HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/02/1995Minutes of a Regular Meeting
` August 2,1995
Town of Los Altos Hills
City Council Meeting
Wednesday, August 2, 1995, 6:00 P.M.
Council Chambers. 26379 Fremont Road
1.
CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Siegel called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 6:00
p.m.
in the Council Chambers at Town Hall.
Present: Mayor Siegel and Councilmembers Casey, Hubbard and
Johnson
Absent: Councilmember Dauber
Staff: City Manager/City Engineer Jeff Peterson, City Attorney
Sandy Sloan, Planning Director Curtis Williams, Public
E
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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 McMahon reported on the following applications from the
July 26, 1995 Planning Commission Meeting: Lands of Geers, 27435 Natoma Road,
request for site development permit for a major addition - approved; Lands of Kim,
12005 Finn Lane, request for a site development permit for a fence, lighting and
landscape plan - continued; Lands of Drumm, 12001 Finn Lane, request for a site
development permit for lighting and landscape plan - continued; and Lands of
Shum/Teng, 24028 Oak Knoll Circle, request for a site development permit for a
new residence - approved.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Items Removed: 4.2 (Casey), 4.3a (Casey), 4.7 (resident) and 4.11 (Siegel)
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Regular City Council Meeting
` MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Johnson
ar and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the balance of the
Consent Calendar, specifically:
4.1 Approved Minutes: July 19, 1995 (Adjourned Regular)
July 19, 1995 (Regular Meeting)
4.3 Decided Not To Review the following Planning Commission Action
at its Meeting on July 12, 1995:
4.3b Lands of Hamm, 24292 Elise Court: approved request for a
site development permit for a new residence
4.4 Introduced Ordinance updating the Conflict of Interest Code
4.5 Adopted Ordinance #376 amending and repealing certain sections of
the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code relating to sewers
4.6 Awarded Certificates of Appreciation: Marshall Balfe, Muriel Knudsen
and Sarah Wilson
4.8 Approved request from Westwind Barn for authorization to use
an audio system and a banner for their Hoedown on August 26, 1995
4.9 Appointed Emergency Standby Council Members -- Reso #59-95
4.10 Adopted Goals and Objectives for FY 1995-96
Items Removed:
4.2 Approval of Warrants: $132,713.26 (7/18/95)
Casey questioned the bills for consultants such as William Cotton, Wilsey & Ham
and Earth Systems. The City Manager explained the expenditures noting that Earth
Systems was following up on hazardous materials soil testing at the corporation
yard due to the gas tanks which had been there at one time. The payments to Cotton
and Wilsey & Ham were for professional services on applications and projects in the
Town such as the Robleda Road Retaining Wall Project. Casey believed that bids
should be requested for projects rather than the same consulting firms being used
for these projects. It was agreed this issue would be addressed at a later time.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Casey and
passed unanimously by all members present to approve the warrant list dated
7/18/95 in the amount of $132,713.26.
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Regular City Council Meeting
`� 4.3a Lands of Hwong, 12813 Clausen Court: approved request for a
site development permit for a sports court
Council decided to review the request for a site development permit for a sports
court for Lands of Hwong at 12813 Clausen Court.
4.7 Request for authorization to proceed with a drainage study on Robleda
Road and on LaPaloma Road
Mr. Pfeiffer, LaPaloma, concurred with this request for authorization to proceed
with a drainage study on Robleda Road and on LaPaloma Road. The drainage
situation had gotten much worse.
Siegel asked if this study would be ready when the Capital Projects budget was
discussed in October and was informed by the City Manager that this study would be
done by Wilsey and Ham and would be ready for review at that time. Casey
believed that such projects should go out to bid and Siegel suggested comparing
Wilsey and Ham's costs to those of other engineering consulting firms. Siegel also
recommended proceeding with a request for proposals for consulting engineering
services in December thereby completing this construction season before doing so.
Juanita Reed, 13940 La Paloma, agreed with Mr. Pfeiffer. She had an application
with the Town for a lot split but was being delayed because of this drainage issue.
�br She did not believe it was fair that other lot splits in the neighborhood had been
approved but hers was being held up pending resolution of this drainage issue. She
wanted to proceed with her project.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Johnson
and passed unanimously by all members present to authorize the City Engineer to
proceed with a study of the Robleda Road drainage basin at Fremont and the La
Paloma Road drainage basin between La Paloma and Fremont.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To bring a request for proposals for consulting
engineering services to the Council in December.
4.11 Request for authorization to advertise for bids on the Pavement
Management Project 1995 --- Reso #
Siegel referred to the list of proposed streets to be included in this project. In
particular he questioned including El Monte at the College and Arastradero from
Page Mill to the Town Limits. Siegel recommended including streets used more by
the residents such as Altamont, Moody and Prospect rather than the arterial streets.
