Mountain View City Council Meeting - June 23, 2026

The City Council held a regular meeting on June 23, 2026, beginning with a closed session and then proceeding through presentations, a large consent calendar, multiple public hearings, and discussions. Key actions included adoption of the Biodiversity and Urban Forest Plan, the Community Ownership Action Plan (COAP), a resolution to place a transient occupancy tax measure on the November 2026 ballot, appointment of an interim city attorney, approval of a residential development at 333 Franklin Street, and adoption of the fiscal year 2026-27 budget.

Closed Session Report

• City Attorney Jennifer Logue reported that the council voted 5-0-2 (Vice Mayor Clark and Councilmember McAllister abstained) to authorize the city to join a legal brief with other Bay Area local governments supporting a request for a court order to halt construction of a proposed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Gilroy.

Proclamations

• The council proclaimed June as Immigrant Heritage Month, accepted by Maria Marroquin of the Day Workers Center.
• The council proclaimed Kiwanis Club of Mountain View Centennial Day in recognition of 100 years of service; the club has given away over $4 million and will host a 100th anniversary gala on August 8, 2026.
• The council honored City Attorney Jennifer Logue upon her appointment to the Contra Costa County Superior Court; she received a street sign and expressions of gratitude from council members and the city manager.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar contained 34 items, described by Councilmember Showalter as a record. Items included ballot issue policies (e.g., prohibiting city property use for federal civil immigration enforcement), a $50 million Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities grant ($35 million for Evelyn Avenue Affordable Housing Project, $14 million sustainable transportation), budget items, public works projects, transportation reports, sustainability and climate resilience projects, and two new parks (2.4-acre purchase on San Rafael Avenue and a leased pickleball facility on Clyde Avenue with up to 12 courts). Item 4.14 (Council Policy A-13B on community engagement) was pulled by Councilmember Ramirez and deferred to September. The consent calendar was approved unanimously after a motion by Councilmember Ramirez, who read the titles of numerous ordinances and resolutions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Closed session public comment: Monica Tysher (27-year resident) and Brandon (20-year resident) spoke in favor of joining the amicus brief against the Gilroy ICE facility, with Brandon expressing strong opposition to the facility and urging council action.
• Oral communications (non-agenda): Eric Boycon (Rapid Response Network) thanked council for passing the no-enforcement zone policy and joining the amicus brief. A resident (JE Sun) complained about RV parking enforcement on Gemini Avenue, stating RVs remained for over a month despite 72-hour rules. Jason (mobile home park resident) raised parking issues near Evelyn Park. Bruce England voiced support via Zoom for the immigration enforcement policy.
• Biodiversity Plan public comment: Multiple speakers (Robert Cox, Daniel Shane, Tracy Faria, Dasha Leeds, Bruce England, Ronit Bryant, Rashmi Sahai, April Webster) expressed support for the plan, emphasizing the importance of native plants and supporting the definitional changes discussed by council. Ronit Bryant noted that functional species do not provide the same biodiversity as native plants.
• COAP public comment: Joan Berdowski (Sunset Estates mobile home park), Jason Clock, and Alex Brown (Santiago Villa) voiced support for the plan, noting its inclusion of mobile home parks. Online speakers Sandy Perry (South Bay Community Land Trust), B. Hansen, and Anna Marie Morales (Mobile Home Alliance) also supported adoption, emphasizing the need for stability and community ownership.
• Budget public comment: Lauren Hatton and Daniel Kelly (Peninsula Youth Theater) expressed concern about proposed elimination of a tiered facility use fee at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, stating it would price them out of the space.
• 333 Franklin Street: No public comments.

Discussion Items

• Biodiversity and Urban Forest Plan: Staff presented the updated plan, which expands the 2015 Tree Master Plan into a comprehensive framework for biodiversity, climate resilience, and community well-being. Council discussed definitions of native versus functional species. Councilmember Showalter objected to the term "near native" and pushed for clarity. Staff recommended refinements, including removing "near native" and using "functional species." Councilmember Hicks confirmed the changes. The plan was adopted with a revised definition of functional species: "species that can be selected for planting to provide specific desired functions, such as climate resilience, pest resistance, urban compatibility, or native biodiversity support." The motion by Councilmember Showalter, seconded by Councilmember Hicks, passed unanimously.
• Community Ownership Action Plan (COAP): Housing Director Wayne Chen presented the plan, which is part of the housing element to facilitate at least 50 community-owned housing units, focusing on units covered by the Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act. The plan emphasizes people-centered housing, decommodification, resident governance, and community stewardship. Council approved the plan, increased project funding by $1 million to $5 million, and increased capacity building funding by $425,000 to $500,000, and authorized staff to establish streamlined funding processes. The motion by Councilmember Kamei, seconded by Councilmember Ramirez, passed unanimously.
• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Ballot Measure: The council approved placing a measure on the November 2026 ballot to ask voters to authorize the council to increase the TOT from the current 10% to up to 15%. The measure would apply to hotel and motel room occupancies. Councilmember Ramirez moved to adopt the resolution, including authorizing Mayor Ramos, Vice Mayor Clark, Councilmember Ramirez, and Councilmember McAllister to draft arguments. The motion passed unanimously. Next steps include deadlines in August and November.
• Appointment of Interim City Attorney: The council appointed Janny Quinn, a former city attorney who served as interim in 2022, as interim city attorney effective July 6, 2026, at an hourly rate of $179.66. The motion by Councilmember Showalter, seconded by Councilmember McAllister, passed unanimously.
• Residential Development at 333 Franklin Street: The project proposed 11 apartment units and 2 ADUs on a 0.172-acre site, with 8 below-market-rate units (7 at 80% AMI, 1 at 50% AMI), exceeding the 15% BMR requirement. The applicant requested one density bonus concession and five waivers. Council discussed parking (only 2 spaces voluntarily provided). Councilmember McAllister opposed due to lack of parking and potential neighborhood impacts. Councilmember Ramirez moved to approve, noting the high affordability and contributions to fair housing goals. The motion passed 6-1, with McAllister dissenting.
• Adoption of FY 2026-27 Budget: The budget is structurally balanced with a $145,000 operating balance. It includes new staffing requests, capital improvement projects, and fee adjustments. Council adopted the budget, including the master fee schedule and salary plans. Public comment raised concerns about facility use fee increases. The motion by Councilmember McAllister, seconded by Councilmember Showalter, passed unanimously.
• Council Reports and RV Parking Discussion: Councilmembers reported on various events. Councilmember McAllister raised concerns about unhitched trailers and RV parking enforcement, particularly in relation to the Navarro settlement expiring in February 2027. A discussion ensued about preparing for the settlement's expiration, potential ordinances, and predatory practices (van lords). The council consensus was to allow staff to continue working on options and to return with recommendations, without displacing existing work plan items.

Key Outcomes

• Closed session action: Authorized joining amicus brief to halt ICE detention facility construction (5-0-2).
• Consent calendar: Approved all 34 items except 4.14 (deferred to September).
• Biodiversity and Urban Forest Plan: Adopted unanimously with refined definitions.
• Community Ownership Action Plan: Adopted unanimously with increased funding and streamlined process authorization.
• TOT ballot measure: Approved for November 2026 ballot (unanimous).
• Interim city attorney: Janny Quinn appointed (unanimous).
• 333 Franklin Street: Approved (6-1, McAllister dissenting).
• FY 2026-27 budget: Adopted (unanimous).
• Staff direction on RV parking: Staff to continue exploring options for post-settlement policies.
• Next regular council meeting: August 25, 2026.