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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-04-2001 City Council Minutes MINUTES SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL April 4, 2001 The City Council of the City of Saratoga met in Closed Session, Administrative Conference Room, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue at 5:30 p.m. Conference With Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Government Code section 54956.9(a)): Name of case: City of Saratoga v. Hinz (Santa Clara County Superior Court Doc. No. CV-784560) Conference With Labor Negotiator: Agency designated representative: Dave Anderson, City Manager Employee organization: Saratoga Employees Association MAYOR'S REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION - 7:00 p.m. Mayor Mehaffey reported there was Council discussion but no reportable action was taken. Mayor Mehaffey called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and requested Councilmember Baker to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmembers Evan Baker, Stan Bogosian, Ann Waltonsmith, Vice Mayor Nick Streit, Mayor John Mehaffey ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Dave Anderson, City Manager Richard Taylor, City Attorney Cathleen Boyer, City Clerk Mary Jo Walker, Director of Administrative Services John Cherbone, Director of Public Works Paula Reeve, Administrative Analyst Cary Bloomquist, Administrative Analyst REPORT OF CITY CLERK ON POSTING OF AGENDA FOR APRIL 4, 2001 Cathleen Boyer, City Clerk, reported that pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for the meeting of April 4, 2001 was properly posted on March 30, 2001. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMISSIONS & PUBLIC None COMMUNICATIONS FROM BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS None WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS None ORAL COMMUNICATIONS The following people spoke at tonight's meeting: Ed Farrell, 20877 Kittfidge Road, presented the City Council copies of supplemental material relevant to the Saratoga Public Safety Commission's report on "Fire Protection Delivery" written by FACT. David Dolloff, 20685 Seagull Drive, noted that he recently spoke to Richard Taylor, City Attorney, and was told that Saratoga Fire District was a separate entity and the City has no authority over the District. Mr. Dolloffnoted that he asked Mr. Taylor what options the City has in terms of authority, direction, and/or support over the Saratoga Fire District and Mr. Taylor told him that it would take too much of his time, without the direction of the City Council, to research the City's relationship with the Saratoga Fire District. K.B. Walker, 20281 Blauer, requested that the City Council help FACT in their efforts to merge the Saratoga Fire District with County Fire. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF Councilmember Bogosian noted that public safety is local governments primary responsibility and he supports directing City Attorney Taylor to invest the necessary time to determine what the City of Saratoga can and cannot do in regards to the Saratoga Fire District. Consensus of the City Council to direct City Attorney Taylor to explore ways to legally exert control over the Saratoga Fire District. CEREMONIAL ITEMS lA. PROCLAMATION - DECLARING THE WEEK OF APRIL 15 - APRIL 22, 2001 DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE IN MEMORY OF THE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Read proclamation. Mayor Mehaffey read the proclamation. lB. PROCLAMATION - DECLARING THE WEEK OF APRIL 22 - APRIL 28, 2001 ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS WEEK STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Read proclamation. CONSENT CALENDAR 2A. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES OF: REGULAR MEETING - FEBRUARY 21, 2001 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve submitted minutes. Councilmember Baker pulled Item 2A from the Consent Calendar. Councilmember Baker noted on page 2, the vote was recorded incorrectly for approval of the City Council minutes of February 7, 2001. The vote should read as follows: "Motion passed 3-0-1-1 with Mehaffey abstaining and Bogosian absent". BAKER/STREIT MOVED TO APPROVE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 21, 2001 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION PASSED 4- 0-1 WITH BOGOSIAN ABSTAINING. 2B. REVIEW OF CHECK REGISTER STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve check register. STREIT/BAKER MOVED TO APPROVE THE CHECK REGISTER. