HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-04-2015 City Council MinutesMINUTES
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2015
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
At 5:00 p.m., the Saratoga City Council called the Special Meeting to order in the Administrative
Conference Room at Saratoga City Hall at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue and adjourned to Closed
Session. At 6:00 p.m., the City Council held a Joint Meeting with representatives of the West
Valley -Mission College Board of Trustees, Chancellor, and President.
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Miller called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:01p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor Howard Miller, Vice Mayor Manny Cappello, Council
Members Emily Lo, Mary -Lynne Bernald, Rishi Kumar
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: James Lindsay, City Manager
Richard Taylor, City Attorney
Debbie Bretschneider, Acting City Clerk
Mary Furey, Finance & Administrative Services Director
Erwin Ordonez, Community Development Director
John Cherbone, Public Works Director
Michael Taylor, Recreation & Facilities Director
Kate Bear, Arborist
REPORT OF CITY CLERK ON POSTING OF AGENDA
Acting City Clerk Debbie Bretschneider reported that the agenda for this meeting was properly
posted on October 30, 2015.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Miller announced that the City Council held a Closed Session prior to the Regular
Meeting and had nothing to report.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMISSIONS & PUBLIC
Oral Communications on Non-Agendized Items
Laurel Perusa thanked the Council for the commendations for everyone who worked on the
America in Bloom project. However, a lot of residents do not realize that the City won and
would like the City to do more to promote the winning of the America in Bloom award.
Jill Hunter, former Mayor, asked to have the City plant a new tree in Blaney Plaza where the
Stone Pine was. Would also like a Pergola in Blaney Plaza for shade while the tree grows.
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Oral Communications - Council Direction to Staff
Council Member Lo and Mayor Miller asked staff look at tree planting and pergola conditions
and to report back to the Council.
Council Member Cappello and Mayor Miller asked staff to look into having more signs in the
Village on America in Bloom.
Communications from Boards and Commissions
Brad Davis, President of West Valley -Mission College and Chad Walsh, Trustee of the West
Valley -Mission College Board spoke about the joint meeting they had with the City Council.
They spoke about enjoying a great relationship with the City Council, on how they were
modernizing the campus in next 5 years, and on how the College would like to reach out to other
schools and community organizations to have them visit West Valley College.
Council Direction to Staff
None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council Member Kumar announced that the Silicon Valley Young Coder's Club Start-up
bootcamp, Entrepreneurship 101, has already started. Located at Joan Pisani Community Center
and it lasts 6 weeks, every Sunday at 3 pm. Starting on January 22 there will be a semester long
program on how to innovate and June 12 will be the day for the innovators to present their
projects. http://www.siliconvalleycoders.org
Council Member Kumar also announced the sold -out November 14 Diwali Mela Festival of
Lights, www.saratogadiwali.org, 6:30-11 p.m. at the Joan Pisani Community Center.
Council Member Kumar also announced that there are many types of free classes offered at the
Joan Pisani Community Center on Sundays. Information is available at
www.Tinyurl.comrnunityclass.com
Council Member Bernald announced that Hakone is having a Hakone Shamisen Concert and
Workshop on Sunday, November 5, 2015 at 3:30-5 p.m. Tickets are available online at
http://www.hakone.com/main.html and at the gift shop.
Council Member Bernald also announced that the Saratoga Historical Museum has a November
27 Open House and the opening of new program about Holiday Traditions.
www.saratogahistory.com
Council Member Bernald also announced that the Sister City has a delegation from our sister
city, Muko City, including the Muko City Mayor, and they will be coming to visit Saratoga on
January 17-19, 2016
Council Member Lo wants to remind everyone of the Book -go -Round satellite in the Joan Pisani
Community Center. All proceeds benefit the Saratoga Library.
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Mayor Miller announced the Saratoga Recreation Guide is out and that you might want to take
advantage of the Parent's Night Out this Friday, November 6. There will be 4 more coming up
on December 11, February 5, March 4, and April 3.
http://www. saratoga.ca.us/cityhall/rec/default.asp
Mayor Miller also reminded everyone that the Saratoga Quarry Park is now open every day from
sun -up to sun -down with automatic gates.
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
1. Proclamations for 2015 Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and Technology Championship
Participants from Saratoga
Recommended action:
Present proclamations to Saratoga students who participated in the Synopsys Silicon Valley
Science and Technology Championship in 2015.
