Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ September 2, 2026 ~ Page 1 of 7
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2026
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
At 5:00 p.m., the City Council held interviews for the Library & Public Art Commission and Parks & Recreation.
AFTAB/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO RE-APPOINT SIANA SMITH AND JERI BROMLEY TO THE LIBRARY & PUBLIC ART COMMISSION FOR FULL TERMS .
MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
FITZSIMMONS/ZHAO MOVED TO RE -APPOINT JIM CARGILL TO THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION FOR A FULL TERM . MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
At 6:00 p.m., the City Council held a Closed Session for the City Attorney’s performance evaluation.
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 Belal Aftab, Kookie Fitzsimmons, Yan Zhao
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Leslie Arroyo, City Manager
Richard Taylor, City Attorney
Ryan Hinchman, Administrative Services Director
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 August 27, 2026.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Page stated the City Council held a Closed Session at 6:00 p.m. with no reportable action.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ September 2, 2026 ~ Page 2 of 7
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON- AGENDIZED ITEMS; IN -PERSON
ATTENDEES
Matt Bordoni discussed the demolition of the West Valley Track.
Frank Chen discussed the demolition of the West Valley Track.
Jenny Hong-Gonzalez discussed the demolition of the West Valley Track.
Kristen Terlizzi discussed the demolition of the West Valley Track.
Jim Cargill discussed the upcoming Saratoga Nights event and reported on an active fire.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Page shared information about Saratoga Nights, Fall Chipping, Farmers’ Market Office Hours, and shared information about a $1.75M wildfire preparedness grant secured by Assembly Member Berman for Saratoga.
CEREMONIAL ITEM
National Preparedness Month Proclamations
Recommended Action:
Recognize September as National Preparedness Month and recognize the Old Oak Way, Garrod Heights, and Saratoga Heights HOA Firewise communities for their efforts to prepare for and reduce wildfire risk.
The City Council recognized September as National Preparedness Month and recognized the Old Oak Way, Garrod Heights, and Saratoga Heights HOA Firewise communities for their efforts to prepare for and reduce wildfire risk.
Mayor Page invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Presentation
Recommended Action:
Receive report from Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)
The City Council received a report from Valley Transportation Authority (VTA).
Mayor Page invited public comment.
The following individuals spoke at this time: Glen Hendricks, Dory Albert
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ September 2, 2026 ~ Page 3 of 7
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Page invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
1.1 City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action:
Review and approve the Minutes for the August 11, 2026, City Council Special Meeting and the August 19, 2026, City Council Meeting.
ZHAO/AFTAB MOVED TO REVIEW AND APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE AUGUST 11, 2026, CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING AND THE AUGUST 19, 2026, CITY COUNCIL MEETING . MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES:
AFTAB, FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
1.2 Accounts Payable Check Registers
Recommended Action:
Review and accept the 08/13/2026 and 08/20/2026 accounts payable vendor payment check registers.
ZHAO/AFTAB MOVED TO REVIEW AND ACCEPT THE 08/13/2026 AND 08/20/2026 ACCOUNTS PAYABLE VENDOR PAYMENT CHECK REGISTERS. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE.
NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
1.3 Treasurer's Report for the Month Ended July 31, 2026 Recommended Action:
Review and accept the Treasurer's Report for the month ended July 31, 2026.
ZHAO/AFTAB MOVED TO REVIEW AND ACCEPT THE TREASURER'S REPORT FOR THE MONTH ENDED JULY 31, 2026. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: AFTAB, FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
1.4 Response to 2025-2026 Civil Grand Jury of Santa Clara County Report "Pothole Damage:
Improving Claims Processes within Santa Clara County"
Recommended Action:
Approve the draft response to the 2025- 2026 Civil Grand Jury of Santa Clara County Report "Pothole Damage: Improving Claims Processes within Santa Clara County."
ZHAO/AFTAB MOVED TO APPROVE THE DRAFT RESPONSE TO THE 2025 -2026 CIVIL GRAND JURY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY REPORT "POTHOLE DAMAGE:
IMPROVING CLAIMS PROCESSES WITHIN SANTA CLARA COUNTY." MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ September 2, 2026 ~ Page 4 of 7
1.5 Response to 2025-2026 Civil Grand Jury of Santa Clara County Report "VTA's Management and Oversight of BART Silicon Valley Phase II"
Recommended Action:
Approve the draft response to the 2025- 2026 Civil Grand Jury of Santa Clara County Report "VTA's Management and Oversight of BART Silicon Valley Phase II."
