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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-15-1995 City Council Minutes MINUTES SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL TIME: Wednesday, February 15, 1995 - 7:00 p.m. PLACE: Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale Ave. TYPE: Regular Meeting Closed Session - 7:00 p.m. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Discussion of possible Initiation of'litigation pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 54956.9 in one case. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION PUrsuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (a), discussion of San Francisco Baykeepers et al. vs. City of Saratoga PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Title: City Attorney Mayor Burger called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. and announced that no definitive action had been taken in the closed session. Pledge of Allegiance 1. ROLL CALL Councilmembers Present: Tucker, Jacobs~ Wolfe, Moran, Mayor Burger Staff Present: City Manager Peacock, City Engineer Perlin, City Attorney Riback, Irene Jacobs, Administrative Analyst. 2. CEREMONIAL ITEMS A. Proclamation on Random Acts Of Kindness Day TUCKER/WOLFE MOVED TO APPROVE A PROCLAMATION ON RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY. PASSED 5-0. The Proclamation was presented to Ms. Louise Webb. B. Resolutlon commending Floyd Kvamme for service on Hakone Foundation TUCKER/JACOB8 MOVED TO APPROVE ARESOLUTION COMMENDING FLOYD KVAMMEFOR SERVICE ON HAKOME FOUNDATION. PASSED 5-0. C. Resolution commending Susanne Mallory for service on Hakone Foundation TUCKER/JACOB8 MOVED TO APPROVE ARESOLUTION COMMENDING 8USANNEMALLORY FOR SERVICE ON HAKONE FOUNDATION. PASSED 5-0. 3. Report of City Clerk on Posting of Agenda Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on February 10. 4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMISSIONS AND THE PUBLIC A. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (limited to 15 minutes) Mr. Gerard Wen, Green Valley Disposal, reviewed the success of the new expanded recycling program. He passed out promotional material to the Council, noting this was sent to all Saratoga residents. Mr. Wen reviewed the increase in yard waste collected. B. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS 1) Warren Lampshire, Baratoga Parade Committee, requesting Co-Sponsorship by the City of Saratoga of Parade to be held October s, 1995 Staff recommends that t~e City Council approve the request as in City Council Minutes 2 February 15, 1995 previous years. MORAN/TUCKER MOVED TO CO-SPONSOR TBE SARATOGA PARADE TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 8, 1995. PASSED 5-0. 5. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Previously-Discussed Items B. New Items 1) Plannlng Commission Actions, 2/S - Note and file. 2) Parks and Recreation Ccmm~sslon Minutes, 1/17 - Note and file. 3) Notice of Completion and Acceptance of Work, Pavement Management Program 5) Quarterly Report to Regional Water Quallty Control Board on City NPDES Activity 6) Final Map Approval for Tr. 8683 (8D93-005) - 5 condominium Units at 20661 Fifth St. 7) Resolution making Budget Appropriation to set up New Capital Project for Quito/westmont/Sousa Traffic signal councilmember Wolfe requested the removal of item 4. MORAN/JACOBS MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM 4. PASSED 5-0. 4) Vehicle Purchases: a. Authorization for Purchases b. Resolution Authorizing State Department of General Services to Purchase Certain Items on behalf of City Councilmember Wolfe asked if there is a turn-in value for the old vehicles. City Engineer Perlin stated the vehicles being replaced will be put on a surplus list and then sold at an auction. Me noted they will keep vehicle 45 for emergency use. WOLFE/MORAN MOVED TO APPROVE ITEM 4 OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR. PASSED C. CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY 1) Claim of Green Valley Disposal in connection with rate-setting method Staff recommends that the City council reject the claim as insufficient. MORAN/TUCKER MOVED TO REJECT THE CLAIM AS INSUFFICIENT. PASSED 5-0. 7. OLD BUSINESS A. Informational Report from Finance Director on Budget Amendments (continued from 2/1, with Response from Finance Advisory Committee) - Note and file. MORAN/TUCKER MOVED TO NOTE AND FILE THE REPORT FROM THE FINANCE DIRECTOR ON BUDGET AMENDMENTS. PASSED 5-0. 