City Council
Regular MeetingSunnyvale, CA · October 10, 2023
Minutes
City of Sunnyvale
Meeting Minutes
City Council
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 5:00 PM Online and Council Chambers, City Hall,
456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Special Meeting: Closed Session - 5 PM | Special Meeting: Study Session - 5:30 PM |
Regular Meeting - 7 PM
5 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING (Closed Session)
Call to Order
Vice Mayor Din called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Roll Call
Present: 6 - Mayor Larry Klein
Vice Mayor Omar Din
Councilmember Russ Melton
Councilmember Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember Richard Mehlinger
Councilmember Linda Sell
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Murali Srinivasan
Public Comment
Public Comment opened at 5:02 p.m.
No speakers.
Public Comment closed at 5:02 p.m.
Convene to Closed Session
Council convened to Closed Session in the Council Conference Room at 5:02 p.m.
A 23-0916 Closed Session Held Pursuant to Paragraph (1) of Subdivision
(d) of California Government Code Section 54956.9:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING
LITIGATION Name of Case: Emerencita Marcelo v. Emilio
Guerra, City of Sunnyvale, Santa Clara County Superior Court,
Case No. 21CV390970
Adjourn Special Meeting
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City Council Meeting Minutes October 10, 2023
Vice Mayor Din adjourned the meeting at 5:32 p.m.
5:30 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING (Study Session)
Call to Order
Vice Mayor Din called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
Roll Call
Present: 6 - Mayor Larry Klein
Vice Mayor Omar Din
Councilmember Russ Melton
Councilmember Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember Richard Mehlinger
Councilmember Linda Sell
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Murali Srinivasan
Study Session
B 23-0821 Climate Action Playbook: Game Plan 2028
Environmental Services Director Ramana Chinnakotla, Regulatory Programs
Division Manager Melody Tovar and Environmental Programs Manager Madeline
Khair provided the staff report and presentation.
Public Comment opened at 6:57 p.m.
Kristel Wickham spoke in support of the Climate Action Playbook policies and
encouraged the City to explore further options for the 2028 game plan.
Stephen Meier advocated for the City to review City policies that are contrary to
achieving the Climate Action Playbook goals.
Doug Kunz shared their support for the Climate Action Playbook and offered
suggestions how to quantify the City's emission reductions.
Matthew Asuncion spoke in favor of the Climate Action Playbook and provided
comments on the noise reduction portion of the Playbook.
Public Comment closed at 7:23 p.m.
Adjourn Special Meeting
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City Council Meeting Minutes October 10, 2023
Vice Mayor Din adjourned the meeting at 7:23 p.m.
7 P.M. COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Klein called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Mayor Klein led the salute to the United States flag.
ROLL CALL
Present: 6 - Mayor Larry Klein
Vice Mayor Omar Din
Councilmember Russ Melton
Councilmember Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember Richard Mehlinger
Councilmember Linda Sell
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Murali Srinivasan
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Vice Mayor Din reported that Council met in Closed Session Held Pursuant to
Paragraph (1) of Subdivision (d) of California Government Code Section 54956.9:
Conference with Legal Counsel Existing Litigation Name of Case: Emerencita
Marcelo v. Emilio Guerra, City of Sunnyvale, Santa Clara County Superior Court,
Case No. 21CV390970; nothing to report.
SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY
C 23-0382 Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Mayor Klein read a proclamation in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Bobbe Smirni, New Frontiers in Prevention of Breast Cancer spoke to Breast
Cancer Awareness Month.
D 23-0388 National Friends of the Library Week
Mayor Klein read a proclamation in honor of National Friends of the Library Week.
Superintendent of Libraries Garrett Kuramoto spoke towards the proclamation.
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E 23-0386 Freedom from Workplace Bullies Week
Mayor Klein read a proclamation in honor of Freedom from Workplace Bullies Week.
Human Resources Director Tina Murphy spoke towards the proclamation.
F 23-0387 Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Mayor Klein read a proclamation in honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Chief Information Officer/Information Technology Director Kathleen Boutté
Foster-Gee spoke towards the proclamation.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Melton announced details of the current recruitment for various
Boards and Commissions.
Kristal Wickham announced an upcoming electrical home tour event.
