Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/06/2005 Meeting Minutes October 6, 2005 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Regular Meeting Thursday, October 6, 2005 6:00 P.M. Town Hall Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road 1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Kerr called the City Council Regular Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Mayor Breene Kerr, Mayor Pro Tem Dean Warshawsky, Councilmember Craig A. T. Jones, and Councilmember Jean Mordo Absent: Councilmember Mike O'Malley Staff: City Manager Maureen Cassiingham, Assistant City Attorney John Bakker, • Planning Director Carl Cahill, Administrative Services Director Sarah Ragsdale, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Henry Louie, Public Safety Officer Steven Garcia and City Clerk Karen Jost MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Warshawsky, seconded by Mordo and passed unanimously to limit the length of time for public comments to three minutes. 2. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS 2.1 Certificate of Appreciation—Wei Wei Liu, Los Altos Hills Youth Commissioner Mayor Kerr presented a Certificate of Appreciation in absentia to former Youth Commissioner Wei Wei Liu and acknowledged her volunteer service to the Community. 2.2 Certificate of Appreciation—Jane Kawasaki, Parks and Recreation Committee Mayor Kerr presented a Certificate of Appreciate to Jane Kawasaki for her service to the Town as a member of the Parks and Recreation Committee. Councilmember Jones recognized the very successful efforts of the Committee in establishing the Town's Parks and Recreation programs. 2.3 Appointment to the Emergency Communications Committee 1 City Council Meeting Minutes October 6,2005 Council interviewed applicant Lynn McLeod. McLeod noted that she became interested 40 in the Committee during her CERT training with ECC members. She explained that she was very interested in emergency preparedness and assisting the Town residents in becoming self sufficient during an emergency. Council thanked McLeod for her interest in serving on the Standing Committee. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Warshawsky, seconded by Mordo and passed unanimously to appoint Lynn McLeod to the Emergency Communications Committee for a term of four years. 2.4 Acknowledgement of Councilmember Mordo's Amateur Radio Technical Level License and Demonstration of Town Repeater—Dru Anderson, Emergency Communications Committee Chair In recognition of his successful acquisition of an amateur radio technical level license, Emergency Communications Committee Chair Dru Anderson presented Councilmember Jean Mordo with ECC official attire that included a hard hat and vest. The items would identify the wearer during an emergency. Anderson congratulated Mordo on receiving his license on his first effort. 3. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT Planning Director Carl Cahill reported that the Planning Commission had not met since the last Council meeting. He provided Council with several update reports that included: the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors had voted to approve the S 1 C alternative trail option for the S1 trail project and Cahill had maps available for interested Councihnembers; Verison's cellular antenna proposed for Westwind Barn would be considered by the Planning Commission at their next meeting; and, Cingular Wireless had indicated that they would install a temporary cellular antenna on wheels or "cow" at Town Hall while they moved forward with their application for a permanent antenna at the site. Cahill offered that the "cow" would permit the residents to assess the visual impact of the antenna and experience the benefit of better cellular reception. Following an inquiry regarding the Westwind Barn arena project by Councilmember Mordo, Cahill explained that Council would receive a report at their next meeting and noted that the project would be subject to the appropriate planning process. Councilmember Mordo explained that he wanted to clarify that the arena project proposed by Councilmember O'Malley had not received formal Council approval. City Manager Maureen Cassinham explained that she was working with the proponents of the project and would be the lead person for the project. She requested that questions be directed to her. She noted that status reports would be forwarded to Council at their next meeting that pertained to the restoration of Westwind Barn and the construction of an arena at Westwind Barn for the Year Round Riding Program. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR Items Removed: 4.1 (Mordo) 4.6 (Warshawsky) 2 City Council Meeting Minutes October 6,2005 i MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mordo, seconded by Warshawsky and passed unanimously to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar, specifically: 4.2 Review of Disbursements: 09/07/2005 —09/28/2005 $81,701.64 4.3 Grant of Open Space Easements: Lands of Askari and Askarinam; 27630 Via Cerro Gordo Reso #92-05 4.4 Approval of Request for Extension of the Expiration Date of Site Development Permit for a New Residence, Lands of Vitu and Wythe: 13828 Moon Lane 4.5 Notification of Fast Track Approval: Lands of Zamani, 13241 Burke Road; A Request for a Site Development Permit for a 4,982 Square Foot New Residence with a 3,206 Square Foot Basement and a Secondary Dwelling Unit (maximum height 25'6") (65-05-ZP-SD-GD) 4.7 Approval of Appropriation of$1,800 for Finance and Investment Committee Meeting Expenses 4.8 Approval of Sanitary Sewer Reimbursement Agreement between the Town of Los Altos Hills and Jayaram Bhat and Vani Bhat Reso # 93-05 Items Removed: 4.1 Approval of Minutes: Regular City Special Meeting September 15, 2005 Councilmember Mordo offered the following corrections to the meeting minutes: page 5, last sentence, should read "Councilmember Mordo explained that the policy had been streamlined to reduce the range of allowed financial investment vehicles." and page 9, paragraph 5, should read "Councilmember Jones reported that the Finance and Investment Committee would be making a presentation to the Council on Charter Cities at a future City Council meeting". MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mordo, seconded by Jones and passed unanimously to approve the September 15, 2005 City Council meeting minutes as amended.. 4.6 Resolution Accepting as Completed the Work of the New Town Hall Project, Authorizing Final Payment Concerning Such Work, Directing the City Clerk to File the Notice of Completion Reso # Mayor Pro Tem Warshawsky requested a continuation of this item to the October 20, 2005 City Council meeting. Council concurred with the request. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 3 City Council Meeting Minutes October 6,2005 5.1 Town Goals 5.1.1 Implementation of Strategic Conservation Goals Mayor Kerr reported that the Environmental Initiatives Committee would return to Council at their October 20, 2005 meeting with Committee recommendations for the framework of the proposed Energy Efficiency Ordinance. 5.1.2 Bringing Public Education Back to the Hills Mayor Kerr reported that meeting agenda items 9.3, 9.4 and 9.5 would be removed from consideration at tonight's meeting at the request of the Bullis Charter School. Mayor Kerr reported that he had attended the Los Altos School District's Board meeting and they currently do not have a concrete proposal to reopen Bullis School as a neighborhood elementary school. He added that they were investigating the possibility of locating a magnet school in Los Altos Hills. 5.2 Underground Project Status Report Public Works Director/City Engineer Henry Louie reported that he was working with Mark Thomas & Co. on a dual tracking approach for the Town's underground project. With Mark Thomas providing the electrical engineering design work for PG&E, Louie • was hopeful that it would accelerate the permit process. Consulting costs should be recaptured through Rule 20A program. Louie would return to Council at their next meeting with a cost proposal for the design work and project time line. 5.3 Update on General Plan Review Councilmember Mordo requested a roster of the membership of the Ad-Hoc General Plan Committee membership. Dot Schriener reported that she, Councilmember O'Malley, Planning Commissioner Carl Cottrell and residents Dot Schreiner, Carol Gottlieb, Elayne Dauber, Janet Vitu, and Planning Director Carl Cahill were participating in the initial General Plan review process. She noted that the next meeting of the Ad-Hoc Committee was scheduled for October 12, 2005 and they would begin an intense review of the introduction followed by the Land Use Element. They were reviewing all of the text and making notations on what revisions would be required. They would return to Council with their recommendations. Planning Director Cahill explained that the purpose of this Committee was not to develop new policy but to review the document for obsolete areas. Councilmember Mordo suggested that it would be appropriate to post the agendas of the Ad Hoc General Plan Committee meetings. Schriener noted that she would inform Councilmember O'Malley of his request. • 5.4 Report on Response to Mayor's Letter Regarding Post-Retirement Health Benefits Survey 4 City Council Meeting Minutes October 6,2005 • Administrative Services Director Sarah Joiner addressed Council. She reported that at the direction of Council, a letter from Mayor Kerr was sent to the Mayors of thirty four (34) surrounding communities inviting them to participate in a study of employee post retirement health benefits. The Town, to date, had received eight responses from cities. Council had before them a staff report that included the responses. Joiner noted that all had expressed an interest in the subject but they were not receptive to participating in a joint RFP with the Town. The cities do participate in on going League of California Cities and Bay Area Employer Relations Service (BAERS) studies and the Town was a member of both organizations as well as BAMR. Joiner noted that information garnered from the Mountain View and Palo Alto responses that included their actuarial studies that had been done on the subject illuminated the importance of having a similar study conducted for the Town. Staff would be returning to Council at their next meeting with a request for an actuarial study. Councilmember Mordo added that the Finance and Investment Committee had discussed the proposed study and they had agreed that the first