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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/18/1990 (2) 44. Minutes of a Regular Meeting Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Meeting Wednesday, April 18 , 1990, 7:15 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road Cassettes 4-90 and 5-90 (both sides) and 6-90 (both sides) Mayor Pro Tern Siegel called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 7:20 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Mayor Pro Tern Siegel noted for the public that the applicant for the public hearing on Lands of Circle had requested continuance and staff had requested continuance of Item 8.4. (. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Johnson and �r passed unanimously by all members present to concur with the request of the applicant to continue Item 6.1 Public Hearing on the proposed tentative map for Lands of Circle to the June 20, 1990 meeting. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To continue Item 8.4 'Oral Presentation by Staff to Encourage a Site Analysis Stage in the Development Process' to the next meeting. I. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Present: Mayor Pro Tern Siegel and Councilmembers Johnson, Tryon and van Tamelen Absent: Mayor Casey Staff: City Manager Thomas Frutchey; City Attorney Sandy Sloan; Director of Public Works Bill Ekern; Planning Director Ann Jamison; and City Clerk Pat Dowd Press: Don Brignolo, San Jose Mercury April 18, 1990 1 2. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS 2.1 Cable Television--Status Report from Sun Country Cable and Any Response or Other Related Actions Desired by the Council Lyn Simpson, representing Sun Country Cable, stated that the entire system would be completed by 10/1/90, the contractor for the building had been hired and the dishes had been ordered. She also commented on the importance of direct marketing. Other options included the negative approach which would be for a resident to call Sun if they did not want someone to come to their home or to send out notices with the services available and to ask people to call for an appointment. Council commented that according to the franchise agreement the cable was to have been in place by 4/21/90; if not, liquidated damages could be obtained. Council also asked for copies of all mailings done by Sun and also asked Sun for hard numbers of connections and levels of performance. Tryon suggested that Sun place a message in the newspaper to the residents of the Town giving them a status report. It was noted that the headend lease was scheduled for the 5/16/90 Council Meeting. 3. REPORT FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION Commissioner Noel stated that he had nothing to add to the Summary of the Planning Commission Meeting held on April 11, 1990. Siegel asked for clarification of the Site Development Meetings held before the Planning Commission Meetings. It appeared to be disorganized and he wondered who participated in these meetings. Judy Carico, Planning Commissioner, stated that it was her impression that all Planning Commissioners 'could' attend and some were not coming to the Site Development Meetings. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To state the importance of all Planning Commissioners attending the Site Development Meetings held prior to the Planning Commission Meetings. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR Items Removed: 4.1 -- 3/21/90 minutes (van Tamelen), 4/4/90 Regular Meeting Minutes (Tryon); 4.2 (Phil Dauber) and 4.3 (City Manager) April 18, 1990 2 MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar, specifically: 4.1 Approval of Minutes: April 4, 1990 (Adjourned Regular Meeting) 4.4 Request from the League of Women Voters to Use Council Chambers For Their Council Candidates Meeting on May 22, 1990 4.5 Proclamation: April 23-29, 1990 as "Aids Awareness Week" 4.6 Actions of the Planning Commission: Approved the following: 4.6.1 Approval of Variance to the Maximum Development Area Allowed by the Zoning Code and a Site Development Permit, Lands of Hockett, Edgecliff Place Items Removed: 4.1 Approval of Minutes: MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the minutes of the 3/21/90 meeting with the following correction: add the following last line on page 10: 'MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by van Tamelen, seconded by Johnson'; and to approve the minutes of the 4/4/90 regular meeting with the following correction: page 13, Item 11.5, the first sentence should read: 'Tryon reported that a productive discussion on the proposed Congestion Management Plan had been held by the Joint Committee.' 4.2 Approval of Warrants: $169,930.24 (April 10, 1990) 4.3 Amendment of Contract, Wilsey and Ham, Engineering Services Mr. Philip Dauber, Chairman - Finance Committee, questioned the $59,000 expenditure for one month shown on the warrant list to Wilsey and Ham. He believed this expenditure was far too high and suggested in house staff should be used rather than the expensive alternative of consultants. ‘ev April 18, 1990 3 The Director of Public Works explained that Wilsey and Ham worked on a variety of project for the Town and most of the expenses were reimbursed by the applicant. Approximately $2,000 per month was chargeable to the Town. Under the present contract with Wilsey and Ham, there was a fixed rate of $55.00 per hour with twenty hours guaranteed by the Town. The amended contract called for $70.00 per hour, with no minimum number of hours and with a termination date of June 30, 1991. The City Manager suggested that Mr. Dauber's suggestion regarding in house staff/consultants be discussed at the next finance committee meeting scheduled for the first week in May. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by van Tamelen and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the warrant list dated 4/10/90 in the amount of $169,930.24. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by van Tamelen and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the amendment of contract with Wilsey and Ham for engineering services. `y. 5. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Mr. Timothy Descamps, representing the Arts Council of Santa Clara County, invited the Town to participate in the events scheduled for 4/28/90 at the Triton Museum Toward a Regional Vision' with the goal of providing a forum on the arts. Judy Carico, Planning Commissioner, noted that she was a member of the Ad Hoc Committee on Rebuilding and Building Out and did not concur that the next meeting be continued until after the election. She believed the Commitee should move forward. Mrs. Betsy Bertram, 11854 Page Mill Road, commented that she had attended the candidates' night put on by the Horsemens' Association and the issue of tree planting was brought up, particularly that being done near the Packard property. Who was responsible for this planting and was there any planning done? Siegel noted that these trees were being planted as part of the Altamont Path Project and suggested this be discussed at a future meeting. Tryon suggested that the Environmental Design and Protection Committee be used as an important resource. fes0 vanTamelen noted that she and Mayor Pro Tern Siegel had served on a sub-committee April 18, 1990 4 of the Council on trees and had driven around the Town with the City Manager to discuss locations. Johnson noted that he had received a lot of angry phone calls regarding the trees on Altamont. The trees were being planted under telephone and power lines and would have to be cut back and they were being planted too close together. It was an inappropriate way to do traffic control. Mr. Arthur Middleton, 27525 Edgerton, supported Johnson's comments and stated that he would like to see a planting plan for trees. The Director of Public Works stated that he was aware of the concerns and was willing to discuss them. This issue would be on the next Council agenda. Mrs. Betsy Bertram, 11854 Page Mill Road, noted that she volunteered to work with the staff on the placement of trees. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS 6.1. Tentative Map, Negative Declaration and Conditional Exception for a Two- Lot Subdivision, Lands of Circle, Taaffe Road Mrs. Judy Carico, Planning Commissioner, suggested that this issue be referred back to the Planning Commission as it had been a tie vote at the Commission and not all Commissioners had the same information. The City Attorney responded that the Council should hold the hearing on June 20th and then decide whether or not to send it back to the Commission. The City Manager noted that it was not policy to include the entire geotechnical report on a project in the Commissioners' packets. What was included was the Town Geologist's comments and possible conditions regarding geotechnical issues. 6.2. Certification of Negative Declaration and Introduction of an Ordinance Protecting Oak Trees and Heritage Trees Council agreed to the following corrections to the ordinance before them: page 2, Sectionl2-2.303 first sentence should read: '. . . .authorized representative by telephone or in writing to the City Manager. . .'; page 4, Section 12-2.401, second sentence should read: 'At the hearing, the Council shall consider a Plan of Protection for the tree, and • may require a report prepared by the Arborist and paid for by the Town.'; and page 6, April 18, 1990 5 Section 6, change "of this remaining portions' to 'of the remaining portions'. Mrs. Betsy Bertram, 11854 Page Mill Road, asked what qualified a tree as a heritage tree. She noted that on their property there was a magnificent historical oak which had a span of approximately 200 feet. She would like for this tree to become a heritage tree and also inquired whether or not the Town would help in the cost of spraying this tree as a prevention against disease. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by van Tamelen, seconded by Tryon and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the negative declaration. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by van Tamelen, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously by all members present to waive further reading of ordinance. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by van Tamelen, seconded by Tryon and passed unanimously to introduce Ordinance. 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7.1 Quarry Hills Subdivision Project -- Reclamation, Pre-and Post-1975 Excavation and Revegetation Council had before them the Director of Public Works' staff report dated 4/18/90 on the Reclamation Plan for the Quarry Hills. It was noted that the final reclamation plan would be the basis for conditions of the subdivision and if the Town had a subdivision then the conditions of the subdivision would supercede the conditions of the reclamation plan. If the area were not annexed to the Town, then the County's reclamation plan would remain in place. John Vidovich, applicant, commented that turning the quarry into a lake was good for the entire community. He was interested in doing a good job and would work with the City Manager and City Attorney toward a successful plan for the lake. He also noted that the neighboring properties may wish to join the homeowners' association so that they too could enjoy the lake. Mr. Vidovich also stated that it would be a semi-aesthetic lake with boating (not motor) and fishing but no swimming and he noted that now it was being patrolled on a regular basis. Siegel commented that the reclamation plan was designed for the safety of