HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/17/1993 (2)Minutes of a Regular Meeting
February 17,1993
Town of Los Altos Hills
City Council Meeting
Wednesday, February 17,1993, 6:00 P.M.
Council Chambers 26379 Fremont Road
1. CALL TO ORDER. ROLL CALL. AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Barbara Tryon called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order
at 6:10 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall.
Present: Mayor Tryon and Councilmembers Dauber, Hubbard,
Johnson and Siegel
Absent: None
Staff: City Manager Les Jones, II, City Attorney Sandy Sloan,
Director of Public Works Jeff Peterson, Town Planner
Linda Niles and Acting City Clerk Karen Jost
Press: Bill Kisliuk, Town Crier
Mayor Tryon asked that the meeting be adjourned in memory of Denny
Spangler, former Mayor of Los Altos and active community volunteer, who
passed away on February 12th. Mr. Spangler was well known for his many
civic and charitable contributions.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To add to the consent calendar Item 5.1
Resolution to extend the existing contract with Los Altos Garbage Company;
and Item 6.1 Urgency Ordinance to amend Title 11 Land Mark Designation
and Preservation Section 11-1.08.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by
Dauber and passed unanimously to add to the agenda as urgency items the
following: Request for budget approval for S'bring in the Hills Event; and
Request for Town -wide mailing of informational postcard relating to the
recent burglaries.
February 17, 1993
Regular City Council Meeting
2. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS
2.1 Appointments to the Community Relations and Safety
Committees
MOTION MOVED AND SECONDED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Hubbard
and passed unanimously to appoint Lois Tierney and to reappoint Roger
Burnell, Fran McIntyre, Linda Siedel and Gail Solomon to the Community
Relations Committee for terms of two years. Council directed the Council
Liaison to the Community Relations Committee to contact committee
member Hal Nissley and ascertain his interest in reappointment.
MOTION MOVED AND SECONDED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by
Hubbard and passed unanimously to appoint Brian Guilbert and reappoint
Barbara Vetterlein, Barbara Danluck, Yvonne Fisher, Thornton Fisher and
Ralph Vetterlein to the Safety Committee for terms of two years.
3. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
Planning Commissioner Jim Sinunu reported on the February 10th meeting
of the Planning Commission. He noted that all three public hearing items on
the Planning Commission agenda had been approved. He added that the
Lands of Harker approval was a redesign of an earlier submittal.
Commissioner Simmu than addressed concerns that Councilmember Dauber
raised regarding the items. These included drainage issues, MFA calculations
for stairwells and recorded restrictions notifying future buyers of the
property's MFA/MDA for Lands of Turbott; and the pool site, driveway
configuration, and the conservation easement on Lands of Harker.
Councilmember Dauber noted that Council packets only contain item staff
reports and a comprehensive report from the Commission representative is
most beneficial in assisting the Council in their review.
Councilmember Johnson expressed his concerns regarding the drainage plan
for the Lands of Turbott and the location of a below grade garage with the
plans calling for a pump to handle the drainage. The City Engineer noted that
the plans were conceptual and he would be directing the applicant to redesign
the plan omitting the installation of a sump pump and would be
recommending a gravity pipe in that area.
Sinunu noted that the issue of "grandfathering" MFA/MDA limits was also
discussed at the meeting. Siegel voiced his concerns that non -conforming
structures continue under this philosophy. The City Attorney added that the
Council had last changed the Non -Conforming Ordinance in 1991 to add
"change of use."
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Regular City Council Meeting
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: The issue of rebuilding of non -conformity in a
non disaster situation (by choice) be reviewed by the Rebuilding and
Building -Out Subcommittee.
Planning Commissioner Dot Schreiner reported that she had voted against
approval for the Lands of Harker and that she would prepare a report for the
Council for their review of the project explaining her position. Schreiner
added that she had voted against Lands of Turbott because of her concerns
regarding the proposed drainage but felt reassured by the City Engineer's
comments that he would carefully review their plans and make the necessary
revisions before approval and release of building permits.
