At a meeting held on April 2, Mayor Nick Streit and council members Stan Bogosian, Norman Kline, Ann Waltonsmith and Kathleen King voted unanimously to take the room off the list of options, leaving it open to the local nonprofit organizations that need it the most.

"This is an issue of trust in the community," said Bogosian. "We need to restore that trust. That room should be available to everyone in the community."

Streit added that he supported that motion, which was first made by Kline and seconded by King, 100 percent.

Present that night were some of the community members who spoke at the last city council meeting on March 26, including Mary Jeanne Fenn and Bill McDonnal, urging the council to reconsider its plan and expressing their disappointment at the members for even suggesting it. Though none spoke at the meeting regarding the council's decision, they left the meeting with smiles on their faces.

Fenn, the manager of the Book-Go-Round and a volunteer for the Friends of the Saratoga Libraries, said she had not been sure how the situation was going to unfold because there was so much heat surrounding the debate. However, as the topic continued, she said she anticipated a favorable outcome based on the number of emails sent to the council members and their efforts in talking to residents.

"I'm glad they listened to us," she said. "The city council has been very responsive. We're lucky to have them representing our city."

With the community room off-limits, the council was left with three choices: to relocate to the fellowship hall at the North Campus facility, settle in a new council chamber or remain in the Saratoga Civic Theater. Kline said that the theater was the most ideal location due to its close proximity to the administrative building, and requested that KSAR Channel 15, which handles the maintenance of the building, look into improving the existing video and audio equipment.

According to Scott Lewis, the engineer for KSAR, the "cameras and monitors are in dire need of replacement." However, the video switcher, VCRs and audio mixer are in "acceptable condition."

At the meeting, Edward Han, who works for the West Valley Light Opera Company, thanked the council members for allowing him to use the facility. However, he stated that he was "in favor of the city relocating elsewhere" due to the amount of time and effort it takes for his crew to set up the stage after council and planning commission meetings, as well as the work they put into putting the furniture back in place for the meetings.

"We spend about six to eight hours getting the stage ready for our performances," said Han. "I hope to stay here and continue to bring good family entertainment to Saratoga."

Waltonsmith said she was against staying in the theater and wanted to look into using the North Campus for a temporary chamber while a master plan involving an addition of a 7,800-square-foot building is being reviewed. The addition, estimated to run up to $2.9 million, would include a shared lobby with the civic theater, a new entrance and other amenities.

The fellowship hall at the North Campus facility has a seating capacity of more than 350 and has been used for many public meetings. However, the building is more than four miles from city hall, making it inconvenient for City Manager Dave Anderson, should he need to make a quick stop at his office.

The hall would need several improvements, including the replacement of carpeting and improved lighting.

The council requested that staff give recommendations at the next meeting, which is scheduled for April 16 at 7 p.m. in the Saratoga Civic Theater.