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 2C. REVIEW OF PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION MINUTES MARCH 28, 2001 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Note and file. 2D. 2E. 2F. STREIT/BAKER NOTE AND FILE PLANNING ACTION MINUTES. MOTION PASSED 5-0. APPROVAL OF JOINT CITY COUNCIL/LIBRARY EXPANSION COMMITTEE MINUTES - MARCH 1, 2001 BAKER/WALTONSMITH MOVED TO APPROVE MINUTES OF MARCH 1, 2001 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AS AMENDED. MOTION PASSED 5-0. ADOPT RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING PLANNING COMMISSION STIPEND STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt resolution. TITLE OF RESOLUTION: 01-021 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA ESTABLISHING COMPENSATION FOR PLANNING COMMISSIONERS Mayor Mehaffey pulled Item 2E from the Consent Calendar. Mayor Mehaffey suggested that the phrase "inordinate amount of time" be replaced with "many hours". Consensus of the City Council to amend wording in the proposed resolution. BAKER/BOGOSIAN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING PLANNING COMMISSION STIPEND AS AMENDED. MOTION PASSED 5-0. ACCEPT NOTICE OF COMPLETION FROM PLAYGROUNDS UNLIMITED - KEVIN MORAN AND GARDINER PARK PLAY AREA IMPROVEMENTS STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Accept notice. BAKERJWALTONSMITH MOVED TO ACCEPT NOTICE OF COMPLETION FROM PLAYGROUNDS UNLIMITED. MOTION PASSED 5-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) ALLOCATIONS FOR FY 2001-2002 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve allocations as recommended by staff. Paula Reeve, Administrative Analyst, presented staffreport. Analyst Reeve noted that tonight staff is asking Council to conduct the public heating and approve $180,874.00 for FY 2001-2002 Community Development Block Grant and Human Services Funds. Analyst Reeve explained that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) makes annual disbursements of Housing and Community Development Act (HCDA) funds for eligible projects and activities. Saratoga and other "nonentitlement" cities (population under 50,000), receive HCDA funds from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program through a corporative agreement with the County of Santa Clara, the locally responsible grant recipient. Analyst Reeve noted that as a nonentitlement jurisdiction, the City of Saratoga would receive $165,874.00, plus $15,000.00 to cover program administration expenses, for a total of $180,874.00. Analyst Reeve noted that the City of Saratoga has received one human services proposal and three CDBG proposals. Analyst Reeve briefly explained the proposals! 1. SASCC - submitted a proposal for continued support of the Adult Day Care Center. Staff recommends $36,667.00 available from CDBG Human Services Grant Funds. 2. Project Match - submitted a proposal for $19,500.00 to subsidize rent payments of its senior group home located at the new site of 1552 Johnson Avenue. Staff recommends $19,500.00 to support Project Match. 3. Bridge Housing For Cupertino Community Services - submitted a proposal requesting funds to help support the proposed 24-unit affordable housing project. Staffrecommends $37, 707.00. 4. ADA Project for Hakone Gardens - as per the recent agreement with Hakone Foundation, the City will provide $50,000.00 per year for five years, to update ADA requirements at the park. Staff recommends $50,000.00. 5. Funding requirements for County Housing Rehabilitation Assistance - Each City that utilizes the services of the County's Housing Rehabilitation Specialist is required to pay $20,000.00 from its annual CDBG grant allocation to cover these costs. Staff recommends $20,000.00. Mayor Mehaffey opened the Public Heating at 7:32 p.m. and invited any public comment. Jaclyn Fabre, Executive Director/Cupertino Community Services, briefly explained the services CCS provides and asked the Council to support the funding to help support the proposed 24-unit affordable housing complex in Cupertino. Councilmember Baker explained that although he fully supports CCS and the proposed affordable housing project, this year might be the last year the City of Saratoga allocates CDBG funds to CCS. Councilmember Baker noted that with the recent demands of affordable housing and the recently released ABAG assessment report the City of Saratoga needs to fund projects that would give the City credit towards affordable housing units here in Saratoga, not in Cupertino. Vice Mayor Streit asked Ms. Fabre if the City of Saratoga would get credit for helping Cupertino. Tom Early/Bridge Housing responded that he recently discussed this possibility with ABAG, but unfortunately current RDA and Housing Laws prohibit that concept. Analyst Reeve noted that CCS is extremely helpful and is the only referral the City of Saratoga has to offer citizens in need. Betty Feldheim, 10185 North Stelling Road, noted that she is the appointed representative to the HCD - Citizen Advisory Committee. Ms. Feldheim noted that the City Council did not allocate any funds to CCS last year and encouraged the Council to please support CCS this year in their efforts to build a 24-unit affordable housing complex. Bob Campbell, Executive Director/Project Match, thanked the City Council for their continued support over the