HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/01/2005 • Meeting Agenda
September 1, 2005
Town of Los Altos Hills
City Council Regular Meeting
Thursday, September 1, 2005 6:00 P.M.
Town Hall Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road
PLEASE NOTE: THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS BEGIN AT 6:00 P.M. IF TE E ALLOWS
ALL ITEMS EXCEPT PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR AND PUBLIC HEARINGS MAY
BE HEARD BEFORE 6:30 P.M. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR AND PUBLIC
HEARINGS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN AFTER THE HOUR OF 6:30 P.M.
Persons wishing to address the Council should obtain a copy of the request form located on the table
at the back of Council Chambers and leave the completed form at the podium; this ensures that
names are recorded accurately in the minutes. Please confine your remarks to the time limit
stipulated by Council. This will assure time for all persons wishing to speak. Also,in the interests of
time, please avoid redundancy with remarks made by previous speakers. If a large group wishes to
express its views,the group should try to have one spokesperson.
1. CALL TO ORDER,ROLL CALL,AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS
2.1 Appointment to Pathways Committee
2.2 Appointment of Youth Commissioner
2. 3 Appointment of Associate Youth Commissioner
2.4 Certificates of Appreciation to Nobuko Cleary and Arthur Bernstein,
Information and Safety Committee
3. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Items appearing on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be adopted in
one motion, except for any item removed for separate consideration elsewhere on the
agenda. The Mayor will ask the Council and the audience for requests to remove these
items.
4.1 Approval of Minutes: Regular City Special Meeting August 18, 2005
4.2 Review of Disbursements: 08/11/2005—08/24/2005 . $67,145.29
4.3 Approval of Ordinance No. 439 Establishing Storm Water Pollution
is
Prevention Measures for Land Development Projects
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City Council Special Meeting Agenda
September 1,2005
4.4 Approval of Request for Extension of the Expiration Date of a Site
Development Permit for a New Residence and Pool, Lands of Yanez, 28025
Natoma Road (290-00 ZZ-SD-GD)
•
4.5 Notification of Planning Commission Approval: Lands of Evershine; A
Request for a Site Development Permit for an Addition of a 3,634 square foot
Utility Building_(maximum height 20 feet); a 8,784 square foot Tennis Court
(maximum structure height 19' and a Realigned Driveway; 13310 La Paloma
4.6 Notification of Planning Commission Approval: Lands of Hitz; A Request for
a Site Development for a 2,278 square foot Agricultural Accessory Building
(maximum structure height 20' 6") on a 10.5 acre Property; 26026 Scarff Way
4.7 Notification of Planning Commission Approval: Lands of Awdisho; A
Request for Site Development Permit for a 1,900 square foot Patio, Swimming
Pool and Spa; 12234 Tgpa Way
4.8 Notification of Planning Commission Approval: Lands of Cohen; A Request
for a Site Development Permit and a Conditional Development Permit for a
212 square foot Addition and Interior remodel (maximum structure height
30'), Removal of two (2) Heritage Oak Trees to Allow a Required Fire Truck
Turnaround and Variances to allow two (2) Undersized Garage parking
Spaces 9' 3" x 20' and increase of MDA from 5,700square feet to 6,896 square
feet; 13303 Wildcrest Drive
• 4.9 Notification of Fast Track Approval: Lands of Askari and Askarinam, A
Request for a Site Development Permit for a 4,997 square foot new Residence
(maximum height ); 27630 Via Cerro Gordo
4.10 Notification of Fast Track Approval: Lands of Mahoney, A Request for a Site
Development Permit for a New 5,361 square foot New Residence Where the
Maximum Permitted Floor Area is 5,374 square feet (maximum height
gpproximately 24'), 1,683 square foot Basement (floor area exempt) and
Replacement of an Existing Pool.
