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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 16, 2020
CALL TO ORDER (6:00 P.M.)
A. Roll Call
B. Pledge of Allegiance
Present: Mayor Wu, Vice Mayor Tankha, Councilmember Corrigan, Councilmember
Spreen, Councilmember Tyson
Absent: None
Staff: City Manager Carl Cahill, City Attorney Steve Mattas, Planning/Building
Director Zachary Dahl, City Engineer/Public Works Director Nichol Bowersox,
Administrative Services Director Sarina Revillar, Principal Planner Steve
Padovan, Management Analyst Cody Einfalt, Assistant Planner Jeremy Loh,
City Clerk Deborah Padovan
1. AGENDA REVIEW
There were no changes to the agenda.
2. PRESENTATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
A. Appointment to the Los Altos Hills Environmental Initiatives Committee
City Clerk Padovan presented the application of Vrinda Bhandarkar.
Vrinda Bhandarkar, Los Altos Hills, introduced herself and expressed an interest in
serving on the Environmental Initiatives Committee.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Spreen moved to appoint Vrinda
Bhandarkar to the Los Altos Hills Environmental Initiatives Committee for a four-year
term. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Tyson.
MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Wu, Tankha, Corrigan, Spreen, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
Town of Los Altos Hills
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, July 16, 2020
Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 16, 2020
B. Appointment to the Los Altos Hills Youth Commission
City Clerk Padovan presented the application of Sofia Shah.
Sofia Shah, Los Altos Hills, introduced herself and expressed an interest in serving on
the Youth Commission.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Corrigan moved to appoint
Sofia Shah to the Los Altos Hills Youth Commission. The motion was seconded by
Vice Mayor Tankha.
MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Wu, Tankha, Corrigan, Spreen, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
C. Presentation by Lynx Technology on Updated GIS Basemap and Pathways Data
Patrick Kelleher, Lynx Technology provided a presentation on GIS Basemap and
Pathways Data.
Council asked questions of Mr. Kelleher and received his responses.
Public Comments:
Joe Kleitman, Los Altos Hills, urged the Council to understand that garbage in and
garbage out completely applies. He said it is very important to upkeep and maintain the
integrity of the data.
Allan Epstein, Los Altos Hills, said that a few years ago the Town paid a consultant to
map the pathways. He asked if any of the information useful and utilized for preparing the
pathway layer,
The presentation was received. No action was taken.
3. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Kjell Karlsson, Los Altos Hills, commented on the special meeting minutes and asked
that the minutes be adjusted to capture all of his comments.
Linda Swan, Los Altos Hills, commented about the farm equipment stored in the area
near the Heritage House. She said the farm equipment was a historic artifact and the
History Committee was not notified that some items were to be removed.
Vice Mayor Tankha stated that moving forward, we should have a plan or procedure in
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July 16, 2020
place about important items donated to the Town. Councilmember Corrigan suggested
the History Committee should come up with a policy and an inventory.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Mayor Wu moved to approve the CONSENT
CALENDAR, with the exceptions of Items 4.B, 4.D, 4.L, 4.N, 4.O and 4.R The motion
was seconded by Vice Mayor Tankha.
MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Wu, Tankha, Corrigan, Spreen, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Wu asked to have items 4.D and 4.N pulled for discussion; Vice Mayor Tanka
requested that Item 4.L be pulled for discussion; Councilmember Corrigan asked that
Item 4.O be pulled for discussion and resident Allan Epstein requested that Item 4.R be
pulled for discussion.
A. Approval of Meeting Minutes: City Council Special Closed Session Meeting June 18, 2020
B. Approval of Meeting Minutes: City Council Regular Meeting June 18, 2020 This item was
removed from the agenda and not discussed.
