Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-20-1999 City Council Minutes MINUTES SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL TIME: Wednesday, January 20, 1999 - 6:30 p.m. PLACE: Closed Session, Administration Conference Room, 13777 FmiWale Avenue; Regular Meeting and Joint Meeting with Finance Commission, Adult Care Center, 19655 Allendale Avenue TYPE: Regular Meeting and Joint Meeting with Finance Commission after regular meeting CLOSED SESSION - 6:30 in Administration Conference Room, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue A. Public Employee Performance Evaluation pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 - Title: City Attorney. B. Conference with Legal Counsel pursuant to Government Code 54956.9 - Existing Litigation; Name of Case: San Francisco Baykeepers et al vs. Saratoga. Mayor's report on Closed Session - Mayor Shaw reported that Council concurred to direct staff to proceed with the solicitation for City Attorney services. There were no other reportable actions taken. REGULAR MEETING 7:30 - Pledge of Allegiance - Led by Mary Jo Walker, Director of Administrative Services 1. ROLL CALL Mayor Shaw called the meeting to order at 7:36 p.m. All Councilmembers were present. Staff present: City Manager Larry Perlin, City Attorney Michael Riback, Director of Administrative Services Mary Jo Walker, Acting Public Works Director John Cherbone, Administrative Analyst Irene Jacobs and City Clerk Susan A. Ramos. 2. CEREMONIAL ITEMS A. Michael Buress, Saratoga Fire District - Recipient of the W.W. Worden Memorial Award Mayor Shaw read and presented the proclamation to Mr. Buress, who accepted the proclamation and expressed thanks. 3. REPORT OF CITY CLERK ON POSTING OF AGENDA Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on January 15, 1999. Reported by City Clerk Susan A. Ramos. 4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMISSIONS AND THE PUBLIC A. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None B. CO1VIMUNICATIONS FROM COMMISSIONS - None C. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None 5. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Streit requested to pull agenda items 5B(3) and 5B(5) from the consent calendar, for discussion. A. Previously-Discussed Items - None B. New Items 1.Planning Commission Actions, January 13, 1999 Recommendation: Note and file. 2) Memo Authorizing Publicity for Upcoming Hearings - No new hearings scheduled for February 3~d. I of 6 Minutes for City CounciI Regular Meeting January 20, 1999 and Joint Meeting with Finance Commission 3) Monthly Financial Reports for October and November, 1998: a) Treasurer's Report b) Investment Report c) Financial Report Recommendation: Note and file. Councilmember Stceit suggested to include a summary of major variances in the mid-year report; and, to consider a sweep account for the Comerica bank account. Discussion ensued. STREIT/BOGOSIAN MOVED TO APPROVE AGENDA ITEM 5B(3). PASSED 5-0. 4) Approval of Check Register 5) Final Map Approval of Tentative Map Application No. SD 98-003. (Owner: Boisseranc; Location: 4 lots at 13650 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Rd.) Recommendation: 1. Adopt Resolution SD 98-003 ganting Final Map approval of Tentative Map Application No. SD 98-003. 2. Authorize the Mayor to execute the Subdivision Improvement Agreement. Councilmember Streit expressed concerns about compatibility of new homes with existing homes and recently approved homes that are under construction. Following discussion, the rest of Council concurred with Councilmember Streit and directed staff to convey Council's concem to the Planning Commission at their next meeting. STREIT/BAKER MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION SD 98-003 AND AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE SUBDMSION IMPROVEMENT AGREEMENT. PASSED 5-0. C. Claims Against the City - None BOGOSIAN/MEHAFFEY MOVED TO APPROVE AND ADOPT AGENDA ITEMS 5B(1), (2) AND (4) OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR, AS PRESENTED. PASSED 5-0. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 8:00 pm.- None 7. OLD BUSINESS A. Recommendations concerning Solicitation for Contract City Attorney Services. Recommendation: Provide direction to staff. City Manager Perlin presented the staff report, as was presented at a previous meeting, with the exception of a time flame that is included in the report and a supplemental list of finns that was prepared by staff and distributed to Council under separate cover. Discussion ensued regarding staff resources, advertisement and publication lead times. Councilmember Bogosian suggested to solicit directly fi~om the finns on the list to expedite the process. Discussion ensued and a concern to allow for proper notification to the legal profession was discussed and considered. Councilmember Mehaffey suggested to set February I as day 1 in the schedule. City Manager Perlin commented that there is a daily publication that serves the legal profession and theh' advertisement lead tImes may meet the Council's desires. Councilmember Streit suggested to add the finn of Hogge, Fenton, Jones, and Appel to the list. BOGOSIAN/STREIT MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO PROCEED WITH EXPEDIENCY THE SOLICITATION FOR CITY ATTORNEY SERVICES AS DISCUSSED THIS EVENING. PASSE~ 5-0. 