4.11 Grant of Open Space Easements; Lands of Goese; 13480 Wildcrest Drive
4.12 Grant of Sanitary Sewer Easement at Burke Lane : Lands of Blech, Kash and
Navasimhan. Reso#
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5.1 Town Goals
5.1.1 Implementation of Strategic Conservation Goals
• 5.1.2 Bringing Public Education Back to the Hills
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City Council Special Meeting Agenda
September 1,2005
5.2 Underground Project Status Report
5.3 Update on General Plan Review
5.4 Proposed Amendment of Resolution No. 79-05 Establishing Standing
Committees which Increases the Membership of the Finance and Investment
Committee b ay dding Two members of the City Council as Voting Members
and Related Revisions Reso #
• Appointment of Two Councilmembers to Finance and Investment Committee
6. NEW BUSINESS
6.1 Introduction of Ordinance to Adopt the Revised Sewer Use Code
6.2 Proposed PG&E Consultant Expenses to Develop Solar Energy Ordinance
6.3 Request from Santa Clara County Cities Association for Cities to Join High
Speed Rail Coalition to Promote HSR Southern Gateway Reso#
6.4 Request from Les Earnest for Revisions to Definitions in Municipal Code of
Private Roads and Public Roads
7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES,AND
• COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES
8. STAFF REPORTS
8.1 City Manager
8.2 City Attorney
8.3 City Clerk
8.3.1 Report on Council Correspondence
9. COUNCIL-INITIATED ITEMS
9.1 Proposed Appointment Terms for Members of Joint Volunteer Awards
Committee—Mayor Pro Tem Warshawsky
9.2 Council Consideration of Request to Public Education Committee to Submit an
Informational Package of PEC Developed Materials to Each of the Registered
Candidates for the Los Altos School District Board—Councilmember Jones
• 9.3 Discussion of Westwind Barn Year'Round Riding Program-
Councilmember O'Malley
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City Council Special Meeting Agenda
September 1,2005
Presentations from the Floor and public hearings are scheduled to begin after the hour of 6:30 p.m. The
agenda will be interrupted at 6:30 p.m., or after the completion of any agendized item then under
discussion, and the floor will be opened for public comments and the scheduled public hearings. When
. these are completed,the formal agenda will be resumed at the point of departure.
10. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Persons wishing to address the Council on any subject, whether or not on the agenda, may do so now. Please note,
however,the Council is not able to undertake extended discussion or action tonight on items not on the agenda. Under
a resolution previously adopted by the Council, such items can be referred to staff for appropriate action,which may
include placement on the next available agenda. Please note that,while the Council will hear comments upon items
which are on the agenda at this time,the Council will not act on any such item until the item is under consideration by
the Council.
11. - PUBLIC HEARINGS
If you challenge the proposed action(s) in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or
someone else raised at the public hearing described below, or in written correspondence delivered to the
City Council at,or prior to,the public hearing.
11.1 Approval of Appropriations for Citizens' Option for Public Safety Fund
(COPS)
12. ADJOURNMENT
ASSISTANCE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
• In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act,if you need special assistance to participate in this
meeting,please contact the City Clerk at 650-941-7222. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will
enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
Copies of all agenda reports and supporting data are available for inspection at Town Hall,26379 Fremont
Road and at the Los Altos Main Library 72 hours in advance of the meeting.A complete agenda can also be
found on the Town's WebPage: b.9p://wwA,.Iosaltoshills.ca.gov. Two complete packets of information are
available for inspection during the meeting at the table to the back of the Council Chambers
The Council may take action on any agendized matter in any manner deemed appropriate by the Council.
•
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City Council Special Meeting Agenda
September 1,2005
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Meeting Minutes
• September 1, 2005
Town of Los Altos Hills
City Council Regular Meeting
Thursday, September 1, 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, Councilmember Jean Mordo and Councilmember Mike
O'Malley
Absent: None
Staff: City Manager Maureen Cassingham, Assistant City Attorney John Bakker,
Administrative Services Director Sarah Ragsdale, Planning Director Carl
Cahill, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Henry Louie, Parks and
Recreation Supervisor Jimmy Forbis and City Clerk Karen Jost
• Councilmember Mordo announced that Administrative Services Director Sarah Joiner
had recently married. Council congratulated Mrs. Sarah Ragsdale on her nuptials and
wished her well.
2. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS
O S
2.1 Appointment to Pathways Committee
Council had before them applications from Les Earnest, Michael Wagner and Susan
Welch for appointment to the Pathways Committee. There was one vacancy. Following
brief interviews of the applicants, Susan Welch was selected by ballot vote to serve on the
Pathways Committee for a term of four years.
