there's going to be a little party. Um so come and enjoy and another chance to meet the artist who um John Patrick Thomas who also did a ballard on two of the ballards on >> you need the big scissors. >> No, I think we um are going to use the community center community service department. >> Yeah. Oh yeah, [laughter] >> flashy one pair of big scissors. I guess [laughter] >> we have a monopoly on big. All right. [laughter] [gasps] >> Okay. Um that it >> um any other questions or comments or anything from the public? >> No, still nobody online. Okay. All right. Then we will close item 6.1 and move on to item seven, new business. And 7.1 is a summer of soccer. >> Right. Amanda, are you taking this or would you like me to? >> Yeah, I can jump in. Um so we are excuse me we are deep in the planning for summer of software activations. Um we've got kind of three categories of activities taking place. >> Um once again we're working with the chamber partnering with the chamber to do outreach to our business community. Um we're going to be hosting u an online map and uh as well as a calendar u promoting what the businesses are up to. So, chamber ambassadors are out there. We're still encouraging businesses to submit what they're up to so that we can include them in all of those promotions. People can visit the website mountainview.gov/summer soccer. Um, we're also looking for to create opportunities for play. So, some opportunities to celebrate soccer, bring the community together. So, with that in mind, a foot golf course will be set up for open play in Qua Park. And foot golf is essentially a frisbee golf with a soccer ball. Uh so that'll be available the entirety of this uh of the tournament and there's going to be cute little cards where people can keep their score. Um it's going to be a really good time. So encourage people to check that out. We're also dropping a mini pitch into the downtown. So this is a small soccer field. Um and we're going to have activations happening there as well, but it'll also be open for open play kind of the back half of the tournament. And then lastly, we're going to be culminating everything with our weekend of music at watch parties. Um that's July 18th and 19th. We're going to be screening the bronze and final matches and we will be activating the downtown entertainment zone for the first time. Um and so again, we're we're testing out the entertainment zone um as part of our outreach and office hours. We're working closely with the businesses to make sure they understand both the opportunity but also the responsibility of participating. Um we are >> excuse me. Do we know what time of day those um uh league games are on the 18th and 19th? >> Yeah. So we've gotten some mixed information, but they do happen during the day. So um the game should start somewhere between noon and two. Um they're they're being shown on the east coast, so we'll be, you know, showing them in real time here on the West Coast. Um but uh we should have final times here pretty soon. But they are midday activi act activations and I'll just jump and show you know as part of that uh we're going to be showing the games and then we're going to have live music so live bands um playing before and after the watch parties we're again going to have familyfriendly activities the oversized games um uh some face painting you know photo booths um you know J was in our 360 photo booth for the Super Bowl so he can share more about that um and then again working with the chamber in town business association on some business specials. >> Do we know of other cities are also doing watch parties and stuff? >> There are a number of cities that are doing watch parties. Um, [clears throat] none that I'm aware of that are doing Well, I think um San Jose is doing watch parties for every single game. Um, but some of the smaller cities have selected various weekends to host watch parties. I know Redwood City has some watch parties. Um I believe uh [clears throat] Los Altos Hills maybe. Um so but there there are a handful that are going to be hosting events. >> Yeah. And then just >> Amanda just before I mean it might be really good to really identify who around us is because then we could add that you know we're the closest watch party you know between you know Redwood City and Santa Clara sort of thing. So as opposed to everybody assuming that every city is doing something um might help our draw. Yeah, I will say we've been coordinating with our economic development colleagues to ensure that none of us are doing the same day um so that we're aren't competing with each other. Um but uh certainly we could add them to our calendar uh where other watch parties are in the region if you think that would be helpful. >> Individual businesses can hold their own watch parties too. So, we won't be able to track all of that. >> Yeah. >> The events fall over. And I know several businesses, they're going to hold watch parties for every game that's playing during their open business hours. So, I think it's going to be a lot of fun. >> And then lastly, just want to share this other opportunity. So, as part of the mini pitch that'll be dropped into the uh into the downtown, um we are going to have popup opportunities for businesses if they'd like to do a popup, you know, a coffee cart popup or um you know, a maker space popup. Uh at the at the mini pitch, we're providing opportunities for businesses to come and activate. Um we are we are also in conversations with some of our um regional professional sports teams and they're interested in doing some pop-ups at the mini pitch. So um we'll be building out the calendar and encouraging the community to come down um for both open play and then some of our special events and that is it. Thank you. Just wanted to add most of this information times is on the current downtown digest the dates and all that. Um questions for Amanda? Any public input? All right. Thanks, Amanda. Um and moving on to item 7.2, the economic vitality strategy update. Yeah, thank you. So, um, let me >> see your email, Amanda. >> Oh, yeah. You don't want to see that. >> Nothing fun in there. [laughter] >> Wait, go back. >> I think I saw something. >> Yeah, happy to have you come and answer my emails for me anytime. Um so uh as you know we just presented to city council um our annual update on the economic vitality strategy. Um this went to council uh just last week on the 26th. Um and so wanting to share that update with you as part of your packet. You'll have you have the full staff report um that includes some updates from uh some kind of highlights of things from this year. Um but I do want to share our uh kind of our updated graphics. So you can see here um particularly calling your attention to goal number two which is around re reinvigorating downtown. Um you can see that we have we've really engaged on a lot of the action items that are related to downtown. So of the 32 total actions for that goal um all but seven have been sort of engaged in some way which is pretty excellent. Um [clears throat] uh and some highlights from this year. Obviously getting our uh popup space off the ground um on Castro Street, the Don't Eat Me popup. That was a huge huge undertaking. Um some of the art activations that Kirsten has been spearheading has been a big uh big win. Being able to get the train depot mural up and running in the Ballards. Um those have been huge. um our facade improvement grant program, continuing to serve businesses throughout the city, but um a lot of interest and activation uh here in the downtown. Um Tony's done a great job of relaunching that program with the larger match and um really helping to uh relook at the user experience and and make improvements on that. Um and then obviously our summer soccer is huge. Um, so being able to bring the world uh the Super Bowl event in February and now working towards the World Cup event. Um, we were able to move really quickly to get an entertainment zone approved. Excuse [clears throat] me. And so, uh, lots of huge wins for downtown and lots of work to come. So, um, we've really, as we're we're building out our team, we have Tony that has joined us. We're going to have a new arts position joining the team. Um, so we're really looking uh strategically about how we're going to be moving into year three, which is, if you can believe it, we're only at year three. Um, we've only completed two years of the economic vitality strategy. And you can see all of the um all of the work that we've already done. Um, and just a another way of kind of cutting up the data here is to uh look at um how action items have been um kind of broken up in our work plan. Uh so all every 164 action items was given a time frame if they were labeled as immediate, short-term or midterm uh midterm or long-term. And so you can see, you know, we've completed all of the immediate action items. We are very um we're we're highly engaged in our short-term short-term action items with only 15% not started. And despite um some of these other actions falling into different categories, we've already been able to engage on some of our midterm and long-term uh progress. One thing to note um as we're moving through the economic vitality strategy, and it's detailed in the staff report that it's included, is we have a lot of items that are becoming ongoing items. And so this means that they don't have a discrete end date. It's not a we've we've completed it box checked, but rather this is a program, a policy, uh a procedure that is now just becoming part of the everyday workload of the economic development team. Um and so we have quite a few ongoing items. I believe we have double um the ones from last year in terms of you know just adding to our baseline workload. And so as we're getting a lot of great momentum right now, but as we continue to move through the uh move through implementation of the program, we're going to just see more and more becoming ongoing. And so um I I project that we'll see a slowing of this rapid progress as we have to, you know, um maintain all of the work that we have established so far in addition to continuing to engage in some of the newer items in the work plan as they come up. Um but I'll pause it there. Uh Peter. >> Yeah. So Amanda, you know, first of all, congratulations to the team. There's a lot of incredibly there's an incredible volume and an incredible importance in the work that's being done. So kudos to the two members here and the one remote. Um that's a lot to be done. Um, one of the things that I've noticed in terms of going to this the council meetings and all that is the council is very uh I don't know stuck on is the right word, [laughter] but they they they seem to really ask a lot of questions about accountability and how are we doing according to metrics and so on. And you just mentioned something that's really important, which is a lot of the activities that were were discrete activities now are really becoming ongoing tasks. And so I guess my question becomes one of how can we present to council progress on things that are just ongoing. You know what is there a new metric that needs to be um introduced in some way so that you know we can make everyone feel good that yes things are being done but there's things that just continue to to roll. Am I making that clear? Yeah, it's a good question, Peter. And um I mean we're trying to do that with how we're reporting out on the economic vitality strategy by showing all of the categories. So showing things that are ongoing, you know, as one bucket, but you know, in progress completed as another bucket. Um certainly, you know, in the report, we're still reporting out on the ongoing work that's taking place. Um, it was really important for me in putting this together to really highlight, you know, we're still doing the facade improvement grant program. We're still doing, you know, tech, we're still providing technical support. We're still supporting small businesses with one-on-one engagement. Um, so all of that is still is still in there because um if you look at uh I think it's page nine of the report and I can share it. I I included this little iceberg graphic um to really highlight and let me zoom in you know all the ongoing work that's taking place. So you know below the waterline there is this big chunk of the iceberg of all the work that the staff is doing daytoday and you know we anticipate that you know we have I don't know 20 20% of our time that can be allotted to strategic initiatives. So if you're thinking about 80% of our time is maintaining the bottom of the iceberg and we're still trying to move forward all of our strategic initiatives. Um and so you know both graphically and narratively I tried to really touch on that in the staff report um to really show um you know we're we're continuing to keep the iceberg afloat and we're we're really um executing on our strategic initiatives and goals and and the economic vitality strategy obviously is the focus of this report. Um not seeing any hands. Um two quick questions. First off, the economic vitality strategy is citywide, not just downtown. Correct. >> That is correct. Yeah. >> Right. The but the second question is sort of a follow on to Peter's is, you know, Yes. So, we have all these things that we've done and that we're doing, but did did you create any or identify any metrics or has council like what's happening with sales taxes? Uh, you know, do we have an inventory of, you know, we've now had 10 out of 30 facade improvements and surveys show that people are really happy with that. I mean, do we have metrics of is any of this doing anything for our economic vitality or is it just a lot of work? >> Yeah, thanks Mike. So, I'll share what was an attachment to the council report which is our measures of success. So, these were adopted by council um as part of the approval of the economic vitality strategy back in 2024. And so you can see we've identified our measures of success which are clear metrics here on the left. You can see how they've changed over our baseline when it was approved in 2024. Year one um report out April 2025 and now year two report out April 2026. And then the little check boxes show which of our goals they apply to. So some of these measures of success apply to all all of the goal areas and some are more targeted at specific goals. So you can see some things I'd like to highlight um here particular to the downtown um our downtown retail vacancy has has continued to decline. So we went from 8.5 and we are down into 6.1. So we've moved into our target area um recognizing that a little bit of vacancy is good because you want to have room for new businesses and new concepts to come in. So we are exactly where we want to be and so we've seen positive progress there. If you look at our percent in year-over-year sales tax in the downtown, um so we went from negative 8.5 um and now we're in 10%. And and that's a couple of things. Um it's related both to some new businesses opening in the downtown and from a strong uh year-over-year change in some of our business service categories. Um the year prior was particularly low, which shows a particularly high number here. But that being said, we're looking at the same the same uh Q4 data every uh year-over-year. And so positive trend there. Um some other positive trends, we're seeing a huge amount of engagement with our economic development business resource pages. So we went from essentially zero um and we've we've seen a 6x increase in businesses in in uh utilization of the resources that we're putting out there. um uh number of businesses in downtown also continues to go up. So we saw almost uh 40 new businesses over the last two years open in downtown. So these are the positive trends that we're continuing to look at. Um and uh and this data is was reported out to council. Um, council did request that we start reporting specifically on industrial uh, zoning and so we'll see a new metric pop up uh, next year when we go to I I would just say I think this would some of this obviously not the chart but you know like in the um the the business newsletter that goes out and stuff you know a report on these results other than saying we're doing a lot of stuff and economic vitality what's it doing? You know, it's sort of like, you know, you know, this is sort of what happened in the last election. Well, the economy is great, but I'm not feeling it. Well, but here's what here's what's happening. So, >> yeah, thanks, Mike. I appreciate the opportunity to share this. And I'll I'll just also note um from the downtown piece, one of the ones of the trends that we are really zeroing in on is this office vacancy rate. So we are seeing an increase in office vacancy in the downtown. Um we know that we had a large company vacate downtown when when they were purchased. They were acquired and moved out. Um so as part of our year three work plan, we are going to be really looking um looking both at some of the current trends in downtown in office vacancy and then what strategies might be out there. Right. Thanks. Um one question Amanda, can you put that chart back up please? Okay, the second to the bottom number of square feet supporting commercial industrial activities target 26 million and um by the metric we're over that um but down just slightly. So um can you explain what that means? Um, and why do we want to do I I'm not questioning, but can you just explain what we're what the metric is and what we're trying to achieve with that? >> Yeah. So, it's looking at the just the number of square feet of all commercial and industrial buildings um and space in in the entirety of Mountain View. And so, um you know, this target, we're above the target, which is great. We want to be at the target or above. Um, but this is really showing kind of the important threshold to support our current uh economic development and our future economic development goals in terms of the amount of commercial activity that's taking place. Um, and so you can see, you know, we've added some targets to some of these. Um, but uh, you know, being at at or above that is where we want to be. >> And do we do do any kind of a measurement on housing um, and how that relates to economic vitality? um whether it be below market rate or at market rate, condos, town houses, single family. Do we do any measurement with that? >> So, not for the economic