HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/18/1994Minutes of a Regular Meeting
May 18, 1994
Town of Los Altos Hills
City Council Meeting
Wednesday, May 18, 1994, 6:00 P.M.
Council Chambers 26379 Fremont Road
1. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL, AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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 Tryon
Absent: Councilmembers Hubbard and Siegel
Staff: City Manager Les M. Jones, 11, City Attorney Sandy Sloan,
Director of Public Works Jeff Peterson, Planning Director
Linda Niles and City Clerk Pat Dowd
Press: Jan Shaw, Los Altos Town Crier
2. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS
3. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT (Commissioner Comiso)
Planning Commissioner Comiso reported that in addition to the approved Planning
Commission items listed on the Council's Consent Calendar, the Planning
Commission had also recommended approval of the negative declaration and
tentative map for a three lot subdivision for Lands of Vucinich. This application
had been quite involved and several hearings had been conducted to discuss the
drainage issue in particular as well as other issues such as pathways and the possible
formation of constrained lots. The Vucinich tentative map was scheduled for a
public hearing by the Council at their meeting on June 1, 1994. In response to an
inquiry from Council, Commissioner Comiso noted that the sound issue had been
addressed for Lands of Gallie/Munck and she explained the removal of hardscape
for Lands of Gilmartin. Regarding Lands of LeBeau, Commissioner Comiso
commented that it was a second floor addition and therefore not affected by being in
the flood plain.
May 18, 1994
Regular City Council Meeting
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Item Removed: 4.1 - 5/4/94 Regular Meeting Minutes (Dauber), 4.8 (Dauber)
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Dauber and
passed unanimously by all members present to approve the balance of the Consent
Calendar, specifically:
4.1 Approved Minutes: April 20, 1994 (Regular Meeting)
May 4, 1994 (Adjourned Regular Meeting)
May 4, 1994 (Regular Meeting)
4.2 Approved Warrants: $74,577.91 (4/29/94)
4.3 Decided Not To Review the following Planning Commission Actions at
Its Meeting on May 11, 1994:
4.3a Lands of Gallie/Munak (246-93-ZP-SD), 12804 Clausen Court:
approved request for a Site Development Permit and Variance for
a new residence
4.3b Lands of Lebeau (57-94-ZP-SD), 12795 Normandy Lane: approved
request for a site development permit for a major addition and
remodel
4.3c Lands of Gilmartin (54-94-ZP-SD -GD), 25980 Quail Lane: approved
request for a Site Development Permit for a major addition and
remodel
4.3d Lands of Mooring (41-94-ZP-SD-GD), 13791 La Paloma Road:
approved request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence
and pool
4.4 Awarded Certificates of Appreciation: Edwina Comiso, Joint
Volunteer Awards; Mary Compton, Joint Volunteer Awards;
Julie Pearce, Joint Volunteer Awards; and Philip Dauber, Finance
Committee
4.5 Set the time and place of a public hearing to consider all objections
or protests to the proposed adoption of the Palo Alto Sewer Service
Charge Final Report -- Reso #23-94
May 18, 1994
Regular City Council Meeting
4.6 Set the time and place of a public hearing to review the annual
sewer charge set by the City of Los Altos for the Los Altos Sewer Basin --
Reso #24-94
4.7 Authorization to go to bid for the Construction of the Middle Fork
Lane Drainage and Pathway Project, Fiscal Year 1993-94 -- Reso #25-94
Items Removed:
4.1 Approval of Minutes: May 4, 1994 (Regular City Council Meeting)
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Dauber and
passed unanimously by all members present to approve the minutes of the May 4,
1994 Regular City Council Meeting with the following corrections: page 11, add the
following to the end of the second paragraph: "by the adjacent property owners.';
paragraph six should read: "Jan Fenwick, 28011 Elena, asked if the trees on an
emergency access road were street trees. She also suggested the Town going out to
bid for maintenance of street trees in a whole section of Town as a service to the
homeowners. She believed by taking this approach it would be far less costly for the
homeowners. She pointed out that it was very expensive to maintain these trees.';
and add the following to the end of the last paragraph: "for street tree maintenance."
Tryon asked when the issue of motion sensors was going to be agendized for
Council discussion and the City Manager noted that it could be scheduled for the
next meeting. She asked that Mr. Ben Artzi be notified.
4.8 Approving and authorizing execution of agreement for emergency
animal control and sheltering services between the Town of Los Altos
Hills and the Citv of Palo Alto — Reso #
Dauber commented that she had several quesions about this agreement. She asked
what services were provided by Palo Alto that the Town could not provide
themselves. She also wondered if private enterprise would charge less for such
services. The City Manager reported on the various services provided by the City of
Palo Alto for animal control and further commented that the Town's fee schedule
could be modified to cover such animal control costs.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Tryon and
passed unanimously by all members present to adopt Resolution #26-94 approving
and authorizing execution of agreement for emergency animal control and
sheltering services between the Town of Los Altos Hills and the City of Palo Alto but
to additionally require that an in-depth study of this issue be prepared for next year
including the option of use of private enterprise.
May 18, 1994
Regular City Council Meeting
` 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
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5.1 Presentation by Sun Country Cable
David Kinley, President - Sun Country Cable, addressed the issue of the complicated
process of complying with the Cable Television Act. The original act had 2,000 pages
of rules with another 700 added in March of this year. He noted that it cost them a
lot of money to comply with the act and the impact on the small cable television
companies was severe. He stated that at this time they were doing everything in
their power to reduce capital expenditures for the rest of this year toward the goal of
keeping their loan commitments next year.