Councilmember Dauber added that she also had confidence in the City
Engineer's resolve to correct the drainage issues on Lands of Turbott.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Items Removed: Item 4.1 - January 20, 1993 Regular Meeting Minutes
(Hubbard) and Item 4.3b - Lands of Harker (Siegel)
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by
Siegel and passed unanimously to approve the balance of the Consent
Calendar, specifically:
4.1 Approval of Minutes: February 3, 1993 Regular Meeting
4.2 Approval of Warrants: $73528.16 (1/29/93)
$91,240.45 (2/02/93)
4.3 Decided Not To Review the following Planning Commission
Actions at Its Meeting on February 10, 1993:
4.3a Lands of MacDonald, 11800 and 11840 Francemont Drive;
A request for a Tentative map for purposes of lot merger
for 11800 and 11840 Francemont Drive.
4.3c Lands of Turbott, 10455 Lone Oak Land; A request for a
Site Development Permit for a New Residence and Pool.
4.4 Adopted Resolution #4-93 accepting the Notice of Completion,
Pavement Patching - Road improvements, FY 1992-1993 by G.
i Bortolotto & Company
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Regular City Council Meeting
`r 4.5 Adopted Resolution #5-93 accepting the Notice of Completion,
Street Legends and Striping by Savage, Inc.
4.6 Adopted Resolution #6-93 accepting an extension to the existing
contract with Los Altos Garbage Company
4.7 Adopted Ordinance #362- amending Title 11 Land Mark
Designation and Preservation Section 11-1.08
Items Removed
4.1 Approval of Minutes: January 20, 1993 Regular Meeting
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by
Johnson and passed unanimously to approve the minutes of the January 20,
1993 Regular Meeting with the following corrections: page 6, item 7.2 first
paragraph, last two sentences should read " In return for a donation of float
materials for this year's float, he had agreed that the Town would participate
in next year's San Jose Parade. A Councilmember noted that this agreement
had not been reviewed or approved by Council.
4.3b Lands of Harker, 11893 Francemont Drive; A request for a Site
Development Permit for a New Residence, Pool and Spa
Council decided to review this application. The public hearing would be set
for March 3, 1993.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5.1 Request for Budget approval for S'bring in the Hills event
Roger Burnell, Chair - Community Relations Committee updated the
Council on the event. It has been scheduled for May 8 at the Fremont Hills
Country Club with a ticket price of $30.00 - $32.50 per person depending on the
Town's level of support.
Siegel noted that the issue of the Town's responsibility for this event as a
guarantor needed to be addressed. He acknowledged that this is a Town
function with a good "track record" but added that we need to show caution
and he recommended that the Committee work with the City Manager so
that the maximum down side be fully understood.
February 17, 1993
Regular City Council Meeting
Burnell reported that the projected budget costs for the event will be
approximately the same as last year with the exception of the band which will
be an increase of about $1300.00.
Johnson commented he would prefer to have the event price cover the total
costs of the event and not be subsidized by the Town.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by
Johnson and passed unanimously to approve $1000.00 seed money for String
in the Hills and recommend a ticket price of $32.50 per person.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To establish a joint checking account with the
City Manager overseeing the account and as one of the required signees for
the S'bring in the Hills event.
Burnell added that a new organizational chart for the Community Relations
Committee would be distributed soon and Lois Tierney would be responsible
for special projects including the "Welcome" letter and Linda Siedel would be
coordinating the Community Fair.
Tryon noted that there was not a consensus at this time on a new name for
�w the newsletter and because of the time constraints for publication the name
change should be postponed to a future date. Tryon presented Burnell with a
list of items of concern to the Council to be covered in the next issue of the
newsletter which included: new garbage rates, S'bring in the Hills, driveway
roughening program (information to be provided by the City Engineer),
library dedication (Dauber), issue of address changes to aid in locating
residences for emergency vehicles, reader survey, Housing Element (Niles)
and, if space allowed, the new Fire Station at Foothill College.
Burnell requested that the Council turn in their comments on the reader's
draft of the Town Handbook since he would be unable to remain for that item
on the agenda. Tryon assured him Councilmembers will transmit their
comments to him.
5.2 Request for Town -wide mailing of Safety Committee's
informational postcard relating to the recent burglaries
Tryon reported that the Safety Committee was requesting approval of this
item- the mailing of a bulk rate postcard - to assure that all residents are
informed of the recent burglaries. She noted that the Sheriff's department
had assisted in the language. The Safety Committee is also working with the
Community Relations Committee on a newsletter item that would invite
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Regular City Council Meeting
residents to attend a community crime prevention meeting to be held in the
near future.