The City Council presented commendations to the Saratoga students who participated in the
Synopsys Silicon Valley Science and Technology Championship in 2015.
2. Proclamation for Pancreatic Cancer November Awareness Month
Recommended action:
Present the proclamation to the Silicon Valley Chapter of the Pancreatic Cancer Action
Network.
The City Council presented the proclamation to the Silicon Valley Chapter of the Pancreatic
Cancer Action Network.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
3. Presentation on Community Choice Energy from the Silicon Valley Community Choice
Energy Partnership
Recommended action:
Receive presentation
The City Council received the presentation on the Community Choice Energy from the
Silicon Valley Community Choice Energy Partnership from Melody Tovar.
www.SVCleanEnergy.org
Direction to staff:
Mayor Miller asked staff to continue the process set out in the presentation, to look for a
funding source in the City budget, have the City Attorney look at the agreement, and receive
an update after the SVCCEP meeting on November 19, 2015. Vice Mayor Cappello and
Council Member Bernald seconded the staff direction.
CONSENT CALENDAR
4. City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended action:
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Approve the City Council minutes for the Special and Regular City Council Meeting on
October 21, 2015.
CAPPELLO/BERNALD MOVED TO APPROVE THE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
FOR THE SPECIAL AND REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON OCTOBER
21, 2015. MOTION PASSED. AYES: MILLER, CAPPELLO, LO, BERNALD, KUMAR.
NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE
5. Review of Accounts Payable Check Registers
Recommended action:
Review and accept check registers for the following accounts payable payment cycles:
10/20/2015: Period 4
10/29/2015: Period 4
CAPPELLO/BERNALD MOVED TO ACCEPT CHECK REGISTERS FOR THE
FOLLOWING ACCOUNTS PAYABLE PAYMENT CYCLES: 10/20/2015: PERIOD
4,10/29/2015: PERIOD 4. MOTION PASSED. AYES: MILLER, CAPPELLO, LO,
BERNALD, KUMAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE
6. Amend City Council Resolution 15-054 for the Design Review / Variance Approval of
21794 Heber Way
Recommended action:
Approve an amendment to Resolution 15-054
CAPPELLO/BERNALD MOVED TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO
RESOLUTION 15-054. MOTION PASSED. AYES: MILLER, CAPPELLO, LO,
BERNALD, KUMAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE
7. Amended 2015 City Council Assignments — Public Art Ad Hoc Committee
Recommended action:
Approve resolution amending City Council Member assignments for 2015.
CAPPELLO/BERNALD MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION AMENDING CITY
COUNCIL MEMBER ASSIGNMENTS FOR 2015. MOTION PASSED. AYES:
MILLER, CAPPELLO, LO, BERNALD, KUMAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
ABSENT: NONE
8. Street Dedication and Acceptance of a portion of Quito Road
Recommended action:
Approve Resolution accepting Offer to Dedicate Property for Street Purposes for a portion of
Quito Road along 15470 Quito Road from Mr. Eddy Widjaja and Mrs. Ko Wang and
authorize the City Manager to sign the Certificate of Acceptance.
CAPPELLO/BERNALD MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION ACCEPTING OFFER
TO DEDICATE PROPERTY FOR STREET PURPOSES FOR A PORTION OF
QUITO ROAD ALONG 15470 QUITO ROAD FROM MR. EDDY WIDJAJA AND
MRS. KO WANG AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN THE
CERTIFICATE OF ACCEPTANCE. MOTION PASSED. AYES: MILLER, CAPPELLO,
LO, BERNALD, KUMAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. Proposed amendments to Articles 7-45 and 7-50 of the Saratoga City Code Concerning
Commercial and Residential Property Maintenance
Recommended action:
Conduct a public hearing. Introduce and waive the first reading of the ordinance making
changes to Article 7-45 and Article 7-50 of the City Code.
Arborist Kate Bear presented the staff report.
Mayor Miller invited public comment on the item.
Dede Smullen, Planning Commissioner, spoke on living in a high -fire hazard zone. This
ordinance would be a step in the right direction, but could the City take a more pro -active
approach in looking for dead trees and not waiting for residents to report them.
Council Discussion:
Mayor Miller reported that in the City of Saratoga dead trees can now be removed with a free
permit.
