Oct. 21, 2025 Special Meeting of Mountain View City Council

Video

Transcript

[00:04:05] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: All right, good evening everyone. Welcome to our City Council special meeting to interview Environmental Planning Commission applicants. We'll begin with the Pledge of Allegiance, so please stand.

[00:04:35] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: All right, and we'll move on to Item 3, which is the roll call. The City Clerk will take attendance by roll call.

[00:04:42] City Clerk Heather Glaser: Councilmember Clark?

[00:04:44] Councilmember Chris Clark: Here.

[00:04:45] City Clerk Heather Glaser: Councilmember Hicks?

[00:04:46] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Here.

[00:04:47] City Clerk Heather Glaser: Councilmember Ramirez?

[00:04:48] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Here.

[00:04:49] City Clerk Heather Glaser: Councilmember Showalter?

[00:04:50] Councilmember Pat Showalter: Here.

[00:04:51] City Clerk Heather Glaser: Vice Mayor Ramos?

[00:04:52] Councilmember Emily Ramos: Here.

[00:04:53] City Clerk Heather Glaser: Mayor Kamei?

[00:04:54] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Here.

[00:04:55] City Clerk Heather Glaser: We have a quorum with Councilmember McAlister absent.

[00:04:57] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Great. Thank you. So we'll move on to Item 4, which is our study session. The purpose of the meeting this evening is for the Council to interview applicants for two openings on the Environmental Planning Commission and make a recommendation for adoption at the December 9th, 2025 City Council meeting.

[00:05:17] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: 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.

[00:05:31] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: I'm not seeing anybody in person, so I'll move to virtual. Do not see any hands. So I'm gonna close public comment and we'll move forward.

[00:05:41] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: So per the selection process outlined in Council Policy number K-2, the interviews will be conducted in a panel format. Each applicant will receive the same amount of time to answer each question, and the questions selected by the Council will be asked in randomized round robin order.

[00:05:58] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: The Council may ask a limited number of clarifying questions in the event that an applicant's answer was unclear or otherwise not understood. Clarifying questions should not be used to allow an applicant an additional opportunity to expand on an original response.

[00:06:19] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: On February 18th, 2025, the Council posed the following questions to EPC applicants in the denoted time limit for each category. Would any Councilmember like to suggest changes to the questions or propose a time allocation per question?

[00:06:38] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: And I think just because maybe not everyone has the questions in front of them for the purpose of the public, I'll just read the questions quickly and then people can queue up if they like.

[00:06:49] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: So for the first question at one minute, it was: 'What would you bring to the Environmental Planning Commission that is unique?' For question number two, that was two minutes: 'What are your thoughts on the City's existing plans like the General Plan and precise plans, specifically the Downtown Precise Plan?'

[00:07:10] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Question three for 90 seconds: 'How would you evaluate proposals to implement the Housing Element components?' Question four for two minutes: 'How does good land use improve our city and what is good land use?' And question number five, one minute: 'What is the role of a planning commissioner?'

[00:07:31] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: So those were the five questions with the time allocation. I see Councilmember Hicks in the queue.

[00:07:38] Councilmember Alison Hicks: So the one that I think I might want to change, and I have to say I am not a person who's super married to changes I suggest or the questions in general, but the number three which is 'How would you evaluate proposals to implement the Housing Element components?'

[00:07:56] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Since we're a little further through the Housing Element—we seem to never be done with it—but, um, I'm wondering if we could say, 'What do you think will be the big issues facing the city or the Planning Commission over the next several years, which could include the Housing Element?'

[00:08:18] Councilmember Alison Hicks: So, I'm up for... people can say that's terrible, I will not be insulted, or we can go with that.

[00:08:25] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Okay. So for question three, can you just say it one more time?

[00:08:28] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Um... 'What do you think will be the big issues facing the Planning Commission over the next two years?' And it could, as part two, it could include addressing the—implementing the Housing Element.

[00:08:57] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Okay. How about... Okay. So would the time be the same? A minute and a half?

[00:09:02] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Yes.

[00:09:04] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Okay. So for question three: 'What do you think the big issues facing the Planning Commission will be, for example, implementing the Housing Element?' Does that sound right? Or... Okay. We can tweak. Okay.

[00:09:20] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Anyone else have any edits or tweaks to the five questions? Councilmember Clark?

[00:09:29] Councilmember Chris Clark: I think this is a given but for incumbents, the first question, you could also talk about sort of what you feel you've brought to the EPC that's unique. Um... I think it's mostly worded toward folks who aren't currently serving, so. I think that's a given but I just wanted to say it.

[00:09:50] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Sure. So for question one for one minute: 'What would you bring or what have you brought to the Environmental Planning Commission that is unique?' Does that sound... Okay. All right. Any other edits? No? Councilmember Ramirez.

[00:10:15] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Thank you, Mayor. Um, again, not terribly strong feelings, but the final question, 'What is the role of a planning commissioner?', if we retain that question, feels more appropriate early on. So I don't know if you would want that to be the first or second question, but it feels a little belated if it's the last one.

[00:10:35] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Sure, that makes sense. How about as question two? Okay. And then all the others would go down. All right. And I can repeat the questions before we go forward. All right. Any other edits or tweaks? All right.

[00:10:55] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: So I'll just review what I've heard. Um, so the first question for one minute: 'What would you bring or what have you brought to the Environmental Planning Commission that is unique?' Question two: 'What is the role of a planning commissioner?'

[00:11:13] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Question three: 'What are your thoughts on the City's existing plans like the General Plan and precise plans, specifically the Downtown Precise Plan?' Question four for a minute and a half: 'What do you think the big issues facing the Planning Commission will be, for example, implementing the Housing Element?'

[00:11:32] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: And then the last question, question five, two minutes: 'How does good land use improve our city and what is good land use?' Does that sound correct to everyone? All right. Sounds good. All right.

[00:11:50] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: So we've selected the questions, their order, as well as their time allocation. So, um, before we move into interviewing the applicants, I think this go around I would love to have assistance from my colleagues in asking these questions. So, um, I didn't—I forgot that there were five. Um, there are what, six, six of us?

[00:12:15] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: So if folks don't mind starting with Councilmember Clark, we could go question one. Councilmember Ramirez can get question two. The Vice Mayor can get question three. Councilmember Showalter can get four. And then Councilmember Hicks can get five. Does that sound great?

[00:12:35] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: All right, and hopefully that provides some variety for our applicants as well, instead of just hearing my voice. Um, all right, that sounds great.

[00:12:45] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: So the Council will now interview the applicants for the Environmental Planning Commission in the randomized order, uh, begins with Hala Al-Shahwany, who's virtual. Tina Pham, Shwetha Subramanian, Idarose Sylvester, and Jerry Wilburn.

[00:13:10] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: So we'll begin with Hala, and then as each question goes, the first person changes. Does that make sense? So Hala gets question one and begins, and then question two will begin with Tina, question three will begin with Shwetha, uh, four Idarose, and five Jerry. Does that make sense? That's how we'll go through.

[00:13:30] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: All right. Round robin questions from Council and round robin answers from our applicants. So it'll be, it'll be good. All right, so we'll begin with question number one. I'll turn it over to Councilmember Clark. And oh, and just for time check, I believe there's a timer right here. So just look straight ahead.

[00:13:50] Councilmember Chris Clark: Yeah. So I think we're starting with Hala. Um...

[00:13:52] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Yes. So Hala, can you hear us, see us? Let's see if we can... I see you're promoted as a panelist.

[00:14:02] Hala Al-Shahwany: Yes, good evening. I can hear you. Can you hear me?

[00:14:05] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Yes. Will she get video as well or just audio? Oh great. Yes, we see you.

[00:14:13] Hala Al-Shahwany: Perfect. Yes, the joys of being a panelist.

[00:14:15] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: All right. So Councilmember Clark has question one for you.

[00:14:18] Councilmember Chris Clark: Um, Hala, you probably heard. So, um, question one is just what you, what you feel that you would bring to the Environmental Planning Commission that's unique. And hopefully you can, um, see the timer in some way, shape or form, but I'm sure we'll indicate to you if, if we can't. Um...