2of6 Minutes for City Council Regular Meeting January 20, 1999 and Joint Meeting with Finance Commission A. Update on Library and Finance Commission Vacancies. Recommendation: Provide direction to staff. City Manager Perlin provided a background and status report on the subject vacancies. He noted that the application deadline was last Friday, January 15 and while these vacancies remain open due to insufficient number of applications received, there are currently three applications on file (one for the Finance Commission and two for the Library Commission). One application for the Library Commission is over six months old and the applicant has already completed the interview process. It would therefore be appropriate for Council to move forward with this process, at this time. Councilmember Mehaffey commented that the Library Commission applicant was interviewed by the former Council. Consequently, it would be appropriate for the new Council to have the opportunity to personally meet and talk with that applicant. There was consensus of Council to direct staff to schedule interviews with the three applicants at the next regular Council meeting of February 3, 1999 and to post a notice of vacancy and extend the application deadline. Councilmember Baker stated for the record, that it is poor City policy to keep an applicant waiting for a long period of time, and in doing so, the City is sending a bad signal to the community. A. Letter to Assemblyman Cunneen supporting noise abatement on Highway 85. Recommendation: Approve letter of support. City Manager Perlin commented that this letter has been prepared as directed by Council at their last meeting. He stated that contrary to public opinion, there are no funds in Measure A and B for this project. There was consensus of Council to approve and forward the letter of support as presented. A. Ordinance No. 71-187, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Saratoga adding Section 9-15.06 to the Municipal Code relating to vehicles. Recommendation: Adopt Ordinance No. 71-187. Councilmember Bogosian apprised the audience with a brief background of the subject ordinance. BOGOSIAN/MEHAFFEY MOVED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 71-187 TO BE EFFECTIVE IN THIRTY (30) DAYS. PASSED 5-0. A. Ordinance No. 71-188, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Saratoga amending Section 2-10.010 of the Municipal Code relating to regular meetings of the City Council. Recommendation: 1. Adopt Ordinance No. 71-188. 2. Provide direction regarding public hearing start times. City Manager Perlin commented that in conjunction with the adoption of the subject ordinance changing the start times of the regular Council meetings to 7:00 p.m., there is a question whether to move the public hearing start time to an earlier time. If it is Council's desire to change the public hearing start time, staff will prepare a resolution reflecting this change, for adoption at the next regular meeting. Discussion ensued. STREIT/BAKER MOVED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 71-188 AND DIRECTED STAFF TO PREPARE A RESOLUTION CHANGING THE PUBLIC HEARING START TIME TO 7:30 P.M. AT THIS TIME, OPEN TO FLITLYRE REEVALUATION. 8. NEW BUSINESS 1) Approval of Professional Services Agreement with James Jeffties, P.E., to . provide Contract Traffic Engineering Services. Recommendation: Approve agreement for traffic engineering services. · City Manager Perlin presented the staff report. Discussion ensued. 3 of 6 Minutes for City Council Regular Meeting January 20, 1999 and Joint Meeting ~ith Finance Commission Councilmember Mehaffey asked and Acting Public Works Director John Cherbone replied the process did not entail an RFP and there were no other firms considered. The credentials and rapport of Mr. Jeffties were kighly favorable and met the City's needs. He added that Mr. Jeffi-ies is currently doing work at Hakone Gardens. Councilmember Mehaffey expressed concern over the process and City Manager Perlin replied that this particular service Calls for specialized expertise and someone who will work with staff and Mr. Jeffties meets that criteria. BAKERfMEHAFFEY MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGREEMENT WITH JAMES JEFFPIES FOR TRAFFIC ENGINEERING SERVICES. PASSED 5-0. 2. Initiation of Proceedings in connection with annexation of properties into the Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District LLA~I (Horseshoe Drive). Recommendation: Adopt Resolution directing preparation of Engineer's Report. City Manager Perlin presented the staff report, noting that this annexation process is concurrent with the annual assessment renewal of the Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District LLA-1. To begin the annexation process it is necessary for Council to adopt a Resolution of Intention which describes the project in general terms and directs the preparation of the Engineer's Report which will describe the project hi greater detail to include costs and a calculation of assessments. With Council's permission, Oskar Thurner, 19931 Bella Vista, Co-chair of an ad-hoc project committee, expressed his support and the support of a large majority of property owners who are anxious to clean up and enhance the subject area. Councilmember Mehaffey asked and City Manager Pefiin replied that the existing District involves approximately 3700 properties, and comprises about one-third of the City. In response to Councilmember Mehaffey, City Manager Perlin replied that the ballot process requires that a majority of the votes received from property owners support the annexation in order for Council to proceed. Discussion ensued. In response to Councilmember Baker, Mr. Thumer replied that two polls were taken and about 90% responded favorably. The respondents accounted for about 70% of the property owners in the area. BOGOSIAN/BAKER MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION OF INTENT AS PRESENTED. PASSED 5-0. 9. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (continued) and instructions to staff regarding actions on current oral communications. None 10. ROUTINE MATTERS (Note: City Attorney will be excused at this point if no longer needed.) City Attorney Riback excused himself from the meeting at 8:47 p.m. A. Approval of Minutes - January 6, 1999 Councilmember Bogosian amended page 4, item 7A, second paragraph of the minutes to read, "Discussion ensued regarding the list of.firms and Councilmember Bogosian requested a time /?ame. " MEHAFFEY/STREIT MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS AMENDED. PASSED 5-0. 11. CITY COUNCIL ITEMS A. Agenda items for the next adjourned regular meeting (Note: The purpose of listing the items immediately following is not to discuss or take action on them, but simply to decide whether they are to be placed on the agenda for the meeting 6f January 26, 1999.) 4of6 Minutes for City. Council Regular Meeting January 20, 1999 and Joint Meeting with Finance Commission 1. Quarterly Program and Major Project Review 2. Status Update on Playfield Task Force 3. Draft Septic System Abatement Ordinance There was consensus of Council to put these items on the agenda for the adjourned regular meeting of January 26, 1999. Mayor Shaw commented that the Playfield Task Force status update is to give Council an opportttnity to receive updated information from staff and the consultant and to ask any questions that they may have of staff and the consultant regarding the project. It is not the intent of Council to take any action or public testimony on this issue at that meeting. That meeting is not a public hearing, however, it is a public meeting and the public is invited to attend. The entire process will allow for a public hearing to receive public testimony which will be scheduled at a future Council meeting. B. Other Councilmember Baker commented on Y2K which was discussed at a recent meeting with Santa Clara County and asked where the City stands on this issue. City Manager Perlin replied that efforts to be Y2K compliant is underway by the City's MIS division of the Admimstrative Services Department. A status report will be provided to Council at the adjourned regular meeting of January 26, 1999. He recommended further discussion on this matter with the Public Safety Commission at their joint meeting with Council on February 9, 1999. Councilmember Baker concurred. Councilmember Streit commented on a discussion at a VTA PAC meeting about Measure A funds and the accelerated time flame. City Manager Perlin recommended to defer this item to the adjourned regular meeting of January 26, 1999, under agency reports. 12. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT None 13. ADJOURN REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AND CONVENE JOINT MEETING WITH FINANCE COMMISSION Council adjourned the regular meeting at 9:15 p.m. and Mayor Shaw called a five-minute recess before conve~ng the joint meeting. JOINT MEETING WITH FINANCE COMMISSION 1. ROLL CALL Mayor Shaw called the joint meeting to order at 9:20 p.m. All Councilmembers and Finance Commissioners were present with the exception of Commissioner Ousley, who was absent. Staff present: City Manager Larry Perlin, Director of Administrative Services and Finance Commission Staff Support Mary Jo Walker, City Clerk Susan A. Ramos. 2. BUSINESS ITEMS A. Presentation by Finance Commission of five-year Financial Forecast. Materials will be provided at the meeting.) Chairman Chuck Swan presented the five-year financial forecast to Council using overhead slides. Highlights of the presentation included General Fund revenues and expenditures covering trends and assumptions, and the General Fund reserves. Discussion ensued regarding property tax revenues, police services, short-term financing and lines of credit. With Council's permission, Jeff Schwartz commented on the City's reserve balance policy in comparison with other cities. Director of Administrative Services Mary Jo Walker commented she does not have relative information from other cities, however, from experience 20% is appropriate. -. s a 6 Minutes for City Council Regular Meeting January. 20, 1999 and Joint Meeting with Finance Commission After the presentation, copies of the 5-year plan were distributed to Council and staff. 3. ADJOURNMENT Council adjourned the joint meeting at 10:05 p.m. to the regularly adjourned meeting of January 26, 1999. Respectfully submitted, City Clerk 6of6