HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-02-1972 City Council Minutes SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
TIME: Wednesday, August 2, 1972 - 7:30 P.M.
PLACE: Saratoga City Council Chambers, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California
TYPE: Regular Meeting
I. ORGANIZATION~
A. ROLL CALL
Present; Councilmen Bridges, Diridon, Dwyer, Kraus and Smith
Absent: None
B. MINUTES
The minutes of July 19, 1972 were a~proved.
II. BIDS AND CONTRACTS
A. COMMUNITY GARDENS GROUND LEASE AGREEMENT
Councilman Bridges moved that the Mayor be authorized to execute the
agreement, with the modification on,Page 2, Paragraph 3, that those people
involved with the cultivating of the Garden be entitled to reasonable
amount of those fruits and vegetables which are grown in said Garden.
Mr. Dwyer seconded the motion and it was carried.
It was further agre'e~ that:when the'matter of toilet facilities and a
classroom or lecture room cam~ up-the agreement could be amended to include
B. AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH BLUE CROSS
Councilman Diridon moved that the amendment to the B ue Cross Agreement,
which increases the health insurance premium approximately 15%, be
approved; Councilman Bridges seconded the motion and it was carried.
C. PURCHASE OF TWO CITY MAINTENANCE TRUCKS
Councilman Bridges moved that the City Manager be granted authorization
to advertise for bids on two City.maintenance trucks. Mr. Diridon seconded
the motion and it was carried.
III. PETITIONS, ORDINANCES & FORMAL RESOLUTIONS
A. ORDINANCE NO. 3E-9.1
ORDINANCE EXTENDING TEMPORARY INTERIM ZONING ORDINANCE 3E-9 FOR EIGHT-MONTH
PERIOD OF TIME
It was ordered by the Mayor that th~ Public Hearing to consider the eight-
month extension to the Temporary Interim Zoning Ordinance to. further study
regulations relating to proper and safe development in the Bohlman Road-
Norton Road Area!~be set for August 16, 1972, at 8:00 P.M.
Councilman Bridges suggested, and it was agreed. by the Council, that the
report from the Planning Director detail steps which have been taken to date
on this study.
B. ORDINANCE NO. 38.48 - CONT. FROM 7/19/72
ORDINANCE REPEALING EXISTING PROVISIONS ON PARKS AND RECREATION, AND EN-
ACTING NEW AND DIFFERENT PROVISIONS
Councilman Dwyer moved that this ordinance be approved with the modifications
that 1) Article 2, Section ll-6a be modified to include community-oriented
groups with less than 25 people and 2) Article 3, Section 11-9 be modified
to eliminate the Peace Officer roleC~h?~irector bf'P~k~, ~o'~fl~'~xraus\
seconded the motion and it was caTf.rled.
C. RESOLUTION NO. 625
RESOLUTION OF INTENTION TO ABANDON DARIEN WAY
Councilman Bridges-moved for adoption of Resolution No. 625 and to set
the Public Hearing ~o:c5~gi'd~tM~?~sed vacation and abandonment of
Darien Way for September 6, 1972, at 8:00 P.M. The motion was seconded by
Councilman Kraus and carried.
D. RESOLUTION NO. 626
RESOLUTION OF INTENTION TO FORM THE NORTHWEST SARATOGA PARK MAINTENANCE
DISTRICT
Councilman Dwyer commented that the last time Council approved a resolution
of th~s nature, it caused',Some apprehension on the par~ of the propar~y
owners by not clarifying ou~fff{c !nt~ntion~"o~
Councilman Bridges made the motfon that Resolution No. 626 be adopted, with'
the understand';~ng that Paragraph 3 would be re,drafted t6'better define the
City's intent; Councilman Kraus.seconded the motion and it was carried.
RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION NO..85-9.1, TO MODIFY PROVISIONS PERTAINING
TO INSURANCE POLICIES FOR EMPLOYEES
Councilman Dwyer moved for adoption of Resolution No. 85-9.2(5); Councilman
Kraus seconded the motion and it was carried.
