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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/15/20201 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 15, 2020 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 15, 2020 Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California Via teleconference according to the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20, Mayor Wu called the City Council Regular Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. 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, Management Analyst Cody Einfalt, City Clerk Deborah Padovan 1. AGENDA REVIEW A. Agenda Item 2.C (Appointment to the Los Altos Hills Public Art Committee)was removed from the agenda. There were no other changes to the agenda. 2. PRESENTATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS B. Appointment to the Los Altos Hills Youth Commission City Clerk Deborah Padovan presented the application of Emily Bock. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Corrigan moved to appoint Emily Bock 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 2 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 15, 2020 C. Appointment to the Los Altos Hills Environmental Design and Protection Committee City Clerk Padovan introduced the application of Teresa Yang. Teresa Yang, Los Altos Hills, introduced herself to the City Council and expressed her interest in serving on the committee. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Vice Mayor Tankha moved to appoint Teresa Yang to the Los Altos Hills Environmental Design and Protection Committee for a four- year term. 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 D. Appointment to the Los Altos Hills Public Art Committee This item was removed from the agenda and not considered. E. Appointment to the Los Altos/Los Altos Hills Joint Community Volunteer Service Awards Committee City Clerk Padovan presented the application of Jennifer Duarte. Jennifer Duarte, Los Altos Hills introduced herself to the City Council and expressed her interest in serving on the committee. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Vice Mayor Tankha moved to appoint Jennifer Duarte to the Los Altos/Los Altos Hills Joint Community Volunteer Service Awards to complete a term ending March 2023. 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 F. Appointment to the Los Altos Hills Environmental Initiatives Committee City Clerk Padovan presented the application of Anand Ranganathan. 3 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 15, 2020 Anand Ranganathan, Los Altos Hills introduced himself to the City Council and expressed his interest in serving on the committee. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Vice Mayor Tankha moved to appoint Anand Ranganathan to the Los Altos Hills Environmental Initiatives Committee for a four- year term. 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 G. Reappointment to the Los Altos Hills Finance and Investment Committee City Clerk Padovan introduced the reappointment request of Allan Epstein. Council discussion ensued. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Vice Mayor Tankha moved to reappoint Allan Epstein to the Los Altos Hills Finance and Investment Committee for a fourth, four- year term. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Tyson. MOTION PASSED 3-2: AYES: Wu, Tankha, Tyson NOES: Corrigan, Spreen ABSTAIN: None RECUSE: None ABSENT: None H. Public Safety Update by Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Santa Clara County Sheriff Captain Rich Urena presented the public safety report. Council discussion ensued. The Council asked questions of Captain Urena and received his responses. No action was taken. 3. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Persons wishing to address the Council on any subject not on the agenda may do so now. Please complete a Speaker Card located on the back table of the Council Chambers and submit it to the City Clerk. Comments are limited to two (2) minutes per speaker. California law prohibits the Council from acting on items that do not appear 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. 4 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 15, 2020 Robert Sandor, Los Altos Hills, expressed his opinion that Councilmember Spreen publicly shamed a volunteer. Councilmember Spreen responded to Mr. Sandor's comments. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Vice Mayor Tankha moved to approve the CONSENT CALENDAR as stated. 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 A. Approval of City Council Regular Meeting Minutes: August 20, 2020 B. Approval of City Council Special Meeting Minutes: September 16, 2020 C. Review of Disbursements: September 1-30, 2020 D. Resolution 53-20 Updating the Revised Investment Policy (Staff: S. Revillar) E. Resolution 54-20 to Approve Amendment No. 3 to the Natoma Road Sanitary Sewer Main Extension Reimbursement Agreement (Staff: N. Bowersox) F. Resolution 55-20 to Award the Engineering Analysis of the Adobe Creek Sewer System to Freyer & Laureta (Staff: N. Bowersox) G. Repeal and Replacement of Resolution 45-20 with an Updated Resolution Approving the Annexation of LAH04 (“Ravensbury Avenue Island”) including Exhibit A (Geographic Description) and Exhibit B (Survey) as Requested by LAFCO (Staff: J. Loh) (Resolution 56-20) The Council now considered Item 7.A. 7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES, AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES A. Report by the Undergrounding Subcommittee (Councilmember Tyson) and Resolution to Award Contract for the Professional Consultant Services for the Underground District near the El Monte Fire Station Project (Staff: N. Bowersox) 5 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 15, 2020 Councilmember Tyson presented the progress in selecting a contractor for the first stage in the project. Public Works Director Nichol Bowersox presented the Resolution to award a contract for the professional consultant services for the underground district near the El Monte fire station project. Council discussion ensued. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Tyson moved to adopt Resolution 57-20 to Award Contract for the Professional Consultant Services for the Underground District near the El Monte Fire Station Project. 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 The Council now continued to consider the remainder of the agenda. 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS ➢ City Council Ex Parte Contacts Policy Disclosure A. 26850 Ortega Drive - File #SP20-0003 – Heritage Tree Designation Consideration of a Heritage Tree designation for two Hollywood Juniper trees at 26850 Ortega Drive. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15307 (Staff: J. Loh/Z. Dahl) (Resolution 58-20) Ex Parte: Mayor Wu said she visited the site on her own and did not contact anyone. She personally looked at the trees. There were no other ex parte communications. Assistant Planner Jeremy Loh presented the staff report. Council asked questions of staff and received responses. Mayor Wu opened the Public Hearing. Pat Ley, Los Altos Hills, owner of the trees talked about the financial responsibility of caring for the trees. Peter Brown, Los Altos Hills, said the Environmental Design and Protection Committee are in support of preserving the trees. 6 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 15, 2020 Robert Sandor, Los Altos Hills, asked about the city's role in accommodating her request. He suggested that the Town should not be involved. Mayor Wu closed the Public Hearing. Further Council discussion ensued. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Vice Mayor Tankha moved to adopt Resolution 58-20 Designating Two Hollywood Juniper Trees at 26850 Ortega Drive as Heritage Trees. 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 6. NEW BUSINESS A. Resolution Establishing Rules for Public Usage of the Town’s Pathway System (Staff: Z. Dahl) Planning Director Zach Dahl presented the staff report. Council discussion ensued. Carol Gottlieb, Los Altos Hills, said she was opposed to the language and wants the General Plan description of the off-road path language added. Robert Sandor, Los Altos Hills, asked specific questions about trespassing. Bridget Morgan, Los Altos Hills, stated that she supports the resolution. Ann Duwe, Los Altos Hills, said that the resolution is unnecessary as we already have the power to prevent people from walking on unimproved easements. Don't change the language unless it is really necessary. Linda Swan, Los Altos Hills, asked for clarification about markings. She said that most paths aren't marked when walking on them and no trespassing signs should have identifying information. Jim Waschura, Los Altos Hills, questioned the trespassing signs. He asked for clarification on who is responsible for putting up the no trespassing signs. 7 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 15, 2020 At the request of Mayor Wu, City Attorney Mattas provided responses to the questions posed by the public. Bob Elson, Los Altos Hills, clarified that in the September Pathway Committee meeting they discussed process of off-road pathway access, but the proposed resolution was not discussed at that time. Alisa Bredo, Los Altos Hills, stated if a policy is needed, it should match the language in the General Plan and should be restricted to off-road only. Further Council discussion ensued. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Spreen moved to adopt Resolution 59-20 Establishing Rules for Public Usage of Off-Road Pathways in the Town's Pathway System, with amendments to Exhibit A as follows: have the definitions in Section 2 match the definitions contained in the General Plan and have the pathway usage rules in Section 3 apply only to off-road pathways. 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 7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES, AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES B. Status on Solid Waste Contract Review Committee (Staff: C. Cahill) City Manager Carl Cahill provided a status update for The Solid Waste Contract Review Committee. The committee has met several times since July and have concluded that they need the services of a professional solid waste consultant. Emily Hansen, GreenWaste Recovery, provided an update on why there was a delay in GreenWaste responses to the committee’s inquiries. The Council asked questions of Ms. Hansen and received her responses. No action was taken. C. Fire Audit Ad Hoc Committee Report on the October 6, 2020 Board of Supervisors Meeting Regarding the Los Altos Hills County Fire District and