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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-26-1999 City Council Minutes MINUTES SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL TIME: Thursday, August 26, 1999 - 10:00 a.m. PLACE: Special Meeting and Closed Session, Administrative Conference Room, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga TYPE: Special Meeting CALL TO ORDER - Vice Mayor Bogosian called the special meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. in the Administrative Conference Room at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue. ROLL CALL - Councilmembers Baker, Streit, Mehaffey, Vice Mayor Bogosian REPORT OF CITY CLERK ON POSTING OF AGENDA - City Clerk Ramos reported that pursuant to Government Code 54956, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on August 24, 1999. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.3(a), the City Council will provide the public with an opportunity to address the Council on any item described in the notice before or during consideration of that item. At this time, Vice Mayor Bogosian invited public participation of which there was none. 1. Review of applications to fill a vacancy on the City Council and discussion of selection process Vice Mayor Bogosian reported that a total of five applications were received and they were all fi.om qualified applicants. On behalf of the Council, he thanked the applicants for their interest and time in completing the applications, and noted that it will be a difficult decision to make. He added that this meeting is for the purpose of setting the ground rules for the selection and interview process. Councilmember Streit noted the quality of the applicants that have applied and suggested scheduling all five applicants for interview next week He has some very specific questions that he would like to address to the applicants. Councilmember Mehaffey was also impressed with the quality applicants. He suggested focusing on the positive and negative points of the applicants and come up with a set of questions for the interview. Although the idea of interviewing all of the applicants is a good idea, he would like to hear other ideas and opinions. Councilmember Baker noted this is an unusual situation to appoint an interim replacement to complete a term. He feels that Council should select an applicant who most closely adheres to and espouses the positions and stance on issues which Mr. Shaw espoused during his term on the Council. He believes it is incumbent upon the Council to try to appoint someone who supports those positions on which he ran for office and was elected, and who has the same interest in the City as this Council has and would continue the open dialogue, compatibility, and collective interest that this Council has shared with Mr. Shaw. He concurred that all the applicants have good ideas, but noted that this is not an open election. He would support interviewing all of the applicants. Vice Mayor Bogosian commented that in the interest of time, he would prefer to narrow the list of applicants for interview. He reiterated Councilmember Baker's comments that thisis not an election and the process should not be mirrored as such. Discussion ensued. I of 4 Minutes of Special Meeting August 26, 1999 Councilmember Mehaffey suggested ranking the applications in terms of various categories. Vice Mayor Bogosian asked if there was consensus of the Council on the premise that we are looking for a replacement for Jim Shaw and what he stood for. Councilmember Streit expressed he would like to find the best candidate to serve the City as a whole and work well with Council. Discussion ensued. Council concurred to select the categories and rate the applicants based on those categories. Councilmember Baker suggested the following categories: Measure G, neighborhood integrity (including two story, size compatibility), manner of conducting business (open, responsive, polite and fi-iendly), Mt. Winery land use and potential impact to the community. Councilmember Mehaffey added: Hub issue, ability to take a stance, taxes and services, and compatibility with City Council. Councilmember Streit added the playfield issue which could go with the Hub issue, and fiscal responsibility which could go with the taxes and services category. Council concurred to rank the applicants 1 to 5, 1 being low and 5 being high. Councilmember Streit added a category for overall opinion. Council concurred. Councilmember Baker suggested if there is no clear indication or position from the applicant on the issue, it should not be scored, either leave it out or state not available. It would be unfair to rate the applicants on issues or categories that were not asked of them on the application. Discussion ensued. Council concurred to remove the following categories: hub/playfield issue, taxes and services/fiscal responsibility and compatibility with City Council. City Manager Perlin illustrated on the board the various categories and the Councilmember ratings for each applicant. Vice Mayor Bogosian directed the City Clerk to prepare a matrix wi[th this information. This matrix is on the attached sheet. Vice Mayor Bogosian asked the pleasure of the Council regarding the interview schedule. There was consensus to pick two applicants who sci)red the highest :['or the interview. Ms. JoAn Couche- Coons and Ms. Ann Waltonsmith will be contacted by Vice Mayor Bogosian to invite them for an interview on Monday, August 30, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. in the Admirdstrative Conference Room at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue. He will also be contacting the other three to notify them of the results of today's meeting and thank them for their interest and time. Discussion ensued regarding questions and time for the interview process. Councilmember Baker suggested the hub/playfield issue, taxes and services/fiscal responsibility. Councilmember Streit suggested asking why they want to serve on the Council. Council concurred with the questions suggested and in addition, each Councilmember may ask other questions they feel are relevant and important. Council concurred to allow 30-45 minutes for each applicant, one at 10:00 a.m and the other at 10:45 a.m., followed by deliberations and the final appointment. 2 of 4 Minutes of Special Meeting August 26, 1999 Councilmembers expressed their thanks to all of the applicants for their interest and time. Vice Mayor Bogosian adjourned the special meeting at 11:25 a.m. to closed session. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION 2. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a), City of Saratoga v. West Valley-Mission Community College District, Santa Clara County Superior Court No. CIV 756-340 MAYOR'S REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION - Vice Mayor Bogosian declared there was no reportable action taken. ADJOURNMENT - Vice Mayor Bogosian adjourned the meeting at 1:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, City Clerk 3of4