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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 Summer Saratogan FINAL L��y o{ SARgT�9 THE 1956 call FORN�PSAR,.-ATO GAN SUMMER 2014 Showing Care and Appreciation for Saratoga's Environment Former President Theodore Roosevelt once said,"To exist as a nation,to prosper as a state,and to live as a people,we must have trees." Trees produce oxygen, give shade, muffle noise, clean soil, and are aesthetically pleasing. Studies have found that trees can reduce a cities crime rate. That could be one of the reasons why the City of ., Saratoga was named the 12th Safest City in America by NeighborhoodScout.com. And once a year Saratoga residents come together to thank and celebrate trees for all that they give. The City of Saratoga is hosting its 2014 Arbor Day event on Tuesday, April 22, at 3:45 p.m. at Saratoga City Hall, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue. Come help plant an oak tree during the event and learn more on how to care for trees on your property. City Arborist Kate Bear will be on-hand to discuss tree care. The Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County will provide information on sustainable and drought- resistant gardening.PG&E,which is donating the oak tree,will explain the best types of trees to be planted near power lines. West Valley Collection and Recycling will be offering free compost and its new"Residential How-To Guide" that explains what should go in garbage,recycling, and green waste containers.Representatives from the West Valley Clean Water Program will also be at the event and giving away fly swatters and plants that deter bugs. Children in kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to create posters around this year's theme: "We Love Trees." Contest winners will be named at the event and given a $50 gift certificate to a Saratoga business. For more information on the event and the poster contest,visit www.saratoga.ca.us/arborday. This issue of The Saratogan focuses on caring for and celebrating Saratoga's environment.Read about: ® The newwaste collection contract between the West Valley cities and West Valley Collection and Recycling. The contract allows residents to recycle many more items than before. 13 Saratoga,along with other cities in California,is in its third straight year of drought.Learn how residents can do their part in limiting their use of water. Dedicate a Tree or Bench in a Loved Ones Name Residents can show their loved ones how much they care all year round by dedicating a tree or bench in their honor. Currently, trees cost $125 and plaques cost from $280 to$390 depending on the length of the message.Dedicating a bench costs $1,650 with plaques starting at $165. Visit www.saratoga.ca/dedication for more information on the Tree and Bench 4 Dedication Program. More Items can be Recycled in New Waste Collection Contract The West Valley cities, including Saratoga, have a a new waste collection contract with West Valley o o 0 Collection and Recycling.That means a number of new , q �, service enhancements for residents. V The amount of items that can be recycled has increased significantly,including pizza boxes and old cell phones. { Cameras, DVDs, calculators, electronic cords and other ►- '' e-waste can now be tossed into the recycle bin.However, computer monitors and towers, laptops and televisions can not go into your containers.Residents can get rid of used alkaline batteries by sealing them in a clear plastic , bag and leaving them on top of their recycling cart. Fruits and vegetables from a garden can be thrown into the yard trimmings cart along with branches, ivy, flowers, leaves, shrubs and tree trimmings that do not exceed two feet in length and three inches in diameter. West Valley Collection and Recycling is still offering residents an annual clean-up day. During the clean-up, items left on the curbside will be picked up free of charge. A notification of the scheduled will be mailed to residents a month ahead of the clean-up day. If you miss your day you can schedule a one-time reduced price bulky item collection for$20 by calling the waste company at(408) 283-9250. New "Residential How-To Guides" have been mailed to residents. If you did not receive yours, visit www.westvalleyrecycles.com to download a PDF copy or request aother printed copy be mailed to you. Beginning this year,the West Valley Collection and Recycling fleet is being converted to compressed natural gas vehicles,thereby reducing _ greenhouse gas emissions. The transition to a full fleet of compressed natural trucks will take three years. To learn more, visit www.westvalleyrecycles.com or call West Valley Collection at (408) 283-9250. Watch a video with Council Member Howard Miller explaining the new contract by visiting www.youtube.com/CityHallSaratoga. Conserving Water During a Drought Santa Clara County has received some welcomed rain in recent months, but that doesn't mean the drought is over. Continued dry 1 weather has left local resevoir levels very low. The worsening water supply prompted the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors to call for a 20 percent water reduction target. Here are some tips residents can do to help conserve water in their homes: ® Only wash fulls loads of laundry ® Plant local, drought tolerant plants and only water when needed ® Purchase water-efficient technologies,like low-flow toilets For more information and tips,visit www.valleywater.org. n February, the Santa Clara