HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-07-1996 City Council Minutes MINUTES
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
TIME: Tuesday, May7, 1996 - 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: City Hall Administration Meeting Room, 13777 Fruitvale Ave.
TYPE: Adjourned Regular Meeting/Joint Meeting with Youth Commission
Mayor Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
1. Roll Call
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Jacobs, Vice Mayor Moran, Councilmembers
Burger, Tucker(arrives at 7:34 PM) and Wolfe.
Staff Members Present: City Manager Peacock, City Attorney Riback,
Recreation Director Pisani.
2. Report of City Clerk on Posting of Agenda
The City Clerk reports that pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, the
agenda for this meeting was properly posted on May 3. The notice of
adjournment from the May 1 Council meeting was properly posted on May
2, 1996.
3. Joint Meeting with Youth Commission
The members of the Commission introduce themselves and provide an
overview of the activities of the Commission over the past year and for
the remainder of the school year. The Music Fest was a big success
with attendance in excess of 1,000. The Music Fest for 1996 is
scheduled for September 21st with the top band being invited to play at
the Celebrate Saratoga street dance the following Saturday night. The
Commission sponsored three ski trips this winter. The Commission has
sponsored two Togapaloozas so far this year with an average attendance
of 90. The next Togapalooza is scheduled for June 1st. The Youth
Commission has designated a member to attend the meetings of the School
Resource Officer Committee. (It is suggested that the minutes of the
Youth Commission meetings be sent to the members of the SRO Committee
for their information). The Commission has sponsored five middle
school dances so far this year with an average attendance of 300. The
final dance of the school year is scheduled for May 31st and will have
a tropical theme. A question was raised by a member of the audience as
to how the middle school dances were publicized in the middle schools
not in Saratoga but attended by Saratoga middle school children. In
reply Recreation Director Pisani indicates that the dances are listed
in the quarterly recreation activities guide which goes to every
household in Saratoga and flyers are distributed to these schools where
cooperation is possible. The Commission notes that one of its members
attends all regular meetings'of the City Council and that six members
of the Commission attended the recent Youth Commission Conference which
was attended by twelve different youth commissions. Some twenty-five
sessions were. offered on various youth commission projects and
activities, such as community centers, skateboard park development,
Youth in Government Day and the like. The Commission reports on its
sponsorship of the Boneyard at the Warner Hutton House on Saturday
nights, noting that the first night attendance was at 140 and that
average attendance is at about 60 each Saturday and that bands have
been lined up for the next several Saturday nights.
The Commission discusses its desire to have the City Council consider
opening the Warner Hutton House after school again. They propose that
a new candy machine be installed, that more pool queues be repaired and
purchased as pool has become very popular again. They report that the
City is subscribing to the premium channels and the sports channel so
that those who visit the house can watch sports or first run movies.
They believe that if the City doesn't charge an admission or a
membership fee that many more kids will come and buy much more food and
soft drinks and make Up more of the cost of keeping the House open.
This will allow the kids to use the Warner Hutton House as a place to
hang out and gather after school rather than the library, which is not
okay for kids who want to study without being bugged by friends who
have no other place to hang out.
Karen Anderson reports to the City Council that the community librarian
City Council Minutes 2 May 7, 1996
has approached the International Coffe Exchange about opening the
Warner Hutton House in the afternoons nd selling coffee to the kids
which has become very popular even wit kids who are still in middle
school. The Commissioners believe ~hat enough income could be
generated, with the help of merchant~ so that operating the House
after school could become a break ever proposition.
The City Council indicates that if th~ could be arranged they would
consider reopening the House in the ~all but that they would be
reluctant to promise anything at this time because funding from the
City will be difficult to find.
(Councilmember Tucker arrives at this ~int in the meeting).
The City Council indicates that at its [arch meeting with students'at
Saratoga High School, the main topic of onversation was students being
hassled by the members of the Sheriff's ffice. Captain Robert Wilson,
Commander of the West Valley Sheriff Station indicates that the
p r ment rarely deals with young pa 31e except on the basis of a
de a t '
complaint from a resident or the school~ tself about speeding, parties,
a e or ~hat person, he expects to hear
about it. Captain Wilson offers to mee with students on any issue at
their request.
a c i a t ~ in March in an unincorporated
area just outside the City which in~ lved a number of students at
Saratoga High School. Captain Wilson i ~lcates that rather than issue
citations to the 53 individuals invoj ~d and having them and their
parents go through the juvenile just~ system, a letter explaining
what was going on and that their chil was involved was sent to the
parents. Captain Wilson also discusse the recent incident involving
the Foothill School/Little League snac] ~hack burglary and a number of
juniors at Saratoga High School.
The Commissioners indicate that a surv is being distributed through
the schools as a part of the Commissi{ s work on the Youth Services
Plan.
