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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-02-2002 City Council MinutesMINUTES SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL JANUARY 2, 2002 The City Council of the City of Saratoga met in Closed Session, Administrative Conference Room, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue at 6:00 n.m. Conference With Legal Counsel -Existing Litigation: (Government Code section 54956.9(a)) Name of case: Saratoga Fire Protection District v. City of Saratoga (Santa Clara County Superior Court No. CV-803540) Name of case: Arnett v. California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) (IJS District Court Northern District of California No. C-953022 CRB) Name of case: Tsung-Chin Wu, Yuh-Ning Chen v. Parker Ranch Homeowners Association (Santa Clara County Superior Court No. CV-707015) MAYOR'S REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION - 7:00 u•m• Mayor Streit reported there was Council discussion but no action was taken. Mayor Streit called the Re ulg ar City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and requested Dave Anderson, City Manager, to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmembers Stan Bogosian, John Mehaffey Ann Waltonsmith, Vice Mayor Evan Baker, Mayor Nick Streit ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Dave Anderson, City Manager Lorie Tinfow, Assistant City Manager Richard Taylor, City Attorney Cathleen Boyer, City Clerk Jesse Baloca, Administrative Services Director John Cherbone, Director of Public Works REPORT OF CITY CLERK ON POSTING OF AGENDA FOR JANUARY 2, 2002 Cathleen Boyer, City Clerk, reported that pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for the meeting of January 2, 2002 was properly posted on December 28 2001. City Council Minutes 1 January 2, 2001 COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMISSIONS & PUBLIC ORAL COMMUNICATIONS The following person requested to speak at tonight's meeting: Ed Ferrell, 20877 Kittridge Road, noted that at a recent Fire Commission meeting the acquisition of the ladder thick that is mandated by the Boundary Drop Agreement is at risk. Mr. Ferrell explained that because the ladder truck will not fit into the current fire station, the truck would have to be bought and stored offsite. Because of this issue, Mr. Ferrell stated, Commissioner Jay Geddes suggested that the Boundary Drop Agreement be terminated. COMMUNICATIONS FROM BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS None WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS None COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF None CEREMONIAL ITEMS lA. OATH OF OFFICE OF ART COMMISSION MEMBER STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Administer Oath of Office Mayor Streit invited Mary Lou Taylor to come forward and directed the City Clerk to administer the Oath of Office. Cathleen Boyer, City Clerk, administered the Oath of Office to Mary Lou Taylor. CONSENT CALENDAR 2A. REVIEW OF CHECK REGISTER STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve check register. WALTONSMITH/MEHAFFEY MOVED TO APPROVE THE CHECK REGISTER. MOTION PASSED 5-0. City Council Minutes 2 January 2, 2001 2B. OCTOBER & NOVEMBER FINANCIAL REPORTS STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Accept reports. WALTONSMITH/MEHAFFEY MOVED TO ACCEPT OCTOBER & NOVEMBER FINANCIAL REPORTS. MOTION PASSED 5-0 2C. CLAIM OF PATRICK LEUNG; CLAIM NO. GL-0053005 STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Reject claim. Councilmember Bogosian requested that Item 2C be pulled from the Consent Calendar. Councilmember Bogosian strongly stated that he would like to know what staff member was responsible for this error and requested that this item be removed from the Consent Calendar and continued to the meeting of January 16, 2002. Councilmember Mehaffey concurred with Councilmember Bogosai to continue this item to January 16, 2002. Councilmember Mehaffey requested that staff explain how Mr. Leung incurred the $680.00. Consensus of the City Council to continued the claim of Patrick Leung to January 16, 2001. OLD BUSINESS None Mayor Streit noted that it was not the appropriate time to begin the public hearing so he requested that Council move to Item 4. Consensus of the City Council to move to Item 4. NEW BUSINESS 4. PROPOSAL FOR ON-CALL PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF SARATOGA'S NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND MUNICIPAL TRAFFIC ENGINEERING STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve proposal from Fehr & Peers Associates and authorize City Manager to execute a Professional Consulting Agreement. John Cherbone, Director of Public Works, presented staff report. Director Cherbone explained that the Neighborhood Traffic Management program (NTMP) process was developed to identify strategies to mitigate negative