years. Mr. Campbell noted that Project Match has been in collaboration with the City of Saratoga since 1991. Mr. Campbell explained that the owner of the property recently sold the current senior group home on 20218 Blauer Avenue. Mr. Campbell noted that he has negotiated a rental agreement with Community Housing Developers to rent a four-bedroom home located on 1552 Johnson Avenue. Karen Lorenz, Administrative Director/SASCC, thanked the City Council for their continued support over the years. Mayor Mehaffey closed the Public heating at 7:53 p.m. BOGOSIAN/STREIT MOVED TO APPROVE FY 2001-2002 CDBG AND HUMAN SERVICES FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $180,874.00. MOTION PASSES 5-0. OLD BUSINESS LIBRARY EXPANSION GENERAL BOND OBLIGATION BOND RESOLUTION STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt resolution. TITLE OF RESOLUTION: 01-022 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $15,000,000.00 AGGREGATED PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2001, AND AUTHORIZING ACTIONS RELATED THERETO Mary Jo Walker, Administrative Services Director, presented staff report. Director Walker reported that tonight the City Council is asked to adopt a resolution authorizing the issuance of $15,000,000.00 in bonds and authorizing the following documents: 1. Notice of Intention 2. Notice of Sale and Bid Form 3. Continuing Disclosure Certificate 4. Preliminary Official Statement Director Walker explained that the next step would be the bid opening process, which will take place on April 24, 2001 in San Francisco. At that time proposals will be opened in an effort to hire an underwriter. Director Walker informed the City Council that on March 21st City Staff and the Mayor made a presentation in from of two bond rating agency. Director Walker reported that the City of Saratoga received AA+ rating from Standard & Poor's and AA1 rating from Moodys. Director Walker noted that these were excellent rating for a city of this size. Director Walker pointed out that only two cities in California have AAA ratings, they are Palo Alto and Santa Monica, being much larger cities than Saratoga. Director Walker noted that Rich Martinez/Sutro & Company, and Brian Quint/Quint and Thimmig, were present tonight to answer any questions that Council might have. Mayor Mehaffey thanks Mary Jo, Brain and Rich for all of their hard work. STREIT/BAKER MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $15,000,000.00 IN GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 5. BUS SHELTER FEASIBILITY STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Accept report and direct staff accordingly. Cary Bloomquist, Administrative Analyst, presented staffreport. Analyst Bloomquist stated that this was a follow up report from the City Council meeting of March 7, 2001. Analyst Bloomquist noted that staffwas directed to identify approximately 10 potential sites along with cost data, for bus shelters within the existing network of 79 bus stops. Analyst Bloomquist explained that staff gathered logistic data from ALTRANS and VTA and identified 16 potential bus shelter sites. Councilmember Bogosian asked the cost of the bus shelter in from of Kerful Cleaners. Analyst Bloomquist responded that the shelter in front of Kerful Cleaners was $11,450.00. Mayor Mehaffey asked if that cost included site preparation. Analyst Bloomquist noted that the cost does not include any retaining walls or permit fees. Councilmember Waltonsmith noted that she fully supports the use of metal shelters instead of the shelters constructed of wood. Councilmember Waltonsmith opposed wood shelters for the following reasons: · No side protection · Massive in size · No protection from the wind In an effort to lower the constntction costs, Councilmember Waltonsmith encouraged the other Council members to consider the use of advertising on some of the shelters. Vice Mayor Streit noted he could agree to some~advertising on the bus shelters. Dave Anderson, City Manager, suggested including bus shelters in the upcoming C1P process. Mayor Mehaffey concurred with City Manager Anderson. Councilmember Bogosian noted that he felt sixteen bus shelters were too many. Vice Mayor Streit concurred with Councilmember Bogosian and suggested that staff rank the bus stops in the order of importance and volume of usage. Councilmember Bogosian firmly stated that he would not support any advertising on the bus shelters. Councilmember Baker concurred with Councilmember Bogosian and does not support any advertising on the bus shelters. Councilmember Baker noted that it is the City Council's obligation to the community to maintain Saratoga's image and not let it become a commemial city. Councilmember Baker supports adding bus shelters to the CIP process. In response to Vice Mayor Streit's suggestion of ranking the importance of the proposed bus shelters, Analyst Bloomquist informed the Council that the bus stops at the following locations were the most