Mountain View City Council Joint Meeting: June 9, 2026 – Budget, Charter Modernization, and Proclamations

The Mountain View City Council, Shoreline Regional Park Community, and City of Mountain View Capital Improvements Financing Authority held a joint meeting on June 9, 2026. The meeting included proclamations for Pride Month and Juneteenth, approval of a consent calendar with multiple routine items, public hearings on workforce vacancies and the FY 2026-27 budget, and introduction of a charter modernization ballot measure for November 2026. The council took unanimous action on all items, with some debate on board membership qualifications.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved 11 consent calendar items unanimously, including: adoption of ordinances modifying the below-market-rate housing program, streamlining administrative approval for housing projects, renewing the police military equipment use policy, extending the shelter crisis declaration through June 30, 2035, allocating $500,000 to the heat pump water heater program, authorizing the November 3, 2026 municipal election, and acquiring property for a park at 1010 La Carabella. Councilmember Showalter noted the importance of the shelter extension, heat pump rebates, and the park acquisition.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Proclamations: One virtual speaker (Judy) complained about being disconnected during the proclamation segment and requested a disruption policy, stating her viewpoint was suppressed. The mayor reiterated the commitment to respectful discourse.
• Consent Calendar: In-person speakers: Albert Jeans encouraged the city to also acquire an adjacent lot (965 La Carabella) to create a four-acre park. Virtual speaker Judy repeated concerns about not being heard earlier.
• Oral Communications (Non-Agenda Items): Multiple speakers addressed the council: Bruce Carney highlighted that Mountain View’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2024 were 5% higher than 2019 due to Silicon Valley Clean Energy failing to provide 100% carbon-free electricity. Kristen Anderson requested improvements to the Shoreline dog park and closure of the Charleston Avenue entrance to southbound US 101. KBT (Safety Over Surveillance) commended the council for canceling the Flock AI cameras, calling it a protection of civil liberties. Shawnee Kleinhouse (Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance) thanked the council for the parks strategic plan and urged use of native plants for biodiversity. Alvin Kura thanked the council for the State of the City video and for supporting St. Joseph Parish events. Virtual speaker Judy made antisemitic remarks and was cut off per council code of conduct.
• Item 6.1 (Recruitment & Vacancies): No public comments.
• Item 6.2 (Budget): In-person speakers: Bruce Carney argued that rising gas and electricity prices have created a windfall from the city’s 3% utility tax, which should be returned to residents via decarbonization incentives. He noted that gas prices have risen faster than electricity and that the last households to decarbonize will face shockingly high bills. Kristen Anderson (Santiago Villa Mobile Home Park resident) objected to a proposed $22.55 monthly utility rate increase, stating it would cost her park over $96,000 per year and burden low-income residents. Virtual speaker Judy made another antisemitic comment and was muted.

Discussion Items

• Item 6.1: Recruitment and Retention (AB 2561 Report): HR Director Maxine Gulow reported that no bargaining unit exceeds the 20% vacancy threshold requiring a formal remediation plan. The citywide vacancy rate is 9.04% (with four new hires starting), below the national public sector benchmark of 10-11%. Breakdown: Firefighters 4.4%, Police Officers Association 3.3%, Eagles 10.5%, SEIU 14.54%. The city has grown by 129 FTEs (22%) over the past decade and the proposed FY 26-27 budget includes 714.75 positions. Recruitment challenges include long credential pipelines for public safety and anticipated retirements. Kevin Ho (Eagles Union president) urged converting temporary and contract roles into permanent union positions to strengthen workforce stability. Council received and filed the report unanimously.
• Item 6.2: FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget: City Manager McCarthy and Finance Director Ramponi presented a structurally balanced budget. Citywide revenues: $520 million; expenditures: $598 million (excess due to use of prior year fund balances for capital projects). General fund revenues ($203 million) are expected to grow 6% ($11.9 million) over the prior year, while expenditures grow 6.4% ($12.5 million). Property tax growth is 2.9%; sales tax is flat. Measure G (new voter-approved tax) is projected to generate $5 million for public safety, parks, and housing. The budget includes $1.5 million in non-discretionary costs, $3.1 million in discretionary funding (six ongoing positions), and $7.9 million in limited-period investments (e.g., election costs, firefighter academy, consulting for planning process improvements). Council discussed the need to monitor expenditure growth and considered a future revenue measure. Councilmember Ramirez proposed an additional $5,000–$10,000 for multicultural engagement programs, supported by colleagues. Councilmember Kamei suggested exploring a lactation pod at the community center (cost $30,000–$60,000). The budget was approved unanimously with that addition.
• Item 7: 2026 Charter Modernization Ballot Measure: Assistant City Attorney Serrano and City Attorney Logue presented a proposed ballot measure for November 3, 2026, to modernize the city charter. Changes include: gender-neutral language, extending the city council vacancy filling deadline from 30 to 60 days, removing the requirement to read ordinance and resolution titles in full, requiring roll call votes only when requested, updating Section 900 to allow the council to set qualifications for legislatively created boards/commissions (while maintaining residency and qualified elector requirements for charter-created bodies: EPC, Library Board, Parks & Rec), clarifying staggered terms, and fixing typographical errors. Councilmember Showalter proposed an amendment to also allow the council to decide whether city employees may serve on legislatively created bodies (currently prohibited for all). After debate, the amendment was adopted. The motion to place the measure on the ballot and authorize Mayor Ramos, Vice Mayor Clark, and Councilmember Ramirez to draft the argument in favor passed unanimously (7-0).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (7-0).
• Item 6.1 (Recruitment Report): Received and filed unanimously (7-0).
• Item 6.2 (FY 26-27 Budget): Approved unanimously (7-0) with an additional $5,000–$10,000 for multicultural engagement programs, to be refined by staff.
• Item 7 (Charter Modernization Ballot Measure): Approved unanimously (7-0) to place on the November 3, 2026 ballot, with the amendment allowing council discretion on employee membership for legislatively created boards. Councilmembers Ramirez, Showalter, and Vice Mayor Clark authorized to write the ballot argument.
• Next Meeting: June 23, 2026, for budget adoption, utility rates, and further discussion on a potential revenue measure.

Additional Notes

• The meeting included proclamations for Pride Month (June) and Juneteenth (June 19), accepted by representatives from the Santa Clara County Office of LGBT Affairs and the Black Leadership Kitchen Cabinet of Silicon Valley, respectively.
• Council reports noted attendance at community events, ribbon cuttings, and regional meetings (VTA, BCDC).