Monte Sereno Backs Saratoga Joining Police Force, Challenges Water Hike

Monte Sereno's City Council moved on Sept. 15, 2026, to help build a bigger regional police department, sending a letter supporting Saratoga's addition to the shared Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department. Staff said the change would shrink Monte Sereno's share of costs. The council also unanimously authorized a letter to state regulators challenging San Jose Water's roughly $25M request to fund PFAS treatment. Both moves come as residents face constrained city budgets and rising utility bills.

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• Council endorses Saratoga joining the shared police department by voice vote; Saratoga may decide Oct. 7
• Police official defends license plate reader audits as the department eyes new territory
• Unanimous vote authorizes a letter to the CPUC on San Jose Water's roughly $25M PFAS rate request
• Youth Commission launches an emergency Go Bag project and reports growing membership

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A Bigger Police Department, a Smaller Bill

Why it matters: Monte Sereno does not run its own police force. It contracts with the shared Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department. Adding Saratoga would spread costs across a third city. Staff said that would lower Monte Sereno's share without rewriting its current agreement.

Where things stand: City Manager Diana Perkins said cities face constrained budgets and are exploring shared service models. Saratoga asked Los Gatos for a proposal to expand the department. Los Gatos was reviewing a draft agreement the same night as Monte Sereno's meeting, and Saratoga planned to take it up the following night.

A Saratoga deal would not change the existing Los Gatos-Monte Sereno agreement, Perkins said, but Monte Sereno's portion of costs would be smaller. The council's role was limited: decide whether to send a draft letter of support.

A Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department representative walked through the timeline. Saratoga plans two town meetings, on Sept. 19 and Sept. 30, and could reach a decision on Oct. 7. He said officers support the plan. A Saratoga workspace would be part of a four-beat patrol structure. Rebranding the department is not part of the agreement.

The surveillance question: A councilmember asked about networking cameras across the communities, which pushed the discussion toward automated license plate readers. These are cameras that capture plates and check them against databases. The representative acknowledged opposition to the technology exists. He said searches require an incident or case number, and he cited retail theft cases solved and missing persons located.

"I'm proud to say that we have a 30-day auditing program that not necessarily all jurisdictions may have adopted," said the police representative. He said further conversation about adoption was likely. That debate could follow the department into Saratoga if the expansion goes through.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Council members lined up behind the plan. "I'm in favor of it," said Councilmember Ken Toren. Mayor Lon Allan framed it in budget terms: "If Saratoga joins us, it'll make for a more financially efficient police department."

Councilmember Bryan Mekechuk moved to have the mayor sign the support letter. The motion passed by voice vote with no opposition heard. No tally was stated. No members of the public spoke.

Monte Sereno taxpayers stand to gain through lower cost-sharing, and officers backed the change. Saratoga takes on the biggest decision, and the open questions about license plate readers sit with residents in all three cities.

What's next: Saratoga holds town meetings Sept. 19 and Sept. 30, with a possible decision Oct. 7.

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City Goes on Record Against Water Rate Request

The basics: San Jose Water is a private utility regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). PFAS are a class of persistent synthetic chemicals, often called "forever chemicals," that utilities increasingly must treat in drinking water.

Why it matters: Perkins said San Jose Water filed on April 10, 2026, for about $25M to fund PFAS treatment at a well site. If approved, the cost would flow to ratepayers, including Monte Sereno residents.

Where things stand: Mekechuk led the push and disclosed his outside role up front. "I'm helping W.R.A.T.E.S., which is Water Rate Advocates for Transparency and Equity," he said.

Mekechuk explained the rate-making process. Utilities normally justify increases through a full general rate case, a comprehensive review of costs and revenue. He said interim filings like this one let rates climb without that full review. "Water rates are ratcheting up and they don't ratchet down," he said.

His proposal: draft a letter, have the city attorney review it and have the mayor sign it. The city would not become a formal party to the proceeding. That approach lets Monte Sereno go on record without the legal costs of formal intervention.

The other side: Vice Mayor Lisa Shannon asked whether the city should pursue a joint letter with neighboring cities. Mekechuk said speed mattered more. He described the administrative law judge, the CPUC official who oversees the case, as utility-friendly.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Mekechuk moved to authorize the letter and to add all five council signatures if time allows. Mayor Allan declared the voice vote unanimous. No members of the public commented.

Residential ratepayers are the clear stakeholders. W.R.A.T.E.S. gains a municipal ally on the record. San Jose Water faces another local voice questioning how it recovers treatment costs.

What's next: Mekechuk drafts the letter for city attorney review and the mayor's signature before it goes to the CPUC.

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Youth Commission Prepares Residents for Emergencies

Where things stand: The Youth Commission's chair and vice chair presented their 2026-2027 goals. Planned events include a booth at the city picnic, a December food drive, the holiday parade (possibly with a float) and a May ice cream social. The commission is also seeking an educational speaker.

The headline project is a Go Bag initiative to assemble emergency supplies. A subcommittee is working out funding and contents. Commissioners credited Toren with suggesting the idea.

"Emergencies are becoming more and more common in this area," said the Youth Commission chair.

Why it matters: Commissioners said adding non-voting members has improved attendance and made quorum easier to reach. That is a common struggle for volunteer advisory bodies.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No action was required. Council members praised the commission and asked for reports throughout the year. One suggested featuring the commission in the city newsletter. "The Go Bag initiative, I think, is very, very exciting," Toren said.

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Minor Items

• Ordinance second reading passes 4-1: Vice Mayor Shannon pulled Item 4 from consent and voted no. The ordinance's subject was not stated. Vote: For: 4, Against: 1 (Shannon), Absent: 0. "Since I voted no on that particular ordinance, I'm going to vote no again on this," said Vice Mayor Lisa Shannon. Toren made the motion.
• Consent Items 1-3 approved by voice vote; no tally stated.
• Regional reports: Toren said VTA approved its 2027 Transportation Service Plan, which adds routes if the November ballot measure passes. He said Cal Cities recommends no on Prop 43 and yes on Prop 1, the Veterans and Affordability Housing Bond Act of 2026.
• Pavement bids due Monday at 10 a.m.: Notice went to 17 potential contractors. Bids are structured to award two fiscal years as one contract, which returns to council next month.
• Coffee with a Cop: Mayor Allan promoted the community policing event.

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Looking Ahead

At Toren's request, a school district task force on binge drinking will be on the Oct. 6 agenda. Mayor Allan said the Youth Commission should choose its own representative. Saratoga's possible police decision follows on Oct. 7.