Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ October 15, 2025 ~ Page 1 of 6
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2025
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
At 5:00 p.m., the City Council held a Joint Session in the Linda Callon Conference Room with the Saratoga Library & Public Art Commission.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
At 6: 00 p.m., the City Council held a Joint Session with Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in the Linda Callon Conference Room.
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
Ryan Hinchman, Administrative Services Director
John Cherbone, Public Works Director
Bryan Swanson, Community Development Director
REPORT ON POSTING OF THE AGENDA
The Community Development Director reported the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on October 9, 2025.
REPORT FROM JOINT SESSIONS
Mayor Aftab stated the City Council held a Joint Session at 5:00 p.m. with the Saratoga Library & Public Art Commission and Mayor Aftab provided a summary of the Joint Session.
Mayor Aftab stated the City Council held a Joint S ession at 6:00 p.m. with Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. Sergio Lopez, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Board Chair and Mayor for the City of Campbell, provided a summary of the discussion at the Joint Session.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON- AGENDIZED ITEMS; IN -PERSON
ATTENDEES
Judy Goldman discussed the Saratoga Foothill Club event series.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ October 15, 2025 ~ Page 2 of 6
Dory Albert discussed a partnership with VTA and the school district for student commutes.
Toby Brenton discussed provisions in labor contracts.
Mainini Cabute discussed employee turnover and contract negotiations.
Emma Burkhalter discussed supporting her coworkers.
Francisco Alvarez discussed working for the City and contract negotiations.
Rob Balbuena discussed working for the City and contract negotiations.
Kyle Rathbone discussed relationships and contract negotiations.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Aftab shared information about the Alert SCC Test, the SASCC Health Fair, and the Witchy Walkabout.
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
Proclamation Declaring October 2025 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Recommended Action:
Proclaim October 2025 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
The City Council proclaimed October 2025 as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Silicon Valley Clean Energy Music and Art Competition Scholarship Winners Recommended Action:
Recognize Saratoga students recently awarded scholarships for the Silicon Valley Clean Energy Music and Art Competition.
The City Council recognized Saratoga students recently awarded scholarships for the Silicon Valley Clean Energy Music and Art Competition.
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
1.1 City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action:
Review and Approve the Minutes for the October 1, 2025 City Council Meeting.
PAGE/ZHAO MOVED TO REVIEW AND APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE OCTOBER 1, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
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1.2 Accounts Payable Check Register
Recommended Action:
Review and accept the 09/24/2025 and 10/01/2025 accounts payable vendor payment check registers.
PAGE/ZHAO MOVED TO REVIEW AND ACCEPT THE 09/24/2025 AND 10/01/2025 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 Final map approval of parcel map application No. ULS23-0012 for two lots located at 13305 Pierce Road
Recommended Action:
Adopt the Resolution granting final map approval of parcel map application No. ULS23- 0012 for two lots located at 13305 Pierce Road (APN 503-16-055).
RESOLUTION 25-055
PAGE/ZHAO MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION GRANTING FINAL MAP APPROVAL OF PARCEL MAP APPLICATION NO. ULS23 -0012 FOR TWO LOTS LOCATED AT 13305 PIERCE ROAD (APN 503 -16-055). MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
2. PUBLIC HEARINGS
2.1 Annual Code Update for 2025
Recommended Action:
Conduct the public hearing, introduce and waive the first reading of an ordinance amending City Code provisions concerning Use of City Property (New City Code Article 2-60), Duties of the City Manager (City Code Section 2- 20.050), Purchasing Policies (2- 45.070), Code Enforcement (3-05.070 and 3-30.050), Taxi Business Licenses and Taxi Zones (4-40.020 and 9-15.110), Motion Picture Filming (4- 60.030), Construction and Demolition Debris (7-
05.110 and 17- 15.010), Weed Abatement (Article 7- 15), Noise Ordinance E xceptions (7-
30.060); Uses of Fireplaces (New Article 7 -60), Parking On Residential Property (New Section 9 -15.160), Hillside Street Repair (Article 9 -65), Temporary Encroachments For Construction Materials (Article 10 -20), Park Use Rules and Enforcement (Article 11- 05), Subdivision Applications and Appeals (14- 20.040 and 14 -85.020), amend Zoning Map To Rezone the Chester/Allendale Housing Opportunity Site as required by the Housing Element; Removal from the Zoning Map of the AP/OS Overlay Designation that is no longer included in the text of the Zoning Ordinance; Abandonment of Planning Applications (New Section 15-05.075), References To the Village Specific Plan (15- 06.710 and 15- 19.010), Scope of Planning Commission Review (15-45.060 and 15-46.020), Design Review of Basements (15-
45.065), Fireplaces (Article 15- 58), Tree Permit Regulations (15- 50.050 and 15- 50.080), Accessory Dwelling Units (Article 15-56), Ministerial Consideration of Qualifying Projects (Article 15-57), Single Family Design Standards (Ar ticle 15-59), and Appeals (Article 15- 90), and direct staff to place the ordinance on the consent calendar for adoption at the next regular meeting of the City Council.
Richard Taylor, City Attorney, presented the staff report.
