HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/02/2005 (2) Meeting Minutes
June 2, 2005
Town of Los Altos Hills
City Council Regular Meeting
Thursday, June 2, 2005 6:00 P.M.
Town Hall Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road
1. CALL TO ORDER,ROLL CALL, AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor O'Malley called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. in
the Council Chambers at Town Hall.
Present: Mayor Mike O'Malley, Mayor Pro Tem Breene Kerr, Councilmember
Craig A. T. Jones, Councilmember Jean Mordo and Councilmember Dean
Warshawsky
Absent: None
Staff: City Manager Maureen Cassingham, City Attorney Steve Mattas, Planning
Director Carl Cahill, Administrative Services Director Sarah Joiner, Public
• Works Director/City Engineer Henry Louie, Consulting Engineer Dave
Ross, Parks and Recreation Supervisor Jimmy Forbis 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.
Mayor O'Malley announced that the Special Meeting would convene immediately
following the conclusion of the Regular City Council meeting.
2. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS
2.1 Appointment to the Finance and Investment Committee
Council had before them an application from Stanley Mok for appointment to the Finance
and Investment Committee. Council briefly interviewed Mok and noted that his expertise
as a Financial Advisor would be an asset to the Committee.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mordo, seconded by Kerr and
passed unanimously to appoint Stanley Mok to the Finance and Investment Committee
for a term of four years.
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2.2 Appointment of Exhibit Curator
Council had before them an application from Ethel Blank for appointment to the position
of Town Exhibit Curator. Ms. Blank was unable to attend the meeting. It was noted that
she had served in this capacity previously.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Kerr, seconded by Mordo and
passed unanimously to appoint Ethel Blank as the Town Exhibit Curator.
2.3 2005 Los Altos Hills Town Picnic—Roy Woolsey,
Community Relations Chair
Roy Woolsey, Community Relations Committee Chair, presented a status report to
Council on the upcoming annual Town Picnic. Woolsey noted that the reservations
received to date indicated that this would be the best attended event since the Town began
the tradition. He expected approximately 1350 residents or 365 families to attend.
Woolsey reviewed the program schedule with Council.
Council thanked Woolsey and his Committee for their efforts in coordinating and hosting
this wonderful event.
3. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
PlanningDirector Carl Cahill reported that the Commission had not met since the last
P
Council meeting.
He has been working with the City Attorney's office to develop a clear and concise
written policy on ex parte discussions for Councilmembers, Planning Commissioners and
Standing Committee members. Cahill noted that the policy would be universal in its
application.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Warshawsky, seconded by Mordo
and passed unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar, specifically:
4.1 Approval of Minutes: Regular City Council Meeting May 19, 2005
4.2 Review of Disbursements: 5/12/2005 —5/23/2005 $349,723.34
4.3 Proposed Continued Participation in a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement
and Cooperation Agreement for the County of Santa Clara Community
Development Block Grant and Homes Programs for Federal Fiscal Years
2005-2006, 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 Resolution No. 44-05
4.4 Approval of an Agreement with Du-All Safety, LLC for the Town's Safety
Program Resolution#45-05
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4.5 Approval of an Agreement with Collection Systems Maintenance Service for
Sewer Line Preventative and Emergency Maintenance Resolution No.46-05
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5.1 Town Goals
5.1.1 Complete Town Hall On Time and On Budget
5.1.1 a TBI Update
Mayor O'Malley thanked Tony Vierra, TBI Construction Management, for the firm's
excellent performance in the construction of the new Town Hall. O'Malley noted that the
facility was a beautiful, efficient and functional building that was not pretentious or
ostentatious.
Tony Vierra thanked the Mayor and reported that the building construction was entering
its final stage. The "punch list"was being created and field refinements were ongoing.
Vierra reviewed the change orders, purchase requests and their associated costs with
Council that had been agendized for their consideration. Vierra noted that the final
budget reconciliation on the approved March 9, 2005 budget update was in preparation
and would be forwarded to the Council in the near future.
5.1.1b Consideration of Proposed Resolution Approving Purchase of
New Town Hall Signage and Dedication Plaque
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Kerr, seconded by Warshawsky and
passed unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 47-05 approving the purchase of new Town
Hall signage and the dedication plaque.
