Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ May 20, 2026 ~ Page 1 of 8
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2026
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
At 6:00 p.m., the City Council held a Joint Session with San Jose Animal Control.
Mayor Page invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
Mayor Page called the Regular Session to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor Chuck Page, Vice Mayor Tina Walia, Council Members Kookie Fitzsimmons, Yan Zhao
ABSENT: Council Member Belal Aftab
ALSO PRESENT: Leslie Arroyo, Acting City Manager
Heather M. Minner, City Attorney
Ryan Hinchman, Administrative Services Director
John Cherbone, Public Works Director
Bryan Swanson, Community Development Director
Melissa Lee, Executive Assistant
REPORT ON POSTING OF THE AGENDA
The Executive Assistant reported the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on May 1 5, 2026.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Page stated the City Council held a Closed Session on May 13, 3026 with no reportable action.
REPORT FROM JOINT SESSION
Mayor Page stated the City Council held a Study Session at 6:00 p .m., with San Jose Animal Control; Monica Wylie, Deputy Director, City of San José Animal Care and Services and Captain Jaysen Jenkins provided a summary of services offered by San José Animal Care and Services.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON- AGENDIZED ITEMS; IN -PERSON
ATTENDEES
None
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Page shared information about Coffee with the Mayor, the 99th Annual Memorial Day Observance, and the Community Harvest.
Vice Mayor Walia stated the month of May is Asian American Pacific Islander Month.
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CEREMONIAL ITEMS
Proclamation Declaring May 2026 as Affordable Housing Month Recommended Action:
Proclaim May 2026 as Affordable Housing Month
The City Council proclaimed May 2026 as Affordable Housing Month.
Proclamation Declaring May 2026 as Foster Care and Resource Parent Appreciation Month Recommended Action:
Proclaim May 2026 as Foster Care and Resource Parent Appreciation Month
The City Council proclaimed May 2026 as Foster Care and Resource Parent Appreciation Month.
Mayor Page invited public comment.
No one requested to speak
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
United Way Presentation
Recommended Action:
Receive report from United Way Bay Area.
The City Council received a report from United Way Bay Area. Laura Escobar Vice President, Safety Net Services Unite Way Nay Area
Mayor Page invited public comment.
No one requested to speak
Catholic Charities Presentation
Recommended Action:
Receive report from Catholic Charities.
The City Council received a report from Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County. Milton Cadena, Program Director
Mayor Page invited public comment.
No one requested to speak
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
Vice Mayor Walia requested Items 1.3 and 1.7 be removed for separate discussion.
Mayor Page invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
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1.1 City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action:
Review and approve the Minutes for the April 27, 2026, and May 6, 2026, City Council Meetings.
ZHAO/WALIA MOVED TO REVIEW AND APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE APRIL 27, 2026, AND MAY 6, 2026, CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: AFTAB.
1.2 Accounts Payable Check Registers
Recommended Action:
Review and accept the 04/30/2026 and 05/07/2026 accounts payable vendor payment check registers.
ZHAO/WALIA MOVED TO REVIEW AND ACCEPT THE 04/30/2026 AND 05/07/2026 ACCOUNTS PAYABLE VENDOR PAYMENT CHECK REGISTERS . MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE.
NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: AFTAB.
1.3 West Coast Arborist Tree Maintenance Services Agreement for FY 2026-27 Recommended Action:
Approve a contract with West Coast Arborist for Citywide Tree Maintenance Services in the amount not-to-exceed $200,000.
WALIA/ZHAO MOVED TO APPROVE A CONTRACT WITH WEST COAST
ARBORIST FOR CITYWIDE TREE MAINTENANCE SERVICES IN THE
AMOUNT NOT -TO-EXCEED $200,000. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN:
NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: AFTAB.
1.4 Ordinance Implementing 2025 Speed Survey Update Speed Limit Changes Recommended Action:
Waive reading and adopt the Ordinance amending Chapter 9 of the Saratoga Municipal Code on Speed Regulations.
ORDINANCE 419
ZHAO/WALIA MOVED TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT THE ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 9 OF THE SARATOGA MUNICIPAL CODE ON SPEED REGULATIONS. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES:
FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED:
NONE. ABSENT: AFTAB.
