September 22, 2020 Regular Meeting of Mountain View City Council

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Transcript

[00:06:36] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: We'll start with a study session. Uh, I will call the study session to order at 5 PM and uh, have an announcement to make. This meeting will be conducted in accordance with state of California. Executive order N 2920 dated March 17, 2020. All members of the city council are participating in this meeting by video conference, with no physical meeting location. Members of the public wishing to observe the meeting live may do so. at mountain view.legistar.com on YouTube at mountain view.gov slash YouTube and on Comcast channel 26. As noted on the meeting agenda, members of the public may provide oral public comments during the public comment period for the item by signing up at mountain view.gov slash cc underscore speakers or by phone by dialing 669-900-9128 and entering webinar ID 941-4192990. Any emails received by 5 p.m. today were forwarded to the city council. Emails received after 5 PM will not be read during the meeting, but will be entered into the record before the meeting. Spanish translation is available in Zoom for the study section and the proclamation of recognition of Hispanic heritage month on the regular meeting agenda. And I'd like to now ask Nora Ms. Nora Beltran from our community outreach team to make a brief announcement in Spanish. Hello, Ms. Beltran.

[00:08:07] Community Outreach Team Member Nora Beltran: Benidas. You said I'm mente quedemos a nunciar que el dia de, oi, se duccion el español, durante, punto, tres, punto, uno de la sección de studio, y temiendurante, la pre, proclamación, que sebacer, en, uh, en, junta, original, sobrella, el mezala, Spanish. Gracias.

[00:08:31] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Gracias, thank you. We'll go now on to the roll call, uh, which... City clerk.

[00:08:44] City Clerk: Sorry, council member Clark.

[00:08:45] Councilmember Chris Clark: Here.

[00:08:46] City Clerk: Council member Hicks.

[00:08:48] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Here,

[00:08:48] City Clerk: council member Mata Check.

[00:08:50] Councilmember Lisa Matichak: Here,

[00:08:51] City Clerk: council member McAllister.

[00:08:53] Councilmember John McAlister: Yep.

[00:08:54] City Clerk: Council member Ramirez.

[00:08:56] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Here.

[00:08:57] City Clerk: Vice Mayor Kameh.

[00:08:59] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Here.

[00:08:59] City Clerk: May I be Koga?

[00:09:04] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: On to our study session item, item number 33.one, displacement response strategy update, and we have a staff presentation by our assistant community development director, Mr. Wayne Chen. Welcome, Mr. Chen.

[00:09:19] Assistant Community Development Director Wayne Chen: Hi, thank you. Good evening, mayor in council. Uh, let me just take a moment to um, share the screen. Okay, can everyone see the presentation? Okay, great. thumbs up. Um, so yes, again, this is to provide uh, an update, inter- receive council input on next steps regarding the displacement response, um, strategy, uh, update. Uh, brief background. A study session was held last October to discuss options to respond to tenant displacement, which is project one. On the council major goals work plan. At the meeting, the council unanimously supported the 5 key principles for the design of the strategy, and also provided unanimous support for the 6 components of a comprehensive integrated strategy. Staff has done undertaken a significant amount of work since October, and is included, but it's not limited to just the 3 public meetings, meeting multiple times with a variety of external partners and funders across sectors, staff have undertaken a modification of the tenant relocation assistance ordinance. We participated in pure loaning cohort groups, and undertaken other evaluations and analysis on various parts of the strategy. As with everything, there's a COVID-19 impact and set of considerations, and there certainly are considerations as related to this work. As we know, there's been a significant impact on the economy and employment. And there's been disproportionate impact on lower wage jobs and households. This has severely affected the ability for folks to pay rent, which impacts both tenants or landlords. Um, is part of our outreach and talking to folks across a variety of sectors. Um, it was noticed several times that the economic downturn could, um, lead to decrease in property values, particularly multifamily, uh, buildings or assets. Um, and or there could be financial distress that landlords are experiencing in terms of operating, um, their rental business and uh, could exit the rental business. And so there was a word of opportunity, but also of, um, urgency from some of the input that we receive that, uh, during this time, the private sector may seek to, um, purchase apartments and identify acquisition opportunities that could lead to a feature redevelopment, um, projects, um, much of which is similar to what may have occurred in 2008, and a few years later, there was, um, various redevelopment projects going forward. Uh, we want to provide a quick summary for each of the 6 prongs. And starting with the 1st prong, the acquisition preservation program. Um, this has been repeatedly identified as a best practice to address the issues of tenant displacement across all the research that we've um, come across. And in the peer cohort groups. And in our conversations with uh, potential funders and collaborators, we've uh, talked through um, different ranges of programs from a pilot program, up to a 1500 um, program that's more of a full scale program. The consistent feedback has been, for this type of project, it is really needing, um, long-term funding sources that remain in the project, and there isn't really that kind of funding source. Um, external in the private sector external to the city. Um, what it really requires is local, funny sources to be, um, in the funding picture, And to remain in the project long term. Or if there is a collaborative opportunity with external funding sources, say with, um, corporations who are contributing or philanthropy, And those funding sources can only stay in the project for a short term, to have public dollars, um, um, replace those funds and then to remain in the project because private, um, dollars or philanthropic dollars have, um, primarily sought to touch many projects rather than stay in, uh, any one particular project for long term. Uh, so based on that feedback, we did some additional analysis in terms of potential menu of options that we may study as a next step in terms of local funding sources. And we also took a look at the city's existing funding sources, and as noted in the staff report, there really isn't a sufficient source of funding for this type of a program. So the recommendation for next steps is to evaluate various financing sources and scenarios. Um, with the framework of local funding options, and various program design elements, and that we would, uh, uh, approach this from city as a funder perspective, like our nova process, and not as a uh, developer or an operator or a landlord of, of apartments. So the 1st question is, does council agree with staff's recommendations regarding next steps? Uh, switching gears to the replacement requirements. Um, once we started to work on this item, um, we started to download on a couple of things, the 1st one is um, SB 330 and the potential impacts of SB 330 on development became much clearer, once we had a chance to look at this and really understand the requirements. Um, based on the analysis of one for one replacement requirements that are part of SP330, as well as the greater relocation assistance, that is greater than the city's tenant relocation assistance ordinance, um, provisions. That it mostly renders uh, redevelopment projects, um, infeasible, unless there's a significant amount of density increases or other measures to to help make a project pencil or to reduce costs. SP330 is currently set to expire at the beginning of 2025. The other aspect is a realization of how much the replacement requirement work may overlap with the R3 zoning modification work that is led by another team. Um, as was mentioned back in October, the, um, essentially, uh, most of the demolition units have been CSR units on our 3 sites or sites with R3 zoning standards. And the R3 modifications is about R3 sites. Now, our 3 modifications, the intent of that is to increase housing supply, increased housing diversity, including more affordable housing opportunities for ownership. And that addresses one aspect of the housing spectrum. But in doing so, it could lead to demolition redevelopment projects. And so the realization was that for the need for both teams to work together, to balance achieving both of the council's goals, of increasing supply, increasing diversity of housing, as well as mitigating the impacts of tenant displacement. The recommended next steps is to take a look at a set of replacement requirements that would essentially go into effect after SB 330 expires. And part of staff's evaluation is, What provides cities, this type of authority, to enact such replacement requirements, and that really falls under the LS Act. So the LS Act, um, provides cities the authority, to enact provisions to replace, um, essentially demolish rent stabilized units. So this really is, uh, um, a provision that sees with one stabilization programs could pursue. And under such a program, there's the ability to also evaluate potential alternative medication. Um, the focus would be, as a result, to focus just on the CSFRA units, because that is the majority of the rental housing stock, and that has essentially been the types of units have been demolished. And then we would work very closely with our 3 zoning modification team to evaluate. What is the level of replacement and requirements that we would consider that the council would consider as well as to allow our 3 projects to be financially feasible to achieve the supply um goal? Um, so the 2nd question is, does counsel agree with staff's recommendation for next steps on replacement requirements? For the ten relocation assistance, as you may recall, uh, uh, modifications to the trio were approved in June of this year, it went into effect July, um, July. Um, and there hasn't been additional, um, items that have necessarily surfaced from, from staff and, um, as of, um, this, um, presentation, the, the item has been, um, completed. The landlord rental set aside program is another aspect of this comprehensive strategy. The notion was staff had heard several developers who have submitted redevelopment projects, um, talking about various opportunities to partner with landlords in the community to have set aside, um, set of units, for temporarily or even permanently housing displaced tenants. And last October, the housing industry foundation provided input at the dais, that they have a similar type of program, and would really like to explore partnering with the city on this opportunity. Uh, um, staff met with the housing industry foundation a few times, um, several times actually, um, after the council meeting last year. And, um, based on conversations, their program parameters were, uh, a bit different than the cities goals of having such a program addressed a broad range of folks, um, who may be displaced from, um, from units. And ideally to have um, set aside units that would be, uh, comparable to the units that they were displaced from. Um, the housing industry foundation had um, more of a focus on um, teachers and uh, um, replacement units or the set aside units had, um, uh, much higher rent levels that folks folks were paying. Um, so a collaboration wasn't um, achieved, at least at the time, and staff's recommendation is to resume the set for and to actually just contact the landlords directly as part of next steps. Regarding the tenant selection preference for displaced tenants, evaluation was conducted. And um, such a program, uh, policy for an overall preference, uh, may have some potential issues with fair housing requirements. As part of analysis, there are other items that are actually part of the strategy, such as the acquisition preservation program. which could, um, prevent displacement from occurring at all. Um, as well as replacement requirements which would provide replacement units. Um, under LS Act, which could have a 1st right of return for the space tenants. Those types of strategies could achieve the same goals as a tenant selection preference without, um, perhaps facing similar fair housing concerns. So it is recommended to focus on those other strategies and recommended to not move forward with a tenant's induction preference. And then finally, modifications to the city code, as mentioned, as part of the replacement requirements, the recommendation is to evaluate options for replacement of demolish the safari units. Under the LS Act. So, we will conduct analysis, understand what the process would be, and part of that, um, would also be taking a look at, um, what kind of city code modifications or code language might need to be created for this, um, aspect. Um, so this is just a summary of the questions or just 2 questions, and this concludes staff's presentation. Thanks so much.

[00:21:52] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. Since this is a study session, we will go now to public comment. Uh, so, If you are in the attend day box and would like to make a comment, uh, please raise your blue hand at the bottom of the screen, uh, box, you should see the raise hand button. And if you are on the phone, please, press star 9. And the timer will go up. Uh, let's see. Actually, I don't, oh, I see one hand, so we'll stick with the 3 minutes and Mitch Mankin. We start with you. If you'd like to unmute yourself, please.

[00:22:38] Mitch Mankin: I can hear me?

[00:22:39] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Yes, hi there.

[00:22:40] Mitch Mankin: Great. Hi. Thanks so much for the opportunity to speak tonight. Um, now more than ever, between shelter and place and the danger posed by overcrowding, when people are forced to double up, responding to displacement is a really critical piece of um, citywide housing policy. So thank you very much to the council and thank you to city staff for your important work on this issue. Um, so on to the 2 questions before you tonight. So on the 1st question, we fully support status recommendation and the continued efforts towards finding the best source of funding for an acquisition and preservation program. On the 2nd question, there's little more to say. Um, In some cases, such as 777 West Middlefield development approved by council, a combination of generous relocation benefits, affordable units on-site, and a large amount of new housing added can make the redevelopment of existing rent controlled housing beneficial amount of view. However, if the increase in number of units provided is not sufficient to make development feasible, while also replacing most of the affordable housing that we lost, redevelopment can become a net negative for Mountain View's housing affordability and tear fabric at the community. This is what makes these replacement requirements so important. Our recommendation is that the city should enhance feasibility, through increasing allowable density, rather than through decreasing replacement of demolished affordable units. Um, and in terms of the exact type of um, affordable units provided. Based on experience in other cities, inclusion of detestricted affordable units in new development is preferable to rent control of new units because, well, if you rent control a new unit at $4000, uh, it doesn't do much in the medium term to do anything on affordability. So to the maximum extent possible, it would be desirable to maintain the city's naturally affordable housing stock by achieving one-for-one replacement of existing affordable units, with D-districted affordable units, similar to what is in SB 330. This type of anti-displacement policy can also tie in with mountain views, existing prioritization of redeveloping underused commercially zoned land to add housing capacity. Um, we also want to say that we recognize determining the exact ratio of additional housing units that would compensate for demolished de restricted or other naturally affordable rent controlled units will be a very complex process. So this issue will benefit greatly from further study by staff. But we wanted to raise these concerns just so that they're on the minds of counsel and, uh, are being taken into account as you, um, decide how to proceed on replacement requirements. Thank you so much for your work on this important issue.

[00:25:18] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. Anyone else in the tendee box? Wishing to speak? Please raise your the blue hand. I don't see anyone. Um, city clerk? Oh, actually, I just saw hand up Alex Brown. Go ahead and unmute yourself, please.

[00:25:37] Alex Brown: John, do it.

[00:25:38] Unknown Speaker: Let's do it. Let's finally do it. Let's go. I believe in you. You got this. Let's go. Finally.

[00:25:45] Councilmember John McAlister: I need to say hi to Mitch for you I also want you to ask you a question. Why did you not ask this question?

[00:25:50] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: This is not a discussion.

[00:25:51] Unknown Speaker: I know.

[00:25:52] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. Make your comments.

[00:25:54] Alex Brown: Thank you. Oh, that was my comment. I was talking to John.

[00:25:57] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. So when I keep it flow in here. So, uh, anyone else from the a 10 day box wishing this week?

[00:26:08] Unknown Speaker: It's not, and no one on the line, say quick. No one appears to be calling in.

[00:26:13] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Okay, yeah, thank you. I'll bring it back to council then for questions and we have 2 questions to answer. So, um, Why don't we just start with questions first? Any council members with questions, please. Please raise your blue hand. No questions? Oh. Let's see, here we go. Counselor Ramirez.

[00:26:40] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Thank you, Mayor. I, um, I don't have any questions. I'm ready to jump in with deliberation.

[00:26:47] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Sure.

[00:26:47] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Um, and I'll do my best to set a good example and be brief. Um, 1st I want to uh, appreciate the, the work that staff is done on what is a, a very challenging issue that's been, um, uh, you know, affecting the city for, for a number of years now. Uh, and uh, I think it's, it's very encouraging to see a very comprehensive uh, analysis and an, an exploration of a variety of different tools that may be, um, available to us. Um, so for question one. Uh, I agree with staff's recommendation. The only 2 things I would want to, uh, emphasize or or change perhaps or rather than have a numeric goal, you know, I don't know if the right answer is start with a 100 units or a 1000 units. Uh, I would rather focus on the the eligibility criteria. What is it that would qualify one project for public, you know, a public subsidy. Uh, because I think that's, that's a much more interesting and much more challenging question, and you can sort of, based on that set of criteria, you can back into a number. Well, we've identified, you know, 5 projects or 15 projects or a 1000 units that meet these parameters and that will be our highest priority. Um, so I, I, I don't feel comfortable dictating, you know, the terms for a number of units that we want to, to acquire. There might be a very good reason why we would want to acquire some some certain units, you know, and there might be a very good reason why it's not, it's not the best use of public funding. Um, and then the other, the other, component of this I'd like to speak to is, I, I'm, I, I'm remembering a conversation that I think the council had a while ago, uh, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, attributing this to you, but, part of the challenge with acquisition rehab is, it's not as easy to leverage external sources of funding. Um, that, you know, when you're when you have new construction, new affordable housing. There are all of these opportunities that, um, you know, are available for the developer, for the city to, to leverage, you know, external sources of funding, much more difficult here. So I, I don't, I don't feel very comfortable, I'm perfectly comfortable with exploring new sources of funding. But I would rather expand the pool of resources for all affordable housing initiatives, including new construction, rather than dedicate a source of funding to, you know, acquisition rehab. If there are, you know, going back to the eligibility criteria, if there are high priority projects where that's, you know, a public subsidy is appropriate, you know, a, a, a vulnerable building that has a lot of low income people, you know, certainly more than happy to set aside some public resources, you know, that, that meets the parameters of the program. But most of the time, I think, you know, I would rather have that pool of funding available for new construction, where we're increasing housing stock, or making available buildings with high quality amenities. Uh, you know, this is the discussion we had with the Bill Street project in 660 Mariposa. Uh, that strikes me as a better use of public funding than a dedication for this kind of program. That's not to say I don't support it. Just that I think this is a program with very specific utility and that we need to be very careful about how we allocate public dollars to it. For question 2. Mostly, yes. I agree with staff's recommendation. The one caveat is, you know, I think all of us in the council, you know, know people in the development community. I don't think that SB 330 as it stands will exist in the same way by the time it's sunset. 1st it may not some sunset at all, right? It might continue past. Uh, you know, January 1st 2025, but I, I also think that there's a high probability because I, I, I had friends who told me this directly that there, there will be efforts, you know, to modify the law to, you know, loosen up some of these restrictions. I think what we're finding is in communities like ours, it may preclude redevelopment entirely. I don't think that that was the intent. And so I can see, I can see some changes, you know, occurring sooner than that. Uh, and I think we need to be ready for a possibility that if SP 330 is modified. Some of the protections, you know, by regulations that exist now that preclude development might go away. Or might change in such a way that development feasibility, uh, you know, is, is, uh, is now, you know, possible, uh, and we could see the redevelopment of our 3 buildings. So, um, I, I agree, staff should continue working on, you know, what kinds of zoning code changes are appropriate. I would, I would be very comfortable supporting or exploring an LSAC ordinance. Um, and uh, I think that you're, you're, you're doing a great job here. Um, I did ask, uh, so, and the other category, you know, there is a pretend question 3 There were a couple of things I wanted to highlight just because they've, they've been, um, sort of top of mind for me. Um, one is, um, looking at, uh, displacement caused by code enforcement issues. Um, I, I had a really difficult call earlier today in my day job hat, uh, with a constituent who, uh, is basically homeless because there's a major code enforcement habitability issue with the building and a dispute with the landlord, and uh, she contacted the office to see if there's some assistance we can provide. Um, I think that, you know, I know divergent views here on on rent control, but a very real fear is, you know, over time, investment in older buildings, you know, may decline, and we may see these kinds of things, these kinds of things happen here in Mountain View as well. Uh, and I don't have a good solution for that, but I want to be on top of it, you know, where we, we're not seeing, you know, 2510 years down the road. Sort of this, this trickle of older buildings, you know, with rental property owners who perhaps aren't as responsible, and people who are sort of de facto evicted or displaced because, uh, the buildings are no longer habitable. Um, and the last thing, and then I'll stop, is, uh, I think at least for the duration. I also asked about the funding for legal assistance. Um, I think what we're seeing is a lot of folks are, um, The law is very confusing, right? and and you know, normally for for tenants, but also for for small mom and pop property owners. Uh, I think making available resources for legal assistance to whatever way makes sense for the city, you know, CDBG funding, something along those lines. I think will be increasingly important, and I think it'll be especially important now while we're dealing with a very complex set of regulations at the state level, um, you know, related to the eviction moratorium. Um, so I, I don't, if that's easy to incorporate, great. If not, I understand. Um, but uh, I think everything else is great. I appreciate the work that you're doing and I look forward to seeing the results down the book. Thank you.

[00:34:32] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. Counselor Hicks.

[00:34:38] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Sorry, takes me a while to find the mute. Unmute button. So, um, I, I also wanted to, uh, thanks, staff, for the, um, all the work on this, um, on this item that we, that was, I think, uh, one of our more important goals, uh, or one of the more important things to all of us on the work plan this year, I, I, um, agree, uh, with, but to, with the, both questions to one and 2 to move forward. And I also agree by and large with with what council member Ramirez just said, I'm going to say what, and then I have some follow-up comments. Um, the 1st one is that I, I agree largely with uh, council member Ramirez just said about acquisition and preservation versus uh, new construction with a, uh, maybe a slight twist to that. Um, and this is based on my experience. I worked with a housing nonprofit when I was going to UC Berkeley and afterwards. And I see that these 2 programs, acquisition and preservation and new construction is working well hand in hand. Um, I, when I worked there, we worked with the city had a housing trust fund, and we were able to apply to, to that fund for either purpose. So it was one big bucket. Um, the problem of having a malocated in 2 buckets is one bucket may have dried up when that's, that's the main thing out there, that's the main opportunity, right now. And we didn't, we would often purchase a building and fix it up a little bit, and then later maybe add on to it, or maybe, uh, by a 2nd building and some of the towns would move into the 2nd building and we could pull the 1st building down and and build on top of it. So they were really the new construction and the acquisition and preservation were things that worked hand in hand. So you didn't prioritize one over the other and say, I really think we should only do this or only do that. There were times when you saw that a building was threatened and the town senate would be threatened and you could jump on it immediately. And then maybe come back at some other time and add, you would see that there was, uh, opportunity to, um, you know, add some units, add some density or or start fresh. So that's one of my comments to, I, um, very much value that kind of program and I would like it to work hand in hand with the other, uh, new construction programming that we have. I also agree with, um, some of the staff comments on looking for new funding sources. Um, I think, uh, we may want to even re-look at measure P, the money we put in general funds and so forth because that's a continuing cash flow that I think we could bond against. And I think that we may want to take a 2nd look at how we use that. Um, I agree with the comments on the, I'm just kind of going through this randomly. Um, comments on the Ellis Act ordinance. Um, And I'd like that to take a look at the specific, a specific focus on the new problems generated by COVID that weren't there when we 1st discussed the displacement policy. Um, And those problems include unemployment and back rent due. Um, And let's see if I had anything remaining. Um, I guess the only other thing is that, oh, and if it's possible to work in a tenant opportunity to purchase program, that's very similar to what I worked with when I was working in Berkeley, um, because I was working with a land trust, basically, so everything was permanently affordable and it was an alternative form for tenants to purchase their units. Let's see if I've missed any comments. Um, And yeah, I would just like to find some way to, the staff report says that COVID-19 could lower apartment property values and or cause landlords to sell their properties, and that could create an opportunity for the private sector to purchase apartment buildings now and redevelopment them later. I would like us to be able, have a big enough fund that we could get in on that opportunity as well. So again, I'm speaking to the need for, uh, finding other funding sources or taking a 2nd look at how to use measure paid. I think that's all I have. Thank you.