[00:14:38] Hala Al-Shahwany: Yes, thank you. Actually, I can, I cannot see the clock. Um, no. It's, well, I can't see it. But that's okay. You can just stop me, let me know when it's done.

[00:14:50] Councilmember Chris Clark: Okay. Yeah, it's, it's 60 seconds and it should show right below the Mayor there if you're looking at the screen, so.

[00:14:55] Hala Al-Shahwany: Yeah, so I, I am zooming from, like, half the way across the world and only on my, uh, smartphone, so I can barely... yes, I cannot see it. But you can just stop me. Anyway.

[00:15:08] Councilmember Chris Clark: Okay. We'll, we'll start now then. Yeah.

[00:15:10] Hala Al-Shahwany: Okay, thank you so much. Good evening everyone. Greetings from, uh, Naples, Italy. Um, I am very happy to be able to join. And, uh, what would I bring is, I think my strong advocacy for balancing, uh, affordable housing and environmental sustainability.

[00:15:35] Hala Al-Shahwany: Um, I have lived in Mountain View for a long time. I moved here with my family in 1984. I worked here. Um, I've lived in different neighborhoods. Um, I, uh, have experience in environmental sustainability as I was in the task force back in 2016 and, uh, sorry, 2017 and 18.

[00:16:00] Hala Al-Shahwany: Um, I, um, have a lot of actions and knowledge, uh, for, uh, the developments that go around advocating for both. Um, and I have a good strong technical background.

[00:16:15] Councilmember Chris Clark: Thank you.

[00:16:18] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Great. Next is Tina.

[00:16:22] Councilmember Chris Clark: Tina?

[00:16:25] Tina Pham: Hi. Um, I'm happy to be here tonight to talk about, uh, my answers to the Environmental Planning Commission interview. Um, to start, I have lived in the Bay Area for 20 years and in Mountain View for more than 10 years. What I bring to the Commission is my, uh, experience over the last year on the Commission itself, serving, um, learning a lot from my fellow commissioners and contributing to the Commission.

[00:16:50] Tina Pham: Also, I am an environmental civil engineer who have worked, um, for more than 15 years, uh, on all sorts of capital projects such as bridges, um, streets, sidewalks, water, wastewater infrastructure, stormwater infrastructure. And so I understand how planning decisions can translate into real world projects.

[00:17:10] Tina Pham: Also, um, I am a mom, and so I, uh, spend a lot of time with my family in the community, uh, interfacing with other community members. So I have a vested interest in making sure the decisions we make here, um, are well thought out and are implemented for my family and others.

[00:17:30] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Great. Thanks. Shwetha?

[00:17:35] Shwetha Subramanian: Good evening. Uh, it's a pleasure to be here. Thank you for this opportunity. Um, I'm an immigrant from India with lived experience in many parts of the US over the past 28 years, and a very recent resident of Mountain View. I'm a renter currently and I've lived in the city for just over a year. I live in the Rex Manor neighborhood.

[00:17:55] Shwetha Subramanian: I'm an architect by training, but I practiced real estate development for 20 years and worked on mixed use large scale projects with commercial and residential and large scale master plan developments. I worked at MidPen Housing on affordable development leading their development team, and I currently have a development consulting practice.

[00:18:15] Shwetha Subramanian: I am passionate about housing, and, um, I also am very passionate about sustainability, mobility, embracing technology, and I'm very involved in the industry. So I bring that development perspective to the table. Thank you.

[00:18:35] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Great. Thanks. Idarose?

[00:18:40] Idarose Sylvester: I bring unique knowledge about land use planning from years working with Mountain View Coalition for Sustainable Planning, evaluating projects, precise plans, zoning, the Housing Element and more in partnership with stakeholders including staff and developers. And in this work, I'm also deeply engaged in thinking about upcoming forces that will impact us like remote work, economic change, and SB 79.

[00:19:05] Idarose Sylvester: Through our Historical Association, I focus on land use, understanding how past patterns impact our current environment. I also have brought eight and a half year track record on two different advisory bodies, demonstrating successful collaboration with staff and colleagues.

[00:19:20] Idarose Sylvester: I've built, uh, consensus building skills through my work as a Mountain View mediator, which also brings me excellent listening and the ability to balance both sides of an issue. I'm deeply connected in my community to stakeholders across the city. And I also hold a minor in City and Regional Planning. Thank you.

[00:19:35] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Great. Thank you. Jerry?

[00:19:40] Jerry Wilburn: Oh, it says two minutes? Ready? Oh, yeah. So I just start speaking? Because I was like, ready. Uh, okay. Uh, hi. Uh, my name is Jerry. Um, I'm a Mountain View resident. Um, just applying for this position because I think it's my civic duty. I hold a Master's degree in Urban Planning from San Jose State. I'm a doctoral candidate at USC studying, um, macro social work.

[00:20:05] Jerry Wilburn: Um, and so I feel I have enough education to, uh, bring to the table that, um, you know, I will bring that kind of educational lens to any kind of plans that come in front of me. Um, I have, um, years in front of me, I mean, behind me in nonprofit management. Also, I'm an accomplished grant writer. I've been awarded over $15 million in government grants for my various programs.

[00:20:30] Jerry Wilburn: Uh, so I have that funder lens, uh, for any project. Or also I'm also a GIS geek. Uh, so I'm very comprehensive on that. I can teach it. In fact, I'm applying to become a professor at San Jose State right now in the Urban Regional Planning. I'm also on the APA board for California. Uh, I am the liaison for UC Berkeley.

[00:20:50] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Great. Thanks.

[00:20:55] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: So question two will begin with Tina, and Councilmember Ramirez will be the question asker.

[00:21:05] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Thank you, Mayor. Um, again, not terribly strong feelings but... The question is: What is the role of a planning commissioner?

[00:21:10] Tina Pham: All right. I really love this question because I often think of it when I am on the dais and trying to trying to verbalize what I want to say, what I want to convey, and, um, how much to say and what to ask. I think it's a great question. Um, what I think, uh, a planning commissioner, their role is to serve at the pleasure of Council, to think very critically about what staff is bringing forward, to evaluate the staff reports, um, to ask questions and really kick the tires of what's being proposed.

[00:21:40] Tina Pham: I think, um, I really enjoyed doing that over the last year. Um, in my professional life, uh, I often write staff reports, present to Council, and think very critically about what we want to say. So being on this side has been really, really fulfilling and I feel like that experience has made me a very effective, um, engaged commissioner, um, during this last year.

[00:22:00] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Thank you. Shwetha?

[00:22:10] Shwetha Subramanian: Um, I believe, uh, the role of a planning commissioner is to be a guide and a steward of both land use policy and land use development for the city. Um, I view this role as working closely with the staff to promote the projects and, um, bring their views to the table to support the Council in making responsible decisions that yield the best outcomes for Mountain View and its residents.

[00:22:40] Shwetha Subramanian: And as, um, a citizen of Mountain View, which I'm very proud of being, I, I believe I represent the residents of Mountain View and I want to bring that perspective to the table.

[00:23:00] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Great. Thank you. Idarose?

[00:23:05] Idarose Sylvester: So tactically, a planning commissioner does several things. One is thoughtful review of development and land use applications to ensure compliance with the General Plan, zoning and precise plans, and maybe more importantly, the overall city's vision for its future. Um, as well as conducting long range and policy planning, uh, such as general plan updates and zoning updates, um, and looking at these things holistically.

[00:23:30] Idarose Sylvester: Uh, but more importantly, it's very important for commissioners to make recommendations to City Council based on very thoughtful analysis of staff reports and weighing stakeholder input extremely carefully. Um, I think to be a good planning commissioner, one needs to be flexible and adaptable to changing needs and changing times, like managing under SB 79 will cause unique challenges, and also economic changes which feel like they're on the horizon.

[00:23:55] Idarose Sylvester: And a robust planner also needs to, or a planner also needs to be a robust listener, understanding and listening to all stakeholders fairly and finding balance among conflicting needs and interests. Thank you.

[00:24:00] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Thank you. Jerry is next.