Sharon Salmons provided an update and shared their concerns on the unhoused
population living in vehicles in the Cherry Chase neighborhood.
Amir Khan communicated their concerns regarding individuals living in their vehicles
in the Cherry Chase neighborhood.
Paster Matt Wise voiced their concerns with recreational vehicles parking long-term
in the Cherry Chase neighborhood.
Susan Hinton, Sierra Club Conservationist, spoke to their experience spending the
day at Lakewood Park.
Carrie Levin shared their thoughts as to why Fair Oaks Park is not a good model to
follow to renovate Lakewood Park.
Debra King provided photo examples of their concerns on recreational vehicles
parking in the Cherry Chase neighborhood.
Rose communicated their advocacy for the unhoused population and their need for
assistance.
Tom Henning voiced their support for the unhoused population and need for safe
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living solutions for those living at the Central Expressway encampment.
Michael spoke to their difficult experience with HomeFirst and being terminated with
no answers.
Liz Steward shared their concerns with HomeFirst services and their recent
terminations of employees.
Leroy Thomas communicated their HomeFirst employment termination experience
and sought assistance in getting their job back.
Shaunn shared their concerns with the recent HomeFirst termination of employees
and implored the City to reconsider their relationship with HomeFirst.
Luis Avila spoke to their experience being unhoused in Sunnyvale and asked for
assistance from the City.
Council heard additional Oral Communications from the public after the Public
Hearings/General Business portion of the meeting.
City Council took a recess at 8:42 p.m. and returned at 8:48 p.m. with Mayor Klein,
Vice Mayor Din, and Councilmembers Melton, Cisneros, Mehlinger and Sell present.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Public Comment opened at 8:48 p.m.
Several members of the public addressed Council.
Public Comment closed at 8:51 p.m.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Din moved and Councilmember Mehlinger seconded the
motion to approve agenda items 1.A through 1.E.
The motion carried with the following vote:
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City Council Meeting Minutes October 10, 2023
Yes: 6 - Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Din
Councilmember Melton
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Sell
No: 0
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Srinivasan
1.A 23-0893 Approve City Council Meeting Minutes of September 26, 2023
Approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of September 26, 2023 as submitted.
1.B 23-0279 Approve the List(s) of Claims and Bills Approved for Payment
by the City Manager
Approve the list(s) of claims and bills.
1.C 23-0186 Adopt the City’s Investment Policy (Council Policy 7.1.2) for
Fiscal Year 2023/24 and Receive the Annual Performance
Report for Fiscal Year 2022/23
Adopt the City’s Investment Policy for FY 2023/24 (Council Policy 7.1.2) and receive
the Annual Performance Report for Fiscal Year 2022/23.
1.D 23-0865 Award of Contract to Chrisp Company for Sunnyvale Bicycle,
Pedestrian and Safe Routes to School Safety Improvements
Re-Bid, Finding of California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) Exemption Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section
15301(c), and Approval of Budget Modification No. 6 in the
Amount of $189,827 (PW24-01)
Take the following actions:
- Award a contract in substantially the same for as Attachment 2 to the report in the
amount of $1,899,842.50 to Chrisp Company;
- Approve a 10% construction contingency in the amount of $189,984.30;
- Authorize the City Manager to execute the contract when all necessary conditions
have been met;
- Make a finding of a categorical exemption from the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c); and
- Approve Budget Modification No. 6 in the amount of $189,827.
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1.E 23-0901 Award of Contract to FBD Vanguard Construction, Inc. in the
Amount of $3,890,821 for SNAIL Neighborhood Improvements
and Finding of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Categorical Exemption Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section
15302(c) (PW23-15)
Take the following actions:
- Award a contract in substantially the same form as Attachment 2 to the report in
the amount of $3,890,821 to FBD Vanguard Construction, Inc.;
- Approve a 10% construction contingency in the amount of $389,082;
- Authorize the City Manager to execute the contract when all necessary conditions
have been met; and
- Make a finding of a categorical exemption from the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c).
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2 23-0891 Award of a Contract to Page & Turnbull, Inc. to Evaluate
Options for the Long-Term Operation and Maintenance of
Orchard Heritage Park and Review Proposed Expansion of the
Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum (F19-211) and
Approve Budget Modification No. 6 in the Amount of $74,738
Public Works Director Chip Taylor provided the staff report.
