HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 1987 The Saratogan i , � � �tY���to9a Bulk Rate
City Update �3777 Fruitvale Ave. " U.S.Postage �
� Saratoga.CA 95070 pp�p
� Saratoga,CA
Ordinance Changes P• 3 POSTAL C(ISTOMER LOCAL Permit 136
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''9ZlF�g��' city Government News December 1987 '
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'� 'i �"�` ���� .- '� � �-� For yc�rs previoas City Cou�cils and�ity Seaffs At a an�-day Policy Development�nference in
`��` �'��" ~"� �`` talked about developing a five-year capital im- September, the Council took its first look at the
i � � provement plan for Saratoga. The plan they envi- plan which City Staff had been working on since .
' ' � __ sioned would identify key civicprojects to main- early this year. The plan identifies specific capital
� ' tain and improve the quality.of life in Saratoga.It improvements in five main areas—roads,bridges,
� ' would calculate realistic costs for those projects. It medians&parks,pub�i,,c buildings,and Saratoga
�_ � � ��.� _ would project how and�when funds for those pro- Village—and when those projects should be com-
�%�, jects could be obtained.And most important, this pleted between now and 1992.
� plan would be implemented. •
% . Benefits of Planning
This fall,the dream of a five-year capital im- While changes in community needs or funding
� E - ' provement plan for Saratoga became reality. resources could alter the improvements to be made _
��' � • during the coming years, the five-year program
• � enables the City to enjoy the benefits of long-range
planning. For example,by identifying needs in ad-
Public hearing set for December 16 " � _ ���e;the City has more time to explore funding -
alternatives available from State and Federal
Council Considers Assessmer�t S°°r`es.
� Major capital improvements,their costs and
• scheduled completion times contained in the five-
For Rat and Mosquito Control yearplaninclude:
In Saratoga,and throughout Santa Clara County, ties would come from an annual assessment of 1987/1988—�1,392;000
the population of rats,ticks,mosquitos and other �3.36 per dwelling(more for larger parceLs)in each 1'avement maintenance and repair constitute a
disease-carrying animals—together known as�"vec- city which elects to join the District. major portion of this year's capital improve-
tors"—has risen considerably since programs to . ment allocation.The budget also provides for
control and monitor them were severely curtailed Pub�ic Hearing Scheduled replacement of two bridges along Quito Road, .
following the 1978 passage of Proposition 13. The Saratoga City Councll and City Staff are cur- �e installation of pedestrian access bridges
rently reviewing an extensive proposal prepared by over Saratoga Creek in Wildwood Park,designs .
County Proposal th�County.Through this review,as well as for the balance of the median beautification
In response to growing concerns aliout the through input received hom Saratogans at an 8:00 work on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road,and handi-
health and safety of County residents, the Santa p.m.,December 16 public hearing,the City cap access improvements to El Quito Park, the
Clara County Board of Supervisors has proposed hopes to answer questions like: Community Center,and Saratoga Historical
the formation of a Vector Conuol District, com- � Park.The Saratoga Village parking district
prised of all cities and unincorporated areas in the • Is this service a necessity, or just desirable? design is also scheduled to be cdmpleted this �
County.This District, the County suggests,would � yeaz� '
be an effective method of providing much needed • Is the proposed method of financing the most
and requested rat control services,and would im- appropriate? 1988/1989—�3,000,000
prove mosquito control and other vector control � Implementation of the Village Plan will begin
services. • If Saratoga elects tanot join the District,what this year with construction of the new parking
are the potential effecfs? district and development of the Third Street
Funding for the Disuict'S VeCtOi COriti01 aCtlVi- • (continued on page 2) • (continued on page 3)
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Holida Gift Drive �is Krixigle.This mini-camp will keep the kids
Y _ •busy with holiday baking,caroling,gift making
Donations Needed �d"many other fesdve activities.