5.1.1c Consideration of Proposed Resolution Approving Construction
Change Orders and Relocation Invoices for the New Town Hall
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Kerr, seconded by Warshawsky and
passed unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 48-05 approving construction change orders
and relocation invoices.
5.11d Consideration of Proposed Resolution Approving Construction
of Town Trail at New Town Hall
Mayor Pro Tem Kerr explained that the "Town Trail" associated costs had been included
in the Town's Pathways budget.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Kerr, seconded by Warshawsky and
passed unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 49-05 approving construction of the Town
Trail at the New Town Hall.
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5.1.1e Draft Protocol for Use of New Town Hall Facilities
Councilmember Mordo requested clarification of the protocol, specifically if insurance
should be required for events held by outside organization. City Manager Cassingham
explained that the Town was self-insured. Council agreed that the current insurance was
sufficient for the type of events that were anticipated for the facility.
City Manager Cassingham reviewed the draft protocol with Council. She noted that it
had been prepared by Parks and Recreation Supervisor Jimmy Forbis. It was expected
that the protocol would serve as a"sign off' for anyone being issued a key to the facility.
This would ensure a familiarity and clear understanding of the protocol by anyone using
the new Town Hall. Cassingham added that staff was requesting a minor amendment to
item 6 of the protocol with the inclusion of immediately. The rule would now read, "All
damage shall be immediately reported to the City Clerk."
Councilmember Jones requested clarification on rule 2 pertaining to the restriction of
food and beverages except for those events sponsored by the Town. Cassingham
explained that this was a standard facilities requirement. It was an issue of maintenance
and the desire to properly maintain the community asset.
Council briefly discussed the regulation. They suggested that the rule be amended to
permit food and beverages outside of the Council Chambers.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mordo, seconded by Jones and
• passed by a voice vote to approve the Protocol for the Use of the Council Chambers and
Town Meeting Spaces with an amendment to rule 2 to permit food and beverages outside
of the Council Chamber and rule 6 with the addition of immediately . The vote was in
favor of the motion 4-1 with Mayor O'Malley voting no.
5.1.2 Underground Project Status Report
Councilmember Warshawsky deferred to Dave Ross, former Los Altos Hills Acting-City
Engineer to provide a status report on the Undergrounding project. Ross reported that the
revised concept plans had been sent to the utility companies and the boundary map would
be submitted in approximately two weeks. He expected the preliminary composite utility
drawings to be submitted by the end of July. To date, there were no issues or trends that
could impact the project schedule or cost.
6. NEW BUSINESS
6.1 Proposed New Agreement Between the Town of Los Altos Hills and the Los
Altos Hills/Los Altos Little League for Use of Town Owned Recreation
Facilities Located on Purissima Road(Purissima Little League Fields)
Parks and Recreation Supervisor Jimmy Forbis introduced this item to Council. Forbis
explained that Council had before them a proposed update of the agreement between the
Town of Los Altos Hills and the Los Altos/Los Altos Hills Little League for the use of
the Purissima Little League fields. The current agreement had been in effect since 1991.
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It renewed automatically every year unless either party provided written notice 60 days
prior to the commencement of the Town's fiscal year on July 1. Under this agreement,
the Little League had priority use of the fields from January 15 through Labor. Day, were
authorized to contract for maintenance services and allocate the water resource. The
agreement required the Town's Parks and Recreation Department to request approval
from the Little League for use of the fields.
Forbis reviewed the changes to the agreement with Council, specifically: 1) the Little
League would be permitted to have priority use for all scheduled activities provided that
the schedule was submitted to the Town in writing —this revision would permit the Los
Altos Hill Parks and Recreation Department to schedule camps, activities and rentals
when the Little League had no scheduled use; 2) the Town would assume the decision-
making control over all maintenance and irrigation decisions with the Little League cost
sharing one dollar for every two that the Town spends—the Town's Parks and Recreation
Supervisor would be assigned to professionally manage the fields which had previously
been under volunteer management; and 3) the term of the agreement would be extended
to three years with an automatic three-year renewal clause. Forbis added that either party
could terminate the agreement with or without cause by providing 180 day notice.
