HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/07/1976CTT,' C:"TMIL
WN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
11IMTTES OF A RFQJLAR P EETINr,
wednesday, January 7, 1976
cc: Reel 83, Side 1, Tr. 1: 551 -End; Side 2, Tr. 1 001-286
Mayor Stanley Grabowski called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order
at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall:
A. ROLL CALL:
Present: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, Councilwoman Miller (7:35), Mayor
Grabowski Absent: Councilman M:Reynolds
Staff: City Manager Robert Crowe, City Attorney Frank Cillio, City Engineer
Alex Russell, Town Planner Ken Pastrof, Commissioner Young for
Planning Commission, Deputy City Clerk Norma Hislon
Guests: Santa Clara County Transit District Board: Supervisors Cortese,
McCorquodale, Sanchez, Steinberg.
County Executive Howar4 Campen, Director of Transportation James T.
Pott, Deputy Director of Transportation Lou Montini
Press: Mr. Joe Honig - Palo Alto Times
I%W 11s. Becky Iavali - San Jose Mercury -News
Prior to action on the Consent Calendar, Nayor Grabowski introduced Mrs. Chodi
McReynolds, Coordinator of the Bicentennial Committee.
Mrs. McReynolds addressed Council concerning proposed plans for the celebration of
the Town's twentieth birthday and Bicentennial Celebration. She said the Committee
would like to have the celebration on Sunday, January 25th from 2:00-4:00 P.11.,
and plans to date included a historical exhibit of the Town's history, slides
showing the DeAnza Trek and the display of the Bicentennial Mural done by the
children at Bullis School. She said if the proposed plans -were acceptable, the
Committee would request the assistance of the LAN Historical Society and the LAH
Homeowner's Assn. She also requested support from the Town for refreshments and
publicity.
2'DTTON SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Councilman
Cheney and unanimously carried to approve the plans of the Bicentennial Committee
and to appropriate the amount of x'300 for the celebration.
Pus. 14cReynolds also noted that the Town had only seven months remaining in which
to complete the committments made for the Bicentennial Year; which were the
housing for a permanent historical exhibit and the markers for the historical
sites within the Town.
Mr. Crowe noted that the markers were in the office and that a date would be
' set when they would be installed. He also commented that he would have a report
for Council's next meeting on the possibility of obtaining a classroom at Fremont
Hills Elementary School for a permanent Historical display.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - January 7, 1976
v/ B. CONSENT CALENDAR:
At the request of Commissioner David Proft, the Minutes of December 8, 1975
Grabowskirequestd thathe t tthetMinutess offor
Decemberseparate
l7th belremoved. and Mayor
Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Councilman Cheney and unanimously
carried to approve the remaining items on the Consent Calendar, specifically:
2. Approval of Warrants! $71.481.07
ITEMS pnDvED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION:
1. Approval of Minutes: December 8,
1975 (Adjourned
ecember 17,1975(Re))
gularMeet Meeting)
Commissioner Proft requested that the concerns he expressed at the Council
meeting of December 8, 1975 be included for the record concerning the Los
Altos Hills Country Club Use Permit (formerly Adobe Creek Lodge). He stated
that he had commuentd that the previous public discussion held on this Use
Permit was based on an application and Environmental Impact Report covering
three areas for Club use, and the request for the exclusion of Area 'C' raised
speculation as to possible uses, including subdivision. He said that he asked
if Area "C" were to be excluded,
sub-
mitted which reflected the impactpof might eo
club u eof Areas' N' and "B" and the
1%W proposed use of Area "C".
Referencing the Minutes of. December 17, 1975, Mayor Grabowski stated that on
page 4, paragraph 5 and the statement of P1r. Thomas of Cunningham Construction
Company, he stated that he had not met with Mr. Thomas. lie said he would like
to submit his interpretation of the item to Council for approval at the next
Council meeting.
Councilwoman Miller also requested that the statement she had. made to Mr.
