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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/18/1996Minutes of a Special Meeting %W September 18, 1996 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Meeting Wednesday, September 18,1996,5:00 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Mayor Hubbard called the Special Meeting of the City Council to order at 5:00 p.m. at Town Hall. Present: Mayor Hubbard and Councilmembers Casey, Dauber, Johnson and Siegel Absent: None Staff: City Manager/City Engineer Jeff Peterson, City Attorney Sandy Sloan, Public Works Manager Ed Taylor and City Clerk Pat Dowd Press: None 2. CLOSED SESSION: CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — Significant exposure to litigation (one case) based on September 13, 1996, letter from Todd Thompson, attorney for Los Altos Garbage Company, regarding mediation on rates for solid waste. The Closed Session was continued to the Regular City Council Meeting scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. 3. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR 5. ADIOURNMENT There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council Meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Respectful bmitted, Patricia Dowd, City Clerk The minutes of the September 18, 1996 Special City Council Meeting were approved at the October 2,1996 City Council Meeting. September 18 1996 Special Meeting Minutes of a Regular Meeting September 18, 1996 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Meeting Wednesday, September 18, 1996, 6:00 P.M. Council Chambers 26379 Fremont Road 1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Hubbard called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 6:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Mayor Hubbard and Councilmembers Casey, Dauber, Johnson and Siegel Absent: None 4 Staff: City Manager/City Engineer Jeff Peterson, City Attorney `• Sandy Sloan, Planning Director Curtis Williams, Public Works Manager Ed Taylor and City Clerk Pat Dowd Press: Clyde Noel, Los Altos Town Crier 2. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS 3. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT Planning Commissioner Finn reported that the following items were discussed at the September 11, 1996 Planning Commission Meering: Lands of Tan, 13910 Page Mill Road, request for Site Development Permit for a new residence, pool and tennis court - approved; Lands of Morsey, 13801 Alta Lane South, request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence, detached garage, pool and spa - approved; Lands of Zaptarvar, 26223 Calle del Sol, request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence, tennis court, pool and spa - approved; Lands of Moshier, 26810 Quail Lane, request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence, pool and spa - approved; and Lands of Kramer, 27645 Natoma Road, request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence, pool and spa - approved. Dauber asked for clarification of decking allowed into a setback and the cabana design. She also referred to the Fire Code requirement for 14' driveways and September 18, 1996 Regular City Council Meeting requested Council to agendize at the earliest possible time a presentation by the Fire Marshall on this issue. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR Item Removed: 4.1 - Regular Meeting) (Dauber) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by Casey and passed unanimously to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar, specifically: 4.1 Approved Minutes: September 4, 1996 (Adjourned Regular Mtg.) 4.2 Approved Warrants: $280,938.98 (8/30/96) 4.3 Decided Not To Review the following Planning Commission Actions at Its Meeting on August 28,19%: 4.3a Lands of Kash, 25500 Burke Lane: approved request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence, detached garage, cabana and pool 4.3b Lands of Hickman, 26020 Alicante lane: approved request for a Site Development Permit for a second story addition, sport court and cabana 4.4 Approved contract with Pollart Consulting for interim contract planning services - Reso #78-96 4.5 Approved lot line adjustment, Lands of Dailey/Arden, 24875 and 24911 Prospect Avenue 4.6 Approved annexation of quarry hills area; Lands of Vidovich, et al; Stonebrook Drive — Reso #79-96 4.7 Accepted Grant of Storm Drain Easement near Moon Lane; Lands of Chown, 13822 Page Mill Road — Reso #80-% 4.8 Approved Filing of 1996 Conflict of Interest Code Biennial Report 4.9 Accepted Grant of Sanitary, Public Utility, Water and Storm Drain Easement, Lands of Laub, 28140 Story Hill Lane — Reso #81-96 September 18, 1996 Regular City Council Meeting Item Removed: `r 4.1 Approval of Minutes: September 18,19% (Regular Meeting) Dauber referred to the review of the site development process and specifically the motion reducing the notification limit to 100' for all projects requiring notice at the Planning Director level. She had understood that this reduction was only for swimming pools and would not have supported this motion had that not been the stipulation. Councilmembers agreed that it was their undertstanding that all had voted in support of this 100' notification level. The City Attorney pointed out that since this was the second reading of the ordinance, Dauber could stated her concerns during this hearing process and further discussion could take place. