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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/15/1998Ln Minutes of a Regular Meeting July 15, 1998 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Regular Meeting Wednesday, July 15, 1998, 6:00 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Mayor Johnson called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Mayor Johnson and Councilmembers Dauber and Hubbard Absent: Councilmembers Casey and Siegel Staff: City Manager/City Engineer Jeff Peterson, City Attorney Sandy Sloan, Planning Director Curtis Williams, Public Works Manager Jim Rasp and City Clerk Pat Dowd Press: Carol Tiegs, Los Altos Town Crier 2. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS 3. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT The Planning Director reported that the following application was discussed at the 7/8/98 Planning Commission Meeting: Lands of Korman, 26157 Altadena Drive: request for a Site Development Permit for a 5,872 square foot new residence and a 528 square foot attached garage, a variance to allow existing structures to encroach into the side setback and a lot line adjustment - continued. The Planning Commission also discussed ordinance and policy amendments on the following: carports, chimney heights and the La Paloma Corridor. Council agreed that the recommendations from the Planning Commission on these issues should be brought back to Council for general discussion before being scheduled for public hearings by the Planning Commission. Dauber asked that the Council also discuss a policy on the issue of projects which had not been finalled but were requesting additional permits. The Planning Director further noted that the new Chairman of the Planning Commission was Emily Cheng and the new Vice -Chairman was Guy Jinkerson. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR Items Removed: 4.1 (Dauber) and 4.3 (Dauber) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Dauber and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar, specifically: 4.2 Approved Warrants: $57,443.29 (6/30/98) 4A Authorized the City Manager to sign an agreement with the City of Los Altos for TV inspection of sanitary sewers — Reso #50-98 July 15, 1998 Regular City Council Meeting L Items Removed: M 4.1 Approval of Minutes: July 1, 1998 (Regular Meeting) Dauber referred to the motion concerning putting a measure on the November ballot on term limits. She believed that Siegel did not actually vote no but said that while he would vote no on the issue when it came to the voters he would vote yes to put the issue on the ballot. Council agreed the City Clerk should check the tape. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the minutes of the July 1, 1998 City Council Meeting with the appropriate correction, if necessary, to the motion concerning term limits and Siegel's vote 4.3 Approval of amendment to contract with Aleuron Systems for computer consulting services — Reso #_ Dauber recommended that this contract include getting e-mail for all Town staff. The City Manager concurred saying that e-mail was on the list of projects to be completed. If necessary, a mid -year budget amendment would be made. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously to adopt Resolution #51-98 approving an agreement with Aleuron Systems for computer consulting services. 5.1 L 4Adoption of Ordinance adding Chapter 8 (Graffiti) to Title 5 (Public Welfare, Morals and Conduct) of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code regarding the abatement of graffiti (SECOND READING) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously by all members present to waive further reading of ordinance adding Chapter 8 (Graffiti) to Title 5 (Public Welfare, Morals and Conduct) of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code regarding the abatement of graffiti. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously by all members present to adopt Ordinance #394 adding Chapter 8 (Graffiti) to Title 5 (Public Welfare, Morals and Conduct) of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code regarding the abatement of graffiti. 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.1 Request from the Los Altos Hills Historical Society for approval of modifications to the Farm Cutting Shed Project Dauber commented that she had supported the budget request for this project and did not have any objection to the request for concrete flooring. However, she did not appreciate the Historical Society asking the Council for more money and then asking for this modification because they had extra funds in their budget. She believed they should have stated the purpose for the extra funding. July 15, 1998 Regular City Council Meeting Jerry Bishop, architect, commented that in 1993 the original plans for this project included a crushed granite floor and orchard trees. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Dauber and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the request from the Historical Society for a concrete slab to be installed in the Farm Cutting Shed on Town Hall property. 7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB -COMMITTEES, AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES 7.1 Community Relations Committee 7.1.1 Approval of Town Questionnaire Roy Woolsey, Chairman of the Community Relations Committee, noted that the committee had revised the Town Questionnaire subject to comments made by Council at an earlier meeting. The committee planned to use this questionnaire for about three to four months, compile the results and then re-evaluate the questionnaire and report to Council. The plan would be to have questionnaires at the front counter at Town Hall and at City Council Meetings. In addition a questionnaire would be sent to residents completing an application process or some other involvement with the Town. The committee at this time was asking for Council approval of the questionnaire and the process for using it. Council discussed the proposed questionnaire. Hubbard expressed concerns about several of the questions. For instance, the responses to the question `Were