HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-18-2023 City Council Regular MeetingMINUTES
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
At 5:00 p.m., the City Council held a Joint Session with the Youth Commission in the Linda Callon
Conference Room.
Mayor Fitzsimmons invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
At 6:00 p.m., the City Council held a Joint Session with Senator Cortese and Assemblymember
Berman in the Linda Callon Conference Room.
Mayor Fitzsimmons invited public comment.
The following individuals spoke: Dave Dornblaser, Bernie Mills, Jared, a Saratoga resident, and
Lakhinder.
Mayor Fitzsimmons called the Regular Session to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor Kookie Fitzsimmons, Vice Mayor Yan Zhao, Council Members
Belal Aftab, Chuck Page, Tina Walia
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: James Lindsay, City Manager
Richard Taylor, City Attorney
Leslie Arroyo, Assistant City Manager
Bryan Swanson, Community Development Director
Dan Jacobson, Interim Administrative Services Director
Britt Avrit, City Clerk
REPORT ON POSTING OF THE AGENDA
The City Clerk reported the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on October 12, 2023.
FITZSIMMONS/ZHAO MOVED TO REARRANGE THE ORDER OF AGENDA ITEMS
MOVING CEREMONIAL ITEMS TO BEFORE ORAL COMMUNICATIONS. MOTION
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, PAGE, WALIA, ZHAO,
FITZSIMMONS. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE
REPORT FROM JOINT SESSION
Mayor Fitzsimmons stated the City Council held a Joint Session with the Youth Commission prior
to the Regular Session and provided a report of the City Council Joint Session.
Mayor Fitzsimmons stated the City Council held a Joint Session with Senator Cortese and
Assemblymember Berman prior to the Regular Session.
Senator Cortese provided a report of the City Council Joint Session.
Saratoga City Council Minutes — October 18, 2023 — Page 1 of 7
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
Commendation for Victoria Zhang
Recommended Action:
Commend Victoria Zhang for her service on the Saratoga Library & Community
Engagement Commission.
The City Council commended Victoria Zhang for her service on the Saratoga Library &
Community Engagement Commission.
Commendation for James Cai
Recommended Action:
Commend James Cai for his service on the Saratoga Public Art Commission.
The City Council recognized the service of James Cai for his service on the Saratoga Public
Art Commission.
Commendation for Renee Paquier
Recommended Action:
Commend Renee Paquier for her service on the Saratoga Parks & Recreation Commission.
The City Council recognized the service of Renee Paquier for her service on the Saratoga
Parks & Recreation Commission.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS; IN -PERSON
ATTENDEES
Mayor Fitzsimmons invited public comment.
The following individuals spoke:
Balaji Bashyam, Jody Tatro, Jeff Newman Lan, Fran Williams, Markus Schaaf, Charlene Wong,
Andrew Krainin, Shawna Ballard, Scott Liu, Bernie Mills discussed the Housing Element, zoning,
and Builders Remedy.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Fitzsimmons shared information about the Great Shakeout Drill, SASCC's Health Fair, the
Witchy Walk -A -Bout event, and the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce and Dogwood App's
Halloween Pet Parade and Costume Contest.
Council Member Page shared information about adult Trivia Night at the Saratoga Library.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Special Presentation of Student Art from Duan Art Studio
Recommended Action:
Receive presentation of student art from Duan Art Studio.
The City Council received a presentation of student art from Duan Art Studio.
Saratoga City Council Minutes — October 18, 2023 — Page 2 of 7
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Fitzsimmons invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
1.1. City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action:
Approve the Minutes for the October 4, 2023, City Council Regular Meeting.
PAGE/ZHAO MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE OCTOBER 4, 2023,
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING
VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, PAGE, WALIA, ZHAO, FITZSIMMONS. NOES: NONE.
ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE
1.2. Review and Accept Accounts Payable Check Registers
Recommended Action:
Review and accept the 09/28/2023 and 10/05/2023 accounts payable vendor payment check
registers.
