Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-22-2001 Adjourned meeting City Council Minutes MINUTES SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED MEETING JOINT SESSION SARATOGA UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT MAY 22, 2001 The City Council of the City of Saratoga met in open session in the Administrative Conference Room at 5:00 p.m. to interview applicants for the Finance Commission, Heritage Preservation Commission, and the Planning Commission. The City Council of the City of Saratoga met in a scheduled Adjourned Council Meeting on May 22, 2001 at the Adult Care Center, 19655 Allendale Avenue. Mayor Mehaffey called the Adjourned City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and requested Mary Gardner, Supefimendent/SUSD, to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL PRESENT: ABSENT: ALSO PRESENT: Councilmembers Ann Waltonsmith, Evan Baker, Stan Bogosian Vice Mayor Nick Streit, Mayor John Mehaffey None Dave Anderson, City Manager Cathleen Boyer, City Clerk Joan Pisani, Director of Recreation REPORT OF CITY CLERK ON POSTING OF AGENDA FOR MAY 22, 2001. Cathleen Boyer, City Clerk, reported that pursuant to Govemment Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for the meeting of May 22, 2001 was properly posted on May 18, 2001. COMMUNICATIONS FROM PUBLIC The following people spoke at tonight's meeting: David Dolloff, 20685 Sigal Drive, reported that the FACT Committee would be filing a citizen complaint with the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury in regards to the Saratoga Fire District. Mr. Dolloff distributed a copy of the citizen complaint form to the City Council requesting them to review the form. Mayor Mehaffey noted that the Saratoga Union School Board has a scheduled board meeting commencing at 8:00 p.m. and requested that the joint meeting with the Dislrict begin and continue oral communications afterwards. Consensus of the City Council to continue Oral Communications after the joint meeting with the SUSD. Mayor Mehaffey welcomed Saratoga Union School District JOINT MEETING WITH SARATOGA UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT 2. Introduction Stephanie Petrossi, President/SUSD, thanked the City Council for the opportunity to meet with them. Ms. Petrossi introduced the following Board members: Cindy Ruby, Bonnie Yamaoka, Aileen Kao, and John Waite. Ms. Petrossi introduced Mary Gardner, Superintendent/SUSD. Status of MOU Ms. Gardner briefly explained the District's accomplishments of the MOU between the District and the City of Saratoga. Ms. Gardner noted that in regards to Saratoga School the District has satisfied the agreement with the City. In regards to Redwood Middle School the traffic study still needs to be produced and submitted to the City to improve traffic circulation and congestion. Traffic Issues Ms. Gardner noted in regards to the current traffic problems at Redwood Middle School the District recently contracted with Fehr Peers to evaluate the District's new traffic flow. The District is also consulting with ALTRANS to continue to investigate ways to implement bussing and carpool programs. Ms. Gardner noted that Fehr & Peers opposed the proposed idea of adding a separate turn lane on Fmitvale into the school parking lot. Fehr & Peers reported that an additional mm lane would not be safe. Vice Mayor Streit asked if and when the SUSD implements a bussing program would the District be willing to extend the use to St. Andrews and Sacred Heart. City Council Minutes 2 May 22, 2001 Ms. Gardner responded that she did not think those schools were interested in a bussing program. City Manager Anderson noted that St. Andrews and Sacred Heart have a representative on the School Transportation Task Force and suggested that at the next meeting Ms. Gardner should take that opportunity to discuss the bussing issue with them. School Construction Progress Report Ms. Petrossi reported that construction is still active at Saratoga School and Phase I of construction has been completed at Redwood Middle School. Ms. Petrossi noted that construction at Argonaut and Foothill School should be completed by 2002. Councilmember Bogosian noted that citizens had asked him why construction has been scaled back at Foothill and Argonaut. The current estimate for all of the construction is over $55 million and the bond that was passed was roughly $50 million. Councilmember Bogosian asked how the District planned on making up the difference. Ms. Petrossi responded that there are three ways they could back fill the bond money: 1) developer fees 2) state bond money 3) extend current bond. Ms. Petrossi explained that when the Master Plan was adopted and the bond was passed the City's demographics increased tremendously. The increase in students requires the District to provide more classrooms than predicted in the