step in dealing with the issue of post retirement benefits was the actuarial study. He recommended that some of the budget that had been approved by Council for the review of benefits be used on the actuarial study to identify the Town's exposure. The findings would help to better understand the urgency of the issue and what direction Council should take. 5.5 Presentation of CSG Inspection Report for Purissima Hills Water District • Building City Manager Maureen Cassingham introduced this item to Council. Council had before them a staff report that included an inspection report from CSG Consultants on the condition of the Purissima Hills Water District building. Staff recommended that a comprehensive pest inspection of the building. be performed before any further expenditures or future planning of the space were undertaken. Bids would be obtained from qualified firms and the expected cost was within,the City Manager's signature authority. Councilmember Mordo requested clarification on the costs identified in the inspection report for demolishing and rebuilding the structure. He suggested that if the difference between remodeling and building new was minimal, a new structure should be considered. Councilmember Mordo suggested that it would be appropriate to consider rebuilding the building possibly as a dedicated site for the EOC and Sheriff substation. It was clarified that the estimated costs were for replacement costs of a similar structure. Cassingham added that this was the first time that Council had considered a new structure as an option, refurbishing of the facility had previously been allocated in the budget. The estimated costs that were identified in the report by CSG were for a building that would support minimal uses, i.e. meeting space, possible archival space and possible overflow work space for a consultant. Cassingham clarified that to use the building for the intensive use of an EOC had not been addressed by the consultant. OPENED PUBLIC COMMENT 5 City Council Meeting Minutes October 6,2005 Dru Anderson, Emergency Communications Committee Chair, suggested that there were many options for the EOC location and supported a master plan for the Town Hall site. She noted that the ECC was in need of a sixty foot tower to complete the emergency radio equipment. CLOSED PUBLIC COMMENT Council consensus was to direct staff to proceed with the comprehensive pest inspection of the Purissima Hills Water District building. 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.1 Request for Public Comments on the Los Altos Hills Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Public Safety Officer Steven Garcia introduced this item to Council. Council had before them a staff report that included the Los Altos Hills Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex to the Multi-Jurisdictional Local Government Hazard Mitigation Plan that had been developed by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). Garcia explained that FEMA now required local jurisdictions to adopt a hazard mitigation plan. The Mitigation Act list developed by ABAG had been reviewed by Town staff. Staff had determined that the most likely disasters that would affect critical Town-owned facilities (identified as the Barn and the EOC facility at the Heritage House) were earthquake and fire. The appropriate strategies for the Town in the event of a disaster had been determined. Garcia noted that tonight's agenda item permitted the required opportunity for the public to comment on the mitigating strategies selected by staff. Once the Annex was approved by FEMA, Council must adopt the Multi-Jurisdictional Government Hazard Mitigation Plan in order for the Town to be eligible for future mitigation funding. The Annex stated that the Town would apply for a grant to retrofit the Town's critical facilities. Garcia noted that the grant, if awarded, would pay approximately 75% of the estimated cost of $147,000 for seismic retrofit of both facilities and fire sprinkling of the barn. City Manager Cassingham clarified that the FEMA funds being discussed were new and staff would return to Council for approval of the application for the two specific facilities. The Annex puts the Town in queue for the grant to retrofit the structural integrity of the facilities before a disaster occurs. She noted that the Town hadreviousl identified the P Y necessity of retrofitting the Barn and included funds of$80,000 from Town reserves in the pp Capital Improvement Budget. The application �' opportunity ant would be ortuni for the P p Town to save money and share in the cost of the retrofit improvement. OPENED PUBLIC COMMENT 6 City Council Meeting Minutes October 6,2005 Duffy Price, Anacapa Drive, commented that Council should decide how they plan to utilize the Heritage House. She explained there was strong support for the building being used as a Town museum. CLOSED PUBLIC COMMENT 6.2 Request from Bullis Charter School for Permission to Place"Open Enrollment Period" Banner/Signs at Various Locations in Los Altos Hills City Manager Maureen Cassingham introduced this item to Council. She explained that before Council was a request from the Bullis Charter School to place banners/signs at nine key locations in Town. The letter from the Bullis Open Enrollment Committee