HomeMy WebLinkAboutSaratogan Winter 2008Council Priorities for 2008
he City Council is preparing to
make this a successful year for
Saratoga. During the annual Council
Retreat held in early February,
the Mayor and Council had the
opportunity to reflect upon the past
year and identify new goals for 2008
to make Saratoga a better place for
residents, business, and visitors.
At the top of the list is increasing
civic participation. Community
involvement benefits the City by
keeping elected representatives in
touch with the community, providing
the City Council with a better
understanding of resident interests,
and strengthening the sense of
community that makes Saratoga
an attractive place to live. At the
direction of the Council, staff will
be reaching out to neighborhood
groups and exploring opportunities
to maintain atwo-way exchange
between residents and the Council.
A joint meeting between the
Council and Saratoga homeowners
associations is being planned for
later this year. Additionally, the
Parks and Recreation Commission
is active once again. This newly
restored Commission will determine
the best way to serve as a conduit
between the council and the public,
while using parks and recreation
to bring the Saratoga community
together. The Council expects a
regular exchange will encourage
residents to become more involved in
the public process by attending public
meetings, serving as a commissioner,
volunteering for one the City's many
community organizations, and a
variety of other activities that keep
the community connected.
In addition to civic participation,
this year provides an opportunity to
make Saratoga more environmentally
sustainable. In 2007, the City of
Saratoga signed the U.S. Mayors
Climate Protection Agreement.
As the City works towards
achieving the goals laid out in this
agreement and strives to become
environmentally responsible, the
City will have to identify and adopt
sound environmental practices.
Staff is investigating options such
as implementing green building
standards for City facilities, replacing
street lights with light-emitting
diodes (LED), creating a guide to
help homeowners renovate or build
their homes using environmentally
sustainable practices and materials,
and making it easier for residents
to dispose of household hazardous
waste.
While examining the City's
environmental impact, the Council
also aims to reduce expenses and
increase financial security. Although
there has been a steady decline in
property values throughout Santa
Clara County, Saratoga enjoys a
relatively stable housing market that
has generated sufficient property
taxes to support basic City services.
The City, however, receives less than
7% of the property taxes collected in
Saratoga. As a result, any reductions
in funding will impact the delivery
of fundamental City services. Staff
has been instructed to identify
opportunities for cost savings and
revenue generation. One effort to
supplement the City's budget will
include improvements to the Village,
such as lighting, landscaping, news
racks, sidewalk repairs, and the
Village Facade Improvement Program.
These enhancements are intended
to attract businesses and shoppers
to the Village and in turn produce
additional sales tax revenues.
As the City Council moves
forward with its plan for the next
year, engaging the community in a
collaborative effort to achieve these
goals will be critical. The Council
is confident that the commitment
to Saratoga's wellbeing shared by
its dedicated professional staff,
interested citizenry, and involved
Council will come together to
improve the civic participation,
environmental sustainability, and
financial security of the City.
McWilliams House: Reviving
Saratoga's Past
he newly renovated McWilliams
House opened in October 2007
thanks to the hard work of community
volunteers and members of the
Saratoga Historical Foundation with
a shared love of Saratoga's history.
Plans to renovate the McWilliams
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House began after the Saratoga
Chamber of Commerce moved out
of the building in 2003. Since then,
the building has been restored to its
original appearance.
The restoration of the McWilliams
House has included both the outside
and inside of the building. The four
small rooms of the building, which
was home to the family of James
and Martha McWilliams from 1865 to
1880, has been decorated with period
appropriate Victorian furnishings. All
of the furnishings have been donated
by Saratoga residents.
Since the re-opening of the
McWilliams House, it has been
operated entirely by volunteers and
is open to the public Friday through
Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Special tours, including programs
focused on third and fourth grade
classes studying California history,
can be scheduled by contacting
Linda Hagelin at (408) 867-3763
or lhagelinCsaratogahistory.com.
For more information about the
McWilliams House or to volunteer,
Vlslt WwW. saratogahistory. com.
Attention Homeowners Associations!
elp improve your connection with
the City Council! Presidents are
encouraged to contact Crystal Morrow
at (408) 868-1275 or cmorrowC~saratoga.
ca.us to learn more about opportunities
to interact with the Council and future
joint meetings.
students doing laundry at
McWilliams House
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Preserving Saratoga's Natural
Beauty
r
ne of the most attractive
features of Saratoga is
a mature tree canopy that
contributes to the rural
character of the City, which
has developed after years of
hard work and care. Regular
maintenance is required to keep
Saratoga's trees looking good
and the winter months are the
best time to maintain trees. The
months between November and
February are ideal for pruning
a variety of trees that can be
found in Saratoga, particularly
deciduous trees and Monterey
Pines.