heavily used: · #2 - On East side of Prospect, cross street is Lyle · #3 - On West side of Saratoga, cross street is Park · #4 - On North side of Saratoga, cross street is Cox · #5 - On North side of Quito, cross street is McCoy · #6 - On South side of Saratoga, cross reference is St. Andrews · #7 - On East side Saratoga, cross street is Saratoga-Los Gatos Mayor Mehaffey thanked Analyst Bloomquist for the report. Consensus of the City Council to add bus shelters to the upcoming CIP process. NEW BUSINESS None COMMISSION ASSIGNMENT REPORTS Councilmember Baker noted that there are still two vacancies on the Planning Commission. The filing deadline is April I2, 2001. Councilmember Baker thanked the City Council for approving the resolution establishing a stipend for the Planning Commissioners. Vice Mayor Streit noted that the Parks and Recreation Commission is extremely busy working on the assignments Council provided to them at the February 27, 2001 Joint Meeting. Vice Mayor St-reit noted that the development of Azule Park has become their number one priority. Mayor Mehaffey noted that the Finance Commission has been revising the City's Procedures & Policy Manual and preparing for the upcoming budget process. Mayor Mehaffey noted that the Gateway Task Force has not met recently. Director Cherbone commented that proposals to hire a consultant have been received and he would be convening a meeting of the Gateway Task Force early next month. Councilmember Bogosian had nothing to report in regards to the Library Commission and the Public Safety Commission. Councilmember Bogosian reported that the Library Expansion Committee is starting the process to purchase furniture for the temporary library and are looking into the funds that the County Library has set aside for this purpose. Councilmember Bogosian noted that the bond money cannot be used for this purpose. Councilmember Waltonsmith noted that the Heritage Preservation Commission has been focusing on internal policies and procedures. Councilmember Waltonsmith noted the Youth Commission has recently been planning upcoming events and fund raising activities. Councilmember Waltonsmith noted that the Commissioners are excited that they have raised $36,000.00. Recent discussions have been focused around providing scholarships to kids who cannot afford to go on the trips. Councilmember Waltonsmith noted that the Trails Subcommittee has been recently trying to update the Saratoga Trails Map. Councilmember Waltonsmith noted that the Subcommittee has information on possible grants, but unfortunately they need someone to write grant proposals. CITY COUNCIL ITEMS Councilmember Baker requested a status update on the request for a septic abatement exemption from Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett. Director Cherbone noted that he has been in contact with the Bartlett's. Director Cherbone reported that he provided them with names of three contractors for price estimates and recently was informed that they have not contacted the suggested contractors. Director Cherbone noted that he does not know if they qualify for a CDBG grant. Councilmember Bogosian asked the procedure for adding agenda items for the Council Retreat on May 5th. City Manager Anderson responded that he should pass his suggestions on to Mayor Mehaffey. Councilmember Waltonsmith strongly suggested that the City of Saratoga should look into obtaining services of a grant writer. Councilmember Waltonsmith also requested that staff look into projects sponsored by Project Match to see if the City could receive any credit to comply with ABAG's requirements. OTHER Councilmember Baker questioned the status on the proposed meeting with Assemblymember Cohn, West Valley College and the surrounding neighborhood to discuss the issue regarding the stadium. City Manager Anderson responded that he recently spoke to Assemblymember Cohn's local office and the response was she was extremely busy and the meeting should be scheduled sometime in late April. Councilmember Waltonsmith questioned the status on the septic abatement ordinance. City Attorney Taylor responded the second notice went out to noncompliant property owners. City Attorney Taylor noted that staff would be writing a report to Council explaining where the City is in regards to being in compliance with the ordinance. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager Anderson reminded Council that tomorrow was the assessment center for the position of Community Development Director. City Manager Anderson noted that the interview panel would be interviewing five applicants. Mayor Mehaffey questioned the status on the recruitment for the position of Assistant City Manager. City Manager Anderson responded that the recruitment is going very well; the City has received several applicants. ADJOURNMENT , There b'eing no further business, Mayor Mehaffey adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m. ~. ,P)~ si~ectfull~ ' ' d,