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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-13-2000 Adjourned meeting City Council MinutesMINUTES SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION JULY 13, 2000 The City Council of the City of Saratoga met in Closed Session, in the Administrative Conference Room, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue at 8:00 a.m. for the purpose of Public Employment pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54597; Title: City Manager (conduct interviews for City Manager) CALL TO ORDER Mayor Bogosian called the meeting to order at 8:10 a.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Evan Baker John Mehaffey Nick Streit Ann Waltonsmith Stan Bogosian ALSO PRESENT: Bill Norton, Interim City Manager REPORT OF CITY CLERK POSTING OF AGENDA FOR JULY 13, 2000 Pursuant to Government Code 54956, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on July 10, 2000. PUBLIC COMMENTS Pursuant to Government Code section 54954.3(a), the City Council will provide the public with an opportunity to address the Council on any item described in the notice before or during consideration of that item. No items received. ~~ ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION CLOSED SESSION Public Employment pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54597; Title: City Manager (conduct interviews for City Manager). OPEN SESSION MAYOR'S REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION Mayor Bogosian reported there was no reportable action taken at the Closed Session. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Bogosian adjourned the meeting at 9:45 a.m. • • City of Saratoga MINUTES SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION JULY 12, 2000 The City Council of the City of Saratoga met in Closed Session, in the Administrative Conference Room. 13777 Fruitvale Avenue at 8:00 a.m. for the purpose of Public Employment pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54597; Title: City Manager (conduct interviews for City Manager) CALL TO ORDER Mayor Bogosian called the meeting to order at 8:02 a.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Evan Baker John Mehaffey Nick Streit Ann Waltonsmith Stan Bogosian ALSO PRESENT: Bill Norton, Interim City Manager REPORT OF CITY CLERK POSTING OF AGENDA FOR JULY 12, 2000 Pursuant to Government Code 54956, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on July 7, 2000. PUBLIC COMMENTS Pursuant to Government Code section 54954.3(a), the City Council will provide the public with an opportunity to address the Council on any item described in the notice before or during consideration of that item. No items received. r~ U ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION CLOSED SESSION Public Employment pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54597; Title: City Manager (conduct interviews for City Manager). OPEN SESSION MAYOR'S REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION Mayor Bogosian reported there was no reportable action taken at the Closed Session. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Bogosian adjourned the meeting at 3:30 p.m. • ty Clerk • City of Saratoga MINUTES SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED MEETING JOINT SESSION HERITAGE PRESERVATION SARATOGA UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT July 11, 2000 The City Council of the City of Saratoga met in a scheduled adjourned Council Meeting on July 11, 2000 at the Adult Care Center, 19655 Allendale Avenue. Mayor Bogosian called the adjourned City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and requested Councilmember Nick Streit to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmembers Ann Waltonsmith, Evan Baker, Nick Streit, John Mehaffey, Mayor Stan Bogosian ABSENT: None ALSO Bill Norton, Interim City Manager PRESENT: Cathleen Boyer, City Clerk James Walgren, Director of Community Development Eric Pearson, Assistant Planner/Heritage Preservation Commission, Liaison REPORT OF CITY CLERK ON POSTING OF AGENDA FOR JULY 11, 2000. Cathleen Boyer, City Clerk reported that pursuant to Government Code Section 554954.2, the agenda for the meeting of July 11, 2000 was properly posted on July 7, 2000. COMMUNICATIONS FROM PUBLIC The following person spoke at tonight's meeting: Chuck Page, 20790 Norada Court, Saratoga, CA, spoke of the lack of communication between City Hall and Saratoga residents. He indicated that he designed a pamphlet with information pertinent for new home buyers. He suggested local real estate agents might include it in an informational packet given to perspective buyers in Saratoga. JOINT MEETING WITH HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION Mayor Bogosian welcomed the Heritage Preservation Commission and asked the Chair to introduce • the commission members. City Council Minutes July 11, 2000 • Norman Koepernick, Chair/Heritage Preservation Commission introduced commission