Vice Mayor Moran encourages the member~ bf the Commission to develop a
proposal for Youth in Government Day,~ ~s proposed by the Commission
earlier in the evening and to submii it to the City Council for
consideration. The other members o~ the Council concur in this
request.' The members of the City Co~ cil than~ the members of the
Commission for the work they have done~ nd are doing on behalf of the
youth of Saratoga. They indicate the are impressed with both the
quantity and quality of the variou~ activities sponsored by the
Commission and the amount of time and effort put in by the
Commissioners to assure the success of he many things they are doing.
Mayor Jacobs declares at recess at 8:10 ~M. The Council returns to the
adjourned session at 8:20 PM with all !mbers of the Council present.
4. Implementation of Measure G
Mayor Jacobs indicates he will open t~ meeting to public comment on
this item for the next 30 minutes.
Bob Wallace-Comments on the second re bmmended action in the staff
report to the effect that it doesn't d~ lbe what is or is not under
Cr
Measure G (this is, however, covered i~ ~he body of the staff report).
He is of the opinion that the develo~ r should have a grace period
S~Us . een consulted, staff could be
thn in
Threatens recall of the entire Counc~ ~nhappy with the City Council.
if they do not do what the
proponents want.
Marcia Fariss-Objects to the adjourned eeting format, smacks of back
room politics. Council should vote on ~e recommended actions only at
City Council Minutes 3 May 7, 1996
a regular meeting.
Lou Thorpe-Agrees with the two previous speakers.
Ellen Mastman-Reads a letter threatening recall from Phil Olsen. Feels
City should check with Napa and others about implementation of such a
Measure.
Jim Shaw-Feels the City should continue its current review practices,
don't send a matter to the voters unless it has been approved first by
the City. Reads a letter from Dora Grens to the effect that this
matter should be discussed only at a televised meeting so she can see
the proceedings. What the Council is considering is the same type of
punitive measures as in Measure A in 1980.
Vic Monia-Feels the exemption process should be handled without an
election first. Feels that applicants should have the choice of either
going through the plan review process first or going directly to an
election.
Willem Kohler-People are concerned about the actions being proposed,
feels that action should only be taken at a regular meeting.
Bill Sheridan-Feels the City Manager and the City Attorney are giving
the Council bad advice.
Jim Stuart-Three weeks ago the Mayor and Vice Mayor said they would
fairly implement the Measure, is waiting to see if they follow through
with their promises.
Carl Peterson-Received information in the mail two or three days before
the election as to what Measure G is about and he voted on the Measure
based on that information.
Pat Johnstone-Ladies in her bridge group say that this meeting is
underhanded, sneaky, deceitful, etc. Feels the Council is trying to
get this over with before the people find out about what they are
doing. She feels the Measure does not apply to patios, room additions,
etc. just to big projects.
Councilmember Burger indicates that the Measure went into effect on May
3rd and the first application which may be subject to Measure G is due
for consideration on May 15th so there is some need for the Council to
make a decision on the procedures to follow.
Council indicates that it could continue the hearing scheduled on May
15th for the project which is subject to Measure G so the proposed
procedures can be discussed and decided at the next regular meeting.
Vice Mayor Moran suggests that any decisions be postponed so that they
can be made at the next regular meeting.
Councilmember Wolfe indicates that the decisions could be made tonight
or at the next regular meeting and he is comfortable with either course
of action.
By consensus the Council agrees to continue the matter to the regular
meeting on May 15th.
Councilmember Burger asks a question about how certain variances would
be treated under Measure G. The City Attorney indicates that variances
which request coverage exceptions would no longer be possible and would
have to be subject to an election.
Mayor Jacobs asks a question as to whether or not the City can require
an applicant to submit applications beyond those required to request an
amendment to the general plan. The City Attorney indicates that the
City can not currently require such additional submittals.
Mayor Jacobs responds to Mr. Monia's comment on exceptions that if the
voters approve an application for change in land use then the exception
would no longer exist and the Council would not have to act. Only if
the voters reject the change in land use should the Council then decide
City Council Minutes 4 May 7, 1996
that grounds for an exception exist.
Vice Mayor Moran indicates that she fee the voters should be getting
help from the City when making a decisi~ at the ballot box in the form
a ' position on the project being
completed and made available to the vol rs before a measure is placed
on the ballot.
Vic Monia-Indicates that if the City gi ~s the applicant the option of
going through the planning process fir: then the information problem
disappears.
Jim Stuart-Feels the City should requi the applicant to go through
the planning process first so the vcers will know what they are
getting if they vote on the project.
(At this point the proceedings became ite adversarial and the Mayor
adjourned the meeting without completi] the balance of the agenda}.
5. Self-Evaluation of Previous Meetil
None (see previous paragraph).
6. Agency Assignment Reports
None (see previous paragraph).
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 PM.
Harry R. Peacock ~
City Manager