HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-16-2016 City Council minutesMINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
At 5:00 p.m., the City Council conducted a study session on Library Commission responsibilities
in the Administrative Conference Room at City Hall at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue. At 5:45 p.m.,
the City Council interviewed a candidate for the Library Commission and at 6:00 p.m. held a
Joint Meeting with the Parks and Recreation Commission and Pedestrian, Equestrian, and
Bicycle Trails Advisory Committee (PEBTAC).
Mayor Cappello called the regular session to order at 7:03 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
ABSENT
ALSO PRESENT
Mayor Manny Cappello, Vice Mayor Emily Lo, Council Members
Mary -Lynne Bernald, Howard Miller, Rishi Kumar
None
James Lindsay, City Manager
Richard Taylor, City Attorney
Crystal Bothelio, City Clerk/Assistant to the City Manager
Erwin Ordonez, Community Development Director
Brian Babcock, Administrative Analyst I
REPORT OF CITY CLERK ON POSTING OF AGENDA
City Clerk Crystal Bothelio reported that the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on
March 10, 2016.
REPORT FROM JOINT MEETING
Mayor Cappello invited the Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission and Chair of the
PEBTAC to report on the Joint Meeting.
Rick Pearce, Parks and Recreation Commission Chair, shared that the Commission presented its
work plan for the upcoming year. He discussed the movie night events scheduled for the
summer, the Let's Work Saratoga program, and a new community survey launched in 2015.
Additionally, the Commission will be supporting the America in Bloom competition efforts and
working with West Valley College on nesting boxes.
Jim Stallman, Chair of the PEBTAC, reported on efforts to connect Saratoga to the Skyline to the
Sea Trail, the Blue Hills/Fredericksburg Drive pedestrian crossing, and pedestrian improvements
to Prospect Road.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
Annette Stransky announced the Blossom Festival on March 19, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m.
Saratoga City Council Regular Meeting Minutes — Page 1 of 8
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council Member Kumar shared that the participants in the Silicon Valley Coders Club will be
presenting business plan pitches to a panel of judges on March 20, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00
p.m. Participants will be presenting their final project and business plan at Silicon Valley Tech
Day on June 11, which will also include a variety of panel discussions. Information is online at
http://www.siliconvallevcoders.org/ The third annual Hindu New Year event will be on March
26. It will include auditions for Silicon Valley's Got Bollywood. Information is online at
http://www.saratogatemple.org/ Additionally, the Silicon Valley Youth Debate Academy will
begin March 27 Information is online at http://www.rishikumar.com/events.html.
Council Member Miller announced that there are a number of interesting class offerings in the
Saratoga Recreation Activity Guide, including a number of dance fitness classes. The public is
invited to attend a free dance fitness class on April 5. He also noted that the City has been
working on connecting the Quarry Park to the Skyline to the Sea Trail via San Jose Water
Company property and the City and San Jose Water have been in discussions to provide the City
with access to the property for the purpose of building a trail.
City Manager James Lindsay added that the Chief Operating Officer of San Jose Water
submitted a written commitment to the City to provide legal access to San Jose Water Company
property to construct a public trail across the property that would allow the Quarry Park to
connect to the Skyline to the Sea Trail.
Council Member Bernald announced that the Saratoga Historical Foundation will be holding a
lecture on the Pacific Congress Springs, the largest resort on the West Coast from the 1860s to
1903, on March 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Foothill Clubs.
Vice Mayor Lo reminded residents that Hakone Gardens is open for free to all Saratoga residents
on the first Tuesday of the month. Consequently, residents can visit Hakone for free on April 5.
Additionally, the Garden is transitioning to summer hours and will be open from 10:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m.
Mayor Cappello shared that Arbor Day will be April 29, 2016 at 3:30 p.m. at West Valley
College. Additionally, the City is accepting applications for the Youth Commission, which are
due April 20.
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
Proclamation Declaring March 14-18, 2016 as Science Fair Week
Recommended Action:
Present the proclamation declaring March 14 to March 18, 2016 as Science Fair Week in the
City of Saratoga to Veena Jain, Board Member Santa Clara Valley Science and Engineering
Fair Association.