traffic impacts. The neighborhoods, Sheriff's Office staff, NTMP Traffic Engineer, and City Council Minutes 3 January 2, 2001 city administrative staff will work together on solutions to traffic related issues. Director Cherbone noted that a Request for Proposals (RFP) describing the City's needs was sent to 27 Bay Area traffic Consulting firms and the City received four responses from the following firms: • Abrams Associates • Fehr & Peers Associates • CCS Planning and Engineering • Higgins Associates Director Cherbone noted that the deadline for submissions was on Friday, December 7, 2001. The assistant City manager, a member of the Public Safety Commission and the Public Works Director interviewed the firms on December 19, 2001. Director Cherbone noted that staff recommends Fehr & Peers Associates be approved as the City's on-call Traffic Consultant. Fehr & Peers thorough knowledge of the traffic conditions in Saratoga and their strong ability to work with the public makes them the ideal candidate for the NTMP process. The successful completion of the update of the City's Circulation Element and the numerous traffic studies they have prepared for Saratoga schools will enable them to shorten their learning curve concerning Saratoga traffic issues. Additionally, Sohrab Rashid will be the lead consultant to the City. Director Cherbone noted that Mr. Rashid has a proven ability to work with the public and has an established relationship with the City. Councilmember Bogosian asked if Fehr & Peers Associates were ever employed by the Mt. Winery. Attorney Taylor responded that Fehr & Peers worked for the City of Saratoga performing traffic studies in connection with the Mt. Winery. Vice Mayor Baker noted that Fehr & Peers Associates submitted the highest bid. Director Cherbone reiterated that staff and the Public Safety Commission thought because of the delicate nature of the NTMP Program, the City should have the best and most qualified traffic consultants to be dedicated to the NTMP process. Director Cherbone noted that although their bid was higher, Saratoga would save money in the long run because of the familiarity of Saratoga. Mayor Streit noted he supports staffls recommendation. Councilmember Mehaffey noted he has been very happy with the previous work performed for the City by Fehr & Peers. Councilmember Mehaffey requested that in the future all of the bidders ranges be made part of the report. Councilmember Bogosian asked if all four consultants were interviewed. City Council Minutes 4 January 2, 2001 Director Cherbone responded yes. Pricilla Ho, 12790 Woodmont Drive, questioned why Fehr & Peers is so much more qualified than the other firms. Ms. Ho suggested that before the Council approves the contract the Council should ask Fehr & Peers if they are willing to negotiate their fees. Preston Babb, 19923 Via Escuala, suggested that Fehr & Peers Associates be paid per project not at an hourly fee. City Manager Anderson explained that the NTMP comes into effect when a resident contacts the Public Safety Commission with a specific safety concern in their neighborhood. The issues and the size of the project vary; all neighborhoods are different. For that reason the City and any consultant cannot set a standardize price. Sohrab Rashid, Project Manager/Fehr and Peers and Associates, commented that during the interview process he was asked why Fehr & Peers rates were higher. Mr. Rashid explained that Fehr & Peers retains quality people to do the technical work while he does the neighborhood outreach and attends the Public Safety Commission meetings. Mr. Rashid stated that he is willing to negotiate a lower rate for his services. Councilmember Bogosian noted that in the future the staff report should show why we should select the highest bidder and what other firms fell short of compared to the preferred bidder. Director Cherbone stated that Fehr & Peers is the top consultant for the NTMP, particularly their staff who would be assigned to the City. City Manager Anderson noted that Fehr & peers have proven themselves with the City. Director Cherbone noted that Fehr & Peers hourly rate may be higher but per project they are lower. Director Cherbone sited the traffic signal project on Seagull Avenue as an example. BOGOSIAN/WALTONSMITH MOVED TO APPROVE PROPOSAL FROM FEHR & PEERS ASSOCIATES FOR ON CALL TRAFFIC ENGINEERING SERVICES. MOTION PASSED 5-0. BAKER/WALTONSMITH MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH FEHR & PEERS. MOTION PASSED 5-0. City Council Minutes g January 2, 2001 Vice Mayor Streit noted that it was the appropriate time to begin the Public Hearings and requested to move to Item 3. Consensus of the Council to move to Item 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS RESOLUTION ORDERING THE ABATEMENT OF A PUBLIC NUISANCE BY REMOVAL OF HAZARDOUS WEEDS STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Open