HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-19-1973 City Council Minutes MINUTES
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
TIME: Wednesday, DeCember 19,'1973 - 7:30 P.M.
PLACE: Saratoga City Council Chambers, 13Z77 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga, California
TYPE: Regular Meeting
I. O~GANIZATION
A. ROLL CALL ' ·
Present: Councilmen Bridges, DirZidon, Dwyer, Kraus and Smith
Absent: None - ·
MINUTES
It was moved by Councilman Bridges and seconded by Councilman Diridon
that the minutes of December 5, ~973 be approved. The motion was carried.
II. BIDS AND CONTRACTS "
A.AGREEi~ENT AND GRANT OF REVOCABLE SIDEWALK' EASEMENT -- SARATOGA-LOS GATOS
WALKWAY
Agreement' Between the Dominican Sisters of the Congregation of Saint
!I? ~ ~ ~ ': Catherine of Siena of Saratoga and the City of Saratoga for Easement
~ ~nd Right of Way Over Strip of Land FrontinS Along This Property.
It was moved by Councilman Dwyer and seconded byCouncilman Kraus that
the Mayor be authorized to execute the agreement. The motion was carried.
B. CROP AGREEMENTS
-~_
1. Agreement B~tween' the City o'f Saratoga 'and George Wightman for
Cultivating and Harvesting of Crops on 4.11 Acres of Real Property
Located on Saratoga and Fruitvale Avenues in the City of Saratoga.
2. Agreement Between the City of Saratoga and Ehris L~epava for
CultivatinM and Harvesting of Crops on 10.3 Acres of Real Property
Located on Scully Avenue in the City of Saratoga.
.~ It was moved by Councilman K~aus and seconded by Councilman Diridon
~ 't~ that the Mayor be authorized 'to execute the contract between the
City and George Wightman and the contract between the City and Chris
Ljepava. The motion was carried.
C. RESCISSION OF AGREEMENT -- SANTA CLARA COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL AND WATER DISTRICT
Rescission of Agreement Between the City of Saratoga and Santa Clara
County Flood Control and Water District Relating to the Reconstruction of
the Fourth Street Bridge and Saratoga Creek Realignment in the City of
Saratoga.
It was moved by Councilman Diridon and seconded by Councilman Kraus that
the Mayor be authorized to execute the contract. The motion was carried.
III. PETITIONS, ORDINANCES, AND FORMAL RESOLUTIONS
A. ORDINANCE NO. 38.54
Ordinance Granting a Franchise to Commun.ications Systems CorpOration ~O
Construct, Operate, and Maintain a Cable Television System within tb~
~City of Saratoga.
ORDINANCE NO. 38.54 (Continued)
The City Manager explained that in light of the discussion at the last
~ommittee of the Whole Meeting, so e changes. and modifications have been
necessary and he was in the process of getting the exhibits to the
Ordinance in final form for the next regular meeting on January 2nd. He
therefore recommended Ordinance ~o. 38.54 be continued tO l~"f~regular
City COuncil Meeting. This was agreeable with the Council.
B. ORDINANCE NO. NS-5.22 (Second R~ading)
An Ordinance Amending Ordinance NS-5~ the Subdiviaion Ordinance: by
Modifying Provisions Regulating Millside Developments within "R-I"
Districts and A~aending Sections 10.3 and 10.6 Thereof: and Add~n~
Section 10~7 Thereto.
It was moved by Councilman Dwyer 'and seconded by Councilman Kraus that
Ordinance NS-5.22 be adgpt~d wit~ the modification to Section 10.3(c),
second sentence, revising it to read: "Except in a Planned Community
zone, no hillside lot may be less than~ 40,000 square feet in area." The
motion was carried.
C. RESOLUTION NO. 193-1
A Resolution of the City of Sarat~oga Adopting Select System Additions
or Deletions.
It was moved by Councilman Kraus and seconded by Councilman Dwyer that
Resolution No. 193-1 be adopted.. The motion was carried.
D. RESOLUTION NO. 683
Resolution Requesting Services ofl County RegiStrar - 1~74 General
MuniciPal Election.
It was moved by Councilman Diridon and seconded by Councilman Smith
that Resolution No. 683 be adopted. The motion was carried.
E. PUBLICATION OF BASIC WAGE RATES
A ProDosal bv the County of Santa Clara for the Cities within the County
to ParticiPate in the Publication of Basic Wage Rates.
It was moved by Councilman Diridoh and seconded by Councilman Bridges that
the City participate ~h'~'~nnt~n t~_~h~e.~.p~u~fi~t'io~'~f' ~aF~g~R~ates.