vitality strategy, but certainly as we're reporting out on our arena numbers, as we're reporting out um on some of our planning pl um advanced planning documents, those numbers are included. So, we do we do track on those metrics, just not as part of the economic vitality strategy. there are a few action items that are tied back to housing and >> so those are things that we're reporting out on kind of in the overall ongoing items. >> Um just one other quick question not on the the report itself but on economic vitality. Have there been any discussions um between you and Christian about um economic vitality advisory committee? >> Um so that will really be a decision for council to make. So it's not a staff level decision. Um we really will have to defer to city council on on the type of advisory bodies and and what they um have been tasked with overseeing and and advising on. So, um, I'm going to defer that to to a council decision. >> I just just to, uh, push back a little bit, it's not as if councel or staff doesn't ever advise council of, well, we really could use an advisory committee here. We really don't need this committee any longer. That sort of thing. So, uh, council does, of course, take its cues from, uh, well-reasoned staff, uh, recommendations. So, um, just just putting that out there. >> I think I think that's fair, Mike. Um, I'm not prepared to speak on that today. >> That That's fine. I I think I knew the answer anyways, but [laughter] a poking the bear there. >> Any other questions on the economic vitality um update? No, but I appreciate showing the grid here because I think that has a different lens on it. That's important. >> Yeah, that's very helpful and I I would really lead with that. I mean, or that's data, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um and assume nothing assuming no um public comment. Okay. Um then let's move to 7.3, the downtown committee work plan. Oh, sorry. That's me pulling up the slides again. All right. Um, so, uh, you can see in your packet based on the feedback that we got at the last committee meeting, um, I've I've provided a final version of the work plan for your review. um just some high level update, you know, high level overview of what's in there. Obviously, continue to provide comments and provide uh re and feedback on programs and projects and policies, continuing to support the economic vitality initiatives in the downtown. Um you know, helping us with promotion and uh utilization of our outreach services and activities. Um obviously the downtown parking strategy still remains out there and so providing recommendations on implementations of that. Um provide council with recommendations on both the parking uh district and the business improvement areas. Um and uh our ped mall activation. So continue to support activation and and implementation of those. Um continued collaboration with the visual arts committee. So as Kirsten mentioned, we're having an open gallery And we're also looking for ways that we can host more of those um art art talks. As we saw really a strong community response um from that and then receiving updates from city departments on on various programs and events and initiatives as you know we've heard from the uh police department in the past from community services. Sounds like we'd like to hear from the fire department um here here soon. So all of that's kind of built into our work plan. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. Can we address the public comment we got about the public bathrooms? Is that something that would need to be discussed here or is that just not >> for this topic at all? Like >> Yeah. So, did you hear that, Amanda? >> I heard about the public restrooms. Yeah. So, we don't have specific specific projects listed here in the work plan. So that would um likely fall under um both receiving updates and then uh looking exploring possible programs and as part of the continued implementation of the ped mall >> if if that were something that we wanted to slot in uh where where would that where would you put that and and and obviously you know it's sort of like studying you parking or studying this. If we were going to put that in, would that be just a a new item that um you know investigate possibilities of uh you know restrooms? I think, you know, as as we as we think about it, as we have the entertainment zones and we get more people coming downtown, um, and and restaurants saying customers only, uh, you know, having, you know, a place to go is important. So, um, it seems pretty relevant. And so, what would be the best way to work that into the work plan? >> Yeah, I think it makes sense under G. Um, you know, that second bullet, discuss improvements, changes for caster sheet closure, you know, and we could we could include um in ter in terms of discuss midterm improvements, we could put in little brackets here including public uh you know, including public restrooms um as part of that. And so that would be an edit we could make to this final document. >> Um thoughts on that? >> Good idea. Yeah. Yeah. >> Do do I [clears throat] do I hear a motion to include that in in the work plan? Because this is the work plan. This, you know, this is the sign off. It goes to the council from here. So, >> I move that we add under item G that we study or recommend uh public restrooms. I'll second. >> All right. Any other discussion? Um All right. Um and assuming no public input public input. Um all in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Any opposed? Uh the motion carries unanimously. >> Okay. And um we also then need to approve the recommended work plan as modified. So, is there a motion to um uh approve the work the fiscal year work plan? >> I move that we adopt the work plan as amended. >> Second. >> All right. Um moved by Bar, seconded by Shake. Any discussion? Any public input? All right. All in favor say I. I. >> Any opposed? Um, that motion carries unanimously as well. All right. You've been really been working hard today, Amanda. Thank you. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um, with that, we will um close item 7.3 and move on to item eight, committee staff comments, questions, and committee reports. Um, anything Pamela? Um question on the wayfinding signs. Um the note said that they would be installed in June and certainly by we hope by July. What's the update on the wayfinding signs? >> Yeah, we've run into a little bit of some hurdles with production. So, we're still hoping for summertime, but um we've had to uh we've had some delays. As soon as I have a clear timeline for installation, I'll let the committee know. >> Great. And then I I'll be conducting a walking tour on June 26, whatever the last Sunday of the month is in June. >> Anything else? Um Stephanie, >> now that thinking about public restrooms, are there going to be bathrooms for the watch parties? Just thinking of the traffic of people. Okay. >> Yeah, there will be bathrooms similar similarly to what we did for the Super Bowl event. There will be bathrooms. Yeah. Anything else from anybody? >> 17th taste of Mountain View. Get your tickets now. >> All right. >> Um I I'll just note um we head into our recess, so we will not be meeting the next two months. Um mirroring council's recess. >> All right. Schools have summer. >> Only one comment on Yes. business next to Monte Carlo was some kind of construction going on and they blocked the sidewalk and they had a detour. There were no signs, but I saw the staff. I out there looking for it and trying to get the signs on. >> I don't need signs now. >> I thought I just walked yesterday. I saw a sign. >> They were there just there. I was confused too. So they were standing up there. Hey, there no signs in there. But we were putting them on to bring him back and route them back. So >> it's always a good fix in the atrium and on the outside of it. Yeah. >> I didn't know the um M design is is done and they haven't um opened up the gallery yet which will be opening at some point in the near future. And it looks like the um what is it? Uh the old tap plastics is still under underway. So >> that ought to be that'll be interesting. >> So a question on the update on the old Jennings 171 Ames building since Vincent wasn't here to present. Do we have any update on what's happening with that building? That has been forever. >> You're talking about the lock museum on the 100 block 171 Castro. >> Yeah. Um, I don't have any updates, although I'm working with the property owner to put a vinyl wrap on those windows. >> That would be nice. [laughter] >> It looks a little abandoned. But what about the sample sales group that's like leaving? >> Yeah, they moved over. Yeah, >> I know. What happened there? They just were like, >> well, maybe we weren't upscale enough to pay $250 for a jacket. >> Oh, it never went in there. So, [laughter] >> like I was like, this is too fancy. I don't wear high heels. I'm like, no thanks. >> Yes. >> I will say for that pro for that business, um, we really see that as a success. They were testing out a concept here in Mountain View and they were so successful that they went on to find a permanent location. So, I I think that's a success story. Um, and that we were able to incubate that business and certainly we'll be working with our commercial real estate partners to see what what we can bring to fill that space. >> You got to get a part of the tail. Okay. Anything else on item eight? And if not, then we'll move to item nine, adjournment. And we will stand adjourned until September, right? >> Do we have a date for September? Because right around Labor Day, I think. >> Yeah, that's a really good that's a really good point. >> The day right after Labor Day. >> Oh, no. Okay. So it it'll actually be uh yeah, Labor Day is >> very lightly. >> Labor Day is the seventh. >> The seventh and we're the first. >> We would be meeting on the first. Yeah, the week before. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Thanks for checking. Some years it falls right on top of it. So noting that, >> right? >> Okay, that's better. >> All right. Well, have a good summer everybody and try and get some time off to our fabulous staff. Yeah, >> you you use that break to your advantage >> and we are adjourned >> early. >> Early and short. That's what happens when we don't have the uh >> downtown the the development.]]> https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/dED8Bx4mdJU https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/dED8Bx4mdJU Fri, 05 Jun 2026 21:09:10 GMT The Council Sustainability Committee reviewed the results of a decarbonization goal analysis, which recommended maintaining the 2045 carbon neutrality goal since local actions alone cannot close the emissions gap, with regional/state policies (like Bay Area Air District appliance rules) driving most reductions. Members emphasized the importance of financing, incentives, tracking EV adoption and bike/trail usage, and outreach through schools. Staff also gave a progress update on Sustainability Action Plan 4 (91% complete) and proposed roughly $2 million in near-term investments for heat pump rebates, multifamily EV charging, shuttle service, fleet EV charging, and solar/battery projects. The committee gave a straw poll to hold a special meeting for a Santa Clara County sea level rise gathering to avoid Brown Act issues. Call to order and roll call Approval of minutes Public comment on utility tax funding Decarbonization goal analysis Financing and incentives Building electrification and air district rules EV charging and transportation emissions Multifamily EV charging School community outreach Bay Area Air District Rule 96 Sustainability Action Plan progress update Sustainability fund investments Bike and trail usage data tracking Special meeting for sea level rise > Um, Chair Shalter >> here. >> Member Clark. >> Member Hicks >> here. >> Great. All right. And then we have item three, which is approve the uh the minutes. Does anyone have any comments or questions about the meeting minutes? >> Okay. Um uh thanks. Thank you. If um would anyone like to move a motion to approve the minutes? >> Second after public com. >> Yeah, I think we need to have public. Okay. Is there any Would you like to make public comment on the minutes? No. Okay. Anybody online? Okay. So we can go ahead with the vote. All those in favor of approving the minutes, I >> I Okay, that passes unanimously. Now we come to item four, oral communications. Um item four is oral communications from the public. This portion of the meeting is reserved for people wishing to address the committee on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are allowed to speak for on any topic for up to three minutes during this section. State law prohibits the CSC from acting on non-aggendaized items. Would any member of the public like to provide comment on an item that is not on the agenda? >> Yes. >> Welcome. >> Thank you. I'm going to speak about a lot of [clears throat] different numbers and so I thought it'd be kind to put them on a piece of paper so you could see them as I was talking about. Oh, so at the last city council meeting, I commented on what I felt was a need for a funding source to do wonderful things for sustainability. And just in the last couple of days, I've come up with one. And so it is to say that the user utility tax, which has risen so rapidly the last few years, represents a windfall. money that people have paid in order to get electricity and gas in their homes and businesses have done the same. The city has taken a 3% tax on all of that money and as the price of gas and electricity have risen, the tax revenues have risen. In the past, $4.8 million a year from natural gas and electricity was the city's take and it went to the general fund. And all that money is still going to the general fund. And what I'm proposing is that the city take only 4.8 8 million for the general fund and return the rest via via incentives other programs to people who electrify their vehicles or their homes. The simple one pager that I handed out gives you the data about how much has been collected. These are the data about how much the price of electricity and natural gas have risen and it gives you the data about how far you could go with $2.8 million a year for incentives. If the incentive amount were $2,000, you could do 1,414 incentives. That's one incentive for for 4% of the households every year over 20 years. That would be one incentive for 80% of the households. This is a significant amount of money. And so, although this is not on the agenda and it's not in the current sustainability 5-year plan, I hope it will become part of the plan and of the budget for the coming fiscal year. very much. Okay. Um, is there anybody online who Okay. All right. Um, we'll now close the oral communications item and move to the discussion action items. And we have number five, new business. And 51 is the decarbonization goal analysis. This item will be presented by sustainability and resiliency division staff, Miss Lee. >> Thank you, Chair Schaalter. I'm pleased to be joined this evening by Miss Lucky, program manager within the sustainability and resiliency division as well as our colleagues from Cascadia Consulting online. They're available to answer any questions at the end of our presentation. Uh this evening we're here to be presenting the results of our decarbonization goal analysis. This is the work that basically underscored the development of the draft list of um actions to be included in our five-year decarbonization plan. Um as well as helped us to answer the question of whether or not staff would recommend accelerating the city's currently adopted 2045 decarbonization goal. Uh, by way of brief background, um, council directed, uh, well, I guess yes, council directed staff to a answer this question. Could we accelerate our decarbonization goal? And what would um it take to achieve that? So part of that process involved understanding the impact of federal, state um and local actions on emissions projections and then understanding what the uh kind of balance if you will of emissions left to the local level would be for various decarbonization years. Um next slide. Um a little bit more detail. We've been in discussion about this decarbonization goal analysis for some time. Um our first discussion after the contract Cascadia was approved was in June where we were started to look at the assumptions and some of the local actions that staff were proposing for modeling. So we couldn't model everything. We wanted to winnow down to a list of approximately 10 local measures that we thought would have the highest potential for emissions reductions. We also talked about some of the assumptions that were included in our first take on how to proceed with the analysis. Uh CSC asked that we reconsider our growth assumptions and asked for some additional analysis to be undertaken. In November, we returned to the committee. We reviewed the updated forecast based on the feedback from CSC and we um sought approval which was given from this committee to um complete our list of local actions for modeling. In December, we looked at the final list of local actions and also started to look at the draft of what would be in the five-year decarbonization plan based on this analysis. And then in April, we looked at the final version of the draft list of five-year um decarbonization action plans actions um prior to the council study session which occurred last Tuesday. And now I'd like to hand it over to Miss Lucky. She's going to tell us a little bit more um about the analysis and its results. >> Thank you, Miss Lee. Um slide illustrates the three admission scenarios that were evaluated with the first being the business as usual. So this shows without any climate policy or interventions through the market that our emissions would grow in Mountain View by 13% by 2045. And that's largely due to population and employment growth which we updated based on feedback from the CSC. And then the next scenario, we looked at the adjusted business as usual. So this includes existing regional and state um policies. As you know, we did look at some of the federal policies, but then they were rescended or removed or delayed. Um and so what we were left with from our business as usual is a 59% um reduction in admissions as a result of state and regional actions. So