[00:39:28] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. Counselor McAllister.

[00:39:31] Councilmember John McAlister: Okay, uh, well, Lucas, I'll try to follow your comments about briefly, but I mean, diverge a little bit. First, we got to give a shout out to Mitch for coming up and discussing things with us. I couldn't give him a hard time about talking about what other people are doing because we always do it first. So I just wanted to get more clarification on some of my questions. I asked the question, can bonds be issued to fine acquisition? Could rental income be bonded against? And is there like a threshold of how much money needed to bond?

[00:40:10] Unknown Speaker: Um, just to clarify, um, are you talking about the rental income from a particular property or what,

[00:40:15] Councilmember John McAlister: like, you know, with, uh, the property at 237. I mean, a Moffat there, whatever it's called, Bay West or, um, Yeah, so we're using that, my income money for to bond against to pay for the potential, the public safety building. So could we do that? Also bonding if we got a property to get a cash flow.

[00:40:43] Unknown Speaker: So, um, I'll provide some initial thoughts and, um, see if perhaps our team have other thoughts, but typically when it comes to, um, a housing bond. Those are bonded against, um, say, local initiative, um, like a property tax or a real estate transfer tax. Um, there are certain characteristics that make for, um, a good bond program, which is, for example, the reliability and stability of the revenue stream, the size of the program or the size of the bond that you're hoping to finance, and um, whether that, um, revenue stream is large enough to create a large enough bond to achieve. whatever goals may be set out. Um, so, I think the, um, opportunities that we've heard, as part of our sort of our listening sessions, talking with, um, our folks on the peer network and with developers and other folks, is that things like a, like a local initiative, that is more specific to housing, um, um, are typical, uh, ways in which bonds are created, whether a rental revenue stream could be used. I think we would need to look at the specifics of that, but it isn't necessarily something that we estab have seen in our research that there has been a housing bond that is financed by rents derived from certain properties. Um, but we can

[00:42:16] Councilmember John McAlister: Threshold? When is there a threshold of a size for a bond? I mean, does it have to be in the 1000000s or 100s of 1000000s or, Just even for somebody even look at it, even with our AAA bomb ring, just, is there a certain minimum that they want?

[00:42:34] Unknown Speaker: Yeah, council member. I think I think you have some really good questions that we might have to do a little bit of homework on. Um, so the, the, the 2 I've heard is, can we use it? Can we use rental income to bond for acquisition projects? Um, and the 2nd is, you know. To what extent, um, would, would the amount of the bond, um, uh, how, how big a value would you need to bond against for it that makes sense? And so, we can probably get back to you, but just to understand the question, are you looking at current properties that the city's rents or are you talking about the rents on a future property that the city may get rent on, just so that...

[00:43:20] Councilmember John McAlister: Future.

[00:43:21] Wayne: Okay. Because I think pretty much all the rental income we have now sort of earmarks for other projects.

[00:43:26] Unknown Speaker: Yes, yes.

[00:43:27] Wayne: Okay, so we can we can go back and do some research on that and see if there is such a thing or if it's possible.

[00:43:34] Councilmember John McAlister: Okay. Uh, follow up on another question. The. There was a question about, um, I need clarity on measure P. Didn't council sort of put a 80% transportation? As a, um, we sold it to the residence as an 8% transportation. Okay, I see people now, so, I see Lucas now, he seems pretty knowledgeable on that one, so, okay. and then the 10% what's the other kitten? Ellen,

[00:44:06] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: and the other 10% goes to general fund, the other 10% was for housing, since someone just sort of clarifying that remaining 20% or so.

[00:44:17] Wayne: I do know that 10% is for, um, affordable housing and services. And there is another 10% remaining. Um, I don't have the specific information on the other 10%. I've been focusing on the 10% for the housing.

[00:44:36] Councilmember John McAlister: Oh, that's fine. But the huge majority was for transportation. Okay. Um, I have a little question about preservation. Because we have, and staff did a great way of, of highlighting it for me that 91% of our, apartments, are at least 50 years old. I mean, just old. And I said, what are we doing proactively for preservation, and unfortunately there was, there's not much we're doing at this point. And it sort of goes to what Lucas was saying about, you know, red tagging. Um, And again, that was funding. So, Just to clarify, we got a lot of old buildings. We're going to basically rely on landlords to keep their buildings, preserved, are delivable.

[00:45:34] Wayne: Typically, the maintenance of private properties are main paint maintained by landlords or property management. I did note in the council response. There was a conversation in the process on seismic retrofits. And there was a conversation about how that would need to be structured. Um, because Basically, all the old apartment buildings, the old apartment buildings are under the CSFRA, then there would be, um, considerations regarding how it interacts with CSFRA, and whether there would be, for example, public funding sources to, uh, private property owners, uh, and I I know as part of the seismic electrofit program, there were considerations of, for example, if it were made to be a mandatory, uh, requirement to Perform seismic retrofits, then it could be passed through the capital improvements project. That's just one example of the type of discussions that've occurred about how the city might support landlords to maintain the useful life of the buildings, but it was specific to that and not necessarily a general conversation of how other aspects that could be, um, funded and to maintain the, the property.

[00:46:49] Councilmember John McAlister: Thank you, Wayne. On that question. So the other question I said, you know, few of you have noticed that I've been sort of advocating for this for about. Ever. And, um, The, the thing is, you say we don't want to be a landlord. But If we were a landlord, And Council member Hicks sort of picked up on it too. There's a down to the property. Why don't we jump on it? And then buy it. Uh, because it's gonna be a good value. And then we could get the rental income. To start building up the front of perpetual acquisition, perpetual money for preservation. So, If that occurs where the market is going to be really, Um, financially feasible for us. Isn't that one of our goals is acquisition and preservation because you said if we don't buy it, When the public, the private sector buy it and then potentially take it out of being affordable.

[00:48:03] Wayne: Yes, that that's a good question in our research and in talking with potential collaborators, but also the nonprofit developers. It was, um, um, clear in terms of the folks we talked to, that they would be very interested in, uh, performing acquisition preservation deals in Mountain View. Should there be funding for it? And the notion of having something like a nova process would look something like if there were funds available. We can let the development community know that there are funds available for acquisition preservation.

[00:48:38] Councilmember John McAlister: Well, thank you. But, I don't mean to cut you off, but, We've gone through the Nova. We've gone through so, Where has the staff started looking to look outside the box? Because you keep saying we're going to look at the local. What? If you could just say there's no constraints. The council said, do whatever it takes. Have you guys looked at opportunities? That haven't been looked at for the last 5 years. If you even made up your own scenario, hey, we could do this if.

[00:49:17] Unknown Speaker: Council member. I think I think we haven't had a chance to go out and and scan for property, but that's certainly something that could be a follow-up. Um, I think the 2nd point you're making is, What would it take for the city to jump on it? Um, and and we might have to, Kind of, like you said, think outside the box and see if there's a partner, we can bring, we can own and operate the, the, the units, because that's really the big, the big issue we have. We do own property like lot 12, for example, that could be converted into housing. I think the bigger issues that the city doesn't have the framework to own and operate, um, uh, of that large number of units. So, I think we can go back and look at it, and what Wayne is talking about is we've actually talked to a bunch of partners. We're willing to partner with us, and since we don't have maybe enough funds to go out and purchase a site, they can put together something, a program that would allow the, the, the city, to help with the acquisition. So I don't think we currently have funds identified to go out and buy a property, but we understand where you're coming from that you want to see how quickly the city can jump on something and partner. Um, if we need to. So I think that's the next step of the approach to, to put together some ideas thinking outside the box. Go ahead, Wayne. sorry.

[00:50:45] Wayne: Sure, no, no problem. I will just also add on that in the conversations and trying to identify best practices. Um, various, um, other mechanisms such as a community land trust, or working with a, a nonprofit who could say, uh, manage, um, sort of a public funding source to move very quickly. So, for example, we spoke with the San Francisco Housing Accelerator fund, who implements essentially the small sites, acquisition program, in San Francisco, and they're consistently referred to as a, as a best practice model. And that's the model. So the funding is implemented by the, the nonprofit, they can be very, very quickly, to do land acquisitions. So that's another model. And I believe there are other models, for example, setting up a separate development corporation. So there are models out there. Um, So we can include that. as additional um, structures, uh, when we come back to counsel for something that's specific to acquisition preservation. program.

[00:51:56] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: I'm gonna jump in. I was gonna ask Jesse Takahashi to also chime in since he might have some insight on the financial piece of this. So, Jesse, are you available?

[00:52:10] Jesse Takahashi: Yes, thank you very much. Um, I know there was a couple of uh, questions from council member, um, uh, McAllister. So I just kind of go back there if I if I can and try to answer those quickly. So the, uh, one of them had to do with um, whether we can bond against rental income. And I think, um, uh, Wayne had kind of touched on it already, but I think a big component of, uh, the bonding source or the funding source has to do with the stability and the reliability, uh, to be able to back, you know, an issue for, you know, 30 years or longer if that's, you know, the term. And so it has to be pretty reliable and historically and more typically it's something like, you know, a parcel tax or a very strong revenue source, um, you know, sales tax in some cases have been done, tax overrides have been, um, increased, um, KOTs, Um, and those kinds of, uh, things that are ongoing for a fairly long period of time. That's typically what they want to see as reliable bonding revenue source. And then as far as minimum issue goes, Um, I don't believe, uh, in general, that there's a minimum amount. Um, there's some um, advantages to certain issues that are more efficient. So of course, larger issues, the cost of those can be spread out over, you know, um, a bigger amount of dollars so that the actual cost to actually go through the issue is less. But, um, you can have relatively small issues um, to fit the need.

[00:53:54] Councilmember John McAlister: So when you say relatively small, there are amount wise.

[00:53:58] Jesse Takahashi: Well, that could be, you know, half a $10000 or, you know, I don't know how small we can go, but, you know, it doesn't have to be in the millions.

[00:54:07] Councilmember John McAlister: Well, to buy anything, it has to be in the 1000000s, so okay.

[00:54:10] Jesse Takahashi: Well, right, for this particular perk, but, you know, for certain improvements, you can do dead issues for relatively small projects. Um, and then the last one had to do with the, uh, what the intent of the use of funds for the business license, um, uh, revised business license tax. And so 80%, of course, was for transportation projects. 10% was for housing and homeless related purposes, and then the remaining 10% was for general fund purposes. And I would just note that the tax itself legally was passed as a general tax, uh, requiring only majority, um, vote. And so that's why it has to be used, be able to be used for any any legal purpose, that can't be dedicated solely for a particular use. And that's the way it was structured so that this 80, 10, 10 breakdown was essentially, um, like an advisory or uh, sort of an informal allocation of how that would be used. But legally, the city is able to use that, um, for, you know, any general purpose, um, that that, it seems fit. But the council did take that action to sort of advise, this is how we were planning to use it.

[00:55:31] Councilmember John McAlister: Yeah, thank you. Okay, so I'll go on. to comments. Obviously, I'm going to say yes to both. I mean, I've been pitching this idea, but I'm a little, I'm frustrated by the con, I mean, it looks like we're doing the same old, same old. We're looking at the same source of funding. looking at. And it hasn't worked. It has, it has, it's work that, and it probably won't work because you still have limited funds. And that's why I think you got to start looking outside the box. And you say, well, we can't be a landlord. I don't understand. Why can't we be a landlord? Well, we don't have the staff. Well, you know, if Jesse buys a 4plex in Cupertino, He's not gonna, he'll buy a property manager and they do handle it all. So I don't understand why the city couldn't hire a professional, even nonprofits, because I reached out to some nonprofits, but Pim, some of those, they say they would banish the property. And then we would have, and that where we don't have to build up a big staff. Or even a staff at all because we already have a housing person. And then we could take that money, their rental income because someone says, well, we got to borrow it to leverage. Well, now we have a stream of money coming in. That we can read leverage to buy another apartments or preserve apartments. And that's, to me, it's very critical that we got to get something started, even if it's a small unit, and I showed, you know, there was, and the council questions about a, $230000 gets you 40 units or so. Start somewhere, and the council, it's, I mean, it's, Let's just say it keeps going forever. So I really would like to see something going like that. And then, if we bought something, I agree, sir, the concern. So then we got to upgrade it, and I don't understand, you know. I know our lawyer might say, well, you got to do these things, but why can a private partner, private company buy an apartment complex? And then just, and he doesn't have to, uh, they don't have to put and reinvest. But the city does. Now, I'm not saying the city shouldn't buy and then preserve. But yeah, I mean, so, We're not accomplishing anything if we're just gonna, well, let's look for another source. Let's clip for that because right now all the resources are going to be tapped out because of the conditions that we're going on. So, I really like to see the staff again, look outside the box and say, take a gamble. What if, but give us a scenario that says, what if that's not in this report? And see what can get done. Put on your hat as if, hey, I'm a private investor. What can I do? and then mold it to see where it goes with the city. Because I agree with Councilman over Hicks, is that we got to be able to take opportunities. If the market goes flat, We're gonna be able to buy property and allow us to keep it, we'll have preservation, acquisition, we could do rapid rehousing. Maybe we get some major money or maybe the home key money. I know a city manager already's got that. Glad to see you on the screen. Um, so, that's 1st. And then um, and then a side note, I'll measure P. Jess, I'm very familiar with measure P and how we did it. But I would be very cautious. Since we sort of presented it to the to the community. that a majority of that money was for transportation. And if, and yes, we know there was the potential that people could take them prior, future councils could take that money and use it for other purposes. But if that happens, then that could, you know, put a, you know, shot across the battle for future tax measures that people might say, well, they said one thing and then they flip-flop, and the city of Mountain View residents are pretty good about remembering flip-flopper. So, I'm sort of everything. Do what you can do. Uh, wish you the best of luck and I'll support anything that you come up with. Sure enough, Lucas.

[00:59:40] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. No, we'll move on to Counselor Reddit check.

[00:59:46] Councilmember Lisa Matichak: Thank you. Yeah, that was not short enough, John. Sorry. Um, so coming in tonight, um, I was thinking that I wanted to prioritize, um, what do we do when SB 330 sunsets? Um, because of the difficulties in finding uh, financing or funding for acquisition and preservation. Um, and council member Ramirez, I think you are spot on when you said that SB 330 might change. Um, over time. And so that kind of, um, heightened my interest in prioritizing that, um, above the other projects we could be working on. Um, I think we need to be ready for, you know, different scenarios of what could happen with SB 330. And I think we need to think about different scenarios of what might happen and get ready for that. Um, so I'd like to prioritize that over the other. Um, I also agree with the comment about, Picking some examples of projects as opposed to saying we want to do 1500 units. I would rather look at, you know, let's look at a 10 unit complex. Let's look at a 50 unit complex. and see what we could make happen or potentially have happen. Um, and Where the funding could potentially come from. As opposed to saying we want a 1500 unit program. I'd rather just look at individual projects and see what we could do for different sizes. Um, but again, you know, I feel like I do hear staff saying it's incredibly difficult to find, uh, funding. Um, But, you know, council member McAllister. I agree, start getting creative. You know, we've gotten creative in the past on things, and what comes to mind is uh, 777 Middlefield, um, with the teacher housing there. And so let's, yeah, get creative on this one as well. Um, I do agree with, you know, basically everything, you know, Steph said they should continue to work on. I have no problems with that. They all make sense to me. Uh, I do want to acknowledge uh, what council member McAllister said about measured P. I feel like we set the expectation with our residents that that was going to be used for transportation. And, uh, I would be very, uh, hesitant to redirect the funding to something else. I feel like when you set the expectation, you should stick with it. So, you would need to be very cautious in that one. Thank you.

[01:02:33] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. Vice mayor.

[01:02:36] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Great. Thank you. Um, so I'd like to also um, echo my thanks to staff. Um, for all the work done and all the work that we're talking about for the future. Uh, in particular, I appreciated, um, the detail in the 6 prong strategy and want to commend staff, um, for, um, you know, already making their way through some of the items on that strategy. I think it shows the priority of our council, um, to tackle this very difficult um, policy issue of displacement. Um, So for the 2 questions. I just going to give, yes, for both, um, and then I'll go into a couple comments. Um, so, uh, yes, um, for question one and two, and one of the things I've been thinking about as I've been listening to my colleagues bring items forward and kind of reflecting on the staff presentation as well as the staff report is, um, you know, as we're discussing the, the implications of SB 330 coming into effect, um, in the forefront of my mind is also, um, the governor's signature in terms of what's going to be coming in January with residents needing to pay 25% of their rent. And so, you know, something that, um, customer magic just spoke of was kind of like the immediacy and what is, uh, what do we need to tackle immediately? And I see that as something that contributes to displacement. And how, uh, how my, what the city is doing right now and these policies we're discussing tonight. Um, be a way to help mitigate, um, what what is, you know, coming. Um, and so I think it's become very clear as the pandemic has progressed that we're going to continue to be uh, in this for quite some time. And so, um, how might some of the, um, displacement policies we're working on, um, kind of come into more immediate, um, effect. So, um, something that I've been thinking about is we've talked quite a bit about, um, Uh, in in the past, having property owners who do not have the ability to create pass-through mechanisms for to the tenant um improvements. So would that fall into something that we can look at in terms of, um, how we're evaluating, you know, the acquisition program and preservation. Um, you know, I'm not sure, but, but, Given, um, staff, talking about how difficult it is to leverage, um, uh, funds to to acquire actual units. Maybe we can think about the preservation part of the units. You know, I heard a lot of the staff report was about kind of the difficulty in leveraging funds for acquisition. Um, but is working with, um, the landlords and a way to help do the preservation side of things. You know, I put that out there as like a, as a comic, and perhaps that can, can look into that and let us know because, um, the way I agree with the direction staff is going in and I say yes to these 2 questions. Um, I do feel like there's an immediacy that's coming or that we're already in because of the pandemic and then SB 330. The legislation that's going to be, you know, signed and coming into effect in January, and how might we also, um, kind of, how do those all talk to each other in addition to the work we're already doing? Thank you.

[01:06:29] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you, Counselor Clark.

[01:06:33] Councilmember Chris Clark: Yeah, so I, um, just in terms of answering this class questions, um, yes to both, I think I would, um, I would echo 2 things. I think, um, I think we, we do need to monitor, um, what may happen with 330 because my, my guess is that before it's sunset, um, we'll, we'll find that it isn't in the current, um, economic environment isn't sustainable or it is today. And, um, I think that there will need to be some amendments to it before it's sunset. So, I think it's probably hard to predict what those amendments will be, um, until proposals start coming out. But, um, I think we should monitor that because if, if it stays in its current form that I think we really need to look at. Um, You know, it, it's just not going to be possible for a lot of new development to, to occur as these, um, as these units, um, age, and, you know, in those cases, we're going to have to look at, um, ways to, Uh, make it possible for folks to, um, for either us, or someone to acquire those and fix them up in, in a financially feasible manner or for, or for new development to occur in those units to be replaced. Um, I think, um, in a lot of cases, that'll be very difficult under the current frameworks. So my, my expectation is given the, the economic change that's occurred, um, since 330 was passed, so that'll be amended at some point. So I think, I think we should just monitor that. I think, um, I think in terms of acquisition, I think we should be, um, I agree with Council member, Matt, I think it's, I, I'm fine setting a, a goal, but I think, you know, we're, we're tiptoeing into this and as much as I would love to, um, jump to a world where tomorrow, um, we own a whole bunch of, of, of properties. I don't think that's going to happen. We don't really know what we're doing, frankly, um, and it's great that we're, Learning by doing, but I think we should start small with, you know, and be opportunistic, and if we can partner with, um, someone who's out there to, you know, provide some funding and, um, uh, and make it possible to require some of these complexes, um, while the market is down and and and make a long term investment in them, then I'm perfectly happy to do that. So I, I generally agree with that direction there. I would just say that, um, you know, I wouldn't commit to a large, um, uh, it's fine to have a stretch goal, but I wouldn't commit, go out and say we have to, it's a 1500 unit goal tomorrow. Um, because we, I, I, I agree with the compliment of a matter of fact, that we, we just need to be opportunistic and find a few and under, you know, get a better sense for, for how we want to handle this in mountain view and then, and then we can, um, you know, expand upon or expand upon that, that goal. Um, and then finally, uh, to echo what a few other council members have said, um, You know, we, um, we made some promises to the public with perspective, Major P, and I, I think we, we need to do our best to keep those, and I, I think the, I think the public will give us some leeway in terms of, you know, we are in an economic crisis, and there are, um, it, I think it's okay to deviate a little bit in terms of general fund money, um, and utilizing things. Yep. Um, for in, for a limited period of time. But I think we need to, we need, if we're going to do that, we need to find a way to clearly communicate to the public why we're doing that. And that it's a very limited period of time. Um, and then, you know, we fully intend to revert to those original percentages if we deviate. I'm not saying we should. I'm just saying that, if, if we decide as a council, either now or in the future, that we need, you know, this is an emergency and we need to utilize some of those funds for some, in the short term for some other things to build some gaps, whether it's to support our small businesses or or whatever or, um, or our tenants or whatever happens to be, then, then so be it. But I, I think we, I think as council member of McAllister said, I think we need to avoid the, the slippery slope there and set some very clear boundaries and parameters and just say, you know, the, the, we aren't deviating from that plan in the long term. Um, it, it's only a short term gap, and hopefully we don't even have to do that, but I, I just think we need to be extra, extra careful with the major P monies because when the voters, when we, when we go out and ask them to place their trust in us, to do something, I, we need to ensure that we, we keep that trust. Um, and, um, honor that as much as we can. Thank you.

[01:11:26] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Great. Thank you very much. Um, I was gonna add my comments. Uh, I'll start with a question. And, um, So this is in regards to one. So I agree with both one and two. I support that, I agree with what folks have said about me prioritizing too. Um, And I guess I wanted to ask a question about one. Um the acquisition preservation item. So, I was hoping the, I'm trying to, I understand Counselor McAllister's. Uh, issues? Can maybe some frustration as I've been listening to him for 6 years about it and I actually have agreed with him over the years. Um, and I'm hoping that you could just walk me through a scenario to really, I, I'm just trying to really understand what the, what the, what the, um, rubbing point is. So, let's say right now there's a apartment complex on California up for sale. If we wanted to acquire that, um, How could we do that that is different from how we've been doing, um, affordable projects. And I go back to, and this is way back when, I know some of you know about Marcy Freeland Place, and my, I don't know the whole story. I've heard bits and pieces over the years, but my understanding was that was something that the city acquired, and then I don't know in partnership or it was handed over to a nonprofit, affordable housing, Corporation, but, That's my understanding is that, that was the city that proactively purchased that property. So, how can we do that? Um, what would it, what would be different from how we're doing affordable projects now?