Forbis noted that the agreement was written to be flexible and address the Little Leagues
need for fields and the Town's growing Parks and Recreation Department.
OPENED PUBLIC COMMENT
• David Rock, Los Altos/Los Altos Hills Little League President, expressed the groups
appreciation for the positive working relationship between the two entities and added that
he was looking forward to a long term relationship. The Little League Board of Directors
had reviewed the proposed agreement and believed it was a major improvement over the
current agreement. It brought clarity to the responsibilities of the parties.
Rock read into the record a letter from Milton McColl, former Little League President,
who was unable to attend the meeting. McColl thanked the Town for their diligence in
defining the agreement. He believed it was an equitable agreement and would serve the
community well.
Resident and Little League Parent, thanked the City Council for their efforts in achieving
a positive agreement and expressed his support of the revisions.
Sandy Humphries, Fremont Road, questioned whether Council had investigate the
maintenance products used on the field to ensure that they are safe for children.
CLOSED PUBLIC COMMENT
The City Council concurred that the new agreement was a good, simplified contract that
delegated to the Town more control over the fields maintenance and water useage and
would preserve the unique asset for the community.
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MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Kerr, seconded by Warshawsky and
passed by the following roll call vote to approve the new Agreement Between the Town
• of Los Altos Hills and the Los Altos Hills/Los Altos Little League for Use of Town
Owned Recreation Facilities Located on Purissima Road(Purissima Little League Fields)
AYES: Mayor O'Malley, Mayor Pro Tem Kerr, Councilmember Jones,
Councilmember Mordo and Councilmember Warshawsky
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor O'Malley thanked the Little League representatives who were in attendance for
their support and acknowledged Council's appreciation for their efforts on the fields.
6.2 Request for Approval of Town of Los Altos Hills Draft Pathway CIP—
May 2005
Director of Public Works/City Engineer Henry Louie introduced this item to the Council.
He noted that the item before Council was a preliminary report that could be reprioritized
in the future. Louie deferred to Engineering Consultant Dave Ross for the presentation.
Ross explained that the draft CIP was prepared by field review; meetings with the
Pathways Committees; identification of problem areas; and recommendation of both
improvements and new pathways. He referred to the report as a "living document" that
• could serve as the strategic planning guide for upgrading, improving and maintaining
existing pathways and adding new paths.
Ross presented a PowerPoint presentation that identified projects to be scheduled over the
next five years. The presentation included photos, descriptions, status and estimated
costs for each project and possible funding sources when applicable.
Ross .suggested that improvements that would address current pathway safety and
operational needs should be programmed for the first year. Ross reviewed the local
projects that would be scheduled for the first year at a cost of$185,000. Separate Council
approval would be requested for each project prior to construction.
Mayor Pro Tem Kerr reported that he had discussions with the VTA staff regarding the
Moody Road/El Monte Road Corridor project. He noted that the project (items 28-32)
was on track for funding, however, he wished to clarify that it was expected that
approximately $200,000 of the $825,000 would be available at this time. Kerr noted that
the local match was 20%. He requested consideration of the Foothill College Path,
Segment 2 (#29) as a FY2005-2006 project.
Council concurred to prioritize projects with VTA funding that was available.
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OPENED PUBLIC COMMENT
Bob Stutz, Pathways Committee, provided a historical retrospective of the Foothill
College Path. He believed the improvements to this path were critical for the safety of
pedestrians and equestrians.
CLOSED PUBLIC COMMENT
Councilmember Dean Warshawsky, Council Liaison to the Pathways Committee detailed
the efforts of the Committee to develop the path projects for the CIP program. He noted
that field visits, safety concerns, cost, and feasibility were all integral to the selection of
the projects. The Committee was in concurrence with the projects selected for FY2005-
2006. The process proved to be instrumental in developing a good working relationship
between staff and the Committee.
Council discussion ensued regarding Foothill College and their possible participation in
the path project. Dave Ross explained that he had met with College representatives and
they had been very amenable to the project and agreed to not pave a segment of their
parking lot to provide room for an asphalt bike path and pedestrian path.
