Mayor Fowler led the salute to the flag.

Eugene Bradley, founder of the Santa Clara VTA Riders Union, stated that the Valley Transportation Authority is facing a financial crises and are proposing reductions in service. He invited the public to a December 9th meeting. Details of the meeting can be found on their web site at www.vtaridersunion.org.

Suzi Blackman, Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, invited the public to attend the Sunnyvale Downtown Associations’ December 4^th Annual Tree Lighting event with festivities commencing at 5:30 p.m. on Murphy Street.

*Pending Council Approval

Nancy Tivol, Executive Director of Sunnyvale Community Services, invited the public to attend the December 5^th Annual Chamber of Commerce Benefit Auction which benefits the Community Christmas Center. The event will be held at the Washington Park Building and will run from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. For details, visit their website at www.svservices.org.

Robert Harms, a member of the public, thanked the Council for listening to their neighborhood concerns.

Melinda Hamilton, President of the Friends of Sunnyvale, thanked the Council for the November 18^th Community Outreach Meeting. For more information on their organization, visit their website at www.friendsofsunnyvale.org, or call 732-8839.

Councilmember Valerio made the following announcements on behalf of the Council:

Councilmember Howe, responding to a question from the Downtown Design Plan Outreach Meeting, stated the response from the Quarterly Report Article showed 94 respondents made positive suggestions, 14 asked questions or wanted further information, and 39 were considered negative responses. The full report is available from the Department of Community of Development and will be available on the City’s web site soon.

Councilmember Vorreiter commented that the Hindu Temple will be having a dialog with the Iranian Americans that were present at the November 12th Public Hearing regarding the Persian Drive rename. She noted that If the application comes before Council again, the application will be assessed on the rename change criteria that has been set by Council.

Mayor Fowler stated the Council met in closed session on November 13th regarding contract negotiations with the City Manager. Direction was given but no action was taken.

Motion by Vice Mayor Miller, and seconded by Councilmember Howe, for approval of the Consent Calendar. The motion carried unanimously

Donald Schultz, a member of the public, expressed concern regarding Chapter 10.24 of the Municipal Code regarding abandoned vehicles. He asked for clarification on abandonment. He also inquired about what steps the City is taking to enforce red light violations. Mayor Fowler replied that the Traffic Department is investigating the problem and conducting a study.

Dahl Phelps, a member of the public, expressed concern about eminent domain versus fair market value. Councilmember Vorreiter clarified that the Redevelopment Agency does not have power of eminent domain, but if an agency exercises the power of eminent domain, they would have to pay fair market value.

Greg Morris, a member of the public, thanked the Council and staff for their efforts in taking care of Sunnyvale.

Susan Kitchens, City Clerk, presented the staff report.

Mayor Fowler opened nominations for the office of Mayor.

Councilmember Risch nominated Vice Mayor Miller to serve as Mayor for 2002-2003, noting that she was unanimously elected for Vice Mayor last year.

Vice Mayor Miller was elected to the office of Mayor on a split vote, with Councilmembers Valerio, Vorreiter and Walker abstaining.

State Senator, Liz Figueroa, who represents District 10, administered the oath of office to Mayor Miller who was accompanied by her father, John Fox, and her son, Jason Miller.

Mayor Miller stated it is an honor to preside over the City and recognized former Mayor Fowler for keeping the Council together and moving forward. She presented former Mayor Fowler with a plaque of the November 27, 2001 City Council meeting agenda, which was the first City Council meeting former Mayor Fowler presided at after he was elected Mayor.

Former Mayor Fowler asserted that the best way to receive a gift is to give one. He asked Laura Babcock to join him at the podium and presented her with a check for $372.58 to help build the new museum. Former Mayor Fowler presented an additional check from himself and his wife for $627.42.

Mayor Miller thanked Former Mayor Fowler and his wife Phyllis Fowler for their generosity to the community.

Former Mayor Fowler recounted some of his accomplishments over the last year. He stated he had two "ghosts" over the last year which were the events of September 11th and the hard economic times. Former Mayor Fowler stated some of the joys he experienced as Mayor were attending community events and the interaction with Sunnyvale residents. He thanked the community for their support and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Mayor. He stated that Sunnyvale is a special place, and encouraged citizens to have faith in it.

Mayor Miller announced that since a new Mayor had been seated, a retake of attendance was in order.

Selection of Vice Mayor for 2002-2003.

Mayor Miller opened the nominations for the office of Vice Mayor.

Councilmember Howe nominated Councilmember Risch to serve as Vice Mayor for 2002-2003.

Councilmember Risch was unanimously elected Vice Mayor.

State Senator Liz Figueroa administered the oath of office to Vice Mayor Risch who was accompanied by his wife, Yolanda and his daughter, Jennifer.

Mayor Miller thanked Senator Figueroa for attending and invited her to speak.

Senator Figueroa stated she was honored to be part of local government and felt this was government at its very best. She applauded the community spirit and the Council’s foresight by coming to Sacramento to discuss issues affecting cities.

Vice Mayor Risch thanked his wife, Yolanda, and daughter, Jennifer, for their support and the Council for their support and leadership. He stated that next year will be challenging with the Downtown Redevelopment Plan and the state budget. Vice Mayor Risch stated his desire to continue to involve the citizens of Sunnyvale to help establish the future direction of Sunnyvale. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve the community and make Sunnyvale one of the finest communities in the United States.

By unanimous consent, the City Council seating arrangement for 2002-2003 is as follows (from left to right, from the audience): Councilmember Valerio, Councilmember Vorreiter, Vice Mayor Risch, Mayor Miller, Councilmember Walker, Councilmember Fowler, Councilmember Howe.

Mayor Miller thanked and welcomed everyone for attending. She noted the changes that have developed over the past 47 years of her citizenship with the City transforming to an international city, rich in many diverse cultures. She stated the mission remains to provide a high quality of life for residents in which to work, live, raise a family or build a business. She addressed the challenges of the economic environment, the Downtown Redesign Plan, and caring for the less fortunate. Mayor Miller asked her family to stand. They were her parents, John and Ivy Fox, her sister, Angela and her husband Bob, her nephew, Matt Steele, and her son, Jason.

Mayor Miller thanked her family, friends, mentors, residents, Chamber members, business owners and supporters. She recognized her colleagues, City staff and constituents pledging to work hard for Sunnyvale everyday. She stated there are five areas she will focus on: citizenship, caring, commerce, collaboration, and community. Mayor Miller stated that community involvement is crucial and her door will always be open to ideas, concerns and solutions. She asked everyone to join in her efforts with a can-do and winning attitude.

Mayor Miller offered an invitation to a celebration at the Tarragon Restaurant immediately following the Council Meeting.

There were no comments.

Mayor Miller declared the meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Kitchens
City Clerk