HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-05-2021 Council MinutesSaratoga City Council Minutes ~ May 5, 2021 ~ Page 1 of 7
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2021
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
At 6:00 p.m., the City Council held a Joint Meeting with the Montalvo Arts Center 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
Keith Weiner, Building Official
(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 April 29, 2021.
REPORT ON JOINT MEETING
Montalvo Arts Center Executive Director Angela McConnell reported on the Joint Meeting.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ May 5, 2021 ~ Page 2 of 7
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
Tylor Taylor, Executive Director of SASCC, spoke the SASCC request to repurpose event grant
funds for operations.
Kathleen Crowe spoke about SASCC finances.
Vice Mayor Walia requested information from City staff about the SASCC contract.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Zhao shared information about COVID-19 updates, the Hakone Gardens new exhibit and
book, SASCC Walks, Saratoga Power Lunch webinar, and Wildfire Workshops.
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
Appointment of Heritage Preservation Commissioner
Recommended Action:
Approve the resolution appointing 1 member to the Heritage Preservation Commission and
direct the City Clerk to administer the Oath of Office.
RESOLUTION 21-025
FITZSIMMONS/WALIA MOVED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION APPOINTING
1 MEMBER TO THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION 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 Montalvo Art Center and Steven Simon
Recommended Action:
Present the commendations to Montalvo Arts Center and Steven Simon.
Mayor Zhao and Council Members presented the commendations to Montalvo Arts Center
and Steven Simon.
Proclamation Declaring May 2021 as National Preservation Month
Recommended Action:
Proclaim May 2021 as National Preservation Month in the City of Saratoga.
Mayor Zhao and Council Members presented the proclamation to Rina Shah, Chair of the
Heritage Preservation Commission.
Proclamation Declaring May 2021 as Older Americans Month
Recommended Action:
Present the proclamation declaring May 2021 as Older Americans Month.
Mayor Zhao and Council Members presented the proclamation to Lisa Oakley, Chair of
SASCC, and Tylor Taylor, Executive Director of SASCC.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ May 5, 2021 ~ Page 3 of 7
Proclamation Declaring May 2021 as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Recommended Action:
Present the proclamation declaring May 2021 as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
Mayor Zhao and Council Members presented the proclamation to Huelling Su, President of
Asian American for Better Community (AABC).
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
1.1. City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action:
Approve the City Council minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting on April 21, 2021.
BERNALD/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO APPROVE THE CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON APRIL 21, 2021.
MOTION 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:
04/20/21 Period 10; 04/27/21 Period 10:
BERNALD/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO ACCEPT CHECK REGISTERS FOR THE
FOLLOWING ACCOUNTS PAYABLE PAYMENT CYCLES: 04/20/21 PERIOD 10;
04/27/21 PERIOD 10. 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 March 31, 2021
Recommended Action:
Review and accept the Treasurer’s Report for the month ended March 31, 2021.
BERNALD/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER’S REPORT
FOR THE MONTH ENDED MARCH 31, 2021. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL
ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
1.4. Parks & Recreation Commission Mission Statement Update
Recommended Action:
Approve the updated Parks & Recreation Commission Mission Statement by adopting the
attached Resolution.
Council Member Bernald removed this item for discussion.
Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item.
Rene Paquier, Chair of Parks and Recreation Commission, spoke.
No one else requested to speak.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ May 5, 2021 ~ Page 4 of 7
RESOLUTION 21-026
BERNALD/WALIA MOVED TO APPROVE THE UPDATED PARKS &
RECREATION COMMISSION MISSION STATEMENT BY ADOPTING THE
RESOLUTION IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL MEMO. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL
ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
1.5. Donation of PLACE
Recommended Action:
Authorize the City Manager to execute the donation agreement with Montalvo Arts Center
to accept the donation PLACE.
BERNALD/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE THE DONATION AGREEMENT WITH MONTALVO ARTS CENTER
TO ACCEPT THE DONATION PLACE. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL
CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE.
ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
2. PUBLIC HEARING
2.1. Amendment to Hillside Residential Zoning Designation to Make Wineries Subject to
Additional Conditional Use Permit Requirements
Recommended Action:
Conduct the public hearing and introduce and waive the first reading of the attached
ordinance and direct staff to place the ordinance on the consent calendar at the May 19,
2021 City Council meeting.
Richard Taylor, City Attorney, presented the staff report.
Mayor Zhao opened the public hearing.
Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item.