your questions answered satisfactorily? could be misleading in that someone might answer no if they did not get the answer they wanted. He also did not agree with the question `Was there anything an employee did that particularly pleased or displeased you? Hubbard believed this was an inappropriate question and unfair to the Town's staff. Dauber stated that she was not in favor of the questionnaire. She believed it was asking for criticisim and it was not the role of the Community Relations Committee to evaluate comments made about staff. In addition if people took the time to send in a response to the questionnaire they would expect to get a response to their comments and this may not necessarily be the case. She supported a suggestion box at Town Hall and in the Council Chambers. She also suggested putting a notebook for comments and responses in the Council Chambers. This was done at the library and was quite successful. Hubbard concurred with these suggestions. Johnson referred to the questionnaire and commented that it should include a statement to attach a 32 cent stamp. Betsy Bertram, 11854 Page Mill Road, concurred with the Council's comments made about the questionnaire. She too did not think that the responses would be accurate. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To continue the decision on the Town Questionnaire until a meeting at which the full Council was present and to request that the Community Relations Committee defer any more work on this project until Council made a decision. 7.1.2 Discussion on Town Greeter at Council Meetings Roy Woolsey, Chairman of the Community Relations Committee, asked the Council for direction concerning the Town Greeter at Council Meetings. Did they think it was worthwhile? Did they want to see it continue? He noted that the committee members themselves were divided as to its merit. July 15, 1998 Regular City Council Meeting Council agreed that at meetings where the agenda was quite light, it was not really necessary to have a greeter. However, at meetings where major issues were being discussed and attendance was high, they thought it was quite helpful for a greeter to be present. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: Council agreed that the committee could review the agendas and contact the City Clerk for guidance on which Council meetings should have a Town Greeter in attendance. 7.1.3 Town Event Roy Woolsey, Chairman of the Community Relations Committee, commented that the committee was looking ahead to next year's annual Town event and they would like to get some direction from Council. Would Council like to see another picnic, a dinner dance at the Country Club, an event at Town Hall or something else? One option was to have a picnic with a chicken dinner served by the Fire Department for the wholesale cost of the food. If this option was considered, the committee would need to know if Council would want the Town to host the dinner or sell tickets to cover the cost? Mr. Woolsey further noted that the committee would be holding their next meeting in September. Council did comment that whatever kind of event was held the music should be much lower in volume. They noted that the picnic was great fun but one could hardly carry on a conversation and be heard. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To schedule ajoint meeting of the City Council and Community Relations Committee for 5:15 p.m. on October 7, 1998 to discuss plans for next year's event. 8. STAFF REPORTS 8.1 City Manager 8.1.1 Census The City Manager reported that he had received information from census officials concerning efforts being made for a `complete count' and steps communities could take to see that this goal was accomplished. He questioned whether this should be sent to the Community Relations Committee for their evaluation as to whether such programs would be beneficial for the Town. Council agreed that the Town was small enough that it would not be worthwhile to send this information to the Community Relations Committee for input. 8.1.2 County Communications The City Manager noted that there had recently been some confusion over what number residents should call during non -working hours for sewer maintenance emergencies. Originally it had been determined that residents should call 911 but now it had been agreed that there was a public works number at County Communications. This new correct number was now included in the Town's voice mail messages. 8.1.3 Pathway issue on Lupine The City Manager stated that he and the Public Works Manager would be meeting with the Kims on Lupine concerning the pathway issue. July 15, 1998 Regular City Council Meeting t 8.1.4 La Paloma Drainage 7/ The City Manager reported that the PG&E issues were getting resolved but an issue had been raised concerning one of the easements necessary for the drainage project. All of the required easements had been obtained; however, one of the easements had been obtained from a previous owner of the property. Since the property had changed hands, it would be necessay to get an easement from the new owner for this project to move forward. The City Manager noted that he planned to meet with the new owners. 8.2 City Attorney 8.2.1 FPPC Regulation 18703.1 The City Attorney reported that she and Councilmember Siegel had attended a hearing on July 2' in Sacramento on the Town's request for administrative exemption from FPPC Regulation 18703.1. This regulation allows public officials in small jurisdictions who wish to participate in governmental decisions affecting their principal residence to do so if the residence is situated on a parcel of land not more than one acre in size. Also requesting an exemption were Portola Valley and Atherton. The Fair Political Practices Commission agreed to modify this regulation and directed staff to prepare new language and bring it back to the Commission in September. 8.3 City Clerk 8.3.1 Report on Council Correspondence 8.4 Public Works Manager 8.4.1 Report on FEMA funding The Public Works Manager reported that he had been meeting with FEMA representatives and the Town should be receiving about $80,000 in funding. There was some discussion about the slide on Natoma and mediation will take place on this issue. 