Q~~ carried. '~ ............... ~ ~'<~ ~'~
IV. SUBDIVISIONS, BUILDING SITES, AND ZONING REQUESTS
A. ~f~-'i04L '~E~f~L'~I, ERCE ROAD
It was moved by Councilman Dwyer and seconded by Councilman Kraus that
Resolution SDR-1041-1, granting Final Building Site Approval, be adopted.
The motion was carried.
B. TRACT 5243 SARATOGA ESTATES ADDITION, ALLENDALE BETWEEN ~HESTER AVE.
AND HARLEIGH
It was moved by Councilman Kraus ~nd seconded by Councilman Diridon 'that
the improvements on this project be accepted for construction. The motion
was carried.
- 2 -
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. ORDINANCE NO. NS-3-ZC-73 (Second Reading)
An Ordinance Amending the Zoning Ordinance of the City of. Saratoga~ Said
AmeBdment Relating to the Number ]of Multi-Story Single-Family R~sidential
Structures Permitted in SuBdivisions in "R-l" Districts~ as w~ll as the
Pzocedure for Expansion of Single-Story Resid~ntlal or Accessory Structures
to Add Any Seoond or Other Multiple-Story Structures to Same witKin
"R~I"
Mayor Smith explained the objective(s) of this ordinance in restricting
construction of two-story homes in areas which are primarily one-story and
~ad~s~.homes in an area comprised principally of one-stor~ homes.
The City Manager indicated there were two items of correspondenc~ relating
to this issue, from Mr.~ A1Frendberg, President, Prides Crossing Romeowners
Associhtion, and Susanne Elfving, 15451 Peach Hill Road. He explained that
if the Council were to delay taking action on this ordinance this evening,
there would be a lapse period of~approximately seven days between the time
the Emergency Ordinance-related to this matter exp~es and the date which
this ordinance takes ef'fect.
The Mayor opened the public hearing at 8:05 P~M. There being no f~rther
comments, it was moved by Councilman Dwyer and sed6nded by Councilman
Kraus that the public hearing beclosed (8:06 P.M.).
Mr. Johnston, City Attorney, commented that on page two, second para-
graph from the bottom of the page, this should begin a new section,
being Section 5.
It was moved by Councilman DiridOn and seconded by Councilman Kraus that
Ordinance No. NS-3-ZC-73 be adopeed with the above modification, and the
~eading be waived. The motion was carried.
B. PROPOSED LIBRARY BRANCH FACILITY
Mayor Smith indicated that the Council is soliciting the views of the
community on this subject.~ He stated that at one time it was thought that
.,, the City could maintain the Village library branch, as well as a branch on
Cox Avenue and a facility at the Quito Shopping Center. He indicated that
there has been a lot of controversy about these site.~, and the City has
essentially been informed by the County that we cannot afford this three-
~ location approach to our library needs in Saratoga.
The City Manage~ brought to the Council's attention three~e~of
correspondence related to this issue, from Geraldine L. Barrett, 14050
Marilyn Lane, Dorathy F. Skow, 13246 Via Ranchero Court, and an'~named )
S~ra~oga family. He indicated that Miss Campbell, Coun~ty~Librarian, is
present this evening, as well as Mr. Tyler, represen~l~g._th~ County Library
Commission and Dr. Hall of th~ City Library Commissio_n.~F
The City Manager then ~ummarized the background of thij issue, going back
to 1966 when the City Council requested the County Library Commission to
provide for an additional facility in Saratoga, and outlined the events
that followed. At one point in time, three library facilities were under
consideration; however, in light of more recent findings, it is felt that
the City can only support a two-branch facility.
The Council discussed somd of the advantages and disadvantages connected
with the potential Quito site, as well as factors, such as population
densit~a~'~___qn~.~'{~'a~e~Cl0sen~s g'7 ."?"T' """""----
- 3 -
PROPOSED LIBRARY BRANCH FACILITY ('Con'f 'd.) .
methods of financing for~elt___~wo~~f~'~ation (Congress Springs
Park Site~-~Cox Avenue and Civic .Center Si6~)7"~"
After some discussign, the City Manager indicated' it would be his recommen-
dation, based on the data he has obtained and assuming the two-branch
library system, the Civic Center Site be approved as the location of the
b}anch facility, and the Village branch be retained.
