HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/22/1976C CITY COUNCIL
4✓ TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED MEETING
Monday, November 22, 1976
cc: Reel 96, Side 1, Tr. 1 - 001 -End; Side 2, Tr. 1 - 001-181
Mayor Robert Cheney called the Adjourned Meeting of the City Council to order
at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall:
A. ROLL CALL:
Present: Councilmembers Brown, Grabowski, Hillestad, Proft, Mayor Cheney
Staff: City Manager Robert Crowe, City Attorney Frank Gillio, City
Engineer Alex Russell, Commissioner Perkins for Planning Commission,
City Planner John Markl, City Clerk Norma Hislop
Press: None
Prior to the commencement of the meeting, Mayor Cheney directed attention to
a hand loomed replica of the Seal of the United States of America which had
been made in Ireland which had been donated by Mr. Bob Poole, a resident of the
40 Town, to the Historical Society, and which would be on permanent display at
Town Hall.
B. CONSENT CALENDAR:
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilwoman Hillestad moved, seconded by Councilman
Proft, and unanimously carried to approve the Items on the Consent Calendar,
specifically:
1. Approval of Minutes: November 3, 1976 (Regular Meeting)
2. Approval of Warrants: $21,409.80
3. Resolution #1009 approving and authorizing execution of Deferred
Sewer Agreement, Tract #5801.
4. Approval of time extension for approving tentative map, COUNTRY WAY
SUBDIVISION (formerly BAHL), File #TM2041-76, to January 15, 1976.
C. SPECIAL REPORTS:
1. Light Rail Feasibility Study Report - Presentation by Santa Clara County:
Mayor Cheney introduced Supervisor Geraldine Steinberg, attending the meeting
as a Member of the Santa Clara Transportation District's Board of Directors.
qW
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - November 22, 1976
4W TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT REPORT (Cont'd):
Supervisor Steinberg noted that no decision had been made to this point
regarding Light Rail; that the Study had just been completed and the
Transportation District wished to present the study to all the cities for
their comments and recommendations before any action was taken. She
noted that by 1990 it was projected that there would be a 50% increase in
the number of daily trips, or six million daily trips by auto within the
County. Supervisor Steinberg outlined the choices the County had with
regard to public transportation: expand the present highway system;
increase the present bus system; buy more urban land to control growth;
or build a transportation system to accommodate the demand. She commented
that no action from Council was expected this evening, but hoped that by
the end of the year the District could receive comments on the study.
Mr. James Pott, Director of the Transportation District, Mr. Lou Montini,
Deputy Director, and Mr. Dave Minster of the Agency, outlined the five
corridors within the County which had been chosen for the study, and the
various types of light rail which could be utilized. Mr. Pott also clarified
that the study did not conclude with any recommendations; that its purpose
had been to furnish technical information so that a policy could be
established. It was noted that if the County opted to proceed with building
a light rail transportation system and great amount of lead time would be
needed, and that such a system would not become operable until 1985. A
C cost comparison was also presented of alternative methods of transportation.
�
I After the presentation by the Agency, Mr. Pott responded to questions from
members of the Public and the City Council relative to the costs of the
system. Because the Transportation District was requesting comments and
recommendations to assist them in their Decision, Council concensus was
that the Report should be studied further and the matter given more time.
Council agreed to schedule the matter for further study at their second
meeting in December, so that comments and suggestions could be provided as
requested.
Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Councilwoman Hillestad, to endorse
the concept of a light rail system for Santa Clara County as presented in
the DeLeuw-Cather Report. Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYE: Councilmen Brown, Grabowski, Proft, Councilwoman Hillestad
NO: Mayor Cheney
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
2. Reports of Standing Committees: None
3. Reports of Ad Hoc Committees: None
4. Presentations from the Floor: None
v -2
4W
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - November 22, 1976
STAFF REPORTS, CORRESPONDENCE & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Report of Disaster Training Exercise - Officer Gordon Penfold:
Officer Penfold presented his report to Council on a Traning Exercise
he and Councilman Grabowski had attended recently at Camp Roberts. He
stated that the California National Guard was being trained in law
enforcement in order to lend assistance to communities in the event of
a local or national emergency, and that the purpose of the exercise was
to determine whether the Guard could maintain a mobile force. He outlined
the chain of command and the lead time it took to have such units at the
site of an emergency. He presented slides taken at the exercise where
mock-ups of various types of emergencies had been simulated. At the
conclusion, Officer Penfold stated that he and Councilman Grabowski felt
that the National Guard were doing a good job to prepare themselves in the
event of an emergency.
2. City Manager:
a) Report on cost estimate for tree care: Mr. Crowe informed Council
that close to 100 pine trees along Concepcion Road from Fremont to
Viscaino were invested with boring insects. He noted that two mature
trees were already dead and needed to be removed because of the danger
of their falling; that the remaining trees should be treated to prevent
further infestation; and that several of the trees needed to be trimmed.
As a result he had requested prices from several tree firms in the area
because the Town did not have the necessary equipment to do the job.
After Council and Staff discussion concerning quotations by the Davey
Tree Company and the McClenahan Company, Council concensus was that
the Town's Maintenance Crew could treat the subject trees for the
insect infestation.
Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Councilman Proft, to approve
Bid #1 of the McClenahan Company in the amount of $2,640.00 from the
unappropriated fund balance to cover Items 1, 2 and 3 of subject bid.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYE: Councilmen Brown, Grabowski, Proft.
NO: Councilwoman Hillestad, Mayor Cheney
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Regarding the quotation received for the Oak Tree in the middle of
Roble Alto, Mr. Crowe felt the price was too high, and if Council was
in agreement, the Town's Crew could take care of this situation themselves.
Council so agreed.
b) Sheriff's Dept. letter re Page Mill & Arastradero:
Mr. Crowe directed Council to the letter received from the Santa Clara
County Sheriff's Department regarding several mature Eucalyptus trees
-3-
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - November 22, 1976
4 STAFF REPORTS (Cont'd):
at that intersection, recommending that they be removed since they
presented a traffic and safety problem.
Discussion ensued between Staff and Council regarding other alternatives
to increasing the safety of the intersection other than removing the
trees in question.
Councilmen Proft and Brown agreed that they were reluctant to remove
the trees, but expressed primary concern with the safety of motorists
whose site distance was impaired, and felt that Council should accept
the recommendations of the Sheriff's Department. Councilman Proft moved,
seconded by Councilman Brown to direct the City Manager to obtain
estimates for the removal of the three Eucalyptus trees at that inter-
section. A substitute motion was made in place of this motion as
follows:
Mayor Cheney moved, seconded by Councilman Grabowski, to adopt Resolution
#1008 creating stop signs for traffic on Page Mill Road,in both
directions where it intersects Arastradero Road. Motion carried by the
following Roll Call vote:
AYE: Councilmen Brown, Grabowski, Councilwoman Hillestad, Mayor Cheney
NO: Councilman Proft
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Council discussion continued regarding the intersection, Councilman
Grabowski suggesting that a study be undertaken by the Public Works
Committee regarding possible re-allignment of Page Mill Road at this
point. When questioned by Council, City Attorney Frank Gillio stated
that the Town would be in a difficult position if an accident occurred
in the area unless action was taken to eliminate as much of the hazard
as possible. He said the real question was safety, and Council could
make the area more safe or remove the trees.
Councilman Brown moved, seconded by Councilman Proft, to remove the
three Eucalyptus trees boarding the southerly edge of Arastradero Road.
Motion failed by the following roll call vote:
AYE: Councilmen Brown, Proft
NO: Councilman Grabowski, Councilwoman Hillestad, Mayor Cheney.
Mr. Crowe was directed by Council to contact the Public Works Committee
and request that they study the intersection toward the possible re-
allignment of Page Mill Road.