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by Casey and passed by the following roll call vote to approve the minutes of the September 18, 1996 Regular City Council Meeting with no changes. AYES: Mayor Hubbard and Councilmembers Casey, Johnson and Siegel NOES: Councilmember Dauber 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 5.1 Site Development Ordinance Amendments regarding revisions to the Site Development Review Process (SECOND READING) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously to change the 100' to 300' for site development permit applications. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To amend section 12(b) to include sending public hearing notices to the Planning Commission. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by Casey and passed unanimously to waive further reading and adopt Ordinance #384 amending Chapter 1 (Zoning) and Chapter 2 (Site Development) of Title 10 (Zoning and Site Development) of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code to change the terms "Zoning Administrator" and Site Devlopment Committee" to "Planning Director" and to revise the Site Development Permit Process. 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.1 Decision on expenditure of AB 3229 Funds The City Manager reported that the California State Assembly had recently passed a bill which provided $100 million in grant funding for local agencies for public safety September 18, 1996 Regular City Council Meeting �w programs. Since future funding was not guaranteed it would be preferable to spend the money on programs that would not require continued funding. The Town's allocation of these funds was $15,000. The Sheriff's Department had recommended the following use of this money: Bicycle Safety Program $3,206.56; Public Works Radio $3,895.65; Night Vision Scopes $3,661.20; Video Recording Program $2,505.27, and Preliminary Alcohol Screening Device $1,630.00. Sheriff Chuck Gillingham explained the programs involved in their recommendations. He also commented that Captain Wilson and Lt. Slack were present if there were any additional questions. In response to an inquiry from Dauber, Gillingham noted that the money could probably be used to clean graffiti. There were two additional suggestions which were not part of the Sheriff's Department recommendations. One was Pagenet which had the major flaw that everyone would have to carry pagers. The other, Teleminder, would provide quick phone contact with the Neighborhood Coordinators. The problem with this was that the neighborhood coordinators program was in need of review as many neighborhoods did not have coordinators. It needed to be much better organized and much better supported. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously to allocate the $15,000 grant money as recommended by the Sheriffs Department with the following change: the $2,505.27 for Video Recording Program be transferred to the Bicycle Safety Program. Council also directed the Finance Director to establish a Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund to separately administer and track the grant funds as required by AB 3229. Casey asked that the Teleminder project be referred to the Communication Subcommittee to review and comment. 7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES SUB -COMMITTEES AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES 8. STAFF REPORTS 8.1 City Manager 8.1.1 Capital Improvement Budget The City Manager reported that the Finance Committee had reviewed the Capital Improvement Budget at their 9/19/96 meeting. A public hearing on this budget was scheduled for October 2nd. September 18, 1996 Regular City Council Meeting 8.1.2 New Finance Systems Proposals were being received for the new finance system. The deadline was September 30th. 8.1.3 Paving Project The pavement management project, starting on Magdalena, was due to begin the week of September 23rd. 8.1.4 Page Mill Project The Page Mill Project was also due to begin the week of September 23rd. An extension of construction hours was being granted for this one day project. 