Before picking up the pruning
shears, it is important to know
that there is a science to tree
care. While all trees should
be inspected on a yearly basis,
not all trees need to be pruned
annually. Deciduous trees, which
lose their leaves seasonally,
typically need a trimming
every 3 to 5 years. Saratoga is
home to a variety of deciduous
trees, such as some types of
oak, big leaf maple, and the
California buckeye. Conifer
trees, including the redwoods
growing throughout Saratoga,
usually only need to be pruned
once every 5 to 7 years. During
annual inspections it is important
to identify dead limbs, crossing
branches, or unusual branches
that are heavy at their ends.
Removing these hazards will help
encourage proper structure and
good health.
If it is time to prune, take
the time to find a responsible
tree company. Too often
trees are recklessly trimmed
by contractors who disregard
safe tree pruning practices
or City rules. Reputable tree
care companies in the area
can be found by visiting www.
treesaregood. org.
Contractors should be familiar
with the City's Tree Ordinance.
Many residents do not realize
that a permit is required to
prune a tree if more than 25%
of the tree will be removed.
Furthermore, permits are
required for removal of all trees
that measure 10 inches or more
in diameter at 4.5 feet above
the ground-including dead or
fallen trees. Native species
need a permit for removal if
they measure 6 or more inches in
diameter.
Preserving Saratoga's natural
ecosystem not only keeps the City
beautiful, it also makes it a healthier
place to live. The urban canopy
significantly contributes to the
sustainability of the environment in
a variety of ways. Trees are natural
filters and improve the quality of air
and water, by removing pollutants
from the air and reducing the amount
of runoff that flows to streams and
storm drains. Furthermore, trees
reduce the urban heat island effect-
inwhich dark materials in urbanized
areas, such as asphalt, cause the
ground to absorb heat and in turn
raise temperatures. Shade created
by trees counteracts urban heat
island effect and keeps city streets
cooler.
Residents can review removal
permits on the City's website at www.
saratoga.ca.us, which lists permits by
address, name, and date. For further
information about tree permits or if
you suspect a tree is being illegally
trimmed or removed, please call the
City Arborist at (408) 868-1276. Be
sure to provide an address if you
are reporting an illegal pruning or
removal.
Investing in the Economic
Vitality of Saratoga Village
aintaining the rustic feel of
Saratoga Village is the result of
an investment of time, money, and
care on behalf of residents, property
and business owners, and the City.
Working together, these different
groups have been committed to
ensuring that the Village is vibrant in
the years to come.
The City has recently renewed its
commitment to this collaborative
effort to preserve the Village. In
late 2007, the City Council set aside
$50,000 for investment in the Village.
This money will be used to fund the
Village Facade Improvement Program
and to install more attractive news
racks. The funds are expected
to increase private investment in
the Village and make the heart
of Saratoga more attractive to
customers and businesses.
The Village Facade Improvement
Program offers rebates to Village
property or business owners for
making storefront improvements
that are visible from Big Basin
Way. Up to 50% of the project cost
can be refunded. The maximum
reimbursement for a single project is
$5,000. Additional information on the
Village Facade Improvement Program
can be found at www.saratoga.ca.us.
The ambiance of the Village
will be further enhanced by the
installation of more appealing news
racks. Council has already identified
two news rack designs that better
reflect the appearance of the Village.
Residents will have the opportunity to
weigh in on the final decision. Before
the final news rack design is selected,
samples of the two different news
racks will be installed on Big Basin
Way with an opinion poll to follow.
Residents can expect to see the two
designs in early 2008.
Household Hazardous Waste
Disposal Service for Saratoga
Residents
he improper disposal of household
hazardous and electronic waste
has wide ranging impacts that affect
the entire region. In recent years,
an alarming amount of pollutants
have entered California waterways
from improperly disposed household
products containing dangerous
chemicals. Oil, pesticides, batteries,
and thermometers containing mercury
are just a few of the household
products that are being released to
streams and the Bay through storm
or ground water. Unless household
hazardous waste is controlled, the
negative impacts of these pollutants
will have a devastating impact on the
Bay.
To make it easier to keep
California's waterways safe, West
Valley Collection ~ Recycling now
offers Saratoga residents disposal
service for universal and electronic
waste. Get rid of used oil, paints,
batteries, fluorescent lights, mercury
thermometers, old televisions or
other electronic devices, and more
for free! To make an appointment
to drop off universal or electronic
waste, call West Valley Collection ~
Recycling at (408) 283-9250.
Facade Improvement to International
Coffee Exchange on Bid Basin Way
In Memory of Joan Pisani
n September 24, 2007, Joan
Marie Pisani, 57, passed away
peacefully, surrounded by her loving
family after a courageous 14-month
battle against pancreatic cancer.
