HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/07/1997Minutes of an Adjourned Regular Meeting
�w May 7, 1997
Town of Los Altos Hills
City Council Adjourned Regular Meeting
Wednesday, May 7,1997,5:00 P.M.
Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Hubbard called the Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City to order at 5:10 p.m. in
the Council Chambers at Town Hall.
Present: Mayor Hubbard and Councilmembers , Dauber, Johnson
and Siegel
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Casey
Staff: City Manager/City Engineer Jeff Peterson and City Clerk
Pat Dowd
Press: None
Environmental Dexter Hake, Chairman; Sharyn Brown, Ralph Cheek,
Design and Sandra Humphries, Robin Robison and Jean Struthers
Protection
Committee:
2. ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN AND PROTECTION COMMITTEE:
A. 1996 Accomplishments
Dexter Hake, Chairman, presented an overview of the 1996 accomplishments. These included
reviews both on site and at Site Development Meetings of all new homes, new landscaping,
major remodels and subdivisions.
B. Goals and Objectives for 1997
The goals and objectives for 1997 included identifying heritage trees, producing a Town
handbook on landscaping issues, working with the Santa Clara Valley Water District on the
planting of Edith Park, scheduling compost workshops and becoming more actively involved in
advising about the planting and protecting of trees on Town property.
C. Discussion of specific items brought up by committee and Council
Members or introduced in the goals and objectives
Jean Struthers raised the issue of Edith Park planting. She did not believe all the trees should be
removed and also believed there could be native planting done. It was noted that although the
Santa Clara Valley Water District would be putting in the planting, the Town could design the
project. Dauber also suggested that there were other locations in Town that could benefit from
groups such as garden groups organizing the planting. One such location would be Page Mill
and Arastradero. The issue of safety was raised, however, when considering median planting.
it
May 7, 1997
Adjourned City Council Meeting
Robin Robison addressed the handbook project and asked for guidance from the Council as to
length and format. Council agreed that this should be done as an easy reference pamphlet. Two
suggestions for the pamphlet were articles on the rationale for open fencing and how to plant
street trees. It was agreed the committee would review the draft pamphlet and bring it to Council
for approval. The committee members also agreed to draft a policy statement on the issue of
dead and dying trees for inclusion in the next Town newsletter.
Dauber thanked the committee for their excellent reports on projects but noted that their
comments were so helpful they could be even more detailed. Dauber further commented on the
heritage tree ordinance and suggested that it be reviewed. The current ordinance was costly to
the owners of the trees and did not make it desirable for a resident to want their tree to be
designated a heritage tree. Perhaps Council should budget a certain amount of money to handle
the costs of designating trees as heritage trees. Siegel raised the issue of street tree plantings and
believed this issue should be approached in a more positive manner. The City Manager
responded that the applicants' civil engineers were currently being required to address the issue
of where street trees would be planted while addressing underground and overhead lines as well
as site distance concerns.
D. Council approval of 1997 Goals and Objectives
Council approved the Environmental Design and Protection Committee's goals for 1997 and
thanked them for all of their contributions to the Town during the past year.
3. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
4. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council Meeting was
adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Re�tfulltte�
Patricia Dowd
City Clerk
The minutes of the May 7, 1997 Adjoumed Regular City Council Meeting were approved
at the May 21, 1997 City Council Meeting
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May 7, 1997
Adjourned City Council Meeting