2. City Clerk - Fee Survey and Report on Minutes and Agendas:
4r City Clerk Norma Hislop summarized the Report presented to Council
concerning rising costs of reproducing Minutes and increased postal
rates.
-4-
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - November 22, 1976
4 She recommended that, in order to defray these additional costs„ a
Finished Agenda, which summarized Council actions beneath the items
on Council's Agenda, be provided to interested members of the public
in place of providing subscriptions, or that a more equitable fee be
set for such subscriptions to offset rising costs. Mrs. Hislop also
recommending that complimentary copies of Minutes and Agendas be
provided to only those public agencies who served the Town, such as the
Health Department, Fire Department and Sheriff's Department. She noted
that Official Minutes would be available at Town Hall, and members of
the Council, Planning Commission, and Chairmen of Standing Committees
would continue to receive Minutes of Council proceedings as presently
provided.
Council discussion concerned number of subscriptions presently provided,
costs of postage and reproduction.
Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Councilman Brown, to adopt the
Finished Agenda as the format for furnishing information to the public
on a subscription basis of Council proceedings at the rate of $8/year
for Finished Agendas, and $6/year for Agendas; complete Minutes to be
available at Town Hall, and provided to Council, Planning Commission and
Chairmen of Standing Committees. Said subscription rates to be set
for Planning Commission Minutes and Agendas as well. Motion carried
by the following roll call vote:
AYE: Councilmen Brown, Grabowski, Proft, Councilwoman Hillestad
NO: Mayor Cheney
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
E. SPECIAL ORDERS:
1. Ordinance for Adoption - Ordinance amending Section 3-1.117 & 3-1.210 of
Municipal Code pertaining to business licenses:
City Manager Robert Crowe read the title of the proposed Ordinance relating
to revised business license fees.
Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Councilman Brown and unanimously
carried to waive further reading of the Ordinance.
Councilman Brown moved, seconded by Councilwoman Hillestad, and unanimously
carried by roll call vote to adopt Ordinance #234 pertaining to business
licenses and fees.
2. LANDS OF CASSARA, File #TM2038-76, Request for tentative map approval:
Mr. Crowe noted that this matter had been held over from the last Council
meeting for further report because of Council concerns over Voorhees
Drive and the traffic situation where it intersected with E1 Monte Road.
4 The City Manager noted that he, Mr. Russell, City Engineer, and Mr. Ivy
of Nolte and Associates had done separate studies on the area and they
-5-
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - November 22, 1976
40 SPECIAL ORDERS (Cont'd):
LANDS OF CASSARA (Cont'd):
recommended that the traffic signalization at this intersection be revamped
by adding a new sequence to the existing three phases; install additional
warnings on the IS280 off -ramp; and that a reimbursement agreement be
entered into by the Town and applicant for his installation of a water main
and fire hydrant.
Councilman Proft expressed concern over the recommendation of changing the
traffic signal, stating that he did not feel that this would be a long-term
solution to the problem; that he felt the St. Nicholas Driveway should be
closed off and traffic diverted to Voorhees Drive. He asked the City
Engineer if there was any feasible way this could be done and access made
to the School off Voorhees. Mr. Russell stated that he thought this might
be accomplished, but that two trees might have to be removed.
Council discussion concerned the dedication of Voorhees Drive as a public
road and improving it to Town standards. Mr. Gillio stated that it was
possible for the Town to allocate funds for the improvement of the road
and determine the amount they wished to spend, with the Town being re-
imbursed when surrounding properties were further subdivided. Commissioner
Perkins, representing the Planning Commission, explained the reasons the
Commission had recommended the dedication of Voorhees as a public road.
Mr. Ted Dunbar, an Attorney representing the applicant, suggested that the
tentative map for the applicant be approved without the need for dedication
of the southerly 600 feet of Voorhees Drive.
Councilman Proft stated that the point was whether the Town wanted to allow
piecemeal development in the Town without taking into account what needed to
be done in the area. He said that Council's responsibility was not to one
property owner, but to all the people in Town to plan in a logical manner,
taking into account the safety of the majority of people.
