Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/19/20231 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 19, 2023 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Thursday, October 19, 2023 Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California Present: Mayor Linda Swan, Vice Mayor Stanley Q. Mok, Councilmember Lisa Schmidt, Councilmember George Tyson, Councilmember Kavita Tankha Absent: None Staff: City Manager Peter Pirnejad, City Attorney Steve Mattas, Assistant City Attorney Claire Lai, City Clerk Deborah Padovan, Interim Assistant to the City Manager Cody Einfalt, Community Development Director Bradley Evanson, Public Works Director/City Engineer WooJae Kim CALL TO ORDER (6:00 P.M.) A. Roll Call B. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Swan called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. 1. AGENDA REVIEW There were no changes to the agenda. 2. PRESENTATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS A. Appointment to the Los Altos Hills Technology Committee City Clerk Padovan presented the application of Lew Jamison. Mr. Jamison expressed his interest in serving on the Technology Committee. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Tankha moved to appoint Lew Jamison to the Los Altos Hills Technology Committee for a four-year term. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Mok. MOTION PASSED 5-0: AYES: Swan, Mok, Schmidt, Tankha, Tyson NOES: None ABSTAIN: None RECUSE: None ABSENT: None 2 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 19, 2023 B. Presentation from the Los Altos Hills County Fire District (LAHCFD) for updates on the Defensible Space Brush Chipping and Debris Removal Services, Home Ignition Zone Assessment and Rebate Program, Evacuation Route Projects for public safety and wildfire preparedness in LAHCFD Ryan Cronin, Technical Analyst/Project Manager, Los Altos Hills County Fire District (LAHCFD), presented the district’s defensible space brush chipping program. He also provided information about evacuation routes in town. The Council received the report. No action was taken. 3. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Chester Haley, Representative from Carpenters Union Local 405, and voiced his values as a union member and said union work should be used in projects in Los Altos Hills with prevailing wages. Rajiv Bhateja, Los Altos Hills, thanked the Council for approving the additional private patrols and sheriff hours. He thought it would be useful to get some metrics from the sheriff when we evaluate the effectiveness of the additional sheriff’s patrol. Allan Epstein, Los Altos Hills, said that the LAHCFD has published the CWP annex for the town and is looking for comments on that plan. The LAHCFD will be having a meeting on the plan on Monday, November 6, 2023. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Pirnejad commented on Item 4.E. The Treasurer’s Report is being refined and redesigned. We are trying to improve upon this report and are working with the FIC on the matter. Anand Raganathan, Los Altos Hills, commented on the disbursements and treasury reports. Let’s keep doing these reports each month. He commented on the sewer items: when the rate study was done, we were told the town would be spending $1 million per year on sewer projects, and so far, we are only spending a $500K. We should return the money or do more capital projects. Public Works Director Woojae Kim explained about the two projects on the agenda this evening. In 2024, we should have larger projects. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Tankha moved to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Mok. MOTION PASSED 5-0: AYES: Swan, Mok, Schmidt, Tankha, Tyson NOES: None ABSTAIN: None 3 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 19, 2023 RECUSE: None ABSENT: None A. Approval of Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting Minutes – September 28, 2023 B. Approval of Special City Council Meeting Minutes – September 28, 2023 C. Approval of Special City Council Meeting Minutes – October 10, 2023 D. Administrative Changes to the Monthly Treasurer’s and Disbursement Reports (Staff: Administrative Services) E. Approval of Treasurer’s Report for the Month Ended August 31, 2023 (Staff: Administrative Services) F. Resolution 87-23 Appropriating $250,000 from the Unreserved General Fund for Genesis Private Security Services (Staff: C. Einfalt) G. Resolution 88-23 of the City Council Authorizing December 27-29, 2023 Town Hall Closure (Staff: C. Einfalt) H. Resolution 89-23 Authorizing the Mayor or City Manager to Enter into the Joint Powers Agency Agreement for Cities Association of Santa Clara County (Staff: P. Pirnejad) I. Resolution 90-23 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Amendment No. 1 to Joint Exercise Powers Agreement and Cooperation Agreement to Undertake or to Assist in the Undertaking of Essential Activities Pursuant to Title I of the Housing And Community Development Act of 1974, as Amended, for the Period of October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2020 and Subsequent Automatic Renewals Unless Terminated (Staff: E. Ling) J. Informational Item: Comments on the Federal Aviation Administration’s Review of the Civil Aviation Noise Policy, Docket ID No. FAA-2023-0855, 86 Fed. Reg. 26641 (May 1, 2023) K. Resolution 91-23 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Construction Agreement with Smelly Mel’s Plumbing, Inc. for the 2023 Sanitary Sewer Repair and Replacement Project for a Total Amount not to exceed $520,630 (Staff: D. Liang) L. Resolution 92-23 Accepting Dedication of Pathway Easement from Lands of Nevens at 24142 Summerhill Avenue (Staff: W. Kim) M. Resolution 93-23 Authorizing City Manager to Purchase a Bucket Truck from Versalift, a Time Manufacturing Company, in an amount not to exceed $191,442.00 (Staff: W. Kim) 4 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 19, 2023 N. Resolution 94-23 Approving the Application for Construction of 12823 La Barranca Road Sanitary Sewer Main Extension and the Sewer Construction and Dedication Agreement (Staff: W. Kim) O. Resolution 95-23 Accepting the 2022 Sanitary Sewer Repair and Replacement Project (Staff: W. Kim) P. Notification of Fast Track Approval: 25661 La Lanne Court – File #SD23-0022 – Lands of Yuan - Site Development Permit for a new 6,125 square-foot one-story residence with attached garage, 800 square-foot detached ADU, and associated site improvements. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15301(1)(1) and 15303(a) (Staff: J. Fox) Appeal deadline: Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 4:00pm. 