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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-23-1996 City Council Minutes MINUTES SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL TIMEs Tuesday, January 23, 1996 - 7:00 p.m. PLACE: City Hall Administration Meeting Room, 13777 Fruitvale Ave. TYPE= Adjourned Regular Meeting Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM, noting the presence of all members of the City Council and adjourned to a closed session for the purpose of: CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-i~NTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 54956.9 in two cases, and to discuss management salary ranges and salary pool (continued from December 12, 1995) pursuant to Section 54957.6: CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR Agency negotiator: Harry R. Peacock Employee organization: City of Saratoga Management Employees The City Council returned to open session at 7:45 PM, Mayor Jacobs announcing that no final decisions on any matter had been made and that at.the conclusion of the open session the Council would return to closed session to continue discussions on the personnel matter. 1. Roll Call Councilmembers Present: Mayor Jacobs, Vice Mayor Moran, Councilmembers Burger, Tucker, and Wolfe Staff Present: City Manager Peacock, Public Works Director. Perlin, Parks and Buildings Maintenance Superintendent Rizzo 2. Report of City Clerk on Posting of Agenda The City Clerk reported that pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on January 19. Th~ notice of adjournment from the January 17 Council meeting was properly posted on January 18, 1996. 3. CDBG Allocation Process for 1996-97 The City Manager presented the report concerning notification of potential applicants if the City was to reinstate its prior year general funding of social service grant applications. If not, then it would be the intention of the staff not to send out applications for funding. Vice Mayor Moran indicated that since the 1996-97 budget does not allocate any additional general funds, no action by the Council is required and the report should be received and filed. The other members of the Council concurred with the Vice Mayor. Staff is to proceed accordingly. 4. Letter from Public Safety Commission Chair requesting reappointment of Gene O'Rorke to third full term as Public Safety Commissioner The City council indicated that it would take this matter up but that based on Commissioner O'Rorke's current condition as a result of his sudden illness over the weekend, it is appropriate to receive and file the letter. Council agreed that if Mr. O'Rorke recovers and is able to continue his duties the Council would consider the request of the Commission Chair at that time as Mr. O'Rorke has been an outstanding commissioner. 5. Parks Task Force Policy Guldellnes Discussion A. Presentations by City Councilmembers of Suggested Parameters in Setting Park and Recreation Facillty Priorities The City Council engaged in a facilitated brainstorming session with City Council Minutes 2 Jaa~uary23, 1996 the participation of the members of the staff, the Parks and Recreation Commission and the public pre~ent and put down items to be grouped, further refined by staff, reviewed by the, members of the Council and then transmitted to the Parks ~nd Recreation Commission. The ideas and views which were placed on thei easel are attached. 6. Agency Assignment Reports~ Councilmember Tucker reported on her attendance at the CASA conference and noted that new legislatio~ on investment policies and oversight pose new responsibilities on City CoUncil members. She referred to SB 866 (Ch. 784 of the Statutes Of 1995) and SB 564. She requested the City Attorney be asked to brief.these new responsibilities for the members of the City Council. Councilmember Wolfe reported :on the Saratoga Business Development Council meeting held this morning. He noted that the possibility of a city-wide 4th of July celebration at Montalvo was discussed, and the search is on for a group or groups to lead such an effort. The Council asked the City Manager to request, on behalf of the Council, that the Parks and Recreation Commission consider being the lead group.. Councilmember Burger reported that KSAR is ,planning to tape a debate on Measure G, which is being scheduled before the Rotary Club prior to the March 26th election. 