that is really great news that there is still um movement in this area from what we found in the analysis. And then the third scenario is the local action scenario. We were [clears throat] able to look at um about nine local measures to see what their impacts would be on emissions by 2045. And as we revealed late 2025, they um were very small. We modeled we showed an analysis of five modeled actions and an additional four is being shown tonight as the total um and we're still at about 7% below the business as usual with local action. So in total with the ABAU and the local action we're able to reduce emissions 66% shown right now. Um and that still leaves a significant gap to achieve by 2045. Next slide. So what's driving the emission reductions? What we observe from the analysis is that a lot of the emission reductions are coming from regional and state um regional, state and market transformation which is not necessarily inside the city's control and these are leading to substantial reductions. So the top um four that are modeled were the EV market trends and this did include the incentive. So when we're looking at the EV market trends, it was basically the the sales trends that we've been seeing over the last few years in Santa Clara County, which has been about 41%. And thinking that that is going to continue. That was modeled when the IRA direct pay incentives for EVs were available. So things could change as we know and stated in the council meeting, fuel prices are also driving people into, no pun intended, into EVs. Um, so that's still a positive signal. And then we've got the Bay Area Aerogistic Rules, which would prohibit the sale and installation of gas appliances, meaning natural gas water heaters and um natural gas furnaces for space heating starting in 2027 for water heaters and later on space heating. And so that's another significant reduction of over 100,000 metric tons. So it's quite significant. We also have the state SB100 renewable um energy portfolio standard. That's another 50,000 and our low carbon fuel standard. That is a state standard. So with these top four and some additional state um policies, we're at 59% um reduction from our business as usual scenario. Next slide. Building electrification remains one of the most important decarbonation strategies identified in the analysis with and because of the Bay Area air district rules um that are proposed. We anticipate to see emissions reductions as a result of that and it's going to very much accelerate emission reductions for Mountain View leading to a 92% reduction in building emissions by 2045. The next slide. When we looked at the modeling for um local building actions, what we were seeing is that you wouldn't get a quite as large of an emission reduction as the Bay Area error district. However, the local actions can help accelerate emissions reduction so we can meet our 2045 goal. Uh it can help make sure the implementation is successful. We looked at reach codes, electrification outreach, and education through programs like the year of the water heater campaign. Um, incentive programs like the city's current rebate for $2,000 for a water heater to replace your gas with a electric heat pump and permitting assistance. We also looked at additional actions like time of sale. those did result in fewer emission reduction potentials and and so what we're viewing that as um kind of a contingency planning but also kind of being mindful of you know which of these actions will give us the largest emission reductions with um that is most feasible maybe has less complex administrative um work around it um but it still is an option. But the key takeaway is that the local actions are they complement regional efforts and reduce emissions um and at reducing emissions that are higher priority. Next slide. This slide is intended to demonstrate kind of what happens if things change. So, what we're potentially seeing if the Bay Area Air District delays, weakens, or rescends the appliance rules that I just covered about gas furnaces and um gas water heaters. You know, with the air district rules, we don't see a lot of reductions with the reach codes because it kind of supersedes it after a while. Like, you see the reductions with the reach codes and then it kind of fades away because the Bay Area or district rules really take over. But without um the air district regulations, reach codes really become a a substantial emission reduction local action where you see 30,000 tons reduced. Um it still doesn't quite get to the 107,000 ton emission reduction that the Bay Area air district rules would get to. It covers about 29% of what the Bay Area um district air district rules would have covered. So for transportation emissions, they still remain pretty large. both now and in the future is what our analysis found and it will represent about 63% of our core emissions in 2045 and this is again we're you've seen continued use of gasoline commute patterns you know we're not certain about the EV adoption rates given the changes we've seen um and the potential reduction of incentives and regulations so it does remain the greatest opportunity for local action And again providing um whether it's like enabling infrastructure or other pathways to you know get people into EVs that make it more convenient and easy. Next slide. One of the um greater insights from the analysis was when looking at all of the transportation local actions expanding EV charging showed the greatest um emission reductions compared to other actions like EV outreach and education is at 4,000 metric tons of reductions versus expanding multifamily EV charging at 22,000. So that was a pretty strong indicator of spending um some time and effort and trying to understand how charging and connecting people to charging can help get them into EVs and help them stay in EVs as well. Next slide. So the overall conclusions drawn from the analysis was to maintain our carbon neutrality goal. you still have a significant gap that we're going to have to keep revisiting every five years and figure out how we can um close that gap further and further and re-evaluate what's going on in the market, what's going on in our broader policy context and focus on our five-year planning horizon and adapt to our changing policy landscape. Right. So, our next step is that staff will return with a final five-year priorization plan um to the CSC and city council um this year. And so, thank you so much. We appreciated your guidance and collaboration throughout the CSC meetings and working toward finalizing this analysis. We're here to answer any questions. As Dan, as Miss Lee mentioned, Caspia of the team that helped develop this model is um on standby on Zoom to help us answer any questions that you may have. Thank you. I guess I'll ask a question. I um I never know some of these things I never know whether they're statements or questions that are about. It seems to me that one of the big things with putting together this the five-year plan is uh can you offer incentives or financing? And one of the reasons I'm thinking there are many reasons I'm thinking about that. But one of them the the example would be uh what council member Mallister brought up at the last uh council meeting on this subject which I thought was super important. He was saying that we can't make people buy electric cars and electrify their buildings because it's too expensive. But when you look into it, it costs a bit to set up. But over time it actually from all the reading I've been doing costs less. Um so that to me says financing. That's what you do when you know you want a job that makes more money but you like to go to college first. You don't say well co well you might say college is too expensive so I just won't do it. But typically or you want to buy a house but you don't have all the cash to put down. Typically in that sort of case and these are much smaller cases than houses and college you finance. So is there talk about financing in a big way because I'm not hearing very much in the staff reports about that or maybe I've glossed over it. So tell me more. >> Thank you for the question. Um I we deliberately did not answer the question around how will we pay for all of this work. This initial analysis was really like where are the emission reduction potentials and uh same for the study session to council. The focus was not really the funding side of the implementation. It was just too soon to have that part of the discussion. That being said, um we have seen some movement in the financing space and of course there are incentives that are available both through the city through Silicon Valley clean themed energy and then regional incentives and at varying points various points along the way there have been federal incentives as well. So lots of stacking of incentives that have been available and continue to be available. In terms of financing we've seen the most progress from the utilities. So on financing is something that exists through PG&E. Silicon Valley clean energy also applied to be able to offer um on a pilot basis on bill financing for electrification measures. So um and then they collaborated with Peninsula Clean Energy. Mountain View participated in the staff team that helped to issue an RFP for financing services. So um if not on financing then could there be thirdparty financing alternatives that would be made available to SBCE and PCE customers. The results of that RFP I don't think that they selected a provider that essentially um rates were not competitive enough um but there is still the onell financing option which is a good fit for many customers. PGNA also offers a municipal um example of this as well and we have had discussions with public works around whether we could take advantage of that for decarbonization efforts within the city as well. >> Okay, that's all very interesting. I understand separating the how we'll fund it from the what we'll do, but in many ways it seems like the questions are inseparable. like you could do much more if you had financing or many people who would say like I've heard that people move on the average maybe it's not true anyway every five years so if something is going to pay you back in 10 or 15 or 20 years you're not nobody's going to do it right they can't or many people won't do it unless so whether in terms of a list of things that we should work on there's a big difference whether you can finance it or not We we do have um at a high level one thing that was included in the original list of uh local actions that we would add to our five-year plan um financing and funding pursuing financing and funding opportunities. So it wasn't like a specific dollar amount that we would secure x number of dollars but that we would investigate kind of in the similar vein as um pursuing legislative opportunities through the creation of the local government climate alliance. So that is included at the very high level to focus on that in the next five years. So I'll save the rest of my things for Thank you, >> Chris. >> Just really broadly trying to how everything fits together. So we had our we had our sessions, we had our study session. Uh we'll provide feedback on this tonight. This will come back. It will fall as soon to us andor the council. >> This is intended to we wanted to present the full analysis. um we've used the results of this analysis and included feedback from the committee. We just wanted to come back with here's the final work. You know, we can show our work, if you will. Um this doesn't require further action. What will come back to both CSC and the council is the actual five-year um decarbonization plan which would be based on the work that is contained with within this analysis. >> Yeah. And then are there any other like large items that we're trying to tackle before the end of the year. With respect to this community score, >> the end of the fiscal year or the calendar? >> The end of the calendar. >> Um in the fall, we will be bringing um forward a discussion on municipal decarbonization. And um because sort of the tandem piece to accompany the communitywide decarbonization approach, uh we'll be diving deeper into the transportation emissions and EV charging. We had been talking about having a discussion around that as we launch the multif family um EV charging incentive program. Those are the primary things and then preparing to bring this five-year plan to council before the end of the year. >> I just wanted to make sure I had all the pieces in my head. >> Yes. It's possible that we will have discussion about the zoning incentives related to decarbonization. Um although we don't know um if going straight to council based on timelines really for when the codes need to be adopted whether it goes through EPC and then to council or EPC CSC council but it will be vetted. Okay. Well, I have a couple. First of all, I just want to confirm this. I mean, we've been talking about it a long time and um uh first of all, one of the things that um we we talked about is how important getting EV chargers is at multifamily housing. Now, my understanding is the reason for that is because we've actually been very successful at getting it in single family homes. So, we don't need to work on that anymore in a sense. And there are some existing incentives, but multi-family housing is a barrier. And in addition to that, a a tremendous amount of our population lives in it. And we expect that percentage to be maintained or increased. So it's both the barrier and the big percentage that it is for us. So if we lived in a community that you know only had 200 people living in apartments it wouldn't but necessarily but right okay so I just wanted to confirm that those are you know there isn't any other secret reason [laughter] that that um we should be aware of. I think that the access the level of access to EV charging is lower uh at multif family. So less access and the fact that it represents a significant portion of our housing >> 50% of our units. >> Yeah, it's huge. It's >> and and also just the controls I mean the controls of of the people who live there in a little bit >> is is really yeah difficult. Whereas in a a single family home, you know, typically the owner um even if the owner doesn't even if it's a rental, the rent the renter probably deals directly with the owner, whereas that's not the case for an apartment. They may, you know, the the owner could be five walls or something from what, you know. Okay. All right. Um, and uh, then the other thing I wanted to to say is that um, I'm really pleased to see the numbers here. It seems like there weren't that many numbers in the report and um, uh, and did we get the presentation to us electronically? >> Um, the attachment had the numbers. We did not send the PowerPoint in advance. So, so can we get that after the >> the attachment was uh included? >> Was it included? >> It was. Yes. >> Okay. All right. >> I for some reason I did not see that. Anyway, this is a great PowerPoint and I'm really pleased to see the numbers because I think for many of us that just makes it so much easier to understand and um particularly to uh to talk to our residents about, you know, why we want to do this um you know, like why do you want to do a heat pump? Not just because you're going to save money, but you know, talking about how it's it's taking off um the GHGs that a car would take off for instance. I mean, I think people really, you know, people really care about the magnitude of all of that. So, I'm glad I see that. Okay. So, then let's go share if I if I may. I wanted to just add that the the model is built to be dynamic. I think we saw in the last year how much our assumptions had to change because of everything kind of shifting beneath us. So for example, the model currently assumes full compliance with the air district rules because all the air district has done has been sort of a straw poll um discussion around modifying the requirements or increasing the number of exemptions. if they ultimately end up at you 40% exemptions, we could adjust our model and say, well, what does 60% compliance look like instead of 100%. We haven't adjusted it yet because no formal action has been taken by the air district. But um same for EVs. If we see the trend shifting, we can adjust the projection. Maybe adoption maintains, you know, stays high or increases or decreases if gas prices decline. um absent incentives so we can make adjustments and report back to the committee um and shift which which actions are pursued within the five-year plan. >> That's good. That's always the kind of goal of a computer model is that you can put in different parameters, but normally that doesn't happen. >> I know, right? So >> now it's like weekly. [laughter] >> We'll get to do that. [snorts] >> All right. So I think with that um it's time to have public comment and um we see u Mr. Far would like to speak. Anybody else? Very welcome. >> Hello. So six or nine months ago um Miss Lee told me that the most of the remaining emissions in 2045 would come from vehicles and I could not understand why that was. But now looking at page five of table three in the goal analysis, I understand why. It's because it says, "This analysis assumes that the EV sales rate of 41% of new cars being EVs will remain constant over time all the way up to 2045." I would not make that assumption. I suspect none of you would make that assumption either. It also says there is minimal research regarding heavy duty electric vehicle sales proportions. So the model estimates that this metric reaches 10% by 2050. So 0 to 10% in the next 25 years for heavy duty vehicles like the Kodiak and Tesla semi-truckss and other heavy duty vehicles. So when the assumptions deviate that far from what I think reality is going, uh it's no wonder that you get to a conclusion that building emissions are the second worst of our problems. I would maintain that building emissions are absolutely going to be the first worst of our problems in 2045 because so many different decisions have to be made by landlords who own buildings, tenants who occupy them, single family homeowners. um all those appliances that need to be replaced are a much heavier lift than getting people to decide that EVs which have so many advantages even today are not going to be the dominant form of motor vehicle in the future if we are all still personally using