Council thanked all of the applicants for their interest in serving on the Committee.
2.2 Appointment of Youth Commissioner
Roger Brunell, Community Relations Committee, introduced the applicants for the Youth
Commissioner and Associate Youth Commissioner posts. Burnell explained that the
positions fell under the jurisdiction of the Community Relations Committee. Rachael
Kellman and Ting Ting Liu had been interviewed by Committee representatives and were
being highly recommended for appointment
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 1,2005
Applicant Rachael Kellman introduced herself and shared with Council her reasons for
seeking appointment to the position of Youth Commissioner. Kellman noted that she was
looking forward to working with the Community Relations Committee on their upcoming
projects.
2. 3 Appointment of Associate Youth Commissioner
Applicant Ting Ting Liu introduced herself to Council. She shared her current
community and school volunteer activities with Council and commented that she was
very interested in working with the Community Relations Committee to encourage more
youth participation in Town events.
Council thanked Kellman and Liu for their volunteer commitment to the Town.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS OF THE COUNCIL: To appoint Rachael Kellman and Ting
Ting Liu to the position of Youth Commissioner and Associate Youth Commissioner
respectively.
2.4 Certificates of Appreciation to Nobuko Cleary and Arthur Bernstein,
Information and Safety Committee
Council presented Certificates of Appreciation to Nobuko Cleary and Arthur Bernstein
for their service to the Community as members of the Information and Safety Committee.
The Committee had been sunsetted.
• 3. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
Planning Director Carl Cahill reported that the Planning Commission had not met since
the last Council meeting. He added that the City Council Planning Issues Subcommittee
had completed their review of the fence ordinance and had forwarded their
recommendations to the Planning Commission for review and comments. Cahill advised
Council that the City of Palo Alto was performing an additional traffic study for the
Mayfield Project and had plans to meet with interested neighbors in October. Cahill
concluded his report by noting that the Ad-Hoc General Plan Committee chaired by
Councilmember O'Malley had scheduled their initial meeting for next week.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Items Removed: 4.5(Kerr) 4.6 (Warshawsky)
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mordo, seconded by Warshawsky
and passed unanimously to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar, specifically:
4.1 Approval of Minutes: Regular City Special Meeting August 18, 2005
4.2 Review of Disbursements: 08/11/2005 —08/24/2005 $67,145.29
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 1,2005
4.3 Approval of Ordinance No. 439 Establishing Storm Water Pollution
Prevention Measures for Land Development Projects
• 4.4 Approval of Request for Extension of the Expiration Date of a Site
Development Permit for a New Residence and Pool, Lands of Yanez, 28025
Natoma Road(290-00 ZZ-SD-GD)
4.7 Notification of Planning Commission Approval: Lands of Awdisho; A
Request for Site Development Permit for a 1,900 square foot Patio, Swimming
Pool and Spa; 12234 Tepa Way
4.8 Notification of Planning Commission Approval: Lands of Cohen; A Request
for a Site Development Permit and a Conditional Development Permit for a
212 square foot Addition and Interior remodel (maximum structure height
30'), Removal of two (2) Heritage Oak Trees to Allow a Required Fire Truck
Turnaround and Variances to allow two (2) Undersized Garage parking
Spaces 9' 3" x 20' and increase of MDA from 5,700square feet to 6,896 square
feet; 13303 Wildcrest Drive
4.9 Notification of Fast Track Approval: Lands of Askari and Askarinam, A
Request for a Site Development Permit for a 4,997 square foot new Residence
(maximum height 27'); 27630 Via Cerro Gordo
4.10 Notification of Fast Track Approval: Lands of Mahoney, A Request for a Site
Development Permit for a New 5,361 square foot New Residence Where the
• Maximum Permitted Floor Area is 5,374 square feet (maximum height
approximately 24'), 1,683 square foot Basement (floor area exempt) and
Replacement of an Existing Pool.