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Volunteer Saratoga is sponsoring a Holiday �P�'is Kringle is in session from
Gift Drive in conjunction with the Mental December 21 to 23, 10 a.m to 3 p.m.,for ..
children five to nine years old.The fee is 830 ' '
Health Association of Sac�ta Clara County. Each for residents, �38 for non-residents.Children �/ Library
year the Association distributes gifts to mental- � . �
ly and/or developmentally disabled people liv- will bring a b�g lunch each day and will meet at Receives
ing in psychiatric settings,hospitals,treatment �e Saratoga Community Center. For registra-
tion and additional information', contact the
' prograzns or other facilities serving the mental- Saratoga Commuruty Center at 867-3438• Computer
ly ill or retarded. Without the generous sup= TO�tiOn
port of the community,many of these people l� , ,
� � will not receive anything for the holidays.
Thanks to the generosity of one Saratoga
From November 30 thru December 15, Council.Appoints resident,the Saratoga Community Library is.
Saratogans can drop off donations of new, NeW CO�iSS1OIZerS now readying a computer system for use by the
unwrapped items at the Saratoga Community � general public.In response to a request made
earlier this year,a Macintosh XL computer was
Center. For more details contact Cazrie Deane at In the last several months the City Council recently donated to the Library.An additional
Volunteer Saratoga, 867-3438• has appointed new Zommissioners to four of donation made it possible for the Library to
the six committees and commissions which ad- purchaSe a printer.
vise and assist the Council on vazious issues. . -
. � ' � Beginning in january,library yisitors will be
C�mmu�ty CQnter s - Recent appointees to the Planning Commis- able to use the available word processing and
. , sion include John Kolstad and Harold Clay;to spreadsheet prpgrams free of chazge.
Ka.mp Kris Kringle the Library Commission,Barrett Moore and
Barbara Peacock; to the Public Safety Commis- The Library still needs a Macintosh Mouse to
Saratoga parents can start t�eir children's sion, Brett Borah, Douglas Crane and Eugene complete its system.Jf you or your organiza-
- holida.y vacation off right witha few days at. O'Rorke;and,to the Finance Advisory Com- tion can help,or if you would like additional
the Saratoga Recreation Department's Kamp mittee, Christie Jameson and Peter Smith. information,please call the Library at 867-6126.
Rec �clin Center Granted Exem tion '
The Saratoga Recycling Center recently received and receive�.01 per container. In order to elimi- redeemable containers, the Recycling Center also
a helping hand when the City of Saratoga became nate the need to keep cash on the premises,the collects corrogated cardboazd,aluminum,oil, caz
the first in the State.to be grai�ted an exemption Center issues receipts for the containers.Once a batteries,and glass.
under the new beverage container redemption law. person has receipts totallit�g$5.00 or more, the
Without the exemption, the Recycling Center, Center will issue a check. The Recycling Center,located behind Saratoga •
operated by the West Valley Kiwanis,could have � City Hall at the end of Allendale Dirve,operates on
lost much of the income it now receives.The Other Recyclables City-owned land at the request of the City. The
Kiwanis use the income to support numerous local Under the State program,the Center is reim- Center.is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,seven days a .
charities and civic programs. bursed$.O1 per container and gets to keep and sell week except holidays.
-- � the containers for their scrap value. In addition to _
New Container Law � .
The State's new beverage container redemption , , ,
law requires that all containers bearing a redemp- ���Q������
tion label6e redeemable for$.O1 per container.In C -
addition,the law also requires ttlat supermarkets , .
with annual sales in excess of$2 million must pro- �concinuea t'rom page i) • City Council increases vector control service levels
vide a redemption center within a 1/2 mile"conve- in several azeas:
nience zone"around the store. Present Service Mlnimal -
' Currently,the County Health Department 1. Permits the County to respond to rat service
Unfortunately, the Recycli,ng Center is located receives thousands of rat complaints each year,but requests(this service is currently
just outside the 1/2 mile convenience zones of the resources only permit the mailing of informauonal unavailable);
two Saratoga markets—,Gene's Quito Mazket and brochures.In addition,present levels of monitor-
the Argonaut Center Safeway—that are subject to ing for vector-borne diseases(malaria,plague, 2. Initiates a program of plague and rat surveys;
, the law's requirements. Without the exemption the encephalitis,etc.)aze inadequate. �
stores would have been required to provide their � ' 3. Initiates a sewer rat program; ,
own redemption centers,thereby diverting the While Sazatoga does make rat bait available to
recyclable containers from the Kiwanis'Recycling residents,no coordinated program to control rats. 4. Improves mosquito control programs and
Center. - , currently exists. For the last year for which response time to mosquito control requests;
statistics were kept(1978),records showed a total
Only 10%Ezempted of 285 calls from Saratoga residents concerning 5. Increases disease surveillance staff hours;
The City applied for the exemption in August, roof rat problems alone. and,
. and aher a 3eptember hearing was granted the ex-
emption allowing the�Recycling Center to serve as In addition to their disease potential,rats 6. Incr.eases County staff hours.for assisting city
the o�cial redemption center for Saratoga's two damage structures,cause stress when they invade , staffs and public regarding cockroaches,fleas
convenience zones.The law provides that exemp- homes,and reduce prop"erty values and the quality and other vectors.
