Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-11-1992 City Council Minutes MINUTES SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL TIME: Tuesday, August 11, 1992 - 7:30 p.m. PLACE: Senior Day Care Room, Community Center, 19655 Allendale Ave. TYPE: Adjourned Regular Meeting/Joint Meeting with Planning Commission 1. Roll Call Councilmembers Burger, Kohler, and Mayor Anderson were present. (Councilmember Monia arrived during the meeting as noted below.) Planning Commissioners Bogosian, Caldwell, Durkett, Favero and Moran were present. Staff members present were City Manager Peacock, City Attorney Riback, and Planning Director Curtis. 2. Report of City Clerk on Posting of Agenda The City Clerk noted that pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on August 7. The notice of adjournment from the August 5 Council meeting was properly posted on August 6. 3. Attendance Policy Planning Commission Chair Caldwell explained the proposed policy for the Planning Commissioners' attendance as developed by the Commission, which is identical to the current city policy for commissioners except for substituting counseling by the Commission Chair rather than the Mayor as is currently the case. A general discussion followed on the importance of keeping absences to a minimum. Councilmember Monia arrived at 8;20 p.m. during the discussion. Councilmember Burger recommended that calls regarding absence be made at least eight hours prior to the meeting. She also would like to have quarterly reports on attendance rather than semi-annually. A problem exists in determining what excessive absences are. Mayor Anderson suggested the policy is satisfactory as far as counseling by Commission Chair, but if it appears that the problem is chronic, then the Mayor should consult with the Commission Chair to discuss the problem. Doesn't want to get into the issue of excused or unexcused absences, but rather a set number such as six per year unless extraordinary circumstances occur. Councilmember Burger stated there had been a frank discussion of views and the importance the Council places on attendance, so perhaps the proposed policy should be accepted as is. Mayor Anderson suggested that there should be some number to act as a guideline for all concerned. Councilmember Monia agreed with Mrs. Burger but did not believe trying to arrive a number would be useful as suggested by the Mayor. MONIA/KOHLER MOVED TO ACCEPT THE POLICY AS PROPOSED. Passed 4-0. 4. Status of General Plan Amendments and Planning Department Work Plan Planning Director Curtis presented the department work plan through the end of calendar year 1993. There was agreement on priority one items. Planning Commission to review priority two and three items and arrange those for approval by the City Council at a future date in the fall. The Commission should also determine if some projects should be dropped from the list. 5. Planning Commission - Staff Relations City Council Minutes 2 August 11, 1992 Mayor Anderson related this issue as a concern expressed by Councilmember Tucker on public disagreement with staff attorney or staff planners at meetings. Commissioners should be sensitive to the feelings of staff and treat them with civility. Employees should be criticized in private, not in public. 6. Applicants who change plans between Commission and Council Councilmember Monia initiated a discussion on the scope of appeal hearings and the use of a de novo hearing before the Council rather than limiting the hearing to the specific grounds of appeal. A discussion ensued on the pros and cons of such an approach and/or on what basis should a change made by the Council be referred to the Commission for further recommendation. It was generally agreed that one issue is new information at a Council hearing not considered by the Commission. If the Council considers it to be significant to its decision, then the matter should be referred to the Commission for its recommendation. 8. Council agehaas to Planning Commission - need to continue There was agreement to continue to send agendas of Council meetings to commissioners. Set up mail boxes for all other commissioners and place all mail, agendas, notices, etc. and send with packets. 9. Discussion regarding senior housing options for City to pursue - Anderson Mayor Anderson reports that as a result of her recent meetings as set forth in the staff report the prospect for senior housing at Masson is not bright. Commission requested to consider a specific plan for this area of the City, including the Paul Masson property and the surrounding areas. 10. CLOSED SESSION The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m. to a closed session to discuss efforts to settle the City v. Cocciardi litigation with Judge Stone on August 25. Respectfully submitted, City Clerk