City of Sunnyvale  
Meeting Minutes  
City Council  
Tuesday, March 25, 2025  
4:30 PM  
Online and Council Chambers, City Hall,  
456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086  
Special Meeting: Closed Session - 4:30 PM | Special Meeting: Study Session - 5:30 PM |  
Regular Meeting - 7 PM  
Public Participation and Access  
4:30 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING (Closed Session)  
Call to Order  
Vice Mayor Sell called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.  
Roll Call  
Present: 6 - Mayor Larry Klein  
Vice Mayor Linda Sell  
Councilmember Alysa Cisneros  
Councilmember Murali Srinivasan  
Councilmember Charlsie Chang  
Councilmember Eileen Le  
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Richard Mehlinger  
Councilmember Cisneros participated remotely in the meeting under the “Just  
Cause” provision of California Government Code Section 54953(j)(2).  
Public Comment  
Public Comment opened at 4:32 p.m.  
No speakers.  
Public Comment closed at 4:32 p.m.  
Convene to Closed Session  
Council convened to Closed Session at 4:35 p.m.  
A
25-0262  
Closed Session Held Pursuant to California Government Code  
Section 54956.9:  
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING  
(PENDING) LITIGATION  
(Paragraph (1) of Subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9)  
Name of Case: Phillips, Andrew v. City of Sunnyvale (Workers  
Compensation Appeal Board Case No. ADJ18778964,  
ADJ18778979)  
B
25-0266  
Closed Session Held Pursuant to California Government Code  
Section 54956.9:  
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING  
LITIGATION  
(Paragraph (1) of Subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9)  
Name of Case: Aycock, Stephen v. City of Sunnyvale  
(Workers Compensation Claim No. 61442)  
C
25-0278  
Closed Session Held Pursuant to California Government Code  
Section 54956.9:  
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING  
LITIGATION  
(Paragraph (1) of Subdivision (d) of Section 54956.  
Name of Case: Locke, Ron v. City of Sunnyvale (Workers  
Compensation Claim No. 623552)  
Adjourn Special Meeting  
Vice Mayor Sell adjourned the meeting at 5:20 p.m.  
5:30 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING (Study Session)  
Call to Order  
Vice Mayor Sell called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.  
Roll Call  
Present: 6 - Mayor Larry Klein  
Vice Mayor Linda Sell  
Councilmember Alysa Cisneros  
Councilmember Murali Srinivasan  
Councilmember Charlsie Chang  
Councilmember Eileen Le  
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Richard Mehlinger  
Councilmember Cisneros participated remotely in the meeting under the “Just  
Cause” provision of California Government Code Section 54953(j)(2).  
Councilmember Mehlinger arrived at 5:40 p.m.  
Study Session  
D
25-0026  
Special Events  
Library and Recreation Services Director Michelle Perera provided the staff report  
and presentation.  
Public Comment opened at 6:50 p.m.  
Prakash Giri proposed Council consider additional cost saving measures and grant  
funding for special events.  
Kristina Kawczynski, Sunnyvale Downtown Association, spoke in support of the  
proposed changes and offered additional changes to consider.  
Kathryn Filley, Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce, voiced their support of the  
proposed changes and offered additional changes to consider.  
Public Comment closed at 6:57 p.m.  
Adjourn Special Meeting  
Vice Mayor Sell adjourned the meeting at 7:12 p.m.  
7 P.M. COUNCIL MEETING  
CALL TO ORDER  
Mayor Klein called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m.  
SALUTE TO THE FLAG  
Mayor Klein led the salute to the United States flag.  
ROLL CALL  
Present: 7 - Mayor Larry Klein  
Vice Mayor Linda Sell  
Councilmember Alysa Cisneros  
Councilmember Richard Mehlinger  
Councilmember Murali Srinivasan  
Councilmember Charlsie Chang  
Councilmember Eileen Le  
Councilmember Cisneros participated remotely in the meeting under the “Just  
Cause” provision of California Government Code Section 54953(j)(2).  
CLOSED SESSION REPORT  
Vice Mayor Sell reported that Council met in Closed Session Held Pursuant to  
California Government Code Section 54956.9: CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL  
COUNSEL EXISTING(PENDING) LITIGATION (Paragraph (1) of Subdivision (d) of  
Section 54956.9) Name of Case: Phillips, Andrew v. City of Sunnyvale (Workers  
Compensation Appeal Board Case No. ADJ18778964, ADJ18778979); nothing to  
report.  