[01:13:33] Wayne Chen: Sure. Let me offer some thoughts and then also see if RT may have some additional thoughts. And some of the, um, that's here may also be related to the fact that the city also have a, um, an acquisition mechanism that is facilitated by public works in the real estate department to make, um, strategic acquisitions, um, for various uses and priorities that the council has had. Um, But maybe I can start with how, um, housing developments are done now and how it might be, um, thought of in terms of the, um, the city making the acquisitions. Uh, So for example, in our housing funds, developers know that there are funds that are available for new development. Um, developers go out and look for um, site acquisition opportunities. And so there are multiple developers all the time talking to brokers, talking to their network to look for the opportunities. They are talking about negotiating and leveraging external resources, et cetera. Um, and then they come to the city and they can ask, we review the project, and we review the financials, and the city comes in as a gap funder. And we take it through the streamlined of a process. Um, the, the process for the city to go out. Um, that, that, that may be an opportunity, I think, um, part of the thoughts in terms of, um, capacity is, um, how, how many deals or opportunities might we go out and and go find? Would we be able to replicate the same amount of sort of resources that nonprofit developers are out there looking for opportunities? The 2nd part, and I've not had an opportunity to work in depth with the city's acquisition process. And so perhaps RT or others may have some insights there, but Is there a city process that we would need to go through to move quickly on a site acquisition? Um, we know from the San Francisco case that the small size acquisition has operated through a another entity. It allows that other entity to move very, very quickly without having to take it, for example, back to, um, uh, the council maybe through closed session or whatnot, as long as those opportunities are lining with the program guidelines. Um, I think 3rd, um, if the city were to, when we were to take a look at this a bit more, um, there would still need to be funds that are set aside in, in the acquisition fund that the city has to, um, make these acquisitions, uh, I believe Council member McAllister shared some, um, properties that are currently being listed. Um, I think there was um, a 40 unit apartment for 23000000, et cetera. And so, um, then the question is, would the city go in, for example, and try to negotiate on a 40 unit, $23000000 property, or might the city come in and provide gap funding to a nonprofit developer who is leveraging external sources, to help pay for the $23000000 property? Um, there are a lot of questions and we can certainly take a look at, um, how it might be structured. I think I think it is a good exercise to to make sure we're looking at that. Um, there would be various items where we have to take a look in terms of if the city were, um, the actual acquirer, and then, Probably a whole set of plans beyond that, for example, does the city hold on to that property? For the long term, do we look to, um, sell it to non-profit developer later because we just moved quickly. Um, what is the long term asset management plan? Who does that? Um, so I think all of these are possible. um areas to evaluate. It is probably, um, a very comprehensive set of, um, analysis, but then also responsibilities that the city may undertake, and maybe for good reason, and we will want to surface all those, um, elements if the city were to take an active role in doing acquisition. And so I'll pause there and see if maybe RT has any thoughts or input on this.

[01:17:45] Randy Tsuda: Um, and I think Wayne was pretty comprehensive. I'll just note that, um, uh, our public works director, Cameron's here and she can maybe provide a little bit of insight into both acquisition and uh, Um, and, and, um, our, our experience with uh, uh, owning housing. Um, and then, uh, I'll just note that, Currently we don't have funding, um, based on our, um, our balances, but, uh, we do have opportunities through alternative mitigation through the BMR program to ask for funding instead of units. And so, there are some funding opportunities if that come, you know, that, that the council has options on. Um, so I'll just leave, let Don speak to the property acquisition issue. Thank you.

[01:18:33] Public Works Director Dawn Cameron: Good evening, Don Cameron, public works director. Uh, so in terms of the city's own experience with acquiring residential properties, we actually have acquired 2 residential properties the last couple years. Of course, they're very much smaller than what you're talking about. But basically the process has been, we had the strategic property acquisition reserve, which was well funded, and that was key. The money was there, it was in cash. We saw a key strategic property come on the market. Or we knew and heard through the grapevine. It was going to go on the market, and then our real property program manager would go in and start talking to the broker right away, saying the city is interested. And at the same time that we were doing that, we were getting ready to come to council and closed session immediately. So we would turn that around within a week or two, come into the council to say, there's a strategic properties up for sale. This is what we think it's valued at. Do you give us staff authority to go and make an offer on it and negotiate price and terms. So, uh, twice we have a duplex on Escuela, and we have a 3 unit place on Dana that, uh, within a week of hearing it was going to be on the market, we were before council. We had authority to make an offer. We went in. We made the offer, negotiated the deal, came to counsel an open session for the purchase to approve the purchase and sell agreement. And pretty much within 45 to 60 days we owned the property. Now, couple of key decisions were made to do that, move quickly to make sure that we weren't out negotiated by other potential purchasers. We did not do intense property inspections. We made a decision as a city. We were going to take the property as is, and take full responsibility then, for any repairs or maintenance, and working with the existing tenants, and continuing that tenant relationship. Um, so that was a key factor. And again, these were much smaller projects that made it much more possible for it to do so. So if the city has the financial resources to go in, and quickly purchase an apartment complex that may be on the market for substantially more money, of course, than what we were looking at there. Again, a key consideration would be, are we taking it as is? Or are we going to do more due diligence? as part of purchasing and do full inspections and and that type of thing, which can all be worked through. Um, so we do know how to do it. We have done it, but there are a lot of major policy considerations before we take it on because, I will tell you just those few, um, units we've acquired, has actually required quite a bit of staff time to manage.

[01:21:19] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Great. Thank you very much. That's actually really helpful. Um, So, because I was just trying to figure out, again, what the rubbing point has been, um, and I think I have a better sense now. So, um, in terms of this item then, so, um, I think it's definitely worth continuing to explore. Um, my senses from what, um, the answer to my question is that, It sounds like there are many policy decisions to be made. And I guess I'm trying. I'm trying to maybe compare it or liken it to perhaps like our park um, park uh, program, park uh, acquisition, um, Improvement program. Um, and we have the park in Loo fees, right? So, do we need to come up with policies on acquisition and what the priorities are, you know, in terms of what we would acquire. So, um, certainly I think that's worth um, exploring those, those policy issues and, you know, bring it, bringing it back to council at some point. Um, in terms of funding. Um, just my thoughts, uh, I agree with what the other council members have said about measure P. I think it's important for us to, um, abide, but by what we, um, told the voters it was going to go for. So I, um, would not want to deviate too much from what we've, what we said or committed to. Um, other thoughts I've had were this, um, the TOT tax, and I know we've talked about that in the context of the sustainability action plan. But depending on how much that is and how much we would raise, um, perhaps we could look at that as a source down the road. I know we would have to wait for the next election in 2 years to put that on the ballot, but might as well start thinking about that and preparing for it because it does take some time. Um, the other thing too is that a long time ago, I like to talk about a long time ago, but, um, it was during the discussion about housing impact phase. Um, there was an alternative, um, suggestion that came up. What about a parcel tax? And we actually did a poll. And it had passed at a $29 amount at that time. I don't know. I can't remember how long. It's probably been about 10 years. Um, so that could be another option if we're looking for a funding source. And so, you know, and the argument to that was that if this really is a community priority, then why not have the community participate in, um, you know, helping to fund those opportunities. So that would be another, um, uh, uh, suggestion. Um, so going to item 2 and 330. I agree, when I heard about, or read about 330 last year, my 1st immediate, that was, this is going to help all development, redevelopment projects, and I don't know if that was the intent, frankly, I can't really get a sense of when folks were really intending if they really thought, you know, they were going to be replacement one for one replacement units, or the idea was to help the redevelopment. so that, you know, folks wouldn't be displaced. But regardless, I think that is that I appreciate staff confirming that. So, um, your uh, Counselor Ramirez, you're probably right. That legislation will probably be revised, so let's stay on top of it and then adjust accordingly what we plan to do after the sunset. Um, My final thought, and I would throw this, uh, ask my colleagues about this too, um, for your thoughts, is, um, at meeting today's, this, uh, staff report and then the one later on, about small business action plan. My conclusion has been, um, the best thing for us to be able to do is get people back to work and being able to bring in income. Um, and part of that has been, you know, and uh, and tied to, uh, the rent relief program. I think when we, you know, that has been immediate assistance and it seems to have helped quite a few folks. Um, there's starting to, you know, be questions about what happens as, as like Mayor mentioned, what happens after the fiction moratorium ends. Um, and so I would, I wanted to request that we look at, um, you know, well, we, how we continue such a program, a long time ago. It was called this, or we tried to. I tried to name it, the short term rental assistance program. And when I look at the acquisition cost of $450000000 for 1500 units. My thought was, would it be more cost effective if we provided financial assistance for 1500, you know, families or, uh, individuals. I kind of just quickly costed it out. We at $500 a month, it was something like $900,000 a year, so with $450 million, you have 45 years of funding. Or 450 years. So, so, um, I guess, and this, and so my, yes, my request was, can we begin to talk about that type of program, a rental assistance program, um, you know, I mentioned, I'm as following Andrew Yang, the universal basic income idea, um, and then if we need to focus it on housing, I think that would be fine, but, um, that would be my interest, just because it's more immediate, and we can focus it on folks who really need the assistance. And perhaps, yes it would be more cost effective. So, um, would appreciate any thoughts from my council members on on that idea. Council member, Mattachek?

[01:27:16] Councilmember Lisa Matichak: Thank you. So I didn't have a comment on that. I just wanted to circle back real quick on SB 330. Um, I was suggesting that, um, not only monitoring what might be happening with it. Um, but looking at what we see are the issues with it, because other people will see those same issues. And we can probably have an educated guess on what legislation might be introduced to deal with those issues. And we would act then accordingly at that time. I don't think we wait until it sunsets. before we do something because legislation might be introduced that we don't necessarily agree with, that has a negative impact, and we'll want to be ready to do our own ordinance to adjust to whatever happened. So I don't want to wait until it sunsets. Thanks.

[01:28:09] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Great. Thank you. Good point. Counselor Ramirez.

[01:28:13] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Thank you, mayor. So I want to agree with what Council member Benefact just said, and I think recognize that there is greater urgency, uh, in addressing, uh, so question 2 and and what, the feature of SP 330 and also support what, uh, the mayor was suggesting about, uh, some dedicated revenue for, uh, or potentially, you know, if we're looking at new, new sources of funding for, uh, for short term rental relief. I agree that that's, uh, the probably the most cost effective way of addressing, you know, displacement to the extent it's, you know, created by, um, you know, some, some scenarios where people just need some, some assistance to remain in the unit that they're in, uh, and, you know, certainly for the foreseeable future, uh, with so many people out of work or, or, who have lost hours. I think this is, I mean, there's clearly a need right now. So the great, so the great system we're able to find a program like that. Um, I, I would be supportive, I mean, just more broadly, you know, if we're looking at new funding sources, um, you know, keeping, keeping that revenue fairly flexible so we can explore some of the innovative ideas related to acquisition rehab and also things that we know work, like, you know, subsidies for new construction or short term rental, uh, relate.

[01:29:38] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. Any other comments? Do I need, do I need to get a majority to support this con- the concept of mental assistance continuation or can that be included in your research?

[01:29:59] City Manager Kimbra McCarthy: Uh, mayor, it would be good to hear the other council member's comments on us following up with both short-term rental assistance and the bonding. Uh, because we could certainly follow up on those, um, as as ideas for funding.

[01:30:14] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: So with binding, um, what was the question?

[01:30:19] City Manager Kimbra McCarthy: I think I think there was a comment that you had made about, sorry, not bonding, a ballot measure.

[01:30:26] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Oh, bonding source, um, TOT or, yes, tax or. Um, is there interest in looking at some kind of funding? Hence, if you could put your hands up. See, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, everyone supports that. And then, um, any interest in the rental assistance, continuation, 2 for. Let's see four. And then counts number hicks. You have a comment?

[01:31:02] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Yeah, I wasn't quite sure when you said the continuation of, of, uh, looking for funding. I'd be, what I meant when I raised my hand for that was that I would be into, uh, I think you maybe mentioned one or 2 sources, but I think that, uh, council member Ramirez, when I, uh, I was, when I, he and I talked to, uh, Wayne Chan earlier about this topic, he mentioned some that the city, I think, if I remember right, some that the city of San Jose was working on. So I would like a broad look at different, um, kinds of additional funding sources, not, um, which I think was in the staff report, not just the ones that have come up tonight. So, That's what I meant when I raised my hand. Thank you.

[01:31:51] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Yes, city manager.

[01:31:54] City Manager Kimbra McCarthy: Um, I just would like to get some clarity from council. I know the straw poll is just taken on the rental assistance continuation. So I just want to get clarity on what that means. Um, so are we continuing the current program that we have now and figuring out what sort of funding uh, we may have or are we talking about something entirely different where it's more like a universal basic income, um, perhaps monthly stipend? So I just want to be clear on what the council's voting on that they're interested in to bring back.

[01:32:30] City Attorney Krishan Chopra: And also, if I could jump in, uh, This is a study session, so I think this should be couched in terms of bringing back other options to for counsel to consider, no action, of course, would be decided upon tonight, but I think that was your intent.

[01:32:51] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Yep. Uh, yes, cancel my Ramirez.

[01:32:58] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Thank you. Well, I don't know if you wanted to, I'll respond to the city manager's request for a clarification about the nature of the rent assistance. 1st.

[01:33:10] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Oh, sure, thank you. Um, so I, I guess I was, I am open to it. I think we do need to look at something past, you know, what we have in the account right now, um, depending when on how long this, uh, pandemic goes, but also, um, my, my, you know, my, my interest was that, and this is a program we've had, and for a while, at, like $150,000 a year, and it was helping just, you know, not very many, many families, but, Now that we've expanded it, are there ways to continue to expand it? Um, and along with similar, similar lines of, based on income levels, and then need, and um, maybe filling that gap between what they, what a person or a family can afford versus, you know, what their rent would be. Um, my thought was because of rent control. There is that gap might be smaller than it was before CSFRA came into effect. Um, but some kind of program and, you know, there may need to be time, time limits too. Um, but some kind of that financial assistance program to help folks be able to stay in their their units. If that, I don't know if that's any clearer, but then I'll go back to you, Counselor Ramirez.

[01:34:35] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Uh, really quickly. So responding to the question about, um, where new funding sources might come from. I don't really feel the need to be prescriptive about that right now. You know, I feel comfortable with general direction about, let's explore potential ballot measure, assuming that's where folks are coming from. Uh, because there are a lot of different options and who knows what Napoleon will say. There may not be support for, uh, you know for some of the ideas that we can think of right now. Um, but since we're, we're discussing new ideas, the, the 2 I was, I was interested in exploring further, um, if there's support from the council are, uh, looking at, uh, opportunities to, um, uh, prevent displacement resulting from code enforcement concerns, and, and I don't know if that's helpful to further define, um, and then also, uh, exploring, funding for legal assistance at the very least, you know, for as long as we have, um, you know, some of the, the, the, state and and federal, um, addiction moratorium protections and that kind of thing.

[01:35:51] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Um, I can put those up.

[01:35:52] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Uh, is question, shall about questions. Um, let me go to council member medic check first.

[01:36:01] Councilmember Lisa Matichak: Um, so, are we going to do straw votes on all of the things that have been mentioned since, um, because otherwise I don't have to do my comments if we just want to do struggles on anything. I was just going to share my perspective.

[01:36:14] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Uh, yes, so I guess like, uh, and I put up the rental assistance, item, code and 1st enforcement concerns and legal assistance, as straw, most notes, if that.

[01:36:26] Councilmember Lisa Matichak: Okay, then I can hold my comments.

[01:36:29] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Okay, thank you. Council member McAllister.

[01:36:32] Councilmember John McAlister: No, I just want to ask council member, Ramirez. We already have a rental system program, which we fund and run it through the CSA. What are you proposing? Uh, with your suggestion or your motion. Um, And would that money take away from a more permanent solution like the acquisition preservation that we're talking? that was our topic. Uh, just wondering how you're going to tie your program which we already have in existence. That's going to be different than what we're doing now.

[01:37:08] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: That's fair question. So I, I, my intention is to not create a new program per se. Uh, there are organizations that provide legal assistance to, to tenants, uh, and I'm, I'm certain that there are, there are similar organizations that do the same for property owners. Um, we don't, though, the city does not. I think, I think, uh, a fair approach would be perhaps in the context of the CDBG or general fund, um, uh, allocation that we make, we can reach out to, uh, some of those organizations and see if they'd be interested in having a more formal partnership with the city. Um, uh, the city attorney and I have talked about this in uh, in a conversation about a week ago, I think, about some of the challenges when you have these groups telling, uh, you know, residents one thing and then the city, having a different interpretation, for instance, of the, the county eviction moratorium. So, I, I view it as an opportunity to build a more formal relationship with, with an organization that we, we know and trust, uh, and not replicating their service and providing our own legal assistance. Is that is that helpful?

[01:38:23] Councilmember John McAlister: Yeah, but that's like you said you wanted to have a rental assistance. So, it was more of an informational thing, not actual subsidy going to people.

[01:38:32] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Oh, but so I, I'm supporting the, the mayor's proposal for, uh, for basically sustaining the rent relief program that we currently have, maybe modifying the parameters to better, you know, suit the need or the time, but, but continuing that program, which I think is much lower cost than, for instance, new construction or, or rehab. So I don't, I don't see them as mutually exclusive. I think they achieve different things.

[01:38:59] Councilmember John McAlister: Okay, because I guess I heard you start something different. And so the mayor's, uh, motion that she wants to draw vote. How would that be funded? Um in a sustainable manner.

[01:39:14] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Well, so that's part goes back to the funding source question and so that I think we directed staff to look at different possibilities, including the ballot measure idea, but, you know, not just limiting it to that other, for them to look at all options for funding. For an ongoing source.

[01:39:39] Councilmember John McAlister: Yeah. Because I just sort of get a sense that, you know, I support everything, but it seems like we go one way in the direction, and then all of a sudden, it's sort of, mushrooms and we're doing all kinds of, things and, like, its staff is sort of going, well, what are we going to focus on to actually get something done?

[01:39:56] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: That's a concern, is that. I mean, I'll be honest. I think that it costs a lot more to do the acquisition program, and that's why I was looking for something that was more cost, lower cost, and that's where my conclusion fell on the rental assistance program. And sure, it's maybe not, you know, it's more finite. But the length of time is pretty long. And, um, so is it worth 20 years of rental assistance, um, you know, versus buying the 1500 units, um, And how many more people could we help with, uh, rental assistance, right? And so I'm looking at breath and also just the, you know, the cost benefit of that money. Like, how can they use it? In the best way possible to help as many people as possible. Because I'm like genetic. Council member Hicks?

[01:41:01] Councilmember Alison Hicks: So I think I may be asking the, the same question that council member McAllister was in a different way. I'm a little unclear if we take when we take this straw vote exactly what we're voting on. Are we voting on, um, kind of an additional list of things that we want staff to explore. Or, to some degree, it sounds like what the mayor just said is we're, we're voting to prior to prioritize them above acquisition and preservation. I'm not clear which way we're going, and I guess, um, I don't feel, uh, I, I, for myself, I don't have it confirmed that, uh, rental assistance program, I think in the short term, if you're addressing some short term problems, you can, um, you can help a larger number of people. But when I've worked with acquisition and preservation programs, the purpose is that is permanent affordability. And over time, I think that they're, they're more cost effective. Um, and I think that over time, I mean, 20 years sounds like a long time now, but 20 years from now, you look back and you say, 0 my gosh, I really wish that we had done that. We'd be way far ahead of the game if we had, um, well, frankly, done something more like what council member McAllister has been advocating, you know, really invest in something that pays off over the long term. So I just want to make sure that my straw vote doesn't mean that I'm prioritizing the rental assistance over a longer term, uh, preservation and acquisition program, and I'm not clear what my vote would mean.

[01:42:42] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: So I was just going to put up the 3 items that came up as, in addition to acquisition preservation in SB 330. Is that is that clear?

[01:42:53] Councilmember Alison Hicks: So I'm just going to ask you. Oh, I would be writing code enforcement. or to prioritize them over that?

[01:43:01] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: I don't think we're ready to prioritize. I think we need more information back from staff. So we're just asking, uh, my plan was, or my intent was to ask if you want to add these items as specific items for staff to look into and bring back to us. Yes, city manager.

[01:43:20] City Manager Kimbra McCarthy: Um, thank you, mayor. So I think we're, we're definitely getting into the situation where we're, we are, um, We do have items that I think are related to displacement, the staff will need to study and bring back. I do see some of these items as potential work plan items just because of staff's workload right now. Um, I don't think that all of these items could even reasonably be expected to be brought back anytime soon. Um, and I, and I do see some of these being related with the same study session, whereas others, we may potentially have to take on, on their own. So for example, um, what what I'm hearing, and I'm just going to summarize what I'm hearing, um, the straw votes that that were taken. Um, The exploration of potential revenue increase through ballot measure, uh, was something that the full council supported, um, and staff can look at the gamut of those possibilities. Um, now, there probably will be special elections next year, but obviously the even number um, year is is, 2 years from now. Um, I'm also hearing the rental assistance continuation of some sort, whether it's the rent relief program or some, how that might look, um, more long term. I'm hearing interest in that, where we didn't necessarily get a consensus, but I heard interest is looking at people who are displaced due to code enforcement. And then also looking at potential funding resources or any legal assistance for people who may need help. I heard that raised, but I did not hear consensus on exploring that further. Um, so I think at this point, um, there were a lot of comments, but, That's the one piece that I need to understand if that's to be brought back. And then staff's just going to have to really look at this and see how this fits in with the timing of all the other workload projects.