closing the quarry and a subdivision was for the the people involved. One issue was that additional landscaping plans for the quarry walls would be needed from the applicant. April 18, 1990 6 Siegel also noted that it could be as long as fourteen years before the lake was in. How would it be controlled in the meantime as far as maintenance and security was concerned and at what possible cost to the Town. Siegel also brought up the issue of the stability of the walls and it was noted that the applicant had hired a new geologist and everyone was urging him to move forward on the project. van Tamelen brought up the subject of accessibility to the lake and Tryon stated that she wanted to be kept informed of any action or direction made by the Ad Hoc Quarry Committee. She also asked if Council would entertain allowing interested residents to sit in on these sub- committee meetings. Siegel noted that the sub-commitee did not need to meet anymore as these issues were being discussed now at the Council Meetings. Dr. Howard Martin, 11666 Dawson, commented that if it was to be a private lake then the owners should be responsible for maintenance and monitoring of the lake, not the Town. However, if the Town approved certain conditions for the lake then the more the Town could be legally liable should anything happen such as a drowning. He believed the City Attorney should look into this. Dr. Martin also noted that there seemed to be a question of whether Mr. Vidovich could even get water since according to State Water Laws water can not be transported to another location for 'non- beneficial' uses. Mrs. Betsy Bertram, 11854 Page Mill Road, noted that there was a connecting trail through the Quarry Lands which was part of the original DeAnza Trail. How would this historical trail be protected. Mrs. Marion Middleton, 27525 Edgerton, asked how the lake could be filled at all considering we were in the middle of a four-year drought. Mrs. Stephanie Munoz, 13460 Robleda, commented that the Town's use of water in the future (such as for fire fighting) should be considered. 7.2 Scheduling of Quarry Tour(s) Council discussed whether the entire Council should go on a tour together with the applicant, Council candidates, experts, interested parties, etc. or whether tours should be arranged for no more than two Councilmembers at a time. John Vidovich, applicant, expressed concern over the possible large numbers of people who might attend such a tour if all of the Councilmembers were present. He suggested holding the tour after the geology work was done. April 18, 1990 7 ` V Dr. Howard Martin, 11666 Dawson and Mrs. Betsy Bertram, 11854 Page Mill Road, both commented that the more familiar the Council was with the Quarry project, the better it would be for the Town. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To agree that if the geology work was done, a tour would be arranged for late May. It was further agreed that Councilmembers would decide when they wanted to go on their tours and if they wanted to go on tours of other quarries. 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.1 Potential Revenue and Expenditure Adjustments Council had before them the City Manager's staff report dated 4/18/90 on potential revenue and expenditure adjustments (copy on file at Town Hall) and went through the proposed short-term adjustments. In part these included: stopping discretionary work, increasing ticketing for vehicle and bicycle violations, charging administrative time to all funds, decreasing time spent in Town by Sheriff and slowing or postponing capital improvement projects. The City Manager also noted that except for an already approved conference trip at the end of the month, no more travel would be authorized for the rest of the fiscal year. Mr. Philip Dauber, Chairman - Finance Commitee, believed there should be increased ticketing. Mrs. Elayne Dauber, 27939 Roble Alto, commented on ticketing and noted that the deputies were more inclined to ticket residents than those driving through Town. Mrs. Betsy Bertram, 11854 Page Mill Road, stated that it did not make any difference whether one was a resident or not; if you were speeding you deserved a ticket. If we did not like the 25 mph speed limits then we should change them. Mrs. Stephanie Munoz, 13460 Robleda had never heard it said before that tickets would be given to increase revenues. Dr. Howard Martin, 11666 Dawson, stated that the Town's open space should be protected and the Town should not consider selling this land to neighbors, developers or anyone. kir April 18, 1990 8 Mrs. Stephanie Munoz, 13460 Robleda, commented that there were two reasons for open space: recreation and visual easement. Council concurred with the City Manager's short-term adjustments except for the following: regarding ticketing, no dollar amount was set and it was agreed the City Manager would discuss this with the deputy; regarding planning handouts, it was agreed to approve one-month's expense to see the first product; staff was directed to talk with Wolfe Mason regarding the Town Entry project and Council did not agree to reduce patrol time to equal activity time. 8.2. Approval of Plans and Specifications and Call for Bids, Storm Drain Work Reso # MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the plans and specifications for construction of storm drainage improvements fiscal year 1989-90 but not to call for bids at this time. 8.3. Request from Planning Commission for City Attorneys Attendance During Discussions of Water Issues Relating to Proposed Quarry Hills klir Subdivision and For a Discussion on General Matters (Currently Scheduled for May 9) PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To approve the request from the Planning Commission for the City Attorneys attendance during discussions of water issues relating to the proposed Quarry Hills Subdivision and for a discussion on general matters on May 9th. 8.4. Oral Presentation by Staff to Encourage a Site Analysis Stage in the Development Process This item was continued to the next meeting. 9. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND SUB-COMMITTEES 10. STAFF REPORTS 10.1. City Manager 10.1.1. Town Newsletter Apri118, 1990 9 l` The City Manager thanked Elayne Dauber and all those who worked with her for getting the Town Newsletter which included the blue Earth Day trash bags mailed so quickly. 10.1.2. Earthquake Assistance The City Manager noted that 4/21/90 was the deadline for applying for earthquake assistance. 10.1.3 Joint Meetings The City Manager noted that Joint Meetings were presently scheduled for April 30 and May 30 and the suggestion had been made to change these to later dates. Council agreed to hold the April 30th joint meeting but to cancel the May 30th. 10.2 City Attorney 10.3 City Clerk 10.3.1 Report on Council Correspondence dated 4/12/90 11. COUNCIL-INITIATED ITEMS 11.1 Request for Council Policy Regarding Charitable Donations (Councilmember Tryon) PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To direct staff and the Finance Committee to look into the establishment of a Council Policy regarding charitable donations and to review this during budget discussions. 11.2 Request that the Town Historian Receive Complimentary Copies of City Council Agendas and Minutes (Councilmember Tryon) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously by all members present to delete the County Assessor from the complimentary mailing list for Council minutes and agendas and to add the Town Historian, Rosemary Meyerott. April 18, 1990 10 11.3 Colors of Street Signs and Poles (Mayor Pro Tem Siegel) Siegel referred to his memo which suggested that the street signs be repainted as they are replaced and the majority of the 25mph signs be removed. He noted that for examples green poles were located on La Loma and brown poles were on La Loma Court. Tryon suggested that Council look at what Palos Verdes Estates had done regarding their signs. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To continue this item to the next meeting. 11.4 Congestion Management Plan (Councilmember Tryon) Tryon commented on the recent discussion concerning the composition/structure of the Congestion Management Plan which would preclude the Town from participating on a committee. Additional information on this would be forthcoming. 11.5 "Gold Card" Program for High School Students (Councilmember Tryon) Tryon commented on the positive response to the establishment of the Gold Card Program and noted that a meeting would be held in the near future for all parties involved to discuss the issue in more detail. Briefly this program would involve rewarding outstanding high school students with gold cards for achievement which could be used for discounts at participating local businesses. 11.6 Garbage Rates (Councilmember Tryon) Tryon asked that former Councilmember Jim Plummer be invited to attend the next Council meeting at which garbage rates would be discussed. 11.7 Tree Planting (Councilmember Tryon) Tryon referred to the suggestion made by the Environmental Design and Protection Committee asking that they be informed of tree planting projects and she agreed that this should be the process. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by Tryon and passed unanimously to go past the 11:30 p.m. hour of adjournment. April 18, 1990 11 11.8 Ad Hoc Committee on Rebuilding and Building Out (Councilmember van Tamelen) van Tamelen commented that it was unfortunate that this committee had not been able to meet more often and been able to make a recommendation on rebuilding and building out as she believed it was a very important issue to the Town. The City Planner explained, in response to an inquiry from Tryon, the procedures available for preliminary reviews. Elayne Dauber, 27930 Roble Alto, commented on the amount of time involved for a new Council to get organized and noted that this was a bit of a 'lame duck' period. Mrs. Stephanie Munoz, 13460 Robleda, suggested that this issue be agendized for discussion at the April 30th Joint Meeting. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by Tryon and passed unanimously by all members present to put the Ad Hoc Committee on Rebuilding and Building Out on hold until after the June 5th Election. 11.9 Letter to Mayor from National League of Cities (Councilmember Tryon) kit Tryon asked about the recent letter to the Mayor from the National League of Cities in which they thanked the Town for its interest in joining the National League of Cities. It was noted that the Town was not interested in being a member of the National League of Cities. 11.10 Mayor's Speech at Commonwealth Club (Councilmember Tryon) Tryon noted that the Mayor would soon be speaking with Tom Peters at the Commonwealth Club and she expressed her concerns that possible negative comments regarding the Town might be made. Mrs. Betsy Bertram, 11854 Page Mill Road, asked if anyone was going to the speech at the Commonwealth Club. On other issues, Mrs. Bertram commented that a possible source of revenue might be sponsoring of trees and noted that orange signs were being placed throughout Town by Sun Country Cable. April 18, 1990 12 11.11 Arts Committee (Councilmember van Tamelen) van Tamelen asked that the Council seriously consider the formation of an Arts Committee. 12. ADJOURNMENT There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council adjourned at 11:55 p.m. to an Adjourned Regualar Meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 30, 1990 which would be a Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Dowd, City Clerk filar April 18, 1990 13