PAGE/ZHAO MOVED TO REVIEW AND ACCEPT THE 09/28/2023 AND 10/05/2023
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE VENDOR PAYMENT CHECK REGISTERS. MOTION
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, PAGE, WALIA, ZHAO,
FITZSIMMONS. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE
1.3. Update to the Bail Schedule
Recommended Action:
Adopt the Resolution approving an updated bail schedule setting bail amounts for violations
of Municipal Code provisions adopted or amended since the last update in 2016.
RESOLUTION 23-079
PAGE/ZHAO MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION APPROVING AN UPDATED
BAIL SCHEDULE SETTING BAIL AMOUNTS FOR VIOLATIONS OF
MUNICIPAL CODE PROVISIONS ADOPTED OR AMENDED SINCE THE LAST
UPDATE IN 2016. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB,
PAGE, WALIA, ZHAO, FITZSIMMONS. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED:
NONE. ABSENT: NONE
1.4. Final Map Approval for Two Lots Located at 14805 Fruitvale Avenue
Recommended Action:
Adopt the Resolution granting final map approval of parcel map application No. ULS22-
0002 for two lots located at 14805 Fruitvale Avenue (APN: 397 18 027).
RESOLUTION 23-080
PAGE/ZHAO MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION GRANTING FINAL MAP
APPROVAL OF PARCEL MAP APPLICATION NO. ULS22-0002 FOR TWO LOTS
LOCATED AT 14805 FRUITVALE AVENUE (APN: 397 18 027). MOTION PASSED
BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, PAGE, WALIA, ZHAO, FITZSIMMONS.
NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE
Saratoga City Council Minutes — October 18, 2023 — Page 3 of 7
1.5. Amended Lease Agreement with Los Gatos -Saratoga Community Education and
Recreation
Recommended Action:
Approve the Amended Lease Agreement with Los Gatos -Saratoga Community Education
and Recreation.
PAGE/ZHAO MOVED TO APPROVE THE AMENDED LEASE AGREEMENT
WITH LOS GATOS-SARATOGA COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND
RECREATION. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB,
PAGE, WALIA, ZHAO, FITZSIMMONS. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED:
NONE. ABSENT: NONE
2. PUBLIC HEARING
2.1. Resolution Amending the City's Fee Schedule Effective January 3, 2024, and July 1,
2024
Recommended Action:
Adopt a Resolution amending the City of Saratoga's Fee Schedule effective January 3,
2024, and July 1, 2024.
Dan Jacobson, Interim Administrative Services Director, presented the staff report.
Mayor Fitzsimmons invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
RESOLUTION 23-081
PAGE/AFTAB MOVED TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CITY OF
SARATOGA'S FEE SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 3, 2024, AND JULY 1,
2024. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, PAGE,
WALIA, ZHAO, FITZSIMMONS. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE.
ABSENT: NONE
3. GENERAL BUSINESS
3.1. Formation of Cities Association of Santa Clara County Joint Powers Agency
Recommended Action:
Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement creating the Cities Association of
Santa Clara County Joint Powers Agency subject to non -substantive changes approved by
the City Manager and City Attorney.
Richard Taylor, City Attorney, presented the staff report.
Margaret Abe-Koga, Mountain View City Council Member and current President of the Cities
Association of Santa Clara County, provided a presentation for this item.
Mayor Fitzsimmons invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
Saratoga City Council Minutes — October 18, 2023 — Page 4 of 7
WALIA/ZHAO MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN
AGREEMENT CREATING THE CITIES ASSOCIATION OF SANTA CLARA
COUNTY JOINT POWERS AGENCY SUBJECT TO NON -SUBSTANTIVE
CHANGES APPROVED BY THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY.
MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, WALIA, ZHAO.
NOES: PAGE, FITZSIMMONS. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE
3.2. Automated License Plate Reader Pilot Review
Recommended Action:
Provide direction on Automated License Plate Reader pilot cameras.