Master Plan. Councilmember Bogosian questioned why the demographics called for classrooms before the bond but after there were a cost over run the demographics no longer called for these classrooms. Teacher Housing Cindy Ruby, Boardmember/SUSD, briefly explained some proactive initiatives that the Teachers Housing Committee were doing: · Developed a website with house listings · Sponsors seminars on such topics as first time home buyers, individual financing, and equity sharing · Requested the City Council to allocate $2 million dollars to start a loan program Lisa Liu, 20291 Merrick Drive, noted that the Teachers Housing Conunittee has repeatedly requested the City Council to assist the Committee in finding ways to solve the affordable housing issue. Ms. Liu noted that the City Cotmcil has not provided any answers nor have they made any decisions on City Council Minutes 3 May 22, 2001 allocating any money for housing programs. Ms. Liu requested that the City Council express some opinion to let the Teachers Housing Conunittee know their position in regards to their proposals. Mayor Mehaffey noted that the Council would address this issue in the Housing Element. Councilmember Waltonsmith noted that although the City Council has not verbally responded to the Teachers Housing Committee, it does not mean that the Council is not concerned about affordable housing. Councilmember Bogosian stated that he is unwilling to tie up $2 million dollars of the City's funds during a time of an unstable economy. Public safety is our first priority. If the City lost the VLF (Vehicle License Funding) we would have to cut back in law enfomement. Councilmember Bogosian suggested that the Saratoga Union School District increase teacher's salaries. Ms. Petrossi noted that the Board is aware of the fact that the District is loosing several teachers, but their salaries are benchmarked accordingly. Use of Park and Recreation Funds Ms. Petrossi questioned if Park Development funds would still be used to renovate the playfields at Foothill School. Vice Mayor Streit, Council liaison to the Parks and Recreation Commission, noted that Foothill School is no longer on the Parks and Recreation Commission's agenda. Vice Mayor Streit explained that the City staff has been preparing Redwood Middle School's fields for the AYSO season while the fields at Congress Springs are under construction. Vice Mayor Streit also reported that fimds would be allocated to renovate Azule Park and upgrade the City's playground equipment. Vice Mayor Streit noted he would communicate the District's questions and concerns to Parks and Recreation Commission and request that this issue be agendized at a future meeting. Ms. Petrossi asked if Parks & Recreation funds could be used to install a bike path around the Redwood Middle School. Mayor Mehaffey requested that this issue also be agendized at a future Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Mayor Mehaffey thanked the SUSD for coming tonight. City Council Minutes 4 May 22, 2001 COMMUNICATIONS FROM PUBLIC The following people spoke at tonight's meeting: Bill Morrison, 20135 Chateau Drive, reported that on Mother's Day a Saratoga Fire District paramedic called in sick, and while the District tried to find a replacement, they eventually had to call County Fire and request the use of one of their paramedics for the day. Gale Momson, 20135 Chateau Drive, stated strongly that she feels the citizens of Saratoga would benefit more if Saratoga Fire District merged with the County. Mrs. Morrison noted as a wife of a Saratoga firefighter she is extremely worried of her husband's safety. Mrs. Monison stated that her concern is that the District does not have enough manpower to properly protect her husband. Ed Farrell, 20877 Kittridge Road, noted that he recently received a newsletter published by the Saratoga Fire District. Mr. Farrell noted that the newsletter mentioned the two reports on fire safety written by the Public Safety Commission and DMG Maximus. Mr. Fan'ell explained that the District bragged about the adequacy of their services. Mr. Farrell requested the City Council to make a decision to accept or reject the Public Safety Commission's report on fire protection services. Mayor Mehaffey noted that the report given to the City Council by the Public Safety Commission is, by default, accepted. Mayor Mehaffey noted that on June 6, 2001 staff would be presenting to the Council fire service options. Beverly Phipps, 15270 Norton Road, indicated he does not understand the conflicts of opinion in regards to a second access trail on Bohlman Road. Mr. Phipps noted that Chief Kraule of the Saratoga Fire District agreed that the proposed trail would benefit the residents, but unfortunately the Public Safety Commission said the existing road is unsafe and the grade is too steep to connect a second access trail. David