F. PROPOSAL BY SARATOGA FIRE DISTRICTsFOR CITY SUPPORT TO ANNEX PORTIONS OF
CENTRAL' FIRE DISTRICT WITHIN SARATOGA CITY LIMITS(._
Mayor Smith pointed out.on a map the areas served by Central Fire District
and the areas served by Saratoga Fire District. He indicated that Saratoga
h s enjoyed fine servica from both~districts; however, it was his feeling
that it is difficult. to confine fi~e protection into'districta._ He did
point out, however, that. in order to annex.the desired portion of Central
Fire District, a dis-annexation process would have to first take place.
Mayor Smith did explain that this item is on the agenda for discussion
purposes only and not for the purpose of starting annexation proceedings
at this time.
Milo Klear, representative for the Board of/C?~ss~o~y~I,' parabola
District, indicated that he would like to pr_~pose the creation of one fire
distriCt_~lwith the Saratoga Fire District annexing that portion of the
~ent~al Fire ~istrict in the ~ity 'limits of Saratoga, in order to afford the
I tax payers more benefits. He further indicated that the residents would re-
I calve the services of a volunteer group. Mr. Klear indicated that he wasn't
' sure that theffire district would have to go the route of dis-annexation, and
; this is why t~ey are approaching the City for support.
I. M~YKraus inquired if a program for Explorer Scouts, volunteers, etc. would
b~ offered. Mr. Klear replied that the fire district did intend to offer
these programs%as it is now doing.
\Chief Curtis J. Kirby of Santa Clara County Central Fire District,
f~df(a~ed thgt ~h~y ~iel~sen~' t6night~o ~sk ~h~t' ~he Cit~ no.t
this prbposal, ~nd he further comr~entedthat to do so would give the
impression that the services provided by Central Fire District are lass
than satisfactory. He further'.adVised that Central Fire District presently
has two companies within the City and five companies used for back-up or
stand-by purposes, with a total of twenty-one companies that would respond
to calls. He indicated that they are involved in mutual' aid agreements with
other fire departments'throughoutlSanta Clara County. Chie~ Kirby~
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commented that the present tax rate is higher than Saratoga Fire District
and added that the rate has raised Kith the level of service provided.
He indicated that their Board is conservative, but they do provide a reason-
able degree of fire protection, and jone of their convictions is that it is
better to take 75¢ of citizens' money and give them something rather than
to take 50¢ and and not give them good service. He indicated that the present
rate is 75¢, and also, that he thinks there will be some'relief as far aS
property taxes are concerned next year.
Chief Kirby indicated that in 1969, the Board of Supervisors asked that a
study for consolidation off.fire districts be made, and Saratoga Fire District
communicated with them and'indicated that they were not interested in
consolidation.
Councilman K~aus inquired if Centrat Fire District presently has a working
agreement'with Saratoga at this time. .Chief Kirby replied that they ~
~e ~_my~ual w_'~_r~ng ~g~e~m~nt w{~ Saratoga Fire District.. ...... _~ '
· Councilman Bridges asked Mr. Kirby if he had any idea what the red
district (Central Fire District) brings to Saratoga Fire District in the
way of taxes each year. Mr. Kirby ~eplied, "$381,093".
Mayor Smith indicated that it is his feeling that the~Citytshould go on
record of supportfng ohe fire'district for our co~unity.
Councilman D~er co~ented that he Wouldn't lik~ to see the very large
co~ittment and use of staff time involved when there is".a strong'possibility
that the efforts are useless (referring to dis-annexation procedures).
· Councilman Diridon commented that it is his opinion.we should seek som~
type of one-service area, and it appears that a single district seems
impossible at this time...
Councilman Bridges indicated that he feels some of the discussion at this
meeting indicates that Sar~togans are paying more than they have to be
paying, and that the'best approach to solving this problem seems to be in
the..~itX's carrying of the r~sponsibiliti~s--not going into the legal.ram-
ifications, but se~ing about gettin~ Some special legislation.
Mayor.Smith indicated that the City, cquld., if necessary, ~ring in both
districts to discuss the practical applications of ~ow their individual
districts are being run~.~
Councilman D~er moved that the Council recognize that the City would be
be~t served by one fire district and~ that the~City Manager be died' to
investigate the'~egat--feasibility of h~ving one fire. distrlct. Councilman
'.~aus-seConded.~the'.motionand it was carried.