Crystal Bothelio, Consultant, presented the staff report.
Mayor Fitzsimmons invited public comment.
The following individuals spoke: Jim Stallman, Dory Albert, Reese Williams.
ZHAO/WALIA MOVED TO KEEP THE AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER
(ALPR) PROGRAM AS IS AND NO LONGER CONSIDER IT A PILOT PROGRAM.
MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, PAGE, WALIA,
ZHAO, FITZSIMMONS. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE.
ABSENT: NONE
Mayor Fitzsimmons requested a recess at this time.
Mayor Fitzsimmons reconvened the meeting at 9:20 p.m.
3.3. Resolution Supporting Initiative Constitutional Amendment to Protect Local Land Use
Control
Recommended Action:
Consider Resolution Supporting Initiative Constitutional Amendment to Protect Local Land
Use Control.
Leslie Arroyo, Assistant City Manager, presented the staff report.
Mayor Fitzsimmons invited public comment.
The following individual spoke: Vivek Tiwari
RESOLUTION 23-082
WALIA/PAGE MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING
INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO PROTECT LOCAL LAND
USE CONTROL. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB,
PAGE, WALIA, ZHAO, FITZSIMMONS. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED:
NONE. ABSENT: NONE
Saratoga City Council Minutes — October 18, 2023 — Page 5 of 7
3.4. Consideration of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the Regional Housing
Needs Allocation Process
Recommended Action:
Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter from the City Council to State Senator Dave Cortese
and Assemblymember Marc Berman requesting legislation to account for Very High Fire
Hazard Severity Zones in the Regional Housing Needs Allocation process.
James Lindsay, City Manager, presented the staff report.
Mayor Fitzsimmons invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
WALIA/PAGE MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN A LETTER FROM
THE CITY COUNCIL TO STATE SENATOR DAVE CORTESE AND
ASSEMBLYMEMBER MARC BERMAN REQUESTING LEGISLATION TO
ACCOUNT FOR VERY HIGH FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES IN THE
REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ALLOCATION PROCESS. MOTION PASSED BY
THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, PAGE, WALIA, ZHAO, FITZSIMMONS.
NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE
3.5. Discussion of Maintenance of Residential Front Yard Landscaping
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that the City Council review the information in this report and provide
staff direction as needed.
Bryan Swanson, Community Development Director, presented the staff report.
Mayor Fitzsimmons invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
No action needed; the report was received and filed.
COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS
Council Member Tina Walia
Cities Association of Santa Clara County Board of Directors — stated the Board received a
presentation from The Planning Collaborative.
Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority Board of Directors - stated the Board authorized entering
into the Agency's third Municipal Prepay Bond and, staff led a Study Session about programs
focused on reducing emissions from the residential building sector.
Council Member Chuck Page
West Valley Sanitation District Board of Directors - stated the meeting was primarily ministerial
and the Board held a Closed Session.
Saratoga Chamber of Commerce Board - stated the Board discussed concerns about the Housing
Element, specifically concerns about commercial use becoming residential or mixed -use.
Council Member Belal Aftab
Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Policy Advisory Committee — stated bus ridership hit a
post -pandemic ridership record and, the Committee reviewed the Valley Transportation Plan, and
the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
Saratoga City Council Minutes — October 18, 2023 — Page 6 of 7
Vice Mayor Yan Zhao
Nothing to report
Mayor Kookie Fitzsimmons
Nothing to report
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
None
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
None
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
None
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS; VIRTUAL ATTENDEES
Mayor Fitzsimmons invited public comment.
The following individual spoke:
Vivek Tiwari discussed the Housing Element.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Fitzsimmons adjourned the meeting at 9:54 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
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Britt Avrit, City Clerk
City of Saratoga
Saratoga City Council Minutes — October 18, 2023 — Page 7 of 7