Vice Mayor Sell reported that Council met in Closed Session Held Pursuant to  
California Government Code Section 54956.9: CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL  
COUNSEL EXISTING LITIGATION (Paragraph (1) of Subdivision (d) of Section  
54956.9) Name of Case: Aycock, Stephen v. City of Sunnyvale (Workers  
Compensation Claim No. 61442); nothing to report.  
Vice Mayor Sell reported that Council met in Closed Session Held Pursuant to  
California Government Code Section 54956.9: CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL  
COUNSEL EXISTING LITIGATION (Paragraph (1) of Subdivision (d) of Section  
54956. Name of Case: Locke, Ron v. City of Sunnyvale (Workers Compensation  
Claim No. 623552); nothing to report.  
SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY  
E
25-0448  
International Transgender Day of Visibility  
Sera Fernando, Manager, Santa Clara County Office of LGBTQ Affairs, spoke in  
honor of International Transgender Day of Visibility.  
Mayor Klein spoke in honor of International Transgender Day of Visibility.  
F
25-0449  
Arbor Day  
Parks and Golf Superintendent Jim Stark spoke in honor of Arbor Day.  
Mayor Klein spoke in honor of Arbor Day.  
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS  
Councilmember Cisneros announced the upcoming Earth Day Festival, Board and  
Commission recruitment and the transgender flag raising.  
Andrea Wald communicated their support for the use of natural grass on fields  
rather than synthetic turf.  
Denise Elbert voiced their support for natural grass fields and using the organic  
regenerative management method.  
Theresa Frank spoke in support for using the organic regenerative management  
method on natural grass fields.  
Kristel Wickham proposed Sunnyvale test using the organic regenerative  
management method on a select number of grass fields.  
Cortney Jansen shared their appreciation for the Sun Flair sculpture installations in  
Sunnyvale parks.  
CONSENT CALENDAR  
Public Comment opened at 7:41 p.m.  
No speakers.  
Public Comment closed at 7:41 p.m.  
MOTION: Vice Mayor Sell moved and Councilmember Mehlinger seconded the  
motion to approve agenda items 1.A through 1.E.  
The motion carried with the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Mayor Klein  
Vice Mayor Sell  
Councilmember Cisneros  
Councilmember Mehlinger  
Councilmember Srinivasan  
Councilmember Chang  
Councilmember Le  
No: 0  
1.A  
25-0242  
Approve City Council Meeting Minutes of February 13, 2025  
(Study Issues/Budget Proposals Workshop)  
Approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of February 13, 2025 as submitted.  
1.B  
Approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of February 25, 2025 as submitted.  
25-0072  
Approve City Council Meeting Minutes of February 25, 2025  
1.C  
25-0321  
Approve the List(s) of Claims and Bills Approved for Payment  
by the City Manager  
Approve the list(s) of claims and bills.  
1.D  
25-0102  
Approve the Reinstatement and First Amendment to the  
Agreement Between the City and the Cupertino Union School  
District Pertaining to the Use, Maintenance, and Improvement  
of Certain Open Space Areas and Buildings at Multiple Sites  
Within the Cupertino Union School District  
Approve the Reinstatement and First Amendment to the Agreement between the  
City and the Cupertino Union School District pertaining to the Use, Maintenance,  
and Improvement of Certain Open Space Areas and Buildings at Multiple Sites  
within the District in substantially the same form as Attachment 1 to this report.  
1.E  
25-0504  
Adopt Ordinance No. 3239-25 to Amend Chapter 19.67  
(Inclusionary Below Market Rate Ownership Housing  
Program) and Chapter 19.77 (Inclusionary Below Market Rate  
Rental Housing) of Title 19 (Zoning) of the Sunnyvale  
Municipal Code Relating to Modified Requirements for  
Qualifying Retail Preservation Projects  
Adopt Ordinance No. 3239-25 to amend Chapter 19.67 (Inclusionary Below Market  
Rate Ownership Housing Program) and Chapter 19.77 (Inclusionary Below Market  
Rate Rental Housing) of Title 19 (Zoning) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code relating  
to modified requirements for qualifying retail preservation projects.  
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS  
2
25-0354  
Proposed Project: Introduce an Ordinance to:  
Amend Title 19 (Zoning) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code to  
Repeal and Re-adopt Chapter 19.79 (Accessory Dwelling  
Units), Amend Related Definitions in Chapter 19.12  
(Definitions) and Other Sections of Title 19 Pertaining to  
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Regulations.  
