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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-07-1998 City Council Minutes MINUTES SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL TIME: Tuesday, July 7, 1998 - 7:00 p.m. PLACE: Adult Care Center, 19655 Allendale Avenue TYPE: Adjourned Regular Meeting 1. Roll Call The meeting was Called to order at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Wolfe noted that this was the first time an adjourned regular meeting had been telecast live. Councilmembers Bogosian, Jacobs, Moran, Shaw and Mayor Wolfe were present. Staff members present were City Manager Perlin, City Attorney Riback, Community Development Director Walgren, and Deputy City Clerk Cory. 2. Report of City clerk on Posting of Agenda Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on July 2. The notice of adjournment from the July 1 Council meeting was properly posted on July 2. 3. Oral Communications from the Public on Non-Agendized Items - None. 4. Measure G Implementatlon Policy City Manager Perlin introduced City Attorney Riback, who reviewed the staff report. He emphasized that the City Council can place a General Plan Amendment on the ballot without California Environmental Quality Act review. Councilmembers discussed whether applicants should go through the City review process before a General Plan Amendment was placed on the ballot. Community Development Director Walgren stated that an applicant for a simple project might as well go through the City review process first because it is relatively easy, inexpensive, and quick. Mayor Wolfe opened up discussion to the public at 7:40 p.m. Barry Swenson spoke in favor of allowing an applicant to go to the ballot before going through the City review process. He said that a large project could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to go through the review process and still might lose at the polls, while going through an election first could settle the issue at much lower cost. No one further appearing to speak, Mayor Wolfe closed discussion to the public at 7:46 p.m. Councilmembers expressed their preferences for the various alternatives the staff had suggested. Shaw/Bogosian moved to approve option 1 (city review process first) with a policy statement to be drafted.to make it clear that this Council and future Councils reserve the right to allow the applicant to have an election first in certain situations. Councilmembers discussed how a policy statement could be worded to allow exceptions and decided that it would be best to reagendize the matter for a later date and give the staff time to write the statement. Councilmember Jacobs noted that it should be clear to Mr. Swenson that the Council agreed that he would have to go through the City review process first in any case. Councilmembers Shaw and Bogosian withdrew the motion and second. City Council Minutes 2 July 7, 1998 There was consensus to direct the staff to agendize this matter again on Tuesday, September 8, and to prepare a staff report with a policy requiring most applicants to go through the City review process before an election and suggesting possible wording for a policy statement allowing for exceptions. 5, Mayores Proposal for Blue Ribbon Panel on City:s Financial Future Mayor Wolfe distributed copies of the "Vision for Saratoga" and related it to his proposal. He believed the timing of the panel would allow for a ballot measure in June 1999. Councilmembers in general felt the proposal was premature, and long- term financial concerns were already being addressed by the 5Tyear plan to be prepared by the Finance Commission. If a panel was needed, it would have more credibility if it was composed of groups that had not necessarily favored the Utility User Tax. Vic Monia, Granite Way, stated that the current council lacked credibility because the City is surviving despite the Utility User Tax loss. He believed the Council needs to make a case that the City needs the money, and it should be an issue at the City Council election. City Manager Perlin commented that the Finance Commission needs more cl'ear direction as to what should be included in the five-year plan. 6.. Election Resolutions~ A. Resolution calling Election on November 3, 1998 MORAN/BOGOSIAN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 98-23. Passed 5-0. B. Resolution confirming Decisions on Candidates Statements MORAN/BOGOSIAN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 98-23.1. Passed 5-0. 7. Discussion of Possible Dates for City Attorney Evaluation After discussion of schedules of the parties involved, there was consensus to schedule the evaluation for 5:30 p.m. on' Tuesday, September 8. S. Self-Evaluation of Previous Meeting - July 1 There was consensus that the meeting had proceeded quickly, which was desirable. 9. Agency Assignment Reports Councilmember Moran reported on sewer rehabilitation. Councilmember Bogosian reported on his letter to Barbara'Conant concerning the placement of the computer menu and filtering software on an agenda for the Library Joint Powers Authority. Councilmember Shaw felt he that he, as Council liaison to the Hakone Foundation, should be receiving copies of correspondence from the City and the Foundation so that he could be informed. He stated that KSAR had done a good job with cablecasting equipment. He also noted that Mary Richards has made a smooth shift to the Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council, with Ciky Garcia-Rose taking over the Adult Care Center. Mayor Wolfe reported that the Saratoga Business Development Council was not meeting in the s~mmer. He also reported on his speech for the Hometown Celebration on July 3. He noted that the Celebration would be held at West Valley College next year because Villa Montalvo was unavailable. City Council Minutes 3 July 7, 1998 10. Other Councilmember Bogosian requested an update on the Paul Masson Mountain Winery development proposal at the next meeting. Councilmember Shaw requested that a closed session on a staff member requesting early retirement be agendized. Councilmember Moran agreed. Councilmember Shaw also suggested that City Manager evaluations be conducted more frequently, perhaps quarterly. Councilmember Moran agreed that a special evaluation schedule should be arranged. City Manager Perlin reported that the presentation from West Valley Sanitation District was scheduled for July 21. He also reported that the City had received a check from the County for Tax Equity Allocation funds. He then stated that a significant n~mher of complaints from citizens about TCI ~s dropping the FM broadcasting were being received. City Manager Perlin then stated that the new Public Works Director would begin employment on Monday, July 13. He also noted that since the State had not yet adopted a budget, City revenues from the State could be disrupted. He and the Interim Finance Director will be evaluating the potential effects of this on the City~s cash flow. 11. Adjournment The meeting Was adjourned at 9:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Grace E. Cory Deputy City Clerk