4.11 Grant of Open Space Easements; Lands of Goese; 13480 Wildcrest Drive
Reso# 86-05
4.12 Grant of Sanitary Sewer Easement at Burke Lane : Lands of Blech, Kash and
Navasimhan. Reso#82-05, #83-05, #84-05
Items Removed:
4.5 Notification of Planning Commission Approval: Lands of Evershine; A
Request for a Site Development Permit for an Addition of a 3,634 square foot
Utility Building (maximum height 20 feet); a 8,784 square foot Tennis Court
(maximum structure height 19' and a Realigned Driveway; 13310 La Paloma
Planning Director Carl Cahill reviewed the Planning Commission's action on the project.
He explained that a pathway-in-lieu fee had been paid by the applicant but that there was
some question by the Pathways Committee as to who would ultimately install the
pathway,the Town or the property owner.
•
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 1,2005
Pathways Committee Chair Ginger Summit offered that the Pathways Committee would
review the issue.
iMayor Pro Tem Warshawsky, Pathways Committee Council Liaison, appealed the
Planning Commission approval of the site development permit. The appeal would be
scheduled for a City Council public hearing.
4.6 Notification of Planning Commission Approval: Lands of Hitz; A Request for
a Site Development for a 2,278 square foot Agricultural Accessory Building
(maximum structure height 20' 6") on a 10.5 acre Property; 26026 Scarff Way
Planning Director Carl Cahill explained that the Planning Commission approval of the
site development permit had been appealed by Mayor Pro Tem Warshawsky in writing to
the City Clerk. This was to permit the Pathways Committee an opportunity to review the
project. The appeal would be scheduled for a City Council public hearing.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5.1 Town Goals
5.1.1 Implementation of Strategic Conservation Goals
Mayor Kerr noted that a presentation by the Environmental Initiatives Committee on the
proposed energy efficiency ordinance had been scheduled for the September 15, 2005
City Council meeting.
5.1.2 Bringing Public Education Back to the Hills
Mayor Kerr deferred to Councilmember Jones, Public Education Committee liaison.
Jones reported that the Committee was currently collecting data for a packet of
informational materials for candidates for the Los Altos School District and Palo Alto
Unified School District Boards. This would be discussed as agenda item 9.2. He added
that he would like the materials available on the Town's website. Jones reported that a
subcommittee of the Standing PEC was working on their presentation to Council that
would be scheduled for a meeting in the fall when the Council considers the Bullis
Charter School's potential move back to Los Altos Hills. Scheduling of the presentation
was "on hold" during the current legal negotiations between the Bullis Charter School
and Los Altos School District. The Community hearing could potentially be as late as
Novemeber. In conclusion, Jones announced that the Bullis Charter School, after
completing their first full year of operation, had produced API scores that ranked the
school twelfth in elementary schools in the State.
5.2 Underground Project Status Report
Mayor Pro Tem Warshawsky reported that the Undergrounding Subcommittee had
scheduled a meeting with representatives from the City of San Jose to discuss their Rule
20A project experiences and to learn from their"best practices".
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 1,2005
Director of Public Works Henry Louie added that project plans had been submitted to
SBC and PG&E for review and comment.
•
5.3 Update on General Plan Review
Councilmember O'Malley amplified the Planning Director's earlier report and noted that
the Ad-Hoc General Plan Committee planned to review the 2001 Community Survey
findings in conjunction with their General Plan review. He noted that this would provide
a good basis-for the review and understanding of issues.
5.4 Proposed Amendment of Resolution No. 79-05 Establishing Standing
Committees which Increases the Membership of the Finance and Investment
Committee by adding Two members of the City Council as Voting Members
and Related Revisions
City Manager Cassingham introduced this item to Council. At their August 18, 2005
meeting, Council had directed staff to make the revisions to the Standing Committee
Resolution pertaining to the Finance and Investment Committee. Specifically, the
direction was to increase the FIC membership from eight to nine members and provide
for two members of the City Council to serve on the FIC as voting members. Council
had before them the draft resolution that included the membership changes and the
necessary revisions to the resolution to accommodate the changes.
Following a brief discussion, Council concurred that in consideration of the important
• issues before the FIC for their review and recommendations, the addition of two
Councilmembers as voting members would be beneficial and well serve the Council.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mordo, seconded by O'Malley and
passed unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 87-05 Establishing Standing Committees.