[01:45:27] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you, city energy. I think you're right? Oh, you are right. So we did take a straw vote on the 2 items. Um, including the rental assistance. So it was just code enforcement and legal assistance that we need to get. Councils, um, motion, or straw vote on. So before I do that, I'm going to get the vice mayor.

[01:45:50] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Great, thank you. Um, I just had a question about the legal assistance, um, idea, and I know that, uh, the city has partnered with community-based organizations in the past, um, to try to share information. So for example, we've done, you know, know your rights clinics. We've done, you know, other events. And so when it comes to, um, legal assistance related to displacement, you know, I don't know if that also would touch maybe what's going on with, um, I'm sitting in the city manager will discuss in her in her COVID update later. You know, I know that we have organizations that are already out in our, in the community, um, trying to do the educational component. And so I feel like part of that's already happening. And so how can, you know, and I believe that the city is already partnering. And so, you know, perhaps it's just making it more robust. Um, you know, I feel like that's, That's the question that I have. I feel like there's something existing. I'm not sure what that is. Perhaps staff can get back to us at a later time and let us know. I think that makes me feel a little bit more comfortable than taking a strong motion because I think that there is some is there is some existing work. Thank you.

[01:47:05] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Um, yes, I was thinking Sala, there's a senior legal assistance program that we've been through CDVG, so there may be already some existing programs, um, so if we want to ask staff to bring that back, uh, by memo or somehow, um, that, that would be fine. Um, and then code enforcement, um, is there interest in exploring that topic? Oh, and I'm sorry, counselor Ramirez. Did you wanna make a comment for that?

[01:47:37] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: No problem. I'll try to be brief because I don't want to belabor the point. For me, the specific value of the legal assistance is, I think we can reasonably expect a significant increase in, um, in addictions over the next several months, uh, and and possibly, you know, going into well into next year. And, you know, rent relief is great, the eviction moratorium has been helpful. I think those are going to change and different people will have, you know, access to, to, to different protection, but where, where we currently don't, at least, you know, and, and if, if staff, you know, is aware of a, of an existing funding opportunity or partnership that I, I'm not recalling, you know, please correct me if I'm wrong, but we're, we're not, for instance, funding a, uh, you know, a, an organization that, that provides, Uh, you know, legal representation for tenants who are going through the unlawful detainer process. And that's, that's where I'm hoping the city can, you know, establish a more formal partnership with an organization that, you know, that we trust, uh, because I think that's, that's where folks, going through the eviction process are, are going to be, you know, the most vulnerable and, and, um, most afraid, it's a very difficult and confusing process. Uh, if we already are funding an organization that provides that kind of service to Mountain View residents. Great. I don't see a need to to, you know, spend a lot of time on this, but if we don't, that's where I'm hoping we can, you know, again, sort of CDBG process or, you know, the general fund, um, allocations that we do. That's where I'm hoping we can we can increase our, um, our support.

[01:49:22] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: So is that something we can ask Steph to bring back more information on then? Is that, would that suffice, can some of Ramirez? Because I personally don't know what options that other than salad. I dont know if there are other options. I mean, I, I, I think I, it can, again, compare it to maybe like Project Sentinel that we, we contract with remediation services, so if that's something you're looking similarly at for legal services, and, you know, definitely I personally would entertain exploring it. I just don't have enough information to say yes or no right now. So if you want to, yes, city manager.

[01:50:03] City Manager Kimbra McCarthy: Thank you, mayor. So I think what we can do with those items are bring back information in a memo so staff can look at what existing resources we have right now currently. There's also legal aid society. So there, there are, um, organizations out there that would do this work. So I think this one is best just for a memo to let to let you all know what what we have as our options and where we could go. And I think the other 2 items that we mentioned, um, are clear on where the straw poles were taken and staff will do the analysis and research and bring those items back. But I think, uh, the code enforcement issues and legal assistance, we can let you all know in a memo.

[01:44:16] (archive recording) Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Great. All right. Thank you. Anyone else? With any other comments? No. Great. If not, then we will close our study session and see. Why don't we open regular session at 7 PM? So I will take a sharp break and we'll see you back at 7. Thank you. Thank you, Sam. Thank you so much.

[01:44:41] (archive recording) Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: See underscore speakers or my phone by dialing 669-900-9128 and entering webinar ID 941-41929990. Any emails received by 5 PM today, we're forwarded to the city council. Emails received after 5 PM. Well, not be read during the meeting, but will be entered into the record of the meeting, and all votes will be taken by roll call vote. Now I'd like to ask the city clerk to retake phone call, please.

[02:06:10] City Clerk: Thank you, council member Clark.

[02:06:12] Councilmember Chris Clark: Here,

[02:06:12] City Clerk: council member Hicks.

[02:06:14] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Here,

[02:06:14] City Clerk: council member Madichek.

[02:06:16] Councilmember Lisa Matichak: Here,

[02:06:17] City Clerk: council member McAllister. Counselor McAllister's present. Council member. No, don't care. Uh, Captain Vice Mayor Can May.

[02:06:31] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Yeah, every Koga.

[02:06:33] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Here, thank you. Everyone is present, and we will move on to item 3 presentations. So, um, each month or when there is a special month, uh, we have been recognizing those months in October is, um, Hispanic heritage months. And so we have a proclamation to uh, recognize this in a heritage month and I'd like to go ahead and read it. Whereas in 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson 1st introduced Hispanic Heritage Week to recognize and celebrate the independence of our neighbors in Central America and Mexico. And whereas 20 years later, President Ronald Reagan expanded the recognition period from one week to one month, beginning September 15th through October 15th, and whereas the Hispanic and Latino communities in Mountain View represent approximately 22% of our population in our diverse group with routes throughout Latin America and beyond, with many Latino residents tracing their heritage to the original indigenous communities of Latin America and Africa. And whereas Hispanic and Latino residents for many generations have made and continue to make significant contributions to the prosperity and culture in mountain view, the state of California, and our nation. And whereas we recognize and celebrate the achievements of our Hispanic and Latino neighbors in every sector, as teachers and business owners, scientists and soldiers, farm workers and 1st responders, artists and activists and colleagues and friends, and whereas Mountain View, Hispanic and Latino residents are an integral part of our diverse communities, past, present, and future. And we are a greater and more vibrant city because of them. Now, therefore, I, Margaret, have a code in the area of the city of Mountain View, along with my colleagues and the city council, due hereby proclaimed September 15th through October 15th, to be Hispanic Heritage Month, signed and sealed this 22nd day of September 2020. And I believe our vice mayor had some comments that she would like to add.

[02:08:30] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Great. Thank you so much, mayor. I appreciate you reading that proclamation and um, allowing this to come forward. Um, you know, Hispanic heritage meant to such an interesting time um, about, um, honoring, uh, celebrating, then we can't celebrate right now. We all need to be socially distanced, but I thought we can still celebrate virtually. And so appreciate you affirming our city's commitment to being a community for all and recognizing our diverse population. So thank you so much.

[02:09:05] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you, my smear, and thank you for bringing uh, the proclamation uh, I forward. Um, I have a anyone else? I have a 2nd proclamation. This is to recognize National Railroad Safety Suicide Prevention Month. Um, this is something that is very close to our community as we do have a rail line, and we've unfortunately had some incidents in the recent past. So, I will read this, whereas National Railroad Safety and National Suicide Prevention month is observed during the month of September, and safety on the Caltrain and BTA light rail, rights away, has been and remains a continuing priority in the city of Mountain View and along rail systems that traverse several communities, and includes many public vehicle and pedestrian crossings. And whereas educating and informing the public about rail safety, enhancing public awareness of the dangers associated with railway crossings, ensuring pedestrians and motorists are looking and listening while near railways, and obeying established traffic laws will reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on the railway system. And while safety is a clear priority for railways, approximately 70% of the deaths occurring on the railroad tracks are world suicides. And where suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, and the 2nd leading cause of death among individuals between the age is of 10 and 34, and suicide is a public health issue, and every death by suicide impacts 100s of individuals, including family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and community members. And whereas in these challenging times, it is essential that we educate residents about suicide prevention and mental health resources in the community. And we must encourage relatives, friends, coworkers, and the community at large to recognize the science of suicide, and guide those in nature, appropriate services, resources, and support. And whereas the city of Mountain View has recognized the importance of suicide prevention, by prioritizing youth mental health, as a council goal spearheaded by the council youth services committee, and suicide is preventable, and it is appropriate to dedicate our thoughts to improving the mental health of all Mountain View residents, and raising awareness about suicide. Now, therefore, I'm Margaret Abbe Kogam, mayor of the city of Mountain View, along with my colleagues on the city council, do hereby proclaim the month of September, as national railroad safety and suicide prevention month. Sign and see of this 22nd day of September 2022. And Vice Mary, did you have comments on this proclamation?

[02:11:45] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Yes, thank you, thank you so much for indulging to proclamations. Um, you know, uh, suicide prevention month, and given the COVID pandemic, our shelter in place, and the kind of insecurity. We're all going through navigating all of this. Uh, prioritizing our mental health as well as that of our communities of the utmost importance. And so really appreciate all the efforts that staff has made to share those resources as well as my colleagues for a prioritizing youth mental health. And I just wanted to reiterate that if anyone is feeling alone, you are not alone. Uh, you have all of us and uh, we are available. There are resources and I just wanted to share that. Thank you, mayor.

[02:12:39] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you, guys, Mayor. Any other, uh, council members wishing the comments? Thank you very much. We will move on to item 3.one COVID-19 update by our city manager, Kimby McCarthy. Welcome.

[02:12:55] City Manager Kimbra McCarthy: Thank you, mayor, council members. I'm going to share my screen here. Okay. Thank you for letting me present the latest COVID-19 update for tonight, and the 1st thing that I wanted to do before I really dive into some of the numbers is, I want to thank our staff for everything they've done over these last, um, six, 7 months. So the 6 month anniversary of sheltering place actually occurred just this past Thursday. And I really want to acknowledge our citywide team for really stepping up over these last few months and really doing everyone's best to provide services to the community at the highest level. And I think that that is what, um, our staff are known for in Mountain View and I think that really responded to the pandemic and the quickest and best way possible has really been, um, the hallmark of what we've been doing these last several months and it certainly hasn't been easy. I know that we've talked many times just about the, the changes that have come on a daily and weekly basis that staff has had to respond to. So I just wanted to acknowledge that. And of course, we have our, uh, 1st responders, our, our fire and police, um, who are out there helping the community. Um, we have other essential workers, our streets, parks, water, wastewater, building inspectors, who've actually been working this entire time. They've never been sheltering in place. So I just wanted to acknowledge the team for all the work that they've done these past 6 months and thank them for what they're doing, um, and continue to do all this hard work as we begin to respond and recover, um, from the pandemic. So moving to our numbers, um, You can see that the case counts do continue to go up in the county, but there is a bit of bright news. Um, so these numbers are as of yesterday, there were around 109 cases yesterday. And the bright news is that, uh, we are still remaining in the red tier in the county and, um, our case numbers actually seem to be improving somewhat. In Mountain View right now. We do have 553 positive cases and that's an increase of about 2 over the previous day. So we were averaging around 7 per day. So I'm not really sure if this is a trend. Um, right now, but um, it does seem to be not increasing as quickly. So that is a bit of good news. In terms of the statewide numbers. We are at 781,694 cases statewide. And I know the font is pretty small, but statewide, we do still continue to see most of the positive cases occurring in the 18 to 49 age group. So in that younger age group is where over half of the cases are occurring. Um, so that is an age group that the state is targeting through um, different social media campaigns, different marketing efforts, and really making sure that that people are doing the 3 things that we all know about, just wearing our face coverings, staying outdoors as much as possible, and also keeping our physical distance from others. In terms of testing, I'm really happy to report that we have tested over 6140 people at city facilities since the end of July. And uh, one bit of uh, really interesting news that I found out this week is that um, Santa Clara County is actually tied for the 2nd highest testing rate in the state. So all of these testing events that our county has been having not only here in Mountain View, but across all of our cities in our region are really helping to contribute to us, not only staying in the red tier, but hopefully progressing into the next year soon because part of, um, being put in a certain tier is the amount of testing that you're doing. So as we continue to test more, hopefully we'll be able to move further up in the tier. So I did want to highlight that we do still have our ongoing drive up testing at shoreline athletic fields, and because it was a drive-through testing events, when we did experience the bad air quality because of the wildfires that was shut down, because the staff that were out there would have had to be out there for several hours a day and it wasn't healthy for them. So, um, that is still available Tuesday through Thursday from 8 AM till 1230. Uh, we are also still partnering with um, El Camino Hospital in the county and doing pop-up testing events. Um, so El Camino is doing their own events Monday through Friday, 730 to 7 where you can go to the hospital and get tested, uh, through an appointment. And then we do have 3 upcoming testing opportunities with the county at our Mountain View Center for performing arts. So September 23rd, October 6th and October 20th are the next testing events. And you can make appointments for those at SCCfreeTest.org. In terms of the latest county public health order, so one of the, um, biggest areas that the county is really focusing on right now is ensuring that anyone who has a symptom can get tested by their healthcare provider. So not only are these free testing events that I just mentioned on the previous slide, but if someone is a patient of Palo Alto Medical Foundation, so Pam or Stanford or Kaiser. Um, they are allowed to get tested and their healthcare provider must test them. So, um, the provider cannot challenge someone's eligibility, cannot delay the testing, um, cannot take more than, um, 3 days to get the test results back to someone and, um, cannot charge the individual directly for COVID-19 testing. So, um, this is something that is very important in our county and I want to make sure that our residents know that this is available to them. Should they go directly to their healthcare provider? If you do have problems getting tested, when you go to your healthcare provider, starting September 23rd, that's tomorrow, starting tomorrow, you can report any problems to S, C, COVIDConcerns.org. So I want to make sure that everyone knows that um, this is a priority for the county and they are able to be tested wherever they um, use their medical service. I also want to make sure that the community knows that right now flu shots are available for free at the Santa Clara County fairgrounds every Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM. And you can visit SCCPHD slash.org slash flu to learn more information, but this is also a free service that's available and is very important. As we go into the flu season, um, along with, obviously, um, the possibility of COVID. So it's very important for everyone to get their their flu shot and we're really happy that the county is offering this free service to everyone. Then I also wanted to mention new development in terms of what our approaches with our playgrounds. And I know there's been a lot of interest and um, whether we're opening playgrounds or why they're closed and um, why some may be open. So I want to clarify that, um, the city has been operating under the state guidelines for playgrounds and the state guidelines have not allowed playgrounds to be open. And the county recently did allow playgrounds to be open. So the guidance has been that cities are supposed to follow the stricter of the public health order. So the stricter of the orders is the state order. Um, and that is why the city's playgrounds um, have been closed, but with the county order allowing them, um, most of the cities in our region right now are exploring, opening. So right now, what our staff are doing, we're cleaning the playground equipment, sanitizing them, changing the sand, making sure that everything is safe and clean. We're also installing new signage at all the parks, ensuring that people are playing safe. and wearing masks. And the plan is that we will have this phase reopening with the 1st park to open on Monday, September the 8th. And then all city parks are expected to be open by October 1st. So we're pretty much taking that um, 5 day time period to open all of the parks in a phased manner. I also wanted to mention the wildfires right now. So even though we don't necessarily see the smoke in our area anymore, there are fires still burning all across the state. Right now there are over 18,700 firefighters fighting fires across the state. There are still 27 fires burning statewide, and it's burned over 3000000 acres, which really is staggering when you think about the size of 3000000 acres. And as of Friday, we do have 18 of our mountain view firefighter personnel that have been deployed to fires throughout the state. And the pictures you see most recently, we have our firefighter paramedic Tim Halloween, who has been dispatched to the North Complex West Zone incident with our human detection canine George. And George is the only human detection um, canine in the county. And unfortunately, um, statewide, we have uh, lost 26 Californians uh, in these fires and, and our, our thoughts and uh, better to go out to those families and people that have lost people in in the wildfires. So, I did want to mention that this is still something that is um, ever prevalent, even though we don't necessarily have it in our, our era anymore. Then in terms of just some updates on uh, our programs right now, the rent relief program continues to um, provide assistance to families and individuals in need, and right now, the program has extended almost $2900000 and the average assistance continues to be right around $2000. For our update on our safe parking program, we do have 59 vehicles total in the program and 132 people. And we did add the capacity, I would, I would know, we added the capacity with the um, alta housing lot opening. Um, and we are getting folks into that lot slowly and steadily, but that should be coming on board. Um, this week and next week we'll have more folks in that lot. Then I'm really happy to announce that we were officially notified that our project home key funding was approved. And what you're seeing on the screen is a press conference that Governor Newsom did yesterday where Mountain View was highlighted as getting an award. So the city received 10000000 um, an estate grant, which will provide 124 modular units, um, that have private rooms for seniors and families, and we are really happy to partner with life moves on this project, and we look forward to being able to tell the community more about this project. Um, but we are expecting that the 1st participants will be able to move in as early, hopefully, um, as November. So we are very excited that the award has been official now from the state. And lastly, I wanted to highlight that there's only 10 days left to complete the 2020 census. And the deadline is the end of this month on September 30th. Right now, we have almost 75% of our households that have been counted so far. So I just wanted to remind everyone to complete their senses if they haven't already. Um, they can go to my 2020 census.gov. Um, there are also people going around um, to your home. If you haven't filled out the census, they do have a badge. Um, and they will not ever enter your home. Um, or you can also call 800 number 844-330 2020 to take the census. So with that, that ends my update for this evening and I'm happy to answer any questions.

[02:26:14] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Great, thank you very much. Any questions from council? Oh, Council member Ramirez.

[02:26:25] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Thank you, mayor. Um, and thank you, Steph, uh, for the the update. Lots of incredible work going on and I'm very grateful for everything that you're doing. and particularly pleased about the, the uh, approval of the project uh, home key application. So thank you for for, um, for making that happen. Just 2 quick questions. Uh, the 1st is when we, I think in the last, uh, council meeting, we talked about potential modifications to the rent relief program, uh, in, uh, in response to the, the, uh, state fiction moratorium and the need to pay 25% of the rent, uh, can, uh, you share uh, any progress that's been made or potential modifications to the, to the program?

[02:27:08] City Manager Kimbra McCarthy: Thank you, council member Ramirez. I know that staff is working with CSA on those modifications to the program and they do continue to serve most of the folks who are in the very lowest AMI. Um, I don't really have any other specific updates besides that they are really looking at serving those those folks and um, not necessarily just only going by whether someone has been served before. Um, I would ask if our community development director, um, our teacher Mastava has any other info or if Wayne is on the line, um, to provide information, but, um, that is something that I know that they are working on with CSA.

[02:27:48] Community Development Director Aarti Shrivastava: Um, uh, city manager and council member Ramirez, um, um, uh, uh, uh, the city manager is correct. We're still working on it and we will keep the council updated on, uh, but CSA advises as the best approach.

[02:28:06] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Great, thank you. And the other question is, Uh, I'm not, I, I, I checked just before the council meeting to make sure that the city has been very good about sending, um, mailers to, uh, to tenders and to, to property owners about, uh, with information about the eviction oratorium and and, you know, resources for, for folks who need some assistance. Uh, so far, we haven't sent one, uh, with information about, uh, AB 3088. Is there, is there a mailer in the works and do you have a sense of when that's likely to go out?

[02:28:40] Community Development Director Aarti Shrivastava: Um, I know that we're working with the city attorney's office to get a mailer out, um, and so the CSFRA staff is working on it. Uh, and we can we can add that to the update. I don't have a date.

[02:28:55] City Manager Kimbra McCarthy: Okay, no worries. I would just note that there is a very robust community outreach plan to make sure that not only tenants but landlords know about all of the different changes in AB 3088, especially as compared to the city's eviction moratorium. So there are a number of not only mailers that are going out, but in-person outreach, social media, emails, phone calls. So I know that staff has a full plan put together for that in both English and Spanish.

[02:29:28] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: That's fantastic. I'm grateful also for the work that you're doing on that. The only request I would have is, if that information that you're sending out also includes, um, information about the rent relief program because they they work really in tandem, uh, that would be ideal. Uh, that's all I've got. Thank you.

[02:29:47] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. Councilman McAllister.

[02:29:50] Councilmember John McAlister: I'll try to be as quick as Lucas with his short questions, but, uh, I just wanted to follow, uh, on the, the city manager observation of how well our city staff is working really hard and has always been a good, uh, they're dedicated, they're professional. And I just, I observed in this recent political climate that some candidates are getting negative. And Mountain View is not known for having campaigns. uh, bashing people or going after some, um, another opponent, or even going after our staff, and the only real way to, to make a judgment is to, you have to know our staff. And so, I like to say, again, commend our staff for the tremendous amount of work they're doing. Just look at the last report on the, uh, it only took them 6 years to get the, uh, acquisition line going, but that's that's cool. But I just, the dedication, working there. If you go to city hall, you'll see people working there, you know, late nights, people at home. And So this is a opportunity just to say, take it easy out there, candidates. We got a great city. We work well together. We're known as a council that works together, and this negativity is not in our pedigree. And just enjoy what you have and be lucky if you get elected to this council because it's a tremendous honor. And I just want to let the city manager know that I personally support in a tremendous respect for our staff. So that's that's just a comment on parapolitical climate out there. Thank you.

[02:31:36] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. Thank you for your comments, Council member of Callister, I agree. I think our staff has just been amazing and um, to be able to pivot from what we know, been been doing our day to day to COVID relief and all that we've accomplished in 6 months is I just am so proud and so thankful to um, all of our staff who've really worked almost around the clock on these issues. And I think Project Home key is an example of that where the staff was able to get in the application in 3 days. I when, you know, I was skeptical, honestly, um, but the fact that they got it in and then we received the grant. We were, I learned we're only one of 3 projects in Santa Clara County that received this funding. And, um, and I, I, I just wanted to mention too that assembly member, Mark Berman, left me a message right before the meeting, congratulating us and thanking us for stepping up, um, to, um, have this, this project in our city. So thank you again, Counselor McAllister. I completely agree with you on your comments and yeah, so, you know, speed is good, but it's also really important to do things well and I actually think we do both here in Mountain View. So canceling my hicks. Do you have some comments as well or questions?

