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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/20/2010 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 20, 2010 Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Kerr called the City Council Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Mayor Breene Kerr, Mayor Pro Tem Rich Larsen, Councilmember Jean Mordo, Councilmember Ginger Summit, Councilmember Dean Warshawsky Absent: None Staff: City Manager Carl Cahill, Planning Director Debbie Pedro, City Engineer/Public Works Director Richard Chiu, Finance Director Nick Pegueros, City Attorney Steve Mattas, and City Clerk Karen Jost APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS • 1. Kathleen Santora, "Slow the Flow" Conference—LAH Water Conservation Committee Kathleen Santora provided Council with an overview of the "Slow the Flow" Conference held at Foothill College. She thanked the Council for sponsorship of the all day forum and presented them with a plaque recognizing their support. Council thanked Ms. Santora and commended her on the success of the informative and timely event. 2. Appointments to Committees: Los Altos-Los Altos Hills Senior Committee: MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Summit, seconded by Warshawsky and passed unanimously to appoint residents Diane Brauch, Catherine Popell, and Alexander Traficanti to the Los Altos/Los Altos Hills Senior Committee for a term of one year. Standing Community Relations Committee: MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Summit, seconded by Warshawsky and passed unanimously to appoint Jamie Lucia to the Community Relations Committee for a term of four years. • Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 20,2010 Standing Pathways Committee: MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mordo, seconded by Summit and • passed unanimously to appoint Denise Williams to the Pathways Committee for a term of four years. 3. Captain Terrence Calderone, Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff • Presentation of LAH Parking Control Issues and Consideration of Potential Solutions Moody Road, Rhus Ridge and Bledsoe Court Captain Calderone reported that there have been complaints from residents about parking issues on Moody Road at Rhus Ridge and extending into Bledsoe Court. He proceeded with a presentation on what the Sheriff's Office had observed and possible solutions to resolve the parking concerns. Calderone illustrated his discussion with photos taken by deputies of cars parking along the identified streets. Calderone suggested "No Parking" signs could be used as a possible deterrent; however the elimination of parking on Moody could potentially result in parking problems on the neighboring streets. Complaints of parking problems had also been voiced by residents of Bledsoe Court. Captain Calderone advised that the critical parking problems were on weekends and suggested the possibility of using permit parking for the high volume days. Council discussion ensued. There was a concurrence that a solution to the parking problem should be administered sooner rather than later. Posting no parking signage and directing "vehicles" to the parking lots at Foothill College was considered. It was noted • that there was a fee for parking at the college. Staff was directed to investigate the possibility of a fee waiver for weekend use of the lots. Council consensus was to have staff investigate the posting of"No Parking" from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday signage. It was suggested that information about parking at Foothill College be included on the signs. Staff was directed to send notices to neighbors advising them of the signage before their installation. Council discussed the option of designating Bledsoe Court a "Designated Parking District". Parking on the street would require permits. This could eliminate the overflow parking from Moody Road. Staff was directed to discuss the option with the neighbors and return to Council with their findings. Purissima Road(Little League Fields) Captain Calderone suggested several options to resolve the parking problems on Purissima Road by the park. It was suggested that the small dirt gravel lot across from the Town's corporation yard could be used for overflow parking during Little League games and for other special events at the fields. Calderone estimated that the lot could accommodate up to nine vehicles. Council discussed the viability of parking on the pathway. Councilmember Summit commented that the pathway along Purissima Road was an important link for equestrians • to the Town Riding Ring and other trails. Calderone noted that the road was not wide enough to accommodate the pathway and for a vehicle to park. 2 Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 20,2010 OPENED PUBLIC COMMENTS • Kathy Evans, resident, expressed concern about access to the Town Riding Ring if parking was allowed on the pathway. She noted that the path behind the fields was not a viable