[00:24:05] Jerry Wilburn: I believe a role of a planning commissioner is to uphold the, uh, zoning codes and laws that the city has put forth in its General Plan. Also conformity to all, um, adherence to, um, the, uh, the codes that have been set forth. I'm sorry. I'm getting a little nervous right now. Uh, and, um, yes. Uh, also updating the General Plan, looking at our housing needs, um, speaking with advocates, uh, speaking with, uh, stakeholders, and just weighing everything that comes across our, our commission and, uh, for the best of Mountain View. And making sure that everything that's put forth by the commission is, um, really for the people. Complete.

[00:24:50] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Okay, Hala, then that means it's you. So if you can unmute... Do you need Lucas to ask the question... or sorry Councilmember Ramirez to ask the question again?

[00:25:05] Hala Al-Shahwany: Um, no, I think I got it. This is 'What is the role of a planning commissioner?', correct?

[00:25:08] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Correct.

[00:25:10] Hala Al-Shahwany: Yes. Um, so I, I think the role of a planning commissioner is to, um, give advice and input to the Council on how to best balance, um, how to best balance the developments, um, and, uh, the support of affordable housing while trying to, um, sustain and make sure that we have, um, an environmental sustainability that is gonna service now and in the future. Um, consider the climate extremes and the climate changes that, uh, we are facing now.

[00:25:50] Hala Al-Shahwany: Um, I think also having experiences in, um, serving the city in that capacity, um, attending a lot of meetings, um, working with developers so that they understand that, uh, when you have that balance, actually things will work out... Oops, sorry.

[00:26:15] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: No worries. Thank you.

[00:26:17] Hala Al-Shahwany: I didn't see the... I didn't see the clock so. Okay. Thank you. Thanks.

[00:26:20] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: All right. Now for the next question. Okay. And we'll start with Shwetha... I hope I pronounced that correctly... Yay. Nailed it. All right. What are your thoughts on the City's existing plans like the General Plan and precise plans, specifically the Downtown Precise Plan?

[00:26:50] Shwetha Subramanian: I believe the challenge, um, in the general plans is, is in meeting the housing needs of the region, and in particularly aligning and staying ahead of the changes that are being enforced by state and assembly bills that will impact the development in this region. Specifically, I think the particular challenge is being able to balance development with preserving the character of existing neighborhoods.

[00:27:20] Shwetha Subramanian: The current downtown plan allows up to 85 feet, uh, and 60 dwelling units per acre. And if you look at SB 79, which was passed recently, that almost doubles that density and keeping some of the similar heights. So I think that would be a particular challenge when SB 79, um, gets adopted in the middle of next year and how that balances out with the requirements of Mountain View's General Plan and looking at areas of the precise plan that are impacted by the proximity to, uh, the transit stops.

[00:27:55] Shwetha Subramanian: I also believe that there are aspects in the General Plan with regards to improving access and improving mobility to the Caltrain station stops. Uh, with the improved Caltrain services, I believe there are opportunities to reduce car mileage, promote easier, uh, pedestrian and bike access to train stops across key thoroughfares and increase other modalities of transportation, which will become a particular challenge to review.

[00:28:25] Shwetha Subramanian: I also believe that there's an opportunity here where by embracing technology and putting in safeguards, we can improve other modalities of transportation such as when Waymos and other self-driving options, uh, become more ubiquitous in the South Bay. Um, we have to ensure that there's circulation and, uh, pick up and drop off zones are well coordinated through the planning requirements. And finally...

[00:28:50] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Oh. Thanks.

[00:28:55] Councilmember Emily Ramos: Oh, and just a reminder, it's a two minute question. It's like, I think the longest question. Well, there's another two minute question but this is one of the longer ones.

[00:29:05] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Great. Thank you. Idarose?

[00:29:08] Idarose Sylvester: Our General Plan is inherently limited by its long view, and ours is aging. It is static, but our community is anything but that. A black swan event like the pandemic shows us that our assumptions in our plan can be completely upended, and other forces may radically change us again like looming economic uncertainty. But our General Plan still provides valid framing including emphasis on sustainability, inclusivity and equity, mobility, and economic vitality, and a smart focus on balanced development—all values that are core to the city.

[00:29:45] Idarose Sylvester: Our precise plans are good in that they help our land use stay current, but they can get out of date and lack having a bigger picture focus. One thing I do love about them though is their robust stakeholder feedback included in the newer ones. In the next year, we're going to have to think a lot about the impact of SB 79 and the impact it will have on our plans around downtown such as the Moffett Boulevard Precise Plan.

[00:30:10] Idarose Sylvester: Um, and that's something the City's going to have to think a lot about. But going back specifically to the Downtown Precise Plan, we, we set out to create a downtown that is our crown jewel, the heart of our city, an economic and cultural hub that serves everyone in our community. But how do we get there? We need zoning that supports a variety of business types and cultural activities that support a diverse and rapidly evolving population. We need solid plans to support evolving businesses that support the needs of all residents and business owners.

[00:30:40] Idarose Sylvester: We need to balance residential needs with commercial development. We need to make our downtown more transit and pedestrian friendly and preserve historic resources. But to me, it's important that we create vibrant placemaking, include better recreation, green space, canopy, art, communal spaces that serve everybody of all ages and backgrounds. Things that draw people into the downtown and keep them there and make them happy. Thank you.

[00:31:10] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Thank you. And Jerry is next.

[00:31:15] Jerry Wilburn: I believe the General Plan focuses on... [mic slips]... I believe the General Plan, um, is good and it meets a lot of currently, uh, what we're working on within Mountain View. Um, but like my colleague said, uh, recent state law which recently passed in our RHNA goals for the region and housing needs are not being met.

[00:31:35] Jerry Wilburn: And so we need to densify our downtown in order to meet the, the needs of state law and also keep up with our RHNA needs currently. Um, our, our projections are, I believe are on track to meet those goals, but with the new law, it will not be on track. So that's something that, um, the General Plan needs to be updated up with. Also, in addition, um, for the downtown Castro Street area, uh, moving on to there. Uh, I, I believe it's a really vibrant place. It, there's a lot of things going good with that area right now.

[00:32:15] Jerry Wilburn: I myself love that area. But there could be opportun- there is opportunity for growth. Um, speaking to, uh, Councilmember Hicks earlier today, and, uh, about, um, just my views on downtown. And so there's ideas like night markets at night. There's ideas about activation of art, um, using, uh, more outdoor theater or anything like that, just to bring more people and keep people coming.

[00:32:45] Jerry Wilburn: Um, there's a, uh, an opportunity for economic development. Uh, there's a lot of empty storefronts. I believe if we were to, um, give microloans out and, uh, capture small business, we could activate the space even further. Um, another, another thing is transportation. Um, with the Caltrain station right there, we should actually, um, build more infrastructure to support the local infrastructure of just all modes of transportation, like bikes, and... complete.

[00:33:15] City Clerk Heather Glaser: If I could just interject really quickly, Jerry, the, um, Zoom can't hear you if you don't hold the mic up to your, to your mouth.

[00:33:20] Jerry Wilburn: Okay. Yeah.

[00:33:30] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Hala?

[00:33:32] Hala Al-Shahwany: Yes. Can you hear me okay?

[00:33:34] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Yep.

[00:33:35] Hala Al-Shahwany: Okay, great. Um, yes. So, um, I, I have been attending, uh, the, the City Council meetings and, uh, uh, even working with some of the city staff on, on some of the developments that are going, specifically around downtown. I think the, um, the plans, uh, were great because the city was really embarking on, uh, preserving the historic characteristics of our downtown and increasing, uh, uh, housing, uh, more affordable housing around transit, which is great.

[00:34:10] Hala Al-Shahwany: But of course SB 79 is going to be a big challenge, uh, because, um, uh, we don't really, uh, currently have alternate plans, alternative plans so that if we want to preserve the, um, downtown characteristics, we will have to come up with, um, ideas and ways that we can still do affordable housing, perhaps, uh, some around the transit center in that area and some elsewhere.

