The city will hold its first meeting Jan. 23 to discuss the use of a trail running along Wildcat Creek to Gardiner Park.

Following closure of the trail last year due to a resident complaint about safety and privacy issues, a number of trail advocates requested the city enter into a joint use agreement with the Santa Clara Valley Water District, which controls the trail, to reopen it.

City council members in November indicated their preference to see the trail reopened but said they would hold off taking action until a task force had formed.

The task force, charged with coming up with a plan to keep the trail open while addressing the safety and privacy concerns, is comprised of both trail advocates and those opposed to it, representatives from the water district, parks and recreation commissioners and city staff.

The meeting will take place 7 p.m. at the city manager's conference room.


Chamber changes the date of dinner

The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce has changed the date of its board installation and "business person of the year" dinner to Feb. 15. The dinner, originally set for Feb. 8, will be held at the Toll House Hotel in Los Gatos.

The Chamber's 2002 business person of the year is Ray Froess, a Saratoga resident since 1971. He will be recognized for his work with his company, Protégé Marketing, and for his involvement with the Chamber. Froess has handled most of the accounting procedures for Celebrate Saratoga!, revamped the Chamber's website and now represents the Chamber in land use contract negotiations.

For more information, contact the Chamber at 408.867.0753.


City schedules two task force meetings

The city will hold two task force meetings this week. The first meeting will discuss the Wildwood Park playground replacement project. Over the next several months, the parks and recreation commissioners, residents and a city consultant will discuss the selection of new playground equipment as well as a possible redesign of the playground's layout. The meeting will take place at the adult day care center at 7 p.m. on Jan. 22.

Another task force will meet Jan. 23 to discuss the use of a trail running along Wildcat Creek to Gardiner Park. Following closure of the trail last year due to a resident's complaint of safety and privacy issues, a number of trail advocates requested the city enter into a joint use agreement with the Santa Clara Valley Water District.

The task force will look at ways to keep the trail open while addressing the safety and privacy concerns. The meeting will be at 7 p.m.