Mayor Pro Tem Kerr suggested that the Draft Pathway CIP-2005 be modified to clarify
the projected timing of the El Monte/Moody Road Corridor VTA projects and returned to
Council at their next meeting for consideration.
Council concurred.
Director of Public Works/City Engineer Henry Louie suggested that the VTA CIP
projects be kept as a group. This would enable the Town to determine where to allocate
the funding as it became available and not limit it to specific projects. He offered that it
would be cost effective to use the initial allocation for the design engineering of the El
Monte Road/Moody Road project.
Mayor Pro Tem Kerr reiterated that he would like the VTA funding for 2005-2006
applied to the Foothill College Road-segment 2 (#29).
Council directed staff to return to Council at their next meeting with the revised-
prioritized project list for the Pathways CIP-2005.
Mayor O'Malley requested a status of the Byrne Preserve bridge repairs. City Manager
Cassingham responded that she was currently working with the Director of Public
Works/City Engineer to deploy the Town's public works crew for in-house maintenance
to the Town's entrances and Byrne Preserve. She would return to Council with a status
report at the next meeting.
Councilmember Jones requested an update on the identification and status of obstructed
paths. City Manager Cassingham clarified that the Town's Code Enforcement Officer
and Planning Department had reviewed the issue of paths that had been identified as
encumbered or blocked by gates and worked to bring them into compliance. Planning
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Director Cahill explained that obstructed paths were addressed when brought to the
attention of staff.
Staff was directed to return to Council with an update on the fenced or landscaped paths.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Kerr, seconded by Warshawsky and
passed by the following roll call vote to approve Resolution No. 50-05 adopting the Town
of Los Altos Hills CIP 2005.
AYES: Mayor O'Malley, Mayor Pro Tem Kerr, Councilmember Jones,
Councilmember Mordo and Councilmember Warshawsky
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES, AND
COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES
Councilmember Warshawsky reported that in recent discussions with Santa Clara Valley
Water District Board Member Greg Zlotnik,he had offered that the District might be able
to assist with funding for a demonstration garden at Town Hall provided it was designed
with drought tolerant landscaping.
Councilmember Warshawsky noted that he and Councilmember Jean Mordo had
• discussions with a Cingular Wireless representative regarding cellular tower installations
in the Town. The representative had suggested that it would be helpful to have
information on possible locations. Planning Director Carl Cahill explained that the Town
had a priority list of potential sites that was included in the Town's Wireless
Communications policy and would make it readily available.
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 Consideration of an Ad-Hoc Committee to Review City Council Planning
Goals—Councilmember Mordo
Councilmember Mordo explained that in consideration of staff's busy schedule he was
proposing that an Ad-Hoc Committee composed of two Councilmembers and two
Planning Commissioners be established to perform the preliminary investigate work on
high priority planning issues including the definition of"highly visible lots" and fencing.
Mordo noted that the Committee would seek out ordinances from similar cities to review
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their approach to the issues. He suggested that it would be helpful to hire a consultant to
assist in the process. Mordo offered that once the initial review was completed, the
findings and recommendations would continue through the normal process of Public
Hearings, Planning Commission review and City Council consideration.
Councilmember Warshawsky volunteered to serve on the Committee.
Planning Director Carl Cahill noted that a similar approach was employed during the
Housing Element update and it proved to be very successful. He suggested that it would
be helpful to engage architects and design professionals in the process to garner their
comments on the best way to approach the issue of"highly visible lots".
Council briefly discussed the formation of the Committee. The Committee would be
tasked to first review the definition of "highly visible lots" and second, to address the
fence ordinance.
City Manager Cassingham explained that the additional Planning issues identified by
Council at their Goal Setting Session would be pursued through the normal staff process
and brought back to Council.
Staff was directed to invite members of the Planning Commission to apply for
appointment to the Committee. Appointments would be considered by Council at their
next meeting in July.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mordo, seconded by Warshawsky
and passed unanimously to create an Ad-Hoc Committee to address Planning Goals of the
Council, specifically; the highly visible lot definition and the fencing ordinance.
Councilmember Mordo and Councilmember Warshawsky would serve as Council
representatives to the Committee and two Planning Commissioners would be appointed
by the Council at a future meeting. The Committee would have a not-to-exceed budget of
$10,000.
