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Home My WebLink About03-15-2017 City Council minutesMINUTES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2017 SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING At 4:00 p.m., the City Council conducted Planning Commission interviews in the Administrative Conference Room at City Hall at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue. At 6:00 p.m., the City Council held a Joint Meeting with representatives of Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). The interviews and Joint Meeting were continued until the end of the Regular Session. At 7:05 p.m., Mayor Emily Lo called the Regular Session to order at led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Mayor Emily Lo, Vice Mayor Mary -Lynne Bernald, Council Members Manny Cappello, Howard Miller, Rishi Kumar ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: James Lindsay, City Manager Richard Taylor, City Attorney Crystal Bothelio, City Clerk/Asst. to City Manager John Cherbone, Public Works Director Mary Furey, Finance & Administrative Services Director Erwin Ordonez, Community Development Director Michael Taylor, Recreation & Facilities Director Lauren Pettipiece, Administrative Analyst I REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA City Clerk Crystal Bothelio reported that the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on March 9, 2017. REPORT FROM JOINT MEETING Mayor Lo announce that the Joint Meeting with PG&E was continued until after the end of the Regular Session. The interviews were also continued. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS None ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Lo announced the Blossom Festival on March 18 and invited Council Member Miller to share information about the roll out of Silicon Valley Clean Energy. Saratoga City Council Agenda - Page 1 of 7 Council Member Miller shared information about Silicon Valley Clean Energy and announced that residents of Saratoga will start receiving power from Silicon Valley Clean Energy starting in April. CEREMONIAL ITEMS Proclamation Declaring March 20-24, 2017 as Science Fair Week and Commendations for Science Fair Winners Recommended Action: Present the proclamation declaring March 20 to March 24, 2017 as Science Fair Week in the City of Saratoga to the Santa Clara Valley Science and Engineering Fair Association and then present commendations to the 2016 Science Fair Winners who live in Saratoga. Mayor Lo and the members of the City Council presented the proclamation declaring March 20-24, 2017 as Science Fair Week and recognized Science Fair Winners with commendations. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS None 1. CONSENT CALENDAR 1.1. City Council Meeting Minutes Recommended Action: Approve the City Council minutes for the Special City Council Meeting on February 27, 2017 and the Regular City Council Meeting on March 1, 2017. CAPPELLO/MILLER MOVED TO APPROVE THE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FOR THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON FEBRUARY 27, 2017 AND THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MARCH 1, 2017. MOTION PASSED. AYES, LO, BERNALD, CAPPELLO, 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: 2/28/2017 Period 7; and 3/7/2017 Period 9. CAPPELLO/MILLER MOVED TO ACCEPT CHECK REGISTERS FOR THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNTS PAYABLE PAYMENT CYCLES: 2/28/2017 PERIOD 7; AND 3/7/2017 PERIOD 9. MOTION PASSED. AYES, LO, BERNALD, CAPPELLO, MILLER, KUMAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 1.3. Audit Services Contract Extension Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to elect the one-year option for FY 2016/17 on the current contract and extend the terms of the contract with Chavan & Associates, LLP through FY 2018/19 in accordance with state law. Saratoga City Council Agenda — Page 2 of 7 CAPPELLO/MILLER MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ELECT THE ONE-YEAR OPTION FOR FY 2016/17 ON THE CURRENT CONTRACT AND EXTEND THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT WITH CHAVAN & ASSOCIATES. LLP THROUGH FY 2018/19 IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW. MOTION PASSED. AYES, LO, BERNALD, CAPPELLO, MILLER, KUMAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 1.4. 