motor vehicles and if we're all in Whimos and equivalents though they will certainly be electric in the future. Um, so I would encourage you to take a much deeper dive personally to the questions the to the assumptions that underly this analysis and the analysis that comes next. Um, to the extent that I hope you will ask for a specific list of the assumptions yearbyear. And you know the only reason that the uh emissions from cars go down is because at 41% a year every year it does drive out certain amount of the fossil fueled vehicles. But in reality as we get faster and faster charging as we have electron stations replacing gas stations I mean there are already cars in China that can charge in 12 minutes. Um and if you can charge in 12 minutes why do you need a big battery that makes your car cost a lot of money? Why don't you use a 35 30 or 35 kilowatt hour battery that's cheap so that the vehicle's first cost when new is much less and you can know you can fill it up at any electron station anyway. This just it's not very forward and in fact the latest data in this page is from five quarters ago. This is the work that we paid for a long time ago. It's not been updated in any useful way. Were they online? >> Yes, I'm very detailed. >> Oh, can I? >> Of course. Yeah, >> come and get your name. >> Later. >> We can do it after. We just need it so that we get your name right in the minutes. >> Oh, okay. >> So, go ahead and Katie Patrick. >> Hi. >> Hi. Um, I wanted to uh talk about the school district and um some thoughts I had about how we can better collaborate with the school community. Um, I've got a daughter at Amy Amay. Um, and I've been hosting an earth club and teaching different like earth classes and just really trying to understand how the school bureaucracy works to try to um activate the parent community. And from what I can tell, there's about 4,000 houses in the parent community in the school district. So there's 11 schools and they account for probably about 15% of the emissions or the population. And I've spoken to the school district. I went to their board meeting a couple of weeks ago and from what I've been able to gather from our own principal and our own sustainability lead which seems to be even a volunteer position or maybe a couple of hours like tacked on to the side of their job. There's no consciousness about this the impact of these 4,000 homes. They're doing a lot of work on the campus specifically because they can control that directly. But I don't think we even have a name for like what is this family community? Yeah, I'm just calling it the family community because I don't even know if we have a name for it. But the school, this school community is very unique. I don't think there's anything like it that we have such an ability to potentially mobilize all these families. I mean, most of us probably all have kids and we know how involved the parents are. So, what I would like to see in some of these action plans is even like a line item for how we would the marketing and the outreach and the incentives for how we would get out to these communities. And I don't think it can be done just through a single incentive or a top- down program. We need to have more of a meta structure so that there is somebody in each school that's champion this. Even if I do it as a volunteer, like I can't champion every single school and be in every school. I only have a child in one. Uh and the sustainability manager whose job is to just maybe oversee like the recycling bin. They have like very minimal kind of impact in what they're doing isn't enough to mobilize this. but to really think about, you know, do we have somebody at each school that's going to take the lead that if you do want to say like, hey, we're going to do like a EV charger incentive program or we're going to have like heat pump week in the school that they're going to be that person who's going to um champion that because we all know that teachers and everyone at schools are super busy. even if you did incentivize it, it wouldn't get enough traction unless there's somebody doing it, someone like me or someone there that's somehow formalized in the school uh system. So that's it for me. Thanks. >> We have very detail. >> Good evening. Hello. [laughter] Um much of the city's plan relies on the Bay Area Air District rules 94 and 96. Um rule 96 was originally scheduled to start January of uh next year. The uh Bay Area Air District Board is planning to revisit the decision in October of this year. I believe at the most recent Bay Area Air District Board meeting. staff presented recommendations that included postponing the implementation of rule 96 by 9 months from January next year to October and including exemption process that would result in um for low-income situations and complicated slashcostly installations that they estimated would rule out about 38% of the cases. So at that meeting um the air district board gave feedback to staff's recommendations. Of the 18 board members who gave feedback only uh 10 supported staff's recommendations and eight board members did not support moving forward but instead spoke in favor of some longer post indefinite postponement or wanted to make implementation voluntary. Six members uh did not provide feedback. Most I think we're not there. All four Santa Clara County representatives voted in favor of staff's recommendations. Um I especially appreciated our Vice Mayor Clark's thoughtful comments about the importance of leaders taking action when it becomes clear that past decisions such as building a natural gas infrastructure need course correction. Um, in addition to the postponement and the exemptions and the sort of close situation on the board, there's also a risk that a lawsuit could delay the implementation. So, my asks are um these that staff update the goal analysis to reflect the 9-month delay and the expected 38% exemption rate. um please correct me if I've got that number wrong, but I thought it was 38%. That um initially that staff start planning to implement um the um administrative updates they talked about such as the reach codes that um that they mentioned in this proposal um uh and not just to rely on the reach code moving forward. Um third that staff try to estimate um how our Mountain View exemption rate is likely to compare to the expected 38% overall exemption rate since we have such a high percentage of renters. And um fourth, that our city council members send a note of support and appreciation to the Santa Clara County uh Bay Area Air District representatives and ideally to um any uh and then you know uh I guess ideally also to any bad members who voted against moving forward with Rule 96 to um let them know that that we're in support of that. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Anyone else online? Yeah. Okay. All right. So, that bring this back to council for um discussion and um uh this is what kind of action is there for this that they this is just random. >> This is the information. All right. >> Okay. So, who would like to go first? >> Okay. So, I just wanted to say I really appreciated the report um and particularly the the um graphic that showed the local versus the the non-local, you know, state and federal uh actions and what they contribute. I thought was was really clear. Um, I guess the the thing that I found um uh the thing that I found uh one thing that I the main thing I wanted to comment on was that um that we're in such kind of what you said that uh that uh this is I'm glad to hear this model is built to be dynamic because even you know even since it was put together I changes. Um the big one that hit me, let me see what I typed from the report was um EV market trends. Um and it was about the availability of federal EV tax incentives. um you know those going away and um and that's that of course is is still true. But the change the dramatic change in gas prices recently um uh really affects you know uh makes it almost out of date you know since it was written. Um you know cuz a quick online search tells me that geopolitical vulnerabilities like the straight of hormuz and depleted reserves and refining capacity restraints etc. um as a result of them there there may be sustained historically elevated gas prices for the foreseeable future. So that changes some of the what you would predict in terms of uh EV adoption. Um and who knows how long that would last. Also EVs and and uh plug-in hybrid EVs may become much cheaper to run. uh as well as I've read about some cities adopting um uh actions to address or to incentivize micro cars and neighborhood electric vehicles along with other kinds of micro mobility. So, not just scooters and so forth. Um, I guess there's one that's available uh called the Wink for about $8,000. That's a fully covered car. I'm looking into it for my children, so that's why I know about it. Um, so I just feel like we may be able, maybe this relates to uh what Mr. Carney said, but we may be able to speed up EV adoption. And I'm glad to hear that the model is built to be dynamic, but I would like to particularly keep our eye on eyes on that particular realm of things because I think that's something that we may um be able to speed up. Um let's see. Uh and I would like to integrate that with our TDM actually because I'm finding it a little too much stick and not enough carrot. I think that people particularly as a person who has had young children around I I think only carrots making your life more difficult is not the route should be I don't think we should make anybody's more difficult but particularly um people who have very difficult uh transportation schedules. Um so that's one thing I wanted to keep our eyes on. I also, as I hinted in my questions, I think that financing and for that matter incentives because for both buildings and cars, for many people, it's the initial price that puts them off. And I think they don't often don't know that down the road, like I I said, I thought Council Member Mallister's statements were extremely important because I think that's what most people are thinking. it's just too expensive for me when it may actually save them. So, I want to make sure that that we're taking actions that allow people to capture the money it will save. Um I I'm I'm uh reading Bill McKibben's book Here Comes the Sun, >> which is a good book to read while all these sort of negative things are going on uh nationally because it it's all about the increasing cheapness of um things run by the sun. And I feel like we could capture more of that in our fiveear books and be more positive around that. Um, see if I had anything else. Um, yeah. So, I'm particularly uh interested in seeing eventually anything about uh financing or incentives because those are the two ways to cut the initial startup cost for these things. And I think it's hard as said during the question, it's hard even to make predictions about what adoption will be if you don't know, you know, if we were going to give everybody very large incentives, the adoption numbers would be much much higher or if we had one bill financing that was really easy to do for everyone. So I guess that's another big thing I would like work on even regionally. um you know there's no reason to hog it to ourselves. Um and I liked the idea that um Mr. Carney brought up in terms of I don't know whether that would whether the um the uh UUT not only for us but for for I mean we must not be the only city experiencing that. There must be other cities in the region and it'd be great if that would become you know a regular practice so that everyone would have incentives. Um, and then uh, and that that also makes me think about what Mr. Carney has brought up as well about the rising cost of gas. It seems like that's something that we could talk about regionally. Um, ways to work through that using financing and incentives to get as many people as possible off of off. So, I'm seeing all those work together as a package. Um, and I guess the last thing I'll say is that I I guess I talked a little about political changes. The other thing that this doesn't and can encompass of course is technical changes which I think are, you know, are happening pretty rapidly. So I look forward to our discussion on EV charging in um in rental units and I think that's really important but if there's very fast charging it may be something we end up not wanting to do if very fast charging all over the place. So I guess my I come back to what I said in the beginning that um I'm glad the models would be dynamic because I think that's very >> um chair if I may just add a quick comment in response to um your observations. One of the things that um I could I could emphasize about the model is that it underscores a portion of what we plan to include in the 5-year decarbonization plan but not all of it. We recognize that there are very important actions that we should pursue that we maybe can't model specific emissions reductions for, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't do that. So things like financing or regional solutions to incentives um in some cases even short-term trends that we're seeing like gas prices, maybe we can't put that in a 20-year model, but we can track that and pursue that in discussion and look for opportunity within that. So the model isn't meant to be um fully comprehensive. We will certainly work on things that are not it's just meant as one of the tools in identifying local actions. >> Okay, good to know. Oh, I had a couple other comments I see now. One is that in terms of schools, I I like uh what the the speaker said. I know that when I had kids in elementary school, I mean, she's kind of right. Your whole world is elementary school. those are the people, those are all your friends. Um, uh, and no one else wants to talk to you because kids um, and so I don't know if there's a way of so I think it is a good way to get outreach and education to families who basically don't go anywhere else. Um, and maybe linking it with school block in some way, having a school block, I don't know, something along those lines or some way of doing going like the neighborhood the council neighborhood committee meetings, maybe going to school meetings. I don't know, something along those lines. I think she has a point. Um, we we do participate in school events when we're invited. This year we hosted a city's Earth Day event and also went to one of the local schools Earth Day events and we had temporary heat he pump water heater tattoos temporary tattoos for children and stickers and I think we had even um stuffed animals. Oh no, >> coloring books. >> Coloring books um related to our heat pump water heater program. Um, I know that I made my parents avid recyclers as a school child, uh, because that was what was the thing in the 90s. So certainly there's great power in children compelling their parents to do things. So >> we certainly meetings. Um, oh, and I do think it would be good to send a note of appreciation for the um or or support as uh Miss Dio suggested. >> Thank you. We can work with Miss Gilmore. The city did send a letter of support to the air district um at the initial at the outset on on the decisions related to implementation. >> Okay. >> But if it's not going to come up again until October, maybe we'll >> we can resend and they'll be at the bottom. >> Yeah. >> So having it closer to the top would please would help. Um, I hear >> I mean, you don't have to send me an individual. Thank you. [laughter] I've got enough of both sides of that and a lot of a lot of profaneed emails unfortunately. Um, but uh yeah, I think with respect to the air district, as was noted, you know, we had some uh not everyone was president. We don't necessarily know where everyone stands, but we had enough to kind of move forward with the frameworks that need to be worked through on the exemptions pieces and all those things. So, um hopefully the coalition bolds together. We will see. Um the I think with respect to the I mean I I look at this from a really high level. I think the time money and investment that we're putting into this model is hopefully it serves as a a baseline or framework that we can update over time as you mentioned dynamic so that you know if if EV adoption rates don't match our assumptions we can adjust those if new technology changes and um you know individual EV chargers no longer make sense for whatever reason uh or or the the macropolitical or economic environment changes as long as we can adapt fairly quickly um and update things. I think that's the most important piece as opposed to what is what is on paper today because it it will change naturally um hopefully in a year or two. Uh but yeah, I think from my perspective, we just want to make sure we have a good baseline and a good model that's adaptable over time. So we don't have to go through this whole process every few years. And whoever's on this committee few years from now will have basically problems. Well, um I too appreciate the report and the analysis that was done. And in particular, I kept finding myself going back to that um that multicolored chart with the um you know, the big triangle made up of all those different pieces and thinking about um you know, how it would be different if if the um the components of that changed. And um uh I think you could really give like an hourong talk easily about what what is that what does that graph really say? And um and maybe we should have an out anyway, but but I um uh I really appreciated that and and the numbers um that were shared tonight because in particular I think that people want to understand the magnitude of what, you know, what's what's happened or not. And so I think um communicating that and finding various ways to communicate that is really important and it will change over time like you say. But um the other thing I think is really important is just keeping a count you know of um like we have a reach code that we've um you know we've adopted and we can look and see how many people um put in electric appliances in their um homes for the last year or so when they didn't have to. They could have just wired for it or how many didn't you know and and and uh sort of adjust accordingly. So I think that kind of keeping tabs on what how things really function is um is very important for moving forward. Um and uh I also like the financing piece. I