Dolloff, 20685 Sigal Drive, commented that the proposed second access trail is a straight shot and is half the grade of the existing road - it is a straight shot. Mayor Mehaffey noted that staff is preparing a report to Council on the options and costs for a second access trail on Bohlman Road. NEW BUSINESS Friends of the Library - Fee Waiver Request Recommended action: Grant request. Joan Pisani, Director of Recreation, presented a brief staff report. Director Pisani pointed out that the library renovation project is scheduled to begin in August, thus creating a problem for the various groups who use the community rooms on a regular basis. Director Pisani pointed out that several City Council Minutes 5 May 22, 2001 of these groups would be displaced for approximately 18 months during the construction project. Director Pisani noted that several groups have found temporary facilities to use but there were still a few groups who have had difficulty finding alternative sites. Director Pisani reported that several groups have recently requested the use of the Recreation Department for their monthly meetings, events, classes, etc. Director Pisani noted that recently the Friends of the Library have requested to use the Recreation Center for an upcoming book sale, free of charge. Director Pisani noted that a similar request has come from the library staff to use the patio room at the Recreation Center or use the Warner Hutton House to accommodate the children's story time program. Director Pisani noted that waiving the rental fee for any group is lost revenue to the Recreation Department's budget. Councilmember Waltonsmith questioned that if the attic in the Warner Hutton House was renovated it could accommodate story time and other such programs. Director Pisani responded that the attic would be an ideal place to hold events such as story time. Councilmember Bogosian explained that the Friends of the Library hold a few book sales a year with profits up to $4,000.00. During the upcoming library construction project the Friends have nowhere to hold their book sales. Councilmember Bogosian explained that the Friends contribute a lot of money to the City for various purposes and would soon be contributing funds to purchase most of the new furniture for the temporary library facilities. Councilmember Bogosian noted he fully supported the Friends request for a fee waiver. Mayor Mehaffey noted that non-profit groups are required to pay half the cost of the rental fee to use the Recreation Center. Mayor Mehaffey suggested that perhaps the same policy could be applied to the Friends of the Library. Councilmember Bogosian noted that the Friends cannot afford to pay the high hourly fee but perhaps Director Pisani and the Friends could negotiate payment for custodial services. Mayor Mehaffey requested that staff write a policy addressing the use of the Recreation Center during the library's construction project. City Council Minutes 6 May 22, 2001 BAKER/BOGOSIAN MOVED TO GRANT A FEE WAIVER TO THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY FOR THE USE OF THE RECREATION CENTER. MOTION PASSED 5-0. CITY COUNCIL ITEMS Councilmember Waltonsmith requested that the process to renovate the attic at the Warner Hutton House attic be expedited. Councilmember Baker noted that one of the problems of renovating the attic is finding a place to construct a second stairway. Councilmember Bogosian requested that the Warner Hutton House be added to the CIP project list. Mayor Mehaffey noted that an elevator should also be included in the attic renovation, and noted that the use of CDBG funds could pay for it. Councilmember Waltonsmith suggested that the Council look into purchasing the property currently owned by the US Post Office adjacent to the Sheriff Office. Councilmember Waltonsmith requested placing this item on a future Council agenda. Councilmember Bogosian noted he supported Councilmember Waltonsmith's request. Councilmember Baker noted that he received a notice announcing the Strawberry Festival. The notice indicated that the event would be held at West Valley College on June 9-10, 2001. Councilmember Baker suggested staff contact the Sheriff's Department and request that the surrounding neighborhoods be noticed about this event. Mayor Mehaffey requested a status report on the email the Council received in regards to a cabana house being build at 21842 Via Regina Road. City Manager Anderson responded that that issue has been directed to the Community Development Department for further investigation. OTHER None CITY MANAGER'S REPORT City Manager Anderson announced that Loft Tinfow accepted the position as Assistant City Manager. Ms. Tinfow will start on June 25, 2001. City Council Minutes 7 May 22, 2001 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. ./f~~¢tted, ~:ity Clerk ? .. :' City Council Minutes 8 May 22, 2001