HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-2010 Fall SaratoganCITY o f S A RATO
G
A
CALIF O R N IA1956 SaratoganThe
Fall 2010
Building Capital in Saratoga
The recent economic recession has had a significant impact on the entire nation and caused some of the most
difficult budget challenges the City has faced. Despite the downturn, Saratoga will still be able to “build
capital” this fiscal year by investing in its infrastructure (streets, parks and trails, facilities, and administrative
projects, such as telecommunications and information technology). Known as “capital improvements”,
infrastructure projects generally have a lifespan of at least 5 years at a fixed location.
The City funded a number of projects in its Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Budget for fiscal year 2010/11
with funding from previous budget surpluses and outside sources, such as grants and state allocations. One
source of funding that the City has benefited from has been the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(Federal stimulus funds).
Although capital projects may not produce a monetary return like traditional investments, they provide
dividends in the areas of safety, convenience, and quality of life. While maintaining smooth City operations
is the direct output of capital improvements, the positive
outcomes are much more widespread:
Capital projects help ensure that residents can safely and •
conveniently travel in and out of the City, which influences
property values since many residents value the ability
to travel from their homes to work, school, and other
important destinations.
Keeping City streets free of potholes, clean, and beautiful •
makes Saratoga a more attractive place to visit and makes
the City’s restaurants and shops more accessible, which in
turn stimulates the local economy.
The City’s recreational opportunities, including its parks •
and trails, increase the quality of life of residents and
make Saratoga a desired community in which to live.
Capital projects help reduce unemployment and support local businesses, since many projects are •
contracted out to local and regional companies.
Read more about ways in which the City is building capital in Saratoga in this issue of the Saratogan,
including the revitalization of the Joan Pisani Community Center, the CaliforniaFIRST property assessment
clean energy program, and Saratoga Prospect Center improvements.
Construction of a pathway in El Quito Park
Joan Pisani Community Center is Dancing!
The Saratoga School of Dance is now with the Recreation
Department and there is a noticeable change at the Joan Pisani
Community Center! The Saratoga School of Dance is now holding
more than 30 weekly classes at the Community Center, including
Tap, Ballet, Tiny Tots Dance, Hula, and more! The Community Center
is dancing on Monday through Saturday. For more information, call
(408) 868-1249 or visit www.saratoga.ca.us/recreation.
CaliforniaFIRST – Investing in Green
Later this year, Saratoga residents will be able to take advantage of a new resource to help them reduce
their impact on the environment. The City, along with the rest of Santa Clara County and 14 other California
counties, will be participating in a pilot Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program called CaliforniaFIRST.
The pilot is funded by a State Energy Program grant, part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.
CaliforniaFIRST will allow property owners in Saratoga to voluntarily
finance clean energy improvements on their homes, including insulation,
double-paned windows, and renewable energy. Participating property owners
then pay the funds back as a line item on their property tax bill with repayment
terms up to 20 years, depending on the life of the energy improvements. If
the property is sold, the repayment obligation transfers to the new owner.
PACE financing makes it more feasible for property owners to invest in
clean energy improvements, which has made it an important tool in minimizing
climate change. Furthermore, PACE programs spur development of green jobs
by increasing the demand for energy efficiency and renewable energy goods
and services.
After the initial pilot phase, CaliforniaFIRST is scheduled to be launched
on a statewide basis by the end of the 2010 calendar year. CaliforniaFIRST’s large service area offers lower
implementation costs for municipalities than would be available through smaller programs. Additionally,
CaliforniaFIRST operates independently of participating cities and counties by providing all the necessary
administrative and financial services for residents enrolled in the program. More information is available
online at www.californiafirst.org.
Saratoga Prospect Center Improvements
The third and final phase of improvements to the Saratoga Prospect Center (formerly North Campus) will
begin in 2011. Renovations to the facility started in 2007, when the City Council funded a project to
remodel the Grace Building (previously the Administration
Building). Then in 2008, the City completely renovated
Friendship Hall (formerly Fellowship Hall) and demolished
two dilapidated buildings and installed landscaping at the
site.
This last stage of improvements will be focused on
increasing the safety and visibility of the City facility and
will include a new monument sign, safety and parking lot
lighting, repaving of the parking lot, and relocation of
the driveway. The City will also be installing motorized
projection screens in both buildings at Saratoga Prospect
Center and adding an integrated sound system in Friendship
Hall.
This project is expected to increase rentals at the
Saratoga Prospect Center. Work should begin by spring 2011
and be completed by fall 2011.
Saratoga Prospect Center
Get to Know your Waste Hauler
Saratoga has an exclusive recycling, green waste, and garbage
hauling agreement with West Valley Collection & Recycling
(WVC&R), this means that WVC&R is the only waste hauler authorized to serve the
City of Saratoga. As the City’s exclusive waste hauler, WVC&R offers a wide variety of services. For example,
WVC&R accepts household universal waste (like batteries, motor oil, and fluorescent bulbs) and electronic
waste at its drop off center. Residents can also arrange to have bulky items or additional garbage picked up at
their curb. For more information, visit at www.westvalleyrecycles.com or call (408) 283-9250.