• Appointment of Two Councilmembers to Finance and Investment Committee
Councilmembers Mordo and Jones volunteered to serve on the Finance and Investment
Committee.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by O'Malley, seconded by
Warshawsky and passed unanimously to appoint Councilmember Mordo and
Councilmember Jones to the Finance and Investment Committee.
6. NEW BUSINESS
6.1 Introduction of Ordinance to Adopt the Revised Sewer Use Code
Director of Public Works/City Engineer Henry Louie introduced this item to Council.
Council had before them the proposed ordinance. Louie explained that the sewage chapter
of the Municipal Code governs the sewer collection and treatment services provided to
residents by the Town. Although periodically reviewed and revised, the Code had not
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 1,2005
been comprehensively reviewed and updated in a number of years. Staff had completed a
complete review and was recommending adoption of a revised article of the Sewer Use
Code that incorporated revisions to update the technical information, clarify language and
reflect current practices and requirements.
Louie noted that the revisions would not impact most customers but would address the
collection of sewer connection fees to purchase capacity in the Town's sanitary sewer
system. No new fees were being imposed or fees increased by the proposed ordinance.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by O'Malley, seconded by
Warshawsky and passed unanimously to waive reading and introduce the Ordinance to
adopt the revised sewer use code.
6.2 Proposed PG&E Consultant Expenses to Develop Solar Energy Ordinance
Mayor Kerr explained that the item was a request for funds for a consultant to assist in the
development of the energy efficiency ordinance from Peter Evans, Environmental
Initiatives Committee Chair. Evans believed the expenditure for services would be less
than the proposed $5,000. The firm being considered had assisted the City of Marin with
the development of their energy efficiency ordinance. The scope of services and expertise
included: supplementing PG&E consultant's work; the technical knowledge to assistance
in assessing the feasibility of the ordinance and the experience in documenting the
findings and meeting the California Energy Commission's requirements for approval of
the ordinance.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Jones, seconded by O'Malley and
• approved unanimously to approve a not to exceed amount of $5,000 for consulting
services to assist the EIC with the development of the energy efficiency ordinance.
6.3 Request from Santa Clara County Cities Association for Cities to Join High
Speed Rail Coalition to Promote HSR Southern Gateway
Mayor Kerr gave a brief overview of the HSR Southern Gateway proposal. Council had
before them the Silicon Valley HSR Coalition Guiding Principles, the Coalition sign-up
form, sample support letter and resolution of HSR support. He recommended Council
join the Silicon Valley High Speed Rail Coalition via the adoption of the resolution in
their packet.
Council concurred.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by O'Malley, seconded by
Warshawsky and passed unanimously to approve Resolution 88-05 in support of high
speed rail to the Bay Area and membership in the Silicon Valley High Speed Rail
Coalition.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 1,2005
6.4 Request from Les Earnest for Revisions to Definitions in Municipal Code of
Private Roads and Public Roads
Assistant City Attorney John Bakker introduced this item to Council. He explained that
resident Les Earnest in a letter dated July 21, 2005 had requested that the City Council
direct the City Attorney to resolve certain inconsistencies that Mr. Earnest saw in the
definitions of the public and private roads in the Subdivision Ordinance and Zoning
Code. Subsequently at their August 18, 2005 meeting, Council directed the City Attorney
to provide an estimate of the amount of time it would take to evaluate the request from
Earnest and prepare an appropriate response. Bakker offered that it would require
between eight (8) and ten (10) hours for the evaluation. If appropriate, an amendment to
the Municipal Code would be prepared.
Bakker noted that alternatively Council could direct the City Attorney to prepare the
appropriate amendments to the Municipal Code when the Town does a comprehensive
amendment to the Zoning Code which is usually done after the Town updates its General
Plan to ensure that the zoning is consistent with the General Plan.
Following discussion, Council consensus was to address the review after the completion
of the General Plan update.
7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES,AND
COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES
Mayor Pro Tem Warshawsky reported that he was participating in a regional cell phone
subcommittee. They were making good progress and were currently reviewing the Joint
Powers Authority in San Mateo as a possible template.
Councilmember Mordo reported that the Finance and Investment Committee had met
with Administrative Services Director Sarah Ragsdale and requested that she prepare a
RFP for financial consulting services to manage the trading of certificates of deposit
through a financial institution account. The Committee had also amended and simplified
the investment policy for the Town and this would be forwarded to Council for their
consideration.