option for equestrians. Rebecca Hickman, resident, offered that she runs, walks, and rides her horse on the pathways and is often forced into the street to maneuver around the cars parked on the paths. She would hate to lose a pathway in order to accommodate cars. Bob Sandora, Alta Tierra Road, Board Member of the Los Altos Little League, encouraged the expansion of parking along Purissima Road. He noted that the area lost parking spaces when the fields were renovated. The League had notified families that the corporation yard was available for parking and suggested that additional signage at the corporation yard would be helpful in alerting people to the overflow parking area. Denise Williams, resident, commented that it appeared that the Town was eliminating places for pedestrians to walk and accommodating more cars. CLOSED PUBLIC COMMENTS Council provided direction to staff to: improve signage at the Corporation Yard and parking area at the Little League fields; improve the gravel parking lot area to accommodate vehicles (stripe); and to contact Fremont Hills Country Club to investigate • the feasibility of using their lot for special events. CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Larsen, seconded by Mordo and passed unanimously to approve the consent calendar; specifically: 4. Adoption of Resolution of the Town of Los Altos Hills Ordering and Calling a General Municipal Election to Fill Two City Council Seats; Requesting Consolidation of Elections with the Election to be Held on November 2, 2010; Requesting the Services of the Registrar of Voters; Providing for Notice of the Election; and Adopting uniform Policies Pertaining to Candidate Statements and Fees. Resolution No. 22-10 5. Acceptance of Pathway Easement Lands of Gahrahmat, 25420 Crescent Lane. Resolution No. 23-10 6. Proclamation Designating June 7-June 13, 2010, as Relay for Life Week in Los Altos Hills 3 Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 20,2010 7. Notification of Fast Track Approval: Lands of Lee, 27751 Lupine Road; File #45- 10-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 6,266 square foot • new residence (Maximum Height 24') CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Peter Evans, resident, Environmental Initiatives Committee Chair, reported that the Committee had discussed Proposition 16 which would require two-thirds vote for the establishment of a Town electricity service or a community choice aggregation program. The Committee was not taking a position on Community Choice Aggregation or Proposition 16 but was advising the Council that, relative to the Town's AB 32 goals, passage would make achieveing those goals difficult. Maryann Malcolm, resident, History Committee Chair, advised that the Committee requested four items on the agenda and only one item had been scheduled for Council consideration. She requested clarification on the remaining items. City Clerk Jost responded that the additional items were not ready for Council review. The Committee had requested use of the Town's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as a History museum. This would require review by the Standing Emergency Communications Committee and staff before moving forward. The second request, review of a potential link of the DeAnza Trail, should be reviewed by the Pathways Committee before any further consideration by the History Committee. With regard to • the Committee's request to the City Council for signage on the paths that had been previously approved by the City Council honoring Town residents (Wallace Stegner, Lucile and David Packard, and the Countess Margit Bessenyey), the signs were being addressed internally. The path signs were being constructed by staff and would be installed in the near future. Mayor Kerr advised that the designation of a DeAnza Trail had been reviewed in the past and rejected by the Council. Concern of additional traffic in Town had been one of the factors for not moving forward with the trail. Les Earnest, resident, History Committee member, clarified that the correct name for the trail was "Anna"trail. He referred to a letter that was available to the City Council on the dais that addressed two issues: the historical markers to be considered by the Council at Edith Park and a recommendation to consider designating a recreation route (Anna Trail) through the Town. Kathy Evans, Co-Chair, Community Relations Committee, reviewed the residents' only policy for the upcoming Town picnic with the City Council. PUBLIC HEARINGS No Items Scheduled. 