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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-02-2005 City Council MinutesMINUTES SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 2, 2005 The City Council of the City of Saratoga held a Joint Session with the Friends of the Saratoga Libraries in the Administrative Conference Room, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, at 5:30 p.m. The following Friends of the Saratoga Libraries were present: President Marcia Manzo, Bill McDonnal, Mary Jean Fenn, Sharon Pierce, and Tom Blaisdell. Mr. McDonnal announced that the Friends recently awarded the Saratoga Library a grant in the amount of $80,000. Mrs. Fenn reported on the Book-Go-Round's volunteer hours. Mrs. Fenn noted that it takes approximately 16,000 hours per year to keep the Book-Go-Round functioning. Mrs. Fenn added that the Book-Go-Round is open 360 days per year. President Manzo reported that approximately $120-$125k per year raised by the Friends goes back into the Saratoga Library. President Manzo noted that one of the goals the Friends had this year was to find ways to improve the communications amongst the members. President Manzo stated that one way of communication was their membership newsletter, which they now publish once a month. Mrs. Pierce described some of the events the Friends sponsored this year such as: Saratoga Reads, Building Bridges, Silicon Valley Reads, and Saratoga's Arthur Hall of Fame. A discussion took place regarding the various activities that the library in the Town of Los Gatos sponsors such as a panel discussion of local authors. Further discussion took place regarding the recent incident in the Heritage Orchard involving crushed gypsum and mud being tracked into the Library. President Manzo also discussed the library staff's concerns regarding the recently approved Metro PCS flagpole. President Manzo noted that the staff feels that the equipment would impact the trash bins. President Manzo noted that as a citizen she is offended that a private company is using City property for economic gain. City Manager Anderson noted that staff would discuss this incident with Mr. Novakovich and Director Pisani. Councilmember Streit brought up the fact that the City would like the Friends to provide a sinking fund for building maintenance or the City would have to charge them rent. Mr. McDonnal responded that last year the Friends offered to give the City $10,000 per year. Mayor King directed City Manager Anderson to discuss this offer with the Friends at a ater time. At 6:30 p.m. Mayor King thanked the Friends of the Saratoga Libraries for attending tonight's j oint meeting Mayor King called the Special Meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. to discuss the Rotary's 50tH Anniversary and noted that Reiko Iwanaga, Rotary's President, was present. President Iwanaga explained that the Rotary's Foundation makes the decisions on how the funds are spent. President Iwanaga noted that she recently formed a committee to come up with a gift to the City of Saratoga for it's 50th Anniversary. Councilmember Waltonsmith noted that the Rotary Club has agreed to sponsor the City's 50th Anniversary Parade. President Iwanaga concurred with Councilmember Waltonsmith's statement. Vice Mayor Kline noted that would like to j oin Rotary in a j oint proj ect to construct a 4,000 square foot multipurpose room. Vice Mayor Kline noted that the City and the Rotary could share room. President Iwanaga noted that she would take this information back to the group. City Manager Anderson noted that on a smaller scale, Director Cherbone has suggested that Rotary pay to gild the letters on the three entrance signs to the City and add a sign on Highway 9. Mayor King called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmembers Aileen Kao, Nick Streit, Ann Waltonsmith, Vice Mayor Norman Kline, Mayor Kathleen King ABSENT: None ALSO Dave Anderson, City Manager PRESENT: Jonathan Wittwer, Assistant City Attorney Cathleen Boyer, City Clerk Michele Braucht, Administrative Services Director John Livingstone, Community Development Director John Cherbone, Public Works Director REPORT OF CITY CLERK ON POSTING OF AGENDA FOR NOVEMBER 2, 2005 Cathleen Boyer, City Clerk, reported that pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for the meeting of November 2, 2005 was properly posted on October 28, 2005 2 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS The following people requested to speak at tonight's meeting: Jill Hunter announced that on November 6, 2005 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Foothill Club there would be the first "Village Fashion Show Fundraiser". Mrs. Hunter