8.2 City Attorney 8.3 City Clerk 8.3.1 Report on Council Correspondence a) Letter from Mr. King regarding lease of Town Land to Midpeninsula Regional Open Space for parking at Rhus Ridge. The Public Works Manager reported that he had met with the Fire Marshall on this issue but had not received a response from Midpeninsula Open Space for additional information. Dauber commented that there was a huge parking lot that people could use which was only half a mile away. b) Letter from Transportation Agency on high speed rail in California. It was agreed that the Mayor would send a letter supporting high speed rail service to Santa Clara County and utilization of new gas taxes and/or other new funding sources. c) Letter from Mr. Duque concerning trees trimmed on his property by the Town. The City Manager explained that the branches from their trees were hanging over the road and were trimmed back by the crew. This had been done before by the Duque's property and they had expressed no complaints. This time however, per the Council policy, the trees were being trimmed higher up to provide for an efficient tree trimming schedule. If this was not the direction Council wanted staff to take then the policy would need to be changed and staff would need clear direction from Council on the issue of tree trimming. It was agreed to agendize the issue of tree trimming. 9. COUNCIL -INITIATED ITEMS September 18, 1996 Regular City Council Meeting 9.1 Flood Control Meeting (Councilmember Dauber) kar Dauber reported that she had attended a Flood Control meeting earlier in the day and it was apparent that lobbying was needed to move the Adobe Creek project ahead. The environmental impact report would now not be released until 10/22. Dauber suggested a field trip by the Board Members to see what needed to be done on Adobe Creek. Council agreed that Dauber should state the Council's concerns about this project to the Water Board and also that Mr. and Mrs. Rogez should be advised of future meetings of the Board on this issue. 9.2 Communications Subcommittee (Mayor Pro Tem Casey) Casey noted that two new members had been added to this subcommittee: Berin Fank and Duffy Price. The committee had met twice and its next meeting was scheduled for October 9th at noon in Council Chambers. They had discussed several issues such as: agenda digest in Town Crier for both Council and Planning Commission; Dial Agenda for both Council and Planning Commission; extra copies of staff reports for Council and Planning Commission Meetings on subjects of general and/or increased interest, and putting copies of plans in Chambers for easy access by the public. It was agreed that the subcommittee would submit its recommendations in writing for Council action. 9.3 Planning Issues Subcommittee (Councilmember Dauber) Dauber noted that the report from this subcommittee was almost ready to go before Council. Issues such as lighting, height definition, floor area definition and non- conforming structures had been addressed. Siegel recommended that the report go to the City Council for comment before it went to the Planning Commission. 9.4 Safety Committee- Neighborhood Coordinators (Councilmember Siegel) Siegel recommended that the Safety Committee agendize a discussion of the neighborhood coordinators program. It did not appear that this program was working successfully and the concept should be reconsidered. Possibly the number of coordinators needed to be increased. Also there was no longer a coordinator for the hams in Town and this should be addressed. Council agreed with this suggestion. 9.5 Joint Meeting of the City Council and the Planning Commission (Mayor Hubbard) A joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission was scheduled for November 14, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. September 18, 1996 Regular City Council Meeting �W 10. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOO Ray Rooker, 12819 Viscaino Road, addressed the Council on three issues. First, he commented on the temporary buildings going into place at Bullis School. He also noted that trees had been removed, no additional landscaping had been installed and a new driveway had been installed. Mr. Rooker thought this all resulted in a negative visual impact and recommended the Town work with the school. Second, he commented on the site development process review and the requirement that landscape drawings be included in the application. He believed that at that stage they should only have to be conceptual drawings. Finally, he asked if the yardwaste center was tied in with the rate increase discussions with the Los Altos Garbage Company and he was advised that it was not. Regarding Mr. Rooker's comments about Bullis School, the Planning Director noted that he had been in contact with Bullis and had requested copies of their plans for review. 11. PUBLIC HEARINGS 11.1 Proposed increase in rates to be charged for solid waste services -- Reso #_ (continued from September 4, 1996 City Council Meeting) Jon Angin, Los Altos Garbage Company, noted that they had tried to work with the Town on a reasonable number for allowable expenses but had been unable to reach agreement. Their expenses were higher than those proposed by the Town. Therefore, the only option appeared to be mediation to work toward a permanent solution. Todd Thompson, attorney for Los Alos Garbage Company, urged Council to not adopt new rates at this time and to enter into mediation voluntarily thereby not requiring Los Altos Garbage Company to initiate the mediation clause. They wanted to work together toward a solution and thus avoid litigation. Mr. Thompson noted that the new rates when established could be made retroactive to October 1st and Council also had the option of implementing