HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-07-2015 City Council minutesMINUTES
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2015
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
At 5:30 p.m., the City Council held a Joint Meeting with representatives of Saratoga Schools in
the Saunders Room at the Saratoga Senior Center at 19655 Allendale Avenue.
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Miller called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor Howard Miller, Vice Mayor Manny Cappello, Council
Members Emily Lo, Mary -Lynne Bernald, Rishi Kumar
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: James Lindsay, City Manager
Richard Taylor, City Attorney
Debbie Bretschneider, Acting City Clerk
Mary Furey, Finance & Administrative Services Director
Erwin Ordonez, Community Development Director
John Cherbone, Public Works Director
Michael Taylor, Recreation & Facilities Director
Brian Babcock, Administrative Analyst
Kate Bear, Arborist
REPORT OF CITY CLERK ON POSTING OF AGENDA
Acting City Clerk Debbie Bretschneider reported that the agenda for this meeting was properly
posted on October 2, 2015.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMISSIONS & PUBLIC
Oral Communications on Non-Agendized Items
None
Oral Communications - Council Direction to Staff
None
Communications from Boards and Commissions
None
Council Direction to Staff
None
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council Member Kumar announced that October 17 from 7 p.m. to midnight is the Dandia
Celebration at West Valley College Large Gym. http://www.saratogadandia.org/ He also
announced the November 14 Festival of Lights, www.saratogadiwali.org
Council Member Bernald announced that the Saratoga Historical Museum is having an October
18 fundraiser at Hakone Gardens. The money raised is going to fund a Blacksmith exhibit at the
museum. http://www.saratogahistory.com/ She also announced that the Witchy-Walk-About is
in the Village on October 31 from 1-4 p.m.
Council Member Lo announced that the Hakone Gardens on the 1St Tuesday of every month is
free admission for Saratoga residents, plus may bring 2 guests. Also, Saratoga based non -profits
can rent Hakone gardens during the week for 50% off rental. http://www.hakone.com/visit-
us/visitor-info.html
Vice Mayor Cappello announced that also on October 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. is the Health
and Wellness Expo, put on by the Senior Center. This is a free event with free health screenings
and flu shots and will be at the Joan Pisani Community Center.
http://www.sascc.org/community-events/
Mayor Miller showed the Fall Recreation Guide and highlighted the Reading Comprehension
class. http://www.saratoga.ca.us/cityhall/rec/default.asp
Mayor Miller also announced the Quarry Park grand opening on Oct. 31 at 10:30 a.m. with free
shuttle buses at 9:30 am in the Village up to the Quarry. There is not enough parking at the
Quarry! There will be give-aways of water bottles and logo pins. The Council is hoping that this
will be the first stage of Sea -to -Saratoga trail.
http://www.saratoga.ca.us/whatsnew/quarry park.asp
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
1. Appointment of Park & Recreation Commissioner and Oath of Office
Recommended action:
Adopt the resolution appointing Renee Paquier to a full term on the Parks & Recreation
Commission ending September 30, 2019 and direct the City Clerk to administer the Oath of
Office.
RESOLUTION 15-060
CAPPELLO/BERNALD MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION APPOINTING
RENEE PAQUIER TO A FULL TERM ON THE PARKS & RECREATION
COMMISSION ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 AND DIRECT THE CITY CLERK
TO ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE. MOTION PASSED. AYES: MILLER,
CAPPELLO, LO, BERNALD, KUMAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT:
NONE.
The Acting City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Renee Paquier.
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2. Commendations for America in Bloom Volunteers
Recommended action:
Present the commendations.
The City Council presented commendations to the America in Bloom Entry Volunteers.
Former Mayor Jill Hunter announced that the City of Saratoga is an official America in
Bloom City.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
3. Presentation on Rinconada Water Treatment Plant
Recommended action:
Receive presentation by staff of the Santa Clara Valley Water District on the Rinconada
Water Treatment Plant.
The City Council received the presentation by the Santa Clara Valley Water District. The
Director, Nai Hsueh, of the Santa Clara Valley Water District introduced Mike Munson,
Engineering Manager, who presented on the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant.
CONSENT CALENDAR
4. City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended action:
Approve the City Council minutes for the Special and Regular City Council Meeting on
September 16, 2015.
CAPPELLO/BERNALD MOVED TO APPROVE THE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
FOR THE SPECIAL AND REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON
SEPTEMBER 16, 2015. MOTION PASSED. AYES: MILLER, CAPPELLO, LO,
BERNALD, KUMAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
5. Review of Accounts Payable Check Registers
Recommended action:
Review and accept check registers for the following accounts payable payment cycles:
9/15/2015: Period 3
9/22/2015: Period 3
9/29/2015: Period 3
CAPPELLO/BERNALD MOVED TO REVIEW AND ACCEPT CHECK REGISTERS
FOR THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNTS PAYABLE PAYMENT CYCLES: 9/15/2015:
PERIOD 3, 9/22/2015: PERIOD 3, 9/29/2015: PERIOD 3. MOTION PASSED. AYES:
MILLER, CAPPELLO, LO, BERNALD, KUMAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
ABSENT: NONE.