identified the proposed locations, sign size and materials, display dates and wording. Cassingham noted that the Municipal Code required City Council approval of the request Staff recommended that if Council approved- the request as presented, Council should require that the banners/signs be installed and removed at the expense of the applicant with their own labor and that they be installed in a manner that did not compromise public safety. Lee Garverick, Bullis Charter School Open Enrollment Committee, explained that the proposed signs were to be modeled after the Town Picnic publicity banners. They would be posted for approximately four weeks. Councilmember Jones commented that it was important for Council to uphold the Municipal Code on signage and be consistent with Town policies. He noted that the request was for the placement of temporary signs during the open enrollment period. Approval of the request would be in the spirit of encouraging public education in Los Altos Hills. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Jones, seconded by Mordo and passed unanimously to approve the request of the Bullis Charter School Open Enrollment Committee for the placement of banners/signs at various locations in Los Altos Hills with the staff recommended condition of approval. 7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES 7.1 Presentation by the Finance and Investment Committee on the Charter City Review At the request of the Finance and Investment Committee, this item was postponed to a future Council Meeting. • 7.2 Request for Approval of Wildlife Survey—Open Space Committee 7 City Council Meeting Minutes October 6,2005 Roger Spreen, Open Space Committee Chair, introduced this item to Council. Council had before them the proposed survey and explanatory cover letter that were to be mailed to all residents. Spreen provided a brief overview of the Wildlife Corridor project noting that its ultimate.goal was to streamline the planning process by reducing subjectivity. The final product would be a scientifically developed, officially-designated wildlife corridor map. Live Oak Associates had assisted the Committee in crafting the survey. Spreen explained that the survey's purpose was threefold: 1) help the consultants validate their data that was derived primarily from maps in an expeditious manner; 2) to have residents take an active participation in the process; and 3) it was an excellent educational tool. The additional questions requested by the consultants contained in the survey regarding other wildlife, topography, lawns, etc.; would provide the biologists with secondary/supplemental data. Council discussion ensued. Council reviewed the survey questions and concurred that it was important to reduce the size of the questionnaire to address only the pertinent questions posed on the first page and focus on the wildlife corridors. This would eliminate any potential suspicions or misunderstanding that residents might have regarding the intent of the survey. It was noted that the longer survey with the supplemental information requested by the consultant might deter residents from responding and from identifying their neighborhood or address. Council considered the mailing and printing options for the survey and determined it could best be managed by the Committee. • OPENED PUBLIC COMMENT Dot Schriener, Saddle Mountain Court, noted that the survey findings would be a valuable tool for the General Plan update. Jitze Couperus, Page Mill Road, suggested that residents might be willing to drop off their application at Town Hall. He supported the inclusion of information about animals that carry disease, i.e. skunks. This could provide data on the.skunk population and how valid the problem was. Ernest Solomon,Elena Road, questioned why topography was included in the survey and not addressed in the normal manner using aerial maps. CLOSED PUBLIC COMMENT Roger Spreen thanked Council for their consideration and noted that he appreciated their direction and would return to Council if it was determined that any further changes or additions in the format of the survey were needed. • MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved Jones, seconded by Mordo and passed unanimously to approve the wildlife survey as amended to include only the first page that 8 City Council Meeting Minutes October 6,2005 • . addressed "Wildlife Using Corridors" and to approve a not-to-exceed budget of $2,000 for printing and mailing costs. 7.3 Consideration of Proposals—Community Relations Committee • Fiftieth Anniversary Dinner Parry • Recommendations Regarding Town Historical Exhibit and Archives Councilmember Mordo requested that agenda items 7.3 (second part) and 9.1 be considered concurrently. Roy Woolsey, Community Relations Committee Chair, addressed Council. Council had before them a proposal from the Community Relations Committee for the 50th Anniversary Dinner Parry. Woolsey explained that he was before Council seeking budgetary guidance for the dinner dance. He reviewed the schedule of the event and the estimated costs that included invitations, meals and beverages, music, production costs and gifts. Woolsey offered that the Committee's goal was to make this a unique event. The Committee was recommending a price of $95.00 per person for 250 guests. They requested a Town subsidy for the event of$5,000. Council concurred with the proposal and directed the Committee to move forward with the event. They thanked Woolsey and the Committee for their efforts. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mordo, seconded by Warshawsky and passed unanimously to approve the requested subsidy of $5,000 for the 50th Anniversary Dinner Party celebration. Roy Woolsey, Community Relations Chair, reviewed with Council the Committee's recommendations regarding the Town's historical exhibit being developed for the 50th Anniversary and archive of historical material. They included: the recognition of Town Historian Rosemary Meyerott for service and her promotion to Honorary Town Historian; the creation of a Town Historical Commission and the possible permanent location at the Heritage House of the Town's archives and the historical display now in production by the History Ad-Hoc Committee. Woolsey offered that the Committee had received several offers of volunteers to restore and organize the display of farm equipment. He suggested that the maintenance of the display could be addressed by the proposed Historical Commission upon its conception. 8. STAFF REPORTS 8.1 City Manager City Manager Cassingham noted that the City Council in 2003 had voted unanimously to oppose the relocation of the California Air National Guard 129th Rescue Wing from Moffett Field to Atwater, California. She advised Council that the efforts to retain the unit was successful and updated them on their recent deployment to New Orleans and their successful rescue of over two hundred (200)people. They have since returned home 9 City Council Meeting Minutes October 6,2005 • to Moffett Field and their efforts in New Orleans have borne out the importance of retaining the Air National Guard Rescue Wing in our region. 8.2 City Attorney 8.3 City Clerk 8.3.1 Report on Council Correspondence 9. COUNCIL-INITIATED ITEMS 9.1 Proposal for a Professionally Supported Project to Produce a "History of Los Altos Hills' Exhibit to Celebrate the Town's 50th Anniversary and Request for Budget—Councilmember Mordo Councilmember Mordo requested that agenda items 7.3 (second part) and 9.1 be considered concurrently. Councilmember Jean Mordo introduced this item to Council. He noted that he had volunteered to respond to a request from Dan Alexander, Los Altos Hills Historical Society, for consideration of an historical exhibit for the Town's 50th Anniversary. Mordo had organized an Ad-Hoc Committee, chaired by Duffy Price, to facilitate the project. During the initial review of historical materials, the Committee had determined • that the investigation„had provided a unique opportunity to undertake research of the Town's history and to have it done professionally. Mordo reported that Town Crier publisher Paul Nyberg had attended a Committee meeting and volunteered to have a special edition of the Crier with a magazine insert dedicated to the history of Los Altos Hills. The 48 page color insert would be free of advertising. Mordo suggested that by leveraging the permanent exhibit and the investigation/research of Town historical materials by a professional, it would be a good opportunity to "do things right". He noted that subsequently, the Committee had considered a permanent residence for the display/exhibit and the restoration of the Heritage House had been suggested. Duffy Price, Chair Ad Hoc Historical Committee, addressed Council. Council had before them a report prepared by Price that provided an overview of the 50th Anniversary Historical Display project and the proposed budget of$20,750. Price explained that her presentation would consist of three parts: introduction (Duffy Price), elements of the 50th Anniversary celebration(Roy Woolsey) and budget(Alexander Atkins). Price recommended that the Council approve the Committee's proposed budget of $20,750 for the creation of the museum quality exhibit that she characterized as being visually stunning, technologically sophisticated, intellectually accessible and emotionally evocative. The exhibit would provide an educational program for all ages and backgrounds and provide residents an opportunity to learn how Los Altos Hills was formed. Price reviewed some of the items that would be incorporated into the display. The display would serve as the centerpiece of the 50th Anniversary celebration and be displayed in the Town Hall lobby, at the gala and at the Town picnic. 10 City Council Meeting Minutes October 6,2005 Roy Woolsey, Community Relations Chair, reported on the additional elements besides the Historical display being considered for the 50th Anniversary. They included: video of the oral history of Los Altos Hills to be displayed as a continuous loop video; gala; calendar; commemorative Town Crier 50th Anniversary publication with magazine insert; special Town stationery, inclusion of information from the Historical Display on the Town website; and the annual Town picnic would have an anniversary theme with commemorative favors for attendees. Alexander Atkins, resident, member of Ad-Hoc Historical Committee, discussed the creative aspects of the proposal and the final product that was described as a museum quality exhibit consisting of 10 large color panels mounted with