think that's important. I know that Silicon Valley clean energy had a used EV car program for a while. I have not heard about it in a few months like six at least. fil. I don't know if it's still existent, but that might I understood from some people I talked to who used it that you know you could buy a used car from that for like $10,000 if you get an EV and um uh there is quite a turnover in these because a lot of people buy them with leases. So I think that's something to um you know to uh maybe talk. Um, I also wanted to mention the um uh I also wanted to mention the idea of working with the schools. Um, we we do have a volunteer uh one of the council wolf plan items for this year is is is how we're the city is going to use volunteers. And this is an instance where how could we use volunteers. I um I too was you know a soccer ball uh for a while and very very immersed in um immersed in the whole uh PTA volunteering etc etc thing. It's true. Nobody else wants to talk to you because that's a very very good point. But you get very close to those people that you do deal with on dayto-day basis. But but um there are typically um you know there's a there's a core group of people at every school who steps up to help and they always want to know what they can help with. So I think that we you know we need to make it clear that this is something they could help with. And um I would also say that the connection with PTAs, at least in the schools I was with, um could be helpful like going and speaking at a PTA meeting. I mean, you don't get half the school there. You get maybe 30 parents, but those are 30 parents that are sort of the movers and shakers. And if you can get things into their uh their packets that go home weekly, which we haven't had much luck in doing with the city, but you know, it's things are better with the school districts than they have been. So perhaps it's a possibility. But they do have weekly packets or emails that go out. I mean, when my kids were little, they were packets, but sure now they're emails or texts. So, you know, those are opportunities to um to do outreach and we have just wonderful um graphics and things that are already put together. I mean, right, [laughter] you all have really done a wonderful job with that. So, so I think that's something that we can, you know, we can we can just try and and and use a little we could try and use a little different a avenue and um for that. So, um I uh I'm looking forward to this and um I also think that I just want to say I I really appreciate how um how resilience resilient the um the sustainability team has been. you know, you have really gone through um a sea change um of policy over the last year and a half and um uh you could have just been completely styied by it, but you you aren't and you haven't been. And um I uh I just want every you know I just want to mention that that that's been noticed and that that's really appreciated. So, do you have what you want? >> Yeah. >> And after that nice dramatic ending, I [laughter] haven't very non-dramatic. Um, I just wanted to second your your point about used EVs if that's some because I think in addressing many people's uh ideas that EVs are too expensive. I think that that's that leasing used EVs and I think in particular in this area a lot of people are selling especially their Teslas um are you know a lot of people who bought EVs >> several years ago were people who were at the sort of had the money and wanted to try it out and and turn them over very quick. So I think that that's a good thing to a good part of the outreach and education. So I think that brings us to the end of item 5.1 and we can move on to 5.2 which is the sustainability action plan uh for progress update and um this item will be presented by sustainability and resilience division staff. Miss Lee will commence the presentation. take it away showalker will just bring up the presentation but um I'll introduce the item and I'm joined by Miss Anderson who will be walking you through our update. Um great. Thank you. We can go to the next slide. The sustainability action plan forward. We'd like to just bring you up to speed as to where we are. Periodically staff comes to this committee to give you a progress update. Um the sustainability action plans that the city has adopted over the years were really shaped by the uh environmental sustainability task force. There were two of them um that included many members of the community um leaders in sustainability um council appointed task forces in 2008 and 2017. Um, our most recent sustainability action plan was adopted in 2019 and it was significantly informed by the 2017 task force's work. Um, that SAP included 81 actions and seven new staff positions. Um, and over time the plan has been refined through discussions with this committee to focus on 57 high impact measures. Okay. And I will hand it over to Miss Anderson to tell us where we are. Thank you. [clears throat] Laura Anderson, sustainability analyst. So, um, sustainability action plan 4, which I'll just refer to as SAP for now, is nearly complete with 91% of actions either completed or ongoing. Um, many of these initiatives have moved beyond one-time projects and they're now embedded in ongoing city operations, programs, and decision-making processes. So building electrification has accelerated through the adoption of reach codes, new policies and procedures for city facilities and direct investments in upgrading municipal buildings. Fle transportation efforts have also expanded significantly including growth in EV charging infrastructure, development of a municipal uh fleet electrification plan and adoption of the vision zero policy and action plan. Um, beyond infrastructure, the SAP has supported a wide range of community programs and incentives that bring climate action into daily life. Um, this includes rebates like for ebikes, um, keep up water heaters, as well as outreach and education campaigns such as electrify Mountain View, the year of the water heater, cool block, and um, other efforts focused on plant-based eating and heat resilience. Um implementation of the plan has also helped the city leverage substantial external funding. Um we've secured more than 30 million in grants to accelerate these actions. Um a key example of this is the measure B application. So the sustainability action plan funds actually paid to help support that application creation and then um they result it resulted in 27 million for pedestrian and bike improvements. Um and that's and then there are other grants we've gotten as well where we've been able to use SAP funds as match funding. Um so finally um SAP has um strengthen partnerships, innovation and accountability systems. So um we've been able to collaborate with organizations like SVCE, Google and Canopy. Um and um that has enabled us to have pilot projects and um test out energy technologies. Um we've also been able to improve our greenhouse gas inventories and reporting tools like our um CDP questionnaire um which was formerly the carbon disclosure project. Uh and these are just some of the highlights. Um you'll see in attachment one to the council report that there's a whole you know action by action. Next slide please. Um so due to the large scope of the plan, implementation of a small number of actions remains underway, um the urban forest plan has been reviewed by both the parks and recreation commission and city council with council adoption anticipated in June 2026. So this month um the draft um climate vulnerability assessment um is being refined after the feedback we received from um from CSE last December and um the city's community and municipal decarbonization efforts are also advancing as um Miss Lee and Miss Lucky just discussed in the last item. Um the five-year plan is in development with council consideration anticipated by the end of the year. And at the same time, the phase one of municipal carboniz decarbonization is actively being implemented um which includes electrification of city facilities um solar installations, fleet and equipment um transitions and supporting infrastructure upgrades. Um there are also two transportation initiatives that remain underway. Um the city's ecooter pilot is expected to launch in fall of 2026. And um the last one is the transportation demand management ordinance which technically actually um this was written before it was just recently adopted um um uh I think just a week or so ago, right? Yeah. So um that will apply to um qualifying new development projects citywide. >> [clears throat] >> So overall most remaining actions are expected to be substantially complete by the end of the year and um and from then we'll move forward to the um five-year plan. So move to the next slide please. So the sustainability fund um which is the capital improvement project that was created with adoption of um SAP in 2019 it currently has a balance of about $3.86 86 million. Um about 1.9 million is allocated to current programs, projects, and staff, but there's roughly 2 million available for near-term high impact decarbonization investments. So this available funding reflects the combination of previously unallocated funds, unspent balances from completed projects, and funds reallocated from projects that secured other funding sources. Next slide. Uh staff is proposing targeted investments that focus on near-term decarbonization. So this includes um 500,000 to expand the heat pump water heater rebates. This is helping residents prepare for the upcoming air district zero appliance standards that will, you know, hopefully begin in 2027. Um another 500,000 to um expand the EV charging rebates for existing multif family housing. So, this would build on the initial um grant funded launch that we're um getting ready to um launch the summer. Um another 200,000 would support continuation of the Mountain View community shuttle and 300,000 um for um EV charging infrastructure for city fleet. So, this is supporting the city's compliance with um our greenhouse gas free um fleet and equipment policy. Um lastly, um we're proposing an additional 300 to 500,000 um for solar and battery storage projects at key city facilities. So this includes um city hall, the library, and the Rangto Park aquatic center. It's primarily to support soft costs associated with the projects and it's not for the construction and design of it, but for unlike consultant services, permitting and staff administration. Um these projects um are anticipated to come to council um for review at a public hearing in September. Next slide. So looking ahead, staff will continue implementing the small number of SAP actions that remain underway with full plan closeout anticipated by July 2027. So, as the SAP wraps up, any remaining program funds will be redirected towards implementing the high priority actions identified in the five-year plan, helping um ensure progress um continues towards the city's climate goals. Um so, um with that, um I'll um conclude my presentation and pass it back to Miss Lee, but happy to take any questions. I just wanted to add one clarification before we um take questions. The seven positions that were referenced early in the presentation were spread across departments in recognition that sustainability work really happens across the city. So some were for our team including my position but others went into various departments across the city. There were just two within our team. I >> think you have a slide for that you wanted to show. >> Okay. [clears throat] >> Okay. Well, thank you very much for your presentation and first we'll have council questions and then we'll >> have questions on pretty clear. >> Same just one the the um the actions that are still in progress that are planned to be completed by the end of the coming fiscal year. Uh, are any of those at risk um of not being there any or anything that we should be aware of? >> Yeah, >> we coordinated this update across all of the departments involved, but we did not hear >> No, there were no concerns shared by any departments. Everything seems to be on track. >> Okay. I just didn't know of anything that was in the plan as the world has changed 2019 a little bit. Unfortunately, >> the most current update, the most recent change to the measures themselves within SAP was a little over a year ago. So, it's not quite as dated as the 2019 original. >> Yeah, I know it's been updated over time. I was just curious if anything anything was held over that were worried it got over there. Well, well, my question is really about, you know, some of these things that have been completed. Um were they all communicated in staff reports or I mean like for instance just even the second one which was it's ongoing um talking about monitoring of bike and trail use uh seems like my memory we maybe the trans and I'm not on a transportation comm um we get we get numbers on uh the Stevens Creek trail use with the uh counts that are done for the North Bay shore, but I don't remember seeing any other uh counts of our bicycle use around the you know around the city and has that >> we have we don't anyway you know some of these questions about how how much are by us and for instance the um the ebike. We It looked like, you know, our success rate, our success criteria was, did we did we did we give the vouchers? We did give and that's great, but do we have any after um uh and we don't necessarily have to have it, but I sure hope you have it. [laughter] Um after uh program surveys about how much did they use those? Did they become a part of their personal transportation or are they, you know, sitting in the closet in their apartment? Um, >> I don't know that we have the immediate answer to your first question regarding the bike counts that are citywide. Um, we can reach out to public works to inquire about that. Miss Anderson, I know we surveyed after the program. Yeah, >> we did survey when the program completed the ebike and we got um results from we asked people basically how often they were using did it replace car trips that sort of thing. I don't have the results in front of me but it was you know pretty promising numbers. Um but you know we don't have further out than right after the program closed might be worth reaching out to people. >> But it was enough for you to feel like we might want to do it again because you Yeah. So that's that's good. >> Is it fair to say that there was more reference to the ebikes being more of a primary source of transportation than maybe the population average? So because it was an income qualified program, there was higher utilization because people >> truly needed these. They were less for recreational purposes, more for transportation needs. Well, even if they just replace trips, right? >> I mean, that's what really counts as replacing trips. So, I I'm not I wouldn't judge about if people It's just the replacing trips. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> And um that depending on what your trips are for. Uh I I don't but I I'm just interested and you know we're putting a lot of money like you you mentioned the um the measure B um yeah uh grant that's that's you know millions of dollars we put into bike um into bike infrastructure and I hear people kind of gripe from time to time that they don't see people using the bike trails and so I think it would be wonderful for us to to kind of keep up with that. And um the only big exceptions to that are the Stevens Creek Trail and the Guadalupe Trail. People um seem very convinced [laughter] that that those are a great use of city funds and people use them a lot, etc., etc. So that that's just what I'm getting at is we you know we we want we want the um we want the task that we teach to the team to um to produce GHD reductions and we also want people to be able to perceive that they've made a difference and that's kind of the the difference. So anyway, no I those were basically my questions relating to the um and I'm I really appreciate you getting all this information together. I'm sure it took a a long time but I hope that it's very valuable in terms of you know actually doing the job. >> That's good. else. The other thing I would say, sorry for the interruption, is that it's actually been a a critical way of building the collaboration across departments because these these actions >> as developed, you know, based in in large part on the recommendations of the the ESTF2 really did address all parts of the the city organization and just the the practice of monitoring and getting status updates and working with that cross departmental team I'd say much more than we had back at the point of adoption that that we have that kind of collaboration. >> Good. Yeah, that's great. Okay, so now we have public comment public comment on this. Okay, do we have any public comment on the um on Mary Dio? Yeah, Mary. >> Good evening again, Mary Deio. Um, I'm glad the city will continue to fund the city shuttle. Um, I look forward to hearing the results of the ED charger and cent's uh, incentives for multifamily properties. And I look forward to the completion of electrification of the city's final 15% of the landscaping equipment. Um, I'll be glad not to smell the gas power leaf blowers anymore uh, once once we get those out of here. Um item B4.1 tells us that the city completed uh water heater upgrades at 18 facilities. Um 30 of those were um at those 18 facilities uh 30 uh units were replaced with heat pumps, but unfortunately five were replaced with tankless gas water heaters. So, um, five of the, you know, five heaters were gas, 30 were electric. So, that's 14% of the water heaters that stayed with natural gas. So, I'm very confident, very confident the city is very motive to electrify and yet we were not 100% successful. So, um I think this underscores the comments that Bruce Carney has made um earlier and in other uh forums about the focus that needs to be maintained on electrifying buildings. Um it also helps underscore the importance of committing to end of natural gas flow in Mountain View by 2045. So, if we say, you know, if that's it, 2045 is it, um, it's going to, I think, help provide just that little extra motivation, um, to make those tankless water heaters be heat pumps. Um, thank you. >> Okay, thank you. >> Right. Um, >> can I make a comment? >> State your name and um, >> hey you Patrick. Uh, I just wanted to mention this because it came up in the last schoolboard meeting on the active transportation plan. Um, they were discussing it and in the uh, a recent city council meeting about data that there is a device called a Telram spelled T L A M. Uh, it's only been around for a couple of years. It's sort of a recent invention. That's why people might not have heard of it. They're only about $200 and they're a little device and they can be stuck outside uh and Wi-Fi or data connected and they will count all of the different um modalities of the people coming by. So, it will count the cars in real time, the bikes, uh the walkers and they're quite low cost and they could potentially be purchased easily and stuck in some um you know uh key places. then you can get that data in real time and then feed it to the website, an app, whatever you want to see, get a text message about it every day. Um, and uh, yeah, I just thought everyone should know. Um, that I think this problem of the data can be very easily solved. Thanks. >> Thank you. All right. Okay. So, it >> this item as well was anformational item. the committee. >> Yeah. >> Well, then we get to item six. >> We didn't make our >> Oh, we didn't make our comments. Of course, we didn't make our comments. >> I only And it's responding to what you said about um I wasn't to make, but I I actually think what you said about in your question about counting um bike lane use and other things. I actually think that's important for some additional reasons. I think it's good to look at um not only positive results so you can tell people that the money we're spending is being spent in good ways, but also um you know maybe there's some places and some particular kinds of bike lanes for example that are highly used and some that are not. It's kind of then an indicator of what you should be doing in the future. So, for example, I prefer biking on uh bike boulevards and neighborhood streets. That's one of the comments I see people making about the kinds of um bike lanes we're doing now on El Camino and California that they would also like effort to be put into neighborhood streets. So that's not so much a comment about that people are making including myself about whether to do bike lanes or not, but what type works out for people better. And so I think I think that may be true with a lot of other things too. You know, should we fund more electric scooters or neighborhood electric vehicles or ebikes? you know, I think we can um get not just uh how much are they used, but what kinds of things are, you know, what's giving us the biggest bang for our buck. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I think it's to piggy back on your comment. the uh the this is probably more a transportation probably where CT CC thing but um you know any place that has this is going to underount because major intersections but any intersection with a traffic camera that is not storing data but if it's a high resolution camera um now with a simple piece of software that can tell us um bikes it can even get into you know is that an ebike or They can do models of vehicles and give you a pretty good idea of whether it's a fully electric vehicle, hybrid, and you can do that with all the privacy protections in place because our our traffic cameras today aren't capturing license plates, the the ones controlling actual traffic movements. And so you get a lot of really valuable data there for major intersections or roadways that have the planes. And then for some of the neighborhood streets and other things, I don't know if there are places in the right away, you know, as long as you uh as long as everyone understands that none of the data is actually being stored. It's purely just counts. It's spitting out um you know, what type of vehicle was where on at what time of day, then you get a pretty good idea. And you can install those on trails, too. There are a few cities that have done that. And I'm not sure that that's the right answer for us now, but as we as we as we replace our our adaptive traffic control systems like those having a higher pandemic camera that with a with enough software to not only control the traffic but to give us basic counts about you how our roadways are and trails and other things are being used. And I think there's sustainability piece to that too. Just kind of know what the breakdown is. It's one thing to look at vehicle registrations and those sorts of things. It's another to actually look at how they're meeting where >> Okay. Sorry about forgetting. I don't really >> I don't really have any. [clears throat] Thank you. Um and and the other thing is I do feel like as we've said many times you know reporting things out is you know the process that gets to that is of itself very valuable. The interaction between departments is very valuable and um so you know it's it's an important part of the process um to to do that and we're really glad to be the ones to hear it. Okay. Okay. So then that brings us to um item six, committee staff comments, questions, and committee report. I do have a a request and see if anybody else has any comments or reports. >> No. No. >> Okay. Well, um as all of you know, the last couple of years we have um hosted a sea level rise meeting for elected officials for Santa Clara County. And um at the last one uh we had kind of a for a couple related to the Brown Act um because that led to nobody but me being a from Mountain View being able to go which was pretty ridiculous. So um uh we've been asked to u or I've been to to continue this um custom and have another um sea level rise meeting this fall. And I would like to avoid the issue of um the Brown Act. And um a methodology to avoid that is to have a special meeting, have this meeting of the um elected officials of Santa Clara County be a special meeting of the council sustainability committee. That would mean that both of you could come if you wanted to and other council members could come if they wanted to just listen. But anyway, it would get around the problem. So, um due to the uh sort of uh issues with um scheduling this, we don't have a date scheduled normally it's in October or or November and that's probably going to work out this year. um it would be good to have uh this group move to um uh to have that special meeting. So that's my request is that that we move to have a special meeting of the um of the uh the council sustainability committee as this. And I see that um uh Miss Ramber has a comment. Uh yes, thank you so much for that idea and the sensitivity around how to enable better participation. And um as it's not an agenda item, I think it wouldn't be so much a a formal motion and vote, but you could kind of have a a a straw poll indication of of interest for staff to come back at some point at that at >> Okay. And that would allow us to move forward with >> All right. So that's a better idea, then we'll do that. So, um, what do people think about that? >> I think that's fine as long as logistically I mean, if a special meeting like clearly we're not going to be able to do come out. So, as long as we can as long as that's okay with whatever new rules just came into effect in January. Um, and then if it is a noticed meeting of the committee, you just have to pick a date where at least two of us can come so we don't end up with >> That's true. that [laughter] it can happen and then everyone can still gather and talk, but then you're then you're right back at square one. >> That's a very good point. >> Make sure at least two of us >> and um and and uh the other thing that we sort of tossed around was the idea of making it a special city council meeting, but that would mean >> that would be trickier. That would mean we'd have to have four people vetting. And I thought that that we thought that that was too high a bar to set. So going forward with this special >> I'm generally in favor. >> Yeah. Okay. So um for the stronghold we all stronghold and um and uh we'll work on scheduling. >> We'll just have to make sure everyone knows because you know like this committee meeting if there were other council members here they can come and listen but they can't >> participate. >> Yeah. Well they might be able to speak as a member of the public. It's a little dicey, but it I'm sure it will all be fun. But [laughter] but just whatever whatever verbiage we need to add in >> so it can kind of be forward with that and we'll work on it. We don't have a date yet. We need to work on a date. And you're right, we do need to have at least two people on this committee who who can attend and um hopefully three and hopefully all of us and um uh that's great progress. Thank you. Okay. So, are there any other committee reports? No. All right. Okay. Well, with that, I'm going to adjourn this meeting at um 7:30. >> Thank you very much, everyone. He loves him.]]> https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/75joJv9ZjL4 https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/75joJv9ZjL4 Fri, 29 May 2026 13:40:35 GMT The Mountain View Rental Housing Committee, led by a newly appointed chair, approved the consent calendar and adopted resolutions setting the FY 2026-27 budgets and annual fees for the CSFRA ($143/year) and MHRSO ($142/year) programs. The committee also approved the FY 2026-27 meeting schedule and reviewed the annual work plan, discussing outstanding policy items, hearing officer capacity, regulation updates, and anti-harassment implementation. Staff provided announcements on office hours, workshops, and the successful fifth annual summer kickoff event marking the CSFRA's 10th and MHRSO's 5th anniversaries. New chair introduction Consent calendar approval Fiscal year budgets and fees Meeting schedule for FY 2026-27 Rental Housing Committee work plan Outstanding policy questions Hearing officers and petitions Regulation updates Anti-harassment implementation Staff announcements and events Future agenda items Adjournment > One more minute. >> Hey. >> No, no, not good. >> Are Are we Are we ready to roll? One more minute, okay. She She did, but I mean, you know. Unmute my mic. Oh. That's everything. Yeah, like that. >> Going live in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, we are live. >> All right. Good evening and welcome to the May 28th, 2026 Rental Housing Committee regular meeting. This meeting is called to order at 6:03 p.m. Um but before we do that, I want to uh as as the new chair of the Rental Housing Committee, I want to thank the previous chair, Kevin Ma, for his excellent work and and ability to keep the meeting not only just on time, but be able to do it in record speed. Don't expect [laughter] so much from me, at least not at first, but I have a giant to emulate. Anyway, now I will proceed with roll call. It appears that all members are present. Okay. So, now let's go on to the consent calendar. Uh item three, these items will be approved by one motion unless any member of the committee wishes to remove an item for discussion. The purpose of the consent calendar is for the committee to efficiently and quickly consider routine or administrative business items with one motion. Public comment will occur after discussion. We invite you to submit a speaker card now if you would like to speak on this item during public comment. Would any member of the committee like to pull an item? I'm not seeing any. Okay. Um I now invite public comments. In-person public comments will be called to speak first. Any member of the public wishing to provide virtual comment on this item, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or press star nine on your phone. I've always wanted to say that. Okay, let's see. I don't see anybody in the audience here and I don't see anybody online. So, I guess we'll go on. Okay, I will now bring the item back for committee action. A motion to approve the consent calendar should include reading the title of the agenda items 3.1. Would anyone like to make a motion? Ah, looks like Kevin Ma has moved and Emily Ah. Okay. What? Let's this one? That. Okay. Uh Kevin. >> Thank you, Chair. I move the balance of the consent calendar, that being 3.1, approve the Rental Housing Committee meeting minutes for the meeting of April 23rd, 2026. >> All right, and it is this motion has been seconded by Vice Chair Emily Stutsman. So, so now I guess we can go to a vote. >> The motion has passed 5-0 unanimously. All right. Let's move on to oral communications from the public. This portion of meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the committee on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are allowed to speak on any topic for up to 3 minutes during the section. State law prohibits the committee from acting on non-agenda items. Would any member of the public like to provide comments on a non-agenda item? If you would like to speak on this item in person, please submit a speaker card to the city staff now. In person public comments will be called to speak first. Any member of the public wishing to provide a virtual comment on this item, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or press star nine on your phone. So, I do not see any members of the public to step up for this and I also do not see anybody in the virtual queue. All right. So, since there are none, we may move on to new business. Um we will now item 5.1. Uh we will now move on to agenda item 5.1 fiscal year 2026-2027 budgets and annual fees for the community stabilization and fair rent act and mobile home rent stabilization ordinance. Public comment will occur after the presentation item and committee questions. We invite you to submit a speaker card now if you know you would like to speak on this item during public comment. We will begin with a presentation from staff. Take it away, staff. >> Thank you very much, chair and members of the rental housing committee. Um tonight we're going to uh um adopt a resolution approving the fiscal year budget for this coming fiscal year. This has been discussed in the previous meeting um without any submitted uh changes from the Rental Housing Committee um and establishing a rental housing fee and space rental fee for the next fiscal year. As a background, which we also provided in the last meeting, um the Rental Housing Committee has the duty and power to set a budget and the fees as um shown in the CCSF section 1709 and the MHRA section 46. Um in the meantime, the City's Finance Administrative Services Department made a couple of minor changes to the previously presented budget, namely a $3,000 reduction in the transfer to compensated absences, a $4 increase in salary benefits, um resulting in a net reduction of expenditures of $2,996. And in the MHRA budget, there was an increase of $1,000 in operation, an increase of $1,000 for unfunded liability, and an increase of uh $1,000 for transfer to comp absences, and a $3 increase um in salary benefits. So, the CCSF budget looks as follows. The total revenue is budgeted for $2,062,622, and total expenses uh $2.589 uh for the CSAF array. Um, this expenses are um divided in a couple of main uh categories. Operating expenses about 2.3 million, the city administration about $270,000 and a reserve of $517,000. Um, and the pen- dependent on the adopted budget, the rental fee is recommended to be 143 for the annual fee, which comes down to $11.92 per month per unit. Same for the MHRSU budget, the total revenue is estimated to come down to $225,300 and the total expenses at $282,829. Um, again, operating expenses makes up the majority of the costs at $282,000 with city administration about $37,000 and the reserves of $56,000. Um, the rental uh the space rental fee um for this budget would be $142 per year or $11.83 per month per unit. Um, these the adoption of these budgets provides appropriations for the operation of the CSAF array and the MHRSU. The CSAF array is a 100% cost recovery program and fully funded by fees. The MHRSU is also a cost recovery program, but it's also supplemented by the city's general fund in an amount of $50,000. Both budgets will be forwarded to finance and administrative services department for incorporation in the citywide budget process. So, the recommendation for tonight is to adopt a resolution approving the fiscal year 2026-27 budgets for the CCSFRA and the MHSO and establishing a rental housing fee and space rental fee for fiscal year 2026-27 to be read in title only further reading waived. That's the end of the presentation. Happy to answer any questions. >> All right. Now, we move to questions from the committee members. Do any of the committee members have questions? >> Just a quick reminder for the 1.64 million cost for staffing, how many FTE is that? >> For the CCSFRA, that is um I think eight. >> Eight. Okay. Yeah. >> Okay, any other speakers? How do I get rid of Okay. Seems there are no other speakers. Um uh no more questions. So, I now invite public comments. In person public comments will be called to speak first. Any member of the public wishing to provide virtual comment on this item, please click the raise hand button in Zoom or press star nine on your phone. Seeing no one in the audience and no one on the virtual queue, um I will move on to committee deliberations and feedback. Um uh Motion to approve should include reading the following items. Okay, to adopt a resolution of the Rental Housing Committee of Mountain View approving the fiscal year 2026-27 budgets for the community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act and the Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance and establishing the Rental Housing Fee and Space Rental Fee for fiscal year 2026-27. All right. A motion has been made. Oh, okay. Uh, Kevin Ma. >> Thank you, Chair. I move to adopt the resolution of the Rental Housing Committee to approve the fiscal year 2026-27 budgets of the CSFRA and the MHASO as presented. >> All right. Okay, the motion has been made. >> Second. >> And now it's seconded by Alex Brown. Uh, let's call for the vote. This uh, motion passes 5-0. And now we can move on to item 5.2, Rental Housing Committee meeting schedule for fiscal year 2026-27. Uh, public comment will occur after the presentation item and committee questions. We invite you to submit a speaker card now if you know you would like to speak on this item during public comment. We will begin with a presentation from staff. >> Thank you again, Chair. Um, this is a short presentation and