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SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DATE: June 1, 2011 AGENDA ITEM:
DEPARTMENT: City Manager’s Office CITY MANAGER: Dave Anderson
PREPARED BY: Crystal Morrow DIRECTOR: Dave Anderson
Administrative Analyst II
SUBJECT: Fall Issue of The Saratogan
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Accept report and direct staff accordingly.
BACKGROUND:
The Saratogan is used as a tool to improve communications with residents and ensure the public
has access to important information. The City has published a wide range of articles in past
issues, ranging from public safety articles to water conservation tips to updates on City projects.
Since the start of the 2010/11 budget, The Saratogan has been incorporated into the Saratoga
Recreation Activity Guide to save the City money on mailing expenses.
The spring/summer issue of The Saratogan was mailed to residents in March 2011 and featured
articles based on the theme “Commitment to Service”, such as Saratoga Serves, building codes,
the Parks and Recreation Commission, and reusable bags. The newsletter also included Ask Jana,
an article welcoming Captain Carl Neusel from the Sheriff’s Office to Saratoga, information on
the City’s community events calendar, a readership poll, and an Arbor Day announcement.
Staff has started developing preliminary article topics for the fall issue of The Saratogan, which
will be mailed to residents in late July 2011. The articles are centered on the theme,
“Preservation”. Proposed primary and secondary articles are listed below.
Primary Article Topics:
- Leveraging City funds with grants
- Ban on use of tobacco products in City recreational areas
- Bird nesting boxes in City parks and open spaces
- Sign ordinance update
Secondary Article Topics:
- Ask Jana
- Tips from the Traffic Safety Commission
- Playing petanque
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- Curbside trash and recycling basics
- Benefits of a library card
To ensure The Saratogan meets the expectations of the City Council, staff is seeking input for
the fall issue.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
N/A
CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
Staff will move forward without Council input on the theme, article topics, or other aspects of
the fall issue of The Saratogan.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
N/A
FOLLOW UP ACTION(S):
Implement Council direction.
ADVERTISING, NOTICING AND PUBLIC CONTACT:
Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, this item was properly posted as a City Council agenda
item and was included in the packet made available on the City’s web site in advance of the
meeting. A copy of the agenda packet is also made available at the Saratoga Branch Library each
Monday in advance of the Council meeting.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: The Saratogan 2011 spring/summer issue