[00:34:40] Hala Al-Shahwany: Um, because I think it's important that we preserve that, um, characteristics that we have. It's very unique. It's what makes Mountain View, Mountain View. I have lived, um, in Cuesta Park and I'm living now, uh, near downtown and it's, it's really vital that we preserve that. It's very vital that we increase, um, green canopy, make it walkable, um, pleasant, uh, pedestrian friendly. Um, and coming up with alternative plan is going to be probably the biggest challenge, uh, we will have and we have to work on that fairly quickly because, uh, I believe by next summer, 2026, uh, the, um, uh, those alternative plans have to be ready so that once, you know, the, uh, implementation of SB 79 take place, uh, we, we will know what, how to proceed and how to go ahead.

[00:35:40] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Thank you. All right. Now for the next question. Oh, wait. Tina. Tina. Sorry. Go ahead.

[00:35:45] Tina Pham: So I really like this question... oh wait, it says 1:30? Is that right? It's not enough to talk about all the things I'm so excited about, um, coming to the EPC in the next couple of years. As I mentioned, General Plan update is very important, um, because of how old the document is and how much change has happened since then. Um, but also there's things like gatekeeper process, streamlining code changes, Dark Sky ordinance. Um, I agree with a lot of the other folks who've mentioned SB 79, um, compliance and implementation and doing local alternative plans.

[00:36:20] Tina Pham: That will be very important for us to consider local control of that, um, of many areas in the city including downtown. Um, R3 zoning is also important and we're still waiting on staff to bring that forth as well. Um, historical preservation ordinance, biodiversity and Urban Forest Plan. All of these are things, um, that have come to, uh, the EPC or will come to the EPC. Um, and these are important for us and Council to, um, watch out for.

[00:36:50] Tina Pham: And what I like about, um, knowing about all these things is feeling very confident that, you know, the commission and staff can do it together. We have a very, very, um, you know, collaborative environment. And so when I think of these as challenges, I'm not intimidated. I'm really excited, um, that these are identified and would love to continue working on some of these items.

[00:37:40] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Great. Thank you. All right. So we'll move on to question four and that'll start with Idarose and then that'll be, um, Councilmember Showalter.

[00:37:50] Councilmember Pat Showalter: All right. Okay. This one is: What do you think the big issues facing the EPC will be? For instance, implementing the Housing Element? But other things, um, would be good to talk to as, about as well.

[00:38:00] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: We'll start with Idarose.

[00:38:05] Idarose Sylvester: Thank you. Uh, I've hinted at this in some of my previous answers, but we are looking down the barrel of an, of economic uncertainty. We've already seen slowing down of development which is going to make hitting our RHNA numbers all the more difficult. But it's also going to mean less commercial development and less tax revenue from that and the potential economic impacts on, uh, small and large businesses.

[00:38:30] Idarose Sylvester: But also we're starting to hear from developers that projects, especially ones with community benefits including BMR units, park, parking, uh, additional, yes, environmental sustainability features like solar panels and all-electric are not penciling out. So I think we're going to face a big challenge about how to meet community needs in an economic downturn.

[00:38:55] Idarose Sylvester: But some other things that are on my mind: uh, again, economic vitality of our small and large businesses as we go through a downturn. Also providing recreation for all while preserving open space and balancing the needs of our community across our relatively large geographic community. Um, also affordable housing aside from the Housing Element, how are we going to provide affordable housing and housing for all?

[00:39:20] Idarose Sylvester: And how are we going to address our homeless strategy in the, in the face of such a rise in our unhoused population since the last Point-in-Time count. Uh, those are the things that are on my mind most right now. Thank you.

[00:39:35] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Thank you. And Jerry is next.

[00:39:40] Jerry Wilburn: Ready. Um, I believe the most challenging part of the, um... [holds mic]... Hold, hold your mic close. Thanks. Got it. Yeah. I started doing that again. Uh, so I believe the most challenging part of the role would be, uh, making sure that there is equitable practices amongst all neighborhoods and communities. What is fair for Mountain View? What is fair for every citizen?

[00:40:05] Jerry Wilburn: And I believe that is going to be a challenge, uh, being that, um, we have densified areas of pockets of neighborhoods and, uh, we have very industrialized areas in, in other parts of the city. So, but I live in one of those areas too, by the way. So I have a little back house on, uh, on Old Middlefield. Uh, and so I look at that and I'm like, wow, like, all these other services are being delivered in other areas but not mine.

[00:40:35] Jerry Wilburn: Uh, so I feel that challenge personally. Um, moving on. Um, so other challenging areas would be homelessness. Uh, I myself have a career built on building homeless, uh, programs. And, uh, also making sure that our housing needs are going to be met. So it's just going to be challenging to be fair and, um, be, be able to deliver to all communities and have that equity, uh, at any kind of plan that comes across the commission's desk. Um, we have to be fair to everyone. With that, complete.

[00:41:10] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Thank you. And now we go to Hala. Do you need the question reread?

[00:41:15] Hala Al-Shahwany: Um, yes, please, actually.

[00:41:20] Councilmember Pat Showalter: Okay. Um, what do you think the big issues facing the EPC will be? For instance, implementing the, uh, Housing Element? Or others?

[00:41:35] Hala Al-Shahwany: Yes. I think, um, I think one of the challenges we're having is, um, ensuring that the, the developments that are going on in Mountain View have a solid percentage of affordable housing. And I think, um, it's been very challenging to, to have more than the minimum requirement from the developers to provide that, that aspect of housing.

[00:42:05] Hala Al-Shahwany: So perhaps we need to think more about incentives, about, uh, ways that we can encourage developers to meet at least the minimum if not more, uh, the percentage that we, that we require of them that to provide affordable housing. Um, also the, um, SB 79 is going to be a bit challenging. Um, if we want to preserve our downtown characteristics, um, and have that balance, uh, between development and the preservation, then we need to work on that, um, alternative plan.

[00:42:40] Hala Al-Shahwany: Um, I think it's, uh, it's definitely a big challenge to, uh, retain, um, a healthy, um, uh, green space because we are losing, you know, our heritage trees when these big developments take space. So, um, we need to also find incentives for, for the developers to, um, understand that what's good for the environment is good for us as well. And, um, how do we make it pedestrian friendly and walkable. Thank you.

[00:42:50] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Thank you. Okay. So that brings us to Tina.

[00:42:55] Tina Pham: So I really like this question, although it's hard to go last for this question because I agree with a lot of what my fellow interviewees have said. Um, I have a few points. Um, the General Plan, uh, provides a great framework to be able to grow sustainably while balance livability for, um, the residents of Mountain View.

[00:43:20] Tina Pham: One of my, um, criticisms of it is that it's quite old. It's gotten quite stale since it was adopted in 2012. And the world has changed so much since then. Remote work, um, and the, um, people who may have, um, moved in may not have been able to give their voice, um, to such a plan. And I know that staff has it in their work plan to think about, um, you know, updating the General Plan in the next several years.

[00:43:50] Tina Pham: Maybe that goes into the next question. Um, so because as the General Plan grows older, um, it really, uh, highlights the importance of the precise plans that have been worked on the last couple of years. And I know during my time on EPC, um, we were able to discuss the Moffett Boulevard Precise Plan and, um, talk about the vision for, for that area, which was such a fascinating discussion for me when my first EPC meetings was during, um, uh, when that item was brought to us.

[00:44:20] Tina Pham: Um, and we talked about street infrastructure, we talked about the size of the parcels, context of what was proposed within the neighborhood, preserving the Adobe House. And so all the detail that's going into these newer plans is amazing. Um, and so I applaud staff and, and, um, you know, I hope to see similar levels of outreach and engagement, um, for the precise plans that I saw, you know, for, for, for the discussions for Moffett and for others as well.

[00:44:50] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Thank you. Shwetha?

[00:44:55] Shwetha Subramanian: So I believe, uh, that the challenges in addition to some of the state and assembly bills and, uh, figuring out, uh, the City's General Plan and precise plan alignments with those, I believe the big challenge is in meeting the housing needs of the region and in particularly aligning and staying ahead of the changes that are being enforced by state and assembly bills that will impact the development in this region.

[00:00:00] Shwetha Subramanian: Since it is us and we're not singular in this, is it's the region as a whole is the face of economic changes and the the rapid pace at which that's happening. So I think it's going to be key for us to figure out how to build in flexibility and long-term vision into our planning going forward.