members. Representing the Heritage Preservation Committee: Willis Peck Jill Hinter Bob Peepari Carolyn King Beth Wyman 1. STATUS ON THE HERITAGE ORCHARD Norman Koepernick reported the Commission had several ideas on how the Heritage Orchard could benefit schools, children and adults in the community. He also noted he had over 100 letters signed by residents to save the orchard. He suggested the Heritage Preservation Commission take control of the Heritage Orchard and would hope the City could allocate funds to help them beautify it. Beth Wyman/ Heritage Preservation Commissioner explained to the Council a few ideas on how the orchard could be used educationally. She feels the Commission could write a 3rd grade curriculum incorporating the historic value of the Heritage Orchard. She suggested local residents who remember how orchards used to be could speak to the groups. Possibly the Recreation Department could offer classes on pruning and grafting. She also stated that the Commission would like to start an "Adopt a Tree" program. Ms. Wyman explained she would like to apply the Heritage Orchard to the California State Points of Interest. She noted she has already prepared the application but the Council would need to sign it. Once approved the Heritage Orchard would be listed in a guidebook with all of the other points of interest in California. Mayor Bogosian asked if the designation of being a historical landmark could prevent a future City Council authority to allow any building on the property. Ms. Wyman noted that it could be used as a very good political argument that might work to the citizens' advantage. Councilmember Streit suggested Hakone Gardens and Villa Montalvo should also be included in the application for "California's Points of Interest". He noted that he supported the idea of an "Adopt a Tree" in the Heritage Orchard. Mayor Bogosian suggested developing a well on the property so the City would not have to buy water from San Jose Water. Councilmember Waltonsmith noted that the survey results clearly indicated that the residents of Saratoga want the Heritage Orchard kept as is and used as an educational tool • for the community. She indicated any efforts from the Heritage Preservation Commission would be appreciated. 2 City Council Minutes July 11, 2000 . 2. POSSIBILITY OF CITY ADOPTING AN IMPLEMENTING ORDINANCE FOR THE MILLS ACT Eric Pearson, Assistant Planner/Historic Preservation Committee Liaison explained to the Council that the Mills Act is similar to the Williamson Act. It is a state sponsored legislation granting local governments the authority to directly participate in an historic preservation program. More importantly, the Mills Act is a self directed, economic incentive program designed to provide private property owners the opportunity to actively participate in the restoration of their properties while receiving property tax relief. It is a 10-year contract. The decrease in revenue is insignificant to the City. Mr. Pearson also noted all cost of implementing this program to the City and staff would be presented to Council at a future date. Councilmember Waltonsmith asked if there were standard procedures on implementing the Mills Act. She also noted that it would be a way the City could save historic property. Mayor Bogosain expresses concern that people would have a livable home while still preserving the historic nature of the building. Beth Wyman reported the City of San Jose charges $200 -$400 per application and has a long complicated agreement, but some cities have a boilerplate agreement. Basically, it is . a ten-year agreement where the property owner agrees to maintain the historic value of that particular piece of property. Mayor Bogosian thanked the Heritage Preservation Commission for attending tonight's meeting. Mayor Bogosian declared a recess at 8:47 p.m., reconvening at 8:55 p.m. JOINT MEETING WITH SARATOGA UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Stephanie Petrossi, President/SUSD, introduced the members of the Saratoga Union School District Board. Representing the School Board: Bonnie Yamaoka Aileen Kao Cindy Ruby Stan Perry Mary Gardner, Superintendent Stephanie Petrossi announced that the ribbon cutting for Saratoga School would be at 1:00 p.m. and Redwood Middle School at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2000. • 3 City Council Minutes July 11, 2000 • 1. IMPLEMENTATION OF COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT DATED JUNE 4, 1999. Ms. Petrossi acknowledged that the Board did not notice the City of Saratoga when the two eucalyptus trees were cut down nor was a public hearing held. When the arborist said to remove the trees the Board checked the Negative Declaration and the Mitigation Reports but failed to check the Cooperative Agreement with the City. She also noted that there would be a 3:1 ratio of new trees planted on the school grounds. Mary Gardner, Superintendent/SUSD, explained that Oak Street has been