Public Hearing; Close Public Hearing; Adopt Resolution. TITLE OF RESOLUTION: 02-001 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL ORDERING ABATEMENT OF A PUBLIC NUISANCE BY REMOVAL OF HAZARDOUS WEEDS Cathleen Boyer, City Clerk, presented staff report. City Clerk Boyer stated that the resolution before the City Council tonight represents the second step in Saratoga's weed abatement program administered by the County Fire Marshall. The County has sent owners of the parcels requiring weed abatement notices informing them that the weeds must be abated, either by the owners or by the County. The notice also informed them that they may present objections at tonight's public hearing. City Clerk Boyer noted that Marty Hicks of the County Fire Marshall's Office was present and available to answer any questions Councilmembers may have on this topic. Mayor Streit opened the public hearing at 7:37 p.m. and invited any public comments. Marty Hick, County Fire Marshall's Office, noted that he had no comments but was available to answer questions that the Council may have. Councilmember Baker asked Mr. Hicks if property owners are responding better to the County's notices and abating their weeds. Mr. Hicks noted that the number of parcels has decreased slightly. Mr. Hicks noted that several of the parcels on the list are parcels owned by public utility companies. Mr. Hicks explained that PG& E has requested to be on the abatement list, it is easier for the County to abate their property. Councilmember Waltonsmith asked if the County charges less for abatement than if the property hired a contractor. Mr. Hicks responded that the County actually charges 60 % more due to the fact that administrative fees need to be recovered. City Council Minutes 6 January 2, 2001 Councilmember Mehaffey noted that he does not approve of PG& E passing along the cost to abate their weeds to the taxpayers. Mayor Streit closed the public hearing at 7:54 p.m. MEHAFFEY/WALTONSMITH MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION ORDERING THE ABATEMENT OF WEEDS. MOTION PASSED 5-0. AGENCY ASSIGNMENT REPORTS Councilmember Mehaffey had no reportable information. Mayor Streit had no reportable information. Vice Mayor Baker stated that he has seen a noticeable difference at KSAR since the new Executive Director, Carolyn de los Santos, took over. Councilmember Baker noted that the programs are more informative and less boring. The board and staff have many good ideas and plans to improve the whole operation. Councilmember Bogosian requested a current list of the KSAR Board be provided to the Council. Vice Mayor Baker noted that due to the fact that Councilmember Bogosian was out of town, he attended the recent Silicon Valley Animal Control JPA meeting. Vice Mayor Baker stated that he was astonished by the progress they have made in just one year. Vice Mayor Baker noted that the JPA formed the Silicon Valley Animal Control from the ground up. Councilmember Bogosian stated that Assistant City Manager Tinfow should be thanked because she sits on the Technical Advisory Committee. Councilmember Bogosian noted that the Animal JPA should be completely up and running in 2003. Councilmember Waltonsmith reported the following information: • Chamber ofCommerce -2002 Directory is complete • Sister City -planning their trip to Italy CITY COUNCIL ITEMS Councilmember Bogosian noted that he recently attended the League of California Cities Annual Conference. Councilmember Bogosian noted that he had lunch with the members of the League's Peninsula division and had the opportunity to meet Saratoga's Grassroots Network Representative. Councilmember Bogosian suggested that the City invite Saratoga's Grassroots Representative to a future City Council meeting. City Council Minutes ~ January 2, 2001 Councilmember Waltonsmith expressed her concern with the excessive speeding through the Village. Councilmember Waltonsmith requested that the Public Safety Commission investigate this issue and asked if staff has addressed Dr. Cordon's concerns. Councilmember Mehaffey stated he supports Councilmember Waltonsmith request. Councilmember Bogosian noted that not only is speeding a problem but also driving under the influence. OTHER Mayor Streit announced that an Adjourned- Joint Meeting with the City Council, Youth Commission and the Library Commission is scheduled d for January 8, 2002. Mayor Streit briefly explained a few items that are scheduled for the January 16`h City Council meeting. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager Anderson noted that he and his wife, Nita, had a wonderful vacation. City Manager Anderson noted that the three City Center Master Plan alternatives were on display in the Theater lobby. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Streit adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m. City Council Minutes g January 2, 2001