[02:32:56] Councilmember Alison Hicks: I was just, yes, I was just gonna, uh, agree, and I think that, um, I think that I expect being an elected official that we'll all get some slings and arrows here and there, but I, I think that our, our staff is doing a tremendous job, and I just want to make sure they're not pulled into the election as well because that's not. It's not really their job to get those kinds of slings and arrows and um, and so I wanted to 2nd what council member McAllister said. Thank you.

[02:33:27] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you, Vice Mayor.

[02:33:30] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Counselor McAllister, everybody agreeing with you? What is it feeling? Um, so all jokes aside. Yes, echoing my sentiments of, um, feeling a deep appreciation and gratitude for staff. And I think one of the ways that we can continue to show appreciation for staff is filling out our census because they are actually using our 2010 census data for our COVID relief efforts. Um, and that's spare Medical, it's for section E housing, it's for a lot of different services that are, um, you know, we really are very critical right now. And so, you know, every person who completes our census is an additional $2000 for our community, and I think that would help just that tremendously as well to continue all the amazing and incredible work that they're doing. And the administration changed the date from the end of October to September 30th. So, I believe that it's all incumbent on us to encourage folks to participate, um, as well as encourage the public, um, to, to share, uh, last week, the, Um, uh, the city, the county, the census bureau, and the day worker center was able to count an additional 100 people at a, a mobile pop-up questionnaire assistance, um, event. And, um, I just, again, thanks staff for, for supporting that event, um, as we're getting down to our last couple days. Thank you, Mary.

[02:35:00] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. That's for a minute, check.

[02:35:03] Councilmember Lisa Matichak: Well, I can't let those comments go by without saying something myself. I completely agree, Mr. McAllister. Council member McAllister with your comments. Um, it's, uh, it's an honor to be on the council here and work with such great people at City Hall. I have gotten to know a lot of them and appreciate all the work they do, but a wonderful group of people, um, throughout the city, not just at city hall, the MOC, the other locations we have. They're great. And I also appreciate my colleagues here. I think we're a pretty well functioning group that gets along real well. We don't always agree, but gosh, I love how we talk about things and come to a good outcome. So, um, thank you to my colleagues and huge thank you to city staff for all you're doing.

[02:35:54] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Yes, thank you. All right. Anyone else? If not, I will go to public, if there's anyone in the public, from the public wishing to speak on the COVID, relief, COVID-19 update. Please raise your blue hand, and if you're on the phone, please sit star 9. I don't see any blue hands. So with that, oh, yes, Sandra Esparza, please unmute yourself.

[02:36:23] Sandra Esparza: Yes, are you for me?

[02:36:25] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Yes, please.

[02:36:27] Sandra Esparza: Okay, 1st I want to say thank you to everyone who've been working so hard through this pandemic since March. Uh, yes, really appreciate it. So, are you curious about it? I've been working with the community, good community. Uh, Spanish. So, and also, I am working for the district a monthly meal. And I've been helping um, to my non-profit and say, for me, helping a lot of cases of Cobby. And whatever we find out, it is that, uh, the all the, the COVID test that city provide, it is good, amazing, but the hours, if you look, I've been looking at each one size march. They stop at 3 o'clock, 4 o'clock. Personally myself, I go to the El Camino hospital. The one in Saratoga. So because they open Saturday and Sunday, which most of the families at the community have day off. So I don't know if you're thinking partly maybe with the church, to use in the big, lot, the campus, and maybe we can have extending the hours, maybe 7 PM, A PM. You know, uh it is really good because as you know, a lot of people go back to work. So that's, I think, is one uh, should, the city should be taking, thinking about extending the, the COVID tested sites more open, more effective, but other than that, I am happy with everything the city been done for our community. Thank you so much.

[02:37:58] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. Anyway, thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much for your comments. Anyone else wishing to speak from the public? If not, I will close public comment and uh, we will move on to the next item. Thank you again, city manager. We will go now to the consent calendar. These items will be approved by one motion unless any member of the council wishes to remove an item for discussion. The reading of the full text of resolutions will be waived unless a council member requests otherwise. But any member of the council like to pull an item. Yes, council member McAllister.

[02:38:37] Councilmember John McAlister: Um, 4. uh, 6.

[02:38:52] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Anyone else? Is she a pull an item? member Ramirez.

[02:39:00] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Um, thank you, Mayor. Oh, I was going to make a motion, but do we do public comment first? Or should I make the motion and then we could do it?

[02:39:08] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Yes, I actually need to ask the public if they have any comments. Thank you. Um, so if there's no one else, I'll go open this up for public comment. Is there any of the member of the public wishing to speak on any item on the consent calendar. And I don't see any hand, so I'll close public comment. Bring it back to council and I'll come back to you, council member. Oh, hold on a 2nd someone just raised their hand. Let me go back to the public. Uh, Olenka. Billy, if you'd like to speak, please unmute yourself.

[02:39:47] Olenka Billy: Thank you very much, everybody. Sorry about the delay there. Yes, good evening, Madam Mayor, Madam Vice Mayor, honorable council friends, and city leadership team. On behalf of all of us at Magical Bridge Foundation, it really has been a privilege working with all of you and your wonderful community of mountain view, and we are delighted to see the approval of our playground conceptual plan and appropriation of additional funds on this evening's consent agenda. And with the short time that, um, I have here with the public comment, I wanted to indeed um, speak about something that there has been a need for a little bit of clarity in the community on and, and uh, it is indeed about the funding gap that has been proposed um, in many different circles and the 2 figures, which um, have been written about over the past weeks. Indeed, that there is a need for both $900,000 and the amount that is in front of you this evening, which is $680,000 to take us over the finish line. And um, if I may, uh, I'd like to quickly clarify that the, the $900,000 actually originally came from conversations that our team began with the Google team over a year and a half ago. And it did show promise that these funds were indeed going to flow towards the playground project as a result of the community benefit that Google would, um, uh, provide from the Google Landings project. However, since those conversations um, began a year and a half ago, and thanks to the generous, generous donors of your community, um, we actually raised a little bit more funds, and those funds actually dropped to the 680 that's in front of you. And of course, we felt that if we could indeed receive the 900,000 from Google. We would welcome it gladly so that it could cushion us a little bit with the extra costs of construction. And of course, a little um, nest egg for us to use for maintenance. So in the end, uh, that gap did, uh, did close and we are indeed very grateful for your consideration on the consent calendar to approve. The, um, 680 1000 that is actually at the moment needed. And um, we are indeed very excited about the prospect of creating a very magical place for the community to come together in, play in, look forward to reconnecting when this pandemic and and uh, very candidly, when this whole year is behind us. And we can look to a brighter and more magical future, and it all begins this evening with, um, the magic of your consent on this agenda, and we remain um, exceedingly grateful for your strong leadership and um, compassionate support in, in continuing to make magical, um, your community that you serve. And we really appreciate the hard work that you put in to make, um, make it a wonderful community to be part of. Thank you.

[02:43:00] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Any other members of the public wishing to speak on any item on the consent calendar and we, um, our timer isn't showing on the screen, but our city clerk is keeping time. I do not see any more blue hands. So I will close public comment for the consent calendar and bring it back to council and I think it was council member Ramirez. Would you like to make a motion?

[02:43:25] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Sure. Uh, I'll go ahead and move to a, uh, prove the consent calendar, including 4.4 adopt a resolution authorizing one year extensions of planning permits due to the COVID-19 emergency to be read entitled only for the being waived, 4.5, adopt a resolution approving the final map of tracks number, uh, 10548, uh, 231 to 235 Hope Street, expecting dedications and making findings just required by the city code to be read in title only for the reading waived. 4.7, adopt a resolution updating the list of designated positions required to file statements of economic interest to be read entitled only for the reading wave, and 4.8 adopt a resolution approving the issuance of revenue bonds by the California statewide communities development authority in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $35000000 for the purpose of financing the acquisition, construction and development of an affordable multifamily rental housing project located at 779 East Evelyn Aven And certain other matters relating there to, uh, to benefit, uh, notice of public hearing, to be read and title only for the reading ways.

[02:44:38] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Thank you. Nice Mayor. Just wanted to 2nd the motion.

[02:44:44] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Right, thank you. There's a motion by Councilman Maria, 2nd by vice mayor. Any other discussion on the balance of the consent calendar, everything except for 4.6. If not, could we get a roll call vote, please?

[02:44:59] City Clerk: Council member Clark.

[02:45:00] Councilmember Chris Clark: Yes.

[02:45:01] City Clerk: Council member Hicks.

[02:45:02] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Yes.

[02:45:03] City Clerk: Council member Mattachek.

[02:45:05] Councilmember Lisa Matichak: Yes,

[02:45:05] City Clerk: council member McAllister.

[02:45:07] Councilmember John McAlister: Yes.

[02:45:08] City Clerk: Council member Ramirez.

[02:45:10] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Yes.

[02:45:11] City Clerk: Vice Mayor Kame.

[02:45:12] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Yes.

[02:45:13] City Clerk: May I be Koga?

[02:45:14] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: I, thank you.

[02:45:16] City Clerk: Thank you, motion carries 70 with no abstensions.

[02:45:19] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Item 4.6, Counselor McAllister. I believe you pulled it. Would you like to start it?

[02:45:24] Councilmember John McAlister: Yeah, I had a question. Was there a agreement with magic bridge? Uh, signed and I just wonder if somebody could give us a, A summary of what that uh, document was about.

[02:45:42] City Manager Kimbra McCarthy: Council member McAllister, I'll answer as well as I can and then defer to the city attorney or community services director. So yes, there is an agreement with uh, magical bridge and, um, the agreement, um, stipulated the funding that the city was going to be providing to magical bridge, um, the match and then the fundraising goal, um, for Magical Bridge Foundation. I'm not certain if you wanted to know more about what was in that contract.

[02:46:13] Councilmember John McAlister: Was there any, uh, um, language about continuing fundraising?

[02:46:20] City Manager Kimbra McCarthy: Um, yes, so, um, Magical Bridge does have a fundraising goal of 18000000 And so the item on the consent agenda does provide additional funding to magical bridge from the city's parkland dedication fees. So to the extent that magical bridge will continue to fundraise, that will offset the need for the city to provide the same amount of our parkland education fees. So as the fundraising continues, it decreases the extra funding that was put forward in the consent item tonight.

[02:46:56] Councilmember John McAlister: Is there a deadline? I mean, is there a sunset on that? The continuum fundraising or is it? Is there a time framing on it?

[02:47:05] City Manager Kimbra McCarthy: I would defer to our community services director, John Marchant, about the deadline.

[02:47:13] Community Services Director John Marchant: The council member McAllister, um, there is language in the agreement that uh, magical bridge is to provide the funding and then we would go to construction, um, but based on the timing of the, the, Fundraising to date and the timeline we had set to create the project and go out to construction, um, we are bringing this to you to get over the finish line, um, so that the, so that the project doesn't continue, um, to be delayeded. We'd like to get moving on the project.

[02:47:44] Councilmember John McAlister: Okay, so, The timeframe for fundraising is, I mean, I didn't, it just, it just keeps on going.

[02:47:54] Community Services Director John Marchant: So it doesn't, the initial, um, term for them to, uh, finish the the fundraising has actually finished. But we have continued to extend it to allow them time to continuing to continue their fundraising efforts.

[02:48:08] Councilmember John McAlister: So okay. Um, So I, um, I'll make a motion that we, uh, approved 4.6, but I want to make a few comments. So, I'll make the motion 4.6 that we approve it.

[02:48:25] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Uh, so your 2nd council member mentioned for you. And you just would need to council member, McAllister, read the title of the resolution, but you don't need to read the appropriations component.

[02:48:39] Councilmember John McAlister: I make a motion to adopt a resolution of the city of Mount View approving applications for the 2 per capita grant funds through the state of California proposition 68 program and the amount of $228,911 by which the city agrees to the terms of the grant agreement and confirms that the city has the funding to complete, operate, maintain the all-inclusive playground project to be read entitled only further reading, but attach it went to the council report.

[02:49:10] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. Sorry, man, check?

[02:49:13] Councilmember Lisa Matichak: Yeah, I was, I was like, is she going to make the motion, but since Council member McAllister did, I will 2nd it. I will gladly 2nd it.

[02:49:21] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. Any other discussion on this item, Counselor McAllister? Did you want to speak to it?

[02:49:27] Councilmember John McAlister: Yeah, just a couple of com- I just wanted to, uh, I think this will be a great asset for the city, but I wanted to remind some of our council members. We did get some emails from the residents and about taking up space in a already very, uh, popular park. We had a conversation when the pool came up that, uh, I was in favor of expanding the pool as big as possible because population will grow, but some of my council members had concerns about where I was encroaching into the open space of the park. And that's what I, uh, so we're doing a balancing act of, you know, reward versus trading off more open space. And so I just, that's a comment that I want people to be aware of that when we start doing this, this park seems to be getting a place where, um, attraction features are added to it. And in some ways, it's taking away from that open space that people really wanted. Uh, the other comment was, the trees, everybody always loves trees, and I know that, I believe the community service department and parks is going to make sure that the trees are replaced. Uh, so, you know, I always put a caveat or something, and maybe sometimes I get too much there, but we need to be specifically aware of this park because we aren't growing new parks or it's really hard to grow new parks and get the open space, and area around ring store park is getting more intensified, densified, and so, again, when we go for a park, and we put in a project into it. Please consider. What, you know, what you're getting and what you're giving up. So, uh, I look forward to the park being uh, enjoyed by many and that's the end of my comments.

[02:51:17] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you, Counselor Hicks.

[02:51:20] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Well, I agree with those comments, and my reading of the email we got on this project was just not to not do it, but to do it with care, which is what I, I think, care with the design, which is what I, I think that I've seen, um, John Marchant and staff do so far. Um, you know, to preserve the heritage trees, preserve the canopy, and the stack report that I read said that they had also pushed them to change some of the colors so that they would blend in with the, with the, the grasses and landscaping in the area so that you can kind of have the best of both both worlds, both the accessible playground and the feeling that frankly, I would want if I would go into the playground with my children appeal, a feeling of being in a park and being in nature. So I guess those are my comments I'm going to vote for this project. But I would also like people, the people developing the project to continue to take care of that, to make sure that it seems like a park like environment, that it seems like you're out of doors. when you're enjoying yourself there. Thank you.

[02:52:31] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. Any other comments? If that, can we get a real call, please?

[02:52:37] City Clerk: Cancel number, Clark. Council member, Clark. I think he might get some technical difficulties. Okay. Council member Hicks.

[02:52:51] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Yes.

[02:52:52] City Clerk: Council member Mattachek.

[02:52:54] Councilmember Lisa Matichak: Yes,

[02:52:54] City Clerk: Council member McAllister.

[02:52:56] Councilmember John McAlister: Yes.

[02:52:57] City Clerk: Council member Ramirez.

[02:52:59] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Yes.

[02:53:00] City Clerk: Vice Mayor Kameh.

[02:53:01] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Yes.

[02:53:02] City Clerk: May I be Koga?

[02:53:03] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Hi. And would you mind calling Counselor Rick Clerk, just in case.

[02:53:07] City Clerk: Sure, council member Clark. He's taking a break. Uh, so the motion passes 60 and one abstention.

[02:53:21] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. We will move on to oral communications from the public. 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 for up to 3 minutes during this section. State law prohibits the council from acting on non-agenda items. But any member of the public on the line like to provide comment on a non-agenda item. And if so, if you're in the 10 day box, please click the bottom, raise hand button with your blue hand. And if you are on the phone, please press star 9. And we'll start with Rhonda Fry. And I feel like, I think we get, we may get some more hands. So let's go 2 minutes. So we'll start with Rhonda Fry. Please unmute yourself.

[02:54:12] Rhonda Fry: Hi, my name is Rhoda, and since we're approaching the California flood preparedness week, I wanted to bring to your attention a landslide at the Lehigh Permanente Quarry in Cupertino, that is threatening Permanente Creek and downstream structures and residences. I hope you can ask the county as to what they plan to do about it and the extent to which Mountain View might be impacted. I've asked and have received no response. Since at least 2015, Corey Annual Reports noted an unstable hill slope at Lehigh. The 2018 report notes multiple erosion control issues, the 2019 report cites multiple wet season safety concerns. The county and water board failed to take action until each issued notice a violation for sediment polluting permanent take creek in 2019. Consequently, the county is also culpable for sediment reaching our creek, which leads to San Francis- San Francisco Bay Estuary. In 2020 after the waterboard NOV was resolved. The waterboard cautioned. We are concerned about the long-term stability, given the potential potentially significant health and safety concerns. Accounting report also worn the Jager Yard landslide mass is moving toward Permanente Creek, and its mass is sufficiently large to block the creek. Should this happen during winter months, the runoff from the upper watershed would likely pond, creating a new debris, flow hazard, destructures and residences downstream. Now that the Lager Yager Yard landslide has become a health and safety hazard to downstream homes, and we are approaching the rainy season, I think we need to take a serious look at it. I will be following up with an email containing information from government agencies on this health and safety flood hazard. Thank you very much.

[02:56:04] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. We'll go to John Simmons Tuff. Please unmute yourself.

[02:56:13] John Simentov: Hi, can you hear me?

[02:56:15] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Yes, welcome.

[02:56:17] John Simentov: Hi. Thanks. My name's John Simento, and I'm a resident of Mountain View. Last month, I spoke to city council about an issue that's important to me and other members of the community. Smoking and multifamily dwellings continues to be an issue in the city. When your neighbor smokes inside of their own apartment, townhome or condo, the smoke goes through vents, electrical outlets, and tiny cracks and walls, ceilings, doors, and windows, affecting you and other residents in neighboring units. Secondhand smoke can cause lung disease and other respiratory issues. And right now, between the pandemic and ongoing air quality issues, this is exactly the wrong time to put people at risk this way. As I said last month, Mountain View is behind other Bay Area cities that already have a ban on smoking in multifamily dwellings, both in public areas and inside of units. This includes our neighboring cities of Palo Alto and Sunnyvale and others including Concord, Alameda, Berkeley, Redwood City, San Carlos, and San Rafael. Smoking and multifamily homes has even been banned in unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County since 2012. Just not in Mountain View. This is a public health issue that should not be ignored. I urge the mayor, vice mayor, and council members to put this issue on the council's agenda at the 1st opportunity to show that they take their constituents health seriously. Thank you for your time.

[02:57:34] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. And Alex Brown, please unmute yourself.

[02:57:39] Alex Brown: Hey, everybody. Last night, the rental housing committee had a study session on mobile home rent control, and I just wanted to take this opportunity to encourage all of you to go back and review it. It's available on YouTube. There were, there was a lot of discussion about the best practices in other cities and what we could do, and many of those would require cooperation from the council as they're not, like within the text of the commuter stabilization and fair rent act, as it is currently written. So thank you.

[02:58:10] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. Anyone else wishing to speak from the public? Are there any members on the phone you would like to speak? The clerk?

[02:58:22] City Clerk: Nope, no, no.

[02:58:24] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you, then, um, I will close public comment. I did want to. I know we normally don't, but um, actually this, I think this is, we'll be on the agenda down the road, but to Mr. Simentov's, um, issue about uh, tobacco use. We did, um, Boat to straw vote at the last meeting to, um, have to bring it back, um, as an item for us to, um, to discuss and, um, we need to do some shuffling of our work plan for the year to do that. Um, but we did, um, agree to put it on a future agenda. So I just wanted to let folks know about that. Thank you. And now I will bring it back to close, oh, sorry, I'll meet up, close all communications, and we'll move on to item 6, our public hearing, 6.one, on the hotel development at 2300 West El Camino Real. And um, 1st before we start, do any accounts members wish to make disclosures such as contacts with the applicant or site visits? I don't see anyone.

[02:59:35] Unknown Speaker: Yeah, I'll, uh, 2 years ago or 2017, I ventured out there. I thought this thing was done by now, so, uh, yeah. Three years ago, I ventured out there and talked to them, so. That's what my disclaimer is.

[02:59:53] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. I think we just need to disclose if on this current project. So 2 years ago, we had already taken a position, a vote on that, so if it was back then, you don't need to disclose it again, I don't believe so.

[03:00:08] Unknown Speaker: wasn't that the same property?

[03:00:10] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Yes, but it's a different. well it's a different project. Okay, okay. But thank you anyway. I appreciate you covering all your bases. Anyone else have any disclosures to make?

[03:00:22] Unknown Speaker: Nope.

[03:00:23] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: All right, then we will move to our staff presentation by our senior planner, Diana Panchelli. Welcome Diana.