8. NEW BUSINESS City Council Minutes 3 Februar~ 15, 1995 A. Oral Communications (continued) and instructions to staff regarding actions on current oral communications - None B. Memo Authorizing Publlcity for Upcoming Hearings - Utility User Tax Extension and Removal of Sunset Clause City Manager Peacock stated when this notice was sent to the Saratoga News it was requested to be printed as a one-eighth page ad, but it was printed as a standard legal ad. He noted because of this error the process has to start over and apologizes for .any inconvenience. MORAN/TUCKER MOVED TO APPROVE THE PUBLICITY AS RECOMMENDED. PASSED 5- . C. Rate Review Committee Recommendations on Future Ratesetting Methodology for Green Valley Disposal company Franchise city Manager Peacock reviewed his memo to the Council dated February 15, 1995. He noted that Green Valley still believes they are owed money for consulting services. He noted staff~s recommendation, based upon their understanding of the work that took place and the franchise agreement, these were expenses not to be paid by the rate payers. Mr. Peacock stated staff recommends that the Council approve the report, using the compromised proposal on rate base and rate setting; approve the budget attached; and direct the City Attorney to prepare a resolution which memorializes the findings and reconfirms the rates the Council approved and will formally adopt on March 1, 1995. Councilmember Jacobs stated the City Manager has made significant effort to compromise and would support the recommendation. JACOBS/TUCKER MOVED TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE CITY ATTORNEY AND ON PAGE 7 OF THE STAFF REPORT. PASSED 5-0. D. Annual Review of City Investment Policy City Manager Peacock briefly explained the changes made by the Finance Committee and recommended that the council accept the policy as proposed with the amendments. MORAN/TUCKER MOVED TO APPROVE THE REPORT A8 SUBMITTED BY THE FINANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. PASSED 5-0. E. Resolutlon Adding Administrative Assistant to Basic Salary/ Classes and Employment Classification and Authorizing Permanent Positions in 1994-95 City Manager Peacock presented the staff report dated February 15, 1995. WOLFE/JACOBS MOVED TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION ADDING TO BASIC SALARY CLASSES AND EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATIONS. PASSED 5-0. WOLFE/JACOBS MOVED TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PERMANENT POSITIONS IN CITY SERVICE FOR 1994/95. PASSED 5-0. F. Friends of Libraries Lease Agreement TUCKER/JACOBS MOVED TO APPROVE THE FRIENDS OF LIBRARIES LEASE AGREEMENT. In response to Councilmember Moran~s question, Mr. Perlin stated the new lease removes all references to VITA. The above motion was passed 5-0. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 8:00 pm. A. -CDBG and Human Services Allocations for 1995-96 City Manager Peacock briefly reiterated his memo to the Council dated February 15, 1995. Cit~ Council H~nutes 4 Februar~ 15, 1995 Ms. Irene Jacobs, Administrative Ana3.ysis, stated Mr. Peacock reviewed the report and she will answer any questions at this time. Mayor Burger noted for the record there was one phone call from Mrs Rodriguez in support of the Timpany Center. The public hearing was opened at 8:10 p.m. Mr. Donald Metzger, President, Board of InnVision, spoke in support of the grant recommended by staff. He reviewed the work InnVision does and thanked the Council for their support for the rotating shelter. Ms. Lauren Mende, Transit Assist, thanked the Council for past support. She gave a brief synopsis of where Transit Assist is and the plans for the future. She asked for continued support from the Council. Ms. Beckie St. George, Teen Counseling Center, stated they have worked at Saratoga High School and Redwood School for the last 4 and 5 years. She explained the variety of services offered by the Teen Counseling Center. She noted one of their goals; is to have a satellite office in Saratoga. She also reviewed the fees as requested by Councilmember Wolfe. Ms. Ann Getzoff, Teen Counseling Center, stated she has been involved with the center for the last five years as a