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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/14/1992 Minutes of an Adjourned Regular Meeting May 14,1992 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council and Los Altos County Fire Protection District Commission Adjourned Regular Meeting Thursday, May 14, 1992, 7:30 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Mayor Hubbard called the Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council and the Los Altos County Fire Protection District Commission to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Mayor Hubbard and Councilmembers, Johnson, kir Siegel and Tryon Los Altos County Fire Protection District Commissioners Halliday, Hubbard, Lundquist, McGuigan, Siegel, Stutz and van Tamelen Absent: Councilmember Casey Staff: City Manager Les Jones, II, Director of Public Works Jeff Peterson, Los Altos County Fire Protection District Commission Secretary Jeanne Evilsizer, Los Altos Fire Chief Richard Landrum, Los Altos Fire Marshall Stu Farwell and City Clerk Pat Dowd. Mrs. Yvonne Fisher (member Safety Committee) and her husband were also present. Press: None 2. NEW STATION Hubbard noted that discussions had taken place with the Board of Foothill College regarding a new fire station on the campus. The Board was in favor of this new station in concept and a public hearing would be held on the May 14, 1992 Adjourned Regular Meeting 1 issue. Reserves had been set aside for this new fire station and Foothill College would be the contracting agency for the new station. Tryon noted that the new station should be established as an emergency operations center and McGuigan suggested a helicopter landing pad for emergencies. Councilmembers asked that copies of the sketch of the proposed new fire station be sent to Council and to Supervisor Dianne McKenna. In addition, Council asked that this issue be agendized for comments prior to the public hearing scheduled at the College. 3. JOINT STAFFING OF FOOTHILL PARK Fire Chief Landrum reported that Mountain View and Palo Alto would be providing service for the north area of San Antonio Road to Shoreline Park. In addition, joint staffing between Los Altos and Palo Alto was being proposed for the fire station at Foothill Park during the high fire season and for assistance in medical emergencies. Presently there was one person from the Los Altos Fire Department at this station during the low fire season. Under the new program, staffing would go up to as many as two from Los Altos and two from Palo Alto during the high fire season, for 12 to 24 hour days. This agreement was presently being reviewed and a cost basis analysis had been requested. A letter of understanding would be forthcoming. Ifibr 4. FIRE PREVENTION PAMPHLET van Tamelen and Halliday reported that the committee had completed work on the fire prevention pamphlet. It would soon be mailed to all in the District (approximately 4, 000) and would be sent with a cover letter from the Los Altos County Fire Protection District Commission. 5. DUTIES OF FIRE MARSHALL Fire Marshall Stu Farwell reported that he enforced the Fire Codes and State Regulations. He also established fire safety regulations for new developments and oversaw the fire hazard reduction program. Representatives from the Fire Department systematically went through the Town and advised residents of fire hazards. Letters were sent to residents notifying them that their lots needed to be cleared of fire hazards within a certain amount of time or the work would be done by the Town and the charges placed on their property tax bills. van Tamelen stated that she would like to be notified when the Town did not adopt recommendations on new developments as suggested by the 41rMay 14, 1992 Adjourned Regular Meeting 2 Ohir Fire Marshall and Tryon suggested that a letter be prepared from either the Mayor of Los Altos or Los Altos Hills or both that the firemen could take with them when visiting residences. In response to inquiries about the reported fire hazards in Juan Prada Mesa Preserve, Mr. Farwell noted that priority was given to areas of high use. As this area was not used by many it was given a low priority; however, they would keep a watch for changes in the area. McGuigan commented on areas such as Moody, Los Trancos Woods and the area around Foothill Expressway and the Country Club which he believed were high fire risk areas. A discussion followed on these areas with Farwell noting that Los Trancos Woods was serviced by the County. 6. OAKLAND HILLS FIRE -- GENERAL DISCUSSION van Tamelen commented on the following three issues which had been raised at the November 1991 Council discussion of the Oakland fire: street identification, house numbers, and assessment of the Town's fire potential areas. Concerning street identification, Fire Chief Landrum noted that there was no consistency in the Town in street identification. In addition the present height of the signs was at such an angle that they were obscured by smoke in a fire and Mr. Landrum suggested lowering the signs and making them reflective. Fire Marshall Farwell also noted that missing signs in the Town were a real problem for police and ambulances. On the subject of numbering houses, van Tamelen suggested this could be addressed specifically at the Site Development level. It was further noted that reflective numbers be used and the residents be advised through handouts, newsletters, etc. of the importance of clearly posting their house numbers. Hubbard asked if the Town should be divided into different fire potential areas with certain ones demanding stricter regulations. Tryon responded that the League of California Cities Public Safety Policy Committee had voted against such actions as too regulatory and stressed educating residents on the subject instead. Siegel suggested requiring new homes to have sprinklers. Hubbard commented on the issue of visual impact and safety when considering landscaping of homes. On the one hand trees, etc. mitigated the visual impact of a development but on the other hand could pose a safety risk if placed too close to the structure. In response to an inquiry from Hubbard as to whether combustible plants were identified when new homes were being built, Fire Marshall Farwell stated that they were. The City Manager commented on the following issue which he would soon be bringing to the Council for discussion: maintenance and responsibility for maintenance of %ivMay 14, 1992 Adjourned Regular Meeting 3 ihr trees in public right of way along private property. There were several areas in Town with extremely large trees which needed to be maintained both for fire and safety reasons. The Town was working with the Fire Department on potential areas for discussion. 7. OTHER ISSUES Hubbard reported that Sandy Sloan had recently been named attorney for the Los Altos County Fire Protection District. 7. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR 8. ADJOURNMENT There being no further new or old business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Res ectfully submitted, Patricia V is Dowd ��_' City Clerk The minutes of the May 14, 1992 Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting were approved at the June 3, 1992 City Council Meeting. May 14, 1992 Adjourned Regular Meeting 4