[00:00:23] Shwetha Subramanian: And that goes to even creating a diversity of housing because the nature of the population is rapidly changing. So while we're tackling affordability, it extends to providing home for all, including homeless as well as senior citizens and the ability to have residents age in place within Mountain View.

[00:00:44] Shwetha Subramanian: So with this idea of creating a city for the future and creating a home for all, I believe that extends to looking at mobility options and increasing transportation to decrease the car impact which then gets into the next big topic of taking on climate resilience and looking at aspects of planning that we have to really think about with the long-term strategy to create better climate resilience for everything that comes in the future. But I do believe we have answers to all this and a process in place to tackle it.

[00:01:20] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Great. Thanks so much. All right, we're at exciting point. We're on our last question. Um, and that'll be with Councilmember Hicks and we'll start with Jerry. Go ahead Councilmember Hicks.

[00:01:33] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Yes, so Jerry, for two in in two minutes, tell us how does good land use improve our city and what is good land use?

[00:01:45] Jerry Wilburn: So good land use... um Thank you. So good land use... is adherence to the zoning code. It is um going to provide a um all development to to have um Hang on I'm I'm blanking out right now. Uh I'm I'm I'm going back to my college uh class on on land use.

[00:02:13] Jerry Wilburn: Uh so good so good so good land use is uh making sure that uh adherence to the zoning codes are being upheld um and making sure that all plans are being reviewed uh for conformity to the law. And it is going to provide the way forward for Mountain View to move forward with good land use. Um I'm going to leave some time on the table because I don't want to botch this anymore because I feel like I'm botching this, but go ahead.

[00:02:40] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Okay, thank you. So next we're going to hear on the same question from Hala?

[00:02:49] Hala Al-Shahwany: Yes, hi, thank you. Um, I think the a good land use is finding the balance between providing affordable housing and sustainability, environmental sustainability for our community, for now and in the future. Um, working with uh the developers, community input, um coming up with incentives so that we can have that balance come in.

[00:03:22] Hala Al-Shahwany: There have been many projects uh that I've attended uh uh uh hearings of and uh we've actually reached out to the developers of some of these projects directly to try to uh influence them in understanding that when they're preserving our um green assets that we have in the city while providing uh the affordable housing that we need, it's actually a win-win for for everyone.

[00:03:49] Hala Al-Shahwany: Um and there's been many examples uh where um you know one example is for um that the recent time we've worked the community has worked with uh the 555 Middlefield project where we went back and forth many, many times uh but they finally came back with uh preserving more trees, having the units, the buildings for the residents facing uh not the freeway, freeway, you know highway 85 behind that project.

[00:04:26] Hala Al-Shahwany: Um they also provided uh walkable uh nice wide uh sidewalks uh so uh they're thinking about not just their residents but all the community surrounding them. So we need more and more of those kinds of of collaborations um that would bring success for both the developers, the new residents that will be here and the current residents that have been here for a long time. Thank you.

[00:04:59] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Yes, so Tina.

[00:05:03] Tina Pham: All right. Um, so good land use is so important. Um, good land use and planning is one of the most important ways that cities can influence what gets built um and influence um what really affects people. Um once you build something, it's going to be there for quite some time. So careful thinking ahead of time, careful planning, careful design is really, really important.

[00:05:28] Tina Pham: And so when I think about good land use, I think of the residents and what the people would want. Um in general we've heard um and I feel this as well as we want, you know, green spaces, we want walkability, we want bikeability, we want um balanced growth for um affordable housing but also we want jobs and transit. And we want to protect our open spaces.

[00:05:51] Tina Pham: So that's all a lot. That's really challenging. There's tradeoffs. One of the things that I love to consider when I'm on EPC is that um when we make decisions, it's going to last for quite some time. And so things are changing. Um so I don't only think about what the needs are now, what would be the needs in the next 20, 30, 40, 50 years. Um and I think about projects that come in front of us, what they have to offer and what they would bring to our community in the future. All right. Thanks.

[00:06:21] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Thank you. And now Shwetha? And do tell me if you want me to repeat the question.

[00:06:29] Shwetha Subramanian: No, I have it. Thank you. Um, so I believe good land use is what gets a city designated as the very first pro housing city. I believe good land use is what gets a city an employer as as uh big and impactful as a Google. And um and then I think good land use is what really helps uh make this um a valid point going forward into the future.

[00:06:58] Shwetha Subramanian: So I believe to extend these successes, a city like Mountain View needs to have its plan be flexible and adaptable to the changes of changing economic environments in the future. It's all also about creating sustainable forms of development, ones that uh promote uh sustainability within the environment but also minimize the impact of resources, minimize adverse environmental impact to the surroundings and are able to tackle uh the preservation of green spaces and figure out how to sustain them with uh climate resiliency.

[00:07:38] Shwetha Subramanian: I also think that good land use is key to providing uh and promoting economic vitality by providing for a diverse population and by creating optimal and vital synergies between different land uses so we're able to develop a very cohesive city fabric that promotes for circulation and communication of its residents, of its employers with great ease. Thank you.

[00:08:09] Councilmember Alison Hicks: And to close out, IdaRose.

[00:08:14] Idarose Sylvester: Mountain View, a wonderful city, is almost entirely built out. We have valuable history, incredibly vibrant neighborhoods, an engaged community, wonderful socio-economic diversity and precious environmental resources like our bay shore and our marshes. And we must steward these. We must practice good land use that preserves what is so special about this community, supporting our current and future populations, all while we contend with not knowing what the future will hold.

[00:08:47] Idarose Sylvester: Good land use is important because it improves our city by increasing immediate and long-term livability and sustainability of a city meant for all of us. It makes Mountain View a place where people are proud to live, work and play, providing housing for everyone, supporting thriving small and large business, and maintaining our rich cultural and recreation activities and a sense of community that is so unique to our city.

[00:09:11] Idarose Sylvester: And something as a planning geek I like to think is that good land use planning creates efficiency for future staff and council who can build upon our good work today, being more efficient rather than having to scramble and reinvent and deal with problems we didn't address for them. And good land uh land use thoughtfully takes into account and balances unique stakeholder needs and interests.

[00:09:34] Idarose Sylvester: Good land use is holistic. It's more than just buildings. It's more than just the basic built environment. It's about community for all. It looks at the bigger picture including transportation, safe bike and pedestrian access, infrastructure impacts on things like our wastewater and recycled water systems, community impacts including preserving our equity and diversity, recreation for all, school systems, sustainability, green space, placemaking and the human element, all while trying to back that up to the goals of the overall general plan. Thank you.

[00:10:14] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Great. Thank you. So, um, that concludes our questions. I'll now bring the matter to Council for discussion and a recommendation to the Council for two seats. The term runs from January 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2029, which is the opening on the Environmental Planning Commission. And before we get into our discussion and recommendation, let's thank all of our applicants. Um, you may leave your uh interviewee area. You're welcome to stay or leave, um whichever you prefer. Um and we'll we'll remove Hala as a panelist um as we move into this discussion and deliberation recommendation portion of our meeting. Thank you very much. We appreciate it.

[00:11:08] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: All right. So per the selection process outlined in Council Policy Number K-2, when voting, each Councilmember shall vote for as many candidates as there are open seats. So for example, we have two seats available tonight, so we can vote for no more than two people. If there is a tie vote, we will re-vote on the tied applicants and the applicant with the highest number of votes wins. This process can be changed upon a majority vote of the council tonight. And our majority tonight is uh four. Well, yeah, four 'cause there's uh six of us, yeah. Um so it remains the same. Um so we can now discuss our recommendations for the two members to the Environmental Planning Commission or we can proceed directly to a vote by ballot. I'll leave it up to colleagues. I see some people are already in the queue so we'll start there. Vice Mayor Ramos.

[00:12:09] Councilmember Emily Ramos: Thank you Mayor. Um, I really just uh wanted to comment on how how really good the applicant pool was this time around. Um and I and each of them kind of have a different reason why I really like liked them. Um I think um it is is no secret we we we are very familiar with how much Hala cares about our community. I think that's a wonderful thing. I'm glad she's applying for a a commission like this.