9.2 Debriefing of Councilmembers and Staff on the Sequence of
Communications between the Town of Los Altos Hills and Palo Alto
Regarding the Arastradero Traffic Lights—Councilmember Mordo
Councilmember Mordo explained that he had initiated this item to garner an
understanding of the communications that had transpired regarding the Mayfield
Development Agreement since January, 2005 when the initial email was received from a
resident regarding the Arastradero traffic lights to date and what options were available to
Council going forward.
City Manager Cassingham offered to prepare a chronology of events and return to
Council with the information at the next Council meeting.
Council briefly discussed the Palo Alto City Council final hearing on the Mayfield
Development Agreement. It was noted that the Palo Alto Council offered to work with
the Town to find ways to mitigate the traffic. Mordo noted his concern that the Palo Alto
Council was now obligated to install the traffic signals as mitigation to the project when
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the traffic reached a prescribed level. He suggested that Council work closely with Palo
Alto to seek solutions to limit the traffic before it reached the point where the lights were
required.
City Manager Cassingham acknowledged that she had spoken with Palo Alto City
Manager Frank Benest and they had agreed to meet next week to review the project. She
noted that it was worth exploring the options with the staffs from both cities.
OPENED PUBLIC COMMENT
Jitzie Couperus, Old Page Mill Road, suggested that traffic could be mitigated by
"calming". This could be achieved by installing additional traffic signs or "round
abouts".
Kim Cranston, Fremont Road, explained that residents are very concerned about the
impact of the proposed traffic lights on Arastradero. He distributed to Council a
chronology of project noticing and contacts with the Town that was prepared by the Palo
Alto staff. Cranston advised Council that the time period for filing any legal action was
less than a week after Council's next meeting and encouraged Council to explore all of
their options.
Colette Cranston, Fremont Road, requested that Council not move forward with any
"calming" or other traffic mitigations before consulting residents in the impacted
neighborhoods.
• Dot Schreiner, Saddle Mountain Road, commented that she believed the traffic study
from Hillview to Interstate 280 conducted for the Mayfield Development Project was
inadequate. She suggested that Council consider reviewing that area and investigate the
following options for traffic control: 1) reduce the speed to 25 miles per hour; 2) explore
the installation of a speed table; and 3) consider locating a stop sign on Stirrup Way.
CLOSED PUBLIC COMMENT
Council directed the City Attorney to perform a cursory review of the City Council's legal
options. City Attorney Steve Mattas explained that staff had confirmed that the Notice of
Determination was filed by Palo Alto on May 25, 2005. This action started the thirty day
statute of limitations.
Councilmember Jones suggested that it would be beneficial to ensure that the Town was
notified when the traffic factors had reached the level that triggered the installation of the
traffic signals. He noted that an Ad-Hoc Council Committee with two representatives
from each Council and interested residents might be advantageous in keeping the Town
well informed on the issue.
Councilmember Mordo requested a map identifying which section of Arastradero was
controlled by Los Altos Hills be included with the chronology.
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10. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Dot Schreiner, Saddle Mountain Drive, requested clarification on agenda item 9.2. She
suggested that the public should be permitted to comment during the discussion.
Frank Lloyd, Brendel Drive, questioned if the newly adopted facilities protocol meant
that he could not enjoy his mocha during the Finance and Investment Committee
meetings.
Council clarified that the rule did not pertain to Town sponsored events.
Stan Mok, Chapin Road, suggested that it would be appropriate to amend the facilities
protocol to permit food and beverages be served by non-profit organizations using the
facility but to charge a cleaning deposit.
Sandy Humphries, Fremont Road, reported that the drainage basin in front of Town Hall
was not draining.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
11.1 Consideration of Proposed Fiscal Year 2005-2006 Operating and Capital
Improvement Budget
Administrative Services Director Sarah Joiner introduced this item to Council. She
• explained that the draft budget that was before Council was the version that was
presented to the Finance and Investment Committee at its meeting on May 16, 2005 and
at the joint study session of the Committee and City Council on May 19, 2005.
