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SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DATE: October 5, 2011 AGENDA ITEM:
DEPARTMENT: City Manager’s Office CITY MANAGER: Dave Anderson
PREPARED BY: Crystal Morrow DIRECTOR: Dave Anderson
Administrative Analyst II
SUBJECT: Winter/Spring 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 fall issue of The Saratogan was mailed to residents in August 2011 and featured articles
based on the theme “Acts of Preservation,” such as the nesting box project for native Saratoga
birds, El Quito neighborhood tree planting, Saratoga Library General Obligation bond refunding,
and sign ordinance update. The newsletter also included tips from the Traffic Safety
Commission, an article welcoming County Fire Chief Ken Kehmna, a story on the City’s
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada award for its 2010/11
budget and 2009/10 comprehensive annual financial report, a Saratogan readership drawing,
personal emergency preparedness class information, and garbage and recycling essentials.
Staff has started developing preliminary article topics for the fall issue of The Saratogan, which
will be mailed to residents in late November 2011. The articles are centered on the theme,
“Saratoga Outdoors”. Proposed primary and secondary articles are listed below.
Primary Article Topics:
- Joe’s Trail at Saratoga DeAnza
- Corporation Yard Solar Project
- Saratoga Wildlife
Secondary Article Topics:
- Tips from the Library Commission
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- Saratoga Trail Maps Online
- Ravenwood Park Playground Improvements
- Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
- Holiday Safety Tips
To ensure The Saratogan meets the expectations of the City Council, staff is seeking input for
the winter/spring 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 winter/spring 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 fall issue