2016 General Plan Annual Progress Report and HCD Annual Report Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution accepting the 2016 General Plan Annual Progress Report and directing staff to file the report with the Governor's Office of Planning and Research and the Department of Housing and Community Development. RESOLUTION NO. 17-014 CAPPELLO/MILLER MOVED TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE 2016 GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT AND DIRECTING STAFF TO FILE THE REPORT WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF PLANNING AND RESEARCH AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. MOTION PASSED. AYES, LO, BERNALD, CAPPELLO, MILLER, KUMAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 2. PUBLIC HEARING 2.1. Consideration of Weed Abatement Program Amendments and Continued Public Hearing on Hazardous Vegetation Program Resolution Declaring Abatement of Public Nuisance Recommended Action: 1. Close Public Hearing 2. Authorize an amended Weed Abatement Program schedule for 2017 3. Allocate funding in the Fiscal Year 2017/18 budget to cover Weed Abatement Program inspection costs (initial inspection for compliant properties and re -inspection prior to June abatement hearing) that would otherwise be charged to property owners and for abatement costs that will be reimbursed through property owner bills or if necessary special assessments on the property 4. Direct staff to develop a new process for the Weed Abatement Program; and authorize the City Manager to negotiate a new agreement with the County of Santa Clara for administration of the modified Weed Abatement Program. Crystal Bothelio, City Clerk/Assistant to the City Manager, presented the staff report. Mayor Lo invited public comment. The following people requested to speak: David Lempert Sarah Okuno Alicia Moore Saratoga City Council Agenda - Page 3 of 7 Martin Rossip Hion Ng Anita Spiro Kihyun Joo Moe Kumre, Santa Clara County Weed Abatement Program Manager, addressed questions from the City Council. MILLER/KUMAR MOVED TO: CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING; AUTHORIZE AN AMENDED WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM SCHEDULE FOR 2017 WITH A COMPLIANCE DEADLINE OF MAY 1; AUTHORIZE ALLOCATION OF FUNDING IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2017/18 BUDGET TO COVER WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM INSPECTION COSTS (INITIAL INSPECTION FOR COMPLIANT PROPERTIES AND RE -INSPECTION PRIOR TO JUNE ABATEMENT HEARING) THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE CHARGED TO PROPERTY OWNERS AND FOR ABATEMENT COSTS THAT WILL BE REIMBURSED THROUGH PROPERTY OWNER BILLS OR IF NECESSARY SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS ON THE PROPERTY; DEVELOP A STRATEGY TO CLEARLY COMMUNICATE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS; AND DIRECT STAFF TO DEVELOP A NEW PROCESS FOR THE WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM; AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE A NEW AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA FOR ADMINISTRATION OF THE MODIFIED WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM. MOTION PASSED. AYES, LO, BERNALD, CAPPELLO, MILLER, KUMAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 3. GENERAL BUSINESS 3.1. Allocation of Community Event Grant Program Funds for Fiscal Year 2017/18 Recommended Action: Review the Community Event Grant Program applications for Fiscal Year 2017/18 and determine allocations. Lauren Pettipiece, Administrative Analyst, presented the staff report. Mayor Lo invited public comment. The following people requested to speak: Relay for Life Speakers Stan Bogosian, IOOF Saratoga Lodge Dinah Cotton, Bay Shore Lyric Opera Jenny Studley Bill Higgins, Saratoga Grammar School Reunion Committee Saratoga City Council Agenda - Page 4 of 7 Stacy Szenda, Girl Scouts Andrea Ammeiman, Beth David No one else requested to speak. CAPPELLO/BERNALD MOVED TO APPROVE COMMUNITY EVENT GRANT PROGRAM ALLOCATOINS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017/18 AS FOLLOWS: CHINESE MID -AUTUMN FESTIVAL $390 IOOF EASTER EGG HUNT $540 ROCK THE GARDEN - NOW HEAR THIS! AN EXERCISE IN LISTENING $2,280 OPERA IN THE PARK $2,480 SASCC HEALTH AND WELLNESS EXPO $4,180 SHUSHAN COUNTY FAIR $2,590 GIRL SCOUT CRAFTS AT BLOSSOM FESTIVAL $460 RELAY FOR LIFE OF SARATOGA $2,580 MOTION PASSED. AYES, LO, BERNALD, CAPPELLO, MILLER, KUMAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 3.2. Support for Living Room Conversations Recommended Action: Allocate $1,000 from the Fiscal Year 2016/17 Council Discretionary Fund to cover costs associated with median banners for the monthly Living Room Conversations events and designate $500 in the Fiscal Year 2017/18 Operating Budget for Living Room Conversation event expenses. Crystal Bothelio, City Clerk/Assistant to the City Manager, presented the staff report. Mayor Lo invite public comment. No one requested to speak. CAPPELLO/MILLER MOVED TO ALLOCATE $1,000 FROM THE FISCAL YEAR 2016/17 COUNCIL DISCRETIONARY FUND TO