4 Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 20,2010 UNFINISHED BUSINESS • 8. Town Goals • Consideration of Financial Support for Deer Hollow Farm Mayor Kerr advised that he had requested that this item be placed on the agenda. Eric Christensen, Parks and Recreation Supervisor, reported that several weeks ago Mountain View invited leaders from neighboring communities to a meeting to discuss the future of Deer Hollow Farm. Deer Hollow Farm is located off I-280, just south of the Town, and is a working farm, educational center and free living museum that serves southern Bay Area residents. The farm is visited by school children on field trips, general farm visitors and hosts summer camps. The farm typically teaches about 230 classes per year, with up to 5,000 students. Day camps have been held since the mid-1970's; last summer 366 children attended the camps. Approximately, 77% of the participants were from Mountain View. Visitors come to tour the farm and enjoy the animals, garden, and nature center. A recent survey of visitors taken during a one-week period identified residents from San Jose and Sunnyvale, with a small number from Los Altos Hills. Mountain View has funded the farm for 30 years and is now facing a revenue shortfall. Christensen provided information on Mountain View's costs for operating the Farm which was at a net loss of$100K in fiscal year 2009-10. Mountain View has asked the neighboring communities if they would be interested in making a financial contribution to support the operating costs for • Deer Hollow Farm. If the City Council should agree to assist Mountain View, Christensen suggested that there were several conditions that might be appropriate, including: Los Altos Hills residents could receive resident priority registration for camps, classes, or events listed in their recreation guide; Town residents could pay the resident fee for Mountain View programs; the Town would have an opportunity to use space at Deer Hollow Farm to offer classes, programs and workshops; and, the Town could be recognized at the facility for its contribution. Mayor Kerr questioned whether any other jurisdictions had come forward to provide donations. Christensen was not aware of any at this time. Larsen agreed this was an important facility for Los Altos Hills residents and fully supported providing assistance. OPENED PUBLIC COMMENTS Mike Coggiola, Board of Directors, Friends of Deer Hollow Farm, thanked the Council for the opportunity to speak to them about Deer Hollow Farm. He provided an overview of the organization's volunteer program and fundraising efforts. He noted that the Farm is visited by 100,000 guests a year. The City of Mountain View was hopeful that "user" jurisdictions would assist with financial support for the Farm. Jitze Couperus, resident, felt that the statistics regarding visitation by Los Altos Hills residents to the Farm were too low. He likes the fact that he can go there anytime; there is always plenty of free parking; and the facility is clean and well maintained and the staff • welcoming. He encouraged the City Council to support the Farm. 5 Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 20,2010 Joan Sherlock, resident, agreed that the Farm was a great community asset and needed the Town's support. She suggested that marketing Deer Hollow Farm has been a challenge and suggested putting something in the Town's activity guide and newsletter to help get the word out about the Farm. Kathy Evans encouraged the Town to support the Farm and to include information in the Town's activity guide. Scott Overstreet commented that he has been going to the Farm for 40 years and agrees it was a unique place where everyone is welcome. He added that the Farm was a hiking destination from his neighborhood and the Town should do whatever was feasibile to help support the Farm. CLOSED PUBLIC COMMENT Council Discussion: Council discussed the option of providing financial support for Deer Hollow Farm. There was a general consensus of the City Council that the Farm was an asset to the community and was enjoyed by many residents. Council discussed different options for the contribution including a one time contribution of$10,000 to the Friends of Deer Hollow with additional funds up to $10,000 available as matching funds for Town resident contributions. It was noted that the real challenge for the Farm was that it was not financially sustainable. • City Manager Carl Cahill clarified that the Council seemed to be in agreement with the one-time $10,000 donation and suggested that structuring of the longer term financial support be forwarded to the Parks and Recreation Committee for review and a recommendation. Finance Director Nick Pegueros suggested, with regard to the matching funds, that the Council provide direction as to a"not to exceed"number for the Committee to consider. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mordo, seconded by Larsen and passed unanimously to approve a one time contribution of $10,000 to the City of Mountain View to be allocated to support of Deer Hollow Farm. The donation was to be from the July 1, 2010 budget. (FY2010-2011). Discussions with the City of Mountain View regarding restructured recreation program fees or donation acknowledgements was left to the discretion of the City Manager. The potential future matching contribution to Deer Hollow would be reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Committee with their recommendations returned to the City Council. 