Dear Kelly,
Permits are required for outdoor
kitchens and may be obtained from
the Building Division. The Building and
Planning Counters are open Monday
through Thursday between 7:30 a.m. and
12:00 p.m. at City Hall. When you visit
the Building Counter, be sure to bring a
site plan that includes all buildings and
trees on the property, as well as the
proposed location of the outdoor kitchen.
Generally, permanent outdoor cooking
devices or structures are not allowed in
the property setback (6 feet from the
property line and no more than 8 feet
tall). Anything that is not in compliance
with our City Code would need to be
removed. For additional information, call
the Community Development Department
at (408) 868-1222 or visit the City website
at www.saratoga.ca.us.
Jana
Dear Jana,
When I was a kid, we had a tree house in our
backyard. I loved playing in the tree house with my
brothers and our friends. Now that my son is getting
old enough to enjoy a tree house, I’ve been thinking
about putting a tree in our back yard. Before I build
anything, can you tell me what the City’s Code says
about tree houses?
Tree House Tim
Dear Tim,
There are several things to consider when
building a tree house. First, the City does
not permit tree houses to be built higher
than fifteen feet or within the property
setback (6 feet from the property line
and no more than 8 feet tall). Second,
you will need to contact our City Arborist
for a Tree Encroachment Permit to ensure
that the tree house won’t cause damage
to tree or be constructed in the root zone
or dripline of a protected tree. You can
contact the Community Development
Department at (408) 868-1222 or the City
Arborist at (408) 868-1276 for additional
information about tree houses.
Jana
Dear Jana,
I’m thinking about adding an outdoor kitchen in my
backyard. Can you tell me what the City regulations
are related to backyard kitchens?
Kitchen Kelly
Ask Jana
Got Code Enforcement questions? Ask Jana! Send your questions
to Jana Rinaldi at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga CA 95070 or
by email to jrinaldi@saratoga.ca.us.
Annual Tree Lighting is Coming!
Save the date for the Annual Tree Lighting on November
26, 2010. Each year, the City celebrates the holidays
with a tree lighting ceremony in Blaney Plaza. The
tree lighting ceremony is a festive way for families to
mark the start of the holiday season. Following the
tree lighting, the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce hosts
an open house of Village businesses that gives event
attendees the opportunity to start their holiday shopping
and discover the wonderful stores in downtown Saratoga.
Many businesses offer free samples or hot drinks to keep
shoppers warm as they explore the Village. Check the
City of Saratoga website at www.saratoga.ca.us for more
information in October.
Attendees at Annual Tree Lighting
Remembering Councilmember Susie Vedantham Nagpal
City staff, Council members, and Commission
members of the City of Saratoga are deeply
saddened by the loss of Susie Vedantham Nagpal,
who passed away in the early morning of May
13, 2010. We extend our deepest condolences
to Susie’s family, friends and colleagues.
In December 2008, Susie was sworn
in as a City Council member by her father,
who administered the oath of office. Susie
distinguished herself on the Council by the
thoughtful and considerate questions she posed
on matters of policy and her natural tendency
to seek understanding of others’ opinions
and work toward compromise on challenging
decisions. Her warm smile, considerate manner
of speaking, attention to detail and keen
interest enlivened discussion and helped forge
cooperation among her Council colleagues.
Prior to her election to the City Council,
Susie served on Saratoga’s Planning Commission,
from 2003 to 2008. During her tenure on the
Planning Commission, Susie embodied and
demonstrated her deep values of listening,
appreciating and understanding differing
perspectives, developing consensus and seeking
solutions to often complex issues. As Susie noted
in her application for the Planning Commission,
she believed there is always an answer!
In addition to her many duties as City
Council member and Commissioner, Susie had a thriving career as a consultant, working for an
environmental engineering firm. Susie held a B.S. in Engineering from San Jose State University, an
M.S. in Environmental Management from the University of San Francisco, and numerous professional
registrations and certifications. These qualifications, and her long-time experience in the field proved
invaluable in both realms – public service and private business.
Susie’s deep commitment to her
family and community was evident
to all with whom she interacted.
She immediately put others at ease
with her keen interest in a broad
range of topics, and her ability to
relate to and draw out people from
diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Her recent absence from City Hall
and around the community has been
deeply felt by all of us. We have
solace in knowing she left a legacy
of kindness and strong community
values that will carry forward into
the future.
Donations can be made to
the Bonnie Addario Lung Cancer
Foundation in Susie’s honor by visiting
www.lungcancerfoundation.org.
Councilmember Susie Nagpal
City Manager Dave Anderson with Susie Nagpal