The Mayor then opened the public h~aring (8:30 P.M.)., : ·
Mrs. Victor Ulmer, 13004 Pas~o Presada, commented that she was disappointed
to learn that the Council is not considering maintaining the present Quito
site. It was her feeling the pop'ulation density is much greater ~t this
location than the two previously-discussed locations. Mrs. Ulmer indicated
that several%~ts. in this area bike or walk to the Quito branch, and
she felt that'~l'i'nng this locat ion out would be short-sighted from many
points of view. She suggest'ed that the Conncil consider n
public hearing on'this issue at a time when the holidays have passed'~he~'~'
more public input can be heard. Mrs. Ulmer indicated that the people in
this area do not realize theresa possibility of closing this branch.
Mayor Smith asked Mrs. Ulmer if it would be satisfactory to her to have
the auxilliary branch located somewhere else in the northerq part of
.town, the major library being the Village branch, and he indicated the
Quito facility was unde~ a rental agreement.
Mrs. Ulmer stated that she felt the present location was good in that it
is m one-stop for people Fho have other errands, such as the post office
or the shopping center. She felt that the Village branch was not so
vital as this location, and suggested that this be converted to an
historical museum.
Mrs. Ulmer, in conclusion, sbated she would really like to urge the
Council to continue this public hearing before making any definite
committments and also to consider the idea of keeping the Quito Library
open.
Mrs. Edna Hall, representing the Friends of the Saratoga Library, asked
that the Council consider delaying action on this matter until the
second City Council Meeting in Ja.nuary, in order that members of this
organization could submit their v~ews. Mrs. Hall indicated that essentially
they are ~n favor of keeping the Village library branch open and turning it
into a reading library. She advised they are also in favor of the Civic
Center location in' l~eu of the Cox Avenue location,a~he reason being that
that the Cox location would be too close ~o the Cupertino Library.
Barbara Campbell, County Librarian, addressed the Council and indicated
,date and indicating the'present operating costs for the Village Library,
the Quito branch and the Book Mobile, totaling approximately $295,000.
She indicated the income from the' City of Saratoga is S240,000.
Miss Campbell indicated that the .Village Eibrary' vol~m~
month is approximately 10,000 books; the Quito Librafy-'~--betw~'307000
~ and 35,000; and the Book Mobile -- approximatety~p~r month.
iMiss Campbell.~indica~eddsh~hashrequest~dnfro~a~h~I/County Dept. of F nance
~gures for a $700,000 Bond xssue' for the proposed Branch fac~lxty in
Charles Earley, representing the City Library Commission, indicated that
in 1961 the Commission conducted ia survey. and made a recommendation to
the City Council ~hat s library be builtl at-the Civic Center. 'This was
;'opposed by the County. He further advised that the Library Commission
was opposed to the Quito site, in that it would be difficult to take
-4-
PROPOSED LIBRARY BRANCH FACILITY (Cont'd.)
away at a future time. He felt that the Civic Center was not a feasible
location because we would be providing more library facilities in an area
that already has a library, referrl~'g. to the library at West Valley College.
Mr. Earley stated that he was quite upset with 'the COunty Library Commission
because when the City negotiated ;with them earlier this year regarding
the possible Cox Avenue location, nothing was mentioned about the proximit~
to the Cupertino Library~and some of the other argdments which have now
arisen.
Mr. Wendell Hammon addressed the ]Council and requested that this public
hearing be put off until a lat&r date when more people are able to be
heard.
Mr. Dick Holmer, 13044 Paseo PreSada, indicated that he felt there is an
urgency for the public to be made aware of what the alternatives are with
regard to this potential library site. He further requested that the
City determine whether or not a bond issue would be necessary if the Quito
site were to be retained. It was his understanding that the present
lease is for $12,300 per year, and also, that the party from whom we are
leasing is agreeable to expanding that facility.
The City Manager explained that the monthly rental for the building could
probably be worked out; however, it is the operating costs and the
supplying of books to that facility which would be expensive.
Mr. Ulmer, who resides on Paseo ~resada, commented that he feels the
present Qulto location should be seriously considered as there area
number of people ~ho find it convenient to walk to this library from
their homes. He~%~if the City has a comparison of the number
of people each pot&ntial site serves.
Mayor Smith advised that we do not have the information Mr. Ulmer has
inquired about; however, he felt thisc0uld be easily obtained.
Miss Campbell commented that the Library Commission does not feel the
Civic Center location is the only~ possible site at 'this time; however,
they were hopeful of coming ~pwi~h a more centrally-located site than
the Cox Avenue-Highway 9 location.
