q1 2016 newsletter - saratoga councilmember rishi kumar

Q1 20 1 6 NEW SLETTER

WWW.RISHIKUMAR.COM || WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/VOTERISHI || RKUMAR<at>SARATOGA.CA.US

NEWSLETTER EDITOR: YOUTH INTERN SHAUNAK VAIDYA

AN INFORMED COMMUNITY Dear friends,

One of my charter on the Saratoga City Council is to foster a connected community; a community that is plugged in with city happenings, community happenings, upcoming events etc.. One of the objectives of this newsletter is to do exactly that! VIDEO UPDATES: I have gotten into a routine of providing a quick video byte prior to our Wednesday city council meetings – that provides a very short summary view of the council agenda. Recently, I also rolled out specific informational videos that are currently placed on the city of Saratoga website: Video #1 provided an update on the Cox Construction project and Video #2 provided citizens on important information towards winter storm preparation. Last year, I also rolled out a video on the process of launching a neighborhood safety watch. My charter is to help our citizens stay informed and connected.

COMMUNITY EVENTS: is something that I enjoy being part of …and sometimes launching new initiatives, creating intermingling opportunities, providing opportunities for learning or just having fun – via the non profits I chair. Most of these are offered for no charge and open to all.

For a complete list of community events visit http://www.rishikumar.com/events Here are examples of community events that were ran in 2015 - College Apps Demystified - Saratoga Diwali - Silicon Valley Young Coders Club - Saratoga has Talent annual competition - Saratoga Lego Robotics Boot camp for coaches - Silicon Valley’s got Bollywood – monthly open mic

I would love to hear your thoughts on events you would like to see. Being on the city council is an opportunity to make a difference for all in Saratoga- and I very much intend doing so!

Rishi Kumar

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Earlier this year, the City of Saratoga received the Run Smarter Award for Best Contract Management at the annual Laserfiche Conference. The City has been able to use Laserfiche software to route contracts electronically for approvals, lowering the time needed from a month to 3-4 days. Debbie Bretschneider managed implementation of the City's electronic contract routing project and accepted the award on behalf of the City. Below is a photo of Debbie with Laserfiche CEO Chris Wacker. Thank you, Debbie, for taking the initiative to improve the City's operational efficiencies!

Community Outreach Village

plan

Saratoga Management

accolade

C i t y u p d a t e

Saratoga is still in the process of adding Electric Vehicle stations. The city might be adding new high-speed stations at the Saratoga Library. What this means is that people with electric vehicles can charge them while parked. On Dec. 16, the council authorized the city manager to apply for grant funding from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District for DC fast charger plug-in electric vehicle charging stations in the library parking lot. The city currently has two dual-head electric vehicle stations at city hall, two single-head stations in the Village and one dual-head station at the Saratoga Library. These stations are slower charging pumps that were installed in 2012

Saratoga moving forward in

Electric Vehicle Station

implementation

Are you happy with Saratogva Village? Do you have ideas and thoughts about it? Do you want to keep it exactly the way it is? Or would you like to see it more vibrant? Here is your chance The City of Saratoga has kicked-off the Saratoga Village Specific Plan Update process with a community outreach effort. The purpose is to solicit your thoughts about the Saratoga Village commercial district on Big Basin Way. The Saratoga Village Specific Plan (the “Village Plan”), which was adopted in 1988 and has not been updated since, lays out the policies and regulations for development and land use in the Village. Here is the website to stay connected with this topic www.saratogavillageplan.org A survey was added where residents were able to weigh in on the Village plan and express what they value the most about the Village, their likes and dislikes, and where the Village can be improved. Please refer to this website for updatees on this vision plan

COUNCILMEMBER KUMAR’S NEWSLETTER Q1 2016 of 25

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Public Works staff has been working with Zayo Group representatives on their encroachment master plan application for traffic control to install fiber optics in the following areas: Prospect Road, S. Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road, Saratoga Avenue, Allendale Avenue, Quito Road, Cox Avenue, and Glen Brae Drive. All aerial cable will be installed on existing utility poles residing inside the City of Saratoga’s right-of-way. The Community Development and Public Works departments have reviewed the plans, and the City Attorney has helped with the development of the agreement. Public Works is working with the Zayo Group to approve the master plan application.

Annual Sheriff’s office community

forum with the community

Fiber optics installation by

zayo Group Representatives

The Prospect Road Beautification and Safety Improvements Project will make roadway improvements on Prospect Road between Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road and Lawrence Expressway. The City will be addressing the goals below, which community members identified during the Master Plan process for Prospect Road. Developing 16 additional new medians with landscaping along the 1.9 mile long stretch of Prospect Road between every intersection from Saratoga-Sunnyvale to Lawrence Expressway would be one of them. Installing sidewalks where gaps have been identified, specifically between Plumas and Scully Avenue, between Miller and Titus, and between Titus and Brookglen. Public Works will be holding its second Prospect Road Median Beautification Project meeting on Monday, March 7, in the Grace Building at Prospect Center. The City will send out public notices about the meeting next week. The event will begin at 4 p.m. and will be an open house to give residents the opportunity to ask consultants and City staff about the project. Light refreshments will be served.