um, this agenda item uh, its purpose is to adopt a resolution to set the dates for Rental Housing Committee meetings for this coming fiscal year. Um, in the CSFRA and the MHASO, it is required for the Rental Housing Committee to hold regular meetings to ensure performance under its duty under the CSFRA and MHRIS all and for that purpose the Rental Housing Committee adopts an annual meeting schedule. This is the proposed meeting schedule which we try to keep it on the fourth Thursdays of the month except for November and December uh since those are heavy holiday um months and um so that will be the third I think it's the third Thursday of the month and then in June um we scheduled for the second Thursday of the month. >> [snorts] >> Um so the recommendation is for uh the Rental Housing Committee to deliberate about these days and adopt a resolution to set the dates for the meeting. This ends the presentation. >> Thank you. Now we move on to questions from committee members. Are there any committee members who have a question? Doesn't look like it. So since there are no questions I now invite public comments. In person public comments will be called to speak first. Seeing no one in the audience it looks like we do have um any mem- member of the public wishing to provide virtual comment on the item please click the raise hand button zoom or press star and I on the phone. Uh is Philip Crosby or or is that staff? >> Member of the public but they didn't raise their hand. >> Oh. Okay. Okay, so they're not commenting. Okay, thank you. And so let's see. We will now then go into committee deliberations and feedback. Would any member of the committee like to propose a motion? A A to approve should include reading the following items: to adopt a resolution of the Rental Housing Committee of the City of Mountain View setting the dates for the Rental Housing Committee meetings for fiscal year 2026-2027. And let's see. How do I get you to that? >> Thank you, Chair. Uh I move that motion. >> And it appears we have a seconder, Edie Keating. All right. So, let's uh call for the vote. >> Second. >> Okay. >> [laughter] [laughter] >> All right. Okay. So, that passes 5-0. All right. That moves Now, we move on to item 5.3. Rental Housing Committee work plan for fiscal year 2026-2027. Public comment will occur after the presentation item and committee questions. We invite you to submit a speaker card now if you know you would like to speak on this item during public comment. We will begin with a presentation from staff. >> Thank you, Chair. Um the purpose of this agenda item is to review and provide input on the Rental Housing Committee fiscal year 2026-2027 work plan. We provided a tentative schedule for your convenience. Um Um just like other committees, the Rental Housing Committee uh does set an annual work plan to guide the business of the Rental Housing Committee uh providing a schedule of recurring and anticipated new items and estimated timelines. Um it does include items on an as needed basis so as appeal hearings and review and discussion or adoption of policies regulations. It also includes recurring items, just like the budget review, the setting of the annual general adjustments of rent, updates on the CSFRA and MHRSO programs, elections of chair and vice chair, approval of the calendar and work plan, and approval of contracts. And if needed, the the work plan can be modified during the year. So, the proposed work plan, I gave a detailed schedule, which I will not go over, but as you can see, the first and second item of each rental housing committee agenda item will be appeals and regulations as needed. Um together with some annual overviews of parts of our program. Um and of course, the monthly overview of workshops and clinics and office hours. And then every half year, we provide half-year financials and a half-year activity report, which are currently scheduled for September. And February. And that is the proposed work plan. So, we would like for you to review and provide input to staff on this work plan. Thank you. >> Oh. >> Thank you. >> All right. Let me get back to the main page. Okay, so now we move on to questions from committee members. I see Mark Balch. >> Yes, thank you for the preview on the work plan. Are there any uh policy questions that are that are outstanding that you think might be appropriate to bring to the committee over the coming 6 to 12 months? >> We don't have any urgent policy questions outstanding. We still want to address the tenant subtenant relationship that can be regulated in regulations. Um so that will probably um as staff timing allows come back to you in one of the future meetings. >> Thank you. >> Okay, I recognize Alex. >> Thank you, Chair. Uh the annual review of petitions and processes, given that we have fewer petitions these days, are we feeling less constrained by the number of hearing officers we have, or is that still something that is a concern that we should address? >> concern is alleviated because after we send out an RFP, we signed on five new hearing officers. Unfortunately, we don't have a lot of work for them right now because of the [laughter] reduced amount of petitions. Um but we are uh the resources are there. >> That that is a better direction to be in, yeah. Uh is there an opportunity to host or meet with them in the work plan? Is that something that we can add in there? >> Of course, I will jot that down. >> Thank you. >> Okay. I recognize Kevin Ma. >> Thank you, Chair. This is a question to staff. I recognize that staff is doing ongoing work to revise and update the regulations. I was wondering what is the general scope of those updates. >> Yeah. Um so we started with chapter 1, 2, and 3, which you guys are already approved. So the next batch is going to mainly be focused on chapter 4 to 8. It's mostly a restructuring, making it easier to read, change the order a little bit of of those chapters. >> All right, thank you. And recognize committee member Keating. >> Thank you. With harassment, um you know, structure, is that fully implemented or there's more to do there? >> Uh that is fully implemented. There is forms on the website. There is a page that explains what the anti-retaliation and anti-harassment regulations contain. We held our first workshop this month. Yeah, and there's a form for tenants to fill out and a response form for landlords to fill out. >> So I'm happy to hear that and if there's a late agenda and that can come to the rental housing committee sometime for review just to see how it all worked out, I would >> Sure, we can provide an annual update if that's what you're requesting. >> I guess at least a first update and then maybe ask us if we want an annual update. >> Okay, yeah. >> All right, recognize vice chair Hislop. >> Um regarding those complaint, would it be possible to have that be a data point on the um the updates form? >> So in general, yeah, we're going to look at the at the activity report, the half-year activity report. We're going to revise it and add some other stuff in it as well. So the anti-harassment could also be part of that. Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. Are there any other speakers? Not seeing any. Um I will now invite public comments. In-person public comments will be called to speak first. Any member of the public wishing to provide virtual comment on this item, please click the raise hand button on Zoom or plus press star nine on your phone. So, I don't see any in-person and I don't see any others. So, therefore, we will now go into committee deliberation and feedback. Um it says here no motion is required. So, does staff have everything they need from us >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you very much. And thank you to the committee for your good suggestions. That brings us to item number six, committee staff announcements and updates. Um I will hand this back to staff for some presentations. >> Thank you, chair. Um we continue to have our virtual office hours for um anyone on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. It can be accessed um at the link provided. Um staff's working to finalize the workshop schedule um for the next fiscal year and we will present the next batch of workshops at the next RHC meeting, which is June 11th. And we also continue to host our tenant housing help center on the first and third Thursdays of the month both in person and virtually from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at our office. Uh division staff is present as well as community partners such as Project Sentinel, CSA, and CLUESPA. And our landlord office hours are still on Thursdays from 1 to 3 and are also hosted at our office at 298 Escuela Avenue. Earlier this month, we hosted uh co-hosted with um Pacific Clinics for our fifth annual summer kickoff to help the community stay happy, healthy, and housed. We had 33 local community organizations provide resources and information, and we had about uh 426 community member attendees. Each table had an art activity for children to create while their guardians learned about the services and resources provided by the organizations. Various family-friendly activities took place throughout the event, including an art class, story time, face painting, chalk drawing contest. The fire department was there with a fire truck and an ambulance, as well as performers, and we concluded the day with a raffle for STEM-based activity games for children. The CSFRA also turned 10 years old, and MHRSO turned 5. We celebrated with a cake cutting from member Keating, and it was very exciting. Our booth was very popular at that time. And um this is just a very popular fun event for our division in the community. It's a highly attended event each year at Rengstorff Park, and we look forward to next year's event. Any comments or questions from committee? >> Well done. >> 10 more years. >> All right. So, you're going to go on to now uh expected future I >> I >> What's that? >> It's you. >> That's >> You could say the next one. >> Oh, okay. Are there any questions additional questions or comments from committee members on item 6.1? Not seeing any, let's move on to item 6.2. Expected future items for RHC meetings. There's staff presentation, right? >> Sure, we'll do that. Um so for Thursday, June 11th, um on the agenda we have the annual contracts to be approved by the Rental Housing Committee for Goldfarb Goldfarb Lipman and for Project Sentinel for the next fiscal year. >> All right. All right. Are there any additional comments or announcements from committee members or city staff? Not seeing any, I'll move on to item 7, adjournment. The meeting is adjourned at 6:30 p.m. The next Rental Housing Committee meeting scheduled to be held on Thursday, June 11th at 6:00 p.m. Thank you all. This has been done with Kevin Moss speed. >> [laughter] >> Thank you for showing me that thing. I didn't get that in the training. >> Yeah, that's all right. This This not being touch screen]]> https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/zxs5gW5K0mc https://transparentcities.org/mountain-view/transcripts/zxs5gW5K0mc Wed, 27 May 2026 17:09:47 GMT The 2026 State of the City address, hosted by MC Anthony Tordillos and delivered by Mayor Emily Ann Ramos, celebrated Mountain View's community volunteers and outlined the city's plans and investments under the theme 'building the Mountain View of tomorrow together.' Mayor Ramos announced a potential November 2026 revenue measure (possibly a general obligation bond) to fund infrastructure, public safety, affordable housing, and parks, and provided an update that boil water restrictions from the Cuesta water main contamination had been lifted. She also highlighted progress on transportation, sustainability, economic development, downtown revitalization, public art, affordable housing projects, upcoming sporting events, and cultural inclusion initiatives. Opening and public comment Presentation of colors and pledge Tribute to Mayor Ramos Community volunteers video Recognition of officials and staff Potential 2026 revenue measure Cuesta water main contamination update Transportation and street safety Sustainability and shoreline restoration Economic development and small business support Downtown revitalization Public art strategy Affordable housing projects Major sporting events (World Cup) Cultural inclusion and community events Call to volunteer > Good evening, Mountain View. >> [applause] >> Good evening, Mountain View, and welcome to the 2026 State of the City. I'm your MC for this evening, Anthony Tordillos, and it is wonderful to be back in Mountain View this evening. Uh while I currently live in and work in San Jose, I spent many years living and working right here in Mountain View, and it's good to be back tonight. Uh and yeah. >> [applause] >> And like your mayor, I am also the first Filipino American elected in my city of San Jose, uh following in the footsteps of Emily here. Uh and now it is my pleasure to uh move the program forward. Uh we're going to call this special meeting of the Mountain View City Council on to order on this Tuesday, May 19th. Uh so, if Mayor Emily Ann Ramos could come forward to open the meeting. >> [applause] [applause] >> Thank you, Anthony. Um good evening. I am Mayor Ramos, and I'm going to call this special meeting to order. Welcome to the 2026 State of the City. And now we have all council members and a quorum present. We will now begin with opening up public comments. [music] Now, this is for members of the public who would like to address the only item on tonight's agenda, which is the State of the City. While we are streaming the meeting on Zoom and YouTube, public comments are only available in person, right there. Um comments will be at 1 minute maximum. If you want to give additional comments, please attend our regular upcoming City Council meeting, which is scheduled for next Tuesday, May 26th at 6:30 p.m. So, if you would like to give a public comment, please come up to the microphone. It's not mandatory. All right, seeing no public comment, I am now closing public comment. Anthony, I'm going to turn this back to you to move forward the program. Thank you, Mayor Ramos. Uh we have a wonderful program in store for you all this evening. As you heard, we have the Mountain View City Council here, and of course, it's great to be joined by so many community members and residents as well this evening. Uh we are live streaming this 2026 State of the City on the city's YouTube channel at Mountain View Gov, on Mountain View City Television on cable channel 28, and on the city of Mountain View website, mountainview.gov, as well as via Zoom. So, everyone be on your best behavior this evening. Uh the theme for tonight's event is building the Mountain View of tomorrow together. Uh you'll be hearing all about that and much more in the remarks from Mayor Ramos, uh but first, it is time to bring in the City of Mountain View Fire Department Honor Guard to present the colors. Thank you, Mayor. Mark time. Mark. Right arm, up. Halt. >> Parade post colors. Post. One. Two. >> [crying] >> Three. Four. >> [crying] >> Present. Arms. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Order. Arms. Left. Halt. Order. Mark. Thank you. You may be seated. And thank you also to the honor guard for presenting the colors and also to the representatives of the city's youth advisory committee for leading us in the pledge. That was Shreya Sanyac and Maytal Zayat. Thank you. And now I would like to say a few words about this very special city and about my friend who also happens to be your mayor, Emily Ann Ramos. Mountain View will always have a special place in my heart and was actually the first city that I lived in after moving to the Bay Area after college. I actually lived just down the road from here near the San Antonio Shopping Center and I spent I was spent about half a decade commuting in and working at the Googleplex every day. And before we look into San Jose, this really was my home here in the Bay Area. And to this day, some of my closest friends still live in Mountain View, so I spend a lot of time here. And it really has been a pleasure over the past 12 years getting the opportunity to watch the city grow, and evolve, and improve. And I am being honest when I say that I really think that one of the city's greatest strength is your elected leadership here. I have the pleasure of calling multiple members of the Mountain View City Council friends of mine, including the star of tonight's program, Mayor Ramos. I first met Mayor Ramos back in 2023 when we were both early into new roles in civic leadership. Mayor Ramos had recently been appointed to fill a vacancy on the Mountain View City Council, and I had just been appointed to fill a vacancy on the San Jose Planning Commission. And our paths originally crossed because we were both passionate advocates for housing affordability. We were working together to lobby the city of San Jose to improve our housing element, which is our plan to address our needs in terms of housing affordability in the years ahead. And while our advocacy definitely, you know, didn't necessarily win us favor with certain members of city staff or even members of city council at the time, ultimately our merry band of advocates prevailed. And we got some really important changes secured in San Jose's housing element. >> [applause] >> And working with Emily on that process was really the first time that I had the chance to see Mayor Ramos's tenacity, her integrity, and her dedication first-hand. And while we now live in and serve different cities, we know that many of the toughest challenges facing our cities are really regional problems. Things like affordable housing, addressing homelessness, investing in public infrastructure, and public transit. And as all of us in elected office in the Bay Area work together to tackle these regional problems, I really could not ask for a better partner here in Mountain View than Mayor Ramos. And so, without further ado, it is my pleasure to welcome back to the stage your mayor, Emily Ann Ramos, to provide tonight's remarks. >> [applause] >> Thank you again, Anthony. So, welcome everyone. Once again, it is the 2026 State of the City. And in case you have forgotten already, I'm Mayor Emily Ann Ramos. And let me just say it's wonderful to be here tonight with all of you in the best city. >> [applause] >> So, as