Joan graduated from San Jose
State University in 1972 with a B.S.
in Recreation and she began working
as a teen coordinator for the City of
Saratoga in 1974. She soon became
Director of Recreation and led the
department through 33 years of
growth.
Joan dedicated herself to
expanding community programs in
the City where she lived and worked.
Joan's generous spirit and love will
always be remembered by the City
staff and Saratoga residents who
will continue her legacy of building
community in Saratoga.
Joan is survived by her husband Ron
Pisani, her two daughters Kelly and
Kate, and her many family members.
Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating
Council (SASCC)
he Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating
Council (SASCC) is a local, non-profit,
501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to
providing quality services and programs
to seniors of all ages and abilities. SASCC
recently entered into a five year use
agreement with the City to continue
serving older adults in Saratoga at the
Senior Center located at 19655 Allendale
Avenue. Services include Adult Day
Care, a nutritious lunch program on
Wednesdays, social groups, art classes,
bridge lessons, computer classes, fitness
classes, movies, and more. Services are
provided to approximately 1,475 people
each month.
In early January 2008, SASCC appointed
Susan Huff as Managing Director. As
the new leader of this non-profit,
Susan intends to use her experience in
hospitality, gerontology, and health care
to make SASCC a place where older adults
can go to attend "programs that are fun,
current, appealing, educational, and
financially viable," said Huff. The City
of Saratoga and SASCC are grateful to
have found someone like Susan, with the
essential skills and experience to lead the
SASCC team. For more information about
SASCC, please call (408) 868-1257 or visit
at www.sascc.org.
Highway 9 Safety Enhancements
n increasing number of accidents
along Highway 9 in recent years have
prompted Saratoga to partner with Los
Gatos and Monte Sereno to make much
needed improvements. This multi-
jurisdiction safety project is aimed at
improving bicycle and pedestrian safety
along this busy corridor. The project
area is approximately 4.4 miles and
runs between Big Basin Way in Saratoga
through Monte Sereno to Los Gatos
Boulevard in Los Gatos.
The Highway 9 Safety Master Plan
was developed by staff from the three
municipalities and engineering consultants
from BKF Engineers. To ensure the Master
Plan met the needs and interests of the
residents from Saratoga, Monte Sereno,
and Los Gatos, the plan was reviewed by
an ad hoc committee comprised of two
councilmembers from each jurisdiction
and input was gathered at three public
meetings.
In conjunction with the creation of
the Highway 9 Safety Master Plan, efforts
have been made by all three cities
Library Commission
Application Deadline May 8, 2008 Openings:
Youth Commission
Application Deadline: May 8, 2008
For more information, please visit www.saratoga.ca.us or contact
the City Clerk at (408) 868-1269 or ctclerkCsaratoga.ca.us.
to secure funding to be used to
carry out the multimillion dollar
improvements contained in the
Master Plan. Much of the necessary
funding has been identified and the
project has been divided into phases
to allow work to move forward more
quickly.
The first phase began in early
2008 and will establish a continuous
bicycle lane or shoulder along the
entire 4.4 mile stretch of Highway
9 between Saratoga and Los
Gatos. Improvements also include
pedestrian-activated crosswalks with
embedded lights in two locations-
VickeryAvenue in Saratoga and
Massol Avenue in Los Gatos.
The second phase of the safety
improvements will close substantial
gaps in the existing pedestrian
walkway along one side of Highway
9 to provide a continuous path
from Saratoga Village to Monte
Sereno. Planning for this phase is
in initial stages and construction is
anticipated to begin in spring 2009.
Staff members from Saratoga,
Monte Sereno, and Los Gatos
are still searching for additional
funding resources that are needed
to complete the remaining
improvements, including extending
uninterrupted pedestrian
pathways f rom Monte Sereno to
Los Gatos Boulevard. One of the
most substantial expenses in the
remaining phases will be a bicycle-
pedestrian bridge over Los Gatos
Creek that will provide a direct
connection from Highway 9 to the
Los Gatos Creek Trail. The three
cities are working hard to ensure
that the pedestrian and bicycle
safety improvements along Highway
9 are completed in a timely manner.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
ith colder temperatures comes
an increased risk of carbon
monoxide (CO) poisoning. Produced
by common household appliances,
such as natural gas water heaters
and stoves, this colorless and
odorless gas is the leading cause of
accidental poisoning deaths. During
the winter months, improperly
heating a home is a common cause
of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Fortunately, carbon monoxide
can be easily avoided by properly
installing and maintaining carbon
monoxide alarms. Carbon monoxide
alarms can detect the gas before the
initial symptoms of poisoning, which
are similar to the flu and include
dizziness, fatigue, headache,
nausea, and irregular breathing. Be
sure to install alarms near sleeping
areas and purchase alarms certified
to the requirements of the latest
safety standards for CO alarms (UL
2034, IAS 6-96, or CSA 6.19.01).