Mayor Cappello presented the proclamation.
Appointment of Commissioner and Oath of Office
Recommended Action:
Adopt the attached resolution appointing 1 member to a full term on the Planning
Commission; and direct the City Clerk to administer the Oath of Office.
Saratoga City Council Regular Meeting Minutes — Page 2 of 8
RESOLUTION NO. 16-017
BERNALD/MILLER MOVED TO ADOPT THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION
APPOINTING 1 MEMBER TO A FULL TERM ON THE PLANNING
COMMISSION; AND DIRECT THE CITY CLERK TO ADMINISTER THE OATH
OF OFFICE. MOTION PASSED. AYES. CAPPELLO LO, BERNALD, MILLER
KUMAR. NOES. NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT NONE.
City Clerk Crystal Bothelio administered the Oath of Office to Leonard Almalech.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
1.1. City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action:
Approve the City Council minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting on March 2,
2016.
MILLER/KUMAR MOVED TO APPROVE THE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MARCH 2, 2016.
MOTION PASSED. AYES. CAPPELLO, LO, BERNALD, MILLER, KUMAR. NOES.
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT NONE.
1.2. Review of Accounts Payable Check Registers
Recommended Action:
Review and accept check registers for the following accounts payable payment cycles:
02/24/2016: Period 8
03/01/2016: Period 9
03/08/2016: Period 9
MILLER/KUMAR MOVED TO ACCEPT CHECK REGISTERS FOR THE
FOLLOWING ACCOUNTS PAYABLE PAYMENT CYCLES: 02/24/2016
PERIOD 8; 03/01/2016 PERIOD 9; AND 03/08/2016 PERIOD 9 MOTION
PASSED. AYES: CAPPELLO LO, BERNALD, MILLER, KUMAR. NOES. NONE.
ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT NONE.
1.3. Treasurer's Report for the Month Ended January 31, 2016
Recommended Action:
Review and accept the Treasurer's Report for the month ended January 31, 2016.
MILLER/KUMAR MOVED TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER'S REPORT FOR
THE MONTH ENDED JANUARY 31, 2016. MOTION PASSED. AYES:
CAPPELLO LO BERNALD, MILLER, KUMAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
ABSENT NONE.
1.4. Amendment to Contract Planning Services Agreement
Recommended Action:
Authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to an existing agreement with the
Metropolitan Planning Group to increase the not -to -exceed amount by $15,001 (from
$24,999 to $40,000).
Saratoga City Council Regular Meeting Minutes — Page 3 of 8
MILLER/KUMAR MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO AN EXISTING AGREEMENT WITH THE
METROPOLITAN PLANNING GROUP TO INCREASE THE NOT -TO -
EXCEED AMOUNT BY $15,001 (FROM $24.999 TO $40,0001. MOTION PASSED.
AYES. CAPPELLO, LO, BERNALD, MILLER, KUMAR. NOES. NONE. ABSTAIN:
NONE. ABSENT NONE.
1.5. Approve Agreement for Neighborhood Initiated Maintenance Project At Farwell Avenue
and Three Oaks Way
Recommended Action:
Approve Agreement for the Farwell Avenue and Three Oaks Way Maintenance Project
and authorize the City Manager to execute the same.
MILLER/KUMAR MOVED TO APPROVE AGREEMENT FOR THE FARWELL
AVENUE AND THREE OAKS WAY MAINTENANCE PROJECT AND
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE SAME. MOTION
PASSED. AYES. CAPPELLO, LO, BERNALD, MILLER, KUMAR. NOES. NONE.
ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT NONE.
2. PUBLIC HEARING
2.1
Second Reading of Amendments to City Code Article 15-47 (Water Efficient
Landscaping)
Recommended Action:
Waive the second reading and adopt the attached ordinance revising City Code Article
15-47 (Water Efficient Landscaping).
Community Development Director Erwin Ordoifiez presented the staff report.
Mayor Cappello invited public comment on the item.
No one requested to speak.