tions will be granted to a maximum of only 10% of ,of life by their presence.
all zones. � . These and other services will be provided by
Proposal Increases Services County Health Department staff to those cities join-
Saratogans may now take any containers marked . The proposal made by the Board of Supervisors ing the Vector Control District.
with the redemption label to t17e Recycling Center and cunently under�onsideration liy the Saratoga
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� � ORDINA�NCE C�HA�NGES ����� �� ,�_, �� � ,
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Recent changes to Saratoga otdinances regazding 2: Fublic and Other Places �'�, � ; 1 i
smoking,dangero�s dogs,and design review are- Smoking is strictly prohibited in elevators, ' '
highlighted below.T'he specificdetails,however, public meeting rooms,and public restrootns. � � ; � ° ,: '�,
aze contained in the actual copies of each ordi- In health care facilities,public hallways and �� I - ' ''�� '� �
nance which are available at Saratoga City Hall. � lobbies,theatres and auditoriums,museums, --�"`��-"---"�
nei bors,even regatding construction that
" � libraries,hotel and motel lobbies,and� �
business establishments,smoking is pro- doesn't require a hearing. `
D��er�us DO . hibited egcept in specifically designated
az.� • A simplified application process that better
� �� �- ��"� ��� separates those projects that require a public
hearin from those that do not.B emnittin
Recent fatal attacks b do m Mor an Hill and 3•.Workplaces _ g Y P g
Y � g In businesses with ten or more employees,a certain types of applications to be reviewed
.other areas across the country have prompted written smoking policy must be maintained• by Planning Deparrment staff,the number of
many local governments to review and aznend their smoking is prohibited in meeting rooms, '� applications that need to be reviewed by the
animal control laws iri order to reduce the chances classrooms,restrooms,medical facilities, Planning Commission will be reduced. �
of injury to city residents.While Saratoga has not � hallways and elevators;at least two-thirds of
experienced serious"dangerous dog"problems in cafeterias,lunchrooms and lounges must be ' A general tighteivng up of development stand-
the past,the changes to the egisting ordinance are designated non-smoking;and,any employee az'ds,especially as they relate to the dwelling
designed to more accurately identify and control can designate his or her unmediate area as a height,floor area on hillside lots,and building
such anirnals. non-smoking area. setbacks of single-family residences.
I, The new ordinance distinguishes between �businesses with fewer than ten employees, In addition,the new ordinance requires that any
�� "potentially dangerous dogs"—those which have �e employer must have a smoking policy � reQuest to exceed or vary the regulations and .
eghibited or are known to have a tendency for un- which gives preference to the rights of standazds(e.g.additions which increase house size �
provoked attack,i�cluding trained guard dogs— or covera e over that which is allowed in a zonin
and"dan erous do those which have attacked non-smokers. g . �
g SS"— district)be processed as a variance.
or repeatedly act in a threatening manner. • •
D e si n Review The design review process ensures that plans for
Areas addressed by the ordinance include re- construction of new residences and second story
quirements relative to the conuol and confinement additions take into consideration such issues as in- �
of potentially dangerous dogs and dogs in general; During the last year,the City Council,the Plan- terference with views and privacy,preservation of
stricter muzzling,leashing and confinement rules ning Commission,and Planning Department staff natural landscape and contours, minimizing the
for dangerous dogs;registration and public liability have been working on revisions to Saratoga's perception of excessive bulk,compatibility with
insurar�ce requirements�or dangerous dags and design revi�wpr7sc�ss.A�opted in Octbbet arid ef- surrounding structures, arid grading and erosion
their owners; increased powers of animal control fective lasr month,the new design review ordi- control. ,
officers to seize and impound animals when the nance includes several significant improvemencs:
ordinance is violated;as well as other azeas. Additional informacion-on$pecific changes to
� • An improved system for notifying and com- the design review process ar�d standards is available
� municating with applicants and their from the Planning Department.
