HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-19-2025 City Council MeetingSaratoga City Council Minutes ~ February 19, 2025 ~ Page 1 of 6
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2025
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
At 5:30 p.m., the City Council held an interview for the Traffic Safety Commission.
ZHAO/PAGE MOVED TO APPOINT DORY ALBERT TO THE TRAFFIC SAFETY
COMMISSION FOR A FULL-TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2028. MOTION PASSED
BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB.
NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
At 6:00 p.m., the City Council held a Study Session to review and provide input on projects and
funding for the 2025-26 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
The following individual spoke at this time: Marilyn Marchetti
Mayor Aftab called the Regular Session to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor Belal Aftab, Vice Mayor Chuck Page, Council Members Kookie
Fitzsimmons, Tina Walia, Yan Zhao
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Matt Morley, City Manager
Richard Taylor, City Attorney
Leslie Arroyo, Assistant City Manager
John Cherbone, Public Works Director
Bryan Swanson, Community Development Director
Ryan Hinchman, Administrative Services Director
Britt Avrit, City Clerk
REPORT ON POSTING OF THE AGENDA
The City Clerk reported the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on February 13, 2025.
REPORT FROM STUDY SESSION
Mayor Aftab stated the City Council held a Study Session at 6:00 p.m. to review and provide input
on projects and funding for the 2025-26 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget and provided
a brief summary of the Study Session.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ February 19, 2025 ~ Page 2 of 6
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS; IN-PERSON
ATTENDEES
The following individuals spoke at this time:
Carolyn Brandwajn discussed downtown economic vitality.
Mona Hrapkowicz discussed downtown outdoor dining opportunities and events.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Aftab shared information about Let’s Work Saratoga, Mayor’s Office Hours at the Farmer’s
Market, and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training.
Vice Mayor Page and Council Member Fitzsimmons shared information about Hakone’s Chinese
New Year Celebration.
CEREMONIAL ITEM
Proclamation Declaring February 2025 as Black History Month in the City of Saratoga
Recommended Action:
Declare February 2025 as Black History Month in the City of Saratoga
The City Council declared February 2025 as Black History Month in the City of Saratoga.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
1.1. City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action:
Approve the Minutes for the February 5, 2025, City Council Meeting.
ZHAO/PAGE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE FEBRUARY 5, 2025,
CITY COUNCIL MEETING. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES:
FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
1.2. Accounts Payable Check Registers
Recommended Action:
Review and accept the 01/29/2025 and 02/05/2025 accounts payable vendor payment check
registers.
ZHAO/PAGE MOVED TO REVIEW AND ACCEPT THE 01/29/2025 AND 02/05/2025
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE VENDOR PAYMENT CHECK REGISTERS. MOTION
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE,
AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ February 19, 2025 ~ Page 3 of 6
1.3. Final Map Approval for Two Lots Located at 19498 Burgundy Way
Recommended Action:
Adopt the Resolution granting final map approval of parcel map application No. ULS22-
0012 for two lots located at 19498 Burgundy Way (APN: 397-36-036).
RESOLUTION 25-002
ZHAO/PAGE MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION GRANTING FINAL MAP
APPROVAL OF PARCEL MAP APPLICATION NO. ULS22-0012 FOR TWO LOTS
LOCATED AT 19498 BURGUNDY WAY (APN: 397-36-036). MOTION PASSED BY
THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB.
NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
2. GENERAL BUSINESS
2.1. Disaster Preparedness
Recommended Actions:
• Receive reports from City staff, Santa Clara County Fire Department, Santa Clara
County FireSafe Council, San Jose Water, and the Saratoga Fire District.
• Direct staff to proceed with the necessary structure of an assessment district for Fire
Hazard Zones.
Leslie Arroyo, Assistant City Manager, representatives from Santa Clara County Fire, Santa
Clara County FireSafe Council, San Jose Water, Saratoga Fire District, and Matt Morley, City
Manager presented the staff report.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
The following individuals spoke at this time: Charles Rader, Mona Kaur, Glenn Hendricks,
Jim Cargill, Lakinder, Sonny Yeoh
WALIA/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO INCREASE COMMUNITY
PREPAREDNESS, REMOVAL OF FUELS, AND TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT;
EXPLORE WATER TANKS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY FOR FIRE SUPPRESSION;
INCREASE SERVICES, COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION WITH CERT
AND NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH LEADS; INCREASE AWARENESS IN
FLATLANDS; EXPLORE EFFORTS IN OTHER CITIES; INCREASE SUPPORT
FOR FIREWISE COMMUNITIES; PRIORITIZATION IN BUDGET FOR
INCREASED FUNDING FOR FIRE SAFE COUNCIL AND FUEL REDUCTION.
Vice Mayor Page requested a friendly amendment requesting a concise chart that will provide
funding allocation of each item and agency.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ February 19, 2025 ~ Page 4 of 6
WALIA/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO RETURN TO COUNCIL
FOR A FURTHER DISCUSSION, INCLUDING PROVIDING A CONCISE CHART
THAT PROVIDES A SUMMARY OF CURRENT EFFORTS, UPCOMING
EFFORTS, AND ADDITIONAL NEED FOR COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS,
REMOVAL OF FUELS, TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT; INFORMING
RESIDENTS OF OPTIONS FOR WATER TANKS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY FOR
FIRE SUPPRESSION; INCREASED SERVICES, COORDINATION AND
COLLABORATION WITH CERT AND NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH LEADS;
INCREASED AWARENESS IN FLATLANDS; EFFORTS IN OTHER CITIES;
SUPPORT FOR FIREWISE COMMUNITIES; PRIORITIZATION IN BUDGET FOR
INCREASED FUNDING FOR FIRE SAFE COUNCIL AND FUEL REDUCTION.
MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA,
ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT:
NONE.
AFTAB/ZHAO MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO BRING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT
DISCUSSION BACK AT A FUTURE MEETING. MOTION PASSED BY THE
FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
Mayor Aftab requested a recess at this time.
Mayor Aftab reconvened the meeting at 9:30 p.m.
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
3.1. Fee Schedule Amendment - Update to the City’s Park Development Fee and the
Community Garden Plot Rental Fee
Recommended Action:
Adopt the Resolution approving the amendment to the City’s Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year
2024/25, effective April 1, 2025.
John Cherbone, Public Works Director, presented the staff report.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
RESOLUTION 25-003
PAGE/ FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION APPROVING THE
AMENDMENT TO THE CITY’S FEE SCHEDULE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024/25,
EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2025 AND DIRECT STAFF TO BREAK OUT THE COST
FOR WATER USAGE PER PLOT IN A FUTURE FEE SCHEDULE. MOTION
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE,
AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ February 19, 2025 ~ Page 5 of 6
3.2. Introduce and Waive First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 15 (Zoning
Regulations) Articles 15-06, 15-12, 15-21, 15-29, 15-45, 15-46, 15-57, 15-65, and 15-80,
and Adding Article 15-59 to the Saratoga City Code to Implement Policies of the 2023-2031
Housing Element
Recommended Action:
Following the Public Hearing, introduce and waive the first reading of an ordinance
amending Chapter 15 (Zoning Regulations) Articles 15-06, 15-12, 15-21, 15-29, 15-45, 15-
46, 15-57, 15-65, and 15-80, and adding Article 15-59 to the Saratoga City Code to
implement policies of 2023-2031 Housing Element and direct staff to place the ordinance on
the consent calendar for adoption at the next regular meeting.
Chris Riordan, Senior Planner, and Monica Szydlik from Lisa Wise Consulting presented
the staff report.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
The following individuals spoke at this time: Mona Kaur, Jason Law, JoJo Choi
WALIA/ZHAO MOVED TO INTRODUCE AND WAIVE THE FIRST READING OF
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 15 (ZONING REGULATIONS)
ARTICLES 15-06, 15-12, 15-21, 15-29, 15-45, 15-46, 15-57, 15-65, AND 15-80, AND
ADDING ARTICLE 15-59 TO THE SARATOGA CITY CODE TO IMPLEMENT
POLICIES OF 2023-2031 HOUSING ELEMENT EXCEPT THE NOTICING
PROVISIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND
DIRECT STAFF TO PLACE THE ORDINANCE ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR
FOR ADOPTION AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. MOTION PASSED BY THE
FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
ZHAO/WALIA MOVED TO INCLUDE IN THE ORDINANCE JUST INTRODUCED
THE NOTICING PROVISIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING
COMMISSION AND INCREASE ALL NOTICING TO 500 FEET. MOTION FAILED
BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: WALIA, ZHAO. NOES: FITZSIMMONS, PAGE,
AFTAB. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
PAGE/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO KEEP NOTICING REQUIREMENTS AS THE
MUNICIPAL CODE IS CURRENTLY WRITTEN, DO NOT ADD NOTICING
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE NEW MINISTERIAL PROCESS, AND DIRECT
STAFF TO EXPLORE PROVIDING ONLINE SEARCH CAPABILITY FOR
PROJECTS FOR ALL RESIDENTS. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: ZHAO. ABSTAIN: NONE.
RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS
Council Member Yan Zhao
Valley Transportation Authority Policy Advisory Committee – stated the Committee approved
recommending the Equitable Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Mitigation Program Final Report
and augmenting the 2016 Measure B Program in the Adopted Fiscal Years (FY) 2024 and 2025
Biennial Budget to the Valley Transportation Authority Board of Directors.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ February 19, 2025 ~ Page 6 of 6
Council Member Kookie Fitzsimmons
Nothing to report.
Council Member Tina Walia
Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority Board of Directors – stated the Board approved an updated
solar payment schedule, received a comprehensive report on overall program impacts, received a
report on impacts of federal funding changes, and completed committee assignments.
Cities Association of Santa Clara County Legislative Action Committee – stated the Committee
had a guest speaker Patrick Aherns and received an overview of the legislative action committee
process.
Cities Association of Santa Clara County Board of Directors – the County Executive discussed
expected funding changes and the Board finalized focus areas for the year.
Vice Mayor Chuck Page
Saratoga Chamber of Commerce Board – stated the Board is getting ready for the upcoming Car
Show.
West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority Board of Directors – stated the Board received a
presentation regarding mixed layer plastics and a home use composter.
West Valley Storm Water Program Authority Board of Directors – stated the Board discussed an
adopt a storm drain program.
Mayor Belal Aftab
Council Finance Committee – stated the Committee established the meeting schedule and will be
discussing economic trends later this year.
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
Page/Fitzsimmons requested the Public Works Department look into an adopt a storm drain
program.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
None
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
None
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS; VIRTUAL ATTENDEES
No one requested to speak.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Aftab adjourned the meeting at 11:02 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Britt Avrit, City Clerk
City of Saratoga