1.5 12468 Ted Avenue – Storm Drain Easement Vacations
Recommended Action:
Adopt the Resolution vacating a 15-foot-wide storm drain easement and a 20-foot-wide storm drain/public service easement at 12468 Ted Avenue.
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RESOLUTION 26-026
ZHAO/WALIA MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION VACATING A 15 -FOOT- WIDE STORM DRAIN EASEMENT AND A 20 -FOOT-WIDE STORM
DRAIN/PUBLIC SERVICE EASEMENT AT 12468 TED AVENUE. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: AFTAB.
1.6 19516 Douglass Lane – Accepting Offer of Right of Way Dedication Recommended Action:
Adopt the Resolution accepting the offer of dedication of right of way from the owner of 19516 Douglass Lane.
RESOLUTION 26-027
ZHAO/WALIA MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE OFFER OF DEDICATION OF RIGHT OF WAY FROM THE OWNER OF 19516 DOUGLASS LANE. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT:
AFTAB.
1.7 Fehr and Peers Contract for Wildfire Evacuation Impact Assessment First Amended Agreement
Recommended Action:
Authorize the City Manager to execute a first amended contract agreement with Fehr and Peers for Wildfire Evacuation Impact Assessment in an amount not to exceed $173,700.
WALIA/ZHAO MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
FIRST AMENDED CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH FEHR AND PEERS FOR
WILDFIRE EVACUATION IMPACT ASSESSMENT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $173,700. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES:
FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED:
NONE. ABSENT: AFTAB.
2. PUBLIC HEARING
2.1 Appeal of Design Review approval for 19519 Glen Una Drive residence and accessory dwelling unit
Recommended Action:
Conduct a public hearing and de novo review of the application and adopt the Resolution denying the appeal of APCC26-0002 thereby approving Design Review application PDR22- 0023 and City Arborist recommendation ARB22- 0109 for the construction of a new 5,517 square foot two story, 25’-8” tall, single-family residence with a 2,914 square foot basement, a 999 square foot one-story detached accessory dwelling unit with a 264 square foot garage, and the removal of two protected trees at 19519 Glen Una Drive, and finding the application exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Christopher Riordan, Senior Planner, presented the Staff Report.
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The Appellant and the Applicant provided presentations.
Mayor Page invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
RESOLUTION 26-028
WALIA/ZHAO MOVED TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND DE NOVO
REVIEW OF THE APPLICATION AND ADOPT THE RESOLUTION, AS
AMENDED, DENYING THE APPEAL OF APCC26 -0002 THEREBY APPROVING DESIGN REVIEW APPLICATION PDR22 -0023 AND CITY ARBORIST RECOMMENDATION ARB22-0109 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW 5,517 SQUARE FOOT TWO STORY, 25’ -8” TALL, SINGLE -FAMILY RESIDENCE WITH A 2,914 SQUARE FOOT BA SEMENT, A 999 SQUARE FOOT ONE -STORY DETACHED ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT WITH A 264 SQUARE FOOT GARAGE, AND THE REMOVAL OF TWO PROTECTED TREES AT 19519 GLEN
UNA DRIVE, AND FINDING THE APPLICATION EXEMPT FROM
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA).
Additional discussion took place.
Vice Mayor Walia amended her original motion revising the amended verbiage for the Resolution.
WALIA/ZHAO M OVED TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND DE NOVO
REVIEW OF THE APPLICATION AND ADOPT THE RESOLUTION, AS
AMENDED, DENYING THE APPEAL OF APCC26 -0002 THEREBY APPROVING DESIGN REVIEW APPLICATION PDR22 -0023 AND CITY ARBORIST RECOMMENDATION ARB22-0109 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW 5,517 SQUARE FOOT TWO STORY, 25’ -8” TALL, SINGLE -FAMILY RESIDENCE WITH A 2,914 S QUARE FOOT BASEMENT, A 999 SQUARE FOOT ONE -STORY DETACHED ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT WITH A 264 SQUARE FOOT GARAGE, AND THE REMOVAL OF TWO PROTECTED TREES AT 19519 GLEN
UNA DRIVE, AND FINDING THE APPLICATION EXEMPT FROM
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) . MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES:
FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED:
NONE. ABSENT: AFTAB.
2.2 Public Hearing regarding vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts Recommended Action:
Receive the informational report on City of Saratoga vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts in compliance with Assembly Bill 2561/Government Code Section 3502.3.