Thomas be included for the record. Mayor Grabowski stated that the approval
of the Minutes, then, would be carried over to the next meeting, and re-
quested that Councilwoman Miller also submit a written statement for Council
approval.
C. SPECIAL REPORTS:
1. Joint Meeting with Santa Clara County Transit District Board, Staff and
City Council for the purpose of discussing forthcoming election on proposed
� cent sales tax override:
myor Grabowski announced that Council was honored to have members of the
Board of Supervisor's, who also functioned as the Transit District Board,
with Council for the nurpose of discussing the proposed � cent sales tax
override election set for March 2nd. Council members then stepped down from
their seats to allow the Supervisors and Staff members to make their present-
ation on this Item.
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CITY COUNCIL MIIdfl'ES - January 7, 1976
'A/ SPECIAL REPORTS (Cont'd):
Supervisor Geraldine Steinberg, representative for District NS, introduced
other members of the Board and Staff.
Supervisor Cortese began the presentation by stating the purpose of the tax
override, which was to allow the County the fiords necessary to match State
fiords for the County Transit system and the expansion of that system. He
gave a brief background and history of public transportation in the County
which was poor and antiquated prior to the formation of the Transit District.
He also noted that the ridership of the system had risen from 12,000 to the
present level of 40,000 per day.
Supervisor Steinberg also noted that the chief source of revenue in the past
five years had been allocated to the County under the A4ills-Alquist-Deddeh
Act. She said that the County must cone up with matching fiords in order to
maintain eligibility for both State and Federal funds; that the Board had con-
sidered a property tax or a sales tax as alternatives in order to raise the
monies necessary, and that the property tax had not been considered viable.
Supervisor Steinberg said that the Board must now go to the people of the
County to gain their confidence in the public transportation system and their
vote.
As the Town's representative on the County Transportation COmmissiOn, Council-
man Helgesson spoke regarding what the system was doing in 1973 and what was
being done now. Councilwoman Miller then suggested that a discussion be
I%r held on the system as it related to the Town and what the affect would be.
Mr. Lou bbntini, Deputy Director of Transportation, stated that Staff had
worked with various cities to develop the city's bus routes. Maps were on
display for Council and the public's benefit, and Mr. Pbntini pointed out the
four proposed new bus routes along with the existing routes. He said that
these routes would be subject to review and modification on a yearly basis,
even after implementation.
Discussion ensued between the Transportation District Staff members Mr. Pott,
Mr. Abntini and Council members pertaining to present routes, proposed routes
and their termination stations. Mrs. Diary Ann Balkenhol, Chairman of the
School Transportation Committee addressed the Board and Staff, stating that
she thought the proposed routes would help the Town slightly, but would be
of more benefit to residents with a slight codification. She suggested that
in place of a route down Eastbrook, a full loop be made up 4Iagdalena, Loyola
and 4Aoira which would serve a greater number of people and school children
going to Eastbrook and Blaugh Jr. Hi could be picked up. She also suggested
that rather than terminating a route at Loyola , the bus could continue down
Miramonte and serve many schools which are being attended by Los Altos Hills'
children.
Councilman Helgesson pointed out Route #lot on the map on display, stating
that the original thinking was that this route should go up Arastradero to
4 Page Mill and t^ another section of Arastradero. He said the Town thought
the route should go down OV Page Mill Road. He said that, as proposed, the
bus would go down a road in an area of Town which was not yet developed.
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CITY CUMIL MINUTES - January 7, 1976
SPECIAL REPORTS (Cont°d):
Mayor Grabowski pointed out the extremely acute situation which existed in
the Town since it was not being served by school buses. He said the narrow
streets were being utilized by cars, horses, pedestrians and bicyclists, and
he felt the routes should be flexible enough to pick up as many
shool
children as possible.
h7. Tlontini outlined the procedures planned for modification requests. He
said when a request was received it would be first looked at to see what the
change involved in terms of time and bus availability. Staff would then sit
down informally with the requestor, the Staff members of the city involved,
and a representative of the Transportation Commission to see what could be
done. If a modification were considered feasible, the recommendation would
go before the Commission and Board.