[03:00:32] Senior Planner Diana Pincholi: Thank you. Good evening, mayor, and members of the council. My name is Diana Pincholi, senior planner with the city's Planning Division. Um, the item in front of you tonight is a 4 story hotel development request at 2300 West El Camino Real. And for this closure, I did work on that project even in 2017 and I continued to do that. The .97 acre project site is located to the north of El Camino Real between Ortega Avenue and Renstrose Avenue. The existing project site is developed with a 3 story, uh, 71 room hotel. And it's surrounded with multifamily developments and commercial establishments. The project site is currently having a journal planned designation of mixed use corridor, and a uh, zoning of medium intensity corridor within a communal real precise plan. The applicant is according to demolish the existing hotel site and develop a new 4 story hotel building on the existing site with an underground parking garage. The project building is in a U shaped design, which will include a centrally located courtyard area, and we will have landscaping proposed all along the perimeter of the project site. All the majority of the parking will be accommodated in the underground parking garage, and the applicant is proposing 100% valet parking program for parking in the underground parking garage. The existing, um, sorry, the proposed, um, uses on the ground floor will include a restaurant, dining area, uh, hotel reception, lounge area, and the guest rooms are are distributed throughout all the floors, all the 4 floors of the proposed design. The only regular access to the underground parking garage will be off of the El Camino wheel frontage. The project has been carefully designed in order to present elements to enhance the pedestrian experience along the El Camino frontage as well. The project design and architecture is modern and contemporary design with the use of variety of high quality materials, including variety of trespa panels. Um, uh, plaster frames and plaster finishes, and the project also includes a very significant and pedestrian oriented hotel entrance design as well. The project will include a metal arch feature along the El Camino frontage in order to enhance the destiny experience further. The project building is 4 story high, but it does reduce to a 2 story towards the rear of the property, in order to move the, um, zooming related building envelope requirements, as well as it is more in tune with the 2 story apartment buildings in the rear. The project is proposing to build one heritage free on site and 22 known heritage free on site because of their declining health and some conflict with the proposed building that has been proposed to this project. The African will be proposing 30 new trees to be planted as part of the proposed landscape plan. This does include an increased landscape buffer area along the rear property line to provide that additional buffer, and some amount of ground level, and landscape, shrubs and stuff in the port area in the in the open courtyard area as well. The project is consistent with the city journal plan and the zoning requirements with the minor exception of a side yard encroachment by the upper level balconies, which is supported with the flexibility provided in the El Camino real precise plan. The project was reviewed back in 2017 by the city council and approved. The applicant had been diligently working with staff on the building permit process and they were exploring some non-traditional construction mechanisms as well. In the course of their building chemical views, the permit expired and therefore the project is back in our queue for review and therefore city council is reviewing it tonight. The project is categorically exempt as per California and other quality act sequel per section 15332 info exemption. And um, the APC also reviewed this project at the public hearing on September 2nd, 2020, and recommended approval to the city council with modified conditions, which have been included in your in the resolution as part of the council package. It is to be noted that this project is 801 project under our community out precise plan, and according to that, the applicant is approaching to make a community benefit contribution of the amount of $637,000 um to cities affordable housing fund. Uh, In conclusion, staff, um, staff concludes that the project is consistent with the general plan and our zoning requirements, and recommend that city council adopt a resolution, conditionally approving a fine community permit, a development review permit to construct the new hotel, a provisional use permit to allow hotel use, with reduced parking one site, and a registry removal permit to remove one heritage free on site. In addition to that. Step also recommends counsel to adopt a resolution, ordering the vacation of a public service easement on existing on the site as well. Alternatively, city council can consider approving the project with further modifications to the conditions of approval. Then for the project back to the APC or development review committee, for further consideration, or deny the project. With some group staff presentation, the applicant is present here tonight, and we'd like to, uh, do the present brief presentation, and staff is available for any further council questions. Thank you.

[03:06:49] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. Uh, yeah. I believe I saw Mr. Jess in the tandy box? Yes, I see him here. Would you like to make a presentation, Mr. Jess?

[03:07:02] Applicant Tom Jess: Sure. Can everyone hear me?

[03:07:03] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Just fine.

[03:07:05] Applicant Tom Jess: Excellent. Okay, well, 1st off, thank you for hearing us. This is, this was, uh, not our plan to be back here before city council. We had plans to, to move this building along a little quicker than what happened. But, um, I think staff did a very good job of uh, presenting the project and touching on on some of the key points. I don't want to reiterate what she went through, but the project is in compliance with the precise plan. It's essentially the same project that was presented before and approved. We were going through our 2nd round of plan check and, and moving through and um, realized that we missed a deadline to file for an extension, and hence, the reason we had to go back through the process. So, um, we've, We're still planning on moving through diligently. We're into our 2nd round of time check. So things are moving along quickly, and at this point, we'd like to do that. And I think staff did mention just one of the things that that caused a delay was that we did explore doing the hotel as a modular hotel. And we spent quite a bit of time looking at that, um, working with different modular builders, working through, and then it turned out that it was not a feasible approach for this particular site. Take their flight. So we went back to a traditional built site. And more than anything, we're here to answer any questions that you may have. Perry Patel, who's the property owners also available to answer any questions you may have. And uh, we hope that you can uh, find a way to approve this project and we would move diligently through the process if you do. Thank you very much.

[03:08:46] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Would you like to make comments as well, Mr. Patel? If you can unmute yourself, please.

[03:08:54] Property Owner Perry Patel: Right, council members, uh, mayor. I appreciate the opportunity to to present the project again in front of you. Um, I don't have anything further to add, but besides what Diana and Tom have already said, so, uh, um, we look forward to hopefully working together and and doing this project.

[03:09:16] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Great, thank you. Are there any questions from council members? For staff or the applicant? Yes, council member Medichek.

[03:09:25] Councilmember Lisa Matichak: Just one quick question. In the staff report on page two. It mentioned that the EPC directed the applicant to work with staff to explore larger canopy, native trees in place of the 2 palm trees. And I was wondering if that had happened yet.

[03:09:41] Senior Planner Diana Pincholi: That is um, going to happen during the building review process when the applicant finalizes their landscape uh, details. At that point of time, staff will be looking for um, alternate 3 species in alliance with, you know, in accordance with the APC recommendation.

[03:09:57] Councilmember Lisa Matichak: Okay, so we don't need to include that in a um, in a motion, right? Because it's already going to happen. Okay, thank you.

[03:10:06] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Anyone else? questions, council members. No? All right, then I will open this up for public comment. Are there any members of the public wishing to speak on this item if you are in the, uh, attendee box? Please raise your blue hand. And if you are on the phone, please sit star 9. I don't see any blue hands. So with that, are there any folks on the phone? All right, thank you. Then I will close public comment, bring it back to council for deliberation and emotion. Council member McAllister.

[03:10:43] Councilmember John McAlister: Yeah, I'll make the motion. They, uh, get to it. Adopt the ordinance of the city council of the city of Mount. Authorizing an amendment. Oh, wrong guys. Sorry. No water, I couldn't find that. That doesn't make sense. There we go. Uh, Oh, do, do, do, do, do, do. Okay, adopt the resolution, conditionally approving a planned community permit and a development review permit to construct a new 4 story, 75,358 square foot, 153 room hotel, replacing the existing 70 room hotel. A provisional use permit to allow a hotel use and a parking reduction, and a heritage tree removal permit to allow removal of one heritage tree. On a .97 acre site located at 2300 West El Camino Real to be read entitled only for the reading way of attachment to the council report. Two, adopt a resolution ordering the vacation of a public service easement at 2300 West El Camino Real, to be read and tile only, further reading way of attachment to the council report.

[03:12:00] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. And Councilman Ramirez.

[03:12:03] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: I'll 2nd the motion.

[03:12:04] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. Thank you. Any other discussion, deliberation on this item? There's a motion by Councilman O'Allister, 2nd by Council member Ramirez. Council member Hicks.

[03:12:17] Councilmember Alison Hicks: I am going to vote for this project. I just had a quick comment. It just strikes me that when I read, like, the general plan says, uh, we'll develop a vibrant landscape comfortable and convenient place for gathering along El Camino Real, and it strikes me that the 12 foot, um, sidewalk, which the project has, which is compliant with with that, the El Camino precise plant. It just strikes me that that doesn't really give us for the height of buildings that we're developing. It doesn't really give us the leeway to meet that goal of a vibrant landscape, comfortable and convenient place. I think this project has done the best it can within the precise plan, but that's just something I wanted to bring up for later consideration. And as I've said, I would, I mean, I think this project has, has restaurant along the front and the artwork and like I said, it's doing the best it can, but I, at some point in the future, would like to revisit that sidewalk with. Thank you.

[03:13:22] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. Any other discussion? If not, uh may we get a roll call vote, please,

[03:13:30] City Clerk: be quick. On some number Clark.

[03:13:32] Councilmember Chris Clark: Yep.

[03:13:33] City Clerk: Council number Hicks.

[03:13:34] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Yes.

[03:13:35] City Clerk: Council member Matachek.

[03:13:36] Councilmember Lisa Matichak: Yes,

[03:13:37] City Clerk: council member McAllister.

[03:13:40] Councilmember John McAlister: Yes.

[03:13:41] City Clerk: Council member Ramirez.

[03:13:43] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Yes.

[03:13:44] City Clerk: Ice Mayor Kameh.

[03:13:45] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Yes.

[03:13:46] City Clerk: Abby Koga.

[03:13:47] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Bye. Thank you. You should carry 70 with no abstensions. We'll go on to uh, item 7 unfinished business, 7.one, the amendment to the Calpers contract for all unrepresented miscellaneous pepper employees. This is an ordinance in the 2nd reading, and we have a staff presentation by senior human resources analyst, Ada Chain. No, that's how we handle a short question.

[03:14:16] Senior Human Resources Analyst Ada Chang: Good evening, hearing council. I'm Ada Chang from the Human Resources Department. And tonight's item is the 2nd reading of an ordinance for the Cowper's Contract Amendment. On August 25th, 2020, the city council approved a resolution of intention and introduced an ordinance to amend the contract for all miscellaneous public employees pension reform act, Pepper, employees between the California public employees retirement system, Cal Purse, and the city of Mountain View. Cowpers requires all cost share changes for unrepresented employees to be done through contract amendments and presented as business items to the city council. After council passes the ordinance, the contract amendment will be effective 30 days later and implemented on November 1, 2020. This includes my presentation. Thank you.

[03:15:00] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Are there any questions by council members? I don't see any hands, so I will now take this open it up for public comment. Any members of the public wishing to speak on this item, please raise your blue hand if you're in the 10 day box and star 9 if you're on the phone. I don't see any. hands raised? Are is there anyone on the phone?

[03:15:25] Unknown Speaker: Nope.

[03:15:26] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: All right, then I will close public comment and bring it back to council for deliberation and emotion, council member Clark.

[03:15:32] Councilmember Chris Clark: Oh, go ahead and make a motion and sorry everyone about earlier. I was able to dial in and hear everything, but apparently I couldn't, you couldn't see or hear me, um, but I'm back now. Sorry about that. Um, So I'll, a move that we adopt an ordinance of the city council and city Mountain View authorizing an amendment to the contract between the city council and the city of Mountain View and the board of administration of the California public util- our, uh, public employees, retirement system, Cal Pers, reread entitled only for the reading wave attachment one to the council report.

[03:16:01] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you, and Councilman Metachek.

[03:16:03] Councilmember Lisa Matichak: I will 2nd that motion.

[03:16:05] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. Thank you. We have a motion by council member Clark, 2nd by council number, Medicheck. Any other discussion on this item? Hello, your hand, cancel magic. If not, can we get a roll call vote, please?

[03:16:19] City Clerk: Council number Clark.

[03:16:21] Councilmember Chris Clark: Yep.

[03:16:22] City Clerk: Council member Hicks.

[03:16:23] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Yes.

[03:16:24] City Clerk: Council member Mattachek.

[03:16:25] Councilmember Lisa Matichak: Yes,

[03:16:26] City Clerk: council member McAllister.

[03:16:28] Councilmember John McAlister: Yes.

[03:16:29] City Clerk: Council member Ramirez.

[03:16:31] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Yes.

[03:16:31] City Clerk: Vice Mayor Kame.

[03:16:33] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Yes.

[03:16:33] City Clerk: May I be Koga?

[03:16:34] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Hi. Thank you. Thank you, Mission Carry 7 0 with no extension. We'll move on to item 8 new business, 8.one. The small business action plan, and we have a staff presentation by our business development specialist, Tiffany Chu. Welcome, Tiffany.

[03:16:51] Business Development Specialist Tiffany Chu: Thank you. Good evening, mayor and city council. Tonight, we are discussing the small business action plan. Small businesses are essential to the US economy, creating jobs, providing opportunities and sport, creating innovation. They are also constantly adjusting to operations and staying competitive. When COVID-19 pandemic and the shelter in place began. Small businesses had to close or remain open with changes to their operations. The changes impacted, their revenues, and the ability to keep staff. All levels of government from the federal government through the county responded to COVID-19 impacts by providing varying levels of support to small businesses and their employees. The city implemented a variety of initiatives to support small businesses, including outreach efforts to understand impacts to small businesses, loan program, and guidelines for operating businesses outdoors. However, COVID-19 continues to impact small businesses has changed business operations across all sectors. As part of the fiscal year 2019, 2021 council goals, council directed staff to develop a small business strategy. However, due to the current economic climate, and the need to provide immediate support to small businesses, staff is recommending a small business action plan. The goal of the plan is to strengthen the foundation of small businesses and build resiliency to whether future economic downturns and a constantly changing marketplace. Staff hired Leslie Parks as a consultant to support the action plan. She has worked on economic development and downtown revitalization throughout Silicon Valley, including San Jose. And so, to begin with the small business action plans. The city is actually defining small businesses and reviews existing business conditions, comparing mountain view with the state and nation. Well, there is no universally accepted definition of a small business. The small business administration defines a small business of having less than 500 employees. And 99% of US businesses are small businesses with less than 500 employees. Under the SBA definition, Mountain View has 2950 small businesses. A majority of these small businesses are service sector businesses, including personal services, professional services, healthcare, retail, and food, accommodation services. Overall, mountain view has a higher percentage of small businesses compared to the state and nation. To create the small business action plan, we undertook a business needs assessment through interviews, focus groups, and 2 surveys. One for businesses to provide feedback on their, on their impacts and understand their needs and a survey for the community to provide input on their shopping habits. The results of the business survey have shown before you where we found there is a greater need and urgency to support them, particularly since the payroll protection program and enhanced unemployment benefits have ended. Based upon the survey, there are 7 key findings that emerged. Businesses need to expand their customer base. They need short term funding assistance. They need assistance in reducing business costs, um, assistance with promotions and advertising. They need clear, consistent information with public orders when they affect their operations, assistance in finding and retaining employees, and businesses who are hiring to provide assurance to job seekers that the workplace offers safety, safe, and protection from the pandemic. In addition, the shopper habits survey showed respondents give a preference to local businesses, but spend money on grocery and food. Businesses need to offer a variety of options for buying products, including pickup, delivery, and dining options. Safety is more important than convenience and price. Last, shoppers rely on social media and electronic communications to receive information about the business. Staff will also share the survey information with businesses to help them retool operations in order to better serve customers. Last, the action plan identifies guiding principles and recommendations to support small businesses. The principles are based upon the business needs assessments and are used to evaluate potential recommendations. Small businesses continue to struggle as the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the operations and the sense of urgency has not gone away. The recommendations are divided into 2 sections. Priority one with immediate implementation to provide the greatest return to building resiliency. And priority number 2 are additional implementation to provide additional solutions to the 1st set of recommendations. And so I will go through both sets of recommendations, beginning with priority number one, which focuses on these 4 items. The 1st one is developing a shop local program with a website directory featuring small businesses. Create an inter-partamental small business action team to regularly work with small businesses on challenges, issues, and opportunities. Three, create a small business electronic newsletter that can be emailed to the city's small businesses. And for modifying the city's small business resiliency program to help businesses build stronger, long-term resiliency. The cost to implement these items has been appropriate as part of the fiscal year 2021 budget and staff estimates the implementation costs will be 66,000. And moving on to the 2nd set of priorities, which focuses on recommendations that can build upon what we just discussed. Um, the 5th one is to provide information about grants through the newsletter and online through the economic development website. Promote digital tools and resources to improve business operations. Provide updated information about county and state health orders. 8 providing a expanding upon the shop local campaign, but a shop local shop safe to show to the community that businesses are safe to patronize. Number 9, businesses, um, providing an opportunity for businesses to bulk purchase personal protection, equipment, other supplies needed by small businesses, and 10, helping employer employees assure their their staff that the, their work environment is safe, and it's, and they have their resources to to stay safe. And so shown before you is a recap of all of the recommendations, but what you see in blue are the key findings from the small business survey and in green are the recommendations so that we are aligned with what the businesses need. And in addition, these are the, what you see in green are the tools that we just discussed to leverage the shopper habits, which is the, in the blue, are the findings from that. The action plant also identifies partnerships with the Chamber of Commerce, downtown business association, downtown committee, noble workforce development, property owners, and major mountain view companies. Currently, the chamber will be leading and funding the launch of the shop local webpace director, and Google has launched a grant to support Latine Latin X businesses, along with tools and resources to help businesses. Following council direction and recommendation to adopt the small business action plan, Staff will finalize the plan and begin implementation. This concludes staff presentation. Thank you.

[03:25:38] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. Are there any questions from council members? That's Robert McAllister.

[03:25:46] Councilmember John McAlister: Yeah, I, uh, Could you, the, I was a little, uh, interested in the context of this. It sounded like this was a, uh, from all the action items, this was more of a short term, uh, response, not, nothing in a long term response. Is that how I should read this report?

[03:26:06] Staff Presenter: Council member McAllister, you're right. Um, we decided to pivot and create an action plan to address the immediate need of businesses and to help them work through the COVID crisis because of the existential threat that the health orders had and the and the pandemic has had on them. Um, and um, I hope that answers your question.

[03:26:30] Councilmember John McAlister: Yeah, it did. Thank you.

[03:26:32] Unknown Speaker: So it was interesting, um, That the group feel that wages. Wasn't a pie on their priority list, and I wonder why the minimum wage wasn't brought up.

[03:26:47] Staff Presenter: Um, I know that the consultant, um, Leslie Parks, um, is here, um, I, um, and maybe can respond.

[03:26:59] Consultant Leslie Parks: Yes, thank you. Um, We did a number of uh, uh, tool, we used a number of tools for outreach. The primary tool was the business survey, and it was not raised as one of the priority challenges. among the responses. We also did a number of focus groups, and in going back over the notes I had from those meetings. Uh, it was not highlighted. The minimum, the minimum wage was not highlighted as a primary concern.

[03:27:27] Unknown Speaker: Well, was it a question or it just didn't come up? Did you ask the question?

[03:27:32] Consultant Leslie Parks: It didn't it just didn't come up. We gave, we asked the question of what they thought the, what the businesses thought their primary, primary challenges were. Uh, it was um, and there were there were options, but most of the time, most for most of that response. It was left open-ended for them. And I also went back and looked at previous surveys, previous survey that was done by the city. And I also looked at other surveys that were conducted in other communities in California just to see if there was a thread. Um, and some, uh, you know, uh, synergy amongst those responses. But for our area, the region that was not raised.

[03:28:11] Unknown Speaker: Okay, thank you.

[03:28:14] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: I can't remember. Oh, I'm sorry, by, we'll go to vice mayor?

[03:28:20] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Great, thank you. Um, so I wanted to follow up on the council questions about, um, you know, uh, reaching out in in different languages. And so I know that, um, English was the, uh, language we, uh, a choice that we use for the outreach, and that that was mostly via email. Um, I, and I think the dovetails into the, the other question about minority on women known and veterinarian businesses in Mountain View. Um, I know that in other communities, there's been some some focus and, um, mischief presentation talked about focusing on the Latinx community. Um, what was the discussion? Um, with the other, with the other, um, kind of communities mentioned, um, in, in these questions other than just the, the Latino population of small business owners. What was the thought process there, I guess?

[03:29:20] Consultant Leslie Parks: Well, I think when we when we distributed the survey here in Mountain View. Um, it was conduct, it was distributed in English. Um, I don't think we had an um, um, the ability to distribute a survey in different languages in another community in the local area that I work in. They have a specific list of Latinx businesses. Um, I think most communities probably need to ramp up more in terms of their language capability, but, um, and it's interesting to contrast because I know there was a question about the minority owned businesses and I looked at, uh, some census data, which is not the most current data. But it's interesting that just in comparing Redwood City and Mountain View, which have comparable populations. They have a reverse in terms of the, uh, ethnic populations. In Redwood City, there are more Latinex, um, population. Um, whereas in Mountain View is exactly the opposite. There's a stronger Asian community. It's almost a reversal of the percentages. So it is possible to do, I think, uh, going forward to distribute another survey out to a specific community, but that would require translation into that language. Um, and I think we'd have to get, I'd have to get some direction as to which, uh, communities, um, the city wanted to target, you know, Asian, Latinx. Uh, those are the 2 primary uh, group components.

[03:30:51] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Okay, great. Thank you. I think that's just helpful when evaluating the data and perhaps I'll wait until the comment part portion, um, since we're still in the questions. And then, um, I had a question about business districts. So I know in certain communities. Um, you know, much larger, for example, like in the city of San Jose, they have different business districts and different areas. I think some of the questions I'm submitted via, uh, the council questions talk about, you know, uh, there being a focus on Castro Street and downtown, but how do we more holistically include all our small business owners? Um, I don't know if you have any thoughts to share with us in your experience on how those were created because some of those can kind of generate some funding mechanisms if they are put into a district and.

[03:31:41] Staff Presenter: We do plan to expand and focus on city wide businesses. Part of the thought process with the 1st recommendation is we can craft a web directory that creates business districts that do not exist, for example, around San Antonio, El Camino. Um, so that we can highlight businesses outside the downtown.

[03:32:04] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Okay. And then, um, you know, What? Given the, the, the, the pandemic and, and the struggle that small businesses are already in, in terms of, I know that, there's been discussion about what free resources the city can provide and how robust we can be in, in how we do that. Um, You know, is there a thought process on, um, you know, as we're moving through the different tiers of reopening, how we may be able to continue to provide the different resources?

[03:32:43] Staff Presenter: Um, Uh, vice mayor. I think the idea was to look at partnerships. For example, on digital tools. We would, we could partner and and learn from not just our neighbors, but also with, uh, companies in the area who have the tools, and then use our website and our electronic newsletter, um, and and links to various, um, uh, seminars or the ability to, uh, to learn more. For example, Google, um, um, has a new partnership opportunity that's reaching out to Latinx businesses. So, those are examples of how we can become kind of a repository and a source for that consistent set of new information. Um, and then we can become the link uh, to other resources.

[03:33:38] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: And what has the thought process been in terms of uh, providing these free resources, but I would say small businesses vary in the type of technologies that they have, um, as well as the the access to being able to, um, have the time to, to allocate to that, and just curious about.

[03:34:02] Staff Presenter: At the preliminary level, we saw that shop local campaign as kind of creating an online platform for businesses, because what it does is it's got this light touch of even allowing customers to go to that website and purchase actual items from that business. So a business itself doesn't have to have a very strong online presence of their own. So it covers, um, at least that basic ground. Beyond that, if businesses need help to set up their website, we could link them to digital tools. But that's what attracted us to that shop local campaign. Um, and the resource that we're recommending because it at least provides a digital platform for all of our businesses and allows us to showcase them. So that's kind of like the 1st step, and then we can, we can sort of get them into deeper levels as they have resources available to, to, um, get deeper into them. Um, and and then again, I think this is part of the implementation, uh, which is we have to go out and look at best practices and look at the best ways to connect them. Um, to training um, so that they don't spend a ton of time. Uh, uh, trying to create a digital or an online presence.