Dauber commented that she strongly recommended the establishment of a
phone chain or network to contact neighborhood coordinators during
emergencies. Noting that many neighborhoods have telephone networks but
that the initial calls to the 35 coordinators can be most time consuming.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by
Hubbard and passed unanimously to authorize the City Manager to proof,
print and mail Town -wide the Safety Committees postcard.
5.3 Preliminary review of Draft Housing Element
The Town Planner noted that the areas in the draft Housing Element that the
Council had before them that were in double print were being used as
reminders to alert her to document changes that needed to be made.
Jim Sinunu, Planning Commissioner, updated the Council on the progress
the Commission had made on the Housing Element. He noted that they had
spent five sessions reviewing and revising the document. They have been
updating the 1988 and 1991 Housing Elements with new census data. Sinunu
added that they have not yet trimmed the document to a manageable size.
They have been using the Portola Valley Housing Element, which has
received conditional approval from the State, as a reference tool. The
Commission realizes the importance of the document and they are putting it
together with purpose and care.
One of the major issues being addressed is moderate to low income housing
for the Town. Sinunu noted that this was addressed in the section on Goals,
Policies, and Programs at the back of the draft document and requested input
from the Council on the programs and policies proposed in that section.
Council discussion ensued regarding policy items and proposed programs for
the Housing Element with the Council making the following
recommendations:
The Housing Element needs to reflect our intent to implement the programs
and the language should be specific. In reference to the Town's policy of
limiting the size of secondary dwellings to 1,000 sq ft, it was felt that this
would be an intricate part of assuring that the rental costs of these units
would remain affordable.
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Regular City Council Meeting
It should be clearly noted that the Town had made important strides when
they modified the Zoning Ordinance to no longer require Conditional Use
Permits for secondary dwellings
In lieu fees that were mentioned on page 60 could be used for local and
regional projects. This could be added to the description on page 59 of in lieu
fees for developers and included as a policy statement to show the Town's
intent to contribute to local and regional projects.
The programs should not encourage anything other than the Town's
ordinances regarding one acre minimums. The Town's one acre minimum
zoning is appropriate for the rural and inaccessible nature of the Town.
The accessibility to public transportation and facilities should be listed as a
criteria for locating designated sites for moderate to low income housing.
The Town Planner should review the possibility of incorporating a program
that would encourage the preservation of existing neighborhoods that are
made up of modest residences on small lots. This could be another method
of providing low and moderate income housing. The requirement for
preservation of these units could be added to the Town's Conditional
Development Permit standards..
References in the draft pertaining to The Daughters of Charity should be
clarified. It should not be targeted as a specific site for senior housing but it
could be noted that areas such as this may qualify for consideration of
development of low and moderate income units.
The City Attorney should review the State's law regarding manufactured
homes and determine what constitutes a manufactured home, i.e. mobile
home vs. prefabricated.
Programs such as Habitat for Humanity should be identified in the Element
and the possibility of supporting them through our General Fund should be
considered.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To change the wording in #16 page 53 of the draft
Housing Element to reflect that the Town will waive fees for primary
residences of 1,250 square feet or less which would be occupied by persons
with low to moderate income.
February 17, 1993
Regular City Council Meeting
6. NEW BUSINESS
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB -COMMITTEES, AND
COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES
7.1 Quarry Sub -Committee
Siegel reported that Hale Creek is still not running on the surface. A specific
hearing date for the project to appear before the Board of Supervisors has not
been scheduled at this time.
7.2 Residential Design Guidelines Sub -Committee
The Town Planner noted that a reader's draft should be ready for the Council
by February 22. The Town Crier will be carrying an article in it's next issue on
the community workshop for the Residential Design Guidelines to be held on
March 4th.
7.3 Solid Waste Sub -Committee
Tryon referred to an ad in the San Jose Mercury which discussed the new
`r recycling program that is being implemented in San Jose. It includes a large
variety of items as recyclable and is not as limiting in nature as the Town's
program. She questioned why we were not receiving similar service.
The City Manager commented that the rates in San Jose will reflect a
substantial increase and that charges for landfill are considerably lower for
San Jose residents. He added that the sub -committee could return to Council
with rates that would reflect a similar program but they would not be ready by
the March 3rd meeting.
