This time, only approximately 15 people attended, but much was discussed about the vision of the city's future. Tables turned as the council voted unanimously to give residents the opportunity to research various revenue sources for maintaining the city's infrastructures through a subcommittee consisting of community members appointed by Mayor Nick Streit. As directed by the council, reports are to be brought back and reviewed in no later than four to six months.

"This is the only way we can move forward," said Councilman Norman Kline, who made the motion. "This issue can't wait any longer. We need to start working on our future."

According to a report by Public Works Director John Cherbone, an estimated $200 million would be required to make necessary improvements on all of the city's infrastructure, including bridges, curbs, gutters, landscape medians, sidewalks, storm drains and streets, which alone cost $75 million to maintain. Cherbone said that most of these structures are in fair to good condition, with the exceptions of some sidewalk damage in areas where tree roots are growing outward and storm drains that are beginning to show signs of age and distress. Drains, which run a total length of 45 miles, have a replacement value of $20 million, which is double that of sidewalks.

There are several capital improvement projects that are in need of additional funds: an estimated $82,000 is needed to finish some rehabilitation work on medians throughout the city, more than $700,000 is needed to fund street projects and an estimated $117,000 is required to renovate existing parks and trails as well as to develop new ones.

"We need to figure out ways to fund these projects," said Streit. "That's what this meeting is all about."

Resident Vic Monia thanked the council for allowing residents to take part in the decision-making process and commended officials for what it has done so far.

"This is quite a surprise," Monia said. "The situation is a lot larger than what I had envisioned, but the council is right on track."

Referring to several existing parks and facilities such as the Civic Theater, Monia said that the city should do what it did 27 years ago when he first moved in.

"Citizens need to wake up. We need to figure out what we need and how we're going to fund these things," he said.

The idea of forming the subcommittee was first brought up by Monia, who said that it should be up to the citizens to decide what type of community they want to live in and what they're willing to give monetary assistance to.

"If there is a strong case heard, such as what happened with the library, residents will vote for it," he said.

During the meeting, several ideas for raising funds were presented, such as directing the city's money towards projects that will produce more revenue.

Peter Marrer, who suggested this, used the Fellowship Building at the North Campus facilities as an example. He said that once the building is renovated, it could be rented out, thereby bringing more dollars to the city.

Former Councilman Jack Mallory also offered some words of advice.

"We live in a residential community," noted Mallory. "We should be able to come up with the money ourselves, whether it be through a utility tax or some other fee. I think the citizens would be willing to pay for it."

Members from the audience, including Planning Commission Chairwoman Jill Hunter, further encouraged the council to consider collecting revenue through taxes.

"Residents are ready to do something for the city," said Hunter. "However, the city has to first do some type of poll to identify what people want and will accept on their tax bills. In turn, the city will have to convince residents that they will do a good job."

However, Vice Mayor Ann Waltonsmith said that a utility tax, which was paid and later voted against by residents who felt that the city was gaining too much from the tax and putting out too little, would still not be sufficient to do the amount of work needed.

Most of the residents present spoke in favor of the proposed tax, but Nancy Bryant expressed concern for the elder community, especially with the cold season approaching.

"A utility tax would be frightening to seniors," she said. "These people are in their homes for a long part of the day. They need to be in a warm house."

She urged the council that if it does approve a utility tax, it should exclude residents who are 65 years of age or older, similar to how the parcel tax, which was created by the Los Gatos­Saratoga Joint Unified School District, works.

"Be sensitive to the needs of the seniors," she said. "They are the highest voting group. Listen and talk to them."

As the night continued, more ideas were brought forth. Hunter suggested advertising the city's natural beauty and historical aspects, while resident Randy Taylor looked at the town of Los Gatos as a model for promoting the use of solar-energy products, not only to help prevent another energy crisis, but also to facilitate the future growth of the city and the desirability of living in Saratoga.

Waltonsmith said that the planning commission is currently working on various ways of saving energy. However, she said that efforts would most likely advance the city in other ways rather than bringing in more revenue.

Doug Robertson, who is relatively new to Saratoga, viewed the issue from an entrepreneurial perspective, stating that bringing more businesses to the area would increase the city's revenue.

Kline said that the city is doing what it can to attract more residents and businesses. For example, the city is working on improving the Gateway area on Saratoga­Sunnyvale Road and revitalizing the Village through an ad hoc committee. While the city would benefit from these projects aesthetically, Kline said that he doubts this would make a significant difference in revenue source. He said that compared to property taxes, sales taxes brings in only a small amount of money.

The next city council meeting will be held on Nov. 5 at the Civic Theater on Fruitvale Avenue at 7 p.m.