Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ September 16, 2026 ~ Page 1 of 7
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2026
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
At 5:00 p.m., the City Council held a Closed Session for Public Employee Performance Evaluation, City Manager.
Mayor Page invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
At 6:00 p.m., the City Council held a Joint Session with the Saratoga Library & Public Art Commission.
Mayor Page invited public comment.
The following individual spoke at this time: Glenn Hendricks Mayor Page called the Regular Session to order at 7:10 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 September 10, 2026.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Page stated the City Council held a Closed Session at 5:00 p.m. with no reportable action.
REPORT FROM JOINT SESSION
Mayor Page stated the City Council held a Joint Session at 6:00 p.m. with the Saratoga Library & Public Art Commission and provided a summary of the Joint Session discussion.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS; IN-PERSON
ATTENDEES
Jim Cargill discussed the upcoming Chamber of Commerce Centennial Celebration.
Saratoga City Council Minutes ~ September 16, 2026 ~ Page 2 of 7 Josh Williams requested the City Council reorder the agenda items.
Austin discussed FLOCK technology.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Page shared information about Coffee with the Mayor, Let’s Hike, and the upcoming Law Enforcement Town Hall Meetings.
CEREMONIAL ITEM
Proclamation Declaring September 2026 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Recommended Action:
Proclaim September 2026 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month The City Council proclaimed September 2026 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Mayor Page invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
Appointment of Library & Public Art and Parks & Recreation Commissioners Recommended Action:
Adopt the Resolution reappointing Siana Smith and Jeri Bromley to the Library & Public Art Commission and reappointing Jim Cargill to the Parks & Recreation Commission and direct the City Clerk to administer the Oath of Office.
Mayor Page invited public comment.
No one requested to speak.
RESOLUTION 26-053
WALIA/ZHAO MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION REAPPOINTING SIANA
SMITH AND JERI BROMLEY TO THE LIBRARY & PUBLIC ART COMMISSION AND REAPPOINTING JIM CARGILL TO THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION.
MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
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 September 2, 2026, City Council Meeting.
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ZHAO/AFTAB MOVED TO REVIEW AND APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE SEPTEMBER 2, 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 08/27/2026 and 09/03/2026 accounts payable vendor payment check registers.
ZHAO/AFTAB MOVED TO REVIEW AND ACCEPT THE 08/27/2026 AND 09/03/2026 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 Resolution Amending City of Saratoga Conflict of Interest Code Recommended Action:
Adopt the Resolution amending the City of Saratoga Conflict of Interest Code.
RESOLUTION 26-054
ZHAO/AFTAB MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CITY OF SARATOGA CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
1.4 Final Map Approval for Two Lots Located at 20517 Carniel Avenue Recommended Action:
Adopt the Resolution granting final map approval of parcel map application No. ULS25-0016 for two lots located at 20517 Carniel Avenue (APN: 366-13-056).
RESOLUTION 26-055
ZHAO/AFTAB MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION GRANTING FINAL MAP APPROVAL OF PARCEL MAP APPLICATION NO. ULS25-0016 FOR TWO LOTS LOCATED AT 20517 CARNIEL AVENUE (APN: 366-13-056). MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
1.5 Final Map Approval for Two Lots Located at 19351 Saratoga Los Gatos Road Recommended Action:
Adopt the Resolution granting final map approval of parcel map application No. ULS25-0001 for two lots located at 19351 Saratoga Los Gatos Road (APN: 397-10-003).
RESOLUTION 26-056
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ZHAO/AFTAB MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION GRANTING FINAL MAP APPROVAL OF PARCEL MAP APPLICATION NO. ULS25-0001 FOR TWO LOTS LOCATED AT 19351 SARATOGA LOS GATOS ROAD (APN: 397-10-003). MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT: NONE.
2. GENERAL BUSINESS
Council Member Fitzsimmons stated she needs to recuse herself from Item 2.1 due to the proximity of the project to property she owns and left the dais at this time.
2.1 Appeal of the Planning Commission conditional approval of a Design Review and setback Variance for a single-family residence and Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) located at 14650 6th Street.
Recommended Actions:
1. Conduct a public hearing and de novo review and deny appeal APCC26-0006; thereby upholding the Planning Commission decision to add condition of approval #13 to the Resolution of approval for applications VAR26-0001 and PDR25-0004 to construct a singlefamily residence with ADU and reduced front setback at 14650 6th Street (APN 517-08-004); and
2. Adopt the Resolution denying the appeal and conditionally approve an application for Design Review and Variance to approve a 2,293-square foot residence with ADU and reduced front setback (VAR26-0001/ PDR25-0004) located on 14650 6th Street (APN 517-08-004).
Kyle Rathbone, Associate Planner, presented the Staff Report.
The Appellant provided remarks.
Mayor Page invited public comment.
The following individuals spoke: Mary Ann Welch, Josh Williams, Dave Aune The Appellant’s representative provided rebuttal remarks.