Hubbard noted that time constraints have played an important factor in the
program that has been presented at this time and that following the rate
approval, the Town could work on changing the program in connection with
the franchise agreement process.
New spreadsheets reflecting monthly rates had been distributed to the
Council by the City Manager. Following discussion, it was recommended that
the sub -committee review these new rates. Additional items to be reviewed
included: compost from the yard waste to be available for residents; number
of clean-up days be negotiated with the possibility of it being reduced to lower
rates; yard waste center days of operation and what specific items are included
in the recycling program.
February 17, 1993
Regular City Council Meeting
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: That the Newsletter be used as a vehicle to
inform our residents of the new rates and solid waste program in addition to
an explanation being included with the LAGCO bill.
7.4 Town Handbook Sub -Committee
Tryon commented that it was a pleasure to finally have a draft of the
Handbook that has been in the developmental stage since 1990. She added
that she had made suggestions in her copy of the draft for the Community
Relations Chairman Roger Burnell and would also be providing him with a
copy of the Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Guide as a source of
background information on the neighborhood emergency network. Tryon's
editing suggestions included: reorder of items; resources and telephone
numbers be placed in the back of the book; reduction of the landscape chapter;
adding a better balance to the book by evening the distribution (number) of
chapter pages; elimination of the community opinion survey and inclusion
of the Town budget with a list reflecting the distribution of property tax
dollars.
Dauber noted that she would like to see the chapters clustered to make the
Handbook more readable, i.e. section on recreation, section on government.
She would also like to see a format with replaceable pages that could be easily
updated which would include the Town budget, committee rosters and
meeting dates, government representatives, and neighborhood coordinators.
She also felt it was important in the resource directory to not have Town Hall
as the designated telephone number but the statement that the number was
"available" at Town Hall.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To direct the Community Relations Chairman
and Handbook Sub -Committee to review and incorporate the comments and
editing notes from the Council.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To direct staff to oversee the printing of the
Town Handbook.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To have the Town Handbook Sub -Committee
return to the Council with an update of the Town Handbook in mid March.
February 17, 1993
Regular City Council Meeting
`.
8. STAFF REPORTS
8.1 City Manager
Tryon requested the City Manager investigate the possibility of voice mail
and/or an interactive telephone service.
8.2 City Attorney
Tryon requested the City Attorney provide Council with information relating
to State and County requirements for landmark designations before the
March 17th public hearing on the Griffin House.
The Council Correspondence policy was discussed. Tryon questioned
whether a confidential stamp precluded that the letter would be opened by
the City Clerk and therefore not public record. The City Attorney commented
that the Public Records Act pertains to documents used or relied upon by the
Town. Once a Staff member opens the document it becomes public record. If
that person is directed to not open the letter or document by Town policy, it is
not entered into public record. The Councilmember, however, can choose to
enter the letter into public record.
8.3 City Clerk
8.3a Report on Council Correspondence
8.4 City Engineer/ Director of Public Works
Siegel requested an update on the St. Nicholas School/EI Monte slide
situation. The City Engineer reported that he had recently met with their
maintenance representative and a proposal by their staff is being presented to
the St. Nicholas School Board for the construction of a sluff wall. He further
noted that St. Nicholas School is also investigating their embankment and
drainage problems and hopes to have resolution soon.
9. COUNCIL - INITIATED ITEMS
9.1 Council Calendar (Councilmember Siegel)
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Regular City Council Meeting
10
Councilmember Siegel noted that it would be helpful to staff as well as
�W Councilmembers to plan ahead for summer vacation. It was questioned
whether the time commitment for a budget and the franchise agreement with
LAGCO would be too constraining if Council meetings were to he cancelled.
The City Manager explained that the franchise agreement with Los Altos
Garbage could be scheduled for the second meeting in July and that initial
meetings for the budget have already begun. He recommended that we adopt
an operations budget July 1 and a capitol improvements budget October 1.
This would allow the Town to maintain it's Fiscal year budget for operations
and to wait for the State budget and appropriate costs accordingly.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by
Johnson and passed by the following roll call vote to cancel the City Council
Meetings for the month of August, 1993.