Speaking from the Floor:
Mr. Al Trafficanti, Voorhees Drive: Said that the current owners of property
in the Voorhees Drive area would like to see the road remain a private road,
at least until further subdivision of the area took place.
Mr. J. Twoomey, representing the St. Nicholas School Board: Stated no position
had been taken by the Board with regard to this matter; however, he did not
feel the Board would have any objections to moving the school entrance if, in
doing so, ingress and egress from the property would be safer.
Mrs. Diana Miller, Vista del Valle: Stated that Council had previously agreed
that planning should be accomplished taking an entire area into account, and
urged their decision based on what would be in the Town's best interest.
r
u
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - November 22, 1976
` SPECIAL ORDERS (Cont'd):
1/ LANDS OF CASSARA (Cont'd):
After further discussion, Councilwoman Hillestad moved, seconded by
Councilman Grabowski, to accept the tentative map for LANDS OF CASSARA,
File #TM2038-76 as recommended by the Planning Commission, with the
deletion of Condition #7 in the approved check list, substituting instead:
"Accept the offer of dedication of Voorhees Drive from E1 Monte Road to
the easterly boundary of the Clausen property." Motion carried unanimously
by roll call vote
3. LANDS OF HARRIS, File #VAR#7008-74 - Request for Variance from setback
line requirements for construction of a tennis court:
Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Councilwoman Hillestad, and
unanimously carried to approve the request for Variance for LANDS OF HARRIS,
File #VAR7008-74, subject to conditions as recommended by the Variance &
Permit Commission.
4. Actions of Planning Commission:
a) LANDS OF MCDonald, File #TM2040-76, request for Tentative Map Approval:
In response to Council's inquiry, Commissioner Perkins commented that
the dedication recommended in Condition 11 of the check list was because of
L the fact that Toyonita Road was a through street and may have to become a
public road in the future.
Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Councilman Proft, and unanimously
carried to approve the tentative map, LANDS OF McDONALD, File #TM2040-76,
subject to conditions as recommended by the Planning Commission.
b) LANDS OF BAUMGARTENER, File #TM2013-76, request for Tentative Map
Approval:
Mr. Crowe noted that modifications had been made to the requirements on this
property imposed by the Santa Clara Valley Water District, and that the
Planning Commission was recommending approval.
Councilman Proft moved, seconded by Councilman Brown,and unanimously carried
to approve the tentative map. LANDS OF BAUMGARTENER., File #TM2013-76, subject
to the conditions as recommended by the Planning Commission.
c) LANDS OF McGOWAN, File #TM2042-76 - request for Tentative Map
Approval:
Mr. Crowe noted that this matter was essentially a lot line change to
acquire sufficient property from a neighbor to build a tennis court.
Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Councilman Brown, and unanimously
carried to approve the tentative map, LANDS OF McGOWAN, File #TM2042-76 as
recommended by the Planning Commission.
-7-
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - November 22, 1976
94W
SPECIAL
ORDERS
(Cont'd):
5.
League
of California Cities
Building Assessment Schedule:
Mr. Crowe stated that the Building Assessment schedule had been adopted
by the majority of cities for the purpose of acquiring a building for
the League in Sacramento to house their offices with sufficient space
to allow for the leasing of part of the unit.
Mayor Cheney moved, seconded by Councilman Grabowski and unanimously
carried by roll call vote to appropriate the sum of $1,755 from the
unappropriated reserve (General Fund) as the Town's portion of the
League of California Cities building assessment.
G. NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. Crowe announced that the public hearing before the Local Agency Formation
Commission (LAFCO) regarding the Town's petition for detachment from the
Mid -Peninsula Regional Park District would be held on Wednesday, December 1st
at 2:00 P.M.
H. ADJOURNMENT:
Council adjourned at 11:56 P.M. to their next Regular Meeting on December 1,
1976.
40 Respectfully submitted,
Norma J. Hislop
City Clerk
In