Smokin � . ,
New regulations regazding smoking in Saratoga's �iVe-Year Flan
restaurants,public places and workplaces went in-
to effect on November 21, 19g7•The new regula- nic area. Sazatoga City Hall is scheduled for ex-
tions,while designed to"strike a reasonable (concinued trom page i) pansion and renovation. Finally,while the
t�alance between the needs of persons who smoke Plaza.Other major improvements include the State performs major reconstruction work on
and the needs of non-smokers to breathe smoke- replacement of additional bridges along Quito Big Basin Way.through the Saratoga Village, the
hee air,"also make clear that when those needs Road,the final phase of improvements to El City will take advantage of the opportunity to
conflict, "the need to breathe smoke-free air shall Quito Park,construction and landscaping of complete some additional Village � _
have priority." . median strips(on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road improvements. �
from Big Basin Way to Herriman,and hom the
Key points in the new regulations apply to: railroad tracks to Prospect Road),pavement 1990/1991—i2,100,000
maintenance and reconstruction activities,and This yeaz,in addition to pavement
1. Restaurants � remodeling of the Community Center. maintenance activities,the City ptans to launch
Restaurants with a seating capacity of 50 or a new progratn to add sidewalks to many
more persons must provide a non-smoking i9s9ii99o—aa,200,000 � arterial streets.A similar program will increase
area of not Iess than two-thirds of the Traffic signals on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road,as pedestrian access to bridg�ttuoughout the
restauram's seating and floorspace area.If the well as continuing street maintenance activi- City.Other capital unprovements include a
seating capacity is less than 50 persons,the ties,are among this year's planned improve- joint project with the City of San Jose to
restaurant can opt for either smoking or non- ments.A bridge will be replaced on Pierce beautify medians on Prospect Road,an expan- �
smoking.A notice to this effect can be posted Road,new medians installed on Fruitvale,and sion of Kevin Moran Pazk,consuuction of new �
at the door. _ improvements xnade to Wildwood Park's pic- City CouncIl chambers,and additional land- w
scaping and lighting for the Village.M expan-
EpYTOR sion is also planned for the City's Corporation , .
Roberf A.Stankus Yazd. •
� ���� s�TOG�c�TY cotnvCu. � 1991/1992—i840,000
� Maqor A second plaza will be constructed in the Village,
Donaid Peterson while work continues on the sidewalk and pedes-
The Saratogan is published quarcerly by the City of Councilmembers trian bridge programs begun during the previous
5aratoga to inform residents about impottant City Karen Anderson year. Fvnds are also committed�to continuing
Council and government issues.Please direct your , Martha Clevenger ' pavement maintenance,median strip improve- .
comments to the Saratoga City Caunci1,13777 Fruit- joyce Hlava ments,an expansion of.the Civic'Theater,and
vale Avenue,Saratoga,CA 95070. David Moyles landscaping at the Comnnunity Library.
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� Ig The Ca1�f pctober 15th,
Statement� �' Novembef.�rid' '
Com�ssion certifiedcertif ed t°n adverse !
� a Resident, the Traffi�Authonn' ?
, De�garatog ernedabout the �w,the EIS indudes discussio�°f
$y ental imPacts,even those relat��°��_
i e conc ou up t� lemented.
' Because Saratogans az e to brinS Y environm . not be imP strategi�
would lik eement natives which wil1 uthority ect and
Fr.eeway,the Council in the Ple�even thougli the Tra��ic A
� status of the Freeway ASt for the prw�not be
clate on the oui ob�ectives plan does not���°de fnnd�g eS�e
discussions•As the Council is about to beg terchanges��d therefore they
' eement negotiations, Quito in •
� Freeway ASr _ the imPacts of those interchan r
! include: built now), �e EIS•
i discussed i�
� lane freeway with no Saratoga
� A S�_ n ort��to understand that�a��rib a�
> interchanges; It is�P that the desi o a 85 cor-
( ' ' depressed; the EIS d°ll�e�e a Sign of the ao�ent.It is
( • A freeway a'h��h 1S�lly the EIS w
ridor.'I'he EIS is not a desiSn egotiations an�he
w hich pe�ts no uucks;�d° substitute for the design �th C�Trans
�� . A fr e e w a y d n o t a be u n d e rt a k i n g -
landscaping�' the Gity will.