County Library District ' lA Iselected Allison Parham as the Saratoga Community Librarian after a nation-wide search. IF FASY RFA DF R Allison has been with the Library District since 2005, most recently as the Supervising Librarian of Adult and Teen Services for the Campbell Library. She had been the acting Community Librarian in Saratoga since October 2013. She is committed to furthering the Library District's mission. Part of that mission is providing a positive patron experience, ensuring equal and open access to Community Librarian Allison Parham a relevant and diverse collection, and fostering lifelong learning. Promoting innovation, collaboration, and developing beneficial programs and services are also high priorities. For more information on the Saratoga Library,visit www.sccl.org/saratoga. V After 14 years with the City of Saratoga, City Manager Dave Anderson announced his retirement in January. His last day with the City will be July 23,2014. Dave's father was an elected official, and so he was exposed to government at an early age. That early education not only inspired his professional life,but also taught him the value of strong bonds with residents,staff, and City Council Members.When Dave was hired in 2000 he immediately went to work creating new and lasting relationships with residents and other stakeholders City Manager Dave Anderson throughout the City. Dave worked closely with past and present City Council Members, building trust and confidence in each other that was apparent throughout his tenure with the City. That faith garnered a true partnership between the Council and staff and allowed for the accomplishment of a great deal together for the benefit of Saratoga residents. Some of those accomplishments include improvment of the City's infrastructure, such as streets, parks and facilities, as well as changing the culture of the Saratoga City government to provide excellent and responsive service to residents. Prior to his position with Saratoga, he had served as Assistant City Manager for the Town of Danville and Assistant to the City Manager for the City of San Jacinto.Dave received his Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning from The Evergreen State College in Washington and his Master's in Public Administration from the University of Washington. Although many people in the community know Dave for his position as a City Manager, most may not know about his love of photography and art. His mother is an artist and, so as a child he was exposed to art just as much as he was with government life.But now,in retirement,he just may have a little more time for his hobbies. Keep In Touch IE Important phone numbers residents should know and keep City Manager's Office Community Development Public Works City Manager: (408) 868-1216 Arborist: (408) 868-1276 Main Line: (408) 868-1239 City Clerk: (408)868-1269 Building: (408) 868-1269 Streets and Parks: (408) 868-1245 Event Permits: (408) 868-1275 Code Enforcement: (408)868-1214 Traffic: (408) 868-1258 General Planning: (408) 868-1222 Trails: (408) 868-1274 Public Safety Recreation Other Organizations County Fire: (408) 378-4010 Main Lines: (408) 868-1248 Senior Center: (408) 868-1257 Sheriff's Office: (408) 868-1249 Saratoga Library: (408) 867-6126 Emergency 911 Facilities and Chamber: (408)867-7818 Non-Emergency (408) 299-3233 Parks Rentals: (408)868-1259 Visit www.saratoga.ca.us for more information Remember to License Your Pets once you get that cute puppy or kitten home, getting a pet license for them may be the last thing on your mind.There's so many other fun things to do with pets: play with them, feed them treats, and watch the cute little guys sleep on your lap. But a pet license isn't just the law, it could be their ticket home if they ever dig out of the backyard or slip out the front door.The City of Saratoga contracts with San Jose Animal Care and Services,which allows you to get f your pet licensed online.Just visit www.sanjoseanimals.com and click on "Pet Licensing." " A04r..Staff f g�.......s ........ .... . .eaturin , fames Lin.dsay....................... Have a question? Send your question(s)to bbabcock@saratoga.ca.us or(408) 868-1275. O: What are the keys to a successful and timely design-review approval and how can I avoid delays? A: Saratoga's design review process is in place to help new and remodeled homes fit 5. into existing neighborhoods. The City recently updated the Residential Design Review Handbook to help guide homeowners and design professionals through this process. The keys to success are to conduct a visual survey of your neighborhood to find common design elements, apply the techniques suggested in the Handbook, and ensure your application contains all the information requested by the City. The majority of project delays are caused by incomplete drawings and designs that do not fit in with the neighborhood. Planning staff is available to help homeowners and design professional through the process. Helpful documents can also be found at www.saratoga.ca.us/residentialdevelopment. James Lindsay is the Community Development Director for the City of Saratoga.Lindsay oversees City planning,building permits and inspections,code enforcement,and arborist services. °'saR,ro To learn more about The Saratogan, make comments, suggest story ideas, or just ask a question, 9 contact Brian Babcock at bbabcock@saratoga.ca.us or 408.868.1275.You can also find The Saratogan FoaNP online and sign up for email alerts at www.saratoga.ca.us/saratogan.