IV. SUBD~ISIONS, BUILDING SITES & ZONING REQUESTS
A. SDR-97~ JE~ETTE A. P~E~O, PI~ RO~ - CONT. ~OM 6/7, 6/21 & 7/-5/72
The CitMManager advised that he h~ submitted five alternatives that would
be applicable in working out the stree~ improvement problem in this situation;
~hese alternatives were discussed. ]
Attorney G~orge Tobin indicated tha~ he had received an outline of ~at is
being discussed. He further indicated that he would like to point out that
this is not a piece of property, but a single-family structure, and this
should be taken into account in making any determination of value.
Mayor Smith indicated that he had h'oped for some resolution that would bring
some uniformity to this problem, but ~ince.~there.~'see~s to be nothing, h~
indicated that he would have to favor the fifth'alternatiVe, which would
~allow for minimum access road improvement of $4,000 and the execution
de~erred'imprDvement'agre~Me~t'V~n'icn general'ly states that at some future date
the city would determine that the street should be improved to a public road
" standard and that the property owner would then proceed to improve their
frontage or 3oln an assessment dlstr~ct for the improvement of the entire
street ' ' ' '
CoUncilman Diridon moved that the request for exception to conditions be
denied, but to direct the Planning Commission to give re-consideration to
Condition 3.7 of Mr. Palermo's letter of appeal, dated May j0, 1972, and
incorporate into this section the City Manager's recommendation
(Alternative ~5), which allows for minimum access road improvement of
$4,000 and the execution of a deferred improvement agreement. The motion
was seconded and Carried.
B. SDR-885 - TOM SCOTT, VIA REGINA ~t 1 LOT
Councilman Kraus moved that Resolution No. SDR-885-1, Granting Final
Building Site Approval, be adopted; Councilman Bridges seconded the motion
and it was carried.
C.' TRXCT 5161 - KOBARA & BATTAGLIA; CHESTER AVENUE
The City Manager' advised that the s'taff has considered the request for
credit against the Park and ~ecreation Fee ($77~6.73) for dedicating the '
'easement for an.equestrian trail a~d re'~om~h'ded
Attorney. for.the property ownerS, Mr. Nakashima, ind!icated that the basic
problem is the requirement of a fence along the property line. He commented
that with an equestr,~an trail being developed it is necessary to. put a
fence along the t~ail o~.the:zprope~ty. :<9
Mayor ~mith indicated that the City has not in the past waived these fees.'
with respect to dedication; however, if we were to receive a benefit in
lieu of this money, such as the creek which runs along the property; it
might be possiblp to waive the fee~
Mr. Nakashima indicated that he islrecommending to his clients at this time
' that they not dedicate the creek as they have already dedicated the
equestrian ~rail.
Councilman <g?i'dE~'~6~d tha~-h~'d~'_~'o_~ cred~:b~Td~i~dy'C~d~ciFman
Dwyer seconde?t tiT d' it ~'ca~rr~e~.~'~''~ ~ I~
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 8:00 P.M. "
A. COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT ~4, SANITARY ·SEWERAGE PROJECT 1972-2
Mayor Smith explained that this is~ an informational public hearing, and
the purpose is to alert citizens about the proposed-inclusion of Sobey Road
and Saratoga Hills~Road Areas into Sanitation District ~4, Sanitary Sewer
Assessment ProjeCt.I
Steve Goodman, Manager and Engineer for County Sanitation District #4,
advised that this action was initiated by residents in the two areas in
the form of petition. The District then followed up the petition ~ith an
· ~~Fv~%and-s'i~dr~mi~t~'(t~h~'zp~_o~t_~'6~ners a cost estimate. The
re~f~oof:~[~ s~ur~i~ated a~p'~o~mm'a~f~'60%'~in favor of the project.
Mr. Goodman further advised ' that ib~~__te_~)~F'f~e ~project ~3. i~ be
presented to County' Sanitation.Di~[~'iTt o~pp'ro~i~Yy ~v~l~ith .
construction to begin around October .15, with the. goal'Of completing the
project next spring~ He indicated'that there would be a Public Hearing
scheduled in September, at which time the District.will have the actual con-
struction cost and assessment costcol the project. .