[03:35:21] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: And as we are taking on the shop local and bringing that online, sometimes there can be a percentage that needs to go towards the platform that's being used or the, you know, whatever financial institution. And so what's been the, the thought process on, on, on that.

[03:35:42] Staff Presenter: Um, we, I think we need to do more research on the, on the, uh, payment system. But, um, I, I think there is a fee per, um, uh, which the city's covering, uh, to create that online platform, and so the city would cover the fee. Yeah, the business itself won't, and the chambers are actually agreed to, to do the legwork on that. Um, uh, so the city would be covering that initial fee. And then we can look at an ongoing resource. Um, an ongoing way to, to maintain that.

[03:36:19] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Okay. Miss Parks, I see you.

[03:36:22] Consultant Leslie Parks: Yeah, council mayor, if I may, uh, vice mayor, excuse me. Um, this particular platform that um, was brought to my attention that I discovered, and we've had uh, conversations uh, with the chamber about this. They're very excited about this web-based directory. That was one of the priorities in their marketing proposal, a marketing plan. Um, The really strong advantage of this web-based directory is one that's very user friendly. So it's very easy for the businesses to load information and get their presence in this web directory. The 2nd advantage is, it is probably one of the most cost effective uh, web tools I've seen. The initial startup fee is very affordable. It's $5000 and then the company, the creative company, that manages the platform charges a license per month based on the number of businesses. that participate. If there are 900 or more businesses, the cost would be $1200 a month for the licensing fee. The chamber has funds and they feel that they can underwrite in part the cost of this and going forward, they feel confident that they can get sponsors to help them sustain it. Many of the tools, um, many of the recommendations, by the way, that um, were recommended, are not just really short term or midterm, but they are sustainable for the longer term. These are tools that will support businesses going forward through the recovery, and then after that, because as we all know, small businesses, they are the backbone of the economy, but they struggle the most too, and they're often the most at risk.

[03:38:02] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Right. Thank you so much. I appreciate you saying how it can address both the short term and the long and kind of seeing the vision. I think is really helpful as we're considering the plan tonight. Thank you.

[03:38:17] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you, Counselor, Amanda, check.

[03:38:20] Councilmember Lisa Matichak: Thank you. So some of my questions have been asked. I did want to learn more about this platform. Um, I'm happy to hear that is one where you can do transactions. But I want to follow up on the vice mayor's question. So the city would be paying the transaction fee, that like the payment processing fee.

[03:38:43] Unknown Speaker: I have to, um, when we initially started this, we were looking at the city covering and part of our fiscal impact did include that. But very recently, and Leslie corrected me. Uh, the chamber agreed to partner and use the funds they had received, at least for that 1st year from Google, uh, to use the money to create that platform. Um, and then on, um, we will, and they will look for sponsors to create an ongoing funding source. Um, and in the amount of, uh, Leslie, did you say it was about 10,000, uh, the initiation fee for the platform, and to get technical assistance, and they'll help, help the chamber set it up as 5000, and then there's a licensing, licensing fee, uh, based on the number of businesses that participate.

[03:39:36] Councilmember Alison Hicks: So I think in, sorry, I don't mean to interrupt, but in my mind, there's a difference between the setup fees and the maintenance and all that stuff of creating the website and, um, getting the businesses on the platform. And then there's, if somebody does a transaction and they use a credit card, a payment processing fee, one%, 2%, 3%.

[03:39:57] Leslie: Well, that's all that would only be the normal processing fee charged. If someone does a credit card transaction, The company, the creative company, that supports the platform does not get any commission or percentage or part of any transaction fee. There's no transaction fee charged by them.

[03:40:16] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Okay, and the city isn't charged any either.

[03:40:18] Leslie: Their business would pay the fee.

[03:40:20] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Okay, that's what I wanted to clarify.

[03:40:22] Unknown Speaker: And the customer and the business.

[03:40:24] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Okay. Um, and then, um, I did check out the, um, examples that were sent to us, and I thought they were great. Um, I was wondering, though, if you have any data on their effectiveness, and I'm not quite sure how that would be measured, but is it, you know, number of kids, um, increase in the business, uh, the businesses that are on the website. Do we have any data on that?

[03:40:55] Leslie: Um, I, this is a relatively new uh, web platform, uh, that this company created. I originally started for the community of Ballard, which is in the Seattle area. And it was so popular that it has now been adopted and used by different neighborhoods in Seattle. Now the city of Bend is going to use it, the city downtown Chico. So they're really branching out. I can request, ask them, but I'm concerned that there might not be enough time that has passed, you know, to find data, but those would be the measures I would look to use as we go forward within a year's time to take a look at how many hits, transactions, to the individual businesses actually realize and increase in their customer base and new sales. I think all of that can be tracked fairly easily. But those are the measures we'd be looking to monitor.

[03:41:52] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Okay. Um. Let's see. I mean that is it. Thank you.

[03:42:00] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you, Counselor Hicks. So I have, I have 2 quick questions. The 1st I'll stick to the the, um, online platform. So how does this work? One of the things that I've, that I know a lot of my neighbors have, have wished that they had. They tend to, there's something you want that you haven't been able to find, say, uh, white birthday candles. I've been having problems. Would it work in the same way as when you look on Amazon? You know, I can buy it from Amazon or from any number of smaller vendors that list there. Would I be able to ask a general question on this, you know, so in Mountain View, is anybody selling white birthday candles? Or do you know, do I have to go to a, which would be very helpful actually? Or do I have to go individually to each store and see whether they're selling that particular item?

[03:42:57] Leslie: I would have to ask the creative company that I didn't see a feature, an option on the platform, uh, to do that kind of searching. It doesn't really function as comprehensively as Amazon. It's meant to showcase individual businesses, and it's meant to give them the chance to have transactions on the, on the website, and not necessarily have a website in order to facilitate that. They, the company has a, um, a tool where they can link the purchaser or the consumer with the business by email, uh, for the transaction if they don't have a, a website. But I don't believe, and Tiffany, you've looked at it too. I don't think I saw a searchable option that you could search for individual, something as specific as candles.

[03:43:50] Tiffany: You might be, you do have headers, subject headings where you can click on recreation, um, food and drink, uh, retail, uh, different types of merchandise, but I don't know if it gets that specific. The website does allow for search functions, though, so it, depending on what a business chooses to highlight, and that's something that we'll have to flesh out as as we develop this website, but they can list specific items.

[03:44:23] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Okay, but it sounds like in this, maybe in the next iteration, but in this iteration, you can't do a global search, where in Mountain View can I find this item or that item is what it sounds like. Anyway, that would be helpful. The 2nd...

[03:44:39] Tiffany: It's only if the business is in the directory.

[03:44:42] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Okay, so the business would, having that product would have to be participating as part of the directory. Okay. So, my 2nd question, I was curious about one of the items that you showed in your presentation, which was that, um, company, businesses were saying they were having trouble finding and retaining workers, this may link maybe to council member McAllister's question as well, maybe minimum wage has become moot because people are having trouble finding and retaining workers even at our current minimum. But I'm wondering if you can shed a little more light, whether they, whether the businesses had any more detail and why they were, why they thought they were having trouble finding and retaining workers. Because there's a lot of unemployment.

[03:45:31] Unknown Speaker: Initially, I think the, the, what was raised in amongst, but from the businesses and the focus groups interviews, um, was the comment, the comment several times that, um, they were having trouble rehiring workers, when workers were receiving the expanded employment, and unemployment benefits, the extra $600 a week, um, many workers were making more money staying at home. Then they would have made working reduced hours at a business. But that's gone away now. So I, I pursued it further, um, and had a lengthy conversation with the director of Nova, which is the federal workforce development program serving Mountain View and other cities, and she said the employers they are working with are having great difficulty hiring workers. Um, one, because, you know, there's, there's different factors. One. They offer them reduced hours. Um, But the main problem, she says, is that workers want to be assured. of safety when they come to work, that the work environment is safe. And so now, and she sent me that flyer as an example, um, now employers are promoting their safety, you know, what are their practices? Are they are they providing PPE, which is the personal protection equipment. This is what people want assurances from because they don't want to get sick on the job. So, um, I think that that, that's important, and if we can help businesses, you know, promote their, ensure that the workplace is safe, and then provide, uh, promotional information so that the employees or potential workers get this in advance, then it will be easier for them to hire people. Um, you know, I think no matter, it's been my experience, even in an economic downturn, it's hard to find good quality workers. It doesn't matter if the economy's up or the economy's down. Finding good workers, who are reliable, and who who are productive. It's an ongoing problem.

[03:47:37] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Okay, thank you. That's my Ramirez.

[03:47:42] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Thank you, Mayor, and I saw, um, uh, Mr. Peter Katz, and the attendees. I'm hoping we can promote him because I've had a couple of questions that I thought he might be able to help answer if that's okay. Um, the, uh, so 1st I wanted to, uh, I, I appreciate uh, the vice mayor delving into some of the language access issues. That's something I, um, also was, was interested in and, uh, Mr. Katz, if you wouldn't mind. Uh, I thought, I was really happy to see that, uh, I think it was 25% of businesses with a business license, um, in mountain your members of the chamber. I wanted to get a sense from you, um, you know, based on your, your, uh, your membership, uh, program, uh, how you conduct outreach to, you know, my minority owned businesses and businesses owned by, um, uh, you know, folks with limited or no English proficiency. So would you mind speaking to that?

[03:48:48] Peter Katz: Here you go. Sorry about that. Thank you. Thank you, council member Ramirez, and thank you to the council. I did have my hand raised simply because I wanted to re-emphasize everything that was said by Tiffany and by Leslie and we affirmed the fact that the chamber is truly on board with this program and that we've been working independently on a number of similar projects and to be able to bring it all together and to really pool our resources in a logical fashion and in a protracted direction. I think is really going to improve our effectiveness. And the capabilities that we can offer. Um, I also want to, want to stress that, um, we have, we have also had conversations with, um, the, the, platform, uh, folks and, uh, the fact that there is no transaction fee, it means that the burden that is on the members on the, uh, businesses that would join is minimal. And that's really what we're looking at is how can we get as many folks engaged as quickly as possible with as little resistance as possible? The other thing that I just wanted to share very quickly is outreach and it. And in part, answers, counts Ramirez's question, which is that we do have an outreach program where we are, where walking the streets, we're calling. We are sending out regular messages and so on to and using our marketing resources to reach out to as many of the members as possible to let them know that we have. We are committed to actually providing them with training, what they need, with handholding, if they need it in terms of getting on online and getting on board and using the tools because we all know that the tools are great, but if you don't have the time and expertise to actually take advantage of them, they're kind of useless. Um, we do not have right now any of our materials translated into Spanish. We would like to look at doing that, but of course, Spanish is only one of many languages that are spoken in Mountain View. And so we may need to look at some additional resources to provide that. We also are working with the various chambers, local regionally, the Black Chamber, the Hispanic Chamber, and others in terms of how do we increase our outreach. We're working with the faith organizations as well because a lot of the businesses tend to get, and a lot of the community tend to get their information from those sources.

[03:51:24] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Thank you. I'm really pleased to hear that. Just a quick follow-up question. I was also interested when I saw in the responses to, uh, written questions from council that, uh, if, if, if memory service, the, the preferred method of communication, uh, from business, is, no, English proficiency was, your text message, and I'm wondering if, uh, if you are, its staff or the chamber, are looking at, you know, methods of communication beyond just, you know, email blast and that kind of thing, which can be effective with a certain group, but I'm not always with with everybody.

[03:52:04] Unknown Speaker: Sorry, Peter. Didn't mean to interrupt you. I just wanted to say that we do plan to work with both our communications, division, the CMO's office, as well as our, um, multilingual, um, lingual outreach, um, of folks to try to tailor messages that would best fit each, each community's preference. Um, and then Peter, uh, please please go ahead.

[03:52:31] Peter Katz: Um, you took the words out of my mouth. Thank you very much. And I want to stress too, but we've been working very closely with the city's communications team. They've been very, very good about supporting, um, we've been really trying to support each other's messages and try to get them out in as many ways as possible and through as many vehicles as possible, because that's also the key too, is it's not just the technology, it's also the fact that our mailing list is different than the downtown associations mailing list, which is different than the city's mailing list and so on. So we really have to come out in a multi-tieered approach.

[03:53:05] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Great. I'm pleased to hear that. It sounds like this is going to be part of an iterative process and we're going to, you know, sort of continuously improve, uh, you know, the various media and platforms to to accommodate the business community in whatever way makes sense. So that's, that's very encouraging. Um, the only other sort of set of questions that have relate to the, the, the scope of this work is, is limited and short term, which I totally appreciate. There's there's urgency in addressing these concerns. Um, but there were also a lot of other, I think, interesting ideas that were in the, um, the responses from staff. Um, and I, particular, this will probably be no surprise to my colleagues, but I have a particular interest in, in land use, and looking at, you know, interesting ways of supporting our business community. Um, and don't want that to get lost. So, uh, can staff, uh, comment on what, what, what are sort of the next phases? You know, will you continue to check in with council and keep our ideas or are you going to work with the business community, business community and come back with, here are a set of regulations that we can change, you know, based on, you know, feedback from from the chamber and from business owners? Yeah, what, what, how, I don't want the work end here. What are the next steps?

[03:54:26] Unknown Speaker: So we do have our eye on the strategy in general. Um, uh, I think the COVID crisis has required us to pause and do some quick work to help businesses. And what we hope to do as part of this continuous information gathering is to try to understand how businesses are emerging, emerging, developing resiliency, and how are businesses gonna need additional resources moving forward? What is the nature of this change? Uh so that we could be better equipped to handle the strategy. Um, and so that's essentially what we want to be able to do, just watch and collect information and help as needed for the next few months. Um, um, I also wanted to add, um, we still haven't staffed up in the economic development division, and we want to make sure we have the staffing to move forward. We're currently doing 2 additional, um, uh, endeavors, including the downtown parking strategy as well as the visual arts and, um, you know, they're, they're all on our radar, but, um, I think we'll focus on the strategy as, as soon as we're staffed up and we have a better sense of where businesses are going and what they need. So land use is definitely something we'll be looking at. Moving forward.

[03:55:48] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: I'm very pleased to hear that.

[03:55:50] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: you. Any other questions from council members? Yes, Council member Hicks.

[03:55:57] Councilmember Alison Hicks: I have, I have one question, follow up on the last comments. What, what in particular do you mean by um, by land use? Can you name a couple of things that you're thinking of? Is that the council member Ramirez?

[03:56:13] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Yes, um yeah, it could be. Um, sure. So 11 of the things I've been very interested in. I mentioned the uh, the California street market in in my questions, uh, in part because I, I think, you know, I, I asked about commercial rents and, and whether that was a concern, that, that's, that's not going to be a concern for folks who are able to operate out of properties that they own. And uh, what's interesting about things like the California street market is, you know, we're, we're allowing business operations in a, in a, in a manner that's respectful to neighboring, um, you know, residences, but in an area where ordinarily we wouldn't have a business operator. Um, and I, I'm very interested in exploring those kinds of solutions for businesses that maybe can't afford commercial rents over in, you know, Merlin Dyer phase one or something, but, you know, might be able to operate in a property, you know, somewhere along California Street and what is, you know, uh, something zoned R3 or whatever. Uh, and I think there's, there's probably going to be a lot of work associated with making sure that you're not having impacts associated with that kind of business use, but I, I like the idea, or at least, in my head, it seems like a good idea to expand opportunities for business owners to utilize properties that currently they're, they're otherwise prohibited from using.

[03:57:37] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Okay, great. Thank you. Now I have a clearer picture of what you're talking about.

[03:57:42] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Hey, Mayor. Great, thanks. Sorry, I just had a question that I forgot to ask earlier, which was about the, um, the city small business resiliency loans and grants that we've been giving out. So I know that we had, um, allocated an amount and then we were looking into um, providing more grants. And so I was just wondering, um, you know, reflecting on, um, recommendation number 4 If we were going to access those funds and continue that the grant program. Is that was that the thought processor?

[03:58:17] Unknown Speaker: That, uh, the vice mayor, yes. The goal is to take another look at the program and see if you can tailor it better to some of the things we've heard. Uh, and that means, uh, is it alone? Is it a grant? What's the best way? What is the amount we want to give? Um, and we'll, we will keep the council, uh, informed of the changes and how we've tailored this program. Because,

[03:58:42] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: thank you. Any other questions? I did want to follow up on that. When we set up the small business resiliency program, we were told, um, I think it was through, through the foundation that, um, Salto's Community Foundation that, The, um, loan allowed for more flexibility of uses. Um, but I know that we've all heard other cities has started then doing grants. Um, is it a, do you know, is it an issue of where the source of funding is or, um, is it some tax implications? Do you have a sense of what that differences between a loan and a?

[03:59:26] Unknown Speaker: Um, a mayor. I remember us talking about it, but I can't remember the details off the top of our head. I think maybe the city manager remembers.

[03:59:37] City Manager Kimbra McCarthy: Thank you, mayor. Yeah, so when we originally contemplated this program, Um, we did set out with the hopes that this would be a grant program. So, um, just to remind everyone, half of the funding for this program did come from private uh, donations. So, um, 400,000 came from Google, 100,000 came from LinkedIn, and the other 500,000 came from the city. So, in order to get their private donations. That was through the Los Altos community foundation who we partnered with on this program. Um, there were specific, um, questions that they had that they had to run through their legal, um, folks to which we were initially advised, um, by the foundations folks that, um, as RT said. Businesses would have not had the flexibility to provide payroll or other certain provisions. In the, I guess, in the money coming through the foundation. So we had to set this up as a micro loan for that reason. So, um, we have explored, you know, other ways of doing this and I think that's still on the table. Also, the other piece of it is that, um, it also came down to capacity. So this was a $1000000 program. And as we've noted, um, you know, Tiffany is one employee and we had other staff that were helping with this effort, but it was just a significant workload. So in order to take in what we thought was going to be an overwhelming demand for grants, we partnered with Main Street launch to do it. So that's kind of how it started out, but I do think we can still explore our other options.

[04:01:27] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you for that, um, recap. I forgot how things worked out. Um, but the other piece, or the other question, or confirmation is, um, the loans are, can be forgivable, is that right? Uh, at some point.

[04:01:44] City Manager Kimbra McCarthy: Yes, mayor, that is that is accurate, and also a reminder, these are 0% interest. And they did not have to be paid back, I think, until starting 6 months after the loan was even dispersed to them, over a 3 year time period. Um, and as you mentioned, could also be forgivable. So. And then the other piece. A maximum flexibility. For our small businesses.

[04:02:07] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: And then the other piece I remember was that was attractive was if they were paid back, then we have revolving funding to continue the program.

[04:02:16] City Manager Kimbra McCarthy: Yes, that's that's accurate.

[04:02:19] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. Any other questions? All right, then I will open this up for public comment. Any other members of the public wishing to speak on this item up here in the attendee box, please. Hit your blue, raise hand button at the bottom. I don't see anyone. Is there anyone on the phone, city clerk?

[04:02:41] City Clerk: Come here.

[04:02:42] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: All right, then I will close public comment and bring it back to council for deliberation and emotion councilman Ramirez.

[04:02:51] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Thank you, mayor. I'm going to go ahead and move the staff recommendation. I think it's a great starting point. Uh, it responds, uh, to the urgent need for the city's, um, uh, participation, uh, uh, in assistance, I think, for the small business community. I'm grateful for all the partnerships that we, um, we've, uh, made, uh, in sort of working on the strategy and and this 1st phase of action. Um, I wanna, uh, I guess, reiterate what the mayor had suggested earlier when we were talking about anti-displacement and that, you know, the long term solution for a lot of the challenges that we're, we're facing, you know, involved, involves getting people back to work. You know, fundamentally, that's the only way, we, we just can't generate enough money for, you know, rent release in perpetuity and, uh, and we're not going to be able to, um, you know, to, to, Find long term solutions that don't involve economic development. So I think this is, this is essential in uh, getting us on, you know, background track. Uh, and I think, you know, this is, uh, if there isn't a better demonstration of the city moving quickly, then I don't know what is. Uh, so I'm grateful for everything that you're, you're doing and um, you know, looking, looking forward to, uh, to, uh, supporting the, the strategy when it comes back to us.

[04:04:13] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Great, thank you. Uh, Counselor, I'm at a check.

[04:04:16] Councilmember Lisa Matichak: I will 2nd the motion, um, and I just want to add that, um, I was pleased to see how many different items are in this plan, um, and, um, when I ask the question about the timing, um, it was good to hear that a lot of these are going to happen sort of in parallel, and they don't all take, uh, the length of time. It's just that they're going to happen within that time. And, um, I'd like to make sure we're prioritizing the ones that um, provide financial relief to our small businesses. And, um, there were quite a few listed there. But certainly if this is a grant or a loan, and I'm hoping it's a grant, um, but also looking at the fee reductions or the forgiveness or the deferral of fees. Um, I feel like it's really important to focus on the financial aspects at the moment. And I'm really pleased to hear about this, um, shop local shop safe and the platform. Um, the more I heard about it, the more excited I am about it. So, um, I think this is great, and as council member Romero said, I appreciate staff, pulling this together, and coming up with things we can do immediately. Um, and on in such a short time frame. So thank you.

[04:05:37] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you, Counselor McAllister.

