HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-17-2021 Council MinutesSaratoga City Council Minutes ~ February 17, 2021 ~ Page 1 of 7
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
At 6:00 p.m., the City Council held a Joint Meeting with the Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating
Council 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
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
Emma Burkhalter, Associate Engineer
(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 February 12, 2021.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ February 17, 2021 ~ Page 2 of 7
REPORT FROM JOINT MEETING
Tylor Taylor, Executive Director for Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council, reported on the
Joint Meeting between the Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council and the City Council.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
None
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Zhao shared information about the Saratoga Youth Commission’s YouTube series
Saratoga Speaks and the Council Retreat Series.
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
Appointment of Parks & Recreation Commissioner and Traffic Safety Commissioner
Recommended Action:
Approve the resolution appointing 1 member to the Parks & Recreation Commission and
appointing 1 member to the Traffic Safety Commission and direct the City Clerk to administer
the Oath of Office.
RESOLUTION 21-006
BERNALD/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION APPOINTING
1 MEMBER TO THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AND APPOINTING 1
MEMBER TO THE TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION AND DIRECT THE CITY
CLERK TO ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL
ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
Commendations for Science Fair Winners
Recommended Action:
Present commendations to the 2020 Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and Technology
Championship Science Fair participants who live in Saratoga.
Mayor Zhao and the City Council commended the 2020 Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and
Technology Championship Science Fair participants who live in Saratoga.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
1.1. City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action:
Approve the City Council minutes for the Special City Council Meeting on January 25,
2021 and the Regular City Council Meeting on February 3, 2021.
FITZSIMMONS/WALIA MOVED TO APPROVE THE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
FOR THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON JANUARY 25, 2021 AND
THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON FEBRUARY 3, 2021. MOTION
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ February 17, 2021 ~ Page 3 of 7
PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL 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:
02/03/21 Period 8; 2/10/21 Period 8:
FITZSIMMONS/WALIA MOVED TO ACCEPT CHECK REGISTERS FOR THE
FOLLOWING ACCOUNTS PAYABLE PAYMENT CYCLES: 02/03/21 PERIOD 8;
2/10/21 PERIOD 8. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO,
WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
ABSENT: NONE.
2. PUBLIC HEARING
None
3. GENERAL BUSINESS
3.1. San Jose Water Company General Rate Case Application 21-01-003 Letter
Recommended Action:
Authorize submittal of letter from the City Council on San Jose Water Company General
Rate Case Application 21-01-003.
Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager, presented the staff report.
Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item.
Mary Robertson spoke
Rowena Turner spoke
No one else requested to speak.
BERNALD/WALIA MOVED TO AUTHORIZE SUBMITTAL OF LETTER FROM
THE CITY COUNCIL ON SAN JOSE WATER COMPANY GENERAL RATE
CASE APPLICATION 21-01-003, WITH AMENDMENT TO CHANGE WORD
FROM QUALITY TO QUALIFY. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL.
AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: KUMAR. ABSTAIN:
NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
3.2. Continental Circle Stabilization - Construction Observation Contract with Cotton,
Shires and Associates, Inc. and Budget Resolution
Recommended Action:
1.Approve construction observation contract with Cotton, Shires and Associates, Inc. (CSA)
for Continental Circle roadway stabilization, in the amount of $36,860, and authorize the
City Manager to execute the same.
2.Authorize staff to execute change orders to the contract up to $3,686.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ February 17, 2021 ~ Page 4 of 7
3.Approve a budget resolution to appropriate $75,000 from the Mt Eden Erosion Repair CIP
to complete the Continental Circle roadway stabilization construction.
Emma Burkhalter, Associate Engineer, presented the staff report.
Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item.
No one requested to speak.
RESOLUTION 21-007
FITZSIMMONS/WALIA MOVED TO APPROVE CONSTRUCTION OBSERVATION
CONTRACT WITH COTTON, SHIRES AND ASSOCIATES, INC. (CSA) FOR
CONTINENTAL CIRCLE ROADWAY STABILIZATION, IN THE AMOUNT OF
$36,860, AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE SAME,
TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO EXECUTE CHANGE ORDERS TO THE
CONTRACT UP TO $3,686, AND TO APPROVE A BUDGET RESOLUTION TO
APPROPRIATE $75,000 FROM THE MT EDEN EROSION REPAIR CIP TO
COMPLETE THE CONTINENTAL CIRCLE ROADWAY STABILIZATION
CONSTRUCTION. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO,
WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
ABSENT: NONE.
3.3. City Council Term Limits
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that the City Council receive this report and provide direction to staff.
Richard Taylor, City Attorney, presented the staff report.
Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item.
Stan Bogosian, former Saratoga Mayor, spoke
Corinne Vita spoke
Jeffrey Schwartz spoke
JoJo Choi spoke
No one else requested to speak.
