City Council Meeting Agenda

The March 16 City Council meeting agenda is available online at www.saratoga.ca.us/agenda. You can speak on items you're interested in by joining the meeting using Zoom or calling in. Detailed participation instructions are available on the meeting agenda. You can also watch the meeting without participating on KSAR Channel 15 or the City’s website at www.saratoga.ca.us/watch. Written comments can be sent to the City Council before the meeting online at www.saratoga.ca.us/comment

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in the Village

Join the Saratoga Village Development Council for St. Paddy's Party tomorrow, March 12 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Magical rocks will be hidden in the Village for children to discover and win prizes, and lucky pennies can also be found on the sidewalks! 

Take Advantage of the Free Chipping Program

Did you know you can request a chipper to come to your home to process tree branches and other vegetative materials? This free service is provided by the Santa Clara County FireSafe Council to help residents create defensible space around their homes. The online application period opens this Monday, March 14. Find more information on the FireSafe Council website. 

Receive Funding for Community Events

Have a cool event idea but need help funding it? Apply for the City of Saratoga's Community Event Grant Program! This program has helped many local organizations hold community events in Saratoga. Online applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16. For more information on the program and how to apply, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/eventgrants

SED Talks About Sustainability

Join the Saratoga Youth Commission and Saratoga Library’s Teen Advisory Board for SED Talks—Ted Talks, Saratoga style! Teens and their parents are invited to listen to three speakers on Saturday, March 19 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. using Zoom. Speakers will share first-hand experiences and expert advice about environmental sustainability. Register for the Zoom webinar at www.saratogalibrary/SEDTalks

Housing Element Update Environmental Impact Report

The City has now released the Notice of Preparation of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Housing Element Update, Safety Element Update, 2040 General Plan Update, and associated rezonings. The EIR will address the environmental impacts associated with the adoption and implementation of this project. 

The community can submit comments at a Public Scoping Meeting that will be held on Monday, March 21 at 6:00 p.m. using Zoom. You can join the meeting using the following information:  

• Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87442325794
• Call In: 1.408.638.0968 or 1.669.900.6833
• Webinar ID: 874 4232 5794

Community members can also submit comments on the scope of the environmental topics to be addressed in the EIR, as well as the range of practical alternatives to be evaluated. Please send your written/typed comments (including name, affiliation, telephone number, and contact information) by 5:00 p.m. on March 30 by email to dpedro@saratoga.ca.us or by mail to: 

City of Saratoga Community Development Department 
Debbie Pedro, AICP, Community Development Director 
13777 Fruitvale Avenue 
Saratoga, CA 95070 

Share Your Feedback on Safe Routes to School

Attention Teens: Enter this Film Competition!

Do you know a high school student interested in what a clean energy future would look like? Silicon Valley Clean Energy is providing $20,000 in scholarships for students as part of the second Empower Silicon Valley Youth Short-Film Competition! Online entries are due by Monday, May 2.

Through a short-film, local youth are invited to explore what a climate-friendly, clean energy world would look like and how we will get there. No film experience or prior climate change knowledge is necessary. Learn more about the competition and sign up for updates on Silicon Valley Clean Energy's website.

The Blossom Festival Returns

The Blossom Festival is back and in full bloom! Bring your family or your best buds and enjoy live music, gourmet food trucks, an orchard tour, local art, and vintage cars. Produced by the Saratoga Historical Foundation, this free event will have something for everyone. Joint the fun at the Heritage Orchard and Civic Center on April 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.saratogahistory.com

Weed and Brush Abatement Programs

Protect your home and prevent wildfires by creating defensible space! You can do this by removing combustible vegetation like weeds and brush near your home. Saratoga has two programs to help create defensible space and prevent wildfires: the Weed Abatement Program and the Brush Abatement Program/Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Preparedness Inspection.  

As part of these programs, properties are inspected for adherence to program standards. The deadline to meet Weed Abatement requirements is April 15, and properties on the list will be inspected after that date. Brush Abatement inspections will start on April 1 and Brush Abatement requirements must be met by June. If properties are non-compliant, they may be subject to fees and other penalties. For more information and a full list of program requirements, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/weed_brush

Wildfire Preparation Webinar

Learn how to reduce wildfire risk and better prepare your family and your home with a series of free webinars from Santa Clara County Fire Department. The webinars will cover how to evacuate safely, what to do if you are “dropped” by your insurer, and cost effective measures to improve your home’s fire resistance. The first webinar will be on Tuesday, April 26 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more information or additional dates, visit sccfd.eventbrite.com

Connect with the City of Saratoga

Never miss an update from the City of Saratoga! Like the City of Saratoga on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and join the Nextdoor community. You can also visit the City’s website to sign up to receive notifications about things you’re interested in.