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Home My WebLink About03-30-2021 Council Minutes -study sessionSaratoga City Council Minutes – March 30, 2021 – Page 1 of 4 MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING CALL TO ORDER Mayor Zhao called the virtual Special Meeting to order at 6:01 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 Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager Debbie Bretschneider, City Clerk Debbie Pedro, Community Development Director John Cherbone, Public Works Director Nicole Johnson, Senior Planner Kristin Borel, Adminstrative Analyst Mainini Cabute, Environmental Program Manager Emma Burkhalter, Associate Civil 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. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS None Saratoga City Council Minutes – March 30, 2021 – Page 2 of 4 AGENDA ITEMS: Heritage Preservation Commission Work Plan Recommended Action: Meet with Commission; discuss Commission priorities; and provide direction to Commission on 2021 Work Plan. Heritage Preservation Commissioners presented their proposed 2021 Work Plan, which included: 1. To continue recommending eligible properties to the Heritage Resource Inventory. 2. To receive annual training in Historic Preservation. 3. To review and inventory the Saratoga Avenue (Heritage Lane) for potential addition to Heritage Resource Inventory. 4. To continue to participate in City events for public outreach, including Heritage Preservation Month. 5. Work with City staff on signage for the Historic Orchard. 6. To continue to recommend plaques/Point of Interest markers to the City Council and is requesting funding for five markers in FY 2021/22. Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item. No one requested to speak. FITZSIMMONS/WALIA MOVED TO APPROVE THE 2021 HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION WORK PLAN. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. Library and Community Engagement Commission Work Plan Recommended Action: Meet with Commission; discuss Commission priorities; and provide direction to Commission on 2021 Work Plan. Library and Community Engagement Commissioners presented their proposed 2021 Work Plan, which included: 1. Support and promote Library events and programs; engage in information sharing with and between the Library and the public. 2. Identify and recommend strategies to help foster a strong, more inclusive community, including the following activities: a. Partner with local organizations, schools, and colleges. b. Increase public engagement in City government. c. Assess community concerns as directed by the City Council. d. Support Library and City engagement programs. Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item. No one requested to speak. Saratoga City Council Minutes – March 30, 2021 – Page 3 of 4 FITZIMMONS/WALIA MOVED TO APPROVE THE 2021 LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMISSION WORK PLAN. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. Mayor Zhao announced a break at 6:48 p.m. and resumed the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan Recommended Action: Meet with Commission; discuss Commission priorities; and provide direction to Commission on 2021 Work Plan. Parks and Recreation Commissioners presented their proposed 2021 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. The Parks and Recreation Commission also presented recommended updates to their Mission Statement. Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item. No one requested to speak. BERNALD/WALIA MOVED TO APPROVE THE 2021 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION WORK PLAN AND DIRECTED THE COMMISSION TO WORK WITH STAFF TO PRESENT THE DRAFT MISSION STATEMENT AT A FUTURE CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR ADOPTION. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. Traffic Safety Commission Work Plan Recommended Action: Meet with Commission; discuss Commission priorities; and provide direction to Commission on 2021 Work Plan. Traffic Safety Commissioners presented their proposed 2021 Work Plan, which included: 1. Investigate, review and analyze traffic safety issues raised by community members. 2. Refine the TSC process so that it continues to be more efficient and effective. 3. Provide a respectful space where community members are able to seek solutions for traffic safety concerns. 4. Collect and evaluate speed and volume data using new radar feedback trailers with improved technology. Saratoga City Council Minutes – March 30, 2021 – Page 4 of 4 5. Collaborate with schools and community members to develop the Safe Routes to School Master Plan. 6. Promote education to the community and schools regarding traffic, bicycle and pedestrian safety, through public meetings. 7. Review projects on the Capital Improvement Project list and recommend priorities for funding. 8. Develop a Traffic Safety Commission Handbook that is unique to the roles and responsibilities of TSC. Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item. Coleen spoke No one else requested to speak. BERNALD/WALIA MOVED TO APPROVE THE 2021 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION WORK PLAN AND DIRECTED THE COMMISSION TO BEGIN A STUDY ON UNSIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS IN SARATOGA. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ADJOURNMENT WALIA/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:00 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