volunteer. She noted the services have increased in the last few years and this is the reason for the grant request of $10,000. She noted Saratoga residents make up 17% of the clientele and would support staff's recommendation at this time. She noted if funds become available they would appreciate more grants. Ms. Marilyn Rumelhart, Family Services, introduced Meg Basinski, who is a resident of Saratoga and a member of their board. Ms. Rumelhart gave a brief explanation of Family Services noting their goal is to help the elderly stay out of institutions for as long as possible. She stated they do serve Saratoga residents and would appreciate the Council's support'. Ms. Colleen ~Lukoff, Second Harvest Food Bank, stated in 1994 they provided 38,000 lbs of food to seniors in Saratoga and appreciates the support from the Council. I She explained the Brown Bag program and thanked the Council for their on-going support. Ms. Donna DiMinico, LTC Ombudsman, stated there are 371 residents in LTC facilities in Saratoga. She explained the program noting they use community volunteers. Ms. DiMinicc, briefly reviewed the visits to Saratoga this year to help elderly citizens. She noted she appreciates staff's recommendation and noted through community support they can provide services to people who are at risk of isolation and exploitation. Ms. DiMinico presented brochures to the Council. Mr. Charles Metcalf, SASCC, stated they are pleased with the funding recommended for the Day Care operations. He noted the senior center funding has decreased for the second year in a row, but yet they have more participants. He added they hope to continue the program at the present level and appreciate the supiport from the City. He stated he hopes they will be considered should additional funds become available. Mr. Vern Griffith, SASCC, stated it costs $40 per participant per day, but the average income is approximately $11.50 per participant per day. He stated in order to make up this difference they received a grant from the County, hold fund-raisers and receive gifts. He noted with all these funds they are still $38,000 short and this is the request to the Council. Ms. Elizabeth Auton, Emergency Housing Consortium, thanked the City for their past support and hopes the support continues. She noted they rely on this funding to provide .their programs. Ms. Auton briefly explained the allocation of the funding if granted. Ms. Lisa Taylor-Babel, Timparty'Center, thanked the Council for their support and explained what the funds will be used for. She noted this City council Minutes 5 Februar~ 15, 1995 is a one time request, and added they serve approximately 5,000 Saratoga residents. Ms. Babel briefly reviewed the programs they offer and urged approval for the funds. Ms. Jeannette McNeely, Tri-Aegis, stated they have a long-~erm care home in Saratoga for the last five years. She read a letter from a gentleman on Shubert Drive who has a son in the group home in Saratoga. She noted prior to opening this homes families had to send their loved ones to Southern California. She presented the letter for the record. Ms. Theresa M. Markle, Tri-Aegis, addressed the financial aspects of this organization. She stated they are looking into buying the home they presently occupy to reduce some of their costs and build equity. She added at the present time there is no additional money for extras. Mr. Carl Davis Jr., Entrepreneurial Training, Project Manager and Director of Black .Chamber of Commerce, explained the function of this chamber. Mr. Davis explained the entrepreneurial training and noted they have helped many people. Me explained .the job training they provide and noted the funding is for this training. The public hearing was closed at8:55 p.m. Councilmember Jacobs clarified that the City has the discretion who to allocate the human services grants to and how much. Ms. Jacobs stated the past Council policy was to grant 1.3% of project general revenues to these services, but in the past two years the Council has reduced this by 15%. She explained that the allocation of the $123,000 can not be used for human services funds. Councilmember Jacobs suggested dividing the funds and votSng separately as there is little the Council can do with the $123,000 allocation. JACOBS/MORAN MOVED TO DIVIDE THE FUNDS AND DEAL WITH THE OTHER CDBG FUNDS