[04:05:40] Councilmember John McAlister: Yeah, I just wanted to point out to a council member. That you can go down to Basco Roblins at 1249 West El Camino and get those white candles. We have those. We have pink candles. We have also, so, uh, it's available to you and to the general public. So thank you. Um, I, uh, Now that now to get serious for a 2nd. I'm able to be there because I was able to get PPP money. Um, my business has been, I am a sole proprietor. I am a small businessman. This information that you came out to me is very pertinent and timely, uh, because I can, uh, relate to everything that was said and done in this, uh, talked about tonight. But I wanted to bring up some items that I usually bring up and I I'm talking from experience, firsthand experience. And that was, I was surprised that minimum wage didn't come up. Because people say, oh, well, no one can get anybody. Well, the 1st job. Think about people's 1st job at Baskin Robbins is one of those places where people, young people come in to get their 1st job. And am I going to pay money? Do I need to pay extra money? No, these these young adults come to me. To get that because they know they can get experience, they can have some fun. And it does affect what we're doing. I can tell you firsthand is that in March and April, I cut hours. And you guys say, oh, well, you know, and I had to do that because of payroll. Um, it were coincided with sales, but I had to cut payroll because we just weren't generating the funds. And I still had vendors to pay. I still had rent to pay. I still have supplies to pay. And so it was important that when people say, oh, well, they'll still come. That's reality, hours are cut. Now, also, I noticed that in the, And to uh, Leslie's point, it's tough getting good people, even young kids, they, uh, It's it's really tough to get employees. So in the 1st paragraph, the small businesses create 2 thirds of new jobs. And nearly half of the private off sector employees. Earlier, the mayor was mentioning about we need to have jobs. Well, If you don't have a job, it doesn't, there's no one to hire. And if you don't have the businesses that are sustainable or being able to, to survive, it doesn't matter if you pay them a living wage or not because there's no jobs because there's no businesses. So one goes without the other. So, when you go future into this, this, um, discussion of minimum wage or any kind of a requirement on a small business, you are affecting their livelihood and their existence. And when you say, well, we're going to do this and this. Businesses are gonna go away and then all of a sudden, oops, there's no jobs in the area. Whose fault is it? Those people that put on many restrictions. So please consider that going down the road. And a lot of this happened before COVID-19. If you drive down El Camino, East of Castro. You will see entire blocks of vacant buildings. And a lot of them occurred before COVID-19. And I'm saying, some of card after. But there is a whole strip of businesses closed up, and a lot of them cost rents were too high. Labor was too high. You know, it could also be Amazon and then the big soup. There's more to it than just going, oops. Nope, we'll just raise and And we won't worry about how the business is really going to survive. So, I'm gonna, you know, I support this action plan. I think it's great. I agree with uh, Councilman or Manachek, grants are good. Where do I apply? And then, um, It's, it's something that you guys got to consider that without the businesses, There are no jobs. Chicken of the egg. Pay more, no jobs. Or you'd pay with, so, you guys think about that. So, that's it. Thanks for here.

[04:09:59] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Great. Thank you.

[04:10:01] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Um, so, uh, I'll be supporting the plan as well, and I just wanted to include just some, some comments of where I'd like to see it go, which is, um, I would like to see, um, translation available. I think not only would it be useful to the business, the business owners, but also the diversity of their employees. Uh, I'm really encouraged by the partnership with the, um, the city and the chamber. It's great to hear that we're working collaboratively. We're basically, we all know, the economy has changed at every level. And so these collaborations and partnerships are really critical. Um, to being able to see, um, an ice cream scape at the end of the tunnel. And uh, I, um, I also, uh, feel like that, that as we are moving through the different uh, colored tiers, having those translations available will also be really critical. I think there's a lot of information. There's a lot of things changing. Nearly every meeting. Our city managers coming forward to update us on where we are in the county and to make employees feel safe and to make business owners feel safe in bringing employees to work, I think it's really important to have that information out and available. So I just want to do, um, one more plug and then, um, I really be interested in maybe at some point looking into informal districts within the city. We have varying different communities and little business parks tucked all the way throughout our city. And it would really be great for us to find a way to, um, promote them as well. Um, I love walking downtown, but there's also other places within the Lisbon area that I'm able to walk to and frequent that are small businesses that could really use more information about the items and services they supply as well. So I think it's kind of how do we look holistically in the entire city. Um, and so that's like where I'd like to go when staff resources and are available and we can move in that direction. Thank you.

[04:12:13] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you, counselor Hicks. I will be supporting the motion as well and just a couple comments. First, I want to, um, uh, 2nd what the vice mayor just said about, um, about districts around the city. I think in our general plan, our general plan envisions, uh, village centers. So maybe that's what they are making sure that those get developed over time. It also, I think, links to some of our sustainability planning. There a lot of talk. In different cities. I think the mayor of Paris is promoting this a lot, particularly is the idea of the 15 minute city where you can walk 15 minutes to get almost anything you want, you know, your coffee, your, your candles. I will be visiting your place later this week. Council member McAllister. But, um, but I think that that's something that as this, as COVID hopefully lets up that we should be aiming for, uh, making sure that everybody in the city can can walk rather than drive to do daily errands. Um, I also would like in our, uh, in our, uh, COVID updates from the city manager, I would like to continue to hear reporting back on this because on how this is working as we implement it because I think as other council members have said, um, the jobs component is important, and then I think just for people living in our city, uh, one of the reasons you live in an urban places so that you can, you can go to small businesses and restaurants. So I think it's important to us for all of those reasons. I mean, there are public life. And I think we want to continue to have a public like, and of course have jobs as well. Um, let's see if I, and the one, the one other thing that I, maybe I should have made a question, but I'll make it a comment is I'm concerned about how, uh, the open businesses on Castro Street function as the weather changes. Um, and I, anything that can be done for that. I hope that can be a component as well, whether it's, um, more uh, tempting, I think there are some kinds of tents that are allowed under COVID, more open tents, some sort of holiday atmosphere with lighting, maybe, um, I guess we're not allowed to have musical performances, but a lot of my neighbors have said they really like to come from music downset town. So even if it's taped music or whatever. I would like to hear updating on that and I would like that to be incorporated into what we roll out. So, thank you.

[04:15:04] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Anyone else look, comments? Um, I would just add that, yes, I will be supporting this. Thank you. The staff for the, um, very informative, uh, staff report with the data. Thank you, Ms. Parks for, um, your work, I actually heard many good, um, positive feedback from our business owners who were interviewed by you. So, um, I appreciate your work on this. Um, I think it's, uh, um, I appreciate the items listed. Um, it's very, uh, it's, it reflects what I heard when, um, we went into sheltering and I actually started getting phone calls and emails from mostly our downtown businesses. And, um, and then I had folks calling me, suggesting, well, why don't you start a, like, uh, you know, consolidated gift card online website, so you could buy gift cards from any of the restaurants downtown and that was beyond my capacity. So, um, I know we've talked to the chamber and the downtown business association, and I appreciate their partnership in this, and I know there's a lot more folks who are, um, experts at doing things like that, but that was one thing that I really, um, it came, uh, that came clear to me was the need for more marketing, um, assistance, and that when you're a small business, you're just so busy trying to run your business that you often don't have time to. work on marketing and advertising and or the funds to do that. And so that seemed um, like a real need that I think the shop locals and shop safe program could fill. Um, so I I do appreciate that. Um, I am also interested in, as mentioned, the longer term items as, um, I, I talked with the business folks, mostly the downtown, um, businesses, the issues about, um, just some of the, the, regulations that we have and that have been on the books for decades that may just not be, um, as relevant anymore and allowing for more flexibility in terms of space use and and whatnot and fees and so forth. I think would be, um, what is something that I really would like for us to delve into. Down the road. Um, and, um, you know, my, oh, I wanted to mention, um, the issue of, uh, information, that was something too, that I heard, I participate in the call center, um, and I did get folks saying, business owners saying that it's, and it is, it's hard to keep track of these, change ever changing um, information in orders from the county. And so doing a someplace a central location for that, it would be very helpful. Um, I also, I, I'm hoping staff was contacted, but I was contacted over the weekend by, um, some county folks who said they'll be out on Thursday with the promontorial program where they'll be going door to door to, um, and they wanted to look for the more diverse mom and child, pop shops to be able to talk with them one on one to provide the information, the, the county orders. So, um, I appreciate the county for coming out to do that and I hope we can continue to partner with with the county. So, we get that information to our businesses as soon as possible. And, um, but, you know, I, I, I can't, I can't let this opportunity go to, to counter counter counter counselor McAllister's comments about, uh, the weight minimum wage and wages and, um, you know, frankly, I think the survey, the shopper survey to me showed that, um, and, you know, this is different in every community, but I appreciate, and this is what I've heard from our residents that they do want to support local. They want to support their businesses and that they are willing to pay a little bit more, um, and they appreciate, um, the employees and, you know, and you'll see and you see that, um, oftentimes they, they tip a little bit more, especially right now. And so, as I was reading. It's not so much about costs, but about preference and safety. And so, um, to me, it just showed that, I don't think the minimum wage is what's um, really hurting folks. And if anything, I've heard from business owners, it is the rents, the rents that are that are the hardest for them to afford to pay. So, you know, I've always said, I don't want to. I would not want us to encourage skimping on wages that help people pay their bills, um, so that, um, the business, you know, business can pay the other bills and and not pay their workers well. So, I, um, I'm going to have to counter that counselor McAllister says. So, um, with that, I think if we are done with comments, we will go ahead and take a roll call vote. I believe it was a motion by council member Ramirez and 2nded by council member back check. Thank you.

[04:20:10] City Clerk: Thank you. Council member Clark.

[04:20:12] Councilmember Chris Clark: Yes.

[04:20:13] City Clerk: Council member Hicks.

[04:20:15] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Yes,

[04:20:15] City Clerk: council member Mattachek.

[04:20:17] Councilmember Lisa Matichak: Yes.

[04:20:18] City Clerk: Council member McAllister.

[04:20:20] Councilmember John McAlister: Yes.

[04:20:21] City Clerk: Council member Ramirez.

[04:20:23] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Yes.

[04:20:24] City Clerk: Vice Mayor Kameh.

[04:20:25] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Yes.

[04:20:26] City Clerk: May I be Kokai?

[04:20:28] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Hi. Thank you. Thank you. Motion carry 70 with no extensions. Thank you very much to staff. Thank you, Ms. Parks. Nice to meet you. Uh, when you go now, move on to item. 8.2. Don't mind indulging. I think we can finish this up, hopefully, quickly. Uh, so we have a compensation for city attorney, city clerk and city manager and our presentation is by the vice mayor and committee.

[04:20:59] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Great. Thank you. So I just have a brief verbal presentation. So each year, the city council reviews, the performance and compensation for our 3 city officials, appointed by council that includes the city attorney, the city clerk, and the city manager. As the vice mayor. I oversaw this process. The council met with each appointee and we reviewed their accomplishments. Castle expressed our appreciation for the appointee's performance and determined that compensation adjustments were warranted. And in recognition of the city's budget constraints. The city council authorized providing a cost of living. adjustment equal to that provided to under what unrepresented managers and department heads with no merit or equity adjustments proposed at this time. Disrespect, this reflects the council's interest to be fiscally conservative in this time of economic uncertainty. And government code section 54953 requires that the city council to or we report a summary of recommendations for final action on the salary, salary schedule or compensation paid in the form of fringe benefits of a local agency executive during the open meeting in which the final action is to take place. To satisfy this requirement, I'm providing this verbal report, as well as the written one, the staff report, of the recommended adjustments for the city attorney, city clerk and city manager. And those items are a 3% cost of living increase and a one time contribution of 40 leave hours for fiscal year 2021. The one time leave hours of 40 hours must be used by pay period 2 or 2021, or any balance will be cashed out in the same pay period. The cost of living increase adjustment will be retroactive to June 28, 2020, as it was for other unrepresented employees. In addition, the council authorizes modifying the terms of the loan to the council policy D slash 13. Mountain View employee, home buyer, and relocation assistance program. To provide a loan for the city manager, up to the median home price in Mountain View, to assist with purchasing a home in the city of Mountain View. And that concludes my presentation.

[04:23:20] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you, vice mayor. Are there any questions by council members? I don't see any? I will then open this up to public comment. Any members of the public wishing to speak. If you are in the attendee box, please raise your blue hand, and if you are on the phone, please press star 9. You don't see any blue hands? Are there any colors?

[04:23:45] City Clerk: Yeah, there.

[04:23:46] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you. All right, then I will close public comment and bring it back to council for deliberation and emotion. Would you like to make the motion nice mayor? Is this your item? Oh, actually, I see. Council required.

[04:24:06] Councilmember Chris Clark: Ever since I was, with great thanks to the vice mayor for the, for the work on, um, on wrapping this up, um, expeditiously, especially during a, the pandemic and everything else that's going on and, and obviously with great thanks to our appointees for all the work that they've done. Um, to get us to this point in a, in an extremely unusual, um, circumstance, uh, highway unusual circumstances. Um, um, especially our varsity manager who, um, probably had certainly had no idea what she was getting herself into when she joined. Um, uh, certainly the, the part about managing, um, uh, you know, with city of our size, but probably not everything else that was going to happen in 2020. Um, just thank you all for all the efforts that you've made and um, this is, this is truly, um, Well deserved and and all the staff for that matter, but um, in this case, especially to our appointees. So I'll move that we adopt a resolution approving compensation for the city attorney, city clerk, and city manager, and adopting a revised salary plan listed is exhibit A to reflect these compensation changes to be read in title only for the rewave detachment on the council report.

[04:25:15] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you, and Counselor McAllister.

[04:25:18] Councilmember John McAlister: Second.

[04:25:19] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you, Counselor McAllister. There's a motion night, counselor clerk, 2nd night, council member, McAllister, any other discussion?

[04:25:29] Councilmember John McAlister: Yeah, I have a quick uh, clarity.

[04:25:33] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Of course.

[04:25:34] Councilmember John McAlister: Hey, um, The post, uh, in their professional wisdom has always posted, uh, certain items and they talked about this in their, uh, daily paper, but again, they misunderstood our surplus, and had us at a $70000000 surplus, which is, uh, wrong, and I would hope that they would, in the future, take the time to actually talk to somebody at City Hall. And understand that we do not have a $70000000 surplus at this time. And, um, I also want to echo councilman Mark Clark's. To all the Meyer, uh, appointed official, uh, uh, her appointed member, sir, uh, staff. So just that, but get out there posting.

[04:26:33] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you, council member McAllister. Any other discussion? Um, I just, I just want to add my thanks to our appointees and into Vice Mayor for, um, leading this, uh, process that we do every year. It was a little more challenging, I'm sure, with us being on Zoom and in COVID times. Um, but I do really want to thank all 3 of our wonderful appointees and um, definitely this odd unpresidered year. Um, we've had many challenges, but all 3 of you have just risen to the occasion and it's been a real honor and pleasure to work with all of you. So thank you very much for your service to the community. And with that, I'd like to ask for a roll call vote, please.

[04:27:16] City Clerk: Thank you. Council member Clark.

[04:27:18] Councilmember Chris Clark: Yep.

[04:27:19] City Clerk: Council member Hicks.

[04:27:20] Councilmember Alison Hicks: Yes.

[04:27:21] City Clerk: Council member Mattachek.

[04:27:23] Councilmember Lisa Matichak: Yes,

[04:27:23] City Clerk: council member McAllister.

[04:27:26] Councilmember John McAlister: I would I'm looking forward to Kimber being my neighbor, and I say yes.

[04:27:30] City Clerk: Council number Ramirez.

[04:27:32] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Yes.

[04:27:33] City Clerk: Hi, it's Mayor May.

[04:27:34] Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei: Yes.

[04:27:35] City Clerk: May I be Coco?

[04:27:36] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Hi. Thank you very much. Motion carry 70 with no extensions and thank you, vice mayor. We will now go on to item 9 cancel staff committee reports. Do any council members have any thing to report? Yes, council member magic.

[04:27:55] Councilmember Lisa Matichak: Thank you. I have 2 things. Uh, we had a meeting of the airport land use commission since the last time we had a council meeting and uh, for me, it was a very short meeting. There was only one item on the agenda. And because it was from Mountain View, I accused myself. Very short meeting. Um, and then also, um, I attended the meeting of the um, Bay Area, water supply and conservation agency. Um, Bosca for short, and um, a couple things to report. And that is, we decided not to continue participating in the expansion of the Los Faceros Reservoir. And this was um, a project that would increase the storage so we might have greater water supply in drought years, but um, we can still participate in it because uh, the San Francisco PUC is participating in it and they provide us with water. So we're just not participating as an independent body. Um, and we also um, approved a, um, water supply agreement, a policy around, um, the use of our water supply agreement, balancing account. And we then used some of the money in that account to pay off, um, a balance owed to the, um, San Francisco to San Francisco, um, by the wholesale customers, um, which, um, saves a little bit of money. And that is it.

[04:29:36] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thanks. Thank you. Counselor Ramirez.

[04:29:41] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: Thank you, Mayor. Really quick. More in council member McAllister's wheelhouse, so my apologies for stepping on yourselves, but I've been very interested in. That's has had an opportunity to look at the EA uh, draft service plan, and in particular, um, the proposal that could diminish the quality of transit in mountain views. You know, we have the 15 minute, uh, headway and, uh, my understanding is with the VMT policy, if the quality of transit declines to the point where it's less frequent than every 15 minutes, then there isn't that categorical exemption from the transportation analysis under Sequel, uh, which could have pretty significant impacts to, uh, uh, you know, development in, in mountain view. And I don't know if, if, you know, you're already looking at this or if this is something that you look at later, but I've been curious to know if, uh, if, uh, you're planning to, you know, analyze that and and return to council with some nation.

[04:30:52] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Is that a question to council member, McAllister? Cancer.

[04:30:58] Councilmember John McAlister: Um. No, I, I, I told him about the TOD, but so, yeah, I can. So I can't, are you? Did you have anything else? Counselor, where is? or are you good? Were you asking Millie Lucas or were you asking staff?

[04:31:18] Councilmember Lucas Ramirez: I guess more, more for staff. Uh, I I don't, I don't, I don't know, you know, who, I guess maybe this would be a question for, or. Art here, Don. Um, since I think both were involved in the BMT analysis, but, uh, that shift, but, um, I don't know if it, it, it, because, you know, council has presented all of these maps with all of these circles around areas where, you know, ostensibly the development would be served by high quality transit. That may radically change, depending on what happens with this BTA plan and with, you know, measure RR, that doesn't pass. Uh, and I think it would be helpful for us to, to understand what the impact to, uh, to, uh, development to Mountain View would be.

[04:32:07] City Manager Kimbra McCarthy: Um, if I may, may I respond to that? Thank you, council member Ramirez. Yes, um, we will take a look at that. Um, so that's something that public works and community development will work on and um, will provide an update to council about that.

[04:32:24] Councilmember John McAlister: Yeah, I am. A request for a council member of Ramirez. One thing that, uh, is a criteria is a major transit court, um, stop. And could staff, also evaluate where 2 intersections, 2 transits come across based on that definition, are in Mountain View. Because I don't think they've been identified yet, and that's one of the, uh, languages in the law that says, within that range of a quarter mile or something, development's allowed. So it would be helpful to establish where those major transit stops are.

[04:33:04] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you, council member. McAllister will make none of that as well. Thank you. Anyone else? I just had a couple of items to report on. I'm Silicon Valley Clean Energy at our last coordinating. Uh, we have a fiscal year that um, is from October 1st uh, uh, September 30th, so we did pass our budget for this uh, coming fiscal year. Um, I'm happy to report that, um, despite the pandemic, um, we continue to, um, have a positive budget, um, with ample reserves in the reserve funding, um, when we, we need it for the rainy day, but, uh, we do use uh, set asides and funds for programs. And one of the programs that we have started is something called the EHub. So if you go to our website, SVClean Energy.org slash EHub, um, it's an online resource site, uh, for folks who might be interested in electric vehicles or electric, um, appliances or how to make your home or electric, um, and um, solar and battery, uh, um, systems. Um, so if you're interested in any of those programs and would like more information, it also gives some resources as to where you might be able to access or access these types of equipment. Um, please check out SVCleanenergy.org slash. EHub. And then, um, I want also, uh, I attended the VTA pack meeting and um, I still need to, to, uh, connect with um, our public works director, but we had a presentation on, um, I get their, their study that they will be conducting on the future of light mail. The light nail system is coming to its end of life. And so there is a discussion as to what they should do moving forward. Um, our staff, um, our public works director did make a, um, request and and I reiterated it at the pack meeting that we look at perhaps repurposing the tracks, um, or if there's interest in that, um, that we can perhaps talk with them about the AGT. Um, they did participate in the study, the feasibility study that we had earlier. Um, they didn't seem to be honest. I don't know if they're that excited about it, but I think it's, this is the opportunity for us to, um, ask VTA to explore that possibility. So I'll continue to be on top of that. Um, at the city's association board meeting. Uh, we endorsed uh, the Comprehensive homelessness, uh, plan action plan. Um, and uh, some of that discussion actually tied into our safe parking lot program as well as the project home key program. Um, And we also had an, and I was going to ask, uh, councilman McAllister about this, but we had an update on SR 85 and my understanding is there's a recommendation by the policy advisory board for transit only lane, down 85 highway 85 with stops along the way. It sounds like there might be some financial implications. So, I believe they were asking for cities to endorse this. I'm not sure if that was a formal request, but, um, if it is, uh, it might be something that we should agendize or at least get an update on. So, um, if you're.

[04:36:46] Councilmember John McAlister: Glad to give you an update because it comes before the board, uh, next Thursday. And the capital project committee, going forward, the congestion management policy and projects, uh, approved it going forward. And just a quick, uh, just a little tweet to your comment was, There maybe stops along the way. If, uh, all depends on what will work after the data's collected to see what will make this transit, uh, lane, uh, work most efficiently. Some of the people wanted it, something, but it's a clean slate, or opportunity to do autonomous beagles, whatever going forward. And we are asking cities to Cupertino, Saratoga. I've already had letters from their mayor saying, endorse this project. I think it would be great for the city of Mountain View to endorse this also because it will, whether the benefits will take care of the cut through traffic that's been the big concern of the residents of Mountain View. It will hopefully reduce greenhouse gases that we breathe along that line, reduce vehicle miles, improve quality of life. And by eliminating sitting in that traffic for 3 hours or more. And I just a win-win situation. It's innovative, it's something new, and it's something we need. So I hope the city will endorse this going forward.

[04:38:17] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Does this need to be agendaized for council discussion or something?

[04:38:25] City Manager Kimbra McCarthy: May I? I think this fits with council's goals for transportation, and so I believe that we can send a letter of support, um, on behalf of the city council for this just because of the lines with, um, the goals and priorities that you've already put forth.

[04:38:42] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Okay, great. Well, thank you. All right, anything else? If not, uh, is there a closed session report city, Mr. City Attorney?

[04:38:55] City Attorney Krishan Chopra: There's no close session report tonight.

[04:38:58] Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga: Thank you, and we will uh, stand adjourned at 9.35 p.m. and our next count city council meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 5 p.m. Thank you, everyone, and have a good evening. Take care. Please stay safe. Bye bye.

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