ORDINANCE NO. 339
BERNALD/LO MOVED TO WAIVE THE SECOND READING AND ADOPT
THE ATTACHED ORDINANCE REVISING CITY CODE ARTICLE 15-47
[WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING). MOTION PASSED. AYES. CAPPELLO,
LO, BERNALD, MILLER, KUMAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT
NONE.
2.2. Public Hearing on Resolution Ordering Abatement of a Public Nuisance by Removal of
Hazardous Vegetation (Weeds)
Recommended Action:
Open the public hearing, listen to public testimony, and close public hearing. Consider
any objections to the proposed Order for Abatement of Hazardous Vegetation and
sustain or overrule any objections as to specific properties. Adopt the resolution ordering
abatement as to specified properties (with modifications if any objections are sustained).
City Clerk Crystal Bothelio presented the staff report.
Saratoga City Council Regular Meeting Minutes — Page 4 of 8
Moe Kumre, Santa Clara County Weed Abatement Program Manager, addressed
questions from the City Council.
Mayor Cappello invited public comment on the item.
No one requested to speak.
RESOLUTION NO. 16-018
MILLER/BERNALD MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION ORDERING
ABATEMENT AS TO SPECIFIED PROPERTIES MOTION PASSED. AYES.
CAPPELLO LO BERNALD, MILLER, KUMAR. NOES. NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
ABSENT NONE.
3. OLD BUSINESS
None
4. NEW BUSINESS
4.1. Allocation of Community Event Grant Program Funds
Recommended Action:
Review the one Saratoga Community Event Grant Program application for this fiscal
year and provide direction. Consider grant requests for next fiscal year and determine
allocations.
Brian Babcock. Administrative Analyst I, presented the staff report.
Mayor Cappello invited public comment on the item.
The following people requested to speak:
Stan Bogosian
Annette Stransky
Lisa Huening
Renee Paquier
Cathy Schroeder
Carol Yuan
Emily Lieu -Harris
Thierry Doyen
Ann Northrup
Ann Waltonsmith
Saratoga City Council Regular Meeting Minutes — Page 5 of 8
Council Member Bernald read a letter on behalf of Sarah Okuno
No one else requested to speak.
MILLER/BERNALD MOVED TO ALLOCATE 55,000 TO THE 17TH ANNUAL
HAKONE MATSURI FROM THE FISCAL YEAR 2015/16 COMMUNITY
EVENT GRANT PROGRAM BUDGET. MOTION PASSED. AYES. CAPPELLO,
LO, BERNALD, MILLER, KUMAR. NOES. NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT
NONE.
MILLER/BERNALD MOVED TO ALLOCATE $7,000 FROM THE FISCAL
YEAR 2015/16 COUNCIL DISCRETIONARY BUDGET TO THE SARATOGA
60TH ANNIVERSARY PARADE. MOTION PASSED. AYES. CAPPELLO, LO,
BERNALD, MILLER, KUMAR. NOES. NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT
NONE.
BERNALD/MILLER MOVED TO FUND THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITY
EVENT GRANT PROGRAM REQUESTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016/17 AS
FOLLOWS:
BLOSSOM FESTIVAL $4,600
CHINESE MID -AUTUMN FESTIVAL $350
IOOF EASTER EGG HUNT $600
MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE $1,000
SARATOGA COMMUNITY BAND $750
SARATOGA JULY FOURTH CELEBRATION $y
SARATOGA PET PARADE $820
MOTION PASSED. AYES: CAPPELLO, LO, BERNALD, MILLER, KUMAR. NOES.
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT NONE.
MILLERBERNALD MOVED TO FUND THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITY
EVENT GRANT PROGRAM REQUESTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016/17 AS
FOLLOWS:
HAKONE MATSURI $4,630
HOLIDAY WINE STROLL $$4168
MONTALVO ARTS SPLASH $3,704
OPERA IN THE PARK $$2778
SASCC HEALTH AND WELLNESS EXPO $y
RELAY FOR LIFE OF SARATOGA $4,630
MOTION PASSED. AYES: CAPPELLO, LO, BERNALD, MILLER, KUMAR. NOES.