In the draft budget, revenues for all funds exceeded the operating expenditures by
$555,000. Staff had proposed Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) in the amount of$1.5
million. Joiner noted that $945,000 of the reserves would be used to augment the
operating surplus of$555,000 to fund the level of CIP and any appropriations for projects
or capital improvements in addition to what had been included in the draft budget would
be funded from reserves.
Joiner reported that revenues budgeted for all Funds for fiscal year 2004-2006 were $7.6
million, a decrease of$2.5 million compared to the amended budget for fiscal year 2004-
2005. One-time revenue sources that included: the lease financing proceeds, California
Energy Loan proceeds, energy rebates and the Packard Foundation Grant for 2004-2005
accounted for the difference. The total operating expenditures for the General Fund were
projected to be $3.75 million, an increase of$111,000 or 3% over the prior year.
Joiner explained that property taxes accounted for 45% of the General Fund revenue.
Development-related revenues that include permits, licenses and fees for service
accounted for a combined total of 26%. She clarified that the development fees were set
at a rate that would recover the cost for providing the service.
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Joiner noted that based on discussions at the joint study session and subsequent
developments, staff had proposed several amendments to the draft budget for Council
consideration. She reviewed the amendments with Council that included: 1) Council
review of requests for funding for community service organizations-copies of letters of
request for funding were included as Attachment 1 in the staff report; 2) staff
recommended the appropriation balance that remained in fiscal year 2004-2005 for
pathway capital improvements be carried over to fiscal year 2005-2006 as an additional
funding source for projects identified in the 2005 Pathway CIP program; 3) only one year
of debt service should be budgeted and transferred to the Debt Service Fund rather than
the two years budgeted in the draft; 4) landscaping of the parking lot and orchard area for
the new Town Hall in the amount of$60,000 for fiscal years 2005-2006 and 2006-2007
be added to the budget; 5) Employee compensation study for $50,000; and 6) $1,000
budget funded for the Exhibit Curator.
Joiner reviewed the items that had not been included in the proposed budget and noted
that they could be addressed by means of a mid-year budget adjustment when projects
were better identified and funding sources known. These included: 1) Moody Road
Corridor project; 2) regular maintenance for Westwind Barn (50% of the funding request
was included in the budget); 3) consultant services for the Open Space Committee and
funds for future projects ($15,000 was appropriated in the Planning Department's budget
for a pathway environmental consultant); 4) full funding request by the Los Altos Hills
Horsemen's Association for ring maintenance (expenditure was included in the Playing
Fields/Town Riding Ring budget); and 5) no projects that had been suggested for Park
Bond funding were included.
• Joiner concluded her presentation by acknowledging that she was available to answer
Council questions and take direction on the funding items as presented.
Council thanked Administrative Services Director Sarah Joiner for her excellent report
and response to the Council requests that had transpired in the numerous budget
discussions. Council acknowledged Accountant/Office Manager Cindy Higby for her
efforts on the budget.
Councilmember Warshawsky offered that the City Council had spent numerous hours
reviewing the proposed budget, including sessions with the Finance and Investment
Committee, the Town's auditor and at the Council's Goal Setting Session and he was
comfortable with the final draft budget.
Councilmember Jones requested clarification on the proposed appropriation of $50,000
for an employee compensation study. Joiner explained that Councilmember Mordo had
requested the study in response to the new accounting pronouncement from the
Government Accounting Standards Board which would require governmental agencies to
begin booking post retirement benefits similar to private industry accounting. The new
requirement would not become effective for several years and would not affect the
Town's liability. Joiner noted that the Finance and Investment Committee were also
interested in a study but there was no consensus on the associated costs.
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Mayor O'Malley explained that the study would also include a review of all employee
benefits and compensation package.
• Jones acknowledged that most of the information had been gathered by staff and with the
information that could be acquired from surrounding communities, the study could
possibly be completed in house. Jones added that the fiscal health of the Town was good
and the finances were in the"black".
Mayor O'Malley proposed that $5,000 be appropriated to the Los Altos Hills Horseman's
Association for the Town Ring. He sited the recent community support and volunteerism
of the group as a basis for his request. Joiner noted that if approved it would be added to
the Community Grants.