Public Hearing opened at 9:15 p.m.
Margaret Lawson spoke to the importance of Orchard Heritage Park along with the
Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum.
Matthew Asuncion shared their support for highlighting the Muwekma Ohlone
history at the Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum.
Tara Martin-Milius voiced the potential positive long-term impact of the orchard and
how it can be used as an educational site.
Mike Serrone communicated their support for the proposed expansion of the
Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum.
Public Hearing closed at 9:27 p.m.
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MOTION: Councilmember Melton moved and Councilmember Cisneros seconded
the motion to approve Alternative 1 to take the following actions:
- Award a contract in substantially the same form as Attachment 1 to the report in
an amount not-to-exceed $404,513 to Page & Turnbull, Inc.;
- Authorize the City Manager to execute the contract when all necessary conditions
have been met;
- Approve a 5% contract contingency in the amount of $20,225; and
- Approve Budget Modification No. 6 in the amount of $74,738.
The motion carried with the following vote:
Yes: 6 - Mayor Klein
Vice Mayor Din
Councilmember Melton
Councilmember Cisneros
Councilmember Mehlinger
Councilmember Sell
No: 0
Absent: 1 - Councilmember Srinivasan
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Jackie Lloyd shared their belief they were discriminated against as an employee at
HomeFirst in Sunnyvale and asked for an investigation on HomeFirst’s business
practices.
Judy Louser voiced their concerns with Sunnyvale’s equity, access and inclusion
programs and use of racial language in city ordinances.
Vice Mayor Din left the meeting at 9:42 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS REPORTS ON ACTIVITIES FROM INTERGOVERNMENTAL
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
None.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS
-Council
Councilmember Mehlinger presented photographs from their recent visit to Vienna
and spoke to the historical significance of the photographs.
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Councilmember Melton asked the City Attorney about the development of a City
policy regarding free speech and public comments during public meetings.
City Attorney John Nagel acknowledge City staff is exploring drafting language to
address disruptive public comments within free speech protections.
Councilmember Melton sought clarification from the City Manager if HomeFirst
accepted the recent contract extension offered by the City.
City Manager Steffens confirmed HomeFirst accepted the proposed contract.
Councilmember Melton spoke to a recent bicyclist and vehicle collision and the
positive safety response to the incident.
Mayor Klein communicated that Sunnyvale does not condone the hate speech that
was used during public comments.
Councilmember Sell asked if the Sunnyvale contract with HomeFirst allows the City
to review the employment practices of HomeFirst.
City Manager Steffens clarified Sunnyvale’s contract with HomeFirst does not give
Sunnyvale the authority to audit their employment practices.
Councilmember Sell asked if the Public Safety representative could share details of
the Firefighters Pancake Breakfast event.
Deputy Chief Daniel Pistor shared details of the Firefighters Pancake Breakfast
event.
-City Manager
None.
INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS
23-0894 Tentative Council Meeting Agenda Calendar
23-0895 Board/Commission Meeting Minutes
23-0896 Information/Action Items
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City Council Meeting Minutes October 10, 2023
23-0961 Council Advocacy Letters
23-0956 Board/Commission Resignations (Information Only)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Klein adjourned the meeting at 10:09 p.m.
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Agenda
City of Sunnyvale
Notice and Agenda
City Council
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 5:00 PM Online and Council Chambers, City Hall,
456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Special Meeting: Closed Session - 5 PM | Special Meeting: Study Session - 5:30 PM |
Regular Meeting - 7 PM
Meeting online link: https://sunnyvale-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/96111580540
Public Participation
• In-person participation: You may provide public comment by filling out a speaker
card (optional) and giving it to the City Clerk.