stated that tickets are available for $40 and all proceeds benefit the Saratoga Village Development Council. Citizen Ray reported on the clean up efforts on Highway 9. Brain Robertson stated that in a report to Council on September 21, 2005 Saratoga parks were listed in order by size. Mr. Robertson pointed out the errors in the ranking order noting that Congress Springs Park, Heritage Orchard, and Hakone Gardens were the largest parks in Saratoga. Mr. Robertson noted that Kevin Moran Park was the 4th largest park in Saratoga and requested that everyone stop referring to Kevin Moran Park as the 2nd largest park in Saratoga. Mr. Robertson noted that the Master Plan was never formally adopted and would like the documents from the City to prove otherwise. Sandy Cross questioned the funds paid by the sports user groups to the City, which helped fund the sand channel work. Ms. Cross noted that according to the City the funds received from the user groups went towards maintenance costs. Ms. Cross noted that the City funds paid $50k towards this project, which was denied grant funding. Ms. Cross noted that she feels that City is making special interest groups, especially soccer, a priority over neighborhood compatibility, roadwork, seniors, beatification of the Village, etc. Ms. Cross requested that the City limit the sports groups to the limited space available and look to the local schools as an alternative rather than impacting neighborhoods. COMMUNICATIONS FROM BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Marcia Manzo noted that she was the current President o the Friends of the Saratoga Libraries. President Manzo noted that the Friends participated in a joint meeting with the City Council earlier this evening. President Manzo noted that on November 25th the Book-Go-Round would be holding an open house in conjunction with the holiday tree lighting event and Village open house. President Manzo also noted that the Friends holiday was on December 7th at the Saratoga Library. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF Vice Mayor Kline thanked the Friends of the Saratoga Library for their hard work and the recent donation of $80k. ANNOUNCEMENTS None CEREMONIAL ITEMS lA. COMMENDATION HONORING MR. JOHN TAUCHI STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Present commen anon. Mayor King read the proclamation and presented it to Mr. Tauchi. 1B. COMMENDATION HONORING MONTALVO ARTS CENTER STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Present commen anon. Mayor King read the proclamation and presented it to representatives from Montalvo Arts Center. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS None CONSENT CALENDAR 2A. CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CIP STUDY SESSION OCTOBER 5, 2005 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve minutes. Mayor King requested that this item be removed from the Consent Calendar. Mayor King requested that the two matrixes be attached to the minutes and make a note next to the bullet point "Gateway-Relocation of large oak tree from Orchard to Fruitvale" that Council would discuss this item when the tree fund returns to Counci . KING/WALTONSMITH MOVED TO APPROVE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 5, 2005 AS AMENDED. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 2B. CITY COUNCIL MEETING -COMMUNITY SURVEY KICK-OFF STUDY SESSION OCTOBER 18, 2005 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve minutes. Mary Robertson requested to speak on this item. Mrs. Robertson asked if the survey was being approved at this time. 4 Mayor King replied that only the minutes from the study session were being approved this evening. Mayor King requested that the following direction be added to the conclusion of the minutes -Direction to the AdHoc to continue working with the consultants since there no major changes made and when the survey was completed return to Council. KING/KLINE MOVED TO APPROVE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 18, 2005 AS AMENDED. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 2C. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -OCTOBER 19, 2005 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve minutes. WALTONSMITH/STREIT MOVED TO APPROVE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 19, 2005. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 2D. REVIEW OF CHECK REGISTER STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve check register. WALTONSMITH/STREIT MOVED TO APPROVE CHECK REGISTER. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 2E. APPROVE AND ORDER THE REDEMPTION OF ALL OF THE SARATOGA PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY'S OUTSTANDING SERIES 1993 REVENUE BONDS STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt resolution directing NBS Local Government Solutions, to notice the Bond Trustee on behalf of the Authority to proceed with the Notice of Redemption and to continue to retain the services of NB S for the administration of the Leonard Road Assessment Local Obligations. RESOLUTION: 05-068 & 069 WALTONSMITH/STREIT MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION DIRECTING NBS LOCAL GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, TO NOTICE THE BOND TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF THE AUTHORITY TO PROCEED WITH THE NOTICE OF REDEMPTION AND TO CONTINUE TO RETAIN THE SERVICES OF NBS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LEONARD ROAD ASSESSMENT LOCAL OBLIGATIONS. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 5 2F. 14288 CHESTER AVENUE -APPLICATION 06-092 LANDMARK STATUS AND MILLS ACT AGREEMENT -SECOND READING AND ADOPTION STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Grant second reading and adopt ordinance. WALTONSMITH/STREIT MOVED TO GRANT SECOND READING AND ADOPT ORDINANCE. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 2G. 14574 HORSESHOE COURT -APPLICATION 05-029 FOR REZONING - SECOND READING AND ADOPTION STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Grant second reading and adopt ordinance. ORDINANCE: 237 WALTONSMITH/STREIT MOVED TO GRANT SECOND READING AND ADOPT ORDINANCE. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 2H. ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT -PERSONAL SERVICE BUSINESS IN CH-1 AND CH-2 ZONING DISTRICTS -SECOND READING AND ADOPTION STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Grant second reading and adopt ordinance. ORDINANCE: 236 WALTONSMITH/STREIT MOVED TO GRANT SECOND READING AND ADOPT ORDINANCE. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 2I. CONTRACT APPROVALS FOR CITYWIDE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve maintenance contract with Loral Landscaping Inc. and Gachina Landscape Management. WALTONSMITH/STREIT MOVED TO APPROVE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT WITH LORAL LANDSCAPING INC. AND GACHINA LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 6 2J. MOTOR VEHICLE (MV) RESOLUTION PROHIBITING PARKING ON HERRIMAN STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt resolution. RESOLUTION: MV- 247 WALTONSMITHISTREITMQVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION PROHIBITING PARKING ON HERRIMAN. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 2K. SARATOGA PUBLIC LIBRARY PROJECT PHASE II -NOTICE OF COMPLETION STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Accept the Notice of Completion. WALTONSMITHISTREITMQVED TO ACCEPT NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE SARATOGA PUBLIC LIBRARY PHASE II. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 2L. VTA OPERATORS' FACILITY PROJECT -NOTICE OF COMPLETION STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Accept the Notice of Completion. WALTONSMITHISTREITMQVED TO ACCEPT NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE VTA OPERATORS' FACILITY. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 2M. HAKONE GARDENS ADA FACILITIES UPGRADE PROJECT -AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt budget resolution; move to declare Robert A. Bothmann, Inc. to be the lowest bidder; Approve construction contract in the amount of $239,500; Authorize City Manger to execute the contract. WALTONSMITHISTREITMQVED TO ADOPT BUDGET RESOLUTION; MOVE TO DECLARE ROBERT A. BOTHMANN, INC. TO BE THE LOWEST BIDDER; APPROVE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF X239,500; AUTHORIZE CITY MANGER TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 7 PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP) - F.Y. OS-06 UPDATE STAFF RECOMMENDATION: 1. Review CIP project priorities reflecting Council direction from the CIP Study Sessions held on October 5th and October 18th and provide direction to staff. 1. Open the Public Hearing for the F.Y. 05/06 CIP Update. 