8. STAFF REPORTS
8.1 City Manager
City Manager Maureen Cassingham extended her congratulations and professional wishes
for success to Jimmy Forbis as he leaves the employ of the Town to move on in his
professional career. Forbis had been hired as a financial management analyst in the
County Executive's office by the County of San Mateo. She thanked him for his services
with the Town.
Cassingham reviewed with Council the emergency and service contact brochure that had
been developed as a special project by Town staff under the direction of Administrative
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September 1,2005
Services Director Sarah Ragsdale. The brochure would be included in the Town
Newsletter mailing.
8.2 City Attorney
8.3 City Clerk
8.3.1 Report on Council Correspondence
9. COUNCIL-INITIATED ITEMS
9.1 Proposed Appointment Terms for Members of Joint Volunteer Awards
Committee—Mayor Pro Tem Warshawsky
Mayor Pro Tem Warshawsky explained that he had initiated this item at the request of
Roger Burnell, Chair, Joint Volunteer Awards Committee. By adopting a four year term
for members of the committee,the Town would be consistent with the City of Los Altos.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by O'Malley, seconded by
Warshawsky and passed unanimously to adopt a term of four years for members of the
Joint Volunteer Awards Committee.
9.2 Council Consideration of Request to Public Education Committee to Submit
an Informational Package of PEC Developed Materials to Each of the
• Registered Candidates for the Los Altos School District Board —
Councilmember Jones
Councilmember Jones explained that the PEC was seeking Council approval to prepare
an informational packet for candidates for the Los Altos School District Board and the
Palo Alto Unified School District Board. All candidates would receive the same packet;
only materials that had been presented to Council would be included and any questions
from candidates would be referred to Committee Chair Duncan MacMillan.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by O'Malley, seconded by
Warshawsky and passed unanimously to approve the request of the PEC to submit an
information package of PEC developed materials to candidates for the Los Altos School
District Board and the Palo Alto Unified School District Board.
9.3 Discussion of Westwind Barn Year'Round Riding Program-
Councilmember O'Malley
Parks and Recreation Supervisor Jimmy Forbis addressed Council. He explained that he
had just received the letter that had been distributed to Council from Nancy Couperus and
had only a few minutes to review the letter. He clarified that Parks and Recreation had
requested a site for the proposed paddocks from the Friends of Westwind Barn during the
January 2004 lease negotiation process. The concurrence from the Friends had been a key
element in the Town granting them a ten (10) year lease. Forbis believed that the
issues/questions that Couperus had broached in her letter regarding the program had been
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 1,2005
addressed in the lease and service agreement. The Friends had identified three potential
sites for the paddocks that were agreeable to Parks and Recreation. Forbis noted that
Parks and Recreation Department would like to select the engineer for the site review and
suggested that any inquiries received by the Friends regarding the program be directed to
the Department.
Jane Kawasaki, former Parks and Recreation Committee Co-Chair, displayed an aerial of
the Westwind Barn site. She provided a brief summary of the paddock site selection
history. In January, 2004 during the lease negotiations, the Friends agreed to the
installation of the paddocks and for the Year Round Riding Program to be administered
by the Parks and Recreation Supervisor. In April, 2004 the Friends selected a site for the
paddocks. At the request of Parks and Recreation, the site had been reviewed by several
consultants and it was determined that it was a difficult building site with drainage
problems that could potentially be expensive to address. The Friends of Westwind Barn
representatives selected a second site for the paddocks near the barn and more towards
the top of the property. This site was relatively flat and had few problems. Kawasaki
obtained bids from TBI, Turner Construction and Mendez Family operations for the site.
In April 2005, the Board of Westwind Barn voted at their meeting to approve the site
however the action was never recorded in .the meeting minutes. There is now
disagreement on whether a vote was taken. Kawasaki explained that because the horses
boarded in the Town's program paddocks would be housed there 24/7, it was important
that the condition of the paddocks be exemplary. She clarified that boarded horses are
only in the paddocks four hours each day and remain in their stalls the rest of the time.