ZHAO/AFTAB MOVED TO APPROVE THE DRAFT RESPONSE TO THE 2025 -2026 CIVIL GRAND JURY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY REPORT "VTA'S MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT OF BART SILICON VALLEY PHASE II." MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
1.6 Saratoga Support for AB 1761 (Rogers) on Data Transparency Recommended Action:
Approve Saratoga’s support of AB 1761 (Rogers), which would require the California Public Utilities Commission to ensure all data used to calculate charges related to the Power Charge Indifference Adjustment (PCIA) is provided to load-serving entities and ratepayer advocates.
ZHAO/AFTAB MOVED TO APPROVE SARATOGA’S SUPPORT OF AB 1761 (ROGERS),
WHICH WOULD REQUIRE THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
TO ENSURE ALL DATA USED TO CALCULATE CHARGES RELATED TO THE
POWER CHARGE INDIFFERENCE ADJUSTMENT (PCIA) IS PROVIDED TO LOAD- SERVING ENTITIES AND RATEPAYER ADVOCATES. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
1.7 Transportation Impact Fee Study Contract
Recommended Action:
Approve an $85,000 contract with Fehr and Peers for a Transportation Impact Fee (TIF) study, plus a 10% contingency.
ZHAO/AFTAB MOVED TO APPROVE AN $85,000 CONTRACT WITH FEHR AND PEERS FOR A TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEE (TIF) STUDY, PLUS A 10% CONTINGENCY. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED:
NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
2. GENERAL BUSINESS
2.1 VTA Bus Pilot Program
Recommended Action:
Receive report on resident-led bus pilot initiative program in Saratoga.
John Cherbone, Public Works Director, and Dory Albert presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Page invited public comment.
The following individuals spoke: Eugene, a Redwood Middle School student, Jenny Hong- Gonzalez, Josh Williams, Corinne Vida
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ September 2, 2026 ~ Page 5 of 7
No action necessary, receive and file.
2.2 Alternative Policing Services Ad Hoc Committee
Recommended Action:
Appoint two Council representatives to an Ad -Hoc Committee to review alternative policing services in Saratoga.
Leslie Arroyo, City Manager, presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Page invited public comment.
The following individuals spoke : Jim Stallman, Tim Mackenzie, Karen Burkey, Josh Williams, Austin.
ZHAO/AFTAB MOVED TO APPOINT MAYOR PAGE AND VICE MAYOR WALIA TO
AN AD-HOC COMMITTEE TO REVIEW ALTERNATIVE POLICING SERVICES IN SARATOGA. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED:
NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
2.3 The Future of the Blossom Festival
Recommended Action:
Provide direction to staff on whether the City should explore options to continue the Saratoga Blossom Festival.
Leslie Arroyo, City Manager, presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Page invited public comment.
The following individuals spoke: Jackie Funk, Marilyn Marchetti, Alexandra Nugent
No action necessary.
Mayor Page requested a recess at this time.
Mayor Page reconvened the meeting at 9:09 p.m.
2.4 Cities Association of Santa Clara County
Recommended Action:
Discuss Saratoga’s continued involvement in the Cities Association of Santa Clara County (CASCC) JPA.
Leslie Arroyo, City Manager, presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Page invited public comment.
The following individual spoke: Glenn Hendricks
No action necessary.
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COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS
Council Member Belal Aftab
Saratoga Historical Foundation Board of Directors – stated the Board was interested to learn about the future of the Blossom festival.
Saratoga Ministerial Association – stated the Association discussed documenting the stories of the faith communities and how the Ministerial Association came to be.
Council Member Yan Zhao
Nothing to report.
Council Member Kookie Fitzsimmons
Hakone Foundation Board – stated event bookings have increased over last year, the Garden Lighting Campaign received a large donation from Supervisor Abe -Koga’s Community Impact Grant, the Koi Pond capital campaign begins in late September, and the gift shop was recently remodeled and has reopened.
Vice Mayor Tina Walia
Emergency Operating Area Council – stated Santa Clara County’s Emergency Management Program has received accreditation , and the Council received several reports regarding winter storm preparation.
Cities Association of Santa Clara County Executive Committee - stated she attended the meeting with nothing to report.
Cities Association of Santa Clara County Joint Meeting with Silicon Valley Clean Energy – stated this joint meeting was held to learn about the upcoming Bay Area Air District appliance rules.
Mayor Chuck Page
West Valley Mayors and City Managers Association – stated the discussion was focused on the West Valley homeless feasibility study.
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
None
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Page thanked the business community and everyone for their contributions and donations for the City’s 70th birthday party at Wildwood Park.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
None
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS; VIRTUAL ATTENDEES None
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ September 2, 2026 ~ Page 7 of 7
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Page adjourned the meeting at 9:28 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Britt Avrit, MMC, City Clerk
City of Saratoga