He also referred to Ravensbury and asked if the City Manager could contact the
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Regular City Council Meeting
`, County (half owner of the street) regarding a joint project for repair of the street. He
made the same recommendation for Arastradero with the City of Palo Alto. The
City Manager referred to the Pavement Management Study which included
recommendations on the condition of streets in Town and when they should be
scheduled for repair to eliminate possible future more costly repairs. The
recommended streets for this project were included based on that report.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Johnson and
passed unanimously by all members present to approve the following streets for the
1995 Pavement Management Project: Arastradero Road from Horseshoe Lane to
1400' west of Horseshoe Lane, Arastradero Road from Page Mill Road to the westerly
Town limits, Fremont Road from Arastradero Road to Burke Road, El Monte Road
(eastbound) from College Road to Summerhill Avenue, EI Monte Road
(westbound) from O'Keefe Lane to College Road and Prospect Road (repairs only)
and to adopt Resolution #60-95 ordering the performance of certain work (the
Pavement Management Project, 1995).
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5.1 Report on plans for short-term remodel at Town Hall
Council discussed the proposed remodel of Town Hall which included in part the
installation of new carpeting, partitions, work stations and counters. Staff
recommended this short-term remodel to deal efficiently with new staff positions
and an already crowded working environment. This project had been budgeted for
in the 1994-95 Capital Budget and would be completed at this time at a cost not to
exceed $17,000. Hubbard recommended including painting at this time.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Johnson
and passed unanimously by all members present to authorize the City Manager to
proceed with the short-term remodel plan of Town Hall and to begin construction
in August.
6. NEW BUSINESS
6.1 Request from Ray Rooker to place a real estate sign at 13826 Page
Mill Road
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by Casey and
passed unanimously by all members present to approve the request from Ray
Rooker to place a real estate sign at 13826 Page Mill Road
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6.2 Request for authorization to advertise for bids on the Town's Robleda
Road Retaining Wall Project, 1995 -- Reso #_
The City Manager noted that there was presently $200,000 budgeted for this project
but preservation of oaks had increased the project cost. He was therefore asking
Council to consider increasing the amount of money budgeted for this project.
Council agreed that this request could be discussed when the bids were reviewed.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Johnson
and passed unanimously by all members present to adopt Resolution #61-95
ordering the performance of certain work (the Robleda Road Retaining Wall Project,
1995)
6.3 Adoption of policy regarding circular (double access) driveways
Council had before them the proposed policy from the Planning Commission on
circular driveways. This policy included several criteria which needed to be met
before a circular driveway would be allowed. Council disagreed with the policy,
noting that the policy as written discouraged circular driveways and required an
applicant to prove to the Town why he or she should be allowed a circular
driveway. Hubbard commented that oftentimes an owner ended up with more
development area by not having a circular driveway and Casey noted that the street
she lived on was quite rural and had several circular driveways. Council supported
a policy which stated that circular driveways would be allowed unless safety was an
issue.
Dot Schreiner, 14301 Saddle Mountain Drive, gave some historical information on
the issue of circular driveways and referred to a development guide prepared in
1989. Circular driveways historically had not been encouraged in the Town and she
supported the Planning Commission's recommended policy.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To direct the Planning Director to prepare a policy on
circular driveways to be included in the Design Guidelines stating that circular
driveways are allowed unless safety is an issue and to bring this policy to the
Council for approval at the next Council Meeting.
6.4 Discussion of changes to conditions of approval regarding landscaping,
colors, required certifications and outdoor lighting
Council discussed the proposed changes to the conditions of approval on
landscaping, landscaping maintenance and outdoor lighting. The Planning Director
noted that these changes did not reflect a change in policy but were rather proposed
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for clarity. Casey commented that some parts of the conditions were too subjective,
such as the reference to erosion. She asked "What does erosion mean?" Also Casey
commented that it was more cost effective to do certain landscaping items when
remodeling. She recommended obtaining input from builders and contractors on
these conditions before approving them. Hubbard proposed a rewriting of the
landscape condition and Casey suggested that the Streamlining Subcommittee
review these conditions and Hubbard's suggestion and make a recommendation to
the Council.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To continue discussion of the changes to conditions of
approval regarding landscaping, landscape maintenance and outdoor lighting to a
future Council Meeting.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Johnson and
passed unanimously by all members present to approve the following language for
the conditions of approval on paint colors and building/grading certifications:
"Painting: Paint colors shall be chosen by the applicant and approved by staff in
conformance with the Town's adopted color board, and shall exhibit a light
reflectivity value of 50 or less. Roofs shall use materials which have a light
reflectivity value of 40 or less. White trim area should be minimized, particularly
on large surfaces such as doors, columns, railings, and trellises. A color sample shall
be submitted to the Planning Department for approval prior to painting of the
exterior of the residence. All applicable structures shall be painted in conformance
with the approved color(s) prior to final inspection.