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT NONE.
Council Member Miller and Mayor Cappello requested that the Community Event Grant
program priorities be scheduled for a future meeting to be discussed and potentially
refined.
4.2. Allocation of Street Closure Grant Funds
Recommended Action:
Review Saratoga Street Closure Grant applications and determine allocations.
Brian Babcock, Administrative Analyst I, presented the staff report.
Saratoga City Council Regular Meeting Minutes — Page 6 of 8
Mayor Cappello invited public comment on the item.
The following person requested to speak:
Tiger Teerlink
No one else requested to speak.
Renee Paquier addressed Council questions.
MILLERBERNALD MOVED TO ALLOCATE $20,000 TO THE CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE CAR SHOW AND $10,000 TO THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY
PARADE FROM THE STREET CLOSURE GRANT PROGRAM IN FISCAL
YEAR 2016/17 MOTION PASSED. AYES. CAPPELLO, LO, BERNALD, MILLER,
KUMAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT NONE.
Vice Mayor Lo requested that the 60'h Anniversary Parade event organizers consider
moving the event to a Sunday if possible or conclude the street closure by 4:00 p.m.
Mayor Cappello invited Presentation High School Student, Dusty Hill, to introduce
herself.
CITY COUNCIL ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
Mayor Manny Cappello
Cities Association of Santa Clara County - during the last meeting, the group received a
presentation on ACE Train, the ABAG/MTC merger, and Council Member Bemald was
appointed to the FAA Select Committee on South Bay Arrivals.
Vice Mayor Emily Lo
KSAR Community Access TV Board - the Board has been discussing its contract with the City,
which expires in June. Additionally, the Board has been talking about purchasing a Blu-ray
recorder and a television for the theater lobby The Board has also been discussing the logistics
of set up and recording for the June 1 City Council Meeting that will be taking place at West
Valley College.
Saratoga Chamber of Commerce & Destination Saratoga - the Chamber is preparing for the
May 7 wine stroll and getting started on the next round of City maps.
Council Member Marv -Lynne Bemald
Cities Association of Santa Clara County -Legislative Action Committee - during the last
Committee meeting, the group received a report on Measure AA - San Francisco Bay
Restoration, which the Cities Association is in support of.
Cities Association of Santa Clara County -Selection Committee - the Committee made several
appointments. Palo Alto Council Member Liz Kniss was reappointed to the Bay Area Air
Quality Management District, Cupertino Council Member Rod Sinks was reappointed to the
North county position on the Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission, and John
Harpootlian of Los Altos Hills was appointed to the Santa Clara County Cal -ID RAN Board.
Hakone Foundation Board - the finance subcommittee met two weeks ago to discuss the budget.
Saratoga Sister City Organization - the trip to the Pacific Northwest was canceled due to lack of
participation.
Saratoga City Council Regular Meeting Minutes — Page 7 of 8
Council Member Howard Miller
Saratoga Ministerial Association — Council Member Miller attended the last meeting on behalf
of Council Member Kumar. There was a lively discussion about representing the community
values of inclusion, and political unrest. There was also discussion of the Joint Meeting with the
City Council.
VTA Board West Valley Cities Alternate — BART is roughly 80% complete, well under budget,
and months ahead of schedule. VTA provided a book with traffic and ridership statistics.
Additionally VTA is working to determine what will be funded through the potential sales tax
ballot measure. There are a lot of competing priorities and as a result some other cities are
putting forward their own competing ballot measures.
Council Member Rishi Kumar
Council Member Kumar reported on his recent trip to Washington, D.C. for the National League
of Cities. There was discussion of a variety of topics, including energy, infrastructure, and public
safety
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
None
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
None
ADJOURNMENT
MILLER/BERNALD MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 10:06 P.M. MOTION
PASSED. AYES. CAPPELLO, LO, BERNALD, MILLER, KUMAR. NOES. NONE.
ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT NONE.
Mi • utes respe tfully submitted:
C sta :oche io, t erk
City of Saratoga
Saratoga City Council Regular Meeting Minutes — Page 8 of 8