Andrey Tovchigrechko spoke
Glenda Aune spoke
Nancy Lietzke spoke
Mohini Balakrishnan spoke
No one else requested to speak.
WALIA/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO WAIVE THE FIRST READING OF THE
ORDINANCE AND DIRECT STAFF TO PLACE THE ORDINANCE ON THE
CONSENT CALENDAR AT THE MAY 19, 2021 CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR,
FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ May 5, 2021 ~ Page 5 of 7
3. GENERAL BUSINESS
3.1. Approval of Contract for Camino Online Permit Guide Platform Software
Recommended Action:
1. Adopt the attached resolution approving an adjustment to the Fiscal Year 2020/21
Operating & Capital Improvement Budget; AND
2. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a one year contract to implement the Camino
Online Permit Guide Platform in an amount not to exceed $30,000.
Keith Weiner, Building Official, presented the staff report.
Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item.
No one requested to speak.
RESOLUTION 21-027
KUMAR/WALIA MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION APPROVING AN
ADJUSTMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2020/21 OPERATING & CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT BUDGET AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO
ENTER INTO A ONE YEAR CONTRACT TO IMPLEMENT THE CAMINO
ONLINE PERMIT GUIDE PLATFORM IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$30,000. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA,
KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT:
NONE.
3.2. Saratoga Business Renewal and Beautification Grant Program
Recommended Action:
1) Approve the Saratoga Business Renewal and Beautification Grant Program in
Attachment A;
2) Allocate $15,000 from the Council Discretionary Account to fund the program; and
3) Add the Saratoga Business Renewal and Beautification Grant Program to the FY2020-21
Capital Improvement Program.
Debbie Pedro, Community Development Director, presented the staff report.
Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item.
Jeffrey Schwartz spoke
Chuck Page, President of Chamber of Commerce, spoke
No one else requested to speak.
FITZSIMMONS/ZHAO MOVED TO APPROVE THE SARATOGA BUSINESS
RENEWAL AND BEAUTIFICATION GRANT PROGRAM IN THE
SUPPLEMENTAL MEMO; ALLOCATE $15,000 FROM THE COUNCIL
DISCRETIONARY ACCOUNT TO FUND THE PROGRAM; ADD THE
SARATOGA BUSINESS RENEWAL AND BEAUTIFICATION GRANT PROGRAM
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ May 5, 2021 ~ Page 6 of 7
TO THE FY2020-21 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM; AND ADD
“SARATOGA TOGETHER” AS NAME OF PROGRAM. MOTION PASSED BY
VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES:
KUMAR. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS
Mayor Yan Zhao
Council Finance Committee – Vice Mayor Walia reported.
West Valley Mayors & Managers – the meeting had two guest speakers, a PG&E spokesperson
on wildfire safety and the Executive Director of Cities Association.
Vice Mayor Tina Walia
Council Finance Committee – the Committee received a report on use of Hillside Reserve funds
and a preview of the Budget Study Session.
Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council (SASCC) – the Board approved a by-laws
amendment changing City Staff's position on the Board from voting to non-voting. SASCC
Board was informed of financial issues : 1. unpaid tax filings (Form 941) for six consecutive
quarters, 2. SASCC has taken out two PPP loans, 3. Amending Form 990 for 2018-19. No
Financial Statements provided to the Board during my four months on the Board.
Saratoga Ministerial Association – the Association received a report that Pastor Derek has
received a grant of $10,000 to help the community in need and that Father Gary Thomas is
moving from Sacred Heart after 15 years.
Council Member Rishi Kumar
Santa Clara County Library Joint Powers Authority – the members received reports that the
Libraries re-opened April 19 and on the Fiscal Year 2021/22 budget.
Council Member Kookie Fitzsimmons
Nothing to report.
Council Member Mary-Lynne Bernald
Santa Clara/Santa Cruz Airport/Community Roundtable – the Roundtable will be holding a May
26 meeting and approving a draft letter to the Congressional offices regarding noise impacts
regarding the FAA's Neighborhood Environmental Survey (NES).
Saratoga Historical Foundation – the Foundation received a report that the Blacksmith project is
moving forward with assistance from Saratoga Federated Church volunteers
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
Council Member Bernald requested City Council discussion on the SASCC request to repurpose
event grant funds for SASCC operations. There was no support for the request.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Kumar spoke on the protest of the San Jose Water Company request to
California Public Utilities Commission for a fee increase.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ May 5, 2021 ~ Page 7 of 7
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
None
ADJOURNMENT
WALIA/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:05 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