The plan is to have two designated pickup and drop-off locations in the downtown area. Those wanting to use the shuttle would get a free pass by dining at a participating restaurant. Passes would also be available for guests at The Inn at Saratoga.

City officials indicate that The Plumed Horse, The Basin, Viaggios and Sent Sovi are the restaurants that have already signed up for the program. Additional restaurants and the Oaks Lodge are also expected to sign on soon.

The shuttle would circle the Village continuously before the concerts began, then provide three trips back from Montalvo. A shuttle can accommodate 24 passengers.

The Saratoga Village­Montalvo shuttle would be marked differently from the shuttle that goes to West Valley College.

"There would be a separate drop-off and pickup location," said Danielle Surdin, the economic development coordinator for the city of Saratoga. The location of Village parking for those using the shuttle will be disseminated through a public information campaign.

Surdin said that the idea was to package the city's commercial and cultural assets to residents. "We are hoping to increase foot traffic on Big Basin Way," she said.

Orlando Locci, owner of Sent Sovi restaurant on Big Basin Way, thinks that the shuttle is an idea whose time has come. "Before, all the people parked at West Valley and went to the concert," said Locci, who first thought of the shuttle and suggested it to the city.

"Saratoga is in competition with other local towns. The more things we can do to attract people to Saratoga, the better."

Locci said that as a local businessowner, he was interested in making the city a fun place and was really glad that the city council was going ahead with the plan.

"More people walking around can't hurt. This is one more reason to come to the Village now," said Locci.

The shuttle program can be the first step of a much larger process, according to Locci. "We can have wine and art shows, chef competitions," he said.

The city plans to have a radio promotion that will advertise the shuttle program. A monthly giveaway prize on the radio will include two concert tickets, dinner for two and an evening at a local inn.

To fund the shuttle during the concert season, the city would redirect $10,000 now budgeted for co-op marketing opportunities. For the last three years, the city has provided a yearly advertising opportunity to local merchants through the Villa Montalvo and Mountain Winery summer concert program. This year, the Mountain Winery has started preparing and printing its programs separately.

The city will use $5,000 from its economic development program advertising budget to promote use of the shuttle. Advertising plans include radio spots, use of print media and the introduction of a shuttle website.

In other city-related business, the city council unanimously passed a resolution on June 2 supporting equal funding for all community colleges. The West Valley­Mission Community College District Board of Trustees passed a similar resolution at its May 20 board meeting and had asked the city for support.

"We're very pleased that the city is joining us in this effort to level the playing field for all community college students," said Jack Lucas, board president, in a press release issued by the board.

The city also authorized staff to spend up to $50,000 from the library bonds to complete tasks recommended by the library commission, including those involving safety, lighting and locks.