~Dr. Wallace Hall, member~of~the S~ratoga Library Commission, indicated
he would second the suggestinns which have been made to defer final
judgment on this issue until a little more study can be given it. He
stated that at the time of their last meeting, the Commission was under
the impression that only one location was under Consideration and that no
other alternatives were available. _Dr. Hall commented that he doesn;]~t
share Mr. Earley's comments with regard to the Civic Center, and he doesn't
share his apprehension with regard to the College library and this library.
It was his feeling there would not be a great deal of utilization by the
students as they would probably use the more selective~library.
Councilman Di~idon commented that before giving up the three-site con-
cept, he felt this should be giveh further consideration. He further
commented that 40% of the major population of the city is closest to the
Cox Avenue location~ and this should be taken into consideration.
_Councilman Kraus stated that he Was under the.impression that the City
was considering three sites. It was his feeling that this matter should be
continued and further discussion take place relevant to the best location
for this site.
- 5 -
PROPOSED LIBRARY BRANCH FACILITY (Cont'd.)
Mr. Richard Kaufmann, 20700 4th Street, suggested that the Council and
the Library Commission give consideration to a self-supporting, self-
sustaining Saratoga-owned library.
Councilman Bridges commented that in all of the previous donsiderations
regarding this issue it was his understanding that eventually Saratoga
would have a three-library-facility system. He commented that he felt
rather betrayed by the County ~_~i__C~~lars~ve not
come back to us in any kind of service. '~[~iFd~c~'~ed~h~w~B~l~d~ like to
explore the possibility of working with the County Library Commission
to try to obtain an additional site, and he felt the matter should be
continued to an evening other than a scheduled council meeting liar
that the entire evening could be ~evoted to this subject.
Eounci!m~an ~J~en moved tha~th~publiq~- hearin~ ~e~6ntin~
~e meeting ~nd referr~ back to~he,~ib~y'~ Cd~i~sion
in o~der~~ mig~ ref~St" On the poi~~s eveningS'
including consideration of an addlitional location, modkfication of the
present site, and the point raised for a ~elf-support~g, self-sustaining
library, and report back to the Counc~ a time convenient to both
bodies~~&i~th~Ohea~--w6~ld.beTebntinued.'~ou~cil~an Dir~idon
second~'the~m0t~0nrand--it-W~s-carr~edr
VII. ~MINIST~TIVE ~TTERS
' A. MAYOR
B. FIN~
1. Payment of Claims
It was moved by Councilman Bridges and seconded by Councilman
Diridon that the list of ~isbursements, 18391 thru 18469, be
approved and the Mayor be~ authorized to sign the warrants. ~e
motion was carried.
2.' City Clerk~s Financial Report - Noted and filed.
3. City Treasurer~s Report -~Noted and filed.
C. CO~CIL ~ C~ISSION REPORTS
1. Parks and Recreation Commission - Reco~endation Re: Demonstration
Bicycle Route System
The Mayor announced that this entire matter would be considered at
a future public hearing; eherefore, no.action would be taken at this
time.
2. Planning Commission - Referral of Land Development Matter in
Santa Clara County for Stanley R. Lee,
McGill and Bohlman Roads.
The City Manager explained that when this matter'was forwarded to
the Council from the Planning Co~ission, it-was based on a series
of recommendations that before the County approve it, certain con-
ditions would have to be met. The Co~cil was interested in getting
a more precise def~ition'with regard to these recommendations before
responding to the County.. IB the meantime, however,; it was learned
that th~;~Land Division Co~ittee~h~ll~g CommisSiOn+
c~mme~'~H~~~i~rstanding the City has thirty
Mr. Charles Rowe, Acting Planning Director, advised that the County
has assured an adequate means for meeting all of the requirements
specified by the City Planning Co~ission. However, he felt the
-6 -
· REFERRAL OF LAND DEVELOPMENT MATTER -(Cont ~d.)
Planning',Commission~s concern was that each of the items of concern
were adequately addressed under the County's system.
It was the feeling of the Council this matter be appealed to the
Land Division Committee of the County Planning Commission.and then
f~rward the matter back to t~e City Planning'Commission for their
report.
3. Councilman Diridon, Re: A.B~.G.~Meeting - December 20
Advised that ohe of~hegcons~d~rations would be to increase local
member dues. Another aspect of the meeting would be a discussion
concerning the election of new 'officers for the coming year.
D. DEPARTMENT HEADS AND OFFICERS
1. Director of Public Works - S~atus Report Re: Consulting Services of
DeLeuw, Cather and Co.
