07/14/1976 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I .f CITY COUNCIL TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING Wednesday, July 14, 1976 cc: Reel 90, Side 1, Tr. 1 - 001-1403 Mayor Robert Cheney called the Special Meeting of the City Council to order at 4:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall: PRESENT: Councilmen Brown, Grabowski, Proft, Mayor Cheney STAFF: City Manager Robert Crowe, City Clerk Norma Hislop PRESS: Los Altos Town Crier: Ms. Vicki Applegate Palo Alto Times: Mr. Paul Voecks San Jose Mercury -News: Mr. Dave Goggins A. CURRENT BUSINESS: Mayor Cheney announced the purpose of the Special Meeting, which was to discuss the recent arson to the Rossi home being constructed on Summerhill 6W Road, the threats of arson received by several other residents, the possibility of offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) guilty, and discussing other alternatives which might present themselves for Council's consideration. City Manager Robert Crowe summarized events and actions to date, noting the presence of the Deputy County Fire Marshall and the Sheriff's Department Field Enforcement Officer in the audience. He noted the immediate concern of the threats received by persons whose homes were also under construction at the present time, which may or may not be related to the Rossi case. Mr. Will Remily, Deputy Fire Marshall, Santa Clara County, addressed Council regarding information which could be related concerning.the fire to the Rossi home, which precluded the possibility of the fire being started accidentally. He noted that the house was in the framing stage, with no power or gas. Additionally, he stated that an attempt to fire the house had been made the previous day, but had been found and exterminated before any damage was done. In talking with neighbors, it was found the fire was totally involved before it was discovered; thus eliminating a "smoking" cause, such as the fire starting from a match or cigarette. Mr. Remily stated that the Sheriff's Department and the Fire Department were cooperating in investigating the matter, and that the newspapers were also cooperating in appealing to the people to come forward with any information they might have which would assist in the investigation. Regarding the telephone threats made to other properties, Mr. Remily advised the homeowners to watch the property very carefully.