WALIA/BERNALD MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO SCHEDULE CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE COUNCIL’S
COMMITMENT TO ABIDE BY THE 1992 BALLOT ADVISORY MEASURE ON
TERM LIMITS. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO,
WALIA, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: KUMAR. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT:
NONE.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ February 17, 2021 ~ Page 5 of 7
FITZSIMMONS/KUMAR MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO SCHEDULE CITY
COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF A DRAFT BALLOT MEASURE ON TERM
LIMITS FOR A FUTURE REGULAR ELECTION. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL
ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
FITZSIMMONS/WALIA MOVED TO FURTHER DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE
THE DRAFT BALLOT MEASURE ON TERM LIMITS WITH A 2-TERM
LIFETIME LIMIT AND A PROVISION THAT A PARTIAL TERM OF 2 YEARS
OR MORE WOULD EQUAL A FULL TERM. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL
ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS. NOES: NONE.
ABSTAIN: BERNALD. ABSENT: NONE.
City Attorney Richard Taylor will include in the future staff report information on legal
requirements concerning filling City Council vacancies and a rough cost estimate for
including the measure on the ballot.
Mayor Zhao requested a break at 9:39 and resumed the meeting at 9:47 p.m.
3.4. City Council Strategic Goals
Recommended Action:
Direct staff accordingly.
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 APPROVE THE CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC
GOALS WITH THE REMOVAL OF ITEM 5Bii. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL
ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS
Mayor Yan Zhao
Cities Association of Santa Clara County – the members approved a financial report, received a
presentation from Silicon Valley Clean Energy Association with information about the
Community Energy Resilience Program, received a presentation by the Chamber of Commerce
Association, and received a presentation by the Planning Collaborative agency on helping cities
with their Housing Elements.
Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Policy Advisory Committee – the Committee approved
the SASCC RYDE program application for Measure B grant funds, which now goes to the VTA
Board for their approval.
West Valley Sanitation District – the Board approved an annexation request, but the annexation
now has to be approved by LAFCO.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ February 17, 2021 ~ Page 6 of 7
Vice Mayor Tina Walia
Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority Board of Directors – the new Board members have been
attending orientation meetings as well as the Board meeting. The Board received a report that
SVCE has adjusted rates to maintain a 1% discount relative to PG&E rates, also approved a
contract for carbon-free hydropower to start in 2025, and discussed the statewide Time-of-Use
Billing rate change in June 2021 that customers will be opted-in as part of the transition.
Information will be going out to customers in March.
Vice Mayor Walia announced that Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority has a grant program
that the City of Saratoga can apply for.
Council Member Rishi Kumar
West Valley Clean Water Program Authority – the members approved the 2021 Strategic
Priorities, including Storm water permit compliance education, negotiate new agreement with
Santa Clara County Fire to conduct commercial inspections, actively pursue grant opportunities,
financial studies with other organizations, and technology innovations.
West Valley Solid Waste Management Joint Powers Authority – the members received a report
on liquidated damages that are allowed in the contract from missed pickups by garbage company
and there are assessed damages of $11,300. The members think the company should have a call
center to report missed pickups and the company needs to create a better process. There is an ad
hoc committee discussing the Collection agreement that expires in 10 years with lots of new
legislation that will affect the rates. Also received a report on SB1383, which is to reduce organic
waste in landfills.
Council Member Kookie Fitzsimmons
Chamber of Commerce – the Chamber of Commerce is looking for ways to refresh the Village.
Council Member Mary-Lynne Bernald
Saratoga Public Art Committee – the Committee received a report that there had been 70
qualified applicants for the Paint the City program and that the Library & Community
Engagement Commission reviewed the applications and now City residents will vote on their
favorite artwork at the 3 utility box locations in the program this year. The Committee reviewed
and proposed changes to the Public Art Policy changes that will come to the Council for
consideration. The Committee also discussed Gateway sculpture ideas, agreed to replace the
stolen Nuts About Saratoga acorn in the Village, and received updates on Rainy Day Sidewalk
Poetry and Chalk Hopscotch.
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
Council Member Fitzsimmons, with support from Mayor Zhao, asked the City Council to
consider opportunities to refresh the appearance of the Village.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Kumar shared about the San Jose Water Company rate increases and he
advised that protest messages should go to the California Public Utilities Commission. Council
Member Kumar also shared information about COVID vaccines.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ February 17, 2021 ~ Page 7 of 7
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
James Lindsay announced that the monthly e-newsletter, Saratoga Source, will transition from a
monthly to weekly distribution. The City will also begin translating quarterly outreach postcards
that are sent to entire City.
ADJOURNMENT
FITZSIMMONS/WALIA MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 10:46 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