Mr. Shook, Director of Pnblfc Works, referred to the consultantis
report outlining ~he actionSwhich has been taken relative to previous
recommendations regarding the Neighborhood ~affic Study. He indicated
a meeting was held on Monday,~ December 17 with residents on Arroyo
de Arguello, and it was indicated at that time that there was a
possibility,~lthat the problemTof speeding in this area was improving.
He advised that on Tuesday, December 1~, a meeting was held with the
homeowners group for the Hanson School Safety Committee to discuss the
Titus-Brookview Ifraffic circle, He indicated the Staff would be
returning before the Council fin January with addit-~nal comments and
recommendations relevant to this matter.
E. CITY MANAGER
1. Report Re: Energy Conservatio'n Program
The City Manager summarized h'is recommendations, broken down into
Phase II and Phase III. Further discussion to take place at next
Committee of the Whole Meetin'g before taking action to adopt recommen-
dations.
2. Salvation Army Contribution
The City Manager reported tba't a gift of $514 towards the public
address system at the Saratoga YoUth Center has been received from
the Salvation Arm~. The'Council felt, in light of the Salvation
Arm's
y present financial situation, this should be substantiated
before the City takes action to accept the ~ift. The City Manager
was therefore directed to communicate with the Salvation Army on this
ma~ter.
3. Committee of the Whole Meeting
Adnoun~ed the regularly-scheduled Committee of the Whole Meeting
would be cancelled.
VII. COMMUNICATIONS
A. WRITTEN
1. Geraldine L. Barrett, 14050 Marilyn Lane, expressing support Of a
new public library and indicating the Civic Center as the best
location. - Noted and filed.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (Cont'd.);
2. Dorathy F. Skow, 13246 Via Ranchero lC~urt, expressing support
of the Civic Center site'for the location of the new library
facility. - Noted and .fiied.
3. "A Saratoga~amily" expressing support of the new library facility
at the Civic Center area. - Noted and filed.
4. A1 Frendberg, President, Prides Crossing Homeowners A~sociation,
Re: Ordinance NS-3-ZC-73i relating to expansion of single-story
structures. - Noted and filed. City Manager to respond.
5. Betty Rowland, Detour An6iques Annex, 12378 Saratoga-Sunnyvale
Road, appealing the City. Council for special permission to con-
tinue the Antique Trade Faire at Azule Center. - The Council
denied this appeal; however, it was suggested the applicant apply
to the Planning Commission for a~o~i~ce which would
allow for this type of agtivity with a use permit. The staff
was directed to look into otheractivitiesof this nature to see
what steps~ if any, should be taken~.and 'report at'a future meeting.
6. Erdest Kraule, Chief, an~ Baker McGinnis, ~ministrative Officer,
Saratoga Fire District, Re: Emergency Fire Code OrdinanCe. - Staff
to draft Emergency Ordinance for presentation at January 2nd meeting.
7. Pauline Brockman, City Clerk, City of Roseville, transmitting a
copy of Resolution 73-119, regarding the necessity for immediate
governmental action to alleviate oil shortages. - Noted and filed.
8. Susanne Elfving, 15451 Peach Hill Road, relating the impact of
a new house being built in their neighborhood. -~Noted and filed.
City Manager to respond...
~. Edward R. Bernett, Attorney, 181 Pacific St., Monterey, Re:
Construction of a boundary fence along property on Shadow Oaks Way.-
City Manager to confer with City Attorney and respond to communi-
cation.
10. Dario Amerio, Green Valley Disposal Co.,.requesting modification
in the rates fo~ residential service, effective January 1, 19747-
Referred to staff for reRort; re-agendized for Second regular
meeting in January.
B. ORAL
1. Ernest Kraul, Chief, Saratoga Fire Dis[rict, pointing out t~e
urgency in getting an Emergency Ordinance effected'before construction
of the Saratoga Oaks Apar,tments. - Ordinance to be presented at
January 2nd City Council Meeting.
2. Fir. Go~den~19382 Brocktbn Lane, Re: City ofSaratoga vs. Cox
Garage, and inquiring of the results of that hearing. - The
City Attorney advised tha'~ each time this matter went back to
court, the Judge continue~ it ten days. He advised that at
the last hearing on November 28, 1973, Mr~ Cox produced a lease
of property in f~.~'~b~ff~from Kirkwood Automotive, and the Court
granted him unti~'Be'~embe~ 30 or January 1 to move from his p e en
r s t
location. In addition, he was given an additional twenty days to
physically tear down the existing structure.
- 8 -
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Councilman Kraus and seconded by Councilman Dwye~ .that
the meeting be adjourned. The motion was carried; the meeting was adjourned
at 11:00 P.M.
spec ubmitted,
Ro
- 9 -