Councilman Helgesson thought it should be stressed that nothing could be done
unless the one-half cent sales tax override were passed by the voters at the
March 2nd election.
Supervisor Steinberg gave an overview on how the proposed monies wouullddanbesion;
spent: 14% would be used to meet existing obligations;
54.9 7% for support facilities; and 13% for light rail transit. She noted that the
Board had authorized a study by Delieu-Cather to look into the engineering
feasibility of the Cupertino-Vasona-San Jose route proposed for light rail,
as well as alternatives, to ensure the best method for handling traffic. She
noted that Santa Clara County was working in cooperation with adjoining
counties to handle transportation problems.
41r. James Pott, in response to questions from the Floor, explained the
planned transportation system for the County, and noted that bus service
was only a part of the over-all plan which included heavy rail, light rail
and various other means of transportation, noting the individual differences
and how they would be utilized. Mr. Montini also suggested thatthey
anhould
had any questions concerning County transportation at any time,
call the Transportation Agency.
After the presentation, Mayor Grabowski thanked the Board and Staff members
for taking the time to appear this evening to explain the proposed tax and
why it was necessary. ]iisc ussinn ender'. at 9:00 P -!'-
E. SPECIAL ORDERS:
1. Request for Final �IaP Approval:
LANDS OF NE MI, File #Pt3009-75, Sandis and Assoc., Engineers:
Plr. Crowe noted that the Agreement on the subject property had been drawn up
and aporoved by the City Attorney. Councilwoman Miller said she had no ob-
jection to the final map approval, but stated that she had received a letter
from the Engirzering firm protesting additional costs. She requested the
City Manager to check the costs on this subdivision.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - January 7, 1976
LANDS OF NEMIAN (Cont'd):
Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Mayor Grabowski to adopt Resolution
#930 approving final parcel map and approving and authorizing execution of
subdivision agreement, LANDS OF NEIM1AN. Tlotion carried by the following roll
call vote:
AYE: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski
NO: NONE
ABSENT: Councilman McReynolds
ABSTAIN: NONE
2. Award of Traffic Safety Contract for Traffic Control Device Study:
Mr. Crowe noted that the Town had received a second grant from the State of
California Office of Traffic Safety, the first one having been for the
identification and surveillance of traffic accident locations, and the present
grant which was for an inventory of traffic control devices. Mr. Crowe said
that, based on the quotations received, he recommended that Council award the
contract to TJD4, who had submitted the lowest bid. He also noted that the
Office of Traffic Safety had approved the proposal as submitted to their office.
Mr. Crowe said that he, Itr. Russell, and Mr. Pastrof had discussed the
possibility of extending the aerial photography portion of the study to in-
clude sufficient horizontal and vertical ground controls to allow for the
production of engineering -type maps, which would be extremely useful to the
1%W consideration
He said that he would submit such a proposal to Council for their
consideration when all studies had been completed.
Questions were raised by Councilman Cheney as to whether all traffic engin-
eering firms had received the same specifications; whether the Town was
obliped to accept the low bid; and who had prepared the specifications am
contract. City Attorney Frank Gillio responded to Councilman Cheney's
question on accepting the low bid, stating that the contract srs an agreement
for professional services, and not a bid, per se. Mr. Crowe responded that
the specifications had been prepared according to the guidelines established
by the Office of Traffic Safety, and were similar to the ones prepared by the
City of Los Altos, who had recently completed the same type of study. He said
the specifications had been drawn up and submitted to the Office of Traffic
Safety for approval, after which, the specifications and a request for
proposal were sent to seven traffic engineering firms, four of whom had re-
sponded with proposals.
