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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 20 1 Town of Los Altos Hills Community Relations Committee Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 20, 2004 Council Chambers 1. Roll Call The meeting was called to order at 7:32 PM by Chairman, Roy Woolsey. Present: Chairman, Roy Woolsey. Members, Duffy Price, Patty Woolsey, Karen Emerzian, Bill Kerns, Roger Burnell, Colette Cranston. Associate members, Dan Alexander, Linda Seidel. 2. Review of Prior Committee Minutes Minutes of the last meeting were approved as distributed. 3. Welcoming of Town Newcomers Patty Woolsey reported that mailing labels with names of 60 newcomers been delivered to Town Hall since the last meeting for mailing of the newcomer welcoming letter. Karen Emerzian said the real estate market is strong; 15 newcomers per month even around the holidays is not surprising. 4. Los Altos Hills Town Newsletter Duffy Price led a discussion of the Town Newsletter policy, including the January 15 council meeting where three committee members made presentations – Roy Woolsey recommended three changes to the 1986 Newsletter policy, Duffy described the philosophy behind the Newsletter, and Roger Burnell spoke of the Newsletter in the context of the charges and duties of the Committee. The Newsletter should include information on events in town, in addition to news of Town government. The policy will be updated, probably to reflect review by one Councilmember, and then brought back for approval by Council. The Committee reviewed the December Newsletter, and agreed that Duffy produced a wonderful, beautiful and informative Newsletter. Duffy described plans for the March Newsletter, which will include a Recreation and Parks guide and an information sheet and survey by the Public Education Committee. Roy Woolsey will write an article about the picnic. Duffy will be away the first two weeks of May, so the June Newsletter may reach residents after the date of the picnic. 5. Supplement to Town Handbook Duffy Price plans to update the existing Town Handbook supplement with information provided by the planning department and other updates as appropriate. Duffy will enlist the help of City Clerk Karen Jost with updates of telephone numbers and related information. 6. Report on Westwind Barn Event - November 16, 2003 Colette Cranston described the Westwind Barn “Home for the Holidays” event. It was like a European or medieval faire, and included work of a variety of artists. Approximately 350 to 400 people attended. The Committee provided refreshments, including 10 gallons of hot cider and 80 packets of hot cocoa, served by Patty and Roy Woolsey and Linda Swan. The event began at 2 PM and all refreshments were all consumed by 5 PM. Colette reported there will be a fundraiser at the Mendez barn on May 1. 7. Report on Holiday Caroling - December 16, 2003 Approximately 55 residents attended the holiday caroling event. Duffy Price provided hot cider. Linda Seidel donated glog. Committee members and the local Brownie troop provided cookies. 2 8. Initial Planning for 2004 Town Picnic Roy Woolsey reported that he sent a letter to the Firefighters’ union enclosing copies of the last Newsletter with the photo of the firefighters receiving the Certificate of Appreciation from the Town. Roy spoke with Art Marshall of the union; Art said the union would be pleased to organize a barbecue at the Town Picnic on June 6, 2004. Roy described his contact with the manager of Ye Olde Town Band. The group could perform at the picnic, and we could sponsor the band in the amount of $500. The Committee agreed to have the band at the picnic. The Committee reviewed a draft proposal for the 2004 Town Picnic. Karen Emerzian suggested a change in wording of the non-commercialism item in the draft, and that a note about no dogs be added to the proposal. The Committee agreed with Roger Burnell’s suggestion that picnic hours of 1 PM to 4 PM are appropriate for our town; items in the draft regarding picnic hours and adult attractions will be removed. The Committee will review the proposal and entertainment options at the next meeting. Because there is no charge for the picnic, attendance is limited to Los Altos Hills residents. Several more banners should be ordered. The sheriff should be encouraged to have a presence at the picnic. 9. Proposal for 2004 Newcomer Welcoming Reception The Committee reviewed a draft proposal for a Newcomer Reception. The Committee agreed to try to take advantage of last year’s offer to hold this year’s reception at Morgan Manor. 10. Committee for Public Education in Los Altos Hills Roger Burnell described work of the Public Education Committee and the content of a two page insert in the next Town Newsletter; the insert will show how much more Los Altos Hills pays per Los Altos Hills student than other towns pay per student of their towns. Roger discussed the possibility of the Committee conducting a telephone poll, as part of its duty to report on the tenor of town feeling; the consensus of the Committee was that the Newsletter insert would provide feedback, and then the Public Education Committee could commission a formal poll, as is the Undergrounding Committee. 11. Walk a Neighborhood Program Roger Burnell summarized the Los Altos “Walk a Neighborhood” program. Given the lack of street lights in Los Altos Hills and concerns about security and privacy, other options, such as coffees in Council Chambers or block parties attended by council members were discussed. The issue of reciprocal arrangements with neighbors in the event of an emergency was discussed, and Roger Burnell and Duffy Price will write an article for the next Newsletter on this topic. 12. Brown Act Briefing by City Attorney Roy Woolsey reported that the city attorney will give a briefing on the Brown Act on January 29 from 6 PM to 7 PM, and that Roy may not be able to attend. Bill Kerns will be attending on behalf of the Planning Commission. Duffy Price and Colette Cranston are also available to attend. 13. Additional Items or Contributions from Committee Members Roger Burnell summarized selection considerations for volunteer awards. Duffy Price discussed plans for the donor wall at the new Town Hall. 14. Date for Next Meeting and Adjournment The next Committee meeting will be held at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, February 17, 2004. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM. Minutes prepared by Roy Woolsey, February 8, 2004.