Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ December 18, 2024 ~ Page 1 of 5
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2024
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Zhao called the Regular Session to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor Yan Zhao, Vice Mayor Belal Aftab, Council Members Kookie Fitzsimmons, Chuck Page, Tina Walia
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Matt Morley, City Manager
Richard Taylor, City Attorney
Leslie Arroyo, Assistant City Manager
John Cherbone, Public Works Director
Bryan Swanson, Community Development Director
Ryan Hinchman, 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 December 13, 2024.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON- AGENDIZED ITEM S; IN-PERSON
ATTENDEES
The following individual spoke at this time:
Tom Costello discussed online access to Builders Remedy information.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Zhao shared information about the City Hall closure during the holidays, ‘Let’s Work Saratoga,’ and Saratoga Commission recruitment.
COUNCIL REORGANIZATION ITEMS
1. Oath of Office for City Council Members Elect Kookie Fitzsimmons and Tina Walia Recommended Action:
Direct the City Clerk to administer the Oath of Office to City Council Members Elect Kookie Fitzsimmons and Tina Walia.
Congressman Elect Sam Liccardo administered the Oath of Office to City Council Member Elect Kookie Fitzsimmons.
Congressman Elect Sam Liccardo administered the Oath of Office to City Council Member Elect Tina Walia.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ December 18, 2024 ~ Page 2 of 5
2. Recognition of Outgoing Mayor
Recommended Action:
Hear remarks from outgoing Mayor Yan Zhao.
Mayor Zhao provided remarks on her year as Mayor.
3. Appointment of Mayor & Vice Mayor
Recommended Actions:
Declare offices of Mayor and Vice Mayor to be vacant, accept nominations for the office of Mayor, direct the City Clerk or designee to administer the Oath of Office to new Mayor, accept nominations for the office of Vice Mayor, and direct the City Clerk or designee to administer the Oath of Office to new Vice Mayor.
The City Clerk declared the offices of Mayor and Vice Mayor vacant and invited public comment.
The following individu als spoke at this time: Vandana Sathz, Stan Bogosian, Marilyn Basham, Tsing Bardin, Marilyn Manies, Tipu Purkayastha, Kiran Machotra, Lakhinder Walia, Amal, Mona Kaur-Freedland,
PAGE/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO NOMINATE COUNCIL MEMBER AFTAB FOR THE POSITION OF MAYOR. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: AFTAB, FITZSIMMONS, PAGE, WALIA, ZHAO. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN:
NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
Congressman Elect Sam Liccardo administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Aftab.
AFTAB/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO NOMINATE COUNCIL MEMBER PAGE FOR THE POSITION OF VICE MAYOR.
Discussion took place regarding the Mayor Rotation Policy.
WALIA MOVED TO NOMINATE COUNCIL MEMBER FITZSIMMONS FOR THE POSITION OF VICE MAYOR.
Council Member Fitzsimmons declined the nomination.
AFTAB/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO NOMINATE COUNCIL MEMBER PAGE FOR THE POSITION OF VICE MAYOR. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: FITZSIMMONS, PAGE, WALIA, ZHAO, AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN:
NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
Congressman Elect Sam Liccardo administered the Oath of Office to Vice Mayor Page.
Mayor Aftab provided remarks as the new Mayor.
Vice Mayor Page provided remarks as the new Vice Mayor.
Members of the City Council provided remarks on the new Mayor and Vice Mayor.
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Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
The following indivi duals spoke at this time : Razi Mohiuddin, A ileen Kao, Monte Sereno Council Member Ellahie, resident of Saratoga, Nadia
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
Council Member Walia requested Item 2.4 be removed for separate discussion.
2.1. City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action:
Approve the Minutes for the December 4, 2024, City Council Meeting.
ZHAO/PAGE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE DECEMBER 4, 2024, CITY COUNCIL MEETING. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN:
NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
2.2. Accounts Payable Check Registers
Recommended Action:
Review and accept the 11/27/2024 and 12/05/2024 accounts payable vendor payment check registers.
ZHAO/PAGE MOVED TO REVIEW AND ACCEPT THE 11/27/2024 AND 12/05/2024 ACCOUNTS PAYABLE VENDOR PAYMENT CHECK REGISTERS. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
2.3. Commission Local Appointments List and Terms Expiring in 2025 Recommended Action:
Adopt the Local Appointments List for terms expiring in the 2025 calendar year and direct the City Clerk to post on the City’s website.
ZHAO/PAGE MOVED TO ADOPT THE LOCAL APPOINTMENTS LIST FOR TERMS EXPIRING IN THE 2025 CALENDAR YEAR AND DIRECT THE CITY CLERK TO POST ON THE CITY’S WEBSITE. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
2.4. Adoption of City Council Assignments
Recommended Action:
Adopt the Resolution establishing City Council assignments for calendar year 2025.
RESOLUTION 24-066
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PAGE/ZHAO MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING CITY COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS AS AMENDED FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2025. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
2.5. Proposed 2025 City Council Meeting Schedule
Recommended Action:
Discuss and approve the proposed 2025 City Council Meeting Schedule and authorize the City Manager, after consultation with the Mayor, to reinstate a cancelled meeting if any urgent items arise.
WALIA/ZHAO MOVED TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED 2025 CITY COUNCIL
MEETING SCHEDULE AS AMENDED AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER,
AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE MAYOR, TO REINSTATE A CANCELLED MEETING IF ANY URGENT ITEMS ARISE. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS
Council Member Kookie Fitzsimmons
Nothing to report.
Council Member Tina Walia
Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority Board of Directors – stated the Board held a holiday mixer event prior to the Board meeting; at the Board meeting the Board approved customer rates, approved the 2025 policy platform, authorized the C hief Executive Officer to execute letters of support, and received an update on recently launched programs.
Council Member Yan Zhao
West Valley Sanitation District Board of Directors – stated the Board awarded a sewer rehabilitation project on Saratoga Avenue.
Vice Mayor Chuck Page
Nothing to report.
Mayor Belal Aftab
Nothing to report.
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
Page/Fitzsimmons requested discussion of Automated License Plate Reader cameras in the Village at the Annual Retreat.
Walia/Zhao requested a Council Nominated CIP project for adding benches along pathways, sidewalks, and/or trails.
Aftab/Page requested discussion of the Mayor Rotation Policy.
Walia/Zhao requested a Study Session addressing the Saratoga Norms of Operation.
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Aftab/Fitzsimmons requested discussion of funding for KSAR at the Annual Retreat.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
None
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
The City Manager wished everyone Happy Holidays.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
The City Attorney wished everyone Happy Holidays.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS; VIRTUAL ATTENDEES
No one requested to speak.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Aftab adjourned the meeting at 8:37 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Britt Avrit, City Clerk
City of Saratoga