MOTION SECODED AND CARRIED: Moved by Kerr, seconded by Warshawsky and
passed by the following roll call vote to amend the budget to include $5,000 for the Los
Altos Hills Horseman's Association for maintenance and miscellaneous improvements
for the Town Ring.
AYES: Mayor O'Malley, Mayor Pro Tem Kerr, Councilmember Jones,
Councilmember Mordo and Councilmember Warshawsky
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
• OPENED PUBLIC HEARING
Frank Lloyd, Finance and Investment Committee, commented that the Committee had
considered the salary and benefits study but were unable to reach a consensus on the
budget. He hoped that the study cost would be considerably lower than the estimate and
suggested that the Town"team"with a neighboring city to share the cost.
CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING
Councilmember Warshawsky noted a recent article in the Town Crier that had purported
that the Town received income from development fees. He clarified that the Town does
not make money on fees but simply recovers its cost for services.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Jones, seconded by Kerr and past by
the following roll call vote to approve the Fiscal Year 2005-2006 Operating and Capital
Improvement Budget as amended.
AYES: Mayor O'Malley, Mayor Pro Tem Kerr, Councilmember Jones,
Councilmember Mordo and Councilmember Warshawsky
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
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11.2 General Plan Amendment to Change the Land Use Diagram Designation of
the Bullis/Purissima Elementary School Site from Elementary to Public
School; APN: 175-23-013
Planning Director Carl Cahill introduced this item to Council. He provided a brief
summary of his staff report noting that the Planning Commission had reviewed and
recommended with a 4-1 vote that the Council adopt the proposed General Plan diagram.
Specifically, the General Plan land use diagram currently notes the site at 25890 Fremont
Road as an "Elementary School" while the General Plan text references the Bullis-
Purissima Elementary School in context with other public schools under the auspices of
the Los Altos Elementary School District. The proposed change involves the addition of
the word "Public". The site would be designated "Public Elementary School". The
proposal did not broaden or narrow the permitted or conditional uses for the site. Cahill
noted that the amendment would help to clarify the text on the General Plan diagram and
make it consistent with the language of the General Plan.
Council briefly discussed a letter that had been submitted to the Town from the Los Altos
School District's legal counsel regarding the proposed amendment. Cahill explained that
the Town was unique with its single zoning and land use designation with institutions
requiring designation on a parcel by parcel approach.
City Attorney Steve Mattas explained that the amendment before Council for their
consideration would provide an internal consistency within the General Plan and would
identify the site as a "Public Elementary School" and the other sites would continue to
• maintain their designations as "Private Schools". Mattas added that the property, the last
public school site within the Town, was a unique asset and it was within the authority of
the City Council to propose and consider a General Plan amendment that affects a
property of this character.
OPENED PUBLIC HEARING
CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING
City Attorney Mattas noted that staff had reviewed the letter from the Los Altos School
District referenced earlier in the discussion and explained that it was his contention that
the Council had the authority to proceed with the action before them and approve the
General Plan amendment. He noted that if the property was ever surplused by the School
District, under State law, the District would be permitted to have the property rezoned the
same as properties adjacent to it.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Jones, seconded by Kerr and passed
by the following roll call vote to approve the General Plan Amendment to change the
Land Use Diagram designation of the Bullis/Purissima Elementary School site from
Elementary to Public School; APN: 175-23-013.
AYES: Mayor O'Malley, Mayor Pro Tem Kerr, Councilmember Jones,
Councilmember Mordo and Councilmember Warshawsky
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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City Council Meeting Minutes
June 2,2005
ABSTAIN: None.
Passed by consensus of the Council to adjourn to the Closed Session at 8:50 p.m.
12. CLOSED SESSION
CLOSED SESSION: CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-Anticipated
Litigation (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(c)) Initiation of Litigation:
One Case
The City Council reconvened to the Regular City Council meeting 8.55 p.m.
No action was taken by the Council.
13. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the Regular City Council meeting was adjourned by
consensus at 8:55 p.m.
Respe full submitted
p Y
Karen Jost
City Clerk
The minutes of the June 2, 2005 Regular City Council meeting were approved as
• presented at the June 16, 2005 Special City Council meeting.
•
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City Council Meeting Minutes
June 2,2005