6. Second Reading of Procurement Ordinance Update
Recommended action:
Adopt Ordinance
ORDINANCE 332
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CAPPELLO/BERNALD MOVED TO ADOPT THE PROCUREMENT ORDINANCE.
MOTION PASSED. AYES: MILLER, CAPPELLO, LO, BERNALD, KUMAR. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
7. Second Reading of a Zoning Amendment to add a Planned -Combined Zoning District (P -C)
to an existing site at 13716 & 13718 Saratoga Road
Recommended action:
Waive the second reading and adopt the attached ordinance to add the Planned -Combined
Zoning District (P -C) to an existing site at 13716 & 13718 Saratoga Road (Sacred Heart
Church Parish).
ORDINANCE 333
CAPPELLO/BERNALD MOVED TO ADOPT THE ATTACHED ORDINANCE TO
ADD THE PLANNED -COMBINED ZONING DISTRICT (P -C) TO AN EXISTING
SITE AT 13716 & 13718 SARATOGA ROAD (SACRED HEART CHURCH PARISH).
MOTION PASSED. AYES: MILLER, CAPPELLO, LO, BERNALD, KUMAR. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
8. Approve Donation from Saratoga -Monte Sereno Foundation for the October 31, 2015
Saratoga Quarry Park Grand Opening
Recommended action:
Authorize the City Manager to execute a donation agreement with the Saratoga -Monte
Sereno Foundation and accept a donation for $626.56 for the October 31, 2015 Saratoga
Quarry Park Grand Opening.
CAPPELLO/BERNALD MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A DONATION AGREEMENT WITH THE SARATOGA-MONTE
SERENO FOUNDATION AND ACCEPT A DONATION FOR $626.56 FOR THE
OCTOBER 31, 2015 SARATOGA QUARRY PARK GRAND OPENING. MOTION
PASSED. AYES: MILLER, CAPPELLO, LO, BERNALD, KUMAR. NOES: NONE.
ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
9. Saratoga Falcon Newspaper Correction
Recommended action:
Accept informational report.
Council Member Lo removed this item for the Consent calendar to commend the City staff
and the faculty at the Saratoga High Falcon newspaper for their quick action in removing an
incorrect article from the newspaper's website. And to remind the student newspapers that
the Mayor is the official voice of the Council and the Mayor is available for interviews.
LO/BERNALD MOVED TO ACCEPT INFORMATIONAL REPORT. MOTION
PASSED. AYES: MILLER, CAPPELLO, LO, BERNALD, KUMAR. NOES: NONE.
ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
10. Confirmation of Report and Assessment of Weed/Brush Abatement Program
Recommended action:
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Open public hearing, accept public testimony, close public hearing, and adopt resolution
confirming report and assessment of hazardous vegetation abatement charges.
Acting City Clerk Debbie Bretschneider presented the staff report and introduced Ray
Moreno from the Santa Clara County Weed Abatement Program to answer any questions.
Mayor Miller asked the Council for their questions to staff.
There were no questions for staff.
Mayor Miller invited public comment on the item.
No one requested to speak.
RESOLUTION 15-061
BERNALD/ CAPPELLO MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION CONFIRMING
REPORT AND ASSESSMENT OF HAZARDOUS VEGETATION ABATEMENT
CHARGES. MOTION PASSED. AYES: MILLER, CAPPELLO, LO, BERNALD,
KUMAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
Mayor Miller wanted to remind all residents that defensible space is important in the City
especially after the fires that happened in California this year.
11. Amendments to City Code Article 4-55 Massage Establishments and Massage Practitioners
Recommended action:
1. Conduct a public hearing.
2. Introduce and waive the first reading of the ordinance to amend Article 4-55 Massage
Establishments and Massage Practitioners
3. Direct staff to place the ordinance on the Consent Calendar for adoption at the next
regular meeting of the City Council.
Community Development Director Erwin Ordonez presented the staff report.
Mayor Miller asked the Council for their questions to staff.
Council Member Bernald asked if in the definitions section of the ordinance why the
definitions were in topic order instead of alphabetical order? Community Development
Director Ordonez stated that the corrected ordinance had fixed that problem.
Council Member Lo asked if law enforcement can do random inspections of massage
establishments. Santa Clara Valley County Sheriff Captain Sung stated that they inspect any
establishment that they have received complaints about.
Mayor Miller invited public comment on the item.
No one requested to speak.
Further discussion by Council.
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Council Member Lo stated that she supports the permit process and glad to have local
control. Proposes to add operating hours for 7 am to 10 p.m. to ordinance. City Attorney
Taylor stated that the ordinance includes "no massages between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m."