Prospect road beautification

project is under way

C i t y u p d a t e

A newly launched annual Sheriff's Office Community Forum provided provide us all an opportunity to interact with our sheriff, ask questions and have a dialogue. This was initiated by Councilmember Kumar gearing it to be a focused Q&A event

The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office and City of Saratoga hosted this community forum on Tuesday, February 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Saratoga Senior Center, 19655 Allendale Avenue. About 20 Saratoga residents attended this interactive forum to ask questions, received updates from the Sheriff’s Office, and learned more about public safety efforts in Saratoga. Citizens are invited to join the citizen initiatives SAFE SARATOGA FORUM’s Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/SafeSaratoga

The City of Saratoga were accepting applications for its Community Event Grant Program.Applications. At the March 16th city council meeting, these applications were chosen for the grant awards. Events must be held between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017.

Community event grant program

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Back in January, the first ever Saratoga Unity in Community Day Saratoga was held at the Saratoga Community Center and a discussions with faith leaders. The topics of conversation were convergence of faiths, and the general theme of living together in harmony. The intention of this Unity in Community day is to bring an inter-faith group and celebrate our similarities, sharing words of wisdom that unites us, fosters bonhomie and community ship.

R E C A P O F E V E N T S …


UNITY IN OUR

Community event

Friendship concert from japan

FRIENDSHIP CONCERT on February 9th - All the way from Japan Hiiyama Girls Junior and Senior High School Wind Orchestra: This remarkable ensemble from southern Japan came to us as featured guest artists at the California All State Music Education Conference in San Jose. The Hijiyama Girls Junior and Senior High School Wind Orchestra has 80 club members ranging from 13 to 18 years of age and played in us on the 9th. The ensemble attends numerous contests, earning superior gold medals at events such as the All Japan Band Divisional Competition and the All Japan Ensemble Divisional Contest. They perform about 30 concerts per year, collaborating with professional artists and groups like the Glenn Miller Orchestra. The Wind Orchestra performed a diverse array of literature ranging from challenging orchestral transcriptions and original band works to exciting popular and contemporary fare, presented in a highly vibrant and engaging style. It was a thrilling performance indeed

State of the city address

The City of Saratoga hosted a State of the City Address on Saturday, February 27, 2016 and it took place from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue. Mayor Manny Cappello and the rest of the Saratoga City Council shared with and helped the public learn about the current state of the city. We heard upcoming projects, and the residents and organizations that make Saratoga the wonderful city that it is were honored for their work.

Saratoga’s Monthly Bollywood Night continues, this year marking its rocking 5th anniversary! First Friday of each month, 7pm to Midnight. Lately these monthly events are hosted by Karishma & Deepak Chandani at their home. This event is open for teens and above and all are welcome. http://Tinyurl.com/SaratogaBollywood

Silicon Valley’s

got bollywood

Screening for

water wars

The Saratoga Library hosted a screening of the documentary film "Blue Gold, World Water Wars" on Feb. 8. The film's premise centers around the idea that wars of the future will be fought over water as they are over oil today, and predicts that corporate giants, private investors and governments will vie for control of our water supply, prompting protests, lawsuits and revolutions

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A S K C O U N C I L M E M B E R K U M A R A Q U E S T I O N

AIR Traffic noise

Q: What is the latest on the request to reduce air traffic noise over traffic?

A: Here is the latest - Our city is putting together a response to FAA document “Initiative to address noise concerns of Santa Cruz/ Santa Clara/ San Mateo/ San Francisco”. The FAA developed this document as a result of meetings with elected officials and community leaders over the last several months. Congresswoman Eshoo is also introducing legislation that would require FAA to plan with communities before implementing changes and also to restore the EPA’s Office of Noise abatement and Control - that was defunded more than 3 decades ago. Stay tuned - we are pushing this issue

SARATOGA COX ROADS?


Q: Cox Avenue is a mess with the recent construction. Will it be just patched or will it be repaved?

A: City of Saratoga has a contract that mandates a complete re-paving of our roads that are dug up by our service providers. We should see Cox re-paved soon as the ground has settled.

Q: Where is the plan for Saratoga Roads Re-Paving/ Construction?

A: Google "City of Saratoga Pavement Management" and you should find a city of Saratoga web page that describes our pavement management program and click on "PCI List of Streets in Alphabetical Order" to find your street. 70 is a good PCI number that our city aspires for with our roads. If you don’t find your street listed and if you have any questions, please contact our Public Works Department

REPAVING ROADS

BOOKING SARATOGA FACILITIES

Q: How do I book the Multi-purpose room or any other room at the Joan Pisani Community Center?