displays. He explained that an inventory of the archival material would be complied that would identify what currently existed and where. He expected additional future costs for preservation of the materials. Atkins noted that the proposal was divided into two components: creative and fabrication. Council discussion of the proposal ensued. They were supportive of the project but noted that this was the first opportunity they had to review the budget request and wanted to ensure that they performed their due diligence on the proposed budgeted expenditures. Council requested clarification on the selection of the identified vendors. Duffy Price explained that they had received bids from several vendors for the project and the proposals had been reviewed by the Committee with input from Atkins. Atkins believed that the Committee had budgeted spending for the project judiciously. Price offered her opinion that it was important for the Council to move forward on this project, explaining that time was critical if the project were to be completed as proposed. She explained that with the assistance of staff, the appropriate contracts would be generated. Councilmember Mordo offered that he had attended all of the Ad-Hoc Committee meetings and supported the budget request. He was comfortable with the vendors for creative services noting that Alexander Atkins was the "team leader" for the creative aspect of the project and Council was familiar with his products. Mordo reiterated that time was an issue. Alexander Atkins noted that he needed a Council commitment to the project tonight to ensure that his creative team would be available for the project. He suggested that the fabrication element could be postponed to a later date. Mayor Kerr requested that a budget for all considered 50th Anniversary Celebration items in total as outlined in the report before Council be submitted for Council consideration This would allow Council to have a better understanding of the proposed costs and to potentially set limits and control the expenditures for the proposals which was Council's fiduciary responsibility. OPENED PUBLIC COMMENT Dru Anderson, Saddle Court, commented that it was her belief that it was important to capture the Town's history. She suggested that sponsorship by historical families might be a venue for underwriting the project. DuffyPrice noted that this had been considered but time was an overriding issue. g 11 City Council Meeting Minutes October 6,2005 CLOSED PUBLIC COMMENT MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved b Mordo, seconded b Jones and Y Y passed by the following roll call vote: to approve the budget for the creative fees of $9,500; to direct staff to work with Alexander Atkins and Duffy Price on the fabrication fees for future Council approval; and, to have an all inclusive itemized budget of proposed collateral 50'' Anniversary items prepared for Council consideration at the next Council meeting. AYES: Mayor Kerr, Mayor Pro Tem Warshawsky, Councilmember Jones and Councilmember Mordo NOES: None ABSENT: Councilmember O'Malley ABSTAIN: None Roy Woolsey, Community Relations Committee, requested input from Council on the Committee's recommendation for the restoration of the Heritage House as the permanent repository of the Historical Display and as the Town's museum. City Manager Cassingham explained that staff would like the opportunity to formally respond to the Committee's suggestion to dislocate the Town's Emergency Operations Center. She clarified that this was not a response to the need for an historical archive but urged the Council to carefully consider leaving the Town without an EOC. Councilmember Mordo suggested that the Committee's proposal was for a future date after it had been determined where the EOC would be permanently located. Council concurred that it would be appropriate to revisit the issue after the condition of the Purissima Hills Water District Building was fully assessed. Council thanked the Ad-Hoc Committee and Community Relations Committee for their efforts on the Town's 50th Anniversary. 9.2 Request for Funding Up to $5,000 for the Public Education Committee to Hire Outside Consultants (Lawyers and Financial Advisors) for Due Diligence on Town Options for School Redistricting—Councilmember Jones Councilmember Jones, Public Education Committee Council Liaison, introduced this item. He provided an overview of the Committee and their charter and described their many efforts of fact finding on educational issues. He noted that their previous Council presentations on education options were now available on the web for easy access by Town residents. Jones explained that the request before Council from the PEC was to assist them in garnering factual answers to the many facets of district structural changes or redistricting. He clarified that the Committee was not seeking a Council opinion on redistricting, this was not in the purview of the Council and would not be appropriate; they were seeking funds to gather facts about school redistricting under State law. Jones noted that the funding request was to replenish their due diligence budget that had been 12 City Council Meeting Minutes October 6,2005 depleted by the expanded education survey; adding that redistricting was a citizen driven