• Online participation: You may provide audio public comment by connecting to
the meeting online or by telephone. Use the Raise Hand feature to request to
speak (*9 on a telephone):
Meeting online link: https://sunnyvale-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/96111580540
Meeting call-in telephone number: 833-548-0276 | Meeting ID: 961 1158 0540
(*9 to request to speak | *6 to unmute/mute)
• Watch the City Council meeting at http://youtube.com/SunnyvaleMeetings or on
television over Comcast Channel 15, AT&T Channel 99
• Submit written comments to the City Council no later than 4 hours prior to the
meeting start to council@sunnyvale.ca.gov or by mail to:
City Clerk, 456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086
• Review recordings of this meeting and past meetings at
https://sunnyvaleca.legistar.com/calendar.aspx or
http://youtube.com/SunnyvaleMeetings
Accessibility/Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice
Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need special
assistance to provide public comment, or for other special assistance; please
contact the City at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to enable the City to make
City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Printed on 10/5/2023
City Council Notice and Agenda October 10, 2023
reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. The Office of the
City Clerk may be reached at 408-730-7483 or cityclerk@sunnyvale.ca.gov (28
CFR 35.160 (b) (1)).
5 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING (Closed Session)
Call to Order
Call to Order in the Council Chambers (Open to the Public)
Roll Call
Public Comment
The public may provide comments regarding the Closed Session item(s). If you
wish to address the Council, please refer to the notice at the beginning of this
agenda. Closed Sessions are not open to the public.
Convene to Closed Session
Convene to Closed Session in the Council Conference Room (Closed to the
Public).
A 23-0916 Closed Session Held Pursuant to Paragraph (1) of Subdivision
(d) of California Government Code Section 54956.9:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING
LITIGATION Name of Case: Emerencita Marcelo v. Emilio
Guerra, City of Sunnyvale, Santa Clara County Superior
Court, Case No. 21CV390970
Adjourn Special Meeting
5:30 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING (Study Session)
Call to Order
Call to Order in the Council Chambers
Roll Call
Study Session
The public may provide comments regarding the Study Session item(s). If you
wish to address the Council, please refer to the notice at the beginning of this
agenda.
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City Council Notice and Agenda October 10, 2023
B 23-0821 Climate Action Playbook: Game Plan 2028
Adjourn Special Meeting
7 P.M. COUNCIL MEETING
Pursuant to Council Policy, City Council will not begin consideration of any
agenda item after 11:30 p.m. without a vote. Any item on the agenda which must
be continued due to the late hour shall be continued to a date certain. Information
provided herein is subject to change from date of printing of the agenda to the date
of the meeting.
CALL TO ORDER
Call to Order in the Council Chambers
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY
C 23-0382 Breast Cancer Awareness Month
D 23-0388 National Friends of the Library Week
E 23-0386 Freedom from Workplace Bullies Week
F 23-0387 Cybersecurity Awareness Month
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
This category provides an opportunity for members of the public to address the
City Council on items not listed on the agenda and is limited to 15 minutes (may
be extended or continued after the public hearings/general business section of the
agenda at the discretion of the Mayor) with a maximum of up to three minutes per
speaker. Please note the Brown Act (Open Meeting Law) does not allow the
Council to take action on an item not listed on the agenda. If you wish to address
the Council, please refer to the notice at the beginning of this agenda. Individuals
are limited to one appearance during this section.
CONSENT CALENDAR
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City Council Notice and Agenda October 10, 2023
All matters listed on the consent calendar are considered to be routine and will be
acted upon by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items. If
a member of the public would like a consent calendar item pulled and discussed
separately, please refer to the notice at the beginning of this agenda.
1.A 23-0893 Approve City Council Meeting Minutes of September 26, 2023
Recommendation: Approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of September 26,
2023 as submitted.
1.B 23-0279 Approve the List(s) of Claims and Bills Approved for Payment
by the City Manager
Recommendation: Approve the list(s) of claims and bills.
1.C 23-0186 Adopt the City’s Investment Policy (Council Policy 7.1.2) for
Fiscal Year 2023/24 and Receive the Annual Performance
Report for Fiscal Year 2022/23
Recommendation: Adopt the City's Investment Policy for FY 2023/24 (Council
Policy 7.1.2) and receive the Annual Performance Report for
Fiscal Year 2022/23.
1.D 23-0865 Award of Contract to Chrisp Company for Sunnyvale Bicycle,
Pedestrian and Safe Routes to School Safety Improvements
Re-Bid, Finding of California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) Exemption Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section
15301(c), and Approval of Budget Modification No. 6 in the
Amount of $189,827 (PW24-01)
Recommendation: Take the following actions:
- Award a contract in substantially the same for as Attachment
2 to the report in the amount of $1,899,842.50 to Chrisp
Company;
- Approve a 10% construction contingency in the amount of
$189,984.30;
- Authorize the City Manager to execute the contract when all
necessary conditions have been met;
- Make a finding of a categorical exemption from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines Section 15301(c); and
- Approve Budget Modification No. 6 in the amount of
$189,827.