Joan Pisani
Think Summer!
hile
many
of us a re still
bundled up
in scarves
and mittens,
the Saratoga
Recreation
Department is
busy preparing
for the 2008
Summer
Camps!
Summer will
soon be here saratoga
Summer Camper
and now is
the best time
for parents to start planning for summer
camps. Last year, the City offered
over 140 camps that filled up quickly.
Specialty camps that focus on activities
such as golf, theatre, art, soccer, tennis,
basketball, dance, and much more will
be available all summer. These camps,
along with a number of other recreational
programs, will be featured in the Spring
Recreation Activity Guide available after
March 4, 2008. Don't miss out on summer
fun; sign-up early!
Saratogan is Back!
Staying on top of Sarato~a's
current news is now a little
easier! After the publication
was discontinued in 2004 due
to budget cuts, residents can
once again expect to find this
helpful resource in the mail on
a quarterly basis.
Mills Act: Historic Buildings with a
Bright Future
he City of Saratoga enjoys a vibrant
history that anyone can see-literally.
The City is full of reminders of its
past-from the MclNilliams House to
Blaney Plaza to the Heritage Orchard.
Throughout the City there are historical
markers that reflect the significant
periods of Saratoga's past, including
traces of the Ohlone Indians that settled
here thousands of years ago, the lumber
industry that sparked the development of
Campbell's Gap, the pioneers that made
their home along Big Basin Way once the
y °( SARgT
~~~ ~c9 The Saratogan
13777 Fruitvale Avenue
1956 Saratoga, CA 95070
Cq(IFORN~P
town officially became McCartysville,
and the transition into a resort town
surrounded by blossoming orchards.
Markers of Saratoga's past are
abundant. There are over 100 buildings
on the City's Heritage Resources
Inventory. These have been identified
as buildings that are historically or
architecturally significant by the Historic
Preservation Commission, in hopes that
recognition on the Heritage Resources
Inventory would prompt property owners
to preserve their buildings. A spot on the
inventory is the first step to landmark
designation and taking advantage of the
Mi lls Act.
The Mills Act is a state law that was
created to make it easier to restore and
preserve historic properties. It allows
property owners and local jurisdictions
to enter into a contract that requires
owners to preserve a historic property
in exchange for reduced property taxes.
Savings vary from property to property
and are determined by Santa Clara
County. Many property owners have used
tax savings to improve their property or
restore a building's frontage according to
its original architectural features.
While there is a long list of buildings in
Saratoga that would qualify for historic
designation and a Mills Act contract, only
a few owners have seized the opportunity
to benefit from property tax reductions.
Historic landmarks play a special role in
the character of Saratoga, providing the
City with a rich culture that has made it
one of the best places to live. Working
together, the City and its residents can
ensure that the history of Saratoga is
preserved for generations to come.
For more information, please call the
Community Development Department at
(408) 868-1222.
Get Involved!
Help Celebrate July 4th!
or the past five years, Saratoga
residents have celebrated the
4th of July with one of the largest
community events in the City. This
event has been organized by resident
Jack Mallory, who is now looking to
pass along leadership of the event
to a new person or organization. If
you are interested, please contact
Jack Mallory at (408) 252-7447 or
mallory58Caol.com.
City Hall (408) 868-1200
Building Permits (408) 868-1240
Business Licenses (408) 868-1260
City Clerk (408) 868-1269
City Manager (408) 868-1216
Code Enforcement (408) 868-1214
Commission (408) 868-1269
Recruitments
Employment (408) 868-1252
Opportunities
Facility Rentals (408) 868-1259
Garbage &t (408) 868-1269
Recycling
Park Maintenance (408) 868-1245
Park Reservations (408) 868-1248
Recreation (408) 868-1249
Senior Center (408) 868-1257
Sheriff's Office (408) 868-6600
West Valley
Division
Storm Drains (408) 868-1245
Street Maintenance (408) 868-1245
Tree Removal (408) 868-1276
Permits
Volunteer (408) 868-1216
Opportunities
he Saratogan is published quarterly
by the City of Saratoga to report on
community issues and events.
Community members are welcome
to send questions, comments, and story
ideas!
Crystal Morrow
Editor, The Saratogan
13777 FruitvaleAvenue
Saratoga, CA 95070
Phone: (408) 868-1275
Fax: (408) 867-8559
cmorrowC~saratoga.ca. us
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