Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ January 15, 2025 ~ Page 1 of 7
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2025
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
At 5:00 p.m., the City Council held interviews for the Library & Public Art Commission.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
WALIA/PAGE MOVED TO APPOINT JERI BROMLEY TO THE LIBRARY & PUBLIC ART COMMISSION FOR A PARTIAL TERM ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2026. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
WALIA/PAGE MOVED TO APPOINT LAKSHMI SHARMA TO THE LIBRARY & PUBLIC ART COMMISSION FOR A PARTIAL TERM ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2027.
MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
WALIA/PAGE MOVED TO APPOINT ANSHUL AGARWAL TO THE LIBRARY & PUBLIC ART COMMISSION FOR A PARTIAL TERM ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2028.
MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
At 6:00 p.m., the City Council held a Joint Session with Supervisor Abe-Koga.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
Mayor Aftab called the Regular Session to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor Belal Aftab, Vice Mayor Chuck Page, Council Members Kookie Fitzsimmons, Tina Walia, Yan Zhao
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 January 10, 2025.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ January 15, 2025 ~ Page 2 of 7
REPORT FROM STUDY SESSION
Mayor Aftab stated the City Council held a Joint Session at 6:00 p.m. with Supervisor Abe-Koga; Supervisor Abe-Koga provided a summary of the Joint Session.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON- AGENDIZED ITEM S; IN-PERSON
ATTENDEES
The following individuals spoke at this time:
Nikil Balakrishnan discussed wildfire risk.
Ms. Balakrishnan discussed wildfire threats.
Veena Subrahmanyam discussed wildfire safety.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Aftab shared information about AlertSCC, Genasys Protect, Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration, and Let’s Work Saratoga Volunteer Days.
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
Commendation for Zhen Li
Recommended Action:
Present Commendation To Zhen Li
The City Counci l presented a Commendation to outgoing Heritage Preservation Commissioner Zhen Li.
Human Trafficking Prevention Month Proclamation
Recommended Action:
Proclaim the month of January 2025 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the City of Saratoga
The City Council proclaimed the month of January 2025 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the City of Saratoga.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Saratoga Library Renovation
Recommended Action:
Receive updates from the Santa Clara County Library District regarding the Saratoga Library renovation.
The City Council received updates from the Santa Clara County Library District regarding the Saratoga Library renovation.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ January 15, 2025 ~ Page 3 of 7
Council Member Walia requested Items 1.4 and 1.5 be removed for separate discussion.
1.1. City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action:
Approve the Minutes for the December 18, 2024, City Council Meeting.
ZHAO/PAGE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE DECEMBER 18, 2024, CITY COUNCIL MEETING. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN:
NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
1.2. Accounts Payable Check Registers
Recommended Action:
Review and accept the 12/12/2024 and 12/19/2024 accounts payable vendor payment check registers.
ZHAO/PAGE MOVED TO REVIEW AND ACCEPT THE 12/12/2024 AND 12/19/2024 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.
1.3. Treasurer’s Report for the Month Ended November 30, 2024 Recommended Action:
Review and accept the Treasurer’s Report for the month ended November 30, 2024.
ZHAO/PAGE MOVED TO REVIEW AND ACCEPT THE TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE MONTH ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2024. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
1.4. Agreement with Lisa Wise Consulting, Inc. to review and update the Village Design Guidelines for compliance with SB 35 and Housing Element Policy 3.3-3 (Preserve the Historic Character of the Saratoga Village)
Recommended Action:
Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Lisa Wise Consulting, Inc. (LWC) to review and update the Village Design Guidelines for compliance with SB 35 and Housing Element Policy 3.3-3 (Preserve the Historic Character of the Saratoga Village) in the amount of $153,854.
WALIA/ZHAO MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH LISA WISE CONSULTING, INC. (LWC) TO REVIEW AND UPDATE THE VILLAGE DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR COMPLIANCE WITH SB 35 AND HOUSING ELEMENT POLICY 3.3 -3 (PRESERVE THE HISTORIC CHARACTER OF THE SARATOGA VILLAGE) IN THE AMOUNT OF $153,854.
MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYE S: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT:
NONE.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ January 15, 2025 ~ Page 4 of 7
1.5. CivicPlus Contract Amendment for Website Services Recommended Action:
Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract amendment with CivicPlus for additional website services in the amount of $40,392 for a total contract amount not to exceed $146,359 for a four-year term, ending January 17, 2029.
WALIA/ZHAO MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH CIVICPLUS FOR ADDITIONAL WEBSITE SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,392 FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $146,359 FOR A FOUR- YEAR TERM, ENDING JANUARY 17, 2029. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE.
ABSENT: NONE.
1.6. Out of State Travel – United States Conference of Mayors Recommended Action:
Approve out of state travel for Mayor Aftab to represent the City of Saratoga at the United States Conference of Mayors.