CAPPELLO/LO MOVED TO INTRODUCE AND WAIVE THE FIRST READING OF
THE ORDINANCE MAKING CHANGES TO ARTICLE 7-45 AND ARTICLE 7-50
OF THE CITY CODE. MOTION PASSED. AYES: MILLER, CAPPELLO, LO,
BERNALD, KUMAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE
Mayor Miller brought the Prospect High School Students onto the stage.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
None
CITY COUNCIL ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
Mayor Howard Miller
West Valley Mayors and Managers Association —we received the Community Choice Energy
presentation at their last meeting.
Vice Mayor Manny Cappello
Santa Clara County Housing and Community Development (HCD) Council Committee —first of
a series of meetings as they decide on how to use the Federal HUD grant dollars. Some changes
coming up for how the money is distributed to the Cities in the FY2017-18.
Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council (SASCC) —the Health Fair was well attended.
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Council Member Emily Lo
Santa Clara County Library Joint Powers Authority --meet last Thursday. Board approved to
move forward on Santa Clara County Library District Foundation to support county -wide
projects, like the Book Mobile. Nominees to be on the Foundation board cannot be on the
Library JPA Board. The board also approved new chair, Burton Craig, Council Member of
Monte Sereno and vice chair, Mike Wasserman, County Supervisor.
Council Member Mary -Lynne Bernald
Saratoga Sister City Organization —met last night and they report that membership is up.
Previously mentioned that from January 17-19, 2016, the Muko City Mayor and delegation will
be visiting Saratoga. The Sister City Gomersall Scholarship helped to send Jacob, gardener for
Hakone, to Japan to study gardens.
Council Member Rishi Kumar
Santa Clara Valley Water District Commission —at the last meeting there was the 2030 Action
Plan on the agenda. They are looking for a more sustainable situation for long-term solution for
water needs for residents.
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
CIP Projects nominated for the FY2015-16 CIP Candidate List:
1. Saratoga -to -Sea Trail. Council Member Kumar nominated/Mayor Miller seconded.
2. Quarry Park Pond Improvements. Mayor Miller nominated/Council Member Kumar
seconded.
3. Quarry Upper parking Lot ADA improvements. Mayor Miller nominated/Council
Member Kumar seconded.
4. Quarry Park Phase 1 to be finished. Mayor Miller nominated/Council Member Kumar
seconded.
5. Hakone Garden master Plan Implementation. Council Member Lo nominated/Mayor
Miller seconded.
Mayor Miller would like the Street Maintenance CIP project to be budgeted at two million
dollars rather than the current one million per fiscal year. Vice Mayor Cappello seconded.
Other items:
Council Member Lo asked if the City could have code enforcement over the weekend to enforce
the sign ordinance on Open House signs. Council Member Bernald seconded this request.
The Council asked staff to look at enforcement issues.
Council Member Kumar asked for the "Welcome to Saratoga" sign on Saratoga Avenue to be on
the CIP Candidate list.
City Manager Lindsay said that staff and a contractor went to look at the sign and everything is
working as designed. If the City wants a brighter sign that lasts longer, then would need new
system. Staff will follow up with a newsletter article.
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Council Member Kumar also announced that the Santa Clara Valley Water District has a Youth
Commissioner program and would like to have one of our Youth Commissioners attend their
meetings. Mayor Miller approved this and asked staff to find out if, administratively, the Mayor
can decide if these happens.
Council Member Kumar announced that he has asked the Santa Clara County Expressway Plan
2040 for help in the beautification of Lawrence Expressway between Quito Road and Prospect
Road.
Council Member Kumar reminded the Council that during the joint meeting, West Valley
College wanted to put up City sponsored events on their new signs. Mayor Miller seconded.
Staff will follow up with West Valley College.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Lindsay reported on the progress for on Alert button for the Council dais. There
will be an article in this week's newsletter.
City Attorney Taylor announced that he will miss the next two Council meetings. Attorney
Engberg will attending the meetings.
ADJOURNMENT
BERNALD/CAPPELLO MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:22 P.M. MOTION
PASSED. AYES: MILLER, CAPPELLO, LO, BERNALD, KUMAR. NOES: NONE.
ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
Minutes res
lly submitted:
ebbie Bretschneider, Acting City Clerk
City of Saratoga
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