Mountain View City Council and Shoreline Regional Park Community Joint Meeting - September 8, 2026

The City Council of Mountain View held a joint meeting with the Shoreline Regional Park Community on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, beginning with closed session at 5:00 PM and reconvening for regular session at 6:30 PM. The meeting included presentations, approval of a consent calendar (with several items pulled for discussion), public hearings on business improvement area renewals and the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), and council committee reports. Key outcomes included approval of $125 million in tax-exempt bonds for affordable housing, a revised position on a state housing resolution, updated board work plans, and a directive to draft an urgency ordinance banning detention facilities.

Presentations

• National Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation: Mayor Ramos presented the proclamation to Maria Herney and Chris Sayogo, graduates of the 2025 Spanish Language Leadership Academy. The proclamation recognized Hispanic and Latino contributions to the city.
• Certificate for Skye Thompson: Skye Thompson was recognized for winning the EmPower Silicon Valley Annual Scholarship Competition with a sticker design titled "Solar Butterflies." Juliette Pascual from Silicon Valley Clean Energy presented the certificate.

Consent Calendar

• Items 4.1 through 4.17 were on the consent calendar. Items 4.4, 4.5, 4.11, 4.12, and 4.14 were pulled for separate discussion. The remaining items (4.1–4.3, 4.6–4.10, 4.13, 4.15–4.17) were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Consent Calendar Items (4.4 & 4.5): Jaime Arteaga and Harvey McKinnon of the North Coast Carpenters Union spoke against the bond issuances, alleging that the developer (Danco) had wage theft violations at projects in San Jose. They requested tabling. Travis Cooper of the California Municipal Finance Authority stated that those issues were being resolved and that the projects had received state allocation.
• On Item 4.12 (Work Plans): Rashmi, April Webster, and Hala Elshomani of Green Spaces Mountain View urged the council to include biodiversity and urban forest plan implementation on the Parks and Recreation Commission's work plan for early public input. They also raised concerns about tree deaths at Franklin Street and Whisman Park.
• Oral Communications (Non-agenda): Lowell Chapman (Ignite facilities manager) complained about RV parking on Terabella Avenue obstructing views and creating safety hazards. A resident (KBT) criticized the Rengstorff Avenue traffic alternatives, advocating for a red-flashing-light stop at Rock Street and a 25 mph school zone.
• Public Hearings (6.3 CAPER): Representatives from Rebuilding Together Peninsula, Upwards, Vista Center for the Blind, Community Legal Services of East Palo Alto, Silicon Valley Independent Living Center, Senior Adults Legal Assistance, and Catholic Charities spoke in support of funding, detailing services to seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income residents.

Discussion Items

• 4.4 & 4.5 – Multi-family Housing Tax-Exempt Bond Financing for 96 West El Camino Real ($50M) and 87 East Evelyn Avenue ($75M): Councilmember McAllister requested briefing from Housing Director Wayne Chen. Chen explained that the bonds leverage $16 million in city funds to secure $125 million in tax credits, enabling 239 affordable units. He outlined safeguards: bi-weekly labor compliance visits, monthly construction management visits, and city fund release only after verified compliance. The council approved both bond issuances unanimously.
• 4.11 – 2026 Cal Cities Annual Conference Voting Delegate and Resolution: Councilmember Ramirez opposed the staff recommendation to support League Resolution #1 (seeking a constitutional amendment for local land-use authority). After debate, the council adopted an amended motion: oppose ballot-based strategies (constitutional amendment or initiative) but support a working group for legislative/policy fixes. The motion also directed the city manager to engage lobbyists to ensure a seat at any such group. Passed 6-1.
• 4.12 – Fiscal Year 2026-27 Board, Commission, Committee Work Plans: Councilmember Hicks proposed adding PRC review of tree and biodiversity projects; staff had already updated the work plan accordingly. Councilmember Ramirez added direction to reevaluate the purviews of the Planning Commission and Downtown Committee, with recommendations by 2027. The council unanimously approved the updated work plan and the staff direction.
• 4.14 – Response to Civil Grand Jury Report on VTA's BART Silicon Valley Phase II: Councilmember Ramirez raised concerns about the appointment process for the VTA board director in Group 2 cities, citing lack of transparency. He moved to approve the city's response and direct staff to review bylaws and formalize council delegation. The motion passed unanimously.
• Public Hearing: Downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA) #1 (6.1) and #2 (6.2): Councilmembers Clark and Hicks recused from 6.1. Chamber of Commerce CEO Peter Katz noted that fees have never been increased and a consultant will evaluate assessment structures. The council approved the annual reports, declared intention to levy 2027 assessments, and set an October 13, 2026 final hearing. BIA #1 passed 5-0 (2 recused); BIA #2 passed unanimously.
• Public Hearing: FY 2025-26 CAPER (6.3): Staff reported $2.6 million in CDBG and $2.3 million in HOME funds available, serving 4,323 residents (84% extremely low-income). Accomplishments included LOT 12 construction (119 units), minor home repairs (5 households), Boost program for 8 child care providers, and public services. After receiving public comment, the council unanimously approved the CAPER for HUD submission.
• Council Reports – Emergency Ordinance on Detention Facilities: Councilmember Showalter raised a request from Representative Sam Liccardo to ban detention centers in Mountain View. Following discussion, the council directed staff to research and draft an urgency ordinance as soon as practicable, considering model ordinances from other jurisdictions. The directive passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved all non-pulled items unanimously.
• 4.4 & 4.5: Approved $125 million in tax-exempt bonds for affordable housing (unanimous).
• 4.11: Adopted opposition to ballot-based strategies for Cal Cities Resolution #1, with support for legislative working group (6-1).
• 4.12: Approved updated work plans, with directive to reassess Planning Commission and Downtown Committee roles.
• 4.14: Approved grand jury response and directed staff to review VTA Group 2 bylaws.
• 6.1 & 6.2: Approved BIA annual reports and set final hearing date of October 13, 2026.
• 6.3: Approved FY 2025-26 CAPER for HUD submission.
• Emergency Ordinance: Directed staff to draft an urgency ordinance banning detention facilities in Mountain View.

The meeting adjourned at 10:33 PM.