Mountain View City Council Meeting - April 14, 2026

Overview

The Mountain View City Council held a regular meeting on April 14, 2026, starting at 5:03 PM. The meeting included a study session on the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Capital Improvement Program, presentations on proclamations and a VTA regional transportation measure, approval of the consent calendar, a public hearing on the Public Safety Building financing plan, and a preliminary review of the FY 2026-27 budget. The council also heard extensive public comments on burrowing owl conservation and Twilight golf memberships. Key actions included support for the CIP staff recommendations with direction to defer the Terabella bikeway project pending resources, approval of a 25.5 million dollar transfer from Shoreline funds for the Public Safety Building, and acceptance of the preliminary budget with a directive to review council travel/training expense allocations.

Consent Calendar

• Item 4.1: Zoning map amendment for properties at 922-950 San Leandro Avenue from M General Industrial to R3-1.5 Multiple Family Residential, as recommended by the Environmental Planning Commission.
• Item 4.2: Resolution acknowledging receipt of the Mountain View Fire Department's annual inspection report under Health and Safety Code Section 13146.4.
• Item 4.7: Introduction of an ordinance establishing an entertainment zone on portions of Castro Street consistent with Senate Bill 969, with second reading scheduled for April 28, 2026.
• Item 4.3: Approval of a professional services agreement for biological services at Shoreline Park, including funding for scientific monitoring and banding of burrowing owls. Numerous public speakers urged the city to expedite hiring a full-time biologist rather than relying on consultants, citing a 41% decline in owl numbers. The council approved the consent calendar unanimously, with staff indicating they would work to fill the biologist position as soon as possible and update the 2012 Burrowing Owl Preservation Plan after state endangered species listing decisions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Burrowing Owls (Item 4.3): Over 20 speakers, including members of the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance, Sierra Club, and local residents, expressed strong support for burrowing owl conservation. They noted that the population had dropped from 27 to 16 breeding pairs in one year after the removal of a full-time biologist. Speakers urged immediate hiring of a dedicated biologist, implementation of captive breeding, supplemental feeding, and habitat management consistent with the 2012 preservation plan. Aisha Thiessen from the Guardian Project detailed that the current contract costs $345,000 for monitoring alone, while the former full-time biologist cost $165,000 and provided comprehensive conservation. The council acknowledged the urgency and directed staff to expedite hiring.
• Twilight Golf Memberships (Oral Communications): Six speakers, including John Shachter and others, criticized Kemper Sports' decision to cancel Twilight annual memberships at Shoreline Golf Links. They stated the program provided affordable access for a diverse community and noted the course reported a $345,000 profit in 2025. They asked the council to intervene and preserve the membership option. No action was taken as it was non-agenda, but the issue could be brought up under item 8.
• VTA Regional Measure (Presentation): Multiple speakers, including Jim Zayorski, April Webster, Bruce England, and Adina Levin, emphasized the need for frequent, reliable transit service, better connectivity to employment centers, and equitable outreach. They supported funding operations over capital projects and encouraged a regional approach.
• Public Safety Building (Item 6.2): Jim Zayorski questioned the cost estimate, expressing concern about potential overruns. Tim McKenzie urged reducing the building's footprint and scope, citing changes in conditions and the dissolution of the Public Safety Advisory Board.

Discussion Items

Fiscal Year 2026-27 Capital Improvement Program (Study Session)

Public Works Director Jennifer Ng and Senior Civil Engineer Joy Houghton presented the draft CIP, which includes 290 active projects, a pavement condition index of 67 (fair), and planned paving expenditures of over $62 million from 2024-2027. Key recommendations included 21 non-discretionary projects, 22 discretionary projects (with Crittenden Field and Fire Station Master Plan as high priority), and 12 deferrals due to staffing or funding constraints. The presentation also highlighted a new Transportation Division, updates to standard roadway details, and the Active Transportation Plan community review starting in April 2026. Council members expressed support for the staff recommendations, with several calling for a community conversation on artificial turf and deferring the Terabella bikeway project due to limited transportation planning staff (three of five positions vacant). The council directed staff to defer Terabella pending resources but not eliminate it, and to plan a community discussion on artificial turf.

VTA Regional Transportation Revenue Measure (Presentation)

Greg Richardson and Sam Sargent from VTA presented the draft Local Investment Plan for a potential five-county regional sales tax measure (SB63) on the November 2026 ballot. The measure would generate approximately $264 million annually for Santa Clara County, focused on transit operations and roadway repavement on routes served by fixed-route transit. The plan is organized around three strategic areas: Foundation (bus corridor improvements, station upgrades), Reimagine (visionary network, increased service frequency, fare programs), and Transformation (new technologies, light rail fleet replacement). The council expressed interest in providing formal feedback and discussed opportunities for local priorities such as community shuttle funding and grade separation projects. Councilmember Kamei asked about multilingual outreach; VTA staff committed to improving language access.

Public Safety Building Construction Financing Plan (Item 6.2)

Assistant City Manager Arn Andrews presented the financing plan for the $189.8 million Public Safety Building. Staff recommended using $135 million in bond proceeds, $26.5 million from the public safety reserve, $16.3 million from CIP funds, and a transfer of $10 million from Shoreline Regional Park Community funds. Based on a cost allocation study showing police and fire department use of Shoreline amenities, staff suggested the council could increase the Shoreline transfer to $25.5 million (13.5% of proceeds) to provide additional contingency. Councilmember Ramirez made a motion to adopt the staff recommendation with the higher $25.5 million transfer, which was seconded and passed unanimously. The council also approved a $2 million general fund transfer to the Public Safety Building reserve. The bond documents will be considered for approval on April 28, 2026.

Preliminary Review of FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget (Item 6.3)

Finance Director Derek Rampone presented the preliminary budget, projecting a balanced general fund with a small operating balance of $172,000 for FY 26-27, but deficits in future years (up to $3.4 million in FY 28-29). Revenue growth is moderate, with property tax expected to increase 3%, sales tax 2.4%, and Measure G (property transfer tax) projected at $5.1 million. Staff recommended adding a principal planner position and several other positions. Council discussed risks including a proposed statewide ballot initiative that could cost Mountain View $10-15 million annually in property transfer tax revenue. Councilmember McAllister proposed reviewing the 20% general fund reserve policy to free up funds for projects, but the council agreed to defer that discussion to a later time after the bond financing is complete. A straw poll to move $100,000 from sustainability projects to street maintenance failed. The council accepted the report and advanced the staff recommendations, with a directive to review council travel and training expense allocations that have not been adjusted since before the pandemic.

Key Outcomes

• CIP: Council supported staff recommendations for the draft FY 2026-27 CIP, with direction to defer the Terabella bikeway project pending adequate staffing and resourcing, and to initiate a community conversation on the use of artificial turf in parks.
• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously, including the burrowing owl biological services contract. Staff committed to expediting the hiring of a full-time biologist.
• Public Safety Building Financing: Approved unanimously with a $25.5 million transfer from Shoreline Regional Park Community funds (amended from $10 million) and a $2 million general fund transfer. Bond documents to be reviewed April 28.
• FY 26-27 Budget Preliminary Review: Council accepted the report and directed staff to include adjustments to council travel/training expense allowances to reflect current costs. The budget will be published in late May with a public hearing on June 9 and adoption on June 23, 2026.
• VTA Local Investment Plan: Council will work with staff to develop a list of local priorities for VTA and may consider a formal resolution before the June 4, 2026 board vote.
• Council Questions Process: Councilmember Ramirez raised concerns about the volume of staff time spent answering advance questions (over 700 since September 2025). The city manager will work with her team to propose streamlined processes for consideration by the council.