Kawasaki added that as defined by the lease, the location of the paddocks must be
mutually agreeable to the Town and the Friends. She reviewed the paddock locations
with Council and explained that the three sites that had been recently offered by the
Friends are acceptable but because of the drainage issue, construction could be costly.
Council discussed the sites. Mayor Kerr suggested that a possible solution might be to
build the paddocks on the top site and to build a replacement paddock for the Friends
boarded horses. Councilmember O'Malley suggested that Councilmembers visit
Westwind to acquaint themselves with sites. He explained the importance of having
good drainage in the paddocks for the Year Round Riding Program because this would be
their boarding site.
Forbis explained that the grant application approval was based on the top site building
proposal and cost estimates. Forbis noted that the cost of building in the newly proposed
areas would require an evaluation by an engineer with a familiarity in similar projects. He
clarified that park bond funds were required to be used for Parks and Recreation projects
and could not be used for a replacement paddock, however, the park bond money could
be used on the Year Round Riding Program paddocks and the Town could subsidize the
replacement paddocks.
Council consensus was that they supported the Year Round Riding Program.
Parks and Recreation Supervisor Forbis explained that the Town could recapture the cost
of the engineering evaluation of the sites from the State if they eventually build on the
site.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 1,2005
City Manager Cassingham offered that the Council had already approved the project's
budget and it was the responsibility of the staff to manage it accordingly. She suggested
to that by using Mark Thomas & Co. and Dave Ross with his familiarity and experience at
the Barn as the lead consultant, they would benefit from an economy of scale.
Cassingham suggested that the scope of the engineering review include; 1) the sites
identified in the letter from the Friends; 2) the original paddocks site that the cost
estimates were based on; and, 3) the replacement option. Council concurred with her
proposal.
10. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Nancy Couperus, Page Mill Road, addressed the Council on agenda item 9.3. She noted
that she was speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Friends of Westwind
Barn. Couperus provided a summary of the Board's recent special meeting regarding the
development of Los Altos Hills Parks and Recreation horse paddocks that would be used
to house horses for the Town's Year Round Riding Program. She provided Council with
a letter from the Board that included a schematic of the proposed paddock sites and a list
of questions that had arisen about the operation of the program. Couperus explained that
the Board would like the Town Engineer to evaluate the three sites which were acceptable
to the Board and if they are deemed unsuitable, then the Board was requesting funding of
a master design of existing-and new proposed paddocks.
Jane Kawasaki, resident and former Parks and Recreation Committee member,
commented that she believed that space for the paddocks was not limited but that funding
for the project was limited.
Les Earnest, Dianne Drive, commented that Council had appealed item 4.6. He noted
that a path had been required and built on the property twenty (20) years ago but an
easement had not been granted to the Town. The path had subsequently been removed.
Earnest questioned how the project had moved forward without a Pathways Committee
recommendation.
Luiz Yanez, Moody Road, congratulated the Council on the wonderful new Town Hall
facility. He strongly supported the renewable energy facet of the Town Hall and
suggested that it had put"the Town on the map"for it's conservation efforts.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
11.1 Approval of Appropriations for Citizens' Option for Public Safety Fund
(COPS)
Administrative Services Director Sarah Ragsdale introduced this item to Council.
Ragsdale explained that each year the Town received $100,000 from the Citizen's Option
for Public Safety (COPS) Fund. The funding has enabled the Town to hire a Public
Safety Officer who was charged with both code enforcement and emergency preparedness
duties. By California Law, the City Council was required to conduct a public hearing and
appropriate COPS funding in September of each year in which the funding was available.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 1,2005
OPENED PUBLIC HEARING
CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING
Councilmember O'Malley commented that Steven Garcia, the Town's Public Safety
Officer, was a valuable asset to Town staff and community. He noted that he was
responsible for numerous code enforcement and emergency preparedness issues. Council
concurred and offered kudos to Garcia for his services to the Town.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Jones, seconded by Warshawsky
and passed unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 85-05 approving the appropriations for
the Citizens' Option for Public Safety for the fiscal year 2005-2006.
12. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Consensus of the City
Council at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen J st
City Cler
The City Council meeting minutes were approved as presented at the September 15, 2005
Regular City Council Meeting.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
September 1,2005