OF $123#000. PASSED 5-0. JACOBS/TUCKER MOVED TO APPROVE BUDGET FOR THE $123,000 ALLOCATION A8 RECOMMENDED BY STAFF. PASSED 5-0. Councilmember Jacobs stated they should discuss how much money the Council want to grant and to who. It was explained that $37,000 of the $94,530 is allocated from the County and they need to know how this will be spent. Councilmember Wolfe stated if the money, recommended by staff, is available it should be distributed. Councilmember Jacobs concurred, but noted he would distribute it a little differently. The Council had a discussion on the allocation of $37,000 to SASCC. WOLFE/TUCKER MOVED TO ALLOCATE $37,000 TO SASCC DAY CARE. Councilmember Jacobs stated if the Council does this it leaves limited amounts to spread around. He spoke in favor of allocating more money to the Teen Center as it is the only group that serves the children in the community. Councilmember Moran suggested allocating the $37,000 to SASCC in general. The above motion was withdrawn. WOLFE/TUCKER MOVED TO ALLOCATE $37,000 TO 8ASCC FOR BOTH PROGRAMS. Mayor Burger expressed concern about not acting on the other allocations at this time as people are waiting for these funds. She noted if it is the desire of the rest of the Council to hold off on the other allocations she would support this, but would like to move forward on this. City council Minutes 6 Februal~/15, 1995 The Council discussed the possibility of continuing the issue of the allocation of the other funds to an edjourned meeting next week. City Manager Peacock stated decisions can be made at an adjourned meeting. The above motion was passed 5-0. Councilmember Jacobs asked if the Councilmembers could write down their recommendations and give them to each other. City Attorney Riback stated this would be a violation of the Brown Act. Councilmember Tucker stated she would be willing to continue the allocations to an adjourned meeting. JACOBS/TUCKER MOVED TO CONTINUE THI8 ITEM TO FEBRUARY 21, 1995 AT 7:30 P.M. PASSED 3-2 (Burger, Wolfe No). 9. ROUTINE MATTERS A. Approval of Minutes - 2/1 Councilmember Tucker stated she did not abstain from the Minutes of 1/10 as written on page 10 of the minutes. The above minutes were approved with the amendment. B. Approval of Warrant List TUCKER/JACOBS MOVED TO APPROVE THE ~RRANT LIST. PASSED 5-0. 10. CITY COUNCIL ITEMS A. Agency Assignment Reports Councilmember Wolfe stated he attended the California Business Development Conference and they discu=ssed a number of issues which will be helpful to the Saratoga Business Development Council. Councilmember Tucker reported on the SCCCA meeting and noted she brought up the issue of political signs and they did not feel a matrix would be in order. She noted cities with an ordinance regarding this issue will send a copy to city staff.. Mayor Burger stated she and the City Manager have completed the lunch meetings with each of the Commission chairs. She noted these meetings were very useful and will be an on-going process. Mayor Burger also noted she attended the employee training and recognition event. City Manager Peacock reviewed the awards given. B. General Council Items 1. Request for Amicus Participation - Neecke v. County of Marin (City of Mill Valley) in case involving. validity of parcel tax levied by Mill Valley City Attorney Riback reviewed the above case and explained the difference in a general tax and a special tax. He stated this case will have an important impact on Saratoga and other cities when it comes to the adoption of general taxes used for special purposes. WOLFE/MORAN MOVED TO JOIN THE AMICUS PARTICIPATION AS WRITTEN ABOVE. PASSED 5-0. 2. Other City Manager Peacock stated there will be no additional items added to the agenda for the joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission. Mayor Burger noted Monday is a public holiday and she will not be available at City Hall. Cit~ Council Hinutes 7 February ~5, 1995 11. AD~OUI~D~ENT The Council adjourned at 9:50 p.m. to a closed session. The City Council reconvened form closed session at 10:50 p.m. The Mayor announced that no decisions had been made. The City Council immediately adjourned to next meeting on Tuesday, February 21, 1995 at 6 p.m. in the Administration Meeting Room, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue. Respectfully submitted,   Catherine M. Minutes Clerk