Babette McKay, Human Resources Analyst, presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Page invited public comment.
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No one requested to speak.
No vote necessary, receive and file.
Mayor Page requested a recess at this time.
Mayor Page reconvened the meeting at approximately 9:10 p.m.
2.3 Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget
Recommended Action:
Conduct public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 -27 budget, which will have final consideration at the June 17, 2026, City Council meeting.
Ryan Hinchman, Administrative Services Director, presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Page invited public comment.
The following individual spoke: Glenn Hendricks
WALIA/ZHAO MOVED TO ACKNOWLEDGE IN THE BUDGET THE $493K SVCE GRANT SECURED IN MAY 2025, IDENTIFY THE FULL SCOPE OF THE NEW CIP
PROJECT IN THE BUDGET, DIRECT STAFF TO RETURN WITH THE
NECESSARY ALLOCATIONS TO COMPLETE THE FULL SCOPE OF THE PROJECT, AND REMOVE $40K FOR THE TRAFFIC STUDY. MOTION FAILED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES: ZHAO, WALIA. NOES:
FITZSIMMONS, PAGE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: AFTAB.
Additional discussion took place.
WALIA/ZHAO MOVED TO ACKNOWLEDGE IN THE BUDGET THE $493K SVCE GRANT SECURED IN MAY 2025, IDENTIFY THE FULL SCOPE OF THE NEW CIP
PROJECT IN THE BUDGET, DIRECT STAFF TO RETURN WITH THE
NECESSARY ALLOCATIONS TO COMPLETE THE FULL SCOPE OF THE PROJECT. MOTION FAILED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES:
ZHAO, WALIA. NOES: FITZSIMMONS, PAGE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE.
ABSENT: AFTAB.
No vote necessary, receive and file.
3. GENERAL BUSINESS
3.1 Resolution Setting a Hearing Date to Declare Dangerous Weeds and Brush to be a Public Nuisance
Recommended Actions:
1. Adopt the Resolution declaring the City’s intent to identify properties designated by the Santa Clara County Fire Department as having hazardous weeds and brush as a public nuisance, and
2. Set a Public Hearing for June 17, 2026, to hear protests and consider final approval of the list of properties to be referred to the Santa Clara County Weed Abatement Program for abatement in the 2027 fire season.
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Nathan Sagastume, Code Compliance Officer, presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Page invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
RESOLUTION 26-029
ZHAO/WALIA MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION DECLARING THE CITY’S
INTENT TO IDENTIFY PROPERTIES DESIGNATED BY THE SANTA CLARA
COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT AS HAVING HAZARDOUS WEEDS AND BRUSH AS A PUBLIC NUISANCE, AND SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR JUNE 17, 2026, TO
HEAR PROTESTS AND CONSIDER FINAL APPROVAL OF THE LIST OF
PROPERTIES TO BE REFERRED TO THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY WEED ABATEMENT PRO GRAM FOR ABATEMENT IN THE 2027 FIRE SEASON.
MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: AFTAB.
COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS
Council Member Yan Zhao
West Valley Sanitation District Board of Directors – stated the Board discussed the proposed budget and reached consensus.
Valley Transportation Authority Policy Advisory Committee – stated she attended the meeting with nothing to report.
Council Member Kookie Fitzsimmons
Nothing to report.
Vice Mayor Tina Walia
Cities Association of Santa Clara County Legislative Action Committee – stated the Committee recommended several pieces of legislation for support.
Cities Association of Santa Clara County Board of Directors – stated the Board received a report from LAFCO, will be recruiting for an Executive Director, and voted to support the legislation recommended by the Legislative Action Committee.
Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority Board of Directors –the Board took various actions including approving agreements, received updates, adopted rates, and approved Committee assignments.
Mayor Chuck Page
West Valley Stormwater Authority Board of Directors – stated the Board began budget discussions.
West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority Board of Directors – stated the Board began budget discussions.
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
None
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COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Page stated the Sheriff contract negotiations are ongoing with more information to come.
Council Member Zhao shared information about the Dragon Boat Festival on June 6, 2026.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
None
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS; VIRTUAL ATTENDEES None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Page adjourned the meeting at 11:13 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Britt Avrit, MMC, City Clerk
City of Saratoga