9. Consideration of an Ordinance Amending Los Altos Hills Municipal Code Title 12 "Parks and Recreation" Section 12-1.03 "Byrne Preserve" City Manager Carl Cahill introduced the item to Council. At their regular meeting on March 18, 2010, the City Council had continued discussion of the proposed ordinance to a future meeting date where the full council would be in attendance. During the interval between meetings, staff obtained ordinances from surrounding jurisdictions to review 6 Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 20,2010 i operating hours for their open spaces and parks. The review had confirmed that virtually all jurisdictions closed their parks after daylight hours. The proposed ordinance before the • City Council would permit use of the parks and preserves for activities appropriate for nighttime use with permission from the City Manager or City Council. Captain Terry Calderone, Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff, confirmed that the majority of parks that the Sheriff's Department provides service to close at dusk. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING No public comments. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mordo, seconded by Summit and passed unanimously that the Council introduce and waive further reading of Ordinance 519 amending Title 12 "Parks and Recreation" by amending Section 12-1.03 entitled "Byrne Preserve." COUNCIL RECESS: 9:30 PM COUNCIL RECONVENED TO OPEN SESSION: 9:40 PM 10. Naming of Edith Avenue/Fremont Road Park • Councilmember Mordo introduced the item to the City Council. Mordo is the current Council Liaison to the History Committee. He reviewed the Committee's recommendations for a name of the parkland located at the corner of Edith Avenue and Fremont Road. Recommended names included: Anza Park or Anza Corner, Juana Briones Park, and Florence Fava Park. Mordo noted that the area has been most commonly referred to as "Edith Park". OPEND PUBLIC COMMENTS Les Earnest, Standing History Committee member, offered that he had researched the Town records to determine if.there had ever been any formal City Council action to name the park area. He noted that the name "Anna" Park was never formally adopted. The name first appeared in the City Council meeting minutes of March 3, 1976, and was introduced by the Town's volunteer leader of the proposed Bi-centennial re-enactment of the Anza Expedition. Earnest supported naming the park "Juana Briones" Park; after an historical figure who had owned about two-thirds of the Town, including the park area. It was noted that there was currently a Juana Briones Park in Palo Alto. Joan Sherlock, resident, commented that she supported naming the park after Florence Fava, a long time Los Altos Hill resident and former Town Historian who was dedicated to preserving the history of the Town. Bill Downey, Standing History Committee Member, supported naming the park in honor of Florence Fava, former Town Historian and community activist. 7 Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 20,2010 CLOSED PUBLIC COMMENT Councilmember Summit commented that the Park would always be referred to as Edith Park because it was located at the corner of Fremont Road and Edith Avenue. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Larsen, seconded by Warshawsky and passed by the following voice vote to name the park Edith Park: AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Larsen, Councilmember Mordo, Councilmember Summit NOES: Mayor Kerr ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Mayor Kerr noted that he supported naming the parkland Florence Fava Park. 10A Consideration of History Committee's Recommendation Regarding on Site (Park) Historical Monuments Councilmember Mordo clarified the request from the History Committee to remove the two monuments located at Edith Park. The committee had researched the information sited on the monuments referencing the Juan Bautista de Anza expedition travelling near the site during the mission to colonize the San Francisco Bay Area and found the information to be factually incorrect. • MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Larsen, seconded by Summit and passed unanimously to accept the History Committee's recommendation to remove the two Site (Park) Historical Monuments. 11. Stanford C-2 Trail Project Update (Verbal Report) City Engineer/Public Works Director Richard Chiu advised Council that staff and Councilmember Summit had met with Stanford staff to review the Town's comments on the C-2 Trail project. Stanford staff had clarified several items with the Town. Stanford was in the process of preparing a more detailed analysis of the project, including cost figures. When that process was complete, another meeting would be scheduled with the Town. Council will be kept apprised of any updates. Councilmember Summit summarized the meeting topics. The availability of parking for trail users had been discussed. She had advised Stanford that the Town did not permit parking on Town lands and vehicles would be ticketed. At this time, Stanford has no plans for a parking lot but would consider working with the companies near the trail for use of their facilities lots. It was noted that the companies were on Stanford land and lease the sites. Staff was directed to closely monitor the parking issue. The bridge across Matadero Creek and the safety of pedestrians crossing Page Mill and Arastradero had also been discussed. • Staff will continue to update the City Council on the project as it moves forward. 