Mr. Esher, 13430 County Way, concurred that the regulation process was indeed a
difficult one. However, he did inquire if Sun Country was in a position to put in
cable. He noted that he had contacted five of his neighbors who wanted cable but he
realized that he needed seven to get 509 of the street. He further commented on
the need for negotiation on the issue of hooking up to cable in six months or two
years. Mr. Esher stated that he had had some experience in these matters and would
be pleased to work with Mr. Kinley in an attempt to reach a mutually agreeable
solution .
Dauber referred to the Page Mill Road corridor and the option many of the residents
there had taken of installing satellite dishes. She also raised the issue of fibre optics
and asked for a map of who had access to cable. Tryon stated that everyone should
have access to cable and solutions needed to be found. She did not believe that 507
should be required but acknowledged that a lesser number of people could result in
a higher cost. Tryon reiterated they had made promises to their constituents
regarding cable television and these promises needed to be met.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Dauber and
passed unanimously by all members present to direct the cable television
subcommittee (Johnson/Siegel) and the City Manager to meet with representatives
from Sun Country Cable to further discuss issues and alternatives.
5.2 Request from property owners to allow rebuild of homes demolished
due to damage from the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake
a) Pat Rahn, 25701 Lomita Linda Court
Pat Rahn, applicant, noted that Alan Lambert was unable to attend this meeting due
to surgery but he had submitted a letter for their review on the issue of sewer
connection. She further commented that she did not believe it was appropriate that
she should have to pay the fees involved and asked that they be waived.
May 18, 1994
Regular City Council Meeting
` The Director of Public Works reported that he had received Mr. Lambert's
`, correspondence. He had revisited the site and reexamined the conditions relating to
sewer/septic. The Director of Public Works determined that the condition requiring
this project to hook to sewer should not be imposed. The home could be allowed to
have septic with approval from the health department.
Council noted on the subject of fees that this issue had been addressed at the May 4,
1994 City Council Meeting and it was agreed that it was fair to all those who had
incurred earthquake damage and made repairs to their homes that the fees for these
projects should not be waived.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Johnson and
passed unanimously by all members present to allow the grandfathered maximum
floor area and maximum development area to be reconstructed on the site at 25701
Lomita Linda Court in an approved configuration, and require that the project meet
all other development standards and staff recommendations (i.e. setbacks, height
limits, etc.). An eighteen month extension was also granted which requires that the
site development permit application be submitted within the eighteen months.
b) Stephen Bethke, 12894 La Cresta Drive
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Dauber and
passed unanimously by all members present to allow the grandfathered maximum
�, floor area and maximum development area to be reconstructed on the site at 12894
La Cresta Drive in an approved configuration, and require that the project meet all
other development standards and staff recommendations (i.e. setbacks, height
limits, etc.)
6. NEW BUSINESS
7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES SUB -COMMITTEES AND
COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES
7.1 Edith Avenue Property Subcommittee
Tryon reported that the subcommittee on the Ham property at Edith and Fremont
had met and a public opinion survey on this land was being discussed. The
subcommittee would be reporting to Council on this subject at a later date.
8. STAFF REPORTS
8.1 City Manager
8.1.1 Establishment of Price for Town Handbook and Pathway Map
May 18, 1994
Regular City Council Meeting
( MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Dauber
and passed unanimously by all members present to charge $8.00 for the
Town Handbook to non-residents, businesses and residents who wish to
obtain additional copies and to charge $2.00 for the pathway map to non-
residents, businesses and residents who wish to obtain additional copies.
It was further noted that the safety flags in the handbook would only be
inserted in copies going to residents.
8.2 City Attorney
8.3 City Clerk
8.3.1 Report on Council Correspondence dated May 13, 1994
9. COUNCIL -INITIATED ITEMS
9.1 Library (Mayor Pro Tem Dauber)
Dauber reported that eight cities had joined the Joint Powers Agreement and Monte
Sereno was voting on it this week. She further commented that a citizens group
was being established and she and Los Altos Councilmember Ted Lahotis would be
participating in this group.
9.2 School Bond Issue (Mayor Johnson)
Johnson inquired about the school bond issue which had been on the April ballot
and was advised that this Measure I was on the June 7, 1994 election.
9.3 Letters concerning animal control (Mayor Johnson)
Johnson referred to two letters received on the issue of animals. One from Lee
Duley referred to the horses at Fremont Hills Country Club. Staff advised Council
that this letter had been sent to the City of Palo Alto and that the issue would also be
addressed during public hearings on the remodel and expansion of the club. These
hearings were being held in the near future. The other letter concerned an
unleashed dog on Julietta and this letter was also sent to the City of Palo Alto.
10. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Barbara Danluck, member of the Safety Committee, presented a letter to the Council
with a recommendation from the Safety Committee for emergency preparedness at
Town Hall, specifically the establishment of an off-site emergency kit. In addition
the committee was recommending that staff learn the basic operation of the ham
May 18, 1994
Regular City Council Meeting
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radio system. The committee was in the process of updating the Emergency
Handbook and Ralph Vetterlein was attending the Emergency Managers Meetings.
Council thanked the committee for all of their work and noted that a
recommendation should be obtained from Rick Ellinger on the subject of the ham
radio system.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
11.1 Review of adoption of revised Household Hazardous Waste Element
and Source Reduction and Recycling Element of the General Plan --
Redo #__..,
This public hearing is continued to a future Council Meeting.
11.2 Review of adoption of revised Path and Trail Element of the Town's
General Plan -- Reso #
This public hearing is continued to a future Council Meeting.
12, ADICURNMENT
There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council
Meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Dowd
City Clerk
The minutes of the May 18, 1994 City Council Meeting were approved at the
June 1, 1994 City Council Meeting.
May 18, 1994
Regular City Council Meeting