ZHAO/PAGE MOVED TO APPROVE OUT OF STATE TRAVEL FOR MAYOR
AFTAB TO REPRESENT THE CITY OF SARATOGA AT THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF MAYORS. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN:
NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
2. GENERAL BUSINESS
2.1. Economic Vitality Committee Ad Hoc Report
Recommended Action:
Approve the recommendation of the Economic Vitality Ad Hoc Committee for a pilot project for widened sidewalks along the frontage of Bella Saratoga including city funded design.
Mayor Aftab and Vice Mayor Page, presented the staff report.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
The following individuals spoke at this time: Mona Kaur, Jim Cargill, Glenda Aune, Mohini.
PAGE/AFTAB MOVED TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
ECONOMIC VITALITY AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR A PILOT PROJECT FOR
WIDENED SIDEWALKS ALONG THE FRONTAGE OF BELLA SARATOGA
INCLUDING CITY FUNDED DESIGN WITH $7,000 IN FUNDING PROVIDED FROM THE CITY COUNCIL CONTINGENCY FUND.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ January 15, 2025 ~ Page 5 of 7
Council Member Zhao requested a friendly amendment adding a robust public outreach program, posting a conceptual design in the village , providing the conceptual design to businesses and property owners, utilizing social media for broad community engagement leading up to a Council Study Session to review options and hear from stakeholders , and requested staff to return with an analysis of business Possessory Interest Tax that would be due to the County Assessor as property tax and the potential for paying a lease to the City in exchange for use of the space.
PAGE/AFTAB MOVED TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE
ECONOMIC VITALITY AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR A PILOT PROJECT FOR
WIDENED SIDEWALKS ALONG THE FRONTAGE OF BELLA SARATOGA
INCLUDING CITY FUNDED DESIGN WITH $7,000 IN FUNDING PROVIDED
FROM THE CITY COUNCIL CONTINGENCY FUND, ADDING A ROBUST
PUBLIC OUTREACH PROGRAM, POSTING A CONCEPTUAL DESIGN IN THE
VILLAGE, PROVIDING THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN TO BUSINESSES AND
PROPERTY OWNERS, UTILIZING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR BROAD COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT LEADING UP TO A COUNCIL STUDY SESSION TO REVIEW
OPTIONS AND HEAR FROM STAKEHOLDERS , AND REQUEST THAT STAFF
RETURN WITH AN ANALYSIS OF BUSINESS POSSESSORY INTEREST TAX
THAT WOULD BE DUE TO THE COUNTY ASSESSOR AS PROPERTY TAX AND
THE POTENTIAL FOR PAYING A LEASE TO THE CITY IN EXCHANGE FOR USE OF THE SPACE . MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES :
FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
It was the consensus of the City Council that the supplemental report requested of the Economic Vitality Ad Hoc Committee by the City Council in November has been provided, and therefore the business of the Economic Vitality Ad Hoc Committee is complete.
2.2. City Owned Property
Recommended Action:
Review the listing of City Owned Property and provide further direction.
Matt Morley, City Manager, presented the staff report.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
No motion necessary, receive and file.
2.3. 2025 City Council Retreat Agenda
Recommended Action:
Review the agenda for the City Council Retreat scheduled for January 24, 2025 at Hakone Gardens.
Matt Morley, City Manager, presented the staff report.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ January 15, 2025 ~ Page 6 of 7
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
The following individual spoke at this time: Glenda Aune.
No motion necessary, direction provided to staff.
COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS
Council Member Yan Zhao
West Valley Sanitation District Board of Directors – stated Rob Moore, from the Town of Los Gatos has been elected as C hair, Council Member Zhao was elected as Vice Chair ; the Board appointed Ben Furtado from the City of Campell to the Treatment Plant Advisory Committee, Rob Moore to the Sewer Advisory Board and Council Member Zhao as the Alternate.
Council Member Kookie Fitzsimmons
Hakone Foundation Board of Trustees – stated the Board discussed the Foundation’s recent trip to Japan and will review the feasibility of a similar trip every two years, discussed increasing cultural and historical education and expanded programming, and discussed the upcoming Lunar New Year Celebration.
Council Member Tina Walia
Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) Authority Board of Directors – stated the Board elected George Tyson from Los Altos Hills as Chair. Larry Klein from Sunnyvale as Vice Chair, and six members of the Executive Committee; the Board received an update on various grants, and stated SVCE and San Jose have been awarded a $12 M charging, fueling and infrastructure grant from the Department of Transportation which includes funding for five fast EV chargers for Saratoga Village.
Vice Mayor Chuck Page
Saratoga Chamber of Commerce Board – stated the Board discussed programs to increase visitors in the Village.
Hakone Foundation Board of Trustees – stated he attended the meeting; Council Member Fitzsimmons provided the report above.
Mayor Belal Aftab
Council Finance Committee – stated the meeting was rescheduled to February.
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
Walia/Aftab requested an item to assess disaster preparedness.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
None
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
None
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
None
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ January 15, 2025 ~ Page 7 of 7
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS; VIRTUAL ATTENDEES
The following individual spoke at this time:
Glenda Aune discussed wildfire preparation.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Aftab adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Britt Avrit, City Clerk
City of Saratoga