LO/CAPPELLO MOVED TO INTRODUCE AND WAIVE FIRST READING OF THE
ORDINANCE TO AMEND ARTICLE 4-55 AS REVISED IN THE DESK ITEM
PRESENTED TO COUNCIL WITHOUT THE STAFF NOTATIONS IN THE
MARGINS AND DIRECT STAFF TO PLACE THE ORDINANCE ON THE
CONSENT CALENDAR FOR ADOPTION AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING.
MOTION PASSED. AYES: MILLER, CAPPELLO, LO, BERNALD, KUMAR. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
12. Local cities' requirements for dead tree removal.
Recommended action:
Receive report and provide direction to staff.
Arborist Kate Bear presented the staff report.
Mayor Miller asked to start the discussion as he had asked for this item to be brought to the
Council. Since everyone is worried about fire danger, the Council could add a provision to
the tree ordinance stating that a dead tree is a nuisance and to use code compliance to have
the tree removed.
Council Member Lo asked if owners have to replace the tree. Arborist Bear said that yes they
have to replace it with a 15 gallon tree.
Mayor Miller invited public comment on the item.
No one requested to speak.
BERNALD/CAPPELLO MOVED TO ADD A DEFINITION FOR A DEAD TREE AS A
NUISANCE IN THE CITY CODE THAT IS NOT IN ZONING REGULATIONS
(CHAPTER 15) AND TO BRING AMENDMENT TO THE CITY CODE BACK TO
COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION. MOTION PASSED. AYES: MILLER, CAPPELLO, LO,
BERNALD, KUMAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
Mayor Miller invited all students to come up on stage.
13. Participation in a County -Wide Housing Nexus Study
Recommended action:
Adopt resolution authorizing City participation in a County -wide Housing Nexus Study
Community Development Director Erwin Ordonez presented the staff report.
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Mayor Miller invited public comment on the item.
No one requested to speak.
RESOLUTION 15-062
CAPPELLO/BERNALD MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CITY
PARTICIPATION IN A COUNTY -WIDE HOUSING NEXUS STUDY. MOTION
PASSED. AYES: MILLER, CAPPELLO, LO, BERNALD, KUMAR. NOES: NONE.
ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
CITY COUNCIL ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
Mayor Howard Miller
Cities Association of Santa Clara County —meeting tomorrow. Review of Senator Beall's
Transportation initiative.
VTA Board West Valley Cities Alternate —Highway 85 Task Force has not had a meeting yet.
West Valley Cities asked the VTA for studies from the letter they recently sent on mass transit.
VTA staff is putting together a proposal for a year-long study. With a second in-depth analysis
taking another 2 years.
Vice Mayor Manny Cappello
Hakone Foundation Board - Jacob, Master Gardener, will be going to Japan for 3 weeks to work
on the Tsunami memorial. Partially paid for by Sister City group.
Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council (SASCC) —2 meetings ago, the Executive Director
presented a balanced budget. The Renovation plan for the Senior Center is complete, now need
to raise money. At last week's meeting, approved funding for a study from fundraising
consultants to see if money can be raised for the renovations. Health Fair on October 31 from 10-
2 at Joan Pisani Community Center.
Council Member Emily Lo
Hakone Foundation Board & Executive Committee —Centennial Gala was well attended. Net
proceeds $18,000. Hakone rental 50% off for non -profits on weekdays.
Santa Clara County Library Joint Powers Authority —Friends of the Library working with the
City's Recreation Department to have a Friend of the Library bookshelf with books for sale in
the Recreation Department lobby.
Council Member Mary -Lynne Bernald
League of California Cities Conference —attended this 3 -day conference.
Association of Bay Area Governments —conference call with ABAG coming up.
Saratoga Sister City Organization —membership is growing. Membership is $30 for individual,
$50 for family. New Mayor of Muko City is coming to visit Saratoga, possibly January 17-19,
2016.
Council Member Rishi Kumar
League of California Cities Conference —attended this 3 -day conference.
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS.
Council Member Kumar asked for the Council to consider making an enhancement to the
ordinance on cell towers.
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There was no second.
Mayor Miller responded that the ordinance on cell towers is a new ordinance and the City went
through a very public process which took several years to create this ordinance for Saratoga.
Council Member Kumar asked about having an emergency alert button on the Council dais
because of security concerns.
Mayor Miller suggested that staff to figure out how to make this happen.
Council Member Kumar saw information at the League of California Cities conference on
surveillance cameras that could possibly be used by the Lighting and Landscaping Districts.
There was no second.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
No report.
ADJOURNMENT
CAPPELLO/LO MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:34 P.M. MOTION
PASSED. AYES: MILLER, CAPPELLO, LO, BERNALD, KUMAR. NOES: NONE.
ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
Minrespectfully submitted:
ebbie Bretschneider, Acting City Clerk
City of Saratoga
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