[00:12:37] Councilmember Emily Ramos: Um I had the opportun- uh Tina is the our incumbent essentially and we had the opportunity to see how she performs on the board and she has performed very well and it shows in her answers where she um has done. I'm trying to be very quick. Um Shwetha, um Shwetha um actually had my favorite answers. Those answers were like bangers to me. I was just like, that's the best answers. I love them.

[00:12:58] Councilmember Emily Ramos: Um and uh with Idarose, um I really value people's commitment to essentially our local government. She has served on the HRC for a a very long time, as long as she legally could. Um so like that demonstrated commitment um is is is very valued. And then we have Jerry who is also a GIS nerd and that speaks to my heart 'cause I really love that even though I probably am not as good as as he is because I'm a bit rusty.

[00:13:27] Councilmember Emily Ramos: So we we do have there's some people call it uh the embarrassment of riches or like uh Councilmember Showalter likes to call it the perils of prosperity. And I just like to think of it as the impact of being the best city where we have the best residents and therefore the best applicants. So it's going to be a very difficult uh decision. I think all of you are we would be lucky to have any of you um on our planning commissions. Um but yeah, it's just going to be a difficult position. Thank you for for applying though.

[00:14:03] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Councilmember Showalter.

[00:14:08] Councilmember Pat Showalter: Well, it's really hard to follow that, um Vice Mayor Ramos. But uh I agree. We we have a um a group of people who are all uh uniquely qualified to do this job and um I'm very grateful that for the time and effort they put in to apply. I did get to talk to um all of them uh except for Hala. She was in Naples but I've known her for like 30, 40 years now so that was okay.

[00:14:40] Councilmember Pat Showalter: Um uh and yeah that we we really do have a a very impressive group. And perhaps it is a peril of prosperity that we have. You know, we have um people stepping up because um we we have good resources to work with and we have interest very interesting um problems and we have a history of um you know of of getting things done. And so that makes stepping up and being part of the process much more attractive than um it could be some other places.

[00:15:20] Councilmember Pat Showalter: That said, I'm just going to get the process moving and say I um I appreciate the idea that we have an incumbent who has um uh spent time on the EPC and um has has done a good job and answered questions well. And I think and typically it is our custom to um continue with incumbents. And I would just like to start by um uh moving that we reappoint Tina Pham.

[00:15:59] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: I think that per the policy we need Do we have to do two at a time? We have to do two? Um that's my understanding. Is that right or we can go one at one at a time? Okay, great. Okay. Okay until we fill, right? Okay. Okay. Um Well we have a uh motion so if we can have a second or I don't think we need a form if we're Yeah. Sometimes we vote by a by a for the public, sometimes we vote all at once and we vote on a form or tonight it seems like we're going to be voting one at a time with a with a motion and that's fine too. Those are part of our policies and that's that's okay or looking to however colleagues would like to do it but we have a motion so before we go forward do we have a a second? Do people want to talk on it? What is the motion again? The the motion is to uh reappoint uh Tina Pham. And that was seconded by Councilmember Ramirez. Okay we have a motion, the seconder, we'll continue discussion. Thank you. Councilmember Hicks.

[00:17:49] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Okay. Okay, well I was not expecting that. I think everybody looks perplexed because not because we do have a tradition of uh reappointing an incumbent but we use my experience is that most of the time we pass out a piece of paper and we write down who we're voting for. So Pat, I think or Councilmember Showalter, I think you threw us all for a loop. Anyway, um I'm that was your intention? Okay. Okay. Okay. So um I so I have a question about process. Um are we go- are we thinking or maybe nobody's thinking about it at all of doing a piece of paper for the second one? Or...

[00:18:39] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: I think that's up to our discretion and looking at the City Clerk we can. So I think that um right now it's discussion and recommendation and so I think we have a a we've had some discussion and then we got a recommendation for one and then we can continue people's thoughts um or we can take a uh vote as is and then more discussion and talk before we vote for the second. It's I think it's all within the umbrella of the policy looking at the Clerk she says yes.

[00:19:09] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Okay, thank you Mayor for clarifying that for me. Oh, no worries. Um 'cause apparently I'm easily confused. Uh yeah, I'm I mean I do um I I will either uh support this motion um and if it doesn't pass I will be voting anyway to um to reinstate the reappoint the incumbent. Um and I just wanted to echo um what other council members have said and I'm not going to say it at length because they did but I I think these are some of the most I've been on council for six and a half years, I've applied for EPC twice and never been voted on um because they didn't want anybody with a planning degree on the planning commission. That was the council. You you were not on that council Chris so I think this council has a different position hopefully because almost all of you have planning degrees.

[00:20:17] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Um so yeah I am really impressed both you know by length of service for people who've been here for a while on things that I really care about with the city, the level of thoughtful detail. I did talk to everyone before tonight except for um Tina Pham because I talked to her in the past. Um and just had you know it made me want to appoint everyone or or want everyone to remain engaged in some way. Um so uh let's see. So yes, okay, so I think that's that's what I'll say at this point.

[00:20:49] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Great. Councilmember Clark.

[00:20:53] Councilmember Chris Clark: Yeah, I I was just going to suggest that um since there's a motion on the floor that um we can when we're ready we can dispense with that and then we can probably have another round of comments if if the mayor is comfortable with that. But I I'm I'm happy to to call the question. Okay. Yeah, and um I just wanted to say uh Commissioner Pham I've um been following your work on the on the EPC and and uh and watching some of the meetings and I just want to say I think you I think you're doing an excellent job and um reappointment isn't always a given. I think I was almost well I was skipped over once and then almost not reappointed. I don't remember but anyway I think you're you're doing an excellent job and there's no reason for at least uh for me not to to vote to reappoint you. So thank you for all the work that you're doing. I hope you'll continue continue that work as well.

[00:22:04] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Great. All right. Um would you like to say something? Oh, okay. All right. All right, well I'll just do my comments after we vote then. All right, why don't we vote on the motion and that's to uh reappoint Tina Pham for the Environmental Planning Commission. So take the vote.

[00:22:25] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Great, and that passes unanimously with those present. Wonderful. Um and and before we get into discussion, I just want to give a sincere thanks to all our applicants. Um it is nothing like putting yourself literally in the in the hot seat um to answer these really easy questions. No just um but um I just I was so impressed by the thoughtfulness in terms of the preparation, the quality of the answers both in person but also the applications. I was I thought the applications were quite robust and I thought to myself kind of like when when I think about people applying to college these days I think I could never get in now. Um similar, you know, I don't know if I can get on Planning Commission now. Wow.

[00:23:19] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Um but I but I it made me feel um so happy to live in Mountain View. The Vice Mayor always talks about how we live in the best city and um tonight's um um interview process just reminded me of that. We just because everybody um put their heart and soul into these applications and they want to volunteer for their time um to to be with us and serve. So I just wanted to to say thanks and um you know per per what we always say um on council if this is not a successful in endeavor tonight, it doesn't mean you can't try twice, three times or um we have so many different um ways to engage and I'm really proud of the city for leaning into that. So um do we have any further discussion or would would folks like to um do paper vote? Uh huh. Councilmember Ramirez.

[00:24:39] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Thank you Mayor. I already had a um a bite at the apple so I don't want to take too much time but I um I think um a lot of important and compelling points made by my colleagues. Um but to to add on to uh thoughts I shared earlier, I think um it's it's important having uh participated in city governance for a long time I'm I'm um in this moment feeling a particular need to ensure that we have represen- representation of communities that will probably feel um the the brunt of the change that will come out of a lot of the land use planning work that we've been doing.

[00:25:17] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Um we don't have like if you think about you know Rex Manor right there's a lot of R3 in that area not so much south of El Camino. We have I think currently four correct me if I'm wrong four planning commissioners who live south of El Camino and that's not because you know I'm not not to say that south of El Camino is not important it's just that's not where most of the change will likely occur over the next several years. Uh what where that's not like where where change is likely to occur based on our land use planning.

