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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-16-2020 City Council MinutesMINUTES WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING At 5:00 p.m., the City Council held Commission Interviews via teleconferencing through Zoom. At 6:00 p.m., the City Council held a Study Session on City Council Operational Policies via teleconferencing through Zoom. Mayor Zhao called the virtual Regular Session to order at 7:01 p.m. via teleconferencing through Zoom. Prior to Roll Call, the Mayor and City Clerk explained that the City Council meeting was conducted pursuant to provisions of the Brown Act and a recent Executive Order issued by the Governor to facilitate teleconferencing to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission at public meetings. Ordinarily the Brown Act sets strict rules for teleconferencing. The Governor's Executive Order has suspended those rules. The Executive Order does require that public agencies continue to notice meetings in advance and provide members of the public an opportunity to observe the meeting and offer public comment. The City Council met all of the applicable notice requirements and the public is welcome to participate in this meeting. Information on how the public can observe the meeting and provide public comment was also shared. Additionally, the Mayor explained that votes would be taken through roll call. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Mayor Yan Zhao, Vice Mayor Tina Walia, Council Members Mary -Lynne Bernald, Kookie Fitzsimmons, Rishi Kumar (All Council Members appearing via teleconference) ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: James Lindsay, City Manager Richard Taylor, City Attorney Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager Debbie Bretschneider, City Clerk Mary Fury, Administrative Services Director Debbie Pedro, Community Development Director John Cherbone, Public Works Director Dennis Jaw, Finance Manager Nicole Johnson, Senior Planner Macedonio Nunez, Senior Civil Engineer Kayla Nakamoto, Administrative Analyst (All staff members appearing via teleconference) City Clerk Debbie Bretschneider confirmed all City Council members could hear the meeting proceedings and no doubts were expressed regarding the identities of the individuals representing themselves as City Council Members. Saratoga City Council Minutes — December 16, 2020 — Page 1 of 8 REPORT ON POSTING OF THE AGENDA City Clerk Debbie Bretschneider reported that the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on December 10, 2020. REPORT FROM STUDY SESSION Mayor Zhao reported on the Study Session about the City Council Operational Policies. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS None ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Zhao shared information about COVID-19 updates, the Winter Craft Social, and Paint the City. CEREMONIAL ITEMS Commendation for Outgoing Commissioners Recommended Action: Commend Alexandra Nugent and Dr. Jo Rainie Rodgers for their service on the Saratoga Heritage Preservation Commission and David McIntyre for his service on the Saratoga Traffic Safety Commission. Mayor Zhao and the City Council thanked Commissioners Alexandra Nugent, Dr. Jo Rainie Rodgers, and David McIntyre for their service to Saratoga. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR I.I. City Council Meeting Minutes Recommended Action: Approve the City Council minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting on December 2, 2020. ZHAO/KUMAR MOVED TO APPROVE THE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON DECEMBER 2, 2020. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: FITZSIMMONS. ABSENT: NONE. 1.2. Review of Accounts Payable Check Registers Recommended Action: Review and accept check registers for the following accounts payable payment cycles: 12/01/2020 Period 6; 12/09/20 Period 6. ZHAO/KUMAR MOVED TO ACCEPT CHECK REGISTERS FOR THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNTS PAYABLE PAYMENT CYCLES: 12/01/2020 PERIOD 6; 12/09/20 PERIOD 6. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, Saratoga City Council Minutes — December 16, 2020 — Page 2 of 8 WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 1.3. Landmark Designation for 19277 Shubert Drive — Application No. LNDMRK20-0002 Recommended Action: Waive the second reading and adopt the attached ordinance designating the property at 19277 Shubert Drive as a historic landmark. ORDINANCE 377 ZHAO/KUMAR MOVED TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE DESIGNATING THE PROPERTY AT 19277 SHUBERT DRIVE AS A HISTORIC LANDMARK. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 1.4. Resolution Re -Affirming the City of Saratoga's Commitment to Stand in Solidarity with the Black Community and Black Lives Matter Movement Recommended Action: Approve the resolution re -affirming the City of Saratoga's commitment to stand in solidarity with the Black community. RESOLUTION 20-084 ZHAO/KUMAR MOVED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION RE -AFFIRMING THE CITY OF SARATOGA'S COMMITMENT TO STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE BLACK COMMUNITY. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 1.5. Extension of Agreement for Countywide Isolation and Quarantine Support Program Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to execute an extension to the agreement with the County of Santa Clara for the Countywide Isolation and Quarantine Support Program through June 30, 2021. ZHAO/KUMAR MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN EXTENSION TO THE AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA FOR THE COUNTYWIDE ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE SUPPORT PROGRAM THROUGH JUNE 30, 2021. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 2. PUBLIC HEARING None Saratoga City Council Minutes — December 16, 2020 — Page 3 of 8 3. GENERAL BUSINESS 3.1. Proposal by Omniscent Recommended Action: Consider the proposal by Omniscent and direct staff accordingly. Debbie Bretschneider, City Clerk, presented the staff report. Omniscent CEO Sassan Teymouri presented to the Council. Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item. Chuck Page spoke Bill Cooper spoke No one else requested to speak. KUMAR/ZHAO MOVED TO THANK OMNISCENT FOR THE PRESENTATION AND DIRECTED STAFF TO TAKE NO FURTHER ACTION AT THIS TIME. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 3.2. Funding Request for Rotating Safe Car Park Recommended Action: Approve the funding reallocation of $13,000 to support the request of the Rotating Safe Car Park shower needs. Kayla Nakamoto, Administrative Analyst, presented the staff report Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item. No one requested to speak. KUMAR/ZHAO MOVED TO APPROVE THE FUNDING REALLOCATION OF $13,000 FROM THE FISCAL YEAR 2020/21 STREET CLOSURE COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT THE REQUEST OF THE ROTATING SAFE CAR PARK FOR SHOWER NEEDS. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 3.3. Implementation Plan for the Community Wildfire Protection Plan and Consideration of Wildfire Public Safety Task Force Recommendations Recommended Action: 1. Authorize implementation of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) future efforts and Task Force recommendations related to Firewise Communities, dead tree removal rebate program, communications, and funding for fuel reduction. 2. Consider the Task Force recommendation to reinstate the Wildfire Public Safety Task Force. Saratoga City Council Minutes — December 16, 2020 — Page 4 of 8 Crystal Bothelio, Assistant City Manager, presented the staff report. Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item. Chuck Page, former Saratoga Mayor and member of Wildfire Task Force, spoke Dede Sullen, member of Santa Clara County Firesafe Council, spoke Seth Schalet, CEO of Santa Clara County Firesafe Council, spoke Bill Cooper, former member of Wildfire Task Force, spoke No one else requested to speak. BERNALD/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO AUTHORIZE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN (CWPP) FUTURE EFFORTS AND TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED TO FIREWISE COMMUNITIES, DEAD TREE REMOVAL REBATE PROGRAM, COMMUNICATIONS, AND FUNDING FOR FUEL REDUCTION. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 3.4. Community Event and Street Closure Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2021/22 Recommended Action: Provide direction on the proposed allocations for Fiscal Year 2021/22 Community Event and Street Closure Grant Secured Funding recipients and allocations; and, suspend the competitive Community Event Grant Program and competitive Street Closure Grant Program. Kayla Nakamoto, Administrative Analyst, presented the staff report. Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item. Ann Waltonsmith, former Saratoga Mayor, spoke Chuck Page, former Saratoga Mayor, spoke Ketan Jashapara spoke Ann Northrup spoke Shozo Kagoshima spoke No one else requested to speak. BERNALD/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO INCLUDE FUNDING IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2021/22 BUDGET FOR THE COMMUNITY EVENT GRANT SECURED FUNDING RECIPIENTS SHOWN BELOW AND STREET CLOSURE GRANT SECURED FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $22,000 FOR THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CLASSIC CAR SHOW: Saratoga City Council Minutes — December 16, 2020 — Page 5 of 8 BLOSSOM FESTIVAL $5,000.00 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE $10,000.00 FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION $2,500.00 HAKONE MATSURI $5,000.00 MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE $1,000.00 SARATOGA COMMUNITY BAND $1,000.00 SASCC HEALTH FAIR $5,000.00 SARATOGA VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL $2,000.00 AND TO SUSPEND THE COMPETITIVE COMMUNITY EVENT GRANT PROGRAM AND COMPETITIVE STREET CLOSURE GRANT PROGRAM. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. Mayor Zhao requested a recess at 9:05 p.m. and resumed the meeting at 9:11 p.m. 3.5. Valley Transportation Authority's 2016 Measure B 10-Year Outlook Base Scenario Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution supporting the opposition of Valley Transportation Authority's (VTA) 2016 Measure B 10-Year Outlook Base Scenario. Macedonio Nunez, Senior Civil Engineer, presented the staff report. Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item. No one requested to speak. RESOLUTION 20-085 FITZSIMMONS/BERNALD MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE OPPOSITION OF VALLEY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY'S (VTA) 2016 MEASURE B 10-YEAR OUTLOOK BASE SCENARIO. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 3.6. Commission Local Appointments List and Terms Expiring in 2021 Recommended Action: Adopt the Local Appointments List for terms expiring in the 2021 calendar year and give staff direction on the recruitment of a Planning Commissioner vacancy for a 5 year or I year term. Debbie Bretschneider, City Clerk, presented the staff report. Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item. No one requested to speak. FITZSIMMONS/WALIA MOVED TO ADOPT THE LOCAL APPOINTMENTS LIST FOR TERMS EXPIRING IN THE 2021 CALENDAR YEAR AND DIRECTED STAFF TO CONDUCT A THE RECRUITMENT OF THE VACANT PLANNING COMMISSIONER POSITION ENDING MARCH 2O22 FOR A 1 YEAR TERM. Saratoga City Council Minutes — December 16, 2020 — Page 6 of 8 MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. 3.7. 2021 City Council Assignments Recommended Action: Adopt the resolution approving the 2021 City Council assignments. Debbie Bretschneider, City Clerk, presented the staff report. Mayor Zhao invited public comment on the item. No one requested to speak. RESOLUTION 20-086 KUMAR/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2021 CITY COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS LISTED. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS Mayor Yan Zhao KSAR Community Access TV Board the Board adopted new by-laws that will include elimination of the voting position held by City staff. Public Art Committee — the Committee reviewed this year's projects. Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council (SASCQ — there was a meeting, but nothing to report. West Valley Sanitation District — there was a Closed Session, nothing to report. Council Member Mary -Lynne Bernald No reports. Council Member Rishi Kumar No reports. CITY COUNCIL ITEMS Council Member Kumar requested a future agenda item to discuss how announcements are made at Council meetings. There was no second to the request. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS None CITY MANAGER'S REPORT None ADJOURNMENT Saratoga City Council Minutes — December 16, 2020 — Page 7 of 8 BERNALD/WALIA MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:48 P.M. MOTION PASSED BY VERBAL ROLL CALL. AYES: ZHAO, WALIA, KUMAR, FITZSIMMONS, BERNALD. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: NONE. ;Brets res ectfully submitted: rerl�_ City of Saratoga Saratoga City Council Minutes — December 16, 2020 — Page 8 of 8