Building Certification: At the time of foundation inspection for a building and prior
to final inspection for grading and hardscape improvements, the location and
elevation of the new residence, decking, driveway and pool shall be certified in
writing by a registered civil engineer or licensed land surveyor as being in/at the
approved location and elevation shown on the approved Site Development plan.
At the time of framing inspection for a building and prior to final inspection for
grading and hardscape improvements, the height of the building or other structures
shall be similarly certified as being at the height shown on the approved Site
Development Plan."
6.5 Discussion of Yardwaste Operation Rules
Siegel reported that the tonnage from the yardwaste site equalled the tonnage from
the residences in Town. There were clearly too few controls at the yardwaste center
and steps needed to be taken to correct this situation. It was clear that this was a
widely known free service to gardeners. Suggestions included much more control
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by the person in charge from the garbage company such as requiring participants to
show their license and keeping a list of all customers. Casey believed that those
residents who used the yardwaste center should be charged but it should not be on
the garbage bills.
David Maurer, 26169 Maurer Lane, suggested that the person at the yardwaste center
be more diligent in requiring residents to show their licenses. He also suggested that
vouchers be used which could be sent out with the bills and turned in at Town Hall.
Colleen Maurer, Maurer Lane, suggested using coupons for the yardwaste center
which could be picked up at Town Hall.
Clyde Noel, 24160 Dawnridge Drive, commented that it was too much of a hassle to
use the yardwaste center and steps should be taken to make it more organized and
efficient for the residents.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To agree on the following steps regarding the yardwaste
center:
1. Proof of residency will be required and the residents will be required to sign
in.
2. Residents who use a landscape contractor to haul their yardwaste to the
facility must send a note on personalized letterhead estimating the number
of loads to be hauled, a business card or other personalized memo paper
showing their addresses, the date of hauling and signature of the owner.
The landscaper will be required to sign in.
3. The Town will get copies of all sign in charts and letters.
4. No trucks larger than a 3/4 ton pick-up will be allowed to dump yardwaste
at the facility. Loads must not exceed the top of the cab in height.
5. A sign shall be placed at the yardwaste facility stating that these regulations
will be seriously enforced beginning September 1st.
7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES. SUB -COMMITTEES. AND
COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES
8. STAFF REPORTS
8.1 City Manager
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` 8.2 City Attorney
br 8.3 City Clerk
8.3.1 Report on Council Correspondence dated 7/26/95
9. COUNCIL -INITIATED ITEMS
9.1 Authorization to attend League of California Cities Annual
Conference in San Francisco, October 22-24, 1995 and Designation
of Voting Delegate
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by Casey and
passed unanimously by all members present to authorize attendance at the League
Annual Conference for any Councilmember who wished to attend and to designate
Councilmember Casey as the voting delegate.
9.2 Los Altos Garbage Services (Mayor Pro Tem Hubbard)
Hubbard asked the City Attorney if the mandatory garbage fees were legal or
whether the cost of such services such as the yardwaste center and clean-up days
should come out of the General Fund. The City Attorney responded that according
to the Government Code, mandatory garbage fees were legal and were not a tax.
Hubbard recommended bringing this issue back to Council for discussion. Siegel
requested Council to submit their concerns on this subject in writing if they wished
Council to revisit the issue.
10. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
John Vidovich, DeAnza Properties, commented that he had submitted all the
materials requested of him by the Town for the Quarry Project and noted that he
was looking forwarded to proceeding with getting this project completed in the
Town. The Planning Director commented on the Planning Commission's meeting
schedule to hear this project. The Mayor recommended discussing certain issues
relating to this project at certain meetings so that the hearings on the project could
proceed in an orderly and efficient manner.
Dot Schreiner, Planning Commissioner, noted that she and Planning
Commissioner Carol Gottlieb had a meeting scheduled with Pathways, Parks and
Recreation Committee Chairman Les Earnest and City Manager Jeff Peterson to
discuss the pathway map. The supply of pathway maps at Town Hall had been
distributed and it was necessary to make some decisions regarding the reprinting of
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4 this map. At the meeting, it would be decided whether to include adding private
roads, emergency roads and minor changes to the routes or whether to reorder a
supply of maps with no changes.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
12. URGENCY ITEM
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by Hubbard
and passed unanimously by all members present to add the following item to the
agenda as an urgency item: Acceptance of Final Map, Lands of Yen and Jones Lot
Line Adjustment, 27886 & 27994 Via Ventana
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Johnson and
passed unanimously by all members present to adopt Resolution #62-95 accepting
grant of conservation and open space easement for Lands of Jones and Resolution
#63-95 accepting grant of conservation and open space easement for Lands of Yen.
13. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council
Meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Dowd
City Clerk
The minutes of the August 2, 1995 Regular City Council Meeting were
approved at the September 6, 1995 Regular City Council Meeting.
August 2, 1995
Regular City Council Meeting