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City Council Notice and Agenda October 10, 2023
1.E 23-0901 Award of Contract to FBD Vanguard Construction, Inc. in the
Amount of $3,890,821 for SNAIL Neighborhood Improvements
and Finding of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Categorical Exemption Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section
15302(c) (PW23-15)
Recommendation: Take the following actions:
- Award a contract in substantially the same form as
Attachment 2 to the report in the amount of $3,890,821 to FBD
Vanguard Construction, Inc.;
- Approve a 10% construction contingency in the amount of
$389,082;
- Authorize the City Manager to execute the contract when all
necessary conditions have been met; and
- Make a finding of a categorical exemption from the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines Section 15301(c).
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
If you wish to speak to a public hearing/general business item, please refer to
notice at the beginning of this agenda. Each speaker is limited to a maximum of
three minutes. For land-use items, applicants are limited to a maximum of 10
minutes for opening comments and 5 minutes for closing comments.
2 23-0891 Award of a Contract to Page & Turnbull, Inc. to Evaluate
Options for the Long-Term Operation and Maintenance of
Orchard Heritage Park and Review Proposed Expansion of the
Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum (F19-211) and
Approve Budget Modification No. 6 in the Amount of $74,738
Recommendation: Staff recommends Alternative 1 to take the following actions:
- Award a contract in substantially the same form as
Attachment 1 to the report in an amount not-to-exceed
$404,513 to Page & Turnbull, Inc.;
- Authorize the City Manager to execute the contract when all
necessary conditions have been met;
- Approve a 5% contract contingency in the amount of $20,225
and
- Approve Budget Modification No. 6 in the amount of $74,738.
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City Council Notice and Agenda October 10, 2023
COUNCILMEMBERS REPORTS ON ACTIVITIES FROM INTERGOVERNMENTAL
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS
-Council
-City Manager
INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS
Visit http://Sunnyvale.ca.gov/TCMAC to view the Tentative Council Meeting
Agenda Calendar (TCMAC) online. The TCMAC is updated each Thursday
afternoon.
23-0894 Tentative Council Meeting Agenda Calendar
23-0895 Board/Commission Meeting Minutes
23-0896 Information/Action Items
23-0961 Council Advocacy Letters
23-0956 Board/Commission Resignations (Information Only)
ADJOURNMENT
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
The agenda reports to council (RTCs) may be viewed on the City’s website at
sunnyvale.ca.gov after 7 p.m. on Thursdays or at the NOVA Workforce Services
reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue, during
normal business hours, prior to Tuesday City Council meetings. Any agenda
related writings or documents distributed to members of the City of Sunnyvale City
Council regarding any open session item on this agenda will be made available
for public inspection in the Office of the City Clerk located on the fourth floor of
City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue, during normal business hours and in the
Council Chambers on the evening of the Council Meeting, pursuant to Government
Code §54957.5. Please contact the Office of the City Clerk at 408-730-7483 for
specific questions regarding the agenda.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that if you file a lawsuit challenging any final decision on
any public hearing item listed in this agenda, the issues in the lawsuit may be
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City Council Notice and Agenda October 10, 2023
limited to the issues which were raised at the public hearing or presented in
writing to the Office of the City Clerk at or before the public hearing.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that Code of Civil Procedure section 1094.6
imposes a 90-day deadline for the filing of any lawsuit challenging final action on
an agenda item which is subject to Code of Civil Procedure 1094.5.
Planning a presentation for a City Council meeting?
To help you prepare and deliver your public comments, please review the "Making
Public Comments During City Council or Planning Commission Meetings"
available at http://Sunnyvale.ca.gov/PublicComments
Planning to provide materials to Council?
If you wish to provide the City Council with copies of your presentation materials,
please provide 12 copies of the materials to the Office of the City Clerk. The City
Clerk will distribute your items to the Council.
Upcoming Meetings
Visit https://sunnyvaleca.legistar.com for upcoming Council, board and
commission meeting information.
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