2. Continue Public Hearing to the December 7, 2005, City Council Meeting to allow the appropriate review by the Planning Commission prior to final approval of updated CIP. John Cherbone, Public Works Director, presented staff report. Director Cherbone briefly explained the CIP process and summarized the City Council direction from the CIP Study Session that was held on October 5, 2005. Director Cherbone requested that the City Council conduct the public hearing and continue it to the December 7, 2005 City Council meeting. Mayor King opened the public hearing and invited public comments. Jill Hunter noted she represented the Village Gardeners and requested that the Council allow the Gardeners to continue to plant flowers around the Memorial Arch in Blaney Plaza instead of the bushes the City planned to plant. Citizen Ray requested that the Council reconsider widening Highway 9 and volunteered to form a citizen committee to approach Caltran. Mayor King closed the public hearing. Vice Mayor Kline concurred with Ms. Hunter to continue planting the flowers. Councilmember Waltonsmith agreed that the flowers looked nice and noted that she supported the CIP proj ects to go forward. Vice Mayor Kline noted that widening Highway 9 was a good idea but he didn't know if the engineering could be done. Vice Mayor Kline noted that he supported the CIP projects to go forward. STREIT/WALTONSMITH MOVED TO CONTINUE PUBLIC HEARING TO THE DECEMBER 7, 2005, CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO ALLOW THE APPROPRIATE REVIEW BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION PRIOR TO FINAL APPROVAL OF UPDATED CIP. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 8 OLD BUSINESS 4. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS STATUS REPORT STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Accept report and direct staff to follow up on actions that will strengthen the city's emergency response capabilities and enhance public education efforts. Dave Anderson, City Manager, presented staff report. City Manager stated that in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the recent earthquake in Pakistan all levels of government have been examining the status of their preparedness for emergencies. At the October 5, 2005 City Council meeting, Council placed on a future Council agenda the status of emergency preparedness for the City of Saratoga. City Manager Anderson stated that the report before Council discusses the status of emergency preparedness in the City of Saratoga at thi s time . City Manager Anderson briefly explained the following areas of the emergency preparedness status in the City: • Planning • Training • Exercising • Communications • Transportation • Logistic • Miscellaneous • CERT City Manager Anderson requested that the City integrate fast-charge natural gas station into emergency generator system. City Manager Anderson noted that there would be an emergency response exercise on Tuesday, November 15th conducted by the County. Councilmember Waltonsmith asked if the Council could participate in this exercise. City Manager Anderson responded that at this time it would be only City staff but if the Council wanted to join the exercise it would be fine. A discussion took place in regards to the effort to join the City of Campbell on their radio frequency and the need for the City to obtain a frequency of its own. Councilmember Waltonsmith requested that staff follow up with emergency preparedness for animals, advertising the CERT program more, and review the City code on emergency preparedness. Council thanked City Manager Anderson for his report and directed staff to integrate fast-charge natural gas station into emergency generator system. 9 NEW BUSINESS None ADHOC & AGENCY ASSIGNMENT REPORTS Mayor Kathleen King had no reportable information. Vice Mayor Norman Kline reported the following information: Villa . e AdHoc -participated in a tour of the Village Councilmember Nick Streit reported the following information: West Valley Sanitation District -settled with the Town of Los Gatos Councilmember Aileen Kao reported the following information: Chamber of Commerce -noted that the Chamber's profit from Celebrate Saratoga was $23k County HCD Policy Committee -discussed the 96 HUD housing units in San Jose Councilmember Ann Waltonsmith reported the following information: KSAR Community Access TV Board -recently reviewed the final contract with the Director Saratoga Historic Foundation -open house on November 25, 2005 from 6-9p.m. CITY COUNCIL ITEMS Councilmember Waltonsmith noted that she recently attend the League's workshop on "Building Neighborhood Consensus". Councilmember Waltonsmith noted that she received the recent Loma Prieta newsletter, which contained an article on a survey conducted on cities that encourage solar energy. Mayor King noted that the Silicon Valley Children's Hospital is a member of both the Los Gatos and Saratoga Chamber of Commerce and requested that staff approach the Chamber to look into developing a package deal for membership. OTHER None CITY MANAGER' S REPORT None 10 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business Mayor King adjourned the meeting 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cathleen Boyer, CMC City Clerk 11