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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-03-2021 Council MinutesSaratoga City Council Minutes ~ January 20, 2021 ~ Page 1 of 7 MINUTES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING At 5:00 p.m., the City Council held Commission Interviews for Parks & Recreation Commission and Traffic Safety Commission via teleconferencing through Zoom. WALIA/BERNALD MOVED TO SELECT ANNA YANFENG HUANG TO A PARTIAL TERM ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AND DIRECT STAFF TO PLACE AN ITEM ON THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING AGENDA TO APPOINT ANNA YANFENG HUANG. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. BERNALD/WALIA MOVED TO SELECT CHI-KUANG (CK) CHU TO A FULL-TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024 TO THE TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION AND DIRECT STAFF TO PLACE AN ITEM ON THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING AGENDA TO APPOINT CHI-KUANG (CK) CHU. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. At 6:00 p.m., the City Council held a Joint Meeting with the Saratoga Ministerial Association via teleconferencing through Zoom. Mayor Zhao called the virtual Regular Session to order at 7:01 p.m. via teleconferencing through Zoom. Prior to Roll Call, the Mayor and City Clerk explained that the City Council meeting was conducted pursuant to provisions of the Brown Act and a recent Executive Order issued by the Governor to facilitate teleconferencing to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at public meetings. Ordinarily the Brown Act sets strict rules for teleconferencing. The Governor’s Executive Order has suspended those rules. The Executive Order does require that public agencies continue to notice meetings in advance and provide members of the public an opportunity to observe the meeting and offer public comment. The City Council met all of the applicable notice requirements and the public is welcome to participate in this meeting. Information on how the public can observe the meeting and provide public comment was also shared. Additionally, the Mayor explained that votes would be taken through roll call. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Mayor Yan Zhao, Vice Mayor Tina Walia, Council Members Rishi Kumar, Kookie Fitzsimmons, Mary-Lynne Bernald (All Council Members appearing via teleconference) ABSENT: None Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ January 20, 2021 ~ Page 2 of 7 ALSO PRESENT: James Lindsay, City Manager Richard Taylor, City Attorney Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager Debbie Bretschneider, City Clerk Mary Fury, Administrative Services Director Debbie Pedro, Community Development Director John Cherbone, Public Works Director Dennis Jaw, Finance Manager Kayla Nakamoto, Administrative Analyst (All staff members appearing via teleconference) City Clerk Debbie Bretschneider confirmed all City Council members could hear the meeting proceedings and no doubts were expressed regarding the identities of the individuals representing themselves as City Council Members. REPORT ON POSTING OF THE AGENDA City Clerk Debbie Bretschneider reported that the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on January 29, 2021. REPORT FROM JOINT MEETING Mayor Zhao reported on the Joint Meeting with the Saratoga Ministerial Association. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS None ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Zhao shared information about COVID-19, the Inclusive Playground Equipment Fundraiser, and the Council Retreat Series. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR 1.1. City Council Meeting Minutes Recommended Action: Approve the City Council minutes for Regular City Council Meeting on January 20, 2021 and the Special City Council Meeting on January 25, 2021. Vice Mayor Walia requested to remove the minutes from the Consent Calendar. WALIA/FTIZSIMMONS MOVED TO APPROVE THE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FOR REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON JANUARY 20, 2021 AND TO ASK STAFF TO PLACE REVISED JANUARY 25, 2021 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING AND NOTE IN THE MINUTES THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY SHARED INFORMATION ABOUT ASSEMBLY BILL 992 AND REORDER COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON THE HOUSING ELEMENT KICKOFF CHRONOLOGICALLY AS IT OCCURRED IN THE MEETING. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ January 20, 2021 ~ Page 3 of 7 CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. 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: 01/20/21 Period 7; 1/27/21 Period 7: BERNALD/WALIA MOVED TO ACCEPT CHECK REGISTERS FOR THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNTS PAYABLE PAYMENT CYCLES: 01/20/21 PERIOD 7; 1/27/21 PERIOD 7. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 1.3. Treasurer’s Report for the Month Ended December 31, 2020 Recommended Action: Review and accept the Treasurer’s Report for the month ended December 31, 2020. BERNALD/WALIA MOVED TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE MONTH ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 1.4. Notice of Completion - McFarland Ave Curb and Gutter Rehabilitation Project Phase 2 Recommended Action: Move to accept the McFarland Ave Curb and Gutter rehabilitation Project Phase 2 as complete and authorize staff to record the Notice of Completion. BERNALD/WALIA MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MCFARLAND AVE CURB AND GUTTER REHABILITATION PROJECT PHASE 2 AS COMPLETE AND AUTHORIZE STAFF TO RECORD THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. Council Member Bernald commented on this item. 1.5. Budget Adjustment Resolution for Emergency Management Performance Grant Recommended Action: Approve budget adjustment for Fiscal Year 2020/21 to include the Emergency Management Performance Grant and authorize acceptance of the grant. RESOLUTION 21-004 BERNALD/WALIA MOVED TO APPROVE BUDGET ADJUSTMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020/21 TO INCLUDE THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE GRANT AND AUTHORIZE ACCEPTANCE OF THE GRANT. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ January 20, 2021 ~ Page 4 of 7 2. PUBLIC HEARING None 3. GENERAL BUSINESS 3.1. Funding Reallocation Request for Hakone Foundation Recommended Action: Approve the reallocation of $5,000 from the Fiscal Year 2020/21 Secured Funding Community Event Grant Program to support the request of the Hakone Foundation for general operations of the Garden. Kayla Nakamoto, Administrative Analyst, presented the staff report. Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item. Emily Lo, former Mayor and Hakone Foundation Executive Board Vice Chair, spoke Shozo Kagoshima, Hakone Foundation Executive Director, spoke No one else requested to speak. BERNALD/WALIA MOVED TO APPROVE THE REALLOCATION OF $5,000 FROM THE FISCAL YEAR 2020/21 SECURED FUNDING COMMUNITY EVENT GRANT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT THE REQUEST OF THE HAKONE FOUNDATION FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS OF THE GARDEN. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 3.2. FY 2020/21 Mid-Year Budget Status Report and Budget Adjustment Resolution Recommended Action: Receive Mid-Year Budget Status Report and adopt the attached resolution approving an operating budget adjustment. Mary Fury, Administrative Services Director, presented the staff report. Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item. No one requested to speak. RESOLUTION 21-005 WALIA/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO RECEIVE MID-YEAR BUDGET STATUS REPORT AND ADOPT THE RESOLUTION APPROVING AN OPERATING BUDGET ADJUSTMENT. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ January 20, 2021 ~ Page 5 of 7 3.3. COVID-19 Update on City Services Recommended Action: Receive report. James Lindsay, City Manager, presented the staff report. Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item. Jeffrey Schwartz spoke No one else requested to speak. 3.4. Revisions to Statement of Values and City Council Strategic Goals Recommended Action: Adopt revised Statement of Values and City Council Strategic Goals. Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager, presented the staff report. Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item. Jeffrey Schwartz spoke No one else requested to speak. BERNALD/WALIA MOVED TO ADOPT THE REVISED STATEMENT OF VALUES AND CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC GOALS WITH AN ADDITIONAL REVISION TO CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC GOAL 4.D.II TO CHANGE “DEVELOP AND IMPROVE” TO “MAINTAIN”; AND, DIRECT STAFF TO INCLUDE THE COUNCIL STRATEGIC GOALS, MISSION STATEMENT, AND STATEMENT OF VALUES ON THE NEXT REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SO THAT THE CITY COUNCIL MAY REVIEW REFERENCES RELATED TO PROTECTING AND MAINTAINING NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE MISSION STATEMENT AND STATEMENT OF VALUES AND CONSIDER ADDING DRAFT LANGUAGE RELATED TO PROTECTING AND MAINTAINING NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC GOALS. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS Mayor Yan Zhao West Valley Mayors & Managers – the Monte Sereno Mayor is the chair of the group this calendar year. Santa Clara County Supervisor Simitian attended the last meeting and spoke on COVID-19 and the VTA Measure B funding for local roads. Mayor Zhao announced that she attended the virtual League of California Cities New Mayors and Council Members conference. Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ January 20, 2021 ~ Page 6 of 7 Vice Mayor Tina Walia Council Finance Committee – the Committee reviewed the mid-year budget situation in depth. KSAR Community Access TV Board – the Board updated the bylaws to remove the City staff representative from the voting members. KSAR is also looking for a new Station Manager. Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council (SASCC) – the Board updated the bylaws to remove the City staff representative from the voting members. The Board also received a report on the COVID-19 vaccine. Saratoga Ministerial Association – Council Member Bernald attended in place of Vice Mayor Walia. Vice Mayor Walia announced that attended the virtual League of California Cities New Mayors and Council Members conference. Council Member Rishi Kumar Santa Clara County Library Joint Powers Authority – the members received reports pertaining to the budget with a 5-year financial forecast. The forecast is currently a surplus, but a deficit is predicted for the future budgets. Santa Clara Valley Water District Commission – the Commission received a report on ground water production charges, including suggested 3.5 to 3.8 % increase in charges to the public. Council Member Kumar questioned the increase. The Santa Clara Valley Water District Board will vote on this. Council Member Kookie Fitzsimmons Sister City Organization – the members discussed replacing bamboo fences at Hakone. Council Member Fitzsimmons announced that she attended the virtual League of California Cities New Mayors and Council Members conference. Council Member Mary-Lynne Bernald Hakone Foundation Board & Executive Committee – there was a Hakone Pond fundraising committee meeting Santa Clara/Santa Cruz Airport/Community Roundtable – the Roundtable is in ongoing talks with the Cities Association about continuing sponsorship as the fiscal agent. Saratoga Historical Foundation – the Foundation is expecting bids from contractors on the Blacksmith building and has had two recent Board Member resignations. Saratoga Ministerial Association – Council Member Bernald attended the meeting as Vice Mayor Walia’s alternate. The members discussed COVID-19 impacts on the community. CITY COUNCIL ITEMS None COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS Council Member Kumar shared that he was invited to a Monte Sereno Council meeting to speak about the San Jose Water Company rate increases. He advised that protest messages should go to the California Public Utilities Commission. Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ January 20, 2021 ~ Page 7 of 7 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT None ADJOURNMENT WALIA/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:15 P.M. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. Minutes respectfully submitted: Debbie Bretschneider, City Clerk City of Saratoga