Councilman Cheney said he would be interested to see the proposal as sub-
nitted by Nolte and Associates, and Mayor Grabowski agreed, since this was
an established local firm. Councilman Helgesson said he would like to see
the work done to date on the present grant project by TJIC1. Councilwoman
Miller objected, stating that she felt the Town should go out of Town to
receive bids and did not understand any objections Cantil members might have.
She stated that Cunningham Paving Company had done a good job on the streets,
which had been questioned by Council at a prior meeting and she felt the
company's reput,_zion had been hurt by the newspaper coverage. She said she
would not like to see the same thing happen to this firm.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - January 7, 1976
�,. TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANT (Cont'd):
It was the consensus of Council majority that this item be carried over to
the next meeting for the purpose of reviewing the specifications and other
proposals which had been submitted.
3. Apneal on Pathway Conditions of Check List, LANDS OF CHESAREK, File N
TM2003-73, P. Nowack, Engineer:
Pis. Crowe stated that a letter of appeal had been received from the applicant
requesting reconsideration of the pathway conditions on the check list of
conditions because of the steepness of the hill which would be difficult to
grade.
Mfr. Alex Russell, City Engineer, explained the area, pointing out the location
of trees and visually demonstrating the topography of the area.
Mfr. Paul Nowack, Engineer for the applicant, addressed Council stating that
there had been no objection to the dedication of a pathway when this had been
required as a condition because no thought was given to the nature of the
request; however, when the area was checked for the installation of the path,
it was found that the pathway required was in line with mature eucalyptus
trees and fences; that the steepness of the slope would not only cause erosion
problems, but if someone fell on it, they would roll into the lane of traffic
on the road.
1%W Mr. Robert Stutz, Chairman of the Pathway Committee, said that the original
thinking of the Committee was to get the pathway as far away from the road as
possible. Discussion followed. between Staff and Council regarding both path
requirements for this property, and Mr. Russell approximated the steepness of
the one slope at 30% for the first 150 yards, after which the land flattended
out.
Councilwoman Miller moved, seconded by Councilman Cheney to leiete Condition
4 from the original list of conditions as stated in the Staff Memorandum
dated January 2, 1974, and to accept an in -lieu path fee in its place. The
motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Councilwoman Miller moved, seconded by Councilman Helgesson to accept a
pathway easement on the subject property between Altamont and Vinedo Lane
within the watermain easement with no pathway construction required; and to
accept in -lieu fees based on the construction costs of a Type LA natural
path. Mbtion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
F. GENERAL ORDERS AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Appointment to Pathway Committee:
Councilwoman Miller stated that she had learned that Mfr. Conrad Pfizer, former
member of the Pathway Committee had passed away suddenly on Christmas Eve.
councilman Cheney moved, seconded by Councilwoman Miller to appoint PHrs.
40 Carol Gottlieb, Summerhill Avenue, to fill the unexpired term created by the
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - January 7, 1976
PATHWAY co"gTTEE APPOINi1utrl (Cont'd):
Name'
resignation of Mr. Dfizer to June 30, 1976. Notion carried unanimously by
roll call vote.
2. Meeting Date Change - City Council:
Mayor Grabowski moved, seconded by Councilman Helgesson and unanimously
carried by roll call vote to move the Regular Meeting of the Council scheduled
for Wednesday, January 21st to Monday, January 26th, and to continue the
public hearing on the proposed public facilities zoning change to January 26th.
3. Conflict of Interest:
Playor Grabowski noted that he had received a letter questioning a possible
conflict of interest on a recent Committee appointment and requested that the
City Attorney review the letter and report his findings to Council.
G. NEW BUSINESS: None
H. ADTOURNhMENT:
Councilwoman Miller moved, seconded by Player Grabowski to adjourn the meeting
in memory of Por. Conrad Pfizer. Potion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Council adjourned at 10:20 P.M. to the rescheduled Council meeting on Wednesday,
'%W January 26, 1976.
14
Respectfully submitted,
Norma J. Hislop
Deputy City Clerk
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