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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-09-2001 study session City Council Minutes MINUTES SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 9, 2001 The City Council of the City of Saratoga met in a scheduled Study Session on October 9, 2001 at the Adult Care Center, 19655 Allendale Avenue. Mayor Mehaffey called the Adjourned City Council meeting to order at 7:02 p.m and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmembers Evan Baker, Stan Bogosian, Ann Waltonsmith, Vice Mayor Nick Streit, Mayor John Mehaffey ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Dave Anderson, City Manager Cathleen Boyer, City Clerk Joan Pisani, Recreation Director REPORT OF CITY CLERK ON POSTING OF AGENDA FOR JULY 18, 2001. Cathleen Boyer, City Clerk, reported that pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2, the agenda for the meeting of October 9, 2001 was properly posted on October 4, 2001. COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMISSIONS & PUBLIC None COMMUNICATIONS FROM BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS None WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS Councilmember Waltonsmith read an email fi:om Ten'i Baron requesting a representative from the City Council attend a meeting with her at the County's Environmental Resource Department on October 19, 2001 at 9:00 a.m. Ms. Baron has been pursuing the enforcement issue of the use permit for the Mt. Winery. Councilmember Bogosian volunteered to attend with Ms. Baton on October 19, 2001. City Council Minutes October 9, 2001 Consensus of the City Council to send Councilmember Bogosian to meet with Ms. Baron and the County's Environmental Resource Department. City Manager Anderson suggested that Tom Sullivan, Community Development Director accompany Councilmember Bogosian. Councilmember Bogosian concurred with City Manager Andersons. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS No one requested to speak at tonight's meeting. COUNCIL DIRECTION TO STAFF 1. CIVIC CENTER MASTER PLAN Director Pisani introduced Christopher Knoll, Partner/Knoll & Tam and Elizabeth McLoad, Architect, and explained that they would present six Civic Center Master Plan alternatives. Mr. Knoll explained that tonight he and Ms. McLoad would present six Civic Center site plans in conceptual form. Four of the options use a combination of existing and new buildings and two options in which the existing buildings are demolished and new facilities are built. Mr. Knoll stated that one request was to relocate the Corporation Yard, but after looking at several sites, realistically there is no other site available. Mr. Knoll briefly explained each plan and answered questions from the City Council and audience. Scheme 1-A Mr. Knoll noted that what distinguishes this plan from the others is that the Warner Hutton House and Civic Center is left intact. The Civic Theatre has additional space in the back providing new additional dressing rooms and bathroom facilities. Also, a Council Chambers is added on to the back of the Civic Center. The parking is reconfigured and the Community Center now is a two-story structure. A gymnasium has been added next to the Community Center. This addition ora gymnasium would increase the parking requirement to 335 spaces; a three level parking structure would have to be added between the gymnasium and the Corporation Yard. Vice Mayor Streit asked if the Community Center also served as the Senior Center. Mr. Knoll responded that the Commun/ty Center would be the Senior Center, Preschool, and Adult Day Care Center. City Council Minutes 2 October 9, 2001 Scheme 1-B Mr. Knoll explained that in this scheme the Warner Hutton House and Civic Center is also left intact. A Council Chambers had been added off of City Hall facing the Fmitvale/Allendale comer. Theatre and Community Center additions are the same as in Scheme 1-A. The parking is also reconfigured in this scheme. Councilmember Baker asked what the proposed renovations to the Civic Theater include. Mr. Knoll explained that the addition to the rear of the theater provides additional dressing rooms, bathroom facilities, an orchestra pit and other accessibility issues. Vice Mayor Streit asked if the front of the Civic Theater would be renovated. Ms. McLoad responded that in some of the schemes the front is renovated and others it is left as is. Scheme 1-C Mr. Knoll explained that in this scheme the Council Chambers is an independent building facing the Fmitvale/Allendale comer with the same renovations to the Community Center and Civic Theater. The parking is reconiigured extending along Allendale to the Corporation Yard. A path winds along the backside of the Civic Center. Scheme 1-D Mr. Knoll explained that in this scheme the Council Chambers is attached to the end of the Civic Center (facing the Fmitvale/Allendale comer) with the same renovations to the Civic Theater. The Community Center moves back