Saratoga News

NEWS BRIEFS

City Council begins first Measure G case

Bob Binkley told the City Council at its June 19 meeting that he wished to pursue his proposed lot-line adjustment project, even after the city officially told him that his proposal falls under Measure G and must be subjected to a public vote. At the June 5 meeting, the council had suggested to Binkley an alternative of combining his two lots and splitting them to achieve his goal of improving the building site of the smaller lot. But this would require the smaller lot be at least two acres, and Binkley had originally planned to only double it from one-half to one acre.

So Binkley told the council he wanted to move forward with his original idea of moving the boundary between his two properties. To be in sync, the city would have to change its zoning boundaries to increase the density designation of some of the land, which requires a General Plan change that is covered by the Neighborhood Preservation Initiative--Measure G--passed in March. The council voted 4-1 that Binkley's application was covered by the law. Councilmember Don Wolfe dissented. The city attorney is presently drafting ballot language for Binkley's proposal.

Council chooses new youth commissioners

The council appointed six new youth commissioners June 19. They are David Mount, Robin Gill, Tannaz Altafi, Jennifer Chang, Laura Prolo and Nicole Behnke. Their terms will expire in July 1998, except Behnke's, which will expire in July 1997.

City Council gives budget final approval

The 1996-97 and 1997-98 city budgets were officially approved at the June 19 City Council meeting. Total expenditures from all funds will be about $11 million for each year. Major expenses for the next two years include implementing the technology master plan and helping to retire the debt in a fund designated for City Hall and Civic Theatre improvements.

New landfill contract sought by City Council

The City Council voted unanimously June 19 to ask the city manager to bring back a contract with Newby Island Landfill for final approval. In conjunction with Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Campbell, Saratoga requested an alternative proposal from Browning-Ferris Industries, which owns Newby Island Landfill, and found that it offered the potential for significant savings over the current contract with Guadalupe Rubbish Disposal Company.