[00:25:48] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Um so I I want to make sure that um areas that uh are um are going to see some potentially significant change, right? Either through the R3 update or through some of the state legislation that was um uh described earlier that those communities those neighborhoods enjoy representation on governing bodies where they will be able to share their experience and living through that change and helping shape it. Um and you know I uh I think it's also uh important to say uh you know we look at uh the demographic profiles of our community and we don't often have South Asian representation on on most of our appointed bodies. And I think that's important to consider as well. Thank you.

[00:26:39] Councilmember Emily Ramos: Just one thing to point out, um in terms of years in um the community, I remember I recall when I applied to the RHC I actually was about the same amount of time in the community as as Shwetha. But there was also like other factors like I was involved in the community before I moved here. Um I believe her work in MidPen probably also made up for that too. Um I I'm very fond of Idarose. Um I wish you were my colleague. Oh I shouldn't say that. But you might be. One day.

[00:27:20] Councilmember Emily Ramos: Um um so like it is it is a it was basically between those two that I had to to pick and it also um does speak a lot to me that Shwetha is a renter um and lives in Rex Manor which we don't get a lot of Rex Manor applicants. Um and that is that is an area that's getting a lot of impact from a lot of our land use decisions. Um so that's where I'm kind of balancing it both. I have a feeling all the rest of my colleagues are balancing those same kind of challenges 'cause we have really good applicants and now we're we're getting that last final weigh in and it's kind of amazing that we had a perfect tie. But um yeah this is something that I will be struggling with for a long time.

[00:28:10] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Great. Thank you. Um so before um we go for our our second round of votes, um I think this is one I say well that's why there's seven of us and not six. But here we are. And we will let Mr. McAlister know when he uh I know he's zooming in. I know he's zooming in so uh we'll let him know we miss him. Um but I but I just want to say that I I'm trying as much as possible to take as holistic of an approach and kind of a 30,000 foot view as possible. Um and the considerations that I have are less about um how long someone has lived somewhere or um necessarily where they live in our community.

[00:28:58] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Um and more about um the council priorities that we're working on and who might fit in to um our EPC right now who could help um add some discussion and color to those council um priorities and discussions. Um 'cause I feel like it what's wonderful about our community is whether you've lived here a year and a half or 30 plus years we're a community for everyone. Or you're unhoused you're you're still our resident you're a community member. Um but I will say and I think all my colleagues will will know this one of the things that I'm deeply passionate about is creating pathways for people to feel like they can become homeowners if they want to in Mountain View.

[00:29:47] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: And I've been working on that um the the entire time I was on EPC and on our council and thinking about pathways to home ownership particularly for for our middle income. And as we're talking I mean the diversity of our planning commissioners and the areas that they live in the city is great. But being able to have a perspective of understanding of what it's like to maybe be in an unstable house situation or renting and then hopefully becoming a homeowner going through that process is just um a lived experience that I that I value and I think it's important.

[00:30:23] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: And um and she might not even remember this but um I recall when we broke ground on the MidPen project on Shoreline and Shwetha was there. And um I just know that she has been deeply involved in that work from my experience with her. Um and creating those opportunities for um pathways to to stable housing and pathways um to to ownership and creating those pipelines. And for me that's just my experience and the thing that has has stood out to me. Um and that's that's where my vote had come from prior and I just want council members to know that um because we have been working on that middle income affordability work plan item for six and a half years. Um and so I just wanted to to share that. So shall we vote? Okay. All right. All right. Well I'll just do my comments after we vote then. All right. Why don't we vote on the motion? And that's to appoint... No. Wait. We don't have a motion. We are paper voting. Oh right. Yes. Okay. All right. We're paper voting. Thank you.

[00:31:39] City Clerk Heather Glaser: Okay. Are you ready for the vote Mayor? Yes. Okay. Uh Mayor Kamei voted for Shwetha. Vice Mayor Ramos voted for Shwetha. Councilmember Ramirez voted for Shwetha. Councilmember Showalter voted for Idarose. Councilmember Clark voted for Idarose. And Councilmember Hicks voted for Idarose. So you'll need to re-vote.

[00:32:14] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Okay. So I think we'll well we will re-vote. Does anyone want to share any uh comments or any discussion before we go to vote again? Councilmember Showalter.

[00:32:24] Councilmember Pat Showalter: Yeah, as we've both said, um we have a really great candidate pool this time. And um I feel very you know I feel very uh blessed by that. Um I think that having somebody um who has only lived here for a year um be on our commission... if that might work if if if we didn't have people who um had a little more uh experience with the community. I think that one of the things that um the planning commissioner is supposed to do is represent the community. And so you have to have a knowledge of that community. And we have um you're right. I I completely uh was was just very, very impressed by uh Shwetha.

[00:33:27] Councilmember Pat Showalter: But uh but um I I do feel that it would be better for her to do this maybe in a few years after she's been more a part of our community. Whereas Idarose has stepped up again and again and again. She served on our um uh HR uh commission for seven plus years. She ran an very important housing uh history of housing program that hundreds of Mountain View residents went to. Um she um uh ran for city council previously. She was on I think both sustainability task force as was Hala frankly on both sustainability task force.

[00:34:14] Councilmember Pat Showalter: So she's just so I just um I'll be happy with both either one of them because they're both such great candidates. But I think that that connection to our community is really vital. Um when I was on the Planning Commission, my kind of, you know, you know how when we do these jobs we have these little snippets of okay what is this what do I do? And I and my feeling was my job the the staff brought us the technical information about planning. You know, they know about the zoning codes, they know about the details of the general plan, they know about good planning principles which by the way you learn a tremendous amount about when you serve on the Planning Commission. But they don't know the details of how the community members um and community neighborhoods interact. And I think that we need planning commissioners to bring that viewpoint to our um to the to the commission meetings. So that's that's that's the the um delimiter that I see. Thank you.

[00:35:44] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Councilmember Clark.

[00:35:49] Councilmember Chris Clark: I just want to think aloud if if and not persuade if I may. Um I completely agree with what Council Councilmember um Showalter said. I'm also harkening back to when I was first appointed and and other appointments that we've done and and by the way I think either either of these candidates would be amazing. Um we we have um an embarrassment of riches here with this applicant pool. Um and also by the way um there will be two open seats next year. Um so that's one way to stay involved and there are other um ways to stay involved too.

[00:36:31] Councilmember Chris Clark: But um the counterpoint is that you you also have to look at the the current makeup of the EPC. And we have a we have a lot of long time residents um on on EPC right now. Um some of which are concentrated in in areas that um are you know tend to be overrepresented over time. And I think it's good to have a mix of both new voices and and folks who um have been in the city a really long time. Um I don't think we currently have anyone who um you know has has worked at an affordable housing developer like MidPen um um and you know has background as an architect.

[00:37:13] Councilmember Chris Clark: So um I don't know how I'm going to vote at the moment. Um I I I um everything that Councilmember Showalter said about Idarose is is is accurate. The involvement with the community over the years, the the organizing, the the the background not just in HRC but in housing and running for council and putting yourself out there. So I um I I'm very willing to hear from other council members who um would like to share their thoughts and opinions too. Um because I I'm torn.

[00:37:47] Councilmember Chris Clark: So I just wanted to to think aloud because I I think it's it's both really important that we appoint folks who have have have a background there and really understand the city but also to have you know the representation for folks who are who are newer to Mountain View and also see the city through a different lens. Um and um just I'm trying to think through the current makeup and it and it's a lot of folks who've who've been in the city a long time. So I'll stop talking.

[00:38:29] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Councilmember Hicks.

[00:38:33] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Okay, you may regret asking us to think out loud on the dais but... Um so on the one hand, on the one hand I hate doing this. I would much rather have a secret ballot. Um I don't I can just leave. Um on no, no, I mean just voting in a a non-secret ballot. Um I have to say that uh that on the one hand I really honor uh being deeply engaged in the community over a long time. To me it's not so much whether you've lived here for a long time um as whether you've been deeply engaged.

[00:39:11] Councilmember Alison Hicks: And partly because when you've been deeply engaged you can hit the ground running. You know, we you've probably seen we've sometimes had applicants to the EPC or whatever, you know, the Performing Arts Committee who want to perform on stage or you know just have no idea what they're getting into. And the more you've been involved with MVCSP and run for council and so forth the more you you you know what you're getting into. So that's important to me. Um on the other hand I have to say I did talk to everybody because I was hoping to find somebody more horrible than they were in their application and throw them out.