C. Review of Disbursements: June 1-30, 2020 $533,987.63
E. Resolution 31-20 for Unclaimed and Uncashed Checks Policy and Procedures (Staff: S.
Revillar)
F. Resolution 32-20 Authorizing a One-Year Agreement with Marsha Hovey, LLC for
Emergency Management Consulting Services and Project Management in an amount not
to exceed $20,000 annually (Staff: C. Einfalt)
G. Resolution 33-20 Awarding a Contract for the 2020 Pavement Rehabilitation and Drainage
Improvement Project (Total estimated contract cost: $1,064,607.00) (Staff: N. Bowersox)
H. Resolution 34-20 Awarding a Contract for the 2020 Sanitary Sewer Repair and
Replacement Project (Total estimated contract cost: $310,600.00) (Staff: N. Bowersox)
I. Resolution 35-20 Awarding a Contract for Professional Engineering Services for the
Inspection of the 2020 Sanitary Sewer Repair and Replacement Project (Total estimated
contract cost: $48,600.00) (Staff: N. Bowersox)
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J. Resolution 36-20 Authorizing Staff to Advertise the Landscaping Services for Town-
owned Facilities (Staff: N. Bowersox)
K. Resolution 37-20 Authorizing Staff to Advertise the Request for Proposals for
Professional Consultant Services to Provide an Engineering Analysis of the Adobe Creek
Sewer System (Staff: N. Bowersox)
M. Resolution 38-20 Accepting the Black Mountain Sewer Extension Project and Approval
of the Sewer Reimbursement Agreement (Staff: N. Bowersox)
P. Approval of a Map Adjustment Permit to Abandon an Existing Slope Easement on a
Recorded Map for Cut, Fill, or Structures Necessary to Maintain Adjacent Streets or
Driveways at 26875 Nina Place. File # MA20-0002 (Staff: Z. Dahl/J. Loh)
Q. Resolution 39-20 Accepting the Grant of an Open Space Easement at 12663 Corte Madera;
Lands of Reddy; File #SD20-0014 (Staff: Z. Dahl/K. Yost)
The Council now considered the following items:
D. Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Standing Purchase Orders for Fiscal
Year 2020-21 in an amount not to exceed $5,597,543.00 (Staff: S. Revillar)
Mayor Wu asked about the item as the Council already adopted the budget last month
and why does the proposed resolution include personnel expenditures.
Administrative Services Director Sarina Revillar replied that the amount includes
invoices that the City Manager may sign based on signing authority and Council approval
of agreements. Payroll is not included in standing purchase orders.
Allan Epstein, Los Altos Hills, said the capital program, which is approved project-by-
project, standing purchase orders, agreements that are within the City Manager’s signing
authority and personnel costs all add up to the amount that is in the budget.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Spreen moved to adopt
Resolution 40-20 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Standing Purchase Orders
for Fiscal Year 2020-21 in an amount not to exceed $5,597,543.00. The motion was
seconded by Councilmember Corrigan.
MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Wu, Tankha, Corrigan, Spreen, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
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L. Resolution Authorizing Staff to Advertise the Request for Proposals for Professional
Consultant Services for the Town of Los Altos Hills Underground Utility District in the
Area Around the El Monte Fire Station (Staff: N. Bowersox)
Vice Mayor Tankha asked about how much this potential project will cost.
Public Works Director Nichol Bowersox responded that PG&E said it would be about
$1000 per linear foot. The cost would depend on the length of the project. Any project
would come before City Council before final design.
Council discussion ensued.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Vice Mayor Tankha moved to adopt Resolution
41-20 Authorizing Staff to Advertise the Request for Proposals for Professional Consultant
Services for the Town of Los Altos Hills Underground Utility District in the Area Around
the El Monte Fire Station. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Spreen.
MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Wu, Tankha, Corrigan, Spreen, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
N. Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement
with Lynx Technologies Inc. for Maintenance and Development of the Town’s Geographic
Information System (GIS) Map in an amount not to exceed $25,000 Annually (Staff: Z.
Dahl)
Mayor Wu asked about the cost of the maintenance.
Planning Director Zach Dahl responded that there are two buckets; one for monthly
maintenance and another for special projects.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Mayor Wu moved to adopt Resolution 42-20
Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with Lynx
Technologies Inc. for Maintenance and Development of the Town’s Geographic
Information System (GIS) Map in an amount not to exceed $25,000 Annually The motion
was seconded by Councilmember Tyson.
MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Wu, Tankha, Corrigan, Spreen, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
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O. Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Contracts with Life Oak Associates
to Prepare a Biological Study, not to exceed $15,000 and with David J. Powers &
Associates to Prepare an Initial Study, not to exceed $37,000, for the La-Paloma/Robleda
Off-Road Path Alignment (Staff: Z. Dahl/S. Padovan)
Councilmember Corrigan questioned this item as she remains steadfastly opposed to the
path and asked the Council to think about the big picture and the cost.
Council discussion ensued.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Spreen moved to adopt
Resolution 43-20 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Contracts with Life Oak
Associates to Prepare a Biological Study, not to exceed $15,000 and with David J. Powers
& Associates to Prepare an Initial Study, not to exceed $37,000, for the La-Paloma/Robleda
Off-Road Path Alignment. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Tyson.
MOTION PASSED 4-1:
AYES: Wu, Tankha, Spreen, Tyson
NOES: Corrigan
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
R. Resolution Approving the First Amendment to Franchise Agreement Between the Town
of Los Altos Hills and Greenwaste Recovery, Inc. for Collection and Processing of Mixed
Yard Trimmings, Recyclable Materials and Yard Trimmings – Section 13.2 Annual
Adjustments (Staff: C. Cahill)
Resident Allan Epstein asked that this item be pulled as he did not see the revised
amendment posted and said that Greenwaste made a mistake in their calculations and they
have no corrected that.
City Manager Cahill replied that the documents were updated late today, and the
amendment was inadvertently left out. However, it is was just posted and now available.
City Attorney Steve Mattas advised that the amendment is now available, and it does
reflect the changes as outlined earlier.
Public Comment:
John Swan, Los Altos Hills, said that the garbage contract was one of the biggest fiascos
the Town has entered into. He strongly suggested that the Town try to get out of the
contract.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Corrigan moved to adopt
Resolution 44-20 Approving the First Amendment to Franchise Agreement Between the
Town of Los Altos Hills and Greenwaste Recovery, Inc. for Collection and Processing of
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Mixed Yard Trimmings, Recyclable Materials and Yard Trimmings – Section 13.2 Annual
Adjustments. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Spreen.
MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Wu, Tankha, Corrigan, Spreen, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
5. ONGOING BUSINESS
A. Status of Covid-19 Declaration (Staff: C. Cahill)
City Manager Cahill provided an update on Covid-19. He reported that a new
order came out from the county with more restrictions. Construction is still allowed,
but the County has issued protocols for the worksites that the departments have
communicated to individuals taking out building permits.
Mayor Wu encouraged all residents to wear a mask when outside of the home.
No action was taken.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
City Council Ex Parte Contacts Policy Disclosure
Ex Parte Communications: Councilmember Spreen reported that he did not speak
with anyone on 6.A. On Item 6.B he spoke with the Wilkersons and viewed the
property; Vice Mayor Tankha said she spoke with the Wilkersons and viewed their
property; Councilmember Corrigan said she spoke with the Wilkersons and received
emails from Joe Kleitman and Alex Mortazavi. Councilmember Tyson said he had
no contact on 6.A and with regard to 6.B had no contact, outside of the letters received,
except he traded voice messages with the Wilkersons; he did walk through the
property and the perimeter; Mayor Wu said she met with the Wilkersons, visited with
Karen Yuen and Water Chang on Priscilla Lane, she spoke on phone with Mr.
Kleitman and had an email exchange with Alex Mortazavi.
A. Resolution to Make Findings, Waive Protest Proceedings and Approve Annexation of
an Unincorporated Area in Santa Clara County Identified as the Ravensbury Avenue
Island, Consisting of Eight Parcels Bounded by the Southerly Town Limits and the
Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. (Assessor Parcel Numbers: 351-08-005,
351-08-018, 351-08-019, 351-08-026, 351-08-028, 351-08-030, 351-08-031, and 351-
08-032). File # AX20-0001 (Staff: Z. Dahl/J. Loh)
Assistant Planner Jeremy Loh presented the staff report.
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Council asked questions of staff and received responses.