8 Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 20,2010 NEW BUSINESS • 12. Consideration of Revised Process for the 2010-11 Community Service Agency Grant Program Councilmember Mordo noted that there were a number of non-profit organizations that provide services to Town residents and historically, the non-profits have received financial support from the Council. Organizations included: the American Red Cross, Community Services Agency, Los Altos Chamber of Commerce, Los Altos Mediation Program, Los Altos Senior Center, United Way of Silicon Valley, and Wildlife Rescue. His suggestion was that Council rely on the staff to look at the reasonableness of grant requests and support from year to year, include the funding in the budget, and the Council would approve the requests as part of the budget review process. The remainder of the Community Service Agencies (non-profits) that have participated in the Town's grant program could be reviewed by the Council individually. To approve a funding request would require three Council votes. The next step would be to distribute money among the organizations. Council discussed the proposed review process. Mayor Kerr suggested that staff return with a list of agencies that could potentially be included as a budgetary line item rather than as a grant request. Mordo suggested that as part of the budget, the Staff present a subset of the agencies that • they recommend as part of the budget with a budgeted amount. The Council would vote to make the agencies a permanent part of the budget. Inclusion in the budget would require three Council votes. His suggestion was that staff be directed to prepare a statement of policy or criteria that focuses on the"Non-Partnered" agencies. Council consensus was for staff to review the agencies and to determine which agencies provided essential services to Town residents and would be appropriate to include funding in the budget. The next step would be to look at the optional agencies. Staff was directed to return to the City Council at the next meeting with a follow-up report on the revised procedure for grant funding to community service agencies. 13. Consideration of Draft Policy and Procedures for the 'Formation of Utility Undergrounding Districts Finance Director Nick Pegueros introduced the item. The Utility Undergrounding Committee had identified the use of special tax districts as an alternative financing mechanism to encourage undergrounding projects. The proposed policy before the City Council was intended to help provide a framework for residential groups who were interested in undergrounding projects. The document outlined the procedural steps required to form and use a special tax district to finance utility undergrounding. The proposed document had been thoroughly reviewed by Jones Hall, bond counsel to the West Loyola Assessment District and the Standing Finance and Investment Committee. Pegueros clarified that the adoption of the proposed policy and procedures did not • 9 Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 20,2010 obligate the City Council to authorize the formation of special tax districts or authorize the issuance of debt. • Councilmember Dean Warshawsky, Utility Undergrounding Committee member, spoke to the many volunteer hours that the committee members had invested in researching and developing the draft policy and procedures. The benefits of undergrounding overhead utility lines included increased service reliability during winter storms, decreased fire hazards and improved aesthetics. OPENED PUBLIC COMMENTS Duffy Price, committee member, thanked Councilmember Warshawsky for his eight years of leadership on the committee. She acknowledged the other committee members, including Jim Abraham, Andy Colman, Peter Evans, Tony Jurvetson, Beck Morgan, Steve Schmidt, Felix Theuwes and Roy Woolsey. Price read into the record an email message she had received from former Mayor Bob Fenwick, who favored the project. Fenwick had been an early advocate of undergrounding utilities during his tenure on the City Council. Price noted that the policy would provide "like-minded" neighbors who wanted to remove their utility poles the tools to organize and form assessment districts. Steve Schmidt spoke in favor of undergrounding all wires in the Town. The Committee was aware that this was not a viable goal and they were recommending moving forward with the next logical step; to make it possible for neighborhoods to band together and form districts to underground utilities. Peter Evans spoke in support of the policy and felt that a good portion of undergrounding might be achieved using this method. CLOSED PUBLIC COMMENTS Council thanked the Committee for their efforts. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Kerr, seconded by Mordo and passed unanimously that the Council adopt the policy and procedures for the formation of the Utility Undergrounding Districts in the Town of Los Altos Hills. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES, AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES 14. Request for Council Commendation— Standing Parks and Recreation Committee Rebecca Hickman, Standing Parks and Recreation Committee member addressed the City Council. Council had before them a request from the Committee for a formal commendation to Paul and Ruby Callary, Five Paws Bakery. The Callarys have been great supporters of the Parks and Recreation Department's annual Hoppin' Hounds Fundraising event held at Byrne Park for the Palo Alto Animal Shelter. They have been very generous with their time and provided over 14,000 biscuits for the four-legged Sparticipants. 10 Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 20,2010 City Clerk Jost noted that the proclamation would be presented by the Mayor to Paul and Ruby Callary at the next Council meeting. Council consensus was to approve the acknowledgement and they looked forward to the opportunity to personally thank the Paul and Ruby Callary for their contributions. 15. Request from the Standing Education Committee for Council Endorsement of MVLA High School District Bond Measure A — Bart Carey, Educational Committee Chair Mayor Kerr announced that he had a potential conflict of interest on this issue and stepped down from the dais. City Clerk Jost reported receiving a late email from Bart Carey, Standing Education Committee Chair, announcing that he was unable to attend the meeting; however, he wanted the Council to know that the Committee had voted unanimously to request the Council's support for Measure A. Mayor Pro Tem Larsen requested clarification on the terms of the bond Measure. It was noted that the bond was not an increase in the tax rate from the current level. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mordo, seconded by Summit and passed unanimously that the Council endorse the Mountain View Los Altos High School • District's Bond Measure A. Mayor Kerr recused himself from consideration of this item and did not participate in the discussion or vote. STAFF REPORTS City Manager City Attorney City Clerk No reports were given. COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS 16. Corporation Yard Site Development Plan and Energy Efficiency Improvements Mayor Kerr explained that he had brought this item forward as a result of discussions during the capital improvement budget study session. The building located at the Corporation Yard has been recommended for seismic retrofit for approximately 10 years. Following a visit to the site with the City Engineer, Kerr was recommending taking a broader look at the site development plan and consideration of a more extensive project. Kerr suggested that the review should include: feasibility of additional parking, seismic retrofit of the building and the layout of the facility. 11 Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 20,2010 City Engineer/Public Works Director Richard Chiu suggested it would be helpful to understand what the Town's goal was for the building relative to terms of energy efficiency improvements. This would be taken into consideration when determining the need for outside consultants. Chiu suggested the first step would be a review of the entire site which he estimated could cost$10,000-$15,000 for the design plan. Council discussion ensued. Councilmember Summit requested price estimates for the additional scope of work. City Manager Cahill suggested that staff survey the employees who use the facility and develop a vision or scope that could be provided to consultants. Councilmember Mordo asked for information on how many people work in the Corporation Yard, how many square feet are dedicated to storage, what are the functions performed at the Corporation Yard and what kind of functional improvements could be made. Council concurred with his direction to staff. The City Council adjourned to Closed Session at 10:30 p.m. CLOSED SESSION CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL: ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(b) Significant Exposure to Litigation—One Case The City Council reconvened to Open Session at 10:50 p.m. There was no reportable action taken by the City Council. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by the consensus of the City Council at 10:51 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karen Jost City Clerk The minutes of the May 20, 2010 regular City Council meeting were approved as presented at the July 15, 2010 regular City Council meeting. 12 Approved City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 20,2010