HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-09-2020 City Council Minutes-special meetingMINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2020
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Mayor Miller called the meeting to order at 6:20 p.m. in the Saratoga Senior Center at 19655
Allendale Avenue.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor Howard A. Miller, Vice Mayor Mary -Lynne Bernald,
Council Members Yan Zhao, Manny Cappello
ABSENT: Council Members Rishi Kumar.
ALSO PRESENT: James Lindsay, City Manager
Richard Taylor, City Attorney
Debbie Bretschneider, City Clerk
John Cherbone, Public Works Director
Debbie Pedro, Community Development Director
Mainini Cabute, Environmental Program Administrator
Kristin Borel, Administrative Analyst
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
None
AGENDA ITEMS:
Library Commission Work Plan
Recommended Action:
Discuss Commission Work Plan, rules of procedures, and Commission relationships.
Mayor Miller led a discussion on rules of procedures and Commission relationships.
Library Commissioners presented their proposed 2020 work plan, which included:
1. Support library events and programs.
2. Promote library events and programs; engage in information sharing with library and
public.
3. Identify continuing opportunities to partner with other local events and organizations,
including West Valley College.
4. Help increase the number of residents with library cards and e-cards.
Mayor Miller spoke about expanding the charter of the Library Commission to have more public
engagement, possibly in Public Art and/or Community Grants.
The Saratoga Community Librarian reported that the County Library's goal is to have more
Community Engagement. The Saratoga Library is considering adding the Senior Center lunch
Saratoga City Council Minutes — March 9, 2020 — Page 1 of 4
event for showing videos. The Saratoga Library is also expanding their participation in the
Blossom Festival.
City Council Consensus:
The City Council accepted the list of the proposed Library Commission work plan items. City
Council asked for the Commission to explore expanding the purview of the Commission as
Community Engagement and Library, which might include helping with Public Art in reaching
out to Community.
Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan
Recommended Action:
Discuss Commission Work Plan, rules of procedures, and Commission relationships.
Mayor Miller led a discussion on rules of procedures and Commission relationships.
Parks and Recreation Commissioners presented their proposed 2020 work plan, which included:
1. To build stronger community relations and gathering all Saratoga residents by hosting
events at City parks.
2. To build stronger community relations by engaging community members in hosted
events, dialogues, and activities by the city.
3. To continue promoting a healthy lifestyle by informing residents about park and trail
locations and amenities.
Proposed Projects:
1. Movie Night
2. Age Friendly Communities walks
3. Let's Work! Volunteer Program
4. Historic Plaque Program for City Parks
5. Ongoing Park Survey
6. Working with Youth Commission on their Park project
The Parks & Recreation Commission would like to request an additional budget allocation for
the Fiscal Year 2020/21 of $1,500 to cover the cost of two bronze plaques for the Historic
Plaques Program. The Commission anticipates that it can research and design two plaques a year.
City Council Consensus:
The City Council accepted the list of ongoing work plan and proposed project items from the Parks
and Recreation Commission. The City Council would be interested in the Park Survey to include
questions about each park. The City Council also asked the Commission to consider changing the
name from Parks & Recreation Commission to Parks Commission.
Traffic Safety Commission Work Plan
Recommended Action:
Discuss Commission Work Plan, rules of procedures, and Commission relationships.
Mayor Miller led a discussion on rules of procedures and Commission relationships.
Saratoga City Council Minutes — March 9, 2020 — Page 2 of 4
Traffic Safety Commissioners presented their proposed 2020 work plan, which included:
1. Establish and Implement a Safe Routes to School Plan
2. Continue Refinement of Traffic Safety Commission Process and Governance, Establish
Guidelines for Traffic Calming as needed
3. Continue to Investigate, Review and Analyze Traffic Safety Issues Raised by the
Community
4. Provide a respectful space where community members are able to seek solutions for
traffic safety concerns.
5. Promote Education to the Community and Schools Regarding Traffic, Bicycle and
Pedestrian Safety, through Public Meetings
6. Review Projects on the Capital Improvement Project List and Prioritize for Funding
The Traffic Safety Commission reported that the new on-line form for submitting requests to the
Commission was improving the quality of community submittals. They also reported on their
community engagement with several projects including the Speed Survey and Safe Routes to
Schools.
Mayor Miller asked the Traffic Safety Commission if they would rather have five
Commissioners rather than the current seven. The Commission replied that they preferred
having seven Commissioners.
City Council Consensus:
The City Council accepted the list of proposed Traffic Safety Commission work plan items.
Mayor Miller suggested that the Commission apply for grants through VTA after it has a work
plan for Safe Routes to School.
Heritage Preservation Commission Work Plan
Recommended Action:
Discuss Commission Work Plan, rules of procedures, and Commission relationships.
The meeting with the Heritage Preservation Commission was postponed to another date.
Planning Commission Work Plan
Recommended Action:
Discuss Commission Work Plan, rules of procedures, and Commission relationships.
Mayor Miller led a discussion on rules of procedures and Commission relationships.
Planning Commissioners presented their proposed 2020 work plan, which included:
1. Tree Regulations Ordinance
2. General Plan Update
3. Accessory Dwelling Units Ordinance
4. SB35 Objective Standards Code Review
The Planning Commission requested that a Land -use Attorney be present at their meetings.
Saratoga City Council Minutes — March 9, 2020 — Page 3 of 4
BERNALD/CAPPELLO MOVED TO GIVE STAFF DIRECTION FOR MAYOR AND
CITY MANAGER TO WORK ON PARAMETERS FOR HAVING A LAND -USE
ATTORNEY ATTEND SOME OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS.
MOTION PASSED. AYES: MILLER, BERNALD, ZHAO, CAPPELLO. NOES: NONE.
ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: KUMAR.
City Council Consensus:
The City Council accepted the list of proposed Planning Commission work plan items. The City
Council did not prioritize the order of the items.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Miller adjourned the meeting at 10:07 p.m.
Min espectfully submitted:
D etschneider, City Clerk
City of Saratoga
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