[00:39:47] Councilmember Alison Hicks: And I was um I was really disappointed that they were they were my conversations were better than the applications. And I have to say Shwetha in particular, I felt like I was talking to myself in terms she may hate me for saying this. But in terms of balancing that, I I sometimes tell people that okay I'll come out as a livability YIMBY that I care deeply about both parts of of that um equation. And she she spoke to that very deeply. You can say that but can you back it up in detail and she did. Um at the same time Idarose can speak to those things too and frankly Hala can as well. Um and I like Jerry too. Um but I think he should apply for the Rental Housing Committee. Um so uh let's see. So yes, okay, so I think that's that's what I'll say at this point. There. I thought I thought out loud for you.

[00:40:49] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: All right. Any any other discussion or shall we vote? All right, I'm not seeing any other discussion. So um we will vote and then pass it to the City Clerk. Oh, did you have something you wanted to say? Did you not get a paper? Okay. All right, we're not commenting. Um All right, we are paper voting and we are passing.

[00:41:30] City Clerk Heather Glaser: Are you ready for the vote Mayor? Okay. Councilmember Clark voted for Idarose. Councilmember Showalter voted for Idarose. Councilmember Hicks voted for Shwetha. Mayor Kamei voted for Shwetha. Vice Mayor Ramos voted for Shwetha. And Councilmember Ramirez voted for Shwetha. So, there you go.

[00:42:13] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Okay. So I think we'll well we will re-vote. Does anyone want to share any uh comments or any discussion before we go to vote again? Councilmember Showalter.

[00:42:28] Councilmember Pat Showalter: Yeah, as we've both said, um we have a really great candidate pool this time. And um I feel very you know I feel very uh blessed by that. Um I think that having somebody um who has only lived here for a year um be on our commission... if that might work if if if we didn't have people who um had a little more uh experience with the community. I think that one of the things that um the planning commissioner is supposed to do is represent the community. And so you have to have a knowledge of that community. And we have um you're right. I I completely uh was was just very, very impressed by uh Swarta.

[00:43:31] Councilmember Pat Showalter: But uh but um I I do feel that it would be better for her to do this maybe in a few years after she's been more a part of our community. Whereas Idarose has stepped up again and again and again. She served on our um uh HR uh commission for seven plus years. She ran an very important housing uh history of housing program that hundreds of Mountain View residents went to. Um she um uh ran for city council previously. She was on I think both sustainability task force as was Hala frankly on both sustainability task force.

[00:44:18] Councilmember Pat Showalter: So she's just so I just um I'll be happy with both either one of them because they're both such great candidates. But I think that that connection to our community is really vital. Um when I was on the Planning Commission, my kind of, you know, you know how when we do these jobs we have these little snippets of okay what is this what do I do? And I and my feeling was my job the the staff brought us the technical information about planning. You know, they know about the zoning codes, they know about the details of the general plan, they know about good planning principles which by the way you learn a tremendous amount about when you serve on the Planning Commission. But they don't know the details of how the community members um and community neighborhoods interact. And I think that we need planning commissioners to bring that viewpoint to our um to the to the commission meetings. So that's that's that's the the um delimiter that I see. Thank you.

[00:45:48] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Councilmember Clark.

[00:45:53] Councilmember Chris Clark: I just want to think aloud if if and not persuade if I may. Um I completely agree with what Council Councilmember um Showalter said. I'm also harkening back to when I was first appointed and and other appointments that we've done and and by the way I think either either of these candidates would be amazing. Um we we have um an embarrassment of riches here with this applicant pool. Um and also by the way um there will be two open seats next year. Um so that's one way to stay involved and there are other um ways to stay involved too.

[00:46:35] Councilmember Chris Clark: But um the counterpoint is that you you also have to look at the the current makeup of the EPC. And we have a we have a lot of long time residents um on on EPC right now. Um some of which are concentrated in in areas that um are you know tend to be overrepresented over time. And I think it's good to have a mix of both new voices and and folks who um have been in the city a really long time. Um I don't think we currently have anyone who um you know has has worked at an affordable housing developer like MidPen um um and you know has background as an architect.

[00:47:17] Councilmember Chris Clark: So um I don't know how I'm going to vote at the moment. Um I I I um everything that Councilmember Showalter said about Idarose is is is accurate. The involvement with the community over the years, the the organizing, the the the background not just in HRC but in housing and running for council and putting yourself out there. So I um I I'm very willing to hear from other council members who um would like to share their thoughts and opinions too. Um because I I'm torn.

[00:47:51] Councilmember Chris Clark: So I just wanted to to think aloud because I I think it's it's both really important that we appoint folks who have have have a background there and really understand the city but also to have you know the representation for folks who are who are newer to Mountain View and also see the city through a different lens. Um and um just I'm trying to think through the current makeup and it and it's a lot of folks who've who've been in the city a long time. So I'll stop talking.

[00:48:33] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Councilmember Hicks.

[00:48:37] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Okay, you may regret asking us to think out loud on the dais but... Um so on the one hand, on the one hand I hate doing this. I would much rather have a secret ballot. Um I don't I can just leave. Um on no, no, I mean just voting in a a non-secret ballot. Um I have to say that uh that on the one hand I really honor uh being deeply engaged in the community over a long time. To me it's not so much whether you've lived here for a long time um as whether you've been deeply engaged.

[00:49:15] Councilmember Alison Hicks: And partly because when you've been deeply engaged you can hit the ground running. You know, we you've probably seen we've sometimes had applicants to the EPC or whatever, you know, the Performing Arts Committee who want to perform on stage or you know just have no idea what they're getting into. And the more you've been involved with MVCSP and run for council and so forth the more you you you know what you're getting into. So that's important to me. Um on the other hand I have to say I did talk to everybody because I was hoping to find somebody more horrible than they were in their application and throw them out.

[00:49:51] Councilmember Alison Hicks: And I was um I was really disappointed that they were they were my conversations were better than the applications. And I have to say Shwetha in particular, I felt like I was talking to myself in terms she may hate me for saying this. But in terms of balancing that, I I sometimes tell people that okay I'll come out as a livability YIMBY that I care deeply about both parts of of that um equation. And she she spoke to that very deeply. You can say that but can you back it up in detail and she did. Um at the same time Idarose can speak to those things too and frankly Hala can as well. Um and I like Jerry too. Um but I think he should apply for the Rental Housing Committee. Um so uh let's see. So yes, okay, so I think that's that's what I'll say at this point. There. I thought I thought out loud for you.

[00:50:53] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: All right. Any any other discussion or shall we vote? All right, I'm not seeing any other discussion. So um we will vote and then pass it to the City Clerk. Oh, did you have something you wanted to say? Did you not get a paper? Okay. All right, we're not commenting. Um All right, we are paper voting and we are passing.

[00:51:34] City Clerk Heather Glaser: Are you ready for the vote Mayor? Okay. Councilmember Clark voted for Idarose. Councilmember Showalter voted for Idarose. Councilmember Hicks voted for Shwetha. Mayor Kamei voted for Shwetha. Vice Mayor Ramos voted for Shwetha. And Councilmember Ramirez voted for Shwetha. So, there you go.

[01:30:00] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Thank you. All right. So do we... Do we need a mo... Please. Uh-huh.

[01:30:06] City Clerk Heather Glaser: No, you're good. So on December 9th, we'll bring back your recommendation to reappoint Tina and then to appoint Shwetha to those two terms.

[01:30:15] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: Okay. Great. Thank you, City Clerk. All right. And just want to deeply thank our applicants once again, um, for hanging in there with us and and for, um... um... putting yourself out there to serve our city.

[01:30:30] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: And as, um, my colleagues reminded us, it sounds like we have, uh, two vacancies next year. So we'll be... we'll be at this again. Um, and so hopefully, um, we'll have, um, people reapply.

[01:30:46] Councilmember Ellen Kamei: All right. So with that, I get to move on to adjournment. The next City Council meeting will be held on October 28th... 2025. So we are adjourned at 7:29 p.m.

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