Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ September 20, 2023 ~ Page 1 of 4
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2023
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Fitzsimmons called the Regular Session to order at 7:05 p.m.
Prior to Roll Call, the City Clerk stated Vice Mayor Zhao and Council Member Page are attending the meeting from Sacramento, as indicated on the agenda, pursuant to Government Code 54953 (b). Vice Mayor Zhao and Council Member Page confirmed for the record the public is able to participate from their locations.
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
John Cherbone, Public Works Director
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 September 14, 2023.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
Mayor Fitzsimmons invited public comment.
The following individuals spoke:
Robert Berglund, Tsing Bardin, John Brittan, Marilyn Basham, Michael Griffin, John B. Henley, Jr., Colin Whitby-Strevens discussed the Saratoga Retirement Community project.
Several individuals discussed their views.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Fitzsimmons shared information about the Suicide Awareness Month, Saratoga Chamber of Commerce’s President and Mayor’s Inaugural Ball, Everybody Belongs at Parks Initiative, Village Scarecrow Project and Saratoga Library’s 20th Anniversary Celebrations.
Council Mem ber Walia shared information about the Suicide Awareness Month event in Sunnyvale and the Santa Clara County Firesafe Council Firesafe Summit.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ September 20, 2023 ~ Page 2 of 4
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 September 6, 2023, City Council Regular Meeting.
WALIA/AFTAB MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE SEPTEMBER 6, 2023, CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL 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 08/30/2023 and 09/07/2023 accounts payable vendor payment check registers.
WALIA/AFTAB MOVED TO REVIEW AND ACCEPT THE 08/30/2023 AND 09/07/2023 ACCOUNTS PAYABLE VENDOR PAYMENT CHECK REGISTERS .
MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, PAGE, WALIA, ZHAO, FITZSIMMONS. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE.
ABSENT: NONE.
2. GENERAL BUSINESS
2.1. Tree Maintenance Contracts with Oscar’s Tree Service, Mario Topete Tree Care, and West Coast Arborist
Recommended Action:
Authorize the City Manager to execute the following tree maintenance service contracts:
• Oscar’s Tree Service in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00; • Mario Topete Tree Care in an amount not to exceed $100,000.00; and, • West Coast Arborist in an amount not to exceed $100,000.00.
John Cherbone, Public Works Director, presented the staff report.
Mayor Fitzsimmons invited public comment.
One speaker addressed the Council regarding this item.
Mayor Fitzsimmons requested a recess at this time.
Mayor Fitzsimmons reconvened the meeting at 8:22 p.m.
Three additional speakers addressed the Council regarding this item.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ September 20, 2023 ~ Page 3 of 4
PAGE/AFTAB MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE FOLLOWING TREE MAINTENANCE SERVICE CONTRACTS: OSCAR’S TREE SERVICE IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 150,000.00 , MARIO TOPETE TREE CARE IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000.00 AND, WEST COAST ARBORIST IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000.00. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, PAGE, WALIA, ZHAO, FITZSIMMONS. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT:
NONE.
COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS
Council Member Tina Walia
Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority Board of Directors - stated the Board received an update on the 2022 Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory, approved Strategic Focus Areas for the year ahead and adopted the FY 23-24 Operating Budget.
Cities Association of Santa Clara County Board of Directors - stated the Board voted to move the Joint Powers Agency documents forward to the respective City and Town Councils.
Council Member Belal Aftab
Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Policy Advisory Committee - stated he attended the meeting virtually as a member of the public; the Committee reported on the Beyonce concert, discussed the “Plan Bay Area 50”; Council Member Aftab also provided the number of graduating bus drivers.
Mayor Kookie Fitzsimmons
Nothing to report.
Council Member Chuck Page
Saratoga Chamber of Commerce Board - stated the Board discussed the recent House Family Vineyard Temporary Compliance Plan, the plans for Scarecrows in the village, and the upcoming holiday season.
West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority Board of Directors - stated the Board received a presentation on the goals related to Senate Bill 1383.
Vice Mayor Yan Zhao
Cities Association of Santa Clara County -Legislative Action Committee - stated the Committee had a guest speaker from the League of CA Cities who discussed proposed ballot measures.
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
None
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
None
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
None
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
None
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ September 20, 2023 ~ Page 4 of 4
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Fitzsimmons adjourned the meeting at 8:44 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Britt Avrit, City Clerk
City of Saratoga