Mayor Smith inquired if these two. areas will gO %o bid as one unit.
I Mr..Goodman replied that they will go to bid for .two units and that the
recognizable costs would be separated.
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Keith Krieger, 15141 Sobey Road, indicated that he ~s very much in ~avor
of the project, and anyone in the area getting the strong smells would agree
with him and apprpciate th~ sewers'going in.
Dr. Edward Lacknet, 14851 Sobey Road commented that it wo~ld seem to him
that the Health Department set requirements to ~void over-flowing or
polluting.
bit. Goodman indicated that the D strict cannot determine at_random if
pi~ ~'~Fp~i~=~oo~nec~ "or~ not. He further~dVi'~d'~'~
indicated that the private system has ~ailed. If there is a real problem,
however, the property o~er-creating the problem will be encouraged to
connect to the system.
Councilman Diridon inquired if .the~Sanitation District has the authority
to obtain a bid from the contract'or in charge of the sewerage project to
dis-c6nnect the system. -. .
Mr. Goodman replied', that the contract.or'is required onfy to complete the
project and be sure that it is functioning properly; he indicated, however,
that there are contractors ~o specialize in defective operations.
The motion was made to adopt Resolution No. 627, appro~ing form of
Resolution of Intention and Boundar~ Map, and Granting Consent of Gthe
City Council of the Cit~ of Saratoga to County Sanitation District No. 4
to Undertake Proceedings to Construct a Sanitary Sewerage Project; motion
was seconded and carried.
E. ~MINISTRATIVE M~TERS
A. ~YOR-
1. ~rian Gage haS~eco~meBded ~hat the large oa~'tree on the median
strip on Saratoga Avenue be removed, making it apoint'of historical
interest. The MaXor dire6ted the City Manager'to have the tree
replaced,
B. FIN~CE
1. Payment of Claims
The C6unciL approved the'purChase of the property kno~ as the
"Dempsey" property on SaratOga-Los Gatos Road. 'Total purches~J!ice
is $65,000,~he do~ payment being $15,0~0~&~ No. 15819),
the balance to ~e'~aid initial inatall~Cs~,over a period of five
years,-.incl~ding.the' interest in the amount oF7%1~2%.. The City
Attorney was authorized b~ Council to cgmplete negotiations forthe
purchase of the property.
Councitmah:B~idges,~m~e!th~'mDtion to approve the list'of disb'ursements
and authorize the mayor to s.ign the warrants.. CounCilman Dir{don
~conded the motion and it_was carried.
C. C0~CIL CO~I TEES &-CO~ISSION ~EPOR~S ~ ..'
None.
D. DEP~NT HE~' : '
None. ' '
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E. CITY MANAGER
1.Set Public Hearing Re: Open-Space Element of the SaratOga General
Plan for August 16th. Motion b~ Councilman Dwyer and seconded by
Councilman Bridges to approve this Public Hearing; motion carried.
2. City Manager~adv~sed~that we~haVe~received authorization from the
State Division of Highways to proceed ~on State Highway 85 project.
Councilman Dwyer ~oved that the~ City Manager be authorized to negotiate
with the State Highway Departmept on this p~oject; Councilman Kraus
seconded the motion and4 it was ~a~ie~._
VII. COMMUNICATIONS
A. W~ITTEN
1. Letter fro~ Joseph A..Connolly ~equesting that pathway along
northwest side of Saratoga Creek not be constructed. Noted~and filed.
2. Chamber of Commerce! thanking C~ty Council for its contribution toward
the Seventh Annual Fall.Festival and Parade.
3. Letter from ~Willys I. P~ck.regarding the heavy loads of traffic to and
from Christmas tree farms and decessitating travellup Big Basin Way
through Saratoga during Christmas Season. It was recommended that
the staff meet with the ~CHamber of Commerce to discuss alternatives
and set this matter'~for a~f~t~e regular meet~ing. ~_
3. Letter from Charles W. Davidson, Consulting Civil Engineer, ~ffering
services for developing subsidized housing in Northern California. Noted.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned to an Executive Session at 10:45 P.M.
espectfull submitted~
ROBERT F. B
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