' w h i ch,througli a c t o n the sur T r�{�ic Authority• osal
i • A freewa y S m��eS�e im p has a desig n p r o p
� S o u nd wall > �c Authority now compr�ed
i . , u�t y' T he T r a f f ne otia t i n g t e a m
i rounding co� nding to present to the City Peacock,City Eng�eei Bo b
' wh��h is the fu Manager Ha�n' o ce H1ava.They
The Traffic A�y SS,�has contracted for two�" of Gity uncilmember 1 y
for High ology study of Shook,and Co the pfopOS�at the first f��we
agency he�ust is a hy� elo.The be$an discussing November 4th.��
portant studies.T �eeg�►�►and D'Ang �sion on n to be wholly ac-
a Creek by e most sen- negotiating ect the first desig
garatog �e one of th o tom�tic that we w
study,which wil1 examob�ems surrounding the R,ould not exp e cautiously P �deal with
. ental p et available to the ceptable,a'e�h an agreement which a'
sitive enviro� ction,is not y be able to rea ental�oncerns held by
fteeway's constru environm
public. the many
ed by Bart°n Saratogans. orkinS
erfornn ious inter- tted to R'
�- The second study,P act that var a and Council is�°��b�e agreement and
w�assess t1�e�p Saratog your entire
Aschmann, ��ons would have on ether to obtazn the best p
e confiSu e available ent�Y sensitive freeway•
chatlg toS
surrounding cities.This study R'�b the most en�uonm Council
weeks. 7he Saratoga City
within a few e�for�- �
the most indePth a'ork w�p
ation of the Envuo�ental Impact
Of course,
ed in the pfepar
_ ����0� �� ���� ������ must provide their own transportation. The full-
Y day fee is $25, which can be adjusted based upon
the applicant's income and ability to pay.
O � ens With New Pro ���� Applicadons Available
� � Interested program participants must first submit
Sazatoga residents gathered together with local ticipants to make sure they obtain the greatest . �application,which can be obtained by calling
and state o�cials last month to celebrate the com- benefit from the programs and facilities. 867-3438 ext. 57. In addition,the Center would
pledon and opening of Saratoga's expanded Senior • , also like to hear from volunteers who can help
Center.Among those attending the event was New Hot Lunch Program with activities, atts&crafts,reading and a variety
' Assemblyman Charles Quackenbush,and an aid Beg'inning January 5th,a hot luncheon will be of other services.
from the office of Seryator Henry Mello,the Chair served to Day Caze Center participants on Tuesdays
of the Senate Committee on Aging. - and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p•m.This special pro- �
gram will be able to accommodate up to 10 persons.
Expanded Senior Services � ;
� The 2,750 foot Senior Center addition houses In order to ual' for the ro artici ants � ' ��"" " ' --k
� 9 �Y P gram,P P �= ��.
the new Senior Day Care Center,a modern dietary must be 50 years of age or older,must need the ser- ��
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; ~ kitchen, an enlarged meeting room and improved vices of the Day Caze Center(in other words, can- -� • ;
. storage.The Day Care Center greatly expands the not take part in the regular senior programs),and � � �� �,. ���
, services offered through the Senior Center by ac- � �` � ��`��`9 � �`�
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commodating the needs of frail or disabled seniors, ' x
and providing respite for thbse who care for them: '
The new Adult Day Care � E >; '; r � .��':
In order to get the new programs under way, .�
Mrs.Rita Pennington has been hired as the new Administrator,Rita Pennington, � :� ,�
D�y Caze Center Administrator. In this part-time tells Saratoga Area Senior Co- -,
. position,Mrs.Pennington will oversee the daily ' ordinating Council members about r ' ;, y �
operation of the.Day Care Center,supervise a her plans for the new senior day eare ��� f � �
&.
program coordinator,develop funding sources for progtam.
ongoing operations;and select and screen-par- ,
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