process but it was important for the Council to have accurate information about the issue. OPENED PUBLIC COMMENT Resident, expressed her opinion that the education survey that was previously conducted by the Town showed residents had very little interest or support for redistricting. She did not want the Council to approve any additional funding on the issue. She was very upset with the money that Council had spent on Bullis Charter School issues. Duncan MacMillan, Public Education Committee Chair, explained that the PEC uses the survey findings as a whole in assessing issues and it had shown an overriding positive response from residents that they would be willing to consider redistricting to return public education to Los Altos Hills. Roy Woolsey, Snell Lane, commented that he favored approval of the funding. He believed that a local school system was a critical component to a sense of community. Eric Clow, Central Drive, supported the funding and offered that it was a good idea to collect facts in an unbiased, independent manner. This factual investigation would be invaluable in assessing the issues surrounding redistricting. Sandy Humphries, Fremont Road, concurred with the comments of Woolsey. She believed a sense of community was vital to any Town and schools were an important factor providing venues for many community functions and activities. CLOSED PUBLIC COMMENTS Council discussion ensued. Council concurred that redistricting was not within the jurisdiction of Council but they could support the request from the Committee for funds for fact finding and performing their due diligence on the Town's options on the issue. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Jones, seconded by Mordo and passed unanimously to approve the request of the Public Education Committee for$5,000 to hire consultants 9.3 Discussion of Scheduling of Potential Regular and/or Special Meetings to Consider Proposal from the Bullis Charter School Foundation Related to Acquisition of Property for School and Park and Recreation Purposes— Mayor Kerr At the request of the Bullis Charter School Foundation, this item was postponed to a future Council Meeting. 13 City Council Meeting Minutes October 6,2005 9.4 Consideration of Bullis Charter School Site Committee Request to Council to • Schedule the Public Education Hearing for the November 3, 2005 Regular City Council Meeting—Mayor Kerr At the request of the Bullis Charter School Site Committee, this item was postponed to a future Council Meeting. -- 9.5 Consideration of Bullis Charter School Request to Present Its Proposal to Council for Relocation of the School to Los Altos Hills at the November 3, 2005 Regular City Council Meeting—Mayor Kerr At the request of the Bullis Charter School, this item was postponed to a future Council Meeting. 10. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Ernest Solomon, Purissima Hills Water District Board Member, offered that his comments to Council were not representative of the Board of Directors as a whole, but he was speaking as a Director. He encouraged the Council to consider the use of water reduction as an energy savings tool. Mayor Kerr suggested that it would be appropriate for the Council and Purrisima Hills Water District Board to consider coordinating efforts to provide emergency water to Town residents in the event of a disaster. 11. PUBLIC HEARINGS 11.1 Request for Use of Amplified Sound for Walkathon Fundraiser from 8:30 a.m. -4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2005 at the Los Altos Hills Town Parks and Recreation Facility (Little League Fields) at 27500 Purissima Road — Event Sponsor: Bullis Charter School Mayor Kerr explained that this item had been scheduled to meet the requirements of the playing fields conditional use permit. The Bullis Charter School was requesting use of amplified sound for their fundraiser on October 15, 2005. Councilmember Jones noted that last year's event had been very successful and no complaints had been registered by the neighbors. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Warshawsky, seconded by Jones and passed unanimously to approve the request of the Bullis Charter School to use amplified sound at the Los Altos Hills Town Parks and Recreation facility for their fundraiser on October 15, 2005 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. 14 City Council Meeting Minutes October 6,2005 Council adjourned to Closed Session at 9:25 p.m. 12. CLOSED SESSION Council convened the Closed Session at 9:33 p.m. CLOSED SESSION: CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION: Government Code Section 54956.9(a). Campbell and Ligeti v. Town of Los Altos Hills CLOSED SESSION: CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS Property: APN 182-52-009 Agency Negotiators: Craig Jones and Steve Mattas Negotiating Parties: None Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment Council reconvened to Open Session at 9:47 p.m. No action was taken. 13. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 9:47 p.m. by consensus of the Council. Respectfully submitted, ' Karen Jos City Clerk The minutes of the October 6, 2005 Regular City Council meeting were approved as presented at the October 20, 2005 Regular City Council meeting. 15 City Council Meeting Minutes October 6,2005