8.4.2 Emergency Access Roads The Public Works Manager noted that he had sent a letter to Marilyn Halliday, Chairman of the Los Altos Hills County Fire District, with a status on the emergency access roads in Town. 8.4.3 Letter from B. Evans and A. Neves concerning sprinkler damage The Public Works Manager gave a status report on the letter received from B. Evans and A. Neves concerning damage done to their sprinkler by the Town's crew while working on a Town path. The Public Works Manager noted that he crew had been working in the Town's right-of- way and the sprinker had been located in this right-of-way. Hubbard suggested paying for the damage ($14.05) because it was such a small amount. The City Manager, however, did not agree with this believing that it would set a bad precedent. Dauber suggesting notifying the neighbors when such pathway work was going to be done as a good neighbor gesture. The City Manager did not concur commenting that it would take a lot of staff time to undertake the notification, other projects would have to be deferred and the Town's crew was working in the public right- of-way on these paths. It was agreed that the Public Works Manager and the Mayor would visit the site and absolutely determine the location of the sprinkler before the Mayor responded to the {; residents. iI July 15, 1998 Regular City Council Meeting n Betsy Bertram, 11854 Page Mill Road, raised the issue of the Town's liability when such work was done on the paths. She, for example, had dogs and when she was notified by PG&E of work they would be doing, she contained the dogs. Ms. Bertram supported such notification by the Town. 9. COUNCIL -INITIATED ITEMS 9.1 Authorization to attend the League of California Cities Annual Conference — October 2-4, 1998, Long Beach MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously by all members present to authorize any member of the Council to attend the annual conference of the League of California Cities in October. 9.2 Request to remove the historical designation from the Lands of Meshkovsky (Morgan Manor), 12335 Stonebrook Court (Councilmember Casey) Mr. Meshovsky, owner of Morgan Manor, reiterated his surprise at finding out that the entire Morgan Manor property had been designated historical and was shown as such in the title report. He referred to the resolution adopted by the Town in 1993 which designated Morgan Manor as historical and to his attorney's letter at that time. In this letter the attorney asked the Town not to proceed with the historical designation if this designation would in any way prevent Mr. Meshkovsky's ability to subdivide in the future. Mr. Meshovsky commented that he therefore understood that the Council's action only related to the house and/or a few acres around the house but certainly not to the entire property. At this time he had a potential purchaser for the property but concerns had been raised about this historical designation and the resulting affect on the value of the property. Dr. Atef Eltoukhy commented that he was the potential purchaser of the property and stated his reasons why he wanted clarification of the historical designation information in the title report. He believed that if the designation applied to the entire property or could be interpreted as such this would have a negative impact on the value of the land. Before he purchased the property he wanted a clear determination on this issue. The City Attorney explained the legal process for removing an historical designation noting that a public hearing would be required. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To schedule a public hearing for the August 19, 1998 City Council Meeting on the request to modify the historical designation from the Lands of Meshkovsky (Morgan Manor), 12335 Stonebrook Court. 9.3 League of Women Voters - November Election (Councilmember Dauber) Dauber reported that she had spoken with the Carol Watts of the League of Women Voters about the LOWV overseeing compliance with the Town's campaign regulations in the November Election. Dauber said that she had received positive feedback to this suggestion and Ms. Watts would be bringing the request to their board meeting. The Town should have a response in August. July 15, 1998 Regular City Council Meeting 9.4 Joint Volunteer Awards Committee (Councilmember Dauber) Dauber reported that Barbara Vetuerlein had agreed to serve on the Joint Volunteer Awards Committee and Ginger Summit had also offered but noted she would be traveling quite a bit just before the volunteer awards event. Council agreed that this would be difficult for the committee and suggested that Ginger volunteer when her travel schedule did not present a conflict. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To appoint Barbara Vetterlein to the Joint Volunteer Awards Committee for a two-year term. 10. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Carol Gottlieb, 24290 Summerhill, commented that on the recent Saturday when the Los Altos Garbage Company was supposed to be at Foothill College and did not show up, she had taken their truck load of yardwaste to Zanker Road. The Town had been charged $20 for this non - clean load of debris and she did not think it was right that the Town had to pay for this charge since it was LAGCO's responsibility to be at Foothill. She also raised the issue of Esther Clarke Park which was in Palo Alto but bordered the Town and stated that it was in serious need of weed abatement. The City Manager responded that he would be talking with Bill Jones of the Los Altos Garbage Company about the incurred charges at Zanker and he would also contact the City of Palo Alto about Esther Clarke Park. 11. PUBLIC HEARINGS ` 12. ADJOURNMENT There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council Meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. M Respectful) submitted, � Patricia Dowd City Clerk The minutes of the July 15, 1998 City Council Meeting were approved at the August 19, 1998 City Council Meeting. July 15, 1998 Regular City Council Meeting