AYES: Mayor Tryon and Councilmembers Johnson and Siegel
NOES: Councilmembers Dauber and Hubbard
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
9.2 Consideration of adoption of a non-smoking ordinance for
Town buildings (Mayor Tryon)
Deferred to a future meeting.
9.3 Budget Schedule
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by
Dauber and passed unanimously that the Town adopt the following budget
schedule policy : Operations Budget adopted July 1 and Capitol Improvements
Budget adopted October 1.
9.4 Griffin House (Mayor Tryon)
Mayor Tryon read into the record her letter to Miss Moss, President of the
Foothill -De Anza College Board, inviting her and the Board to the Public
Hearing March 17th which will consider the designation of the Griffin House
as a Town landmark.
9.5 Development in areas surrounding the Town
(Councilmember Dauber)
Dauber requested information on several new projects on Arastradero and
Page Mill. The Town Planner was directed to investigate their status and why
February 17, 1993
Regular City Council Meeting
11
the Town is not being noticed regarding major developments within close
proximity to the Town.
9.5 ABAG Meeting Update (Mayor Tryon)
Mayor Tryon reported that she had attended the ABAG Regional Planning
Committee Meeting on Housing in Oakland and testified regarding housing
issues. She noted that her suggestions had been incorporated into the
recommendations to be reviewed by the Executive Committee this month.
9.6 Community Policing Symposium (Mayor Tryon)
Mayor Tryon informed the Council that she would be attending the
Community Policing Symposium (March 29-30-31) which is being co -hosted
by the San Jose Police Department and San Jose State University and
sponsored by IBM and Apple Computers. Tryon added that the Town's
Neighborhood Emergency Network is an excellent example of community
policing and this symposium will be most beneficial.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by
Dauber and passed unanimously to approve the appropriation of $275.00
registration fee for the Community Policing Symposium for Mayor Tryon.
9.7 Half Moon Bay vs. Coastal Commission
Mayor Tryon asked the City Attorney to check on the status of the suit
between Half Moon Bay and the Coastal Commission regarding Half Moon
Bay's Initiative setting a growth limit within the Town and the Coastal
Commission's decision to outlaw their ordinance. Tryon added that she is
particularly concerned with the precedent of a regional governing body
outlawing the ordinances regarding development of a small Town.
10. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Dot Schreiner, Planning Commissioner , thanked the Council for their recent
efforts to rid the Town of the numerous real estate signs and return the Town
to it's rural nature.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
11.1 Proposal to designate Morgan Manor, 12355 Stonebrook Drive, as
Town Landmark
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Regular City Council Meeting
12
Council had before them a staff report and resolution for consideration.
Tryon requested an explanation from staff regarding the letter dated February
12, 1993 from the applicants attorney, Mr. Robert Quail. The City Attorney
explained that originally the Meshkovskys and their attorney were requesting
two things from the Town; that Morgan Manor be designated a Town
Landmark and that the Town enter into a landmark contract with the
property owner. She noted that they have withdrawn their request for the
landmark contract because of the difficulty of removing the contract if they
decided to subdivide the property. They were still interested, however, in the
landmark designation for the Morgan Manor.
PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED
Rosemary Meyerott, Town Historian,
important asset to the Town. It was
significant historical value to the Town.
PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED
noted the Morgan Manor was an
an architectural treasure and of
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by
Johnson and passed unanimously to approve Resolution #7-93 designating
the Morgan Manor as a Town historical landmark.
Dauber noted that the Town was most fortunate that the Meshkovskys have
an interest in preserving an important part of the Town's history.
Councilmember Hubbard added that a letter should be sent to the applicants
expressing our appreciation for their efforts.
12 CLOSED SESSION: REAL ESTATE NEGOTIATIONS
12.1 Negotiations with Cal Trans for excess property at Arastradero and
Page Mill Road: Government Code Section 54956.8
The City Council adjourned to a Closed Session for purposes of real estate
negotiations at 10:30 p.m. and reconvened at 11:00 p.m.
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Regular City Council Meeting
13
\7
13. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council
Meeting was adjourned at 11:00 p.m. in memory of Denny Spangler.
LRespectfully submitted,
Karen���
Acting City Clerk
The minutes of the February 17, 1993 Regular City Council meeting were
approved at the March 3, 1993 City Council meeting.
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February 17, 1993
Regular City Council Meeting