Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ March 19, 2025 ~ Page 1 of 9
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2025
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
At 5:00 p.m., the City Council held a Closed Session in the Linda Callon Conference Room.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
At 6:00 p.m., the City Council held a Study Session to review the City Council Norms of Operation.
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
Britt Avrit, City Clerk
REPORT ON POSTING OF THE AGENDA
The City Clerk reported the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on March 13, 2025.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Aftab stated the City Council held a Closed Session at 5:00 p.m. with no reportable action taken.
REPORT FROM STUDY SESSION
Mayor Aftab stated the City Council held a Study Session at 6:00 p.m. to review the City Council Norms of Operation.
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ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON- AGENDIZED ITEMS; IN -PERSON
ATTENDEES
Carlos Duran discussed labor negotiations.
Tony Eulo discussed savings provided by Silicon Valley Clean Energy.
Dory Albert discussed yard waste debris.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Aftab shared information about SED Talks (Youth Commission) , the Spring Chipping Program, and Yoga at Wildwood Park.
Vice Mayor Page shared information about Firewise Communities.
Council Member Fitzsimmons shared information about Hanami night viewing at Hakone and the Hanami VIP event at Hakone.
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
Recommended Action:
Adopt the Resolution appointing Zaheer Hassan and Badrinath Sridharan to the Planning Commission and direct the City Clerk to administer the Oath of Office.
RESOLUTION 25-005
FITZSIMMONS/PAGE MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION APPOINTING
ZAHEER HASSAN AND BADRINATH SRIDHARAN TO THE PLANNING
COMMISSION AND DIRECT THE CITY CLERK TO ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE.
ABSENT: NONE.
The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
Novakovich 100 Year Proclamation
Recommended Action:
Honor Novakovich Orchards' 100th Anniversary
The City Council honored Novakovich Orchards' 100th Anniversary.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
The following individuals spoke at this time: Lisa Prince Newman, Neal Casteel Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ March 19, 2025 ~ Page 3 of 9
Recognition of STEM Winners
Recommended Action:
Recognize 2024 STEM Winners from Saratoga who participated in the Santa Clara County 2024 Synopsys Championship Science Fair, held in March of 2024.
The City Council recognized the 2024 STEM winners from Saratoga who participated in the Santa Clara County 2024 Synopsys Championship Science Fair, held in March of 2024.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
The following individual spoke at this time: Glenda Aune
Mayor Aftab stated staff has requested Consent Calendar Item No. 1.6 be removed from consideration and will bring the item forward at another time.
1.1. City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action:
Review and Approve the Minutes for the March 5, 2025, City Council Meeting.
PAGE/ZHAO MOVED TO REVIEW AND APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE MARCH 5, 2025, 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 02/26/2025 and 03/05/2025 accounts payable vendor payment check registers.
PAGE/ZHAO MOVED TO REVIEW AND ACCEPT THE 02/26/2025 AND 03/05/2025 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. Memorandum of Understanding with the Cities of Cupertino, Monte Sereno, Saratoga and the Town of Los Gatos to Formalize the Collaborative Efforts to Conduct a West Valley Shelter Feasibility Study for the Possible Development of Temporary and Emergency Housing Facilities and Programs to Service the West Valley Area
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Recommended Action:
Authorize the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Understanding with the Cities of Cupertino, Monte Sereno, Saratoga and the Town of Los Gatos to formalize collaborative efforts to conduct a feasibility study related to potential temporary and emergency housing facilities in the West Valley Area.
PAGE/ZHAO MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE CITIES OF CUPERTINO,
MONTE SERENO, SARATOGA AND THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS TO
FORMALIZE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY
STUDY RELATED TO POTENTIAL TEMPORARY AND EMERGENCY HOUSING FACILITIES IN THE WEST VALLEY AREA. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
1.4. Final Map Approval for Two Lots Located at 14771 Montalvo Road Recommended Action:
Adopt the Resolution granting final map approval of parcel map application No. ULS23- 0004 for two lots located at 14771 Montalvo Road (APN: 517-19-040).
RESOLUTION 25-006
PAGE/ZHAO MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION GRANTING FINAL MAP APPROVAL OF PARCEL MAP APPLICATION NO. ULS23 -0004 FOR TWO LOTS LOCATED AT 14771 MONTALVO ROAD (APN: 517-19-040). MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB.
NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
1.5. Budget Amendment Resolutions for additional funding requested for the El Quito Park Community Garden CIP Project Budget and for the City Vehicle/Equipment Repairs and Maintenance Operating Budget
Recommended Actions:
1. Adopt the Resolution authorizing a budget amendment for $175,000 in additional funding for the El Quito Park Community Garden CIP Project.
2. Adopt the Resolution authorizing a budget amendment for $25,000 in additional funding for the City Vehicle and Equipment Repair and Maintenance Operating Budget.
RESOLUTION 25-007
RESOLUTION 25-008
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PAGE/ZHAO MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR $175,000 IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE EL QUITO
PARK COMMUNITY GARDEN CIP PROJECT AND ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR $25,000 IN ADDITIONAL
FUNDING FOR THE CITY VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT REPAIR AND
MAINTENANCE OPERATING BUDGET. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: NONE.
ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
1.6. Citywide Document Scanning Services Agreement
*THIS ITEM REMOVED FROM CONSIDERATION*
1.7. Ordinance Amending the Saratoga Municipal Code by adding Article 7-12 (Stormwater Pollution Control), deleting Sections 6-15.070, 6-15.080, and 6-15.085, and amending Section 17-05.010.
Recommended Action:
Waive reading and adopt the ordinance adding Article 7-12 (Stormwater Pollution Control), deleting Sections 6-15.070, 6-15.080, and 6-15.085, and amending Section 17-05.010 of the Saratoga Municipal Code to implement National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements applicable in Saratoga.
ORDINANCE 407
PAGE/ZHAO MOVED TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT THE ORDINANCE ADDING ARTICLE 7 -12 (STORMWATER POLLUTION CONTROL), DELETING SECTIONS 6-15.070, 6-15.080, AND 6-15.085, AND AMENDING SECTION 17-05.010
OF THE SARATOGA MUNICIPAL CODE TO IMPLEMENT NATIONAL
POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
APPLICABLE IN SARATOGA. 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. 2025 General Plan Housing Element Annual Progress Report Recommended Actions:
1. Adopt the Resolution accepting the 2024 General Plan Housing Element Annual Progress Report.
2. Direct staff to file the report with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
Chris Riordan, Senior Planner, presented the staff report.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ March 19, 2025 ~ Page 6 of 9
RESOLUTION 25-009
WALIA/PAGE MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE 2024
GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT AND DIRECT STAFF TO FILE THE REPORT WITH THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF
PLANNING AND RESEARCH (OPR) AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (HCD). MOTION PASSED BY THE
FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
2.2. Village Sidewalk Expansion Pilot Project
Recommended Action:
Approve the Village Sidewalk Expansion Pilot Project for the street fronting 14503 Big Basin Way and authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary licensing agreements with the adjacent business owner.
John Cherbone, Public Works Director, presented the staff report.
Mayor Aftab stated due to the number of individuals who intend to speak on this item, the time for speaking will be reduced to two minutes.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
The following individuals spoke at this time: Jacqui Holmes, Nedda Ashjaee, Keion Ashjaee- Marshall, Nick Miller, Arlene & Jim Rosenfeld, Carolyn Brandwajn, Kelly Ciccone, Clyde Zayo, Jennifer Zaya, Hiren Variava, Gabe Calebotta, Kirti Mehta, Vidya Mallik, Ritu Rama, Sandra Chy, Vandana Prabhu, Roya Shirani, Jim Cargill, Mahshid Maleki, Glenda Aune, Ashwin, San R., Jason, Sanhya, Angelo, John
Mayor Aftab requested a recess at this time.
Mayor Aftab reconvened the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
PAGE/FITZSIMMMONS MOVED TO APPROVE THE VILLAGE SIDEWALK EXPANSION PILOT PROJECT FOR THE STREET FRONTING 14503 BIG BASIN
WAY AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE NECESSARY LICENSING AGREEMENTS WITH THE ADJACENT BUSINESS OWNER.
MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT:
NONE.
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Council Member Fitzsimmons stated she will recuse herself from the next topic of discussion due to proximity of property she owns to the property being discussed and left the dais at this time.
