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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/21/2020 (2) 1 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2020 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 21, 2020 Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California CALL TO ORDER (6:00 P.M.) Via teleconference according to the Governor’s Executive order N-29-20, Mayor Wu called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. A. Roll Call Present: Mayor Wu, Vice Mayor Tankha, Councilmember Corrigan, Councilmember Spreen, Councilmember Tyson Absent: None Staff: City Manager Carl Cahill, City Attorney Steve Mattas, Planning Director Zach Dahl, Public Works Director/City Engineer Nichol Bowersox, Administrative Services Director Sarina Revillar, Principal Planner Steve Padovan, Management Analyst Cody Einfalt, City Clerk Deborah Padovan B. Pledge of Allegiance 1. AGENDA REVIEW There were no changes to the agenda. Councilmember Corrigan asked the City Clerk to inform the Council of any members of the public wishing to speak before the Public Hearing begins. 2. ONGOING BUSINESS A. Status of Local Emergency Declaration due to COVID-19 (Staff: C. Cahill) City Manager Carl Cahill provided a status update on the Covid-19 pandemic and recommended that the City Council continue the proclamation of the local emergency consistent with the County and State orders. Mayor Wu informed the Council that she held a virtual town hall meeting on April 29. She thanked the staff for supporting and hosting the event. 2 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2020 3. PRESENTATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS A. Reappointments (2) to the Los Altos Hills Finance and Investment Committee City Clerk Deborah Padovan presented the reappointment requests from Susan Mason and Christopher Nam. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Vice Mayor Tankha moved to reappoint Susan Mason for a third, four-year term and Christopher Nam for a second, four- year to the Finance and Investment Committee. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Corrigan. Motion Carried 5 to 0: AYES: Councilmember Corrigan, Councilmember Spreen, Councilmember Tyson, Vice Mayor Tankha, Mayor Wu NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None B. Reappointment to the Los Altos Hills History Committee City Clerk Padovan presented the reappointment request from Carol Gottlieb. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Spreen moved to reappoint Carol Gottlieb to the History Committee to a third, four-year term. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Tankha. Motion Carried 5 to 0: AYES: Councilmember Corrigan, Councilmember Spreen, Councilmember Tyson, Vice Mayor Tankha, Mayor Wu NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None C. Reappointment to the Los Altos Hills Community Relations Committee City Clerk Padovan presented the reappointment request from Roy Woolsey. 3 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2020 MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Corrigan moved to reappoint Roy Woolsey to the Community Relations Committee for a second, four- year term. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Tyson. Motion Carried 5 to 0: AYES: Councilmember Corrigan, Councilmember Spreen, Councilmember Tyson, Vice Mayor Tankha, Mayor Wu NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None D. Appointment to the Los Altos Hills Public Art Committee City Clerk Padovan presented the application of Ellen Snyder for the Public Art Committee. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Vice Mayor Tankha moved to appoint Ellen Snyder to the Public Art Committee for a four-year term. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Tyson. Motion Carried 5 to 0: AYES: Councilmember Corrigan, Councilmember Spreen, Councilmember Tyson, Vice Mayor Tankha, Mayor Wu NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None E. Appointments to the Los Altos Hills Youth Commission City Clerk Padovan presented the Youth Commission applications of Anika Sikka and Daniel Young. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Corrigan moved to appoint Anika Sikka and Daniel Young to the Youth Commission. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Tankha. Motion Carried 5 to 0: 4 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2020 AYES: Councilmember Corrigan, Councilmember Spreen, Councilmember Tyson, Vice Mayor Tankha, Mayor Wu NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None F. Appointment to the Los Altos Hills Environmental Initiatives Committee City Clerk Padovan presented the application of Steve Schmidt for appointment the Environmental Initiatives Committee. Steve Schmidt, Los Altos Hills, introduced himself and expressed his interested in serving on the committee. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Spreen moved to appoint Steve Schmidt to the Environmental Initiatives Committee for a four-year term. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Corrigan. Motion Carried 5 to 0: AYES: Councilmember Corrigan, Councilmember Spreen, Councilmember Tyson, Vice Mayor Tankha, Mayor Wu NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None 4. 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. There were no presentations from the floor. 5. CONSENT CALENDAR City Attorney Steve Mattas asked that the Council pull item 5.E for discussion. 5 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2020 MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Vice Mayor Tankha moved to approve the CONSENT CALENDAR with the exception of Item 5.E. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Spreen. Motion Carried 5 to 0. AYES: Councilmember Corrigan, Councilmember Spreen, Councilmember Tyson, Vice Mayor Tankha, Mayor Wu NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None A. Approval of Regular City Council Meeting Minutes: April 16, 2020 B. Review of Disbursements: April 1-30, 2020 $1,032,471.35 C. Resolution 17-20 Ordering and Calling for the Holding of a General Municipal Election to be Held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, for the Election of Certain Officers as Required by the Provisions of the Laws of the State of California Relating to General Law Cities; Requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Clara Consolidate said Election Pursuant to Section 10403 of the Elections Code; Providing for Notice of the Election; and Adopting Uniform Policies Pertaining to Candidate Statement and Fees (Staff: D. Padovan) D. Receive Quarterly Investment Portfolio Report-Quarter Ending March 31, 2020 (Staff: S. Revillar) F. Resolution 18-20 Approving Specifications for the 2020 Pavement Rehabilitation And Drainage Improvement Project and Authorizing Staff to Advertise for Bids and Inspection Services (Staff: N. Bowersox) G. Resolution 19-20 to Approve the Plans and Project Specifications for the 2020 Sanitary Sewer Repair and Replacement Project and Authorize Staff to Advertise the Project and Inspection Services for Bids (Staff: N. Bowersox) H. Resolution 20-20 Approving the Annual 2019-20 Projects List to be Submitted to the California Transportation Commission for SB1 Compliance (Staff: N. Bowersox) I. Resolution 21-20 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Second Amendment to the Agreement for Countywide Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program (Staff: N. Bowersox) 6 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2020 J. Resolution 22-20 Accepting the Summerhill Avenue Pathway (Phase 1) from El Monte Road to Nicole Lane (Staff: N. Bowersox) K. Resolution 23-20 Denouncing Xenophobia and Anti-Asian Sentiment due to the COVID-19 Pandemic (Staff: C. Cahill) The Council now considered Consent Calendar Item 5.E. E. Adoption (Second Reading) of Ordinance 590 to Amend Title 10 of the Town of Los Altos Hills Municipal Code (Zoning and Site Development) to Adopt Updated Regulations for the Placement and Development of Accessory Dwelling Units (Staff: Z. Dahl) Motion to Waive Reading and Adopt Ordinance City Attorney Steve Mattas said a minor modification was made to the ordinance. The ordinance would be effective 90 days after adoption. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Vice Mayor Tankha moved to waive reading and adopt Ordinance 590 amending the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code relating to Accessory Dwelling Units with the 90 day effective date. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Tyson. Motion Carried 5 to 0: AYES: Councilmember Corrigan, Councilmember Spreen, Councilmember Tyson, Vice Mayor Tankha, Mayor Wu NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None The Council now considered Agenda Item 7. 7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES, AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES A. Request Approval for the Public Art Committee to Proceed with its Current Art Acquisition Project David Milgram, Co-Chair of the Los Altos Hills Public Art Committee, presented the request for the acquisition of a sculpture. Council discussion ensued. 7 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2020 City Manager Cahill provided information about the installation costs. He noted that there was still funds available for installation, but if the costs exceeded the amount in the budget, the remainder could come from the general committee budget. Further Council discussion ensued. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Vice Mayor Tankha moved to approve the Public Art Committee's request for the acquisition and installation of a sculpture in Town. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Tyson. Motion Carried 5 to 0. AYES: Councilmember Corrigan, Councilmember Spreen, Councilmember Tyson, Vice Mayor Tankha, Mayor Wu NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None B. Report by the Undergrounding Subcommittee (Councilmember Tyson) Councilmember Tyson presented the underground subcommittee report. Council discussion ensued. No action was taken. C. Status Reports from All Councilmembers on Outside Agencies Activities Councilmember Corrigan reported out on the Audit Ad Hoc committee meeting. She directed that any deposit that is found due to any resident, should be returned even if it exceeds the statute of limitations. City Manager Cahill said that the direction is understood and that he would inform the Council if there were any exceptions. Vice Mayor Tankha replied that to the extent possible, we should make a good faith effort to return any money due to residence as it is our fiduciary responsibility. There was Council consensus to move forward with the refunds. Councilmember Tyson reported on Supervisor Simitian's weekly call for elected officials. City Manager Cahill provided an update on the status of Fire Audit Ad Hoc Committee. Mayor Wu reported that she attended the Cities Association meeting on May 14. Collaboratively, the Cities Associations voted that all cities are going to write a 8 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2020 letter to oppose AB1275, which is proposing multi-unit development in single family zoning. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. General Plan Amendment - File #238-15-MISC - Town of Los Altos Hills Resolution to Adopt a General Plan Amendment to update the Town of Los Altos Hills Master Path Plan (MPP) to include the following pathway segments: An off-road pathway from Story Hill Lane to Page Mill Road; and An on-road and off-road path on Northcrest Lane starting at Olive Tree Lane and extending down to Stonebrook Drive on an existing emergency access easement. The resolution will also include the following pathway segments previously approved by the City Council: An off-road path from Dianne Drive to East Sunset Drive (approved by the City Council on October 17, 2019);An access trail from the end of the Laura Court into the southerly portion of 24840 Prospect Avenue (approved by the City Council on August 21, 2019); and An off-road path between Zappettini Court, Central Drive and Westwind Barn (approved by the City Council on September 20, 2018). CEQA review: Exempt per section 15061(B)(3). (Staff: S. Padovan) Ex Parte Communications: There were no ex parte communications. Mayor Wu opened the public hearing. Principal Planner Steve Padovan presented the staff report. Council asked questions of staff and received responses. Eileen Gibbons, Los Altos Hills, reiterated that she personally thinks the Town is somewhat derelict in their duties for not moving the pathway map update along faster. Ken and Belinda Shoemaker, Los Altos Hills, said that they are not sure that there is a public right-of-way for the path at Stonebrook and Northcrest. Mike Booth, Los Altos Hills, said the property was sold to them as 4.25 acre retreat and the proposed pathway cuts right through the center of the property. He asked if the path could be redirected to run south to existing paths. Maja Kieturakis, Los Altos Hills, expressed concerns and said a pathway would be disruptive to their lives. Bob Elson, Los Altos Hills Pathways Committee member, presented background information on the Northcrest and Story Hill pathway. Councilmember Spreen asked questions of Bob Elson and received his responses. 9 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2020 Diana Randolph Russell, Los Altos Hills, was not in support of the pathway on Northcrest Lane. Ken Shoemaker, Los Altos Hills, were not in support of the path on Northcrest Lane as it would be expensive to maintain and parking would be an issue. Carol Gottlieb, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of the Story Hill Lane pathway. Bridget Morgan, Los Altos Hills, was opposed to the Northcrest to Stonebrook path for environmental concerns. Teresa Baker, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of Page Mill pathway for safety. Maja Kieturakis, Los Altos Hills, was not in support of the Page Mill/Story Hill pathway. Kit Gordon, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of the path on Page Mill Road. City Attorney Mattas asked the Council to confirm that the Council read and acknowledge the 14 public comments that were posted to the agenda packet prior to meeting. The City Council indicated that they had received and read the comments. The City Clerk then read comments into the record from Michael Booth, Michael Gardner and Les Earnest. Alisa Bredo, Los Altos Hills, said that Page Mill Road has been neglected as far as pathways go and she supports the Story Hill to Page Mill connection. Mayor Wu closed the public hearing. Council discussion ensued. Further Council discussion ensued. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Tyson moved to adopt Resolution 24-20 to amend the Town's Master Path Plan to include four new on/off road pathway segments and one new trail connection point. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Spreen. Motion Carried 4 to 1. AYES: Councilmember Spreen, Councilmember Tyson, Vice Mayor Tankha, Mayor Wu NOES: Councilmember Corrigan ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None 10 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2020 8. STAFF REPORTS (was not considered) A. City Manager B. City Attorney C. City Clerk D. Planning Director E. Administrative Services Director F. Public Works Director 9. COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS A. Discussion and Direction Potentially Modifying the Standing Committee Resolution Relating to Associate Membership on Standing Committees (Councilmembers Spreen and Corrigan) Councilmember Roger Spreen presented the item. Kit Gordon, Los Altos Hills, said associate members are non-voting members. She recommended that Mayor Wu restart the program to meet with committee chairs periodically. Jim Waschura, Los Altos Hills, said he is an associate member of the Pathways Committee and it is true that his goal to be an associate member was because he wanted a voice, not necessarily a vote. He agreed that the associate members should be appointed by the City Council. Bridget Morgan, Los Altos Hills, thanked Councilmember Spreen for his presentation and said that there is value to associate membership. Further, she expressed that associate members on land use committees should be appointed by the City Council. Dru Anderson, Los Altos Hills, said that the City Council should discuss the issues with the committee chairs for input. Eileen Gibbons, Los Altos Hills, said the memo caused a great deal of alarm because of the points stated were without backup data. Birgitta Indaco, Los Altos Hills, said her biggest concern is attracting new volunteers from Town's residents. Roy Woolsey, Los Altos Hills, said it is a good idea for the Mayor and committee chairs to meet a few times a year so they can coordinate joint projects among committees. 11 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2020 Peter Brown, Los Altos Hills, said associate members on the Environmental Design and Protection Committee are helpful in bringing more expertise and perspective to the meetings. Carol Gottlieb, Los Altos Hills, said the History Committee secretary doesn't want to become a member because she travels regularly; she takes the minutes when she is present at the meeting. Council discussion ensued. Councilmember Corrigan suggested forming a subcommittee to review the committees as a whole to identify how they are operating and how they could operate unencumbered outside of the Brown Act. Councilmember Spreen agreed to serve on a subcommittee. He requested the City Council issue specific direction staff to come back with a proposed standing committee resolution that defines associate membership as being appointed by the City Council with a fixed two-year term, with no term limits, but to return every two years for review. Councilmember Corrigan suggested the subcommittee tackle committee effectiveness and take a strong long look at term limits and discuss the barriers from attracting and keeping full members on these committees. Councilmember Corrigan also agreed to serve on the ad hoc committee. DIRECTION: The subcommittee is comprised of Councilmembers Corrigan and Spreen to investigate standing committee effectiveness and alternatives. DIRECTION: Staff shall return to the City Council with a proposed standing committee resolution that defines associate membership as being appointed by the City Council with a fixed two-year term. No term limits on associate membership, but members will need to return every two years for reappointment. 10. Closed Session: Labor Negotiations (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6) Unrepresented Employee: City Manager Agency Designated Representative: Steve Mattas City Attorney Mattas said the closed session would continue offline with a separate meeting link. 11. ADJOURN The City Council recessed to closed session at 9:54 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 10:31 p.m. There was no reportable action as a result of closed session. 12 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 21, 2020 Respectfully submitted, Deborah Padovan Deborah Padovan City Clerk The minutes of the May 21, 2020 regular City Council meeting were approved as presented at the June 18, 2020 regular City Council meeting.