COVER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH MEDIAN BANNERS FOR THE MONTHLY LIVING ROOM CONVERSATIONS EVENTS AND DESIGNATE $500 IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2017/18 OPERATING BUDGET FOR LIVING ROOM CONVERSATION EVENT EXPENSES. MOTION PASSED. AYES, LO, BERNALD, CAPPELLO, MILLER, KUMAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS Mayor Emily Lo KSAR Community Access TV Board - during the meeting on March 14, 2017, it was announced that Lauren Pettipiece would be taking the City staff position on the Board. The Board also Saratoga City Council Agenda - Page 5 of 7 discussed the KSAR website, which the Board is working to make more user friendly. The television loop program was also discussed and the Board plans to work with the City, Library, and Chamber to place the televisions with loops of slides featuring various information. The Council's Joint Meeting with KSAR is May 3. Saratoga Chamber of Commerce & Destination Saratoga - Mayor Lo attended the last meeting on behalf of Council Member Kumar. The group discussed the Spring Wine S troll on May 13, the Classic Car Show on July 16, and the car show kick off that will begin on July 8 with a week of various events. There was also discussion of the date of the tree lighting and a request for the Council to select the date so that the Chamber can begin booking carriage rides and other activities. The request will come before the Council at a future meeting. The group also considered membership benefits. Vice Mayor Mary -Lynne Bernald Saratoga Historical Foundation - the next meeting is March 16 and the Foundation will be discussing the Blossom Festival. Vice Mayor Bernald also shared that she attended the Saratoga Little League opening day event on March 4 and the St. Paddy's Day event March 11. Additionally, the Persian New Year event at West Valley College took place on March 13. Council Member Manny Cappello Cities Association of Santa Clara County - during the last meeting, there was a presentation on age friendly communities and alignment with the needs of older adults and interests of millennials. Santa Clara County Housing and Community Development (HCD) Council Committee - the Committee considered Community Development Block Grant funding allocations and made recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. Funding levels are expected to decrease in future years. West Valley Sanitation District - the District paid off its entire unfunded accrued liability. Additionally, a reserve has been created to fund similar expenditures should they arise in the future. Council Member Howard Miller Saratoga Sister City - Council Member Miller attended the last meeting on behalf of Council Member Kumar. The group discussed their upcoming trip, website, and efforts to recruit those interested in serving in a leadership role in the group. Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority Board of Directors - initial rates will be locked in for the first two years of the Silicon Valley Clean Energy implementation. Customers will start receiving power from Silicon Valley Clean Energy in April and all customers will be phased in by July. A letter was sent to solar customers to explain the implementation process for them. A letter was also sent to customers currently enrolled in special PG&E programs. Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Policy Advisory Committee - the Policy Advisory Committee now meets one day after the technical advisory committee, made of staff member from various jurisdictions in the County. The result has been positive. The Committee has been considering parameters for Measure B sales tax funds that were not specifically stated within the measure. There was significant feedback on Next Network and the Board consideration of the plan was postponed. Council Member Rishi Kumar No report Saratoga City Council Agenda - Page 6 of 7 CITY COUNCIL ITEMS None CITY MANAGER'S REPORT None CLOSED SESSION AGENDA ITEMS: CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING LITIGATION (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)) Saratoga et al. v. California Department of Transportation (Santa Clara County Superior Court Case No. 115CV281214) REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION None ADJOURNMENT At 9:53 p.m. in the Civic Theater, Mayor Lo adjourned the regular session and stated that the City Council would return to the Administrative Conference Room to continue the Planning Commission interviews and PG&E Joint Meeting. She also stated that the Closed Session item on the agenda has been canceled. li utes respect lly submitted: r V al : othe 10, ity Clerk City of Saratoga Saratoga City Council Agenda - Page 7 of 7