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Request to Cancel the November 16, 2023, Regular City Council Meeting and Schedule a Special Meeting on Monday, November 13, 2023 (Staff: D. Padovan) MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Mayor Swan moved to cancel the Thursday, November 16, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting and schedule a Special City Council Meeting for Monday, November 13, 2023. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Schmidt. MOTION PASSED 5-0: AYES: Swan, Mok, Schmidt, Tankha, Tyson NOES: None ABSTAIN: None RECUSE: None ABSENT: None Item 7 was heard next: 7. STAFF REPORTS A. City Attorney No report. B. City Clerk No report. C. Community Development Director Reported that we have hired an Assistant Community Development Director. 5 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 19, 2023 D. Administrative Services Director No report. E. Public Works Director Director Kim said the both the 2023 street repair project and the Briones/Concepcion/La Paloma pathway project are complete as of this week and we will be returning to Council next month for the acceptance. F. City Manager City Manager Pirnejad provided information on: o Genesis Private Security Staffing o Working with the Committees on Goals o Recruitment and Retention o Community Services Events 8. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES, AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES A. Report by the Undergrounding Subcommittee (Councilmember Tyson) Councilmember Tyson had no report. B. Report from the Council Ad Hoc Committee Focusing on Broadband (Councilmembers Mok and Tankha) No report. C. Report from the Council Ad Hoc Committee on Residential Burglaries (Councilmembers Tankha and Tyson) No report. D. Report from the City Council Ad Hoc Committee to Review the Changes to the Standing Committee Resolution (Councilmembers Schmidt and Tyson) No report. E. Status Reports from All Councilmembers on Committee Liaison Assignments and Outside Agencies Activities No reports. 9. COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS Mayor Swan read the following statement: The City Manager has been meeting with and talking to residents and committees recently in light of recent feedback we have 6 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 19, 2023 received regarding the relationship between the Council, staff, and committees. Those conversations and interactions have revealed that the relationship between council, staff and the committees has been strained in large part by the recent efforts to amend the Standing Committee Resolution and Code of Conduct that establish the governance of these three bodies. The intent of this effort, which was started over a year ago, has lost its original purpose and intention which was to improve the working relationship between the three pillars of this community (the council, the committees, and the staff). That being said, the City Manager has asked me to see if the Council would support agendizing, for the Monday, November 13, 2023 Special City Council Meeting an item that would sunset the Ad Hoc Committee on the Code of Conduct and revert back to the currently adopted Standing Committee Resolution and one-page Code of Conduct. Without taking a vote today, I would like to get support from the entire council to unequivocally and unilaterally put this on the next agenda with the intention of putting this behind us and moving forward. Our success as a Council and as a Town depends on the solid and unwavering working relationship between the three pillars of our community. I would first ask if there are any public comments on this and then ask for a motion and vote to put this on a future agenda. Public Comment Rajiv Bhateja, Los Altos Hills, thanked the Council for the proposal. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Mayor Swan moved agendize, for the Monday, November 13, 2023 Special City Council Meeting, sunsetting the Ad Hoc Committee on the Code of Conduct and reverting back to the currently adopted Standing Committee Resolution and one-page Code of Conduct. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Tankha. MOTION PASSED 5-0: AYES: Swan, Mok, Schmidt, Tankha, Tyson NOES: None ABSTAIN: None RECUSE: None ABSENT: None Item 6 was heard next: 6. PUBLIC HEARING  City Council Ex Parte Contacts Policy Disclosure 7 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 19, 2023 Mayor Swan and Vice Mayor Mok each spoke with Carol Gottlieb. A. Request to Remove the Francis Avidano Home from the Inventory of Historic Sites and Structures within General Plan Appendix 4a-Historic Sites; CEQA Review: Project is Exempt per Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15304 (Staff: B. Evanson) The meeting recessed at 6:56 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:02 p.m. Mayor Swan opened the Public Hearing. Community Development Director Brad Evanson presented the staff report. Council asked questions of staff and received responses. Tony Scott, the owner of the Avidano home, presented his request to remove the Francis Avidano Home from the Inventory of Historic Sites and Structures. Carol Gottlieb, Los Altos Hills, provided an explanation about Appendix A of the General Plan and provided a history on the topic. Joe Digiovanni, Los Altos Hills, asked why the town is trying to preserve a fire hazard. Jitze Couperus, Los Altos Hills, explained about the history of conservation easements. Mayor Swan closed the Public Hearing. Council discussion ensued. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Tyson moved to approve Resolution 96-23 Approving the request to remove the Francis Avidano Home from Appendix 4a of the General Plan, the Inventory of Historic Sites and Structures, as amended to add the following: WHEREAS the History Committee further considered the request at their regular meeting on October 17, 2023, and three members recommended that the City Council deny the request to remove the Francis Avidano House from the Inventory, one member voted against the recommendation, and two abstained; and WHEREAS the City Council authorized a refund of the general plan amendment fee paid by the property owner; and The motion was seconded by Councilmember Schmidt. 8 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes October 19, 2023 MOTION PASSED 5-0: AYES: Swan, Mok, Schmidt, Tankha, Tyson NOES: None ABSTAIN: None RECUSE: None ABSENT: None The property owner/applicant agreed to provide to the town the records the property owner has obtained and possesses regarding the historical features of the current house. 10. ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Deborah L. Padovan Deborah Padovan City Clerk The minutes of the October 19, 2023, regular City Council meeting were approved as presented at the November 13, 2023, special City Council meeting.