WALIA/AFTAB MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION, AS AMENDED, TO
APPROVE THE APPEAL AND CONDITIONALLY APPROVE AN APPLICATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW AND VARIANCE TO APPROVE A 2,293-SQUARE FOOT RESIDENCE WITH ADU AND REDUCED FRONT SETBACK (VAR26-0001/ PDR25- 0004) LOCATED ON 14650 6TH STREET (APN 517-08-004). MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN:
NONE. RECUSED: FITZSIMMONS. ABSENT: NONE.
Council Member Fitzsimmons returned to the dais at this time.
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2.2 Appeal of the Planning Commission approval of a Tentative Map, Design Review, and AB 130 CEQA Exemption for a three-lot residential subdivision located at 14486 Oak Place Recommended Actions:
1. Conduct a public hearing and de novo review and deny appeal APCC26-0004, thereby approving application CPX24-0011 to subdivide into three lots an existing 6,7500-square-foot parcel located at 14486 Oak Place (APN 397-22-005); and
2. Adopt the Resolution denying the appeal; conditionally approving an application for Design Review and a Tentative Map to subdivide a 6,750 square foot parcel into three lots and construct three single-family dwellings and one Accessory Dwelling Unit (CPX24- 0011) located on 14486 Oak Place (APN 397-22- 005); and finding the project to be statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Assembly Bill No. 130 and section 21080.66 of the Public Resources Code.
Kyle Rathbone, Associate Planner, presented the Staff Report.
The Appellant’s representative provided a presentation and remarks.
The Applicant and their representative provided their remarks.
Mayor Page requested a recess at this time.
Mayor Page reconvened the meeting at 9:17 pm
Mayor Page invited public comment.
The following individuals spoke: Sangeeta Ramakrishnan, Ram Jagadeesan, Jane Ryan, Glenda Aune, Andrejs Jaunrubenk, Terri Singer, Cathy Kardach, Thuriya Rajkumar, Jean Elliott, Ruth Ann McNees, Austin, Gus Who, Mary Ann Welch, Sandra Etchell The Applicant and their representative provided rebuttal remarks.
The Appellant’s representative provided rebuttal remarks.
AFTAB/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION DENYING THE APPEAL; CONDITIONALLY APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR DESIGN REVIEW AND A TENTATIVE MAP TO SUBDIVIDE A 6,750 SQUARE FOOT PARCEL INTO
THREE LOTS AND CONSTRUCT THREE SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS AND ONE ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (CPX24- 0011) LOCATED ON 14486 OAK PLACE (APN 397-22- 005); AND FINDING THE PROJECT TO BE STATUTORILY EXEMPT
FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 130 AND SECTION 21080.66 OF THE PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE. MOTION PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: AFTAB, FITZSIMMONS, ZHAO, WALIA, PAGE. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. RECUSED: NONE. ABSENT:
NONE.
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3.1 Law Enforcement Discussion
Recommended Actions:
1. Discuss law enforcement service options for the City of Saratoga in preparation for public input at town hall meetings on September 19 and September 30, 2026, and provide direction to staff regarding any additional information, analysis, or contract issues for consideration before the City Council’s October 7, 2026, meeting.
2. Direct staff to work with Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department on any proposed law enforcement contract changes.
Leslie Arroyo, City Manager, presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Page invited public comment.
The following individuals spoke: Rowena Turner, Gus Who, Peter Boulton, Mary Ann Welch, Dr.
JJ Salpheel, Jonathan Knowles, Michael Tsahiris, Mike Frangadakis, Patrick Mockler, Diana Schriabel, Ed Turner, Cara S., Austin, KBT, Josh William, Matthew Hudes, Glenn Hendricks, Tim MacKenzie, Andrew Siegler
No action necessary.
COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS
Council Member Belal Aftab
Council Finance Advisory Committee – stated the Committee reviewed Saratoga’s credit profile and reviewed performance from a revenue and cost perspective.
Council Member Yan Zhao
West Valley Sanitation District Board of Directors – stated she attended the meeting with nothing to report.
Valley Transportation Authority Policy Advisory Committee – stated the Committee recommended that the VTA Board of Directors adopt the 2027 Transit Service Plan.
Council Member Kookie Fitzsimmons
Nothing to report
Vice Mayor Tina Walia
Cities Association of Santa Clara County Legislative Action Committee – stated the Committee received two presentations; one from the Cal Cities Peninsula Division and one from the League of Women Voters.
Cities Association of Santa Clara County Board of Directors – stated she attended the meeting with nothing to report.
Mayor Chuck Page
Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority Board of Directors – stated he attended the meeting with nothing to report.
West Valley Mayors and City Managers Association – stated the Mayor of Morgan Hill sent a letter to the Speaker of the Assembly regarding housing legislation.
West Valley Solid Waste Management Authority Board of Directors - stated the Board is reviewing a pilot program related to materials that are difficult to recycle.
West Valley Stormwater Authority Board of Directors – stated the Board received a report regarding Stormwater Permit No. 4.
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CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
Council Member Aftab requested an update regarding the work being done at Glenbrae and Cox be provided in the newsletter.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Aftab stated a celebration of life event will be held for former Planning Commissioner Jojo Choi Saturday, September 19, 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 12:15 a.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Britt Avrit, MMC, City Clerk
City of Saratoga