towards Allendale and the parking is reconfigured with more parking towards the Corporation Yard. Scheme 2-A Mr. Knoll explained that this scheme represents total demolition of all existing buildings on the site. This scheme establishes a plaza that extends from the comer of Fmitvale/Allendale to the creek. The Community Center is moved closer to the Warner Hutton House. The Civic Center is a partial two-story building with dedicated drop off zones. The Corporation Yard stays where it is. A one-way road is added that would connect the parking lots and the back of the Civic Center. Mr. Knoll noted that there was talk about adding a playfield at Civic Center but unfortunately it is not feasible even with a completely new Civic Center. Mr. Knoll added that there is not enough land to accommodate everything. Scheme 2-B Mr. Knoll explained that in this scheme the Community Center is built in the same vicinity as its current location with the addition of a gymnasium. All other buildings are single City Council Minutes 3 October 9, 2001 stow with a central plaza that would connect all of the facilities together. Under the plaza a single stow parking garage would be built. The Plaza would provide a facade to the parking garage. Vice Mayor Streit commented that the only way to add a gymnasium is to add a parking structure. Mr. Knoll responded that a gymnasium would increase the parking requirements and the only way to comply would be a parking structure. Councilmember Waltonsmith noted that her concern with adding a gymnasium is that it would increase the night activity at Civic Center, which in turn would create more traffic flow. Mr. Knoll responded that they have estimated the parking liberally. Councilmember Bogosian stated in order to preserve the character of Saratoga, his preference is to try and minimize the visual effects of parked cars from Fmitvale and Allendale. Mr. Knoll responded that parking is a difficult situation at this site due to size and preserving certain buildings and trees. Mr. Knoll stated that there are several ways to mitigate Councilmember Bogosian's concerns regarding parked cars; additional landscaping could be used. Edward Hand, President/West Valley Light Opera, thanked the City for the continued support and allowing them to use the theater since 1965. Mr. Hand stated that he welcomes any improvements to the theater. Mr. Hand noted that in his opinion the theater is in pretty good shape, although new dressing rooms, bathroom facilities and an omhestra pit would be vew appreciated by all the user groups. Marianne Swan, Saratoga Preschool Coordinator, noted that she schedules her classes in conjunction with the dismissal times of the surrounding school. Mrs. Swan noted that it helps parents, who have older children in other schools, with pickup/drop off schedule. Mrs. Swan noted that Redwood School already has existing problems with traffic before and after school, adding a one way road, as shown in Scheme 2-A, connecting the parking lots would only increase the traffic in the Civic Center area. Mrs. Swan noted that it is necessary to locate the preschool close to the seniors and the creek because the children have programs that involve both. Tim Reynolds, Treasurer/ Saratoga Drama Group, noted that after reviewing all of the proposed schemes he did not see any access road behind the theater. Mr. Reynolds noted that it is important for large trucks to be able to deliver sets to the rear of the theater. Scott Peters, Director/Saratoga MJB, noted that he has been involved with this program for a long time and has seen the participation drop due to the lack of gym space in Saratoga. Mr. Peters noted that ifa gym cannot be built within the Civic Center than perhaps the City could add a gym to Redwood School. City Council Minutes 4 October 9, 2001 Director Pisani read an email fi:om Mike McErlain, 18353 Clemson Avenue. Director Pisani noted that Mr. McErlain could not attend tonight's meeting but wanted his comments read for the record. Mr. McEflain urged the Council to include a gym in the Civic Center plans. Pat Bortle, Chair/Adult Day Care Center, suggested that the Council keep in mind that if and when the renovations take place the seniors would need to be relocated. Ms. Bortle noted that there is no way that they could stop their program. Councilmember Waltonsmith noted that she likes pieces of Schemes lB and iD. Councilmember Waltonsmith stated that she supports a two-story Community Center but prefers it back towards the Corporation Yard with parking between the two buildings. In regards to a Council Chambers, Councilmember Waltonsmith noted that she prefers it to be attached to City Hall. In regards to the Theater, Councilmember Waltonsmith noted that she would like to see the foyer enhanced and perhaps connected to the rest of the buildings. Councilmember Waltonsmith could support a story and a half parking structure. Councilmember Baker asked what a two-story Community Center