rate increases at any time if mediation failed. He recommended Council appoint a Councilmember to participate in mediation and that they choose a mediator. Mr. Thompson believed the mediation could be completed in a month. The City Attorney thought one month was optimistic. Mediators calendars were often filled and she thought one to three months might be more realistic. Also it would be much longer if other issues were included such as the yardwaste center. If mediation failed, she noted, litigation was the next step. �r September 18, 1996 Regular City Council Meeting Kevin Cerutti, Los Altos Garbage Company, commented on the allocation kao methodology, the fixed adjusted rates and the lack of agreement by the jurisdictions after the settlement agreement in 1994. Steve Finn, 12000 Finn Lane, urged Council to invoke the rate reduction at this time. He believed to do otherwise was poor business practice. Stephanie Munoz, 13460 Robleda Road, addressed mandatory garbage services and the monopoly franchise practices of the Los Altos Garbage Company. Council adjourned at 7:50 p.m. to a continued Closed Session from the September 18, 1996 Special Meeting for a conference with legal counsel on anticipated litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(b)(1). Council reconvened at 8:10 to open session. MOTION SECONDED AND ADOPTED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously to adopt Resolution #82-96 setting rates for solid waste and recyclables collection service as follows: Universal Rate = $14.00 and Single Family Dwelling Rate (per month) _ $23.75 per can with an additional charge of $5.00 per 100 feet of drivway over the first 100 feet. In addition Council agreed to enter into mediation to address additional issues and directed the Los Altos Garbage Company to note on its bills to residents that mediation may further change the rates. 11.2 To consider requests for the funding from the Town's share of the County's Community Development Block Grant Funds allocation, including proposals from three applicants: 1) Mid -Peninsula Housing Coalition; 2) Project Match, Inc.; and 3) Next Door, Solutions to Domestic Violence The Planning Director referred to his staff report which included the three requests received for the Town's $128,000 CDBG funds. These requests were: Mid -Peninsula Housing Coalition - $50,000; Project Match - $30,000; and Next Door, Solutions to Domestic Violence - $5,000. The report also referred to an additional $83,000 which were to be allocated as of July 1st. However, to date the Town had not received notification of the availability of these funds. The Planning Director recommended that Council direct staff to work with the City of Los Altos to review possible uses for these additional funds. If not used they would go back to the County and not necessarily result in benefitting groups in the North County. Janet Stone, Mid -Peninsula Housing Coalition, addressed their request for support in the development of affordable housing for developmentally disabled adults. They were ready to purchase property in Palo Alto and had received financial support from Palo Alto, Sunnyvale and the County. Los Altos Hills residents Pauline Novarro, Gloria McCandless and Maureen Collins expressed their support of this project. They each had family members who would benefit from such `' September 18, 1996 Regular City Council Meeting housing and they stressed the importance of such projects for the developmentally disabled. Gail Stipula, Project Match, explained their project to help seniors find affordable housing. Specifically their $30,000 request would help pay for the rehabilitation and remodeling of their new Senior Group Residence. Sally Dannenberg, Next Door - Solutions to Domestic Violence, explained their programs to provide shelter and support to women and children who are victims of domestic violence. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Casey, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously to approve the following CDBG fund allocations: $75,000 Mid - Peninsula Housing Coaltion, $30,000 Project Match and $5,000 Next Door - Solutions to Dometic Violence. In addition staff was directed to explore options for use of possible additional CDBG funds with the City of Los Altos. The additional funds were given to Mid -Peninsula Housing Coalition with the stipulation that they would report on the use of the extra funds and would return them if not needed. 12. CLOSED SESSION: CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ON ANTICIPATED LITIGATION: PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(b)(1) Council adjourned at 10:25 p.m. to a continued Closed Session from earlier in the meeting and reconvened at 11:00 p.m. 13. ADIOURNMENT There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council Meeting was adjourned at 11:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ��P Patricia Dowd City Clerk The minutes of the September I8, 1996 Regular City Council Meeting were approved at the October 2, 1996 City Council Meeting. `v September 18, 1996 Regular City Council Meeting