Provide Direction Regarding Further Action (Vice Mayor Tankha and Councilmember Corrigan) Councilmember Corrigan provided an update on the recent subcommittee meeting. She said that the Town was successful in maintaining the Los Altos Hills County Fire District. She expressed thanks to Supervisor Joe Simitian and the 8 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 15, 2020 other supervisors for voting in favor of maintaining the district. She recognized the “huge lift” that the Town staff did to communicate with residents and issued a heartfelt thank you to the vast number of residents who signed the petitions and waited for hours to speak at the Board of Supervisor’s meeting. Finally, she requested that the monthly progress reports to the County also be provided to the Town. Vice Mayor Tankha recommended that the fire district hire more staff to deal with this issue. Council discussion ensued. No action was taken. D. Status Reports from All Councilmembers on Outside Agencies Activities Councilmember Corrigan said the North County Library Authority (NCLA) has not met during the pandemic as the library is closed. She said that the NCLA postponed the ballot measure and the Woodland branch is closed permanently. Councilmember Tyson said Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE) is working on renewable energy and will participate, along with eight other agencies, to create a consortium to develop long term power storage capability. Mayor Wu attended Cities Association meeting and most topics do not apply to the Town, but she updated the Council on the housing consortium. Robert Sandor, Los Altos Hills, said that the failing energy grid is because of CCA's (Community Choice Aggregation) policies and the purchase of renewables only. 8. STAFF REPORTS A. City Manager – Status of Covid-19 County Health Order City Manager Cahill provided an update on the County's Public Health Department risk reduction order. The Town is working on a plan to provide permitting indoors with restrictions. B. City Attorney – No report. C. City Clerk – No report. D. Planning/Building Director Planning Director Zach Dahl said that he is putting together a plan to have indoor activity in Town Hall the first week of November. Planning staff is monitoring the ongoing housing allocation process. Finally, the State of California has awarded the Town a $65,000 LEAP Grant to assist with housing production. 9 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 15, 2020 E. Administrative Services Director Administrative Services Director Sarina Revillar provided information on the deposit refunds. Additionally, she reported that the Town received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Report for FY 18-19. F. Public Works Director – No report. 9. COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS A. Discussion and Provide Direction to Staff to Create a Document that Communicates the Various Entities Serving our Town and their Roles/Obligations with Fire and Brush Maintenance and Clean Up on Both Public and Private Property (Councilmember Corrigan) Councilmember Corrigan presented the item by putting forth three concepts. First, consider updating the Los Altos Hills Connect program to include the fire district; second, that we work to communicate with residents on how to report issues; and third, the work on the content of a postcard or a series of postcards or newsletter articles that we can distribute via social media. Jim Waschura, Los Altos Hills, said he would like to work with the Town to develop a set of scenarios so residents would know what to do in specific situations. He would like to help in the content and messaging that is sent to residents. He suggested that direction be given to staff to develop a very targeted set of prescriptions or scenarios for fire safety, so residents know what to do or who to call. DIRECTION: Staff to update the Los Altos Hills Connect program to include links to the Los Altos Hills County Fire District. City Manager Cahill said that the Town does have a fire prevention ordinance and that Town staff regularly take calls intended for the Fire District. B. Discussion and Direction to Modify the Standing Committee Resolution Relating to Code of Conduct (Councilmember Spreen) Councilmember Spreen presented the item. Council discussion ensued. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Mayor Wu moved to continue the meeting past 10 p.m. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Spreen. MOTION PASSED 5-0: AYES: Wu, Tankha, Corrigan, Spreen, Tyson NOES: None 10 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 15, 2020 ABSTAIN: None RECUSE: None ABSENT: None Robert Sandor, Los Altos Hills, said the rules should include the City Council and committee members. Bridget Morgan, Los Altos Hills, said we have the code of conduct, but no consequence of violating the code of conduct. It needs to be addressed and the Council is the appropriate body to address the issue. Councilmember Spreen said he has heard and received the feedback provided by the Council and will return in November with revisions. 10. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Deborah L. Padovan Deborah Padovan City Clerk The minutes of the October 15, 2020 regular City Council meeting were approved as presented at the November 19, 2020 regular City Council meeting.