entails. Ms. McLoad responded that their scope of work did not include programming the use of space. Director Pisani responded to Councilmember Baker that in 1999 a Needs Assessment Report was done on the Community Center with all of the user groups. Director Pisani explained that a two-story Community Center would gain a few classrooms, the preschool would be moved back to the Center, and would give the Senior Center and Adult Day Care Program more space. Councilmember Baker asked for a description of the proposed Council Chambers. Mr. Knoll noted that as Ms. McLoad stated earlier details of the proposals were not included in the scope of work, but stated that it would be a large room with a raised platform and a few small conference rooms. Councilmember Bogosian concurred with Councilmember Waltonsmith that the Chambers should be attached to the offices. Councilmember Baker noted that when reviewing the plans he did not like any one in particular. Councilmember Baker noted that he could support parts of Scheme lA and 1D. Councilmember Baker noted that the gym connected to the Community Center and a parking stmcture realistically is needed for future user groups in Saratoga. Councilmember Baker noted that he does not support the Chambers in the back by the creek. Councilmember Baker stated that the traffic problem at Redwood School needs to be addressed immediately. City Council Minutes 5 October 9, 2001 Vice Mayor Streit noted that completely demolishing Civic Center is out of the question due to financial constraints. Vice Mayor Streit noted that he supports connecting a Council Chambers to the comer of the existing offices and refurbishing the theater to blend in more with the rest of the Civic Center. Vice Mayor Streit noted that he preferred the placement of the Community Center in Scheme lA and lB. Vice Mayor Streit reminded the group that there are a few structures in the Corporation Yard that would be very hard to move, such as the CNG tank. In regards to completely demolishing the Civic Center, Mayor Mehaffey concurred with Vice Mayor Streit. Mayor Mehaffey commented that his top priority would be the theater with the Council Chambers at the bottom of his list. Mayor Mehaffey noted that he wants to keep the Community Center by the Corporation Yard and the theater needs access to the back of the building. Council discussion took place on where to move the CNG tank if it had to be relocated. Conncilmember Baker asked why the Warner Hutton House was excluded in all of the plans presented to Council tonight. Councilmember Waltonsmith responded that the request came from her not to do anything to the Warner Hutton House. Councilmember Baker noted that it is a very beautiful house but its use is the least efficient. Mr. Knoll noted that it can be moved, but questioned an alternative location. Councilmember Baker commented that perhaps the Warner Hutton House could be moved to one of the City's parks. Vice Mayor Streit added that the Warner Hutton House was not built with the intention of it being used as a teen center and the teens have destroyed it. Consensus of the City Council that they would consider using the space that the Warner Hutton House occupies and relocating the house, if a creative and useful plan was presented to them. Ms. Mcload noted that an additional factor that had to be considered when designing the parking on the site were the large oak trees. Parking was designed around them. Mayor Mehaffey stated that the oak trees have to stay where they are; they are too large to move. Consensus of the City Council that the large oak trees would not be removed. Mr. Hand asked the Council why none of the Heritage Orchard has been used. City Council Minutes {5 October 9, 2001 The City Council explained to Mr. Hand that the Heritage Orchard is preserved in its perpetuity. Mrs. Swan noted that she would be willing to take the Warner Hutton House for her preschool and suggested the eucalyptus orchard behind the Historical Museum as an alternative location for the house if it were to be relocated. Verda Keenan noted that she was representing the Senior Center and felt that thru traffic through the Civic Center would create a potential racetrack. Mayor Mehaffey asked Mr. Knoll and Ms McLoad when they could return after incorporating Council's comments into new plans. Mr. Knoll responded in approximately 6-8 weeks. Councilmember Baker requested that the new plans be provided to the Council, members of the public, the user groups, and placed on the City's website many days prior to the next meeting. Director Pisani asked if the Council would like cost estimates. Mayor Mehaffey responded cost estimates in phases would be appropriate. Mayor Mehaffey thanked everyone for attending tonight's meeting and providing input to the Civic Center Master Plan. ADJOURNMENT There being no.further business, Mayor Mehaffey declared the meeting adjourned at 845 p.m.: //~"Respectfi~lly submitt6~.. ~ City Council Minutes 7 October 9, 2001