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Home My WebLink About12-1-2021 City Council Meeting MinutesMINUTES WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2021 SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING At 6:00 p.m., the City Council held interviews for the Heritage Preservation Commission via teleconferencing through Zoom. Mayor Zhao invited public comment. No one requested to speak. WALIA/ BERNALD MOVED TO APPOINT JOSEPH WHERRY TO THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION FOR A FULL -TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2025. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: BERNALD, FITZSIMMONS, KUMAR, WALIA, ZHAO: NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. Mayor Zhao called the Regular Session to order at 7:00 p.m. via teleconferencing through Zoom. Prior to Roll Call, the City Clerk explained the City Council meeting was conducted pursuant to State law as recently amended by Assembly Bill 361, which allows the meeting to be conducted entirely by teleconference. The City Council has met all the applicable notice requirements and the public is welcome to participate. All Council Members, staff, and meeting attendees participated by Zoom. Information on how the public can observe the meeting and provide public comment was provided. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Mayor Yan Zhao, Vice Mayor Tina Walia, Council Members Mary -Lynne Bernald, Rishi Kumar, Kookie Fitzsimmons (All Council Members appearing via teleconference) ABSENT- None ALSO PRESENT: James Lindsay, City Manager Richard Taylor, City Attorney Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager Britt Avrit, City Clerk Sandra Dalida, Interim Administrative Services Director Debbie Pedro, Community Development Director Lauren Pettipiece, Public Information Officer Kayla Nakamoto, Administrative Analyst Chris Riordan, Senior Planner Ann Xu, Accountant 1I Maggie Huang, Interim Finance Manager (All staff members appearing via teleconference) REPORT ON POSTING OF THE AGENDA The City Clerk reported the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on November 24, 2021. Saratoga City Council Minutes — December 1, 2021 — Page 1 of 6 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS No one requested to speak. COUNCIL REORGANIZATION Council Reorganization Recommended Action: Declare offices of Mayor and Vice Mayor to be vacant, accept nominations for the office of Mayor, administer the Oath of Office to new Mayor, accept nominations for the office of Vice Mayor, and administer the Oath of Office to new Vice Mayor. Mayor Zhao provided remarks regarding her past year as Mayor of Saratoga. Mayor Zhao invited the City Council to provide remarks for the outgoing Mayor and Vice Mayor. Mayor Zhao invited the public to provide remarks for the outgoing Mayor and Vice Mayor. The following individuals spoke at this time: Kay Abilar, Khalida Sarwari, T. Ferracci, Senator Dave Cortese, Chuck, Mohini Balakrishnan, Tsing Bardin, Dom Orr, Shozo Kagoshima, Gloria Janac, Ramya Vasu, Dave House The City Clerk declared the offices of Mayor and Vice Mayor to be vacant, called for nominations for the office of Mayor and invited public comment on this item. The following individuals spoke on the nomination of Mayor and Vice Mayor at this time: Stan, Emily Lo on behalf of Katherine Tseng, Nancy Lietzke, Sandy Reed, Andrey Tovchigrechko, Mona Kaur, Rosemary Wong FITZSIMMONS/ZHAO MOVED TO NOMINATE COUNCIL MEMBER WALIA FOR THE POSITION OF MAYOR. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO: NOES: KUMAR. ABSTAIN: BERNALD. ABSENT: NONE. The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Walia. Mayor Walia called for nominations for the office of Vice Mayor. WALIA/ZHAO MOVED TO NOMINATE COUNCIL MEMBER FITZSIMMONS FOR THE POSITION OF VICE MAYOR. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES:, FITZSIMMONS,WALIA, ZHAO: NOES: KUMAR. ABSTAIN: BERNALD. ABSENT: NONE. The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Vice Mayor Fitzsimmons. Mayor Walia invited the City Council to provide remarks for the incoming Mayor and Vice Mayor. Mayor Walia invited the public to provide remarks for the incoming Mayor and Vice Mayor. Saratoga City Council Minutes — December 1, 2021 — Page 2 of 6 The following individuals spoke at this time: Stan Bogosian, Chuck The Mayor requested a brief recess and reconvened the meeting at 8:25 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Walia shared information about COVID-19, Housing Element Community Meetings, Saratoga Retirement Community Public Scoping Meeting, and the Celebration of Light Event. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Walia invited public comment on the Consent Calendar. No one requested to speak. 1.1. City Council Meeting Minutes Recommended Action: Approve the Minutes for the November 17, 2021 City Council Meeting. ZHAO/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO APPROVE THE AMENDED MINUTES FOR THE NOVEMBER 17, 2021 CITY COUNCIL MEETING. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: BERNALD, KUMAR, ZHAO, FITZSIMMONS, WALIA: 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: I I/17/21 Period 5. ZHAO/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO REVIEW AND ACCEPT CHECK REGISTERS FOR THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNTS PAYABLE PAYMENT CYCLES: 11/17/21 PERIOD 5. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: BERNALD, KUMAR, ZHAO, FITZSIMMONS, WALIA: NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 1.3. Tree Maintenance Contract for Call -Out Tree Services with Trees 360 Degrees in the amount not -to -exceed $50,000 Recommended Action: Approve Tree Maintenance Service Contract with Trees 360 Degrees for call -out tree services in the amount not to exceed $50,000 and authorize the City Manager to execute the same. ZHAO/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO APPROVE TREE MAINTENANCE SERVICE CONTRACT WITH TREES 360 DEGREES FOR CALL -OUT TREE SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000 AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE SAME. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: BERNALD, KUMAR, ZHAO, FITZSIMMONS, WALIA: NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. Saratoga City Council Minutes — December 1, 2021 — Page 3 of 6 1.4. Landscaping & Lighting Assessment District LLA-1; Resolutions initiating renewal of the District for FY 22-23. Recommended Action: 1. Move to adopt the Resolution describing improvements and directing preparation of the Engineer's Report. 2. Move to adopt the Resolution appointing the Attorney's for the District. RESOLUTION 21-079 RESOLUTION 21-080 ZHAO/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION DESCRIBING IMPROVEMENTS AND DIRECTING PREPARATION OF THE ENGINEER'S REPORT AND TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION APPOINTING THE ATTORNEY'S FOR THE DISTRICT. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: BERNALD, KUMAR, ZHAO, FITZSIMMONS, WALIA: NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 1.5. New PG&E Easement in Parking District #1, East of 4th Street Recommended Action: Approve a Grant of Easement Deed for a gas line easement to PG&E within APN 503-24- 016 in Parking District 1, east of 4th Street. ZHAO/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO APPROVE A GRANT OF EASEMENT DEED FOR A GAS LINE EASEMENT TO PG&E WITHIN APN 503-24-016 IN PARKING DISTRICT 1, EAST OF 4TH STREET. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: BERNALD, KUMAR, ZHAO, FITZSIMMONS, WALIA: NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 1.6. Award Contract for Financial Software Recommended Action: Approval of Agreement with CentralSquare Technologies, LLC for Public Administration ePLUS Financial Software. ZHAO/FITZSIMMONS MOVED APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH CENTRALSQUARE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION EPLUS FINANCIAL SOFTWARE. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: BERNALD, KUMAR, ZHAO, FITZSIMMONS, WALIA: NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 2. GENERAL BUSINESS 2.1. Review of City Council Assignments Recommended Action: Review the list of City Council assignments and provide direction on changes to the list of assignments. Britt Avrit, City Clerk, presented the staff report. Mayor Walia invited public comment on the item. Saratoga City Council Minutes — December 1, 2021 — Page 4 of 6 No one requested to speak. ZHAO/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION TO UPDATE THE LIST OF ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS INCLUDING REMOVAL OF THE PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE AND SANTA CLARA/SANTA CRUZ COUNTIES AIRPORT/COMMUNITY ROUNDTABLE. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: BERNALD, KUMAR, ZHAO, FITZSIMMONS, WALIA: NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS Council Member Mary -Lynne Bernald Saratoga Historical Foundation — stated a report was provided on the blacksmith exhibit which is pending bids and stated it is not likely to break ground until the spring; discussed a meeting with the City on November 22, 2021 regarding historical building refurbishment and discussed the Open House held along with the Tree Lighting Event on November 26, 2021. Council Member Rishi Kumar Nothing to report. Council Member Zhao Council Finance Committee — stated a report was provided regarding American Rescue Plan Act funding and stated the budget adjustment item will be coming before the City Council on December 15, 2021. Vice Mayor Kookie Fitzsimmons Nothing to report. Mayor Tina Walia Council Finance Committee — stated she attended this meeting as well as Council Member Zhao. KSAR Community Access TV Board — stated a new member from West Valley Community College was introduced. Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council (SASCC) — discussed four Bylaw changes: 1) the Council Member appointee is a non -voting liaison and no City employees will be present; 2) the Board Meetings will no longer be covered by the Brown Act, and will be closed to the public with no posting of the meetings publicly; 3) members of the public will be allowed to be part of the Ad Hoc Committees without being members of the Board; 4) SASCC will no longer be a membership organization. Saratoga Ministerial Association — discussed the virtual interfaith Thanksgiving service at which former Mayor Zhao spoke as did Mayor Walia. CITY COUNCIL ITEMS None COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS Council Member Kumar discussed the El Paseo de Saratoga project. Saratoga City Council Minutes — December 1, 2021 — Page 5 of 6 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager, James Lindsay congratulated Mayor Walia and Vice Mayor Fitzsimmons, and thanked the City Council members for attending the recent Employee Recognition Luncheon. ADJOURNMENT ZHAO/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:46 P.M. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: BERNALD, FITZSIMMONS, KUMAR, WALIA, ZHAO: NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. Minutes respectfully submitted: Britt Avrit, MMC, City Clerk City of Saratoga Saratoga City Council Minutes — December 1, 2021 — Page 6 of 6