Aftab/Zhao requested a City Council item that another business, such as Hero Ranch, be considered for the sidewalk expansion pilot program.
Council Member Fitzsimmons returned to the dais at this time.
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
3.1. Introduce and waive first reading of an Ordinance Amending the Saratoga Municipal Code by Repealing and Replacing Article 4-55 (Massage Establishments and Massage Practitioners)
Recommended Action:
Following the Public Hearing, introduce and waive the first reading of an ordinance repealing and replacing Article 4-55 of the Saratoga Municipal Code concerning Massage Establishments and Massage Practitioners.
Aaron Yuma, Building Official, and Nathan Sagastume, Code Compliance Officer, presented the staff report.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
The following individual spoke at this time: Christine Fox
ZHAO/WALIA MOVED TO INTRODUCE AND WAIVE THE FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING ARTICLE 4 -55 OF THE
SARATOGA MUNICIPAL CODE CONCERNING MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS AND MASSAGE PRACTITIONERS. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: NONE.
ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
3.2. Introduce and waive first reading of an Ordinance Amending the Saratoga Municipal Code Chapter 15 (Zoning Regulations) by adding a new Article 15-82 to implement 2023- 2031 Housing Element Policy 5.1-1 to adopt an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance Recommended Actions:
1. Following the Public Hearing, introduce and waive the first reading of an ordinance amending the Saratoga Municipal Code Chapter 15 (Zoning Regulations) by adding a new Article 15-82 to implement 2023-2031 Housing Element Policy 5.1-1 to adopt an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance.
2. Direct staff to provide Below-Market-Rate (BMR) guidelines, as defined and authorized in new Article 15-82, to Planning Commission and City Council for review prior to issuance by staff.
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Cindy McCormick, Development Manager, presented the staff report.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
ZHAO/WALIA MOVED TO INTRODUCE AND WAIVE THE FIRST READING OF
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SARATOGA MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 15 (ZONING REGULATIONS) BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE 15 -82 TO IMPLEMENT 2023 -2031 HOUSING ELEMENT POLICY 5.1- 1 TO ADOPT AN
INCLUSIONARY HOUSING ORDINANCE AND DIRECT STAFF TO PROVIDE
BELOW-MARKET-RATE (BMR) GUIDELINES, AS DEFINED AND
AUTHORIZED IN NEW ARTICLE 15 -82, TO PLANNING COMMISSION AND CITY COUNCIL FOR REVIEW PRIOR TO ISSUANCE BY STAFF. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS
Council Member Yan Zhao
Nothing to report.
Council Member Kookie Fitzsimmons
Nothing to report.
Council Member Tina Walia
Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority Board of Directors – stated the Board received the FY 23/24 audit report, the FY 24/25 mid-year budget was presented and approved, the Board discussed affordability, and Silicon Valley Clean Energy received an upgraded credit rating.
Cities Association of Santa Clara County Legislative Action Committee – stated the Committee received presentations from Senators Josh Becker and Dave Cortese.
Cities Association of Santa Clara County Board of Directors – stated the FY 25/26 budget was presented and approved.
Vice Mayor Chuck Page
Saratoga Chamber of Commerce Board – stated the Board discussed outdoor dining and upcoming Saratoga Nights events.
Mayor Belal Aftab
Council Finance Advisory Committee – stated the Committee reviewed Financial Policies and the revised Fee Schedule.
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
Page/Fitzsimmons requested that staff come back with information for the City Council to consider merging the functions of the Heritage Preservation Commission with the functions of the Planning Commission.
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COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Fitzsimmons discussed the recent Storybook Children Play Space grand opening at the Saratoga Library.
Council Member Walia discussed her completion of the CERT volunteer program.
Council Member Page discussed the process to have yard trimmings and bulky items picked up by West Valley Recycles.
Mayor Aftab wished everyone “Ramadan Mubarak” and thanked everyone for their work at the Prospect Center.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
The City Manager discussed the recent events held in the City, a meeting held with Mayor Aftab and Congressman Liccardo, and a meeting with Fire Chief Kerdkaew.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS; VIRTUAL ATTENDEES
The following individual spoke at this time:
Jim Cargill discussed Firewise Communities.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Aftab adjourned the meeting at 9:55 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Britt Avrit, City Clerk
City of Saratoga