A: Please call Nina and setup an appointment

Nina Walker Facility Coordinator City Of Saratoga 19655 Allendale Ave. Saratoga, CA. 95070 408.868.1259

SAFER SARATOGA

Q: There are break-ins happening almost every week. What is the city council doing to address that?

A: We have discussed various ideas on enhancing neighborhood safety on the city council. We have added a new annual meeting between Sheriff and citizens. Yes, it is important for us and you will continue to see action. In the meantime, please apply some deterrents to prevent a break-in into your home.

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Last year, Councilmember Kumar attended many meetings and events in Saratoga and

the Silicon Valley region. Here are glimpses from a few in January and February this

year.

G l i m p s e s F R O M J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y

A SHORT SPEECH AT

INDIA ’S Republic Day

celebration

ORGANIZED BY INDIA’s

COSUL GENERAL SAN

FRANCISCO MR

VENKATESHAN ASHOK

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KICKING-OFF Saratoga’s First Unity in Community

Event in the JOAN Pisani Community Center

LAUNCHING THE

SAN JOSE

LOCATION OF

SILICON VALLEY

CODERS CLUB AT

THE HILLVIEW

LIBRARY

SPEAKERS AT THE

COLLEGE SeMINAR -

joan pisani

community

center

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CONDUCTING A

COLLEGE SeMINAR

At the joan

pisani community

center

THE StATE OF

THE CITY

INAUGURATION:

SAN JOSE

LOCATION OF US

PATENT OFFICE

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Standing on a bone

dry Saratoga creek:

Shooting the WINTER

INFORMATIONAL VIDEO

– This video can be

found on the city oF

Saratoga website

At a Chennai

Flood Relief

event -

recognizing the

performers

At aN EVENT WITH

GOVERNOR

BROWN’s

TRANSPORTATION

SECRETARY BRIAN

KELLY

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With founder of 5-

Hour Energy Ravi

Baswan - a high

energy innovator

and a Saratoga

resident

AT a

CONGRESSWOMAN

PELOSI EVENT WITH

U.S . Treasury

Secretary Jack

Lew

A SARATOGA

community choice

energy

community input

meeting

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With League of CA

cities board members .

Honored to represent

our CITY OF SARATOGA

AND THE League of

California cities API

CAucus at thE

quarterly policy

meeting IN SACRAMENTO

COUNCILMEMBER KUMAR HAS BEEN APPOINTED ON THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES :

- League of CA Cities Employee Relations Policy - League of CA Cities Administrative Policy Committee

- National League of Cities, Energy and Environmental Resources

WITH SAN jose

councilmember chappie

jones and Sunnyvale

councilmember j im davis-

AT THE LEAGUE OF

CALIFORNIA CITIES POLICY

MEETING IN SACRAMENTO.

12


At the Asian

Pacific Islander

Caucus meeting

in San jose .

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HAM RADIO AND

EMERGENCY

PREPAREDNESS

CONFERENCE IN

SARATOGA

SARATOGA

LIBRARY – TEDX

A HIGH SCHOOL

BAND FROM JAPAN

PERFORMS AT

Saratoga high

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WATER POLICY

CONFERENCE –

WASHINGTON DC

WITH LEADEr

PELOSI

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BOMBAY IN THE

BAY 2016 – MCAFEE

THEATER

WITH NEWT

GINGRICH AT A

SILICON VALLEY

LEADERSHIP EVENT

16


WITH

COUNCILMEMBER

MAGDALENA

CARRASCO AT THE

SAN JOSE LAUNCH

OF CODERS CLUB

17


PENINSULA EVENT –

hosted by the

League of Ca

cities

AT A COMMUNITY

CENTER EVENT

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A BANGLADESH AMERICAN POLITICAL CLUB EVENT

WITH TRUSTEE PAT CORTESE & SUPERVISOR DAVE

CORTESE

WITH KAMALINEE

MUKHERJEE –

BOLLYWOOD MOVIE

ACTRESS AT INDIA ’s

REPUBLIC DAY

CELEBRATION AT

McAFEE CENTER

SARATOGA


19


WATER POLICY MEETING WITH

Congressional LEADERS In

Washington dc

- ORGANIZED BY

ACWA

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At GAVIN NEWSOM’S 2016 state ballot, the Safety for All Act EVENT,

IN this picture

with OAKLAND’S

MAYOR LIBBY

SCHAFF

IN this picture

with LT .

GOVERNOR GAVIN

NEWSOME

IN this picture

with SAN

FRANCISCO’S

MAYOR ED LEE

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CITY STREetS

BUZZING WITH

#SB50

A SELFIE WITH

SENATOR BEALL

AND MAYOR

LICCARDO


MASTER CO IN

SARATOGA

22

with ASSEMBLYMEMBER

MARK STONE

with SENATOR BILL

MONNING

with Former

councilmember rod

diridon sr . (Saratoga)


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PICTUReS BELOW – GLIMPSeS FROM THE SUNDAY

COMMUNITY CLASSES


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q1 2016 newsletter - saratoga councilmember rishi kumar

Government & Nonprofit