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Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
The following individual spoke at this time: Jacqui Holmes
AFTAB/PAGE MOVED TO INTRODUCE AND WAIVE THE FIRST READING OF
THE ORDINANCE AS PRESENTED, CHANGING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE REQUIRING A PARK PERMIT FROM 5 TO 15 (ARTICLE 11), CONFORMING THE DESCRIPTION OF TAXES IN ARTICLE 7 AND DIRECT STAFF TO BRING
BACK DISCUSSION OF A MORATORIUM OF SOME OR ALL ADU FEES , AND
DIRECT STAFF TO PLACE THE ORDINANCE ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR ADOPTION AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT:
NONE.
2.2 Ordinance Adopting the 2025 California Building Standards Code with Local Modifications and Technical Changes to the Building Regulations Recommended Actions:
1. Conduct a Public Hearing.
2. Introduce and waive the first reading of the Ordinance (Attachment A) adopting and modifying the referenced codes and making technical changes to the City’s Building Regulations and modifying the City’s Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Map; and
3. Direct staff to place the Ordinance and the Resolution (Attachment B) making findings regarding proposed modifications to the referenced codes on the consent calendar for adoption on November 5, 2025.
Aaron Yuma, Building Official, presented the staff report.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
The following individual spoke at this time: Dashiell Leeds
PAGE/WALIA MOVED TO INTRODUCE AND WAIVE THE FIRST READING OF
THE ORDINANCE ADOPTING AND MODIFYING THE REFERENCED CODES EXCEPT THE REACH CODES IN SECTIONS 16 -49.030 AND 16- 51.020,
CHANGING THE BUILDING PERMIT TIME LIMIT TO THREE YEARS WITH A
ONE YEAR EXTENSION, AND MAKING TECH NICAL CHANGES TO THE CITY’S BUILDING REGULATIONS, AND MODIFYING THE CITY’S WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE (WUI) MAP; AND DIRECT STAFF TO PLACE THE
ORDINANCE AND THE RESOLUTION MAKING FINDINGS REGARDING
PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS TO THE REFERENCED CODES ON THE
CONSENT CALENDAR FOR ADOPTION ON NOVEMBER 5, 2025. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, WALIA, ZHAO, PAGE, AFTAB. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
PAGE/WALIA MOVED TO INCLUDE IN THE ORDINANCE JUST INTRODUCED THE REACH CODES IN SECTIONS 16-49.030 AND 16-51.020 AND DIRECT STAFF
TO PLACE THE ORDINANCE AS SO MODIFIED ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR ADOPTION ON NOVEMBER 5, 2025. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: WALIA, ZHAO, AFTAB. NOES: FITZSIMMONS, PAGE. ABSTAIN:
NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
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3. GENERAL BUSINESS
3.1 Santa Clara County Sheriff Contract Discussion
Recommended Action:
Provide staff with further direction on Council priorities for the Sheriff’s Contract negotiation.
Leslie Arroyo, Assistant City Manager, presented the staff report.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
The following individual spoke at this time: Jenny Hong Gonzalez
No vote needed.
Mayor Aftab requested a recess at this time.
Mayor Aftab reconvened the meeting at approximately 9:25 p.m.
3.2 Village Traffic Safety Review
Recommended Action:
Receive report from City Staff and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office on safety improvements and traffic enforcement in the Village.
Leslie Arroyo, Assistant City Manager , and Neil Valenzuela, Santa Clara County Sheriff Captain, presented the staff report.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
The following individuals spoke at this time: Marilyn Marchetti, Craig Awbrey, Jeegar Shaw, Jacqui Holmes, Jenny Hong Gonzalez
No vote needed.
3.3 Speed Zones at Saratoga Schools
Recommended Action:
Accept report and direct staff on next steps regarding setting speed zones at schools.
Mainini Cabute, Environmental Programs Manager, presented the staff report.
Mayor Aftab invited public comment.
The following individual spoke at this time: Jacqui Holmes
WALIA/AFTAB MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE AN ORDINANCE FOR AB 382 IF IT PASSES AND FOR AB 321 IF IT DOES NOT . 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 ASSIGNMENTS
Council Member Yan Zhao
Nothing to report.
Council Member Kookie Fitzsimmons
KSAR 15 Saratoga Community Access Cable Television Foundation Board of Directors – stated the Board welcomed two new Board Members - Gay Crawford and Francisco Sudiacal.
Council Member Tina Walia
Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority Board of Directors – stated the Board received an update on recent Federal and State actions, discussed SVCE Clean Target progress and challenges , and local agency Reach Code activity.
Vice Mayor Chuck Page
Saratoga Chamber of Commerce Board – stated he attended the meeting with nothing to report.
Mayor Belal Aftab
Cal Cities - Stated he attended the Cal Cities Conference with nothing to report.
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
Page/Walia requested information regarding the time period allowed to rectify code violations.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Vice Mayor Page suggested that drivers slow down when driving in Saratoga.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
None
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS; VIRTUAL ATTENDEES None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Aftab adjourned the meeting at 10:04 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Britt Avrit, MMC, City Clerk
City of Saratoga