many of you know, let's see if I can get this clicker to work. Um I am very passionate about volunteering and giving back to the community. That has been my focus during my years as mayor for the city. Now, you will currently you will hear from several of our residents who share my passion and are currently volunteering with the city of Mountain View. So, let's hear directly from these volunteers in this wonderfully produced video by our city staff. So, let's launch the video. >> [music] [music] >> I've been in this Silicon Valley for over 50 years. The Silicon Valley has been very good to me. So, I've come back to Mountain View [music] to volunteer help all people out in the city do things that they need [music] done. And technology room was one of those where people my age don't know a lot about computers and I try to help them. I've been doing this about [music] three or four years in the technology room. And I do help seniors, mostly seniors, work with their iPhones, computers, tablets, >> [music] >> uh do things in Word and uh different applications. It's rewarding to see them leave smiling and happy with uh the knowledge that they've gotten from uh me helping them and learning from the senior center here. I feel always wanted to be part of the city emergency response team, [music] but I just never had time. So, I was so excited a couple of years ago when I found that the [music] training lined up with my schedule and I could come be part of this. And I've lived in Mountain View for about 30 years, so I'm super [music] excited to be part of this emergency response team. I get to come to field day twice a year and have the best time at field day. And the great thing about being part of CERT is that you learn some really important life skills. [music] Even if there's never an emergency, even if you don't ever think that you're the kind of person who will show up at an emergency, learning how to take care of yourself [music] and to take care of your family in a disaster situation is really, really meaningful. Life is bigger than what happens in your house [music] or what happens in your office, that the community is really what matters. And so, being part of this reminds me that I am part of something bigger than [music] myself. And then I have responsibility for more than just myself. >> [music] >> I've done some ESL tutoring before and then several years ago before the pandemic, I found out that this was going on here and I was interested in doing it. I do consider this professional work. It's not paid [music] professional work, but it requires some knowledge and preparation. Unofficially, when we come here, we're representing [music] the United States. But this is also a good thing to do and it helps people get to know each other who don't otherwise know each other. It it's something that kind of connects me with my previous career and my education, but that's not a >> [music] >> necessity. I think if if it's something that you're interested in doing, then one should just pursue that. >> [music] >> I think it's an important thing for this the city also to just have a free, more accessible >> [music] >> option and it seems the library is an appropriate place to do that because the library is also a very >> [music] >> very much a community center. I've been [music] engaged in keeping up to date with city events since I moved here in 1998. Serving on a city [music] commissioner committee has given me the chance to become more familiar with the workings of our city and become acquainted with many people. [music] Doing so has enriched my life in so many ways. On a big scale, our democracy is dependent on having engaged and knowledgeable citizens. The same is true [music] for local communities. It's important that a variety of voices contribute to the decision-making in Mountain View. Do it. Being a volunteer is a wonderful way to contribute to our community. You will be better educated about the [music] choices and the challenges that our city faces. You can also help inform your friends and your neighbors about [music] Mountain View. >> [music] >> I am a livestock volunteer through the city of Mountain View. I sell I wash and sell eggs [music] every Friday and I've been doing that for just over a year. Come [music] out here and just have moments of peace and joy away from their phones. We have no Wi-Fi out here, so it's a really really good for your mental health and I encourage other [music] people to try and get involved. I I think it makes you vested in the community. It gives you a sense of gratitude and giving back. You get to meet people that you probably wouldn't meet otherwise. People of all ages who have never experienced, [music] you know, a chicken or a goat or anything like that. It's just wonderful. [music] And here we are, right right in the middle of tech and you can come to this 170-year-old homestead [music] and and get the farm experience. There are about 1,300 kids from [music] Mountain View elementary schools that came out this year. It's It's just a wonderful place to volunteer and give back to the community. >> [music] [music] [applause] >> Let's give it up for our volunteers. >> [applause] >> So, when people think about Mountain View, they often think about innovation and technology. But, what makes the city so special has never just been what we build. It's the way we show up for one another. And so, thank you to our Mountain View volunteers. Now, I would like to recognize a few people in the audience tonight. First, thank you to my city council colleagues who are here this evening. Uh we have Vice Mayor Chris Clark, we have Council Member Alison Hicks, Council Member Ellen Kamei, um Council Member John McAlister, Council Member Lucas Ramirez, Council Member Pat Showalter. And also, oh, yes. Yes, give my colleagues a great hand of applause. >> [applause] >> Also in attendance, we have our city manager Kimberly McCarthy, along with assistant city managers Audrey Seymour and Aaron Andrews. >> [applause] [applause] >> Our city executive team is also here. Feel free to raise your hands letting them know, these are who you ask questions for for the staff. >> [applause] >> And because we can't do it alone, in addition, we have representatives from our county, state, and federal government. They include uh John from uh County Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga's office, Jonathan Ishi. From Congressman Sam Liccardo's office, Nicholas Hargis. From State Senator Josh Becker's office, Isabel Augustin. Uh from Assemblymember Mark Berman's office, Helen Walter. So. >> [applause] [applause] >> I don't remember where I put the clicker. Oh. Thank you, Anthony. Um we also have elected officials from the Mountain View Whisman School District. Um and from the Los Altos School District. Uh if you are an elected official in attendance tonight and I haven't recognized you yet, please stand up and wave your hands. >> [applause] [applause] >> Now, also, if you serve on a Mountain View City of Mountain View board, commission, or committee, please wave your hands so we can recognize you as well. >> [applause] >> See, look at all those beautiful volunteers. Thank you all for your public service to the Mountain View community. All right. And we have so many city staff who are here. Now, they do the real work in making the Mountain View community thrive, including tonight's event. So, let's give them a round of applause, too. >> [applause] [applause] >> And finally, thank you to KMB TV for live streaming and airing today's special event. So, now we're going to go to our next slide, if I can do this correctly. Nailed it. All right. It not only takes people power to build the Mountain View of tomorrow, it also takes money, especially when you have a bold vision for what our city can become for current and future generations. That's why we are exploring a potential revenue measure for the November 2026 election. Now, based on what we've heard from our residents and other stakeholders, we know that you care about improving the quality of our streets and roads, enhancing critical infrastructure, bringing aging public safety facilities like fire stations up to today's standards and to improve emergency response, developing more affordable housing including for middle-income folks, and adding new parks and open spaces. The decisions we make now will shape whether future generations inherit a city that continues to invest in safety, opportunity, sustain- sustainability, and quality of life. Now, we are exploring options to increase revenue for addressing these community needs, and these options include a possible general obligation bond measure. At this time, council will likely consider the available options at the Tuesday, June 23rd meeting. In the meantime, my council colleagues and I look forward to working with all of you in building the Mountain View of tomorrow together. So, last month we declared a state of emergency for the Cuesta water main contamination incident, which originally left 67 homes north of Cuesta Park originally affected them. So, this means we can tap into all available resources to address this very localized emergency. The April 24th incident involving a private contractor hired by the city concerned a contaminated breach with some cement slurry mix coming into contact with a live water main. I do want to emphasize that outside the affected area, the water remains safe for drinking and for other uses in the city of Mountain View. But for families affected, this has meant uncertainty, disruption, and stress in daily life. Now, fortunately, um as of this evening on day 26 of the emergency response, I have an important update to share. The boil water restrictions have now been lifted for the remaining 21 homes. >> [applause] >> We are relieved to now have a resolution for these residents, which depended on the negative test results for bacteria and approval from the State Water Board. To the residents who have been affected by the Questa water main incident, we are sorry this happened to you, and we will continue working for you and all of Mountain View's residents to provide safe water services for our community. On the transportation front, we are working to make our streets greener and safer and combined with a better user experience. And that is our aim, no matter what your mode of transportation is, whether you're walk walking, biking, skateboarding, or driving. Our active transportation plan is nearing adoption. Some examples include protected bike lanes, pedestrian safety enhancements along California Street, El Camino Real, and Middlefield Road. As we continue to take feedback to ensure we get it right while making changes to our streets. Our community is also involved in making our environment more sustainable for the Mountain View of tomorrow. We're wrapping up a community-driven process to develop the new parks and recreation strategic plan. We are also among the first in the Bay Area to develop a biodiversity and urban forest plan. Plus, we're partnering with others, including the federal government, to restore our shoreline. Earlier this year, we celebrated the restoration of a 435-acre salt pond into the tidal marsh, along with adding over a mile of publicly accessible trails just north of our shoreline at the Mountain View Regional Park. The city of Mountain View continues to work with the business community to invigorate our local economy. These efforts include the Mountain View neighborhood small business center, which was recently launched this year. The nonprofit Enterprise Foundation is delivering free small business advisory and advising, not advisory, advising, and support services to Mountain View based small businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits over the coming years. The city is proud to have hosted the kickoff event with over 45 businesses in attendance. Last year, the economic development team provided direct support to 75 businesses, including through startup support, permit facilitation, and resource and technical support referrals. The business ambassador team continues to provide technical permitting support to new and expanding businesses. This multi-department team helps businesses navigate the permitting process and identify challenges early on. And we continue to welcome new businesses to Mountain View, a few of which you see right behind me. I really enjoyed the Shake Shack one. Very delicious. But speaking of businesses, we have our downtown. Our city continues to invest in creating a downtown that is safe, welcoming, and a vibrant destination. So, these investments include the installation of our decorative street treatment 1 year ago, adding color and a sense of place to our downtown. Also allowing for a really cool K-pop backdrop for if you want to do your K-pop dances in public. So, uh we're also celebrating the grand opening of a down of our downtown pop-up in collaboration with Moment. We are excited to support four creative microbusinesses that opened up a shop under the shared banner, Don't Eat Me. We also added pedestrian wayfinding signage soon to be installed with visual designs celebrating Mountain View's character and featuring imagery inspired by our rich history and surroundings. With several private projects and public improvements planned across downtown over the next few years, the city has launched a strategic communications initiative to strengthen outreach and visibility around upcoming construction and community projects. The effort designed to keep the community informed about the project timeline and impacts, address business and visitor concerns, and promote downtown to new and returning visitors. To support these goals, the city's had the city has induced introduced a new brand, Downtown MV in Motion. When you see that logo, it signifies that we're building the Mountain View of tomorrow in downtown, too. Mountain View's creative for future is taking shape. For 2026, we are excited to share a snapshot of our community outreach efforts for the city's first-ever public art strategy. This is a comprehensive 10-year roadmap and will guide how we will experience art in our everyday lives. We have new art being installed across the city this year. Now, this includes the Bullard art in downtown, murals in Rengstorff Park, and a sculpture in Evelyn Park. Plus, we're offering artist talks, too. Now, here is a very fun topic that I love to talk about all the time, affordable housing. Mountain View cannot remain a truly diverse and innovative community if the people who teach our children, care for our seniors, serve in our restaurants, and keep the city running can no longer afford to live here. Therefore, when it comes to affordable housing, Mountain View is a leader in the Bay Area. >> [applause] >> So, right now, you'll see movement happening at lot 12, located across the Mountain View Public Library on Bryant Street in downtown. It's a collaboration between the city, Related and Alta Housing, key partners including county, state, and federal government, along with Wells Fargo Bank and Freddie Mac. This project involves transforming a city-owned parking lot into a five-story rental apartment building with 120 affordable units. Completion is anticipated for 2028. We're also making strides with the firm housing development in city in a city-owned site at 87 East Evelyn Avenue. Phase one will deliver 161 affordable rental homes, and this construction is anticipated to begin later this year. We have quite a year for big sporting events in the Bay Area. Now, events like the Super Bowl, which did happen, and we have FIFA. Oh my gosh, you even wrote it here so I could pronounce it correctly. Thank you. The FIFA World Cup. Now, the goal for our 2026 game activations include boosting local economic activity, enhancing community engagement, and elevating the city's visibility through strategic marketing. This effort will help position Mountain View as a key destination for visitors and sports fans. February's Super Bowl activations were very successful with a successful tailgate event with games, a band, and giveaways the Saturday before the big game. With the World Cup games less Less a month away, we are collaborating again with the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce to engage and promote our local businesses. Be on the lookout for watch parties in our downtown. Plus, as part of our summer of soccer, the community will have opportunities to get out and play. Now, this includes a temporary foot golf course at Cuesta Park and a downtown mini pitch. That's where staff is working with one of our local youth sports organizations, MVLA Soccer, to offer one or two youth soccer clinics. We're also coordinating with BAFC, our local women's professional soccer team. So, but stay tuned for more details on that. Now, one of our key point most important points for our city of Mountain View is that we are community for all. It is one of our strategic priorities. Our third cohort of the Chinese Language Civic Leadership Academy is underway this spring. Plus, we have so many culturally rich events that you can be part of from the Multicultural Festival, which was held earlier this month, to the Dia de Muertos celebration in November. So, can you tell I'm a little excited about all the ways our city's making a difference in the lives of our community? Now, you can be a part of it, too, by volunteering, whether it's serving on a city advisory body or coming out for a tree planting on Arbor Day. In case you didn't make it earlier to the outdoor patio adjacent to us here in Redwood Hall, you can still do so afterwards. I encourage you to visit the city's resource tables outside to learn about the many volunteer opportunities with the city. Tonight, we talked about projects, plans, and investments for the future. But, the true strength of Mountain View has always been its people. It is the neighbors who show up for one another, the volunteers who give their time, the small business owners who invest in our community and the families who make this city their home. That is what makes Mountain View special. And that is what makes Mountain View the best city. So thank you for being part of this community and helping us [music] build the Mountain View of tomorrow together. In closing, I am your mayor, Emily Ann Ramos, and I hope you have a wonderful evening. >> [music] [music]]]>