Mayor Wu opened the Public Hearing. Seeing no one wishing to speak, Mayor Wu
closed the Public Hearing.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Spreen moved to adopt
Resolution 45-20 to Make Findings, Waive Protest Proceedings and Approve
Annexation of an Unincorporated Area in Santa Clara County Identified as the
Ravensbury Avenue Island, Consisting of Eight Parcels Bounded by the Southerly
Town Limits and the Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. (Assessor Parcel
Numbers: 351-08-005, 351-08-018, 351-08-019, 351-08-026, 351-08-028, 351-08-
030, 351-08-031, and 351-08-032). The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Tankha.
MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Wu, Tankha, Corrigan, Spreen, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
B. 12398 Stonebrook Drive - File #APL 20-0003 – Lands of 12389 Stonebrook LLC
Appeal of the Planning Commission approval of a Site Development Permit (SD20-
0035) for a landscape screening plan, fencing and a gate for an approved single-story
residence with an attached garage and basement and a pool.
CEQA review: Categorically Exempt per Section 15304(b) (Staff: Z. Dahl/S. Padovan)
Mayor Wu asked the Wilkersons and Alex Mortazavi how much time they need to
present their case. Mr. Mortazavi said he needed 5 minutes. The Wilkersons said
they would like 10 minutes. The Council agreed to up to 10 minutes each.
Principal Planner Steve Padovan presented the staff report.
Appellants Glenn and Sonja Wilkerson presented their appeal application.
Alex Mortazavi provided opposing comments on the appeal.
The Council asked questions of staff and received responses.
Mayor Wu opened the Public Hearing.
Joe Kleitman, Los Altos Hills, said that they have always wanted to protect their
privacy from the impacts of the subdivision.
Bridget Morgan, Los Altos Hills, supported the Wilkersons in their appeal.
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Karen Yuen and Walter Chang, Los Altos Hills, said they wanted the project to be
completed as soon as possible. They contacted Mr. Mortazavi to request additional
screening.
Mayor Wu closed the Public Hearing.
Mr. Mortazavi provided a rebuttal to the public comments.
Ms. Wilkerson provided a rebuttal to Mr. Mortazavi.
Mr. Mortazavi responded to questions from the City Council.
Ms. Kleitman, Los Altos Hills, said she supports the decision of the Planning
Commission.
Council discussion ensued.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Tyson moved to deny the
appeal and uphold the decision of the Planning Commission for approval of a Site
Development Permit (SD20-0035) for a landscape screening plan, fencing and a gate
for an approved single-story residence with an attached garage and basement and a pool
at 12398 Stonebrook Drive - File #APL 20-0003 – Lands of 12389 Stonebrook LLC.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Wu.
MOTION PASSED 5-0:
AYES: Wu, Tankha, Corrigan, Spreen, Tyson
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES, AND
COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES
A. Report by the Undergrounding Subcommittee (Councilmember Tyson)
Councilmember Tyson presented the report on the underground subcommittee. He
said he is continuing to monitor the PG&E bankruptcy issue. No action was taken.
B. Status Reports from All Councilmembers on Outside Agencies Activities
There were no reports.
8. STAFF REPORTS
A. City Manager – No report.
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B. City Attorney – No report.
C. City Clerk
City Clerk Padovan asked for feedback on the CivicClerk roll out.
D. Planning Director
Planning Director Dahl reported that the Town has been experiencing high permit
volumes and the department has added a temporary front line technician to help with
the volume.
E. Administrative Services Director - Refundable deposits project update
Administrative Services Director Revillar reported that as of July 11, staff has
issued over $836,000 in refunds. There is still $529,000 being held for active projects;
and there are approximately $756,000 are unresolved and are working on resolving
by December.
F. Public Works Director – Status of Traffic Safety Measures Review - East Sunset Drive
Public Works Director Bowersox presented a preliminary traffic safety review for
East Sunset Drive.
Council discussion ensued. No action was taken.
9. COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
Vice Mayor Tankha asked about sheriff’s data about stops of individuals in town and
to break it down based on race. When will the data will be available? City Manager
Cahill stated that he will be following up with Sheriff Captain Rich Urena.
10. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 9:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah Padovan
Deborah Padovan
City Clerk
The minutes of the July 16, 2020 regular City Council meeting were approved as presented
at the September 17, 2020 regular City Council meeting.