7. Self-Evaluation of Previous Meeting Councilmember Burger discussed the Town Hall Meeting and expressed her observation that there was very little interaction at the workshop, that it was more of a presentation type meeting. She expressed concerns which she has and which have been revealed to her by others that the consultant's approach seems to be too "canned" and that he needs more sensitivity to Saratoga and its environs. Councilmember Wolfe indicated that the consultant is still gathering information and opinions and will be meeting .with representatives from each of the shopping areas in the City to further his local knowledge. Councilmember Burger was encouraged to call Mr. Kilbourne directly and to discuss her concerns with him. 8. Other Councilmember Wolfe suggested that the City consider creating a commendation form for occasfonal presentation to members of the community who have done outstanding work for the City or for others, something which would be less formal than a resolution and the current approach. He suggested that names could be brought up at an adjourned session to discuss and if the council agrees that a commendation should be made then they could be presented at a regular meeting periodically. Councilmember Wolfe was authorized to work with the Deputy City Clerk further in developing this idea. Councilmember Tucker suggested that the Council restart its direct contact efforts on the 1st Saturday of the months when no Town Hall meetings are scheduled. It was agreed that those members of the Council who wish to participate were encouraged to do so. Concerning the March 26th meeting at Saratoga High, the Mayor indicated that, when he met with the High School administration and this was brought up, they felt the approach proposed by the Council would not be workable. They suggested that they be allowed to come up with a suitable alternative. The City Manager was requested to contact the principal and to discuss a format for that day. The only condition which is important to the Council is that they want to stay together in one group. The City Manager is to report to the Vice Mayor as to the suggestions of the principal. 9. Return to Closed Session The Council adjourned to clos&d session at 10:05 PM to complete its discussions regarding management salary ranges and the management salary pool. City Council Minutes 3 Janua1723t 1996 10. Adjournment The City Council returned to open session for the purposes of adjournment at 10:20 PM. Mayor Jacobs noted that no final actions had been taken and announced that the meeting was adjourned to 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Februar~ 3, in Administration Conference Room, 1377V Fruitvale Avenue. Respectfully submitted, Ha~. Peacock City Manager Park Parameters Brainstorming as Recorded on January 23, 1996 SYSTEM SHOULD SERVE MORE PEOPLE (MEET MORE NEEDS) NEED MORE ACTIVE FACILITIES ALL FACILITIES MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL PEOPLE DON'T ACQUIRE NEW LAND-SOLVE PROBLEMS WITHIN EXISTING LANDS USE OF SCHOOLS SHOULD BE A PART OF THE PLAN LEAVE FINANCIAL QUESTIONS TO COUNCIL BUT INCLUDE COSTS OF IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE ALL CITY FACILITIES-PARKS, COMMUNITY CENTER, WARNER HUTTON HOUSE, HAKONE BUILDINGS DON'T LIGHT PARKS FOR NIGHT USE PLAN PARKS WITH MAXIMUM COOPERATION WITH SCHOOLS PLANS FOR PARKS SHOULD BE DEVELOPED WITH NEIGHBORS IMPROVEMENTS BASED ON DEMONSTRATED COMMUNITY NEED-LONG TERM VIEW,. I. E · , TEN YEARS PARKS IMPROVEMENTS SHOULD 1. Add tO the beauty of the area 2. Emphasize youth through high school 3. Encourage use by older residents 4. Encourage daytime and evening use only (no night use) 5. Major buffers should be placed between intensive uses and residences 6. Anticipate parking needs of users who don't walk to parks PUT SOME EFFORT INTO TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS DEVELOP SPORTS PRACTICE FIELDS AT ALL SCHOOLS UNDER THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES 1. One soccer field and baseball field at each school 2. City would build or renov~ate _as needed 3. Fields would be available to City/Leagues during' 'non-school hours 4. Joint use agreements to be executed before City starts work 5. City would maintain fields built or renovated, schools would maintain playground areas. Schools would have to agree to help financially with maintenance of new or renovated facilties 6. Congress Springs Park would be reserved primarily for league play not practice PROJECTS SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED PROVIDING BUSINESS PARKING AT SARATOGA SCHOOL IN EXCHANGE FOR SPORTS FIELD DEVELOPMENT AT THE SCHOOL FIND WAYS TO MAKE WILDWOOD PARK MORE ACCESSIBLE TO DOWNTOWN AREA NEED A PARK OR SCHOOL FACILITY WHICH CAN BE USED FOR COMITY EVENTS BETTER COMMUNITY USE OF WILDWOOD PARK IMPROVEMENTS AT HAKONE SHOULD HELP THE FOUNDATION TO SUCCEED CONSIDER LIFE-CYCLE COSTING OF IMPROVEMENTS MADE REDEVELOP SARATOGA SCHOOL FOR BETTER COMMUNITY USE (FIELD AREA) REDEVELOP FOOTHILL SCHOOL/PARK AREA AND INTEGRATE FACILTIES DEVELOP AND IMPROVE COMITY ACCESSIBLE FACILITIES AT SARATOGA HIGH