widened for better drop off and pick up access. The completion date of Saratoga School, except for the main building, is expected to be on August 29, 2000. Since the main building won't be ready a few portable will be brought in and the multipurpose room will have to be used by several classes for extra curricular subjects such as art and music. She explained that the fields would be landscaped today but won't be usable for a few months because of the type of grass seed that will be planted. Ms. Gardner also noted the feasibility study for traffic circulation and congestion management will begin about a month after school starts so that the parents get used to the new routine. She indicated the SUSD sent out a survey regarding starting a bus program. They received about 90% response from Saratoga School and 50% response from Redwood Middle School. Out of 1,400 responses 500 parents said they would be • willing to pay for the use of busses. Councilmember Mehaffey questioned the cost of the construction of the new foundation on the main building at Saratoga School. He wondered if the construction costs were being pulled out of the bond money. Ms. Petrossi responded she has applied for State Emergency Funds in which the District doesn't have to pay back and the use of some contingency funds will pay for the new foundation. 2. CONTINUED COOPERATION Ms. Petrossi asked the City Council consider appointing one member to act as a liaison to meet with the Board and foster greater cooperation and understanding between the two public agencies. She noted maybe incidences like the eucalyptus trees wouldn't happen again if the Board and the City had communicated better. She suggested they meet once a month. Councilmember Streit supports the idea of a liaison to the District. He thinks it would open the line of communication and perhaps ongoing issues like safety, use of playfields, and traffic could be dealt with at these monthly meeting and the two groups could work together to find solutions. • Mayor Bogosian also supports the idea of a liaison to the District. He suggested all the other school districts that serve Saratoga be included and meet quarterly not monthly. 4 City Council Minutes July 11, 2000 • Mayor Bogosian asked for a consensus of Council to put on the next agenda selection of liaison for the Saratoga Union School District. Approved unanimously. 3. FUTURE ISSUES Mayor Bogosian asked the Board about the status on the footpath realignment at Foothill Park. Stan Perry, SUSD Board Member, explained the path realignment is still being worked out. He expressed the main concern was the safety of the students. Ms. Gardner noted the EIR regarding Verde Vista and Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road was finished and the consultant recommended a traffic light at that intersection. She suggested when the City has the funding to install new traffic lights they could consider that location. Ms. Gardener also noted it was very difficult to hire needed crossing guards. Councilmember Waltonsmith suggested putting an announcement in the next Saratogan advertising crossing guard positions available. Mayor Bogosian thanked the Saratoga Union School Board members for participating in • the meeting. NEW BUSINESS None CITY COUNCIL ITEMS None OTHER None CITY MANAGER'S REPORT None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m. spectfully submitted • t Teen Oyer, City C er 5 • MINUTES SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION JULY 6, 2000 The City Council of the City of Saratoga met in Closed Session, in the Administrative Conference Room, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue at 8:30 a.m. for the purpose of Public Employment pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54597; Title: City Manager (conduct interviews for City Manager) CALL TO ORDER Mayor Bogosian called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Evan Baker John Mehaffey Nick Streit . Ann Waltonsmith Stan Bogosian ALSO PRESENT: Bill Norton, Interim City Manager REPORT OF CITY CLERK POSTING OF AGENDA FOR JULY 6, 2000 Pursuant to Government Code 54956, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on June 30, 2000. PUBLIC COMMENTS Pursuant to Government Code section 54954.3(a), the City Council will provide the public with an opportunity to address the Council on any item described in the notice before or during consideration of that item. No items received. • • ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION CLOSED SESSION Public Employment pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54597; Title: City Manager (conduct interviews for City Manager). OPEN SESSION MAYOR'S REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION Mayor Bogosian reported there was no reportable action taken at the Closed Session. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Bogosian adjourned the meeting at 3:30 p.m. • Respectfully submitted, thleen ity Clerk City of Saratoga