MINUTES
SUNNYVALE CITY COUNCIL
November 16, 2004
7:30 P.M.

The City Council of the City of Sunnyvale met in regular session in the City Council Chambers, 456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, California at 7:30 p.m., with Mayor Howe presiding.

NOTE:  Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953, subdivision (b) this meeting included teleconference participation by Council Member Otto Lee from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

SALUTE TO THE FLAG

Mayor Howe led the salute to the flag.

ROLL CALL

Mayor Howe invited Stuart McGee to lead an invocation.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

The City is holding a second series of community meetings on November 18 to discuss housing and community development needs and services.  For additional information, contact Katrina Ardina in Sunnyvale’s Housing Division at 730-7451.

The Sunnyvale Division of Transportation and Traffic will be holding a community outreach meeting on November 17.  For additional information, contact Dieckmann Cogill in Sunnyvale’s Division of Transportation and Traffic at 730-2713.

Councilmember Hamilton announced the Bone Marrow Registry Drive at the Sunnyvale Community Center on Saturday, November 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  For more information, call (408) 235-1535 or visit www.marrow.org.

Councilmember Miller thanked the Sunnyvale Employees Association for the reception and corsages.

Mike Klein, a member of the public, reminded the public about the Cub and Boy Scout food drive this week.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Councilmember Hamilton requested that items 1.A and 1.E be pulled from the Consent Calendar and considered separately.  Vice Mayor Chu moved, and Councilmember Swegles seconded, approval of the Consent Calendar with the exception of  items 1.A and 1.E.  The motion carried unanimously.

Councilmember Hamilton pulled the item because she was not present at the November 8 and 9 Council meetings.

Mayor Howe opened the Public Hearing for items 1.A and 1.E at 7:46 p.m. and, there being no public comments closed the Public Hearing.

Vice Mayor Chu moved, and Councilmember Swegles seconded, approval of items 1.A and 1.E.  The motion carried with Councilmember Hamilton abstaining.

Fiscal Items

Contracts

Other Items

Councilmember Miller clarified the motion would go with staff’s recommendation.

Councilmember Hamilton pulled the item because she was not present at the November 9 Council meeting.

Mayor Howe opened the Public Hearing for items 1.A and 1.E at 7:46 p.m. and, there being no public comments closed the Public Hearing.

Vice Mayor Chu moved, and Councilmember Swegles seconded, approval of items 1.A and 1.E.  The motion carried with Councilmember Hamilton abstaining.

CITIZENS TO BE HEARD

There were no comments.

PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS

None

SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY

Susan Ramos, City Clerk, presented the staff report.

Mayor Howe opened nominations for the office of Mayor.

Councilmember Swegles nominated Vice Mayor Chu to serve as Mayor for 2004-2005.

Vice Mayor Chu was unanimously voted to the office of Mayor.

State Senator elect Joe Simitian administered the oath of Office to Mayor Chu who was accompanied by his wife, Wilma, and his daughter Liane.  Mayor Chu stated he would defer his comments to the end of this item.

Vice Mayor Chu recognized Former Mayor Howe for his work in bringing the Council together and presented him with a plaque of the agenda of his first meeting as Mayor, and a poster for the State of the City address and the July 4 picnic.

Former Mayor Howe reflected on the past year and thanked his colleagues for their support and friendship, and City Manager Amy Chan and City staff for their contributions.  He lauded the Council and staff for engaging the community in the civic process that included neighborhood meetings and business roundtables, and a revised budget process that allowed more opportunity for public comment.  He stated it was an honor and privilege to serve as Sunnyvale’s Mayor and offered his support to newly elected Mayor Dean Chu.  He invited Diana Drew, Executive Director of Century Access Foundation, to join him at the podium and presented her with a check in the amount of $313.86, as part of the Mayor’s gift, for her company’s service.

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

The City Clerk called the roll for attendance and all Councilmembers were present with Councilmember Lee teleconferencing.

Selection of Vice Mayor for 2004-2005

Councilmember Swegles nominated Councilmember Howe to serve as Vice Mayor for 2004-2005.

Councilmember Howe requested to forego the policy on seniority this year and declined the nomination.  He nominated Councilmember Swegles to serve as Vice Mayor for 2004-2005.

Councilmember Swegles was unanimously voted to the office of Vice Mayor.

Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Ron Del Pozzo administered the oath of Office to Vice Mayor Swegles, who was accompanied by his wife, Gail.

Vice Mayor Swegles stated it was an honor to serve as Vice Mayor and thanked Former Mayor Howe for his leadership, and his brother and sister-in-law for their support and contributions.  He offered his support to Mayor Chu.

Mayor Chu thanked State Senator elect Joe Simitian for taking the time to administer the oath of office and recognized his wife Wilma, his daughter Liane, and his parents.  He further recognized dignitaries in the audience as well as members of Sunnyvale’s Boards and Commissions.  He stated it was a pleasure and honor to assume the role of Mayor of Sunnyvale and fulfilled a life long dream. He thanked Former Mayor Howe for unifying the Council, and reaching out to the community.  He affirmed he will continue the work to build bridges with the community and businesses including business roundtables and neighborhood outreach.  He lauded the appointment of Amy Chan as City Manager and stated the City will move swiftly to fill vacant director positions.  He stated Sunnyvale has a long tradition and a reputation for being a well-managed City and he intends to continue that tradition and involve more members of the community than ever before in shaping the policies that will guide Sunnyvale into the future.

By unanimous consent, the City Council seating arrangements for 2004-2005 is as follows (from left to right): Councilmember Lee, Councilmember Miller, Councilmember Fowler, Mayor Chu, Vice Mayor Swegles, Councilmember Hamilton, Councilmember Howe.

NON-AGENDA ITEMS & COMMENTS

COUNCIL

Mayor Chu announced the next Council meeting would be on Tuesday, December 7.

STAFF

There were no comments.

INFORMATION ONLY ITEMS – Received and Filed

Tentative Council Meeting Agenda Calendar

Housing and Human Services Commission Approved Minutes of September 22, 2004

Housing and Human Services Commission Unapproved Minutes of October 27, 2004

Council Study Session Summary of November 9, 2004 – Intergovernmental Relations Update

ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Chu declared the meeting adjourned at  8:15 p.m.

Susan Ramos, City Clerk