File #: PLNG-2024-0544  
Environmental Review: The action is exempt pursuant to  
Public Resources Code Section 21080.17 and California  
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section  
15061(b)(3).  
Project Planner: Aastha Vashist, (408) 730-7458,  
avashist@sunnyvale.ca.gov  
Senior Planner Aastha Vashist provided the staff report and presentation.  
Public Hearing opened at 8:06 p.m.  
No speakers.  
Public Hearing closed at 8:06 p.m.  
MOTION: Vice Mayor Sell moved and Councilmember Mehlinger seconded the  
motion to approve Alternative 1: Introduce an Ordinance (Attachment 2 to the  
report) amending Title 19 (Zoning) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code on Accessory  
Dwelling Units and find that this action is exempt from the California Environmental  
Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Codes Sections 21080.17 and  
CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).  
City Clerk David Carnahan read the ordinance title for the record.  
The motion carried with the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Mayor Klein  
Vice Mayor Sell  
Councilmember Cisneros  
Councilmember Mehlinger  
Councilmember Srinivasan  
Councilmember Chang  
Councilmember Le  
No: 0  
City Council took a recess at 8:13 p.m. and returned at 8:20 p.m. with Mayor Klein,  
Vice Mayor Sell and Councilmembers Mehlinger, Srinivasan, Change and Le  
present in the Council Chambers and Councilmember Cisneros present via  
teleconference.  
3
25-0394  
Appeal of a Decision by the Planning Commission Denying a  
Variance to Legalize an Existing 112-square-foot Detached  
Accessory Structure in the Rear Yard of a Single-Family  
Property with a Reduced 2-foot 5-inch Side Setback where 4  
Feet Minimum is Required, and a Reduced 2-foot 2-inch Rear  
Yard Setback where 10 Feet Minimum is Required  
Location: 160 S. Pastoria Ave. (APN: 165-15-007)  
File #: PLNG-2023-0642  
Zoning: R-2 (Low Medium Density Residential)  
Applicant / Owner: Scott McClennan (applicant) / Tracy and  
Scott McClennan (owner)  
Environmental Review: Class 3 Categorical Exemption  
relieves this project from the California Environmental Quality  
Act (CEQA) provisions.  
Project Planner: Wendy Lao, 408-730-7408,  
wlao@sunnyvale.ca.gov  
Associate Planner Wendy Lao provided the staff report and presentation.  
Public Hearing opened at 8:38 p.m.  
Scott McClennan Applicant/Appellant provided a presentation in support of their  
appeal and answered Council’s proposed questions.  
Nathan Iglesias shared their support for granting the appeal of the applicant.  
Duli Mao spoke in opposition of granting the appeal and establishing a precedent.  
Stephen Meier voiced their support for granting the appeal of the applicant.  
Scott McClennan Applicant/Appellant shared their responses to the public  
comments and Council questions.  
Public Hearing closed at 9:18 p.m.  
MOTION: Councilmember Srinivasan moved and Councilmember Mehlinger  
seconded the motion to approve Alternative 1: Deny the appeal and uphold the  
Planning Commission's decision to deny the Variance for the accessory structure  
based on the recommended Findings for Denial in Attachment 2 to the report.  
The motion carried with the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Mayor Klein  
Vice Mayor Sell  
Councilmember Cisneros  
Councilmember Mehlinger  
Councilmember Srinivasan  
Councilmember Chang  
Councilmember Le  
No: 0  
COUNCILMEMBERS REPORTS ON ACTIVITIES FROM INTERGOVERNMENTAL  
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS  
Councilmember Mehlinger reported on a recent Bay Area Water Supply and  
Conservation Agency (BAWSCA) meeting.  
Councilmember Srinivasan reported their at the League of California Cities'  
Planning Commissioners Academy.  
Vice Mayor Sell reported on the Valley Transportation Authority's (VTA)  
employment agreement offer to the union workers on a labor strike.  
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS  
-Council  
Councilmember Chang shared their appreciation for the improved City Council  
name plates  
Councilmember Le shared their concerns with the ongoing Valley Transportation  
Authority (VTA) worker strike.  
-City Manager  
None.  
INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS  
25-0265  
Tentative Council Meeting Agenda Calendar  
Information/Action Items  
25-0287  
ADJOURNMENT  
Mayor Klein adjourned the meeting at 9:43 p.m.