10/17/1979 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - October 17, 1979 C. SPECIAL REPORTS: (Continued) 4. Presentations from the Floor: Mrs. Bodine, 10555 Mora Drive, read the following letter into the record: "Dear Council Members: For many years, the dangerous, confusing multi -intersection of E1 Monte Avenue, Voorhees Drive and Interstate 280 Freeway has been a matter of discussion and concern. On October 5, 1977, St. Nicholas School parents came before the Los Altos Hills Town Council to ask for the Town's assistance in safeguarding the children who use this intersection before and after school. The Town's acceptant( of their responsibility to aid in protecting the children in this hazardous situation resulted in the assignment of Mr. Gordon Penfold of the Security Patrol to serve as a crossing guard. The parents and students at St. Nicholas School have greatly appreciated this service. Recently, further measures were taken by the Town Council to improve this intersec- tion. This included additional traffic lights and relocation of the crosswalk. On the day this work was completed, October 3, 1979, Sister Angela O'Donoghue, Principal of St. Nicholas School, was verbally notified by Mr. Penfold that his services as crossing guard had been terminated by the Town Council. Many concerned parents contacted the school expressing their displeasure over the removal of the crossing guard. They expressed doubts about the children's ability to successfully maneuver this confusing intersection. Several immediate steps were taken. Voluntary crossing guards were recruited. Observations were made of the light system's effectiveness. An emergency meeting of the School Board was held and the following conclusions were made: 1. The WALK lights do not allow adequate time for the children to cross the four lanes of E1 Monte Avenue. 2. Due to the confusing pattern of streets and the excessive traffic caused by Interstate 280 and Foothill College, adult experience and judgment by a trained crossing guard are needed to provide adequate protection of the children. Therefore, we ask you to adjust the traffic lights and to reassign the crossing guard immediately. Respectfully, Mr. Richard Wilbur, President, St. Nicholas School Board Sister Angela O'Donoghue, Principal, St. Nicholas School" The City Manager then responded to Council questions, advising that initial Council direction had been to discontinue the crossing guard services when the signal instal- lation was completed and that the signal timing had been scrutinized and, if desired, it could be altered further. Dr. Russi, Colina, spoke for retaining the crossing guard due to lack of safety and inconsistency of electronic equipment. Mr. Gregorwich, Priscilla Lane, concurred with Dr. Russi and told of hazardous situations which occurred at this intersection in the past. Mr. Stroger, Mt. View, cited the signal delay time as causing impatience in both pedestrians and motorists which adds to safety problems. L Mrs. Whalen, Los Altos, stated that the responsibility factor needed to be clarified v immediately in order to provide for the best protection for the children. -2-